The gate squeaked as four hooded ninjas crept into the house of Alexandros the Elder...

"Pete?"

"Hm?"

"What are you doing?" asked Claudia. She had come across him sitting by an oil lamp with a far away expression upon his face.

"Writing an epic poem documenting our success. All Greecian heroes have one-"

Claudia kindly interrupted. She had heard enough. "Yes but one that hasn't even happened yet, two ninjas in Ancient Greece? Really?" she raised an eyebrow.

Pete just sunk in his chair.

Myka entered the closet like room. "It's time to go."

The four adventurers, Artie stayed home he was too out of shape to break-and-enter, started down the dusty road that led to Alexandros. Along the way Pete was still trying to compose an epic poem, rhyming words like Doctor with Boxster (apparently it was his nickname for the Tardis...he got some weird looks for that one). As they got closer they all fell into silence. Stopping right outside the compound Claudia pulled them into a team huddle.

"Here's the plan; Pete will stand watch out on the road while the Doctor, Myka and I break in."

"Is that all? It's not very thought out what if-" Myka started.

"Let's just go, it's almost dawn and the slaves will be waking soon. I must get my Tardis back," the Doctor said. He hated breaking in, but these Ancients never learned. And he had to get to the Time War.

Leaving Pete behind the three 'ninjas' sallied forth. Getting into the house wasn't too hard, but finding their way through unfamiliar dark corridors proved to be a challenge. They almost knocked over a bust of Alexandros...twice. (Funny story actually, they had been walking around the house in a circle...) Finally they arrived in the room where the Tardis was. In the dim light the Doctor could see the outline of his beloved machine.

"Did you bring the exchange?" Claudia whispered. Even without light the Doctor knew she was smiling. In fact it had been her idea, a sort of equivalent exchange. He would take the Tardis and in it's place leave something of greater value. Of course this something was-

"What are you doing here?" said a voice behind them.

The Doctor felt foolish. He had forgotten to count the shadows, or even notice them. They had been standing in a pitch black room, but now they had shadows. Slowly he turned on his heel and found Alexandria looking at them holding a small burning oil lamp.

Claudia, a natural liar, took up the question. "Well, there's this one light that won't light...so we were going to take it back to Plato's workshop to fix for you..." Myka just turned to her friend as if to say is that the best you can think of?

It was obvious that Alexandria didn't believe her because she crossed her arms and began to glare at Claudia.

The Doctor quickly stepped forward, "well you see an ignorant slave sold this to your father when in fact it is mine. I need it to..to get somewhere I've got to be."

Alexandria cocked her head. Then smiled. "Take me with you."

The Doctor gulped. "Uh what?"

"Sure!" cried Claudia, "the more the merr-" Myka elbowed her in the ribs.

"Absolutely not," the Doctor said.

Alexandria frowned, "I didn't want to say this but if you don't let me come I will scream for help."

Myka glanced at her companions. Claudia obviously wanted this new girl to join them, but the Doctor just looked weary. Finally the Galifrean spoke. "You can come, but onl-"

"Oh good! Now you can tell me how to open it, my father and I spent hours trying to open the doors..how is it don-"

What stopped her mid way through her sentence was the Doctor had snapped his finger, and the room was bathed in a warm fiery light. The oil lamp which had seemed bright in the dark room dimmed almost a thousand times in comparison to the Tardis's light. In a trance Alexandria entered the ship.

"It's gigantic!" she ran out and around the police call box. She reentered the Tardis and ran up the ramp. "How can this be? It's amazing a miraculous wonder!"

"Yes it is," the Doctor said smiling at the young woman's wonder. "We'd better get going- Oh hold on a minute. He pulled out a smartly wrapped package, laid it right in front of the Tardis and went to go pick up Pete. Only a few ticks of the sundial later as Alexandros was walking about his house did he see the package. Carefully he opened it and found the most peculiar thing. A bow tie. Underneath was scrawled the words true art.

*****DW*****

"So where are we going?" asked Alexandria (by now she had asked to be called Xandria.)

"Home." The Doctor said it like it was the place he most wanted to be, and like it was somewhere he never wanted to return to.

"So what's home like for you Doctor?" asked Myka. She was finally beginning to accept this alien, and now she was curious.

"Home," the Doctor paused after the word, "was beautiful. Large spires rose up from the ground, the Citadel's great glass dome would reflect the flaming sky lit by the twin suns. To the north and east mountains rose up, covered in red flowing grass. In the wind it looks like a waterfall of scarlet, the snow capped peaks standing aloof looking down on the city. And far away, to the south, is the untempered schism. All of our children looked into the raw undulating space/time continuum. It was the most beautiful frightening thing I have ever seen.." he paused. "That was Gallifrey."

His listeners were in a trance. In their minds' eye they could see the beautiful city the Doctor described for them- the high peaked mountains, the twin suns lighting up the glass dome, making the city burn in soft, warm tones. Before they knew it the Tardis had landed. They took a deep breath, knowing they would lose it in the sight of Gallifrey and stepped out of the Tardis.

Okay guys, I hope you liked the next chapter. I almost cried while describing the Doctor's home~ Gallifrey. I hope I did it justice. The idea about leaving a bow tie in place of the Tardis was suggested by the amazing moyercat11. Also would love to express my gratefulness to everyone who has read this story! It means a lot guys! More to come~