Chapter 12: A Christmas Carol

Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who.

A planet was being viewed through the screen of a crashing ship, its atmosphere, swirling blue-white gases. The Computer said, "Would all passengers please return to their seats and fasten their safety belts? We are experiencing slight turbulence."

The Captain arrived. "Both engines failed, and the storm-gate's critical. The ship is going down! Christmas is cancelled."

The First Pilot reported, "Entering atmosphere now! Level - keep her level!"

The Second Pilot asked, "Level with what? I can't see! What is that stuff?"

The Captain suggested, "Clouds?"

The First Pilot asked, "What kind of clouds?"

The Captain asked, "Are you sending a distress signal?"

The First Pilot replied, "It's not me!"

The Captain checked the ship to locate the signal. "Who's in the honeymoon suite?"

Amy entered wearing her police costume. The Captain turned to the door. Amy said, "I've sent for help."

The Captain asked, "Who the hell are you?"

Amy said, "Look, there are these friends of mine, OK, and they can help us. They'll come!"

The Captain asked, "And what are you wearing?"

A little self-conscious, Amy tugged at the skirt hem. "That doesn't matter."

The Captain asked, "Are you from the honeymoon suite?"

Amy snapped, "Oh, shut up!"

Rory entered dressed as a Roman soldier. He was tossed into the walls as the ship shuddered. He was holding a device in his hand. "Amy, the light's stopped flashing... Does that mean they're coming?"

The First Pilot raised an eyebrow. "Honeymoon suite?"

Rory blushed, "Oh, oh, the clothes, um... It is just a bit of fun."

Amy snapped, "Really, shut up!"

The Second Pilot reported, "Sensor-loss on 80% of the hull..."

Rory asked, "So does this mean they're coming? Or does it mean I need to change the bulb?"

Amy replied, "They'll come. They always come."

Rory hissed, "Right, well, they are cutting it kind of fine!"

The Captain said, "If we can't stabilise the orbit, we're finished."

The Second Pilot said, "There's nothing to lock onto. I am flying blind."

Amy muttered, "Come on, guys, come on..."

The Second Pilot reported, "There's something coming alongside us. Something small, like a shuttle."

Amy said, "Just this once, don't be late."

The First Pilot said, "Ma'am...incoming message. It's from the other ship."

The Captain ordered, "On screen." Three words appeared on the screen in front of them: Come along, Ponds. The TARDIS whizzed by. Rory looked at Amy who sighed in relief. The Captain asked, "What does that mean?"

Amy replied, "It's Christmas!"

Kazran Sardick was looking out a large window out onto the stormy sky. "On this world, the first settlers called it the Crystal Feast. You know what I call it?" He turned. "I call it expecting something for nothing!" Kazran walked into the room where a family was standing.

The father pleaded with Kazran. "Sir. Mr Sardick. We're only asking for one day. Just let her out for Christmas." Two men wheeled a cryogenic pod into the room. Inside was a young woman with long blonde hair. "She loves Christmas."

Kazran asked, "Does she? Oh, does she? I see! Hello!" He tapped on the window with his cane. "Wakey-wakey - it's Christmas! Do you know what? I think she's a bit cool about the whole thing." He laughed but no one else did. "That was funny." The servants laughed.

The son said, "She's frozen."

Kazran asked, "She's what, sorry?"

The son said, "She's in the ice, she can't hear you."

Kazran said, "Oh, what a clever little boy. You must be so irritated." He asked a servant. "How much?"

The servant replied, "Er...it's 4,500 Gideons, sir."

Kazran said to the family, "You took a loan of 4,500 Gideons and Little Miss Christmas is my security."

The phone rang and the servant answered. The father said, "We're not asking for her back. Just let her have one day. Let her have Christmas with us."

The servant said to Kazran, "Sir, it's the President."

Kazran replied gruffly, "Tell him I'm busy. Now...where were we? Oh, yes! She's pretty, though, your daughter. Maybe I should keep her."

The father said, "She's not my daughter, sir."

The mother explained, "She's my sister. She volunteered for the ice when the family were in difficulties many years ago."

The servant walked over. "Sorry, sir, the President says there's a galaxy-class ship trapped in the cloud layer and...well, we have to let it land."

"Or?"

"Well...or it'll crash, sir."

Kazran asked, "Oh. Well, it's a kind of landing, isn't it?"

The servant said, "It's from Earth, sir, registering over 4,000 life forms on board."

Kazran chuckled. "Not if we wait a bit!"

The servant protested, "You can't just let it crash, sir."

The son heard the sound of a vortex manipulator activating. Kazran asked the servant, "Says who? Oh, give it here." He took the phone. "Look, petal, we already have a surplus population. No more people allowed on this planet." The son looked to the chimney and saw soot fall into the fireplace. "I don't make the rules. Oh, no, hang on... I do." He hung up. "Right, you lot... poor, begging people, off home and pray for a miracle."

The father ushered his family towards the door. The son looked back to the fireplace just as a huge amount of soot fell, spreading embers in a gust. The Vixen then fell through, somersaulting. She got up and dusted herself off. The Vixen grinned, "Oh! Yes, blimey. Sorry! Christmas Eve on a rooftop, saw a chimney, my whole brain just went, 'What the hell!'" She walked to the children. "Don't worry, chubs will be doing the rounds later. I'm just scoping out the general...chimney-ness. Yeah." She leant against the chimney. "Nice size, good traction... big tick!"

The father asked, "Chubs?"

The Vixen replied, "Father Christmas, Santa Claus...or, as I've always known him, Jeff."

The son scoffed, "There's no such person as Father Christmas."

The Vixen asked, "Oh, yeah?" She pulled out a black and white photo. "Me, my boyfriend, my daughter and Father Christmas, Frank Sinatra's hunting lodge, 1952. See him at the back with the blonde...Albert Einstein. The five of us together...hrrroom!" She winked. "Watch out! OK? Keep the faith, stay off the naughty list." She turned around. "Ooh! Now, what's this? And I love this, a big flashy lighty thing - that's what brought me here."

The Vixen walked over to a large control panel covered with knobs, buttons and flashing lights. "Big flashy lighty things have got me written all over them. Not actually, but give me time and a crayon." She sat in the chair and swivelled around to face Kazran. "Now, this big flashy lighty thing is connected to the spire in your dome, yeah, and it controls the sky." She stood up and walked forward. "Well, technically, it controls the clouds, which technically aren't clouds at all. Well, they're clouds of tiny particles of ice. Ice clouds, love that. Who's she?" She pointed at the cryo-chamber.

Kazran replied, "Nobody important."

The Vixen asked, "Nobody important? Blimey, that's amazing. Do you know, in almost 900 years of time and space, I've never met anyone who wasn't important before. Martha Jones? My ex-best friend would still be evil and alive. Captain Jack Harkness? I never would have found out about my ex-best friend being evil and alive. Donna Noble? Well, the universe wouldn't exist if not for her."

To everyone else she was just spouting nonsense. Kazran asked, "What are you talking about, woman?"

The Vixen went back to the console and began using the controls. "Never mind. Now, this console is the key to saving that ship, or I'll eat my hat... if I had a hat. I'll eat someone's hat. Not someone who's using their hat - I don't want to shock a nun, or something. Sorry, rambling, cos...cos this isn't working!"

Kazran said smugly, "The controls are isomorphic – one to one - they respond only to me."

The Vixen said, "Oh, you fibber... Isomorphic! There's no such thing."

Kazran reached across and flipped a switch, shutting the machine off. He then turned it back on. The Vixen tried the same switch and nothing happened. She then ran her sonic screwdriver over the controls then Kazran. She checked the readings and said, "These controls are isomorphic!"

Kazran said, "The skies of this entire world are mine. My family tamed them, and now I own them."

The Vixen asked, "Tamed the sky? What does that mean?"

Kazran replied, "It means I'm Kazran Sardick. How can you possibly not know who I am?"

The Vixen answered, "Well, just easily bored, I suppose. So, I need your help, then."

Kazran grumbled, "Make an appointment."

The Vixen snarled, "I'm being subtle here. There are 4,005 people in a spaceship trapped in your cloud belt. Without your help, they're going to die."

Kazran didn't move, but he was nervous inside. Eyes weren't supposed to glow like that. "Yes."

The Vixen said, "You don't have to let that happen."

Kazran replied, 'I know, but I'm going to. Bye-bye. Bored now. ..Chuck!"

One of Kazran's servants took the Vixen by the shoulders to escort her out. The Vixen ducked out of his grip and stood in front of Kazran, now sitting in a chair. Kazran said, "Ooh, look at you, looking all tough now."

The Vixen hissed, "There are 4 of my family up there in the 4,005 people, and I won't allow any of those 4,005 die tonight. Do you know where that puts you?"

Kazran asked, "Where?"

"4,006."

Kazran asked, "Was that a sort of threat-y thing?"

The Vixen snarled, "Whatever happens tonight, remember... you brought it on yourself."

Kazran waved his hand. "Yeah, yeah, right... Get her out of here. And next time, try and find me some funny poor people."

The Vixen was forced towards the door along with the family. The son picked up a lump of coal and threw it at Kazran, hitting him on the head. He stormed over to the son and raised his hand to hit him. The Vixen growled, "No, stop, don't!"

The father snapped, "Don't you dare! You leave him!"

Kazran lowered his hand. "Get him out of here! Get that foul-smelling family out of here! Out!"

The family was taken from the room. The son shouted, "We're going!"

Kazran headed back to his chair but stopped when he saw the Vixen still there. "What? What do you want?"

The Vixen replied, "A simple life. But you didn't hit the boy."

Kazran said, "Well, I will next time!"

The Vixen smirked, "No, you see, you won't. Now why? What am I missing?" She walked past Kazran looking at something else.

Kazran snapped, "Get out! Get out of this house!"

"The chairs! Of course, the chairs! Stupid me, the chairs!"

Kazran asked, "The chairs?"

The Vixen said, "There's a portrait on the wall behind me. Looks like you, but it's too old, so it's your father. All the chairs are angled away from it. Daddy's been dead for 20 years. But you still can't get comfortable where he can see you. There's a Christmas tree in the painting, but none in this house, on Christmas Eve. You're scared of him and you're scared of being like him. And good for you, you're not like him, not really. Do you know why?"

"Why?"

The Vixen murmured, "Because you didn't hit the boy." She nodded. "Merry Christmas, Mr Sardick."

Kazran snarled, "I despise Christmas!"

The Vixen walked way. "You shouldn't. It's very you."

Kazran asked, "It's what? What do you mean?"

The Vixen sang, grinning, "Halfway out of the dark." She left just as the servants returned from escorting the family out.

Kazran ordered, "Get her downstairs with the others. Clean up this mess!"

The Second Pilot said, "Everything's offline! Secondary furnace just vented."

Amy and Jenny were on the phone with the Vixen while the Doctor and Rory were trying to find a way to clear the cloud belt. Jenny was wearing a black denim skirt and white button up shirt. She asked on the phone, "So, Mum, have you got a plan yet?"

The Vixen replied, "Yes, I do."

Jenny and Amy looked at each other and asked together, "Are you lying?"

"Yes, I am."

Amy said, "Don't treat us like idiots."

Rory asked, "Was she lying?"

Jenny replied, "No, no."

The Vixen walked into the street. "OK, the good news. I've tracked the machine that unlocks the cloud belt. I could use it to clear you a flight corridor and you could land easily."

Amy said, "Oh, hey, hey, that's great news."

"But I can't control the machine."

Jenny said, "Less great."

The Vixen said, "But I've met a man who can."

Amy said, "Ah, well, there you go!"

The Vixen finished, "And he hates me."

Jenny asked, "Mum, were you being extra charming and clever?"

The Vixen replied, "Yeah, how did you know?"

Amy and Jenny rolled their eyes. Amy muttered, "No wonder."

Jenny elbowed her slightly and replied, "Lucky guess."

The father from inside the Sardick house called to the Vixen. "Miss... Miss."

The Vixen said into the phone, "Hang on." She walked over to the father.

"I've never seen anybody stand up to Mr Sardick like that." He shook her hand. "Bless you, miss, and merry Christmas."

The Vixen smiled, "Merry Christmas. Lovely. Sorry, bit busy."

The father advised, "You'd better get inside, ma'am. The fog's thick tonight, and there's a fish warning."

The Vixen nodded, "Oh, right, yeah. Sorry, fish?"

"Yeah. You know what they're like when they get a bit hungry."

The Vixen replied, "Yeah, fish, I know fish. Fish?"

The father said, "It's all Mr Sardick's fault, I reckon. He always lets a few fish through the cloud layer when he's in a bad mood. Thank you. Bless you once again, ma'am." He left.

The Vixen asked herself, "Fish?"

Jenny's voice came on, "Mum, the Captain and Dad say we've got less than an hour..."

Amy asked, "What should we be doing?"

The Vixen looked up at a streetlight and saw small fish swimming around it like moths. "Fish...!"

Amy asked, "Sorry, what?"

The Vixen grinned, "Fish that can swim in fog. I love new planets."

Jenny groaned, "Mum! Mum, please don't get distracted!"

The Vixen asked the fish gently, "Now, why would people be frightened of you tiny little fellas?" She held up her hand and the fish investigated. "Look at you, sweet little fishy-wishies. Mind you, fish in the fog, so the cloud cover... Ooh. Careful up there."

Amy said sarcastically, "Oh, great, thanks, Vixen, because if there was a real danger we were all going to nod off! We've got less than an hour!"

The Vixen looked at a nearby clock. "I know." 'Ding Dong Merrily on High' began to play over loudspeakers.

Jenny asked, "Mum? How are you getting us off here? We can't exactly take all 4,000 people into the TARDIS. That box has limits."

The Vixen said, "Oi! Not a box! Oh, just give me a minute!" She muttered to herself, "Jenny's right. Can't use the TARDIS. So that ship needs to land, but it can't land unless a very bad man suddenly decides to turn nice, just in time for Christmas Day! A real Christmas Miracle!"

Amy said, "Vixen, we can't hear you. What is that? Is that singing?"

The Vixen replied, "A Christmas carol."

"A what?"

"A Christmas carol."

"A what?"

The Vixen rolled her eyes and said loudly, "A CHRISTMAS CAROL!"

Jenny squeaked, "Mum!"

The Vixen looked up, a cunning smile crossing her face. "Kazran Sardick!"

Amy said, "Vixen!"

The Vixen said brightly, "Merry Christmas, Kazran Sardick!"

Kazran had fallen asleep in his chair. On a wall, a recording of a little boy in his bedroom plays. It was young Kazran speaking to the camera. "Hello. My name is Kazran Sardick. I'm 12½, and this is my bedroom."

Kazran mumbled in his sleep. "Top secret special project."

Young Kazran said, "This is my top secret special project. For my eyes only. Merry Christmas."

A man shouted, "Kazran, Kazran!" The shout awoke Kazran with a start and he watched the screen as his father came into the bedroom. Elliot asked, "Kazran, what are you doing? What are you doing?!" He peered into the camera.

Kazran stood up and backed away in fear. Elliot snapped onscreen, "I've warned you before about this, you stupid, ignorant, ridiculous child!"

Young Kazran said, "I was just going to make a film of the fish."

Elliot snapped, "The fish are dangerous!"

"I just want to see them."

Elliot scoffed, "Don't be stupid, you're far too young!"

Young Kazran whined, "Everyone at school's seen the fish."

"That's enough! You'll be singing to them next, like gypsies."

Young Kazran said, "The singing works! I've seen it. The fish like the singing."

Kazran walked closer to the wall. Elliot asked, "What does it matter what fish like?"

Young Kazran said, "People say we don't have to be afraid of the fish. They're not really interested in us."

Elliot growled, "You don't listen to people! You listen to me!" He backhanded young Kazran.

Kazran reached a hand to his cheek. Young Kazran whimpered, "Ow! I'm sorry, Father."

Elliot snapped, "This is my house!" The Vixen entered the room behind Kazran. In the video, Young Kazran had his head down on the desk and was crying.

The Vixen put a hand on Kazran's shoulder. "It's OK. It's OK."

Kazran jerked away from her touch and turned to the Vixen. "What have you done? What is this?"

The Vixen replied, "Found it on an old drive. Sorry about the picture quality, had to recover the data using quantum enfolding and a paperclip." She sat in Kazran's chair and picked up the newspaper. "Oh, I wouldn't bother calling your servants, they quit. Apparently they won the lottery at exactly the same time, which is a bit lucky when you think about it."

Kazran scoffed, "There isn't a lottery."

The Vixen said, "Yeah, as I say, lucky."

Elliot snapped, "There's a fog warning tonight. You keep these windows closed, understand? Closed!"

Kazran asked, "Who are you?"

The Vixen grinned, "Tonight, I'm the Ghost Of Christmas Past."

Elliot said onscreen, "Mrs Mantovani will be looking after you tonight. You stay here till she comes. Do you understand? Do you understand?"

The Vixen asked, "Did you ever get to see a fish back then, when you were a kid?"

Kazran asked, "What does that matter to you?"

The Vixen said, "Look how it mattered to you."

Kazran said, "I cried all night, and I learned life's most invaluable lesson."

The Vixen asked, "Which is?"

Kazran snapped, "Nobody comes. Get out! Get out of my house!"

The Vixen replied, "OK. OK. But I'll be back. Way back. Way, way back." She went into the other room, out of sight. She typed something into her manipulator and disappeared.

At the same moment, Young Kazran lifted his head and turned to the window where the Vixen had appeared. "See? Back!" She opened the window.

Young Kazran asked, "Who are you?"

The Vixen grinned, "Hi. I'm The Vixen. I'm your new babysitter." She jumped into the room.

Young Kazran asked, "Where's Mrs Mantovani?"

The Vixen laughed, "Oh, you'll never guess! Clever old Mrs Manters, she only went and won the lottery!" She hopped on the bed and bounced.

Kazran said, "There isn't any lottery!"

Young Kazran said onscreen, "There isn't any lottery."

The Vixen replied, "I know. What a woman!" She jumped off the bed.

Young Kazran asked, "If you're my babysitter, why are you climbing in the window?"

The Vixen sighed, "Cos if I was climbing out, I'd be going in the wrong direction. Pay attention." She tapped his nose.

Young Kazran said, "Mrs Mantovani's always my babysitter."

"Times change." She peered into the camera. "Wouldn't you say? You see... Christmas Past."

Young Kazran asked onscreen, "Who are you talking to?"

The Vixen replied, "You. Now, your past is going to change. That means your memories will too. Scary, but you'll get the hang of it."

Young Kazran said, "I don't understand."

The Vixen laughed, "I'll bet you don't! I wish I could see your face." She pointed at young Kazran and then the camera.

Kazran muttered, "But that never happened." He turned away. "But it did!"

The Vixen said to young Kazran, "Right, then. Your bedroom. Great! Let's see, you're 12 years old, so we'll stay away from under the bed. Cupboard! Big cupboard, I love a cupboard." She ran to the cupboard and opened it. "Do you know? There's a thing called a face spider. It's just like a tiny baby's head with spider legs, and it's specifically evolved to scuttle up the backs of bedroom cupboards..." She closed the door. "Which, yeah, I probably shouldn't have mentioned. Right, so what are we going to do? Eat crisps and talk about stuff? I've never actually done that, talking about stuff that's not scientific, but I bet it's easy. Stuff! Yeah?"

Young Kazran asked, "Are you really a babysitter?"

The Vixen said, "I think you'll find I'm universally recognised as a mature and responsible adult." She showed young Kazran her psychic paper.

Young Kazran peered at it. "It's just a lot of wavy lines."

The Vixen sighed, "Yeah, it's shorted out. Finally, a lie too big." She put it away. "OK, no, not really a babysitter, but it's Christmas Eve. You don't want a real one, you want me."

Young Kazran asked, "Why? What's so special about you?"

The Vixen grinned, "Have you ever seen Mary Poppins?"

Kazran replied, "No."

"Good. Cos that comparison would've been rubbish. I'm nothing like her. She doesn't wear enough black leather. Fish in the fog, fish in the clouds. How do people ever get bored? How did boredom even get invented?" She stood at the open window.

Kazran said, "My dad's invented a machine to control the cloud belt. Tame the sky, he says. The fish'll be able to come down, but only when we let them. We can charge whatever we like."

The Vixen turned to face Kazran. "Yeah. I've seen your dad's machine." A large something with fins passed behind the Vixen.

Kazran asked, "What? You can't have."

The Vixen scoffed, "Tame the sky... Humans, you always manage to find the boring alternative, don't you? You want to see one? A fish. We can do that. We can see a fish."

Kazran asked, "Aren't you going to tell me it's dangerous?"

The Vixen asked, "Dangerous?!" She came back inside. "Come on, you're a boy! And you know what boys say in the face of danger. I learnt that from my boyfriend."

Kazran asked, "What?"

"Mummy!"

The Vixen's sonic screwdriver was tied with a string to a pulley hanging from the ceiling, beeping intermittently. The string continued into the cupboard where the Vixen and Kazran were hiding. Kazran asked, "Are there any face spiders in here?"

The string was looped around the Vixen's finger. "Nah, not at this time of night. They'll all be sleeping in your mattress." Kazran's eyes widened. "So why are you so interested in fish?"

Kazran replied, "Cos they're scary."

"Good answer."

Kazran asked, "What kind of jacket is that?"

The Vixen replied, "A cool one."

Kazran asked, "Why is it cool?"

The Vixen asked, "Why are you really interested in fish?"

Kazran said, "My school. During the last fog belt, the nets broke and there was an attack. Loads of them, a whole shoal. No-one was hurt, but it was the most fish ever seen below the mountains."

The Vixen asked, "Were you scared?"

"I wasn't there. I was off sick."

"Ooh, lucky you. Not lucky?"

Kazran said, "It's all anyone ever talks about now, the day the fish came. Everyone's got a story."

The Vixen finished, "But you don't. I see."

Kazran sat down. "Why are you recording this?"

The Vixen asked, "Do you pay attention at school, Kazran?"

Kazran asked, "Sorry, what?"

The Vixen whispered, "Cos you're not paying attention now." The string was tugging the Vixen's finger. "Ssh!"

At the Sardick residence, Old Kazran murmured. "Now I remember." He watched as the Vixen stood and went to open the door. "No, Vixen, you mustn't!"

Kazran asked, "Vixen, are you sure?"

The Vixen grinned, "Trust me."

"OK."

"Oi! Eyes on the jacket. Look at me. I wear it and I don't care. Trust me?"

Kazran nodded, "Yes."

The Vixen grinned, "That's why it's cool." She slowly entered the room and saw a small fish investigating the screwdriver. "Hello, fishy. Let's see." She walked slowly close to the walls. "Interesting. Crystalline fog, eh? Maybe carrying a tiny electrical charge. Is that how you fly, little fishy?"

Kazran asked through the door, "What is it? What kind? Can I see?"

The Vixen whispered, "Just stay there a moment."

Kazran asked, "Is it big?"

The Vixen replied, "Nah, just a little one." She leant in closer. "So, little fella, what do you eat?" A shark swam into the room and swallowed the fish—and the sonic screwdriver. The Vixen jerked back.

Kazran asked, "How little?"

"Erm..."

Kazran asked, "Can I come out?"

The Vixen squeaked, "No, no. Maybe just...wait there for a moment." Without taking her eyes off the shark, the Vixen edged her way back to the cupboard door.

Kazran asked, "What colour is it?"

"Big. Big colour." She dashed for the door. She got in and shut the door and leant against it as the shark rammed it with its head.

Kazran asked, "What's happening?"

The Vixen said, "Well, concentrating on the plusses, you've definitely got a story of your own now. Also, I got a good look at the fish, and I understand the fog, which'll help me land a spaceship in the future, and save a lot of lives. And I'll get some readings off my sonic screwdriver when I get it off the shark in your bedroom."

Kazran asked, "There's a shark in my bedroom?!"

"Oh, fine, focus on that part!" The banging stopped.

Kazran asked, "Has it gone? What's it doing?"

The Vixen asked softly, "What do you call it if you don't have any feet, and you're taking a run-up?" She and Kazran exchanged looks. The Vixen grabbed Kazran and pulled him from the door just as the shark broke through and the camera stopped.

The Vixen and Kazran were on the floor in the far corner, out of reach from the shark at the moment. As the shark opened its mouth, there was a green glow inside. Kazran whimpered, "It's going to eat us, it's going to eat us, it's going to eat us... Is it going to eat us?"

The Vixen said, "Maybe we're going to eat it, but I don't like the odds. It's stuck, though. Let's see. Tiny brain. If I had my screwdriver, I could probably stun it."

Kazran asked, "Well, where's your screwdriver?"

The Vixen replied, "Well, concentrating on the plusses... within reach. There's a real chance, the way it's wedged in the doorway, of keeping its mouth open."

"There is?"

The Vixen said, "Agree with me. Cos I've only got two goes, and then it's your turn."

Kazran asked, "Two goes?"

The Vixen replied, "Two arms. Right, then! OK." She took a deep breath. "Geronimo! Open wide!" She got up and headed for the shark.

They were on the patio just outside Kazran's bedroom. The shark was lying on the ground as Kazran knelt beside it. The Vixen was checking her screwdriver. "What's the big fishy done to you? Swallowed half of you, that's what. Half a screwdriver, what use is that? Bad, big fishy."

Kazran said, "Vixen? I think she's dying."

The Vixen said, "Half my screwdriver's still inside, but yeah, I think so. I doubt they can survive long outside the cloud belt. Just quick raiding trips on a foggy night."

Kazran asked, "Can't we get it back up there?" He sniffled. "We were just going to stun it. I didn't want to kill it."

The Vixen said, "She was trying to eat you."

"She was hungry."

The Vixen said reluctantly, "I'm sorry, Kazran. I can't save her. I could take her back up there, but she'd never survive the trip. We need a fully functioning life-support."

Kazran asked, "You mean like an icebox?"

The Vixen and Kazran ran down the stairs. As Kazran got a lamp, the Vixen was distracted by a Christmas tree. "Ooh, a tree!" Kazran shook his head and led the Vixen to the basement.

The Vixen peered through a small window and saw a roomed lined with containers. The Vixen asked, "What is this?"

Kazran replied, "The surplus population. That's what my dad calls it." They tried to turn the wheel to open the door. "Oh, it's not turning! Oh, why won't it turn?"

The Vixen used the partial sonic on the security keypad. It didn't work. She asked, "Ah, what's the number?"

Kazran replied, "I don't know!"

The Vixen said, "This place is full of alarms, it's not just the door. I need the number!" She went back to the wheel.

In the future, Old Kazran said, "7258!"

The Vixen said, "I need the number!"

Kazran replied, "I'm not allowed to know until I'm older."

Old Kazran said again, "7258!"

The Vixen said, "Just what I was after." She was at the door, her hand on her manipulator. "Thank you!" She closed the door.

The Vixen said to Kazran, "7258. 7258."

Kazran heard as the Vixen arrived and punched in the numbers. The wheel was unlocked and they opened the door. Due to the cold temperature, the fog was thicker. Kazran led the Vixen through the vault. The Vixen said, "Ah, there's fish down here, too."

Kazran replied, "Yeah, but only tiny ones. The house is built on a fog lake. That's how Dad freezes the people." He stopped in front of a chamber. "They're all full, but we could borrow one." He pointed. "Yeah, this one."

The Vixen held the lamp up to the window and it was the same woman the family were trying to take home for Christmas. The Vixen smiled warmly, "Hello again."

Kazran asked, "You know her?"

The Vixen asked, "Why her? Important, is she?"

Kazran shrugged, "She won't mind. She loves the fish." He tapped in some number on a keypad on the side of the container.

A video of the woman speaking appeared in the small window. "My name is Abigail Pettigrew, and I'm very grateful for Mr Sardick's kindness. My father..."

Kazran said, "She starts to talk about the fish in a minute."

Abigail went on, "…but I would not allow it. I could not have chosen this path were it not for the compassion and generosity of the great philanthropist and patron of the poor, Mr Elliot, but I'm also surrounded by the fish, the beautiful, iridescent, magical fish..."

As Abigail spoke, the Vixen walked down the row of containers, peering into some. Kazran stayed and watched the video. The Vixen asked, "Why are these people here? What's all this for?"

Kazran replied, "My dad lends money. He always takes a family member as... He calls it security."

The Vixen whistled, "Hard man to love, your dad. But I suppose you know that."

Abigail said, "...I am not alone, and I am at peace."

Kazran hit more buttons and the inside of Abigail's container lit up. He walked to the Vixen. "What's wrong?"

The Vixen replied, "Just my half a screwdriver trying to repair itself. It's signalling the other half." Realization hit them both.

Kazran said, "The other half's inside the shark."

The Vixen winced, "Yeah. Sounds like she's woken up. OK. So it's homing on the screwdriver..." The shark loomed out of the fog, mouth wide open. Getting out of the way, the Vixen fell to the floor.

Kazran ran through the maze of containers. He stopped and hid behind a small pillar. Behind him the shark swam by. He then heard a woman's voice singing 'In the Bleak Midwinter'. He followed the music and saw the door to Abigail's container was open.

At the end of the aisle, she was kneeling on the ground, singing to the shark and stroking it. The Vixen found them. She said, "It's beautiful." Kazran nodded. "It's not really the singing, of course."

Kazran replied, "Yes, it is."

"Nah."

Kazran said, "The fish love the singing, it's true."

The Vixen explained, "Nah. The notes resonate in the ice, causing a delta wave pattern in the fog." She slapped the back of her neck. "Ow! A fish bit me."

Kazran snapped, "Shut up, then!"

Abigail turned to them as she sang. The Vixen said, "Of course! That's how the machine controls the cloud belt. The clouds are ice crystals. If you vibrate them at the right frequency, you could align them..." She slapped her neck again. "Ow! Why do they keep biting me?"

Kazran said, "Look, the fish like the singing, OK? Now shut up!"

The Vixen sighed, "OK." Kazran was entranced by Abigail's singing.

The Vixen tapped on the container lying on the floor. "Shark in a box, to go." She pressed some buttons on her manipulator and the TARDIS materialized around them.

Kazran murmured, "It's bigger on the inside."

The Vixen said, "It's my home. Well, mine, my boyfriend, the Doctor's, my daughter's and my friends'."

Abigail looked about the TARDIS in wonder. The Vixen set it in motion. Abigail said, "This is...amazing!"

The Vixen grinned, "Nah, this is transport. I keep amazing..." She ran to the door and opened it. "Out here." Fish swam amongst the clouds. The Vixen headed back to the container. "Come on, then, let's get this shark out." She punched the numbers to start the defrost.

Kazran pulled out his camera and began taking pictures. The first was of Abigail as she looked out on the fish. They watched as the shark was released. Kazran laughed, "Hey, look at her go!"

Closing the container, the Vixen saw numbers on the front. She asked, "Abigail, this number, what does it mean?"

Abigail replied, "It pertains to me, miss, not the fish."

"Yeah, but how?"

Abigail asked, "Your suitor is a doctor, you say? Is he one of mine?"

The Vixen asked, "Do you need a doctor?" Abigail looked sad and the Vixen was about to pursue the question when a bell chimed on the console. "Ah! Sorry!" She ran to the console. "Time's up, kids!"

Kazran asked, "Why?"

The Vixen replied, "It's nearly Christmas Day! And I need to send this baby back up."

Kazran and the Vixen put Abigail back in her container, the TARDIS now back in the future with the Doctor. Abigail said, "If you should ever wish to visit again..."

The Vixen smiled, "Well, you know, if I'm ever in the neighbourhood..."

Kazran said eagerly, "She comes every Christmas Eve. Yeah, she does, every time. She promises!"

The Vixen started, "No, I don't..."

Kazran closed the door…and opened it again. For Abigail, it had been mere seconds, but a year had passed outside. The Vixen and Kazran were wearing Father Christmas hats. They both said in unison, "Merry Christmas!"

Abigail smiled, "Vixen!"

The Vixen led the way down the aisle. She was carrying a harness. Abigail asked, "What are we going to do?"

Kazran grinned, "The Vixen's got a great plan! Wait till you hear!" As they ran off, the number on the front of Abigail's container went from "8" to "7".

The Vixen had found a two-wheeled open carriage and had hooked up the harness. Abigail said, "You are out of your mind. This will never work!"

The Vixen grinned, "Oh, don't think shark, think dolphin." She lifted Kazran onto the seat.

Abigail said, "A shark isn't a dolphin!"

The Vixen said, "I know that. It's nearly a dolphin."

"No, it isn't."

The Vixen said, "See, that's where you're wrong, because... Shut up." She used the sonic.

Kazran said, "It could be anywhere." He got down from the carriage. "Will it really come?"

The Vixen replied, "No chance. Completely impossible." She smiled down at him. "Except at Christmas."

The Vixen was at the reins as the flying shark took them through the clouds. Kazran asked, "How are we going to get back?"

"I don't know!"

Abigail asked, "Do you have a plan?"

"I don't know!" They laughed and cheered as they flew all about the city.

Kazran and the Vixen took Abigail back to her container. Abigail said, "Best Christmas Eve ever!"

Kazran smiled, "Till the next one!" They closed the door and Abigail was frozen once again.

Old Kazran was sitting on the floor, pictures spread on the carpet in front of him. "New memories. How can I have new memories?"

Kazran and the Vixen opened Abigail's container on another Christmas. "Merry Christmas!"

Abigail smiled, "Vixen! Where to this time?"

The Vixen held up her wrist and asked, "Did I mention, at any point, all of time and space

Kazran and the Vixen opened Abigail's container on yet another Christmas. Both were wearing fezzes. "Merry Christmas!"

"Vixen!"

Old Kazran smiled at the photos, some of them from Egypt and the pyramids.

Kazran and the Vixen opened Abigail's container on another Christmas. Kazran was wearing a scarf and looking somewhat sullen. The Vixen grinned, "Merry Christmas!"

Abigail smiled, "Vixen!" The countdown reached '4'.

Old Kazran smiled at more photos.

Kazran and the Vixen opened Abigail's container on another Christmas. Kazran was taller, perhaps late teens and wearing a bowtie. "Merry Christmas!"

Abigail gasped, "Kazran!" The countdown moved to '3'.

The Vixen brought the TARDIS to them again. She walked to the controls as Kazran and Abigail walked a little slower. Abigail said, "You've grown."

Kazran replied, "Yeah."

Abigail said, "And now you're blushing."

"Sorry."

"That's OK."

Kazran asked, "So, Vixen, where this time?"

The Vixen grinned, "Pick a Christmas Eve. I've got them all right here."

Abigail asked, "Might I make a request?"

"Of course."

Abigail said, "This one."

Abigail stood in the street wearing a hooded cloak as she looked in a window and watched her family. Her sister handed her husband a drink. "Thank you, darling." He kissed her.

Kazran and the Vixen stood back a-ways, watching her. Kazran asked, "Who are they?"

The Vixen replied, "Her family. The lady's her sister. I met her once, when she was...older."

Kazran whispered, "Abigail's crying."

The Vixen whispered back, "Yes."

Kazran whispered, "When girls are crying, are you supposed to talk to them?"

The Vixen replied, "I have absolutely no idea. That's a question you should ask the Doctor. Though I'm very sure he won't have an idea either."

Kazran walked over to Abigail. She said, "My sister's family. They're so happy."

Kazran said, "They look very poor."

Abigail replied, "They are very poor. Doesn't mean you can't be happy."

Kazran asked, "And then why aren't you?"

The husband closed the curtains. Abigail replied, "Because this is the life I can never have."

Kazran asked, "Why not?"

Abigail took his hand in hers, keeping them at their sides. "I think you're blushing again."

The curtains opened again, and the Vixen was there, grinning and waving them in. "Come in." Still holding hands, they went inside.

The Vixen was entertaining the son with card tricks at one end of the table while Abigail sat with her sister at the other. Kazran was helping the husband decorate. The Vixen said to the son, "Pick a card, any card at all."

The sister said, "Every Christmas Eve. I don't understand."

Abigail said, "I'm not sure I do."

"Memorise the card, put it back in the deck. Don't let me see it."

The husband asked, "Is this what it looked like last year?"

The sister sighed, "It doesn't have to be exactly the same."

"I'm starting again. Come on, Kazran, we're starting again."

The sister whispered, "That's Sardick's boy, isn't it?"

Abigail said, "He's not like his father."

The sister said, "His father treats everyone like cattle. One day, that boy will do the same."

"No. He's different."

The Vixen grinned, "The three of clubs."

The son shook his head. "No."

The Vixen's grin faltered. She asked, "You sure? I'm very good at card tricks."

"It wasn't the three of clubs."

The Vixen replied, "Well, of course it wasn't," She grinned and tossed away the card. "Because it was the seven of diamonds!" She pulled it out from an inside pocket.

The son said, "No."

The Vixen tapped his nose, "Oi, stop it, you're doing it wrong."

The sister said to Abigail, "I see him around the town sometimes. Never any friends."

Abigail said, "He's got me."

"All those Christmas Eves, you never once came to see us."

Abigail replied, "I'm here now."

The sister pleaded, "Then stay. Stay for tomorrow, have Christmas dinner with us."

"I can't."

"Well, then." The sister stood up. "Tomorrow's dinner is cancelled, as my sister refuses to attend."

Abigail sighed, "Isabella..."

Isabella smiled, "Instead...we'll have it tonight."

They were sitting around the table, the Vixen at one end, and they were about to pull the crackers. The Vixen grinned, "Three! Two! One! Pull!" Everyone cheered and laughed.

The son pulled a playing card from his. He asked, "How did you do that?"

The Vixen smirked, "Your card, I believe."

"No!"

The Vixen stammered, "Oh… Oh, shut up!"

Kazran said, "Er, Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas." Under the table, Kazran and Abigail held hands.

The trio said goodbye for another year. Abigail said, "Best Christmas Eve ever." She hugged the Vixen.

The Vixen grinned, "Ah! Till the next one."

Abigail said, "I look forward to it. Now I'd like to say good night to Kazran."

"Of course." She stood there. "Well, on you go." Kazran looked at her. "Oh! Oh, yes, right! Sorry, I'll, um, I'll go, then." She said to Abigail, "Good night." She turned to Kazran. "Good luck...night! Good night!" She walked away.

Kazran said in a hushed shout, "Vixen!" He rushed over. "I, er, I think she's going to kiss me."

The Vixen smirked, "Yeah, I think you're right." She pushed him towards Abigail.

Kazran said, "I've never kissed anyone before. What do I do?"

The Vixen put an arm around Kazran's shoulder. "Well... Do what the Doctor did when he first kissed me. Try and be all nervous and rubbish and a bit shaky."

"Why?"

The Vixen replied, "You'll be like that anyway. Might as well make it part of the plan. Off you go, then!" She pushed Kazran, who resisted.

Kazran asked, "What, now? I kiss her now?"

The Vixen sighed, "Kazran, in the words of my boyfriend, I'm telling you it's this or go to your room and design a new kind of screwdriver. Don't make his mistakes. Now, go!"

Kazran went back to Abigail and stood there awkwardly until she pulled him into a kiss.

Old Kazran looked at photos of their trip to New York, Paris and Australia. He then found one dated "California 1952" in front of the Hollywood sign.

Abigail was standing by the pool in an evening gown. She was unhappy about something. Kazran found her. "Abigail! Are you coming back? The Vixen is going to do a duet with Frank." He saw the sullen look on Abigail's face. "Abigail. What's wrong?"

Abigail said, "I have something to tell you."

Kazran asked, "A bad thing?"

Abigail replied, "A very bad thing."

Kazran asked worriedly, "What is it?"

"The truth."

The Vixen, wearing a white lace top, black jeans and her leather jacket, found them as they were kissing. The Vixen said, "Guys, we've really got to go quite quickly. I just accidentally got engaged to Marilyn Monroe. I didn't even know she like girls!" The two didn't stop. "How do you keep going like that? Do you breathe out your ears? Hello? Sorry, hello?" She sighed. "Guys, she's phoned a chapel, there's a car outside, this is happening now!"

Marilyn called, "Yoo-hoo! Yoo-hoo."

The Vixen huffed, "Right, fine, thank you. I'll just go and get married then, shall I? To a woman. See how you like that!" She walked away. "Marilyn, get your coat!"

Kazran pulled away and asked, "What are we going to do?"

Abigail replied tearfully, "There is nothing to be done."

Kazran escorted Abigail to her container as the Vixen sent the TARDIS back to the future and tested the sonic on a small fish. Kazran said, "Good night, Abigail."

Abigail nodded, breaking. "Good night, Kazran." They slowly let go of each other's hands as they backed away.

Kazran closed the door as Abigail shook her head. The Vixen walked over, cheerful. "There we go. Another day, another Christmas Eve. I'll see you in a minute, hmm? I mean, a year."

Kazran stopped her. "Vixen... Listen, why don't we leave it?"

The Vixen asked, "Sorry, leave what?"

Kazran replied, "Oh, you know. This. Every Christmas Eve, it's getting a bit old."

"Old?"

Kazran asked, "Well, Christmas is for kids, isn't it? I've got some work with my dad now, I'm going to focus on that. Get that cloud belt under control."

The Vixen stuttered, "So-Sorry. I didn't realise I-I was boring you."

Kazran smiled, "Not your fault. Times change." He walked away.

The Vixen murmured, "Not as much as I'd hoped." She called after him, "Kazran." Kazran stopped and the Vixen walked up to him. "I'll be needing a new one, anyway. What the hell..." She gave him the sonic. "Merry Christmas. And if you ever need me, just activate it. I'll hear you."

Kazran shook his head. "I won't need you."

The Vixen held his wrist and asked, "What's happened? What are you not telling me?" Kazran shook her hand off and walked away. "What about Abigail?"

Kazran replied, "I know where to find her." He closed and locked the door behind him, his eyes red from tears.

Kazran was dressed in sober black and his hair was slicked down. He was standing with his father, Elliot, drinking champagne. They were standing in front of the machine. Elliot said, "Another Christmas Eve, Kazran. But a very special one. It's complete. Look at it. Sound waves. As simple as that. We can control the clouds, the fog, the fish..."

Kazran asked, "Why do we want to control the fish?"

Elliot replied, "People are cattle. If you want to control cattle, you need to control their predators." He saw the look on his son's face. "What's the face for? Look what I'm giving you. The sky, and everything beneath it. Only you and I can control this. This planet is ours!"

"Excuse me, Father." Kazran set down his glass and walked out of the room.

Kazran walked to his desk and opened a drawer. Inside was the sonic screwdriver. He took it out and stared at it for a moment. He then turned and saw the Vixen standing in the window. Kazran walked over. The Vixen leant down, a grin on her face. Kazran glared at her and closed the curtains before walking back to his desk and putting the sonic back in the drawer.

Old Kazran opens the desk drawer. Inside, gathering dust, were souvenirs from his trips with the Vixen. He lifted out the screwdriver and pressed it against his cheek. The phone rang. Kazran walked with the phone. "Yes, what? Oh, Mr President, we've been through this! It's not going to crash on my house, so what's it got to do with me? Yes, I know. 4,005. As a very old friend of mine once took a very long time to explain, life isn't fair."

Old Kazran hung up the phone and looked down at the pictures at his feet, one of which was a smiling Abigail. He took the sonic from his pocket.

Just as he did so, a hologram of Amy and Jenny appeared. "Hello!"

Kazran asked, "Who are you? What are you doing here?"

Jenny asked, "Didn't think this was over, did you? We're the Ghost of Christmas Present."

Kazran asked, "Ghosts? Dressed like that?"

Rory pulled Amy aside while the Doctor pulled Jenny aside. They both said in unison, "Eyes off the skirts." Amy and Jenny shoved the two out of the way.

Kazran said, stunned, "You turned into a Roman and you turned into a bow tie wearing idiot."

A voice called, "Oi! I heard that!"

Jenny rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Dad."

Amy nodded, "Yeah. We do turn into those."

Jenny smirked. Kazran swore he had seen that look somewhere before. Jenny said, "We also do this." The hologram disappeared.

Kazran asked, "Do what? What are you talking about?"

Voices began singing 'Silent Night'. Kazran followed the sound of the voices to the vault. He looked inside to see a number of people singing. He keyed in the code and opened the door. Kazran stared at the singers and Amy and Jenny reappeared.

Amy said, "They're holograms. Projections, like us."

Kazran asked, "Who are they?"

Jenny replied, "The people on the ship up there. The ones you're going to let die tonight."

Kazran asked, "Why are they singing?"

Amy said, "For their lives."

Jenny looked around. "Which one's Abigail?" Kazran stared at her. "The Vixen told me."

Kazran asked, "Did she now?"

Jenny replied, "Yeah, she's my mum."

Kazran said, "You're the daughter." Jenny nodded.

Amy smiled, "She doesn't hold back. You know the Vixen."

Kazran asked, "How do I? I never met her before tonight. Now I seem to have known her all my life. How? Why?"

Jenny said, "You're the only person who can let that ship land. She was trying to turn you into a nicer person. And she was trying to do it nicely."

Kazran snapped, "She's changed my past. My whole life!"

Amy said, "Time can be rewritten."

Kazran hissed, "You tell the Vixen, tell her from me, people can't." He strode forward, breaking up the holograms. He stopped in front of Abigail's container.

Amy and Jenny exchanged a look before following. Jenny asked, "That's Abigail?"

Kazran said, "I would never have known her if the Vixen hadn't changed the course of my whole life to suit herself."

Amy asked, "Well, that's good, isn't it?"

"No."

Jenny asked, "Why is she still in there? You could let her out any time."

Kazran replied, "Oh, yes. Any time at all. Any time...I choose." He put his hand to the window.

Jenny asked, "Then why don't you?"

Kazran said, "This is what the Vixen did to me. Abigail was ill when she went into the ice. On the point of death. I suppose the rest in the ice helped her, but she's used up her time. All those Christmas Eves with me. I could release her any time I want... and she would live a single day." He turned to Jenny and Amy. "So tell me, Ghosts of Christmas Present, how do I choose which day?"

Amy said, "We're sorry. We really are. I'm very, very sorry."

Jenny asked, "But you know what? She's got more time left than I have. More than anyone on this ship."

"Good."

Amy ordered, "Rory, widen the beam."

The room flickered out of existence and Kazran found himself elsewhere. He now appeared as the hologram on the ship. The Captain said, "Update on engine one..."

Kazran asked, "How did I get here?"

Jenny replied, "You didn't. It's your turn to be the hologram. Since you're going to let a lot of people die, we thought you might like to see where it's all gonna happen."

Kazran asked, "The singing... What is it? I don't understand."

The Doctor replied, coming forward, "The Vixen's idea. The harmonies resonate in the ice crystals. The fish like it. She thought maybe it would stabilise the ship. But it isn't working. It's not powerful enough."

Kazran asked, "Why are they still singing, then?"

The Captain replied, "Because we haven't told them. I understand you have a machine that controls this cloud layer. If you can release us from it, we still have time to make a landing. Nobody has to die."

Kazran snapped, "Everybody has to die."

Amy said, "Not tonight."

Kazran said, "Tonight's as good as any other. How do you choose?"

Jenny asked, "Mum?"

The Vixen's voice came on. "Yeah?"

Jenny asked, "Mum, are you hearing this?"

The Vixen replied, "I can hear."

Kazran asked, "She's here? Where is she? Vixen?!" Rory turned off the hologram and Kazran disappeared.

Kazran found himself back in the vault. The Vixen was leaning against a divider. "Vixen!"

The Vixen said, "I'm sorry. I didn't realise."

Kazran said, "All my life, I've been called heartless. My other life, my real life, the one you rewrote. Now look at me."

The Vixen replied, "Better a broken heart than no heart at all."

Kazran scoffed, "Oh, try it. You try it."

"I have. And I've lived it."

Kazran asked, "Why are you here?"

The Vixen replied, "Cos I'm not finished with you yet." She walked forward. "You've seen the past, the present...and now you need to see the future."

Kazran snapped, "Fine! Do it! Show me! I'll die cold, alone and afraid. Of course I will, we all do! What difference does showing me make? Do you know why I'm going to let those people die? It's not a plan. I don't get anything from it. It's just that I don't care. I'm not like you. I don't even want to be like you! I don't and never, ever will care!"

"And I don't believe that."

Kazran said, "Then show me the future. Prove me wrong."

The Vixen said firmly, "I am showing it to you. I'm showing it to you right now. So what do you think?" She looked over Kazran's shoulder. Kazran turned around to see Young Kazran in pyjamas and a robe. The Vixen asked, "Is this who you want to become, Kazran?"

The two Kazrans slowly walked towards each other. Young Kazran asked in confusion, "Dad?"

Kazran dropped his cane and lifted his hand to strike his younger self. He flashed back to the moment in his bedroom when his father struck him as well as the first Christmas Eve without the Vixen or Abigail. He also remembered almost striking Abigail's nephew as well as their last parting. He started to cry. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry." He reached out for Young Kazran who took a step back. "It's OK, don't be frightened." He put his hands on Young Kazran's shoulders and pulled him into a hug. "I'm...I'm so, so, so..."

The Vixen said, "Kazran. We don't have much time."

The Second Pilot reported, "Structural integrity at 30%!"

The Captain said, "We have five minutes max. We need to land!"

There was static as the Vixen appeared onscreen. "Hello, hello! Ah, hello, everyone. Prepare to lock on to my signal."

The Doctor asked, "Vixen, what's happening?"

The Vixen grinned, "I just saved Christmas. Don't go away." She switched off.

Amy called, "Vixen? Vixen!"

Kazran was at the controls of the machine as the Vixen walked up. Young Kazran stood to the side. The Vixen asked, "We good to go, then?"

Kazran said, "The controls won't respond."

The Vixen said, "They're isomorphic, tuned to your brainwaves, they'll only respond to you."

"They won't."

The Vixen licked her lips. "That doesn't make sense, why wouldn't..." She tried the controls. "Oh! Oh, of course. Stupid, stupid Vixen!"

Kazran asked, "What's wrong? Tell me, what is it, what...?"

The Vixen replied, "It's you. I've changed you too much, the machine doesn't recognise you."

Kazran started, "But my father programmed it..."

"He would never have programmed it for the man you are now."

Kazran asked, "Then what do we do?"

The Vixen stammered, "Um... Um... I don't know, I don't know."

Young Kazran said, "There must be something!"

Kazran pulled out the sonic. "This! You can use this! I kept it, see?"

The Vixen asked, "What, half a screwdriver? With the other half up in the sky in a big old shark, right in the heart of the cloud layer. We use your aerial to boost the signal, set up a resonation pattern between the two halves...That would work! My screwdriver, coolest bit of kit on this planet. Could do it."

Kazran asked, "Do what?"

The Vixen replied, "My screwdriver is still trying to repair. It's signalling itself. We use the signal, but we send something else."

Young Kazran asked, "Send what?"

Kazran asked, "Well? What? What?"

The Vixen turned to Kazran. "I'm sorry, Kazran. I truly am."

Kazran said, "I don't understand."

Jenny's hologram appeared. "We need to send something into the cloud belt, something we know works. We need her to sing."

The Vixen said, "Her voice resonates perfectly with the ice crystals. It calmed the shark. It will calm the sky, too."

Kazran asked, "Could you do it? Could you do this? Think about it, Vixen. One last day with your beloved. Which day would you choose?" He opened the cryo-chamber

Abigail stepped out. "Christmas. Christmas Day. Look at you." She put a hand on his cheek. "So old now. I think you waited a bit too long, didn't you?"

Kazran said, "I'm sorry."

Abigail sighed, "Hoarding my days, like an old miser."

Kazran said, "But...if you leave the ice now..."

Abigail cut him off. "We've had so many Christmas Eves, Kazran. I think it's time for Christmas Day."

The Doctor called, "Vixen?!"

The Captain said, "We can't hold this. Time's up, we're going down."

"Vixen!"

They heard Abigail singing. The Second Pilot said, "Captain, I've got... I don't know what I've got." He switched to speaker so everyone could hear.

The Captain asked, "What are you listening to?"

The Second Pilot replied, "This is coming from outside. This is coming from the clouds." Abigail's song carried through the ship.

Abigail sang into the sonic screwdriver which The Vixen had connected by extremely long wires to Kazran's machine.

The Vixen worked on some adjustments. Kazran asked, "Well?"

The Vixen explained, "Well, the singing resonates in the crystals. It's feeding back and forth between the two halves of the screwdriver. One song, filling the sky. The crystals will align, I'll feed in a controlled phase loop, and the clouds will unlock."

Young Kazran asked, "What does that mean? What happens when a cloud unlocks?"

The Vixen replied, "Something that hasn't happened in this town for a very long time now." As Abigail continued to sing, snow began to fall.

The First Pilot said, "We're flying normally."

The Captain asked, "Can you land?"

The First Pilot replied, "I can even land well."

Rory and Amy hugged. Amy sighed, "Oh, she did it. The Vixen did it."

Rory agreed, "Yeah, she gets all the credit. Which is actually fair enough, if you think about it."

They kissed while the Doctor put an arm around Jenny. He said, "Hey Jenny?"

Jenny asked, "Yeah, Dad?"

"Merry Christmas."

Jenny smiled and hugged the Doctor. "Merry Christmas."

The Doctor added, "And I forbid you to wear skirts ever again." Jenny rolled her eyes.

Kazran wrapped his hand around one of Abigail's. The people of the city came out to marvel at the snow and the children played. Abigail placed her hand against Kazran's cheek. They looked up to see the shark swimming above. Kazran murmured, "Hello, my old friend."

The Vixen said to Young Kazran. "Let's go." Young Kazran entered the TARDIS and the Vixen turned and smiled at her handiwork before entering the TARDIS. As the TARDIS dematerialized, Kazran and Abigail waved goodbye. Where the TARDIS was, Kazran saw a carriage and harness similar to what they had used years ago.

The Vixen had returned from taking Kazran back and was making a snowman while the Doctor and Jenny had a snowball fight. Amy came up behind the Vixen, "You know, that could almost be mistaken for a real person. The snowman isn't bad, either."

The Vixen looked up to see Amy and Rory walking up the street, both still in costume. The Doctor and Jenny came up panting. The Vixen said to Amy and Rory, "Ah, yes, you two! About time! Why are you dressed like that?"

Rory replied, "Ah, kind of lost our luggage. Kind of crash landed."

The Doctor asked, "Yeah, but why are you dressed like that at all?"

Amy said, "They really love their snowmen around here. I've counted about 20."

The Vixen, the Doctor and Jenny scratched the back of their necks. The Doctor said, "Yeah, we've been busy."

Amy smiled, "Yeah, yeah, you have." She hugged Jenny. Then she hugged the Doctor. Then she lastly hugged the Vixen. Hard. "Thank you."

The Vixen said, "Amy, I need air."

Amy pulled away. "Sorry. But, thanks."

The Vixen grinned, "Pleasure. Right, come on, then, let's go!" She and Jenny headed for the TARDIS, hand in hand, the Doctor right behind them.

Rory asked, "Got any more honeymoon ideas?"

The Doctor suggested, "There's a moon that's made of actual honey."

Jenny said, "Well, not actual honey. And it's not actually a moon."

The Vixen said, "And technically, it's alive and a bit carnivorous, but there are some lovely views." She unlocked the TARDIS.

Rory nodded, "Yeah, great, thanks." He entered the TARDIS after Jenny and the Doctor.

Amy asked, "Are you OK?"

The Vixen replied, "Course I'm OK. You?"

"Of course." Amy asked, "It'll be their last day together, won't it?"

The Vixen said, "Everything has to end sometime, otherwise nothing would ever get started."

Rory opened the door and popped his head out. "Your phone was ringing. Someone called Marilyn. Actually sounds like THE Marilyn."

The Doctor popped his head out. "Vixen?"

At the same time, Jenny came out and raised an eyebrow.

Everyone except the Vixen crossed their arms and stared at her. The Vixen said to Rory, "Tell her I'll phone her back. And that was never a real chapel." Rory went back inside. Jenny rolled her eyes and followed, the Doctor right behind her.

Amy asked, "Where are they? Kazran and Abigail."

The Vixen replied, "Off on a little trip, I should think."

Amy asked, "Where?"

"Christmas."

"Christmas?"

The Vixen smiled, "Yeah, Christmas." Amy went inside and the Vixen looked up at the sky. "Halfway out of the dark." She entered the TARDIS.

Kazran and Abigail flew by in the carriage drawn by the shark, both laughing.

What do you think? Please review. Next chapter is the Impossible Astronaut.