[She'll even push herself up off the floor and to her feet for this so that she can bump his shoulder with hers and grin at him, the tip of her tongue between her teeth.] Got in the box with you, didn't I?

[Cue complete mollification. All the way back over to near smugness, even.] Yes you did. Took two asks though.

[Oh she likes smug Doctor much better than she does doubting Doctor. It suits him better.] Had to worry 'bout how Mickey'd fare without me. Second time you asked, I decided he'd learn to make it without me.

[And then she pauses, trying to decide if she wants to know the answer to a question she's wanted to ask before.] You don't usually ask twice?

[He would consider commenting on the speed at which she'd come to that conclusion, but he's happy it's the one she made so he doesn't feel the need to call attention to that aspect.

Instead he also pauses momentarily before replying.] Well, most people are impressed enough with the first go 'round that I don't have to do it a second time.

[Rose bites her bottom lip, trying to decide just how honest to be with him] That was sorta the problem, you know? You were...you [And it's clear from the look on her face that impressive and amazing doesn't cover it] And I was just me. The blonde girl that drops out of school to hang 'round with a musician bloke and folds shirts at Henrik's.

[And then she finds everywhere to look except at the Doctor's eyes.]

[He looks at her for a few moments, weighing things and considering what to say, because that wasn't where he was expecting things to go either. After that, he reaches out for her hand.] And save the world.

[She puts her hand in his, fingers curling against his and squeezing tight for a moment before she looks up at him with a smile.]

Thought it might be braggin' to mention that part.

[It's something that's never really come up. They didn't talk about her before him. Just her with him. And Rose Tyler with the Doctor is fantastic. Brilliant even. Rose Tyler before him was something else entirely. He made her brilliant. She'd told Donna that once.]

Well, maybe, but a little bragging is allowed, I think, do it as many times as you have.

[He obviously thought she was always amazing, otherwise he wouldn't have asked to begin with. But, it's difficult to phrase that.]

Yeah? I'll keep it in mind. [She swings their hands gently between them.]

[That is one of the things he doesn't actually have to explain to her. She might not have thought she was amazing before him and she might not, even now, understand why he thinks she's amazing, but he did ask her to come with him. it's one of the reasons she loves him: the way he sees her.]

Good. Always good for a bit of a pick-me-up. 'Oh, damn I've dropped my ice cream, but, I did save the universe that one time..' [Pause.] Well, maybe something with different scales, but the point still stands. [Hands. Hands are always a good thing.]

[It gets a smile out of her none the less or maybe that's the hand holding and swinging thing.]

We should have something to eat. They have chips here? Then maybe ice cream.

Brilliant idea; chips and ice cream. I'm starving - all this flat hunting really wears a body out.

[She squeezes his hand and looks over her shoulder at their flat.] Who knew bein' domestic would be hard work? ,small>[It's said in a teasing tone of voice.]

[He snorts his laughter and starts heading out to find these food things.] Why d'you think I avoided it so long?

Think we'll manage it together though. Split the work. [As they head out, she threads her fingers with his.]