The Doctor shuffled papers on the metal grid. It was hard to keep busy, but he was managing as best as he could. When he had first returned to Earth after the Time War, he had convinced himself that he didn't need anyone. He had embraced the loneliness, content to just travel and hide from emotion. Then, he met Rose, and… well, he hadn't been alone for long since. There always seemed to be another human around him, asking questions and generally bothering him. Yes, there were times that the Doctor had pretended to be irritated by constant questioning, but he really enjoyed it. The sound of his own voice was there to prove that he was still alive: that was probably the main reason that his current incarnation never stopped talking. Or was that simply how he was?

There was no way that he was going to freeze against the universe. Although his companions had all left, the Doctor knew that it was for the best. Even Rose would be happy in the other universe. A human counterpart of himself would give her everything that she needed. They would grow old together, and… would they have a family?

That wasn't the type of thought that allowed the Doctor to relax and laugh. Shaking it away, the Time Lord returned to the papers spread out across the floor. Who said that he wasn't a genius on all levels? As the TARDIS hummed her usual purr, the Doctor scribbled musical notes across a page. As if the background noise was part of his musical piece, the Doctor joined in, humming his own creation. If he had learned anything over the years, he knew that humans – companions – came and went. It was in the nature of everything. Although his last companions had been some of the closest, it was only natural that they would move on. They all had things to do. And so too did the Doctor. Still, he had hoped that their time together would have been a bit longer.

As he was lying on the metal grating, the Doctor shifted his position. With his left elbow bent, holding up his head, the Time Lord scribbled. The last few notes just weren't right: they didn't make sense there. Maybe an octave higher? Sighing, the answer didn't appear. Even without processing the pages through the TARDIS' computer, the Doctor already knew that it wouldn't sound the way he wanted it to. Maybe he would go back to it later.

Jumping up to his feet, he grabbed the paper and stuffed it all under the main control panel. Sometimes the coral design came in handy, leaving a bit of extra space under the curved console. Sniffing, he then strode to the other side of the central column, slumping down on the torn captain's chair.

Chips. The Doctor smiled. Standing up, he then moved to pull the TARDIS out of the vortex. Where else could he stay in safety, out of trouble? But now, he had a purpose. Brilliant. Being around humanity was soothing. Although each human reminded him of everything – and everyone – that he had lost, they also reminded him of the wonderful times they had together. So… chips.

It took a few minutes of typical Doctor dashing before the TARDIS materialised in the middle of London. Down an alley in the middle of London, obviously. Stepping outside of the blue police box, the Time Lord took in a deep breath of polluted Earth air and smiled for a moment. The expression only lasted for a moment, though. As soon as the smile disappeared, the Doctor ran right back into the TARDIS and made sure that he returned to the vortex, his hearts beating twice as fast as normal.

Swallowing, he pulled out the papers from underneath the TARDIS console. The chips would have to wait until later. For now, it would be safer away from Earth. In that moment, the Doctor had spotted what could have only been a future incarnation. The TARDIS of another incarnation, anyway. Meeting himself from the past or future was always a bad idea.

Well, it had to be himself, right? Who else would have a police box in twenty-first century London? Even if it was black and shiny…

A/N: Oh noes! I couldn't resist putting in a cheesy reference to the scene specially written for the Doctor Who Proms. Oh, dear... and the Doctor makes himself chipper. He has to, doesn't he? But what did he really see at the end? We know, of course... mwahah! The next chapter will be right back with the new Master- err, 'Mistress,' and we'll start to understand what's really going on... reviews make me work faster! :D