"Words won't be enough," Aranea finally said, "I could talk about Jack being an ex-TIME Agent," Jack averted his eyes, "Or Rose's first adventure with you fighting the Autons," Rose's eyes widened, " but that's not what you're really looking for. There'll always be a reason you can think of that explains why I know these things."

"Telepathy comes to mind," the Doctor said, "Or you're a very well-informed agent."

Aranea nodded. Rose felt that Aranea was a rather introverted person, for all the affection that she seemed to display towards them. She was too still for a human, none of the slight twitches and adjustment of limbs that happened almost constantly. And just when Rose thought she had a handle on Aranea's character, the latter did another surprising thing.

Smiling like a Cheshire cat, Aranea leaned forward towards the doctor across the table.

"And what would you consider to be the ultimate proof, Doctor?" she asked, her voice low and challenging.

Almost unconsciously, the Doctor drew back from her, leaning back. His eyes darkened as he frowned slightly at her. I'd definitely be folding my cards right about now, Jack thought to himself.

The half-human got up from her stool, bowed slightly to the natives still hovering about, and walked out of the hut. Once over the threshold, she turned to the TARDIS crew.

"Are you going to be yakking all day, or shall we get down to business?" she asked.

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They were standing in front of the TARDIS, the Doctor leaning against one side of the blue box as Jack stood next to him, arms folded loosely. Rose stood on the other side, watching Aranea stroke the door of the TARDIS fondly.

"What's your proof, then?" the Doctor asked flippantly, "You're going to rub away at the door until you've worn a hole through?"

Aranea's hand went up to her bodice, which was folded in the fashion of a kimono. She noticed the Doctor and Jack staring at where her hand was going - for entirely different reasons, she could gather - cleared her throat primly, and turned around, using Rose as a shield. Rose's eyes widened again when she saw what Aranea drew out from a fold in her bodice.

"Rose, what is it?" the Doctor asked, slightly worried at Rose's reaction. Rose only grinned, her teeth caught between her back teeth.

Aranea faced the TARDIS door again, and with a smug smile at the Time Lord, unlocked the door and opened it. Rose's grin widened when she noticed the Doctor's jaw drop a bit, before he recovered himself. Aranea walked up to the console and placed her hands on the portion that hid the Heart of the TARDIS. She could feel it, humming quietly away.

"I know you haven't met me before," she said silently, "But I've missed you."

The door closed, and Aranea turned around. The Doctor clapped his hands together in a business-like way and rubbed them.

"All right then, we're off," he said cheerily, "Ever onwards. Let's get this show on the road!"

The musical sound echoed off the walls of the console room, taking them by surprise. It was like a dozen windchimes going off, but much lower. The source of the sound had her hand over her mouth, her shoulders shaking. Aranea was laughing.

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AN: And we're off! Finally ()