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Chapter 31 - The Doctor's Surprises

The Doctor came into the bedroom to find that Rose had picked out his black with grey pinstriped suit, a black oxford and black tie and had it laying on the bed.

She was in the bathroom getting ready. The door was cracked a bit, and he could see she was at the mirror putting on her make-up.

"Is this ninja suit what I'm supposed to wear, or are you expecting a visit from Johnny Cash?" he called to her.

"What? Who is Johnny Cash?" Rose asked him.

He smiled, "Yeah, you're probably too young and from the wrong side of the pond to know who that is." he said under his breath.

"I know you think your tux is cursed with bad luck-"

"All tux's! Not just mine. Is this a surprise that requires a tux? Can I reconsider?"

She popped her head out of the bedroom door. She was wearing her dressing gown.

"No tux required. Just put on the clothes I laid out for you, old man. And stop grousing." Rose playfully fussed at him.

After he got dressed, he was sitting on the end of the bed, putting on his red Converse. Rose walked out of the bathroom and saw him.

"I knew those were the ones you would pick." he laughed at him.

He chuckled but quickly lost his breath as he turned to look at her. She was wearing a red Faviana V-neck, open back dress. It had double spaghetti straps. The cut up the side of the dress showed off her legs that she had shaped with all of running she enjoyed.

Her blond hair was up to expose more of her skin. She wore long dangly ear rings.

The Doctor's brain sorted out. "Yowzah." Was all he could say.

She laughed at him. "Finally, a word I understand."

He stood up to look at her. He ran his hand in his hair unconsciously. He had forgotten how to walk.

She pulled up the dress and almost glided over to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "This has been an amazing day. I'll never forget it. I hope you like your surprise."

"So far, it's looking good." he managed.

He then noticed her ear rings. They dangled all the way down to her shoulders. He gently took his thumb and stroked her ear as he put his other hand on her lower back to pull her in closer.

"You know, in all of time I've known you, I never realized your ears were pierced. Are these ear rings not too big? Do they hurt your ears?"

She laughed at him, as she kissed him quickly on the lips. "They are alright. Rose alright, not Doctor alright. Are you always so worried about me?"

"That's my job. The Doctor. The One Who Worries about Rose Tyler." he smiled at her.

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The limo brought them up to the backdoor of a building not far from where they were staying in Manhattan. Lewis, Shakes, the Doctor and Rose all jumped out of the car and went into the building.

"We won't even walk through the front door?" the Doctor asked Rose as she walked beside of him. She was holding his arm with both of her hands. Shakes was in front of them, and Lewis was behind them as they continued down the hall.

They were met by an usher. The Doctor still had no idea where he was. He was smiling in wonder of what his pink and yellow girl had done. He kept looking around for a clue. Nothing helped him.

Rose was smiling as she told the usher that they had been sent by President Harriet Jones.

The usher nodded and showed them up the carpeted stairs.

"What is this place? A theatre?" the Doctor asked her.

She laughed at him as she held onto his arm. "Not telling you. It's a surprise."

Shakes opened the door and they were lead into a small room, which ended up being a balcony overlooking a stage. There was a small table with champagne and glasses. As soon as he saw the famous stage, he knew where he was.

"This is Broadway! I've never been here, either! Oh, Rose! What are we going to see?"

She laughed at him again. "Not telling, it's a surprise."

They both sat down. Shakes sat behind them. Lewis stood at the door.

The Doctor turned to face Rose. He was so excited. She couldn't help but to giggle at him. "This is brilliant! I've always wanted to come here and see a show! How did you know?"

"It was Harriet's idea. These are her seats. She gave them to me after she got to know you. She said that she had seen this play, but you would probably really enjoy it. I know you will. I can't wait to see your face when you figure it out."

"Oh, remind me to thank her! This is brilliant! And look, champagne! Is that normal?" the Doctor asked as he picked up a card sitting in front of the ice bucket.

The Doctor smiled as he read the card aloud to Rose.

"Congratulations. I'm so very pleased for you both and wish you many years of happiness! - H. Jones"

Rose smiled. "That was very sweet."

The Doctor had already taken the bottle and opened it with a loud pop. "Better do this now, and not while the show is playing. Don't want to give an actor a heart attack!"

He poured them both a drink. Shakes and Lewis politely refused when they were offered some champagne.

The Doctor toasted saying, "May your heart's desire be with you."

Rose smiled and drank. She then leaned over and kissed him.

He was still looking around trying to find out what the play was. Nothing helped.

"Is that a quote?" she asked him.

He nodded as he continued to look around. "Yep. From William Shakespeare! He was so brilliant with his beautiful words."

The lights blinked, and everyone took their seats and got quiet. The Doctor's full attention was on the stage as he sipped his champagne.

The play began. Rose watched the Doctor's face as he tried to figure out what he was watching.

Two men walked on stage.

"Who's there?"

"Nay, answer me; stand, and unfold yourself."

The Doctor smiled even bigger than he had before as he began to realize what he was watching.

"Long live the king!"

"Bernardo?"

The Doctor snapped his head back to Rose. She was enjoying his reaction.

He whispered excitedly to her as he pointed at the stage. "Well, this is Hamlet!"

She laughed and nodded.

"Oh, wow. This is my favorite one!" he told quietly as he could. He ran his hand through his hair and took another sip of his champagne.

"Good surprise?" she whispered as he put his arm around her.

"Oh yes, Rose. I love you, this is amazing." he whispered. He kissed her quickly on her forehead, and went back to watching the play.

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The Doctor and Rose returned to the penthouse. They had had a perfect evening seeing Hamlet. The Doctor was still in a state of disbelief that Rose was able to surprise him so well.

As soon as they got into the room, Rose took off her shoes.

"I wish you wouldn't wear heels, love. They are so bad for your feet." he fussed at her.

She smiled. "Yeah, my feet agree with you."

She walked over and put wrapped her arms around his neck. He put his hands on her waist and looked into her eyes. He brushed his hands gently on her bare back.

"Did I tell you how beautiful are tonight?" he asked her.

She shook her head as he pulled her in for a kiss.

"Champagne or white wine?" he asked her.

"Not red?"

He made a face of disgust. "I don't like red wine. It's too bitter."

She smiled. "Of course. You and that sweet tooth of yours."

That made him smile.

"What are we celebrating?" Rose asked him.

"My surprise I have for you! I want to tell you something. It needs either wine or champagne!" He thought for a minute. "It needs champagne. It's been that sort of day."

He stepped away from Rose and rang room service. He ordered four bottles of champagne.

Rose had a look of surprise upon hearing he wanted four bottles.

"Blimey, you're going to have to do that liver trick on me if I drink much."

He laughed at her as he hung up the phone.

He then took his phone out of his pocket, and looked through it to pick out a song.

Rose walked over and wrapped her arms around his arm, and leaned into his shoulder.

"Your surprise?" she inquired.

"After the champagne gets here, love. Until then, let's have a dance. What would you like to dance to?"

"I don't care. Surprise me."

He sat the phone on the table and said, "I'll surprise both of us. I just randomly picked something."

He took her in his arms and started slow dancing with her. He turned his head and kissed her cheek.

The song started playing from his phone. It was 'I Want You Back' by the Jackson 5.

They both started laughing hysterically.

"You have this song on your phone?!" Rose laughed.

They continued to slow dance to the song. "I like this song!" he defended himself.

"Maybe I should play it really loud a lot, and make you hate it." Rose teased him.

He laughed. "Oh that won't work, my dear. I've tried that."

"Blasted this song all through the TARDIS, huh?"

"More than once!" he told her as he spun her around.

She was laughing at him.

"You need to get a speaker for that phone of yours with all of the dancing we do."

"Why, is it not okay? What's the matter?"

"The sound would be better with a speaker." Rose explained.

"Nah, I don't need that!" he told her as he continued to slow dance with her. He took his sonic screwdriver out of his pocket and aimed it towards his phone. The music quality immediately improved.

"That's amazing." Rose laughed at him.

He smiled. "A sonic screwdriver helping the sonic quality of my phone's speaker. I should have done that days ago. Too much on my mind."

The song ended, and "Hey Jude" by the Beatles began to play.

Rose looked relieved. "I love the Beatles."

"Everyone loves the Beatles, Rose. Don't ever trust anyone who doesn't like the Beatles."

Rose laughed as they continued to dance.

"You keep saying you have too much on your mind. What's the matter?"

"Nope! I'm not talking about that tonight. No ma'am. Forget it." he declared. "This day has been perfect, and I'm not messing it up. No ma'am."

Just as they were starting to sing along to the ending through their laughter, there was a knock at the door.

The Doctor twirled Rose around one more time, as he picked up his phone and stopped the music playing. He went to get the champagne and glasses room service had brought up.

He returned and poured them both a glass. He raised his glass and toasted, "To the end of the race. I'm done running."

She kissed him after they took their drinks. She could feel his extreme happiness. His relief. His love. His lust. His fear.

"What's wrong?" Rose asked him.

"I'm not talking about that tonight."

"I can tell something is wrong." Rose told him seriously.

He smiled as he looked at her. "Sweetheart. It is time to tell you about my surprise! Let's go outside to the balcony. I need some air."

He took off his jacket and tossed it on the sofa as they walked out to the balcony. He loosened his tie as he walked.

"Oh wait! Need the bottle!" he remembered, as he went back to get the champagne. Rose stood in the doorway of balcony holding her glass. He caught up to her.

Once they got onto the balcony, they enjoyed the view of the night sky over New York City, zeppelins overhead and all.

The Doctor refilled both of their glasses. After they drank some of it, he moved over to the ledge. He rubbed his hand nervously on the edge.

"Okay, then. This surprise. What is it?" Rose smiled at him.

"I don't know where to really start. I've tried to figure out how I was going to tell you about this for weeks."

She was surprised at his confession. "What in the world? Did you start working on this right after you got here?"

He laughed and rubbed his hand in his hair. "Yeah, on the third day I was here. Well...no. Maybe on the Zeppelin ride back from Bergen. I'm not sure how you would say it started."

"What have you been up to?" Rose asked him. "Is this something I'm going to be mad about?"

He looked seriously at her. "Oh, it's likely. That's the reason I waited until today to tell you."

"Why today? What are you up to?" Her curiosity was killing her.

He laughed at her as he shook his head in disbelief. "Oh, Rose. You just won't believe this."

"You are dragging this out to tease me, aren't you?" she accused him.

"Yeah, I probably am. Plus, it's helping me process it." he sang as he continued to smile.

"Well, what is it?" she asked him.

He looked at her, "I have a job." He smiled his 1,000 watt smile at her.

"A job? Yeah, you are working for Dad." Rose said. That wasn't a surprise.

He shook his head as he leaded against the balcony. "Nope. I'm working with Pete." As he continued to smile.

"Yeah, as a Torchwood consultant." Rose reasoned.

He shook his head again as he looked down at the ground and smiled.

"Nope, you don't understand. I'm going to help Pete at Torchwood, like I've been doing while we have been on our holiday. And if something big happens, he can call me in of course. But, no Rose this is much bigger than that."

"Oh, what have you done?"

"I've went into business with Pete Tyler. We are partners!"

Rose was stunned. "You've done what?"

"Yep, that's the reason he came to New York the other day. He was at a meeting about something I made. Something about needing to sign some paperwork."

"Okay, wait. Stop. What are you on about? Why does Dad have to come to New York to sign paperwork?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I have no idea. He handles that part. That's not what I do." He took a drink.

"What part are you doing?"

"Making stuff, Rose! I've got all of this knowledge up here in my big, ole brain. I've drew out several things that Pete has helped me get patents on, and he has started producing them."

"What kind of things?"

"Well, the first thing was an 'Ossibus - Regenerator'." he told her proudly.

"A what?" Rose was so confused.

"'Ossibus - Regenerator.' I still don't like the name of that. But Pete said, 'Just go with it'. "

"What in the world does it do?"

"Ossibus is latin for bone. It repairs bones for when you get punched in the face, fall out of the bed and break your wrist."

"You keep teasing me with this stuff, you're going to need one. Now out with it all!" she playfully scolded him.

"When we were riding back on that Zeppelin, you suggested that I build airplanes as a job because this world doesn't have any. I really didn't like that idea, because the military would get them. I don't want any more blood on my hands. I couldn't deal with that. And honestly. I don't think anything could compare with this bullet. We've gotta do that!"

"Then, that first night we went to your parents' home, Pete took me out to see what he had been working on. I made a few suggestions. A bit of jiggery pokery, and he has started producing his project."

"Pete is an absolutely, brilliant business man. I don't think I've ever met anyone who has accomplished what he has in such a short period of time. He is very well connected, as well. So, when he asked if I would help him with some projects he was tinkering with, I immediately agreed. Plus, I like tinkering. "

"But that doesn't explain why you are now you two are in business together."

He rubbed his beard as he continued to explain. "Well, the night that Tony fell out of the tree, he told me that he had talked to the Surgeon General here in the United States, and the Ministry of Health in Great Britain, and they all want this Ossibus - Regenerator. He came to New York and was showing off a proto-type I had made. It's extremely simple. It will help so many people. Casts will be a thing of the past!"

"Is this how you fixed your hand?"

He smiled, "No, ironically enough. I've never even seen the proto-type. He used it on Tony yesterday. Works like a charm."

"How have you not seen the proto-type if you made it?" Rose was still so confused.

"I drew up the plans and showed them to Pete right after I broke my hand. It hurt so bad, I knew I had to do something myself because I don't trust these apes here. I was going to have him help me build it because I couldn't. I knew he loves tinkering as well as I do."

"I had planned on getting the proto-type when we meet in the States to fix my hand, but by then I didn't need it. And yes, that is still just...weird.

"Pete has some guys working for us put it together. Pete told me he just wants me to think great thoughts. He doesn't want me to worry about the production side of it. But, if they get stuck on something, I'll come in and help."

Rose must have had a shocked look on her face.

"What do you think? Is this mad or what?" he smiled at her.

"It's a bit much to take in." she told him as she sat down her drink. "Are you sure you aren't messing up history. Don't they make that in the future?"

"Nah, humans never made that. Someone else did. I'm being careful not to mess up time. But, there are things I know that could really help the people here. Things I've always wanted to make. It's a surreal experience, honestly. I can finally be 'The Doctor'." He laughed under his breath. She could see the excitement on his face.

"Wow." She sat down on the chair.

"Need a minute?" he smiled as he took a drink, and refilled his glass.

"So, you are making stuff. Dad is selling it."

"Yep." the Doctor confirmed, popping the 'p'.

"No wonder he has stopped hounding you about working for Torchwood!"

"And in all honestly, I would prefer if you didn't anymore either. Or at least, move towards consulting instead, Agent Tyler. Go teach those classes, help out where you need to. You've already helped so many people, Rose. I know you enjoy your work and the people there! But, with this, we can live anywhere! Even on a permanent holiday! Traveling the world! Living in hotels! It would almost like when we were back on the TARDIS! Something new all of the time! There's so much that I would love to show you."

"No wonder you have a lot on your mind. Why haven't you told me about this before?"

"I didn't really think there was much to it. I felt like I was just helping Pete. And the next thing I knew, he was paying me and my name was on a patent. I don't think the man sleeps! I've been so distracted with keeping you safe, that's all I had on my mind. That's all I could see. This sortof happened in the background. When we talked this morning, he told me that he had finished all of the paperwork, and we were officially in business. He needs me to sign some paperwork when we see him tomorrow."

Rose looked up at him. "Are you serious about this. You aren't joking?"

He was smiling like a loon again. "Nope. Not joking. Every word is true!"

"I'm completely shocked at this. Are you and Dad having secret meetings? How?"

"I've spoken to Pete every day. He's been calling to check in on you, and plus we've been having an argument about some stuff." he admitted embarrassingly. He ran his hand through his hair.

"What have you been arguing about?"

"He keeps wanting to pay for everything and I won't let him." the Doctor told her.

"So, Dad hasn't paid for this entire holiday?"

The Doctor shook his head. "Nope. He already pays me way too much. I couldn't accept that as well. He's been too generous. More than he ever had to be to me. Granted, you are the best thing he's ever given me."

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Although, he sees it the other way. He told me that him and Jackie having Tony, made him realize how much he needed you. He confessed to me that he always saw you as the daughter of another man until he became Tony's father. Then he realize how much you needed him, and how much he needed you. He tells me that I gave him a family. Did I tell you I was an awesome match maker or what?"

Rose laughed.

He drank more of his champagne.

"Trust me, Rose. Everything is alright. Pete makes me crazy with the way he handles some things, and has no idea who he's dealing with here. But, I have to be reasonable. I have to do something to earn some money. This honestly just fell into my lap. But, it's perfect! We can travel, help people, do some good! And after I'm gone, you'll be alright."

She tossed her hands in the air. "After you are gone? Please stop talking like you dying! You freaking me out. Is there a good reason you are saying that? Will you please tell me? Are you alright?"

The Doctor walked over to Rose, held out his hand and helped her up. He wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you, Rose. Try to stay with me, right here on this subject for a moment."

"Are you not telling me something?" she demanded.

"Stay on subject, Rose Tyler." he told her as he continued to hold her.

"You are so damn slippery! Can't you just answer the question?!" Rose demanded.

He held her tighter.

"Sweetheart. We have to think about these things. It's not like it was before. But, if I had to go back to not having you, and living for so long...instead of having you like I do now...I couldn't do it. You are my world. My universe. My everything. Let me do this for you. I always loved watching you when I took you someplace new. Your excitement made me see the same, stale things in a completely different light."

Rose relaxed a bit and leaned back so she could see his face as they held one another.

He continued. "Nothing compares to you. You have made me happier than I've ever been. In all of my lives. Please let me make you happy as well."

He leaned down and kissed her. He tasted the champagne they had been drinking in Rose's mouth.

He came into her head.

'You are so beautiful. I want you so much.' he told her.

'Then let's take this someplace more comfortable.' she teased him.

He didn't stop kissing her as he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. He lay her down on the bed as he began to run his hands down her body.

"How the hell do you get this dress off, anyway?" he told her after a few minutes of searching for a zipper.

She laughed at him. "You nutter!" She showed him the zipper that was hidden in the side of the dress. "Here. Help me take off my clothes."

He smiled like a loon, "Oh, the perfect sentence! And to think I almost lived my entire life without hearing that!"

They both laughed as he removed her dress from her only to find out that she had not been wearing knickers all night.

The shock on his face was comical.

"You mean to tell me that you sat next to me all night like that! You didn't tell me? Rose Tyler, we said 'no secrets'." He playfully scolded her.

She was laughing at him as she lay on the bed. "I knew you would be like that. You could see the lines of them in my dress. I didn't want to spoil the effect."

"Oh, it's having an effect!" he assured her, as he ran his kisses down her neck.

She unbuttoned his shirt and trousers. He shook his trousers to the floor, not wanting to stop kissing Rose.

Rose took off his silk tie, and lay it next to her on the bed. Then she slid down his pants and stroked his staff with her hand.

He moved one of his hands down to her thigh, and slipped his fingers inside of her. She was so wet. She had been without her knickers for so long that night, that she was even more sensitive than normal. She craved more of his touch.

'Oh, that feels so wonderful.' she moaned in his head. 'I should go without those more often.'

'I'll never get anything done. I can't believe you did that. I'll always wonder about that now when I see you in a dress.'

She smiled at him. 'Just what I wanted you to do.'

He chuckled as he started kissing her chest. He continued to play with her clit and stroke the sensitive area that had devoid of clothing all night.

Rose kissed his neck and chest. She took the silk tie that she had lay on the bed, and wrapped it around his length.

Feeling something strange there, he stopped kissing her and looked to see what she was doing.

"Woman. What is this?"

She smiled at him and she started to stroke his length with the silk tie wrapped around him.

His eyes rolled back in his head.

'Oh, that's brilliant. Feels almost like you.' he moaned in her head. He continued to kiss her neck and chest.

He dipped his fingers back inside of her and stroked.

'Oh, darling. I think you are ready for me.' he told her.

She unwrapped his swollen member. He slid inside of her and stroked slowly.

'No, you are much better.' he told her as he returned to kissing her mouth.

'You'll never see a tie the same way again, will you?' she teased him.

He laughed quietly with her as he continued to kiss her.

'There is so much I see differently because of you.' he confessed.

He stroked for a few moments more before he was finished. He lay down next to Rose in the bed.

"What a day!" he said breathlessly.

"Did we do everything, right?" Rose asked him as she lay her head onto his chest. He wrapped his arms around her.

"Love, I don't know how we could have done anything better." he told her.

She laughed at him, which made him laugh.

"No, silly. I mean with our engagement today. You know our customs, but I have no idea about yours. Is there anything we need to do for you?"

"That's very thoughtful. Thank you, sweetheart." he told her surprised.

He continued. "There is one thing that some Gallifreyans will sometimes do. I swore I never would. But then, I never thought it would be something I would ever have to think about."

He kissed her on the top of her head as she held her closer.

"Well, what is it?" Rose demanded.

He rubbed her back and sighed. "Let me get it."

He leaned out of bed and picked up his trousers. He lay back in the bed as he dug around in the pocket until he found what he was looking for. He held up a very small, piece of metal that almost looked like a bullet.

"What is that?" Rose asked him.

"It's a way to send a message. Granted, it doesn't normally look like these. Usually these are square and much bigger. I had to make this one because I would have to try to send it back into the Prime Dimension. It would also have my name on it. But, because someone by that name already is there, I didn't put it on there."

"Malcolm sent me some coordinates yesterday, of his best guess of a hole big enough that this tiny thing can find its' way back to the other dimension. I doubt it will work, and I'm still trying to decide if I want to try. It would put my mind a bit at ease."

"I would have sent you message this way, but you wouldn't have known how it works. See, you have to hold it and speak in Gallifreyan telling it who the message is intended for, where they are, etc. Like addressing an envelope. Then you record your message, and send it on its' way. "

"Wow." Rose marveled. He lay the small little device in her hand so she could look at it. There was very little that would identify it as anything remarkable. With the exception of some very small circulator writing on the side of the tiny cylinder.

"What is this here?" she asked him as she pointed it out.

"Who I've addressed it to. It can be delivered to anyone at any point in time and space. But, only the person that it is intended for can listen to the message."

"That's really clever. It looks like a bullet." she told him as she handed it back to him.

"Yeah, I did that on purpose. I figure it might help it break through the walls of the dimensions if there isn't a hole big enough to get through. Still, I doubt it will work." He put it on the night stand.

"What's the chances?"

He kissed her on the head, "Sweetheart, you probably know that answer better than I do."

It was true. She had spent a very long time jumping between dimensions when she was looking for him. The chance was very slim. She'd estimate a 2% success rate.

He stroked her back with a feather-light touch.

"Who would you send it to? The Doctor in the other dimension?"

She felt anger come over him.

"I wouldn't give him the pleasure! After what he did to us? The only thing he needs is a punch in the face, I tell you. And if I ever see him again..." he growled.

Rose was shocked. She knew he was angry with the other Doctor. They hadn't spoken about him in weeks. She was surprised at his reaction.

"Oi, why would we want to tell him?" he asked her.

"I don't know. That's the only person I can think of you would send something to over there."

"No, I would prefer to never think of him again. Bastard." He grumbled under his breath.

Rose was shocked. Maybe the Donna was bubbling up a bit too much in her Doctor today.

"I doubt I'll do it. There's not much point to it. There's such a little chance it will ever get there." he told her as he held her close.

"I had the perfect day." Rose told him as she kissed his chest.

"So did I. I love you, Rose Tyler." he told her.

"I love you."

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