Donna Noble opened the TARDIS doors and stepped out onto the alien planet. She glanced around warily, looking to make sure that it was safe before she walked out fully. Looking left and right, everything appeared safe, not that she could see much in the bright light. Her eyes were going to need a minute to adjust.
The Doctor stepped out behind her, locking the TARDIS doors. "So, what do you think, then?" he asked, inspecting her.
"It's...it's...wonderful!" Donna squealed, throwing her arms around the Doctor's neck and squeezing. "I can't believe it. Me, Donna Noble, in space, on an alien planet! Gramps will go barmy when he hears about this!"
The Doctor grinned and patted her back. It was nice to have a companion again. Since Martha had left him, he'd been travelling alone and he'd gotten quite lonely, though he was loathe to admit it.
"Go on, then," Donna urged, pulling away and looking about her once more, taking in the rolling hills and tall grass. "Where are we?"
The Doctor sniffed, running an analysis of the damp, arid air. "Looks like the TARDIS took us to the right place for once," he noted. "This is the planet Serengeti."
"What, like the desert in Africa?" Donna asked, rolling her eyes. "You took me to a bloody desert?"
"A desert in space," the Doctor said in his defense.
Any further protest from Donna was cut out by the loud, magnanimous roar of a space-lion. "Run!" the Doctor cried, dashing off toward the TARDIS.
"I'm being chased by a space-lion!" Donna cried. "You are so dead!"
The Doctor reached the TARDIS and fumbled to find the key in his enormous pockets. "Cricket ball, no. Scarf, no. Clock, no."
"Hurry up!"
The Doctor cast a glance over his shoulder and saw Donna running, the space-lion right behind her, it's three heads snapping at her heels. "Doctor!"
"Just a minute!" the Doctor exclaimed as he continued to search his pockets. His hand closed around something small and metallic. "Aha!" He pulled the key out and slammed it into the lock, turning it furiously.
The Doctor yanked the door open and was knocked inside as Donna tackled him. They collapsed onto the hard metal floor, a heap of bones and hair. "Close the door!" Donna growled, yanking the door closed just in time. As soon as it was shut, the space-lion slammed into the door.
"That was close," the Doctor said, standing up and dusting off his suit. "If should have warned you. Space-lions are attracted to gingers."
"Oh, thanks!" Donna barked, crossing her arms over her chest in a tiff. Despite her harsh tone, a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
The silence of the TARDIS was broken by the sound of cloister bells. "Oh, no," the Doctor whispered.
"What is it?" Donna asked.
"The cloister bells."
"What does that mean?"
"Danger. The TARDIS is going to take us where it wants to. There's nothing I can do."
Donna sighed and shrugged. This is what she had signed up for. Life with the Doctor was an adventure. Never a moment's rest. But honestly, she wouldn't have it any other way.