Chapter 5: World War Three

The screen switches on to exactly where the last episode left off and The Doctor manages to rip off his ID card. He states that it is maybe deadly to humans before pushing it against the collar on the Slitheen's neck, enveloping it and Green with electricity. It then shows the one in the cabinet room and at Jackie's flat also engulfed by the electricity. The Doctor, Rose and Harriet all escape the Slitheen near them but Jackie remains where she is.

"Really mum? Move!" Rose cries out looking aggravated.

Mickey comes running in and he smashes a chair across the back of the Slitheen, grabs Jackie's hands and pulls her out of the kitchen. He stops in the doorway to take a photograph of it on his mobile phone.

"Thanks Mickey." Rose smiles over at him. "I know she definitely wasn't your favourite person then."

"Don't worry about it. I wasn't going to just let her be killed." He winked back.

The Doctor runs into the armed police guarding the entrance and tells them the aliens are inside Downing Street and they follow him back to the briefing room. Meanwhile Green has managed to pull the ID card off the other Slitheen's collar and the electricity stops. Green helps it back into the skin suit.

"I take it the police aren't going to believe you now." Martha sighs.

"Humans never see what's right under their noses." Nine grumbles.

"Oi! Watch it spaceman." Donna scowls.

"You lot excluded." Ten steps in.

Harriet and Rose are running when Harriet exclaims the emergency protocols are back in the cabinet room but the Slitheen chases them through a series of rooms, smashing through the oak doors.

"Pretty sure the protocols are not the biggest priority right now." Jack rolls his eyes.

"Well I guess she was hoping they would tell her what to do." Donna shrugs.

"Well, I imagine the first thing an emergency protocol about aliens would say to do is gather the experts in alien technology which has been done and they are all dead." Jack points out.

The Doctor enters the briefing room with the police just as Green finishes getting Asquith into his skin suit. Green asks where they have been and blames the deaths on the Doctor. The Doctor tries to say the acting Prime Minister is an alien but realises they aren't going to believe him so runs off. He gets trapped between two lots of armed police. Asquith orders his execution but the Doctor advises them that if they are going to execute someone by backing them against a wall, he pauses and a door opens behind him. He tells them they shouldn't stand someone against a lift. He steps in and the doors close.

"That was a little too close." Rose mumbles into Nine's jumper.

"I'd have been alright. Got two hearts and they'd have only shot one." He placates her, not mentioning if they shot him in the head he wouldn't have time to regenerate.

The lift doors open and the Slitheen is there. He says hello which distracts the Slitheen so Rose and Harriet can get past behind it then the lift doors close again. Rose and Harriet run into a room with a large settee, a large drinks cabinet, a folding screen by the window to keep out the draughts. Rose says to hide and moves behind a cabinet while Harriet hides behind the screen.

"They'll see you easily." Donna shakes her head.

"Not really many options." Rose shrugs.

Asquith tells the armed police that the upper floors are under quarantine and to stay where they are. The empty lift arrives and Asquith steps in with Green. The policeman in charge says they need to evacuate the building but Green just asks if he has read the emergency protocols. When he replies no, Green tells him to seal off 10 Downing Street, secure the ground floor and shoot the Doctor on sight if he appears. Green closes the lift doors.

"Such a friendly bunch." Mickey shakes his head.

"Well I did have a lot of important murders blamed on me." Nine scowls.

In the lift Green states he is getting poisoned by gas exchange and needs to be naked. Asquith tells him to rejoice in it his body is magnificent.

"Not the word I would have used." Rose snickers.

"Well I'm sure humans aren't that appealing to them either." Nine laughs at her.

"Quite frankly I'm glad about that. Don't need some alien finding us attractive."

"Am I not supposed to find you attractive then?" He asks her with a grin.

"Of course you are. But you ain't green and ugly."

"Well, I'm certainly not green."

"Or ugly." Rose stresses. He shakes he head slightly but kisses her. He will never understand what she finds attractive about him. He has an alright physique but the face kind of detracts from that and his soul is as dark as they come. She kisses him back and then replaces her head on his chest.

Green unzips his body suit, then Asquith does likewise. The Slitheen Margaret enters the sitting room where Rose and Harriet are hiding. She offers to kiss them better.

"I take it back. Maybe they do find you attractive." Nine smirks.

"Or they want to kill them." Mickey scowls.

"You can find someone attractive and still want to kill them." Sarah Jane puts in.

"Tell me about it." Rose laughs glancing over at Ten who winked.

Rose makes it from the cabinet to behind a curtain.

"Not sure that's any safer." Donna frowns.

"Nowhere is really safe." Martha points out.

The Doctor runs down the staircase and hides as the lift arrives on this floor. Two naked Slitheen walk out. They have a brief conversation and then Slitheens Green and Asquith enter the sitting room. They talk about prolonging the hunt so they can smell more fear. Margaret says how she can smell an old girl and Harriet looks outraged in her hiding place.

They all laugh a little at Harriet's expression.

She goes on about how she can also smell a young girl full of hormones and then pulls back the curtain making Rose scream. Harriet jumps out and tells them to take her first.

"That's incredibly brave of her." Jack comments with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah, I like Harriet." Rose smiles over at him.

The Doctor bursts in with a fire extinguisher. He sprays the male Slitheen with CO2. He calls to Rose who pulls the curtain down over Margaret. He asks who Harriet is and she tells him. He says it's nice to meet her and she replies likewise.

"Is that really the time for introductions?" Donna asks.

"Well, would be rude not to know who I'm saving." Nine shrugs.

"You didn't ask Rose's name while you ran like hell." Mickey points out.

"I asked her straight after. Besides, Harriet had been protecting Rose. I heard her saying to take her first and I wanted to know who she was." He admitted.

"Not sure she needed to add the 'MP for Flydale North' part though." Martha sniggered.

The Doctor uses up the CO2 and they run out. In the corridor he tells them they need to head to the Cabinet room. Harriet points out the emergency protocols are in there and the Doctor seems pleased by this, stating he likes her. She says she likes him too. The Slitheen chase them through corridors and rooms. Once they reach the Cabinet room The Doctor grabs a decanter from a side table and stands in the doorway saying that if the Slitheen come closer he will triplicate the flammability of the alcohol. They take one step backwards into the outer office.

"You made that up." States Sarah Jane amusedly. Ten shrugs looking sheepish.

"I had to tell them something."

"Quite right too." She laughs.

The Doctor asks who the Slitheen are. Harriet chimes in they are aliens and he says he worked that out himself. The Slitheen was was Green asks who the Doctor is if he's not HUman and Harriet asks who isn't human. Rose tells her the Doctor isn't and the Doctor tells them both to shut up. Harriet then points out he has a northern accent and Rose tells her lots of planets have a north.

"She's already quoting you doc." Jack laughs.

"Quite right too." Ten smiles and reaches out to touch Rose's hand. He's tried to give her space especially now she is entering into a tentative relationship with his former self but it's hard. He has spent the last two years thinking of almost nothing but her. Martha and Donna have both been great distractions but Martha was too hung up on being jealous of a woman who no longer existed on their world. Donna was great. He wasn't surprised she got on well with Rose, they both loved mocking him so much. It was also a bonus that she didn't have romantic feelings for him. Between his Rose, finding out Sarah Jane had had feelings for him once upon a time and Martha he was trying to avoid more companions who would fall in love with him when he could never return their affections. He didn't want to before Rose, she had changed his mind and then been ripped away from him and he promised himself it would never happen again so Donna was very refreshing. To his pleasure, Rose let him take her hand and left their fingers intertwined.

The Doctor complains that he asked for hush and then asks why the Slitheen murdered their way to the top of government. Wondering if it is for invasion. They deny this. When he mentions the Slitheen race they tell him they are not a race but a family and he realises they are there for a family business and therefore to make profit.

"What do they want from Earth?" Donna frowns.

"Nothing good." Rose mutters darkly.

When the Doctor asks how they plan to make profit the Slitheen that had been Asquith asks what his device will do and the Doctor realises they have seen through his lie. He hands the decanter to Harriet who says it should go to the left. He hands it to Rose. Rose asks if they should run and the Doctor gives them a quick history of Downing Street. He lifts a small panel by the door and presses a button. Metal shutters crash shut across the windows and doors. He looks rather please with himself when he informs them there is three inches of steel lining every wall and they will never get in.

"How do you get out then?" Jack asks.

"He didn't think that far ahead." Rose grins.

"Of course he didn't." Sarah Jane chuckles.

Oi!" Protested Nine feebly, knowing it was true and how close he had come to losing Rose as a result.

Rose asks how they get out and his pleased expression falls as he realises the problem.

They all laugh a little at his expression that went from being so smug to puzzled.

Green says the Doctor has been contained and to cut off communications inside that room. Outside Downing Street Andrew Marr is reporting the new arrivals, puzzled by the lack of obvious connection between them.

"I assume they are all Slitheen then?" Martha asks.

"Seems a pretty safe assumption." Jack agrees. He is looking forward to the episode that he is in until he realises the Doctor may be less than impressed at his flirting with Rose, especially as they seem to have made it an official relationship since being here.

The three Slitheen are back in their body suits greeting the arrivals. Margaret directs them all upstairs while Asquith tells the police chief the Doctor has been neutralised and the upper floors are out of bound. When the sergeant asks who the new arrivals are he tells him that is need to know only. Margaret is then shown getting a coat hanger and taking the skin suit off a Slitheen.

"They all need to be in Downing Street?" Asks Martha.

"Well, their spaceship is nearby. They will probably be leaving as soon as they get what they want." Jack shrugs.

Screen cuts to Mickey's flat. Jackie is asking for alcohol and Mickey tells her no. He is upset at the Doctor saying death and destruction follow him and now he has Rose mixed up in it.

Rose glares at Mickey while squeezing Ten's hand. She then looks up at Nine and sees his stricken expression.

"Do we really need to have this conversation again?" She asks him. He glances at her and the corner of his mouth lifts slightly.

"I guess not. I just...I can't always protect you and this thing keeps throwing it in my face all the people I failed to protect."

"Yeah, and it doesn't keep showing all the people who lived because of you. I know every loss hurts you, but you don't see all the planets and inhabitants that you save."

"I know, you tell me every time."

"Clearly that's still not enough." She sighs. "That goes for you too." She directs at Ten.

"Of course." He gives her a lopsided grin.

Jackie asks if the Doctor has a big green thing inside him and Mickey says he wouldn't put it past him.

"Oi! If I did then I'd be trying to help them." Nine scowls. Mickey holds his hands up innocently.

"I don't know. I've had a few reasons to think there is definitely some green in you." Rose smirks.

"Never."

"I don't know about that."

Mickey then goes on to admit he is the only one who knows how to fight them. It finally sinks in to Jackie that she could have died and she starts crying. Mickey gives her an awkward hug and says he should be the one crying.

"Really? Although, given how you screamed like a ten year old girl at a few rats I suppose that doesn't surprise me." Ten laughs.

"I wasn't expecting them." Mickey defends himself.

"What?" Rose asks.

"Oh, future for you."

"Mickey travels with us in the future?"

"Yeah. I do." Nine groans loudly at that.

"I can't believe I let Ricky on board."

"I seem to remember, shortly after this Slitheen problem is taken care of…" Mickey raises his eyebrow at Nine who suddenly remembers he invited Mickey to come with them. He very much hopes that part is not shown. He groans again and rolls his eyes.

Mickey assures her that since she hates him so much, nobody is going to be looking for her in his flat. Jackie points out he saved her life and that it is embarrassing. She then gets upset that he is still out there. Back in his skin suit, Strickland tells the other police officers to go as he hasn't finished with Jackie. The other Slitheen are finally all together.

"All in one place. Makes them easier to kill." Martha comments. Both Doctors sigh and frown at her.

The Doctor drags Ganesh's body into a small store room, where the Prime Minister is also laid out. He asks what his name is and Harriet says she doesn't know, she never asked. The Doctor frowns but moves on asking if there are any terminals or anything and Rose says no the place in antique. She asks why they didn't use the Prime Minister as a skin suit and the Doctor explains he was too small. He goes on to tell them about the compression field and Rose wishes she had one. Harriet is annoyed she is making jokes and Rose just points out you get used to it when you're friends with the Doctor.

"Get used to what? Bad jokes?" Mickey laughs.

"Oi!" Ten yelps while everyone else except Nine snickers.

"Who says it was a joke." Rose grins.

"You don't need a compression field." Nine tells her.

The Doctor asks if Harriet is famous for anything as he remembers the name from somewhere and she just says she has been a lifelong backbencher. Rose asks if the protocols have defence codes in to launch a bomb and Harriet accuses her of being very violent. She then points out there is nothing like that in there anyway, nuclear strikes needs a release code but the UN have it. The Doctor clearly has an idea as he gets her to repeat what she said. They try to work out what the Slitheen want when Rose's phone beeps. She says it's Mickey and the Doctor tells her to tell him they are busy.

"Oi! Less of the stupid it was important." Mickey protests but he laughs all the same.

"Just be grateful he called you my stupid boyfriend instead of a stupid ape. That's his favourite one." Rose grins.

"Well, now I can definitely call him a stupid ape." Nine looks very pleased with himself. "Now that he isn't your boyfriend." She rolls her eyes at the smugness rolling off him in waves.

"Oh yeah, you were obviously never jealous." She sniggers.

"Told ya, Time Lords don't do jealousy." He grins.

Rose says he isn't so stupid after all and shows the Doctor the photo Mickey has sent of the Slitheen. Back in Mickey's flat he is on the phone to Rose with Jackie pointing out she could have died. The Doctor takes the phone and tells Mickey to go to his computer.

"Oh, I remember this next bit." Mickey grins wickedly at Nine who sighs.

Mickey asks why he should do as the Doctor says and the Doctor says he might choke before finishing the sentence but that he needs him.

"Impressive. No choking, and you managed it in a voice that was understandable instead of mincing the words." Rose teases.

"Yes, well, he's heard it once and never again." Nine scowls. Rose laughs and kisses him on the chest.

Mickey is hacking into the UNIT website. He says it needs a password. The Doctor plugs the phone into the conference phone speaker and then gives Mickey the password. Jackie asks about the website. Mickey tells her the UN have known about aliens for years and kept them in the dark. The Doctor points out he was born in the dark and Rose tells him to leave Mickey alone.

"Insulting somebody you need to help you save the planet isn't the best idea." Sarah Jane says, biting back a laugh. Nine simply shrugs.

Mickey thnks Rose and says he needs another password, the Doctor tells him it's the same one every time. Mickey hands the phone to Jackie as the three in the Cabinet room try to work out why the Slitheen crashed. Rose points out they are hiding but putting the planet on red alert. Jackie then goes on about how much danger she has been in since the Doctor arrived and asks the Doctor if Rose is safe with him. Rose protests that she is fine but Jackie presses the Doctor for an answer. His face is a picture of sorrow.

"No, nobody can promise that." Ten says with a sad smile. "I can never guarantee the safety of my companions no matter how hard I try to."

"This time it just mattered a little bit more." Nine adds. "You'd already nearly been burned alive by a sun and nearly killed by the Gelth twice. It just hit me that little bit harder in that moment. I realised all I wanted to do was say yes but I couldn't. Still can't." He whispers to Rose.

"We all travelled with you because we wanted to Doctor. All of us know the risks and we still wanted to travel with you. We all know you would do anything to keep all of us safe and any future companions you may have." Sarah Jane tells Ten.

Mickey finally takes the phone back from Jackie stating he is in. The Doctor jumps into action like a switch has been flicked. He tells Mickey what to do and tries to work out what the signal is saying. Jackie says he will have to answer her one day but Mickey hushes her. The doorbell rings and he tells Jackie to answer it. She points out it's three in the morning and he just says to tell them that.

"Really? The only thing that would be there at that time in the morning is the Slitheen." Donna points out.

Jackie opens the front door and Strickland is standing there. Jackie slams the door and runs back to Mickey telling him they've been found. The Doctor states he needs the signal but Rose tells her mom to get out. Mickey grabs a baseball bat and says they can't get out as it is by the front door. Outside, it starts to unzip its body suit.

"Mickey mouse with a baseball bat?" Jack laughs. "Do you even play baseball?"

"No but after the crap I put up with when they thought I murdered Rose, I got one just in case."

"I'm so sorry." Rose frowns.

"It worked out in the end." He gives her a smile but it looks a little forced.

The Doctor starts trying to work out what they are and Mickey tells Jackie to run, he'll hold it up.

"Thank you. With all that happened I never did thank you for protecting my mom like that." Rose smiles at him.

"No worries."

The Doctor starts narrowing down the possibilities while Rose and Harriet keep throwing out information they know about the Slitheen. Mickey points out they are running out of time but the Doctor keeps talking. He finally narrows it down to Raxacoricofallapatorius. Mickey snarks that they can write it a letter as the front door to the flat finally gives in. The Doctor tells them to get to the kitchen which they do and barricade the door. He asks if they have any vinegar and Mickey asks how he should know.

"You live there!" Donna exclaims.

"Yeah, well. Don't use vinegar much." Mickey shrugs looking a little sheepish.

The Doctor retorts that it's his kitchen and Rose puts in where the vinegar is. Jackie takes the phone asking what they need. The Doctor tells her anything with vinegar so she pulls out a jug and pours in gherkins, pickled onions and pickled eggs. The Doctor glances at Rose and states that she kisses this man.

"Not anymore." She grins up at Nine.

"You'd better not. I'm definitely not the sharing type."

"Yeah, I kinda got that impression." She sniggers.

The Slitheen breaks in. Jackie throws the vile contents of the jug over it. It stops, farts, then explodes, redecorating the kitchen in green innards.

"Lovely." Donna wrinkles her nose.

"Took weeks to clean that properly." Mickey scowls.

Rose asks about Hannibal. Harriet explains and then they toast with a glass of port. The Slitheen realise that one of them is dead and then Green and Asquith go outside to make the promised broadcast. Green tells the world there is an alien spaceship with weapons of mass destruction above their heads and that Earth is at war. He begs the UN to release the defence codes for a nuclear strike.

"Why are they making that up?" Sarah Jane asks. "What can they gain from a nuclear strike?" When neither Doctor or Rose answers she huffs and throws up her hands in defeat.

The Doctor states he is making it all up and Harriet asks if the world will believe him. Rose points out they did last time. He realises they want the whole world panicking. He opens the metal shutters and tells Margaret that they will start World War Three. She agrees, saying they plan to sit through it in their spaceship. Harriet asks why they want to destroy the planet and the Doctor answer profit. The signal was an advert.

"How do they make profit off a destroyed planet?" Martha asks.

"Once the planet has been nuked they can sell it as fuel. It will break up into radioactive chunks that will power spaceships." Jack explains in disgust. He always like a good bit of profit but not at the cost of lives.

On screen Margaret states the same thing Jack just did. The Doctor gives her a choice to leave the plant of he will stop them. She scoffs at this but The Doctor closes the shutters on Margaret's laughing face, and she starts to worry.

"You still don't have a way out." Sarah Jane frowns.

"There is always a way out." Nine tells her grimly.

On the news they are waiting to find out if the UN will release the codes. Green tells the sergeant that they will take the call in the Prime Minister's office. All the Slitheen are gathered to wait. Rose asks if Mickey is having any luck but he says there are loads of emergency numbers all of which are going to voicemail. Harriet comment that voicemails dooms them all.

"I like that. Planet Earth destroyed by voicemail." Jack laughs.

"This isn't funny." Donna snaps at him.

"Ah come on. They clearly all make it out alive and Earth is still around by the time you travel with the Doctor so it doesn't get destroyed." Jack shrugs.

Rose says they just need to get out of the Cabinet room and the Doctor says there has always been a way out. Rose asks why they haven't used it but his reply is to Jackie not Rose, saying he can't guarantee Rose's safety if they do it.

"You could have stopped them ages ago?" Martha asks.

"Yes." Nine sighs.

Jackie tells him not to do it and he replies that if he doesn't everybody dies.

"You were going to let Jackie Tyler make that decision?" Jack asks in astonishment.

"Yes. Saving the world meant little if I killed Rose while doing it." Ten muttered.

Rose then tells him to do it and he stares at her is astonishment. He says she doesn't even know what it is and asking if she would let him do it anyway. She simply says yes. He just stares at her in awe.

"You don't know what that moment did to me Rose." Nine tells her. "For you to have that level of trust in me...I can't tell you how much that meant."

"It was written all over your face." She smiles gently up at him.

Jackie begs him not to, stating that she is just a kid and he bursts out angrily asking if she thinks he doesn't know that. He states that this is his life, making choices when nobody else will and Rose asks what he is waiting for. He replies that he could save the world but lose her.

Nine tightens his arm around Rose's shoulders and she squeezes Ten's hand that she has not yet let go of.

Harriet then interrupts and says it's her decision not the Doctor's. Jackie asks who the hell that is and Harriet introduces herself.

"I'm impressed she didn't still flash that damn card." Jack laughs.

She tells the Doctor to do it. The Slitheen say victory should be naked and the three still in human skin suits begin to unzip. Rose asks how they get out and the Doctor says they don't. He gets the emergency protocols and tells Mickey to use the buffalo password as it overrides everything. Jackie asks what he is doing and he replies he is hacking into the Royal Navy.

"Oh...so when you said Mickey blew up Downing Street…that's now?" Sarah Jane asks.

"You're going to blow up Downing Street with them inside it?" Donna turns to Mickey in horror.

"Didn't have much of a choice." Mickey muttered back to her.

Doctor tells him they need to select a missile and he says they don't have the codes to go nuclear. The Doctor says they only need an ordinary missile. Mickey picks one and Jackie says she could stop him. He dares her to do it and she doesn't so he goes back to the computer. The Doctor tells him the world is in his hands.

"You just had to call him Mickey the Idiot when he's saving the world." Jack laughs.

"Couldn't resist." Nine grins.

Mickey clicks the mouse and a missile fires. Harriet asks how solid the metal shutters are and the Doctor tells her they aren't solid enough. Rose takes charge saying she isn't going to die. She says people survive earthquakes by standing under a door frame, pointing out the cupboard is small so it's strong. She tells them to help her and Harriet heads over.

"Good thing Rose was there." Mickey says.

"It's always a good thing Rose is there." Nine corrects.

"Yet another life saving idea from Rose." Ten smiles over at her.

On the news it is stated the UN have agreed to release the codes. The Slitheen family are all gathered around the phone wanting it to ring. In the flat Mickey says the missile is on radar. Rose and Harriet are emptying the cupboard as Mickey says a counter defence has been launched. The Doctor tells him to stop them and he says he is already on it. The Doctor says good boy.

"I'm not a dog." Mickey complains.

Mickey tells them it has been neutralised and the Doctor unplugs the phone. The sergeant is shown the missile incoming on a computer and he sets off the fire alarm to evacuate the building.

"Very good thinking that." Nine commends.

"I'm glad they made it out ok." Martha nods.

He runs up the stairs, bursting into the room with the Slitheen, saying there is a missile. Once he sees the Slitheen he squeaks out a sorry and runs back downstairs. Jackie watches the missile pass from Mickey's balcony. The Slitheen are arguing over body suits. Outside, the sergeant fires a shot into the air as his men and the remains of the Downing Street staff run out of the building calling at them all to run as the missile begins its descent.

"I can't believe you truly blew up Downing Street." Martha looks over at Mickey.

In the cupboard Harriet says its been nice knowing both of them and they all hold hands. The missile hits and they all watch as the front door is blown off by a fireball. The cupboard shakes and then rolls around the remains of the building. When it all finally stops the Doctor pushes the door off and Harriet steps out. The Sergeant asks if she is alright and she orders him to contact the UN and tell them the crisis is over.

"She was good." Rose smiles.

"You were all good. Great thinking with the cupboard." Jack commends her.

Harriet notes someone is going to have a hell of a job sorting out the mess and the Doctor suggest she go for Prime Minister. She denies the idea claiming to only be a backbencher. Rose says she would vote for her and Harriet tells her not to be silly. Then she makes her way through the rubble to try and help. The Doctor realises where he knew the name from.

"Well, looks like I'm in for a hell of a time with you two." Jack laughs.

"You're coming with us?" Nine asks.

"Well, I was just on your ship when I got pulled here but I hadn't asked formally yet." He shrugs.

Back at the flat Jackie embraces Rose as the Doctor returns to the Tardis. Harriet is on TV making a speech and Jackie is indignant on Rose's behalf saying it should be her on TV. Rose points out the Doctor helped and Jackie grudgingly agrees.

"Oi! I helped out as well." Mickey puts in.

"I don't think even Jackie was in that good of a mood. She already gave me credit." Nine grins at him. "Sorry Ricky."

Rose says the Doctor doesn't do that. He just moves on. Jackie admits he is good in a crisis and Rose says the world really has changed if she is saying nice things about him. Jackie says she has no choice. She can't get rid of him seeing as Rose is infatuated. Rose denies this and Jackie ignore the denial, asking what he eats.

"Infatuated so early?" Nine grins down at her.

"Earlier than that." She grins. "If my mom can spot it then it's been there a while."

Rose is confused by the question and Jackie explains she wants to cook for him and learn more about the life they lead. Rose is surprised that her mom wants to cook for him, stating he has finally met his match. Jackie tells her she isn't too old for a slap and then says she can visit her gran the next day. Rose's phone goes off and the caller ID says Tardis calling. The Doctor tells her it will be a couple of hours and then they can go and Rose comments that he has a phone in surprise.

"The phone in that thing actually works?" Mickey asks.

"No, the one outside the TARDIS is a fake but I do have a phone." Ten smirks.

The Doctor is shown speaking into a 1970s Trimphone. When Rose says her mother is cooking he tells her good and to let her simmer.

Rose hits his arm. "I couldn't hit you for that then." She grins.

Rose continues that Jackie is cooking tea for them and the Doctor says he doesn't do domestics. She adds that her mom just wants to get to know him and he says he has better things to do. They continue to argue about it until he finally tries to tempt her to come with him by saying there is a plasma storm brewing they could go and see.

"You really don't play fair." Rose grumbles.

"Why would I play fair when there is so much at stake?" Nine laughs.

He then hangs up before getting a reply.

"Why hang up?" Martha asks.

"I didn't want to hear her decline." Nine admits.

Jackie is asking whether the Doctor drinks when she walks into Rose's room where she is packing a rucksack. Jackie repeats her questions and Rose agrees he does drink but Jackie pleads with her not to go. Out on the estate Mickey is sitting on a rubbish bin reading the newspaper while the young boy is finishing cleaning off the Bad Wolf tag. The Doctor tells him not to do it again and the boy runs off.

"Bad wolf again." Rose muses while Ten flinches. This time Rose does notice and she is still holding his hand. "You know what that means don't you?" She asks him.

"We both find out soon enough." He sighs looking graver than he has at any point since coming to the room.

"I'm guessing it's not good then." She looks defeated, assuming this is what causes her to lose the Doctor. He doesn't reply.

MIckey is upset because the papers are calling the whole event a hoax. The Doctor states that humans just aren't ready. That they are quite happy to believe in things that are invisible but not things right in front of them. He says they are thick. Mickey agrees they are all idiot and the Doctor corrects not all of them.

"That was surprisingly nice of you." Sarah Jane raises an eyebrow.

"I was talking about Rose." Nine tells them.

The Doctor then gives Mickey a CD and tells him it will destroy every mention of him. When Mickey asks why the Doctor tells him he is dangerous and doesn't want people following him. Mickey asks how he can say that and still take Rose with him just as Rose and Jackie come out of the block of flats.

"Because I can't leave her behind." Nine mumbles more to himself than anyone in particular.

The Doctor offers to let Mickey come with them but Mickey declines but asks him not to tell Rose that.

"That was very nice of you." Rose smiles up at Nine. "Covering for him like that. You made yourself seem like that bad guy for someone you don't even really like."

"It's been known to happen. Me being nice that is." Nine's lips quirk ever so slightly.

As they get closer they can hear Jackie offering to get a proper job and lots of other things to persuade Rose to stay. Rose says she isn't leaving because of her but to see the stars. The Doctor asks if she has enough stuff and she states that last time she got in the TARDIS it was spur of the moment. She is now signing up and he is stuck with her. Rose gives the Doctor her rucksack and goes to Mickey.

"Stuck with you isn't so bad." Nine grins.

"Could be worse eh?" Jack laughs.

Rose offers for Mickey to come with them and Mickey signals to the Doctor who steps in and says he can't come. Rose points out they'd be dead without him but he simply states his decision is final. She apologises to Mickey and kisses him goodbye. Jackie is upset saying the Doctor still can't promise her Rose will be safe. Rose steps in saying it's a time machine and she can be back in ten seconds.

"Don't say that. With his driving ten seconds could be ten years." Donna chuckles.

"Oi!" Ten protests.

"Didn't you just bring her back twelve months late? I don't know why she is so confident you can get it right the next time." Jack agrees with Donna.

Jackie and Rose hug, then Rose follows the Doctor into the Tardis. Mickey gives a little wave. The Tardis dematerialises. Jackie looks at her watch. When the ten seconds has passed she goes back to the flats sadly and Mickey sits back on the bin to read the newspaper. Then the screen goes black.

"Bedtime then." Jack announces before diving for the door assigned to him.