Author's Notes: I do not own Doctor Who, Torchwood, the Doctor, Donna, BBC One or Richard Hammond. Anyway, continuity apology, remember Leo Jones? Anyway, he had a kid who I previously stated was a nephew of Martha's but TARDIS Wiki again tells me I'm wrong and he had a daughter named Keisha and it was stated on some fake Martha Jones MySpace, so I don't mind sticking to what's established- you know other than that one thing where the Doctor and Donna never got together-, but seriously how was I supposed to catch that? So. apologies to anyone who knew that and continued apologies because I'm sticking with a nephew. Also, seriously borrowing from Children of Earth again. Thanks for the reviews and reads and favorites and follows. I hope to hear from everyone again soon.

After a few hours, Jack returned to the office where the others worked. The tension between him and the Doctor could have been cut with a chainsaw.

"How's Mr. Frobisher?," asked the Doctor.

"Not great." Jack paused. "Look, I'm sorry I didn't mention the 456 earlier."

"You ought to be," said the Doctor.

Jack motioned at the television. "What's this?"

"3,4,7,0,0,0," said the Doctor.

"The 456 refused their first offer," said Gwen.

"It's ten percent of the children in Britain," said Ianto. "Every child in every country is saying a number that's ten percent of their nation's child population."

"So they want ten percent this time," said Jack.

"Jack," said the Doctor, "if we do this there's no compromise. We're not giving them anyone this time."

Jack nodded. "Understood."

The Doctor listened as Donna passed in the hallway with Esther and Zara.

"I'll be just a moment," he said.

The Doctor walked to the kitchen as Donna put Zara in the highchair. Zara had the pink ball the Adipose had given him, he had just shown it to her a few days before and she had taken an interest in it. Some sort of timing device for the Adiposean young, it was probably a very nice gift on their home world. The Doctor thought it must have been harmless, worst case scenario Zara would summon Adipose to the house.

"How are you feeling?," the Doctor asked Donna.

"Well, other than vomiting aliens trying to kidnap the world's children, I'm fine," said Donna.

"It'll be alright, Donna."

"You really think that poor child has been conscious this whole time? Forty four years like that?"

The Doctor drew a deep breath. "I don't think there would have been a point otherwise."

"My God, John, that was someone's baby, some poor child that got tossed aside and traded."

"Hey, come here," said the Doctor. He enveloped her in his arms. He'd always noted Donna's empathy from the very first day, she even felt badly for the giant spider who was about to feed her to her children. "You needn't worry. I'll sort this."

Ianto rushed in. "Gold Command meeting is starting."

"What is that?", asked Donna.

"The cabinet, discussing how they're going to meet the 456's demands," the Doctor said with disgust.

Donna grabbed Zara and followed them back into the office. She saw that Jack had returned as John moved closer to the screen on the laptop. It was a bunch of suits gathered around a table and even with the Torchwood mouth software only half working Donna could tell there was a lot of arguing going on.

The Prime Minister spoke. "The 456 have refused our final offer."

"What was their final offer?," Donna asked John.

John turned and looked at her. "Failed Asylum Seekers and whoever else the other nations could round up without being missed."

"My God..." said Donna.

"Mr. Frobisher?", said the Prime Minister.

"My office can arrange for the transport of the units from their schools to the delivery points designated by the 456. All that remains is for you to choose the criteria for selection."

"My God, they're actually doing this," said Gwen.

Donna held Zara tighter.

"Anyone?," Asked Green. "The clock is ticking."

"It would have to be random."

"No one would believe it was random," said a woman, "not when they're waiting at school gates for empty buses."

Donna suddenly had a vision of herself, it was under the same strange sky as her dream. She was standing at a counter, arguing with what seemed to be an airline official or something...

"My husband left hours ago on your space bus or whatever, he was meant to be back by now, what the hell is going on?"

"If you'll just calm down, Mrs.?"

Donna snapped back to the reality unfolding before her, not that she wanted to.

"...our children get protection," read Ianto.

"Of course they bloody do," said Gwen.

The woman spoke up again. "No, the first responsibility is to protect the best interests of this country, right? Then let's say it. In a national emergency, a country must plan for the future, and must discriminate between those who are vital to continued stability and those who are not. And now that we've established that our kids are exempt, the whole principle of random selection is dead in the water anyway—"

"Only so far as-"

"Let me finish. Now look, on the one hand, you've got the schools, and I don't just mean those producing graduates. I mean the pupils that will go on to staff our hospitals, our offices, our factories; the workforce of the future. We need them. Accepted, yes? So, set against that, you've got the failing schools; full of the less able, the less socially useful. Those destined to spend a lifetime on benefits, occupying places on the dole queue, and, frankly, the prisons. Now, look, should we treat them equally? God knows we've tried and we've failed, and now the time comes to choose. And if we can't identify the lowest achieving ten percent of this country's children, then what are the school league tables for?"

John took a deep breath. "Well, at least she's saying it. The rest were just waiting there, like sheep."

"Anyone want to speak against that?," said Green.

There was silence.

"Then there we have it. John, you have your criteria. We've selected the ten percent."

"Oh, well, good for you," said Donna.

"We have enough information to destroy everyone in that room," said Gwen.

"Enough to get us into Thames House," said Jack.

"John, you're going to Thames House?," asked Donna.

John turned and walked towards here. "It's the only way to stop this, Donna. Someone's got to talk to that creature."

Donna couldn't believe it. Skinny, silly haired John Smith was going to go take on the terrifying alien? "But what are you going to say to it? What are you going to do?"

"I'll think of something. Don't worry." John turned to the others. "Okay, Gwen, Rhys, Clem, sorry, but I need you to leave. We've got to safeguard the recordings just in case. Jack and I will go talk to the 456. Ianto, do you mind?"

"I'll stay here with Donna," Ianto answered.

"Good."

"John, I'm fine," said Donna. "Don't you think Ianto should go help you?"

"I think I'll work better knowing you're looked after." John kissed her. "I need a few minutes to change."

"You're changing clothes?," asked Donna.

"Wardrobe helps, trust me," said John.

After hours in the air duct, Martha had found her way out to the street and then had to hike her way back to London from UNIT Headquarters. It wasn't walking the Earth, but she was seriously rethinking her choice in footwear. She made her way to Francine's house, looking for anyone hanging around and came in the back door. Her mother was in the kitchen as her nephew, Crispin, sat at the table having a snack.

"Martha! Why haven't you answered your phone?," exclaimed Francine.

"Mum, I need the car."

"What's wrong with yours?"

"It's back at UNIT. I sort of got detained. It's a long story."

Francine rolled her eyes. "It always is."

"I've got to talk to the Doctor and I can't risk the phone."

Francine motioned at the telly and the video of the children repeating numbers. "Does he know what this is? Your nephew scared me half to death earlier."

Crispin just smiled. "It was cool."

Francine rolled her eyes.

Martha answered Francine. "I don't know, but I do know Donna's in danger. It's probably related to this. I just haven't put all the pieces together."

Francine sighed. "I'll get Joanna's car."

"What? Why Joanna's?"

"If they're looking for you, they'll be looking for me, now won't they?" Francine sighed. "You go your whole life not being a fugitive and now it's happened twice..."

"Ricky?"

Mickey looked up at Green. "Yes, sir?"

"Would you be so kind as to get the Red Files and send in Mr. Pearsall?"

Mickey couldn't think of a delay. He was going to have to leave the room. He'd have to do it quickly so he could come back in before the Doctor arrived at Thames House. "Yes, sir."

Mickey walked out into the reception area.

"Mr. Pearsall? They're waiting."

Ellis stood up. "I'm a bit slow today. Lost my cane."

"Sorry to hear that, sir," said Mickey.

"Gentlemen." Pearsall motioned at the two guards. Mickey looked at them confused as they grabbed him.

"Mister Smith, we meet again," said Ellis.

"I don't know what you mean."

"That's fine. I'm certain the Doctor will be able to explain everything very soon. He usually does."

Donna waited in the sitting room with Zara. She had a toy Donna didn't remember, a pink sort of ball. She looked at Ianto anxiously.

"Does he do this sort of thing often?," asked Donna.

"Quite a bit, I should think."

Donna shook her head. She then looked up to see John entering wearing a brown pinstripe suit, blue shirt and tie, the cream Chuck Taylors and a brown coat. It looked strangely familiar even though she knew she had never seen him in a suit before aside from the play and the christening.

"Okay," he said, "I've got to go, Donna."

Donna nodded. "You're coming back, though?"

"Of course I'm coming back. I'm not leaving you for anything." He kissed her, then Zara. "Be good for Mummy." He looked at the toy. "Be careful with that."

"Daddy..." whined Zara.

"It'll be alright. You'll see."

Jack popped in. "John, we had better get going."

"Yeah."

Martha sat on the floorboard of Joanna's X5, her nephew Crispin sat in the backseat and Francine drove.

"And I'm telling you, Martha, this is blocked off as well."

"Why would it be blocked off?," asked Martha.

"How should I know?"

"Well, try to get me close and I'll walk," said Martha.

"Walk?," scoffed Francine. "It's three miles."

"That's really not that far, Mum," said Martha. She swore her mother forgot that whole walking the Earth thing right after it happened.

"Policeman," said Crispin.

Martha looked up. The street was blocked off by checkpoints with police at them.

"Oh, my God," said Martha.

"Do you think that's what it is? They're closing off routes to the Doctor's house?," asked Francine. "It's been like that every direction."

Martha shook her head. "I've still got to get word to him somehow." She paused. "Mum, is Tish at work today?"

"At the BBC? What do you want to do, Martha?"

"I just need to get there, Mum." She so wasn't going to tell her mother what she wanted to do.

Sarah Jane Smith was doing what most of the world was doing: wondering what the hell was going on and when the Doctor would fix it. Well, maybe the rest of the world wasn't doing the last half. She was relieved when her mobile finally rang. "Hello?"

"Sarah Jane."

"Doctor, what's going on?"

"These aliens, they're asking for ten percent of the world's children, but Jack and I are going to sort it out. I need you to find Martha. She's not answering her mobile."

"What do you suppose has happened?"

"No idea, but I have the feeling it's not good. Can you do that for me?"

"Of course, Doctor."

"Thanks."

Sarah Jane put down the mobile. Luke looked at her. "What is it, Mum?"

"Mister Smith, locate Martha Jones."

"Locating Martha Jones..."

Ianto sighed. He was thinking about his sister and his niece and nephew. Well, his real niece and nephew. He looked across the room at Donna as the news played.

"Donna, do you think you'd be alright if I left the house for a few minutes?"

"No, I think it would burn down," she said dryly. "Of course I'll be alright."

Ianto stood up and took out one of his sidearms. "Here. Safety is off. Just be careful. Point and shoot, it's incredibly easy to use."

Donna's eyes were huge. "Who am I shooting at?"

"I don't know, just whoever. Just take it. I'll be right back."

Ianto walked outside the house and into the daylight.

Tish Jones was surprised to see her mother, sister and nephew in the lobby of BBC Television Centre.

"What's going on?" She motioned at Crispin. "He can't be here. There's a curfew."

"I pay my license fee, I'll do as I like," said Francine. "And I won't have you telling me what to do."

Martha interrupted before this could go further. "Tish, where does the news film? You know, the live news? What's on the air right now?"

"Tenth floor, why?"

Martha walked to the lift, her family not far behind.

"What's going on?," asked Tish.

"Martha thinks someone is going to kidnap a Time Baby," said Francine.

"What's a Time Baby?," asked Tish.

"Was that Richard Hammond?" Francine asked as the lift doors shut.

"Mum, seriously," said Martha. Not the time for her mother's Richard Hammond crush.

"What? I'm only asking." Francine scoffed. "I didn't stop to ask for his autograph, did I?"

Ianto walked a couple of miles clear of the house and waited anxiously for his sister, Rhiannon, to pick up the phone.

"Ianto? Are you alright? Is it over?"

"No, it's just beginning," he said.

He heard his sister bicker with her husband. He rolled his eyes.

"Listen, that column of fire in London on telly, did you see it?"

"No, I was watching the other side. Of course I did, you dumbo. What's happening? The kids said 'we are coming' but who's they? Who is it?"

"Just stop a minute and listen!"

"Ianto, just tell me, who are they?"

"They're from another planet. They want children. That's why they're here."

"They what?," exclaimed Rhiannon.

"They want kids, millions of them."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure. I know someone who's working on it, he'll sort it out, But for the next few days, don't let anyone take David or Mica away from you, for whatever reason. This goes for you people listening in on the wire, too. Forget the Official Secrets Act. If you've got children or grandchildren you need to hear this, and you need to tell every parent you know."

Ianto caught his reflection in a shop window and realized he was being followed. "Look, I've got to go. I love you. Don't let the kids out of your sight. I love them, too. I'm even warming to Johnny a bit."

"We love you, too."

Ianto hung up and reached for the TARDIS key in his pocket, He weighed his odds of getting back to the house in time. He had to recaclculate as he noticed the number of Land Rovers and men in black clothes around him increase. The odds weren't good.

Ianto broke into a run and sensed someone a few feet from his back. He tossed the TARDIS key into a nearby storm drain just as he was tackled to the ground. He was dragged to the back of a prison van where he met with Gwen, Rhys and Clem.

"Oh, good," said Ianto.

"You were supposed to stay at the house!," said Gwen.

"You were supposed to get away with the recordings!," said Ianto.

"Are the Doctor and Jack still at the house?," asked Rhys.

"No, they must be almost to Thames House by now."

"Donna's alone?," asked Gwen. "With the baby?"

"And the dog," said Ianto.

"I'm going to say it," said Rhys. "We're screwed."

The lift finally arrived after what seemed like an interminable delay. Martha ran out, her family right behind her. She looked up to see some doors topped by a red light. She burst through them.

"Martha! Are you mental?", exclaimed Tish.

Martha burst in, shoving off the Production Assistant who tried to stop her. She strode behind the anchor desk and took the microphone right off the anchorwoman's lapel.

"Oh, God," said Francine.

"Hi, yeah, sorry, Doctor or possibly Donna? Donna Noble?"

Donna was giving Esther a rub behind the ears when she heard her name on the telly. She looked up to see Doctor Jones.

"It's me Martha Jones. I know this seems barmy to you, but you have to run. They're coming. They're coming to take Zara, I don't know why yet and this was the only way to get word to you. Just trust me, you have to go now."

Donna was in shock. About as much shock as would be reasonable if you saw your obstetrician on BBC One shouting at you to leave your house because your baby was about to get kidnapped.

"Go!"

Donna walked over to the window and hid behind the curtain. She looked down the road to see several scary looking Land Rovers and lorries.

"Oh, my God."

"Really, Donna, if you're on your own you had better get going!," Martha shouted from the TV.

"Mum!," shouted Luke.

Sarah Jane ran to see the telly and see Martha on it. She got out her mobile to ring the Doctor and it wasn't working.

"I'm going to have to go myself," said Sarah Jane. "Stay indoors."

"I can help!"

"No!," Sarah Jane shouted grabbing the car keys, Luke protested more but Sarah Jane found it was a moot point as she opened the door to find men in riot gear and a black Land Rover.

As terrified Sylvia and Wilf were at Martha on BBC One and what she was saying, they moved quickly to go to Donna, but it wasn't quite quick enough as the front door was knocked in.

Donna moved swiftly. She grabbed the nappy bag, still sitting on the back of the pram and zipped Esther in. The dog growled, but she supposed that was tough she put the bag over her neck. She grabbed Zara out of the playpen as she still held that strange toy Donna didn't remember and the gun off the tea table. Donna then realized the problem with carrying a combined thirty five pounds of dog and baby. Well, she wasn't leaving either. She ran across the hall and into the kitchen just as men with machine guns burst through the back door. She stopped and turned around to see Agent Johnson and another group.

"Donna Noble."

"What do you want?," said Donna pointing the gun.

"We're not going to hurt either one of you," said Johnson.

"Then what the hell are you doing here?"

"We need to take you in."

"For what?," spat Donna. She realized Zara was pointing at the cellar door. As if that was going to help.

"Donna, haven't you wondered about why your life doesn't make sense? Why someone tried to take your baby the night she was born? How you ended up with your husband? Quite a catch for a temp from Chiswick, wasn't it?"

Johnson was speaking to that voice in Donna's head. The one that never thought she was good enough. The one that thought that being married to John Smith, gorgeous consultant, must have a catch.

"He loves me," said Donna.

"He's lying to you. They're all lying to you."

"Oh, and you the gun-toting bint with a leather fetish who just stormed into my house, you must be telling me the truth?"

Before Agent Johnson could answer, Zara threw her toy down, they all turned to look and Donna realized they were frozen.

"What?"

"Mummy," said Zara, pointing at the cellar.

Donna decided not to worry about why the others were frozen, just be glad that they were. Seeing as it was the only door without machine guns, Donna opened the cellar door and rushed down, carefully balancing the weight of dog and baby.

"Blue," said Zara.

"Not time for a new word," said Donna.

"Blue!"

Donna looked up to see Zara was pointing at a big, blue police box. What the hell was that thing? Why was it in the cellar?

"Blue!," Zara said insistently.

Donna heard them stirring upstairs. She looked at the cellar door, how the hell was she climbing out of that with Zara and Esther? Not having a better plan than her eight month old, Donna tried the doorknob on the blue box and found it unlocked. She walked inside and did up the locks as she heard the rattle of guns and combat boots rushing down the steps.

Donna turned around to see the strangest looking room she had ever been in.