Hello! An update the day after the last one, aren't you lucky =)
This chapter was a breeze to write, actually, so that's why
I posted it already ^^
Enjoy!


Chapter Nine

Days like these lead to
Nights like this lead to
Love like ours
You light the spark in my bonfire heart
People like us we don't need that much
Just someone that starts
Starts the spark in our bonfire hearts

James Blunt - Bonfire Heart

"You're not serious." It wasn't a question, more of a statement and Rose raised an eyebrow at John, her face totally serious (and maybe a tiny bit mischievous) and John groaned, as if something painful had hit him.

"I do agree with you but…" Rose waved a slip of a paper around. "This says otherwise."

"But whyyyy?" He sounded like a whiny child and Rose had to force herself not to show her smile.

"In celebration of some astrological find, it says. An asteroid perhaps? I dunno. I just think they like them fancy dresses."

"Well, I don't."

"Neither do I! Okay, that might be a lie. I do like them. On occasion. And with some time between uses."

John started laughing and Rose felt her cheeks burn. Men.

Rose spent an afternoon in town with Jake, buying a dress for yet another party. Jake was marvellous company, and an eager companion. If he hadn't been with her, Rose would have settled for something decent quite early, but he was determined for her to have something outstanding. 'To make you the envy of all women and the longing for all of the men' he had said. Rose had insisted that it wasn't necessary; she was happily engaged and did not need the attention of other men. Jake didn't care, just told her to humour him. So she did, and even though the thought of having a trail of love struck suitors at her heels was somewhat amusing, it was not something she thought would be fun in reality. But she did want a dress to knock John of his feet… So she did humour Jake with that in mind.

The party was held the day after, not in the same building as last time, but at Volta. Evidently, the basement (if it could even be called a basement) was a big ballroom-type room. Somehow, Rose wasn't really surprised. Because it was obvious that they loved to throw a good party or two, so what's better than having a perfect space in the building for it when they were too lazy (or cheap) to hire something else? She wondered if a party-room had been a requirement when they built the place.

Just like last time, Rose chased John out of the bedroom when she wanted to fix herself. This time, she made a loose bun of her long hair, with some strands framing in her face. She went easy on the make-up on her eyes, just using some mascara. She finished the look with a ruby-red lipstick, quite content with result. And the dress, oooh, the dress. It was gorgeous, golden and slimmed to hug all of her curves in a very flattering way. It had a bit of cleavage but not too much, the slit went halfway up her tights to show some skin. She had thought it a bit too much, but Jake had insisted, she'd get that dress or he'd make her go dressed in a sack and ashes. She did not believe him, but she had fallen in love with the dress anyway, so she bought it. She used a bit of perfume, a light one with a tinge of citrus and vanilla, and a simple silver bracelet, with a matching pair of silver earrings. Her shoes were white and simple. Overall, she felt pretty damn good, and looked it too. Giving herself a last look in the mirror, she deemed herself to be done, and she opened the bedroom door, and took a deep breath before she headed for the door, certain that John was waiting there, just like last time. And he was. She was on the edge, but made an effort to look like nothing, to be able to see his reaction and he did not disappoint her. He looked at her, up and down; she could feel his eyes tracing her from her legs and up, stopping at her face. There was no mistaking the sudden desire written all over him and Rose shivered. It only lasted a few seconds before he got his face under control, and he bowed to her, holding out his hand to take hers.

"I believe I will be escorting the most beautiful woman tonight." His smile was small but soft and earnest and Rose felt her heart clench and her cheeks burn slightly, but she smiled back at him, beaming at his words. He took her hand in his, and turned it over and placed a soft kiss on her wrist. She was sure he could feel her heart beating rapidly, her pulse increasing.

"Thank you," she softly replied, still smiling and he smiled back at her, giving her the coat she used, before leading her out of the cabin, they would be walking to Volta since it was just a few minutes away. She wasn't sure if he was aware of it or not, but he held her hand the whole way, and she realised that this was more than just a psychical need. She had actually fallen in love with him. When did that happen?

They were greeted with glasses of champagne when they entered the basement and the party-room. Soft music was on and some people were dancing, others were talking. John had let go of her hand when she took of her coat, and he looked confusedly at his hand, maybe he just remembered that they had held hands the whole way - just a few minutes but still. Rose spotted Adam Mitchell out of the corner of her eye, he practically undressed her with his eyes and she could see him moving towards her, so she spun around, pretending not to have seen him, and took a hold of John's hand.

"Save me," she said simply, and John looked over her head and saw Adam moving their way. He looked mildly surprised at first, as if he had expected her to be thrilled. Which she clearly wasn't, since she played the damsel in distress and asked for help.

He circled her waist and led her away, towards the dance floor. She placed one hand on his shoulder, and they softly swayed to the music in sync with each other. Rose placed her head against his other shoulder, feeling the steady rhythm of his heart against her ear. For a moment, she didn't care about the mission or anything else than the feeling of his hands holding her close, and the soothing sound his heart made, and the masculine small that was all him, and a small hint of eau de cologne he probably had used earlier. She said nothing, and neither did he. Sometimes, words are just not enough, and sometimes just being in the moment is all there is. What was it about this man that drew her in so? Sure, he was handsome but not pretty in any way (she'd always have a weak spot for pretty boys, as Jack had said). He was quite a bit older than her; he could be both rude and unpleasant. But it was those moments in-between that had done her in, she suspected. When he actually smiled at her, and talked with her, and treated her like an equal concerning the mission. That was probably hard for him to do, she could tell, and she was probably right in her earlier suspicion that he mostly worked alone, the mission when he worked with Jack and she had seen him for the first time was probably one of the few times he worked with someone else. He was a man with a past, just like everyone else. But she wasn't interested in everyone else. She shouldn't be interested in him either for that matter; she was not a sucker for unrequited feelings. When this mission was over with, maybe she could find someone at home to be a distraction from thinking about John – she doubted that she'd see much of him once they were back in London. She was sure that he found her attractive, but that was about it, and Rose was not into casual flings, not really. But maybe she'd indulge in one once they got back to their homeland. Maybe.

About half an hour later, Rose stood by a table, drinking her first glass of champagne and munching on some snacks. She had been talking to Jake, but had not seen his date, the elusive Jeremy Jordan. He was off somewhere talking to someone, according to Jake. Which, quite frankly, was a bit annoying, because Rose really wanted to meet the man and deduce for herself if he was a threat or not, and what he was doing there under the radar of Torchwood. She was so immersed in her own thoughts that she did not notice Adam coming up to her before he actually spoke.

"What do you see in him anyway? You're so very beautiful; you shouldn't need to settle for an old man like that."

His voice was curious and honest, but sultry and seductive at the same time. The way he looked at her told her that he fancied himself a much better choice of a man for her. Rose was quite sure that his voice, telling many untold promises of pleasure, had made many women fall his way. If she didn't find him oh so very annoying, she might have been a little affected. But as things were, she wasn't. She took a sip of her champagne.

"You're very kind in your thoughtfulness, Dr Mitchell." She took another sip. "But I assure you that I've never ever 'settled' for a man."

Hm, maybe that was the wrong thing to say. He did suddenly look a lot happier, like he'd won a prize or found something out of the ordinary. Of course he'd misinterpret her word to his own advantage, thinking that what she had said was that her thing with John was temporary and she was free and not bound to anyone. Fascinating species, men.

"I go for what I want and when I've got it, I'm intent on keeping it." She made a small gesture with her left hand on purpose, making the diamond ring shimmer in the light. "I don't 'settle.' Why should I? Why be happy with second best? Nah, I don't settle for what I don't really want. I play for keeps."

And then she was saved by Jake, who confidently sassed by them, claiming that he had looked everywhere for her and that he wanted to dance, and he dragged her away, not that she protested very much. Instead, she promised him to buy him lunch someday as a thank-you-for-saving-me since she doubted he'd want a kiss as a reward. He just winked ridiculously at her, grinning and had a look that said 'I told you so' written all over his face.

After the dance with Jake, it took Rose a few minutes to find John. He was off to one side, a bit from everyone else, talking to a dark-haired man. Rose recognised him as the Italian scientist of his team. He bowed to her slightly, a smirk playing on his face.

"John needed some saving, but now that you're here, I should get back to my date." He waved a goodbye and then he disappeared off to the dance floor. Rose looked at John, a bit confused.

"I don't get what that woman's problem is, I don't." He grumbled, clearly annoyed.

"Have you tried saying no?" Rose asked, amused. "A straight answer might do the trick." And he was the king of evasiveness, she had learned. He looked mildly surprised, so Rose laughed. "Try that next time, yeah?"

"I just might do just that." He grunted.

"I don't think Cassandra is used to a 'no,'" Rose observed.

"How'd you know it was her?" The evident surprise in his voice made her roll her eyes at him.

"Really, John? I've had her lapdog drooling all over me, so of course she went for you."

His icy eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the other man, as if he was jealous. Wistful thinking, Rose mused. But she'd not mind him playing the jealous fiancé. It would make things easier. Part of her was tempted to ask him to talk with Adam to leave her alone, but she would never ask that of him. It would be humiliating, and she didn't need it anyway. She could take care of herself, Adam wasn't really dangerous, just annoying the hell out of her.

"We should take a look," Rose said after a few minutes in silence, and John crooked his eyebrow at her.

"Go on…" He prompted.

"In your lab," she clarified. "I think I saw Dr Jordan leave a little while ago." John grinned that happy, maniac grin that she so adored. He held out his hand, and she took it without hesitation.

"Shall we then?"

"Indeed we shall."

There was no one around when they silently made their way to the laboratory, the halls were eerie silent and the moonlight from outside painted the white walls a pale blue colour. John had a key, and he slid it into the lock with ease, and opened the door under silence, the door made no sound at all. Without saying anything, John went to the right and Rose to the left. The first thing she noticed was the copying machine, it was turned off but she touched it, and it was still warm. Someone had copied something not too long ago. Then something in the bin caught her eye and she sat down and took a strand of paper, turning it around, inspecting it. It was just a tiny piece, so she took a few others from the bin. Someone had shredded these papers, so it was hard to figure out anything, but she saw different names on the papers, something the shredder had missed.

"John," she called silently, and he turned around, facing her, looking ghostly in the blue light. "Someone has copied papers about the scientists on your team, I think." She let the small bits of paper fall through her fingers, back into the bin.

He wrinkled his forehead, but before he could say anything they both heard footsteps in the hallway. Both of them immediately tensed, and Rose rose from her sitting position as silent as she could. An idea flared through her head and she acted on it at once. She put a finger on her lips and strode towards John with purpose. He looked curiously at her, and she whispered:

"Play along, kay?" She dragged him with her towards an empty spot against the wall. "Let's pretend we're… busy," she continued and she saw the understanding dawning on him.

She positioned herself with her back against the wall, and raised a leg to place it on an empty chair that was close by. Rose grabbed his hand and placed it on her thigh, and her hand grabbed hold of his shoulder. The footsteps grew closer, and slowed, obviously whoever it was, was going to this laboratory. The sound of a key was heard and Rose stopped thinking. She grabbed Johns tie and dragged his head down to hers before she took a deep, steadying breath and placed her lips upon his. His response did not wait; his hand slowly started stroking her leg and his other hand tangled in her hair. He felt so amazingly good against her that Rose almost, for a second, forgot what brought this one, but then the door opened. They broke away from each other, her lipstick smeared across his mouth and somehow making him look even more inviting. Both of them turned around and saw Cassandra and Adam looking sheepishly at them.

"D'you mind?" John asked politely with a raised eyebrow.

"Darling, I think I've had enough of company for tonight," Rose murmured in a low, slow voice. "How about we continue this at home? Without… interruptions."

Adam was beet red and Cassandra looked uncomfortable, but John just took Roses hand and the two of them swept past the two petrified scientists.


If you enjoy this story, I'd love to hear from you =)
Reviews are what keeps me going after all ^^
Until next time!

/Lady Tisala