I couldn't believe it when I heard the news of Elisabeth Sladen's death. She seemed, like Nicholas Courtney, to be immortal. I only pray that this year doesn't see the end of any more Doctor Who actors and actresses.
I don't believe in goodbyes.
He doesn't take his eyes off her, out of the corner of his eyes in this barren wilderness, with Jo Jones seated not far away.
He'd known, of course. That was one of the beauties of time travel, he could go forwards and backwards in time, see how his friends died and yet he could pop back and have a nice cup of tea with them.
She looks well, she's kept herself fit and healthy for years since I dropped her off, I still can't believe that I made a simple mistake and dropped her off in Aberdeen of all places.
She doesn't look like she's been fighting cancer for so long. She'll call me, I know, in a few months time to tell me. But once she's said it, she'll realise that I've known for a long time. Known for quite a few years in fact, since the last days of his first life. Back then he knew, he didn't know her then. Didn't know the how, the when and the why of their first meeting.
When he'd met her at last, he'd known. It had been in the back of his mind.
The knowledge that this woman, impetuous, bright, cheeky, fearless, insightful, would travel with him, would die and he'd break all the laws of time just to be there.
He knew that when it came to his friends he'd do more and far worse than break such a law.
A smile spreads across his face as he remembers her. Her stowing away inside the TARDIS, facing Dinosaurs and mad politicians, she'd understood Grover's plan of course, in fact she became a major campaigner for stopping pollution, her facing the Daleks, and Davros, before leaving. He'd hoped that they'd travel for a long time, but the Time lord's summons could not be ignored.
Humans weren't allowed, so she had to go.
Meeting again just a few years ago, her hurt when Rose taunted her by saying that I didn't mention her. I remember her hurt and pain, that she thought I'd forgotten her. When I saw her, standing beside Mr Finch, my hearts almost popped.
Rose didn't know that I had a very good reason for not saying anything about her. It was too painful for me.
The years had taught her wisdom, that I was glad to see. She managed to stop me from being tempted by the power of the Skasis Paradigm. I was forever thankful for her. I've always been thankful.
You see, I've already seen it. I attended the funeral, me, and my other selves. I smile wryly as I recall the image of my fourth self talking sombrely with my tenth self. Right pair of kids, those two.
Even though my first two incarnations hardly knew her, they were aware of the bond that exists, still exists in fact between us.
I sneak a look at Jo, she looks happy that I'm back, briefly in her life. She wont look so happy when it comes to the Brigadier's funeral, never mind hers. She's only just bonded with her dark haired successor. Good for her.
It'll be hardest on Maria, Luke, Rani and Cyde, they love her. But I know that they'll be alright. Jack and I will see to that, in fact we both swore it at her funeral. I've never seen Jack look so serious, ever. Clearly, a bond of sorts formed between the pair of them.
I admire her as we're working on the transmat that'll send us back to Earth and recover the TARDIS, defeat the Claw Shanteeth. This will be our last adventure. I don't believe in goodbyes, that's the magic I yield. I can see them be buried, but I can see them again soon.
But I know one thing.
Sarah Jane Smith will always live on.
Wise, wonderful, brave Sarah Jane Smith.
