The Doctor couldn't believe Rose Tyler was worth this much to him. There he was, sitting in her mother's crowded living room, the mother who slapped him in the face and would not stop giving him the side eye every chance she got, trying to watch the news on the alien crash landing. He couldn't believe an actual alien just crash landed into Big Ben, and these people were talking about recipes and who asked who out. It was ridiculous!

He'd been sitting on the idea of whisking Rose away and going to Albion Hospital to investigate for about a half hour, but he kept arguing with himself over it. He knew she would go with him, but he couldn't take her away from her mother again. He was honestly surprised she still agreed to keep traveling with him to begin with. All the trouble he got her into, the time he had taken away from her, and she still said she was coming like there was no way she'd even consider leaving to begin with. But, it was just too much for him. He couldn't take another minute in their living room. He'd just have to go alone.

"And where do you think you're goin'?" came Rose's voice from behind him.

"Nowhere." He answered too quickly. "It's just a bit human in there for me. History just happened and they're talking about where you can buy dodgy top up cards for half price. I'm off on a wander, tha's all."

"Right. Off on a wander to Albion Hospital, perhaps?"

"Rose," he started. "That was a genuine crash-landing. Angle of decent, color of smoke, everything! It was perfect."

"So?"

"So maybe this is it! First contact! The day mankind officially comes into contact with an alien race. I'm not interfering, cos you gotta handle this on your own. Now, go, spend some time with your mum."

"Yeah, but I know you. You're curious." She gave him a knowing look and the Doctor knew she could see through his nonchalant lies. How she could read him so well was a mystery, but also seemed to be part of the Rose Tyler charm. "Look, I'm not telling you not to go, I jus'… I wanna make sure you're comin' back. Alright?"

"You know what," the Doctor patted up and down his jacket until he found what he was looking for. "TARDIS key, bout time you had one." He presented her with the key and chain. The look in her eyes was something he'd never forget; a look like she was being welcomed home after a long journey away. They shared a smile. "See ya later."

Rose watched him until he was out of sight. She clutched the key tightly to her heart and walked back inside. The loud chatter of the room hit her like a brick wall, but she didn't care. Almost in a daze, she sat down in the seat previously taken by the Doctor. Rose just stared down at the key, turning it over in her hand again and again. It felt more real, having the cold metal in her hand. It almost seemed to buzz in her palm. Every little thing meant so much more to her this time around, for obvious reasons.

She must have sat there with a goofy grin on her face for a long time because the next thing she knew, the whole room had gone quiet. Which could only mean…

"Mickey." She said, standing up. The look on his face said nothing and everything all at once. It was like he couldn't decide which emotion to express.

"Someone owes Mickey an apology." Said Ru sternly.

"I'm sorry." Rose said automatically.

"Not you." Ru glared at her mother.

"Well, it's not my fault!" Jackie said defensively. "Be fair, wot was I supposed to think?"

"Mum, you didn't." Rose groaned. She took a deep breath. She knew it was all gonna go to shite, but it still exhausted her. "Alright, mum, Mickey, can I see ya in the kitchen please?"

"Yeah, yeah we need to talk." Mickey said, clearly deciding on being angry

They all walked to the kitchen awkwardly, Rose closing the door behind them to hopefully ward off any listening ears and/or prying eyes. Her mother sat down by the door and Rose settled on leaning against the sink, but Mickey was pacing the length of the small kitchen.

"Now," Rose started calmly, but Mickey rounded on her.

"You disappear, who do they turn to? Your boyfriend. That's who. Or your ex, I guess, right Rose? Five times I was taken in for questioning. Five times! No evidence, of course. There couldn't be could there? And then I get her, your mother, whispering around the estate, pointing the finger, stuff through my letter box, and all cos of you!"

"I'm sorry, Mickey, I really am. Didn't think I'd be gone so long." But of course, she did. She knew she'd be gone twelve months, but it's not like she could've done anything about it. "I told you I was goin' travelin' though."

"Oh, yeah, you told me!" he snapped. "You break it off and swan off like it's nothing. And I still waited for you, Rose! Twelve months. Waitin' for you and the Doctor to come back!"

"Hold on! You knew about the Doctor?" her mum pipped up. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Yeah, yeah. Why not, Rose? Huh? How could I tell her where you went?"

"Tell me now."

"I might as well, cause you're stuck here. The Doctor's gone. That box thing just faded away. He's left you! Some boyfriend he turned out to be."

"Mickey, I know. I told him to go." Rose said calmly. "And he's not my boyfriend. He's much more important than that."

"You don't believe me." Mickey said skeptically. "Fine, I'll show you." And with that, he marched out the door with Jackie after him. Rose had no choice, she had to follow.

"See!" yelled Mickey, gesturing to the empty space that used to contain the TARDIS. "Oh, he's dumped you, Rose! Sailed off into space. How does it feel? Now you are left behind with the rest of us Earthlings. Get used to it."

"I told you, I already know he's gone. He's coming back."

"Wot are you two idiots going on about? Wots goin' on? Wots this Doctor done now?"

Mickey laughed mockingly. "Oh, he's vamoosed."

"He's not, I'm tellin ya. I know where he is and I know he is coming back. Look, he even gave me this."

She showed him the key from her pocket and right as she did, it began to heat in her hand and glow faintly. Then the wooshing filled her ears, and she couldn't help but smile. The whirring grew louder and the wind blew around them as the TARDIS materialized. With a solidifying boom, there she was. Mickey had a triumphant smile on his face in reaction to Jackie's shock. Rose knew the Doctor was not going to like this, but she walked into the TARDIS with both Mickey and her mum following in suit. She jogged a bit ahead of them in order to warn him. This was going to be fun.