Hey, guys! Almost at the end of this! That's so sad D: I'm gonna keep this short because I'm adding a longer AN at the end, talking about another story. ALSO, I should mention this takes place during S5. Probably would've been good to know earlier, but eh. Without further ado, chapter 7!
"Did you find anything that could help the Doctor and Kimberly?" Amy asked Rory as she paced nervously in front of the rock John and Kimberly had sat on while they ate lunch. Was that really only an hour ago? It seemed like so long ago now.
"No," Rory sighed, rubbing his face with one of his hands. "The only thing this book talks about is how they're distracted by music."
"They could make a run for it, at the very least," John mused, not looking up from the book he was reading. "Kimberly's quite the singer."
"Great," Amy snorted. "They can run through half-collapsed mines while Kimberly sings the whole time. Doesn't help us."
"Only trying to help, Pond," John grumbled. "Jeez."
"Sorry, sorry," Amy sighed. "I just don't like not knowing what to do."
"The Doctor's smart," Rory reminded her, standing up and placing his hand on her shoulder. He caught her glance and held it. "He'll get them out of there."
"Seems like the kind to get everyone killed," John muttered, definitely not meaning to be heard.
"What?" Amy snapped. The nerve of him!
John glanced up through his lashes, saw the angry and confused expressions of Amy and Rory (respectively), and lifted his head from the heavy book in his lap.
"Sorry," he said, sounding honestly genuine. "Was that rude? Kimberly always tells me when I'm being rude. I'm apparently rude now."
Amy made a 'humph' noise and sat down. "Well, he'll be able to get himself and Kimberly out. He's good about not dying."
Amy could've sworn she heard John then mutter something that involved what sounded like the word 'regenerate', but disregarded it. What did 'regenerate' mean to her, anyway?
Kimberly looked at the Doctor incredulously.
"You have a plan, then?" she asked.
"I will once I stop talking," the Doctor informed her, patting her on the head.
"You're winging it." It wasn't a question.
"Exactly!" the Doctor exclaimed before turning back to Salitoran. "There are thousands of planets in this universe. Some, if you believe it or not, are completely abandoned. Not many, mind you. Mainly due to extreme weather. But, since you lot live underground, than that shouldn't be too big of a problem. I can reroute this ship to bring you there after you allow Kimberly and I to leave."
"And if I refuse?" the Salitoran asked. If it had eyebrows, it would have lifted one. The Doctor wasn't particularly fond of its snarky attitude. However, he didn't have room to complain. He was currently trying to think of a way to get him and Kimberly out without killing anyone or anything. Harder said than done, unfortunately.
"Then I'm afraid I'm going to have to do something I'd really rather not," the Doctor warned, his voice gaining a dangerous tone.
A rumbling laugh shook the ship around them.
"I do not fear you, Time Lord," the Salitoran sneered.
"You really ought to," the Doctor insisted with a shrug. "So, my offer. Do you take it? Or should I prepare to lock you in your ship for good?"
Another rumbling laugh that stopped suddenly. The alien in front of them leaned forward, causing Kimberly to step backwards, and narrowed its eyes. "Are there really abandoned planets that we can inhabit?"
"Yes!" the Doctor said excitedly. "If you tell me where the control panel is, I can set the coordinates. But you have to promise me that you'll let Kimberly and I go."
"Yes, yes," it said, waving a tentacle in the air dismissively. "I promise. Down that left hallway, fifth door on the right." It turned its attention to Kimberly. "Earth child. Your voice pleases me. Can you sing?"
"Y-Yes," Kimberly stammered, not expecting to be addressed, let alone asked about her singing abilities. She turned to the Doctor. "You go put in the coordinates. I'll stay here and…sing, I suppose."
The Doctor looked worried for a second - he still wasn't entirely sure if the Salitoran would attack or not. They're not known for premeditated attacks, but he couldn't be sure if it was angry enough or not - but with a nod from Kimberly, he set off in the direction the Salitoran indicated. He heard Kimberly starting to sing 'Amazing Grace' and was impressed - he hadn't pegged her to have such a singing voice.
Pulling his attention back to the task at hand, the Doctor burst into the control room and immediately set to work. He went to the main computer and typed in coordinated as they came to his mind. Alavar was abandoned at this point in time; earthquakes had already sank most of the planet. Helping the evacuation had been quite the day. He didn't think Martha ever quite forgave him for accidentally setting her coat on fire…Anyway, the Salitorans would be right at home there. The Doctor danced around the room, inputting data here, flipping a switch there. It wasn't much different than flying the TARDIS, except this ship didn't go anywhen, only anywhere.
He quickly double-checked everything and, satisfied that everything was correct, he made his way back to the main lobby. The closer he got, the clearer Kimberly's singing became.
"-loak of leaves, a moonbea-"
"Kimberly!" the Doctor called, jogging the last few yards. She stopped singing and turned to watch the Doctor make his way back over to her.
"Did you set the coordinates?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am," he said, giving her a salute. He turned to the Salitoran. "The ship will leave in twenty minutes. Now, bring Kimberly and I back to the surface."
"No."
Whoops, taking away from dramatic ending a bit. Anyway, are any of you guys familiar with my other story, Amy Who? Well, after seeing an AU meme on Tumblr and rereading the story, I've decided I don't like it. So, I'm going to be completely rewriting it. It'll be up after Coal's done, and when it does go up, Amy Who will be deleted. So, enjoy it until now (: