"All right then, Doctor," Jackie said as the Doctor stepped into the front entranceway. "There's a room you can stay in upstairs that's an office right now, or a little one in the basement off from the sitting room. It can get a bit noisy in there, what with the washer and dryer, but it's already made up. I'll bet the office is a bit warmer, but then we'll maybe have to move that junk downstairs." She turned towards the kitchen. "Pete, I think we'll have to move the desk and that out of the room upstairs. Pete! Where are you?" She turned back to the Doctor. "Now then, just hold on and I'll—"

"Jackie," the Doctor interrupted, looking bemused. "It's fine, I'll just take basement." He slapped on a closed-lipped smile.

"Oh," said Jackie, as her hands began to tidy. "Are you sure?" He nodded. "All right," she said before she busied herself piling up some loose papers.

The Doctor and Rose exchanged glances.

"Shopping!" exclaimed Jackie suddenly. "Doctor, you can't expect to go around in that one suit all the time. You need to go shopping. I bet Rose'll take you."

Rose looked uncomfortable. "Yeah, I could do that."

"Wait a minute!" the Doctor said, holding up one palm. "What's the matter with my suit?"

"It's a bit out o' date, don't you think?" said Jackie, as though pointing out a serious crime. "I mean, head to toe blue, eh? You don't see that much. No sense in drawing attention to ourselves what with Rose's workin' at Torchwood and all. Why I—"

"Mum," Rose started. "Please, don't go changin' 'im. Things are jus' fine."

The Doctor was surveying his outfit microscopically. "These clothes have stood the test of time," he said, half to himself. "And space."

"I don't know what it's like in Time Lord land," said Jackie, coming to a standstill with her hands on her hips, "but in human land, people start to sweat and stink and smell and all that. You know the way, Doctor. You can't tell me you don't!"

He stopped. "Ah, yes. Quite right. It's funny the things I guess I'll have to think about from now on." He sniffed his armpit. "Don't stink yet though," he said playfully, eyeing Jackie.

"Give it time," she retorted and went out of the room.

"Doctor," called Pete from the kitchen. He suddenly appeared in the doorway. "Is that what you want to be called now? You must have a proper name. What is it then? It'll matter for when you go to get registered. Blimey, how're you gonna do that?"

The Doctor smiled reassuringly, taking the opportunity to sit down on the sofa nearby. "Doctor is fine. And don't worry about the details on registering and that. I can figure that all out on my own. I'll have it taken care of by tomorrow night."

"All right. Doctor, then? Really? You must have something more formal."

The Doctor's smiled vanished and a dark expression fell across his face. "Please, for my sake, call me the Doctor. Or, if you prefer, John Smith. I'll be registered under that one."

"John Smith! That's even more suspicious than the Doctor, I'd say!" Pete eyed him. "Why so mysterious? Whose actual name is 'the Doctor'?"

"Dad!" Rose said warningly. "Just leave off it."

"Of course," said Pete with a sudden grin. "It's not like me to pry. What does a man own if he cannot own the rights to his proper name? Yes, John Smith it is."

The Doctor smiled thankfully. As Pete left, Rose sat down with the Doctor. He watched her face carefully as her eyes skimmed over his body. She wanted to touch his hands, his arms, his face, just to see…

"Do it," the Doctor said. "I don't bite," he added laughingly.

Rose let her hand touch his hand, feeling his soft skin, and the tiny soft hairs there. His face became intent. She felt the warmth of him, the muscles, and the strength in his arm as she ran her fingers over his sleeve. She traced her way over his shoulder to his jaw where she felt little bits of stubble starting to form. So human.

She stopped suddenly when she saw him wince. She moved back in the seat. "Did I hurt you?"

"No," he said, "not at all." He smiled. "Why do you think that?"

"You winced, is all."

"Oh, it's just a bit of a headache. Got to keep this new body hydrated, I guess."

"You want a glass of water?"

"I can get one while I'm out."

"It's just water," Rose said with mild disbelief.

"I think I just need some fresh air," he insisted as he stood up. "Shopping will do me good."

"You want me to come?" she said, suddenly not wanting him to go. Her emotions felt so muddled.

"I appreciate that," he said genuinely, "but I think I'll just go on alone and meet you back here later for our date. We're still on, right?"

Rose smiled. "Yeah, can't wait."

The Doctor sidled toward the door.

"Um, do you know where you're going?" Rose asked.

The Doctor peered out the front door. "Oddly enough, I do," he said lazily. He turned to look at her. "I'll be back before you know it."

She almost wanted him to kiss her. Her Doctor. Sort of.

"See you later," she said cheerily.

He flashed her a huge smile and went out the door. She stared off after him, her mind spinning with questions. It felt so much like being with him, and yet the real Doctor was out chasing stars and galaxies in a whole other universe. Wasn't this everything she wanted? Or was this all a bit too domestic for them?

Her mind was halted when she saw him stop and cringe down the way. His hands flew to his head as though he was in great pain. He kept walking and before she could think twice about it, he was out of sight.

It was unusual to be sure, but then there was nothing usual about their situation.

More to come! REVIEWS ARE LOVE!