Complicated

By the Plot Thinens

Chapter 52 – Water under the Bridge and Roofers

Seeing the Doctor and the child slip under the bridge Jack and Rose ran to the other side to try and spot them but much to their dismay they did not see anyone. They now worried that the Doctor and the child had been pulled under the current and could be far away passed the bridge in the darkened waters. That was at least until they heard a knock on one of the wooden planks beneath their feet.

"Oi, mind helping a bloke? The sonic doesn't work on wood." Said the wet sounding voice of the Doctor below them. Relieved Jack and Rose helped pull up a few boards and the Doctor passed up the wet and shivering child before climbing out himself. Looking back at the path they had come they noticed that the men they had just encountered were gone. They must have come around while the time travelers were helping the Doctor and made their exit. Jack cursed. He would have liked to have brought them to some form of local justice for trying to drown a child like a sack of cats in the river. Jack pulled out a flashlight from his pocket and shined some much needed light on the subject. Now being able to properly see the child Rose took off the hoodie Jacket that she was wearing and used it to towel off the poor boy. It was a warm night but she didn't want him just sitting in wet clothing.

"It's okay, love. You're safe with us." Said Rose in a calming voice that seemed to relax the child but he was still upset and coughing a bit from being in the water. Once his wet hair had been dried and removed from his face the boy looked up into Rose's face and just stared at her and did not say a word. He had never in his life ever seen a person like Rose. Who would have ever thought that people could have yellow hair? He'd seen an albino once in a traveling show but this woman had yellow hair and light brown eyes. To see such a person once in a lifetime would be a feat and here in front of him in the dark in strange clothing, with strange features, magic lantern lights and everything strange about them were three people he could only assume were either some kind of foreigners or most likely demons. But foreigners couldn't speak Japanese from what he had heard so the evidence against them being demons was stacking up. The boy continued to stare at his saviors and remained mute in their company. What were they going to do with him? He had grown up hearing stories of what happened to children caught outside alone after dark. Was he going to get eaten by demons?

The Doctor, also still wet, shook off his jacket and hung it over the wooden guard railing of the bridge. He then turned his attention to the little boy who upon getting a good look at the Doctor's face by flashlight began to cry loudly. 'The Nose!' Thought the boy. That confirmed it, they were demons and they were saving him for themselves!

"Please don't take me away and eat me, Mister Tengu!" Sobbed the little boy. The Doctor knew this term, under different circumstances he might have found himself insulted. It was a big nose demon that flew around snatching up children and usually lived in the mountains. This area was surrounded by mountains. And pulling from his memory of ancient Japan, a few of the towers off in the dark distance looked familiar. He was starting to suspect that they weren't in Tokyo at all, it was most likely Kyoto. The Doctor in his mind thought very much that he was some form of demon after all the horrible things he had done, but he was not the sort of demon the boy thought that he was. And he certainly was not about to bring any harm to this child.

The Doctor got down on to the boys level, looked the sobbing boy in eyes and then placed a comforting hand on his little head. He couldn't be any older than six or seven years old. The Doctor just sighed. They would be considered quite the novelty to this boy and probably the population in general since the first European explorers would not arrive in Japan in droves for at least another 200 years.

"Cheer up lad. We're not demons. I promise nothing bad is going to happen to you. We are just here to help you. In fact we're new around here so if you remember the way back. We'll take you home. It's about past your bedtime I'll wager." Smiled the Doctor putting on all of his charm for the little child. The little boy looked skeptical. Of course they wouldn't say that they were demons, they didn't want to upset him anymore then he already was. And even though these demons seemed friendly, it would be bad luck to bring demons home with him, right? But then again demons did not always bring bad luck sometimes they would help people they favored. They did seem to favor him and appeared nice enough. There was no reason for them to do so if they were just going to eat him and already had him surrounded. They had saved him from being drowned in the river that was also in their favor that they were benign demons. He shuttered when thinking that those men, who would have been his murderers, might even still be out there and right now waiting to kill him. He'd feel safer with hospitable demons if it meant risking meeting those men again. The boy nodded and couldn't help but return the cheerful grin that the Doctor was giving him.

"Now no more tears, hmm? I'm the Doctor. This woman here is Rose and that man with the torch is Jack. What's your name?" Asked the Doctor continuing to share an infectious grin with the child.

"Hideki. Hideki, son of the roofer, Haro. My father's name is really well known around here maybe you heard of his work? " Said the boy proudly. The Doctor had to admit that he did not know of his father but that he sounded very important. The boy smiled but that changed as soon as he asked Hideki if he could explain how he had found himself in the situation he had been in with those three men? The boy began to whimper again and said that he could not remember, the last thing he had recalled was being home and then suddenly he was here. The Doctor not being able to stand seeing the child crying put his arms around the small boy and gave him a firm hug which the boy found himself warmly returning. If he was a demon then he was a nice one and the boy no longer found himself frightened by the strange nosed man. Demon's liked to mess with people after all. Maybe thwarting his capturers' plans was a way to bother them and to his advantage.

Rose watched as the Doctor who could be so cold at times to strangers was melting the heart of this frightened child. He was being sweet and kind and Rose loved every minute of it. She began to wonder if he would be like this with their child too when it came along. The more she watched the easier she could picture how good a father he would be to their child and she loved him all the more. They had to handle this now but later and tonight if she could help it she was going to tell him come hell or high water. And since they already had the water part she hoped that they wouldn't be catching too much hell. The Doctor then took the little boy by the hand and the group proceeded to walk back the populated city much to the boy's delight. They were taking him home to his family.


"Hey Doc, if this is Ancient Japan are we going to get a warm welcome?" Asked Jack vaguely remembering that at some point in Japanese history they used to kill foreigners to the country that washed up on its shores.

"Oh true, they won't know what to make of us for the most part. The first western looking foreigners won't really be showing up until about 1543, Portuguese. There were a few people visiting now and again but usually with people already established as proper to trade with. And sorry about the mix up but this could be exciting, Kyoto, 1336. Not 2136, but still a nice town, good food and sightseeing. Still best be out of here before Ashikaga Takauji come into town and takes over. That's when the Emperor loses control again and Kyoto is taken over. So quick look around maybe, get a spot of tea, stay a night then back to the TARDIS." Said the Doctor to his companions. Hideki had no idea what they were talking about. They talked so strangely, but to be honest between acting as their guide and staring at their hair and the strange demon lantern they were using, he didn't have much of his brain left to focus on what these demon grownups were talking about.

"Doctor Tengu, we have to go down this way." Said the boy tugging at the Doctor's strange leather haori robe he was wearing. It was then that he realized that like himself the Doctor Tengu was also pretty much soaked to the bone. Now that he was away from those he felt were a danger to him he felt his confidence growing. As the man of the house he shouldn't be acting like a scared little child and a proper man would offer them a place to stay for the night, even though he wasn't sure if demons needed a place to stay he should at least be polite and offer. They probably wouldn't object to at least some decent food and maybe clothing to wear. Perhaps his mother would lend Rose something appropriate to wear once he told her what these friendly demons had done for him. It probably would be small on Rose but she would at least look as respectable as she seemed to be.

It was so late now and the only thing lighting the street was the odd public oil lamp here and there. They could see Hideki's home at the end of the street next to what appeared to be a small park. It was a decent sized home for an artisan family. Hideki's family had been well known roofers and trainers of good roofers for generations now and the home they enjoyed was the result of years of satisfied customers. His great grandfather had built the house and they had been given a sizable bit of land to build it on as a reward for a past favor. It was not a samurai's home by any stretch of the imagination but it had more rooms than the average home in their class would and a courtyard garden with a little pond for koi. They even hired out two servants to help his mother with the kitchen and grounds.


Hideki was indeed technically the man of the house but for now it was under the stewardship of his uncle. Although he was years from being a trained master, he had every confidence that he would follow in his poor dead father's footsteps and, under his grandfather's teachings, be a great roofer too and lead the business to further success. His father had been dead for a year now having unfortunately slipped and fallen off the roof of a house he was working on. It was tragic but his family business had gained respect from the locals for completing the project in time despite the death of the business' owner. His grandfather, also a roofer, was his mother's father and he and his Haro's students had finished the roof and were keeping the business alive until Hideki was old enough to take over.


Stopping at the front wooden gate, Hideki tried to reach for a wooden hammer on a rope but unfortunately was still a bit too short to reach it. Jack in showing sympathy for the boy reached up and grabbed it. The boy gestured for him to whack the hammer at an oddly shaped wooden plank also hanging next to it. Jack did as he was told and the wood made a surprisingly loud distinct sound when it was just tapped on a little. A minute later there was some shuffling on the other side and the door gate started slowly opening.

"It's a door bell!" Laughed Jack as he realized the function of the contraption. It was a distinct way to tell people behind the locked door that they had guests to attend to. Hideki said that his father had made it and most thought it was quite a smart and charmingly crafted convenience. A sleepy voice peered out the door and asked,

"Who is it at such a late hour?" Hideki laughed and answered,

"The Master of the house, Kogi, look lively we have guests." Kogi was an older gentleman servant who served as the grounds keeper and gardener of their humble home. A bit out of sorts and surprised to find his young master outside the home at such an hour he opened the gate the rest of the way.

"Really young master this is not right to play jokes like this your mother will be upset. What are you doing outside at this hour?" He said but upon setting his sights on his master's guests he flattered back,

"Heavens, what creatures have come upon this home, are you a kitsune in my master's form?!" Declared Kogi, sure that he had been tricked by some mischievous demon foe who knows what purpose. Sensing that there might be a problem the Doctor pulled out his now mostly dry, along with the rest of him, psychic paper and held it up for the older man.

"Relax my good man. You will give yourself a heart attack. This should explain everything." The old man drew his eyes to the paper and let out a sigh of relief, strange as they were these were foreign dignitaries and permitted travel by the emperor himself. Well that was all the credentials he needed and decided that them not being demons to clam up and let them through into the very small front garden. Hideki looked at the paper puzzled and saw that there was nothing on it and wondered if this was some demon trick again? Would he be the only one they would not fool? He kind of felt special being in on the joke while the adults were hoodwinked. Either way it worked and he had set out to offer his lifesavers all the hospitality he could.

"I know it is late but wake the house. I have a tale to tell the family and I need beds made for my guests." Rose, Jack and the Doctor were now very amused at the change they saw in their new friend now that he was back home. They found no end of entertainment in watching the little guy dictate around his home.

"We have a few extra rooms for sleeping, how many do you need?" Asked Hideki of his new friends. He kept having to look back at them and couldn't help but stare, they were so strange almost ugly but at the same time exotic. The Doctor Tengu he could tell was a demon to be respected. And Jack was also a force to be reckoned with, whatever demon he was. Rose on the other hand was the sweetest and most gentle demon he had ever met and he was sure the last. He felt a little silly asking about rooms as he was almost certain that they would be gone by morning, spirited away with the morning sun to who knows where, and what a trick he will have help played on the house. But he was going to extend them every courtesy.

"Two!" Piped up Jack,

"One for me and one for the couple." Hideki looked at the ugly Doctor demon and the lovely and young, in her own way, looking Rose. The Doctor must be a powerful demon to ally to. No doubt that was what Rose's demon father must have thought when he probably arranged the match. If demons arranged marriages that is. Man, he didn't know anything about how demons lived and wondered if he could ask the next Buddhist priest he met about it. Hideki looked to Rose for confirmation that he wasn't being teased and Rose putting her arm around the Doctor's smirked and nodded her head. Hideki ordered that two rooms looking at the garden be readied for his guests. While that was done, after removing their shoes, the group was lead into the house to what appeared to be a sitting room and made themselves comfortable. Ami the housemaid nearly fainted at the sight of the group when she had finally lit all the lanterns in the room. The hair and the eyes! What terrible monsters had befallen the house. However one look from her young master, whose look resembled that of his father's, silenced her. She would just have to sit quite and wait for her mistress and her father. She only wished that the boy's uncle was not away for the night. As she went to fetch her mistress and her father she peeked into Hideki's room just to be sure that she had not been duped by a kitsune. It was empty and she politely woke her mistress to tell her that her son had brought home late guests that were of the strangest features and that she must get up and see them. Sitting on cushions the Doctor, Rose, Jack and Hideki sat. The Doctor hoped that this wouldn't take too long as he wanted to get cleaned up. Eventually tea was brought out for them and not too long after that Hideki's mother and grandfather sleepily came into the room.


Hideki mother's was horrified by the tale that he told and ran to her son's side to hold him close and cried. She would have woken up this morning to find her only son missing and drowned if not for these odd strangers. And although they were suspicious looking characters, she could not help but thank them and bowed low to them in thanks. Hideki's grandfather did the same and vowed that he and Hideki's uncle, Basho, would put in a report to the police the next morning of the men and their descriptions with Hideki's help. Such a slight against any member of his family let alone the future heir of their roofing business could not go unpunished!

"I was not under the impression that we had enemies. Perhaps a rival artisan but I personally suspect no one." Pondered grandfather as he sipped his tea. Hideki's mother asked if there was any way that they could be repaid for saving her son, but Kogi poked his head in and told the room that the fresh clothing and beds were ready for them. And that he was warming up the bath for them. Apparently at one end of the house, separated from the main house, was the family's private bath house. Yet another luxury item added on by Hideki's paternal grandfather.

"Well I see my little 'Lord' has already beat me to it. He's such a take charge individual, just like his father was." Smiled Hideki's mother, Kiyomi. The Doctor loved the idea of finally getting out of his damp clothing and having a chance to sonic them clean and dry. Though he didn't need to take a bath just a little privacy to get the cleaning done. Hideki still being a child did not want to take a bath since he already was dunked today and in the guise of hospitality offered the bath to his guests first.

"We won't trespass on you long, I think we can be gone and on our way come morning." Smiled the Doctor and Hideki guessed that he was right about the story he'd have to tell about the disappearance in the morning. The Doctor seeing the trouble that he was already getting into looking so strange in this time period had opted, to leave before sunrise, but that didn't mean they couldn't relax for a little bit. None of them were tired since to Rose and Jack it was still morning. They would just have to make their way back to the TARDIS and use the psychic paper if they ran into trouble on the way. He didn't know how he had got the flight wrong. If he wanted to go to ancient Japan he would have tried later down the timeline just so that being foreign looking wasn't too much of an issue. He had learned his lesson the last time when he had thought to visit during what turned out to be the most extreme isolationist period of Japan.

Still a little nervous to have such strange people wandering about the house, Hideki's mother retired again for the night. Grandfather, now fully awake, however liked Jack's humor had taken a shine to him and demanded that sake be brought out so the two could better talk and get to know each other. The Doctor rolled his eyes at Jack who was already becoming fast friends with the old man and politely followed Kogi and Hideki to the guest rooms. Rose and the Doctor were shown their room and Kogi began to lead them to the bathing house. Hideki however, took this moment to escape back to his room on the other end of the house unwashed. He had enough of water for tonight. He would have to be quiet though as both his mother and grandfather's rooms were next to his and he didn't want to risk disturbing anyone, though he was sure his grandfather would be up most the night when the sake bottle came out. But before he left his new friends' company he said,

"Good night Doctor, see you tomorrow." He was certain that he would not see them again and was now too tired to care. He had had been through a lot this evening and wanted to sleep it off as he was certain the next day would be busy with police and his mother doting over him some more for not dying. The young master now gone, Kogi looked at the honored guest and opened the sliding wooden door to the bath.

"I too am going to retire for the evening, but I've put on enough wood for the water to be warm for a while, just don't take too long getting in. I have left you clothing in the bathing house. I hope that they fit you. They were the largest we had and might be still too small." Explained Kogi. The Doctor said that that was fine and Rose and the Doctor walked in and slid the door shut. A relaxing bath was just what Rose could use, the Doctor thought and he took a look around the room that was lit by oil lamps and a few candles.


The Bath was small but separated into two rooms with wood panel windows for air circulation. The first that they were in appeared to be a place to undress and towel off after. Also there appeared to be a few buckets filled with water for them to wash off with. Beyond another small sliding door led into the actual bath which they could see a little steam coming out of.

Rose's heart was pounding. Were they really going to take a bath together? On the one hand it thrilled her on the other hand terrified her. They had not done something like that together since the Doctor had changed. But also she wondered if she was obviously showing yet. She didn't think that she was but still what if he suspected. Well what if he did? She wanted to tell him and maybe this would be a good way to break the ice. Either he would notice and ask or she would just say it.

"Alone at last." Said the Doctor as he pulled off the leather coat and took out his sonic to clean himself and help dry his clothing. He waved off Rose showing that she could go ahead and bath while he worked. Rose realized that the Doctor had no plans to join her. Rose looked at the bath and then back at him, she really didn't know what to say. The Doctor saw her confused look and he looked as if he got the message. He then took his sonic and waved it over both buckets and then a bit longer at the large bathtub in the joining room.

"Yeah the water did look a little dirty didn't it? Well clean as your tap back on the TARDIS now, enjoy." Smiled the Doctor. That was when she realized that he wasn't deciding not to join her. The thought never even had crossed him mind at all. The alien was so used to sonicing everything clean that the idea of him engaging in conventional bathing had not even grazed his thoughts. If she wanted him to join then she would have to flat out ask and she wasn't sure if he was now ready for that. It was so frustrating that something she would not have thought twice about with John was so embarrassing a subject to talk about. What was she even being awkward about? He'd already seen her without clothes on after he had changed. When they were on that ship Bad Wolf 09 he had seen her with nothing on and had to provide her with his own jacket as coverings.

"You're not going first?" She asked. The Doctor just smiled and twirling his Sonic replied,

"Nope, just going to sonic clean." Rose tried to mask disappointment but then she got an idea. She realized that technically she couldn't make the Doctor do anything he didn't want to. But in the past he had done things for her that he didn't seem to want to do. Logically if he only did what he wanted to meant that if he did do something for her, he had wanted to do it. That being said, he did paradoxically do what she wanted from time to time. She just had to put up a convincing enough argument or play to his nature which after so long she knew quite well. She would try being sly and see where it got her.

"You mean that you are going to come to ancient Japan. Be a guest in a genuine ancient Japanese home and not go for the full authentic experience? I thought that you were a seasoned time traveler? What's the point of traveling in time if you don't experience life like the locals did?" Asked Rose sounding miffed. The Doctor saw her point but still didn't want to bother with bathing when a sonic was so much less involved.

"It's not really essential to my experience, Rose." Argued the Doctor, but Rose wouldn't have it, she was getting him in that tub.

"Aw, come on, Doctor. I'll scrub your back. And I give great massages, if you can recall." Tempted Rose. The Doctor was not unmoved by that suggestion. He would hate to admit it but just as a cat liked a good back rub, so did a Time Lord. He had been to every health spa in the universe and had had the finest treatment, but still the memory of getting a rub down from Rose as John was probably his most memorable experience with a massage. And he did still have a sore shoulder from climbing up the bridge with a squiggly child slung over his shoulder. He was going to just sonic that shoulder too but now…. Rose saw that his resolve was flattering and seized her chance.

"I'll turn around while you change into that linen over there." Promised Rose as she pointed to a pile of cloth meant to be used as towels. Rose pouted her lips and tried to look as appealingly cute as possible. The Doctor looked at Rose gorgeously bathed in candlelight and looked back at his hanging leather jacket on one of the several wooden hooks. He then looked back at Rose who was semi coquettishly watching him with an innocent smile, he rolled his eyes and then exhaled. Rose knew he was giving in and bit down a giggle of triumph.

"Fine, turn around. Like to keep a little mystery between us." Grumbled the Doctor. He might as well indulge Rose. It was just a bath after all. It wasn't like she was asking a lot of him. 'Well unless you went through a lot more changes than it looks. I'd say that there aren't too many left.' Rose thought to herself, not daring to say it out loud fearing that he would change his mind. Rose turned around and waited for the Doctor to finish undressing. She couldn't have known that the Doctor wasn't being prudish but simply embarrassed, even as an impressive Time Lord and always harping about that he was good looking, he actually thought he was just the opposite. He didn't know why he should worry about how he looked to Rose. Rose had clearly not had a problem with him when he was human, but that was human him. This act of bathing together was like peeling off yet more of himself literally and figurative for Rose to see and if she could ever get a glimpse of what he truly looked like inside and out, he was afraid that she would see him for the ugly horrible monster he really was and runaway.


Rose stared at the aging wooden wall and didn't even take a peek at the Doctor as he changed, though she was sorely tempted. The Doctor having seen that Rose was averting her gaze and that it was more than dark enough took off his jumper and set it to dry on one of the wooden pegs on the wall. He wore the same outfit like a suit of armor and taking it off especially in the presence of Rose felt like going into battle naked. Not that that was always a bad thing many ancient civilization's warriors battled nude for mobility and to keep from getting clothing into wounds to avoid infection. Anyway eventually his clothing was all hung to dry and he had an off-white linen wrapped around his hips. Rose turned around to look at him and the Doctor tried not to look as conscientious as he felt. At first she had been embarrassed and looked quickly to the wall to see his clothing hanging. His usual duds were drying along with his boxer briefs… Rose then looked him up and down, she couldn't help it. All that skin that she had not seen in over half a year and now there he was in front of her. Nights she had daydreams before falling off to sleep of just seeing him without a shirt on. It made her feel regret that she had in her short time of marriage to John must have taken being allowed to see him in all states of dress for granted. She would never do that again and she felt like she was being spoiled at this moment, finding her memory of his body had not deviated. Not knowing when she would get an opportunity like this again she put every visible inch of him to memory again. The Doctor could see what Rose was doing and putting his hands on his hips, raising an eyebrow and trying to sound more confident then he felt declared,

"Keep looking at me like that and you'll burn a hole right through me." Rose blushed and look to the floor, had she offended him? The Doctor seeing Rose's reaction felt guilt at having humiliated her. He knew that Rose often didn't know how act around him because he didn't give her enough hints to follow. He hated that he made her so afraid of him in ways like that. The last thing he ever wanted to do was scare Rose. He was uncomfortable with domestics, sure but that didn't mean that he should force Rose to be walking on eggshells all the time. Wanting to at least put her at ease he sat down on a small stool and joked,

"Well my back's not going to scrub itself. Let's experience some authentic ancient Japanese lifestyle."

"Give me a minute, I don't want to get my clothes wet." Rose said in reply, her plan working so far and hoping it had a pleasant outcome. The Doctor got a little more nervous, how had he not thought that she would get undressed too? They were in a bathing house, what else was she going to do? Watch him soak? She was the one he planned would be taking a bath after all. The Doctor dared not turn his head as Rose disrobed and wrapped a towel around her body covering anything that might offend in public or make the Doctor nervous. Rose grabbed a rag and soaked it in one of the buckets while the Doctor handed Rose some soap. It was a team effort, Rose scrubbed and soaped the Doctor where he could not reach and the Doctor did the same where he was not as comfortable with help. After the Doctor was soaped up, Rose poured half the second bucket of water over the Doctor and grinned at the look of him once more with his cropped hair matted to his head. The water was a bit cold, but it was a very balmy evening, so she figured that it wouldn't be too unpleasant for her either. Rose then pushed the Doctor off the stool and sat down in his place.

"My turn." Smirked Rose and the Doctor raised an eyebrow yet again.

"Hmm, you scrub my back, I scrub yours. I see your plan all along." Joked the Doctor. Rose laughed too but that had not been her plan. Hers was more being in a state of undress in the same room with her husband and hoping that that fact would make him take the news she had to tell him better.

Ten minutes later Rose had been given the same treatment, though mostly through a towel, and was as clean as you could get with ancient Japanese soap. Rose then heard the buzz of the sonic and turned her head. The Doctor had soniced himself and his clothing clean and cheekily did the same to Rose.

"Oi, that's cheating. We still have to soak in the tub while the water is warm." Pouted Rose. The Doctor wanted to argue against bathing together, but her pout was too convincing to contest with.

"Alright, but towels stay on." Said the Doctor with a blush that the darkness of the room masked, which Rose agreed to a bit too quickly. She loved her husband and she wanted to be with him in whatever way she could get. Rose opened the door to the bath and surprisingly it wasn't too steamy. They must have taken a bit too long washing as Kogi had warned. Putting her hand in the water confirmed that it was starting to cool down quite a bit. Still one didn't want the water too hot on a night like this and besides she heard that really warm baths weren't good for pregnant women anyway. So it was the perfect temperature for an expectant mother. She doubted the Doctor would care since temperature in general never bothered him.


Rose now found herself in a deep tub of warm water big enough for two and alone with her Time Lord Husband surrounded by candlelight. This should be any happily married woman's dream but the Doctor just seemed so uncomfortable that she desperately wanted to calm him down. It was actually quite comfortable in the tub to begin with as there seemed to be seats and floor boards in the tub made of wood. The two just sat there looking at each other, Rose up to her neck and the Doctor up to his collar bone in water. They said nothing and Rose absentmindedly tugged at one of the ends of her linen as she explored the dark room with her eyes. Trying to decide on her next move, her eyes fell back on the Doctor who was trying to sit comfortably while it appeared he was making sure that the towel around his hips didn't float off somehow. It was too dark to see anything anyway. By now Rose knew that the Doctor's discomfort was probably more a result of nerves then an uncomfortable seat or disgust at the situation in general, so she decided she'd make it easier for him and help him relax.

"I can give you a massage now, if you like?" Smiled Rose to the Doctor. The Doctor's mind flashed to very pleasant memories as John and he agreed maybe a bit too eagerly than he should have felt comfortable doing. He turned around and presented his back to Rose who started to knead into his sore muscles. It was heaven and the Doctor found himself letting out little moans of contentment as Rose rubbed him all over his back and neck. Rose too was enjoying the skin to skin contact and after about ten minutes of this surprisingly hypnotic act relaxed and wrapped her arms around him with a content sigh. The Doctor surprising both himself and Rose did not pull away but leaned back into the hug. He could feel Rose quite easily against him and before he knew it he was twisting around and pulling Rose into a close and firm hug which she gratefully returned. Rose sat happily on the Doctor's lap half bridal style while he held her in his arms. Rose nestled her head under his chin and cuddled closer to him as he pull her closer still. Rose laughed to herself that it was a group hug with their being technically three individuals involved and then she remembered that she still had a secret to tell. He had not noticed but it was so dark and she guessed for all her paranoia she was not showing enough yet. Being so lovingly wrapped up in this hug she couldn't see the Doctor being anything but delighted at the news she had to tell and let out a deep breath.

"Doctor, I have something to tell you and I'll admit that I'm still scared now, but I love you and well you deserve to know. I'm…" Rose began but then the serenity of the room was interrupted by the sounds of two noisy male voices coming through the sliding wooden door.

"Doctor…We looked all over for you. This sake is great stuff. Really has a kick and we….you must try it." Slurred Jack in a very drunk voice as he leaned on grandfather who was red faced and equally intoxicated. Jack placed a half bottle of sake on to a wooden shelve and then turned back to grandfather to help steady him.

"S'Doctor's the one with big nose right?" Asked grandfather as he started taking off his clothing.

"Yup the biggest, but he's still so cute." Giggled Jack, as he too started unbuttoning his shirt.

"Swell we're here now might as well sober up and wash out the booze. Hurry up or the water will get cold." Said grandfather again as he went to hang his bed clothing on the wall. Jack giggled as he slid open the second door and saw the Doctor and Rose in the tub together. The Doctor swore as he shielded Rose behind him and angrily stated to the Captain,

"Occupied. Jack, get out and wait your turn." Jack laughed out,

"Aw, can't I join?" Rose and the Doctor said a 'No' in unison.

"Way to go Rose that's the way to do it. Just hope you haven't done anything to spoil the water." Cheered Jack and Rose turned three shades of red and was glad that it was too dark to see her face clearly.

"No, Jack you can take the next bath. Just get out of here long enough for us to change." Grumbled Rose very irritated with Jack. She had been so close, but best to get herself and the Doctor out of here before Jack said anything she didn't want the Doctor hearing by accident. The two drunken men were surprisingly chivalrous and Grandfather and Jack left the room long enough for Rose and the Doctor to change quickly into their bed clothing. The largest of the bed clothing fit Rose just fine but the Doctor had to settle for just using his as a wrap since there was no way it was going to fit around his shoulders. He would change as soon as he got to his room, but he wanted to be away from the drunken idiots as quickly as possible. Rose wasn't going to complain since seeing his bare chest was such a rare treat. The two then made their way to their room to relax after such a rude disturbance. Rose swore she was going to beat up Jack later when he was sober for the interruption not knowing that the Doctor was making similar plans. They could have worked as a team to do so. The Doctor then opened the thin paper sliding door to their room and after letting in Rose closed it.

Author's Note: Was going to just get on with the story a different way, but I threw in the majority of this chapter for you. Pure fluff for fluff's sake. So if you are frustrated that the chapter didn't really go anywhere or are on edge waiting for Rose's chance to tell the Doctor then blame your desire for fluff, you fluffy fluff monsters, you. Anyway joking aside hope you enjoyed it. I have very little experience in the ways of romance so I can promise you I'm probably not going to stray from the teen rating. If you can't write what you know you should at least write what you can have a vague idea about with some research. Anywho tell be what you think as review help me fingers move, heh.