-1

Rose shivered as they spread the cool liquid over her stomach. The weight of the diamonds was almost comforting as they stuck them on in swirling patterns over her abdomen.

"That's it Miss Tyler, you're done." The women purred. Rose stood up and glanced down, laughing as she saw the diamonds scattered over her stomach. She twisted this way and that, admiring them as they caught the light.

"We'll leave you to get dressed." The group of women left her alone in front of the mirror. Rose carefully patted her elaborately styled hair and smiled. It almost reminded her of something a hippy might have. It was elaborately curled with a white silk ribbon tied around the top of her head. She moved to the clothes that had been left out for her. Quickly slipping into it she hurried back to the mirror, eager to see herself in the gown. She couldn't help but gasp aloud, it was truly beautiful.

It came to just about her knees and most of it was lace, except for a thin silk belt, and a silk neckline. She frowned slightly as she fingered the slightly…plunging neckline. The diamonds were clearly visible through the sheer material at her stomach, and the heavy rings on her fingers completed the look.

"Hurry! They are waiting!" Maleena poked her head into the tent and Rose laughed at the phrase.

"They're a bit impatient aren't they?" Rose teased. Maleena nodded very seriously and held her hand out. Rose grasped her hand and ran as fast as her heels would allow.

The Doctor sat laughing loudly with River as a loud drumbeat echoed through the clearing.

"This is it!" River whispered and the Doctor shushed her playfully. As he listened to the steady drumbeat he thought of Rose. He began to regret leaving her behind now, he wanted to see the look on her face as she watched the show. He wanted to be near her full stop. And he was only to aware that it was River's hand woven with his own. Not Rose's. As the drum beats pounded faster and faster he felt a rush of adrenaline as the clearing was plunged into darkness. The drums stopped, and all the Doctor could hear was his own hearts beating to their own rhythm. A flute started to play somewhere, and a single candle was lit, illuminating a young brunette. She was dressed in jewels and blue silk, holding a silver goblet in her hands. She walked towards the centre of the clearing and laced the goblet there. Bowing, she fell back to her original place. Candle after candle was lit, illuminating women in silk bearing gifts. And each of them added their offering to the ever growing pile. The music floated peacefully on the breezed and the Doctor allowed himself to relax. Finally, the last candle was lit, casting a certain Rose Tyler in an orange glow. Anyone who had been watching the Doctor would've seen him do a double take. She was dressed entirely in white, and it took a moment for the Doctor to raise his eyes to her face. His jaw went slack as he noticed the diamonds glittering on her pale stomach. His eyes followed Rose as she placed a diamond the size of her fist on the pile and stood before it.

"This is our offering to the Goddess. May she bring us peace, fertility and everlasting happiness." Rose snuck a quick glance at another woman among the line, and grinned as she nodded encouragingly. She bowed down as the candles were extinguished, plunging them all into darkness. The Doctor blinked as the lights burst back into life, the pile of gifts were gone, leaving the girls standing. The crowd applauded and the girls curtseyed. The men stood as the music faded in and offered their hands to the women, leading them into a dance when they accepted.

"Well…that was unexpected." River whispered from beside him. The Doctor frowned slightly as he noticed a young man leading Rose around the dance floor.

"Do you want to dance?" River nudged him softly, and he followed her to the centre of the floor. They danced around the clearing, the Doctor sneaking glances above her head to Rose and her partner. They were getting a bit to close, and Rose looked rather flushed. The Doctor sighed as he realised that he was the one driving her to this. It was his own fault.

"Would you like to take a bed now sir?" The Doctor turned to look at the man and raised his eyebrows.

"I dread to ask, but what do you mean by that?" The man stared at him for a moment before speaking.

"The ceremony wishes for peace, fertility and happiness…it is tradition to conceive our children on this night." The Doctor opened his mouth and closed it again.

"That would be the fertility aspect to it wouldn't it?" River smirked from beside him. The Doctor whirled around suddenly searching for Rose. He could swear that his hearts stopped for a moment. He couldn't see her.

Two chapters! I'm quite proud of this fic now, it's like my little baby lol. I want 40 reviews till I continue! After torchwood there is another trip where the Doctor and Rose spend a day together, so since I'm stuck, the first reviewer gets to pick the destination, and what the Doctor and Rose spend the day doing. (And I'm quite aware of the dirty suggestions that mat pop into your head coz they came into mine to lol. Innuendo is allowed, but nothing full on...Yet) xx