A/N. I refuse to believe we're on the sixth chapter already. How did this happen? No matter. How did the no reviews thing happen? Hm. But you have been warned. It gets darker and will only continue to darken… for a while. A glimpse of light… and back again.

Previously…

"We must work on scrubbing you clean, m?" Rose smirked, took a deep breath and allowed the Doctor work wonders on her bare skin.

Black Light

To know a beginning, but never an end

Five months ago

"Now tell me something I could honestly believe in," the fair companion spoke gravely, addressing the alien as soon as his entire frame stuck out from under the TARDIS console.

The Doctor was unpleasantly surprised, his excited grin falling off his face at once. This was not how the morning should have begun. Rose was supposed to be jumpy, excited and laughing, a bringer of joy wherever she went, just like she always has been. Maybe put in a jest or two about yesterday, why not? She must have had a bad night's sleep, he decided. Maybe a nightmare. Nothing that could not be dealt with easily.

"What do you mean?" He asked instead.

"I am used to people trying to make a fool out of me. Used to so many things. But yesterday has been worst of it all."

What? "What was it about yesterday?"

"My vulnerability… anyone's, for that matter. I could not stop myself. Have told you too much. But you, you-"

The Doctor was flustered. "Was something wrong about how I- you know full well I never- would never-"

"No!" Rose's voice grew in volume all of a sudden. "You have done everything right. Have kissed me just fine… But everything you have told me… It was all nothing but a bunch of sweet lies, I know. You have at least succeeded in making me believe it, for however short a while. Thank you, Doctor! I appreciate all the things you are ready to do for your foolish, amorous dying companion…"

The meaning of her words struck the Doctor then. She did not believe him. But neither did she retreat from her yesterday's admission.

Startled, he could think of nothing but addressing a different subject. "Have you been having nightmares, Rose?" As much as her distrust hurt him, she was his responsibility.

"I did not sleep at all tonight," Rose admitted, saddened by the fact the Time Lord did not at least try to object to her earlier words.

The Doctor bit his tongue, so as not to remind her his very sensible suggestion he had given her. You can sleep here, Rose. I will go to a different room. No need to make you any more uncomfortable, dear.

She declined, having listed a number of reasons why this was unacceptable. While none of those were impossible to talk her out of, the Doctor did no such thing.

"Neither did I. Not a wink."

That was it. Shared smiles, a friendly embrace… A fit of laughter about just how similar they were becoming… and all was fine again. It was easier for both of them to simply ignore the bathroom scene ever took place.

Neither the Doctor nor Rose spoke of that outburst of feelings that day day... Neither the following day nor the day after that. It seemed the after-effect of that visit had been quick to evaporate. They kept sharing hugs and holding hands just as much, if not more… but that still meant nothing.

Rose could see just how careful… and caring the Doctor has become, ready to help her with every little thing. But he was growing restless after one day without leaving the TARDIS. Never mind several.

She has eventually convinced him to accompany her to Jackie – that much seemed like a safe enough place for him. "Do you promise not to say anything?" The Doctor was looking at Rose pleadingly.

"I am capable of this much, Doctor," Rose rolled her eyes at the alien good-naturedly. I am not so sure about you. Ever since he has learnt his companion has had but several months left to live, his entire posture seemed to have changed. He was more reserved about what he said. Seemed to be thinking twice as long before expressing an opinion. "You watch your tongue, Doctor. Or I will ask Mum to cook something with pears in it. Just for you," she menaced. The alien shuddered. Not eating at Jackie's was considered a grave offence.

"Let's just keep quiet, then," the Time Lord agreed.

Jackie Tyler was pleasantly surprised about their sudden visit. "What is it? Is the world ending?"

Rose glanced at the Doctor… and suddenly regretted her seemingly sensible choice. His eyes were hollow. If only Jackie knew how right she was. My world is ending. This time, their thought was one and the same, Rose meaning her own fate… The Doctor meaning Rose and just how much of his life would be gone without his pink and yellow companion.

Jackie sighed heavily. "Come here, both of you." She placed her daughter's hand into the Doctor's. "No matter what was the reason of your quarrel before you decided to come here, I am not having any of it."

"Sorry," the Doctor muttered. But the closer the predicted day, the harder it was for him to put on a mask of excitement and ease.

"You should be sorry," Jackie noted. "Rose?"

"Mum-" She avoided her eyes. Another look, and she would be crying her eyes out. "We must go."

Jackie stared at her child. "What, now? You have only just arrived!"

"It's for the better if we leave now," the Doctor sighed. "Come, Rose! You win – I will allow you to choose the colour of the walls in our room. "

"She wants it painted bright pink," he stage-whispered to Jackie. "Bye for now!" He hurried to leave, their hands connected almost at once. The mother only shrugged.

Rose stared at him. "What was that about?"

"A believable excuse," the Doctor winked at her. "Don't tell me it wasn't!"

"Well…" She burst out laughing. It was almost believable. So much of her efforts to get him out and ease his stuck-too-long-in-one-place syndrome."You don't need to be with me all the time!"

"Tough," he raised an eyebrow. "I thought you wanted me to!"

"I do, but not like this!"

"Hm?" Surely, he knew what she meant. Not travelling exclusively to places considered safe. Rose wanted to feel a dash of real excitement, perhaps even some real fear… all parts of a real, proper adventure. But the Doctor did not feel ready for risking Rose's life any further.

"You know what I mean," she rolled her eyes.

The Time Lord exhaled heavily. And you know I can't.

"Look, Doctor. I hate to remind you this – hate to remember it, but I believe I deserve to live the remainder of my life to the full, yes?"

This was not right. Could never be right. Rose could not be-

The Gallifreyan shook his dark thoughts away instead. She has had the right for some more trips, at least. "Yes."

"Wonderful!" The girl wrapped her arms around the Doctor. "Whereto next?" Rose chirped excitedly, her feet seemingly already aching to run.

"Oh, I don't know..." The Doctor could only look at his companion in admiration.

Rose grinned at him. "Random it is, then!"

There she was, wrapping him around her little finger as simply as that. "Are you sure?" He managed.

"Absolutely!" She was positively glowing.

"But-" The Doctor wasn't even trying. Not truly.

The Londoner peered at him. "Look, Doctor, if you have a particular location in mind, let's go there, okay? Your hurt-puppy-eyes are not working on me!" Not that he was trying it right now.

She studied his eyes. "It's been days since we've travelled anywhere remotely interesting, Doctor! Please, stop brooding and just-"

"Just what?" The Doctor was almost afraid of where this was going.

"Take me someplace that is not another pleasure planet, however far in the galaxy it may be."

"I thought you loved it, Rose!"

"I do, I did, but it sort of loses half of its charm when the greater part of its attractions is meant for couples." Rose bit her lip.

The Doctor was stunned. "Well… Aren't we?"

The girl inhaled sharply. This was not the reaction she expected from him. Of course, of course he remembered... As did she, as a matter of fact.

"I thought you'd rather forget that evening in your bathroom, yes?"

He shook his head, shocked such an idea could have come into her head. "No, never! What do you take me for, love?"

"Someone too ashamed of admitting..."

The Doctor looked at her, shaking his head. "Admitting what? That the sight of you naked has only given my mind the chance to imagine all sorts of things?" She grabbed his hand.

Rose peered at him knowingly. "Only it's more than imagining, yes?"

He exhaled, frustrated. "Er-"

She smiled at him fondly.

"Are you sure the aphrodisiac is no longer affecting you, Rose?"

"Positive," her smile turned into a grin. That sort of grin. "But this still does not look like random to me," she reminded.

"Okay. Fine," he muttered, flipping a switch.

A/N. How was it?