A/N: Sorry for the delay. I lost internet on my laptop :( Big thanks though to my lovely followers, to those who have favourited, and to everyone who reviews! I adore you all.

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or anything related. That all goes to the BBC.

"Are you sure I look okay?"

"Yes!" Ian laughed. He'd been assuring his girlfriend for the entire drive from Kent to London just how 'okay' she looked. "Joan, you look lovely. I promise."

She gave a weak smile. "I just want to make a good impression. I haven't met anyone's family in so long. Not since.."

Ian watched as a sad look flitted across her face. Reaching across the center console, he rested his hand on hers. "Not since Oliver?" he asked gently. Joan nodded. He'd met Joan Redfern three months ago after he took a tumble down the stairs outside his flat and had to visit the local clinic where she was a nurse. He'd been smitten from the start, and had asked her out for coffee immediately, but was promptly denied. It took him showing up at the clinic every day for a week before she finally relented. As they enjoyed their coffee and a walk about the park, Ian learned that the reason Joan had been so reluctant to go out with him was because she had been a widowed two years previous after only a year of marriage. It had taken a lot of patience on his part, but finally he and Joan were at a nice steady place. "My family is going to love you. What's not to love, hmm?"

She giggled. "And what about Rose? From the way you've spoke about her, she's very important to you."

He grinned. This just showed how much of a better person Joan is from Reinette. He'd been upfront with his current girlfriend about his much younger "best mate" from the start. Joan, being the kind person she was, immediately started asking questions about Rose, her likes and such, so they could have stuff to talk about when they eventually met. Knowing how much he adored Rose, he knew Joan wanted the younger girl to like her. "Rose may be a bit reserved at first, but once she gets to know you, she'll love you."

"How do you know?"

"Because I love you."

Joan sucked in a breath. "I love you too, Ian. You make me very happy. After Oliver... I never though I could have this. But then you came along."

It was early evening when Ian pulled his small car into the driveway of his old home. Home. Once upon a time this place wasn't his home. It was his aunt and uncle's house. The house he would occasionally visit on holidays. The house he would have sleepovers with his cousin Donna at. Then it became the house he was sent to live at after he lost everything. He wasn't sure the exact moment it stopped being a house and started being his home, but as his eyes drifted to the house next door, he knew who had a big hand in making him feel at home. Leading Joan into the house, it was a flurry of hugs and introductions at Ian congratulated Donna on her upcoming nuptials and and introduced his girlfriend to his family.

"Where's Rose?" he asked as soon as everything had calmed.

Donna cleared her throat and smiled apologetically. "She'll still be at the wedding tomorrow, but at the moment she's not allowed to leave the flat."

"Not allowed? What? Why?"

Donna's fiance, Lance, snorted into his coffee. "Because she's a bloody little trouble maker, that's why."

Ian frowned at the other man. So far he wasn't making the best of impressions on him. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"

"Rose sort of got herself suspended right before school holidays. Only for a few days, but Jackie was none too pleased," Donna explained. "I don't really know what she did, Jackie wasn't too forthcoming when she called to explain, but she promised Rose would be at the wedding tomorrow."

"Well, there must have been some sort of misunderstanding. Rose isn't the sort to get suspended," he said, mostly for his girlfriend's benefit.

Joan squeezed his arm. "It's alright, Ian. I'll meet her tomorrow."

"Yeah. Just give me a mo'? I have a phone call I need to make." With a nod, he stepped onto the back porch and dialed a familiar number.

Jackie Tyler's answered immediately. "No, Ian, Rose cannot come out and play. She's in trouble."

His eyes widened in shock. "How'd you know it was me."

"I'm that good."

"Or you've been answering the phone like that for the past hour..."

"Shut up," she chided, sounding very much like her daughter.

"Jackie, I haven't seen Rose in over six months-" He heard a huff on the other line, but continued, "Now can I at least talk to Rose? Please?"

There was a long pause before a shuffling sound filled his ear. "Hello?"

A grin spread across his face. "Yes, is this Prisoner Zero?"

"Oh my god. You're such a geek. That was literally the stupidest movie you ever made me watch."

"You loved it and you know it," he teased thinking back on the silly science fiction movie they'd rented last time he'd been in London.

"Are you home now?"

"I am, but you're not here. Heard you went and got yourself suspended. Care to explain?"

She groaned. "It's so bloody stupid! It was only for three days and Mum is completely overreacting!"

Ian held back a chuckle. It seemed like just yesterday Rose was a small little thing and now she was a suddenly a moody teenager. Where did the time go? "Why don't you tell me what happened to get you suspended and let me be the judge."

"I sort've convinced the school choir to go on strike."

He raised an eyebrow she couldn't see. "Really? And why would you do that?"

"Because the disgusting excuse of a choir director is a sexist git who would rather stare at the girls tits all day than actually teach us any music!"

"Oi! Language!"

"Sorry, Ian. Forgot what a prude you were," she said through a giggle.

"It's not that I'm a prude, I just think you're better than that kind of language," he told her, though he could tell by the heavy sigh she gave that she didn't believe him. "Has this director ever made any inappropriate advances towards you or the other girls?"

He heard a rustle on the other end and pictured her flopping back on her bed as she answered. "Nah. Like I said, he just stares. And he only ever has the girls just stand there. It's weird."

Ian clenched his fist. "And you told the headmaster about this, right?"

"Yep. And he wouldn't listen, so I took matters into my own hands," she said firmly.

A smile played at his lips. Sure, he wasn't happy about her being suspended, but he couldn't help but be a little proud. That was his Rose Tyler. Standing up and saying no when no one else would. "Here's what I don't understand, why exactly is your mum so upset? I mean, I get her not being happy about the suspension, but surely she would see reason for why you did what you did."

Rose cleared her throat uncomfortably. "Well, see, after we left choir, my mate Shireen and I went for a bit and sortofgotcaughtsmokingfagsbehindthegym," she said in a rush.

"Sorry? What was that?"

"We sort of got caught smoking fags behind the gym."

"What? What!? WHAT!?"

"Ian-"

"No!" he caught her off. "Rose Marion Tyler, what the hell were you thinking? Do you know how bad smoking is for you? You're fifteen for god's sake!"

He could practically see her eye roll as she answered, "Please, like you've never tried one."

"No, as a matter of fact, I haven't," he bit out.

"Well, excuse me for not being perfect like you," she snapped back, clearly upset.

Ian sighed heavily, his anger receding."I'm not perfect. I've done plenty of stupid things in my life."

Rose took a deep breath. "It was on fag. One time. It was a mistake. I've already got Mum harping me about it, please don't be mad at me too."

"I'm not mad, Rose. Disappointed, but not mad. Just... tell me you won't do it again."

"I won't! I promise."

He gave a small pause before continuing, "Alright then. Listen, I've got to go, I've left Joan alone with the others and I better go rescue her before Aunt Sylvia recruits her to do something for the wedding."

"Ah, the mysterious girlfriend. Looking forward to meeting her," she told him.

He smirked. "Really?"

"Really. I mean, she can't be any worse than Lance."

"Not a fan of Donna's husband-to-be?" he inquired, curious of her honest opinion.

She huffed. "Have you met him? There's something off about him."

He pinched the bridge of his nose. He's had the same impression of his cousin's fiancé, but thought that maybe it was just him being overprotective. "Yeah, I get it. Did you tell Donna how you felt?"

"God, no. She's just been so... happy. You know?" She stopped talking when Jackie's voice rang out in the background. "Hey, I've got to go. Mum says my time is up. I'll see you tomorrow at the wedding, yeah?"

"Yeah. See you then. Bye, Rose."

"Bye, Ian."

"Well, that was..."

"A disaster?" Rose offered as Ian perched next to her on the church courtyard wall. The wedding had started out as every wedding does. The church had been decorated accordingly and Donna had looked beautiful in her fluffy, stereotypical white dress as she made her way up the aisle. Half way through her decent though, Lance had called a halt to the ceremony and announced that he couldn't go through with it. He'd met another woman and was going to go be with her. Donna had stood there in complete shock until she finally broke and became inconsolable. Last Rose saw her, Ian had been leading her out the back.

Ian scrubbed a hand down his face. "That's one word for it."

"How's Donna?"

"A mess. Joan and Aunt Syl's helping her change out of her dress at the mo'. How's your hand?"

Rose grinned widely. "Heard about that did ya?"

He chuckled. "Joan was a fortunate witness. I can't believe I missed it!"

Rose flexed her right hand as she thought about what had gone down as soon as Lance tried fleeing the church. While everyone else had been focused on Donna, Rose had followed the runaway groom, and gifted him with a little something called the "Tyler Slap." Something her mum had become famous for 'round the estate. She shrugged. "He deserved it."

"While I don't normally condone physical violence, I can't argue with you there."

"She seems nice, Joan I mean."

He nodded and bumped her shoulder with his. "She is. She's really great. And you should know that she's fully aware and completely condones our plans to travel someday."

"Yeah?" she asked softly.

"Would I lie about that? Hey," he said, taking note of her melancholy, "what's wrong?"

She shook her head. "Nothing! It's just... you two are serious then? I mean, if you're already thinking about being with her that far in the future."

He made a face. "Well, not that far in the future when you're really think about it, but yeah, I guess we are pretty serious. Is there something you're not telling me, Rose? If you don't like her-"

"No! It's not that. She's great, yeah? Very sweet. If she makes you happy, then I'm happy for you, Ian," she told him, trying to sound as sincere as possible. This was honestly the last conversation she wanted to have with him. She'd heard all about Joan from him through their phone calls and letters, but held out hope that the new girlfriend wouldn't be as lovely as she sounded. It was worse. She was better. She was kind and considerate and had let out a proper cheer when Rose slapped Lance. She knew that there would never be anything between herself and Ian, but it didn't hurt any less knowing he was in love with someone who clearly wasn't her.

Ian reached across the wall and squeezed her hand. "And what about you? Does Rickey boy make you happy?"

Rose threw her head back and laughed. "It's Mickey and you know it!"

"That doesn't answer my question."

"I've got a bloke who likes me. What's there not to be happy about?"

He frowned at her. "Just promise me that's not the only reason you're with him. You deserve the very best, Rose Tyler."

She sucked in a sharp breath. God, why did he have to say stuff like that to her. "Man, failed weddings certainly make you sappy," she teased, hoping to change the subject.

"Guess it does-"

"Ian!" Joan called out, appearing around the corner. "There you are. Donna's changed and ready to go home. Your Aunt asked if we could take her while she and your Uncle deal with everything at the reception."

Ian jumped off the wall. 'Sure thing. Tell her I'll be right there."

Joan smiled in agreement. "Bye, Rose. It was nice meeting you, even if things here didn't work out."

"Nice meeting you too, Joan," Rose responded before the other woman took her leave. "So, Mum says I'm officially free. I can come by tomorrow. Maybe take Donna on an adventure to help take her mind off things..." she suggested.

He grinned down at her. "I'm sure she would appreciate that. I'll see you later, then?"

"Not if I see you first," she replied, watching him walk in the direction his girlfriend had left, ignoring the pain it left in her heart.

Of course ignoring the pain would soon be a lot easier said than done, she just didn't know it at the time. It was early the next afternoon when Rose arrived at the Noble home, immediately spotting the rejected bride curled up on the sofa looking positively miserable. "Oh, Donna..."

"Hi, Rose," the ginger woman sniffled, trying to hold back her sobs.

"Hey now. None of that! Look here, I've brought provisions." She pulled a package of Malteasers out of her purse. "And that's not all!" She then pulled out a a cd out of her bag. "Angry girl music. I think since Ian has a car, we get him to blast this while he drives us to our adventure for the day. What do you say? I was thinking that maybe we could go to Grant's Museum, since it's free and we've never been there and-"

"Oh, dear," Donna cut her off. "You don't know."

Rose cocked her head. "Don't know what?"

"Ian and Joan left late last night. There was some sort of emergency at the clinic Joan works at and she was called back," she explained.

"So Ian had to go to?"

"Well, he was her ride... I'm sorry, Rose. I thought for sure he would call you before he left, or maybe even this morning."

Rose shook her head. "Well, he doesn't owe me anything. We're just friends, yeah? He, uh, he had to take his," she swallowed, "girlfriend home. No reason for him to call me over that."

Donna looked at her sadly, sympathy pouring from her gaze. "Rose..."

"How about we start on these Malteasers? Then maybe we could still go out for a bit. I mean, who needs Ian!"

"I appreciate the thought, Rose, I really do, but I don't think I'm up for going anywhere today. I'm just feeling a bit too old for an adventure."

She took a step back. "Oh. Right. Of course. Silly me."

"I would still love it if you stuck around though," Donna quickly added. "To be honest, Mum is driving me bonkers. It would be nice having you here too."

Rose gave a watery smile. "'Course I'll stay. I'm just gonna go, uh, freshen up a bit." With that she practically ran to the loo, holding back her tears till the door was firmly shut and the faucet turned on.

He left. Ian just left without even saying goodbye. He'd never once left without saying goodbye. But now... And they hadn't even gone on an adventure! They always did something together when he was home. Ten years they'd known each other gone on adventures together. Ten years. Maybe he felt the same way Donna did. Maybe he felt too old to be going places with silly Rose Tyler. God, she was thick. How long had he been humouring her? Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She'd always thought he felt the same way about her that she did about him. Well, maybe not the same way. She knew he wasn't in love with her like she was with him (a secret she would carry with her to her grave), but she thought what they had was special. They were special. Clearly she was wrong.

Well, no more. She would remain civil with him for posterity, but that was it. It was time for them both to move on. They were two very different people separated by age and class. The sooner she excepted that, the better things would be for them.

"Rose?" Donna called out from the other side of the door. "You okay?"

Quickly swiping her cheeks, Rose responded, "Yeah. Yeah I am."

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