A/N One more part to go after this!

Part Four

The Doctor stood in the console room of the TARDIS, having completed the configuration of the ship's auto flight sequence necessary for carrying out his rescue plan. That had been the easy bit and was not the focus of his thoughts at present. Instead, his thoughts were fixed on what came next with Rose. He could think of little else, considering.

They were on the brink of marriage.

Or at least, they were about to engage in a ceremony of renewed commitment, re-pledging one's life to the other. Same thing, really. Whether it was a first or second undertaking, the objective was the same. It was the purposeful binding together of two lives.

The thought of it still scared him, in all honesty. Yes, he wanted more with Rose. So much more. But this sort of thing represented what he thought he could never have again; what he believed he did not deserve; what he knew he could not bear to lose. In spite of this, something deep inside him leaped with joy at the mere thought that something like this could be his. Something like this with Rose.

And that was the rub. Despite fearing this, he wanted it, mad and reckless as that might be. Rose, on the other hand, did not. She had already stated an aversion to commitments. Then just a short while ago, upon learning of this upcoming ceremony she had become...angry. Or upset, at the very least. She had said that she was not entirely against commitments, but that a commitment with someone was not supposed to be like this. What exactly had she meant by that? Was she opposed to the thought of a commitment with an alien? A commitment with a man nearly a thousand years her senior? A commitment with a man who had killed his own kind?

Whatever her reasons, any one of them valid, she didn't want this with him. Yet she had agreed. Sort of. Rose first wanted to be sure it wouldn't actually count as long as she didn't speak with binding intent. He couldn't blame her for that...even if it hurt. Still, complicated personal feelings aside, they had to go through with it if the final leg of this undertaking was going to have any hope of a peaceful resolution.

And so, he had assured Rose that this ceremony would not have any lasting significance for her. And it wouldn't, if that was how she viewed it. He'd even managed to keep the mood light when discussing engagements and proposals so as not to send her running from this whole thing. He supposed he'd pulled it off. She still didn't seem happy about it. She'd even asked if they would need a divorce afterward just in case it did count.

Was he really that objectionable? He'd best not ponder that question too long or else he'd likely form his own list of objections. But Rose had agreed to do this for the greater good, as she'd called it. He would just have to look at it in the same way.

The Doctor was pulled from his thoughts by the approach of the woman who consumed them.

"So!" he exclaimed, forcing a bright tone as she neared.

"So...," Rose repeated, her voice a flat contrast. "Guess it's time."

His eyes swept over her. She'd not changed into any sort of traditional gown, but he didn't think she could have been more visually pleasing if she had. He'd always found her more attractive than was good for his sanity. "You ready?"

"As ever, I s'pose." Rose seemed to hesitate as she glanced down at herself, tugging at the hem of her jumper. "This alright? I just thought...no need to make a fuss."

"You look perfect," he answered with sincerity, eyes taking another appreciative journey.

She chuckled and shrugged. "I'm dressed no different than ever."

"Like I said..."

"The TARDIS thought I needed a wedding dress," Rose inserted with a quick laugh. "Showed me quite a collection. Seems to think it's a big deal."

The Doctor shot a look at the console, sending a mental reprimand to his ship. He did not need her playing matchmaker for him. This wasn't helping his efforts to make light of this to Rose in order to put her at ease. "Ah. Well... She never could mind her own business. Sorry. I suppose that's not what you–"

"–No, no, it's okay," Rose interrupted. "It was kinda sweet."

Sweet? As in...Rose actually appreciated the gesture, despite her feelings toward this?

Resigning himself to never understanding women, the Doctor offered his hand and nodded toward the doors. "Right. Well...shall we?"

Rose nodded back and took his hand. It would have been nice if she hadn't looked like she was heading to the gallows, but he would take what he could get.

-:-:-:-

The more the Doctor tried to tell himself this next step was of no lasting consequence, the more he felt overtaken by the opposite. The intensity of feelings would have been tolerable – pleasant, even – had he not been the only one feeling them.

The two of them now stood among the lakeside gathering, watching various couples commit their lives to each other as he and Rose awaited their turn to, essentially, do the same. Despite telling Rose this wouldn't really count, he knew that wasn't entirely true...from his perspective, at least. Words had power, and he knew better than to think he could speak words of commitment to Rose and not mean it. He would not hold her to any words she spoke in return, of course, nor would he have expectations of this bringing about a lasting change between them. But he knew in his hearts it would change him. He would belong to her after this day, whether Rose ever realized it or not.

Regardless, the time for pondering the situation had passed. It was time to actually do this. He glanced at Rose as they were beckoned forward. She reached for his hand, and together they took their place before the overseeing minister.

Their names were read from the register and the ceremony began.

"You stand here today not as two people unaware of the challenges that can come in a committed relationship, but as two who have experienced both the joys and trials of such a commitment," the minister spoke. "And now you have chosen to rededicate yourselves anew. This is the time to speak from your hearts what it is you are giving, what it is you are receiving, and what it is you are recommitting to one another for the rest of your lives."

Having witnessed other couples before them, the Doctor knew he was expected to go first. Drawing a breath, he turned to Rose and took her hands in his. For a man with a considerable gob, he suddenly felt at a loss as to where to begin. He glanced down, shifted a little, then brought his eyes back to hers as he began with the simple truth.

"Rose, I...I still find myself wondering why you're with me in the first place. I'm not someone who...I...I'm not the easiest person to share a life with day in and day out. I realize that. The life I lead has often times required sacrifices on your part in order to be by my side. Yet you are. By my side, I mean. Whenever I need you, you're there. Always have been. I can only hope I've done the same for you...and I'll do my best to continue. And...however long you'd like for that to be, well, it's okay with me." He felt himself frown. He wasn't sure that came out quite right. "That sounded a bit better in my head. But the point is, I once told you that you could spend the rest of your life with me. I honestly don't know why you've been with me as long as you have. But...Rose...that offer will always stand for as long as you want."

He stared at her, hearts racing. Rose just nodded. Did she know he meant every word? They may not have been the most eloquent, but his words could not have been more sincere.

"That sounds good to me," Rose finally took up, releasing a breathless sounding laugh. He found himself smiling in relief. He would take good. Good was good. "And if it's all the same to you, I think I'll stick with that promise of forever. However long we can have, I plan to be there for every bit of it. Because what you said about me being there for you? That goes both ways. You're always there for me, too. And you're the only one I want to spend forever with. Have been from the start and always will be. Better with two, right?"

His throat felt tight as he swallowed and nodded. "Right."

"Forever, then?"

"I think I could live with that."

"Good. Then it's a deal."

"It's a deal."

He couldn't stop the grin that overtook his face. A grin that matched hers. Regardless of the capacity in which it would be spent, it seemed Rose was reconfirming her decision to remain with him on a longterm basis. Even if it was just as a traveling companion, how could he feel anything less than elated? So many had come and gone from his life. Not always by choice, but often so. Rose still had her whole life ahead of her, and he knew better than anyone that things change. But for now he had her hand in his and the promise that it would remain.

The sound of a clearing throat brought their attention back to the minister. "Yes, well. That was clearly meaningful for both of you, which is all that matters. Insomuch as the two of you have rededicated your lives together, may your union endure for the rest of your days."

The Doctor felt his chest tighten at the pronouncement. He was hers. For him there was no way around it. He had pledged himself to another and meant it. He would be hers for the rest of her days, in any way she would have him.

"Not that the two of you need official approval at this point, but you're certainly free to seal it with a kiss," the minister finished.

The Doctor was almost surprised by the primal urge that swelled inside him. He wanted to lay claim to Rose – body, mind and soul. At the very least, he wanted to taste her lips with his own. He didn't trust himself to make the first move, so he moistened his lips, lowered them a fraction toward hers, and left the rest up to Rose as he murmured a low and rumbly encouragement. "Wouldn't want to break from tradition."

Rose hesitated only a moment before rising up to touch her soft, lush lips to his. Oh. Ohhh! He felt her breathe out against him as her body pressed close, every one of his senses flooded with her – her taste, her scent, her heat. He tried to hold back, to let her take the lead, but then Rose parted her lips and took his lower one between both of hers, and he nearly lost it then and there. When she began to pull back after far too brief a moment, he couldn't stop himself from chasing after her, mouth reclaiming hers. Rose didn't protest or push him away. Instead she deepened the pressure against his mouth, and he couldn't restrain his hands which gripped her waist and pulled her tight as he suckled and sampled her sweet essence.

He wondered if Rose realized the powerful effect she had on him. If so it might have frightened her away from sinking her hands into his hair and dragging her nails across his scalp as her lips opened beneath him.

He was done for.

His tongue stroked out to stake a claim, tasting, caressing and exploring every inch of her hidden recesses. She was like water to a man dying of thirst. She brought him to life even as she nearly brought him to his knees.

Now that he'd had a taste, how was he ever going to live without it?

The sound of surrounding applause brought him back down to reality, mouth slowly, reluctantly leaving hers.

"I...suppose that does it, then," he rasped, eyes barely focused.

"I-I'd say so," Rose agreed.

He felt a flash of pride as he took note of her breathless state. If only she would allow it, he would have her that way every day of their lives.

"S'pose we should..." Rose said...something. It took him a moment to focus on what that was, realization dawning as she motioned toward the parting direction.

"Yes. Right. Of course."

They stepped away hand in hand, the Doctor's mind reeling. He had every language at his disposal, but only one primitive word came to mind.

Wow.

-:-:-:-

The Doctor stood at the window of the cabin, his contemplative gaze directed outward as Rose packed a few of her things to take on the impending off-world trip. He'd taken up this same position the previous night, his mind chasing questions of how Rose would react to the ceremony, how she would feel about it, what it would mean to her. The ceremony was now complete and he was still left wondering.

Her words had sparked his hope and her kiss had lit him with desire, but had she felt the same in return? Surely if she did she would say. Wouldn't she? And she had not. To be fair, neither had he. But only because Rose had initially been so intent on having his assurance that this would not be binding. How could he tell her what it meant to him if she did not feel the same?

The voice of the woman in question reclaimed his churning thoughts. "Doctor?"

He turned to her, doing his best to present a safe and neutral front. "Hm?"

"Um, what we just did... Y'know, the whole...ceremony...and everything..."

He tried to swallow. "Yes?"

"Are you..." She paused to take in a breath. "Are you sure it didn't really count?"

His hearts dropped. She still wanted to be certain this had not bound the two of them. He took note of her anxious body language – her stiff stance, her nervous hands that twisted the hem of her jumper – before looking back to her face.

The Doctor glanced away as he spoke. "You've been quite fixated on that detail."

Her voice gained strength. "It's sort of important to know."

The Doctor gathered his emotions and packed them up, his answering tone flat as he looked to her. "Like I assured you, Rose, since the words we exchanged were not going to be spoken with...with binding marital intent, then you'd have nothing to worry about in terms of legitimacy." His eyes broke from hers. "You're not bound to me. No harm done."

"Harm?"

He gave a curt nod, making no apologies for calling it as she obviously saw it. "Exactly."

Rose turned from him, apparently having heard what she needed to know. "Right. Fine. Good to know."

The Doctor turned back to the window, feeling the knot in his stomach coil tighter as his eyes flicked down to his ring. It was a human symbol. But he wasn't human. Maybe that was the crux of it. He couldn't be what she needed...what she might have wanted had he been someone else.

"You still sure about all this?" Rose spoke to him again as she zipped up her rucksack. "It's not exactly a tried and true plan with the TARDIS, an' all. We've never gone about things quite like this before."

The Doctor turned back to her. Did she not even trust him now? "Would I be doing this if it was too much of a risk?"

"In a heartbeat."

He frowned. "You don't trust me."

"I do. But..." She gave a small shrug. "Your plans...well...they don't always go to plan, yeah?"

"They might – on very slim occasion, mind – take a minor...detour. But everything always works out in the end."

"Does it?" she mumbled back.

Her unease was starting to get to him. Was Rose that uncomfortable with him in this situation? Even when it came to the bits that weren't personal? Hadn't he long since demonstrated he could at least handle that? What was really wrong here? What wasn't she telling him?

The Doctor crossed the room to her. "Rose, I can't help but notice this whole thing has had you a bit...discomposed. What is it?"

She laughed then, the harsh sound lacking humor. "Wow. Points to you for being so perceptive."

The Doctor fought to keep his emotions in check and not snap back. "So do you care to tell me why I've noticed this?"

They stared at each other for a tense span, neither so much as blinking before Rose finally answered. "No, actually. I don't think I do. So let's just drop it, alright?"

His frustration spiked. "Rose, we're about to go into a somewhat serious situation, and I need to be sure you're alright with it. I don't want to play games here."

"No? Isn't that what you do so well?"

He narrowed his eyes. She was the one who had wanted to be sure their part in the ceremony would be nothing more than an act. "What's that supposed to mean?"

She turned away from him. "Oh, just forget it."

The Doctor put a firm hand on her shoulder and turned her back. Why wouldn't she just tell him what this was really about? "No. Not until you answer me properly."

Her tone hardened. "We just spoke a pledge to each other, Doctor. Without...binding marital intent, or whatever you called it. But where I'm from, that's not usually done on a whim or as something you just fake. That makes something important into something...cheap."

Cheap.

He took a step back at her words. He had not put undo expectations on her with the ceremony and had accepted that she was not actually forming a marriage bond, but he thought she had at least meant what she'd said about committing to stay. He certainly meant every word he had spoken to her. The last thing he did was view it as cheap. Quite the opposite. Obviously he placed too much value on it, as she clearly placed none. "That's how you feel?"

She cast her eyes downward. "How else am I s'posed to feel?"

His throat constricted. Apparently she was incapable of giving this significance and she resented even pretending to do so. "Well, I sincerely apologize if I've now cheapened your customs by making you go through with something you had to...fake. But as I recall, I said you didn't have to do any of this if you were against it."

Rose paused to take a breath. He sensed she didn't want to argue about this. She just wanted him to know where she stood. "Look, I...I wasn't against it. I know we had to do all this to put a stop to what's being done, and I want to help do that. It's just...this whole thing's been so different from what we've ever had to...I mean, we don't usually...we've never..." She sighed. "This has all just been sort of...weird."

"Weird..." He repeated. Was it so outlandish for her to even consider something like this with him? Apparently so.

"And about to get weirder," Rose went on in a lighter tone. "We're about to board a boat that's really a spaceship, with human marriage counselors who are really alien kidnappers, with us posing as husband and wife when we're really only just..."

He regarded her intently. "Only just...?" "Us," she finished. "Just us."

"Just us," he repeated quietly. That classification encompassed so much yet so little. The Doctor cleared his throat, having no choice but to move on. "Right, yes. Weird. I see your point. Still, that's sort of the norm for us, isn't it? Weird, I mean?"

"Yeah. S'pose maybe it is," Rose agreed. At least they agreed on something.

-:-:-:-

As he and Rose boarded the disguised alien vessel, the Doctor did his level best to keep his mind focused on the mission at hand. It wasn't as if he and Rose were really sharing a honeymoon suite, so as they entered their assigned room he didn't even pay attention to the spacious bed taking up most of the space. Much.

Focusing elsewhere, he produced the sonic and surreptitiously went about scanning the room for anything that might be amiss. He discovered it right away. A monitoring device. The Doctor swallowed thickly. It seemed he and Rose were about to have to up their game. His mind tripped over the implications, anxiously wondering how Rose would feel about this. She had gone along rather spectacularly during the ceremony, but then afterwards she'd called it cheap. Still, she had confirmed she wanted to see this through for the greater good. He really didn't see any way around this.

"So," Rose spoke. "Once we've 'set sail,' how long will it be before we can–"

He gave her a silencing look and slight shake of his head, performing another scan to confirm that the device's acoustic transducer was not strong enough to pick up on whispers. It wasn't. Well, this was about to get...interesting. He pocketed the sonic and approached Rose, eyes on hers to decipher her reaction to this.

"Who says we have to wait until we've set sail? I've been waiting all day to get you alone." His hearts sped at the truth of that admission. He stepped closer, gaze steadfast. "Been thinking about it..." Another step brought them mere inches apart. He lowered his lips to her ear. "Dreaming about it..." He remained dangerously close as he whispered. "There's an auditory and visual monitor over my shoulder at the top of that shelf. They can see and hear. The acoustic transducer isn't strong enough to pick up whispers, though. So if we keep our voices low, we're safe." The reckless side of him – the side that flared to life whenever they were this close – wanted to illicit a reaction from her, and he couldn't seem to tame his next string of words. "Right now it simply appears I'm whispering...unmentionable things to you. Humans do that during this sort of thing, don't they? Say things like–"

Rose cut him off. Pity, that. He'd had vibrant, colorful examples in mind.

"Let's leave the unmentionable things unmentioned," she whispered back. "But why our room?"

The distraction of their proximity was a bit disconcerting and it took effort not to let that show. "It may be in everyone's. But we were on the questionable list. They no doubt want to be sure of who's cooperating with...procreational activities as they go forward with the final phase." Intoxicated by her closeness and unable to help himself, he finished with a gentle kiss to the side of her neck. The intimate gesture simply lent itself to believability, he inwardly reasoned, knowing full well that was not his motivating factor.

Rose gasped as his lips touched her skin. Her reaction was either cause for a glimmer of hope or just the opposite. "Y-you mean we...we...?"

"Oh, yes!" he husked, then dipped low again to whisper. "Or make it appear so, at least. We might even manage to be quite convincing." The Doctor certainly had no doubts about his believability.

He eased back to search her eyes, finding anxious uncertainty staring back. Despite the stakes, he was not going to pressure Rose into something she was not comfortable allowing. Not after everything she'd already put up with. His hand stroked her arm in a gesture of reassurance as he leaned back in. "Or...we can end all this now, Rose. We don't have to do it this way. Just say the word."

Rose pulled back and held his gaze, as if rising to a challenge. "Let's just finish this."

He swallowed forcibly. He knew what this would entail and needed her to be certain. "You're sure this isn't too...weird for you?"

"Not for us," she answered back on a quiet breath.

That could be taken in one of two ways, positive or negative. Either way she was agreeing. He nodded once. Right. Onwards. He could handle this.

"We–" the Doctor stopped himself as he spoke out loud, then lowered his voice and tried again. "We'll have to at least engage in a few of the...customary things."

Her hand reached for him, fingers threading through his hair as she held him close, and he tried to tame his body's shuddering response. Right, then. It seemed Rose wasn't going to have any trouble with the convincing bit. "Just how 'customary' are we talkin' here?"

Impulse took over as he cupped her cheek, keeping her close. "Bit of oral activity, at least."

"You mean snog?" Rose brazenly clarified.

He congratulated himself for his calm, even tone. "Basically, yes."

Rose shrugged, the motion seeming indifferent. "S'pose I'll just have to live with that," she whispered out with a sigh.

The Doctor felt his eyes narrow in response to her insipid words. If Rose truly didn't want any of this with him then fine. He was coming to accept that and could even understand it. But she'd deigned to give him at least one more kiss, and he was bloody well taking it.

"We'll both just have to cope," he heard himself rasp before his mouth came down on hers.