A/N: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and favourited and all that, thanks for taking the time to read this story and such. MeVsRiversong as always Jess, thankyou to you for making this story a hell of alot better than what it would have been if I had just posted it the way I had first written it.

Disclaimer: Ashes to Ashes & Doctor Who belongs to the BBC even though I wish it belonged to me.

Aftermath

Rose sat opposite Alex in Luigi's and found herself uncontrollably spilling out information to her. Rose couldn't explain it- the other woman was practically a stranger, but she needed someone right now, and perhaps that was just what she need. Usually, Donna and her limitless knowledge would have been sufficient; but Rose had left her with the Doctor. With two of them, she reasoned, they were less likely to get in trouble. Chris caught her eye- he seemed to be smiling at her, an unfathomable light in his eyes. Rose smiled back and gave him a little wave; why not? But he looked away quickly, sheepishly- Mr Hunt had clicked his fingers to get Chris's attention, and surprised Chris. Rose laughed- trying and failing to stifle the sound- at the deep red blooming on his cheeks as he was chastised like a child by its teacher.

"Alex," Rose began. "Is there something going on between you and Hunt?"

Alex put down her wine glass.

"Me and Gene?", she grinned, but it didn't reach her eyes, Rose noted, and the laugh sounded more like a wistful sigh. "No, not at all. Why do you ask?"

"No reason." Rose said, shaking her head. "It's just... there seems to be a spark between you two. I'm probably wrong- what do I know? I can't even keep my own relationships happy, let alone inquiring into someone else's!"

"Don't say that, Rose," Alex argued, her eyes shining with a sort of passion. "Never say that. I'm sure you two will sort it out."

"Yeah." Rose said heavily, taking a sip of wine to mask the awkward silence that followed. She hoped they would.

***

"So, what are we gonna do now, Donna? What are we gonna do now Rose is gone?" The Doctor said, dejected. He was in full-blown pitiful-mode, and Donna had been delving deep into her resources of empathy for half an hour.

"Oh, stop feeling sorry for yourself and let's go experience the 80s." Donna ordered, tapping him on the shoulder- well, it was more of a poke.

"Spaceman." She added. He laughed at her- his black mood momentarily banished- and took her arm in his. He would find Rose later, he decided as his friend grinned up at him. Donna was right (let him never say that again) they both needed time to cool off, and the only way they could do that was apart.

Donna and the Doctor walked out of the little back street and turned left, arms linked companionably together. They walked,(the Doctor striding and Donna trotting along at his heels) down the cobbled streets, looking at those around them who were all dressed in their 80s gear. They could hear 'You Cant Hurry Love' by Phil Collins resonating through the cobbles, to which Donna stated, her eyes dreamy and reminiscent.

"I can remember dancing to this when I was younger."

"I can remember meeting him." The Doctor replied, grinning.

Donna guffawed. "And what was he like, Doctor?" She asked, intrigued.

"A great man," He grinned, excitement shining on his face. "I was there when he recorded "Against All Odds". I just love that song."

"Oh, me too!" Donna exclaimed, "Cried a lot to it as well; a lot of broken hearts. Mind you," She admonished. "The best song when you've got a broken heart is, 'No More I Love Yous' by Annie Lennox. Heartbreaking song, that."

"Oh yeah, I once heard Rose listening to that in her room. But, then I realised she was sniffing, but I didn't go in; she'd been acting strange all day." The Doctor frowned, pondering.

"Women, eh?" Donna said, smiling empathetically at her friend.

"Humans." The Doctor retorted, glowering blackly into the dark of the street. Donna watched his expression change from slight anger to resignation.

"You know, if you really want to get through to Rose you should maybe try and romance her." Inevitably, they had gotten back to the subject of his relationship with Rose. The Doctor sighed.

"What do you mean, 'romance her'?"

"You know … "Donna prompted, "Buy her flowers and chocolates- take her out for dinner. Slow dance with her."

The Doctor blinked and looked bemused. "And women... like that?"

"Er, yeah." Donna resisted the urge to smack her forehead in frustration. "Oh my god, it's like teaching Bambi to walk. She wants to be swept off her feet and that's just what you're going to do."

"I am?" The Doctor was taken aback, as if the very idea of picking his companion up positively terrified him.
"Yeah !" She hesitated. "Not right now, but you WILL before we leave the 80s."

"You're gonna make me be domestic with her, aren't you?"

"Oh per - lease." Donna scoffed. "I know you want to. You're just afraid."

"Me- a 900 year old Timelord- afraid,? Pfft." The Doctor said, indignant as a teenager.
"You're afraid that you're gonna lose her again, and that's why you won't be domestic." Donna stated, her eyes daring the Doctor to argue otherwise.

"Donna…that's," He stammered. "That's not…"

"Not what, Spaceman? Not the reason?" She now stood facing the Doctor, and her cool certainity had softened into compassion.

"I understand how you feel, Doctor, and I know what you've lost. But you're not gonna lose her this time- you can't let the past hold you back. She'd never leave you, no matter what she says. Never." Donna's adamance made the Doctor look up at the woman stood before him- his bestest, craziest friend. Telling him exactly how he felt better than he knew himself. That's what he admired about humans so much; their ability to be able to share exactly how they feel, without being embarrassed for doing so.
"You're right." He smiled at her.

"I know." She nodded smugly. "Come on then, Spaceman- let's take a look around."

***

"You know, bols- I've been sitting over here with Chris and Ray for about two hours, and not once have you women came up for air." Gene called over to them.
"You know what women are like Gene…" Alex retorted with a dismissive wave in his direction.

Rose giggled behind her wineglass.

"Yeah, unfortunately- you're all the same."

"Instead of cheeking our far superior sex, Gene," Alex snapped, but her eyes were glittering with laughter as she held up her wineglass, "How about you get me and Rose here another glass of wine?"

"Superior sex my arse, Bolly." Gene growled, irritated.

"Who solves virtually every case with psychoanalysis? Oh yeah . Me." Gene just stared at her, speechless. Alex winked at Rose.

"So, how about getting me that drink then, Gene?" Alex waved the empty glass in her hand playfully. "If you're so superior, why don't you get it yourself?" Gene grumbled, in his usual alpha male way. "Fine, I will." Alex tutted at him as Gene turned away.

His attention returned to his pint as Ray chattered away next to him. Chris stood up, his bar stool scraping across the floor with a high screech, and walked over to Rose.

"Can I buy you a drink?" He asked her, his voice slightly timid, awaiting the rejection. Rose blanched, taken aback; she had just sat there and let Gene and Alex argue-looking just like an old married couple, she added silently, grinning.

"Erm," Rose hesitated, and then smiled up at him. "Yeah, thanks- why not? I'll have a white wine, please."

"Coming up. Ma'am, can I get you a drink?" Chris turned to Alex.

"Same as Rose, please, Chris."

"Sure, sure..." Rose smiled at Alex as Chris's back disappeared through a flurry of immaculate waiters.

"...what?"

"You're like an old married couple." Rose indicated with her head at Gene, who was sitting behind her.

"That's because we spend so much time together." Alex shrugged nonchalantly.

"Sure.." Rose said, a coy smile playing at her lips as Chris brought her and Alex their drinks.
"Thanks- Chris is it?" Rose said taking the drink from him with a grateful smile.

"Yeah." Chris returned her warm smile. "There you go, ma'am." He set the second wineglass down in front of Alex.

"Thanks, Chris."

Rose offered him the seat opposite her and he took it- within moments the two of them were talking reservedly to each other. Rose smiled ruefully to herself as he spoke, his words polite and neutral; he reminded her of the Doctor, in a way - he was so uncomfortable talking to her. Just like the Doctor was when it was just the two of them in intimate situations. Intimacyphobes, she thought. All men were, it seemed.

* * *

Time had passed by so quickly, Rose barely saw it fly by. Chris made her laugh- she could sense Alex watching her from the corner of her eye, still unsure of who Rose really was. Alex sighed and took a sip of wine as she watched the two of them; she could tell. Rose had met a great many people in her journeys with the Doctor, and the fact was that the blonde girl found it hard to hide who she was and where she actually came from; even though she'd obviously been doing it a while. Rose glanced absentmindedly at the clock on the wall and gave a start- ten o'clock had rolled around faster than she thought possible. Chris handed her his pint and she took a sip of the proffered drink, laughing animately along with the other two.

Suddenly, a young woman with short black hair and an air of sophistication materialised at Rose's elbow, her cool demeanour and bright clothes radiated control enough to make her shiver.

"Chris. Who's this?" The woman said, her voice as cold and as hard as ice crystals. Chris's head snapped up in shock, his laughter cut short.

"Shaz." He leant over and went to kiss her- but Shaz turned away and his kiss fell short, ending on her cheek instead.
"Who is she?" Shaz repeated, and this time there was an edge of authority in her voice. Her eyes narrowed at Rose.

"I'm Rose," Rose tried to smile, but Shaz's demeaning stare chilled her. "I'm a....a friend of Alex's." She swallowed thickly and looked away, uncomfortable under the woman's cold glare.

"It's true, Shaz." Alex continued. "She is a friend of mine; she and Chris were just having a drink." Shaz, not entirely convinced, nodded her head at Alex- but gave Chris the most evil of looks; as if he had disappointed and angered her at exactly the same time.

"Chris, I'm going home. And don't you follow me." Shaz said, quiet but adamant as she stormed out of Luigi's.
"Shaz, wait!" Chris called after her anxiously as he ran to catch her up.
Rose watched Chris run after Shaz guiltily; she'd just harmed Chris's relationship and she didn't even know how. She had been in Shaz's position, and Rose knew it wasn't the best of places to end up; she had felt her world come apart when she saw her boyfriend with another girl, and she remembered the hurt easily, even now. Fourteen, and she was going out with a guy called Jake; amazing, absolutely gorgeous, but then she walked in on him getting with Lucie, another girl in her class. She had felt so hurt then, falling into a downward spiral- falling for Jimmy Stone at 16 and being in a terrible relationship with him. Failing her exams and having to move in with him. Eventually, though, Rose'd gone crawling back to her mum like the chastised puppy she was- back home, where her mum had welcomed her back with open arms and had forgiven her for everything she had done.

"Ooh, he's in the doghouse." Ray said putting a cigarette in his mouth, a satisfied smile on his face. "You're not wrong there, Raymundo." Gene nodded.

"Alex, I am so sorry." Rose apologised, almost in tears. "I didn't mean to cause an issue between Chris and... and Shaz."

"Don't worry about it, Rose." Alex patted her arm comfortingly. "You didn't know that they were together."

"Doesn't take away the fact that Chris and Shaz are probably having a blinding row now; Chris really doesn't know how to handle his women." Ray piped up.

"Right again, Raymundo." Gene's quiet voice drifted towards them.

Alex could see Rose getting upset and feeling even more guilty by the boys' jibes, so she knew she had to say something- anything- to make the other woman feel better. It wasn't, after all, really Rose's fault.

"Pack it in, you two." She snapped at the two of them- who, thankfully, shut up immediately.

"Ray, you haven't had a girlfriend since I've met you, and Guv, it's not like you've had a long standing relationship, is it? At least Chris can make his relationships work, even with the arguments." She stared challengingly at Gene and Ray with her piercing eyes; she wasn't joking this time, and Gene knew that she was being serious.
"Come on, Rose." Alex stated flatly. "You can stay at mine." They both drained their glasses with one practised flick of their fingers and left without another word to Gene or Ray. Ray looked taken aback and Gene just stared after the receding form of Alex.
"Bolly!" He called, to no reaction from Alex.
"Just ignore her, Guv. She's drunk too much."

"Shut up, Ray, and finish your pint."

Alex showed Rose the way to her flat and offered her the sofa. She got her some spare blue pyjamas out of her wardrobe and handed them to Rose, who took them gratefully.

"You know, I really didn't mean to cause a problem." She tried, her voice small and full of nervous laughter. "It's seems that's all I've managed to do tonight."
"Just ignore Ray he's like that." Alex said, giving Rose a hug. "Can't stand having a woman as his superior officer; that's his problem."

"Ahh... typical male, then?"

"Basically." Alex smiled.

"Thing is, I know how Shaz must have felt." Rose said, her voice sad as she sat down heavily on the sofa. "When I was younger, I met this guy that I was, like, in love with. I saw him cheat on me with another girl; fourteen years old and I'd already had my heart broken." Rose had a sad, faraway look on her face as she spoke, and it was obvious to Alex as she sat down next to her that the girl wasn't seeing Alex's living room any more. "I went into this massive downhill spiral and then went out with this other guy when I was sixteen- I thought that by then I'd have some better sense when it came to blokes." Rose laughed harshly, her eyes dark. "His name was Jimmy and he was older, so I was smitten before he even said hello. I moved in with him and... well, lets just say it wasn't a happy relationship.' Her eyes started to fill with tears, 'I finally found the courage to move back home to my mum and to Mickey; he was an amazing boyfriend. The best one I'd had since then. But then... then I met the Doctor and I fell in love with him. I don't know if I could imagine being without him now; I just love him so... so much." Alex realised she was crying too- big , fat tears that were smudging her mascara-and gave Rose a hug.

"You see," Rose sniffed. "That's why I feel so guilty for messing up Chris and Shaz; I mean I've been there; and I didn't want to be the one responsible for him losing her."

"Rose, it's not your fault. I can't imagine you going through everything you've just told me, but I'm sure the Doctor and you will work things out. And Chris and Shaz have been through so much together anyway; I wouldn't worry about it. Chris isn't exactly all there about women. Never gets anything right first time."

Rose laughed and felt happier. Alex was right- after all, she knew Chris and Shaz a lot better than Rose did. Alex bid Rose goodnight, and she lay down on the sofa, darkness soothing her like a blanket. Rose closed her eyes; she thought about the Doctor and hoped that he would find her tomorrow.

***

"Helpppppppppp!". Came a stomach curdling scream from down a darkened alley.
The Doctor and Donna turned towards it and Donna swallowed hard; whoever had made that noise wasn't acting. They were terrified. The Doctor pulled her hand sharply, and they ran to the alleyway.
When they got there, they found a young girl lying on the floor- blood pooling around her. Another girl was kneeling next to her, begging her to get up with a tear-strangled voice.

"Nina, everything's fine." She cried, tears pouring down her face. "You can't stay here- get up!" "Come on, you have to move away." Donna said to her, tugging on the girl's arm. She threw a glance in the direction of her friend.

"Doctor! Don't touch her fingerprints and all that.""I won't Donna, remember, I was there when we met Agatha Christie. Call the police."

He ordered, his voice brisk and authoritive; all trace of humour gone.

"I'm on it." She told the Doctor, feeling like an 80's cop herself.

"What's your name?" She said to the girl, trying her hardest to sound as comforting as possible. "I'm L-lucy," She managed through sobs. "Please... please help my friend!"

"Donna, there's nothing I can do." The Doctor said quietly and Donna stared at him, wide-eyed.

"What!" Lucy became hysterical. "Help her, please! 'Sshe's got to be alive, she's got to... noo. It's all my fault-"

Donna pulled her close to console her, patting the girl hesitently on the head as she sobbed.

"It's my fault." She cried again, burying her head in Donna's shoulder.
The Doctor walked over to the opposite telephone box and called 999. "Police. I want to report a murder…"

Reviews are loved and I hope you enjoyed this chapter, the chapters coming up are two of my favourites so far :)

Loves +& huggs,

Lizzle x