Hello Guys, sorry for the wait in this chapter due mostly to the fact that I've been watching Much ado about Nothing with David Tennant and Catherine Tate three times a day since the download came out :DDDDD).

As promised, this is the xmas party, but not the full version. I noticed that this chapter was getting quite long, and so I decided to divide it up into half-that way I can update it quicker.

Hope you enjoy it anyways xx

The Doctor had been in Pete's world for a little over two months now. He loved his life and even Max couldn't ruin the euphoric sensation. Unfortunately, the Doctor realised that Max's dislike for him wasn't just a phase, it went a lot deeper. He was starting to think that it was something closer to hate.

Luckily, Max had finally started accepting the changes in Rose, and although he disliked the way Rose acted, even he couldn't fool himself into thinking that it was mind control anymore. This new realisation had done little to change his attitude, and he made his dislike known through seemingly subtle hints. The Doctor had learned to ignore them, but they still angered him. Rose was also an (unintentional) cause of the tension that existed between the two. Her relationship with the Doctor had been widely publicised by the media, and the whole world now knew about it. Torchwood, who had learned not to trust everything that the media said about the vitex heiress, also quickly noticed that this was a very serious relationship.

Of course, most of Torchwood had noticed that Max had a thing for his female Commander, not because he wasn't subtle about it, but simply because it was hard to miss. They also noticed that Rose let him become close to her, and the two were often seen talking. They did speculate about their relationship, but realised that Rose never treated him with such extreme preference as she would treat a boyfriend. Both Mickey Smith and Heidi Jenson supported this theory and both were extremely angry when they heard rumours flying around.

Unfortunately the rumours only increased when the Doctor came, as Torchwood certainly wasn't blind. They could easily see the tension between the two males.

Today however, the Doctor couldn't care less. It was almost Christmas and Pete was hosting his annual Christmas party. Most of Torchwood would be attending, but also several celebrities and government officials Pete was acquainted with. Because of this, media would also be present, which came as no surprise. Rose had wrinkled her nose at the idea, knowing that whenever the media couldn't get a story they made things up. Seeing there would be dancing at this party, the media would go crazy and speculate about her having a possible affair with all the people she would be dancing with. Pete made a decision to have several select photographers and reporters in the room, while the paparazzi could gather outside and watch the arrival. Rose was content with this suggestion.

Of course, with most of the media being outside, the family would have to make an appearance.

Jackie was currently conversing with her stylist, who was giving her make up tips. Pete and Tony were also getting themselves ready, Tony having to appear in a suit like the rest of the Tylers. The Doctor grumbled about this, and desperately hoped that the particular tuxedo he would wear tonight wouldn't bring any bad luck. He was waiting in the lower foyer for the rest of the family, hurriedly fastening his bow tie. He heard footsteps and gasped as Rose came down the stairs. She looked beautiful.

Her dress was long, just touching the floor, giving her a graceful air as she walked. The dress seemed to be made out of some sort of shimmery material, and was deep purple tainted with black. The top was scrunched up, with a line just below the chest and the rest of the material flowed down, like a waterfall. Thin straps held the dress in place. Rose smiled as she came down the stairs. Here hair was straightened and touched her shoulders and her eyes were outlined with black, so that they sparkled.

"You like it?" she asked, when the Doctor didn't say anything.

The Doctor reached for her hand, eyes never leaving her face, making Rose blush.

"I love it" he answered. Rose smiled again. Even though the Doctor used the word 'love' in relation to her a lot more often now than he did before, she still felt extremely happy when he said it.

He was about to kiss her when the rest of the Tylers came down the stairs.

"The media is waiting outside sir" a servant told them and Rose groaned slightly. Pete laughed.

"It'll be over before you know it" he assured her and the Doctor.

He was right, the Doctor thought when they came back in. All that was required was simply to stand there and smile while the media snapped pictures. Some of them yelled questions but Pete refused to answer, simply stating that he wasn't going to comment. After a while, they all went back inside, blinking from all the flashes the cameras had let off. Rose and the Doctor went to the dancing room to entertain Tony, while Jackie and Pete stayed by the front door to let the selected media and guests in.

Within ten minutes the main room was full, and the catering staff that had been assigned for the evening had to take great care not to crash into anyone. The Doctor nudged Rose. "Remember doing that?" Rose laughed slightly.

"Out of all the people we could have been, we had to be catering staff."

The Doctor raised his eyebrows. "That skirt and apron looked…quite good on you."

"S' that why you chose it Doctor?" Rose asked, grinning slightly.

"Definitely one of the reasons" the Doctor whispered, just as Mickey came over, holding a short and pretty brunette by the hand.

"Nice to see ya boss!" he said happily. "This is Leslie, my girlfriend."

Rose smiled at the two of them. "Glad you two could make it."

Leslie returned the smile, slightly uncertainly. She worked at Torchwood as well, but was still one of the lower agents. There was a slight tension between her and Rose, namely on her side, because of Mickey. Mickey had told her that he and Rose had dated once, and Leslie spent some time feeling second best-after all, she hadn't known Rose in the other universe, and she had no idea that the girl her present boyfriend had dated hadn't been the rich, clever and beautiful vitex heiress. The fact that the media had spent weeks speculating about a possible relationship between Rose and Mickey didn't help the matter along. And although Rose had always been very friendly to her, even in her reserved 'Commander Tyler' mode, Leslie was always on edge whether or not Rose wanted Mickey back. Mickey and Rose understood each other on a level Leslie couldn't comprehend, and that had scared her for a while. Even with Mickey's constant reassurances that there was nothing going on between him and Rose, Leslie felt uncertain, and she was very happy now that Rose had gotten her own boyfriend.

Rose and Mickey were not blind to this, but the matter didn't bother Rose.

The Doctor looked delighted to meet her, and quickly extended a hand. Leslie seemed a bit surprised by his forwardness, but smiled shyly.

She, Rose, Mickey and the Doctor quickly got into conversation about all sorts of things, and Leslie felt any unease she had melting. After a while Rose had to go and greet some other guests, and the Doctor went with her, leaving Leslie and Mickey to dance.

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After having greeted most of the guests (which took a long time) Rose and the Doctor finally had some time to themselves.

"You do this every year?" the Doctor almost yelled over the noise.

Rose nodded. "Yeah. Pete Tyler is famous for hosting huge Christmas parties."

"Would you like to –" The doctor began, but Max and Olivia, who had suddenly appeared behind them, finished the sentence.

"Dance?" They both said, Max pointedly ignoring the Doctor and only looking at Rose, while Olivia fluttered her eyelashes at the Doctor.

He and Rose simply looked at each other for a split second. Seeing that they were, in an indirect sense, acting as hosts, they couldn't exactly refuse. So they both nodded and took up their respective positions on the floor. A slow song had just started.

"You look beautiful" Max whispered to Rose as he twirled her.

She smiled. "Thank you Max."

They continued dancing, and she felt herself looking down, because Max was looking at her with a gaze full of intensity.

"We haven't had a chance to properly talk for ages." He said softly. "You're always with the Doctor". This time, there was some very faint accusation in his voice which Rose chose to ignore.

"Yeah. How are you doing Max?" she asked softly. Max was partially right, they worked together, but they no longer went to coffee shops to talk like they had before the Doctor.

He shrugged slightly. "I'm holding up. Torchwood keeps me busy, but I'm getting lonely. I miss our talks."

Rose nodded, not knowing what she should say to Max. The line the two of them were walking on was so very fragile, their friendship could shatter soon. Rose didn't want that.

"I had a of free time before, and now-"

"Now you spend all you time with him" Max practically snarled. "Always him Rose. We go on a mission, and it's him who you make the decisions with."

"He is a Commander-"

"I wasn't, but you still included me! You spend time at Torchwood holed up talking with him, or with the Director and him, or in that secret lab that not even I am allowed to enter! When I try to call you on your cell, we always talk briefly and then you hang up." His time, Max's tone was full of accusation.

"I'm sorry." Rose said, and although her apology was sincere, she was starting to get a tiny bit annoyed. "But Max, this is my…well technically my husband, and I can't help not spending time with him."

"Max suddenly looked like he was choking, absolute shock and anger covering his features when he recovered. "You're married?" he snarled. His gaze drifted down to her hand. "You have no ring."

"We're not married in earth standards" Rose said quietly. "And it shouldn't matter to you".

"Why not?" Max demanded angrily. He twirled her again, until they were dancing on a different side of the room, with the Doctor and Olivia on the other side.

"Because it's none of your business" Rose retorted, once she had recovered from the slight dizziness. She raised her eyebrows. Max still looked angry, but he was smiling slightly.

"Mistletoe" he whispered, and kissed her.

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Okay, sorry about the ending :DDDD Just seemed like a good place to end. Please review xx