Floating, falling, sweet intoxication
Touch me, trust me, savour each sensation
let the dream begin let your darker side give in
to the power of the music that I write
The power of the music of the night

"You ready to go home Rose"

"Yeah, the Tardis will be missing us, well you anyway. I'm just a passenger"

"You know you not Rose. Your brilliant and the Tardis thinks you're fantastic too. Told you I only take the best and the Tardis doesn't just talk to anyone. I've had heaps of companions in the past and you're the only one she's ever spoken too. I mean genius me and even I don't know what to make of that."

"Well that'd be a first then"

"Oi, you wound me"

"I'm sorry Doctor. I was only teasing you"

The night air was cool and as it touched her naked shoulders she shivered. The Doctor immediately unclasped his opera cloak

"Here" he said as he settled it across her shoulders and inwardly smiled as his touch on her skin made her shiver again but not with cold. As he touched her electric shocks ran from his hands, through his body and down to his groin. How much longer could he resist the urge to give in?

"Thank you kind sir" she teased him. "You know I was surprised to see you in this tonight. You just needed the top hat and walking cane to complete the whole look. I thought you didn't like ruining your usual wardrobe routine"

"You'll find I'm full of surprises Rose Tyler. Don't often get dressed up in the monkey suits but gotta admit they have style and of course I look gorgeous."

Yeah you do thought Rose and then realised she'd said it out loud. The Doctor had stopped and was staring at her. Rose tried to hide her blush before continuing. "you know gorgeous considering your an alien and all". Still blushing she kept walking forcing him to follow her but unable to avoid his gentle laughter. Finally they reached the Tardis and their hearts warmed at hearing her familiar hum welcoming them home.

Once inside the Doctor rid himself of his evening jacket and Rose removed the cape from her shoulders drapping it over one of the Tardis' coral column struts. Despite the uncomfortable silence neither is ready for the evening to end yet. The Doctor puts the Tardis into the vortex before turning to Rose. His eyes are dark and she's not sure what to make of it.

"Rose Tyler would you care to dance"

"But there's no ..." however even as she voices her statement familiar music fills the room and they both laugh as they realise that its from "The Phantom of the Opera". Almost as if they are in a dream the Doctor takes her hand and she doesn't resist, instead walking into the strength of his arm and his hand on her waist, her face against his shoulder. They dance to 'Masquerade' and the Doctors hold on Rose tightens immediately and she gasps as she hears his hearts pick up pace and she knows her single one is running along in time.

"Doctor why did you take me there? I know you said it was because you thought Andrew Lloyd Webber was a genius but why else?"

"Oh Rose, always said you ask all the right questions didn't I"

"Doctor"

"I..um...I wanted to watch your reactions. I like watching your face when you discover something new. I'm a 900 year old alien Rose. Seen a lot me but seeing you when we go somewhere or do something new never gets old. Tonight was a joy observing all the emotions crossing your face as you immersed yourself in the story and music. I don't even have to try and read your mind because your face is such an open book. You light up brighter than the stage itself and totally spell binding. It makes a jaded Time Lord like me want to live again."

Rose gasped. Besides from the fact that this was one of the longest speeches he'd ever made to her (unless it was a history lesson) was the point that he'd never spoken to her like this. This was the most open the Doctor had ever been and she hoped it wouldn't end too soon.

"What..what emotions did I show then Doctor" she said desperately hoping she hadn't betrayed herself.

"Tenderness, sorrow, desire, laughter, longing and...love" he finished quietly.

No thought Rose, he didn't just say that. She tried to cover her embrassment. "It's a good thing I don't play poker with you then hey. You'd always call my bluff since I've got such a bad poker face".

She heard the Doctor laugh softly before he bent forward and kissed her forehead.

"Don't ever hide things from me Rose please. One of us wearing a mask is bad enough. Rose you asked me why I took you there tonight. Did you wonder why I love the story or why I go back time and again to see it? The story makes me feel less alone. The Phantom and I are so alike."

This revelation surprised Rose but she didn't interrupt. As they danced she listened. The Doctor was showing her his hearts She could sense the change in the relationship between them and she'd allow nothing to get in the way.

"You remember I told you about the Time War and how all my people were lost. I'm alone Rose, the last of my species. I can surround myself with people but in my head I'm alone. The Opera Ghosts not an alien like me but he also knows that feeling of utter loneliness as he had no one to care about him, not even his own mother wanted him. I'm not sure even my mother would want me now knowing what I did. The blood thats on these hands. The Phantom murdered people, and so did I. I killed them all Rose, Daleks, Time Lords alike. I don't have the physical scars but mentally I'm as disfigured as the Phantom. Most people see the me I want them to see. It's a mask I wear hiding away the monster beneath. "

The agony Rose heard in his voice told her he believed every word he spoke. He stopped dancing and moved away from her, his eyes full of pain and self recrimination.

"The one redeeming miracle of the play is despite being caught up in the dungeons of his blackest despair the Phantom still finds hope. Somehow through the insanity he finds a light. The Light that is Christine brings him to life and he feels things long forgotten including love. I wandered for several years after the Time War Rose, rejecting the universe and burning in my own personal hell. My soul was dark and I never understood what the Phantom felt until I found my own light... until I met you.

"Me! But but I'm nothing special. Just a shop girl"

"Oh Rose you are so much more than that. I was existing when I met you. Broken, bloodied, half mad and empty. You came along with your wonderful human traits, ready to fight the good fight. Your vibrancy and zeal for living made me sit up and take notice but it was your readiness to be open with your emotions that really made me live again. You brought me back to life Rose Tyler, making me experience and feel things long forgotton as well as emotions I never felt before. You dared to believe in me. You are my hope, my light.

Rose was in shock. The Doctor her doctor was standing here in front of her telling her the very things she longed to hear. She had to reassure him, let him know that she wanted to be exactly what he said she was and more if he would let her.

"Doctor" but he cut her off, speaking again. The look on his face now spoke of heartache and despair.

"I know you'll go eventually though, just like my other companions. You'll leave me just like Christine left with the Vicomte. Some pretty boy will come along and you'll see how much better he is for you then me and why shouldn't you. Your young and should be with someone your own age. Someone who can offer you so much more than daft old me, a broken soldier of Time. You should go now Rose, turn away from the darkness because that's what I am. Turn away before I besmirth your soul. I don't want to drag you down with me and yet I also don't want to let you go because I need you. Your heart, your spirit all radiate light and love but I don't deserve any of it".

"Who says you don't" cut in Rose. "You aren't the one to make that call Doctor. You keep saying your like the Phantom but your not. Okay yes you have both been alone but your no murderer. He had a choice you didn't. He killed through insane madness, you saved worlds without that excuse. He didn't understand sacrifice until it was too late whereas you knew what you had to give up and still did it anyway. You've done that even with me. Saved the world even though you knew you might have to lose me. Left me with the Dalek because there was no other choice. That is sacrifice Doctor. I know what your trying to do. You want to push me away, scare me but I've seen under your mask Doctor. I see through the whole smokescreen. Underneath the rough exterior, past your disfigurements and nightmares. I see the true you inside. You are brave, valiant and noble. You try to find better ways of doing things, peaceful ways but your also scared to get hurt, frightened to love and terrified of losing someone you care about. Got news for you Doc, that's part of being alive. Makes no difference if your human or Time Lord but sometimes being happy even for a short while is worth the pain. I want to be your light for you Doctor and I'm not Christine. I choose you with all your imperfections. Not interested in Vicomtes or pretty boys. Just you, as long as you'll have me and I mean all of me. I love you."

In promise of her words Rose quickly moved over to him and before her courage gave out reached up and kissed him full on his lips. His arms went around her and as she drew back she could see his eyes were full of wonder and unshed tears. His hearts were full to bursting as he held this woman, this shining star in his arms. Her light radiated from within her and burned through him letting him forget his nightmare self and igniting the healing process he desperately longed for.

Her kiss fanned into blaze the other fire within him. One that up till now he had tried to keep to a slow heat. As desire for this woman rushed through him the flames stoked higher and higher longing for release. He bent his head and found her lips, devouring her and leaving her in no doubt that he accepted her loving offer and that he wanted her.

The tardis hummed, seemingly approving of the events happening. She switched music tracks and the sensual flowing lyrics of "Music of the Night" echoed around the console room.

Rose lost herself in the onslaught of his mouth on hers. The passion she'd heard in the music that night now coursed through her blood and by the way he is kissing her and touching her she knows he feels the same.

Afterwards they could never remember how they shed their clothes or when they moved from the console room to his bedroom. It becomes a symphony of desperate lovemaking. All they can feel and hear is the harmony of their emotions; the love song their bodies play as they explore, touch and sink into each other in a duet as old as time. As their fiery coupling finally crecendoes the Doctor and Rose sing their own individual arias as they find release in each others arms.

Later after several encore performances they lay sated on the Doctors bed. Lying side by side hands joined he's still scared she will leave one day despite Rose declaring her love for him.

"You'll stay with me won't you Rose. I'll do anything you ask"

Rose kisses him and thinks of the perfect answer. A line from a lovesong from 'the Phantom of the Opera'.

"Love me that's all I ask of you" she shyly tells him

And he does – for eternity.