Farewell

Thanks so much to my kind reviewers for sticking with me. I now appreciate how the myriad writers of Doctor Who feel when they start with a great, amusing idea and it turns completely depressing. Caspian warned me this would happen, and we all know how much she likes to say, "I told you so." But I shall continue.

Disclaimer: owning nothing.

The sun shone down upon Regent's Park, warming Martha's skin. Despite the grinning aliens walking beside her, she felt more normal than she had in months. A stroll in the park with friends. No Earth-threatening crisis, no evil aliens giving chase, no malfunctioning TARDIS, no blasts from the past putting the Doctor in a foul mod, just her and two of the most attractive men in the galaxy.

"John! Martha!" Make that three. Jack Harkness was jogging toward them from across the park.

"Jack," said the Doctor. "Nice to see you got out okay."

Jack shrugged. "What can I say? I know how to charm a mortician." He caught sight of Spud, wearing a newly purchased fitted white t-shirt. "And who are you? Are we taking new recruits now?" he asked hopefully.

"This is Spud," said the Doctor.

Martha stifled a laugh as Jack struggled to control his shock. His smile widened and he shook Spud's hand, eyes roving over his chest. "Well, it is very nice to meet you, Spud."

"Oh, stop flirting," snapped the Doctor.

Jack didn't even reply.

oOo

The rest of the day passed with amazing ease and enjoyment, and as dusk fell over the city, the Doctor quickly rewired Jack's vortex manipulator to send Spud to the refugee planet of Gaspar Mor-Olto.

"I shall miss you three." Spud smiled sadly at each of them in turn, lingering a fraction of a second longer on Jack. "Thank you for your kindness, John Smith."

"Live a good life, Spud." The Doctor fastened the vortex manipulator around Spud's wrist and pressed a few buttons. "Now, the manipulator will come back by itself, so it'll just vanish off your wrist a few moments after you land." He clapped Spud on the shoulder. "Bon Voyage. He pressed a button, and Spud blinked out of sight.

Martha, Jack, and the Doctor remained where they were, waiting for the vortex manipulator. It reappeared a second later, dropping to the grass at their feet. Jack picked it up and replaced it on his wrist.

"Who wants dinner?"

They opted for a taco stand at the other end of the park, Mojo Tacos. Jack and the Doctor ordered while Martha popped off to the loo, and they moved over to a wooden picnic table to wait.

When she did not return in ten minutes, the Doctor said in no degree of uncertainty, "Something's wrong." The Doctor rose to his fee, looking around.

Following suit, Jack asked, "What do you think happened."

"I don't know." The Doctor held up his sonic screwdriver, scanning the surrounding area. He inspected the reading. "No! No, no, no, no, no, how did he do that!" He took off running in the direction of the public restrooms, and Jack followed.

He caught up to the Doctor just as he skidded to a halt, and bent down to the grass. When he straightened up, he was holding a familiar dark red leather jacket. Jack gaped at it in horror. The Doctor pulled a crumpled piece of paper out of the pocket and unfurled it. Jack saw his eyes harden. He offered the note to Jack.

Meet me downstairs. Bring your TARDIS.

"How did he find out?" Jack whispered. The Doctor shook his head.

"Martha…"

Sorry it was so short. Next one up soon!