Rose laid in the Doctors arms for a long time, and now that she had a functioning brain again she was worried. He hadn't said anything in some time, though he also hadn't pulled away. One made her impossibly nervous, the other helped to reassure her.

Maybe he wouldn't hold this against her. It wasn't just her after all.

"Suppose we should join them for dinner," the Doctor's voice finally melted over her.

He didn't give any indication of what he was feeling by his words or tone. He was so good at hiding what was within, but right now it seemed way worse than before.

She wanted so much for them to return to normal, if he wanted to forget this then she could try. They could just blame it on the wolves inside them.

But she didn't think she could stand it if he told her he wanted her to go home now. It might actually kill her to be so far from him.

Even with his words he waited until she moved first before he climbed out of the bed, and she made a strong point not to look at his naked form. After what they just did it seemed stupid but she didn't want to cause any farther issues. Maybe if she could brush it off he would be able to as well.

She sat still, listening to him pull on his armor, hearing the leather as it was pulled back up. She thought of how when something was really bothering him he would wrap it around him, almost like it could be enough to protect his hearts.

She hoped he wasn't doing that now.

"Rose?"

He said it softly, with more than a hint of gentleness. She didn't respond- she couldn't. She knew that this was the exact opposite of how she should be acting if she was trying to act like what they just did was nothing, but she couldn't help it.

He moved to the bed, and she risked a glance at him. The coat was on, but it hung loosely, his hearts open to her.

"What is it, love?"

Love? That was new.

She refused to look at him, tears forming in her eyes. What was wrong with her? She was stronger than this.

He reached out, using his cool fingers to gently pull her face towards his. His brow creased in thought. She braced herself for something, for him to call her a stupid ape, anything that would confirm her fears. Instead he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

He didn't try to deepen it, just let them linger. He was waiting on her to make a move she realized but wasn't able to.

He leaned back, and gave her a tiny smile. "It's usually works best when you kiss me back, love."

He swallowed thickly, and she wondered if he was worried about what she thought as well. "Doctor, do you regret it?"

He shook his head at once. "Rose," he inhaled as if he was trying to breathe in courage, and continued, "I can't say that it wasn't the wolf that pushed me to do it, but it wasn't something I didn't want to do. I have made a million reasons why you off limits but I don't think I can go back now. Is that what you want?"

To answer she leaned in, taking her time to kiss him thoroughly. When they finally parted he gave her a kiss on the forehead and instructed her to get dressed.

He went into their bathroom to do something, and she dressed. She knew that they hadn't said I love you, but she wondered if that mattered. She thought right now she would be best to accept what he was willing to give.

He clearly cared about her, and if that was all it could ever be, she would try to let that be enough.

They made their way downstairs, and though she wanted to ask him again how they were going to get to the TARDIS she felt like the words were being blocked. Maybe it was the wolf, maybe she just didn't want this to end.

If they had forever, if they didn't fix this, would he want to spend it with her? To her she really thought forever with the Doctor was worth a change. She could be a member of the Dark; she didn't mind the wolf so much right now.

If they kept up the physical aspect of the relationship they were going to have to have a talk about if they were compatible. She didn't think any part Time Lord- part human- part Dark babies would be good for them right now.

They made it downstairs just as the table was being set. Amber looked at Rose and cheered, "You completed the bond!"

Roe blushed, but she didn't think it was as badly as the Doctor did when Abe clapped him on the back and told him well done.

Well, that didn't leave much room for privacy it seemed. Hopefully that brief moment would be the only mention of what they had done.

Rose wasn't ashamed but that didn't mean she was interested in sharing it with these near strangers.

Fortunately the rest of the meal was mostly quiet. The Doctor asked a few questions about the Dark, which Abe answered eagerly. He seemed to take the Doctors questions as a concession to the change.

Rose ate her fair share, and felt so tired once again. She could hardly keep her eyes open. She heard the Doctor chuckle next to her, and felt the Doctor lift her.

He carried her up the stairs, but instead of just dropping her off, he sat with her for a while. He looked so tired too, but he seemed to be making a point of not laying down.

She didn't think he had slept last night, after the whole issue, but this didn't look like a normal tired. She wondered if something was in the food, but she couldn't get her mouth to express that concern.

"I'm going to try to get the TARDIS," he told her, kissing her head.

He was leaning hard, and she didn't think he would be able to take even a couple of steps. She raised her arms pulling her to him, and he didn't fight her. She thought he might have fallen asleep even before she did.