Chapter Five

Author's Note: I've really kind of come to a decision already, but who wants to see Jack come in soon? Good ol' Captain Jack! I also realize this chapter is a bit rubbish - updates soon!

Repairs went by relatively quickly, and with little added damage to the console. The Doctor pulled the screen around as he typed away, searching for a signal. Rose watched by his side, while River watched from one of the columns. She didn't quite remember him looking at her like that, and she wasn't sure if it was because her memories were fading or if he just hadn't at all. It made her wonder if they really had something, or if she had just imagined it. If he was so happy with this Rose, why had he even bothered with her? River pressed her lips together. Whatever happened, she would go down fighting. She fought to keep the memories she still had, of their picnics and escapades. She smirked slightly, a particular memory coming to mind. Donna smiled briefly at her and walked over.

"I would think you'd be more excited about the adventure!" she said. River pushed curls out of her face.

"I love a good adventure, more than most people, but..." She was interrupted by a large whoop from the Doctor.'

"Here we go! Hang on!" The TARDIS jolted violently, nearly throwing them across the room. They came out on an empty alley that stretched for several blocks. Dark shadows stretched out across the alley, shrouding the the block in an eerie grey. The Doctor turned and looked at the three of them. He pointed two fingers at Donna and Rose.

"Don't wander off, but keep a sharp eye. Therelean's are tricky and can easily adapt to camouflage themselves into their surroundings." he instructed. Donna waved an arm at River.

"What about her?" The Doctor just raised an eyebrow.

"She has a gun, you do not. She also has less of a penchant for trouble." He glared at Rose. "If anyone was to wander off and find a savage alien it would be you, so stay close." He squeezed her hand and they began walking down the alley. Rose looked down at their hands.

"Would you feel better if I had a gun?" she asked, her voice low. He looked down at her, his face becoming stern.

"No," he tried to catch her eyes. "The opposite actually, I wouldn't be able to trust you like I do." Her eyes reached his and they both smiled.

"Is this alien savage?" Donna asked. He didn't respond immediately, quickly averting his eyes from Rose and watching the shadows they passed.

"I don't know yet." he said, scanning the air again. Donna let out a loud sigh of exasperation.

"You are the only person I know that will track something down, without knowing if it will kill us or not. It's a miracle you've lived this long." River burst into laughter.

"She has a point, what regeneration is this for you? Nine or ten?" The Doctor didn't respond and Donna frowned.

"Regeneration?" she looked to Rose for an explanation.

"Shh!" The Doctor held a finger to his lips and pointed several feet away. They could just barely make out a lean shape sitting against one of the buildings.

"I'm not forgetting about this spaceman." Donna whispered as they walked forward. They got close and the Doctor kneeled down, bringing himself face to face with the alien. Its body had camouflaged itself to match the brick of the building it sat against, making it nearly impossible to see, aside from its large blue eyes.

"Hello." the Doctor said softly. The Therelean raised its head slowly, its eyes searching the Doctor's face. It frowned at him, its face resembling a mime.

"Shh, it's ok, we're not here to hurt you." Rose laid a hand on its shoulder and it looked up at her, appearing frightened. "You're scared, what are you scared of?"

"It is large, like nothing I have seen on my planet." it spoke slowly, a quiver in its voice. "It brought us here, no one knows how, but now we are separated." His eyes squinted slightly at the Doctor, his mouth twitching. The Doctor watched him warily, aware that he was planning mischief.

"What's your name?" Donna asked.

"Evyndr." he responded. "I wait for my family." He grinned then, his mouth wide and toothless. The Doctor grimaced, motioning for them to get back.

"I don't like that grin." He got back up and stepped back, right into another Therelean. He whirled around and found that they had been cornered against the wall by several more of them.

"So, by tricky did you mean card tricks?" Donna asked looking around at them hesitantly.

"I wish." The Doctor began searching through his pockets, pulling out knick knacks. He handed Donna a water gun, a yoyo and a ball of yarn.

"S'bit of a bad time to organize right now!" she exclaimed. He grinned and finally pulled out a smoke bomb. The aliens chuckled at him, clearly unimpressed.

"You want to play games with us?" Evyndr asked behind him. The Doctor shook his head.

"Oh I can play games!" He pulled the pin and held it up dramatically. His face fell as the smoke failed to appear. River sighed and pulled out her blaster.

"Sometimes I wonder how you get anything done. Guess we have to do it my way." she stepped in front of him and raised her arm. Rose frowned, hoping that River didn't mean to pull the trigger.

"River, wait!" she stepped forward just as they were clouded with smoke.