Hello!

Uh, basically, updates for this are fairly slow. But to be fair, we're co-writing, so it's tricky to coordinate. And also, it's always sketchy as to whether I'll have internet or not.

But we're updating now, so whatever! Enjoy :).

They stepped from the TARDIS to be faced with a blank landscape. The air was clear and breathable although Sherlock detected a metallic tang to it that nestled deeper into his throat with each breath. The sky was darkened, casting a soft green glow over the sand-like substance that seemed to stretch for miles in every direction.

Sherlock turned to the Doctor, whose features were cast in ghostly shadow by the dim, tinted light.

"Can't you land somewhere closer to civilisation?"

The Doctor, seemingly ignoring Sherlock, inhaled deeply. "Strong smell of mercury on the planet, but fine for humans to breathe." He looked around. "What happened to Rory and John?" He re-entered the TARDIS, and found them looking baffled and reluctant. He informed them it was safe and so they followed him back to Sherlock's side.

"In answer to your question, Sherlock," he said at last, "she landed herself. I had nothing to do with her destination. She took us to Amy."

Sherlock turned away, his keen eyes searching for anything he might have missed the first time. Then, even though he knew he would find nothing, he rounded the TARDIS to survey the horizon and ensure the ship hadn't been blocking anything. Satisfied that he had been thorough, he returned to the Doctor's side.

"There's nothing in any direction, but that's not to say this place is deserted. I suggest we explore. John?"

John looked visibly surprised to have been addressed, seemingly caught up in amazement. "Yes?"

"Pick a direction."

John thought for a moment, looking around. Then, shrugging, he gestured carelessly to the right.

"That way?"

Sherlock gave a brisk nod. "Excellent choice." Then, without further ado, he set off in the opposite direction. Rory looked at the Doctor.

"Is he going the right way?" he asked tentatively.

"Well... I don't know. But there isn't anything else we can use, and he's the best we have. We're going to have to trust him. I know it's probably hard for you, Rory, trusting this complete stranger to find your beloved wife, but he really is the best man for the job. I promise."

Rory still looked uncomfortable. "I suppose..."

He started after Sherlock and John. The Doctor (still mid flow about how Sherlock seemed to be the best man for the job and how the TARDIS picked Sherlock up so he mustbe the best man for the job) didn't realize Rory had jogged off. He turned around and saw they were in the distance, Sherlock striding ahead with John a little bit behind him, and Rory even further behind that. The Doctor quickly made a hasty run towards them.

They walked on for a good twenty minutes, mostly in silence- aside from the Doctor, who was busy telling John about the sand, which tasted surprisingly similar to that of another planet he had visited when he had begun travelling. Every now and again, Sherlock would pause to stoop down and dig a small hole and then examine its inside for several moments. Rory watched him work in confusion, but he had guessed that if he asked about this strange behaviour directly, he wouldn't receive a straight answer- or any answer at all. Eventually, he leaned in toward John, lowering his voice as he spoke.

"What's he doing?"

"God knows. He must have a hunch."

Sherlock's voice rang out before Rory could reply."Correct, John, I do have a hunch. And, as is to be expected, I'm right."

The Doctor moved to see what Sherlock had found and the other two followed him, peering into the hole. It took a moment for their eyes to see anything in the darkness. John got there first and looked at Sherlock.

"Pipes? There are pipes under here?"

"Exactly. And where there's pipes, there's people."

"But this is an alien planet. How do you know-?"

"I would suggest that if the atmosphere here is similar to Earth, the creatures are. These are man-made, or the alien equivalent."

"So all we have to do is follow the pipes?"

"Precisely, John."

"I'm impressed!" said the Doctor. "You simply are a rather impressive man, Sherlock, and I don't offer compliments on intelligence often, because I am usually the most intelligent person around. Anyway! To it! Lead the way, Sherlock!"

Rory observed that the Doctor was doing particularly well in the less dominant role, because he was usually the leader of such expeditions. He thought the Doctor almost seemed relieved. On further thought, Rory realized he probably was. He'd spent weeks searching for Amy to no avail, for this man to come along and get a lot further than he had with the investigation in a matter of hours.

"How are we going to know where the pipes are leading?" John asked, looking around. "All I can see is sand."

"They sound different underfoot. Doctor, you and I will listen out for any change in the sound our footsteps make. I expect your ears are sharp enough. John and Rory, your job is to be quiet. We will proceed in complete silence. Understand?"

Rory looked affronted at his commanding tone. "There's no need to be so abrupt," he muttered.

"Mr. Williams, I would like to remind you that I am not required to help you. My time is valuable and whilst I would rather not leave such an intriguing case unsolved, I could easily return home and resume my life, leaving you to attempt," he stressed the word deliberately, his cold eyes narrowing, "to locate your wife. I can assure you that your chances of success will be far higher with my aid."

Rory prepared a retort, but decided to hold his tongue just as he opened his mouth to tell Sherlock to shove his help. The end result was him stood with his mouth opening and closing, trying to find some words that would appease Sherlock whilst making it clear that he had, in fact, been travelling a long time and should therefore outrank the detective. No such words seemed to exist, however, and so all he succeeded in doing was affirming Sherlock's suspicions that he severely lacked wit.

"Might I suggest, Doctor, that you leave the goldfish behind next time. He's clearly not cut out for adventure." He turned on his heel and began to follow the line of the pipe.

"Rory, that isn't attractive," the Doctor commented. "Come on Rory." The Doctor tugged on Rory's arm.

"Doctor, I don't like him. At all." Rory commented.

"Rory, as I have said, and he has also said, he is our best chance of finding Amy. That is what we want. As soon as that is done, he can go home and everything will be back to normal, with Amy where she should be. Now come on, stop dilly-dallying. We need to be off!"

John made to follow his three companions, having been watching Sherlock and Rory's exchange and mentally noting to tell Sherlock off later. Before he could move two steps, he felt something clench around his ankle. Before he could see what it was, he was pulled off his feet, landing heavily on the ground.

"Sherlock!" he called instinctively, but the Doctor reached him first. As the Doctor pulled what seemed to be a strange torch from his jacket, John felt himself being dragged away slowly. Panting as the sand scuffed against his skin, he struggled to turn over, peering down at his legs to see what was happening. About a hundred metres away, there was a head sticking out of the sand.

John's immediate response was revulsion, as the head was clearly not human, but he overcame it quickly and turned his attention to howhe was being dragged along. The thing had an arm outstretched, it seemed- an arm that was receding slowly into where the creature's shoulder must have been. The hand was clamped around John's ankle- thick, strong fingers ending in pointed talons. He was picking up speed, unable to stop himself. He scrabbled at the sand, but he could find no purchase.

A startled shout of "Doctor!" followed by a soft thump told him that Rory had been grabbed too. All John could do was watch in horror as he drew nearer to the alien. He felt sickened as it opened its mouth, revealing a wide space with a swollen, barbed tongue and several rows of lethal-looking teeth.

Something sharp pricked into his ankle, somewhere underneath the creature's hand. His head spun. For a split-second, everything was topsy-turvy. ...And then there was darkness.

So... yeah. That was that.

I don't know when we'll be updating again, but we won't abandon this story anyways, so there's definitely more in store no matter how long it takes.

We'll try and be quick. Maybe. If we get lots of nice reviews ;).

Thanks to everyone who's reviewed, favourited and alerted so far! We appreciate it :).

So just REVIEW really. Please? :D.