Chapter 3

River and the Doctor stood outside the TARDIS on an alien planet in the year 5692. The ground was dusty and an alarming shade of silver, with tufts of grass here and there and great spanning mountains across the horizon that seemed to be endless. There was a faint breeze and the sky held two moons in orbit, one slightly bigger than the other. The Doctor was smiling against the wind, his brow furrowed as he looked at the planet. River on the other hand wore a scowl. He never could take her anywhere.

"Is there a reason we're in the middle of no where on an drab alien planet, instead of warm, sunny Mexico?" she asked. The Doctor skittered around the answer, he didn't think it was a good idea for him to tell his wife that it just sort of happened.

"Well. Number one: It's cool!" He cried. River rolled her eyes but smiled, it was better than Stormcage at least.

"In more ways than one I would assume, sweetie." She replied. He gave a wide smile at this, sticking his hands into his pockets and rocking back on his feet."Let me go get changed."

"Ah, er, if you must," Was all he could manage. "First right, second left and past the Helter Skelter."

"Aww...baby!" She laughed and strode back into the TARDIS before she went up the stairs, following the Doctor's instructions. After a couple of minutes she returned, her curls pinned up and wearing white three quarters, a short sleeved buttoned shirt, opened just the right amount and a long purple cardigan, which was only really there to hide the gun. Husband got so angry with her when she used it.

The Doctor was fiddling with the console, clearly trying to see where they were...and when, as he didn't even glance back at her, "You ready then?"

"What do you think?" She said, striking a pose. He looked around, and then his eyes warmed at the sight of her but then darted away. "Fine, fine, you look fine," He straightened his jacket, avoiding her gaze more as he set towards the exit. She smirked.

"Such a tease." She sighed, before heading out the front door.

"You're one to talk," Was all he retorted, stepping behind her and locking the door.

"Ohhh...flirting Doctor?" She blew him a kiss. Instead of blushing or looking away he simply sent a smirk at her. She laughed again.

"So, come on. Where are we?" She put a hand up, to shield her from the sunlight.

"Brilliant place this!" He said, throwing his arms wide. "Nice little place off the constellation of Ferab in the 9th division of the Gertrude Galaxy, probably should change the name, I'll get round to it."

"Lovely..." River stepped onto the hard rock surface, and gazed around, enthralled "So...tell me a little more about this place." She cocked her head, and leaned against the TARDIS, looking at the beautiful mountains

"Well," He said, clapping his hands together and walking out. "Its name is Ferrous to you and me but the locals have a different name for this beauty!" He then flopped down and kissed the ground before jumping back up with a disgusted face on, sticking his tongue out. She laughed.

"What is it?" River stepped away from the TARDIS and around a large silver rock.

"Kaber-ou-nast-ain. In their language...In ours it is slightly less dramatic. Haven't been here in...oh, must be about 300 years." He said, a smile on his face. River gave him one back, though a shadow. He was so old, would live far beyond she. But she lived for the now.

"I love it." She declared, smiling back at him. He laughed, fiddling with his hands and staring at her.

"Exactly! Now come on! I want to show you something." He grabbed her hand and they ran across the terrain and River was very glad she hadn't gone with the heels.

"Can't we ever just walk?" She did love the running but it was maniac to her hair.

"Walking is boring. Well, I say that I don't do much of it to be honest. Everywhere I go I seem to have to run. It's the old girl's fault really..." River scoffed, her eyebrow raised. "Yeah, and pretty soon fire will rain down from the sky and this whole running thing will conveniently save us."

"Well, that's actually happened twice in the last 100 years...5 in total I think." River responded instantly.

"And only 2 was with me? Doctor, what have you been up to?" She said, dramatically gasping and putting a hand to her chest, as though chuckled.

"So...what's the plan, Doctor?"

"Caverns, Caves, Massive, mostly non-lethal fire flies. Thought we could have a picnic!" He strode around for a bit then bent down and hopped, knocking on the ground.

"What are you doing?" she asked, placing her hands on her hips as she watched her dear husband ramble and hop around.

"What do you think I am doing?!" He cried, now stomping on the hard rock. It clicked. River smiled. "Trapdoor, eh? Hollow rock, sweetie?"

He stopped and pointed at her and out of breath grin on his face. "Eh? See...see? Good, eh?"

"That's why you married me!" she replied. He stomped a bit more and stepped on a knot of rock, which went into the ground then up again, a rumble echoed.


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