A/N: Wow, thank you all for reviews! Mrs 11th - yes, he's a bit of a romantic :D

Simpa007 & alyssa love - glad you like it :)

Neko Noke - I try and update as often as I can :) I'm happy you like it so much!

Lady Brid - Thank you :D I didn't start it with an adorable intention, but that's how it is, and to be honest, I love it too :)

And now for an appetiser...


He watched her sleeping, watched her eyelids flutter ever so slightly. He smiled and ran his finger along her arm as they lay together, sprawled across his bed.

Mine. All Mine. And it will never change. Ever.

"Morning," she mumbled. He chuckled, mouth turning up in amusement.

"How did you sleep, love?"

"Quite well, considering I don't need to sleep." She opened one eye. "How long have you been staring at me?"

He didn't answer, only leaned forwards to steal a kiss from her. She closed her eye, welcoming his touch. His hand curved around her waist, and she smiled.

"Bit demanding today, aren't we, darling?"

He kissed her throat. "Well, as you are Mine, I need to mark you as such." Light, teasing, but with an undertone of urgency. She ran her fingers along his chiselled cheek.

"I think, my love, that such marking was accomplished a few hours ago."

His grin was devilish. "You may think that. But I'm not done with you yet."

She looked at him, and her eyes widened.

"No, Theta – no! We can't stay in bed all day – stop it, you!" she said, laughing as he kissed her stomach, his fingers dancing on her oh so sensitive skin.

He looked up at her, a wicked glint in his eye. She rapped his cheek.

"Enough. Much as I'd love to stay in bed –"

"And believe me, you will –"

" – I need to eat. And shower."

His lips lit fires in her belly. "Ondine, dearest, you could go without showers for a week and still smell better than any other female; you know how Time Lords' bodies work. So stop looking for an out, love – because, quite frankly, there isn't one."

He went back to exploring her body, satisfied with his logic, but Ondine sat up, gently pushing him away.

"Honestly, Theta. I need to eat."

He gazed at her, pale skin, flaming curls, brilliant azure eyes.

"Beautiful," he whispered. She smiled.

"Flattery, my dear, will get you some places. But that does not include several more hours in this bed."

He laughed. "A man can dream."

"Of course. Doesn't mean it'll become reality." She swung her legs over the edge, searching for her clothes.

Where are my clothes?

"Um, Theta?"

"Yes, love?"

"Where are my clothes?"

He grinned. "Oh, you mean those maddening things that used to be on your body? Well. They're here, there… everywhere, in fact."

He gestured, and Ondine blushed as she eyed several scraps of fabric littered on and around the bed.

"Certainly intense," she murmured. His eyes smouldered.

"I'm an impatient man."

Sighing happily, she grabbed his shirt – his clothes weren't torn at all, she noticed wryly – and slipped it on, doing up a few choice buttons.

He stared at her, drank in every inch of bare flesh, marvelled at how goddamn good she looked in his clothing.

"Coming?" she asked lightly. He slipped on his trousers, and crushed his mouth to hers.

"Only if you are." He smiled slyly, and her cheeks pinked.

"What have I unleashed?" she cried, mock-exasperated. He smirked, and lifted her in his arms.

"Oh, if only you knew, love."

He carried her to the kitchen, where he gently set her down in a seat and started rummaging in cupboards.

"What are you hungry for? There's all sorts. Bacon, beans, bread and butter… though personally I can't stand any of that."

She raised an eyebrow. "Surprise me."

Fifteen minutes later, he set down a plate of fish fingers and a bowl of custard on to the table.

"Interesting." She picked up a fish finger. "What is it?"

"Hey, you used to live on Earth." He tapped her nose. "It's a fish finger."

"Right…" She dipped it in the custard. "Here goes."

She took a bite and chewed slowly.

"Well?"

She grinned. "It's good."

"Finally! Someone else who appreciates the brilliance of fish custard!" He was beaming, and Ondine shook her head, smiling.

Just too adorable…

They ate in comfortable silence, feeling no need to fill it with inane chatter. They studied each other, liking what they saw.

His hair… oh, Rassilon, I could play with it all day.

Her eyes… so exquisite. I could lose myself in them. Yes.

They both blinked, and their cheeks reddened.

They'd established a psychic link.

"You marked me fully, didn't you?" she murmured. He nodded.

"Yes. I can feel you and your emotions, just as you can me."

She touched his hand, and her emotions strengthened within him.

"Physical touch," she mused. "Well then..."

She gazed at him, and the full force of her dark desires hit him.

Oh, Rassilon… he groaned. Women.

"You were the one who wanted to stay in bed," she teased. He licked his lips, betraying his innermost instincts.

"It's an excellent idea."

"Yes, but, like you, I like to go places. Go see the universe. What do you say?"

He was, for once, completely silent.

She licked custard off a fish finger, eyeing him speculatively.

"You're hiding from someone, aren't you?" she guessed. He waved his hand ambiguously, his expression vague.

"Not hiding, exactly. Before you tumbled into here, I had two companions. I only meant to leave them for a few minutes –"

"But I threw those plans out the window," she laughed. "I'd apologise, I really would, except I'm quite glad I'm here now."

"As am I. However, my guilty conscience – and the TARDIS – is urging me to go pick them up."

She laid a hand on his.

"If you want to see them, we'll do that. There's nothing stopping us, Theta."

He smiled ruefully. "Oh, but there is. You see… I like it being just you and I. It… it feels good. And I don't want to 'break the spell', as humans would say. I don't want anyone else on board yet."

She cupped his cheek, rubbing the slightly-stubbly skin with her thumb.

"I understand. We can wait. Just say when, and we'll go. Okay?"

He marvelled at how easily she'd fitted into his life. She was making decisions for them both, he'd Marked her, claimed her as his own.

And this was only the third day they'd known each other.

"Thank you," he whispered. She gave him a look of tenderness, and both his hearts melted.

Wonderful.

"You're welcome," she said softly.

She got up, brushing her hand along the table, and moved away from where he sat.

Ondine paused, and looked over her shoulder, her expression suddenly mischievous, her finger on her lip.

"I'm going for a shower. Join me?"

His eyebrow quirked, and moving faster than Ondine thought possible, he swept her up into his arms.

"What a good idea," he declared slyly, and without further ado headed to the bathroom.

Her laughter echoed all along the hallways.


A/N: I couldn't resist a bit of fluff to keep you guys happy while I outline the plot, though I hope I haven't stretched into 'M' territory. Have I? Let me know your thoughts on that :)

Review, please. I'll love you forever :D

Lightning xoxo