When You Have Only One Lifetime

Part Four

by

Sabrina Lonewalker

That night was one Darick would never forget for as long as he lived. He was pacing the large bedroom, nervous, scared, he wasn't sure just what he was feeling in that moment. Rose was in the dressing room and it took all of his considerable willpower to not peek at what she was doing. All he had on was a pair of trousers as he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the dressing table mirror.

He stopped to really look at himself for once. He liked what he saw and realized he may look like the Doctor but, he finally was his own man. Then, he heard the door open behind him. He turned...and simply stared. "Rose, you, you look..." He simply had no words to describe how she looked to him. She was giggling and then she walked over to him and looked up.

"You like what you see?" She looked up at him through those devastating eyelashes of hers and his heart skipped a few beats. Then, his arms slid around her waist. "Oh yeah," he said with a huge grin. Then his eyebrows rose as she began working on his belt buckle and before he knew it, they were in bed together.

Rose looked up into those brown eyes and saw hesitation and even fear. "What is it, Darick?" He looked away and she made him look back at her. "Tell me," she said softly. His voice wavered, "I...I've never..." Rose's eyes widened as she realized what he was trying to say to her. "You mean that this body is..." He nodded and she knew, he was afraid, afraid of disappointing her.

"Darick, I love you...you! I chose you. You could never disappointment me unless you stopped being you. I'll let you in on a little secret." Her laugh was nervous and she whispered in his ear, "I haven't either." His eyes widened when he looked at her and then, she kissed him and nothing else mattered. They taught each other and found their own way that night.

It was the most beautiful sound in the world to him hearing Rose's sighs and moans as he claimed the woman he loved. When she whispered his name, it just made things so much better. Finally, they fell asleep in each others arms, bodies so closely intwined that they were almost one.

He woke up first, not that it was unusual but this time, his eyes opened but he didn't move from the bed. He laid there with Rose resting against him and realized why his twin had slept for the minimum number of hours necessary. He had no reason to linger. The only other time he had lingered in bed was when he had Grace. His heart contracted then and a small sob escaped him.

Rose was awake and looked into his face. She saw the pain and sorrow in those expressive eyes. "Darick?" He looked at her apologitically, "I'm sorry, this is our time but..." His face trailed off. Rose was quiet then, she whispered one word, "Grace?" He nodded, "I can remember how he/we loved her so much and then we were so empty till you."

Rose nodded, letting him talk. She knew what Grace had been to his eighth incarnation. She wasn't jealous of Grace Holloway, in fact, she found herself grateful to the beautiful Doctor. If Grace hadn't shown him he could love again, he probably would never have fallen in love with her. She knew how he had loved Grace and she also knew he needed to talk. She also realized how selfish she would be if she allowed herself to become jealous of a memory.

Finally, Darick was silent and Rose looked at him, "You ok?" He looked into her eyes and nodded, "Yes, as long as I have you with me." She smiled, "We are in this together." She leaned down and kissed him. He smiled as his arms slid around her. "Yes, together and this time, it is forever." He pulled her to him and kissed her.

End Part Four