A/N: So this is going to obviously have Sarah Jane Smith in it (because let's face it, she is awesome) and originally, I was a bit iffy about this chapter….let me know if it was for good reason . In this chapter, I mention a chapter of The-Doctors-Song 's story 'Bowties, Fezes and Stetsons'…You don't need to read it to understand this chapter but read it anyway because it's amazing ^_^ All you need to know is, Sarah Jane has met River before..Anyways, enjoy and PLEASE review!

K9's Lament

"Hello Sarah Jane!"

Sara Jane Smith stood with her door open, her eyes taking in the raggedy man before her. His hair was floppy and he had a boyish grin on his young face, happiness radiating off him. He clung to a blonde's hand but she was paying no attention to River or the little bundle that was curled against her chest, instead launching herself at the man before her.

"Hello Doctor," Sarah Jane grinned into his shoulder and then pulled back, smoothing his tweed jacket. "Look at you, so young and yet so much older than the last time I saw you. Come in out of the cold…you too River," She ushered him inside, shutting the door after River. The Doctor pulled his scarf off and pulled out a chair for his wife and dropped into his own around the kitchen table as a whirring noise approached from the living room.

"Master!" A tinny, nasally voice called excitedly.

"K9 my old friend!" The Doctor leapt from his seat and dropped to his knees to embrace the metal dog in a hug, K9's tail wagging happily.

"Is he always this excitable nowadays? He hasn't changed a bit," Sarah Jane laughed, turning to River and froze when she saw the child nestled sleeping against her chest.

"No, he hasn't changed," River smiled and laughed at the other woman's face of shock. "This is Roman by the way. The Doctor insisted on showing him off to everyone, as he does with new things, though I'm sure you already know that."

Sarah nodded absently and made her way forward, looking the sleeping child over.

"How is that possible? I know that there is something different about you River; I figured that out when you turned up at my house with the Tardis, asking for my help to rescue the Doctor from the Himalayan Mountains. But how did you have a Time Lord's child?"

"That's a long story," The Doctor said as he stood, moving back over to the table with K9 rolling behind him. "And for the record, I do not 'show off' River," he added as an after note, poking his tongue out at her.

"Yes you do sweetie," she laughed and ran a hand over her son's back as he writhed from sleep.

Sarah Jane took a seat, shaking her head at the pair and watched as the Doctor took his son. He really was a natural with children, and yet she had always known that. Never had he mentioned his family to her when she was his companion and she was sure she wasn't the only one who knew next to nothing about his past. That was just the type of man he was; he kept to himself because he didn't want anyone getting hurt because of him and he didn't want to get too close so that when he had to leave them – and he always did – he wasn't too hurt.

And yet, despite all of that, here he was; the Doctor and his wife and son, he and River interacting without words as they nursed Roman, his face a sign of nothing but happiness.

Except deep in his gaze, Sarah Jane could see sadness, like he knew that this wouldn't last forever and the day he feared the most was coming soon and there was nothing he could do about it.

She smiled at him sadly and stood when she heard Luke entering through the front door, absently flicking the kettle on.

"Mum, I'm home!"

"In here," she called back, pulling four cups from the cupboard as Luke shuffled through the house and into the kitchen. He stopped in the doorway and grinned when he saw the Doctor. He shook the man's hand and waved at River who smiled at the boy, bouncing a now giggling Roman on her knee.

"I thought I saw the Tardis down the street. How are you both?"

The Doctor scratched K9 behind the ear, the metal dog letting off a pleasant hum and Roman gurgled, staring at the machine with wide eyes. River lowered him slightly so that he could pet the metal and the child let out a giggle of delight.

The Doctor grinned as he watched his son and then turned back to Luke. "I've never been better! And how are you, young Luke?"

"I'm great! I go off to college in a month, which is exciting!"

Sarah Jane smiled and poured the tea.

"Never mind that he'll be leaving me all alone," she mused, running a hand through her son's hair.

"Mum," he whined and River laughed.

"This is what we have to look forward to, isn't it?" She asked and the Doctor beamed, taking a sip of his tea.

"You will not be alone Mistress," K9 said, rolling towards her and Sarah Jane felt her heart swell from the dog's words.

"Thank you K9."

The hours passed as they sat in the Smith's kitchen, laughing and talking, Roman the centre of attention but all too soon the sun was setting and the 3 month old was falling asleep with his head nestled in his father's neck. River and the Doctor stood, placing their cups into the sink and the Smith's followed their friends into the cool night, standing next to the TARDIS.

"Well, here we are again," Sarah Jane smiled and the Doctor enveloped her in a tight hug.

"We'll visit again soon, okay? I promise."

"You'd better," She ruffled his hair and placed a gentle kiss to his forehead and then to Roman's. "You look after him, okay? And that goes for you too River."

River nodded and hugged the older woman.

"Be well, Sarah," she said fondly. Sarah Jane released her and stepped back, wrapping her arm around her son's shoulders.

The Doctor paused as he passed Roman to his mother, turning back to the pair standing before him.

"You could come with us, you know? Even for just one trip," he suggested.

There was silence as Luke looked at his mother, his eyes pleading and he began to bounce on his feet in excitement. Sarah Jane looked thoughtful and the Doctor bit his lip, hopeful that she would say yes. A smile crossed her face and she nodded, laughing when Luke crushed her in a hug.

"Brilliant!" The Doctor beamed. "Fantastical! Excellent!" Roman gurgled sleepily and his father sent him a pout. "Yes, of course Fantastical is a word!"

Sarah Jane knew that she didn't regret this, not one bit. She didn't regret getting left behind by the Doctor all those years ago, or going with him this time, with her son and River and Roman. It was just like old times, going on adventures other couldn't even imagine.

But the thought crossed her mind as they ran from a Big Foot, that perhaps she did regret wearing her Uggboots on this trip…oh who was she kidding? Of course she didn't regret it, even if they were the reason Big Foot was chasing them through the forest. That was the fun in it all!

"Everybody in!" The Doctor called to the group, still laughing and slammed the doors of the TARDIS behind them. They leant against it, breathless and laughing and Sarah Jane kicked off her boots.

"Right then, note to self; don't wear fur when you're visiting Big Foot."

Yep, just like old times.