Continuing on, I answered as many of Astrid's questions as I could. She was curious about a lot of things but it was sweet, knowing that. Curiosity was always a good thing, especially in our lives, although it did often bring us more trouble than anything. But her questions weren't intruding or anything, she just wanted to know of the worlds we'd seen and the adventures we'd had. Questions I was content to answer. When she seemed to be satisfied with my answers, she made a comment about the situation, earning a disgruntled grunt from Slade and a few chuckles from the others. As they made small talk, the Doctor and I tried to manoeuvre everyone through the destroyed ship, luckily finding ourselves in a narrow corridor with a small bit of debris scattered about. A few moments later, we brought the group to a stop, stumbling upon a room that had a trolley of sandwiches off to the side.

"Morvin, look. Food."

"Oh great. Someone's happy."

"Don't have any then," Morvin spat, obviously very irritated with the stuck up and self-absorbed man. To be honest, I was quite glad Morvin had said something. Slade was nothing but a thorn in my side and every word out of his mouth angered me. It was only a matter of time before I finally blew up on the man, something neither the Doctor and I really wanted... okay, more so the Doctor.

As everyone else stood by the trolley and got something to eat, the Doctor and I were by the comms. We had to speak to the Midshipman and let him know that the Hosts had been corrupted, that they were trying to kill everyone on the ship. "Mister Frame, are you still there?"

"Yes, sir, but I've got Host outside. I've sealed the door."

"They've been programmed to kill. Why would anyone do that?"

"That's not the only problem, Doctor."

I sighed. It seemed the family vacation I had wanted wasn't going quite as planned. "What is it?"

"I had to use a maximum deadlock on the door, which means no one can get in. I'm sealed off. Even if you CAN fix the Titanic, you can't get to the bridge."

"Yeah, right, fine. One problem at a time. What's on deck thirty one?" I glanced up at him questioningly, only for it to be answered through our mental bond. It seemed as if not only were we dealing with killer hosts and a failing engine, we were also dealing with an extremely ruthless person who was willing to do anything to get whatever was desired. Deck thirty one, according to the Doctor's thoughts, was a hiding area, a major area of interest for him.

"Er, that's down below. It's nothing. It's just the Host storage deck. That's where we keep the robots."

The Doctor pulled up the ship's schematics. While everything else was blue and open, deck thirty one was blacked out. "Well, what's that? Do you see that panel? Black. It's registering nothing. No power, no heat, no light."

"I've never seen it before."

"One hundred percent shielding. What's down there?"

"I'll try intensifying the scanner," Frame replied.

"Let us know if you find anything. And keep those engines going."

Astrid joined us a moment later, holding two plates up. "Saved you some. You might be a Time King from Gaddabee but you need to eat." I chuckled a bit, causing the blonde woman to smile. "Does that make you a Time Queen?" she asked me.

"Time Lady. But if we're going by what you're saying, then yes. That makes Kie a prince though," I teased, winking at her. Astrid's cheeks flushed, a coy smile playing on her lips as she oh so discreetly glanced over at Kie before giving us her attention again.

"If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? You all look so young…"

"I'm only a year younger than the Doctor. Kie's closer to 500."

"483," the boy answered as he joined us. A smug grin tugged on his lips as he took in her shocked expression.

"You look good for four eighty three."

"You should see him in the morning," I replied moving my hand up and ruffling his hair. He had it slicked back and I had ended up taking it out of its tamed form. "Hair all over the place."

Kie swatted my hand away before he ran a hand through his dark locks in an attempt to fix the mess I'd made. "Mum…"

"Okay, okay. I'll stop." I smiled as the Doctor nudged me, knowing exactly what I was doing. Before they could respond, Mr Copper joined us.

"Doctor, it must be well past midnight, Earth time. Christmas Day."

"So it is. Merry Christmas."

Astrid glanced between us, confusion written on her face. "This Christmas thing, what's it all about?"

"Long story. I should know, I was there. I got the last room."

"That's just horrible, you know that? Even with sticking to fixed points." He just shrugged his shoulders. "What if it were mum?"

"Your father wouldn't be the one kicking up a fuss, Kie. Besides, with my temper, he'd probably prefer the paradox."

"But if the planet is waking up, can't we signal them? They could send up a rocket or something."

"They don't have spaceships."

"No, I read about it. They have shuffles. Space shuffles."

"Mr C, where'd you get that degree from?"

"Honestly?"

"Just between us."

"Mrs Golightly's Happy Travelling University and Dry Cleaners," the man finally admitted.

Astrid seemed stunned by the admission. I suppose I could see why, with the laws and what not being as harsh as they were, especially concerning the job market. Mr Copper was looking at a bit of jail time if his deception were to get out. "You- you lied to the company to get the job?"

"I wasted my life on Sto. I was a travelling salesman, always on the road, and I reached retirement with nothing to show for it. Not even a home. And Earth sounded so... exotic."

"Hmm. I suppose it is, yeah."

"How come you know it so well?"

"I was sort of- a few years ago- I was sort of made- well, sort of homeless, and, er, there was the Earth." I grabbed his hand, giving it a quick squeeze. While he might have been homeless before, he had Kie and me, and so many companions who loved him with all their hearts. He'd found his home; he was home. Hearing my thoughts, he kissed the top of my head, muttering a thanks. I knew he appreciated it, and that he often times needed someone to push away the dark thoughts that would invade his mind. I would always be there to do so.

"The thing is, if we survive this, there'll be police and all sorts of investigations. Now the minimum penalty for space lane fraud is ten years in jail. I'm an old man. I won't survive ten years."

Suddenly there was a loud bang that came from the door. The Doctor whipped around to see the mechanical angel banging against the metal door, denting it with each assault. "A Host! Move! Come on!"

Scrambling to their feet, the others followed as we raced to the opposite door, the Doctor sonicing it shut once we were all through. Looking around, I realised we were in the engine room. The massive pit that had once held a catwalk, spewed fire up like a raging volcano. The catwalk had long been destroyed, although, a narrow beam had fallen and created a narrow walkway that could lead us across the nuclear storm drives. I'd never really been afraid of heights, but at that moment, the thought of standing over the storm drives terrified me. It wasn't only my safety I had to worry about, but that of the survivors, my family.

"Is that the only way across?"

"Well, I don't know, Rickston. Do you see any other way across?"

"On the other hand," the Doctor intervened, "it is a way across."

"The engines are open."

"Nuclear storm drive. As soon as it stops, the Titanic falls."

"But that thing, it'll never hold our weight," Morvin voiced.

"You're going last, mate."

I clenched my jaw at Slade's comment but remained silent. Getting angry would do nothing for the situation at hand. In all regards, it would make things a lot worse. So instead, I went to lean against the wall, taking the same stance Kie had when we'd finally found him. "It's nitrofin metal. It's stronger than it looks."

"All the same, Rickston's right," Morvin agreed as he shuffled a bit. "Me and Foon should-" before he could finish his sentence, Morvin shifted forward and stepped onto a weak piece of metal. The next thing we all knew, Mr Van Hoff was falling to his death, straight into the engine furnace. I stared in shock as the man vanished. The man didn't deserve to die in such a way... he should have lived.

"Morvin!"

"I told you. I told you!"

As Mr Copper went to speak, I held up my hand stopping him. With a swift recoil, I brought my fist forward, punching Rickston dead centre. Luckily for the idiot, I was controlled enough not to break his nose. "Keep your damn mouth shut." Turning away from him, I brought my attention to Foon, who was being held by Astrid, screaming hysterically.

"Bring him back! Can't you bring him back? Bring him back, Doctor!"

"I can't. I'm sorry, I can't."

"You promised me."

I sighed and closed my eyes, forcing back the tears that threatened to fall. He was so sorry. Hell, the man was trying his damned hardest to get us out of the situation, get us to safety, WITHOUT losing anyone. Every death affected him and Foon's words were getting to him because he HAD promised them that he'd get them that he'd get them to safety. "I know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

"Doctor, I rather think that those things have got our scent."

"I'm not waiting," Rickston said as he rushed across the beam, missing the glare I shot him.

"Careful. Take it slowly!" The ship jolted and the man fell onto the beam, his arms instantly wrapping around it. I won't lie, there was a slim part of me that wished he had fallen. It sounded horrible but he was just so... no it didn't matter. He wasn't worth it.

"Oh, vot help me."

The Doctor turned from Foon and dealt with Slade, doing his best to help the man calm down and get across. "You're okay. A step at a time. Come on, you can do it." Through the door, we could hear the Hosts crying out 'kill'.

"They're getting nearer."

"Thanks for stating the obvious, Mr C."

"Seal us in."

"You're leaving us trapped, wouldn't you say?"

"Never trapped, just inconveniently circumstanced."

"Oh." The Doctor left Foon's side and soniced the controls.

"I'm okay."

"Maybe he's all right. Maybe, maybe there's a gravity curve down there or something. I don't know. Maybe he's just unconscious," Foon cried hopefully. I wished so much that I could feed that hope, but it would cause her nothing but more grief.

I shook my head, resting a hand on the woman's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Foon. He's gone." Distraught and her hope destroyed, she sobbed into Astrid's arms.

"Yes. Oh, yes! Who's good!" I rolled my eyes but kept my attention on Foon.

"Bannakaffalatta, you go next."

"Bannakaffalatta small."

"Slowly!"

The Hosts hammered on the bulkhead door as Banakaffalatta made his way across the beam. "They've found us."

"Astrid, go. Hurry up and get across," Kie told her. It was a bit obvious he was annoyed with Mr Copper's constant obvious observations and it seemed he really didn't want anything to happen to Astrid.

"What about you?"

I rolled my eyes and intervened. While it was incredibly sweet that she was worried about him, we had no time for that and to be blunt, we were much more resilient than the humans around us. It would be for everyone's best interest if they all made it across without another incident. "Just go. Mr Copper, go with her. We don't have time to waste." Astrid nodded and we switched places, leaving me to comfort the broken woman.

"No, but we-"

"Don't argue. Foon, you've got to get across right now."

"What for?" the woman questioned woefully. "What am I going to do without him?"

""Doctor? The door's locked!"

"Just think. What would he want, eh?"

I sighed, seeing the Doctor's mistake. Morvin was dead, what he wanted wouldn't matter. I'd be the same way if he died. Granted, I'd die shortly afterwards, but the time leading up to that death, I wouldn't give a damn about anyone or anything and I sure as hell wouldn't care about what he wanted. "He don't want nothing. He's dead."

"Doctor, I can't open the door. We need the whirling key thing of yours."

He turned to Slade for a quick moment. "I can't leave her."

"She'll get us all killed if we can't get out."

Having enough, I placed my hand on his arm, bringing his attention to me. "Go. You and Kie, go ahead. I'll stay with her."

"No."

'Please Theta. Take Kie and go. I'll be fine. Always am.'

'I am not leaving you, Rys.'

'Get them to safety, NOW! My life is not more important than theirs. When Foon has calmed down, we'll meet you.'

I felt his irritation with me before he turned his attention to Foon. "Mrs Van Hoff, I am coming back for you. All right?" The teary-eyed woman nodded. Kissing the top of my head, he followed Kie across the bridge.

"Too many people!" glanced up, worriedly watching my husband and child attempt to get across the beam.

"Oi! Don't get spiky with me. Keep going." Bannakaffalatta continued on, hitting what seemed to be the weakest part due to the low groan that came from the metal.

"It's going to fall."

"It's just settling. Keep going." Suddenly the banging stopped and all that was left was the noise from the engine and Foon's sobs.

"They've stopped."

"Gone away?"

"Why would they give up?"

"Never mind that. Keep coming."

"Shut it, Slade," Kie snapped from his spot. The boy was so stubborn; he had remained near the beam, but hadn't gone across it yet. "Where did they go? Where are they?"

"I'm afraid we've forgotten the traditions of Christmas. That angels have wings!" Copper said as the Hosts came down, surrounding them on the beam.

"Information- kill." The Hosts removed their haloes.

"Arm yourselves, all of you." I watched as they all grabbed bits of pipe and used it as a bat, sending the haloes flying. One hit the Doctor, cutting his arm while another caught Mr Copper's side.

Astrid dropped to her knees, seemingly exhausted. I couldn't blame her, but it was no time to give up. "I can't."

"Bannakaffalatta stop. Bannakaffalatta proud. Bannakaffalatta cyborg!" Bannakaffalatta said as he lifted his shirt and sent out an energy pulse that short-circuited the Host. It sent them plummeting unto the engine core, all except one that landed on the catwalk behind the Doctor.

"Electromagnetic pulse took out the robotics. Oh, Bannakaffalatta, that was brilliant!" The little red alien collapsed.

"He's used all his power."

"Did good?" Although I knew the little red man couldn't see me, I nodded, sad that we'd most likely lost another person.

"You saved our lives."

Bannakaffalatta happy."

"We can recharge you. Get you to a power point and just plug you in."

"Too late."

"No, but you got to get me that drink, remember?"

"Pretty girl."

I sighed as I watched him take his last breath. As Astrid moved to fasten his shirt, Mr Copper reached for a component. While I couldn't help but feel it was wrong, there was the fact that the unit could end up helping us again if we ran into more host. "I'm sorry. Forgive me."

"Leave him alone."

"It's the EMP transmitter," Copper began to explain. "He'd want us to use it. I used to sell these things. They'd always give me a bed for the night in the cyborg caravans. They're good people. But if we can recharge it, we can use it as a weapon against the rest of the Host. Bannakaffalatta might have saved us all."

"Do you think? Try telling him that," Rickston said, pointing to the Host that had landed behind the Doctor. In the midst of our distraction, it had begun to reboot.

"Information- reboot."

"Use the EMP!"

"It's dead. It's dead."

"It's got to have emergency-"

"No, no, no. Hold on. Override loophole. Security protocol ten. Six six six. Er, twenty one, four, five, six, seven, eight. I don't know, forty two?"

'Try one. That's usually the go to.'

"Er, one!"

The Host lowered its hands from the halo. "Information- state request."

"Good. Right. You've been ordered to kill the survivors, but why?"

"Information- no witnesses." I tilted my head to the side in confusion. It was so odd. Why would someone want no witnesses... no, that wasn't the right question. What was going to happen that needed no witnesses.

"But this ship's going to fall on the Earth and kill everyone. The human race have nothing to do with the Titanic, so that contravenes your orders, yes?"

"Information- incorrect."

"But why do you want to destroy the Earth?"

"Information- it is the plan."

Looking as confused as the rest of us, the Doctor asked, "What plan?"

"Information. Protocol grants you only three questions. These three questions have been used."

"Well, you could have warned me."

"Information- now you will die."

As the Host raised its halo, Foon pushed me away from her and pulled off the rope that hung on her side. Making it into a lasso, she roped it from behind. "You're coming with me." With a final glance my way, she jumped over the side, taking the Host with her. As she fell, I rushed to the edge, screaming her name as tears ran down my cheeks. I felt arms wrap around my shoulder and looked up to see it was Kie. I was actually quite grateful he'd inherited his father and my pigheadedness. Helping me to my feet, he led me across the beam.

When we had reached the opposite side, the Doctor unlocked the bulkhead door and led us through, and into a corridor. As we walked through, he pulled me from Kie, knowing that he was better apt at calming me. Kie wasn't bothered by it, choosing to walk with Astrid. After walking a bit more, the Doctor stopped and turned towards the group. "Right. Get yourself up to Reception One. Once you're there, Mister Copper, you've got staff access to the computer. Try to find a way of transmitting an SOS. Astrid, you're in charge of this." He held up the EMP transmitter. "Once it's powered up, it'll take out a Host within fifty yards but then it needs sixty seconds to recharge. Got it? Rickston, take this." He handed the man the sonic screwdriver. "I've pre-set it. Just hold down that button, it'll open doors. Do not lose it! You got that? Now go and open the next door. Go on, go!"

"All right!" Rickston went to the door.

The Doctor grabbed a first aid kit and handed it to Mr Cooper. "Mister Copper, you're going to need this. I need you fighting fit. Astrid, where's the power points?"

"Under the comms." We quickly went to plug in the EMP.

"When it's ready the blue light will come on, all right?" Kie explained to her. She nodded bet then her eyebrows furrowed.

"You're talking as if you're not coming with us."

"There's something down on deck thirty one. We're going to find out what it is."

"What if you meet a Host?"

"Have you heard him talk? The man has a gob. Besides, he thinks it's fun."

"Sounds like you do this kind of thing all the time."

"Not by choice. All we do is travel. That's what we are. Just travellers. Imagine it. No tax, no bills, no boss. Just the open sky."

"Pretty sure Mum's your boss."

"You know what I mean."

"I'm sort of unemployed now. I was thinking the blue box is kind of small, but I could squeeze in it, like a stowaway."

Our eyes met and the woman's eyes looked hopeful. "It can get pretty dangerous, Astrid."

"So you need someone to take care of you. I've got no one back on Sto. No family, just me. So what do you think? Can I come with you?"

The Doctor and I glanced at each other and then Kie. It would be nice to have someone else on the Tardis, another woman but by the liking she and Kie had taken to each other, it was his decision. As if sensing it, he smiled. "You know, that doesn't sound half bad at all." Astrid smiled and as she went to say something, there was a bang.

"Mister Frame, you still with us?"

"It's the engines, sir. Final phase. There's nothing more I can do. We've got only eight minutes left."

"Don't worry, I'll get there."

"But the bridge is sealed off."

"Yeah, yeah, working on it. I'll get there, Mister Frame, somehow." He turned from the comm tp face the group. "All charged up? Mister Copper, look after her. Astrid, look after him. Rickston, er, look after yourself. And I'll see you again, I promise."

"He's serious, Mister Copper. Anything happens to her, you're dealing with me," Kie playfully threatened, although it was obvious he was serious.

"Hold on! There's an old tradition on Planet Sto."

"We've really got to go."

"Just a minute," Astrid said as she snatched the first aid kit from Mr Copper, placed it in front of Kie, stood on it, and kissed him. I smirked, as they separated, Kie having a distant expression on his face.

"Wonderful tradition, Astrid, I approve."

She chuckled at my comment. "See you later."

"Definitely," Kie said with a wink, ever the flirt. To keep him from going any further, I grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the door.

As we reached the galley, we ended up meeting with four Host. The Doctor instantly reached for a large sauté pan for defence while Kie and I grabbed other kitchen item, a sauce pan and a large metal pot, well, the pot most likely would be useless but it was good enough for the moment. Jumping in front of us, the Doctor brandished the pan before him, keeping it an arm's or so length away. "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Security protocol one. Do you hear me? One. One! Okay, that gives me three questions. Three questions to save my life, am I right?"

"Information- correct."

"No, that wasn't one of them, I didn't mean it. That's not fair. Can I start again?" I groaned, rolling my eyes. The idiot had used up two of the three questions due to his ever flapping mouth. Kie groaned as well, shaking his head at the man in front of us. His father shot us an annoyed glance, more so me since he knew exactly what I was thinking, how much of an idiot he was. "No! No, no, no, no. That wasn't a question either. Blimey. One question left. One question. So, you've been given orders to kill the survivors but survivors must therefore be passengers or staff, but not me, not us. We're not passengers. We're not staff. Go on, scan us. You must have bio-records. No such people on board. We don't exist, therefore you can't kill us. Therefore, we're stowaways, and stowaways should be arrested and taken to the nearest figure of authority. And I reckon the nearest figure of authority is on deck thirty one. Final question. Am I right?"

"Information- correct."

"Brilliant." He dropped the pan, letting it clatter on the floor. Unlike the Doctor, Kie and I placed our improvised weapons back where we found them. "Take us to your leader." He turned to Kie and me. "I've always wanted to say that."

"You already have, remember."

"I meant with this mouth, dear."

I rolled my eyes at the Time Lord before grabbing his hand. "Fine." He pulled it to his lips and pressed a quick kiss on my knuckles.

A while later, we made it to deck thirty one. Overall, it was a work room with a big gaping hole towards the back end. The room was a disaster site, with metal scattered all over as well as debris from the collision. I released the Doctor's hand, moving away a bit to examine a piece of machinery. When I deemed it unimportant, I returned to the boys' sides. "This place is a mess."

Kie nodded. "So, who's this boss of yours? We want to meet 'im."

A Host opened a pair of doors. "Oh, that's clever. That's an omnistate impact chamber. Indestructible. You can survive anything in there. Sit through a supernova. Or a shipwreck. Only one person can have the power and the money to hide themselves on board like this and I should know, because…"

The Doctor had trailed off as a large device with comically small wheels rolled out. Attached to the top of the 'vehicle' was a glass tub with a head inside. "My name is Max Capricorn." As the man smiled, his gold tooth glinted.

Kie smirked triumphantly as it did so, having made a bet whether it did or not with his father. "It really does that."

"Pay up, old man."

"Who the hell are they?" the man snarled.

"Information- stowaways."

"Well…"

"Kill them."

"Oh, no, no, no. Wait, but you can't. Not now. Come on, Max. You've given me so much good material like, how to get ahead in business. See?" The Doctor turned to us, hoping for approval. In return, all he received was a stoic and embarrassed expression. "Head? Head in business?" The man didn't laugh, neither did Kie or myself for that matter. "No?"

"Oh, ho, ho, the office joker. I like a funny man. No one's been funny with me for years."

"Can't guess why," I muttered loud enough for him to hear.

"A hundred and seventy six years of running the company have taken their toll."

"Yeah, but, nice wheels."

"No, a life support system, in a society that despises cyborgs. I've had to hide away for years, running the company by hologram. Host, situation report."

"Information- Titanic is still in orbit."

"Let me see." He wheeled over to a window. "We should have crashed by now. What's gone wrong? The engines are still running! They should have stopped!"

"When they do, the Earth gets roasted. I don't understand. What's the Earth got to do with it?"

"This interview is terminated."

"No. No, no, no, no, no. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I can work it out. It's like a task. I'm your apprentice. Just watch me. So, business is failing and you wreck the ship so that makes things even worse. Oh, yes! No. Yes. The business isn't failing, it's failed. Past tense."

"My own board voted me out. Stabbed me in the back."

"If you actually had a back," Kie remarked, earning a glare from the man. "So, that's you're angle, kill everyone and the board's shares are cut."

"Not only that," I added, "with the destruction of an entire planet, there'd be outrage back home. The business would be annihilated."

"And the whole board thrown in jail for mass murder," Capricorn said with a smile.

"While you sit there, safe inside the impact chamber."

"I have men waiting to retrieve me from the ruins and enough off-world accounts to retire me to the beaches of Penhaxico Two, where the ladies, so I'm told, are very fond of… metal." His eyes moved to me, taking in my appearance. As he leered, I fought the urge to grab a piece of piping and smash the glass containing his head. The Doctor sensing my discomfort and rising irritation gave my hand a quick squeeze as he walked past me.

"So that's the plan. A retirement plan. Two thousand people on this ship, six billion underneath us, all of them slaughtered, and why? Because Max Capricorn is a loser."

"I never lose."

"You can't even sink the Titanic."

"Oh, but I can, Doctor. I can cancel the engines from here," Capricorn easily stated. Abruptly but not surprisingly, an alarm went off, signalling he had indeed cancelled the engines.

"You can't do this!"

"Host, hold them."

"Not so clever now. A shame we couldn't work together. You're rather good. All that banter yet not a word wasted. Time for me to retire. The Titanic is falling. The sky will burn. Let the Christmas inferno commence. Oh. Oh, Host. Kill them."

"Mister Capricorn!" We all suddenly heard. Turning, we saw Astrid seated behind the wheel of a fork lift. "I resign." She drove towards the cyborg.

"Astrid, don't! Stop!" Kie yelled as she drove forward, getting the fork under Capricorn's life support. It was a battle of strength between the two machines for a moment. A Host, removed it's Halo and threw it, the thing glancing off the cab as Astrid let out a yelp. "The break line's been cut! Astrid, get the hell out of there." I watched as the pair glanced at each other, Astrid's expression sad and apologetic. She lifted Capricorn completely off the ground and ploughed forward through the guard rail, both falling into the engines. Astrid!" Kie screamed as he ran forward, time seeming to stop. When I realised what he was doing, I brought my abilities forward, forcing it to help him as he did what he could to save her.

What felt like hours later, Astrid was in Kie's arms, him rocking her unconscious body. Sighing from exhaustion, I leant against the Doctor, content that at least Astrid had been saved. "Titanic falling. Voyage terminated. Voyage terminated." As the computer said that, the ship began to tilt forwards. I watched as Kie's hold on the woman tightened as he inched backward and pulled himself to his feet with her in his arms. As he left the deck, I slightly pulled away from the Doctor and lifted my hand, snapping my fingers. Two Host held out their arms and once we had a good grip on them, we commanded them to the bridge and we were soon on our way there.

As we moved up the decks, the Host smashed holes through the flooring, and it was no different when we finally reached the bridge. Pulling ourselves from the rubble, we dusted our clothes off a bit and turned to Midshipman Frame. He was younger than I thought he'd be, at least he looked a lot younger. Ages were wasted on me as I was just over nine hundred and looked to be at most twenty five.

"Deadlock broken."

"Ah, Midshipman Frame. At last."

"Um, but- but the Host." He pointed at the robots in fear, not that I could blame him. For hours they'd been going around picking people off.

"Don't worry about them. With their controller dead, they diverted to the next highest authority."

Frame seemed to accept my answer and went back to trying to turn the engines back on and get the ship level. "There's nothing we can do. There's no power. The ship's going to fall."

"Titanic falling."

"What's your first name?"

"Alonso."

"Titanic falling."

My husband turned to me, eyes wide and a huge grin on his lips. I smiled at him, wondering what the odds were of this happening. "You're kidding me."

"What?" The young man asked in confusion.

"That's something else I've always wanted to say." He grabbed hold of the wheel. "Allons-y, Alonso. Whoa!" He quickly spun the ship's wheel clockwise. As we entered Earth's upper atmosphere, a slight heat overcame the room. Once in the cloud layer, I rushed to the scanner as fast as I could and hitting my pelvis against the console in my haste, and turned it on, seeing that the area of impact was west Central London. Knowing WHO was in that area, I grabbed the comm. and quickly dialled a number.

"Give me Buckingham Palace, please. Now!" When the operator patched me through, I was put on with a secretary. "Get the Queen somewhere safe. It's an emergency." When the man refused, I let out an irritated growl. "Look you moron, if you don't get the Queen out of there, she's going to die. It's security code seven seven one. Now get the hell out of there!" When he had taken what I said to heart, I hung up and went to help the Doctor steer.

We were only a few meters from Buckingham Palace when the computer decided to alert us that the engines were back on. The both of us pulled back on the wheel, doing our best to get the Titanic nose up before it crashed into the iconic and historic building. Luckily we just missed the Palace by a few inches and we flew her back into the sky.

"Whoo hoo!" Alonso cried in happiness.

"Whoo hoo hoo!"

I waved my hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah." Hearing a clatter, I turned to see a portrait of Max Capricorn burning in one of the small fires that scattered the room.

"Used the heat of re-entry to fire up the secondary storm drive. Unsinkable, that's us."

"We made it."

"We did," I said as I pushed off the console and left the room, heading for the reception. As I manoeuvred through the debris, I heard the two men running behind me. I needed to make sure everyone was alright, that Kie and Astrid had made it back safely.

As I rushed in, I saw Kie kneeling before Astrid as she sat on the first aid kit. She was shaken but otherwise looked to be fine. Content, I let my gaze wonder over Mr Copper to find that he hadn't sustained any more injuries. While I didn't care much for Slade, I gave him a quick once over and saw that he was unharmed as well. After explaining everything to everyone and the Doctor had been reunited with his sonic screwdriver, he went to work on the teleport unit. As he did that, I had a short conversation with Astrid, gauging just how shaken she was. I had shooed Kie away, wanting to converse with her in private. From the conversation, it was established that it had been the utmost scariest day of her life and that she had to go job searching again, a joke she made. Giving her a smile, I went to check on the process the Doctor was making. He stood a moment after, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me away from the group. When we were a good enough distance, his lips crashed onto mine. I instantly reciprocated, putting all my relief and contentment into it. Parting, we rested our foreheads together for a moment, enjoying the moment of solitude. We both let out a breath, chuckling a bit as we tickled each other's cheeks, I withdrew from his arms and grabbed his hand, pulling him back to everyone else. Alonso made his way towards us as we reached the teleport unit. He had just come through the door, and it was my guess that he'd just returned from the bridge.

"The engines have stabilised. We're holding steady till we get help, and I've sent the SOS. A rescue ship should be here within twenty minutes. And they're digging out the records on Max Capricorn. It should be quite a story."

"They'll want to talk to all of us, I suppose."

"I'd have thought so, yeah."

"I think one or two inconvenient truths might come to light. Still, it's my own fault, and ten years in jail is better than dying." I stared sadly at the old man before an idea came to mind. Sharing a quick glance with the Doctor, he nodded in agreement.

"Doctor, I never said thank you. The funny thing is, I said Max Capricorn was falling apart. Just before the crash, I sold all my shares, transferred them to his rivals. It's made me rich. What do you think of that?" I grit my teeth, and looked up at the Doctor, silently asking if I could punch the man. He shook his head, telling me it would be a waste of energy. Instead I watched as he reached into his pocket, retrieving his ringing vone and walked away from us. "Salvain. Those shares. I want them triple bonded and locked."

"Of all the people to survive, he's not the one you would have chosen, is he? But if you could choose, Doctor, if you decide who lives and who dies, that would make you a monster."

Grabbing five bracelets, I handed one to the Doctor and Kie before I slipped one onto my wrist before turning to the older man. "Mister Copper, I think you deserve one of these." I then turned to Astrid. "You too, Miss Peth." She smiled and placed it on her wrist. With a salute from Midshipman Frame, the five of us teleported down to Earth.

We landed on a grassy bank where the Tardis was only a few steps away. Predictably, it was snowing. I really wanted to have one Christmas where it was real, weather induced snow. "So, Great Britain is part of Europey, and just across the British Channel, you've got Great France and Great Germany," Mr Copper tried to understand as we made our way to the Tardis.

"Nope. It's just France and Germany. Only Britain's Great."

Copper nodded. "Oh, and they're all at war with the continent of Ham Erica."

"No. Well, not yet. Er, could argue that one. There she is. Survive anything."

"You know, between you and me, I don't even thing this snow is real. I think it's the ballast from the Titanic's salvage entering the atmosphere."

"You're right, Mr Copper. Hopefully it'll be real… one of these days."

"So, I suppose you four will be off?"

"The open sky."

"Um, what about me?" I shrugged, smiling. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Give me that credit card."

Mr Copper handed it off to the Doctor who examined it. The old man seemed confused as to why it was asked for. "It's just petty cash. Spending money. It's all done by computer. I didn't really know the currency, so I thought a million might cover it."

"A million pounds?" Kie questioned in disbelief.

"That's enough for trinkets?"

"Mister Cooper, a million pounds is worth fifty million credits."

"How much?"

"Fifty million and fifty six."

The largest smile I've ever seen crossed Mister Copper's lips as tears touched his eyes. I was happy for the man. He'd never had anywhere to call home and now, he had a new planet and money. He could start over, get to live the life he always wanted. "I've got money."

"Yes, you have."

"Oh, my word. Oh, my Vot! Oh, my goodness me. Yee ha!"

"It's all yours. Planet Earth. Now, that's a retirement plan. But just you be careful, though."

"I will, I will. Oh, I will."

"No interfering. I don't want any trouble. Just, just have a nice life."

"But I can have a house. A proper house, with a garden, and a door, and. Oh, Doctor, I will made you proud. And I can have a kitchen with chairs, and windows, and plates, and-" the man began to skip away.

"Em, where are you going?"

"Well, I have no idea."

"No, us neither." He turned to us. "Ready?"

"Actually, I think I'd like to stay with Mr Copper." She turned to Kie. "I'm really sorry. I would love to travel with you but what happened today, what I saw, I- I can't." The Doctor and I nodded and walked into the Tardis, giving the pair some privacy. Ten minutes later, Kie joined us looking happier than I thought he would. It was obvious to me that whatever they had spoken about was good and I had a feeling we'd be seeing Astrid every so often, something I was perfectly content with. It was a bit sad though, that Kie was denied his first companion, but I knew his time was coming around.

With the Tardis in the time vortex, I went to my room. After a quick shower and changing into sweatpants and a tank top, I returned to the console room and I found that the Doctor was alone. Walking up behind him, I wrapped my arms around his torso. He was thinking, his thoughts all over the place but from what I gathered, they were specifically on Kie. Getting onto my toes, I kissed his neck. That changed his train of thought almost immediately. "You all right?" He nodded, turning to face me, pulling my body closer to him and resting his chin on the top of my head. With my free hand, I reached into his pocket and pulled out a penny and held it up. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"You should know."

"I want you to tell me."

"What Kie did on the Titanic, I've never seen anything like it. We don't have the capabilities to do that. Astrid should have died."

"I know."

"Then how was he able to save her?"

"Theta, there's a lot that we don't know about him… we missed three hundred plus years of his life. What he did, who's to say it's not because of my family… because of my father?"

"Do you remember your father doing such things?"

"No but he did save my mother from death. She did crash on his plant and luckily it was him who found her. Who's to say that's how he saved her. My dad wasn't particularly normal, especially for his people."

"I suppose. You'd tell me if you had those abilities, right."

I blinked and remained silent for a moment, choosing to nod instead. A few seconds later, I felt more confident in speaking. "Of course. Why would I hide that from you?"

"I don't know. Why would you?"

"I wouldn't." Liar.

"All right," he replied, pushing off the console, his arms still around my waist.

I let him lead me to his room, which was quite big, filled with books and knick knacks that littered just about every surface. The bed was on the larger side with dark a dark brown comforter over crème sheet and the walls were slightly off white. On one of the end tables were three frames, each with a photo. The first was of a much younger Kie, the Doctor, and I before the War, the second was of him and I in the mountains. It was taken one of the days we had managed to sneak away from our homes in the early morning to watch the second sun rise. The third was of Rose and me. We were standing before a large wave that had frozen over, and we had struck a Charlie's Angels pose. It was a relaxing adventure that had ended on a high note, a family dinner with Jackie and Mickey. Grabbing that one, I softly smiled, remembering the day. I didn't realise I was crying until I saw the tear splash onto the frame. The picture was then removed from my hand and returned it back to its spot on the table. I turned into him and let my tears out. It was the first time I'd actually REALLY cried over the loss of Rose. I missed her more than anything and wished she had met Kie, had been able to know me as a Time Lady.

Once all my tears had been shed, I pulled away from him a bit, kissing him in thanks. He just smiled and planted another kiss on my lips. Pushing me onto the bed, he pulled the cover up to my chin and kissed the top of my head. As he turned to walk away, I reached out, grabbing his hand. "Don't go."

"I'm going to take a shower and I'll be back, all right?" I nodded and released his hand.

I laid there for what seemed like hours thinking about Rose. The tears had returned with a vengeance and no matter what I did, they wouldn't stop their assault. I had pulled the comforter over my head, blocking out all light as I cried. It wasn't until I felt the other side be pulled back did I glance behind me. Seeing my husband, I launched myself into his arms, finding comfort in being close to him. Rubbing my back and whispering sweet nothings, he was able to calm me down enough for sleep to take me. Before I had fully fallen asleep, I kissed his neck and snuggled closer to him, mentally letting him know how much I appreciated him.

In memory of

Verity Lambert OBE

1935-2007

01/6/2015

GHAHH! It took way too long for me to post another chapter and for that I am so sorry. With the end of semester crap, I was insanely stressed, and on top of that, I was supposed to have had completed my novel... which hasn't even been started yet. This summer is definitely going to be stressful in regards to that. And it's crazy hot and I'm heading back out to England in the next few weeks, so I'll be getting some writing done on the plane and whatnot. To be honest, I have more chapters to edit than write to be honest... at least in regards to by baby TEN. I think it's taking so long because I don't want to get to the End of Time. I don't know if I can handle writing it. Heck, I can't even watch it anymore without bawling like a baby. His regeneration kills me, although I have made the decision to add some more to it. Ghahh! I'm so sorry guys. Thanks for sticking with me, and to all the new readers, thanks for the favourites, follows and reviews. They mean a lot to me. So, now onto the reviews.

NicoleR85: I'm always happy to oblige. Hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Takura Matsudaira: Ahh, questions. Okay, so, for your first question, I'm going to direct you to the Her Secrets: One Shots. The first chapter should definitely answer that question ;). As for your second question, my dear friend, well, her actual background will be revealed soon, unless you'd like for me to add it in my PM to you. I used two old who races for her biological make up. But that's awesome. My friend's boyfriend and I got her into it and now we just have to watch the Christmas special... which tumblr has ruined for me a bit. I know about Danny. However, that's great, the world needs more Whovians. But they are! I would have all of the DVDs if I could afford them. Haha... I definitely happened to answer your question above. I'm an avid Ten lover. He was my first Doctor. Still, Nine is a very close second... probably neck to neck with my darling. Same. David's supposed to be in New York preforming in Henry IV next year. I'm really trying my hardest to save up to see him... and maybe meet the man. I'd have to hold every ounce of (in)sanity within me not to freak out if I do.

Ronin Kenshin: Thanks. Hopefully the conclusion to this adventure was to your liking.

Squidtastik: Honestly, I hated the man when I watched the episode. I abhor people like him. I did enjoy it. I look forward to see where it goes :) My spring break was just about the same, with the addition of a few projects and a mid term. Oh, and Dragon Age. I love that game. My favourite noncompanion would have to be Jenny and Vastra, although more so Jenny. She's so damn kick ass.

tardiscompanion101: Can I just say, reading your review had me grinning like a moron for hours. Thank you so very much. I'm so very happy you loved the chapter and I hope you liked this one. Now, I'm sure your writing is just as awesome. Besides, mine technique and writing definitely needs more improvement. Sorry it took forever to update. Life's crazy.