"Seriously, Rose, that is a lot of stuff," he remarked, as she dumped her rucksack on the floor of the control room.

"Well it's not like we're going on a package holiday to Malaga for a fortnight, is it?" she pointed out. "I want to be prepared for all eventualities this time. Anyway, it's not like you haven't got the space to store it."

He had to agree; the TARDIS was huge. Huge and empty most of the time. He'd told her he didn't do domestic, that under no circumstances was she to make this place domestic. But it was nice to have someone else around for a change, with all their clutter and mess.

"So long as you put it away," he said, determined not to give in too easily. He knew what women were like; start giving an inch and they'd have taken a mile faster than you could say Raxacoricofallapatorius.

"I will!" She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. A mischievous glint came into them. "How's your cheek doing?"

"My cheek? What do you mean…?" He instinctively put a hand up to it and remembered the slap Jackie had given him. "Oh shut up!" He pushed her.

She laughed. "Okay, I'm sorry. Next time we visit-"

"Next time? Who says there'll be a next time?"

"-next time we visit," Rose stressed, giving him a defiant look, "you'll know to duck."

He frowned, but brightened up again. "Anyway. Where are we off to next?"

"You know, you could have let Mickey on board," Rose ignored his question. "He wouldn't have been that much trouble."

"He's an idiot!"

"He's my boyfriend!" Rose retorted. "And he just saved the world."

"With some help," the Doctor sniffed and shrugged. "Anyway, it gets complicated when you let more people on board."

"Yeah. 'Cause you'd really be tripping over each other in this place," Rose muttered.

"I wasn't the one who left him behind in the first place," he reminded her. She looked away, and he could see some guilt come into her face. Time to lighten the mood a bit. "Anyway, aren't I good enough company for you?"

"Of course!" Rose let the words tumble out without much thought, and then blushed slightly. "I mean, you're pretty good company."

"Good. So are you." He flashed her a grin and she couldn't help but return it. "Now. Where are we going? Past or future?" He dangled the thought appetisingly in front of her.

"Future," Rose decided finally. As he flicked a few switches, she put her arms round his waist and gave him a brief awkward hug. To her surprise, after stiffening slightly, he put his arm round her too.

"What was that for?" he asked, looking puzzled.

"I don't know. Saving the world. Again." Rose let him go. "I'll go and put my stuff away. Come and get me when we land."

He nodded. He was pretty glad he'd saved the world again. But he was even more glad that he hadn't lost her.