Title: Third Wheel

Author: Dendera

Summary: Mickey isn't sure what to make of Rose's new fixation with a mysterious, brooding Time Lord. Missing Scene, set in between the episodes "The End of the World" and "The Unquiet Dead".

Author's Notes: The Doctor, sadly, does not belong to me; however, this story does. Please do not alter or redistribute it without my permission.

The familiar whirring sound was always there at the back of his mind, but this time, unlike the countless others, he was sure that he was actually hearing it. No, positive.

"Oi!" He called to his mates, "Justa minute! Lemme listen!" Their chuckles trailed off into murmuring silence, and if they looked shocked by his abruptness, he didn't notice. Mickey was off and sprinting; his running, by now, a reflex.

He followed the sound to the same vacant street, shuffling his feet anxiously, and watching for the manifestation of a certain blue box. He was not disappointed. The air crackled and shimmered, and the TARDIS appeared; a triumphant deus ex machina. It was perhaps a full half-minute before the master of the device poked his head out of the door, wrinkling his nose.

He favored Mickey with the briefest of glances, "Oh, it's you."

Mickey scowled. "Of course it's me! Where's Rose?"

"Here," she replied casually, following the Doctor out onto the pavement. She stretched her arms above her head and breathed in deeply. "Oooh, feels nice to have a bit of fresh air."

Her companion gave her a look. "What're you talking about? We just had a whole world of fresh air on Chi Shih 5."

She smiled fondly, "I meant Earth air."

The Time Lord shook his head, "There's no pleasing you humans."

Mickey cleared his throat, feeling uncomfortable. The sound seemed to wrench the two from their affectionate exchange, and Rose appeared to finally notice him for the first time.

"Hey you," she walked towards him. "Everythin' alright?"

Mickey folded his arms, suddenly and inexplicably put off. "Yeh, s'fine." He searched her face, his voice dropping, softening. "Missed you though. You stayin' this time? For a while at least?" He knew her answer even before the words left his mouth.

The Doctor muttered something about being "right back" and left them, rolling his eyes. Rose glanced at him from over her shoulder, watching as his leather jacket disappeared around the corner. When she returned her attention to Mickey, he could see the guilt and longing at war in her features.

"Actually," she began, tucking a blond strand behind her ear, "we're just makin' a quick stop. I wanted to check up on mum and grab some fresh clothes..." She seemed to note the disappointment in his face, "And see you too."

"Right." He hadn't meant to sound so sullen. "You know, Jackie's been havin' a hard time with all a'this." He wasn't sure what he meant by it or if it even had the desired affect.

A contrite expression rippled across her face, and she began to fidget, playing with her hair. "I know s'not easy for her, but it's somethin' I need to do. I hope she understands."

"Yeh," he looked down at his feet, "we try. It's not easy waitin'...But, I will, you know." He could hear the hopeful undercurrent in his own voice. "Wait, I mean."

"I know." He felt a sudden warmth as she linked her arm with his. She cocked her head to the side, looking adorable and ever so Rose-like. "Hungry?"

He couldn't help but smile. "I guess."

"I'm dying for some proper chips," she told him, giving his arm a squeeze. "Know what? I'll even buy."