"Come my friends there is much to do. First we must find you a beast for the journey. Celebrations begin tomorrow in the mountains and we have a long night's travel in front of us." Bob gestured for them to follow him.
They made their way through the streets of the tiny village they had materialised near until they came to a small wooden house with a dainty white picket fence.
In the front yard was another similar looking man to Bob but with blue skin. Bob approached him and began to converse, he nodded his response and pointed the group towards an enclosure with a young boy preparing tack, food and bottles of water. Bob moved to the boy and spoke to him before he ran off, returning moments later with three animals that resembled horses but nearly twice their size.
"Riding a horse, in this dress? You've got to be kidding me!" Martha whined. "Their huge, how are we going to even get up on them, besides that there's only three of them, what are we sharing them or something?" She continued to complain as she stared in total disgust at their aforementioned mode of transport.
"Yes Martha we are riding, and they're not horses, they're called Equinthorax and if I were you I'd be a little nicer considering they're highly sensitive to emotions so I would recommend that you don't insult them." He told her getting slightly annoyed at the fact she hadn't stopped whinging since they'd got here.
"Donna you'll be riding with Martha and Rose you're with me."
"Wait a sec, why does she get to ride with you?" Martha snapped angrily.
"Because you and I are the only ones who know how to ride Martha, you got a problem with that?" He snapped back.
"Fine," She hissed as he hoisted her up into the saddle followed by Donna who adjusted herself behind the other woman.
"Just follow Bob; we'll be right behind you." The Doctor added and nodded to Donna, "You'll be fine."
"At least we're not running." Donna surmised earning herself a cheeky grin.
The Doctor approached Rose who was stroking the head of one of the Equinthorax much to its enjoyment. "She likes you." The Doctor grinned at Rose. "Come on then, I'll hop on and pull you up." He said but before he could do anything the beast bowed and began to sit. The Doctor stared at Bob to see a likewise shocked expression on his face at the Equinthorax's actions.
"She really does like you it would seem, I've never seen that happen before." Bob marvelled. The Doctor settled in the saddle and pulled Rose on sideways in front of him, one arm wrapped protectively around her waist, one on the reigns. "Hold on," He whispered into her ear causing her to shudder. She laced her fingers in his as the giant animal rose to its feet and began to move.
Rose and The Doctor rode in companionable silence, both contented with the fact that the other was with them and not separated by a dimension. He had often wondered how she had returned but decided that it was better off not questioned. He chose to assume that the rift had labelled her as non existent in Pete's World and returned her to her point of origin and most importantly him. They laughed as they watched Donna and Martha squabble over who was destined to meet their ends in the next episodes of their favourite soaps, at least there were no arguments on the TARDIS as to what they watched of an evening, besides he was quite content fixing the old girl while they did and Rose he noticed had taken an interest in watching him and asking questions about his ship's workings. He had been quite pleased with how much she had picked up in such a small space of time.
Bob dropped back to the pair after interrupting Martha and Donna's argument and instructing them to continue following the trail.
"My friend, have you found any others?" He queried softly and the Doctors thoughts shifted to the Masters' refusal to regenerate and the Rani's death by forced 12th regeneration. Rose watched the Doctors face fall as he responded and gripped his hand tighter.
"No, I am the last." He whispered and squeezed her hand softly back.
"There is a way Doctor," Bob began hesitantly only to be cut off by a angry time lord.
"No there isn't, besides its too dangerous, no one would survive it and apart from that where would I find anyone willing to risk their life in that way. Not for me. I'll live on alone, as it should be." He finished and looked away from Rose as a tear slid down her cheek.
"You know Doctor," Bob said, "As well as I do what would happen if you didn't exist, and since you are the last it is time you consider your options. You won't live forever you know that. What kayos would the universe descend into upon your death? The White Guardian cannot keep a balance without your help to protect it, without a Time Lord the entire universe is doomed." And with that Bob returned to the front of the group.