AN: Thank you so much to Clairysage and TenRose4ever for being the first to review! It means a lot to us, and we're positive more will come...right?! Thanks also to a certain guest...yes we mean you Hannah! We would still appreciate more reviews...
After much debate, the two friends (who could be so much more) settled on 'Iron Man 3' and arranged themselves into a more comfortable position, the Doctor sitting on the couch and Rose lying down with her head in his lap. He let his hand drift down, stroking the hair that fell across her forehead, then coming to rest across her stomach. He could feel her chest rising with each breath, and relished in the security, the unfaltering rhythm, of her breathing. His breathing pattern was slightly irregular due to their closeness, a factor that he didn't even want to think about right now for fear of losing all of his self-control.
"You don't mind this, do you?" the Doctor asked, realizing that Rose would probably think that he was asking if their position was okay, then added, "Watching a movie instead of exploring, I mean."
"Of course I don't, Doctor. Either one, really," she said, gazing up into his old-beyond-measure eyes, which slowly melted under her stare. They were so close, they both longed for each other, but neither would admit it, leaving them with an unsolvable crisis.
"Right then..." he said, trailing off as Rose lifted her hand up to his face, stroking his jaw.
"You look...so relaxed. We should do this more often," she smiled, looking up at his quickly softening face.
"That would be wonderful, Rose Tyler," he whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead. Rose sat in stunned silence, touched (and confused) by the Doctor's gesture. She chose to continue watching the movie instead of acknowledging it, waiting for him to say something (or do something).
They ended up watching the rest of the movie in silence, sharing a cup of tea and munching thoughtfully on the popcorn. Rose fell asleep right before the ending credits, so the Doctor finished up hers. She rolled over in her sleep, planting her face in the middle of the Doctor's knees. He laughed quietly at his Rose, then gently pushed her off his lap. He picked her up gingerly, walked over to her room, and placed her on her bed, sitting on the edge of it as she snuggled even closer into her blankets. He couldn't help but think if she was dreaming of him; the way she was gripping her blanket and smothering the pillow gave him a few clues. But was that just his imagination, or did she really feel the same way?
Feeling a bit confused and tired, the Doctor pulled over a chair from the side of the room and placed it next to Rose's bedside table. He sat down, head in hands, and thought about them. How they were now, and what he would like them to be. Little did he know that Rose was indeed dreaming of him, a beautiful dream in which he took her to a deserted beach on some alien planet. They walked alongside the water, holding hands and enjoying each others' company. Suddenly, the Doctor had stopped and swept her up into his arms, like a married couple. She giggled (in the dream and out loud) as he spun her around, coming to rest facing the ocean. "Where to next, Rose Tyler?" he had asked, and she kissed him as a reply. "Nowhere, Doctor. You're staying right here with me for now." It was then that she woke up and found the Doctor, gently snoring, sitting next to her bed in an uncomfortable-looking chair. She leaned over and shook his knee, jumping back when he awoke with a start.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" he exclaimed, looking sheepishly at Rose as she glared at him.
"Why are you down there? It must be terribly uncomfortable."
"Oh, I...didn't want to bother you?"
She patted the bed beside her as way of an invitation, which he gladly accepted. Any excuse to be close to Rose Tyler he would take.
The Doctor turned to face Rose, searching her eyes for what he longed for: acceptance, and love. He found both, but wasn't sure if that was just because she was tired, or...nope, she definitely felt the same way. Or was he imagining...
Rose moved closer to him, curling up against his chest and sighing happily. The Doctor's arms immediately went around her, pulling her closer. Even he was surprised by his reaction; that didn't stop him. Rose Tyler was back asleep within seconds, but no more sleep would the Doctor get that night. He lay awake and thought. Thinking was one of his favorite activities, but when he was around Rose Tyler, most thoughts were immediately swept out of his mind. Tonight his thoughts belonged solely to her. Tears began to stream down his face; silent tears of fear, fear of losing his Rose. He then realized that he needed her. He needed her more than sleep, in fact. And he was sure she felt the same way.
AN: Won't publish chapter 4 until we get at least 2 more reviews! So please review if you want more...we really need your input!