"So what's the plan?" Rose asked quietly as they made their way back to the TARDIS. Apparently Yvonne had not bothered to call security as they hadn't met any resistance on their way back.

"Ask Charlie and Jack if they know of any other plans that Torchwood made and then set about stopping any projects that are already underway," the Doctor said and then stopped, looking carefully at Rose. He spoke quietly then, softer. "And then you, me and Jack are going to disappear for a while, somewhere we can have a bit of peace."

Rose smiled slightly, squeezing his hand gently. The Doctor knew how stressful this had been for her and was trying to make up for the mess they were in.

"What about Mum and Mickey?" She asked as they carried on down the corridor. "Don't you think we should tell them baby number two's on its way?"

The Doctor glanced at her for a second.

"We can do, but they'll only worry," he replied. "We could always tell them when we come back. Then they can fret over you all they like."

"And Jack and Charlie?" They paused outside the store-cupboard that contained the TARDIS.

"Well… they can come with us if they want," the Doctor said as he opened the door. "But I don't think Charlie's keen."

They stepped back into the TARDIS and were greeted by the rest of the group. The Doctor slipped into the background as Jackie, who was holding Jack, Mickey and Jack, fussed over Rose.

Charlie watched with envious eyes as Jack chatted with the others. He seemed to click so much better with them. Charlie had no doubt is boyfriend would leave him at the first opportunity and Charlie couldn't blame him.

The life the Doctor lead was so much more interesting than the life Jack shared with Charlie. If Charlie had been an adventurous person he'd've happily gone with them, but, through no fault of his own, the Doctor seemed to be the reason Charlie lost his parents.

With his Mum working non stop at Torchwood and his Dad having to look after his five sisters, Charlie never seemed to get a look in. He knew he was going to start feeling sorry for himself, but he was used to loosing things.

"Anywhere I can drop you off?" Charlie jumped slightly; he hadn't realised the Doctor had sidled up to him.

"Oh… umm…" Charlie glanced at Jack again. "Anywhere in London will do."

The Doctor nodded and they stood in silence for a few minutes watching the hubbub.

"I suppose Jack'll want to stay with you," Charlie said before he could stop himself.

"You could always come too," the Doctor said earnestly. "There's plenty of room."

"Nah, I've seen the life you lead," Charlie smiled sadly. "I'm too much of a coward."

"Believe me I know all about cowardice," the Doctor replied a little bitterly. "I'm sure Jack will understand."

"He'll still go with you though," Charlie mumbled a little forlornly.

"What makes you think he'll leave you?" The Doctor frowned. "You two seem great together. I mean, I travelled with Jack before and I know exactly what he's like, flirting with anything that stands still long enough, he seems different with you. You mean more to him than anyone else."

"Not as much as you," Charlie ran a hand through his hair. "If it's a choice between me and you, he'll pick you. I mean who wouldn't?"

"Have you said any of this to Jack?" The Doctor asked. Charlie shook his head. "Maybe you should."

As if on cue Jack bounded over and the Doctor wandered away towards Rose.

"Alright?" Jack asked. Charlie shrugged. "Rose is ok, they shut down Torchwood. They know bout your mum too…"

"The Doctor's going to ask you if you want to travel again," Charlie blurted out quickly. Jack's eyes lit up.

"Really? Excellent!" Jack grinned, but it didn't last long, slipping from his face when he caught the look Charlie was giving him. "What?"

"I can't go with you," Charlie said. "I just can't. If you want to stay, that's fine, I won't blame you, but I can't go."

Jack's face fell and he shuffled his feet.

"Oh right," he realised how disappointed he must've looked and quickly rearranged his face. "Never mind then. They'll just have to visit us."

It was Charlie's turn to frown and look confused.

"What?" He said.

"Well I'm not going to leave you," Jack smiling softly. "If you don't want to go I'll just have to make them promise to come and visit."

"But I thought you'd been waiting all that time for this moment?" Charlie asked still unable to believe his ears.

"I was waiting to see my friends again, Charlie," Jack replied quietly, taking the golden boys hand. "I can live without the travelling, I've seen enough; I just wanted to see the Doctor and Rose again."

"Oh," Charlie looked visibly relieved.

"You didn't seriously think I was going to leave you did you?" Jack asked. Charlie made a noncommittal noise. Jack nudged him playfully. "You dipstick."

Charlie chuckled quietly. The Doctor was watching from afar and smiled slightly when he saw the pair kiss, obviously back on track again. He glanced over at Rose, who know had Jack in her arms again, Mickey and Jackie still talking to her non stop, making sure she was ok.

The Doctor wandered over, his hands stuffed deep into his trench coat pockets. Rose slipped an arm around his waist when he stood next to her.

"I suppose you two will be off again as soon as all this is sorted?" Jackie asked, hands on her hips.

"Well, just for a bit," the Doctor replied. Jackie smiled slightly.

"Don't sound so worried," she said gently. "I just want to know when to expect you back?"

"Well, we don't know when we'll be leaving yet, there's still some stuff to deal with," Rose said quietly, stifling a yawn as she leant against the Doctor.

"The first thing we're going to do is get you and Jack into a bed," the Doctor murmured quietly. Rose frowned.

"Jack doesn't need any sleep," she said.

"It's been a few days since he last went to bed," the Doctor said. "I'm sure he'll be alright curling up with you."

Rose smiled slightly.

"Alright, but don't go anywhere," she said, holding Jack closer as she headed for the TARDIS depths. The Doctor watched her go and sighed quietly.