I Would Walk 500 Miles

Chapter One

The pub was noisy, but was expected for a Saturday night. You wouldn't think that the Doctor would choose a pub in London to finally express his feelings for Rose, but that is what happened.

They had both needed a break from all the turmoil they had experienced over the last week. From one planet to another, they had discovered anarchy, Mother Nature's wrath, and an explosion of other problems. Rose had nearly lost her life when she slipped down a hill helping people escape a fire. The Doctor had worked frantically to save her, unfortunately sacrificing the king of the planet in his efforts to save his pink-and-yellow human. The people then turned on the Doctor and Rose; the same people they had saved mere seconds before, and they had barely made it to the TARDIS unscathed.

Needless to say, after a busy week as all that, they both were looking forward to kicking back a few ales at the London pub.

Rose was excited because on Sunday, she was going to visit her mum. Jackie Tyler had a whole day planned for them and surprisingly enough, the Doctor was going to join them for lunch. But he put the kibosh on the shopping. He could only imagine Jackie dragging him into a lingerie store and modeling for him. He still shuddered at that thought.

Now Rose....his thoughts trailed off. An image of her in a sheer black negligee popped into his head.

He covered his front with his coat, suddenly uncomfortable in his brown pinstripe trousers. He actually opted for a sweater beneath his jacket and he pulled on the collar to cool off a bit. Rose looked at him questioningly.

He smiled at her.

Ever since that near-death experience, he had been extra protective of her. He needed her safe, not just for Jackie Tyler, but for himself. He loved Rose Tyler with every fiber of his being. She consumed his thoughts, even when she was right next to him. He had hidden his feelings because he knew he couldn't keep her, knew she would die someday. While he hated that thought, he had come to realize that life without her would be far worse. She had changed him for the better. He had been battered and war-torn. He had been hard. She softened him. Looked at him when no one else would. Believed in him when he couldn't believe in himself. They were a team. They knew what each other was thinking. They were united. They were soulmates.

So tonight, at this little London pub, he had decided to finally tell her he was in love with her. He would take his chances. He knew Rose loved him; she had told him when she thought she was going to die. He had been too much of a coward to actually repeat the words back to her, but he hoped that he told her in his actions.

This was no different. They entered the pub and after finding a table, he held out a chair for her to sit down. She smiled widely at him. His hearts beat faster.

She is so beautiful.

He had always found her beautiful. Even that first day, when he met her in Cardiff, he had thought so. And her beauty increased every day. Even after she had absorbed the vortex, her skin seemed to glow slightly. It increased her beauty tenfold.

Even tonight. She wore a black turtleneck and jeans with some combat boots. Her blond hair was partially swept up behind her and she had her usual hoop earrings. Around her neck laid a necklace the Doctor had given her. A two carat genuine garnet. He lied to her when she asked how much it cost. He told her it was something the TARDIS had had for years. She had been unaware that one morning while she slept, he snuck out of the TARDIS and purchased it for her at the local jewelry store.

The garnet sparkled in the light of the pub. Rose touched it affectionately.

Yes, she grows more beautiful all the time.