In Your Dreams
By Sonic Jules

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Previously, in chapter five...

The Doctor continued speaking to Rose through the barrier.

"Sometimes the urge to use telepathic means is too strong - the need too desperate - and that's what happened with you. I heard you call my name in your sleep that first time, and there was so much passion - so much need - in your voice, I couldn't stop myself. And, the reason I couldn't stop myself was because I feel all that for you."

He sighed again and twisted until he could rest his palm on the door. "I really do love you, you know."

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Chapter Six:
Intimately Yours

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Rose rounded the corner, a mug of tea in one hand and three biscuits in the other. The Doctor dropped his hand and turned toward her, looking at her feet. No longer bare, they were covered with comical slippers of lavender fluff and ears sticking up. Rabbits, he realized. Poofy purple bunnies.

He stood quickly, looking uncomfortable as Rose continued to stand where she'd stopped, staring at him.

"I, um, I thought you were in your room."

"Gathered that," she replied, looking at him with wide eyes as she stood perfectly still.

The Doctor squirmed a bit, his eyes wandering up and down the corridor. Finally he looked at Rose again, shoulders slumping with defeat.

"I'll just ..." He pointed down the hall, stepping away from her door, intent on walking in that direction. "Go."

"Wait," Rose spoke quietly before he could pass her. She closed her eyes as if drawing her courage from some internal reserve. "Did you mean it?"

The Time Lord stared at her for a few seconds, then scratched absently at the back of his neck. "Mean what, exactly?"

Her eyes shrank into little slits for a moment, challenging him. Then just as quickly, they were normal again as a sigh escaped her lips. "Never mind." She walked past him to her bedroom door.

The Doctor stepped away but suddenly turned around, pulling her right shoulder so that Rose would face him. The action was spur of the moment, causing the liquid within her mug to stream across her arm and his as the cup fell.

Instead of yelling at him or complaining about her spilled tea, Rose simply looked at him, waiting.

"I meant it," he said sincerely.

"Ah," she acknowledged.

"'Ah'? That's it?" he questioned, genuinely confused.

"What do you want me to say?" she asked.

The Doctor stared at Rose for a moment. "That you won't ask me to take you home. That even though my methods are truly questionable, you'll allow me the chance to prove to you that the intent was worth the deeds done." He placed his other hand on her left shoulder. "That you'll forgive me, given time," he spoke softly.

They stared at one another for many moments before the cookies fell forgotten from her left hand and she reached for him, hugging him closely as his arms wrapped around her.

"I forgave you already," she spoke into his collar.

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Wrapped limbs tangled and stuck to one another with sweat, but both were too content to worry over it and move. Rose lay on her back and the Doctor draped himself partially across her, his head lying on her chest as his breath tickled her stomach.

"Well?" the Doctor asked, his eyes closing as Rose combed his hair with her fingers and lightly massaged his scalp. "Aren't you going to say it?"

"Say what?" she asked absently, lids half closed as she continued adoring him with her digits.

"You know."

"No, I don't. What?"

His eyes opened as he lifted his head to look at her curiously. "Nothing good comes to mind?" he asked quietly.

"Oh, you want your ego stroked, is that it? Want me to tell you how great you are in bed, how talented you are, and how my body's still all tingly from the way you worked it, yeah?"

"Well, it's a start, I suppose." He dropped his head back down and released a quiet, pitiful little sigh.

Suddenly the Time Lord sat up. "Seriously, though. Nothing else comes to mind?" His eyebrows furrowed, reflecting his worry while his lips pouted slightly.

"Wouldn't mind another round of what just happened." Rose smiled mischievously.

"Of course you wouldn't," he replied smugly, running a hand through his hair absently before meeting her eyes.

"You all right?" she asked.

"Yep!" he replied with forced cheer. "Hungry?"

"Famished," she answered.

"What would you like?" he began, standing up and grabbing his robe as he walked across the room. He covered his body quickly, tying the sash a little too tightly as his sudden uneasiness filled the room. Then he was heading toward the door.

"You," she answered simply.

"Yes, well, that's all fine and dandy, good even. Brilliant, actually." He grasped the door handle and swung the barrier open as he stepped through the doorway. "But we should probably eat. Enjoy some nourishment and -"

"I love you too, Doctor," she interrupted, knowing she had pushed a little too hard, making him wait far longer than necessary to hear the words he most wanted to hear.

The Time Lord stopped moving abruptly, his rigid body softening as her words hit home. He turned around then, his eyes full of hope as they met hers.

"Really?"

"God, you can be so thick sometimes. Yes, 'really'. How could you not know?"

"I suppose, after everything that's happened, and what I've done to get us here ..." His words trailed off as he stepped back into the room, closing the door softly behind him.

"Your methods were underhanded and you're still not off the hook, Doctor. But I've loved you for an awful long time - still do - so, I suppose you'll just have to keep tryin' to make it up to me." She grinned widely, her curved eyebrows arching invitingly.

He was on top of her instantly, barely letting Rose catch her breath as he swooped in on her, snogging her soundly. When he finally released her from the kiss, both were breathless.

"I will make it up to you," he spoke between the soft kisses he placed along her face.

"I know," Rose whispered.

"Still hungry?" he asked with a mischievous smile.

"Oh yeah," she replied, then set about proving it with a devouring kiss.

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The End.

This story was originally written for the fantastic Teaspoon and an Open Mind site under the pen name of The Doctors Jules.

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