Sorry for the delay, loves.

James sighed, glancing at the clock for the tenth time in the past hour. His Tuesday morning shift was boring – it had been busy earlier in the morning, with people stopping by to pick up their caffeinated drinks on their way to work or class, but now it was past eleven and the shop was nearly empty, with only a few chairs occupied by people he presumed to be students, judging by the way they worked quickly on their laptops, fingers flying across the keyboard and only pausing to take sips of their drinks.

He was bored. He'd already cleaned what could be cleaned, he'd made all his coffee, he'd stocked up on all his pastries, and he'd put more napkins in brown take-away bags than he could count, and now there was nothing left to do.

Martha was in the staff room, presumably working on some administrative task that would bore him to bits. He checked the clock again.

11:37

Less than half an hour left and he could go home. He could wait out twenty minutes. Twenty minutes was nothing. He quickly stepped away from he counter, slipping into the back area of the shop where the pastries were baked to sneak a drink of water. He groaned quietly when the doorbell chimed, signalling the arrival of a customer. He downed a quick sip and went back out front, a friendly smile on his lips.

He found himself face to face with Mickey Smith.

"Hey, Mickey," James greeted, hoping the other man wouldn't notice the slight hesitancy in his voice.

Mickey nodded. "James," he greeted informally. "Martha in the back?"

"Yeah, go on in," James offered, slightly relieved that Mickey wasn't here to threaten him about anything.

"In a second," Mickey said, crossing his arms over his chest and looking James over carefully, as though he were scrutinizing the taller man. "So, you're the one that's been hanging about with Rose?"

Ah, so maybe Mickey was here to threaten him after all. "Um…yeah, I suppose that's me."

"Right," Mickey said, looking at James as though he'd just dribbled on his shirt. "And how long have you known her?"

"A little more than a week," James answered, knowing it sounded rather pathetic and shifting uncomfortably his weight between his feet.

Mickey raised his eyebrows, still scrutinizing James with a hard black gaze. James struggled not to squirm uncomfortably. "A little over a week and she's already spending the night?"

"That's not – I didn't – We – "James began to blurt out unceremoniously. He then loud out a deep huff, shaking his head and gathering his thoughts before attempting to speak again. "Nothing happened," he finally settled on, seeing Mickey continue to eye him suspiciously. "I brought her to mine so she could take a break from a situation at work. Did she tell you about what went on? She looked like she hadn't slept in days."

Mickey's eyes flashed with something James didn't recognize. "I'd heard about it," he replied evasively. Under any other circumstances, James might have wondered about the vague answer, still under the full strength of Mickey's guarded and hard gaze, his thoughts didn't stray too far from the current conversation.

"Anyway, something's going on at her work. She stopped by to see me on her lunch and I told her to take a break, so she spent the afternoon at mine, and she ended up falling asleep on my couch, so I just let her spend the night. She'd left her car at Torchwood, anyway. I couldn't have sent her home. But nothing happened," James stressed again.

Mickey continued to glare at James for several long moments, as though he was mulling over James's story in his mind and making sure there were no important gaps or information he'd left out.

"Right," Mickey finally sniffed. "Well, James, Rose is important to a lot of people, understand? A lot of people who wouldn't take very kindly to her not being treated the way she deserves," his glare was hard and his expression forbidding. "Rose had been to hell and back. She needs someone who understands that and respects her for it. And if you're not that person – if you're not going to treat her the way she deserves – you'd better step away from her, understood? Because if you continue this…whatever this is, and Rose ends up getting hurt, there's going to be hell to pay, and I can personally make sure that happens. Clear?"

James swallowed thickly and nodded, trying not to appear to cowed by Mickey's impressive show of power.

Mickey nodded sharply. "Good." Just as he turned away, apparently intent on making his way into the staff room to greet Martha, the doorbell chimed again.

James plastered a friendly smile on his face, knowing it didn't reach his eyes, and lifted his head to greet the customer.

Rose.

As soon as she saw him, her face broke into a wide grin. He carefully catalogued every aspect of her appearance. There was still evidence of fatigue around her eyes, but it seemed more as though she'd been woken up by an unpleasant sound than not sleeping for nine days. She seemed to be wearing less makeup than she usually wore – the only cosmetic he could make out was a light coat of mascara to darken her lashes and frame her warm whiskey eyes. Her hair had regained its glossy sheen and hung loose, curling slightly over her shoulders. He was certain that if he ran his fingers through her locks, he wouldn't find a single tangle or knot. She was back to wearing the black pea coat she'd worn when he'd first met her, the belt tightly cinched around her waist and emphasizing her slim figure, a light blue scarf peeking out from under the collar this time. Her light-wash jeans fit her legs like a second skin, and he couldn't help but smile at the worn, grey plimsolls that she'd chosen over a classier pair of shoes. It was very Rose.

Her eyes flicked over to the person he'd been taking to and she frowned in surprise. "Micks?" She asked, and Mickey turned to face her, seemingly equally surprised. "What are you doing here?"

He smiled and shrugged. "Came to see Martha," he told her, making his way over and slinging an arm over her shoulders, "what are you doing here, babe?" He asked as though he didn't already know, shooting James a look.

Babe?

He was not jealous.

He was absolutely not jealous.

Mickey was dating Martha. He'd been dating her for several years now. He had absolutely no reason to be jealous of the ease with which Mickey touched Rose, and how contact with Mickey was obviously comforting to her. He had no reason to be jealous of Mickey for calling Rose babe or whatever other nicknames he used.

But he was.

He was very jealous that Rose smiled easily up at Mickey and leaned into his side, obviously very familiar with him. He was jealous of the lack of uncertainty or hesitancy between the two.

Rose pressed her lips together and her gaze flicked towards James, Mickey nodded, his glare hardening as he looked at James once more before releasing Rose and stepping towards the staff room. "Alright, I'll talk to you later, babe." He nodded at James and headed into the staff room. Both James and Rose heard Martha's cries of delight before the door shut behind Mickey.

Rose turned her wide smile on James, who gave her one of his own. "What are you doing here?" He asked her as he stepped around the counter. She met him a few steps away and his arms easily wrapped around her shoulders, pulling her in a loose and friendly hug. Her arms wrapped around his waist as she returned the quick but comfortable embrace.

She stepped away from him, flitting out of his grasp, a flirtatious smile on her lips and mischief dancing in her eyes. "I'm getting a coffee," she informed him.

His smiled affectionately at her carefree and flirtatious nature, having missed it desperately while work had stressed her out. He returned to his position behind the counter, leaning onto his forearms as he watched her, "I'm dreadfully sorry for the delay in taking your order, miss," he said with mock seriousness.

She sighed dramatically. "I suppose that's alright."

He fought the fond smile that played at the corners of his lips. "What can I get you today?"

She made quite the show of deliberating, pressing her index finger against pursed lips as she looked at the menu. "I think," she said slowly, biting the edge of her lip and bringing her gaze down to his, a slow smile curling her lips pleasantly, "I'll have whatever the expert recommends," she finished, the tip of her tongue poking out from under her canine.

He nodded seriously and got to work, mixing a sweet concoction of caramel and caffeine that he was certain she would enjoy. Donna entered the shop as he did so, and if she noticed the change between Rose and James (which she undoubtedly did – Donna noticed everything) she said nothing, smiling and nodding at both of them in greeting and raising her eyebrows suggestively at James, who fought the flush he could feel warming his cheeks. Donna slipped quickly into the staff room to take off her jacket and put on her apron, and James returned his attention to the espresso machine.

He finished the drink with a flourish and stepped back out from behind the counter just as Donna went to her place at the cash register to hand her the drink with a slight bow, making her laugh. "Your drink, miss," he said as he passed it to her. "On the house, naturally, for your wait."

She took the cup with a wide smile, taking a scoop of whipped cream on her index finger and brought it to her mouth, her mischievous eyes not leaving his for a second. His eyes darkened slightly when she sucked the whipped cream off her finger and he stepped in quickly, pressing a chaste kiss to her lips, feeling her smile as he did so.

"I'm done my shift," he told her when he pulled away, unable to keep the smile from his face.

She smiled widely at him. "I know," she informed him cheekily.

"Lunch?" He offered, unsure if she had time.

"Love to," she told him happily.

"Great," he leaned in and pressed another chaste kiss to her lips, revelling in the fact that he could do that now, "two seconds," he told her, seeing her nod before he quickly slipped into the staff room, taking off his apron quickly and grabbing his coat, not noticing Martha and Mickey watching him with interest from the table.

He was back in the lobby of the shop a few seconds later, a wide grin on his face and his coat resting comfortably on his shoulders. He offered his hand to Rose, who smiled happily at him before taking it and letting him lead her out of the shop. He moved to walk down the main street, but she shook her head and led him toward a luxurious looking Mercedes. James raised his eyebrows at Rose, who flushed slightly. "Birthday present," she muttered as she unlocked the doors and slipped into the driver's seat.

He watched her carefully as Rose fiddled with the radio, trying to find music she liked. Finally she groaned and hit the power button, turning it off, apparently dissatisfied with the choices. She turned to smile at James, who was watching her intently. "Want to go to yours?" She suggested.

His eyebrows rose in surprise. "You have time?" He asked. Her usual lunch-time visits at the shop were no more than twenty minutes.

Her smile widened and her eyes twinkled with mischief. "I have all day," she quipped cheerfully, making sure there were no oncoming cars before pulling out into traffic and driving the short distance to his flat.

"All day?" He repeated blankly, frowning at her. She grinned widely at him, and he realized what she meant, knowing that surprise coloured his features for a moment before he grinned exuberantly at her. "You got him?" She bit her lip and nodded, still smiling widely. James laughed joyfully and placed his hand on her thigh and squeezed gently, grinning happily. "You got him!" He whooped.

"We got him," she breathed, the smile still on her face. He loved that she seemed unable to frown, caught up in the fantastic moment. A weight was gone from her shoulders, her eyes shone brightly, and he recognized the Rose he'd met before her problems at work – the carefree, mischievous girl who couldn't keep a smile from her lips. He understood now why Rose had looked so different when she'd entered the shop – it wasn't just her restful day and night spent with him (although he was hopeful that they had played at least a small part in her giddiness), but it was that the problem was well and truly solved, and Rose's guilt was eased significantly now that she knew that her work was no longer in danger.

"So what are you going to do now?" James asked, looking at her smiling face and grinning back, her own happiness spreading to him.

She shot him a sideways glance, a twinkle in her eye. "I do believe I told you we'd spend the day together, when this was done," she reminded him cheekily.

"In fact you did," James replied, amused by her antics. "I get you for the rest of the day, then?" He confirmed hopefully, crossing his fingers and praying that Jack was either at work or at Ianto's.

"You get me," Rose winked at him, and he couldn't help but be giddy at the lack of a time constraint on the statement.

"Tea?" James offered automatically as they entered his flat, shrugging off their jackets and chucking off their shoes.

"No, ta," Rose replied, holding up her half-full cardboard cup and winking at him.

He swiped it from her hands, ignoring her indignant oi and took a sip before handing it back to her, smacking his lips dramatically and running his tongue over them to catch any lingering sweetness, noticing how Rose's eyes flicked to his lips and darkened slightly. He grinned cockily at her and she shook her head, grinning affectionately. She walked past him, bumping her hip against his as she moved to the couch, where she sat heavily whilst holding her cup steady, not spilling a drop of the coffee.

He leaned over the back of the couch and pressed a light kiss to the top of her head, and she looked up at him, a wide smile on her face, and tilted her head further back to capture his lips in a kiss before relaxing against the couch. "So what do you want to do today?" She asked lightly, tracking him with her eyes as he made his way around the sofa and sat next to her, his arm resting across her shoulders.

He blinked and looked at her, a frown forming on his face. "I don't know," he answered honestly. "I wasn't expecting you today."

She grinned, her tongue poking out from under her canine. "What were you planning to do?" She asked.

He ran his hand through his dishevelled hair. "I didn't have any plans," he replied sheepishly.

She pressed her lips together and her eyebrows pulled together into a light frown, and he leaned forward and kissed the creased skin. She giggled slightly under his touch and he grinned, pulling away from her forehead to kiss her mouth again, tasting the coffee he'd made her on lips. He lifted his hand and gently ran his fingers along her jaw, cupping her cheek. "I'm so happy you're feeling better." He told her honestly, unable to truly express his relief.

She smiled affectionately. "Me too," she told him. With her free hand she covered the hand that was cupping her cheek. "Thank you for being there for me, James," she said quietly, meeting his eyes with her warm hazel gaze that shone with honesty and gratefulness. She leaned forward and gently pressed her lips to his.

James smiled fondly at her and pulled away, shaking his head. "Wow, that was heavy," he sighed, and Rose chuckled warmly. "So what do you want to do?"

She bit her lip to hold back a grin. "Honestly?"

"Honestly."

"I want to order in and watch the fourth Harry Potter," she told him, unable to hold back her smile.

He laughed loudly, noticing how he, too, felt lighter now that Rose wasn't so stressed. "Okay," he chuckled, leaving his spot on the couch despite Rose's protests and heading into the kitchen to grab a large collection of restaurant menus. "What do you want to eat?"

"Oh, no!" Rose snapped playfully, pointing threateningly at him from over the backrest of the couch. "I picked last time! You're picking this time."

"But, Rooooooose," James whined, pouting dramatically when Rose nearly spat out the sip of coffee she'd just taken, her shoulders shaking with repressed laughter.

"No buts!" She laughed, still pointing at him. "Choose something, Noble!"

He carefully leafed through the menus, taking painstaking care to read through each restaurant's options, and Rose rolled her eyes, moving from the couch to pluck the fourth Harry Potter from the overstuffed DVD shelf next to the telly. James finally chose Thai food and looked to Rose for approval, who gave him a quick thumbs up while fiddling with the controls of the telly to get the movie menu to pop up on the screen. The familiar haunting music filled the room when she finally succeeded, and the pride on her face made him laugh.

James quickly ordered a variety of food from the Thai restaurant, unsure of what Rose would like but knowing she'd never turned down anything he'd offered her, and returned to his position, where Rose was patiently waiting. When he was settled comfortably on the couch, an arm resting casually around her shoulders, she shot him a questioning glance, and he nodded. With a pleased smile Rose lifted the remote and hit the play button, and the menu screen morphed into the opening scene.

Rose shifted and rested her head against James's shoulder, sighing contently. Then, rather suddenly, she lifted it, managing to head-butt him in the process. "Oh, my god, James, I'm so sorry!" She breathed, though it was obvious she was struggling to hold back laughter as she bit down on her lips and her face contorted.

James shot her a mock glare, rubbing his jaw with his free hand. "Jesus, Rose," he laughed, "what was so important you couldn't move at a human speed?"

Rose laughed aloud, apologizing profusely once more. "I'm so sorry, James," she chuckled, "I just remembered that this is the movie with the guy that looks like you. David whatever."

He looked at her in disbelief. "You head-butted me for that?" He whined.

Her face contorted again. "Sorry," she repeated, not sounding even the slightest bit apologetic.

He sighed loudly. "The things I put up with…"

She laughed at that, shaking her head, then reached over to hold his head in place as she gently kissed the spot the top of her head had connected with. "Better?" She asked, a teasing twinkle in her eye.

"I think you got me here, too," James pointed to his cheekbone. Rose grinned and pressed her lips to his cheek, then pulled away and looked at him with amusement on her face, obviously wondering if he'd point to anywhere else. He did, pointing to his nose next. She laughed outright but kissed it anyway. After he pointed to his lips she wasted no time locking their lips together, gently running her tongue over his bottom lip. He opened his mouth and their tongues touched, and she playfully ran the tip of hers along the roof of his mouth.

James thought he might melt.

Far from a passive participant, he flicked her tongue with his, and he felt her amusement and pleasure, felt the smile that formed under the kiss, felt the teasing tug of her teeth on his bottom lip. He felt her pulse stutter at his answering growl, and he when she pulled away to catch her breath he shifted so he was on top of her, pinning her under him.

"You two seriously need to make use of the bedroom," Jack said casually as he closed the door behind him, slipping off his jacket and grabbing a banana from the kitchen. He crossed his arms as he leaned on the counter, a smirk on his face.

Rose's face flushed bright pink and James scrambled off her, glaring at his flatmate over the back of the couch. Jack grinned back, completely unbothered.

Dammit Jack!

Please remember to review and tell me what you thought! We're nearing the end of this story.