Over in New York, Kate and Castle had enjoyed a fairly peaceful Sunday, compared with the previous one when Rose had been missing. Emmett had got back to Gracepoint, still puzzled as to how lucky old Alec Hardy had managed to get tangled up with Rose so quickly and trying not to feel jealous. He wasn't going to let up though, he had the advantage over the New York police, he had more time to spare and he wanted to find out more now he had more facts about Kilgrave.

After Kilgrave had left the apartment on Friday morning, he'd found himself feeling betrayed, just when he'd thought he had Rose where he wanted her, she must have had it all arranged, well rather Torchwood had, that if they had a member who was compromised, a fake site had been set up. He should have known but he'd been convinced Rose was being reasonably compliant with him for fear he would do something to the others.

He'd also had a nasty suspicion that the police were closing in on him and that making one of the men stand above the balcony would have drawn some attention as he'd seen the police cars attending the incident with the taxi drivers arguing just down the street. No, he had made a wise decision and maybe he would go look for Hope again, she had to be somewhere. The last person at the moment he needed to come across was Jessica Jones but sooner or later, he'd have to come to terms with her though she probably thought he was dead.

Tuesday, Rose was back at her therapist's office, recalling more details about how Kilgrave had treated her.

"So Rose, tell me slowly how you felt when he took you out to the park. Did you feel he was watching you all the time?"

"Yeah, he was, he never let go of my arm or my hand and when we went on the carousel, he sat behind me, his arms were around my waist. The only time he let go was for me to visit the ladies room, then he said he'd send someone in after me and I believed him."

"So, what about the following day? How did you travel?"

"We got taxis, don't ask me if he paid or not, he held me behind him all the time and on the way back to the apartment, he kept my head into his shoulders when we were almost back, we could have been anywhere."

"Now, I want you tell me about the first night you spent with him, properly. How did you feel?"

Rose thought this was getting a little too personal. "Do I have to?"

"You have to get it all off your mind Rose, it will only build up and get in the way if you want to form another relationship."

"You mean with Alec?"

"With anyone Rose, not just present but also future relationships."

"I treated it like an assignment, I already told you. I tried to resist him as long as I could, really I did but he knew I was stalling. I've no idea what he would have done."

"When did he start wanting you to take the lead?"

"The next morning, he wanted to get me in the shower. Is this really necessary? Will this go in the report?"

"Not if you don't want it to, you only have to say."

"I just don't want Alec to know Marsha, I really like him."

"Because of who he looks like?"

Rose hesitated. "No, not just that but what if he's the one? The one who will help me finally get over the Doctor and I scare him away?"

"Do you want Alec to be the one? I won't put this in the report. Have you told him how you feel about him?"

"He told me to give it a week then we'd discuss it again. Didn't I already tell you that?"

Marsha ignored her, writing this down in her private notes. Rose still had some fixation with the detective, on day two. She needed to see how Rose changed her attitude over the next few days. If she was still keen on him, then maybe he was the one that would help her. He had already said he was more than willing, if she wanted his help.

Alec was kept busy, the pile of folders on his desk were like a chain around his neck and Miller wasn't helping. He got up and put his jacket on – he needed some air, even if it was sea air.

"Sir, are you following up a lead?" Ellie asked as he placed the pile of folders on the corner of her desk.

"No, I just need to get out, you carry on."

Ellie followed him out into the corridor.

"It's Rose, she's getting to you."

"Is that a question Miller?" he asked, pressing the lift button.

"No, I think it's more of a statement. What if she doesn't want to see you again?"

"Whose side on you on Miller?"

The lift arrived and he stepped inside, pressing the 'Hold' button.

"You have to face it Hardy, she could have a complete breakdown and have to get proper help."

"Very comforting Miller, I talked with her last night. I also spoke to my daughter and told her Rose might be here when she arrives."

"I bet that went down well?"

Alec nodded and released the button. Perhaps he hadn't thought this through properly, what was he thinking of? Daisy was just showing signs she wanted a father-daughter relationship and Rose was getting over been forced to spend time with Kilgrave and she still had the Doctor heavily on her mind. He was the last one she needed.

He walked across the road and went to one of the catering stalls but wasn't aware he'd been spotted by the town's reporter. Olly Stevens had got a few things out of his mother as to his aunt's sudden trip away and leaving her boys, his cousins behind. Alec had just sat down and was waiting for his pot of tea when Olly stood in front of him.

"DI Hardy, have you got a minute?"

"What do you want now Stevens? Can't I have five minutes peace?"

Despite the question, he pulled out the seat opposite. "My mother told me my Aunt Ellie went to New York with you, care to give me five minutes to tell me why?"

Alec's drink arrived and the assistant gave Olly a look as if to say he should order something.

"There is nothing to tell, it's confidential. We were on a special assignment, co-operating with the New York Police Department."

"Why would the NYPD want two English detectives?"

Alec poured out his tea and wondered how long he could go without telling the irritating reporter he went to rescue Rose Tyler.

"I told you, I can't tell you what we were doing there. Look out in the next few days though, there may be something of interest to you."

"What does that mean?"

"You're the reporter, figure it out. Now, it's time for you to leave, if you are not going to buy anything."

Olly got up, seeing the catering staff watching him since Alec was sat in the area reserved for customers only. He was determined to get something more out of the gruff detective since his aunt had told his mother not to say anything. What did Hardy mean though? Maybe he should go back to the office and check recent press statements, maybe the Tyler's were in the news again. That would be something, Alec Hardy would be the last one to get caught up with the Vitex heiress, she was in the news almost every week but the last two weeks, things had been quiet.

Maybe she'd been over to New York and needed two detectives to escort her or better still, she'd got herself kidnapped and Hardy and his aunt had gone to find her. Still, he'd have to wait for confirmation, Mr Tyler would shut him down if he wrote anything and he was more scared of the Vitex chairman than he was Hardy.

Alec looked at his phone, it wasn't even noon yet and Rose may not be out of her morning session, though he didn't know what time she started. He put the phone away, finished his tea and got up and decided he'd take a walk up the High Street and visit the rental agency, see if he could find something with three bedrooms for next weekend but he was pushing his luck.

He had to pass the caravan office so thinking it would save him a walk and maybe some time, he stepped inside.

"Can I help you Sir?" a young woman asked him.

The woman behind her stepped forward. "It's ok Sarah, I'll attend to the inspector. How can we help you today?"

Twenty minutes later, Alec had booked an extra wide three bedroomed caravan for the following Thursday and put his daughter's and Rose's names down as staying there so they could get free passes for the club and swimming pool plus Rose could leave her car if she decided to ever go back and drive it down. If he didn't get to collect her after the hearing in Portsmouth was over, Jake would more than likely bring her down.

He just hoped now he'd paid from Thursday to Tuesday morning, Rose would want to stay with him and being who he was, the assistant manager had agreed if he wanted to extend his stay, it could be arranged. He supposed the woman thought it would be a feather in her cap if the police would be paying for however long he chose to stay there, it was money in the bank. It would be easy enough to get his housing allowance transferred, though with it being the holiday weekend and he'd had to pay the cost himself, he hoped if Rose decided she liked it she would pay towards it.

Pete had told him money was no object as long as Rose was happy and a caravan was marginally better than his chalet, at least the bedroom doors would close but he wished he could have taken a proper look though the woman had kindly shown him some photos on the website of the model he'd chosen with two double bedrooms and he'd been told one bed in the twin room could be removed if he asked. He wandered back to the station, pleased he'd at least got that sorted, now all he had to do was reserve a room at the pub for Rose's arrival and call her later.

Rose had been picked up by Mickey from her therapist's office and on the way back, he asked her if she was now talking to him.

"I suppose so Mickey but if you pull another stunt like that again, I'll disown you. What you go and do it for anyway?"

"I said I was sorry Rose, geez, how many more times?"

"You're still jealous, admit it."

"No I'm not but after everything you've been through, do you really need another Doctor look-alike?"

"I don't consider Alec like that, Marsha already asked me if I was using him as a substitute and I'm not, he's much more."

"Me and Jake had a bet going, that you'd run a mile when you saw him."

"Well who lost then?"

She didn't really need to ask.

"I'm still going down to Broadchurch, with or without Alec taking me on Monday. He's got a hearing to attend but he'll come back up for me, if it only lasts a day, if not, I'll go down anyway on Tuesday."

"Do you want me to take you?" Mickey asked as they arrived at the Tyler mansion.

"Nah, Jake can take me. I might ask Alec if he's staying in Portsmouth overnight where his hotel is and meet him there, then he can take me down to Broadchurch. I think I'll ask him when he calls me."

Mickey knew she was still determined to go with the detective and wondered if any of them were going to be able to convince her she was wrong about all this, that Alec was the last person she needed right now. Rose thanked Mickey and opened the door to find Tony had come home from school.

"Hey, what's wrong, why are you home Tony?"

Her mother chose that moment to come out of the kitchen.

"I had to have him picked up, he screamed the place down when there was a fire drill. Honestly Tony, you've had them before, what was it this time?"

"Don't know Mum, I just got scared when everyone was going back in."

Jackie knew what it was. Pete and Rose had been away almost two weeks then Rose had let on she intended disappearing for however long she decided and it wasn't helping.

"Aw, never mind, did the fire brigade arrive?"

"Nope, it was just a drill Rose. Are you going away again?"

Rose led him to sit down.

"Tony, I made a new friend, I just want to spend some time with him, that's all. You know I go away sometimes."

"Yeah but you and dad don't always go together."

"Well dad's staying this time and we promise you can come down and see me next holiday if I'm not back."

"Ok then, are you going to the seaside?"

"Yeah, it should be a bit warmer then, it will still be a bit cold now anyway. Maybe you can meet Daisy, she's Alec's daughter."

Jackie was listening with interest, Rose was really getting caught up in all this and it would all come back to slap her in the face when she came to her senses. She knew her daughter was still holding back, the last time she had seen a man who looked similar to the Doctor, well she didn't want to think about it.

After lunch, Rose went to her room to have some time to herself before Alec called, which she was looking forward to. She thought she was getting nowhere with her therapist, why had Marsha wanted to know how she felt when Kilgrave wouldn't let her out of his sight? She was looking up 'Broadchurch' online when her mobile rang, an international number. It was Kate.

"Hi Rose, I thought I would check and see how you were doing. So how's things?"

"Going slowly. Have you caught Kilgrave yet?"

"Sorry no but we had a few more leads. Hope went back home to her parents, they came to collect her, they drove all the way from Omaha. Fingers crossed she won't wander off again but there was something else. Did Kilgrave mention anyone called Jessica?"

"Not that I remember. Who is she?"

Kate didn't want to go into too many details. "We're not sure, we're still looking into it, Hope mentioned her but she's still well out of it. How are you doing?"

"You'll be getting that report from my therapist but I've told her to leave some things out."

Kate was dying to know what they were and were probably the juicy bits. Castle had said to her before the call that maybe Rose was still attached to Alec Hardy. Kate had disagreed though and putting down the phone, turned to her husband.

"So, get anything out of her?" he asked.

"No, not much, she was very quiet. I think you might all be wrong Castle, if she was still seeing Hardy, she would have been talking about him."

"Did you ask her about him?"

"You have a lot to learn, she would have volunteered the information, I wouldn't have to ask her."

"Maybe she kept quiet, if her therapist has been asking her questions about him? She probably doesn't want anyone else telling her she doesn't need another man who looks like Kilgrave and the friend she lost."

"Maybe you're right. If I talk to her again, I'll ask her. Take that smirk off your face Castle, I still think you're wrong about them."

"Did you see that kiss he gave her? That wasn't a spur of the moment thing Beckett, they'd kissed before. She never fought him off."

"Well your mother encouraged them though Rose didn't look too flustered but I don't think she was actually expecting him to kiss her in front of everyone."

"Then you have to at least agree to the possibility there was something going on between them."

Kate couldn't really argue on the point. She had to ring Alec anyway, to make sure he was going to forward the reports, what there were going to be of them by the sound of it, if Rose was going to leave some of it out. She retrieved the number and waited for him to answer.

Alec was back in his office, counting down to when it would be safe to call Rose and thinking he was almost as bad as she was. What had happened to him over the last few days? He'd told Rose to think about it but he was doing exactly the opposite, he didn't want to think about it, he wanted it to be Friday morning so he could pack a weekend bag and drive up and see her.

He knew if she hadn't been so vulnerable he wouldn't have left her to think about it for a week, he would have stayed when she'd asked him to and waited with her while she went to see her therapist. What had he been thinking, leaving her to mull it over when he already knew she'd made her mind up about it but he had to prove to himself that she was doing it for the right reasons and he wasn't being used as her escape from what had happened to her.

She would be better off knowing that he did care about her rather than her wondering whether he did or not. He had to tell her tonight, before she went off the idea completely and he didn't want her to do that. He was rather annoyed that the hearing was on Monday but it was better than getting her down here and leaving her alone or even considering taking her with him. His phone rang and he squinted at the screen, unhappily it wasn't Rose. He would have to assign another ring tone for her and maybe sneak a photo from the internet until he could take one of her for himself, since they'd not really been at that stage when they had parted. Hell, she still may not want to be at that 'stage' when he went to see her.

This was doing neither of them any good but the phone kept ringing and he snapped out of it.

"Hardy."

"Hello Alec, it's Kate Beckett."

"Hello Detective Beckett, what can I do for you today?"

"Oh, I just wondered how things were. Have you spoken to Rose?"

"I spoke to her yesterday, I was unsure what time her sessions with her therapist were so I've not called today."

Kate knew it, he wasn't that keen by the sound of it. Maybe he was having second thoughts after all.

"I just spoke with her, she was reluctant to say anything or maybe she thought she couldn't talk on the phone."

"Ah, maybe that was the problem, she never said much to me last night either but I will be seeing her on Friday, with any luck. That's if she doesn't scream down the phone she never wants to see me again."

"Oh I don't know, judging by that kiss in the restaurant."

"What is it with everyone? I heard Jake and Mickey talking at the airport about it, seems Jake won a bet, according to Miller."

Kate had to laugh, if Rose had any designs on him, he was completely at a loss as to the effect he'd had on her. She wasn't going to be the one to tell him either.

Alec said goodbye and said he would forward the reports to her personally then he decided he couldn't settle until he checked up on Rose. The effect she was having on him, well he'd never felt like this when he was chasing after Tess, it was more like they had just latched onto each other at the station because they were both new there and she was shying away from Dave but thirteen years later, he had worn her down and was still married though she didn't seem to care any longer.

He closed his office door, noticing Ellie with her head stuck in the pile of folders he'd placed on her desk earlier. He found Rose's number, it should be safe enough to call her now, it was mid-afternoon. Rose was having fun with Tony chasing her around the hallway with his new police car that she didn't hear her phone ringing so her mother answered it, not noticing who was calling and thinking it was Mickey or Jake.

"Rose, glad I caught you," Alec's Scottish voice came down the phone.

"Are you now? Why wouldn't you be catching Rose then? Is that Alec? I want a word with you."

He knew it could only be her mother. "Ah, Mrs Tyler, may I say how nice it is to finally get the chance to talk to you?"

"What do you mean? If you want Rose, she's playing with her brother, he almost lost her you know?"

He was about to say he was there but thought against it. "Yes Mrs Tyler, I am aware of that, I was there when she was found."

"I know you were, I suppose I should thank you for that. What I want to know is why she didn't run away from you."

He wasn't sure himself and supposed he'd not find out until he got Rose to tell him.

"That is a very good question. Maybe because she spoke to me through the door and I told her who I was. I expect her therapist will have asked her the same question. Would you be kind enough to get her for me?"

"Well I still want to talk to you when you get here, taking her away again. Tony's already getting upset 'cos she's going away again, I had to bring him home from school."

"I understand that Mrs Tyler but it is Rose's choice, she asked me to bring her down here. She mentioned her brother was wanting to come down and see her."

"Well it will be all I can do to stop him wanting to go off with her, they're very close, Rose grew up on her own."

"So I have been told. I will try to explain to him that she won't be that far away and that he should get you to bring him down during the late May holiday."

"I've already had to tell him that we will, if Rose is still there. Did she say how long she was gonna stay?"

"She never actually said but when I mentioned my daughter was coming to stay next weekend, she wanted to meet her. I was just going to book Rose's accommodation for her, at the pub near where I live."

"A pub? Are there no decent hotels there?"

"Yes but they are up in the town and since Mr Tyler asked me to look after her, they are too far away."

"Oh, he did, did he? What about when you're working?"

"I am taking some leave, at Mr Tyler's request."

He wasn't going to say he was the one who suggested it in the first place and used it to his advantage.

"Well you make sure you do look after or when we come down there or she comes home, I'll want to know why."

"I will take very good care of her, I promise you. Now, could you get her for me?"

Jackie seemed satisfied with his answers and walking out with the phone in her hand, almost collided with her son.

"Tony, stop that now, you are not a police car. Rose, why are you chasing him?"

"Aw but Mum, I'm chasing Rose, she's the baddie."

"Well she can stop, she has a phone call."

"Who is it Mum?"

"Find out, here. Now I have to calm Tony down."

Rose took the phone and saw Alec's name, hoping he hadn't heard her mother saying she was playing the baddie or that he'd been put through a grilling by her mother asking his intentions towards her daughter, it may just put him off.

"Hi Alec, sorry about that. How are you?"

"Me? Just fine, I should be asking you that question. Having fun chasing your brother around?"

She wanted to tell him she needed the exercise, since she no longer chased monsters with the Doctor or ran away from them.

"Yeah, he came home from school early, there was a fire drill and he got scared but I think he just missed me. Now I'm going away again," she told him sadly, finding a corner seat away from her mother's ears.

"You could always stay you know?"

"Are you trying to get out of it?"

"No, why, should I be?"

"I was joking Alec. No, I still want to come down there and I hope you've booked me somewhere?"

"I will call on my way home. Since I will be away on Monday, I will book it from Tuesday night but I also booked a caravan, for the three of us, from Thursday night so you can either stay at the pub until Daisy arrives or we can move into the caravan on Thursday night, if you want? Am I being too presumptuous?"

"No, it's fine, I'll see how I feel. Did you get a three bedroom model?"

"Yes, two double bedrooms and Daisy can have the twin room. I booked it until Tuesday morning but I can keep it longer if needed."

"Aw, I wouldn't mind staying in your chalet but if you're insisting on booking me a room at the pub?"

"Rose, you have not even seen my place, the bedroom door barely closes or have I already told you that?"

"I don't remember, you may have done. Ok, book me a room for two nights then and like I said, you can walk me over. Don't forget, I only want the room and I'll have breakfast with you."

"We can go over to the café."

"Aw, aren't you gonna make breakfast for me?"

"Now Rose, we still have to discuss that, when I get there."

"Then come up early."

"You know why I can't, need I remind you every time I call?"

She knew he didn't have to – it was for her own good, well so everyone kept telling her anyway but she was beginning to think it was for his sake as well as hers. Was he getting cold feet about all this? She had sprung herself on him almost immediately she'd laid eyes on him and people were right to think she didn't know what she was doing.

"Ok, no, you don't need to keep reminding me Alec. I just hope I can survive until Friday then."

"You will, you have plenty to keep you busy."

"Yeah, Pete wants to talk when he gets back, I expect it's about what we went there for in the first place and then he'll be asking me the same thing as my mother – am I completely mad making friends with you after what I've just been through. Do you think I'm crazy?"

He should say yes. "I don't think you are crazy Rose, you just need to step back and give yourself some time to adjust to being home again."

"I can do that down in Broadchurch you know."

"Yes, you could do it here then come Monday morning, I would have to go off and leave you so it's best I still come up there and you wait until I finish at the court."

"If you insist but can we compromise? You go to Portsmouth but leave early Monday morning, then if you finish, you come back for me and if not, I'll come and meet you there on Tuesday afternoon. It won't take you more than two days, will it?"

"It should be over in one day, it depends on what Claire has to say for herself."

He knew Claire Ripley would try her best to worm her way out of her sentence for her part in the events of Sandbrook, including him hiding her from her husband and the accusations she made in the interview when she threw the missing evidence bag at him during Joe Miller's trial. He just hoped the defence was not Sharon Bishop, she would walk all over him again and if whoever was defending her found out he'd been to New York to help find Rose, it would be interesting what they made of it.

"So, do you agree then?"

"Yes, agreed, we will do that then but one thing Rose. Has your stepfather put out a statement yet? Miller's nephew tried to find out earlier what I was doing in New York. When he sees you here, he will be asking questions."

"I'll ask Pete when he gets back, that may be what he wants to talk about as well. He may just tell them I went on an impromptu shopping trip."

"Well judging by the luggage you had, that is quite believable."

"Gee thanks Alec, you're as bad as Jake. Did you know those two had been betting about us?"

"I was aware of that, yes. I believe one of them was if I was going to kiss you in the restaurant, well so I can gather. I had a call from Detective Beckett."

"Yeah, she called me and asked if I'd heard of a woman called Jessica."

"Had you? Was she another of Kilgrave's victims?"

"She didn't say much, I'd not heard him mention her though he may have talked about Hope, he kept going on about having to tell one of them what he wanted all the time. That's probably why he wanted to keep me, because…"

She trailed of, not wanting to admit to him she had been a willing participant. Would it change his opinion of her if she admitted as much?