John and Marion slowly made their way back to his small, quite study,talking about everything and nothing as they skipped along, the day slowly becoming thick with grey clouds. Walking heavily towards his study to retrieve the books he had 'stolen', they passed the Headmaster as they went by arm in arm. Walking into the large school, they greeted Martha and Jenny kindly as they scrubbed the dirty wooden floors. Martha looked up quickly to greet her Master, a dark glint catching her eyes as she looked up at Marion. "Is everything alright, Martha?" John asked as Marion frowned at Martha's odd behaviour.

"Yes, Mister Smith," Martha nodded as she put her gaze to th floor again, scrubbing in earnest now as Jenny looked at her in a confused manor. The sudden action made Marion frown slightly in curiosity and hurtfulness. She couldn't quite understand the new light Martha was seeing her in. She didn't think she'd done anything to upset the young maid… did she? Maybe it was her new closeness with John? Shaking her head, she and Miser Smith continued up the stairs, Martha watching her again as she disappeared from view.

Marion and John rounded a sharp corner and stepped into his neat study. Taking off his coat and placing it on the nearby rack, he spotted his large collection of Shakespeare books hiding away in the corner. John took the pile and placed it on his desk, his cheeks running a deep red when Marion fingered the small black book that lay flat on his desk. 'The Journal of Impossible things', which the Matron had informed him was to be set back on his desk that afternoon, shone brightly as the light eliminated it, Marion looked down at it in wonder with a shy smile.

John gave a wide grin when she asked to look inside, nodding in earnest when she opened the first page, her eyes widening at the extreme detail of his drawings, followed by the scruffy notes that accompanied them. Secretly, John looked over her shoulder at what she witnessed, hoping very much she would stay interested until the first of many drawings of her caught her eye. He smiled at the thought, and waited as patiently as he could, like a small boy waiting to open a Christmas present.

"These are brilliant, John," Marion muttered in awe as she turned each page over, examining them with the utmost interest, looking over every little detail of each enemy of the 'Doctor'. She frowned at the name. She recognised it strongly and felt... happy when she first came across it. "Really, I've never seen anything like these," she continued. "Sod being a professor, an artist is more appropriate for your talent." She turned another few pages slowly, taking in every tiny little detail or a Dalek or Cyberman or whatever strange creature that showed itself from the man's imagination. She watched in wonder as she looked down at every page, stopping at one that caught her eye immediately.

John felt his heartbeat quicken as she stopped on a page that clearly showed a sketch of herself, much of her hair covering her face. She felt herself blush as she took it in, blushing even further when she saw how beautiful she looked. "You sure I look like that?" she joked as she handed him the book.

"Most defiantly," he smiled broadly, a small redness rushing to his cheeks as she looked down shyly.

Marion shook her head slightly, an itch rushing to her cheek, reminding her of the ugly scar that ran across her face. Suddenly feeling self-conscious and... ashamed, she looked sadly down at the page. "You've made me way too beautiful, I reckon," she said quietly, rubbing her cheek.

Noticing her stiffness, her took her hand away gently, cupping her cheek with his hand and rubbing the edge of the white tissue. "But that's how I see you," he said honestly, finding it increasingly hard to breathe as her eyes snapped up to meet his. Again, she shook her head, more sharply this time as her eyes became more watery. "Women as... scarred as me aren't meant to be beautiful..." she chocked. She emitted a silent gasp as he leant down, brushing his lips with the long, white scar, lingering there for a few brief second. Pulling away slightly, he looked her square in the eyes, as if asking permission.

Slowly, he leant down to Marion's lips, pressing his gently against hers as her breathing increased dramatically. He thumbed her cheek again, pulling away. Opening his eyes slightly, he noticed her cheeks that had grown beat red under his palm. "I've... never..." he stuttered breathlessly. Watching her carefully, he leaned in again, kissing her more firmly this time, but still kept the loving tenderness of his soft lips.

The two stayed like that for a good long while, their mouths moving slowly in sync as Marion brought a hand into his hair as the other wrapped around his shoulder. John, not knowing quite what to do with his own clammy palms, placed them around her middle as he felt the adrenaline rush through his body.

All too soon, the couple broke apart hastily at the rustling of the door handle, Martha bursting in just as the two stepped back. "Martha, what have I told you about entering unannounced?" John fumed as Martha stopped at the sight of them. Her mouth dropped open for a short moment, her expression turning from shook to pain as she eyes the both of them, scurrying out a mere few moments later.

The 'bang!' of the door echoed through the room, leaving the remaining two in a very awkward silence. Marion had her back to him as she looked toward the window, touching her tingling lips every few seconds whilst grinning to herself, John looking down to the fallen journal, which he had dropped when Martha came in. Placing the book back on the desk, he cleared his throat, what he always did when he was about to talk. Marion turned on her heel, watching him expectantly. He fidgeted with his hands for a few seconds before breaking the silence. "Marion..." he stuttered. "I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"You regret it?" Marion cut him off, a hurt and worried expression sketched across her face, replacing the delight and happiness. John didn't seen like the sort of man to kiss and forget.

"No!" John exclaimed, taking a step toward her. "Not at all," he added. Marion gave a sigh of relief, a smile returning to her lips. With extreme shyness, she extended her hands, quickly lacing it with his, himself giving a comforting squeeze. "Good," she said, looking back up at him as she marvelled at how their hands fitted perfectly together; like a puzzle. "Because neither do I," she continued. Reaching up with her free hand, she placed her twitching fingers on the side of his neck, going on her tip toes to plant an innocent, long kiss on his cheek. "See you tonight, John," she promised, stepping down and walking out through the door, leaving the poor man and his jelly like legs to find refuge in a chair, the large pile of Shakespeare books laying quietly on his desk.

A.N: Is it even worth apologizing for the time it took me to write this chapter? Even if it isn't, I am truly sorry. I'm coming up to the final month of my high school life, so I have plenty of revision to do for my exams, so that's taking up much of my time. Also, I've been shitting bricks because I applied for collage not too long ago and just received the letter for my interview. Needless to say, I'm nervous. So again, so very sorry.

Also, as I've come back to this story, I've found that writing it isn't as much fun as it was when I left it off. The concept isn't as exciting for me anymore. I still love the idea of Rose returning some time in season 3/4, so I'll be continuing with the story, just not this arch. Next chapter, which I hope to be uploading in a few days, will contain a summery of what happened in the ball/party, whatever it's called, and it will also have the quick ending of this arch. Sorry for those who wanted to story in detail, I just want to get this one out of the way now.

But for the next bit I'll be doing Rose in the silence of the Library (oneshot), hen I'll be doing another one of Blink (also a oneshot), but requests are good and are always taken. Thanks for sticking with me at this point, guys. I love you :)