Chapter 5

"Rose!" The Doctor chirped loudly as he entered Rose's room without knocking. Rose was lying on her side, facing away from the Doctor. He grinned at the sight and snuck forward. He sat on the bed and leaned over Rose's sleeping form.

"Rose." He repeated in a softer, gentler whisper as he carefully brushed to the side a few of her blonde strand that had fallen into her face. She stirred slightly but didn't wake. Even with early morning bed head, the Doctor couldn't help but classify her as one of the more beautiful sights he'd seen. "Rose, wake up."

"Mmmm." She mumbled in her sleep. The Doctor looked at the clock on her bedside table. It was still early enough that Jackie wouldn't be up yet and wouldn't stick her head in the door on them. He leaned over closer to her and brushed the tip of his nose along her jaw. She smiled in her sleep and the Doctor took this as a positive affirmation to continue. He pressed a light kiss to her neck.

"Merry Christmas, Rosie." He whispered into her ear before kissing her earlobe gently. She smiled for a second before rolling over on to her back, beginning to wake up. The Doctor quickly stole a chaste kiss from her pink and rosy lips. Then he pulled back just as quickly, unsure whether he was ready to handle her reaction, good or bad, if she caught him. Rose yawn and stirred. Seconds later, her eyes fluttered open.

"Doctor?" She whispered, confused at the Timelord hovering inches above her, grinning like a madman.

"Hello."

"Hello." Rose smiled up at him.

"Merry Christmas." Her eyes lit up in recognition. She sat up and pushed the Doctor out of the way. He fell backwards off the bed onto the floor in a heap of pinstriped arms and legs. She swung her legs out from under her covers and sped out of her room. The Doctor jumped up and followed her. He founded her banging on her mother's bedroom door.

"Mum!" She hollered. "Wake up! It's Christmas morning!" There was a loud thump! and a few minutes later a disheveled looking Jackie flung open the door.

"Merry Christmas, love." She said giving Rose a hug. "Morning, Doctor." She nodded over Rose's shoulder at him.

"Morning, Jackie." He replied with a smile.

"I'm going to go make tea." She disappeared into the kitchen, then called back, "Rose, darling, call Mickey and tell him to come over and we can open the gifts." Rose whipped out her cell phone and two and a half hours later they were all gathered around the Christmas tree and Mickey was opening the last gift.

"Wow!" Mickey sat holding a 6 foot long stripped scarf. "A really, really long scarf. Thanks Doctor. It's just what I needed?"

"Great! I knew you'd love it." The Doctor replied, oblivious to Mickey's 'is he serious?' look he sent Rose.

"Is that the last one?" Jackie asked cleaning up some wrapping paper.

"Yep. I think that's about it." The Doctor drawled, standing up and walking over towards the Christmas tree. "Wait! What's this?" He gasped, reaching into the branches and pulling out something shiny.

"What is it?" Rose asked sounding awe-struck, her eyes wide, hypnotized by the delicate silver chain and heart shaped locket.

"Well it appears to be a necklace."

"But who's it for?" Jackie squealed. The Doctor sat down next to Rose on the couch.

"Well, I don't know, but I believe there is an inscription on the back there." He said handing Rose the locket. "Rose, would you do us the honor?" She raised an eyebrow and blushed, but nodded and started reading.

"Rose Tyler," She could practically hear the Doctor dictating it, "Thank you for being my plus one. Love from, the Doctor."

"Aw!" Jackie squealed.

"Open it up." The Doctor whispered and Rose clicked it open. Inside it there where two pictures. The first picture was of the Doctor, his former self, and Rose. The second picture was the same, only after his regeration. Rose grinned.

"Yeah, 'aw' pretty much sums it up." She said as the Doctor took the necklace out of her hands.

"Hold up you hair." She did, and he carefully clasped it. It fell into place, the locket resting against the center of her breastbone, just above the top of her shirt collar. "Do you like it?" He asked hopefully. She nodded.

"I love it. She leaned over and kissed the Doctor on his cheek. He turned pink and grinned happily. Then a thought occurred to Mickey.

"Hold on. Did that come from the shop we blew up?"

Author's Note: Happy Belated V-day. As your gift, some fluffy kisses that your guys have been begging for. =P