Alistair had never seen the man before in his life.

And yet he had.

And maybe that was the point.

-o-o-o-

It's a strained relationship at first. Not because the man is an alien, but because he's so demmed stubborn.

Alistair doesn't notice when they become friends.

-o-o-o-

He comes tumbling out of his machine, saying he has come home.

When did Earth become home? Alistair wonders.

He doesn't imagine that they—he and Sarah Jane—are home.

-o-o-o-

The new man leaves almost as soon as he arrives. And Alistair feels something break he didn't even know was there. He's just a burden now. An annoyance.

He calls when he needs to. But it's not the same.

-o-o-o-

He can't help smiling when they ask where the boy Turlough has got to.

He also can't help but bask in memories he didn't even know he had missed.

-o-o-o-

Seeing them together—all of them. Him. He feels out of place. And yet strangely at home.

Wonderful chap. All of them.

The memories are wiped soon after.

-o-o-o-

Back in the uniform, so many years later. And for once the guns actually work.

The Doctor is young and strong and they ride around in that demmed yellow roadster and he is Earth's champion, goddemmit.

But his body is failing him, he can feel it. He is suddenly caught off guard by his own mortality.

-o-o-o-

They are only stories at first. Fairy tales to tell his daughter as she falls asleep.

The time comes to tell her they were all real—even the fish people? Even the plastic men? Even him?

Yes, Alistair says. You may even meet him someday.

She does, but not until he is long gone.

-o-o-o-

He sits on a park bench. He has a cane and white hair and he feels old.

A man across the street is staring at him. His gaze is far too old for his body.

Something feels very final. A lump forms in Alistair's throat. And he wonders if he will ever see the Doctor again.

He does. But not until the end.