A/N. Hello again! Posting the two fics (this one and No Time Like the Present I've put up ~1,5 days ago) separately was a suggestion I received from someone on tumblr, after having asked if I should somehow combine these or not. The one reply I've got helped me make up my mind, and the fics are completely unrelated. The similarities (so far, anyway) are… Ten, Martha… and, obviously, obviously… Rose! Hope you enjoy. :)

Love and Medicine: Chapter One

"Aspirin? Doctor, you can't take these! You might die!" Martha looked him over with panicked eyes. However, the alien appeared to be perfectly sensible. "You keep reminding me aspirin could be lethal for you… What is it doing here? Were you out to buy these? What for?" She hoped he was going to say something about refilling the ship's medical resources, about humans getting all kinds of stupid diseases, but the Time Lord only shrugged.

"These are not for me, Martha," the Doctor seemed distracted. "I've realised we're out of it, that's all. Just give the box to me."

Martha grimaced. "Sure, so you could poison yourself?"

"I think I have every right to ask of you to leave for even getting these insane ideas," he rolled his eyes in disapproval. "Anyhow. If it makes you feel better, you could come with me. Protect me from myself, or whatever," the alien gave her a knowing smile. His pain, sorrows or joys had nothing to do with anyone but himself.

Soon, the Doctor understood the TARDIS was determined not to allow them find the room he wished to enter so desperately. Not just yet, not together with the distrusting companion. The Time Lord was afraid of the possible outcome, with Martha having some sort of tender feelings for him, and what not.

"Martha. I think I'll find my way from here, thank you very much."

The dark-skinned girl understood the Doctor wished for her to leave him, and rolled her eyes. "Not until you promise you won't do anything stupid."

"I give you my word. The TARDIS will show you the way to your room. Now, go!"

The human shook her head at him incredulously, but began to slowly slog away from him. After all, there was nothing she could do.

Seeing Martha disappear from sight, the Time Lord sighed with relief. He knew his brilliant ship would make sure everything ends up just fine. Thankful the TARDIS was always on his side, he followed the route that would lead him to where he needed to be – to his suffering blonde companion. Rose.

He never had the time to think about it properly. And it didn't matter.

"Doctor," she had whispered, tears in her eyes. "Hello."

"Rose. Welcome back." He hadn't asked her anything, not having fully grasped Rose was there with him.

"This thumping pain in my head is going to kill me," she had muttered before the Doctor had the chance to pull her into a bone-crushing hug. "I'm certain you don't have anything to ease headaches?"

"I'm afraid not. But I could go grab some from the nearby chemist's. Could you wait for a few minutes, Rose?"

Of course, the girl had assured him she'd wait, for as long as it took.

"Don't move away. Don't wander off."

"I promise," she'd said. This time, she was going to stay put. Willingly.

It wasn't until the Time Lord returned to the TARDIS that he remembered his most recent companion, who but sent an incredulous glance his way.

"Aspirin?"

Unwilling to do anything, feeling as if her head was breaking to pieces, Rose was sitting on the bed in her chamber. She wondered what was to happen now that she was back. There was this question she had to ask him-

"There you are, Rose. A nice pack of aspirin tablets," the Doctor smiled at her uncertainly, handing her some of the needed medicine.

"Thanks," she grabbed it from him, suddenly unsure, a glass of water in one hand, a pill in the other.

"Just swallow it already, dear. It hurts me to see you in pain."

"Likewise."

"But… I'm not in any kind of pain?"

Rose decided to let it go. After all, it was none of her business. "I'm glad to know it, my Doctor…"

"I'm so happy to have you by my side again, Rose. Thought I've lost you, and-"

The human grinned sheepishly at him. He was certain she'd come to stay! Then, she saw his face darken.

"I'm sorry…" it was more than probable she was the one guilty about the Doctor remembering the- the events. She gulped.

"Hey, at least now I'll get to finish the sentence," the Time Lord grinned, taking her cold hands into his.

"Yes?" She could not hide her surprise, knowing perfectly which sentence it was. "You haven't finished a lot of sentences."

"Don't you remember? When you told me you loved me, and I couldn't-"

"Of course. Of course I remember!" Keep having nightmares about it every night. Tears started rolling down her cheeks almost immediately. The Doctor knew he couldn't allow this. Not any more. Not ever again.

"Rose Tyler. I cannot live without you. Never could. Never would." Ah. He could, and certainly would, if he had to… but that was not something he chose to linger on.

The companion knew just as well what that meant, but beamed at him instead. "Doctor… Is this a more sophisticated variation of "I love you?"

He grimaced at her. "Well-"

She rolled her wide hazel eyes at him. "You don't actually have to say anything."

The Doctor but gazed at the human, both relieved and confused. He felt he needed to say something.

"Could we- I don't know- return to this later?" his words were soft and barely audible, but the tone alone was more than enough for Rose, who wrapped her arms around him... Like so many times before, yet it was somehow different.

The Doctor smiled, seeing infinite joy in his companion's eyes. "My Rose."

They were so close to each other their lips were almost touching. It was clear both of them were fighting the undeniable wish to finally break the tension – where had that come from – in the most pleasant way possible… Her hazel eyes were burning, the lips slightly parted…

The Doctor had completely forgotten about the other woman on board, deciding if something had to be sacrificed, it had to eventually be his conscious defences against this pink and yellow human. He knew he couldn't keep them up forever. These eyes… It seemed Rose was having slightly better self-control, but-

Martha almost broke in into the room, and stopped right in her tracks, seeing the unmistakable position the two were in.

"I'm sorry!" She backed away a few steps. "I… didn't mean to interrupt anything," the dark-skinned companion muttered, covering her face with her hands. "The TARDIS-"

Rose backed away from the alien, her face flushed. For what reason?

"Don't you dare blaming my brilliant ship, Martha." The Doctor's arm was wrapped protectively around Rose, who, while the unexpected appearance startled her a little, was trying hard to suppress her giggles at the absurdity of the situation. Of course. It was just their luck.

"She must have thought it best to lead you to me." You must have been panicking hard. "But, hadn't I told you-" The Time Lord sounded and felt flustered. It wasn't that he wasn't happy about Martha caring for him or about her not following his implied orders, no!

It wasn't about her breaking the joyful reunion with the woman he loved, nor was it because of-

"I was terrified, Doctor! Who knows what could have entered your mind!"

-because of that.

"If I remember correctly, I've told you the medicine was not for me, yes?"

"Yes, but-"

"It was for me," Rose smiled at the girl apologetically. She seemed sweet. "I should have introduced myself first, before I-"

The Doctor noticed the blonde's discomfort and brushed a finger over his lips, his eyes begging for her to remain silent.

"You were hurting, Rose..."

"No need to worry now, Doctor. It's over."

"Sorry, could I ask you something?" Martha finally found the strength in her to address the girl. Beautiful and blonde. Obviously.

"Of course," Rose smiled at her, not expecting the blatant question from her.

"Are you… no, of course you are- would you want me to leave, now that you're here?"

The Doctor raised an eyebrow. "We haven't even discussed this yet! The staying bit, and… are you staying with me, Rose?"

The Tyler girl rolled her big brown eyes at him. "Which part of forever didn't you understand, you-?"

The Gallifreyan grinned at her, remembering Martha just after she coughed. It was her who was hurting now. She knew she probably shouldn't feel this bad about being completely ignored and basically forgotten by the Time Lord, who had this tendency anyway, but it still wasn't pleasant.

"Sorry. Rose probably doesn't even know who you are!" Rose this. Rose that. Martha Jones averted her eyes.

"I believe I know. Nice to meet you, Martha..?"

"Jones. Martha Jones. A medical student." One thing was for certain, the most recent companion understood. She was no longer needed there. The following words of the Doctor but confirmed her fears.

"Are you sure you're all right?"

The pink and yellow human but shrugged at this Martha girl hopelessly. Headaches seemed to have become a rather constant occurrence for Rose, especially since she'd been separated from the Doctor, seemingly for an eternity. Might be she was mistaken about the intensified strength and frequency of those, of course. Maybe this girl could tell her if something was wrong?

"I am, thank you," Rose assured the Doctor, sending him one of her sweetest smiles.

Martha had to remind the fair-haired woman the question. "So, do you wish me to leave?"

Rose stared at the other girl, not believing her ears. Why would anyone want to leave the Doctor? This life, this adventure, this-

"Absolutely not. The more, the merrier? What do you say, Doctor?"

Martha shrugged uncomfortably. It was obvious she was going to become the fifth wheel if she stayed, no matter what Rose had said. "I really, really need to get back to my family," the almost-doctor hurried to speak, aware the Doctor was only looking at the blonde, possibly not hearing her.

"Do as you think best," the Time Lord responded vaguely.

Rose glared at him incredulously. "Are you going to let her leave, just like that? It was I who wasn't invited."

"But you are staying, I take it.

Rose grinned at her sheepishly.

"Don't you think I might disturb you, the pair of lovebirds that you are?"

"Oh, we're not-" The Doctor pressed Rose's hand harder. For how long will they be fooling themselves? He had sworn to himself that, if she ever returned to him, there wouldn't be any more pretending… Oh, well. He was bad at this.

Martha addressed Rose instead, her tone incredulous. "Not yet, or not anymore?"

A/N. Do tell me what you think! Please? :)