Domestics and Divisions

OK, so you're getting it a day early 'cause I'm out all day tomorrow. Thanks for the reviews for the last chapter and I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Nothing you might recognise belongs to me.

Part Five: Mark Three

Rose woke up the next morning to find herself still tightly cocooned within the Doctor's arms. She yawned sleepily, smiling slightly at the feeling of protectiveness he emitted before turning her head on the pillow to face him.

"Mmm, morning," she said tiredly,

"Hey beautiful," he replied, looking wide awake. Rose knew he'd probably been awake for hours but hadn't moved in fear of waking her. He leant in for a brief good morning kiss before asking, "Do you have any plans for today?"

"Yeah," she replied, trying to activate her brain, "Me and Kirsty and Lauren are going out baby shopping in the city,"

"I thought babies were given birth to, not bought," the Doctor teased.

Rose feebly hit him and he laughed before turning serious. "Are you doing that this morning?"

"Yeah," she nodded, "Try an' avoid the crowds. Or that's the idea. Why?"

"I want you to do something for me," he replied, "I want you to have a chat with Jack as soon as you get back,"

"Alright," Rose said, her face falling as she remembered her worries, "Doctor, I really want to tell you but…"

The Doctor trailed his fingers through her hair as he spoke, "Tell Jack," he said firmly, "Don't worry about me." His other hand skated up her back to her shoulders and felt her muscles. They were all knotted up. "Come here," he requested, sitting up and getting her to turn her back to him. "Whatever this is, it's really worrying you, isn't it, baby?" he said as he began to massage her shoulders and neck.

Rose nodded, humming slightly as he worked out the tension.

"I'm going to take you away," he decided, "Just for a little while- we'll be back well in time for Kirsty's wedding but I think you need a break,"

"Where?" Rose asked,

"Fancy going to Mark Three again?" the Doctor suggested,

"God, yes!" Rose said excitedly. Mark Three was an independent, human populated relaxation planet that the Doctor had taken her to after their run-in with the Master when she had forgotten everything about the Doctor. It had a spa on it with everything you'd ever want and plenty of places to go and relax. Rose had loved their stay there and had longed to go back, especially as the Doctor had lifelong membership there after saving it from a takeover bid by a huge company.

"Then it's settled," the Doctor said, kissing her shoulder gently, "Tell your friends this morning that we'll be gone for around a month and then we'll go after lunch. Sound OK?"

"Sounds perfect," Rose beamed.

And so it was that at just gone one that afternoon, the TARDIS faded from view in the Powell Estate on its way to Mark Three. Rose had told her friends and mother about their plans and they had been disappointed to hear that they were leaving so soon but understood. They made Rose promise to stay in touch and come back as soon as possible, well in time for the wedding. Rose happily agreed. It would take the entire universe and then some to stop her attending her best friend's wedding.

As soon as the TARDIS trio arrived on Mark Three, they booked into some of the treatments, such as a full body massage and a mud bath, before they relaxed on the grass outside where they had parked the TARDIS.

"So, when your first appointment, Rose?" the Doctor asked from where he was lying down with his lover's head resting on his stomach,

"Tomorrow at eleven," she yawned sleepily in the sunlight, "It's the pedicure that you signed up to too, Jack,"

"Fantastic," Jack grinned, inspecting his hands before looking pointedly at the Doctor,

"Right! Well, enough lazing around!" he said quickly and loudly, "The TARDIS needs some work done to her. See you both later,"

"Bye," his companions chorused: Jack discreetly nodding at him and Rose kissing him.

As the Doctor disappeared inside, Jack rolled over to Rose. "C'mon, honey. Let's get some exercise."

She nodded, suddenly looking woebegone as she stood up. Jack took her hand and they ambled off down a woodland trail close to where the TARDIS was. Neither of them knew the Doctor was watching them on the monitor.

"So, come on, spill," Jack said after a period of silence, "What's troubling my gorgeous best friend?"

Rose sighed, moving closer to his side. "How long have the Doctor and me been going out now, Jack?"

"Five years next month," he answered automatically, "Why?"

"I've been in love with him all that time and more," she muttered, "And I'm not sure it's possible for me to love him anymore than I do,"

"But…?" Jack prompted gently.

Rose stopped and turned to face him, tears in her eyes. "Why won't he ask me to marry him?" she cried out, "Do they just not do marriage on Gallifrey or is it me? Did I do something wrong, Jack? Am I too much of a baby for him to even consider marrying me or does he just not love me anymore?"

"Hey…" Jack whispered, drawing her into a tight hug. A lot of things suddenly made sense. "Rose, listen to me, sweetheart." He cupped her tearstained face in his hands, staring her in the eyes. "You've done nothing wrong. I'm pretty sure you could do no wrong in the Doctor's eyes. He loves you so much, Rose, its plain to see. Do you remember what he was like when we first met him with his big ears and nose?"

Rose nodded, letting out a shaky giggle.

"He was broken back then but you healed him, made him live again. He's told me he can't live without you; you're his shining star; his reason to keep going,"

"But why won't he marry me?" Rose whispered,

"I don't know," Jack admitted, "From what I know about Gallifrey, marriage between Time Lords and other races was banned but since when has the Doctor ever followed those rules?"

"So it's me?" Rose whimpered,

"No!" Jack almost shouted, "I don't honestly know why, Rose. Maybe he's building up to it or maybe he just doesn't believe in marriage. I think… I think you should talk to him about it. He's obviously worried about you,"

"I'm too scared," Rose admitted, "In case he says he doesn't want to,"

"Maybe that's a risk you're gonna have to take," Jack said with a shrug.

She nodded with a sigh, leaning her forehead against his chest. Although the talk hadn't answered her burning question, it had made her feel a little better and she didn't have such a heavy weight on her shoulders anymore. "If he's not gonna marry me, I don't think there's any chance he's gonna want to have a baby with me," she whispered with a sob a few minutes later,

"You want a baby?" Jack questioned gently, despite his shock.

Rose nodded. "I've been feeling broody for a while now," she explained in a whisper, "It's why I blew up so much when Kateri died. But since I got back to London and saw Kirsty was pregnant and spent so much time with her, exclaiming over and buying cute little outfits and stuff, it's just gotten worse. I want a baby with the Doctor so much."

Jack hugged her tightly and pressed a kiss to her hair. "Rose… you need to talk to the Doctor about all of this. You're gonna make yourself sick."

She sighed. "I know," she murmured, "I'll try but I'm just terrified he'll get angry with me for even thinking about marriage and babies,"

"You know he won't," Jack said, "He's rarely angry with you, honey, and when he is, it's over serious things like doing something stupid and then it's only him being overly worried about you."

Rose nodded. She did know that. "I don't even know if we can have a baby, if by some miracle he wants to. I asked him ages ago after that pregnancy scare- d'ya remember, with the Ziola? - and he said there's only a slim chance,"

"A slim chance is better than nothing," Jack said reassuringly before pausing. "Sweetheart," he said, almost awkwardly after a moment, "Just promise me that you won't deliberately get yourself pregnant by not using protection just 'cause you're desperate for a baby,"

"I can't believe you'd think I'd do that!" Rose said loudly, stepping away from him, "I'm not an idiot or selfish like that! I love the Doctor too much to force something on him that I don't even know if he wants!"

"OK, OK!" Jack said, holding his hands up in surrender, "I'm sorry,"

"Whatever," Rose sighed, rubbing her face before walking off down the trail.

"Rose?" Jack said, jogging after her, "You're not in a mood with me now, are you?"

"I just need some time alone," she replied, "I'll see you later." With that, she pushed past him and disappeared into the trees.

Jack sighed, sinking down to sit at the foot of one tree. Something was off with Rose. Her emotions were all over the place lately and that was very unusual for her. She'd rarely fought with Jack before- if they had an argument, they usually sorted it out immediately and ended with a long hug. They didn't just walk away. And then there was Rose being too afraid to tell the Doctor something. What was up with that? She usually told him everything. She knew he'd listen to her problems calmly and talk through them with her and come up with a sensible conclusion even if it was to do with him. He'd done it numerous times before. Jack tilted his head back against the tree and closed his eyes, letting the slanted sunlight bathe his face. He needed a good long think about things and hopefully he'd come up with a solution.

Rose pushed past a bush and smiled slightly when she saw a bench in a little clearing. She sank down onto it gratefully, taking the weight off her aching feet. She'd been wandering around the forest for hours now and the sun was setting in front of her, creating a bloody red glow over everything.

She needed to apologise to Jack for earlier. She didn't know why she brushed him off or yelled at him- it was one of the many odd things she'd been doing lately without understanding why she was doing it. She was so confused. Where was this constant terror that the Doctor didn't love her anymore coming from? She knew he did; he'd told her and shown her enough times but she was still always scared he didn't. She knew she was broody but was that what was making her feel so paranoid?

Suddenly, a high pitched giggle caught her attention and she looked up to see two little children running around together, playing a form of tag. They didn't look older than five and Rose's heart melted to see them. A shadow fell over her and she looked up to see a woman holding a baby.

"Mind if I sit here?" the woman asked,

"Sure," Rose replied, budging up slightly,

"Thanks," the woman smiled, "I can keep an eye on the twins easier from here."

Rose nodded. "Are they yours?"

"Yes. Annie and Patrick, twins of four years old. My little angels," the woman said lovingly.

Rose smiled.

"And this is my little Melanie," the woman continued, gazing down at the tiny bundle in her arms.

Rose took a closer look. "Oh, she's adorable," she said, holding out a finger so the baby could grasp it, "How old is she?"

"Three weeks," her companion said proudly, "We were meant to be coming here so I could have some of the special pregnancy pampering and perhaps give birth but Melanie arrived a little early. But it all turned out fine in the end and now we're all on holiday together as a family."

Rose smiled weakly.

"Do you have any children?" the woman asked interestedly,

"No," Rose sighed, her heart sinking. She'd known that question was coming.

"Married?"

"No. I'm here with my boyfriend of five years and my best friend but I needed some alone time," she explained, not knowing why she was telling this to the woman,

"Ah, five years? Sounds like a very steady relationship," the woman commented, "Reckon he'll be popping the question any time soon?"

Rose winced. Why was fate so cruel to her? "I hope so," she said quietly,

"Well, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you then. I hope he does ask you soon. Marriage is so lovely. I think every couple should get married; it makes your relationship and life so much better, stronger and happier."

Rose nodded silently before a wail rose up from the playing children.

"Oh, I better go," the woman said quickly, "Nice talking to you and good luck!"

"Thanks," Rose whispered as the woman quickly walked off.

She watched her caring for her child that had fallen over, hugging them and kissing their knee better. It brought tears to Rose's eyes. She wanted to be able to do that. She got up suddenly and began running back into the forest, hot tears burning in her eyelids. She could hardly see where she was going and, as a result, crashed into something firm and warm.

"Whoa, Rose!" the Doctor said, steadying her, "You OK? I was wondering where you'd got to. Jack came back without you and said you'd wandered off alone after an argument and quite a number of hours had passed since then so we were worried about you, Jack especially, he's gutted about whatever it is you were… Rose?" He stopped suddenly, before gently grasping her chin and pulling her face up to see his. "Baby, what's wrong?" he asked, seeing that she was silently crying.

Rose shook her head and tried to move away but the Doctor pulled her back into his arms. "Rose?"

"I'm so sick of being jealous," she whispered after a moment,

"Jealous of what?"

"Everyone else having a better life than me."

The Doctor raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong with your life?" he asked, sounding hurt,

"I want what I can't have,"

"Which is?" the Doctor prompted, getting the impression that he was about to find out what was worrying her so much.

Rose sighed, closing her eyes tightly. She gave up; she didn't care anymore. She needed to tell him and then pray he wouldn't hate her. She was fed up of keeping it a secret all the time. She took a deep breath. "I want…" she began before swallowing and starting again, "Doctor, I want to get married and have a baby with you…" She bit her lip, her whole body tense as she awaited his verdict.

Oooh, what's he going to say? Guesses in reviews. The main part of the story begins next chapter. Til next week.

Review please. Constructive criticism is gladly received