Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The BBC owns all, I am merely borrowing.
Spoilers: 4x13 Journey's End
Character/Pairing: 10.5/Rose

His shoulders relax slightly, but his expression remains grim. "We'll need your wardrobe."

"Why?"

He snorts. "Can't exactly chase them down in a motorcar."

Rose pales as she realizes what he intends to do. Reviving the TARDIS in her flat would steal years from his life. It might even kill him. "No! I won't let you risk it. I don't care..."

"Don't have much of a choice, do I? Daleks, Rose. Daleks," he growls, gritting his teeth. "We just stopped them."

"Other universe." She shakes her head. "We'll find another way."

But his mouth is already set in a grim line.

She touches his cheek, forcing his gaze away from the window. "Another way, Doctor."

Before she can calm the storm, they are interrupted by a loud clatter on the stairs. A moment later, Pete runs into the room, almost colliding with the Christmas tree. He has his mobile clutched tightly in one hand, documents in the other.

"Had my mobile off. Christmas, you know," he gasps. "Did you--?"

"Yeah. Got the message," Rose confirms, waving her own mobile.

Pete nods, taking a moment to collect himself. "You an' the Doctor are our only living experts." He glances at the man frozen in front of the window. "I know you've only just gotten back and...well, you deserve a holiday. A long one. Years, I think. But I'd rather the two of you be the ones in the field. I've got to manage the office. And without Mickey..."

"Of course," Rose interrupts. "Of course we'll help. Doctor?"

"Where are they?" the Doctor demands without turning around.

"We've got a signal. Should be reasonably accurate. Take the Martin Aston." Pete tosses the keys to Rose. "Keep me informed."

Rose hesitates, glancing worriedly at the Doctor.

"Go ahead. I'll be right there," the Doctor says, forcing himself to turn away from the window. He waits until she is out of sight and then approaches Pete. "Did you find the parts?"

"Some of them," Pete confirms, nodding.

"Good."

"Will you need them?"

"Yes. At Rose's flat."

Pete nods again, flicking open his mobile. "I'll send someone right away."

"Thank you," the Doctor says with as much gratitude as he can muster. His single heart still beats fast with the awareness of the enemy that awaits them.

"Doctor, what are our chances?"

Shakily, the Doctor takes a deep breath. "Oh, 'bout the same as usual, I should think."

"That bad?"

"Well, you have me," he points out, managing a small smile. "And that's something at least."

Rose is waiting in the garage, leaning against the sleek black automobile they are borrowing. Hearing him enter, she looks up from studying her nails, her expressive eyes filled with worry, anticipation and...

He's across the room in seconds, pressing her against the car, kissing her before she can do anything more than gasp in surprise.

"What was that for?" she murmurs as he steps back.

"You said you loved me," he states, smirking at the unsteadiness of her movements. "I'll drive."

"Oh, no." She shakes her head firmly. "That trip on the scooter was more than enough for me."

"Oi! What's wrong with my driving?"

"That what you call it?" she teases right back, hopping into the driver's seat. "Get in."

"Bit of a change this," he remarks, settling into the passenger seat.

She glances at him, worrying her lip. "S'all right?"

"Of course it is," he agrees quickly. "Don't want to keep our friends waiting, do we?"

She doesn't appear reassured by his blithe attitude, but she starts the car and they're soon zipping through traffic. It's the first time they've been in a rush to get anywhere and Rose drives with far more skill than he expected. He makes a note to ask her where she learned. It certainly wasn't from him.

He spends most of the trip staring out the window, noting differences from their original universe as has become habit. Forehead resting against the glass, he lets the cool surface temper the fear and rage that might control him. Daleks. The name turns his mind into a maelstrom of possibilities and outcomes. Not a single one good.

"We're here," Rose announces, parking the car in front of an arcade of shops.

Taking a deep breath, the Doctor forces himself to refocus on the task at hand.

"Signal's comin' from that shop." She leans over the steering wheel, squinting at a sign. "Maggie's Ice Cream Emporium, LLC."

"Are you sure?" he asks, frowning. "Not like a Dalek to want ice cream."

She shrugs, glancing at her mobile. "S'what it says."

"Let me see that."

They step out onto the street and she tosses him the mobile as they cross to the shop. A small bell dings as they enter and the employee behind the counter reluctantly sets aside a tabloid.

"Can I help you?"

"Oh," Rose gasps, stopping short.

Oblivious, the Doctor passes her, glaring at the small screen. "There's got to be something wrong with these coordinates, Rose. What would Daleks do with a frozen dairy treat? I mean, they're really not the fun loving..."

"Can I help you?"

The Doctor freezes, almost dropping the mobile. "Donna!" he exclaims, gaping at the red-haired woman behind the counter. "What are you doing here? No, no, no, no, no. Don't tell me."

"Do I know you?" Donna asks.

"Yes, absolutely! Well, no. Sort of. It's rather...complicated." He rubs the back of his neck.

"Don't see how that is," she comments, eyes narrowing. "Either you do or you don't."

"What are you doing here? Not where I expected to find you, not that I did particularly expect to find you, although I did think about it. Once. Or twice. Possibly, twelve or thirteen times. Thirty-eight..." He tilts his head as he calculates, giving up a second later with a shake of his head. "Anyway, the possibility was reasonably good that you'd..."

"Doctor," Rose hisses urgently. "Alternate universe, remember. An' she's temping."

"She's what?"

"Here. Maggie's Ice Cream. Holiday rush. She's temping."

"Oh." His eyes flick between the ice cream, Donna and the view out the shop window. "But it's freezing out there. And it's Christmas Day. Who's gonna order ice cream?"

"Not the two of you at this rate," Donna observes. "But it's triple pay for Christmas. Like winnin' the lottery. So do what you like."

"Two banana splits," the Doctor says, rocking back on his heels.

"Banana what?"

"They haven't got banana splits in this universe," Rose whispers.

"Rose, don't be silly."

"Check the menu, dumbbell," Donna instructs, gesturing with her thumb. "I dunno what that is, but we haven't got it."

"Sundae...two scoops....milkshake...I left you in a universe without banana splits?" Aghast, he spins to face Rose. "I left me in a universe without banana splits?!"

"You could invent it."

"Can't mess with history, Rose."

"S'hardly a historical event."

"Of course it is. Whole lot of things could be affected by..."

"Who are you?" Donna interrupts.

"Right. Introductions! Hello. I'm the Doctor and this is my plus one, Rose Tyler." He offers his hand which Donna merely looks at with skepticism.

"The Doctor? What kinda name is that?"

"Well, it's..." he pauses, searching for an explanation that suits his new human life. "It's not particularly normal, I suppose."

"Not particularly normal?" she mimics. "I dunno what's the matter with the two of you, but I need to work an' those freezers won't sort themselves."

"Freezers?" the Doctor repeats, brow wrinkling.

"Management was very particular 'bout the temperature. Can't see why it matters." She sighs dramatically. "Ice cream's not about to melt, is it? I mean, so long as I don't..."

"Freezers! Ha!" The Doctor sprints to the counter and awkwardly attempts to hug the surprised woman behind it. "Oh, I've missed you, Donna Noble."

"What?" she squeaks, pushing him away. "I just met you."

"See anything odd, down there lately? Near the freezers probably. Big metal robots, perchance?"

"Robots? Listen, I dunno what planet you're from, but there's no such thing as--"

A large metal door on the other side of the room swings open so fast it hits the wall with a bang. Only darkness is visible through the doorway, but a subtle whirring sound echoes through the shop.

"Donna, does that lead to the freezers?" the Doctor inquires, frantically searching his pockets. "Donna?"

"That door's got a combination lock!" she snaps. "Get locked in an' you're not gettin' out 'til the next shift. Bloke who works the night shift got stuck down there once. Never been the same since."

Rose touches the older woman's arm, asking urgently, "Donna, where are the controls for the freezers?"

"In the back. Near the tea an' coffee in the break room."

"Ha!" the Doctor shouts, triumphantly brandishing his sonic screwdriver. He points it at the open door, but already the tell-tale domed shapes of their enemy have reached the top of the stairs.

"EXTERMINATE! EXTERMINATE!"

Donna rolls her eyes. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."