A/N: Three more chapters of this story but... I'm afraid the worst thing has happened... I can't think of another story for episode 8. Seriously, not one measly idea is coming up to the surface. I had a one about a dripping tap, but it's a bit too midnight and I can't think of anything to happen. So there might be a loooong wait for episode 8. Unless I get beat up with the inspiration stick. :(

Chapter Twelve

Locked Out

The Doctor jogged down the street. His back ached and he desperately wanted a drink of water, but he had been in worse states than this. The most important thing right now was to find Gordon before he found the Tardis. One thing he had over Gordon was that only he and Ashley knew where the Tardis was parked. Hopefully Ashley had realised that it wasn't him and wouldn't take him to it.

But then again she had her moments. He wouldn't be entirely surprised if they were sitting in it right now. Gordon would need her to show him where the Tardis was, but he wouldn't take her with him. At least, the Doctor assumed he wouldn't.

Christ he hoped he wouldn't.

The Doctor breathed a sigh of relief as he turned the corner and saw his Tardis standing just where he had left it. With it safely in his sights, he stopped and allowed himself to have a brief rest. Okay, so something had kept Gordon distracted for all this time. He hoped that Ashley had figured him out and maybe trapped him or something… but that was wishful thinking.

The Doctor ran his hand over the door of his Tardis and sighed impatiently. If he could get in all he had to do was move it and then go looking for Gordon and Ashley. Easy. He could also just wait here until they came for it, but that could mean waiting a full twenty hours. He couldn't stand on a street corner for twenty hours. He had twenty hours more than Gordon thought he did, so he was going to use it. The best bet would be to find Manny.

But he didn't know where Manny lived.

'That's just fantastic…' he muttered, leaning against his Tardis with an exasperated sigh. He couldn't believe that a Shifter of all things was outsmarting him. They weren't exactly well known for their wit or intelligence. If he left the Tardis there was a chance they would return while he wasn't there. He couldn't hang around for a potential twenty hours.

While racking his brain for a plan, he caught sight of someone familiar wandering down the road opposite. The Doctor narrowed his eyes, trying to place the face. When it finally clicked, he did something he didn't think he would ever do.

'Eddy!' he cried, running across the street towards the youth who had once angered him beyond believe. He waved and grinned. 'Hey there Eddy.'

Eddy looked around in bemusement. When he saw the Doctor his eyebrows shot up and he looked like he was about to turn on his heels and flee. The Doctor rose his hands.

'Whoa there, Eddy,' he told him, moving closer. 'Don't run off now. I want to ask you something.'

'I haven't bothered her,' Eddy insisted desperately. 'I did what you said. Don't beat me up.'

The Doctor rolled his eyes. 'Now really, do you think I could beat you up? You've got about a hundred pounds on me. Not that you're fat or anything, you're just… broader.'

Eddy looked at him quizzically, and still a little apprehensively.

'Just wondering if you've seen Ashley around anywhere?'

Eddy frowned. 'You're trying to catch me out aren't you?'

The Doctor narrowed one eye. 'Why would you say that?'

Eddy hesitated. 'You're not going to give me a crack?'

'Come on Eddy, I haven't got all day.'

'She was with you,' Eddy replied, shifting uncomfortably. 'I saw her on that little blonde bimbo's street earlier with you. Didn't go over though… as you know because you were there.' He winced, as if expecting a blow.

'Blonde bimbo?'

'Manny.' Eddy elaborating, relaxing a little. 'What's this about?'

'Where does Manny live?'

'You should know, you were there.'

The Doctor took a step forward. 'Where does he live?'

'Ravenstile,' Eddy said quickly, backing away a step. 'Ravenstile Crescent. Ten minutes that way.' He pointed to his left.

The Doctor patted his shoulder. 'Cheers, Eddy.' He started away, and then returned. 'No hard feelings, eh? You just really, really annoyed me that day.'

Eddy nodded nervously. 'Yeah man. Whatever.'

The Doctor flashed him a grin. 'Thanks again!'

Eddy watched him jog off down the street and rubbed his face with both hands, still trembling a little.

This had to be the right door. He had knocked on fifteen doors in Ravenstile Crescent and everyone of them had been the wrong one. The Doctor knocked loudly and repeatedly, until he heard an familiar, aggravated voice telling him to chill out. A moment later the door opened and there stood Manny. Weirdly enough, he smiled.

'Oh hi!'

The Doctor pushed past him, too exasperated for niceties. 'Is she here?'

Manny frowned vaguely and allowed him to go inside. 'Is who here?'

'Ashley? Where is she?'

Manny sighed and put his hand on his hip. 'Did you have a fight?' He looked the Doctor up and down. 'Looks like she got the better of you.'

The Doctor turned around to him. 'Is she here or not?'

'No.'

'Where is she?'

Manny frowned. 'How the hell would I know? She went off to meet you about three hours ago!'

'Did she say where?'

Manny stared at him for a moment. 'You don't know where you arranged to meet her?'

The Doctor moved forward. 'Look, it's very, very important that you tell me where she is if you know, okay? I need to find her.'

Manny shrugged. 'I don't know!'

There was a strange beeping sound from Manny's pocket and the Doctor looked at it questioningly. Manny pulled his mobile phone out and looked at it.

'It's a text from Ashley,' he confirmed, and then read it.

'Well?' The Doctor frowned.

Manny blinked, and then re-read the text. 'It says she's just going somewhere with the Doctor, and that she'll be back to pick up her stuff later.' He looked up at the Doctor, frowning suspiciously. 'Why would she say she was with you if she's not?'

The Doctor grabbed Manny's phone and read the text.

'Oi!' Manny frowned. 'That's mine!'

The Doctor ignored him and called the number she had sent the text for. The line was silent for a moment, and then there was a busy tone. The Doctor cursed and gave Manny his phone back. He dodged past him towards the door.

'Where the hell are you going?' Manny called after him, frowning.

The Doctor didn't reply and ran off down the street. Manny shook his head as he watched him and sighed.

'The good ones are always crazy.' He muttered, and closed the door.