Title: The Drums
Author: Sailorneo
Summary: Rose Tyler is the head of a team for Torchwood, saving the universe. After one particular mission, things go a little wrong. Reunion fic.

Chapter One:

Rose had been in the alternate universe for thirteen months now. She'd seen the doctor for the last time seven months ago. Her mum was busy taking care of the seven week old Jared. Pete was over the moon with the birth of his son, as he had never thought that children were in his future. And not only had he gotten a daughter, he had also been given a son.

Rose was the leader of an exploration/keeping-the-world-from-ending team for Torchwood. Mickey was on it with her, as her second in command. He'd adapted quite well to this new universe, she found.

Ryssen O'Connell was next. Rose found her fascinating. She was a lot like the Doctor actually. Ryssen tended to go into the same techno babble mode, and knew quite a fair bit about aliens. She even dressed slightly like him. Trench coats and Chucks were a common element of her wardrobe. When the two had been getting ready for a Torchwood function at Ryssen's flat, Rose had spied at least four pairs of pinstriped slacks, three pairs of pinstriped cords, and at least two pinstriped jackets. One of them had even been a lurid neon pink and lime green. Lined along the bottom of the closet had to have been at least three dozen pairs of Chucks. No two pairs were the same, and one pair was even knee high!

Jake was also on their team as he and Mickey got along really well. Rose had her suspicions about the two of them, but they were nothing but professional on the clock. Jake had become a really good friend to Rose in the time after her permanent arrival in the universe.

The group got along fantastically. After an episode of saving the world from yet another alien invasion, they would head to a chippie near the headquarters of Torchwood in Cardiff.

After their most recent escapade, the group first headed to the small flat in town that Mickey, Jake, and Rose had for when they couldn't get to the Tyler mansion after a late night. Two days after Jackie had taken over the mansion as "Lady of the house," she had basically ordered Mickey that he was moving in. Jake had quickly been ordered the same thing. And apparently Jackie was contemplating asking Ryssen to move in too. Jackie had developed a serious case of "empty nest syndrome" without ever having anyone leave her.

They showered and changed into clean clothes, Ryssen darting to her flat and back (it was a three minute walk away) and headed to the nearby chippie. The fact that this one was one of their messier ones meant they pigged out on chips.

"Can we officially say that the Anions officially suck?" Jake asked.

"I think we can," Ryssen sighed. "I had to wash my hair four times to get all the mud out." She looked at her hair and said, "And you know what, I don't even think I got it all out."

"I'm glad I got to the shower first," Rose laughed. "After the two of them it was covered in mud."

"I don't even want to know what Jackie's goin' to think," Mickey said.

"That should be amusing," Ryssen said, shoving another chip in her mouth. "We headin' there for dinner? Or we eating at the pub?"

"Prolly home," Rose said. "Mum's been gettin' a bit annoyed that we haven't been there much."

"We were in Uruguay for two weeks on assignment. That's not our fault. That's her husband's fault," Ryssen said with a laugh.

"Good point," Mickey said.

The small group of friends walked back to the Tyler estate instead of getting Mickey's car out of the Torchwood car park. It wasn't that far of a walk and it was nice outside. "You want to tell your mum that we're coming for food?" Ryssen asked. "And that I'm still hungry?"

Rose grinned, and pulled out her mobile.

"How on earth can you still be hungry?" Mickey asked.

"All you do is eat and you never seem to gain any weight," Jake said. "I'm going to gain at least five pounds from the chips and whatever's for dinner tonight."

"It's all the running we do," Rose said as her mum picked up. "Hi mum, just wanted to let you know—"

Arms circled around Rose's waist and she heard Ryssen let out an indignant cry of "Get off me!" while Mickey grunted as a hand clamped over his mouth. She couldn't see Jake but was fairly certain the same was happening.

"Rose?" her mum asked. "Rose, what do you want me to know?...Rose!"

Then everything went black.