Alec knew he should really back off before he got too involved with her, she wasn't really that much older than his daughter, what would Tess think? Well Tess had nothing to do with it, since when did he care what she thought any more? Rose made him realise he could still attract a woman, she was clearly just as gone on him as he was on her, the way she smiled at him, the way she tormented him so what if she was younger? Even though she was three years younger than she made herself out to be, she was beyond her years judging by what she was telling him. He saw the sadness in her eyes as she told him what happened to her friend, the one she called 'The Doctor' and how he had chosen to send her and her mother to safety and carry on fighting on his own and seal off the two worlds, knowing he may never see her again.
His broken heart went out to her as she recalled tearfully her last ditched effort to go back to help him and almost getting pulled into what she called 'The Void' and how Pete had saved her at the last possible second as her friend had shouted for her to hold on until the gap closed and the terror she had seen on his face as Pete caught her and vanished, how her friend must have been feeling as he watched helplessly as her fingers slipped from the lever she was holding and the force pulling at her from the void.
He was now holding her as she told him how she had sensed him at the other side of the white wall when the devices they had been using had stopped working and she had yelled for it to take her back.
"Rose, I understand, really I do but I'm sure he knows you are safe, that was probably the most important thing to him and I'm sorry for making you bring all this up, I really am but I needed to know."
"Yeah, now what?"
"Now Rose, you complete your training, maybe I can give you a few private lessons eh?"
"In interrogation or are you gonna handcuff me again?"
She tried to dry her eyes and Alec reached for a tissue, handing it to her and touching her cheek. "Here, let me?"
She leaned into him and he knew she wasn't through yet. "Come here Rose, it's ok to cry, you miss him and you miss your own world, I get that but let me help you, like you've been helping me. At least you have your mother and your other friend, you could have been lost, how would they have felt if Pete had not saved you?"
"Do you think I didn't know that when I went back? I promised him I'd stay with him and I broke that promise Alec."
"I'm sure he knows it was not intentional, he had to watch you disappear in front of him or fall into this void, I'd say that was a choice there was no doubt as to the outcome. He must have known that you did not break your promise willingly, that has to count for something Rose."
"Yeah, maybe you're right Alec but it doesn't make me feel any better about it, thanks for being so understanding about it, I thought you'd walk away when I told you."
"I would not do that Rose, you annoyed the hell out of me last week, you know that but this is different, you've been honest with me and I respect that. So is that all, have you left anything out?"
Rose hesitated, should she tell him she came here before and went back and travelled with a Timelord? Maybe not, he was good with the knowledge she came from another world, she could break it gently to him her friend was a time-traveller.
"That's it Alec, you know everything about me now, sorry about the Mars jokes, I couldn't resist them," she tried to smile.
"That's ok, I knew you were making fun of it. So, nothing else to tell me, nothing I need to know? That Doctor, you are over him now?"
"I thought I was, until you made me drag it all up again but I know I have to be over it, it's not like he's gonna drop in via the rift, just so you know though, we were never any more than friends, nothing happened, not for lack of trying on my part, it just wasn't meant to be. That's why I was so upset at leaving him, I wanted more, maybe nothing would still have happened even if I'd stayed, I'll never know."
"Maybe you are better off not knowing, like you said about the relatives of those who came back changed, maybe he's changed?"
"Yeah, maybe I won't even recognise him if I did see him again, it's not his fault, it just happens, if he's in danger and seeing him change once was enough, since I was the one who made him change."
"So how did he get to your world then?"
"He never told me, I just accepted it. I don't want to talk about it any more, it's over with. My life's here now and until now I couldn't settle, maybe now I will. So do you know how you're gonna tell your ex and your daughter you're having heart surgery and you're going out with Rose Tyler?"
Alec pulled her back to him. "Well they may believe me about the surgery Rose but I'm not so sure about you, you may well have to come with me to meet them."
Rose smiled, trying to forget being guilty about not telling him she had been here before and how she got here but maybe that was a tale for another day. Rose went to get changed and Alec waited in bed for her, she entered the bedroom wearing a nightdress, making Alec smile since he'd ditched the pyjama bottoms in favour of some cotton pyjama shorts he'd picked up on their shopping trip.
Rose smiled at him and snuggled up to him. "So we're all good then?"
Alec opened his arms and held her close, kissing her forehead. "Yes, now about what I said, that of just sleeping in bed, maybe we can stretch that to other activities, nothing too strenuous?"
"I'm sure we can figure something out in that department, just don't go collapsing on me again, you gave me a scare last night."
"You are not the only one who was scared Rose, trust me. That's partly what made me reconsider your offer to pay for the surgery if I can't get an appointment this week but I still want to give them a chance before I tell them you will pay the bill."
"I know, have you thought about warning the collage you won't be back if it's successful?"
"I will have to go back, maybe I can ask for an appointment on Thursday then, we can leave early and I'll be off until next Tuesday."
"Alec you don't have to go back, if you don't really want to, just go to your old chief and tell her you want your job back."
"I expect you have that covered as well?"
"Guilty, what do you expect? We are about to break the rules if we both stay in the college."
After just kissing for a while, Alec decided he wasn't satisfied and persuaded Rose to lie on him properly, both giving in and Alec wriggling out of his shorts after he persuaded Rose to part with her new underwear. Alec thought he'd already passed to a better place as she made him feel all the sensations he'd almost forgotten about, calling her name as she let him swap places, telling him he had nothing to prove to her but he did as best as he could in view of his condition, which was more than he expected to get away with.
The next morning, after Rose used the last of the eggs and bread, Alec made the call to his consultant, not happy she wouldn't take his call, only getting her secretary. Rose put her hands on his shoulders from behind.
"What do you mean she can't take my call? I was told to ring if my symptoms got worse and they did, I collapsed on Saturday night and I was lucky someone found me, I need to be seen again, urgently, you said I would be fitted in, is collapsing not an emergency?"
"I'm sorry Mr Hardy but the consultant's calendar is all full up, she has three surgeons working under her, there are no appointments at the moment, do you have enough heart medication? If not you'll need to see your own GP."
"Well that's not good enough, when are you expecting to have more appointments available then?" He was willing to give them a few weeks without giving in to Rose paying for it.
"We're not taking any more for this year, we're already into next February."
"Really, four months and you're not putting people on the waiting list?"
"Well those who are urgent are being put on it and any cancellations will be offered but if you get worse and are admitted in an emergency, they may have to perform the surgery on the spot."
Alec was livid. "So you have to be dying to get the surgery you need then? Right, what about if I go private and get the surgery paid for?"
He didn't have to turn to Rose to see the smirk on her face that he'd given in and asked.
The secretary didn't falter in her answer. "In that case Mr Hardy, when would you like to come in, we can fit you in on Friday afternoon at two or Thursday at four?"
Rose knew she had won as he answered, "I'll take the Thursday appointment at four, how do you want me to pay? I can pass you over to my girlfriend, she's paying."
The consultant's secretary wondered who his girlfriend was that she'd be paying over the phone, was she Rose Tyler or someone?
"That's ok Mr Hardy, we can take your financial details when you come in on Thursday. Don't eat or drink anything an hour before your surgery and if you want to go home the same day, someone will have to be with you before you can be discharged."
Alec said fine and hung up, turning to see the look on Rose's face.
"Yes, ok, you win then, can you believe it would be over four months before I can be seen?"
"So I gathered by your reaction Alec. I guess I should make the arrangements with my accountants to pay the hospital bill, did they say how much it would cost?"
"I never asked, guess you'll have to go play bingo again tonight then and not give your winnings back to the club darlin'?" he asked, putting his arms around her and kissing her neck.
That over with, he still had to call his ex wife, the now DS Tess Henchard. Alec wished Rose was not listening and asked if she wanted to go over and get some more things from her caravan or just move into his. Rose pretended to consider her options.
"Come on Rose, stop pretending it's that difficult to decide. I've already got the double bed set up so what is the point in keeping two caravans? When do you get the keys to your flat anyway?"
"Saturday, why, do you want to come with me?"
"I've booked this caravan until Monday but I suppose I can come with you until my new place is ready but maybe I won't need it now, I should call the owner and back out now before it's too late, he did not seem so keen in letting it anyway."
"You mean you want to share my flat?"
"Well that was the idea unless you want to find somewhere else to live and besides that, there is always the possibility I won't need anywhere after Thursday, did you not even think of that Rose?"
"No, I've got every confidence things will go well, haven't you?"
"It's possible I suppose though up until now, I've tried to avoid thinking about it, it always seemed like something I would not have to face since I kept on putting it off all the time, until someone made my mind up for me about it."
Rose put her arms around his neck. "Yeah, who was that then who got the great Alec Hardy to actually change his mind?"
She reached up and they kissed, Alec's arms around her waist, pulling her closer.
"Go get all your things Rose, then we'll go hand your key in and give them something else to talk about eh?"
"Ok, you call your ex wife and warn her and then we'll go get some groceries unless you want to stay here?"
"I'm capable of going shopping Rose, I'm not that bad yet. Go on, I'll be fine."
They kissed again and Rose went off to pack her things, wondering how that had been settled so easily considering that on Friday she didn't even think he was talking to her any more. Just how had he accepted everything she had told him last night and did she really have to leave a few things out? Maybe if he survived, she'd see how he felt about time travel, since he'd believed everything else so far and not locked her up for insanity yet. She had been surprised just how well he'd actually taken it and guessed some of it.
Alec was waiting for his ex wife to answer her phone.
"Alec, what are you doing calling me on a Monday morning?"
"Nice to hear from you too Tess. I need to meet with you and Daisy, tomorrow afternoon when Daisy gets out of school."
"What? What's the special occasion Alec? I normally have to drag you up here for a visit these days, what's wrong?"
"I'll tell you tomorrow."
"You'll tell me now if I've got to get time off work."
"Ok but you don't tell Daisy this, I've got to go in for an operation Tess."
"What kind of operation, is it life threatening then?"
"Yes."
"Seriously?"
"I need a pacemaker Tess, is that serious enough for you?"
"Bloody hell Alec, how long have you known about that?"
"Since we got divorced, well before that, not that you cared."
"I would have done, it could have changed everything Alec."
"You mean you wouldn't have been shagging Dave while your car was being broken into and that evidence being taken out of your car?"
"That's not fair Alec, I only did it because you never paid any attention to me, or your daughter. If I'd known you were ill, I wouldn't have done it."
"That's meant to make me feel better? I was not going to tell you but someone persuaded me you needed to know."
"Your conscience?"
"Talk about not being fair Tess? No, a friend."
"The DS you worked that case with maybe?"
"Does it matter? I've told you, my conscience is clear now but don't tell Daisy, I have to tell her myself."
"How long have you been planning this Alec? Surely there's a waiting list for pacemaker operations?"
"There is but I'm not on the waiting list, not any more anyway."
"I hardly think your police medical insurance will pay for it."
"It doesn't, I failed to tell them I was ill."
"That's just typical of you Alec Hardy so how is it being funded then? You got more insurance you never told me about? Have you made a will, in case the worst happens? Who's going to make all the arrangements?"
"Really Tess? Is that all you are bothered about eh? Yes, I've made a will, such as it is, Daisy will be my beneficiary when she's eighteen but no, I did not get any more insurance, I got myself a rich girlfriend."
Tess started laughing. "Really Alec, do you expect me to actually believe anyone would put up with you? So who is she then, if she's paying for your operation? Don't tell me, you've taken up with that Rose Tyler, word is she moved to your area somewhere."
"Actually, you are right, she's enrolled in the training college, that was where we met."
"Come off it Alec, you expect me to believe Rose Tyler is your girlfriend and she's paying for your operation?"
"Believe me or not, do you want to meet her Tess?"
Tess decided she would play along with her ex husband's little game and catch him out when he turned up to meet them the following afternoon, then she could gloat.
"Ok Alec, if you say so, we'll meet at half four in the coffee shop we used to go in."
"Actually Tess, Rose prefers the other one, there's one of those near the railway station I seem to remember."
Tess laughed again, if he was going to play this game, he wasn't going to win. "Very well, we'll see you there with your new girlfriend but I'm not telling Daisy, she's that age now it will be all over the school by tomorrow lunch time and I'm not facing the mothers there for our daughter spreading tales, we'll see shall we?"
"Yes, you will Tess, tomorrow then? Does Daisy need anything?"
Tess sniggered. "Why, are you going to get your rich girlfriend to pay for it?"
"No, the thought never crossed my mind. We'll see who's right tomorrow, won't we Tess?"
Alec hung up, imagining his ex wife's expression at seeing him and Rose walking into Rose's favourite coffee shop tomorrow afternoon and her ordering a vanilla latte. Well it may impress his daughter if nothing else, Daisy was quite taken with the heiress he seemed to remember, not that Rose was in the news much except when she appeared at charity functions with her mother and now he thought about it, Tess had been quite jealous. He was going to enjoy this.
Rose came back with one of her suitcases, asking Alec to come round and help her with some of the lighter things such as some groceries she had left and personal items, then when she had unpacked again, she drove them to the supermarket. Alec still couldn't believe they had only really been together a short time, only since Saturday night, when Rose had decided she was going to take charge of him. Just how had it got to her moving in until Saturday then he was considering telling the chalet owner he no longer needed the place and he had to go tell someone he also no longer needed his housing allowance as he was moving into a flat with his new girlfriend.
He just hoped no-one at the station was going to ask him who his new girlfriend actually was. They got the groceries they would need until Thursday, taking into account they would be away tomorrow night since it would be too far to come back after their meeting with Tess and Daisy and Rose had said she would book a hotel when they got back to the caravan. She also asked him while they were having lunch in the supermarket's caf how he'd got on with his ex wife.
"So you had to tell her who I was then?" Rose mused, eating her tuna sandwich and chips, much to Alec's amusement at her choice of meal, him opting for a ham salad sandwich and forgoing her offer of putting chips on his plate.
Then she amused him further by getting up and bringing back a large cream cake after he shook his head as she picked up the plate in the self-service area then getting herself another latte. They continued their conversation, well Rose did.
"So did she believe you then?" she asked, Alec thinking how sexily she was eating the cream cake and willing himself not to bring on another attack tonight if she wanted to take things even further than they had last night, which he hoped she would.
"No, I don't think she actually did, she was just going along with it, I can't wait to see her face tomorrow when we meet her. You do want to come with me now?"
"Yeah, wouldn't like to spoil your fun Alec, would I now?"