Bits in Between
Chapter Twenty-One: Didn't Mean to Say That
By Lumendea
AN: This takes place after The Tyler Factor episode The Dreaming. I always meant to put this into an episode, but it never fit properly. I fixed an issue with Oliver's age in this and reposted it.
…..
Rose enjoyed talking with the other companions. She always had, but Ace was her favorite. Lately Sarah Jane tended to slip into 'mum' mode too often and as much as Rose adored her godson, she knew most of the things Sarah Jane talked about already. Luke usually told her his god news personally after all. Ace on the other hand had interesting stories to tell or nice bits of news from around the planet.
"Glad to hear that everything is good on your end," Ace said with a grin. "I worry that you'll end up in the hospital." Ace shook her head and laughed. "Imagine the Doctor sitting at your bedside, UNIT wouldn't know what to do with that."
"That's already happened," Rose replied. She tilted back in her desk chair and enjoyed Ace's widening eyes. "And yeah, UNIT usually isn't sure what to make of it, but they give him space and does what he says."
"The Doctor as a boyfriend." Ace chuckled. "That's never going to not seem odd."
"Hey!"
"Oh, I acknowledge that you're probably the most perfect match for him, Rose, but still." Ace leaned back in her own chair. "Still just seems weird to me, but I'm glad you're happy."
"I am," Rose said. "And to give the Time Lord credit, the dates are incredible."
"Yeah and my boyfriend and I-" Ace suddenly froze with wide eyes. "I mean-"
"No, no, no," Rose said. She leaned forward and eyed the web camera intently. "I heard you, don't try to hide it! Not with how much you poked at my relationship status!"
"I stopped," Ace protested.
"Picture," Rose demanded. She crossed her arms and stared Ace down. "I'm sure you have one."
Ace huffed, but reached out of view of the screen to pick up a frame. She looked down at it for a moment with a slight smile before turning it to reveal the photograph. They were on a pier with the ocean behind them and a sunny sky. Ace was in her old coat with her long brown hair blowing in the wind and a wide smile on her face. There was a tall man next to her with sunglasses on, but Rose could see his longer brown hair, pronounced nose and square jawline. Something about him tugged at her memory.
"Wait a tic," Rose gasped. "That's a Jones isn't it?" Grimacing, Ace moved the photograph away. "I recognize those features. He looks like Jo's husband. She's tried to set me up with enough of her sons to know that jaw." Rose grinned at Ace with amusement and disbelief. "You're dating one of Jo's sons!"
"Don't tell her," Ace hissed. "Rose, please don't tell her that Oliver and I are dating."
"Oliver?" Rose repeated. "Don't know him, but why not, Ace? Jo would be thrilled!"
"Exactly, Jo would be thrilled." Ace groaned and rubbed along her eyes for a moment. "I adore her, Rose, we all do, but she can be a bit…excitable."
"She'd start planning your wedding the moment she heard," Rose said in realization. "Yeah… I see your point."
"Don't get me wrong, I adore Oliver, but we don't need his mother pushing us," Ace said. "So will you keep it a secret, at least for now?"
"Yeah, I will," Rose promised. "I understand not being ready for everyone to know about your romance just yet."
Ace's shoulders relaxed in relief and she smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Rose. If things keep going well then maybe in a few months… well, at least someday we'll let Jo know."
"How did you meet?"
"Oliver actually works in New York City, environmental awareness, and was a representative of the Jones' work for one of our grants," Ace explained. "After the business was resolved, we went out for a bite. So I could catch up on how Jo was doing, but we had a lot in common." Ace shrugged a bit, but there was a soft smile on her face. "We went to a gig and had a lot of fun. He asked to see me again and I said yes."
"So how long have you been seeing him?"
"About four months now," Ace admitted. There was a faint blush on her cheeks. "Pretty much my longest relationship ever, but he knows all about the Doctor and the TARDIS thanks to his mother. It's a relief. I don't have to worry about secrets and if he's ready for me to tell him."
"I'm happy for you," Rose said honestly. She couldn't help but grin at Ace's face. "But be warned that it can be hard to keep secrets from Jo. For a sweetie, she's pretty darn stubborn when she wants something."
"I'm aware," Ace chuckled. "And is very good at talking you in circles."
"She's disarming," Rose agreed. "Looks completely sweet and harmless."
"But capable of taking you down and totally fine with being thrown in prison," Ace added.
They both laughed and Rose shifted in front of her computer. "Ace, if you and Oliver do get really serious, elope. You're not wrong, Jo would probably be worse than my mum was if one of her sons was marrying a companion." Rose shivered a little. "Given how aggressively, she tried to set me up with one."
"Trust me, I've always considered that," Ace agreed. "So if you and the Doctor ever get a call to meet me in Vegas, I expect you to come."
"You've only known him four months so hopefully not soon."
"Jo married Clifford after knowing him like two days," Ace retorted.
"Might have been three," Rose replied. "I'm not sure."
"Anyway, so no you know," Ace said with a dismissive way. "So how are things on your end. Save the world lately?"
"On a fairly regular basis."