"Coordinates of the Doctor have been locked!"

"Are you positive it is him?"

"Affirmative, prepare the missiles!"

"So, the ever so famous Doctor," said Sir James Lester as he crossed across his desk and took a seat in his chair.

"Lester," said the Doctor. "Still running this place, I see. How many years now?"

Lester gave an un-amused laugh.

"Charming, Doctor, it's been so long I forgot how hilarious you can be at times."

"Glad you find me entertaining."

The Doctor had been brought to Lester's office the moment he stepped foot in the ARC. Other than him and pen-pusher, Allie was in the office. The Doctor heard the office door open behind him, but he didn't dare turn around. He knew who it was.

"Doctor," he head from behind him.

"Becker," he responded. "It's been a while."

"Yes, but not long enough, apparently," he said.

"Look, I'm not Helen Cutter, okay! I'm a friend. I've worked with Professor Cutter before! I'm not trying to kill any of you or destroy the ARC. Please, the tension is unbearable."

"Doctor, I told you to leave, and never come back to my daughter again!"

"I wouldn't count on him following directions, dad," said Allie. "He's prone to breaking rules."

"Just like some people I know," said Lester, "as in my workers!"

"Listen, Doctor," said Allie, as she crossed the room to face him. "I've moved on. I have a life, a job!"

Allie wasn't just trying to convince the Doctor, she was trying to convince herself. True, life at the ARC had gotten much better, but it still wasn't what she wanted to do with her life. She didn't love it. The Doctor must have known she wasn't telling the whole truth because he laughed.

"When I first met you, you hated this place! You couldn't even imagine working here, and you hated everything the ARC stranded for. Why the sudden change of heart?"

"I was accepted when I came back!" Allie argued. "People understood me, helped me get over what happened. Plus, they took my say in everything. The ARC's changed, and so have I."

"Well, then. If that's how you like it, fine," the Doctor turned to leave Lester's office, but turned around again. "Oh, and though this may not matter, I'm still going to say it. I only came for two reasons: one, to visit you, and apologize. If it was my decision, you could have left with me, if you wanted, and we would still be traveling today, together."

Together. That word struck a pang in her heart. He had once promised her that, and it didn't work out. She didn't feel like getting her heart broken. Not again. She didn't want to chase after him, if she knew her father would take her away. She didn't want to love him, if she knew it wouldn't be forever.

"My dad did what was right," said Allie. "True, that offer sounds amazing, I miss the traveling, but, I need to be here. This is my home, and I'm needed here."

That was about half true. She was still a bit mad at her father for doing what he did, but she had forgiven him. She truly did want to continue traveling with the Doctor, be with him…forever.

The Doctor nodded.

"And second, I found this in the TARDIS."

The Doctor threw the coat he had found to Allie, who caught it gracefully.

"I just wanted to give it back. Now if you'll excuse me. I'll just grab Bellalyse and we'll be off."

And with that, the Doctor finally left Lester's office. Allie let out the air she was holding in. She sighed. He was now gone. Out of her life: forever. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and saw her father standing behind her. It wasn't until then that she realized that she had been crying, and still was. Who was she trying to fool? She missed the Doctor. She had every day since he left her, and she wanted to go with him, so badly. She looked at her father, eyes pleading for an answer to her never-ending nightmare.

He said one word, "Go."

She didn't have to be told twice. Allie ran out of Lester's office after the Doctor as quick as she could. Becker watched as his daughter ran down the ramp, calling the Doctor's name. He knew it was the right thing, even though the Doctor would probably bring death right to her doorstep.

Okay, so should Allie continue her travels with the Doctor, or should she continue her life at the ARC? Really, no idea where that part of the story is going. Everything else...I have my ideas...