"Can't even shout can't even cry, the gentlemen are coming by. Looking in windows, knocking on doors, they need to take seven and they might take yours. Can't call to mum, can't say a word. You're gonna die screaming and you won't be heard."
McKenzie awoke with a start realising she had fallen asleep in the console room. She sat up abruptly, still lost within her dream. She remembered seeing a little girl holding something... But she couldn't remember what. She recognised the girl, but couldn't think how.
"You alright?" The Doctor asked as he walked over to her from the console.
"Huh... what?" She shook her head, "I'm fine." She said as the dream drifted from her grasp.
"You got a little..." he pointed to his chin, "Drool."
McKenzie went bright red and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, he laughed. She stood up from the bench and shook herself awake.
"What were you dreaming about?" he asked, titling his head sympathetically.
"Sorry?" she asked, still a little out of it.
He grinned, "You were making these adorable little squeak–"
McKenzie raised an eyebrow at him.
"You were mumbling something, just wondered if you were alright?" he mumbled.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I can't really remember what I was dreaming about, but I know it was weird..." she paused for a moment, sensing his worry, "Where are we?"
"Not sure, actually we moved while you were asleep, I'm surprised it didn't wake you." he laughed.
"Huh..."
"Oh good, you're awake! Why don't we see what's out there then?" Jack asked as he came charging into the console room.
"Sure." Said McKenzie, getting up a little shakily.
The Doctor watched as she headed to the door and opened it. He went to follow behind, but she stopped.
"This is... Oh my–" McKenzie slammed the door shut, she opened it again, then peaked out and slammed it again "It's... I–" she looked almost scared as she backed up against the door like she was trying to keep something out.
"McKenzie, what's out there?" The Doctor asked, looking concerned as he went to the screen on the console.
McKenzie looked down at her outfit, "I gotta go change." She ran out of the console room.
Jack and The Doctor stared after her, then at each other in confusion.
"What was that about?" asked Jack.
"No idea." The Doctor shrugged, "I should probably go and check on her."
The Doctor glided through the TARDIS on the wheels McKenzie had attached to his shoes, till he reached the wardrobe. He chuckled to himself having forgotten that she had done that. He thought back to the first day they had met, how so much had changed since then, he wondered how long it would be before things changed again.
He found McKenzie frantically rummaging through a huge pile of things, discarding each and every one.
"No... No... No." she dropped the last item on the floor and frustratedly ran her hands through her hair.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I, it's just– Out there..." she looked gravely at him, "That's my parents' house out there." She turned back to her pile of clothes and continued acting panicked, "Oh... and I can't go out there looking like this! I mean, we're here, there must be a reason but... Oh gosh, I–"
The Doctor put his hands on her shoulders and steadied her.
"Shh... Just calm down. Why are you so worried about what you're wearing?"
"Are you joking?" she snapped, glaring at him.
"You seem angry..." he let go of her and stepped back.
She shook her head, "I'm sorry, it's just if I don't look perfect, they won't think that my life is good enough and they'll be disappointed."
"How could they be disappointed in you?"
"Well… my family… they're not what you'd expect. We're quite a big family and uh– nobody really ever… we have our business and we work in it, I'm the only one to have left, like, ever and I caused quite a scene. A lot of people in town don't really like me, they think I gave up on my family… If I don't look successful they'll think I'm a failure and–"
"They won't think you're a failure… I mean look at you, travelling space, catching criminals, helping people, saving the world? Or at least a world, so far."
"Most people leave to travel before getting a big job… not after!"
"Alright..." The Doctor sighed, realising he just needed to give into her, "What do you think looks successful?"
"Grey. Grey is successful…" she grabbed a pair of trousers and blazer.
The Doctor closed his eyes as she got changed. She tied her hair up in a tiny ponytail and clipped back her fringe.
McKenzie turned to see The Doctor stood with his eyes closed and his hands in his pockets, he whistled nonchalantly as he waited for her.
"You uh, you can open your eyes now." She said, smirking.
"Oh, right." He grinned and opened his eyes.
"What do you think?"
He looked at her. She was wearing a light grey suit with a white shirt, it was fairly boring compared to the leather and colourful tops she'd usually wear. It was almost sad, seeing her hide most of her personality away to look good for her parents. But with her hair clipped out of her face, he could see her eyes perfectly, they almost shone even brighter in contrast.
"You look– very successful." he smiled and looked down at her feet, "Are you sure about the boots though?"
"Oh yeah… I mean… trouble follows right? We might need to kick some ass." She did the best high kick she could do in her smart, if not slightly constricting outfit and playfully punched The Doctor in the shoulder.
He laughed, and put his arm around her, leading her out of the wardrobe, "Come on, let's go."
"Everything alright?" Jack asked as they returned to the console room.
"Yeah, I'm good." McKenzie replied.
"So, where are we? What's out there…?" Jack looked incredibly excited, having anticipated the potentially horrible and dangerous thing McKenzie had seen through the doors, "I'm dying to know!"
"Nothing like you've faced before…" she went over to the door and opened it wide for the other to see, "Welcome to my home."
"Wow." Jack and The Doctor said together.
They had landed on a large grassy slope in between vast thick jungle, there was a large lake at the bottom of the slope, with a few small boats at a dock and a large yacht anchored in the middle. At the top of the hill was a huge and very old looking mansion.
"You're kidding right?" asked Jack, having expected something... else.
They left the TARDIS and walked up the hill to the house.
"Okay, so my family is– kind of a big deal around here. Like, we own a lot…" said McKenzie.
"Wait… you said your name is Phoenix Pandora right?" asked The Doctor.
"Yeah…"
"Would that be the Phoenix Industries Phoenixes?"
"Ah... so you have heard of us." McKenzie looked a little embarrassed.
"Yes, your family makes and distributes most of the technology used on the whole planet."
"Yeah, that's home alright." She cringed.
She stood at the back door with Jack and The Doctor behind her.
"Prepare yourselves. This could get intense." She took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
A very small elderly lady answered the door. Her glowing green eyes looked up over half-moon spectacles.
"By the stars… Is that… Pandora?" she asked, squinting her eyes and rearranging her glasses, "Everybody!" she called inside the house, "Pandora's home!" she grabbed McKenzie by the wrist and pulled her into the house.
"Whoa!" she shouted as she grabbed the Doctor's tie.
"Whoa!" he flailed as he was pulled in after her.
The door slammed in Jack's face and unfortunately it was locked.
"Um…" he knocked on the door, "Hello?"