Disclaimer: The Doctor is not responsible for any property stolen, lost, or damaged by a companion while traveling in time and space.

CHAPTER 7

All eyes were turned towards the center of the Panopticon. As the white smoke began to clear, a humanoid figure could be seen. He was old, had a white beard, and wore a white robe. He stood grandly, in a way that commanded respect. The room was filled with murmurs, no one knowing how this unexpected visitor had managed to cross the transduction barrier undetected, or even who he was. Except one person. The Doctor grabbed Romana and quickly approached him.

The Doctor smiled largely and bowed slightly. "This is an unexpected honor."

"I see you're no longer contending my choice in your assistants," said the man dressed in white.

"You didn't..." started the Doctor, wide-eyed.

"No, of course not," said the man. He suddenly smiled. "Well, maybe I thought it would be a nice idea..."

"Well, then, it's appropriate that you're here."

"But that's not why I came," the man said.

"Oh?" asked the Doctor, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm here to warn you," he said, gravely.

"I'm sorry," said Romana. "Who are you?"

The Doctor turned to her. "Romana," he said. "Surely you remember the White Guardian." At the mention of this name, many Time Lords gasped- they had all known of the Guardians, but had never actually seen one before.

"Well, I would," said Romana. "If we had actually met. He appeared to me as the Lord President, remember? I didn't know he was the one to assign me to assist you." She turned to the White Guardian. "My apologies if I sounded rude; but what warning do you bring?"

"Just as I know of the event of your union," said the Guardian. "So too does the Black Guardian. And he still has not forgotten his vow to destroy you."

"What?" said the Doctor, mockingly. "You mean to disperse every particle of my being to the furthest reaches of eternity? So what?"

"Doctor," said Romana. "Please don't tell me he'll have to find us first. I swear, Doctor, if you reinstall that Randomiser, I'm not coming with you."

"No way," he said. "If I reinstall that Randomiser, then I won't even come with. Like I said: worst idea I ever had."

"I think I said that, actually," said Romana.

"Well, I'm not one to squabble over the details," said the Doctor.

"Doctor," said Turlough, approaching him. "I remember how badly the Black Guardian wanted you dead. Don't you think it would be safer to take some precautions?"

"Precautions?" snorted the Doctor. "No offense, Turlough, but based upon my dealings with him in the past, I don't think I have much to worry about. I mean, he sent you after me. And it's not like I didn't see it from a mile away."

"You knew the whole time?" asked a surprised Turlough.

"Of course!"

"Then why did you invite me along?" he asked.

"Well," said the Doctor. "I suppose I knew what it was like to be trapped on a third rate planet by your own people... having to take orders from the Brigadier."

"Third rate planet?" said Romana. "I thought you love Earth."

"Not when I can't choose to leave it," said the Doctor. "They actually blocked my understanding of dematerialization theory! So embarassing- The Master had a field day with that one."

"Well, why'd you tell him then?" asked Romana.

"I had to," said the Doctor.

"Doctor," interrupted the White Guardian.

"Yes, sir?"

"Whatever you decide," he said. "Decide it quickly. Good luck." He vanished.

The room was silent. Everyone stared at the Doctor. "Well," he said. "What's everyone just standing around here for? This is a party after all."

"But, Doctor-" started Romana.

"I told you," said the Doctor. "I'm not going to live in fear of the Black Guardian."

"Suit yourself, then," said Romana. "But if you get killed, I'll murder you."

"Fair enough," smiled the Doctor.