2.3 Tooth and Claw
As the TARDIS doors closed behind them and they debated the possibility of the royal families being werewolves and howled together at a nonexistent moon, Rose felt giddy. THAT had been an adventure. As they had dashed around the manor house, running for their lives while the Doctor thought up brilliant plans on the fly, teasing each other and trying to crack Queen Victoria's composure, Rose had never felt so alive. For the first time since he'd changed, Rose had felt like this was really, truly, the Doctor. HER Doctor. She couldn't stop smiling.
As the Doctor flipped the final switch to dematerialize the TARDIS, he grinned down at Rose, his face gleeful and unabashedly delighted and before she even realized she was doing it, Rose was bracing herself on his shoulders, lifting up onto her toes, and tilting her head up to press her lips firmly to his.
When she dropped back to her heels, biting her lip a little at her own impulsiveness but still grinning, the Doctor looked dazed for a moment. Then a boyish grin broke across his face and his hands slipped into her hair, pulling her close as he dipped his head back down to hers and kissed her soundly.
They grinned and giggled as their lips came together over and over. Rose wrapped her arms around the Doctor's neck and he moved his around her rib cage, picking her up and swinging her around in a circle, laughing as she shrieked, her legs dangling helplessly in the air. He set her back down and kissed her again, and she captured the full lower lip that's she'd been having such trouble keeping her eyes off of between her teeth gently. He made a contented humming sound and nipped her right back before flicking his tongue out, seeking entrance. She opened to him immediately, meeting his tongue with hers, their mouths moving softly against each other in a dance that felt as natural as breathing.
And oh, it felt like coming home. It was different, but so, so right. She had missed this so much. Why had she held off so long? He was so very much himself and she loved him so much it hurt. Sliding her fingers into his thick, messy hair, Rose pulled the Doctor's face more tightly to her own, deepening the kiss briefly, pouring her love and happiness into him without words. After a few breathless, enthusiastic moments, she pulled back slightly, kissing him lightly a few more times before pulling him into a tight hug, resting her head against his pinstriped chest.
The Doctor sighed contentedly and rubbed a hand up and down her back. "Not that I'm complaining," he said, and she could hear the grin in his voice, "but what was that for?"
Rose smiled and pulled back from him. "I dunno. Just felt right, I guess."
"It did, didn't it?" the Doctor gloated, and Rose pushed him lightly in the chest, making him laugh.
"Thank you," she told him. The Doctor looked at her curiously. "For bein' patient with me," she clarified.
"Of course," the Doctor said softly. "I missed you, but you, Dame Rose," he said teasingly before switching back to a more sincere tone, "are very much worth waiting for."
Rose's grin could have lit a small planet. She kissed him again, a firm press of her lips again his, the corners of her mouth still turned up, then dropped down and grabbed his hand. "Come on, Sir Doctor," she teased him. Let's get something to eat. And then, you owe me a concert!"