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Chapter 19

There was an armed escort with the Prime Minister as she entered Downing Street. She was not afraid to admit that she had missed the place. Old Prime Ministers were exactly the same. She remembered Maggie's tears as she left that famous street. She sat in the back of her armoured limo with her escorts around her and smiled. She always knew that her Doctor would come through. Even if she now had to give up her post now as liaison to the organisation because of her renewed status. A denial ability clause the director called it. But they knew that when they were needed she would call on them and she would be welcomed back when the time was right. One last thing that the organisation did for her was to provide her escort now and to station her bodyguards to be with her at all times. She was a trusted member. They wanted her back.

But now Harriet Jones was where she wanted to be and who she wanted to be. In short she was Harriet Jones, Prime Minister. She looked over at the young woman beside her and smiled. The daughter she had never had.

"Did you ever doubt him?"

"Not in the least."

They pulled up outside 10 Downing Street and there by the door was a man. In a long brown coat, with a brown pinstriped jacket, greyish type shirt, brown tie and a pair of dirty old trainers with the most wildish grin on his face. If they didn't know better they'd think he was a student.

The Prime Minister, Rose and the Doctor went straight up to her private chambers. And there waiting for her was a bottle of her favourite Irish whiskey.

"Bushmills 16 year old malt, how did you know?"

"I know these things Prime Minister."

She poured herself a generous glass and the same for the Doctor. Rose somehow had managed to get a bottle of WKD Blue. They toasted their success.

Harriet though looked at the Doctor and set her glass down.

"This situation was not without fatalities."

The Doctor looked at her. He knew what was coming.

"There's a car outside. It's waiting to take you to Cambridge"

Half an hours journey later, the Doctor and Rose stepped out of the Jaguar and entered the plush country house. The Doctor was pointed to a bedroom and he beckoned Rose to wait outside.

He walked over to the bed where the nurse turned round to him.

"He was waiting for you. He held on long enough for you to arrive."

She patted his shoulder and left the room, leaving the two old friends alone.

"Alasdair?"

"So you done it again, my friend?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so. Helped out humanity when it needed me."

"I do not know how we have coped without you."

"I'm sure you would've coped."

"Maybe, maybe not."

"Alasdair, save your strength!"

"Now Doctor, when have I let you lecture me?"

The Brigadier gave a slight cough and settled back on his pillow.

"I had to see you one last time before … before…"

"…before you said goodbye?"

"yes. You did tell me I would die peacefully in bed after all, heh heh."

The Doctor looked away. He in all his lifetimes had seen many of his friends pass on. But he always thought the Brigadier would live forever. Starched shirt and all.

"Doctor, you have been my friend. All of you. From the white haired man who was cantankerous to the small Scottish gentleman who told me off when he thought I was dead. I have savoured every moment. And I could never wish for a more loyal friend."

The Brigadier pulled the Doctor close with one last bit of strength

"If that is not a reason for not going on, I do not know what is. I will tell Doris, you pass on your love and wishes when I see her. Take care my old old friend. Splendid chap. All of you."

The Brigadier let go of the Doctor's hand and settled back on his bed. All of a sudden the alarms from the machines beside him started to sound. Nurses rushed in trying to get to the old man to keep him alive.

The Doctor stopped them.

"Don't. As Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart's personal physician, I confirm that a great man has passed on. May God take care of him as he took care of others."