Rose and the Doctor stood at the top of the hill, watching the fire department finish clearing up debris at the dealership across the street. It was surprising how little damage actually occured, especially considering how flammable and volatile verbanium actually was. But aside from fire damage to the back of the garage, everything else was okay. The only volatile thing left were the thoughts and ideas that were churning inside the Doctor's head. He had been around long enough to know that everything happened for a reason. They were meant to come here to this time and place. But was it simply to fix the mess with the Slitheen? Or was it...something else. Someone else?

Rose stepped closer and slipped her hand into the Doctor's. "Everything turned out alright, after all."

He nodded, unusually quiet. "Yes, it did."

"Rebecca was a pretty big help, don't ya think?" she pressed.

He nodded again. "Yes, she was."

They both stood there for a minute, looking at the building being worked on, while Rose figured out how to say what had been on her mind since the previous evening.

"Doctor...I was thinking...maybe we could invite her to come with us?"

This finally got a reaction out of him. He turned and looked at her for a moment before turning back around. "I don't think that would be a good idea, Rose."

"Why not?"

He sighed. "I seem to recall a certain time not too long ago when we briefly had another female companiaon called Sarah Jane. Remember her? The amount of tension between you two gave me a headache."

"But that was just at first!" she protested. "We were good mates by the end of it."

He shook his head and laughed. "Sarah Jane and I were close. One of my best friends. We were never...romantically involved."

Rose's grip on his hand tightened and she put her chin on his shoulder. "Not like us."

He smiled warmly at her. "No, not like us. But in any case, Sarah Jane was just a friend and look how jealous you got! What would happen if we bring Rebecca with us?"

She wrinkled her nose. "Why? What do you mean?"

"Rose," he said gently "I like Rebecca. Alot. I don't want that to...complicate things."

"But I like her too!" she exclaimed.

He shook his head. "I don't think you are grasping the meaning of 'like.'"

She smiled at him. "I know exactly what you are trying to say. And what I am trying to say, is that I like her too.

He eyes grew huge. "What?"

She laughed at his expression. "I know, right? I've never liked girls before. And I still like guys. Well, you know, I like you." She playfully hit his arm. I...can't explain it. There's just...something about her. Something that draws me in."

Finally the Doctor smiled. "Exactly."

"So if we both like her, there's no problem, right? No need for jealousy from either of us! And shes already proved she can handle tough situations. Can she come with us?"

"I would imagine that would be up to her," he said wryly as he watched Rebecca walk up the hill toward them. She was wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top, and her hair was down today. She looked completely different from how she looked yesterday in her work clothes. He almost didn't recognize her.

"Hi guys!" she said brightly as she walked toward them. "Figured you'd be here."

"Closed down the shop today?" Rose asked, smiling. "Wonder why!"

Rebecca put her hands in her pockets and grinned. "Funny thing, there seemed to be some sort of fire in the back of the garage last night. How about that? No lasting damage, but enough for us to close down for the day." She paused. "So...what happens now?"

"Weeeell," the Doctor said, "We're heading off shortly. Places to go. Aliens to see. Worlds to save. All that stuff."

Rose looked at him.

"You could...come with us. If you wanted to?"

The effect on her face was astounding. Her smile was so huge and genuine that it looked like she was being illuminated by a thousand suns.

"Really? You would want me to come along with you?"

Touched by her exuberance, Rose said "Of course we want you with us. Why wouldn't we?"

Rebecca shrugged self-consciously.

"Could be dangerous," The Doctor warned. "Don't know when we'll be back."

"That's fine with me! I'm ready for anything!" She was surprised at how brave she was feeling. She felt as if she had finally woken up after being asleep for years. She abslutely couldn't believe her luck that something this incredible was finally happening to her.

"Alright! Are we ready to go then?" The Doctor asked cheerfully.

"Oh yes!" She showed them the backpack she had with her. "I brought a few things from home this morning, beacuse to be honest I was going to ask you if I could come along anyway."

Rose burst out laughing, "Resourceful little thing, aren't you?"

Rebecca blushed and smiled at them both.

"Well then!" The Doctor said. "Glad that's settled. Right around the corner is the Tardis. First one there gets to pick our next destination!" With that, he bolted off in the direction of his ship, with Rose hot on his heels and laughing her ass off.

Laughter burst out of Rebecca as she hurried to catch up to them. The next phase of her life was starting. And she was more than ready for it.

"At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say that there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may, in fact, be the first steps of a journey."