The TARDIS landed with a crunch and the Doctor looked concerned.
'What's the matter girl? What's wrong?' He frowned. 'Let's have a rest here shall we? Speaking of which- where is here?' He grabbed his coat and moved to the door. It had been three months since Martha had left him. After everything that had happened, she'd gone. She couldn't leave everyone again, and he couldn't stop her leaving. She'd given him back his key and walked away.
His hand paused on the door catch, and he thought sadly of his time with the girl. So much had gone on. Shaking his head, he pulled open the door and walked out. Looking round, he realised he was surrounded by tables and chairs. A pub. 'Best place to start an adventure is in a pub!' he said to himself, and moved towards the doorway leading into the next bar. As he reached the threshold he paused. A voice had stopped him. A girl, singing. He listened, enjoying the sound of her voice.
'And let your arrow flow,
Straight to my lover's heart for me.'
He smiled. She sang well, and the song was a nice one. He stood in the doorway, and watched her as she worked. She had an iPod in, which was why she hadn't heard the TARDIS materialising, and was bottling up the fridges. Her brown hair fell in front of her eyes and she brushed it behind her ears in what the Doctor saw was more from habit than irritation. She was attractive, her smile lighting up her face as she sang. The Doctor found himself drawn to her. There was something about her that made him forget himself.
She turned and saw him watching her, and he saw embarrassment cross her face before she recovered. A look he couldn't interpret replaced it, and he wondered what he'd done.
'How did you get in here?!' she demanded, sounding brave, despite the fear evident in her trembling hands. 'All the doors are locked!'
'Ah.' he replied, trying to think of a good reason. 'The thing is..' before he could get any further, she'd run through the bar, away from him. He cursed silently, and ran after her. The last thing he wanted was a panic. His long legs easily caught up with her, and he wrapped his arms around her from behind to try and calm her down.
'Easy, easy. I'm not going to hurt you.' She seemed to relax for a second, and his arms relaxed in turn. Too late he realised his mistake. She attempted to hit him and get away, but he tightened his grip, bringing her body closer to his. Suddenly he smelt her shampoo- cherry- and it made him want to hold her close and keep her safe. Without thinking, he kissed the back of her neck.
She froze, and all attempts to hit him and get away stopped. For once, the Doctor was embarrassed. He released her arms, and looked sheepishly at her as she turned, shock evident in her expression.
'I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that. Er. Right. I'm the Doctor, by the way!' He smiled, trying to cover his embarrassment.
'Rachel.' she replied looking into his eyes. He met her gaze, and found a pair of piercing, shining blue eyes. 'And it's ok.' She smiled back, and the Doctor didn't feel quite so bad.
'How DID you get in?' she asked a second time.
'Ah again.' He still hadn't thought of a reason. It would have to be the truth. 'My time machine landed here. I think she needed a rest.'
She looked sceptical, but as they walked back into the bar, she looked behind him and saw the TARDIS standing in the room, bold as brass. She looked back at the Doctor.
'So. What now?'