Prelude
"I think that's the last of them - quick scan to be certain… Yes! Another Christmas saved."
The Doctor grinned at the young woman next to him. "Just in time for, well, Christmas." He pocketed the sonic screwdriver - a job well done. "Thanks for coming after me the way you did – couldn't have done it without you, um…"
He stopped, realizing he'd actually forgotten her name. I never forget a name. Well, only on purpose. Getting sloppy in my old age.
"Sorry, what did you say your name was?"
"Carol." She stared at him, eyes wide with wonder. "Doctor, that was amazing. And…you seem as though you do this sort of thing all the time."
He shrugged, feigning modesty. "I do. Well, not all the time. Just most of the time."
She shook her head. "Guess it beats cleaning houses for a living. It was kind of fun, actually, apart from the nearly dying and the world almost being pulled apart by those rift thingees."
His smile faded ever so slightly. Here it comes, he thought. Have to let her down gently. Shame really – she's smart, brave, and thinks I'm amazing. But…no.
"So, um, where you off to now?" she asked, clearly trying – and failing – to sound casual. "Got any plans for Christmas?"
"Me? No. I'll just be heading off. I'm a busy man. Lots to do and see."
"I'm sort of at loose ends myself. Holidays aren't a big deal like they used to be. My family's all scattered across Europe these days, and I'm sort of between blokes at the moment." She looked up at him hopefully. "Don't suppose you'd like some company?"
Gently, he reminded himself. "Um, no. Thanks, but I work better alone. Well, no, not really, but…it's a long story. I just can't. Sorry."
She made a credible attempt to hide her disappointment. "Right, I completely understand. Well, it's been fun. Have a good one."
Then again, perhaps she really didn't care that much. "You too. Merry Christmas, Carol. Hee – Christmas Carol, I like that!"
She smiled and, with a little wave, she was off, walking down the road to wherever it was she called home.
He waited until she disappeared around the corner before beginning the short trek back to his Tardis. Hmmph, another Christmas without snow. One of these days. The sky was clear – he could just make out the constellation of Canis Major through the London haze. That reminded him; there was a small temporal and spatial anomaly near the binary star, Furud. He'd been meaning to investigate for centuries, but never seemed to get around to it. Well, no time like the present...or the past or future, for that matter.