This story takes place just before the ordeal of losing Rose to the void, which afterward the Doctor did not want to continue on living. They were floating about space somewhere, having a right good chat when the Doctor suddenly became very serious. “Oy, what’s gotten into you?” Rose asked curiously, but as soon as she asked he was hopping about the TARDIS like nothing had happened. His mind was set now, “Alright,” she said, “I’ll go along.” She smiled and then they were off to somewhere new.

Shortly after the Doctor had sprung into action, the TARDIS came to a thundering halt. “Well, are you going to tell me just where we are now?” she asked. The Doctor gave her a toothy grin and she couldn’t help but smile back at him, biting her tongue. “We were supposed to go visit my mum,” Rose muttered softly. All he did was smile even brighter, tucking his hands into his pockets. Now he was just being a pain.

“C’mon then, Rose,” he finally said. “Time for a vacation.”

Rose was taken aback by his words and couldn’t seem to wrap her head around it. “A vacation, what the bloody hell are you on about?”

He shook his head and took her hand in his, leading her out of the TARDIS. “Weeeeeeell, I figured you were tired of just floating about and you were probably getting hungry…” He continued on, rambling as he usually did when he was excited about something.

She laughed, “Sure, whatever you want Doctor. I’ll play along.” Deep down the Doctor was everything but okay.

The Doctor lead her along streets filled with creatures from other planets and even some humans. Well she could never really tell, but at least they were human-looking.

“Welcome to Senta, it’s sort of a vacation hub for many species and forms of life. It’s got every climate available as well as all the themed foods. Take your pick, Rose, where do you want to vacation?” He raised an eyebrow as he looked towards her, her hand on his bicep burning through his clothes. “We can go anywhere you like.”

Rose looked up at him and bit her lip in concentration. Where indeed? She took another moment. “I’d like to go to South America; it’s warm and the food is fantastic.”

The Doctor chuckled, shaking his head. “No chips for you, then?” His tone was teasing, and they both laughed. In one swift motion he whisked her off, and after talking to Sentra’s version of a vacation planner, they were ready for the tropical paradise. He had so many things planned and he hoped with both his hearts this went well.

Soon enough they were in there subtropical paradise.

“Doctor, c’mon then, let’s get some sun! Or at least go do something.” Rose flung her arms in the air, exasperated with him. The Doctor sighed. While they were getting all settled for the next couple of days, his nerves had finally set in. The Time Lord composure was wearing down due to the situation; because he and Rose were finally really alone. They weren’t even holding hands, and yet the situation felt more intimate than anything from before.

“Well, what’s gotten into you? Do you not feel well?” Rose crossed the room to the Doctor and put her hand against his forehead.

He stumbled back a bit but then quickly regained himself. “I feel quite fine, thank you.” He smiled at her genuinely, and she took her hand away. He instantly regretted saying that, though. The feel of her skin on his own sent tremors down his spine and made both his hearts flutter simultaneously. He mentally shook it off and held his hand to her. “Shall we be off then?”

Rose’s heart fluttered as she took his hands. They left the small house they were in on the beach and began to walk along the edge of the water, hand in hand, content with where they were and that they were with each other. They walked quietly, not looking at each other, but at their feet, and the air was changed now. It felt as if an electric current was buzzing around them and in through their fingers, making its way to their hearts. The Doctor turned to her. “Rose…I…” He shifted nervously.

Rose’s throat went dry instantly and she felt a flush creep to her cheeks. “Doctor, are you sure you’re well? We could go back to the house if you want?” She furrowed her brow in confusion, and the Doctor stopped them. She looked to the water and watched as the tide came in and then went out, kind of like the Doctor’s mood swings lately.

She looked up at him and that’s when he responded, “Rose Marion Tyler, I think it’s about time that we discuss.. Well, us…” He trailed off, rubbing his neck.

Rose felt her eyes grow wider at his words. “Rose.” He said her name slowly, relishing the way it rolled off his lips.  ”Things are going to be changing; I feel something coming. I…” He stopped short, feeling intense emotion about what he had to say. “I’m afraid that if I don’t use the time I’ve got with you, I’ll regret it until I die.” He dropped her hand and shifted both hands into his pocket nervously, looking down. “Which is why I intend to start using that time now.” He smiled sheepishly.

It happened quickly, before Rose even knew what she was doing. The Doctor was pulled forward by the front of his suit, his eyes widening just a bit. And then it happened, what he had wanted since it first happened the day she looked into the eye of the TARDIS. Their lips were together now, and their eyes closed. They both exhaled the breath they were holding. His arms wrapped possessively around her waist and hers around his neck. The only things they could hear were the waves and their hearts.