Rose was running late for school the next day, she stepped out of her house adjusting her book bag and struggling to get her car keys out of her pocket when she spotted Alec coming out of his house in a suit.

She let out a wolf whistle surprising him. "My, my DI Hardy, aren't you looking handsome?" She smirked.

He gave her a disapproving look but it look more like a suppressed smirk. "Cute, very cute."

Rose smiled. 'Not one to take a compliment, huh?"

"Guess not." He replied. Alec noticed her purple and blue polka dot denim book bag. "Interesting back pack."

She arched her eyebrow giving him a warning look. "That better had been a compliment."

Alec nodded. "It was. My daughter Daisy would love it." Her expression softened. "Oh, well thanks. I make them myself. I also make jewelry if she's interested."

"Okay, I'll mention it to her." He replied. She noticed his solemn expression. "Something wrong?" Rose glanced at him curious.

Alec sighed. "Today Joe Miller pleads guilty to killing Danny Latimer and I promised the Latimers and DS Miller I'd be there."

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Yeah, I heard about that when I first moved here. Rumor has it you did a nice job solving it."

He shrugged. "Yeah but not as fast I should have."

"But imagine what would've happened if you gave up." Rose pointed out.

Alec was unable to respond to that, maybe deep down he knew she was right.

She gave a small wave before getting into her car and driving away. Alec stood there a minute and smirked softly then got into his car.

"Not Guilty." Those were two words nobody was expecting from Joe Miller's mouth not even his lawyer knew this was going to happen. The courtroom was filled with shock and devastation.

Ellie was pacing in the ladies restroom completely stunned and scared for her sons' safety. Just then Alec barged in looking worried. "Are you alright?" He said.

She scowled at him. "What the hell are you doing in here? This is the ladies!"

He shrugged. "I know but there's no one in here and I was concerned."

She groaned. "You could've waited." "I think me being in here is the least of our problems." He replied throwing his hands up. Ellie just shook her head and rubbed her forehead. "I can't believe this is happening." She muttered.

"Do you need a hug?" Alec asked. She glared at him and scoffed. "No, I don't want a hug!"

Ellie sighed and composed herself. "Sorry. Okay, so Joe has pleaded not guilty, now what? What about Tom and Fred and our home?"

He folded his arms and exhaled. "Well, there will be a trial as for Tom and Fred you'll have to stay where you are a bit longer."

She bit the inside of her cheek. "Brilliant." She muttered then kicked the wall bitterly. "When's this nightmare going to be over, Alec?" Ellie asked.

Alec shrugged. "I don't know. I wish I could answer that, Miller."

Suddenly Rose walked in and abruptly stopped and stared at Alec and Ellie. "Um, hi."

"Tyler?" Alec exclaimed.

"What, this is the ladies room, right?" Rose said confused.

"Yes but what are you doing here?" He replied.

Rose shrugged turning to the sink. "Washing the printer ink off my hands."

He sighed. "I meant the courthouse." "I do my computer lab work here." She replied drying her hands.

Alec groaned. "Of course."

She then leaned over towards Alec. "Did you have to go that badly?"

"Tyler!" He scowled.

"Sorry." Rose replied rolling her eyes.

Ellie shook her head. "Hang on who is this?"

"Oh, I'm Rose Tyler." She replied extending her hand.

Ellie smiled slightly and shook her hand. "Ellie Miller." Then she glanced closer at her. "Rose Tyler? That name sounds familiar."

Alec sighed. "Yeah, I need to talk to you about that but not here."

They all walked out and ended up in the local diner. "Okay, what's going on?" Ellie asked as they sat in a booth.

Alec sighed taking a sip of his coffee. "There was this case that I was on before I came here, it was the Sandbrook case."

Ellie's eyes widen. "Seriously?" Alec nodded pressing his lips. "Yeah and I messed it up by losing a key piece of evidence."

Rose groaned sipping her diet soda. "I keep saying it wasn't your fault."

Alec gave her a look. "Anyway, I've recently discovered that Tyler is my next door neighbor."

Ellie blew into her cup and shrugged. "So?" "Lisa Newberry was my best friend. I lived across the street from her. I also knew Pippa." Rose chimed softly.

Her mouth dropped. "You're that Rose Tyler?" She gave a small wave. "Yep, that's me, hello."

"The police were dying to talk to you." Ellie replied. "Yeah, well mum made sure they didn't." She scoffed.

"How come?" Ellie asked. "Keep her safe mainly because her family knew Claire and Lee Ashworth." Alec answered.

Rose sighed. "Yeah, there was also another reason but they never told me what it was. They still won't."

He glanced at her for a minute as if trying to remember himself but couldn't.

Ellie sighed sipping her coffee. "So what's this got to do with me?"

"I was hoping you could help us with this case." Alec replied.

She scoffed. "What for?" He sighed heavily. "Because we need you and I can't do this on my own and I don't want to let Tyler down."

Rose glanced at Alec thoughtfully.

Ellie glanced at Rose. "Hang on if it's possible he's the one that messed up, why ask his help?"

She smirked taking another sip. "Actually, I don't think it's his fault at all."

"How do you know?" Ellie asked.

"I used to watch the investigation from this old oak tree." Rose admitted blushing.

Alec gave her a look. "That was you?"

She nodded. "Yeah in fact that's how I got interested in investigating and Torchwood."

He scoffed. "I thought I was hearing something but didn't know what it was. What were you doing up there?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "Looking for Peter Pan."

She suppressed a smirk. "Oh, I like her." He shot Ellie a disapproving glance.

Rose smiled. "Actually, I was watching the investigation and I noticed how the officers seemed rushed or careless but Alec was different. He cared. He gave a damn when everyone else stopped."

Alec blushed slightly and cleared his throat. "So can you help?"

Ellie looked at him then Rose. She was reluctant but at this point what did she have to lose?

"Okay, I'll do it." She replied shrugging. Rose smiled. "Thank you, Ellie." After they finished Rose offered to pay the bill and left for the register.

While she was gone Ellie glanced at Alec. "Nice girl." He stared at Rose briefly before shrugging his shoulders. "I suppose." He muttered sipping the last of his coffee. She noticed he looked worried. "What's wrong?" Ellie asked concerned.

Alec sighed heavily. He really didn't want to ask her this. "Before I came into the restroom Claire texted me that Lee is back and now I'm afraid both their lives are in danger; particularly Tyler's. I don't think she realizes just how important she is to putting Lee in jail."

Ellie shrugged. "Okay, then tell her." "I can't. I'm afraid she'll do something dangerous. That's why I need another favor." He replied with guilt.

She looked at him suspiciously. "What"

"I need you to look after Claire, possibly talk to her and see if you can get any more information from her…"

"While you protect young and beautiful Rose?" Ellie scoffed.

Alec sighed. "Please Miller, it's important." He looked over at Rose standing at the register. "If Tyler finds out Claire is here then she'll also know Lee is, too and I'm afraid they'll both get hurt." Alec explained.

Ellie was very reluctant but before she could respond Rose came back.

"Okay, we ready to go?" Rose asked. They nodded but before leaving Rose glanced at her and said "Thanks again Ellie and if you need anything at all don't hesitate to ask." She smiled.

Ellie smiled at her knowing she was stuck. She scowled at Alec and leaned over towards him speaking in a low voice. "Alright but you owe me." Ellie gave him a look before walking away.

"Yeah I know." Alec sighed and followed them.