A/N: Hi, everyone! I actually wrote this fic right after "The Caretaker" aired but I sort of forgot about it until I found it today! I see this as sort of a deleted scene from the episode, though the chapters to come will probably take place after the episode.

I know there's conflicting canon about Ian and Barbara's age, but (in what seems to be the unpopular opinion) I like sticking to the account from The Sarah Jane Adventures where Sarah Jane says she's heard that they haven't aged since they left the TARDIS in 1965. I don't know, I just feel like with Ian and Barbara...they shouldn't grow old. It just suits them. But that's just me.

Anyway, enjoy! :) Please review, follow, and favorite!

The Doctor strolled down the halls of Coal Hill School, brush over his shoulder. He began whistling a random tune he had picked up somewhere or other. That was normal, right? Whistling?

Most of the kids didn't even give him a second glance. It was in between classes and they were too busy stuffing their backpacks to notice him. The caretaker, the one whom nobody minded. Practically invisible.

Suddenly, as if by some command, all of the students straightened. Their eyes got slightly wide, they talked a little quieter. Their eyes darted just behind him, following another presence.

The Doctor glanced over his shoulder out of curiosity, expecting to see a teacher, possibly even Clara. He did a double take, faltering in his footsteps. A series of old memories, oh, so old, assaulted his mind without warning.

The man looked right at the Doctor and smiled, as if seeing him for the first time. "Ah, hello there! You must be the new fellow, eh?"

The Doctor could feel the children's eyes on him as he turned around and eyed the hand offered to him from this suit-clad, dark haired man. He finally shook it after a moment, perhaps taking a little too long to get over his shock. It was amazing how one face could make his entire mindset shift. Normally, he quite enjoyed aggravating humans (especially Clara) and asserting himself as the more intelligent species, which meant he could do and say whatever he wanted. But this face…it was one of the only faces in the universe that could humble him.

"Yes, yes I am," the Doctor replied after a long silence, finally looking the young man in the eye. His hearts beat a little quicker, and a smile twitched on his lips as he decided against butchering the man's name. "And you must be…Mr. Chesterton?"

"Yes," he chuckled, perhaps thinking that the Doctor's strange behavior was due to meeting the governor of the school. "But please, call me Ian."

"Oh, Chesterton will do for me," he said quickly, hardly even thinking about what he was saying. How could he have missed this? Ian, the governor of Coal Hill School? He should have known.

Ian frowned, his face still smooth and not aged a day since the Doctor had last seen him. He gave the Doctor a strange look, but then the corners of his mouth stretched upward in a small smile and his eyes grew soft in thought. "I had an old friend who used to call me that."

"It suits you," the Doctor said with a nod, searching his old companion's face. No, Ian didn't recognize him. The gray hair and Scottish accent were all much too different from his last regeneration…though whether Ian had even seen that version of him yet was questionable.

"I'm sorry to keep you," Ian said suddenly, coming back to reality.

"Oh, it's not a bother. There's just been a spill in the cafeteria." He twirled his brush expertly in his hand, thinking as fast as the handle spun. He shouldn't reveal himself to Ian. He had wanted a normal life, and telling him about the alien attack would surely worry him and make him want to get involved. He couldn't do that to someone he respected as much as Ian Chesterton.

"Wonderful. I'm headed that way too." He began at a brisk pace down the hallway, wishing the few lingering students a good morning.

The Doctor caught up with Ian in a few long strides, bent on finding out as much about him as possible. The fact that he had neglected to keep up with his first two companions troubled him. "Young man like you, doesn't seem like you'd be qualified to be the governor."

Ian chuckled like it was a great joke and looked over at the Doctor with mirth alight in his eyes. "You'd be surprised. I've been told I'm older than I look."

"So I'd imagine. You've got a wife, then? Kids?"

An odd glance was cast his way. "Yes, I have a family." He sighed, his expression relaxing. "Both of my daughters live abroad now and Barbara and I hardly know what to do anymore."

Barbara. The Doctor noted how still, after all these years, the way he spoke of her was with a sort of reverence. If it wasn't in his tone, then it showed in his eyes or his small smile. That was one love he would always count on to last.

The Doctor reflected on what he had said and nodded slowly as he pushed open the cafeteria door. His thoughts were dwelling hundreds of years in the past, thinking about a young girl who didn't want to part from her grandfather…

He felt his throat constrict as he remembered the scene, but now wasn't the time to get emotional. He cleared his throat and aimed to make his voice gruffer. "It's hard to let your children go."

Ian offered him a small smile and clapped him on the shoulder. "Thank you for the conversation, Mr…"

"Smith. John Smith."

"Interesting name," the governor said with a wide grin.

The Doctor tried hard not smile, for it would surely give him away. "Common, I know. Good day, Chesterton."

"Good day to you, Mr. Smith." He chuckled as he looked to the corner of the cafeteria. "Seems like you'll have quite the job."

The Doctor groaned at the sight of a huge puddle of spilled milk and then sighed. He watched Ian walk across the cafeteria and into the kitchen, greeting the lunch ladies with warm smiles.

"Good day, Chesterton," he repeated as a murmur.