Rose had been taken aback when Alec came right out and asked her to dinner and even more surprised that she had agreed to go. Jake had left the previous morning and she could do with cheering up at Alec's expense. She'd hoped they could have talked longer the previous morning but he had made his excuses and left. She was still hitting herself mentally for wishing he'd come round in his running gear. She had told him she would be delighted to go out to dinner and that she would be alone as Jake had gone to London 'On business' which was half true. She hoped afterwards she had made the right decision but there was no backing out.

She had to do this, to really get it out of her system before she led Alec on too much to the point of no return. She'd not come quite to grips with the fact of his likeness but was half getting over it. It wasn't like she'd shared anything with the Doctor, they were just special friends so it wasn't like she was betraying him but was it unfair of her to move on, not knowing if he really meant to say those words back to her before he faded away for the last time. Would it really have made any difference if he had said them? They were worlds apart and there was nothing she could do about it despite trying. It was up to him to get back to her if he'd not given up trying, had he? Would it be right to give up every hope of ever seeing him again and make the mistake of moving on to have him come back? The dilemma was endless, a paradox, the Doctor would say, full of 'What if's.'

ooooooooo{silversurfer60}ooooooooo

Alec was disappointed, he thought the man had left, not just be gone for a while and would be coming back but Rose still had agreed to meet on the Friday night at a little place up in the town itself that Alec had passed. Maybe the man was just a friend or even her brother. Maybe she wasn't involved with the man. He would keep right on hoping that. If the man was her boyfriend, maybe he was just asking for trouble but it was a risk he was willing to take, he was finding himself wanting to get more information and the only way to do that was go take her out first and then get her to open up to him. It had been a very long time since he'd been on an actual 'Date' and hoped he wouldn't get cold feet by the time Friday came around. Should he take her flowers or something? He made a note to ask Ellie about it at work before he made a fool of himself. Would Rose expect him to take something to their date? He really should brush up on his social skills which had been at the bottom of his 'To do' list for so long.

ooooooooo{silversurfer60}ooooooooo

The rest of the week was uneventful, Rose took her day off and went for a walk on the beach although it was a bit cold, just to get some fresh air, the main reason she had gone there. There were only a few people around but she didn't wander far. She wished now she could have got a house a bit nearer the sea but had discovered that just through the gate opposite her house there was a small playing field which led to the cliff top path so that was where she headed to finish her walk, hoping she wouldn't get lost and go past it. She had not bothered asking Jake for any more information on the Inspector and decided to do a little on her own but there was nothing she'd not already known. She was a little concerned to learn that Alec Hardy had only fairly recently had heart surgery to have a pacemaker fitted and wondered if she really should let herself get tangled up with this man. After all, she'd come down here to recover, not to make friends.

ooooooooo{silversurfer60}ooooooooo

Friday seemed to take forever to come round. Alec hadn't wanted to overdo it and knock on her door to ask for a lift but he knew Rose would probably drive so he set off early and got a taxi, hoping she wouldn't see him come out of the house. Alec had told Ellie of his impending date with Rose, told her a little bit about her and how she'd just moved next door and was running a new shop, asking her for a few tips as he was somewhat out of practice and he'd goofed up when he'd been invited to her house the first time around. She'd been teasing him the rest of the week but she put him on the right track. Ellie also said she'd like to meet Rose, fill her in on a few things and show her around town and maybe gossip about Alec to which he was horrified. He still didn't know the answer to the boyfriend question though, hoping he'd find out soon enough.

ooooooooo{silversurfer60}ooooooooo

Rose decided not to drive to where they had arranged to meet. That would mean giving him a ride home and if things didn't work out they would have to endure the journey home together or leave him at the restaurant. She ordered a taxi, hoping she wouldn't be spotted by Alec after first spending what seemed like hours deciding what to wear. Should she keep it simple or go for the killer look? She decided on something relatively plain that complimented her figure in all the right places but not too much she hoped and just a little makeup. It was just dinner, she told herself and he'd probably only invited her to see if she did have an actual boyfriend or not but she'd keep that to herself for a while longer.

ooooooooo{silversurfer60}ooooooooo

Alec got to the restaurant ten minutes early and seated himself at the small bar in the waiting area where he could see the door. He wasn't quite prepared for what he did see when Rose entered. She looked stunning. Her hair was loose, little makeup, (she didn't need any) red v-necked dress which went down just below her knees, black velvety open jacket, bare legs and black low heeled shoes. Alec took in every inch of her. Boyfriend or no boyfriend, he knew what he liked. The waiter showed them to their table, just by a side window and Alec ordered wine while they looked at the menu. He then gave her a small box containing a single orchid which she thanked him for and smelled it. They began the small talk over dinner, just basics at first, where Alec was from, how he'd risen up through the Police. Rose told him her humble beginnings growing up on a council estate, how her dad had died when she was a baby and her mum struggling then remarrying twenty years later.

Their dinner date seemed to be going fairly well except that he couldn't take his eyes off her all night, trying to look down her dress and she knew it. She was just doing it on purpose. She was driving him mad. They had another glass of wine then Alec asked if she was driving, concerned. She said she'd come in a taxi to which Alec laughed and said he'd done the same not wanting to ask her for a lift. They both laughed and Rose remarked that she wouldn't have enjoyed herself having to think about driving home. Had she enjoyed herself Alec wondered? He certainly was. It had been a long time since he'd had dinner with a beautiful woman and Rose was certainly that – beautiful. The way she laughed and smiled. Alec was very attracted to her but was still unsure as to her status and she wasn't telling him anything.

Rose was enjoying herself, more than she deserved. It was a long time since she'd been out on a date, a proper date, not one that was interrupted by aliens or an earthquake or on another planet. She was hanging onto her safety net though, letting Alec think she was with Jake, just a bit longer while she figured out what was going on. She'd know when she could let go, venture out of her safety zone when the time was right. Alec was a very attractive man, with his scruffy beard and his Scottish accent and the way he said "Rose" but she was having a difficult time not picturing him without a beard and him saying Alons-y Rose Tyler with his Estuary English accent every time he spoke.

The early evening became late evening, moving from their table in the dining area to a smaller table in the corner of the bar, seating them closer together. Rose was wearing a sweet smelling perfume and it was getting to Alec very quickly that he just wanted to get even closer. He tried shuffling his chair slightly so she wouldn't notice so he could look down her dress but she was watching him. So he tried to catch her foot with his, brush against her leg to get her attention and she sort of played along in the end because she was running out of room to put her feet. It was almost eleven, Rose had to open the shop the following morning so she asked if they could leave, suggesting they shared a taxi. They waited inside the restaurant because it was getting chilly outside. They arrived outside their two houses and the taxi drove off. Alec was kicking himself that he was so out of practice at this sort of thing. Did he kiss her goodnight on the cheek, kiss the back of her hand or go straight for the kill and kiss her on the lips? Why couldn't he remember?

He settled for a "Well Rose, I really enjoyed our evening together, can I assume you did also?" and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"Well, yes I did actually Alec, I really enjoyed it."

He was glad they'd stopped playing the name game, at least for tonight. She turned ever so slightly as he went to kiss her cheek again and he just caught the corner of her mouth but drew back sharply.

Rose took his arm to pull him back but stopped instead and said "Don't want to give the neighbours something to gossip about, Inspector," she teased and started to pull Alec towards her front door.

Alec dare not hope she was going to ask him in but she didn't. She unlocked her door and turned the handle. She turned around and kissed him on his cheek. "Goodnight, Alec, tonight was more than enjoyable" and purposely missed his cheek to catch him on the side of his mouth, teasing him again. He realised just how much he enjoyed her teasing. With that she was up the step and through her front door.

He knew she had to be at work the following morning and accepted that.

"Rose," he added quickly, "Can I just ask you something? Something that's bothering me to the point of driving me crazy?" She nodded as she turned back round to face him. "Just exactly who is Jake?"

She just smiled, leaving him tormented, she wasn't ready to tell him just yet, she had to let him squirm a bit first, maybe go out on a second date and that was just the way to get asked out again. "I'll tell you on one condition."

"What's that, anything Rose, I just want to know."

"Why Alec?"

"Because you, Rose Tyler, are driving me crazy and I need to know before I make a complete idiot of myself."

Rose laughed. "The condition is, take me to dinner again next Friday."

Alec couldn't believe her. Did that mean she was free or was she just tormenting him even more? He would have to wait another week to find out and it was going to kill him but maybe it would be worth it for another dinner date with the mysterious Miss Rose Tyler who couldn't be traced via the internet. No records of her, everything classified and what exactly was 'Torchwood' but more importantly, he was determined now more than ever that if this Jake was indeed her boyfriend he was going to do anything and everything he could to win her affections and no-one was going to stand in his way.

They said goodnight again, Alec reached for her hand and kissed the back of it, smelling her perfume again, oh boy, did he want to kiss her but thought better of it. He watched as she turned and closed the door then it dawned on him that he didn't even have her phone number, kicking himself, some Detective he was, couldn't even remember to get a girl's phone number, he really was out of practice. He walked back home hoping he'd have better luck the following week and pleased with himself it had all gone well and she was offering to go out with him again.

ooooooooo{silversurfer60}ooooooooo

Rose closed and locked the door behind her, her face red with blushing, she had so wanted to snog him on the doorstep but thought it was maybe just a bit too soon, she was running away with herself over him, getting way above where she wanted to be. She remembered he'd not asked for her phone number but he could easily get it if he really wanted to, he was a Detective after all. For the first time since being in this world, Rose was feeling quite happy when she went to bed, the first time she had even been on a date there and sure didn't want it to be her last. She hoped she'd not scared him off by suggesting he take her out to dinner again but wasn't sure it was a good idea to be seen out two nights in a row together. The Inspector had a reputation to think about even if she didn't.

ooooooooo{silversurfer60}ooooooooo

Rose planned on spending a quiet weekend, sorting out her things and re-arranging the living room and kitchen. She was glad of something to do. She had an uneventful Saturday at the shop, chatting to the locals who came in and was starting to feel at home in the town. That and her date with Alec last night. She had so wanted to kiss him. She was sure she saw a certain Detective Inspector pass by but he didn't come in if it was him. Maybe he was back to playing games with her again. She hoped so. Just as she was pulling the window blind down, Alec appeared seemingly out of nowhere. She went to unlock the door to let him in.

"Closing time, Miss Tyler?" he asked as he walked in the door.

"I've got tea or coffee now if you want some, Inspector, is that why you're here?"

"Not exactly, I came to tell you I enjoyed last night and also I forgot to get your phone number."

"Some Inspector you are then, can't even remember to get a girl's phone number after you've taken her on a date," she laughed.

"Yes, it was a bit remiss of me I admit so I thought I would rectify the error and call and see you. That and ask if you would like to go out just for a drink tonight perhaps? That's if you want to be seen with me again?"

"I'd be delighted, Inspector and since you do live next door, perhaps we could get a taxi together this time?"

"Then shall we say 7.30 outside your house? I'll phone for a taxi, we can try that little pub just down by the harbour."

Rose said that was fine with her, now all she had to do was find something to wear. Alec left, saying he had some errands to run so Rose drove herself home to get ready. Two nights out in a row, that was a record.

They met outside at 7.30 and the taxi dropped them at the pub. It wasn't far but it was a bit cold to walk considering how Rose was dressed. She'd gone to town trying to impress the Inspector. They found a quiet corner and talked for a few hours, Alec was eager to find out about Jake but she was quiet about it. They sat close together, Alec hoping to try again to look down her dress but being out of luck again and Rose's perfume getting to him again, he thought he couldn't stand it much longer if he didn't get to kiss her soon.

They got a taxi home and stood outside Rose's front door. She turned to Alec as she put the key in the door. "I know you've been itching to ask all night so I'll put you out of your misery, Inspector. You can kiss me goodnight if you want?"

He didn't wait to be asked twice. When their lips parted he said, "What about Jake?"

"He's not here is he?" she teased "and he's going to be away for a while. He doesn't own me you know" and she leaned forward to kiss him again. "Goodnight, Inspector, I had a great time" and was through the door before he could recover, leaving him standing puzzled again. How was he even going to know what was going on with her? Was she thinking about leaving this Jake for him and just testing him? She was going a funny way about it, he thought as he left.

The following morning, Rose was glancing out of her window when she saw him crossing the road in his running gear again and thought again just how sexy he looked in it but she was going to make him wait just a bit longer but not too much or he'd lose interest and she would be back to square one again. She'd tell him on Friday or Saturday, whichever.

Alec saw her at the window and waved as he went past, wondering whether or not to knock and invite himself in for coffee but thought better of it. He'd call and see her during the week at the shop and he'd be seeing her on Friday night anyway and he was looking forward to it. "Alec Hardy dating again," he thought, "never thought I'd live to see the day," as he went home. He was debating whether to go to Ellie's for lunch and on the spur of the moment, he turned around and knocked on Rose's kitchen door. She was upstairs and he thought she wasn't going to answer but she did.

"Inspector," she greeted him.

"Miss Tyler, if you don't have any plans, may I invite you for Sunday lunch, say one o'clock?"

"I'd be delighted, Inspector, though three dates in row, aren't you worried about getting a reputation for being seen out with the same woman?" she teased him.

"I don't have a reputation, yet, only one for not taking no for an answer, Miss Tyler. Shall we go to the same place as last night, I hear they do a decent Sunday lunch?" he asked.

"People will talk about us, Inspector" she laughed "but we can take my car, you can drive, that's providing you have car insurance, Inspector."

"Miss Tyler, I'm the Police, I can commandeer anyone's car," he assured her.

They met outside at 1pm, Alec had phoned Ellie to say he wouldn't be round that lunchtime, saying he had plans to which she had replied, she hoped they are with a certain next door neighbour of his and he told her to mind her business jokingly. Rose handed him her car keys and they drove to the pub by the harbour and parked in the car park. They settled at a table and they both ordered the special, Rose insisting she only drank tonic water, it was too early in the day for her, she'd said. They moved to a quiet corner when they had finished eating, Alec casually slipping into the seat next to her and putting his arm on the back of the seat, debating whether to get any closer but held off until he'd discovered if he really did have a rival or she was just leading him down the garden path.

"Tell me more about Broadchurch, Alec. I know something terrible happened here last year, that poor boy and his family. I don't really keep up with the news, not in the last few years, been pre-occupied with things but I've been reading up about recent events here since I got here. You were in charge, weren't you and it was your DS's husband who did it. Is she ok now, how are you both coping with it?" she asked, sounding concerned.

Alec took another sip of his non-alcoholic drink, he was driving "The town is still in shock, Rose, it's not that easy to get over something like that in a small town. My DS, Ellie, well, she lives next door to you actually. She's coping as well as can be expected, for her boys' sakes. I help as much as I can, after she got divorced, keep an eye on her eldest boy who was the murdered boy's best friend but I don't think she'll ever get over it. As for me, well, I just plod on as usual. I wasn't going to stay after the investigation. I'd been sent down here because – well, things weren't going so well where I was and I'd only been here a few days when I found myself with a murder to solve and Ellie was totally pissed off because she'd been promised a promotion so we fought each other over the case. Eventually though things eased a bit until I arrested her husband. She was shattered and thought about leaving but we talked each other into staying somehow. She went back to work part-time and she took over when I…" he stopped. Should he tell her about his operation? Maybe that will put her off. Still, she'll find out eventually, may as well. "I had to have an operation Rose, there was something wrong with my heart and I collapsed twice on the case. Ellie persuaded me to have the operation to have a pacemaker fitted."

Rose didn't seem surprised, she couldn't let on she'd read all about him then remembered it had been in the paper about him being ill. "I sort of assumed that Alec, I did read the newspaper article about you. You wouldn't be here otherwise so it's safe to assume you had an op." She smiled at him and took his hand. "You're ok now though, aren't you?" she asked, looking at him.

He stroked her hand and smiled back. "Yes, I'm ok but not if you continue to tease me so much. I think you rather enjoy seeing me tormented, Miss Tyler," as he took her hand and gently kissed it.

Alec drove them home and stood at her front door hoping she would invite him in which she did after taking pity on him. They closed the door and Rose turned to him and unexpectedly kissed him, not like the night before and as he kissed her back wondered if she was giving him the go ahead to pursue her or not.