Author's Note: I felt this story was somewhat lacking in fluff and humor. So here's a little innocent Ten/Rose fluff, with some Jackie bewilderment thrown in! :-P (Also, is it just me or does everyone else think that the Tenth Doctor has some sort of body shyness? We know that the Eleventh doesn't, but when he's not wearing loose pajamas it seems like Ten is always wearing at least four flippin' layers. I would say it's because he has a hard time retaining body heat, being that thin, but... desert? Same coat as the snow planet, thank you very much. I think it's a bit adorable. And now that I've rambled way more than I intended to, please enjoy the story! ;-) )
Summer
Summer of 2006 was a long and golden one.
Though the Doctor and Rose continued to travel, saving the world a few times, they also took a little time off (they had earned it, Rose said.) They took Jackie to a resort on Karralon, and she called the Doctor "sweetheart" again, the first time the Doctor had actually heard it. He made a face that was partly disturbed, partly bemused, and distinctly nervous, which Rose found hilarious.
"We've been here for a week, and we haven't even gone swimming!" Rose protested, pulling on the Doctor's arm. She could have sworn she felt him stiffen slightly, under the fabric. "You do know how to swim, don't you?"
"Of course I know how to swim!" the Doctor said snappishly.
"Do you like to swim?"
"As much as the next person, I suppose."
"What does that mean?" Rose asked. The Doctor sighed.
"Normally I'm swimming for my life, or to save the world. It's a bit hard to set your parameters for liking or not liking something when that's your life."
"Then why not find out?" Rose asked. "Come on. Please?"
"Just the thought of your mum in a bathing suit is putting me off," the Doctor muttered. Rose slapped him lightly on the arm. "Okay, fine!" he protested, rubbing his arm. Rose grinned.
"Come on!" she cheered, grabbing his arm and pulling him off.
Thirty minutes later, they were at the pool. Rose was wearing a one-piece suit with a little skirt, and Jackie was dressed similarly. The Doctor was awkwardly stumbling along in a bathrobe, hands shoved into pockets practically up to the elbows.
"You know you're going to have to take off the dressing gown sooner or later," Rose whispered. The Doctor frowned. "Are you blushing?" Rose asked.
The dressing gown was summarily discarded as Jackie, with a shriek, slipped and fell into the pool, dragging the abused garment with her. Rose couldn't help but snort. Underneath the much-vaunted robe, the Doctor was wearing perfectly normal swim gear and an athletic t-shirt. "You might as well just jump in," Rose said. The Doctor threw his hands up.
"Fine!" He leaped into the pool, long limbs thrown out, soaking everyone in the vicinity with the gigantic splash. Rose leaped in after him. They came up, the Doctor blowing water off the tip of his nose and pushing his soaked hair back. Rose splashed him. For a moment, he looked surprised, then he grinned mischievously.
It was so on.
Jackie couldn't help but shake her head as she watched her daughter and her daughter's best friend chasing each other around the pool, splashing away. "Where did I go wrong?" she asked the life guard, who only laughed in reply.