A/N: I know I say this almost every chapter, but THIS. IS. THE. BEST. CHAPTER. Honestly, I've never been so proud of a piece of writing. It's really got me in the mood for this story, and I can't wait to continue! And for all those Jack Harkness fans, there's a little (and I mean little) twist for Ava and Jack in this chapter... Ooh!

And, oh my gallifrey, I can't believe the incredible response this story has got! I had no idea this story would become this popular... Thank you to those incredible reviewers (Azreael, JainaZekk621, Cetacea-of-Time, Lexy Summers, Frank and SarBrook to name a few) who nearly always manage to spare some time to review my story! If you want to, don't hesitate to write one for this chapter. I've also got forty-nine story alerts for this chapter- whoever is the fiftieth will get a special mention next time!

Disclaimer: Don't own Doctor Who, just the fabulous Ava Jackson.

*CHAPTER REWRITTEN 10/06/12*

I slipped my house-key into the lock, flinching as the rust inside creaked creating quite a distressing noise. It had always done that, and the more times it occurred the more annoyed I got. I had been planning on changing the locks a while back, but I'd had more vital things on my mind. Like wondering if I had enough money to pay the water bill or her TV licence.

It took me a couple of pushes for the door to finally open, and to my surprise I wasn't wading in an inch of rainwater. My flat was… Actually, well, it was clean. Cleaner than how I'd left it. How exactly did that work? The last time I was here was definitley four months ago, right?

Utterly confused, I pushed the front door closed and wandered into my kitchen/living room. I threw my hat on the kitchen table as well as my keys, surveying the small room carefully. For a start, the kitchen floor was practically shining it was so clean- I couldn't remember the last time I'd washed the floor. Yeah, that sounded pretty filthy, but I never was in the kitchen that much anyway. The cupboards were also completely dust-free, and when I had flung open one of the wooden doors I discovered that they had been re-stocked with long-life food. Pasta, rice, cereal. That sort of thing. There was also a fruit bowl which had taken pride of place in the centre of my table, brimming with apples and pears and grapes. That were still fresh and not rotting away. They couldn't have been more than a day old at the most.

Now, that was weird. It was like someone had broken into my house and done nice things while I'd been gone. The opposite of burglars. But how exactly did anyone get in? I had one of the two house keys in my pocket, the other one was in one of the kitchen drawers. There was a third one, but that belonged to the landlord. And why would the landlord ever go and do nice things for a person who rarely paid their rent on time?

Shit. Rent. The landlord wasn't going to be happy that I had missed four months' worth of rent. I was surprised that I hadn't got very angry letters through my door; but looking back at the doormat, there was no post to be seen. Scanning the table top I found a sheet of paper- as I read over it, I discovered the landlord had sent his personal thanks for paying three years' worth of rent in advance.

I blinked, re-reading the letter once, twice, three more times. I'd done what? I flipped the page over and studied the signature at the bottom- yep, that was definitley the landlord's handwriting. It was legit, alright. Legit if I had paid three years in advance, which I had definitley hadn't. Heck, I'd never even seen that much money in my life, never mind letting my landlord pocket it!

I shook my head and tossed the letter back onto the counter. I'd have to inquire to the landlord about it later; it must've been a mistake. Anyway, who the heck opened that letter? Stuff like that was confidential.

I glanced over at the living room; everything was pretty much the same, apart from the sofa cushion's being perfectly framed in the centre of the couch and the coffee table was free from pot-noodle cartons and coke cans. My bookshelf was also tidier- instead of all my books being piled up on the top, they were all lined up on the shelves separate from my videos and DVD's.

Whoever had been in here had made sure they had done a thorough job. I didn't know whether to be pleased or appalled by that. This was all very, very strange.

I dragged myself away from my unnaturally neat living area and flipped open the door to the hallway, where my bathroom and bedroom were situated. Where, four months ago, there was a great gaping hole in the ceiling, now was completely plastered over. It looked like the hole had never been there in the first place- it was perfect. No-one ever made that good a job at plastering, never mind the crappy maintenance guy who fixed things on the Estate.

My hall was also covered in a new, bold, blue carpet which matched my pale blue walls. It was almost TARDIS blue- you know, that beautiful blue that once you see it, you can't find it on paint wheels at DIY shops. Yet, here it was, over my hallway floor.

This was just getting more and more mad by the second. First, someone had cleaned my flat for me. Second, they had gone out food shopping and re-stocked my cupboards. Four… Wait, third, they had paid three bloody years' worth of rent in advance. Fourth, they had fixed my roof. Fifth, they had completely redone my carpet… Who would do that? Why? At first I was thinking maybe Jackie or Rose, but no way would they have been able to pay off three years' rent for me. They could barely pay off their own, never mind mine.

So who exactly was it?

I twisted the door handle on my bedroom door and shoved it open, revealing the place where I had slept for the past few years. But, like I anticipated, someone else had been in here before me. The sheets were clean and there were a selection of toiletries on my dressing table; as well as a massive rucksack filled with clothes at the bottom of the bed. Noticing there was a florescent yellow sticky note on the opening flap of the bag; I ripped it off immediately and began to read it.

It was covered in an incredibly neat script. Neater than any I had seen before, so I definitley didn't recognise it.

Welcome home, Ava Jackson. You can thank me later- Jack x

I couldn't help but let a small smile creep up my face. Jack. As in Captain Jack Harkness. The strange, American man I had met at The Glass Planet- the man who knew me, but I didn't know him.

I jumped onto my bed, the sticky note still in my grip. Who exactly was Captain Jack Harkness? Why would he do this for me, before I knew him the way he knew me?

Blimey. Time travelling was confusing.

And when was I finally going to meet this Jack for the first time, well, properly? When he didn't know me yet? As it really should be?

I let my head fall back on the pillow. A whole day without sleep was really becoming to creep back up on me, so I let myself drift off; my head filled with impossible thoughts…

-x-

I hoisted my rucksack further up my back, running across the centre of the Powell Estate. I'd quickly thrown on my trilby hat and pulled a brush through my hair on my way down the stairs. Apart from cleaning my teeth, washing my hair and showering, I didn't really make much of an effort with my appearance. Occasionally I'd coat a bit of mascara of my eyelashes, but I'd never seen the point in making yourself up if you had no-one to make yourself up for.

The TARDIS was standing majestically in the middle of the Estate; Rose, Jackie and Mickey standing outside its doors. I grinned to myself- I couldn't believe that this amazing blue box was going to be my home for however long. Even if this journey I was about to embark on only lasted a few days, at least it would be the most exciting few days I'd ever experience. This time yesterday (or four months ago, depends which perspective you look at) I had no clue what went on outside of England, never mind the whole universe. It was like the Doctor had given me a fridge: instead of a few pot noodles, there were millions of other foods stuffed in there too which I couldn't possibly eat in her life-time. That, I considered, was like travelling in a machine that roamed through time and space.

"Hello," I panted, when I finally reached the group of people I called family. "Sorry, I slept in."

Rose rolled her eyes before grinning. "Typical Ava Jackson. The person who always manages to sleep in, no matter the situation."

I pouted. "Be fair. I have gone through a whole day without sleeping at all."

"Or four months," Mickey shrugged from beside me, "Depends on how you look at it."

"Mickey!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around him. "Sorry for, uh, disappearing."

Mickey laughed into my shoulder. "Don't worry, Avey. I'm used to it."

I suddenly felt sorry for my friend. Here he was, being left behind by both his 'girlfriend' and his best friend, yet he didn't show how deflated he actually felt. "We'll be back before you know it, Mick."

Mickey shook his head as retracted from the short hug. "Take care of yourself, Ava. Seriously. That Doctor, he's dangerous."

I smiled, pressing my hands on his shoulder. "I've always took care of myself. It's not going to change now."

Mickey nodded solemnly as I turned my attentions to Jackie.

"Have you got everything?" Jackie asked both her daughter and me.

"We've got everything, don't worry." Rose reassured her, pulling Jackie in for a quick hug.

"Be careful," Jackie warned, looking at Rose and I sternly.

I laughed as I too hugged Jackie. "I will. Promise."

"You got to call Mo about that…" Rose tried to remind her mother, but as usual, Jackie stepped in.

"Oh, never mind Mo," said Jackie, waving her hand to stop herself from getting teary.

"Ava, should we go now?" Rose asked, turning to look into my eyes. When I nodded, Rose kissed her mum on the cheek. "Ok, we're going. Love you!"

Jackie smiled sadly. "I love you."

Rose smiled back, trying to force some reassurance into her mum. "Love you, love you…"

Rose then hovered over to Mickey, who was standing still with his hands shoved in his pockets. Rose stood still for a moment, before planting a small kiss on his cheek.

"I love you," Mickey said. I could tell that in his eyes, he was begging for Rose to say it back. Just this once.

"Bye," Rose said simply, and Mickey's face instantly fell. Rose didn't seem to notice though.

She grabbed my arm and pulled me into the TARDIS with a bright smile on her face and a spring in her step. The goodbyes between me, Mickey and Jackie were all pretty saddening for me, but once you stepped into the TARDIS it was pretty difficult to stay homesick.

While I slung off my backpack and stared with amazement, Rose rushed over to the controls. The Doctor was loomed over the panel and was pressing various buttons and other mechanisms, a proud smile on his face.

I couldn't help but grin as I joined Rose at the column.

"So," Rose did her tongue-between-teeth smile, "Where are we going?"

The Doctor's face looked just as excited. "Further than we've ever gone before."

At that sentence, a bolt of electricity shuddered down my spine.

The TARDIS erupted into life, the engines alive with noise and activity.

I glanced back at the Doctor, who was busy piloting.

This was really happening. It wasn't some incredible dream. It was real.

And this was just the beginning.