amberfocus | Proof Positive (2/3)

amberfocus

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lady_mage

Title: Proof Positive
Author:

amberfocus
Characters/Pairings: Ninth Doctor/Rose Tyler
Genre: Romance
Rating: Adult
Betas:

amyo67,

jeprdyfrndly
Summary: When the crown prince of Ranabella seeks to marry Rose against her will, the Doctor has to find a way out for his companion.

Ch. 1: http://amberfocus.livejournal.com/311825.html

Chapter Two

The ceremony was much like weddings on earth, much like weddings the universe over. Human weddings or not human weddings, there was a pattern that seldom changed. This wedding, a human ceremony, or a mostly human ceremony as Ranabellans had been somewhat altered to survive the excessively hot summers and unbearably freezing cold winters, differed little from what one might have seen on Earth, mid-20th century. So when the High Chancellor actually used a phrase that asked Rose whether or not she would obey the Doctor he wasn’t surprised.

Judging from the shocked, panicked look in Rose’s eyes as they had flown to his, she hadn’t been expecting it. He knew that was one vow she could not make, even under false pretenses. It would be far too obvious to everyone she didn’t mean it and everything they said today had to sound like they meant it. Fortunately for her, he decided to come to her rescue with a wry grin. “Why would she ever start now?” he asked.

The assembled guests roared with laughter, many of the couples looking fondly at each other at his words, this society a bit more modern than its rituals, and the Doctor nodded to the officiant to continue the ceremony without Rose having to vow to do something that in all conscience she could not do. He was relieved, far too relieved, to see she had no trouble at all promising any of the other vows, and was, deep in his hearts, unsurprised that none of it fazed him the least little bit. In fact when the Doctor vowed to cherish her, it was easy. And the way Rose looked at him as he did made him think that she already knew just how much he did. For once that didn’t frighten him.

This was the ultimate in domestic and even though it wasn’t binding, this sort of thing would normally have had him running for the hills. Yet he hadn’t even hesitated when he’d found this was the only way to save Rose from being forced to marry Prince Arnon. He didn’t want to look too closely at that. Looking too closely at that would mean having to admit that those feelings he’d been shoving down for months might have to be dealt with and dealing with them was something he’d been avoiding just fine up until now, thank you.

As most marriages on Ranabella were arranged, they were not asked to vow to love each other. Love in this culture was something that usually came with time, and with the obvious age difference between them, no one would have expected it to be a love match, despite their clear affection for each other. The Doctor was extremely relieved because he thought if he had to tell Rose that he vowed to love her she would see the naked truth in his eyes. It had come to him fully just how much he felt for his Rose when he’d been threatened with losing her to that boy almost-king. Thinking of it now caused him to stumble a bit over the vows he did say. At Rose’s sudden, sure hand on his arm, he steadied and when he looked into her eyes, it felt like all pretenses had been completely stripped away as they stood there so openly before each other.

The High Chancellor finally brought the ceremony to a close with the exchange of simple silver rings the Doctor had found buried in the transdimensional pockets of his leather jacket. By the time they were finally pronounced husband and wife, he had forgotten that most weddings of the human variety ended with the seal of a kiss. This one was no different. “You may now kiss your wife,” he was told and Rose’s gaze leapt to meet his.

He could feel his hearts pounding in a double drumbeat as he leaned in close to her. “We best make it convincing,” he said quietly, so as not to be overheard. She nodded minutely and then his lips brushed gently against hers and his hands settled on her waist, pulling her into him. Her lips were incredibly soft as he brushed against them. He’d only meant to kiss her lightly, but once he’d felt the reciprocal pressure coming from her he couldn’t quite step away. Every cell in his body was urging him to take advantage of this moment, one that might never come again.

Her lips firmed against his and Rose made a tiny noise, barely discernible even to his superior hearing, and he was lost. The sudden desire he had at that noise to taste her sweetness made him lose control of his senses and his tongue darted out to test the seal of her lips. He was shocked when she opened for him without hesitation, as if she wanted this, as if she, too, needed to take advantage of this one moment. Her hands suddenly fisted in his waistcoat, trying to pull him closer, despite there being no space left between them. Her tongue met his and he explored her mouth so slowly, all the time wondering if she’d lost her mind or he’d lost his. He hoped whatever the reason there would be no return to sanity soon as he stroked against her unresisting tongue.

Desire flooded through him as one hand came up to grasp the back of her neck. He ended the kiss only long enough to let her breathe before his mouth found hers again. She whimpered deep in her throat. Her willing tongue, no longer passive, was gliding in lazy circles around his own. He felt himself hardening and was grateful for the voluminous black trousers he wore and the waist coat that was long enough to cover his sudden need. The scent of feminine arousal filled his nostrils and he broke from her in surprise just as the officiant coughed loudly. They stood there staring at each other, Rose’s chest heaving and attracting his eyes as she breathed rapidly, trying to catch her breath. Her lips were bruised and she looked stunned by the effect their sweet union had had on her.

“Blimey,” she whispered. “I’m convinced.”

He smiled, pleased far beyond what he should be with his effect on her. He held his arm out to Rose. She took it, a dazed look still on her face as they walked out of the chamber and across to the banquet hall. He couldn’t help shooting little looks at her throughout the meal, looks that were often met with her own. She was flushed and he had to wonder if it continued down the length of her body.

He forced his attention back on the meal of roast squab, baby tubers, and something that looked like broccoli but tasted like licorice. The food was superb and the wedding bread, something that tasted like coffee cake and took the place of wedding cake here, was broken into small chunks by the Doctor and then carefully fed to each other at the end of the meal. More than once fingers slipped into mouths, and it did absolutely nothing to help with his state of arousal.

There was dancing afterwards and though the custom in the South was that the bride and groom danced with others, in the North it held that they danced with no one but their new mates. The Doctor held firm to that rule, refusing to relinquish Rose to anyone, not even the prince who’d tried to claim a dance with her three times throughout the night. He had angered the boy, he could tell, but he did not care. If all he had with Rose was this one beautiful night of make believe then he wasn’t going to let her go even for a second.

For once she seemed perfectly content to stay in his arms. Her eyes didn’t roam to the various pretty boys throughout the room, she didn’t flirt with anyone over his shoulder, and she didn’t seem to even notice that they weren’t the only ones in there. When he wasn’t holding her too close to do so, she’d look him in the eye with such wonder on her face. He’d smile at her and she’d beam back at him, lighting up the entire room.

It took a while, but eventually the festivities wound down. “Guess it’s time to leave the fairytale then,” he said softly as the prince made an announcement that the celebration was officially over. The look on Rose’s face was so fleeting he almost missed it. She had flashed bitter disappointment before it had been quickly covered with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“Yeah, all right,” she said. There was no disguising the hurt in her voice, though she tried to mask it. Did she really want this; really want him, this grumpy, battle-scarred old man? Was it even possible? Hope flared in him, but he pushed down hard on it and all of the other feelings that had been bubbling up in him all night. He didn’t dare touch the light that was Rose Tyler for fear of forever dimming her spirit.

“Back to the TARDIS, then?” she asked.

“Yeah,” said the Doctor with a sigh. “We should get changed. I’ll meet you outside your bed chamber.”

“Doctor, Rose.” The voice behind them belonged to Queen Ninaty. Rose gave her a polite curtsey and the Doctor gave a partial bow. “If you’ll come this way to sign the marriage contract.”

“Marriage contract?” Rose asked in a startled voice.

“Of course. Surely they have them in the North? No wedding is binding on Ranabella without the papers to prove it.”

“Oh, yes, of course,” said the Doctor. “Come on, Rose, let’s go make this official,” he said taking her hand and swinging it between them. They followed behind the queen, letting her get a fair start on them. “Still not binding, Rose,” he said softly. “It’s under duress.”

She nodded. “Yeah, whatever.” He cast a worried look in her direction, wishing desperately for the sparkle that had been with her all night to return.

Once in the office they signed the contract and had it witnessed and notarized. They were given a copy of the document and then offered wine. It was tradition to drink upon signing the contract. Rose downed hers so fast and clunked it down on the table, he’d barely had time to blink.

“Someone’s an eager bride,” the queen remarked with a grin. Rose clenched her fists but said nothing.

“Okay, Rose,” said the Doctor when he’d finished his glass. “Let’s just collect our clothes and we can be on our way.”

“No,” said a new voice. They whirled around. Prince Arnon. “There is one more step that must be taken to make this wedding binding.” His voice was mocking and Rose stiffened. Even the Doctor tensed. “You must consummate the marriage. Only then may you leave the court.” The Doctor tensed beside Rose. He knew. He knew this wasn’t a real marriage and he was still trying to get Rose. “Of course we’ll require proof.”

“Well, you sure as hell aren’t watching!” snapped Rose, fury filling her small frame.

The queen smiled darkly at the pair. “No, of course not. But proof will be given nonetheless. Emond will be by in the morning to collect your bed linens. They will be tested for evidence of your union.”

“Eww,” said Rose.

“If there has been one, you’ll be free to leave. Otherwise…” The queen waved her hand towards her son.

“If the marriage is not consummated within twenty-four hours of the ceremony, I may break it and take Rose for my bride,” the prince continued.

“Like hell you well,” Rose snapped, eyes flashing fire.

The prince’s eyes narrowed. “Kindly remember to whom you are speaking,” he said in a dangerous voice.

“Kindly remember that this is my wife you are speaking to,” the Doctor said, his voice even darker than the prince’s, “and not a member of your kingdom that you can coerce. And that as easily as I saved your planet, I can reverse my actions.”

“You will not,” snapped the prince.

“Don’t test me, lad. Rose will never be your wife. She is mine and she will stay mine.” The ice in the Doctor’s voice made Rose shiver beside him.

Rose squeezed the Doctor’s hand tightly. “It’s okay, Doctor. We can spend the night and be on our way come morning. We’ll be free to leave then.”

“As long as you bed her,” Arnon said with a smirk.

“Oh, he will,” said Rose furiously. She cast a highly calculated look of adoration at the Doctor. “Often and well.” The prince turned bright red, whether in embarrassment or rage it was hard to tell, but rage was much more likely.

“A new bed chamber has been prepared for you. You will find your belongings there,” said the queen. She gestured to a steward. “Emond will take you there.”

They followed the steward down the hall. “The nerve of them!” Rose said. “That’s disgusting. I feel violated just thinking about it.”

Emond led them up a stone staircase to the second floor and waited for them to enter the room. He shut the door behind them and they heard the snick of a lock being put into place. The Doctor locked it from the inside, sealing it with the sonic screwdriver. He had as much wish to keep anyone out as the royals might have to keep them in.

The room was beautiful, adorned in draperies and a duvet that were a rich lapis lazuli. The bed itself had a wooden headboard and footboard, intricately carved with grapes and vines, and stained a deep mahogany. Tall pillars rose from each corner to a high canopy from which gossamer fabric floated downwards, stirring lightly in the breeze from the open window. The room smelled lovely, a tall vase of white flowers strewing its scent about like confetti. Petals from the same white flowers littered the duvet.

“It’s beautiful,” said Rose.

It was. Under different circumstances this room would be a romantic place for newlyweds to make love for the first time. But these were not different circumstances and the Doctor would not be coerced by a teenage boy into something like this. Nor would he allow Rose to be. Something that meant this much would not happen at someone else’s contrivance.

The Doctor strode to the window and glanced outside. He could just see the TARDIS on the edge of the orchard, hidden from view unless you were looking at it from above. Rose sat down on the bed, sinking into the plush mattress. The Doctor threw open the shutters and looked out the window. “No bars,” he said. “They must think being on the second floor is deterrent enough.”

“What are we going to do, Doctor?” Rose asked, a tremendous yawn issuing forth as she spoke. “Sorry,” she apologized. “I’m suddenly exhausted. Long day.” He nodded absently at her, his gaze remaining on the courtyard below. “Doctor, I asked you a question.”

“Hmm?”

“What are we going to do? They’re gonna come in the morning and if we haven’t… I mean, can you even?” she asked.

“Can I what?”

Rose yawned again. “Make love to me? I mean, not make love to me. Make love to anyone. Or anyone human. I mean, do you have the parts?” Rose babbled nervously and he turned to face her. “They’d fit and all, right?”

“Rest assured, Rose Tyler, that if I wanted to make love to you right now, it would be entirely possible.” Rose flushed under his gaze.

He sighed and turned back to the window. “Get changed, Rose,” he said. “We’re going to make a break for it, soon as I figure out the timing on the guards.”

“Yeah, okay,” she said. He turned back to the window, silently keeping time in his head as he watched the march of the guards about the castle.

Ch. 3: http://amberfocus.livejournal.com/314812.html

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

othermewriter.livejournal.com

Oh this should be interesting. I can't wait to see how they finally figure out it out and get to where they belong. :) Here is hoping you post more sooon!

From:

Not Rose-Colored Glasses

Proof Positive (2/3)

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