I don't own Doctor Who. I found I like writing the ninth Doctor, so there will probably be more tales to come. But first this one. Hope you enjoy.

He had promised her a beach, apparently she wanted a relaxing day after almost dying several times this last week, but he hadn't promised her that he would swim.

And he wasn't going to, no matter how much she batted those eyes, and gave him that face. The one that made him realize that he was really just a love sick teenage boy in the body of a 900 year old Lord of Time.

He was already wearing swim shorts, which was proof enough to him that he had it bad. She had complained, saying that if he had worn his normal clothes it would be embarrassing. That had never bothered him before, he liked his style, but suddenly when she said it, it became a crime.

"We came here to swim, it's no fun if you just sit there looking important," she said, splashing water near him, but not on him.

He wanted to tell her that he was important, so he could look like nothing else. Just like she was beautiful, and could be nothing but. He kept that to himself though.

"No, Rose, I'm fine here," he told her, wishing he had brought a book. If he took his time it could provide a little entertainment. And it would stop him from staring at her.

The beach was almost empty, but that was because he had taken them during the off season. She had vowed if there was any running she was going to do something he wasn't going to like.

Since that seemed to be a long list when he thought about it, he decided it was in his best interest to listen.

"Doctor," it wasn't quite a pout, but it was close enough.

"Rose," he told her, sitting up a little more, "Go, have fun or we are leaving."

He hadn't meant it to come out anything but as a tease, but it was gruff, and her face showed it. Her smile faltered, not that she didn't fix it quickly.

"Fine," she muttered, moving away from the beach. "Just sit there and be boring."

He sighed. He was a Time Lord, he was capable of so many things, but he wasn't capable of hurting a certain Rose Tyler and not fixing it. Even if he hadn't done it on purpose.

He stood, shedding his shirt and dropping it on the beach next to their towels. He would swim if that would bring back her real smile, the one that kept him floating along in the universe. That kept him fighting.

She had her back turned, and though he suspected she heard him come up she didn't turn.

"Rose," he started. He swore he had never apologized so much since he met her. And she never asked, he just felt like he had to do it. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be like that."

She still didn't turn. That was odd, she usually had already forgiven him even before he had said the words. Why was she being so stubborn now?

"Come on, Rose," he touched her arm, treading water. "I said I was sorry. Let's have some fun."

It wasn't until he said it that he realized it was the kind of comment that made her smirk. But still nothing. "Rose?"

It took another non-response before he grabbed for her, turning her in the water. "What is it Rose? What's wrong? Talk to me?"

She was blinking at him, eyes wide and she looked confused. He reached up brushing damp hair away from her face, checking for anything that might be causing this. "Talk to me, please."

At last she took a deep breath, "Doctor," she smiled. "Thanks for coming in."

He looked her over still, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, all there now, and smiled wider, "Sure, why wouldn't I be?"

"I called for you, apologized and you didn't answer," he told her, as she pulled away from his searching hands.

"Sorry, must have been lost in thought," she explained. "Are you going to fuss, or we going to swim?"

He couldn't help the smile, "Well you convinced me to come in, so I guess we are going to swim."

They played every water game he could think of that used only two people, well maybe not every, but the ones that involved clothing staying on, and it was getting late when he gave her a smile.

"Time we should head in," he told her, "You must be starved. Ocean always makes me want some chips, what do you say?"

"I say yes, oh and ice cream," she added.

He chuckled, "Come on then."

He turned, so she didn't see the smile that broke out over his face. Aside from the little scare earlier that turned out to be nothing this had been a really good day. They had touched, something he enjoyed but it had been innocent. All for the games of course, and now the sun was close to setting.

He didn't do this sort of thing, this falling for a human girl with big brown eyes, but here he was doing it. And he thought it was fantastic.

He made it to shore, it was only then he realized that he hadn't heard her splash out behind him. Turning back, expecting her to be lingering, but she wasn't there.

"Rose?" He called out, searching around. She must just be out of sight. "Rose? Where are you?"

There was nothing, he could see the waves rolling in, but the there was no sign of her. It had only been a minute, where was she. "Rose? This isn't funny, Rose Tyler."

If this was a joke there would be hell to pay, his hearts were beating so fiercely he thought they might escape his chest but she still didn't turn up. Enough time wasted he decided, rushing back into the water.

He dove in, and kept his eyes open despite the burn. Where was she? How had he lost her, she was just right there? She was fine…unless there was something going on earlier. And he had just left her there…what an idiot.

He was using his bypass now, but he kept pushing on, swimming down and down, but he saw nothing. This was an ocean, she was one small human, and she could be anywhere.

He kept on though, until he couldn't go any farther, and he broke the surface. His breathing kicked back in, coming out stuttering until it resumed a rhythm.

He was far from the shore, but he hoped to see her there. She wasn't.

He swallowed hard, tears running down his already wet face. She had to be okay, he couldn't lose her. He loved her. She didn't even know. He had to find her.