How much time passed after that declaration he cannot remember but looking at her was proving too painful so he made to turn away from her again but the soft sweet laughter suddenly bubbling forth from her stopped him. Perhaps the stress had gotten too much for her and she was losing it.

"Rose, are you okay?"

"Yep", she laughed some more. "Doctor I was frightened to death about tomorrow, and if we couldn't get away I would have asked you to kill me rather than let myself go through that horror but now..." and her voice softened, "now I know I'll be safe...."

"Rose thats just it, you aren't safe. I've got to abuse the trust you have in me and carry out the punishment".

Rose smiled. This was it. This one absolute fixed point in time is the moment to reveal her heart. She moved over to him and placed one hand on his cheek willing him to meet her eyes. Her other hand is placed upon his chest covering one of his hearts. It takes all her courage but finally she speaks "Doctor, how can it be punishment when the man I love would be touching me."

There she'd said it. Relief filled her soul. It was good to have it out in the open. Okay not the circumstances she'd pictured but.... oh why wasn't he saying anything. Perhaps Mackenzie had been mistaken in her assumptions of the Doctor's feelings.

"Doctor, you don't have to do it you know. I realise I'm a stupid ape human and not worthy and your probably disgusted at the thought .."

She didn't finish that sentence as the Doctors mouth came down on hers and his arms like bands of steel enfolded her against his chest. His kiss was brutal, passionate and full of pent up longing. She wasn't afraid though and kissed him back with all the love she felt. Finally he pulled back and put both hands on either side of her face drawing her head up to look into her eyes.

"Never say that again. Don't ever think your not good enough for me Rose. Truth be told it's the other way around. How can you love a broken man Rose? I have nothing to offer you. I should be kneeling in front of you offering veneration to my golden goddess and then you offer me your body and yes I want that too along with your mind, your soul your very being. Making love to you Rose would be the blessed fulfillment of my deepest desire." He sealed his last declaration with another passionate kiss to her lips before moving away from her.

"Rose there are things you need to know about me. Before tomorrow happens. I know you think you love me but you need to be absolutely sure. My species, we never indulged in casual sex, not (seeing the look on her face) that what we are going to do would be called that. On Gallifrey Rose we would take a mate for life. We form a bond both mentally and physically that can't be broken. When I ...take you...no when I love you tomorrow it would be so much more than that. We'd be in each others heads, aware of each other all the time for the rest of your life. I'd be claiming you as mine and won't ever let you go. Rose in effect you would be my wife."

"Do you want to bond with me Doctor?" whispered Rose.

"Yes Rose, I love you so much I want you to be mine forever but it's not the way I planned to do this. I always dreamed that if I was lucky enough to know you loved me I would take you to

a special room on the Tardis and bond with you under the orange skies of my home planet of Gallifrey. I know its not real but it would be the closest I have to participating in the ancient bonding rituals of my people. Bonding is a sacred union and I hate to think of it being cheapened because of stupid idiotic laws."

Rose put her arms up around the Doctors neck and spoke softly to him without any trace of hesitation. "The Gallifrey room sounds perfect Doctor but it won't matter to me where we bond. I hardly think I'd be concentrating on anything else other than you my love. It will still be a special commitment, unique and wonderously beautiful".

The Doctor gazed at her in awe. "Rose are you sure?".

Rather then speak straight away Rose drew his head down to hers and kissed him. Then in his ear she whispered " For nineteen years I existed but it was you Doctor who showed me what being alive really means. I love you so yes I am sure Doctor. I want to be yours, your bond mate, your wife, your forever always." The Doctor could speak no more. He just pulled her against him and buried his head in her shoulder letting the tears of gratitude and love flow and Rose held him until he was spent.

Eventually they released each other from their embrace "Rose Tyler your fantastic but now I think I need to find Jack He promised to provide us with something edible for dinner."

"Someone call my name" said a familiar voice. "Hmm well whats been going on here then hey? No good blushing Miss Tyler. I know a pair of well kissed lips when I see them and I reckon its about bloody time too. So did I miss anything exciting, could give you both a few pointers you know....

"Shut up Jack" admonished the doctor although his words didn't match the warm grin on his face as he hugged the other man briefly. "So what have you been up too then and please do skip anything that we probably really don't need to know."

"Oh well Mackenzie is on top of things .... literally... "

"JACK"

"Okay Okay, I couldn't resist. Look Mackenzie can't cancel the sentencing but she has moved the place of venue from the public arena to a smaller auditorium. She's citing that the gas pipes in the arena are leaking so its not safe to use. Using the auditorium means that fewer people can come in. She has also organised for a light mesh gazebo to be erected. It should be enough that people can still witness the punishment but won't be able to see all your worldly assets and finally she's organised a bed so you can be comfortable. Now its guaranteed there will be some trouble. That idiot shopkeeper is already making waves over the liberties Mackenzie has made on your behalf but I don't want you two lovebirds to worry about that. Yours truly will ensure your left alone to ah... ensure that justice is served. Now on that note here is some food for you two though a picnic in a jail cell is not my idea of romance although ... it could have potential! Right, I am out of here. I'm taking Mackenzie to late supper and then well let's say don't wait up".

Rose stood up and raced over to Jack to hug him. "You go and have a good time Jack and thank you for being our friend".

"Well Rosie since the position of lover in your life is now filled, I'll gladly continue on as your friend but you might consider sharing sometimes" he said cheekily before giving her a quick peck on the lips.

"Oi that's my girl" growled the Doctor affectionately.

"Don't I know it" retorted Jack as he skipped out the cell door leaving Rose and The Doctor in fits of laughter.

To be continued