Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Doctor Who franchise. It's owners know who they are and I can't take that away (no matter how much I want to).

Here is a new story that I've been working on and am enjoying writing very much. Though it is a bit of a Christmas story, I hope you all enjoy it. Slightly cliffhanger ending.

Rose Tyler shook her head in annoyance as she followed her mother around the gigantic living room checking things off on a list as the woman stated what was finished and what still needed to be done for their big Christmas party.

"And the dessert table is over there. There now isn't that wonderful," Jackie Tyler said putting her hands on her hips and nodding her blonde head.

"Mum, I really have to go and get ready," Rose said pointing to the nearby stairs, "You know how long it takes..."

"What?" the distracted woman asked, sniffing a rose in a vase.

"I need to go-"

"Of course dear, no need to say anything else. I'll send the girls up to help and-"

"Mum I'm twenty-two years old and I think I can do this on my own by now. I don't need hairdressers or any of the staff to help me."

A phone rang somewhere in the distance and Jackie walked off to see who it was. When it was clear that her mum wasn't coming back, Rose loudly made her way up the stairs to her old bedroom from when they first arrived. Turning on her lamp, Rose collapsed onto her bed and stared up at the purple ceiling. Bringing her hands behind her head she simply lay there before finally building up the energy to get up and begin the long process of looking perfect (or close to it) for the party. It was going to be her first proper Christmas with the (human) Doctor and it had taken her ages to find the perfect something to give him. It was a long and difficult search as there wasn't really much she could buy for him because, really, what do you give a man who has seen just about everything the universe had to offer? At least twice at that! After much soul searching she finally came to a conclusion and she really hoped he would like it.

The Doctor stared at his reflection in the mirror trying to remember why he agreed to wear a tux when previously he was so against it. Remembering all the alien and robot attacks while in it brought it all back and he nodded, running his hands through his hair trying to make it look right. Right being equivalent to messy of course.

Tonight was the annual Tyler Family Christmas Party and Rose had invited him to come since they were co-workers and he was lonely. Oh, and they were friends...

The Doctor finally after months and months felt like he was completely assimilated to this human world. He had friends, he had co-workers, he had an apartment all his own. Rose and the Doctor often laughed over lunches about the next step being the frightful mortgage. The memory of their most recent conversation on the subject brought a smile to his face.

Looking around the apartment one last time, the Doctor grabbed his keys and went out the door. A second or two later, he popped back in, grabbed his gift for Rose and left again.

The guests were arriving and the Doctor waited his turn entering the house like everyone else. Everyone looked just so posh and rich it made him very uncomfortable. Of course he was technically a lord his own just without any of his species perks. Like the whole 'lack of proper death' part.

Finally arriving at the door, the butler allowed him inside after the Doctor showed his invitation. The Doctor smiled at him and offered a Happy Christmas but received no reply.

"Right then," the Doctor said scratching his head and stepping to his left, searching the room for anyone he recognized.

"Well you're here early then," a voice said behind him. It was Jackie Tyler with Pete by her side, dressed to the nines. She stood to her highest and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Well I didn't really have reason to dawdle. Happy Christmas."

"Happy Christmas Doctor," Pete said shaking his hand.

Jackie smiled and nodded her head to the stairs while winking. "Rose should be down in a mo. Always going to the last minute that girl. If you'll excuse us we've got more guests to welcome."

And with that Jackie wrapped her arm around Pete's and the two walked away together. The Doctor stood in the middle of the room as people walked around him when suddenly a pair of hands covered his eyes.

"Guess who?" a lady with a Londoner's accent whispered in his ear.

The Doctor moved away and took in the sight of Rose. If there was one thing he could say then it was most definitely that she resembled a rose tonight. She was wearing a very beautiful floor-length, off the shoulder red gown and matching shoes. Her hair was done up in an elegant knot and her makeup was simply skin-toned with bright red lipstick. She hadn't even bothered with jewelry.

"Do you like it?" she asked doing a little twirl for him.

The Doctor needed to swallow and try to catch his breath; he felt as though he might lose consciousness otherwise. "You look gorgeous," he said before kissing her on the cheek.

He extended his own arm to her and the two walked off in the direction of the punch bowl. "Going for the fancy tonight?" the Doctor asked handing her a cup.

"Well, it just sort of felt right you know. It being the holidays and all."

"Of course."

The two lapsed into an unusual silence.

"I see you're in a tux again. Don't think there's going to be any attacks?" Rose asked with a grin.

The Doctor chuckled softly. "I doubt it. I'm almost sure that this might actually be a normal Christmas holiday and we'll all simply be back to work in two days."

"Well good then, I suppose. To normal holidays," Rose said raising her glass.

The Doctor gave her a lopsided grin. "To normal holidays."

They both drank just as someone walked into the Doctor causing him to dribble a bit on his collar.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, let me help you with that," a woman's voice said from his left.

"No, it's all right." The Doctor turned to tell her to stop her when he stopped in his tracks. "Sarah Jane?"

Thank you for reading. Another new chapter will hopefully be here soon. More characters to come.