Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who.

Big thanks to Chakoteya transcripts & BBC iPlayer.

Chapter 3 – The End of the World

The Doctor and I were now standing beside opposite sides of the main console in the TARDIS, facing each other as the green light from the time rotor illuminated our faces further due to our proximity.

"Right then!" He clapped his hands, before rubbing them together excitedly "Rose Tyler, you tell me. Where do you want to go? Backwards or forwards in time. It's your choice. What's it going to be?"

"Forwards." I nodded firmly.

He tilted his head inquisitively, raising his eyebrows as he asked "How far?"

"Well, I could make a few suggestions but I think I'm just going to go with – Surprise me." I grinned, wiggling my eyebrows at him in mock challenge.

He grinned back before rushing around the console, flicking switches and pressing buttons, seemingly at random "Right then, you asked for it. I know exactly where to go. Hold on!"

I grab onto the handrail, watching as he continued to move around the console with confidence before calling out a little flirtatiously "You think you're so impressive."

"I am so impressive." He stated, grinning as he shot me a wink.

I let out a laugh as I replied jokingly "You wish!" still holding onto the handrail as the TARDIS shook in its journey, before eventually steadying as it came to a stop. The Doctor pulling around a screen to presumably check that we've reached the correct destination.

"Well, where are we?" I pressed as he pushed aside the screen, following after him as he made his way to the doors "What's out there?"

He grinned down at me as he pushed the door open, quickly stepping through to a fancy looking room, quickly moving over to a wall to mess with a panel, causing a large shutter that had been covering one of the walls to descend revealing a large window displaying a view of the Earth in orbit.

I made my way down a flight of steps to get a closer view of my planet in all its glory, looking down at it with a slowly growing smile. It's beautiful.

"You lot, you spend all your time thinking about dying, like you're going to get killed by eggs or beef or global warming or asteroids. But you never take time to imagine the impossible, that maybe you survive. This is the year five-point-five slash apple slash twenty-six. Five billion years in your future, and this is the day" He paused checking his wrist watch "Hold on." He gestured to the window as the sun flared brightly across, now shining red. "This is the day the sun expands. Welcome to the end of the world."

We paused for another moment, taking in the view once again before the Doctor turned, tilting his had towards the corridor, beckoning me to follow saying "Come on." An announcement sounding from the computer shortly after his words, as we began walking through.

Shuttles five and six now docking. Guests are reminded that Platform One forbids the use of weapons, teleportation and religion. Earth Death is scheduled for fifteen thirty-nine followed by drinks in the Manchester Suite.

"So," I began, looking at him as we walked side by side "when it says guests, what kind of people are they?"

"Depends what you mean by people."

"I mean people," I clarified "like of any kind. What do you mean?"

"Aliens." He stated, a grin on his face.

"Okay." I replied to his oh so informative answer. "Then what 's happening on board this spaceship? What's it all for?"

"It's not really a spaceship, more like an observation deck." He explained as he stopped in front of another wall panel "The great and the good are gathering to watch the planet burn." He finished, stepping through the doorway that had now been opened.

I followed through after him asking "To pay their respects?"

"For fun." He commented offhandedly.

As we continued through, we eventually made our way into an area with walls lined a few display cases and a large window that stretched across the ceiling down the wall in front of us, showing a view of the space outside.

"Mind you," He continued "when I said the great and the good, what I mean is, the rich."

"Typical." I scoffed before once again taking in the view of the expanding sun outside the window. "They did this once on Newsround Extra. The sun expanding, that takes millions of years."

"Yeah, but the planet's now property of the National Trust. They've been keeping it preserved. See down there?" He pointed to some objects surrounding the sun that were easy to miss if you weren't looking for them. "Gravity satellites holding back the sun."

I nodded, taking in the information, looking at him to ask "The planet still looks the same though? I thought the continents shifted and things?"

"They did," He confirmed "and the Trust shifted them back. That's a classic Earth. But now the money's run out, nature takes over."

I looked back out over the view "How long's it got?"

He checked his wristwatch as he replied "About half an hour and then the planet gets roasted."

"Have all the people gone? All the animals?" Probably. Doubt there would be a party if people were dying… But then again…best check.

"It's empty. They're all gone. No one left." He confirmed my theory.

"How far have we gone then?" I asked eager to find out "How far has the human race spread across the universe?"

He opened his mouth to answer but was cut off as a person with blue skin and golden slit eyes strode towards us from across the room, wearing a rather fancy patterned robe, calling out in a demanding tone "Who the hell are you?"

"Oh, that's nice, thanks." The Doctor answered sarcastically.

"But how did you get in?" The man pressed flustered "This is a maximum hospitality zone. The guests have disembarked. They're on their way any second now."

"That's me. I'm a guest." The Doctor reached into his jacket, pulling out a small leather wallet, flipping it open to show the man, who peered at it "Look, I've got an invitation. Look. There you, see? It's fine you, see? The Doctor plus one. I'm the Doctor, this is Rose Tyler." He made a small gesture towards me "She's my plus one. Is that all right?"

The man back pedalled a bit dumbfounded "Well, obviously. Apologies, et cetera. If you're on board, we'd better start. Enjoy."

The Doctor showed me the so-called invitation as the man moved over to a lectern, explaining "The paper's slightly psychic. It shows them whatever I want them to see. Saves a lot of time." He then snapped the wallet closed, grinning as he put it away back into his pocket.

I gave him a nod before turning back to look at the other man stating "He's blue." I stared in wonder at the first alien I'd seen. Well, I thought looking back at the Doctor. Technically second.

"Yeah." He stated still grinning.

"What's his job exactly?"

He shrugged "Probably a steward of some sort. In charge of making sure the parties being hosted go smoothly."

The Steward took this moment to begin his announcement "We have in attendance the Doctor" at this the Doctor shot him a wave "and Rose Tyler. Thank you. All staff to their positions." He clapped his hands together causing a group of small blue people all dressed in the same uniform to appear, assuming different positions, both in and out of the room. "Hurry, now, thank you. Quick as we can. Come along, come along. And now, might I introduce the next honoured guest? Representing the Forest of Cheam, we have trees, namely, Jabe, Lute and Coffa."

At this, three humanoid figures entered, looking as though they were made from tree bark, a woman dressed in an extravagant dress leading, with two very tall men following behind her dressed in what looked like armour. Bodyguards, maybe? I thought looking them over.

"There will be an exchange of gifts representing peace. If you could keep the room circulating, thank you." The Steward continued introducing the next guest "Next, from the solicitors Jolco and Jolco, we have the Moxx of Balhoon." Who turned out to be another blue alien, moving along on some sort of motorized space chair, the first thought that came to mind when thinking of how to describe him was as 'jiggly'.

"And next, from Financial Family Seven, we have the Adherents of the Repeated Meme." In walked a group of black-robed people who were hard to make out as their cloaks covered them from head to toe. I looked to the Doctor who was beaming away at me, practically wiggling in glee where he stood as more aliens were introduced, walking in two by two. "The inventors of Hypo-slip Travel Systems, the brothers Hop Pyleen. Thank you. Cal Spark Plug. Mister and Mrs Pakoo. The Ambassadors from the City State of Binding Light."

The tree people approached, coming to a stop once they were in front of us "The Gift of Peace. I bring you a cutting of my grandfather." The woman spoke, proffering a small pot containing what looked like a small sapling sprout towards the Doctor.

The Doctor reached to take the pot a bit reverently, before passing it to me to hold. "Thank you. Yes, gifts. Er," He fumbled a bit, patting down his pockets before finishing "I give you in return air from my lungs." Breathing gently over the tree woman.

The woman, seeming quite pleased with this gift, closed her eyes briefly to take it in, before smiling coyly at the Doctor as she stated "How intimate."

He grinned. "There's more where that came from."

"I bet there is." She replied suggestively before making her way towards another of the guests with her entourage.

I nudged the Doctor with my elbow, smiling as I leant in to whisper "You're in there, mate." The Doctor snorting softly in reply as he nudged me back.

"From the Silver Devastation, the sponsor of the main event, please welcome the Face of Boe." The steward announced the arrival of another guest, revealing a large glass case, just managing to squeeze through the doorway, containing what appeared to be a giant humanoid head with tentacle-like hair.

I looked at the tank, considering. The Face of Boe…it sounds familiar but I can't quite place it. The face looked back at me as I continued to squint at it in question, my eyes widening as I heard soft laughter echo inside my mind. I gave the face another curious look, before turning back as another guest made their way to us.

"The Moxx of Balhoon." The Doctor greeted, breathing over him lightly "I give you air from my lungs."

The Moxx nodded, accepting the gift "My felicitations on this historical happenstance. I give you the gift of bodily salivas."

I quickly stepped behind the Doctor so that he's the one to receive the ever so gracious gift, directly to the face. Stepping back to my place beside him as the he replied "Thank you very much." Discreetly wiping his face as the Moxx made his way away from us to another guest, the black-robed group gliding up to take his place in front of us.

"Ah! The Adherents of the Repeated Meme." He greeted, once again breathing over them "I bring you air from my lungs."

The lead Adherent held out a metal ball towards us in response, revealing their hands to be large, metal and bird-like "A gift of peace in all good faith." As they walked away, the Doctor attempted to hand the ball to me, and failed as I pushed it back into his hands stating quietly so only, he could hear "It's not safe." He raised a brow at me before looking at the ball curiously, tossing it up into the air once, catching it as it came back down and finally putting it into one of his jacket's side pockets.

"And last but not least, our very special guest." The Steward announced "Ladies and gentlemen, and trees and multiforms, consider the Earth below. In memory of this dying world, we call forth the last Human. The Lady Cassandra O'Brien Dot Delta Seventeen."

A piece of skin, so sheer you could see mostly through it, displaying a pair of eyes and lips applied with lipstick, was wheeled into the room. Stretched across a rectangular metal frame, and attended to by two men clothed in hospital whites, holding spray cannisters. I looked at the Doctor to see him laughing exaggeratedly, though silently at my expression, which in return he got an elbow to the stomach, causing him to at least attempt to act serious.

The skin began to speak "Oh, now, don't stare. I know, I know it's shocking, isn't it? I've had my chin completely taken away and look at the difference. Look how thin I am. Thin and dainty. I don't look a day over two thousand. Moisturise me. Moisturise me." One of her attendants moved to spray moisturiser over the sheet of skin.

Now, I'm all for doing what you want to make yourself comfortable with the way you look, after all it's no one else's business but your own. But, as I looked at her, I really just couldn't comprehend what Cassandra had done to herself. Especially under the excuse that she had done so to survive while still remaining a "pure" human. I honestly doubt it would be a lie to say that there wasn't even anything truly human left in her.

I zoned back in as the guests began to chuckle politely around me in response to something Cassandra had said, listening now to hear her say "Oh, no. Oh, don't laugh. I'll get laughter lines. And here, another rarity." Cassandra states as two of the small workers wheeled in what looked like a 50's juke box from out behind her. "According to the archives, this was called an iPod." I raised an incredulous brow at the Doctor, only getting a grin in response "It stores classical music from humanity's greatest composers. Play on!"

One of the small attendants took this cue to press a button, on the duke box, selecting one of the records to play, which turned out to be Tainted Love by Soft Cell, the Doctor beginning to bop to the music as the others began to mingle, the Steward calling out "Refreshments will now be served. Earth Death in thirty minutes."

I had a feeling I couldn't be here anymore and that there was something I needed to do, quickly turning to the Doctor to tell him "I'll be back in a bit." Before rushing my way out of the room, missing how he attempted to follow after me.

I made my way out of the doors the other guests had entered through, continuing down the corridors until I came to a small view port that displayed the expanding sun outside. Pausing beside it to once again take in the view as I hear footsteps approach from behind me, turning to see a young woman of presumably the same race as the Steward, wearing overalls and a cap coming around the corner.

"Sorry." I apologize as she stops to look at me "Am I allowed to be in here?"

She opens her mouth to say something, pausing shortly before stating "You have to give us permission to talk."

"Oh." My eyes widen in realisation "Oh! You have permission. You can speak to me whenever, I don't mind."

"Thank you." She replied with a somewhat bashful smile, before moving over to a panel on the wall "And, no, you're not in the way. Guests are allowed anywhere."

I walk over to where she has started to tap on the panel, leaning on a section of wall nearby, looking on curiously as I ask "What's your name?"

She pauses looking up from her task to respond "Raffalo."

"Raffalo?"

"Yes, miss." She finished working on the panel, moving to crouch in front of a metal vent "I won't be long, I've just got to carry out some maintenance. There's a tiny little glitch in the Face of Boe's suite. There must be something blocking the system. He's not getting any hot water."

"So, you're a plumber?" I ask to clarify.

"That's right, miss." She replied, beginning to unscrew the vent cover.

"They need plumbers in space?" I think to myself out loud.

Raffalo gave a small laugh "I hope so, else I'm out of a job."

"So," I cross my arms, leaning forwards slightly in curiosity "where are you from?"

"Crespallion."

I tilt my head at the short answer. Probably expects me to know where that is. "That's a planet, is it?"

"No." She replied, standing from her work to give me her full attention "Crespallion's part of the Jaggit Brocade, affiliated to the Scarlet Junction, Convex fifty-six. And where are you from, miss?" She paused, looking down as if she'd spoke beyond her station "If you don't mind me asking."

"No, not at all." I shook my head, hopefully easing her worries. "Er, I'm from somewhere very similar to the planet down there." I gesture back to the window "Though it's still thriving, full of people. I'm just a long way away. I just sort of hitched a lift with this man. I'd been waiting for him a while y'see? I knew that when he came, I'd get the chance to see a lot of things, a lot of new places and I just couldn't resist." I spoke wistfully before shaking my head, looking back at Raffalo "Sorry I rattled on a bit there. You can work, I'll just lean here quietly, out of your way."

"It's not a problem, miss." She replied smiling "And er, thank you for the permission. Not many people are that considerate." She nodded at me before moving to remove the metal panel covering the vent from the wall completely to look inside. "Now then." She pressed something on her shoulder which crackled like a radio "Control, I'm at junction nineteen and I think the problem's coming from in here. I'll go inside and have a look." I continue to watch as I hear the tapping sound of metal upon metal, stepping up behind Raffalo as she peers into the darkness of the vent asking "What's that? Is something in there?"

A metal spider comes from around a corner towards her. "Oh! Who are you, then?"

It let out a squeal before running back the way it came. I grabbed Raffalo as she called out "Hold on!", moving to climb into the vent after it.

I shook my head at her as she looked up at me "I don't think you should go after it, it might not be safe."

She peered back towards to vent "But it might be an upgrade and then I'll just need to register it, that's all. Oh!" I look into the vent as well at her exclamation "There's two now-wait thre-four?"

I quickly pull on her shoulders that I am still holding, pulling Raffalo to standing as the spiders begin to rush towards us calling out for her to grab the vent panel, which she does. I quicky place it back over the hole as the spiders begin to bang against it, Raffalo hurriedly working to seal it back into place us both letting out a relieved sigh once its firmly on, the spiders tapping echoing as we hear them retreat back into the vent.

"You best come with me I know someone who can help." I say, taking hold of Raffalo's hand to lead her back down the corridor, back towards where I thought the TARDIS was made it into the room, shutters still descended to see the view of the Earth outside as the computer announced overhead.

Earth Death in twenty-five minutes.

I pause looking around the room, seeing no sign of the TARDIS "Well, it looks like the room we landed in." I turn to look at Raffalo who I have been dragging by the hand, with what I hope is an encouraging smile "Either way it won't be long till my friend finds us, then he can help."

She nods back, still a bit shaken "If you say so, miss."

"Oh!" I smack myself lightly in the head with my other hand, earning a startled look of concern "I haven't even introduced myself properly, my name's Rose. There we go, I'm Rose, you're Raffalo, both R names, funny coincidence- I'm rambling. Shutting up now." That earned a small laugh, her shoulders untensing a bit, until the Doctor's voice called from outside of the room.

"Rose? Are you in there?" The doors opening behind us as he stepped through. "Aye, aye. What do you think, then?" He paused, finally noticing the other occupant of the room "And who's this?"

"Great. Yeah, fine. One little problem, Raffalo here almost got killed in one of the vents." I gave her hand an encouraging squeeze. "Tell him what you saw. You've got permission."

The Doctor crossed his arms, turning to Raffalo brows furrowed as he took in what I said "What d'you see?"

She looked at me hesitantly before speaking "There was a little metal robot, with many legs inside the vent I was accessing. I thought it might've been an upgrade I hadn't been told about. But then more of them came and tried to attack us if it weren't for miss Rose helping me put the cover back on quick enough."

"I was watching her work when we saw the spider and thought it didn't look friendly. I led her back here so we could tell you after sealing up the vent." I continued "You remember that metal ball I refused to take?" He nodded, pulling it out of his pocket. "I think there's one in there if you wanna have a look."

He raised a brow before pulling out his sonic to do just that, the ball collapsing open to reveal the robotic spider looking at us, letting out a red beam to I assume scan us, before attempting to scuttle away. Only to be caught by the leg as the Doctor still held it, quickly using his screwdriver to disable it as Raffalo flinched back.

I led her over to sit on the steps to calm down, before walking back over to the Doctor as he examined the now disabled spider. "What is it, then?"

"From the looks of it, a sabotage robot. Let one of these loose into the nooks and crannies and you've got a big problem on your hands." He looked up from the readings "How many did you say you saw in the vent?"

"Four before we closed it." I nodded down to the discarded container that no lay on the floor "But those balls were handed out to every guest too."

"An infestation then." He nodded, shoving the disabled spider into his pocket. "Now just to find out what they exactly intend to do." He looked around the room before his eyes settled on Raffalo, making his way over to her as she quickly stood under his observation. "Hello! What did you say your name was again?"

"Raffalo."

"Great name! Now Raffalo what I want you to do is to get somewhere safe and out of the way. Don't tell anyone about the robots because it'll just make them panic and make my job harder, you got that?"

She made eye contact with me before nodding slowly, as the Doctor beamed clapping his hands together. "Excellent! Off you pop." He gestured for her to leave, which she made her way to do as I called out after her, going with my gut feeling "Stay away from the windows and out of places you can easily get locked into." Causing her to look back at me with a nod, before rushing out of the room as the computer announced.

Earth Death in twenty minutes. Earth Death in twenty minutes.

I take out my mobile, looking at the time as I ask "What do we do now? Can't exactly call for help. There's no signal. We're out of range. Just a bit."

"Tell you what." He replied taking my phone out of my hand before removing the back, fiddling around with it "With a little bit of jiggery pokery."

"Is that a technical term, jiggery pokery?" I teased.

"Yeah, I came first in jiggery pokery. What about you?" He shot back.

"Nah, I failed hullabaloo." I played along with a shrug.

He finished whatever he was doing, fixing the back cover back on before handing me back my phone "Oh. There you go."

I looked from him back to my phone, before going through my phonebook, hitting the button to call my mum, hearing the phone ring for a short while before she picked up answering "Hello?"

"Mum?" I said a little hesitantly, unsure how she took my disappearing act.

"Rose!" She called over the phone "I got your letter, blimey it was rather last minute, wasn't it? Couldn't be bothered to even give your mum a proper goodbye? Especially after the day I had. Oh, this red top's falling to bits. You should get your money back. Go on. Make your excuses, I'm all ears."

I couldn't help but let out a small laugh at the familiar ranting, mum questioning immediately "What's so funny?"

"Nothing." I brushed her off smiling before double checking "You're alright, though? Yeah?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" She replied somewhat distractedly.

"What day is it?"

"Wednesday, all day." She answered sweetly before asking in the same tone "You got a hangover? Oh, I tell you what, get me some decent souvenirs, maybe a nice bottle of wine and I'll let it go."

"Yeah, er," I coughed a little, holding back another laugh "I was just calling 'cos I missed you, just was unsure about the different time zones and all."

"Is there something wrong sweetheart? You already want to come back?" She asked in concern.

"No, not at all." I denied, glancing out of the window to the view of Earth "I feel like I'm on the top of the world."

"Oh, okay then, speak to you later." Mum answered cutting the call off. I pulled my phone away from my ear to just look at the screen, a smile still spread across my face as the Doctor spoke from beside me.

"Think that's amazing, you want to see the bill."

"That was five billion years ago." He nodded "How'd you get it to connect?"

He looked as if he was about to explain before shaking his head "Er, it's complicated might try and explain it to you later." He shot me a grin "If you're good."

I grinned back "Oh, I will be."

The space station then shook briefly, the Doctor looking around with a hint of excitement as he stated "That's not supposed to happen." Wiggling his brows at me as we began making our way back to where the party was taking place "Looks like things are getting started."

"Honoured guests may be reassured that gravity pockets may cause slight turbulence, thanking you." The Steward announced calmly over the speakers, broadcasting across the station as we re-entered the main observation gallery.

The Doctor moved to fiddle with another wall panel near the entrance, stating "That wasn't a gravity pocket. I know gravity pockets and they don't feel like that." Turning as the tree woman approached us "What do you think, Jabe? Listen to the engines. They've pitched up about thirty Hertz. That dodgy or what?"

I gave him an incredulous look "She's a tree, Doctor."

Jabe inclined her head to me in agreement "It's the sound of metal. It doesn't make any sense to me."

"Where's the engine room?" He asked.

"I don't know," She shook her head slightly, thinking "but the maintenance duct is just behind our guest suite, I could show you and your wife."

"She's not my wife." The Doctor denied casually.

"Partner?" Jabe questioned.

"No."

"Concubine?"

"Friend." I cut in quickly before the suggestions could devolve any further. "We're friends."

Jabe nodded in acceptance of this term as the Doctor agreed with a "Yep." offering us both an arm to thread our own through. "Shall we?" Walking back through the doors as Jabe led the way to the maintenance duct, the computer announcing after us.

Earth Death in fifteen minutes. Earth Death in fifteen minutes.

We eventually made our way out of the pristine halls, ducking through a door and into maintenance, where the narrow halls were lined with hanging wires and exposed piping. The Doctor questioning Jabe as we made our way through "Who's in charge of Platform One? Is there a Captain or what?"

"There's just the Steward and the staff." She answered. "All the rest is controlled by the metal mind."

"You mean the computer? But who controls that?"

"The Corporation." She answered again, as if we should've known. "They move Platform One from one artistic event to another."

"But there's no one from the Corporation on board." The Doctor asked, double checking.

"They're not needed." Jabe confirmed. "This facility is purely automatic. It's the height of the Alpha class. Nothing can go wrong."

"Unsinkable?" The Doctor asked as I let out a light snort.

Jabe shot me a curious look as she responded "If you like. The nautical metaphor is appropriate."

"You're telling me. I was on board another ship once. They said that was unsinkable. I ended up clinging to an iceberg."

"What, not a piece of door?" I called out from where I followed behind them.

He turned his head to wiggle his brows at me "It wasn't half cold." Turning back to Jabe as we paused in our walking "So, what you're saying is, if we get in trouble there's no one to help us out?"

She shook her head "I'm afraid not."

He grinned in response, once again beginning to walk forward "Fantastic."

"I don't understand. In what way is that fantastic?" Jabe inquired in a confused tone.

"Usually because it means no one's going to be getting in his way," I nodded my head to the Doctor as Jabe turned to look at me "as he gets us out of it."

The Doctor also turned from his place in front of us, shooting me a wink before turning to Jabe "So, tell me, Jabe, what's a tree like you doing in a place like this?"

"Respect for the Earth."

"Oh, come on." He pressed "Everyone on this platform's worth zillions."

"Well, perhaps it's a case of having to be seen at the right occasions." Jabe admitted.

"In case your share prices drop?" The Doctor called a little mockingly "I know you lot. You've got massive forests everywhere, roots everywhere, and there's always money in land."

"All the same," Jabe responded "we respect the Earth as family. So many species evolved from that planet. Mankind is only one. I'm another. My ancestors were transplanted from the planet down below, and I'm a direct descendant of the tropical rainforest."

"Really?" I asked with wide eyes, Jabe looking back to nod at me with a small smile. "That's amazing."

The Doctor nodded in agreement before saying "Excuse me." As he pulled out his screwdriver to sonic the panel next to the door, we had come to that would lead into the engine room.

"And what about your ancestry, Doctor?" Jabe asked, leaning in close to him. "Perhaps you could tell a story or two. Perhaps a man only enjoys trouble when there's nothing else left. I scanned you earlier. The metal machine had trouble identifying your species. It refused to admit your existence. And even when it named you, I wouldn't believe it." I looked away sadly as Jabe continued to prod at what must still be an open wound, unknowing at to what I could possibly say to help him "But it was right. I know where you're from. Forgive me for intruding, but it's remarkable that you even exist. I just wanted to say how sorry I am."

I looked back as she put her hand on his arm, hesitating slightly before covering it with my own as well, the Doctor turning to look at both of us as a tear dropped from his eye. He placed his own hand over ours briefly, before blinking rapidly as he turned back to the panel, using the sonic once more, this time successfully, getting the door open.

We made our way through, stepping into the engine room, which was a large cave like room that likely spanned the entirety of the space station, the door leading us out next to a catwalk that ran through a series of large fans, us continuing to walk until we were stood directly in front of them, the Doctor turning to us to ask "Is it me, or is it a bit nippy?"

I squinted at him "We're stood next to a giant fan."

"Fair do's, though, that's a great bit of air conditioning." He stated walking over to where I stood next to another panel "Sort of nice and old fashioned. Bet they call it retro." Pulling out his screwdriver once again to sonic it, calling out "Gotcha." As he pulled the panel off, one of the robotic spiders jumping out from inside to scuttle away.

"Doctor! It's another one of those sabotage things." I called out as it crawled away up the wall.

"Yeah, I can see that." He answered as we moved closer to the wall to get a better look.

Jabe stared up at it, asking "Is it part of the retro?"

"I don't think so. Hold on." The Doctor replied, aiming the screwdriver at the spider, only for Jabe to extend a vine from her arm to lasso it down. "Hey, nice liana."

"Thank you." Jabe preened, continuing a bit bashfully "We're not supposed to show them in public."

"Don't worry, we won't tell anybody." The Doctor said, myself miming zipping my lips as Jabe looked to me "Now then, who's been bringing their pets on board?"

"What does it do?" She asked.

"Sabotage." He replied bluntly as the computer announced.

Earth Death in ten minutes.

Causing the Doctor's head to shoot up, seeming to have pieced something together "And the temperature's about to rocket. Come on." He led us back out through the maintenance duct and into one of the main corridors, till we eventually came to the Stewards office, the door leaking smoke, surrounded by the small workers we had seen previously.

The Doctor gestured for them to move away from the door "Hold on. Get back." Using his sonic on another small panel, the computer responding in turn

Sun filter rising. Sun filter rising.

"Is the Steward in there?!" Jabe called out in alarm.

I nodded, covering my nose from the smoke as the Doctor responded "You can smell him. Hold on, there's another sun filter programmed to descend." He quickly ran off to the room listed on the panel, myself following shortly behind him until we were stood outside of what I think was the room we had originally landed in.

Sun filter descending.

The Doctor began working the door panel, before calling through the door "Anyone in there?" He quickly scanned the door with his sonic. "No lifeforms detected inside. Empty. Let's go." He turned back to me, grabbing my hand to pull me back towards the main party room as the computer announced.

Earth Death in five minutes.

We entered the room in time to hear Cassandra speak "How's that possible? Our private rooms are protected by a code wall. Moisturise me, moisturise me." The Doctor reaching out to take the disabled spider robot from Jabe's hand as we passed by.

"Summon the Steward." The Moxx suggested.

"I'm afraid the Steward is dead." Jabe announced, causing sounds of shock to spread throughout the room.

"Who killed him?" The Moxx questioned.

Cassandra quickly cutting in to accuse "This whole event was sponsored by the Face of Boe. He invited us. Talk to the Face. Talk to the Face." The Face shaking its head in denial inside its container.

"Easy way of finding out. Someone bought their little pet on board." The Doctor called out loudly, holding up the spider. "Let's send him back to master." He placed the now re-activated spider on the ground, it quickly scuttling towards Cassandra, pausing in front of her before moving past towards the group in black cloaks.

"The Adherents of the Repeated Meme. J'accuse!" Cassandra called out.

"That's all very well, and really kind of obvious," He begins making his way over to the adherents "but if you stop and think about it" The lead adherent lunges for him, the Doctor quickly grabbing his arm, pulling it off to reveal the wires underneath. I looked on with wide eyes Just how strong is he?

"A Repeated Meme is just an idea. And that's all they are, an idea." He pulls one of the wires dangling from the arm, causing the adherents to all collapse. "Remote controlled Droids. Nice little cover for the real troublemaker. Go on, Jimbo. Go home." He gives the spider a nudge with his foot, it returning to stand in front of Cassandra.

"I bet you were the school swot and never got kissed." Cassandra insulted before ordering "At arms!" Her attendants raising their spray guns to point at the Doctor.

The Doctor placed his hands on his chest asking sarcastically "What are you going to do, moisturise me?"

"With acid." She replied bluntly. "Oh, you're too late, anyway. My spiders have control of the mainframe. Oh, you all carried them as gifts, tax free, past every code wall. I'm not just as pretty face."

"You're not even that." I muttered under my breath as the Doctor shot back at her.

"Sabotaging a ship while you're still inside it? How stupid's that?"

"I'd hoped to manufacture a hostage situation with myself as one of the victims. The compensation would have been enormous." She explained casually.

He scoffed "Five billion years and it still comes down to money."

"Do you think it's cheap, looking like this? Flatness costs a fortune. I am the last human, Doctor. Me. Not any of those mongrels out there." Cassandra spat shooting me a nasty look.

The Moxx called out "Arrest her, the infidel."

"Oh, shut it, pixie." She shot back "I've still got my final option."

Earth Death in three minutes.

"And here it comes. You're just as useful dead, all of you. I have shares in your rival companies and they'll triple in price as soon as you're dead. My spiders are primed and ready to destroy the safety systems. How did that old Earth song go? Burn, baby, burn."

"Then you'll burn with us." Jabe stated, the others letting out sounds of agreement.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Cassandra simpered mockingly "I know the use of teleportation is strictly forbidden, but I'm such a naughty thing. Spiders, activate." The last order causing a series of explosions to detonate throughout the platform, making it shake as some of the guests ducked for cover. "Forcefields gone with the planet about to explode. At least it'll be quick. Just like my fifth husband. Oh, shame on me."

Safety systems failing.

The computer called out as Cassandra and her attendants were surrounded in a beam of light, teleporting out as she bid us a mocking farewell "Bye, bye, darlings. Bye, bye, my darlings."

Heat levels rising.

"Reset the computer." The Moxx called out in panic.

Jabe answering "Only the Steward would know how."

"No." The Doctor called back, making his way to the doors "We can do it by hand. There must be a system restore switch. Rose, Jabe, come on. You lot, just chill."

Heat rising. Earth Death in two minutes. Earth Death in two minutes.

We made our way through the halls, back to the maintenance duct, once again through that and back into the engine room as the computer announced

Heat levels critical.

and we could definitely feel it.

"Oh. And guess where the switch is." The Doctor stated gazing through the now quickly moving fans to the end of the catwalk where the switch lay against the wall.

Heat levels rising. Heat levels rising.

The Doctor moved over to where he had messed with the panel when we were previously here, pulling down a breaker lever, causing the fans spinning to slow a little, letting go to make try to make his way through before stopping as the lever resets with no one holding it down.

External temperature five thousand degrees.

Jabe rushed over, pulling the breaker down, holding it in place as the Doctor spins around to look back at her to protest "You can't. The heat's going to vent through this place."

"I know." She stated firmly.

"Jabe, you're made of wood."

"He's right, you should get out of here while you can." I told Jabe agreeing with him. "I'll hold it down." I finished, shrugging off the waterproof jacket I was currently sweating in, to bunch it up on top of the lever, taking Jabe's place to hold it down.

"Are you sure?" I gave a firm nod, Jabe nodding back before she turned, making her way back into the main gallery.

"Rose it'll burn through that and to you." He warned.

"I know." I pushed down more firmly on the lever, blowing the hair that had fallen from my ponytail out of my eyes. "So you had better get a bloody move on."

He grinned at me, before turning serious as he began making his way through the large fans as the computer let out a series of warnings.

Heat levels rising. Heat levels rising. Heat levels hazardous. Shields malfunction. Shields malfunction. Shields malfunction. Heat levels critical. Heat levels critical.

The Doctor paused once passing through the first fan, looking back at me, to which I shouted "Move it will ya!" him turning back to the second fan to times his run through, making it past it.

Heat levels rising. Heat levels rising.

My grip on the lever faltered a little as the waterproof jacket I had bunched over it finally melted enough for the molten plastic to touch my arms, the heat of the metal easily burning through the hoodie I still had on. I quickly readjusted myself to rest my forearms onto the lever, pushing down with all my weight.

Planet explodes in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five

I turned back to watch as the Doctor made his way to the last fan, quickly jumping through and pausing.

Four.

Three.

The Doctor, now appearing to have realised he'd actually made it through dashed to the reset breaker.

Two.

Pulling it down forcefully as he called out "Raise shields!"

One.

Exoglass repair. Exoglass repair. Exoglass repair.

I let out a relieved breath, as the computer let us know the shields had begun repairing, the fans having now slowed down even further for the Doctor, so he could easily walk back through, before coming to a stop before me. He reached towards my arms, still resting on top of the lever, though no longer holding it down and gently began to help me peel my blistered skin away from the metal.

Hissing once they were both free, seeing some of the blisters now bleeding, the Doctor winced in sympathy before gently taking my arms one by one, buzzing the sonic over them, causing the pain to dull somewhat. "That'll have to do for now, until we get back to the TARDIS where I can properly see to them."

I nodded, lowering my arms to rest gingerly at my sides, as we both turned, jogging back through the maintenance duct and into the main corridors.

The Doctor and I eventually made our way back to re-enter the observation gallery, looking over to where Jabe stood with the two other trees, luckily only sustaining some minor burns which will eventually heal. Looking around to see the other guest huddling around in their groups on the floor for comfort. The Doctor coming to a stop beside the chair in which the Moxx of Balhoon previously sat, now only containing a pile of ashes, some of the small station workers mourning around him, before turning back to once again look over at my blistered arms.

I look down at my arms as well, tilting them a bit tentatively to the sides for another look as I reply "I'm alright, nothing that won't heal. Are you?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm full of ideas, I'm bristling with them." He replied agitated "Idea number one, teleportation through five thousand degrees needs some kind of feed. Idea number two, this feed must be hidden nearby." He marched over to a display stand, reaching out to grab and smash open the alleged ostrich egg to reveal a small device hidden inside. "Idea number three, if you're as clever as me, then a teleportation feed can be reversed." He twists a dial on the device, it letting out a small beeping noise as Cassandra once again reappears before us, the teleportation having been reversed.

"Oh, you should have seen their little alien faces." She bragged, very obviously having been boasting about what she had done to someone on the other end, before cutting herself off as she takes in where she is. "Oh."

"The last human." The Doctor announces mockingly, the others in the room joining in to glare at her.

"So, you passed my little test. Bravo." She stuttered out "This makes you eligible to join, er, the Human Club."

"People have died, Cassandra." The Doctor responded unamused "You murdered them."

"It depends on your definition of people, and that's enough of a technicality to keep your lawyers dizzy for centuries. Take me to court, then, Doctor, and watch me smile and cry and flutter-"

"And creak?" He cut her off.

She blinked at him "And what?"

"Creak." An audible creak came from Cassandra. "You're creaking."

"What?" She shouted in panic before realising "Ah! I'm drying out! Oh, sweet heavens. Moisturise me, moisturise me! Where are my surgeons? My lovely boys! It's too hot!"

"You raised the temperature." The Doctor shot back unsympathetic.

"Have pity!" She pleaded "Moisturise me! Oh, oh, Doctor. I'm sorry. I'll do anything."

"It's too late to help her now anyway, isn't it? It's already too hot." I asked quietly.

The Doctor flicked his eyes to me briefly before back to Cassandra stating "Everything has its time and everything dies."

Cassandra gave one final shriek of "I'm too young!" before her skin, having now reached its limit, exploded from the pressure.

Shuttles four and six departing. This unit now closing down for maintenance.

After seeing the others off in their shuttles, only the Doctor and I now remained on board, my arms now treated and bandaged as we moved to stand in front of one of the windows. We stood together and watched silently as the asteroids that were once the Earth floated past, and viewing the Sun that had now expanded causing the destruction.

"The end of the Earth and no one saw it go." I spoke softly still gazing outside "All those years, all that history, and because of Cassandra none of us even had a chance to say goodbye." I shook my head, blinking back the tears that had welled up, apologizing "I'm sorry it's just-"

He gently cut me off taking my left hand in his, leading the way back to the TARDIS "Come with me."

Once the TARDIS had landed the Doctor took my hand once more, pulling me gently to the doors, opening them to reveal London. My London. The TARDIS parked in an area teeming with life, people coming and going, simply living their day to day lives.

"You think it'll last forever, people and cars and concrete, but it won't." He stated from his place beside me. "One day it's all gone. Even the sky. My planet is gone. It's dead. It burned like the Earth. It's just rocks and dust before its time."

I looked down hesitantly before looking back up at him to ask quietly "Do you want to tell me what happened?"

He turned his body to focus all his attention on me, looking at me searchingly, before seeming to have found what he was looking for, giving a watery chuckle as he responded "Of course this would be something that you remembered. You already know, but I'll say it anyway. There was a war and we lost."

He's not spoken about this to anyone before. But he needs to. I take in a breath, squeezing the hand that was still in mine as I asked "And your people?"

He gave my hand a firm squeeze back as he responded looking away, eyes shining "I'm a Time Lord. I'm the last of the Time Lords. They're all gone. I'm the only survivor. I'm left travelling on my own 'cos there's no one else."

I stepped around to his front to look up at him, smiling encouragingly "Well, you've got me now at least."

"You've seen how dangerous it is. Do you want to go home?" He asked a little doubtfully.

"No. I want to stay with you." I stated gentle, but firm as I smiled up at him before catching a scent on the air, looking away to take a deep sniff before turning back to him asking "Oh, can you smell chips?"

A smile started to spread across his face as he took a sniff himself responding "Yeah."

I pouted "I want chips."

"Me too." He replied laughing.

"Right then, before we get back to our adventures, chips it is," I nudged him with my shoulder "and you can pay."

He shrugged unashamed "No money."

"What sort of date are you?" I teased, before pulling on his hand laughing "Come on then, tightwad, chips are on me. We've only got five billion years till the shops close."

And this chapter is done!

All chapters of any of my stories are uploaded whenever I finish them, there really is no update schedule. I'm just a mess, sorry about that! ahahaha

Next up: The Unquiet Dead