Trouble on the Homefront (1)

The TARDIS landed heavily, nearly throwing the Doctor off of his feet as the ship lurched; a white-knuckle grip on the console barely kept him upright. As the commotion subsided, he glanced at the screen, confirming the correct date and time. Something about those coordinates made him nervous. Something wasn't right. But they were definitely correct.

After an affirmative nod and one final reading of the screen, he adjusted his jacket and turned towards the door. Muffled sounds crept through the walls to where he was standing. It wasn't noisy enough to spur him into action, but it was enough to take all of his attention. What on earth could be happening in a London alley this late at night? He shuddered at the thought. It was nothing. Definitely. Unless...

The sounds slowly crescendoed, soon becoming muffled shouts and cries for help. The Doctor was pulling open both doors before another tick of the clock had passed.

What met him when he ran out of the box both excited and frightened him. Just past the alleyway, the road was filled with chaos. People were running. Large metal men followed slowly behind, uttering in their heartless, monotone voices, "Delete. Delete."

As soon as he started running for the street, however, quiet footsteps echoed from behind him. "I don't think we'll need to travel today. All the aliens are right here."

Dawn's voice sounded calm, but the Doctor knew it was int a facade. When he turned to face her, the one street lamp shone down like a spotlight on her shaking form. Her features seemed more upset than he had ever seen her.

Continue the playful banter or get to the bottom of the problem? Recalling his day with Robin Hood and holding some pent up resentment, he opted for the latter. "What happened?"

They both stepped towards each other, taking each other in. Dawn was obviously exhausted, barely standing. The Doctor hadn't changed at all since the human had last seen him. Maybe his suit seemed a bit less wrinkled, but other than that, it looked like he hadn't been gone five minutes. A tiny, happy feeling found its way into Dawn's chest.

"It was all normal for a few days. Then on Saturday, a few ships landed. They only came to the major cities. Then more came. There must be thousands of them. Metal men. All they do is take people for...they call it an 'upgrade' or something-"

"Yes. I've met the Cybermen before."

"You have?"

The Doctor simply nodded, solemnly, in reply. Dawn stammered as she continued, voice soft. "T-they took a kid I work with. Jeremy. I've been hiding out for the past week; laying low. The coffee shop's got enough food for a month. I guess I'll be fired when this is all over."

She chuckled silently, eyes downcast. "Mum's fine, too, I think. She was visiting my uncle when it all happened. He lives in the middle of nowhere. What's wrong?"

The Doctor was biting his lip anxiously, gazing distractedly at a spot on the wall. At Dawn's question, he looked back up at her and shifted his weight awkwardly. "UNIT should've called me. They usually do when these kinds of things happen."

"What's UNIT? Is that one of those secret government organizations?"

"Yes. Something like that. I work for them. In my opinion they use too many guns, but they usually call me anyway. Not sure why. They elected me president of Earth or something, too. Still don't know why."

Dawn's mouth fell open. "Wait, president? Of...what?"

"Exactly. No idea."

Dawn shook her head. "Anyway...what are we supposed to do?"

The Doctor spun in his heel and strolled towards the Console. "I think it's time for me to report for duty."

Dawn couldn't suppress the excitement filling her chest. "You mean-? We're going to UNIT?"

"Of course. I have to introduce you to a Miss Kate Stewart. She always loves to meet my friends. Once again, no idea why."

The Doctor pulled down a nearby red lever and they were off. Dawn grabbed the railing at the last second to stop herself toppling over. The chaos outside was practically forgotten. This was just another adventure now. Another day with the Doctor. Tuesday's had never been better.