Chapter 14

Author's Note: To my faithful readers, I am SO sorry this took so long - I had a serious lack of computer and a very large amount of block - but TADA! here it is, with more to come soon =] also, THANK YOU for reading!

The Doctor and Rose had been peacefully meandering for the better part of three hours, not bothering pay attention to where they were. The Doctor was enjoying the quiet, allowing himself to get caught up in enjoying Rose's company, something he found immensely satisfying. As they passed other couples in the street he found himself almost jealous of the normalcy of their lives. It was beginning to frighten him how domestics were beginning to sound so good.

"You hungry?" he asked looking down at her. Rose nodded eagerly, that twinkle he loved so much in her eyes.

"Starved! Where is this American cuisine you're so fond of?" she demanded, shaking his arm. He grinned and led the way down the street, taking her to a Mcdonalds near Times Square.

"The best of American cuisine." he ordered the classic cheeseburger and fries and they found a table near the window.

"Aren't they going to miss us?" Rose asked vaguely, remembering that the team was back at the lab. He shrugged and smiled.

"They can do without us for now, they've got Jack and River." he watched her, smiling. "Do you know what you are?" he asked, his voice becoming serious. Rose chewed her french fries thoughtfully, finally shaking her head.

"Strictly speaking, no. Mickey was the first one to suggest it had to do with the TARDIS, everyone else at Torchwood was convinced it was an alien mutation or something." she paused. "I suppose it could be." The Doctor took out the screwdriver and waved it.

"D'ya mind?" he asked. Rose shook her head and and waited patiently while he scanned her from head to toe, it almost made her laugh how serious he was about it.

"Well?" she asked as he checked the readings.

"It's definitely the Vortex and a bit of something else, but the sonic isn't identifying it." The Doctor pocketed the screwdriver and watched her. "You are a mystery, for now." he said. Rose nearly chuckled at him, his curiosity was burning away at him and he was dying to find out what she was. He looked a bit like a boy who'd been told he would have to wait for his christmas presents.

"It won't always be a mystery, I just need some time away from test tubes and human laboratories." she assured him. He bristled at that and she waved her cheeseburger at him. "Besides, we do know that I have the Vortex in me and that Bad Wolf isn't entirely gone, and I can't die." she gave him a stern look, trying to distract him. Pete's Torchwood was a discussion she was far from ready to have. He glared back at her, making it clear he wasn't dropping the subject completely.

"Rose..." the Doctor began, his mouth hanging open slightly as he thought about what to say. She smiled, waiting patiently for him to continue. "About earlier, about what Martha said..." Rose's own jaw dropped at his sudden change of subject.

"Yeah?" she asked, her focus now solely on him. He sniffed and took a deep breath, preparing himself for what he was going to say. Behind her he could see out the window to the the crowds of people that passed them. The diversity of the people was astounding; business people, artsy types, and tourists all rushed about completely intent on their destination. A shadow caught his eye from down the street and he frowned slightly. Determined that he would finish his sentence while he could the Doctor looked back at her.

"We..." he trailed off again as the shadow became larger and unusually spiky. He let out an exasperated groan. "Don't think this is over." he jumped up, picking up her trash and throwing it away. Holding out his hand, he waggled his fingers at her. "You coming?"

"Is it dangerous?" Rose asked, her heart racing.

"Does it matter?" he retorted as they walked outside. She scrunched her nose and shook her head. He led her across the street to a home goods store and she raised an eyebrow.

"Home goods? Isn't this a bit domestic?" she teased, nudging his arm.

"There's a first time for everything." he commented cheerily. As they stepped inside Rose saw a saleswoman making her way towards them and she groaned inwardly. She knew from experience how brutal retail could be, and she had no wish to be battered by a slew of sales pitches.

"Can I help you and your wife find anything?" she asked cheerily. Rose's eyes widened in surprise and she blushed. The Doctor stammered to find a reply.

"We're not...we're not married." he finally said looking sheepish. He cast a glance at Rose to watch her reaction. It was the second time that day that someone else had pointed out the obvious state of their relationship; something he had come so close to addressing. He had no idea how to talk to her about it, and it frightened him to death. Rose was sneaking a look at him simultaneously and for once that day she couldn't read his emotions. The saleswoman blinked and nodded.

"You're engaged then, or boyfriend/girlfriend?"

The Doctor opened his mouth automatically, but didn't respond. He didn't know what to say; how could he, when he didn't even know what they were. A scream ripped through the store cutting off his thread of thoughts.

"S'cuse us." Rose apologized as they ran off in the direction of the scream. A small crowd was beginning to gather around near the pots and pans and the police were already rushing through the building.

"What is it?" Rose stood on tiptoe, in an attempt to see over the crowd. She could just barely spot something green and shiny, she thought they looked like Doctor looked grim, his eyes focused on the small contraption that the Police had just picked off the body.

"I don't know, but I do know how it got here." he said. "We've got to talk to Jack."