The Pub
By the time Joshua and Rose arrived, Jake and his team had procured a billiards table. They were already in the middle of a game, so Rose drug Joshua to the dance floor. He nuzzled her cheek with his nose then whispered.
"I haven't done this since the Blitz. Not properly anyway." Rose raised an eyebrow at him. He could feel her apprehension in the way her body tensed and knew that she was thinking about his time with Reinette. What a huge mistake that was. And worse, they both had suffered. He shook his head slightly.
"I danced, and I mean dancing, with Reinette, but my heart wasn't in it. The entire time I was thinking of you. I know I hurt you and I'm sorry for that. But, can we not talk about this now? I want us to have a good time." Rose pulled back and looked in his eyes. She saw the sincerity, and the bit of worry he was feeling. Since he'd come here, he was much more expressive. Not that his eyes hadn't always been expressive before, but he hid less than he used to. The boundaries and walls he kept up tumbled down and the weight of the Universe lifted from his shoulders. It was a much nicer look on him and she enjoyed how he opened up to her. So, she decided to drop the subject of Reinette for now. He was right, he was here with her and they intended to both have a good time, not rehash their past.
"After we got here, Mum was always dragging me to functions, trying to get me to get over you. At first I refused to dance but finally I gave in. It was either that or listen to her harp."
"I'm sorry that happened. I was a right git after you left. Poor Martha had to put up with me. Then again, she was besotted with me for the longest time."
"What changed?"
"The Year that Never Was. I don't...I'll tell you about it some time, but not now."
"Alright. You can tell me when you're ready."
They danced for a while, lost in each other's embrace. Eventually, they drifted back towards the table. Jake had ordered them each a drink. Rose was drinking a strawberry daiquiri while Joshua, to his delight, had a banana daiquiri.
The men of the group started another game while the women started talking. They had all been a part of Rose and Mickey's team so they knew all the stories. They mostly gossiped, each keeping the conversation well away from work. Well, with the exception of Joshua, they kept everything from work. Mostly, they spent the time catching Rose up on what had been going on in their lives.
A couple of hours passed and Rose found herself needing to step to the restroom. She walked away, unknown to Joshua. When he noticed her missing, he was almost in a panic but the girls reassured him that she was fine and would be right back. He believed them until he heard her scream. Joshua and the team immediately went into action. There, on the dance floor, was a very large and stocky bloke who had his hands around Rose's wrists. He was attempting to drag her across the floor but she was struggling. She kicked at his knee and he stumbled, which gave Joshua enough time to reach her. Instead of grabbing for her like she thought he would, he reared back and punched the man in the nose.
The man, of course, didn't fall unconscious. Joshua was human now, after all. It did make the man pause which gave Jake and Ryan enough time to sweep the man's legs from underneath him. Lucy, Kamille and Jennifer bundled Rose off while Jake, Ryan and Joshua kept the man to the floor. A bouncer for the pub finally made his way through the thick crowd. He grabbed the man and maneuvered him by the back of his neck and out the pub.
They regrouped by the billiards table. Joshua immediately went to Rose. She seemed fine, if a bit frazzled. Mostly she was angry. Joshua noticed bruises already forming around her wrists. He brought her wrists up and laid gentle kisses on the bruises.
"Jake, it was a great night, for the most part, but I think we'll go ahead and turn in. That alright with you, Rose?"
"Yeah, I think so. I'm expected to be at work tomorrow. So's this lot, to be honest. But after that, I just want to leave."
Hand-in-hand, Joshua and Rose walked out of the pub. The bouncer who had led Rose's attacker out, followed them to their car. Jake and Ryan walked the other ladies of the team out as well. Everyone was on guard.
~DW~~DW~~DW~
The drive home was mostly in silence. Even though he hadn't gotten his official papers yet, Joshua opted to drive. Rose was thankful. She knew she could have fought the man off more, and that's what made her the most angry at herself. But she didn't want Joshua, the Doctor, to see her at her most violent and ruthless. That was a part of herself that she was ashamed of.
Once they were inside, Rose immediately retreated to their room. Joshua was lost, angry and very confused. He wanted more than anything to follow her, but was afraid she'd reject him. He stood in the doorway, unsure of what he should do.
~DW~~DW~~DW~
When Rose finally emerged, she was greeted with the smell of food. She had taken the time to shower and change and felt much more like herself. When she finally got to their little kitchenette, she was greeted to the sight of Joshua filling up plates with pasta. While she'd ran away from him, he'd decided to do something to help her. Her chest welled up with love for this man.
She made her way to him and wrapped her arms around him in a backwards hug. He rested his hands on top of hers before twisting in her arms to face her. He wrapped his arms around her and they stood there for several moments, savoring one another. Finally she stepped back and smiled up at him a touch of embarrassment on her face.
"Sorry for running away earlier." Joshua kissed her gently on her forehead.
"It's alright, Rose. Can't tell you how many times I've done the same thing. But that's neither here nor there. I forgive you, will always forgive you. Now come on. Let's sit down to eat."