Disclaimer: I know. You know. Get over it.

AN: Sorry about the massive cliff hanger, it's just so tempting. c: It will be resolved next chapter. This one, by the way, is set simultaneously with the last part (9).

Cheers, again, for all the reviews, faves and alerts. :D

Part 10

The room was, again, silent. The commotion and utter disbelief had ceased hours ago. Donna, although she had known Rose would be there, was also fairly shocked by the whole situation. And this young woman, sleeping peacefully, in a bed across the room, this ordinary woman was the reason. The reason they were all here, the reason behind the Doctor's limitless apprehension and love. Donna smiled, but jumped, almost immediately after.

She blinked as a hand obscured her vision for a moment, and then again seconds later. She tore her eyes form the couple in the corner to focus on the owner of the hand.

Martha.

"Can I join you?" She said, passing a cup of steaming tea to Donna before gesturing towards Jack, Ianto and Gwen in the opposite corner, talking quietly, "They're just talking about work. It's quite boring, talking shop."

"Yeah, sure," Donna smiled, taking the cup of tea and shuffling across to make room on the couch, "Thanks."

Donna blew the steam from her mug before taking a sip. She closed her eyes and sighed happily, "What time is it?"

Martha checked her watch, "7:30am. Rose should be waking up soon, the pills were designed to put the used to sleep for exactly 8 hours," She looked impressed, "Quite ingenious, really."

"Yeah," Donna nodded vaguely, staring across the room toward Rose and the Doctor, smiling again.

Martha followed her gaze, "What do you think he'll do when she wakes up?" She asked, smiling as the Doctor stroked Rose's hair softly.

Donna looked up, "Seriously?"

Martha nodded, taking a sip of her tea and looking back to Donna, "Yeah."

Donna looked back and grinned, "I think he'll snog her."

Martha snorted into her tea childishly before letting out a shriek of surprised laughter. The Doctor sent her a half-surprised, half-annoyed glance from across the room, obviously not hearing what Donna had just said. Martha clapped her free hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking with suppressed mirth.

Donna smiled again as the Doctor went back to fussing over Rose, "Nah, scratch that. I don't think he'll even be able to wait until she wakes up."

Martha laughed again, sloshing half her tea across the floor, almost losing her balance on the couch, "How do you figure that?"

"Well, every so often he seems to lean forward slightly, but then frown and pull back," They looked from each other, back to the Doctor, "Look! There he goes!"

They watched as the Doctor leaned forward toward Rose, only to pause inches above her face, frown slightly and pull back, flustered.

They cracked up again, giggling as the Doctor once again cast them a dirty look.

Martha quickly sobered, "Nah, I don't think he'll do it while she's asleep."

"Oh, I dunno, he seems pretty desperate," Donna paused, "Ten quid?"

Martha looked mildly affronted, "You want me to make a bet on the Doctor's love life?"

"Twenty?"

"Done."

DWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDWDW

Donna glanced at Martha's watch.

7:58am.

"Go on, go on, go on," Donna urged quietly, "Do it! Just snog her!"

Donna and Martha had been staring at the Doctor for almost half an hour, waiting. Every time the Doctor shifted of muttered something, Donna would leap to the edge of her seat, urging him on silently.

A few minutes before, they swore to have heard him say, "Rose Tyler: Eastender on meth", but this was probably due to the lack of sleep on their part. Whatever the case, they'd found it hilarious and scored another reproachful glance form the apprehensive Timelord.

And then it happened.

The most decisive-looking movement he'd achieved all night.

He shifted forward and then... leaned back again.

Donna, who had gripped Martha's arm tightly at the Doctor's initial movement, sighed in defeat, "She'll probably wake up soon. I'd better get out that twe-"

"Look!"

Martha and Donna watched in shocked delight as the Doctor leaned forward suddenly, kissed Rose on the lips and pulled back to rest his forehead against hers.

They strained their ears, listening intently.

"I love you, Rose," the Doctor muttered.

"Yes! Martha, you owe me and extra twenty for th- Ow!"

Martha elbowed Donna hard in the ribs, pointing at the Doctor and Rose, "Look!"

"I know, Doctor," came Rose's quiet and slightly hoarse reply.

TBC...

AN: Stay tuned...