I: In order to gain, first we must lose

Here he was again, alone and without a definitive direction. The Doctor pressed his back against the doors of the TARDIS and let his slim frame slide until he hit the floor. His thoughts fluttered after the fleeting image of his last companion. Donna had been a breed all of her own, simple and ordinary, but full of wit and charisma. All that was left now was the gentle surging of his breath, the squeal of converse, and the tink tink of the settling machine around him. Yes, he would miss her. Lifting himself from his slumped position, he threw his long coat over it's familiar banister, and took his place at the TARDIS' controls. Shutting his round brown eyes, he held his hands over the dashboard and reveled in the faint heat that wafted up from the buttons.

"Where to now?" he asked the silence. As if hearing a response only audible to him, The Doctor's hands twitched over the knobs and handles and sent his machine into its customary tizzy. There was a definite lurch, some shaking, plenty of rattling, and then a skillful landing. Opening his eyes for the first time since he began his blind journey, The Doctor looked at the motionless TARDIS door. Outside was something new and exciting. He could feel the pulse of the earth beneath his feet as he imagined the world before him. Donning his crooked smile that simply spelled out mischief he trotted to the door and emerged into the brightness of his new beginning. Holding an arm up to the sun, he blinked a few times, and absorbed his surroundings. At first he chuckled and thought his reappearance in London was an odd coincidence.

Then again, he eyed the TARDIS wearily, sometimes his ride did have a mind of its own. Maybe there was a reason he was back. He always did have a knack for leaving his business unfinished. Drawing in the cool morning air he balled up his fists and placed them inside his pant pockets. Everything happens for a reason he thought as his feet hit the sidewalk. If anything he would get a well deserved walk that would clear his head, and settle the rapid thump of both his hearts. It felt like hours before he reached a quaint bench and unceremoniously planted himself there. The birds fluttered about his head before landing at his feet. A dog loped across the grass in search of his ball. Somewhere out of sight children were laughing. A plane hummed above the clouds. Everything was right and good again.

The Doctor rolled his eyes at himself, what was he thinking? Like the TARDIS really kept him here for a reason, he knew technology better than that. It had probably just been a short when he blindly programmed his destination. Just as he hoisted himself up on his lanky legs, he heard an intriguing conversation.

"Don't be silly Lou, of course aliens and monsters don't exist."
"What about all the stories! The Christmas star, the hospital on the moon? We read about those back home and-"
"And it's all nonsense."

This conversation not only nibbled at The Doctor's attention because of its topic, but also the voices that held it. Clearly, these women were from America. From what he could glean from the bits and pieces he heard, it sounded like two of the girls denied any of the weird occurances that England had reported. When he turned around, he found a petite red head seated between the nonbelievers arguing her case.

"Why would they make something up like that?"
"Bring in tourists?"
"I don't know about you but words like, aliens, danger, and space, don't really make me go 'oh really? I should go there and experience that'" It seemed the fiery bite in her words was a universal red head trait.
"All right, well honestly, it isn't possible. We've been here a few days now and everything is fine."

As if that was that, the brunettes shrugged their shoulders and cast their eyes down at the books in their laps. Flustered, the little rebel shot up from her spot in the grass and slammed her book shut.
"Fine," she hissed.
She stormed away, book in hand, but The Doctor didn't watch. Instead he kept his eyes on the other two. They exchanged looks, rolled their eyes, murmured something, then went back to studying. Let them live in their books. When he spotted the lone girl, he had no problem strolling along and taking a seat right beside her. The girl didn't move, she simply looked down in her lap and let her long locks cover her face. She probably thought he was one of her friends attempting to reconcile.

"I believe you." His voice was soft and warm, he didn't want to startle her.

She cocked her head to the side calmly, "Excuse me?"
"Well, I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. About aliens and things," he wiggled his fingers and made a goofy face as he spoke.
"Ah, I see." She crossed her arms, "They put you up to this didn't they?" She leaned back on one hand, "Thanks guys, real funny," she said as she poked the air towards him.
"No, really. I don't joke a lot...well that's not true, I do, but not about serious things. Unless serious things become too serious....then I like to lighten up the mood with a few good laughs." The look on her face was a mixture of confusion and utter shock.
"Right then,"
"But like I said, I believe you,"
"Ok, you can give up the act," rolling onto her hip, she got to her feet, and began to walk away.
"I was there." She stopped and turned around.
"What?"
"On the moon," he pointed to the drifting clouds above. Again, there was a look of skepticism, but he had obviously pricked her attention.
"What was it like?"
"The moon? Moon...ish? Like all the pictures! Gray, barren, rocks there were plenty of rocks. BUT, it most certainly is not cheese, although it may at times appear soft and creamy."
"How did you breathe?"
"Forcefield, the Jadoon set it up."
"Jadoon?"
"Rhinocerid humanoids,"
"Come again?"
"Rhino head, human body," The Doctor motioned with his hands as if this were like explaining how to tie shoes.
"Right...So what did these Jadoon want?"
"They were looking for an alien charged with murder."

By this time the young girl had crossed her arms and forced her jaw up. Her eyes darted towards her friends, a final check to see if they were really pulling her leg. She found them quiet and undisturbed by her absence. Looking back at The Doctor she spoke,
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Why not?"
"There are hundreds of people at this park,
"Yes but only one of them seem to believe in the supernatural." His voice was low now, and neither of them had noticed that the gap between them had grown very small. They stood toe to toe, looking deep into the others' eyes. It seemed that the girl was searching, trying desperately to find the lie in his inviting gaze. Everyone lied, no one was to be trusted, that was her motto. He, on the other hand, was looking for something different in her defiant blue orbs. A sly smile crept across his face as he found what he was looking for. Deep inside, he saw something, a fire smoldering in her soul. There was a thirst for knowledge and adventure that he knew would make her an excellent partner in justice. The intense staring contest went on for only a few moments before each took a small step back and let out a soft breath.

"So what if I do believe."
The Doctor gave her a wicked grin before turning his back on her and walking in the direction he had come earlier. Confusion swarmed over her as she watched his lean figure stride away. Should she follow? Or was this mystery man simply toying with her? Tapping her foot impatiently as she wrestled her thoughts, she finally let out a huffy breath and jogged after him. Hearing the quickening steps behind him, The Doctor sped up and ran from his pursuer. Clearly irritated, the red head tucked her book against her chest and took off after his whipping coat tail. It felt like she had run miles to catch up with his long legged strides. She skidded to a halt, barely avoiding a rough collision with his skinny body. She bent over, hands on her knees, glaring at him.

"What....was...that....all...about?" she gasped. There was no answer, instead he responded by leaning back against his familiar blue box. The Doctor ran a hand through his wild mess of hair and panted triumphantly. His new acquaintance straightened up and eyed the TARDIS. She watched his eyes as they shifted to the doors then back to her. Taking the hint, she stepped up to the handle, looked at him and pressed against the wood. It was funny really, her reaction, she didn't scream, didn't question, didn't do the usual 'It's bigger on the inside? But that's not possible!' bit. Instead she crossed her arms and turned on her heel to face the door. She was met with The Doctor's smiling face as he leaned his shoulder against the door frame and stuck his hands in his pockets.

"Care to visit the moon?" He asked as he cocked his head to the side. For the first time since they had met, she smiled.
"Why not," she shrugged.
Loping gracefully to the controls The Doctor rested his hands on the controls and got ready to send her into a whirlwind.
"Wait! Wait...are we really going to the moon?" She had made her way to his side now, her finger tips touching the warm buttons timidly.
"Unless you have somewhere else in mind. A certain time period perhaps? Another planet or galaxy? I can make it happen." With those five words the red head frowned and took a step away. All the innocence and excitment that filled her eyes had drained away and left them cold and hard. How many times had she heard that before? I can make it happen. It seemed her walls had rebuilt once more. "Do you not want to go?" he asked.

"No, I just, the moon's a bit boring..don't you think?"
"The moon, boring? Tell me, how many aliens have you had fly you around in a time machine before, because this really doesn't seem like much of a first for you."
"Aliens? You're just as human as I am," she snorted.
"For the most part I am, only minus, the two hearts, ability to regenerate, oh and I'm 903 years old. You humans don't come close to looking this good."
"Impressive," she nodded amiably. "You do look well for an old man." There it was again, her smile dared to surface. Pulling lever after lever, The Doctor straightened up and grinned.
"So, where to?" he asked.
"I want to see something....wild."

Grinning, The Doctor threw the TARDIS in gear and braced himself. Over the loud rattle he looked down at his four foot, eleven inch friend.
"By the way, I'm The Doctor,"
"Louis, but my friends call me Lou!" she exclaimed over a sudden rumble of the machinery.
"Nice to meet you Lou!"
They exchanged a final smile before he turned his attention to driving, and she watched intently.