The police car glided along the road. Sarah Jane and Clyde sat, hands cuffed, in silence.
Sarah Jane caught the numerous glances Stuart shot them in the mirror.
She looked out the window. Taking the scenic route to the station, then?
'Instructions mean nothing to you, then, Mrs Langer?'
Sarah Jane and Clyde exchanged looks.
'Smith.'
'What? Langer-Smith?'
'No, just Smith.'
Stuart heaved out an exasperated sigh.
The car skidded to a halt.
He climbed out, motioning for them to follow. Sarah Jane and Clyde were forced back-first against the car doors.
'A liar, trespasser, and a rebel walk into a bar.'
They looked at him, Sarah Jane maintaining her poker face.
'What were you doing there?'
'What were you doing there?' Sarah Jane reiterated.
Stuart crossed his arms.
'You could give Jeremy Paxman a run for his money, with those first class journalism skills.'
'Surely, even the notion of the existence of extraterrestrials would be laughable to the police?'
'That's a very rich conclusion you've drawn, Miss Smith.'
Stuart's arms were still folded.
Clyde piped up.
'Yeah, well-'
'Back in the car.' he barked. 'And neither of you are to speak, unless spoken to. Understand?'
They were a few miles from the police station
Sarah wondered if her cuffed hands might fall off, being jammed between her back and the seat. The same couldn't be said for Clyde's, which rested on his lap.
'You are right, other officers aren't going to believe you,' Stuart said. 'But they're not me.'
The car turned off at the next right, out of the station's vicinity.
'I'll take you both home.'
Sarah Jane's narrowed her eyes in confusion.
Hiding something, indeed.
'Could do with sticking on the heating,' said Clyde.
Stuart didn't budge.
'You'll live.'
Definitely hiding something, thought Sarah Jane.
Another right turn, this time into a familiar street - Bannerman Road.
'As promised,' Stuart said, pulling up to number thirteen.
"As he did, Sarah Jane and Clyde noticed two other police officers at her front door.
Her eyes widened in exasperation - this was just what they needed.
'I thought you-'
'Shush,' Stuart said, exiting the car.
He opened both passenger's doors, unbuckled them, motioning both to step out, then released their handcuffs.
They followed Stuart to the two officers. One was of similar build and height to Stuart, the other short and stocky.
'I didn't call for backup?'
The small one smiled.
'We'll take it from here, Milligan.'
'It's my investigation.'
'Which is about as authorised as your credentials.'
Sarah Jane and Clyde exchanged looks.
'And we all know what Galactic Law thinks about that.'
Stuart stared.
'Oh!' the tall one gasped, reaching into their pocket. 'I think you left this at the station.'
Stuart stretched out his hand to take it - then cried out, falling to his knees.
The flesh on his hand began to...erode, exposing a silver surface - so Sarah Jane and Clyde's eyes were telling them.
But they couldn't stand about, and with all their might, rugby tackled the two officers to the ground.
'Hold them, Clyde!'
Stuart gripped his hand, watching the flesh gradually reforming.
'Grab his radio, it's their teleport!' he yelled.
Sarah Jane complied.
'Put it in their hands and activate!'
Clyde held each officer's hand together, then Sarah Jane did as instructed.
The officers shimmered out of sight.
Stuart sighed with relief, as did Sarah Jane.