Chapter Four

Rose

Oh my God, this can't be happening. It has to be a dream. I can't be running with the Doctor after being separated from him for almost two years. But, there he is in front of me. The love of my life. I can't even begin to describe how good it is seeing him again. He hasn't changed a bit, and for that, I thank God. I was terrified something might happen to him that would cause him to regenerate. I had to go through the heartache of seeing him change once; I don't think I could stand it if it happened again.

As we both run, it seems as if the Doctor has made time go backwards without the aid of the TARDIS. It feels just like the old days when we ran together, ran from monsters, ran from danger, ran just for the sheer joy of it, because we were alive, and in love, and the entire universe was ours to explore and enjoy. Back then, I was so naïve, thinking that I was bulletproof, that nothing would ever happen to tear me away from the Doctor. I know better now. I know that this might not last. The strange light that brought me here might take me back to the other universe any moment now. I hope and pray it doesn't, but I won't make the mistake of thinking that can't happen to me. But, just knowing that it might not last, makes every moment with the Doctor all the more special. Whatever happened to bring me here, it was a gift from the universe and no matter what happens from here on out, I will treasure it forever.

The Doctor slows down and stops, and I do the same. We stand, hand in hand, while he scans his surroundings.

"Bollocks, where have they gotten to?" he mutters.

"Donna?" I ask.

The Doctor nods.

"Donna and my other companion, Martha. They are around here somewhere."

He looks at me, and there is a twinkle in his eyes.

"Course they seem to be channeling you and wander off when I tell them not to," he says, winking.

He looks around for a moment, and I see him gesturing to someone in the shadows.

"Oi, we're over here!" he calls.

I see Donna coming across the park with a black woman following behind her. I look at the Doctor.

"Is that Martha?" I ask, pointing to her.

"Yup."

I notice the relieved look on his face, and I smile softly. The Doctor was worrying about them just like he used to worry about me when I traveled with him. The sight warms my heart. Whoever these women are, they are in very good hands. I stand by the Doctor's side waiting while the women walk towards us, wondering what this Martha will think of me.

Martha

There she is.

The fabled Rose Tyler. Not quite what I expected. I figured she was a lot older, more sophisticated in manners and looks. Instead, she looks like she's barely into her twenties, dressed in jeans and a lavender tee-shirt. This was who I was having jealous fits over? A kid? Somehow, I pictured the Doctor going for someone a bit older than she is. As we near them, I notice her staring at me with some trepidation. Did the Doctor tell her about me? Did he tell her about how I used to turn green with envy at even the mention of her name? Suddenly, I'm not sure I want to do this. Don't get me wrong, I don't want the Doctor anymore. That ship has most definitely sailed. But, if the Doctor did mention the way I used to act, I really don't want to catch any flack from her about it. Still, something tells me she wouldn't do that to me, even if she was angry. I don't think the Doctor would tolerate it. If she did say something about me to him, I'm sure he's told her to be nice to me. The Doctor wouldn't want any of us squabbling over him, which is why I'm going to be civil to her.

Donna smiles and waves at her, and she waves back. Well, it seems like they've hit it off. That's a good sign. At least she is accepting of other people traveling with the Doctor. Maybe I'm overreacting here. Looking at her, I don't see any malice on her face. She's smiling at me, so I relax and smile back, as we near the Doctor.

The Doctor

So far, so good.

As my other two companions walk up to us, I keep a close watch on Martha, searching her face, trying to judge her reaction. I can see some hesitation, but I was expecting that. Other than that, she isn't showing any signs of jealousy towards Rose. I glance at Rose and smile, when I see her waving at Donna. Perhaps this will work out, after all. If the universe continues to be kind and allows Rose to stay with me, then I would love if all three travelled with me. I love them all each in different ways, and I would be heartbroken to see any of them leave, especially if it was over some petty disagreement that could be easily resolved.

I was overjoyed when Donna found me again, although I have to admit I was surprised when she asked to travel with me, especially considering the reaction she had after I killed the Racnoss and her children. Then, Martha returned just in time to help us battle the Sontarans, and now, having Rose back is the icing on the cake. It has been awhile since I've had three companions in the TARDIS at the same time, and I have to admit I love it when there is more than one person to share my adventures with me. The more, the merrier in my opinion. More people mean more activity around the TARDIS, and more help during adventures. Course, that also means more people to keep track of and worry about, but it's worth it when everyone gets along with everyone else, which is what I'm hoping for now.

Martha and Donna stop in front of us. Donna is looking at me, but Martha is looking right at Rose. Neither girl is giving the other a venomous look, but just the same, I decide to introduce them to ease the tension.

"Guys, this is Rose," I say, gesturing to her. "You've already met Donna, Rose, but this is Martha Jones."

"Nice to meet you," Rose says, amicably.

"Nice to meet you too," Martha replies.

I breathe a sigh of relief when the two of them shake hands and smile. Good. At least we've gotten past that part with no harsh words or dirty looks. I relax further. Perhaps, this will work out after all.

"Have you guys found any more lights?" I ask, deciding to get down to business.

"Nothing since Rose," Donna replies.

"Haven't found a thing," Martha adds. "You?"

"Well, until we found Rose, I hadn't found anything either," I say.

I look at Rose.

"What about you? Have you heard reports in the other universe of this kind of thing happening?"

Rose shakes her head.

"No. I mean, I've been working at Torchwood, and if anyone would know about this, it would be us. But, the first I heard of it was when it happened to me. I was shopping and…"

She glances down and curses.

"Oh, crap, I dropped the bag I was carrying," she said. "Bollocks, I had a nice pair of shoes in there too."

I chuckle.

"Well, we can retrace our steps," I say.

Martha looks at her watch.

"Wait, it's almost 11:30 at night. You were at the shops that late?"

Rose shakes her head.

"It was only 11 in the morning there. I had a day off today, and I decided to treat myself to a little shopping spree since I don't get that much time off. I was just coming out of a store and walking towards a chip shop for lunch when there was this sudden flash of light. The next thing I know, it's night, and Donna's standing there in front of me."

"Well, I'm glad Donna didn't scare you away. She can be a pretty frightening sight if you don't know her," I tease.

"Oi, watch it, mister!" she says, as Rose and Martha giggle.

I give her an innocent look and smile at Rose.

"We always kid each other like this," I explain." She knows I'm only having her on."

I raise my eyebrow when Donna walks over to Rose and puts a hand on her shoulder.

"Can I ask you something?" she asks.

Rose glances at me and shrugs.

"Sure," she says.

"Did this git terrorize you when you traveled with him?"

Rose frowns.

"Terrorize me?"

"Yes, did he do things like go to planets while you were asleep and leave strange alien creatures in your bed that would crawl all over your face and wake you up?"

"Yeah," Martha said, coming up behind Donna. "And did he put salt in the sugar bowl, and sugar in the salt shaker, and then laugh like a maniac when you got angry."

I shift my feet when Rose gives me a pointed look.

"Still pulling those practical jokes, are ya?" she asks.

"I knew it!" Donna says to Martha. "I knew this was something the little git did to everyone!"

"Oh, believe me, the man is a holy terror," Rose says. "There were times when I felt like pulling my hair out. He used to go in my room when I was asleep, take my knickers, put them all over the TARDIS, and laugh when I had to spend half the day finding them and putting them back in my drawer. It got to the point where I had to buy a lockbox and put my knickers in there. But then, that didn't do any good since he just started hiding the box. He also did the switching the salt and sugar bit. Have to watch your back around him, you do."

My mouth drops open when the three of them burst out laughing. Images of Rose and Sarah Jane laughing at me float through my mind. Suddenly, I'm not so sure I want the three of them in the TARDIS together. I have half a mind to go find Jack and convince him to travel with me, so I can have someone on my side. At the moment though, I have more important things to think about. We have to find the source of these mysterious lights and stop them before the next thing to come into our universe ends up trying to destroy it.