"Alright, is everyone here?" asked Rose when she finished calling off the names for her group. She stood on her toes and craned her neck as she tried to count them all. Fifteen, just the number she was looking for.

The Doctor finished counting his group, too, and nodded.

"Okay, I need William Sievertson over in my group and Jessica Skelley in the Doctor's group," Rose instructed.

"Why?" William asked distrustfully.

"Because the Doctor needs Jessica in his group," Rose said simply. "My group go outside, go to your right, and wait against the building. I'll be there in a second."

"Be careful," the Doctor told her seriously. "I want you to find what you need, but be cautious. Very cautious."

"I will, love," she assured him. He stroked her cheek and gave her a kiss on the head.

The Doctor took his group outside and Rose started scanning the people that were gathered around to watch the selected groups leave. She was thinking about grabbing the Om-Com, but the people she was looking for came up behind her. She was startled and laughed.

"We heard you were going out," said Jake. "Need a couple extras?"

"If you want. We could always use extra hands. We just thought the adventurers might want a break," Rose explained.

"And do nothing but sit around the school?" asked Troy. "We'd go crazy."

"Well, you're welcome to come. I was actually looking for you anyway. I was hoping we'd be able to use that mop bucket," Rose requested.

Troy offered to go get it and Rose approached her group.

"Okay, I'll be frank. We're out of food. We have some rice and that's great, but it's not enough. Our job is to go get food," Rose informed them. "The Doctor and I went out this morning and found some plants that are safe and nutritious. We have a few we picked in this bucket to act as examples. In a minute, I'm going to ask you to have a look and familiarize yourself with them."

"Wait, where are we going to get them?" one of the girls asked anxiously.

"Today we're heading east," Rose answered, pointing to her left at the forest. "It's scary, I know, but you've got to eat. We won't go any further in than we have to. The forest is filled with vegetation, so I really hope we won't have to go that far."

"But there's hardly any vegetation!" argued one of the boys.

"This is just a clearing," said Jake. "A little further in, the trees get closer, not too close, but not like this, and there are all kinds of ferns and flowers and other plants."

"What about wild animals?" asked a female teacher in the group.

"We've seen a lot of really weird stuff," said Troy, coming up next to Rose, "but we haven't seen any carnivores yet."

"Yet," the teacher repeated. "And what if someone gets lost? What if we all get lost?"

"We're taking measures against that. And I'd like to ask you, Jake, if you would take that responsibility," said Rose. "I have some spray chalk. As we go along, I'd like you to spray a mark on the back of some trees that we pass. That way, when we turn around to go back, our path will be clear."

"Sure," said Jake.

Rose reached in the bucket, took out the spray chalk, and tossed it to Jake.

"Another thing we're going to do is count. I want to make sure no one wanders too far we don't lose track of anyone. Right now, I'm going to say your name and you're going to say a number. Do not forget your number. I'll say Melinda Holwarth and she'll say one, I'll say Ashley Reinhart and she'll say two. The next person will say three, then four and so on. Remember your number. When we're in the forest and I shout 'count', Melinda will start the count and everyone will count by saying their own number. Understood?"

Everyone nodded and Rose began calling out names. She originally had fifteen, but Jake and Troy made seventeen. Rose had everyone look over the plants, instructing that they know them well. She was bringing the bucket with her so that if anyone needed a reminder, they could compare.

Finally, Rose believed they were ready. In truth, she was about as anxious as they were, but she knew she couldn't let it show. They needed a fearless leader so that was what she'd be. She took a compass out of her pocket and led the group with a confident stride. With the Doctor, it didn't feel like they went in that far before the forest floor was completely covered with vegetation. It seemed much, much further without him.

The trees were all very large and spread out further than many forests she'd been in, but they were much closer than the trees around the TARDIS. There were a lot of ferns and such, but not nearly the numbers they needed. Finally, they made it to a place where they were surrounded by it. She looked back and couldn't see the school through the trees anymore.

"A little less than half a mile," Troy told her.

She looked at him in surprise.

"I can count distance by my steps," he explained. "One of the things I learned from my dad taking me camping. I know it's a little further than you expected, but we should be fine."

"Thanks. And when we get back, you better thank your dad," Rose said with a smile. "Alright, everyone. Remember what you're looking for. Spread out a bit, not too far, but enough so that you have a good spot of your own. Then start gathering. Once your arms get full, put it in the mop bucket. If you need a reminder of what you're looking for, check the small bucket I have over here. But first… Count."

Seventeen were counted and everyone got to work. One of the girls screamed when an armadillo popped out of a rotting log and soon after a boy shrieked when a large bug crawled on his hand. Rose was startled and on guard each time, but when she saw what they were screaming about, she just chuckled and got back to work. Another ground sloth came into view and Rose told them about it before anyone could freak out. They looked anxious about it, but kept working. They were at it for quite awhile, but the bucket was still filling up much quicker than she anticipated. It was about three quarters full. Her goal was to get it to the top.

She was getting ready to call for a count again when a terrifying squawk pierced the air. Rose looked up in fear and immediately shouted 'run!'

Everyone was alarmed and looked about. They were moving, but not fast enough. Rose shouted the order again and when they saw what was coming, they took off, some of them giving out a scream.

It was one of the predators that the Doctor had warned her about - Titanis. A flightless bird built like an ostrich, except much stockier. Its muscular legs gave it great speed and its head was large with a huge axe-like beak. It was over eight feet tall and gaining on them. Rose had been furthest into the forest and was therefore behind the rest as they fled, but she preferred it that way. She came prepared.

The large bird fell with a thud.

"Stop!" Rose shouted to everyone. "Stop! I said Stop! It's fine! It's dead! It's fine! Come back!"

People glanced over their shoulders and slowed down. A couple started tentatively returning, but Rose had to call the others a few more times before they came. They all stood in disbelief as they looked at the bird.

"What the hell just happened?!" asked Jake.

"Count," Rose ordered.

The count stopped at number nine, Rose checked her list, and shouted for a boy named Jackson. He didn't answer so she assumed he made it back to the school. They continued the count without him. She had sixteen.

"Okay…" said Jake. "What the hell just happened?!"

"I killed it," Rose stated the obvious.

"I can see that. You blew its brains out. Literally. But with what?" Jake probed.

Rose sighed and pulled a laser handgun out of the back waist of her trousers. "I wasn't going to ask anyone to come out here unless I knew I could protect them."

"What the hell is that?!" asked Jake.

"It's a laser weapon."

Jake reached out to touch it and Rose pulled it back and tucked it away again.

He gaped in astonishment. "You practically blew its whole head off with that little thing?"

"Doesn't matter. What does matter is that it's dead. It's dead and it's now dinner. It's probab-"

"Rose?! Rose?!" The Doctor's voice carried as he raced into the forest.

"I'm alright, Doctor!" she shouted back. "Everyone's alright!"

The Doctor followed her voice and raced over to her. He spared a very quick glance at the bird, but immediately started looking her over. She tried to tell him again that she was alright, but he spun her around to access her from behind. When he was satisfied, he spun her around again.

"I was at the school and some people said they heard a few screams so I started over. Then a boy comes out saying a bird was attacking. Then I heard you screaming…" The Doctor looked completely overwhelmed.

"I wasn't screaming. I was shouting," she corrected. "I found dinner and there's no possible way I can get that thing back to the school on my own."

"You're really alright?" The Doctor took her face in his hands and just stared at her. He knew that she was alright, but he didn't feel it yet himself. He'd been just as terrified as they were. Rose kissed him and ran her fingers through his hair.

"I'm perfectly fine, love," she assured him.

The Doctor finally had a good look at the titanis. "Ugh, its brains are falling out. I guess that means it was a good shot."

"Good? That thing was wicked fast. That's better than good," said Jake. "She's freakin' awesome."

"Thanks," Rose chuckled. "Back to the task. It'll probably be easiest to drag it by its legs. Its legs should be long enough that a few people can take hold. Maybe two people could push it by its body, just be sure to push forward and make sure not to push down when doing it. I'll go grab the buckets."

"I'll help," the Doctor offered.

"I can't do this," one of the girls said. She looked like she might be sick.

"Just don't look at the head," the teacher told her. "Grab it by the leg and pretend you're pulling something else. It's heavy so we're all going to have to take turns."

Rose smiled proudly. Some of them were starting to step up a bit. She turned and went back in search of the buckets. The Doctor walked at her side.

"It was pretty close, wasn't it?" the Doctor asked.

"Much closer than I'd like it, but we all got out unscathed," she reminded him. "Plus we have meat and veggies."

"I shouldn't have let you come out here without me."

"How would that have changed anything? Anyway, you're needed at the school. Did anyone find anything yet?" she inquired as they picked up the buckets.

"Jess!" he said excitedly. "Clever Jess. We were looking for something that ricocheted off the school, but it didn't. Jess suggested that it could be on the roof and that's where it was!"

"Fantastic! How's its condition?"

"Pretty broken up. The entire shell has been burned and either broken or completely shattered. I can still learn a lot from the inner parts."

"Any idea who it belongs to?"

"No idea. I'll figure it out though," he assured her. "So what's your next project?"

"The titanis, of course. I need more 'volunteers' to help ready it for the cooks. Most likely some involuntary volunteers. I have no idea how I'm going to get anyone to leave the school for more food and cooking water after this though. If they were apprehensive before, they'll be terrified now."

"But at least now they'll know they're protected," he reminded her.

"Yeah, maybe. I guess we'll just have to see."

The Doctor and Rose made it back to the school and put the bucket down near the titanis. Most of the school was outside looking at it or peering out the windows.

"Okay, Doctor, you get back to work. I've got to get to mine. Good luck."

"No, good luck to you. I've got the easy job," he said with a smile.

Rose laughed and stepped up to address the crowd. "As you can see, my group brought back some dinner. They did amazing so I hope you're all grateful. More jobs to do though. I need some volunteers to help get this stuff ready to cook. I think eight volunteers would be good. Anyone willing to step up?"

Not a single person raised their hand.

"Okay," Rose continued, "but I think I should remind you that absolutely everyone is going to have to help out in one way or another. I can go down my list and pick the next eight people, but if you're not helping here, you're likely going to go out to fetch water or go into the forest to collect more food tomorrow. If you'd rather not leave the school, this would probably be the job for you."

More than twenty hands went up. Rose wasn't picky. She just started pointing at people and those eight stepped forward. She took out her roster and highlighted their names. She then directed half to the bird and half to the plants. She told those at the plants to ask the cooks for several knives and some peelers. They dumped the plants on the ground and asked Troy to lead a group to go get some more water in the mop bucket so they could rinse off all the plants. The group Troy collected was also marked off on the roster.

The four people waiting by the titanis looked ill just viewing it. Rose told them to not pay attention to the head. They only needed to worry about the body. Step one was plucking. It was a big task, but it was quite a bounty. The bird was so large that its meat was approximately the equivalent of a dozen large turkeys. It would be about one pound of raw meat per person. It would cook down, but should still be enough for two days. It was a terrifying experience, but they were actually pretty lucky at coming across the beast.

They only got a little done when Jake stepped up. He told them it would be easier if they skinned it rather than pluck the whole thing. Plucking it all was only if you were planning to roast it whole. He gave them some instructions on the best way to go about it, but when he saw Rose walking away, he ran to catch up with her.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"People are going to need to wash their hands. I'm going to the lab to get some soap, a bucket, and some clean water."

"The lab? You mean that magic, blue box everyone keeps talking about?" he chuckled.

"Rumors are spreading, huh?" she said with a smirk.

"Of course. Everyone that's seen it says it's the size of a phone booth, but the stuff you bring out of it… sixteen gallons of water, medical and scientific equipment, medicine, food. You make copies, make announcements, do tests, and you didn't sleep in the school last night. You had to have slept in there. I really can't believe it, but the only thing that makes sense is that it's bigger on the inside."

Rose laughed again. "We usually try to keep that a secret, but it's stupid to deny it in this case. Yes, it's bigger on the inside."

"How? How does that work? And just how much bigger is it inside?"

"Seriously advanced technology. As for its size… let's just say it's big enough."

"You're from the future, aren't you? You can time travel. I mean, how else would you be able to come back to this time to save us? When are you from?"

"Actually, I was born in the 20th century, like you. I helped the Doctor out and he took me along."

"When's he from then? When do people discover time travel? It's gotta be restricted, so how do people get permission?"

"Alright. I'll answer those ones as long as you don't go spreading this part around," Rose offered. When he nodded, she continued. "Time travel is officially discovered in the 51st century. The Doctor had his 'lab' long before that so there's no way people can restrict us. Even if they tried, our 'lab' is far more advanced. The only people that are allowed to use time travel are people employed by the Time Agency. Their mission is to 'fix things' without having a big impact on history and making sure that no one in the past ever discovers them."

"The 51st century? The way people keep talking about the end of the world, I never imagined we'd ever get to that point. So how's that 'bigger on the inside' thing work? When do they figure out that stuff?"

"They don't. That's just the Doctor."

"He's that much of a genius?" he said in astonishment. "Well, if you're not part of some organization, what is it that you do?"

"Travel. We see the sights, explore, and help out whe-" Rose cut off when she caught sight of the TARDIS. Three students were gathered around it and one was obviously trying to pick the lock.

"What are you doing?!" she demanded as she stormed over to them.

They tried to run, but Jake blocked their path.

"You run and you'll be in twice as much trouble!" Rose threatened.

The three of them returned to her in defeat.

"What the hell do you think you were doing?" she demanded again. "Trying to break in to our stuff? We came here to help you out. We've given you food and water and helped heal those that needed it. We're out trying to help you survive and figure out how to get you back home. We're working our arses off and risking our lives and you take advantage of that time to try to break into our lab?"

"We weren't going to take anything," the girl in the group said quietly. "We just wanted a look."

"And that makes breaking and entering okay?" Rose asked angrily. "So if I was curious about what your house looks like, I'd be welcome to break in while you were away and dig through your things? You obviously knew that we didn't want you in there, but you went for it anyway. You know what… I have too much to do to deal with this."

Rose pulled out her roster, looked at their name tags, and put a special mark next to each of their names.

"What are you doing?" asked one of the boys.

"Keeping an eye on you," she answered. "Tomorrow, when I go back in the woods to collect food, you're all coming with me. In addition, you're not getting dinner tonight."

"What?!" the girl cried.

"She almost died out there getting us food today," said Jake. "She has every right to deny you that."

"I'm not going to let you starve. I have a pill that will give you everything you need. Nutrition, but still empty bellies. I hope that when people ask you why you don't get meat and veggies tonight, you tell them exactly why. Now shift. I've got work to do."

Jake and Rose watched as they started back toward the school.

"I could stick around and help you carry the water back if you want," Jake offered. "If you want me to go back now though, that's okay, too."

"I'd love the help, thanks," she replied with a small smile. He was just what she needed just then – someone that understood and appreciated. She wasn't helping out to get praise, but she believed she was still owed a measure of respect.

"Hey, Jake," she said as she looked at him pensively. "Just how long have you been a hunter?"

"Eight years," he answered. "Why?"

"Eight years?" she said incredulously. "How old are you? You can't be older than eighteen."

"I am eighteen. I started hunting when I was ten. I started target shooting with rifles at seven and bows when I was eight," he stated.

"You're allowed to shoot guns that young?"

"You're allowed to shoot at whatever age your parents decide. Hunting is allowed at any age, too, but you have to pass a written test that's at a fifth grade reading level. I know an eight-year-old that passed it. My mom said I had to wait until I was ten."

"Target shooting for eleven years and hunting for eight. I take it you're pretty good then?"

"Very good. Why?" he asked curiously.

"Because I can't be everywhere at once. I don't know about you, but that bird scared the hell out of me. I'm thinking – just thinking – that it might be nice to have another armed person to assist when people go out."

"Seriously?! I'd get to use a laser weapon?" he asked excitedly.

"Carry," she corrected. "Maybe you could carry a weapon. I really hope you won't have to use it. Just a precaution. I still have to think about it and I have to discuss it with the Doctor. I assume by your response that you'd be interested in that."

"Hell yeah!"

Rose smiled and shook her head. "I'll think about it and talk to the Doctor, but if the Doctor talks to you about it, you better not respond like that. We don't care for weapons. I only carry one when there's serious danger and it's only for self-defense. The Doctor dislikes them even more than me. If he talks to you about it, it's a solemn duty, not a thrilling opportunity. Understood?"

"Understood."

"Okay, I'll be right back out." Rose was ready to go inside, but paused with the door open just a tiny crack. She grinned when she looked back a Jake. She couldn't help herself.

"Secret," she said. "Absolute secret. Can I trust you to keep one?"

"Of course."

"Can't tell a single soul," she persisted.

"I promise."

"You can't come inside, but if you'd like a peek…"

Rose opened the door and stood to the side. Jake gaped in astonishment at the size and the lights.

"Stairs… hallways… H-how big?"

"This is just the entry room. You'll have to use your imagination for the rest," she teased. "I'll be out in a minute."

Rose walked through the halls with a smile. The day wasn't over and she could use that smile to make it through the rest.

What do you think? Please review. ^^