As Rose and himself stepped out of the TARDIS he wondered if she would always travel with him or whether she would tire of the hectic, rather lonely life that they led. Rose Tyler. His companion for the better part of two years. The reason for his thoughts was that recently, she'd been distant. Less excited by the thought of the stars and thinking about her Mother, and Mickey the idiot far to often.

On their last visit back 'home' Rose had nearly stayed. The Doctor could quite clearly remember the conversation he had 'overheard' (coughevesdroppedoncough) between Mickey and Rose.
"Please stay Rose, please. You cant travel with him forever." Mickey had begged.
"I know that. It's impossible for one thing"
"Then stay Rose, please." "I suppose I could. I do miss you guys, especially one thing with you Mickey. But how could I ever turn my back on it after seeing what I have"
"Promise me something Rose"
"What"
"Promise me you'll come home one day"
"One day Mickey I promise"
As the Doctor recalled the conversation he became aware of Rose standing next to him, admiring the breathtaking scenery. They stood on top of a cliff, the wild, rolling sea in front of them. Of course owing to the fact they where now on Barbados ( the planet, not the place ), the sea was bright silver and looked rather like the substance made when adding aluminium powder to copper sulphate, which creates a rather thick gloopy mixture. About two miles behind them, stood a small village, with rather basic housing, but friendly if odd, inhabitants. It had a hard to pronounce name that roughly translated into English as "Town Of The Vampyre"
"Come on, are we going or not?" Rose joked pulling her pink jumper tighter around her. "And more to the point, where are we going?" she added. "Over there," The Doctor pointed out an obviously old partly tumbledown castle, just to the right of the village. "I got you an early Christmas present," he grinned blushing slightly.
"You didn't have to did that!" Rose joked as she grabbed the Doctors arm, and started off towards the castle, eager to see the surprise.

When they had almost reached the castle the Doctor broke the silence in which they had walked by suddenly saying,
"When we get there you shall be escorted to your private chamber. There will be a box on the bed. You shall need to open it"
"What's in the box?" Rose inquired, curious but the Doctor, enigmatic as ever wouldn't say another word on the subject.

When they arrived at the castle two servants ushered them through the door, and just as the Doctor had said, escorted them to their private chambers. Rose was amazed at the place. It looked exactly like it had stepped out of the Victorian era, the servants with it. Then again she thought smiling to herself and thinking of the Doctor it probably has. As she was shown into her bedchamber she noticed that, sure enough, there was a large flatish box on the four-poster bed. She went over to it and found a note on top;
Dearest Rose (it read,
Just a little something to say 'Happy Christmas'. Perhaps you could wear it and meet me in the main hall for dinner in say, half an hour.
Yours always The Doctor