A/N. Don't worry, this is not becoming a Ten/Rose story all of a sudden. But some of it can't hurt, yes? :) Particularly when it serves a purpose? As always, thank you all for reviewing, favouriting and following! Love you!

Glimpse Into the Future

Chapter Four

The Doctor was not expecting to hear this question from her, uncertain if the never-ceasing persistency was a trait common among humans or if it was just Rose's curiosity. Either way, the Time Lord looked at the human in a way she could only call helpless.

"Can't you tell?" he shrugged at her.

It was not a hard guess to make. The only other people close enough to both of them to ever question it were her mother and Mickey. Neither of the options felt credible, which could mean but one thing… "I'd like you to tell me," she smirked at him encouragingly. It was surprising how such a little thing could create so much tension between them.

The Gallifreyan winced, uncertain if he should let go of the subject at once. "What good would it do if I told you?"

The blonde human was expecting for this kind of reaction, more and more certain about her guess. "It wouldn't harm anyone, besides… I might consider the suggestion, then."

Oh. The suggestion. A kiss. An almost-kiss, at least. He should have thought better before having uttered it. "You are not against it?"

Rose fixed her look to the ceiling. "Never said I was."

The Time Lord shrugged. "You don't have to say it. It's obvious. I cannot allow myself to get involved with anyone – could not, would not share the burden… not even with a companion. Especially not with a companion. And no kissing, of course."

"Yeah?" she grinned at him, the tip of her tongue seen momentarily between her teeth. "Even if I want to?"

"You do?" The Doctor shrugged at her hopelessly, not ready to believe it. Was she just like every human he has had the (mis)fortune to meet? No, she, his Rose, could not be like this. She was a different kind of human altogether.

As if confirming his thoughts, she shrugged. "For scientific purposes?"

"You mean – you want to see if I'm a good kisser? If I am in the same league as Ricky when it comes to kissing?"

"Gods, no! And it's Mickey."

Whatever. "So, you'd like to see what kissing a Time Lord feels like?"

"Having Jack aboard does certainly have an effect on you," the companion eyed him searchingly, her words teasing.

"Me? Like that… that twisted example of a human? Never!"

The blonde snorted. "You can't take the mere thought of kissing me, yet you have kissed Jack. Whatever you say, I am not listening."

"He has kissed me. This has nothing to do with-"

"Not listening. I am not listening. Can't hear you," the companion singsonged, leaving the Doctor to dwell upon his sometimes strangely contradictory words before they left her with a headache. She was determined to find the Captain, if he was not gone to one of his seduction trips, and talk to him. No matter how intolerable Jack could be, he was the best person to talk to on occasions like this.

However, Jack Harkness was impossible to find, which has eventually made the Tyler girl find her way to the console room. If there was at least one being other than the Doctor and Jack able to understand her joys and sorrows, this had to be the TARDIS.

"Here I am again, old girl," she muttered, sounding tired and a bit upset. "I hope you are ready to hear me…"

All of a sudden, the soothing TARDIS' buzz was interrupted by an unfamiliar voice. The Londoner turned around, aware nothing bad could happen as long as she, the Doctor, Jack, and whoever else the ship approved of was on board the ship.

The first thing Rose saw was the blinding grin on the man's face. She breathed out, especially after having taken in the full picture. The man was breathtakingly- gorgeous? Charming? No, this was not the word. He felt breathtakingly familiar.

"Oh, hello, Rose! Rose?! What?! There she was, watching him uncertainly, yet not losing her nerve. A stranger suddenly appearing on the TARDIS? Rose Tyler would need a much bigger reason to freak out. He grinned at her, still slightly dazed. What was the reason of his appearing aboard the TARDIS, obviously way before his time, too?

She blinked, trying to remember if she had ever seen him. "Do I know you?"

"Not this me. Not yet…" Blimey. "Must have pulled the wrong lever. Sorry!"

Oh, my God. "Doctor?"

"Just as brilliant and as beautiful as ever."

The incredulous look on her face has made him uncomfortable.

"Eeeer… I meant you, Rose. You are beautiful and brilliant. Although I can honestly say I am rather brilliant myself," he smirked at her. "Of course, you can't really know it yet- weeell, you can keep it in mind for now, if you want- Or I could find a way to remove the meeting from your brilliant blonde head, so that-" There was no way he was doing it, but something had to be said.

The companion was having trouble in keeping a straight face. "Don't worry. I've gathered," she smirked at him. "It's all right." This version of the Doctor seemed… different. Yet not so very different from her Doctor, especially when the Time Lord was uneasy about something. And she was supposed to fall in love with him? Really? Him? Rose chuckled. Somehow, it seemed entirely possible. The same man, all right… She wondered if this version of the Doctor knew about her feelings for- for- his predecessor. Ugh. This was complicated. The girl seemed to have understood the real meaning of complicated just then, sighing.

"Okay… Haven't you caused a paradox with this? I don't much fancy getting eaten by Reapers, thank you very much… Doctor."

"No need to worry, Rose. Nothing of the kind is going to happen."

"Yeah?"

"The TARDIS," he raised his eyebrows at her meaningfully. "The safest place in the universe."

"Oh! Oh! I have remembered the main reason why I'm here," the Doctor's eyes travelled around the room, as if afraid someone might be watching him.

"Yes?"

"As far as I know, the Doctor – I mean him - was supposed to kiss you. Has he?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "We have had quite a discussion on the matter, but no. No kissing."

"I'm almost bursting to fix the situation," the not-exactly-her-Doctor-yet shrugged, fighting hard not to come too close. However safe a place the TARDIS was, there were limits. It was a miracle he was allowed onto the ship at all. "Either way, he will kiss you. At least once. I have been there, my Rose. I know. "

"Just once? Must have been quite a life-changing situation," she smiled at the Doctor, meeting the sorrowful look on his face the next moment.

"Oh. I am sorry. I guess I shouldn't have-"

"I shouldn't have, Rose. Should not have gone into what is not- still isn't- my business, or my decision to make."

The human smiled at him understandingly. "I have done this, more than once. Is this why I find your company so pleasant?"

The Doctor was still surprised about how frank she could be. After all, this Rose, even if she was going to become his Rose, was seeing him for the first time in her life. Instead of saying anything, he grinned at her admiringly.

At that moment, the TARDIS began sending unusual signals. "My time's up. I have done enough harm by arriving here," the older Time Lord mused. "I could do something about making you forget our meeting. Probably should."

Rose could see he did not want to. "Instead of doing this, Doctor, you could come give me a hug. At least. "Unless this isn't allowed?"

It was allowed. Still, he was tarrying, as if uncertain. "I do not want to ruin your relationship with the blue-eyed me," he muttered.

The blonde companion bit her lip. "Too bad in a way it is a one-sided relationship?"

He burst out laughing. "Oh, not again."

"Not again what?"

The Time Lord smirked, the gaze of his brown eyes now burning hers. "You two should figure it out eventually, Rose. I'm sure my precious ship will know what to do, as well. Won't you, TARDIS?"

The Doctor was not waiting for any kind of response this time.

"My time's truly up. My younger self cannot stay locked up any longer. Besides, if you're lucky, Rose Tyler, he might have reconsidered the conversation… If not, I'm certain you, being what you are, will think of something."

Locked-up? In his own ship? Her Doctor? The one unable to take any kind of trouble lightly? She giggled. "Yeah?"

He nodded, smirking. "The first thing you should do is go free him. Everything else should arrive eventually," the Gallifreyan eyed her meaningfully, almost succeeding in making her blush. Before she uttered the question out loud, the future-reincarnation of the Time Lord answered it.

"Oh, be sure, the TARDIS will lead you straight to him. For now, forget me. I'll see you when the time comes, my Rose." With that, he closed the distance between them and pulled her into a hug. To say the least, it felt intimate. The girl was thankful he was gone in moments afterwards.

Time Lords and their superior physiology… Rose smiled to herself, having asked the ship to lead her to the Doctor – preferably as soon as possible.