The noise and the enticing aromas of the marketplace hit Rose's senses all at once. Oh how she loved coming to markets like this. The merchants and vendors might sell goods other than those she was used to but underneath it all was a basic connection to home; her old existence before taking the Doctors hand and running with him. As she looked around her she could see that no matter what planet, universe or galaxy one was in, the basic principles of a market place never changed. Rose watched with great interest as beings from a multitude of worlds, races and cultures, roamed the colourful vicinity, exchanging currency for the goods they wanted. She never tired of this kind of adventure; The colour, the atmosphere, the occupants of this market place provided her with educational opportunities far beyond her boring old history lessons at school. She soaked up every ounce of the astonishing sight before her, storing it away in her memory for later. Rose was so wrapped up in the spectacle that she started when the Doctor took her hand.
"So am I good or what?" asked the Doctor in a smug tone, knowing full well that Rose was truly impressed.
"Doctor, it is amazing. You have taken me to markets before but this is incredible." Rose's voice could hardly contain the excitement she felt. "Come on, let's go shopping." Despite his audible groan she tightened her grip on his hand and pulled him along with her to visit the nearest vendors stall.
************************************
Nearly two hours later the Doctor wondered what he had let himself in for. He found himself turned into a pack horse, laden down with shopping bags filled with all kinds of treasures from the Gwilgoloth markets. He sighed heavily to himself; served him right for trying to impress his Rose. His Rose? There it was again, that possessiveness whenever he thought about her. He sighed once more, cursing himself for being such a coward when it came to declaring his feelings for Rose. Despite the rumours of slave trading, the truth was that the trip today was his way of showing Rose just how much he appreciated her being with him.
More importantly he wanted to thank her for chasing away the nightmares he had suffered. He could still recall with perfect clarity the first night she had come to him. She had heard his screams, taken him in her arms and soothed him; like a mother does her frightened child. Afterwards Rose had stayed with him. This young human protected him from the monsters lurking in his psyche and so had begun their unorthodox sleeping arrangements.
Rose's sweet laughter permeated his thoughts, returning him to the present moment. She was engaged in a playful conversation with a young male shopkeeper. It appeared to be innocent enough but for some reason the sight of her flirting with someone other than him made his body temperature increase, his hearts beat erratically and his blood boil. He shifted the shopping bags to one hand before storming over to the stall. Grabbing Rose's hand, he roughly pulled her away, and shot a look of pure venom at the young vendor.
"What the hell ... Doctor, what was all that about?" spluttered Rose, desperately trying to keep her balance as he practically dragged her along behind him. He suddenly stopped and she took one ungainly stride and ran right into his back. He turned around to face her, and she gasped as she encountered the full force of his fierce gaze. His eyes, usually ice blue, were dark and stormy. She could not mistake the emotions that waged war upon indecision within those two orbs.
"Doctor..." whispered Rose again as she reached out and placed her hand on his arm. He started at her touch and blinked. In that moment the darkness in his eyes faded and once more the ice blue returned along with his manic smile and good humour.
"Right, now, you got anymore shopping you want to do?" he questioned, trying to sound casual.
Rose however, was not prepared to let what had just happened be forgotten so easily.
"Doctor! That was rude, pulling me away like that. Besides, I was having fun."
The Doctor's playful grin slipped a little. "Yeah well you can flirt with your pretty boys on your own time," he retorted.
"My own time? Doctor, I was being friendly, that's all. I found something really nice that I wanted to get you and was bartering for it when you interrupted."
"Oh, is that what you call what you were doing?" he growled, his smile all but a shadow.
Rose smiled inwardly. The Doctor was jealous; unbelievably, incredibly but definitely jealous. Still that did not mean he got to act like he did.
"You know what Doctor? I think you are jealous." Rose kept her tone light as she continued, "A little bit of green eyed envy there perhaps?"
"Don't be ridiculous Rose. Time Lords do not suffer from jealousy. It's just another of those base stupid feelings that get in the way; along with all that other sentimental emotional crap you humans seem to favour." Gods, was he lying through his teeth about that but he could not let Rose see the full extent of what she did to him.
"Nope, not jealous, just very thirsty. Time Lord me, not a pack mule. It's time to do what I want and I seem to recall that there is a banana milkshake with my name on it." He grabbed Rose's hand again and she had no choice but to follow as he searched for the shop he was after. Any further discussion about his behaviour was clearly terminated.
A few minutes later they reached a quaint looking cafe with the universally recognised ice cream treat signs on the door. The Doctor went to order two of the famous banana milkshakes while Rose grabbed a carafe of water and cups before taking up position, along with their bags, at a table outside. From here she had a commanding view of the population as they wandered through the bazaar. So absolute was her interest, she failed to notice the two humanoid looking men approach from behind her. One of the beings appeared to over balance as they passed her table and he practically fell into her lap.
"Oh! How clumsy of me. I'm so sorry Miss," apologised the alien as he extracted himself from her lap and stood back up. While Rose's attention was diverted the second being swiftly dropped a clear liquid into Rose's water glass before moving in closer to his companion and adding his sincere apologies. Within minutes they continued on their way leaving Rose alone again at the table, sipping her water, oblivious to what had just occurred. Within moments of their departure the Doctor returned wearing a huge grin and carrying two very large milkshakes.
"Right Rose Tyler, you ready for the most pleasurable experience of your life?" he stated.
Rose ever quick on the uptake replied "You are talking about the milkshakes aren't you, Doctor?"
The Doctor, who had been taking a sip of his drink, could not answer her as he choked on his straw at her question.
Rose grinned evilly at him, took a sip of her milkshake and closed her eyes as the flavour burst over her tongue. This was heavenly. It was so good she finished it all within minutes.
"So, what did you think Rose? Is that, or is that not; the best banana milkshake you've ever had? And does it beat chocolate ones?" teased the Doctor.
"Hmm, well I'll grant you it is the best banana shake I've ever had but I think you'll have to go back in there and buy me a chocolate one so I can compare."
"Rose, you greedy girl. You'll spoil your appetite. Whatever would your mother say?"
"Well probably nothing 'cause if you tell her that I'll tell her about our sleeping arrangements. Who do you think would come out best in that discussion," replied Rose in a very smug tone.
"Rose Tyler, you little blackmailer. You know very well I would do anything rather than confront the wrath of your mother." The Doctor sighed, "Fine one chocolate milkshake coming up." Secretly he didn't really mind. He would have gone back for a second banana milkshake anyway but it had been fun bantering with Rose, even though she had won that round.
While he was gone Rose was forming new questions in her mind about the Doctor's earlier behaviour in the market. He had cut her short back there but she was determined to get some answers out of him on his return.
The Doctor appeared with the promised chocolate drink. For all his teasing he truly wanted to please Rose. In truth he would probably do anything just to see her smile. As he handed her the milkshake he got his wish as her megawatt smile touched his heart; that was reward enough for his little errand.
They sat in silence for a brief time before Rose gathered her courage and targeted the Doctor with her questions about his earlier behaviour.
"Doctor, I need to know something. Earlier when I was talking to that boy and you dragged me away; were you angry with me?" she asked him timidly. "I didn't mean to upset you. I still think you were a bit jealous and acted silly but you don't need to be. We're friends you and me. Yeah?"
The Doctor did not answer her straight away. How could he answer that? Friends? Well yes they were: but then a friend does not usually want to take his companion into an alleyway and shag her rotten against a brick wall; or lie her down in the sweet red grass of his TARDIS Gallifreyan room and make love to her. No, he could not give her the full truth but he could convey a small amount: At least let her know how important it was that she be in his life.
"Oh Rose, I am sorry about earlier." Remorse poured from his voice as he continued,. "Look, you were right when you said I was jealous. You know what my nightmares were about. I lost everything when I ended the Time War Rose; my family, my friends, my people ... all gone. My head was so empty; the silence after years of sharing minds with my race was almost unbearable. After the Time War I finally understood what it was to be completely alone and I was terrified. I wandered for years; wallowing in self pity, doing stupid and desperate things, hoping that I might get myself killed ..."
Rose interrupted his explanation with a soft murmur of horror, her eyes glazed with tears. The Doctor felt his hearts ache at her distress. He took Rose's hand and squeezed it, in a comforting manner, before continuing with his story.
"Upsetting as it may sound, I welcomed Death, Rose. It's not easy to kill a Time Lord. We have a special trick which I will tell you about but not right now." He could see her curiosity was aroused at this turn in the conversation but questions about regeneration would have to wait. There were more important things to be said.
"Rose, if being alone was my worst moment then my best was the day I met you. Something about you made me sit up and take notice; your laughter, your view of life and well, your very impressive 'under seven's' gymnastic skills, made me want to jump back into the game again. Rose, I have had companions before. None of them have ever become what I could call a 'best friend' but it is so much more than that. You've got into my head Rose, I don't know how or why; I mean it shouldn't even be possible but you have. The torturous silence I have borne is finally gone, replaced by your shining presence. I am sorry if I'm possessive or over bearing sometimes but I want you to know that is because I am so frightened of losing you; of losing this connection in my mind. I don't want to think of my life without you now that I'm not alone anymore. You're my friend, my best friend, and I need you," he finished brokenly, hot tears falling down his cheeks and splashing against their joined hands.
Rose gently drew him close to her and using her free arm she wrapped it around his neck, letting him cry into her shoulder. She was reminded of the first night she held him after his nightmares; the overwhelming feeling of protection that had engulfed them both. That same emotion swept through her now and she was elated that she could give this larger than life, Time Lord sanctuary. With him in her arms Rose could sense other deeper, underlying emotions, that the Doctor could not yet admit. It did not matter: He had given her all he could manage for now.
Eventually the Doctor calmed and he moved out of the circle of Rose's arms; his eyes glimmering with unspoken gratitude. He grinned at her appreciatively and she happily matched his smile with her own, underlining her reassurance that everything was okay between them.
"I propose a toast Doctor," said Rose as she raised her milkshake in the air. "A toast! To milkshakes, both banana and chocolate, and to being best friends."
"To milkshakes and best friends," repeated the Doctor clinking his glass against Rose's with clear enthusiasm, so much so that half his banana drink ended up all over his jumper and Rose doubled over with laughter.
In another part of the market place, the two humanoid men that Rose had met earlier, were watching the Doctor and Rose. One glanced at a watch-like device on his wrist before speaking quietly to his partner:
"The drug should take effect soon and then she will be ours."