Always love Rose

James wanted to be sure he'd heard her right though as she leaned her head on his shoulder and he kissed the top, smelling the fragrance of her shampoo, something for some strange reason he'd always dreamt of doing. He'd always wanted to be this close to her.

"Well, I'm sorry you had to find out this way Rose, really I am," he tried to comfort her. "Are you saying anything to your mother? I mean if you invite me to lunch tomorrow? She already knows me," he tried to get out of it, not relishing the thought of the two of them discussing the pros and cons of him suddenly becoming Rose's boyfriend.

"You're not scared of my mum are ya?" Rose giggled into his shoulder.

"What? No, I'm not scared of your mother," he wanted to clarify. "Why should I be? It's just if she finds out before Donna?"

Rose giggled again, wanting to make him lighten up. Then he realised.

"You're such an easy target," she teased him.

"Rose, you have no idea how Donna used to tease me when we were kids," he had to admit.

"Sorry then," Rose apologised as she tried to sit up. "Okay, call for me around twelve and we'll go out? I'll tell her when she gets back."

"Should I be gone when she does?" he wondered.

"It's up to you," Rose gave him a choice.

He was forever the one who took the easy way out, mainly because he was used to it with his cousin. He and Donna had been closer than he'd been with his other cousins because when he'd gone to live with his aunt and uncle, Donna was an only child and she'd immediately taken charge of him. Donna had tried to make him tougher and in some respects, she had.

He'd studied hard, got into university and got his qualifications and while he'd been deciding what to do, she had introduced him to her friend from work, Rose Tyler. That had been the end of him pursuing the career offered to him, he'd taken some time out from actively taking extra qualifications and ended up working at the same store as her.

Now, Rose was holding onto him, her arms around his neck and he was hoping she would kiss him again. She seemed to sense he was waiting for an invitation to do so. She turned to face him, moving slightly and it began slowly, until he had got from under her and they were side by side in the large chair. Rose began by putting her hand under his shirt as she pulled it loose from his trousers and he put his hand up the back of her pink floral t-shirt.

"That's a nice t-shirt Rose," he grinned at her when they paused. "It's almost like a Paisley pattern."

Rose tried to get over the fact she'd lived in the town for three years and was fated never to return, even though that was where Alec lived.

"Actually, the Paisley pattern originated in India," she replied, having been given a lesson in it by Alec's Aunt Mary one Sunday afternoon while she'd been helping clear the dishes.

Rose used to enjoy those times immensely.

"Really?" a grinning James asked.

Then his expression changed. Was that where she used to live in Scotland? He was sure Donna had mentioned it.

"Sorry Rose. Is that where you used to live?"

"Yeah. Don't worry about," she tried to smile. "It was a bit of a mixture, I hated being there when I first arrived and then I met Alec at school. Just forget it James. I bought the t-shirt when I went up to Aberdeen, I didn't take many clothes with me."

She didn't want to say that she had made an exception of not returning but he picked up on it.

"Forgive me but I thought you'd never been back?" he scratched the top of his head.

"Alec was training up there. We both thought it was safe enough for a few days," Rose had to admit.

"Then why didn't he stay there and you didn't go to live with him?" James wanted to know.

"I don't wanna talk about it James. It wasn't a question of my not staying in Scotland, in any particular place. Look, it's late and there are a lot of things I can't talk about, because they involve my mum. That's why I only told Donna some of it," she tried to explain.

"Don't shut me out Rose, please? You can talk to me, when you're ready but we'll leave it for now. Deal?" James smiled.

"Yeah, okay then?" Rose smiled back, wanting to go back to kissing. "Stop changing the subject – plum," she teased him.

James was surprised she didn't slap his face when he went for her bra strap but he didn't dare pull it down, leaving it loose against her t-shirt instead. Rose unfastened his shirt buttons slowly, sitting up and sliding her legs either side of him. They carried on kissing, Rose unfastening her jeans button, mainly to give her room to move as the garment had felt tight on her the last day or so.

James hadn't had the intention of things going so far so he didn't dare do anything without an invitation.

"James, ya don't seem all that keen?" Rose then sounded worried.

He realised Rose was giving him permission but in his last relationship, his ex had initiated everything and if she hadn't been in the mood, he'd got frustrated with her but had to hide it.

"Ah, sorry, a bit rusty in that department," he grinned as she allowed him to lift her t-shirt.

She had put the sickly feelings she'd been having down to the fact she didn't know what had been happening with Alec and if he'd visit or stay with that other woman. Now, it seemed he'd made the choice. Even if he did suddenly change his mind, she would never be sure if he really wanted her or if Tess had tossed him aside. Tess to her seemed the kind of woman who would stop at nothing to get the man she wanted, regardless of if he was already engaged to another woman.

Now, it seemed to her that Tess was one of those who didn't care who she hurt. Rose unfastened some of James's shirt buttons and just prayed he didn't have a scar where Alec had one, otherwise she would flee to the bathroom until he left. Then, the game would be up and she'd have to admit they looked almost identical except for their choice of hairstyles and Alec seemed to have taken to start growing a beard.

Rose put her arms around James's neck, pulling his shirt off his shoulders as they began kissing again. Then she surprised him by going for his trousers and he couldn't believe she even wanted to. Before he knew it, they had clambered over the chair arm and onto the sofa, Rose landing on him and James thinking he was best off under her.

She was still trying to be modest, her hipster panties still covering her lower half and she had grabbed her t-shirt but he just smiled at her and tried to take it off her.

"You're not trying to be shy now? Are you?" he laughed.

His trousers were halfway down his legs, his shirt was on the back of the chair and he prayed that Mrs Tyler wouldn't decide to come home early and catch them or he was dead meat. He would be thrown out onto the balcony, half dressed and trying to fasten his trousers before putting his shirt and shoes on. His Calvin Klein shorts were now pulled down slightly and Rose was debating if she should go for them.

"What's wrong love?" James dare call her.

"What? Oh, nothing it's just, well I'm being daft, aren't I? I mean I just said a while ago I wanted us to just be friends," she reminded him.

"If that's what you want? It's fine Rose, really and I'm flattered you even wanted to go this far," he just smiled, taking her hands and placing them on his chest, wishing that his shirt was still over his shoulders. "Admit it Rose, you just wanted to see the hairs on my manly hairy chest, didn't you eh?" he teased her.

Thankfully, Rose let out a laugh.

"Sorry," she managed to say, still holding the t-shirt in front of her chest as her bra had come away.

James took one of her hands and encouraged her to let go. When she didn't struggle and slap his hand away, she revealed herself slightly.

"You shouldn't hide yourself Rose, you're beautiful you are," he literally beamed at her as he moved her other hand away. "Why would you want to hide?"

He traced his finger between her breasts then placed a kiss on his index finger before touching the tip of her left one, then he repeated it with the other before leaning down to kiss her, this time more slowly and for longer, holding her chin and the back of her head.

"Wow," Rose managed to say as the kiss ended and she'd dropped her t-shirt.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," he told her softly.

"You took a job, below what you'd been training for just to get to know me?" she reminded him.

"You got me," he laughed.

"You wasted your time James," Rose replied as she reached for her bra that had been tossed aside. "We'd best get dressed before mum gets back."

"Ah, yes. We've only met a few times at my aunt's," James recalled.

"Yeah and she has no idea why ya took that job at the store either," Rose smiled as she tried to fasten her bra strap, James wanting to offer to help her.

Instead, he helped her on with her t-shirt and reached for his own shirt.

"Why don't you come over to my house?" he suggested.

"Bit late now but maybe another time?" Rose suggested.

"Next weekend then? After work maybe?" he thought was suitable. "So, can I assume you want to become my girlfriend?"

"Um, let me think about it James? I mean it's all so sudden and I'm not saying no to the idea or anything but I'm all upside down at present."

"Yes, of course – sorry," James apologised. "I never meant to pressure you Rose."

"I know ya didn't James. Let's break the news to my mum and Donna first?" she suggested.

"Yeah," James agreed as he got dressed, thankful he'd at least not got his trousers off properly and was well aware Rose could see the brand of underwear he preferred.

"Um, James? Ya needn't hide what underwear ya choose," she teased him. "Bit extravagant on your wages, even if ya are assistant manager? Unless ya got the cheap version they sell in the back of the markets?"

He could see she was trying to cause him mischief. He knew he'd have to explain his past to her, sooner or later.

"Ah, well. There are things you need to know about me Rose," he began as he tried to sit up. "My parents left everything to me, when they were killed. I was just a teenager and they willed everything to me when I was old enough, with my Uncle Geoff being made my guardian and executive. They left quite an estate to me, including the semi-detached house we'd lived in and income. I leave it all to the solicitors though, my uncle just oversees it, well before he became ill and going in and out of hospital."

"James, ya don't have to tell me," Rose insisted as he helped her up. "Let's make another drink so we're sitting at the kitchen table when my mum gets back from bingo?"

"Rose Tyler, you are devious," James laughed. "I feel I need to explain though. I don't want to appear snobbish."

"I don't think ya are, you plum," she told him as she led him into the kitchen. "Working at the store proves that, it's not that store in Knightsbridge."

James wondered why she was being calm over it. He wasn't exactly a multi-millionaire but the house was worth a lot more than his parents had bought it for. His dad had bought it outright so there was no mortgage and his uncle had insisted the house had been looked after until he was old enough but then he'd gone on to university in Manchester, not wanting to grow into the snob he'd just mentioned to Rose.

Rose's mother was already on her way home, Rose and James not realising how the time had gone so quickly while they were being intimate.

"How's Rose gettin' on?" one of the women was asking her.

"She was a bit upset when I left her," Jackie replied. "I swear if those two don't do something about it soon, I'm gonna drag Rose to the train station and put her on the train to Glasgow."

"Ya keep saying that Jackie," another friend laughed. "I'd like to see ya try though."

"Well I will, if he's not there when I get in that flat," Jackie swore as they reached her block. "Night everyone."

Unknown to her, she was in for a shock when she walked into the kitchen and almost gave the game away that James and Alec looked alike. She unlocked the door and shouted for Rose.

"In the kitchen Mum," Rose called back. "We have a visitor," she added and remembering her mother was expecting Alec had been late setting off. She popped her head around the door. "Ya remember James, Donna's cousin?" she made a shushing motion.

Jackie knew something was going on, besides Alec being there and if it had been him, Rose's voice would have been coming from the bedroom or the lounge.

"Yeah, he's here?" Jackie asked cautiously. "What for?"

James had already joined Rose at the door.

"Ah. Mrs Tyler, nice to see you again," James began. "I came to see how Rose was, I mean her ankle hurting."

Jackie wondered if he actually knew Rose was faking it.

"Well it's a bit late for a visit," Jackie replied. "How long's he been here Rose?"

"Stop it Mum. He was about to leave but stayed to say hello to ya," Rose chastised her.

"Yes, I stayed to say hello," James decided to go along with it, grabbing Jackie's hand and shaking it vigorously. "Hello."

Jackie realised he'd been shaking her hand for more than ten seconds and pulled it away.

"Does he know?" Jackie nodded at James but directing the question to Rose.

"Yeah, I admitted I just wanted the day off in case Alec arrived," Rose told her, hoping her mother meant that and not the fact he and Alec looked similar.

Jackie had to think fast, she had meant did he know he looked like Alec.

"Well I bet his cousin told him then?" Jackie wondered instead.

"I've not seen her today," James replied. "Right, I'd best be off then?"

"Hey, thanks for coming over," Rose turned and kissed his cheek. "What time tomorrow then?"

"Where are you off to tomorrow?" Jackie wanted to know.

"James is taking me out to lunch, aren't ya James?" Rose had decided it was best not to entertain him at home.

"Why don't ya invite him to lunch with us?" Jackie asked indignantly, now she was doing most of the cooking and wondering if Rose had ever forgiven her for making her do it all for over three years.

"Ah, I don't mind if we go out later Rose?" James was trying to keep the balance.

"Rubbish, you come over here," Jackie then insisted.

"Mum's spoken," Rose joked, putting her arm in his. "Mum, James came over to cheer me up. I know I've been stupid to think Alec would turn up today. He's not coming."

"I wish I could do something about it Rose," Jackie tried to help.

"I know Mum. All I can do is get on with my life as best I can and I think James can help. Can't ya James?" she asked him.

"I want to try Rose," he admitted in front of her mother. "See you tomorrow then? What time?"

After agreeing a time, Rose walked him outside.

"Sorry about that," Rose laughed as James put his arms around her.

"Ah, it's okay Rose," James saw the funny side. "We can go out afterwards. Night then?"

"Yeah, night and I can tell her, if ya want?" Rose volunteered as she put arms around him.

They were kissing goodnight just as Mickey Smith had another delivery in the block of flats adjacent to Rose's. He stopped and looked up to the fourth floor, certain it was Rose and her boyfriend. So, where was the man going if he wasn't staying with the blonde then? Had he moved down here and got a place of his own?

Back in Chiswick, Donna had been wondering if James had taken the hint and called Rose and why he'd not let her know he'd done so.

"Are you waiting for the phone to ring?" her mother asked her after tea when Donna was watching it instead of the television set.

"I thought James would call. Honestly Mum, he's so infatuated with Rose it's infuriating," Donna admitted.

"Isn't she still engaged to Alec?" her mother was trying to keep up with things.

"I think it's all but finished," Donna replied. "He was supposed to come down again but I bet he didn't."

"Aw, poor Rose then," her mother sympathised. "So where does James come in exactly?"

"He was going to offer to console her. It had better work," Donna replied. "Don't expect him for lunch tomorrow."

When Alec had got up that morning and Tess decided to go home and pack a few more things, he dropped her off and went straight back home. He felt like going to see John but he had to sort this out on his own. He'd just made a commitment to Tess, she was expecting him to let her move in with him and he could hardly say no to her after last night.

He knew Tess had led the sexual activities last night, she'd been trying for weeks now but he'd held her off. He had no idea what had possessed him to finally give in, when he should have left for London to see Rose. He'd had it all planned and now, he had to take responsibility for his actions and forget those plans. Rose would never forgive him now, even if he could pretend last night had never happened.

Maybe he could still salvage things between them but he would always feel ashamed for giving in to Tess. Maybe Rose would be able to even tell? If she had any sense she would anyway, he thought as he made himself a drink. He was about to sit down with it when the phone rang and his heart pounded. Was it Rose or even worse, Jackie checking up where he was?

"Hello?" he asked cautiously.

"Hello Alec, can you talk?" John asked him, thinking the woman he'd cheated on with Rose would still be there.

Alec wasn't in the mood to get a lecture from his older half brother.

"Yes, Tess has gone home," Alec admitted.

"What the hell are you playing at Alec?" John wanted to know. "Don't you still love Rose?"

"Yes, you know I do John but how do I go and face her now?" Alec wanted to know.

"Man up to it?" John suggested, making that noise of his that had amused Rose so much when they were at school.

"That's not helping," Alec told him. "I just cannot face her John. I lost her, in fact I think I lost her a long time ago, when we had the chance to get married and didn't take it. When she last came up to see me when I was in Aberdeen, there was a registry office, I should have insisted we used it."

"Yes, you should," John agreed, all too easily for Alec's liking. "Why the hell didn't you?"

"I know. That's not helping John," Alec tried to change the subject.

"So, what are you going to do about it?" John then wanted to know.

"Let Tess move in I suppose. I've committed to her now and I know Rose will never forgive me, I can't go to her and ask her to forgive me John," Alec replied.

"Well, I hope you know what your doing Alec?" John asked him. "You can be the one to explain it to your dad and your aunt."

Alec was aware that his aunt in particular would be bitterly disappointed in him. She had always welcomed Rose and he'd be lucky if she was civil towards Tess and would only do so to keep the peace. His aunt had been the one to offer Rose a safe place to stay were she to leave home and go to college in the town or nearby, until they were old enough to get a place of their own. She'd also treated Rose like her own niece when Rose was so scared where she lived with her mother. That fear had carried on and kept them apart and when he'd had the chance to do something about it, the man Rose had feared had still got away.

He ended his call to John, promising he'd visit his aunt and debated if he should call and tell Rose he thought it best they ended their long-term relationship. Maybe though it would only make things worse and he should just leave it, unless Rose tried to contact him. He didn't think she would though, she would be too upset, unless she'd sought comfort in her friend's cousin, whatever his name was. He had thrown away the best thing in his life but he would always love Rose.