''Just one trip. That's what I said. One trip in the Tardis, and then home. Although I suppose we could stretch the definition. Take one trip into past, one trip into future. How do you fancy that?'' The Doctor rambled as he spoke to Martha about his plan.

During their interaction Violet was sat in the cream coloured seat in deep thought. So many questions were in her head and she had no idea where she would begin when trying to even answer one of them. She had thought of asking the Doctor, but she didn't want him to worry since it was her and Jones's problem and not his, she also knew that he wouldn't always be there for her and something's just needed to be done alone.

She stopped thinking when she heard the recognisable whir and clunk sound the Tardis always made when it landed. Without really saying a word she followed the others out, today she just didn't feel like running or trying to save the world because to her life was becoming ever complicated with all the riddles and questions and she just wanted a break. However, then again she would miss the adventures and the running; yeah she'd defiantly miss the running.

''Oh, that's nice. Time Lord version of dazzling,'' Violet heard Martha exclaim as the rain fell on them as soon as the exited the Tardis that the Doctor had parked in a very quiet alleyway.

''Nah, bit of rain never hurt anyone. Come on, let's get under cover!'' The whole group ran after the Doctor in an effort to shield themselves from the rain.

''Well, it looks like the same old Earth to me, on a Wednesday afternoon,'' Martha pointed out and Violet couldn't agree more with her. The ally looked rather gloomy and abandoned and Violet couldn't understand why the Doctor had brought them.

''Yeah it's a little how do I put this lightly,'' Jones paused as he tried to think of the right words to describe how he felt, ''un exciting,'' He finally said scrunching his brow as if he didn't exactly like what he had just said.

''Hold on, hold on. Let's have a look,'' Moving over to a screen the Doctor took out his sonic screwdriver and pointed it at the screen to get it to work.

''And the driving should be clear and easy, with fifteen extra lanes open for the New New Jersey expressway,'' Violet grimaced not liking the smile plastered across the blonde haired womens face. She was relieved when it switched to showing flying cars on a skyline.

''Oh, that's more like it. That's the view we had last time. This must be the lower levels, down in the base of the tower. Some sort of under-city,'' The Doctor explained tilting his head to see if he could see through any gaps in the ally, but they were so low down it was impossible.

''You've brought me to the slums?'' Martha spoke sounding a little offended.

''Much more interesting. It's all cocktails and glitter up there. This is the real city,'' The Doctor replied with a grin.

''You'd enjoy anything,'' Martha said a smile growing on her own face.

''He's just that type of person,'' Violet added.

''That's me. Ah, the rain's stopping. Better and better,'' He grin got wider and Violet couldn't help but crack a smile herself.

''When you say last time, was that you three and Rose?'' Martha asked.

''No just Rose because I've never been here before,'' Jones answered the question as he could bear seeing the Doctor's look as he tried to think of the right words to say without upsetting her.

''You're taking me to the same planets that you took her?'' Violet sighed as she realised Martha wasn't going to let the point go.

 ''What's wrong with that? Violet and Jones are coming too,'' He pointed out and at the mention of their names the two gave awkward waves as if to say, 'we are still hear, in case you forgot.'

''Nothing. Just ever heard the word rebound?'' But her question was never answered as they were interupped by various shouting and banging of metal on metal.

 ''Oh! You should have said. How long you been there? Happy. You want Happy,'' A man exclaimed. At his sudden voice other stalls started to open and the voices of two women filled the alleyway.

''Customers. Customers! We've got customers!'' One said.

''We're in business. Mother, open up the Mellow, and the Read,'' Violet frowned unsure as to what was happening.

''Happy, Happy, lovely happy Happy!''

''What the,'' Jones was equally as confused as his friend.

''Anger. Buy some Anger!''

''Who in the world would want to buy something to make them angry,'' Jones muttered under his breath still not sure what was interlay going on.

''Get some Mellow. Makes you feel all bendy and soft all day long.''

''Don't go to them. They'll rip you off. Do you want some happy?''

''No, thanks,'' The Doctor spoke finally getting them to stop jabbering on.

''Are they selling drugs?'' Martha asked glancing over to look at the Doctor.

 ''I think they're selling moods,'' The Doctor replied.

''Why would you want to be angry though?'' Jones whispered to Violet who shrugged her shoulders, she too had no idea why either.

''Same thing, isn't it?'' Yet again her question wasn't answered as the Doctor became more interested in a woman who had walked over to one of the stalls.

''I want to buy Forget,'' Violet suddenly became interested what did she want to forget.

''I've got Forget, my darling. What strength? How much do you want forgetting?''The stall holder spoke their voice calm and not as persuasive as it had been before.

''It's my mother and father. They went on the motorway,'' The woman replied.

''Oh, that's a swine. Try this. Forget Forty three. That's two credits,'' The stall holder passed the woman a round sticker like patch and just as she was about to apply it the Doctor jumped in and delayed her.

''Sorry, but hold on a minute. What happened to your parents?'' The Doctor asked her.

 ''They drove off,'' The woman spoke her face falling resembling sadness.

''Yeah, but they might drive back,'' The Doctor said trying to convince her not to use it.

''Everyone goes to the motorway in the end. I've lost them,'' She admitted moving to place the tab on her neck, but yet again the Doctor tries to stop her.

''But they can't have gone far. You could find them. No. No, no, don't,'' The Doctor groans in frustration as she finally places it onto her neck.

''I'm sorry, what were you saying?'' Violet shook in what felt like fear as all of a sudden the woman's sad expression was replaced by that of a smile of someone who was just going about their day.

''Your parents. Your mother and father. They're on the motorway,'' The Doctor spoke desperately wanting her to remember.

''Are they? That's nice. I'm sorry, I won't keep you,'' Then with the same stretched smile Violet hated with a passion, she walked away.

''So that's the human race five billion years in the future. Off their heads on chemicals,'' The moment Martha finished speaking a hand came across her mouth covering it.

While Jones and the Doctor ran off to try and stop the people from taking Martha, Violet made her way over to the same stall that had just sold the women the forget.

Taking a deep breath before then asking, ''how much forget would you give me for this?'' She held up a diamond that had been hidden inside her coat pocket, it had been a gift from someone she couldn't remember, so it had no sentimental value what so ever.

The stall owner's eyes nearly popped out of her head and she clearly recognised the diamond and how rare it was.
''Depends what you would like to forget?'' She asked.

''A person or a whole day,'' Violet didn't need to think much and since she knew the Doctor or Jones would come around the corner any time soon and if they saw her buying something, they'd surly have to many questions that she didn't answer.

''Then you'll want forget 20 and I'll thought it straight ten of everything else.''

''Deal,'' Violet handed over the Diamond pocket the emotions as quickly as she could. They'd come in useful one day.

---

Violet sat leant up against one of the stalls (they were all closed now) She was panicking slightly because it had been a while and no one had returned yet. However, it wasn't long until a very angry looking and mad Michael Jones came around the corner. Violet jumped slightly as the Doctor begun to hammer on one of the closed stall hatches.

''Thought you'd come back. Do you want some happy Happy?'' The woman asked as she leant out of the stall to talk to the Doctor.

''Those people, who were they? Where did they take her?'' Violets heart sank, they'd taken Martha and now she felt guilty for not helping them stop her kidnappers.

''They've taken her to the motorway,'' One of the male stall holders spoke, causing the Doctor to whip round so he was able to look at all the stall holders.

''Looked like carjackers to me,'' The other woman said truthfully.

'' I'd give up now, darling. You won't see her again.''

''Used to be thriving, this place. You couldn't move. But they all go to the motorway in the end,''

''Wait why?'' Jones asked, but the Doctor spoke before his question was able to be answered.

''He kept on saying three, we need three. What did he mean, three?''

''It's the car-sharing policy, to save fuel. You get special access if you're carrying three adults.''

''This motorway. How do we get there?'' The Doctor asked.

''Straight down the alley, keep going to the end. You canna miss it. Tell you what. How about some happy Happy? Then you'll be smiling, my love,'' The woman said a wide smile on her face the whole time she spoke.

''Word of advice, all of you. Cash up, close down and pack your bags,'' Violet flinched as she heard the anger clear in his voice.

''Why's that, then?'' The woman asked and Violet swore she saw her smile falter ever so slightly.

 ''Because as soon as I've found her, alive and well. And I will find her alive and well. Then I'm coming back, and this street is closing tonight!'' Jones, Violet come on,'' The two without saying a word quickly followed him down the street.

It didn't take them long to come across a big heavy metal door. The fact that it was metal didn't bother the Doctor in the slightest because all he did was take out his sonic screwdriver and pointing it at the door to unlock it.

The moment the door opened and they stepped out, Violet begun to cough as the exhaust fumes entered her lungs. She was amazed at the sight before her rows and rows of cars and they all seemed to not be moving at all.

''Hey! You daft little street struts. What are you doing standing there? Either get out or get in. Come on!'' The man had opened his car door and waved all of them in to escape the toxic fumes.

''Did you ever see the like?'' The man muttered as a woman rushed around putting oxygen masks around the three, to help them gain their breaths back.

''Just standing there, breathing it in,'' The man tutted again as he removed his goggles as well as the scarf that had been tightly woven around his neck and mouth to stop himself from breathing in the toxic fumes.

''There's this story, says back in the old days, on Junction forty seven, this woman stood in the exhaust fumes for a solid twenty minutes. By the time they found her, her head had swollen to fifty feet,'' The man rambled as the three travellers continued to breath in more much needed oxygen.

''Oh, you're making it up,'' The woman protested trying to get who Violet could only guess was her husband to stop talking.

''A fifty foot head! Just think of it. Imagine picking that nose,'' Violet couldn't help, but let a smile slip onto her face; she was hoping that it was just a joke however.

The two continued to bicker between each other in a friendly way, while their unexpected guests continued to recover. When the car suddenly lurched forward and then stopped the three no longer needed the oxygen masks and the man who had saved them begun to talk to them.

''And who might you be? Very well-dressed for hitchhike's'' He asked his big cat eyes scanning over each of them in turn.

''Thanks. Sorry, I'm the Doctor. My daughter Violet and Jones,'' Both Violet and Jones gave small smiles to the man as a sign of thank you.

''Medical man! My name's Thomas Kincade Brannigan, and this is the bane of my life, the lovely Valerie,'' Violet was right they were a couple.

''Nice to meet you,'' Valerie spoke up giving them a smile of her own.

''And that's the rest of the family behind you,'' Thomas gestured towards a curtain that hung limply at the back of the vehicle from the roof. Hesitantly the Doctor pulled it back and Violet gasped, not in shock, but in wonder. For behind the curtain were some of the cutest kittens she had ever seen.

''Ah, that's nice. Hello. How old are they?'' The Doctor asked as he watched Violet with a smile on her face as she moved to stroke and give a cuddle to as many as she could.

''Just two months,'' Which was immediately followed by an awe leaving Violet's lips as she was now on the floor letting them crawl all over her.

''There very adorable, you should be proud,'' Violet spoke up as one went to lick her hand.

''Poor little souls. They've never known the ground beneath their paws. Children of the motorway,'' Violet looked up at Thomas in shock. The Kittens were two months old and were born on the motorway.

''What, they were born in here?'' The Doctor asked as equally as confused and shocked as Violet was.
 
''We couldn't stop. We heard there were jobs going, out in the laundries on Fire Island. Thought we'd take a chance,'' Valerie stated, shrugging her shoulders as it wasn't a problem.

''What, you've been driving for two months?'' The Doctor asked.

 ''Do I look like a teenager? We've been driving for twelve years now,'' Thomas replied and Jones's jaw dropped.

''Did you just say twelve years or have those fumes gone to my head,'' Jones spoke up for the first time since he'd been in the car.

''Yeah! Started out as newlyweds. Feels like yesterday,'' Thomas spoke as if twelve years of constantly being copped up in a metal container was the most common thing in the world.

''Feels like twelve years to me,'' Valerie muttered.

''Ah, sweetheart, but you're still love me,'' Thomas added giving her a quick hug.

''Twelve years? How far did you come? Where did you start?'' The Doctor fired as many questions as he could to the couple.

''Battery Park. It's five miles back.''

''Five miles,'' Jones repeated.

''You travelled five miles in twelve years?'' The Doctor basically said the same as Jones, but formed it into a question.

''I think he's a bit slow,'' Thomas commented.

''I think your going a bit slow, but you don't hear me complaining.''

''Jones, stop being rude,'' Violet ground out and Jones snapped his mouth shut.

''Where are you from?'' Valerie asked choosing to ignore the little bit of tension that just occurred.

''Never mind that. I've got to get out. My friend's in one of these cars. She was taken hostage. we should get back to the Tardis,'' The Doctor spoke moving to open the door and as he did he noticed there was no way back across the way they had come.

''You're too late for that. We've passed the lay-by. You're all passengers now, Sonny Jim.''

''When's the next lay-by?'' The Doctor asked hoping it wouldn't be long.

 ''Oh, six months?'' Violet sighed and Jones groaned. Thomas had given them an estimate not an exact time.

 ---

''You do know we could be stuck here for awhile right,'' Violet spoke up as she saw Jones sat with his back leant up against the side of the car.

''Yeah I know,'' He gave out a huff as Violet moved to sit next him and as she did a white kitten totted over to her.

''But hey at least we got these little cuties to keep us company,'' She said picking up the white kitten, that seemed to have become quite taken to the Time Lady, ''Come give it a hug, you know you want to,'' Violet grinned as she tried to get Jones to hold the Kitten, but he refused.

''Nope I think I'm good,'' He shook his head and shuffled away from Violet and the kitten.

 ''Your loose,'' She stated and Jones shook his head again, but this time a small smile graced his lips.

''I need to talk to the police,'' The Doctor suddenly declared. He reached over to the consol and picked up the phone.

''But you're the police,'' Violet sensed that whoever he was talking to wasn't being much help, as there was a pause before he slammed the phone back down where it came from.

''Is there anyone else? I once met the Duke of Manhattan. Is there any way of getting through to him?'' He asked and Violet raised her eyebrows, who else did he meet when he came here last time she wondered and planned to ask him later if she remembered.

''Oh now, aren't you lordly?'' Thomas replied Jokingly, but the Doctor was not in the mood.

''I've got to find my friend.'' The Doctor ground out, causing Violet to leap up and Join him.

''Calm down, we'll find her ok,'' She whispered to him, not wanting to get angry and have a tantrum in the confided space they were in.

''You can't make outside calls. The motorway's completely enclosed,'' Valerie explained and Violet cringed, as she knew that comment wasn't going to help them in the slightest.

''What about the other cars?'' The Doctor asked in sudden realisation.

''Oh, we've got contact with them, yeah. Well, some of them, anyway. They've got to be on your friends list. Now, let's see. Who's nearby? Ah, the Cassini sisters!'' Thomas spoke as the screen lit up to show to elderly woman sat in a car similar to the one they were in.

''Still your hearts, my handsome girls. It's Brannigan here.'' He said with a smile, but it seemed them women were not so happy to see him.

''Get off the line, Brannigan. You're a pest and a menace.'' Violet snorted, but tried to cover it with a cough.

''Oh, come on, now, sisters. Is that any way to talk to an old friend?'' He asked and at this time Jones had come over to see what was happening.

 ''You know full well we're not sisters. We're married,'' The woman stated a little agitated.

''Well congratulations,'' Violet spoke smiling at the two woman, hoping they could see her.

''Thank you my dear,'' One of the woman replied giving Violet a smile of her own.

''Ooo, stop that modern talk. I'm an old-fashioned cat. Now, I've got hitchhiker's here, calls one calls himself the Doctor and these two are Violet and Jones.''

''Hello. Sorry. I'm looking for someone called Martha Jones. She's been carjacked,'' The Doctor spoke and as he did Violet hoped to god that these women could help them, as it was possibly their last chance.

''She's inside one of these vehicles, but I don't know which one,'' The Doctor continued to speak as one of the women put down her knitting and reached for a large leather bound book.

''Wait a minute. Could I ask, what entrance did they use?'' She asked.

 ''Where were we?'' The Doctor asked Thomas hoping her know where they were picked up.

 ''Pharmacy Town.''

''Pharmacy Town, about twenty minutes ago'' The Doctor repeated into the microphone speaker he was holding.

''Let's have a look,'' The Woman said and begun flipping through the pages in the book she was holding.

''Just my luck, to marry a car-spotter,'' The other woman remarked.

''In the last half hour, fifty three new cars joined from the Pharmacy Town junction.''

''Anything more specific?'' The Doctor pressed, and Violet noticed the slight bit of excitement in his tone, they were finally getting somewhere.

'' All in good time. Was she car-jacked by two people?'' The Woman questioned.

''Yes, she was, yeah,'' He replied quickly.

''There we are. Just one of those cars was destined for the fast lane. That means they had three on board. And car number is four six five diamond six,'' Violet let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, they knew where Martha was.

''That's it! So how do we find them?'' The Doctor questioned.

''Ah. Now there I'm afraid I can't help,'' She replied closing the book and setting it on the table closest to her.

''Call them on this thing. We've got their number. Diamond six,'' The Doctor said.

''But not if they're designated fast lane. It's a different class,'' Thomas explained and Violet's heart sank, what were they going to do now?

''You could try the police,'' Woman suggested.

''They put me on hold,'' All the hope in his voice had gone and Violet turned and leant into Jones's arms, no idea left.

''It will be alright,'' He whispered wrapping his arms around her, something he wished he could do more often.

''You'll have to keep trying. There's no one else,'' The other woman said.

''Thank you,'' The Doctor said lowly as he run his hands through his hair in frustration. He needed to think of something and fast.

---

''We've got to go to the fast lane. Take me down,'' The Doctor burst out after a moment of silence. The comment made Violet detach herself from Jones's grip and look at her father.

''Not a million years,'' Thomas spoke, shutting out the Doctors idea.

''You've got more than three passengers,'' The Doctor stated.

''I'm still not going.''

''She's alone and she's lost. She doesn't belong on this planet, and it's all my fault. I'm asking you, Brannigan, take me down,'' The Doctor tried again.

''She's our friend, who may I add was kidnapped,'' Jones pointed out.

''That's a no. And that's final. I'm not risking the children down there,'' Valerie was the one to say no this time.

''Why not? What's the risk? What happens down there?'' The Doctor questioned aware of the fear that had crept into Valerie's voice.

''We're not discussing it. The conversation is closed,'' Valerie spoke and the Doctor went quiet on the subject.

''So we keep on driving,'' The Doctor spoke somewhat exhausted.

''Yes, we do,'' Thomas replied with one firm nod of his head.

''For how long?''

''Till the journey's end.'' On that comment the Doctor suddenly reached forward and grabbed the radio again.

''Mrs Cassini, this is the Doctor. Tell me, how long have you been driving on the motorway?'' He asked.

''Oh, we were amongst the first. It's been twenty three years now,'' One of the women spoke.

''And in all that time, have you ever seen a police car?'' He asked her.

''I'm not sure,'' The Woman who had, had the leather bound book replied.

''Look at your notes. Any police?''

''Not as such,'' She replied after having a quick look.

''Or an ambulance? Rescue service? Anything official. Ever,'' He asked this time.

''I can't Keep a note of everything,'' She said, but Violet could tell from her voice that she had never seen any of them.

''What if there's no one out there?'' The Doctor whispered, and on that note Thomas took the mike back slamming down.

''Stop it. The Cassinis were doing you a favour,'' He said.

''Someone's got to ask, because you might not talk about it, but it's there in your eyes. What if the traffic jam never stops?'' The Doctor said.

''What if you never see the sunlight again, what if you children never feel the ground beneath their paws,'' Violet spoke up.

 ''There's a whole city above us. The mighty city state of New New York. They wouldn't just leave us,'' Thomas spoke although Violet could tell he was thinking about what they had said.

''In that case, where are they, hmm? What if there's no help coming, not ever? What if there's nothing? Just the motorway, with the cars going round and round and round and round, never stopping. Forever.''

''Never able to get off,'' Jones added.

''Shut up! Just shut up! All of you,'' Valerie snapped.

''This is Sally Calypso, and it's that time again. The sun is blazing high in the sky over the New Atlantic, the perfect setting for the daily contemplation,'' Violet reeled back as the blonde woman with the wide toothy grin popped up on the monitor oh how she hated the looked of her.

''You think you know us so well, Doctor. But we're not abandoned. Not while we have each other,'' Thomas spoke, just before Sally spoke again.

''This is for all of you out there on the roads. We're so sorry. Drive safe.''

''Oh my god,'' Violet realised what the woman was saying, she was sorry they were out there, sorry they were stuck. What struck her more was the fact the woman had said, 'We're,' as more than one person feels responsible for what's happening to everyone.

''On a hill, far away, stood an old, rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame. And I love that old cross, where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain. So I'll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down. I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.''

A tear fell down the side of Violet's cheek; she'd heard the song before, when she was just a child unaware of what the future would bring. She missed those days. The days where she would run throughout the palace, sneak into the kitchens with Jones to steal food for themselves. Where they'd go out into the forest on horseback, still now she remembered the smell of the grass and the sound of the stream as it trickled through the rocks.

She thought of the crown that sat behind the glass cabinet in the throne room, always in sight and never out of mind. Maria never allowed her within two feet of the case, saying she would break it if she got to close. Perhaps it was only because Maria knew that someday the crown would no longer sit on her own head, but the head of the girl she was made to care for.

''If you won't take us, We'll go down on my own,'' Violet was pulled from her thoughts at the sudden demand in her father's voice.

''Did you just say we'll,'' Jones said asking for confirmation, all Violet did was nod, which followed by an exasperated sigh from the solider.

''What do you think you're doing?'' Thomas asked getting up from his seat as he realised the Doctor was up to something.

''Finding my own way. I usually do,'' he replied taking out his sonic screwdriver to unlock the hatch at the bottom of the car.

''Capsule open,'' The car computer states just as another car pull up underneath.

''Here we go,'' The Doctor commented as he gestured Jones and Violet over. He then proceeded to take of his coat throwing it a Valerie.

''Look after this. I love that coat. Janis Joplin gave me that coat,'' He said with a sad look.

''But you can't jump,'' Valerie was just a little terrified about what the three of them were about to do.

''If it's any consolation, Valerie, right now, I'm having kittens,'' The Doctor commented with a little grin.

''This Martha. She must mean an awful lot to you,'' Thomas remarked.

''Hardly know her. I was too busy showing off. And I lied to her. Couldn't help it, just lied. Anyway ladies first,'' The Doctor said with a smirk as he gestured for his daughter to go forward.

''Only because your scared,'' Violet teased as see bent down to sit on the edge of the hatch.

''Me, no of course not,'' There was a pause, ''Just a little,'' Violet gave a smile of her own before she dropped out of the hatch and onto the car below.

---

''Who the hell are you?'' Violet, Jones and the Doctor were greeted rather rudely.

''Sorry, Motorway Foot Patrol. I'm doing a survey. How are you enjoying your motorway?'' The Doctor asked as they all bent down to open the hatch in the car.

 ''Well, not very much. Junction Five's been closed for three years.''

''Thank you. Your comments have been noted. Have a nice day!'' With that they all dropped down onto the next car.

About five cars later the group of three drop down into a car holding a man who looked rather smartly dressed, with is bowler hat and pinstriped suit.

''Excuse me, is that legal?'' The man asked, a bit shocked by the intrusion.

 ''Sorry, Motorway Foot Patrol. Whatever. Have you got any water?'' The Doctor asked and monitored towards Jones and Violet pointing out they'd want some as well.

''Certainly. Never let it be said I've lost my manners,'' The man replied giving each of them a tiny cone shaped cup full of water, which they all downed simultaneously in one gulp.

''Is this the last layer?'' The Doctor asked after wiping his mouth of excess water.

''We're right at the bottom. Nothing below us but the fast lane,'' The man replied.

''Can we drive down? There's four of us,'' The Doctor asked.

''I'm sorry, but I don't want to do down there, there are stories,'' He explained.

''What stories?'' Jones asked.

''Ones I'd rather not,'' The man replied.

''Then excuse us,'' The Doctor spoke moving to unlock the hatch.

''You can't jump. It's a thousand feet down.''

 ''No, I just want to look,'' The Doctor's words were followed by a loud echoing growl.

''What's that noise?'' The Doctor asked as he tried to see, but the ground beneath them was covered in a thick layer of smog.

 ''I try not to think about it,'' The man replied.

''Like the stories?'' Violet asked and he nodded.

''What are those lights? What's down there? I just need to see,'' The Doctor pointed to the small flickers of light that seemed to be moving. He pulled out his sonic and pointed it at the car computer.

''There must be some sort of ventilation. If I could just transmit a pulse through this thing, maybe I could trip the system, give us a bit of a breeze,'' The Doctor explained.

''That's it! Might shift the fumes a bit, give us a good look,'' The Doctor patted Jones on the back as the Solider had managed to connect the wires together to get the vents working.

''What are those shapes?'' The man asked as the smog begun to slowly clear.

 ''They're alive,'' The Doctor remarked.

Violet suddenly gasped as huge, giant claws came snapping up at them through the darkness.
'' What the hell are they?'' The man asked.

''Macra,'' Jones breathed out.

''One of your clever books?'' It was less of a question and more of a statement.

''You bet,'' Jones replied with a smirk.

''I'm sorry, what are Macra,'' The man asked.

''The Macra used to be the scourge of this galaxy. Gas. They fed off gas, the filthier the better. They built up a small empire using humans as slaves and mining gas for food,'' The Doctor explained, as they moved to such the hatch, as the fumes were becoming too much.

''They don't exactly look like empire builders to me,'' The man exclaimed as they all now stood back in his car.

''Well, that was billions of years ago. Billions. They must have devolved down the years. Now they're just beasts. But they're still hungry and my friend's down there,'' The Doctor added, just a clang came from the roof of the car.

''Oh, it's like New Times Square in here, for goodness's sake!'' The man huffs as someone jumps down into the car.

''I've invented a sport,'' The Doctor spoke as he turned smiling to the woman, that Violet was sure she recognised.
''Doctor, Violet you're hard to find,'' She spoke.

''No guns. I'm not having guns,'' The man gestured uncomfortable with the gun that was slung around her shoulders.

''I only brought this in case of pirates. Doctor, Violet, Jones you've all got to come with me,'' She spoke and it was when Violet realised who she was and it meant they were going to see a old friend hopefully very soon.

''Do I know you? Do you know her,'' To his surprise both Violet and Jones nodded.

''You haven't aged at all. Time has been less kind to me.'' She spoke glancing down sadly.

''Novice Hame! No, hold on, get off. Last time we met, you were breeding humans for experimentation,'' The Doctor pulled away quickly from the hug.

''I've sought forgiveness, Doctor, for so many years, under his guidance. And if you come with me, I might finally be able to redeem myself,'' Hame explained.

''I'm not going anywhere. You've got Macra living underneath this city. Macra! And if my friend's still alive, she's stuck down there,'' The Doctor exclaimed.

''You've got to come with me right now. All of you,'' She added the last part looking at all three of them in turn.

''No, no, no, you're coming with me,'' The Doctor snapped back, however she did not seem to care.

''I'm sorry, Doctor. But the situation is even worse than you can imagine,'' She moved over to grab each of their writs.
''Transport,'' She muttered.

''Don't you dare! Don't you dare!'' The Doctor shouted, but it was too late they were taken away.

---

''Ouch, that hurt,'' Jones commented as he lay on his back on a floor that could have been cleaner.

''Oh! Rough teleport. Ow. You can go straight back down and teleport people out, starting with Martha,'' The Doctor snapped, once he had recovered.

Violet rolled her eyes at her father's burst of sudden anger, as she accepted the hand Jones held out for her.

''I only had the power for one trip,'' Hame spoke, her voice low and full of what sounded like regret.

''Then get some more! Where are we?'' The Doctor asked glancing around them which was rather dark.

''High above, in the over-city,'' Hame explained.

''Good. Because you can tell the Senate of New New York I'd like a word. They have got thousands of people trapped on the motorway. Millions!'' The Doctor shouted, his voice echoed.

''But you're inside the Senate, right now. May the goddess Santori bless them,'' As she spoke she used her teleport bracelet to turn on the lights.

''Oh god,'' Jones muttered under his breath as the whole room was scattered with skeletons.

''They died, Doctor. The city died,'' Hame spoke her head again hang in shame as if it were all her fault.

''How long's it been like this?'' The Doctor asked his anger all gone now.

 ''Twenty four years,'' Hame replied and Violet moved to put her hand on the woman's shoulder as a sign of comfort.
''All of them? Everyone? What happened?''

 ''A new chemical. A new mood. They called it Bliss. Everyone tried it. They couldn't stop. A virus mutated inside the compound and became airborne. Everything perished. Even the virus, in the end. It killed the world in seven minutes flat. There was just enough time to close down the walkways and the flyovers, sealing off the under-city. Those people on the motorway aren't lost, Doctor. They were saved,'' Hame explained.

''So the whole thing down there is running on automatic,'' The Doctor commented.

''There's not enough power to get them out. We did all we could to stop the system from choking,'' Hame spoke.

''Who's we? How did you survive?'' The Doctor asked interested in who Hame spoke off.

''He protected me. And he has waited for you, these long years.''

''Doctor,'' A smile formed on each of the traveller's lips; they all knew that voice, one they would never forget.
''The Face of Boe!'' The Doctor was first to react and first to crouch down and greet the face.

 ''I knew you would come,'' He spoke and Violet smiled kneeling down to him.

''How are you?'' Violet asked placing her hand on the glass.

''I fear my answer is not sufficient for you already know the answer to your question,'' Violet nodded and let her hand fall away from the glass.

''Back in the old days, I was made his nurse as penance for my sin,'' Hame answered a question, that nobody really asked.

''Old friend, what happened to you?'' The Doctor asked, suddenly aware that Boe was not in perfect health.

 ''Failing,'' Was the only word to leave the faces lips.

''He protected me from the virus by shrouding me in his smoke. But with no one to maintain it, the City's power died. The under-city would have fallen into the sea,'' Hame explained.

''So he saved them,'' The Doctor was stunned and a little impressed, as well as also shocked at what happened.

 ''The Face of Boe wired himself into the mainframe. He's giving his life force just to keep things running.''

''Oh Boe,'' Violet mumbled.

''But there are planets out there. You could have called for help,'' The Doctor spoke up.

''The last act of the Senate was to declare New Earth unsafe. The automatic quarantine lasts for one hundred years,'' Hame explained.

''So the two of you stayed here, on your own for all these years,'' The Doctor said.

''We had no choice,'' Hame replied.

''Yes, you did,'' The Doctor exclaimed.

''Save them, Doctor. Save them,'' Boe pleaded and not one of them needed to be told twice.

Two seconds of the Doctor pointing his sonic screwdriver at machines caused them to hum to life.

''Car four six five diamond six. It still registers! That's Martha. I knew she was good. Novice Hame, hold that in place. Think, think, think, think. Take the residual energy, invert it, feed it through the electricity grid,'' The Doctor rambled as, Violet Jones and Hame's attached various wires and cables to where they needed to be.

''There isn't enough power,'' Hame exclaimed.

''Oh, you've got power. You've got me. I'm brilliant with computers, just you watch. Hame, every switch on that bank up to maximum. I can't power up the city, but all the city needs is people,'' Hame nodded before turning to ask the Doctor
something.

''So what are you going to do?''

''This!'' He said with a grin, but it slowly disappeared as the lights suddenly went out when he flicked a switch.

''No, no, no, no, no, no, no.''

''Guessing that wasn't meant to happen,'' Jones mumbled as the Doctor ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

''The transformers are blocked. The signal can't get through.''

''So what are we going to do?'' Violet asked from where she was sat next to Boe.

''Doctor,'' Boe spoke, wanting to say something, but the Doctor didn't let him finish.

''Yeah, hold on, not now,'' The Doctor replied.

''I give you my last,'' Violet's eyes widened as she realised what he had done. All the lights and power came back on allowing the Doctor to set about his work again.

''Hame, look after him. Don't you go dying on me, you big old face. You've got to see this. The open road. Ha!'' The Doctor hit a button and Violet grinned as she watched all the cars come flying out from underground, she watched them fly past the window and up into the sky.

 ''No,'' Violet suddenly shouted, as she noticed the cracks beginning to appear in his tank.

''Doctor?'' Violet was relieved to hear the voice of Martha Jones again, but she couldn't be as happy as she wanted to be.

''Over here,'' The Doctor called out, hoping she'd follow the sound of his voice.

''Doctor! What happened out there?'' She stopped as she saw The Face of Boe lying on the ground, out of his tank,
''What's that?''

''That, he's not a that,'' Violet snapped, her sudden anger taking Martha by surprise.

''Violet,'' Jones spoke softly as he bent down to wrap an arm around her in comfort.

''I'm sorry,'' Violet murmured and Martha accepted the apology with a nod.

 ''It's the Face of Boe. It's all right. Come and say hello. And this is Hame. She's a cat. Don't worry. He's the one that saved you, not me,'' The Doctor explained gesturing for Martha to come closer.

''My lord gave his life to save the city, and now he's dying,'' Hame said, and Violet reached over to squeeze her hand, it was emotional for all of them.

''No, don't say that. Not old Boe. Plenty of life left,'' The Doctor reassured them, but Violet knew he Knew better of it.

''It's good to breathe the air once more,'' Boe spoke as he took in a huge gulp of air.

''Who is he?'' Martha asked.

''I don't even know. Legend says the Face of Boe has lived for billions of years. Isn't that right? And you're not about to give up now,'' The Doctor stated glancing down at Boe.

''Everything has its time. You know that, old friend, better than most,'' Boe replied as tears fell from Violets eyes for the second time that day.

''The legend says more,'' Hame spoke up, but the Doctor desperately did not wish for her to continue.

''Don't. There's no need for that.'

''It says that the Face of Boe will speak his final secret to a traveller,'' Hame said anyway.

 ''Yeah, but not yet. Who needs secrets, eh?'' The Doctor said with a smile.

''I have seen so much. Perhaps too much. I am the last of my kind, as you and Violet are the last of yours, Doctor.''

''That's why we have to survive. All of us. Don't go,'' The Doctor pleaded.

''Please,'' Violet stuttered out as the tears continued to fall.

''I must. But know this, Time Lords. You are not alone,'' Violet turned fully into Jones arms, as she heard Boe take his last breath and spoke no more.

---

''All closed down,'' The Doctor grinned as the four of them, back together walked back through pharmacy town. The first thing Violet noticed, was how empty and quiet it appeared to be.

''Happy?'' Martha asked jokingly.

'' Happy happy. New New York can start again. And they've got Novice Hame. Just what every city needs. Cats in charge. Come on, time we were off,'' The Doctor said a smile of his own as he watched Jones and Violet walk back to the Tardis, his arm draped around her shoulders as she leaned on him for support.

The death of the Face of Boe had Impacted Violet the most out of all of them and he had come to the conclusion that she had known him the most. He would have wanted to ask her, but this time he would let her have this secret.
Little did he know that Violet had a lot more secrets, that would be bigger than he could ever have imagined.
 
Next is Daleks in Manhattan