"Here we are, the TARDIS has done some redecorating in your honour. I hope you will like it, probably more than the way it used to be, though."

Curiosity risen high, Rose walked past the opened door and eagerly took in the surroundings.

The walls were the same as any other room in the ship, coral studs, hexagonal shapes and walls covered with circles of white light. The grating on the floor however had been covered up by a dark blue pile carpet. There was a walk-in wardrobe on the left, next to a door which Rose assumed probably led to the bathroom.

Feeling a sudden need, she asked: "Where is the water closet? Since you don't have an outdoors, I presume it is somewhere inside?"

"Not to far in the future, all toilets, as they will come to be commonly called, will be indoors. Ours is in there." He pointed towards the door on the left.

Considering the design would probably be different, Rose just a little hesitant walked to it, pointedly ignoring the huge bed in the middle of the room.

Stepping inside the bathroom, her eyes grew wide. An enormous coral tub stood adorned with a shiny golden two handle widespread faucet. Underneath an oval mirror was a lavatory and next to that was the toilet. She walked up to it, biting her lip and contriving whether she should ask the Doctor for an explanation or that she better figure it out herself. She chose the last option.

There was sort of a button in the wall behind the coral coloured sitting element. Rose pressed her thump to it and water began to flow. Surmising that was all there was to it, Rose felt confident enough she could manage.

After taking care of that, she looked about more thoroughly. Examining all the shiny attributes, admiring the design, and finding all the more reason to be thrilled overall. She felt she could not wait to undertake the adventure of taking a bath in here.

Finally realising the Doctor was waiting for her, she hastily exited the room, just a little embarrassed.

Knowing her disposition, the Doctor considerately did not mention her delay. He merely showed her where the trunks had been put and then left her to change.

Rose knew there was no time for her to unwrap all her belongings at the time, so she just picked out a simple nightgown and put it on.

On leaving the private wardrobe, she found the Doctor sitting on the edge of the bed. He had discarded his jacket, vest, tie and shoes and looked absolutely tantalizing. He padded the place next to him and chastely she sat down.

"You look beautiful," he whispered, and took one of her curls between his fingers, caressing her cheek softly.

"I want you to always feel at ease in my presence. You are free to speak your mind about anything, tell me everything you please. I will laugh with you, but I will never laugh at you. You are my equal, not my assistant; my wife, not my servant. When I tell you to do something, you may choose not to. Although it would be wise to follow my instructions when in trouble."

They both laughed at this.

"Now come. There is not much romance to find in what we are about to do, so we will extend the day as far as need be and tomorrow it will still be our wedding night."

"Do we have day and night in the TARDIS? Like on Earth?"

"The TARDIS has her own schedule for things, she pretty much follows the frame that was set when she was built. I have not much use for a particular time frame. However for your benefit the TARDIS will maintain a diurnal cycle, optimalized to your needs. You won't find me sleeping as many hours as you."

"You will not always sleep with me?"

The question was put forth in innocence. When voiced, realisation of the implications dawned and the Doctor smiled affectionately at Rose's abrupt turning away.

He did not answer, he simply turned her face back to him and gently kissed her lips.

Holding hands, they walked to the console room. Both as much at ease as is expected, in view of the intense procedure. Both were barefoot.

Rose sat down on the jump seat, while the Doctor busied himself with setting the controls. She watched him intensely, nothing missed her gaze, except the few movements that were made on the far side of the centre column. He looked up at her from time to time, a reassuring smile spreading on his face, alleviating her distress.

When everything was set according to the TARDIS's instructions, the Doctor took his wife by the hand and positioned them opposite each other next to the console. Rose looked over the middle bit before her, strange objects seemed randomly attached to the rough coral surface. A round ball, made of glass with bubbles inside, a plate with transparent tubes going somewhere, a funny hexagonal pyramid and a whole lot of other odds and ends. The Doctor did not tell what they were and Rose did not ask.

"Now hold on to my hand tightly and the moment she opens, place your hand on the edge, like I will do. She will do the rest."

Rose nodded and took in a deep breath. But before the Doctor could press the last button necessary, Rose pulled him close by the lapels of his shirt and kissed him passionately.

For a moment the Doctor stood overwhelmed, then his hand let go of hers and he pressed her firmly against him. Electricity shook her inner senses, when his hands roamed her back trough the thin fabric of her nightgown. Indulging herself to get lost in his eagerness, Rose moved her hands to the back of his neck and unconsciously increased his fervour. Her fingers kneaded through his hair, leaving it wild and spiked like a madman's. His tongue explored every part of her mouth and Rose was soaring.

Some moment, amidst the blissful sensation, the Doctor managed to press the last button. The console component before them opened up and a blazing golden light engulfed them. Rose felt the loss of one of his hands instantly. She understood and placed her right hand by tough on the edge. His fingers were there, they entwined with hers.

Their lips parted, heads fell back and the last thing Rose remembered was a singing. Ethereal, incomprehensible. Then there was nothing.

Soft, something soft was beneath her, therefore she could not still be in the console room.

Warm, she was encapsulated by something warm and comfortable.

An image appeared in her thoughts, which were hazy by awakening from a deep sleep, it was a golden image. Disturbing in its shape, or yet it should have been. Instead it was soothing, familiar, not to be feared.

"A wolf."

"Can you see it?"

"Is it real?"

"Open your eyes."

The glowing wolf disappeared.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"Ten and a half hours."

Rose blinked.

"Your lips aren't moving."

"Neither are yours."

The Doctor smiled and spoke with words: "You are unguarded now, your mind is wholly open, this will pass in a few moments."

"I am thirsty."

"I reckoned you would be, therefore I brought you breakfast."

Rose sat up and the Doctor carefully placed a tray on her lap. She ate in silence, all the while being affectionately watched by him.

Feeling much more revived after having filled her stomach with his wonderful cooking, Rose glanced around the room.

Seeing her taking in her surroundings, the Doctor said: "She changed the room one day, there used to be just a black lounge, comfortable enough, but I like this way better. I guess that was the first sign she knew you were coming."

"How do you mean?"

"The TARDIS exists in four dimensions. There are times she responds to an event that has not happened to me yet. My feelings of loneliness probably triggered the chain of events that has led us here, now. So she made ready to receive you in style."

"Will I be able to commune with her as well?"

"When you venture a communication, she will understand you. However her own articulation exists on a mathematical level not quite fathomable without a Time Lord brain. In time, you will be able to comprehend the difference in tones and melodies, and thus be able to somewhat understand her. However, she has her own ways to make things clear to those with less perceptive abilities."

Rose thought for a while, then placed her hand on the wall behind her and forwarded a soft single message of gratitude. The Doctor smiled and the hum around them altered pitch for a moment.

A happy squeal of delight escaped Rose's mouth. "She understood me."

When finished with her breakfast, Rose was helped out of bed by the Doctor. Her legs did not yet support her up right and she required his arm. She did not mind.

He helped her towards the bathroom where a warm bath awaited her, fragrant pink bubbles and all.

"Did you bring this about? For me?"

"Of course. I am your husband, I ought to take care of you, after all what I have put you trough, this is the least I can offer."

Rose stood still and made the Doctor to face her.

"You did not force me to act against my wishes. Everything I went trough, I did out of love. If anything, you advised me against the exertion, but I was determinant. You owe me nothing, you gave me everything."

A gentle kiss followed this statement and utterly content Rose afterwards took her bath.

Whilst sitting in the warm water, slowly feeling all the stress of the last couple of days leave her shoulders, Rose became aware of a presence on the edge of her consciousness. There was no question as to whom it concerned. Even beyond the obvious of there being only the two of them inside the enormity of the vessel, Rose knew with every fibre of her body that the presence was that of the Doctor.

He was in the bedroom. She could not hear his distinct thought, however she did feel the emotions that were foremost in his mind and she blushed fervently.

She could tell when he became aware of her perception and with an image of a knock on the door, he requested his entrance. She consented shyly and he walked in.

He sat down on the edge of the bath and did nothing else but look at her.

Biting her lip, Rose sought out her boldness and informed him: "You know, this is all very untowards."

"Why?"

Opening her mouth and closing it again in confusion, Rose had to admit that other than it being simply a thing not done, she could not give a reason.

He smiled. "I will never force you to forgo all the rules of conduct you have learned your whole live. I do request however that they will be brought forth out of a clear reasoning and conviction of your own, not merely because it was done so and so."

"I understand and I agree, but you will have to be patient with me."

"I promise. Do you wish for me to leave?"

"No!" The answer came swiftly and blushing, she grinned.

There was a cheeky twitch by his mouth when the Doctor seemingly unaffected proposed: "I could join you, if you wish."

Rose looked at him with a laugh, not willing to take his suggestion for real. That was, until an image appeared in her head of the two of them.

He held her from behind, his arms wrapped around her, her back pressed against his chest. Their legs entwined, her head against his shoulder and she could feel his-

She closed her eyes when she felt her womb respond to the image, sending flutters throughout her body. Incapable of maintaining her wits, she gasped.

He did not act on his clearly felt desire, merely gazed at the woman blossoming before his eyes. She was his and when she opened her eyes, there was a distinct change in her equilibrium. She heaved heavy sighs and looked at him in shock. Yet her still half closed eyelids also conveyed her arousal and with pleasure he beheld she did not try to conceal it.