Thank you for all the reviews so far, I love reading them! I'm glad to see that you're all enjoying reading this story as much as I am writing it!

Can you believe it's already on chapter ten? I can't!!

And I apologise for the lack of Doctor in this story. But things should be coming his way soon!

Please read and review. :) xx

Rose settled down on the window seat, and shrugged off her parka jacket. The carriage was empty, much to Rose's delight. It gave her a chance to think without any distractions, which was just what she needed. Jake's funeral had been the day before, and it was certainly an emotional affair. Martha had returned for a few hours, for her final goodbye, before she shuttled off to America again. Rose hardly got the chance to talk to her.

"Is this seat taken?" A brunette woman asked. She was clutching a mobile in one hand, and a mound of paperwork was positioned in the crook of her other arm. Rose nodded, slightly bemused. There was a whole carriage full of free seats, why didn't she take any of them?

"Go ahead," She muttered, smoothing down her hair and turning her attention to the platform.

She was on the way to Cardiff, in order to complete her first step in achieving her fake death. It sounded weird, but Rose prayed that it would work. The train started up, and the harsh piping sound of the whistle interrupted her thoughts. She smiled at the woman, and cleared her throat. The only way she was going to keep her mind off the negatives was to sidetrack her contemplation. The last thing she wanted was to talk herself out of it.

"My name's Rose Tyler," She offered the woman her hand. The woman shook it, a beam plastered upon her face.

"Sarah Jane Smith. I'm a journalist," Sarah gestured to the documents resting on the plastic desk. Rose stared at her, suddenly paying intense attention. She'd seen the name Sarah Jane Smith somewhere before. But where?

"Oh, righ'. That's interesting. What've you written, anythin' I'd know?" Rose asked. Sarah shook her head with a delicate laugh.

"No, I don't think so. I'm more of an investigator than a journalist, nowadays," She replied, roving her eyes over Rose. "And yourself? What do you do?"

"Oh, I, uh, I work for a small company. You wouldn't know it," Rose wafted her hand in the air in a dismissive manner. The two woman fell silent as Sarah skimmed through her paperwork, chewing furiously on her lip in concentration. Rose watched her, still racking her brains. Where had she seen that name before? Sarah Jane Smith. Smith was extremely common, and Sarah Jane wasn't exactly rare. But she was an investigator, she'd said. Rose's mobile rang from the depths of her bag, so she scrambled around and pulled it out. Lifting it to her ear, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Rose? Where are you? I told you, I booked you in at that weddin' dress shop at ten today, remember?" Jackie's voice trilled down the phone. Rose winced as that particular conversation was recalled in her memory. "You forgot, didn't you? I told you to write it down, but d'you ever listen? No!"

"Mum, I'm sorry, but I've got other things to do today. I can't worry 'bout everythin'! You pick the dress," Rose instructed. She could hear her mum gape at the other end.

"I can't pick your weddin' dress, darlin'! It's your special day-"

"I know, but to be honest, what with Jake's funeral, I can't deal with the weddin' stuff right now. You know what I like, Mum. Please?"

"Oh, alrigh', but don't blame me if you hate it! Where are you today, darlin'? We could always meet up for a drink later, if you want-"

"Mum, I've gotta go now. I'll call you when I'm comin' home. Love you," Rose hung up on Jackie and plopped the phone onto the vinyl table. Sarah arched an eyebrow, having caught their whole tense conversation. Her eyes flickered to Rose's left hand, which was adorned with a lavish silver band.

"When's the big day?" She asked courteously. Rose absently twiddled with the ring.

"Next Saturday."

"Wow, not long, then! You excited?" Sarah asked, carefully observing Rose's response. Rose paused, her face hardening.

"I suppose," She replied in an offhand manner.

"Who's the lucky man?"

"Mickey Smith. We've been datin' forever now. It's not unexpected," Rose averted her gaze away from Sarah Jane's direction.

"Do you love him?"

"Yes. I do," Rose whispered. Sarah felt a sad smile twist onto her features as she surveyed the young woman.

"How old are you?"

"I'm twenty three."

"Twenty three," Sarah repeated, "That's quite young. Rose, I don't mean to be rude, as I've only just meet you, but you don't seem very...confident that your future is right for you. Now, I'm probably just being an interfering old bat, and you can tell me to shove off if you want, but if I were you, I'd seriously think about what I was about to do."

Rose felt Sarah's wise words had another meaning. She was about to throw her life away for a stranger. Yes, she loved the Doctor with every ounce of her being, but did he feel that passionate about her? And what was life on the TARDIS like, anyway? Could she really just dump the people she'd known for 23 years for a man that she'd known for a week or so?

They say love is blind. But it seemed to be so much more than that. It was a bewildering, powerful emotion that ripped your soul to shreds.

Rose didn't reply to Sarah Jane. Instead, she examined the countryside that was flashing by before their eyes, whilst swallowing back tears.

Once they'd arrived at Cardiff, Rose and Sarah stood up at the same time, Sarah yawning. She'd drifted into a light sleep a few hours into the journey.

"Guess I didn't get as much work done as I should have, eh?" She grinned. Rose didn't acknowledge her, slipping on her jacket. Sarah lent over the table and gently touched Rose's arm. "I'm sorry if I've offended you, Rose. I'm just...very concerned for you. I'm a mother, you can call it my natural instincts if you like. I remember life when I was your age....there's so much more to see, much more than you'll ever know." Sarah enveloped Rose into a hug, which Rose returned gratefully.

"You haven't upset me, no. You've just given me a lot to think about," Rose thrust her zipper up with forced energy. Inside, she felt shaky and tired. She was walking to her death, effectively.

"I hope everything works out for you, Rose. I really do," Sarah pecked Rose softly on the cheek as they exited the train. "I'll see you around, maybe?"

"Yeah. I'd like that," Rose waved Sarah Jane off, before scouring the platform for Jack Harkness. Hold on. Sarah Jane Smith...

She finally remembered where she'd seen her name! When Rose was looking up files on the Doctor on the Torchwood database, she'd come across the older woman. She'd been documented as a former companion to the Doctor! She watched Sarah disappear behind the next train, and grinned. It was fate, telling her to go for the life with the Doctor, she just knew it!

She turned her attention back to Jack. Her breathing accelerated as she spotted him. Lugging her bag over her shoulder, she advanced towards him. His face split into a huge beam as he saluted her.

"Miss Tyler."

"Captain Jack," Rose nodded at him, returning the grin.

"You ready to explore the delights of Cardiff?" Jack asked, holding out his arm for her. She took it without hesitation. Why shouldn't she? After all, she was putting his life in Jack's hands. She may as well get to know the man who was potentially going to 'kill' her. They'd decided quickly that Rose shouldn't be mysteriously killed in battle, instead just in her sleep. It was easier that way, less fuss over having to fake an alien invasion.

Rose scrutinized the small phial of liquid as she held it up to her eye height.

"An' that's supposed to convince everyone that I'm dead?" She enquired, not tearing her eyes away from the tube.

"Yep, pretty much," Owen confirmed, still gazing at her. Gwen slapped his arm playfully at his puppy like state. "What?" He hissed, rubbing his arm whilst scowling at Gwen.

"But...what 'bout the doctors? Don't they have to check that I'm actually dead?" Rose pointed out, suddenly apprehensive.

"That's what Owen's here for," Tosh jerked her thumb towards their personal doctor.

"I'll give you a thorough look over, don't worry," Owen winked at Rose, who rolled her eyes. She was flattered, yes, but she didn't want to spurn his emotions on. Instead, she handed the phial back to Jack and gulped down a mug of coffee.

"This is gorgeous!" She exclaimed, once her lips parted company with the smooth mug edge, "Who made it?"

"That would be me. It's my speciality," Ianto flushed darkly, as Rose beamed.

"It's wonderful. Could I 'ave the recipie?"

"Ha, fat chance!" Gwen scoffed, "He doesn't give out the recipe to anybody. And besides, you're gonna be dead soon. What would you want coffee for?" Rose shrugged, spooning the remnants of coffee with a wistful air.

"Do you think I'm makin' a huge mistake?" Torchwood Three were silenced as Rose's words tumbled into existence. Rose glanced at them, one by one, expectantly. "Anythin' to say? C'mon, speak up. I might be making the biggest mistake in the universe 'ere. I need your feedback."

"Life with the Doctor can be intense, Rose. It's a dangerous life. Look what happened to Donna," Jack felt his throat tightened as he thought about their deceased friend. "But...you've promised us that this is the absolute right decision. And there's nothin' more for us to say, except good luck" Jack handed the phial over. Rose swirled the purple liquid gently as she summoned up her words of thanks.

"I can't tell you how grateful I am. For all of this. I mean, you could 'ave turned me away, refused my request, but you didn't. I'm eternally grateful," Rose wiped her eyes and laughed.

"When do you want us to send out the Doctor's message?" Ianto asked.

"After I've been killed. Wow, that sounds really weird," Rose commented.

"And this is where we leave you. Good luck, Rose Tyler. We'll see you...well, whenever. Have a fantastic life," Jack scooped the emotional blonde into his strong arms, and she clutched on, appreciative. She moved onto Gwen, then Ianto, then Tosh, and finally Owen. His lips puckered expectantly, but Rose just grinned.

"I'll ring you jus' before I take the liquid. Then you can rush down and proclaim my death, OK?" She ordered, and Owen nodded, his eyes glinting with a request.

"Come on. One little kiss? I'll keep your secret safe, I promise!" Rose reluctantly pressed her lips to his cheek.

"I'll see you soon," She threw at them with a smile. She pocketed the liquid and bounded out of the hub in the direction of the train station.

At midnight, once Jackie and Pete had retired to bed, Rose dived in her draw and fished out the phial. She sauntered to the balcony doors and threw them open, letting the cool air claim her. She gazed into the moonlight and watch the stars carefully, checking for a blue box hovering in the sky. Grabbing her phone, her fingers flew across the keypad as she hurriedly sent a a text to Jack. After deleting the evidence and depositing the phone in her pocket, she popped the phial open and drew it to her lips. She closed her eyes.

"This is for you, Doctor," She whispered softly, and gulped down the liquid. She hazily managed to clamber back to her bed and shove the empty phial under the desk.

But soon, her mind crashed down and Rose Tyler was no more.

For now.