A/N: The final chapter...
-x-
PART 4
Can you hear me? Inside your head? he asked her softly.
Rose blinked quickly in surprise. "Did you just...?"
"Yeah," he said aloud. "Can you hear it?" Rose?
"Yes, just about..." she breathed. "Yeah, it's...wow."
Try and think something back to me. You'll have to concentrate.
I...Doctor? I don't know what to say...is it working?
Yeah. He laughed happily. Yeah, it is.
It's so...loud... Her face screwed up in concentration, trying to hear his thoughts more clearly. Everything seemed blurry and muffled, like being at a train station and trying to focus in on one voice amongst hundreds of different voices, different noises.
That's 'cos you haven't learnt how to focus in properly yet. Relax. It'll come to you. Your mind, it's...gosh, it's beautiful, Rose...you'll have no trouble adjusting. Now, this is sort of...stage one, I suppose you could call it. Rose?
Yeah. Yeah, I can hear you now. I can hear...woah, okay there. You think lots of thoughts at once, don't you?
I want to make love with you.
Ah. That the errant thought you didn't want me to be surprised by?
Oops, sorry! One of them, yes. I should warn you, though - the others are far more explicit...
I really don't think they can get any more vivid than my fantasies – oh. Ohhh. Oh, okay. Maybe they can.
Try and concentrate on the thread of this conversation for now. We can talk about the...other stuff...later.
Okdokey. Although, it's quite hard to ignore it.
Pfft. How do you think I feel?
You really are a randy bastard. I had no idea. At least I refrain from fantasising during the day!
I don't sleep that much, remember. Consequently, I don't dream much at night. Daydreams, on the other hand...
Blimey; that excellent imagination of yours a Time Lord perk, then?
Probably. Though they would most definitely not have approved of me using it for these nefarious purposes.
Well, I like to think rules are made to be broken.
My sentiments exactly.
Why were they so harsh about Time Lord-human interaction?
Because Time Lords are mentally superior –
Hmph.
- hey, that's not me being arrogant; it's just fact! Sorry. Time Lords always looked down on lower species.
Well, I'm managing alright mentally, aren't I? With this telepathy thing, I mean.
Of course you are. Because you're you. Most people who aren't Time Lords would not have the capacity to do something like this.
What makes me so different, then?
I don't know.
Well that's a lie.
Ah. Yes; I forgot you can tell when I do that now.
Hang on, though – I can't see what the real answer is. Are you...are you hiding something? You've put up a door, haven't you?
Only because –
Because what? I don't mind you still keeping secrets –
That makes a change.
No, seriously, I don't mind. I know you're not used to being open about everything, and that'll take time to overcome, if ever. And that's okay. I'm here for you when you're ready. But this...this affects me, right, so I think I have a right to know.
You've always been special. Brilliant. But what you did, with the Time Vortex...
When I killed you. Are you saying that it's an after-effect of the Vortex being in my head?
When you saved me. When you saved me and all of the World and all of the universe. And no, it's not an after-effect. I just mean – what you did – your courage, your dedication...
Don't big me up too much, Doctor; I might start getting a big head like you.
Oi! Cheeky minx!
I just wanted to help, that's all. And luckily, the TARDIS let me. It's all down to her, really.
Nonsense. You chose to come back, when you could've been at home and safe.
Couldn't just leave you there to die, could I? Daft alien.
Why not?
Because I love you. OH! Whoops. Bugger. This telepathy business makes it really hard to hide things, doesn't it?
Yep! Anyway, that's why, Rose.
What's why what?
Why you can do this with me. It's because you really want to. It's because you think this will keep me safe. Keep me sane, too, probably. It's because you have this utterly human and boundless energy and compassion in you that somehow, despite all my mistakes and past and idiocy, allows you to love me.
Oh. Well, that's that explained then. Good.
The other thing, though. The more permanent, physical thing –
The Sex Telepathy?
Ahem. Yes. The Sex Telepathy. Though I don't know why you are capitalising it.
Well, I'm expecting it to be worthy of capitalisation. You are very impressive, after all; you said so yourself.
So I did. Well. Okay then. Anyway...
Yes?
It can rarely be done.
What? I thought you said –
Hang on, listen to my thoughts, don't get tangled up in one statement; I've not finished.
Right. Sorry. Listening.
With Time Lords and Ladies, even – weeelll, all Gallifreyans - it had to be right. The right kind of bond. They probably wouldn't've foreseen the possibility of a Time Lord and a beautiful, young, sexy – 'cos you really are, Rose, so, so gorgeous -
Doctor...?
Hmmm? Oh yes; right, well, basically, Time Lords and humans shouldn't, strictly speaking, be able to do this. But, well. I think you, Rose Tyler, defy all Time Lord logic and reason. Anyhow, my point is –
Yay, finally, he's getting to a point.
Hey! I'm about to show you something magnificent here. Something you should know but don't, for some baffling reason.
Really? And what's that?
I'm in love with you, too.
Hmm? Wait – what? No, but. Hang on. What...! Did you just...did I imagine that, or was that...was that your thought? You...love me? Really? Properly? Like...really?
Yeah.
Oh my god. Doctor...
I tried to tell you earlier. I suppose I'm not so good with spoken declarations, but –
I don't care. I'm just...oh, Doctor.
- but I need you to know. I need you to know just how much I love you. The magnitude of it is too great for the English language. Let me show you.
You are showing me. I love you too.
No, I mean – Rose. Let me show you in a different way.
What happens?
Just...pull yourself back from this. Go back to being in control of yourself, your body, again. Don't let go of my mind completely, just loosen your hold on it a little...that's it...let awareness of our surroundings seep in...are you okay? Your normal senses should become a little clearer.
Yeah. I can see you again.
"Can you hear me? Speaking, I mean," the Doctor said aloud.
Yeah, I can hear you.
"Try to speak, too."
"Doctor?"
"Yes, that's right. I'm here," he beamed at her, stroking her cheek tenderly with the backs of his fingers. And in here.
"Woah, that feels different," she giggled. Good different.
Rose.
"Yeah?"
I'm going to kiss you.
"Heee, it's so weird, hearing you say that whilst staring at your unmoving lips."
I'm sure you've stared at my lips before whilst hearing me say that inside your head. Granted, that was your own imagination, but still – shouldn't be too weird for you to comprehend.
He was grinning smugly. She poked her tongue out at him. "Okay, so come on then. Kiss me."
"It's going to be different to when we kissed before." He paused, shifted closer, their noses brushing lightly. "Even better," he murmured across her lips.
"Better? It was pretty amazing before, though," she pointed out, raising an eyebrow. "I don't think - " He cut her off via his mouth covering hers. – it can get much better, she finished inside her head, before hastily retracting her statement when a barrage of emotions hit her, along with a dimensionally transcendental-pocketful of pure, divine, pleasure.
Oh god, you're right, you know.
I know...
This is just –
Yep!
Wow...
Yep!
How?
Love.
He rolled her onto her back, pinning her to the bed with his body, one of his hands trailing up and down her ribcage.
I can feel you touching me. In real life. And in here. Her thoughts were broken up, as if panting, though her lips were still fastened to the Doctor's.
He gasped against her mouth when he felt her hands in his hair, when he felt her mind reaching further into his, wanting, needing, pulling him closer, closer, closer and closer still. Ohhhh. Me too.
Have you...has it...is this normal, for you? For you, during...well. I guess...this is foreplay, right?
He broke away from her mouth to chuckle deeply, and she giggled with him, loving the vibrations of their combined laughter against her chest. "If you want," he said softly, stroking her hair back from her face gently.
"In every way, remember?" she whispered. He nodded, and a quick search of her mind told him she meant that resolutely, with no hint of doubt whatsoever.
Why would I doubt? she thought to him, sealing their lips again. Do you have doubts?
Nooooo. No, no, no. No way. No more doubts. This is too good to lose. You are far too important to me to lose. This is...I can't even explain.
I know the feeling. So, is it?
Is it what? Oh - normal for me? Um, no. No, I haven't really...ever...done this, er, specific thing before.
How come? You must've known how good it would be; you told me to prepare. How could have resisted this? I don't mean with me, I just mean...in general?
I couldn't've done this before you, even if I wanted to. There needs to be a deep bond, remember. A deeper connection than simply lust or whatever. There needs to be love.
You're over nine hundred years old. You've loved before.
Yes, I have. But never quite like this. He pulled his lips away to gaze down at her adoringly.
"Really?" she whispered.
"Really. We're experiencing this for the first time together, Rose Tyler."
"That's kind of sweet," she smiled.
"It's very sweet. We are very sweet people." He bent down and licked a quick path up her neck, and she shifted against him helplessly. "Especially you," he grinned, licking his lips.
You don't know how long I've wanted you to lick my neck.
"I do now," he pointed out.
Rose moaned and lifted her head, running her tongue across his neck, before pressing a kiss to his Adam's apple.
She gasped when she heard his thoughts. "Well, that's both of us in mutual agreement about the licking thing," she grinned happily. She fiddled with his tie a little. Can we...?
"Getting impatient?" he smirked.
"Yep. As are you," she replied pointedly, glancing down between them.
Very true, Rose Tyler. Good observational skills, I'm impressed.
Idiot, she thought affectionately, untying his tie. She was about to fling it away when the Doctor caught it from her hand. She looked at him questioningly.
"Don't think I've forgotten what I now know you've thought about doing with my tie, Rose Tyler," he chided playfully.
She blushed bright red and coughed uncomfortably.
No need to be embarrassed, he comforted telepathically. We have the utmost advantage on most couples; we know exactly what the other wants.
"Couple, eh? I am domesticating you," Rose smiled.
"Weeeellll," he shrugged, now his turn to look embarrassed.
No need to be embarrassed, Doctor, her thoughts echoed. Or scared. Never fear; I won't make you settle down in a house.
Mightn't be too bad, with you there. But let's stick to the stars for now, eh?
Oh, definitely. I'm so glad you're only wearing one layer of clothing. Oh, oops, don't know where that thought came from!
I do. I feel the same. Let's remove it, yeah?
She unbuttoned his shirt as he kissed her again, and he shrugged it off easily. Her hands travelled across his chest instantly, and he pressed against her harder at her electric touch.
Okay, so now I'm feeling disadvantaged, thought the Doctor, tugging ineffectually at Rose's top. Turnabout fair play and all that. Off with it.
Rose suddenly flipped them and sat astride his lap, breaking their kiss. His fingertips dropped from her temple and he suspected that their link was strong enough to hold for now whilst they continued their...activity. Just the touch of their skin against each other's would be enough to stoke the fire, so to speak. In more ways than one.
"Not very romantic, Doctor," she giggled at his previous order. His eyes twinkled with mirth as he apologised, and then he was pulling her top over her head and dragging her forward so her chest could press against his.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered, trailing his hands down her spine. It tickled and she giggled. I love your laugh. She giggled some more; until he pressed open-mouthed kisses to her collar bone, making her shiver against him.
He fiddled with the clasp of her bra. Can I...
God, yes.
Her bra was removed relatively efficiently, and the Doctor laid back and stared up at her in complete fascination. His hands danced at her hips, fingertips dipping slightly beneath the waistband of her jeans.
"Please do something," Rose requested, smiling down at him.
"Why should I do all the work?" he retorted humorously. Nevertheless, he let his hand trail across her stomach. He watched with interest as it quivered beneath his cool palm.
That's nice, Rose thought.
Mmmm, the Doctor agreed in his head.
"Higher would be nicer,"she suggested aloud.
"You know, I think I might agree," he smiled, sliding his hand up to cup her breast. The feelings sparking off of Rose and into his mind through their link made him shudder. He traced his thumb over her nipple to repeat the sensation, and Rose squirmed in his lap.
His other hand languorously wandered to the button of her jeans, before undoing it swiftly with a rakish grin on his face. He sat up a little more to kiss her soundly. This alright?
Mmmhmm.
Not too fast?
Not fast enough!
He chuckled, carefully rolling them over again until it was Rose on her back. The Doctor shifted mostly off of her, but his left leg remained slung over hers. He bent his head and sucked at her collar bone dexterously, and she threw her head back against her pillow when he lowered his mouth further, trailing across her breastbone.
"Want you," she murmured breathlessly, her hand reaching down to cup him.
The Doctor groaned against her chest, and started to slide down the length of her body. Next priority: get Rose Tyler's jeans off.
She giggled, and when the Doctor pressed her kiss just below her belly button, her giggle morphed into a throaty moan.
Stop. Teasing.
"Never," he grinned jokingly. She pulled his hair. Ooh. I quite like that.
"Idiot," she muttered.
"Apparently you love me anyway," he pointed out, finally starting to lower her jeans.
Yeah, I do.
She kicked her jeans off the rest of the way while setting to work undoing his trousers.
I'm currently rather thrilled with how eager you are, he thought.
Rose laughed warmly, before giving him an affectionate peck on the lips. "I bet you are."
"Rose," he whispered.
She met his gaze unquestioningly. "Doctor."
Are you...are you absolutely sure you want to do this?
"Yes," she answered aloud. I've never been surer of anything, ever.
Because this isn't – I can't – I'd never...I don't want this to be a onetime thing.
Rose arched an eyebrow in surprise. Me neither. I intend for this to happen as often as your back can take it.
He smiled in relief. Are you insinuating that I'm old, Rose Tyler?
"Maybe," she grinned impishly, sealing her lips to his again.
Well that's just rude. And a notion entirely unfounded. I run around the universe everyday defending various planets from various aliens hell-bent on taking over said various planets; I have absolutely no issues with physical activity, even at my impressive 900 + years of age, thanks very much. In fact, I am in my peak physical health. The prime of life, even!
Rose smirked against his lips. Right, sure. I believe you.
Are you being sarcastic, now?
She giggled, trailing her hand down his chest. So what if I am? Whatcha gonna do about it?
In answer to her question, he flipped her over, and proceeded to show her just how high his fitness levels truly were.
-x-
"I am sorry about...before, Rose," he whispered against her hair, when she was cradled in his arms nearly asleep. "And...and...I love you. I love you so much."
She wriggled slightly to make enough space to lift her head. "I know," she murmured, giving him a sleepy smile and a lazy kiss goodnight, before slowly starting to drift off to his soft kisses on the crown of her head and his gentle mantra of thoughts I love you I love you I love you I love you filling her mind.
. the end .
-x-
A/N: So, let me know what you think :) Thanks to you all by the way for your comments on chapter 19 of The Slow Path. Also, regarding the ratings issue again - was I right to alter the rating of this one to 'M' or is it tame enough to have stayed at 'T?' Cos the thing is, I've read 'T' stories with such, er, events happening within them, including references to particular body parts; but I know that some of you feel that 'T' should be the characters undressing and that's it, with just an allusion to the, er, event that's gonna happen next. So I upped the rating just to be safe...