An unexpected proposal

"We are in an alternative universe," Braxiatel stated, "closed off from the rest of the universe".

"So we are trapped then?" Romana said looking desolately at Braxiatel as he gave a weak, insecure smile to her.

"Might be quite nice out here" he shrugged, looking around as if he was viewing a potential home.

"It might be," said Romana feeling unsure.

So far it had been anything but nice. Romana had already lost Leela, K9 and then her Co-ordinator. She was told he never made it through the surgery, that fact made her want to cry. Of course she knew that had not been the truth, they had killed him and stolen all his regenerations leaving him unable to regenerate. Tears filled her eyes now as she pressed herself into Braxiatal's shoulder and broke down. He gently held her trying to comfort her; he simply hated seeing her in such despair. Finally after a few calming breaths she pulled away and wiped her tears from her eyes.

They were standing opposite each other, Braxiatel reaching over to and taking Romana's hand.

"Don't worry, I will take care of you" he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"Trust me," he said softly and of course she did - he had always taken care of her and looked out for her.

She gave him a weak smile to placate him for now. She had never planned to be trapped in an alternative universe and she was growing tired of all these different and corrupted Gallifrey's she had come across. In fact, she almost wanted to cry with frustration and anguish. It was like she was some kind of fugitive, running from one reality to another. She knew though, deep down, that if she was to be trapped she would rather it was with Braxiatel than any other Time Lord.

"If only I had a white horse it would be my privilege to carry you off into the sunset and take you somewhere where it could just be the two of us. I just want you to be safe, to be happy again" he said lightly.

The mood between them had been so quiet and solemn these past few days, as if their endless wanderings were wearing them both thin. Braxiatal knew that he would do anything to make her smile and his little comment just then had rewarded him with a small curl at the sides of her mouth.

A glimmer of a smile would have to do, but it wasn't enough – if only he could make her laugh! That beautiful sound that filled him with delight; he would rip out his own hearts if it equalled her happiness.

"Braxiatel?" she asked, giving him a questioning look.

He had never hinted at anything between them before and he bit at his bottom lip before speaking.

"Call me Irving" he paused, looking at Romana. "You must have suspected my feelings for you"

He heard himself say, as an icy torrent of feelings stabbed at his gut.

Doubt, regret, guilt all welled up inside him at the exact same time and he was barely able to stop the emotions from shifting his features in a way that would expose them.

He looked her full in the face, his gaze questioning everything about her and reading into every movement of her features.

"Well, no not really" she said honestly "I can't say I have ever thought about you that way, if I'm honest".

Her words hung there between them like a diving wall.

Romana blushed furiously and looked down, suddenly taking a huge interest in her hands.

She summoned some courage to look him in the eye, where a sad sort of aura seemed to have possessed him now. She knew he was feeling awkward and dejected making her want to throw her arms around him.