Just One More

"I know it's around this corner."

Donna rolled her eyes. "You said that three corners ago," she complained. "And before that, it was 'just down this block,' for five blocks!"

The Doctor turned and studied a street sign. Scratching his head, he squinted at the map.

"At least you're not licking things this time," Donna said.

"Should I be?"

"NO!" Donna exclaimed. "One of these days, you're going to get poisoned doing that."

He flashed her a cheeky grin. "Well, you'll just have to kiss me again."

Her cheeks flushed. "Or I could slap some sense into you again."

He stepped back, undeterred. "But isn't this exciting!? A whole alien city to explore in the thirty-eighth century!"

She sighed. But as his gaze turned from enthusiasm to slightly doubtful, Donna smiled tiredly. "It's very nice Doctor."

"You said you wanted to see an alien city."

She nodded. "And we're seeing one, all right," she said and looked around. "Are you sure we're in a good part of town?"

He opened his mouth to reply but then immediately closed it. "Weeeellll, we're safe enough."

Her eyes widened. "Doctor!"

Stepping closer to her, his gaze was steady. "You'll be safe."

She exhaled with indignation. "I should know better by now," she muttered.

He smiled and turned to resume their quest. "Now, we'll be fine. I know the park is around here somewhere," he said, glancing down at a flimsy piece of paper.

Donna eyed it warily. "Are you sure you're holding that the right way?"

He turned to make sure. Pausing for a moment, he turned it again. "Oh, that's the way..."

Donna stopped. "That's it! I'm going into this store to ask directions!" she declared and started to turn.

The Doctor grabbed her shoulders. "Oh, Donna! Come on! Where's your sense of adventure!"

She glared at him. "If you must know, it's currently hiding behind my current need for some water!"

He released her. "We're almost there, I promise!"

"Why do you never ask for directions?"

He grinned and held up the map. "I don't need to! I got this!"

Donna eyed it warily. "You said we're going to a park, and I don't see any sign of one." She looked at the various groups of people around them. "Surely some of these Future People know what we're looking for."

He looked at the map as if it would have an answer for her.

Donna snatched it from him. "And you're rubbish at reading these things. I swear, if something doesn't beep or blink, you're clueless," she muttered.

"I'm perfectly capable of reading that," he protested.

After a beat, she handed it back to him. "Yes, you are," she said, "if we landed three hundred years earlier." She pointed to a small number in the corner. "I'm no expert, but if the TARDIS is translating correctly, this map is a bit out-of-date."

Crestfallen, the Doctor took the map back from her. "Oh."

She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let's just duck in here and ask someone," she waved at the shop.

Her pursed his lips. "One more corner?" he pleaded. "Please?"

Donna sighed deeply. "All right, one more," she conceded. "But if there's no sign or anything, we'll come right back here and ask. And maybe get something to drink?"

He blinked. "Are you all right?"

"Oh, yeah," she assured him. "Just a little parched."

Nodding, the Doctor, reached down to grab her hand as they continued their search. Donna felt calmer at his familiarly chilly touch.

They rounded the corner, and Donna actually felt disappointed for the Doctor. She knew he really wanted to find whatever-this-place was on his own.

But to her surprise, the Doctor was smiling. No, he was beaming.

"What?"

He gestured toward a glass door. "Here it is!"

Baffled, Donna looked over and read the sign. Backward Park.

"That's the park?" she asked, incredulous.

He nodded. "Oh yes!" he exclaimed. His attention was diverted by a family walking toward them. "And see! Others are going there too!" He stepped aside and greeted the group.

"But it's inside!"

He swayed in front of the door, soaking in its every detail. "I know!" he exclaimed. "What kind of park is inside!?" He leaned closer to a sign next to the door. "And look! They have something called EveryBerry Juice as well as all sorts of food." He turned back to her. "I'll buy the biggest cup for you!"

Grinning, Donna peered over and read the sign. "What does that mean? Backward park?"

The Doctor held out his hand again. "Care to find out?"

A thrill chased down her spine and she nodded.

He opened the door and bowed to her. "Après vous!"

I tried writing this story three times. This is the only version I liked enough to post. And I learned that the destination wasn't nearly as entertaining as their bickering, which is why I left them to explore whatever that park is on their own. Uh, Ten and Donna, your marriage is showing.