"Well, you know my past?" Rose wanted to make sure he meant it. "You also know my mother's plans for putting us in the limelight. Does that put ya off?"
"It should," he replied, objecting to her putting her vest top on but Rose was not having this conversation with nothing on. "One thing though. When we first met, you kept staring at me, like I had two heads or something?"
Rose tried to make light of it despite her stomach doing somersaults.
"Geez Jamie, I thought ya were the most gorgeous bloke I'd met since I've been here," Rose managed to bluff.
"Really?" he beamed, flicking his hair and rolling his tongue around. "You did? I must have been a recluse too long, no-one ever said that to me before."
"Ya can't have got out much then," Rose teased him.
"Ah, you may have a point there but you solved that, didn't you, my fair Rose?" he grinned in the dim light. "Okay, I agree to your mother putting out some kind of statement but only because I don't want any men stealing you from under my nose."
"Aw, as if any of them could even tempt me," Rose smiled as she sat astride him and he held onto her hips. "She's only doing it in case we cause a stir wherever we go and I think now, she wants everyone to know more about me, to get me established."
"What as?" Jamie tried to pull her down. "My girlfriend?"
"Jamie, be serious." she told him. He shook his head. "As Pete's stepdaughter, he's still in charge of Vitex, in case ya forgot?"
"No but what has that got to do with you?" he wondered. "Everyone assumes you're the Vitex heiress."
"They tried to keep it quiet when I arrived here but rumours started going around, that's why I went off for training and all that, to give him time. I suspect he and my mum have come up with some kind of plan to introduce us as a couple at the same time."
"Rose, you've still lost me love," Jamie shook his head, wanting to go back to kissing her again.
"Vitex is where dad made all his money," she reminded him, making him stop. "When I arrived here, besides training, which I got paid for, I got a generous allowance and when Tony came along, he set up funds for us and my mum but she didn't want to be the main one and Tony's too young. So, I'm it – the heiress to his fortune and the company."
Jamie sat back on the pillow, not knowing what to say, which Rose thought made a change. Should she have told him? It was slightly better she did instead of her mother springing it on him at a press conference. She knew the day was coming but had hoped it would be a low-key occasion but not when Jackie Tyler was in charge of it.
"Rose, I don't know what to say," Jamie had to admit. "I mean it doesn't change how I feel about you and I did make a move on you before you told me. So the rumours are all true then?"
"Jamie, I'll try and stop her but if she's got Pete to agree to it while we've been out, that'll be it," Rose told him. "It doesn't change how I feel about you either. It just puts everything in perspective I suppose? I've tried not to think about it until now but once she mentioned the press conference, I had to warn ya what ya were gettin' into."
"Come here Rose," he suggested. "It won't change anything and we can keep out of the way of the press when it's been announced, can't we?"
"I hope so?" Rose agreed as she went to lie on him. "I hope dad can keep the press away once it's been announced, he carries a lot of influence."
"Yeah, let's hope so?" Jamie also agreed. "I hope we don't have to sneak out of here in the morning?"
Jackie had indeed been discussing things with Pete once Rose and Jamie had gone out.
"Jackie, back off for now," Pete was trying to persuade her. "Give them a chance eh?"
"Pete, the sooner the better," Jackie had disagreed. "It's better than some photographer learning who Rose really is and sneakin' photos of 'em snoggin' somewhere, or worse."
"Rose is sensible, she'll not get caught in public," Pete tried to convince his wife.
"It's not Rose I'm worried about," Jackie told him. "Ya know there's already rumours about her."
"Jamie seems to respect her," Pete tried to explain. "Well okay, we'll go ahead with what we planned when you and Rose arrived here. Still no telling him about who he looks like."
"As if I would," Jackie had seemed put out. "She'll tell him if she wants to."
"He was asking questions a while back when she mentioned Norway," Pete admitted.
Rose and Jamie fooled around the next morning then went down to breakfast.
"Want to go out later?" Jamie suggested as Rose looked miles away. "We could take your little brother to the zoo?"
"You enjoyed looking after him for my mum yesterday?" Rose teased him.
"We seemed to get on, he's maybe not so much of a baby after all?" Jamie replied.
"He's almost two Jamie, he comes out with all kinds of things," Rose smiled. "I missed a lot of him growing up while I was training."
"Poor you. I had no-one though," Jamie admitted to her. "Well, I suppose we go face your mother now?"
"If we say we'll take Tony out, it will please her," Rose smiled across the table at him.
"Well next weekend, you stay with me?" he reminded her. "My place overlooks the river."
"Show-off," Rose giggled as they got up.
"I was hoping it would impress you?" he tried not to look disappointed until she took his hand and squeezed it.
"I look forward to seeing it then," she agreed.
"I can see I'm going to have trouble with you, Rose Tyler," he replied as they went back to clear their room.
Rose had arranged for someone to pick them up at ten and were soon back at the mansion, where Jackie was having trouble with her young son.
"Want Jamie," the youngster was sat on the floor with his arms folded.
"Rose will be back with him soon," Pete tried to tell the youngster. "See what you did Jackie? Getting Jamie to stay with him?"
"Well if he's gonna spend time with Rose, he'd best get used to it," Jackie replied, trying to get Tony up.
"On their first proper date?" Pete asked. "Then you spring it on him about a press conference. If Rose comes back on her own, you're to blame."
"Well he didn't object," Jackie huffed.
"You never gave him chance," Pete replied as they heard Rose calling that she was back.
Pete was relieved Jamie was following her otherwise she'd want a new job from tomorrow.
"Jamie!" Tony shouted and shuffled around to get up, running to his new friend and grabbing Jamie's legs.
"Hey there sport, how are you doing?" Jamie greeted the boy. "How about me and your sister take you out later then?"
"Yeah!" Tony let go and jumped up and down, clapping his hands.
Then the boy ran to his blue pedal car and jumped in.
"Brum, brum," Tony made some sounds. "Go now Jamie?" he looked up.
"Hey, soon Tony, yeah?" Rose told him. "Want to go to the zoo and see the lions and tigers?"
"Elepants!" Tony laughed.
That made Jamie laugh and he stepped up to the toy car and started pushing Tony around the room, making the boy laugh and call out to go faster.
"What about lunch?" Jackie wanted to know.
"We can have it later or get something while we're out," Rose replied, hoping Jamie wouldn't get too dizzy that he wouldn't be able to drive his own car.
Rose went to get changed after Jamie escaped pushing Tony around, Jackie telling the boy to get ready to go out and they then set off, Jamie putting the stroller in the back of the car and Rose fastening her little brother in the car seat one of the staff had got from the storeroom.
Once at the zoo, Tony wanted to walk around for a while, holding Jamie's hand then being lifted on his shoulders to look at the penguins and sea lions then they stopped for a break.
"He's really enjoying this, thanks," Rose touched Jamie's arm as Tony sat happily in his stroller with a drink.
"He's a great kid," Jamie admitted. "I think we should make time to take him out, don't you?"
"Yeah," Rose agreed. "If mum doesn't put ya off tomorrow?"
"Don't worry love, she won't. Am I going to object being linked to you, eh?" he asked. "Rose, why don't you get a few things for tomorrow and stay with me tonight?" he dared to suggest.
"Really?" Rose was surprised. "Well, yeah, okay then, if ya sure?"
"I'm sure love. Rose, I want this with you," he whispered so no-one could hear.
Rose kissed his cheek then got up as she noticed Tony was falling asleep.
"So much for him seeing the elephants then!" Jamie laughed as Rose unhooked the back of the stroller to lay Tony back.
They walked around a while longer, hoping Tony would wake up, which he did in time to see a few more of the animals and they went back to a few he'd missed, then they went back to the car and took Tony back home. After getting something to eat, Rose admitted she was going to stay at Jamie's.
Jackie had to take her to one side though.
"I hope ya know what ya doin' Rose?"
"Yeah Mum. I like him a lot, you seem to like him," Rose replied.
"He's okay and he's good with Tony I suppose?" Jackie had to admit. "Let's see how he faces the press tomorrow night. Rose, ya do know that now, people will start to notice ya more?"
"I know and I've warned Jamie. He doesn't seem to mind Mum," Rose replied.
Jamie drove them just outside the other side of London, a bit nearer where Torchwood Tower was and Rose walked out onto the balcony of his apartment.
"Wow, my dad must pay ya too much," Rose joked as Jamie joined her, taking her hand.
"Ah, well you weren't here when he hired me," Jamie reminded her. "He stole me away from another employer. I told him I would be only too happy to work for the new Torchwood but I wanted certain things in return, which were my own department with free reign, a fancy apartment and a modest salary."
"So were you one of the first there?" Rose asked.
"Yeah, it was a bit of a mess. There was plenty to sort out, trust me but that stuff you had Jake dispose of could have been really interesting," he reminded her.
"Jamie, that man was dangerous, he was gathering the only one of everything in the universe and he wouldn't have stopped there. He could have got hold of Torchwood and got those devices working again. No-one would have been able to stop him."
"I get that Rose, really I do," Jamie tried to assure her. "We won't talk about it again, promise. There's a nice little pub not far away, we can walk down and sit outside for a while," he suggested.
When they got back, Jamie gave her the choice of getting changed in the bathroom or the bedroom.
"I think I'm over my shyness," Rose tried to assure him and herself.
"Then I'm glad to hear it," he told her as he put his arms around her. "Let's see how things go then maybe you can start staying over from next weekend?"
She wasn't really looking forward to her mother calling the press in but the PR team would have something for them to read out when questions were asked and only one reporter and cameraman would be allowed in, then the newspapers would get reports the following day.
She had been lucky so far but was her mother even aware that it could do more harm than good? Had she considered the social aspect like being expected to give interviews, be active on social media sites and appear on chat shows?
While she could get someone to update her social profiles every day, write responses to various subjects magazines would come up with, she wouldn't be able to pass someone off as herself on TV. Then Jamie would probably be expected to join her at parties she was invited to. So far, she'd only attended her mother's charity functions.
Unaware to Rose, a certain couple from the town of Sandbrook had attended one not so long ago. Tess Hardy had been elected to attend and she had dragged her husband along for support, to which he had protested that it wasn't his 'thing'. Tess had been asked at the last minute to accept a cheque from Jackie for the south west police widow's fund, a new charity Jackie had been asked to be the chairperson of and Jackie had a reputation of making sure it was well attended and a fair amount raised.
The following evening after work, Jamie pulled his car up outside the mansion, seeing a broadcast unit parked with thick cables leading inside and a satellite dish and a few people setting up lights.
"Miss Tyler," a woman shouted. "May we get a shot of you going inside?"
"On my own?" Rose asked, wondering if her mother had broken the news about Jamie yet.
"Why yes," the woman replied, wondering who was with Rose.
A cameraman came out of the van and began to follow Rose and Jamie to the front door and Rose was encouraged to give a wave as she went inside.
"So, it's started already?" Jamie turned to her.
"Well, they didn't know about you," Rose reminded him. "Ya can leave if ya want?"
"Rose, I've already told you," he replied, taking her hand again. "Your mother would be disappointed if I left now."
"Rose, come on," her mother called from one of the sitting rooms, Rose guessing poor Tony was with his nanny.
Once inside, there was a female reporter from a popular news channel and a cameraman, the reporter sat on the sofa going through her notes.
"Miss Tyler, nice to meet you. I'm Katie, may I call you Rose?"
She indicated for Rose to sit at the other end of the sofa so Jamie sat on the chair at the side.
"I have a set of questions for you, then you can give your statement. We'll be doing a special about you tomorrow at midday, my producer outside was very excited that you had decided to go public with your status," Rose was told.
"Have ya read my statement yet?" Rose wondered, since there was no signs of any PR team.
"We were going to let you do that," the woman beside her smiled, rather falsely Jamie thought.
"Well it's not just me," Rose informed her. "Mum, I thought ya had it arranged?"
"So did I," Jackie looked put out.
"Mrs Tyler, we were under the impression that Rose wanted to clarify that she indeed is the heir to the Vitex corporation and all that goes with it?" Jackie was asked. "It's been the subject of speculation for a number of years."
"Well yeah but that's not the main reason I called ya here," Jackie replied.
"Mum, if that's what she's here for, never mind," Rose tried to get out of the rest.
"Well, if there's more?" the reporter shuffled her notes. "Right, when you're ready."
Rose was asked a few trivial questions then was surprised at the next one.
"Hold on," Jackie interrupted Rose from answering. "This isn't what I agreed to. Jamie, can ya go find Pete?"
"Sure Jackie, I suggest this interview stops right now," Jamie replied as he got up.
"What's the problem?" the producer was asking over the two-way radio.
"Mrs Tyler says this isn't what she agreed to," Katie was saying as Rose got up to join her mother.
"What's going on Mum?" Rose wanted to know.
"I don't know Rose but your dad will insist that tape gets wiped or the station will be off the air for good," Jackie replied.
Jamie had found Pete and they went back to where Rose and Jackie were.
"I'm glad you came to get me Jamie," Pete was telling him. "What are they playing at? All Jackie wanted to do was put an end to the rumours about Rose and say you two were dating."
Rose couldn't hear what else was being said about them but she could guess.
"How did I know what they'd ask?" Jackie was saying.
"Come on Mum, I've been hiding away all this time," Rose almost laughed. "What else would I have been doing except blowing my inheritance?"
"Rose, they were told why they were here," Jackie reminded her. "That was uncalled for."
"I know Mum," Rose told her as Pete followed Jamie in, Jamie going to sit beside Rose on the sofa arm.
"Let me talk to your producer," Pete insisted to the reporter. "You know who I am. This interview is over, I want that recording wiped or I'll take legal action."
The media all finally left after Pete had gone outside to make sure all recordings had been wiped, Rose telling him how she'd been filmed on her way in.
"That should have been an indication I suppose?" Pete wondered.
"I had no idea Pete," Jamie assured him. "If I had, I would have stopped them. I thought it a little strange they never asked who I was."
"They were just using it as an excuse to fuel the rumours," Rose told them, leaning on Jamie, who put his arm around her. "Did ya get that statement back Dad?"
"Let them keep it, if they have any sense, they'll do what they were supposed to have done when they came here. I'll get the PR team ready to put out a statement that says that news channel were out of line and the interview will now go out to the papers. We'll pick another night," Pete told them.
"Sorry Jamie," Rose turned to him.
"It wasn't your fault Rose, forget it," he assured her. "It's okay Pete, get another news agency in if you want?"
A few nights later, Jamie returned with Rose to find the non-commercial news channel greeting them, not approaching as they arrived and being allowed to speak freely. It went on TV the following afternoon, Tess Hardy just happening to catch it.
"Just look at her," Tess was telling the woman next to her in the break room. "Just because her mother married into money."
"I heard they came from nowhere Tess," she was told,
"Well exactly. Who's that man with her?" Tess wanted to know, trying to get a better look.
"Hey Tess, he looks like your husband," one of the secretaries laughed.
"You are joking," Tess wasn't pleased. "We had to go to a charity function a while back, that man wasn't with Rose Tyler then."
"Sure you know where your Alec was last night," the first woman laughed.
"Shut up Elsie," Tess huffed, tired of being the subject of rumours she was on the verge of leaving Alec.
If he was going to ignore her all the time, why shouldn't she consider leaving him but she'd only gone to Dave because he'd offered to give her some advice. There was no other reason, she tried to convince herself and now, people were trying to convince her Alec was doing the same to get his revenge on her.
Alec was watching her as she returned to her desk. What was she getting up to when she kept disappearing by saying she was following a lead? Did he actually care, he wondered as he tried to get back to work. Were they only still together because of their daughter?