By Any Other Name 6
Series : The Colour of a Rose
Title : By Any Other Name - Briar Rose
Pairing : Master/Rose
Spoiler : thru S3
Disclaimer : Not Mine
Rating : PG
Summary : Set after Doomsday in Pete's world. One may find more than they are looking for, if they only open their eyes.
A/N : I claim all mistakes, and fluffiness. Thanks to the research of
misscam
She woke to moonlight, streaming in through the bay window, bathing the room in it's pale light. Muted shadows blended into the rooms darkness, and for a moment she felt lost in the obscurity of the night. As her eyes adjusted to the dimness the previous days events washed over her, and she had to force herself to sit up, ignoring the overwhelming urge of her body to burrow deeper into the soft covers.
The house was quiet, except for the occasional sounds one tended to only hear in the deep stillness of the night, but were lost in the hum of daylight's waking hours, and she was alone.
Alone to sort through her thoughts, and the baffling torrent of emotions welling inside her. The presence of her host, although welcoming, had brought forth long buried feelings she'd once believed herself incapable of experiencing again.
Was there room in her heart for another? And what about her promise of forever?
Having traveled with the Doctor, she knew deep inside, he'd want only the best for her in life. He would expect her to move on and experience all that life had to offer, not sit around waiting and pining for him. And she had moved on, somewhat. Yet each and every day tended to remind her of what was lost to her forever; and how much she missed that wonderful, and mysterious, time traveler whom had taken her to the stars and beyond. How could she ever hope to fill the empty void left, after she'd been torn from his world, by the universe's idea of a cruel joke.
Tired of sitting in bed, she hobbled over to the window, positioning herself so she could easily look out over the grounds below, while keeping her foot elevated. Gazing out over the darkened landscape, her eyes were drawn upwards towards the moon, where thick clouds were beginning to build around it, slowly strangling the orb's brilliance. She watched, as familiar star patterns were disrupted by the dense blanket moving across the sky, leaving patchwork holes amongst the heavens which soon filled in, as the ominous sounds of distant thunder were heard.
Leaning her forehead against the cool pane of glass, she contemplated the approaching storm, feeling as if it reflected her own inner turmoil. The storm grew closer, seeming to hold her spellbound with it's energy.
The angry mass of surging clouds moved relentlessly onward, herded forward by the winds, now buffeting the silhouetted hedges and trees, depositing their watery burden upon the unsuspecting, splattering against the window and trailing downward in tiny rivulets.
Lightning flashed along the outer fringes, jagged streaks bursting unannounced, illuminating the sky mere fractions of a second before an engulfing gloom smothered the night once more, then broadcast it's presence with a mighty rumble of explosive reverberations rattling the framework and causing the windows to vibrate with it's released fury.
As the tempest roared unceasingly around her, she absentmindedly traced the path of raindrops downward to the sill, then repeated the simple action; a calmness infusing her mind, as she passively watched the chaos beyond her shelter. Her breath created a thin cloud of condensation on the glass, expanding and diminishing, mirroring her emotions.
Unconsciously she'd felt his presence when he entered the room, then saw his outline in the reflected light of the doorway. He moved noiselessly across the floor, shadows playing against his face as the lightning drew nearer, and she froze. No words were spoken as they individually regarded the storm, clinging selfishly to their own thoughts, eyes guarded, yet discreetly observing the other.
He settled warily behind her, the cushion sinking with his weight, as he hesitantly brought his arm forward, in his palm rested the dark shape of a small flower. Another flash of light hinted at a subtle pink tinge on the outer petals, as he held the gift steadily in front of her. His warm breath on her shoulder sent a small shiver through her, as she picked the flower from his hand her fingertips brushed against his palm.
"Beautiful." He murmured.
She delicately stroked a petal, feeling the fragile, whiskery silkiness of the bloom against her skin, as she attempted to remain calm while the inner storm raged. "The flower, or the storm?"
His hand moved upwards, lightly sweeping her hair back exposing her neck to the cool air, and whispered, his words tickling her as he leaned closer. "Neither. Tell me what's on your mind?"
Trembling, she fought to hide the emotions threatening to spill over.
Gently laying his hand on her upper back, he stilled himself as she tensed, unready to let go he silently pleaded with her, willing her to trust him, confide in him, believe in him.
"He's never coming back."
Her voice was soft, almost lost in the outside echoes, and it was then he realized her loss. The depth of pain that haunted her soul, the memory of another he could never replace. And yet he continued to hope, and held onto the tiniest of dreams that just maybe, there was room for another.
He tenderly reached out, embracing and pulling her to him, feeling her relax against his chest as he laid his head against hers. Rocking her quietly in his arms, he held her as they watched the storm abate and the stars once more revealed.
Tucking her into bed, he leaned over the sleeping figure; placed the Briar Rose beside her on the pillow, and kissed her forehead.
"I'll be here," he caressed her cheek with another kiss as he stood to leave. "I'll give you the distant stars."
Title : By Any Other Name - Briar Rose
Pairing : Master/Rose
Spoiler : thru S3
Disclaimer : Not Mine
Rating : PG
Summary : Set after Doomsday in Pete's world. One may find more than they are looking for, if they only open their eyes.
A/N : I claim all mistakes, and fluffiness. Thanks to the research of
misscam
She woke to moonlight, streaming in through the bay window, bathing the room in it's pale light. Muted shadows blended into the rooms darkness, and for a moment she felt lost in the obscurity of the night. As her eyes adjusted to the dimness the previous days events washed over her, and she had to force herself to sit up, ignoring the overwhelming urge of her body to burrow deeper into the soft covers.
The house was quiet, except for the occasional sounds one tended to only hear in the deep stillness of the night, but were lost in the hum of daylight's waking hours, and she was alone.
Alone to sort through her thoughts, and the baffling torrent of emotions welling inside her. The presence of her host, although welcoming, had brought forth long buried feelings she'd once believed herself incapable of experiencing again.
Was there room in her heart for another? And what about her promise of forever?
Having traveled with the Doctor, she knew deep inside, he'd want only the best for her in life. He would expect her to move on and experience all that life had to offer, not sit around waiting and pining for him. And she had moved on, somewhat. Yet each and every day tended to remind her of what was lost to her forever; and how much she missed that wonderful, and mysterious, time traveler whom had taken her to the stars and beyond. How could she ever hope to fill the empty void left, after she'd been torn from his world, by the universe's idea of a cruel joke.
Tired of sitting in bed, she hobbled over to the window, positioning herself so she could easily look out over the grounds below, while keeping her foot elevated. Gazing out over the darkened landscape, her eyes were drawn upwards towards the moon, where thick clouds were beginning to build around it, slowly strangling the orb's brilliance. She watched, as familiar star patterns were disrupted by the dense blanket moving across the sky, leaving patchwork holes amongst the heavens which soon filled in, as the ominous sounds of distant thunder were heard.
Leaning her forehead against the cool pane of glass, she contemplated the approaching storm, feeling as if it reflected her own inner turmoil. The storm grew closer, seeming to hold her spellbound with it's energy.
The angry mass of surging clouds moved relentlessly onward, herded forward by the winds, now buffeting the silhouetted hedges and trees, depositing their watery burden upon the unsuspecting, splattering against the window and trailing downward in tiny rivulets.
Lightning flashed along the outer fringes, jagged streaks bursting unannounced, illuminating the sky mere fractions of a second before an engulfing gloom smothered the night once more, then broadcast it's presence with a mighty rumble of explosive reverberations rattling the framework and causing the windows to vibrate with it's released fury.
As the tempest roared unceasingly around her, she absentmindedly traced the path of raindrops downward to the sill, then repeated the simple action; a calmness infusing her mind, as she passively watched the chaos beyond her shelter. Her breath created a thin cloud of condensation on the glass, expanding and diminishing, mirroring her emotions.
Unconsciously she'd felt his presence when he entered the room, then saw his outline in the reflected light of the doorway. He moved noiselessly across the floor, shadows playing against his face as the lightning drew nearer, and she froze. No words were spoken as they individually regarded the storm, clinging selfishly to their own thoughts, eyes guarded, yet discreetly observing the other.
He settled warily behind her, the cushion sinking with his weight, as he hesitantly brought his arm forward, in his palm rested the dark shape of a small flower. Another flash of light hinted at a subtle pink tinge on the outer petals, as he held the gift steadily in front of her. His warm breath on her shoulder sent a small shiver through her, as she picked the flower from his hand her fingertips brushed against his palm.
"Beautiful." He murmured.
She delicately stroked a petal, feeling the fragile, whiskery silkiness of the bloom against her skin, as she attempted to remain calm while the inner storm raged. "The flower, or the storm?"
His hand moved upwards, lightly sweeping her hair back exposing her neck to the cool air, and whispered, his words tickling her as he leaned closer. "Neither. Tell me what's on your mind?"
Trembling, she fought to hide the emotions threatening to spill over.
Gently laying his hand on her upper back, he stilled himself as she tensed, unready to let go he silently pleaded with her, willing her to trust him, confide in him, believe in him.
"He's never coming back."
Her voice was soft, almost lost in the outside echoes, and it was then he realized her loss. The depth of pain that haunted her soul, the memory of another he could never replace. And yet he continued to hope, and held onto the tiniest of dreams that just maybe, there was room for another.
He tenderly reached out, embracing and pulling her to him, feeling her relax against his chest as he laid his head against hers. Rocking her quietly in his arms, he held her as they watched the storm abate and the stars once more revealed.
Tucking her into bed, he leaned over the sleeping figure; placed the Briar Rose beside her on the pillow, and kissed her forehead.
"I'll be here," he caressed her cheek with another kiss as he stood to leave. "I'll give you the distant stars."