Hello! It's been an appallingly long time since I've updated. I've felt very guilty about it these past five (!) years. I must admit, it took some time to remember log in info and how to work the doc manager. I've had some extra time lately so I will be updating and posting on a bi-weekly basis. I've missed all of you and look forward to your thoughts on the plot! As a reminder and a disclaimer, I am American, not British. I try to use correct terms but sometimes I miss stuff.

Rose had resigned herself to a long and boring wait in this time period, waiting for Sally Sparrow to come along and rescue them. The Doctor seemed to think there was nothing else to be done, at least not for the moment, and so things continued on quietly and uneventfully. Billy occasionally rang for a brief conversation, but he was busy with work and with his developing relationship with Sally. He was clearly so happy with where and when he was that Rose couldn't bear to talk about her own frustration. She was reduced to the Doctor, who was not always the most sympathetic listener.

"The timestream appears to be stable. I don't see anything coming along to upset it." The Doctor spoke with great authority and finality as he ate his morning toast and tea.

Rose glanced over at him as she drank her own cup of tea. "And it's not like you've never been wrong before."

He looked at her with a wounded expression. "Is this what we've come to now? Incriminations over the breakfast table?"

"Oh, stop," she answered crossly. "It would be nice to know that there's light at the end of the tunnel, that's all. And don't tell me there is," she added swiftly, "because I mean light coming in before the end of the twentieth century."

He grimaced. "Well, you never know."

He was so handsome, sitting there in threadbare trousers and a ratty blue sweater he'd found in the charity shop down the street. She frowned at him for no reason, trying to stop the flood of love rising up in her chest. Sometimes it was just too much for her to comfortably handle.

She must have been staring at him for too long, because he put his glasses on to peer at her. "Rose? You all right?"

"Yeah. I'm fine. I better get dressed." She finished her tea and stood up, leaning across the table to kiss him. "I love you," she told him.

He smiled up at her, the words coming to him easily now. "I love you back."

Getting dressed no longer seemed like a fun game of dress up. The styles and fabrics were just strange enough to make Rose feel uncomfortable some days. No one looked twice at her when she wore something like a long blue maxi dress, with a ruffle at the hem and long floaty sleeves, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it was a fancy-dress costume. She was slowly buying items that looked more like what she would have worn in her proper time. That meant far fewer patterns in bright colors and scratchy fabrics, and more understated pieces in the nicest material she could find in her price range.

Today she dressed in a slim fitting red skirt made of polyester and a matching jacket. The fabric was smooth and stretchy, not much like silk at all, but it was easy to move in. She opted for plain black flats that she could wear while she walked to the shop and did up her makeup as simply as possible, with her regular eyeliner and mascara.

"You still in there?" the Doctor called from the hallway. "Or did you leave when I wasn't looking?"

"Don't be ridiculous, I'm still here," she called back, swiftly winding her hair up in a twist and wondering when she would be brave enough to color her roots at a salon. Current products seem to contain the kinds of ingredients Jackie had always made sure to avoid. She peered closer at her reflection and decided her hair could wait a little longer.

"Oh, good."

She smiled and rolled her eyes. "Don't worry, I'll kiss you goodbye before I leave."

"I never doubted that," he replied as he opened the door and came to stand behind her. "You look lovely."

She smiled at him in the mirror. "Thanks." Her smile grew as he wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"Shall I walk you to work?"

"There's no need. It's a beautiful morning."

"Still, I'd feel better-"

"I'll be fine." Rose stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "It's morning and there's loads of people all about."

He didn't look very happy but accepted the kiss and nodded. "Be careful."

"Of course."

"See you tonight?" he asked as she headed out the door.

"Of course!" She kissed him once more, just because she could, now. It was worth it to see the smile on his face.

She hurried down the steps, waving to Mrs. MacMurray on the way out. "Morning!"

"Morning, my dear! Enjoy the day!" The landlady waved as she brought her morning paper inside.

It really was a lovely morning. She enjoyed her walk, taking in the now familiar shops and sights in the neighborhood. As she neared the shop she saw Iris hovering by the door.

"Hello! Is something wrong?"

"I've been waiting for you!" Iris said, so excited that Rose was instantly curious. "Come inside!"

"What's going on?"

Iris locked the door behind them before she turned with a huge smile and held up her left hand. "I'm engaged."

Rose let out a squeal of delight and grabbed Iris's hand, admiring the beautiful sapphire.

"It's beautiful!"

"I know!" Iris laughed happily. "He asked me at lunch yesterday with my family."

"Are your parents happy?"

"Oh, they're over the moon! Mother loves him. He has a way of charming her out of any snit she's in."

"Oh, congratulations!" Rose hugged her tightly. "I'm so happy for you! And, oh! Nancy must be so excited!"

Iris laughed. "She is. She is so sweet and kind, and when she met my parents she just smiled at my mother and acted like Mum wasn't being terribly overbearing."

Rose hid a smile. Nancy had seen things as a young girl that would terrify grown men, so nothing really had an unsettling effect. Rose thought that was wonderful, and wished she could be a little more like that herself.

Iris grew sober. "The thing is, Rose, I think I'm going to sell the shop. Jim is going to take a job with an architect firm here in London, but I don't think I want to keep this place on. Before I look for a buyer...I was going to offer it to you first."

Rose couldn't think of anything to say for a moment. "Oh! I'm so glad for you and Jamie, but, Iris." Rose bit her lip. "I can't afford to buy this place! We're doing all right, but I just couldn't." She glanced around them at the shop inventory and knew that she would never want the shop even if she could afford it.

Iris just nodded briskly. "I didn't think so. I expect you've got enough on your mind, what with the Doctor's work about to finish. Mr. Troy has always said he would take the building back if I need him to. Maybe I'll take him up on that offer."

"Well, he hasn't given you bad advice yet," Rose agreed.

"And honestly, I'm a bit over being a career woman. It's hard enough without dealing with men trying to talk down to me and all the other annoyances that go with it. I'm going to look for something else to do after the wedding."

"Will it help if I say it gets better in the future?"

Iris got the funny look on her face that he always did when Rose mentioned the future - or the past. It was as if she knew it was real but she couldn't quite accept it. Nancy and Jamie had made it clear that traveling through time was possible, but some things had to be seen to be truly believed.

"It doesn't make me feel better, actually," she confessed. "But I'm still never going to admit it to my mother. I'm going to let her think it's because of the wedding."

"Do what you want to, Iris, not what you think you should do. You won't set back the women's movement by selling this place, and you won't be a terrible wife if you keep it on." Rose could tell that Iris still looked conflicted, and she decided to change the subject. "Here, let me put my stuff down and we can look at those wedding dress catalogues that arrived last week! I knew they would come in useful."

"So it's true," Iris said in amusement. "All happily married women do want to marry off their friends."

Rose flushed. She might not be married, but she was very happy. "Well, it's natural to want your friends to be as happy as you are."

"And the thing is," she said that night, curling into the Doctor's side as they lay in bed, "I really don't want the shop. It's been fun to work there, but I don't want to keep it on. I mean, what on earth would I do with it, anyway?"

"Mmm," the Doctor hummed as he turned his face into her hair. "Don't know. Sell dresses at a nice mark-up?"

She poked him. "I'm serious."

"So am I," he said indignantly.

Rose wriggled her way in closer, sliding a leg between his. He responded by patting her hip and yawning. "Should we get dressed?" he murmured.

Rose smiled into his neck. "It's warm enough." She was just drifting off to sleep when he spoke again.

"We could buy it, if you really want it."

Rose forced her eyes open. "What, the shop?"

"The shop, the building, the entire storefront if you like. Yes."

"That would be crazy!"

"I want you to be happy," he said simply, and once again he managed to make her speechless.

"You crazy, crazy man." She tugged on his hair so she could bring him closer to kiss. "I really, really don't want it. I'll think of something else to do. The wedding's not until September."

He settled back under the blankets. "All right."

Rose spoke into the dark. "What would I do with it, anyway?"

He chuckled softly into her neck. "Make it amazing, of course."

Iris and Rose had anticipated a long transition period, one where they slowly sold down the stock while Iris waited for the right buyer to come along. The wedding would not be until September so they had plenty to keep them busy. Iris met with an agent to list the building and had barely begun to discuss meeting with potential buyers when a letter arrived registered post.

"Well, that's done, then," Iris said briskly, handing it over to Rose.

Rose skimmed the paragraphs quickly. "Mr. Troy is going to take the shop back?" She continued on to the end. "He's going it pay you to take it back? He gave it to you outright the first time!"

"I know. Says it's a wedding gift." Iris laughed.

"Wow."

"I guess aliens are nicer than the cinema would have you think," Iris said thoughtfully, and Rose laughed and laughed until she couldn't catch her breath.

The business with the shop was settled by June. Iris was eager to move on and finalize her wedding plans. Mr. Troy sent two of his people to help them with the final sales and closing up. They were young women of amazing dark-haired beauty and glowing skin that quickly and efficiently reduced the inventory and cleared out the shop. Mr. Troy had plans for the storefront, but it was going to remain empty for a while.

"Honestly, it's better that I don't know what he's got planned," Iris confided to Rose as they emptied out the office desk. "That way I can't get into any trouble."

"Probably the best way to go," Rose agreed. "Who wants to be an accessory to world domination?"

A week later it was all over and Rose was officially unemployed. Her last pay envelope had come with a very sizeable cash bonus, courtesy of Mr. Troy, and she knew she could take her time before looking for work again. She wasn't comfortable with staying home and doing nothing, even if the idea delighted the Doctor.

"What, so you stay home for a bit, tidy up the flat and cook my supper. It'll be marvelous!" He had to dodge quickly to avoid the hairbrush that came sailing toward him. "Really, Rose! That is uncalled for!"

"I can't just sit around all day. I've got to do something."

"Whether you sit at home or work, it won't change our situation at all," he pointed out. "So you may as well be happy about it. Look for something you want to do."

She stared at him, outraged. "It's not about doing what I want! It's about being responsible and, and supporting us!"

"When did you become an adult?" he asked in horror. "Are you the same Rose Tyler who left everything behind to travel around the universe?"

"You know what I mean!" she snapped. "I'm not going to play around while you work and try to get us home and worry about the Weeping Angels and-"

He stopped her when he pulled her in tight against him. "Rose," he murmured into her hair, "it's okay. It's okay to worry, and be scared, and to be nervous about the future. The trick is to not let it cripple you."

She slumped into his embrace. "I need to feel like I have some control over all this," she said quietly into his chest. "Even if it's just a job."

"You worry too much."

She moved her head back to peer up at him. "And sometimes I think you don't worry at all."

"Just sometimes?"

"The rest of the time you're pretending."

His lips twitched. "Nothing is forever, Rose, not even the past."