Chapter Thirty: Stranded

The Doctor and River had wished they went back to Granny's to retrieve their horses while they were traveling through the forest on foot all night long. The morning sun had risen from the horizon, providing them with some light to guide their way. River did not want to tell the Doctor that she was starting to become weary from the long walk, mostly because the curiosity of what the Doctor had done earlier in front of Red strengthened her to refuse rest of any kind. She could have told the Doctor that she needed to stop, which would have been a perfect excuse for getting him to confess his true intent.

As soon as the sun started to gleam over her eyes, River felt encouraged to ask. "Why did you do what you did back there?"

For a brief moment, the Doctor acted as if he had not heard what River asked. "Beg your pardon?"

"The way you accepted blame for Red's misinformation about the wolf." River reminded him, although the Doctor did not need much of a reminder, seeing that the moment kept replaying in his mind. "She's her grandmother's responsibility…not yours. You had the right moment to earn her trust and now…"

"It wouldn't have made a bit of difference had I not have said anything, River." He sharply turned to her when making his retort. "The way she looked at me the first time I saw her…there was a feeling that I hadn't felt in such a long time."

The way he talked about the experience gave River mixed feelings. "Are you saying that…you were in love with her?"

"No," the Doctor quickly answered. "It's just…" He then looked all around him as if he was admiring the scenery. "This place…I've been to many worlds…I've seen many things…I've overcome many emotions…but I've never been able to overcome what this place has been doing to me. There's a reason that the TARDIS doesn't want me to leave here."

"Doctor, we don't belong in this world. We…" She stopped just as she noticed the Doctor focusing on something behind her. "Are you listening to me?" She got her answer as he walked right by her, clearly inattentive.

Her gaze following his movement, River soon saw what had attracted him: the TARDIS. It was standing on a hill in a nearby clearing, illuminated under the morning sun like a beacon of hope. The Doctor laughed hysterically as he approached the TARDIS; he reacted to its appearance like someone who was reunited with a long lost friend. River smiled with delight while following him to it. The Doctor kissed every side of the big blue box and even hugged it from all sides. "Ah! You beautiful thing, you! I've missed you ever so!"

River laughed. "I suppose all that talk just a while ago has gone out the window."

The Doctor grinned, admitting the foolishness he had expressed at the time; he removed the key to the TARDIS from his coat and opened the door. He gestured for River to enter first, which she affably did. As he watched River enter the TARDIS, the Doctor stopped and looked around the forest for what he believed would be the last time; the sense of joy he got from seeing his TARDIS again melted into despair. He was going to abandon this enchanted world that he discovered and fell in love with by accident.

It really is love, the Doctor thought, but is it with this world…or with Red?

The Doctor did not want to ponder any longer on the subject; instead, he turned and made his way inside the TARDIS. However, just as he placed one foot inside, a massive gust of wind came from nowhere and blew him away from the door. The Doctor tumbled down the hill and landed at the foot of it with a hard thud. Dazed and confused, he looked back up the hill to see the door to the TARDIS close, shutting him out once again. What shocked the Doctor even more was seeing the TARDIS dematerialize without him in it.

"No, no, no!" He cried while fighting to get up the hill to reach the TARDIS, hoping to make it to the door before…

VWOORMP! VWOORMP! VWOORMP!

It was gone.

The Doctor stood in devastation of what had happened – he had become stranded on the very world that he once admired with passion…and River was no longer with him. The only thing he had left was his sonic screwdriver and the key to the TARDIS, which had become just what it looked like – an ordinary key.