Title: Communication (4/4)
Author: Syreene
Characters/Pairing: 10Doctor/Martha
Rating: PG
Spoilers: none yet
Summary: Communication is reached…
Disclaimer: Don't own Doctor Who...just a copy of his scarf.
Author's Notes: Continuing after my story "Keeping Appointments" - Another plot bunny that's been nibbling at my ankles...I'm crossing my fingers that you guys will like this one too.

The Doctor opened his eyes, breaking the psychic link between them. He watched Martha's eyes flicker as she became familiar with her surroundings, and lick her lips as she glanced at him. He groaned her name as his hands slipped from her temples into her hair and pulled her lips to his as he rose up to his knees. Her arms stretched up over his shoulders and he could feel her fingers run through his already messy hair as he continued the kiss that they shared in his psyche.

Martha slanted her head to his and captured his bottom lip gently between her teeth. She sucked gently on it as she ran her fingers through his hair at the back of his neck, and earned a moan of pleasure from the Doctor. He stretched out his arm while his other held Martha safely to him and leaned her gently back onto the pillows they had set next to the fireplace. He released her lips reluctantly and stretched out beside her next to the fire, his head propped up by his hand.

"I've been wanting to do this ever since we saw the two suns rise on Trathos," he said quietly as his other hand caressed her cheek and slipped slowly down her body, his cool fingers leaving trails of sensation on Martha's heated body. "The way the sun reflected off your skin…" his fingers stroked the skin of her stomach revealed by her tank top, "the way you smiled at me…I…" he looked up into Martha's eyes, and she wished so hard that she could believe the emotions she saw in them.

She reached up and cupped his cheek in her hand, letting all of her love for him shine in her eyes. Why won't you say it? Why are you so afraid?

The Doctor's eyes widened a fraction as he looked up, his hand stilling on her stomach as Martha's words touched his mind. The TARDIS…

He looked back down at her and swallowed hard. I'm scared, Martha. Whenever I care more than I should about my Companions, it frightens me. I've lost so much... he grabbed her hand and brushed his lips against her palm. Will I continue to make the right decisions? Will I be too afraid to lose you that I won't be able to let you go to do what needs to be done? What if I can't keep you safe?

What if you can? Martha smiled. That scares you too, doesn't it?

He half-grinned with a sad look in his eyes. Perceptive as always, Martha. I care for you immensely…but no matter what happens in the future I won't be able to provide what normal human relationships require. I won't settle down in one place, I'm…

Maybe 'perceptive Martha' realized quite a while ago that she wasn't going to get a human relationship with a Time Lord? Her brow raised as she smiled. And all those 'what ifs' you can just toss into the Vortex, 'kay? Whatever is going to happen, happens…and I would much rather enjoy every second of my life that I spend with you then wonder 'what if' for the rest of it without you. She raised herself up on her elbow to look the Doctor in the eyes. Stop worrying about what could happen in the future…or what happened in the past…and just be here…with me…now.

The Doctor rested his forehead against hers as he closed his eyes and sighed. I'll try, Martha.

Martha leaned forward slightly and kissed the Doctor gently. That's all I ever wanted.

The Doctor laid his head down on the pillows by the fire and stretched out so that Martha could lay beside him, her head laying on his chest as she wrapped her arms around him. He watched the fire's reflection flicker across Martha's dark skin as his fingers traced patterns idly up and down her back.

The TARDIS hummed happily into the night and the Doctor couldn't help but smile.