A/N: I've gone through this chapter three times looking for mistakes. If you spot any I missed, let me know.

Edited: 1/1/2023

"Doctor."

The alien man didn't bother glancing at Elm as he tinkered under the console. "What?"

"I was wondering, could we make a quick stop home?" she questioned.

"Why?" the Doctor asked. "S'not like you need clothes or groceries. We're stocked for months."

"Well, for one thing, Rose misses her mum."

Pulling himself out of the complex machinery, he gave Elm a look. "You want to use my space-time ship to go home because she misses her mum? I'm not a taxi service!"

"Give her a break, she's only 19," Elm defended. "It's her first time away from home and we've been gone for weeks. Besides, it's not just that. I've got some things I'd like to sort out too."

"Like what?"

"I left my phone at Rose's house." Before the Doctor could interrupt, she continued. "Also, I'd like to sort things out with my job. Maybe take a leave or quit entirely so that there are no issues."

"You've got a job?"

It was Elm's turn to look confused. "Of course, I've got a job. How could I not have a job?"

The Doctor thought for a moment. "Just a short trip?"

Elm nodded eagerly. "A day or two, at most. I promise."

Letting out an exasperated sigh, the Doctor went back under the console. "Fine. Go grab homesick Rose and I'll take you two home." He pulled himself up to give her one last stern look. "And don't try to get me to visit her mum. I don't do domestics."

"No domestics, I've got it," Elm replied, holding up her hands in surrender. "I'll be right back."

OoOoOoO

Stepping out of the TARDIS, Elm couldn't help but smile. Sure, the lot behind Rose's apartment was gray, and so was the sky, but it was a familiar sight.

"How long have we been gone?" Rose asked as she stepped out as well.

The Doctor followed not long after and leaned against his box. "About twelve hours."

"I love your ship," Elm exclaimed, turning back to her companions. "I really, really do."

"Of course you do," the Doctor said in a smug voice. "Everyone does."

Laughing, Elm waved away the comment. "Anyways, I'm gonna run home and grab some things. See you in a few?" Elm directed this question at Rose.

"Yeah, and if my mum asks, you're my alibi," Rose replied, heading toward her building. She paused and turned toward the Doctor. "And no disappearing, you got that?"

The Doctor made a placating gesture. "Yeah, sure. I'll be here."

"I suggest you listen to her," Elm nudged the Doctor before making her way toward the street. "See you in a bit!"

The sounds and smells of the city surrounded Elm and she realized in a bittersweet moment that she didn't miss it. Eat, sleep, work repeat. It was all far too monotonous for Elm. It was better than the alternative. Better than her bedroom at her Grandmother's house. Better than tense dinners and short conversations. But it never satisfied her. Perhaps that's why Elm job hopped as much as she did. She was one difficult to satisfy.

Her time with the Doctor was precious. She finally felt a sort of purpose. The thrill of adventure, of helping people, of running. It was, somehow, exactly what she had always been missing.

It was a ten-minute walk home to her quaint apartment. Her home was a one-bedroom, one-bathroom situation that she had been in ever since she moved to London. As she began looking around for her spare key, hidden in a crack by the doorway, her neighbor approached her.

"Hello!" Elm called, giving the woman a wave. "How are you doing, Susan?"

Susan turned around and gasped, dropping the bags of groceries she was holding. "Dear God, Elm, is that you?"

A puzzled look crossed Elm's face. "Yeah? Who else would it be?"

"I don't know!" the woman exclaimed before looking her over with keen eyes. "Where have you been?!"

"Out?" Elm replied hesitantly. "I don't understand the question."

"Out? Elm, you've been missing for a year! My God, everyone thought you were dead in a ditch somewhere. Your poor aunt had to collect your things so they wouldn't be thrown out. Where have you been?"

"What?" Elm reeled back, looking around widely. "What do you mean I've been gone for a year? I-oh no," she turned around and sprinted out of the apartment building and onto the street. Dejavu overcame her as she made the run to the Powell Estate, gaining a few odd looks from passersby. She ignored the TARDIS as she passed, and took the stairs two at a time up to the Tyler's apartment. Someone was yelling within.

Elm swallowed thickly. It was Jackie.

Raising a shaking hand, she knocked softly on the door. Immediately it was thrown open, an infuriated Jackie standing on the other side. Elm was dragged in.

In the living room were the Doctor, Rose, and a police officer. All of them turned when Elm entered.

"And here's the other one," Jackie announced. Pulling Elm in for a hug, the older woman squeezed the life out of her before separating with a glare. "Where the hell have you been?"

"I-I went home, to get a few of my things," Elm stuttered out. Looking around Jackie to the Doctor and Rose, she added. "We've been gone for a year."

"Yeah, sorry about that," the Doctor said with a grimace.

"I've sat here for hours, days, thinking you two were dead. I had to clear out your apartment!" Jackie shouted at Elm. "Rose won't say where you've been. All she'll say is that you two have been traveling! Traveling!"

"We have been traveling, mum," the younger girl insisted.

Jackie spun on her daughter. "Then why's your passport in your drawer?! It's just one lie after another."

"Jackie, she's telling the truth," Elm said, voice soft. "I'm so sorry about this. We just got caught up in things."

"For a whole year?" Jackie said incredulously. "You're telling me you left with my daughter for a whole year, doing who knows what, and didn't think to call once? Why won't you just tell me where you've been?"

Out of the corner of her eye, Elm saw the Doctor ready himself. She sent him a warning look, but he ignored it. "Actually, this is all my fault. You see, I sort of employed Rose and Elm as companions."

"When you say companions," the officer spoke up. "Do you mean sexually?

"No!" Rose and the Doctor shouted at once.

"Traveling companions," Elm explained. "Friends."

Jackie shook her head and turned on the Doctor. "But it's got to be more than that, because you," she jabbed her finger at the alien man's chest. "You waltz in here, all charm and smiles, and the next thing I know my girls are gone. How old are you then? Forty? Forty-five? Did you find them on the Internet, pretending you're a doctor?"

The Doctor looked offended. "I am a doctor."

"Prove it," Jackie said, rearing back. "Fix this, mate!" She slapped him across the face so hard that he jerked to the side. Everyone in the room flinched at the noise.

"There's no need for violence," the officer stepped in. "But, as far as I can tell, this is a family matter. Unless anyone would like to press charges," he paused for a moment, "I'll be going. A word of advice, though," he looked at the girls. "If you're gonna go traveling, don't forget to tell your mum."

And with that, he left.

"Let's talk in the kitchen," Rose tried, pulling her mother away from a scowling Doctor.

"Meet us on the roof," Elm murmured to him before following after.

Jackie gave them both massive hugs. "Did you think of me at all?"

"I did," Rose replied. "All the time."

"One phone call, just to know that you were alive. Neither of you could've done that?"

"I'm sorry," Elm said, looking away.

Sighing, Jackie turned to Elm. "I've got your things all stacked up in Rose's room. I had to sell your furniture, didn't have the room for it."

"My books?" Elm said hopefully.

"Yes, I got your books too," Jackie replied with a wave of her hand.

Elm sagged in relief. "What about my phone?"

"The police took that. Speaking of, you've got some phone calls to make," Jackie gave her a stern look. "I'm not the only one who worried after you."

Wincing, the woman nodded. "I know."

Borrowing Rose's phone, Elm went into the living room for privacy. She dialed the number she knew by heart with shaking fingers.

"Jackson residence."

Elm didn't recognize the voice on the other end of the line. "Hello, is Mrs. Jackson available?"

"She's on the phone right now," the woman on the line answered. "I can take a message."

Swallowing, she tried to come up with the proper words. "Tell her that Elm called, and is very sorry for her absence. I've been traveling. If she needs to call me, please have her dial this number."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, thank you."

"Have a good day."

As she hung up, she sighed. The second number she called she also knew by heart, but for completely different reasons.

"Hello?" the voice that answered had a thick Irish accent.

"Charlie?"

"Elm Smith is that you?!" Elm jerked the phone back from her ear at the loud voice of her friend. "Where have you been? Are you alright? Do I need to come to get you?"

Charlie's voice was like a balm on Elm's sore mind. She laughed. "I'm alright. I met someone and have been traveling."

The laugh that Charlie belted out startled her. "I knew it. You know, the cops interviewed me. I told them you were probably just out seeing the world as you've always wanted. You're safe, then? This person isn't dangerous?"

"Dangerous is a subjective term," Elm hummed. "But no, he's a good man."

"Bossman went mad when you no-call no-showed. I tried to convince him there was a good reason but he fired you," Charlie laughed, "Who cares about that, though, I've missed you. You couldn't have called?"

Elm winced. "I forgot my phone?"

Charlie hummed. "Of course you did. Heard from that aunt of yours that your apartment got overturned. You gonna be alright?"

"Yeah, I'm actually going to keep traveling for a while," Elm replied. "Don't know how long, but for the time being. I'll be okay."

"If you say so. Before you leave town, though, wanna get some drinks?"

Elm smiled. Charlie always knew what to say. "Sure, I'll let you know when I'm free. I've got a big old mess to clean up here."

"Oh, I'm sure."

"See you later, Charlie."

With a weight lifted from her shoulders, Elm headed to the roof.

The Doctor had taken her advice and was leaning against some concrete. A breeze ruffled Elm's hair, and she took a breath.

"How'd it go?" the alien man asked once she sat beside him.

"As well as it could've. I'm guessing we can't go back now and avoid this mess?"

"Can't go back on your own timeline. No changing this," the Doctor said, looking up at the sky.

Elm was quiet for a moment before speaking up. "You know, I should've been better prepared for this. When I ran after you, I hadn't realized the TARDIS traveled in time. I thought I'd be away for a while. Then Rose came along, so I stopped thinking about it, but that doesn't change what I did. I left my job, my flat, and my friends. I ran away." She looked down at her hands. "Wonder what that says about me."

Before the Doctor could reply, Rose made it up to the roof. She sat next to Elm. "That was a mess."

"Understatement of the year," Elm replied. She passed the girl her phone back.

"The craziest part is, I can't tell her," Rose began. "I can't even begin to. She's never going to forgive me." She let out a laugh. "And I missed a year. Was it a good one?"

The Doctor made a noise. "Middling."

"You're so useless."

"If it's this much trouble, are you going to stay here now?" he questioned, gaze still on the clouds.

Rose shook her head. "I dunno. I can't do that to her again, though. How about you, Elm? You sort everything out?"

"I've got no job, no house, and no phone," Elm said, counting off on her fingers. "But all my things are safe, I left a message for my grandmother and I spoke with Charlie. We're gonna get drinks before we leave again. So I guess things are as sorted as they can be."

"When you asked to come home, you promised me no domestics," the Doctor said. "And what happened? Domestics. Nine hundred years of time and space, and I've never been slapped by someone's mother."

Rose laughed. "Your face!"

The Doctor frowned. "Well, it hurt!"

"Wait, you're how old?" Elm interrupted, turning to the Doctor.

"Nine hundred years, just like I said."

"You're nine hundred years old?" Rose repeated.

The Doctor shrugged. "Yeah."

"I swear, every conversation with you goes mental!" Rose exclaimed, standing to walk closer to the edge of the roof. "There's no one else I can talk to either, besides you two. I've seen all that stuff up there, the size of it, and I can't say a word. Aliens and spaceships and things, and there's hardly anyone on the planet who knows they exist."

As if triggered by her words, the sound of a jet passing over startled all three of them. Elm looked up and gasped at what she saw. A spaceship, a bonafide alien spaceship, swooped overhead. The time travelers ducked as it crashed into Big Ben, tearing a hole into the monument before landing somewhere beyond.

"Oh my god," Elm muttered, staring at the sight wide-eyed.

Rose groaned. "That's not fair."

Without another word, Elm turned around and ran back down the stairs. Rose and the Doctor followed as she raced through the congested streets of London. She was stopped from going further by a military blockade.

"It's blocked off!" the Doctor exclaimed once he caught up.

"We're miles from the center," Rose said, trying to get a better look through the massive crowd. "The city must be gridlocked."

"A spaceship crash-lands and hits a national monument," Elm said, gesturing wildly. "Of course, everything's blocked off and shut down! It's like a bad sci-fi movie."

"I know," the Doctor laughed. "I can't believe I'm here to see this. This is fantastic!"

Rose turned to the Doctor. "Did you know this was going to happen?"

"Nope."

"Do you know where the ship came from?" Elm asked.

"Nope."

"Do you know why it crashed?" Rose tried again.

"Nope."

The younger woman rolled her eyes. "I'm so glad I've got you."

"I bet you are," the Doctor responded, missing the sarcasm. "This is what I travel for. To witness history."

"And to think, we would've missed it if you got us here on time," Elm said with a grin. "Thank God for your bad driving."

"Oi!"

Rose cut in. "What are we standing here for? We've got the TARDIS."

"Better not," the Doctor replied. "They've already got one spaceship in the middle of London. I don't want to shove another one on top."

"Yeah, but yours looks like a big blue box," Rose said. "No one's going to notice."

"You'd be surprised. In an emergency like this, there'll be all kinds of people watching."

"So, history's happening," Elm gestured to the blockade. "And we're stuck here?"

The Doctor nodded. "Yes, we are. You lot are on your own this time."

Rose shrugged. "We could always do what everybody else does. Watch it on TV."

Elm winced. "Back to Jackie, then?"

OoOoOoO

The Tyler's flat was overflowing with people. Jackie had apparently told the entire floor about Rose's reappearance. Rose's mother served tea to everyone besides the Doctor, who grumbled about not wanting tea anyway.

Then Rose's phone rang. It was for Elm.

She stepped into the hall for a bit of privacy. "Elm Smith."

"So, you're finally back from your vacation."

The voice on the other end was old and stern. Elm straightened her posture automatically. "Yes. I'm sorry, I should have called-"

"I'm assuming something's happened to your phone?"

Elm nodded and answered. "Yes."

"I've transferred money to your account. Get yourself a new one."

"Of course," she paused for a moment before opening her mouth. "Grandmother, I-"

"I'm assuming you no longer have that… coffee shop job anymore?"

Elm gripped the phone tighter. "No, I don't."

"Are you going to look for other employment?"

"Not yet, no."

"You're continuing your travels then?"

For a long moment, Elm was quiet. She let out a breath before answering. "Yes."

"Fine, but I don't want to see you in any more news stories."

"Of course."

She was about to hang up when her grandmother spoke up again. "And Elm?"

"Yes?"

"Don't disappear again."

Elm's hand trembled. "I won't."

The call was already over.

Elm needed air.

Giving Rose back her phone, Elm left the crowded apartment, intent on going on a walk. Then she saw the Doctor.

"Where're you going?"

The Doctor looked like a child caught stealing from the cookie jar. "Nowhere in particular. Just for a wander."

"Can I come with?" Elm asked, already approaching him. Upon seeing the conflicted look on his face, she stopped. "Unless you'd rather be alone. That's fine too."

The Doctor let out a breath. "Fine. But don't tell Rose."

She just grinned and followed the alien man inside the TARDIS. The time ship lit up as they entered, and Elm absentmindedly ran her hand over the coral struts as she talked. "So, where are we wandering to?"

"The hospital," the Doctor replied as he messed with the console. "Don't know if you saw, but they found a body in the wreckage."

"You said landing the TARDIS inside the blockade would be a bad idea."

The Doctor made a vague gesture. "I was exaggerating. A little."

Elm chuckled and leaned against a guardrail. "Sure, Doc. I think you just can't stand not being in the thick of it."

"Problem?" the Doctor questioned.

"Oh no, no objections from me," Elm replied. "You made a valiant effort, trying to watch history through the telly."

The alien man grunted but didn't respond. Soon after, the TARDIS landed. The Doctor peeked out the door to check his landing before exiting. Elm followed after him and laughed in surprise at the tight space. "So you overshoot by 12 months, but are a master at parallel parking?"

"Shush."

While attempting to stifle her giggles, Elm followed the Doctor out of the storage closet. Her mirth ceased once she saw what was on the other side.

Soldiers, at least a dozen of them, were sitting around and chatting in some sort of break room. The group went quiet when the time travelers exited. It took them exactly ten seconds to ready themselves, by which time a scream cut through the hospital.

The Doctor immediately took charge. "Defense plan delta!" When none of the soldiers moved, he shouted again. "Come on! Move! Move!"

Snapping out of their shock, the soldiers followed Elm and the Doctor to the source of the screaming. A woman, a doctor by the looks of her, was cowering by a desk in the mortuary.

Once she spotted reinforcements, she shrieked. "It's alive!"

The Doctor nodded and turned to the soldiers. "Spread out. Tell the perimeter it's a lockdown."

"Are you alright? You're bleeding," Elm said, crouching down by the woman. She had a cut on her head that was stained red with blood. "What's your name?"

"Toshiko Sato. Doctor Toshiko Sato."

The soldiers didn't move, and the Doctor snapped at them again. "Do it!" Finally, they spread out of the room, and the Doctor stared after them intently.

Elm, noticing his stiff posture, called him over. "Do you have bandages or something?"

"Yeah," he replied, his back loosening as he stuck a hand into his pocket. He pulled out a small tissue packet, which he handed to Elm. "What happened?"

"I don't know," Doctor Sato responded honestly as she accepted a tissue from Elm. "I thought it was dead."

"Coma, shock, hibernation, it could have been anything. What does it look like?" the Doctor asked.

Something metal clattered to the floor across the room, startling the three. The Doctor gestured for the nearest soldier to stay by the women. "It's still here. Elm, stay back until I say."

Elm nodded and watched the Doctor inch his way across the floor. He must have found something, as he whispered a quiet 'hello'. Whatever he was talking to squealed in surprise. A creature that looked like a pig on two legs ran out of the room, followed closely by the Doctor. Elm took that as her signal to follow after.

The creature ran around the corner, where two soldiers stood. One of them raised their weapon.

"Don't shoot!" the Doctor shouted. He repeated his command as they rounded another corner, but to no avail. They shot the pig alien in the chest.

Elm rushed forward, falling and sliding on her knees to check on the poor thing. It was breathing heavily, with a panicked look in its eye. Elm hushed it and scratched its head. "It's okay, little guy." It soon ceased breathing, and Elm slumped. "I'm sorry."

The Doctor, who was beside Elm on the ground, looked up at the soldier who shot it. "What did you do that for?" he shouted. "It was scared!" He looked back down at the creature. "It was scared."

OoOoOoO

They used a stretcher to get the pig alien back to the mortuary. Doctor Sato was still there but looked shaken. Once the room was cleared of soldiers, the Doctor used his sonic to scan the creature.

"It's not alien," the Doctor said. He stared at the creature like it held the answers to the universe. "It's a sus scrofa domesticus, a domestic pig."

"I just assumed that's what aliens look like," Doctor Sato admitted.

Elm looked up at the Doctor. "But what's a pig doing in a spacesuit, walking on two legs?"

"Victorian showmen used to draw the crowds by taking the skull of a cat, gluing it to a fish, and calling it a mermaid," the Doctor began. "Now someone's taken a pig and done the same thing. They opened its brain, stuck bits in, strapped it into that spaceship, and made it dive bomb. It must've been terrified."

Turning around, he headed back to the TARDIS. Elm followed after, curious. She waited until they were back in the space-time ship to speak. "Doctor, you say it's just a pig, and I believe you, but what about the spaceship? Aliens have to be involved somehow, right?"

"Well, the spaceship's real at least. You said something about the crash earlier," the Doctor said. "Do you remember?"

Elm thought back on the day. "I said something about it hitting a national monument?"

The Doctor nodded and navigated the TARDIS back to the Powell Estate. Almost immediately the door opened, and in came Rose.

"Doctor-"

"Alright, so I lied," he interrupted as he messed with the console's monitor. "I went and had a look. But the whole crash landing is fake. I thought so, it was too perfect. I mean, hitting Big Ben, come on."

"Like a bad sci-fi movie!" Elm exclaimed, glad her off-handed comment had some weight.

"Exactly. And Elm just happened to be there when I was leaving and tagged along."

"That's fine, Doctor," Rose replied. "But my mum's here."

Both the Doctor and Elm spun around from the monitor. Jackie Tyler stood at the entrance of the TARDIS looking awestruck. Mickey entered right after her, his expression was more frustrated than awed.

The Doctor groaned. "Oh, that's just what I need."

Elm took a step back as Mickey marched up to the Doctor. He jabbed a finger into the alien man's chest. "You ruined my life, Doctor. They thought Rose and Elm were dead. I was a murder suspect because of you."

The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Great, more domestics."

"I bet you don't even remember my name," Mickey accused.

Elm watched the argument devolve like a ping-pong match.

"Ricky."

"It's Mickey."

"No, it's Ricky."

"I think I know my name."

"You think you know your name? How stupid are you?"

"Guys, an alien spaceship in the center of London. Focus," Elm cut in, waving her hands between the men. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Rose trying to calm her mother down. Jackie seemed inconsolable and ran out of the TARDIS altogether. Rose sighed but perked up when Elm spoke.

"So it was a real spaceship?"

"Real spaceship," Elm confirmed. "Fake alien."

Rose bit her lip. "So it's all a pack of lies? What is it then? Invasion?"

"Funny way to invade," Mickey scoffed. "Putting the world on red alert."

"But that's a lot of effort for a prank, so someone must be up to something," Elm added.

The Doctor nodded. "All good points. So, what are they up to?" He moved a few paces to the left and pulled up a grate on the floor. Climbing down, he messed with some wires.

Mickey stared down at him. "What're you doing down there?"

"Ricky."

"Mickey."

"Ricky," the Doctor repeated. "If I was to tell you what I was doing to the controls of my frankly magnificent time ship, would you even begin to understand?"

The young man shrugged. "I suppose not."

"Shut it then."

Mickey scowled and went to sulk by Rose, who was sitting on one of the raised platforms. They seemed to be having a personal conversation, so Elm went to crouch by the Doctor.

"What are you doing, though?"

"Patching the radar through to the monitor, and looping it back twelve hours."

"So we can see the flight!" Elm concluded, a large smile on her face. "Maybe we can see where they came from."

The Doctor nodded. "Exactly."

"That pig was from Earth, so they must have been on Earth for a bit," she speculated. A thought popped into her mind. "Wait, does that mean aliens actually do the abducting cows thing?"

"How do you mean?"

"I just suppose if you can do it to a pig, you could do it to a cow," she replied with a shrug. "Doesn't matter, though. What I'm wondering is where they came from."

The Doctor lifted himself out of the little space. "I suppose we'll find out." He approached the monitor and tapped a few controls. An image appeared on the screen. "Here we go." Rose and Mickey approached the Doctor when he spoke. He pointed to the trajectory line. "That's the spaceship on its way to Earth. Except, the spaceship did a slingshot around the planet before it landed."

"What does that mean?" Rose asked.

"It means, it came from Earth in the first place. It went up and came back down again. Looks like you were right, Elm. Whoever those aliens are, they haven't just arrived. They've been here for a while. Question is, what have they been doing?"

"We should check the news for updates," Elm suggested before frowning. "We'll have to go back up to Rose's flat to do that, though."

"Nah, we can do that here," the Doctor said, flicking a few stitches on the console. The screen switched from the scanners to a news station.

Mickey looked interested. "How many channels do you get?"

"All the basic packages."

"Do you get sports channels?"

The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Yes, I get the football." He held up a finger. "Hold on. I know that lot."

He turned up the volume as the news anchor explained that the government was bringing in alien experts. Names scrolled across the bottom of the screen, and the Doctor pointed to one.

"UNIT?" Elm said in a questioning tone. "Who're they?"

"United Nations Intelligence Taskforce," he explained. "Good people."

"How do you know them?" Rose asked.

"'Cos he's worked for them," Mickey butted in. The Doctor looked surprised. "Oh yeah, don't think I sat on my backside for twelve months, Doctor. I read up on you. You look deep enough on the Internet or in the history books and there's his name, followed by a list of the dead. I found other people like him too. The Doctor's not all that unique."

The Doctor's voice dripped with sarcasm as he spoke. "That's nice. Good boy, Rickey."

"If you know them, why don't you go and help?" Rose asked as the news anchor kept talking. The Doctor shrugged and leaned back on his heels.

"They wouldn't recognize me. I've changed a lot since the old days. Besides, the world's on a knife edge. There are both fake and real aliens out there. We want to keep this alien out of the mix. I'm going undercover. And uh, I'd better keep the TARDIS out of sight. Ricky, you've got a car. You can do some driving."

"Where to?" the man questioned.

"The roads are clearing," the Doctor explained. "Let's go and have a look at that spaceship."

They exited the TARDIS and were blinded by a spotlight shining down on them. Police surrounded the blue box, and a helicopter flew overhead. Someone shouted for them to not move and raise their hands, but Mickey took off. Some went after him, but he didn't come back. Then Jackie came running out of the estate. She was held back by the police.

The time travelers raised their hands in surrender, and the Doctor grinned. "Take me to your leader."

OoOoOoO

Squeezed into the back of a plush cop car, Elm looked out the window curiously. Traffic parted around them. "Not that I'm complaining, but why aren't we handcuffed?"

"Yeah, this is a bit posh," Rose agreed. "If I knew being arrested was like this, I would've done it years ago."

The Doctor grinned. "We're not being arrested, we're being escorted."

"Where to?"

"Where do you think? Downing Street," the Doctor responded, turning toward the window.

Rose gaped. "You're kidding."

"I'm not."

"10 Downing Street?" Elm repeated.

The Doctor nodded. "That's the one."

"Oh, my god," Rose gasped. "I'm going to 10 Downing Street? How come?"

The Doctor sighed and leaned against the door of the car. "I hate to say it, but Mickey was right. Over the years I've visited this planet a lot of times, and I've been noticed."

"I'd be surprised if you weren't," Elm said.

"The TARDIS isn't exactly discreet," Rose added with a giggle.

With a scoff, he turned toward his companions. "Be glad it isn't. You saw the news, they're gathering alien experts. And who's the biggest expert of the lot?"

"Patrick Moore?"

"Fox Mulder?" Elm suggested with a teasing smile.

"Apart from them," the Doctor replied, glaring at the two.

Rose laughed. "Oh, don't you love it."

"What happened to humanity being on their own?" Elm questioned after a moment.

He shrugged. "I suppose a little help couldn't hurt."

It didn't take long for their car to reach Downing Street, and Rose shoved Elm out of the way to get a look out the window. Reporters lined the streets. Camera flashes were a constant. The Doctor got out first and waved at the cameras with a cheeky smile. Rose and Elm followed suit, Elm pulling Rose along as the younger girl became entranced by the press. They entered the historical building and were escorted to a room full of people.

A man in a business suit seemed to be trying to corral everyone. "Ladies and gentlemen, can we convene? Quick as we can, please. It's this way on the right, and can I remind you that ID cards are to be worn at all times." He caught the eye of the Doctor and approached, holding out a lanyard. "Here's your ID," he said before giving the girls a look. "I'm sorry, but your companions don't have clearance."

The Doctor frowned. "I don't go anywhere without them."

"You're code nine, not-" he gave Elm a second look. "What's your name?"

"Elm Smith," she said in a slow and careful voice. "Have I done something wrong?"

"You wouldn't happen to be a professor, would you?"

Elm blinked. "I mean, sort of not really? I've got my doctorate and stood in front of a class once, but I haven't pursued it. Most recently I was a barista. Do you need my full career history?"

The man groaned. "Why didn't they tell me you were here too? I just didn't put it together, I suppose. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Professor."

"Wait, she has clearance but I don't?" Rose exclaimed.

"Will this work?" the Doctor cut in, holding up his psychic paper. While it was hard to make out, it was identical to his own, only with Elm's information instead. The man looked flabbergasted.

"How did you-"

"Do you have a lanyard I can attach this to?" Elm asked, cutting him off. He nodded, handing her a spare one. While she attached her new ID, the Doctor continued trying to get Rose clearance.

Rose spoke up after a moment. "It's alright, you two go."

A woman stepped out of the crowd of people. She was older and smartly dressed. "Excuse me. Are you the Doctor?"

He shrugged. "Sure."

"I need a word in private."

As she spoke, more security guards arrived and began funneling all those with IDs into another room. Rose grabbed Elm's arm before she could go. "I dunno what all that is about but stay out of trouble. And keep an eye on him."

Elm gave her friend a thumbs-up and followed the Doctor into the next room. This one was less crowded than the last and full of tables and chairs. After finding some free seats, the Doctor turned to her. "How do you suppose you got clearance?"

"I have no idea. He was calling me a professor but I haven't got that title. Technically I'm a doctor just like you," she grinned at him.

The Doctor opened his mouth to respond but got interrupted by movement at the front of the room. A man stepped forward to begin the meeting, passing out packets of information as he went. Elm flipped through hers quickly.

Most of the information she already knew, with some of it being wildly incorrect.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention," the man began. "As you can see from the summaries in front of you, the ship had one porcine occupant."

The Doctor stood up. "Of course, the really interesting bit happened three days ago." Elm watched him talk, impressed by the authority he displayed. "In the North Sea, a satellite detected a signal, a little blip of radiation at one hundred fathoms. You were just about to investigate and the next thing you know, this happens. Spaceships, pigs, massive diversion. From what?"

"It was all a bit showy, wouldn't you all agree? Crashing into Big Ben like that, having one occupant. The landing, though rough, wasn't so bad. It did land in the Thames, after all," Elm added. She didn't stand to speak, however, not nearly as confident.

Some of the others in the room began muttering to themselves. The Doctor nodded. "Exactly. So, if aliens fake an alien crash and an alien pilot, what do they get?" The alien man seemed to be putting it together as he spoke. His eyes widened in realization. "Us. They get us. It's not a diversion, it's a trap." He gestured to the room. "This is all about us! Alien experts. The only people with knowledge on how to fight against them gathered together in one room."

"'If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles'," Elm quoted. "But that would mean they would have to be here with us. Right now."

The noise level in the room increased as everyone began speaking at once. That is until someone passed gas.

The Doctor glared at the man responsible. "Excuse me, do you mind not farting while I'm saving the world?"

"Would you rather silent but deadly?" the man questioned with a grin.

Another man across the room began to laugh. Making his way to the front, he took off his military cap and moved his hand across his forehead. Everyone froze as a bright blue light filled the room. Inside the man was a giant green alien. It had long claws and bug-like eyes. The man who made the joke continued to smile.

"We are the Slitheen," the alien rasped.

"Thank you all for wearing your ID badges," the first man said, pulling out a small box. "They'll help to identify the bodies."

He pressed something down and the room lit up with electricity. Elm ducked under the table thinking it was some sort of taser but was horrified to find that it was the badges. The hairs on her arms stood on edge as she backed away from the nearest person. She wanted to help, but touching someone wouldn't accomplish anything. Her dilemma was solved by the Doctor, who was slowly rising to his feet. He was in pain, but through it, he was able to rip off his badge. No longer under its effects, he shoved it toward the Slitheen. The creature started convulsing, as did the man at the front of the room.

"Deadly to humans, maybe," the Doctor shouted. Grabbing Elm's hand, he ran out of the room. They sprinted down the hall until they found a group of soldiers. The Doctor shouted at them. "You want aliens? Well, they're in Downing Street. Come on!"

These soldiers were quicker than the last ones and did as commanded. When they got back to the room, however, everyone was still. The alien seemed to have put back on his skin suit.

"Where have you been?" the disguised alien demanded. Elm checked the pulse of the person closest to her. He was dead. "I sounded the alarm. There was this lightning, uh, electricity, and they all collapsed."

One of the soldiers stood after checking someone's pulse. "I think they're all dead."

"That's what I'm saying," the man exclaimed. He pointed at the Doctor. "They did it! That man and the woman with him!"

"We did not! They did! Using the ID badges," Elm objected.

"I think you'll find the Prime Minister is actually an alien in disguise," the Doctor explained. When no one reacted, he turned to Elm. "That's never going to work, is it?"

"Probably not."

"Only one thing for it, then," the Doctor said. In one fluid motion, he grabbed Elm's hand and rushed out the door. They ran down the hall only to be greeted by more soldiers. They were cornered.

One of the Slitheen, this one in the General's skin, was out of breath. "Under the jurisdiction of the Emergency Protocols, I authorize you to execute them!"

Elm squeaked as she was pulled behind the Doctor. Looking around for a solution, she was surprised to find the lift. It was right behind them. As discreetly as she could, she pressed the call button.

The Doctor rambled in an attempt to stall. "Well now, yes, you see, uh, the thing is if I was you. If I was going to execute someone by backing them against the wall, little word of advice." He grinned as the elevator dinged behind them. "Don't stand them against the lift!"

As soon as she was able, Elm backed into the metal box, the Doctor soon joining her. The soldiers approached, but the Doctor used his sonic to shut the doors before they could get in.

"That was mad," Elm breathed, leaning against a wall. "Absolutely mad. Are you alright?"

"Well enough, though it was a bit shocking," the Doctor joked. Elm glared at him. "Too soon?"

Before she could reply, the lift reached the next floor. The doors slid open to reveal a screeching Slitheen. Behind it were Rose and that woman from before. They were running into another room. The Doctor used his sonic to close the lift once again.

"How many are there?!" Elm exclaimed as they ascended another floor.

"Could be three, could be three hundred, who knows," the Doctor replied as he peeked down the hall. The floor was deserted. "C'mon, let's go give Rose a hand."

They took the stairs down a floor and were almost to Rose when the lift dinged.

"It does us good to hunt. Purifies the blood."

The alien's raspy, hissing voice made Elm shiver. The only place to hide was a narrow space between two columns, just behind the door. The Doctor shoved Elm in first before squeezing in himself.

"We'll keep this floor quarantined as our last hunting ground before the final phase," a second voice said. Elm held her breath as the aliens passed through to the next room.

The time travelers crept out of their hiding spot when the door closed behind the Slitheen. Looking around for some sort of distraction, Elm spotted the fire extinguisher. She tapped the Doctor on the shoulder and gestured to it. He grabbed it with a grin before walking toward the next room. They were about to enter when Rose screamed.

The Doctor burst through the door and sprayed the nearest Slitheen with the fire extinguisher.

"Come on!" Elm shouted to the cowering humans. Rose pulled a curtain down over the alien closest to her before sprinting to her friend. Elm pulled her over to check for injuries.

"I'm fine," Rose said with as much spirit as the situation allowed.

Another woman, the older one from before, retreated behind the Doctor as well. She cradled a briefcase.

Elm turned to her. "Are you alright? Who're you?"

"Harriet Jones, MP for Flydale North," the woman responded, holding up an ID. "And I'm fine."

"Right then, that's enough conversation," the Doctor said as he dropped the fire extinguisher. "Next stop, the Cabinet room!"

The group ran away from the Slitheen, the Doctor in the lead.

Behind them, the aliens screeched. They were fast creatures, running with the support of their arms like apes. The time travelers plus Harriet Jones only just made it to the Cabinet Room with all their limbs attached. The Doctor used his sonic to open the locked door and grabbed a bottle of alcohol inside. He held his device up to the bottle in a threatening manner.

"One more move and my sonic device will triplicate the flammability of this alcohol. Whoof, we all go up. So back off," he threatened. The Slitheen took a step back and the humans retreated behind the Doctor to safety. He smiled. "Right then, question time. Who exactly are the Slitheen?"

"They're aliens," Harriet answered.

The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Yes, I got that, thanks."

One of the Slitheen hissed. "Who are you, if not human?"

"Who's not human?" Harriet whispered.

"He's not human," Rose replied.

"He's not human? He's got a Northern accent."

"Lots of planets have a north."

The Doctor sighed. "Can I have a bit of hush?"

"Sorry," the two women said in unison.

"Why are you here?" Elm questioned. She took a step closer to stand beside the Doctor. "You must have some sort of plan, with all you've done."

The Slitheen said nothing.

"Come on," the Doctor snapped. "What have you done all this for? Invasion?"

"Why would we invade this God-forsaken rock?" one of the Slitheen questioned.

"Something brought the Slitheen race here," the Doctor said. "What is it?"

One of the creatures tilted its head. "The Slitheen race?"

"Slitheen is not our species," another one corrected. "Slitheen is our surname. Jocrassa Fel Fotch Pasameer-Day-Slitheen, at your service."

"So you're family. Good to know. You still haven't told us why you're here," Elm said, emphasizing her words.

One of the Slitheen laughed. "We're a family business."

The Doctor snapped his fingers. "Then you're out to make a profit. How can you do that on a 'God-forsaken rock'?"

"Ah, excuse me?" the Slitheen on the right spoke up. "Your device will do what? Triplicate the flammability?"

The Doctor lowered the glass he was holding. "Is that what I said?"

"You made it up," one of the aliens accused.

"Ah, well! Nice try," he gave Elm the bottle. "Have a drink."

"Thank you?" She passed the bottle to Harriet.

The Slitheen laughed. "Now we can end this hunt with a slaughter."

"Don't you think we should run?" Rose squeaked.

Elm nodded and backed away as the Slitheen approached. "A tactical retreat seems like the only option we've got, Doc."

The man held up a hand. The aliens halted. "Fascinating history, Downing Street. Two thousand years ago, this was marshland. 1730, it was occupied by a Mister Chicken," he looked down with a smile. "He was a nice man. 1796, this was the Cabinet Room. If the Cabinet's in session and in danger, these are the four safest walls in Great Britain," he reached over to the side of the door and lifted a panel. "End of lesson."

He pressed the button within. Steel clanged as all the windows and doors sealed around them. They could hear the Slitheen hiss in anger on the other side.

Stepping forward, Elm tapped the metal. "Will it hold?"

"I should hope so. There are three inches of steel lining every wall," the Doctor said.

Rose spoke up from where she was standing. "And how do we get out?"

The Doctor frowned. "No such thing as a perfect plan."

"Well, we have this," Harriet said, lifting the briefcase she was carrying. "The Emergency Protocols. They're supposed to have information on aliens."

"Harriet Jones, I'm beginning to like you," the Doctor said with a grin. "You look through that and we'll search the room for anything useful."

Elm took his advice and started poking her way around. She started with a closet and gasped at what she saw within. Two people, obviously dead.

"Oh no."

"What is it?" the Doctor asked. When he saw for himself, he sighed. "Oh, that explains where the Prime Minister went."

"And what about him? What was his name?" Elm questioned, crouching down next to the other man. "I remember his face. He gave you an ID."

"Do you remember his name, Harriet?" the Doctor asked. "The secretary or whatever?"

Harriet approached and shook her head. "I talked to him. I brought him a cup of coffee. I never asked his name."

"I hate it when this happens," Elm said with a sigh. She closed the door and turned around. "I guess I'll look over there."

While she investigated a different area, she heard the Doctor talk to Rose.

"Have you found anything?"

The girl scoffed. "No. This place is antique. What I don't get is, when they killed the Prime Minister, why didn't they use him as a disguise?"

"He's too slim," the Doctor explained. "They're big old beasts. They only fit inside big humans."

"But the Slitheen are massive! How do they fit inside?" Rose questioned.

"That's the device around their necks. The compression field shrinks them down a bit. That's why there's all that gas. It's a big exchange."

"Wish I had a compression field," Rose mumbled. "I could fit a size smaller."

"Yes, but at the expense of being gassy?" Elm questioned, a tiny smile on her face.

Her friend laughed. "Right."

"Excuse me!" Harriet interrupted. "People are dead! This is not the time for making jokes."

"Sorry," Rose replied. "You get used to this stuff when you're friends with him."

The Doctor spoke before anything more could be said. "Harriet Jones." He sounded like he was testing the name on his tongue. "I've heard that name before. Harriet Jones. You're not famous for anything, are you?"

"Oh, hardly. Lifelong backbencher, I'm afraid, and a fat lot of use I'm being now. The Protocols are redundant. They list the people who could help and they're all dead downstairs," she bemoaned.

Elm took a step closer. "Speaking of. Does it make any mention of me? Elm Smith? Or maybe of a Professor?"

"Is this the time?" Rose questioned. "Shouldn't we be looking for defense codes or something?"

"Oh come on, you can't tell me you're not curious about how I got clearance."

"There is a mention of a Professor, yes, but it only gives a general description. There's not much else besides a note that they're usually with the Doctor, sorry. As for defense codes, nothing like that is in here," Harriet lifted a piece of paper. "Nuclear strikes do need a release code, yes, but it's kept secret by the United Nations."

The Doctor turned toward the woman. "Say that again."

"What, about the codes?"

"Anything. All of it."

Harriet tilted her head. "Well, the British Isles can't gain access to atomic weapons without a special resolution from the UN."

Rose laughed. "Like that's ever stopped them."

"Exactly. With our record, the codes were taken from the government's hands and given to the UN. Is it important?"

"Everything's important," the Doctor replied.

"If only we knew what the Slitheen wanted," Harriet said before laughing. "Listen to me. I'm saying Slitheen as if it's normal."

"What do they want, though?" Rose questioned.

Elm tapped her finger on the table. "Doctor, you mentioned something about a profit?"

"Well, they're a family business. They don't want Slitheen World, they're out to make money. That means they want to use something. Something here on Earth. Some kind of asset."

"Like what?" Harriet questioned. "Gold? Oil? Water?"

"You're very good at this," the Doctor said with a grin.

The older woman smiled. "Thank you."

"We're missing something," Elm muttered to herself. "They've got such a well-thought-out plan, from the ship to the ID badges. All we're missing is their endgame."

Rose's phone beeped. The sound broke the tension in the room.

"Oh, that's me," Rose mumbled. She took out her phone and checked her texts. "It's Mickey."

Harriet looked astonished. "But we're sealed off. How did you get a signal?"

She shrugged. "He zapped it. Superphone."

"That's great! You must have contacts!"

"Yeah, dead downstairs. And Rose, tell your stupid boyfriend we're busy," the Doctor said.

Rose read through the message and froze. "Yeah, he's not so stupid after all." She lifted her phone to reveal a photo of a Slitheen.

"He took that?" Elm questioned. "Where did he meet a Slitheen?"

"I dunno, shh!" Rose hushed, dialing the phone. "Mickey? Where did you get that picture? Are you alright?" She nodded along as he spoke and looked perturbed at what she heard. "Is she alright though? Don't put her on, just tell me."

The Doctor snatched the phone away and plugged it into a speaker on the table. "Don't talk, just shut up and go to your computer."

"Why should I?" Mickey questioned.

"I might just choke before I finish this sentence but," the Doctor sighed. "I need you."

The Doctor gave Mickey detailed instructions on how to get into a secure government website. Elm didn't pay much attention as she accepted a glass of whiskey from Harriet. She couldn't sit still and tapped her foot absentmindedly as she sipped her drink.

"It's asking for a password," Mickey said.

"Buffalo," the Doctor replied. "Two Fs, one L."

"So, what's this website?" That was Jackie. What she was doing with Mickey, Elm didn't know.

"All secret information known to mankind. See, they've known about aliens for years," Mickey explained. "They just keep us in the dark."

"Mickey, you were born in the dark," the Doctor said with an eye roll.

"Leave him alone," Rose demanded.

"Thank you," Mickey said. "Password again."

The Doctor waved a hand. "Just repeat it every time." He leaned against a chair and frowned. "Big Ben, why did the Slitheen go and hit Big Ben?"

"You said to gather the experts, to kill them," Harriet said after taking a long drink.

"That lot would've gathered for a weather balloon. You don't need to crash-land in the middle of London."

"It was very high-profile, hitting such a well-known landmark," Elm remarked.

Rose nodded. "The Slitheen are hiding, but then they put the entire planet on red alert. What would they do that for?"

Jackie sighed over the phone. "Oh, listen to her. Listen to them!"

"At least I'm trying," Rose defended.

"Well, I've got a question, if you don't mind," Jackie snapped. "Because since you've walked into our lives I've been attacked, my home's been invaded, and my girls have disappeared off the face of the Earth."

The Doctor seemed to wilt the longer Jackie spoke.

"Mum-" Rose tried, but Jackie cut back in.

"I'm talking to him, not you, Rose. 'Cos I've seen this life of yours, Doctor. Maybe you get off on it, and maybe you think it's clever and smart, but you tell me. Just answer this one question. Are they safe?"

"We're fine, Jackie," Elm said, trying to get through to her.

"Are they safe?" the woman repeated. "Will they always be safe? Can you promise me that?"

The Doctor was quiet, unable to make eye contact with anything other than the speaker. Elm shifted and looked away as Jackie repeated her question over and over.

Mickey cut through with two words. "We're in."

Snapping out of his thoughts, the Doctor nodded. "Now then, on the left at the top, there's a tab with an icon. Little concentric circles. Click on that."

An odd noise started coming in over the speakers. "What is it?"

"The Slitheen have got a spaceship in the North Sea and it's transmitting that signal," the Doctor explained. "Now hush, let me work out what it's saying. It's some sort of message."

A moment passed.

"What's it say?" Rose questioned.

"Don't know, it's on a loop. It's beaming out into space. Who's it for?"

Elm tapped her fingers on the table. "It's repeating you say? With them being a business, what if it's-"

"They've found us," Mickey whispered. Someone jostled the phone, most likely moving away from the computer.

"Mickey, I need that signal," the Doctor objected as the sound faded into background noise.

Rose slammed her hands on the table. "Never mind the signal, get out! Mum, just get out of there!"

"We can't, it's by the front door," Mickey replied. Through the phone, they could hear Jackie gasp. "Oh my god, it's unmasking. It's going to kill us."

"There's got to be some way of stopping them!" Harriet exclaimed. She turned toward the Doctor. "You're supposed to be the expert, think of something!"

"I'm trying!" he shouted, staring at the speaker intently.

Mickey's voice was hushed and tense. "I'll take it on, Jackie. You just run and don't look back."

Rose looked at the alien man with teary eyes. "Doctor!"

The Doctor snapped out of his thoughts and straightened. "Right, if we're going to find their weakness, we need to find out where they're from. Which planet? Their basic shape narrows it down to five thousand planets within traveling distance. What else do we know about them?"

Rose spoke up first. "They're green!"

"Yep, narrows it down."

Elm thought back on the day. "Their eyelids close sideways."

"Narrows it down."

"Good sense of smell."

"Narrows it down," the Doctor said with a nod.

"They can smell adrenaline."

"Narrows it down."

"The pig technology," Harriet chipped in.

The Doctor grinned. "Narrows it down."

"The spaceship," Rose said.

"Narrows it down."

"When they speak they sort of hiss," Elm added.

"It's getting in!" Mickey shouted. Something crashed on his end of the call.

"They hunt like it's a ritual," Rose said in a rush.

"Narrows it down."

"Their names are long and sound hyphenated," Elm said.

"Narrows it down."

"Wait a minute," Harriet began. "Did you notice? When they fart, if you'll pardon the word, it doesn't just smell like a fart, if you'll pardon the word, it's something else. What is it?"

Rose snapped her fingers. "Bad breath!"

"It does!" Elm gasped.

The Doctor laughed. "Calcium decay! Now, that narrows it down!" Someone screamed through the speaker as the Doctor began speaking in a rush. "Calcium phosphate. Organic calcium. Living calcium. Creatures made of living calcium. That narrows it down to one planet. Raxacoricofallapatorius!"

"Oh, yeah, great. We can write 'em a letter," Mickey exclaimed.

"Get into the kitchen!" the Doctor shouted. "Calcium, weakened by the compression field. Acetic acid. Vinegar!"

Harriet grinned. "Like Hannibal!"

He nodded. "Just like Hannibal. Mickey, have you got any vinegar?"

"How should I know?"

"C'mon Mickey!" Elm exclaimed. "Have you got anything with vinegar? Anything pickled?"

Rose sighed. "Cupboard by the sink, middle shelf."

There was a clamor as Jackie got hold of the phone. "What do you need?"

"Anything with vinegar!"

Something slammed as Jackie began listing things. "Gherkins. Pickled onions. Pickled eggs."

"You kiss this man?" the Doctor questioned.

Rose shrugged.

The phone jostled so much Elm could hardly make out what was happening.

Then Mickey spoke up. "It worked!"

Rose turned to Harriet. "Hannibal?"

"Hannibal crossed the Alps by dissolving boulders with vinegar."

"Oh. Well, there you go then."

"To vinegar," Elm toasted with her glass before finishing her drink.

OoOoOoO

Mickey and Jackie took a few minutes to clean up, as the Slitheen apparently exploded.

"Ricky, have you got a TV?" the Doctor questioned, fed up with waiting.

"Course I do."

"Put it to good use then and turn on the news."

Mickey grumbled but complied. His complaints ceased when he listened to the broadcast. "Listen to this!"

The quality was terrible, but Elm could mostly make out what was being said. "Our inspectors have searched the sky above our heads and have found weapons of mass destruction."

"What?" the Doctor exclaimed.

Elm stared at the speaker in shock as the broadcast continued. "Our technicians can baffle the alien probes, but not for long. We are facing extinction unless we strike first. The United Kingdom stands directly beneath the belly of the mothership. I beg the United Nations, pass an emergency resolution. Give us the access codes. A nuclear strike at the heart of the beast is our only chance of survival. It is my solemn duty to inform you that Earth is at war."

"Who is that speaking?" Elm questioned. "I recognize his voice."

"It's the Prime Minister, or at least, the Slitheen disguised as him," the Doctor replied. "And what he's saying is all wrong. He's making it up. There are no weapons up there. There's no threat."

Harriet gripped her chair. "Do you think they'll believe him?"

"The world's already on high alert," Elm replied. She leaned heavily against the table. "And did you hear that message? Everyone must be panicking"

"That's why the Slitheen went for spectacle. They want the panic because you lot, you get scared, you lash out," the Doctor said. He began stalking toward the door as he spoke.

Rose gasped. "And the defense codes get released!"

The Doctor nodded and opened up the room. Four of the Slitheen were standing in the hall. Only one was in disguise. "You get the codes, release the missiles, but not into space because there's nothing there. You attack every other country on Earth. They retaliate and fight back. World War Three. The whole planet gets nuked."

The Slitheen disguised as a woman smiled. "And we can sit safely in our spaceship waiting in the Thames. Not crashed, just parked. Only two minutes away."

"But you'll destroy the planet, this beautiful place," Harriet objected.

"What could you possibly get out of a destroyed planet?" Elm asked.

"Profit," the Doctor answered. "That's what the signal is, an advert."

The Slitheen woman laughed. "The sale of the century. We reduce the Earth to molten slag, then sell it piece by piece. Radioactive chucks, capable of powering every cut-price starliner and budget cargo ship. There's a recession out there, Doctor. People are buying cheap. This rock becomes raw fuel."

"At the cost of five billion lives," the Doctor growled.

She grinned. "Bargain."

"That's sick," Elm exclaimed.

The Doctor cut in. "I give you a choice. Leave this planet or I'll stop you."

"What, you? Trapped in your box?"

He nodded as he pressed the button to close the doors. "Yes. Me."

OoOoOoO

Time passed in slow motion as the Doctor, Elm, Rose, and Harriet Jones waited for news. Elm spent most of her time looking through the Emergency Protocols. The documents within were written in complicated and official language, but it was hardly the most complex thing she'd ever read.

The reading was a nice distraction from their impending doom. Every line she read moved her further away from the problem at hand.

She was startled out of her focus by Jackie's voice.

"All right, Doctor. I'm not saying I trust you, but there must be something you can do."

The Doctor didn't answer, so Rose spoke up instead. "Any luck on your end, Mickey?"

"There's loads of emergency numbers. They're all on voicemail."

"Voicemail dooms us all," Harriet bemoaned.

"If we could just get out of here," Rose said, her gaze on the doors.

Elm put away the Emergency Protocols and leaned back in her chair. "Without being skewered."

"There's a way out," the Doctor said, his voice low. He looked from Rose to Elm.

Rose furrowed her brow. "What?"

"There's always been a way out," he replied.

"Then why don't we use it?"

The Doctor eyed the speaker. "Because I can't guarantee they'll be safe."

"Don't you dare," Jackie cried. "Whatever it is, don't you dare."

He sighed. "That's the thing. If I don't dare, everyone dies."

Silence fell in the room. Then Rose spoke. "Do it."

"You don't even know what it is. You'd just let me?" the Doctor asked, eyes wide.

"We trust you, Doctor," Elm said. "So do what you have to."

"Doctor, please," Jackie cut in. "They're just kids."

"Do you think I don't know that?" the Doctor snapped. "Because this is my life, Jackie. It's not fun, it's not smart, it's just standing up and making a decision because nobody else will."

"Then what're you waiting for?" Rose questioned.

He looked from her to Elm. "I could save the world but lose both of you."

Harriet stepped forward. "Except it's not your decision, Doctor. It's mine."

"And who the hell are you?" Jackie shouted.

She held her head high. "Harriet Jones, MP for Flydale North. The only elected representative in this room, chosen by the people for the people. And on behalf of the people, I command you. Do it."

The Doctor grinned. "Alright then."

"So how do we get out?" Rose questioned.

"We don't. We stay here. Elm, hand me everything in the Emergency Protocols on the Royal Navy," the Doctor demanded. It took only a moment for her to sort out what he needed, and she handed them to him with a cautious look.

"Doctor?"

"If there were any other way," he said in answer before turning back toward the speaker. After navigating Mickey to the Royal Navy's control center, he instructed him on how to override their controls. "There should be a submarine called the HMS Taurean. Navigate to its control center."

"Alright," Mickey replied. "HMS Taureen, Trafalgar Class submarine, ten miles off the coast of Plymouth?"

The Doctor nodded. "That's the one. We need to select a missile. What's the first category?"

"Sub Harpoon, UGM-A4A."

"Select and target this location. You ready for this?"

Mickey paused for a long moment and Elm held her breath. "Yeah."

"Mickey the idiot, the world is in your hands. Fire."

Elm clapped her hands together once before looking around the room. "Right, world's saved. Great. Now we've got to sort ourselves out."

"These walls aren't solid enough for something this big," the Doctor warned.

Rose walked to a closet on the opposite end of the room. "Well I dunno about you, but I'm not going to die. We're going to ride this one out. It's like what they say about earthquakes. You can survive them by standing under a door frame. Now, this cupboard's small so it's strong," she began pulling things out of it. "Come and help me. Come on."

Both Elm and Harriet rushed to help, unloading boxes upon boxes and throwing them out. As they cleared out the closet, the Doctor sorted something out with Mickey. Elm knew when the Doctor unplugged the phone that it was time. With all the things gone, they all squeezed into the cupboard. Seated between Rose and the Doctor, Elm grabbed their hands and held on tight.

"It was nice meeting you three," Harriet spoke up as they all braced.

"It's been fun," Elm agreed.

The missile struck.

Elm felt like a rag-doll. The room flipped around them, sending her to the ceiling and back to the floor again. Someone shouted. Someone squeaked. Someone groaned in pain.

All at once, the room stopped moving. It was dark in the closet, but someone managed to find the door and threw it open. The room was upside down.

Despite her sore body, Elm couldn't help but laugh.

The sky was bright as the three travelers followed Harriet out of the wreckage of 10 Downing Street. Somehow the woman managed to maintain her dignity, and immediately greeted a soldier who approached them.

"Harriet Jones. MP for Flydale North. I want you to contact the UN immediately. Tell the ambassadors that the crisis is over. They can step down. Go on, tell the news." As the soldier ran off to do as she bid, she sighed. "Someone's got a hell of a job sorting this lot out. Oh, Lord. We haven't even got a Prime Minister."

The Doctor smiled. "Maybe you should have a go."

She laughed. "Me? I'm only a back-bencher." A crowd was gathering ahead of them. "I'd better go and see if I can help," the woman said before doing just that.

"That woman's made of steel," Elm commented, following her to the street.

"I thought I knew the name," the Doctor said when he got out of the rubble himself. "Harriet Jones, future Prime Minister. Elected for three successive terms. The architect of Britain's Golden Age."

"I would vote for her," Rose agreed. She glanced at the blocked-off street. "Do you think we'll be able to get a cab?"

OoOoOoO

They weren't able to get a cab. The walk back to the Powell Estate was rough, but worth it for the cuppa Jackie brewed. She even gave one to the Doctor, to his surprise. The night ended with Elm passing out on the couch, warm and exhausted.

The next morning wasn't nearly as relaxing.

It was technically afternoon, as Elm had woken at 12. "I might be back late, but not too late. I owe Charlie a drink," she said as she sorted through her boxes. They were all stacked in Rose's room, and for once she was glad she didn't own much. It didn't take long for her to find her wallet and, thank god, her card was still valid. "Don't leave without me, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah," Rose mumbled from her bed. Next to her was a snoring Mickey. "What are you going to do with your things?"

She shrugged. "No sense in renting out another flat if I'm not staying in it. Do you suppose the Doctor will mind if I keep it all in my room?"

"Dunno," Rose replied with a yawn. "See you."

"Bye."

First on Elm's to-do list was getting a new phone. Luck was on her side as her phone carrier's shop was open for the day. Most things were open actually, despite the world almost being destroyed the previous day. The store assistants looked tired, but the process of getting her old plan and phone was streamlined by her paying for the device in full.

Once out of the shop, she dialed her friend's number and headed back to the estate.

"Hello?"

"Hey Charlie, it's Elm," she replied with a smile.

"Elm?" the man laughed. "I was wondering when you'd call. Yesterday was insane."

"I know, that alien stuff was crazy," Elm replied.

"Do you believe it? Everyone's been saying it's a hoax," her friend said.

Elm withheld a laugh. "Wanna chat over drinks? I'm out and about right now so we could meet at Marty's in 30."

"Bit early to drink," Charlie replied. "Of course, I'm in. See you soon."

"See ya."

Almost as soon as Elm hung up she got a call from another, unknown number. She accepted the call with a hesitant, "Hello?"

"Elm?"

"Doctor?" she exclaimed. "How'd you get my number?"

"I looked it up, obviously."

"But I just got it."

"Time machine," he said before continuing. "Anyways, Rose said you went out and I'm almost ready to go."

"I told Rose but I'm meeting a friend for drinks in a bit, you're welcome to join if you'd like?"

The Doctor grumbled. "I've had enough domestics for a bit, thank you. How long is that going to take?"

"Probably two hours or so?"

"Fine," the Doctor replied, obviously irritated.

Elm chuckled. "Oh and before I forget, would you mind if I store my things in the TARDIS?"

"Oh no, you're not making my TARDIS into your flat," the Doctor exclaimed. "I won't have a bunch of human things scattered around."

"Well, it is your fault I lost my apartment," she pointed out. "It'll just be in my room anyway. I won't encroach on your space."

"You swear?"

"Yeah, I promise."

"Fine, but the first personal effect I find out of your room gets thrown into the Vortex."

She laughed. "Whatever you say."

"Good."

He hung up without further comment.

Elm began making her way to Marty's, mind troubled. She still had to make one more phone call and was dreading it. Only once she was outside the pub, sitting on a bench did she dare dial the memorized number.

It went straight to voicemail.

"Hello, this is, uh, Elm. Elm Smith. Your granddaughter. This is my new number," she paused for a moment. "I know I already told you this, but I'm going to keep traveling. My living situation is settled, in case you were wondering. I've gotta do this. Just in case I don't talk to you in a while, thank you for… everything. Bye."

The young woman hung up with a sigh before stuffing her phone into her jeans. She thought she'd dress a bit more casually today with some jeans, a long sleeve, and a cute green patterned cardigan that she liked. The cold London air nipped at her fingers and she wished for pockets to burry them into.

"Elm!" a familiar voice shouted, and suddenly she was engulfed in a hug.

Charlie was a tall man with a lean build. He had bleach-blonde hair, too many piercings to count, and kind brown eyes. They met just a few months after she moved to London, and he had made it his goal since to get her out on the town to socialize more.

It wasn't an overwhelming success, but Elm did enjoy his company.

"C'mon," the man said, looping his arm in hers. "I'm sure we've got a lot to drink over."

OoOoOoO

Elm left Marty's two hours later, as promised, and made her way to the Powell Estate as soon as she got her sloshed friend into a cab home. She'd only sipped on two beers, so she was hardly tipsy. Upon her return, she was pleasantly surprised to find her things already stacked in the console room. Outside of the TARDIS sat a tired Mickey.

"Thank you!" she exclaimed, hugging the young man. "That saved me a lot of work."

He shrugged. "Haven't had much else to do. Don't expect me to help you bring them further in, though. That place is too much."

"That's fine, I really appreciate the help."

"Your things are already cluttering up!" Came a shout from within the time machine. The Doctor emerged, a scowl on his face. "What is it with you apes and your things?"

"Says the man with a wardrobe the size of a mall," Elm replied. "It's your fault I'm homeless, take responsibility."

The Doctor sighed and picked up a few boxes. "Let's just put them away before they start stinking up the place."

"My things do not stink!" Elm objected, grabbing a box as well.

It only took a few minutes to move her few boxes, and by then Rose emerged from the Estate. The blonde had a backpack in hand and seemed to be arguing with her mother.

"I'm not leaving because of you. I'm traveling, that's all, and then I'll come back."

"But it's not safe!" Jackie cried.

"Mum," Rose sighed. "If you saw it out there, you'd never stay home." She tossed her backpack at the Doctor.

He caught it and groaned. "Not more things."

"Last time I stepped in there, it was spur of the moment. Now I'm signing up. You're stuck with me," Rose laughed. She went to go talk to Mickey, and Elm took that as her signal to retreat into the TARDIS. She did not want a lecture from Jackie.

The Doctor and Rose joined her within moments.

"Well then," the Doctor began. "Where to next?"

E/N: Wow, this one's long. Two episodes though, I suppose.

Comment Responses:

Little Dii-LD: Yeah, sorry about that long wait. The Doctor and Elm interact a lot more in this chapter! Hope you enjoyed, and thank you for the comment!

That's Blanderdash: Thank you!