Jackie Tyler, mother of a traveling teenaged daughter, was scrubbing up in the kitchen of her three-room flat and had settled her mind on the final decision that the pale yellow wallpaper was just too depressing for her. Sure, when it was sunny out, and the sun's rays streamed thought the small kitchen window, the color was perfect. Perhaps it was because of the looming storm clouds outside (or perhaps it was because it was her birthday and she was turning fifty-three), but the color was seriously becoming depressing. Maybe that would be what she would ask Mickey (such a lovely boy. Lovely and dependable.) for her birthday present, helping her repaint the walls. But it would be such a disappointment, losing the dependable color.

The doorbell rang, then a key in the lock turned. Shaking the water from her hands, Jackie grabbed a towel as she made her way to the living room.

"Its open Mickey, as always. Say, what do you think about—" But the figures in her living room was not her daughter's dark-skinned, dependable boyfriend. It was her daughter. "Rose!" Jackie rushed forward with a cry and threw her arms wide, grabbing her smiling daughter in a gripping hug. Rose returned the joyful greeting, and both women chattered happily. The Doctor merely watched on, enjoying the looks on the women's faces, but was stuck by the subtle pang of loneliness he felt at the displayed joy.

Jackie was the first to break the embrace, holding Rose out at arms length. "Here, lemme take a good look at you. Why, you haven't aged a day! Not one day, Rose. You still look exactly as you did, six months ago, when you left..." At the last thought, Jackie let out another cry, gripping Rose's hands in a tight, but loving, squeeze. "Ten seconds! You said ten seconds and then you'd be back!"

"Mum, I'm sorry, I—" Rose tried to edge in a comment, but Jackie barged right on.

"—Haven't hear a thing from you for weeks and weeks! Going crazy not hearin' from you. Thinking the worst—"

"Mum..."

"It's been half a year Rose! I thought you said ten seconds, you did! You said ten seconds, you'd be back in ten seconds..." Jackie trailed off, watching her daughter's expressions waver somewhere between amusement and apprehension. Rose looked helplessly—but happily—over her shoulder at the Doctor. He grinned back and shrugged nonchalantly.

"You did." He confirmed. Jackie frowned over at him.

"You're still here then. At least you're keepin' her safe an' takin' care of her!" Jackie smiled at Rose. "Come on, love, we'll have a bit of tea..." Jackie made her way back to the kitchen, where Rose could hear sounds of a metal kettle being filled. The Doctor, leaning casually against one wall, stared in stunned silence at the sudden mood swings from Rose's mom.

"See, I told you. Its her." He commented as Rose walked by him. She glanced back at him, shaking her head, teasingly. He grinned back and made himself at home, flopping down on the couch. Sighing contently to himself at the comfort of actual furniture, the Doctor glanced out the window. Nasty looking clouds, he thought. And then gave it no more mind.

"I don't know what you see in him Rose, honestly." Jackie exclaimed, settling the pot of water on the warming stove. She turned to look at her daughter, reclining against the counter top with her arms crossed loosely.

"Mum...he's right in the other room." Rose sighed, crossing the small kitchen to stand next to her mother.

"Yah, gettin' comfy on our couch no doubt." Rose laughed at her mother's grumbling comments. Thunder rolled in the distance, making both women glance out of the small kitchen window. "It'll be rainin' soon." The kettle whistled and Jackie turned back to the stove/range. "So, what brings you back, today of all days, after no phone calls for months?"

"I missed you mum." Rose smiled, passing mugs to be filled, "Besides, I figured I should be here, for your birthday. Surprised?"

"Actually," Jackie answered, her voice a little distant as she took the mugs "I was sort of expecting you." Rose nearly dropped the mug, fumbling as she set it down on the counter.

"What...what do you mean?" Rose asked, numbly, in shock.

"Oy, anybody home? Jackie—oh, you're here. Rose in too?" A male's voice broke in, his statements punctuated by the closing slam of the front door. Jackie and Rose traded happy glances.

"No, I'm just here to give 'em two a free vacation, house sitting free of charge. Wot do you think Ricky?'

"Its—"

"Mickey! Rose interrupted before her cross boyfriend could snap a barbed comeback at the Doctor. "How ya doin'?"