Small, Beautiful Events

The Doctor had his head beneath the console, a tool kit at his side, and his hands plunged in very delicate wiring.

He didn't need to make this repair, not strictly; the TARDIS ran well enough without it. But it would make reactions just a bit smoother, just a bit swifter - and besides, he felt he owed her some tender caring to anyway.

It certainly wasn't because he needed something to distract him while he waited.

He wasn't impatient, he decided as he pulled a thin silver rod from the ancient box; he'd given her as much time as she needed and he'd meant it. He just...well, he never was good at standing still, really, especially when there were nagging thoughts to run from.

So he worked, and was content, and sometimes he smiled. He already knew what their first real trip should be - he'd promised already, after all.

The Doctor was, very carefully, setting coordinates.

It wouldn't be so very difficult to travel to Arcateen 5 - the TARDIS had been there, and unless she inexplicably decided to go somewhere else, that would be the easy part. No, he was trying not to land them in the middle of opression or tyranny or war.

Arcateen 5 had remarkable changeover in regard to government. It remained, always, an advanced world, a beautiful one on the surface, but that simply made it more dangerous when corrupted by greed or bloodlust or fanaticism - more depressing, he knew from experience.

He wanted Aislinn to experience the planet at its best. He didn't even want to think about endangering her.

So he took his Time, as he waited for her, and tried his best to, for once, avoid conflict.

The Doctor was, though one would never hear him admit it, rather giddy. His hands flew lightly over the console, setting coordinates with cheerful confidence. India, 2007. He wasn't too specific; no need to press his luck, and they could find other ways of travel once they arrived. See where the current matches were being played.

Perhaps they could take a train. He hadn't done that since the werewolves, and that was hardly a leisurely ride.

"Winter, then," he murmured, brow furrowed slightly in concentration, though a faint smile lingered on his lips.

Nyssa wanted to go, for him. Perhaps he shouldn't feel so incredibly touched by that, but he did.

He was determined, absolutely determined, that the three of them would have an enjoyable, relaxing time of it. No murder investigations, no devious plots uncovered, no sinister invaders thwarted.

It would be their first trip together since being reunited, and they were going to have fun.