This is a companion piece to my other story 'You can try',in which Alex says that it's 'the fifth night in a row' that John and Mike had been kept late. This will be a four chapter story,detailing the first four times it happened and Alex's reactions/feelings about it.

The First Time it happened,Alex could deal with it.

Alex had been sent home early by The Doctor,leaving him and his other assistant Jo alone in the laboratory. She wasn't too angered by this,seeing as how John had promised to take her out that night.

She'd gotten dressed up and waited in the living room,looking at the clock every ten minutes. Alex sat there until 8:00 had came and gone. At that point,she'd gone and decided to go to UNIT and see what all the fuss was.

Once there,she had to prove who she was,which made her a little bit angry. Upon marching into UNIT HQ,her high heels clacking loudly on the floor,she'd made her way to The Doctor's lab.

"Miss Stewart,I thought I sent you home" The Doctor-who always called her 'Miss Stewart' instead of 'Mrs Benton'-said,once he was aware of Alex's presence.

"You did. Clearly I am not here for any sort of work" Alex gestured to her dark green,floor length dress.

"Well what are you here for Alex?" Jo asked cheerfully,stopping what she was doing and looking at her friend.

"I'm here to see my brother. Is he here?" Alex asked.

"I'll take you to him" Jo hopped off her chair and led Alex out the door.

"So...why are you still here?" Alex questioned,looking down at Jo. It was a necessary evil with the high heels she wore.

"Just am" Jo shrugged. "I like your hair" she added,looking at Alex's curled hair.

"Thanks. It's simple really,I just curled it and piled it on top of my head" Alex smiled.

"When you put it that way" Jo laughed. They then reached The Brigadier's office. "Here you are Madam" she said with a flourish of her hand. She then cracked up laughing,as did Alex.

Once Alex got her giggles under control,she thanked Jo and walked inside,not bothering to knock.

"Ah,Alexandria,you look wonderful" The Brigadier said,looking up at his younger sister.

"Cut the crap Alastair" Alex sighed,placing a hand on her hip. "Do you know why I'm here?"

"No. Enlighten me Alexandria" The Brigadier snapped.

"Well,I'm now..." Alex looked at the clock "an hour and a half late for my date because my husband is still here!"

"Alexandria,it'll only be tonight" he assured her. "You two can go out another night can't you?"

Alex huffed and rolled her eyes. "I guess..." she relented.

"Good. Now was that all?" it was a form of dismissal.

"Yes,it was. Goodnight" Alex walked out of the office.

"Goodnight Alexandria" The Brigadier called after her.

Alex returned home and removed her make up and jewellery. She unpinned her hair and shook the red locks until they unwound a bit from their tightly curled state. She removed the dress,hung it up and got into her nightdress. After putting the heels away,she collapsed into bed.

The First Time it happened,Alex could deal with it.