A/N: Thanks for all the reviews/alerts/favorites! I really appreciate it. It's definitely made this week so much brighter…Still adjusting to college, haha! Thanks again, and please review!

(Also, I know this story is extremely fluffy at times, but my poor broken shipper heart just needed to write this for my sanity…)

I felt odd as I stood in front of the mirror. I hadn't gotten dressed up in a while…but tonight felt like the appropriate time for it.

I kept in mind that we were also going shopping, so though the clothes were slightly fancier than usual, they were still comfortable.

After taking one last glance at my reflection, I went to join my "date" in the living room.

"All set?" I asked, breaking him out of his concentration. He'd been fiddling with the TV, probably trying to find a way to improve it.

He jumped to his feet and whipped his glasses off in one fluid motion.

"Yes. You look great."

"Thanks," I smiled softly. "You don't look so bad yourself," though truth-be-told, he'd been wearing the same outfit for two days now. "Let's go get you some clothes, yeah? As nice as that suit is, you'll need somethin' a bit more casual for everyday wear."

"But I like these suits! Don't you think they flatter me?" He turned sideways, modeling the blue suit. It brought me back to the time I spent with the Doctor on New Earth, when Cassandra had inhabited his body and accused me of sneaking peeks at him.

But I had been looking.

"You can still keep it!" I shook my head with an amused smirk. "And we'll get you another. Maybe like the pinstripe one he would always wear." I noted how his eyes lit up. "But you'll be needin' average clothes. You'll fit in more."

"Alright."

"If you're so set on your precious suits, I know a great place to go. Dad goes there all the time when he needs something' a little snazzier for work functions."

"Sounds like a plan."

"'Kay. Jus' let me get my keys."

…

The suit shopping was a success. If I was being completely honest, he looked amazing in them. I bought two, one brown with blue pinstripes like the one he'd always traveled in. The other was dark blue. He also picked up an assortment of ties and dress shirts at the same store.

I was glad to see him so happy. I couldn't image what it would be like to go through what he was experiencing now. In some ways, I felt it. I missed him. I don't know if it had been better or worse that I'd seen him again…it was like losing him all over again, and the universe had dropped this man with me out of spite.

I jumped in surprise when I felt him take my hand. He'd caught me staring out of the shop window/

"You alright?"

"Yeah, thanks. All set?" I pulled away from him to follow the shop lady to the counter. Once I paid a hefty sum for the clothing, I rejoined him outside.

"Where to next?" He asked, which seemed all wrong. It was always me questioning the next destination, not knowing where or when the Doctor would bring us next. Now I was the expert, the conductor.

"Tula's, I 'spose. Great shop for necessities. Pajamas, socks…underwear. Basics."

….

"Rose, what time is it?"

"Nearly seven. We should probably head back soon. I have work tomorrow."

There was a pregnant silence, but he soon broke it.

"What about our date?"

"Oh. Right." I hadn't forgotten, but I'd been hoping he had. I wasn't sure I was up for awkward conversation, not when I was still so conflicted about my feelings. "Fish and chips, you said?"

He nodded. "It was our first date. I thought it was only natural that it should be our first date here in Pete's World."

I wasn't sure what to say to that, but I immediately felt horrible for avoiding physical contact since he'd grabbed my hand at the suit shop. I laced my fingers with his and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I know a wonderful place just a block down. Huge portions of greasy, crunchy chips. C'mon."

…..

It was funny how I was getting what I'd always wanted (minus the time traveling, of course), yet I was resisting it. I was feeling too many emotions that didn't agree.

"So…Torchwood." He said, munching away at some chips. I noticed the way his eyes grew darker, almost angry, as he said it.

"Torchwood." I nodded. "Figured it'd be better than just workin' in a shop, like before. It's gotten…better. Y'know. Pete's been keepin' it in line."

"Do you like it?"

"I guess." I shrugged and sat back against the booth, looking down at my folded hands. "After everything I've seen and done, it would've been hard to go back to a normal job. I felt useless enough already. Once you get a taste of it…nothing compares. When he left me I felt…empty. All the alien stuff made me feel closer to him. It filled the void, just a tiny bit. Gave me something to do, anyways."

"Rose, I know you need me. And I need you. You may be confused…but you once said you'd never leave me. And I won't leave you. I may not be the exact Doctor you want or love, but I am him. I'm the Doctor that never has to leave. I won't leave. Not unless you make me."

My damn emotions were flaring up, and I swallowed hard.

"So this is a date, right? How're ya gonna pay for it?"

He looked deflated, possibly because what I had said in response to his declaration wasn't what he'd been hoping, but he promptly answered.

"I-I never thought about money…I'll pay you back as soon as I can!"

I cracked a smile, grateful for this happy distraction from the oncoming tears.

"Shut up," I laughed. "I was only jokin'. You don't need to pay me back for this. You've done so much for me already. Taken me places, opened my eyes. Saved me dozens of times. Mind, I've saved you once or twice…You took an average shop girl and made me believe I could be somethin' more. Don't go frettin' over fish and chips, Doctor. You've done so much, worth so much more than a few pounds."

I expected this to calm him, but his eyes instead widened.

"What?" I asked, now worried I'd said something wrong.

"You said my name. You called me 'Doctor.'"

"You're right. You may not have two hearts, or the TARDIS, but you're him. Or mostly him. The sooner I realize it, the better off we'll be."

He lunged across the table and kissed me with such force that I was thrown back, my chair balancing on two legs, threatening to drop me onto the floor. I reached out to grip the table, but found his hands instead. He broke the kiss, nearly breathless, and pulled me safely onto all four legs of the chair.

"Sorry, got a bit carried away…too enthusiastic…"

"No," I chuckled. "That's very you."