The Fall of Arcadia (Book ONE)

Chapter 5

The Doctor:

It took a while for Donna to get the hang of flying the TARDIS properly, but very slowly, very, slowly, she got the hang of it. "I can't believe I'm doing this!" she laughed, flicking the wrong switch.

"No, neither can I. Oh, careful." I hit the console with my lucky mallet and pulled the lever she was supposed to pull. "Left hand down, left hand down! You're getting a bit close to the 80's."

"What am I going to do, put a dent in them?" she joked, as a very sleepy looking Alice walked in, her hair like flames around her heart shaped face and her tatty teddy pajamas indicating she'd just woken up.

"Well, someone did" she smiled, sitting on the jump seat, her legs barely reaching the ground.

"You get anymore sleep?" I asked, not leaving Donna's side. I'd rather not blow something up today.

"A bit, but I still had the dream" she sighed, running her fingers through the tangles and frowning when she saw some split ends. Then the phone rang. "Hold on, that's a phone." I took it from the socket on the console and stared at it for a moment. Martha's phone.

"You've got a mobile? Since when?" Donna scoffed, letting go of the lever.

"It's not mine." I press the little green phone button to pick up. "Hello?"

"Doctor? It's Martha, and I'm bringing you back to Earth" I hung up and locked onto her location, landing the TARDIS just behind her.

"I'm in my pajamas!" Alice complained, looking own at herself.

"Go change then you plum! Go, I'll wait here for you" Donna laughed, shoving her toward the door. I stepped out and saw my friend waiting fro me.

"Martha Jones"

"Doctor" I hugged her, wishing she'd stayed for longer.

"You haven't changed a bit."

"Neither have you"

"How's the family?" I asked, wondering what she'd make of Donna and Alice.

"You now. Not so bad. Recovering." she replied, not looking behind her. Then Alice and Donna came out of the TARDIS. Alice was wearing an oversized My Chemical Romance t-shirt and black skinny jeans. Still donning the Doc Martins as well.

"Well, you are going to have fun in 2013, they break up and Gerard goes solo." I tease, though she doesn't look phased.

"Time can be re-written" she shrugged, making me stare at her in surprise.

"Should have known. Didn't take you long to replace me then. Hang on, don't you own that book shop off Piccadilly Circus? My brother loves your shop!" Martha shook Alice's hand, not really mad, just amused.

"Now, don't start fighting. Martha, Donna and Alice. Donna and Alice, Martha. Please don't fight, I can't stand fighting." I asked, not sure of what Donna would say.

"You wish" Donna shook Martha's hand next, making me breathe a sigh of relief. "I've heard all about you. He talks about you all the time"

"I dread to think"

"No, no, no. No, he says nice things. Good things."

"Oh, my God. He told you every everything" Martha groaned, making Alice giggle.

"Don't ask me, I'm only here for one trip. Though Donna here thinks it's going to be for longer." she smiled, patting my shoulder.

"No, one trip, then back to your shop." I reiterated, wondering if it would stay that way.