Doctor Who, 4x13 "Journey's End" (2024)

Doctor Who (2005+) Transcripts >>
4x13 "Journey's End"

A recap of 4x12 "The Stolen Earth".

OPENING CREDITS

INT. TARDIS

Orange energy is exploding from the Doctor's skin. Suddenly, he directs this energy at his hand in a jar underneath the TARDIS console - it bubbles and glows, the energy flowing into it. The Doctor stops regenerating and stumbles backwards, breathless - the same man. Donna and Rose gape.

THE DOCTOR
Now, then. Where were we?

He darts back to the console. Donna, Rose and Jack only stand there, stunned.

EXT. ROAD

Sarah Jane's arms are thrown over her face, waiting for the blow from the Daleks in front of her car.

DALEK #1
Exerminate!

DALEK #2
Exterminate!

Mickey Smith and Jackie Tyler appear in flashes of blue light either side of Sarah Jane's car. They each carry a large gun, which they use to blow the Daleks apart. Sarah Jane gets out of the car, shakily.

SARAH JANE
Mickey...!

MICKEY
Us Smiths have got to stick together.

JACKIE
Jackie Tyler, Rose's Mum. Now, where the hell is my daughter?

INT. TORCHWOOD HUB

Ianto and Gwen fire incessantly at the Dalek, Gwen screaming, Ianto's brow furrowed - then they stop. They creep forwards... their bullets have stopped in mid-air, and are just hanging there. With expressions of amazement and disbelief, Gwen and Ianto approach them - Gwen reaches out with one finger to touch one, but she can't. The air ripples out from her finger as though there's an invisible wall.

GWEN
(awed)
...what the hell?

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor gets on his hands and knees before his hand in a jar, which still bubbles and glows.

THE DOCTOR
(softly)
There, now.

He blows gently onto the jar, and it calms down - stops glowing and bubbling. The Doctor smiles, delighted.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
(sits up)
You see? Used the regeneration energy to heal myself, but as soon as that was done, I didn't need to change. I didn't want to, why would I?
(tweaks tie)
Look at me! So, to stop the energy going all the way, I siphoned off the rest into a handy bio-matching receptacle - namely, my hand. My hand, there. My handy spare hand.
(stands. To Rose--)
Remember? Christmas Day? Sycorax? Lost my hand in a sword fight? That's my hand!

Rose looks slowly from the hand to him, still uncertain.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
What do you think?

ROSE
(edges towards him)
And... you're still you?

THE DOCTOR
(eyes twinkling)
I'm still me.

They throw their arms around each other. Rose buries her head into his shoulder, eyes squeezed tightly shut in joy. Jack grins, so happy for them.

DONNA
(to Jack, jokingly)
You can hug me, if you want.
(Jack laughs. Seriously--)
No, really, you can hug me.

Still, the Doctor and Rose cling to one another, the Doctor beaming, Rose squeezing him tighter.

INT. TORCHWOOD HUB

Gwen and Ianto are at a computer terminal, investigating the reason for the still frozen bullets.

IANTO
It's a time-lock. The ultimate defence program. Tosh was working on it. Never thought she'd finished it, but she did. The Hub's sealed in a time-bubble. Nothing can get in.

GWEN
But that means we can't get out.

IANTO
Nope. Not without unlocking that Dalek. We're trapped inside. It's all up to Jack, now.

EXT. ROAD, OUTSIDE TARDIS

Four Daleks surround the TARDIS.

DALEK
Report: TARDIS has been located.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK
Bring it here. Bring the Doctor to me. Initiate temporal prison!

EXT. ROAD, OUTSIDE TARDIS

One Dalek to each corner of the TARDIS, they surround it in a thin hoop of spinning blue light.

DALEK
Temporal prison initiated.

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor, Rose, Jack and Donna are gathered around the console. The power cuts out.

THE DOCTOR
(shuffling around the console, trying various buttons)
They've got us. Power's gone... some kind of chronon loop!

There's a great crash and the TARDIS tilts dangerously to one side.

EXT. ROAD, OUTSIDE TARDIS

Sarah Jane, Jackie and Mickey creep behind a van, watching the Daleks.

DALEK
Transferring TARDIS to the Crucible!

The TARDIS is lifted skywards by a circle of blue light, up and away in the direction of the Dalek ship.

SARAH JANE
Those teleport things... can we use them? If they've taken the Doctor to the Dalek spaceship, then that's where we need to be.

MICKEY
(taking it from his pocket)
It's not just a teleport, it's a Dimension Jump. Man, this thing rips a hole in the fabric of space.

SARAH JANE
(impatiently)
But can we use it?

MICKEY
(putting it away)
Not yet, it burns up energy. Needs half an hour between jumps.

SARAH JANE
Then, put down your guns.

MICKEY
What?!

SARAH JANE
If you're carrying a gun, they'll shoot you dead.
(steps out from behind van, hands raised in surrender)
Daleks? I surrender.

She walks towards them, wincing.

DALEK
All humans in this sector will be taken to the Crucible!

MICKEY
She's bloody mad.

JACKIE
Yeah, but Mickey - if they've got the Doctor, then they've got Rose.
(she puts her gun down, raises her hands. To the Daleks--)
And us. We surrender!

Mickey kisses his gun before throwing it to the ground.

INT. JONES' HOUSE

Martha is adjusting her body-pack.

MARTHA
(to Francine)
Now Jack's explained the base code, I know how this teleport works. I think. But you just stay indoors. There's no Daleks on this street, you should be all right. Just um... keep quiet.

FRANCINE
Where are you going?!

MARTHA
(abruptly)
I'm a member of UNIT and they gave me the Osterhagen Key, I've got to do my job.

Francine makes towards her, but Martha holds out a hand to stop her.

MARTHA (CONT'D)
(scared)
I'm sorry.

FRANCINE
Martha... what's an Osterhagen Key? Tell me. What does it do?

But Martha can't or won't answer her.

MARTHA
(
tearfully)
Love you.

She pulls down the cords on her body-pack and disappears.

GERMANY
60 miles outside Nuremburg

EXT. FOREST

Martha appears in a dark forest, gasping in fright, the sound of Daleks not too far away.

DALEK #1
Exterminieren! Exterminieren! Exterminieren!

DALEK #2
Halt! Sonst werden wir Sie exterminieren! Sie sind jetzt ein Gefangener der Daleks!

Martha stands and peers through the trees. The Daleks are gliding ominously though the woods.

DALEK #1
Exterminieren! Exterminieren!

Martha runs in the opposite direction.

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

The TARDIS glides inexorably towards the Dalek ship.

JACK
(voice-over)
There's a massive Dalek ship at the centre of the planets.

INT. TARDIS

JACK (CONT'D)
They're calling it the Crucible. Guess that's our destination.

DONNA
(to the Doctor)
You said these planets were like an engine. But what for?

THE DOCTOR
(remembers)
Rose! You've been in a parallel world, that world's running ahead of this universe - you've seen the future, what was it?

ROSE
It's the darkness.

DONNA
The stars were going out.

ROSE
One by one. We looked up at the sky and they were just dying. Basically, we've been building this um... this travel machine, this... uh... Dimension Cannon, so I could... well, so I could...

THE DOCTOR
(raises eyebrows)
What?

ROSE
(like it's obvious)
So I could come back!
(the Doctor beams and giggles)
Shut up...! Anyway, suddenly, it started to work. And the dimensions started to collapse.
(the Doctor's smile fades)
Not just in our world - not just in yours - but the whole of reality, even the Void was dead. Something is... destroying everything.

DONNA
In that parallel world...
(Rose turns to her)
...you said something about me.

ROSE
The Dimension Cannon could measure timelines, and it's... it's weird, Donna, but they all seem to converge on you.

DONNA
(genuinely bemused)
But why me? I mean... what have I ever done? I'm a temp from Chiswick!

The computer bleeps.

THE DOCTOR
(looking at the screen)
The Dalek Crucible. All aboard...

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

The TARDIS zooms towards the huge planet-shaped Crucible.

INT. TARDIS

The TARDIS lands with a crash.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

DALEK
The TARDIS is secured!

The Daleks gathered around the TARDIS, eyepieces twitching as they watch.

SUPREME DALEK
Doctor! You will step forth or die!

INT. TARDIS

THE DOCTOR
(watching the door)
We'll have to go out. 'Cos if we don't, they'll get in.

ROSE
(alarmed)
You told me nothing could get through those doors.

JACK
You've got extrapolator shielding.

THE DOCTOR
(turning to Rose and Jack)
Last time we fought the Daleks, they were scavengers and hybrids and mad. But this is a fully fledged Dalek Empire... at the height of its power. Experts at fighting TARDISes, they can do anything.

Jack and Rose realise the vulnerability of their position, their eyes widen with fear.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Right now, that wooden door... is just wood.

Donna stands apart from them, staring straight ahead, not listening because all she can hear is the steady beating of a heart, becoming louder, closer...

JACK
(in background)
What about your Dimension Jump?

ROSE
(in background)
It needs another twenty minutes, and anyway, I'm not leaving.

THE DOCTOR
(in background)
What about your teleport?

JACK
(in background)
Went down with the power-loss.

THE DOCTOR
(in background)
Right then. All of us together... yeah.
(notices Donna's lack of interaction)
Donna?

Donna does not react. She's staring straight ahead, eyes moist, mouth open, head full of the heartbeat. The Doctor goes to her concernedly.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
(snapping her out of the trance when he takes her by the shoulders)
Donna.

DONNA
Yeah.

THE DOCTOR
I'm sorry, there's nothing else we can do.

DONNA
(nods)
No, I know.

The Doctor nods, mouths 'okay', and turns to the door.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK
Surrender, Doctor, and face your Dalek masters.

DALEK
Crucible on maximum alert!

INT. TARDIS

ROSE
Daleks.
(she laughs nervously)
Heh!

JACK
Oh, God!

He laughs too. They're both watching the Doctor, so absolutely confident in him. The Doctor looks at them all.

THE DOCTOR
It's been good, though, hasn't it?

Donna smiles.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
All of us... all of it... everything we did...
(to Donna)
You were brilliant.

Donna's smile widens. She nods.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
(to Jack)
And you were brilliant.

Jack grins. The Doctor looks at Rose.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
And you were brilliant.

Rose smiles sadly.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Blimey.

The Doctor turns to the door, resigned. Rose and Jack follow him - after a deep breath, Donna makes to follow too.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

The Doctor steps out of the TARDIS followed by Rose and Jack.

SUPREME DALEK
Daleks reign supreme! All hail the Daleks!

INT. TARDIS

Donna walks slowly to the door and pauses, the heartbeat inside her head again.

DALEKS
(from outside)
Daleks reign supreme! All hail the Daleks! Daleks reign supreme! All hail the Daleks!

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

The Doctor, Rose and Jack look about themselves at the enormous ship, the air thick with Daleks, chanting -

DALEKS (CONT'D)
Daleks reign supreme! All hail the Daleks! Daleks reign supreme! All hail the Daleks!

The Doctor exhales.

SUPREME DALEK
Behold, Doctor. Behold the might of the true Dalek Race.

INT. TARDIS

Donna turns and looks back at the console, brow furrowed.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

THE DOCTOR
(calling over his shoulder)
Donna? It's no safer in there...

INT. TARDIS

Donna gives herself a small shake, and turns back to the door - it closes.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

Upon hearing the door slam, the Doctor dashes back to the TARDIS.

INT. TARDIS

DONNA
(banging the door)
Doctor?!
(rattles the handle)
What've you done?

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

THE DOCTOR
(through the door)
It wasn't me, I didn't do anything!

INT. TARDIS

DONNA
(shouting)
Oi! Oi, I'm not staying behind!

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

THE DOCTOR
(to the Supreme Dalek, one hand on the door, one hand on the handle)
What did you do?

SUPREME DALEK
This is not of Dalek origin.

INT. TARDIS

DONNA
(banging on the door and yelling)
Doctor!

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

THE DOCTOR
(angrily)
Stop it! She's my friend. Now, open the door and let her out.

SUPREME DALEK
This is Time Lord treachery!

THE DOCTOR
Me?! The door just closed on its own!

SUPREME DALEK
Nevertheless: the TARDIS is a weapon and it will be destroyed.

The TARDIS falls through a trapdoor that opens up underneath it.

INT. TARDIS

Donna stumbles about as the TARDIS falls through a long tunnel.

INT. CRUCIBLE, TUNNEL

The TARDIS shoots down the tunnel.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

THE DOCTOR
(stares down the trapdoor in horror)
What're you doing?! Bring it back!

INT. CRUCIBLE, TUNNEL

The TARDIS falls, gathering speed.

INT. TARDIS

Donna hangs onto the railings for support.

DONNA
Doctor!

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

THE DOCTOR
(urgently, panicking)
What've you done?! Where's it going?

SUPREME DALEK
The Crucible has a heart of Z-Neutrino Energy. The TARDIS will be deposited into the core.

THE DOCTOR
(in horror)
But you can't, you've taken the defences down.
(voice rising)
It'll be torn apart!

INT. CRUCIBLE, CORE

The TARDIS shoots out of the tunnel and into the core, which resembles the sun, a burning ball of fire.

INT. TARDIS

The lights around the console smash. Donna screams. Small fires spring up around the grilling.

INT. CRUCIBLE, CORE

The TARDIS sinks further into the energy.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

ROSE
(advances on the Supreme Dalek, gesturing to the trapdoor)
But Donna's still in there!

JACK
(angrily)
Let her go!

INT. TARDIS

Donna is crouched down by the console, emitting small screams and shielding herself from the small explosions and sparks and fire flying all around her.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK
The female and the TARDIS will perish together! Observe.

A holographic screen appears above them - they turn to look at it, the Doctor approaching it with dread as he sees the TARDIS bobbing in the energy.

SUPREME DALEK (CONT'D)
The last child of Gallifrey is powerless.

The Doctor watches in horror, powerless indeed.

INT. TARDIS

Absolute chaos, sparks flying, glass smashing - the smoke is beginning to choke Donna.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

THE DOCTOR
(beseeches Supreme Dalek)
Please. I'm begging you, I'll do anything!
(looks from the Dalek to the screen in helpless agitation. Gestures himself)
Put me in her place!
(face growing redder)
You can do anything to me, I don't care, just get her out of there!

INT. TARDIS

Donna is on her hands and knees beside the console, coughing, panting - then she stops, her eye caught by the hand, her head full of the heartbeat. An ethereal glow from the hand is reflected onto her face. She reaches out and touches the jar. The orange regeneration energy engulfs her. She gasps, shaking violently - the jar smashes.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

The Doctor watches the screen through gritted teeth, breathing heavily, trembling.

SUPREME DALEK
You are connected to the TARDIS. Now, feel it die.

The Doctor breaks into a sweat.

INT. TARDIS

The destruction of the TARDIS continues around Donna, but now she seems strangely immune to it. The energy has left her and has now engulfed the hand, which lies on the grilling, its fingers twitching. Donna watches, brow furrowed in confusion, as the energy spreads outwards from the hand into the shape of a man. When the shape is fully formed, it sits up suddenly - the energy is shaken from it, to reveal the Doctor, eyes wide, stark naked.

DONNA
(amazed)
It's you...!

THE NEW DOCTOR
Oh, yes.

DONNA
(glances down and quickly up again)
You're naked!

THE NEW DOCTOR
Oh, yes.

The TARDIS continues to smash around them.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

DALEK
Total TARDIS destruction in ten rels!

Rose goes to the motionless Doctor and takes his hand.

DALEK (CONT'D)
Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five!

INT. TARDIS

From his position on the floor, the Doctor presses a button on the console with gritted teeth and wild eyes.

INT. CRUCIBLE, CORE

DALEK (CONT'D)
(voice-over)
Four! Three! Two! One!

The TARDIS fades away.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK
The TARDIS has been destroyed. Now, tell me, Doctor... what do you feel?

The Doctor watches the screen still, a dark expression clouding his face.

SUPREME DALEK (CONT'D)
Anger? Sorrow? Despair?

THE DOCTOR
(whispers)
Yeah.

Rose looks at him with all the concern of one of the few people who knows what the TARDIS means to him.

SUPREME DALEK
Then, if emotions are so important, surely we have enhanced you.

JACK
Yeah? Feel this!

He turns and shoots the Supreme Dalek. The bullets bounce off him ineffectually.

SUPREME DALEK
Exterminate!

The Supreme Dalek sends a death-ray Jack's way and he screams in pain and falls to the floor, apparently dead.

ROSE
(falling to her knees beside him in distress)
Jack! Oh, my God. Oh, no...

THE DOCTOR
(kneels beside her)
Rose...
(softly, so only she can hear)
Come here. Leave him.

ROSE
(whispers)
They killed him.

THE DOCTOR
I know. I'm sorry.

SUPREME DALEK
Escort them to the Vault.

The Doctor pulls Rose to her feet, his arm around her.

SUPREME DALEK (CONT'D)
They are the playthings of Davros, now.

A Dalek leads the Doctor and Rose from the room. The Doctor glances back at Jack, who winks.

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

The TARDIS glides away from the Crucible.

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor is wearing his blue suit trousers and a burgundy top as he stands on the railings, mending the TARDIS by the door.

THE NEW DOCTOR
(jumping off and pulling on his blue jacket)
All repaired! Lovely. Shh! No-one knows we're here. Gotta keep quiet. Silent running, like on submarines when they can't even drop a spanner. Don't drop a spanner. I like blue, what do you think?

DONNA
You - are - bonkers!

THE NEW DOCTOR
Why?! What's wrong with blue?

DONNA
(highly disturbed)
Is that what Time Lords do? Lop a bit off, grow another one? You're like worms!

THE NEW DOCTOR
No, no, no, no, no, I'm unique. Never been another like me! Because all that regeneration energy went into the hand - look at my hand, I love that hand...
(wiggles his fingers)
But then you touched it-- WHAM!
(Donna jumps out of her skin)
Shhh... instantaneous biological metacrisis. I grew... out of you. Still, could be worse.

DONNA
Oi! Watch it, spaceman.

THE NEW DOCTOR
(matching her)
Oi! Watch it, Earth-girl. Oh!
(they stare at each other, mouths in identical 'Oh!' shapes)
I sound like you! I sound all... all sort of, rough.

DONNA
Oi!

THE NEW DOCTOR
Oi!

DONNA
Oi!

THE NEW DOCTOR
Spanners, shh!

Donna buttons up, lips pursed.

THE NEW DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Must've picked up a bit of your voice, that's all. Is it? Did I? No. Oh! You are kidding me, no WAY. One heart...
(feels his chest)
I've got one heart! This body... has got only one heart!

DONNA
(absolutely gob-smacked)
What?
(places a hand on his chest)
What, like you're human?

THE NEW DOCTOR
Oh, that's disgusting.

DONNA
Oi!

THE NEW DOCTOR
Oi!

DONNA
(crossly)
Stop it!

THE NEW DOCTOR
No, wait, I'm... part Time Lord, part human...
(looks at Donna)
Well, isn't that wizard?

DONNA
I kept hearing that noise... that heartbeat.

THE NEW DOCTOR
Oh, that was me. My single heart.
(goes to the console, waving his hands dismissively)
'Cos I'm a-- complicated event in time and space, must've rippled back. Converging on you.

DONNA
But why me?

THE NEW DOCTOR
Because you're special.

DONNA
(exasperated)
Oh, I keep telling you: I'm not.

THE NEW DOCTOR
(simply)
No, but you are, you...
(looks at her as if he's only just realised)
Oh... you really don't believe that, do you?
(gestures his head)
I can see, Donna... what you're thinking. All that attitude, all that lip, 'cos all this time... you think you're not worth it.

DONNA
Stop it.

THE NEW DOCTOR
Shouting at the world 'cos no-one's listening. Well... why should they?

DONNA
(upset)
Doctor? Stop it.

THE NEW DOCTOR
(gently, proud)
But look at what you did... no. It's more than that, it's like...
(searches his thoughts)
We were always heading for this.

A series of flashbacks - a ball of light, Donna, hurtles towards the TARDIS whilst it is in orbit around a supernova. Donna appears in the TARDIS in her wedding dress.

THE NEW DOCTOR (CONT'D)
You came to the TARDIS.

Flashback - inside Adipose Industries, Donna behind the glass door gesturing herself excitedly to the Doctor through the window at the opposite side of the office.

THE NEW DOCTOR (CONT'D)
(voice-over)
And you found me again.

Flashback - Wilf, saluting.

THE NEW DOCTOR (CONT'D)
(voice-over)
Your grandad.

Flashback - Donna opening the boot of her car where it is parked near the TARDIS.

THE NEW DOCTOR (CONT'D)
(voice-over)
Your car!

End flashback.

THE NEW DOCTOR (CONT'D)
(with dawning realisation)
Donna, your car! You parked your car right where the TARDIS was gonna land, that's not coincidence at all!
(spins on the spot, fingers to his temples)
We've been blind! Something's been drawing us together for such a long time.

DONNA
(breathless)
But you're talking like... destiny. But there's no such thing... is there?

THE NEW DOCTOR
(holding his head, probing his mind)
It's still not finished. It's like... the pattern's not complete. The strands are still joining together. But heading for what?

EXT. CASTLE

Martha emerges from the woods. An old woman comes to meet her down the steps of the castle.

GERMAN WOMAN
Hier ist niemand. Was immer sie wollen, gehen Sie fort! Lassen Sie mich in Ruhe.

MARTHA
Ich heisse Martha Jones. Ich komme von UNIT. Agentin
fuenf sechs sechs sieben eins, von der medizinischen Abteilung.

GERMAN WOMAN
Es hiess Sie kaemen vorbei. The accent... that is London, ja? I went to London, long time ago.

MARTHA
I thought this place was supposed to be guarded.

GERMAN WOMAN
There were soldiers. Boys. I brought them food, every day. But when der Albtraum came from the sky, they went home. To die. But not you.

MARTHA
I've got a job to do.

Martha goes up the castle steps.

INT. CASTLE

The inside is in darkness. Martha looks around, and then makes straight for a curtain at the other side of the room. She pulls it off, revealing a hand-recognition lock. She enters a code and places her hand to it. The German woman approaches her slowly.

GERMAN WOMAN
London. In those days, to see it. So much glamour. I was so young.
(no answer)
I heard the soldiers talking, many times.
(trying to provoke a reaction)
They would speak of the Osterhagen Key. I think London must be changed now, yes? But still, the glamour...

Martha opens the door activated by the hand-lock but turns upon a click from behind her. The German woman is pointing a gun at her.

GERMAN WOMAN (CONT'D)
(determinedly)
You will not go.

MARTHA
(seems to be more terrified of what she is about to do than the gun)
I've got no choice.

GERMAN WOMAN
I know the Key.
(whispers)
What it does.
(close to tears, now)
Sie sind der Albtraum. Nicht die anderen, Sie. Ich sollte Sie umbringen, am besten gleich jetzt!

MARTHA
(nods, quietly)
Then do it.

The woman trembles, then falters. She can't. Martha steps into the lift behind the door.

GERMAN WOMAN
Martha... zur Hoelle mit Dir!

MARTHA
(closes doors)
I know.

INT. CRUCIBLE, INCINERATION CHAMBER

DALEK #1
Commence disposal. Incinerate!

The Daleks have placed Jack's body into what looks like a circular drawer, which they close.

DALEK #2
Disposal completed.

The Daleks leave. After a moment, Jack forces his way out of the red hot compartment, steaming, coughing, but very much alive.

INT. OSTERHAGEN STATION ONE

The steel door opens from the top and bottom. Martha enters, and it closes behind her. She's in a small, dark room full of control panels and flashing lights. She sits in front of the terminal, Osterhagen Key in hand. She presses a button.

MARTHA
This is Osterhagen Station One. My name is Martha Jones. Is there anyone there? Over.

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

Dalek ships fly towards the Crucible, tiny against it.

DALEK
(voice-over)
Prisoners now onboard the Crucible. They will be taken for testing.

INT. CRUCIBLE, CORRIDOR

The prisoners are being herded along, hands behind their head, Sarah Jane, Mickey and Jackie amongst them.

SARAH JANE
One step closer to the Doctor.

The three of them cast furtive looks about them.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

DAVROS
Activate the holding cells.

The holding cells appear like spotlights over the Doctor and Rose, who have been placed standing a few feet from one another.

DAVROS (CONT'D)
(rolling towards the Doctor)
Excellent. Even when powerless, a Time Lord is best contained.

THE DOCTOR
Still scared of me, then?

He touches the edge of the holding cell with the palm of his hand - obviously, he cannot get through and it ripples with blue light. Rose does the same.

DAVROS
It is time we talked, Doctor, after so very long--

THE DOCTOR
(impatiently)
No, no, no, no, no. We're not doing the nostalgia tour. I want to know what's happening right here, right now, 'cos the Supreme Dalek said 'vault', yeah?
(turns, taking in his surroundings)
As in, dungeon. Cellar. Prison.
(knowingly)
You're not in charge of the Daleks, are you? They've got you locked away down here in the basement, like, what, a servant? Slave? Court jester?

DAVROS
(interrupting him)
We have... an arrangement.

THE DOCTOR
(laughs mockingly)
No, no, no, no, no, no, no. I've got the word. You're the Dalek's pet!

DAVROS
(moving away from him, to Rose)
So very full of fire, is he not? And to think, you crossed entire universes, striding parallel to parallel to find him again.

THE DOCTOR
(cold anger)
Leave her alone.

DAVROS
(looking at Rose)
She is mine. To do as I please.

ROSE
Then why am I still alive?

DAVROS
You must be here. It was foretold. Even the Supreme Dalek would not dare to contradict the prophesies of Dalek Caan.

He presses a button on his control panel, throwing light onto Dalek Caan on his platform.

DALEK CAAN
(sing-song)
So cold and dark. Fire is coming... the endless flames...

ROSE
(to the Doctor)
What is that thing?

THE DOCTOR
You've met before. The last of the Cult of Skaro. But it flew into the Time War, unprotected.

DAVROS
Caan did more than that. He saw Time. Its infinite complexity and majesty raging through his mind. And... he saw you. Both of you.

The Doctor and Rose glance at one another.

DALEK CAAN
This I have foreseen in the wild and the wind. The Doctor will be here, as witness, at the end of everything. The Doctor and his precious Children of Time!
(giggles)
And one of them will die...!

THE DOCTOR
(full of barely contained rage)
Was it you, Caan? Did you kill Donna? Why did the TARDIS door close? Tell me!

DAVROS
(delighted)
Oh, that's it! The end, the fire, the rage of a Time Lord who butchered millions. There he is. Why so shy? Show your companion... show her your true self.
(no answer, the Doctor is uneasy. Davros peers at him)
Dalek Caan has promised me that, too.

DALEK CAAN
I have seen it. At the time of ending, the Doctor's soul will be revealed.

THE DOCTOR
What does that mean?

DAVROS
We will discover it together... our final journey. Because the ending approaches. The testing begins.

He turns away.

THE DOCTOR
Testing of what?

DAVROS
(turns back to answer)
The Reality Bomb.

INT. CRUCIBLE, TESTING CHAMBER

The prisoners are herded into a large chamber of metal and stone.

DALEK
Prisoners will stand in the designated area. Move! Move!

This chamber is full of Daleks, in the air and on the ground. A woman falls to her knees, apparently in pain. Jackie helps her.

DALEK (CONT'D)
(rounding on her)
You will stand!

SCARED WOMAN
I can't.

DALEK
You will stand.

Sarah Jane notices a door inset with a small round window, not too far away. She makes a dash for it.

SCARED WOMAN
I can't. Please...

DALEK
On your feet! On your feet!

Mickey watches Sarah Jane as she opens the door with her sonic lipstick.

SARAH JANE
(calling to him as loudly as she dares)
Mickey! Mickey!

MICKEY
(catching Jackie's eye)
Jackie!

Mickey follows Sarah Jane through the door, which leads into a small side chamber of sorts - Jackie, helping the woman to her feet, cannot follow them unnoticed.

INT. CRUCIBLE, SIDE CHAMBER

Sarah Jane and Mickey watch through the window.

DALEK
Prisoners will stand in the designated area.

MICKEY
(shakily)
We can't just leave her.

He makes to open the door. Sarah Jane stops him.

SARAH JANE
Wait!

A Dalek glides just in front of the door.

INT. CRUCIBLE, TESTING CHAMBER

SCARED WOMAN
(frantic, looking to Jackie for answers)
What does it mean? What are they testing? What are they going to do?

Jackie looks upwards at a large, circular green device high above their heads.

JACKIE
I reckon it's that thing there.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK
Testing calibration of Reality Bomb. Firing in ten rels - nine, eight, seven...

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

DAVROS
Behold... the apotheosis of my genius.

He uses his control panel to activate a holographic screen displaying the testing chamber.

SUPREME DALEK
...two, one, zero.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK (CONT'D)
Activate planetary alignment field!

INT. TARDIS

The entire TARDIS shudders. When it steadies, the Doctor looks at the monitor.

THE NEW DOCTOR
It's the planets. The twenty-seven planets.

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

Each of the planets is bathed in a white glow.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

THE DOCTOR
(watching the screen)
But that's Z-Neutrino Energy. Flattened by the alignment of the planets into a single stream. No.
(turns to Davros in a blind panic)
Davros. Davros, you can't! You CAN'T! NO!

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor watches the monitor, resting his chin on his hand, trying to work this out...

THE NEW DOCTOR
Single-stream Z-Neutrinos compressed into...
(falters as he realises)
No. No way...

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

The glow emanating from the planets brightens.

INT. CRUCIBLE, SIDE CHAMBER

Sarah Jane and Mickey watch the proceedings in the testing chamber through the small window.

INT. CRUCIBLE, TESTING CHAMBER

The prisoners, still with their hands behind their heads, watch as the Reality Bomb above them brightens.

INT. CRUCIBLE, SIDE CHAMBER

Sarah Jane watches, breathing heavily, whilst Mickey paces up and down. He stops when he hears a beeping.

MICKEY
Thirty minutes... it's recharged!

He runs to the window, mouthing at Jackie, gesturing frantically to the Dimension Jump.

INT. CRUCIBLE, TESTING CHAMBER

Jackie watches Mickey.

MICKEY (CONT'D)
(barely audible)
It's recharged! It's recharged! Use it!

Jackie takes the Dimension Jump from her pocket and looks at the woman standing next to her.

JACKIE
(whispers)
I'm so sorry.

She presses the button and disappears, much to the surprise of the woman.

INT. CRUCIBLE, SIDE CHAMBER

Mickey and Jackie hug tightly.

INT. CRUCIBLE, TESTING CHAMBER

The light intensity of the Reality Bomb increases. Jackie, Mickey and Sarah Jane watch in revulsion as the prisoners are dissolved into atoms from head to toe - reminiscent of how the atoms of the Daleks were divided in 1x13 "The Parting of the Ways".

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

The light around the planets dissipates.

INT. CRUCIBLE, CORRIDOR

DALEK
Test completed.

INT. TARDIS

DONNA
What is it? Doctor? What did it do?

The Doctor has no words - he merely stares at the monitor in shock.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

ROSE
(shaken)
Doctor, what happened?

DAVROS
Electrical energy, Miss Tyler.

The Doctor stares at him, still not quite able to believe it, breathing heavily.

DAVROS (CONT'D)
Every atom in existence is bound by an electrical field. The Reality Bomb cancels it out - structure falls apart. That test was focused on the prisoners alone. Full transmission will dissolve every form of matter.

ROSE
The stars are going out...

THE DOCTOR
The twenty-seven planets... they become one vast transmitter. Blasting that wavelength...

DAVROS
Across the entire universe. Never stopping. Never faltering. Never fading. People and planets and stars will become dust. And the dust will become atoms and the atoms will become... nothing. And the wavelength will continue, breaking through the Rift at the heart of the Medusa Cascade into every dimension, every parallel, every single corner of creation.
(his voice takes on an almost hysterical quality)
This is my ultimate victory, Doctor! The destruction of reality itself!

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK
Prepare for universal detonation! The fleet will gather at the Crucible!
(Daleks file in)
All Daleks will return to shelter from the cataclysm!

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

The Dalek ships zoom away from the Earth.

SUPREME DALEK
We will become the only life-forms in existence!

EXT. STREET, OUTSIDE NOBLES' HOUSE

Sylvia runs from the house with sheer delight, looking up at the sky.

SYLVIA
Look, they're leaving! Dad, they're going! The Daleks are going!

WILFRED
Going where, though? And Donna's still out there.

The smile fades from Sylvia's face.

WILFRED (CONT'D)
It's not over yet, sweetheart.

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

The Dalek ships make their way towards the Crucible.

INT. CRUCIBLE, SIDE CHAMBER

As Jackie, Mickey and Sarah Jane are peering through the window, Jack tumbles out of an air vent, making them all spin around.

JACK
(looking at them)
Just my luck. I climb through two miles of ventilation shafts, chasing life signs on this thing -
(gestures wrist device)
...and who do I find? Mickey Mouse!

MICKEY
You can talk, Captain Cheesecake.

They burst out laughing and run into a manly hug.

JACK
Good to see ya!
(looking down at Mickey without letting go)
And that's 'Beefcake'.

MICKEY
And that's enough hugging.

Jack releases Mickey and salutes Sarah Jane.

JACK
We meet at last, Ms Smith.

SARAH JANE
There is something we can do. You've got to understand - I have a son down there on Earth. He's only fourteen years old. I brought this.

From her pocket, she takes what appears to be a diamond necklace - except the diamond shines with unnatural brightness.

SARAH JANE (CONT'D)
It was given to me by a Verron Soothsayer. He said... "this is for the end of days".

She gives it to Jack, who takes it with his mouth slightly open.

JACK
Is that a Warp Star?

Sarah Jane nods.

MICKEY
Gonna tell me what a Warp Star is?

JACK
(not taking his eyes off it)
A warpfold conjugation trapped in a carbonised shell. It's an explosion, Mickey.
(looks at Sarah Jane. In an awed whisper--)
An explosion waiting to happen.

INT. OSTERHAGEN STATION ONE

A screen on the terminal springs into life - China.

CHINESE UNIT SOLDIER
This is Osterhagan Station Five. Are you receiving, Station One?

MARTHA
I've got you. That makes three of us, and three is all we need.

INT. OSTERHAGEN STATION FIVE

CHINESE UNIT SOLDIER
My name is Anna Zhou. What's yours?

INT. OSTERHAGEN STATION ONE

MARTHA
Martha Jones.
(looks at Station Four, Liberia)
What about you, Station Four? You never said.

LIBERIAN UNIT SOLDIER
I don't want my name on this. Given what we're about to do.

Martha looks at the Osterhagen Key in her hand.

CHINESE UNIT SOLDIER
So, what happens now? Do we do it?

MARTHA
(thoughtfully)
No, not yet.

CHINESE UNIT SOLDIER
UNIT instructions say once three Osterhagen Stations are online, we-

MARTHA
Yeah, well I've got a higher authority. Way above UNIT. And there's one more thing the Doctor would do...

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor dashes around the TARDIS, putting together some sort of device.

DONNA
So, what is this thing?

THE NEW DOCTOR
It's our only hope. A Z-Neutrino biological inversion catalyser.

DONNA
Yeah. Earth-girl, remember?

THE NEW DOCTOR
(screwing in parts of the device)
Davros said he built those Daleks out of himself. His genetic code runs through the entire race. If I can use this to lock the Crucible's transmission onto Davros himself...

DONNA
It destroys the Daleks?

THE NEW DOCTOR
Biggest backfire in history.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

DALEK
Incoming transmission. Origin: planet Earth.

SUPREME DALEK
Display.

The holographic screen appears - Martha, in the Osterhagen Station.

MARTHA
This is Martha Jones representing the Unified Intelligence Taskforce on behalf of the Human Race. Can you hear me?

SUPREME DALEK
Send transmission to the Vault. Continue to monitor.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

The holographic screen appears in the Vault.

MARTHA
This message is for the Dalek Crucible. Repeat: can you hear me?

THE DOCTOR
Put me through!

DAVROS
It begins as Dalek Caan foretold.

DALEK CAAN
The Children of Time will gather... and one of them will die!

THE DOCTOR
(exasperated)
Stop saying that! Put me through!

MARTHA
Doctor! I'm sorry. I had to.

DAVROS
Oh! But the Doctor is powerless - my prisoner. State your intent.

INT. OSTERHAGEN STATION ONE

MARTHA
(showing them)
I've got the Osterhagen Key. Leave this planet and its people alone, or I'll use it.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

THE DOCTOR
Osterhagen what? What's an Osterhagen Key?

MARTHA
There's a chain of twenty-five nuclear warheads placed in strategic points beneath the Earth's crust. If I use the key, they detonate and the Earth gets ripped apart.

THE DOCTOR
(appalled)
What? Who invented that?! Well - someone called Osterhagen, I suppose - but Martha, are you insane?!

INT. OSTERHAGEN STATION ONE

MARTHA
(with effort)
The Osterhagen Key is to be used if the suffering of the Human Race is so great, so without hope... that this becomes the final option.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

THE DOCTOR
That's NEVER an option.

INT. OSTERHAGEN STATION ONE

MARTHA
(abruptly)
Don't argue with me, Doctor.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

MARTHA (CONT'D)
'Cos there's more than that. Now, I reckon the Daleks need these twenty-seven planets for something, but what if it becomes twenty-six? What happens then? Daleks? Would you risk it?

ROSE
(impressed)
She's good!

MARTHA
Who's that?

ROSE
My name's Rose. Rose Tyler.

INT. OSTERHAGEN STATION ONE

MARTHA
(quite overcome)
Oh, my God... he found you.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

The Doctor and Rose exchange a look.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

DALEK
Second transmission internal.

SUPREME DALEK
Display.

Another holographic screen appears beside the first, this one displaying Jack holding the Warp Star connected to a bunch of wires, and beside him, Jackie, Mickey and Sarah Jane.

JACK
Captain Jack Harkness calling all Dalek boys and girls! Are you receiving me? Don't send in your goons or I'll set this thing off.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

ROSE
(amazed)
He's still alive! Oh, my God, that's-- that's my mum!

INT. CRUCIBLE, SIDE CHAMBER

THE DOCTOR
And Mickey - Captain, what are you doing?

JACK
I've got a Warp Star wired into the mainframe.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

JACK (CONT'D)
I break the shell... the entire Crucible goes up.

THE DOCTOR
(as if they've all gone completely mad)
You can't! Where did you get a Warp Star?!

INT. CRUCIBLE, SIDE CHAMBER

SARAH JANE
From me. We had no choice, we saw what happened to the prisoners.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

DAVROS
(upon seeing Sarah Jane)
Impossible. That face... after all these years.

INT. CRUCIBLE, SIDE CHAMBER

SARAH JANE
(whispers)
Davros.
(coldly, furious)
That's been quite a while. Sarah Jane Smith. Remember?

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

DAVROS
(positively revelling in this)
Oh, this is meant to be. The Circle of Time is closing. You were there on Skaro at the very beginning of my creation.

INT. CRUCIBLE, SIDE CHAMBER

SARAH JANE
And I've learned how to fight since then. You let the Doctor go or this Warp Star - it gets opened!

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

The Doctor can't look at them. He hates this.

JACK
I'll do it.

INT. CRUCIBLE, SIDE CHAMBER

JACK (CONT'D)
(tweaks the necklace threateningly)
Don't imagine I wouldn't.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

ROSE
(laughs)
Now, that's what I call a ransom.
(she notices the Doctor's face)
Doctor?

DAVROS
And the prophesy unfolds.

DALEK CAAN
The Doctor's soul is revealed!
(cackles)
See him! See the heart of him!

Rose watches the Doctor, unable to comfort him from her holding cell - he's standing there, alone, eyes downcast, burdened with unbearable guilt.

DAVROS
The man who abhors violence, never carrying a gun. But this is the truth, Doctor: you take ordinary people and you fashion THEM into weapons. Behold your Children of Time transformed into murderers. I made the Daleks, Doctor. You made this.

THE DOCTOR
(quietly, and rather ineffectually)
They're trying to help.

DAVROS
Already, I have seen them sacrifice today for their beloved Doctor. The Earth woman who fell opening the subwave network.

THE DOCTOR
Who was that?

ROSE
Harriet Jones.

The Doctor stares at her, stunned.

ROSE (CONT'D)
She gave her life to get you here.

Flashback - Harriet Jones, standing before three Daleks, lowers her ID card.

DAVROS
How many more? Just think. How many have died in your name?

And the Doctor remembers. Jabe, her hands on a lever. The Controller. Lynda, screaming as she is exterminated. Sir Robert outside Torchwood House. Mrs Moore. Mr Skinner's face in the Absorbaloff. Ursula. Bridget. The Face of Bo's eyes closing one last time. Chantho. Astrid in a forklift. Luke, destroying the Sontarans. Jenny, dying in his arms. River, forcing two cables together. The Hostess and Sky flying out of an airlock. The Doctor stands there, barely holding it together, trembling and utterly broken.

DAVROS (CONT'D)
The Doctor... the man who keeps running, never looking back, because he dare not, out of shame. This is my final victory, Doctor. I have shown you... yourself.

And the Doctor doesn't have an answer.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK
Enough. Engage defence zero-five.

INT. OSTERHAGEN STATION ONE

MARTHA
(holding the Osterhagen Key aloft)
It's the Crucible... or the Earth.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

DALEK
Transmat engaged!

INT. OSTERHAGEN STATION ONE

The transmat snatches Martha from the Osterhagen station in a beam of white light.

MARTHA
No!

The Osterhagen Key falls to the floor.

INT. CRUCIBLE, SIDE CHAMBER

The transmat takes Jack, Sarah Jane, Mickey and Jackie - the Warp Star falls to the ground.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

Martha, Jack, Sarah Jane, Mickey and Jackie pick themselves off the floor.

JACK
(helping Martha up)
Martha! I've got you, it's all right--

THE DOCTOR
Don't move! All of you! Stay still!

Jackie and Mickey and Sarah Jane advance. As the Doctor holds his hand out to stop them, it nudges the edge of the holding cell.

DAVROS
Guard them! On your knees, all of you. Surrender!

THE DOCTOR
Do as he says.

The Daleks glide around them - after a moment, they obey, kneeling with their hands behind their heads.

ROSE
(under her breath, to Jackie)
Mum, I told you not to!

JACKIE
Yeah, but I couldn't leave you.

Mickey raises his hands.

DAVROS
The final prophesy is in place. The Doctor and his children all gathered as witnesses. Supreme Dalek... the time has come!
(his voice trembles with what would seem to be excitement)
Now...
(shouts, pointing upwards)
Detonate the Reality Bomb!

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

Fleets of Dalek ships are lined up around the Crucible. A door on the side of the Crucible opens to reveal the Reality Bomb.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK
Activate planetary alignment field!

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

Once again, the planets begin to shimmer and glow.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK (CONT'D)
Universal reality detonation in two-hundred rels!

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

Davros continues to point a shaking finger upwards, a wild, evil grimace on his face.

THE DOCTOR
(desperately)
You can't, Davros! Just listen to me! Just STOP!

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

On the side of the Crucible, the Reality Bomb glows brighter.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

DAVROS
(roaring with laughter)
Nothing can stop the detonation! Nothing! And no-one!

INT. TARDIS

THE NEW DOCTOR
(with the device he's been putting together)
Ready! Maximum power!

He kicks a lever upwards with his foot and pulls another one. The TARDIS tilts sideways.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

To the delight and surprise of everyone, the TARDIS begins to materialise with a familiar grinding of engines and a gentle wind.

THE DOCTOR
(thrown)
But that's...

Dalek Caan giggles. Rose and Martha's mouths are hanging open.

DAVROS
Impossible.

The TARDIS materialises fully, light shining from its windows. The new Doctor steps forth, framed with a blinding backlight.

JACK
(awed and impressed)
Brilliant.

The original Doctor's mouth is hanging open with disbelief. Davros rolls backwards, afraid. The new Doctor runs towards him, the device in-hand.

THE DOCTOR
(in panic)
Don't!

Too late - Davros points at him and electricity flies from his finger and hits the new Doctor in the chest. He falls to the floor, winded but not badly hurt.

DAVROS
Activate holding cell.

A holding cell springs up around the new Doctor.

DONNA
(running from the TARDIS)
Doctor!
(
picks up the device)
I've got it! But I don't know what to do!

Davros sends her flying backwards with the same electricity with which he hit the new Doctor.

THE DOCTOR
Donna!

Davros grins as she falls in a heap at the opposite end of the Vault.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Donna! Are you all right, Donna?!

Rose is absolutely stunned.

DAVROS
Destroy the weapon!

A Dalek fires a death-ray at the device, which explodes.

DAVROS (CONT'D)
I was wrong about your warriors, Doctor. They are pathetic.

ROSE
(to the Doctor)
How comes there're two of you?!

THE DOCTOR
Human biological metacrisis. Never mind that, now we've got no way of stopping the Reality Bomb.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK
Detonation in twenty rels! Nineteen...

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

DAVROS
Stand witness, Time Lord. Stand witness, Humans.
(activates holographic screen displaying the 27 planets. Mockingly--)
Your strategies have failed, your weapons are useless, and... oh - the end of the universe is come.

They watch the screen, breathing heavily in dreadful anticipation, utterly powerless.

SUPREME DALEK
Nine... eight... seven... six...

Slightly breathless, Donna pulls herself upright behind a control panel. Throughout the countdown, the company exchange glances, bracing themselves...

SUPREME DALEK (CONT'D)
Five... four... three... two... one..

The bomb powers down, the screen goes dead. An alarm sounds. Daleks, Humans and the Doctor look around in confusion.

DONNA
(with a confidence we've not heard from her before)
Oh... closing all Z-Neutrino relay loops using an internalised synchronous back-feed reversal loop!
(flicks a switch, easy)
That button there!

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

DALEK #1
System in shutdown!

DALEK #2
Detonation negative.

SUPREME DALEK
Explain! Explain! EXPLAIN!

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

THE DOCTOR
(completely bemused)
Donna, you can't even change a plug!

DONNA
(grinning)
Do you wanna bet, Time Boy?

DAVROS
You will suffer for this.

Donna cocks her head on one side as if she doesn't think so, somehow. She flicks a switch, electrocuting Davros' arm. He shrieks.

DONNA
Oh...! Bioelectric dampening field with a retrogressive arc inversion.

DAVROS
(furiously)
Exterminate her!

DALEK #2
Exterminate! Exterminate!

The Doctor looks fearful but Donna does not seem bothered in the slightest - she merely presses a few buttons, flicks a few switches.

DALEK #2 (CONT'D)
Exterminate! Exterminate!

And the Daleks power down, their blaster-guns twitch uncontrollably.

DALEK #2 (CONT'D)
Weapons non-functional!

DONNA
What? Macrotransmission of a K-filter wavelength blocking Dalek weaponry in a self-replicating energy blindfold matrix?

THE DOCTOR
(amazed)
How did you work that out? You...

THE NEW DOCTOR
Time Lord. Part Time Lord.

DONNA
(loving it)
Part Human! Oh, yes! That was a two-way biological metacrisis.

Flashback - Donna reaches out and touches the hand in a jar. It smashes, engulfing her in orange energy.

DONNA (CONT'D)
Half Doctor... half Donna!

THE DOCTOR
(realising, staring at her)
The Doctor-Donna... just like the Ood said, remember? They saw it coming! The Doctor-Donna.

Donna smiles.

DONNA
(flicking some switches)
Holding cells deactivated.
(the holding cells disappear)
And seal the Vault. Well, don't just stand there, you skinny boys in suits - get to work!

Both Doctors dash to join Donna at the control panel.

DAVROS
Stop them! Get them away from the controls!

The Daleks advance.

DONNA
(flicking a switch)
And... spin.

DALEK
(spinning in circles)
Help me. Help me.

Jack chuckles - all the Daleks are spinning on the spot uncontrollably.

DONNA
And... the other way!

She presses a button, turns a dial - and they spin the other way, their upper and lower halves facing in different directions.

THE NEW DOCTOR
What did you do?

DONNA
Trip-stitch circuit-breaker in the psycho-kinetic threshold manipulator.

THE NEW DOCTOR
(beaming)
But that's brilliant!

THE DOCTOR
(to the new Doctor)
Why did we never think of that?

DONNA
Because you two... were just Time Lords! You dumbos. Lacking that little bit of Human, that gut instinct that goes hand-in-hand with planet Earth. I could think of ideas that you two couldn't dream of in a million years! Ah, the universe has been waiting for me! Now... let's send that trip-stitch all over the ship. Did I ever tell you -
(gestures herself)
Best temp in Chiswick?
(wiggles her fingers in typing motion)
A hundred words per minute!

THE NEW DOCTOR
Ha!

The Daleks are rolling around uncontrollably.

DALEK #1
System malfunction--

DALEK #2
Motor causing interference--

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK
What is happening? Explain!

His Daleks spin around in small circles, screeching.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

Jack darts into the TARDIS.

DONNA
Come on then, boys, we've got twenty-seven planets to send home. Activate magnetron.

DAVROS
Stop it at once!

Jack emerges from the TARDIS with the his and Rose's guns.

JACK
Mickey!

He chucks a gun to Mickey.

DAVROS
You will desist!

MICKEY
(halting Davros, gun pointed in his face)
Just stay where you are, Mr.

JACK
Out of the way!

He kicks a Dalek out of the way, sending it spinning off down a corridor. Rose and Sarah Jane push a Dalek away between them.

SARAH JANE
Good to see you again!

ROSE
Yeah, you too!

The Dalek is sent flying off, babbling to itself - it thuds into the opposite wall. Martha pushes one away, too.

DONNA
(to the Doctors)
Ready? And reverse!

She and the Doctors ease out two rods each on the controls.

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

The planets disappear in flashes of light, one by one.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

THE DOCTOR
Off you go, Clom.

THE NEW DOCTOR
Back home, Adipose Three!

DONNA
(flicking two switches with her hands, one with her foot)
Shallacatop! Pyrovillia! The Lost Moon of Poosh. Topping. Ha!

THE NEW DOCTOR
Ha!

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

The planets continue to disappear.

THE DOCTOR
(voice-over)
We need more power...

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

ROSE
Is anyone gonna tell us what's going on?

DONNA
(gesturing original Doctor)
He poured all his regeneration energy into his spare hand, I touched the hand -
(gestures new Doctor who grins)
- he grew out of that, but that fed back into me. But, it just stayed dormant in my head 'til the synapses got that little extra spark, kicking them into life.

Flashback - Davros points a bolt of electricity at Donna, sending her flying backwards.

DONNA (CONT'D)
(voice-over)
Thank you, Davros!

Flashback - on the floor, Donna raises her head, her eyes swimming with the golden light from the Vortex.

DONNA (CONT'D)
(voice-over)
Part Human... part Time Lord. And I got the best bit of the Doctor.
(the new Doctor raises his eyebrows)
I got his mind.

SARAH JANE
So there's THREE of you?

ROSE
Three Doctors?

JACK
(distractedly)
I can't tell you what I'm thinking right now.

THE DOCTOR
You're so unique that the timelines were converging on you. Human Being with a Time Lord brain.

DAVROS
But you promised me, Dalek Caan. Why did you not forsee this?

Dalek Caan giggles.

THE DOCTOR
Oh, I think he did. Something's been manipulating the timelines for ages... getting Donna Noble to the right place at the right time.

DALEK CAAN
This would always have happened. I only helped, Doctor.

DAVROS
You... betrayed the Daleks?

DALEK CAAN
I SAW the Daleks. What we have done throughout time and space. I saw the truth of us, Creator, and I decreed "no more".

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

SUPREME DALEK
I will descend to the Vault!

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

JACK
Heads up!

The Supreme Dalek descends.

SUPREME DALEK
Davros, you have betrayed us.

DAVROS
It was Dalek Caan!

SUPREME DALEK
The Vault will be purged! You will all be exterminated!

He sends a death ray towards the central column causing sparks to fly.

JACK
Like I was saying, feel this!

He uses his gun to blast the Supreme Dalek in half.

THE DOCTOR
(examining the central column)
Oh, we've lost the magnatron! And there's only one planet left oh -
(laughs at how typical this is)
Guess which one. Look, we can use the TARDIS!

He runs into the TARDIS.

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor rushes to the console, pressing various buttons--

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

THE NEW DOCTOR
(flicking switches)
Holding Earth stability... maintaining atmospheric shell.

DALEK CAAN
The prophesy must complete.

DAVROS
Don't listen to him.

DALEK CAAN
I have seen the end of everything Dalek, and you must make it happen, Doctor.

THE NEW DOCTOR
(caught by his words)
He's right. Because with or without a Reality Bomb, this Dalek Empire's big enough to slaughter the cosmos.
(Donna is uneasy, but the Doctor seems to reach a decision)
They've got to be stopped!

DONNA
(hurriedly)
Just-- just wait for the Doctor.

THE NEW DOCTOR
(he looks at her)
I am the Doctor.
(gets to work)
Maximising Dalekanium power feeds. Blasting them BACK!

The Daleks explode, one by one, screaming.

INT. CRUCIBLE, BRIDGE

The air is thick with exploding, shrieking Daleks.

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor looks up in alarm when he hears the commotion from outside.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

The Doctor steps out of the TARDIS, sees the chaos -

THE DOCTOR
(horrified)
What've you done?!

THE NEW DOCTOR
Fulfilling the prophesy.

EXT. THE MEDUSA CASCADE

The Dalek ships explode into nothingness.

INT. TORCHWOOD HUB

The Dalek just outside the Time Lock explodes, as does the Time Lock itself. Ianto and Gwen shield their faces for a moment.

GWEN
There goes the Time Lock.

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

Everyone inside the Vault is sent flying around - the New Doctor observes with a wild expression in his eyes.

THE DOCTOR
(furiously)
Do you know what you've done? Now, get in the TARDIS!
(the new Doctor does so)
Everyone! All of you inside, run! In, in, in, in, in!

They all run into the TARDIS.

INT. TARDIS

THE NEW DOCTOR
(ushering them in from inside the door)
Sarah Jane! Rose! Jackie! Jack! Mickey!

INT. CRUCIBLE, THE VAULT

The Doctor squints through the fire.

THE DOCTOR
(urgently)
Davros?
(holds out his hand)
Come with me! I promise I can save you!

DAVROS
Never forget, Doctor - YOU did this! I name YOU, forever, YOU are the Destroyer of Worlds!

He screams as he is engulfed by flames.

DALEK CAAN
One will still die.

The Doctor turns back to the TARDIS.

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor runs to the unusually crowded console -

THE DOCTOR
And! Off we go!

He pulls a lever - the TARDIS shudders as it starts and they all fall about, hanging onto the console for support. The new Doctor raises his eyebrows at Sarah Jane and grins - she grins back.

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

The Crucible explodes into atoms - nothing left.

INT. TARDIS

SARAH JANE
But what about the Earth? It's stuck in the wrong part of space!

THE DOCTOR
I'm on it.
(into monitor)
Torchwood Hub, this is the Doctor. Are you receiving me?

INT. TORCHWOOD HUB

GWEN
Loud and clear.

INT. TARDIS

GWEN (CONT'D)
Is Jack there?

THE DOCTOR
(glancing at Jack)
Can't get rid of him.
(to Jack, pointing at Gwen)
Jack, what's her name?

JACK
Gwen Cooper.

THE DOCTOR
Tell me, Gwen Cooper, are you from an old Cardiff family?

INT. TORCHWOOD HUB

Gwen and Ianto glance at one another.

GWEN
(not seeing the relevance)
Yes. All the way back to the eighteen-hundreds.

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor and Rose peer at her in delight.

THE DOCTOR
Mm, thought so!
(to Rose)
Spatial genetic multiplicity...

ROSE
(appreciatively)
Oh, yeah!

THE DOCTOR
Yeah, yeah! It's a funny old world!
(snaps out of it)
Now, Torchwood, I want you to open up that Rift Manipulator - send all the power to me.

IANTO
Doing it now, sir.

MARTHA
What's that for?

THE DOCTOR
It's a tow-rope. Now then, Sarah - what was your son's name?

SARAH JANE
Luke, he's called Luke. And the computer's called Mr Smith.

THE DOCTOR
Calling Luke and Mr Smith!

INT. SARAH JANE'S ATTIC

Luke jumps up from where he had been sitting dejectedly in the attic.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Come on, Luke, shake a leg!

LUKE
Is Mum there?

INT. TARDIS

THE DOCTOR
Oh, she's fine and dandy--

SARAH JANE
(laughing with relief to hear his voice)
Yes! Yes!

THE DOCTOR
Now, Mr Smith, I want you to harness the Rift power and loop it round the TARDIS, you got that?

MR SMITH
I regret I will need remote access to TARDIS basecode numerals.

THE DOCTOR
Oh, blimey. That's gonna take a while.

SARAH JANE
(darting round to the monitor)
No, no, no. Let me! K-9, out you come!

INT. SARAH JANE'S ATTIC

K-9 appears.

K-9
Affirmative, Mistress!

THE DOCTOR
(laughing delightedly)
Oh, good dog!

INT. TARDIS

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
K-9, give Mr Smith the basecode!

INT. SARAH JANE'S ATTIC

K-9
Master. TARDIS basecode now being transferred.

The basecode is displayed on Mr Smith.

INT. TARDIS

K-9 (CONT'D)
The process is simple.

THE DOCTOR
Now then, you lot -
(directs Sarah Jane back to her place)
Sarah - hold that. And Mickey - you hold that. Because, you know why this TARDIS is always rattling about the place? Rose - that, there.
(indicates control)
It was designed to have six pilots and I have to do it single handed. Martha - keep that level. But not anymore! Jack - there you go, steady that. Now we can fly this thing -
(Jackie's next. He hesitates)
No, Jackie. No, no. Not you.
(pats her shoulder)
Don't touch anything, just... stand back. - Like it's meant to be flown! We've got the Torchwood Rift looped around the TARDIS by Mr Smith. We're gonna fly planet Earth back home.
(takes his place at the console)
Right, then! Off we go.

He pulls a lever, and off they go.

EXT. MEDUSA CASCADE

The Earth is quite literally being pulled along by the TARDIS, right out of the Medusa Cascade.

INT. SARAH JANE'S ATTIC

Luke clings to K-9, whooping with delight - the whole place shaking but not too violently.

INT. TORCHWOOD HUB

Gwen and Ianto also hold on tight, cheering, plaster falling from the ceiling.

INT. NOBLES' LIVING ROOM

The light fittings shake, glasses smash - Wilfred and Sylvia hang onto one another.

INT. JONES' HOUSE

Francine takes refuge from the tremor underneath the table, pieces of paper falling all around her.

EXT. SPACE

The TARDIS speeds through space, Earth in tow.

INT. TARDIS

The TARDIS is hardly shaking at all as the Doctor and his friends work as a flawless team. The new Doctor and Donna stroll around the console, watching them work.

THE DOCTOR
(gesturing a button)
Rose.

Jack pumps a lever. Martha grins excitedly. Sarah Jane pushes a lever down slowly.

DONNA
(watching Jack)
That's really good, Jack. I think you're the best.

Jackie giggles. Donna joins the new Doctor and they lean against a support, chuckling.

EXT. SPACE

And finally, the Earth is set in its rightful position beside the Moon. The TARDIS drifts from it.

INT. TARDIS

They all whoop and cheer - everyone hugs everyone - they're absolutely ecstatic. They've done it. Donna wrenches Sarah Jane away from Jack and throws her arms around him.

INT. NOBLES' LIVING ROOM

Sylvia opens the curtains - and screams in delight when the daylight floods in from outside. She and Wilfred throw their arms around one another and jump up and down for joy, cheering.

BBC News 24 proclaims 'Earth Returns Home' - there's fireworks and celebrations all over the world.

EXT. JONES' HOUSE

Francine emerges, gazing up at the blue sky with a huge smile, spinning on the spot.

EXT. PARK

The TARDIS materialises. The Doctor and Sarah Jane emerge, gazing around at the normality of their surroundings - not far away, a church bell rings.

SARAH JANE
You know... you act like such a lonely man. But look at you! You've got the biggest family on Earth!

The Doctor smiles. Sarah Jane holds her arms out to him and he hugs her tightly.

SARAH JANE (CONT'D)
(letting go suddenly and backing away)
Gotta go! He's only fourteen! It's a long story. And thank you!

The Doctor smiles warmly and waves. She waves back and then she's gone, running down the path.

INT. TARDIS

Everyone is milling around the TARDIS.

DONNA
(on her mobile)
Yeah, I'm fine...

JACKIE
(softly, to Mickey)
Are you all right?

MICKEY
I'm gonna miss you. More than anyone.

JACKIE
What do you mean? The Doctor's gonna take us home, isn't he?

MICKEY
But that's the point.

Jackie understands. They hug.

EXT. PARK

THE DOCTOR
(disabling Jack's teleport with his sonic screwdriver)
I TOLD you, no teleport. And Martha, get rid of that Osterhagen thing, eh? Save the world one more time.

MARTHA
(smiles)
Consider it done.

Jack salutes the Doctor, as does Martha. He salutes back. Jack and Martha walk away, hand in hand.

JACK
You know, I'm not sure about UNIT, these days. Maybe there's something else you could be doing...

The Doctor smiles after their retreating backs. Mickey emerges from the TARDIS.

THE DOCTOR
Oi! Where are you going?

MICKEY
Well, I'm not stupid - I can work out what happens next. And hey, I had a good time in that parallel world but my Gran passed away. Nice and peaceful. Spent her last years living in a mansion. There's nothing there for me, now. Certainly not Rose.

THE DOCTOR
What will you do?

MICKEY
Anything! Brand new life. Just you watch.
(they knock fists)
See you, boss.
(winks, then runs to catch up with Jack and Martha)
Hey, you two!

JACK
(sighs in mock exasperation)
Oh... thought I got rid of you.

The Doctor turns back to the TARDIS.

INT. TARDIS

The Doctor goes to the console.

THE DOCTOR
There's time for one last trip.
Dårlig Ulv Stranden.

The new Doctor looks at him.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Better known as...

EXT. BAD WOLF BAY

BAD WOLF BAY

The TARDIS materialises on the sand on a day just like before. Jackie emerges first, followed by the new Doctor and Rose.

JACKIE
(in disgust)
Ugh, fat lot of good this is! Back of beyond, bloody Norway! I'm gonna have to phone your father. He's on the nursery run.

Rose is looking around - what's she doing here again?

JACKIE (CONT'D)
(to the new Doctor)
I was pregnant, do you remember? Had a baby boy!

The Doctor and Donna step outside.

THE NEW DOCTOR
Ah, brilliant! What did you call him?

JACKIE
Doctor.

THE NEW DOCTOR
(not exactly sure what to say to this)
...really?

JACKIE
No, you plum. He's called Tony!

ROSE
Hold on, this is the parallel universe, right?

THE DOCTOR
You're back home.

DONNA
And the walls of the world are closing again... now that the Reality Bomb never happened. It's dimension retroclosure.
(the new Doctor smiles)
See, I really get that stuff now.

ROSE
(completely bewildered, close to tears)
No, but I spent all that time trying to find you, I'm not going back now!

THE DOCTOR
(stepping towards her)
But you've got to. Because we saved the universe, but at a cost. And the cost is him.
(looks at the new Doctor)
He destroyed the Daleks. He committed genocide. He's too dangerous to be left on his own.

THE NEW DOCTOR
(confused and a little angry)
You made me!

THE DOCTOR
Exactly, you were born in battle - full of blood and anger and revenge.
(to Rose)
Remind you of someone?

Rose knows who he means, but she won't say it.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
That's me. When we first met.
(Rose looks at him with tears in her eyes)
And you made me better. And now you can do the same for him.

ROSE
(quiet, tearful frustration)
But he's not you.

THE DOCTOR
He needs you. That's very me.

DONNA
But it's better than that, though. Don't you see what he's trying to give you?
(to the new Doctor)
Tell her, go on.

Rose turns to face the new Doctor.

THE NEW DOCTOR
I look like him and I think like him... same memories, same thoughts, same everything. Except, I've only got one heart.

ROSE
Which means?

THE NEW DOCTOR
I'm part Human. Specifically the aging part. I'll grow old and never regenerate. I've only got one life... Rose Tyler.
(a pause, a lingering look between them)
I could spend it with you. If you want.

ROSE
(uncertainly)
You'll grow-- grow old at the same time as me?

THE NEW DOCTOR
Together.

Rose puts a hand to his chest, feeling his one heart beating. The Doctor and Donna watch with small smiles. A grinding sound from the TARDIS makes them all look around.

THE DOCTOR
We've gotta go. This reality's sealing itself off.

A tear rolls down Rose's cheek.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Forever.

He and Donna turn back to the TARDIS. Rose goes after them.

ROSE
But it's still not right.

They turn back. Rose looks at him.

ROSE (CONT'D)
(quietly exasperated)
Because... the Doctor's... still you.

THE DOCTOR
(nods towards the new Doctor)
And I'm him.

ROSE
All right. Both of you, answer me this.

One Doctor stands on either side of her, identical expressions, identical positions, identical hands in their pockets.

ROSE (CONT'D)
When I last stood on this beach on the worst day of my life... what was the last thing you said to me?
(she's looking at the original Doctor)
Go on, say it.

THE DOCTOR
I said, "Rose Tyler".

ROSE
(looking at him expectantly)
Yeah, and how was that sentence going to end?

THE DOCTOR
(as if he's in enough pain already)
Does it need saying?

Rose looks at him for a moment, then turns to the new Doctor.

ROSE
And you, Doctor? What was the end of that sentence?

He puts his hand on her arm and leans down, whispering something intimately into her ear. When he pulls away, we know what he must have said, for Rose pulls him towards her by the lapels of his suit and kisses him on the lips. The Doctor swallows and turns away. Rose wraps her arms around the new Doctor and he does the same to her, returning the kiss. When the door of the TARDIS closes, Rose spins around with a small gasp. She runs towards it but it's already dematerialising and she can only watch it fade away. The Doctor goes to her and slips his hand into hers. They look at one another.

INT. TARDIS

Donna adjusts the monitor, pottering around the controls. The Doctor is leaning against a support, that awful sorrow back in his eyes.

DONNA
(conversationally)
I thought we could try the planet Felspoon... just 'cos. What a good name, 'Felspoon'. Apparently it's got mountains that sway in the breeze. Mountains that move. Can you imagine?

She twists a knob unnecessarily.

THE DOCTOR
(quietly)
And how do you know that?

DONNA
Because it's in your head! And if it's in your head, it's in mine.

THE DOCTOR
And how does that feel?

DONNA
Brilliant! Fantastic! Molto bene! Great bit of universe packed into my brain. You know you could fix that chameleon circuit if you just try and hotbind in the fragment links and superseding the binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary--
(deep breath)
I'm fine!

The Doctor straightens, brow furrowed, but in sadness rather than confusion.

DONNA (CONT'D)
Nah, never-mind Felspoon. You know who I'd like to meet? Charlie Chaplin. I've heard he's great, Charlie Chaplin. Shall we do that? Shall we go and see Charlie Chaplin?
(picks up phone, speaks into it)
Shall we? Charlie Chaplin? Charlie Chester, Charlie Brown. No, he's fiction, friction, fiction, fixen, mixen, rixten, brixton--

She gasps and doubles over as though winded. The Doctor goes to her.

DONNA (CONT'D)
(holding her head)
Oh, my God.

THE DOCTOR
Do you know what's happening?

DONNA
(unwilling to admit it, but there it is)
Yeah.

THE DOCTOR
(low voice)
There's never been a Human-Time Lord metacrisis before now. And you know why.

DONNA
(quietly, eyes moist)
Because there can't be.
(she averts her eyes from his, pretending to be busy with the controls)
I want to stay.

THE DOCTOR
Look at me.
(she won't)
Donna, look at me.

She looks at him with a certain defiance.

DONNA
(shaking)
I was gonna be with you... forever.

THE DOCTOR
(whispers gently)
I know.

DONNA
The rest of my life... travelling... in the TARDIS. The Doctor-Donna.
(after a moment, it dawns on her what this means)
No. Oh, my God...

She's shaking her head, backing away from him, eyes filling with tears. He steps towards her and takes her by the shoulders.

DONNA
I can't go back. Don't make me go back. Doctor... please. Please, don't make me go back.

THE DOCTOR
(looking into her eyes)
Donna. Oh, Donna Noble. I am so, so sorry.

She looks up at him, in a fearful panic, trembling.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
But we had the best of times. The best.

Tears spill down her cheeks.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
(whispers)
Goodbye.

DONNA
(frantic as he places his fingers to her temples and closes his eyes)
No. No, please! Please! No, NO! No!

And images from their adventures flash backwards in quick succession, right back to the moment she appeared in the TARDIS in her wedding dress.

DONNA (CONT'D)
NO!

She falls into his arms, unconscious. He catches her and just holds her for a moment.

INT. NOBLES' HALLWAY

There's a hammering on the door - Wilfred hurries to it.

WILFRED
Oh, that must be her! Donna?

He laughs in relief until he opens the door - the TARDIS is on the other side of the road and the Doctor is sitting on the doorstep with Donna asleep in his arms.

THE DOCTOR
(urgently)
Help me.

WILFRED
(bends down anxiously)
Donna? Donna?

INT. DONNA'S BEDROOM

Donna has been laid down on the bed. The Doctor watches her, his hands in his pockets. A thunderstorm rumbles outside.

INT. NOBLES' SITTING ROOM

THE DOCTOR
She took my mind into her own head. But that's a Time Lord consciousness.

He is sitting on the sofa, explaining to Sylvia and Wilfred what has happened.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
All that knowledge - it was killing her.

WILFRED
But she'll get better, now?

THE DOCTOR
I had to wipe her mind, completely. Every trace of me or the TARDIS... everything we did together, anywhere we went... had to go.

WILFRED
All those wonderful things she did.

THE DOCTOR
(quietly, so sorry)
I know. But that version of Donna is dead.
(leans forward for emphasis)
Because if she remembers, just for a second, she'll burn up. You can never tell her.
(rumble of thunder)
You can't mention me, or any of it... for the rest of her life.

SYLVIA
But the whole world's talking about it. We travelled across space!

THE DOCTOR
It'll just be a story. One of those Donna Noble stories, where she missed it all again.

WILFRED
(upset)
But she was better with you.

SYLVIA
Don't say that--

WILFRED
(angrily)
No, she was.

Sylvia is silenced.

THE DOCTOR
I just want you to know that there are worlds out there, safe in the sky, because of her. That there are people living in the light, singing songs of Donna Noble, a thousand million light-years away... they will never forget her. While she can never remember.

Wilfred's eyes are shining with tears.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
(voice slightly hollow)
And for one moment... one shining moment... she was the most important woman in the whole wide universe.

SYLVIA
(shortly)
She still is. She's my daughter.

THE DOCTOR
(abruptly)
Then maybe you should tell her that once in a while.

Footsteps coming down the stairs - Donna bursts in, absolutely oblivious, breaking the moment.

DONNA
(holding her phone)
I was asleep, ON my bed, IN my clothes, like a flippin' kid! What did you let me do that for?!
(glances briefly at the Doctor)
Don't mind me. Donna.

THE DOCTOR
(standing, holding his hand out)
John Smith.

Donna shakes his hand.

SYLVIA
Mr Smith was just leaving.

DONNA
My phone's gone mad! Thirty-two texts, Veena's gone barmy, she's saying planets in the sky - WHAT have I missed now?
(vaguely, to the Doctor as she leaves)
Nice to meet you.

The Doctor tries and fails to smile.

SYLVIA
(coldly)
Like I said: I think you should go.

INT. NOBLES' KITCHEN

Donna is on her phone, putting a jug of orange juice back in the fridge.

DONNA
How thick do you think I am? Planets?! I'll tell you what that was, dumbo - that's those two-for-one lagers you get down the offy 'cos you fancy that little man in there with the goatee. Haha! Yes, you do!

The Doctor appears in the doorway.

DONNA (CONT'D)
I've SEEN ya!

THE DOCTOR
Donna? I was just going.

DONNA
(carelessly because it doesn't make any difference to her, now)
Yeah. See ya.

Knowing that he won't get a more satisfactory goodbye, the Doctor leaves, glancing back at her from the door with a heavy heart.

DONNA (CONT'D)
(back on the phone)
I'll tell you what, though, you're wasting your time with that one, because Suzie Mayor, she went on that dating site and she saw him! No, no, no-- no, listen, this is important... Suzie Mayor wouldn't lie... not unless it was about calories! Haha!

EXT. NOBLES' HOUSE

It's dark and tipping with rain, the thunder still rumbling depressingly in background. The Doctor goes to the door, accompanied by Wilfred.

THE DOCTOR
(observing the weather)
Ah... you'll have quite a bit of this. Atmospheric disturbance. Still, it'll pass.
(almost to himself)
Everything does.

Wilfred watches him a little anxiously. The Doctor turns and shakes his hand.

THE DOCTOR (CONT'D)
Bye then, Wilfred.

Wilfred nods. The Doctor steps out into to the rain.

WILFRED
Oh, Doctor...
(the Doctor turns back)
What about you, now? Who've you got? I mean, all those friends of yours...?

THE DOCTOR
They've all got someone else. Still, that's fine. I'm fine.

WILFRED
I'll watch out for you, sir.

THE DOCTOR
(as though he cannot stress this point enough)
You can't ever tell her.

WILFRED
No, no, no. But every night, Doctor... when it gets dark... and the stars come out... I'll look up. On her behalf. I'll look up at the sky and think of you.

His voice breaks a little. The Doctor stands there, in the rain.

THE DOCTOR
Thank you.

He goes back to the TARDIS. Wilfred salutes it as it dematerialises. When it's gone, he closes the door.

INT. TARDIS

The rota rises and falls gently. Besides this, the TARDIS is silent - the Doctor stands there, soaked, alone, and so, so tired. He takes off his sodden jacket. He looks up at the rota for a moment, his hands in his pockets. Then he walks slowly around the console, looking rather small in this huge machine, adjusting a few controls half-heartedly, his energy gone. Then he stops and leans on the console, his eyes full of a terrible loneliness.

CLOSING CREDITS

Doctor Who, 4x13 "Journey's End" (2024)
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