Restored

Gridlock

"Just one trip." The Doctor reiterated, mostly to himself, as he manoeuvred the TARDIS. Raelle and Martha both sat in the jumpseat, watching him. "That's what I said. One trip in the Tardis, and then home." 

"Or..." Raelle mused, a smirk on her face as she looked at the Doctor. The Doctor muttered to himself, knowing Raelle was going to ask him something he couldn't refuse. "You owe Martha at least one more trip. We've done one to the past, so now she deserves one to the future." She shared a look at Martha beside her, as both of them gave the Doctor a pleading look.

The Doctor sighed, hanging his head, before looking back at them. "I suppose we could stretch the definition of one trip." He sighs but a smile blooms onto his face. "How do you fancy that?" He asks Martha. 

Martha eyes gleamed at the possibility, flashing Raelle an excited smile. "No complaints from me."

"How about a different planet?" The Doctor suggests, planting a lever down on the console. 

Martha eyes widen at the thought. "Can we go to yours?"

The Doctor brushes off the idea, scrunching his nose up. "Ah, there's plenty of other places." 

"Come on, though. I mean, planet of the Time Lords. That's got to be worth a look. What's it like?"

The Doctor sighs, thinking of his beloved homeland. "Well, it's beautiful, yeah."

"Is it like, you know, outer space cities, all spires and stuff?" Martha asks, besotted by the idea. 

"I suppose it is."

"Great big temples and cathedrals!"

The Doctor nods, leaning against the console. "Yeah."

"Lots of planets in the sky?"

"The sky's a burnt orange, with the Citadel enclosed in a mighty glass dome, shining under the twin suns." The Doctor says, a small distant smile on his face. Raelle watches him silently from her seat, a knowing look in her eyes. She understands the pain that follows the Doctor with Gallifrey, but hearing him talk about it is something she adores listening. The idea of the planet sounds beyond beautiful to her; a shame it was gone. "Beyond that, the mountains go on forever. Slopes of deep red grass, capped with snow."

Martha looks like she might jump out of her seat. "Can we go there?"

"Nah." He dismisses, waving his hand dismissively at the idea, as he turns himself back to the console. Raelle watches, a small sad smile on her face for him. "Where's the fun for me? I don't want to go home. Instead, this is much better." He spins the monitor to Raelle and Martha. "Year five billion and fifty-three, planet New Earth." Raelle looks over at him, frowning slightly. She thought they'd go somewhere new, the idea of using the same planet he showed her and Rose to Martha not sitting right with her. 

"Second hope of mankind. Fifty thousand light years from your old world, and we're slap bang in the middle of New New York." He smiles widely before pausing, frowning. "Although, technically it's the fifteenth New York from the original, so it's New New New New New New New New New New New New New New York." Raelle raises an eyebrow, amazed how he didn't just pass out by saying that in one breath. "One of the most dazzling cities ever built." He remarks, as they make their way to the door. 

The TARDIS doors open into a narrow back alleyway, littered with torrential rain. 

Martha frowns, as everyone starts to get soaked from the rain. "Oh, that's nice. Time Lord version of dazzling." She mutterers sarcastically. 

The Doctor huffs, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Nah, bit of rain never hurt anyone." He smirks as he sees the look on Raelle's face, hair slick to her face. "Come on, let's get under cover!" He says, as they walk over to the covered area of the alleyway, the street occupied by small vendor stations, currently shut as they amble down the alleyway. Martha walks ahead, as Raelle pulls the Doctor's arm back to her.