Rose needed sleep more often than he did, Doctor mused as he watched her. She talked in her sleep, softly, almost musically. Her hair obscured half of her face, though he could see the beautiful half moons her eyelashes created on her pale cheeks.
It was harder than he remembered from the last night, but somehow he gained the will to leave her room and return to his own, brooding, thousands of bookcases lining the wall of his room- bigger on the inside- the history of his 904 years.
Of all his companions, of all his paths, crossing over himself, all the history he had written and changed, she was his favorite moment. Because in comparison to his existence, that's all hers was- just a moment, bare grains in the monument of time. And so he was withholding his love, tempering his emotions- because like all companions before her, she would wither. When her time was at an end, and his would continue. An eternity without her was hard enough to imagine without professing his love.
The night slipped by slowly as he stared, blankly, into the open book resting in his hands. He daydreamed. Of a life, a normal life, living to an old age with rose, raising children and laughing, laying beside her every night. He didn't notice the door open slowly, or Rose as she crept toward him. He did feel the pressure of her hand on his shoulder, and they way the bed dipped as she sat next to him.
'Trouble sleepin' doctor?' Rose asked him quietly, her hand falling slowly down his back.
'Rose... I' he stammered, trying to find his right words
A gentle finger pressed against his lips 'Shhh' her lips, that pale pink that was so enticing, since the moment he had first grasped her hand and whispered 'RUN', those lips were suddenly pressing themselves upon his, softly but in a manner that gave him control if he wanted it. Gently she pushed him backwards, allowing a break between their lips.
'I love you doctor' Rose was almost radiant as she pressed herself into his body, then her lips perfectly placed against his.
'I love you, Rose Tyler' he murmured, in his hearts both content and agonised.
With a snap of her fingers she turned out the lights, and they fell into sleep, curled around one another.
When Doctor awoke he was alone. His book lay on the floor where he had dropped it, and he was confused. He jumped from his bed, crossing his room in few steps and throwing open the door. He pushed open the door to Rose's room, and she lay in the same place he had left her in.
So it had been a dream. He crumbled against the door frame. He had so wanted it to be real. So wanted Rose to be his, his companion, his love. He returned to his original position, watching over her, brushing her hair back from her face.
'I love you Doctor' she whispered, unaware and oblivious in her sleep.
He watched her, and would always watch over her. His Rose. His fantastic companion.