"So you travel back in time and collect refugees? Why, exactly?"

"Most of the races we rescue were innocent, even ignorant of the War. They are mostly human-derivatives or other simpler creatures."

"Lesser life-forms?"

"Sort of, I guess. Where did you hear that?"

"Victorian Cardiff, of all places. We found the Gelth."

"Ah. Yes. A bitter species, that one. Although they were innocent of the War, so I suppose they have a point. Unfortunately when the powers of the universe start to shift, everyone wants to take advantage." Lyselle sighed and smiled at Rose ruefully. "Well since these… 'lesser life-forms' had nothing do to with the War, but were wiped out, we go back and rescue those that survive."

"So do you have a TARDIS then?"

Lyselle stilled, then she chuckled. "Yes, actually I do."

"Is it a blue box?"

"What? Oh, no," Lyselle shook her head and then began to giggle. "Come on, I'll show you."

Lyselle led Rose outside. They went through a low door and into a garden area. The sky was fully dark now but the garden seemed to glow with an inner light.

"So where is it?"

"You're already in it."

"What? How did you manage that?"

"By having a fully-working model. Chameleon circuit and everything. I leave her unlocked because even if someone comes in they just think they have the garden."

"But where are the controls?"

"In the control room. If you go deep enough, you can find it."

Rose turned round slowly, staring round. "Wow," she said finally, completely awestruck. "So this is how you do it. See the universe."

"In all its glory," Lyselle said dryly. "Regrettably what the brochure fails to mention is all human life is there, just not recognisable. Just because we're alien doesn't mean we can't lie and cheat and kill."

"You make it sound depressing and it's not," Rose argued. "There's lots of places that are really nice."

"And you've been to how many of those?"

"Not as many of I'd like."

Lyselle chuckled. "No? You do surprise me. Come on. Let's get back before Theta gets himself into trouble."

"Don't you trust him?" Rose asked archly.

"Not on your life."

They found the Doctor chatting away to a group of grey-skinned beings. Now the refugees realised that the new arrivals posed no danger, they were much more sociable and talking animatedly with him. Rose watched him, noticing how totally at ease he seemed.

"How do you know him?" She asked Lyselle, before she thought that her new friend might not wish to explain.

Lyselle looked over at him as well. "I was born on Earth," she told Rose quietly. "When I was about five my mother… became very ill, so I learned to look after myself. Managed it quite well for three years or so, then she died and I was all alone. One day this blue box appeared out of thin air… and the rest…" She shrugged. "I'd always felt strange, you know – odd. But until he came, I didn't realise the truth. My mother never told me and I have no idea…" There was a sigh. "Unfortunately I didn't fit in on Gallifrey any more than I had on Earth. So I took a TARDIS and disappeared. Theta had a knack of finding me though."

"So you knew he'd turn up here? Even though it was a complete accident?"

"Eventually, yes. Well I was sure at first. My confidence got a little shaken though as time went on, but while there was so much to do, I didn't have time to look for him, to find out if he was still alive…"

"But you weren't bothered by the news of your father," Rose pointed out, somewhat confused. Her own father was dead and she couldn't comprehend not giving a damn.

"My father didn't care about me, Theta did," Lyselle stated. And with it put like that Rose did understand.