After Rose finally got the Doctor to take her on the river and having fish and chips for lunch, they went back to the hotel and into the Tardis. They went to the infirmary where he got out some books and began reading about Alec's condition.

"He really needs an operation Rose, he probably knows that already though. What did he say his chances were?"

"Not good, he's supposed to keep from getting stressed but he's trying to solve a murder and it's not helping. Maybe we can help him with that too?"

"He doesn't seem the type who accepts help, not professional help, we should let him solve it but maybe we can point him in the right direction, if we find out what he already knows. That's your department. Mine's seeing if I can come up with a cure for him."

He fingered through the book in front of him, making noises, running his fingers through his hair while Rose sat and watched him. He knew she was concerned about the man's health, that was what she did but was there something she wasn't telling him? They had only just met him but Rose made friends very quickly, he knew that but just how friendly had they actually got? The man looked just like him and Rose was easily led, he didn't own her and as for them going around kissing and holding hands, he wasn't entirely comfortable with it, he was out of his depth.

Yes, he had been jealous of Mickey and any other man she had laid eyes on but he wanted her to be happy and he knew the next time he regenerated, she may no longer want to travel with him and she would need someone now Mickey was no longer around. First though, he had to make sure Alec Hardy was the right man and if he was, make sure he was fit. It wouldn't do for her to go off with him then he died of a heart attack on her. What would her mother say? Jackie Tyler had a problem with him being older and Alec looked the same earth age as he did but Rose needed a father-figure after all she had been through.

It was almost time for Alec to come and meet them so the Doctor made the Tardis visible and Rose waited by the door, seeing Alec walk around the back of the hotel.

"Hi, come in."

Alec looked at the Police Box that Rose was stood in the doorway of. "This is where you're taking me?"

Rose smiled. "Trust me Alec, it's much bigger on the inside." She stepped through the door and Alec followed, looking around.

"I think you two have some explaining to do, don't you? A travel writer and his assistant?"

"Well, we do actually travel, believe it or not, just not in the conventional manner. It's a time machine and we're from 2006," the Doctor explained. "If you come with me, I may be able to help you, if you want?"

Alec followed behind them, looking around and not even wanting to know what was going on. Had he made a mistake last night getting involved with Rose? He needed to talk to her and ask if it had meant anything to her other than passing some time while she waited to go to the next place and who had a time machine? More importantly, was he losing his sanity, trusting two time travellers? What would Miller make of all this if she ever found out?

In the infirmary, the Doctor got out his stethoscope and listened to Alec's heart, ironic since he himself had two.

"I need to work on this Alec, why don't we all get something to eat then I'll come back and start on it?"

They all agreed and made their way to the dining room, getting some funny looks from Becca again and the few diners as they all sat together, laughing at the Doctor's jokes until he announced he was off to start work on Alec's cure. That left Alec and Rose alone and they went into the bar.

"Don't worry Alec, he'll think of something, I'm sure of it. What did you think then?"

"About where you come from? Seriously? I don't know but best not talk about it in public though."

Rose agreed. After two drinks, Rose said she should go check how the Doctor was getting on.

"Come to my room when you've checked?" Alec asked, kissing her cheek as he had watched her walk around the corner of the hotel.

"Yeah, I will and if he's found something, I'll let you know."

She reached up to kiss him. "See you later."

Rose strolled into the Tardis and went to the infirmary. She wanted to ask if there was anything she could take to counteract being with Alec last night but was afraid he might ask too many question so looking casually around, she spotted a drawer marked 'Human females' and even more casually opened it.

"Looking for something Rose?"

"Who me? Nah. What's in here anyway?"

"How would I know? I'm not a human female am I?" He waggled his eyebrows. "You were a bit cool today, not your usual self. No sneaking kisses when no-one was looking, less on the hand holding. Anything wrong?"

"I figured you weren't keen on that in public so I thought I'd back off, I can resume it if you want?"

"Maybe not. Get what you need out of there Rose. It's ok if you want to get closer, if that's what you want."

"How did you know?"

"Oh come on Rose, don't think I hadn't noticed? If you want to up our relationship, you only had to ask, I thought you just wanted a normal human relationship where you go out together and work up to the other stuff. I'm not exactly an expert in that field you know."

Rose smiled. That wasn't quite what she had in mind now but how could she tell him she had already slept with Alec Hardy? If he found out, would he refuse to help with Alec's problem?

"No, it's fine, I'm not exactly ready after Mickey's departure even though I didn't go out with him after I met you."

"I didn't mean that Rose, go have some fun while I work. Go on, it's ok, I know."

"We just had a few drinks, he's lonely and you'd know all about that. I don't want to hurt either of you."

"You're not and I'm not ready to give you what you really want Rose and you know why. I'll change one day and you'll leave. Alec Hardy won't change and if I have anything to do with it, he'll have a good few years left in him. I should get to work on this and you bring him back here before breakfast. We leave in the morning."

He didn't want to ask if she would be going with him or not but she was seven years in the future, out of her time and it could have serious consequences to her timeline and that of those around her.

She kissed his cheek and said she would see him in the morning.

"Rose. You'll find what you need in that drawer, pass it here."

Rose took out a bottle and a plastic needle and he drew the liquid from the bottle, injecting it into her.

"It won't cover you if something has already happened Rose, just be warned."

Rose wasn't sure if anything had happened, it was only one time. Rose left and went back to the hotel and knocked on Alec's room door. He let her in and leaned down to kiss her.

"Any news yet Rose? I think you also owe me some sort of explanation, don't you?"

"He's still working on it Alec, he won't stop until he finds the answer. What do you want to know?"

"Where you come from. Was any of that true what you told me last night? Did last night mean anything to you?"

"Yes it did Alec and what I told you was true, just seven years ago. It didn't exactly enter the conversation we were having last night. I can't stay here now you know, I don't belong here, I have to go back Alec and I don't want to."

Alec put his arms around her. "Tell me about this Doctor."

"He's a time traveller, a Timelord and that's what we do, we travel in time or to other planets and I know you think I'm crazy but you've seen inside the ship, it's called the Tardis. Alec, if anyone can help you, it's him, he's probably never come across anything like your condition before, he's usually got an answer for everything."

"Are you and he together? I'm not getting between anything am I?"

"No, I told you, we're just friends so don't worry. After he's seen you in the morning, we have to leave, I have to go back, to my mum and my life but we can be together again, one last time."

She put her arms around him and reached up to kiss him.

"You have a time machine yes? Then come back, in seven years, I won't even know you've been gone."

Rose laughed. "Well his driving isn't exactly accurate but yeah, I can come back, for me it will be seven years but not for you, it will only seem like days. I'll look older though, I can't just step inside the Tardis and step out in seven years, that's not how it works, I may as well just stay but I can't do that."

"I know, just promise in seven years of your time, you won't forget me and you'll come back."

Rose unfastened his shirt and he pulled off her t-shirt, kissing her neck. "Stay with me tonight Rose."

"I will Alec."

They kissed again, Rose getting his shirt off as he unfastened her bra, steering her towards the bed, pushing her back onto it. Hastily, Alec removed Rose's trousers, pulling them off then Rose reached up to unzip his trousers and pulled them down. Kneeling on the bed, he leaned over her, kissing her breasts as Rose put her arms around his back and then down the back of his shorts. Not wanting to waste any time, he removed her knickers and dove down to kiss her lower down, Rose letting out a moan as she moved one hand from his bum and moved his head where she wanted him.

He moved them further onto the bed, kissing her breasts again then across her tummy as she grabbed the back of his shorts and began tugging them down and again he stopped her.

"Why are you stopping me Alec? Haven't we been through all this?"

"I've not finished with you yet, so wait."

Rose smiled. He kissed her again and moved back down again, kissing her thighs then moved inwards as Rose felt herself beginning to feel pleasure and urged him to do more, moving herself against him and yanking his shorts down despite his protests. It made him smile as he told her she had no patience.

When she had recovered, she crawled backwards into bed, Alec following on his knees as she pulled back the covers and admired him. He reached for the bedside table and pulled a packet from on top of his mobile. "I bought something tonight, I had to go out of town for these where no-one knows me."

Rose smiled. "Allow me," she said as he opened the packet. She wasn't exactly sure it was the correct size for him but was pleasantly surprised. It added more excitement as she smoothed the item onto him and he smiled back, helping her. He lay down on his back and pulled her onto him.

"If you promise to come back, I promise to get better while you're gone, if he can't find a cure for me. Deal?"

Rose positioned herself over him and just whispered, "Deal."

This time, there was no holding back as they came together, Rose doing all the moving as he repeatedly made her moan his name and Alec just hoping he wasn't overdoing things. They both tumbled over the edge of their pleasure, Alec trying to calm himself as Rose lay on him, trying to recover enough to move. She managed to turn onto her side and smiled at him, making sure he was ok.

"That was even more amazing than last night Alec. I'm really sorry, I still can't stay, you know that but I promise you, I will come back and you won't even know I've been gone, I'll make sure of it. I know what date it is and I know I have to wait seven years, I promise I won't ever go with anyone else. I know it will be a long time for me and you probably don't believe I can do it but things change Alec, I may not even have to wait seven years if I can get him to bring me back, if it's safe."

"I know Rose, I believe you. Now come back here."

He moved over to kiss her. "Don't you think you'd better get cleaned up?"

Alec smiled and got out of bed, crossing to the bathroom. "You've got a really cute bum Alec," Rose giggled.

He came back out a few minutes later, Rose admiring him again as he got back into bed. "Definitely a ten Alec."

He grinned and began kissing her breasts again. "I'll take your word for it Rose. Now come here and snog the life out of me."

Rose giggled again as she bit his lip and then she pushed him over onto his side and wrapped her legs around him. After getting their breath back, Rose fell asleep after making sure Alec would wake her at seven. The next morning after kissing and making love again then getting dressed, she told Alec to meet her outside her room and they would go back to the Tardis.

The Doctor had been working all night and was pleased with the results, a formula that would stabilise Alec's heartbeat and prevent him for future attacks, making him well enough to lead a normal life. When he considered how long it had taken him to come up with it, he put it down to the fact that if humans had two hearts they wouldn't need curing and also the fact that sometimes he was too clever for his own good and should have come up with the same results hours ago.

Rose hadn't come back, probably taking advantage of the room and maybe having one too many drinks with Alec Hardy and sleeping it off he'd thought. Still, it wasn't like she did that every night, he could make some allowances for her, she was on holiday after all. He'd already been up at six to clear his room and not wanting to arouse suspicion had kept the key, meaning to give it to Rose to hand back when she had cleared her room after breakfast.

He was surprised when Rose and Alec came into the console room just after seven thirty.

"Ah, Rose, Alec, there you are. Come with me."

They both followed him back to the infirmary to find a bottle of liquid and a plastic needle. "Roll your sleeve up Alec, this is the cure you wanted. No more heart problems, you can have your life back."

Alec took his jacket off and rolled up his sleeve. The Doctor filled the syringe and swabbed Alec's arm. "You won't feel anything abnormal but the next time you run or do something stupid, you won't get any pain, your heartbeat will remain normal and if anyone asks why you're suddenly cured, just tell them you saw another Doctor who cured you, don't make a big deal out of it. Ready?"

Rose wanted to go to him and hold his hand but instead, she covered her mouth with both her hands and held her breath, hoping he wouldn't react badly to the injection.

Alec nodded and the Doctor stuck the needle in Alec's arm. It was all finished in a few seconds as the Doctor swabbed his arm again, leaving Alec to hold a tissue in place to stop the flow of blood. After a few moments, he took it away and rolled his sleeve back down.

"Well, how do you feel Alec?" Rose asked anxiously.

"Fine but I guess I won't know until something actually happens, will I?"

They all went off for breakfast, then the Doctor gave his key in at the desk and Rose went to get her things. Alec was supposed to be setting off to work but he wanted a few minutes with Rose before she left.

"Don't come and see my off Alec, it's bad enough you know."

"I know, just promise me you'll come back." He leaned down to kiss her.

"I will Alec and if I can find a way where I don't have to wait seven years, I will. I'll just keep myself busy, I won't even look at another man, not when I have you to go to in the future."

Alec smiled. "You say that now, let's hope you can stick to it eh?"

"I will, I can be very stubborn, just ask my mum."

They kissed again, Alec not wanting to let her go. "You do know you're not that much older than my daughter? I don't know what people will make of the fact you're a lot younger than me but when you come back, I'll still be the same age, you'll be seven years older. Is that what you do Rose? When you travel in time and yet you still appear to be the same age?"

"Something like that, it's rather complicated. Like I said, I could go back and only a few weeks may have passed for me and for you it will be a few days. I never know what's going to happen but I would stay, if I could, you know that."

"Bye Rose, I'll be waiting for you, don't leave it too long though, I might not survive without you."

Rose kissed him one last time. "See you soon, detective."

Alec just hoped that with their chosen lifestyle, they wouldn't get things mixed up and it was a few weeks for her and seven years for him but even if it was, he would wait because she was worth it. He went off to the station and tried to concentrate but he knew he wouldn't be able to until she came back.