While You Were Out ...

Chapter 4

Risking another glance at his surroundings, the Doctor sighed, frustrated that he'd still failed to figure out what had happened. He was still trying hard to recall if he had ever experienced similar phenomena before on other planets.

The harder he tried to remember, the more frustrated it left him.

Not to mention the more worried he'd grown over what had happened to Jamie and Zoe. Where they could have gone, and what had caused their disappearance.

Or, his disappearance ...?

It must have had something to do with the atmosphere. He had a feeling about it, as if he had experienced something like this before.

"But I can't just go on feelings —I need actual, scientific proof!" he exclaimed. Having no instrumentation of any kind with him, he knew that was impossible. Deciding to make sure, he checked the deep pockets of his coat.

Nothing. All his instruments were back in the TARDIS. He needed to go back. With a resolute nod, he turned around and started to walk.

He'd walked about ten feet when he abruptly stopped, looked around and sighed in futility.

If he could only remember which direction the TARDIS was in ...

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Zoe took a seat at the long, cafeteria-style table in the mess hall, pausing to stretch her arms before tucking into her breakfast. She smiled, feeling quite refreshed and rested this morning.

Jamie seemed to notice. "Ye're in a giud mood."

"Yes, I am. I slept quite well the rest of the night." She smiled again. "Thanks for being so supportive, Jamie."

The Highlander's brow furrowed as he gazed at her in confusion. "Eh?"

"You know, last night. In b—"

His eyes quickly widened and he held a hand up in front of her. "Aye, aye, I know," he interrupted, reddening as the words tumbled from his mouth in record speed. He gazed at all the people passing by and nearing the table before turning back to her.

"Ye dinnae have tae let the whole room know," he hissed out of the corner of his mouth.

Zoe turned to find a small group had already congregated at the table and she flushed. A young male scientist approached, taking a seat next to them on her side.

"Good morning!" Zoe chirped at him.

The scientist nodded with a kind smile. In her peripheral vision, Zoe could see Jamie eyeing him with a wary expression which slid into a gentle smile as she turned back to him. "An' ye're welcome," he told her softly.

Zoe nodded with a smile of her own. "Well, we've got a big day ahead of us."

"Aye, doin' that ... um ... science stuff ..." Jamie waved his hands about nebulously before trailing off with a wince.

Zoe frowned at him. "We're helping them catalog the new samples that were brought back," she hissed, hoping the young man next to her hadn't overheard. Turning slightly, she breathed a sigh of relief as she found him engrossed in conversation with two other scientists.

"Alreeeight!" Jamie hissed back. "Ye dinnae have tae get all hyte aboot it, ye know."

"We're both supposed to be renowned scientists. Do you want to get us thrown out of here? Then we'll have no chance of finding the Doctor."

Jamie heaved a sigh. "Ye're right. 'm sorry, Zoe. I'll try harder." He gave her a small, embarrassed smile.

Zoe smiled at him, giving his shoulder a small pat.