Thanks for sticking with me guys! I think the next chapter will be the last one. I really had fun with this chapter, hope you do too! Let me know :)


A little while later found the doctor and Rose standing on a snowy hill looking down into a valley where a herd of Yulian reindeer peacefully grazed. The tour sleigh had made a stop so that its inhabitants could take photos and collectively ooh and ahh at the creatures. Both Rose and the doctor were grinning like fools in relief of having their mutual attraction finally confirmed. They were holding hands, as usual, but this time they both knew it to be more than friendly. They hadn't kissed again, or even really discussed the new turn their relationship had taken, the sleigh was quite noisy after all. Rose was anticipating the coming evening with equal parts excitement and anxiety, not knowing how the doctor would act when they were in private. The doctor on the other hand, let his mischievous imagination run wild, as he imagined all sorts of things he would do with Rose now that she was his. They were both brought back to the present by the delighted squeal of an Adipose who had spotted a reindeer launch itself into flight.

"That's really mental!" exclaimed Rose. "I can hardly believe what I'm seeing. I expected to see all sorts of mad aliens traveling with you, but never once did I think I would see a flying reindeer. Flying saucers, maybe, but reindeer? Definitely not." The doctor chuckled. "Next thing, I bet you're gonna say Father Christmas lives down the road from here!" now Rose laughed.

"Weeeelll, as a matter of fact…" began the doctor.

"No way!" she smiled incredulously.

"It's true! I know Father Christmas! We're mates. I've known him for ages! In fact I was going to suggest we pop in on him while we're here and all."

"We're going to meet Santa?" asked Rose, dumfounded.

"Yup." The doctor responded, popping the p. Rose just laughed and shook her head in amazement. "The trick is going to be getting away from this lot." The doctor motioned to the Bernard and the tour group.

"We're not finishing the tour?" asked Rose surprised.

"Nah, you know me, I like a bit of adventure. Getting off the beaten track and all. It's a bit of a hike to Nick's village, but I think you'll manage it." The doctor said.

"Nick?" Rose was confused.

"Yeah, Nick!" the doctor exclaimed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Saint Nick, you know Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Babbo Natale!" he rattled off.

"Ohhh" Rose rolled her eyes. The doctor pulled rose over to the tour guide.

"Many pardons, Bernard," the doctor began, "but my companion and I will have to make an unexpected departure from the safari route, and continue on foot."

"But Sir!" began the little man in shock.

"Not that it hasn't been a fabulous trip!" The doctor quickly added, trying not to cause offense. "It's been gorgeous, best trip of my life, fantastic really!" he gushed.

"Sir, I must caution you that your safety cannot be assured if you leave the sleigh! You are not authorized to wander the preserve without proper supervision of a trained guide." Bernard puffed out his chest.

"Oh, but we are authorized!" the doctor exclaimed, pulling out his trusty psychic paper. "See here, didn't I mention? It's right here the doctor and Rose Tyler, authorized to wander!" he grinned madly.

"Oh, but, my goodness…" the Yulian sputtered. "I had no idea you were reindeer experts employed by the park supervisor! Please forgive me Sir and Madame!"

"Well, no harm done!" quipped the doctor cheerily. "We'll just be on our way then."

"Of course, of course Sir, and if I may offer, please take the sleigh's emergency snow shoes with you, to ease your travels."

"Excellent!" responded the doctor.

After a few frustrating minutes of trying to figure out the many straps and snaps needed to get the snowshoes on properly, the doctor gave up and turned to Rose. She couldn't help but take pity on him with those big puppy dog eyes and pouting lip. She laughed and did up the shoes for him. They strode down the snowy hill and into the valley alongside the herd. Several of the reindeer were now in flight, zooming about overhead. This appeared to be a training exercise as there were several adorable reindeer calves were being nudged into the air by their mothers. One at a time they hovered a few feet above the ground and then plonked back down roughly into the snow. It would be a few years before they developed the graceful flying gait of the older deer. Rose couldn't help but coo over the fluffly little calves. The doctor rolled his eyes at her, but inwardly loved how sweet and nurturing Rose was. Fleetingly he imagined what it would be like to have a child with Rose, but then pushed the idea away as it was practically impossible. Don't be ridiculous. He thought to himself. Even if it were possible, the Time Lords would roll in their graves at the unbearable thought of one of their own breeding with a stupid ape.

Rose and the doctor huffed and puffed up another snowy hill and stopping at the crest to catch their breath, could see a small village in the distance. It wasn't really a village, thought Rose, just a little cluster of houses really. As they got closer, Rose saw a few other buildings as well. In addition to the few houses there was a larger structure that looked like a factory of some kind and a tiny stone church with a charming steeple. The glow of candles illuminated the stained glass windows and the voices of people singing carols reached the doctor and Rose. Further up the snowy path, they came to a larger cottage with a reindeer paddock on the side. There was a little letterbox that read "Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas S. Claus". The doctor nudged Rose triumphantly with his elbow.

"Told ya so!" he said. Rose scowled for a moment rubbing her sore arm.

"Hmph." She muttered. "I hope a get a toy after all this…" she said teasingly.

"That all depends, Rose…" the doctor said, his voice becoming husky. "Have you been nice or naughty?"

Rose's knees turned to jelly at these words. My God, was the doctor really talking dirty to her? This was a side of him she never expected… but perhaps she could get used to it, she thought to herself. Without missing a beat, the doctor strode up to the house and rapped on the door. It was opened by a pleasantly plump Yulian woman in traditional garb. A smile lit up her face upon recognizing the doctor.

"Doctor! How perfectly lovely to see you again. Nick will be delighted! Do come right in, and you too dear." she added kindly to Rose. She led them through the entryway and into a cozy kitchen. "Sit yourselves down right here, and I'll go get Nick." She gestured to the worn table and chairs. "Oh and please help yourselves to some cookies!" she added on her way out of the room. Rose's mouth watered at the spicy smell rising from a plate of sweetly decorated gingerbread Yulians in the center of the table. She didn't need to be told twice. As she was cramming a third cookie into her mouth, Mrs. Claus returned with white-bearded man that had to be Father Christmas.

"Doctor!" he boomed in a deep, jolly voice. "So good to see you!"

"Hello, Nick!" the doctor shook Santa's hand. "How've you been keeping?"

"Very well, very well, and yourself?" replied Nick. "I see you've brought a young lady." He looked from the doctor to Rose with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"Ah, right, Rose, meet Father Christmas!"

"How'd you do, Sir?" Rose stood up.

"Delightful to meet you, my dear!" Santa Claus offered his hand to Rose. She shook it, and once again wondered at the surreal quality of her life since she met the doctor. "Won't you come warm yourselves by the fire?" Nick offered.

"I'm afraid I can't join you." Mrs. Claus said. "I've promised to deliver baked goods around the town this afternoon. But please give my best regards to the TARDIS." She looked to the doctor.

"Of course." He answered. Rose and the doctor followed Nick into the sitting room where they had to snuggle up on the couch due to its Yulian size. They didn't mind.

"So how is the good old TARDIS?" Saint Nick asked.

"Oh, she's well." Answered the doctor. "The usual bits and bobs always need repairs, but she's a good egg, the TARDIS."

"Indeed." Confirmed Nick. "After all, if it wasn't for her, I would be out of a job…"

"Huh?" said Rose.

"You might not know this," Santa informed her, "but your doctor helped get my career off the ground many years ago. He leant me a little Gallifreyan technology from the TARDIS, and the rest is history as they say."

"Wait, you mean that's how you do it? Visit everyone on earth in one night? With Time Lord science?" Rose asked amazed.

"Not just everyone on earth," he corrected her "I visit lots planets these days." He chuckled, and Rose noticed that his belly did indeed shake like a bowl full of jelly. She was rendered quite speechless at this new revelation, and the doctor patted her knee soothingly. Perhaps this was too much for his pink and yellow companion to take in.

"Alright, Rose?" he asked. She found her voice again

"It's just bloody amazing, s'all."

"I have to agree with you, Miss Tyler, if I say so myself." Santa chuckled some more. It wasn't long before the conversation turned to gadgets and techno-babble. The doctor and Nick where comparing the top speed of the magic sleigh versus the TARDIS. Rose's gaze wandered to the bookshelves that covered the walls of the room. She got up to examine the cracked leather bindings of some books that looked to be at least three-hundred years old.

"So tell me Doctor, what do you want for Christmas?" Nick asked once Rose was out of earshot. The doctor didn't hesitate. He locked his eyes on Rose lovingly,

"Tell you what, Santa… I think I've already got it."