URGENT NOTE: As you may know, the BBC starts shooting the 50th anniversary special this week. If you'd like to see a proper tribute to Sarah Jane in the special, please consider signing the petition at www dot ipetitions dot com / petition/sarah-jane-smith-dr-who-tribute (automatic link removed because we don't want to break any rules) and passing it on to any groups you belong to. If we all pass it on, we can make a difference! Time (ironically) is of the essence! Thanks!

(Cover photo by SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget)

First off, for those who are wondering, we are STILL working on the sequel to "Five Doctors and a Baby", but between real life and the fact that it's a bit... complicated, it's just taking a bit longer than we expected. So we thought we'd take a little break and write this little bit of fun.

For those who haven't been with it from the beginning of the series with "Little Girl, Big Magic," the Tenth Doctor was inexplicably brought by the TARDIS to the scene of the death of Sarah Jane's parents, where he rescued her from the burning car. (Not supposed to happen that way, you say? Hmmmmm.) He promised to come back and see her on her birthday. He's already been back for her sixth ("Little Girl, Big Trouble") and for the following Christmas ("Little Girl, Big Wish") and now...

South Croyden, 1958

The Doctor brought the TARDIS to a halt down the street from Sarah Jane's house on Hillview Road. Checking his instruments, he confirmed that it was May 16, 1958; Sarah Jane would be seven today. Time for a birthday trip.

Plans running through his mind, he almost scampered down the street, knocking on the door of number 12.

Lavinia Smith opened the door and smiled warmly at him. "I expected you'd be popping up today," she said, as though it were perfectly normal for him to appear on her doorstep every half year or so. She turned her head and called over her shoulder. "Sarah Jane, my dear, you have a visitor."

Sarah Jane came bounding down the steps and past her Aunt, leaping into the Doctor's arms. "I've been waiting all morning for you, and it's half past eight already," she exclaimed as she smothered his face with kisses.

He hugged her and smiled. This was one place, at least, where he didn't have to worry about the warmth of his reception. "Hello, Lavinia," he said, then turned to Sarah Jane. "And how's the birthday girl?"

"Wonderful, especially now that you're here." She looked up at him as coyly as only a seven year can look. "Can you stay all day?"

"Actually," he said, looking slyly back at her, "I was wondering if we might go out." He looked at Lavinia. "What do you say, Lavinia, do you mind if I take the birthday girl on a little trip?"

She looked askance at him. "By yourself?"

He nodded. "You needn't worry," he said.

She stared at him for a moment. "If it was anyone but you, Doctor, I wouldn't consider allowing it. However, you've become like family to us these last few years and since you've saved Sarah Jane's life twice now, well, frankly I don't see how I can refuse. How long would you be gone? I do have a little party planned for her later this afternoon. Of course, we'd love it if you could be there too."

"Oh, we'll be back in plenty of time," he said. "We'll just be gone a few hours. Have her back for lunch, if you like."

"That sounds lovely, Doctor. I'll make something special for us while the two of you are gone." She stroked Sarah Jane's head. "Now then, what does our little birthday girl need for this trip and how should she dress for it?"

He thought about what to say, but he didn't want to ruin the surprise, so he just smiled. "She doesn't need a thing, we'll have everything we need when we get there."

Sarah Jane looked up at the Doctor, bursting with excitement. "When can we go?"

"Right now, if it's all right with your aunt."

Lavinia nodded her approval. "Mind you, please be sure to get back in time."

"Scout's honor," he said, offering her a salute. He turned to Sarah. "Ready?"

"Yes, oh yes, please." Sarah nodded her head so enthusiastically she looked like a bobble head doll.

"Well, let's go then." They headed down the street, and after checking to make sure Lavinia wasn't watching, into the TARDIS. He set her down. "First off, happy birthday."

"Thank you," she said politely. "Where are we going?"

"Sea World," he said, smiling.

"See World?" She started walking about the control room, her hand lightly touching the walls. "What are we going to see?"

"Not s-e-e," he said, "but s-e-a. It's a world that's all sea. And there's lots of rides there, and pools, and …" He looked at her seriously. "Can you swim?"

"No, I haven't learned yet, but Auntie says maybe I can take lessons this summer."

He thought for a moment. "No matter," he said. "It'll be fine."

"I've learned lots of other things since the last time you came for a visit," she continued. "I can read and write now, even in cursive." She beamed proudly at him. "Watch me." She proceeded to read everything in sight. "Twist three times then pull down the lever and..."

When she still hadn't tired (or run out of things to read) in eight and a half minutes, the Doctor scooped her up in his arms. "I'm very proud of you, being such a big girl, and so smart! Now, how about we head off?"

"Can I sit on your shoulders while you drive?" She paused a moment. "Should I have said fly instead of drive?"

"You can call it whatever you like," he said, picking her up and setting her on his shoulders.

She gave his head a hug then laid her head on his. "But which one is right?"

He smiled. "You like to have the correct word, don't you?" he said, enjoying the feeling of her head against his.

"Uhm hum. It's important to be right isn't it? Auntie says it is. She says being wrong can cause all sorts of problems, so you need to be sure about things." She sat up and started playing with his hair while she watched him push buttons and turn knobs. "Do you make sure you get everything right the first time?"

The Doctor tried not to snort. He almost succeeded, too. "No, I don't, because I prefer a little adventure. And believe me, Sarah Jane Smith," he said, "so do you."

"If you say so then I believe you." She paused again. "This is a big problem," she frowned.

Although he couldn't see her, he frowned too. "What's a big problem? Which word to use?"

"No, you say you don't try to get everything right and I don't too. But Auntie says I should." She drummed her fingers on his head. "What should I do?"

Now he smiled. "You should do what your Aunt says," he replied, knowing full well that it wouldn't make a bit of difference.

Sarah was smiling now. "That fixes everything. That's one of the reasons I love you so much, you always make everything better." She hugged his head once more.

It really only should have taken a few seconds to set the coordinates, but he wasn't in a hurry. Like every visit with young Sarah, he wanted to savor every second. That was why he kept coming back; he wanted to wring every moment of being with her that he could out of the universe. Eventually, though, he couldn't dawdle anymore, and the TARDIS dematerialized, materializing with a familiar thud again just a few seconds later. "Ready?"

Her eyes lit up, her smile showing just how eager she was. "Ready, willing and able."

The Doctor didn't say anything, but he thought about her choice of words. So adult - and it wasn't just that she was smart. She was, of course, but it was so much more than that. What must it have been like for her to grow up with Lavinia, the dedicated scientist? There was no baby-talk here, no coddling. Sarah was barely a child. Oh, she was loved; that was not in doubt. But how much of a childhood was she actually having? That was something that he'd truly loved about their time together during his third and fourth incarnations. They'd been like children together. So many times in the past century or so he had longed for that.

So he was glad that he'd chosen this particular venue for her birthday. Sure, this life is what made her what she was - but that didn't mean she didn't deserve a little girl's day out once in a while.

He spread wide the TARDIS doors and set her down so she could take it in.

Her eyes scanned what was before her and her mouth opened in surprise and pure joy. She gasped at it for a few moments, taking in everything around her. People of all ages, sizes and species were waiting in line in front of long, clear tubes. Inside each tube was a colorful fish-like attendant, with a steady stream of water flowing over him or her. She could see part of the way down the tubes, which seemed to be a sort of water slide that led downward, but she couldn't tell how far down they went or where they led to. Overall, there seemed to be a tremendous air of excitement and happiness involved with them. She was eager to learn first-hand what they were anticipating would happen when they went down those tubes.

She looked at the Doctor's face and saw he was watching her. His eyes told her they were going to have a tremendous amount of fun. She tried hard not to appear over-anxious but as well behaved as she could be; she remembered how upset he got after she disappeared into his pocket on Secaro.

The Doctor watched the progression of emotions on her face go from amazed to excited to apprehensive. He knelt down in front of her. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said quietly.

He leaned his head down and looked up at her, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm just trying to remember to be as good as I can be. I don't want you to get worried like you did last time when I fell into your pocket by accident."

"Well, this time if I can't find you, that's the first place I'm going to look," he laughed. "But it's going to be just fine, you'll see." He scooped her up and put her on his shoulder. "We're going to have lots of fun." He strode over to the set of tubes, then looked around and headed for one with more humanoid guests in line. "Air breathers, right?" he asked the attendant.

"Absolutely correct. Ages and species please," he asked as he smiled at them.