More than words

You don't have to say you love me

Chapter 14 You don't have to say you love me

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You don't have to say you love me
Just be close at hand
You don't have to stay forever
I will understand
Believe me, believe me
I can't help but love you
But believe me
I'll never tie you down

~Dusty Springfield

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"It's time." The Doctor said to Rose as he studied the scanner, Muse's 'Supermassive Black Hole' playing around them as Amy and Rory were playing darts.

"You sure?" Rose stood up from the jump seat to stand beside him.

"Yes," He clenched his jaws as he swung the scanner towards her so she could see, and he watched as her eyes roamed over the information until she let out a deep sigh.

"I hope we did the right thing not telling her." She glanced over at the happy pair.

The Doctor didn't answer her, instead he switched off the scanner and the music in one move and turned to the unsuspecting couple with a plastered on smile and clapped his hands together. "Who wants fish 'n' chips?" He asked them and Rory raised his hand. "I'll drop you both off. Take your time. Don't rush."

"Uh..." Rory frowned. "And you?" He glanced between both of them.

"We have things to do," The Doctor waved him off. "Things involving... other things."

"Doctor," Amy raised an eyebrow at him as she leaned against the railing, a smirk plastered on her face. "If you two want some time alone, you can just say so." She winked conspiratorially.

"What?" He looked at the redhead for a few seconds before her words sunk in. "No. Amy..." Whatever reply he was about to give was forgotten as the TARDIS started to shake violently, sending him hurtling forwards and it took all his effort to stay on his feet. "Solar Tsunami!" He yelled over the cloister bells, slowly making his way back to the console. "Came directly from your sun. A tidal wave of radiation. Big, big, big!"

"Ohh," Rory grunted, hands on his stomach as he toppled forward a bit. "Doctor, my tummy's going funny."

"Yeah," Rose used one hand to cover her mouth. "Mine too."

"Well," He grimaced at them apologetically, using the console to hold his balance. "The gyros as dissipated. Target-tracking is out." He pulled down one lever, hoping to ease their comfort, but it didn't work. "No use." He shook his head at Rose. "Assume the positions!" He called out.

With a scream, Amy threw herself at one of the jump seats, her hands over her head while Rory knelt down on the floor, he too covering his head. Rose meanwhile, looked at the two with an odd expression before turning to the Doctor questioningly, holding on to the console with one hand just as he did.

He ignored her imploring look and just gave her a half-hearted shrug as the TARDIS suddenly stopped.

"Textbook landing." He exclaimed happily, releasing his grip and swaggering off towards the doors, ignoring Amy's piercing glare. "Behold!" He exclaimed, hands in the air as the other three gathered around him. "A cockerel. Love a cockerel. And..." He drew out the word, making a quick check around him to get the right bearings, using all his available senses. "Underneath, a monastery, 13th century."

"Oh," Amy said with an appreciative nod. "We've gone all medieval."

"I'm not so sure about that." Rory shook his head.