A/N: Hello, I am sorry for the lateness of this chapter. I've had a busy few weeks, and I haven't had much time to write as I would like. Also this chapter is slightly shorter, but I should be able to update regularly again soon.

This chapter is not betaed, so any and all errors are my fault, I apologize. Thank you so much for the reviewers, and the many followers and favorites. It makes me happy to see, and normally I respond to all reviews, but I haven't had the chance yet I'm sorry. I'll do my best to get to them as soon as time lets me. Enjoy.

Wednesday, 4:15 am

By the time I got home I was completely knackered and went straight to bed to try to get at least some semblance of sleep. Yeah right. Mickey pressed heavily across my legs, it's hard to sleep like that on a normal night. Especially given that Mickey farts in his sleep almost constantly. I really need to look into changing his food, maybe I should stop feeding him scones from Harkness, but that's not the reason I can't sleep tonight. Tonight my brain is whirling again, and I feel wired and exhausted and…

Did all of that just happen?

Wingmen! I'm sold on the idea. I don't even know Rory all that well, and I think he's my new best friend. We should make matching bracelets for each other with BFF spelled out in letter beads.

I'll make his from leather so it's not to girly, and he'll be more inclined to wear it. I did that at camp once. Those were simpler times, when your best friend was your best friend because you both liked the same cartoons. Not like now, when your new best friend made out with and possibly jerked off another man in the backseat of his own car. Thus providing you with the opportunity to actually talk, in words and sentences, to the smart, sexy, rich professor you've been obsessed with for months.

It's settled. I'm making Rory a bracelet.

At some point, despite Mickey's best efforts to gas me to death, I fall asleep.

Wednesday, 7:00 AM

My phone wakes me up. Great.

"Hello, sweetheart."

"Hey, Mum," I mumble my eyes still closed.

"Is this a good time to talk?"

I'm only about 10% awake.

"Mmhmm… yeah."

"You're not… I'm not interrupting anything?"

Oh no, here she goes again.

"Interrupting-"

"There's not anyone… with you?"

And there it is, my mother, always the optimist.

"No. No one. Well, Mickey."

"Ooh! Who is- Oh… your dog. Yes. Right."

I look at the clock. 7:02 am.

"What do you need, Mum?"

"I just wanted to check in, see how your date was last night. Did you have fun?"

"Yeah. I did," I grumble, "And it wasn't a date, it was just a party with some friends."

"Oh, I thought you were going with someone."

She is not going to let this go.

"I did go out with someone, my friends from work."

"Oh, so there was no one special. Maybe someone you met, and invited over for a nightcap?"

"Mother!"

"Oh alright, you know you can talk to me about anything, Rose."

"I know, Mum. There's just nothing to tell."

"Oh well, when will you be over today? I got a call from your brother last night."

"I'll be over in a bit, I got home late. So Tony called? What did he want?" My younger brother Tony has always been a bit of a trouble maker. Never anything major, but enough that it took a toll on our Mother after Dad died. Dad's death hit us all really hard, over time Tony cleaned up his act, and became first Tyler to go to college. Now our Mother takes every chance she can to boast about Tony, and all he's accomplished. Truth be told though, he's a bit of a prat. Don't get me wrong, I love my brother, but he can be a bit much at times.

"Nothing really, he just called to tell me about school. I've talked him into coming home for Christmas this year." She sounds so happy, this is really good. Tony hardly ever comes home, so to have him home for Christmas holidays can be both a blessing and a curse.

"That's great Mum, I can't wait to see him." It's true, it's been a few years since Tony has been home. He calls me from time to time, but it's just not the same.

"It's going to be so wonderful to have you both home for the holidays. You know, you could always bring a friend with you. I always cook enough to feed a small army."

"Mum…" I know she means well, it's just so frustrating sometimes. Maybe David would be willing to… No. I hardly even know him, and I'm sure he already has plans for the holidays. For all I know he doesn't even celebrate Christmas.

"Alright, alright. I just want you to know you can bring someone. I just want you happy dear, you always seem so sad since Jimmy..."

"Mom, please don't."

"Okay, I'll let you go so you can wake up. I'll see you later."

"Love you Mom."

"Love you to Rose."

I flop back onto the bed with a groan, as much as I want to go back to sleep I really should start my day. Mickey has now worked his way up the bed his head resting on my other pillow. When Mickey was about six months old, I had to get a bigger bed. I know that is no reason to spend that kind of money, and really I should make him sleep on the floor or in the other room, but he's been my best friend and companion for five years now. I think me having to buy a larger bed is a small price to pay for not being kicked out of my bed by an 85lb Labrador.

After having a nice long hot shower, I put on a pair of sweats, and one of my favorite old black t-shirts. Throwing my hair up in a loose ponytail I grab Mickey's leash, and Rory's keys. I forgot to let Amy know that he wanted her to go to his flat this morning. Ugh, I am not looking forward to this conversation. Latching Mickeys leash to his collar I step outside in the brisk October morning. I lock my front door, and jump off the porch walking around the building with Mickey in tow. The stair leading to Amy's flat are more like a fire escape, steep metal steps led up to her front door, Mickey won't walk up them so I tie him to the rail, and slowly make my way upstairs.

After about five minutes of knocking, Amy finally answers the door. Her red hair a sticks up in all sorts of directions, she's wearing a very tight white see through shirt that says, 'Gingers do it with style.' Written in black letters across her very large breasts, and a pair of very short blue running shorts, that show off her endless length of her legs. As always, even all rumpled and half asleep Amy looks hot, and I don't say that about many women. I can't help be slightly envious of her. For me to even look half as good as her, I would have to spend hours doing my hair and makeup.

Amy squints at the bright light her eyes look bloodshot, I wonder if she got as much sleep as I did?

"What?" She grumbles holding the door open wide, a strong smell of apple cinnamon incense wafts out. I've always love the smell of her place.

"Sorry Amy, uh, Rory asked me to give you his keys, so you can bring his car back. Something about, uh… you know." I say holding out the keys for her to take.

Amy arches an eyebrow at me, a small smile tugs the corner of her mouth. Her mood seemed to switch in an instant. "No I don't know, Rosie. You need to tell me what he said… all of it."

I know she knows, she just wants me to say it because I'm uncomfortable, and she loves to see me squirm. "Amy…" I groan, pushing the keys into her hands, but instead of taking them she just stands there grinning at me.

"Don't you Amy me. There's no need to be such a prude, Rose. I mean really."

"I'm not a… prude!" I realize that I said that a little too forcefully. Maybe I am a prude, but I'm not about to give, Amy the satisfaction of being right on this one.

"Mmhm, then say it."

"Rory wants you to bring the car back."

"And, what else."

She's so stringing me along, I just know it.

"You've talked to him already haven't you?"

Amy laughs taking the keys and tosses them on the counter next to the door. "Okay, you win. I don't know what the big deal is. You need to loosen up some."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"So how did it go with David, hmmm? I expected to hear some wild, and wicked sex coming from your place last night."

I can feel the heat rising to my face, Amy always knows what buttons to push with me. "I… he… we…it was fine, it went fine."

"Only fine? Did you at least get to kiss him?"

"N-no."

"No. Why the hell not? He is into you, you're into him. One plus one is kissy, kissy time."

"We just talked, I drove him home and that was it. I really don't think he's into me as much as you think."

Amy rolls her eyes. "Are you insane, I know it's been awhile for you, Rose but still. I know you're not blind. He is completely into you."

"I don't know Amy, things are complicated"

"They are only complicated because you let it be, you need to loosen up ask for his number. Girls do that now you know."

"I know… What if he turns me down?"

"He won't. If he does he's crazy for passing up a hot catch like you."

I can feel the tears burning behind my eyes, this is one of the reasons I love Amy so much. She always knows what to say. "Thanks, I mean it."

"Don't get all sappy on me go for your run, or whatever it is you do at the asscrack of dawn." Amy smirks giving me a quick hug. "You should stop by Rory's later, we can hang out."

Amy's idea of morning is anything after noon, that's why Jack normally doesn't shift her until at least 10:00 AM. Not that she's late or anything, she tends to be very moody any time before then. "I would love to, but I promised my Mum I would help her go through some stuff."

"Okay. Later than." Smiling, she turns and walks back into the house closing the door behind her. I know I shouldn't feel guilty for not being able to go to visit Rory, he is my new best friend and all. I just can't put off the day with my Mother any longer.

Quickly heading down the steps I untie Mickey and head out for our morning run. I never use to like running, but after a few very stress filled years I found it really relaxing. Mickey loves it, I try to get a run in every morning. After our jog I fill up the dog dishes, change my clothes and jump into my car to head over to Mum's. My small mini that I saved up every dime that I could to get this car, and everyone teased me, but I love it. It gets me to where I need to go, and for me that's all that matters.

When I reach my Mum`s flat I don't even get a chance to knock, when she bursts through the door, and all but knocks me over with a huge hug. It always feels like coming home. We sit for a few hours drinking tea and catching up, she tells me about the latest gossip with friends and family, and I tell her about work and my friends. I didn't tell her about David, it's just too soon and I don't even know if there's anything to tell yet. Sorting through my stuff didn't take as long as I thought it would, I had already taken most my things with me when I moved out.

Wednesday, 11:00 AM

"I really appreciate you stopping by to do this, sweetheart."

"It's no problem Mum, I have wanted to come do this for awhile." I said thumbing through one of my many old diaries.

"It wasn't an inconvenience? You didn't have any… plans?"

"Plans?"

"A date maybe?"

Oh, for the love of god. She just won't let it go.

"It's only… it's been a long time since Jimmy-"

"Mother, I do not want to talk about Jimmy."

"All right, all right…"

I drop the last of the last books into the box. The last person in the world I want to think about is that holier than thou cheating, abusive bastard.

I sigh heavily and look at her, "No. No dates. Especially not at 3:00 in the afternoon."

My mother purses her lips and raises her eyebrows, "You're not getting any younger, Rose."

"Wh-"

"And neither am I!" she smiles, softening the blow.

"I'm twenty five, Mum. I'm not a…" grabbing the nearest overflowing box I stand up to head out of my old bedroom annoyed. I briefly envision myself with a white cane, and turn to face her, "I'm not an old crone."

"I didn't mean it like that, Rose. I just want to see you happy, and grand-babies wouldn't hurt either. Your brother isn't likely ever going to have any kids and…" she steps closer taking the box placing it on the floor, "I'm sorry Rose, I shouldn't pressure you so much."

I look at her, "its fine, I know you mean well. It's just a lot harder than I thought it would be."

"I understand sweetheart, when I met your Father it was much easier than it is now," she puts a hand on my arm, "You're so much like him you know. Now, before you go, would you mind taking a few of your brother's old things to your place? It's the last thing, I promise."

"Tony`s stuff? Why, what's wrong with where they are now?"

My Mother turns away from me as she starts to putter around the room straightening pillows, and smoothing blankets. "It's just a few extra boxes, he already had them packed up, and I just need them out of that room is all."

"Mom, what are you not telling me?"

"It's nothing, I just have these two empty rooms. I thought it would be nice to make a little extra money, and rent out your brother's old room is all."

"Extra money? Mum, is everything alright, do you need money? I can lend you some if you need it.""No, no it's not like that, it would be nice to have someone around to help out around the place some, and a little extra money doesn't hurt either."

My Mum is lonely, the guilt is back and I really should visit more often. It might be good for her to have someone around to help fix things, not that my brother and I have moved out.

"I know Mum, I just want to be sure you're doing okay. I promise I'll visit more."

"Now Rose, don't you worry about me. I am more than able to take care of myself, you don't need to be running around taking care of me."

Wednesday, 3:30 PM

There's no arguing with her, I've learned that a very long time ago. Together we take the boxes to my car. My three and my brothers two large sealed boxes with the words. 'DO NOT OPEN, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.' I'm not sure I want to know what is in them, you never know with Tony. They all hardly fit inside my tiny Mini, but with some twists and turns we finally got them all to fit. Giving my Mum a hug and kiss we say our farewells, and off I go heading back to Cardiff. My thoughts drifting back to David, I can't wait to see him again. Amy's right, I should give him my number, maybe ask him to a movie or dinner. That's easy to say now, but when I'm staring at though beautiful chocolate brown eyes I don't know if I can do it.

Maybe I will go to Rory's after all. It's not too late yet. I hope his visitor has gone home.