Disclaimer: I DO NOT own any of the characters of Doctor Who. They go to the BBC! I do take credit for my version of what happens during Rose's Time away from The Doctor in the parallel universe and any original characters she meets there. Forgive any time flubs that may occur. If a date or a year seems off, just blame it on the wibly-wobly-timey-wimey-ness of Doctor Who and move on.

This is the fourth installment of a series of one shot stories that just popped into my head a few days ago. The first part is called Drowning, the second is called Sinking, and the third is called Floating. I was running into some plot bunnies for The Doctor's New Adventure and thought why not? I'll write it down. Warning, very angst! I'm actually liking it so far. Tell me whatcha think!

I've decided to combine them all in to one instead of posting them separately. there should be about 6 more chapters.

Swimming

"Surprise!"

Rose was just about to return home to her small flat downtown when she realized she left her mobile back in her locker. She pulled out her ID badge and made her way back up to the field ops bunkers. Rose has been a field agent for almost two years now, and a part of Torchwood for almost three.

She's started as a secretary, learning the ins and outs of the entire corporation, until she decided she was ready to join the field operators. Rose knew all there was to know about every department, and even worked in most of them, but it was Mickey who convinced her to become a field agent.

"C'mon Rose," he'd told her. "you've 'ad that desk job for, what, a year? You gotta be bored by now!"

Rose had rolled her eyes. "What's wrong with my desk job? Its simple, reliable-"

"It's boring!" He interrupted. " you know you have more fun bein' in the field with me 'n Jake."

Rose had to admit, she did miss the adventure. Plus, she had been the front receptionist for a while now, it WAS getting a little...well, boring.

"Fine. I'll talk to Director Tyler about it." Rose finally caved in.

Mickey smiled arrogantly. "No need...already did. Your training starts in a week. Better start gettin' in shape." he left, an extra spring in his step.

Rose shook her head, slightly annoyed but overall grateful for Mickey's thoughtfulness. Her training had been a brutal two months of vigorous workouts and long hours. The field ops team often went weeks without going home, spending their nights in the field operations bunkers. Rose had never felt so exhausted, but she loved it. It didn't fill the hole she felt in her heart, but it was pretty darn close.

Now, three years after that crushing day at Bad Wolf Bay, Rose was well-off. She had both her loving parents, a rambunctious little brother, incredibly caring friends, and a great job. All these thoughts were running through her mind as she rode the lift back up to the bunkers. The double doors opened to the darkened room. That's odd, Rose thought. She assumed there was at least someone on call tonight. She flipped the light switch and jumped, finding herself face to face with a large group of her co-workers in party hats.

"Surprise!" They shouted in unison. "Happy birthday Rose!" She flushed with embarrassment.

"You guys didn't have to do this for me."

"'F course we did, babes!" Mickey pushed through the crowd and kissed Rose on the cheek. "How else are you gonna celebrate turning twenty-three than with your best mates!"

Rose smiled. "How'd you know I would come back up here? I was on my way home."

Her field partner Roady appeared beside her, Rose's mobile in hand. "Nicked it right ou'a your 'andbag when you was leavin'. Knew you couldn't keep away from it too long. Roady smiled, a gap-tooth grin. His curly ginger locks hung low over his blue eyes.

Richard "Roady" Colbert had been Rose's field operation's partner since the day she joined the team. He was one of the one's who trained her. He'd lost both his parents on Cybus Day, the day the Cybermen invaded, and dedicated his life to defending the earth ever since, which he did through his long standing job at Torchwood. He was in his late 30's and very good looking, according to most of his female co-workers, but Roady had never bothered with a relationship. Until he met Rose. He always fancied her. Ever since Torchwood Director Tyler had introduced his mysterious young daughter to the Torchwood team, Roady had been smitten. She was gorgeous, all blonde hair and brown eyes, and he quickly took the risk of asking her out.

That turned into a disaster. She had averted his question and sort of ran away, leaving him in the dust. Mickey Smith, his fellow field ops member, had told him then, "Don't worry about her, mate. She was sort of...involved, and hasn't really gotten over 'I'm yet. Don't take it too personally, she does that to everyone." He sounded like he knew from experience. Over the next year, he hardly saw Rose Tyler again, barely saying "Good morning" passing in the lifts.

So when word got around that the director's daughter was soon to join the field operation's ranks, Roady took the chance and volunteered to help train her. The misunderstanding of their first awkward encounter soon faded, and the pair became fast friends. They had done a lot together over the past two years, dealing with aliens and saving the universe. Roady considered Rose to be his best mate. Sometimes though, he could still sense her evasiveness, like she wasn't always telling him the full truth to things. Still, that didn't matter right now. What mattered now was that they give Rose the best birthday of her life.

"Course, we did have another plan," Roady continued. "if you got too far, Mitch was gonna follow ya and tackle ya to the ground!"

The party guests laughed as Rose blushed and even darker shade. "You cheeky sod." She teased, playfully punching Roady in the arm and swiping her new V-phone out of his hands. She turned to address the rest of the group. "As for you lot...where's the party?"

The crowd whooped and hollered as someone turned the rock and roll music up and the lights down low. A makeshift disco ball hung in the center of the large room, reflecting multicolored lights off the hanging party decorations. Rose sauntered through the crowd, thanking everyone she ran into for doing this for her. Finally Rose made it through the herd of people, coming across the refreshment table set up in the back. She poured herself a glass of the punch. Roady came up behind her, leaning against the table to face her.

"You're upset." It was a statement, not a question.

"No I'm not." She sipped her drink.

"You're a bloody bad liar, too." he said. "What's wrong?"

Rose sighed. She shouldn't be upset. She had everything anyone could ever dream of, right here. But she longed for the past. She should be happy, but she wasn't, not completely/.

"Its just...don't get me wrong, I LOVE the party Roady. It's wonderful. Brilliant, actually. I just still feel like someone is missing." she chose her words carefully. Roady was one of the few people she had entrusted with her secret life in the other universe, the one where she had traveled with him. But she hated talking about it, especially to Roady. It was just too painful. "You know who I mean." she picked at her fingernails nervously.

"Yeah, I know." Roady hated hearing about the cryptic Time Lord almost as much as Rose hated talking about him. He wished Rose could just let him go. She would be so much happier if she would just let herself. It hurt him to see her so miserable sometimes, all because of him. Roady was not going to let him spoil this night.

"C'mon Rose," He took her hand and squeezed it slightly. "This is a night for fun. I's a party! There's no time for moping."

"You sound like my parents." It wasn't a compliment.

"They're right. 'Cause right now, you are surrounded by loads of people who care about you and you are missin' it! You're so bent on the past, you can't see the present. Look around you! All these people are here 'cause they love you and wanna see you 'ave a good time! Well, except for Mitch. I think he just came for the free food."

Rose laughed genuinely. He was right, she knew he was right. Ugh! Why did this have to be so difficult? "'M sorry. I know I'm being daft."

"It's not daft, you ninny." he mused, bumping her shoulder. "It's just something for another time, yeah?"

She nodded. "Yeah." she straightened up, setting her now empty cub down onto the table. "Let's go have some fun, shall we?"