AN: I know you're probably all wondering when Rose is going to go traveling with John. It's happening next chapter, promise! But first comes the discussion with Jackie Tyler. I know she never did in Doctor Who, but I always wondered how Jackie managed to keep things afloat with Rose gone.
"Hello again," Rose greeted John the next morning at her door.
"Hello!" he called cheerfully.
"What are you doing here?" she asked. "Come to have a chat?"
"Uh, no, actually. I just stopped in to tell you I was leavin' tonight. So, it's all or nothin' Rose Tyler. I gotta go into town to pick up some supplies and then I'm hittin' the road."
"You're leaving already?" she asked, surprised. "When you asked me to go, I thought I had more time."
"I never stay in one place too long. I've been here the longest. Somethin' keepin' me here," he looked at her and smiled.
Rose blushed. "I'll go talk to my mum then."
"You want me to go with you?" he asked sincerely.
"Nah, it's better if you aren't here. I'll meet you somewhere."
"Waterman's?" he asked.
"Perfect!" she agreed.
They said their goodbyes and Rose sighed. There was no way her mother would agree to this, but she was going to give it a shot anyways.
"Mum?" she called. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
Jackie Tyler's head appeared from the side of her door. "What is it, love?"
"You know that bloke that checked on my wrist yesterday?"
"Yeah?" she said suspiciously.
"Uh, he offered for me to go travelin' with him. Everywhere and anywhere I want."
"Oh, I'll bet he did! And what did he want for it then?"
"Mum! It's not like that. You know how badly I want to travel. Please, let me go."
"Rose Tyler, I am not havin' you gallivanting around the globe with some bloke you barely know!"
"It's my choice!" she yelled.
"What about the bills?" her mother demanded.
"I can't work until my wrists are better anyways," she said.
"You can do somethin' else."
"Mum, please. You would have to do it on your own with me in college. Just rent my room out! Get extra money that way."
"And now you want me to entertain strange people! This is the end of the discussion, Rose! Your father had crazy dreams like this too. You just don't have the time or money, sweetheart. That's all. I don't want your heart broken."
The comment about her father made something inside Rose Tyler snap. She stormed off into her room and hastily packed her biggest suitcase with clothes, pajamas, and toiletries.
"Where are you going?" her mother called, exasperated.
"Shareen's," she said crossly, dragging the suitcase behind her.
"With that many clothes?"
"I'm goin' for a long time," she bit back. "Bye, mum."
"Rose, wait!" she called, but Rose slammed the door.
Tears streamed down her face as she waited to catch the bus to downtown.
…
"Rose!" John called excitedly when she walked into Waterman's. "I knew you'd come! Wait, what's wrong?" His thumb trailed over her cheek to catch the tears and Rose buried into his touch.
"'S'nothing."
"Was it that Jimmy bloke again?" he asked, looking around.
"No, John. Just had a fight with my mum, promise."
"I'm sorry, Rose." He gathered her into a hug and she clung to him tightly.
"I just wanted her to be happy for me," she said sadly.
"She will be," John told her. "You just haveta give her time to cool down, yeah?"
Rose nodded into his jacket and then pulled back, wiping her eyes.
"Right, are we all set then?"
"Ah, almost. We just need some flashlights and then some duct tape."
"Flashlights and duct tape?" she asked skeptically.
"Never underestimate the power of those tools. That, and a screwdriver anyways."
"Are we going around the country installing shelves in the dark?" she teased.
"Sometimes," John shrugged.
"Wait, seriously? You're joking!"
"Can't say I am."
"Are you a cross-country serviceman?" she asked. "Is there something I missed?"
"I also save the world," he winked, grabbing a roll of duct tape from the shelves.