The Naughty Step
Chapter One.
The Doctor and Strax sat side by side on the doorstep in front of the bright blue door of thirteen Paternoster Row. Two pristine top hats side by side, Strax's slowly sliding off his brown domed head, resting momentarily against one of his stumpy ears, before it was pushed back, to balance once more on the summit of the Sontarans head.
"Sir,"
"I'm not talking to you." The Doctor cut across, continuing to lean forward and glare at an arbitrary brick across the street.
"Neither are the women folk, and communication is essential for any unit to work efficiently, so it is imperative you resume communications with me immediately."
"Why?"
"I might have something useful to say."
"That'll be the day. This is all your fault you know."
"I was only following your orders, sir."
"I told you to look after her, not to..." the Doctor sighed, settling down again, "and now they've kicked us out, nowhere to go."
"Don't you still have the Tardis?" Strax pointed out, the Doctors mouth closing in realisation.
"I'm going for a walk."
"Very good sir. Attack from within- they'll never see it coming!"
"No Strax, just..." the Doctor shook his head "stay here."
The surrounding array of bells chimed one hour, then the next as Strax continued his vigil on the step, only perking up as the wheezing groaning of the Tardis echoed from inside. Tucking his hat under his arm he stood to attention expectantly outside, unperturbed by the rain that began to fall.
"Strax." Strax jumped and spun around, the Doctor automatically ducking the flying hat, which bowled across the lane, narrowly missing the wheels of a carriage as it went past.
"Do not sneak up on me like that sir, you are fortunate I was not armed."
"Fortunate? That's something I can thank the girls for." The Doctor concluded, Strax mouthing 'girls' behind him and muttering something about grenades. "Strax, I need your help to find the Tardis- she took off without me and I don't know where she is."
"No need sir. She landed inside about ten minutes ago."
The Doctor stopped his pacing and looked between Strax's pointing finger and the house, his gaze steely, before he returned to the doorstep and sat down once more. Strax joined him, and still in silence, the Doctor returned his now mud spattered top hat to Strax.