The Colour of a Rose 12
Title : The Colour of a Rose Ch 12 Red pt 3
Rating : pg-13
Pairing : Nine/Rose
Disclaimer : Not mine
Summary : ocean and moonlight, red roses
Previous parts : The Colour of a Rose
A/N : special thanks for the beta work from
commodoreschick
Rose sat in the captain's chair, legs curled underneath her, hands idly turning the bouquet of red roses, her eyes following the delicate patterns of blooms interlaced together, occasionally taking quick glances at the Doctor as he fiddled with the controls on the console. She was unsure if his many adjustments, twists and turns to the numerous dials and switches interspersed along the console accomplished anything other than keeping him preoccupied, as he was definitely not one to sit idle for long. He caught her watching him and flashed her a reassuring smile; feeling suddenly shy, she bit her bottom lip and dropped her gaze again to the floral arrangement.
The TARDIS landed with a soft thud. The Doctor cocked an eyebrow quizzically at the unfamiliar docking, eyes rapidly scanning the monitors, absentmindedly sliding his hand back and forth along the console, seeking any response to his silent question, then broke into a wide grin.
"Right then! Here we are, let's get a move on shall we?" Without waiting for confirmation, he grabbed Rose's empty hand and began pulling her towards the door, unable to contain his enthusiasm. She barely managed to snag her pink hoodie off the rail, still keeping a tight grip on the bouquet while being tugged forward laughingly in the Doctor's wake.
Quickly stepping through the doorway, Rose pitched forward unexpectedly as the ground shifted below her feet. Sand, she thought, struggling to regain her balance, with the Doctor's other arm around encircling her waist and steadying her.
"Thanks."
He nodded in reply, bending to retrieve her dropped jacket, shook it twice then settled it over her shoulders, his arm draped across anchoring it.
Consciously leaning into him, they continued walking across the beach. She welcomed the warmth his body projected in contrast to the cool ocean air mirroring the cloudy, grey sky above. Dark, raging, billowing clouds, clashing and meshing together, converging into indistinct compositions threatening to spill their contents on the unwary, bordered by craggy cliffs towering in majestic solemnity, guardians of isolation, awash with the unrelenting pounding and crashing of the tide. Archaic patterns worn away on the stone faces by the ceaseless battering of breakers throughout time, echoed the endless thundering concussions resonating back and forth within the enclosure.
She had to raise her voice to be heard over the tide's surging onslaught. "Where are we?" Shaking his head in response, he directed her towards a small overhang barely visible in the side of the cliff, camouflaged by shadows in the oncoming darkness. Scrambling over a low rock wall they climbed into the relative shelter offered, the Doctor assisting Rose until they were both sitting comfortably in the natural cavity, Rose leaned back against the Doctor's chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her, chin resting on her shoulder. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, listening to Nature's assault around them, yet enjoying her solitude.
"Lover's Cove."
Rose twisted her head slightly to confirm his sincerity, seeing a far away stare, she relaxed against him once more, silently willing him to continue.
"Legend says a young maiden and youth will be reunited once again when true love finds them."
"What 'appened?" She asked quietly.
"Their parents were opposed to their relationship. They sent the young man off to sea, thinking that by separating the lovers they would be forced to forget about the other. The two vowed no matter what came to pass they would remain true. Three years passed, the young maiden continued her vigil for the ship he sailed on. Her efforts were finally rewarded, only to be cruelly vanquished as she witnessed the ship ripped apart on the shoals."
Rose wrapped her arms around the Doctor's, his tale a melancholy blanket settling around her.
"Climbing down from the cliffs, she went in search of her lover. The ancients used to tell and retell tales of seeing in the ocean's spray a young maiden still questing."
"She just walked into the ocean? No one knows for sure?"
The Doctor's chuckle rumbled in his chest, "It's a tale, Rose. That's why they named this Lover's Cove. It's just an old story." He nuzzled her ear, planting soft kisses against her neck.
She turned into his kisses as he caressed her jawline with his lips and breath. Tentatively, he captured her bottom lip, lightly running his tongue over the soft curves, then began a languorous assault on her mouth. Exploring, tasting, teasing, they indulged in the discovery of their intimacy.
With a last lingering kiss, the Doctor pulled back looking down at the flushed face of his companion. No. She had become more than that to him, no longer just a friend, companion, or plus one. Staring into her eyes, he knew he couldn't fall any further than he already had. He had fallen for Rose. His Rose. His lover.
Wordlessly he stood, pulling her to her feet. Hand in hand, he led her back towards the TARDIS. A full moon pierced the darkness, illuminating a tiny expanse in the blackness surrounding them.
"Wait."
He felt her hand loosen in his and tightened his grip, turning towards her; she stood pointing back along their pockmarked trail. "I left the bouquet." She pleaded, stepping away as he let her go. Turning the familiar key into the lock, he pushed the door open, casually leaned up against the frame, and waited for her return. He heard her approach before he was able to make out her silhouette-- instantly, he was alert and tensed. Something wasn't right.
"Doctor," Rose's excitement was evident in her tone and her eyes as she ran towards him, hair bouncing catching a small bit of moonlight and creating a halo effect. She held her hand out invitingly before reaching him, then urged him into a run as she lead him back towards the beach. Stopping short of the water's edge, she pointed, and the Doctor followed the direction of her finger.
They watched in awed silence as the outline of two figures converged then faded away, a small shape bobbing on the water the only sign of their passing.