John Noble was awoken from his sleep by the blaring of his mobile phone. He groaned, squinting in the dark at his alarm clock that read two am, and jabbed the answer button.

"'Lo?" he grumbled out.

"John!" came the too cheerful voice of his boss, Jack Harkness.

"Jack," he said, "this better be bloody important as it's two in the morning."

"Is it?" the man on the other line mused. "So it is. Sorry. Anyways, I know it's your day off, but is there any one I can get you in just for a few hours?"

John sighed. "Opening?"

"Yes," came the pleading voice, and John wondered if Jack was pouting on the other end. "Just until ten! Then I'll be there to relieve you, promise. Just have something to take care of."

He thought about how he could really use the extra money to get his own place. "Okay," he agreed. "Just make sure you're not late. Donna and I are goin' to the lawyer's office at eleven."

"You're the best!" Jack called, making half asleep John wince.

"Yeah. Night." He jabbed the end button and threw the mobile onto his bed with a huff. He pulled the pillow over his head and let himself succumb to sleep once more.

….

The day had been passing quite slowly until Rose's face stood out in the chaos of the morning, smiling brightly at him across the counter at eight o' clock.

"Hello," she said a little weakly, rubbing her temples.

"Long night?" he asked. "And the latte again?" His fingers were already poised above the cash register keys to type it in.

"Yeah," she sighed. "Got pissed at the pub with some mates. We were celebratin' the end of a hell week. Forgot I promised mum I'd meet her for her dress shoppin' early this morning. And latte sounds gorgeous, thanks."

John typed it in quickly, and chuckled. "Today was supposed to be me day off, but the owner convinced me to take another shift."

"Glad he did," Rose said, before looking away with a pink flush decorating her cheeks.

John wondered at that. Did that mean she thought he was attractive? He shook his head. Rose was just nice to people, he could tell that since the first time they met. Besides, he was almost twice her age, and could easily be mistaken for her dad almost. "Right. It's three pounds and allow me to gift you with a pastry for bein' so well behaved the other day when that lady was screamin' in our faces and me bein' rude."

"Well, I'll take the pastry, but I don't think you were rude," Rose said sincerely. "You were workin', yeah? Got busy. I had to dash off anyways." She pulled the pound notes from her wallet, which he noticed was leather and dog-eared, some sort of cartoon kitten adorning it.

"Okay," he agreed, taking the notes from her and placing them in the cash drawer.

"Noticed you have a bruise," she said, pointing to his nose.

"Didn't really notice." John waved her off. It was true that he barely noticed the sore spot unless he rubbed his nose against something. "I'm fine."

"You should let me take a look at it," she offered. "It would be good practice."

"In a strictly educational standpoint, I suppose."

Rose grinned at him, her tongue poking between her teeth in that tantalizing smile that made his heart feel tight. "Thanks."

John busied himself with making her latte, and pulled a fresh buttery croissant from the display case, wrapping it with utmost care in paper and placing it with a napkin on the other counter. When the machine beeped letting him know the milk was ready, he finished the coffee placing that beside the treat and motioning to her. "You're all set."

"Not until you let me see that nose," she insisted. "Partly my fault, isn't it?"

"How is it your fault?" he asked amusedly. "I knew that drawer is wonky and I still put my face in the trajectory."

"It got stuck when you were puttin' my money in," Rose said. "So, therefore, it's my fault."

John shook his head. "That's ridiculous. Don't blame yourself for my mistake." He lifted the counter that separated them and came to stand in front of her. She was so close, he could smell the sweet smell of her perfume and hints of her shampoo.

"You smell nice," she complimented, making his ears flush red.

"Er, thanks."

Rose reached up carefully and cradled his nose. She studied him carefully as he looked down at her warm brown eyes. She was quite a few inches shorter than him, so her head was tilted upwards as she moved him from side to side. "Does this hurt?" she asked, poking his nose lightly.

"A little," he admitted, feeling a slight twinge from her fingers, but also a slight electric buzz.

She studied him again, before straightening and backing away from him. John was already feeling the loss of her warm and nimble fingers. "What's the diagnosis, doc?" he teased.

"Think it's just bruised. Just be careful with it, and apply some ice." She stared at him for another moment, and he was about to open his mouth and say something else when the door chime sounded.

He turned his back to Rose to look at the new patron. An older guy holding a clipboard looked at him. "Are you an employee here?"

"Yeah," John answered. "Can I help you with somethin'?"

"I need you to sign some forms. It's an inspection."

John swallowed. "An inspection? Owner didn't tell me there was one."

The man smiled. "It's random. Should have nothing to worry about if you're up to code."

He thought about the mold clinging stubbornly to the floor tiles and the hole in the wall in the bathroom that had been meaning to get fixed. He also knew if he turned them away, Jack would be in worse trouble. "Course. Let me sign those for you."

"I'll be goin', John!" Rose called from over by the counter. "Gotta be meetin' my mom. Hope to see you again soon."

"Yeah, bye, have a good day," he replied. He didn't dare look until the door chime sounded again.

"She's pretty," the man doing the inspection noted.

"Ah, she's too young," John said, signing the forms with ease. "Now, you're with who?"

…

"A Mr. Recter came by earlier," John mentioned to Jack when he came in later at 10:10 with a sheepish look plastered on his face.

The raven haired American asked, "Who?"

"He's with the city inspection team. They did a random sanitary inspection."

"Shit," Jack cursed. "What did he say?"

John shrugged. "Gave us a passing grade because our food area is spotless, but said we gotta do somethin' about that mold and the hole in the bathroom."

Jack sighed. "I know. I'm just waiting to rise up from debt a little more before I do any work on the place."

"I could scrub the floors at least," John suggested. "Donna has somethin' for it, I think."

"You'd be a star!" Jack enthused. "I don't deserve you."

"No, you don't," John said confidently, hanging his apron on the hook. "Have fun."