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

Reluctantly, Rose brushed a kiss against the Doctor's forehead and climbed out of the bed, careful not to jostle him. Although she doubted anything would wake him now. At least he appeared to be resting peacefully rather than the fevered haze in which she had found him.

She took a quick shower and dressed with running in mind. A trip to Cardiff would be dangerous as Torchwood had surely noticed their missing prisoner by now. Her feet felt unusually heavy as she trudged down the main staircase and across the short hall that led to the kitchen. She paused with her palm against the slick painted surface of the door, collecting her thoughts before pushing the door open. Her mum, Pete and Mickey were all crowded around the central table, conversing in hushed tones over the remains of breakfast.

"Rose, there you are!" Jackie immediately stood and ushered Rose to sit in an empty chair at the table. "You must be starvin'. I can make you some eggs and toast. How about that, sweetheart?" Without waiting for a response, Jackie retrieved ingredients from the refrigerator. "You didn't eat any of that toast I left you earlier. Can't see how you're functionin' at all. Here, drink this. It'll help clear your head." She pressed a mug of hot coffee into Rose's hands and she noticed the worry across her daughter's brow. "Oh, Rose. What is it? Is he worse? Did you talk to 'im? Is he runnin' a fever? Does he know what's happenin'? What are you gonna do?"

"I got him talking. Just a bit. And..." Rose took a deep breath, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. "He said we needed to visit Jack."

"Cap'n Flash?" Mickey asked.

"Yeah."

"Thought he was dead?"

"S'what I thought," Rose murmured, shaking her head. "The Doctor'd better not be riskin' any timelines. I mean, I know he wouldn't. I trust 'im. But maybe he's not himself yet."

"Where's Hope?" Jackie prompted.

"I don't know. I don't think the Doctor knows either. Exactly. But she's safe in the TARDIS." Turning away from her mother, Rose faced the window and looked out across the lawn. "Which is in the other universe."

Without hesitation, Jackie replied, "Oh, Rose, sweetheart. You have to go." Her smile held just a tinge of sadness. "Even if it means never comin' back."

Rose shook her head. "We have to come back. Can't have me going to your party in the wrong dress."

"What d'ya mean?"

"The Doctor visited me Mum. Before your birthday party started. S'why I looked a little dazed." She took a long sip of the coffee and tried to sound more confident than she felt. "'Cept it musta been a future him. In the TARDIS. So it's gotta turn out right."

"What do you need?" asked Pete.

"Cardiff. We have to get to Cardiff."

"Jack, there's a blip of abnormal rift activity on the monitor. I've never seen anything quite like it." Toshiko spun her chair so she could look up at the walkway above. "And it's right above us."

Jack frowned as he came down the stairs to the main command center. "What about CCTV footage?"

"Bringing it up now, sir."

Jack leaned over Ianto's shoulder and squinted at the shades of grey that made up the plaza above. In the very center of the paved expanse he could just make out a pair of figures. A tall man supported by a blonde he would recognize anywhere.

Without any explanation, Jack turned and ran full tilt to the back entrance. The door slid open not nearly fast enough and he was through it just as soon as he could fit. He could hear Gwen's voice echoing down the corridor, but for once he really didn't care. He burst through the door of their tourism bureau facade and dashed the rest of the way to the plaza. He rounded the corner and there was the Doctor, without his usual suit jacket, walking very unsteadily, arm draped around...Rose. It had to be. Jack stopped short and suddenly found it very hard to breathe.

"I'm fine, Rose. Honestly."

"Few minutes ago you were unconscious. You're not fine." Readjusting the Doctor's arm around her shoulder, Rose looked up. "Jack!" Her surprise melted into a delighted smile. "Omigod! S'really you! I thought the Doctor was just delirious."

"I'm never delirious," the Doctor insisted.

Jack finally found himself capable of walking, even if he couldn't let go of his stunned expression. "I thought I'd never see you again. I should've known though, when the Doctor said it was impossible."

"Oi! It was impossible," the Doctor grumbled.

Jack rolled his eyes and moved to give Rose a hand. "Let me help."

"I don't need help," the Doctor protested, despite how heavily he was leaning against Rose's shoulder. "I just like having her close."

"I'll bet you do," Jack said, flashing a suggestive grin. "What happened? Besides the impossible. Seriously, let me help."

Begrudgingly, the Doctor put his other arm around Jack's shoulder.

Jack scanned the length of the Roald Dahl Plass. "Where's the TARDIS?"

Rose's gleeful smile faded. "S'complicated."

"Isn't it always?"

They were interrupted by the sound of running feet as several people rounded the corner behind Jack. They didn't appear dangerous, but Rose tightened her grip on the Doctor just in case.

A woman with long brown hair stepped forward. "Jack...what's goin' on? Who're they?"

With a sigh, Jack gestured between the two groups. "This is the Doctor and Rose Tyler. And this is Torchwood Three."

"Torchwood?" Rose asked anxiously as the Doctor weakly waved a hand in greeting.

"It's all right, Rose. We're not the same," Jack assured her.

"It's always the..."

"Hang on. I know you," interrupted the Doctor as he squinted and pointed at the asian woman in Jack's team. "Slitheen? Space pig? No? Really?" His gaze flitted to the other woman in the group and his hand followed, gesturing with more emphasis this time. "And you! Dickens? Christmas? Dead people walking around in the streets? Well, I looked a bit different. A lot different really. Blimey, my memory must be going." Suddenly, his knees buckled and he shuddered. "Gah. My head..."

Rose and Jack scrambled to keep the Doctor upright as he almost collapsed against them.

"Jack, I think he still needs to rest. Any chance of a bed?"

"If you're willing to share."

"Jack," the Doctor warned.

"Maybe later then." Jack winked and gestured toward the water tower with his chin. "Fastest route is this way."

Jack lingered in the doorway to his bedroom until Rose was certain the Doctor was settled comfortably in the bed. Finally satisfied, she stood and turned to face him. Jack held out his arms in invitation and Rose ran into his embrace without a second thought. They twirled around for a moment, clinging to each other as if it was the very last hug they would ever share. And really, Jack thought, one never knew for sure. With a sigh, Jack released her. "I bet you haven't left his side yet. Come on." He turned to lead the way back into the hub. "I had Ianto call for takeout and I sent my team home."

"Can't believe you've got a team," Rose murmured as she followed him into the conference room.

"I'm a great team player. Satisfaction guaranteed." He grinned and tossed her one of the chinese takeout boxes. "Good thing the Doctor is out. I wouldn't have had a clue what to order for this him."

"You haven't traveled with 'im?" Rose asked, opening the container to find Jack had indeed remembered her favorite was lo mein.

"Once. But I'm needed here." Quietly, he added, "And he's pretty miserable without you."

She grimaced as she reached for a fork. "We haven't really talked yet. So much happened so fast."

"Is he good?" Jack inquired, grinning as he noticed the blush spreading across Rose's cheeks. "He is, isn't he?"

"M'not complaining," Rose answered with a shy smile. "We've gotta daughter, Jack. And she's..."

"A daughter? How long have you been back?"

"She's from before."

"Oh, I knew this him was more foxy!" Jack declared, banging his fist on the table. "All right, Rose, spill. How long were you able to keep your hands off him?"

"More how long was he able to hold out," Rose said with a laugh. "He didn't tell you?"

"You know him. He babbles but he never really says anything. And you were a very very taboo subject. Clammed up the minute you were mentioned." Jack noticed hurt flicker briefly across Rose's face and he softly clarified, "He missed you."

"I missed him. More than anythin'."

"Aw, even more than me?"

She shook her head and said firmly, "I thought you were dead, Jack. Long before me and the Doctor got separated."

Jack swallowed. Hard. He'd been counting on the Doctor to be the one to explain. The Time Lord was really far better at withholding information when certain shop girls were concerned. Jack knew he'd be compelled to tell Rose everything and this one time honesty probably wasn't the best policy.

"Wha' happened?"

Floating slowly toward consciousness, the Doctor struggled to ground himself. His awareness settled first on the familiar presence seated beside him, but not holding his hand. Rose. He hoped they were still safe as he tried to remember all that had happened. He was relieved to find that his thoughts were firmly rational. He could tell she had taken a shower recently and that the bed was unfamiliar. It strongly reminded him of Jack for some reason. Jack. They'd made it to Cardiff in the other universe.

Opening his eyes, he noticed that Rose didn't look remotely pleased, which he rather thought was unfair. Especially since he finally felt coherent enough to stand on his own two feet. In fact, Rose looked angry. No, furious. She felt furious and just a little bit confused. He briefly contemplated whether irate was a more apt descriptor for the anger that buzzed at the edge of his awareness. He blinked. He'd never been able to sense her emotions so clearly without direct contact. Somehow their bond had been strengthened and he couldn't help feeling excited at the possibilities.

"Hello."

"Hello," Rose replied curtly. "Feelin' better?"

The Doctor stretched languidly and grinned. "Much." Despite noticing her apparent vexation, the Doctor was entirely unprepared for the hand that impacted with his cheek. "Ow! What was that for?"

"He's not dead!" Rose exclaimed, gesturing wildly at the man waiting awkwardly in the doorway. "Jack is not dead! Really really not dead!"

"Oh. That," the Doctor replied lamely, rubbing his cheek.