NEXT TIME...
EXT. CENTRAL LONDON
A huge wing ploughs into Big Ben smashing it to pieces. The spaceship splashes into the Thames.
"Oh I remeber that." Said Martha. "Figure's you were behind it..."
"Oi!" 10 cried. "I was not! I helped sure, but I didn't start it!"
"Oh shut up, honestly you sound like my friend's five year old." Donna sighed. He looked offended by her remark, but shut up and kept watching.
INT. TYLERS' FLAT, LIVING ROOM
NEWS READER: Big Ben destroyed as a UFO crash lands in Central London.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
Police cars and soldiers surround the Doctor, Rose and Mickey, pointing guns and them.
LOUDSPEAKER: You are under arrest!
They are caught out by a searchlight. The soldiers continue to surround them.
Jack, for some reason, started clapping. Everyone on 10's sofa looked at him like he'd lost his mind. He just grinned at them and kept applauding, he was just so proud that his friends were getting arrested. It was like he wasn't the only person in trouble. Keeping in mind, he had been sentenced to death a good many times in his life.
INT. TARDIS
ROSE: What is it then, are they invading?
Mickey is on tip-toes peering at the screen over their shoulders.
MICKEY: Funny way to invade, putting the world on red alert.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
Joseph looks up at the captain darkly.
ASQUITH: And by God, I'll put this country under marshal law if I have to.
Margaret and Oliver unzip their foreheads.
"Slitheen." A number of people said. Some of the others, who'd never encountered Slitheen before, looked at them in a questioning manner. But before anyone could explain anything to them. River, Amy, 11 and 12 all said "Spoilers" simultaneously. Those about to hand out explanations merely shrugged and turned back to the screen. The ones about to receive said information rolled their eyes, but didn't press the matter.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, ANTEROOM
the Doctor runs to the door.
THE DOCTOR: Defence plan delta! Come on, move, move!
All the soldiers follow him from the room.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, CORRIDOR
Two soldiers burst into a room.
SOLDIER: Clear!
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, MORTUARY
Dr Sato pulls a door open and screams.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
Asquith screams and Harriet leans back against the wall of the cupboard, horrified.
Everyone was watching too intently to comment throughout the rest of the trailer. Their interest was in full peak as the next episode began.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
The TARDIS materializes. Both Rose and the Doctor step out. The Doctor leans against the door and folds his arms.
ROSE: How long have I been gone?
THE DOCTOR: About 12 hours.
They laugh.
"If only it could have been that simple..." Rose muttered in exasperation.
"Come on." 10 said, giving her a nudge. "It all worked out for the best in the end."
He smiled at her, and she was happy to return it.
ROSE: Oooh! Right, I won't be long, I just wanna see my mum.
THE DOCTOR: What're you going to tell her?
ROSE: I don't know! That I've been to the year 5 billion... and only been gone, what, 12 hours?
The Doctor gives something between a laugh and a snort.
ROSE (CONT'D): No, I'll just tell her I've spent the night at Shareens. See you later! (Walks off, turns back). Oh, don't you disappear.
"Famous last words." Jack said, smirking.
"Hey!" 10 cried defensively. Like he would abandon his friend just like that. He wasn't that heartless.
Meanwhile, 12 could sense what he was thinking and was beginning to question it. He wasn't heartless... Was he?
The Doctor gives her a look to say 'as if I would' and she runs off in the direction of the flats. He settles himself against the TARDIS to wait for her.
INT. STAIRWELL
Rose runs up the stairs to her flat, grinning.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
The Doctor wanders around with his arms folded outside and kicks an empty bottle across the yard. He spots a poster taped to a lamppost. He walks over to it and reads the writing "Can You Help?" and sees a photograph of Rose.
"Uh oh..." Martha and Donna drawled ominously. 10 and Rose both blushed, embarrassed just thinking about the reactions everyone had to their "little" trip.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, LIVING ROOM
Rose opens the door to her flat.
ROSE: I'm back! It was Shareen. She was all upset again. Are you in?
Her mum walks out of the kitchen holding a cup of tea.
ROSE (CONT'D): So, what's been going on? How've you been?
Jackie looks as though she has seen a ghost.
ROSE (CONT'D): What? What's that face for? It's not the first time I've stayed out all night.
Jackie drops the cup of tea and it smashes on the floor.
Nobody said anything, but they all grew tense, wondering what the problem was. The more observent among them had already figured it out but decided not to voice their opinions just yet.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
Outside, the Doctor gets the gist of the poster and runs to the flats.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, LIVING ROOM
JACKIE: It's you.
ROSE: Of course it's me!
JACKIE (shaken, teary): Oh, my God. It's you. Oh my God.
She throws her arms around Rose, who looks alarmed. Then, over her sobbing mother's shoulder, she notices several variations of the same "Where is Rose?" poster. At that moment, the Doctor comes crashing in.
THE DOCTOR It's not 12 hours, it's er... 12 months. You've been gone a whole year.
"Oh my god!" Donna yelled. Mickey, who was sat next to her, flinched at the volume.
"Oo... You're in trouble now." Jack teased, at no particular Doctor. 10 and 11 both rolled their eyes and pouted a bit, but knew denying it would only make things worse when it showed the scoulding they got from Jackie. They both paled slightly thinking of the way their friends were going to react when they saw him get slapped. Except for Rose and Martha who'd already seen it, from their respective mothers. Only 10 and 11 seemed concerned by this though, 12 seemed to be indifferent on the matter, as he was with most things nowadays.
He laughs apologetically while Rose and Jackie both look at him, stunned.
10 suddenly got hit in the face with a pillow.
"Ow." He moaned, rubbing his nose, he looked over towards 12's sofa to see Clara glaring angrily at him. "What was that for?!"
"Smiling when her mother's clearly upset!" She yelled back at him, her fiery temper showing through.
"Why do you always take this out on me and not him?" He complained, pointing at 11.
"Because, you're the closest to the doctor on the screen cause you're the regeration after him." She stated, matter o' factly.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Sorry.
Jackie looks back at Rose, stroking her hair.
OPENING CREDITS
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
A small boy is spraying the words "Bad Wolf " onto the side of the TARDIS. He then picks up his bike and rides off.
All the Doctors couldn't help but wonder how they'd missed something so glaringly obvious.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, LIVING ROOM
JACKIE (furious): The hours I've sat here. Days and weeks and months all on my own. I thought you were dead. And where were you? Travelling. What the hell does that mean? Travelling? That's no sort of answer.
Rose is sitting in an armchair while Jackie is giving her all she's got. A policeman is sitting in the other armchair.
JACKIE (CONT'D) (to the PC): You ask her. She won't tell me! That's all she says. Travelling.
ROSE: That's what I was doing.
JACKIE (gesturing furiously): When your passport's still in the drawer? It's just one lie after another!
ROSE: I meant to phone, I really did, I just... I forgot.
JACKIE: What, for a year? You forgot for a year? And I am left sitting here? I just don't believe you. Why won't you tell me where you've been?
"Cause you're totally going to believe she's been to the end of the world and 1869 Cardiff." Rory said, sarcastically.
THE DOCTOR: Actually, it's my fault. I sort of er, employed Rose as my companion.
POLICEMAN: When you say "companion", is this a sexual relationship?
THE DOCTOR / ROSE: No!
"It's not?" Jack asked, turning to 10 and Rose.
"No!" They both yelled in exasperation.
"Really?" Mickey decided to add. Rose and 10 both glared daggers at him and he threw his hands up in a surrender fashion, but shared a quick smirk with Jack as soon as the others weren't looking.
JACKIE (advancing dangerously on the Doctor): Then what is it? Because you, you waltz in here all charms and smiles, and the next thing I know, she vanishes off the face of the earth! How old are you then? 40? 45? What, you find her on the Internet? Did you go online and pretend you're a doctor?
THE DOCTOR: I AM a Doctor!
JACKIE: Prove it! Stitch this, mate.
She slaps him hard around the face. The Doctor groans loudly while Rose rolls her eyes.
No one could help it. They burst into an insane fit of laughter. To think the doctor has survived corrupt nations, deadly assassins, black holes, supernovas, only to moan in pain at being slapped by a 40 year old woman. A human at that.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, KITCHEN
Jackie and Rose are hugging.
JACKIE: Did you think about me at all?
They are both crying. Rose stands back slightly.
ROSE: I did! All the time! But...
JACKIE: One phone call. Just to know that you were alive!
ROSE: I'm sorry. I really am.
Everyone remained silent, there were no words to say about the emotional scene before them. It was clearly a tough spot for Rose to have been in, knowing she had not until the moment she got in her flat been aware that she'd been missing a year, and there was no believable way for her to explain it.
JACKIE: Do you know what terrifies me, is that you still can't say. What happened to you, Rose? What can be so bad that you can't tell me, sweetheart? Where were you?
Rose cannot answer her.
EXT. ROOF
Rose is sitting on a wall and the Doctor is leaning against it.
ROSE: I can't tell her. I can't even begin... she's never gonna forgive me. And I missed a year? Was it good?
"Which year was it you missed?" Amy asked.
"Uh... 2005 I think." Rose replied uncertainly, she hadn't been keeping track of time lately, it tends to get messed up a lot in the Tardis.
THE DOCTOR: Middling.
ROSE: You're so useless.
THE DOCTOR: Well, if it's this much trouble, are you gonna stay here now?
ROSE: I dunno.
"What do you mean you don't know how can you even consider giving up something as wonderful as this?!" Amy gasped.
"Yeah!" Added Donna, "All of time and space... What could ever be better?"
Martha and Mickey looked at each other, both thinking the exact same thing. That the other was definately better, no offense to time and space. River thought this of her parents to as she observed them, she could see that Amy was still obsesed with the traveling at the moment but her love for her fiancé was strong too. Probably even more so...
ROSE (CONT'D): I can't do that to her again, though.
THE DOCTOR: Well, she's not coming with us.
Rose bursts out laughing and the Doctor joins in.
ROSE: No chance.
THE DOCTOR: I don't do families.
River turned to 11 but he told her to shut up before she could even open her mouth. She slumped back into the sofa and settled for a triumphant smirk instead.
ROSE: She slapped you!
THE DOCTOR: 900 years of time and space, and I've never been slapped by someone's mother.
"Really?" Jack asked 10, disbelievingly.
"Yes!" He defended. "There's a first time for everything you know."
"Certainly wasn't the last time..." 11 moaned, thinking of the other times he'd been slapped.
ROSE: Your face.
THE DOCTOR: It hurt!
ROSE: You're so gay!
Jack opened his mouth to say something but everyone on his sofa, after guessing what he was going to say, tackled him onto the floor whilst yelling at him to keep his thoughts to himself for now. He got up laughing and flashed his usual cheeky grin at the people who'd pushed him, they simply ignored it and carried on watching.
The Doctor rubs his cheek, offended.
ROSE: When you say 900 years...
THE DOCTOR: That's my age.
ROSE: You're nine hundred years old.
THE DOCTOR: Yeah.
"How old are you all now?" Clara asked, everyone turned to look at her, then at each of the doctors, awaiting their responses.
"Well," 10 began. "I'm obviously the youngest doctor in the room, I'm only 902."
"Me, I'm the coolest doctor in the room." 11 said, Amy laughed happily when he straightened his bowtie, looking smug. "I'm 907 at the moment. Everyone turned their attention to 12.
"2000." He said simply.
"Really?! That old?!" Donna cried in disbelief. 12 and Clara both nodded in confirmation and the others all shook their heads in amazement.
ROSE: My mum was right. That is one hell of an age gap. (Jumps off the wall). Every conversation with you just goes mental. There's no one else I can talk to. I've seen all that stuff up there, the size of it, and I can't say a word. Aliens and spaceships and things, and I'm the only person on planet earth who knows they exist.
Right on cue, a spacecraft narrowly misses their heads as it falls from the sky and heads for Central London. It smashes into Big Ben,
"Oh my god!" Cried everyone who had not already seen this happen. Those that had were thinking back to the event and how confusing it all had been. Apart of course for the doctors, Rose and Mickey, they were just thinking back... Some with fondness... Others with regrets...
then lands with a splash in the Thames. The Doctor and Rose stand up with their mouths open.
ROSE (CONT'D): Oh, that's just not fair.
The Doctor laughs gleefully, grabs her hand, and pulls her off in the direction of the action.
Everyone in the room laughed to, the doctor was once again in his element. Some of the laughter was also directed at Rose's previous statement, it had been incredibly ironic for her to say all that stuff about being the only person on planet earth who knew right at the moment the ship crashed.
EXT. STREET
It is complete mayhem on the streets. The Doctor and Rose arrive on the scene.
THE DOCTOR: It's blocked off.
ROSE: We're miles from the centre. The city must be grid locked. The whole of London must be closing down.
"Smart observations," Jack complimented, sounding genuinely serious for a change. Rose smiled at him and nodded happily.
THE DOCTOR: I know, I can't BELIEVE I'm here to see this! This is fantastic!
A few soft chuckles could be heard as everyone watched the doctor get all giddy and excited. That was another thing that never changed about the doctor no matter what face he had, his ever present love for danger and excitement.
ROSE: Did you know this was going to happen?
THE DOCTOR: Nope!
ROSE: Do you recognize the ship?
THE DOCTOR: Nope!
ROSE: Do you know why it crashed?
THE DOCTOR: Nope!
ROSE: Oh, I'm so glad I've got you.
"We all are." Said Clara. Everybody turned their heads to look at her but her gaze was only fixed on one person in the room. 12 looked down at her so their eyes were locked. She smiled warmly at him and he felt compelled to smile back. All the others smiled as well, just pleased to see their friends happy.
THE DOCTOR: I bet you are! This is what I travel for, Rose! To see history happening right in front of us.
ROSE: Well, let's go and see it! Never mind the traffic, we've got the TARDIS!
THE DOCTOR: Better not. They've already got one spaceship in the middle of London, don't want to shove another one on top.
ROSE: Yeah, but yours looks like a big blue box. No one's going to notice.
THE DOCTOR: Oh, you'd be surprised, an emergency like this, there'll be all kinds of people watching. Trust me, the TARDIS stays where it is.
"Whatever happened to: "People will just walk right past it?"" Mickey asked, smugly.
"Well, technically, because, it's just... Shut up!" 11 huffed, unable to come up with an excuse as per usual.
Rose looks distinctly disgruntled.
ROSE: So, history's happening and we're stuck here.
THE DOCTOR: Yes, we are.
ROSE: We could always do what everybody else does.
The Doctor looks at her questioningly.
ROSE (CONT'D): We could watch it on TV.
The Doctor looks as though this is a completely new idea to him.
"What's so strange about that?" Donna asked. Television was often how she kept up with recent goings on, that and a gossip with her mates.
"Well... I wasn't use to it. I tend to get into the thick of the action rather than just watch it. Why observe an adventure when you could experiance one?" 10 stated. Everyone couldn't help but agree, it was why they traveled with the doctor in the first place. For adventure.
INT. TYLERS' FLAT, LIVING ROOM
NEWS READER: Big Ben destroyed as a UFO crash lands in Central London. Police reinforcements are drafted in from across the country to control wide-spread panic, looting and civil disturbance. A state of national emergency has been declared. Tom Hitchinson is at the scene.
The Doctor and Rose are watching the TV intently.
REPORTER: The police urge the public not to panic. There's a help line number on screen right now if you're worried about friends or family.
They change the channel over to an American news channel.
NEWS READER: The military are on the lookout for more spaceships. Until then, all flights in North American air space have been grounded.
They turn it back to News 24.
REPORTER: The army are sending divers into the wreck of the spaceship. No one knows what they're going to find.
Back to the American channel.
NEWS READER: The President will address the nation live from the White House. But the Secretary General has asked that people watch the skies.
Jackie comes in to give Rose a cup of tea.
JACKIE: I've got no choice! Either I make him welcome, or I run the risk of never seeing you again!
Both Jackie and her friend Marianna babble on angrily.
THE DOCTOR: Oi! I'm trying to listen!
NEWS READER: ... his current whereabouts. News is just coming in, we can go to Tom at the embankments.
REPORTER: They've found a body.
The Doctor raises his eyebrows.
The few audience members that hadn't been around at this time, like Jack and River, mimicked the onscreen doctor.
REPORTER (CONT'D): It's unconfirmed but I'm being told a body has been found in the wreckage. A body of non-terrestrial origins. It's being brought ashore.
They zoom in on the divers bringing the body onto the embankment. Jackie enters the room giving a bottle of wine to a couple of people.
JACKIE: Oh, guess who asked me out, Billy Crewe.
The Doctor shakes his head.
"Not one for gossip are you?" Amy teased.
"Well no of course not but I was really just shocked at the way humans were taking it. A spaceship lands in the middle of the city and all they could do was talk about the best place to shop." 10 replied, all the other doctors nodding along.
NEWS READER: Unconfirmed reports say that the body is of extra-terrestrial origin. An extraordinary event unfolding here live here in Central London. The body is being transferred to a secure unit mortuary. The whereabouts as yet, unknown.
The TV changes channels a few times and comes to rest on Blue Peter.
BLUE PETER PRESENTER: And when you've stuck your things on, you can cover the whole lot in buttercream...
The Doctor tries to wrestle the TV remote off a toddler on his lap.
Everyone burst out laughing, aside from 10 and 12 who both looked embarrassed and offended. 11 would have done but unlike his successor and predecessor he could take a joke. Even at his own expense it was still funny.
BLUE PETER PRESENTER: Ooo, look at that. Then, ice it, any colour you want...Here's one I made a little bit earlier, look at that. Your very own spaceship ready to eat.
"How ironic..." Martha mused. Everyone else silently agreed with her, it was very ironic that they'd make a spaceship cake on the same day a spaceship crashed in London. (AN: I know the BBC probably did that on purpose, but they don't know that)
BLUE PETER PRESENTER (CONT'D):And for something a little bit extra special...
The Doctor changes the channel back to News 24.
NEWS READER: ... Albion hospital.
REPORTER: We still don't know whether it's alive or dead. Whitehall is denying everything. But the body has been brought here, Albion Hospital, with the roads closed off - it's the closest to the river.
The little boy hops off the Doctors lap and stands in front of the TV screen. The Doctor points violently sideways.
THE DOCTOR: Go on!
The toddler wanders off.
"Kids huh!" Mickey said. He was surprised when he found River glaring at him. What was her problem? Was she a parent? Did she have problems with her parents?
REPORTER: I'm being told that's... General Asquith now entering the hospital.
The doctors all recognised Asquith the second his face appeared. Obviously this was before the Slitheen had killed him.
The building's been evacuated. The patients have been moved out onto the streets. The police still won't confirm the presence of an alien body. Contained inside those walls...
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, MORTUARY
A group of soldiers enter the mortuary inside the hospital. General Asquith approaches the table where the alien lies covered with a cloth.
ASQUITH: Let's have a look then.
Dr Sato pulls back the cloth.
ASQUITH (CONT'D): Good God. And that's real? That's not a hoax or a dummy, or...?
"Must be pretty strange then." Donna stated.
"Well..." 10 drawled.
The doctors were all thinking it had still looked like an ordinary pig despite the stuff the Slitheen added to it.
Dr Sato shakes her head.
DR SATO: I've x-rayed the skull. It's wired up inside like nothing I've ever seen before. No one could make this up.
'Not true...' The doctors thought, but decided not to say it aloud this time. Let them all find out for themselves.
ASQUITH: We've got experts being flown in. Until they arrive... get that out of sight.
She nods and covers the alien again.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, MORTUARY
Two people shut the door of a mortuary shelf.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, CORRIDOR
Dr Sato runs after Asquith as he makes to leave.
DR SATO: Excuse me, sir!
The captain stops and turns to face her.
DR SATO (CONT'D): I know it's a state of emergency and there's a lot of rumour flying around, but, is it true what they're saying? About the Prime Minister?
The captain does not answer her.
"I'm going to say yes judging by his reaction." Said Donna.
"Yes but what is it 'they're saying'" Clara asked.
The doctors all exchanged glances, thinking the same thing. Their friends were good. Very good.
He leaves without another word, followed by soldiers. She stares after them then hurries in the opposite direction.
EXT. DOWNING STREET
REPORTER: Mystery still surrounds there whereabouts of the prime minister. He's not been seen since the emergency began. The opposition are criticising his lack of leadership. Hold on...
A man gets out of a car and enters 10 Downing Street.
Everyone in the room who knew who it really was getting out of that car glared at the screen. The others recognised him as the man unzipping his forehead in the promo and felt their interest peak greatly.
REPORTER (CONT'D): Oh, uh, that's, uh, Joseph Green, MP for Hartley Dale. He's chairman of the parliamentary commission on the monitoring of sugar standards in exported confectionary. With respect, hardly the most important person right now.
If things weren't getting so captivating they probably would have laughed at the irony of that. Since that guy was really an eight foot tall green alien intent on destroying the earth he was probably pretty important.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET RECEPTION
When Joseph Green enters 10 Downing Street, his hand is shaken by the Junior Secretary.
INDRA: Indra Ganesh sir. Junior secretary with the MID. I'll be your liaison.
"So that was his name..." All the doctors muttered. They each made mental promises to remember that. The doctor saw people die all the time, and one thing he always did was remember them.
JOSEPH: Where the hell is he?
INDRA: If we could talk in private, sir. Follow me, upstairs.
A woman approaches them from behind.
HARRIET: Excuse me! Harriet Jones. MP for Flydale North.
10 Groaned at the sight of her. She had been good and then she threw it all away. Or to be more exact shot it out of the sky.
By contrast 11 and 12 were overcome with remorse as they remembered she'd died for them. They pushed those thoughts to the back of their heads as soon as they surfaced. After so many years of life they'd found many things to be ashamed of... and had developed a habit of avoiding them.
INDRA: I'm sorry, can it wait?
HARRIET: But I did have an appointment at 3:15.
INDRA: Yes. And then a spaceship crashed in the middle of London. I think the schedule might have changed.
"Well that was a bit rude." Mickey huffed.
"He did have a point though, it would stand to reason a crisis like that would be top priority." Martha said.
The two men turn away from her and make their way up the stairs.
INDRA: You've heard about the alien body, sir?
JOSEPH: Never mind that, where is he? Where's the Prime Minister?
INDRA: No one knows, sir. He's disappeared. I have to inform you with the city grid locked and the cabinet stranded outside London that makes you acting Prime Minister. With immediate effect.
JOSEPH: Oh, Lord. Oh, hold on... (Farts loudly). Pardon me... it's just a nervous stomach. Anyway...
Donna and Clara wrinkled their noses in disgust.
"Yeah," 10 said, noticing. "On of the unfortunate side effects of a compression field."
"A what?" Asked Martha.
Then at the exact same moment, River, Jack, Rose and all the doctors said "Spoilers". Causing the entire room to be overcome with laughter. River felt a small sense of pride at how quickly her catchphrase was catching on.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM CORRIDOR
They run up the stairs. Indra indicates a fat blonde woman.
INDRA: Margaret Blaine. She's with MI5.
"Uh oh, it's the other two." Clara said, slight concern lacing her tone. Some of the others opened their mouths to respond but stopped when they noticed 12 lay a comforting hand on her shoulder. She leaned into his touch, happy that he was finally showing some modicum of compassion. Everyone else was somewhat moved by the little scene and decided not to disturb anything and simply carry on with the episode.
MARGARET: There's no more information, sir. I personally escorted the Prime Minister from the cabinet room to his car, this is Oliver Charles, transport liaison.
OLIVER: The car's disappeared. There's no record of it, sir - it literally vanished.
JOSEPH: Right, er, inside, tell me everything.
He ushers them into the cabinet room.
INDRA: Uh, sir?
Joseph turns around and Indra holds a red case out to him.
INDRA (CONT'D): The emergency protocols. Detailing the actions to be taken by the government of Great Britain in the event of an alien incursion.
JOSEPH: Right! Good! (Farts). Blimey!
Indra looks slightly worried.
JOSEPH (CONT'D): Pardon me. (Takes the case). Get to work, eh?
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
He enters the room after Margaret and Oliver and slams the case down on the long table. He then looks across at them and starts laughing. A few seconds later they join in. Soon, they are all in hysterics.
There were mixed reactions in the room to this. 10 and 11 both sighed, while 12 rolled his eyes. Most of the companions just tilted their heads in confusion. Jack found himself smiling just a bit. While River leaned her head on 11's shoulder, her face completely blank.
EXT. TYLER'S FLAT
It is dark. The Doctor slips outside the back door of Rose's flat. Rose emerges after him.
ROSE: And where do you think you're going?
THE DOCTOR: Nowhere! It's just a bit human in there for me. History just happened and they're talking about where you can buy dodgy top up cards for half price.
"That's the human race, what do we do when there's panic and chaos?" Jack asked enthusiastically. Everyone gave him similar looks imploring him to go on. "We make the most of it." He laughed, the other humans in the room just offered fond smiles. While the doctors were shocked as it would seem Jack had just had one of his rare serious moments, where what he said actually made sense.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): I'm off on a wander, that's all.
ROSE: Right. There's a spaceship on the Thames and you're just "wandering".
"Is it weird how here wanted poster is right behind her?" Rory whispered to Amy. Who stuttered for a few minutes trying to think of an answer then eventually settled for a "Shut up stupid."
THE DOCTOR: Nothing to do with me! It's not an invasion! That was a genuine crash landing. Angle of descent, colour of smoke, everything! It's perfect!
"Too perfect." River said, giving 11 a knowing glance. He winked at her and placed a quick kiss on her forehead.
ROSE: So?
THE DOCTOR: So maybe this is it! First contact! The day mankind officially comes into contact with an alien race. I'm not interfering because you've GOT to handle this on your own. That's when the human race finally grows up. Just this morning you were all tiny and small and made of clay! Now you can expand!
He laughs in delight. Rose smiles.
She did so again now along with everyone else. In that moment the doctor had looked like 'a kid in the candy store' as the saying goes, and it made them all feel good to see their friend happy.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): You don't need me. Go and celebrate history. Spend some time with your mum.
He walks away.
ROSE: Promise you won't disappear?
"Never..." 10 whispered to Rose. She smiled and blushed softly as he flashed her his signature grin.
The Doctor stops and turns around again. He feels his jacket pockets.
THE DOCTOR: Tell you what, TARDIS key. (Hands it to her). About time you had one. (Grins). See you later!
He leaves. Rose looks down at the key in her hand, closes her fist around it and walks back to the flat door, looking distinctly chuffed.
Everyone else who'd received a Tardis key could definitely relate. It was the best feeling, like the doctor really accepted you. There was just something about the doctor that made you crave his approval. Unfortunately only one person so far had realised how dangerous that was.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
The Doctor leaves the block of flats. There is a raucous party on the third floor with a banner hanging over the balcony saying "THE ALIENS HAVE LANDED". A banner hanging from another window says "WELCOME TO OUR WORLD". A woman spots the Doctor and calls down to him.
WOMAN: Oi, gorgeous! Come back and join the party!
"Ooo... So many admirers doctor, how do you do it?" Jack asked teasingly, a lot of people actually laughed this time, mainly Rose, Mickey, Rory and Amy. 10 and 12 just ignored him, whilst 11 felt River's grip on his arm tighten. He looked down at her and studied her face intently but her expression gave no sign that she could be in any way jealous...
He decided he must have imagined it.
Mickey emerges onto another balcony higher up. He picks up a trainer, smells it, and makes a face of disgust. He watches the Doctor look at a sign in a shop window saying "HELLO ET" and then does a double take as the Doctor walks up to the TARDIS taking a bunch of keys out of his pocket.
MICKEY: Oh my God!
He runs back inside taking the smelly trainers with him.
A lot of people in the audience looked slightly disgusted by this as Mickey rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. Martha just laughed inwardly and snuggled closer to her husband.
INT. TARDIS
The Doctor enters the TARDIS, grinning. He runs to the console, smacks down a few buttons and turns a handle and beams up at it when it starts to move.
"Oh yeah I almost forgot." Rose said, then punched 10 in the arm. He let loose a cry of pain causing his next regenerations to wince. "That was for leaving without telling me."
10 just rubbed his arm and pouted, knowing there wasn't much he could say in his defence. Yet another constant characteristic of the doctor, being prideful but also smart.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
Outside, the TARDIS begins to disappear just as Mickey runs out of the flats.
MICKEY: Oi, Doctor! Doctooooooooor!
He sprints up to the TARDIS and throws himself at it, but just ends up hitting the heavily graffitied corrugated iron behind it and falls backwards from the impact.
The entire room aside from Mickey, whose blush could be seen even through his dark skin, fell about laughing. After a while he cracked up a bit to, seeing it from this point of view, it was pretty funny.
He gets up again and brushes himself down, casting furtive looks around him to make sure no one saw him. He then walks off with as much dignity as he can muster.
Martha giggled at her husbands attempts to act casual and he shoved her playfully, whilst wearing a smile of his own.
INT. TARDIS
The console starts to smoke. Looking slightly put-out, the Doctor hits it a couple of times with a hammer. Amazingly, this helps, and the Doctor kisses the hammer and gazes up at the console with a childish beam on his face.
10 smiled as he leaned back in his seat thinking about his good old hammer. One of the sure fire ways to get the Tardis working. Clara felt herself become quite angry that the doctor was able to hit the Tardis with a hammer and yet she didn't hate him.
EXT. DOWNING STREET
10 Downing Street is heavily guarded on the outside.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM CORRIDOR
Harriet Jones places a cup of coffee on Indra's desk. He looks up at her.
HARRIET: I bet no one's bought you a coffee.
She laughs slightly.
INDRA: Thank you.
HARRIET: Pleasure.
He picks the cup up. She doesn't leave, but looks down at him expectantly.
INDRA: You still can't go in.
HARRIET: Damn, you've seen through my cunning plan.
INDRA: Look, I'm sorry. It's just impossible.
He gets up.
HARRIET: Not even for two minutes?
He shakes his head.
HARRIET (CONT'D): I don't get many chances to walk these corridors. I'm hardly one of the babes, just a faithful back bencher. And I know we've had a brave new world land right on our doorstep, and that's wonderful. I think that's, probably wonderful. Nevertheless, ordinary life keeps ticking away. (Rifles through her handbag and pulls out a folder). I need to enter this paper.
Joseph Green, Margaret Blaine and Oliver Charles emerge from the cabinet room.
HARRIET (CONT'D): Oh! Mr. Green, sir, I know you're busy, but could you put this on the next cabinet agenda?
JOSEPH: What is it?
HARRIET: Cottage hospitals...
Joseph looks at Indra in alarm who gives an apologetic and resigned wave of his hand.
HARRIET (CONT'D): I've worked out a system whereby cottage hospitals do not have to be excluded from centers of excellence. You see, my mother's in the Flydale infirmary. That's my constituency, tiny little place, you wouldn't know it, but it's given me a chance to...
JOSEPH: By all the saints, get some perspective, woman! I'm busy.
All of them, including Indra, file out of the room, each giving her a funny look as they pass.
Everyone had kept quiet throughout the scene, no one really had anything to say. But they all, even 10, felt somewhat sorry for Harriet knowing she was trying her hardest to help and kept getting pushed aside.
Harriet is left alone holding her papers. She looks to make sure they are really gone, then slips into the cabinet room.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
Harriet places her papers on the table, on top of the emergency protocols. She then seems to change her mind and picks them up again. She opens the case and puts it inside instead. Satisfied, she is just about to close it again when she spots the folder with "Emergency Protocols - Classified Information" written on the front. She sits on the chair in front of the case and opens the folder. She begins to read the first page with a look of awe on her face.
"Humans," 10 sighed. "They made up the phrase curiosity killed the cat but they never bothered to learn from it.
"There's a simple explanation for that sweetie." River said. He raised his eyebrows in a gesture for her to continue. "They're curious to know why curiosity is a bad thing."
A lot of people were confused by her statement at first but when it finally clicked in their minds they had to admit that she was right. Else while, 10 was pondering over the way River had addressed the humans as 'they'. Did that mean she wasn't one of them...
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, MORTUARY
Dr Sato settles herself in front of her desk, picks a pen up and begins to write. She hears a thumping noise in the distance. She pauses for a moment but then decides to ignore it. Then she hears it again. She turns around.
Everyone sucked in a breath and leaned forward a bit as a growing sense of concern set over the room.
The thumping repeats itself over and over again. It seems to be coming from the place where the alien was put. She stares at it warily.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, STOREROOM
The Doctor emerges from the TARDIS, which seems to have landed squashed up in a small storeroom. He looks around in slight confusion and then makes his way to the door. He turns on his sonic screwdriver, which makes a loud buzzing noise. He turns it off again hurriedly.
THE DOCTOR: Shh!
"Please tell me you didn't think it was going to reply." Amy asked, looking at 11.
"I didn't think it was going to reply." He said, then grinned and leaned back in his seat smugly. Everyone breathed a laugh, pleased to have the tense atmosphere loosened a bit.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, MORTUARY
Dr Sato edges towards the door of the alien's cupboard. The thumping has become even more frantic, as though something is running around inside, banging against the walls.
The room went silent again as everyone waited in agonising suspense.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, STOREROOM
The Doctor finishes unlocking the door, puts his sonic screwdriver away and opens it.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, ANTEROOM
The Doctor finds himself in a room where about 20 soldiers are sitting around talking and laughing. They fall silent when he opens the door. There is a pause while they all stare at each other, then they all leap to their feet and point their guns at him. The Doctor grins. Again.
The current doctors grinned as well while everyone else just face-palmed. Of all the rooms in the hospital, he would walk into the one filled with soldiers.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, MORTUARY
Dr Sato approaches the door. She pulls it open and screams.
A lot of people jumped in their seats. The most notable being Donna who let out a breathless "Oh my god," at the same time.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, ANTEROOM
Upon hearing the scream, the Doctor stops smiling and runs to the door.
THE DOCTOR: Defence plan delta! Come on, move, move!
All the soldiers follow him from the room in the direction of the scream.
"So I see you still remember your UNIT training." Martha noted, recognising defence plan Delta from her own training. The doctors just ignored her, not willing to acknowledge that they associated with soldiers, despite having respect for those who fought for the things they loved they hadn't gotten over their time as a soldier in the time war. Having sworn to never fight that way again. To keep their promise, to be the doctor.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, CORRIDOR
They run down the corridors. The Doctor spots Dr Sato cowering on the floor.
DR SATO: It's alive!
The Doctor turns to the men behind him.
THE DOCTOR: Spread out. Tell the perimeter it's a lock down.
He runs to Dr Sato's side and holds her hands.
DR SATO: My God, it's still alive.
The men are still standing there watching them.
THE DOCTOR: Do it!
They run off and start searching the building. They burst through numerous doors, claiming each one to be clear. The Doctor turns back to Dr Sato. Blood is leaking out from under her hairline.
"Goodness is she okay?" Amy asked, clearly concerned.
"I think so," Martha replied, examining the image of Sato. "It looks like just a flesh wound."
DR SATO: I swear it was dead.
THE DOCTOR: Coma, shock, hibernation, anything. What does it look like?
There is a slight sound from behind him. He turns around quickly.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): It's still here.
The companions felt the familiar cold grip of fear clasp them. They couldn't help but be concerned despite seeing the doctor in situations worse than this on a regular basis.
He stands up and beckons another soldier into the room. He walks forward quietly, looking for the source of the sound. When he hears another rattling, he drops to his knees and crawls to peer behind the desk. From the other side of the desk, the face of a pig peers back at him, snorting.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Hello!
Many were tempted to go 'aww' at how cute the pig was but were too interested in what was happening to do so. While some were starting to wonder what in the world this creature was and why it was their.
The pig squeals in terror and runs across the room. The soldier readies his gun.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Don't shoot!
The pig runs along the corridor. One of the soldiers points his gun at it and shoots before the Doctor can stop him.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): What did you do that for? It was scared!
The soldier looks from him to the pig in alarm. The Doctor crouches down to look at the pig.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): It was scared.
The man looks affronted. The Doctor strokes the pig as it dies.
"That poor creature..." River murmured sadly, 11 stroked her arm from where he had it draped round her shoulders and she curled deeper into his touch.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
Harriet Jones hears voices approaching the cabinet room.
ASQUITH: I've got the White House phoning me direct because Downing Street won't answer their calls! This is outrageous! We haven't even started the vaccination prota. This is appalling. The nations of the world are watching the United Kingdom!
JOSEPH: Well, it has all been a bit of a shock.
ASQUITH: This is the greatest crisis in modern history and you've done nothing! Your behaviour has been shameful, sir. You're supposed to be in charge and we need positive leadership. The capital's ground to a halt.
They enter the room. Harriet disappears into a cupboard just in time.
ASQUITH: Furthermore, we can only assume that the Prime Minister's disappearance is the direct result of hostile alien action. And what have you been doing? Nothing.
"Not true they've been planning your death." Jack said, remembering the scene from the promo. Amy punched him for making a joke over the man's murder and sent him a glare that could make daleks cower in fear. It made Jack stare at the screen as if looking away from it would actually kill him, which would be impressive for an immortal man.
JOSEPH: Sorry! Sorry. Uh... I thought, I was Prime Minister now.
ASQUITH: Only by default.
JOSEPH: Ooooh, that's not fair! I've been having such fun.
The Captain looks outraged.
ASQUITH: You think this is FUN?
JOSEPH: It's a hoot, this job.
Joseph, Margaret and Oliver all start to laugh.
MARGARET: Honestly! It's super!
"Figure's they'd think of our jobs like their some type of game." Said Clara.
"Well they weren't here to actually help you know so why do the job right, and if their plans are going well they might as well..." 12 began but then tailed off when he noticed the look she was giving him and he realised he was being insensitive again.
Oliver farts.
OLIVER: Oh! S'cuse me! (Farts again). Ooo!
They burst out laughing again.
ASQUITH: What's going on here? And where's the rest of the cabinet? Why haven't they been air lifted in?
JOSEPH: I cancelled it. They'd only get in the way.(Farts). Oh, there I go.
He farts twice more, heartily. Margaret joins in.
MARGARET: Oh, and me! I'm shaking my booty.
More hysterical laughter punctuated by farts.
The group were all making attempts to keep their lunch down, they were so disgusted by the display. It wasn't just that it was gross but also the way they were mocking the human race by behaving so childishly over serious topics. It only served to make everyone want one of the doctors brilliant plans destroy these guys for good.
ASQUITH: Sir! Under section 5 of the emergency protocols, it is my duty to relieve you of command.
Joseph stops laughing and looks up at the captain darkly.
Everyone simply leaned back in their chairs knowing exactly what was about to happen. Within them they felt the dreaded feeling of acceptance, knowing there was nothing they could do to help.
ASQUITH: And by God, I'll put this country under marshal law if I have to.
JOSEPH (sarcastically): Oh, I'm SCARED. I mean, that's hair raising. I mean, literally. Look!
He unzips his forehead. A bright blue light shines from the gap. Bewildered, the captain looks at the other two, who also unzip their foreheads. Where she is watching from a crack through the door, Harriet's eyes widen in shock. There are some disgusting and worrying noises from the cabinet room, Asquith screams and Harriet leans back against the wall of the cupboard, horrified.
"I feel sorry she had to witness that." Said Clara.
"She was very traumatised, I remember," Rose nodded.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, MORTUARY
Dr Sato and the Doctor are standing over the pig's body.
DR SATO: I just assumed that's what alien's look like. But you're saying it's an ordinary pig? From Earth?
THE DOCTOR: More like a mermaid. Victorian showmen used to draw the crowds by taking the skull of a cat and gluing it to a fish and calling it a mermaid. Now, someone's taken a pig, opened up it's brain, stuck bits on... then they strapped it in that ship and made it dive bomb. It must've been terrified. They've taken this animal and turned it into a joke.
The feelings of despair from that moment resurfaced in the hearts of all the doctors. They hated that they could do nothing to save that pig, and even more that an ordinary innocent animal had been used as a publicity stunt by some messed up family trying to make some quick cash.
DR SATO: So it's a fake. A pretend. Like the mermaid. But the technology augmenting its brain... it's like nothing on Earth. It's alien. Aliens are faking aliens. But why would they do that...?
"She's quite good." River noted.
"Hmm..." 10 Placed a hand to his chin thoughtfully, at the time he had been a bit occupied with the other stuff going on to notice Sato's skills, but yeah she was pretty good... He suddenly felt Rose's presence beside him and saw her scanning the screen with her eyes, looking for anything she might have missed the first time round. He relaxed against the sofa, thinking that he'd definitely made the right choice traveling with her.
DR SATO (CONT'D): (Turns to face the Doctor, only to find he has vanished). Doctor?
Hurries from room after him.
INT. ALBION HOSPITAL, CORRIDOR
Dr Sato looks up and down a long corridor.
DR SATO: Doctor?
She turns as she hears the sound of the TARDIS engines. Obviously, she does not know what this sound is.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, LIVING ROOM
Rose's sitting, the room is extremely crowded. Jackie raises her wine glass in a toast.
JACKIE: Here's to the Martians!
EVERYONE: The Martians!
Mickey appears in the doorway. The laughter dies away as he stares at Rose in her armchair. She looks around to see why everyone has gone quiet and sits up quickly when she sees him standing there.
ROSE: I was gonna come and see you.
He just stares at her.
"I really was sorry, I didn't even know." Rose tried to apologise again but Mickey just held up his hand and smiled.
"It's okay, all over and done with now." He said. She smiled at him, both feeling very pleased they were still good friend's after everything they went through.
WOMAN: Someone owes Mickey an apology.
ROSE: I'm sorry.
WOMAN: Not you.
Looks at Jackie.
JACKIE: Well it's not my fault. Be fair. What was I supposed to think?
Gives Mickey a look and walks into the kitchen.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, KITCHEN
MICKEY: You disappear, who do they turn to? Your boyfriend. Five times, I was taken in for questioning. Five times. No evidence, of course there couldn't be, could there? And then I get her, your mother. (Points at Jackie who rolls her eyes). Whispering around the estate, pointing the finger, stuff through my letterbox, and all 'cos of you.
ROSE: I didn't think I'd be gone so long.
MICKEY: And I waited for you, Rose! Twelve months. Waiting for you and the Doctor to come back.
JACKIE: Hold on, you knew about the Doctor? Why didn't you tell me?
Mickey notices someone trying to listen through the window into the kitchen. He slams them shut and closes the door.
MICKEY: Yeah, yeah. Why not, Rose? Huh? How could I tell her where you went?
"True, I couldn't defend myself because there was no way anyone would believe me." Mickey said. He'd only been stating a fact but it still made Rose feel guilty, she hadn't purposefully meant to get him in trouble and the doctor had been the one to get the flight wrong, but even so the feeling that it was her fault still tormented her.
JACKIE: Tell me now.
MICKEY: I might as well, 'cos you're stuck here. The Doctor's gone. Just now, that box thing just faded away.
ROSE: What do you mean?
MICKEY: He's left you. Some boyfriend HE turned out to be.
"He's/I'm not my/her boyfriend." 10 and Rose said at the same time, though they were both blushing as they did so. All the men in the room, aside from the doctors, shared knowing glances while 11 tightened his grip on River and 12 merely looked longingly at both women.
Rose runs from the kitchen, grabbing a jacket from the back of the door on her way out. Mickey follows her. Jackie stays sitting down, looking frustrated.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
Rose and Mickey are standing at the spot where the TARDIS was parked.
ROSE: But he wouldn't just go, he promised me.
"Yea, I'll always come back for you." 10 re-promised her. She smiled and gave him a grateful hug. Martha and Mickey didn't say anything, remembering they'd left the doctor by choice. Donna began to worry about her departure from the doctor, as from her point of view it hadn't happened yet. River also didn't know what her last adventure with the doctor would be but it terrified her, more than her own death (Remember she doesn't know she's going to die the last time she sees him). To think that one day the man she loved would look at her like she was a complete stranger. As for Amy and Rory they also didn't know how they would come to leave the doctor, but they hoped it wouldn't mean he would be forever out of their lives. Well Amy did, Rory just hoped no matter how or why they left he and Amy would still be together. Clara's only wish was that the doctor would keep in touch with her, even if it wasn't his style. Maybe he'd make an exception, for her...
MICKEY: Oh, he's dumped you, Rose. Sailed off into space. How does it feel, huh? Now you, are left behind with the rest of us Earthlings. Get used to it.
ROSE: But he would have said.
Jackie walks over to them.
JACKIE: What're you two chimps going on about? What's going on? What's this Doctor done now?
Mickey chortles.
MICKEY: He's vamoosed!
ROSE (angrily): He's not! 'Cos he gave me this!
She shows him the TARDIS key. Mickey gives a "so what?" sort of shrug.
ROSE (CONT'D): He's not my boyfriend, Mickey, he's better than that. He's much more important than...
10 found himself blushing at what she'd said. Did he really mean that much to her? Or was that just his last form? She was still getting use to this new one, but she did seem happy traveling with him. He supposed he'd have to keep watching to find out.
She breaks off as the TARDIS key starts to glow in time with the sound of the TARDIS engines.
ROSE (CONT'D): I said so.
The engines get louder. Rose turns to her mother.
ROSE (CONT'D) (urgently): Mum! Mum, go inside. Mum, don't stand there, just go inside. Just, mum, go...
But Jackie is not listening to her. She is staring transfixed over Rose's shoulder, where the TARDIS is appearing out of thin air. The engines grind to a halt. Mickey points to the TARDIS meaningfully.
MICKEY: Uh?
"Oh thanks." 10 said sarcastically. Mickey shrugged sheepishly and Martha rolled her eyes in a manner of fondness.
Jackie stares at it in amazement.
JACKIE: How'd you do that, then?
Rose looks at her warily.
INT. TARDIS
Rose enters the TARDIS where the Doctor is looking at the computer screen.
THE DOCTOR: Alright, so I lied! I went and had a look, but the whole crash landing's a fake, I thought so, it's just too perfect. I mean, "hitting Big Ben" come on, so I thought let's go and have a look...
ROSE: My mum's here.
The door creaks open and Jackie and Mickey enter. The Doctor looks around.
THE DOCTOR: Oh, that's just what I need. Don't you dare make this place domestic!
"There's nothing wrong with being domestic." Donna stated in a knowledgable manner.
"Yes I know that now." 11 said. A lot of people turned to look at him in shock, apart from those who knew him. "What?" He shrugged, "There are some good things about domestics, like Parties, Weddings, television, games." He began listing off domestic activities he'd tried and enjoyed. Eventually everyone just blotted it out and returned to the screen.
MICKEY: You ruined my life, Doctor.
The Doctor spins smoothly around to face him.
MICKEY (CONT'D): They thought she was dead. I was a murder suspect because of you.
THE DOCTOR (to Rose): See what I mean? Domestic.
The Doctor spins back to face the computer screen. Mickey takes a few steps towards him.
MICKEY: I bet you don't even remember my name!
THE DOCTOR: Ricky.
MICKEY: It's Mickey.
THE DOCTOR: No, it's Ricky.
MICKEY: I think I know my own name.
THE DOCTOR: You THINK you know your own name? How stupid are you?
Those that had not known the doctor in his ninth regeneration were amazed at the sass he use to have, some were upset they didn't get to meet him. Meanwhile 10 was actually apologising to Mickey for calling him Rickey all the time. Mickey was a bit weirded out by this but appreciated it all the same.
Jackie, who has been looking around the TARDIS with a bewildered expression, turns and runs outside again.
ROSE: Mum, don't! (To the Doctor). Don't go anywhere! (To Mickey). Don't start a fight!
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
Jackie runs outside and back to the flats. Rose pursues her out of the doors.
ROSE (CONT'D): Mum, it's not like that! He's not... I'll be up in a minute, hold on!
INT. TARDIS
She runs back inside the TARDIS and back to the Doctor's side, where he is looking at his monitor again.
ROSE (CONT'D): That was a real spaceship?
THE DOCTOR: Yep!
ROSE: So, it's all a pack of lies? What is it then, are they invading?
Mickey is on tip-toes peering at the screen over their shoulders.
MICKEY: Funny way to invade, putting the world on red alert.
THE DOCTOR (mildly impressed): Good point! So, what're they up to?
"True, not your typical invasion tactic." Said Rory.
"Yeah, it doesn't add up why create a huge UFO crash scenario?" Clara agreed. Anyone who didn't know the answer immediately began coming up with various reasons for the strange events.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, JACKIE'S BEDROOM
On the TV, a news channel - footage of the spaceship crash landed in the Thames.
REPORTER: As the crisis continues and the government shows remarkable lack of leadership, paranoia sweeps the country.
Jackie is sitting on the end of her bed, looking frustrated and restless. She sighs and kneads her forehead.
REPORTER (CONT'D): There have been at least three reports of public assaults on people publicly identified as aliens.
Jackie's look of anxiety increases.
REPORTER (CONT'D): And now back to Tom Hitchenson.
Jackie falls back onto the bed, her hands over her face.
TOM HITCHENSON: Are there more ships to come?
Jackie turns her attention to the television.
TOM HITCHENSON (CONT'D): What is their intention? The authorities are now asking if ANYONE knows ANYTHING. If any previous sighting has been made, then call this number.
Jackie reaches for the telephone.
TOM HITCHENSON (CONT'D): We need your help.
Jackie dials the number on the screen. The first two times it is engaged. The third time, she manages to get through.
JACKIE: Yes! I've seen one. I really have, an alien. And she's with him! My daughter, she's with him. And she's not safe. Oh, my God... she's not safe.
"Ah so that was how they found us... Should have known." 12 sighed. The other doctors didn't say anything too busy thinking about what Jackie had said, about it not being safe. Their first instinct had been to deny it knowing they would do everything in their power to protect those close to them. But then they began to wonder if that was enough...
Jackie exhales and sits back down on the foot of the bed.
JACKIE (CONT'D): I've seen an alien. And I know his name, he's called "The Doctor".
INT. COMPUTER SCREEN
The words 'The Doctor' are typed into a computer.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, JACKIE'S BEDROOM
JACKIE: It's a box. A blue box.
INT. COMPUTER SCREEN
"Blue Box" is typed in.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, JACKIE'S BEDROOM
JACKIE: She called it a "TARDIS".
INT. COMPUTER SCREEN
"TARDIS" is typed in. An alarm goes off.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CONFERENCE ROOM
Indra enters at a run. The computer screen is flashing the words: RED ALERT - THE DOCTOR.
"Are they using the UNIT files or the Torchwood ones at this point?" Martha asked.
"Probably UNIT, the government's not really supposed to know about Torchwood. Not even UNIT should be you guys are just so curious." Jack explained, sending a glare at the two UNIT members in the room.
INT. TARDIS
Inside the TARDIS, Mickey peers curiously down at the Doctor, where he is once again wedged under the console.
MICKEY: So, what're you doing down there?
THE DOCTOR (muffled, due to the sonic screwdriver he's holding between his teeth): Ricky.
MICKEY: Mickey.
THE DOCTOR (takes the sonic screwdriver out of his mouth to make himself clearer): Ricky.
Mickey rolls his eyes, irked.
THE DOCTOR: If I was to tell you what I was doing to the controls of my frankly magnificent time ship, would you even begin to understand?
MICKEY: I suppose not...
THE DOCTOR: Shut it, then.
Everyone hit the doctor closet to them for being mean to Mickey. Each doctor gave a quick yelp and rubbed whichever area had been struck, grumbling about being a different person now and all that regeneration stuff.
He puts the sonic screwdriver back between his teeth. Mickey gives him the evil eye, and moves back round the console to where Rose is standing.
MICKEY: Some friend you've got.
ROSE: He's winding you up.
Mickey still looks slightly upset. He does not answer.
ROSE: I am sorry.
MICKEY: Okay.
ROSE (earnestly): I am, though!
MICKEY: Every day, I looked. On every street corner, wherever I went, looking for a blue box for a whole year.
ROSE: It's only been a few days for me. I don't know, it's... it's hard to tell inside this thing but I swear it's just a few days since I left you.
MICKEY: Not enough time to miss me, then?
ROSE (smiles): I did miss you.
MICKEY: I missed you.
Martha was use to suppressing her jealousy at this point but still clung defensively to Mickey. Who was more than happy to put his arms round her and hold her close to him.
ROSE: So, erm... in twelve months, have you been seeing anyone else?
MICKEY: No.
ROSE: 'Kay...
MICKEY: Mainly because everyone thinks I murdered you.
ROSE: Right.
"Way to kill the moment." Said Donna, halfheartedly. A few people chuckled under their breath but otherwise the room remained silent.
MICKEY: So... now that you've come back... are you gonna stay?
He leans in to kiss her, but the moment is broken by the sound of sparks from beneath the console.
THE DOCTOR: Got it! Haha!
"And he's ruined the moment." Amy announced.
"You're not going to ruin any of our moments right?" Rory asked 11, prompting Amy to roll her eyes.
Rose moves to the other side of the console to join him.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Patched in the radar, looped it back twelve hours so we can follow the flight of the spaceship, here we go... hold on... (Whacks the computer screen). Come on! (Shows Rose the graphic on the screen). That's the spaceship on it's way to Earth... see? Except... hold on... see, the spaceship did a sling shot round the Earth before it landed.
ROSE: What does that mean?
THE DOCTOR: It means it came from Earth in the first place, it went up and came back down. Whoever those aliens are, they haven't just arrived. They've been here for a while. The question is, what have they been doing?
"Apparently finding time to disguise themselves as humans and blend into society." Said Rory.
"Really I hadn't noticed." 10 said sarcastically. Rory just shrugged, only suddenly remembering that this had all happened already.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
In the cabinet room, the alien who was previously inside the body of Oliver is now finishing putting on the skin suit of the General Asquith.
ASQUITH: What do you think? How's the compression? I don't know, I think I've got too much ballast round the middle...(Farts). Ah, that's better.
From the cupboard, Harriet Jones's eyes widen with shock and confusion.
MARGARET: We've really got to fix the gas exchange. It's getting ridiculous.
JOSEPH: I don't know, seems very human to me.
The human population of the audience all looked lightly offended by his remark.
JOSEPH (CONT'D): Ah, better get rid of his skin...
Asquith picks up the discarded skin of Oliver.
ASQUITH: Shame! I quite enjoyed being Oliver. He had a wife, a mistress, and a young farmer.
He makes towards the cupboard where Harriet is standing. She retreats further to the back. He opens the door and chucks the skin inside. He looks back at Margaret and Joseph.
ASQUITH (CONT'D): God, I was busy.
They laugh. He shuts the door again.
Everyone released a breath they didn't realise they were holding, relieved Harriet was no longer in danger.
JOSEPH: Back to work!
ASQUITH: I have an army to command!
MARGARET: Careful now...
They leave the room, their voices retreating. Harriet picks up the discarded skin of Oliver, and examines it.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM CORRIDOR
Indra rushes up to Margaret, Asquith and Joseph.
INDRA: General Asquith! Sir, we've had a priority alarm. It's code nine confirmed code nine.
Harriet Jones hurries out of the cupboard.
ASQUITH: Code nine, huh? Which would mean...?
Margaret gives a small and apologetic laugh while Joseph shakes his head behind him.
"I can't believe they've kept up their cover this long, what is wrong with people from this time period?!" Jack exclaimed.
"I'm guessing it's because we've never met aliens before and think they don't exist." Said Rose.
INDRA: Well, in the event of the emergency protocols being activated... we've got software that automatically searches all communications for key words. And one of those words is "Doctor". I think we've found him, sir.
MARGARET: What sort of Doctor? Who is he?
INDRA: Well, evidently he's some sort of expert in extra-terrestrial affairs, the ultimate expert! And we need him, sir. We need him here right now!
All three doctors puffed their chests out in pride. At the same time many of the companions groaned inwardly at the doctors already above average ego.
Harriet pulls a face.
INT. TARDIS
The Doctor is switching the television from channel to channel.
MICKEY: How many channels do you get?
THE DOCTOR: All the basic packages.
MICKEY: You get sports channels?
THE DOCTOR: Yes, I get the football. (Looks back at the screen). Hold on, I know that lot.
REPORTER: It is looking likely that the government is bringing in alien specialists, those people who have devoted their lives to studying outer space.
THE DOCTOR: UNIT! United Nations Intelligence Task force, good people.
ROSE: How do you know them?
MICKEY: 'Cos he's worked for them. Oh yeah, don't think I sat on my backside for twelve months, Doctor. I read up on you. You look deep enough on the Internet... Or in the history books, and there's his name. Followed by a list of the dead.
All the doctors hung their heads. Seeing so many people die was hard for them, harder than they let on. naturally everyone of each doctors sofa's did their best to comfort them, while Mickey apologised for being so harsh, he'd just been upset at the time.
THE DOCTOR: That's nice. Good boy, Ricky.
ROSE: If you know them, why don't you go and help?
THE DOCTOR: They wouldn't recognise me. I've changed a lot since the old days. Besides, the world's on a knife-edge. There's aliens out there and fake aliens. We want to keep this alien out of the mix. I'm going undercover... and eh, better keep the TARDIS out of site. Rickey! You've got a car - you can do some driving.
He walks towards the TARDIS door.
MICKEY: Where to?!
THE DOCTOR: The roads are clearing. Let's go and have a look at that spaceship.
"Logical and a strong leader just as you've always been sweetie." River cooed, nuzzling 11's shoulder. At first he felt kind of awkward, not expecting such a remark from her but relaxed once it had, had time to sink in. He took her hand and gave in an affectionate squeeze.
EXT. POWELL ESTATE
They step out of the TARDIS to the sound of helicopters. They are immediately caught out by a searchlight.
"Finally!" Jack cried, jumping in his seat. Causing Amy and Rory to jump also but in shock rather than excitement.
LOUDSPEAKER: Do not move! Step away from the box, raise your hands above your head.
Police cars and soldiers surround them, pointing guns and them and preventing their escape. Mickey makes a run for it. Jackie runs out of the flats and tries to get to Rose but two soldiers restrain her.
JACKIE: No! Rose! Rose!
Mickey is hiding behind some dustbins. The Doctor and Rose are standing in the centre looking slightly confused in the searchlight.
LOUDSPEAKER: Raise your hands above your head! You are under arrest!
The Doctor and Rose obey.
JACKIE: That's my daughter! Rose!
THE DOCTOR: Take me to your leader!
They all burst out laughing, of all the things to say on being arrested...
INT. CAR
Rose clambers into the back of a police car next to the Doctor. The door shuts and they drive off.
ROSE: This is a bit posh. If I knew it was gonna be like this, being arrested, I would have done it years ago.
THE DOCTOR: We're not being arrested, we're being escorted!
ROSE: Where to?
THE DOCTOR: Where'd you think? Downing Street!
He laughs. Rose joins in.
ROSE: You're kidding.
THE DOCTOR: I'm not!
ROSE: 10 Downing Street?
THE DOCTOR: That's the one!
Rose laughs with glee.
ROSE: Oh, my God! I'm going to 10 Downing Street?
The Doctor nods, grinning.
ROSE: How come?
THE DOCTOR: I hate to say it, but Mickey was right. Over the years I've visited this planet a lot of times, and I've been, uh, noticed.
ROSE: Now they need you?
THE DOCTOR: Like it said on the news, they're gathering experts in alien knowledge. And who's the biggest expert of the lot?
He grins expectantly at her.
ROSE: Patrick Moore?
THE DOCTOR: Apart from him!
ROSE: Ah, don't you just love it...
THE DOCTOR: I'm telling you, Lloyd George, he used to drink me under the table. Who's the Prime Minister now?
"You really know how to get along with famous people don't you?" Said Amy.
"Well from one to another." 10 said, giving her his cheekiest grin. She burst out laughing, enjoying their banter.
ROSE: How should I know? I missed a year.
EXT. DOWNING STREET
The car pulls up outside 10 Downing Street. The paparazzi and hundreds of police men are there. The Doctor gets out of the car and waves at them all, grinning manically. Rose smiles nervously and the looks up at 10 Downing Street.
ROSE (under her breath): Oh my God!
She follows the Doctor inside.
INT. TYLERS' FLAT, LIVING ROOM
Jackie is talking to three police officers.
JACKIE: So, she's alright then? She's not in any trouble?
STRICKLAND: Well, all I can say is that your daughter and her 'companion' might be in a position to help the country. We'll need to know how she made contact with this man, if he is a man. (Sits down with a loud grumble from his belly). Oh!
"Oh no..." Whispered Clara as everyone felt dread wash over them. It was abundantly obvious to everyone that the police man was another slitheen in a skin suit.
STRICKLAND (CONT'D): Right, off you go then. I need to talk to Mrs Tyler on my own, thank-you.
The other two police officers exit the flat.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET RECEPTION
Harriet Jones slips inconspicuously down the stairs. She enters a room where the alien experts are standing around talking, waiting for the meeting to begin. She flashes her ID card at the policeman standing guard at the door.
HARRIET: Harriet Jones, MP, Flydale North.
She mingles amongst the people. Indra enters.
INDRA: Ladies and Gentlemen, can we convene? Quick as we can, please. It's this way on the right and can I remind you, ID cards are to be worn at all times. (Approaches the Doctor, gives him an ID card). Here's your ID card. I'm sorry, your companion doesn't have clearance.
THE DOCTOR: I don't go anywhere without her.
Loops the ID card around his neck.
INDRA: You're the code nine, not her.
Harriet sidles up to them.
INDRA (CONT'D): I'm sorry, Doctor... it is the Doctor, isn't it? She'll have to stay outside.
THE DOCTOR: She's staying with me.
10 subconsciously tightened his grip on Rose remembering what was going through his head at the time. How attached he'd become to the blond shop assistant in such a short amount of time. And even now his attachment continued to grow.
INDRA: Look, even I don't have clearance to go in there. I can't let her in and that's a fact.
ROSE (to the Doctor): It's alright, you go.
Harriet appears at Indra's shoulder.
HARRIET: Excuse me? Are you the Doctor?
THE DOCTOR: Sure.
Indra looks positively exasperated.
INDRA: Not now, we're busy. Can't you go home?
THE DOCTOR (to Rose): Are you sure?
ROSE: Yeah, they're the experts, you should hear what they've got to say.
THE DOCTOR: I s'pose so. Don't get into any trouble.
The Doctor follows the other experts into the room.
HARRIET (to Indra): I just need a word in private.
"If only she had been able to talk to him." Said Amy. No one said anything, they knew she was right.
INDRA: You haven't got clearance, now leave it! (Takes Rose's arm). I'm going to have to leave you with security.
Begins to lead her away.
HARRIET: It's alright. I'll look after her. Let me be of some use. (To Rose). Walk with me. Just keep walking...
They walk past the guards at the door.
HARRIET (CONT'D): That's right... don't look round! Harriet Jones, MP Flydale North.
Shows Rose her ID card.
"She really likes introducing herself doesn't she?" Rory said.
Rose's mind suddenly went to a dark place as she said. "Maybe as someone who wasn't very well know for what she did she didn't want to be forgotten..."
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CONFERENCE ROOM
The experts are sitting down in their seats. Joseph and Asquith make their way to the desk at the front. The Doctor enters last and takes a seat at the back of the room, reading the booklet he finds on the chair extremely quickly.
"That speed reading of your's really creeps me out sometimes." Clara said to 12. Who had no idea how to respond, so instead he just spluttered a bit and just folded his arms and let it drop.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, DOWNSTAIRS CORRIDOR
Harriet is outside in the corridor talking to Rose.
HARRIET (upset and distressed): This friend of yours... he's an expert, is that right? He knows about aliens?
ROSE: Why do you wanna know?
Harriet breaks down into tears. Rose takes her arms awkwardly in an attempt to comfort her.
"I could help you improve your comforting skills." 10 whispered to her. She rolled her eyes and brought her legs up onto the sofa, crossing them in front of her until she was comfortable.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CONFERENCE ROOM
ASQUITH: Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to have your attention please. As you can see from the summaries in front of you, the ship had one porcine pilot...
THE DOCTOR: Now, the really interesting bit happened three days ago, see, filed away under every other business. The North Sea, the satellite detected a signal, a little blip of radiation at one hundred fathoms like there was something down there... you were just about to investigate and the next thing you know, this happens, spaceships, pigs, massive diversion, from what?
They all leaned forward a bit in their seats. When the doctor went into deduction mode he always had their undivided attention.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
Harriet Jones is back in the cabinet room and showing Rose the body suit of Oliver.
HARRIET: They turned the body into a suit! A disguise for the thing inside!
Bursts into tears again.
ROSE: It's alright! I believe you. It's... it's alien. They must have some serious technology behind this... if we could find it... (Starts rummaging around the room)... we could use it.
"Clever." River and the doctors complimented.
"Thank you." Grinned Rose enjoying the praise. Then re-directed her grin at 10 when no one was looking.
She opens a cupboard and the Prime Minister's body falls out. Rose and Harriet hurry to examine it.
ROSE (CONT'D): Oh, my God! Is that...?
Indra enters.
INDRA: Harriet, for God's sake! This has gone beyond a joke, you cannot just wander... (Spots the body on the floor). Oh, my God. That's the Prime Minister!
Donna gasped. She loved a good plot twist. In fact this show was becoming so interesting she almost forgot this was their real lives and not one of the drama's she watched on TV back home.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CONFERENCE ROOM
The Doctor is still lecturing the experts, Asquith and Joseph.
THE DOCTOR: If aliens fake an alien crash and an alien pilot, what do they get? (A pause as he works it out). Us. They get us. It's not a diversion, it's a trap.
This time everyone gasped, as it dawned on them all that the doctor was right. Sure they all knew it was inevitable that he would survive but the fear within them still wouldn't go away.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
MARGARET: Ohhh!
Indra, Rose and Harriet turn to see Margaret enter the cabinet room.
MARGARET (CONT'D): Has someone been naughty?
They look at each other. Margaret shuts the door behind her.
The group became even more fearful, now Rose was in danger as well. Not to mention all the other occupants of 10 downing street.
INT. TYLERS' FLAT, KITCHEN
Jackie goes into the kitchen. She is still speaking to the officer, Strickland.
JACKIE: It was bigger on the inside. I don't know, what do I know about spaceships?
STRICKLAND: That's what worries me. You see, this man is classified as "trouble". Which means that anyone associated with him is trouble. (Looks at Jackie through the hatch, retreats back into the living room) And that's my job. (Takes off his hat to reveal a zip on his forehead). Eliminating trouble.
He starts to undo the zip, filling the room with a blue light.
Rose made a grab for 10's arm and held onto him like a lifeline. Initially he was startled by this but as soon as he noticed how scared she was for her mother he put his arms round her as a form of comfort.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
INDRA: That's impossible. He left this afternoon. The Prime Minister left Downing Street, he was driven away!
MARGARET: And who told you that? Hmm? (Walks to the baffled Indra). Me.
Strokes the hair from her forehead.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CONFERENCE ROOM
THE DOCTOR: This is all about us.
The experts all look intrigued.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Alien experts, the only people with knowledge how to fight them gathered together in one room.
Joseph farts. The Doctor raises his eyebrows and fixes him with a pointed look.
THE DOCTOR (CONT'D): Excuse me, do you mind not farting while I'm saving the world?
JOSEPH: Would you rather silent but deadly?
Everybody grimaced. That was neither funny nor pleasant.
Asquith and Joseph snigger. The Doctor stares at them. Asquith takes off his hat and undoes the zip on his forehead while Joseph laughs manically. Asquith pulls the skin suit down and reveals the Slitheen inside. The Doctor stares at him, transfixed.
Those that had never seen a slitheen before were completely gobsmacked. A few words such as ugly, huge, scary and disgusting came to their minds. As for those that had met the slitheen, they were just to enthralled in the episode to take notes.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
Margaret pulls off her skin suit, revealing herself to the disgust and shock of Indra, Harriet and Rose.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, KITCHEN
Jackie pauses halfway through making the tea. The flickering blue light is filling the whole flat. She tentatively walks to the kitchen door.
"No..." Rose said so quietly that 10 only just caught it.
"Don't worry," He soothed. "This is all over, she was fine remember, we got an earful of it on the phone."
The two of them shared a bittersweet laugh at the memory.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CONFERENCE ROOM
Asquith finishes shrugging off his skin suit. Joseph is still cackling evilly.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, KITCHEN
Jackie, now framed in the doorway of the kitchen, beholds the alien. Her eyes widen with shock. She takes deep breaths.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
Margaret is now entirely out of her skin suit. She stands before Rose, Indra and Harriet who all look astounded.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CONFERENCE ROOM
Asquith, also out of his skin suit, straightens up and addresses the room.
SLITHEEN/ASQUITH: We are the Slitheen.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
Margaret roars in delight and grabs Indra between her claws, pinning him up against the wall. He shouts as she strangles him.
Some of the more emotional people in the room like Donna and Clara both placed a hand over their mouths in horrified shock. 12 took hold of Clara's hand, in some attempt at comfort. Her eyes widened as she looked up at him, this was so unlike him. And yet it felt good, so instead of questioning it she just snuggled into the sofa and carried on watching.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, KITCHEN
The Slitheen advances on Jackie. She screams and backs against the counter, sinking against it as the Slitheen raises his claw to strike.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CONFERENCE ROOM
JOSEPH: Thank you all for wearing your ID cards. (Takes a weapon from his pocket, at the ready...). They'll help to identify the bodies.
He presses the button. Everyone in the room is bathed in electric light. The Doctor falls to his knees in pain.
"DOCTOR!" Cried a number of female voices.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CABINET ROOM
Margaret strangles Indra. Harriet and Rose wince.
INT. TYLER'S FLAT, KITCHEN
Jackie screams as the Slitheen prepares to strike.
INT. 10 DOWNING STREET, CONFERENCE ROOM
The Doctor shouts in pain as his whole body shakes. Joseph has a savage pleasure in his eyes. Asquith laughs.
TO BE CONTINUED...
"Aw! What it was just getting good!" Yelled Jack.
"Relax, the next episode's already loading," Said River, pointing at the screen...
And done! well that went well. Sorry it took so long but these things are harder to write than they seem, there's like 40 minutes of episode to go through!
Hope everyone enjoyed the little 11/River moments in there, as well as implied 10/Rose and a bit of 12/Clara friendship.
Till next time
Scar x