Michelle suddenly found herself surrounded by tons of people. "Heck, Michelle, where'd you learn to dance like that?"

She could only smile. "Oh, I have my sources."

"Want to share the slow dance with me?" One kid pointed up to the stage. "It's about to start!"

Another boy interrupted, "Screw that, she's dancing with me!"

The DJ announced, "Okay, ladies and gentlemen, we're gonna slow things down a bit here. From my favorite album ever, this is Don Henley of the Eagles with 'Sunset Grill.' Every guy, grab a girl, everywhere around the world!"

Michelle looked at her friends nearby. "Uh...tell you what, guys. These lovely ladies here need some partners. I've actually got someone with me tonight." Pointing at Laura and Alice, she then reached out and beckoned to the Doctor.

He sidled over to her. "You don't mind dancing with a gay guy all of a sudden?"

She smirked. "Nah, I think you might actually be bisexual. That's okay with me." Awkwardly the Doctor put Michelle's arms around his waist.

Michelle looked upon him sympathetically. "You hate this, don't you? Have you ever danced with a human before?"

"Oh, many times, but I don't think I've ever quite done a goodbye dance before."

Don Henley - Sunset Grill

Let's go down to the sunset grill
We can watch the working girls go by
Watch the "basket people" walk around and
mumble
And stare out at the auburn sky

There's an old man there from the Old World
To him, it's all the same
Calls all his customers by name
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill

The Doctor looked at Michelle wistfully as they slow danced. "What are you thinking about?" she asked carefully.

"Oh, sometimes some people have an opening to the universe when they write music. Don Henley is one of those people. He just...seems to understand things that not everyone else does."

She could not help but notice the profound sadness in the gaze of the Doctor. "This song hurts you?"

"I am the Old Man, Michelle. Everything is the same and it never ends. The Universe is the Sunset Grill."

You see a lot more meanness in the city
It's the kind that will eat you up inside
Hard to come away with anything that feels
Like dignity
Hard to get home with any pride

These days a man makes you something
And you never see his face
But there is no hiding place
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset grill
Down at the Sunset Grill

Respectable little murders pay
They get more respectable every day
Don't worry girl, I'm gonna stick by you
And someday soon we're gonna get in that
Car and get outta here

Michelle said, "Your car is the TARDIS, Doctor. You can go anywhere or any place you want to. You can get away."

Let's go down to the sunset grill
Watch the working girls go by
Watch the "basket people" walk around and
mumble
And gaze out at the auburn sky

Maybe we'll leave come springtime
Meanwhile, have another beer
What would we do without all these jerks
anyway?
Besides, all our friends are here

Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill
Down at the Sunset Grill

The Doctor answered, "Yes, I can get away to anywhere I want. But I can't escape the feeling."

Suddenly, without warning, Michelle planted a passionate kiss on the lips of the Doctor. It seemed to last forever, and then she noticed through her peripheral vision that everyone was staring at them.

Michelle flushed bright red. "Erm, it's okay. He's gay. He didn't really like it."

"What? Oh, no, no, no, that was...no." The Doctor shook his head. "Didn't like that in the slightest."

Not fully convinced, everyone went back to their own things.

******

Later, after the Prom King and Queen were announced, and some typical preppy couple won, the DJ opened a slip of paper given to him by the Prom Queen. "Oh, it looks like we have another award here...for Miss Dark Horse, who did something tonight completely unlike her usual self by dancing in front of everybody. And the Miss Dark Horse award goes to...Senior Michelle Reynolds!"

Surprised as hell, Michelle didn't move until Laura and Alice pushed her up onto the stage. She was given a small bouquet of pink roses and a rhinestone tiara. "Wow...uh, thanks to you all. And especially thanks to my best friend, 'Dorky Doctor' John Smith. Um, if you don't mind, Mr. DJ, I have a special dedication I'd like to make." She whispered something in his ear, and the DJ announced, "It looks like we have a featured performance coming from Seniors Michelle Reynolds, Laura Mulligan and Alice Perkins. They just need a moment to get changed."

******

There had been a gym bag hidden in the girls' locker room, which Michelle could only surmise that the TARDIS had placed there. But after some reassurances to Laura and Alice, the three of them had dressed like the Blues Brothers, except in plaid skirts and Doc Martens boots in place of any dress pants. They all had microphones.

Up on stage, Michelle announced, "I'd like to dedicate this song to my good friend, the Dorky Doctor. Um, I'll be moving away soon, and won't be seeing him for a long time. But we've had a lot of fun together, and I would like to sing this tune for him. Ready? One...two...three...hit it!"

Doobie Brothers - Take Me In Your Arms

I know you're leaving me behind
I'm seeing you darling for the very last time
Show a little tenderness before you go
Please let me feel your embrace once more

Take me in your arms and rock me, rock me a little while

I'm losing you and my happiness
My life is so dark I must confess
I'll never, never see your smiling face no more
I'll never, never hear your knock upon my door
Before you leave me, leave me behind
Let me feel happy one more time

Take me in your arms and rock me, rock me a little while

I'm begging you baby (take me take me)
Oh baby please (take me take me)
Come on baby (take me)
Can't you see me on my knees now
(Take me take me)
Come on baby (take me take me)
I'm begging you baby
Oh baby please, please, please...

Take me in your arms and rock me, rock me a little while

All the while the Doctor watched on the floor, hands in his pockets and laughing hysterically while the three of them danced like John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd. It was one of the best moments of his 900+ years of existence.

******

After the prom was over, Michelle reluctantly said goodbye to Laura and Alice, and told them she would see them tomorrow. As they both departed to their car, the Doctor and Michelle watched them leave.

"They won't remember me, will they?"

The Doctor shook his head. "Sadly, no. But they both turn out to lead great lives. One becomes a nurse and one plays in a successful band when she grows up. They both marry and live long and happy lives."

Michelle nodded. "Good. I'm glad. They deserve it."

The two of them walked in silence back to the TARDIS. "Is this the part where you take me back now?"

The Doctor unlaced his neck tie. "Listen, uh...you gave me a great present, and I have something for you too." He opened the TARDIS door and handed Michelle an identical suitcase to the one she'd been carrying when they first met.

"What's this?"

"It's what you need to get a life started in the 80's."

Michelle looked at the Doctor, shocked. "You mean...I'm actually going to get to stay here?"

The Doctor nodded. "You have a change of clothes for a week, and enough money for a deposit on an apartment and for a month of food until you can find a job. The TARDIS has given you another identity and you should be able, if you can keep your wits about you and keep your knowledge of the future to yourself, to get a job very soon and begin your new existence."

Touched, she asked, "But why? You were so insistent that I could never do it."

"Well, after spending this time with you, I know that you can. And you've made me happy, and you've made me laugh. What more can I ask for? You deserve it too."

"What about you though?"

"Oh, I'll keep doing what I've always done...I'll keep on traveling and seeing new places. I might drop in a time or two, see how you are doing. Molto bene."

Michelle said shakily, "Okay." She reached out and the Doctor embraced her warmly. "So...I guess this is it then. So long?"

"This is it."

"Well...goodbye!" She giggled, not sure if she should walk away or not.

"Goodbye, Michelle Reynolds, you've been..."

*****

And just then...a clap of thunder. The Doctor looked up, expecting rain to begin pouring down, but instead a shower of glowing green light fell upon them both.

A look of absolute horror came upon his face. "No...not here, not now!"

"What?" Michelle asked frantically. "What's happened?"

"They've found us...I don't know how, but they've found us!"

"Who??" she demanded. "Who has found us???"

The expression on his face was grim. "The Kedron. They're back."