The TARDIS whirred and whooshed to a stop in modern day London. The Doctor had to go off to a distant park of the universe for some rumored little gizmo that would make the sonic screwdriver work on wood. Having been on this quest before, Rose asked him to drop her at her mum's flat for the duration.
"Come on Rose! A planet made of wood! Even the electronics! Can you imagine?! Wooden technology!" The Doctor pleased with her to join him.
Rose chuckled at the man she loved. It's amazing that she'd grown so fond of his little obsessions. "Nah, Doctor. Besides. I need to get my washing done. All of that limitless potential in the TARDIS and you won't let me have a proper laundry!"
"I like the way the TARDIS cleans my clothes. No detergent-y smell." He made a face.
"I like the smell of detergent and fabric softener. Smells clean!" She stuck her tongue out and he snuck in for a kiss.
In the last few weeks, the new facet of their relationship had settled in and had become like second nature. They felt as though they were always meant to be together like this.
"Don't be gone too long, Doctor," Rose got out between the chaste little kisses. "And be safe."
"Always, my Rose," he smiled at her and got back into the TARDIS and took off, leaving Rose in front of the door to her mum's. A door that was already open, with a pair of cornflower blue eyes glaring out. The door swung open and her mum greeted her with wide arms and a forced smile.
"Rose! Darling! Come in, I wasn't expecting ya!" Jackie Tyler was not a stupid woman. And she didn't raise a stupid daughter.
"I know you saw mum. S'alright! Not like I wasn't gonna tell ya. Kettle on?" Rose dumped her duffle on the couch and plopped down with satisfaction. There was nothing like her mum's place when she was feeling tired. The old, overstuffed couch and a cup of tea were old friends. The smell of her mum's perfume permeated and she leaned back as her mum settled in. "Go ahead and grill me. I have laundry to do," Rose laughed.
Hours later, after the wash was done and dinner eaten, Jackie and her daughter went to the pub for a couple of pints and to watch the match with Howard. Rose laughed, drank a few too many, and enjoyed the relative normalcy of it all. She smiled as her mum cuddled in closer to Howard. Rose excused herself, using the excuse of a headache, so that her mum and her beau could spend a little time together.
Feeling a bit tipsy and regretting that fifth pint, she walked toward the Powell Estate. But just as always, her state of contentment couldn't last, and she wouldn't make it home to the estate that night.