The Other Side Of Me

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A/N: Thank you all so very much for the kind words and encouraging praises. It's been a lot of fun sharing this with you!

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Previously, in Chapter Eleven...

"Doctor? Where're you goin'?"

He turned away from her, not knowing if he could say what he wanted to while looking in her eyes. It was the cowards way, he knew. Still ...

"Rose, it's not that I don't want this. It's just that ... I don't know how I'd be able to live without it, once you're gone."

He stared at her bedroom door, keeping his distance. The more distance from her, the better he'd be able to justify his words. He didn't expect the hands that came around his waist, her warm body conforming to his as Rose hugged him from behind.

"Can't we just enjoy the time we do have together?"

Rose didn't hide her disappointment when he pulled away from her again, turning round to face her immediately. He had to make her understand.

He raked his fingers through his hair. "Rose, this can't happen."

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Chapter Twelve

Just the Two Of Us

She stared at him as tears filled her eyes, but made no move towards him. "I thought we were going to discuss this. Not have a one-sided lecture where you'd made all the choices an' decisions for us both."

"Rose - I didn't, I mean, I'm not trying to do that. I just don't want you to get hurt. Don't you see? If we move forward, it's only going to mean more pain for us both in the end."

"So, we should tuck away our feelin's and pretend they never existed? Is that what you really want?"

The Doctor looked down at the floor. "No." He looked up at Rose then, letting her see all the emotions he felt, all shown clearly in his eyes. "You have to understand. Solitude is my penance. It's what I must endure for the things that I've seen. Things that I've done. The times I have lived through and will continue living through are always going to be shrouded with that dark, thunderous cloud."

"You should be able to see the silver linin', Doctor, 'cause it's standin' right in front of you," she replied, her look hopeful and sorrowful all at once.

He stared at Rose intensely as a myriad of feelings poured through his thoughts. Then he stopped thinking, as there was suddenly no thought to his next actions. The Doctor swooped down on Rose, gently holding her face within his hands as he kissed her.

He kissed her passionately and thoroughly, and when the kiss was finally broken, he kissed her nose before pulling away.

"I want you to get some rest," he whispered, his breath touching her lips. "I'll be back later to check on you, all right?" He kissed her on the forehead and turned around, walking out into the hallway.

Rose practically laughed at him as she stepped out of her room as well, making the Doctor turn back around. "What? Are you tryin' to be funny? How'm I s'posed to relax after ... that?" She waved an arm wildly towards her room.

"Rose ..."

This time it was Rose who initiated the kiss, pushing into his personal space and holding onto him fiercely. The kiss was as intense as the first, but this time, when the Doctor separated from Rose, it was with no intentions of finishing the moment. Pushing Rose against the wall beside her bedroom door, his mouth descended on hers, devouring her being as he pressed into her. Chest against chest. Hearts to heart. Bodies molding together and fitting almost perfectly had it not been for the layers of clothing.

When they finally became unattached to simply breathe, the Doctor kept his face mere inches from hers.

"When I said I wanted you to rest, it was no attempt at humor." His voice was low and commanding and Rose could do nothing but give him her undivided attention. He gently tugged her bottom lip with his teeth, then kissed her fully again. It was a while before either came up for air. When they did, Rose was gasping, and the Doctor practically growled.

"I have no intention of causing you any harm, which is why I'm telling you to believe my words when I say this: You. Are. Going. To. Need. To. Rest." Each word was separated by a kiss along her neck. He brought his lips back to hers again and Rose moaned in response. The heat she felt from his words and very promising actions had her blood boiling. When the two finally separated again, the Doctor grinned down upon her. "To bed with you. Alone." he whispered, then turned and walked away.

Rose stared at his retreating form for a moment, her fingers absently rubbing across her lips. When her eyes finally regained focus, she also found her voice.

"How the hell am I s'posed to sleep now?!"

The Doctor stopped once more and turned to face her, a devilish grin on his features. "Why not try a hot bath?"

OoOoO

Rose had to admit it; the bath was wonderfully soothing and calming. She hadn't realized how tense she was until she'd been seated in the tub for about five minutes. It was then that it felt like her body had literally drained all the tension away. And it felt simply divine.

The water's temperature was perfect - steamy warm, but not overly so. And the candles she'd lit only enhanced the spicy floral fragrance from the oils she'd added to the bath. Maybe she would be able to get some rest after all ...

Rose heard the door to the bathroom open, followed by the Doctor's voice.

"Lights low."

He entered the room swiftly, and Rose could barely see the outline of his form when he approached her as her eyes adjusted to the lowered lamps. He wore only a towel, wrapped lowly at his hips.

There were a few candles on the shelves that Rose had lit when she'd started filling her ceramic haven, and now she was more than grateful that she had. The warm light they gave off cast the Doctor in a most surreal glow as he neared her. She straightened, curiosity compelling her to sit up, need begging her to invite him in. But she did not speak. She didn't have to.

Wordlessly, the Doctor dropped the towel at the side of the over-sized bath then stepped into the steaming water. He gently slid in behind her, settling himself smoothly between Rose and the back of the tub.

The thrill of feeling the Doctor at her back had Rose shivering with anticipation. Neither uttered a sound. She simply leaned back, feeling his arms come welcoming around her, hugging her in a loving embrace. Bliss.

He took the sponge from the dish beside him and dipped it into the water, letting it soak in the warm wetness and fragrant oils before removing it. Pulling her hair to the left, the Doctor draped it down toward her chest as he lightly kissed the right side of her neck, then gently nudged her forward. He began washing her shoulders with slow, languid strokes, touching each muscle, leaving no centimeter of skin uncovered. He moved the sponge across her back, down her spine, then back up again, repeating the sensual process all over again.

Rose sighed her contentment. She was extremely nervous, even though she knew she shouldn't be. Still, they were finally beginning the new direction that she'd hoped for, even fantasized about, and to finally have the chance ...

"This is just so you know that I've always got your back," the Doctor whispered, breaking her chain of thought.

Rose giggled, feeling the Doctor's lips smile against the side of her neck.

"That's better. Now just relax," he said, dropping the sponge into the water as his strong hands began a wonderful massage on her shoulders. It wasn't long before he'd moved from her shoulders to down her arms, the oils from the water giving his hands slick mobility as his touch covered her skin, leaving fire in their wake. Up and down. His hands left her body for only a second before he resumed his sweet torture just below her ribs. Waist to hips. His movements were as languid as the water, flowing over her with waves of pleasure.

He brought his hands to her neck and began running his fingers up and down her spine with even strokes, releasing tensions she didn't realize were even there. Oh, he was good. Very good. Especially now, as he began a deep massage just below her shoulder blades.

"Ready to get some sleep?" the Doctor whispered huskily in her left ear, just before licking his way gently down the lobe.

"No," she replied simply.

He reached around and hugged her to him, making Rose gasp as his hands brushed just below her breasts. The moan that escaped him hummed straight into her, vibrating her flesh.

"The water's cooling. We should get out now, don't you think?" he asked, hugging her closer when he felt her shiver. Rose nodded.

She stood up then turned around, letting the Doctor admire her as the water dripped down her body, the light from the candles making her skin sparkle with each drop.

The Doctor admired her for a moment then stood as well, wrapping his arms around her. Ah, there it was: Perfection. Skin to skin, molding perfectly together. It was very obvious that this was what they'd both been wanting.

They stepped out of the tub together and the Doctor grabbed a couple of towels, handing one to Rose. They began drying each other off, toweling down skin with sensual strokes, leaving no inch untouched. Soon they were again wrapped in each other's arms.

"I adore you, Rose. You know that, don't you? I've loved you from the moment I first met you and I will throughout all my lifetimes, I promise you that." He pulled away from her just a little bit, letting her see the truth of his words within his eyes. "And I want you, more than you could ever fathom in a hundred years. It's hard for me to admit how much I have wanted you since the day we met. I'm almost afraid that I won't be able to show you exactly how much I truly feel for you. But I will try."

She smiled at the Time Lord, marveling at the possessiveness his eyes conveyed. She was his. He was hers. He was talking wondrous words of love and passion - and she wanted to match them - to give him memories like he was giving her - words that would last forever for him as his would for her.

"It's like a fire that's been burning for like, forever," she began. "Simmering embers just waiting for a good poke. Wait - that didn't come out right."

The Doctor laughed. Fully, totally, undeniably let go of his inhibitions as he laughed whole-heartedly. He couldn't help it. And it wasn't long before she joined in, amusement overriding her horrid embarrassment from her unintentional pun.

Finally the laughter faded and they hugged once more, content with the feel and touch of each other in the flickering candle light.

When they finally separated, it was only for the Doctor to reach for two robes which he found conveniently draped over hooks on the wall by the door. Slowly he wrapped himself in one, then even more slowly, he wrapped Rose in the other, kissing her softly as he did so.

When the Doctor pulled away from Rose he sighed deeply, as if trying to regain some control.

"Come on then, let's get you in bed." He looked pointedly at her. "To rest."

"Your room or mine?" Rose asked, grinning enticingly as she looked the Doctor in the eye.

"Ours," he answered confidently.

The End.