Alright Guys, I'm back (finally) with the continuation of my last story. It kind of leaps forward a bit in time (pun intended) but I kind of want to explore the relationship after the initial "honeymoon" period so I hope you'll hang in there with me as I build the story. Anyhow, here goes . . .

Disclaimer: I own nothing represented here but enjoy writing about it all the same.

Heart's Desire

Chapter 1 . . .

"So, Martha Jones, are you ready for this?" he asked with a mysterious lilt.

"Well, it would help if I knew what "this" was," she replied.

She could hear the smile in his voice, "Trust me. You're going to love this "this"."

Despite having his hands covering her eyes and unsure what he was up to, Martha couldn't fight back the smile that had been planted on her face since he told her he had a surprise for her and began marching her from the kitchen back towards the console room. For the past three months, she and the Doctor had been gradually easing themselves into the new relationship they were forging. Neither was ready to make any grand admissions of love or start wearing matching suits but since she had reentered the TARDIS, it had been the little subtle things, him bringing her tea when she was reading in the TARDIS library or the quick pecks they exchanged before running off to save the day, that convinced her she had made the right choice.

Keeping up the light mood, she bantered back, "I don't know what you're up to, Mister, but keep this up and I might just have to keep you."

The Doctor's smile now rivaled her own as he spoke softer, near her ear, "Then my plan is working."

Martha involuntarily shivered at his proximity and the implications of his words. It was in these moments that she felt that he really did want her there and that things had indeed changed between them.

The whole situation was so exciting and new to Martha yet at the same time she couldn't help but still be a bit cautious. After all, she honestly never believed this would happen for her and the Doctor and now that it was, she was afraid of getting too attached just in case old patterns began again. The Doctor, much to her pleasure, appeared to be relishing their new relationship too much to let that happen and so as she relished in the feel of his sure hands continuing to obscure her view, she let that thought and this feeling carry the day.

They eventually stopped their trek and the Doctor gently ordered her to keep her eyes closed a minute longer before he removed his hands. Martha was becoming more curious with each second, "How much longer?"

He shuffled around a little, "Alright, you can open them." Eagerly, she fluttered her eyes open and smiled at the vision of him leaning against the TARDIS console as he happily exclaimed, "Surprise!"

Martha took a moment to take in the full scene before her before she quizzically inquired, "What's this?"

"Well, what does it look like?" he responded with his grin never wavering.

Martha continued to study the scene. Her eyes were drawn to flashes of red fabric on the TARDIS console, which she recognized as ribbons. There was one tied on the handbrake and a big bow on the monitor. She looked back at the Doctor with remaining confusion and joked, "You're giving me your TARDIS?"

He raised a brow, "Not exactly . . ."

He then paused as he reached out and clasped one of her hands in his. Then he pulled her closer to the controls and him and finally ended the suspense, "But I was thinking it was about time you learned how to pilot her . . . you know just in case."

At that admission, Martha's eyes widen with utter surprise and obvious excitement, "Are you serious?"

His smile blazed on, "Oh yes."

She looked at him for a long moment before returning her gaze to the numerous buttons and controls before her. Gently, she ran her free hand over a few of them before turning back to him and shaking her head with sheer amazement. She could feel her eyes stinging with unshed tears as he held her gaze. She knew she shouldn't be getting overly emotional about things . . . she'd promised herself she wouldn't but she knew how much this ship meant to him and the fact that he was willing to let her captain it was just a bit overwhelming.

He could instantly see he had gotten the desired response and he instinctively placed his other hand on her cheek as he spoke again, "Martha, this is your home now too. I want you to feel that in every way."

The tears finally broke the surface but her voice remained calm as she quietly repeated, "Home . . . I could get used to that."

His smile became more thoughtful as he gently brushed a tear aside with his thumb and replied, "Good . . . now how about we got on with your first lesson?"

Martha smiled through her tears, "Alright, let's do it."

She enthusiastically allowed him to explain where everything was and once he had her repeat back the information, he began to guide her on how to begin. He stood behind her at first physically guiding her hands here and there until he felt confident she could handle it on her own. He then stepped back and watched as she went to work reviving up the engine and checking all the regulators. She didn't hesitate until it came time to put in the coordinates. Martha then turned to her shipmate and asked, "So where are we heading to next?"

"You're the captain. Where would you like to go?" he breezily retorted.

Martha appeared to think it over intensely, but truthfully she already had an idea in her mind. She just wasn't sure the Doctor would go along with it.

She finally returned her gaze to his and hesitantly began, "Well I do have a place in mind but I'm not sure it will be exciting enough for you."

He gave her smirk, "Hello . . . this is me you're talking about. When have I ever not found something exciting?"

Martha returned his grin and conceded, "Fair enough but this is just some place I've been curious about since I heard about it and . . ."

The Doctor cut in, "If it's got you this intrigued it must be worth a gander. Where is it?"

Martha sighed and finally let it out in a flourish, "Freetown in Sierra Leone Africa."

He raised a brow at both the speedy delivery and the destination.

"Really? You want your first piloted trip to be somewhere on Earth?" he questioned.

She nodded, "I know it's not overly exotic but it's where my Mum's grandparents are from and it has such a rich history . . . I thought it might be worth a look. But if you prefer not to, I . . ."

She was cut off again, this time by him leaning in and placing a soft lingering kiss on her lips.

As she had been struggling to convince the Doctor this was a worthwhile trip, he'd been inching closer and closer to her and when it seemed she felt like she wasn't making her sell, he decided to cut off her backtracking. Though he was enjoying, maybe at bit too much, her seeming a bit flustered, he knew the second she said where she wanted to go that if he had to tow the TARDIS there he would take her. Contrary to her own uncertainty, the Doctor was well aware that she had so much more control than she realized. In such a short amount of time, Martha Jones had completely sucked him into her charms, which excited and unnerved him all at the same time. Slowly, gently their brief interlude was broken and he gave a reassuring smile, "Say no more."

He then moved behind her again and guided her on how to enter in the proper coordinates and then with a playful wink, he concluded their first lesson with a pop quiz, "And what is the last thing we do?"

Martha's own smile brightened as it hovered over a familiar lever. "Release the handbrake," she proudly responded.

He nodded proudly as well just as she followed through sending the pair hurdling to the Western African town.