A/N: Thank you to everyone who made suggestions about the baby, they were all considered very carefully. But I got this idea when I was in the shower, so I ended up using that, whilst trying to incorporate all suggestions somehow. Also this chapter is completely domestic, I hope nobody minds. Just one little domestic chapter, I couldn't resist.

Anyway, moving on.

Disclaimer: Don't own it, but I can dream.

Chapter Nine.

The Doctor sobbed as he held the tiny wailing baby in his arms. It was so helpless and its pitiful cries made him want to protect it with his life. Nothing would ever touch this child, not whilst he was still around. The moment was extremely tender and poignant as the Doctor held the small child close to him, hearts beating in sync. He noted that the child only had one heart, but that was alright. Time Lords didn't get the second until they'd regenerated for the first time.

Tears fell from his eyes and his emotions were mixed. He cried with grief that this infant was not his, but he also cried with joy that the child was new life, and symbolised a second chance. The Doctor glanced at the umbilical cord still joining infant with mother. The cutting of the cord was the moment that the child was cut loose into the world, fending for itself. There was nothing to keep it alive if the mother deserted it. But that would never happen for this baby, the Doctor vowed. He wouldn't let history repeat itself… This child would not be abandoned the way he had been.

The Doctor cut the cord and held the naked child against his chest, gazing down in wonder. The newborn's face was scrunched up and red in the effort of screaming the disapproval at being disturbed from its warmth. It had been awfully cosy inside the womb, and now it was naked and cold, kicking and hollering at the injustice of it all. The Doctor smiled down at the tot before carefully laying it on the ground and crawling over to the slumbering Rose. He smiled down at her, admiring her golden beauty. She looked exhausted and he gently kissed her forehead before delicately easing his rolled up coat from underneath her head. Crawling back he lifted the infant and wrapped it into the warm fabric, holding it close once again.

"Oh, beautiful baby," he whispered, "I'll give you the life I never had. And that's a promise. You'll never be alone, you precious helpless little thing."

He kissed the child tenderly on the head, his lips lingering on the soft moist skin. It hit him hard then, that this miracle was not his own. The tears came again, flowing freely down his cheeks but he vowed that it would not make a difference. Already he loved this child as though it was his own, and he would always look out for it.

"Oh dear," the Doctor murmured in mild amusement as the baby began to hiccup and the crying gradually diminished. "Someone's getting sleepy, eh? And hungry, no doubt. C'mon, let's wake Mum."

Baby nestled carefully in the crook of his arm the Doctor slithered over to the sleeping form. He nudged her gently, whispering her name and reaching into her land of dreams. Slowly she came to, muttering incomprehensible nonsense and moaning quietly. Her soft brown eyes fluttered open and immediately locked onto the Doctor. The powerful emotions they both felt at that moment were inexplicable and Rose glanced away before spotting the baby snuggled up with the Doctor.

"Oh my God," she whispered, her face going slightly pale. "I almost forgot! I had a baby…"

"Rose Tyler," the Doctor said, shaking his head in amazement. "You forgot that you just gave birth?! I'll never understand you humans."

"Names!" she exclaimed, unsuccessfully attempting to sit up. "I thought maybe Jackie, after my mum."

The Doctor didn't miss the tears forming in her eyes but remained silent.

"Or Gallifreya," she said softly. "I think it's pretty."

"It is pretty," the Doctor said slowly, "but I doubt he'll appreciate a girl's name."

"Oh my God!" Rose squeaked. "So it's a boy?"

The Doctor grinned. "Rose Tyler, meet your son and heir."

"May I hold him?" she whispered and the Doctor obliged immediately. His stomach somersaulted with emotion as he saw mother and son, together. She gazed at the helpless child with such love in her eyes that he was tempted to cry once again. The infant immediately snuggled in closer as though sensing that he was in his mother's arms at last. There were no words that could adequately explain the connection of mother and child, or what the Doctor felt as he watched this. It was incredible, like nothing he'd ever witnessed before and would no doubt never see in the future.

"How about Jack?" Rose said softly, breaking the silence. The Doctor frowned.

"I dunno…"

"What's wrong with Jack?"

"Nothing, if it's his middle name."

"Well what's his first name gonna be?"

"I sort of had this idea…" the Doctor trailed off and looked away.

"What, Doctor?" Rose urged him on.

"I had this idea," he said, swallowing nervously. "I hoped that… Maybe a Gallifreyan name?"

Rose pondered this for a moment. "What, like a title?"

"Eh?"

"Doctor; Master. Like that, y'mean?"

"No!" the Doctor said hurriedly. "No, those are just stupid titles. No, I mean a proper Gallifreyan name."

"Such as?" Rose looked doubtful.

"Well, Rassilon was the founder of Time Lord society," the Doctor suggested.

"Rassilon? No thanks, don't like it."

"Omega?"

"Sounds like a fish supplement."

"Cael?"

"Doesn't feel right."

The baby gave a warning wail, reminding them he was still there and hungry. Rose glared meaningfully at the Doctor and he sighed, turning away to stare pointedly at the dusty ground. Rose lifted her top and unclasped her bra, allowing the child to discover her breast. It was an odd yet wonderful feeling to breastfeed for the first time, and Rose found she rather enjoyed the intimate bond it produced. When her son had at last had his fill she shifted him away, readjusting her bra and top. She laid the infant against her shoulder, gently rubbing his back until he burped.

"He's falling asleep," Rose murmured and the Doctor turned back to face her, sidling over. The child was still snuggled comfortably in the Doctor's coat and he blinked sleepily, eyes a deep intelligent brown.

"You're right," Rose said firmly once the tot was dozing quietly and the Doctor stared at her. "A Gallifreyan name would be good."

"So you're not going to dash down every suggestion I make this time?"

"Sorry, but none of those felt right. I want something that's… perfect, I guess."

"Fair enough. Zayin? Kheth?"

Rose shook her head to both. The Doctor rattled off a list and each one Rose wrinkled her nose at, causing him to almost give up. And then, one idea hit him. Dare he suggest it? He knew that if Rose didn't like this one he'd probably crack. Was it worth the risk?

"Okay, how about…" the Doctor took a deep breath. This was going to be very difficult, as he hadn't said this name aloud for more years than he cared to remember.

"Yes?" Rose smiled encouragingly, seeing he was working up to something important.

"What do you think of… Theta…"

He deliberately avoided eye contact and fiddled with his sleeve, waiting for the pain of hearing his beloved Rose insult his name.

"Theta…" she tested the name thoughtfully and the Doctor looked up, seeing that she was seriously considering it. "That feels… right."

She sounded slightly surprised but grinned at him moments later.

"I like that," she said happily. "It sounds right. What made you think of that? Isn't it Greek?"

The Doctor smirked. "Where do you think the Greeks got their alphabet from? And it's my name."

"Your name?" Rose tried unsuccessfully to hide her shock.

"Theta Sigma. That's my name. Oh, you've no idea how long it's been since anyone has called me that."

"You're sure its okay to use your name for the baby?" Rose asked cautiously and the Doctor grinned.

"Its more than okay Rose," he said, sidling closer and giving her a one-armed hug. "It would be an honour."

"Then that's what we'll call him," she said softly, gazing down at her son. "Theta. Theta Sigma or Theta Tyler?"

The Doctor laughed, a laugh of genuine happiness as he nuzzled Rose's hair. "We've got plenty of time to figure that out. But for now let's just enjoy the moment."

Rose turned her beaming face up to gaze at the Doctor and he felt electricity run through his veins. Before he could stop himself he'd tilted his head and captured Rose's lips with his own. He heard her surprised gasp and thought she was going to pull away, but instead she parted her lips and allowed the Doctor to slip his tongue inside her mouth. And they sat there, on a dark and empty planet, child nestled between them as they kissed. For the time being, all was perfect.

TBC.

A/N: Not over yet, plenty more to come. And the more reviews I get the quicker I write!