Chapter 3.

The Doctor was in the console room, plotting a course for Earth, so that they would land a couple of days before the Xanodere. This way they would be able to figure out some sort of a plan before the Xanodere arrived. Of course he wasn't altogether sure how long it would have taken the creature to travel to Earth from Adelphi Prime, they could be days early but getting there before the beast was more important than hanging around and being bored. He'd rather hang around for a bit than miscalculate and miss the arrival completely. And then at least Rose would be able to see her mother and some of her friends before the customary deadly peril began.

Rose came quietly into the control room carrying a large leather-bound tome from the library. She had been somewhat subdued since his gender displacement accident, though he supposed it was just shock.

"Been reading up on the Xanodere. The Tardis has been helpful, pretty much leading me to exactly what we needed. Turns out the Xanodere race have designed a cellular modulator, which basically changes the biological structure of an organism. They generally use it as a medical device to heal wounds and cure biological disorders. But sometimes they use it as a full gender swapper on their own species. Why the hell they'd want to do that I have no idea."

"No…that actually makes sense. The Xanodere are a very proud race, warriors and whatnot. A race where men are big and tough and the women are weak and dainty. When a gender shows traits of the other, they'd probably want to change them to save face and keep with their beliefs."

"What d'ya mean?"

"Well…for example if a female was strong and brave they would turn her into a him, kinda like to keep the gender stereotypes accurate. Well…it also helps to make as many warriors as possible."

"What so if there was a bloke who was feeble and girly, they'd turn him into a she?"

"Precisely."

Rose took some time contemplating this new idea while the Doctor finished up setting the course. It seemed like a very backward and strange way of life to her, not to mention morally questionable. It wasn't really conducive for progression within society.

They both grabbed hold of the railings as the Tardis began to materialise with a bit of turbulence. Grinning, the Doctor led the way to the doors. They might as well go and have a cup of tea with Jackie to begin with. And maybe some chocolate biscuits…definitely some chocolate biscuits.

Throwing the doors wide, he strolled out into the bright sunshine of the Powell Estate, Rose not far behind him. It was a warm summer day…much too hot for the thick jacket that he was wearing. He took it off, draped it over one arm and they set off to Jackie's place. On the way they attracted much attention from the local lads, and a couple of council builders who stared in their direction and gave the occasional wolf whistle and audacious remark.

Thoroughly peeved by the presumptuousness of the annoying men folk, the Doctor tried to storm off, although only managing what looked like a strut that showed off his female figure even more. Not only that but he was becoming very confused within his mind. Since when had he started thinking of the men as THE men in the sense that he wasn't one of them? The female mind within him was already starting to take hold, altering his perceptions to that of a her. Luckily he still had enough control to suppress her for most of the time, but she would occasionally channel through when he wasn't paying enough attention.

As they reached Jackie's floor, the Doctor started feeling nervous. How would Jackie react to this new development? How did he want her to react to this new development? Knowing Jackie she would either laugh, or faint, or be angry. The Doctor wasn't sure why she would be angry but most things he did had a tendency of getting Jackie angry, so there was a possibility that this would too just be default.

Rose knocked on the door, not feeling comfortable just walking in anymore.

"Mum…I'm back."

Jackie came into the hallway to hug her daughter and immediately started off on the usual tirade.

"Ooh Rose darlin' you should have called. I've got nothing in for ya. Are you all right love? Has he been feeding you right? Keeping you out of trouble? Oh Rose you're losing weight sweetheart. I'll kill that alien when I get my hands on him."

It was then that she noticed that Rose had brought a new friend home. A strikingly pretty woman, quite short, about mid thirties.

"Oh Rose you didn't mention any new company. Hello I'm Jackie, Rose's mum. You travelling with that Doctor as well? Did he whisk you away from all of your family and friends too like he did with my little angel here? No consideration that one at all."

"Mum! This is…"

"Well he hasn't. He swans in here and takes you away from me to goodness knows where and hardly ever brings you back to see me. It's just rude that man. Anyway come through come through, Mickey's here you'll be able to introduce us both to your lovely new friend properly. Mickey…Rose is here and she has a new friend with her."

They walked into the sitting room, the Doctor looking decidedly grumpy and distasteful about Jackie's greeting and evident opinions of him. Not to mention the fact that he was going to be seeing Mickey as well. The Doctor had been hoping to avoid that. He didn't want Mickey seeing or teasing him about this, the idiot would just be unbearable.

"Rose…how ya been babe?" It was then that Mickey got a look at Rose's companion. He looked her up and down and then got a smile on his face which, in the Doctor's opinion, made him look like a hopeful puppy, "Well hey there, how ya doing gorgeous? Well aren't you just…"

"Rickey the idiot if you say anything about absolutely anything…I will seriously maim you."

Mickey stepped back in shock upon hearing the tone of her voice and seeing that familiar glint in her eyes.

"Doctor?"