Just Another Coffee Shop

An Almost Perfect Date

Rose twirled in the floaty pink dress her mother had bought her. Martha-Mickey's now fiancée, stood behind her and giggled slightly.

"It's perfect!"

Rose did one final twirl before looking at herself in the mirror. Her hair was in two simple braids, light on make up, and to Rose, the dress seemed to make her seem lighter.

"Really?"

Martha nodded and ushered Rose out of the room, "He's gonna be here in any minute."

Just as she got into the front room, a knock came at the door. Rose opened to a fully suited John.

Black and slim, it showed just how skinny he really was. He wore brand-new red converse and a bowtie.

"Hello." He greeted.

"Hi," Rose's nerves began to creep up on her.

"Are you.... ready?" He asked.

"Just let me grab my bag," Rose said, she waved goodbye to Martha; who had a mischievous smile and winked. Rose rolled her eyes and walked down the stairs of the flat. The city seemed calm, traffic not terrible but there. John took place next to Rose, their hands finding each other without thought. They've always been a bit touchy, but not this way. Rose looked up at John with a small grin, which he returned with a wild smile that sent her heart in a loop.

"So, where are we going to eat?"

He raised his eyebrows, "Oh! Yes, it's a place called Allonsy's; love that word. Anyways, it's not terribly fancy but nice, also not far from here."

"Been there before?" Rose questioned.

"Oh, went with Donna and a couple of our mates. Nothing spectacular really,"

Rose nodded, "It's been a bit of a problem to get myself to write, I can't get my mind straight."

"Jack?"

"Yeah."

"I've had that happen before. Donna's.... boyfriend went MIA. He came out alive, but was diffrent. Had a strong stutter, and never left Donna's side."

"What happened to him?"

"He works at the library, lives closer to my parent's house. Donna and him are still together, the one person that Donna isn't rude too."

Rose giggled, "I think you can hear her yelling 'Smith!' in the distance."

He laughed and soon enough they were at the restaurant, he held the door open. She grinned as she ducked under his arm.

The restaurant was small, not anything extraordinary, but it could be special. Old pictures hung off three of the five walls, another was plastered with newspaper clippings. The last was just a window, showing off the city. There were few couples eating and groups of people just chatting. John smiled down at Rose as she looked around the restaurant. A young woman stood behind a stand and welcomed them politely.

"Just the two of us," John stated.

The woman nodded and lead them to a seat by the window. Rose gazed out it as she sat down, while John gazed at her. She turned and smiled at him.

"So."

He grinned, "Do you remember why I took you out?"

She shook her head.

"I think, we should learn more about each other."

"Well, what do you want to know?" Rose asked, and leaned on the table.

He hummed and looked around in thought, "Everything."

"That's twenty-two years worth of information."

"Well that's a start. So you're twenty-two, what else?"

Rose laughed, "Uhh, I've got one published novel, my birthday is April twenty-seventh, I have a ten year old brother, don't really talk to my family. I don't know, I'm not that amazing."

John raised his eyebrows, "I think you're brilliant."

Rose blushed.

"No really, why would you keep me company and listen to my rants about cats or world peace while you write a novel. I don't think anyone has done that for me before."

"Maybe I'm just person you need."

They both stared at each other for a moment, John took in her golden flaked hazel eyes; wondering if she meant it.

"Are you ready to order?" Their server interrupted.

John looked up, "A steak for me, medium rare. Rose?"

"Same thing."

The waiter smiled and walked away, Rose laughed awkwardly.

"Soooo....." John mumbled,

"I wanna know about you."

"Rose..." He breathed.

"I only know your views about things." She stated,

"I grew up with my brother- Harold Saxon, for the first ten years of my life, then moved in with Donna."

"What happened?"

A pained look shot through his eyes, before he shook his head.

"Oh, nothing."

They sat in a companionable silence until their food arrived, that's when John began to ramble about processed meat and why it even started; managing to stay on the subject for about five minutes before changing to a new one. He managed to keep them there until an employee rushed them out of the building, telling them they had closed an hour ago. John smiled and took Rose's hand and they ran down the street.

"Where are we going?!" She squeaked as he pulled her into a fenced area.

"Shhh," He hushed, pulling her deeper into the wooded area. A small pond sat at the center. Rose grinned at home when he looked down at her.

"What's this then?"

"Me getting to know you."

She met his eyes, it seemed as if they were smiling, even though there was no grin on his face. She jumped when his hand gripped her wrist,

"What do you want to now?"

"Everything."

His eyes went dark, "I think the major thing about me is-"

"Oi! You two, what're you doing here?" An officer called from the path.

"I think we need to run." He said, pulling Rose as they sprinted to the other side of the park. Rose laughed and skipped next to him when they reached the street, they continued running for two blocks; to make sure they were out of reach.

"But really John, I wanna learn about you."

He looked to the ground then back at her, "Well, my nickname is the Doctor- oi! don't laugh. Um, I went to an academy in the middle of no where until I moved in with Donna. Not anything interesting."

Rose nudged his shoulder, "I think, you're amazing."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, Doctor."

A few moments later they were at her flat, he smiled down at her.

"See you tomorrow?"

She nodded and threw her arms around his neck. He hesitated, before returning the hug.

"Thank you." She whispered, breath ghosting over his ear.

She leaned back down, they were only inches apart, his hands were still on hips. She smiled up at him. He was so tempted to just kiss her, but he held back. She was in a bad spot right now; she probably didn't want a relationship.

He withdrew his hands a and smiled. She waved as he walked away, he watched her run into the building. Then, he continued walking. Maybe he didn't kiss her for his sake. Maybe he would choose to be a coward.