Title: Empty
Author: Hola-Meg-a-Cola
Rating: PG
Author's Notes: Written as a companion piece to "Aberdeen." I felt both sides needed to be explored about her departure, so this is the Doctor's. sighs They're so sweet together…
Summary: "It was for her own good." Companion piece to "Aberdeen." Doctor POV. Four/Sarah Jane, if you squint.
Disclaimer: I don't own "Doctor Who." Wouldn't it be something if I did, though?
Feedback: Always encouraged.
-v-
It was for her own good.
Rules are rules, and according to Gallifrey's, humans aren't permitted on our world, one of the few ridiculous regulations those pompous bureaucrats wrote that I agree with. In essence, it's not very necessary; I can't remember a creature so 'beneath' Time Lords like humans impacting our society. There is always the risk of a human attempting to obtain information about our technology, but they're so backwards, they wouldn't know where to begin. Still, even if humans were allowed, I'd never bring Sarah there.
She's wanted to go for so long, though. Harry was never interested; for a man with a sharp medical mind (at least, for humans), he was completely dull and uninterested with fantastic tales. Sarah was different; her big brown eyes would always widen as I'd tell her about Gallifrey's burnt orange skies and sleek silver leaved trees, enthralled in every detail. She'd even invent situations that would allow her to hear about Time Lord culture. A bit obvious- at least, I thought so, but her drive is admirable. Sarah Jane Smith, a reporter at heart.
I wish I could've fulfilled her expectations of Time Lords, but with my experience, it'll do no good. Corruption has tainted the great our great society, and our decadence has soured any class we once possessed. It would break her heart, seeing a species whom she thought so highly of- "Oh, Doctor, they must be brilliant, mastering the ability to defy time and space!"- and while we are a brilliant and practical society, the Time Lords are old relics of something we once were. Bringing Sarah to Gallifrey would only crush her, ruining her.
No, no, not her. Not my Sarah Jane.
It's no longer a problem, now. She's back in South Croydon, safe and sound, with the extraordinary stories of Time Lords singing in her head.
Although… I believe I hit a three instead of a seven; if I remember correctly, that would have landed the TARDIS somewhere in Scotland, particularly around the northern region…
No matter; Sarah Jane is back in 1976, where she belongs. She'll thank me later, but not quite in those words. Since Sarah left, however, the atmosphere has changed. It's bittersweet, really; it's so empty without her, but I rather like the quiet now. It's been such a long time since I had any of that.
Except that the TARDIS herself was roaring and hollering, crying her heart out. She missed Sarah Jane so very much, like part of her soul was missing, and was throwing a fit over leaving her. Her sobs stung my ears- we Time Lords have very precise hearing, but are very picky about what exactly we do listen to- and it was clear that she was yelling at me for dumping Sarah Jane back in her time. I had learned long ago to ignore her bickering, but it still didn't stop my hearts from aching- aching the TARDIS' love for Sarah Jane, my best friend.
"Settle down, girl," I croaked to her as I set the coordinates for Gallifrey, my hands shaking lightly. "Let's get this over with." The TARDIS began humming, and felt her stirring beneath my feet. If there was one thing the TARDIS and I always agreed on, it was that we hated returning 'home.' I could sense the trouble stirring on the shores of Gallifrey here in the vortex, planning some terrible event as we travelled closer.
Still, it would be easier if Sarah Jane were here.
-v-
Fin.