Piper Rose Halliwell glared in disgust at her now ex boyfriend. She felt angry and hurt at his betrayal. They'd been together for a year and a half and he had claimed he even loved her...until she found out he was cheating on her. The worst part was, he didn't even seem to care let alone feel remorseful or guilty. She felt rage building up inside of her and wanted nothing more than to hurt him like he had hurt her. Instead, she turned her back on him, fully intending to walk away from him for good when she heard him call out to her, "C'mon Piper, don't be like that. It doesn't have to end like this!"

"Oh, I think it does you asshole!" she snarled bitterly, turning to face him. "What? Did you really think that I'd actually stay with a pathetic, low-life, cheating scumbag like you?! Ha! I don't think so!" She didn't bother to wait for his response. With a heavy heart, she ran back to her flat, wanting nothing more than to hide and never come back out. She was so busy trying to unlock the door to her flat that she didn't hear someone calling her name. She looked up sighing before turning to see who it was. Rose Tyler. She lived in the same block of flats as she did. Rose was a close friend of hers and she would often go to Jackie's to catch up or have a laugh. For a 19 year old, Rose was pretty with her long blonde hair, big brown eyes and pouty lips. Piper had to smile, Rose always knew just how to cheer her up and make her feel better. "Hey, Rose," she said quietly.

"What's wrong?" Rose asked immediately, concerned.

"It's nothing," she muttered, not wanting to talk about her cheating ex. Unfortunately for Piper, Rose wasn't to be swayed easily and grabbed her hand, dragging her into her flat. She wanted to know just who or what had upset her friend and make them pay. "It's Jake." She admitted.

"What about him?" Rose asked, feeling uneasy. She could already guess what was coming. She had never liked Jake from the beginning. She thought he wasn't trustworthy. It didn't help that she'd heard rumors going around that he was a cheating rat who only loved to break the heart of whatever girl he was with at the time. She had warned Piper, who told her she would be extra careful then if that were the case. Honestly, Rose was more than a little surprised that that conversation hadn't turned into a heated argument. But then, she knew what Piper was like. Piper wasn't the type to not listen to Rose when it came to things like that or accuse her of being jealous. It just wasn't in her nature and Rose found herself thankful that she had a friend like that. It made things easier when it came to boys among other things.

"Well, aside from the rumors being right, he's an asshole so I dumped him," she said sarcastically.

Inwardly, Rose was happy with this revelation but tried not to show it. She didn't want Piper to get the wrong idea. "It's about time. You can do sooo much better than him," she whispered comfortingly. Piper wiped her eyes and stood up. She walked into the kitchen, needing a nice cup of tea to make her feel better. All she wanted to do was forget about Jake and move on. "Hey," Rose called from the living room. "I have to go in tonight, how bout you wait for me at closing time?" she said referring the job she had working at a shop.

"Yeah, why not." She sighed, feeling tired and drained. She watched as Rose got dressed and left to go to her job. When it was time to leave, she locked the door with the spare key Jackie had given to her and walked down the road to get the bus. She didn't have long to wait thankfully and it wasn't that far to get there once she had gotten off the bus. She headed straight to the lift, knowing Rose was going to be in the basement giving Wilson the money the guard had given her. Suddenly, there was a noise that sounded like an explosion. Her eyes widened in fear as fire raged through the shop with her trapped inside! She didn't know what to do and without realizing what she was doing, she began to run. Trying to escape was hard though, as she couldn't see anything. A cold fear ran down her spine as she realized something important. Or rather someone. Rose. Where was Rose? Was she still in the shop? Or had she made it out? Was she going to die here? And why was the shop even on fire?

So many questions ran through her mind that she didn't realize she'd stopped. She was about to give up hope of ever finding a way out, the flames licking and burning painfully at her skin. She winced in pain not knowing what to do when she suddenly felt a hand grab hers. She jumped in surprise as a middle aged man with piercing pale blue eyes and a leather jacket, looked at her. "Run," was all he said as he dragged her to safety. "I'm the Doctor by the way. You wouldn't happen to be Piper Halliwell would you?" he asked her. He had a northern accent.

She stared at him in shock. Her mouth didn't seem to be able to work and she guessed it was because of the shock of everything. How did he know her name? As far as she was concerned, she'd never met him before in her life. "Yes," she said, not sure what else to say to him.

He smiled at her before pushing her out of the doors of the now burning building. "Good. Your friend was worried about you. Rose, I think her name was?" She nodded in conformation, thankful that Rose was still alive. "Run for your life," he said and closed the doors behind him. Still in shock, she ran down the main road, crossing the road, she bumped into someone. It was Rose. She looked terrified.

"Oh my god, there you are. I was so scared you were in there. I thought for a second you'd died. Are you alright?"

"Yeah," she replied shakily. "Well...not so much alright, my skin feels like it's burnt badly but other than that I'm fine." They were just about to walk away when a loud boom went off behind them. Looking at the now exploded building, Piper couldn't help but think of the Doctor and if he was okay. When they reached Rose's flat. Jackie was on the phone so they went and sat on the sofa. Piper frowned as Rose tossed what looked like a plastic arm on the chair in the corner. "Where the hell did that come from?" she asked.

"Don't ask." Rose replied tiredly.

Jackie was on the phone to God knows who, talking about what happened. "I know, it's on the telly. It's everywhere. They're lucky to be alive. Honestly it's aged them both," Jackie said, handing both girls a cup of tea. "Walking in now, you'd think I was Rose's daughter. Oh and here he is."

Mickey, Rose's boyfriend burst through the door. "There you are! I've been phoning your mobile but you wouldn't answer. I called Piper's as well. You could have been dead. Both of you. What happened? I can't believe that the shop went up!" He glanced at Piper, smiling as he pulled her into a hug. "I'm glad you're alright Piper." he said. She smiled back at him.

Rose waved him off. "I'm fine, honestly. Don't make a fuss."

"Well, what happened? What caused it?" he asked her.

"I dunno, I wasn't in the shop. I was outside. Piper was in there though. She might know." Mickey looked at Piper expectantly.

"I dunno. One minute I was in there looking for Rose and the next, there was fire everywhere. I couldn't see, I couldn't get out."

Jackie returned from the kitchen, holding the phone in her hand. "It's Debbie on the other end, she knows a man on the mirror. Five hundred quid for an interview."

Rose sighed. "Brilliant, give it here," she said taking the phone off of Jackie and ending the call.

It was Jackie's turn to sigh. "Well you gotta find some way of making money. Your job is gone and I'm not bailing you out, Rose." Both girls groaned in annoyance when the phone rang again. "Bev, they're alive! I told them, sue for compensation. They were second within death."

"What are you drinking?" Mickey asked suddenly. "Tea? Nah, nah, you need something stronger. You're in shock."

"We're alright," Rose assured him.

"C'mon, you deserve a proper drink, both of you. My treat. We'll go down the pub. How about it?" he asked trying to pull both girls off the sofa.

"Is there a match on?" Rose asked knowingly.

"No! I'm just thinking bout you babe," Mickey said innocently.

"There's a match on, ain't there?" Rose glance at Piper, who shrugged.

"That's not the point, but we could catch the last five minutes," he added hopefully. Piper chuckled.

"Oh, go on then. Piper and I will just stay in. Go...and get rid of that," she said pointing to the plastic arm on the chair. Mickey gave her a quick kiss before picking up the arm. "Bye, bye."

"Bye," he said, pretending to be strangled by the plastic arm.

"And where are you goin?" Rose asked as Piper stood up.

"I'm exhausted. I'm going to your room."

"I think I'll come with you actually." Eventually both girls fell asleep.

Rose's alarm clock when off at 7.00am the next morning. Getting up, Piper headed to the bathroom, intending on having a nice long shower. "There's no point getting up. You've got no job to go to." Jackie yelled from the living room. After 20 minutes in the shower, Piper turned off the shower and began to dry herself off. Her waist length dark hair made it almost impossible but she got there in the end. After she brushed her teeth and got dressed, she left to join Jackie.

"Morning, Jackie."

"Morning, Piper. Do you think I should kick Rose out?" Jackie asked thoughtfully. "It's not like she's listening to me."

"God knows what she'd do if you did that."

Jackie grinned. "I think she'd move in with you."

Piper's eyes widened in alarm. She looked at Jackie with fearful eyes. "No, don't do that. Just don't. Just...no."

That made Jackie laugh. Piper grinned as she made her way to the fridge. "So how's your Grams?" Jackie asked.

Piper smiled softly. "She's fine. You can go see her if ya want later."

Jackie smiled at the brunette. "I might do."

"Good."

"Hey where are you goin?" Jackie called.

"Out! Tell Rose I'll be back later." Once outside, Piper ran to her own flat. She quickly opened the door, shutting it behind her. Dropping the keys on the table, she made her way to the kitchen. She filled the kettle up with water and waited for it to finish boiling. While she waited, she grabbed a bowl from the cupboard and a box of coco pops. She filled the bowl up and added the milk. She grabbed a clean cup off the side, putting the tea bag in and adding the three sugars in, just the way she like it. Grabbing the kettle, she poured the hot water into the cup and added a little bit of milk. When she was done, she picked up the bowl and the cup and made her way to the couch. After she had eaten, she placed the bowl in the sink and made her way back to the couch. She took her time drinking the tea while getting lost in her thoughts. She sighed as she got up to make her way back to the Tyler flat. Rose smiled as she entered the flat but grumbled when Jackie told her she should work in Finches.

"Oh great, the butchers." Rose mumbled.

"It might do you some good. That shop was giving you airs and graces anyway. And I wasn't joking when I said you should sue for compensation. You both have had genuine shock and trauma. You know, Arianna got two thousand quid off of the council just cause the old man behind the desk said she looked Greek."

"I thought she was." Piper asked in confusion.

"Yes she is but that's not the point. It was a valid claim."

Piper tried not to laugh as Rose rolled her eyes at her mum. She frowned as she heard a noise. "Is that the cat flap?" She asked Rose.

"Mum, you're such a liar. I told you to nail that cat flap down. We're gonna get strays otherwise." Rose said, getting up to walk to the front door.

"I did it weeks back!" Jackie insisted.

"No, you thought bout it."

Piper followed Rose to the door. She crouched down, confused. "It looks like she did. The nails are on the floor." Both girls jumped when the cat flap moved. Rose pushed the cat flap slightly, gasping when she saw a face. She jumped up and opened the door. Piper was surprised to say the least. Standing there was the man from last night. The man who had saved her. She was relieved to see he was alive and unharmed.

"What are you doing here?" Rose snapped.

"Oh ya know, saying hello. Hello!" The man - no the Doctor grinned, waving his hand at them cheerfully. Piper smiled at him. The Doctor reached over at her and tapped her on the head. "Must have the wrong signal. You're not plastic are ya? No? Bye then," he said moving to leave. But before he could, Rose grabbed him by the arm and yanked into the flat.

"You. Inside. Now."

"Who is it?" Jackie called from her room.

"It's about last night. He's part of the inquiry. Give us a minute." Rose told her.

"They deserve compensation." Jackie said as he moved to stand by her doorway.

"Oh, we're talking millions."

Jackie bit her lip, coming to a decision. She turned around to face him. "I'm in my dressing gown." She said seductively.

"Yes you are," he agreed, clearly not getting it.

"There's a strange man in my bedroom." Both girls winced at her words.

"Yes, there is."

"Anything could happen."

"No," the Doctor said flatly, finally understanding. Piper couldn't stop herself from laughing at the flat out rejection. All three of them entered the living room.

"Don't mind the mess." Rose said, as she attempted to clear the coffee table. "Do you want a drink?"

"Tea, thanks. Just the milk." Rose nodded as she walked to the kitchen. He glanced at Piper, who had not moved to follow Rose.

"We should go to the police. All of us." Rose called as she made their drinks.

Piper watched as the Doctor wondered around. He picked up a magazine before throwing it back down saying that it wouldn't work because he was gay and she was an alien. "Thanks for helping me last night," she said quietly, catching the Doctor's attention.

He smiled at her. "No problem."

"Look, we're not blaming you. Even if it was a joke gone wrong." Rose went on.

He picked up some mail. "Rose Tyler." He looked up and walked over to a mirror. It was like he had never seen himself before. Piper couldn't help but feel interested in him. "Could have been worse I suppose." He muttered to himself. "Look at the ears." he said flicking them. The way he stared at himself made her giggle, causing the Doctor to turn his attention back to her.

"I like the ears," she said shyly. "I think they suit you."

"Really?" The Doctor asked, looking genuinely interested at the girl.

"Yeah," she nodded. He turned his attention to a pack of cards. He tried to shuffle them but they went everywhere, earning another giggle from her. Piper wondered why Rose was taking so long and went to see if she could help.

"What's that then? Do you have a cat?" The Doctor asked, turning towards the door.

"Nope, no cats here."

"I wish," Piper muttered.

The Doctor's eyes widened as the plastic arm from before, grabbed him by the neck.

"Anyway, if we are going to the police, we should at least know what to say," Rose said as she returned with their drinks. Piper's eyes widened when she saw the plastic arm again - and it was choking the Doctor! Rose told Mickey to get rid of it and he had. So what the hell was it doing there? She rolled her eyes at Rose, who hadn't even noticed anything was wrong. "Ugh, I told Mickey to get rid of that thing." Rose said finally taking notice. "Anyway, we don't even know your name. Doctor...what was it?" Piper ran to help the Doctor only for the arm to grab her, slamming her against the wall. Two pairs of hands grabbed her, trying to pull the arm off of her. She found herself being thrown through Jackie's glass coffee table. The Doctor crawled over to her and pulled out a silver shaped thing. He jabbed it into the palm of the hand and pressed a button. The hand struggled then stopped.

"S'alright. Stopped it, see?" He threw the arm at Piper, who flinched back but caught it nonetheless. "Armless."

"Ya think?" Rose and Piper said simultaneously. The Doctor stood up and walked out of the flat with both girls following him down the stairs.

"Hold on, you can't just go swanning off," Rose exclaimed.

"Yes I can. Here I am, this is me swanning off. See ya." He waved cheerfully.

"But that arm was moving. And it tried to kill her!"

"Ten out of ten for observation," he said sarcastically.

"You can't just walk away, that's not fair. You have to tell us what's going on."

"No I don't."

"He doesn't actually." Piper said. She had remained quiet up until now. Rose glared at her. The Doctor looked at her with surprise. Piper knew Rose wouldn't give up though.

"Alright then, I'll go to the police. You said if I did that people would get killed. I'll tell everyone. So start talking or I will. Your choice," she threatened. Ha! As if that would work.

"Is that supposed to sound tough?" The Doctor asked her.

"Sort of," she replied.

"Doesn't work."

"Who are you?" Piper whispered. It was barely audible but he heard.

He turned to face her, his gaze focused intently on her. "Told you, I'm the Doctor."

"Yeah, but Doctor what?" Rose asked confidently. His eyes didn't leave Piper though.

"Just the Doctor."

"The Doctor?" Rose repeated.

"Hello!" He waved. Rose smirked while Piper laughed.

"Is that supposed to sound impressive?" Rose scoffed lightly.

"Sort of."

"So, c'mon then." Rose grinned, latching onto his arm and hanging on. "You can tell us. We've seen enough. Are you the police?"

"No, I was just passing through. I'm a long way from home."

"But how come those things keep coming after us? After her?"

"Oh, suddenly the world revolves around you two. You two were just an accident. You got in the way, that's all."

"It tried to kill her!"

"It was after me, not you two. Last night in the shop, I was there, you blundered in. And then I found her still in the burning shop. You almost ruined the whole thing. This morning, I was tracking it down, it was tracking me down. The only reason it fixed on you two was cos you both met me."

"So, what you're saying is, the entire world revolves around you?" Piper asked suddenly.

"Sort of, yeah."

"You're so full of it."

He didn't deny it. "Sort of, yeah."

Rose smirked. "So, this plastic stuff. Who else knows about it?"

"No one."

"What, you're on your own?" Piper asked quietly. She didn't like the thought of him being on his own. For some reason it didn't seem right.

"Well, who else is there? You lot, all you do is eat chips, go to bed, and watch telly. While all this time, underneath you, there's a war going on." The Doctor explained.

"Okay, so start from the beginning." Rose said, grabbing the arm from him. "I mean, if we're going to go with living plastic, and I don't even believe that, but if we do, how do you kill it?" Rose questioned.

"The thing controlling it projects life into the arm. I cut off the signal, look, dead."

"So that's...radio control?" Rose guessed.

"Thought control." Piper corrected thoughtfully before the Doctor could say anything else.

He snapped up in her direction in surprise. "And how did you know that?"

She shrugged. "It's kinda obvious when you think about it."

"So tell me."

"You said it projects life into the plastic, right?" The Doctor nodded at her, motioning her to continue. "Well if you're gonna do something like that with an object like an arm then it has to be thought control. It's not called projecting for nothing. I'm guessing that whatever is controlling the plastic is a part of the plastic. It's easier to control something that way, if it's a part of yourself."

The Doctor stopped walking and turned to stare her in shock. How the hell had she worked that out? She was only human after all. "How the hell did you work that out?" He demanded.

Before she could reply, Rose jumped in. "But what's it all for? I mean, shop window dummies? What's that about? Is someone trying to take over Britain's shops?" Rose joked, making them all laugh.

"No," he said after they all sobered up.

"No."

"It's not a price war." This made Piper laugh. The Doctor looked at her, his eyes sparkling in amusement. "They want to overthrow the human race and destroy you." He turned to face them. "Do you believe me?"

Rose gazed at him for a moment and shook her head. "No."

He turned to look at Piper. "What about you?" he asked her. "Do you believe me?"

"Yes."

Again, the Doctor was stunned. For the first time in a long time he didn't know what to say. So he said nothing. Rose finally stopped while the Doctor continued to walk down the street. "Really though, Doctor." She called. "Who are you?"

This made him stop. He turned around and paused as he thought of what to say. "Do you know what we were saying about the Earth revolving?" He asked as he walked back to them. Both girl's nodded. "It's like when you're a kid and the first time they tell you the world's turning and you just can't quite believe it because everything looks like it's standing still. I can feel it." The Doctor used one hand to grab Rose's and used the other to grab Piper's. As soon as he grabbed Piper's hand he felt a warmth that spread across his body. "The turn of the Earth. The ground beneath our feet is spinning at a 1,000 miles an hour, the entire planet is hurtling round the sun at 67,000 miles an hour and I can feel it. We're falling through space you, me and her, clinging to the skin of this tiny little world. And if we let go..." he dropped their hands, instantly feeling cold. It made him want to grab Piper's hand again, just so he didn't feel the cold. He wanted to feel the warmth again but wasn't sure if she would feel comfortably so he didn't. "That's who I am. Now, forget me Rose Tyler. Forget me Piper Halliwell." The Doctor took the hand from Rose and waved it at Piper. "Go home."

And with that, he walked across the street, leaving an interested Rose and Piper behind. Piper watched as Rose walked off towards the block of flats. Piper watched as the Doctor made his way to a blue police box. He looked up to see her watching him before stepping inside. A moment later, the box disappeared, leaving Piper lost in her thoughts. Who was this strange man? Little did she know, she was about to find out.