Rose stood up slowly and continued to stare at the bow of the ship that has broken through the TARDIS walls. Her gaze then fell to the life preserver in her hands as the name dances across her mind. How is this possible? She gets up and goes over to where the bow of the ship is still stuck in the TARDIS walls. She clutches the life preserver to her chest and continues to stare. She had a whole bunch of thoughts swimming in her head. The ones that keep pushing themselves to the forefront of her mind, is getting him to talk about what just happened with the Master. It isn't good to keep something like that inside. She just needs to bridge that subject carefully. She just wants to understand, and to make sure he's all right. Even if he says, or insists, that he's okay, Rose knows better. He shuts down and avoids it all, and she doesn't want that for him.

She looks over to the Doctor who is pushing random things on the console and the ship is suddenly pushed out and the TARDIS walls are repaired. Rose stares at the wall and the TARDIS begins to shake, indicating that they're landing, or leaving. Rose isn't sure.

'What just happened?'

'Left the shields down…' The Doctor sighs, walking to stand beside her and takes the life preserver from her. He turns it over in his hands, staring at the name.

'Do you think it could actually be…?' Rose trails off.

'I don't think so. No. Can't be. It's just a coincidence.' The Doctor wipes his hands together.

'Really, I didn't think we had coincidences.'

'Sometimes we do.' The Doctor went to the console and presses a button. He sets the life preserver down on the chair and reaches for his coat.

Rose is already down by the door, waiting for him with a smile on her face. He can't get over, how still the wonder in her eyes at the thought of going somewhere new.

He opens the door and they both frown, it's merely a supply closet and Rose tilts her head.

'Hang on.' The Doctor runs up to the console and flips a switch. Again they shaking resumes and slowly the TARDIS starts to settle.

'Okay, ready?' Rose holds out her hand to him.

'Ready.' He takes her hand and opens the door.

'Much better.' Rose replies and they step out into a wood panelled room. It's classy, with potted palms; poinsettias and Christmas trees lined the room. Bright lights twinkling above them along with traditional Christmas decorations.

Hard to believe it is another Christmas, she feels a longing for her family and how much she wishes she could see them again, even if it's just for a few minutes…

People dressed in early Twentieth Century clothing start to file in and Rose's thoughts are interrupted as she watches them.

Off on a small pavilion, there is a band playing a very sedate version of Jingle Bells. Waiters glide around the room as it begins to fill quickly, offering trays of champagne and hors d'oeuvres. Rose notices that the Doctor has left her standing there as he approaches two golden angels that are dressed in white robes. She joins him and he frowns at them. They move rather mechanically and they both step back at the realisation that they are robots.

'Right…' The Doctor says, drawing his speech out, and he takes Rose to a nearby window with him. They are in orbit around Earth and they stare out the window for a long time.

'It's so beautiful.' Rose breathes and she smiles.

'It is.' He puts his arm around her shoulders.

'Attention all passengers, the Titanic is now in orbit around Sol 3. Also known as Earth. Population: Human,' Their attention is drawn to the PA system, as a voice is heard and the partygoers stop to listen. 'Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Christmas.'

'Another Christmas.' The Doctor looks around at the people dancing on the floor, while others mingle. They don't seem to mind the ship's name, even if he finds it slightly unsettling.

'I think we're gonna stick out a bit.' Rose observes the people, they are dressed formally, period clothing even. Rose suddenly has a thought. She can wear that dress again, now she's excited.

'I have to agree with you.' The Doctor nods and then makes a face.

'There's that face again…' Rose observes and he looks over at her.

'I have to wear the bad luck suit.'

'I told you; the bad luck is all us. Don't blame the suit.' Rose can't help but smiling as he takes her hands and leads her back to the TARDIS.

'Maybe…' He trails off as he unlocks the door. So far, they hadn't aroused suspicion, and they step inside.

Rose remains quiet as he leads her down the hall back to his room. She wonders if crashing into the Titanic was purely an accident. She isn't sure. Is it possible that the curse of that name will follow this ship? Could it be a coincidence? She isn't sure, but she does worry that the name still does carry the curse.

She ponders how to wear her hair as she goes over to the dress that is still draped on the back of the chair. She picks it up and fingers the material in her hands. She hopes that this dress will be okay and not too revealing.

'Oh, you are going to wear that dress?' Rose looks over to the Doctor.

'Yeah, think it'll be okay?' Rose asks and he nods quickly.

'Yeah, well, I was gonna ask, well, if you wouldn't mind wearing it again.'

'Really? Why's that?' She tilts her head and he rubs the back of his head, it makes her smile.

'Well, I mean, I like…well you just looked very beautiful the last time you wore it.'

'Thank you,' Rose grins and he offers a sheepish one. 'Hold that thought, I need to go back to my room.'

She heads down the hall to her room and to her bathroom. She has no idea how to style her hair. She tries to remember how the women have styled their hair but it seems to her that they mostly have it pinned back. Like a simple up do. Rose decides to go for curls, simple, but different. Especially since she's not one to bend to uniformity, she sets to work. Pulling out the curling iron and hairspray, Rose sets to work.

After a little time had passed, Rose steps out into the hallway again, and heads back to the Doctor's room. When she opens the door, he's nowhere in sight. Rose frowns, but goes over to the dress and lays it on the bed. She quickly takes off her jeans, sweater and tank and steps into her dress.

She does it up as much as she can before she makes a bit of a face, struggling to do it up the rest of the way. She sighs and sits on the bed, hiking the dress up and taking off her socks. She is able to find the same shoes she had worn and slips them on before the dress straps start to fall slack. Rose stands up properly and fixes the arms, once she's done that; she tries to do up the zipper once more. Managing to only slide it up a few inches. She crosses her arms.

'Need some help?' Rose turns around and smiles. He looks so fantastic and straightens out the jacket. She notices that he doesn't have the tie tied and she walks towards him.

'Yes, please.' Rose turns around and holds up her hair at the back of her neck. The Doctor smiles as he obliges and does up the dress. As always he can't get over how wonderful she looks. She lets her hair down and the curls the bounce lightly before falling into place.

'There.' The Doctor replies and Rose turns around, she smiles at him and gives him a light kiss.

'Want some help?' Rose questions as she takes the tie ends in either hands.

'Yeah.' He nods and Rose begins to slowly tie the ends up when her mind suddenly wanders to another time. When she had met the future him…She's a bit taken back, unable to believe that her mind had wandered into the place. She swallows a lump as she thinks about him, and their eventual separation.

'Thanks Rose.' He says as she straightens it. But he pulls it away from his neck and she shakes her head. Boy, he'd be in for a surprise in the near future.

'Still cool, no bashing.'

'I'll bash if I want to,' He replied and notices that her gaze has fallen on his choice of footware. 'I know what you're going to say. Nope. Not changing. Comfort. That's what I'm all about.' She simply smiles and nods her head.

'Come on, it looked fun out there.' Rose says and takes his hand, leading him towards the hallway.

Again they opened the TARDIS doors and stepped out into the beautifully furnished room. The Doctor locked the doors behind him and followed Rose into the room. The band has started to play Silent Night and Rose looks around at the partygoers and then back to the Doctor who has started towards a computer screen. She follows him and he pulls out the Sonic Screwdriver and quickly runs it over a TV screen.

A video of a bald man appears on the screen. He has a thin moustache and is sitting behind a rather large and expensive looking desk. His hands are folded and he nods at the camera.

'Max Capricorn Cruise liners, the fastest, the farthest, the best. And I should know, because my name is Max.' He grins and there is a glint reflecting from the gold tooth he has.

The screen reverts to the cruise line logo and Rose frowns. The Doctor turns to look at her and they both shrug.

'Still could have picked a better name,' Rose comments. 'That's what they said about the original Titanic.'

The Doctor and Rose wander around the room and they pass by a steward who smiles and greets them warmly.

'Merry Christmas, sir, miss.'

'Merry Christmas!' Rose replies and the Doctor smiles. The steward continues on his way and Rose and the Doctor head out into the crowd to mingle. They pass a man talking into a rather large mobile, like the ones on Earth in the late eighties, early nineties. He sounds cross as he talks into the phone.

'It's not a holiday for me, not while I've still got my vone. Now, do as I say and sell.' He demands and Rose shakes her head.

The band begins to play a harmonic version of Winter Wonderland and Rose grins, she turns to the Doctor and holds out her hand. He stares at her rather confused, until it seems to dawn on him and he smiles.

Rose leads him into the middle of the dance floor and he places his hand on her hip and they begin to dance. She loves it, and holds him close. She wants to talk to him, and figures that now is a good a time as any. The mood is light and the atmosphere comfortable, warm and inviting. She carefully mulls over how she wants to phrase the question before deciding to just go for it.

'How are you?' Rose inquires and he leans back slightly to stare at her.

'How am I? Good…' He draws his answer out, raising an eyebrow in the process, confused as to why she'd asked that question.

'Are you sure?'

'Why wouldn't I be?'

'I just mean…you know…' Rose trails off.

'Oh…oh that. I'm fine. Well, as good as I can be.' He dips Rose down and pulls her up again.

'I'm sorry, about everything. I know I can't begin to imagine, what you're feeling. But I'm sorry, I'm so very sorry. And I'm here for you…always.' Rose leans in closer. However, he's quiet for a few minutes, not saying anything as he continues to stare off.

'We just had a very tumultuous relationship over the course of our long lives. We did so many things, fought…we fought a lot, but it's just…I was willing to forgive him, for all the ills he had tried to do…because it was just the two of us left. And I thought, maybe naïvely at that, that we'd be able to set aside our differences and…' He continues to stare off, he feels Rose's soft breath on his neck and he resumes talking. 'I guess I assumed that he'd be willing to give up the desire to conquer…since it was just the two of us. But he's right…I guess. I didn't know him well enough. I thought I did. I thought what he desired was to live, to conquer, for us to battle on and on. I mean he tried to restore himself to full life at one point, which could have caused the destruction of Gallifrey, he tried to steal the remainder of my regenerations another time…and then for him to simply refuse to regenerate…'

Rose is quiet as he trails off, trying to form the remainder of his sentence. She wants to say something, but she also doesn't want to break the moment he's having.

'In the end, he knew that by refusing to regenerate, he knew that it would devastate me…emotionally. Which is has, so it's another victory for him. He didn't want to be my prisoner, in his eyes, so that was the best he could do.'

'I'm…I'm sorry.' Rose replies quietly, amazed at his long history.

'All in the past now, there isn't much I can do to change that.' He leans away from Rose, surprised to see her eyes glassy.

'Sometimes I forget just how old you are, and what you've seen and done. Those who you've helped. It just slips my mind sometimes.'

'Stop it, you're making me feel old.' He spins her and she smiles.

"Sorry…'

'What about you?'

'What about me?' Rose leans in again, wrapping her arms around his neck.

'How were you able to cope? With that year?'

'It was hard…I won't try and downplay it. It was so hard.'

'You and Martha, defenders of humanity.' The Doctor muses.

'I worried about you, every day, every night. And then, when I'd stop thinking about you, I thought about Jack. And then Martha, and her family…'

'I know you did…you looked so…worn down. When I first saw you again.'

'Martha said she figured she developed anxiety, over the course of the year.' Rose recalls.

'It couldn't have been easy for her. Or for you.'

'But I did it.' Rose states proudly.

'You did. Brilliantly I might add.'

'Thank you,' Rose smiles softly. 'It's hard to forget though…'

'Yeah, it will be. It was an entire year.' The Doctor replies, he lingers in Rose's embrace as the music fades.

Rose pulls away as she feels a tap on her shoulder. She spins around to see the man from earlier, the one talking on old looking mobile, smiling. She hears the band begin to play a quick paced version of Jingle Bell Rock.

'May I have this dance?' He asks and Rose blinks, unsure of what she should do. She feels the Doctor give her a little nudge so she snaps out of her daze and offers a half-hearted smile.

'Sure, that sounds nice.' Rose replies and takes his outstretched hand. She turns around and the Doctor smiles.

The Doctor's gaze is suddenly drawn to the angels again and he decides to get some information. He quickly turns back to Rose who is seemingly enjoying the dance. He approaches the angel and frowns.

'Evening. Passenger fifty-seven. Terrible memory. Remind me, uh you would be…'

'Information: Heavenly Host, supplying tourist information.' Came the response.

'Good, so um…tell me, cause I'm an idiot, where are we from?' The Doctor rubs the back of his head.

'Information: the Titanic is en route from the planet Sto in the Cassavalian Belt. The purpose of the cruise is to experience primitive cultures.'

'Titanic. Um, who…thought of the name?'

'Information: it was chosen as the most famous vessel of the planet Earth.'

'Did they tell you why it was famous?' The Doctor inquired.

'Information: all designations are chosen by Mr. Max Capricorn, president of Max, Max, Max…' The Host continues to repeat the name, its pitch getting higher and higher.

'Oh, bit of glitch.' The Doctor reaches into his pocket and starts to procure the screwdriver. The Doctor's attention is drawn to a man who hurries quickly over to the Host.

'Sir, we can handle this,' The man says in rushed tone, and he waves over others for assistance. Two additional stewards arrive and switch off the Host, lift it and carry it off. 'Software problem, that's all. Leave it with us, sir. Merry Christmas.' He smiles as he begins to follow the two men, lamenting in the fact that that is another Host that has broken down.

Rose joins him just as the stewards leave, carrying the Host with them. Rose frowns as the haste in which they are retreating.

'How was the dance?' The Doctor inquires as he turns to her.

'He's an ass.' Rose responds and crosses her arms. The Doctor blinks, a bit taken back at her curtness, then, as if on cue, their attention is drawn to a blonde waitress, who has dropped her tray of drinks after the man Rose was dancing with, bumps into her. Shattering the glasses she was carrying, and she looks devastated.

'For Tov's sake, look where you're going! This jacket's a genuine Earth antique!' He shouts. The waitress tucks a piece of her blonde curls behind her ear.

'I'm sorry, sir.' She replies and looks at the ground.

'You'll be sorry when it comes off your wages, sweetheart. Staffed by idiots. No wonder Max Capricorn is going down the drain.' The man scoffs and storms off in a visible huff. Once he's out of sight, the waitress drops to her knees and begins to carefully pile the shattered glass onto her tray.

'See, told you.' Rose says and quickens her pace to help the waitress. She feels immediate empathy for her. She remembers her time at Farringham and she bends down to help her pick up the broken glass. It isn't an easy position to be in. The Doctor follows and helps the two pick up the shards. The waitress looks over at the two of them, surprised that first class people would be willing to help her. But then again, they didn't really look like conventional first class passengers. She didn't get the air of entitlement that exudes off of the other passengers.

'Careful.' Rose smiles as she places the glass shards on her tray.

'There we go.' The Doctor puts the stems of the glasses on her tray as well.

'Thank you, miss, sir. But I can manage.' She replies, her voice a bit shaky. No doubt from the verbal abuse of the man.

'We never said you couldn't.' The Doctor says.

'I've been in your shoes before, I know it isn't easy. It's nice when help is offered.' Rose responds.

'It is nice. But forgive me for saying; you hardly look like the type who's been a waitress before. You're dressed too nicely.' The waitress observes.

'Oh, this old thing? Tossed it on…' Rose looks down at her dress.

'I'm the Doctor, and this is Rose.' He says, hoping to steer the conversation in another direction.

'Astrid, sir. Astrid Peth.' She smiles and carefully picks the tray off the ground as she stands. Rose picks up a few remaining pieces and gingerly places them on the tray.

'Well it's nice to meet you Astrid.' The Doctor smiles.

'Merry Christmas!' Rose replies and Astrid's look changes to one of genuine shock.

'Merry Christmas, miss, sir.'

'No, no it's Rose and the Doctor.' Rose motions to herself and then to the Doctor.

'Are you both enjoying the cruise?' Astrid inquires as balances the tray on her hip.

'Uh…yeah, I suppose. I don't know…' The Doctor frowns, off in thought.

'Interesting…' Rose ponders.

'It's fun with two, isn't it?' Astrid asks and the look at each other.

'Well, it's better than being without anyone,' The Doctor agrees. 'What about you? Long way from home, Planet Sto.'

'Doesn't feel any different. I spent three years working at the spaceport diner, travelled all the way here…and I'm still waiting on tables.' Astrid shrugs her shoulders and heads off towards the exit. Rose and the Doctor exchange looks before following her.

'No shore leave?' The Doctor inquires and Rose is confused by the term.

Astrid doesn't respond right away, but instead begins to clear a table by the windows. 'We're not allowed. They can't afford the insurance. I just wanted to try it, just once. I used to watch the ships heading off to the stars and I always dreamt of it. It sounds daft.'

'That's not daft, Astrid. You're dreaming of something new and exciting, something different.' Rose smiles.

'That's right. A new sun, new air, new life. A whole universe teeming with life. Why stand still when there's all that life out there?' The Doctor adds.

'So…you both travel a lot?'

'All the time.' Rose confirms.

'Just for fun. Well, that's the plan. Never quite works.' The Doctor nods.

'Must be rich, though.' Astrid inquires.

'Oh yeah, that'll be the day.' Rose snorts.

'Haven't got a penny,' The Doctor shrugs and leans in closer to her. 'Stowaways.' He whispers.

'Kidding.' Astrid says.

'Seriously.' The Doctor replies and Rose closes her eyes as she nods.

'No!' Astrid exclaims as her eyes dart between Rose and the Doctor. How do stowaways even get onboard anymore? Didn't they have checks in place?

'Oh yeah.' The Doctor smiles at her genuine shock and merely shrugs his shoulders.

'How did you get onboard?'

'Accident, I think.' Rose comments.

'Yeah. We've got this, sort of ship thing. I was just rebuilding her. And I left the defences down, bumped into the Titanic. Here we are. Bit of a party…'

'So we thought, 'why not.' Well, maybe not him, but I sure thought of it.' Rose replies, finishing his sentence.

'I should report both of you.' Astrid says slyly, as she shifts the tray to her other hip.

'Go on then.' The Doctor dares, but Astrid doesn't move.

'I'll get you both a drink,' She leans in closer and smiles. 'On the house of course.' She winks and heads towards the exit again. Their eyes follow her as she passes by a group of first class passengers who are laughing and pointing at another table. Rose follows their jeers and points and her gaze settles on a couple that are dressed in rather flashy attire. Bright purple in the style of country western, they are eating, trying their best to ignore their fellow passengers.

Rose nudges the Doctor who turns and follows her as she heads towards their table, Rose is slightly annoyed at the antagonistic attitudes from the other passengers. Rose and the Doctor both pull out chairs and sit at the couple's table, they look surprised and the Doctor looks over his shoulder. Turning around and shaking his head, Rose throws the jeering crowd a dirty look. But it does nothing to quell their amusement.

'Something's tickled them.' The Doctor observes.

'They told us it was fancy dress. Very funny, I'm sure.' The woman sighs and closes her eyes.

'They're just picking on us because we haven't paid. We won our tickets in a competition.' The man adds quickly.

'I had to name the five husbands of Joofie Crystalle in 'By the Light of the Asteroid.' Did you ever watch?' The woman asks and the Doctor frowns as he's trying to place the information.

'Is that the one with the twins?' He inquires.

'Twins? Like a soap opera?' Rose inquires and the woman frowns, unsure of those words but the Doctor nods.

'That's it. Oh it's marvellous.' The woman grins.

'Probably not good enough for that lot,' The man motions to the snickering crowd. 'They think we should be in steerage.'

'We'll see about that.' Rose concludes and suddenly gets an idea. She leans across the Doctor and reaches into his pocket, fishing around for the Sonic Screwdriver. The Doctor tilts his head and what Rose is doing until she draws back, placing a light kiss on his neck. When she straightens out, she light taps her thigh, looking away with a smirk. He looks down and grins. Understanding what she wants him to do and he takes the screwdriver.

The Doctor drops his hand and holds the Sonic Screwdriver, aiming at the crowd behind him. He steals a look at Rose who is grinning. The couple suddenly stare at their tormentors as the champagne on the table abruptly pops its cork. It sprays champagne all over the people sitting at the table. The couple stare, dumbfounded, at what just happened, finally the woman closes her mouth and shakes her head in disbelief.

'Did…did you do that?' Her voice is quiet.

'Maybe.' The Doctor shrugs, putting the screwdriver away; Rose stifles a laugh and smiles fondly at the couple.

'We like you both.' The woman says.

'We do,' The man offers his hand to Rose who shakes it before moving on to the Doctor. 'I'm Morvin van Hoff. This is my good woman, Foon.'

The Doctor shakes Foon's hand. 'Foon, hello, I'm the Doctor. And this is Rose Tyler.' Rose smiles and waves.

'Oh, I'm gonna need a doctor by the time I'm finished with this buffet. Have a buffalo wing,' Foon motions to the basket. 'They must be enormous, these buffalo, so many wings.'

The Doctor helps himself, but Rose frowns. 'Actually…buffalo wings are really just…' Everyone stops eating and looks over to her. 'Oh, never mind.' She grins, enjoying the image that came to her mind when Foon had mentioned a buffalo with many wings.

'Attention please. Shore leave tickets Red 6-7 now activated. Red 6-7.' The PA announces and Foon's eyes light up as she pulls out tickets.

'Red 6-7, that's us,' She stands up. 'Are you Red 6-7?' Foon asks and Rose turns to the Doctor.

'Are we Red 6-7?' Rose inquires and grins.

'Might as well be.' He replies and stands, helping Rose up.

'Come on,' Morvin says to Foon as he puts his arm around her. 'We're going to Earth.' They walk ahead of Rose and the Doctor and she can't help but smile.

'Home sweet home.'

'Interesting enough, they're observing primitive culture,' The Doctor holds Rose's hand as they follow Foon and Morvin. 'That's the information I got from the Hosts.'

'Primitive huh? How flattering.' Rose responds.

'Oh, it can't be that bad. Let's go Rose Tyler!' The Doctor says and they quicken their pace.

'Look, I smartened up this time.' Rose motions to her wrist and the Doctor sees a black band there.

'You're preparing for everything. What if nothing happens?'

'Something always happens to us.' Rose counters and he nods.

'Point taken.' He agrees and they catch up to Foon and Morvin. Both of whom have eyes as big as saucers and they excitedly talk about what they expect to find.

In the bridge of the Titanic, midshipman Frame is examining all the panels carefully, ensuring that the readings he's receiving are accurate and he nods, moving on to the next set. He frowns at one set of readings and he turns to the captain to report his findings.

'Seems to be power diverted to deck thirty-one, sir. It flared up, then it stopped.'

'Nothing to worry about. She's an old ship, full of aches and pains.' The captain brushes off Frame's concerns.

'Picking up a meteoroid shower, portside. Bearing West 56, North 2.' Frame calls over.

'Pretty standard in this part of space. Miles away.' Again the captain dismisses Frame's observations.

'We could probably see it, sir.' Frame picks up a set of binoculars located to his left and looks out them. He watches the meteors, with burning tails, travel before his eyes. He hopes that they will continue to avoid them.

Rose and the Doctor follow the van Hoffs rush over to a man in a tweed suit holding up a red sign that reads 6-7.

'Red 6-7. Red 6-7. This way, fast as you can.' The man instructs and the van Hoffs rush over.

Rose notices Astrid quickly walking towards them and she goes over to meet her. The Doctor turns around and sees who Rose is walking towards, and follows her. He sees Astrid is carrying two drinks in her hand.

'Look, I brought you drinks!' Astrid grins and Rose smiles, touched that she remembered.

'We have something for you too.' Rose says and Astrid's face knits into a look of surprise and then confusion.

'We do?' The Doctor asked and Rose nods. She points to the gentleman in the tweed suit. 'Oh, that's right. We do.' He agrees.

Rose sets the drinks down on a nearby table and smiles.

'Red 6-7 departing shortly.' The man calls out to the small crowd of people.

The Doctor approaches the man who's giving orders and reaches in to the pocket on the inside of his jacket and pulls out the Psychic Paper.

'Red 6-7, plus two.'

'Uh,' The man looks over the Doctor's shoulder to Rose who's smiling and another blonde woman, who doesn't look up. 'Yes, very well. Quickly, sir, and please take three teleport bracelets if you would.'

The Doctor nods and takes three bracelets, walking towards Rose who puts out her hand. They both strap them to their wrists, but Astrid doesn't move.

'Astrid? Everything okay?' Rose inquires and tries to hand her a bracelet.

'I'll get the sack.' She whispers sadly.

'That won't happen. Promise. It's once in a lifetime, Astrid. You'll love it.' Rose takes her wrist and attaches the bracelet. And Astrid looks up; desperately she wants to go, to see everything. A different world is presenting itself to her; it's so tempting to go.

'Brand new sky.' The Doctor chimes in. Astrid looks up and offers a small smile.

'To repeat, I am Mr. Copper, the ship's historian, and I shall be taking to old London town in the country of U.K ruled over by good King Wenceslas,' Those who are joining the excursion have now gathered around him. 'Now, human beings worshipped the great god Santa, a creature with fearsome claws, and his wife Mary,' Rose and the Doctor exchange confused looks and she tilts her head as Mr. Copper continues. 'And every Christmas Eve the people of U.K go to war with the country of Turkey,' Rose widens her eyes in disbelief and the Doctor frowns, rubbing the back of his head. 'They then eat the Turkey people for Christmas dinner…like savages.' Rose's mouth is open due to the complete shock, and by the preposterous drivel that the 'historian' tells the people, who are listening intently.

'Excuse me, sorry, sorry, but, um…where did you get all this from?' The Doctor inquires and frowns.

'Well, I have a first class degree in Earthonomics. Now stand by…' Mr. Copper states.

'And they call us primitive.' Rose rolls her eyes, and the Doctor shifts awkwardly.

'And me! And me! Red 6-7!' Rose searches for the owner of the voice and is surprised to see a small red skinned man with short spikes protruding from his head. Rose looks at the Doctor who shrugs, already knowing what she is thinking. It's Christmas Eve on Earth…and he might stick out, just a bit.

'Well then, take a bracelet. Sir?' Mr. Copper goes over to the Doctor who beckons him forward.

'Uh, but, um, hold on, hold on. What was your name?' The Doctor asks the red skinned man.

'Bannakaffalatta.' He states proudly.

'Okay, Bannakaffalatta. But it's Christmas Eve down there. Late night shopping, tons of people. He's like a walking conker. No offence, but you'll cause a riot down there.' The Doctor says and they all turn to look at him.

'What he means to say is there are going to be a lot of people, humans, who have never seen an alien before. Humans tonight are going to be shopping and going to parties, so the streets will be full of people…' Rose tries to explain their concerns when Mr. Copper presses a button and the group is teleported down to Earth. They arrive on a deserted street.

Rose frowns and does a little circle, surprised to find nothing. All you can hear is the wind blowing softly and a light snowfall. Astrid stares stunned, not wanting to believe she is on another planet. She's amazed, if a little saddened there are no people she can talk to.

'Huh, this is a first.' Rose says, stunned as she continues to walk around.

'Well, it's certainly new to me.' The Doctor agrees, and they continue to walk, a small ways away. Rose goes over to a shop window, peering inside, she sees nothing. It's empty.

'Now, spending money. I have a credit card in Earth currency if you want to buy trinkets, or uh, stockings, or the local delicacy, which is know as 'beef' but don't stray too far, it could be dangerous. Any day now they start boxing.' Mr. Copper's inaccuracies draw a laugh from Rose.

Astrid catches up with Rose and the Doctor, her eyes are as big as saucers as she twirls around.

'It should be full. It should be busy. Something's wrong.' The Doctor looks over at Rose who is rubbing her arms.

'Exactly. Why, on Christmas Eve, are the streets deserted? Where's everyone gone to?' Rose ponders and shivers.

'Here.' The Doctor takes off his jacket and drapes it around Rose's shoulders. She smiles and pulls it tighter.

'Oh it's so beautiful!' Astrid's voice breaks the silence and they look over to her.

'Really?' The Doctor asks, not wanting to believe that a simple deserted street amazes her. 'Do you think so? It's just a street. The pyramids are beautiful, and New Zealand…'

'But it's a different planet. I'm standing on a different planet!'

'Remind you of someone?' Rose asks and grins.

'I was impressed at how well you handled things. Except the aliens…' The Doctor goes off in thought.

'Hey, the aliens were so…alien. I mean come on. I don't know what I was expecting, but it was, I don't know now,' Rose smiles at the thought. 'They're all so normal to me now.'

'I mean look! Concrete!' Astrid jumps up and down on the concrete road. 'And shops! Alien shops, real alien shops! Look, no stars in the sky. And it smells. It stinks!' Astrid suddenly gasps and hugs Rose so tightly and then goes to the Doctor, embracing him tightly as well. 'This is so amazing! Thank you!'

'You're welcome Astrid. I'm glad you like it.' Rose replies.

'Come on then, let's have a look.' The Doctor takes Rose's hand and Astrid falls quickly into their pace.

They spot a newsagent's stand with lights, hoping that there will be someone there, they cross the street. Rose wants to know where everyone's gone and as they grow closer, they see an older man, bundled against the cold. He has a kind face, and smiles widely when he sees the little group approaching.

'Hello there! Sorry, uh, obvious question, but where's everyone gone?' The Doctor asks.

'Oh-ho, scared!' The man says, and then frowns as to why he's been asked that question.

'Right, yes. Scared of what?' The Doctor leans on the stand.

'Where have you been living?' The man questions and the Doctor merely shrugs. 'London at Christmas. Not safe, is it?'

'Why's that?' Rose asks and the man's gaze turns over to her.

'Well, it's them, up above,' The man points to the sky, and everyone follows his gaze. 'Look, Christmas before last, we have that big bloody spaceship, everyone standing on a roof,' Rose looks at the Doctor who crosses his arms. The memory hits him and he turns to Rose. She just offers a smile and a little wave. The man then gestures to his TV and they all peer in. 'And then last year, that Christmas Star electrocuting all over the place, draining the Thames.' The man shakes his head and Rose feels a smile upon her face. It grows wider when she sees the Doctor stand up straight and shift awkwardly.

'Good job.' Rose whispers to him.

'It was completely an accident. Well, mostly an accident, sort of. Hey, it worked.' He whispers back.

'This place is so amazing.' Astrid says and she stares up at the sky in awe.

'And this year, Lord knows what. So everybody's scarpered, gone to the country. All except me…and Her Majesty.' The man says proudly and watches the TV. The Doctor and Rose lean in as a reporter begins to speak. The TV is old, the picture grainy and in black and white.

'Her Majesty the Queen has confirmed that she will be staying in Buckingham Palace throughout the festive season to show the people of London, and the world, that there's nothing to fear.'

'God bless her!' The man salutes. 'We stand vigil.'

'Well, between you and me, I think her Majesty's got it right. Far as I know, this year, nothing to worry about.'

'Far as we know,' Rose nudges the Doctor, her grin is playful. 'There's still lots of time.'

Abruptly, Rose, the Doctor and Astrid are teleported back to the ship, leaving the man standing there, in the cold, with his mouth open. He blinks and then sits down in the chair again, frowning slightly.

'Then again…' He says to the openness of the street, and turns his attention back to the small TV, wondering who exactly those people are.

The group materialises and the Doctor turns over to Mr. Copper who is staring back at him. As if he knows what the Doctor will say.

'I was in mid sentence.' The Doctor says, annoyance evident in his voice.

'Yes, I'm sorry about that. A bit of a problem. If I could have your bracelets…' Mr. Copper goes around to each of the group members and collects them. A chief steward approaches the group.

'Apologies, ladies and gentlemen, Bannakaffalatta, we seem to have suffered a slight power fluctuation. If you'd like to return to the festivities. And on behalf of Max Capricorn Cruise liners, free drinks will be provided.' The Steward smiles apologetically.

The group disperses, but Rose and the Doctor remain. Astrid catches them off guard as she tightly embraces them.

'That was the best! The best! Thank you!' Astrid departs for her duties.

Rose and the Doctor approach the Chief Steward and he looks at them, figuring they had more questions.

'What sort of power fluctuation?' The Doctor inquires and the steward gives them a rather odd look.

Frame has been unable to tear his eyes away from the meteors as they continue to pass by them. He does a double take as the meteoroids suddenly change course. He's never seen anything like that before.

'That's a bit odd sir, the meteoroids are changing course. Still, we can put the shields up to maximum, just in case.'

'As you were, Midshipman.' The captain responds and Frame frowns as the captain begins to push buttons on a control panel.

'Sir? You're magnetizing the hull, sir. It's drawing the meteors in.' Frame frowns at the captain's course of action.

'Port turning Earthside.' The computer states.

'I take it that's deliberate.' Frame responds.

'Port turning Earthside.'

'Bit of a light show for the guests.' Frame surmises and silently approves the captain's showmanship, but still worries what will happen if they get too close.

'Something like that.' The captain responds and Frame gives him an odd look.

Rose and the Doctor stand off to one side of the wood panelled room surveying their surroundings. She takes his jacket off and hands it back to him, giving a small kiss in return. He puts on and does it up as he watches what she is.

The van Hoffs are eating at their table, the Chief Steward who informed them of the power fluctuation is warily eyeing the Hosts, the man that danced with Rose earlier lets out shout of glee as he appears to be winning at roulette, Bannakaffalatta, is dancing and Astrid waves to them as she continues to serve drinks. Rose waves back and watches the band begin to strike up another tune, and singers join them. Rose feels the Doctor nudge her and she turns her gaze to him.

They head towards a framed screen showing a video loop of Max Capricorn.

'And I should know because my name is Max…'

The Doctor steals a quick glance over his shoulder and puts on his glasses and takes out the screwdriver, which he proceeds to run over the frame.

'The fastest, the furthest, the best, my name is Max.'

Rose watches as he tries to open the frame and covertly positions herself so she is blocking people's view of what he's doing. The Doctor gets it open and changes some settings until the screen changes and shows the Titanic and her immediate surroundings.

'The shields are offline.' He comments and Rose is drawn to the window, as something bright flashes, and she widens her eyes.

'Then we'd better let the bridge know. Look.' The Doctor joins her and together they stare out the window at the approaching meteors.

'Hang on.' He goes back to the screen and starts to fiddle.

A communications whistle is heard in the bridge and the captain reaches to pick it up, wondering whom it could possibly be.

'Is this the bridge? I need to talk to the captain. You've got a meteoroid storm coming in West 0 and by North 2.'

'Who is this?' The captain has never heard the man's voice before.

'Never mind that. Your shields are down. Check your scanners, Captain. You've got meteoroid storm coming in and no shielding!'

'You have no authorization. You will clear the comms at once!' The captain demands and hears the voice give off a sound of frustration.

'Yeah, just look starboard!'

Rose widens her eyes as she sees two stewards quickly heading in their direction. They point at her and she turns to the Doctor.

'We've got company.' Rose says and he looks up. The stewards stand in front of Rose and motion her to start walking. She does and the Doctor remains still.

'Come with me, sir.' The steward says and he sighs, reluctantly following them.

'We need to get those shields online again.' Rose leans back behind the stewards and the Doctor nods.

'I know.'

'But he's right, sir. The shields have been taken offline.' Frame moves towards a control panel and just as he reaches his hand out to touch the button that will bring the shields online, the captain's voice breaks through.

'Step away from there.'

'But we have to reenergize them.' Frame frowns as to why the captain won't do what he knows to be right.

'I said step away, Midshipman.' Frame looks over and sees that the captain is now pointing a gun at him.

Rose sighs as they are led through the reception area, while the Doctor continues to argue with them. But the stewards make no effort to listen to him.

'You've got a rock storm heading for this ship and the shields are down!' He dumbs it down for them, but they still pay him no mind. It frustrates Rose, how are they going to get those shields up, when no one will listen to them? Rose spots a way and thinks it's risky, but they have to try it anyway.

'Doctor…' He turns to her and she points to the pavilion where the band is playing. 'Just a thought.'

'Still so brilliant!' He replies.

'They promised me old men.' The captain sighs and shakes his head, waving the gun slightly. Frame is confused by this statement.

'I'm sorry, sir?' Frame asks for clarification, but the captain merely closes his eyes and shakes his head. So young, so full of life. Why did this innocent life have to be snuffed out now?

'On the crew. Sea dogs, men who'd have their time. Not boys.'

'I'm sorry, sir. It's my duty!' Frame reaches for the panel and the captain fires. Frame is struck and drops heavily to the ground, unmoving. The captain gives his body a kick to ensure he doesn't move. He doesn't fire another shot.

The captain returns to the wheel, not knowing that Frame is still alive and breathing, but he is bleeding from a wound in his side. The captain glances quickly at the sonar, revealing that the meteors are inching ever closer to the ship.

'Wish me luck!' The Doctor says and he manages to break free from the stewards and runs to the pavilion where the band is. Rose tries to go after him, but she's restrained by one of the stewards.

She watches as he manages to get a microphone away from one of the singers and the singer just gawks at him

'Everyone, listen to me! This is an emergency. Get to the lifeb…' A Host appears from nowhere and covers the Doctor's mouth, pulling him away in the process. The entire room is frozen, staring as he's pulled away.

Rose steps on the steward's foot as hard as she can, ensuring most of the heel is in his foot as she wriggles her arm free and runs into the room.

'Look out the windows, everyone! Please!' Rose calls and their attention is now on her. Everyone slowly does as Rose instructs. Astrid, the man Rose danced with and the van Hoffs slowly go to the windows. Bannakaffalatta excuses himself from a conversation and joins Rose, who has now met up with the Doctor.

'They are friends.' He states. But the steward continues to drag the Doctor out. The one, who Rose had stepped on, has joined them as well. He grips her arm tightly and marches her out.

'If you don't believe me, check the shields yourself!' The Doctor shouts back to them.

'Sir, I can vouch for them!' Astrid steps in the way of one of the stewards.

'Look, steward, they've probably had just a bit too much to drink.' Morvin has now joined them.

Mr. Copper abruptly appears and stops the stewards from moving forward. 'Sir, something seems to have gone wrong. All the teleports are down.'

'Not now!' The steward exclaims.

They hear the audible sound of a window breaking and Rose looks over her shoulder. She sees no more as the Chief Steward arrives and forcibly removes the Doctor and Rose from the room, Astrid, the van Hoffs, Mr. Copper, and Bannakaffalatta have followed them. Each protesting their treatment of Rose and the Doctor.

A small rock has landed at the feet of the rude man and he picks it up, turning it over in his hands. It has still retained a bit of heat.

'Oxygen membrane holding. Oxygen membrane holding.' The computer's voice fills the room.

The man turns to one of the Hosts. 'You there, has anyone checked the external shielding?'

'Information: you are all going to die.' The Host replies and the man gapes at the Host. He quickly rushes off. He spots a steward and rushes up to him.

'Where's the Chief Steward?'

'That way, sir.' The steward points to a corridor leading to the maintenance halls.

Rose and the Doctor are being led through a series of maintenance corridors. Rose is trying to break free of the Chief Steward's grasp, but he's quite strong. Every time she tries, he merely grips her tighter.

'The shields are down. We are going to get hit.' The Doctor tries to reason with the Chief Steward, before he can reply the entire entourage has begun to speak, all at once.

'You're going to kill us.' Frame has managed to put himself into a sitting position, leaning back against the wall. He puts pressure on the gunshot wound and pants, he's hot and it hurts to move anymore.

'I'm dying already. Six months. And they offered me so much money…for my family.' The captain replies.

The man has caught up to the little group, standing in the halls as the Chief Steward tries his best to reassure the group.

'Oi! Steward! I'm telling you the shields are down!' He says.

'Listen to him! Listen to him!' The Doctor shouts.

'Everyone calm down, there isn't anything wrong with the shields!' The Chief Steward tries to reassure everyone. But the group begins to talk in haste and over one another.

The meteorites strike the side of the ship and everyone through the ship is thrown to the floor. The Doctor reaches for Rose to protect her as they are thrown to the floor. Once he believes the impact as stopped, he stands slowly and shushes the crowd of people who are on the floor. He frowns as he listens, the ship merely creaks and groans, but there are no more impacts.

'Are you all right?' He helps Rose up and she nods.

'Yeah, I think so.' Rose rubs her head and looks at the little group of people. Mr. Copper moves off of Astrid and helps her to her feet.

'Bad name for a ship. Either that or this suit is really unlucky.' The Doctor brushes a stray curl out of Rose's face.

'Oh, it's just us. Not that suit. And this time, it's probably the name.' Rose shrugs. Her attention is drawn to a steward who is laying on the ground unmoving. She bends down and looks over at the Doctor, shaking her head. She sighs and stops as she starts to stand, Max Capricorn's voice is reverberating throughout the maintenance room.

'My name is Max. My name is Max. My name is Max.'

'Everyone…ladies and gentlemen, Bannakaffalatta, I must apologise on behalf of Max Capricorn Cruise liners. We seem to have had a small collision.' The Chief Steward says and Rose makes a disapproving huff.

Rose watches as the Doctor finds a comms panel, which is the source of Capricorn's voice.

'Small?' Morvin scoffs.

'You know how much I paid for my ticket!' The man says.

'If I could have silence, ladies and gentlemen…' The Chief Steward is ignored as they all begin to argue, sometimes with each other, sometimes with the Chief Steward. 'Quiet!' He shouts and everyone is silent. 'Thank you. I'm, I'm sure Max Capricorn Cruise Liners will be able to reimburse you for any inconvenience. But first I would point out that we are very much alive.'

'Are you all right, Mr. Copper?' Astrid asks and it draws Rose's attention to them. He has a cut on his head and as the Doctor moves towards the group, Rose goes to greet him, her hand outstretched. Knowing what she's after, the Doctor reaches in the inside pocket of his jacket and pulls out a piece of cloth. Rose takes it, and flashes him a smile before she goes to Astrid and hands her the cloth.

'Thank you, Rose.' Astrid smiles and begins to dab the cut on Mr. Copper's head.

'She is, after all, a fine sturdy ship. If you could all stay here while I ascertain the exact nature of the, of the situation.' The Chief Steward goes to move toward the hatch.

'No! Don't open it!' The Doctor shouts, but he says it too late.

The Chief Steward is sucked out into space by the powerful vacuum force. Everyone grabs hold of any piping that is around them and the squeeze their eyes shut.

'Rose, hang on!' The Doctor calls out to her and she looks over at him nodding. She's starting to slip but he hastily moves towards the comms and pulls out the Sonic Screwdriver, running it frantically over the computer, trying to replace the shield.

'Oxygen shield stabilized.'

Everyone falls to the floor, the Doctor rushes over to Rose and helps her up, she's shaking a bit and he hugs her tightly.

'Everyone all right? Astrid, how are you?'

'Yeah, uh, okay. I think.' She's panting slightly.

'Foon? Morvin? Mr. Copper? Bannakaffalatta?' The Doctor looks at all of them.

'Yes.' Bannakaffalatta says.

'You,' The Doctor points to the man Rose had danced with. 'What's your name?'

'Ah, Rickston Slade.'

'Oh, so now you want to reveal your name. Can't do it when I ask you, huh?' Rose looks over to Rickston and he shrugs.

'It was just a dance, no need for formalities, I've already forgotten your name. I just wanted a dance with a beautiful girl. You fit the bill perfectly.'

'Moving on!' The Doctor looks at Rose, her cheeks tinged red. 'Are you all right?'

'No thanks to that idiot.'

'Show some respect!' Rose shouts, taking a step towards him. Astrid beats her there.

'The steward just died.' Astrid puts her hands on her hips.

'Then he's a dead idiot.' Rickston spat.

Astrid gasps and Rose begins to march towards him, but the Doctor who shakes his head, grabs her wrist.

'All right, calm down. Just stay still, all of you. Hold on.' The Doctor heads towards the hatch opening. Rose takes a deep breath and clears her mind, she starts after the Doctor.

'I don't think those shields were put down by accident.' Rose states and the Doctor nods. Astrid joins them and she crosses her arms.

'What's going on? Who put the shields down?'

'The shields weren't lowered by accident.' The Doctor replies. The three look out into the vastness of space and see the wreckage and debris floating around. Obscuring the view of the Earth, slowly bodies of the dead come into view. Rose can only stand to watch for mere seconds before she turns herself into the Doctor's embrace and he rests his cheek on her head. Astrid covers her mouth in horror and after a while, she closes her eyes. Unable to stand to watch any longer.

'How many dead?' Astrid inquires.

'We're alive, just focus on that, I'll get you out of here, Astrid. I promise,' He states, but Astrid hasn't taken her eyes off the Earth. 'Look at me. I promise.' She offers a slow nod. 'Good. Now…'

'If we can get to the reception area, the TARDIS is there…we can get everyone off.' Rose remembers and he nods.

'Right, we just need to get there,' The Doctor starts to look around. 'My spaceship is there, we can all get on board…oh.' Rose follows his gaze outside and she stares, wide eyed as the TARDIS slowly floats in space.

'What's wrong?' Astrid asks.

'That's my spaceship…over there.' The Doctor sighs and Rose shakes her head.

'Maybe you're right, maybe it is the suit…' Rose replies.

'Where?' Astrid gets closer to the window and squints.

'There, that blue box.' The Doctor points off in the distance.

'That's a spaceship?' Astrid inquires.

'Oi! Don't knock it!' The Doctor replies, defensively.

'It's a bit small.' Astrid frowns.

'Bigger on the inside.' Rose says.

'And it's a bit distant. Trouble is, once it's set adrift, it's programmed to lock on the nearest centre of gravity and that would be…the Earth.' The Doctor sighs and Rose watches as the TARDIS locks on to Earth's gravity and starts to be pulled down. Time for a back up plan.

A voice pierces through the silence in the bridge as it begins to speak.

'Deck Twenty-Two to the bridge. Deck Twenty-Two to the bridge. Is anyone there?'

Frame moans in pain and slowly hauls himself up, clutching his side, as he reaches for the comm.

'This is the bridge.' Frame pants.

'Oh hello, sailor. Good to hear you. What's the situation up there?' If he's not mistaken, it almost sounds like the voice who had tried to warn them earlier about the collision.

'We've got air. The oxygen field is holding. But the captain…' Frame trails off and looks over to the captain mangled body, underneath an enormous amount of wreckage. 'He's dead. He did it,' Frame's voice cracks. 'I watched while he took down the shields. There was nothing I could do. I tried. I did try.' It all comes out rushed, that he's surprised the man on the other end could understand him.

'All right. Just stay calm. Tell me your name. What's your name?'

'Midshipman Frame.'

'Nice to meet you, sir. What's the state of the engines?'

'They're um…' Frame tries to inspect them without moving. Not wanting to risk sending jolts of pain down his body. 'Hold on.' Frame pushes himself forward and groans from the exertion.

'Have you been injured?' The voice becomes very serious.

'I'm all right. Oh my vot. They're cycling down.' Frame replies.

'That's a nuclear storm drive, yes?'

'Yeah.'

'The moment they're gone, we lose orbit?' The voice confirms.

'The planet.' Frame sighs into the comm., realising the devastation it would cause.

'Oh yes. If we hit the planet, the nuclear storm explodes and wipes out life on Earth. Midshipman, I need you to fire up the engine containment field and feed it back into the core.' The voice instructs.

'This is never going to work.' Frame squeezes his eyes shut as a jolt of pain is felt.

'Trust me, it'll keep the engines going until I can get to the bridge.' The comm. goes silent and Frame hangs it up, slowly moving himself into position.

'We're going to die!' Foon cries out and Rose goes over to comfort her while Morvin rubs her back.

'Are you saying someone's done this on purpose?' Mr. Copper asks, and then shakes his head at the absurdity.

'But we're just a cruise ship.' Astrid states.

'Okay, okay,' The Doctor holds up his hands and everyone becomes silent. 'First things first. One, we're going to climb through this ship. B…no…two, we're going to reach the bridge. Three, or C, we're going to save the Titanic. And, coming in a very low four, or D, or that little 'iv' in brackets they use in footnotes…why…'

'Doctor!' Rose calls over.

'Right, right, okay follow me.'

'Wait a minute, who the hell put you in charge?' Rickston demands.

'I'll tell you who put him in charge.' Rose leaves Foon's side and strides over to him.

'Oh, don't you start with me, blondie.'

'Blondie? Oh, you'd better watch your mouth or I'll…'

'That's enough Mr. Slade,' Astrid warns. 'You've no right to talk to her like that!'

'Don't you start, you clumsy little…'

'Hey! That's enough! You're welcome to stay here and fend for yourself.' Rose crosses her arms.

'I just wanted to know who decided it was in everyone's best interest to put him in charge. Who are you both?'

'Blondie.' Rose smirks.

'You're real name, obviously.' Rickston demands.

'I told you my real name earlier. It obviously wasn't important enough to remember.'

'That's right it wasn't. Just like you, you're not important!' Rickston shouts and Rose balls her fists at that comment. He didn't know anything. Nothing of what she had done for them.

'Enough! Everyone, that's enough!' Everyone falls silent as they turn to the Doctor who stares at them. Rose puts her finger to her lips and closes her eyes, nodding a bit. Rickston looks at Rose, and he crosses his arms. 'You want to know who we are? That's Rose Tyler, defender of the Earth and of humanity. She's human and she's from Earth. I'm the Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I'm from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterborous. I'm nine hundred and three years old and I'm the man who's gonna save your lives and all six billion of the people on the planet below. You got a problem with that?'

'No.' Rickston replies.

'In that case, allons-y!' The Doctor reaches for Rose's hand and she grins.

'Ah, so inspirational.' Rose holds his hand tightly.

'I just told them how old I am.' He frowns a bit.

'I'm glad you didn't tell them how old I am.' Rose confesses.

'Figured you wouldn't like that.' And he stops as they reach a door, the rest of the little group stops behind them.

The Doctor slowly pushes open a metal door that leads into a stairwell. It's littered with debris and sparking cables.

'Careful, follow me.' The Doctor leads the way, never letting go of Rose's hand as he clears the way. Astrid is next, followed by Mr. Copper, Rickston and the van Hoffs. It's quiet, with tension hanging thick in the air. Finally Mr. Copper decides to break it.

'Rather ironic when this is very much in the spirit of Christmas. It's a festival of violence. They say that human beings only survive depending on whether they've been good or bad. It's barbaric.'

'Actually, that's not what Christmas is about at all,' Rose turns around and Mr. Copper frowns. 'Christmas is all about peace, joy, helping those in need. Giving thanks for what you have. Like family and friends…' Rose trails off and the Doctor turns to look at her. 'What?'

'Who are we kidding, Rose? It's always like this.'

'Yeah, you're right. Well, it has been for me since I met you.' Rose smiles.

'Ah yes, that's true. Oh look,' The Doctor uncovers a dormant Host. 'We've got a Host. Strength of ten. If we can mend it, we can use it to fix the rubble.'

'We can do robotics, both of us.' Morvin steps forward.

'We worked on the milk market back on Sto. It's all robotic staff.' Foon smiles.

'See if you can get it working. Now then, Rose, let's have a look. Astrid, everyone, come along.'

They begin to climb the stairs again, as the van Hoffs remain behind. They aren't able to make it much further before their path becomes blocked by wreckage.

'It's blocked.' Astrid says.

'It sure is.' Rose replies and crosses her arms; she's studying the wreckage, seeing where it can be lifted.

'So what do we do?' The Doctor turns and asks the group.

'We shift it.' Astrid states.

'That's the attitude. Rickston, Mr. Copper and you, Bannakaffalatta…look, can I just call you Banna? It's gonna save a lot of time.'

'No! Bannakaffalatta!' He replies firmly.

'All right then, Bannakaffalatta, there's a gap in the middle. See if you can get through.'

'Easy. Good.' He squeezes through an opening. Rose holds her breath as he continues to make his way through the wreckage. Abruptly, the ship lurches again, sending loose debris falling around them. Rose covers her head and looks up to the ceiling.

'This whole thing could come crashing down any minute!' Rickston complains.

'Oh, Rickston…' Rose starts; she closes her eyes and shakes her head.

'What?'

'Didn't you get our message?' The Doctor asks.

'No. What message?' He inquires.

'Shut up!' Rose and the Doctor say in unison and Rickston looks away.

'Bannakaffalatta made it.'

'I'm small enough, I can get through.' Astrid says and she goes in next.

'Careful!' Rose calls to her.

'Rose, you're next,' The Doctor says and she nods. 'Astrid, how're you managing?'

'I'm fine,' Astrid replies. 'I'm through!'

Rose very carefully begins to make her way through, ensuring she makes herself as small as possible and tires not to touch anything. Not knowing where the weak spots are.

'Thing is, how are Mr. and Mrs. Fatso going to get through this gap?' Rickston states.

'You're such an ass!' Rose calls back to him, overhearing their conversation.

'We make the gap bigger. So start.' The Doctor shoves a piece of metal at him, knocking him off balance.

The van Hoffs are still working on the Host, but they have overheard what Rickston has said, and Rose's comment to him as well. It still hurts, and Foon begins to cry, trying her best to ensure the others don't hear her.

'Hey, hey! Come on, sweetheart. Don't listen to him.' Morvin rubs her back, and Foon twists a piece of cable in her hands.

'No, but it's all my fault, though. The tickets.' She wipes away some tears.

'We won them fair and square.' Morvin states.

'I know, I never told ya. I dialled the competition line five thousand times. That's five thousand credits. I might as well have paid for the tickets. I've been hiding the vone bill for months now.' Foon sniffs and looks at the ground. Feeling better she had finally confessed, but still so ashamed at what she did.

'Five thousand credits? You spent five thousand credits?' Morvin asked, in complete shock.

Foon can only nod. 'Please don't hate me…' She frowns as Morvin begins to laugh. 'What's so funny?'

'Five thousand?' He manages to get out between gasps for air, he's laughing so much.

'We'll never pay that off.' Foon states sadly.

'I know. We'll have to work seventy years you mad, bloody woman.'

'You're not cross?' Foon's eyes light up and she smiles slightly.

'Does it matter? Look at us. You drive me barmy. I don't half love you, Mrs. van Hoff. Come here.' Morvin holds out his arms and he hugs her. Their laughter floats up to where the Doctor and Mr. Copper are trying to clear the remainder of the debris. Rickston merely looks on.

'What happened? Did they find a donut?'

'Oh, Rickston I'm gonna hurt you!' Rose shouts from across the gap, and grits her teeth at the man's cruel nature.

'Rose and I can clear it from this side. Just tell us if it starts to move,' Astrid start to push a beam when her attention is drawn to Bannakaffalatta. 'Bannakaffalatta, what's wrong?'

Rose looks down to him and then to Astrid. 'Astrid, take care of him. I'll handle this okay?' Rose starts to move the wreckage as best she can. Astrid kneels down to him and she frowns.

'Shush…' He says.

'What is it?' Astrid whispers and leans in.

'Can't say…'

'Are you hurt?' Astrid questions, worrying immensely. There have been too many deaths today; she doesn't want to see another.

'Ashamed.' Comes his reply.

'Of what?' Astrid implores him to answer her.

'Poor Bannakaffalatta.' He lifts his shirt to reveal cybernetic components.

'You're a cyborg…' Astrid whispers.

'Had accident long ago. Secret.' He puts his fingers to his lips.

'No, but everything's changed now. Cyborgs are getting equal rights. They passed a law back on Sto. You can even get married.' Astrid smiles.

'Marry you?'

'Well, you can buy me a drink first. Come on, let's recharge you,' Astrid presses a button on his torso and smiles kindly to him. 'Just stay there for a bit.'

Astrid goes back to helping Rose clear the debris from the path and she smiles, pretending not to have overheard their conversation.

'Tell no one.' He says and Astrid nods, but he's looking at Rose as she crosses her heart and nods deeply.

'I promise.' Astrid says.

'So do I.' Rose replies.

'What's going on up there?' The Doctor's voice breaks the silence and Rose grins.

'I think Bannakaffalatta and I just got engaged.' Astrid calls down.

Frame grunts as he tries to bandage himself up, he looks over as the comm. whistles and he reaches over to get it.

'This is the bridge.'

'This is kitchen Five.'

'How many of you are there?'

'Six of us, just about. Are we the only ones left alive, sir?'

'No. There's more on Deck Nineteen. Hold on, if I reverse the scanner…No, fifty, sixty people still onboard the ship. Kitchen Five, there you are,' Frame sighs a bit. 'Listen, everyone's heading for the bridge. Don't go portside, there's no way. Can you make your way starboard?' Frame asks.

'We're stuck. The doors have sealed. We can't get out,' There's a pause. 'No, wait a minute. It's opening. There's someone on the other side,' Again there is a pause. 'Host. We've got Host. The Host are still working.'

'Oh, that's brilliant. Tell them to clear a patch up to the bridge,' Frame silently gives thanks to whoever is watching over them. There is no response from the kitchen. 'Did you get that? Kitchen Five, report. Hello? Kitchen Five?'

Screams are heard over the comm., and Frame looks at the scanner and sees the vital signs slowly start to vanish.

'It's the…' A man tries to get out but silence falls.

'Report!' Frame shouts into the comm., but is only met with silence.

Morvin looks over to Foon as she twists the cables together and she brushes a stray strand of hair out of her face.

'Almost done!' Morvin exclaims, as he calls up to the others.

'Good, good, good,' The Doctor reaches for the comm., hoping things are still going well. 'Mr. Frame, how's things.'

'Doctor, I've got life signs all over the ship, but they're going out, one by one.' Frame replies.

'What is it? Are they losing air?' The Doctor inquires.

'No. One of them said it's the Host. It's something to do with the Host.' The Doctor drops the comm., and heads down the stairs, skipping the last few. He appears just as the Host resumes function.

'It's working!' Morvin says. The Doctor approaches, just at the Host takes Morvin by the neck, squeezing the life from him.

'Kill. Kill. Kill.' The Host repeats to those words, over and over.

'Turn it off!' The Doctor order and Foon starts to fumble with the controls.

'I can't, Doctor!' She cries and he pushes her out of the way.

'Go!' He points to the stairwell. Foon starts to back up towards the stairs, but she catches the Doctor pulling out some sort of device. It glows blue on the end. 'Lock! Double deadlock!' The Doctor starts to manually pry the Host off of Morvin. After a few attempts, he finally loosens it enough and Morvin is freed. 'Okay, go upstairs!'

'Run darling!' Foon calls out to him and he takes off.

'Information: kill, kill, kill.'

'Foon! Foon!' Morvin says and he pushes her up the stairs, the Doctor following them. The reach the stairwell where Mr. Copper and Rickston are waiting.

'Rickston, get them through!' The Doctor orders, but he scoffs, and shakes his head.

'No chance!' Rickston goes through himself. Rose reappears and is furious; she can't remain idle any longer.

'You coward!' Rose shouts after him.

'I'll never get through there.' Foon says frantically.

'Yes you can.' Rose says.

'Let me go first, and I can help.' Mr. Copper says and Foon nods.

The Host begins to go after the Doctor and Rose throws pieces of debris she can find. It distracts the Host long enough for the Doctor to reach the comm., he has to warn the bridge. 'It's the Host! They've gone berserk! Are you safe up there?' The Doctor asks, rather rushed.

Frame turns to see the Host heading for the open door of the bridge. He summons his strength and swallows.

'Kill. Kill. Kill.' The Host says.

Frame dashes to the door just in time and locks it. He manages to catch the hand of one of the Host in the act and he sighs, relieved.

Rose pulls the gap as far as she can, Mr. Copper has another side and Astrid is prying on her end.

'No, I'm stuck.' Foon calls out, Rose pries further.

'You can do it, Foon!' Rose says.

'It's going to collapse, Rose! Astrid, be careful,' Mr. Copper warns, Foon is able to make it through. 'Rickston, vot damn it, help us!'

'No, way!'

'You're bloody useless!' Rose shouts to him.

'Morvin, get through!' The Doctor's voice calls and Rose looks over her shoulder and feels relieved.

Morvin is having a much more harder time than Foon had. The Host is still in pursuit of them.

'Kill. Kill. Kill.' It repeats those words over and over again. The Doctor looks over from the Host to Morvin and then to Rose.

'Doctor, he's stuck!' Astrid calls to him and Rose turns to him.

'You're next Rose,' The Doctor places his hands on Morvin's backside and pushes. 'Mr. van Hoff, I know we've only just met, but you'll have to excuse me.' He shoves and Morvin makes it through.

Rose goes in after and once she's made it through, she turns to see she hasn't been followed. Astrid pulls Morvin through and he hugs Foon.

'Doctor!' Rose calls to him.

The Host is now right behind the Doctor and he turns to face it. 'Information override! You will tell me the point of origin of your command structure!'

'I can't hold it!' Mr. Copper says, straining with the weight, Rose and Astrid do their best to help.

'Information: Deck Thirty One.' The Host says.

'Thank you,' The Doctor hurries through the hole, and grips Rose's outstretched hand. She pulls him the rest of the way and she smiles. 'Let go!' The Doctor says.

Mr. Copper releases his grip on the pole, and Astrid follows suit. The beam they were holding up crashes onto the Host's head.

The group continues to walk until they come across an open room. Everyone looks around and Foon spots a table that has food on it.

'Morvin, look, food.'

'Oh great. Someone's happy.' Rickston states sarcastically.

'Don't have any then.' Morvin replies.

Rose and the Doctor head to the comm.

'Mr. Frame, you still there?'

'Yes, sir, but I've got Host outside, I've sealed the door.'

'They've been programmed to kill. Why would anyone do that?' The Doctor asks.

'That's not the only problem, Doctor. I had to use a maximum deadlock on the door, which means…no one can get in. I'm sealed off. Even if you can fix the Titanic, you can't get to the bridge.'

'Yeah, right, fine. One problem at a time. What's on Deck Thirty One?'

'Um, that's down below. It's nothing. It's just the Host storage deck. That's where we keep the robots.'

The Doctor puts on his glasses and Rose frowns as she looks at the scanner. 'Well, what's that? See that panel? Black. It's registering nothing. No power, no heat, no light.'

'Never seen it before.' Frame confesses.

'One hundred percent shielded. What's down there?'

'I'll try intensifying the scanner.' Frame pushes some buttons on the control.

'Let me know if you find anything,' He takes off his glasses. 'And keep those engines running.'

Rose rests her head on his shoulder. 'Given any thought on how we're going to get him out?'

'One thing at a time Rose.' The Doctor says and keeps her close.

Astrid appears with three plates of food and they turn, she grins at them. 'Saved you some. Here Rose,' Astrid hands a plate to her and she smiles. 'As for you, you might be a Time King from Gaddabee, but you need to eat too.' Astrid hands off another plate.

'Thanks, Astrid.' Rose sits, Astrid follows suit.

'Yeah, thanks.' The Doctor sits beside Rose, and picks something off of her plate.

'So, you look pretty good for nine hundred and three.' Astrid grins.

Rose laughs and the Doctor looks over. 'You should see me in the mornings.' He replies, his mouth is full of food.

'I have.' Rose raises her hand, and takes something off his plate and he frowns at her. She simply shrugs.

'Why, is it bad?' Astrid asks, intrigued.

'Oh no, I'm only kidding!' Rose replies. 'I'm the one who looks awful, and I'm younger than he is.'

'Yeah, you in the mornings…' The Doctor makes a face and Rose feigns mock horror. They all turn to watch Mr. Copper sit beside them.

'Doctor, it must be well past midnight, Earth time. Christmas Day.' Mr. Copper smiles.

'So it is. Merry Christmas.' The Doctor looks at Rose, and places a kiss on her head.

'Merry Christmas.' She smiles.

'This Christmas thing, what's it all about?' Astrid inquires.

'Long story. I should know. I was there. I got the last room.' The Doctor replies.

'In short, Astrid, Christmas is a time for giving. It is a time for sharing the love of friends and family.' Rose says softly.

'That sounds wonderful.' Astrid imagines Rose's words.

'But if the planet's waking up, can't we signal them? They can send up a rocket or something?'

'They don't have spaceships.' The Doctor replies.

'No, I read about it. They have shuffles, space shuffles.' Mr. Copper says adamantly.

'Mr. Copper, this degree in Earthonomics, where's it from?' The Doctor questions.

'Honestly?'

'Just between us.' The Doctor smiles.

'Mrs. Golightly's Happy Travelling University and Dry Cleaners.' Mr. Copper wipes his brow.

'You…lied to the company, to get the job…' Astrid asks.

'I, I wasted my life on Sto. I was a travelling salesman, always on the road and I reached retirement with nothing to show for it. Not even a home. And Earth sounded so exotic.'

'You think so?' Rose asks.

'Oh yes.'

'I suppose it is…yeah.' The Doctor replies.

'How come you both know it so well?' Astrid asks.

'I was born there. It was my home.' Rose replies.

'What about you, Doctor?' Astrid inquires.

'I was sort of…a few years ago…was sort of made homeless, and um, there was Earth.'

'Thing is, if we survive this, there will be police and all sorts of investigations. Now the minimum penalty for space age fraud is ten years in jail. I'm an old man. Well, I won't survive ten years.' Mr. Copper says. The Doctor is about to answer him, when a deafening knock is heard on the door. Rose looks up at him and he drops his plate, hauling Rose to her feet. He rushes to the opposite door and calls to the group.

'A Host! Move! Come on!'

Rose waits for the rest of the group while the Doctor opens the opposite door. The pounding on the door increases and the door is dented, due to the force. Astrid screams and Rose pushes her along to the Doctor, waiting for Foon and Morvin. Once they've gotten ahead of her, she turns to follow them.

The Doctor opens the door to reveal a space that runs the height of the ship itself. The only way to get across is a makeshift bridge, created by a fallen strut. Below the bridge, are the engines.

'Is that the only way across?' Rickston asks.

'On the other hand, it is a way across.' The Doctor responds, tired of his complaining.

'The engines are open.' Astrid says.

'Nuclear storm drive. Soon as it stops, the Titanic falls.'

'But that thing, it'll never take our weight.' Morvin observes.

'You're going last, mate.' Rickston says, surprising Rose, and she has to bite her tongue.

'It's nitrofine metal. It's stronger than it looks.' The Doctor tries to reassure them.

'All the same, Rickston's right. Me and Foon should…' Morvin steps on a weak spot in the metal near the edge, the railing gives away and Morvin falls towards the engines with a scream.

Rose lets out a cry of surprise and covers her mouth as the others watch on.

'Morvin!' Foon screams.

'I told you! I told you! Rickston cried.

'Shut up! Just shut up!' Rose yells at him.

'Bring him back! Can't you bring him back?' Foon pleads frantically with Doctor, falling deeper and deeper into hysterics. 'Bring him back, Doctor!' Foon begins to cry and Astrid comes to Foon and hugs her.

'I'm sorry, I can't…' The Doctor replies sadly.

'You promised me!' Foon cries into Astrid's shoulder.

'I know. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.'

A group of Host is marching through the halls towards them; Mr. Copper goes to alert the group.

'Doctor, I rather think those things have got our scent.' Mr. Copper says.

'I'm not waiting.' Rickston starts to cross the bridge.

'Careful! Take it slowly!' The Doctor instructs. There's a rumbling as the ship rocks and Rickston is nearly knocked off.

'Vot, help me.' He says shakily.

'You're okay. One step at a time. Come on, you can do it.' The Doctor says.

'They're getting nearer!' Mr. Copper says.

'Rose! Here!' The Doctor tosses the screwdriver at Rose and she points it at the door, sealing them in.

'Leaving us trapped, wouldn't you say?' Mr. Copper says.

'Never say trapped, just inconveniently circumstanced.' The Doctor replies.

'Oh…'

Rose watches Rickston as he approaches the halfway point on the beam.

'I'm okay!'

'Maybe he's all right. Maybe, maybe there's a gravity curve down there or something. I don't know. Maybe he's unconscious…' Foon says hopefully.

'Oh, Foon, I'm so sorry…but he's gone.' Rose puts her hand on her shoulder, and Foon sobs into Astrid's embrace.

Rickston makes it to the other side. 'Oh yes! Who's good?!'

'Bannakaffalatta, you go next.' The Doctor says.

'Bannakaffalatta, small.' He states and heads towards Rickston.

'Slowly!' The Doctor calls over to him.

The Host continue to pound the door from the other side.

'Doctor, we've gotta move!' Rose says.

'Astrid, you next.' The Doctor pulls her arm and away from Foon.

'What about you and Rose?' She asks.

'Just do it. Don't worry about us,' The Doctor replies and then turns to Mr. Copper. 'Mr. Copper, we can't wait. Don't argue,' Mr. Copper shuts his mouth and nods, following Astrid. 'Foon, you've got to get across, right now.'

'What for? What am I gonna do without him?' She asks.

'Doctor! The door's locked!' Rickston calls over.

'Foon, what would Morvin want you to do…he'd want you to go on…isn't that what he'd want?' Rose tries.

'He doesn't want nothing! He's dead!' She sobs into Rose, who offers her comfort.

'Doctor, I can't open the door. We need the whirring key thing of yours!' Rickston calls again.

'We can't leave her!' Rose yells back.

'She'll get us all killed if we can't get out!'

'Rose, just go over there. Please…' He sighs.

'What about you?' Rose says.

'Just go.' He states and she nods.

Rose slowly climbs the beam, and stops. The Doctor turns his attention to Foon. Rose carefully starts across the beam, balancing and trying not to look down. The beam creaks under the weight of the four of them.

'Too many people!' Bannakaffalatta states.

'Hey! Don't worry about that, keep moving!' Rose instructs. Rose hears the creak of metal again and sees the Doctor following her. She looks at him, shocked, but he doesn't look at her.

Then the group becomes aware that the noises have stopped. It's silent.

'They've stopped.' Astrid replies.

'Why would they give up though…' Rose ponders.

'Never mind that. Keep coming!' Rickston instructs and Astrid begins to slowly move towards him.

'Where have they gone. Where are the Host?' The Doctor looks around the area.

'I'm afraid…we forgot the tradition of Christmas, that angels have wings!' Mr. Copper points to the sky.

The Host are gliding down from above and encircle them.

'Information: kill.' They say and they reach for their halos.

'Arm yourselves! All of you!' The Doctor instructs and they reach for pipes and bits of metal to defend themselves. The Host throw them and the group tries their best to bat them away. A halo grazes the Doctor's arm, another, Mr. Copper's leg. Rose goes to go to the Doctor's side when she sees a halo coming her way. She stops and tries to twist out of the way, but it doubles back and slices her across midsection. She lets out a hiss and covers her stomach; pulling her hand away she sees blood.

'I can't…' Astrid falls to her knees.

'Bannakaffalatta stop! Bannakaffalatta proud! Bannakaffalatta cyborg!' He lifts his shirt and discharges some energy, disabling the Host and all but one falls toward the engines. One falls onto the strut behind the Doctor.

'Electromagnetic pulse took out the robotics. Oh, Bannakaffalatta, that was brilliant!' The Doctor exclaims.

But Bannakaffalatta falls to the ground and Astrid drops to her knees.

'He's used all his power.' Astrid calls over.

'Did good?' He asks.

'You saved our lives.'

'Bannakaffalatta, happy.' He smiles.

'We can recharge you, get you to a power point and just plug you in!' Astrid says and Rose puts her hand on her shoulder.

'Too late.' He replies.

'No, but…you gotta get me that drink, remember?' Astrid tries a smile.

'Pretty girl…' He dies and Astrid gasps. She reaches for the button on his shirt, but Mr. Copper reaches for power source instead.

'I'm sorry, forgive me.' He says.

'Leave him alone!' Astrid spat.

'It's the EMP transmitter. He, he'd want us to use it,' Mr. Copper removes it. 'I used to sell these things. They'd always give me a bed for the night in the cyborg caravans. They're good people. But if we can recharge it, we can reuse it as a weapon against the rest of the Host. Bannakaffalatta might have saved us all.'

'Do you think? Try telling him that.' Rickston points behind them. The group turns to see the Host that landed on bridge, begins to move.

'Information: reboot.'

'Use the EMP!' Rickston shouts.

'It's dead!' Mr. Copper says.

'Emergency?' Rose tires and Astrid takes it out of Mr. Copper's hands, but shakes her head. She watches as the Doctor tries to get information.

'No, no, no. Hold on. Override loophole security protocol…ten! Six, six, six! Oh…Twenty-one, four, five, six, seven, eight. Um, I dunno, forty-two! Uh…one?' The Host stops in mid motion and stands passively.

'Information: state request.'

'Good…right. You've been ordered to kill the survivors, but why?' The Doctor asks.

'Information: no witnesses.'

'But this ship's gonna fall on the Earth and kill everyone. The human race have nothing to do with the Titanic so that contravenes your orders, yes?' The Doctor questions.

'Information: incorrect.'

'But why do you want to destroy the Earth.'

'Information: it is the plan.'

'What plan?' The Doctor frowns.

'Information: protocol grants you only three questions. These three questions have been used.'

'Well you could have warned me.' The Doctor put his hands into his pockets.

'Information: now you will die.'

The Host prepares to strike the Doctor and Rose starts to run towards him, but Rickston grips her arm and she tries to fight him off. The Host takes off its halo and prepares to strike the Doctor when a lasso is thrown over its head and tightened around its body. Everyone follows the rope until their eyes settle on Foon.

'You're coming with me.' She states flatly. She closes her eyes and jumps over the edge, pulling the Host with her. Rose screams and rushes to the Doctor side, staring into the abyss, seeing no sign of Foon.

'No more.' The Doctor says, determination in his voice, he turns to Rose who stares up at him and nods.

They make it out and into another set of maintenance halls. The Doctor stops and groups halts as well.

'Right. Get up to Reception One. Once you're there, Mr. Copper. You've got staff access to the computer. Try and find a way of transmitting an SOS. Rose, you're in charge of this,' The Doctor holds out the EMP. 'Once it's powered up, it'll take out Hosts within fifty yards, but then it needs sixty seconds to recharge. Astrid, you're in charge of this,' He hands her the screwdriver and she nods. 'It's already on the right setting. You need to open doors, push this button. Do not lose it! You got that? No go and open the next door. Go on! Go!'

'All right, let's go Astrid, I'll help you.' Rickston says. And Astrid goes to follow him.

The Doctor notices Rose's midsection and he pulls her to him, finding a first aid kit he goes to Mr. Copper as he notices his leg.

'Mr. Copper, I need you fighting fit.' And he nods.

'Yes, sir.'

'And you, Rose Tyler…' He looks at the cut, it isn't deep, thankfully, but it still needs to be looked after.

'Superficial, I ruined the dress,' She sighed and looks down. 'Never mind, I'll take care of it later. Where are the power points, Astrid?' Rose places a quick kiss on his cheek.

'Under the comms.' Astrid replies.

Rose runs to them and the Doctor shows her how recharge the EMP. 'When it's ready, the blue light comes on there.' He points.

'You're not telling me something. Where are you going?' Rose looks over.

'I have to check out Deck Thirty One.'

'Then I'm coming with you.'

'No.'

'What if you meet more Hosts?' Rose questions.

'Well, then I'll have some fun with them, eh?' The Doctor smiles, but Rose doesn't.

'I'm coming with you.' Rose crosses her arms.

'They need someone strong to help them.'

'They have Astrid.' Rose counters.

The ship lurches and everyone is knocked to the ground. The Doctor is the first to get up and he rushes over to the comm.

'Mr. Frame, you still with us?' He asks.

'It's the engines, sir. Final phase. There's nothing more I can do. We've only got eight minutes left!'

'Don't worry, I'll get there.'

'The bridge is sealed off!' Frame states.

'Yeah, yeah, working on it. I'll get there, Mr. Frame, somehow,' The Doctor looks at the EMP as it turns blue. 'All charged up? Mr. Copper, look after her. Astrid, look after him. Rickston…uh, look after yourself. Rose, let's go. We'll see you again, promise.'

'Good luck!' Rose calls out to them and the Doctor takes her hand and leads them back the way they came.

They continue to run until they reach a small kitchen and they very quickly become surrounded by four Host. Rose grabs a pan off of the counter and the Doctor grabs a pot. Rose readies herself and the Doctor straightens up. The Host begin to advance.

'Wait, wait, wait, wait! Security protocol one! Do you hear me? One! One!' The Host stop moving. 'Okay, that gives me three questions. Three questions to save our lives, am I right?'

'Doctor!' Rose looks at him.

'What?'

'Information: correct.' The Host replies.

'Oh! No, that wasn't one of them. I didn't mean it. That's not fair. Can I start again?'

'Doctor!' Rose hits him on the arm.

'Information: no.'

'No! Damn. That wasn't one either. Blimey. One question left. One question. So, you've been given order to kill the survivors but survivors must therefore be passengers or staff, but not us. Go on, scan us. You must have bio records. No such people on board. We don't exist therefore…you can't kill us. Therefore, we're stowaways, and stowaways should be arrested and taken to the nearest figure of authority. And I reckon the nearest figure of authority is on Deck Thirty one. Final question, am I right?'

'Information: correct.'

'Brilliant. Take me to your leader,' The Doctor smiles and Rose grins while she rolls her eyes. 'I've always wanted to say that. The Host begins to lead them away and Rose sets the pan down and takes his hand.

They have finally reached Deck Thirty one, which is indeed a storage facility for the Host. There has been significant structural damage and Rose walks by a small fire.

'Now that is what you call a fixer-upper. Come on the, Host with the most, this is ultimate authority of yours, who is it?' Two doors slide open behind them and they spin around. 'Ooh, that's clever.'

'What is it?' Rose asks.

'That's an omnistate impact chamber. Indestructible. You can survive anything in that,' The Doctor replies and they watch a vehicle starts to wheel itself out. 'Sit through a supernova or a shipwreck. Only one person can have the power and the money to hide themselves onboard like this and I should know, cause…'

The vehicle is reveal to be a giant life support system for none other than Max Capricorn, who appears to just be a head.

'My name is Max.' He smiles and the gold tooth glints.

Rose and the Doctor simultaneously tilt their heads. 'It really does that.' He says.

'Who the hell are they?' Max demands.

'I'm the Doctor, hello.'

'I'm Rose, hi.' Rose offers a small wave.

'Information: stowaways.' The Host informs Max.

'Well…' The Doctor starts.

'Kill them.' Max says dismissively.

'Oh, no, no! Wait, but you can't. Not now. Come on, Max…you've give me so much good material like…how to get ahead in business. See 'head?' 'Head in business?' No?' He turns to Rose, who is trying to suppress a smile.

'Not the time nor the place.' Rose tries to stop smiling, but is finding it difficult.

'Oh, ho, ho, the office joker. I like a funny man. No one's been funny with me for years.' Max smiles.

'Can't imagine why.' Rose states.

'A hundred seventy-six years of running the company have taken their toll.' Max informs them.

'Yeah, but…nice wheels.' The Doctor beams.

'No, a life support system in a society that despises cyborgs. I've had to hide away for years. Running the company by hologram,' Max states and his gaze is turned to the Host. 'Host, situation report'

'Information: Titanic is still in orbit.'

'Let me see,' Max moves forward and the Doctor and Rose step out of his way. 'We should have crashed by now. What's gone wrong?' He goes to the edge where the engines are located and looks down. 'The engines are still running! They should have stopped!'

'When they do, the Earth gets roasted. I don't understand. What's the Earth got to do with it?' The Doctor inquires.

'This interview is terminated.' Max states.

'No! No, hang on, uh…' Rose tries to delay the Host. They don't see that Astrid has appeared and is peeking around from a corner.

'Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! I can work it out. It's like a task. I'm your apprentice. Just watch me,' The Doctor starts to pace as he works out the information. 'So…business is failing and you wreck the ship so that makes things even worse. Oh yes! No. Yes. The business isn't failing, it's failed. Past tense.'

'My own board voted me out. Stabbed me in the back.' Max spat. Astrid moves a bit closer, ensuring she doesn't get seen.

'You scupper the ship, wipe out any survivors in case anyone's rumbled you and the board find their shares halved in value,' The Doctor stops pacing and then widens his eyes. 'Oh, but that's not enough. No, cause if a Max Capricorn ship hits the Earth, it destroys an entire planet. Outrage back home. Scandal! The business is wiped out.'

'And the whole board thrown in jail for mass murder.' Max smirks.

'All the while, you sit there, in your little impact chamber, safe from harm.' Rose replies.

'I have men waiting to retrieve me from the ruins and enough off world accounts to retire me to the beaches of Pentaxcio Two, where the ladies, so I'm told, are very fond of metal…'

'So that's the plan,' The Doctor states indignantly. 'A retirement plan. Two thousand on this ship, six billion underneath us, all of them slaughtered. And why? Because Max Capricorn is a loser.'

'I never lose.'

'Well, you couldn't even sink the Titanic.' Rose challenges.

'Oh, but I can. Just you both watch, I can cancel the engines from here.' Max smirks and alarms start to sound.

'No! You can't do this!' Rose cries out.

'Host, restrain them.' Max says, nonchalantly.

Two Host come forward and pulls Rose and the Doctor away from Max.

'Not so clever now are you, Doctor, Rose? A shame we couldn't work together, Doctor. You're rather good. All that banter yet not a word wasted. Time for me to retire. The Titanic is falling. The sky will burn. Let the Christmas inferno commence. Oh! Oh, Host! Kill them!'

One of the Host takes off its halo and prepares to kill them, obeying its orders. Suddenly, a voice breaks through the silence.

'Mr. Capricorn! I resign.' The Doctor and Rose look over to see Astrid in a forklift and she starts it and floors it. The forklift rushes towards Max.

'Astrid! No!' Rose cries, the Doctor watches and Rose widens her eyes.

Astrid manages to lift the front of Capricorn's life support system, it's just enough so that the front tires have lost their grip and are rendered useless. His rear tires have enough traction remaining to cause a standoff. The Host, who was about to kill Rose and the Doctor, instead turns towards Astrid and throws its halo. It misses but it strikes something else.

'He's cut the break line!' The Doctor calls over to her.

Astrid looks back at them and slowly smiles, she has fear in her eyes but her face appears to be at peace. She turns back to Max and raises the forklift higher, lifting Max off of the ground fully and she puts her foot on the gas. The forklift jerks and charges forward, sending them both off the edge.

'Astrid!' Rose screams and she and the Doctor both run to the edge and they see her falling towards the engines, her hand outstretched. Rose falls to her knees and reaches her hand down to her, knowing it was too late, and there isn't anything they can do.

The Doctor just stands there, frozen, watching Astrid disappear from view and he closes his eyes. He had said there would be no more, and he couldn't even deliver that promise.

'Titanic falling. Voyage terminated.' The voice of the computer reverberates around them and the Doctor pulls Rose up.

'We aren't finished yet.' He wipes away some of her stray tears and wraps his arms around her shoulder

They walk away from the edge; sparks fall around them and the fire continues to burn. The Doctor stops and Rose looks over to him. He holds his arms out to his sides and a Host now appears on either side. Rose looks around.

'They aren't trying to attack us.' Rose says.

'No, I'm in charge of them now. Hold your arms out.' Rose does as she's told. He snaps his fingers and the Host hold their arms and fly upwards with them. Rose looks around surprised, as they continue to gain speed, flying higher and higher and the Host raise their arms out and they break through the floor of the bridge. A shout is head.

'Deadlock broken.' The computer informs them. Frame stares at the hole as a man appears to climb out and he pulls a woman in a black dress out.

'Ah, Midshipman Frame at last!' The man grins and the woman waves.

'Uh, but, but the Host!' Frame states, pointing at them.

'Controller dead, they divert to the next highest authority and that's me.'

'Oh your ego…'The woman smiles.

'There's nothing we can do. There's no power. The ship's gonna fall.' Frame replies desperately.

'Titanic falling.'

The Doctor goes over to the wheel and grabs a hold of it, Rose follows him and they stare out the window. The Doctor turns to Frame and looks him up and down.

'What's your first name?'

'Alonzo.'

'You're kidding me.' The Doctor says surprised and he turns to Rose, whose mouth is open, but she slowly turns it into a smile.

'Oh, my god.' She breathes.

'What?' He asks, puzzled at their amazement.

'There's something else I've always wanted to say. Allons-y Alonzo! Whoa!'

The ship lurches and Rose and Frame grab hold of the bridge's structure to steady themselves. Rose bites her lip as she watches the Doctor tries to steer the ship away. They begin to fall straight towards the Earth's atmosphere and Frame lets out a scream.

'You sure you can drive this thing? You failed the driving test for the TARDIS.' Rose calls to him and Frame gives her a horrified look.

'Just you wait and see Rose Tyler,' The Doctor looks at her quickly. 'And it was only a few fails before I gave up and drove her anyway. Besides, I'm a good driver.'

'Law breaker!' Rose calls and the Doctor laughs but he stops as he tries to fight the wheel, the ship burning on re-entry.

An alarm begins to sound and Rose looks at the Doctor as he tries to hit it with his foot.

'Rose!'

'Okay, which one?' She goes over to the control panel.

'Blue.'

'Got it!' She presses it and the computer brings up an impact zone, which is right in London.

'Ah,' The Doctor lets out a sigh and uses the comms to dial out, Rose frowns. 'Hello, yes um, could you get me Buckingham Palace?' The Doctor looks at Rose and smiles. 'What? You act like you've never seen…hello? Yes, you've got to listen to me! Security Code 771! Now get out of there!'

'Engine active. Engine active.'

The Doctor pulls back on the wheel, sending Frame into the wall and Rose to the floor. Straining and bent over backwards, the Doctor regains control of the ship. It barely misses Buckingham Palace. The Doctor lets out a gasp, unable to believe their luck and begins to enjoy steering the ship.

Rose lets out cry of relief and she hugs the Doctor, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

'You've still got the moves.' Rose replies.

'Always. Coupled with my brilliance, it's quite a good combination,' They turn to Frame, who is sitting on the floor and they join him. 'Used the heat of re-entry to fire up the secondary storm drive. Unsinkable, that's me.'

'We made it.' Frame states, amazed.

'Not all of us.' Rose replies sadly.

'Teleport!' The Doctor cries, and he's on his feet.

'What?' Rose asks.

'She was wearing a teleport bracelet!' The Doctor runs out the door with Rose and Frame following him.

He rushes into the reception room with Rose and Frame coming in behind him, The Doctor has his hand out.

'Rickston! She gave you the sonic, yeah? Sonic!' The Doctor shouts and Rickston throws the screwdriver and he catches it. 'Mr. Copper, the teleports, have they got emergency settings?'

'I don't know, they should have.' Mr. Copper says.

'She fell, Mr. Copper. She fell. What's the emergency code?' The Doctor demands and Rose shifts awkwardly.

'Uh, let me see…' Mr. Copper begins to think.

'What the hell are you doing?' Frame crosses his arms.

'We can bring her back. Rose, I can bring her back.'

'Seriously…can you…can you save her?' She whispers.

'Just watch me.' He begins to work on the teleport and Rose presses her hand to her stomach, drawing it away quickly because it stings now.

'How…' Rose asks.

'If a passenger has an accident on shore leave and they're still wearing their teleport, their molecules are automatically held in stasis so that we can trigger the shift.' Mr. Copper informs her and Rose nods. Willing that it will work.

'There!' The Doctor says and he turns around. A glowing, transparent Astrid appears, she doesn't move and continues to stare into nothing. Rose stands beside the Doctor and they all stare in silence.

'I'm falling…' Astrid says.

'Only halfway there. Come on.' The Doctor mutters.

'I keep falling.' Astrid repeats and Rose suddenly realises that something is wrong. It's not going to work. She can't be saved…Rose covers her mouth and turns her attention to the Doctor; he's still working furiously.

'Feed back the molecule grid, boost it with the restoration matrix…' The teleport abruptly sparks. 'No, no, no, no! Need more phase containment.' That was the final nail in the coffin…there isn't anything anyone can do now.

'Doctor…' Rose says softly

'No! If I can just link up the surface suspension…' He says desperately.

'Doctor…she's gone…' Rose steps in front of him, but he doesn't look at her.

'I just need to override the safety, I can do it. Rose, I can do it…'

'Doctor, let her go…' Mr. Copper tries and he finally looks up to Rose and then to Astrid. Astrid appears to look more like a ghost. And he angrily kicks the teleport in frustration. Rose closes her eyes.

'I can do anything!' He shouts to the group.

'Stop me from falling…' Astrid pleads and the Doctor and Rose step in front of her. He grips her hand tightly and Rose clings to his arm. Oh, how she knows how desperately he wanted to save her. He promised himself that there would be no one else after Foon. And Rose knows he's angry with himself for letting there be another casualty. Even if Astrid did it to save them. He blames himself, he always does.

Mr. Copper joins them and stares at the ghost like Astrid, still staring into nothing. 'There's not enough left. The system was too badly damaged. She's just atoms, Doctor. An echo with the ghost of consciousness. She's stardust…'

The Doctor walks closer to Astrid and gives a small smile. 'Astrid Peth…citizen of Sto…the woman who looked at the stars and dreamt of travelling…' The Doctor places a hand on her cheek. 'Now you can travel forever…' He closes his eyes and pulls out the Sonic Screwdriver. He aims it at the window and it opens. Instantly Astrid turns into motes of light. 'You're not falling, Astrid, you're flying…'

Rose watches as the motes of light travel out the window, leaving the little group in a hushed silence. Rose goes to the Doctor and holds his face in her hands, placing a light kiss on his lips. He closes his eyes.

Frame returns from the bridge to update them on the situation of the engines, everything seems to be running smoothly.

'The engines have stabilized. We're holding steady till we get help and I've sent the SOS. A rescue ship should be here within twenty minutes. And they're digging out the records of Max Capricorn. It should be quite the story.' Frame crosses his arms and winces slightly.

'They'll want to talk to all of us, I suppose.' Mr. Copper surmises.

'I'd have thought so, yeah.' Frame nods and Mr. Copper walks towards the Doctor and Rose. He's examining the injury she's received, and she's sporting an unimpressed look on her face.

He stands when he sees Mr. Copper approaching and Rose turns to face them. 'I think, uh, one or two inconvenient truths might come to light. Still, it's my own fault, and then years in jail is better than dying.' Mr. Copper shakes his hand and Rose give him a tight hug.

Rickston comes over next and gives them both a sheepish smile. 'Doctor…I never said thank you. And you, blondie,' He hugs the Doctor and then Rose holds out her hand, he shakes it. 'Yeah, I deserved that,' Rickston turns to go and then stops. 'The funny thing is…I said Max Capricorn was falling apart. Just before the crash, I…sold all my shares, transferred them to his rivals. It's made me rich. What do you think of that…?'

The Doctor has an unimpressed look on his face, he crosses his arms and Rose frowns. 'How are you still thinking about money, when people have died? After all that's happened?' She asks.

Rickston is about to answer her, when his vone rings. He answers it and immediately begins to bark orders. 'Salvain? Those shares, I want them tripled-bonded and locked.' He walks away.

Mr. Copper shakes his head. 'Of all the people to survive, he's not the one you would've chosen, is he? But if you could choose, Doctor, if you decide who lives and who dies…' Mr. Copper trails off and shrugs his shoulders. 'That would make you a monster.'

Rose and the Doctor turn to look at him. The Doctor raises his eyebrow, curious at the insight. He then sighs. 'Mr. Copper…' The Doctor goes to the teleport and takes three bracelets. 'I think you deserve one of these.'

Mr. Copper grins from ear to ear and puts on the bracelet. They look at Frame who mouths 'hey' to them and they all smile. Mr. Copper chuckles a bit and the Doctor starts up the machine. Before they disappear, Frame salutes and the Doctor, to Rose's surprise, salutes back, forefinger to the forehead.

They land in an open space in London, it's dark and cold, and the TARDIS is waiting for them. The trio walks across to it in what appears to be falling snow. Mr. Copper has a frown on his face.

'So, Great Britain is part of, uh, 'Europee' and just across the British Channel you've got Great France and Great Germany.'

Rose starts to laugh, 'No, they're just called France and Germany. It's only Britain who's great.'

'Ah, and they're all at with the continent of Ham-erica?' Mr. Copper asks and Rose laughs harder.

'No, well…not yet, uh…could argue that one,' The Doctor replies and they approach the TARDIS. 'There she is!' He gives her an affectionate pat. 'Survive anything.'

'You know, between you and me, I don't even think this snow is real. I think this is the ballast from the Titanic's salvage entering the atmosphere.' Mr. Copper observes.

'Yeah.' The Doctor agrees and Rose sighs.

'You know…maybe one day, it'll snow for real.' She says and she looks up.

'So, I, I suppose you both will be off.' Mr. Copper says and they both nod.

'The open sky.' The Doctor puts his hands into his pockets.

'What am I supposed to do?' He questions.

'Give me that credit card.' The Doctor holds out his hands.

Mr. Copper hands it over. 'Well, it's just petty cash, spending money. It's all done by computer. I…I didn't really know the currency, so I thought a million might cover it.'

'A million?' The Doctor echoes.

'A million…pounds?' Rose widens her eyes.

'That enough for trinkets?' Mr. Copper asks, still not understanding.

'Mr. Copper, a million pounds is worth fifty million credits.' The Doctor confirms.

'How much?' Mr. Copper questions, shocked by that number.

The Doctor looks to the sky, mentally calculating. 'Fifty million and fifty-six.'

'I…I've got money!' Mr. Copper says excitedly.

'Yeah, you sure do.' Rose says and the Doctor hands back the credit card.

'Oh my word. Oh my vot! Oh my goodness me! I…ha ha!'

'It's all yours… planet Earth. Now that's a retirement plan. But just be careful, though.' The Doctor warns.

'I will. I will. Oh, I will!' Mr. Copper promises, his eyes twinkling.

'No interfering. I don't want any trouble. Just… Just…'

'Just have a nice life.' Rose finishes the Doctor's sentence.

'But I can have a house, a proper house, with a garden, and…and a door, and…oh Doctor, I will make you both proud!' He embraces the Doctor and Rose tightly. 'And, and I can have a kitchen, with chairs, and windows, and lace…' He starts to wander off, continuing to mutter.

The Doctor unlocks the TARDIS and the stops. 'Um…where are you going?'

'Why, I have no idea!' Mr. Copper chuckles.

'No, us either.' The Doctor nods and Rose beams up at him.

'But, Doctor, I won't forget her…' Mr. Copper promises.

Rose and the Doctor look up to the sky and they see a blue streak of light zigzag across it. He looks at Rose and she offers a sedate smile. Together they turn to Mr. Copper, and Rose steps inside. The Doctor pauses and smiles in the direction of Mr. Copper.

'Merry Christmas, Mr. Copper.' The Doctor steps in and shuts the doors behind him.

Rose is sitting on the console chair and the Doctor pressed some buttons and the TARDIS begins to shake. He then joins her on the chair and she leans into him. She already has an idea as to what she wants to get him for a Christmas gift. She just hopes he'll like it.

Wow, I'm so sorry this turned out to be so long!

If you guys think I should split it up, drop me a review. The only reason I hadn't was because I never did that with my previous stories.

I'm also, once again, uploading this at work. So I'll try to edit this later.

I hope you all enjoy it, and you're ready for a series four rewrite.

My apologizes for the delay in getting this written, but I hope you enjoy anyway.