She stopped dead, body immediately jerking round so that they stood facing one another, barely ten feet apart. Her jaw had practically dropped to the floor, and the Doctor was just about to make another comment about fly catching when she recovered herself and closed it again. It didn't stay closed for long though.

"What did you just say Doctor?"

"Who, me?" he said, looking the picture of innocence, "I didn't say anything. The stresses of packing eh? Must really be getting to you if you've started hearing things. Why not take a break for a bit, have a nice cup of tea? I'm sure your shoes won't object to staying in the closet a bit longer."

She took a couple of tentative steps towards him, peering closely at his face as though trying to read her thoughts. He tugged nervously at his tie. He hated being looked at like that; it made him feel distinctly underdressed.

"Did you just say you love me Doctor?"

"You didn't believe the fib about hearing things then? Shame, I thought it was quite good myself."

He glanced hastily around the room as though he was looking for something, although Rose had no idea what it was. She was just about to ask when-

"There's no one else in the room with us either" he muttered "Typical! Oh well then, the truth it is I guess. I put my hands up Miss Tyler; I did just say I love you. Now, off you go, we both have plenty to do. You still haven't sorted your shoes, and I need to set the TARDIS on course for London, 2006."

Rose stood right in the doorway as he tried to make his way through, blocking off his only exit.

"Rose, would you be so good as to move please? I'm afraid I can't get through with you stood there, and you really do need to see to your shoes you know."

"Will you stop going on about my blooming shoes! I don't care about my shoes, you can throw them out for all I care, I'll go barefoot-"

"Not a good idea, there's all sorts on those pavements round your area. Would hate to think what you might end up catching, doing that."

"DOCTOR!"

He clutched his hands to his ears, which were ringing, so loud was Rose's shout.

"That's much better" she said, taking a firm hold of his shoulder and steering him none too gently back over to his bed, "silence. Keep it like that for a few minutes, will you? It's my turn to talk now, and you're gonna listen to me, alright?"

He sunk heavily back down on to the bed, nodding furiously.

"Right, okay then…" she took a deep breath, as though steeling herself up for something she was going to find particularly difficult. She paced up and down in front of him, clenching and unclenching her shaking fists. He sat watching her expectantly, waiting for her to speak. No words came out.

"Rose?" he questioned tentatively after a few minutes of almost unbearable silence.

"The thing is Doctor; I don't want you to be lonely any more. That's why you can forget taking me home. I'm not leaving you here alone, thinking that there's no one in this universe that can love you, because I do. I can't lose you and I won't. You're my Doctor, no one else's, ever. There, I've said it."

It was his turn to impersonate a goldfish. He really should have expected that kind of response from her, but he hadn't. He had never expected anyone to tell him that they loved him. He took it as a given that he was meant to remain unloved. He had no idea how to respond to that. He finally settled on a quiet "oh."

"Is that all you want to say Doctor? I tell you I love you, and all you can say is oh? What does that mean, oh?"

He ran his fingers roughly through his hair, and Rose knew he was on edge. He only did that when he was nervous, or having to think. She didn't know what there was to think about. It was simple really; she loved him, he loved her. Simple.

"Could you give me some time please Rose?" he asked quietly, pleadingly, "I need to figure some things out, alone, if you wouldn't mind."

She had never heard him speak like that before. It startled her, but only for a moment.

"Of course Doctor. You still want me to pack?"

"No Rose, you can leave that for now. I don't think I'll be taking you back just yet."

She managed to maintain her serious expression, but inside she was dancing. She just wished he was too. But then she remembered her Doctor didn't dance.

"You take as much time as you need. I'll be in the kitchen making a cuppa if you want me, alright?"

She leant over and pressed her lips lightly against his cheek, just for a moment. Then she was gone, and he was alone with only the demons in his head for company.

Can she really love you Doctor, or is she confusing love for pity? I would pity you if I were her. You're the only one left. She can never take away your loneliness can she? Pitiful creature aren't you?

"I think that's enough time alone for now" he said brightly to the room at large, pulling himself to his feet.

"Rose!" he called, "can you make that two teas please?"

A/N: I have been totally overwhelmed by the response to this story, so thank you all. I hope you continue to enjoy, please let me know what you're thinking. This chapter is a tad shorter than the others, but I wanted to cut it off where it is because I didn't want to get in to the heavy stuff so near the end of the chapter. It's been hinted at in the Doctor's thoughts at the end, but there will be more angst (and romance of course) to come!

Hope to hear from you, thanks for reading!

Until next time……….

SmileyHalo