Title: Deadly Secrets

Rating: Teen for Subject Matter

Prompts: Angst, Loss, Tragedy, Lies, Memory Wipe

Time Frame: After Revenge of the Cybermen, but before Terror of the Zygons

Synopsis: The truth behind Harry's reason for leaving Sarah and the Doctor is a lie so horrible it leads to him not being able to face Sarah

Notes: This is the prologue to "Where There's Life, There's Hope" which begins when Sarah steps out of the TARDIS. Please comment if more is wanted

It was a couple months after the Doctor had regenerated in front of her eyes when Sarah realized something was wrong. She had been feeling tired, and her stomach was constantly upset. The Doctor had told her it had to do with the whole of her time traveling, but one calendar check on one of her visits home told her something different.

"Doctor.." Sarah Jane approached the Doctor inside the TARDIS, Harry was off wandering the corridors amazed by all the new things he'd find. "Do you have a moment?" Sarah Jane went on... "I.. There's something I need to speak to you about."

"Sarah, I always I have a moment for you." The Doctor smiled when he looked up from his work; then asked, "What may I do for you?"

"Well, it's a personal matter.."

"Okay, Sarah; I'm listening."

"I have this problem; well, it's not a problem really, it just that since you changed... regenerated I mean, you've avoided talking about what happened between us." Sarah wasn't sure just how to handle this; tread lightly with him being so new, or just come out with it and hope for the best. "Before we went to that place; Metebelis Three, with the spiders. Did I do something wrong?"

"Something wrong? How?"

"Well you haven't said anything about it, about us." Sarah began to chew on her bottom lip; maybe he didn't want to remember. It was her worst fear of all, other then him not remembering at all. "At first I thought you wanted to avoid the whole situation; when you invited Harry to come along with us, and then I thought it was because we were never alone, but now we are and you still haven't said anything."

"Sarah, I'm still unsure what I'm supposed to be saying or not saying anything about."

"You mean you don't remember what happened between us?" Sarah paused; she sure did. It had been magical beyond anything she imagined. The way he was with her, so gentle and patient. How he made her feel; so special, as if she were the only woman in the universe. "That night? You don't remember?"

"Sarah, apparently I don't, because if I did I wouldn't have this look on my face." The Doctor leaned against the wall of the TARDIS. "I'm sorry, Sarah, but I am still unclear about some things that happened before I regenerated, and I'm afraid what you're talking about happens to be one of those things."

"Never mind..." Sarah tried to chipper up; faking a smile the Doctor could see clean through. "It was nothing really; don't worry about it. I um.. I'm going to go look for Harry... Make sure he hasn't gotten lost or into any trouble."

"Are you lost or in any trouble?" The Doctor's question stopped Sarah at the door leading to the rest of the TARDIS. "Sarah Jane?"

"No, I'm neither... I'm fine." Sarah again forced a smile, then without further word, left the room.