While You Were Out ...

Chapter 1

(note: Takes place between "The Space Pirates" and "The War Games")

Zoe grabbed onto the TARDIS console, trying desperately to steady herself as the ship gave a sharp, sudden lurch.

"What's happening, Doctor?!"

"I'm not sure, Zoe. We seem to have encountered a slight bit of turbulence."

"But I thought we'd already landed!"

"We have!" He gestured to the center column, its stationary position indicating their arrival. The Doctor's brow furrowed in thought. "It's quite possible we've encountered a mere blip in the atmosphere."

The slight shuddering of the room finally stilled and all was quiet. He smiled reassuringly, his arms gesturing widely around the room. "See? Everything is fine, now."

"A 'mere blip', ye say?"

Zoe turned to see Jamie at her side, gazing sourly at the Doctor. After a brief moment of staring at him, she covered her hand with her mouth, trying to stifle a giggle but failing miserably.

"Wha' are ye laughin' at?" Jamie demanded.

The petite astrophysicist said not a word, but smirked as she pointed to his head.

The Scot's hands immediately flew up to his hair, which was mussed up and sticking up nearly every which way. He flushed as he attempted to smooth it down.

"Well, I'm nae gonna look my best after bein' thrown tae the floor like tha'," he muttered, again looking accusingly at the Doctor. Grumbling, he sat down and attempted to lace up his boots.

Zoe had a seat next to him, gazing at him apologetically as she reached up to smooth some leftover flyaway bits of hair down over his ears. Jamie froze in tying his laces and wrinkled his nose at her.

Zoe watched him with a frown before standing back up and approaching the Doctor. "Can you tell where we've landed, Doctor?" she asked.

"Well, let's have a look, shall we?"

The Doctor turned on the scanner. Zoe gazed thoughtfully at the scene before them, a secluded, barren landscape. The cloudless sky was a very bright blue, perhaps even brighter than she could recall the Earth's sky. The landscape appeared rather arid, with reddish rocks and sand. It was almost reminiscent of the desert areas of the southwestern United States.

The Doctor muttered to himself as he performed a scan of the conditions where they had landed. "Well, it's got a breathable atmosphere," Zoe heard him say. Before long, he turned to face his two companions with a smile.

"Yes, everything is fine. Let's head out and explore a bit." Opening the doors, he slipped his jacket on and scampered outside like an excited child. Jamie followed morosely, perhaps reluctantly, while Zoe herself was curious to see what was in store for them on this new world.

She winced, quickly shielding her eyes from the bright sunlight. Jamie himself was squinting and then quickly casting his eyes downward. "Hey," he suddenly said, toeing at the dirt with his boot. "Look at that. Neiver seen dirt like this before."

Zoe bent down to have a look. The soil was quite interesting. Very sandy, but some of it quite fine-grained, like silt. The rich, reddish color was the most interesting feature of all. "It must have a high iron content," she muttered, examining it between her fingers. Her eyes gleamed. She almost wanted to ask the Doctor if she could take a small sample of it back to the TARDIS to study.

She suddenly heard him clear his throat and she stood up, noticing the pointed look he was giving her. "We can come back to that later."

Zoe gazed forlornly down at the small mound of dirt she'd made before dusting off her palms and rejoining them. She then noticed the amused grin on Jamie's face and scowled at him. As she drew closer, his grin faded and contrition flickered in his eyes as he held up his hands in surrender.

They had walked about thirty yards when she really began to feel the heat from the bright sun. She shrugged out of the matching jacket she was wearing over her short set. Jamie himself was struggling to roll up the sleeves of his linen, smock-like shirt.

The Doctor removed his own coat, tucking it under his arm. "It is rather warm, isn't it?"

"Ye can say tha' agin. We should've brought our swimsuits, buckets an' spades," Jamie commented dryly.

"There wouldn't be any point in doing so, Jamie," the Doctor opined. "The chances of finding water here, let alone a beach, are quite slim. It appears to be a desert planet."

Jamie merely grumbled. "Weell, I hope we find some water soon. My throat's gettin' parched." He held his hand up against his throat, as if that would emphasize his point.

"Well ..." The Doctor's voice faded and he slowed to a stop, gazing intently at ... some thing amid this endless arid, reddish landscape. "Hello," he muttered. "I believe I see signs of civilization."

"Where?" Zoe was immediately at his side, her eyes trained in the vague direction he was pointing.

Despite shielding her eyes against the sun, Zoe still found herself squinting. And then she saw it. It was quite far off in the distance, but it appeared to be a cluster of white buildings packed rather closely together. From this vantage, they appeared octagonal in shape, perhaps two stories or so tall.

"Interesting," she mused. "I would have thought this planet was deserted, but evidently not."

"First impressions aren't always the best ones," the Doctor said, still gazing in their direction. He then turned back to his companions with a smile. "So! Shall we see what we can find?"

The petite scientist nodded. "I would like to know what these buildings are used for." She perked up as her interest piqued. "Perhaps one of them is a laboratory or observatory. The architecture seems well-suited for such use."

"Och, I dinnae care wha' they're used for," Jamie exclaimed tiredly as they resumed walking, "as long as they've got some water tae drink."

Zoe rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Jamie, would you quit fussing so much about water?"

The Scot practically gaped at her. "Ye cannae tell me ye're nae the least bit thirsty. It must be eight-hundred degrees oot here."

"Obvious exaggeration aside, it is quite hot, but, no, I'm not really thirsty. I suppose the heat doesn't affect me as much as it does you." Zoe's Cupid-bow lips spread into a placid smile as she lifted her chin. "Stocky body types tend to overheat more quickly."

"Hey! Who're ye callin' 'stocky'?!" Jamie protested, his steps grounding to a halt as he loomed over her, fists firmly planted on his hips.

"It's not meant as an insult. It's just one of the several body types: compact and sturdy."

"'Ha! If anyone is compact aroond here, it's you, ye wee thing."

Zoe flushed. "Don't make this about me. It's an accurate description, Jamie," she persisted, keeping her tone neutral despite her growing irritation. Her jaw was set as she kept her gaze on the indignant Scot. "Doctor, tell him I'm not wrong."

She received no answer. The corner of Jamie's mouth lifted in a smirk as he eyed her expectantly, arms folded across his chest.

Zoe heaved a frustrated sigh. "Doctor, please tell Jamie—"

Her voice died in her throat as she turned around.

The Doctor was gone.