The next day Rose set out to learn more about Cardiff. As much as the thought of being away from her mother made her sad, she knew she needed space. Wales was still closer than traveling through time and space, so her Mum could deal with it as far as Rose was concerned. Plus having Torchwood and Jack close by would be a reassurance against any issues she and a Time Tot would surely lure to the area.

The sun was shining as Rose went for a walk through the city, it really was a gorgeous place nestled on the water. On this fine day the vendors of the shops opted to have a sidewalk sale. Rose felt relaxed and almost happy as she walked slowly through the various tables. She had been in Cardiff for about 3 weeks and her stomach had grown immensely in this time, people were now certain she was pregnant and complete strangers would often ask about her pregnancy. Based on everyone's guesses, they placed her at about 6 months. It was actually more like three months but this was a pioneering pregnancy of sorts, so Rose chose not to think about it.

Looking out over the water, Rose thought about the many trips with the Doctor where they'd enjoyed a sunny day shopping alien markets. She ached for him, as much as she hated herself for that very fact. The words of her first Doctor had haunted her. "Please just give me a chance," his blue eyes pleaded. Maybe she had been a bit rash. Maybe it would just take some time for the Doctor to come around. But is that really what she wanted, for him to be obligated to her?

Just as Rose was rounding the corner she saw a well-known figure, tall, thin, brown suit and pinstripes. How was he here, how did he find her? Only Jack knew where she was, so this had to be complete happenstance.

The Doctor was eying fine jewelry in the window of the shop and chatting with the local proprietor animatedly. They jeweler was handing him some small silver-looking pieces, and as Rose snuck closer she saw he was looking at rings.

She took a deep breath and made her way towards him, swallowing down her anxiety and willing her self step by step. Maybe she'd give him the second chance 'Ole Blue Eyes had asked her for. It was quite spur of the moment, but Rose acted before she could think too much.

At that precise moment however, Reinette popped out from the next market stall and squealed with delight when she saw the Doctor was handling jewelry. When she saw the ring in his hands, she threw her arms around him and jumped up and down, cooing over it. She thought it was for her.

Rose pivoted and made to turn around but it was too late, he'd seen her.

The Doctor looked up and his hearts literally palpated at the sight of Rose frozen. "Rose…. You're here…" he said with an astonished look on his face. He gave her a small, tentative yet apologetic smile. Realizing what this must have looked like to her, he angrily extricated himself from Reinette, and walked after Rose.

"Rose!" He shouted in part shock and part panic. For a visibly pregnant woman, she was quick and nimble on her feet.

Rushing away, the Doctor ordered Reinette back into the TARDIS with a voice and expression so angry that the French woman jumped and immediately obeyed.

Looking back after Rose he saw she wasn't even running, but able to lose herself in the crowd easily. The Doctor lost sight of her fast and realized his defeat. So close! He had been so close! Why was he always walking after her?

He set his jaw in anger and thundered back to the TARDIS. Throwing open the doors, he strode directly to the courtesan, face set in a determined look. Reinette's smile faltered just as he reached her, placed his hands on her temple, and she blacked out.

The Doctor removed all traces of her time with him, the clockwork droids, and in place of the droids at the ball, he inserted a memory of a gang of marauders crashing the ball. If anyone brought up the droids, she would simply laugh at the absurdity and move on from the topic.

The Doctor set a course for France, placing her just after the ball when he'd first whisked her away. It wouldn't be crossing his own timeline because from here on out she belonged to history. Materializing into her room, he opened the doors of the TARDIS and deposited the sleeping Madame on her bed.

As he lay her down on her, he paused, taking in her peaceful features, her perfectly coifed hair, expensive silk and lace. He suddenly realized that more than anything he wanted pink and yellow features, bottle-bleached hair, and sweat-shirt hoodies.

After all, Reinette was poised and proper like all the women on Galifrey, and hadn't he run from that at his first chance? Perfection to him was Rose, and it grieved him that he was coming to this conclusion now. He left the fancy room that belonged to the Madame without glancing back, eager to be rid of this whole mistake.

He set a course back for the Powell Estates, 2006.

Taking a moment to swallow his pride, the Doctor knocked on the apartment door. A very annoyed Jackie opened up with a hand on her hip.

"About time you showed up. Come on it you big lump, about time we sort this mess out."