102A/N: So here it is: the end! It always makes me kind of sad to finish writing a fic. I have really enjoyed writing this story and will definitely miss it. Thank you so, so much to everyone who has read, reviewed, followed, or favorited this fic – your support means so much to me! I'd love to hear from you all one last time if you'd like to leave a review or PM me. Again, thank you so much for your support, and I hope you enjoy the epilogue!
"So it's all settled then," Pete said with a grin. "I'm glad we could get this sorted out for you."
"I am too, Dad," Rose told him. "And if there's anything else you want me to do, just let me know. I'd be happy to come back to London whenever you need me, and if you need me to travel once in a while, I can do that, too. I really want to make this work."
"I have faith that we can make the position work," Pete said easily. "It may take a while to feel it out, but I'm sure we'll figure it out."
"Thanks for working with me on this," she said with a gentle smile. "I really appreciate it."
"It looks like you've got a good thing going on here. It'd be a shame to take you away from it. And having a remote agent should open up some new opportunities for Torchwood. Like I said, we'll just experiment a bit and see what works best." Pete paused for a moment. "Have you talked to Alec about this at all yet?"
Rose shook her head. "I knew that I wanted to stay in Broadchurch, but I couldn't just give up my entire life. I didn't want to get his hopes up and then find out that I'd have to leave."
Pete nodded in understanding. "He seems like a good man. Seems like he's taken this whole situation in stride."
"And he's crazy about you." Jackie hadn't spoken this whole time, and Rose looked up in surprise when she did. "What?" Jackie continued at Rose's stunned silence. "I'd have to be blind not to see the way he was looking at you yesterday. I may still have some doubts, but that's not one of them."
Rose smiled. "Thanks, Mum."
"Don't think I won't be checking up on you, though," Jackie added. "Have you told him anything yet? About your life before you came here?"
"He knows about my work at Torchwood now, of course," Rose said. "But, no, I haven't told him anything else yet. We just need to find the right time to talk."
Jackie seemed to accept this. "You'll be fine, love," Pete said.
"I know I will," Rose replied.
There was a knock at the door, and Pete stood to open it; from where Rose sat, she could see Mickey and Jake standing in the doorway. "Everything's loaded up, boss," Jake said. "We're ready to hit the road when you are."
"I think we're ready," Pete said, glancing behind him for affirmation. Jackie nodded, and Rose checked the time on her mobile.
"Alec should be here in just a minute," she said. "We weren't sure when I left this morning if I'd be leaving town with you or not, so he'll be coming over."
"'M sure he'll be happy to hear that you're staying," Mickey grinned. "You've got to promise to ring me after you've told him everything and describe his reactions. I want to be able to picture every single priceless expression on his face." Jackie elbowed Mickey in the ribs as she walked by him. "But the shock will wear off quickly, of course," he continued hastily. "You shouldn't be nervous."
Rose rolled her eyes. "Thanks for saying that, Mickey." Her mobile buzzed, and she looked down to read the message from Alec. "Looks like he's here," she announced, standing up to head outside. "Thank you guys for coming. It really was great to see all of you."
"Good to see you too, Rosie," Pete told her, giving her arm a squeeze. "It's good to see you so happy."
Jackie swung a small duffle bag over her shoulder. "He's right, Rose. This place makes you happy, you're enjoying being with friends, and you're just as determined as ever with your work. And you and Alec make each other happy. You've got that light back in your eyes."
Rose's smile grew. "I know, Mum."
Alec was waiting for them when they arrived outside, all of them heading to where the Torchwood van was parked. Rose noticed Alec looking vaguely nervous, and she slipped his hand into his.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye for now," she told him quietly, watching his frown deepen. Before he could get a chance to say anything, though, she rushed over and enveloped Jackie in a hug. "Bye, Mum. Bye, Dad," she moved to hug Pete before continuing to Mickey and Jake. "Again, let me know if you need anything, and give Tony a big hug for me."
Looking over her shoulder, she grinned when she saw Alec's playful glare; as determined as he was to look angry, he couldn't completely hide his growing smile. Then there were more goodbyes, Pete firmly shaking Alec's hand and Jackie, much to Alec's surprise and mild fright, wrapped him in a hug.
Alec and Rose stood silently for a moment, then, watching the Torchwood van pull away and disappear from sight. As soon as it was gone, he pulled her to him, clutching her waist tightly as he kissed her, holding her up so that the tips of her toes only barely brushed the ground.
"That was a cruel joke," he muttered, his lips hovering just above hers.
"Couldn't resist. Forgive me?" she asked, smirking a little and pressing her lips back to his. She could feel him smile.
The warmth of the sun mingled with the cool breeze as Rose and Alec walked down the beach. Alec paused, surveying their surroundings. Seeming satisfied, he spread the blanket that had been tucked under his arm over the sand, sitting down and pulling Rose down with him so that the were facing the ocean.
"Now, if you'll recall," he said as she scooted closer to him, happy to use the cool day as an excuse to be near him. "This is the spot where we met. And so I think this should be the spot where I get to know you, too." He turned a little to press a kiss to the side of her head. "I'm ready to hear it all. Tell me the story of Rose Tyler."
Everything would be ok, she knew. Her hand was in Alec's, and she was about to share her mad, unbelievable past with him. And he would believe her, and they would share a future that was mad and unbelievable in the best possible way. It would be better than ok – it would be great.
With the gentle rushing of the waves filling the air, Rose began her story.