While You Were Out ...

Chapter 5

"Now, I believe that ever-so-slight rise in the topography was located to the west when we first exited the TARDIS," the Doctor muttered thoughtfully, squinting despite his hand shielding his eyes as he surveyed the landscape. "And, if my memory is correct, we had walked nearly ... fourteen paces due north ..."

He trailed off as he began to walk south —or what he had assumed was south. He'd trekked a little over half that distance when he abruptly stopped.

"Oh, my giddy aunt!!" he cried in frustration. "Why is this so difficult?!" He sat heavily back on the ground, his hands covering his face. The reality of the situation hit him and he slowly drew his hands back. "Because this ridiculous heat is affecting my ability to think and reason. Obviously it's going to take longer for me to figure this business out."

Another glaring reality quickly presented itself, causing his frown to deepen. "And the more time it takes for me to locate my ship, the longer it will take to rescue my friends." He then silently berated himself. Why should he assume they were in some kind of trouble?

Because they usually were in trouble whenever they were separated like this. Although their unplanned visit to the Land of Fiction had occurred many months ago, the memories were still fresh in his mind.

"Think, think," he persisted, wiping his sweaty brow with the back of his hand. "There's got to be some other ... landmark, or, vantage point I must have noticed after we landed ..."

The rise in topography flashed in his mind again and he whimpered. "No, no, not that again. I just ..."

He trailed off as he made the connection between that unremarkable feature and another he had nearly forgotten all about.

"Yes!" he exclaimed quietly. "It was just beyond that ridge ..." Within seconds, his deep frown had melted into a small, hopeful smile. Straightening, he turned around, surveying his surroundings one last time before starting in the direction he believed he would find the feature he noticed as soon as they had left the direction of the TARDIS. He still wasn't absolutely sure he was heading in the right direction, but he was filled with a lot more hope than he'd had only moments earlier.

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Jamie sat atop one of the lab's metal stools, lips pursed as he read the updated report one of the other scientists had given him at least half an hour ago. The more he read, the more he felt his eyes crossing. He had tried hard not only to pass himself off as a scientist, but to try and actually learn more about what they were doing. The fact they insisted on writing in that 'scientist-speak' stuff that Zoe obviously read on a regular basis left him quite frustrated.

Not to mention, he'd also found his thoughts drifting back to what had happened last night: Zoe's fear of the noises from the sandstorm outside, and his comforting her. The image of her snuggled closely against him caused a warmth to blossom inside his chest, one that left him with a smile.

The voices of scientists speaking behind him rudely caused the image to evaporate, but they succeeded in snapping his thoughts back to the report in front of him.

He frowned. It looked even more confusing than it had before. Jamie sighed in frustration, crossing his arms over the tabletop and resting his head against them.

A series of clipped footsteps approached.

"Dr. Galliwup?"

Jamie suddenly straightened up. "Aye—er, um ... Yes?" he answered, turning around and standing up.

It was that quiet, older scientist. Dr. Sills-something-or-other. The Scot regarded him expectantly.

"How are you doing? All healed from yesterday?" The question seemed more out of necessity than sincerity.