A/N: First chapter, yay!


Chapter 1

Rose Tyler glanced around wearily at the bustling shoppers as she folded oxfords into a pile. The holiday rush was in full force and people were maxing out their credit cards left and right as they strove to find that perfect Christmas gift. Henrik's was usually busy this time of the season but the week of Christmas was always the worst and unfortunately this year, due to various circumstances, the staff in certain departments had been significantly depleted. Her close friend and co-worker Shireen had decided to visit her family for the holidays so she had taken her lunch break a little early in order to pick up a few things she needed before she left town, leaving Rose to man their section alone and she still wasn't back yet. Luckily, Rose mused, there didn't seem to be much of a demand on menswear this year.

The tinkling of a bell pulled her from her thoughts and she looked up to see a woman standing at the register.

"Be right with you ma'am." she called out as she finished folding the last shirt and set it on top of the pile. As she stepped up to the checkout counter, Shireen arrived looking somewhat out of breath.

"I've got this." The blonde told her as she stuffed her bag under the counter and moved to take over ringing up the woman. "Sarah Jane needs to see you in her office."

"What for?" Rose asked furrowing her brow.

Shireen shook her head as she began scanning the items on the counter. "No clue. She just stopped me on my way in and asked me to tell you."

Rose sighed inwardly. "Alright. I'll jus' be a few minutes, yeah?"

Shireen nodded, returning her attention to the customer as Rose made her way to the back of the store and took the lift up to the fourth floor. When she reached the office, the atmosphere seemed almost as rushed as it was downstairs. Staffers bustled about distributing paperwork and answering phones. A few people waved in greeting as she passed, but for the most part everyone was focused on their work.

"Hey Ianto," she called cheerfully as she approached a large desk towards the back. "Is she in?"

A tall, dark haired gentleman with baby blue eyes spun away from the filing cabinet in the corner and grinned brightly.

"Hey Rose. Yeah, she's expecting you so you can go right in."

"Thanks Yan."

"No problem. Can I get you something to drink?" he asked as she moved towards the door. "Coffee, tea..?"

Rose shook her head and smiled. "No M' good, thanks."

He nodded and returned to filing as she brought her hand up and knocked softly.

"Come in." a slightly muffled voice responded.

As Rose stepped into the room Sarah Jane looked up from the large stack up paperwork in her hand and smiled.

"There she is; my favorite employee." The brunette chirped, slipping off her glasses and gesturing for Rose to take a seat.

Arching a skeptical brow at her boss's unusual bout of peppiness, she closed the door and sat down in one of the chairs facing the desk looking back at her expectantly. Sarah Jane gave her a warm smile that didn't reach her eyes and Rose immediately knew something was off.

"I called you in here," The older woman began. "To let you know that I've been so impressed with your work and attendance lately that I'm making you employee of the month. It comes with a pay raise, an additional twenty percent store discount and an extra week of paid vacation a year."

Sarah Jane paused for a moment to gauge her reaction, but instead of the display of enthusiasm she had been expecting, Rose crossed her arms and eyed her suspiciously.

"Alright out with it. What do you want?"

Sarah Jane's smile faltered and she sighed in resignation. "I need you to work the close shift tomorrow."

"What?" Rose exclaimed. "But I asked for the day off over a month ago."

"I know, I know and I'm really sorry. But with Keisha on maternity leave and Shireen going out of town I've got no one else to cover."

"S' Christmas Eve, can't we jus' close early?"

Sarah Jane shook her head apologetically. "Corporate wants all those last minute sales."

Rose released a breath of frustration. "Sarah Jane..."

"I know sweetheart." The brunette stood up and walked around the desk to sit beside her, taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "Look I can't force you to do it, but Rose…" she trailed off looking uncomfortable.

"Yeah," Rose conceded. "M' the only one with no family."

-oOo-

"Knock, Knock."

"Who is it?" Rose asked, pressing her palms against the door as she peered out the peephole at the large blurred object.

"Special Christmas delivery for Rose Tyler!"

Smiling and shaking her head at the familiar voice she opened the door and her jaw dropped at the sight of the large Douglas-fir standing on her porch.

"Surprise!" Mickey Smith, Rose's best friend since childhood, poked his head out from behind the thick green branches, his brown eyes twinkling in amusement. "I know you didn't have time to get one yourself this year so voila!" He gestured towards the tree with his free hand, a pleased grin spreading across his face.

"Oh Micks" she breathed out. "You didn't have to do that."

"Of course I did." he protested. "I wasn't gonna let my best friend go without a tree on Christmas." He smiled again and she returned it before stepping aside so that he could bring the tree into the flat. "Besides, Jake gave me a really good discount 'cause I fixed the brake line on his car the other day." he called over his shoulder. "Where's your tree stand?"

"In the closet. I'll get it. Oh, and by the way," Rose walked over to the end table and pulled a thin rectangular package wrapped with silver paper and a red bow on top from the drawer. "I got you a little somethin' too." She grinned mischievously as she tossed him the gift. "Martha told me it was on your list. But you can't open it till Christmas." she warned with a pointed finger before rushing from the room.

When she returned with the tree stand he had already shifted the couch over to make room and was propping the tree up against the wall in the corner. Taking the proffered item he unzipped his jacket and removed it, tossing it over the arm of the couch before returning to the task at hand.

"You take that side, I'll take this one." he instructed once the device was set up securely.

"So how's Martha been?" Rose asked as she helped him lower the tree into the stand.

"She's great. She's got to work the afternoon shift at the hospital tomorrow but she managed to get Christmas day off so we're gonna spend Christmas morning with my Gran and then we'll head over to her parents in the evening." Mickey paused as he took in Rose's wistful expression and hurried to lighten the mood. "But hey, we're still on for dinner tomorrow right?" he asked, dropping to the floor to secure the trunk to the base. "Martha's cooking. She figured it was probably best after last year's little incident."

"Little incident?" Rose snorted softly. "You mean when you set the kitchen on fire?"

"Yeah, that."

His tone was so blase Rose couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up in her throat, but after a few moments her expression turned wistful again.

"M' sorry I can't make it this year. I jus' found out I have to close at the shop tomorrow."

"What? That's ridiculous." he replied, his voice slightly muffled by the thickness of the tree. "You asked off like a month ago and you're already workin' Boxing Day."

Rose sighed. "I know, and I was really looking forward to spendin' the evenin' with you guys. We don't get to see each other as much anymore with Martha's hectic schedule and you workin' doubles down at the garage."

"Yeah, Martha and I were sayin' the same thing the other day." Mickey sighed and shook his head. "M' really sorry Rose. I can't believe they did that to you."

"Well, you know, everyone else already had plans and since M' the one with no family…" she trailed off with a shrug.

"For what it's worth," Mickey paused in his actions, looking up at her through the branches. "We may not be family in the traditional sense but you'll always have me and Martha."

Rose ducked her head and smiled softly as her eyes welled up. "Thanks Mick."

"Tightening the last screw Mickey slid out from underneath the tree and hopped to his feet, dusting off his hands. "All done. Whaddya think?" he asked, draping an arm over her shoulders.

Rose tilted her head to the side in contemplation. "I think it needs ornaments."

-oOo-

Five minutes till close and counting.

Rose sighed as she stared at the clock on the far wall. Not surprisingly the store had been practically empty compared to the previous day. There were of course a few last minute shoppers but they mainly kept to other departments. In fact she had managed to ring up a grand total of two sales for the entire shift and spent the rest of the time straightening and re-straightening her section.

Now leaning over the counter with her elbow propped up on the surface and her chin resting in the palm of her hand, she was essentially willing the time to go faster.

When the clock finally struck ten, freeing her from her shackles of boredom, Rose promptly grabbed her coat and handbag and after wishing a quick goodnight to Harry, the head of security, she pulled her scarf from her bag and wrapped it around her neck as she stepped out into the crisp, cold night air. It had stopped snowing for the time being but there was a threat for more and she was hoping to get home before the next wave hit.

The walk to Oxford Circus Station was brisk and with it being Christmas Eve Rose figured the place was likely be deserted. She just hoped the tube was on time.

As she made her way down the steps she caught sight of a lone figure standing at the end of the platform. He was wearing a large overcoat and clutching a briefcase in his right hand while looking down at the watch on his left and although she couldn't see his face, she would recognize that navy blue RAF greatcoat anywhere. It was him, Jack, the man of her dreams.

He had first started coming into Henrik's about a year ago, a couple of times every month and always for business attire. He was tall, dark and flirty, with a chiseled jaw, bright blue eyes and a toothpaste commercial grin that made her heart skip a beat whenever he smiled, and after their first encounter Jack had been so impressed by her fashion choices that he started asking for her specifically every time he came in.

Okay, so granted she didn't even know his last name; come to think of it he probably didn't know hers either, but they had exchanged plenty of pleasantries over the last few months for her to know there was definitely a spark between them. She had just been too afraid to do anything about it.

Jack looked up and leaned forward slightly to peer down the tunnel and as his profile came into view, her breath hitched. This was kismet. He had obviously just left the office and she had ended up having to work after she was originally scheduled to have the day off and now here they both were, alone, on Christmas Eve. It was fate that's what it was, it had to be. Chewing her bottom lip, she came to a decision. She was going to do it. She was going to finally have a real conversation with him and tell him how she felt. Screwing up her courage she began to descend the last couple of steps when she saw two men approach him and start up a conversation. After a few moments the exchange became slightly aggressive when one of the men shoved Jack and he stumbled backwards, tipping over the side of the platform.

She wasn't sure if she screamed in that moment, but the next thing Rose knew she was running, barely even registering the two assailants as they darted past her and up the stairs in their haste to get away. Coming to an abrupt halt at the edge of the platform where she saw Jack disappear, she leaned over slightly to see him lying motionless on the tracks below and her hands flew up to cover her mouth.

"Oh my god, somebody help!" she shouted, glancing around frantically.

Receiving no response, she dropped to her knees, carefully calculating the distance from the platform to the tracks below. Swinging her legs over the side she then turned on her stomach and carefully lowered herself down from the platform until only her hands were gripping the surface before dropping softly onto the tracks below.

"Jack?" Rose said softly as she knelt down beside him, her eyes sweeping over his unmoving form. "Jack can you hear me?"

Unsure as to whether or not she should even try to move him, she reached into her pocket for her cell phone and quickly dialed 999.

"Hello, yes my name's Rose Tyler. I'm at the Oxford Circus Station and there's been an accident. A man has fallen onto the tracks. He's unconscious and I can't seem to wake him." She listened intently as the operator began to give her instructions but a noise in the distance soon drew her attention away from the conversation. "Oh god," she murmured as her head turned towards the sound of the approaching tube, the phone sliding slowly away from her ear.

Ignoring the operator's alarmed inquiries, she quickly ended the call and shoved her phone back into her pocket before leaning down and gently trying to shake Jack awake.

"Jack, please you have to wake up. The tube's comin' and we've got to get out of here."

Her eyes darted around the tunnel, up to the platform and around again as she tried to formulate a plan when the whistle sounded again and she looked up to see the headlights as they barreled towards them.

"Jack." she pleaded, shaking him again but still receiving the same result.

Glancing to her left at the small alcove beneath the platform, Rose said a silent prayer as she quickly wrapped her arms around Jack, squeezed her eyes shut and used every ounce of strength she had to roll them to safety. They came to a stop with her above him once more and she pressed her face against his chest, clutching tightly to his jacket as the tube sped past. Once the artificial wind had died down and the tube had come to a stop Rose carefully lifted her head and released a breath of relief. The fluttering of lashes drew her attention down to Jack's face as his eyes blinked open slowly, staring at her as if through a thick fog.

"Hey." she said softly, giving him a warm smile.

There was no recognition in his gaze as he looked up at her and after a few seconds his eyes rolled back into his head and he fell into unconsciousness once more.

Rose stared down at him fondly, brushing the hair back from his face as the sound of sirens grew louder, alerting her that the ambulance had arrived and she smiled gratefully. "You hear that Jack?" she asked, stroking his cheek softly. "Help's on the way and you're gonna be jus' fine."

-oOo-

The ambulance ride to Saint Mary's hospital was short but nerve-racking. Rose made sure to keep out of the way so that the paramedics could focus on Jack, even declining to allow them to examine her properly until she knew he was okay. Upon their arrival at the hospital she followed closely behind the gurney but as soon as they had wheeled Jack through the double doors, Rose was immediately forced away from him by a multitude of doctors and nurses trying to diagnose his condition.

Although the anxiety and adrenaline were still pumping throughout her body, she managed to calmly maintain a reasonable distance in order to allow the staff to work but the moment they started wheeling him towards the A&E she moved to follow once more.

"I'm sorry miss but you can't go in there."

Rose glanced up at the man who had just stepped in front of her. He was a bit younger than the other doctors who were attending to Jack and there seemed to be an air of arrogance about him, further corroborated by the fact that he was wearing a t-shirt that said 'The Doctor is In' under his lab coat. Her eyes drifted to the name tag on his lapel. Doctor Owen Harper M.D.

"Only family is allowed beyond this point." he said, regaining her attention.

"But I need to be with him." she protested, trying to sidestep him only to have her path blocked again.

"Are you family?" Owen asked.

"No. But you don't understand. I…he…" she sputtered as she tried to find a way to explain herself but was unable to come up with a valid response.

"I'm sorry but if you're not family, you'll have to wait out here. One of the nurses will show you to the waiting room. "Tosh?" he gestured to the young Asian woman standing at the admin desk before turning swiftly and walking away.

"But, I was gonna marry him." Rose murmured, heaving a sigh of defeat.

Tosh gasped softly, pressing a hand to her chest. "That poor girl."


A/N: Reviews are welcome.