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The Doctor stood at the console, looking up at the Time Rotor. Ruby stood closer to the doors.
“I don’t think I will ever get used to this.” Ruby marvelled, looking around the gargantuan console room.
“Believe me, you will.” The Doctor beamed, turning to look at her. The console made a noise, and a small lamp lit up. “Oh, that’s new.” The Doctor smiled, bouncing over to the small screen that reached out from the neck of the console. “Oh, Ruby!” He called, a massive grin on his face. He reached over and pressed a couple of buttons. The roundels flashed from white to red and green, illuminating the room in festive colours. “How would you feel about a second Christmas?” He offered.
The Doctor turned away from the console, looking over to Rose.
“Rose, I don’t think he’d want to show up.” He admitted.
“Come on, Uncle.” Rose argued. “You have to at least invite him.” She debated.
“And I have.” The Doctor defended. “But when he doesn’t show up, I won’t rub it in your face.” He smirked. The sound of wheezing and groaning outside caused the Doctor to sigh. “Okay, you were right.” He admitted, raising his hands in defeat. Rose smiled, before running out of the TARDIS. The sun hit her face, and she looked over at an exact replica of the TARDIS. It was identical to the one she had been in just a few seconds earlier. The base was embedded in the snow, the dark-blue forming a striking difference. The door opened, making it even more identical. A man with dark skin and a striped sweater stuck his head out.
“Rose!” The man grinned, stepping out and metaphorically smelling the flowers. “Oh, it is so good to see you again, come here!” He called, leaving footprints in the off-white snow, and threw his arms around Rose in a tight hug. Rose was more confused by the man. The Doctor stepped outside of his TARDIS, closing the door behind him.
“Hello again!” The Doctor called, placing his hands in his pants pocket.
“And who’s this, then?” A woman, older but shorter, than Rose with blonde hair in red and black asked.
“This, is Rose.” The man introduced, releasing Rose from his grasp. “Ruby, this is Rose. Rose, this is Ruby.” Different reds, he thought to himself.
“Hiya.” Ruby greeted, waving.
“Hello, Doctor.” The Doctor smiled.
“Hello, Doctor!” The man grinned, bounding over to Rose’s Doctor, and hugging him tightly. “So sorry we are late, Ruby and I had to stop off and pick some stuff up from good old Nick.”
“Good old Saint Nick!” The Doctor grinned.
“Wait, you’re both the Doctor?” Rose wondered.
“Yeah, I’m wondering how that works too.” Ruby admitted, extremely confused. She’d only met the Doctor a few days ago, and he was still very much a mystery to her.
“Right, yes.” Rose’s Doctor began. “That is a very long story, and hard to explain.”
“Yeah, still wondering what happened there.” Ruby’s Doctor muttered to himself. Ruby wasn’t following any of this, and was more focused on how there were two TARDISes in the same place at the same time. Unless one was a real Police Box. “So now, I’m running around,”
“While I’m having a relaxing time here.” Rose’s Doctor finished. “Well, as relaxing as time with Donna can be.”
“Oi!” Came a familiar voice from the house. “You may have a place in the country, but you still park that thing round my back sometimes!” A short, fire-haired woman with a green jacket appeared in the kitchen at the back of the house.
“Oh, Donna!” Ruby’s Doctor smiled, his teeth almost sparkling under the gloom of clouds.
“Come on, you. Get over here and help me bring this lot in.” Donna sighed. Ruby’s Doctor bounded over to Donna, accepting her request for help.
“Sorry, I’ll seem really thick to you, but,” Ruby began, trailing off.
“The year is 2023.” Rose’s Doctor answered Ruby’s unspoken question. “Specifically, December 20th, if I’m not mistaken.”
“You aren’t.” Rose confirmed.
“Actually, I think it’s been about a month since he broke off.” Rose’s Doctor pondered. “We should do something to celebrate.”
“Christmas first, then celebration.” Rose interrupted. “Come on, let’s get inside before it gets colder.”
Inside, Sylvia was staring at the turkey in the oven. She was Donna’s mother, and the yellowish light made the turkey look more cooked than it was. The door to the back garden slid open, and a man in a grey sweater and blue pants bounded past.
“Well, who’s he?” Sylvia wondered, looking up at Donna.
“That, Mum, is the Doctor.” Donna explained.
“I thought the Doctor was skinny, with nice hair, and,” Sylvia began.
“Well, this one’s grown out of our lad.” Donna added. “And we are very supportive of him.”
“Yes, dear.” Sylvia smiled. She didn’t always understand, but was always supportive.
“Dear, come help me get Wilf out of the car!” Shaun called from outside.
“Coming!” Donna shouted. The Doctor had frozen in the living room, staring at the TV. It was a large flat-screen, on top of a glass unit. “What? Did you find something you want for,” Donna began, before doubling back to look at the TV. “You have got to be kidding me.” Donna sighed, as she looked right at the plushie that was being advertised. It was of a small, furry, white creature with big fleshy ears and even bigger black eyes. “I am going to kick its arse!” She shouted. The commotion had drawn Rose’s Doctor into the living room, bringing with him Ruby and Rose. Rose froze as soon as she saw the commercial.
“I thought it was taken away.” Rose gasped. “Atoning in prison for ten thousand years, they said.”
“I’m sorry, am I being really stupid, but what’s going on?” Ruby wondered, not recognising the creature at all.
“Some idiot has gone and made a plushie of Beep the Meep.” Donna explained.
“I’m sorry, someone fill me in?” Ruby wondered. The pair were back in her Doctor’s TARDIS, and her Doctor was busy at the controls.
“The Meep. War criminal,” Her Doctor began, sliding a control up.
“Tried to kill London to get back home.” Rose’s Doctor added, as he pressed on some buttons. He was on the other side of the console to Ruby’s Doctor.
“I am going to kick its arse.” Donna grumbled, standing in the doorway. She closed the door behind her. “Right. Wrarth prison. Now.” She ordered, anger strong in her voice.
“You have figured out how to fly this thing, right?” Rose’s Doctor wondered. Ruby’s Doctor simply grinned his cheshire grin and threw back on a lever. The Time Rotor began to rise and fall as the TARDIS dematerialised, throwing green light around the opalescent red petals within the tall glass cylinder.
“There we are! En route to the Wrath Galaxy now.” Ruby’s Doctor informed.
“Hang on, all of London?” Ruby wondered. She wasn’t sure how she would’ve missed that.
“It is a fluffy maniac.” Donna recounted. “So of course, what does it do? Sets up shop, in my shed. Then, mind-controls soldiers and they wrecked my house!” Rose’s Doctor winced at this. “So. When we get to that prison, and they say it’s escaped, there will be arse kicking, let me tell you!” Donna shouted. The two Doctors glanced at each other, contemplating not telling Donna when they landed. But with a thud, they did. Donna stepped outside, followed by Ruby’s Doctor. Rose’s Doctor stopped her with a hand.
“Maybe it would be best to just let Donna get on her thing.” Rose’s Doctor admitted. “So, at the risk of fracturing the timelines, how is he?” He asked.
“The Doctor? I don’t even really know him.” Ruby admitted.
“Right. Yes, that’s fair. I don’t really know him either.” Rose’s Doctor accepted. “But do me a favour, Ruby. Keep an eye on him, eh? For me?” Rose’s Doctor asked. Ruby nodded in acceptance. “Still, I suppose it’s nice to meet you.” He frowned. “Is this me meeting you? Or was him meeting you me meeting you?” He pondered, partially to himself. Ruby smiled and nodded, as if she was meant to make sense of what he was saying. “You know, this conversation has led to a lot more thoughts than I thought it would.”
“So, who are you anyway? I mean, you call yourself Doctor, are you my Doctor’s elder?” Ruby wondered, still confused.
“Didn’t we explain it earlier?” Rose’s Doctor asked. Ruby’s expression showed that he had neglected to. “Right, so this is probably going to sound a bit complicated, but,” Donna threw the doors open, interrupting Rose’s Doctor.
“It’s. Still. Here.” Donna growled.
“What?” Rose’s Doctor questioned.
“Prison officer said that the Meep has hasn’t so much as squeaked since they arrived here last week.” Donna explained.
“Footage confirmed it.” Ruby’s Doctor added, entering the TARDIS. “The Meep is still imprisoned.” He snapped his fingers, and the doors closed by themselves. Ruby’s Doctor walked over to the console, and began setting coordinates. “So, we are going to look into whoever approved those plushies.” Ruby’s Doctor explained, dematerialising.
“No, he’s meant to be relaxing.” Donna debated.
“He’s not going to do much.” Ruby’s Doctor interjected.
“Yeah, all it’ll be is talking to a CEO who’s just had the wrong idea in his head.” Rose’s Doctor defended. “And believe me, that’ll be all that I do.”
“Alright, but if there’s any arse-kicking, I’ll do it.” Donna argued.
“Deal.” Ruby’s Doctor agreed, setting the TARDIS in motion for the headquarters of whoever was making the Meep plushies.
The toy factory was busy, stuffing filling the floppy skins of the Meeps under the watchful eye of Mr Drake Ryder. He wore a light suit and stared blankly at the large set of machines through the glass wall of his office. He didn’t even seem to care when a large, blue box materialised down the hall from his office with a loud wheeze and groan. The door opened, and both Doctors, Ruby, and Donna stepped outside.
“Alright, Donna, you and I are going to go talk to whoever’s in charge here.” Rose’s Doctor delegated. “Ruby, you and other me take a look on the floor, see what you can find.” He requested, before leading Donna into the office they were near. Ruby and Her Doctor began to make their way down to the assembly floor.
“Excuse me!” Rose’s Doctor greeted, a wide grin on his face. “Health and Safety, sorry to interrupt.” No reaction from the man in the suit. Something seemed wrong with his eyes. “Excuse me, are you alright?" Rose’s Doctor wondered. The man in the suit didn’t respond.
“Oi!” Donna snapped. “He is talking to you!” She shouted. No response. Rose’s Doctor took a closer look at the man’s eyes, and had a faint moment of recognition. He pulled his Sonic Screwdriver from his pants, and buzzed the man’s eyes with it. Immediately, the door slammed closed, The Doctor and Donna’s heads snapping to watch as the door locked shut. The pair of them looked back to see the man’s eyes glowing with psychedelic lights.
“Oh, not again.” Donna groaned.
“So, back up.” Ruby requested. Her and her Doctor had made their way to plain concrete floor of the factory. A large conveyor belt took the toys from one end of the room, stuffed them, slammed the little plastic eyes on with concerning force, before stitching them up and putting them into a large bin. “You know this Meep thing?”
“Oh, Ruby, I most certainly do.” Her Doctor confirmed. “The Meep and I, we’ve met,” He paused to count. “About three or four times by now.” He paused, whirling back to face Ruby. “Y’know, we’ve met a lot more than I’d thought we had.” He glanced up to the room where they’d landed. “And I think we may be about to meet again.” He admitted. “Still, there’s almost always one or two loose ends to wrap up.” Then, the pair of them heard something skitter.
“Doctor?” Ruby asked, almost not wanting to ask her question. “What was that?”
“I don’t know.” Her Doctor confessed. “But I think we should stop this line.” He explained, pulling his Sonic Screwdriver from a pocket. When he aimed it at the conveyor belt, however, he was swiftly knocked to the ground, covered by little white fuzzballs. The screwdriver skittered across the grey concrete floor, coming to a stop underneath a table.
“Doctor!” Ruby shouted, running over and kicking one off him. It clattered against the ground, and Ruby felt a sting grow in her foot. The fuzzballs stopped, before two launched against Ruby, pushing her back.
“Must be an advanced model!” The Doctor exclaimed as he grappled one that was trying to latch onto his face. “Our friend up there must have made them guards!” Ruby hopped around, trying to shake one off her leg.
“Well, whatever they are, I want them off!” Ruby yelled.
“Ruby, the sonic!” The Doctor called, having seen it clatter to a stop under a table. “Kick it over here!”
“The what?” Ruby asked.
“The blue thing under that table!” The Doctor explained. Ruby could just see it, and ran over to grab it. Unfortunately, she toppled over. She raised her arms to break her fall, and looked down to see that the tiny white things had tied her shoelaces together. When she got a better look at them, she could see an easy similarity between the things and the plushies that were being assembled. Ruby reached up to grab the Sonic and threw it back to the Doctor, who caught it in an outstretched hand. He pressed down on a small button, and it buzzed, before one of the creatures sparked and died away. Another tried to get closer, to hold down the arm so it couldn’t aim, but Ruby writhed her way over to the Doctor, crawling on her arms. She reached out and yanked the fuzzball off the Doctor’s arm. He aimed it at his leg and buzzed it. The creature holding it sparked, and died away. The Doctor laughed as he buzzed each and every one that was holding him down, and then the ones on Ruby. “Gotta love the Sonic.” He grinned, before whirling around and aiming it at the conveyor belt. “Tell me, Ruby.” He requested. “Fast or slow?” He wondered, looking back at Ruby.
“Erm, faster?” Ruby chose, after a moment of hesitation.
“I like your style, Ruby!” The Doctor exclaimed, before buzzing the conveyor belt. It sped up, slowly at first, the stuffing only slightly off. Then it sped up, the stuffing being placed between the skins, then misplaced on the skin behind. And then between. It got faster and faster until the converyor belt broke, the motors overheating and catching fire. Before long, the entire system sparked, the skins catching fire and burning. The smell of acrid smoke began to fill the warehouse. “And there we go! These toys should burn. Nobody will ever get a plushie of the Meep.” The Doctor smiled.
“Um, Doctor?” Ruby began. The Doctor turned around, still smiling. “We’re in the warehouse.”
“Right.” The Doctor realised. “Okay, we should probably get moving before this whole place catches fire.” He admitted, grabbing Ruby by the hand and taking her with him as he ran back up the stairs, and into the TARDIS.
By now, Donna and the Doctor had noticed the slowly growing fire on the warehouse floor. The Doctor continued to try and buzz the door open with his Sonic Screwdriver.
“Nothing?” Donna asked.
“Deadlocked.” The Doctor realised. “Can’t sonic it open. Deadlock and wood, the perfect anti-sonic combination.” He groaned.
“Right, that’s it.” Donna stated, before picking up the man’s chair and hurling it through the glass wall. Shards of glass rained down onto the empty floor. “There. You feel like a jump?” She wondered.
“Donna, that is at least a twelve-foot drop onto solid concrete. Do you feel like breaking your legs?” The Doctor wondered.
“Well, at least I’m doing something!” Donna snapped.
“The Meep’s army shall rise.” The man spoke, his eyes swirling.
“The what?” Donna wondered.
“Of course.” The Doctor realised as the flames spread across the floor. “Solar Psychedelia. Which means there must be,” He continued, trailing off. “Donna, look for anything that could transmit. Anything not human technology.” He requested, starting to bolt around the room to try and find what he was looking for. Donna joined him.
“Talking to a CEO, my arse.” Donna grumbled, throwing books off shelves for a few minutes before finding something. It was coloured a brassy gold, and had a weird shape to it. “This it?” Donna wondered.
“Donna, that’s a production award.” The Doctor stated, elbow-deep in a filing cabinet.
“You sure? It looks pretty alien to me.” Donna argued.
“Actually, that would be the perfect cover.” The Doctor realised. “Chuck it!” He shouted.
“Where?!” Donna snapped.
“Into the fire!” Donna threw the award out of the window. It sailed down towards the flickering flames and clunked against the ground, separating from the base.
“Y’know, I thought it’d be a bit more spectacular.” Donna admitted, looking down.
“What’s happening?” The man wondered. “Where am I?” he asked.
“See? Told you it was alien.” Donna gloated.
“Donna, not now.” The Doctor chastised. “Okay, good news and bad news. Good news, you’re no longer under the mind control of a sadistic maniac.” He blinked as he felt something he hadn’t in a while. Déjà vu. “Bad news, we’re locked in this office, and the entire building is about to burn to the ground.” He quickly stated, as if speeding past that would somehow resolve the issue.
“But you’ve got the key, so go on, unlock it.” Donna grinned, nodding to the door. What the man said made both Donna’s and the Doctor’s faces drop.
“What key?”
The Doctor and Ruby had returned to the TARDIS. The pair were relaxing around the console, waiting for the other Doctor and Donna to return. The Doctor tapped his foot impatiently.
“Do they usually take this long?” Ruby asked.
“Knowing those two, they’ve probably got into an argument.” The Doctor admitted.
“So, neither of you have explained how you came after him.” Ruby reminded. The Doctor looked at her in confusion.
“I thought he would’ve told you.” The Doctor defended. “While Donna and I were checking the prison,”
“He was, but then you barged in.” Ruby recalled.
“Okay, little refresher,” The Doctor began. “My people, the Time Lords, whenever we’re near death,” Clunk. The Doctor froze, realising that someone or something was hiding below the console. He walked off, making his way down the swirling ramp of the console room, only to find someone standing on the conical support of the console platform, which was pockmarked by the same roundels that marked the walls. “What are you doing down here?” He wondered.
Donna had resorted to banging on the door and shouting for help. The Doctor had Donna’s phone in his hand and was trying to dial the TARDIS. He was about to hit dial, when he heard scratching at the door. The Doctor pushed Donna out of the way, and placed his ear against the door. He heard the lock unlatch, and stood to attention. He watched as the door opened, revealing Rose on the other side.
“What’re you doing here?” The Doctor wondered.
“What are you doing here?!” Donna chastised. “I told you,”
“Donna, for once, don’t argue. Let’s get to the TARDIS.” The Doctor interrupted. “Bring him with you.” Donna grabbed the man and began walking with him under her arm.
“When we get home, you are so grounded.” Donna threatened.
“Well, let’s get home first, shall we?” The Doctor added, grabbing Rose by the hand, not for the first time, and bolting alongside her to get back to the TARDIS. By the time they got back, Ruby’s Doctor was at the console, preparing to dematerialise.
“And off we go!” He grinned, throwing up a lever. “Should be home in time for tea.”
“Maybe after a stop.” Rose interrupted, the man slowly recuperating after his long stint as a puppet for the Meep.
“So, there we are, locked in the office.” Donna recalled, her extended family around the inside table. “And I look down to check on him,” She indicated, nodding towards Ruby’s Doctor. “And he’s only gone and set the whole thing on fire.”
“Hey, that’s not fair!” Ruby’s Doctor energetically interjected, with a mouthful of salad. “I didn’t mean to burn the whole factory down.” Ruby and the others chuckled at this.
“So, you genuinely thought that someone would make a toy out of the Meep?” Mel chuckled. Rose’s Doctor always invited her around for special dinners, and Christmas Dinner was no different. Rose was always eating salad, something her Doctor commended her for. Ruby’s Doctor thought it would make her handy in the event of a Krynoid Invasion. Donna usually took charge of stories where she’d been running around with her Doctor, and all others, Rose’s Doctor took charge. Unless they were with Mel. Rose’s Doctor was generous like that.
“Still, took us at least two hours to get old what’s-his-face back to his old office.” Donna finished.
“His name was Drake Ryder.” Rose’s Doctor added. “And he was actually quite nice. Might need to pick him up for a few trips.” He muttered to himself.
“And you, young lady,” Donna remembered, pointing at Rose. “You are still grounded, remember?”
“Oi, leave her alone.” Wilf groaned from the end of the table. “I mean, she did save your skin. Plus, it’s Christmas.” He added, taking a drink from his mug.
“Granddad,” Donna sighed. “Look, I appreciate what you did, dear.” She conceded. “But you stowed away in that thing, and could’ve gotten in serious trouble. I mean, imagine what would’ve happened if,”
“Mum, I can take care of myself.” Rose debated calmly. “Been to Mars, remember?”
“Against your grounding.” Donna argued.
“Then what if I stayed on Earth?” Rose offered. “I got an email. From Kate.” The entire table went silent, all eyes on Rose.
“Oh, no. Oh no, no, no.” Donna debated. “You are not working for UNIT.”
“What’s UNIT?” Ruby whispered, leaning over to her Doctor.
“Long story, think of a peaceful taskforce, more interested in learning about aliens than killing them.” Ruby’s Doctor whispered in return.
“She said it wouldn’t be field work. She said it would be online stuff.” Rose defended. Donna looked furious, but knew she couldn’t stop Rose from accepting the offer.
“Okay, but not until you are ungrounded.” Donna conceded. The entire table cheered, and the two Doctors raised a glass each.
“To another happy Christmas!” Ruby’s Doctor toasted.
“Cheers!” Rose’s Doctor grinned. “Merry Christmas, everyone!” He shouted, raising his glass high while Slade blasted from the house’s speakers.
Inside the Doctor’s house, underneath the glamorously decorated Christmas tree, lay presents, small and large. The next day, they would be opened. The Doctor had gotten himself socks, just what he’d always wanted. The sun came out, shining a warm light onto the glowing golden star.