"So you decided to give Harold a try?" Amelia Pond said, tearing her blueberry muffin apart. Her long red hair was secured in a bun, with a few tendrils falling at the side of her face. Her long, manicured fingers picked up a piece of muffin and she quickly popped it into her mouth. Light glinted off her two-carat diamond engagement ring.

When she was younger, Amy was the face of London. Anywhere you went, there she was. Everyone wanted to be like her or to know her. After a riding accident, she had to give up modeling. So she settled for being a publicist. The pay was good and she could use her connections to help others succeed. It was her brilliance that led her to Rose. And two beautiful relationships were formed; one professional and one personal.

When Rose started out, she had been screwed over by a woman named Missy. Missy Oswald was a jealous hag who could never make it. So, like Amy, she also became a publicist. But unlike Amy, she tried to run all her clients into the ground. She would book them for suspicious sessions, low pay and shady locations.

Rose had been to one of these locations. The shoot itself was fine; in fact it was a national ad for sneakers. And the staff was nothing but professional. She really enjoyed working with them.

But what she did not like was it being an overnight shoot in a very questionable part of town. John had wanted to come with her to ensure her safety, but she declined at the time. She told him she would be fine. He was reluctant, but trusted his friend. When the guy downstairs of the building saw the beautiful blonde, he followed her to her car and prevented her from getting into it. He carried a knife and threatened to kill her if she didn't go with him.

Scared, she hit John's number in her phone and kept the guy talking. John heard everything and raced to get to her. He showed up ten minutes later and had an altercation with the man. The man had been cut on the arm in the struggle and threatened to sue. John told him to do so and got his friend out of there.

The company of the shoot was mortified that had happened. They apologized profusely and even sent Rose a bonus check. She had no ill feelings towards them; they were as innocent as her. But what bothered Rose was Missy.

This was her job, to scope the place out.

Missy admitted that she didn't care what happened. After hearing those words, Rose fired her. She was worried she wouldn't find another publicist.

And then she met Amelia Pond.

Amy had heard her story and immediately reached out to her. She ran the Pond Agency, a talent group. She personally took on Rose and sued Missy Oswald for breach of trust and endangerment. Missy was ruined in the industry and drank herself into an early grave. The redhead had no sympathy for her.

Because of her actions, Amy became a trusted friend to Rose Tyler.

She glanced over at the redhead as she popped another piece of muffin into her mouth. Sighing, she spoke.

"I guess."

Amy raised an eyebrow at her. "What's the issue?"

Rose gave her a look. Amy nodded.

Amy was Rose's third best friend. And the second one who knew all about her feelings for John Smith. Amy had encouraged her when they first met but after a year began trying to set her up. She wanted nothing but good things for her friend. Amy had a hunch that John felt the same way but wouldn't act on it without motivation.

"I understand," she said, her Scottish burr on display. "And if things ever happen with you and John, I'll be first in line to hug you. Both of you." Rose smiled at that. Amy was a hugger. "But you said it yourself; you want to try and move on. 'I'm not getting any younger, Amy.'"

The blonde nodded and looked down into her coffee. Amy's hand covered hers. She gave it a squeeze.

"Just try coffee. It gives you the chance to interview each other."

Rose squeezed her friend's hand back. "I know. Clara said the same thing."

"Smart woman," the Scot said. Rose laughed.

Amy's phone pinged and she smiled when she saw it.

Rory.

Pausing a moment, Amy's long fingers typed a message to her fiancé and then she regained her composure.

"Ugh, planning a wedding is a nightmare."

Rose smiled. She was a bridesmaid for Amy, but Amy had yet to set a date. She had secured her flowers, cake and entertainment; now she just needed to secure an actual date.

The blonde had a suspicion that the redhead was scared to set a date. She loved Rory Williams, more than life itself, but given that Amy had a rocky past with men, she had a right to be hesitant. She knew nothing lasted forever and she was scared Rory would grow weary of her and leave.

That would ultimately destroy Amelia Pond.

"Anything else, ladies?" The pretty black woman asked them. The two friends turned and smiled at her.

"No Martha. Just the check please," Amy said. Martha Jones smiled back and placed the check on their table.

"Take Clara's advice," Amy said after she laid her platinum card on the check. "Go for coffee."

Rose sighed and decided to tell Amy. She was her other best friend.

"John said I can spy on him then."

Amelia Pond raised an eyebrow at that. "Why?" She glanced down at her nails. "Damn! I chipped one!"

Rose laughed again. Amy grumbled. "There's another fifty pounds gone," she said. Rose's laughter grew louder and Amy joined in.

"Sorry, what was that?" Amy asked her. "John said to spy?"

The blonde nodded. "Yes. Harold is the one trying to take down his lab." The redhead's eyes grew wide at that. She truly had no idea. "So he figured I could maybe get some tea on him that he can use."

Amy let out a breath. "I had no idea he was going after John." She sat back in her chair and thought for a minute. "I agree; go out and spy on him."

Martha picked up the bill and quickly walked to the counter.

"Okay."

Amy smiled. "I will call Harold this evening. And I'll have Rory keep his ear to the ground and see if he can find out anything."

Rose nodded. "Thanks Amy."

The redhead smiled. "Any time."

The two friends conversed a bit more before heading out. Rose Tyler truly appreciated her friendships and she felt incredibly lucky to have three special people in her life; Clara, Amy and John.

John…..

Rose knew that going out with Harold, even if just pretend, would have consequences. She just hoped John agreed it was worth it.

The local gym was always busy, regardless of the time. Rose looked around and shook her head. She saw Mickey Smith, local mechanic, as he ran on the treadmill. Mickey had once asked her out after she got her vehicle serviced. He was cute and she considered it, but had been in a sour mood because of her lack of progress with john. So she bowed out. But the two remained friends.

He glanced up from the book he was reading and waved at her. She smiled and waved back. John raised an eyebrow at that.

He tried, he really did, to not ogle Rose in her yoga outfit. But it was so tight! She had on a cropped purple tank top that showed enough midriff, skin-tight purple leggings and flip flops. Her hair was swept up into a bun, revealing a very kissable neck.

John had had to stop himself from launching at her when she arrived at their house. She was beautiful in anything but somehow, more desirable today. He knew why.

Rose and Harold Saxon had been "dating" a week.

It made John's blood run cold. He wanted so much to tell her, to show her that he was in love with her, but he couldn't. He truly didn't know how she would react. Even with Clara's goading, her promising him it was all pretend, he had one worry….

That Rose would fall for Saxon.

He knew it could happen. Saxon was suave and charming. And as he was the favorite to be prime minister, any woman would be lucky to be on his arm.

So John continued to fight his feelings, though he was unsure how much longer he could hold out. His strength was quickly waning.

As the woman of his desire and his sister headed off into the yoga room, he decided to clear his head with the weights. He walked to the weight machine and put his water down. Putting his weight gloves on, he adjusted the machine and began pulling.

It helped, but not enough. When he finished, he moved to another machine and began working on that. Again, not much helped. He couldn't shake his unease that something was going to happen between Rose and Harold.

Sighing, he drank from his water bottle as he headed over to where the punching bag was. This was how he got aggression out when he really needed it. After putting the gloves on, he began a vigorous assault on the bag.

That did it.

When he was thoroughly wet from sweat, and knuckles hurting, he stopped and sighed. He felt better. He had a clear head. Moving a piece of wet hair from his eyes, he paused a moment to think.

I can do this, he thought. I just need a little more time. Just a little bit more and then I'll tell Rose. She has expressed time and time again that she's not attracted to Harold; just dating him for me. I believe her.

Walking back to the front of the gym, he glanced in the yoga room and froze. It just happened to be a moment when the class was in the downward dog position. John got a full view of Rose Tyler's posterior and someone liked that very much.

He swallowed and looked around, hoping no one saw him.

Turning back to the room, he grew harder at seeing her stretch up, revealing the skin of her navel. He swore to himself and tried to subtlety adjust.

Then she tilted her neck to the right. Her very kissable neck.

John grew harder.

Fuck.

He knew he had to take care of this and quick.

This happened more and more around Rose; his becoming aroused. He was always attracted to her but when he buried his feelings, he had been able to control Little John better. Since he's allowed himself to feel, he finds himself thinking of her more and more. And sometimes, that involves sexually.

His favorite fantasy of her involves taking her in his office. He's always found that naughty given how taboo it is, but that's what made it appealing. He takes her and she screams loudly, letting everyone, including that River Song, know what he's doing to her. That she belongs to him. And he doesn't find it in him to care.

Painfully hard now, he slowly walked to his cubicle and dropped his stuff in there. Then he headed to the men's room to take care of business.

Leaning against the door of the stall, he closed his eyes. He couldn't believe he was doing this; jacking off in a public restroom. His mother would be appalled.

Trying to control his breathing, he reached inside his shorts and gently stroked his still-hard dick. He couldn't believe how hard he got when he thought about his beautiful best friend.

This is more than lust.

Starting to move faster, he had to stifle a moan. He pictured Rose's beautiful face; her cinnamon eyes and full lips, as he often did, as he worked vigorously to get himself off. He imagined her sucking and licking, gently scrapping with her teeth. And when she hums, and flutters her eyelids at him, he can't take it anymore.

And that's what happened. He came, hard, against his hand as he failed to stifle a groan. Luckily, he was alone in the room. He spurted against his hand twice as his breathing began to return to normal and he slowly opened his eyes. He continued to lean against the door until he was fully back online, and then cleaned himself up. He left no trace of what had transpired.

Washing his hands, he realized he didn't feel any guilt for what happened. Maybe he should have, given that it was his best friend, but he didn't. His feelings for her were that strong and he believed it to be a sign that it was right. That Rose Tyler was right.

After leaving the men's room, he saw the girls roll up their mats. The bare midriff was once again on display and he felt himself twitch at that. He quickly turned and walked to the cubby before he had another hand session in the bathroom.

Get control of yourself, he said as he ran a hand through his hair.

"How did it go, John?" Clara asked as they approached. He jerked, startled, and turned to the women.

"Fine," he said quietly, averting her eyes. She raised an eyebrow.

What the hell? She thought.

He looked at Rose. She had a fine sheen of sweat on her from the workout. Some of it glistened and began trailing down her body, heading between the crevices of her breasts. He wanted to lick it up.

Twitch, twitch.

He groaned and closed his eyes. Rose and Clara looked at each other.

"You alright?" Rose asked, placing her hand on his arm. It felt like fire.

"Fine," he whispered. He turned to the cubby and picked up his things. "I'll meet you at the car." And he stormed off.

Rose stared after her friend. "What's gotten into him?"

More likely, what's he NOT gotten into? Clara thought, having figured it out. She saw her brother's gait as he walked away. Something happened to arouse him, and he had a boner when he saw Rose.

Just make your move! Her thoughts screamed at him.

Shrugging, the brunette grabbed her water. "Let's go. I want to try that new pizza joint." She waited for her friend to grab her things and then they headed outside.

Rose took a deep whiff of the last days of summer. She loved the warm weather, but fall was her favorite. She was looking forward to cozy sweaters, boots, and bonfires.

And maybe, she thought, snuggling up with someone.

Though she wished it to be John, she would settle for Harold.

Already at the car, the floppy-haired man seemed to have recovered. He helped the girls put their things in the trunk and then punched the directions to the pizza joint into the GPS. Adjusting the mirror, he took a longing look at his beautiful friend in the backseat, typing away on her phone. He suspected it was to Saxon and his jaw set at that.

Rose. MY Rose.

Clara glanced at him and smiled. She knew her brother was close to breaking. Now, it was only a matter of time.

A/N: Thanks for reading!