Back in London, Pete was about to call it a night after discussing the dismantling of the cannon project. The rest of the board had wanted that since it had been shelved, saying it was too tempting for a group of renegades to take it over and misuse it, maybe getting stranded wherever it sent them, which they'd not quite mastered the aim.

The only reason they had even tried was for Rose to find the Doctor again but although the signs had been good, there had been no actual proof they had found the right universe. Rose had insisted one was the right one, that the Doctor could just have been off-world at the time but when they'd investigated further back in history, certain events had not taken place, events she knew she'd been a part of.

So when Pete had finally sent a volunteer, the man had only just got back after several failed attempts and landing on several other alternate worlds and Jackie had finally nagged him to close it down before Rose got tempted to go anyway if they found proof the Doctor was on one of them.

He smiled when he saw Rose's name, despite the late hour, he allowed for the time difference.

"Rose, how are you love? Your mother's gone to bed if you wanted her," Pete greeted her.

"No, it was you I wanted. I need you to send Jake and Mickey here, tomorrow, it's important," Rose told him, looking at Alec.

"So, who do you want sorting out eh?" Pete laughed. "Who did they send, to replace Richard Poole?"

"Alec Hardy, he's staying with me, there was nowhere for him to go, Richard's place hasn't been sorted out yet but I'm not asking for that reason. I think I can identify Richard's killer and Camille and Alec think he might have seen me."

"I see. So if you can identify him, I take it you saw him talking to Poole?"

"No, I saw him from across the road while I was at Catherine's bar but Richard was staring at him, I don't know for how long and if the man saw me or not but once we get his name and other police forces start looking for him, he'll know," Rose explained.

"Right, I'll call Jake and Mickey, they'll get there somehow, just make sure you're not on your own, understand?" he asked her.

"Yeah, Camille's telling the other two, we don't think the man's back on the island yet but he could try getting back if he realises someone can identify him. Other witnesses may recognise him but I'm the only one who was sat with Richard. He could already know who I am."

"Well just you stay safe Rose, until Jake and Mickey can get there, I'll call you where they're on a plane. So how are you coping with Alec Hardy then?" Pete smiled to himself.

"Fine Dad, don't worry about it. Don't tell mum, about either, you know what she's like?" Rose pleaded with him.

"I'll try not to but I'm making no promises. Remember your training Rose, you know how to keep yourself safe but there's a cop killer on the loose."

"Yeah, I'll be fine for now but having Jake and Mickey here will make me feel better. They'll have to share responsibilities and find a cheap hotel."

"Just one thing though Rose, does Alec know?"

"Yeah he wondered why I kept staring at him, he's okay with it, I think. We get information from Richard's old station tomorrow, we're hoping the person responsible is on their wanted list or we're back to square one."

"Well if he's not, if you need any help from Torchwood, just tell Jake when he gets there or call me tomorrow," Pete told her.

"I will, thanks."

When he'd hung up, Pete called Jake and explained what was going on.

"You know we'll get there as fast as we can Pete, I take it we can use our Torchwood authority to do so?"

Pete smiled. "Jake, you have an unlimited credit card, use it to get there by any means, even a charter flight if you have to. Rose should be okay until they can name the man but if he saw her on Monday night, he'll know who she is and while he might not kill her, he could try and take her hostage."

"Do you think he'll try, her being a police officer?" Jake wondered.

"He won't know that Jake, even if she was sitting with Poole. As soon as his name's released, it won't take him long to work out how they're onto him."

"So, is she okay with having Alec Hardy there then?" Jake yawned, getting him a look from his partner.

"She said he knows, she must trust him to be able to tell him though I expect it's only what we discussed, in case she ever did want to tell anyone. Just you and Mickey remember that and don't let Mickey put his size ten's in it."

"Right you are boss," Jake grinned. "I'll call Mickey and we'll sort something out, we can book a hotel on the way. So how come he's staying with her?"

"She never said much, just that where Poole lived, it hadn't been cleared out and you know what Rose is like? She'll have felt sorry for him, with him being ill but she sounded okay with it. Best not tell Mickey eh?" Pete laughed.

"He'll soon find out when we get there Pete," Jake laughed back.

After Camille got home, she called Dwayne to let him know Rose could be in danger.

"You are kidding me Camille?" Dwayne asked. "Rose saw the robber and she just remembered? She must have been swooning over our new boss."

"Stop it Dwayne, be serious," Camille chastised him. "Call JC and let him know that from tomorrow, there are two of us with her during the day and at night, well some of her friends are coming over."

"You mean Mickey boy? Hardy won't like any competition," Dwayne sniggered. "I wonder if she told him?"

"It's none of our business Dwayne," Camille reminded him. "I'll clear it with the commissioner and have another officer sent over but I think Rose will be safe until we release the man's name, if we find out who he is."

"Well Hardy won't be able to put up much of a fight Camille, it will need two officers with her but why would the robber remember her, who is she Camille?"

"Don't you read the gossip columns Dwayne? She's famous back in England. Look her up."

Dwayne intended to when he got to work in the morning, now he would finally find out a few things about her he should have thought about before.

Jake had finished his call to Pete and going into the lounge, got Mickey's number and waited for him to answer.

Mickey wasn't very happy since he'd spent a cosy evening with Doctor Martha Jones and she was in his bathroom debating whether to stay or get a taxi home.

"Jake, this is not a good time mate," Mickey answered quietly.

"Maybe not but something urgent came up. We have to fly out to Saint Marie as fast as we can tomorrow."

"What?" Mickey asked, forgetting he wasn't alone. "What for? Is something wrong with Rose?"

Martha was just coming out of the bathroom.

"Mickey, you had better not be talking about your ex," she warned him.

"Shush Martha, just let me talk to Jake," he answered.

"Charming, ever heard of the word rebound?" Martha huffed, still dressed. "I'm calling for a cab."

"Hold on Jake. Martha, something came up, I have to go somewhere tomorrow anyway, can I call you when I get back?"

"Huh? You can try Mickey Smith but I won't be waiting around."

Jake was amused by what he could hear in the background. It had taken Mickey quite some time after a joint mission with UNIT to ask the mission leader out on a date let alone back to his apartment.

Back on Saint Marie, Alec was feeling slightly better now he was a bit cooler. He wondered how his predecessor had managed to go around in a suit all day. They had gone to sit outside, a cool breeze now coming inland which they were both grateful for.

"Are you going to tell me the rest?" he asked Rose as they lay side by side on the recliners.

"What do you want to know Alec? I can't tell you much without Pete's permission, that device we used, the cannon project, it was top-secret, even to the police."

"You said it was closed down so now, it is no longer top secret," he argued. "So, were you trying to get your friend back?"

"Yeah, we thought we'd found the right universe but if we had, he'd completely disappeared. We had to match certain criteria before someone could go look but when we did send someone, they only just got back. You have no idea how many identical worlds to this one are out there Alec."

He turned towards her, a smile on his face, something he'd been doing more of since he'd met Rose.

"Oh I don't know, I had all the comic books when I was a boy. I believe travel between worlds could be possible, Torchwood seemed to have perfected it."

"No, it was the Cybermen, Torchwood just developed it, made it more portable. Five million or so of them escaped to another world, how could we have left them to be invaded? I didn't tell you all of it Alec but I'll have to clear it with my stepfather."

"You went as well?" he asked, sitting up and putting his shoes on.

Rose thought he was just too clever.

"Sort of, I can't tell you Alec, I swear I can't."

"I know you are hiding something, when we catch the killer, you have some explaining to do."

"When we have Richard's killer locked up, you'll be going home."

"You enjoy having me staying here that much?" he asked, not sure what she was getting at.

"You asked me about holiday romances? Did you mean it?"

She held her hand out and he helped her up.

"I will be here until at least Monday, providing the killer is found, just hope he does not find you first. Will your friends not be staying here?" he asked, hoping the answer was no.

"Maybe one of them, they'll take it in turns to stay, they've slept in worse places than on my sofa."

He didn't know how he felt about getting close to her if her ex was going to glare at him all night.

"Since you were concerned about me last night, maybe one of them could have the spare room?" he asked, putting his arms around her neck.

Rose reached to put hers around his waist when she got up.

"You said you didn't need any help Alec," she reminded him.

"That was last night, I won't refuse again, if the offer is still there?"

"Yeah, you act all tough but you're not," Rose smiled as he angled for a kiss. "We got interrupted."

"Yes, we did, we should take advantage of the time we have and see how we both feel when it is time for me to go back."

"You mean to see if goes beyond a holiday romance? A long distance relationship?" she asked.

"Are you planning on remaining a sergeant on the island's police force?" Alec wanted to know.

"I won't get a job back home and I'm not going back to Torchwood. I like being in the police," she replied. "Alec?"

"Yes Rose?"

"Just shut up and kiss me."

Somehow, they ended up on the sofa, Alec losing his t-shirt and Rose the green button-down top she'd been wearing before they both realised it was getting dark.

"Alec, I need to close the patio door before all the insects start gathering around the bushes."

"Sure, I will go close them the shall I?" he smiled as he kissed just above her bra she'd managed to retain.

Rose reached for his t-shirt and put it over her head.

"That was mine," he reminded her.

"Then you can take it off me in bed later. I'm gonna watch the late news then make a drink. Still wanna share tonight?"

"Indeed, though I may wake up and scare you."

"Nah, I've been through worse than you waking up with your heart problem, trust me. When you get back, promise me you'll do something about it," she told him as he pulled the sliding patio doors across and locked them.

"Maybe I would have a reason if you were also to return?" he asked as he sat back down. "May I have my t-shirt back now?"

He picked up her top and handed it to her.

"Too cold now?" Rose smiled as she took his t-shirt off.

"No, I just feel rather odd, maybe I should buy some longer shorts tomorrow, if your friends are going to be staying?"

"Might be a good idea," she agreed, taking her top from him.

"Allow me?" he asked, going for the buttons as she put it on.

After they had kissed, Rose went off to make some tea when they'd caught up with events on the island and the international news. As they went upstairs, he allowed her to use the bathroom first while he went to get a clean shirt and underwear for the morning.

"I'll get Camilla to move your things tomorrow if you want?" Rose suggested.

"It can wait until we get back Rose, I would rather move my own things."

"Well if you're sure? By the way, you should know Dwayne had a bet with the others about us," Rose smiled.

"Did he now? So who won then?"

"Camille I think, he'll be upset."

"That will be the least of his problems once we get those results back," he half smiled, putting his arms around her waist and going to kiss her neck.

Once in Rose's bed, Alec decided since he'd just taken some more pills, he would see just how far Rose was willing to let him go, since she'd seemed to have taken charge of him but who was he to argue? After being turned down by Becca Fisher, he never thought a woman would be interested in him again.

When Alec lay on his back and Rose gently moved onto him, he held her at arms length and lifted her vest top, putting one hand on her.

"Want to take this easy Alec?" she smiled at him, putting her hands gently on his bare chest as the top came off.

"Well, I don't know about that eh? We can see where this goes, since you know my limitations."

"You have nothing to prove to me Alec, since I know what's wrong with you but I meant it, you should get yourself fixed when you get home."

"I will consider it, now come here."

As they lay afterwards, Rose putting her vest top back on and laid at his side with her arm across his chest, Alec was feeling better than he had done for a while.

"Mmm, that was nice Alec, I can definitely go for more of that."

"Oh you can? So the holiday romance is on then eh?" he asked, running his finger along the top of her vest.

"Yeah, let's not call it that, you're still not on holiday. Can we not talk about you going home?"

"I have to go home sometime Rose, I can't stay here, the heat is too much. You know I could put in a good word for you, should you want to join the British police?"

"So could my stepfather but it's not what I want Alec, it's so different out here."

"I can understand that, we should see where this is going first, you may be glad to get rid of me."

"Aw, don't say that Alec. You're the first man since I've been here that I've not wanted to go home. You're also the first man who doesn't care who I am."

"You knew who I was, we seem to be even," he smiled, one arm behind his head.

"Does it bother you that you remind me of someone Alec?" she asked him, rubbing her finger across his chest.

"I said not, it must be just as bad for you that I look like your friend."

"I never stopped thinking about him Alec, all that time we were trying to get him back. I was really upset when they decided to give up, that's why I came here, being at Torchwood was a temptation and my mother knew it."

"So being back in London reminds you he's still out there and Torchwood has the means to get him back? What if you came to Broadchurch, with me?" he asked.

Rose looked up at him. "I don't know Alec, I came here for some sun and sand."

"There is sand in Broadchurch, trust me though I cannot guarantee the sun all year round."

"Let's not spoil things, you're not going back just yet."

"I know Rose but we should not rush into things either, we will both know by the time it comes for me to go what we want."

"Well," Rose yawned, burying her head in his side. "For now, you don't have to worry if you wake up panicking, I'm here and you won't scare me away."

"I know love, I am sorry for pushing you away last night."

"You'd just arrived and you didn't really know me, did you?" Rose replied, kissing his chest.

"You did not know what I could be like, someone back in Broadchurch turned me down, even though she knew I was ill."

Rose giggled. "Tell me who she is and I'll have words with her. Is that why you want me to go back with you, to prove her wrong?"

"What? No, of course not, I would never do that Rose."

"Chill Alec I was just messin' with ya. It's a big decision for me, giving all this up."

"I know but I could go back on my own, if you promise to join me when you feel able to?" he asked, hoping he'd sleep better now he had someone to watch over him.

"Yeah, I can think about it. Night then."

The next morning. Dwayne was at the station earlier than normal, partly to see if they'd got the information they'd ask for and also to do a search on Rose Tyler. He laughed to himself when he saw the results just as JC walked in.

"Morning JC, here, come and take a look at this."

"You're doing a search on Sergeant Tyler? That's a bit risky Dwayne."

"Well blame Camille, she told me to look Rose up and I was right to do so, I should have done it sooner. She's only the Vitex heiress."

"You mean that health drink? Are you serious Dwayne? My brother drinks that all the time, he even joked that he'd got a girlfriend called Rose, they're getting married soon."

"Who's getting married soon?" Camille asked as she walked in.

"Oh, morning Camille," Dwayne greeted her, still downloading all the information. "JC was just talking about his brother."

"He works with me at the other station," JC offered, hoping Camille hadn't heard the rest of what he'd told Dwayne.

"Well the commissioner might send him over here then, did Dwayne tell you about Rose?"

"Well she will have plenty to look at when she gets here," Dwayne told her. "Did you call in on them last night?"

"Yes, you owe me Dwayne," Camille replied cheerfully.

"Ah but did you catch them?" Dwayne wanted to know.

"I didn't have to, it was all over their faces I had just interrupted something. Pay up you two."

Rose and Alec had eaten breakfast together and agreed she would help him move his things into her room after work.

"So do you think your friends will be on their way?" Alec asked her, going to kiss her as they cleared up.

"It depends on which route they take, did you come direct?" Rose asked him.

"Yes, though the flight was arranged for me. You said they would get here any way they could."

"Yeah, they will. I should call Pete, he might not think I'm up yet."

"Leave it love, he will call when he knows they have left. We should have something to tell him by the time he calls, if you can identify that man."

"Let's hope I can then?" Rose smiled as she kissed him back.

"I have every faith you will be able to, we should get going before the others start another bet. I will ignore this one but he had best not start another."

"Aw, you can't really blame them, it was too tempting for them. I hope you cleared your things from my room, I'll have to tell Camilla on Monday."

"Does she not come in over the weekend?" he asked as he washed the dishes.

"Leave them Alec, she'll do them when she gets here but no, she doesn't come in at weekends unless there's any need such as if I decide to have a party or something. Oh, did I tell you about my neighbour's barbecue?"

"Yes, you did, why?" he asked, drying his hands.

"I thought maybe we could both go, I wasn't going to bother."

"Going to show me off?" he smiled, throwing the towel at her.

Rose smiled back. "Can you blame me? You're quite a catch."

"No, I am far from that, maybe once I get myself fixed?"

"I get why you put it off Alec," she told him as she picked up the car keys. "It's more serious than you let on, isn't it?"

"You are very perceptive, maybe I will tell you later, when you tell me about your past eh?" he asked as Rose locked the door and handed him a key.

"Just in case you have to come back without me," she smiled, unlocking the car.

"You had best hope I have no need, should Officer Myers have to drive me back," he grinned, finally remembering to get in the right side as Rose watched him.

Jake and Mickey had met at the airport just after ten as Jake had pulled a few strings by getting them on a charter flight to St Bart's and then a ferry to Saint Marie, which Mickey wasn't looking forward to. As they boarded the small plane, Jake nodded to a few passengers then sat at the window seat after putting his holdall in the overhead locker with Mickey's, who had stood back to let him.

"So how did she get caught up with him then?" Mickey huffed as he sat down and messed around with the safety belt.

"Jealous?" Jake grinned, fastening his with ease. "Don't you go saying anything or she won't forgive you, just act normally. He does know and she told Pete she's okay with it so don't spoil anything. Right, now to find us somewhere to stay once we get there."

"Why can't we stay with Rose?" Mickey huffed again, trying to get comfortable in the little room there was and planning on stretching his legs out once the seatbelt sign was off as the plane began to taxi down the runway.

"Even if they're already sharing, they won't want both of us there, come on. We take it in turns to use the sofa," Jake told him quietly, waiting to be told he could use his phone.

"That's easy for you to say, you can take the first turn then," Mickey complained as he gripped the seat as the plane took off.

Jake just smiled to himself and was waiting for the fireworks that would be sure to erupt once they arrived and they came face to face with the Doctor's double. He just hoped his friend wouldn't as Pete had put it put his size ten feet in it and spoil whatever Rose had started with Alec Hardy.