Jake had gone off to meet the team who were taking care of John and two of his own team had just arrived to stop anyone from straying into the hospital wing they had taken over. Jackie had been on the phone to Pete.

"Tell Rose I'll be there as soon as I can, I'll have to tell Tony I'm coming down to see John but he wanted to know why he couldn't be with you," Pete told her after she'd said what had happened.

"I know he wants to come down Pete, maybe you should bring him?"

"No, I'd have to take him out of nursery and I don't want that yet. I'll leave after lunch, get his nanny to take him and promise him I'll bring him a present back. Maybe Rose and John can come back up with us?"

"I think we're gonna have trouble with that, she met someone. The man who was the matching donor."

"Alec Hardy? Owen told me about him, I'm authorising the cost of his pacemaker surgery but how did Rose get involved with him so fast?"

"Don't go asking me, he was in her house yesterday morning, when we all went over and he was the one that called the ambulance a while ago, Mickey said he found him. I asked her about it, she didn't want to talk about it and she's hardly left him since we got here, they won't let us in to see John yet, he's being kept sedated. I asked Hardy as the ambulance was leaving but he gave me the brush-off. I hardly know anything about him but Rose has already made her mind up about him."

"I've read up on him, he had a failed case a while back but he was cleared of any wrong-doing. Just leave her Jaks, she knows what she's doing and if he's about to save John's life, the least I can do is make sure he gets his operation."

"I hope you're right, I don't want him going off as soon as this is over but she said something about he knows. Maybe she's already told him some of it?"

"Maybe. I'll see her when I get there, don't worry, John will be fine."

Rose had been persuaded by Alec to go with him to get some breakfast, Mickey was waiting for Jackie, who had gone around the corner to call Pete.

"Mickey, where is everyone?" Jackie asked, looking at the empty seats.

"Jake's gone to do his security stuff and Alec talked Rose into getting something to eat."

"Huh? He can get her to do that when I can't? She's gonna be heartbroken if his surgery later on doesn't go well."

"You can't tell her Jackie, you know better than anyone what she can be like. At least she's eating something, like Alec said, we don't want her to have to stay in. I'm gonna ask to borrow Jake's car and go get her a few things from home, if she's staying here, Alec said it could be a while before he comes round from the first lot, never mind the other. I think he's going to ask Owen to do it all while he's out cold, get it over with."

"Poor Rose, having two of them to worry about. Did Owen come back out?"

"Not yet, I expect he's overseeing things, Jake's been talking to the medical team, John will have 24hr care but I expect Rose will be there and even sleep here."

"What they doing about Alec then?"

"He'll be out for 24 hrs or so, especially if they do the pacemaker, he's asked for them to put him in with John in the recovery room."

"Well she won't go in until John does, surely?"

"Think about it Jackie, she'd rather wait in the recovery room with Alec than sit out here with us, they'll alert her when John is coming out of surgery."

"Well I suppose so then, why would she want to stay out here with us when Alec's out of surgery?"

"Alec will be out first, John's will take longer. Let's go find them, see if she wants me to go back to her place and see if Alec needs anything, he might want his shirt."

Mickey grinned at the thought that Alec hadn't had the time to get dressed properly but he must have been too concerned getting help for John. He and Rose must have been sleeping together.

Meanwhile, Rose was eating some breakfast and Alec was calling his chief.

"Yes, Elaine, it's had to be brought forward, the boy was taken in a while ago, we found him passed out in his bed. I take it you will keep this confidential?"

"Of course Alec, it goes without saying. The hospital informed me of your involvement in the recovery of the boy. I'll make sure it doesn't go against you, your job will be waiting for you."

"There's something else, it's not that straightforward."

"It never is."

"I'm having a pacemaker fitted when they've got what they need for the boy. I may not survive."

"Good grief Alec, how long have you known about that? Why wasn't it on your record from Sandbrook?"

"I had it covered up, I take the blame entirely, it was no-one else's fault. I know I'll need a medical before I can come back but I've been assured all the paperwork will be filled in."

"All the same Alec, you'll have to be cleared for duty and it couldn't have come at a worse time, right in the middle of an investigation."

"These things can't be timed, how was Miss Tyler to know Danny Latimer was going to be killed just as an appeal for a donor was beginning?"

"You don't have to lecture me on that Alec. I took you on on your merits but this puts things in a different light. However, if you get assurance you can still do your job, you can come back on reduced hours and only on desk duty, understood?"

"Yes, I get it and I have someone who will make sure I stick to it."

He hung up and smiled at Rose.

All they could do was wait. Alec tried to delay Rose in the café but she wanted to go back to the waiting area, now guarded by two Torchwood operatives with instructions only family, now including Alec and authorised staff were allowed through the double doors. Just before midday, Owen, who had been in and out for a few hours as he was getting everything organised, came out to talk to Rose and Alec.

"I know you two are involved and Alec, I'm sure you want Rose to hear this?"

Alec nodded and put his arm around Rose as Owen began to explain how they would do the extraction from Alec and then he would be kept sedated while the heart specialist and his team arrived and made the preparations. He would be present for John's surgery, handing over to experts in that particular field and Alec would be kept in intensive care while the preparations for him were being made, sometime in the afternoon and he explained the procedure for the pacemaker fitting wouldn't take that long but he may be in some pain when he woke up and would have to remain for 24 hrs while it was put under control.

"I'll leave you to talk but I'll send someone when they're ready for you Alec. Rose, you can see John now."

Alec let go of her but she took his hand. "No Alec, come with me and there's something I need to say to you, before you go."

"Whatever it is Rose, I'm coming back, to you and John and I'm sorry we didn't get to be together properly last night."

"I know, there's no need for you to say anything, you just promise me you'll get through this."

"I will love but just in case, you have my solicitor's details, they will inform Tess."

"Do you want to call her?"

"Aye, I should let her know I'm having it done early. You go in and see John, I'll be in when I've spoken to Tess."

"Ok, don't let her get to you, will you?"

He leaned down, putting his finger on her chin and kissed her.

"I won't love and I'm getting through this for you, not for her. This isn't how I wanted to tell you, I was looking forward to a nice day out but I'm falling for you Rose, you know that, don't you?"

"Yeah, I feel the same Alec, I don't know how this all happened so fast."

"We'll have plenty of time to figure it out, when I come round."

They kissed again, Jackie catching sight of them as they made their way to John's room and stopped outside. Rose went inside and Alec got his phone out, wishing he'd charged it up now but time had been of the essence this morning. Before he'd chance to find Tess's number, Jackie had got up and crossed over to him.

"I know you and Rose are sleeping together, don't bother denying it Alec Hardy, I've got my eye on you."

Alec was not in the mood to be confronted about his new sleeping arrangements with his now girlfriend, especially by her mother.

"I'm not discussing this with you, not now, your grandson is in there, your daughter needs you and so does he so maybe you should concentrate on them instead of having a go at me. I don't mean any disrespect Mrs Tyler but mine and Rose's relationship has no bearing on what I'm about to do and in case you had forgotten, I may not even get out of surgery."

Rose had said she'd already told her mother about what may happen. Jackie was taken aback somewhat, she wasn't used to having anyone turn on her, well not since the Doctor was no longer around and looking at Alec now, she could see the same look in his eyes, the look that said to back off and Rose was his. She had come between Rose and the Doctor, she knew that now and Rose had chosen him in the end but had left it too late to have a proper relationship with him and now his son was fighting for his life and this man staring at her was about to save it.

"Sorry, I'm just looking out for her, I don't want her to get hurt again, you have no idea what she went through when we came here and she found out she was pregnant."

"Well I'm not going anywhere Mrs Tyler, providing I get out of surgery. I want to take care of her and her son and I know you only have her best interests in mind but don't hold her back, she deserves some happiness."

"I know that."

"Yes, well, I have to tell my ex wife and my daughter the surgery has been brought forward and I'm not looking forward to it. I promise you, I will look after them if I get through this."

Jackie looked at him as he went off, phone in his hand and knew he meant it.

Tess finally answered her phone, Alec wondered what she could have been doing on a Sunday lunchtime to take so long.

"What do you want now Alec?" she finally asked.

"To tell you the surgery's been brought forward, I'm just waiting to be called in, they had to bring the boy in early, he was found unconscious this morning."

"Blimey Alec, is he going to be ok?"

"Yes, Rose is with him, we've been here since early this morning waiting for some news. I'm getting the pacemaker fitted while I'm under the anaesthetic, may as well."

"I'm coming down then, is it the hospital in Dorchester?"

"Yes, if you must. Just park up and look for the south wing, I'll let the security detail know to expect you. Don't make a fuss Tess, I'm with Rose and she won't take too kindly to you barging in saying you're my ex wife and you have more rights than she does. She's got my consent to see to any arrangements that need making and I'm signing a form if the worst happens as to my wishes in the matter. I doubt you'll be bothered anyway, Daisy will be taken care of. Rose will be with me when and if I come round, it's up to her if she wants you in the recovery room with me, they will be bringing her son in as well."

"It sounds well organised Alec, just how far are you involved with her?"

"You're not the only one who can find someone else Tess, just remember that."

"Very well Alec, I'm going to set off now, good luck if I'm not there when they take you in."

Bypassing Jackie, he opened the door to John's room to find Rose sitting on the bed, holding his hand and pushing his hair back on his forehead. She'd not spoken to him since last night, Mickey was the one to last say anything to him and he'd not said what they'd talked about. Knowing Mickey, he would have been acting silly.

"How is he love?" Alec asked, putting his hand on her shoulder and rubbing it with his thumb.

"No change really, he's being monitored, his breathing's still a bit shallow but they're not too worried. Alec, I dread to think what would have happened, had you not been here to be a match for him."

"Someone else may have been, how come you didn't match?"

"Only one in three people have a compatible parent, the Doctor was probably the one. Alec, the more I think about it, the more I believe he somehow knew about it all and got you here, it can't have been a coincidence, what were the chances you'd be sent here?"

"Maybe we're not meant to know eh? Ok, how about another drink? Look Rose, maybe he did somehow sense before you got separated that you were pregnant and while he was waiting for you to drive up to meet him, he did some research and found me? You say this world runs ahead, maybe he saw me in the past or he somehow knew I'd get sent here, let's just be thankful I was here."

Rose got up and let Alec put his arms around her. "There's so much I want to tell you Alec."

"I know love, you can tell me every night when I get home from work, after we put John to bed."

"You plan on being around then?"

"Yes I do, you gave me new hope Rose, you are the miracle I needed to give me a kickstart to get myself fixed. Once they put me under, I won't know anything, it's a great shame they can't wake me up to tell me and ask if I want to go through with it and if I want them to continue but once they start, there's no going back. The very least I can hope for is that they can bring me back if the pacemaker doesn't fix me. I don't want to upset you any more than you already are."

"It's ok Alec, I know what you're trying to say. I'm staying here until they come for him. You'll be ok Alec, you have to be, we both need you and I know he sent you, to be with me because he knew I wouldn't be able to face this alone."

"You have your mother, she tried to warn me off again," he joked.

Rose smiled. "Did it work?"

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "What do you think?"

Alec went out and walked to the drinks machine, Mickey was already there, he didn't know where Jake was.

"How are you holding up Alec?" Mickey asked, handing Alec a tea and putting more coins in for another.

"Ok I guess, could you tell Jake my ex wife's on her way here? Her name is Tess Henchard but she'll probably try throwing her authority around and shove her ID card in someone's face."

Mickey smiled. "Is she that bad?"

"Worse. I'll take this to Rose, she's staying in with John. Have you told her friend, my DS?"

Mickey hadn't even thought about that.

"I'll get Jackie to call her, Rose is in no state to think about telling people anything. Tell her we'll stay with John, if she needs a break."

"I will, thanks."

Alec went off and nudged the door open, balancing two paper cartons of tea. Rose took one gratefully, still perched on the side of the bed. He sat in the chair, pulling it around to face the sleeping boy.

"Come and sit here for a while love?"

"I'm ok here. I guess we just wait now?"

It was almost an hour before Owen came back in, smiling to himself as Alec had persuaded Rose to get off the bed and she was sitting wrapped around him, her head on his shoulder and her eyes closed. She stirred suddenly as Alec was saying "Shush!" to Owen.

"Time to go get ready Alec, the nurse here will take you to your room and you can get undressed, then they'll wheel you to the operating theatre. Last chance for you two to snog each other's faces off, I'll wait outside."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Rose asked as she tried to get up.

"I'll be fine, unless you want to make sure Tess doesn't try to take over, I thought I heard her voice outside, she should get on well with your mother."

"Very funny Alec. I'll be there, when you come round, I promise. I'm not going to pace the corridor with my mother while John's in there, I'd rather wait with you. I'll come in your room with you, if you want? Mum will sit with John."

"If you are sure? Or do you just want to show my ex who's the boss?"

Alec leaned down and they shared a few more kisses, then Rose got up, pulling him with her.

Jackie had called Ellie, who had sent everyone her best wishes. Jackie though didn't get the part that Alec's heart problem was a secret.

"What did you just say Jackie?" Ellie asked, thinking she'd misheard something about Hardy also having surgery.

Jackie managed to recover. "Oh, didn't he want you to know? I suppose not but he's the match Ellie, I didn't think with you two working together he'd want to keep it secret from you."

"Well I know that bit, he told me. Are he and Rose seeing each other then?"

Jackie saw them come out of John's room, hand in hand and walk off, following a nurse.

"You could say that. She'll be upset if it doesn't work out with Alec's surgery."

"Why wouldn't it? What aren't you telling me Jackie?"

Mickey was now looking at her.

"I can't say any more, I'll let you know how they're both getting on."

"Jackie, you know Alec didn't want anyone knowing about his pacemaker," Mickey reminded her as she hung up.

"Why does he have to be so secretive?"

Mickey shrugged his shoulders. "Don't ask me."

Alec was behind the curtain, getting undressed after he passed his personal belongings to Rose. They had seen Tess in the corridor and Alec had stopped for a few minutes to introduce her to everyone.

"Rose, this is Tess. Tess, this is Rose Tyler, her mother Jackie and their friend Mickey. No fighting you two, I can't abide women fighting."

Tess tried to put on her best smile and held out her hand.

"Pleased to meet you Rose. I hope your son will recover."

"He will, it will just take some time. Alec has to go now but you can wait here."

Alec was certain Tess was going to insist she went with them but she didn't. Instead, she reached and gave Alec a kiss on the cheek and wished him good luck. Once Alec had got into the hospital bed, Rose went behind the curtain.

"Don't you go giving up on me Alec Hardy. I'm not telling your ex wife you didn't make it."

"Don't worry love, you won't have to but promise me one thing? I've made arrangements but I want you to take charge and take me back home to be buried, ok?"

"Only when you're old and grey Alec and don't you go arguing with me about it. What we said earlier, about falling for each other, I meant it and I never thought I would love another man."

"Rose, I thought when Tess left me I would never trust another woman to give my broken heart to but I did, when I found you. Take this how you want but if I don't make it Rose, you were the one I could fall in love with. Maybe we could have had a nice day out today, to see how we really felt about each other but it's been taken out of our hands."

"We'll have lots more days out Alec, John hasn't collected all the model trams yet."

They kissed one more time as they heard the door open and the orderlies came to take him, both of them hoping they would see each other again.