Clashing Colours
Set immediately after Planet of Fire ends.
Scarcely had the hum of the departing TARDIS faded away then it returned to the surface of Sarn, growing louder. It was clear the TARDIS was coming back.
The ship had barely materialised when the door was flung open and a burly figure bounded out, trailed by a somewhat less exuberant female Turlough immediately recognised as Peri. He barely spared her a glance, however, being far more interested in her decidedly bizarre companion.
"Hello, Turlough," the man boomed. "It's good to see you again."
Turlough stared. "Doctor?" From the top of his curly head to the tips of his... what the hell were those things on his feet? "Boy, are you different."
"All changes for the better, of course."
"Well, actually..." Turlough began.
"It wasn't a question," the new Doctor informed him.
"You have an ego now," Turlough observed.
"And well deserved, too." The Doctor beamed and held himself proudly, the better to show off his gaudy new coat. "My current incarnation is far superior to my previous one. I regenerated, but never mind that."
Turlough nodded. "I know all about regeneration. We Tritons aren't backwards sorts, you know. I guessed it was you right away!"
The Doctor sniffed. "Well, I see I'm not the only one with, as you call it, an ego."
Turlough shook his head. "Oh, Peri," he said despairingly, turning to the pathetic-looking girl, "I told you to take care of him. I thought I was doing a rubbish job, but at least I never got him killed. I almost killed him myself, of course, but that's different."
"Just two days ago he tried to strangle me," she sniffled.
"Obviously not hard enough," Turlough muttered, though he did it loudly enough for anyone in the vicinity to hear.
Peri burst into renewed tears, and Turlough relented. She really did look upset, and she was merely a primitive human, and she had been shoved together with a man she barely knew. "Don't let it worry you too much. I suppose you tried your best."
"I'll tell you the story in private," the Doctor promised, holding open the door of the TARDIS. "Very private!"
Turlough grinned back. "You're quick to assume I'm coming with you." Nevertheless, he did not deny that the Doctor was right. "Only one problem," he added. "Your coat? Couldn't you have thought a bit more when you chose it? It clashes with my hair!"
"Where we're going, I won't be wearing the coat!" the Doctor promised with a wink.
Turlough couldn't get back on board fast enough. Peri's reaction, however, was another matter.