Together Again

By ZephyrFox

Disclaimer: You're kidding, right? They're not mine. Please read and review!

Chapter 1 – A visit to an old friend

The Doctor knocked on the door of the cottage in the gathering gloom. Shortly the opening door revealed a woman, who stared in surprise.

"Doctor!" Sarah Jane Smith smiled, happy to see her old friend. Then her eyes narrowed as she took in his pale, disheveled appearance. "Doctor, what's wrong? What happened?" She ushered him into the living room. The Doctor looked around, lost. "Doctor?"

"She's gone." He said simply. Sad, empty eyes turned on Sarah Jane. "She's gone, and I can't get her back!"

Sarah Jane was shocked. The Doctor looked like he was falling apart! "Sit down, Doctor, I'll make us some hot chocolate." He nodded apathetically. As she left the room the Doctor sat on the couch, his hands dangling between his knees, his head bent. The picture of defeated sorrow.

"All right, Doctor, tell me." Sarah Jane sat, handing him a steaming mug. He clutched at it, staring into the depths. "Doctor?"

"It… I…" He looked at her, uncertain how to begin.

"Was it the Cybermen or the Daleks?" she asked helpfully, referring to the recent invasion.

"No," the Doctor shook his head, "it was me. MY stupid idea!" He shot to his feet as Sarah rescued the mug. She bit her lip worriedly as he began pacing back and forth, running his hands wildly through his hair. He explained how they pulled the Cybermen and the Daleks into the void; then, "I sent her away, to be safe. I'd never see her again, but she'd be safe," he said, stopping finally. Sarah Jane held still, knowing this wasn't all of it. "She came back. I sent her away before, and she came back. Saved me. Saved the world." A small smile touched his lips as he stared off into his memories. "She does that, y'know. Maybe I knew she would come back to me this time, too. We saved the world; sent the Cybermen and the Daleks into the void. Into Hell, where they belong! Her lever slipped. She fixed it, but lost her grip. She was falling into the void when her dad from the other universe jumped in, caught her and took her back. Then the void closed. Permanently. With her on the other side!" His voice broke; "she chose me. She wanted to stay with me, even if she'd never see her mum or dad again! She chose me, said she'd stay with me forever!" He collapsed in on himself. "She's gone."

Sarah Jane jumped up and hugged him, not really knowing what to say. She'd never seen the Doctor like this. "It'll be all right," she soothed.

The Doctor leaned into her embrace. "Really?" Knowing it wouldn't, hoping it would. He pulled away a little, searching her face. "Sarah Jane?" He said softly, his voice full of longing.

She stiffened. "NO!" Pulled away before he sucked her in. "You need some sleep, Doctor." She said briskly. "It's late. We'll talk more in the morning. There's a pillow and blankets in that closet. The couch is quite comfortable. I'm going to bed." She left him staring after her, bereft.

Sarah Jane leaned against her closed bedroom door, heart beating wildly. What was he doing? What was she doing? There was a time she'd have given anything to have him look at her like that. But she refused to be a substitute for her own replacement! How dare he? Some things were worth getting your heart broken for, and the Doctor was one of them. But not like this. He didn't want her, he needed Rose. She jumped as K9 whirred up to her from the corner.

"Mistress?"

She smiled down at her mechanical friend. "K9, the Doctor is here. Can you please keep an eye on him tonight?"

The little dog's head bobbed up and down, "Affirmative, Mistress." Sarah Jane opened the door and he scooted through.

She lay awake for a long time that night.

The next morning she found the Doctor staring out the window, K9 patiently observing him. "Hello, Sarah Jane," he said without turning.

"Doctor." She greeted, neutrally. No blanket on the couch. It didn't look like it had been slept on. Had he been staring out the window all night?

"I never said 'goodbye' to her. Never told her I-," he paused, "I love her."

"Maybe you should." She said quietly. She'd wrestled her demons for a long time during her own sleepless night. She would give him what help she could.

He swung around, exclaiming "I can't! It could endanger two universes!"

She frowned. It sounded like he was giving up and that was something The Doctor never did. "Look, you're the Doctor! There must be something you can do!" Sarah Jane cried, "You do the impossible for breakfast! You could find a way to see her, or maybe get a message through to her. Is the rift entirely closed off?"

The Doctor looked thoughtful. "Maybe…" His eyes focused on some far away point.

Sarah Jane waited quietly. Suddenly he was moving, was right next to her. "Sarah Jane," he said quietly, smiling softly. His hand cupped her cheek. "Dear Sarah Jane."

"Doctor!" she was protesting as he kissed her chastely.

"I'm sorry, Sarah Jane. I loved you, but never the way you wanted, or needed." He kissed her gently again. "Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith." He released her and was out the door before she could speak.

"Doctor?" She called, as the door swung shut behind him. " Goodbye, Doctor." She whispered sadly. She doubted she'd ever see him again.

"Mistress?"

She took a deep breath. "Right. Time for break fast, I think, K9." The little dog followed her out of the room. This is Sarah Jane Smith, getting on with her life.