A/N: Almost done now guys. Thanks for reading this far, and for anyone who doesn't like the formatting, all my next stories will be more spread out.
When the survivors emerged from the caves, the sun was sinking behind the skyscrapers in the west, staining the clouds deep purple and red. One moon hung solemnly in the sky, half full and waxing larger each night. Jack inhaled deeply through his nose, sucking in the humid tropical air. Unfamiliar stars began to twinkle in the sky, marking the progress of evening into night. He glanced over at the Doctor, who was walking slightly ahead of the rest of the group, his eyes locked on the ground in front of him. Brittany, Pierre and Lora walked with Jack, smiling and joking about commonplace things.
The TARDIS was sitting right where the Doctor had left it, in the shadow of a broad-leaved tree, patiently awaiting the return of her Time Lord. The Doctor dug the key out of his pocket and unlocked the door, quickly jumping inside and closing the door with a snap. "Won't be a minute," he called out cheerfully, but Jack knew his heart wasn't in it.
Jack folded his arms and leaned against the TARDIS, waiting for the Doctor to return. Lora and Pierre sat don on the thick grass that carpeted the ground, and began exchanging personal details. Brittany, however, stood still, and stared at Jack.
After a long silence, she spoke up. "Is it always like this with you?"
"Yes."
Brittany sighed, and looked at the stars. "For so long now, I've wanted to get off this planet, and see those stars a little closer. But if this kind of danger follows you everywhere you go…" She looked at Jack sadly. "…I don't think I'd want to come."
Before Jack could reply, the Doctor bounded out of the TARDIS, a long metal object in his hands.
"Anyone want a cup of hot chocolate?" He waved the thermos in the air before setting to work pouring the sweet brown liquid into cups. Jack smiled and took a cup, sipping carefully at the steaming drink.
The five friends sat down on the grass, just enjoying the moment. Finally, the Doctor spoke up. "I was wondering if any of you would like a look inside my spaceship?" he asked, pointing at the blue box standing innocently behind him.
Pierre laughed. "I'll go with that." He glanced around the group. "But I don't know how we'll all fit inside though."
The Doctor gave him a wink. "That's the big secret." He jumped to his feet, and pushed the door open to the TARDIS. "Well, come on then," he said with a wave. Pierre shrugged and followed him inside. He gave a loud exclamation as soon as the door closed, so Brittany and Lora ran inside to see what had happened. Captain Jack brought up the rear, quietly closing the door behind him.
Brittany and Lora were speechless, astounded by the console room of the TARDIS. "Oh my god, it's bigger on the inside!" Lora exclaimed. The Doctor, having gone through this routine multiple times, mouthed the words along with her, much like he had done when Martha had first entered his ship.
He pulled a mock expression of surprise. "Is it? I hadn't noticed." He dashed to the console and leaned against it. "So? What do you think?"
Brittany was the first to recover. "It's beautiful."
The Doctor smiled. "Isn't she just? And that brings me to what I wanted to ask you." He glanced over at Jack, who nodded for him to continue. "Well, if any of you wanted to, you could, well, come with me."
Pierre stepped backwards towards the door. "No, I couldn't. I'm working to get a university scholarship in music, and I – I couldn't just leave. This is my home."
Lora shook her head. "Someone has to stay behind and pick up the pieces. The police are going to want statements, and the media will want to know what happened. There still so much for me to do."
The Doctor turned to Brittany expectantly. "It's a tempting offer, and I really want to take you up on it and all, but…" She swallowed and looked at the Time Lord sadly. "I don't think I'm ready to leave just yet. Sorry."
The Doctor shrugged. "It's okay," he said, but he was clearly disappointed. He turned to the console and flicked some switches. "Well, I suppose this is goodbye."
Jack ushered everyone out, and stood at the door with the Doctor. "We might see you again sometime, maybe," he said, smiling at the three people.
The Doctor grinned. "And, that offer still stands, if I ever come back. No use-by date, okay? I'll see you later." He waved, and ducked back inside the TARDIS. Jack smiled at Brittany one last time, before walking inside, and closing the door.
The light on the top of the blue box began to pulse, accompanied by a rhythmic groaning sound. The TARDIS faded away in front of the human's eyes, leaving behind nothing but memories.
The three stood there for a few minutes, minds reeling from what they had seen that day. Then, arms wrapped around each other's shoulders for comfort and support, they walked off, leaving behind a slightly indented square mark in the grass, where it had been pressed flat by a heavy object.
