"And-here we are." The Doctor stopped, looking up at her and breaking her concentration. "Well…Allie, it's really been something."
"Yeah," Allison agreed; she couldn't believe it, but she was breathless. "I hope I see you again, Doctor-really."
"And I you," the man replied. He smiled gently upon her, his eyes taking her in. "And-about that question you asked Sarah. Why do I keep going? Because I'm a better man for it, and because I have to. I could stop any time, but I never really could. Knowing that I'm helping people, that's the biggest joy I can ever hope to have."
"That's why it hurt you so badly when Donna left," Allison said quietly. "You helped her once, but you couldn't do it again."
The Doctor nodded weakly. "Yeah," he breathed. Then he shook his head, smiling. "Really, Allie, it's been great. You've been great."
Allison smiled. "Goodbye, Doctor."
She stepped from the TARDIS, taking one last, deep look at it, and at the incredible man within it, before walking forward. She knew where she had to go, where the Doctor would want her to go.
She walked the entire way to the ARC, loving the cold winter breeze. She knew, for the first time in her life, she really knew how wonderful everything was about to become.
The main staff was all at the Christmas party in Cardiff (Lester had booked it months before to get a reception at a nice hotel, as opposed to the old thrown-together-at-the-last-minute ARC celebrations) rather than at the ARC itself. She admitted to herself that she missed it a little.
She wasn't even carded at the door to the ARC, the soldiers were so surprised to see her. She walked in and found the skeleton team working diligently filing paperwork. She paused by her old desk, which hadn't been touched since she left; Nick had told her everyone expected her to come back and continue her work. She grabbed a piece of ARC stationery and scrawled down a quick note:
Dear friends,
First, let me say I've missed you. Nick, I can't really say I miss you as we're flat mates, but still. I want you all to know that I've discovered where I belong. It's not at the ARC, but with-I can't really tell you that. He's incredible, though. I won't see you for a long time, but I want you to know I love you (except you, Lester!) and I can't wait to see you again.
All my love,
Allie
Allison knew she'd find the TARDIS exactly where she had left it; the blue box's door was open and waiting for her. She ran forward, leaping into the spaceship and unsuspecting arms of the Doctor.
"Wha-I didn't think you'd just launch yourself in, Allie," he exclaimed, but held onto her tightly.
"But you did know I'd be back," she pointed out; he laughed, which just made her laugh.
"I didn't," he admitted. "I just hoped you would."
Allison smiled. "Okay, then," she said. "So, where first?"
"Wherever you can imagine," he said. "We can go to Poosh, or to Felspoon to see the mountains move. Or we could explore Earth's own history. How would you like to see the pyramids when they were the hot new thing? Visit JK Rowling while she's finishing the seventh Harry Potter?"
"Egypt," Allison said. "My mum used to be an Egyptologist-you should know that. I'd love to see the pyramids being built."
The Doctor grinned. "Molto benne," he said. "Allons-y!"
To be continued.
I hope you've enjoyed the first installment, and continue with the series. Book 2, Companion, should be finished soon.
