A/N - Any newcomers if you haven't read any of my previous Series 8 Doctor Who stories, this will probably make no sense so I recommend read them first. For the old hands and regular reader, this follows directly on from the end of The Coal Hill Chronicles. More will follow tomorrow.

Chapter 1 – The Final Day

The TARDIS door closed behind The Doctor with a heavy bang. The raven haired Time Lady buried her hands into her pockets and let out a deep sigh. It was strange having the TARDIS all to herself again. Even though she knew Jenny would be safe in London for a few weeks, her presence in the old time ship had been comforting to the Time Lady. It was a reminder that she wasn't alone in the universe anymore. She still felt alone but this wasn't the crippling loneliness she experienced after the Time War. This was more like empty nest syndrome, her child had spread her wings and temporarily flown away from home.

Walking up the gangway The Doctor wondered what to do with herself. She could cheat and skip forward a few weeks to when Jenny was ready to travel again. She quickly dismissed that idea, it might actually do her some good have a few solo adventures. Plus Jenny would know if she had cheated, her daughter had developed quite the knack for seeing people's time lines. Reaching the console The Doctor had a couple of ideas, she could investigate the mysterious 'they' who had been crossing her path recently. Alternatively and this option sounded more fun, she could drop in on a few previous companions.

Her fingers danced over the controls, there were plenty of people for her to visit. She almost keyed in the location for someone who couldn't attend her 'memorial service' when she suddenly froze. There was a feeling in the back of her mind that she had to be somewhere urgently. Without looking at the destination on the monitor, The Doctor punched a couple of buttons and disengaged the handbrake. Moments later the TARDIS arrived in the correct location and the Time Lady wasted no time in marching back down the metal walkway and out the door.

Stepping out into the street, the raven haired woman immediately regretted not checking the weather outside. Heavy rain was falling from the sky and it was absolutely freezing. It was weather like this that she wished for her ridiculously long scarf again. Looking around the ordinary looking suburban London street, The Doctor frowned, "Bannerman Road?" she muttered to herself. A wave of memories flashed across her mind, making the Time Lady stagger backwards. She clutched her hand against her temple and waited for the pain to pass, "I hate it when I catch up with my own time line", she hissed through gritted teeth.

The pain had passed but The Doctor still hadn't moved from the spot, her gaze firmly fixed on house number 13. She had been led here for a reason and she didn't like what was going to be behind that door. The Doctor wanted to put this day off for as long as possible but that wasn't going to be possible. She remembered the teleconference, a few hours ago for her but if her time sense was correct a few days ago for the occupant of the house, "It's her time", she sighed in resignation.

Crossing the street slowly, The Doctor paused outside number 13. Her hand hovered a few inches from the door, she didn't want to knock because that would start the event rolling. The Time Lady lowered her hand and thought about walking away but then she remembered the Brigadier. She had heard about dear old Alistair's death by telephone and that meant she would never get the chance to say a proper goodbye, all because she wanted to put off a day like today. She wasn't going to make that same mistake again. The Doctor steeled herself and quickly banged on the door before she had a chance to change her mind.

The Time Lady shook the excess water off her hair and waited for someone to answer the door. She pushed as much negativity away from her mind as possible. If this was going to be her last chance with her former companion then she wanted to make sure that it was as happy as possible. Just when The Doctor thought no one was going to answer, the door flew open to reveal a young man with shaggy brown hair, "Luke Smith", The Doctor greeted warmly, "good to see you again, been a while hasn't it".

Luke barely had a chance to answer as the Time Lady barged her way through the door. He looked incredulously at the woman who by now was wondering around the living room. He quickly slammed the door shut and set off in pursuit, "I'm sorry but who are you?" he asked.

The Doctor frowned at the young man before slapping her head, "Right, yes you haven't met this incarnation", she chuckled to herself, "it's me Luke, The Doctor", she grinned. Luke didn't looked overly convinced, "Yes I know, new body with a little more", she pointed at her chest and then flicked her long black hair, "remember the Trickster and the wedding", she clicked her fingers, "that was one of my more difficult escapes".

"Doctor", Luke visibly relaxed but at the same time he began to chew on his lip, "Mum said you'd come", he added with a small voice, "on her-", the rest of his sentence was cut off as a stray tear fell from his eye.

The Time Lady could feel the grief from the young man and it almost overwhelmed her own senses. Part of her wanted to comfort Luke but she felt a little awkward as she didn't really know him that well. Instead The Doctor chose to wait for Luke to regain a little bit of composure, "I was correct", the woman sighed, "this is one of those times that I wish I wasn't". She ran her hand through her hair, allowing it to rest at the top of her head, "Can I see her?" Luke nodded hesitantly and led the Time Lady passed the kitchen and into a small extension at the rear of the property.

Inside the room The Doctor locked eyes with a teenage girl with brown hair who could only be Sky Smith. The Time Lady wasn't too surprised to see the other two member's of the Bannerman Road gang either. Rani Chandra was leaning against the wall with Sky gently resting against her shoulder whilst Clyde Langer stood watch over the pair from the opposite side of the room. Dominating the room was a double bed with a very familiar, if gaunt looking, face, "Oh Sarah Jane", The Doctor had to take a couple of moments to regain her composure, "you've gotten yourself into a tricky situation haven't you?" she attempt to joke.

Sarah Jane Smith's eyes almost came to life when she finally registered that The Doctor was standing in her bedroom. She attempted to sit up a little straighter but each movement was accompanied with a sharp and heavy cough. Clyde leapt towards a nearby oxygen tank but the brunette quickly waived him away, "Doctor", Sarah wheezed, "you came".

"This was one visit I couldn't miss", The Doctor gave her a weak smile. The young adults and Sky quickly looked at each other, clearly Sarah Jane hadn't gotten around to telling them about The Doctor's regeneration either, "Could you give us a few minutes?" the Time Lady pleaded with the group.

Luke and the others looked a little hesitant to leave Sarah Jane alone, "It's fine, I'm not going anywhere", the brunette smiled at the group, "perhaps you could make our guest a cup of tea", she glanced quickly at the Time Lady, "still milk with two sugars?"

"Just one nowadays" The Doctor replied, "need to watch what I'm eating. I'm not getting any younger".

"And yet you turn up with another remarkably youthful looking face", Sarah Jane smiled, "not as young as the last one mind you". The Doctor perched herself on the bed next to Sarah Jane as the rest of the Bannerman Road gang left them alone. The pair sat in silence for a several moments, The Doctor really didn't know what to say to his former companion, "You're still not any better at saying goodbye", Sarah reached out and gently grasped the Time Lady's hand.

"At least you're safely at home this time", The Doctor sighed and tightened her grip on Sarah, "this is the wrong way around, I meant to be here to comfort you".

"I don't need comforting Doctor", Sarah Jane attempted to reassure the Time Lady, "I've accepted my own death a while ago". She gently rubbed the back of The Doctor's hand with her thumb, "I got to see you one last time, that's all the comfort I need".

The Doctor smiled in appreciation and accepted the gesture of comfort from Sarah Jane, "Can I at least ask what's wrong?"

"Does it matter", Sarah Jane with resignation, "this isn't something you can fix so does it truly matter what illness has been successful in doing what hundreds of aliens have failed to do".

The raven haired woman had to chuckle at the dark sense of humour from her former companion, "No I guess not", she began, "a wise person once said that everything has its time".

Sarah Jane smiled, remembering the time that she had said that to the Tenth Doctor, "They sound like an incredible person".

"The very best", The Doctor smiled broadly, much to the amusement of the brunette. Silence once again descended on the room, only this time it was a little more comfortable. Rani and Sky returned with the promised tea and the Time Lady silently accepted the drink. The pair were about to leave when the raven haired woman called out, "No, stay". The pair quickly closed the door but still remained uncomfortable in the woman's presence, "So Rani, I hear you're studying to be a doctor yourself".

"Are you really The Doctor?" Sky asked curiously earned a sharp rebuke from her pseudo sister, "you look different than I imagined".

"Yeah, not the first time heard that one", the Time Lady groaned, "but to answer your question, yes I am The Doctor, I'm a two thousand year old alien from the planet Gallifrey and your mother is one of the best friends and companions that I ever had".

Sarah Jane blushed profusely at the praise from the Time Lady and she attempted to shield her embarrassment from the group, "Are you here to help Mum?" Sky asked in hope.

"Sky", Sarah Jane sighed loudly.

"It's alright Sarah" The Doctor moved herself on the bed until she was directly in front of the teenager, "I'm sorry Sky but there's nothing I can do, extending someone's life beyond their natural end is against the laws of nature. Not even a Time Lord or Lady should interfere with the natural order". Her hearts broke as the young girl's face fell, "Believe me if I would move heaven and earth for your mother if I could".

The Time Lady watched as the teen reluctantly accepted that her mother's time was almost up and if she was honest, she had never felt more helpless in her life. A quick glance behind her revealed that Sarah Jane herself was close to tears, Rani too was barely holding her emotions in. Shaking her head The Doctor quickly stood up, "No this won't do", she said defiantly, "Sarah Jane shouldn't leave this world surrounded by tears". She pulled out her screwdriver to take a quick and discrete reading, "I have a TARDIS which means I can give Sarah Jane Smith one final wish". The Time Lady turned around and looked at her former companion, "Whatever you want Sarah, it's yours".

Sarah Jane struggled to get her words out, not just because of her illness but also because she was struggling to find an answer to the Time Lady's offer. She looked outside the window at the grey and miserable day outside, "Well, maybe if I could go somewhere sunny", she said with a weak voice.

"Now that I can do", The Doctor stood up and opened the door, "one bright, sunny day for my Sarah Jane Smith". She turned around sharply and began to walk backwards, nearly bumping into Luke and Clyde, "Get Sarah Jane ready for somewhere sunny and I'll meet you all in the TARDIS", she called out to everyone.

"Wait a minute Doctor", Rani burst out of the bedroom, "she's too ill to go anywhere".

"Rani dear", Sarah began, "I'll have plenty of time to rest soon". She was beginning to twist herself out of bed, "Now please, help me get dressed".

"Just one point", Clyde nervously raised his hand, "Rani and I are still restricted to Earth by the Judoon".

The Doctor snorted, "Judoon, bunch of pudding brained rhinos", she shook her head, modifying her plan slightly, "trust me Clyde what I have in mind will not get you in trouble with the intergalactic 5-0". She gave the group a cheeky smirk before marching out the door and towards the TARDIS. She would give Sarah Jane Smith a last day to remember if it was the last thing she ever did.