Trivia and In-Jokes: The line "By the way, did I mention…it also travels in time?" is a line from the Doctor Who episode, "Rose". This is to connect the end of that episode to this story, even though "End of the World" already does that, but I'll connect the end of this story to that episode. Did that make sense?

Chapter Two: Flash Forward

"By the way, did I mention…it also travels in time?"

The Doctor knew that would get her inside. He watched as she kissed that boy – now, what was his name? Ricky, was it? – and ran, grinning, into the TARDIS.

He only waited just long enough for her to enter to close the doors, then started working feverishly at the control panels.

"Well, Rose Tyler," he said, "have I got a treat for you. Granted, the first trip in the TARDIS should be somewhere in Earth's future or past, however…I have to make a quick stop before that happens."

"What d'you mean?" she asked, curious.

"We have to go pick up a friend of mine. To do that, we'll have to travel to her home planet."

" 'Her'?" Rose echoed. "She's alien, too?"

"Yup. She comes from a planet called Alnilam. Fantastic place." He dashed from one end of the console to the other, inputting the coordinates. Her image had been haunting him ever since he'd left. Even this far away, he could still feel her, and how worried she was about him.

He had to get back to her. Had to. Though they'd only been apart for about a day, it had been far too long. He knew she was going to be upset that he'd left so soon after his regeneration, when he was always a little unstable and needed to recover.

"Who is she?" asked Rose.

"Her name's Lisa." He had to pause, just to think of her. He allowed a brief smile to cross his face. He cared for her so. Then the energy was back. He zipped between the controls. "She's 'round your height." He paused again, considering that a moment. He had to admit it. "Well, a little shorter. Brunette. Beautiful wings."

"What is she, an angel?"

He had to chuckle. "Don't call her that. She hates it. And no, she's not. Ah, here we are."

The TARDIS touched down easily enough. For some strange reason, the old girl had no problem traveling to Alnilam when they needed it to. It was no different, now.

"Are you ready?" the Doctor asked an excited Rose. "Brace yourself…Alnilam, while similar to Earth…the similarity only goes skin deep." Grinning, he opened the doors and gestured to Rose to exit.

End chapter two.