I'm baaaack! Here's the next update.

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As Rose emerged from sleep, she was disoriented as she felt a gentle touch on the top of her head. She heard her name uttered quietly in a familiar voice. Jason! The fog cleared instantly and she lifted her head quickly and found Jason's bright blue orbs staring her.

"Jason! You're awake!" Rose exclaimed quietly. "How do you feel?"

"Like I've been hit by a lorry," Jason whispered.

Rose smiled and offered Jason a sip of water from the cup on the bedside table. "What do you remember?"

"I remember waking up with you and getting very dirty in the shower," he replied cheekily, voice still a bit raspy. After taking another sip of water, he continued. "And then you got dressed in your hotel and we went to the gardens for a photo op Jack arranged. And then a crazy mad showed up and tried to shoot you."

"Yeah, and you jumped in front of the bullet," Rose finished.

"Where am I now?" Jason asked, glancing around the room.

"Medical wing of Torchwood in London. I activated Torchwood emergency protocols and we were transmatted directly here from Manchester," Rose explained.

"Trasmat? You mean I was transmatted and missed the whole thing because I was unconscious? Blimey, I would have loved that…very Star Trek," he grinned.

"Yep. But, don't worry. You didn't miss much; always makes me nauseous. That's why we only use it for emergencies."

Jason looked down at his body and reached up to lift the bed linens and hospital gown to inspect his chest. "What's the damage?"

"The bullet punctured your heart and you lost a lot of blood. Dr. Sullivan and his team saved you. You'll be weak for a while until your heart recovers. Looks like you're stuck with me now." Rose grinned at him with her signature tongue-touched smile.

"Stuck with you? That's not so bad." Looking down at his chest again before lowering his arm, Jason said, "Looks like Dr. Sullivan and his team did a bang up job. Hope this gives me a cool scar to go with my bad boy image." Jason laughed lightly.

"Yeah, but don't go getting yourself hurt again. You scared me to death. I thought…" Rose choked on her words "…I thought I was going to lose you." Rose sobbed openly now, unable to hold back her emotions.

"Oh love," Jason pleaded, "come 'ere." Jason opened his arms and scooted over to make room for Rose. She settled into his arms on the small hospital bed and wept into his chest. Jason muttered soothingly to Rose, "It's okay, love. I'm okay. Not going anywhere, me." Jason kissed the top of her head as Rose's sobs began to slow.

They held each other tightly until the both relaxed in each other's arms, falling back asleep in their warm embrace.

A few hours later, Rose was just beginning to stir when she heard the hospital room door open. She immediately recognized her mother's voice, albeit softer than usual.

"Blimey! Poor man takes a bullet in the chest for her and she still can't keep her mitts off of 'im," Jackie commented. Rose was about to scold her mum for talking too loud when she felt the vibration of a chuckle coming from Jason's chest. She glanced up and met his mirthful eyes and small grin.

Rather than scold her mum, Rose greeted her, "Mornin', Mum."

"Mornin', sweetheart. Hope you let this poor man sleep a bit," she said, looking between Rose and Jason.

"Longest kip I've had in a long time, Mrs. Tyler," Jason replied. He then offered Jackie his hand as introduction, "It's nice to meet you."

A faint blush rose on Jackie's cheek as she shook his hand. "It's nice to meet you, and please, call me Jackie." Rose imagined Jackie was surprised by such a gentlemanly attitude from the person who looks like the man she once slapped. "And thank you for protecting my Rose. She always manages to find trouble," Jackie explained.

"Yes, she's been jeopardy friendly since the day we met," he said with a wink to Rose who rolled her eyes at him.

"Well, I'm glad to see you're doing better," Jackie said. "I just came to check on you and make sure Rose was taking care of herself."

"I am, Mum. Ianto's been bringing me food just like you asked him to."

"Good. Alright then, loves. I'll leave you alone now." Jackie turned to leave the room and then glanced back over her shoulder. "And Rose, leave the poor man alone for a few days. I don't think his heart is ready for anything too…. strenuous."

"Mum!" Rose nearly shouted as the door shut behind her mother. Rose felt Jason's body vibrate with chuckles again. She climbed out of bed and took a seat in the chair next to the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better," Jason replied. "You are the best nurse I've ever had," he winked at her.

Rose laughed, "Ha! I don't look that good in white tights and trainers."

Rose and Jason spent the remainder of the day keeping each other company, watching telly and chatting with the steady stream of visitors coming to check on them, including Pete, Jake, and even Jack. Dr. Sullivan and the nurse came by a couple of times to check Jason's vitals and change the dressings on his chest. Ianto dutifully brought Rose three meals and tea throughout the day.

As the sun began to set outside the hospital window, Jason suggested that Rose go home and sleep in her own bed. He was starting to feel exhausted from all the attention and figured Rose would want a hot bath and night in a comfy, familiar bed. Rose protested, but eventually Jason convinced her to go. Rose promised to return early the next morning.

Rose made her way back to her flat. As much as she hated to admit it, she was exhausted after sleeping in the uncomfortable chair and sharing a small hospital bed with Jason. She took a hot bath, dozing while she soaked and then put on her pajamas and climbed into bed. Rose fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.