oracle [doctor who]

five

When the TARDIS finally landed, Nora was the first one to the doors. She ran outside and did a twirl as if spinning would help her absorb everything. The sky was a vibrant blue. They'd parked across the river from a massive city seemingly built on a plateau. Overhead, flying cars zoomed. Something smelled amazing. Like apple. The sun shone over everything like, "Yeah, not bad for your first alien planet, huh?"

"It's the year five billion and twenty-three," the Doctor said, coming to stand by Nora's side. "We're in the galaxy M87 and this? This is New Earth."

Nora shot him a look. "New Earth? My first real trip through time and space and you just bring me to Earth 2.0?" She had wanted an alien planet that no human had ever stepped foot on before. This was lame.

Meanwhile, Rose was at a loss for words. "That's just...That's just..."

"Not bad," the Doctor finished for her. "Not bad at all." He stuck his tongue out at Nora. She rolled her eyes. What a child.

"That's amazing," Rose gushed, jumping up and down. "I'll never get used to this. Never. Different ground beneath my feet, different sky. What's that smell?"

"Apple grass," the Doctor answered.

Despite her annoyance, Nora grinned. She crouched down and ran her fingers through blades of grass. "Apple grass." She looked back to the Doctor. "Not bad."

"Yeah, yeah," he agreed. He helped her to stand.

"It's beautiful," Rose sighed. "Oh, I love this. Can I just, traveling with you, I love it."

"Me too." The Doctor and Rose locked gazes. Nora bit back a laugh and decided to start exploring. She hurried over to the riverbank. She dropped to her knees beside the water and watched the flow. A part of her wanted to jump in or take a sip, but for all she knew, the river was actually the run-off for the sewer system or it was the city's drinking water and she'd be contaminating it with her Old Earth germs.

"Nora!"

She turned to see the Doctor beckoning her. He'd taken off his long coat and laid it on the grass. Rose was already lying on it, basking in the sun. Nora walked back towards them, stripping off her leather jacket on the way. There didn't seem to be room for her on the Doctor's coat, so she dropped her leather jacket and took to lounging on it.

"Rose, shift," the Doctor ordered. "We need to make room for Nora on the coat." Rose obliged without question, shifting over to the very edge of the sleeve. The Doctor followed suit, leaving a strip of space for Nora. He patted the space. She rolled her eyes but laid down next to him. She didn't really fit unless she pressed herself against the Doctor. Wait. Was that the plan?

Unaware of the daggers she was sending his way, the Doctor launched into speech mode. "So, the year five billion, the sun expands, the Earth gets roasted."

Rose chuckled and lifted her head so she could see Nora. "That was our first date." Nora didn't react, too busy silently cursing herself out for wearing such dark colors. It was incredibly warm. How the hell was the Doctor not sweating to death? She scowled as she wrangled her hair into a high ponytail.