A/N: I don't know if this makes any difference, but I figured maybe I'd just tell you guys which regeneration of the Doctor I pictured for each of the chapters thus far.
Starlight: Ninth
Four of Diamonds: Tenth
Words: Tenth
Strawberry Jam: Tenth
Green Tea: Tenth
72 Hours: Tenth
Lingerie: Tenth
Mistranslation: Ninth
Fancy Dress: Tentoo
Pebbles: Ninth
They stepped out of the TARDIS together, automatically reaching for the other's hand.
The time ship had landed on a planet completely new to Rose (the Doctor had visited once, lifetimes ago); the soft roseate clouds reflected over the still, sparkling waters that gently lapped the iridescent pebbled beach.
They walked along the lake in serene silence, neither wishing to break the seemingly magical effect that the surrounding landscape evoked, when the Doctor suddenly stopped, picking up what appeared to be a random rock (in actuality, he had been distractedly scanning, searching, for the perfect pebble; distracted by the way the silvery moons illuminated her face, distracted by the soft pressure of her hand clasping his, distracted by his pink n yellow human).
He turned the stone round in his hand, quietly thinking. He should tell her. It would be the perfect setting – the scenery practically screamed her name, why would he take her here?
He turned to face her, flashbacks of memories filed under Rose Tyler flying through his mind (mostly of her smiling, smiling in a way he had never seen before, a Rose Tyler smile, with her tongue poking out between her teeth as she laughed).
"Rose," he started uncertainly, still looking out on the water as he felt her gaze shift. He hesitated, saying nothing more; instead, he pressed the transluscent quartzite into her palm.
She leaned against him and he wrapped his arm round her.
"It's beautiful," she murmured.
The Doctor said nothing, merely pulling her closer and softly pressing his lips to her forehead as they gazed out at the shining waters.