Chapter 38: Boom Town

A/N- Yeah I have no excuses for why this took me so long to post. I'm just a piece of shit who can't sit down for longer than 10 minutes. So, very sorry for the wait. I tried to go more in-depth with the relationships between Jack and Kit, and Rose and Kit in this chapter. Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who, it belongs to BBC

Another Night on Mars- The Maine

This one goes out to my closest friends

The ones who make me feel less alien

I do not think I would be here if not for them

"And I told Caesar, you have to invade Gaul if you want to become ruler of Rome," Jack said with a smug smile. "And he did and became ruler thanks to me."

Kit gave him a pointed look and put down the book she was trying to read. Trying, of course, being the word as Jack wouldn't stop talking. All she wanted to do was read in the library for some peace and quiet. The last four months had been hectic with one adventure after the other. With every adventure also came trouble and more running. Today, thankfully, they decided to have a break and just float through space. The Tardis was going to have to recharge soon too so they would be stopping off at Cardiff for a bit.

"No," she replied, crossing her arms.

"Cross my heart. I was there."

Kit rolled her eyes. "So was I. There wasn't any sort of divine intervention. Caesar took Gaul so people would rally behind him. Simple as that."

Jack's smile dropped. "When did you guys go to Rome? Rose said she'd never been."

Kit bit her lip. She realized her mistake. The Doctor was still the only person that knew she was from his future. She doubted Jack would care but she was worried he would ask if she knew him in the future. She was also worried that he would tell Rose and she knew the Rose was not ready to have that conversation with her.

Kit shrugged trying to play it cool. "It was a trip with just me and the Doctor. Rose went to see her mom." She prayed to the universe that Jack wouldn't ask Rose or the Doctor about it.

Jack hummed, seeming satisfied with that answer. "Well, maybe you didn't notice me."

"I doubt it. You're not exactly subtle."

"I can be subtle!" He said defensively.

"Name one time!"

"Our last trip."

Kit glared at him. "Oh, you mean when you flirted with the princess of the planet Kalneen who was supposed to get married to the prince of Ackon?"

"It was subtle flirting."

"It almost got us killed!"

He waved his hand dismissively. "Details."

Kit shook her head but smiled despite herself. She and Jack had sparked up a sort of friendship since he came on board. The friendship consisted mostly of banter but she didn't mind it… mostly. They didn't mean to bond. It just sort of happened. The Doctor and Rose spend a lot of time together flirting and every time they did Jack would hang out with her. Kit, on the other hand, started seeking out Jack when things would get awkward with the Doctor.

True to his promise, the Doctor was trying but sometimes she would say something that would cause him to close off or get defensive. In those moments she would decide to give him space. Somehow she kept going to Jack. She wasn't sure why. Maybe she wanted to know him better because the future Jack seemed to know her so well. Or maybe Jack made her feel like a kid. Sometimes she couldn't help but act more old then she really was but Jack brought something out in her. Something that she loved.

Either way, they were starting to do more stuff together. Sometimes it would be just watching a movie or other times it would be playing in the games room. One time they had stolen all the bananas in the kitchen and watched as the Doctor started freaking out. It was the hardest she'd laughed in a long time. She smiled at the memory as it resurfaced.

"He's going to kill us," she told Jack as they put all the bananas into a trash bag. "We should just leave it be."

"You're the one that said you'd never pranked someone. I'm just trying to give you the full experience," Jack retorted. "Anyways, he's been way too addicted to bananas lately. It's not healthy."

Kit and Jack had been playing in the game room when she mentioned that she never pranked anyone before. Jack was astonished. He told her that she never truly had a childhood yet until she pranked someone. So, that's what they were doing. She had to admit that she was the one that came up with the idea of stealing the bananas but she wasn't serious. Unfortunately, the minute that Jack heard the idea, he insisted they had to do it.

"I know but he'll know it was us and he'll kill us!" Kit tried to reason.

"Lighten up, Little Red and have some fun," he laughed. "You're always so serious. Just for this moment, be a twelve-year-old."

She watched him. He was right. She hated that he was right but he was. She needed to let go and enjoy herself. Before she could reply though, she heard voices come from outside the kitchen.

"He's coming!" She whispered frantically.

"This way!" He let her to the other side of the kitchen and out the back exit. They opened the door just a crack so they could see what was happening. The Doctor and Rose stepped inside the kitchen through the front entrance. Rose was giggling about something the Doctor said and he was smiling all lovey-dovey at her. Kit looked up at Jack and made a fake gagging action and Jack laughed silently.

"So what're thinking of making?" The Doctor asked Rose.

She thought. "Probably French toast. Want some?"

The Doctor shook his head. "I'm good."

Rose rolled her eyes. "Let me guess, you're going to have a banana?"

"As I've said before, bananas are good," he told her.

"Whatever you say. I'll see if Kittredge wants any French toast later."

The Doctor shrugged and went over to where the bananas were. He went to grab one but stopped when he realized they weren't there. Normally, they would be a good fifty sitting on a table but Jack and Kit took every last one. The Doctor's eyes went wide as he searched for a banana. Kit and Jack snickered quietly.

The Doctor turned back to Rose. "Rose? Where are the bananas?"

Rose looked up from her cooking and looked around. "Oh, looks like they're gone."

The Doctor grew annoyed. "I can see that but where?"

Rose shrugged. "Maybe everyone ate them."

"All fifty?" His voice was rising.

"It's not a big deal, Doctor. Just ask the Tardis for more," she suggested.

That seemed to calm the Doctor down. "Right, of course. What would I do without you?"

Rose smiled. "Not have bananas apparently."

Jack looked down at Kit. "You sure the Tardis will play along?"

Kit knew that the Tardis could give them food if they asked for it so she had asked her nicely if she would help them with this prank. She knew the Tardis loved pranks and even though she never heard a reply, Kit knew the Tardis would help out. Plus, the Tardis was being especially nice to her probably because she knew that Kit was mad at her.

"I'm positive," she reassured him.

He smiled brightly. "Then enjoy the show, Little Red. This'll be fun."

They went back to watching the Doctor as he asked the Tardis for more bananas. There was a couple of seconds of nothing and Kit grinned as she knew the Tardis was working with them. The Doctor frowned and then asked again but again there was nothing.

His eyes were growing panicked. "Rose, the Tardis isn't giving me any bananas."

"Then just get something else. Why don't you eat a… pear or something?" She suggested.

"A pear?!" He shouted desperately. "Are you trying to kill me?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "Stop being dramatic. They're just bananas."

"But I love bananas!"

At that Kit couldn't hold in her laugh. Her laugh was a little too loud and it caught the Doctors attention.

"Who's there?" He asked.

"Crap!" Jack exclaimed.

"Jack?!" The Doctor barked. "Where are my bananas?!"

"Time to run, Little Red!"

And they ran and ran and laughed.

They spent another day in the kitchen as Jack taught her how to make certain cocktails and margaritas. That, of course, got Jack in a load of trouble from the Doctor. He spent the rest of the day giving Jack a lecture on what he can and can't do with Kit, and the dangers of alcohol on the youth. It was extremely comical and Rose and Kit spent that night laughing about it in her room.

"Okay, so this is called a Dark and Stormy. One of my personal favourites," Jack told her as he handed her the cocktail.

Jack had been making her spaghetti for dinner after they came back from their trip to Italy. Kit had been complaining that she never got a chance to eat real spaghetti from Italy because they had been interrupted by some aliens turning people into warrior zombies for an army. Once they defeated those aliens they decided to leave right away and Kit never got her spaghetti. Jack had told her that he made the best spaghetti and boasted about how it was even better than anything in Italy. While making dinner, Jack was drinking a cocktail he made. Kit had asked what was so great about the drinks he drank. That got him on a rant out cocktails and margaritas. While Kit was eating her spaghetti, which she had to admit was really good, he started to make her cocktail to try.

"Does it taste good?" She questioned, looking at the drink with unease. "People say alcohol doesn't actually taste good."

"I'll admit, when I was your age I hated the taste but if you find the right ones then it's not so bad."

Kit was still skeptical but she shrugged and lifted the drink up to her lip.

"You never told us you made dinner," Rose voice stopped her before she could drink. Kit turned to see Rose and the Doctor standing by the front entrance.

Jack cursed. "Knew I forgot something. Sorry guys, I was going to tell you but I got distracted showing Kit the finer things in life."

The Doctor narrowed his eyes on Jack. "Like what?"

"Just my favourite drinks," Jack said nonchalantly. He clearly didn't see the Doctor's eyes growing dark. Kit did and put down the glass she was holding with a gulp.

"Alcoholic drinks?!" The Doctor exclaimed. "She's twelve!"

Jack shrunk in his seat. "Isn't that when everyone tries their first drink?" He looked at Rose for help.

Rose shook her head and gave him a sympathetic smile. "Try eighteen."

"Oh," he looked up at the Doctor with a gulp.

The Doctor looked like he was going to go full Oncoming Strom on Jack. "Are you crazy?! What if she got addicted? What if she got alcohol poisoning? She's twelve, Jack! Twelve!"

The Doctor continued to yell at him. Kit got up with her spaghetti and slowly backed away from the yelling and towards somewhere safer. She came up next to Rose and looked at her for help. She just laughed silently.

"Maybe we should go somewhere a little less chaotic," Rose whispered to her.

Kit smiled gratefully. "Sounds good to me."

Kit tried to hide her smile thinking about the memory. She had been loving her time spent with Jack and even Rose. They always seemed to be something when hanging out with him. Sometimes though they spent their time like this where Jack just talked and Kit just rolled her eyes.

"Details my ass," Kit muttered.

Jack watched her in amusement. "Didn't the Doctor tell you to stop swearing."

"Didn't the Doctor tell you to stop being annoying," she countered.

He grinned. "Touché."

Before Kit could make any reply, the Doctor popped his head inside the library. He looked around until he spotted them.

"We're about to land in Cardiff," he told them. "I'm going to need a bit of help getting everything ready to recharge the Tardis. Jack? You think you have enough brainpower to help?"

Jack glared at the Doctor. "I think I can handle it."

"Wait," Kit stopped them. "What about me?"

"What about you, Little Red?"

She looked at the Doctor. "I've done it before. I know which wires connect to which. You taught me. Please?"

The Doctor looked a bit uncomfortable with this knowledge. She knew she shouldn't push him but she loved helping the Doctor with the Tardis. Not to mention, she was trying to test out a theory. After easily being able to fix Jack's ship, she knew something was up with her but in the last couple of months she'd been too scared to really look into it. Now though, she wanted to see if she was able to understand other things better too.

"Well, if you taught her, Doctor, I don't see why not," Jack replied not noticing or choosing to ignore their tense stares towards each other.

The Doctor looked conflicted. Kit put on her best puppy dog face and she could see the corner of the Doctor's lips lift slightly. He sighed. "Alright, you can help but you listen to me exactly. Got it?"

She jumped up from her chair and put her book down. "Got it!"

...

"Kit, I need you to take that wire and attach it to the wire Jacks holding," the Doctor instructed. "And then I need you to—"

"Attach the rest of the wire to the ventilator plug that's under the stabilizer lever," Kit finished without even thinking. Her mouth seemed to move on its own.

Her theory was being proven right the minute they landed in Cardiff. Everything just made sense to her. Her body worked without a second thought. It was terrifying. She was going to need the Doctor to check her out or at least tell her what was happening and how it was possible.

"Right… that," the Doctor nodded looking uneasy. The Doctor then stared at her with a curious expression. She knew what he was thinking; she shouldn't know all this even if he taught her a lot. Of course, he wasn't wrong.

She looked away and did what she was told. She took the wire from Jack, who didn't seem to notice anything wrong, and attached them together. As Kit was plugging the wire into the ventilator plug, Rose came into the control room looking nervous. She held her phone in her hand and tossed it from one hand to the other.

"You okay, Rose?" Kit questioned, noticing her anxiousness.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm good," she waved Kit off. "Mickey's coming down to drop some stuff off for me."

Kit frowned. With Jack and Kit hanging out more, she and Rose were too. Mostly because Rose needed someone to talk to. It was mostly about Mickey and the Doctor as well as being homesick. She was confused about her feelings for both and didn't know what to do. Kit wasn't much help in that department, but oddly enough Rose didn't care. She would tell her she just wanted someone to hear her out that wasn't the Doctor or Jack. Sometimes though Rose just felt lonely. She was used to being around a majority of women in her life and just needed that. Kit didn't mind though and actually was starting to like hanging out with Rose. They would sit in Rose room and Rose would either help Kit with her hair or make her paint her nails. They mostly did it to destress after a tough trip.

Kit lay on her bed reading the 2nd Harry Potter book for the billionth time. She just wanted to relax and read something that was fun and not too challenging. They had a long and rigorous trip this time to a planet called Oceanum Litore. Rose had wanted a day at the beach in the Caribbean but of course, the Doctor couldn't do anything simple and instead took them to a beach planet. Not surprisingly, everything went wrong less than an hour into their trip. They ran into a giant sea monster alien thing that was coming to shore and drowning vacationers. Altogether, it was a very stressful trip which was the exact opposite of what Rose wanted and Kit could tell that Rose was not happy about that. Kit was also unhappy about their trip but not because it was stressful but because she got sand in places sand should not be. She had taken a very long shower.

Right when she was about to turn the page to her book, she heard a knock at her door. She groaned. She just wanted to chill by herself. Still, she got up off her bed and headed to the door. When she opened it, she saw a slightly disheveled and stressed Rose on the other side. She was carrying two armfuls of hair products like hairspray, straightening iron, and some stuff she didn't even recognize.

Kit raised her eyebrow in question and was about to ask what Rose needed when Rose started talking before her. "I just wanted a relaxing day because these trips have been so stressful and I've been having a lot on my mind, and I usually destress by doing my hair with my mum or my mate Shireen but they aren't here and the Doctor's and Jacks way of destressing is rubbish. So now I keep thinking of my mum and my mate which is making me homesick which is stressing me out more!"

Kit blinked a couple of times processing all the information that Rose just dumped on her. There was no 'hello' or 'how are you doing' or even a reason why she was knocking on her door. No, just a lot of rushed information that made no sense to her.

"Um… okay. So, what do you want me to do?" Kit asked.

"I just need to do your hair so I can destress my way and there're just somethings I can't talk to with Jack and the Doctor. I need a girl and you're the closest thing to that," Rose explained.

Kit narrowed eyes on her. "Okay, slightly insulted about that one."

"Please, Kittridge," she pleaded. "I know we don't always get along, but I need a mate—a mate that understands how crazy things are. The Doctor and Jack are so used to aliens and different planets and time travel. It's totally normal for them! But sometimes—sometimes it's so much… too much!"

Kit looked at Rose's sad face and sighed. She felt bad for her. Rose was pretty good at handling this sort of life, but she knew it could still take a toll. Even though Kit was also in the same position as The Doctor and Jack, she could understand wanting to talk to someone who understood how you were feeling. And technically Kit did understand. She was once a beginner companion, even if it was when she was really young.

"Okay, Rose, I'll let you do my hair but nothing crazy."

Rose smiled brightly. "Thanks, Kittredge! All I want to do is straighten your hair. I've been dying to do it ever since I met you."

Kit frowned and patted her hair down. "It's not that bad, is it?"

Rose gave her a sympathetic smile. "Corse not. I just think it'll look really cute on you."

Kit bit her lip. "Okay, I'll trust you." She opened the door wider to let Rose in.

Rose plopped the hair products onto Kit's bed. She grabbed the hair straightener and plugged it into an outlet. Kit watched as she arranged the products, inspecting each one like it was some unsolved mystery. She then looked up at Kit and seemed to study her with the exact same intensity. Kit had no idea what she was doing or why this was taking so much concentration. She pushed her lips together in a thin line and then frowned.

Kit suddenly felt uncomfortable, like she was under a microscope. "What?"

Rose hummed. "I'm just trying to figure out what hair products to use. I'm not used to hair that's so…"

"Disastrous?" Kit suggested, only half-joking. She pulled on the ends of her hair. She never liked it. It was nappy, coarse and thick. It tended to grow out and not down. It was like wool. She couldn't even run a comb through it. Her Doctor always said it was rebellious just like her.

Rose gave her a pointed look. "No… just curly. Me, my mum, and my mate all have straight hair. Yours is just different from what I'm used to." She looked down at the hair products and then back at Kit. "And I like your hair, Kittredge. I think it looks lovely on you." Rose gave her a soft smile. "Now, come on. Sit on the bed. I think I've found the right products."

Kit sighed and sat down beside Rose. Rose grabbed some kind of hair spray, then covered Kit's eyes, and sprayed the stuff all over Kit's hair.

The stuff didn't smell nice, like chlorine and mud. Kit had to bite her lip to stop herself from gagging. Rose then grabbed a brush and tried to get the tangles out of her hair. Trying, of course, being the word but all she was really doing was yanking at her hair with no result.

Kit grimaced from the pain and the smell now. "How exactly does to help you destress?"

Rose huffed. "Usually my hair isn't this stubborn." She sighed and then sat beside Kit. "My mum always did my hair real fancy when she was really stressed about something. She used to say 'when you're really stressed and things feel out of control all you need is a dramatic change to your hair.' She'd go on and say 'sometimes you can't change things around you or in you, but you can change your hair. And by changing your hair, you suddenly have some control even if it's small.' My mum likes to think that hair is a window to our soul."

"And is she right?" Kit questioned skeptically.

Rose smiled and had a nostalgic look in her eyes. "My mom's not right about a lot of things but this one—this one she's always been right about." She looked at the wall in front of her. "Whenever my mum found a new guy to date or when Father's Day came around… or when someone bullied me in school or even when I got my heart broken once again, I'd take some scissors or some hair dye and do something crazy. Suddenly, things didn't feel so heavy. Like… it's a reminder that things can change, and it'll be okay, you know?"

Kit studied Rose for a moment. She'd known Rose for a while now. She's seen lots of parts of her. She'd seen what she was like when she was passionate about something. She'd seen what she was like scared or unsure. She'd seen her kindness and seen the rare times when she was unkind. She'd seen a lot of Rose but no matter what she was feeling, there was always a mask. Not a thick one like Kit had but a thin layer. So thin that most would mistake it for not being there at all, but Kit could see it, she just never knew why it was there. But she understood now. Rose was scared. She was scared that it could all go wrong and she could lose all of what's around her. So maybe she had this thin mask to save herself from being hurt even more. At this moment Kit was really seeing Rose. And at this moment, she understood her in a way she never did before. Understood why she did certain things and way she looks at the world in the way she did. Kit understood because she was exactly the same.

"Yeah, I know," Kit muttered.

They sat in silence for a couple of moments. Kit could see that Rose's thoughts were going to dark places by the way her body slacked, and her eyes turned stormy. Kit could almost feel her anxious energy radiating from her. This was a Rose she never saw. She knew she needed to get Rose out of her sour mood. She felt like it was the least she could do.

Kit got up and picked up the straightener that was still plugged into the outlet. It was warm and she was careful not to burn herself.

"Are you sure you can straighten my hair?" Kit questioned playfully which pulled Rose out of her thoughts. "Because if you haven't noticed, my hair isn't easy to tame."

Rose grinned. "That's because you haven't had the equipment to do it." She grabbed the straighten out of Kit's hands. "Trust me, if I can fix my mate Shireen's hair after her little brother put gum all over it, I can do your hair."

Kit crossed her arms. "Betcha you can't."

"Betcha I can."

Kit raised her eyebrow. "Wanna make a bet?"

"15 quid says I can tame the beast," Rose teased.

Kit laughed. A genuine laugh. "Alright, Rose, you're on."

Kit shook herself out of the memory. She looked at Rose. She seemed about something conflicted. Kit frowned. The last 'girl time', as Rose liked to call it, they had Rose had told Kit that she may feel more for the Doctor than Mickey and that it might be time to let him go. So, she was confused as to why Rose invited him to come and what was making her so anxious.

Kit gave her a questioning look and Rose mouthed, I'll tell you later. Just as she did that, a knock came at the door and they all knew who it was.

"I got it," Jack told them as he was closest to the door.

"It's fine, Jack, I got it," Rose tried to get to the door first.

"Nonsense!" Jack exclaimed. "I got to introduce myself to the famous Mickey. Size up the competition. Make him feel a little intimidated." He walked over to the door and swung it open. Behind it was, of course, Mickey. He stared at Jack with a mix of shock and annoyance. "Who the hell are you?" Jack questioned putting on his best threatening voice.

The shock wore off Mickey's face and now showed clear annoyance. "What do you mean, who the hell am I? Who the hell are you?"

"Captain Jack Harkness," he introduced. "Whatever your selling, we're not buying."

Kit could see the irritation in Mickey's face and decided to rescue him before a fight broke out. "Leave the poor guy alone, Jack."

He smirked down at her. "Aw, where's the fun in that, Little Red?"

Mickey seemed to have had enough and pushed past him into the Tardis. "Out of my way."

Kit could only guess how uninterested Mickey really was about them and probably just wanted to see Rose. He had a sort of desperate look in his eyes. Kit wondered what Rose said to him to get him down to Cardiff and looking so eager.

"What's up, Mickey?" Kit asked. "Long time no see. How's life going?"

He shrugged. "Could be better." As he said this, his eyes drifted over to Rose.

Kit rolled her eyes. She really had to know what Rose said to him. "This is the part where you say 'oh how are you, Kittredge? You look wonderful this evening,'" she joked.

It was his turn to roll his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, it's good to see you too."

"Don't I get a hello too, Rickey Boy?" The Doctor called out from the second floor where he was working. He was wearing a headlamp and was fiddling with some wires.

"It's Mickey!" He snapped.

Rose came up to him and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Don't listen to him, he's just winding you up."

That seemed to make Mickey calm down and he fully turned to Rose. "You look fantastic," he marveled as they hugged.

"Aw, sweet, look at these two," Jack commented as the two pulled apart. "How come I never get any of that?" He asked the Doctor.

"Buy me a drink first," the Doctor joked.

He mocked being annoyed. "You're such hard work." He walked over to Kit and threw his arm around her shoulders. "And so are you. Why is it so hard for you two to show me that you actually like me?"

Kit crossed her arms. "Because we know what that'll do to your already big ego."

Jack just grinned and pulled her into a side hug. "Why do I even bother?"

"Because we're worth it," the Doctor cut in.

Rose shook her head at them and turned back to Mickey. "Did you manage to find it?"

Mickey rummaged through his pocket and pulled out a passport. "There you go." He gave it to her.

Rose turned to the Doctor with a triumphant smile on her face. "I can go anywhere now."

"I told you, you don't need a passport," the Doctor told her.

Rose shrugged. "It's all well going to platform one and Justicia and the glass pyramids of San Kaloon, but what if we end up in Brazil?"

"We use the psychic paper like always?" Kit suggested and Jack nodded in agreeance.

Rose gave her a pointed look and said, "But you never know. We do wonder off a lot. What if we get caught without psychic paper? See? I'm prepared for anything."

"Sounds like your staying, then," Mickey interrupted, his face growing extremely sad. It caused everyone's mood to somber and an awkward silence descended upon everyone. Before Rose could reply he asked, "So, what're you doing in Cardiff? And who the hell's Jumping Jack Flash? I mean, I don't mind you hanging out with big-ears up there and Little Orphan Annie—"

"Oi!"

"Hey!" They both said at the same time but Mickey ignored them.

"Look in the mirror you two," he argued and turned back to glaring at Jack. "But this guy? I don't know. He's kind of—"

"Handsome?" Jack offered.

"More like cheesy."

Jack looked down at Kit in confusion. "Early twenty-first-century slang. It cheesy good or bad?"

"Bad," Kit stated.

"But bad means good, isn't that right?" He kept trying with an even more confused expression.

"No, still just means bad," she tried again which caused Jack to become grumpy.

"Are you saying I'm not handsome?" The Doctor thought out loud.

Rose rolled her eyes and ignore them all. "We just stopped off. We need to refuel. The thing is, Cardiff's got this riff running through the middle of the city." She explained in excitement. "It's invisible, but it's an earthquake fault between different dimensions."

"The rift was healed back in 1869," the Doctor added walking down the ladder and joining the rest of them.

"That was because of this girl named Gwyneth," Kit put in more information. "There were these creatures called Gelth and they were using the rift for a gateway to our world. She closed it though and saved us all."

"But closing a rift always leaves a scar," Jack decided to put in his two cents. Mickey was starting to look very confused. "And that scar generates energy, harmless to the human race."

The Doctor grinned. "But perfect for the Tardis, so just park it here for a couple of days on top of the scar and—"

"Open up the engines, soak up the radiation," Jack interrupted.

"Like filling her up with petrol and off we go!" Rose exclaimed.

"Into time!" Kit cheered.

"And space!" They all shouted and laughed as they high fived each other.

Mickey just shook his head. "My God, have you seen yourselves? You all think you're so clever, don't you?"

"Yeah," the Doctor said.

Rose smiled widely. "Yeah."

"Yep," Jack grinned.

"Oh yeah," Kit laughed.

"Are you guys done?" Mickey asked irritated.

"Come on, Rickey," the Doctor beamed, putting his arm around his shoulder. "Lighten up."

Mickey shrugged off the Doctors arm. "For the last time, it's Mickey!"

The Doctor waved him off. "Tomato tomahto."

The Doctor headed outside and everyone followed. When they went out the sun was shining down on them and birds were chirping. It was nice being back on earth for a bit. She missed the smell of the air and the hustle and bustle of people. It was a beautiful fall day, a perfect day to relax and enjoy themselves. Kit zipped up her leather jacket from the chill in the air.

"Should take another twenty-four hours, which means we've got time to kill," the Doctor explained.

"Don't know about any of you guys but I could go for a bite to eat," Kit suggested.

"I know this great restaurant close to here," Rose put in. "They make the best blueberry pie."

"Ooo, I could go for some pie," Jack muttered excitedly.

"Are you guy not worried that people are staring?" Mickey cut in looking anxious.

Jack shrugged and grinned. "Probably wondering what five people could do inside a small wooden box."

Mickey glared at him. "What are you the captain of, innuendo squad?"

Kit bit back a laugh as Jack's grin fell and he glared at Mickey. He held up his hands and made a 'W' with them.

He started walking away and everyone was about to follow when Mickey said, "Wait, the Tardis, we can't just leave it. Doesn't it get noticed?"

"Yeah," Jack actually agreed. "What's with the police box? Why does it look like that?"

"It's a cloaking device," Rose replied.

"It's called the chameleon circuit," Kit added. "Apparently it's supposed to change into whatever era we're in so it can blend in. That's why it's a police box. There used to be ones in the 60s. Why it doesn't change anymore is beyond me."

The Doctor shrugged. "Circuit got stuck."

"Why don't you just fix the circuit?" Jack questioned.

"I like it, don't you?"

Kit grinned. "That's code word for he doesn't know how." The Doctor glared at her. "But I don't care. I like it too." She offered him a smile which he returned.

"I love it as well," Rose added.

"But there's no police boxes anymore," Mickey kept going. "Doesn't it get noticed?"

"Rickey," the Doctor started causing Mickey to glare at him. "Let me tell you something about the human race. You put a mysterious blue box slap-bang in the middle of town, what do they do? Walk right past it. Stop your nagging. Now, let's go and get pie."

...

"I swear, six feet tall and with big tusks," Jack exclaimed.

They were all sitting around the table at the restaurant Rose suggested listening to one of Jack's stories about his time as a Time Agent. Everyone was laughing, having a good time. Even Mickey was enjoying himself and everyone seemed to be getting along. It was nice to not be thinking about aliens or any new danger. They honestly looked just like five normal people having a good time.

"I don't believe you," Kit laughed. "You're lying again!"

"I swear to God, Little Red, this time it's all true," he defended. "Anyways, where was I? Oh right! So, it turns out the white things are tusks and I mean tusks! And its woken, and its not happy."

The Doctor laughed but gave Jack a bewildered look. "How could you not know it was there?"

Jack just shrugged. "And we're standing there, fifteen of us, naked."

"Naked?!" Rose exclaimed in a giggly fit.

"Come on! This couldn't've happened!" Kit joined Rose in her giggles.

"Oh, it sure did because the next thing I know it roars!" Jack continued. "So we are running! And Brakovitch falls, so I turn to him and say—"

"I knew we should've turned left," Mickey finished for him and everyone burst out laughing.

Everyone started talking at once, asking questions and accusing Jack of lying. Nothing seemed to be able to ruin their mood. They were on a high but of course, what goes up must come down. Kit noticed the Doctor wasn't laughing or talking anymore. She saw him move towards another table and take someone's newspaper with a frown.

"What's wrong, Doctor?" She asked, bring everyone's attention to him.

He sighed and held up the paper. "And I was having such a nice day."

On the front page of the paper was a picture of a pudgy woman trying to get the camera away from her.

Kit didn't recognize the women and looked up at the Doctor in confusion. "I don't get it. Who is she?"

"A Slitheen," Rose responded instead. "She's a Slitheen."

Oh, Kit thought with a frown. Of course.