DISCLAIMER: SERIOUSLY WISH I DID, BUT I DON'T OWN DOCTOR WHO.

A/N Today's chapter is Love Song by Sara Bareilles. It's also secretly called, Why the Doctor hates Pears. Many, many thanks to all of you wonderful reviewers and for 200 reviews. You guys are so great. Bonus point to Fogsblue with the 200th review. (at least if I counted right.) :-) I will answer all reviews tomorrow.
So I had a few more people give me favorites so now I have enough to make a list. I also borrowed hope-everlasting's review from a few chapters back for the list, just so you know... If you want to, you are more than welcome to add your own vote as well. I love to hear people's favorites! Personal Favorites can be found at the bottom!
1) Every Time I hear Your Name (28)
2) Kiss the Girl Trio (48-50)
3) Haven't Met You Yet (34)
4) I'll be Okay (39)
5) I'm Coming to Get You (40)
6) Beautiful Mess (11)
7) Crazy Love (18)
8) Don't Wake Me Up/ Dream Big (24&25)
9) The Best is Yet to Come (13)
10) Feels Like Home (30)

Love Song

"Rose, stop eating all my pears," Jackie complained. "You already had one yesterday, and then again this morning and now one for dinner. I won't have any left by the time you leave."

Rose grinned into the pear as she bit it, making a juicy mess of her fingers and mouth. She quickly remedied the situation with a napkin only to make another mess in the next minute.

"You can't blame me," Rose answered when she had finished it off. "The Doctor never buys pears, and I'm not exaggerating. The only fruit he buys is bananas."

"That man..." Jackie shook her head. "I'm surprised he even has time to go grocery shopping at all. Isn't it a bit domestic for him?"

Rose laughed as she cleared away the dinner dishes. "That was the old Doctor. Haven't you noticed he's a lot more... domestic now? We even remodeled my bedroom together. We're doing his next week."

"He does bring you home more often, I suppose..."

"I think it's kind of his home these days too. Well obviously the Tardis is our home, but this is his family now."

Jackie rolled her eyes to hear the Tardis called home, but she let it go without comment. She was grateful the Doctor even remembered to bring Rose at all.


The next morning, Rose padded around the Tardis kitchen, preparing breakfast. The Doctor leaned casually on the door frame. She hadn't noticed him yet, so he was taking the opportunity to watch her quietly. The radio was going and Rose hummed quietly to herself. The way her hips swung in time with the music, made him smile. Out of nowhere, he found himself wrapping one hand around her waist as he flipped her around.

Rose jumped in surprise, but she giggled when he took her hand in his free one.

"Care to dance, Rosie?"

"I'm making breakfast," she protested, but she made no move to break free.

"It can wait."

The Doctor swayed back and forth, pulling her a little bit closer each time. He threw in a spin now and again just to see the way her smile lit up the room. After one spin, he tugged her back with just enough force to land her against his chest. She looked up at him, her brown eyes wide and hesitant. Her heartbeat was fast against his chest and her humming finally came to a stop.

"You stopped humming."

"You stopped dancing."

"Is this a love song, Rose?" He asked, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Yeah," she whispered. "It's one of my favorites."

"Mine too."

She smiled. "You've never heard it."

"Doesn't matter. I'll never forget it now."

Rose's eyes, so big and caring held him enthralled; he couldn't look away. When he did, it was to glance at her lips just slightly parted. He sighed softly to himself. He hated crossroads. If he didn't act, which happened frequently, he was left with a collection of what ifs. Choose, Doctor. He didn't want... he didn't want Rose to become a what if. He wanted her to be a fact of life, a fixed point in time. Choice Made.

The Doctor lowered his head, catching Rose's lips with his. She was surprised, but her response was nearly instantaneous. His arms tightened around her even as her arms tangled around his neck. She kissed him back gently, her lips honest and warm. Honest... he didn't know a kiss could be such a thing until he could read every feeling in hers. Heaven couldn't be better than this.

He pulled away just as the song was ending, but kept his arms snug around her body.

"You taste like pears," He said.

Rose grinned shyly. "You like it?"

"Yes... May we have pears for breakfast?"


The Doctor stared into the flickering fire, a photograph in one hand, a half eaten pear in the other. In the background, a familiar love song played softly. Sitting rigidly on the couch, he felt half-frozen despite the warm fire. His hearts ached and his eyes burned with unshed tears. He had once known Heaven in the arms of Rose, but now he knew Hell as well. It wasn't the burning torture everyone thought. No, it was a cold numbness that made the sunniest day seem to be the darkest night of winter.

He didn't start when Martha came in. Not even when she sat cautiously next to him, did he acknowledge her presence. He made a mental note to save future mourning for a place more private than the library.

"I thought you hated pears," Martha said after a moment.

The Doctor glanced at her once before his eyes caressed the well worn picture. "I do."

Martha followed his eyes to the photo. He expected her to scowl or complain, but she just observed, her face pained.

"Rose?" She asked eventually.

"Yeah."

He thought he would be grateful for the silence, but it left an opening that the song filled. He couldn't listen to the words, not when the memories it brought left such a bitter taste in his mouth.

"This was her favorite song, you know," The Doctor said when the silence pressed too heavily on his hearts.

"It's pretty," Martha replied hesitantly.

"She used to sing it all the time and we would dance together in the kitchen," He smiled for the first time. "Never anywhere else though. The Tardis even has a ballroom, but it never felt right unless we were on the kitchen tiles."

"You loved her a lot."

"Still do."

"I suppose she hated pears too then?"

He laughed, but it was a strangled, painful sound. "No, Martha. She loved them. I loved them too because they were a part of her."

"And now?"

"Now, they turn sour in my mouth." The Doctor glared at the pear as he spoke, tossing it to the flames. "I'm only eating a dead memory."

Martha watched him for moment, and he found it strangely comforting. She wasn't angry or jealous this time. Just worried. She would look after him, keep him from losing it. She would make sure he stayed away from pears and from that blasted song.

"I'm sorry," she whispered as her arms wrapped him. "I'm sorry Doctor."

"Me too."


Beautiful Mess (11)
The Best is Yet to Come (13)
Don't Wake Me Up/ Dream Big (24&25)
Dream of a Normal Death (26)
Every Time I Hear Your Name (28)
Feels Like Home (30)
Haven't Met You Yet (34)
I'm Coming to Get You (40)
Just for You (47)
Kiss the Girl Trio (48-50)