A Rose With Out Thorns

Chapter 3

It certainly has been a long time since he has said that to anyone. He reaches over and puts his hand around her shoulders, running his fingers through her hair. He presses her closer and feels her warmth. Never before has he felt like this. She smiles up at him.

The pair sit there a long time without saying anything, just enjoying each others' company and warmth. With her free hand, Rose reaches over and grabs his other hand, placing it on his knee. He holds her tighter and they look each other in the eye. The Doctor then bends down and gently kisses Rose on the lips. For just one moment, the Doctor forgets that he can't spend the rest of his life with her. She'll die and he'll continue to live on forever. Guess that what happens when you're the last of the Time Lords.

After the couple pulls apart, Rose slides her hand behind the Doctor's back.

Rose is first to break the silence. "Doctor..." she whispers in her ear.

"Yes, my Rose?" His hand then slides to her waist.

"Why can't we stay like this forever? I mean, my forever, not your forever."

"It would break my hearts to see you grow old and die, but me, it'll seem as if I only aged ten years."

"Who cares? I don't. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Give you something to remember down the road, when you change."

"Oh, Rose." He sighs. "I'll never forget you. Not my Rose Tyler."

At this, Rose buries her head in the Doctor's shoulder. She takes one last longing look at him and then falls asleep.

Noticing that her breathing is slowing and in a regular pattern, the Doctor checks to see if she's asleep. When he sees that she is, he kisses her forehead and then carefully slides her head off her shoulder and into his lap. She stirs, but doesn't wake.

"I love you Rose. I will never leave you, cross my hearts," he whispers in her ear.

He is still holding her hand when he too falls asleep.

A few hours later, the Doctor wakes up, but Rose is gone.