Chapter Two

"Ugh! I can't stand these little visits with your mum," the Doctor said.

He shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned against the hallway while Rose knocked on her mother's door.

"Just behave yourself," Rose said.

"Yeah, yeah, I know."

He glanced at the door when it opened.

"Rose!" Jackie said throwing her arms around her daughter. "Oh, it's so good to see ya!"

Rose returned the hug and gave Jackie a peck on the cheek.

"Come inside and tell me what's been going on," Jackie said, pulling her inside. "Oh God, I've missed ya so much!"

The Doctor started to go inside and grunted as the door was slammed in his face. Sighing, he banged on the door. He stepped back when Jackie flung it open.

"What?" Jackie said.

"Hi. I'm working my way through the flat selling magazine subscriptions to pay for my schooling. Could I interest you in a subscription to Menopause Monthly?"

Jackie glared at him.

"No? How about Harpies Bizarre?"

"Yeah, that's real funny that is. What do you want?"

The Doctor raised his eyebrow.

"To come in. I was right behind Rose, you know," he said.

"You got a TARDIS. Go back to it and leave me and Rose alone for a change."

"Mum, let the Doctor in."

Jackie looked at her daughter standing behind her and looked back at the Doctor who was giving her a smug grin. Sighing, she reluctantly stepped back and glared at the Doctor who strolled over and stood beside Rose. She shut the door.

"I s'pose you'll be wantin' tea as well," Jackie said.

"Mum."

"Well, if tea's gonna be too much trouble for you; I suppose I could just wet a flannel and suck on that."

"Doctor."

Rose glared at him and her mum. Jackie threw up her hands, muttered, and stomped off towards the kitchen. Rose looked at the Doctor

"Honestly, would it kill you guys to be nice to each other while I'm here?"

"Hey, she's the one that slammed the door in my face!" he said.

"Yeah and you came right back with the smart remark as soon as she opened it."

"Well what was I supposed to say after that?"

"Nothing!"

"Nope, sorry Rose, saying nothing is not my style," the Doctor said. "Besides, I have to keep your mum in line. If I let her off once, she'll start slamming the door in my face all the time. Give your mum an inch, you know…"

Rose sighed and headed towards the couch.

"What?" the Doctor said. "I can't stand up for myself? I'm the Oncoming Storm, you know. If it gets out that I didn't stand up to a human, the Daleks and all the other baddies won't take me seriously any more. I have to protect my rep, Rose."

"All right, whatever, Doctor," Rose said.

She rolled her eyes when he sat down beside her and put his arm around her shoulder. He smiled at Jackie when she brought out a small tray and sat it down on the coffee table in front of them. The Doctor leaned up, stared at the cup of tea in front of him, and tentatively put a finger in it. He quickly took it out and slurped the liquid off it.

"What are you doing?" Rose said.

"Checking to make sure my tea is hot," the Doctor said.

Rose shook her head. She picked up the other cup and snuggled up beside the Doctor.

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Rose sighed and stared up at the ceiling. Her mother had insisted they spend the night and after a fierce argument, the Doctor finally gave in. She leaned over the side of the bed and saw that he was wide-awake and was staring up at the ceiling while he lay on a sleeping bag on the floor. He glanced over at her.

"Can't sleep?" he said in a hushed voice.

"Nah."

"You okay?" he said.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just that…I'm not used to this bed anymore. I'm used to being in the TARDIS now, and I'm used to you lying beside me. I wish mum would let you do it."

"Yeah, well after that spat, I figured it would be pushing things a bit if I went ahead with our usual cuddle," he said.

He gave her a soft smile, and his hand reached up and stroked her hair.

"I'm right here though," he said.

Rose nodded. He leaned up long enough to get a kiss on the cheek before settling back down.

"I love you," Rose said.

"Mmmm, I love you too."

Rose rolled onto her back, contented. She closed her eyes while she tried to relax her body. After about thirty minutes, she gave up. With a sigh of resignation, she carefully sat up.

"Where are you going?"

She leaned up.

"I'm gonna go for a quick walk around the block. Maybe that will tire me out."

"You want me to come with you?"

"No, I'll be alright."

"You sure?" the Doctor said.

He leaned up and glanced at her alarm clock.

"It's nearly midnight."

"I'll be alright. I know this neighborhood. It's safe. Anyway, I won't be a minute. I used to do this when I was younger, and I couldn't get to sleep, and it usually helped."

"Okay, well, be careful."

"I will."

She gave the Doctor a peck on the cheek and rose from the bed.

He watched her silently while she walked over and grabbed her jacket. Putting it on, she headed towards the door.

"Hey."

Rose turned and looked at him.

"Yeah?"

"Since you're going out, could you stop somewhere and pick me up some candy, and a Coke, and perhaps a sandwich. Oh, and some cheese, and some crisps, and a pizza would be fantastic."

"No, Doctor, I'm not picking you up any of that."

"Drat, I was hoping I could convince you to go on a snack run for me."

He giggled when Rose rolled her eyes.

"Behave," she said.

"Don't I always?"

Rose paused and looked at him.

"I'm not gonna bother answering that because I know I'd be here all night listing all the times you didn't behave," she said.

She went out the door and then leaned back in.

"Oh and stay away from mum," she said.

"You mean I can't go dip her hand in warm water and see if she pees all over herself?"

"No!"

"Just checking."

He laughed and winked at her. She rolled her eyes and shut the door behind her.