Speed Up to Escape when Circling the Drain

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Breakfast.  A wash and primp at the sink.  An array of even, white teeth, perfectly squared gleamed back at her and a little laugh bubbled up in regards her own smug pleasure.

"You must be doing something right." She said, cocky, as the TARDIS hummed and thrummed around her.  Five minutes in the Wardrobe and she was ready for anything in stout boots, a clings worth of mock army pant, pink blouse, and her favorite fringed white coat.  Sarah Jane Smith ran down the hall toward the Control Room in search of the Doctor, then made herself slow.   No need for him to get a swelled head thinking she was having that much fun on this wild tour he was taking her on.

He'd think she was satisfied and then he'd be dragging her off to meet some old brilliant scientist for whom the TARDIS would translate for her, but she still would not understand.  Best to keep him on his toes, so she simply sauntered in instead of skipped.

Looking for him, wondering what she'd missed while she slept.

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Twirling around the control center for a good deal of the night, if there was a such thing as night on board the TARDIS. The Doctor did not get one wink of sleep, he probably hardly ever slept. If he did, it could have been a few short hours before the Time Lord would be up again and running around like a hyper child. And that was what he was just doing, all through the night hours, running around the control center, taking her where she was trying to go.

His ridiculously long scarf getting tangled in his legs and feet as he ran around, toppled over to the floor. Oh that blasted scarf, why was it so long anyways? The Doctor never figured out why, all he noticed was that it seemed to gain more length then lose it. Almost like how women would complain.. naw, nothing like that. He sat there working to get his scarf untangled before getting to his feet, "There we go! Much better!." That was when he spotted Sarah Jane, "Good Morning Sarah Jane! I am certain you have slept well?" He asked her cheerfully as he went back to navigating the TARDIS.

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He was dancing.

He did that sometimes when he thought she wasn't watching.  Oh certainly, he always had that silken grace that seemed at odds with his long limbs, but only when she wasn't yet expected did he do this for no other reason seemingly than joy.  Fred Astair would have loved him.

Even the way he fell. 

Sarah Jane Smith clamped a hand to her mouth to keep from bursting out with laughter, not wanting the Doctor to know she'd caught him at it.  She'd barely managed to school her face before he spotted her, though she had no need to hide a smile, random laughter might cue him in.

"Wonderful. As always." She did not ever tell him of her nightmares, though it had been a long while since she'd had any of those.  Our journeys have been going smoothly of late, she thought, then knocked on wood.  "I like the sound of the TARDIS in the Vortex even better than the ocean."  She came near him, careful not to step on his scarf which was unusually long even for it right now.  "In fact, it had me wondering about perpetual motion machines.  Did humans ever figure that out?  Did anyone ever figure that out, Doctor?"

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"Wonderful. As always." She did not ever tell him of her nightmares, though it had been a long while since she'd had any of those. Our journeys have been going smoothly of late, she thought, then knocked on wood. "I like the sound of the TARDIS in the Vortex even better than the ocean."

The Doctor smiled, "Excellent! Oh, I find the sound of the TARDIS more relaxing than the ocean.. Sea Gulls interrupt the waves too much. They are rather annoying creatures." He said as the Time Lord turned to the controls, looking at it with curiosity in his eyes. He could never tell where and when the TARDIS was taking him and his companions, not until they were there anyways. It was as though the ship was making sure they were on their toes, ready for anything.


She came near him, careful not to step on his scarf which was unusually long even for it right now. "In fact, it had me wondering about perpetual motion machines. Did humans ever figure that out? Did anyone ever figure that out, Doctor?"

The Time Lord had a wide smile on his face as he looked to Sarah Jane, he always loved it when she and other companions would ask him questions, although there was a good number of them where he couldn't give them an exact answer they wanted. He turned to her, "Perpetual Motion? A motion that continues indefinitely without any external source of energy. At one point in the future, yes they do Sarah Jane. Although I can't tell you where or when they figure it out." He told his companion, "But I can tell you that humans have figured it out." He added, holding his wide smile as he looked down at the controls.

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"You're sure?" She sounded clearly amazed, and perhaps a little disgruntled as though he'd been withholding information. "They did? After all those hundreds of years and countless attempts of wildly varying conception . .ohh, Doctor, those lovely machines! I'd get in trouble in school hanging back to see them on the Science Hall school trip!"

She took hold of his sleeve to make certain she had his attention.

"I'd like to go see it. The first one ever, whomever made it. And I want to see the first one humans made.  I suppose we'll have to research and all, but I would help.  I want to see how it finally was solved.  She gave him her wining most smile, but then put on the affectation of concern for him.

"I mean, unless you don't think you can do it. Pin point it that closely."  There was a little flash of wicked in the corner of her sea-storm eyes she could not quite contain.

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The Doctor nodded, "Yes I am sure that humans created one of those machines." He told his companion as he looked to her, "I would like to try seeing one of the first machines as well. Perhaps, with a little research, we can locate the first machine built by humans and take a peek at it." He flashed his perfectly white teeth before looking back to the controls.

He frowned some as the TARDIS seemed to be heading into another direction, "Well I think the TARDIS has gotten excited about something.. she's heading in a completely different direction all of a sudden." The Doctor stated as he jogged around the control console to mess with a few switches and buttons there before running around to another set, "I wonder what has gotten her wires into a knot?" The Time Lord asked as he did his best to navigate the TARDIS to where she was suddenly trying to go.

Looking to the computer for a moment he had a questionable look, "She's taking us to.. some planet in your solar system Sarah Jane.. no wait she's moving away?" He said with confusion, "She seems to be having a hard time deciding where to go." He flicked a switch and pressed a couple buttons as the TARDIS changed direction again before slowing down. The Doctor looked to the computer, wondering just what all the excitement was all about, "Everything is alright now.. she's calmed down." The Doctor stuffed a piece of candy into his mouth before offering Sarah Jane one, holding the bag in front of her, "Would you like one?" He asked with a wide, friendly smile.

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He easily gave in, as he often did, with the added bonus of seeming pleased with her idea.

"I would like a peek." She agreed, matching his grin, and then the Doctor started in with the controls.  The TARDIS cranked up, thrilling her as it always did, taking them far and fast.  Then the TARDIS hiccuped.  Instantly, Sarah Jane grabbed on to the rail around the control column, far to familiar with the TARDIS' vagrancies.  Generally, the Doctor could keep her on track, and he was moving quick to do so.

"Well I think the TARDIS has gotten excited about something.. she's
heading in a completely different direction all of a sudden."  He explained, sounding just a touch disgruntled.  "I wonder what has gotten her wires into a knot?"  It was never good news when he tacked question marks on the ends of his sentenses regarding his TARDIS.

"Oh no you don't." She warned, uncertain if she were talking to the Doctor or the wayward TARDIS.  "You said we could go to see the machine!  Where do you think you're going?"  She was looking at the controls as if some way to help might reveal itself.  She was looking for the the magical, non-existent, back-on-course-button.

"She's taking us to.. some planet in your solar system Sarah Jane.. no wait she's moving away?"
He sounded quite casual, however, she was holding on with both hands now to keep from being being bumped around.  "She seems to be having a hard time deciding where to go."

"Deciding. . .? I thought you were driving." She commented as he adjusted the controls.  The bucking smoothed out."

"Everything is alright now.. she's calmed down."
"Maybe she likes perpetual motion machines." she mused, taking the offered candy, plucking it from the bag, tossing her tumbled hair out of the way and popping it into her mouth.

Sugared raspberry.

"Did she find it?" Sarah Jane asked hopefully around her sweet.

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"Did she find it?"

The Doctor looked to the computer, wondering if that was just what the TARDIS was heading for, "The TARDIS does have a mind of her own. If she feels I am needed somewhere, there is nothing that will stop her from getting there." He told Sarah Jane as he pressed some keys and waited for a moment or two for the results. He leaned away from the computer, taking in everything.

"Did she find it?"

The Time Lord picked up his wide, floppy hat and set it on his head, "I do not know. But let's go and find out shall we?" The Doctor said as he quickly headed for the door. Opening it he quickly stepped out and waited just a few steps away for Sarah Jane He looked around curiously, it appeared the TARDIS took them to another alien planet of some kind. It seemed as though he and his companion were going to have another pleasant trip.

Looking up he saw the sky was a perfect blue, with some fluffy white clouds, and tall alien looking trees. Grass was all around them, it looked like the planet could be identical to Earth. Popping a piece of candy into his mouth, The Doctor turned to look at Sarah Jane, "Ready for another pleasant trip?" He asked.

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They piled out of the TARDIS and she almost forgot about what had got them started in the first place. It didn't really matter if they found the Machine or not right now. Where ever and whenever they were, they were Here and Now.

And it was a beautiful day.  Her mouth was open as she looked up at the towering trees that seemed to spike high into a sky of eye soothing blue.  The air was wet and clean, she could taste it.  As she walked forward, her fingertips reaching, she stopped when she felt them brush over the familiar wool of his coat.  She looked up at his nose, center the brim of his hat from this angle.  The mouth was noble enough to balance even that nose.

"Ready for another pleasant trip?" He grinned, rather epically.

"Always." She said, finding his eyes. "It's a beautiful day for it, care for a stroll? She asked, but she was already walking, wading through light undergrowth and eyes looking for a path. "It is Earth isn't it? Did she take us to the right place after all?"  She was forging ahead, feeling confident in such familiar surroundings.

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The Doctor looked around as he followed her, not caring about the undergrowth. He could tell that in some ways, this was not Earth just by the air quality, it was much more in oxygen then Earth was, "No this is not Earth, it's like Earth but it's not.. Perhaps she has taken us to an alien planet where the machine was first made. The only way to find out is to look around." He came to a stop as the two came across a path.

Looking at the dirt trail he could see some light foot prints, booted footprints that were single file, possibly a traveling group or military, "We need to head this way." The Doctor said, pointing to his left for a few seconds before walking in the direction. He came to a stop at the top of a hill, and looked down at a large city, "Well now, would you look at that." The Doctor said cheerfully as he looked down at the city, it had beautifully tall buildings, bridges connecting two or more together. There appeared to be some flying cars buzzing about, but there was no noise, "Isn't this brilliant?" The Time Lord asked looking to Sarah Jane.

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"The only way to find out is to look around."
"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -is to look around." she said in tandem with him, a touch of smiling wry in her voice.

Not that she minded.  It was lovely here, and so quiet.  She loved the thrum of the TARDIS, but it was ever present.  Trees seemed to drink sound, making a certain stillness even in a place bursting with life.  Her eyes in turn were drinking in all the greens, and the dark perfect slashes of tree trunks.  The blue was easy on her eyes, and the clouds seemed freshly washed they were so purely white.  They broke on to a path and she stopped, watching him choose, his lanky height and his hat making him look like the trees around were his looming entourage.

"We need to head this way." he pointed, and they were off single file.  She liked having him at her back.  Part of her brain was playing intrepid explorer out on her own, now with the Doctor out of her vision, all the while knowing he was looking out for anything they should avoid. And how to get back to the TARDIS.

They climbed uphill a good way before it topped out.  A city spilled out before them, flying cars a startle after the deep wood they'd been in just a  moment ago.  Her mouth popped open with surprise and then turned smile style. They weren't in the middle of nowhere!

"Well now, would you look at that."

"You did it!" It was rather random praise, but she socked him affectionately in the elbow to make her point, flashing a smile back at his smile. Then she was busy being stunned by the vista.  Such a sophisticated place, so lovely in contrast to the wilds around it.  There was a sense of concord between the wilds and the civilization.  She couldn't smell the city, or even hear it much, it just sat there if it had grown there.  Still, the flying vehicles promised advanced wonder. Perhaps exactly the place to find a perpetual motion machine.

"Lets go see if anyone can lend us a cup of perpetual motion." She quipped, absently sliding her hand into his as the path down off the top of the rise looked steeper.

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The Doctor nodded, "Yes! Let's go and see if someone will." With that he started walking towards the city limits, it was a pleasant walk through a field of poppy like flowers upon reaching the outer gate that was guarded by two.. Judoons? The Doctor froze, "Well this is most interesting, Judoons!" The Time Lord said as he came to a stop, pondering how to get the himself and Sarah Jane passed them.

He figured he would be able to come up with something to say, that was if they were still standing by the gates as the two Judoons walked through the gate, "Come on Sarah Jane." He told her as The Doctor started making his way to the gate, stopping in the shade of the arch he looked around, there were no Judoons in site so perhaps he and his companion have arrived in the morning hours when guard duty comes to an end, "It appears we have arrived just as guard duty is to end. Let's get into the city before they come back." With that he led the way to an alley and stopped to wait for his companion.

The streets appeared to be lively with all sorts of life, humans and aliens. There also appeared to be a few robotic beings as well as The Doctor observed the street in front of them, "Well this is just gorgeous! Humans, aliens and robots living together." The Doctor said in a happy tone, this was a nice change to seeing races at war. He adjusted his long scarf some so that he would not trip over it, then adjusted his hat. The Time Lord looked up to the sky, "This is just brilliant!"

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The view was epic as they walked down toward the city and it's surrounding field of flowers., The path turned easy.  She decided the Doctor was right about it not being earth, the sun seemed a tea cup rim larger and it's light was 20 more minutes into sunset orange than her own personal sun back home.  The greens in turn, held more emerald to them, a jade shade away from the verdant greens of Earth.  When they reached the field of flowers, poppies perhaps, but a deeper shade of oxblood than she'd ever seen before in a flower. They looked velveteen, and she left the path to walk through them.  She stooped to break off a handful for closer examination.  The scent surprised her, it was a spicy as home mustard, but with the complex notes of nag champa that seemed to linger.  She had to jog a bit to catch up with the Doctor, and slid easily into stride with him. 

They walked along the outer wall, looking for the way in.  It was a fine wall, and Sarah Jane bet they had a Market. She intended to go shopping and was about to tell the Doctor so when he stopped.  Froze.  Instinctively she did as well.  Almost, anyway, for her head whipped, dark hair tumbling, to follow his gaze.  There  was a gate, but were guards and they were anything but human.

Ohh, they stood on two feet, had to arms and a head, but it was a monster's visage that reared out of the top of a rather sturdy looking rumpus suit.  Knobby and reptilian,  ventral horned and beady eyed with soft beaks that were blunt like a parrots.  They were the color of elephants, and taller than the Doctor.  Instinctively, she tucked in beside him, half behind him, minimizing her bright white coat. 

"Who are they . . ?" She asked in an astonished whisper.  She jammed the flowers in her side pocket, their heads poking out the top.

"Well this is most interesting, Judoons!" he said, contemplating them.  She looked back and fourth between the fierce looking Judoon and the Doctor, a half grin on her face knowing he'll be able to slip them past.  Just a few moments later, and the guard pair was turning and heading through the gate.  Would they shut it? Would she and the Doctor have to climb a tree to get in?

"It appears we have arrived just as guard duty is to end. Let's get into the city before they come back."  He said, and simple as that strode to and through the gate.  She stood there a moment, wondering if there was a whole city of those creatures inside the walls, and if she was quite ready for that.  Well.  Or she could stand out here and wait to hang out with the armed Aliens. 

"They're not going to have any boots my size." She said with a touch of whist, then jogged to where the Doctor waited.  She didn't look until she was beside him.  When she did, her mouth fell open.  No, not a city full of those big rhinoceros fellows.  It was a city full of everyone.  It was as bustling as any downtown of a fine London Barrow, but looked as though everyone had dressed up for a huge Halloween and Mardi Gra party all at once.

Blue skin.  Horns, tentacles, cogs, metal heads, fronds and extra eyes.  And every one dressed for Sunday.  Delight bubbled up with laughter in her.  The Doctor sounded equally delighted.

"Well this is just gorgeous! Humans, aliens and robots living together this is
just brilliant!"

"This is lovely!" She agreed, tapping her elbow against his in delight. "Lets go find out how to find out things!" she said eagerly.  With such a bustling place in them middle of no where, she was no longer even concerned about the fierce Judoon guards who had been at the gate.  And she saw humans out in that crowd, she would be shopping later, but decided to spring it on the Doctor later after they'd had a good swing around the place.