Flanged helmets, high collars and robes: the Time Lords processed past in a somber line. The tuneless music sounded a seemingly endless dirge. On a high altar, the Time Lords circled, with bowed heads, reciting solemn, incomprehensible incantations. Rose's head nodded; the rite had gone on for what seemed like hours.

A voice whispered sternly in her ear, "You are the first off-worlder ever to see the Ceremony of Thanksgiving, so show proper respect: if you fall asleep, try not to snore." Rose glanced up. The Doctor winked at her, then pointed out an elderly Time Lord who was fast asleep and snoring. She was suddenly and inexplicably overwhelmed with the urge to laugh; she bit her lip and stifled it, with limited success. Her body rocked with silent giggles. Romana, seated on the other side of the Doctor, turned and glared at them. The Doctor arranged his face into an expression of complete innocence. This of course made Rose want to laugh even harder.

At long last, the ceremony was over, and the Time Lords spilled out into an adjacent reception hall. The Doctor tried to slip away, but was soon caught up in a sea of congratulatory well-wishers. Dr Tinklepaugh clapped him on the shoulder, "Well, it was touch-and-go there for a while; but what a genius idea, a real stroke of brilliance..." His voice was drowned out by the noise of the hall. Soon the crowd separated Rose and the Doctor, and she was left alone.

"Hey, it was my blood that cured everyone," she wanted to say. However, her contribution seemed to have been largely forgotten. She headed towards the punch bowl. An elderly Time Lord--the one who had been snoring throughout the Ceremony--intercepted her. He introduced himself as Chronotis, President of Gallifrey. He thanked her graciously for her help in combatting the epidemic.

Rose saw her opportunity. There was something she desperately wanted: something the Doctor had said by chance that hadn't registered at the time, but had been burning in her heart ever since. "Can I ask a favour? I need a Dimensional Visa." She explained about her world and the Time War. President Chronotis listened gravely.

"I am sorry," he said quietly. "But until there is a sufficient complement of Time Lords to guard the Void in your universe, it would be highly unwise to open a rift."

She opened her mouth to protest; but then asked, "Wait—'until?' Did you mean 'until'...as in, there might be more Time Lords there one day?" But the president had already wandered off.

"Hard luck, I'm sorry," said the Doctor, appearing behind her and patting her shoulder. "Hang on a minute, I'll be back." She watched him go. He moved off into the crowd and disappeared.

"Um...hello?" said a voice. She turned around. A tall, gangly, young-appearing Time Lord was standing before her, smiling bashfully. He had bright blue eyes and a mop of unruly black hair. "Didn't mean to disturb you. I just wanted to say...your blood cured my mum. She was on the archeological team. Thanks."

"Oh, no problem. Happy to do it. I'm glad she's doing well." She smiled at him. He smiled back. There was an awkward pause. They giggled.

"I'm Rose," said Rose. "What's your name?"

"Timethesra'am. But...um...you can call me Tim."

"Hi Tim," said Rose. There was another pause.

"Um..." he glanced away. "Would you...um..." He swallowed. "Would you like to see my TARDIS?"

"Seriously?" she grinned.

"Yeah...it's...well, the Doctor has an old Type 40, it's a classic, we took one apart in shop class, but...I got a 280-zx for my birthday. It's brilliant. Want to see?"

"You got a TARDIS for your birthday? How old are you?'

His cheeks flushed scarlet. "I'm...21."

"Twenty-one? Not 121 or 221 or 1221?"

"Yeah...I'm a kid. I'm sorry, I'll stop bothering you." He turned to go.

"No," Rose said, reaching for his arm. "I'll come and see your 280-zx. Why not?"

"Brilliant!" he said, beaming. "Come on, it's this way."

A moment after Rose and Tim left, the Doctor reappeared, with Romana following. He was holding two glasses of punch. He looked about and frowned. "She wandered off. Why do they always wander off?"

Romana clucked her tongue disapprovingly. "These humans are but children. Children wander. The fault is yours for never looking after them properly."

Tim's TARDIS was completely invisible from the outside, which might have been more impressive had he been able to find it without stumbling into it. Rose stepped inside. There was none of the accumulated dust and clutter that characterised the Doctor's TARDIS, no bookcases extending to the ceiling, nor the collection of odd tools strewn about, required for constant repairs and tinkering. She admired the minimalist, matte silver interior and the sleek, streamlined control panel. There was a glint of something gold in the corner. "It's lovely," said Rose.

The doors clicked shut. "I am so glad you like it, as I anticipate you'll be spending a great deal of time here as my...guest."

The hairs on the back of Rose's neck stood up. She whirled around. In place of the gangly youth was an older man staring at her with a nasty glitter in his eyes.

"Where's Tim?" she asked.

"I am Tim. But I'd prefer it if you called me Master."