The tension in the TARDIS was unbearable.

Rose couldn't stand it any longer. It had been one week since she'd regained consciousness, and four days since she was up and walking around. He hadn't spoken more than five words to her, diligently treating her 'injuries' but refusing to look her in the eye.

He'd been ignoring Mickey and even Reinette too. And then there were the looks he gave her when her back was turned! Deep, burning and intense, evaluating every bit of her, and trying to piece together the answer to a question she didn't know.

Mustering up all her courage, she stepped into the kitchen. She'd had enough.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

He was standing there, spreading marmalade over a piece of toast, when she entered. He dropped the knife with an awkward clang, and cleared his throat, meaning to leave. But she stopped him.

"Doctor, why are you ignoring me?" Rose asked calmly.

"I'm not ignoring you,"

"Yes, Doctor, you are. So I took some pills? So what? It was a mistake and I don't know why you're making such a big deal about it! You don't even know why I took them!" she blurted out.

"You're right Rose, I don't. So why did you take them?" the Doctor countered.

Shit! Her and her big mouth! "I-I-i… I took them because… I had a bad dream, and I couldn't get to sleep…"

"Oh yeah?"

The Doctor looked at Rose dubiously.

Shaking with rage, Rose stepped towards him. "Yeah! And if you don't believe me Doctor, than maybe you should just take me home! If all you're gonna do is sit there and call me a –

The Doctor pressed his lips to Rose's, in a deep, hungry kiss, cutting her off. Before she even knew what was happening, he was wrapping his hands around her waist, pulling her closer. And then she was kissing him back, just as ardently, his hand slipping under her shirt and the other cupping her head, holding her there.

Blood pounding in her ears, she pulled back, "Doctor?!"

"Want you. Need you so much," he growled, his voice thick with lust. And then he resumed kissing her.

God… she thought this isn't real.

Rose pulled away once more. She was angry now.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

He shrugged and muttered, "Thought it might get you to shut up,"

Wrong words… the Doctor thought as she brought a hard stinging slap to his cheek.

"Bastard!" Rose whispered and moved to run off, but he caught her wrist and pulled her back to him, harshly sandwiching her between him and the kitchen counter. She looked terrified.

"Rose Tyler, you are never to raise a hand to me again!" he growled. "Now you will sit still and listen!"

She turned her gaze away but the Doctor grabbed her chin and looked straight at her, "I don't know how it happened, but somehow I found myself falling love with a silly little ape,"

Rose's eyes widened. Reinette…? No, it couldn't be…

"That's right Rose, I'm in love with you! And I know you've been having feelings too,"

"You kn-now? You… y-y-ou love me?" she choked.

The Doctor smiled, thinking he'd finally gotten through to her. Then he felt her hand collide with his face once more.

"You have the nerve to stand there and tell me that you love me, but who's sleeping in your bed right now? What about Reinette, Doctor? Don't you remember you're little French whore, the one you raced of to rescue, leaving me and Mickey stranded on some deserted 51st century space ship?"

He was stunned.

"How can you say you love me, and hurt me so? You're killing me, Doctor, you're killing my heart!"

TBC