Author: Accidental very late update for me. I forgot to post this, and then got carried away writing the ending. Sorry...

Ohh and in a previous chapter I mentioned the Doctor's age as beng.. 903.. I think.. But of course that was his age in 'Voyage of the Damned' ... So I'll be revising that and making him a few years older. Not a big issue, just incase anyone thought... 'hang on a minute!' - I will go back and change his age at some point.

How long they lay beneath the Waltzer neither of them knew. The Doctor lay on his back absentmindedly pulling apart blades of grass. River lay on her side, propped up on her elbow, eyes drifting in and out of focus. She was about to nod off when her hand slipped, she jerked awake suddenly.

"Doctor we've been here hours... Let's just forget this"

He glanced slightly at her through the darkness, he could just about make out the sleepy glint in her eyes.

"No," he said flatly, "We stay... Anything happens, I have to be there" River sighed loudly in frustration and rolled over to face away from him. Unreasonable, stubborn man.

Ten minutes passed, twenty, thirty... River had lost count some time ago. Pulling apart yet another blade of grass the Doctor raised it to his mouth and began to chew slowly. He paused, a disgusted look came across his face, it tasted worse than blue grass. He spat it out hurriedly, pulling the smaller pieces from his tongue with his fingers.

"Alright," he decided aloud, "We'll do it your way" He sprung into action, River close to his heels as he led her from their hiding place.

"Now... we're completely vulnerable out here Song," he began as they began to stride out into the pitch black, "So do as I say... Don't ask stupid questions... And don't wander off" He pulled out his screwdriver and held it out in front of him like a sword as they continued on, "I bet this whole scenario is sat in that diary of yours... if you'd just you know... forget the rules... just once... we could follow it... like a... like a manual... yeah... except... I don't really agree with manuals... Threw the Tardis manual into a Supernova... Still... the Tardis gets me from A to B... not before going through X, Y and Z on the way of course... I wonder how the Tardis is... Key hasn't reacted yet... can't have much longer left...," he paused for breath and then sighed, "I bet the swimming pool has moved again... No more soggy toast though eh?" After yet another long pause the Doctor was suddenly aware of the lack of banter he was receiving from River. He stopped still quickly and turned around, waving his screwdriver around he couldn't feel River anywhere within reach, "River?" he asked quietly. He was greeted by silence and the low hum of the ships engines, "River," he hissed more urgently, "Stop playing" His eyes tried desperately to reach into the darkness and find some kind of movement from her. He held his breath and stood perfectly still. A cold sweat began to take over him, his hearts, beat faster than ever. His eyes darted in every possible direction, he couldn't see a thing.

"Okay... okay... Think," he began to pace, not sure of exactly which way was which any more. As he tapped his head with his screwdriver it hit him, "Of course..." he whispered delving into his pocket and removing the spare communicator. Using his screwdriver he was able to manipulate the box into a homing device. It began to beep steadily, he turned on the spot until the beeping quickened in pace, "Gotcha," he grinned taking a large stride forward. He took a few more long strides, "Walk like you can see..." he whispered, "Stupid advice," he added stumbling slightly. The Doctor could barely walk in a straight line when the lights were on, never mind when there was no light to be seen, "That woman," he hissed, "Is going to get me killed one of these days..."

With a mildly worried expression he took a few more tentative steps. In his outstretched left hand he held the beeping communicator; in the other hand he held his screwdriver tightly in his fist. The Doctor felt the hairs stand on the back of his neck, he was sure he'd felt warm breath behind his ear. A chill wriggled down his spine before his legs were pulled sharply from beneath him. He fell heavily on his stomach, the communicator clattered out of his hand as he tried desperately to grab tufts of grass.

"No!" he cried struggling to grip the ground and he was dragged away, his fingers dug into the artificial earth, "No! Please! No!"

When he finally came around he found himself staring up at a bright light. He squinted at it for a moment before turning his head away from it. Angry eyes met his.

"Oh don't worry the Doctor is still out there, he'll save me... Well some bloody good you were!"

He jumped, as he tried to move he found his wrists and ankles were held down firmly, "What the..."

"Welcome to my life," River snapped turning her head sharply away from the Doctor.

"It can't be that bad," the Doctor murmured trying desperately to see his feet. River frowned at him in annoyance, "Well it could... be worse," he added in a low voice.

"Tell me dear... how could it be worse?" River asked beginning to lose her patience with him. He beamed at her widely.

"We could be dead already"