CHAPTER 19

TOGETHER AGAIN

"Doctor, I really think we should wait," Mel was insisting as she opened the door to her quarters.

"My dear Melanie, there's no need," the Doctor retorted from the bottom of the steps. "Unless I miss my guess—" He broke off when his companion gave a cry of alarm and wasted no time bounding to her side. "What's the matter?"

Mel held out a hand to indicate her suitcases standing neatly arranged by the door. "Someone's been here since we left," she observed quietly.

"Yes. And they appear to've anticipated our departure," the Time Lord remarked with a scowl. "Wait here." He entered cautiously, hearing what he could only assume was the television in the main room. The blinds had been closed, but whether this was to keep the heat out or someone from seeing in he could not say. The room itself, however, was empty. "Doesn't seem to be anyone in here," he muttered as Mel came up beside him.

Sniffing the air, she asked, "Did you leave the coffee on?"

"No," the Doctor replied. His voice sharpened as he turned his gaze to the kitchen. "But I can guess who did."

Suddenly, mug in hand, Jason appeared in the Doctor's line of vision. "It's about time you two got here," he admonished mildly, going into the main room and taking a seat in front of the television. Waving a hand in its general direction, he asked, "Have you seen what passes for news around here? And in a Presidential election year?"

Mel was struck by the oddly familiar American voice as this stranger returned to the gloom of the main room. When he looked up, the light from the television made his eyes seem to glow as they fixed themselves on the uncharacteristically silent Time Lord.

"You going to stand there all day, Doctor?" Jason asked. He reached back and opened the blinds, seeing an odd look on his friend's face when he turned back. "You seem surprised. I thought you'd be expecting me by now."

"It isn't that. It's… You'll forgive the irony of what I'm about to say, but…you've changed." The Doctor took a seat in an opposite chair. "Even a sprinkling of gray."

"Well, I figured if they checked on my file I'd better look like I was a least twenty something years older."

"Did you do that?" Mel asked, motioning to her luggage.

"No, it was like that when I got here," Jason replied. "I'd say someone wants you to leave rather badly."

"Well, since the body of the Visitor has vanished," the Doctor informed, "Lieutenant Benton is withdrawing all UNIT personnel until the Base is officially handed over. Everyone is to assemble by eighteen hundred hours—"

"That's six o'clock, isn't it?" Jason injected playfully, taking a sip of his coffee.

"—for evacuation."

"Great. I was hoping I could hitch a ride with you. If you don't mind, that is."

"Don't mind?" the Time Lord replied sharply. "Of course I don't mind. You don't think I'm going to leave you swanning about in this time period, do you?"

The Alterran broke into an amused grin. "Well at least I managed to get here on the first try."

"Yes, but in the wrong time zone," the Doctor pointed out sarcastically.

Jason raised an eyebrow and turned pointedly to Mel. "Dare I say it?" he asked, giving the Doctor a sideways glance.

"I'm afraid I'm a bit lost. Are you one of the Doctor's UNIT friends?" Mel injected, causing the two men to laugh.

The Alterran gave the Doctor an almost accusing look. "Didn't you warn her I'd be showing up sooner or later?" Not waiting for a reply, he turned to the puzzled woman. "Mel, I'm Jason."

Mel's mouth dropped open and she looked at the healthy man in front of her before turning to the Doctor, who grinned and nodded. "But…how on earth did you…? Did you…?" she said at last, motioning to his healthy and completely whole physical appearance.

"Earth had nothing to do with it," Jason replied in a harsher tone than he intended. His face softened and he added, "I know I really upset you with my, um, performance, Mel. I am sorry about that."

"Never mind that!" Mel exclaimed. "How did you go from a collection of bruises, bandages and…and…."

"Missing parts?" the Doctor added helpfully.

"To a suit?" Jason concluded with a grin. "I think that's the right idiom. I told you as soon as I could get out of that contraption I'd show you something really amazing."

"The Doctor explained about transmuting, but…."

"I know. Most people don't believe it until they see it." Turning to the Doctor, he said, "By the way, I told them I was Dr. Jason Krystovan sent by UNIT Geneva to examine the Visitor."

"Were you indeed?" the Doctor replied amusedly. "Well, I let Benton know who you are, or were, so he wouldn't waste time scouring the countryside for your missing corpse."

"And now I'm to get evacuated along with the rest of you. And here I only just arrived," Jason said in a petulant tone.

"I'll wager you didn't get accused of body snatching," the Doctor chided before explaining, "As it happens, Mel and I were on our way to examine what's left of your ship."

Jason was suddenly very interested and sat up straighter. "Really? Where is it, exactly?"

"UNIT has it in a hangar at the Kennedy Space Center." Holding out a hand in an after-you gesture, the Doctor said, "Benton has very kindly offered to fly us out with the rest of the UNIT entourage."

"Er, fly?"

"Is that a problem?"

Jason cleared his throat. "I've just had a rather nasty experience when it comes to flying, if you'll recall, Doctor. And no offence to Mr. Benton, or UNIT, but I'd very much like to keep my feet on the ground for a while. If any flying's to be done, I'll do it under my own power."

"Ah. Well then, I'm sure we can get a ride into the nearest town. We can hire a car from there. We've a couple hours drive ahead of us going over land. And depending on how long it takes this evacuation to take place, we may not get there until late."

"We'll need a place to stay for the night, then," Mel pointed out logically.

"Money would be nice too," Jason injected, throwing a knowing look in the Doctor's direction. "Do you actually have any? Or do we need to procure some?"

"Don't worry, I have money and a credit card," Mel injected, receiving a startled look from both men. "I am supposed to be on vacation, Doctor. You set all that up for me months ago, remember?"

"Oh yes…" the Time Lord muttered. "How very foresighted of me."