They walked the short distance back to their caravan, Alec wondering now if they should keep it for the time being, he really didn't want Rose anywhere near the water on her own, he still couldn't come to terms with what had happened but maybe Rose could help him get over it.

"You made me very happy," he told her as they got back and he opened the door. "I know it's been difficult for you but I do understand your hesitation."

"Yeah, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you, things have been so crazy. There are things I have to tell you though, about what happened to me, not all of it was entirely Kilgrave's fault, I went along with it."

"Only because you had to Rose, what would have happened to you had you not? If you'd had no resistance, like the other women, he would have got control of Torchwood, then the whole country, if not the world would have been in danger, who knows what he would have unleashed? No Rose, I do not care what you had to do to get through it, it's over Rose, I love you and it's not going to get in the way. Tell me if you must but I don't need to hear it."

"It would make me feel better if I did," she told him hanging her jacket up by the other door.

"There is no need to do it now love, it can wait or you can tell me bit by bit but one thing I did want to know?"

"Mmm, I thought you said it could wait?" she smiled, putting her arms around him.

"Well yes but I can't believe you really did have your first time with him, was there no-one else?"

"You mean Mickey? No, we weren't like that, we just fooled around and the Doctor, well we didn't even think about it, I suppose we were both scared of losing each other as a friend. He backed off every time we had a moment when we might have kissed, the only time I ever snogged him I wasn't even in control, I'd been taken over."

"Well he does not know what he was missing. So, is that the worse you have to tell me then?" he asked, going to kiss her neck.

"It's one of the worse but the things Kilgrave used to make me do, getting dressed and undressed for him, trying new underwear on and making me do things to him, I can't bear to think why I went along with his demands."

Alec held her closer, making her rest her head on his shoulder.

"There is nothing I can say that is going to help you forget it. You have to get over it on your own, whatever happened to you, happened for a reason. You were thinking of others and not about yourself and that is what your stepfather told me about you, that's what you do Rose, he said you got it from the Doctor."

"Yeah, things tend to rub off on you when you travel with him. There's one more thing, about what happened when I did travel with him."

"I don't need to hear it Rose, it's your past life and if you want to tell me about where you went and what you did, then fine. I don't need all the details."

That settled, Alec made a drink while Rose went to get ready for bed, still a bit unsure about doing it in front of him even though he'd got most of her nightwear off the last two nights.

"Here, come and sit down, how are you feeling?" he asked as she came back to the living area.

"Not too bad, at least I kept those potato wedges down."

"Yes, I'm a bit surprised at that, if you need anything, just look in the kitchen cabinet, I got something just in case."

"You did?" She decided she was going to have a bit of fun with him. "Were you sure I would tell you tonight?"

"What? You mean you were feeling ok or that you could finally tell me you love me?"

"Well both but that's not what I meant."

"Then what did you mean? Oh, I meant I got you an indigestion remedy, just in case. What did you think I'd got?"

Rose giggled and finished her drink, unfastening the tie on her dressing gown.

"You thought I had bought something else? Really?" he asked, watching her.

"Well yeah, since you didn't know until the other night why I was a bit reluctant with you, I thought you may fancy your chances."

"Rose, I would never take advantage of you like that."

"Chill, I'm just kidding you. I told Ellie, I just forgot to go get covered before I went away, that's all. How was I to know I was going to meet a psycho Casanova?"

"Who?" Alec asked, leaning forward and putting his arms under the dressing gown.

"Never mind, let's go to bed and hope there are no press outside the caravan in the morning."

Alec decided if Rose wasn't quite willing yet to get undressed in his presence he would show that he was as he took off his t-shirt and began taking off his trousers, Rose propped on one arm, watching him. He sat on the edge of the bed, trying to take his socks off, Rose giggling.

"Really Rose?" he asked, raising one eyebrow at her.

"You had a t-shirt on last night when you got into bed."

"Yes, that never lasted long, did it? Did I spoil your fun in trying to get it off me?"

"Nah, it saved time. I want to try Alec, if you want?"

"To get over being with Kilgrave? I can live with that, I won't pressure you, we can take it easy."

Alec got into bed, turning out the light beforehand and Rose turned onto her side, praying she wouldn't start feeling sick after what she had eaten or that she'd embarrass herself but she soon forgot about all the things that could get in the way as she got carried away with the sensations and even forgot how good it had felt with her captor.

Alec laid afterwards, his arm under a now sleeping Rose, thinking how lucky he was that she had soon changed her mind and trusted him, he could have just as easily had to wait a lot longer before she could leave it all behind her. They'd not gone too far but he had made her get excited that she had asked him not to stop and he himself felt some relief from the tension that had been building up between them since they had met.

Alec woke first the next morning, slipping out of bed and smiling to himself that Rose would be annoyed she'd not caught him changing his shorts. Putting the kettle to boil, he prepared some eggs and put the toaster on then went to try and wake the sleeping Rose.

"Hey, wake up love, I've put breakfast on for us."

"Hi. Oh, I don't know if I can eat anything other than toast."

"After the potato wedges you had last night?"

"Don't remind me, it was just comfort food."

He leaned over to kiss her. "Well I hope that wasn't comfort sex last night?"

He just managed to dodge a pillow being thrown in his direction.

"Hey, you got some jeans, they suit you, they show off your bum."

He wiggled in her direction and went off to rescue breakfast.

Rose followed him but headed for the bathroom, Alec hoping she wasn't going to be in there all morning. He planned on taking them out for a relaxing day, he'd been looking up places to take her and thought she might like to go to visit the swanery down in Abbotsbury. Rose came out of the bathroom, looking rather pale.

"Come and eat something Rose, then you'll feel better."

She sat opposite him at the table and picked up the mug of tea and a slice of toast, pushing the eggs to one side.

"I already told you love, starving yourself won't make it go away."

"Alec, I can't wait until Tuesday, please, can't we do something?"

"Then call your stepfather, he has all the resources to find somewhere that can fit you in."

"What about the hospital, can't you say I'm the victim of an attack or something?"

"That would entail the police getting involved officially and while Miller may be willing to go along with it, she would be the one to have to take you and it would go on file. Your stepfather won't be able to keep it quiet if someone at the hospital recognises you, after all the media attention you've been getting of late."

"Are there no private hospitals around here?" she groaned, finishing the tea.

"Yes, you are going to one on Tuesday. I'll call Miller, have her look and see if there are any she missed. Rose, I would take you any distance necessary if it made you happy. I don't want to seem like I'm trying to delay it, I'm not but maybe you will just have to stick it out until they can see you."

"Call Ellie then, get her to ring them back and tell them who I am and it has to be done today. I don't care how much it costs as long as they keep my identity secret."

He knew she wouldn't let this rest now, not when they had come the closest yet last night. He picked up his phone and got Ellie's number, she wouldn't be at work yet.

"Miller, can you get back onto that clinic for Rose?"

"Why, is she ok?" Ellie asked as she handed her youngest son to the childminder, whom he was just settling down with again after staying with his aunt whilst she had been over in New York.

"Can you talk?"

"Hold on a sec."

She went back out to her car and asked what he wanted.

"Rose is fine physically but she's panicking Miller."

Rose had gone back to the bedroom to get dressed but he suspected she had really got back into bed.

"Poor thing, she's not holding up well then?"

"No, she's not. She asked why we should not move back into my chalet and I had to tell her it was because I was afraid she might fall into the river, her being upset."

"Quite right too Hardy, something may happen if you go out. Look, I'll get back onto the clinic again but I may have to tell them who she is, unless she wants me to do it through official channels and she's been in the papers enough."

"We know that Miller and yes, she has already agreed you can give her name. I would rather it be there, they may still keep it quiet even when they discover who she is."

"Well leave it to me then, I'll try and persuade them to see her today, she may have to pay more."

"Do you think she is worried about the cost?"

"Well no but has she told her stepfather?"

"Yes, I made her call him last night, he was very understanding. I just hope he has held out on her mother but we would know by now if he had failed to do so."

"I'll call you back then, one thing though, did she have something to tell you last night?"

"Yes, she did, now can you just get this sorted for her?"

Ellie smiled to herself, it was like Hardy was a completely different person since Rose's arrival in the town. Even last week, he was off with everyone but that was only to be expected since he'd not known his fate. It could have gone either way for the both of them but things were working out nicely, well except for a minor problem. She started the car and decided if he wanted her help, she was going to take over his office for the duration of his absence, whether he liked it or not.

Alec was right, he went back into the bedroom to find Rose had curled up again and was asleep. He leaned over and kissed her cheek then left her for a few hours, she wouldn't want to go out now, not with this. He just hoped Miller could persuade the clinic to make an opening for her because he hated seeing his now girlfriend this way and if Kilgrave was ever found, he hoped the man would pay for what he had done to her and the others.

Ellie got to the station, being stared at as she went into Alec's office. She didn't want anybody to know who she was making this call about, she'd made some enquires but kept Rose's name out of it, for those who had cared to listen, she could have been asking about anyone.

Someone finally answered the phone, it was just gone nine. "Ah, this is DS Miller, Broadchurch police, I called the other day."

"Yes, I remember. You were helping someone who was having a bad time after a failed relationship."

"Yes but it's become more urgent than that, is there any way you can see her today?"

"I'm very sorry DS Miller, we're all booked up for procedures today and we are closed on Monday. We can fit her in for counselling, if you think that may help?"

"No, she's adamant she doesn't want counselling. Would it make a difference if I told you who she was?"

The woman listened carefully as Ellie revealed Rose's identity, making it clear she was not to repeat the name she was told out loud.

"I understand DS Miller. So, she feels she can't wait another few days?"

"No, she's in a really bad place right now, her stepfather knows but she hasn't told her mother and I know she's been in the papers, though I've not seen the latest edition."

The head nurse of the clinic had, it had been the talk of the staffroom since everyone arrived.

"Well I can understand, since she's made a statement to end all the speculation and if she and DI Hardy are in a relationship that she wants to get this resolved quickly, before the media catch hold of it. Goodness knows what they would make of it. So she had just got out of a very bad relationship when she met him?"

"You could say that. Money is no object, as long as her anonymity remains intact."

"Well we would lose our reputation if we revealed who she was though I can't promise other patients will keep silent. Would she be willing to come this evening, after the clinic closes?"

Ellie knew the answer to that. She arranged Rose would arrive at five thirty and the minimum of staff would be in attendance and would be greeted at the rear entrance by the head nurse herself, who was always willing to gain a little extra cash. After saying it would be Hardy himself bringing Rose, Ellie went to make herself a well deserved drink. Passing by a few desks, she picked up the morning edition of The Herald, where a certain Karen White had probably choked herself having to leave the headlines as Pete had instructed.

'Rose Tyler confirms relationship with Alec Hardy' the headline ran. Ellie picked the paper up and getting her drink, went back to his office to see what the Vitex chairman's PR team had come up with, hoping it was better than the one where it had been explained where she had got to in New York, Rose's version to Beth last night had been more plausible.

Rose had just woken up again, seeing she was alone. She got dressed and tried to make herself look presentable, unaware Alec had already called Ellie and he'd got a call back, telling him to have Rose there for five thirty and to make sure Rose knew it was going to be expensive.

"I don't care what it costs Miller and neither does Rose, I can't see her like this all weekend. She'll be off anyway with feeling sick over the weekend, I will just have to explain to Daisy she went ahead early with it, or cancel her visit."

"How many times have you already put her off Hardy?"

"I know, besides, Rose's family are coming down the next holiday weekend. She will understand. I'll tell Rose when she gets up, she went back to bed."

"I don't blame her but at least she'll get it over with tonight, why don't you find a place to stay down there and let her rest?"

"That's not a bad idea Miller, I'll get on to it, you'd best give me the address then."

"Didn't I already give you it?" Ellie asked, retrieving her notebook where she had scribbled it down the other day.

Alec hung up and picking up Rose's data pad, connected it to the internet and looked up hotels in Dorchester, finding one near the address he had made a note of. He called the number and made a booking for the night, saying he couldn't give an estimated time of their arrival but he made sure he kept Rose's name out of the conversation.

"Hey sweetheart," he called out as he turned off the pad when he heard the door opening. "Feeling better?"

He soon got his answer when Rose fled to the safety of the bathroom, Alec getting up, concerned. He tapped on the door.

"Rose, can I come in?"

"No, just leave me alone."

"I have news, if you let me in."

He heard the catch go and pulled the door open, Rose leaning over the small sink in the corner.

"Miller got you in, half past five tonight."

"Great, if I survive until then. Aren't they closed at that time?"

"They made an exception when Miller told them it would be more than worth their while. If you want me to pay on my bank card, you had best do a transfer before we set off. Oh, I booked us a hotel room nearby, you won't feel like making the journey back here when you get out."

"How long will it take?"

"I'll be honest with you Rose, I took Claire Ripley to one near Southampton when her husband was arrested. She was there a few hours but maybe everyone is different though?"

"Yeah, knowing me they'll keep me all night, this baby won't want to give up."

"Nonsense love, I'm sure they will let you out when you recover."

"Did Ellie say what they would do?"

"No, she never went into details, I never asked any questions when I took Claire, I just waited outside and made it clear I was not with her, well not in that sense anyway."

"Why didn't you say something before?" Rose asked, drying her face on the towel after she splashed some cold water on it.

"I didn't think you needed to hear about it. I should have said something, I admit but this is slightly different Rose, she was a willing participant whose marriage was tricky at best, she admitted she thought he was grooming the two girls."

"One was only twelve Alec, how sick is that?"

"Well it was enough at the time for her to turn on him but she was holding out all that time, she was trying to protect herself, not him. Anyway, this will all be over tonight so I will pack us an overnight bag and put it in the car later. You will need a dressing gown and slippers for the clinic though so have you a spare one?"

"Yeah, in the wardrobe. You can leave now Alec," she hinted as he leaned on the door.

He was making a bad habit of keeping women talking in the bathroom. Rose managed a light lunch, Ellie had called her and said no food or drink two hours before the procedure but she couldn't answer Rose's question of the method they would use.

"I can't tell you sweetheart, they never said but since it's in the evening and they're working overtime, I expect it will be the quickest way possible. Don't worry it's not the 60s any more, they have far safer ways these days."

"What am I getting myself into Ellie?"

Alec saw the look on her face and took the phone off her. "She'll call you later Miller."

"Yeah, tell her I hope everything goes well."

Alec held Rose tightly to his chest, kissing the top of her head. "What did she say to you?" he asked.

"Nothing, it's just the reality of it, that it will be all over tonight."

"Well you wanted to bring it forward."

"I'll pay on my own card Alec, before I go in."

"Well, I would offer but paying for hotels and this caravan has made a dent in my bank account."

"Yeah, I still owe you for the two nights at the pub."

"No you don't, I was the one who insisted you did not stay in my chalet."

"Well can we move back in there after the weekend?"

"Caravan not good enough for you?" he teased.

"Well maybe for the next weekend, when my family come down."

"I thought they were coming the next holiday?"

"Oh, I never went down to the office did I? Best have a walk down and to answer your question, I don't think Tony wants to wait that long, he can take the day off on the Monday, it's only for the weekend."

"Maybe you can put them off?"

"Nah, it's fine. You're not putting Daisy off are you?"

"No, I thought about it though but it would be wrong, I've kept putting her off. If you feel like a walk, we will go down to the office then we can take a walk along the esplanade."

"I should call Pete and tell him."

"I can call him for you."

"No, I have to do this, maybe he'll suggest they leave coming down here?"

They stopped at the sales office after Rose had called Pete, Rose sending him the details but Pete was undecided about going down now, Jackie would surely pick up there was something wrong with her daughter. He retrieved the website details from Rose, her having said they had vacancies next weekend and went off to find his wife before he went to the office.

"Jaks, I just heard from Rose about us going down next weekend."

"Oh, I thought it was next bank holiday? What about Tony?"

"Yeah, that's what she was asking. Do you want to leave it for a few weeks then?"

"Yeah, might as well, then we can go for a week."

Pete put on his best smile. He'd got out of Jackie being mad at him if she found out about Rose but Rose would surely thank him for bringing her mother down for a week instead of a weekend but it would give her time to get over things. He'd been a bit surprised she'd said she wanted Alec to take her but it was understandable.

Alec had led Rose to the end of the short esplanade and they had sat down.

"See that big house up there?" he pointed. "The prosecution barrister from Joe Miller's trial lives there, well at least she did."

"I bet the view is amazing."

"Miller seemed to think so, too much sea for me."

"Says you who used to live by the river."

"You win, we will go back to the chalet, since you never asked the office if we could stay in the caravan but I warn you, there is no room for your clothes."

Rose turned and kissed his cheek, touching his beard, which he had missed trimming that morning.

"Growing it back?"

"I missed it. Any objections?"

"No, if you keep it that length. We should get that bag packed and think about making our way to Dorchester."

"It's not that far Rose."

"Well we can find the hotel first, save finding it afterwards."

"Fine, we'll do that then. Are you getting nervous?"

"It shows? Yeah, who wouldn't be, I'm not doing this lightly Alec, I have no choice. I told Ellie that if I'd said I would keep it, you'd do something really stupid and say it's yours."

"It would appease your mother, she would find out."

"I can't do that to you Alec, I just can't. You've been so good about the whole thing."

"What can I say? You are worth it Rose."

They went back to the caravan, Rose getting her clean dressing gown out and a nightdress, a pale pink silky one for the hotel but didn't think it would be appropriate and picked up a pair of fluffy pink pyjamas instead.

Alec stopped her. "You are not wearing those."

"Stop it Alec, I'll be a wreck tonight, I need my comfort clothing, just tonight, I promise."

"Well it will make no difference to me, just so you know. Pack them then, I know you are still worried about what I think."

"Yeah, I'm doing my best to get over it, really I am."

He put his arms around her. "I know you are love, let me help you?"

He pulled her to the bed, it was only a little after two and he laid her down, hovering over her, resting on his hands. He lifted the floral top she was wearing and kissed her tummy gently.

"You remember what I asked you? About how you would feel if you really wanted a baby?"

Rose nodded. "Yeah, I said it would be worth it but don't get any ideas, I'm not going down this road again in a hurry and when I get out of the clinic, I'll need to get back to normal before we can even, you know. I'll have to find the local family planning or go register at the health centre."

"Then you want me to wait?"

"Well until I feel better, I never said you couldn't be the one to take the responsibility, did I?" she asked, pulling him down.

"Then I will make that my number one priority when I go shopping again."

"With your teenage daughter?" Rose laughed as he went for her tummy again.