Planet UK

'Planet UK, the year 5215, do you like it guys?' The Doctor asked, smiling, stepping out of the Tardis and gesturing at the glistening citadel in the distance. Brand new buildings, classic British architecture seamlessly meshed with modern features. It shouldn't work but it did, and it was a world away from the worn down pipes and plates of the starship.

'Like it? I don't even know what it is' Graham said, stepping out onto the pavement.

'Imagine, whole of the UK minus Scotland of course, can't drag them anywhere they don't want to go, back of a space whale, giant tower blocks. Few hundred years of lovely old Queen Liz…' she began explaining, before being interrupted.

'She's how old?' Ryan interjected, shocked. He didn't think the Queen would last another ten years, never mind centuries.

'Liz Ten Ryan, not the second!' she laughed, correcting him quickly.

'Still, a lot though …' he muttered, wondering if living for ages was a perk of royalty or if it managed to trickle down to the plebs. Probably just the rich people.

'Well she looks good for it. So anyway, they escape Earth, and finally settle on a planet they can call home, an Earth 2. And here we are. Four years and they're all finished, and we've been invited to the ceremony. I say we, Doctor and guests, bit weird if she knew who you lot were. Do you fancy it?' She asked, excited. She loved having mates, but three of them meant she was fielding questions for a lot longer than normal. Still easier than Donna though. Anyone was easier to get going than Donna. God she missed her.

'Why not call it Earth 2?' Yaz asked, pulling her from her ruminations.

'Because Yaz…' the doctor started, then stopped. Really, it probably would have flowed better.

'And why you eh doc?' Graham asked, smirking. She always seemed to get herself into the most interesting types of trouble.

'Had a run in with her didn't I. Hell of a woman, very fast with a gun. Reminded me a bit of someone actually. She won't know my face, but she's quick, I don't think it'll be too much of a problem.' Probably.

Today was going to be a day for remembering then. When she and River had been comparing notes after the Pandorica, she'd wondered if Liz and River had gotten along during their very brief encounter. A thief and a monarch. An unlikely pair really. Liz might have even liked her enough to share the good whisky.

'I'm glad you made it Doctor. Though you look a little different than last time, I like what you've done with your hair.' The Grenadier Guards had briefly detained them, but word had reached her quickly about a mysterious stranger with a specific ticket and a certain name. They'd had his picture, but faces change, apparently a lot sometimes.

'I think I suit being a blonde! Been a while!' It really had. Over two millennia. Whatever they were doing to keep their ruler young, it was working. Barely a bit of grey since they'd seen her in the 32nd century.

'Yes, and some of us had to come the long way round!' Liz smirked, before registering the Doctor's pained expression. At least she'd managed to keep her memories this time.

'Don't even get me started on the long way round Liz, honestly.' The timelords had a lot to answer for.

'Different friend this time, and they're multiplying.' Liz noted. She was curious about Amy of course, but if she wasn't here, she didn't want to hurt the doctor by bringing her up again. If the doctor had been able to bring the other woman, she probably would have. Time travel had its privileges.

'More of your subjects though, always seem to have at least one around' the Doctor laughed. It was weird how her mates kept coming from the same time and place. At least she'd gone for the north this time.

'We're made of strong stuff, good in a crisis, which I'm sure comes in handy' the queen smiled.

'Not 'alf love. I'm Graham, pleased to meet you. Doc, should I be kneeling or?' he asked, unsure of himself.

'Save your knees Graham, I might be the bloody queen but I don't really go in for all of that.'

'Woman after my own heart.' Graham smiled. He wasn't sure his joints could handle it anyway.

'You're black!' Ryan blurted out suddenly.

'Ryan!' Yaz hissed, colouring slightly. They couldn't take him anywhere.

'Well I'm sorry, but she is. How can the Queen of England be black?' He asked, confused.

'United Kingdom, and we've evolved a bit over the past few centuries. Anyone who had a problem, was a problem.' Liz replied, smiling gently. It hadn't been an issue for a long time, but they'd had a hell of a time getting there.

'It's so good to know it gets better. We've seen some positive things in the future, but back in our time, riots, protests, inequality. I didn't think I'd ever see Britain be so accepting. After seeing the partition of India with the Doctor…'

'and Martin Luther King' Ryan interjected.

'Well for today, don't worry about it. You're here, guests of honour, have some bubbly and put your feet up. Though prepare to be bombarded with questions, there's only so much the archives cover and I'm dying to know what life was like back in…' Liz trailed off.

'Oh. 2020.' Yaz supplied.

'Jesus. Yeah, get ready to tell me everything.'