Chapter 23:The Idiot's Lantern

Nine and Rose lay next to each other on the bed, hands intertwined. He can tell she isn't ready to talk about it yet and is quite happy just lying in silence, appreciating the fact he can just hold her hand. He reflected back on all the little moment that had made him fall for Rose Tyler and silently thanking whoever brought them here. Although he does start wondering who had enough power to bring so many people from so many different points in time together in a bubble that shouldn't exist.

Rose lies quietly knowing the Doctor is anxious to help her but willing to wait. She appreciates him not pushing her into talking about the tangle of feelings and emotions that are rolling around inside her. Sadness, hurt and loss were most prominent, the fact that none of this had happened yet had no bearing. Logically she knew Pete Tyler had every reason to react the way he did but that didn't stop the overwhelming hurt bubbling up. He had rejected her even when he had lost everything else. Then Mickey, staying where she could never see him again. Despite his gran being there, Rose knew that was her fault. She had made him feel like he had nothing in their world, left him for a complete stranger while still stringing him along and giving him hope. So many bad choices all made glaringly obvious when shown on a screen. At least she hadn't done these things yet, she could hardly imagine how the Doctor must feel as the extra information shown made easier solutions more obvious. Or having to resee all those people he couldn't save no matter what.

Finally she rolls onto her side, facing the Doctor and he looked at her. She said nothing but brought his fingers up to her temples. He willingly obliged and a second later she felt him sinking into her mind. His cool, silver light relaxing her the way nothing else ever could. She could feel echos of his helplessness and sorrow but instead focused on his love for her, needing the assurance someone she loved wouldn't leave her like everyone else seemed to be. Eventually his fingertips fell away and she leaned forwards to kiss him. His hand tangled in her hair as he pulled her closer. It could have been seconds, it could have been hours, Rose couldn't tell how much time passed before she pulled back and grins at him.

"We should get back and keep watching." She said.

"You sure?" He asks, sensing her mood was much better but who knew what would be coming up next. She nods.

"We'll be here forever otherwise."

"I could live with that."

"No you couldn't." She smiles at him, appreciating the comment but knowing it isn't true. He could never be happy doing just this forever. Nine nods and they make their way back to the viewing room where everybody is talking in groups, hovering around the table where snacks have appeared. Seeing them appear Ten looks at Rose who nods and smiles at him.

"You ready to watch again?" Sarah-Jane asks her kindly. She nods again and everybody begins making their way to the couches. The beanbags are all gone and a third couch has appeared. Nine, Rose and Ten take their previous couch. Martha and Mickey claim one to themselves leaving Jack, Donna and Sarah-Jane to share the third. Jack looks the most happy about this, sitting in the middle and throwing an arm around each of the girl's shoulders. Donna rolls her eyes at him but grabs the remote and presses the button.

It is a stormy night. The sole proprietor of the shop on the corner of Mafeking Terrace is doing his books, while an impressive array of cathode ray television sets on shelves have a woman announcer on them, in black and white. The man claims he is two hundred pounds overdrawn and needs a miracle.

"Black and white TV, always wondered what that looked like." Rose laughs. Ten smirks.

In a living room a family are listening to the wireless. Mother is using a sewing machine by the window. Gran is in an easy chair eating a toasted crumpet, while the boy reads a magazine. The man of the house enters wearing suit and tie and a fair collection medals on his chest. Gran calls him their lord and master. He states he is off out and the boy holds up the magazine. His father tells him he'll see and the boy protests everyone is getting a telly. The man agrees they might get one for the coronation if he's lucky.

"You went to Queen Elizabeth's coronation?" Martha asks, impressed.

"Not on purpose." Ten mutters. Everyone laughs.

"Where were you aiming for?" Donna asks him.

"Wrong place. We were supposed to be going to see Elvis."

"Oh! I love Elvis." Rose beams.

"I know." Ten gives her a long suffering sigh. He doesn't mention Jackie gave him the idea when he was lost on how to cheer Rose up after their last adventure.

"Do we actually get to see him after this?" She looks at him expectantly and he feels a pang in his chest.

"No." He sighs sadly.

The man leaves. The gran says she heard televisions rot your brains.

"Not too far wrong really." Donna agrees. "Worth it though." She laughs.

Eddie walks past the shop in the pouring rain, and lightning strikes Magpie's television aerial. It glows red. Inside, Magpie has fallen asleep over his books. Suddenly the little dot on the television turns back into the image of the lady announcer. She calls Magpie's name and he wakes up, looking around. He thinks he is dreaming but she assures him he isn't.

"What the heck is that?" Jack asks in surprise.

"Not sure." Nine frowns.

She asks if he is sitting comfortably before energy lances out from the woman on the television to Magpie's head, and his face is sucked towards her as she laughs.

"Oh my god." Martha gasps.

A pair of pink high heels and layers of tulle step out of the Tardis. Rose is in full 50's mod chick gear. She says she thought they'd go to the Vegas era and the Doctor sticks his head out the door, his hair in a quiff.

"Love the hair." Jack sniggers.

"I thought you didn't get dressed up? Just went out and acted like you belonged?" Martha teases.

"I do." He shrugs. "But this time around I actually have hair to mess with so I enjoyed it."

"Oi!" Nine glares at Ten who smirks.

He says the best time to see Elvis is the late fifties and to see him in style. The Doctor rides a scooter out of the Tardis. He's wearing a white crash helmet and shades.

"Awesome!" Rose giggles.

"You have a moped?" Martha asks in disbelief. Ten simply smirks at her.

"I can't believe I still have that." Nine mutters, shaking his head.

"Bet you never showed me that." Jack pouted.

He puts on an American accent and Rose replies in kind. Dropping back to his normal accent, the Doctor is impressed she speaks the 'lingo'.

"Watched a lot of Cliff Richard moves with mum." Rose laughed.

"Of course Jackie Tyler is a Cliff fan." Nine rolls his eyes.

She explains about watching Cliff Richard films with Jackie every bank holiday. Then she gets on the pillion and puts on a pink crash helmet.

"You've even got me a pink helmet?" Rose grins happily.

"Just for you." Ten nods.

The Doctor says he knew Jackie would be a Cliff fan and then they ride off down the street. Rose asks where they are going and he replies the Ed Sullivan TV Studios. Rose is looking around as she asks if that's in New York. The Doctor agrees. A red London bus drives past the end of the street. The Doctor pulls up by a red post box and now we see lots of Union Flag bunting strung between the houses.

Everybody sniggers except the Doctors.

"Well, he might not get us where we were planning on going but we always seem to get where we are needed." Rose tries to comfort him but the effect is slightly ruined by her amused grin.

The Doctor tries to defend it could still be New York but Rose asks what all the flags are for.

"No way is that New York." Donna snickers.

Back in the family living room, the new television has arrived. The family are sitting all watching it except gran. The man starts talking about how wonderful it is and asks Rita for a smile. She says she can't, nothing is the same with her, the man cuts her off telling her to stop going on about it. Rita asks what happened to her face.

"I assume the same thing that happened to that bloke in the TV shop." Sarah-Jane guesses. "Looked like it was sucking his face right off." Ten winces slightly. He could still perfectly recall Rose with no face.

Eddie says he said to stop it. Someone thumps on the ceiling and Rita states she's awake and probably hungry.

"Well, I would be too if I couldn't eat anything." Jack shrugs.

Out on the street another television set is delivered from the back of Magpie's van. He mentions a great occasion so the Doctor asks what's going on. It's 1953 and Queen Elizabeth's Coronation.

"I thought you were aiming for the late fifties?" Mickey laughs.

"I was." Ten sighs.

"This sense you claim to have where you know exactly what year it is, you don't seem to use it much." Donna tells him.

"More fun that way." Ten grins.

Rose looks around and notes the amount of aerials around, saying her gran told her how rare TVs were at this time.

"Good spot, Rose." Nine smiles warmly.

"Always asking the important questions." Ten agrees.

Magpie tells them he's selling TV's for five quid a pop.

"So he's helping whoever that was in the TV then? Nobody ever sold them that cheap back then." Donna asks angrily, thinking of Lance for the first time in a while.

"Well to be fair to him it looked like she was about to suck his face off or draw him into the TV." Martha shrugs.

"So he's going to let everyone else suffer instead of him?" Rose snarls.

The Doctor starts talking about what a good year it was when they hear a shout for help. Two burly men in black suits bundle a person into the back of a car, with a blanket over his head. A woman is calling for them to leave him alone and the boy from next door runs out asking what they are doing. One of them states it is police business. Rose asks who they've taken and Tommy tells them it's Mr Gallagher. The car drives off.

"Well isn't it convenient you two have transport to follow them this time." Jack smirks.

Tommy tells them it's happening all over and they are turning into monsters. Eddie comes out and yells at Tommy to get inside now. Tommy turns to them and say he had better do as Eddie says. The Doctor and Rose get aboard the moped. The car drives down an apparent dead end. A pair of gates with an Offices to Let on them open to let it in, then a couple of men push a vegetable barrow in front of it to block the way.

"Damn. Won't catch them now." Nine sighs.

"Given what Tommy said I'm sure there will be a next time before we manage to solve this." Rose assures him. Ten tries to hide a wince at those words.

The moped arrives and the Doctor looks around in surprise asking how they got away. Rose states she's surprised they didn't arrest him for reckless driving before asking if he passed his test. He ignores this saying it is Churchill's England not Stalin's Russia.

"Judging by your TARDIS driving I'm going to assume you didn't pass a driving test for Earth vehicles either." Rose looks at him in amusement.

"Well the psychic paper states I have a license." Ten grins boyishly. "So I've never had to bother."

"Dear lord, well at least you gave me a helmet." She sighs.

"Of course. Your heads are more delicate than mine."

"Spaceman means he's got a thick head." Donna laughs. Ten pouts as Rose laughs too.

Rose then suggests they go ask the neighbours. The Doctor says that's he likes about her, the domestic approach. Rose says thanks before asking if that was an insult.

"Of course not." Ten tells her. "If we were stuck somewhere that, heaven forbid, required us to be domestic, I'd be pretty much reliant on you."

"Yeah well, considering you can't even make toast I'm not surprised." Rose rolls her eyes.

"You can't make toast?" Mickey looks at him. As far as he knew the Doctor never bothered cooking simply because the TARDIS did everything for him or they ate out. "So there is something you can't actually do."

"He could make toast, if he could resist fiddling with the toaster settings until it doesn't do anything except shoot burnt toast around the room like missiles." Rose corrects.

"That was once." Nine protests.

"Twice actually. Remember you had to ask me to replace mum's toaster." She smirks. He shrugs, grinning sheepishly. He remembers that day. It was just after the Slitheen attack in Downing Street. Jackie and Rose had gone out shopping for food and he had been incredibly bored. The TARDIS had stopped him doing repairs so he'd wandered into the Tyler flat and started fiddling. Rose had come back to him sitting on the kitchen floor surrounded by burnt toast and a taken apart toaster. She'd helped him hide the evidence before Jackie saw but he'd begged her to go and buy a new toaster so he didn't have to. Then he'd given her some money and escaped back to his ship.

"I got much better at cooking." Ten says smugly.

The Doctor zooms off again without answering the question. In Magpie's shop he states he finished it as she instructed. He places a portable radio that has been converted into a television on top of another TV. The woman in the TV says it's awfully good of him. He asks if she will leave him soon and she replies if he is a good boy.

"I'm beginning to think you were right about humans in that last episode. So willing to be brainwashed and trust the bad guys because they think they will be spared when it's rather obvious she cares nothing for him and has no intention of letting him go." Mickey rolls his eyes.

Magpie protests she is burning him and even his memories hurt. He wants to go back to how things were but she insists he can't.

"Poor guy." Rose sympathises a bit. Despite helping whoever that woman was, it was clear he didn't want to. She didn't blame him for wanting to avoid whatever she had been planning on doing to him but making sure she had access to so many other people was unacceptable.

In the house, the slow thumping has started again. Tommy slowly goes up the stairs and then to the door at the end of the landing with the key.

"I like this kid." Rose smiles.

Tommy tells his Gran he is coming in but Eddie comes up behind him and asks what he is doing. He demands the key, Tommy protests they have to help her but Eddie is having none of it. Tommy reluctantly give him the key and Eddie tells him he hasn't finished with him. Downstairs Eddie is yelling some more that Tommy always disobeys him. Tommy protests they can't just lock her away but Eddie interrupts to say he is talking. He states Tommy can forget going to college and will be going to work beside his father.

"Him, however, I want to give a piece of my mind." Rose glares daggers at the screen.

"Me too." Donna agrees, also scowling.

"Well, Rose was planning on asking the neighbours. She'll probably have a go. Be lucky if she doesn't slap him if he talks to her like that." Mickey laughs.

There is another thump from upstairs. Rita asks if she will ever stop. Eddie says it's business as usual and they should get the flags up. Rita says she might be dying but Eddie yells that he was talking. When both Rita and Tommy are quiet he says that's better, a bit of hush. The doorbell rings.

"Good timing." Martha nods.

Eddie opens the front door. The Doctor and Rose both say hi in unison and he asks who they are. The Doctor quickly assesses him before saying he represents Queen and country, flashing the psychic paper. They both enter the house and the Doctor says it's a very well kept house. He addresses RIta who says she is Mrs Connolly. Eddie says he will handle this as the gentleman is a proper representative. The Doctor winks at Rita as Eddie continues the wife rattles on a bit.

"Sounds like she doesn't say anywhere near enough." Rose snaps.

"He's the one who rattles on about nonsense." Jack agrees.

"I'm sure you two will set him in his place." Sarah-Jane states grins and winks.

The Doctor states that maybe she should rattle on a bit more. He adds he isn't convinced Eddie is doing his patriotic duty, asking why the flags aren't flying. Eddie tells his wife he already told her to put them up. Rita apologises but the Doctor interrupts, saying Eddie has two hands, why is it his wife's job. Eddie protests it's housework. When the Doctor asks if that is a woman's job, he agrees. The Doctor then asks what gender the Queen is. When Eddie states she is a woman, the Doctor asks if he thinks the Queen should do the housework.

Everybody sniggers.

Eddie rejects this idea so the Doctor hands him the flags and tells him to get busy. He does so, saying they will have Union Jacks left, right and centre. Rose interrupts, asking about Union Jacks. Eddie looks confused, saying that is right. Rose disagrees, telling him it's the Union Flag, the Union Jack only when flown at sea. He apologises and she tells him not to do it again before snapping at him to get too it.

They all dissolve into outright laughter.

"Union Flag?" Donna asks through her mirth.

"Mum dated a sailor." Rose shrugs, still smirking proudly.

"That's my tiger." Nine grins down at her.

She grins at the Doctor and then they settle on the sofa. The Doctor asks her about the Union Flag and she says her mum went out with a sailer. The Doctor gives a high pitched, quiet laugh, saying he bets she did.

"What was that Doctor?" Martha asks in amusement.

"Well, had to be quiet." Ten rubs the back of his neck.

"Quiet is one thing, that was very high pitched." Donna snickers.

He then introduces them to Rita and Tommy. He asks Tommy's name and tells him to sit down. They talk about the telly and the Doctor calls to Eddie to keep working. He asks them to tell him what's wrong. Rita nervously asks if he said he was a doctor and he agrees. She asks if he can help her when Eddie turns around and says the gentleman doesn't need to know. The Doctor interrupts that the gentleman does need to know.

"Can't help if they don't know." Jack smiles.

"I think that was the point. He doesn't want to help, he just wants it swept away." Donna tells him.

Rose says that if she tells them, they can help. Rita bursts into tears. Rose goes to comfort her. Eddie then states that this is his house and what goes on under his roof is his business. The Doctor states that a lot of people are being bundled. Eddie cuts him off by saying he is talking. The Doctor shoots to his feet and yells that he isn't listening.

"Damn." Jack whistles, winking at Ten who rolls his eyes in return.

"About time someone told him." Rose grins, squeezing Ten's hand.

"Well, I am impressive." Nine smirks at her.

"You like to think so." She retorts with her typical tongue in teeth smile.

The Doctor states Mr Connolly is looking into a deep dark pit of trouble if he doesn't tell him what is going on. The thumping starts again and Eddie confesses she never stops. Tommy takes over, telling them about stories of people who changed. Families try to keep it secret but the police find out somehow.

"Mr Connolly went out yesterday and then that Mr Gallagher was taken that morning. Given that we've only been shown this family, I assume Mr Connolly is the one snitching on people." Rose states angrily.

"So why haven't they taken Tommy's gran yet?" Martha asks.

"He's proud. Probably doesn't want to admit someone in his family has been affected but he'll probably tell on her soon enough." Jack replies stonily.

The Doctor tells him to show them. Upstairs, the room is dark and Tommy says he has brought help. He turns the light on. The old woman is standing there with no eyes, nose or mouth.

"Oh god." Rose gasps, covering her mouth.

"Is that even fixable?" Jack asks in shock. Ten nods at him sharply. He doesn't even want to think about it be unfixable.

A black car pulls up outside.

"There ya go. He's told on her now. Probably because of you two asking questions." Sarah-Jane nods sadly. "Getting rid of you by getting rid of her."

The Doctor states her face is completely gone. He scans her with the sonic before saying her brain has been wiped clean. Tommy asks what they are going to do when someone breaks down the front door. Rita says they've come for her and the Doctor asks them what she was doing before this happened. Tommy states hse doesn't leave the house but two men burst in. The Doctor tries to stall them but one punches him in the face.

"Ouch." Mickey sniggers.

"Still can't believe he hit me." Ten mutters.

"I'm surprised it took that long the way you mouth off to people." Donna tells him, eyebrows raised.

"And you weren't even rude that time." Rose laughs.

The men throw a blanket over Gran and bundle her out while Rose tries to wake the Doctor up.

"He punched me, now you're slapping me." Ten pouts at Rose who just laughs harder.

"Had to wake you up somehow. Would you rather a bucket of cold water next time?"

"You anticipate a next time?" Nine asks her.

"Yes."

Rita tells the men to leave her and not to hurt her. Eddie stops her from helping, despite his wife's protests that that is her mother. Gran is bundled into the car. The Doctor suddenly sits up, nearly headbutting Rose. He says that's a hell of a right hook and he needs to watch out for that. They run downstairs as Eddie tries to keep Rita and Tommy inside. The Doctor is pulling on his helmet while calling for Rose who has stopped at the living room doorway where red energy is coming out of the TV.

"So that's why you stopped." Ten mutters to himself. "Did wonder."

"I'm guessing I was a bit slow and you went without me then?" Rose asks. He nods, shamefaced. If he hadn't left her, Rose would never have had to go through what she did. He'd almost lost her and it was his fault.

He calls out they are going to lose the car again. The energy disappears. Tommy keeps protesting that they took gran but Eddie just ushers him back inside. The Doctor rides off. Rose turns the set around to see the last of the energy disappearing into the aerial connection. She sees the supplier's label, too.

"Fantastic find." Nine praises.

Tommy and Eddie come into the living room as Tommy asks how they found gran. Eddie spots Rose and yells at her to get out of his house. She puts the TV back and states she is going. She says it was nice meeting Tommy and Mrs Connolly. Then tells Mr Connolly that only an idiot hangs the Union Flag upside down.

Everyone laughs again.

"You tell him Rose." Sarah-Jane smiles.

She says shame on him before flashing a wide grin and running out. This time the Doctor is quick enough to see the tail end of Operation Market Stall. He goes exploring, and uses the screwdriver to open a small door in the big gates. In the yard, he sees the two burly men padlock a wire door and walk off. The Doctor goes over and unlocks it. He goes into an area with large cages and opens one. It is full of blank people, who occasionally clench their fists.

"There are so many of them." Martha stares at the screen wide-eyed.

"Lot of tellys been sold cheap." Jack reminds her.

They turn towards the light of his torch, then someone switches on a pair of searchlights.

"Trust you to get caught poking around." Donna laughs.

"Well, I wanted to talk to them anyway." Ten shrugs.

"Just hope he doesn't punch you again." Mickey sniggers, sounding like he wishes it would happen.

A man tells him to stay where he is. Rose enters Magpie's shop and he tells her she is too late, he was about to lock the door. She states she wants to buy a telly and he asks her to come back tomorrow. She states he will be closed. When he is confused, she elaborates that he'll be closed for the Coronation. He replies she will find somewhere to watch it before asking her to leave again.

"He's giving you a way out. Take it and find the Doctor." Sarah-Jane pleads with the screen.

Rose continues that half of London has one as he is practically giving them away. He states he has his reasons and when Rose asks what they are, a woman's face appears on just one screen. She calls out hungry. Rose asks what that is and he tries to tell her it's just a programme. He now forcefully tells her to leave.

"Dammit Rose." Ten sighs under his breath. Nine hears him and realises what is probably about to happen. He clutches Rose tighter to him and she settles against his chest comfortably.

Rose says she isn't leaving until he answers her questions, asking why he's selling them so cheap. Magpie states it is his patriotic duty. He gives her another chance to leave but she says she isn't leaving until she's seen everything.

"No wonder he calls you jeopardy friendly." Mickey nods at Nine. "You should go get the Doctor, you've seen enough for him to investigate this further and backup seems like a good idea."

"Yeah." Rose sighs. She can guess why she hasn't gone to the Doctor yet but doesn't say anything aloud.

Magpie tells her he needs to close. Rose tells him ordinary people are being struck down and the only new thing in their house is a telly. Magpie mutters he knew he would be found out and moves to lock the shop door.

"Damn!" Everybody curses. Rose winces, knowing she should have taken one of the many opportunities to leave.

She falters for a moment, saying just the two of them. Then regains some confidence and asks what's really in it for him. He simply says some peace. She asks from what and he nods to the TV and says from her. Rose states that's just a woman on the telly but the woman says what a pretty little girl. Rose realises it is talking to her and asks what she is. She replies she is the Wire and she is hungry. Energy lances out and grabs Rose's face.

"Rose!" Nine calls out as if she could hear him through the screen. She hugs him tightly.

"Sorry Doctor." she apologises.

"You're sorry? You have nothing to be sorry for. Magpie however…" Nine trails off, looking furious.

"He did try to make me leave." Rose shrugs. "Shoulda listened."

"You wouldn't be Rose if you listened to instructions." Ten gives her a half hearted smirk.

She calls to Magpie for help but he just mutters about everyone watching the Coronation the next day before apologising and looking away. In a derelict building, with broken windows, the men lead the Doctor into an office. One tells him to tell him everything he knows. The Doctor begins you can't wrap your hand around your elbow and make your fingers meet.

"Not the time to be a smartass." Donna rolls her eyes.

The man tells him not to get clever and states he is connected with this. The Doctor shows off again by announcing the man's name and Bishop asks how he knows that. He confesses it's written on the inside of the man's collar. Then he continues that Bishop isn't doing a lot of detective inspecting. Bishop states he is doing everything in his power. The Doctor argues he is just grabbing the people and hiding them. Then he guesses it's orders from above with the Coronation the next day.

"Well it's not like he'd have a clue how to fix the problem anyway. He could be investigating more but he'd probably just get his face wiped off too." Martha points out.

The Doctor asks if he wants to be out there investigating. Bishop states that of course he does but they don't have the manpower and it's something they've never seen. He has no idea where to even start. The Doctor states that could change. When Bishop asks how, he throws back his earlier words and tells him to say everything he knows. Another person is delivered to the holding area. Bishop explains it started a month ago and it spread from North London all over the city. The only lead being that there is a large number in Florizel street. Someone comes in and announces they've found another one.

Everyone winces as they realise this must be Rose. Nobody wants to see the Doctor's reaction to finding out what had happened to her.

They bring her in and it's obviously Rose even before the blanket is removed. The Doctor says her name and Bishop asks if he knows her. The Doctor moves closer to her and it shows her face.

Both Doctors shudder in horror. Nine automatically looks down to check Rose's face hasn't disappeared here and now. She flashes him a grin and he lets out a long breath before leaning down to kiss her.

The men talk in the background while the Doctor stares at Rose. Then he asks they did what. Bishop is surprised and the Doctor asks where they left her. Bishop tells him she was left in the street.

"Magpie did what?" Jack and Nine cry in unison. "That bastard!" Jack adds in outrage. Rose gives him a grateful smile for his outrage on her behalf and he manages a weak one in return.

The Doctor quietly repeats they took her face and left her on the street. Then announces that makes things very simple. He asks if Bishop knows why. The man asks why and the Doctor yells that it means no power on Earth can stop him. He then runs out of the room. Outside it is morning and Bishop comments that the big day dawns. The Connolly's are getting ready for the big day. Eddie tells Rita to behave herself.

"You told them to come and take her mother! She has every right to be upset!" Rose cries.

"She doesn't know he did it or I imagine she would have something to say on the matter." Nine tells her.

They all get comfortable and chat until someone asks where Rita's mum is. Rita feebly says she can't make it down. The woman says it's a shame and maybe they can pop up and see her later. Tommy says this is a good idea. Asking his father what he thinks about Aunt Betty going to see gran. Eddie calls him a mummy's boy and Betty says to beat that out of him. Eddie states he will.

"He'd better not!" Martha exclaims furiously.

"How can his own aunt suggest something like that?" Sarah-Jane asks in horror.

The doorbell rings and Tommy offers to get it. It's the Doctor who asks Tommy exactly what happened in his house. Eddie appears and asks what Tommy thinks he is doing. Tommy says he wants to help. Mr Connolly tells the Doctor to shut it when he interrupts. He says he has a position to maintain. Tommy then asks if that is why he ratted on Gran and everyone else in the street. Eddie angrily protests but Tommy stands his ground.

"Go Tommy." Everyone cheers except the Doctors.

"I can't believe the man would report on all his neighbours, even his own family just to preserve his reputation." Rose scowls.

Rita appears, asking if it is true. Eddie tries to protest he did it for them, calling gran a disgusting thing. Rita retorts she is her mother and Eddie keeps protesting he did the right thing. Rita tells him they had a monster under the roof but it wasn't her mother.

"Brilliant." Donna laughs loudly.

Rita slams the door shut on Eddie. Tommy goes with the Doctor and back inside Rita looks much happier, dismissing questions saying nothing is going to spoil their big day.

"Good for her." Rose smiles.

Trestle tables are being laid for the street party. The Doctor asks Tommy about the night his gran changed and he says she was just watching telly. The Doctor looks up and says Rose guessed it straight away.

"Honestly, you never listen." Rose laughs teasingly.

"You never listen to me either, so we are square." Ten grins back.

"Yeah, but I have helpful things to say." She retorts, squeezing his hand.

"Oi! So do I." Nine protests.

He continues asking about the amount of aerials on the street. Tommy tells him Magpie is selling them cheap. The Doctor runs off as Bishop exclaims 'is he now'. The Doctor calls back to them and the dash off after him. The Doctor breaks in. Bishop tells him he can't as the Doctor bursts in, ringing the bell violently and calling for Magpie.

"I think he just did." Donna laughs.

"Not exactly got a lot of time." Ten reminds her.

Tommy suggests he is out. The Doctor searches the drawers of the counter and finds the portable television. He states this isn't right before licking it and declaring it tastes like iron. Bakelite. He scans it and calls it beautiful. Bishop is awed by the fact it's a portable television.

"Priorities." Martha rolls her eyes.

The Doctor raises his sonic screwdriver, saying it isn't the only source of power in the room. The television screens each light up with a different face mouthing help me. Tommy spots his gran and the Doctor spots Rose who is mouthing Doctor.

"I'm so sorry." Ten mutters.

"No harm done." Rose shrugs. "I shoulda just told you what I'd figured rather than going to Magpie's myself."

The Doctor crouches in front of her screen stating he is on his way. Magpie comes in from the back, asking what they are doing. The Doctor angrily tells him he wants his friend back but assumes that it beyond Magpie so asks who is in charge. The woman appears on a screen saying that must be her and calling the Doctor smart as paint.

"Smart as paint?" Nine looks offended. Rose tries to stifle a giggle at his pout.

Magpie tells them they brought this on themselves and Bishop realises it's the woman off the telly. The Doctor corrects it is just using her form. Tommy asks who she is. She states she is the Wire and will gobble him up. She transforms into colour and Bishop is amazed.

"He really needs to sort out priorities." Donna rolls her eyes this time.

"Yes, it's amazing but really not the time." Jack agrees.

The Doctor asks if her own people tried to stop her and she admits they executed her but she escaped into that form and fled. He reminds her she is trapped in a television but she counters that she won't be much longer.

"The Coronation." Sarah-Jane realises. "Everybody, thousands or millions of people watching television at the same time."

"Oh god." Martha covers her mouth.

Tommy asks if that is what got his gran and the Doctor agrees, explaining what the Wire did. Bishop states Magpie let her. Magpie protests that she let him keep his face and would release him at the time of manifestation. The Wire calls it her crowning glory and Bishop realises she means the coronation.

"Guessing we don't actually get to see it then?" Rose sighs.

"The street party was good though." Ten offers.

"Better than nothing." She laughs.

The Doctor says she isn't strong enough to do it all from here, she needs the device in his hand to turn a big transmitter into a receiver. The Wire calls him a clever little thing, suggesting he just sit back and relax. She promises they will be glued to the screen. Energy lances out at them.

"Doctor!" Everyone calls out in alarm. He laughs, looking pleased at their concern.

"I'm fine." He assures them all. "Big brain, me."

The Doctor slowly pulls out the sonic and the Wire calls out in alarm that he is armed so she pulls back. She calls to Magpie to grab the box. Bishop has lost his face as the wire zaps herself into the portable television.

"Poor guy, he was just trying to help and do his job." Sarah-Jane sighs.

"The Doctor will fix him." Jack assures her.

Magpie gets into a van. In the family living room, Rita asks if everyone is alright for pop. The Doctor sits up and sees Bishop. Then he calls to Tommy, who still has his face, to wake up.

"You've still got help, that's good." Mickey nods.

Tommy sits up and asks what happened but the Doctor is more concerned with where Magpie has gone. They both go outside and try to work out where Magpie would have gone. The Doctor realises he is heading for Alexandra Palace and rushes back inside, saying they are going shopping.

"I thought shopping sort of implied paying for things?" Rose asks innocently.

"No time. Besides, he wanted to stop her too he just couldn't." Ten shrugs, grinning slightly.

Tommy finds the part the Doctor needs and he exclaims they just need one more thing as they both leave the shop. He then emerges from the TARDIS with a cable around his neck. As Princess Elizabeth arrives at the Abbey, Magpie makes his way up the transmitter mast. The Doctor is building a contraption while he and Tommy run through the streets.

"Nice job on the building while running." Jack smirks.

"He already has a head start." Mickey points out.

Magpie stops climbing and says he can't do this. The Wire calls out to feed her and he clutches his head before starting again. As the Doctor and Tommy run past, a guard calls to them but the Doctor flashes the psychic paper. He apologises before asking if he should be at the coronation.

"I'm guessing you just let the paper make something up again." Rose laughs.

"Easier that way. I don't bother with specifics unless necessary." Nine tells her.

The Doctor calls back they are saving him a seat. Tommy asks who the guard thinks he is and the Doctor looks at the paper before saying the King of Belgium apparently.

"Not bad." Jack whistles.

"Yours would have just told them you were single and looking." Donna rolls her eyes at him. He smirks and doesn't deny it.

"Gotta let them know. Show 'em they have options."

Inside a room the Doctor tells Tommy he must keep it switched on as everything depends on it.

"No pressure on the boy though." Sarah-Jane smiles gently.

The Doctor takes a coil of copper wire and runs to the transmitter as the Princess processes down the aisle. The guard calls out he will get himself killed as he begins to climb after Magpie, who is near the top. He gets to the top and attaches the portable television. He plugs her in and red energy fills the little screen then streams out from the top of the mast to all the nearby aerials. It starts to suck off the happy faces of the viewers in the Connelly household.

"So close." Rose breathes.

The Doctor reaches the top of the transmitter mast, after being zapped and almost losing his footing twice.

"Oh my god!" Martha and Rose both cry out the second time he almost falls off.

Magpie tells him it's too late and the Wire states she will consume him. The Doctor states he won't let Magpie do this. Magpie says he was promised peace and the Wire says he shall have it before he is zapped into atoms. The Doctor manages to get hold of the portable television without being electrocuted.

"Ah, gotta love rubber soles." Ten smirks.

"Definitely a good job you were them then." Jack winks.

He plugs in his cable, and valves blow down in the control room.

"Ah crap." Rose curses.

"Have a little faith in Tommy." Nine whispers to her.

The Wire smugly asks if the Doctor's plan has gone a little wrong. Tommy gets a replacement valve from the store. He plugs it back in and the red energy retreats back to the mast, and into the portable television. The people still have their faces.

"Nice job Tommy." Martha nods happily. He reminds her a little of Tim Latimer.

The Wire screams, then the screen goes blank. In the holding area, everyone has been restored to normal.

"Thank goodness." Nine breathes., though he won't relax entirely until he sees Rose just fine. His fingers absently caress her cheek and nose.

In the control room, Tommy watches the screen and the Doctor is leaning against the doorframe behind him. He asks what he missed and Tommy turns around, asking what happened. The Doctor tells him it's sorted and he invented the home video thirty years early. Queen Elizabeth the Second waves at the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

"So you just taped over her? Or stuck her on tape?" Mickey asks.

"I trapped her in there then I taped over it." Ten smirks.

All the previously faceless people are standing in the yard. Gran spots Tommy as he runs over to hug her. The Doctor searches the crowd until he spots Rose who turns and smiles at him.

"About time too." Nine mutters, leaning down to kiss her fully.

The Doctor hugs Rose. In the Connelly house, Rita is holding a suitcase and kicking Eddie out as the house is in her mother's name. He picks up the case and leaves. Outside the street party is going on and Rose suggests they go to the mall and join the crowds.

"Definitely not." Both Doctors state firmly.

"Not a fan of crowds are you?" Rose giggles.

"No." Nine confirms.

The Doctor says no as the history is right there. Rose comments the domestic approach to which he agrees.

"Woah, you just agreed to the domestic approach." Rose points out.

"I did say I like that about you." Ten reminds her.

"Yeah, didn't think that was actually a good thing." She shrugs.

"Everything about you is a good thing." He tells her quietly. She blushes.

Rose asks if the Wire is trapped for good and the Doctor uses a lot of big words before admitting he is just going to tape over it.

"Honestly, it's as bad as the 'magic door'." Martha laughs.

Rose tells him to leave taping over it to her as she is always doing that. They walk up to Tommy and the Doctor tells him he can keep the scooter but it's best to leave it in the garage for a few years.

"That's nice of you." Sarah-Jane smiles.

"He earned it." Ten nods.

Eddie leaves the house in his overcoat and Tommy spots him, saying good riddance. The Doctor asks if that is it, no room for a man like Eddie Connelly. Tommy agrees but Rose tells him to go after Eddie. He asks what for and Rose points out he is his dad. Tommy states he is as idiot. Rose agrees, of course he is, he's Tommy's dad.

Everybody sniggers.

She continues that he is clever enough to save the world but he shouldn't stop there. Tommy runs over to his father and carries his suitcase for him. The Doctor hands Rose a glass of orange and they drink a toast. The screen go black.

"That actually wasn't a particularly bad one." Jack comments. It was almost relaxing after the last few episodes and the angst they had caused. The atmosphere was lighter than it had been all day. Everybody was quite happy to move onto the next one while the good mood lasted.