Rose watched the Doctor embrace the strange woman andedged away, uncertain as to what was going on. It was obvious that the Doctor knew her somehow, and it was just as obvious that they were close. Rose wasn't sure how she felt about that.
"Oh erm… Lyselle," the Doctor said, untangling himself from her. "This is Rose. Rose, this is Lyselle. Ah…"
Lyselle smiled at Rose. "His latest drag-along huh? You never knew the universe held so many ways to die, did you?"
Rose found herself grinning at that. "No, it's… interesting."
"Lyselle," the Doctor said warningly.
Taking Rose by the arm, Lyselle walked away. "Shush Theta. Someone has to enlighten the poor thing. You have a selective memory."
Once a goodly distance from the Doctor, Lyselle looked at Rose. "So you've been with him how long?"
"I'm not sure," admitted Rose. "It gets confusing."
"It would," Lyselle agreed.
"I'm confused now," Rose added. "I mean, who are you?"
"My name is Lyselle," she answered. "I'm half human, half Gallifreyan."
"Galli-what-an?"
"Sheesh, Theta really hasn't been forthcoming has he? Gallifrey. His home world. And mine, kind of."
"The one that's been destroyed in the War?"
"Yes, the Time War. It was nasty."
"The Doctor said he was the only survivor. But you say…"
Lyselle made a vague gesture at the room. "Welcome to Haven," she said softly. "We've been rescuing refugees for years. Hiding them here. I don't know of any others that escaped Gallifrey.I was beginning to think it was just me, that even he…" She trailed off, looking over towards the Doctor. She looked back at Rose and smiled brightly. "Gallifreyan equivalent of a cockroach."
"I heard that!"
"Well stop listening. Go… poke about or something. It's what you're good at." Lyselle sighed and watched him wander off. "Theta!" She yelled as he reached the door. "Just… don't find something interesting okay? I really don't need the entertainment."
The Doctor gave her an innocent look. "Who me?"
Lyselle stuck her tongue out at him.
Rose was still confused. "Why do you call him that?"
"What? Oh. It's his name."
"His name?" Rose repeated, her voice going up. "He never said…"
"Well sort of," Lyselle said quickly. "It's more of a nickname. Irritates the hell out of him."
"Yeah but still…"
"Rose," Lyselle said softly. "I've known him for a very long time. The only reason I get away with it is because he feels responsible for me."
"Why?"
Lyselle frowned. "It's to do with the whole half human thing."
"Oh. Okay."
"Come on, let me show you around a bit. We can gossip as we go."