TITLE: Distantly in Love

AUTHORS: Gillian Taylor(Dark Aegis) & NNWest

DISCLAIMER: Don't own them. We just like playing with them...a lot.

Chapter Four

The first thing that he noticed was the noise. The loud clatter of table utensils hitting plates, ice clinking against glass, and the mindless chatter of dozens of patrons all combined into a cacophony of sound that pounded uncomfortably in his ears. Opening his eyes for what seemed to be the first time in quite a while, he took in the garish colours of the bar with a slightly dazed expression upon his face. He had no recollection of having stepped into the bar, let alone having ordered the frozen concoction that was before him. The line of empty glasses before him seemed to signify that he had been drinking rather heavily, but it bothered him to think that it was affecting him this badly. He had the distinct impression that alcohol tended not to affect him.

"All done, sweetie?" a young woman with a colourful Hawaiian shirt and a waitress' apron asked him gently.

"Um, yes," he replied for wont of anything better to say.

"Okay, I'll clean up for you." She smiled brightly at him and he had the uncomfortable impression that she was looking him over. "Though, sweetie, next time you might not want to hit the tequila so hard. Have a good evening."

"Thanks." There was money on the table already, so he stood, putting his black leather jacket back on automatically. He was feeling rather confused. Something was wrong, but he passed it off as being due to the large amount of alcohol that he had apparently consumed. Stumbling slightly over an obstacle that was not there, the tall man headed out of the bar.

He walked reflexively through the streets, letting his feet take him where they willed. The standard philosophical questions plagued his mind - who was he? Why was he here? Where was he going? The alcohol must have affected him greatly for him to suddenly recall nothing about himself. He walked for a long time, not noticing that the heavily populated areas were fading into the resorts which finally faded into the jungle. When he finally took note of his surroundings once more, he found himself in a tiny cove illuminated only by the bright moonshine.

Giving into a temptation that he did not quite understand, he sat down on the sand and pulled off his socks and shoes. Digging his bare toes into the sand, he enjoyed the feel of the cool grains against his feet. A loud hum intruded on his thoughts and he looked up to see a rather strange sight - a blue box, emblazoned with the English words 'Police Public Call Box,' dominated one side of the cove. He squinted slightly and it seemed as if the box had a strange shimmer around it. He suspected that he should be apprehensive at the sight, but somehow he felt as if he were perfectly safe. There was a sensation growing within him, a sensation that he suddenly identified as a homecoming.

He knew this blue box. Somehow, someway, he knew it. He stood, letting his shoes dangle from his fingers as he crossed the beach to stand before it. The shoes dropped from his fingers as his other hand reached out to touch the faux wooden panels. His skin tingled as it came into contact with the box and he felt warmth spread through him as if something was welcoming him. With a puzzled frown, he reached into his pocket - prompted by an indefinable feeling - and pulled out a key. Pressing it into the lock, he found that it turned easily and he stepped inside never noticing that he had left his shoes behind.

His eyes were wide as he took in the massive control room. The feeling of homecoming only intensified inside the blue box however, somewhat strangely, he never thought it suspect that it was bigger on the inside. He moved on, leaving behind the control room to wander the myriad passages of the TARDIS. After an unknown amount of time, he found himself in a bedroom. A mirror hung on the wall and he paused before it, his expression faintly shocked as he traced out his features on the mirror. "Look at those ears," he said, somewhat glumly.

He turned from the mirror to look around the bedroom. It was rather bare - only a wardrobe, a mirror, an overstuffed chair, and a bed occupied the space. Obeying instinct, he took off his jacket and hung it up inside the wardrobe. He fingered a few of the other articles of clothing inside the wardrobe, lingering over a multi-hued scarf, before he slowly shut the door. Discarding the rest of his clothing, and donning a pair of loose grey pyjama bottoms, he lay down on the bed and pulled the duvet over himself. The lights in the room immediately winked out, leaving him in darkness. He wasn't certain why he had entered the familiar blue box, let alone why he had decided that this was a room that he could sleep in, but the exertions of the day were wearing upon him.

He would probably remember more about himself first thing in the morning, especially if it was the alcohol that had affected him. Thus comforted, the man once known as the Doctor closed his eyes and let slumber take him within its grasp.

Chapter Five

The night air was warm despite the best efforts of the breeze coming off the surf as it whispered through the trees overhead. The moon had risen, creating a constantly shifting display of light upon the dark sea as the water lapped the beach. As she picked her way down the little track toward home, she was so entangled in her own emotions that she didn't notice any of it. Rose Tyler was furious.

She knew she shouldn't be mad at Jack. It's not as if he was bound to her; they were just friends. She had told him several times that he didn't have a chance with her. She'd said it again tonight when he had joked with her before they went out. She just never thought he'd actually believe her.

When Jack had returned to their table with the blond man he'd been eyeing in tow, Rose had suddenly become a third wheel. She had chatted pleasantly with Jack and Brent? - Brad? - but it had soon become apparent that an evening of quiet conversation was not what Jack had in mind.

Eventually, the suggestion arose that they find a club and Jack's new friend knew just the place. Unfortunately for Rose, the motif of said club did not appeal to her tastes. Her time with Jack had opened her eyes to many things, but Rose did not find herself quite ready to venture into a leather bar. Jack's quick and enthusiastic acceptance of the invitation had sent another not-so-subtle hint that he was hoping that Rose would find something else to occupy her time so he could be alone with his catch.

"I'll just go. You boys have fun," she had said, pointedly ignoring the little guilty expression Jack wore, and wound her way back to the secluded cove that held the TARDIS.

Finally reaching the blue box, she slumped heavily against its bulk as the tears of frustration she'd been holding back started to fall. She really wished she knew what she wanted from Jack. A part of her said she loved him, but she knew she also loved the Doctor. Before Captain Jack entered their life, Rose would have said absolutely that her future lay with the Doctor. Now, she wondered if it was possible her fate was with both of them.

Drying her tears as best she could, Rose looked up to the sky. The lights of the city were far away and the stars shone in a way she'd never known when she lived in London. It was the Doctor who had given her her first glimpse of those stars at they really were, both from afar like this and close up. She smiled faintly at the thought and her spirits lifted a little.

Pulling herself up, she rounded the edge of the TARDIS and nearly tripped over the dark objects in the sand in front of the doors. Crouching to examine them, she was surprised to find they were shoes and in the moonlight, they looked suspiciously like the ones the Doctor always wore. Not really sure what to think, she picked them up and pulled out her key.

As she pressed the key into the lock, Rose steeled herself for a barrage of questions from the Doctor when he saw she'd been crying. Entering, she found her preparations had been unneeded. The Doctor was nowhere in sight. Rose found she was slightly relieved and crossed the console room toward her room.

Dropping the Doc Martins beside the door, she scrounged in her wardrobe for her favourite set of pyjamas - soft and flowing, not terribly flattering, but comfortable. Once changed, she crawled into bed and hoped she would find sleep soon. In the quiet darkness of her room, her emotion laden thoughts returned to tumble and chase through her mind, keeping the rest she craved at bay.

Finally deciding to give up, Rose got up and went to look for the Doctor. If anything, at least he would provide some distraction and she wouldn't have to be alone. She picked up the shoes and headed toward his room to return them before setting out to search the TARDIS for him.

Rose tapped lightly at his door. Hearing no response, she pushed into the room and set his shoes near the wardrobe. As she moved within the room the light level raised slightly and Rose could see the form of the Doctor in the bed. She was a bit stunned to find him here, but more so to find that he had been asleep.

He stirred and stared at her, lost look in his eyes. "Sorry to wake you," she said, but something in his gaze troubled her. He's either had way too much fun or something's wrong, thought Rose. Knowing the Doctor, Rose leaned toward the latter. She crossed to sit on the edge of the bed and looked him in the eyes. "Anything wrong?"

At that question, he looked puzzled; his eyes slid away from hers and his brow creased as if the answer required serious consideration. After several seconds, his gaze returned and he shook his head hesitantly like he still wasn't sure. Suddenly pain marred his expression and he reached out a hand to caress her tear streaked cheek. She raised a hand to cover his, working her fingers between his own. "It's alright," she whispered.

Without a word, he shifted some in the bed to make room and gently pulled her down into his embrace. Even as Rose settled into a comfortable position next to him, her apprehension grew. His whole manner had her worried, his confusion and his silence. No matter how many times she had come to him for comforting, he had never merely assumed she would stay. On every occasion he'd asked her somewhat timidly if she wanted to share his bed, as if he were afraid she would tell him 'no' or be offended.

With her caught up in his arms, his breath lightly ruffling her hair, the Doctor fell quickly back into deep, dreamless sleep. And, despite her fears, Rose soon followed.

Chapter Six

Rose woke, taking a moment to remember where she was. 'Oh right, the Doctor's room,' she thought as she stretched and rubbed her eyes. She was always amazed how much better her outlook was when she woke up here. She'd quite forgotten the previous night's grudge against Jack and her fears over the Doctor's behaviour.

The sound of a throat being cleared startled her. Looking around, she saw the Doctor perched on the arm of an overstuffed chair. Rose was surprised. Usually, he was up and dressed and off tinkering in the console room long before she ever got up. To find him still here and still dressed in the loose grey trousers he wore to bed was a bit of a shock.

"Morning," she said, her worry rising again. "Didn't expect you to still be here. Is something wrong?"

"I'm afraid there is. I don't know who you are." He looked lost and she was reminded of the previous night's bewildering exchange.

"Doctor?" Rose's voice was close to panic.

Not seeming to have heard her, he continued, "I don't know who I am."

"You're scaring me."

He sighed. "I'm scaring myself." He shook himself and looked at her. "I'm a doctor, am I?"

She stared at him dumbly for a second. How could she explain to him that he was not just 'a doctor', he was The Doctor. Definite article, capital letter. She scampered out of the bed and crossed to stand before him, close, but not touching.

"Sort of. You're the Doctor. An' don't give me that look because I've asked and that's all you'll ever tell me." She searched his eyes and saw only confusion. "I- I'm Rose. You really don't remember me?"

The Doctor shook his head sadly. "I wish I did. We must be very close? I woke up in your bed." He smiled cautiously.

"Your bed," she corrected absently. "This is your room."

"It is?"

She held her hands up. "Listen, stay right here. I'm going to find Jack. He'll know what to do. I'll be right back." At his nod, she fled down the corridor to Jack's door. She pounded hard and waited for a split second. Steeling herself for what or who she might see, she threw open the door. No Jack. Where could he be?

She tried the kitchen and console room with no luck. She came to the conclusion that he hadn't come home last night. They were in a tropical paradise, of course he hadn't been back to the TARDIS.

Dashing to her room Rose dug in the pile of yesterday's clothes and came up with her mobile phone. She called Jack's number and started back towards the Doctor's room while it rang.

"Yeah," came Jack's sleep tinged voice. She could almost imagine him bleary eyed, his dark hair tousled.

"Jack! Where are you?" Rose could hear a muffled conference on the other end of the line, presumably Jack finding out where he had spent the night. "Look, never mind. Just get back to the TARDIS quick," she ordered, her voice shaking.

"Rose, what's wrong?"

"The Doctor's lost his memory. He doesn't remember me." Rose hadn't realised how close she was to tears until the fat drops started sliding down her cheeks.

"What! How'd that happen?"

"I don't know. He just woke up and didn't know who he was. Just get here, okay?"

"Rose, honey, I'm on my way. It's going to be okay. While you're waiting, get him to the med bay and start a full scan - just like I showed you. Remember?"

"Mmhmmm."

"Good girl." Rose could hear the comforting smile in his voice. "Be there soon."

She hit the disconnect key and leaned heavily against the wall just outside the Doctor's room. Sighing, she pushed away her tears and braced herself to face the Doctor again.

Tugging open the door, Rose found him rooting through the wardrobe. He'd traded his sleepwear for a pair of dark jeans, his chest and feet still bare. Rose felt her self blush slightly, even though he wore no more or less that he had in bed. In her haste she hadn't thought about knocking. If she'd been a few moments earlier, who knew what she would have seen but her imagination could fill in the blanks.

"Jack's on his way," she said partly to cover her embarrassment. "He thinks we should start a medical scan right away."

"Good idea." The Doctor crossed to Rose and stepped into the corridor. After a glance in each direction, he looked to her, a lost expression on his face. "You'll have to lead the way," he said sheepishly.

Entwining her fingers in his, she lead him to the medical bay.