Author's Note: Sorry that it has taken me so long to update! I kinda forgot about this story... *sheepish smile* BUT I PROMISE THAT UPDATES WILL BE CONSTANT FROM HERE ON OUT! Enjoy! :)

Chapter One: Leslie Rachel Maddigan

I'm back in the TARDIS. She is purring at me. I can tell that she is pleased that I am beginning to forget about... well, you-know-who. I can't get my mind off that little girl; Leslie. Or, Leslie Rachel Maddigan, "but you can call me Leslie." She's quite the intelligent little bugger, eh?

I have to be careful about this. Time my visits accordingly. I can't see her too much, or too little. I don't want a repeat of what I did to Pond. This has to be perfect. Maybe, for once, I will be able to keep a companion for more than a few months. Now, I just have to decide when to go to next. Let's see; in 1972, where I am at the moment, she is four years old. So... how about 1976, where she'll be eight? That seems about right.

The familiar thrill of time travel. It never gets old. I step out of my beautiful blue police box into the sunny California sunlight, and lock her up, as always. Then, I start towards the park.

She claimed to love the park...

"I come here every day!" she said as I pushed her on the swing. "I especially love the swings, Doctor Mister."

I smile at the memory of it. I walk over to the gate, and glance around at all the children. After a few moments, I see her. Just a bit older. Not too much. Just perfect. She doesn't notice me at first. She's swinging, alone. I see she's learned to swing without someone pushing her. She looks up, sees me, and her eyes widen.

Then she's running.

"DOCTOR!" she says happily, throwing her arms around my waist. "Doctor, you're back!"

I chuckle. "I told you I would be, love," I kneel down so we're eye-to-eye. "I promised, remember? Miss me?"

"Loads," she replied, full of pride.

"I missed you too," I explain, standing back up and straightening my pants. "Well, I have a bit of time to spare. What would you like to do?"

"We could..." she thinks for a moment. "Go to the beach! C'mon, I know the perfect spot!"

And then she's pulling me down the street. I don't try and stop her. She is determined to get me to this spot of hers, no matter what. Wow. The water is absolutely stunning. A gorgeous blue, and the sun is beginning to set.

Just perfect.

We're on the beach, watching the sunset. She's bouncing up and down with excitement, and rambling on and on about her school, and her friends. I don't want to leave again... but I must.

"It's time for me to get going, Leslie," I say.

A frown falls onto her face. "Oh."

"I'll be back," I reassure. "I promise."

"But it took you so long last time!" she explains. Tears are gathering in her eyes, threatening to leak over at any second. "I missed you."

I pull her into one last hug.

Then, I'm gone.

TIMETIMETIME

Author's Note: How was it? It took me awhile to write. I needed the right inspiration. THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO CHARLIE MCDONNELL, AKA CHARLIEISSOCOOLLIKE, WHO INSPIRES ME EVERY DAY! THANKS MATE! Love it? Hate it? Review it!