Prologue

A shuttlecraft was travelling at impulse speed. Michelle was alone inside, shining her foil with a cloth. She eyed the foil with satisfaction, then set it down and moved to the helm.

She was returning from the fencing competition on Fagiros in 4739. The conditions had been difficult, several contenders were maimed. But she was triumphant.

Michelle picked up a large Zygon trophy – an impressive-looking award with distinctive Zygon markings on it. She eyed it proudly.

She won 'Champion Standing'. She looked forward to reuniting with her friends on the TARDIS. However, she was anticipating a…troubling situation.

Later, Michelle and Nita were walking along the TARDIS corridor, midconversation. Michelle was carrying her foil and trophy. She kept looking around, nervous – she seemed preoccupied by something.

"It looks like we're going to have to head out to the Diamond Array. This is the third time in the last year it's stopped relaying data. The Union is beginning to think it may be more than a simple malfunction."

As they turned a corner, Michelle hesitated, as though expecting an attack.

"I'd like you to start a long range scan as soon as we enter the-" Nita took note of Michelle's jumpiness. "Are you listening to me, Michelle?"

"Oh…yes."

"You seem pretty tense for a woman who just came back from vacation."

They stopped at Michelle's quarters. Michelle very cautiously touched a control by the door. Suddenly, Michelle opened the door and burst into the room. Michelle rushed in, looked around, ready for anything. No one was there. She seemed relieved. Nita looked at her a bit oddly.

"What's the matter with you?"

"Because I've been away, I assumed that you or one of the others would try to mount an unexpected… social gathering."

"You mean a surprise party? Michelle, I hate surprise parties. I would never do that to you."

"I am… sorry, Nita."

"Why don't you settle in and I'll meet you in the Control Room."

"Ok."

Nita left. Michelle took a breath, relaxing… she set down her foil and set her trophy proudly on a table. She headed for the bedroom, started to take off her scarf, got about half-way there when suddenly –

"Surprise!"

Michelle leaped back, as if scalded –

Carolyn and the Doctor rushed out of the bedroom. Carolyn held a gift, the Doctor had party favours, noise-makers. It was the most human and obnoxious party you could imagine. They came up shaking his hand, offering welcome back wishes, patting her on the back. Carolyn kissed her on the cheek. Nita entered during the middle of all this, came up behind Michellle with a huge smile on her face.

"Actually, Michelle, I love surprise parties." Nita then put a big, ridiculous party hat on Michelle's head.