'Are you sure you're okay with not knowing?' He questioned and Rose straightened up, brushing her hair out of her face as she frowned, staring down at him. She inhaled deeply, trying to steady her breathing as his hands snaked around the small of her back, pushing her down towards him once more.

She picked apart his question, trying to really answer it truthfully. Was she okay with not knowing? She'd have to be. Of course she's dying to know, but again it isn't something she usually thinks about. Certainly not until that subject had been actually been mentioned.

But once it had, by someone with the mysterious and calculating personality such as River Song, Rose did want to know. And that caused her to think about it more and more. It was something that while it was so important to him to keep it a secret, Rose is still a bit hurt that he hadn't decided to reveal it to her. Especially since they had moved their relationship to a different plateau. She tries to understand, she does, and she tries to remember that River is from the future, and for some reason her timeline is different than theirs.

Would she truly be there? She can't, in all seriousness, rule that out, who knows how long they truly do have together be for the inevitable happens. But something within her tells her not to get her hopes up. It seems highly unlikely that she'll be there, and that means that she'll never know. She wants to remain positive, but the reminder of River's shocked face when he didn't know her, nor she or Donna hung in the back of her mind. If that's true, then he goes with River only. She and Donna are no longer there with him.

It hurts, to know that that is a strong possibility. So, is she really okay with not knowing? Yes, and no. It's such a loaded question and has made her go over everything they have done together. After all, she tries not to compare, but he knows her full name. Of course, it's a human name, not one that is so integral to who he is and what he does. She wants to know, not because she felt that he should reveal it to her, but rather, because she thought he'd trust her and feel comfortable enough around her. She thought he'd want to tell her. But again, maybe she was reading too much into it. Maybe he wasn't ready.

And so, perhaps she should just forget it all happened the way it did. The only River told him she knew was so that he would trust her. And he did seem very adamant that anything like that secret would be told to her first. Above all else. Maybe Rose was looking into this issue more than she should.

But she just remembers the shock and amazement in his voice when he told River that she was right. And yet, apprehension as well. If this Trenzalore place is as…well, as revealing as he says it is, maybe it was the fact that he'd go there at all is what actually shocked him the most.

Rose placed her hand on his cheek and mustered her most endearing smile to show him. She wanted to know, yes, but not until he felt comfortable revealing it to her. She didn't want him to blurt it out because he felt another woman slanted her and he wanted to even the field. Everything in its time.

'Yes. I am okay with not knowing.' She finally replied. And she didn't want to be seen as jealous that River was holding something over her head.

She could see his eyes dissecting her response, looking for any hidden meaning in her words.

But finding none, he closed his eyes and nodded. And Rose knew she had done the right thing. She could almost visibly see him relax at that statement and stroked his cheek with her thumb. He would have told her, had she asked, in fact all she needed to do was to ask, but he would have preferred not to. And she understood that.

He opened his eyes and Rose stopped, staring at him with a loving smile on her face. 'You're right. Everything in its time.' He echoes her words and Rose nods her head, placing a loving kiss on his lips.

'Thank you for offering.' Rose whispers as she lies on her side, resting her head on her hand, pulling the sheet around her.

'All you had to do was ask.' He confirms and Rose inwardly smiles at herself. She knew him better than he knew himself sometimes. He brushes some hair out of her face she smiles a bit.

He stares at the ring poised on her right middle finger. The sapphire is dark, and yet it picks up the subtle lighting from the rest of the room, speckling it with ombre colours of yellow. The diamonds that surround the sapphire are brilliantly clear, small rainbows are on the ceiling from their absorption of the light. He's never really had a chance to really study it on her.

Oddly, it's like it's been a part of her for a long time. He can't picture her without it. When he stares at it, he remembers those long eight months without her. Staring at the empty bed where she should have been but wasn't. It very nearly broke him. Losing her in Russia. Why not somewhere smaller?

Not wanting to relive those memories, he brings her closer for a kiss, wanting to ensure that she is still here with him, and he isn't just seeing her ghost.

Rose is a bit surprised by the tender affection but embraces it none the less. He must have thought of something. She can see it in his face. When he pulls away, he picks up her right hand, studying the ring placed there. Rose's attention is also drawn there, as he studies the ring carefully.

'Something wrong with it?' She inquires and he turns up to her.

'No, not at all. I just never really had a chance to look at it before,' He admits and goes back to studying the ring. 'It's actually given me an idea.'

'Mm, what doesn't?' Rose challenges and he turns his attention up to her, she has a rather sly smile on her face.

'It's a really good one, though.' He promises and Rose lightly shrugs her shoulders.

'I never said any of them were bad.' She protests and he smiles at her.

'You're right, none of them are bad. I'm too smart for bad ones. It's nothing but good ones.'

'Mm I know, I know.' Rose agrees and he just gives her a crooked smile. She shakes her head and pulls him down for another kiss.

Rose awakens first and stretches in the bed, yawning deeply. She rolls over to her side and looks around. She leans over the side of the bed and collects her clothing, slipping into them silently. She covers another yawn as it escapes and walks towards the door.

Once she's out into the hall, she stretches deeply and runs her fingers through her hair, trying to plump it up. Sighing in defeat, she walks silently down the halls trying to find the kitchen, hoping that Donna will be there. She just wants the companionship that having another woman on board gives her. She never really realised that having Donna travelling with them was so…calming. Instead of retreating by herself into her own world of thoughts and fears, pushing them down so they didn't matter, she could actually talk to Donna about them. Well, most of them. Not the future, she shouldn't have mentioned that to Donna. That was the one thing she should always keep to herself.

She's caught herself thinking about that more and more, lately. How do they get separated? It's always there, in the back of her mind. It is as terrifying as it was in Canary Wharf? If that's the case, that means she needs to be ready for anything. Another thing that bothers her that she has been thinking of as well…why doesn't he just come and get her? Wherever she goes, surely it isn't beyond his reach, is it? She remembers the words he spoke to her when she accidentally stumbled into his TARDIS.

'You've been gone for awhile.'

His life truly does go on…well of course it would. The universe doesn't stop just because two lovers have gotten separated. Carry on. He certainly does. A traveller of time and space. Rose can only imagine the people he's had a chance to meet, elders of races that may no longer exist, that they may never see… Rose turned over her shoulder and smile at the door she's quickly leaving behind her.

There's so much she still doesn't know about him. And she does want to know, but why does she have the feeling that she won't ever get to find out. Maybe because he simply won't tell her, or because they just never seem to have the time to. As much as she knows about him, so much of him remains shrouded in mystery. She continues on her way.

She wonders something else, too. How does she take it? She only imagines it will devastate her. To have a life that she's come to treasure, suddenly snatched away…it could take a lifetime to adjust to the life that will be forced upon her. Why does it have to happen? Do the universes truly not wish to see them happy?

She silently prays to whatever or whoever is up there that he won't be alone for long. He never deserves that. That has always been her one wish for him. If they ever cannot be together, she wants him to find someone. And thinking back into the glimpse she caught of his life in the future, he did find someone. A few someones. And that truly made her happy, even though she couldn't be there to share that happiness with him.

She would have loved to hear all about his new adventures without her. If only that were possible. Whatever happens to them in the future, she goes somewhere he can't follow, and it very nearly breaks them both. Only, she's only seen his side of things…her mind always seems to take her back to 1969. It was still so fresh to him, and he sought her out because he had needed her.

It only further worries her that he won't be able to cope for some time after she's gone. He couldn't tell her, obviously, but he almost seemed…remorseful. And apologetic that it had happened. It only leaves her with more questions than answers.

Rose stops at the kitchen when she catches sight of Donna in there. She's carrying a bowl to the sink and Rose walks in, pulling out a chair to sit down in. It startles Donna and she turns around quickly, breathing a sigh of relief when she spots Rose sitting with a smile on her face.

'Rose, you scared me!' Donna exclaims and Rose gives her an apologetic smile.

'Sorry…' Her response is sheepish. Donna stops what she's doing and goes over to sit at the table with her. Rose appears to have been doing some thinking. She just seems, so…hollow this morning.

'You look tired, considering the time…' Donna observes and Rose frowns.

'What time is it? I thought it was hard to keep track of time in the Vortex.' Rose recalls and Donna glances down to her watch. It's then that Rose notices that Donna is fully dressed, ready for what will come next. Rose looks down to herself and inwardly sighs. She's still dressed in her pink pyjama shorts and black tank top.

'According to the time back home, it's 11:45. In the morning.' Donna clarifies and Rose glances up to her, shocked.

'It's almost noon?' Rose repeats, shocked at she could sleep so late.

'I thought you liked to sleep in, Sleeping Beauty.' Donna comments and Rose notices that she has a playful grin on her face. She still feels her cheeks redden from the title that Donna has given her.

'Yeah, but it's so late!' Rose manages to get out, but she can't stop the smile that's appeared on her face. 'Does that mean you're gonna start calling me that?'

'Maybe I will.' Donna ponders that. Rose needs a nickname; after all, the Doctor has one. Why can't she? But she's not entirely sold on the nickname; perhaps she'll have to think of something more fitting.

'You're ready to go, that's a good thing.' Rose informs her and Donna instinctively looks down to her attire.

'It's really become a force of habit. Up early for the temp work, you know…' Donna trails off a bit and Rose nods.

'Yeah I know. Used to get up every morning, bright and early, catch the bus and off to the shop, long days.' Rose recalls and Donna tilts her head.

'Shop? So, you did work before this?' Donna wonders and Rose nods her head.

'It was pretty mundane. Hello, how are you? Can I help you? What brings you in today?' Rose remembers and then makes a bit of a face. 'People are rude.'

'Oh Rose, you're just figuring it out now?' Donna questions and Rose shakes her head.

'No…but it seems to be the only thing I can remember while there. Course, I worked with some pretty good people…' Rose remembers and smiles at the memory of them.

'So, what happened? Did you quit?' Donna wonders. Rose doesn't strike Donna as someone who would leave a job for the hell of it. She wonders if she found something better than working at a shop.

'Funny story actually…' Rose trails off and Donna leans forward in anticipation, wondering where the story could possibly be going. 'It was just an ordinary day in March, same old routine…I was closing up with a few others and lucky me, I was chosen to take…' Rose pauses, trying to remember exactly what it was she was carrying. 'Lottery money, that's it,' She snaps her fingers at the recollection. 'Anyway, I had to take it to the office in the basement. But it was empty; there wasn't a soul there. I heard an odd sound coming from the room where we store the mannequins, so I went to check it out.'

'I feel like you're telling me a story from a horror movie. You're just setting it up for bad things to happen! Don't follow the sounds! That's where the murderer is! Go to the police!' Donna cries out in a bit of a mock tone. Rose feels herself grinning back.

'Well, I was curious!' She replies defensively, and Donna just dismisses that with a wave of her hand. 'But there wasn't anything there…or so I thought. Then the mannequins started to come to life.'

'What? Like…how do you mean? Animated?' Donna wonders and Rose nods her head deeply.

'Animated. Autons,' Rose replies and Donna widens her eyes. She's starting to see where this story is going. 'Backed me up into a corner, ready to strike, and then I was saved.'

'Autons, huh? I think I know who the knight in shining armour was.' Donna feels the sly grin spreading slowly across her face.

'You got it.' Rose agrees and Donna folds her arms across her chest.

'Except something tells me it doesn't end there. Certainly not with him.' Donna states and Rose points her finger at her correct assessment.

'You got that right,' Rose leans forward and rests her elbows on the table. 'Go big or go home, seems to be his style. He blew up the building.'

'Blew it up? Like boom?' Donna gaped, throwing her hands up, mimicking an explosion gesture for emphasis.

'Huge explosion, all over the news, and you know him, gone before you can blink.' Rose crosses her arms, feeling the memories engulf her and a strange longing to return to that time, even for the briefest moment. She missed him. Even though he was still with her…she missed him.

'I'm shocked beyond belief, and yet, oddly, I'm not surprised. So, he blew up your job, and just off he went to the blue box, never to be seen again.'

'Or so I thought…' Rose leans back in her chair, drawing her legs up to her chin, resting her head on them.

'What? And not even an invitation to tag along?' Donna huffed and Rose grinned.

'A gentleman never lets a lady into his home on the first date,' Rose tried to stifle the laugh that accompanied the end of her sentence. She couldn't stop it and it caused Donna to laugh too. 'It was the third date.' She clarifies and Donna laughs louder.

'So you had one dance, and you decided to tango again?' Donna wonders and Rose nods her head.

'It wasn't even a dance the first time. More like…' Rose trails off trying to think of the appropriate word. 'Close encounter. And the next day he tried to break into my flat.' Rose informs her, rather annoyed, even though it had been so long since that incident had taken place, and she had immediately forgiven him.

'Oh that is so very him. Probably didn't even know you lived there.'

'Of course not, he was trailing the alien that had followed me home, oddly looking for him. And I sort of tried to get answers out of him, but he didn't want to tell me. Off he went again.' Rose rolled her eyes and Donna leaned back, trying to process all the information. If that wasn't fate, she didn't know what was.

'And yet, here you are, so I know it doesn't end there.' Donna responded Rose nodded deeply.

'Here I am,' She agreed. 'I wanted to learn more about this weird man…so I tracked down a man who was in to conspiracy theories, dragged my boyfriend, at the time, with me and he ended up getting attacked by the Autons, abducted and replaced. But I didn't notice until once again he pops back up. After that…I sorta invited myself along, after we escaped, and he finally let me into the TARDIS. Teamwork solved the mystery. Like a two person Scooby gang. But in all seriousness it was me. Who would have thought that those gymnastics classes would pay off.' Rose states and Donna frowns a bit, lost in her meaning.

'Huh, interesting. And I hope he invited you after that.'

'Oh, he did. But I said no,' Rose paused and saw Donna's horrified look. 'And he left. But not five seconds later do I hear him come back. Tempting me with the 'I travel in time' bit.' Rose recalls, remembering the way she ran, full out, into the TARDIS, the biggest smile on her face.

'Oh, that seals it, I would have been in.' Donna agrees and Rose smiles.

'Yeah, I was sold. Left everything behind,' Rose's features become pensive, so much has truly happened since that first night. So much had changed, between them, her life…everything. 'Why did you say no?'

'I'm sorry?' Donna asked, unsure of what she was getting at.

'Why did you say no to coming with us, back then?' Rose questioned and Donna leans back in the chair, trying to phrase her answer carefully. She goes over the response several times in her head before she decides to vocalise it.

'Honestly, the first time I saw him at the edge, teetering…he seemed…hell bent on destruction. It scared me. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't brought him back to his senses.'

'I know that…it isn't always easy to do.' Rose agrees and Donna rests her head in her hand, leaning her elbow on the table.

'He invited me…but I just couldn't. I was too scared of what he did…and he seemed rather distracted at the time. Plus it'd been a hard day…lost my job, Lance…' Donna paused briefly. 'You know, he talked about you. After he saved me. Chased me down the motorway…long story.'

'Yeah? I recall he told me about some of it. In fact he started it off with 'A woman appeared in the TARDIS, and Rose, was she mad!''

'Well who wouldn't be?!' Donna cried, but she smiled at the memory. 'It was so…so, it was so…'

'Alien?' Rose attempts and Donna nods.

'Yeah! I said he kidnapped me. Do you know, I think that our meeting was the only time I've left that man speechless? Couldn't get a bloody word out,' Donna smiles and Rose covers her mouth, trying not to laugh. Donna's features become sombre 'It was a really confusing day…in all aspects. You know, with the wedding, being randomly transported to the TARDIS, finding out Lance was lying about everything, the spider people, nearly drowning…'

'And now it's normal.' Rose offers and Donna smiles a bit.

'If we aren't chased by something when we land, I feel as though it's a waste,' Donna agrees and Rose stretches. 'Speaking of an odd man…where is he?'

'Uh, well…' Rose doesn't need to finish her thought; Donna already has the answer primed.

'Asleep? Really? Do you wear him out that much?' Donna questions and then widened her eyes at the statement, immediately she kicks herself for mentioning it.

Rose has turned scarlet and buries her face in her knees, feeling the heat of them. Oh, how she wished that Donna were still in the dark about some things. 'Uh…um…'

'Oh, no. Forget it. I'm sorry. Sometimes I don't think about what comes out of my mouth.' Donna replies, really wishing that she had thought about that more carefully before it left her mouth.

Rose nods her head, but doesn't look up, unsure of how she can face her. She knew Donna's comment was innocent, and nothing more than observational. There wasn't any ill will behind it.

It was nonetheless embarrassing for her and so she doesn't look up right away, and it's only causing Donna to feel more terrible. When Rose does finally turn her attention to Donna, her face is still crimson.

'Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean it like that,' Donna replies, still feeling terrible. 'Where's that hole that you crawled in earlier? I want to borrow it.'

Rose manages a weak smile and it puts Donna at ease slightly. 'I know, I know you didn't mean it.'

'Didn't mean what?' A new voice cuts in and both of them turn to see the Doctor leaning on the doorframe, tying his tie. He glances up at them when he doesn't receive a reply right away and notices the colour in Rose's cheeks, the regret written on Donna's face. What happened?

'Just me running my big mouth, that's all.' Donna said dismissively and the Doctor nods, Rose hasn't moved nor said a word from her spot on the chair. She's still dressed in her pyjamas; she can't have been here long. Donna is dressed, ready to go.

Rose abruptly stands up, and Donna watches her with a rueful smile on her face. The Doctor doesn't miss the look that passes between the two. What exactly happened? He hopes they haven't had a fight.

Rose passes him and just looks up to him, she has her arms wrapped around her and he watches her quicken her pace down the hall, quickly turning a corner.

'Did…did you two fight?' He wonders, nervous for the answer.

'No, of course not!' Donna frowns at him.

'Good…I hate fighting,' He responds and looks down the hall again, still not seeing Rose at all. 'So…what happened then?'

'Nosey, aren't we?' Donna crosses her arms. 'Don't worry about it, it was just between us girls.'

Somehow he doubted that. But who was he to pry the information out of her? He can feel Donna eyeing him suspiciously, but he pretends not to notice.

'So, by the looks of things, you're ready to go.' The Doctor observes and Donna shrugs.

'Ready when you are,' Donna pauses. 'Or when Sleeping Beauty is.'

The Doctor frowns at Donna's new name for Rose, but he doesn't have time to answer her when a new voice breaks through.

'Sleeping Beauty's ready.' Rose replies, tying an elastic band around the end of her braid.

Donna marvels, once again, at how different she appears to be in the short time she's been gone. She appears to have getting ready down to an art form. The black skinny jeans paired with a tunic length grey cardigan and purple tank looked well on her. She smiles at Donna and it tells her that everything has been forgotten. They needn't mention it again.

Donna inhales deeply and closes her eyes; Rose understands her silent thank you and another apology. The Doctor stands there still lost in their looks and suggests they all go to the console room. He knows where to take them next. Inspired by Rose's ring.

'There's a planet called Midnight?' Rose echoes and Donna crosses her arms.

'Right, it's a leisure planet.' The Doctor explains and Donna next crosses her arms, trying to figure out what that entails.

'So…like a resort…?' Rose offers and the Doctor nods.

'Exactly.'

'So…they'll have like…spas?' Donna suddenly thought and she and Rose exchange rather sly smiles. Actually if that's the truth, Donna's gotten really excited. A chance, finally, to be pampered and to relax. Oh, she's quite excited for that.

'Well, there's more to it than that.' The Doctor replies and Donna gives him a funny look. Rose is staring off, wondering about all the possibilities that would be on this planet called Midnight.

'Really? All right then, Spaceman, why are we going?'

'There's a waterfall made of sapphire.' He looked over his shoulder to them as he began flipping switches.

Rose widens her eyes at thought of that; truthfully she's trying to picture the beauty of such an amazing wonder, but it having trouble bringing it to fruition.

'That sounds too beautiful to be real.' Rose manages to get out and the Doctor gives her a smile.

'It does, doesn't it? But it's real, and we're going to see it.' He tells them and holds on tight as the TARDIS begins to shake. Rose grips the console and gives the Doctor an excited smile.

Strangely, though, Donna has been rather quiet since finding out where their next stop was. Rose turns over to her and she has a rather indifferent look on her face. It's like the thought of a sapphire waterfall doesn't interest her. Well, what else could there possibly be on this planet that would be more interesting?

The TARDIS ceases its shaking and all eyes go to the door. Rose tosses the Doctor a crooked smile and hastily walks towards it. Donna follows her and the Doctor after her. Rose gingerly pushes open the door and widens her eyes at the sight that stands before them.

She is immediately drawn to the window, well, in actuality they are in a city like bubble and they all appear to be interconnected. Rose presses her hand on the glass and stares, staggered at the landscape stretched in front of her.

While the sky is inky black, speckled with stars, the sun shines brightly on the glass city. Giving it a pleasant warmth. The mountains are jagged but shine brightly, reflecting the sun. It takes a moment for Rose to realise that the mountains are actually made of diamond. It's absolutely stunning.

It's even won Donna over, as she stands beside Rose, studying the landscape sprawled before them. Maybe it would be worth the trip. But when she hears the gentle humming of music, it reminds her that if this truly is a leisure planet, she was damned well going to enjoy it. Besides, she'd be content if she could pair her leisure time with this view. It's a win win.

'So?' The Doctor questions, breaking the hushed silence that's fallen over the little group.

'It's…I…mean, it's breathtaking,' Rose smiles up to the Doctor, and he responds by wrapping his arm around her waist. 'And somewhere in this landscape, there's a sapphire waterfall…'

'That's right, we'll go find it.' The Doctor takes Rose's hand and turns to Donna, but she is shaking her head.

'No.'

'No?' The Doctor echoes.

'Donna?' Rose questions, tilting her head, she doesn't understand why she doesn't want to go. Why the allure is simply too much.

'No, I'm going to stay behind,' She states firmly and points to the ceiling of the glass bubbles. 'You hear that? That's calming music, which means that this is a spa of some kind. And I'm going to enjoy it.'

As if on a cue, a smartly dressed man approaches the three of them and eyes them before deciding that they are new and obviously haven't checked in. Judging from their clothing, they must be very new.

'Are you…checking in?'

'Yes!' Donna replies at once and Rose and the Doctor look at each other. The man awaits his answer from the two of them.

'Well, yes we are, I suppose, but we won't be staying.' The Doctor informs the man and he nods.

'Very well then, come with me, Miss, and we'll get you sorted into a room.' The man turns on his heel and leaves. Donna lingers for a moment and turns back to them.

'Well, you two have fun. I'll see you later.' Donna informs them and she starts to follow the man.

'Do you think we should follow, just in case?' Rose inquires and the Doctor nods.

'It wouldn't hurt. We can get our bearings that way as well.' The Doctor says and they begin to follow Donna, who has disappeared around a corner.

They wander for some time before they have caught up to Donna, who is carrying something fluffy in her hands. Rose darts towards her, hoping that maybe she could change her mind.

'I'm sorry, Rose. Not interested. Come here, with me for a second, maybe I can change your mind.' Donna informs her and Rose frowns. She follows Donna into an elaborate room. The Doctor tagging along behind them.

There is a small, shallow pool located in the middle of the room, there are beautiful pillars and arches to give the room a luxurious feel. And the ceiling is also made out of glass and is shaped like a dome. In the centre of the room, facing the pool, is a lounge chair, it's poised in the perfect position to reflect the light of the brilliant sun filling the room. Rose turns a small circle, the room does look tempting, to just sit and tan. But she's too interested in seeing the sapphire waterfall.

'Well?' Donna holds out her one arm for emphasis, keeping the fluffy object tucked under her arm.

Even the Doctor looks around, staring up at the glass roof. He rocks a bit on his heels, studying everything. 'It's nice…'

'But?' Donna questions and Rose frowns, trying to place the words correctly.

'I dunno, I mean, it's nice, but I'd like to see the waterfall first, then come back here.' Rose says and Donna nods.

'All right, well off you go then.' Donna replies, but there isn't a hint of anger or annoyance in her voice. Merely firmness. She wishes to remain here. Rose figures they won't be able to convince her otherwise.

'We'll tell you all about it when we get back.' Rose assures her and Donna smiles at her.

'I can't wait.' Is her reply, her smile is warm. The Doctor rubs his hands together and nods his head.

'All right then, Donna. We'll see you in a while.'

'Great, go, wander, and do whatever it is the two of you do.' Donna waves her hand dismissively.

'Will do!' Rose replies and links arms with the Doctor, pulling him in the direction of the door. She turns over her shoulder and waves to Donna. Donna waves back and once they've gone through the door. She glances around the room, now this she was going to enjoy.

'Turn left! Yeah right, it's more of turn left, left, right.' Rose replies annoyed, as they slow their run to a slow walk. Obviously the man they'd ask directions from wasn't sure of their surroundings.

They should have known from the hesitation in his voice and his reluctance to answer their question. The underground departure location is dark and smoky. Rose crinkles her nose.

'Oh, don't worry Rose, we found it, didn't we?' The Doctor informs her and Rose nods her head.

'Yeah, but we just made it.' Rose replies and the Doctor notices a wall phone on the grimy concrete wall. She watches the passengers begin to board the coach. She thought there'd be more people; it's a sapphire waterfall!

'You think we should try once more? I'm sure they'd hold the coach.' The Doctor questions and Rose spots what he's been staring at. She debates her answer.

'Sure, why not? The most she'll tell us is to leave her alone, stop pestering her…'

'All right.' The Doctor walks towards the phone, Rose following and he dials the number to Donna's suite.

The shrill ring of a phone shattered the peacefulness of her sanctuary. She inwardly sighs when she catches sight of the well-dressed man walking towards her with a telephone on a tray. Already knowing whom it was, Donna reaches for the phone and watches the man depart. She lifts the receiver.

'I said no!'

'Sapphire waterfall! It's a waterfall made of sapphires!' He pauses and Donna grins cheekily. They sure are persistent. 'This enormous jewel, size of a glacier, reaches the Cliffs of Oblivion, and then shatters into sapphires at the edge, they fall one hundred thousand feet into a crystal ravine.'

'Is that what you said to Rose? Is that what you tell all the girls?' Donna questions and she frowns when she hears shuffling in the background, like the phone was being passed around.

'Oh, please come, Donna!' Rose's voice is heard next and she shakes her head at their effort. 'Everyone is boarding now! It won't take long; it'll only be four hours. Come on, it'll be fun.'

'No way, that's four hours there and four hours back, it's like a school trip. I'd rather go sunbathing, which, by the way, is very lovely. You don't know what you're missing.' Donna taunts and she hears Rose let out an exasperated sigh. Merely for effect.

'All right, I give up.' Rose replies defeated and again Donna hears the shuffling, the Doctor's voice is heard.

'We'll be back for dinner.'

'Good, we can try this anti gravity restaurant the waiter recommended.' Donna informs them.

'And Donna, careful with the sunbathing, it's Xtonic light.'

'Oh, I'm safe. It says in the brochure this glass is fifteen feet thick.' Donna glances to the brochure that has found its way to the floor. She reaches over and picks it up with her free hand.

'See you later, then.'

'Oi! You two be careful, okay?' Donna insists and sits up slightly from the conviction in her voice.

'Nah. Taking a big space truck with a bunch of strangers across a diamond planet called Midnight, what could possibly go wrong?'

Donna smiles slightly, and the connection becomes silent, indicating he's hung up the phone. Donna stares at the phone a few moments before she carefully sets it back on the hook.

She settles back into a comfortable position and closes her eyes. He's right, what could possibly go wrong? Rose is with him, they have each other. They'll be fine.

The coach that will be taking them to the waterfall is more like a bus truck. It is thickly labelled Crusader 50, along the side. Parked in the dank industrial like garage, it blends in well. It's larger than a regular bus; it's sturdier, solid and twice the size. It has caterpillar treads and very large headlights.

Rose and the Doctor hang back a bit and watch a few more passengers board before he takes Rose's hand and together they walk towards the coach.

'I seriously am really excited.' Rose beams up to him as they are halted behind another few passengers.

'Good, I am too.'

'I wish Donna would have come with us.' Rose informs him and takes a look over her shoulder, as if she expected to see her come bounding around the corner, announcing that she's changed her mind. But nothing happens.

'She won't know what she's missing.' The Doctor agreed and Rose frowned a bit.

'Leisure planet called Midnight. What made you think to stop here?' She inquired and he reached over for her right hand. He picked it up and twisted the ring on her finger so it was no longer sitting crooked.

'Heard about this place years ago. Always wanted to come but never made it. And the thought always sat in the back of my mind,' The Doctor explains as they board the coach, turning back to Rose as they walk down the aisle. 'Last night I sort of remembered.'

Rose wiggles her fingers in his face, a huge smile on her face. 'I'm so good at giving you ideas.'

'It wouldn't be the first time.' He agrees and they continue to walk down the aisle, trying to find seats.

The coach bus is practical, but there is a touch of luxury evident. It has a rather large interior, but it is clearly evident that this vehicle is made to explore. The rivets are visible in the studded metal and it is tough looking. There are two rows of seats on either side of the exterior walls until they bisect across. After that, there are two more rows going back. All of the seats have windows, but the glass is murky, making it hard to see out of.

Rose looks over her shoulder to see a small area at the back of the coach reserved for the hostess, there's a small kitchen visible to the eye. At the front end, there is a bigger door, which Rose assumes is where the driver is located.

The Doctor seems to have settled on finding a seat for them and has chosen some on the left hand side of the coach, closer to the front. Rose gets in to her seat first and the Doctor moves in to sit next to her.

Rose watches from the corner of her eye as two more people take a seat behind them. It looks like a studious man, a bit older and younger woman takes her seat beside him. She's rather plainly dressed, but nonetheless she appears to be excited, but her features paint her a bit withdrawn.

She watches as a family boards next. Typical holiday family. The couple is enthusiastic, and their son has a sullen expression his face. It's clear he's been dragged to this by his parents. He sits away from them, solidifying Rose's theory.

The Doctor notices the woman who boarded the same time as the hostess sitting near the front of the coach on the right side. She's very smartly dressed but quiet, she appears to be alone and is reserved.

Rose turns back to the Doctor and shrugs at him. 'Quite an interesting collection of people.' She whispers to him.

He's about to answer her when the hostess approaches, she's sharply dressed in a smart uniform and has a warm smile. She has a whole mess of plastic packages in her hands. She begins to hand things to the Doctor, and he passes them off to Rose.

'That's the headphones for channels one to thirty six, modem link for 3D vidgames, complimentary earplugs, complimentary slippers, complimentary juice packs, and complimentary peanuts, I must warn you that some products may contain nuts.' She finishes, taking a sharp breath.

'That'll be the peanuts.' The Doctor holds up the last package.

'Enjoy your trip.' She informs them and the Doctor nods his head.

'Oh, we can't wait! Allons-y!'

'I'm sorry…?' The hostess questions and Rose and the Doctor exchange looks. Rose leans across him.

'It's…French…for let's go.' Rose informs her and the hostess gives them a very frosty smile.

'Fascinating.' She replies and moves along. She stops at the next passengers and begins her speech again.

'That's the headphones for…' She is abruptly cut off by the man.

'No thank you! Not for us!' He exclaims and the hostess gives him a curt nod, moving on to the family next.

The man behind them has begun to speak again, and Rose and the Doctor can't help but listen in to his conversation. The young girl with him is still trying to sort out her bags.

'They call it a sapphire waterfall, it's no such thing, sapphire's an aluminium oxide, but the glacier's just a compound silica with iron pigmentation, have you got that pillow for my back?' He suddenly switches subjects and Rose crosses her arms.

'Well, he's sure sucked the magic out of that.' Rose whispers and the Doctor smiles.

'Science does it again.' He agrees and the young woman has begun to answer the man.

'Yes, sir.' She says.

'And my pills?' He questions and the young woman nods.

'All measured out, there you go.' She hands him a small container. The man is suddenly aware that they are not alone and so he leans over the seat and smiles at Rose and the Doctor.

'Hobbes! Professor Winfold Hobbes!' He says enthusiastically and sticks his hand over for them to shake.

'I'm the Doctor, hello!'

'My name's Rose, it's nice to meet you!' Rose shakes his hand when he offers it to her next.

'It's my fourteenth time!' Hobbes brags and the Doctor blinks at the number he just said.

'Oh! It's our first.' The Doctor replies and the young woman with Hobbes appears over the seats and offers her hand to them as well.

'And I'm Dee Dee, Dee Dee Blasco…' She is abruptly cut off by Hobbes.

'Now don't bother the couple, where's my water bottle?' Hobbes inquires and Dee Dee sighs softly as she sinks down. Undeterred, Rose turns over in her seat, and reaches her hand down.

'I'm Rose, and this is the Doctor.' Rose point and Dee Dee offers her a gracious smile as she shakes Rose's hand.

'It's nice to meet you, Rose.' Dee Dee smiles sheepishly at her, not looking over to Hobbes as she hands him his water bottle.

While Rose is still leaning over her seat, the Doctor locks eyes with the fashionable businesswoman sitting at the front of the coach. He smiles warmly at her, but she turns her attention back to her book, without returning his gesture.

The family that boarded has begun to stir as well; the mother of the son has started to talk loudly, in an obvious attempt to embarrass him.

'Now don't be silly, come and sit with us! Look! We've get slippers!' She calls to her son but he ignores her. Rose turns around to sit back down and slowly eyes the family. The son is not impressed with her attempts to talk to him.

'Teenagers.' Rose shrugs and the Doctor smiles, she rests her head on his shoulder. A new voice causes her to jump; it's got hidden authority behind it. She rests her head once more. Feeling suddenly tired and drained, with a bit of a migraine starting.

'Jethro! Do what your mother says.' He calls to him, but the son's reply is very firm.

'I'm sitting here.'

'Oh, he's ashamed of us,' The father informs his wife, loud enough to ensure Jethro can still hear them. 'But he doesn't mind us paying, does he?'

'Don't start you two,' The mother warns, and her mind has switched to something else. 'Should I save the juice pack or have it now? Look, it's peach and clementine!'

The hostess has moved to the front of the coach and all eyes are on her as she begins to give her talk that Rose is sure she's done hundreds, if not millions of times.

'Ladies and gentlemen and variations thereupon, welcome on board the Crusader Fifty, if you could fasten your seatbelts,' She watches to ensure they all do. 'We'll be leaving any moment. Doors!' She calls and the entrance door slams shut with an audible clunk. 'Shields down!'

Metal shutters descend over all the windows. They're now completely sealed inside the coach.

'I'm afraid the view is shielded until we reach the Waterfall Palace, as you know, the planet Midnight orbits an Xtonic star, which has fused the planet's surface into solid diamonds. Can't risk a little sunburn,' There is a soft murmur of agreement as the hostess pauses. 'And a reminder that Midnight has no air, so please don't touch the exterior door seals. The fire exit is at the rear, though, should we never need to use it…you first. Ha, ha,' She laughs at her own joke. 'Now I'll hand you over to Driver Joe.'

The intercom springs to life as a cheery voice fills the coach. 'Driver Joe at the wheel, hello! There's been a diamond fall at the Winter Witch Canyon, so we'll be taking a slight detour, as you'll see on the map.'

The front wall, there are plasma screens, one on either side of the crew cabin door. It has started to light up with a depiction of the Crusader and its intended path, arrows showing where they are and jagged contours. The hostess points out the details to the passengers.

'The journey covers five hundred kliks to the Multifaceted Coast; duration is estimated at four hours. Thank you for travelling with us, and as they used to say in the olden days…wagons roll!' The intercom goes silent and Rose turns over to the Doctor.

'Diamond fall, Winter Witch Canyon? I feel like I'm in a fairytale.' Rose says and the Doctor smiles.

'Looks like the magic's back.' He counters and her grin becomes wide.

'For your entertainment, we have the Music Channel playing retrovids of Earth Classics,' A TV screen slides down in front of Rose and the Doctor playing 70s Italian pop, they exchange funny looks. 'Also, we have the latest Artistic Installations from Ludovic Klein,' Projections on the left and right walls, simple oil wheels, all moving blob like shapes. 'Plus, for the youngsters, a rare treat from the Animation Archives,' The hostess reaches up and pulls down a white screen from the roof, in front of the crew cabin door. A projection lights up and begins playing old 1940s shorts of Betty Boop. 'Four hours of funtime! Enjoy!' She smiles and walks to the back.

The coach has erupted into a box of noise and colour. The pop song going on and on, the oil wheel, comedic boings from the cartoon, Rose covers her ears, the Doctor turns to her.

'Anything you can do?' She wonders and the Doctor nods.

'Course.' He nods and he turns to the rest of the passengers, he again locks eyes with the businesswoman and she rolls her eyes at him.

He reaches into his pocket and takes out his sonic. Rose grins and there is a discreet whirring sound and all of the entertainments abruptly turn off.

'Well that's a mercy!' Hobbes declares and Rose breathes a sigh of relief.

'Thank you, it was starting to give me a migraine.' She rubs her temples.

'Yeah, you okay?' He inquires, Rose gives him a short nod and watches as the hostess dashes forward, the businesswoman gives him a short nod, her nonverbal thank you.

'I'll be fine.' Rose reassures him and the hostess turns around rather nervously.

'I do apologise, ladies and gentlemen and variations thereupon. We seem to have had a failure of the Entertainment System…'

'But what do we do?!' The mother cries out, utterly lost.

'We've got four hours of this! Four hours of just sitting here!' Her husband replies.

The Doctor pops his head up over the seat and Rose follows suit. 'Tell you what! We'll have to talk to each other instead! How about that, then? Eh?'

He's met with uncertainty from the rest of the passengers, but that doesn't stop his smile.

He pulls Rose to different seats and she encourages the rest of the passengers to join them in a circle.

'Oh, come on! We can revive the lost art of conversation!' She encourages and Dee Dee stands up as well, shuffling to join them. That seems to be spark that the rest of the passengers needed, and they, too, start to move.

Everyone has moved to form a circle in the centre of aisle, using the central aisle crossroad. Hobbes, Dee Dee, Biff and Val, all decided to join in. The businesswoman remained seated at the front of the coach, engrossed in her book, Biff and Val's son, Jethro was still deciding to be antisocial, and the hostess is at the back, very bored.

Rose has a large smile on her face; she holds the Doctor's hand as they listen to Val's anecdote.

'So Biff said, I'm going swimming,' Val starts, but Biff takes over.

'Oh, I was all ready, trunks and everything! Nose plug!' He informs them.

'He had this little nose plug, you should've seen him.'

'So I went marching up to the lifeguard, and he was a Shamboni, you know, those big foreheads?' Biff replies, finishing the next half of Val's sentence.

'Great big forehead!' Val agrees.

'And I said, where's the pool? And he said…'

'The pool…is abstract!' Val and Biff say in unison.

Their anecdote draws loud laughter from Rose, the Doctor, Dee Dee, Hobbes and of course, Val and Biff. The hostess stifles a laugh and Jethro tries to hide his smile, not wanting to admit he was having fun.

'It wasn't a real pool!' Val insists.

'It was a concept!' Biff replies and he shakes his head.

'It wasn't real!' Val begins to laugh again.

'And you had a nose plug!' The Doctor begins to laugh, Rose has to cover her mouth, she's laughing again.

'I was like this!' Biff mimes a nose plug, and the little group falls back into loud laughter.

Rose and Dee Dee are at the back of the cabin, making themselves instant coffee. She enjoys Dee Dee, and Rose begins to stir in some milk into one of the cups.

'I'm just a second year student, but I wrote a paper on the Lost Moon of Poosh. Professor Hobbes read it, and he liked it, so he took me on a researcher,' Dee Dee informs her and Rose hands the coffee with milk over to the Doctor who has just joined them. He gives her a funny look when he notices her coffee is black. 'Well, I say researcher, most of the time he's got me fetching and carrying. But it's all good experience!' She finishes, trying to ensure she sounds up beat, and not sounding like she's taking this opportunity for naught.

'And did they ever find it?' The Doctor questioned, catching some of their conversation.

'Find what?' Dee Dee wonders and Rose smiles at her.

'The Lost Moon of Poosh!' Rose exclaims and Dee Dee shakes her head.

'No! Not yet!'

'Well, maybe that'll be your great discovery, one day,' The Doctor says encouragingly and he raises his coffee, with Rose and Dee Dee following suit. 'Here's to Poosh!'

'Poosh!' Rose and Dee Dee say in unison.

The Doctor decides to engage the businesswoman in a conversation as Rose and Dee Dee go back and sit down. The Doctor drops into a seat next to the woman and she turns over to him, giving a rather confused look.

The hostess has just walked down the aisle with trays of food. Rose crinkles her nose as she examines it, and she turns to the Doctor, who is still chatting with the businesswoman, he catches her eye and points to the food. She smiles and nods, a grin breaking out on her face, she turns back to Dee Dee.

The Doctor turns back to Sky, who she introduced herself as. She seems to have relaxed slightly as she shifted her food tray, but still remained uptight.

'Are you travelling with your wife?' Sky inquired, turning back to Rose, and the Doctor shook his head.

'No, she's not…not my wife,' The Doctor informs her and Sky nods, understanding their connection. 'Her name is Rose. I'm also with another friend, Donna; she stayed behind in the Leisure Palace. And you?'

'No. Just me.' Her response is curt, but there is a hint of regret and sadness in it as well.

'Oh, I've done plenty of that. Travelling on my own. Love it. Do what you want! Go anywhere!' He replies enthusiastically. Sky seems unsure and moves around some of her food.

'I'm still getting used to it,' Sky admits and she falls into silence. The Doctor waits patiently for her to continue. She turns up to him and her eyes are sad. 'Found myself single, rather recently. Not by choice.' She adds bitterly.

'What happened?' He wonders, and Sky scoffs.

'Oh. The usual. She needed her own space, as they say. A different galaxy, in fact, I reckon that's enough space, don't you?' Sky offers a bit of a rueful smile.

'Yeah, I reckon it is.' He agrees and Sky looks down to her meagre meal.

'Is this chicken or beef?' Sky pokes the questionable meat on her tray, hoping to steer the conversation away from her personal life.

'I think it's both.' The Doctor replies, also poking the meat. Sky smiles a bit.

The Doctor and Rose are watching Hobbes who has positioned himself at the front of the coach, using the white pull down screen. The lights are lower and Dee Dee is in charge of an old slide projector some ways down the aisle. Simple, open slides have projected themselves onto the screen.

Hobbes has gained quite the audience, Biff and Val have both moved closer so that they can see, their son, Jethro also moved closer. Even the hostess has chosen a seat so that she can see. Sky is still sitting away from the group, but she is half paying attention.

Hobbes points at a big circle on the screen, there is an M, a sun, and arrows.

'So this is Midnight, do you see? Bombarded by the sun! Xtonic rays, raw Galvanic Radiation, and the history is fascinating, Dee Dee, next slide, come on!' Hobbes instructs and Dee Dee quickly changes slides to show a pie chart of Midnight's eras.

'It's a pet project; I'm actually the first person to research this. Cause, you see,' Hobbes sits and lowers his voice, almost as if to mimic the tone one would use in a ghost story. 'The history is fascinating, because there is no history. There's not life in this entire system, there couldn't be. Not ever. Before the Leisure Palace Company moved in, no one had come here. In all eternity. No living thing…'

'But how do you know? I mean, if no one can go outside…' Jethro wonders and Val begins to laugh.

'Oh, his imagination! Here we go!' She rolls her eyes.

'Well, he's got a valid point, though, Val. How do we know?' Rose turns to her and Val's smile has disappeared.

'Exactly!' Hobbes exclaims. 'We look upon this world through glass. Safe inside our metal box. Even the Leisure Palace was lowered down from orbit, no Human footstep. And here we are, now. Crossing Midnight. But never touching it. A planet older than the Earth. Shining in the sky, since before the Human Race was born. And still unknown.' Hobbes finishes, a bit of a smile on his features.

Suddenly they feel the Crusader stop, the engines, struggling to keep their power before they die and the lights briefly go out, only to turn right back on again. Everyone has become alert and silent. Rose and the Doctor exchange looks, wondering if they've managed to step into trouble once again.

'We've stopped. Have we stopped?' Val wonders and she looks around the coach.

'Are we there?' Biff questions and Dee Dee shakes her head.

'Can't be, it's too soon.'

'They don't stop, Crusader vehicles, never stop.' Hobbes informs them and Rose looks up to the Doctor.

'That's slightly unsettling. I wonder what happened.' Rose whispers.

'Excuse me, hostess? Why have we stopped?' Hobbes questions and the hostess begins to stand, walking towards the back.

'If you could just return to your original seats, thank you very much, it's just a small delay,' She turns back to them as she approaches a back wall phone. She picks it up and whispers furiously into the phone. 'Joe? What's going on?'

Rose helps Dee Dee pack up the projector while the Doctor heads back to their original seat. There is an uncomfortable silence that is weighing heavily on the little group. Hobbes' words have struck a cord with them. If Crusader vehicles never stop, why have they? Did they break down? Surely there is a plausible explanation for all of this.

'Maybe just a pit stop.' Biff offered but Hobbes shook his head adamantly.

'But there's no pit stop in, I've been on this expedition fourteen times, they never stop.'

'Well evidently, we have stopped, so what's the point of denying it?' Sky turns to them, her tone is sharp.

'It's all right, don't panic everyone.' Rose tries to calm them down, eyeing Sky. She just goes back to reading her book.

'We've broken down!' Jethro says enthusiastically.

'Thank you, Jethro.' Val replies sarcastically and crosses her arms in frustration.

'In the middle of nowhere!' His mother's tone does nothing to stop Jethro from speaking out, potentially worrying the others.

'That's enough, now stop it!' Biff warns. Rose doesn't like that man's ability to switch moods so quickly.

'I'm going to check with the driver,' The Doctor informs Rose, standing up. 'Stay here and try to keep them calm.'

'Will do.' Rose stands as well.

The hostess has just put down the phone and turned to the rest of the group. 'Ladies and gentlemen and variations thereupon, we're just experiencing a short delay, the driver needs to stabilise the engine feeds. It's perfectly routine. If you could just stay in your seats…' She instructs, but the Doctor approaches the driver's cabin. 'No, I'm sorry sir, if you could sit down, thank you…'

Rose steps in front of her and smiles. 'You needn't worry, he's an engine expert!' And the Doctor appears over Rose's shoulder and flashes the hostess the Psychic Paper.

'Two ticks!' He smiles and presses the button for the door. It opens with an audible whoosh and he steps inside.

The cockpit is cramped, a bit dark and full of blinking computer lights. There are two seats, and two men sitting in them. In front of the men are more blank metal shutters that slope at the angle of a windscreen. The sound of the doors opening draws the two men's attention to look at the door.

'Sorry, if you could just return to your seat, sir…' Joe attempts to ask, but the Doctor just shows them the Psychic Paper as he hunkers down in between Joe and the other man.

'Company Insurance, let's see if we can get an early assessment, so what's the problem, driver Joe?' The Doctor wonders and Joe clears his throat.

'We're just stabilising the engine feeds, won't take long.' Joe informs him.

'Um, no. Cause…that's the engine feed,' The Doctor points to the screen. 'That light there, and it's fine, and it's the micropetrol engine, so 'stabilising' doesn't really make sense, does it?' Both men stare at the Doctor, unsure of who he is and what he's going on about. The Doctor picks up their odd looks blinks. 'Sorry! I'm the Doctor. I'm very clever. So what's wrong?'

'Well…don't tell the others, but…uh, no idea.' Joe admits and sighs a bit.

'We just stopped. Everything's working, look, all systems fine. But we're not moving.' The second man informs them.

While Joe has been talking, the Doctor has been sonicing the dashboard, trying to find out where the problem may be.

'You're right. No faults, and who are you?' The Doctor asks and stops sonicing.

'Claude, I'm the mechanic. Trainee.' He adds.

'Nice to meet you.'

'I've sent a distress signal, they'll dispatch a rescue truck, top speed.' Joe informs them and the Doctor frowns.

'How long till they get here?'

'About an hour.' Joe replies.

'Well. Since we're waiting…shall we take a look outside?' The Doctor offers and a smile breaks out. 'Just…lift the screen a bit?'

'It's 100% Xtonic out there, we'd get vaporised.' Joe reminds him and the Doctor shrugs his shoulders.

'No, those windows are Finitoglass, they'd give a couple of minutes,' The Doctor explains but Claude and Joe exchange apprehensive gazes. 'Oh, go on! Live a little!'

Joe still sighs uneasily, but nonetheless presses a button and the metal shutters begin to rise.

Stark white light shines through and into their faces, Claude and Joe cover their eyes but the Doctor keeps his eyes open in anticipation. He smiles widely as Midnight's exterior is finally visible.

There are flat diamond plains rising to a half mile away from them, some of the plains are jagged diamond cliffs. They are glittering against the black sky above, underneath the relenting sun.

'Ohh, that's beautiful…' He's almost tempted to go back and get Rose, but figures that it wouldn't be the best thing to do right now.

'All those diamonds. Poisoned by the sun. No one can touch them.' Claude says, his tone is slightly embittered.

The Doctor suddenly remembers something and he turns to Joe. 'Joe, you said you took a detour?'

'Just forty kliks to the West.' He replies innocently.

'Is that a recognised path?' The Doctor wonders and Joe shakes his head.

'No, it's a new one, the computer worked it out, on automatic.' Joe replies and motions to the dashboard.

'So we're the first…?' The Doctor pauses as he mulls over that thought. He's become rather entranced by the idea. 'This piece of ground. No one's ever been here before. Not in the whole of recorded history.'

Claude, who hasn't been paying attention to the conversation, but rather, staring out of the window, suddenly sits straight up in his chair, leaning forward to the windscreen and blinking.

'Did you…?' Claude starts, but then stops his sentence. He just stares out of the window.

'What?' The Doctor questions but Claude shakes his head.

'No. Sorry. Nothing.'

Not believing it, the Doctor tries again. Something has startled him. 'What did you see?'

'I thought…something moved. Over there.' Claude points to the diamond surface, but it remains unchanged. He is pointing to the cliffs and rocks, however, nothing is moving, just a still surface. They all stare, unnerved out the window.

'Where?' The Doctor questions, trying to get more information out of him.

'Just over there,' Claude points out the window again. 'That ridge.'

'Don't be stupid.' Joe scoffs.

'Like…a shadow. Just for a second.' Claude describes.

'What sort of shadow?' The Doctor wonders and just as Claude opens his mouth to answer him a small alarm begins to sound.

'Xtonic rising! Shields up.' Joe pushes a button and the shields begin to rise. Claude is craning his head through the gap trying to see.

'There it is!' Claude cries and the Doctor tilts his head trying to see.

'Where?!' But doesn't make it in time and the shutters close. 'What was it?'

Claude clearly looks upset and worried. 'Like, just, something…shifting, something sort of…dark. Like it was…running.' Claude widens his eyes at his own description of the shadow.

'Running which way?' The Doctor questioned, already knowing the answer.

'Towards us.'

There is an uncomfortable silence sitting between the three of them. Claude shifts in his chair nervous and Joe shakes his head.

'Now come on! That's enough. Doctor, back to your seat. And not a word. Let's not panic them, the rescue's on its way. If you could close the door, thank you.' Joe turns back to the dashboard and says no more.

The Doctor doesn't argue, instead he steps back through the door, which promptly closes behind him.

Rose is sitting next to Sky who seems to be on edge out of everyone. The rest of the passengers are sitting quietly in their original seats.

Rose immediately gets up and walks towards him. He takes her by the arm and turns her away from the rest of the group. She can tell there's something worrying him and she frowns.

'What is it?' Rose wonders. She doesn't receive her reply when Sky breaks in, demanding answers.

'What did they say? Did they tell you? What is it, what's wrong?' The words tumble out of her mouth very quickly and the Doctor turns to look over to her. Her eyes are wide and her breathing is shallow. He swallows and takes a deep breath.

'Oh, just stabilising, happens all the time.' He musters and while Sky seems to accept this, she doesn't appear to be too happy.

'I don't need this. I'm on a schedule. This is completely unnecessary!' She cries and crosses her arms.

The hostess approaches them, her voice falters but she tries to remain calm. 'Back to your seats, thank you.'

Rose relents and together they sit back down. Hoping to get some more information from him, Rose drops her voice, hoping to not arouse suspicion from the rest of the passengers.

'Okay, what happened in there?'

'The mechanic swears he saw something moving out in the terrain.' The Doctor responds, keeping his voice low.

'Moving? I thought nothing could live on the surface because of the Xtonic light.' Rose recalls and the Doctor nods.

'Whatever it is, it scared him. And, well, not to cause you to panic, but he said it was running.'

'Running? To…towards us?' Rose breathes and the Doctor nods. Rose sits straight in her seat stares off.

'Don't worry, it may be nothing.'

'It could be something. Doctor, if he saw something alive out there…maybe the terrain is changing…Maybe life is beginning to form.' Rose says and he silently agrees with her thinking. His silence tells Rose that he's already thought of that possibility.

Dee Dee leans forward and ensures her voice is low, she taps the Doctor on his arm quietly and he turns around.

'Excuse me, Doctor, but they're micropetrol engines, aren't they.' She whispers. Hobbes has caught her inquiring about them.

'No, don't bother the man.' He scolds, but Dee Dee won't be put off.

'But my father was a mechanic, and…micropetrol doesn't stabilise, what does 'stabilise' mean?'

Well…bit of flim flam. Don't worry, they're sorting it out.' He tries to assure them, but Hobbes doesn't buy the excuse. It tells Rose that this problem is much more serious. The crew doesn't know what's going on, there is the threat of an odd shadow running towards them and they don't know how to get the engines running. And well, they are pretty isolated.

'So, it's not the engines?' Hobbes questions and Rose bites her lip, unsure of his answer.

'Just a little pause, that's all.' The Doctor replies and Rose exhales slowly.

'How much air have we got?' Hobbes questions, his voice is a bit loud and Rose widens her eyes.

'Professor, please…there's no need to worry, we'll be fine…' Rose is cut off by Val shouting across the aisle to them.

'What did he say?' Val calls to them.

'He didn't say anything!' Rose calls back.

'Are we running out of air?' She questions and before the Doctor can back Rose up, the professor has shrugged his shoulders. But he denies nothing, he adds to the already mounting tension.

'I was just speculating…' He begins and Biff turns to the hostess, starting to panic.

'Is that right? Miss? Are we running out of air?' He questions and the hostess opens her mouth to answer him, but doesn't get the chance to.

'Is that what the captain said?' Sky calls to the Doctor and he tries to reply to her but the hostess has found her voice.

She needs to gain quick control of this situation, panic spreads like wildfire and she has to deal with it now. 'If you could all just remain calm…' She tries but Val has interjected.

'How much air have we got?'

'I can assure you, everything is under control.' The hostess finishes, trying very hard to remain profession for this lot. She's just as nervous as she is, but it wouldn't do any good to show it.

But that isn't the answer they've been looking for. And immediately once the sentence had left the hostess's mouth, everyone begins to frantically talk, and they talk over one another. It's getting loud.

'Well he said it, and he's a Professor! He should know! He started it!' Val insists and points to Hobbes.

'Doesn't look like it me! I'm entitled to ask! Are we or are we not, running out of air?!' Biff demands and the hostess struggles to form a sentence.

'Everyone, please calm down!' Rose cries as she stands up, trying to break into the shouting, but she is promptly ignored.

'Mum, just stop it, oh my god, you're shaming me!' Jethro covers his face with his hands, turning red slightly.

'Mrs. Cane, I'm not an expert in mechanics, it was just idle speculation.' Hobbes tries to reassure Val, but she crosses her arms unconvinced.

'Please, everyone! It'll be fine! I promise!' Rose interjects again, but her voice is lost in the sea of voices.

'It's a circular filter, it's fine, just read the manual…' Dee Dee cries, but she is too timid and Sky's demanding voice floats over top of hers.

'I want to see the driver! Hostess! I demand to see the driver!'

'Doctor…' Rose leans down to him. 'They aren't listening…' She sighs and he stands up.

'I'll get their attention,' He promises and turns to face the group. 'Oi, now, hush, hush, hush, everyone, hush, thank you…Quiet!' He shouts and immediately everyone is silenced. They remain in their spots but seem to be relieved that someone has taken charge. 'Thank you. Now, if you'd care to listen to my good friend Dee Dee…' He motions to her and Dee Dee clears her throat.

'Oh! Um…it's just that…the air's on a circular filter. We could stay breathing for ten years. Although, that would be a bit silly.' She tries to smile to convince them, but it comes across as a nervous one.

'But there you are! And I've spoken to the captain, I can guarantee you, everything's fine.' The Doctor replies.

No sooner have those words left his mouth when there is a tapping coming from outside the coach on the left hand wall, towards the front.

Rose whips around and stares at the origin of the sound, everyone stays frozen in their spots, listening.

'What was that?' Val wonders, her voice is hushed.

'It's just the metal. We're cooling down, it must be settling…' Hobbes attempts to explain, but the hostess shakes her head.

'I've never heard it make a noise like that before.' The hostess replies and that response causes everyone to study the contents of the coach intensely, wondering what could possibly happen next.

'Rocks. Could be rocks falling.' Dee Dee offers and Rose frowns. She looks up to the Doctor who is studying everything. It's slightly unnerving and Rose wonders if it could be that shadow that the mechanic saw earlier. Shadows usually have something that casts it.

However the Vashta Nerada didn't. Rose knows it couldn't be them, they require a body to inhibit and they come from forests. It is something similar?

'What I want to know is, how long do we have to sit here…' Biff is abruptly cut off by the tapping sound again. It's louder this time, it causes Rose to jump from the unexpectedness of it and everyone tenses.

'What is it?' Sky wonders and Val takes a hold of her husband's arm.

'Someone's out there…' She says and Hobbes scoffs at the very idea.

'Now, don't be ridiculous.' He informs her. Val glares at him.

'Like I said, it could be rocks.' Dee Dee offers a flimsy excuse, the hostess ensure she points out the weakness of it.

'We're out in the open. Nothing could fall against the side.'

Again the tapping sound fills the coach, but it's moved, a few feet back. Everyone has starting to follow the sound. The Doctor and Rose watch grimly, but they can't help but be fascinated by it. It appears that Jethro is also engrossed in the potential of this sound.

'Knock knock.' The Doctor looks at Rose, his demeanour puts her at ease.

'Who's there?' She and Jethro say in unison. They turn and give each other a smile.

Sky is becoming more and more frantic. She's falling deeper into hysterics and it isn't long before she can't take the stress any longer.

'Is there something out there? Well? Anyone? What the hell is making that noise?' She cries out and no one makes a sound. Rose can see she's started to tremble a bit from her anxiety and Hobbes makes a last ditch effort to explain it all away.

'Excuse me! I must insist. I'm sorry, but the light out there is Xtonic, that means it would destroy any living thing, in a split second, I mean any sort of life form. Carbon based, hydrogen based, silicates, gaseous, every form of life in the known universe, it's impossible, literally impossible, for someone to be outside…' He is cut off by the louder tapping.

Again it appears that the tapping has moved further back. Everyone flinches and look in that direction. And yet, they can't actually tell where it came from. Everyone sets their eyes on different spots.

'What the hell is that then?!' Sky shouts to him.

Rose and the Doctor walk towards the last tap and he presses his face against the wall, trying to hear what it could be. The hostess doesn't like that and steps towards them. Rose blocks her path.

'Sir, Miss! You really should stay in your seats.' She points out and Sky rises from her own.

'Bit late for that!' She calls to them and the hostess cross her arms.

'Hello…?' The Doctor says and the tapping sound is his only reply. Again it's further back on the left wall and everyone follows it.

'It's moving…' Rose points out and the tap comes again, once more it is further back on the left wall. Everyone follows it until it taps on the back wall emergency door.

There is a slight pause and then the door gives a tiny rattle…

The hostess immediately moves from the back wall and towards the rest of the passengers.

'It's trying the door.' Val breathes, but Hobbes will not be bought by such illusions.

'There is no 'it,' there's nothing out there. Can't be.' His voice shakes and he realises how uncertain he is about everything he's been led to believe about Midnight.

The door rattles again and everyone holds their breaths, waiting to see what will happen next. They all jump when the next tap comes from the middle of the ceiling. Everyone turns their attention to it and it taps again, as the sound moves to the right hand corner. The tapping reaches the entrance door.

'That's the entrance. Can it get in?' Val wonders and Dee Dee turns to her.

'No, that door's on two hundred weight of hydraulics.' Dee Dee informs her. It seems to calm Val a bit, knowing that information.

'Stop it. Don't encourage them.' Hobbes chides her and Dee Dee turns to him, tired of his antics.

'Then what do you think it is?' She challenges, Hobbes crosses his arms but doesn't offer a response nor a theory.

Biff slowly walks towards the door, and without her husband by her, Val becomes nervous again.

'Biff, don't…' She pleads and he turns to them. The Doctor and Rose second her concerns.

'Mr. Cane…better not…' He warns.

'Nah, cast iron, that door…' Biff plays off their worries and he knocks on it, three, well timed taps.

Everyone pauses and their hold their breaths, unsure of what the outcome would be in this case. The knock is then returned in the same perfectly timed knocks that Biff just preformed. In three increments.

Everyone jumps back, Biff retreats, Rose clutches the Doctor's arm as they shift away to the left hand side of the coach. Everyone except Sky.

'It…it answered you. Three times…' Rose turns to Biff who seems as stunned as she is.

'All right, everyone, calm down…' The Doctor attempts to gain control of the situation again, but Sky pulls them back to the brink of hysteria.

'But it answered, that was an answer, don't tell me that thing's not alive, it answered him!' She cried and as if on cue the three taps are heard again. Louder and more forceful this time.

As everyone presses themselves against the back of the left hand side of the coach, Rose and the Doctor venture forward towards the entrance door. The hostess tries to be professional and steps towards them.

'I really must insist, get back to your seat.' There is a demanding tone in her voice but Sky has truly fallen into a frenzy, she's clearly terrified.

'Don't just sit there telling us the rules, you're the hostess, you're supposed to do something!' Sky cries and the hostess looks down.

The Doctor bends down to the door and Rose puts her hands on his shoulders, listening and waiting. The Doctor lifts his hand and knocks four times on the door, there a marginal pause before four knocks are heard in reply.

'It's learning…it's mimicking you…' Rose informs him and he turns up to her.

'We can't know for sure…' He insists and she nods.

Sky has truly become beyond consolable as she falls deeper into a self-induced madness. 'What is it? What is it? What the hell is making that noise?! She said she'd get me, just stop it, make it stop, someone make it stop!' She covers her face and Rose bites her lip, unsure if she should go over there. She was sure that she'd only reject Rose's attempts.

Her panic triggers the others in the group to focus their own fear on Sky, everyone falls into the pattern of trying to talk over one another, getting louder and louder.

'You're not helping! Tell her to shut up!' Val cries and Sky turns to her.

'What are you looking at me for? It's not my fault, he started it,' She motions to the Professor. 'With his stories and his stories…'

'Mrs. Silvestry, just calm down…' Dee Dee tries but Sky presses onward, completely ignoring her.

'And he made it worse,' Sky points to Biff. 'Why wouldn't you just leave it alone? Stop staring at me!' She cries.

'She's gone mad.' Jethro watches Sky, as she becomes further and further detached from reality.

'Just tell me what it is, what is it? What's out there?!' Sky shouts to them and Rose bites her lip.

The hostess has picked up the wall phone and begun to speak into it, her tone is a bit uneasy. 'Passenger in distress, are you getting these noises from the outside?'

The tapping has increased and becomes so constant. The Doctor moves Rose back from the door as they continue to study the sounds. They follow the noise, moving up and down, forging itself a path, but always heading forward, all along the right side of the coach.

Everyone watches it, terrified as they try to follow its path; Rose suddenly widens her eyes as she catches sight of the destination of the sound.

'Sky…' Rose mouths and she starts towards her. But Sky is beyond terrified.

'It's coming for me, it's coming for me, it's coming for me!' She cries out.

'Sky, move, just move!' Rose calls to her and she starts towards her, before she can reach her there is a very loud wham, as the wall above Sky buckles and she screams. The Doctor rushes forward and grabs Rose's arm, holding her back. 'No! Stay here!' He backs away with Rose just as the entire coach plunges into darkness and the coach is rocked back and forth.

The coach lurches right, and everyone is knocked to the ground as they try to hold on tightly. Sparks begin to fly from the wall panels and the Doctor moves to protect Rose as bursts of light illuminate the chaos. Suddenly, the whole coach lurches left, sending everyone flying and then it lurches to be level again. And then…silence…it seems to have stopped.

Rose slowly lifts herself off the Doctor and she can't help but smile, despite their current situation. She leans down again and quickly places a kiss on him. He makes a bit of a face, although it's playful, and Rose quickly climbs off of him, helping him to his feet.

'Well, you're clearly fine,' The Doctor whispers to her and she grins. 'Everyone else? How are we?'

Rose is haunted by the broken TV as it flickers into life, playing the Italian pop singer. The image is distorted and the song echoes around her. She continues to stare at it, even after it dies. She jumps when the Doctor places his hand on her shoulder. Staring at the TV has caused another migraine to form. She presses her hand to her temple, trying to mute the pain.

'Rose? Everything all right?'

'Yeah…bit of a migraine again…' She rubs her temples and squeezes her eyes shut. The Doctor rubs her back, trying not worry about Rose at the moment, and listens to the whimpering and moans from all around them. The rest of the passengers have pulled themselves into a standing position, they all appear dazed.

'Earthquake, must be…' Hobbes attempts to rationalise, but it causes Dee Dee to turn to him, willing Hobbes to understand their situation.

'That's impossible, the ground is fixed, it's solid.' Dee Dee attempts to explain, but it only serves to anger Hobbes.

'Don't tell me what's possible!' Hobbes declares and the light from a torch causes everyone to become silent and turn to the origin of the light. The hostess clears her throat.

'We've got torches, everyone, take a torch, they're in the back of the seat.'

Rose reaches and grabs one for herself and passes the second one to the Doctor, and they shine the light around the coach, trying to sort out the damage as well as ensuring that everyone else is all right.

Val catches sight of her son and moves towards him. 'Oh, sweetheart come here…' She embraces him, but he manages to wiggle out of her grasp.

'Never mind me, what about her?' Jethro questions, he's shining his torch on Sky.

Rose and the Doctor do the same, and Rose moves towards her to check on her, but the Doctor grabs her wrist.

'Let me do it…just in case.'

Rose reluctantly agrees and the Doctor heads over to her. Rose and Jethro keep their torches on Sky, giving the Doctor more light. Rose bites her lip as she catches a murky glimpse of Sky still huddled on the floor in the corner. But she's facing the wall instead, almost like she's trying to hide herself and thinking she's done a good job of it. Rose can hear her breathing very heavily and she notices that the seats around Sky have been flattened, and she's hiding in the remains. Everyone can see her.

'What happened to the seats?' Val quietly wonders and Biff steps towards his wife.

'Who did that?' He questions.

'It's all right, it's over, we're still alive, look…' The Doctor informs Sky softly, but she doesn't turn to look at him.

Rose moves her torch up the wall above the two of them and feels her mouth open from the sheer destruction.

'Doctor…look. Above you…' Rose tells him and he shines his torch up where Rose's is. There is huge dent in the wall, like something has punched it in, but, strangely, the metal is not broken. Rose lowers her torch back to Sky.

'The wall's still intact. Did you see? We're safe.' The Doctor explains to Sky, but again she doesn't make a movement.

The hostess is back on the wall phone trying to phone the driver. 'Joe, can you hear me? Joe? Claude? Driver? Can you hear me?' The hostess hangs up the phone. 'I'm not getting a response,' She informs the group and she strides down the aisle towards the driver's cabin. 'The intercom must be down.'

She presses the button on wall and the driver's cabin door opens. For a moment, there is a loud whooshing sound, smoke billows out and the raw white light is visible with only the black beyond visible.

Rose covers her mouth when she catches a glimpse of it. Val lets out a scream. The hostess quickly slams the button and the door shuts with a loud bang.

'What was that? What happened?' Val cries and she clings to her husband's arm.

'Is it the driver? Have we lost the driver?' Biff demands as the hostess backs away down the aisle, she's horrified.

Everyone except Jethro and Rose has shone their torches on her, and then on the sealed door. Jethro doesn't take his eyes off Sky and Rose has her attention split between Sky and the hostess. The Doctor has gone over to a wall panel on the left hand side and started sonicing it.

Everyone is beyond scared and tense, they're scared but they haven't given in to the pull of hysteria.

'The cabin's…gone…' The hostess manages to get out.

'Don't be ridiculous. It can't be gone, how can it be gone?' Hobbes demands to know and Dee Dee shakes her head.

'Well you saw it!' She insists and Hobbes crosses his arms.

'There was nothing there, like…it's been ripped away.' The hostess surmises and swallows a lump in her throat.

Biff notices the Doctor has been quiet for a while and shines his torch on him. He frowns when he can't figure out what he's doing.

'What are you doing?' Biff questions and it causes everyone else to turn to where the Doctor is. Rose and Jethro keep their sights on Sky. She's not concerned with what he's doing. She's more concerned with Sky…

But she does take a quick glance at the Doctor to see that's opened the panel and is digging through the messy wiring.

'That's better, little bit of light,' The Doctor turns to Rose and winks to her. 'Molto bene!'

'Do you know what you're doing?' Val questions nervously and Rose turns to her.

'Oh he does, very much so. Most of the time,' Val widens her eyes at Rose's statement and she pales. 'What? This is one of those times.'

'But the cabin's gone, you'd better leave that wall alone…' Biff starts to say but Hobbes interrupts him.

'The cabin can't be gone!' Hobbes insists but no one pays attention to him.

'No it's safe, any rupture would automatically seal itself, but…' The Doctor trails off slightly unnerved and her pulls out severed wires. 'Something sliced it off. You're right. The cabin has gone.'

'But if it gets separated…' The hostess begins and the Doctor nods his head, already knowing where'd she go with her thought.

'It loses integrity. I'm sorry. They've been reduced to dust. The driver, and the mechanic,' The Doctor informs them. Rose closes her eyes. There is an awful reaction and stillness, just a moan from Val. 'But they sent a distress signal. Help is on its way. They saved our lives! We're gonna get out of here, I promise, we're still alive and they're gonna find us.'

'Doctor…could you come here…?' Rose calls to him and he turns to her, confused. Rose points her torch back to Sky and he notices that she hasn't moved at all. She's still facing the wall, breathing heavily.

'Look at her…' Jethro says and the Doctor turns to the hostess.

'Have we got a medical kit?' The Doctor questions.

'I wonder why she doesn't turn around,' Rose says and Jethro shrugs. 'Maybe she's just trying to work through her panic. She could suffer from anxiety…' But something doesn't sit right with her. There's a strangeness about her. Evidently it seems to have resonated with the others, because now they're all staring at Sky. Confused and on edge.

'What's her name?' Hobbes wonders and the hostess turns to face him.

'Silvestry. Mrs. Sky Silvestry.' She informs them.

Everyone has taken a step backwards, away from her. Only Rose, Jethro and the Doctor remain within a short distance of Sky. Everyone is pointing their torches on her and the Doctor cautiously approaches Sky. He crouches down to her level, but ensures there is a bit of a distance between them. Rose can sense he's wary of this situation. But it's not just like him to refuse to help someone in need.

'Is she okay?' Rose questions and the Doctor turns to her.

'She's just breathing,' He replies and turns back to Sky. 'Sky? Can you hear me? Are you all right? Can you move? Sky, just look at me.'

'That noise, from outside, it's stopped.' Jethro notices and Rose turns to look at the coach ceiling.

'Yeah, you're right. I wonder why…' Rose swallows and turns her attention back to Sky and the Doctor.

'Who cares? It's gone, thank god for that.' Val replies.

'But what if it's not outside anymore? What if it's inside?' Jethro wonders and Rose widens her eyes.

'Doctor be careful…' Rose warns and Val frowns at Jethro.

'Inside where?'

'The sounds appeared to be heading for Sky.' Rose reminds her and feels her stomach twisting into a tight knot.

Rose's reminder has sent everyone on edge again, they all shine their torches on Sky and the Doctor, dread beginning to fill them. The Doctor inches forward to Sky, just a bit and tries to get her to speak.

'It's all right, Sky. I just want you to turn around. And face me.'

The group holds their breath as Sky slowly starts to turn around, in a stiff swivelling motion. Everyone can't take their eyes off of her as she moves around, shifting her body, the last thing she turns is head. She stares at them in the light of the torches, her eyes are wild and glittering, but there is an underlying hint of extreme cleverness to them. Immediately everyone can sense that she's different. Rose is immediately set on edge and grips the torch in her hands tighter. Something is wrong with Sky. And yet Rose is oddly curious about her, so she takes a step forward, wanting to learn more.

Biff and Val are shocked, so they take a step back, but the Doctor is fascinated by her and the heavy silence grows thicker.

Sky barely moves, pressing herself into the corner. It's as if her body doesn't have the power to move itself. She's communicating with her eyes, that deep, meaningful stare at all of them. Studying them. Darting from the Doctor, to Rose, to Jethro and the rest of the group in the back. She lingers on them each for a moment, studying all she can. It's as if she's never seen them before, there is a candid fascination.

When the Doctor shifts forward, merely an inch again, Sky abruptly whips her stare back to him.

Val flinches, Sky's movement, however small, have startled her, she's becoming scared by her lack of movement.

Rose begins to feel uneasy as all Sky is concentrating on now, is the Doctor. She tilts her head from the left to the right, drinking in every detail of him, learning all she can of him. Rose frowns as the Doctor does the same thing, mimicking her, but is a calm and gentle manner.

'Sky?' The Doctor asks quietly.

There is a pause from Sky, as if she is wondering about something. 'Sky?'

'Are you all right?'

Again Sky pauses. 'Are you all right?'

'Are you hurt?' The Doctor wonders.

Now there is only a slight pause from Sky. 'Are you hurt?'

'You don't have to talk.' The Doctor informs her, but strangely there are no pauses, Sky's responses are right on par with the Doctor's.

'You don't have to talk.

'I'm trying to help.' He reminds her.

'I'm trying to help.'

'My name's the Doctor.'

'My name's the Doctor.'

'Okay, can you stop?' He wonders.

'Okay, can you stop?'

'I'd like you to stop.' The Doctor informs her.

'I'd like you to stop.'

'Doctor, why is she copying you? Is she trying to understand speech?' Rose questions and Sky's darting stare has fixated right on Rose, she studying her as she speaks, but there isn't an impersonating tone to her voice. It's so odd.

'Doctor, why is she copying you? Is she trying to understand speech?'

'She's gone mad.' Biff breathes.

'She's gone mad.' Sky echoes, studying him as well.

'Stop it.' Val demands and Sky turns her deep gaze to her next.

'Stop it.'

'I said stop it!' Val cries, her voice shakes.

'I said stop it!'

'I don't think she can.' Dee Dee replies, truthfully. And yet, it's odd that Sky would fall into something like this. Is it a coping method? Sky watches Dee Dee.

'I don't think she can.'

'All right, now stop it, this isn't funny.' Hobbes demands, the darting stare falls to him. It's unnerving and he has to stop looking at her as she mimics him.

'All right, now stop it, this isn't funny.

'Hush, all of you…' The Doctor insists and they all turn to stare at him.

'Hush, all of you…'

'My name's Jethro!' He manages to get in and Rose turns to him.

'My name's Jethro!' Sky replies and he smiles a bit.

'Jethro, leave her.' Rose informs him and he sighs dejected.

'Jethro, leave her.'

'Leave it, just shut up!' The Doctor orders and everyone falls silent.

'Leave it, just shut up!'

The group is trying hard not to fall into hysterics, but they all continue to stare at Sky, unsure of what will happen next. The incessant repetition is causing the tension to mount.

'Why are you repeating…?' The Doctor questions.

'Why are you repeating…?'

'Copying?' He wonders.

'Copying?'

'Absorbing? Like Rose said, are you learning?' The Doctor wonders.

'Absorbing? Like Rose said, are you learning?'

There is a pause in their one sided conversation as the Doctor tries to work it out, then he blurts out, 'The square root of pi is 1.7724538509055160272981674833 41 …wow!'

There is a brief pause, and then, '5516027298167483341…wow!' Sky repeats, right on par with the Doctor. The group exchanges uneasy glances. The knot is Rose's stomach is twisting itself tighter. There's something more going on here.

'But that's impossible.' Hobbes breathes.

'But that's impossible.'

'Doctor, I think there's something more…we're missing something.' Rose informs him, her voice shakes a bit.

'Doctor, I think there's something more…we're missing something.'

'She couldn't repeat all that…' Dee Dee replies nervously.

'She couldn't repeat all that…'

'Tell her to stop!' Val cries out, she is very disturbed by this display of behaviour.

'Tell her to stop!'

'She's driving me mad!' Val complains and clutches her husband's arm.

'She's driving me mad!'

'Just make her stop!' Val demands and she squeezes her eyes shut.

'Just make her stop!'

Sky's sudden ability to raise her voice tips the room over the edge; there is evidently rising panic now. Sky mimics all of the next speeches with different pitches in her voice amazes Rose and the Doctor.

'Stop her staring at me, shut her up, someone shut her up!' Val cries and turns away from her.

'Stop her staring at me, shut her up, someone shut her up!'

'It's gotta be a trick, Doctor, did you plan that with her?' The hostess wonders, but he doesn't turn to look at her.

'It's gotta be a trick, Doctor, did you plan that with her?'

'Just stop it, you're scaring my wife, I'm telling you to stop.' Biff commands and Sky tilts her head at him.

'Just stop it, you're scaring my wife, I'm telling you to stop.'

'All of you, stop. That's enough, just calm down…' Rose attempts to get control back and notices that during this entire conversation, Sky's eyes have been darting around the room like crazy as she repeats all the voices, simultaneously.

'All of you, stop. That's enough, just calm down…'

But Rose's attempts fall on deaf ears as Sky's ability terrifies everyone. Everyone talks out and the volume rises and rises.

'Stop talking! Do you hear me? Stop talking, just stop talking, I said stop talking! Biff don't just stand there, do something, make her stop!' Val cries out in fear.

'Stop talking! Do you hear me? Stop talking, just stop talking, I said stop talking! Biff don't just stand there, do something, make her stop!'

'I'm telling you. Whatever your name is. If you don't shut up, so help me…that's an order! I'm ordering you! Do you hear me, stop repeating!' Biff orders and tries to find the authoritative tone in his voice.

'I'm telling you. Whatever your name is. If you don't shut up, so help me…that's an order! I'm ordering you! Do you hear me, stop repeating!' Sky's repetition is becoming faster than anything Rose or the Doctor had seen. She's almost anticipating the words that the speaker will choose.

'Mrs. Silvestry, you're scaring the passengers, I don't know why, or how, but you've got to stop, right now, we're safe, we've got air, and the rescue services are on the way.' The hostess uses a very calming voice, hoping that it might work.

'Mrs. Silvestry, you're scaring the passengers, I don't know why, or how, but you've got to stop, right now, we're safe, we've got air, and the rescue services are on the way.'

'There's something we're missing. Look at her eyes…' Rose informs him, but he doesn't turn to look at her.

'There's something we're missing. Look at her eyes…'

'It's not the voice, it's her eyes. Rose is right. What's wrong with her eyes? What is that? You're a doctor, what is it? What's wrong with her?' Hobbes pleads for an answer, he's a man of science, but he has no valid explanation for this.

'It's not the voice, it's her eyes. Rose is right. What's wrong with her eyes? What is that? You're a doctor, what is it? What's wrong with her?'

'She can copy anything! Five! Ten! Sixteen! Thirty-five! Forty-nine! Five hundred! Six, six, six! Look at her, Doctor, just look at her, one million seven hundred and twenty six!' Jethro exclaims, there is a wide smile on his face. He doesn't understand this, but it's very cool to him.

'She can copy anything! Five! Ten! Sixteen! Thirty-five! Forty-nine! Five hundred! Six, six, six! Look at her, Doctor, just look at her, one million seven hundred and twenty six!'

'That's impossible, that's physically impossible, that's not the same woman, that's something else, inside her, just look at her Professor, she's changed, she'd different, she's something else…' Dee Dee points her finger at Sky.

'That's impossible, that's physically impossible, that's not the same woman, that's something else, inside her, just look at her Professor, she's changed, she'd different, she's something else…'

The Doctor hasn't taken his eyes off of Sky, amazed at what he's witnessing. Vaguely he's aware that all the voices are rising in tone, all trying to be heard over one another.

Suddenly the lights come back on. They are low level, darker ones than before. Evidently it is the emergency ones. That display has shocked everyone into silence. Rose stares at the coach a bit, looking around. She turns to the Doctor, who is still watching Sky. Dee Dee is right, there's something in her now. She's not the same.

Sky has now caught up with everyone. In the panicked frenzy, Sky has gotten caught up.

'Doctor…I think Dee Dee is right…something's inside Sky now.' Rose informs him. Still he doesn't turn to her. That is starting to worry her as well. She begins to walk a bit towards him. Sky says the exact same thing as Rose, but this time there is no delay and not after she's already spoken. Rose stares at her intensely. She's trying not to let the panic get to her, but she's finding rather hard.

'It's the back up systems.' The hostess informs them, Sky's voice is a bit quieter now.

'Well! That's a bit better.' Biff and Sky say, although Biff is relieved.

'What about the rescue, how long's it going to take?' Val and Sky wonder. Fear has gripped Val to her very core.

'About sixty minutes, that's all.' The hostess and Sky reply.

'Then I suggest we all calm down. This panic isn't helping. And that poor woman is evidently in a state of self-induced hysteria, we should leave her alone. Now sit down! Deep breaths. Hostess, I think a nice hot drink might do us all the power of good.' Hobbes and Sky state. Hobbes rubs his hands together, but no one makes an effort to move.

Rose and Jethro are still watching Sky and the Doctor intensely. Rose starts to breathe in shallow breaths.

'Doctor…' Rose and Sky whisper.

'I know.' He and Sky reply. Jethro and Rose exchange looks, they've been watching her. They know…something has changed. Rose walks forward again, but Jethro holds her wrist. His look tells her to wait a moment. She does, but it takes everything in her not be sprinting towards him.

'Doctor, now step back I think you should leave her alone…' Hobbes informs him, but then he takes a good look at Sky, and witnesses her say his own words. 'What's she doing…? Hobbes and Sky pause briefly. 'How can she do that?'

'But she's talking with you…' Val and Sky exclaim and she widens her eyes. 'And with me! Oh my god! Biff, what's she doing?!'

'She's repeating at exactly the same time.' Jethro and Sky inform them.

'That's impossible.' Dee Dee and Sky breathe. Dee Dee takes another step away from Sky, not that she has much room to move anywhere.

'Notice how there isn't even a delay anymore?' Rose and Sky point out. It unnerves her to no end and she tries to focus on her speech.

'Ohh man, that is weird.' Jethro and Sky reply.

'I think you should all be very, very quiet, have you got that?' The Doctor and Sky instruct. He still hasn't moved, but it gives Rose a bit of relief.

'How's she doing it?' Val and Sky wonder, she clutches Biff's hand tightly in her own.

'Mrs. Cane, please be quiet.' The Doctor and Sky instruct her. The repeating is only causing Val to become even more terrified.

'But how can she do that? She's got my voice, she's got my words!' Val and Sky cry out. Rose notices that Val's paled slightly at the end of her sentence. Rose hopes she won't faint.

'Sweetheart, be quiet, just…hush now. Hush,' Biff and Sky say as he holds Val close. It takes him a minuet to notice that Sky is mimicking him. 'She's doing it to me!'

'Please, all of you. Just stop it. Stop. All of you. Please.' Rose and Sky plead with the group and they follow her instructions. Rose turns to the Doctor and that causes them to turn their gazes to him as well.

'Thank you, Rose. Now then, Sky. Are you Sky? Is Sky still in there? Mrs. Silvestry?' The Doctor and Sky pause. 'You know exactly what I'm going to say, how are you doing that?' Another pause, and then they abruptly shout out together. 'Roast Beef!' They pause. 'Bananas,' Silence. 'The Medusa Cascade,' The Doctor and Sky fall into a long silence before they blurt out, 'Bang!' They fall back into silence. 'Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, Donna Noble, TARDIS!' Another pause. 'Shamble bobble dibble dooble,' A short pause. 'Oh Doctor, you're so handsome. Yes I am, thank you,' They pause again. The last one has earned an eye roll from Rose. ' O…' The Doctor stops abruptly, hoping that Sky would do the same. But she doesn't.

No one wants to talk loudly, least of all the Professor. He's so quiet, that Rose has to strain to hear him. 'She's synchronised.' Hobbes and Sky inform the rest of them.

'First she repeats. Then she catches up.' The Doctor and Sky agree.

'But…what comes next? What's the next stage?' Rose and Sky wonder, and Dee Dee turns to Rose confused. Rose doesn't like to think what comes next, because surely it doesn't end here.

'The next stage of what?' Dee Dee and Sky ask nervously.

'But that's not her, is it? That's not Mrs. Silvestry any more.' Jethro and Sky surmise and the Doctor nods his head.

'No…I don't think so…no.' The Doctor and Sky agree, Rose can't seem to take her eyes off of Sky.

The realisation of that possibility has hit Val incredibly hard. Her hands fly to her mouth, and she turns into Biff who comforts her. Sky stares at her intensely as Val makes little sobbing sounds, mimicking her exactly. Rose notices that she now has a very slight smile on her face. She's got to be approaching the next phase…it's worrying Rose.

The Doctor stands and carefully backs away. Rose strides towards him, grips his hand in her own and yanks him back to her. He turns to her and sees the apprehension in her eyes. He puts his arm around her and smiles a bit.

'It's clear…the more we talk the more she learns.' Rose and Sky inform the group. She turns to the rest of the group.

'Rose is right. I'm all for education, but in this case, maybe not. Let's just…move back. Come on…come with me Rose,' The Doctor says, along with Sky, and he moves back, pushing Rose with him. 'Everyone, get back, all of you, as far as you can.'

'Doctor, just make her stop.' Val and Sky plead with him. Her eyes are shiny with unshed tears.

'Val, it'll be okay. Come on, back up and don't look at her, okay?' Rose says softly, Sky mimicking her. Rose tries to muster a calming smile, but it comes across as uneasy.

'Come on, everyone. Jethro, you too, everyone…' The Doctor agrees and Sky repeats him, watching the group intensely.

Everyone does as they're told and moves to the back of the coach. They huddle on the other side, keeping as far away from Sky as possible. She is still copying everything that is being said. Rose and the Doctor have noticed that she says things as more of a mutter now. While they try their best not to look at her, everyone can't help but steal quick glances at Sky.

The silence at the back of the coach is becoming unbearable as everyone is piled tightly together. Dread hangs over them and Rose takes the Doctor's hand in her own, unable to stop watching Sky, trying to anticipate what she might do.

'Fifty minutes,' The Doctor informs them, with Sky copying him. 'That's all we need. Fifty minutes till the rescue arrives. And she's not exactly strong, look at her, all she's got is our voices.'

'Doctor!' Rose cries, with Sky calling out to him as well.

'What?' He and Sky wonder.

'Rude…' Rose crosses her arms, after Sky and Rose finish talking, Sky eyes him.

'I can't look at her…it's those eyes.' Val and Sky whimper. Val turns into Biff, closing her eyes tightly.

'We must not look at Goblin Men.' Dee Dee and Sky reply meekly. Dee Dee drops her gaze to the ground when she feels Biff's intense stare bearing into her.

'What's that supposed to mean?' He and Sky demand, his tone is rather unpleasant and Rose gives him a bit of dirty look.

'It's a poem. Christina Rosetti.' The Doctor and Sky inform them.

'I kinda of like that poem.' Rose and Sky reply to the group. The Doctor gives Rose a surprised look, telling her he didn't know she's read it. And she just shrugs at him. He nods his head, accepting her silent response.

'We must not look at Goblin Men. We must not buy their fruits. Who knows upon what soil they fed their hungry, thirsty roots?' Dee Dee and Sky recite, Rose smiles, enjoying that poem and the rest of the group stare at Dee Dee confused.

There is a pause and the Doctor looks at Sky, watching her mouth form his words as he does. 'Actually, I don't think that's helping.'

'She's not a goblin, or a monster, she's just a very sick woman.' Hobbes rubs his hands together at Sky's constant copying of everyone.

'Maybe that's why it went for her.' Jethro and Sky surmise. It causes Hobbes to cross his arms and glares at Jethro.

'There is no 'it'!' Hobbes shouts, but Sky only raises her voice slightly, still above a whisper, but more of a murmur. Rose presses her lips together, wishing she could understand how they could help her.

'Think about it, though. That knocking, it went all the way round the bus. Till it found her. And she was the most scared, out of all of us, maybe that's what it needed. That's how it got in.' Jethro ponders and Sky keeps her attention on Jethro after she's finished mimicking him. Rose can only stand to watch her for a few moments before she has to turn away.

'Actually, Jethro has a point. Maybe it feeds on fear.' Rose and Sky agree and Hobbes feels his cheek redden with the constant correction of these people and their belief in fairytales and monsters.

'For the last time! Nothing could live on the surface of Midnight!' Hobbes states firmly and Sky feels her mouth turn up to whisper of a smile.

The Doctor finds himself getting rather perturbed and turns to Hobbes. 'Professor, I'm glad you've got an absolute definition of life in the universe, but perhaps the universe has got ideas of its own. Now trust me. I've got previous! I think there might well be some…' The Doctor trails off, turning to Sky as she mimics him.

'Consciousness?' Rose and Sky try, Rose turns her attention to the Doctor and he snaps his fingers at her word.

'Yes! Some consciousness inside Mrs. Silvestry, but maybe she's still in there. And it's our job to help her.

'Well you can help her, I'm not going near.' Biff states firmly, but Sky's mimicry is still soft, and not terribly forceful.

'No, I've got to stay back. Cause if she's copying us, maybe the final stage is becoming us,' The Doctor wonders and Sky's dart to him. Rose squeezes his hand at that thought. 'I don't want her becoming me, or things could get a whole lot worse.'

'Oh, like you're so special.' Val and Sky scoff. Val rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. Rose sets her jaw and feels angered.

'Actually, Mrs. Cane, he is. So don't argue with him. He won't be doing it. So, this is what we're going to do, we're going to stay away. We're going to wait for the rescue ship to come and then we're going to get Mrs. Silvestry to a hospital…' Rose is cut off and she and Sky turn their attention to the hostess.

'We should throw her out.' The hostess states determined and coldly, Sky eyes her with a bit of a smile.

'Excuse me?!' Rose says, disgusted. She briefly turns back to Sky. It's becoming annoying to have an echo in the room.

'Can we do that?' Val questions excitedly and gives Sky a very dirty look, telling her to watch out, because her end is near.

'Don't be ridiculous!' The Doctor scoffs and Sky tilts her head once she's finished copying him.

'That thing, whatever it is, killed the driver, and the mechanic, and I don't think she's finished yet.' The hostess doesn't take her eyes off Sky, even as she echoes her words.

'She can't even move!' The Doctor protests, Sky's eyes darts between the small group.

'Oh just look at her!' The hostess cries and everyone turns their attention to Sky. They are paralyzed by the sight of her eyes, the slight, sickening smile. That is the final argument that the hostess needs to make her decision.

'Look at her eyes! She killed Joe, and she killed Claude, and we're next!' The hostess insists and scowls at Sky at her mimicry.

'She's still doing it,' Biff tells the group takes a step towards Sky as she copies him. His face turns red from anger. 'Just stop it! Stop talking! Stop it!'

'Biff, sweetheart, don't…' Val tries to calm him down, holding his hand. Sky watches them intensely.

'She won't stop!' Biff shouts, Sky's voice is calm and at Val's touch, Biff seems to calm himself a bit. 'We can't throw her out, though, we can't even open the doors.' Biff sighs a bit.

'No one is getting thrown out!' The Doctor cries and Sky mutters after him.

'Yes we can,' Dee Dee informs them, her voice is as quiet as Sky's. She's nervous but finds her inner strength. She steadies her voice. 'Cause…there's an air pressure seal,' Dee Dee turns to the hostess. 'Like when you opened the cabin door, you weren't pulled out, you had a couple seconds, cause it takes the pressure wall about six seconds to collapse. Well, six seconds exactly. That's enough time to throw someone out.'

'Thank you, Dee Dee, that's just what we needed to hear.' Rose crosses her arms and gives her a rather disappointed look. Dee Dee catches it and turns her attention to the ground.

'Would it kill her? Outside?' Biff questions and Sky has her gaze set on him now.

'I don't know, but she's got a body now, it would certainly kill the physical form.' Dee Dee pipes up again and stares at Sky. The echo is becoming unbearable. She just wants to feel safe again.

'No one's killing anyone.' The Doctor attempts to say, along with Sky, but is abruptly cut off by the hostess.

'I wouldn't risk the cabin door twice,' The hostess informs the group, she ponders something else. 'But we've got this one,' The hostess points to the emergency door. 'All we need to do is grab hold of her. And throw her out.'

'Are you listening to yourselves?!' Rose cries and they stare at her like she's got three heads.

'Listen! All of you! For all we know, that's a brand new life form over there. And if it's come inside, to discover us, than what's it found? This little bunch of humans, what do you amount to? Murder? Cause this is where you decide. You decide who you are. Could you actually murder her? Any of you? Really? Or are you better than that?' The Doctor questions and crosses his arms. Sky's eyes dart from him to the rest of the group.

They consider his words, and appear to be realising the implication of their actions. Rose and the Doctor exchange relieved glances and she exhales a bit.

'I'd do it.' The hostess declares, Sky repeating her words.

'So would I.' Biff and Sky agree with the hostess, she gives him a quick nod.

'And me.' Val and Sky chime in next. Rose stares at them and decides to distance her self from the rest of the group. She stands closer to the Doctor.

'I think we should.' Dee Dee states flatly, Sky is watching her closely. Rose feels her mouth open from the shock.

'What?!' The Doctor cries, Sky copying him but her words are still softer.

'I'm sorry, but you said it yourself, Doctor, she's growing in strength.' Dee Dee recalls and Rose shakes her head quickly.

'That's not what he said at all!' Rose informs them worriedly, she watches Sky repeating her words and bites her lip.

'I just want to go home. I'm sorry. I want to be safe.' Dee Dee feels the tears well up in her eyes and blinks them away. She throws Sky a dirty look for copying her, but has to turn away. The gaze is too much.

'You'll be safe, any minute now; the rescue truck is on its way.' The Doctor reminds them and that statement doesn't do much to reassure the frightened passengers.

'But what happens then, Doctor? If it takes her back to the Leisure Palace, if that thing reaches civilisation…what if it spreads?' The hostess surmises, Sky echoing her, and Rose can see the Doctor momentarily ponders her words before answering her.

'No, cause when we get back to base, I'll be there to contain it.' The Doctor promises them, the echo causes everyone to look at Sky. It angers Val immensely.

'Well you haven't done much so far!' She points her finger at him, her tone is bitter.

'You and Rose are just standing at the back with the rest of us!' Biff and Sky remind them, and Rose and the Doctor look at one another.

'She's dangerous. And it's my job to keep this vessel safe. We should get rid of her.' The hostess and Sky repeat together. Before anyone else can add their thoughts on the matter, Hobbes finally speaks up.

'Now hold on, just hold on, I think, perhaps, we're all going a little bit too far.' He ponders and everyone opens their mouths to respond.

'Thank you! Some sense!' Rose and Sky commend him, Rose smiles at him. Glad that someone isn't letting fear direct their thoughts.

'Two people dead.' The hostess reminds the group bitterly. They all turn back to Sky as she's finished repeating the words.

'Then don't make it a third!' The Doctor pleads and then turns to someone else who has been rather quiet. 'Jethro, what do you say?'

'I'm not killing anyone.' He and Sky declare. Rose makes a small sound of happiness and embraces him.

'Thank you.' The Doctor states, as if his point has been made.

'But he's just a boy!' Val cries, point to her son. It aggravates him.

'What, so I don't get a vote?' Jethro questions, Sky watching Val for the answer to his question.

'There isn't a vote, it's not happening!' The Doctor states firmly, Rose can see he is rapidly losing this battle.

'Ever.' Rose puts her hands on her hips, and watches Sky as she turns back to the Doctor, waiting for him to speak.

'If you try to throw her out of that door, you'll have to get past me first.' The Doctor declares and Sky repeats his words.

'Me too.' Rose crosses her arms defiantly. The group is silent, as if they are pondering over their statements. The silence is deafening before the hostess finally decides to speak up.

'Okay…' She informs them, but her tone, while firm, shakes a bit.

'Fine by me.' Biff agrees, Sky echoing him still. He nods at the hostess and she smiles back, appreciating the support.

'Ohh, now you're being stupid,' The Doctor shakes his head and turns to Biff. 'Just think about it!' He and Sky plead with Biff. 'Could you actually take hold of someone and throw them out of that door?'

'Calling me a coward?' Biff and Sky question, Biff takes a step forward.

Rose widens her eyes as the cold, hard paranoia has gripped each of the passengers tightly. They all turn their attention on Rose and the Doctor and, feeling intimidated a bit, Rose takes a step back. But she sets her jaw, to show she will not back down from this matter.

'Who put you two in charge, anyway?' Val scoffs and once again glares daggers at Sky for her echo.

'I'm sorry, but…you're a Doctor of what, exactly? And you, Rose, what do you do?' Hobbes questions, although his tone isn't accusatory, merely one that wants answers.

'They weren't even booked in,' The hostess crosses her arms and looks them both up and down. 'The rest of you, tickets in advance. They just turned up, out of the blue.'

'From where?' Dee Dee wonders and studies the Doctor and Rose.

'We just…travel. We're travellers, that's all…' The Doctor informs them and they aren't bought by his flimsy answer.

'Like immigrants?' Val scrunches up her nose and Sky mutters the same words as well. Val covers hear ears over the extra voice.

'Who were you both talking to? Just before you both got on board, the two of you were talking to someone, who was it?' The hostess demands and Rose stares at her.

'Donna. Our friend Donna. She's at the Leisure Palace, room 6243,' Rose tells them. 'Why does that matter?'

'Really, what were you saying to her?' Biff and Sky question and Rose crosses her arms.

'That's hardly any of your business.' Rose narrows her eyes; Sky finishes with Rose and moves on to Val.

'He hasn't even told us his name.' Val points to the Doctor and Rose rolls her eyes.

'Thing is though, Doctor. You've been loving this. And you, Rose. I saw you both…you like this.' Jethro pipes in Rose turns to him, crestfallen.

'Oh no, Jethro, please not you too…' Rose is saddened that their one potential ally has switched sides on them.

'No, but seriously, ever since the trouble started, you two have been loving it.' Jethro recalls and the Doctor sighs a bit.

'It has to be said, you two do seem to have a certain…gleeful attitude towards this whole mess.' Hobbes agrees and turns to Sky as he's saying this.

'All right, we're interested. We can't help it. Whatever is inside her, it's brand new and that's fascinating.' The Doctor relents and watches Sky mimic him.

'What, you wanted this to happen?!' Val replies, horrified and the Doctor widens his eyes.

'No!'

'And you were talking to her, all on your own, before the trouble, without Rose, right at the front. I saw the two of you talking to that Sky woman, I saw you…' Biff points to the Doctor and then Sky. Rose covers her mouth, understanding what they were implying.

'We all did!' Val concurs and throws Sky another dirty look.

'And you went into the cabin…' The hostess recalls and the Doctor frowns.

'What did you say to her?' Biff and Sky question, Rose turns to him.

'That's not any of your business. It was idle conversation!' Rose presses her lips together.

'Saying what?!' Biff and Sky cry and Rose throws her hands up in the air, frustrated.

'You called us humans, like you're not one of us…' Jethro remembers and Rose widens her eyes, turning to the Doctor, realising what they're starting to do.

'He did! That's what he said!' Val points to the Doctor and Rose covers her mouth, unsure of how to stop this witch-hunt.

'And the wiring, he went into that panel and opened up the wiring…' Dee Dee recalls and narrows her eyes, trying to make sense of him, and Rose. Who are they?

'That was after!' The Doctor reminds them; really wishing that Sky would stop her mimicry, it seemed to be adding to his perceived guilt.

'But how did you what to do?!' Biff shouts at him.

Rose can take no more of this and shouts her answer. 'Because he's clever! I didn't see any of you doing anything to help!'

That seems to be the response the group needed. They all step away from the Doctor and Rose in a fraction. They are cold to them, and visibly hostile. Rose and the Doctor exchange looks. She's never seen him so unnerved before. A long, heavy, hostile silence ensues.

'I see,' Hobbes and Sky pause. 'Well. That makes things clear.'

'What are we to him then? Idiots?' Biff mocks Rose and she sighs.

'No she didn't mean it like that.' The Doctor replies and she nods at his statement.

'If you're clever then what are we?' Dee Dee questions and the Doctor sighs. Rose turns to him and offers an apology. He closes his eyes, accepting it.

'You two have been looking down on us from the moment we walked in.' Val replies disgusted.

'If he goes, then he's practically volunteered.' The hostess states and Sky repeats her words.

'Ohh come on, just listen to yourself, please!' The Doctor begs and it does nothing to help his situation.

'Do you mean…? We throw them out as well? Biff questions and the hostess nods her head.

'Him, yes, if we have to. But I don't know about Rose…' The hostess admits and Rose gives her a funny look.

'They're in cahoots together!' Val cries out and that causes the group ponder that.

'I don't know…it's only him that's had the wherewithal to do these sort of…tricks. Rose appears to have nothing about her. Other than following this madman.' Hobbes ponders and the group seems to be in agreement over that. Rose feels her jaw drop.

'I beg your pardon…' Rose and Sky attempt to get out, but are cut off by Val.

'They came together; they had to have done some planning together. I mean, Rose is just as fascinated by that Sky woman as he is…' Val reminds them and it sends to group back to their thinking.

'Maybe, but I see it as a fascination a scientist would have. She belongs here with us.' Hobbes declares.

'Excuse me!' Rose and Sky try to cut in.

'I agree.' Dee Dee and Sky reply, Dee Dee nods her head.

'Hold on! The lot of you. No one will get thrown out, am I clear? Look, sorry, yes, hold on, just…I know you're scared, and Rose and I are too. Look at us! We are, just as much as you! But we need to calm down, cool off and think.' The Doctor protectively moves Rose closer to him, not wanting them to lay a hand on her…just in case.

'Perhaps if you told us your name.' Hobbes attempts and Rose presses her lips together in frustration.

'Why does it matter so much to you?' She and Sky wonder.

'Then tell us.' Hobbes and Sky demand. Rose turns up to the Doctor wondering what he'd do.

'John Smith…' He and Sky lie and the group appears to catch on to his lie and scoff at it.

'Your real name.' Hobbes clarifies and Rose feels herself getting angrier.

'It's Dr. John Smith, you heard him.' Rose attempts to backup his story. Hoping it'd sound better with two people agreeing to it.

'They're lying, look at their faces.' Biff points to each of them and each group member studies them fiercely.

'His eyes are the same as hers. Rose, come here, get away from him!' Val attempts to reach her, but Rose back away.

'Don't touch me!'

'Why won't you tell us?!' Jethro demands. There is a brief pause before everyone erupts into a contest of talking over one another.

'He's been lying to us, right from the start. Rose please, just get away from him, he might hurt you!' Val pleads and Rose adamantly shakes her head.

'No one's called John Smith! Come off it!' Biff dismisses the thought and shakes his head.

'Just tell us, Doctor, just say it.' Jethro demands and Rose suddenly notices something. She watches Sky. But nothing, she doesn't repeat his words. Rose starts to breathe in shallow breaths. What's going on?

'It's a simple enough question, what's your name?' The hostess folds her arms and again, Sky does not copy her. Why isn't she doing that anymore? What's changed?

The Doctor moves back a bit and pushes Rose with him. He's scared of these humans, of course, she understands why. Fear is so contagious.

'Now listen to me! Listen to me right now, because you need me, all of you, if we're going to get out of this then you need me.' The Doctor and Sky inform them. Rose widens her eyes. Sky repeated the Doctor, but not Jethro or the hostess. Why him?

'So you keep saying! You've been repeating yourself more than her!' Hobbes accuses and shakes his head.

'Guys…' Rose tries to cut in, but Val speaks first.

'If anyone's in charge it should be the Professor, he's an expert!'

'Shut up you lot!' Rose cries out.

'Look…' Jethro points to Sky.

'You keep out of this, Jethro.' Val warns him.

'No, look at Mrs. Silvestry!' Rose shouts again and everyone turns to Sky, still sitting there.

'She's stopped…' Dee Dee observes.

The Doctor turns to look at Sky as everyone else watches her intensely. Rose doesn't recall how long she's stopped copying them. It worries her immensely.

'When did she…? No she hasn't…look, she's still doing it.' The Doctor and Sky point out.

'She looks the same to me,' Val widens her eyes at the realisation, and is overcome with joy. 'Oh, she's stopped! Look, I'm talking and she's not!'

'But why is that?' Rose turns to the Doctor, she's so scared.

'What about me? Is she…?' Biff sighs in relief. 'Look! Look at that! She's not doing me, she's let me go!'

'Mrs. Silvestry?' The hostess questions, as if trying to test her. 'Nor me! Nothing!'

'Why is she only doing him?' Val wonders.

'Doctor, what the hell is going on…?' Rose clutches his arm and stares at Sky.

'Sky? What are you doing…?' The Doctor and Sky are in perfect synchronisation.

'She's still doing him!' Dee Dee points her finger at him and widens her eyes.

'Doctor. It's you. She's only copying you.' Hobbes agrees and the Doctor faces Sky properly now.

'Why me? Why are you doing this?' They echo together. Rose shakes her head in disbelief.

'She won't leave him alone! Do you see, Rose?! I said so, she's with him!' Val accuses and Rose turns to her.

'No! They aren't, something's wrong! Don't you see?!'

'They're together, you're right!' Biff declares and Hobbes motions to Sky as he faces the Doctor.

'How do you explain it, Doctor? If you're so clever.' Hobbes adds the last insult and Rose narrows her eyes.

'I don't know,' The Doctor and Sky admit. He becomes unnerved. 'Sky, stop it. I said stop it! Just stop it!'

Rose places her hand on his shoulder and he stops. He's almost lost it, for the first time in this whole mess; he's nearly lost it. The Doctor carefully approaches Sky, bending down to her.

Rose doesn't like where this is going. She can feel an icy ball drop into the pit of her stomach, something is going to happen. But she's unsure of what.

'Look at the two of them…' Val replies, disgusted.

'You don't understand, there's a reason she's copying him, there has to be.' Rose says quietly.

'I don't know why you're so quick to defend him…what is he to you?' Val shrugs and Rose narrows her eyes.

'You don't need to know who he is to me. All you need to know is I will defend him until the very end.' Rose spat.

'Mrs. Silvestry. I'm trying to understand. You've captured my speech, what for? What do you need?' The Doctor and Sky eye each other. The Doctor widens his eyes as the realisation hits him. 'You need my voice in particular. The cleverest voice in the room. Why? Cause I'm the only one who can help?

'Ohh, I'd love that to be true. But your eyes, they're saying something else,' The Doctor moves closer to Sky so that they are face to face. Rose bites her lip, unable to stop the nervousness that she's feeling. 'Listen to me. Whatever you want, if it's life, or form, or consciousness, or voice, you don't have to steal it. You can find it, without hurting anyone. And I'll help you. That's a promise. So, what do you think?'

Together they pause, and as the Doctor opens his mouth to speak, Sky speaks first. 'Do we have a deal?' She asks, and the Doctor is now two words behind her.

Rose opens her mouth from the shock. She's breathing heavily as the realisation hits her, and it hits her hard. Silence weighs heavily on the room.

'Doctor…please…no…' Rose covers her mouth.

The rest of the passengers have noticed it too. They haven't missed a beat and the shock resonates off of everyone.

'Hold on…did she just…?' Dee Dee questioned, shocked.

'She spoke first.' Jethro replies, and he doesn't take his eyes off of the two of them.

She can't have.' Val tries to deny it. But she can't stop staring at them.

'She did!' Hobbes exclaims and points to Sky.

'She spoke first!' Jethro agrees and Rose shakes her head.

'There's something wrong! Why can't you see it?!' Rose cries out.

'Oh, look at that, I'm ahead of you.' Sky informs the Doctor, and he repeats her. He's fallen behind again, he's now four words behind her.

'Did you see? She spoke before he did! Definitely!' Hobbes informs them, there is a hint of glee in his voice.

'He's copying her,' Jethro turns to Rose. 'I'm so sorry.'

'Doctor…? What's going on?' Rose drops to her knees by his side, but he doesn't move to look at her. He continues to stare at Sky, and yet, staring off. Rose is terrified.

'I think it's moved. I think it's letting me go.' Sky offers the group a weak smile.

The Doctor copies her, but now, he is four words behind her. 'I think it's moved. I think it's letting me go.'

Rose watches Sky. She appears to be getting stronger. Rose turns back to the Doctor and sees that he's falling behind her synch. Rose widens her eyes as she sees the fear in his eyes, and yet he appears to have no control over what is coming out of his mouth. He's trying to tell her that this is wrong, but without vocalising it. He's utterly stuck and desperate.

When Sky shuffles to a sitting position, Rose immediately gets on edge. She's getting physically stronger, while the Doctor is stuck, kneeling.

'What does that mean, letting you go from what?' Dee Dee inquires and frowns as she studies the Doctor and Sky.

'But he's repeating now, he's the one doing it! It's him!' Biff insists and Rose turns up to him.

'It's not him! Stop saying that!' Rose cries out.

'Mrs. Silvestry? Is that you?' Hobbes ventures and she turns over to him, a small smile on her face.

'Yes, yes it is, it's me, I'm coming back. Listen. It's me!' Sky insists and Rose gives her a dirty look.

'Yes, yes it is, it's me, I'm coming back. Listen. It's me!' The Doctor repeats Sky after six words in. This is utterly terrifying Rose. She doesn't know what to do. She can see his non-verbal communication. Pleading with her to make them understand.

'It's like…it's passed into the Doctor. It's transferred. Whatever it is, it's gone inside him.' Jethro surmises but Rose shakes her head.

'That's not what happened! She's still got control over him!' Rose insists and Dee Dee nods her head.

'I think Rose is right.' Dee Dee agrees and Val rolls her eyes.

'But look at her!' Val points back to Sky and Rose wraps her arms around the Doctor when she sees that Sky has begun to flex her arm. As if she's testing out her own strength.

'I can move…I can feel again, I'm coming back to life. And look at him, Rose. He can't move.' Sky states firmly.

'I can move…I can feel again, I'm coming back to life. And look at him, Rose. He can't move.' The Doctor echoes, but now he's nine words behind her.

Sky attempts to stand, but she's feeble and can't manage to do it. She reaches her arm out for her.

'Help me.' Sky pleads.

'Help me.' The Doctor repeats at the exact same time. He's lost the overlap. Rose widens her eyes and stares at him.

'No…no…' Rose whispers. She turns to Sky. 'Let him go!' Rose demands.

'Rose, I don't know what you mean. It was him all along.' Sky insists and Rose shakes her head.

'Rose, I don't know what you mean. It was him all along.' The Doctor repeats, and she can feel the anger well inside of her.

Sky turns back to the rest of the group, and they are watching this sight unfold. 'Professor…?'

'Professor…?'

'Get me away from him.' Sky pleads, but there is a disgusted tone in her voice. Hobbes glances around at the group.

'Get me away from him.'

'Please.' Sky whispers.

'Please.' The Doctor echoes and Rose reaches down to hold his hand. There is no response from him.

Hobbes watches Sky wearily, unsure if he can trust her. He's still on the fence, slightly afraid of her…but she's so weak and she's begging him. Reluctantly he steps towards her and extends his hand. She reaches for his hand and clasps it tight.

'Ohh, thank you.' Sky smiles at him.

'Ohh, thank you.'

Hobbes leads her away from the Doctor and Rose, who flings them a dirty look. The Doctor, with no strength left, still kneels. He has his back to everyone, and only Rose is privy to the sheer panic on his face.

'They've completely separated.' Jethro informs them and Rose glares at him. It's easier to blame him when they don't have to look at him. If they could see him, they'd know.

Rose tries to move the Doctor, even slightly, but it's like trying to move dead weight. He simply won't move. Rose cups his face her in hands and is overcome by the fear in his eyes.

'It'll be okay. I'll figure it out. I won't let them do anything to you.' Rose whispers to him, but it doesn't take away his fear. She bites her lip and turns back to the group.

'It's him, it's in him, do you see, I said it was him all the time!' Biff points to him and narrow his eyes. 'Rose, get away from him. Or you'll get infected too.'

'No, can't you see? She still has a hold on him!' Rose cries out, so frustrated that they aren't cluing in to these developments.

'She's been freed! Why can't you see that?!' Val responds and crosses her arms. Sky watches her and smiles.

'It was so cold.' Sky recalls and Val covers her mouth.

'It was so cold.' The Doctor echoes and Rose watches him sadly, unsure of how to sever the connection.

'I couldn't breathe.' Sky tells them and she start tear up.

'I couldn't breathe.' He echoes, and Rose hugs his head, wishing she could do anything to stop this.

'I'm sorry.' Sky says pitifully and she reaches out for Val.

'I'm sorry.'

'I must've scared you, so much.' Sky attempts to gain Val's trust. But she seems to have gotten past her initial discomfort.

'I must've scared you, so much.'

Val rushes by the group and hugs Sky tightly. She too, is tearful but has a relieved smile on her face.

'No, no, it's all right, I've you, there you are, my love, it's gone, everything's all right now.' Val keeps Sky tight in her embrace. Rose watches disgusted and is about to say something, when Dee Dee beats her to it.

'I wouldn't touch her.' She warns and Biff turns to her, wanting to convince her that it's really over.

'But it's gone, she's clean, it's passed into him.'

'That is not what's happened!' Rose spat, but she doesn't move, not wanting to release the Doctor for fear of what they might do to him.

'Thank you for your opinion, Rose, and you too, Dee, but clearly Mrs. Silvestry has been released.' Hobbes replies indignantly.

'Rose is right, listen to her!' Dee Dee exclaims and motions to Rose.

'Just leave her alone, both of you! She's safe, isn't she? Jethro? It's let her go, hasn't it?' Val turns to Jethro, who has remained quiet all this time. Rose watches him, hoping he'd agree with Dee Dee. She needs another ally.

'I think so, yeah…looks like it. Professor?' Jethro wants confirmation. Rose can see he isn't entirely convinced and she presses the Doctor tighter to herself.

Hobbes is caught off guard and stammers his way through his response. 'Well, um, I'd say, from observation, and when she was possessed, she couldn't move, so…'

Biff interrupts Hobbes, motioning to Sky. 'Well there we are! Now the only problem we've got is this Doctor. And you too, Rose. Since you're so keen on defending him.'

Rose starts to breathe heavily as she studies each of them. She watches Sky smile darkly at her. She's so clever; she has the group controlled by fear. Rose widens her eyes as Sky starts to twist the tension.

The group watches the Doctor and Rose in complete terror, unsure of what they should do. Rose presses him tighter to her. She's afraid at what this group will do if Sky elevates the fear any further. Unbeknownst to Rose, the hostess remains in the background, eyeing the group. Studying them.

'It's inside his head.' Sky informs the group.

'It's inside his head.'

'It killed the driver.' Sky reminds them and the group widens their eyes at her.

'It killed the driver.'

'Don't listen to her, please don't!' Rose cries out, feeling tears in her eyes.

'And the mechanic.' Sky cuts in and the group turns from staring at Rose and the Doctor.

'And the mechanic.' The Doctor echoes, and Rose squeezes her eyes shut. Sky is making it worse for him.

'And now, it wants us.' Sky folds her arms and smiles darkly at Rose.

'And now, it wants us.'

'I said so!' Val insists and shakily points her finger to them.

'You've got to stop listening to her, she's lying to you!' Rose pleads with them and she can't help her voice from shaking.

'He's waited so long.' Sky twists the fear around the group again and they all take a step away from them.

'He's waited so long.'

'In the dark.' Sky lowers her voice. She doesn't take her gaze off of Rose, watching her and smiles slightly.

'In the dark.'

'And the cold.' Sky whispers.

'And the cold.'

'Stop it! Don't you see, she's making him say those things!' Rose cries out. But no one hears her; they're still petrified of the Doctor.

'And the diamonds.' Sky recalls and the group looks terrified of the small story Sky is weaving for them.

'And the diamonds.'

'Until you came.' Sky turns to Rose and winks at her. Rose feels her cheek tinge red and for the first time since this ordeal happened, she lets go of the Doctor. To face her. She will not let this creature win.

'Until you came.'

'Bodies so hot.' Sky delves deeper into their paranoia and Val gasps.

'Bodies so hot.' The Doctor echoes and Rose watches as he tries to fight this hold over him with everything he has. And yet it's simply no use. He can't win.

'With blood.' Sky pinches her arm for emphasis.

'With blood.' Rose places her hand on the Doctor's cheek, biting her lip.

'And pain.' Sky steps closer to Val, seeing as how she is the most impressionable.

'And pain.'

'Make him stop, oh my god, make him stop, someone make him stop!' Val shouts and Dee Dee steps in to defend Rose's thoughts.

'Rose is right, she's making him say it!' Dee Dee points to Sky and Sky's triumphant smiles fades slightly.

'The two of you can shut up!' Biff orders and Dee Dee lowers her eyes for a moment for she stares at him defiantly.

'I'm sorry, but Rose is right. It isn't him, it's her! He's just repeating!' Dee Dee insists and Rose nods her head.

'Thank you…' Rose smiles warmly at her; their moment is shattered by Biff inserting himself into their conversation.

'But that's what the thing does, it repeats!' Biff shouts at Dee Dee.

The hostess is watching the scene unfold before her and she has made up her mind. She takes a step forward.

'Let them talk.' She instructs firmly.

'Oi, what do you know? Fat lot of good you've been!' Biff states firmly and rolls his eyes at them.

'Just let them explain.' The hostess insists and Biff crosses his arms and huffs. Everyone turns to Rose.

'Look, this thing repeats, then it synchronises, and then it goes to the next stage. Which is exactly what the Doctor said would happen!'

'Oh of course you'd defend him!' Biff shouts and her and Rose presses her lips together.

'Listen!' Dee Dee shouts, and all eyes turn to her. She hates that she's being watched, but she presses onward. 'Rose is right. That's exactly what I saw. She took his voice!'

'But the voice is the thing!' Jethro interjects desperately.

'Don't you see? She is the voice! She stole it!' Rose insists desperately and Dee Dee nods.

'Right, just listen to her, it isn't possessing him, it's draining him!' Dee Dee cries and the hostess listens to their arguments. She believes them. It makes so much sense now.

Sky says nothing and wonders if the group will truly believe her.

'She's got his voice…' The hostess whispers back and covers her mouth at the realisation. What can she do to help him?

'No, but that's not true, cause it can't be, cause I saw it pass into him, I saw it with my own eyes!' Val insists and backs away a bit, understanding what Rose and Dee Dee are trying to get them to see.

'So did I!' Biff agrees and Dee Dee shakes her head.

'You didn't. Look, Rose has been close to the Doctor, face to face with him, like he was with Sky, and Rose hasn't been infected.' Dee Dee points out.

'Look…' Rose bends down and places a kiss on the Doctor's head. He doesn't move but Rose sees the relief in his eyes. They may be getting through to them yet. 'See…?'

'It went from her, to him,' Val recalls and turns to Jethro for support. 'You saw it, didn't you?'

'I don't know…' Jethro admits, becoming more terrified.

'Don't be stupid, Jethro, of course you did!' Val pesters him and Jethro gives in under the constant battering.

'I suppose…he was right next to her.' Jethro says quietly.

'Jethro no…' Rose closes her eyes.

'There we are then!' Val states firmly.

'Everyone saw it, everyone. That means you too, Rose!' Biff points at her and she shakes her head at him. She gives him a dirty look.

'But you didn't! You're just making it up!' Dee Dee insists and Val covers her ears.

'You know what you saw! I know what I saw! She is stealing his voice!' Rose cries out and steps in front of the Doctor.

'They're as bad as him! Someone shut them up!' Val yells and she's directed her anger to Hobbes.

He turns to Dee Dee, wanting to prove himself and directs all his blind anger to her first. 'I think you should be quiet, Dee…' But she abruptly cuts him off.

'I'm only saying…' Dee Dee begins before Hobbes cuts her off, blinded by his anger.

'And that's an order! You're making a fool of yourself! Pretending you're an expert in mechanics, and hydraulics, when I can tell you that you're nothing more than average, at best! Now shut up!'

Dee Dee is instantly silence. Humiliated, she lowers her gaze to the floor, Rose can see her shoulders start to shake as she tries hard not to cry.

Rose immediately rounds on Hobbes and balls her fists. 'How dare you speak to her like that! How dare you?! She's the only out of you that is making any sense! And she is not average! She's brilliant! And you apologise to her! You are not better than her!'

Dee Dee looks up to Rose and gives a big smile, her eyes are shiny with unshed tears, and yet Hobbes doesn't move a muscle or utter an apology.

Sky smirks at the group and plainly states the obvious to the group. 'That's how he does it.'

'That's how he does it.'

'He makes you fight.' Sky crosses her arms.

'He makes you fight.'

'Creeps into your head.' Sky points to her head and narrows her eyes.

'Creeps into your head.'

'And whispers.' Sky drops her voice and smirks slightly.

'And whispers.'

'Listen.' She instructs and turns to Val, knowing she'd be the easiest to convince.

'Listen.' The Doctor echoes.

'Just listen.' Sky pauses and Rose presses her lips together.

'Just listen.'

'That's him.' Sky leans in to Val and whispers to her.

'That's him.'

'Inside.' She quietly whispers to Val and she widens her eyes in shock.

'Inside.'

Val clutches her head in fear. She's terrified and squeezes her eyes shut and viciously shouts out to the group. 'Don't let him whisper, shut him up, shut him up, get him out of my head!'

Biff takes one step towards Rose and the Doctor. 'Throw him out. Yeah, we should throw him out!'

Rose stands defiantly and holds her arms out. 'Don't you come near him!'

'Oh shut up! Biff, stop talking about it! Don't be so useless! Do something!' Val orders and Biff nods his head.

'I will! You watch me! I'm gonna throw him out!' Biff declares and Rose widens her eyes.

'No I won't let you! Stay away!' Rose instructs.

'Yes.' Sky eggs Biff on while she grins darkly.

'Yes.'

'Throw him out!' Sky orders and Biff nods.

'Throw him out!'

'Get rid of him!' Sky declares and points to him triumphantly.

'Get rid of him!'

'Now!' Sky shouts to him and Biff begins to walk towards Rose. She shakes her head and drops to her knees. Wrapping her arms around the Doctor to protect him from Biff.

'Now!'

Biff walks towards Rose and grips her arm so tightly that she cries out. He hauls her to her feet and Rose struggles to hold on to the Doctor, frantically clawing to re-grip his arm. She becomes hysterical as she tries to free herself from his grip.

'Jethro, Professor, get rid of him! I'll hold this one.'

'Stop! Don't!' Rose screams, tears well up in her eyes and she fights harder to be released.

'You can't!' Dee Dee cries out, but Jethro and the Professor have gone forward to the Doctor as Biff moves back with Rose, she's tugging her arm so furiously, and hitting him that Biff has had to restrain her.

'Shut up, both of you, or you'll be next!' Val warns them. Rose doesn't hear her, she frantically trying to free herself.

She stops briefly as she watches Jethro and Hobbes haul the Doctor up, he stares at Rose with sheer panic in his eyes and that sends her into a frenzy as she tries to escape Biff's grip. Her arm is starting to tingle from the lack of circulation.

Hobbes and Jethro have to stop multiple times to re-grip the Doctor, even though he has no strength, he's dead weight. Jethro stops to steal a glance at Rose. Her face is flushed, there are tears running down her cheeks and she's shouting at Biff to let her go. Twisting and turning to try and get out of his grasp.

As they move him down the aisle, everyone finally can see the sheer terror in the Doctor's face. Finally the hostess steps forward.

'I don't think we should do this…' She admits and Biff stops to stare at her.

'It was your idea!' Biff reminds her and the hostess lowers her gaze.

'You thought of it!' Val cries and the hostess is instantly silence. She stops and stands in the middle of the aisle.

'Jethro, put your back into it! Let's go!' Biff orders, as he watches the Doctor dig his feet in. He struggles to contain Rose.

Hobbes isn't faring any better. He's too weak and several times he tries hooking himself under the Doctor's arm. He's doing it rather clumsily. It's clear he's more of a hindrance.

'Grab a hold of him, not like that!' Biff shouts to Hobbes and Rose knocks her elbow into him, having managed to free one arm.

'Stop it! Stop! Let him go! Right now! Now! Stop! Stop it!' Rose shouts hysterically, twisting around, tears falling.

'Throw him out! Just throw him out! Out!' Val adds to the chaos and Rose tries her hardest to ignore her.

Dee Dee has collapsed into her seat and has begun to cry, unsure of how to help him. She covers her face with her hands and breaks down.

Sky watches from the centre aisle, she gives the Doctor a victorious grin. She crosses her arms and motions to a distraught Rose with her eyes, knowing that the Doctor can do nothing. She begins taking steps back with every line, backing up towards the emergency door. It's as if as she steps back, she leads Biff and Hobbes on.

'Cast him out!' Sky calls to Jethro and Hobbes.

'Cast him out!'

'Into the sun.' Sky points ahead of them.

'Into the sun.'

'Professor, stop. Go get his legs! Jethro, hook under his arms.' Biff manages to instruct as Rose struggles to get free. She notices that the Doctor has twisted a bit, making that much harder for them.

'Keep fighting! Doctor, keep fighting! Please don't give up!' Rose cries to him and she manages to free her right arm, she turns to face Biff, struggling to free her left arm. He grips her wrist again. She lets out a cry of frustration and it drives her on.

'And the night!' Sky cries gleeful.

'And the night!'

'Do it!' Sky orders them and she grins.

'Do it!'

'Do it now!'

'Do it now!' The Doctor echoes, staring at Rose as she struggles to free herself.

Sky backs down the aisle, she is clearly getting strong and stronger. She glances at Rose, and than back to the Doctor.

'Faster!' Sky commands.

'Faster!'

'That's the way!' Sky commends and Rose turns to Jethro. He's a scared boy; doing has his scary father ordered.

'That's the way!'

'You can do it!' Sky encourages them on.

'You can do it!'

'Molto bene!' Sky grins and Rose whips her head around, her eyes wild and red.

'Molto bene!'

'Allons-y!'

'Allons-y!'

Without thinking Rose manages to tug her one arm free and whips around, punching Biff right in the nose. The shock sends him recoiling back, falling down and he releases Rose. She quickly starts to run towards Biff and Jethro. And yet, Biff recovers faster. He lunges forward and grabs Rose's right ankle, bringing her down. She lets out a cry of surprise and turns herself around. She grits her teeth and tries to yank her foot out of his grasp, but he grips it too tightly.

Rose scowls at him and uses her left foot, she is about to kick him in the face when the hostess suddenly realises something.

'That's his voice.' She whispers. Rose doesn't hear her and drives her foot into Biff's face. She's sad she decided to go for flats and not the ankle boots she had wanted to wear, but unable to find. She gives him a smirk and she tries to squirm away, but Biff is relentless.

'Let me go! You're making a huge mistake! Let me go!' Rose screams, her voice cracks and becomes hoarse from all the screaming. She bangs her fists on the ground, pulling and tugging. She grips the seats and tries to haul herself away from Biff. He's now managed to take a hold of Rose's shin.

'Fat chance, missy!' Biff manages to get out through his bloodied nose.

The hostess stares at Rose, still struggling, knowing she was right and then moves to Dee Dee who is still crying.

'That's his voice,' The hostess repeats, but again her voice is lost amongst the chaos. 'She's stolen his voice,' The hostess turns to Sky, widening her eyes. 'It's her.'

The hostess looks around, the chaos is unbearable. Rose is frantically trying free herself, but Biff it too quick in the recovery, Jethro and the Professor are struggling to move the Doctor towards the exit and Dee Dee is crying, unsure of what to do, she's buckled under the pressure. Sky has a triumphant smirk on her face.

'The starlight waits!' Sky calls out to them.

'The starlight waits!'

'Stop it! Let me go! Jethro please! Don't do this! Biff, you big idiot, let me go!' Rose shouts in desperation and Biff only shakes his head. Her voice is uneven, cracking.

'The emptiness!' Sky describes and places her hand on her hip.

'The emptiness!'

'The Midnight sky!' Sky declares to the group. And grins victoriously.

'The Midnight sky!'

The hostess knows what must be done and she smooth downs her uniform and strides towards Sky in a fluid action. She grabs a tight hold of Sky and keeps marching the last few steps towards the emergency door. She grips Sky with bruising force and the action has caused everyone to freeze. They watch her with a horrid look and the hostess slams the button to the emergency door.

The door whooshes open with force and the hostess positions herself and Sky at the mouth of the door. Waiting. There is a frame of light, wind howls ahead of them and smoke slithers into the coach.

The hostess holds Sky face to face and Sky widens her eyes. 'No!'

'No!' The Doctor means this repeat, Rose hears him and she twists around trying to catch a glimpse of him. Biff's grip on Rose's ankle is still tight.

'Wait! Stop!' Rose blurts out, hoping to change the hostess's mind. 'There's another way!' The hostess doesn't look at Rose; for fear that it would change her mind.

'Four, five, six…' The hostess counts and on the sixth count, the hostess and Sky are pulled out into the Midnight atmosphere, out the door and they fly into the darkness. They are instantly gone.

The door immediately slams shut and there is a stunned silence in the room. The ordeal is over. Rose breathes out in deep breaths. Jethro and Hobbes drop the Doctor, ashamed and Biff reluctantly lets his grip on Rose's ankle. Everyone is frozen, unsure of what to do.

Rose is immediately on her feet, falling to her knees as her ankle is unaccustomed to the new pressure. She tries again and limps her way to him. He's still sitting on the aisle floor.

'It's gone, it's gone, it's gone, gone, it's gone…' He looks up to Rose as she falls to her knees and hugs him tightly. He's breathing heavily and hears Rose choke back a sob, whispering frantic apologies in his ear.

The Doctor places his hand on the back of Rose's head, even though every ounce of him aches.

He watches as Biff pulls himself up from the ground, nursing his bloodied nose, Val frozen as she is unsure what to think about what just happened, Hobbes sinks into the closest chair, disgusted with himself. Jethro immediately retreats to a side wall, utterly revolted with what he almost became. Dee Dee is still silently crying, but she turns away from the group, facing the wall, unable to look at any of them.

Val is staring at the Doctor and Rose in a shocked silence, she stares at them for a very, very long time, watching Rose cry into the Doctor.

Unable to take the silence anymore she whispers calmly, 'I said it was her.'

Rose abruptly turns around, shocking the Doctor and causing Val to jump. She narrows her eyes and gives her a dirty look. 'Shut. Up.'

Val is instantly silent and Rose wipes away the streaks of mascara that she only worsens by smudging it. The Rose simply embraces the Doctor again, holding him tightly. He places a small kiss on her head.

The silence is deafening.

There are more lights on now, but they are still not fully powered. Everyone is still sitting apart. Not wanting to risk the chance of having to interact with each other. Rose and the Doctor haven't moved from their spots on the floor in the aisle.

They are close to each other, not wanting to be apart. Rose is resting her head on his shoulder, and she is tucked in his embrace, his arm around her shoulders.

'Repeat…Crusader 50, rescue vehicle coming alongside in three minutes, door seals set to automatic. Prepare for boarding, repeat, prepare for boarding.'

The Doctor suddenly thinks of something and moves slowly so he can get every one of them in his line of view.

'The hostess. What was her name?' He wonders and Rose widens her eyes. She feels incredibly guilty. She shakes her head, indicating that she doesn't know.

'I don't know…' Hobbes admits and the Doctor turns to look at Biff, Val, Jethro and Dee Dee. They all shake their heads. The Doctor directs his gaze to the floor, feeling terrible that they never asked.

There is a heavy silence until Rose realises something else.

'Hey, Mr. Cane…?' Rose starts as she turns her attention to Biff.

'Yeah?' His voice is muffled.

'I'm…I'm really sorry…about…' Rose motions to his face sadly and he moves the piece of cloth away from his nose and smiles at her ruefully.

'Yeah…don't worry about it…' Biff looks past her to the Doctor, gripping her hand tightly. He immediately drops his gaze to the floor, feeling horrid.

The only sounds heard are those of the rescue vehicle.

Rose and the Doctor walk hand in hand towards Donna's room number and Rose pauses. She lifts her foot and rubs her ankle.

'Sore?' The Doctor questions.

'Yeah…he probably didn't realise how tightly he had me…a lot going on…' Rose explains it away, her voice is still hoarse. But the Doctor doesn't answer her and they continue on their way. 'What do you think it was?'

'I really don't know…'

'Do you think there are more of them?' Rose turns up to him and he doesn't say anything. 'We should warn the people in charge of this place.'

'Yeah…they can build a Leisure Palace somewhere else. Let this planet keep on turning.'

'Right around an Xtonic star. Forever in silence…' Rose and the Doctor stop at Donna's room and she's sitting there, reading.

She hears the shuffling and lowers the magazine. She stares confused at Rose and the Doctor. Something has happened to them. Rose is walking with a very slight limp, she's dishevelled, she has mascara smudges underneath her eyes and she looks exhausted.

The Doctor doesn't look any better; he looks utterly exhausted and stressed. Donna is on her feet and walking towards them, confused. Rose closes the gap between them and embraces her tightly. Caught off guard, it takes Donna a minute a respond, but she embraces Rose right back and just a fiercely.

Donna moves on to the Doctor and he embraces her with the same ferocity that Rose had. They linger in the embrace before Donna pulls away and folds her arms across her chest.

'What the hell happened?'

Rose sits with her feet in the small pool in the middle of the room, admiring the tiles as the Doctor recounts the tale to Donna. Rose turns over to them and sees Donna's shocked face. Once he's finished, they sit once more in silence. The only sounds coming from Rose moving her feet in the water.

'Rose is right, though. We need to warn this lot.' Donna finally speaks.

'We will, before we go. Which will be soon.' The Doctor agrees and Donna marvels over something she's suddenly thought of.

'I can't imagine you without a voice.' Donna smiles gently and the Doctor turns to her, a wistful smile on his face.

'Molto bene.'

'Molto bene.' Donna echoes and she frowns when Rose covers her ears and looks terrified.

'Please…' Rose whispers and the Doctor stands up.

'Don't do that. Don't.' He informs Donna and walks towards Rose. He offers her his hand and she takes it. He pulls her up and embraces her tightly.

Silence weighs heavily on them before Rose manages say something. 'Let's go…please?'

The Doctor nods and turns to Donna, who has already begun to get herself ready to leave. Rose will be so grateful to get back to the TARDIS and begin to put this behind them. She presses her hand to her temple. She can feel another migraine starting.

Wow I am so sorry it's taken me so long to get this updated. I had a really bad case of writer's block. And the length! Wow, I hadn't really paid that much attention until the word count was already up to 25,000. I blame the introduction, leading up to the story.

Anywho, get ready. The end is nigh. It's coming. Four episodes left. Thanks for reading everyone!