EPILOGUE

She strolled around the console room, pleased at how things had turned out. New co-ordinates were already laid in for her next journey. She wondered briefly what lay in store, and looked forward to the thrill and the uncertainty. Then she remembered how it had been in the beginning; Emma had left early on, and it had been hard travelling without a companion. The first time that she had ever been alone.

And so it had remained. She had journeyed through time and space; pit her skill and wits against all manner of monsters, megalomaniacs and mad scientists. Life was good.

She paused before a free standing long mirror. She wasn't vain, but she admired her shoulder length blonde hair and her overall appearance. "At last!" came a voice from behind her. She turned slowly, noting the man standing next to the console. He was of medium build, dressed in matching suit and tie, with fair hair. "You haven't been the easiest person to find."

She shrugged. "It couldn't be helped. There was an emergency on Vestos."

"Yes, I heard." His voice was stern. "Did you have to involve that boy?"

"Oh, honestly!" She exclaimed. "You're such a stuffed shirt! I don't know how I put up with you."

He offered a half smile that didn't sit easily. "It's good to see you again."

"And you." She returned the smile, almost reaching out her hand to shake his, and then withdrew it. That way lay a future she had no wish to return to. Not yet.

He seemed to sense her discomfort. "You know it's time."

"Does it have to be?" she implored. "I've been able to achieve so much. I can't surrender this life now. I just can't, not with so much left to do."

"You knew this would only be temporary, until the balance could be corrected," he reminded her.

"Yes, I know. It's just... well, I've become used to this way of life. For the first time I actually have a life, instead of an existence. If I hadn't merged with him at the exact moment..."

"They recognise the debt they owe," he assured her. "You won't be forgotten."

"And that's supposed to make me feel better?" She could feel the anger building up inside her. "You don't know what it's like to have a life. You just obey the summons, and do as you're told. But I've seen a different way to live. I'm not ready to go back to the old ways."

He sighed. He knew this would be difficult for her, but he had to make her understand. "They have found someone."

She reeled in shock. "No! They can't have. It's too soon." Anger turned to fright, as she ran out from the console room, down the many winding corridors, desperate to fight the inevitable. It wasn't fair, she told herself.

She had willingly taken on the mantle of being the Doctor, with the freedom to travel through all of time and space, and sometimes beyond. She had visited worlds unknown to her and had gained so much in experience and knowledge. And now they wanted to take all of that away from her. The tears began to flow now, but she didn't care. This was something else she had learned to appreciate – the value of emotion. She would not surrender, not when there was so much to lose.

She ran. Not with any sense of direction, but just to put some distance between herself and… she turned a corner, only to find him there, waiting for her. Doubling back, she threw open the nearest door, and dived in.

She found herself back in the console room. Even the TARDIS seemed to be against her. He was there, waiting patiently. She was breathing hard from the exertion of running. And she liked it. "You can't force me to return," she pointed out.

"No," he admitted. "But you must see that this could not have gone on indefinitely?"

She was calmer now, but still angry. "Why do you have to be right all the time?"

He seemed surprised by the question. "Because I am," he replied.

She stared at him for a moment, unable to speak. Then she began to shake, and held her sides as though in pain. Finally, when she could stand it no more, she let out a huge scream of laughter that lasted all of two minutes. Through it all, the man stood silently, not saying a word, which made her laugh all the more.

At last, she recovered her composure, took a few deep breaths, and was calm. "I'm sorry. It's just… well, you're so unruffled by it all. Nothing phases you, does it?" She sighed, finally accepting the inevitable. "So, they really have found someone?"

He nodded. "It took some time, but they seem ready to engage the process. All you have to do is allow it to happen, and then..."

"And then I'll be back where I belong," she finished for him. "Waiting for the next summons."

"One has already been issued," he revealed, "to take effect immediately."

"I see." She looked around the console room for what would probably be the last time. "I shall miss you, old girl. You've been good to me." She turned back to the man, her... companion. "All right, I'm ready."

As if waiting for its cue, the TARDIS began to pulse with light. Beams of energy spun around the woman, shaping themselves into a swirling cocoon around her. Then the cocoon split in two, as a new figure emerged, detaching itself from the first. The different aspects of each one soon became apparent. The woman had only changed superficially - her hair was longer but her clothes were now of a shimmering blue. The second was male – tall and thin faced, with a pale complexion. His clothes were dark. A long frock coat, winged shirt collar and black neck tie. As the pulse of the lights began to ebb and fade, the man slumped to the floor as the woman stepped forward to join her companion.

Her composure was markedly different from before – more confident and self-assured. "Will he recover?" she asked, concerned.

"Completely," came the reply. "He may be a little animated at first, but he'll soon settle down."

She knelt down to examine his face. "He seems familiar, somehow."

The man held out his hand. "It's time to go."

She stood up and reached for his hand. As their fingertips touched, an energy portal opened up before their eyes, a myriad of stars stretching before them. Without another word they stepped through, the portal closing behind them.

The new Doctor lay on the floor, still recovering from his latest regeneration. It had not been as bad as in previous times, he noted. Physically he was fine, though his mind was still reorientating itself.

But one thought forced itself to the front of his mind. A name, rolling around in his head, until he could form and voice the word.

"Sapphire?"

THE END