Chapter 3

Stepping outside the TARDIS, the Doctor recalled his previous visit with Donna Noble. Initially, she was somewhat of a "placeholder" companion, with whom he really did not expect to engage in a lot of meaningful conversation. Truth be known, Donna was thick headed, brazenly obnoxious and seemed to lack the intestinal fortitude to move about within other cultures, without trying to alter situations to her satisfaction. Her objections to the events in Pompeii and with the Ood are perfect examples of that. However, it is examples such as these that clearly demonstrate how the granddaughter of one Wilfred Noble carved her way into the time lord's 900+ year old heart.

The "Library" was yet another fine example, but he knew that the time to reminisce was over. The rather odd little device that he constructed was altered slightly to actually find the source of the psychic pleas racing into the Doctor's mind. With his trench coat flapping behind, he darted from path to path, trying to find signs of life, especially those in need of assistance. His persistence was rewarded, as he crossed a short bridge and quickly rounded a corner to find a small group of people, joyfully embracing each other and toasting with champagne. This, of course, was not quite the scene the time traveler had expected.

"Um, beg your pardon folks, but I get the distinct feeling that I'm interrupting a rather festive event" said the Doctor, eagerly awaiting a response.

"Welcome! Welcome, my good man!" stated a middle-aged man in a finely pressed business suit. "You're just in time for the celebration."

"Celebration?" replied the time lord. "I'm not sure that I understand."

"Allow me to introduce myself" another well dressed man interrupted. "My name is Charles Wellington, III, and I'm the financier of this little endeavor. However, the brains of the outfit would be that young man being hailed the hero, Dr. Seymour Wellington, who also happens to be my nephew."

Shortly, the Doctor felt a hand on his shoulder spin him around, after which he found the young Dr. Wellington was shaking his hand.

"Sorry about that. He's a good man, but my uncle just can't seem to wrap his mind around all of this" stated the young doctor, seeming quite anxious to tell his tale. "Now then, Mister…?"

"Doctor, actually" interrupted the man from Gallifrey.

"Ohhhh, a doctor! Thank goodness" the young man retorted, relaxing his posture slightly. "I assumed that you were the first of the press to arrive, so I had my "stock" interview responses prepared. Certainly another man of science could appreciate what we've done here."

"I appreciate a god many things" he replied. "However, I think it would be best for me to reserve judgment until after we've discussed your project."

With that statement, the young scientist let out a warm laugh. "Ha! That seems fair enough."

Walking through the crowd and towards a nearby building, the Doctor noticed that his crudely assembled device was now working over-time, indicating that whoever was attempting to contact the time lord was in close proximity. To top this fact, he could also clearly hear the sounds of a sobbing child, which everyone else acted oblivious towards. Since he knew that he certainly did not believe in coincidences, the Doctor was quite certain that whatever he was about to be shown, he would more than likely not like.

Expecting the worst and prepared for action, the Doctor was more than a little surprised to bed led to nothing more than a book lying open on a table, being overshadowed by strange device which looked somewhat like a couple of lamps attached to a series of computers. Stopping at the table's edge, the obviously proud young scientist boldly spoke up.

"We spent years not only experimenting with the device's construction, but also searching the galaxy for any type of book that might possibly allow itself to interface. We were overjoyed when we had finally found an access point and achieved success."

"This may sound a little dense" responded the Doctor, extracting his "brainy specs" from his inner jacket, before leaning closer for examination, "but would you mind telling me what it is exactly that you've accomplished?"

With a smug look across his brow, the scientist quickly answered. "Why Doctor, for the last 2 ½ hours, we have been receiving communications from our team of explorers that we like to call 'Fictonauts.' In other words, I am the first man to ever successfully establish contact with a reality that only exists inside the covers of a book."

As the Doctor's expression quickly changed to one of shock, the heart-wrenching sound of crying grew in his ears.

End of Episode 1