Jack sauntered into the console room, the other occupant glanced up upon hearing his footsteps then quickly looked back down, busying himself once again with the flipping of levers and switches as he circled the control panel. Jack sighed, shaking his head. He stood silently watching the other move purposefully around the console reminding him of a jungle cat so sure of his motions and moving with a grace and litheness that contradicted the lanky and ungainly porportions of his lean frame. Then those piercing blue eyes were boring through him causing him to shift his feet uneasily.
"Look, um, about earlier." The other shook his head, dropping his gaze and resumed his maneuvering amongst the assortment of levers and switches at his command.
"Told you it's over. Now, just forget about it." Jack stepped forward tentatively, pushing his hands deep into his pockets.
"Listen Doc,"
The Doctor froze with his hand hovering just above a small yellow button and imparted another withering glare towards his younger companion, hoping to silence him. Jack either chose to ignore the unspoken intent or misunderstood. The Doctor instead found himself face to face with Jack and pulling himself to his full height, although scarcely looking down upon his opponent, he hoped he struck an imposing figure yet was met with an unwavering look.
"You can be the most 'stubborn' being I've ever known, but you will listen." Jack matched the Doctor's icy stare with his own not giving an inch to the hard-headed time lord. "There is nothing between Rose and I. We were both drunk, it was one little kiss. It's you she has feelings for, and if you weren't so damned pig-headed," he paused glowering across the small space, and poking his finger into the other's chest for emphasis. "you'd do something about it!" The Doctor caught Jack's finger and held it securely in his iron grip, his thunderous countenance would have withered a lesser man and just for a moment a flicker of doubt passed over Jack's features. Then the Doctor broke into a huge grin, grabbed Jack around his shoulders pulling him to his side as he steered them towards the door. Jack's eyes widened and he attempted to slow their momentum, thinking surely the Doctor wouldn't throw him out into space over a simple kiss? Then he felt an imperceptible thump as the TARDIS landed.
"You're stop I believe?" Said the Doctor as he flung open the door and escorted Jack out into the brightness.
Squinting at the change in lighting Jack experienced a touch of panic. "So that's it, eh Doc?" He twisted furiously out of the others grip, hoping to hide the hurt in his eyes. One stupid little mistake, and now he would pay for it by being abandoned on an unknown planet left once again to fend for himself. Well, he thought to himself, I'm not giving the bastard any satisfaction. With steely resolution he turned holding out his hand, "Been fun, eh Doc?" The Doctor looked taken aback as shocked surprise registered across his face, then understanding slowly spread across his features. Before Jack could react the Doctor had pulled him into a tight hug and was laughing merrily. Jack, thoroughly confused, attempted to push away from this mad character to no avail.
"Jack," the Doctor began, his hands now holding the other so their foreheads touched, and captured him with his intense gaze, "I've planned an evening with Rose, just so you know." Jack wore a wary expression but let the Doctor continue. "So you need to bugger off for, oh, a day or so." He released him and stood back allowing his eyes to roam the horizon. "Perfectly peaceful planet, shouldn't find too much trouble, and I expect you back no later than tomorrow afternoon." He finished waggling his finger at Jack as he stepped back inside the TARDIS.
Jack stood with his hands on his hips chuckling with relief and shaking his head in disbelief, he'd misjudged the Doctor, and if all the Doctor was wanting was a night alone with Rose, well, he could at least give him that. He scanned the area determining his destination then set off with lively purpose, he was feeling adventurous.
The Doctor watched on the monitor as Jack walked away from the ship. Now it was time to put the second part of his plan into action, so then why did he feel so nervous, his stomach doing flip-flops, sweaty palms, and wondering if this would even work? After all it had been quite a number of years, if not possibly a few centuries, since he had let himself get this involved. Is that what it was, involved? He pondered as he rubbed his face with his hands, suddenly feeling as old as his nine hundred years. This was foolish. Foolish that one single solitary human could instill these feelings and emotions that raged through him like an untethered storm. Foolish that with five billion languages and an infinite vocabulary at his command, he couldn't just tell her. He was unable to say the words, yet what good were overused almost meaningless words that wouldn't begin to express what he felt. He leaned straight-armed against the console letting his head hang as he felt the comforting vibration from his ship course upwards through his hands.
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Sitting in the library sprawled across the worn leather sofa she closed the hardback book she had been reading for most of the afternoon. Standing she stretched out the kinks from lying in one place to long, then set the book down and wandered off towards her bedroom beginning to wonder what the other two occupants were up to. As she stepped into her room her eyes were drawn to the nightstand where an orange rose lay atop an envelope. She gingerly picked up the unusual rose and brought it closer inhaling it's fresh ethereal aroma, the stem smooth to the touch. Not recognizing the flowing script on the envelope she slowly opened it to reveal a single card with more of the same writing her name had been meticulously inscribed with. Musing over the contents of the card she placed it back onto the nightstand, and carried the rose over to her wardrobe where she contemplated what to wear. After a few moments of perusal she finally pulled out her favorite pink hoodie since the note had said casual and slightly warm and it fulfilled both stipulations. She was shaking slightly as she put it on, laying the rose down upon her dresser for a brief moment, slipped her arms through the comfortable garment zipping it up as she glanced in the mirror. Running a brush hastily through her hair, she then seized the rose and made her way to the console room forcing herself to slow her pace before entering the room.
The Doctor had been fidgeting. Normally used to action he hated to wait, especially if it was waiting in anticipation such as now. He had turned his fidgeting into pacing, then rechecking the monitors a dozen or so times to be sure there was time left. There was irony, worried about time he was after all his careful planning and calculating and here he was left waiting, feeling time pass by. He was unable to supress his feelings of relief when he heard her footsteps, almost runnning to grab her hand he swiftly led her out of the TARDIS. "C'mon, don't want to be late."
Rose was forced to jog to keep up with his quick pace, the tension on her arm never letting up as she followed behind him. Upon leaving the ship they had turned and headed towards a mountain, the Doctor seeming sure of his destination. After twenty minutes of the quick pace set by the Doctor, Rose was beginning to feel a burning sensation starting in her calves and her breathing had become laboured. "Doctor." She panted, starting to slow as the Doctor continued his relentless pull on her arm.
"Just to that outcropping, almost there." He called over his shoulder excitedly pointing with his free hand to a small ledge of rocks resembling a large dining table not too far ahead. As they reached their destination Rose dropped the rose then sank thankfully next to it onto the hard ground, stretching her legs out and began rubbing her stiff muscles threatening to cramp. The Doctor was looking around, nodding and talking to himself enthusiastically. "Yep, this should be perfect! Oh, I can't wait 'til you see this. I think you'll like it. Only happens once every three thousand years or so." Rose unsure of what the Doctor was on about took in her surroundings.
Off to her left she could just make out the small silhouette of the TARDIS in the distance. Behind her and to her other side she found herself peering up at steep craggy mountains looming over them, the planets sun descending slowly towards the peak. A sea of white lay spread before her as far into the horizon as she could see. "It's moving." She stated simply looking up at the Doctor who was gazing out over the expanse and nodding in agreement, his features suddenly growing serious. "What is it?" He caught the worry in her voice and turned towards her, moving immediatly behind her and squatting down.
"Absolutely nothing to worry about, Rose." He assured her, his voice low and soothing close to her ear. Turning her head quickly she almost bumped into his nose, unaware he had ventured so close. The Doctor bent nearer, reaching out to her side and picked up the orange flower bringing it up between them. He appeared to study it intently, then glanced back catching her eyes. She felt as if she was falling, his stare was just as intense as he watched her. "Do you know what the colour of an orange rose represents?" He asked in hesitant whisper. Seeing a flicker of fear in those ancient eyes she shook her head, unwilling to break contact or speak in case the moment disappeared. She noticed the contours of his face darken as the sun began to set behind the mountain, his eyes then looked past her and she felt an emptiness engulf her as the contact was lost. His head moving closer to hers forced her to look forward again as she followed his gaze. A simple command she wasn't sure if he'd spoken or she heard in her mind, "Watch."
The chill that ran through her body wasn't from the temperature as the Doctor settled behind her, his long legs flanking hers, his chest slightly pressed into her back. Before she could react to his closeness she became mesmerized by the scene unfolding before them. The field of white took on a slight pastel pink tinge that grew ever darker in shade as the sun journeyed further behind the mountain. Just as the light faded a thin strip of color began reappearing, this time bathing it's path in a flaming orange swath reminiscent of a runaway fire, the vibrant colour splashing in waves across the expanse, fading then growing brilliant again and again, then ever so slowly the colors diminished to the pale white under the planets dual moons.
Rose inhaled deeply. She had sat in awe watching the scene play before her. "Amazing." She breathed finally managing to find her voice.
The Doctor had been captivated by her reaction, watching her eyes light up reflecting the myriad of colors and the wonder on her face during the spectacle. He smiled content in knowing she had shared in his appreciation of the magnificent beauty they had witnessed.
She looked down at the arms wrapped around her waist, felt the strong steady heartbeats against her back, saw the rose still held in one of his large calloused hands. Her two smaller hands wrapped around his, pulling the rose forward, as she leaned back into him, her brown eyes looking up into his blue. "What does the colour orange represent Doctor?" She asked timidly, unaware she held her breath. He slid his hand from hers, leaving the rose in her grasp.
"An orange rose," he nodded towards the calm, faded field, "symbolizes the heat of passion," he slowly brought his hand up to rest against her cheek, "and burning desire." he finished, leaning forward and letting his lips brush lightly against hers.