It wasn't long after they had left Martha on Earth that the Doctor had disappeared down the TARDIS corridors, vanishing from their sight. Without saying a word to them. Rose and Donna remain seated on the console chair and Donna continued to watch the halls while Rose rubs her hands on her jeans.

He's still not okay with the events that had just transpired, in terms of dealing with the loss of yet another member of his family. It has forced him to go to the places he didn't want to. Places he thought he never would have to stumble upon, and she aches for him. And while she'd never understand the full capacity of what he is dealing with, she just wants to be there for him. In whatever way he needs her to be. She knows it will always hurt, and while the sting isn't a fresh as it was when they met, that doesn't mean the dull ache he experiences is any less traumatic. She knows he'll go over every finite detail in his head, wondering what could have been changed, what he could have done to ensure Jenny needn't have sacrificed herself. He'll blame himself. He always does. Forgetting that she made a choice, a choice that still devastated and broke him, that would change the course of history on the planet in which she gave herself to. He wouldn't see that at first, he's too engrossed in mourning her loss.

'You think he's gonna be okay?' Donna turns to Rose, her voice is quiet.

'Yeah, I do. You know how he is, in a few hours it'll be like it never happened.' Rose informs her, but Donna doesn't buy that. He surely can't just push all those feelings away. They surround a person when they lose a loved one. What would he do with all those thoughts, those feelings?

'I mean underneath all that talk,' Donna clarifies and Rose closes her eyes as she tries to envision how he'll deal with it. 'He doesn't keep it all in…does he? Please tell me he confides in you, Rose.' Donna's voice is laden with concern and worry.

'Yeah…I mean he does. Sometimes. There's only so much I can do…if he won't open up, I can't force him to…'

'No, I know…but this, this incident right here…he'll talk to you, won't he?' Donna restated and Rose turns to look at her. Her face has knitted into one of concern.

In all honesty, she doesn't know if he'll tell her anymore than he already has. Once something like has been spoken from him, he'll usually stop and that will be the end of everything. He's given her a glimpse of his life, and that's enough for him to show her.

'He did…sort of talk to me already. But Donna, once he's decided that's enough, there's little else I can do. All I can do is be there when he's ready.' Rose informs her. Her voice is soft, and Donna can see she's just as concerned for him as she is. Maybe more. They're on different levels in his eyes.

A good friendship has formed between Donna and him. He's shown her things she never even dreamed were possible, and not all of them had been good. But they made her grow as a person, find her voice in order to speak out against injustice, not that she needed much help in that department, and help people. All kinds of people, from people on Earth to people on distant alien planets. They helped them, because that's what they did.

And yet, she was sure that if it were just the two of them, he'd be much harder to read in terms of what he was thinking. He talks an awful lot, but it's never anything substantial. She was sure he wouldn't let her in on things like that, it'd be on a need to know basis, and she doubted that there would ever be a need to know. Somehow, if it were just the two of them, it wouldn't be easy. Hell, it'd been damn near impossible to calm him down when Rose had gone missing and they couldn't find her in Moscow. She merely got lucky when he'd come back from his multiple jumps through that timeline. When Rose thanked her, she felt appreciated, because even though the Doctor had thanked her numerous times for keeping him grounded, it wasn't an easy job. She understood that now. But should he ever need her like that again, she'd be there for him.

However, when she turned her attention from staring into the vastness of the console room to Rose, she wondered if she'd ever be needed like that again. Especially since he had her. And it wasn't that Donna was jealous, no, it isn't that, she's contributed a lot to their adventures and she knows that, she knows that Rose is aware of that, it's just…she wants to be able to do more for him.

He doesn't need her in that way. Why should he? When he opens up it should be to someone he trusts, and that's Rose. Donna knows that he does trust her, he has to, but again, their relationship isn't the same as the one he shares with Rose. She's been with him for so long now, and who knows how they've changed over the years. She wants to ask Rose, she wants to find out more about them, but it isn't right that she pry things like that from her. And so she won't.

Donna inwardly smiles to herself as she thinks of their adventures so far together. And she wonders what the future will hold for them all. Because, if she can help it, she'll be with him forever. Rose will be too, Donna doesn't even need to contemplate that thought. And Donna smiles affectionately at her as Rose stands and heads to the mouth of the hallway.

'I think I'm gonna grab a shower, did you want to meet me in the kitchen for a cup of tea in about an hour?' Rose inquired and Donna nods her head.

'Yeah, that sounds great. One hour.'

'Great, I'll see you then,' Rose smiles and turns towards the hallway, she abruptly stops and turns to Donna. 'Hey, Donna, can I ask something?'

'Yeah, what is it?' Donna became confused and Rose pondered how she was going to phrase the question she'd been dying to ask since they had been in the tunnels with Jenny.

'How…how long…? I mean, how long have you known? About…about us…?' Rose inquires and Donna grins as she watches her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

'Honestly? Awhile,' Donna replies and Rose sits again. She nods nervously. 'I noticed it in the way you two interacted. When I first met him, he talked about almost losing you. And when I met you things were different. Back then he said one thing, and now he was doing another.'

'I thought we weren't making it that obvious.' Rose manages to get out.

'No, it's always little stolen looks with you two, honestly, you forget that they are other people in the room with you,' Donna crosses her arms and Rose covers her mouth. She isn't even aware they do these things. How second nature had their gestures to one another become? 'That, and well, I caught you both a few times.'

'Caught us? Doing what?' Rose inquires and she watches as Donna raises her eyebrows, willing Rose to catch on to her look and what she's implied. She does and her hand immediately flies to her mouth from the shock. If it's possible, she colours even more.

'First time was the first night I was here, so remember to always close the door, hang his tie on it, I don't care. And second was in the library. Now it was just noise, but still…' Donna crosses her legs and Rose groans from embarrassment. 'God I hope you two haven't…well, you know, anywhere else public that I may need to know about?' Rose finally pulls her hands away from her face long enough to look at Donna. She opens her mouth to respond but Donna holds up her hand and Rose is silenced. 'You know what? I don't wanna know. I'll take my chances.'

Rose puts her face into her hands again and Donna chuckles softly. Rose stands eventually and heads towards the halls again. She turns to Donna who is still sitting with a satisfied grin on her face. 'I'm gonna go now…so I can crawl into a hole and die.'

'Don't forget, tea in one hour…I'll pull you out of that hole myself if you miss it.' Donna states and Rose nods her head, not looking at her. She groans a bit and walks slowly down the hall. Donna watches her until Rose rounds the corner and has disappeared from sight. She sits by herself for a few more minutes as she is enjoying the quiet. Slowly she stands up and decides to head to her room, knowing it'd take a few attempts to get there.

Rose's mind is going a million miles as she tries to stifle the embarrassing information that Donna inundated her with. She has never been more mortified in her entire life. She can still feel the heat from her cheeks as she fans herself with her hand. She continues to walk down the halls towards his room and she hopes she can make this discomfort dissipate shortly. She really doesn't want to have to explain herself to him right now. Maybe another time.

It's quiet, very quiet. Even the humming from the TARDIS is unusually still right now. She misses it, but as she places her hand on the wall the surrounding area is filled with the gentle humming. Rose smiles slightly and runs her hand along the wall as she draws nearer to his room.

'How's he managing? Is he okay?' Rose whispers and the lights dim two and a half times. That's new; perhaps that's a maybe. Rose just nods to herself a bit and notices that the door is already slightly ajar. Rose cautiously approaches and pushes the door open with her fingertips.

She exhales when she notices that the room is vacant. Frowning a bit, she studies the room with a more scrutinizing eye. Maybe she's missed something. But upon closer inspection, he isn't here. That's rather odd, where else could he be?

Rose tries not to grow concerned as she peeks over her shoulder and notices the door is still open. Remembering Donna's advice, she strides towards the door and shuts it. Uncontrollably she finds her cheeks flushing with colour and she sighs. She knows that the TARDIS does her all when they're together to keep them as distant from the rest of the other rooms as possible. And in reality, Rose knows she should have known better. They aren't alone anymore. They can't just leave doors open, run around the ship like they used to do. There needs to be more of an effort made.

Another look over her shoulder, a habit she picked up when she was alone on Earth for that year, Rose quickly removes her garments and dashes for that long sought after shower. The steam rises and Rose inhales deeply, finding that it's calming her greatly. It's been a hell of a day, and she knows it isn't over yet. She's going to have to help him…she knows that. Hopefully he'll be willing, wherever he may be.

It still strikes her as odd that he isn't here, where else could he possibly be? The mystery gnaws at her as she shuts off the water and steps out.

She wonders the time and quickens her pace as she dries off and peers out around the doorway and is greeted by a motionless room. She sighs softly as she goes for the small collection of clothing she'd built up over the course of sleeping in his room and glances around. She ought to tidy up a bit, she can be quite messy, and his room is starting to reflect that. After tea with Donna, she decides to clean up a bit.

Rose throws on her shirt and her track pants, giving herself a once over in the mirror. Deciding she doesn't want to leave her hair down, she hastily works her fingers through it as she forms it into a braid. Deciding that it'll do, Rose heads for the door.

Once more she's greeted with the halls that are quiet and still. She lowers her gaze to the floor. What should she do? Should she attempt to find him? Where else could he be hiding? She rests her head on the doorframe and bites her lip. There's no humming from the TARDIS and Rose ventures out a bit further and looks at the ceiling. Above her the light illuminates and shines on her, letting her know that she's still keeping her eye on Rose as well.

'Wherever he is, is he all right?' Rose whispers and her question is answered with a solitary dimming. 'Will he need me?' Another single dim of the light. 'In his own time, I'm guessing. I'm sorry…will you tell him that for me?' A single dim light. 'Thank you.'

Rose lingers in the hall for sometime; leaning against the wall almost hoping that he'll appear down the hall at the next junction, see her and then she can embrace him. It doesn't happen. It worries her more, but if he doesn't want to be found she doesn't want to go looking for him. Maybe all he needs is just time…oh, she hopes that's all it is. Reluctantly she pulls herself away from the hall and directs herself towards the kitchen.

Donna is already waiting for her, pouring hot water into two mugs placed on the counter. Without saying a word, Rose sits at the table and pulls a chair out for Donna.

'You know, I didn't think you were gonna come.' Donna turns over her shoulder and Rose frowns.

'Why?'

'Because I thought for sure you'd track him down.' Donna replies simply. Rose looks down, feeling rather embarrassed. Is it that obvious how tied to each other they are? Rose rubs her arms and smiles at Donna nervously.

'I didn't actually see him…and I figured he'd want to be alone…' Rose didn't mention that if he wasn't in his room, she doesn't know where else he could possibly be.

'It's all right, Rose. You don't need to explain yourself,' Donna sets the mugs down and takes a seat beside Rose. 'I understand, really I do. I worry for him too…'

Rose nods slightly and Donna spoons in some honey into her mug and begins stirring absentmindedly. Rose sips from her mug and stares off into thought.

'Does he get like this often?' Donna wonders quietly and Rose looks up from her mug.

'No…he really doesn't.'

'In all the time you've known him?' Donna questions and Rose shakes her head. Honestly trying to remember something that might say otherwise. 'Has he spoken to you of…well…of personal things?'

Rose lowers her gaze to her mug, staring soulfully into the red hue of the tea. 'Not often.'

Donna nods, lifting the spoon out of the mug and setting it down. 'I can't imagine it would be easy…who wants to remember that anyway?'

'Yeah…I know…' Rose agrees with a touch of a melancholic tone in her voice.

An awkward and heavy silence falls over them as they each keep themselves, trying to sort out their thoughts.

'Let's um, talk about something else, shall we? I'm tired of being depressed all the time.' Donna straightens up in her chair and Rose nods ruefully. She attempts a smile and has a sip of her now lukewarm tea. Rose is baffled as to what discuss with her. She's trying to ensure that she doesn't get distracted by her thoughts and re-crosses her legs.

'Where to next, do you think?' Rose offers and Donna runs her index finger along the top of her mug. She ponders Rose's question and abruptly looks up to her.

'How about a decade where it's constantly a party?' Donna smiles broadly and Rose tilts her head.

'A constant party?' Rose echoes and Donna nods vigorously.

'Yeah! The 1920's! You've never been?' Donna wonders and Rose stares off.

'No…we've been to 1929…'

'What? That's so depressing! No, that's where we're gonna go next. Fun, that's what we need.' Donna decides and Rose looks up sheepishly at her and then back to her mug.

'I dunno, Donna. Remember the last time I suggested we have fun?' Rose recalls and Donna makes a bit of a face.

'Well, we won't go to Russia, and the war will be over, so…' Donna trails of and Rose waits for her to finish her thought. 'How about this? We'll keep it domestic, then.'

'Yeah, that does sound good actually…' Rose admits and pictures swinging parties, dancing and an effervescent, infectious lifestyle that has become synonymous with that era. It has Rose rather excited.

'See? We'll have a great time!' Donna reiterates and Rose is slowly starting to buy into the idea. A slow smiles spreads across her face. 'See, I knew you'd agree…'

'I admit it does sound fun, hopefully I won't mess it up this time.'

'Oh, you'll be fine, what's the worst that could happen?' Donna replies sarcastically and Rose frowns.

'Donna, you do know that trouble seems to follows us around, no matter where we go…'

'Hn, I thought it was just the Doctor. I swear he goes looking for it.' Donna replies and flicks her wrist at the thought.

'There's sort of a debate we have about that…' Rose trails off and Donna raises her eyebrows at that statement.

Together Rose and Donna hammer out some of the finer details and Rose can't help but feel rather excited at the prospect. Once things returned to normal another attempt at fun seemed to be the logical choice. Another endeavour at getting back to neutral.

It had been a pleasant evening with Donna; Rose enjoyed spending time with her. She felt as if they hadn't gotten many opportunities to enjoy each other's company since she joined them.

They had parted ways at Donna's bedroom, the TARDIS had graciously moved Rose's actual room away from Donna's, so she can head towards her real room. Rose takes a peek over her shoulder at the halls but she is met with emptiness. She's beginning to grow concerned. As she approaches his room, she feels a knot twist in her stomach, and holds her breath as she pushes the door open.

There is nothing there. No one is there.

Rose lingers in the doorway for what feels like an eternity before she walks forward and sits on the bed. As she finally comes to the realisation that he isn't coming out of wherever he's tucked himself away, Rose stands from the bed and removes the tank she'd been wearing, removing her track pants next. She's so absorbed in her thoughts, standing idly in the middle of the room with her back to the door, she doesn't move for her pyjamas right away.

'There's a sight I could get used to…' Rose spins around and widens her eyes before she tilts her chin up and away.

'I'm sure you could…' Rose places her hands on her hips. 'Where have you been hiding?'

'Library.' His reply is casual, and he loosens his tie as he approaches her.

'Library? Why?' Rose inquires. He stops and turns to Rose, taking off his jacket and draping it on the chair, next to the brown coat.

'Needed some time alone.' He informs her and Rose nods, feeling immensely uneasy for bringing it up.

'Oh…' Rose trails off and she sits on the bed. 'Are you all right?'

'Huh? Yeah, I'm fine.'

'Are you just saying that, or are you really?' Rose watches as he sinks beside her on the bed and stares off slightly.

He puts his arm around her shoulders and draws her closer. Rose rests her head on his shoulder and waits. She notices grey smudges on his fingertips and mentally questions where they could have come from. They look like pencil smudges. What has he been doing?

'I just had to sort through some things…'

Rose nods; she doesn't know that losing Jenny had caused him to relieve memories of his family that he'd lost on Gallifrey. In the library, tucked away in an obscure back corner are the memories of those loved ones he's lost. For the time being, he wanted to be alone and engulfed in his memories of a different time.

Rose understands, and she won't pry anything out of him so she places a light kiss on his neck. He closes his eyes at her touch, resting his head on hers.

Rose tilts his head towards her and places another deep kiss on his lips. She slowly starts to pull away, but he draws her closer to him. He gives her a mischievous grin and Rose wraps her arms around his neck.

After a rather restless sleep, Donna enters the console room with sleep still in her eyes. She's surprised to see Rose already there, but she's curled up asleep on the console chair. The Doctor's jacket is covering her and he's underneath working away. The only way Donna actually knew he was there is she witnessed the hand reach up from the floor fishing for tools.

Donna quietly walks over and bends down to the open grate.

'Morning.' Donna quietly calls to him.

His head appears and smiles at her. 'Morning Donna.'

'What are you doing?' Donna inquires and he shrugs, surprised she'd ask.

'Repairs, nothing special.'

'Really?' Donna's tone indicates that she isn't sure if she believes him, but doesn't ask any follow up questions. Donna turns to look over at Rose who hasn't moved since she came in. 'How long has she been out?'

The Doctor turns his gaze to Rose, who looks so small with the brown coat draped over her. 'A few hours.'

'I see…' Donna trails off and wonders if they came here together. She inwardly smiles, of course they have. But she wonders if Rose actually sleeps properly, she isn't invincible after all.

'Rose has informed me that you are dead set on heading somewhere…' The Doctor rests his arms on the lip of the opening and Donna straightens herself.

'Oi, what's with the tone?' Donna raises her voice at his accusatory tone and the Doctor immediately shushes her.

'No tone Donna, promise,' The Doctor hoists himself up and leans on the console. 'Rose just told me where you'd like to go next.'

'Yeah, well what do you think?' Donna crosses her arms and the Doctor shrugs, but a smile soon breaks out.

'Sounds like fun.' He agrees and Donna smiles as well.

'Good. Go wake sleeping beauty.' Donna points to Rose, but the Doctor gives her a bit of a pained expression at the thought of rousing Rose.

Reluctantly he heads towards Rose and kneels down to her level. He gently coaxes her from her slumber, but Donna watches the second her eyes meet the light from the console room Rose turns away and pulls his coat over her head. She remains like that for a bit before the Doctor pulls the coat down and Rose stifles a yawn. He helps her to her feet as she readjusts the coat and wears it as she heads down the hall.

'Mm, someone's not a morning person.' Donna observes and the Doctor smiles slightly.

'Rose has never really been a morning person. Not since I met her.' The Doctor agrees and sits where Rose had just been. Donna drops down beside him and gives him a playful smile.

'More of a night person, huh?' Donna inquires and she watches as the Doctor dissects her comment and he reddens a bit.

They don't have to wait long for Rose as she reappears from the hall looking completely different than she had when she had left them a mere twenty minutes ago, the brown coat in her arms.

'Sorry I took so long.' Rose informs them and Donna checks her watch. She blinks at her haste and Donna shrugs. Rose passes the coat back to the Doctor who slips it on.

'It's okay.' Donna says and Rose and the Doctor trade places as he stands and goes over to the console and begins to flick switches. Donna and Rose grip the chair so they aren't knocked off by the TARDIS and her shuddering. Eventually the shaking ceases and the Doctor gives them a crooked smile. Taking the cue, Rose gets up and waits for everyone else to join her. When Donna approaches Rose side steps and Donna frowns.

'I think you should do the honour, Donna.' Rose informs her and the Doctor nods his head in agreement.

'Really?' Donna can't hide the excitement in her voice and they both nod. Donna bounds down the ramp and pushes open the door. Bright sunlight fills the console room and Rose and the Doctor follow her out.

They appear to be in the garden of a stately English manor, there is not a cloud in the sky as the sunlight illuminates their surroundings. They all file out and stand on the pale sandy gravel of the driveway. The air is warm; a slight breeze ruffles the nearby willow tree and carries on it a fragrant smell of lilacs, with something else that Rose and Donna can't seem to place.

Rose is drawn to the house and they begin to follow the long driveway while the Doctor inhales deeply.

'Oh, smell that air. Grass and lemonade…and a little bit of mint. A hint of mint, always reflective of the 1920s.' The Doctor informs them and Donna turns to look at him with a confused look.

'You can tell the year by just smelling?' Donna questions and the Doctor nods deeply.

'Oh yeah!'

Donna shakes her head and points to something coming up the driveway, it's kicking up dust and Rose squints her eyes to see better. 'Or maybe that big vintage car coming up the drive gave it away.' Donna counters.

The car pulls up to the entrance of the manor. The Doctor pulls Rose by her arm and Donna pushes them into the bushes that line the house to avoid being caught. They peer up from the hedge line and witness an older man dressed in a type of uniform come down the flagstone steps and approaches the now idle car. A younger man follows the older one and stands beside the car.

The older man shoots the younger one a look at he points to the car. 'The Professor's baggage, Richard, step lively!' He orders and the man dashes around to the boot of the car.

A well-dressed man emerges from the car once the door has been opened and he walks up the stairs.

'Good afternoon, Professor Peach.' The man greets warmly and Peach shakes his hand.

'Hello, Greeves old man.' Peach responds and the sound of a bike bell draws their attention to a vicar who is riding his bike up the drive. Peach takes a step down and waits for the vicar as he parks his bike.

'Ah, Reverend.' Peach smiles.

'Professor Peach! Beautiful day,' He gets off his bike and joins Peach on the stairs. 'The lord's in heaven, all's right with the world.'

'Reverend Golightly. Lady Eddison requests you make yourselves comfortable in your rooms. Cocktails will be served on the lawn from half past four.' Greeves informs them and he steps out of the way as Richard moves behind him with Peach's luggage, obviously struggling.

'You go on up,' Peach instructs the Reverend and Peach places his hand on the Reverend's shoulder. 'I have to check something in the library.'

'Oh?' The Reverend questions.

'Alone.' Peach restates as if the previous statement hadn't been clear enough.

'This is supposed to be a party!' The Reverend counters. 'All this work will be the death of you.' He follows Peach into the house, the voices fading.

The Doctor, Rose and Donna straighten themselves up from their hiding place and continue to observe the house.

'I feel like I'm in Clue…' Rose says quietly, the names strike her as interesting.

'Ah, never mind that. A party in the 1920s, that's more like it!' Donna says enthusiastically.

'Doctor, what is it?' Rose inquires and Donna turns to see a pensive look on the Doctor's face.

'The trouble is, we haven't been invited,' Rose opens her mouth to protest just as the Doctor reaches into his pocket and procures the Psychic Paper. 'Oh I forgot,' He flashes it to Rose and Donna. 'Yes, we have.'

'I'll tell you one thing; I'm not going to a party in the 20s dressed like this. I'm going back to the TARDIS.' Donna declares and the Doctor makes a bit of a face. Rose smiles and when Donna links her arms with Rose, she directs them back to the TARDIS.

'Oh, you know, Donna…I'm not one for dressing up…' Rose informs her and the Doctor reluctantly follows them.

'What? Why not?'

'Oh, the last time I did…I didn't really find it comfortable…' Rose remembers Cardiff and the lack of mobility in that dress. The Doctor overhears Rose's comments and remembers when she first stepped into the console room, she had looked so beautiful.

'Oh, Rose. Come on! This is the Roaring Twenties!' Donna nudges her a bit and Rose offers a small smile.

While the Doctor remains silent, he is inwardly hoping she'll change her mind. Donna lets herself in with her key and pulls Rose in with her. The Doctor smiles at the helpless look Rose flashes him before Donna drags her down the halls of the TARDIS. He reaches in and shuts the door.

Impatiently he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. What's taking them so long? What could they possibly be doing in there? He faintly hears their voices and he knocks on the door.

'Come on! We'll be late for cocktails!' He calls and the door opens suddenly, causing him to step back.

Donna steps out first and the Doctor smiles. She's chosen a true flapper style dress. It has a drop waist and a flirty panelled skirt, perfect for dancing. The black silk chiffon is decorated with tiny silver sequins, black beads and iridescent sequins. It has beautiful designs resembling those of the Art Deco movement. She pieced the black beaded dress with two headbands and pulled back her hair.

Donna stands beside the Doctor waits for Rose. She comes out still fiddling with her dress as she has something black clutched in her hand. He stares at her until she looks up and smiles sheepishly.

The chartreuse is green, with satin brocaded. Coupled with bronzed gold, the dress compliments her well. Her dress style is a long, loose bodice, and it, too, has a drop waist with a swagged skirt. It has a slip style under bodice that matches the lamé fabric at the neckline. The skirt swag is threaded through a rhinestone studded circular ornament that sits just at her hip.

She has her hair pinned back and styled in the finger waves that the flappers frequently wore, but she slips on a beautiful black felt cloche hat. Not being able to see it on her, she adjusts it several times before the Doctor goes over and fixes it for her.

'Glad to see you changed your mind…' The Doctor whispers to her and Rose shrugs slightly, but there is a warm smile on her face.

'Only for you. And thank you.'

'So what do you think?' Donna twirls a bit. 'Flappers or slappers?'

'Flappers. You both look great!' The Doctor grins. 'After all, the French poet Baudeliare said: 'Il faut se dorer pour se faire adorer.'' He watches as Rose shifts the dress once more.

'You must be what to be adored?' Rose inquires.

'Gilded. You must be gilded to be adored.' The Doctor answers her and Rose contemplates that statement.

'Fitting.' She agrees. He offers his arm to her and she takes it. Donna walks a few steps ahead taking in the scenery.

'You really look great. I forgot how beautiful you look in period clothing.' The Doctor leans in to Rose.

'Thank you. I forgot how fun it can be.' She admits and looks down to the dress.

'Why'd you stop?'

'After Cardiff it just seemed like too much of a hassle. Besides no one ever commented on my attire. So I just never bothered.' Rose informs him and he contemplates that.

'You looked beautiful in that dress too.' The Doctor remembers and it causes Rose to smile broadly.

'I do you remember you having a look of amazement on your face.' Rose recalls and the Doctor frowns a bit.

'Oi, you two! Come on!' Donna calls to them and it's then that they realise they've fallen quite behind. They quicken their pace and catch up with Donna.

They walk until they're in the garden of the manor, Rose watches as a footman adjusts a music player and Classical music begins to fill the garden. A woman dressed in a maids uniform claps her hands rather impatiently at the staff when she sees the three of them approaching.

'Look sharp, we have guests!' The woman calls to the staff and the Doctor waves warmly at them.

'Good afternoon!' He says and the man from the front of the house strides towards him.

'Drinks? Sir, ladies?' He inquires.

'Sidecar, please.' Donna replies and Rose ponders for a bit.

'Manhattan, please.' Rose says.

'And a lime and soda, thank you.' The Doctor smiles as he walks away and Greeves approaches them; a wealthy looking woman is beside him.

'May I announce, Lady Clemency Eddison.' He states and she glides towards them. The Doctor holds out his hand for a shake and she eyes him rather suspiciously before shaking his hand.

'Lady Eddison!' The Doctor greets her as he would an old friend.

'Forgive me, but who exactly might you be…and what are you doing here?'

'I'm the Doctor, this is Miss Rose Tyler from the uh, Powell Estate and this is Miss Donna Noble…of the, Chiswick Nobles.'

'Good afternoon, my lady,' Donna smiles and puts on a very posh accent as she curtseys. 'Topping day, what? Spiffing! Top hole!' Rose has to stifle a laugh as the Doctor has a look of horror and Lady Eddison eyes Donna oddly.

The Doctor quickly nudges Donna. 'No, no, no, no, no. Don't do that,' He glances over to Rose who has turned around so she won't be caught laughing. The Doctor leans over to her and whispers, 'I don't know what you're laughing at. Better than your Scottish accent.'

Rose turns her head up to him and opens her mouth at the shock and then slyly smiles. 'Aye.' He gives her a slight shove at the butchering of the accent once more.

He shakes his head and pulls out the Psychic Paper. He shows it to Lady Eddison. 'We were thrilled to receive your invitation, my lady. We met at the Ambassador's reception.'

The recognition hits her. 'Doctor, how could I forget you? But one must be sure with the Unicorn on the loose.'

'The Unicorn?' Rose echoes and Lady Eddison nods.

'Brilliant, a unicorn! Where?' The Doctor turns around to look over his shoulder.

'The Unicorn,' Lady Eddison corrects. 'The jewel thief. And nobody knows who he is. He's just struck again, snatched Lady Babbington's pearls right from under her nose.' She puts her hand to her chest at the horror of the thought.

Donna leans into the Doctor and Rose. 'Funny place to wear pearls.' She mutters and Rose can't stop the smile.

Crunching gravel alerts everyone and they turn to see Greeves approaching as he leads two newcomers. An elderly man in a wheelchair and a younger man pushing him.

'May I announce, the Colonel Hugh Curbishley, the Honourable Roger Curbishley.'

Rose looks at the Doctor and then to Donna to see if they may know who exactly they may be. Lady Eddison senses their confusion and smiles warmly at the two men that have joined them.

'My husband and my son, Roger.' She states and everyone nods their heads in what.

'Forgive me for not rising,' The Colonel chuckles slightly. 'Never been the same ever since that flu epidemic back in '18.'

Roger is eyeing Rose and she feels a bit uncomfortable, she tilts her head away and it's then he takes note of Donna. 'My word, you are a super lady.'

'Oh, I like the cut of your jib. Chin, chin.' Donna says and Rose smiles.

The Doctor offers his hand to Roger. 'Hello, I'm the Doctor.'

Roger shakes his hand and smiles. 'How do you do?'

'Very well.' He replies and watches as the man who took their drink order arrives with a solitary drink on a tray.

'Your usual, sir.' He holds the tray in front of Roger and he smiles as he picks up the drink and takes a sip.

'Ah, thank you, Davenport. Just how I like it.' Roger commends and Davenport gives a short nod.

Donna leans into the Doctor and covertly points to Lady Eddison. 'How come she's an Eddison but her husband and son are Curbishleys?'

'The Eddison title descends through her. One day, Roger will be a lord.'

The sound of the crunching gravel returns and Greeves returns with another woman following behind him.

'Miss Robina Redmond.' Greeves announces and a very fashionable young woman steps out from behind Greeves. She has an air of entitlement.

Lady Eddison leans into Rose, dropping her voice as she watches Robina approach. 'She's the absolute hit of the social season. Tell me, have you attended any parties thrown by her?'

'No, we haven't had the pleasure of meeting.' Rose whispers.

'It's a must, Miss Tyler,' Lady Eddison states and smiles as Robina stops in front of them. 'Miss Redmond.' Lady Eddison extends her hand and Robina shakes it.

'Spiffing to meet you at last, my lady.' Robina states. Rose eyes her, this is a woman who is used to getting what she wants, and Rose assumes she isn't above using her looks to get it.

'The Reverend Arnold Golightly.' Greeves announces to the quickly growing crowd. The Reverend smiles at the crowd and stands beside Lady Eddison who appears pleased to see him.

'Ah, Reverend! How are you? I heard about the church last Thursday night, those ruffians breaking in.' Lady Eddison clicks her tongue and shakes her head.

'You apprehended them, I hear.' Hugh commends.

'As the Christian fathers taught me, we must forgive them their trespasses. Quite literally.'

'Some of these young boys deserve a decent thrashing.' Roger states, drawing a nod from his father.

'Couldn't agree more, sir.' Davenport gives Roger a meaningful stare. It causes Roger to clear his throat and Donna nudges Rose. Donna motions to Roger and Davenport. And Rose tilts her head, unsure of what she's talking about until she watches Davenport more closely.

'Typical. All the decent men are on the other bus.' Donna says exasperated. Rose puts her hand on her shoulder.

'Cheer up, Donna.' Rose tries and Donna just shoots her an unimpressed look.

'Now my lady,' The Reverend catches Lady Eddison's attention and he walks towards her. 'What about this special guest you promised us?' He raises his voice a bit and it causes everyone to turn their attention to her.

Lady Eddison turns and notices her esteemed guest arriving; she directs her attention back to the crowd just as the mysterious woman stands beside her.

'Here she is, a lady who needs no introduction.' Lady Eddison states and an awed hush falls over the crowd.

Rose has no idea who it is and turns to Donna, who seems equally confused. Rose nudges the Doctor but he simply shakes his head. Rose crosses her arms. The little crowd begins to applaud and it causes the woman to blush slightly.

'Oh, no. Please don't,' She says shyly. But the little crowd doesn't stop. 'Thank you, Lady Eddison,' The woman moves to start shaking everyone's hand and stops at Donna. 'Agatha Christie.' She smiles warmly.

Donna frowns. 'What about her?'

'That's…me.' Agatha raises her eyebrows and moves on to Rose.

'Really? You're Agatha Christie?' Rose repeats and Agatha nods again, a small laugh escapes. She has moved on to the Doctor, who has a wide grin on his face.

'Agatha Christie!' The Doctor cries and shakes her hand enthusiastically. 'I was just talking about you the other day. I said, 'I bet she's brilliant.' I'm the Doctor, this is Rose and that's Donna. Oh, I love your stuff! What a mind! You fool me every time! Well…almost every time…'

'Doctor…' Rose warns and Agatha frowns.

'Well…once or twice,' The Doctor continues to ramble causing Agatha to look more uncomfortable. 'Well…once,' Rose nudges him and he realises what he's been saying. 'But it was good one!' He insists and Agatha merely offers a meek smile. She watches as Rose shakes her head.

'Mm, well, at least your fiancée remembers manners...' Agatha trails off and then a small smile crosses her features. 'I do enjoy seeing a rather strong woman leading the relationship.'

'Oh, um we're not…we're not really 'together.'' The Doctor attempts to say but Donna interrupts him.

'You're right, Mrs. Christie, Rose is great like that.' Donna grins.

'Well, I hope that won't change after the marriage.' Agatha smiles and Rose reddens.

'Marriage?' She manages to get out, Donna starts to laugh.

'Well, your engagement ring is beautiful, but it's on the wrong finger. You're not ready yet, I take it?' Agatha points, Rose turns scarlet and the Doctor grins.

'Oh, you don't miss a trick.' He commends.

'Well, I've found that the thrill is always in the chase, never the capture.' Agatha states as she smiles.

'You got that right.' Donna agrees and Agatha nods.

'Indeed, stay that way for as long as you can, Donna.'

Lady Eddison joins the four of them and Agatha turns to her. 'Mrs. Christie, I'm so glad you could come. I'm one of your greatest followers. I've read all six of your books,' Lady Eddison glances quickly over Agatha's shoulder when she realises that one person is absent. 'Uh, is, uh, Mr. Christie not joining us?'

Agatha crosses her arms and her jaw stiffens. 'Is he needed? Can't a woman make her own way in the world?'

'Don't give my wife ideas.' The Colonel interjects and a light laugh descends on the group.

'Mrs. Christie, I have a question. Why a Belgian detective?' Roger inquires and Agatha smiles.

'Excuse me, Colonel.' The Doctor takes the newspaper from him and motions for Rose to join him.

'Belgians make such lovely buns.' Agatha replies simply and everyone laughs.

'Where on Earth's Professor Peach? He'd love to meet Mrs. Christie.' Roger turns around a bit and the Reverend frowns.

'Said he was going to the library.' The Reverend replies.

Rose catches Donna's attention and waves her over. She joins them and tilts her head so that she can read what the Doctor is.

'Miss Chandrakala, would you go and collect the professor?' Lady Eddison instructs and she nods.

'At once, my lady.' Chandrakala heads towards the manor.

'What am I looking at, Doctor?' Donna scans the paper again looking for something odd, but she isn't seeing anything.

'The date on this paper.'

'What about it?' Rose stares at it.

'It's the day Agatha Christie disappeared.' The Doctor looks up from the paper to see Agatha who is chatting with the partygoers.

Chandrakala notices that the door to the library is slightly ajar and growing concerned, she knocks lightly.

'Professor Peach?' Chandrakala pushes the door open when she receives no reply and lets herself in. 'Professor?'

Her eyes are drawn to a figure that is lying unmoving on the ground. A look of shock and horror crosses her face before she slowly backs out of the library.

The Doctor and Rose continue to watch as Agatha mingles with the crowd and Donna looks over the paper for one last time before she joins them.

'She just discovered her husband was having an affair.' The Doctor informs them and Rose shakes her head.

'That's terrible.' Rose breathes and Donna stares at Agatha amazed.

'You'd never think to look at her smiling away.' She observes.

The Doctor crosses his arms. 'Well, she's British and moneyed. That's what they do, they carry on. Except for this one time. No one knows exactly what happened. She just vanished,' His face clouds over into a pensive look. 'Her car will be found tomorrow morning by the side of a lake. Ten days later she turns up at a hotel in Harrogate.'

'Didn't she say she had lost her memory?' Rose wonders and the Doctor nods.

'Yeah, she never spoke about the disappearance till the day she died. But whatever it was…'

'It's about to happen.' Donna finishes his sentence for him.

'Right here, right now.'

Chandrakala comes running out of the house rather frantically, towards the crowd of people who look rather shocked.

'The professor! The library! Murder! Murder!' She cries and there are gasps from the crowd.

The Doctor grips Rose's hand in his and they take off towards the house, Rose reaches back for Donna's hand and Donna is rather surprised, taking a few attempts to get into pace with them.

Agatha eyes them suspiciously and takes off after them.

The Doctor is the first one to arrive, followed by Rose and then Donna. Agatha comes in next and covers her mouth at the sight of the body. The Doctor runs to the body of Professor Peach and bends down, slipping on his glasses.

'Oh, my goodness.' Greeves exclaims and the Doctor notices the injury.

'Bashed on the back of his head. Blunt instrument,' The Doctor taps Peach's watch as Rose goes over to the desk, searching for whatever she can. 'Watch broke as he fell, time of death was quarter past four.'

'Bit of pipe. Call me Hercule Poirot but I reckon that's blunt enough.' Donna says and the Doctor watches as Agatha takes a scrap piece of paper from the fireplace, but he makes no comment.

'Nothing is here, Doctor. At least, nothing that would indicate a man needed to die over it.' Rose calls to him.

'Does any of this remind you of something?' Donna joins Rose and she nods.

'If we're thinking of the same thing, then yes.'

'Like what?' The Doctor stands beside them and drops his voice so they don't rouse suspicion.

'A body in the library? I mean, Professor Peach, in the library, with a lead pipe?' Donna attempts to explain before Lady Eddison's voice is heard out in the hall.

'Let me see!' She demands and her husband is not far behind her.

'Out of my way!' Hugh calls out and Lady Eddison manages to push her way through. She enters and sees the body of Peach and covers her mouth from the horror.

'Gerald!' She cries and the rest of those who had been in the garden join her.

'Saints preserve us.' The Reverend blesses himself.

'Oh, how awful.' Robina declares, but her tone is rather devoid of emotion. It's as if she needs to feign her horror because everyone else is shocked.

'Someone should call the police.' Agatha declares.

'That won't be necessary!' Rose declares before she has a chance to think it through properly.

'I beg your pardon? Why wouldn't we?' Agatha question and the Doctor takes over, pulling out the Psychic Paper.

'Because I'm Chief Inspector Smith from Scotland Yard, known as the Doctor. Miss Noble and Miss Tyler are my plucky young assistants who help me out.'

'I say.' Lady Eddison says and Rose crosses her arms.

'I say indeed…' Rose mutters under her breath. Rather annoyed at being labelled like that.

'Mrs. Christie was right. Go into the sitting room. I will question each of you in turn.' The Doctor points to the door and Agatha begins to head for it, showing Lady Eddison and her husband out.

'Come along. Do as the Doctor says. Keep the room undisturbed.' She instructs and everyone follows her lead, allowing her to guide them to the sitting room. Eventually the room empties and the moment that Donna is sure they won't be heard, she rounds on the Doctor, who is now sprawled on the floor looking for clues.

"My plucky young assistants who help me out?'' Donna echoes and the Doctor turns back to her and notices that Rose has her arms crossed; clearly they aren't very impressed with that title.

'What? There wasn't any policewomen in 1926.' He states innocently.

'I'll pluck you in a minute,' Donna states and a thought crosses her mind. 'Why aren't we phoning the real police?'

'It's probably best that they aren't involved in something like this.' Rose informs her and Donna is about to protest when the Doctor lets out a cry of triumph.

'Especially,' He begins as he pulls something from the crack in the floor. 'Now that I've found this,' He stands up and shows them slime he's collected from a stick. 'Morphic residue.'

'Morphic? Doesn't sound very 1926.' Donna observes and Rose goes in for a closer inspection.

'What exactly is it?' She looks up to him.

'It gets left behind when certain species genetically re-encode.' The Doctor states and turns the stick over in his hands observing the slime from all angles.

'So the murderer's an alien?' Donna questions and the Doctor nods deeply still engrossed in examining the slime.

'So that means that one of those people in the next room is an alien in human form.' Rose states and crosses her arms trying to think of anyone that might have jumped out at her or seemed rather dubious.

'Yeah, but think about it. There's a murder, a mystery and Agatha Christie.' Donna tells them and her voice has a bit of shock in it.

The Doctor looks over to her briefly. 'So?' He sniffs it. 'Happens to me all the time.' The Doctor says and doesn't seem all that impressed. He holds out the stick to Donna this time and she examines it.

'No, but isn't that a bit weird? Agatha Christie didn't walk around surrounded by murders. Not really,' Donna tries to convince him otherwise. A thought suddenly strikes her. 'That's like meeting Charles Dickens and he's surrounded by ghosts. At Christmas.'

Rose and the Doctor exchange looks and Donna frowns at them. She's said something that resonates with them. Rose suddenly laughs and the Doctor has a crooked grin on his face.

'Well…' Is all he's managed to get out before Donna has decided to tell him that it's absurd.

'Oh, come on. It's not like we could drive across country and find Enid Blyton having tea with Noddy,' Donna is in a huff and then her face darkens. 'Could we? Noddy's not real, is he? Tell me there's no Noddy.'

'There's no Noddy.' The Doctor declares and heads for the door with Rose and Donna follows them.

'Next thing you know, you'll be telling me it's like Murder on the Orient Express and they all did it.' Donna states and they descend the stairs, meeting Agatha at the bottom.

'Murder on the Orient Express?' Agatha echoes and frowns, she was only able to catch the tail end of their conversation.

'Oh yeah, one of your best.' Donna commends and Agatha stares blankly at her.

'But not yet.' The Doctor leans over to Donna.

'Marvellous idea though.' Agatha becomes pensive, already sorting out potential plots points.

'Yeah. Tell you what, copyright Donna Noble, yeah?' Donna states and the Doctor frowns.

'Anyway, Agatha and I will question suspects. Rose, you and Donna search the bedrooms, look for clues,' He leans into Rose and whispers into her ear. 'And more residue,' He pulls a large magnifying glass from his coat pocket. 'You'll need this.' He hands it off to Rose and Donna stares at it.

'Is that for real?' Donna questions.

'Go on, you two, you're ever so plucky.' The Doctor pushes Rose up the stairs and she turns back to him.

'I'll get you for this.' She whispers and Donna brushes by her. Reluctantly Rose follows her and eyes him. He just smiles and waves.

Once they've gone, the Doctor turns back to Agatha, still smiling. 'Right then. Solving a murder mystery with Agatha Christie. Brilliant!'

Agatha crosses her arms. 'How like a man to have fun while there's a disaster around him.' She speaks from experience, it's plainly evident.

'Sorry. Yeah.'

'I'll work with you, gladly, but for the sake of justice. Not for your own amusement.' Agatha clarifies and the Doctor rubs the back of his head.

'Oh.'

Agatha leads him into the sitting room where the Reverend is already seated in a chair facing the Doctor and Agatha.

'Now then, Reverend…where were you at quarter past four?' The Doctor inquires and the Reverend's face clouds over in a pensive gaze.

'Let me think. Why yes, I remember. I was unpacking in my room.'

'No alibi, then?' The Doctor wonders.

'You were alone?' Agatha questions and the Reverend offers a rather self-satisfied smile.

'With the Lord, one is never truly alone, Doctor.' He counters and the Doctor shows him to the door and collects Rogers next.

He sits in the same chair.

'Now where were you?' The Doctor questions and Roger inwardly panics.

'Just taking a stroll, that's all.'

'Alone?' The Doctor wonders and Roger nods quickly.

'Oh yes, all alone. Totally alone,' He hopes that they have not suspected that he had met up with Davenport. He can't stop the words from tumbling out of his mouth and it isn't long before he realises he's rambling. 'Absolutely alone. Completely, all of the time. I wandered, lonely, as the proverbial cloud. There was no one else with me. Not at all. Not ever.'

The Doctor blinks at the ramblings of Roger, but it doesn't seem like the ramblings of a killer, rather, someone who is hiding a devastating secret. Agatha shows him to the door and Robina enters next. She sits and gives the Doctor a sultry smile.

'And where were you?' He questions and Robina sits back, crossing her legs.

'At a quarter past four…well, I went to toilet when I arrived, and then, um…' Robina shifts her purse, which houses the concealed revolver, closer to her chest. 'Oh yes, I remember. I was preparing myself. Positively buzzing with the excitement of the party, and the super fun of meeting Lady Eddy.' Robina states, ensuring there is a hint of excitement in her voice.

'We've only got your word for it.' The Doctor informs her and Robina leans forward in the chair.

'That's your problem, not mine.' She counters and Agatha shows her to the door. Hugh comes in next. The Doctor crosses his arms.

'And where were you, sir?'

'Quarter past four? Dear me, let me think…ah yes, I remember. I was sitting in me study reading through some military memoirs,' He tried to sound as convincing as he could, hoping they wouldn't guess he had in actuality been looking at a centrefold. 'Fascinating stuff. Took me back to me days in the army. Started reminiscing,' He informs them and his thoughts are drawn back to the revue of the can-can girls. 'Mafeking, you know. Terrible war.' His response is rather drawn out and he seems dazed.

'Colonel, snap out of it.' The Doctor calls to him but it doesn't seem to do much good, he is still staring off.

'I was in me study…' He begins to recount.

'No, no, no, right out of it.' The Doctor instructs and Hugh rapidly blinks his eyes.

'Oh, sorry. Got a bit…carried away there.' Hugh confesses and Agatha gives the Doctor an odd look as she shows Hugh to the door.

Lady Eddison enters next and sits in the chair, smoothing down her skirt.

'And where were you at a quarter past four, my lady?' The Doctor leans against the wall and watches as she lowers her eyes to the floor.

'Now let me see…' She trails off. 'Yes, I remember. I was sitting in the blue room taking my afternoon tea,' She recalls and hopes that there isn't a lingering smell of alcohol on her breath. 'It's a ritual of mine. I needed to gather strength for the duty of hostess. I then proceeded to the lawn where I met…you, Doctor. And I said, 'And who might you be and what are you doing here?' and you said, 'I'm the Doctor and this is Miss Rose Tyler of the…''

'Yes, yes. You can stop now. I was there for that bit.' The Doctor interrupts and Lady Eddison smiles.

'Of course,' She burps. 'Excuse me.'

Agatha shows her out and the Doctor begins to pace back and forth in front of the fireplace, noticing that once Agatha has returned, she's doing the same.

'No alibis for any of them. The secret adversary remains hidden. We must look for a motive,' She smiles. 'Use the little grey cells.' She declares with a Belgian accent.

'Oh yes, little grey cells. Good old Poirot,' The Doctor smiles and then sits in the chair that the suspects had been sitting in. 'You know, I've been to Belgium, yeah I remember…I was deep in the Ardennes trying to find Charlemagne. He'd been kidnapped by an insane computer…'

'Doctor! Doctor!' Agatha calls and the Doctor snaps out of the memories.

'Sorry.'

'Charlemagne lived centuries ago.' Agatha informs him and the Doctor offers a crooked smile.

'I've got a good memory.'

'For such an experienced detective, you missed a big clue.' Agatha declares and the Doctor shrugs.

'What, that bit of paper you nicked out of the fireplace?' He replies, nonchalantly.

'You were looking the other way!' Agatha cries.

'Yeah, but I saw you reflected in the glass of the bookcase.' He explains and Agatha places her hands on her hips.

'You crafty man,' The Doctor smirks and rises from the chair as Agatha pulls out the scrap piece of paper. 'This is all that was left.'

The Doctor studies the scrap of paper and frowns. 'What's that first letter? N or M?'

'It's an M. The word is 'maiden.'' Agatha informs him.

'Maiden!' The Doctor shouts and then lowers his voice. 'What does that mean?' He whispers.

Agatha sighs. 'We're still no further forward. Our nemesis remains at large. Unless Miss Tyler and Miss Noble have found something.'

Donna shuts the door behind her and Rose leads the way to the next room.

'This is hopeless, we haven't found anything.' Donna sighs and Rose approaches the next door.

'I know, but we have to keep looking.' Rose's hand hovers over the doorknob when Greeves appears beside them, Rose jumps.

'You won't find anything in there.' Greeves informs them.

'Oh!' Donna replies, startled.

'Why is it locked?' Rose inquires and Greeves narrows his eyes at them.

'Lady Eddison commands it so.' His reply is rather curt and Donna places her hands on her hips.

'And I command it otherwise. Scotland Yard, pip-pip.'

Rose grins and turns to Greeves, who has now taken out a ring of keys, searches for the correct one. 'So, again, why is this door locked in the first place?'

'Many years ago, when my father was butler to the family, Lady Eddison returned from India with malaria. She locked herself in this room for six months until she recovered. Since then, this room has remained…undisturbed.'

Rose opens the door and it creaks heavily from disuse.

'There's nothing in here.' Greeves reiterates and Rose and Donna step inside in, surveying their surroundings.

'How long's it been empty?' Donna questions.

The room holds a bureau, some shelves, a fireplace and a bed with a teddy bear. It appears to be frozen in time. A snapshot of a young girl who used to live here, after all, it holds mementos that only a young girl may have.

Thick layers of dust cover everything and thick, yarn like spider webs cover wall corners and objects in the room.

'Forty years.' Greeves informs them.

'Why would she seal it off, Donna?' Rose whispers to her and Donna takes a peek over her shoulder.

'All right, we need to investigate. You just…butle off.' Donna informs Greeves and he turns to leave, Rose shuts the door behind him.

Rose looks around the room and heads to the bureau, while Donna picks up the dusty bear from the bed. They hear a rather loud buzzing.

'1926, they've still got bees,' Donna replies annoyed and Rose heads to the window, still drape covered. 'Oh, what a noise!'

'Don't worry, he's probably stuck, I'll just open them.'

'Rose, use your amazing powers of deduction. Find the busy bee.' Donna grins and Rose holds up the giant magnifying glass, smirking as she opens the drapes.

She stumbles back and into Donna at the sight that lies before them.

There is a huge wasp outside the window. It flies back and rushes forward, breaking through the window. Donna and Rose scream.

'That's impossible!' Donna cries and Rose notices the sunlight streaming into the room. She holds up the magnifying glass and aims the sunlight at the wasp. It screeches in pain and Donna firmly grasps Rose's arm and yanks her out of the room. She slams the door behind her.

Rose and Donna lean against the door, trying to process what they've just seen. 'Doctor!' Donna shouts.

The wasp's stinger easily slices through the door and it causes Rose and Donna to scream again, but it lodges itself into the door, becoming stuck. The Doctor and Agatha come running into the hall, confused.

'There is a giant…wasp!' Donna cries and the Doctor frowns.

'What do you mean, giant wasp?' He questions.

'Exactly what she said, a giant wasp!' Rose reiterates.

'It's only a silly little insect.' Agatha dismisses them and Donna shakes her head vehemently.

'When we say 'giant,' we don't meant big, we mean flippin' enormous! Look at its sting!' Donna cries and Rose points to the stinger now stuck in the door.

Agatha and the Doctor look at the door, he widens his eyes.

'Let me see!' He opens the door and walks in, but the room is empty. 'It's gone,' The Doctor looks back to them and he goes over to the window. Rose follows him in. 'It buzzed off.' He quickly looks out the window.

Agatha bends down and looks at the stinger still stuck in the door. 'But that's fascinating.' She reaches to touch it but the Doctor rushes back to her.

'Don't touch it! Don't touch it! Don't touch it!' He calls to her. 'Let me,' He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a vial with a stopper. He carefully scoops up the sample. 'Giant wasp…well, there are tons of amorphous insectivorous life forms but none…in this galactic vector.'

'I think I understood some of those words,' Agatha responded, but she shook her head. 'Enough to know you're completely potty.'

'But its sting is gone.' Rose points to it still lodged in the door and Donna nods her head.

'Right, so that makes it defenceless.' Donna states but the Doctor is quiet before he disagrees with them.

'A creature this size? Gotta be able to grow a new one.'

'Uh, can we return to sanity?' Agatha declares and everyone turns to her. 'There are no such things as giant wasps.' She states, rather sure of herself.

'Exactly! So…the question is, what's it doing here?' The Doctor wonders.

Chandrakala enters the kitchen and quietly observes the staff, ensuring that they continue to work despite the day's interruptions. Carry on; it's what they must do. Life goes on. Even with her eagle eyes, she catches one of the staff gossiping to another member.

'A murder? That's put the cat amongst the pigeons, and no mistake.' Chandrakala quickly approaches the two women to quell the gossip.

'It is not the stuff of gossip, Mrs. Hart. Continue your work.' She warns and Mrs. Hart quickly nods.

'But who'd want to do in the old professor?' Davenport wonders as he absentmindedly continues to polish the silverware. 'He was always asking questions about that book of his. What was that all about?'

'A dead man's folly, nothing more,' Chandrakala interjects, but fear engulfs her as she begins to think of certain things. 'Though perhaps if he asked about…I must go and see my lady.' She declares and quickly scuttles from the room.

She rushes out into the open air, hoping to find Lady Eddison as quickly as possible. The sound of grinding stone causes her to look up to the sky, just in time to see a stone gargoyle falling. She lets out a terrified scream.

The sound of the scream carries itself into the house.

'What was that?' Rose wonders and takes off towards the origin of it, the rest of them follow her. She rushes outside to see Chandrakala lying in the middle of the driveway; a heavy stone gargoyle is resting on her. Rose bends down to her.

'The poor, little child…' She manages to get out between breaths before slowly dying.

A loud buzzing is heard and everyone's heads snap up to see the giant wasp.

'There!' The Doctor points and it starts to fly away. 'Come on!' He calls and everyone begins to run towards the house again.

They continue their chase of the wasp up the grand staircase.

'Well, this makes a change. There's a monster and we're chasing it.' Donna emphasises and Rose nods.

'I like it. It's a great change.' She decides but Agatha shakes her head at their absurdity.

'Can't be a monster. It's a trick. They do it with mirrors.' Agatha informs them haughtily. Like they should be able to tell the difference.

They clear the landing and stop when the see the wasp hovering, and staring them down.

'By all that's holy…' Agatha gasps and covers her mouth. The Doctor smiles and carefully gets closer.

'Oh, but you are wonderful!' He compliments and the wasp gets a bit closer. 'Now, just stop there.' He instructs but the wasp rushes them, stinger first, and they have to duck as it passes.

'Hey!' Rose calls and holds up the magnifying glass, waving it tauntingly to him. And, while nothing happens, the wasp becomes frightened and flies off.

'Don't let it get away!' The Doctor starts to pursue it and he turns to the others. 'Quick, before it reverts to human form!' They continue the chase until they've reached an upstairs hallway that houses the guests' bedrooms. The hall is empty; the wasp has vanished, again.

'Where are you? Come on!' The Doctor takes a step forward and shouts down the hall. 'There's nowhere to run, show yourself!' He demands.

The ruckus in the hallway causes all the bedroom doors to open in unison and everyone stands in their doorways staring at him.

'Oh…that's…' He begins.

'That's cheating…' Rose frowns and stares at everyone hoping to catch any sign of anyone acting out of the ordinary. Right now…they all seemed so confused.

The Doctor has everyone gather in the drawing room where he breaks the news of Chandrakala's death to Lady Eddison. She immediately falls into hysterics, her wipes away her tears.

'My faithful companion! This is terrible!' She sobs.

'Excuse me, my lady,' Davenport approaches her cautiously. 'She was on her way to tell you something.'

'She never found me. She had an appointment with death instead.' Lady Eddison dabs the tears in her eyes with a handkerchief.

'Lady Eddison, she said, 'the poor, little child.' Does that mean anything to you?' Rose inquires but it's her husband, who answers the question for her.

'No children in this house for years,' Hugh states, his speech is rather rushed but he glances over to Roger. 'Highly unlikely there will be.' His voice becomes embittered and Roger looks away embarrassed.

'Mrs. Christie, you must have twigged something. You've written simply the best detective stories.' Lady Eddison pleads and the Reverend nods.

'Tell us…what would Poirot do?' He smiles affectionately but Hugh becomes angry.

'Heaven's sake! Cards on the table, woman! You should be helping us!' He yells.

'Hey, back off of her!' Rose points her finger at him and Hugh narrows his eyes at her. It still has shaken Agatha to the core.

'But…I'm merely a writer…' Agatha insists, her voice is shaking.

'But surely you can crack it. These events, they're exactly like one of your plots.' Robina insists and offers a smile. Donna seems to agree.

'That's what I've been saying,' Donna says softly to Agatha. 'Agatha, that's got to mean something.'

'But what? I've got no answers. None. I'm sorry, all of you, I'm truly sorry, but I've failed,' Agatha turns her gaze to the floor before quickly rising it. Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears. 'If anyone can help us, it's the Doctor, not me.' She declares and excuses herself from the room. Rose goes after her and everyone else turns to the Doctor. He doesn't acknowledge them; he's too busy trying to piece it all together.

Rose and Agatha sit in a small gazebo by the house. She's quickly wiping away the tears she wouldn't let fall in front of everyone.

'I'm sorry.' Agatha hastily says, folding her hands in her lap.

'Don't be. I'm sorry they all acted like vultures.' Rose counters and it draws a light laugh from Agatha.

'They expect me to be some sort of heroine in real life. The truth is, I am not the heroine they expect me to be. My own life is crumbling around me.' Agatha confesses and Rose remembers the comment that the Doctor made earlier, about her husband.

'You're a resilient woman, Agatha. Strength, courage and confidence are obtained through each difficult experience we go through. Sometimes that means we need to face our fears and do things we think we aren't capable of.' Rose watches as Donna approaches them. She sits beside them and has heard the pep talk that Rose just had with her, maybe she can add to it too.

'Do you know what I think?' Donna turns to Agatha. 'Those books of yours, one day they could turn them into films. They could be talking pictures.'

'Talking pictures? Pictures that…talk? What do you mean?' Agatha frowns and Rose shakes her head.

'No Donna, not quite yet.'

'Oh blimey, I've done it again.' Donna sighs.

'I appreciate you trying to be kind, Donna, but you're right. These murders are like my own creations. It's as if someone's mocking me. I've had enough scorn for one lifetime.' Agatha declares solemnly.

'Oh yeah. Thing is, I had this bloke once, I was engaged, and I loved him, I really did,' Donna stares off and Rose falls silent. 'Turns out he was lying through his teeth. But you know what? I moved on. I was lucky…when I found the Doctor. It changed my life. There's always someone else.'

'You make it sound so easy. Not to mention I wasn't aware that my marriage is the stuff of gossip.'

Donna widens her eyes and holds up her hands. 'No…I just…sorry.'

Agatha sighs deeply. 'No matter. The stories are true. I found my husband with another woman. A younger, prettier woman,' Agatha looks down. 'Isn't that always the way?'

'I'm so sorry…' Rose quietly informs her and Agatha offers a small smile.

'Well, mine was with a giant spider, but same difference.' Donna shrugs her shoulders and it causes Agatha to laugh.

'You two and the Doctor, you all speak such wonderful nonsense.'

'Agatha, people love your books, they really do. They're gonna be reading them for years to come.' Donna insists and Agatha is about to respond when she notices something odd in the garden.

'Hello. What's that?' Agatha stands and walks towards the flower garden. She lingers there, simply staring at them. 'Those flowerbeds were perfectly neat earlier,' She remembers and bends down. ' Now some of the stalks are bent over.' Agatha picks up a leather box.

'Well done, Agatha!' Rose beams and Donna crosses her arms.

'Right, who'd ever notice that? You're brilliant!'

The three of them head back inside to bring Agatha's little find to the Doctor's attention.

They find him still in the sitting room, only alone this time. Agatha confidently hands over her little find and the Doctor beams as he turns it over in his hands. He opens the case to find an array of tools.

'Oh, someone came tooled up…the sort of stuff a thief would use.' The Doctor states and Agatha widens her eyes.

'The Unicorn, he's here!' Agatha cries and the Doctor nods.

'The Unicorn and the wasp.' The Doctor decides and their attention is drawn when Greeves enters with a tray of drinks.

'Your drinks, ladies, Doctor.' Greeves lowers the tray in front of them and they all reach out and take everything.

'Very good, Greeves.' The Doctor smiles and he backs out of the room.

'So, what'd you learn about the slimy stuff?' Rose inquires and she stands beside the Doctor.

'Hm, Vespiform sting. Vespiforms have got hives in the Silifax Galaxy.' The Doctor informs them and Rose nods, taking a sip from her Manhattan.

'Again you talk like Edward Lear.' Agatha marvels and she shakes her head in disbelief.

'For some reason, this one's behaving like a character in one of your books.' The Doctor informs them and he takes a sip of his drink. Rose rests her head on his shoulder, pulling away to look over at Donna as she speaks.

'Come on, Agatha. What would Miss Marple do? She'd've overheard something vital by now because the murderer thinks she's just a harmless old lady.' Donna attempts to instil confidence in Agatha.

'Clever idea. Miss Marple, who writes those?' Agatha smiles innocently and Rose rolls her eyes.

'Um, copyright, Donna Noble. Add it to the list.' Donna declares.

'Donna.' Rose says.

'Rose…' The Doctor blinks and Rose looks over quickly.

'What? I'm doing what you'd do.'

'Fine, we can split the copyright.' Donna agrees reluctantly and Agatha just stares at the three of them rather confused.

'Rose, no…something's inhibiting my enzymes,' He jerks forward, Rose drops her drink and rushes over. Her eyes are wide with fear, and he falls to the floor. Rose drops to her knees and he looks up to her. 'I've been poisoned!' He convulses and Donna covers her mouth.

'What do we do? What do we do?' Donna cries and Agatha lifts the Doctor's glass to her nose. She sniffs it and gasps.

'Bitter almonds, it's cyanide. Sparkling cyanide!' Agatha declares and the Doctor pulls himself away from Rose's protective embrace, running out of the room. She is on her feet and chasing after him before Agatha and Donna have a chance to blink. Seconds pass before they too chase after them. They catch a glimpse of Rose as she bounds down the stairs and disappears around the corner.

'Doctor!' Rose calls to him, become ever more scared that this could be fatal to him, but he just ignores her as he staggers into the kitchen.

Davenport is there and the Doctor grabs him by the lapels, Davenport looks absolutely shocked.

'Ginger beer.' The Doctor manages to get out.

'I beg your pardon?' Davenport says, almost offended, the Doctor pushes him out of the way and goes to the shelves along the back wall.

'We need ginger beer, where is it?' Rose repeats and gives up once she doesn't get an answer she joins the Doctor as he searches the shelves.

'The gentleman's gone mad!' Mrs. Hart cries and Rose shoots her a dirty look.

The Doctor finally finds what he's looking for and hastily consumes the ginger beer, dumping the latter half over his head.

'Doctor, cyanide is fatal!' Rose cries and he shakes his head. Agatha and Donna rush in and are confused as to why he's wet.

'You can't cure yourself once you've been poisoned by cyanide! I know, I'm an expert in poisons!' Agatha informs him but all he does is shake his head.

He takes another drink and spits it out, gripping the prepping table with bruising force, panting from the agony. 'Not for me! I can stimulate the inhibited enzymes into reversal. Protein! I need protein!'

Rose doesn't need to be told twice and she's already searching the shelves, her hands are shaking slightly and Agatha and Donna join her. They continue to search the shelves and Rose spots something. She needs leverage and elevates herself using her knee, resting it on the counter. She is still shy of reaching the jar as she shimmies it towards her with her fingertips. She ends up knocking another jar onto the floor and it shatters, sending the contents everywhere.

Rose doesn't care and she hops down from the counter and holds out the jar to the Doctor. 'Walnuts!'

'Brilliant!' He takes the jar out of her hands and shoves a whole bunch of them into his mouth. He attempts to talk to her but she just shakes her head confused.

'What? Doctor, I can't understand you!' Rose replies, Donna stands beside her. They both frown as he shakes one of his hands.

'How many words!' Donna cries and the Doctor holds up one finger, continuing to shake his hand. 'Okay one word! Shake? Milk? Shake? Milk? Milk!' The Doctor shakes his head. 'No, not milk…U? Shake, shake, shake, cocktail shaker! What do you want, a Harvey Wallbanger?' Rose has no idea what he's trying to tell them.

The Doctor finally swallows and gives them a confused look. 'Harvey Wallbanger?!' He cries, Donna simply throws up her hands.

'Well, I don't know!'

'How is Harvey Wallbanger one word?!' He manages to get out.

'Doctor, focus! What do you need?' Rose pleads and he turns to her. She looks terrified. Her eyes searching him for signs of relief, she bites her lip and he turns to Donna.

'Salt, I was miming salt! Salt! I need something salty!' He tells her and Donna points to an unlabelled brown bag. Agatha goes back to the shelves.

'What about that?' Donna wonders and the Doctor turns to it.

'What is it?'

'It's salt.' Donna shakes her head.

'That's too salty!' The Doctor replies and Donna feels her jaw drop as she gapes at him.

'Oh, that's too salty!' She shouts and rolls her eyes.

'What about this?' Agatha tries and she holds out another jar. The Doctor quickly snatches it out of her hands, opens it and downs the mysterious contents.

'What is that?' Rose questions and turns Agatha.

'Anchovies.'

The Doctor starts to gesture to them again, his hands are up and his palms are out. Donna stares at him, Rose has no idea, and this one is even harder than the first.

'What is it?' Rose pleads and he just taps one of his palms.

'What else? It's a song. 'Mammy?' I don't know! 'Camptown Races?'' Donna cries and the Doctor stares at her.

"Camptown Races?!'' He shouts in disbelief and Donna who gives him a dirty look.

'Well, all right then. 'Towering Inferno.'' Donna counters and crosses her arms.

'It's a shock! Look! Shock! I need a shock!' He declares.

Donna rubs her hands together quickly. 'All right, then, a big shock coming up. Sorry about this, Rose.' She strides towards him and pulls him down for a brief kiss.

Rose can't believe what she's seen. Hell, it shocked her into complete silence. When the kiss is through, the Doctor throws his head back and black smoke comes out of his mouth. He groans and inhales deeply. The three of them stare at him, utterly stunned into silence.

'Ah! Detox!' He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. 'I must do that more often,' Donna gives him a rather nasty look. 'I mean…the, the detox…'

'Doctor, you are impossible! Who are you?' Agatha says in disbelief, all he gives her is a crooked smile and stands beside Rose. He draws her close and puts his arm around her shoulders, she rests her head in his embrace and that's when he noticed the jar she's broken. It's filled with something that might just come in handy. Rose is excellent at giving him ideas, even if they are unintentional.

There is a clap of thunder followed by a bright flash of lightening, in the manor everyone has gathered around an expensive dining table as the food is set down in front of them. Everyone begins to eat their food in an awkward, heavy silence.

'A terrible day for all of us. The professor struck down, Miss Chandrakala cruelly taken from us, and yet we still take dinner.' The Doctor observes and Lady Eddison looks at him with a solemn expression.

'We are British, Doctor. What else must we do?' She questions but the Doctor ignores her.

'And then someone tried to poison me,' The Doctor presses on. 'Any one of you had the chance to put cyanide in my drink. And then Rose's clumsiness gave me an idea…' She frowns at him.

'What would that be?' The Reverend inquires as he eats another spoonful of soup.

'Well, poison,' The Doctor states. Everyone stops eating. 'Drink up,' They all look at him, waiting for their explanation. 'I've laced the soup with pepper.'

'Ah, I thought it was jolly spicy.' Hugh chuckles softly.

'But the active ingredient of pepper is piperine. Traditionally used as an insecticide,' The Doctor is interrupted by a loud clap of thunder. Everyone stares at each other, confused. 'So, anyone got the shivers?'

There is a bright strike of lightening and the windows are blown violently open, the candles are extinguished and the room is plunged into darkness.

'What the duce is that?!' Hugh cries and chatter falls over the crowd.

'Listen…listen, listen, listen!' The Doctor orders and a hush falls over the crowd. A buzz cuts through the silence and the darkness.

'No, it can't be…' Lady Eddison whispers.

Another bright flash of lightening illuminates the room and Agatha rises from her chair.

'Show yourself, demon!' Agatha calls and the rest of the guests also rise from their chairs.

'Nobody move! No, don't, stay where are!' The Doctor instructs and the Vespiform reveals itself and Greeves ushers Donna out, the Doctor grabs Rose and Agatha's arms, ushering them out.

'Out! Out! Out! Out! Out!' The Doctor calls. He takes them into the hall outside the dining room. Greeves and Donna are already waiting there. 'Not you, Agatha. You've got a long life to lead yet.' He declares and grabs a sword from the wall display.

'Well we know the butler didn't do it.' Donna quips and Rose nods.

'So, who did?' Rose wonders.

'Who indeed.' The Doctor rushes back into the dining room with Rose, only to find the lights switch back on. Many of the guests haven't left the dining room and the Vespiform is gone.

Robina is still sitting, in astonishment, gasping, the Colonel is upside down in his wheelchair, Lady Eddison is at the head of the table obviously shaken, Davenport is on the ground with a look of horror on his face, and the Reverend is to the side of the room, looking terrified.

'My jewellery!' Lady Eddison cries and feels herself. 'The Firestone! It's gone! Stolen!'

'Roger…' Davenport calls, visibly shaken. Everyone's attention is drawn to the body of a deceased Roger. Robina lets out scream, Rose grips the Doctor's arm and points and Lady Eddison gets up, walking around the table and pales at her discovery. Rogers is lying with his head in a bowl, a knife in his back.

'My son…my child!' Lady Eddison falls to her knees in despair and hugs her son. She begins to cry and is inconsolable, as she falls into hysterics.

Once again in the drawing room, the Doctor and Agatha await for Rose and Donna to return. Agatha re-crosses her legs as she shifts on the sofa; the Doctor is staring into the fireplace intensely as he's off in deep thought.

Rose and Donna walk in, Donna sits beside Agatha and Rose walks towards the Doctor. She wraps her arms around him and places his arm around her waist, he tilts her chin up to him and pushes the cloche hat up a bit more to see her eyes. She smiles sadly at him. Eventually she turns to Donna and Agatha and smiles sadly at them.

'The footman is devastated…he can't even mourn him publicly…I know it's 1926…but it still feels like the dark ages.' Rose replies sadly and Donna nods, understanding.

'Donna, did you enquire about the necklace?' Agatha inquires and Donna exhales deeply.

'Lady Eddison brought it back from India. It's worth thousands.'

'It can sting, it can fly. It could wipe us all out in a second, why is it playing this game with us?' The Doctor says quietly and it draws Rose's attention back to him.

'Every murder is essentially the same. They are committed because somebody wants something.' Agatha states and the Doctor ponders that.

'So what does this Vespiform want?' Rose wonders.

'Doctor, Rose, stop this. The murderer is as human as you or I.' Agatha crosses her arms.

'You're right. I've been so caught up with giant wasps, I've forgotten,' The Doctor walks Rose to a chair and motions her to sit across from Agatha and Donna. He remains standing above Rose and grins. 'You're the expert.'

'Look, I've told you. I'm just a…purveyor of nonsense.' Agatha looks to the ground and feels her cheeks redden slightly.

'Oh, no, no, no, no, cause plenty of people write detective stories, but yours are the best. And why? Why are you so good, Agatha Christie? Because you understand. You've lived…you've fought…you've had your heart broken. You know about people, their passions, their hope and despair and anger, all of those. Tiny huge things can turn the most ordinary person into a killer. Just think, Agatha. If anyone can solve this, it's you.' The Doctor finishes and Agatha looks up to him, he's got a confident smile on his face. Odd how Rose and this strange man seem to be on the same page in terms of their conversations to boost her confidence.

She stands and smoothes down her dress, she returns the Doctor's confident smile and nods her head. 'Very well, we have some suspects to interrogate.'

'Yes!' The Doctor cries and he leads the way out, with plans to corral the guests into this room.

Once the guests have been gathered into the drawing room, Agatha paces slightly while the Doctor hangs back by the fireplace with Rose and Donna observes from Rose's right. The Doctor steps forward and crosses his arms as he eyes the group.

'I've called you here on this endless night, because we have a murderer in our midst. And when it comes to detection, there's none finer…ladies and gentlemen, I give you Agatha Christie.' The Doctor steps back beside Rose and Agatha paces the room slightly before pausing in front of the group.

'This is a crooked house…a house of secrets. To understand the solution, we must examine them all. Starting with you…' Agatha pauses, looking in the direction of Lady Eddison but then turns to Robina. 'Miss Redmond!'

'But I'm innocent, surely?' Robina questions and shakes her head.

'You've never met these people and these people have never met you. I think the real Robina Redmond never left London, you're impersonating her!'

'How silly! What proof do you have?' Robina demands and crosses her arms.

'You said you went to the toilet…'

Donna leans into Rose and lowers her voice. 'Oh, I know this. If she was really posh, she'd say 'loo.''

Agatha reaches down to the coffee table and lifts up the Unicorn's box. 'Earlier today, Miss Tyler, Miss Noble and I found this on the law. Right beneath your bathroom window. You must have heard that Miss Tyler and Miss Noble were searching the bedroom, so you panicked. You ran upstairs and disposed to the evidence.' Agatha declares and Robina narrows her eyes.

'I've never seen that before in my life.' She states.

'What's inside it?' Lady Eddison questions and Agatha opens it up.

'Tools of your trade, Miss Redmond. Or should I say…' Agatha turns the box around and shows everyone in the room. 'The Unicorn!'

Robina eyes Agatha closely in the eye before she gets up from her seat. Her voice, her accent and her whole attitude do a complete turn around.

'Oh, all right then. It's a fair cop. Yes, I'm the bleedin' Unicorn. Ever so nice to meet you, I don't think. I took my chance in the dark and napped it,' Robina declares triumphantly. 'Go on then, you knobs. Arrest me, sling me in jail!' She taunts and reaches in to her dress and tosses it to the Doctor who merely catches it.

'So, is she the murderer?' Donna wonders and Robina shakes her head.

'Oh, don't be so thick. I might be a thief, but I ain't no killer.'

'Quite. There are darker motives at work. And it examining this household, we come to…' Agatha again eyes Lady Eddison, but snaps her head in the direction of Hugh. 'Colonel!'

'Damn it, woman! You with your perspicacity! You've rumbled me.' Hugh cries and he stands up from his wheelchair. Rose feels her jaw drop.

'Hugh, you can walk! But why?!' Lady Eddison questions and Hugh's face softens as his wife's shock.

'My darling, how else could I be certain of keeping you by my side?'

'I don't understand…' Lady Eddison whispers.

'You're still a beautiful woman, Clemency. Sooner or later some chap will turn your head. I couldn't bear that. Staying in the chair was the only way I could be certain of keeping you,' Hugh affectionately strokes his wife's cheek but his eyes grow sad. He abruptly turns towards Agatha. 'Confound it, Mrs. Christie, how did you discover the truth?'

'Um, actually I had no idea. I was just going to say you're completely innocent.' Agatha smiles weakly.

'Oh…' He grunts angrily.

'Sorry!' Agatha attempts but he sighs and shakes his head.

'Well, well, shall I sit down then?' He suggests and Agatha nods quickly.

'Yeah, I think you better had.' Agatha agrees. He sits beside Lady Eddison who firmly takes a hold of his hand.

'So he's not the murderer?' Donna looks to Rose and she shakes her head, Donna makes a bit of a face.

'Indeed not. To find the truth…let's return…' Agatha walks towards the Doctor, who hands her the Firestone. 'To this, far more than the Unicorn's object of desire. The Firestone has quite a history. Lady Eddison.'

'I've done nothing!' She insists and Agatha begins to pace while she works out her explanation.

'You brought it back from India, did you not? Before you met the Colonel. You came home with malaria and confined yourself to this house for six months, in a room that has been locked away ever since, which I rather think means…' Agatha is abruptly cut off.

'Stop, please!' She covers her ears but Agatha presses onward.

'I'm so sorry,' Agatha smiles weakly. 'But you had fallen pregnant in India, unmarried and ashamed, you hurried back to England with your confidante, a young maid, later to become housekeeper, Miss Chandrakala.'

'Clemency! Is this true?' Hugh demands but his voice is full of hurt.

'My poor baby. I had to give him away. Oh, the shame of it.' Lady Eddison closes her eyes and brushes away a stray tear.

'But you never said a word!' Hugh recalls and Lady Eddison straightens herself up.

'I had no choice,' She snaps. 'Imagine the scandal, the family name. I'm British, I carry on.'

'And it was no ordinary pregnancy.' The Doctor chimes in and everyone turns to him. Rose and Donna eye each other, frowning.

'How can you know that?' Lady Eddison breathes.

'Excuse me, Agatha, this is my territory,' The Doctor steps forward and folds his arms. 'But when you heard that buzzing sound in the dining room, you said, 'It can't be.' Why did you say that?'

'You'd never believe it.' Lady Eddison declares, but her voice is soft.

'The Doctor has opened my mind to believe…many things.' Agatha sits beside Lady Eddison and she stares off.

'In the heat of Delhi one night. I was alone and that's when I saw it, a dazzling light in the sky. The next day, he came to my house, Christopher, the most handsome man I'd ever seen. Our love blazed like a wildfire and I held nothing back. And in return, he showed me the incredible truth about himself,' Lady Eddison smiles warmly at the memory. 'He made himself human to learn about us. This was his true shape,' Her gaze becomes filled with sadness and Rose aches for her. 'I loved him so much it didn't matter. But he was stolen from me. 1885, the year of the Great Monsoon. The River Jumna rose up and broke its banks. He was taken at the flood,' She wipes away a tear at the memory of her first love. 'But Christopher left me a parting gift, a jewel like no other. I wore it always. Part of me never forgot. I keep it close. Always.'

Robina rolls her eyes. 'Just like a man, flashes his family jewels and you end up with a bun in the oven.'

Agatha stands and resumes her pacing. 'A 'poor little child.' Forty years ago, Miss Chandrakala took that newborn babe to an orphanage. But Professor Peach worked it out. He found the birth certificate.'

'Maiden…' Rose recalls and Donna realises it.

'Maiden name.'

'Precisely, ladies.' Agatha nods towards them.

'So she killed him.' Donna declares and Lady Eddison looks horrified.

'I did not!'

'Miss Chandrakala feared that the Professor had unearthed your secret. She was coming to warn you.' Agatha informs her.

'So…she killed her?' Donna tries again and Rose whispers 'no' to her.

'I did not!' Lady Eddison cries adamantly.

'Lady Eddison,' Agatha pauses. 'Is innocent. Because at this point…Doctor!'

The Doctor again steps forward and trades places with Agatha. 'Thank you. At this point, when we consider the lies and secrets and the key to these events, then we have to consider…it was you, Donna Noble.' The Doctor points to her and Donna feels her jaw drop.

'What?' Rose tilts her head.

'What? Who did I kill?' Donna questions, but the Doctor shakes his head.

'No, but you said it all along, the vital clue, that this whole thing is being acted out like a murder mystery. Which means…it was you, Agatha Christie.' The Doctor points to Agatha next.

'I beg you pardon, sir?' Agatha frowns.

'Oh, so she killed them.' Donna nods deeply and Rose shakes her head.

'No, I don't think so, Donna.'

'No, but she wrote, she wrote those brilliant, clever books. And who's her greatest admirer? The moving finger points…at your, Lady Eddison.'

'Leave me alone!' She cries.

'So she did kill them.' Donna is beginning to become confused.

'No, but just think, last Thursday night, what were you doing?' The Doctor questions and Lady Eddison begins to stumble over her words.

'Uh, I was uh…I was in the library. I was reading my favourite Agatha Christie thinking about her plots and how clever she must be,' Lady Eddison recalls. 'How is that relevant?'

'Just think…what happened Thursday night?' The Doctor turns to the Reverend.

'I'm sorry?' He questions.

'You said on the lawn this afternoon, last Thursday, those boys broke into your church.'

'That's correct…they did. I discovered the two of them, thieves in the night. I was most perturbed. But I apprehended them.' The Reverend recalls and the Doctor raises his eyebrow.

'Really? A man of God against two strong lads? A man in his forties? Or, should I say, forty years old…exactly.'

'Oh, my god!' Lady Eddison cries and her hands fly to her mouth in shock.

'Lady Eddison, your child, how old would he be now?' The Doctor wonders and Lady Eddison nods her head in the recognition.

'Forty. He's…forty.'

'Your child has come home.' The Doctor concludes simply and Lady Eddison feels her heart swell. To lose one child but to gain another…she's so conflicted in her emotions.

'Ha! This is poppycock!' The Reverend declares.

'Oh?' The Doctor turns to face him. 'You said you were taught by the Christian fathers, meaning, raised in an orphanage.' He challenges.

'My son! Can it be?!' Lady Eddison rises from her seat and smiles from shock and disbelief.

'You found those thieves, Reverend, and you got angry. A proper, deep anger for the first time in your life and it broke the genetic code. You changed,' The Doctor informs him and the Reverend stares off slightly. 'You realised your inheritance. After all these years…you knew who you were. H, then it all kicks off cause of this,' The Doctor snatches the Firestone from Agatha. 'Isn't a jewel, it's a Vespiform telepathic recorder. It's part of you, your brain, your very essence. And when you activated, so did the Firestone. It beamed your full identity directly into your mind. And at the same time, it absorbed the works of Agatha Christie directly from Lady Eddison. It all become part of you. The mechanics of those novels formed a template in your brain. You killed in this pattern because that's what you think the world is. Turns out we are in the middle of a murder mystery. One of yours, Dame Agatha.' The Doctor leans on Rose's shoulder.

'Dame?' Agatha echoes.

Rose gives him a quick jab in his side. 'No, not yet.'

'Oh, right. Sorry. Not yet.'

'Okay, so he killed them? Yes? Definitely?' Donna questions, her tone indicating she's growing tired of being unable to follow along.

'Yes.' The Doctor nods.

'Well, this has certainly been a most entertaining evening. Really, you can't believe any of this, surely, Lady Eddizzz…' The Reverend clears his throat.

'Lady who?' The Doctor challenges and the Reverend gives him a nasty look.

'Lady Eddizzz…'

'Little bit of buzzing there, Vicar?' The Doctor wonders.

'Don't make me angry.' The Reverend warns and he stands up.

'What? What happens then?' The Doctor questions and raises his eyebrow.

Donna leans over to Rose. 'He'll hulk out?' Rose gives her a crooked grin.

'Damn it! You humanzzz! Worshipping your tribal sky godzzz! I am so much more! That night, the universe exploded in my mind! I wanted to take what wazz mine. And you, Agatha Christie, with your railway station bookstall romancezzz…What'zzz to stop me killing you?'

'Oh, my dear god!' Lady Eddison reaches toward the Reverend. 'My child!'

'What'zzz to stop me killing you all?' The Reverend becomes engulfed in a purple light and transforms into the Vespiform.

'Forgive me!' She cries out to him as she tries to reach for him.

'No, no, Clemency, come back! Keep away, keep away my darling!' Hugh pulls Lady Eddison away.

'No! No more murder!' Agatha cries out and hold up the Firestone. 'If my imagination made you kill, then my imagination will find a way to stop you, foul creature!' Agatha runs out of the room with the Doctor, Rose, Donna and the Vespiform tearing after her.

'Wait! Now it's chasing us!' Donna shouts as she takes a look behind her.

They follow Agatha out into the front drive and quickly shut the doors behind them. Agatha drives up to them in a vintage car and beeps the horn at them. But the Vespiform breaks down the doors. The Doctor, Rose and Donna run towards the car.

'Over here! Come and get me, Reverend!' Agatha calls to him and he begins to chase after her.

'Agatha, what are you doing?' The Doctor questions and Agatha sets her jaw.

'If I started this Doctor, then I must stop it!' She drives off, the Vespiform charges after her. The Doctor pulls Rose and Donna into the direction of another vintage car.

'Come on!' They all pile in and the Doctor takes off after Agatha and the Vespiform.

The Doctor drives after Agatha, Rose is eagerly watching the road ahead of them and Donna leans forward from the back.

'You said this is the night Agatha Christie looses her memory.' Donna recalls.

'Time is in flux right now, Donna!' Rose reminds her and Donna frowns.

'Right, for all we know, this is the night Agatha Christie looses her life and history gets changed.' The Doctor glances back to her briefly.

'But where is she going?' Donna wonders.

They continue to drive after her and the Doctor notices a sign at the side of the road that reads 'Silent Pool.' It suddenly hits Rose.

'The lake!' Rose remembers and the Doctor widens his eyes.

'She's heading for the lake! What's she doing?'

Agatha stops beside the lake and hastily steps out of the car, positioning herself by the lake just as the Doctor, Rose and Donna arrive. Agatha is holding up the firestone just above the lake, it's engulfed in a purple glow.

'Here I am! The honey in the trap. Come to me, Vespiform!' Agatha shouts into the night. The Vespiform appears.

'She's controlling it.' Donna observes and they get out of the car.

'It's mind is based on her thought processes. They're linked.' The Doctor informs them and they venture closer towards Agatha.

'Quite so, Doctor. If I die, then this creature might die with me.' Agatha declares and the Doctor turns his attention to the Vespiform.

'Don't hurt her!' Rose shouts to the Vespiform, it turns to look at her briefly.

'You're not meant to be like this. You've got the wrong template in your mind.' The Doctor tries to reason with it, but it doesn't seem to be working. Donna rushes forward and snatches the Firestone from Agatha. She tosses it into the lake.

The Vespiform dives into the water after it. The water bubbles violently with an iridescent purple glow. The Doctor, Rose, Donna and Agatha watch the bubbles slow themselves and Rose shakes her head.

'How do you kill a wasp? Drown it. Just like his father…' Donna informs them sadly and the Doctor turns to her with an unimpressed look on his features.

'Donna, that thing couldn't help itself.' The Doctor informs her.

'Neither could I!' Donna replies defensively and she crosses her arms.

'Death comes as the end…and justice is served.' Agatha says and Rose continues to stare at the lake. Something isn't sitting well with her, and so she rubs her arms.

'Murder at the Vicar's rage,' The Doctor states and Rose and Donna turn to stare at him. 'Needs a bit of work.'

'Just one mystery left, Doctor. Who exactly are you?' Agatha turns to him and the Doctor takes a deep breath to answer her, but Agatha suddenly collapses. Rose manages to catch her and she yells out from the pain.

Rose starts to lower Agatha to the ground when she turns to the Doctor. 'It's the Firestone!'

'It's part of the Vespiform's mind, it's dying and it's connected to Agatha!' The Doctor informs them and pulls her away as an eerie purple light swallows Agatha up, but abruptly ceases and she rests silently with her eyes closed. Rose bends down to look her over and she smiles out of relief.

'She's okay. She's just fine.'

'He let her go. Right at the end, the Vespiform chose to save someone's life.' The Doctor commends and Donna kneels down beside Rose.

'Is she all right, though?' Donna turns up to the Doctor and he nods enthusiastically as a thought strikes him.

'Oh, of course! The amnesia! Wiped her mind of everything that happened, the wasp, the murders…'

'Oh, but that means…she'll forget about us…' Rose looks down to Agatha, who is still peacefully resting.

'That's disheartening.' Donna agrees and stands, taking one last look over the lake.

'Yeah, but we've solved another riddle. The mystery of Agatha Christie. And tomorrow, her car gets found by the lake. A few days after that, she turns up in a hotel at Harrogate, with no idea of what just happened. No one will ever know.'

The Doctor scoops up Agatha and takes her back to the car. Rose and Donna follow him, piling in after. Donna sits in the back with Agatha while Rose climbs into the front seat. The Doctor starts the engine and Rose covers his hand with her own, offering him an affectionate smile. He reaches over and places his hand on her cheek.

They pull out of the lake and drive towards the house one final time.

'Okay, she's all set up. I told them she was Mrs. Theresa Neele,' Rose walks down the steps and takes the Doctor's outstretched hand. 'I had to say she was waiting for someone…' Rose wondered if the staff believed her. Agatha hadn't. By the time she came to, they had just left the TARDIS. The Doctor and Donna hung back while Rose walked her right into the Old Swan Hotel.

'Thank you.' He smiles slightly at her.

'Lady Eddison, the Colonel and all the staff…what about them?' Donna inquires and Rose turns her attention from the Old Swan Hotel they've chosen in Harrogate.

'Shameful story. They'd never talk of it. Too British. While the Unicorn does a bunk in London town. She could never even say she was there.' The Doctor ponders and he walks them back to the TARDIS.

'But what happens to Agatha?' Donna tilts her gaze up to the Doctor who smiles at her.

'Oh, great life! Met another man, married again. Saw the world. Wrote and wrote and wrote.' The Doctor unlocks the TARDIS and everyone walks in. The Doctor tosses his coat over one of the struts and Rose pushes the cloche hat up a bit more.

'She never thought her books were any good, though. And she must have spent all those years wondering.' Donna informs them.

'Something tells me…she doesn't exactly forget these events.' Rose stands beside Donna while the Doctor walks by them.

'Ah, she's got a great mind like that. Some of the details kept bleeding through. All the stuff her imagination could use,' The Doctor pauses briefly and turns to Donna while a crooked smile. 'Like Miss Marple!'

'I should have made her sign a contract.' Donna sighs dramatically.

'What are you doing?' Rose wonders as he continues to walk circles around the console.

'Where is it? Hold on…' He freezes and goes backward one step. 'Here we go!' He bends down and lifts a section of the TARDIS flooring, Rose and Donna stare amazed. He pulls out a chest that is marked with the letter C. He opens it and begins to dig through it. 'C for Cyberman,' He tosses aside a Cyberman chest plate. 'C for Carrionites. Here Rose. Don't drop it!' He tosses the globe to Rose who catches it and makes a bit of a face, gingerly setting it down on the floor. Out comes a bust of Caesar. 'And…' He pulls out a paperback, holding it up for Rose and Donna to see. 'Christie, Agatha. Look at that.'

It is a copy of Death in the Clouds, which has a rather large wasp on the cover of the book. Rose smiles as she studies the picture.

'She did remember.' Donna states rather amazed.

'Somewhere in the back of her mind, it all lingered. And that's not all, look at the copyright page.' Rose leans forward and takes the book from the Doctor.

She and Donna flip to the page and scan its contents. 'Facsimile edition, published in the year…five billion?!' Donna exclaims.

'Well, that just proves it, people never stopped reading them.' Rose runs her fingers over the page.

'She's the best selling novelist, of all time.' The Doctor agrees but Donna lets out a deflated sigh.

'But she never knew.'

'Well, no one knows how they're gonna be remembered. We can only hope for the best. Maybe that's what kept her writing. The same thing that keeps me…' He turns to Rose who offers a warm smile. 'Keeps us travelling. Onwards?'

They both nod and the Doctor starts up the TARDIS. Rose goes over and stands beside him while Donna sits on the console chair. The Doctor tilts Rose's hat back a bit so he can see her eyes and she just offers a sly smile. She wraps her arms around him and he does the same. Ensuring she remains close to him. A feeling has begun to stir within him. A feeling he doesn't want to acknowledge. A storm is coming. And it's going to devastate all those it comes into contact with. How much longer do they have before it hits?

Ah another one down. Sorry it took so long to get this written, the beginning portion took awhile to built up. Well I hope everyone likes it!

Thank you for reading!

Also as a side note, I know I changed the colour of Donna's dress. Both descriptions are of actual dresses from the 1920s.