A/N: I don't own a thing mores the pity!!!! If Mr. Tennant would like to make a career in being my personal G.P I wouldn't mind one bit!!!

Here's Chapter 2 and thew whole reason it's the rating it is. Remember reviews are always welcome!

Chapter 2

The house was lit with white Christmas lights all over, it reminded Cathy of a Christmas card, snow dusted over the bushes and trees that surrounded it, but inside the house looked quiet and dark. For a while Cathy wondered if anyone was in as she walked carefully round the outside, looking for any sign of life.

"T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a…hello." Looking up at one of the windows she saw a silhouette sitting in the window watching the snow fall and she smiled to herself. Contemplation, the perfect state for one of my little chats. Well Doc, here goes nothing.

Rose sat on her windowsill staring out into the dark night. Her parents and Mickey had gone to a Christmas party. It had caused a few raised voices and cross words when she'd announced she wasn't going. She wasn't in much of a mood for having a good time. She rarely was, but Christmas was always harder. Christmas was the time when she missed her Doctor the most. She almost jumped as a dark figure slunk into the light her window threw on the white snow, coat tails flapping in the breeze, hood shielding them from the bitter night and Rose's view.

Hello, Rose Tyler a voice came in her head. Please don't be afraid. Actually that's a dumb thing to say because now you're likely to be more afraid that before. But please trust me when I say I'm a friend to you. Why do you sit alone in an empty house? Wouldn't you rather be among friends?

"What the hell is going on?"

You gotta think the words or I can't hear you from out here.

This is ridiculous

Why is it ridiculous?

You heard that?

Of course, you were thinking it and I was being nosey, like the Doctor.

The Doctor?

Cathy smiled to herself, she knew that would get Rose's attention.

Who are you?

You know who I am, Rose. We've met before. It was a while ago now but you ended up in my monstrous little burg. Full of witches and werewolves and vampires. All the things of your nightmares in one little anonymous town in America.

You're, you're….

Go on finish the sentence and you get a gold star! Catherine O'Connor at your service.

But you can't be! This isn't our world!

Oh this is going to be a long conversation and I'd hate to be late. So it's gona be far quicker if you come down here and I explain on the way. I'm freezing my backside off!

No way. You could be an impostor!

Fair point. Umm, last time you saw the Doctor he was hanging on for dear life to a wall.

You can see inside my head so that's not proof.

Always knew you were a smart cookie. Look lovely as this chat has been, I'm going to dash off. You coming to find out what's going on or not? Cathy smiled as she saw Rose's shadow dart from the window. Stepping backwards one step at a time she made ready to always be a few steps ahead of the girl. It was a cruel streak she had but it made life fun. She liked it when there was an air of mystery about things. Hearing the front door slam Cathy started walking in the direction of the TARDIS.

"Wait up!" Rose yelled

"You'll have to keep up, Rose Tyler. Time waits for no man." She thought on that saying for a moment "Well maybe one man." she added to herself with a rueful smile, thinking of the Doctor nervously pacing round his consol.

XxXxX

The Doctor frantically tidied the control room, picking up after himself after months of not bothering. He couldn't let Rose see the state of the place. She'd be disgusted with him. He hadn't realised how much mess he could make all by himself until the floor was finally clear. Running to Rose's room he checked everything looked normal then changed his suit back to the brown one after deciding the blue one might be too much of a change. He needed everything to look as normal as possible if she came. His heart sunk at that thought, if she came. Surely she'd come, wouldn't she? She'd at least come to see him to say goodbye, wouldn't she?

XxXxX

"Where are you taking me?" Rose demanded finally, she'd given up trying to keep pace with Cathy long ago.

"Taking you? I'm not taking you anywhere. You're following me." Cathy called back over her shoulder.

"We've been walking for hours!"

"That's an exaggeration. Bout half an hour. It just feels like longer because it's cold."

"You can say that again." Rose muttered. Her toes and finger tips were numb. What had possessed her to follow? It was the middle of the night, snowing and the path they were taking had no light. She could just about make Cathy out in front of her he shadow flickering in the patches of moon light. Looking around her she managed to determine that they were in fields. "I must be mad." She hadn't noticed that Cathy had stopped and almost bumped into her.

"Wait here." Cathy's voice filtered through the darkness, sounding weary.

"If this is some kind of practical joke it's not funny." A shaft of light hit her from behind and a familiar hum reached her ear.

"There's no joke Rose. But I suppose it is a little funny."

Rose didn't dare turn to see who was speaking; for fear that it wouldn't be true.

"Rose?" His voice came again. She could hear the crunch of the snow beneath his footsteps but she still didn't turn.

"Why's it funny?" She gulped finally.

"Even I missed a glaringly obvious way back to you. Took a vampire to get me here." He hesitated as he reached her before gently taking her hand. He felt her stiffen at the touch so he rubbed his thumb lightly in her palm. "You know it's really hard talking to someone in the dark who won't face you."

"I can't." Rose replied shaking her head.

"Why not?" He croaked suddenly worried. "Do you want me to go?"

"I'm scared."

"Of what?"

"That if I turn to look at you, you won't be you. That you'll be different or worse still not you at all."

"When you say 'you'..."

"The Doctor. Big hair, brown suit. My Doctor. The proper Doctor. If you're the Doctor at all. I mean you could be an alien pretending to be the Doctor."

"You said that the last time I changed. I was in that bed and you were stood there saying. 'The proper Doctor wouldn't do this.'" He heard Rose take a deep breath as she slowly pivoted round to face him. He could feel her tremble and he wondered whether it was fear or the snow.

Rose looked down at her hand and recognised the familiar sleeve of her Doctor's suit. She didn't dare to look up at his face. She didn't think she could cope if he'd changed again.

He hooked his finger under her chin and turned her face up to him.

"Hello." He said, offering a tentative smile.

"Doctor?!" She couldn't quite believe it.

"It's all right it's me, just as you left me." The Doctor placed a hand on her face and stroked her cheek with his thumb. His hearts ached when he saw light reflect in the tears that gathered and tumble down her cheeks.

"Oh don't cry. Please don't cry. I'm not good with crying women." He patted his pockets looking for a tissue and a sob escaped Rose's lips. Giving up his quest he wrapped his arms around her and felt her knees give way.

XxXxX

There they were, together again and his Rose was sobbing uncontrollably, both kneeling in the snow. At least this time he could hold her. His mind travelled back to the beach, so desperate to comfort her but not being able to. He squeezed his eyes shut and held her tightly, rocking her softly and whispering to her that he was really here and that everything was ok. He could feel the snow seeping through his trousers and felt her trembling get stronger.

"Come on, inside. You'll freeze in this snow." He gathered her up in his arms and carried her into the TARDIS.

Cathy handed him a couple of blankets as the Doctor sat her on one of the seats. "I'd get a hot drink but I only know how the control panel works." She shrugged her eyes never leaving Rose's face. "Maybe I should get home."

"No, I need you to explain this. I mean I'm in it with you and I don't understand how we got here other than 'worm hole'." The Doctor looked up pleadingly.

"You just don't want to be left alone with a sobbing girl." Rose said between sobs.

"Sweetheart, no that's not true. I just really don't understand it." Looking at her face he saw a whisper of a smile and he realised she was teasing him. "Hey, I've travelled from one universe to another, where's my hug?"

She eyed him for a moment as if she wasn't sure he really was him before she threw her arms around his neck almost knocking him over. He held her so tightly he was almost afraid of breaking her but he couldn't help it, it felt so good to have her in his arms.

"Hello." She laughed tearfully as she pulled back to look at him in the light.

"Hello." His trade mark grin split his face.

She looked over at Cathy then back at the Doctor with slightly less humour. He knew that look, she thought she'd been replaced.

"Cathy's just along for the ride. She's the reason I'm here. Without her, I never would have found a way here."

"Never say never. You'd have found one in the end." Cathy told him.

"But how did you get here?" Rose asked, not letting go of the Doctor's arm, as if afraid he'd disappear if she did.

"Wormholes." Cathy said simply. "I just found the right one." She saw the blank look on Rose's face. "It's like…." She looked around the TARDIS for something to use to explain. "God, you really did get your knickers in a twist! You've tidied up! Ok, it's like a tube with a funnel at either end that the universe is built around, they're part of the foundation. Some holes will take you from one point in the universe to another point in the same universe and some, if you're very lucky and manage to find them, will take you between universes, without causing damage to either of the worlds. Well that supposing you do go and actively cause trouble on purpose."

"And you found one of these worm-holes?"

"Turns out Cathy's a bit handy at finding them." The Doctor told her.

"Why didn't you?" Rose looked up at him, mascara streaked down her face.

"I…well…the thing is…."

"He didn't know they actually existed." Cathy filled in, trying to hide a smile.

"You didn't know?!"

"Well, it's all meant to be a theory not fact." He rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well, it's not important. You're both where you need to be and I need to get back to that lump of a brother. I hope he hasn't got himself into any trouble." Cathy stood and walked towards the TARDIS doors. "Take care of him; he's pretty useless without….." she didn't finish that thought, she didn't see the need. "And you," she pointed at the Doctor "you need to listen to others more often. Don't leave it 'til it's too late next time."

"Right, yes. Promise." He nodded before adding a smile. "Come here you." He held his arms wide and gave Cathy a hug. "Thank you." He said in her ear.

"Just remember what I said. Right," she sighed extracting herself from the Doctor's grasp "I'm off, got my own flock to watch over. Merry Christmas, both of you. Make it a good one."

"Thank you." Rose said in a shaky voice, praying that she wasn't about to wake up.

Cathy nodded and stepped outside into the cold night. The Doctor and Rose stood in the TARDIS doorway.

"Be safe." The Doctor told her.

"Be happy." She replied smiling broadly and with a click of her fingers she was gone.

"So." Rose said, shrinking further into her blanket.

"So." The Doctor repeated, both of them staring out into the night.

"I suppose I should be getting back. Mum and dad will be home soon."

"Oh, right. Ok. Sure, give me a minute to get her going." He tried to hide the disappointment as he turned back to the control panel, pushing buttons and flicking levers. He flicked his gaze over at Rose and back at the control panel as he felt his eyes prickle. "So back to London." He sighed stuffing his hands in his pockets as the TARDIS began wurring.

"Yeah. Well you know, family Christmas." She looked up at the Doctor suddenly as the TARDIS fell silent.

"What if I asked you to stay?" His eyes met hers with an intensity she'd never seen before.

Rose just stood staring at him.

"Right, no stupid question. Excuse me." He sadly pulled the lever to start the engine again, and left the control room.

He stood in the door way of what was once Rose's room. All her things were exactly as they had been left that morning when she'd been ripped away from him. He'd been in that room so many times, sitting on her bed and, selfish as it was, desperately wished her could bring her back, he missed her with an ache he'd never felt for a human being. Rose Tyler had got under his skin and he couldn't shake it.

"You could've tidied up for me." Rose's voice came from behind him.

"Rose! I..um I was just going to get…" he looked around the room for something, anything he could think she wanted. "The photo." He ran over to pick it off her bedside table. "You know the one Jackie took my first Christmas. I thought you'd like to take it back with you. We had fun that Christmas."

"You mean after you changing faces on me, me getting chased by a brass band, thinking you were going to die, the alien invasion and a homicidal Christmas tree. Yeah it was great fun!"

"We all looked really happy." He handed the photo to her. "I better get back to see how she's flying."

Rose waited until he got to the door to see if he'd notice. "Wait a sec.." he bounded out of her room and ran to the control room. "We're not moving. Why aren't we moving? It was working when I left."

"I stopped it." Rose's voice came from behind him.

"Stop doing that!" The Doctor exclaimed jumping out of his skin. "Why would you do that?"

"What walk up behind you or switch the engine off?"

"Yes and yes."

"Because it's funny and because I wanted to. Why did you ask me to stay?"

"Because I miss you." Resting back against the control panel he stared at his plimsolls and stuffed his hands in his pockets looking like a little school boy.

"Oh, well, I miss you too."

An awkward silence descended as the Doctor kept hearing a little voice in his head, telling him to get on with it. To tell her the whole truth.

"Aaaaggggghhhhhh!" he suddenly yelled shoving himself away from the consol. "Fine, ok, you win. Rose Tyler I'm so ridiculously in love with you that my entire world falls apart when you're not in it. If you're not there I just don't care about anything. I ended up getting myself caught and tested on and didn't even try and escape. My screwdriver was in my pocket and I didn't even think to use it. Because unless I had you to get to I just didn't see the point. I tried to tell you so many times…"

Rose watched as his eyes clouded with tears as his hand moved to the lever.

"Wait." She stilled his hand with hers and turned his face towards her. "What made you tell me now?"

"So many times I managed to convince myself that if I didn't say it then it wasn't real. And by the time I knew I had to tell you it was too late. You were gone. I didn't want you to leave me this time without knowing. I know it's selfish and I'm sorry."

"Thank you." Reaching up she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him. Feeling his arms tighten around her she breathed in deeply. She'd missed his smell it was a mix of soap and the TARDIS. They stood like that for what seemed like an eternity before Rose turned her head and placed a kiss on his neck. She felt him tense. Pulling back Rose looked into the Doctor's face and saw confusion and a touch of sadness. She gripped his hands in hers and removed them from her waist.

"You know, I've lived for about two years on this ship and I never found where your room was."

"I… I don't really have one. I rarely sleep. You know that." He told her suspiciously.

"Who said anything about sleeping?" Rose started pulling him towards the door, leading to the rest of the ship.

"I thought you needed to get back."

"We've got a time machine. We can make Christmas Eve as long as we like, can't we?"

"I suppose."

Rose laughed at the nervousness in his voice. "I don't bite. Well that might not strictly be true but I promise I won't hurt you." She tugged him into her room and pulled on his tie before placing a solid kiss on his lips.

"Rose. Rose!"

"What's the matter? I thought you wanted this."

He couldn't bear the disappointment on her face. "It's not that. I do, it's just. I can't tell you how long it's been. I mean I can't even remember the last time."

"Worried they've changed it?" She smirked at his discomfort at the conversation. "Doctor, I don't care. As long as it's you." Looking up at him through her lashes, her eyes never left his as she slipped his tie from around his neck. She watched his eyes darken as her fingers moved to his shirt buttons, popping them one by one and tugging the bottom of his shirt out from his waist band. Suddenly the Doctor crushed her against him, clinging to her as if his life depended on it, kissing her breathless.

"Where'd that come from?" she panted as they finally came up for air.

"Months of despair?" the Doctor shrugged, smiling at her. "I just can't believe you're actually here." He told her, resting his forehead against hers.

"Well I am," she planted another kiss on his lips, teasing them with her tongue until they parted.

"Certainly feels like you believe I'm here!" she raised her eyebrow as she pressed herself even harder against him.

"Don't" he growled, hating himself for saying it.

"Why not?" Rose was undeterred, slipping his jacket and shirt from his shoulders

"Because you're mother would kill me for a start."

"You're not planning on inviting her are you?" she planted more kisses along his neck and jaw.

"No" he croaked, desperately trying to keep some self control.

"Well then, I won't tell her if you don't." Rose told him. She looked at his now naked chest and he hands stilled at the burn and scald marks she saw there. "What happened?"

"I told you, I got sloppy." He shrugged. She lightly touched her fingertips to them. "Do they hurt?"

"Some of them." His voice became husky as Rose placed a feather light kiss on the one closest to his shoulder as her hands fiddled with the waistband of his trousers, fingers brushing against the sensitive skin on his stomach that caused him to moan. His own hands went to her waist, his fingers slipping under the hem at the back of her t-shirt, stroking the skin at the base of her spine. He smiled as he felt her shudder.

"See. It's all coming back to you." Giving him a light shove, Rose pinned the Doctor onto her bed by sitting on top of him.

"Ouch." He complained as the wound on his back hit the fabric.

"Sorry." Bending down she kissed him again, planting small kisses down the length of his neck, heading for his chest. The Doctor grabbed hold of her shirt and pulled it upwards, over her head and threw it clear across the room before flipping her over onto her back.

"Two can play that game." He grinned.

"What happened to being a responsible good boy?"

"Corruption." Pinning her wrists with one hand he slipped the other under her back, unhooking her bra before whipping it off with effortless speed and swinging it round his head.

"Impressive." Her voice was hardly more than a whisper. They gazed at each other for a moment before the Doctor covered her body with kisses, softly taking her nipples between his teeth and teasing them with his tongue, releasing her hands. He heard her gasp as she raised her body up to meet his mouth, her hands tangled in his hair. Pulling back he gazed at her face. Her eyes were hooded and her face flushed. He could see a whole host of emotions flash across her face.

"Don't leave me." He pleaded softly, his fingers stroking the side of her face.

Rose offered him a small smile. "Never."

"Never is a long time away." The Doctor's voice was no more than a whisper. "There's something I need to tell you."

"Later." She hushed.

"I really need to tell you."

"And I really need you to make love to me before I explode. What ever it is it can wait a while. I'm not going anywhere." Shifting her hips against his, she lowered the zipper on his trousers.

He felt her hand slip inside and close round him and he was lost.

XxXxX

A/N: Well that's chappy 2. anyone still interested? It is gona be fluff with a bit of 'no you can't do that' thrown in later. Reviews welcome and noted!