Rose couldn't sleep that night. Despite the warmth of the Doctor next to her and knowing that she wouldn't hurt him she still couldn't close her eyes and sleep.

The Doctor lay awake too, unused to actually sleeping. His body ached still from the attack the previous night but it was accompanied by something else. His hearts ached as well because he knew Rose was going through so much pain. He wished he could help her, stop the demons of her nightmares, but he couldn't.

Rose shifted slightly and rolled onto her side looking at the Doctor. His dark brown eyes looked straight back almost questioningly. They didn't say anything, just looked at each other.

After a minute or so, Rose sought out the Doctor's hand. He smiled slightly as he felt her wrap her fingers around his own.

"You ok?" He whispered. Rose nodded, rubbing her thumb over his bruised knuckles. The touch made his hearts flutter and his stomach do back flips. He knew he really shouldn't, but deep down he knew that Rose's feelings for him were reciprocal.

Try as he might he just couldn't help falling for Rose. She was perfect in every way and was so much smarter and braver than anyone else he'd ever travelled with. He also knew though that to get any closer to Rose than he already was, would be dangerous, not only because of what might happen if they got split up one day, but also because of what her emotion creatures might do to him.

Rose sniffed slightly and the Doctor was bought back down the earth with a bump. She looked so beautiful lying with her head on the pillow, her golden hair making a halo. It was all he could do to stop himself kissing her.

Then a horrible thought occurred to him. What if he talked in his sleep? Or worse still what if he kissed her in his sleep? After all, he'd been known to move about on those rare occasions he did actually go to sleep. Glancing up at the ceiling he talked to the TARDIS in his mind, making the Time Ship promise to wake him up if he looked like he was about to do something foolish.

The TARDIS told him that she'd do no such thing, but if Rose looked uncomfortable the TARDIS would protect her.

The Doctor rolled his eyes. Women. Can't live with them, can't live without them. Sometimes he hated them because he loved them so much. The TARDIS for being his oldest companion and Rose for just being Rose.

"Doctor," Rose whispered suddenly making the Doctor look at her silently. "When we get rid of theses nanites can we go somewhere relaxing after?"

"Yeah," the Doctor smiled softly. "Course."

Rose shifted looking at him sleepily. She yawned closing her eyes and gave the Doctor's hand one more fleeting squeeze before finally succumbing to sleep.

The Doctor sighed and closed his own eyes only hoping that they'd make it through the night safely.

Rose slept fitfully, her dreams haunted by small girls and big bad wolves. Somehow Rose knew the wolves were there to help and they kept away the creations of her imagination. It was like a sign and when Rose woke the next morning she contemplated it for a long time.

The Doctor dreamt too, surprisingly, but his were nightmares full of different Rose's all made at him and demanding to leave. Each time he faced he knew situation he felt his hearts break more. When he woke he didn't move from his position for a long time, needing to hold Rose close.

The Doctor had curled himself round Rose's back, one arm wrapped protectively round her waist and though he knew it would probably lead to awkward questions he still didn't move even when Rose woke.

She placed her arm on top of his; the one wrapped round her, and seemed to press herself closer to his body, seeking reassurance from his warmth. The Doctor brushed some of her out of her face, his fingertips tracing along her neckline.

Rose shivered at the touch. It was like an electric current passing through her body. It felt good but at the same time forbidden. She knew the Doctor would never intentionally play off her love for him.

Rose could feel her heart rate speed up and it was a wonder the Doctor didn't notice, though perhaps he couldn't tell over the fast beats of his own two hearts. He sighed, his breath cooling the back of Rose's neck.

Rose closed her eyes, trying to ignore the strong urge to turn round and kiss the Doctor. She took several deep breaths counting to five and trying to calm her heart.

The Doctor could hear her counting under her breath. He knew why and knew he really shouldn't be doing this to her. It was unfair to make her feel this way when they both knew it could never go any further.

"We'll go back to that planet later," the Doctor said quietly. "Get this over and done with."

"Mmm," Rose said, noticing that the Doctor made no move to get up and she didn't either.

"Do you want to say goodbye to your mum first?" The Doctor asked. Rose turned over then to look at him, her face barely an inch from his. She paused for a moment as she lost herself in his chocolate brown eyes, forgetting why exactly she'd turned over.

"Yeah," she whispered. The Doctor reached up a hand and brushed away some stray hair from her face again. She closed her eyes at the touch. He hesitated.

"Oh, Rose," he said sadly. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" She asked opening her eyes again.

"For doing this," he said, retracting his hand. "I'm driving you made with desire and it's so unfair."

Rose smiled slightly.

"I'd rather this than no contact at all," she said quietly.

"But I'm taking advantage," the Doctor said, as Rose sought out his hand under the covers.

"Better that you do this than have me attack you again," she said firmly. The Doctor could see how much pain he was causing her, no matter how much she denied it. He could see it in her eyes and vowed not to let his feeling get the better of him again.

The Doctor opened his mouth to speak but suddenly noticed the scared look on Rose's face. She shrank back wide-eyed staring at a point beyond his shoulder. The Doctor turned and saw nothing then glanced back at Rose.

"It's them again isn't it?" He asked. Rose nodded. This time it wasn't a small girl, it was a tall looming man that looked set to murder the Doctor with just a glare. The Doctor squeezed her hand.

"Rose, look at me," he said and she reluctantly tore her eyes away from the man. "They're only as real as you make them. Ignore them. The more you notice them the more powerful they are, ok?"

Rose nodded, trying not to look at the man, but it was hard when out of the corner of her eye she could see him about to reach out for the Doctor.

"Doctor," she whispered fearfully, looking at the man properly. "He's going to kill you."

The Doctor stared at Rose.

"Stop him then," he said quietly. Rose looked at the Doctor then back at the man.

"I can't," she said.

"You can," the Doctor pressed. "It's your imagination Rose."

Rose tried desperately to think of all the good times she'd had with the Doctor, all the adventure they'd had together, all the time he'd held her hand and hugged her, all the kisses she longed to share with him.

The man shimmered out of existence before it could take another step towards the bed. Rose looked up at the ceiling, trying to swallow the lump rising in her throat.

"S'alright," the Doctor murmured soothingly stretching and getting out of bed. He wandered round to Rose's side of the bed and held a hand out to her. She took it, getting out of bed too.

He gave her a fleeting hug, before leading her by the hand towards the console room. He looked about and then glanced at Rose.

"D'you wanna get changed and say bye to your mum then?" He said yawning. Rose nodded and headed back the way they'd come to get dressed. The Doctor ran a hand through his hair whilst he waited for Rose to return.

When Rose came back the Doctor disappeared to find his own clothes while she went to say goodbye to Jackie. He decided that it'd be better for Rose to do this alone, what with the state she was in.

When he returned to the console room Rose was waiting for him rather tearfully. He studied her carefully, wondering whether she'd had a fight or was just upset about their whole situation.

"Alright?" He asked as he pulled a few levers and set them in motion.

"Yeah," she replied though he knew she was lying. "Always fine me."