INT. SEPTA SUBWAY STATION

Ethan, Jackie holding baby Rose, Pastor Camp, Gerard, and Rose stand together around the Doctor, who is seated on the bench. After several long seconds...

DOCTOR
I've got nothing.

ROSE
What about your, you know, the thing you carry around in your pocket everywhere?

Jackie smacks Rose.

JACKIE
Watch your mouth. Nobody wants to hear about that.

ROSE
Ow. It's not like that.

The Doctor pulls out his sonic screwdriver and shows it to Jackie.

DOCTOR
Sonic screwdriver. And are you ever going to remember its name?

Rose shrugs.

ETHAN
That's the thing you used at the church to make that noise. It hated that noise.

DOCTOR
Yeah, but it's just a noise. Gave it a little headache is all... buuuuuuuuuut. If I were able to amplify the signal and direct it at the creature, that might, no. We'd need a huge amount of power, and a delivery system, otherwise I'd pop the brains of everyone inside a two mile radius.

ETHAN
We have power, that's not a problem. The third rail's loaded with electricity.

The Doctor's eyes widen.

DOCTOR
The train, of course! How could I have been so stupid? The train's our Excalibur. Rose, help me up.

Rose helps him up. He hobbles over to the abandoned train car and uses the sonic screwdriver to open the door. He heads inside.

INT. SEPTA TRAIN CAR

The Doctor leads Rose and the gang forward. They walk all the way up front to the pilot car as he talks.

DOCTOR
The dragon is never going to leave Ethan alone until either he or it is dead. Conventional weapons are pretty much useless against the thing, because it isn't from this dimension, and all of time is fractured anyway. That's why the phones didn't work at the church and why the entire US Army isn't out there throwing bazookas and tanks up its scaly black ass. They don't know it's here. They aren't contained by the pocket anomaly surrounding Ethan. But the sonic screwdriver can transmit on a frequency that actually affects the creature. We just need to get close enough, and hit it with enough power, and POP its brain like a pimple.

JACKIE
Ugh, that's disgusting.

DOCTOR
It's the only way. It's the dragon or us, and I don't fancy the idea of being dragon dung. We need to lure the thing out onto the tracks where the train travels above ground, and then get it to touch the train at the exact moment we initiate an energy transference through the third rail, into the train's systems, re-focused by the sonic screwdriver and the Tardis, and then back out using the train cars as a giant transmitter.

PASTOR CAMP
How do we lure the dragon out into the open?

The Doctor looks at Ethan.

ETHAN
I was hoping you weren't going to look at me.

DOCTOR
The only way to face your fears is literally.

JACKIE
No, there's got to be another way. There just has to be.

ETHAN
Jackie, I'm the one it wants. It'll follow me.

JACKIE
But what if it doesn't work? What if it does work and you get caught up in it? You could die. I don't want to live without you.

ETHAN
There's nothing stopping that now. At least this time, I get to fight for every last minute.

ROSE
Doctor, there really isn't any other way?

DOCTOR
Trust me. This is the other way.

GERARD
What do you need from us?

The Doctor thinks.

EXT. PARKING LOT – SEPTA SUBWAY STATION

The dragon circles the entrance to the subway station like a vulture waiting for its prey to die before picking apart its carcass. Its pupils widen as it looks down and spots someone wearing Ethan's painter's clothing running as fast as he can. It dives.

The Doctor and Rose poke their heads out from the subway station stairwell. They see the dragon being led away and make a break for the Tardis hardware store van. They enter through the back.

INT. TARDIS

Inside the Tardis, the Doctor suddenly stands upright. He looks around.

DOCTOR
What? What? I can see one of things.

He turns to Rose.

DOCTOR
One head. You have one head! One beautiful head.

He kisses her forehead and then runs over to the command console.

DOCTOR
All right, baby, I'm back. Let's rock this party and slay us some mythical hellspawn!

The Doctor activates the Tardis and we hear the ethereal gears turn.

EXT. PARKING LOT – SEPTA SUBWAY STATION

The van slowly vanishes out of existence.

EXT. STREET – SEPTA SUBWAY STATION – DAY

The dragon swoops down for the kill, but the man wearing painter's clothes jumps out of the way. He turns over. It's Gerard! Wearing Ethan's painter's uniform. The dragon's eyes widen as it recognizes it's been fooled. It launches itself high into the air.

INT. SEPTA TRAIN CAR

Jackie, Ethan, and Pastor Camp all turn at the sound of the ethereal gears. Magically, the Tardis appears in the middle of the train car in the form of a Port-a-Potty. The door opens and Rose steps out. The Doctor stays inside the Tardis doorway.

JACKIE
You travel around in that? A Port-a-Potty for cripes sake?

ROSE
It doesn't always look like that. It's bigger on the inside. You know what? Just deal with it.

The Doctor takes several deep breaths as he prepares to step out of the Tardis. He darts forward and immediately has to lean on some of the seats for support.

DOCTOR
Oh, that's awful.

PASTOR CAMP
What can we do to help?

DOCTOR
You, Rose, and Jackie need to get off and then re-board the train at the caboose. There will be a series of yellow levers with numbers. Pull all of the levers except the first two. With less cars to carry, we'll be able to get enough of a head start on the dragon to pull this off.

PASTOR CAMP
Right.

ROSE
Okay.

Rose, Pastor Camp, and Jackie disembark. As soon as they're all off, the Doctor points the sonic screwdriver at the door. All the train doors slam shut.

INT. SEPTA SUBWAY STATION

Rose turns around at the sound of the door shutting closed. She looks at the Doctor through the window.

ROSE
What are you doing? Why'd you shut the doors?

She pounds on the door. He looks at her with sad eyes, then turns away. He leans on the seats for support on his way up to the pilot car. Ethan, also on the train, steps up to the door in his place.

ROSE
Dad?

Jackie, holding baby Rose, notices that the adult version of her daughter is still standing over by the train. She runs back over.

JACKIE
Ethan, what's going on?

ETHAN
Don't blame the Doctor. I didn't want you to be there.

ROSE
No, you can't do this. Open the door. Doctor!

ETHAN
I want you to know how much I love you both, but there's a chance this might not work. I want you to remember me like this.

JACKIE
Ethan, no. Don't leave me!

ETHAN
I was selfish not to tell you, Jackie. I have cancer. That's why I've been drinking and staying out late. I wasn't cheating. I could never. I just didn't know how to face you. I didn't know how to tell you it was going to end before we got to do everything we ever wanted to do, and I wasn't going to be able to support you anymore.

JACKIE
Oh, god.

ETHAN
But I see what a beautiful woman our Rose becomes, and I know that could only be because she has the most wonderful mother that ever lived.

ROSE
Daddy... don't.

Rose bangs on the door, tries everything she can to open it.

ETHAN
I'm sorry if I let you down, Rose.

INT. PILOT CAR – SEPTA TRAIN

The Doctor activates the train controls with the sonic screwdriver. It starts rolling forward.

INT. SEPTA TRAIN STATION

Rose and Jackie walk with the train, keeping their eyes on Ethan.

ROSE
You didn't let me down. You're everything she ever told me you were.

JACKIE
Ethan, I want to come with you.

ETHAN
Take care of our girl.

The train leaves the station and disappears down the tunnel on its way to the surface. Rose falls to her knees, crying, and grabs her mother's legs for support. Jackie also cries, as does baby Rose. Pastor Camp walks up behind them and bows his head.

PASTOR CAMP
Dear Heavenly Father, please send your Spirit down to watch over those two men, as they face a great enemy today and...

ROSE
NO! Not like this.

Rose jumps to her feet and runs for the stairs.

JACKIE
Rose, wait!

Jackie and Pastor Camp run after her.

EXT. PARKING LOT – SEPTA SUBWAY STATION – DAY

Rose runs up the stairs and turns for the street. She runs as fast as she can. Pastor Camp and Jackie follow after her.

INT. PILOT CAR – SEPTA TRAIN

Ethan steps into the pilot car with the Doctor.

DOCTOR
Good thing we're on a track. I'd never be able to steer otherwise.

The Doctor shakes his head.

ETHAN
I don't know what your deal is with my daughter, but if you ever let anything happen to her, and I mean anything, I'll find a way to come get you.

DOCTOR
Yes, sir.

The Doctor grins.

EXT. ISOLATED SEPTA TRAIN TRACKS

A series of above ground SEPTA tracks at the top of a hill behind abandoned warehouses. The train slows to a halt. Ethan steps out of the pilot car. He looks up into the sky and laughs. The Doctor watches him from the car.

ETHAN
It's a beautiful day. Maybe it got tired of chasing me and left.

We hear a faint SKREE in the distance.

ETHAN
Maybe not.

DOCTOR
I'll be able to loop the power through the Tardis, draw everything in. Whatever you do, don't touch the train yourself.

ETHAN
What about you?

DOCTOR
I should be safe inside the Tardis... probably, maybe. There's a small possibility that there might be a slight chance the temporal insulators hold and an inverse surge doesn't fry me up like a potato. But I should likely have a very real remote chance to survive this, and hell, I'm excited about that.

ETHAN
Just out of curiosity, does my daughter know you're in love with her?

The Doctor opens his mouth to say something, but freezes. He's stunned.

ETHAN
I'm not sure I've been following all the science-y talk you've been spouting this whole time. In fact, I'm fairly certain I haven't been, but I think I get the gist enough to realize you're putting your life on the line, not to mention all of time and your time machine, so my little girl can have a couple lousy weeks with the father she never knew. Don't try and deny it, Doctor.

DOCTOR
Wasn't really planning on it.

ETHAN
Yeah, well, if I don't get to be there for her, it's good to know there's someone in her life who cares about her that much.

Ethan turns and walks out onto the tracks.

The Doctor shakes his head, as if suddenly remembering what they're trying to do. He stumbles back inside.

Ethan stands in the middle of the track a few yards away from the front of the train. He sees the dragon in the distance and raises his arms in the air.

ETHAN
Come get me you son of a bitch.

He licks his lips.

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor runs inside the Tardis and locks the door. He runs over to the command console and throws a switch.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spots something sitting on the console; the tabloid article about Rose's Dad. The sight of it makes him shake his head for some reason.

INT. SEPTA TRAIN CAR

All around the Tardis, electricity is drawn into the train.

EXT. LOOKOUT – DAY

Rose runs around the corner of a building to the top of a hill that overlooks the tracks. Jackie and Pastor Camp follow not far behind. They see Ethan in the distance. The dragon bears down on him. Electricity snakes up from the tracks and engulfs the train.

EXT. ISOLATED SEPTA TRAIN TRACKS

The dragon flies closer...

Ethan faces it with determination.

The dragon's jaws open...

Ethan turns towards the train, jogs, then runs.

The dragon SKREEs.

Ethan leaps to the right just before coming into contact with the electrified train. The dragon can't dodge in time and slams head first into the pilot car. It SKREEs and convulses wildly. Pieces of its skin incinerate.

INT. TARDIS

The Tardis sparks. The Doctor is thrown against a wall.

EXT. ISOLATED SEPTA TRACKS

The dragon is fried. All that's left is a charcoal carcass smoking on the tracks.

Rose, Jackie with baby Rose, and Pastor Camp run down to the tracks and straight for...

Ethan sits up, still very much alive. Rose and Jackie run to Ethan and hug him.

ROSE
Daddy!

JACKIE
Ethan, my god, Ethan.

Jackie kisses him, then slaps him across the face.

JACKIE
Don't you ever do that to me again!

Pastor Camp smiles at the heartwarming sight, but turns his attention on the train, which is almost as fried as the dragon itself. Three of the cars are even on fire.

Rose notices Pastor Camp, then turns her attention on the train. It's worse than a trainwreck.

ROSE
Doctor?

She stands up, fright entering her mind. She runs toward the train.

ETHAN
No, Rose, don't!

ROSE
Doctor?! Doctor?!

Pastor Camp steps in front of her and grabs her.

PASTOR CAMP
No, child, it's burning hot. Can't you see?

Rose cries.

ROSE
He can't be dead. He can't be. Doctor?!

The sound of metal crashing.

Rose turns. One of the train doors is kicked open and out emerges a shaken, but alive Doctor.

ROSE
Doctor!

He falls out of the train, then stumbles to his feet just in time to meet Rose with open arms. His clothes are crisp around the edges. Smoke rises from his collar and hair.

DOCTOR
Oooooh, I think I know what a hot pocket feels like. Yeah.

Rose laughs. Ethan and Jackie laugh. Pastor Camp smiles. The day is won.

EXT. TENNANT APARTMENT BUILDING – THE NEXT DAY

The Doctor, looking clean and dapper, stands with Rose, Jackie, and Ethan holding baby Rose in his arms, outside the apartment building main entrance.

ROSE
What about time?

DOCTOR
Oh, it's still frelled to bits. Phones won't work. You'll see people frozen, others moving at light speed. Careful you don't run afoul of any monkey men on horseback. They can get a bit cantankerous. But good news, my cobwebs are plucked for whatever reason. Feel like I could run back a kickoff.

The Doctor turns to Ethan.

DOCTOR
The doctor gave you six weeks. You won't be able to seek treatment, but that's six more weeks than you got the first time. I suggest you all make it count.

JACKIE
We will.

ROSE
You could stay.

DOCTOR
Oh, I'll be here, around. The Tardis isn't going anywhere for a while. I've got a lot of work to do to get her running again. But this is your time. Spend it with the old man.

ETHAN
Easy with the old man stuff. I'm only a few years older than she is.

DOCTOR
(to Rose)
I'll come back for you before it's time. I promise.

Rose hugs the Doctor. He smiles and walks off. They all head inside.

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor wanders inside. He shuts the door and then leans against it. He pulls the tabloid news article from his pocket. The headline reads, "My Dad Saved the World from an Alien Dragon". There's a picture of Rose crying. He hangs his head.

FADE TO BLACK

SUPER: 5 WEEKS LATER

FADE IN:

INT. MASTER BEDROOM - JACKIE'S APARTMENT

In the dimly lit room, Rose watches television by her father's bedside. He's pale, breathing heavily, unconscious... and holding her hand. Jackie walks in carrying baby Rose.

JACKIE
Did you want any...

Rose presses her finger to her lips. Jackie lowers her voice.

JACKIE
(whisper)
I made a roast. If you don't want any, I've got peas and mashed potatoes for your father. I could also boil up some pasta, if you'd like that. Or a ham.

Jackie heads back into the kitchen.

Rose takes a cloth from the night table and wipes Ethan's brow. The faint sound of ethereal gears grinding in the night freezes her. She closes her eyes, puts the cloth down and heads over to the window.

Outside, snow is falling. She sees a blue telephone booth across the street and a man in a trench coat standing next to it with his hands in his pockets. It's the Doctor.

INT. LIVING ROOM – JACKIE'S APARTMENT

Rose quietly gathers her coat by the door. She puts on her hat. Jackie appears in the kitchen doorway.

JACKIE
Where are you going?

ROSE
I just need some air.

JACKIE
The roast is ready.

ROSE
I'll be right back.

JACKIE
Don't lie to me, sweetheart.

Jackie heads back into the kitchen.

INT. KITCHEN – JACKIE'S APARTMENT

Jackie leans over the counter and listens for the door. She hears it open and close and responds by throwing a pot across the room. She cries.

EXT. TENNANT APARTMENT BUILDING – NIGHT

Snowflakes fall gracefully in the street as Rose crosses it to meet her Doctor, tears in her eyes. She stops in front of him.

ROSE
I don't want it to end.

DOCTOR
The article isn't changed. It means, when your father dies, time's going to snap back to the original way of things. He'll go back to the street, after the accident.

ROSE
So, none of it even matters? No one will remember any of it even happened?

DOCTOR
You will. If you step into the Tardis before he dies, you'll be protected from the changes. You'll remember everything. But if it hurts too much, you can stay out here. You'll revert back to the moment of the accident as well, but with me at your side at the street corner. You won't remember any of it.

She thinks, cries. Not sure of what to do, she walks up to him and hugs him, burying her face in his chest. He holds her.

ROSE
I'm not ready to say goodbye. It hurts so much. But I don't want to forget either.

She looks up at him.

ROSE
What would you do?

He holds her face and wipes the tears from her cheeks.

DOCTOR
I'd do anything I could to hold on to the person I love.

She looks back at the apartment building and to the window of the room where she knows her father is about to take his last breath.

ROSE
I don't want to forget.

The Doctor opens the Tardis door for her. She steps inside. He catches a snowflake in his hand, then follows her in and closes the door.

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET CORNER – THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT

Fall leaves blow across the gray pavement early in the morning. We hear the ethereal rotors of the Tardis as it materializes in a closed down hardware store parking lot in the form of a delivery truck. The Doctor and Rose climb out the rear wearing winter coats.

Across the street stands Calvary Church, a huge modern monstrosity in the middle of a Philadelphia suburb. There's an ambulance and three police cruisers out front. Trevor, the drunk driver sits in the back of one of the cruisers.

The Doctor points to a crowd of curious onlookers and one man in particular; Gerard, taking pictures of the scene. Rose sees him and crosses the street. From the Doctor's perspective, we see her approach Gerard and talk to him. She tells him something he doesn't appear to believe.

A few blocks away, a police officer sits in a parked police van. We don't see his face. He holds in his hand an alien-looking triangular pad which displays a map and a blinking red dot in the exact location where the Tardis is parked. It blinks every other second.

INT. TARDIS

The Tardis is quiet as we zoom in on the command console, through the top layer, and into the internal electrical components. Inside is a very small metal box with a blinking red light. It blinks every other second.

END CREDITS ROLL

- End Episode 4 - Serial, To be Continued...-

* As always, feedback/reviews are appreciated. *