"I'm really sorry about this, Jo," the Doctor said as he hurried out from behind his lab table.
"Oh, it's all right. I've met your second self before, remember?" Jo said, smiling at the memory. "You two argued, but we got along fine."
The door to the second TARDIS that had suddenly appeared in the UNIT lab opened. Out came a small dark-haired man, talking to someone behind him.
"…and if you boil it in water it usually turns out all right. Oh, crumbs! It's you again!"
Two stopped short and glared at Three, who glared right back. It was easier, being taller.
"Er…Doctor?"
A young man had emerged from the TARDIS. He was wearing a black turtle neck and a red plaid kilt. He looked from Two to Three and back to Two.
"Doctor?"
Two and Three were still having a staring contest. Two said without blinking,
"Jamie, remember last year when I disappeared for a couple of hours?"
"Yes," said Jamie, nodding vigorously. "Victoria and I were worried sick! But why, Doctor?"
"Well, I was off helping this chap."
Jamie looked Three up and down. Three finally broke Two's gaze and looked over at Jamie, an unreadable look in his eyes.
"Hello, Jamie," he said almost…sadly, Jo noticed.
"And who are you, then, you….you dandy?"
"I'm—" Three began, but he was interrupted by Two.
"He's me," Two said shortly. "Now let's get straight to the point. Why did you bring us here?"
"Me? Bring you here?" Three exploded. "Of all the confounded cheek—"
Jamie scooted out from behind his Doctor and stood next to Jo.
"So…what's your name, then?" he asked awkwardly.
"Oh, I'm Jo Grant. And you?" she asked eagerly. He was very nice-looking, despite the fact that he was wearing a skirt.
"James McCrimmon."
They were silent for a while, watching their Doctors argue and gesticulate wildly.
"So, you're Scottish?"
"Of course. Best country in the world!"
"I've never been," Jo said sadly. "The Doctor can't even get us off this planet!"
Jamie chuckled.
"Oh!" Jo exclaimed. "Where are my manners? Would you like some tea?"
Half an hour later, they were sitting in a quiet corner of the lab, drinking tea and trading notes on their own Doctors. The Doctors were still fighting, although they'd decided to sit down about ten minutes in.
Jo and Jamie were laughing over quirks that their Doctors shared when Jamie suddenly said,
"Does he ever look at you like he wants to tell you something, then when you catch him doin' it he changes the subject?"
Jo put her mug down thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it, yes. Quite a lot these days, in fact."
Their eyes met and held there. Jo blushed, but did not protest when Jamie leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
"All right, Jamie, I think we've got the problem sorted," Two said, putting his coat back on. He looked around, but the lab was devoid of companions. "Jamie?"
"Jo's gone, too," Three said.
"That's very unlike him," Two said. "He usually sticks by me, always."
"Yes. I remember," Three said softly.
Two looked at him slyly. "What…happens to Jamie?"
Three heaved a sigh. "I can't say, you know that. All the advice I can give you is to treasure every moment with him."
"Oh!" Benton said, jumping back. He had expected the cupboard to be full of brooms, not Jamie and Jo. "Hello, Jo. Welcome back, Jamie." He grinned. "You two enjoying yourselves?"
"Oh, go away, Benton!" Jo laughed, pulling the door shut and leaning in for another kiss.