For efeana, who asked me to add to this little story. You don't need to have read 'A Souvenir' but it works better if you do.

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A Keepsake

The Doctor smiled to himself and set the coordinates for Bannerman Road; it was high time he paid a visit to an old friend.

The last time he had been to see her on a whim, (rather than because he was angry, or hurt, or because the world needed saving, again) she had been out. He had spent a pleasant hour settled on her sofa, eating biscuits and reading one of her novels until she arrived home. She had been with that man from across the road – what was his name – something Judson? No, Jackson, that was it. Alan Jackson. They had said goodbye on the doorstep while the Doctor surreptitiously watched from behind the living room door; Sarah had laughed at something he could not hear, and Alan had leaned in to press a kiss to her cheek. The Doctor had been unable to prevent a stab of jealousy which he had quickly pushed away. He knew they were just friends, and even if they weren't, well; he should be happy for them. He wanted to see his Sarah happy; he had no right to feel quite so...possessive over her.

She had turned away from the front door, shedding her coat and scarf and having hung them up, moved into the kitchen to put the kettle on. The Doctor had sidled up behind her, and despite the fact that he had seen her jump a little when he spoke, she didn't let on that she was anything other than completely relaxed. She had turned to smile at him, and the universe was set to rights again with that one look.

Later, when he headed back up the attic where he parked the TARDIS, he hadn't been able to resist pausing by the bottom of the stairs to inhale the scent of her perfume that still lingered on her coat and on the lilac scarf she had been wearing.

He smiled at the memory and glanced at the console, observing wryly that this time she was unlikely to be out, given the early hour. His gaze moved up to the display screen, and there she was; standing in her attic, arms wrapped around herself and feet bare, up on her tiptoes like a little girl. A wave of affection washed over him and he squared his shoulders, heading towards the TARDIS door to go to her.

As he raised his hand to pull the door open, he caught himself and paused, using his other hand to tuck the lilac fabric back underneath the collar of his shirt. It wouldn't do for her to see that; he'd never hear the end of it.

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Thanks for reading, let me know what you think.