Rita walked into the console room, her golden blonde hair curled ever so slightly and let to flow loosely, the Doctor spun around at the sound of footsteps and his mouth dropped before he forced it closed swallowing hard. "Well?" She raised a brow smirking at the shocked look he gave her.

He shook his head slightly and blinked. "You look beautiful." He softly replied taking her hands after walking towards her. "Never really saw you in a black dress before. It suits you."

"You think?" She giggled as he spun her around. 

"Oh yes, it definitely does." He smirked kissing her cheek.

"Well, you don't look so bad yourself, quite handsome." She smoothed his shoulders down as he gently grabbed her waist pulling her closer. "Now I can't help but notice that you don't have your tie on." She raised a brow at him. "Either you have become very lazy, you can't do it properly or you just want me to do it for you."

"All of the above." He chuckled.

"Of course." She rolled her eyes taking the bow-tie resting loosely around his neck and began to tie it up and then fix it for him.

"I never liked this tie." He muttered watching her sort it. "Always gets us into trouble."

"That's just us sweetheart." She chuckled. "I quite like it." She added. "I remember someone somewhere told me that bow ties were cool, can't remember when or where, but that is a bowtie, therefore, you are cool." She kissed his cheek while patting his shoulder. He shook his head chuckling at her as he entwined his fingers with hers while they walked out of the TARDIS together. The pair walked back to the Reception their arms now linked as they quietly watched the people enjoying themselves around them.

"Merry Christmas, sir, ma'am."

"Merry Christmas." The Doctor and Rita smiled at a steward before walking off wondering around. They walked past a man who angrily spoke into his phone. "It's not a holiday for me, not while I've still got my vone. Now, do as I say and sell."

The pair glanced at each other before walking up to the angels from before. "Evening. Passengers fifty-seven and fifty-eight." He gestured to himself and Rita. Terrible memory. Remind me. You would be?"

"Information. Heavenly Host supplying tourist information." It replied.

"Good, so, tell me, because I'm an idiot, where are we from?" The Doctor asked.

"Information. The Titanic is en route from the planet Sto in the Cassavalian Belt. The purpose of the cruise is to experience primitive cultures."

"Titanic." Rita hummed. "Who thought of that name?"

"Information. It was chosen as the most famous vessel of the planet Earth."

"Did anyone happen to know or mention why it is the most famous vessel?" Rita crossed her arms raising a brow.

"Information. All designations are chosen by Mister Max Capricorn, president of Max, Max, Max." The host began to twitch as the pitch of its voice raised. The Doctor went to bring his sonic out however Rita held his arm glancing over at the steward. The Doctor followed her gaze and nodded removing his hand from the inside of his jacket.

"Ooh, bit of a glitch." The Doctor muttered while the steward hurried over to them.

"It's all right, sir, ma'am we can handle this." He reassured them as more officers arrived switching off the Host and carrying it away.

"Software problem, that's all." The steward explained to them. "Leave it with us, sir, ma'am. Merry Christmas." He walked away mumbling. "That's another one down. What's going on with these things?"

"Something tells me that it isn't just a software problem," Rita whispered to the Doctor who hummed in agreement. "I don't know about you but all these people are enjoying themselves and you don't look like you are." He looked into her eyes.

"Who says I'm not?" She asked him seriously. "I'm with you aren't I?" She asked gaining no reply she continued. "Sweetheart I don't care where we are, whether it is in the TARDIS, on a fancy ship or anywhere, if it's with you it's bound to be fun." She kissed his cheek. The Doctor softly smiled placing a lingering kiss on her lips.

They stood around watching before their attention was brought over to the man who they noticed on his phone before bumping into a waitress and spilling the drinks on her tray causing the glasses to smash on the floor. "For Tov's sake, look where you're going." He snapped. "This jacket's a genuine Earth antique."

"I'm sorry, sir." She apologised.

"You'll be sorry when it comes off your wages, sweetheart." He hissed before walking off mumbling. "Staffed by idiots. No wonder Max Capricorn's going down the drain." Rita clenched her fists walking over and crouching down beside the woman helping her.

"Here it's faster if we both do it." Rita smiled picking up pieces of glass. The Doctor crouched down a moment later.

"Careful. There we go."

"Thank you, sir, ma'am. I can manage." She reassured them.

"We never said you couldn't." The Doctor said. "I'm the Doctor and this is my beautiful girlfriend the Stone."

"Flattery will get you nowhere Doctor." Rita rolled her eyes trying to hide the blush on her cheeks.

"Trying doesn't hurt." He winked at her.

"Astrid, sir, ma'am. Astrid Peth." She shook their hands

"Nice to meet you, Astrid Peth." The Doctor smiled.

"Merry Christmas." The Doctor and Rita stood up placing the broken glass on a table.

"Merry Christmas, sir, ma'am."

"Just Doctor, not sir." The Doctor said.

"And just the Stone."

"You both enjoying the cruise?"

"Er, yeah, I suppose." He shrugged. "We don't normally do this kind of thing." He looked at Rita who nodded.

"You suggested it." she laughed at him, "I quite like it though, Doctor?"

"It's interesting..." He nodded then looked as Astrid. "What about you?" The Doctor asked. "Long way from home, Planet Sto."

She sighed. "Doesn't feel that different. I spent three years working at the spaceport diner, travelled all the way here and I'm still waiting on tables."

"No shore leave?"

She shook her head. "We're not allowed. They can't afford the insurance. I just wanted to try it, just once. I used to watch the ships heading out to the stars and I always dreamt of..." She drifted off then shook her head. "It sounds daft."

"You dreamt of another sky. New sun, new air, new life. A whole universe teeming with life. Why stand still when there all that life out there?"

"Reminds me of us." Rita chuckled.

"So, you two travel a lot?" Astrid asked them.

"All the time." Rita smiled.

"Just for fun. Well, that's the plan. Never quite works." The Doctor shrugged.

"Yeah, we get into trouble a lot." Rita shrugged grinning. "It's not so bad, quite enjoyable at times."

"Must be rich, though."

"Haven't got a penny." He said, Astrid blinked at them not believing a word. "Stowaways." The Doctor whispered.

"Kidding." She looked between them.

"He's being deadly serious."

"No." She gasped.

"Oh, yeah." The Doctor grinned nodding his head.

"How did you get on board?" She looked between them.

"Accident." The Doctor then explained. "We've got this, sort of, ship thing. I was just rebuilding her."

"His ship." Rita corrected him earning a slight glare from the Doctor. "I tried to remind you to put the defences back up." Rita then glared at him. "Then we bumped into the Titanic."

"And here we are." The Doctor grinned. "Bit of a party. We thought, why not?"

"I should report the both of you," Astrid told him.

The Doctor and Rita crossed their arms. "Go on then." They dared.

Astrid looked at them for a moment then spoke up. "I'll get you drinks on the house." She smiled then walked off seeing that they knew she wouldn't tell on them.

Rita glanced over and growled seeing a bunch of posh people were laughing at a man and a woman in fancy dress. Rita walked over dragging the Doctor who could sense she was annoyed. The Doctor knew better than anyone that when it came to being rude and mean to others because of their appearance she got very angry.

"Just ignore them." The man said to the woman as Rita walked over to them.

"Something's tickled them." The Doctor hummed looking at the people in fits of laughter.

"They told us it was fancy dress." The woman explained stuffing food into her mouth. "Very funny, I'm sure."

"They're just picking on us because we haven't paid. We won our tickets in a competition." The man added.

"I had to name the five husbands of Joofie Crystalle in By the Light of the Asteroid. Did you ever watch By the Light of the Asteroid?"

"Is that the one with the twins?" The Doctor asked.

The woman nodded. "That's it. Oh, it's marvellous."

"But we're not good enough for that lot." He nodded at the group of people. "They think we should be in steerage."

"Hmm." Rita hummed. "I don't enjoy seeing others being mocked. Doctor, so I don't go overboard literally... could you do me a favour." She smirked.

"Of course." He grinned turning around and discreetly pointing his sonic at the Champaign bottle in the bucket on the table. The cork flew out and sprayed the alcohol on their expensive clothes.

"Did you do that?" The woman looked at the Doctor.

"Maybe he did," Rita smirked

"We like you two." The woman laughed.

The man nodded in agreement. "We do. I'm Morvin Van Hoff. This is my good woman, Foon."

"Foon." The Doctor nodded. "Hello, I'm the Doctor and this is my girlfriend the Stone."

"Are you going to introduce me to everyone as your girlfriend?" Rita chuckled.

"Am I not allowed?" He asked raising a brow.

"Never said I had a problem with it," Rita smirked then coughed lightly a blush growing on her face not thinking before the words exited her mouth, "Anyways."

The two stared at the Time Lords for a moment before Foon shook her head. "Oh, I'm going to need a Doctor, time I've finished with that buffet." Foon laughed. "Have a buffalo wing. They must be enormous, these buffalo. So many wings." She handed the Doctor and Rita one each.

A voice then came through on the speaker. "Attention, please. Shore leave tickets Red Six Seven now activated. Red Six Seven."

"Red Six Seven. That's us. Are you Red Six Seven?

The Doctor looked at Rita who slightly nodded. "Might as well be." He linked arms with her and followed Morvin.

"Come on, then. We're going to Earth."

The Doctor and Rita followed Foon and Morvin and saw Astrid walking over to them holding two drinks. "Doctor I can't help seeing that woman working extremely hard and being treated how she is, can we take her with us down to Earth?"

"You come up with brilliant ideas." He grinned nodding as they walked over to a man in a tweed jacket with a large sign. "Red Six Seven. Red Six Seven. This way, fast as you can."

"I got those drinks." Astrid walked over to them.

"And we got you a treat." The Doctor grinned pulling her away with the arm not around Rita. "Come on."

"Red Six Seven departing shortly." The man announced.

The Doctor flashed his psychic paper. "Red Six Seven" he pointed to himself and Rita. "plus one." They both then pointed to Astrid.

"Quickly, sir, please, and take three teleport bracelets if you would."

"I'll get the sack." Astrid told them.

"Brand new sky." The Doctor mentioned.

"New ground beneath your feet." Rita chuckled. "It's worth it."

"To repeat, I am Mister Copper, the ship's historian, and I shall be taking you to old London town in the country of UK, ruled over by good King Wenceslas." The man in tweed announced. "Now, human beings worship the great god Santa, a creature with fearsome claws, and his wife Mary. And every Christmas Eve, the people of UK go to war with the country of Turkey. They then eat the Turkey people for Christmas dinner like savages." Rita bit her lip holding in a laugh.

"Excuse me." The Doctor spoke up. "Sorry, sorry, but, er, where did you get all this from?"

"Well, I have a first class degree in Earthonomics. Now, stand by."

Thy turned around seeing the small red alien with spikes from earlier run up shouting. "And me! And me! Red Six Seven."

"Well, take a bracelet, please, sir." Rita frowned looking at the Doctor who looked at him and then spoke up.

"But, er, hold on, hold on. What was your name?"

"Bannakaffalatta." He replied.

"Okay, Bannakaffalatta. But it's Christmas Eve down there. Late night shopping, tons of people. He's like a talking conker. No offence, but you'll cause a riot because the streets are going to be packed with shoppers and parties and-" He was cut off as they teleported down to Earth.

"Now, spending money." He handed out cards to them all. "I have a credit card in Earth currency if you want to buy trinkets, or stockings, or the local delicacy, which is known as beef. But don't stray too far, it could be dangerous. Any day now they start boxing."

The Doctor and Rita frowned looking around the street which was practically dead, there was no one except them and those who came down from 'the titanic.'

"Very good." Bannakaffalatta nodded.

"It should be full." The Doctor said. "It should be busy. Something's wrong."

"Of course." Rita sighed "Can't go anywhere without something happening." She shrugged. "Either way I enjoy it."

"But it's beautiful." Astrid breathed.

"Really?" The Doctor looked at her. "Do you think so? It's just a street. The pyramids are beautiful, and New Zealand."

Rita nodded agreeing with him. "We went there one time, to see the pyramids."

Astrid stared around in awe. "But it's a different planet." She started jumping up and down. "I'm standing on a different planet. There's concrete and shops." She ran over to them looking through the window. "Alien shops. Real alien shops! Look, no stars in the sky. And it smells. It stinks! Oh, this is amazing. Thank you!" She ran up to the Time Lords hugged them.

"It really is." Rita nodded. "The human race. But the Doctor is right, where is everyone?"

"Come on let's have a look." The Doctor walked over to a news stand with Rita, Astrid following them. They heard the headline of a newspaper. 'LONDON DESERTED' "Hello, there." The Doctor said the man turning towards the three. "Sorry, obvious question, but where's everybody gone?"

"Oh ho, scared!"

"Yeah, but what are they scared of?" Rita asked frowning.

"Where've you been living?" He asked. "London at Christmas? Not safe, is it."

"Why?" The Doctor asked. Rita glanced over to him having a good guess as to what they were afraid of.

"Well, it's them, up above." The man pointed upwards. "Look, Christmas before last we had that big bloody spaceship, everyone standing on a roof. And then last year, that Christmas Star electrocuting all over the place, draining the Thames."

"Whoops." The Doctor muttered into Rita's head.

"This place is amazing." Astrid breathed again.

"And this year, Lord knows what. So, everybody's scarpered. Gone to the country. All except me and Her Majesty." He placed a fist to his heart.

They looked to the TV as a man began to speak. "Her Majesty the Queen has confirmed that she'll be staying in Buckingham Palace throughout the festive season to show the people of London, and the world, that there's nothing to fear."

"God bless her. We stand vigil." The man nodded at the small TV.

"Well, between you and me, I think her Majesty's got it right. Far as I know, this year, nothing to worry about-"

The Doctor groaned as they were teleported back. "    was in mid-sentence."

"Sweetheart when aren't you ever in mid-sentence?" She chuckled at him as he glared at her playfully.

"Yes, I'm sorry about that." Mister Cooper apologised. "A bit of a problem. If I could have your bracelets."

"Apologies, ladies and gentlemen, and Bannakaffalatta." A steward walked up to them. "We seem to have suffered a slight power fluctuation. If you'd like to return to the festivities. And on behalf of Max Capricorn Cruiseliners, free drinks will be provided."

"Thank you." Foon nodded. The Doctor and Rita glanced at each other knowing the other was thinking the exact same thing.

"That was the best." Astrid jumped up and down with joy. "The best!"

"What sort of power fluctuation?" The Doctor asked what the Time Lady was thinking.

The steward ignored the Doctor and left with Cooper. The Doctor frowned and looked at Rita who looked around then noticed the screen with 'Max' on it. The Doctor looked over to where couples were dancing and sighed a little. "I know what you want." She spoke up following his gaze. "We can dance later." He raised a brow turning his head to her direction. "I promise, I want to find out what's going on first. If they won't tell us then we will have to find out ourselves." The Doctor grinned at her idea taking her hand and following her over to the screen she had seen before

"You are brilliant." He whispered quietly following her.

"So are you." She smirked bringing out her sonic and using it on the screen as the man started to talk. "And I should know because my name is Max. The fastest, the furthest, the best. My name is Max." The Doctor stood directly behind her enabling her to unfasten the frame and get to the electronics behind it without worrying about any of the staff worrying. After messing with the wires the image switched to the status of the ship.

"Well, that's not good." She muttered to the Doctor looking at the screen, the Doctor then looked over her shoulder at it before running over to the nearby portholes seeing three fireballs heading towards them.

The Doctor looked over at Rita who started fiddling with the wires again. "Got it." She muttered as the Doctor pressed a button.