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Chapter 39 – Stopping Time

The Doctor, Tony and Lance had all gone together to see a crash site in South America. According to Lewis, it had been there for a long time. Lewis was certain what it was, but asked the Doctor to come out to help identify the home world of the bodies so that they could be notified.

Pepper and Rose returned to the island home together. The Nanny had already put all of the children to bed. They sat outside on the pool deck, under the stars, drinking more of the wine. The lights from the pool illuminated the palm trees that they sat under. The ocean roared in the background.

Pepper laughed, "I probably should stop."

Rose giggled, "Me too. Oh, that was so much fun. Thank you for going with us to that winery. Such a beautiful place, isn't it?"

Pepper reached across the table and took Rose's hand. "It really is. Thank you for asking. I can't believe Tony, did that."

Rose laughed, "You say that a lot about him."

Pepper joined in her laughter, "Yes, I do. It's alright. I told John he could tell you."

Rose breathed out a sigh of relief. "I can't believe it. I'm so…"

Pepper looked back at her.

"Shocked. Pepper, are you sure?"

Pepper sipped her wine, "Are you wanting to talk me out of this?"

"If I'm honest, that was my intentions. I mean, it's Tony."

Pepper nodded her head. "Oh, believe me. I get it. Rose, you are my friend. One of my dearest friends. Am I making a mistake here?"

Rose sighed, "I remember you saying that you didn't know if there was enough room for you in his heart. Do you still feel that way?"

"I don't. I did before, but….he's…" She shook her head as she looked at the stars. "Rose, he's just…different. I can't explain it."

"I didn't realize this had gotten this serious. When did this even happen?"

"When we were gone. Before we were separated because of that storm."

"Really?"

Pepper smiled, "It's so odd to talk about it. We were sitting on the sofa, there on the ship. Soli was asleep. I told him that I loved him. Then he apologized because he wanted to be the one who told me first."

Rose smiled, "Oh, that's sweet."

"He really is very thoughtful. Which, I can't even believe I'm saying that about him. Ugh!"

Rose laughed.

"We talked about a lot of things that night. He told me things that no one knows about him. I couldn't believe he trusts me that much. Then he told me that he couldn't imagine his life without me and asked if I would let him apply to be my husband, rather than my boyfriend."

Rose laughed, "So you made him interview for this?"

Pepper smiled proudly, "Oh, I did. I made him sweat. I'm rather proud of myself about it, too."

Rose laughed, "Oh tell me. Go on."

Pepper sipped her wine, "I told him a good husband would have to respect me. To let me continue to work, I really enjoy that. He agreed, but he also hates it. He just wants me to spend all of my time with him. Could you imagine? He would drive me insane."

Rose nodded. "He just made you the Executive Officer-"

"And he's already told me that he wants it clear that is a job that doesn't require a lot of time in the office. You see what he's done there?"

Rose laughed and sipped her wine. "It's called compromise."

Pepper groaned, "Don't I know it? John isn't the reason you left Torchwood is it?"

Rose shook her head. "Me being such a target is why I finally have left Torchwood. Officially, only hours ago."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"John was always just a bundle of nerves about it. So was Dad. Both of them hated when I would go into the office. And I won't even tell you about Lewis and his nerves. So, many things had happened there to me and John both. We discussed it, and John agreed to leave if I did."

"So, he's no longer in Torchwood, either?"

"No one knows, well…except Dad. We told him just before we went to the winery. That's why they called him tonight because Lewis found something he thinks he will find interesting. He was an….independent consultant. Yes. That's what it is called. But, Dad is insisting he keep the office and the secretary. It just makes our lives here easier."

"But, you?"

"I'm also an independent consultant. Well, was. Sorry. Jake wanted me to come in and train the new agents-"

"Oh, you should. You are so amazing!"

"But, it's just not worth the risk. Or the rise in John's blood pressure. We wanted so long to be together that I don't want us to spend our time being worried. Anxious. I have my physics thing-"

"Which is so…brilliant."

Rose smiled bashfully, "It's really taken on a life of it's on. I'm writing a book with that. John feels it's more of a volume of books, so he's helping me break it down into smaller bits. We both want to travel and with his job now with those hospitals, and my physics thing…we can travel more without the entire thing of Torchwood hanging over our heads."

"But the lectures?"

"When I'm home, I'll record them. They have found they are much more profitable to market that way. So many universities and colleges want me to come speak, but can't afford the security that it would involve. A video, is much more economical and I don't even have to be there."

Pepper nodded, impressed. "You've given this a lot of thought."

"We have. It's been on my mind since before Samuel was born. But, it's time. The thing will be keeping John to it. He's so quick to run off and take over a situation. It's just what he's used to."

Pepper sipped her wine. "He seems like that."

He wrote a lovely letter of resignation for us both. He plans to give it to Lewis tonight. Then, neither of us will be a part of it any longer. Well, unless something rather terrible happens and they need us. John would never tell them no. But, as for the day to day stuff…."

Pepper nodded, "I understand."

"I…..well…..enough about me. Tell me more of this engagement. I'm still in shock over it."

Pepper giggled, "As am I. Ummm. Well, it's a secret. I don't want anyone to know."

"So, me and John…"

"I think Lance might know. But, that's it. Oh, and Happy knows we are….dating…but doesn't know how anything more than that. I thought Tony was going to fight him last night over what he said."

"Really? What did he say?"

"I'm not entirely sure. But, I know that Tony said that he was like everyone else and only remembered the time when Tony was a pig. I feel like everyone is going to treat this like that. That's just a hard thing for people to forget."

Rose nodded, "I know. I'll fully confess that's the reason I wanted to speak to you about it."

"Warn me off?"

"Well, yes. But, not anymore."

"Why? Rose. I don't know if I'm making the right choice here. Everything has happened so fast."

Rose sipped her wine and shook her head. "No, no, no. Let's start over. So, Pepper."

She rose her eyebrow at her. "Start over?"

"Yes. Forget, that this is Tony."

Pepper laughed. She saw where Rose was going with this.

"You've met some new guy?"

Pepper laughed and sat down her wine. "Oh gosh. Yes. This guy."

"What is he like?"

Pepper thought, "Well, he's very thoughtful. Handsome. A bit of a….well, no. An extreme pain in the ass who always believes he's right. I have to remind him often that he's only human. His ego….I have to keep him in check with that. He plays the piano. Last night he played songs I've not heard since I was a little girl, back home. He told me to just tell him and he would play anything I ask for."

"That's sweet. Tell me more."

"He has been wanting to bring me coffee in the morning when I woke up. He spoke to you."

Rose laughed, "I'm sure I got that terribly wrong after I thought about it. I'm so sorry."

She laughed, "Oh, no listen to this. He also called a place where I go to vacation to ask them."

Rose looked surprised, "Really?"

"But, that wasn't correct either. So, he said he thought back to every time he's ever seen me make it, and he tried to do it the way he's seen. It was perfect."

Rose shook her head in amazement. "Wow. Really?"

"He makes me laugh. He's always doing something, just insane. I don't think he knows how to do anything small. He told me that he had asked the King to marry us on that planet they were at."

"Get married in a castle? Yeah?"

She smiled, "And then we could return and tell everyone when I'm ready. He's ready now and continues to ask me all of the time. He has even given me a ring."

Pepper showed it to Rose. "I noticed the ring, but didn't realize that's what it is."

"John recommended I wear it on the right hand so no one would think it's an engagement ring."

Rose smiled at it. "It's beautiful."

"He said he had it made using the metal that John took out of his chest. Gosh, I can't even believe I'm saying this. It's so odd to talk about."

Rose smiled, "I'm so glad you let me know."

"I am, too. It's been so strange just having Tony to talk to about this."

"Is he like-"

"Completely out of his mind. Yes. He is just, so different."

"You said that. How is he different?"

Pepper shook her head. "I can't put a finger on it. It's…just…"

Rose smiled at her friend. "He sounds rather brilliant."

"He's so good with Soli. Very patient. He says he's determined to, be a better example to him than he had. He hasn't mentioned it, but I've noticed that he's stopped drinking. Nearly completely."

"Really?"

"He might have a glass of something a day. I have to think that's something to do with Soli. He's mentioned his father's drinking, several times. He said he wants to break a cycle."

Rose looked surprised, "Wow. I didn't know. I feel bad about inviting you to the winery now."

Pepper pointed at Rose. "Don't. That's where I really noticed that. He had one glass the entire time we were there today. Then, he drank water. Did you notice that?"

She shook her head. "I didn't."

Pepper sipped her wine. "I did. I'm not going to mention it to him. I know that he hasn't said anything about it because he's afraid I'll fuss at him. He probably needs it."

Rose laughed, "I'm sure he does."

The Doctor, Tony, and Lance walked out to the pool deck.

Tony rubbed his hands together. "Ladies! Want some company? Or do you need time for your girlie chit chat?"

Pepper looked back at Rose and grinned.

Rose smiled, "Sit down."

All three men sat down at the table with them. They had all loosened their ties. The Doctor had taken off his jacket.

Rose smiled, "How was the wreck?"

"Ancient. No doubt one of the The Nazca Lines were trying to warn them off from that area. It was only 20 km from one." The Doctor insisted. Rose noticed he looked tired as he rubbed his face with his eyes closed. She poured him a glass of wine.

"You should try to sleep tonight." Rose told him.

Tony smiled at him, "I'll try not to be interesting tonight, so you can sleep."

The Doctor sipped his wine and chuckled. "Someone work this out with Samuel, too. He's really the one who kept me up."

Rose looked back at him, suddenly realizing. "That's why you had him downstairs."

"I didn't want him to wake you."

Rose leaned over and kissed his lips. "Thank you. But, I can get up with this baby if you need to sleep."

He smiled at her. "I'm fine. Just….too much wine." He sipped his glass and winked at her.

Tony poured Pepper some more wine. "You're not pouring yourself a glass?"

"I've already had more today than I should."

She rose her eyebrows at him. "What does that mean?"

He looked up at her. "I'll explain later. So, this wreck. Ancient aliens in a hillside."

Lance nodded his head. "Yes. Impressive. The ship dug into the mountain face there, then collapsed. It encased the ship. Nearly completely. No wonder it's been there for, how long did you say, John?"

The Doctor nodded his head, "At least 600 years. It was well preserved. Nothing could be saved though."

Rose sighed, "Wow. That's sad."

"I sent a message back to the crew's home world. At least they know they have been found. They live for about 2,000 years, so it will probably help someone get some closure. At least they know. So many families never get that."

Lance nodded his head and crossed his arms. "That's so true."

Pepper pointed at the bottle of wine. "Lance, have a glass."

He politely refused. "Thank you."

Tony looked back at Pepper and rubbed her back. "Feeling alright?"

She smiled, "I'm fine. A bit drunk, but fine."

He chuckled, "Well, just stay seated. It doesn't involve any balance." He took her hand in his and kissed it.

Rose smiled at him, "We were just talking about the big news….over at your house."

Tony looked back at Rose, "Yeah?"

The Doctor pointed at Lance. "Does he know?"

Lance looked confused, "Know what?"

Tony shook his head. "No. But, I know about a spa needing to be drained."

Rose laughed and covered her face. "Oh my God."

The Doctor laughed, "Lance! I swear, I didn't say anything."

Tony sat back and crossed his arms. "Love gravy."

Lance groaned, "Like an idiot, I told him."

Rose started to tell Pepper, "Lance and his girlfriend-"

"No. Not a girlfriend."

"Whatever, then. Were in the hot tub last night."

Pepper laughed, "Then what is she if she's not a girlfriend?"

Lance groaned and dropped his head, "She's just a friend."

Tony grinned, "A friend with benefits. Is this the same girl you brought to the restaurant the other night?"

Lance nodded, "Yeah."

Tony closed his eyes and made a face. "Oh, damn. That's-"

Pepper smacked him.

"What? Have you seen this woman? She would give you a lady boner." Tony insisted.

Pepper laughed and covered her face. "Tony. Oh my God."

"John? Am I wrong?"

The Doctor looked back at Rose. "She's…wow. You know, Lewis asked if she was even human. He didn't know they could be that….." He looked back at Rose and cleared his throat. "Nice."

"Good save there." Rose insisted. "Is this Jane? The photographer?"

Lance nodded, "Yes."

Rose agreed, "Yes. Pepper, she's stunning. I don't know about a lady boner-"

Tony pointed at her and propped his arm on the back of Pepper's chair. "You just won't admit it. Trust me, Pepper. She's perfect for Lance. Just what he needs, only…. Well…"

"What?" Lance asked.

"She's tiny. Petite. You're this huge, guy. How did you guys do the nasty and you didn't break her?"

The Doctor laughed under his breath.

Lance chuckled and shook his head in embarrassment. His phone beeped. He looked down at it and read a message. "That's actually her. John, do you mind?"

The Doctor laughed at him, "Not at all. Do you want to go to the home world with us?"

"Don't wait on me if I'm not here and you are called. But, do tell me when you leave." He stood up and typed something on his arm.

Tony held his hand out, "You're not going to answer my question, man?"

Lance smiled and looked back up, "It's all with positioning. She was on top." He popped away.

Tony looked back at the Doctor. "Well, I did ask. Now, I have an image in my head. Ew! Lance!"

Rose laughed, "So, Lance doesn't know about this engagement?"

Tony shook his head. "No. John wouldn't have known if he hadn't been in my damn head!"

Rose looked surprised back at the Doctor, "What?"

"It's not like that. I was helping him with a panic attack."

Pepper finished her wine and sat it down on the table. "Tony is just being dramatic. Stop." She told him. He smiled back at her and refilled her wine glass.

"John was helping me with my PTSD. And I have to thank you, man. That seems to have helped more than anything has. I used to think of it, all day, all of the time. Now, I don't. I can if I want to, but….it's just odd. I've even been able to talk about it."

The Doctor nodded, "That's good. That's improvement. Who did you speak to?"

"Pepper." Tony looked back at her and smiled.

"That's really good. When you're ready, we'll do something else with that. I think it could help."

Pepper sipped her wine. "Just for now, let's try to get his palladium level back down."

The Doctor agreed, "Yes. 9% is bloody-"

"9%?!" Pepper looked at Tony. "I had no idea it was so high."

Tony took her hand in his and kissed it quickly. "I had it to 3%. I'll get it back there."

"Tony, that can't be good for your heart."

"Pepper, I'll be alright."

She sighed.

He leaned in and kissed her lips quickly. "Pepper. I'll be alright." He told her again. He turned and held his hand out to the Doctor. "See, my doctor knows about it. We're taking steps to fix it."

Pepper nodded. "John. What are we doing about this?"

"He needs to sleep. Him not sleeping last night really has caused it to rise. Stress is probably fueling it."

"He knows about the people who had Soli."

The Doctor nodded, "Yes. We've spoken about it. I want to get on the ship and fly out there to beat their ass myself. But, it's not them."

"What? Explain that." Tony insisted.

"Summus rang me this afternoon. Soli said it wasn't them. It was different Arions. Not the ones that had him. Oh, it's a mess."

Tony groaned. "Damn it. So, they are still out there."

"What's worse, Summus has decided that he's charging them with murder. Soli's murder."

Pepper shook her head. "But, what happens when his father finds this out?"

"I've told them this is not a good idea. But, they can go farther in their punishment if he is seen as dead. And, technically, he is. We have Soler. They called him …..the other thing."

Tony shook his head. "This is such a bad idea. I can't believe this."

"Doing it this way allows them to prosecute them much further than if they know he's still alive."

Tony slammed his hand on the table. "That's just shit. They tortured that little boy. Took him from his family. Told him he was worthless and unwanted. Hurt him. Made him hurt himself. He saw other children tossed into space like trash. All the while wondering if he would be next. Why aren't there laws in place for something like that?"

"I've spoken to Ashena about it. She's working now to replace the law. Tony, nothing will be gained from getting emotional about this. It just feeds that palladium."

Tony groaned. "That's probably why it's so damn high."

Pepper took his hand in hers. He looked back at her. "Tony, he's safe. Focus on that at the moment."

He nodded. "You're right."

Rose smiled, "So, Pepper tells me that you want to get married in the castle on the Quauhtin home world?"

The Doctor nodded, "Oh, that would be lovely. Maybe in the Room of the Promise. I think that's what it's called. Something like that."

"Well, that was my first thought." He nodded. "But, I've had a few other ideas. And of course, Pepper needs to tell me what she wants."

"Lartius would probably insist on a Quauthin wedding there. You would have to gather your Ten. Although, I don't know how you would do that in that tiny room. Huh."

Tony looked surprised. "Really? I haven't thought of that."

Pepper sat her glass of wine down. "Your what?"

Tony refilled her glass. "I'd have to have to name ten men to be part of the ceremony. It's….well-"

Pepper shook her head. "Explain this to me when I've not had so much to drink."

He laughed at her. "Sauced, huh?"

She pushed the wine bottle he kept using to fill her glass away from him. "And you just keep refilling my glass! Geez."

He shook his head. "Sorry."

She pointed at him. "Don't think I don't know what you are doing."

"What am I doing?"

"You know what you are doing."

He grinned and rubbed his face.

The Doctor chuckled at him.

Rose mouthed, "Busted."

Pepper sipped her wine. "The Quauhtin's home world doesn't have a name?"

The Doctor shook his head. "It does not. I know. Odd."

Tony looked surprised, "Really?"

He nodded, "There are several places like that throughout the galaxy. You'd be surprised. I mean, well…look at Earth. You lot name your own planet after the word for dirt while you give all of the rest of the planets names after the gods. Why?"

Tony pointed at himself. "I was not a decision maker in this. Old ass freak alien."

The Doctor looked back at Rose. "Do you see how he treats me?"

"I believe you started that." Rose sipped her wine, "Dad is trying to talk Mum into going to Vegas."

They all laughed with her.

Pepper shook her head. "That's not what I want."

Tony propped his head up on his fist and looked back at her. "Well, what do you want?"

"Tony, I don't know. I'm still in such a state of disbelief over the entire thing."

"Really? What would make it more real to you?"

Pepper sipped her wine. "I don't know."

He pointed back at the Doctor and Rose. "We're sitting here with probably my best friend in the entire world. It's not a secret that is just between us anymore. What if? What if I asked you in front of them?"

She covered her face. "Oh my God. Tony! I'm too drunk for this! No."

"I'd be happy to do it-"

"No. Please. Tony."

He refilled her wine glass. "Alright-"

"And stop refilling my glass!"

"It's leaking someplace." He teased.

Pepper groaned. "He's asked me at least…. How many times?"

He shook his head, "I don't know."

Pepper shook her head. "I've lost count. You know how many it is."

He smiled and rubbed his eyebrow. "Yeah, I do. It's 32 times."

Rose looked impressed, "Relentless."

Tony pointed at Rose. "Well, how many times did John ask you?"

"Well, that first time, he was drunk off his ass. So, it doesn't count."

He looked shocked, "I was piss drunk because I was asking you. My nerves were shot!"

Rose laughed, "So, I told him to ask me again in the morning. He asked me at breakfast and I thought he was going to pass out."

Pepper looked surprised, "Really? Why?"

"She had no reason to say yes. I wonder why she did."

Rose smiled back at him. "We were in a different place then. He knows why I said yes."

He smiled back at her. "Yes, I do."

Tony took Pepper's hand in his and kissed it. "Well, as long as we're talking about this then…John?"

"Yes?"

"Best man? Would you?"

The Doctor grinned proudly, "It would be my honor. "

Tony pointed at him. "I want a good stag party. Isn't that what you call it?"

The Doctor teased, "I'll ask Jack to jump out of a cake."

"Ew! That's just cruel, man. Maybe, Jane?"

Pepper smacked Tony in the chest. "No."

They all laughed with him.

He held his hands up. "I'm only kidding. Alright. Not Jane. Defiantly, not Jack."

Pepper handed her wine to Tony. "Don't let me have any more of this. I need to stop."

He nodded his head. "Alright."

Rose smiled, "That was such fun today. Tony, that was such a lovely speech that you gave there."

Tony sipped Pepper's wine. "It's just press stuff."

"Robert Stevenson? You have his poetry memorized?" The Doctor asked. "I'm impressed."

Tony nodded his head. "It's good stuff."

The Doctor sat back and sighed, "Oh, I hope this Harry Potter thing works out."

Pepper grinned. "Are you really stressed about this?"

"Nah. Well. Not really. I spoke to J.K. about it and she was extremely excited. She made a good point though, that it is for children. And that's a winery."

Pepper held Tony's hand, "Well, they make grape juice there. In those little boxes, for children. Did you know about that?"

The Doctor looked surprised, "No. I didn't know."

Pepper smiled, "I think that's actually where the marketing should start. Children could take those to school and show their friends."

Tony looked back at her. "But, then there wouldn't be any grape juice to make the wine."

Rose giggled, "See! Tony and I are concerned with what is really important here."

Pepper laughed, "Oh, no. The grapes grown there are just for the wine. The children's juice boxes are brought in from someplace else. They just have a label from Napa."

The Doctor sat back. "How in the world do you know this? Pepper, you're just brilliant."

Tony smiled back at her. "That's what I tell her all of the time."

Pepper looked back at Tony. She leaned and whispered in his ear, "Should I tell them?"

Tony smiled proudly at her. "I think a walk on the beach is a great idea."

Rose smiled, "Perfect night for it. The moon is bright."

Tony leaned down and took off Pepper's heels. He grumbled. "I have no idea how you walk in these things without breaking your ass."

Pepper laughed at him. He sat them in the chair he sat in and then slipped off his own shoes and socks, also placing them in the chair. He helped her stand and put his arm around her waist.

"Good night. We'll pop back to New York from the beach. I'll be back later to get our shoes."

They told them good night as they walked towards the beach.

The Doctor turned to Rose and grinned, "So, didn't talk her out of it I see."

"I might have been wrong." Rose grinned.

He smiled at her. "What did she say?"

"That he was different. I can see he's different, too."

"How?"

"Oh, baby. I can't put my finger on it."

He lifted her nearly empty wine glass. "Maybe it's the wine talking."

"That's what I think. Surely, I've not just told my friend to go marry this guy. Have I lost my mind?" She covered her face and moaned, "I've clearly had too much."

He laughed and shook his head. "I think you are just…."

"Intoxicated. Yeah." Rose agreed.

"That, too. So. I gave Lewis our resignation."

"What did he say?"

"He understood, but he did try to talk me out of it. And you, too. I told him we were firm in our decision. I'm going to tell Jake tomorrow. These….people….need to learn to handle their own problems and leave us out of it. I explained to him that with me helping with everything, will prevent this planet from growing up and making those decisions for themselves. There's a lot of growing this Earth needs to do. Much more than the other dimension. I need to step back."

She pointed at him, "Unless, they are in over their heads."

"Well, there's always that. I really think this is for the best Rose."

She nodded and sat down her wine. "I agree. I can't….control that at the moment. I could really hurt someone."

"Embracing it is the first step."

She nodded, "Well, at the moment…I'm embracing the fact that the hot tub is empty. The children are asleep, and I'm here with my handsome husband..completely piss drunk."

"Completely, huh?" he grinned back at her.

She laughed, "Completely."

He looked her up and down. "So, you want me to be the one that has to drain the hot tub in the morning. Is this going to become a thing on the island?"

She pointed at him. "You forget. I can have anything I want."

He suddenly became very hard. He looked down at his waist and felt her mouth on his erect member, even though she sat there looking at him. He felt the sensation that she was sucking and stroking him. He collapsed in the chair and covered his face. He moaned, "Oh, the gods. This woman."

She giggled and took his hand. The sensation stopped. He smiled at her, "Anything you want, and that's what you pick?"

She smiled at him with her tongue in her teeth. She could feel how that drove him wild. She stood in front of him and slowly unbuttoned her dress and slipped it off.

"Not a….hot fudge sundae?" He teased her. "Banana split?"

She slipped off her bra and sat in his lap, straddling his waist. He kissed her breasts. "Rose. Sweetheart, someone will come out here."

"Time has stopped in this moment, Time Lord. There's only you and me."

He looked surprised and noticed the wind from the ocean had stopped. He felt the Earth beneath him had stopped spinning. He looked at her face, which was smiling at him. He returned her smile, "You love me this much?"

"Baby. Why is that so surprising to you? I love you more than you can even understand. More than both of us can. You wanted a moment where time stopped, now it has. There is only you and me."

He looked into her eyes and saw no hint of the yellow that usually appeared with the Bad Wolf. He smiled proudly. "Rose. You are amazing." He picked her up and carried her to the hot tub. She slipped in and leaned on the side while he took off his clothes at lightning speed. When he climbed over the side to join her, she handed him something.

"What is this?"

She giggled and then tossed them onto the pool deck. "My knickers."

He wrapped his arms around her and felt her hands run through his hair. They laughed and snogged one another as they sunk into the water together. He sat on a bench and she straddled his waist.

"I'm having problems with my balance, so-"

He smiled, "I won't let you fall. I love you, Rose."

She held his head and felt him tease her between her legs with his fingertips. She moaned. He kissed her neck. "I should just do this all night to you."

"Do it."

"And then I'll move us to our bed."

She put him inside of her, "Do it."

He looked into her eyes and held her face with his hands. She sat down, pressing him deep inside of her. He crashed his lips into hers and began to kiss her again.

She moved on him, causing his brain to short out. He noticed the water started to move around them again, and the wind began to blow in their hair.

She whispered to him, "Baby. Take us upstairs."

He tapped a few things on his bracelet and they popped into their bedroom. Still with him inside of her, she sat on top of him. He lay on the bed as she rode him. He watched her breasts bounce, and her throw her head back and moan.

He ran his hands up her body. He said something in Gallifreyan to her.

She smiled at him, and he realized that she had understood what he had said. He sat up and caught her lips with his own. She lay down on the bed and he put her legs on his shoulders so he could enter her deeper. She cried out and asked him to continue.

He continued to stroke inside of her and her moans became louder.

"Can you understand me, Sweetheart?" He asked her in Gallifreyan.

She nodded her head and continued to moan.

He smiled and began to speak to her in the ancient language. Telling her how much he loved her and how much he waited for this moment. It made his emotions clearer for her and she could feel his love more than she ever had.

He continued to stroke inside of her. Her head lay off the mattress and she moaned loudly.

He finally collapsed next to her and ran his hand through his wet hair.

She lay next to him, trying to catch her breath. "Oh wow. That might have been the best."

He laughed and looked back at her. "Without weird words."

"Without cheating. Yes."

He smiled at her. "You could understand what I was saying, couldn't you?"

She closed her eyes and held her head. "Oh. Baby. Now the room is spinning."

He laughed at her. "I forgot you were drunk. Been holding that feeling off?" He got out of bed and rushed to the bathroom to get them a towel. He wiped himself off and returned to the bed. He wiped her up and threw the towel towards the bathroom door.

He wrapped his arms around her and she lay on his chest. He kissed her head. "There. Is that better?"

She didn't open her eyes. "I don't know how you do that."

He rubbed her back and covered them with the duvet. "Friday, turn the lights out in here."

The lights switched off. Rose lay on his chest. He spoke to her quietly. "Rose."

She didn't respond. He held her tightly and felt her sleeping. Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, he had the thought. "Was that Rose he had just made love to, or the Bad Wolf?"

He lay in the bed, replaying the scene in his head. He rubbed Rose's back and fell into an uneasy sleep.

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