The doorbell rang, splitting the silence like a cheerily wielded knife. Minutes passed at Bannerman Road, but no-one answered the door. The bell buzzed again, twice in quick succession. A voice, deceptively cheery but underlain with worry, called, "Sarah?"
In the attic, four blue lights appeared in mid-air, glowing larger and brighter at an alarming rate. The clutter and junk of the attic was visible as the light peaked, then was plunged into darkness again as the lights were replaced with four people, two young boys, a young girl, and a woman, all laughing hysterically.
"Oh, and then- and then you-" one of the two boys managed between laughs, "and then we-"
"And the slime!" the only girl cried out, giggling. As the three children laughed, the adult smiled knowingly.
"Alright, you two," she said kindly, moving to turn the light switch on, "I think it's time you'd be getting home," she told them, and the laughter turned into light-hearted complaints. One of the boys, the one with light brown hair and fair skin, called the woman 'Mum'; the dark haired, dark skinned boy and the girl called her Sarah-Jane. The doorbell rang, cutting into their friendly conversation. Instantly, the four lapsed into complete silence. The bell buzzed again, this time a voice calling out. The conversation started up again, and the woman left the attic, still smiling.
Sarah-Jane walked downstairs, the children staying up and making the most of the extra time before they had to leave. She walked through the house fondly, this home of hers, and found herself grinning widely as she opened the door.
"Hello?" she said, cheer never leaving her voice, but the smile dropped from her face and her eyes widened as the man standing across from her her did the opposite; upon seeing her, his worried face split into a huge grin, eyes sparkling.
"Sarah-Jane," he said, almost proudly, conveying a world of stories and memories in those two mere words.
"Wha- What are you doing here?" Sarah-Jane said, recovering from the shock. She began to smile, but it was short lived. "Is there trouble?"
"Sarah, can't a friend call on a friend? Stop by to say hello? Check up?" he said, the smile never leaving his face.
At this, Sarah-Jane grinned. "Not with you, I'm afraid."
"Ah, yes, I suppose," he admitted, smile slipping slightly. "I-" he began, and the smile fell away completely. "I thought I felt something. Thought you might've gotten yourself into trouble," he explained quickly. "But, here you are!" The smile returned in full force. "Was probably just an echo from another universe. A long way off."
"Come in, please," Sarah-Jane said, "have some tea."
"Oh, I really must be going," the man said, almost regretfully.
"I know," she said, smiling. "Oh, come on then," she said, holding her arms out and engulfing the man in a hug. "Don't go off doing anything stupid," she warned as they broke apart, and the man gave a little nod. He left without another word, and Sarah-Jane turned and went home.
Just a little reminder, I suppose, that we're not mourning Sarah-Jane here, we're mourning the lovely Elizabeth Sladen. Trying to be a bit uplifting. Sarah-Jane hasn't died, and Elizabeth will be remembered through her. The first time I've felt legitimately sad about a celebrity dying. She was a brilliant actor, and she will be missed, not just for her role as Sarah-Jane. RIP.