The Doctor thanked the teller in front of him and took the two servings of grepli from her. Turning around, he looked for his companion. Rose had gone to find a place to sit while he gotten them some of the planet's most famous food. Usually she'd wait in line with him and they'd chat and he'd have an arm around her shoulder (or sometime's waist if he wanted to take the risk). But today wasn't a usual day. No, he of course chose to land on Upeidi during Elsker Day.

Right when the two time travelers stepped out of the TARDIS they were greeted by rose petals floating through the air and many smiling faces of Upeidians and humans. Upeidians looked just like humans, except that they had the power to change their hair and skin color. For today, almost all of them were some shade of red or white.

"Oh," the Doctor had said when some natives came up to Rose and him and gave them each respective cheek kisses. "It seems we've landed on Elsker Day!"

"And is Elsker Day some kind of festival?" Rose had asked as a woman came up to her and placed a crown of roses on her head. Rose smiled to the woman as a thank you before moving closer to the Doctor.

"Everyone here seems a little friendly," she said.

"Well of course they're happy," the Doctor smiled at her as the woman from before went and placed an intricate crown of twigs and small flowers on his head. "Elsker Day is, well, basically the equivalent of Valentine's Day on your planet."

"Oh, well that's great," Rose sighed. The Doctor looked over to her and saw a tired expression on her face. But before he could say anything, she saw him looking at her and gave him a smile.

Rose stayed like this for most of the day. She and the Doctor would go about and visit various parts of the festival, and she'd smile and laugh like she was having a grand time. But whenever she thought the Doctor wasn't looking, her smile would fade. It made the Doctor's hearts twist. He didn't want her to be unhappy. He shouldn't have come here. But why was Rose unhappy? I mean, it's just Elsker Day. The Doctor thought humans liked loveholidays like that. He thought Rose might have liked to…

The Doctor sighed and shook his thoughts away. Looking up again he pinpointed Rose sitting at an end table near the village square. She had taken off her rose crown and was fiddling with some of the petals. A downcast expression was on her face again.

"Hey," the Doctor walked up to her, handing her a bowl of grepli. She gave him a small smile and thanked him, taking the dish . As the Doctor settled down in a chair beside her, a deep red Upeidian came up to Rose and placed another rose crown on her head before skipping away.

"They keep putting these things on my head," Rose said with a sigh. "I take one off for a second and then the next moment, someone come up and puts another one on my head. And it's always ironic roses."

"Well, it's custom to wear flower crowns during Elsker Day," the Doctor said. "Just like on Earth you all wear pink or something. Besides, you look pretty wearing your namesake."

"Ta," Rose smirked a bit.

"Are you feeling okay, Rose?" the Doctor dared, asking what he'd wanted to ask since they got here. "You look a little sad—"

"What is this anyways?" Rose cut the Doctor off and stared at the grepli in her hands. "I don't think I've ever had it before."

"Oh, er," The Doctor stumbled on his words at her interruption, and then sighed. If Rose changed the subject, then she must really not want to talk about it. He wished she would, so then he could do or say something that would make her happy again and then he could hug her tight and kiss her and—

"Doctor?" Rose broke through his thoughts and looked up at him.

"Oh, yeah," the Doctor sniffed. "Er, grepli is a sherbert like dish, as you can see, and the Upeidians only make it on Elsker Day. That's because it takes months to make, since, well, grepli tastes different for every person. It's said to taste like all the person's favourite things."

Rose looked at him with a disbelieving look.

"I'm serious!" the Doctor smiled and took a large bite of his grepli. He couldn't help himself but let out a moan and hummed, "Banana. So good. And mint! Mmm."

He looked to Rose and nodded for her to try her own. Cautiously she scooped part of the grepli out and brought it to her mouth. The Doctor grinned as her eyes lit up and the corners of her mouth curved up in a smile.

"It tastes like chocolate!" she grinned and took another bite. "Mmmmm now it tastes like a sugar cookie."

"See! I told you so," the Doctor smiled. The two then ate their helpings of grepli slowly, enjoying the taste and naming the different flavors they came upon. Once they finished, the Doctor tossed their trash in a bin and then offered a hand to Rose so he could help her up from the table. Rose smiled and gave his hand a squeeze as they went to walk through the village square. The Doctor swung their hands between them and Rose giggled. Maybe grepli was all Rose needed as a pick-me-up?

They were making their way along when the Doctor heard music up ahead. Grinning, he gripped Rose's hand tighter and ran with her to another clearing. A band was playing in the corner with Upeidians and humans were dancing along to the beat. Turning to his companion, the Doctor asked, "Care for a dance?"

Rose blinked in surprise, "Dance? With you?"

"Er, yes?"

"You. Dancing. With me."

"Yes, Rose," the Doctor frowned at her and gestured to the dancing people in front of them with his free hand. "That's usually what 'care for a dance' means."

"But I thought you didn't like dancing," Rose said.

"I like dancing," the Doctor defended himself. "I just don't dance often."

"But that one time with Jack and—"

"Look if you don't want to dance that's fine," the Doctor sighed and released her hand so he could shove it in his pocket dejectedly. Rose didn't say anything and the Doctor felt like a complete idiot. Why would she want to dance with him anyways? He'd shown her how bad he was at dancing in his previous regeneration. All two left feet and clumsy.

"I'll dance with you, Doctor," Rose said shyly after a few moments. "If you really do want to."

The Doctor turned back to look at her. She wasn't looking at him and was fiddling with her hair. She always played with her hair if she was nervous or if something was bothering her. Was he bothering her?

"I, I'd like to," the Doctor gulped. "That is, if you want to."

"Alright."

"Alright?" he repeated worriedly. Rose reached forward and pulled his hand out of his pocket, linking it with hers before looking up and giving him a smile.

"Alright."

The Doctor beamed at her and then led her out into the square. The music was playing a fast waltz and the Doctor and Rose quickly got into position before joining the other dancers. He had his hand clasped over hers and another one on her hip as Rose placed her free hand on his shoulder. They danced and turned to the music, grinning and laughing at each other when one stumbled or when the Doctor picked Rose up and spun her in the air.

They danced for a while as the twin suns began to set in the north and south. The band changed their tempo to a slower pace, and Rose immediately stepped away from the Doctor. He felt his hearts break a bit more.

"I, I think that's enough dancing for now," Rose murmured, her hand returning to play with her hair like before.

"Can't…" the Doctor paused and then started again. "Can't we have just one more? I, I promise after that we can go back home—to the TARDIS."

Rose wouldn't look at him again.

"Please?" the Doctor tried again, holding his arms out to her hopefully. He stood like that for what seemed like hours to him, waiting for Rose to respond. The other dancers glanced at them, whispering unrecognizable words to their partners.

"Alright," Rose murmured, looking up and giving the Doctor a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She moved back over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist.

"Thank you," the Doctor smiled softly. Rose didn't return his smile but buried her head into his collar instead. They danced slowly in silence with just the music as background noise. The Doctor looked around at the other dancers. Upeidians and humans were pressed close to together, all moving slowing to the soft music while some exchanged kisses and gentle touches.

The Doctor heard Rose sigh quietly. Pulling back a bit, he glanced down at her and saw the same sad expression on her face she'd been hiding all day. The Doctor slowed their dancing until they were just standing still.

"Rose," the Doctor whispered, drawing her attention to him. "What's wrong?"

She kept her gaze fixed on his chest and mumbled, "Nothing. I'm fine."

"No, you're not," the Doctor said. "You look sad every time you think I can't see you."

"I'm fine," Rose responded, squeezing her eyes shut.

"Rose…" the Doctor murmured. Brining a hand up, he cupped her cheek, gently brushing her skin with his thumb. "Please, tell me what's wrong."

Rose leaned into his touch and opened her eyes. She looked up and stared at him for a few moments. He gave her a soft smile in encouragement.

"I'm, it's just," she started before starting again with a quieter voice. "I don't know where I'm going."

The Doctor frowned at her, "What do you mean?"

"I mean," Rose sighed and dropped her gaze. "I don't know where we're going. You seem so distant all the time. But then sometimes you say something or take me somewhere special or hold me a certain way… and, and I think that maybe, just maybe we're getting closer. But then reality hits and…"

Rose glanced up at the Doctor for a second and he saw that she had tears shining in her eyes, before she looked away again. It made the Doctor's hearts twist.

"I'm just being stupid," Rose finished softly. "That's all I ever am. Stupid ape with stupid human feelings."

She started to remove herself from the Doctor's arms, but he gripped her tighter. Pulling her close, he embraced her, burying his head in her hair. Rose stiffened at his move, not knowing what to think. Then slowly she relaxed and returned his embrace.

"You're not stupid," the Doctor whispered to her. "You're the most intelligent and wonderful person I've ever met. And, and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I've been an idiot."

He pulled away slightly, so that he could see her face. Rose stared up at him with a mixture of confusion and hope on her face. The Doctor leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers.

"Did you know I was hoping I'd land on Elsker Day?" he murmured to her. "I thought, what with practically every couple here confessing love to each other, it's be easier for me to…"

"Doctor?" Rose prompted when he trailed off.

"I want to be closer with you Rose," the Doctor said, staring into her pretty hazel eyes. "But I was such a coward. So many times I wanted to kiss you—so many times I almost did. But then, of course, I would chicken out and we'd be back at square one. So may stupid mistakes. And, and, Rose, I— Oh to hell with it all." The Doctor took a deep breath and then all the words tumbled out. "I want you. So bad. I want us to be together. And I hope you want me too, cos I'd very much like to kiss you now."

"You want to kiss me?" a genuine smile spread across Rose's face.

"Yes," he bit back a growl. "Can I?"

Rose gave him her absolutely irresistible tongue touched grin, "Well, if you want—"

The Doctor didn't let her finish and practically slammed his mouth against hers. So much for his plan to take it slow. Rose moaned as he moved his mouth against hers roughly, his tongue darting out to lick her bottom lip every so often until she opened to him. Then it was his turn to moan as she thrust her tongue into his mouth to slide against his. They continued snogging the hell out of each other until Rose broke away to breathe.

"I think," she caught her breath back. "That people are staring."

"I don't care," the Doctor said as he began peppering her face in kisses. "They're just jealous."

Rose giggled and threaded her fingers through his hair so she could bring his mouth back to hers.