The TARDIS landed with a light jolt. I looked at the scanner that showed the library I had parked in front of. I stood and stared with something like trepidation. After a few moments, the TARDIS beeped quietly. I shook myself and took a deep, shuddering breath.

"You're right, old girl," I said, patting the console. "No use dawdling."

I strode toward the door and walked out of the TARDIS. I made sure to lock the TARDIS before I stepped toward the library doors.

I stepped through the doors and inhaled deeply. The smell of books filled my nose and helped calm the beating of my hearts. I smiled a little as I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my olive green coat and purposefully walked into the shelves. I looked at all the books and quickly read the ones I came across that looked good.

After a few minutes of browsing, I heard a quiet sniffling behind me. I whipped around and quickly placed the book I had been looking at back on the shelf. I walked toward the noise, but stopped before I walked out of the shelves. I stood for a second and took in the scene before me.

I had reached a small clearing in the shelves with four tables and a few chairs. There was nobody in sight except for the little blonde girl who was sitting, facing away from me. Her shoulders were hunched in defeat and I could see her tears as they fell onto the paper in front of her. I quietly walked forward until I was standing right next to her.

"There's no need to cry," I said quietly.

The girl jumped a little, but pulled her hands away from her face to look at me.

"Who are you?" she inquired.

"A friend," I answered, smiling. "Better question is, who are you and why are you crying?" I already knew the answers, but I wanted to hear her say them.

"I'm Rose. Rose Tyler." I smiled and almost burst into tears as she told me her name. "I don't understand my homework," she said desperately.

"Well, then. Let's take a look, shall we," I said, pulling up a chair. "What are you working on?"

"Arithmetic," she said sadly.

"Arithmetic, eh? Alright, let's see."

I pulled her paper toward me and looked it over. I quickly figured out what she was having trouble with.

"Here," I said, pointing. "That's supposed to be a nine."

She looked at it for a second. She picked up her pencil and quickly fixed it, smiling as she did so.

"Thanks."

"No problem. Do you need anymore help?" I asked.

She looked up at me and nodded shyly. I smiled as I pulled her homework toward us.

We sat for half an hour and worked on her homework. We quickly finished everything. I looked at my watch and realized I had to be going. As I said goodbye, I got up to leave.

"Wait," Rose called quietly as I walked away.

I turned toward her and looked at her questioningly.

"Sorry. It's just, I didn't catch your name," she said politely. She was polite for a nine year old.

I stood for a second, wondering if I should tell her. I decided not to tell her as I stepped back toward her.

"I can't tell you that now," I said. "But one day you'll learn it. One day soon, you'll meet me again and when you do, I'll tell you then."

She looked at me quizzically. I smiled.

"I'll be seeing you, Rose Tyler," I said as I turned away and walked back out of the library and into the TARDIS.

I leaned up against the doors and sighed defeatedly. I ran up to the console and slowly started to put in the coordinates of my next destination.

"Okay, old girl. No more putting this off. Take me to Lake Silencio," I finished quietly, pulling the last lever to send me hurtling into time and space.

A solitary tear fell down my cheek as I thought of little Rose Tyler walking home, toward the adventure of a lifetime and I knew everything was going to be okay.