Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who, because if I did, we wouldn't have a 10th doctor, we'd still have the 9th, but hey, nothing I can do. Let's just hope Doctor 10 will do a good job.

Summary: When Rose catches an illness, the Doctor tries to help her. As the worry increases, new feelings arise, but if Rose doesn't make it through, the Doctor can never tell her what he realizes in the dire moment. Can the Doctor save Rose Tyler from this illness?

Pairing: 9th doctor and Rose (obviously lol)

Genre: Suspense/romance (later on)

Rating: I think K+ or T is good, thought it may go to M later on, who knows.

Only You

Chapter 1 - The Lullaby

The Doctor slammed the Tardis door shut behind him before running to the console, getting ready to put in co-ordinates for their next destination. Once he felt the Tardis lift off into time and space and he knew he had gotten himself and Rose away from the danger of the Vicis Umbrae, he let out a gleeful laugh.

"That was great, eh Rose? Did you see them run after I tricked them into trying that machine I gave them? That was fantastic! I don't think that could have gone any better! You were a great help of course, though you could have moved a bit quicker," the Doctor went to give her a playful wink but saw that she was no longer in a standing position.

She was in another coughing fit, and it only seemed to be getting worse. She was doubled over and doing her best to suppress it, and he hadn't been able to hear her because of the Tardis's loud rumblings and other noises it made as it took them to the chosen destination. He quickly rushed over to her, helping her onto the old but comfy couch in the room.

He could see she couldn't catch her breath as the coughs continue to rack through her body. He grabbed some water and forced it down her throat, some being spat back up but the rest running down her throat, temporarily stopping the ragged coughing. She tried to sit up, pretending that nothing was wrong, but the Doctor pushed her back down again, making sure she didn't do anything that would set her off again.

"Oh Rose, you and your pathetic human body," he joked to her, trying to lighten the mood and try to cover up how worried he was about her. Her eyes fluttered open, a mock glare in her eyes.

"It's nothing, just a cold," she said and was about to say more but stopped as the Doctor placed a calloused finger to her lips.

"It's not Rose, and you know it. You've caught some sort of illness on one of our adventures, but I'm sure you'll get better soon," he said with false assurance, trying to hide his worry over the girl he cared about so much. "After all, how could you not with me taking care of you?"

"Cheeky," she smiled lightly, "I'll be fine. I just need," she stopped as she yawned, "Some sleep." She gave a reassuring smile, and the Doctor knew he could do nothing else tonight.

Smiling back at the girl, he slowly lifted her body off the couch with relative ease. "Then sleep it is," he said softly as he carried Rose back to her room, placing her delicately on her bed and pulling the covers around her body to keep her from getting a chill.

"G'night Doctor," she said quietly before her eyes fluttered shut. It was tiring enough being chased by Vicis Umbrae; it was another thing entirely to be chased by Vicis Umbrae when you had some alien sickness that your human immune system couldn't really fight.

"Night Rose," the Doctor said softly. He was about to leave the room, leaving her in peace, but another set of coughs took over her body. The Doctor got more water and got her to swallow most of it, but it did nothing. Sighing in frustration, he went and got some herbs he had been growing in the Tardis ever since his home had been destroyed. He returned a few minutes later with a new glass of water, this time smelling of fresh flowers as he poured it down Rose's throat.

Though erratic, Rose's breathing returned to normal, and then into a slow and steady rhythm, indicating that she had finally fallen into the dream world. Unsure of whether or not he should stay in case she needed him, he began to pull away, but she began to stir as he removed his hand that had been resting lightly on her shoulder. Giving her an affectionate smile, he sat back down on the edge of the bed and began to sing a lullaby that he remembered being sung to him so many years ago.

Somnus iam parum unus,

(Sleep now little one)

Pro ego sum vestri tutela lux lucis.

(For I am your protecting light)

Ego spondeo pro totus of vicis quod vita,

(I promise for all of time and life)

Ut servo vos tutus per totus meus vires.

(To keep you safe with all my might)

Looking down, the Doctor saw that Rose's face was taken over by a breathtaking smile, even though she was clearly still asleep. He stopped his fingers from making any more relaxing circles on the girl's back as he stood up, ready to get some sleep in as well for tomorrow. Looking down at the peaceful girl, he hoped she wouldn't get any sicker than she had already become.

First it had just started with a headache here, a slight cough there, but nothing major. Now her coughing fits were suffocating her and the Doctor wanted Rose to be ok, he had promised Jackie he would keep her safe, and he didn't want Rose to suffer, or to die. He wouldn't survive without Rose's smile, her laugh, her presence.

He leant down and kissed her lightly on her forehead, frowning as he felt heat radiating off of her sweaty brow. He hoped she wasn't getting a fever, that's the last thing they needed. An alien illness normally had many symptoms, and a fever was one of the hardest things to break. Sighing, he got up for good and quietly left the room after one final glance back at the sleeping girl.

A/N: I know its short, but this is the first chapter and I wanted to get it out and on paper before I forgot it. I actually woke up with this idea this morning and I think as long as I get the first part down before I go to sleep tonight I should be ok. It will get longer as the chapters go.

A/N2: So what did you think? I'd really appreciate reviews, seeing as this is my first Doctor Who story fic, and my second Doctor Who fic ever. (I did make a songfic for Doctor Who earlier today, titled 'I'm Sorry', if your interested). I'd love feedback to know how you think I'm doing and if you have any suggestions.

A/N3: Chapter 2 and maybe 3 will probably be out tomorrow. Also, the name of the enemies today is Vicis Umbrae, which, in Latin (though the translation is probably pretty sketchy) means 'Time Shadows'. Also, again the translation is most likely not spot on, but the lullaby is Latin and the translations are in brackets.