Character/Pairing: Ten/Rose
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The BBC owns all, I am merely borrowing.
Spoilers: Through Season Three.

Despite the fact that the Doctor was impatiently tugging on her hand, Rose did not move. "Umm...I don't think we need to. I mean, s'not like they're threatening." She gestured at the aliens, who were still searching the room. "Just looking at things."

"Right. Why are they doing that?" He let go of her hand and walked resolutely over to one of the aliens who was flipping through a photo album. "You know, it's rude to attend a birthday party without bringing a gift. And looking at personal possessions before complementing the hosts choice of wine? You should have at least sampled the hors d'oeuvres first."

The alien gave no indication that he had even heard the banter that was being directed at him. His long thin fingers continued flipping the album pages, numerous eyes flitting back and forth over the photographs.

"Mind if I take a look?"

The Doctor grabbed the album but before he could look at the photos in question, the alien's fist connected with his jaw. Although the impacting appendage was rather delicate in appearance, this regeneration had a significant weakness when it came to being knocked unconscious. There had even been an occasion when a deliberately aimed eraser had caused him to black out. But it had been ages since someone had actually managed to catch him before he hit the ground and gained several unsightly bruises. He was very grateful that this regeneration at least had a penchant for dressing in layers.

"Doctor!" Rose had forgotten how awkward it was to catch a man who was considerably taller. Somehow she managed to latch onto his torso and gently guide him to the floor. She clutched the lapels of his jacket and shook him. "Doctor!"

The alien tucked the album under one arm and raised his other toward the ceiling. All at once the blue aliens disappeared in a flash of light.

"Doctor!"

He sat up suddenly with a gasp, almost hitting Rose in the process. "Ducking! That's what I needed to practice." He tilted his head and took in the now empty room. "Did I miss the party?"

"They teleported."

"Ah." He stood up and pulled out his sonic screwdriver. He tried several settings without success.

"What is it?"

With an incredulous expression, he began inspecting the screwdriver from every possible angle. "I think it's malfunctioning. Or...less likely, mind you, but it could be that in this universe I'm rubbish at teleports."

"Really?"

"Nah. Definitely a part loose somewhere." He frowned at the device one more time before tucking it back inside his suit pocket. "What was in that album?"

"Dunno. Just family photos I think."

"Why would they want that?"

He ran a hand through his hair and Rose found herself transfixed by the familiar gesture she had thought she would never see again. For once, the Doctor noticed and paused with his hand still resting atop his head.

"Doctor?"

Focusing on her as though she would disappear any second, he stepped closer and took her hand in his. "Rose." He spoke softly, thumb lightly stroking her palm. "I just..."

"What?"

Swiftly, he wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close. She reciprocated immediately, clutching at the back of his jacket and pulling them even closer together. One of his hands drifted upwards to cradle her head against his shoulder and she could feel the tension evaporate from his lithe frame. He sighed near her ear. "Rose..."

Jackie's voice put a halt to whatever the Doctor had been about to say. "Stop pushin' me! I'm not goin' anywhere!"

It appeared that Pete was tentatively attempting to usher Jackie out of the room. Rose found it difficult not to laugh at how quickly the Doctor disentangled himself from their hug. He had conveniently forgotten that they were not alone and looked a tad flustered that they had been observed.

"Not lettin' them out of my sight. For all I know, he's just waitin' for us to leave so he can throw her over his shoulder and disappear in that blue box of his."

"I would never do that!" He inclined his head toward Rose and murmured, "Not unless you were willing of course."

"'Course." Rose nodded, thinking that she probably wouldn't complain in the least if that were to happen.

"Oh, you may be easier to handle than big ears, even if you are rude, but I still don't trust you."

"Jackie, I'm not going anywhere. Can't go anywhere for at least twenty-four hours. The TARDIS wouldn't stand for it. And being locked out in the midst of a floral pollen revolution is an experience I'd really rather not repeat. Unless I had a waffle iron. Then it might be tolerable, but only just." In a quieter tone, directed only at Rose, he added, "She'll be fine. Just needs some time to recuperate." He clapped his hands together. "Now, what were they?"

"You don't know?" Rose asked with a smirk.

"Oi! Different universe. Gingerbread house, remember?" The Doctor visibly winced at the glare Rose aimed at him. "Right. 'Course you know that, you've been here for...how long has it been exactly?"

"Five years."

"Right."

"For you?"

He suddenly appeared very interested in the color of paint on a nearby door jamb. "Oh...a while. You know they looked slightly like Amrophiles. Not nearly enough eyes though. I mean they've got plenty, but still. And of course they're not fuschia. The Amrophiles in fact, have a very unique judicial system. Involves several top hats and a guava. Wellll...not really a guava. Tastes the same. You see the top hats--"

"Doctor..." Rose interrupted. "You're not helping."

"Of course I'm helping. They may very well have a similar system. But maybe with sombreros instead. Oooo! And a banana." Abruptly, his voice became serious. "You do have bananas here, don't you?"

Rose blinked. "Yeah."

"Good. Wouldn't want to have stranded you in a universe without bananas."

"What?"

"Well, honestly, what would be your potassium substitute?"

Before Rose could decide whether he really meant to imply that being stranded in another universe was totally acceptable as long as there were bananas, the phone rang. She answered it. "Hey. I'll be right there." She covered the receiver with her hand and explained, "It's my team."

"Team? What team?"

"Torchwood. Remember? Me not working in a shop?"

"Oh. Rose Tyler, Defender of the Earth." His smile was enormous.

Rose blushed and hoped that he wouldn't notice, but the smug look he was giving her indicated that he probably knew exactly how she felt about his smile. "Yeah. So, they sent a car." She turned away from him. "Mum, I've gotta go. I mean, we've gotta go. New aliens and all that."

Jackie stepped forward and swept her daughter into a hug. "Be careful, sweetheart."

Pete reached out and shook the Doctor's hand. "Doctor. I'm glad you finally made it."

"Ohhh, me too. Me too."

"You have no idea how much we've needed you." Quietly Pete amended, "How much she has needed you."

Oblivious to Pete's admission, Rose had returned to her phone conversation. "Friend of mine showed up and he's coming with. It's a long story." She put down the phone and began walking toward the front hall. "They're outside."

The Doctor started to follow, only to find himself halted by a very firm grip on his coat sleeve. He turned to find one of his greatest fears rapidly approaching reality. Jackie was leaning in conspiratorially. He automatically leaned back on his heels, trying to maintain a more acceptable distance for avoiding her propensity for slapping.

"Doctor, now that you're here..."

"Yes, Jackie?" His voice squeaked, but only a little.

"Keep 'em safe."

It was shocking to find that one little pronoun was able to completely derail every neuron in his massive brain. In response, the Doctor only managed a very bewildered sounding, "Sorry?"

Rose's voice echoed from the front hall. "Doctor, we've got to hurry!"

"Right." The Doctor took a deep breath and tried to sound sincere. "I promise, Jackie. Whatever it is...I promise."

Jackie nodded and let go of his coat, allowing the Doctor to backpedal and hurry after Rose.

"Maybe things will turn out all right after all," Pete said, gently squeezing Jackie's shoulder.

"I hope so." Jackie sighed. "She'd better tell 'im."