InsaneJournal

Who: Rose Tyler, Jackie Tyler, mentions of Mickey Smith and Jimmy Stone
What: Oh, hurray, our first day as a shopgirl!
When: Day 25, Spring 2004
Where: London, The Powell Estate
Status: Complete
Rating: PG, mentions of domestic violence and slight cursing




Rose hadn't been woken up by an alarm clock since that last day she'd spent on Earth. Well, on Earth full time that was. Jackie had told her she was free to head back to bed and may as well, what with her job all blown up and the like. But she'd gotten up, and good thing, too. If she hadn't, what were the odds she'd have ever run into the Doctor again? He'd have come by the Estate, but things would've worked out differently. She'd have been in bed, her mum would've either sent him on his way or tried to seduce him till he made a run for it. Either way, she might not have grown to call the blue Police Public Call Box home.

And yet, there it was. The familiar, annoying buzz of her alarm. She slapped it on instinct, then rolled on to her back and lay there. For several long moments, she simply stared at the ceiling. What was she doing at home? Not that she minded, exactly. The window was open, letting in a cool breeze. Her bed was comfortable, though not as comfy as the one she occupied on the TARDIS.

The TARDIS. Where was it? She rushed to the window, peering out to where she'd landed on arriving back in London. It wasn't there. So if she hadn't dreamed the glass box, where was she? Was this really home? Or some illusion the lovely Management had created to lure her out of her comfort zone yet again? She'd been actually pleasant for the first time in days when she'd fallen asleep. Remus had been curled up next to her, breathing soundly. Tonks lay nearby, and Chris was safely back, if not in the best of conditions. She and the Doctor were on speaking terms, friendly ones at that. The gym was full of her friends she'd made and everyone seeemed to be okay. She couldn't have dreamt all of that, her dreams were never that vivid. What the hell was going on?

But when she breathed in, the scents of home were just as vivid. Her Charlie White perfume that she hadn't worn in ages. The apple-scented shampoo she used. Her mum's favourite laundry detergent. And the scent of eggs, bacon, sausages, and toast drifting under the door jam. "Hurry it up, love, you're going to be late!"

She knew that voice; she'd know her mother's scolding but loving tone anywhere. Rose threw the door open, staring into the hallway of the flat she'd lived in nearly all of her life. Jackie Tyler stood nearby, pulling curlers out of her hair, her bathrobe tucked snugly around her. She'd made a morning fry-up. In the three days since she'd left Satellite 5, her mum hadn't cooked a thing. She'd been too worried about her sulky, morose daughter to do so. That and Rose wasn't eating anyway. "Late for what?" Rose asked carefully, eyeing her mother. She looked...softer, somehow. More gentle.

"Whaddya mean, late for what?" Jackie scolded, shaking her head. "You don't have time for a shower now, you'll have to go without, what were you thinking, sleeping in? You weren't out late again, were you, thought you'd learned your lesson." Well. Softer in appearance maybe. Her tongue was still sharp.

Out late? Rose hadn't gone out with Shareen and Chelsea and Monique in well over a year. And as for boys... Well, Jackie hadn't really called what she and Mickey did 'staying out late'. Considering he'd been a part of their lives for years, she tolerated her daughter being with him well enough. So what was she talking about?

"The Stone boy called again last night," Jackie continued, her tone turning a bit angry. "You should do something about him. And Mickey's coming by for breakfast, hope it's alright. Couldn't wake you, you were totally out of it."

Jimmy? Okay, now she knew something was up. She hadn't heard from him since not long after they'd broken up. Well, after she'd left him, rather. She could put up with a lot, him spending her money, flirting with wannabe-groupies, getting his sixteenth tattoo. But...

Ducking into the bathroom, she groaned. This couldn't be happening. How was this happening? She could possibly accept that she'd dreamt some of her experiences. But two years worth? She and Mickey only just trying to make it work as friends, maybe more, again. Having only been back in her mum's home for a week. And the bruise Jimmy left on her cheek just starting to fade.

Which meant... Oh, sweet God. "Going to be late for your first day?" Jackie called. "Get dressed, Mickey'll be here in a minute. He's offered to take the bus over with you today. Just...in case." Jackie had worried about her for the first month or so after she came home. Little did she know that soon, Rose would leave her for a much longer period of time. And the life she'd live was just as dangerous as being Jimmy Stone's girlfriend. Only then, she'd be protected by someone who was twice the man Jimmy was, pardon the heart-related pun.

It would still happen, wouldn't it? The Doctor showing up in her life, taking her away from the humdrum life of being Rose Tyler? She was barely eighteen at that very moment. Already, though, she knew she wanted something more than to be a shopgirl. She couldn't return to this life now anymore than she could have when she'd crash-landed in front of the Estate a mere thirteen days ago for her. Or nearly two years in her future. What the hell was going on?

"I love you, Mum," Rose blurted. It wasn't entirely like her, to be quite so open with her affections. Especially when she was being ranted at and running late for her first day at a new job. But when she realised that she likely wasn't to stay here, it had to be said. And she rushed forward and wrapped her mother in a tight hug.

Jackie seemed surprised, but she didn't object. Rose knew why. Though her mother had been angry when she'd left school and moved out and in with Jimmy, she'd been more concerned than anything. Honestly, the older woman was likely just grateful her only child was home and safe. For now, at least. Slowly, Jackie Tyler's arms wrapped around her daughter, and Rose fought back tears. She knew her mother wouldn't understand if she burst into tears and tried to explain everything that was still to happen. It had been hard enough explaining what had happened before all of this. Instead, she just clung a bit tighter. "There, now, love, you're alright," Jackie said softly, tucking Rose's hair back into its messy ponytail. "Go get dressed and then you can eat, alright? A good hearty breakfast to start your first day as a working girl, yeah?"

She needed food. Why not? She was home, after all, and if she was going to end up back in Vas Captio, she should take advantage of it while she could. A part of her was worried about where the others were. Were they alright? Had they been returned to their times, too? Or were they waiting back in their cage, wondering what experiment she was living through?

And, a tiny twinge in her head wondered, was he in danger? And, a tinier twinge wondered, which he did she mean?

She'd sort it out. Eventually. First, bacon. And then a day at good old Henrik's. She'd actually be sort of glad to see that place blown up in a bit.