Epilogue
The Doctor was still sitting in the Captain's chair when the Brigadier emerged from the interior, guiding Doris, who seemed confused about her surroundings. Glad followed just behind, a relieved expression on her face at seeing 'Mrs. Doris' up and about. Seeing that he had obviously succeeded in ridding her of the Master's influence, the Time Lord stood up and walked over to them. "I'm glad to see you are better, Doris," he told the elderly woman.
"I feel... tired." She looked around. "Where am I? This place is very... strange."
"You're in the TARDIS," the Gallifreyan informed her. "Yeah, I know. It's bigger on the inside," he commented, glancing around at the structure.
She grinned, tentatively. "Alistair always said it was a very strange police box. How is it there can be this much space in it?"
"Time Lord science. Bit more than you can understand, even if you are brilliant." He gave her a smile. "I figured you and Alistair deserve a real holiday away from any and all distractions."
"A holiday? What a time to suggest one. I must say, after the scare I had with Alistair, I could certainly use one." She tilted her head. "Where are we going?"
"Oh, it's wonderful, I can assure you. And some place you cannot find on the face of the Earth..."
"Doctor," the Brigadier stated, concern filling his demeanor. "You didn't."
"Didn't what?" the Doctor questioned, innocence on his face. It was an expression Sir Alistair immediately translated into mischief.
"You did," he groaned.
Doris looked at her husband and his expression of anticipated concern. "What is it, dear? What did the Doctor do that has your knickers in a knot?"
"It's beautiful!" came an exclamation from the exterior door. The three adults turned their head to see Glad gazing out of the TARDIS with wonder.
"He took us to a different planet," Alistair explained, already knowing that Glad's words were a confirmation of his suspicions.
"A different planet? But Alistair, there are no planets in our solar system that will support human life other than Earth."
The Doctor frowned at her words. "Oh, come on, Doris. You know that the Solar System isn't the only star system in the galaxy."
"Of course, I know that," she stated. Then a slight fear entered her eyes. "How long have I been asleep?"
"About two hours, just long enough for me to find the perfect little getaway for you two."
"And it's great!" Glad told them excitedly. "Oh, can we stop here for a while, Doctor? Please?"
Doris looked from the alien to the young girl and back to the alien. "But we would have had to travel light years. How in two hours..."
"Doris, my dear," Alistair put in, rubbing her shoulders. "When it comes to the Doctor, it is often best not to ask too many questions. It would likely cause an aneurism just trying to understand the answer."
"Oh, come on!" came an impatient voice from the doorway. Without further word, Glad rushed out of the time ship.
The Doctor groaned. "Oh, I wish she hadn't done that. It's going to be practically impossible to get her inside now. Better get your bags, Brigadier." He immediately went in pursuit of the girl, trusting that his friends would soon follow him out.
"Right, Doctor," replied the ex-military man, looking for their bags in the console room.
"Alistair. A holiday on another planet? Doesn't that bother you any?" Doris questioned, clearly concerned.
"Well, of course, it bothers me," he answered. "But I don't have control over where and when the Doctor takes us. I thought we would at least be on Earth."
"I didn't even know we were going away. I do hope you closed up the house properly, dear."
He gave her one of his slightly irritated but still loving glares. "Of course, I did. I've only been in the military for several decades. I certainly know how to secure a facility by now."
Sam, at that moment, came in, blinking slightly. "Um, I noticed we're not moving any more. Have we landed?"
Sir Alistair, having found their luggage, picked up a couple of suitcases and started towards the door. "Obviously," he responded. "And not where we were told we would be."
"We're not going to meet Leonardo da Vinci?" the leaper queried.
Doris looked at the leaper with concern. "Are you sure you're not sleepwalking? Leonardo da Vinci, indeed."
"Well, that's what the Doctor said earlier."
"Apparently not," the Brigadier replied to Sam's question. "I'm sure that he had his reasons but he could have been reasonable enough to consult me first." Dropping the bags just outside the TARDIS without looking around, he went back for the rest of the luggage.
Sam and Doris walked to the door of the TARDIS together. When they looked out into this new world, both took in a sharp breath. There were snowcapped mountains in the distance and a bright blue-purple sky. But the site of the building nestled like a jewel into the surrounding was of special interest. It was a three-story structure, shaped almost like a pyramid except that it had intricate flying buttresses at the top that seemed like something out of a fairytale. The entrance to the building also had the same kind of interwoven design, as if beckoning visitors to come in. The structure itself was almost silvery in color, reflecting the lush dark green grounds.
"That has to be some of the most beautiful architecture I've ever seen," Sam stated as he and Doris stepped out.
"Isn't it just?" the Doctor commented with a broad grin, his arm around Glad's shoulder as if to keep her close to him while allowing her to enjoy the sights around them. "It's a lovely place to relax. Very popular but very limited. They only allow a few reservations every year. But, lucky for you, Alistair..." He reached into his left pocket and pulled out a six-inch metallic looking rod. "I remembered that I have a lifetime membership here. Have my own room too."
"Figures," Sam stated.
The Doctor made a slight face at his single word before handing the rod to his oldest friend. "Just present that and my room is yours for the length of your stay here, expenses on the house. If they question it, just tell them I sent you."
"You're not going in with us?" Alistair questioned.
"No," came the soft response. "Better that we part here. Besides, knowing Glad, she'll want to go exploring and we just don't have time for that." Hearing the groan of disappointment from the girl, he added, "Maybe when we pick them up later. In the meantime, why don't you show Doris and Sam that little glade I found you in? That will give you something to do while I speak with Alistair."
Sam, figuring there needed to be some privacy for that nodded. "Yes. I'd appreciate that. Doris? You'll come with us?"
"Of course," she answered. "It sounds delightful."
The three walked on to the glade the Doctor referred to, Galadriel taking the lead.
Returning his attention to Alistair, the Doctor waited until they were out of earshot. "You'll be safe here. I seriously doubt that the Master would even think of finding either of you here. That and you're about as far away from Earth communications as possible."
"Doris doesn't remember him. She doesn't even remember leaving the villa. That was your doing, correct, Doctor?"
The Time Lord tucked his hands into his pockets, straightening slightly. "I removed everything from her memory concerning the Master and Harold Saxon, broke the link between her and the Pi network. She doesn't remember anything from the time she went to bed last night to the moment she woke up in the library. She doesn't even remember me coming into the kitchen all bright and cheerful. Fortunately, she is brilliant. Fills in the gaps with her own rationale."
Alistair didn't say anything for a long moment. Then with more emotion than was typical, he croaked out, "Thank you, Doctor. I was fearful the Master had taken my wife from me."
"I'd never let that happen, Alistair. Never." His dark eyes looked into that of his friend's. "Take care of her. And..." He hesitated, not wanting to bring up the issue but knowing that he couldn't not do with his dear friend. "If... if for some reason I don't come back..." He couldn't finish the thought verbally, instead pulling him into a tight hug.
Alistair was a bit taken aback by the sudden move, his eyes widening. While he and the Doctor had been close friends for many years, they had never shown their friendship by hugging each other but rather expressed it with broad smiles, hardy handshakes and affectionate grips of each other's shoulders. For the Time Lord to be so forthright concerned him greatly. Perhaps it was just this incarnation was more of the "touchy-feely" sort than the others or perhaps it was that the others understood that the Brigadier himself wasn't the kind to give hugs. Either way, it caused a knot to grow in his stomach. "You'd better be back," he said, his body still rigid with the embrace. "I don't think Doris will want to be away from our villa for the rest of her natural life."
The Doctor laughed slightly, finally pulling away. "Probably not. But at least you've got a room to use and you won't have to worry about needing anything."
Alistair nodded tightly. "Let's not talk of such possibilities, old friend. You'll be back. You're like a bad penny. You always come back."
The Time Lord rolled his eyes in feigned annoyance just as Sam and the others were returning from their excursion.
"We have to come back here to stay for a while, Doctor," Glad put in with a broad grin. "I want to learn how to sky!"
"Sky?" the Gallifreyan questioned.
Sam walked up to the three of them. "I think she means ski," he corrected, catching the conversation.
"Right. Skiing." The Doctor tilted his head slightly. "Never was sure about that particular sport. Looks too cold. Then again, I've done worse. Anyway... we better get going."
Doris had been walking slightly slower up the hill. She heard the Doctors imminent plans. "Well, we'll enjoy our holiday here, Doctor. I approve."
"Good!" he exclaimed, smiling at her words. "Have a wonderful time." Going over to her, he gave her a hug. "You take good care of Alistair for me. Sam. Glad. I'll wait for you in the TARDIS." With that, he walked into the time ship, not looking back.
The small group said their goodbyes, Glad wrapping her arms around one and then the other. Finally Doris shooed the girl into the TARDIS before telling Sam to watch out for the alien that always seemed to be getting himself in hot water.
"I'm not sure I'm all that better but I will. Enjoy your holiday," Sam replied before following Glad into the ship.
The older couple watched the door to the blue police box close and started to walk away slowly, the grinding sound they knew so well announcing the departure of their friends. "Godspeed," Alistair stated.
