Rose Tyler was sick of it all. Sick of working at the shop, folding the same clothes over and over again. Sick of the same thing, day after day. She had thought her life would be so different. She'd imagined big things, grand adventures, even a life of fame – considering she'd always wanted to sing. Growing up, every time she pictured herself as an adult, she saw herself being important, having a fantastic life. But she'd never counted on the possibility of life just continuing to be the same as it always was. She always thought there would be one moment, one brilliant moment, that would change the course of her entire life. A moment that would make the life of poverty she'd grown up with, and all the struggles she'd had because of it, finally change. A moment where she would start being happy and actually live, instead of just surviving.

But real life doesn't have those grand life changing moments, not really. The big obvious things that changed your life tended to be bad, like the death of your father. The things that changed your life for the better tended to be small, slow acting things that you don't even see until they're in your rear view mirror. And so, as these things happen, Rose's life began to change forever on a mundane Thursday afternoon.

She was on her lunch break, and had gone shopping at one of the nearby novelty stores that sold, among other things, merchandise for different television shows and movies that were popular now, or had been popular years ago and were making a comeback. She'd seen that they had a new section devoted to her favorite show from when she was a kid, Gallifrey One. It was a campy science fiction show about a space station that had fallen through a wormhole and reappeared in a new galaxy, the survivors of which explored this new galaxy in the hopes of finding a new planet to settle on, since they couldn't get back to Earth. She used to watch it with her dad, before he had died. After his death, her mum had not allowed her to watch it anymore – thinking it would be too painful for Rose, when really it was too painful for her. But it was always something that made her smile, and she needed a smile. She found a t-shirt with one of her favorite characters, the boy-wonder medical officer known only as The Doctor, with his signature catch phrase "No, don't do that!", which made her laugh. He would go on the expeditions to new planets and constantly warn his colleagues of the dangers of touching random alien plants, or eating potentially toxic foods, always the voice of logic in a show full of the illogical. Rose had loved that he'd been so young, yet was listened to and respected because of his intelligence. She felt like so often the world discounted your opinions if you were young, as though you weren't capable of thinking like an adult. So she knew she needed to get the shirt, and show her friend Clara back at work.

"Look at this one, though! Remember when Mum wouldn't let me watch it and I used to sneak out to your flat, middle of the night?" Rose asked, laughing.

"Yeah, and you fell and twisted your ankle climbing out the window. Had a hell of a time explaining that one to your mum," Clara said, rolling her eyes.

"Worth it!" Rose replied in a singsong voice. "Martha, look at this – d'you remember this show?" she added to their other co-worker as she entered the room.

The woman glanced over, then did a double take as she saw the shirt. "Oh my god, I know that guy!" she laughed. "Where did you get this?"

"At the shop across the way. Wait, you know him as in you know the show? Or you actually know John Noble?" Rose asked, narrowing her eyes in confusion.

"Yeah, my friend Harry worked with him on a movie and they got on, he's one of my mates. Oh, but you've got to let me take a picture of that shirt to send him! He'll love it!"

"Yeah, okay. Sure," Rose replied, looking slightly dazed. She held out the tshirt as Martha began pulling out her phone to take a picture.

"No, put it on! I want a picture of you wearing it. That's much better," Martha said, smiling encouragingly.

"I dunno, seems a bit odd, yeah? I don't want him to think I'm some creepy uber fan or something…"

"There's nothing wrong with being a fan, Rose. He loves his fans. But he loves pretty girls even more, especially when the two are combined. This'll make his day! Please?" she implored, turning her large brown eyes on Rose in the best pleading puppy-dog look Rose had ever seen.

Rose sighed, having no power to turn down those eyes. "All right, gimme a mo', I'll go change." She took her bag into the bathroom and adjusted her hair and makeup after she'd changed into the shirt. If this picture was really going to John Noble, she wanted to look her best. She finished touching up her eyeliner and came back out to the break room, noticing it was getting very close to the end of her lunch break. "Okay, let's do this quick because I've got to get back soon."

"Okay, come here, stand under the light so I can get a good shot of the shirt."

"You're not going to send him just a picture of my chest, are you? Because I'm not okay with that," Rose said, concern and amusement in her voice.

"Don't be daft. Just want to get in close enough he can see it. Smile," Martha said, aiming the phone at Rose. Rose, unsure of what to do with her arms, stuck them out to the side with jazz hands and gave a big, nervous smile. "That's great! Thanks, Rose! He'll love it."

"Yeah, no problem. Suppose I should be thanking you, in a sense. Weird. I grew up watching him, yeah? And you just happen to be his mate."

"Life is funny like that sometimes," Martha said, grinning. "Now get back to work before you get in trouble. I'll see you later."

Rose spent the bus ride home that night thinking about what had happened at lunch. It was definitely the most exciting thing to happen in her life in a long time. Not that anything really had happened, but it was still a bit of a thrill to know that her picture had been sent to someone she really looked up to. She felt a bit vain, thinking that, though. What if he thought she was weird? What if he thought she was unattractive? She shook herself out of these bad thoughts as quickly as she could. She'd been trying to boost her self esteem recently, after a particularly bad break up had left her feeling worthless and used. And it was a nice feeling, thinking she'd make him smile just by wearing the shirt she'd found. It was odd, she hadn't thought about that show in years until she'd passed the display at the shop and decided to go and buy the shirt for a laugh. What odd timing, that Martha had just happened to be in the room when she was showing it off. It wasn't something she'd ever have worn to work, so she'd never have seen it otherwise. With this happy circumstance on her mind, she got off the bus and didn't give it another thought as she entered her flat and started helping her mum with a client that was having a particularly bad hair day.

Two days later, she finally had another shift with Martha, who was only part time while she went to university. The two young women got along well, but had never been very close because their schedules didn't line up often. Despite being roughly the same age, Martha was very dedicated to school, wanting to become a doctor. Whereas Rose didn't really know what she wanted to do. When Martha flagged Rose down and asked her if she wanted to have lunch together, Rose quickly agreed and they took off to the cafe down the street.

"So I wanted to tell you that I sent that picture to John and he loved it! He said to tell you you're very pretty and that you 'make his face look horrendous in comparison so please stop wearing his face because he needs people to think he's attractive in order to get work', his words, not mine," Martha concluded, laughing.

Rose blushed, dropping her face into her hands. "Oh no! Oh my god, I feel so weird…"

Martha laughed harder, "Don't! It was a joke! Anyway, he wants to meet you. Any friend of mine is apparently a friend of his, in his mind. Poor bloke doesn't have many friends though, is what I'm thinking, anyway, are you interested? Tonight, if you're free."

"Doesn't he live in Scotland? Or France? I can't remember anymore."

"Scotland. He left France a while ago. Anyway, it's the 21st century, Rose. Distance isn't an issue anymore if you've got a computer. Or a phone. I'll send you an invite to our chatroom, just give me your email address. You do have a laptop, right?"

"Not as such, no." Rose admitted, quietly. "Not exactly making the Queen's wages, working the shop, am I?"

"Too true. Well, you can use your phone to get into the room. It's just that you'll have to type everything. But that's okay. We do that too, sometimes, when we can't use the video function. Are you interested?"

"Yeah, might be. What time?"

"Whenever you're free. We'll be on all night. We usually just keep it going because it's nice to have the company, even when we're doing other things. So just drop in whenever you want. Someone will be on there."

"All right, then. I will. Ta." Rose said, grinning shyly.

"Oh, and watch out for Jack if he's on, yeah? He's a flirt and a half and he'll be trying to seduce you all the way from Los Angeles – and he'd succeed too." Martha added, grinning fondly.

"Wait, Jack…Jack HARKNESS? You know Jack Harkness too?"

"Course I do. He and John are best mates, aren't they?"

"I didn't know that. I mean it seemed like it when the show was on, but it's been years. And Jack's doing that show in America now."

"Yeah, but they stayed friends. Anyway, Jack's great. You'll like him. Just, like I said, keep your wits about you. It probably won't be too bad since he won't be able to see you, but even still – he's got a sixth sense about these sorts of things and can always tell when he's talking to a pretty girl," Martha said, rolling her eyes affectionately.

"Yeah, of course. Umm, anyway, I think we need to get back, yeah? Aren't you off to school in a bit?"

"Got another two hours, but yeah. I really hate my literature class. Never was great at interpreting metaphors and things out of books. Seems like things should just mean what they say, but I guess that's why I'm not an literature major, yeah?"

"If you ever want help, let me know. That was the only class I really did well at, oddly enough."

"You know, I'll take you up on that if you're sure. I hate talking with my classmates about it, because they're all so arrogantly intelligent, and if you admit weakness they're like sharks going for the kill."

"Oh no! But you're the smartest person I know, what's that about?"

"Don't get me wrong, I'm brilliant. That's how I got in there. But my brilliance is more in science than literature. But in order to be 'well rounded students' we have to take all these different classes that have nothing to do with our major."

"Almost glad I skipped it, when you put it that way." Rose joked.

"You should think about going back, though Seriously. You could take night classes. If it's something you want, I mean."

"Might do, yeah. Anything would be nice at this point to get me out of this rut I've been in."

They had reached the shop again. "All right, well I'd best get back to the dreaded customer service desk. Talk to you tonight, though, right?" asked Martha, placing her purse back into her locker.

"Yeah, see you then," Rose replied, very much looking forward to it.

Rose was late getting home that night, she'd stopped by the electronics store on her way out to see how much she could get a laptop for. It was a bit out of her range but she knew she could get one if she saved for a couple of months. Once she'd helped clean up dinner, she excused herself for the night, heading into her room to use the invitation Martha had sent to her. It prompted her to download an app on her phone, which took another few minutes, and she was tapping her foot anxiously by the time she finally got it working.

RoseTyler has entered the room.

RoseTyler: Martha?
CaptainJack: Well hello there. And who are you?
RoseTyler: Hi, sorry, I'm Rose. I'm Martha's friend.
CaptainJack: Rose, just like it says on the tin, huh? Not very creative when it comes to usernames?
RoseTyler: Guess not – never really use them. Why, are you not supposed to use your name for these things?
CaptainJack: Well, you can, if you want. But where's the fun in that? Martha's away right now, she's on the phone with her mom. She's been gone for like an hour now, but she'll be back eventually. In the meantime, I can keep you company, if you'd like. ;)
RoseTyler: Oh, okay then. Well, hi. And who are you?

Rose smirked, knowing exactly who he was but not sure what he knew of her. She decided to play it safe and feign ignorance until Martha got back.

CaptainJack: I'm also Martha's friend. Small world, huh? So how come you're not coming up on the video thing? It just shows a little gray box. That's no fun. :(
RoseTyler: I'm on my phone, so I can only use the chat box. That a problem?
CaptainJack: Only for my eyes. How do you know Martha?
RoseTyler: We work together.
CaptainJack: Oh, at the little shop of horrors?
RoseTyler: Is that what she calls it? That's brilliant. Yeah, there.
CaptainJack: Another one from London. You guys are ganging up on me over here. I'm the only one across the pond.
RoseTyler: Oh, you're American?
CaptainJack: Blasphemy! No, I just work here. But I've perfected the accent, if you ever want to get on a computer and see for yourself. ;)
RoseTyler: Flirt! I'd love to, but I don't have a computer.
CaptainJack: Speaking of blasphemy! Who doesn't have a computer in this day and age?
RoseTyler: Poor people.
CaptainJack: Oh, sorry. I didn't mean…
RoseTyler: No, don't be. I knew what you meant. I shouldn't have said that. It's hard, yeah? This whole typing everything – you lose all context and tone.
CaptainJack: So true. Well, maybe one of these days you and Martha can meet up outside of work so you can chat on the video thing.
RoseTyler: Yeah, that'd be nice. We'll see.
CaptainJack: Yeah, if she ever gets back from the phone call that never ends
RoseTyler: It just goes on and on my friends
CaptainJack: HA! Too true. This always happens when her mom calls. That woman could talk for years.
RoseTyler: Best not introduce her to my mum, yeah? They'd never stop.
DoctorJones: Or maybe that would be a good thing! Hi Rose! Sorry for this, mum's had a row with my sister and I get to play peacemaker. Again! Anyway, I hope it won't be too long but for now I'm going "away". Talk to you soon, I hope! (If she ever winds down….which is unlikely)
RoseTyler: No worries, I completely understand. See you eventually!
DoctorJones: In the next lifetime, more like…

DoctorJones has changed their status to "away from the computer".

RoseTyler: Oh, that's neat, how do you do that?
CaptainJack: You're on the phone app? Pull up your options and there's one to "change your status." They show up in the list of people in the chatroom, probably under "who's here?" on the app.
RoseTyler: Oh, I see!
CaptainJack: Yeah, you can even make up your own, watch…

CaptainJack has changed their status to "wishes Rose Tyler had a laptop".

RoseTyler has changed their status to "wishes Rose Tyler had a laptop, too".

RoseTyler: How do I get it back?
CaptainJack: Just switch it back to active.

CaptainJack is now active.

CaptainJack: You bet I am. ;)

RoseTyler is now active.

RoseTyler: There we go. That's cute, but probably gets old fast, yeah?
CaptainJack: Yeah, But since it's just us right now, it's fine.

JNlad79 has entered the room.

CaptainJack: I spoke too soon.
JNlad79: Talking about me again?
CaptainJack: Don't worry, nothing good.
JNlad79: I should hope not. I've a reputation to uphold.
CaptainJack: Don't I know it :(
JNlad79: Stop that.
CaptainJack: You set yourself up for that one. We've got company, by the way. Say hi to Rose.
JNlad79: Hi Rose
RoseTyler: Hello
JNlad79: You're Martha's friend, right? The pretty lass in the picture she sent me?
RoseTyler: That's me.
JNlad79: Ahh, then Jack, the jig is up. She knows who we are.

CaptainJack has left the room.

JNlad79: Shite.
RoseTyler: Something I said?
JNlad79: No, don't worry about it. I'll be right back, I'm going to go call him.
RoseTyler: Maybe I should just go. I think this might have been a bad idea.
JNlad79: No, don't. Just, give me a minute.

JNlad79 has changed their status to "away".

Rose sat there in confusion, wiping a tear that she hadn't realized was there from her eye. She felt humiliated. She really shouldn't have pretended not to know who Jack was, but she wasn't sure if he knew who she was and hadn't wanted to upset him. But she had anyway, and she felt awful. Martha was just trying to be nice, and she had to go and mess it up. She set down her phone and went to go brush her teeth and get ready for bed. She returned a few minutes later to see that there had been no change in the conversation. "Well, great," she muttered, turning to put on pajamas. As she finished, she heard her phone buzz and turned to check it.

JNlad79 is now active.

JNlad79: Rose? Are you still there?
RoseTyler: I'm here.
JNlad79: Sorry about that. Jack's a little protective of his privacy. He's had a few issues with stalkers, as have I, so we tend to be a bit leery of telling people who we are, when we're online. But you're Martha's friend and that's good enough in my book. And he'll come around.
RoseTyler: Can you tell him I'm sorry? I didn't mean to pretend like I didn't know who he was, but I wasn't sure if Martha had told him anything about me and I wasn't sure if I should say anything until she got back.
JNlad79: No, you're fine. And I will, tell him that is. Not that you have anything to apologize for. He's just, well, Jack. Trust me, give him a little time and he'll be right back in here, no doubt trying to flirt his way into your heart (if he hasn't already).
JNlad79: Oh god, he already has, hasn't he?
RoseTyler: No! Sorry about that, was saying goodnight to my mum.
JNlad79: Oh good. You live with your mum, then?
RoseTyler: Yeah.
JNlad79: That's good. You're in London, right? Martha said you were coworkers, so I assume so anyway.
RoseTyler: Yeah, we're in London.
JNlad79: Ahh, London. Haven't been there in ages. What have I missed?
RoseTyler: Rain. And all the good chips.
JNlad79: Didn't miss the rain, actually. We get plenty of that here in Glasgow, too. But I do miss the chips. Mind you, I'm not supposed to have chips. According to the girlfriend. But, you know, what she doesn't know won't hurt me. ;)

Rose felt a little pang of disappointment at finding out he had a girlfriend. But she shook it off quickly. It wasn't like anything was going to happen between them anyway.

RoseTyler: Quite right, too. ;)
JNlad79: But if she ever comes on here, you cannae tell her anything. I'll deny it to my grave even if you did. But you, Rose Tyler, are to keep yer mouth shut!
RoseTyler: I won't tell a soul. You know, it's funny, yeah? I've not seen anyone type with an accent before – you're the first!
JNlad79: Well, I have to give up my accent for films more often than not, pretend to be English. So I let it slip out every so often on here.
RoseTyler: I see. Got to be yourself, and all that.
JNlad79: Absolutely, otherwise I won't know who I am. LOL
JNlad79: So where's Martha? I thought she was going to be here.
RoseTyler: She is, sort of. She's on the phone with her mum, could be a while.
JNlad79: Don't I know it. Happens all the time. She complains, but I always shush her. It's nice to have a mum. I miss mine every day.
RoseTyler: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
JNlad79: Don't be. I mean, it was a long time ago, so I'm okay. It just bothers me when people don't appreciate what they have, you know?
RoseTyler: That's understandable.
JNlad79: Not that Martha doesn't love her mum, I know that. But I've got a soft spot for other people's mums, I always defend them. Could be because other people's mums tend to adore me.
RoseTyler: Oh yeah? Is there like a mums club, where they take a vote on that?
JNlad79: HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE TOP SECRET MUMS CLUB? That's supposed to be classified. Heads will roll! Wait, you're not secretly a mum, yerself, are you? What's the code word?
RoseTyler: Ha! No idea, mate. Just a good guess? ;)
JNlad79: Too good. I've got my eye on you, Tyler!
RoseTyler: Noted. So what are you up to on this fine, rainy evening?
JNlad79: Just taking a break from reading scripts.
RoseTyler: Anything good?
JNlad79: Not in years. But I just keep hoping. Anyway, I'd best get back to it. And you were heading to bed, right?
RoseTyler: I should, yeah. Early shift tomorrow. :(
JNlad79: Then I'll sleep in extra, just for you. ;)
RoseTyler: Isn't that considerate?
JNlad79: I am, aren't I? Anyway, it was a pleasure talking to you, Rose Tyler. I hope to do it again. Maybe next time you can use the video chat, I was hoping to see yer lovely face. ;)
RoseTyler: Some day. Gotta get a laptop first.
JNlad79: You've not got a computer?
RoseTyler: No, just the phone.
JNlad79: Oh well, some day, as you said. Goodnight, Rose Tyler. Sweet dreams.
RoseTyler: Goodnight!

RoseTyler has left the room.

JNlad79 has left the room.

DoctorJones is active.

DoctorJones: Finally! What'd I miss?
DoctorJones: Dammit, you're all gone. Every time! This happens EVERY TIME. Wankers.

Rose woke up the next day with a smile on her face. She'd had a nice time talking to John, and even Jack before they'd had their misunderstanding. She checked her phone first thing and saw that she had notifications. She opened the chat app and saw that there were several messages waiting for her. She smiled when she saw who they were from.

DoctorJones left you a message:
Rose, sorry I missed you earlier! Seems like you and John got on well enough though, I'm glad of that! I won't be at the shop today, classes all day. But I hope you'll come by the chat later – I should be on around 7 when I get home from my last lab. Hopefully I'll see you then!

JNlad79 left you a message:
I've talked with Jack again, and he's not upset. In fact, he's supposed to send you a message apologizing so let me know if he doesn't, the tosser.

CaptainJack left you a message:
Rose, forgive me for last night. I shouldn't have left without giving you a chance. It was rude. To be fair, you shouldn't have pretended not to know who I was. So, I figure, turnabout's fair play and you owe me one. Go check your front porch.

Rose dropped the phone and ran out of her bedroom, towards the front door and swung it open. On the doorstep was a package. It was addressed to her, and seemed to have been hand delivered as there was no shipping information. She carried it back into her room and unwrapped it. Her jaw dropped. She picked her phone up again and went back to her messages.

DoctorJones left you a message:
Don't be mad at me, but I helped Jack with his scheme. Don't worry, I didn't give him your information, I just gave it to the courier service he arranged to deliver it. Your location is safe with me. ;)

CaptainJack left you a message:
Sorry if I've overstepped my bounds. I've been told I've got more dollars than sense. But, see you soon? :)

Rose glanced back at her bed. Sitting on top of her rumpled up pink duvet was a brand new, top of the line, laptop.