You get a quick update, because the chapter went and divided itself again. This story's making itself a lot longer than I first envisioned, but I hope it's all for the best!
Un-beta'd because I'm probably as impatient as y'all are... I did make one, little adjustment thanks to WeepingAngel123's review, though.
Chapter 2 - Sentimental
Rose woke, washed, and dressed, now quite refreshed and genuinely excited for whatever the Doctor had planned for them. She felt like she was back to her old self, all of her confusion and frustrations having been slept away.
Something casual, the Doctor had told her. She pulled on her boots and jumped up from her bed. However, before she left her room she glanced back at her closet. Her top was a bit light, maybe she should grab a jacket, and she had a nice one sitting in the back...
So it was leather? Didn't mean she was indulging in reminiscences about how the Doctor used to be or anything. It was a short little blue thing - or maybe more purplish, in the lamp light by the vanity. Still, entirely different from what the Doctor once wore.
She shrugged into the jacket. With a small, guilty twinge, but absolutely no remorse, Rose stepped out into the corridor.
Without any idea of their agenda, she decided she could use at least a coffee as fortification against what the Doctor might have in store. Detouring towards the kitchen rather than the console room, Rose could already smell the hot brew before she walked through the door.
The TARDIS took such good care of them.
She made to grab her mug from beside the coffee pot. Rose glanced at the sugar bowl and smiled.
Maybe this was a day for reminiscing, after all.
She couldn't help but think of the first time she and the Doctor had gotten around to having an early-morning coffee. "Just milk," he'd requested, then proceeded to spew his first sip right back into his mug, wordlessly pour himself another cup, and fill it nearly half full of sugar.
She'd been surprised at his indecisive coffee preferences, and asked if it was his first time drinking it or something. He'd given her some confusing line about "this time 'round", and left it at that. It wasn't until after the Gamestation that she realized his tastes must have changed since regenerating.
"Could'a told me back then," Rose murmured aloud, bringing her steaming mug to her lips.
"Told you what?" the Doctor asked from behind her.
She managed not to scald herself and to only spill a little coffee as she whirled around to find him lounging in the kitchen doorway.
He was back to wearing his usual suit, and Rose had to admit (to herself) that the tux didn't really do all that much. She was head-over-heels for him whatever clothes he had on. Whichever face, too, for that matter.
Rose grabbed a napkin to wipe at a the few drops of coffee now splattered on the sleeve of her jacket. Her earlier feelings of guilt and sneakiness over the garment had evaporated, seeing him here and realizing how comfortable she really was with him being the same person. She wasn't cheating, she was just a little... sentimental.
"Mornin'" Rose greeted, expertly evading his question. They'd already gone over it, and he'd apologized more than enough. She stepped aside to allow him access to the coffee, and watched, bemused, as he poured and sipped at a mug completely free of additives. His tea had to have the perfect balance of milk and sugar, but nothing could contaminate his morning coffee.
This time 'round, Rose mentally added with a grin.
"Good morning," the Doctor finally replied, leaning back against the counter after having had a few swigs from his own cup.
He was grinning at her, and she found it rather infectious. She noted he was wearing his overcoat already. "So, are we headin' right out, or breakfast first?" she asked.
"I'm taking you out for breakfast," he answered, smiling, watching her over the brim of his mug as he took another sip.
They drank their coffees in silence for a few moments, Rose waiting futilely for him to volunteer any further information.
Finally, Rose narrowed her eyes at him. "Not bein' suspicious at all, are ya?" she observed, finishing her drink and rinsing the mug in the sink.
Almost before she had time to register that he had moved, the Doctor's mug was beside hers, and she was being dragged by the hand out of the kitchen, through the console room, and out through the TARDIS' doors.
He stopped as soon as they had stepped outside, and she skidded to a halt beside him. It was sunny, but Rose had been right to bring a jacket. "'Kay?" she prompted, squeezing the Doctor's hand. "When an' where?"
"Guess," he answered, stepping off again, leading her down a busy city street.
"Looks like earth, but that doesn't mean much," Rose observed.
"It's earth," he allowed.
"'Kay, twenty-first century, or another retro period?" Rose asked.
"Twenty-first century," he told her, stubbornly refusing to volunteer anything further.
"London?" she asked, finally voicing her initial impression.
"You guessed it," he said.
Rose detected a familiar aroma. "Mmm, I smell chips," she announced, her stomach grumbling hungrily.
"That you do!" the Doctor confirmed, then tugged on her hand. "C'mon," he invited, breaking into a run.
"Y'know," Rose laughed as they weaved among the pedestrians, "I haven't got the local currency any more."
"My treat," the Doctor answered with a wink, as he brought them up outside of a familiar chippy.
"Is this..." Rose trailed off. She could swear...
"First date, remember?" the Doctor said, and she half expected his face to split from the enormous grin he was wearing.
She just shook her head as he led them up to the counter, purchased their meal, and selected a table for their breakfast. It really did sum up their scheduleless lives so well, having breakfast at a chippy.
She just hadn't expected him to make such a sentimental selection as this particular shop.
Rose took a seat, noticing that the Doctor waited for her to get settled before claiming the chair across the table from her, his back to the door.
"S'what's the occasion?" she asked, reaching for the vinegar bottle. "This our time travellin' anniversary or somethin' I should know about?"
"Oh, we're well past the anniversary. First one, anyway," he answered, smile undimmed.
Rose remembered her earlier confusion about just how old she was now. Swallowing her first chip, she was about to ask the Doctor when the door to the restaurant opened.
She looked up, and her breath caught when she saw the couple that entered.
It really was their first date.
To be continued...