Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who.

Promises

"One wrong move and she snaps like a promise," Blon had said.

The Doctor had only been able to stare in horror as Rose's life was in danger once more because of him. But then he'd tricked Blon, and saved Rose. So why didn't he feel better about it?

Probably because she'd been hurt. As the Doctor stared at the bruises on Rose's neck, he felt overcome by grief. Not hours before, he'd been jealous as he watched Rose go off with Mickey, but she'd be safer with him, at least. The Doctor could never promise her a normal life, could never even promise that she'd always be safe. His hand clenched around his sonic screwdriver.

"Doctor?" Rose's voice called to him, but he couldn't shake himself from the guilt. Then, her hand touched his, gently easing his painful grip on the sonic, and he looked up into her eyes.

"Are you all right? You were starin' at me."

"I'm fine, Rose. But you…"

"I'm all right, Doctor. Just a few bruises."

"You shouldn't…You shouldn't have bruises, Rose," he said as he moved his finger to gently trace over the marks on her neck. She shivered, and he drew back hastily.

"I'm sorry, Rose."

He lifted the sonic to her neck, and began healing the bruises. She shivered again, but this time he saw her grimace in pain. He placed a steadying hand on the back of her neck, gently stroking her skin in comfort, and this time there was no mistaking her shiver for one of pain. As the sonic did its work, the Doctor stroked his fingers in a gentle rhythm over the back of her neck and her shoulders. He was trying to soothe the hurt, to distract her from the pain, but he couldn't help but feel awe that she reacted like this to him. To him. With this daft old face.

When the sonic had healed all her bruises, he moved his fingers to the front of her neck, feeling the softness of her skin under his. Rose released a breathy sigh, and the Doctor pulled away.

"No, wait," she said, grasping his hand in hers. "Don't stop. It feels nice."

"Rose," he protested.

"Please, Doctor. I'm still a little sore, except when you touch me." Rose knew she sounded needy, but after the day she'd had, she needed this, needed him, if only he'd let her.

"Oh, Rose."

The Doctor sighed, but cautiously moved his hand back to her neck gently stroking the skin once more, but this time trailing his fingers up to cup her face in his calloused palm. He left his hand there for a moment, stroking her cheek with his thumb. She leaned into his hand, and he leaned down and placed a soft kiss to her forehead.

That move, innocent though it had been, was his undoing. Unable to resist now, he drew his lips gently over her eyelids. When had she closed her eyes? Moving his lips over her cheeks, he knew he should stop, but he couldn't. She was so precious, and she didn't even know it. As his lips stopped just beside hers, he took a deep breath, and Rose's scent filled his lungs. Wrapping his arms around her back, he felt hers slide around his waist and his lips touched hers, softly at first, then more urgently. He loved her, he knew, but he couldn't say it yet. Words were so binding, and if he lost her…

Her tongue slipped out to join his. When had his sought permission to join hers? He couldn't remember. All he knew was how right she felt in his arms, how wonderful her hands felt in his cropped hair, how right his hands felt, for the first time in a long time, as they spanned her waist.

When he drew back so she could breathe, he fully expected a reproach, but she was beaming. He opened his mouth to speak, but she leaned forward and swallowed his words with her lips.

He couldn't promise that she'd always be safe. He couldn't promise that he could give her a better life. But he could promise that she could stay with him until she decided to leave. He could promise her all that he had to give until that time. And that was one promise he intended to keep.