Running Away

The Doctor was nervous.

His hearts beat fast in his chest, and he fingered uncertainly with his Sonic. Was he sure this was—

A door opened from behind him, and he whirled around to see Swift emerge from her designated room, her hair messy and tangled and her robe more wrinkled than ever.

"Alright!" he clapped his hands together and rubbed them excitedly, his heart rates going through the roof to reach a number that was most definitely not healthy for anyone. "Let's get this how on the road."

Little by little, the nagging whispers of his uncertainty and fears were drowned out in the sudden roar that was his resolve. He would do this—it was for the best.

"Uh—Doctor…?" Swift began to speak, but the tall brunette man ignored her and dashed over to the controls. If he had actually been paying attention, he would have noticed how different Swift looked; he face was smoothe now instead of creased with lines of worry, the bags under her eyes had faded, and the eyes themselves had regained most of their usual luster. Yes, she was different. She was lighter, more peaceful than she had ever been in her life.

But the Doctor didn't notice.

The familiar feel of the controls under his fingertips was enough for him—it calmed his nerves and solidified his tenacity. It was the only drug he needed right now.

"…I'm thinking the next planet should be somewhere in the general northern direction…" he rambled, totally ignoring the Angel behind him who was trying to get a word in. Swift leaned back on her heels, a frown creasing her features. He was ranting again. Once that train left the station, there was no getting it back.

"Doctor?" she said the name with considerably less patience.

"…I also heard that Angels preferred colder climates—is that true…? Nevermind, I'm sure we'll find something. Oh, I was just thinking…"

Swift rolled her eyes and hissed through her teeth, a bright orange flame sparking her vision for a split second. This was getting annoying.

"Doctor!"

"Hm?" he looked up, oblivious. Swift took a deep breath, not entirely sure how he'd take it.

"…About finding other Angels…" she began with a slight tremor of uncertainty in her voice, but the Doctor cut her off before she could get rid of it.

"Don't worry, we'll find them in no time!" he grinned cheerfully. He was sure this was the right thing by now, and he moved the levers and switches around with the fluid ease that comes only with time.

"Well, actually—"

"You'll be fine," the Doctor beamed brightly at her, but still seemed distracted.

Wow, she thought, a vein beginning to jut out of her forehead, the Doctor is about as easy to talk to as a cave bat.

With that familiar wheezing sound, the TARDIS shuddered violently before falling eerily still, signaling they had reached their destination.

"Right," the Doctor snapped his fingers, "let's go!"

"But—hey, wait!" Swift yelled at the man, her slender fingers clenched into fists, but he was already out the door. Her eyes flared red, but she followed close behind.

"There!" the Doctor stood outside of the TARDIS, arms spread wide and grin spread wider. "Beautiful!"

Before them, spread out like a map, was a barren, rocky landscape, void of all but a few stunted shrubs tinted a sickly green and a single creature that scuttled through the rocks to stare at them from a sheltered alcove. The atmosphere was almost nonexistent, and the purplish space above shone through it, huge meteors floating peacefully around in it.

"Umm…" Swift raised an uncertain eyebrow at the landscape, "I don't think this is a place where an angel would want to live…"

"Oh, sure it is," the Doctor was unfazed, forgetting for a moment ho he was talking to. "There are plenty of dark caves, snowy craters, and an endangered species of lizard that is considered a universal delicacy!"

The creature hissed at them, showing few small, sharp teeth, and scuttled away.

"It's perfect!"

Swift rolled her eyes at him again. "Whatever you say."

"Oh, come on," the Doctor chided, "you'll never know unless you explore it yourself. Just give it a try, alright?"

Swift sighed, her fiery eyes scanning the desolate land once more.

"Fine."

"Great!" the Doctor brightened up, certain this was the right thing to do. "I'll be waiting back in the TARDIS, then. Bye!"

"Whatever," the Angel huffed and began to walk towards a lightly promising-looking crater. Behind her she heard the doors of the TARDIS slam shut.

She walked a few more yards, her mind only on getting this over with, but she couldn't help but think… something didn't seem right…

Swift whirled around at a now-familiar sound, a sound that confirmed her fears.

The TARDIS was groaning.

It wheezed and gasped, blinking out of existence until the sound faded away as well. It happened in an instant, and for a moment, Swift believed it was just a daydream. Why would the Doctor leave her?

But as she tripped over towards where the ship had landed, her fingers brushed against nothingness, and the reality of what had just happened struck her like a fist.

The TARDIS was gone.

The Doctor had left her.

Swift was alone.

Back in the TARDIS, the Doctor was certain he was doing the right thing.