A/N. I was expecting for more reactions. Oh, well. Can't really be mad at anyone with such an update frequency from my part. Sorry about the chapter being so unusually short this time, but a promise is a promise.

Previously…

Rose barely wearing anything when with the Doctor was what wasn't fair. Rose being blonde and white was what wasn't fair. Rose being the undying love of the Doctor's was what wasn't fair. But Rose being one of the loveliest people Martha's ever got the chance to meet was what has made her choice to leave a hundred times more difficult.

The Doctor kept his thoughts to himself.

Love and Medicine: Chapter Ten

"Don't… you needn't leave, Martha!" Rose reached for her.

Martha paid no attention to her words, looking her over with disbelief and glee. "Oh, my God! He's fixed you!" There were no signs of Rose's previous terrifying state. Not one.

"Must you go?" Rose tried again. "I'm sure we could-"

"Rose." The Doctor looked at her lovingly. "If Martha thinks it's her time to leave, allow her."

Martha swallowed a heavy sigh. His words still felt like a punch to the face. "He is right, Rose."

The newly-married woman shook her head, shooting a glare the Doctor's way. "No. He is not. The Doctor is merely being an-"

"Do you want Martha to stay with us, Rose?" He asked her, even if he has known her answer all along.

"It would be very sweet of you if you did not leave just yet, Martha," the fair-haired companion looked at the other girl expectantly. "We have barely got any time to know each other, yeah?"

Both the Doctor and his… wife were waiting for Martha's answer, even if expecting for quite different ones.

She took her time. "I'd love to stay," she admitted at last. "But there is no use for me to wander throughout the ship while you two- make use of your wedding night, or something…" Martha turned her face away. Not snogging every five minutes would be a plus, too. The Doctor smirked at her. She could have sworn he knew perfectly well what she was thinking about.

I'm sure we could postpone it somehow, Rose's mind nudged his.

The Time Lord's eyes widened at her suggestion. I have been dreaming about this night ever since- Now you suggest we put it off? Rose?

The mental wordless conversation was more than Martha Jones could grasp. She cleared her throat, almost afraid to interrupt something that has felt so… personal. Intimate, even. Neither of the two newly-weds noticed or heard her when she exited the room. If she were to stay, Martha knew she would need to learn to put up with all this. Seeing others – or those you know quite well - snog was bad enough. Communicating mentally? What would be next? Telepathic love-making? She shuddered. Third wheel, all right… The first thing she had to do was get away from the TARDIS. At least for a dozen hours.

Why would you suggest that? The Doctor still could not understand Rose's reasoning. Surely, you don't mean- Not really? Right? Rose?

Rose shrugged at him. Martha's left, have you noticed?

Has she, now?

The companion rolled her eyes at him. "Yes."

"Isn't that marvellous? Now we can-"

His manic behaviour has suddenly got on Rose's nerves. "No!" It was very likely Martha was going to remain the only other female passenger on board the TARDIS. Very likely the closest other female she would get the chance to communicate with properly in the foreseeable future. Her following words were both angry and sad. "We can, could, are going to. Yes! But I can't understand you. Am not sure I want to, sometimes."

"Is this all because of my behaviour towards her?"

"She is called Martha. Martha is your companion, just like I am, Doctor! She does not deserve to-"

"Not even if she doesn't want to stay with us any more?"

"I will believe it only if she says so to me in person, without you present, husband… it's her life. Her choice."

"Yeah… okay. How long will she be away, how do you think, Rose?"

"I am going to put the dress back on first, if you don't mind, Doctor?"

He was too puzzled to think of a reply.

She has put the dress back on without caring about all of the tiny finishing touches.

"There we are, Doctor," Rose gave him her tongue-touched smile. "Nice, comfortable and- why are you looking at me like that?" She was immediately worried.

Not about herself, though.

Please, could we-

Rose shrugged at him, happy about the suggestion. This sort of communication was suddenly making everything seem and feel so much deeper and truer…

How could you have survived without telepathy for so long? The Doctor's gleeful excitement was contagious. Apparently, he must have even forgotten the fact the Earthling has put her dress back on.

My wedding dress! She reminded him.

I haven't forgotten, he assured.

What about Martha? Rose smirked at him, having noticed a glimpse of annoyance on the alien's face.

Nothing.

"She wants to stay. I want her to stay with us. Can't we just-"

The Time Lord smiled at her. Martha Jones would find a way to leave them eventually… But for now, he did not care one bit about his more recent companion. It was suddenly not clear if the Doctor has been listening to his bride properly, as his arms have wrapped themselves around her waist… quite accidentally.

Rose… Are you sure you must keep the dress on, always?

Rose rolled her eyes at him good-naturedly. Doctor. Remember, it's not even dark outside.

The Doctor exhaled. "Really?" Why would you humans stick to that?

The wife cleared her throat. "It's what I think is appropriate."

Fair enough, he agreed. But don't I have the right to worship you… without so many obstacles?

Her eyes widened. "Are you sure you haven't consumed anything without me knowing?"

The Gallifreyan grinned at her, almost struggling to return to the manner of speaking normal to humans... and majority of other species. "You would know, don't you think so, love?"

He was right. The unimaginable connection between them even this tiny ordinary wedding ceremony must have strengthened – if this hadn't been partly the Doctor's improvement, anyway – the Time Lord winked at her in reaction to this idea – has been making her feel so many new emotions. Either that, or Rose has miraculously acquired the ability to quickly identify and discern all the feelings within her… It was almost becoming too much, really.

The Doctor has pulled her closer. "A side-effect of having had so many emotions attacking you at once, Rose," he muttered soothingly, getting a tiny smile in return.

A/N. Will the rating of this fanfic ever go up? Honestly, I have no idea. It was never supposed to, in the first place. The characters might have a different opinion about this, but I am the author. ;) Review and tell me what you think on whether it should or not. I think it could go both ways. Thank you! :)