Support Stacie Fic: Once Upon A Blue Dress - Chapter 2
Title: Once Upon A Blue Dress
Author: janna_hawkins
Beta: danaems
Summary: Oh, fantastic, his mind said and he couldn't decide whether it was sarcastic or not...
Characters: Ninth Doctor, Rose Tyler
Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Doctor Who except my psychic paper, sonic screwdriver and sonic pen :)
Author Notes: Don't have much to say about this chapter except that I think I maybe went a bit overboard with the Firefly references. Sorry! Hope you like it anyway :)
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"And that's when he finally figured out what I had known all along: the evil dictatress only did what she had because it was the only way to get the attention of the man she loved! Needless to say, we soon put that right by deposing her and sending her and the guy she loved to another planet. Last I heard they've got six children and co-write self-help books for couples!"
The Doctor stopped short as he heard Rose's voice coming from the center of a large group of men who were now laughing at what she had just said. Well, isn't this fantastic, his mind said snidely. Rose has the attention of every bloke in the vicinity. So much for this being an outing just for the two of you. "Shut up," he muttered. He had nearly decided to go in after her when one of the pretty boys asked Rose to dance.
"Why, of course, Malcolm."
A moment later Rose and a handsome, very well dressed, slightly older man emerged from the crowd and swept onto the dance floor. The Doctor frowned as the music changed to a slow waltz and "Malcolm" moved closer to Rose than was proper for this planet.
It took all of his willpower not to race into the twirling couples and rip Rose away from the upstart. How dare that over-privileged git dance so close and touch his Rose that way...wait. When did she become 'his' Rose? Besides, when did this bother him so much? There'd been other men who had flirted with her, Jack being one of them, but he'd not felt like tearing apart the potential suitors. Of course, he'd not felt like this about Rose. Oh, Rassilon help him, he'd fallen for her. If his people could see him now they'd...well, most likely banish him again.
After what seemed like an eternity, the song ended and Rose walked over with Malcolm in tow. "Oh! Hello, Doctor! Are you having fun?"
"Oh, yes, having a fantastic time. And you?"
"Oh, I'm having a blast! Malcolm here just promised me a tour of the gardens. He says they have some flowers here that only bloom when the moons are completely dark!"
"I see," the Doctor replied, giving the other man a measuring look.
The dark-haired man smiled back coolly and offered his hand. "Lord Malcolm. Miss Rose here is quite a lovely young lady."
"She is at that," the Doctor replied, unwillingly shaking the other man's hand.
"Certainly one of the most beautiful ladies here. Excepting my own wife, of course."
"Ah, so you're married? Does your wife mind that you're dancing with other women?"
"Of course not. I don't mind when she dances with other men. We both know that we're the only ones for each other however."
"Of course. True love and all that."
"Certainly. Please tell me you believe in true love."
"Well, yes, I do."
"Really? Then, what's stopping you?"
The Doctor stared at the man. "Would you mind repeating that?"
"I apologize. I merely meant..."
"I know what you meant. I'd just like to know why you said it."
Rose frowned. "Is something wrong, Doctor?"
"Oh, no, nothing at all. You two go have a great time. I'll just be here eating strawberries off the refreshment table."
"If you mind us going..."
"Rose, can we just go? The moons won't be entirely dark for long and your guardian said that he'd be fine."
"Oh, he's not my guardian, Malcolm. He's my boyfr...I mean…just my friend."
The Doctor's eyes narrowed at Rose's near slip up. "I'm your what?"
"What do you mean?"
"Rose."
"I don't know, alright? Can you just not push?"
"Whatever," Malcolm said after a few moments of silence. "I'll see you around, Rose. Oh, Inara, darling! Want to dance?" The man headed back into the crowd, leaving the Doctor and Rose staring at each other.
"Rose, is there something you want to tell me?"
"I..." Rose began, but trailed off when the Doctor gently took her hand.
He slowly led her from the crowded ballroom and back into the gardens. Once they were alone, he let go of her hand and turned away. "Tell me, Rose, what did you nearly call me in there?"
"I...boyfriend, alright? I almost called you my boyfriend."
"Really? Why is that?"
"Well...because."
"That's not an answer. There has to be a reason, Rose."
"Why is this so important to you?" she snapped.
He turned with a smile. "Because, Rose Tyler, I really don't mind if you do call me that."
"What? But I thought..."
"You thought what? That I was an emotionless alien? I'm pretty sure you're thinking of Spock, although he wasn't so much emotionless as much as he kept his emotions in check. Plenty of emotion in here and trust me, they're not in check," he replied, tapping his temple.
"Then, why didn't you say something before now?"
He thought for a moment. "I suppose because I was...afraid? A little afraid that you'd…well…reject me right away. I mean I'm not exactly Mr. Mickey or any of those pretty boys you always seem to go for."
"And you think I'd care about that? Why, you self-conscious alien git."
"Oi!" The Doctor took a step back as Rose seemed to frighteningly turn into her mother, hard slap and all.
"Do you have any idea how long I've wanted to tell you I love you, but was waiting for you to make the first move?! Since Ten bloody Downing Street when you had Mickey launch that missile at us! And by the way, I've loved you since you took my hand in that Cardiff cellar!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, really. So don't you think for a minute that I'd reject you!"
There really wasn't much need for words after that, but the Doctor had one last thing to say. Just three little words.