"She can." *The TARDIS blipped again and Romana looked at the console as if she were deep in thought.* "She can hear you. She's curious about you. I think she likes you already."

"I forgot to mention that the TARDIS is a fully sentient and emotional being. She's also telepathic." *The TARDIS blipped, surprised that someone other than Romana was touching her. Romana stroked the console to let her know everything was okay.*

*She nodded.* "As long as you're careful. She doesn't like being messed with too much by someone she doesn't know, but she knows I wouldn't bring someone in if they're not trustworthy."

"Amazing, I know. It's not exactly like the Doctor's TARDIS. Mine is just a bit fancier."

"Something like that." *She opened the door to reveal her TARDIS inside.*

"It's right here." *She gestured toward a blue 1960s-style British police box, a disguise for the TARDIS she had adopted from the Doctor.* "Don't worry, this is only a disguise for it."

"I sensed that it was right. You have a bright future, Richie, but you won't get there the way you're living now. It's part of your timeline and mine."

"Traveling in the TARDIS? Yes. I don't always pick up new Companions, though."

"Alright. Just follow me to the TARDIS." *She started walking.*

"A Companion is a person who travels with an experienced Time Lord."

"I understand. You can be my Companion."

Ah, yes, I remember this.

"Of course. I'd be glad to have you come along. I won't go to Hatchetfield, though I don't understand."

"Just...anywhere, really."

"Yes, I would be lying if I said I wasn't."

"...I see."

"Only two? Are they good friends, at least?"

"I could just tell. You seem lonely."

"You looked like you needed a friend, and I was just trying to earn your trust."

"I told the truth about my two hearts, didn't I?"

"Seriously. It's called a TARDIS. Time Lords use it to travel through time and space."

"Of course I wasn't. I also have a device that allows me to travel through space and time."

"Then place your hand on my back. You'll still feel the alternating pulses, but they will be weaker."

"I do...Place your hand on my chest. You'll feel alternating pulses, one from the left heart and one from the right heart."

...Sort of, I suppose. Time Lords and Time Ladies are members of a species called Gallifreyans. We look exactly like humans, but we have two hearts. That gives us the ability to regenerate when we die.

I'm what they call a Time Lady. It's sort of hard to explain, but Time Lords and Time Ladies regenerate at the ends of their lives. I've regenerated once.

This is my second one.

No, it isn't. There are other ways; you just refuse to find them.

Ah, yes, the "other races must die for our survival" argument...Various human dictators made that argument in their history. They're all dead and their ideologies defeated now.

There I am!

We owe them the right to pursue their own development independent of us. Contrary to what you might think, Rassilon, we are *not* the masters of the universe.

I don't know, but we can't sacrifice the lives of the countless trillions in the universe just for our own sake. Gallifrey is one world in one galaxy in the universe.

Misguided? How? I'm not the one who wants to destroy the entire universe.

More like for your own arrogant pride.

"He did."

"K9 is my robotic dog. Technically he's K9 Mark II, but I've always just called him K9. The Doctor gave him to me."

"Oh, nothing special, really. Mostly tinkering with my TARDIS and playing with K9. I haven't had much to do since I came back from E-Space." *She wrapped one arm around her friend to help keep her warm.*

"Alright. I just thought I'd make the offer." *She took another sip of the coffee and moved a little closer to Valerie. It should keep both of them a little warmer than before.*

*She smiled, glad she had made Valerie laugh, but she noticed her shivering more.* "I can lend you my scarf if you want. It's warm."

"I know. Most of the humans I've met are good people." *She placed her hand on Valerie's shoulder as she took a sip of the coffee.* "I think you're a good person."

"It is, and it's wrong. He didn't need to regenerate; the High Council just wanted to be cruel."

"He doesn't like to talk about it. The only reason why I know is the High Council uses him as an example to warn younger Time Lords." *Fortunately, Romana had never been forced to regenerate, but then again, she hadn't been back to Gallifrey for decades.*

"Most Time Lords use their TARDISes just for observing because the High Council of Gallifrey has a strict non-intervention policy. If I were caught, I would likely be forced to regenerate then exiled like the Doctor was at the end of his second incarnation."

"Yes, they did. He has a reputation for being unconventional and rebellious. Most Time Lords prefer keeping to Gallifrey. The Doctor and I are among the few to travel the universe. As for the other Time Lords...you're not missing much. Most of them are very arrogant and tend to be condescending."

"I knew him by reputation before the other Time Lords sent me to keep an eye on him during my first incarnation. At first, I was a little critical of how different he was, but over time, I learned to respect him deeply."

"Well, if you're sure. You can trust me, though, Valerie. I've known the Doctor for a long time." *She rested one hand on Valerie's reassuringly while holding the coffee in the other.*

*She noticed the panic in Valerie's eyes and felt a twinge of guilt.* "I'm sure I said something wrong. I'm sorry."

"If you're the Doctor's daughter, you certainly are. And please, call me Romana."

"Alright, I just didn't want to leave you cold." *She smiled as she gratefully accepted the cup of coffee and sat next to her.*