A/N: Thank you to everyone who has followed, favourited and commented on this story.

—

2005 AD/CE

Honestly, Kathy should've been expecting it. It is March 2005, the beginning of what started the new run.

Kathy is in the shopping centre, just minding her own business, picking out a few things she needs. It's one of those ordinary Saturday afternoons, the kind where you don't expect anything unusual to happen. Kathy is about to head to the till when the mannequins jerk. Their movements are choppy at first but quickly gain fluidity.

Her mind races as she takes stock of the situation. The mannequins are moving, their limbs flexing unnaturally as they come to life, twitching like they're waking from a deep sleep. Their movements are erratic and confused, but they're definitely aware now. Kathy can feel the panic start to stir in the air around her, but she forces herself to stay focused. She's not going to let this place fall apart.

Kathy doesn't panic. She knows what's going on. Her determination flares, overriding any fear. She's not going to just stand around and watch this unfold. No, she'll do something. She quickly scans the area. The people around her are frozen in shock, but Kathy doesn't have time for that. One mannequin, tall and with a blank expression, lurches toward her.

Without thinking, Kathy grabs the nearest person—an older woman standing in the aisle—and yanks her toward the back of the store. "We need to get out of here. Now!" Kathy hisses, urgency filling her voice.

The woman seems paralysed with fear, but Kathy isn't about to stop and explain. There's no time for that. She's already heading toward the stockroom. The mannequins are closing in, their movements growing more fluid, more intentional with every passing second. The sound of plastic scraping across the floor echoes in her ears. Kathy's mind is sharp, and clear, like she has a singular purpose. She has to get everyone to safety.

She shoves the door open to the stockroom, pulling the woman inside, and slams it shut behind her. Kathy's heart races, but her mind is still cool. She quickly moves to block the door with a nearby shelf, adrenaline making her stronger than she usually feels. The banging starts almost immediately. A sickening rhythm of thuds and scrapes. She can hear them out there—no longer mindless figures, but something with a purpose. Something hunting.

Kathy knows Rose and the Doctor are out there, stopping this attack so she keeps running, knowing she simply has to hold on. All she needs to do is wait. Wait for Rose and the Doctor to arrive, wait for them to handle the situation. It's out of her hands now, and she's counting on them to fix it.

And as the sound of chaos continues to echo around her, Kathy allows herself a brief moment of relief. For once, she doesn't have to be the one to solve it. Not this time.

She presses her back against the wall, trying to steady her breath. The woman beside her is trembling, but Kathy is already calculating the next steps. Think. Stay ahead of them.

The banging stops. Silence.

Kathy's hearts skips a beat, but she doesn't let her guard down. She moves toward the door, her steps slow and deliberate. She peeks through the small window in the stockroom door, scanning the shop. The mannequins are still there, but no longer moving. They're frozen again, as still and lifeless as they had been moments before.

Turning to the older woman, she whispers, "Stay here. I'll go check it out."

The woman nods, her eyes wide with fear, but she isn't about to argue.

Kathy takes a deep breath, her pulse racing as she slowly opens the door. Her muscles are tense as she steps into the store. The mannequins are scattered around, eerily still. Not a single one of them moves, but Kathy can't shake the feeling that they're waiting. It's like the Weeping Angels all over again.

The chaos outside is overwhelming—people running, shouting, the unmistakable shrieks of fear in the distance—but Kathy barely notices. She carefully steps toward the exit, every muscle on high alert. She can almost feel the mannequins' eyes on her, cold and unblinking.

A stranger—perhaps in their late twenties—is caught in the stiff, unnerving embrace of one of the mannequins. They frantically tug against the mannequin's hold, but it's no use. The mannequin's tight grip is frozen.

"Hey!" Kathy shouts, rushing over. "Hold on, I'm going to help you!"

The stranger looks up at her, their voice muffled by the mannequin's frozen arms. "I—I can't move! It won't let go!"

Kathy approaches the mannequin slowly, eyeing its stiff posture. With a grunt of effort, Kathy braces herself and begins to pull at the mannequin's arm. Her hands slip slightly on the ice, but she doesn't stop.

"Come on… just a little more." She mutters to herself.

Finally, with a sharp tug, Kathy yanks the mannequin's arm free. The stranger gasps, crumpling forward as Kathy helps them steady themselves.

"Are you okay?" Kathy asks, her voice soft but urgent.

The stranger nods shakily, though they're still pale from the ordeal. "What… what was that? It moved, and then it froze like—"

"Let's get you out of here," Kathy says, ushering the stranger toward the door. "And maybe… maybe we should both stay far away from that mannequin for a while."

Once the two women have been dropped off with the emergency services, Kathy hurries out of the shopping centre, dodging around everyone to get home quickly.

Once home, Kathy watches the news and reads the paper on what happened, wanting to space up as much as she can. It was early next morning when they began to list the identified dead. Kathy freezes at the mention of one name in particular.

Ellie Oswald. Clara Oswald's mother.

Kathy's mind races as she processes the information. How could Ellie Oswald, Clara Oswald's mother, be mentioned as one of the identified dead? Ellie's death in 2005 had always been a tragic mystery, a piece of Clara's past that she'd never fully understood. It had been widely believed that Ellie died in a tragic accident near the events involving Rose Tyler and the Doctor's battle with the Autons. But now, it's confirmed.

—

Kathy closes the door behind the moving company employees before groaning loudly and flopping onto the settee which sits in the middle of her relatively small living room. The faint sound of children playing outside drifts through the cracked window of Kathy's flat, the hum of the Estate alive with the hustle and bustle of daily life. The flat is small but comfortable. She really should be used to these, moving days – she's done enough of them – but this one is different. But this one is different.

"Powell estate hey?" River had remarked, wiggling her eyebrows after Kathy had told her of where she was moving next. "And all the judgement you gave Jack for his child stalking.

Under the yellow street lamps of Central Park, Kathy had scooped up a load of snow and chucked it at the Human Time Lord, who gasped in mock outrage.

"The difference is that I am not stalking a child. I mean, to me she is, but in human terms." Kathy had retorted to which River rolled her eyes and gave Kathy her own face full of snow.

What entailed after that was a snowball fight underneath the darkening sky.

Yes, Kathy had moved to the Powell Estate shortly after Rose had left with the Doctor for the first time. It had been a few weeks since the Nestene Invasion and Rose's 'disappearance' – Kathy has been seeing the girl's posters everywhere. She shouldn't be doing this but something in Kathy wants to be nearby, to make sure Jackie and Mickey are okay during the difficult year.

—

One day a certain Mickey Smith appears on her doorstep. It had been a month since she'd moved in and clearly it had given Mickey enough time to research the Doctor and then find out his connection to Kathy and then apparently where she lives.

Once he had gotten Kathy to admit that she indeed knows the Doctor as well as Rose and the whole I-might-know-the-future-and-time-travel thing, Mickey saw Kathy as the source for all things alien, time travel, and most importantly: Rose.

"How long is she gonna be away?"

"Where will they go?"

"Other planets? How is that possible?"

"What if she gets hurt?"

"What if the Doctor leaves her behind?"

He asked her so many questions in the first week that if Mickey were anyone else, Kathy would've torn his face off with her bare hands. But she can't help but appreciate Mickey despite this. He's friendly and Kathy is more than happy to oblige him—most of the time. Since then, he comes over once or twice a week.

It's nice in a way that – not counting Father's Day – she's meeting Mickey (and Jackie at some point soon most likely) in a relatively normal order as the only other time she's seen them was from a distance shortly before Ten's regeneration which doesn't count.

—

One day, her phone rings. Kathy thinks of who's calling her. Either Jack about some Torchwood crisis, River who'll insist they attend the fish people's annual party or Ashildr about her stupidity of staying so close to Jackie and Mickey during this time.

It's Mickey on the phone.

The police had turned up again and took him to the station. It's one of those times that Kathy hates Jackie Tyler despite her rationale that poor Jackie doesn't know where her daughter is and is legitimately blaming the last known person who saw her. But there's poor Mickey who hasn't done anything and can't very well tell everyone that she's travelling – of her own free will – with a time and space travelling alien.

Kathy, reassuring that they are just simply trying to scare Mickey and in no way have any actual evidence, quickly hangs up and rushes to get ready and down to the station.

A half-hour later sees Kathy sitting at a table in an interrogation room and telling her lie.

"He was with me." She lies fluidly. It isn't difficult, really. She had already known which lie she would have to tell, and from there all the little details weren't hard to fabricate. Yes, this is the best lie; the only one she can think of that filled in all of the gaps in Mickey's alibi.

One of the two mid-rate policemen across from her writes something down in his notepad.

"And what were you doing on the night Miss Tyler disappeared?"

Kathy turns an unimpressed eye on the second officer, the one who had spoken and intones a sigh, only half faking the irritation in it. "I spent most of the afternoon in town and then ran into Rose and Mickey at the pizza place. Rose said something about meeting up with a friend, and I'd already had a bit to drink, and Mickey offered to drive me home. We made it to my place sometime around 8:00 or 9:00. He left the next morning." She places a false smirk on her face. "I do not think I need to say what happened."

The two officers shift uncomfortably in front of her.

It is a solid lie. Easy to believe, especially if you want to; the police definitely want to. The case has been cold for a while, and any excuse to cross out a suspect is readily accepted.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Ms Davis." The first says. "Now, if you don't mind, we've got a few more questions."

—

The rest of the interrogation passes smoothly. Thankfully, with a few words, Kathy is able to be convincing enough for them to let Mickey go without being questioned again – saving her the trouble of compensating for his clueless blunders.

She waits for him in the front lobby. He slumps in relief when he sees her.

"Man, am I glad to see you." He admits, suddenly wrapping Kathy in a hug to her surprise. He hadn't done that before but Kathy's going to take it. He pulls away and the two of them head out into the cool night air. "What did you tell them?"

"I gave you an alibi." Kathy simply says.

"Oh, that's great!" He shrugs on his jacket. "I didn't know what to tell 'em. I took Rose to visit that bloke about the Doctor, and then I got eaten by a trash bin. Couldn't say I left her then, though, cos they got witnesses saying we were together at the pizza place. They'd never believe that, though." He shoves a beanie on his head. "What'd you tell 'em?"

Kathy pulls a face and shifts uncomfortably. "That we slept together."

Mickey trips over his own feet. "What?" He sputters. "Why? How does that help?"

"Think about it," Kathy explains. "To them, you hadn't been telling the truth. So I had to come up with a reason why you'd be willing to lie about where you were. You feeling guilty about a drunken one-night stand while your girlfriend went missing covers that pretty nicely. They bought it."

"Yeah, but…" He stammers, "but we didn't."

"Really? I hadn't noticed." Kathy retorts. "You're welcome, by the way."

"I am grateful," Mickey reassures her quickly. "I really am. But what about Rose? I don't want her thinking I was sleepin' around while she was away. I don't want my mates thinking that either."

Kathy really doesn't want to tell Mickey that Rose hasn't or will in the future have any problems flirting with other blokes despite having a boyfriend. An aspect of Rose Kathy admits she doesn't like.

"Tell them whatever you need to tell them. You were drunk. I initiated. Whatever." Kathy rubs her eyes tiredly before looking up to fix him with a warning look. "But don't ever mention this to me again. And when Rose comes back, you're gonna set the record straight. Got it?"

Mickey nods. "Aren't you worried?"

"About what?"

"Gettin' in trouble." He glances from side to side, looking for the eavesdropping cops that are definitely not there. "You just straight up lied to them. You can get arrested for that sort of thing."

Kathy shrugs. "Wouldn't be the first time."

—

Turns out lying to police and saying you slept with a murder suspect is the least of her problems. As it turns out she hasn't been as careful as she had originally thought, Kathy thinks as she stares at the woman who's looking at her in turn with wide, horrified eyes.

Her day had started out relatively mundane. Her London flat is cluttered. All around the room are slung books, unwashed cutlery and plates, and clothes. Kathy shuffles out of the kitchen into the living room dressed in an oversized blue shirt with a pop-art on it, oversized and baggy checked pyjama bottoms that scuffed on the floor, too long for her legs. Her face is down-turned: and her attention on her laptop as she dumps herself down on the worn-down, pale green sofa.

Beaming proudly down at her laptop, Kathy grabs the landline and calls one of the few people who will actually tolerate her nonsense.

"Guess what..." Jack hums questioningly from the other end. "I've got another follower! That's eight hundred now!" Kathy announces with pride. God, she loves the 21st century. The first time round, Kathy, while she liked online blogs, hadn't actively tried to have loads of followers and just simply liked scrolling through but this time she's actually had a go at it.

"Mmmm..." Kathy narrows her eyes at his hum. A bit too smug for her liking. "Well done, but I've got 1,002 followers."

"You snake!" She gasps.

"People like my blog," Jack says in mock nonchalance.

Kathy huffs. Then, with a quick few taps on her phone, she swiftly unfollows Jack.

There's a moment of silence before Jack speaks, "Spiteful…"

Kathy sniggers but then she hears her phone ding with a notification. She looks down at her laptop. Jack had unfollowed her.

"I'm texting Carlyle." Kathy wrinkles her nose. "He'll unfollow you."

"No, he won't."

"Of course he will. For me, he will. I'm his mother." Suddenly there's knocking at t her door. "Hold on."

She puts the phone down without ending the call and gets to get the door. Kathy picks up the pace when knocking turns frantic, running over who it might be in her head. Instead of checking who it is before she opens it, Kathy pulls open the door and immediately regrets it.

"You're an alien!" She cries.

Right, okay. Kathy thinks as the woman shrieks about how she knows who Kathy is and is shoving a file full of photos and various pieces of evidence from the last forty years in her face

—

So Kathy, now with her somewhat immortal nature, had been travelling to various countries over the years. In the last 50, she, other than New York, had developed a penchant for Rome and Venice. She'd tried to spread it out by going in different decades. Popping over in the 1960s and again in the 80s. Staying for a few years each time but making sure she doesn't overdo it so no one will notice the non-ageing woman.

Apparently, someone did notice. A certain Lucia Fiore had noticed.

How was she meant to know that the same girl would go to both places and clock on these two women she'd met were actually the same woman? That this girl would've developed enough of an obsession to follow Kathy back to New York in the 90s then finally London in the 00s. Maybe she should't've gotten slack when it comes to human memory and lifespan. Also, how everyone's becoming a tad more traceable than they used to be. Oops.

Aged twelve she met Kathy for the first time as she was posing as a singing teacher called Moira in the sixties in Rome. Things then got interesting when she joined the Peggy Guggenheim Collection art museum and one of her new colleagues is Kathy now called Daniella and not looking 20 years older like she should be. After that, she became obsessed with keeping track of Kathy and even managed to become Kathy's jewellery crafting teacher in the 90s when Kathy decided to learn a new skill.

And now, at long last, she has intercepted Kathy. She's got Kathy cornered in her own flat. How had the part Time Lord, part Human and part Apalapucia come to this?

Kathy sits on the sofa, while Lucia sits in front of her on the one seater, gripping the cup of tea Kathy had handed her and taking the odd big gulp. Kathy tries not to smirk every time.

"My first alien and you're living in a council flat like a teenager." Lucia huffs.

"Well, after being alive for many centuries, being an adult becomes boring."

Lucia splutters at that. Kathy's beginning to wonder why she let her in.

"Yeah, well, I– I'm not letting you destroy this planet!" Lucia cries, trying to appear intimidating.

And Kathy, well Kathy just bursts out laughing.

"Wha–"

"You really think I'd be living like this if I was taking over this bleeding planet?" Kathy quips.

"Well, I–"

"And while we're at it, not alien."

Lucia frowns in confusion. "But you must be, you're not human."

"And that makes me an alien? How xenophobic of you." Kathy hotly retorts.

"Doesn't it?"

"No. My mother was human and I was born on this planet and have lived here my whole life." No need to mention any additional trips elsewhere. "The only alien bit of me is my biological father's origins. So maybe half alien."

Lucia lets out an outraged squark at that and begins to go on what Kathy can only describe as a xenophobic rant.

Kathy groans and rolls her eyes. "I can't deal with this anymore."

"What are you doing?" Lucia asks, frozen in fear and alarm. "Are you going to kill me?"

Kathy rolls her eyes. "No, I'm just going to wipe your memory of me." She reassures her with a wide smile and a gentle tap on the hand. Kathy hadn't wanted to wave away the girl's memory but she clearly had been unable to cope with the information which isn't good for Kathy who's trying to keep a low profile. "Why do think I gave you the tea?"

Lucia's eyes widen in horror as the realisation hits her.

—

Four years later, Lucia is frowning, staring at the woman waving at her madly from the other end of the shopping aisle. She grins at Lucia, almost like an old friend who's been waiting for years to be reunited. Lucia instinctively waves back, though she doesn't even know why. Maybe it's the woman's unrelenting cheer, or maybe it's the strange sensation in her chest. It's like a half-forgotten memory trying to claw its way to the surface—but Lucia can't quite reach it.

Lucia squints at the woman. Who is she? She knows that face, knows those eyes, but she can't figure out from where. She hasn't seen her here before but the woman's face, her smile, the way she seems so... familiar. Lucia hesitates, her brows furrowing deeper as she tilts her head, trying to place the face, the odd feeling crawling up her spine.

The woman gives another exuberant wave, her smile widening as if she knows something Lucia doesn't and her eyes sparkle with something—mischief, maybe. There's something unsettling in the way she stands there, calm and collected as if this encounter is some kind of joke, some shared secret Lucia isn't in on.

Despite herself, Lucia lifts her own hand in a hesitant wave, though she has no idea why she's doing it. Her hand falters mid-wave, her confusion giving way to wariness. The woman raises her eyebrows, her expression knowing. There's no mistaking it now. The woman is enjoying this. She knows something Lucia doesn't.

Lucia shakes her head again, clearing her thoughts, and continues down the aisle. As she turns the corner and the woman's figure disappears from her sight, the strange feeling doesn't fade. It stays with her, a silent presence just over her shoulder, whispering unanswered questions into her mind. Something is missing. Something important.

Lucia can't shake it.

—

Four months later, Kathy receives another shock in the form of Jackie Tyler.

Kathy huffs and struggles as she comes up to her flat door, arms full of food. Carlyle and Ashildr are coming to visit for a family meal tonight and Kathy wants to be prepared. She's feeling quite proud of herself for making but then she hears a rip and then – oh no.

Kathy lets out a heavy groan as some of her food – including the eggs – splatters to the floor. Great.

"Oh, I can help you with that sweetheart."

Kathy looks to see Jackie Tyler walking towards her and then proceeding to gather up Kathy's food. Oh God.

"Jackie… what…?" She says when she finds her voice. "What are you doing here?"

The woman doesn't seem all surprised that Kathy knows her name and plucks the keys from her hand to open the door. Jackie strides inside with Kathy following her in a daze.

"Mickey says you've got family coming over and might need some help." The woman says, placing the food on the kitchen table. Kathy follows her actions.

"You've been talking to Mickey?" That is news to Kathy. "Since when? I thought you—"

She cuts Kathy off with an absentminded wave of her hand. "Yeah, but I didn't know everythin' then. What was I supposed to think? But that's all cleared up now, so no point in beating a dead horse."

Kathy frowns. The police must've told her about the alibi she'd given Mickey. But that doesn't explain what she wants with Kathy, especially since she thinks Kathy slept with her daughter's boyfriend.

"Yeah, okay. But what are you doing here?"

"Well, I thought I would help with the cooking. I mean, I know I ain't the best so hopefully your brother and his wife don't mind…"

That's the lie Kathy has been going with. A brother and sister-in-law and not the son and daughter-in-law thing. No need for people freaking out.

"Yeah, but…" Kathy fumbles, shadowing her as she goes to turn on the TV, presumably for background noise. "I–I thought that... with… you know, Mickey... that you wouldn't want anything to do with me."

She settles on a news station and returns to the kitchen and begins unpacking.

"Well, I wasn't happy about it at first. But we all make mistakes, you know. And you're hardly the first person to get drunk and sleep with someone else's boyfriend." She laughs a little. "Now, I've done that."

"I… er… okay."

She looks up to where Kathy stands awkwardly. A shadow of doubt flickers across her face. "If you want me to go, that's alright. I just thought that… and well… with Rose… I just want to help…"

Kathy nods, finally understanding. She wants to be useful and create some sort of family connection. Kathy can't argue with that. She sighs and begins unpacking and preparing along with her. Jackie, subtly relieved, does the same. Kathy's hearts contort painfully as she listens to her talk about trivial things, reminding her how much Kathy misses her own mother. It has been so long but Jackie Tyler ain't a bad substitute.

—

After that, Kathy spends time with Jackie as well as Mickey but never at the same time. When they do cross paths, Jackie is cordial, if not a little snippy. While she doesn't think he is responsible for Rose's disappearance, he had cheated on her daughter. Mickey hates the cover story, but is wise enough to keep his mouth shut, as the alternative is much worse.

Today, Jackie has come over to spend time with her, just as they often do. This time they are playing a board game, Guess Who? and although Kathy's enjoying it, she's not exactly playing by the rules. She has a habit of asking offbeat questions that don't really narrow things down, much to Jackie's amusement.

"You're meant to ask if they wear glasses or not," Jackie says with a cheeky grin, peering over at Kathy's board. "Not whether they look like they'd enjoy a pint down the pub."

Kathy laughs, tapping her chin in mock seriousness. "Well, where's the fun in that? I reckon the pub question's just as valid. Who says they can't enjoy a pint and still have a suspiciously large nose?"

Jackie rolls her eyes, her smile widening. "You're a proper nutter, you are. Alright, I'll play along, but you're not gettin' away with it next time."

Kathy leans back in her chair, clearly enjoying herself despite her unconventional approach to the game. "Honestly, who's bothered about the rules? It's not like we're competing for a prize or anything. I'm just here for the fun of it."

Jackie snorts, her eyes twinkling. "We'll see if you're still this cheeky when I win."

Kathy chuckles, but her smile falters a bit as her mind drifts. It's hard to focus on a game—or anything, really—when there's so much left unsaid between her and Jackie, unbeknownst to the woman. The truth that Kathy knows where Rose is... weighs on her constantly. She could ease the aching heart that Jackie carries. She could take away the fear and the unknown, put an end to the pain of wondering, if only she could tell Jackie that Rose is out there, travelling across time and space with a man in a blue box. But the truth would be too much for Jackie to handle.

"I don't say it enough," Jackie says suddenly, her voice softer now as she leans back in her chair, watching Kathy. "But I really appreciate you, Kathy. You've been good to me. You're the closest thing I've got to family now."

Kathy's hearts squeezes at the words. Family. It's always a complicated word for her. She has her own reasons for keeping her distance, even though it's clear that Jackie has come to see her as more than just a neighbour.

"You don't have to thank me," Kathy says quietly, her voice almost distant. "You've been there for me too, in your own way."

She wants to tell Jackie, to make it right, but the words won't come. Not yet. For now, Kathy stays quiet. Just a little longer. After all, Jackie is taking her own first steps toward healing. And for now, that will have to be enough.

Jackie studies her board for a moment before grinning back. "I reckon I know who you've got."

Kathy looks up, surprised. "Really? Who?"

Jackie smirks. "Sally. The one with the red hair and the freckles."

Kathy stares at her for a second before laughing. "Well, you've got me. You're right."

Jackie leans back in her chair, triumphant but clearly amused. "I just asked the right questions, that's all."

Kathy chuckles, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're definitely better at this game than I am."Kathy stands up, stretching her arms. "Want me to make us some tea?" Kathy asks.

Jackie smiles. "Yeah, that sounds perfect."

—

The dartboard in the corner of the garage is old and battered, but it's still good enough for a bit of fun. Mickey stands a few paces back, his brow furrowed in concentration as he lines up his throw. Kathy, leaning against a workbench with a can of lukewarm beer in hand, watches him with a smirk. The air in the garage is warm and thick with the smell of engine oil and worn leather, the familiar hum of the neighbourhood outside creeping in through the cracks.

"Alright, Mickey. Let's see if you've still got it," Kathy says, a teasing edge in her voice. She'd always been good at darts—she's had the many centuries she's been alive to practice. But she isn't about to let Mickey know who she really is, or where she really came from – getting his head around Rose travelling through time and space with a centuries-old alien is enough. As Kathy watches Mickey, she can't help but feel the weight of a secret pressing down on her. She's seen the end of their story, the twists and turns that will unfold, and she knows what's coming next. The truth about her life, her past, the world she truly belongs to—that's a story she can't share just yet. But she can't tell him that, not yet.

Mickey narrows his eyes and takes a deep breath, tossing the dart with a satisfying thwack as it embeds itself into the board. He looks up, eyes narrowing in mock seriousness. "That's how it's done. Top score."

"Right," Kathy says, sipping her beer. "Top score? I'd be worried if that was the best you could do. You said you'd spend hours in that old pub with your mates playing this, remember?"

"Oi! I know how to play. Where'd you pick it up from then?"

Kathy laughs, tossing her light brown hair back over her shoulder. She knows better than to let on she's a bit too good at darts. Something is hanging between them when they're like this, playing games and pretending things are normal.

She watches Mickey take another turn, throwing his dart with more focus than she's seen from him in ages. It's like he needs something to distract him, something to take his mind off the elephant in the room: Rose.

"So, you reckon Rose is out there somewhere having a laugh?" Mickey asks after a moment, his voice light but with an edge of concern behind it.

Kathy doesn't look at him, focusing instead on the can of beer in her hand. She knows how much Mickey wants to believe Rose is fine, that she's having some grand adventure. But it's hard for him to wrap his head around the fact that time works so differently in the Doctor's world.

"She's fine," Kathy says, casually. "She's probably having a great time. You know the Doctor. Time travel, saving planets, saving people. She's with him, so she'll be alright."

"So, you really think she'll come back?" Mickey asks, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kathy gives him a small, confident smile. "I know she will. And when she does, it'll be worth the wait. Just trust me."

Mickey nods slowly, though he doesn't look entirely convinced. "Yeah. Alright. You've helped me out Kathy a whole lot. I trust you."

They stand there for a moment, the dartboard between them, the weight of their words hanging in the air.

—

Christmas looms closer, and Kathy's mind races with worries. What can she possibly get Jackie that would mean anything this year? She's been shadowing Jackie for months, making an exhaustive list of potential gifts, but none of them feel right. Nothing seems enough to make up for the fact that this is Jackie's first Christmas without Rose.

Kathy glances up as Jackie speaks, her voice filled with hesitation, "Rose, what d'you think about this one?"

Kathy flinches but quickly suppresses it. The hangars jangle as she pulls her attention from the clothes rack she's been sifting through. Jackie stands a little ways off, holding up a ruffled blue shirt. Kathy sees the brief flash of embarrassment in Jackie's eyes, then the sadness that settles in.

Kathy tries to ignore the slip-up, trying to push past the sting. "The neckline looks itchy." She says gently. "But if you're fine with that, it's cute."

It's not the first time Jackie's called her by the wrong name. Kathy is learning to expect it now, even as a small part of her bristles each time it happens. The pain of it all, the loss, it lingers between them. But Kathy won't let it show. She can't bring Rose back, not truly, but she can offer this piece of herself in this moment.

Jackie turns the fabric around in her hands, feeling the scratchiness of it. "It's a bit scratchy, but it'll soften in the wash."

Kathy gives a soft smile. "She'll come home, Jackie." She says, her voice steady and reassuring. Wherever she is, whatever she's doing, she'll come back."

Jackie shakes her head, disbelief flickering across her features. "You don't know that."

But Kathy does. She knows exactly where Rose is. She knows exactly what's happened, and she could tell Jackie the whole truth right now. It has been nearly 12 months, nearly time for Rose to come back. Maybe Jackie could handle it and it'll give Jackie a better understanding prior.

I could, couldn't I? Kathy sighs. This is it.

"Jackie?" She calls the attention of the woman tentatively.

"Yeah?" Jackie asks tearfully.

"Join me for tea tonight. Mickey too." Jackie's face twists. "I know but… I think it's time to tell you the truth."

—

2006 CE/AD

Saying Jackie was mad would be an understatement. She screamed and yelled at Kathy for being selfish and a traitor then didn't speak to Kathy for two months before turning up to Kathy's front door and breaking down again, begging Kathy for further details.

Kathy had explained to both Mickey and Jackie that Kathy herself isn't all altogether human, that she may know the future due to a certain TV show and Rose will come back safe and sound. Mickey knew some of this but the whole being from an alternative universe had been nee for him and he had to step back to take it in. Jackie had, as previously mentioned, screamed at Kathy having been more focused on the fact that Kathy has known this whole time that Rose isn't as dead as she thought.

Then came the relief that her daughter isn't dead (and her daughter's boyfriend hadn't actually cheated as well) and she will come back and then came the anger again. Not at Kathy but at the Doctor. No God is going to protect the Doctor from the rage of Jackie Tyler.

Two more months later Owen Harper is recruited into Torchwood. It is clear that Nine and Rose will be turning up soon.

And then Kathy gets a call.

"He's here." Jackie.

"Who?" She knows. Kathy had felt that mental snap in her mind and the familiar presence of a certain Time Lord settling in her mind. A tether in her mind snapping together. It's faint but the familiar pull is there.

"The Doctor he's here." There's a small sob. "And Rose is home. I–I don't know what—"

"Don't worry I'm coming."

Kathy can't lie. Her last encounter with Nine had gone well, but that was with an older version of him. This time, she'll be meeting a newer version of Nine—one who, from his perspective, had last seen her during their adventure with Dickens and the Gelth in Cardiff in 1869. They had clashed during that time, only to make a tentative reconciliation afterwards. When he and Rose had travelled back to 1987 to meet Rose's dad, Nine had implied he'd been more of an idiot other than with the Gelth when he'd apologised for his overall behaviour since he'd known her.

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A/N: I did it! Got the chapter published on the 20th anniversary of New Who!