Luke's pov:

Mum's going out again. This is one of her worst excuses yet. Apparently, she's going to a meeting at the town hall, supposedly for a meeting about motorway extensions. Apparently, 'there could be a story in it.' Worst of all, Asha's out with her mum and William for her mum's birthday. This means it's just me, Clyde and Rani to figure out what Mum's up to. "See you then." She says, grabbing her bag from next to me. "Yeah, see you Mum. Have a good evening." I respond automatically, pretending to be engrossed in my homework. "You too. Bye, K-9." She says, K-9 responding with "enjoy your evening, mistress." She huffs out a laugh before leaving. As soon as she's out of ear shot, I pull me phone out, moving quickly over to Mr. Smith. "Mr. Smith, I need you quickly and quietly." I tell him as I dial Rani. "She's off again." "Right, we're coming over." Rani tells me before hanging up. "How can I help you, Luke." Mr. Smith asks me. "Activate tracking device, Mr. Smith. Aerial satellite scan." I tell jim, watching as an image of London pops up on the screen. A blue, blinking dot is moving along a road. Mum's car. "So, what's her story this time?" Rani asks as she and Clyde walk in. I turn to face them. "No Asha?" Clyde grins at me weirdly. "No...she's out with her mum. It's her mum's birthday, so William's taking them both out." I tell him. Clyde has been weird about me and Asha, ever since I asked him to help me work out my feelings. He wasn't much help, he just kept asking questions and cackling after I said something about her. I would go to Rani, but she would probably tell me to talk to Asha, and I can't do that when I'm not even aware of what I think. All I really understand is that I always feel really happy when I'm talking to her, and she makes me feel really safe. "And Mum said that she was going to a meeting at the town hall about motorway extensions." I turn back towards Mr. Smith. "Mistress' exact words: 'You never know, Luke. There could be a story in it.'." K-9 quoted. Yep. I definitely got my lying abilities from her, as Asha has joked before. "Her excuses are getting lamer, and lamer." Clyde decides, looking around. "She once told me she was just going on a walk, and that she might be back late." I reminded him, just as K-9 says. "Affirmative. Veracity level, 12%." "Why is she lying to us?" Clyde whines, deciding to sit with K-9. "She's heading into town." Rani points out. "Query. Am I to understand that you are using my tracking device to spy on Sarah Jane?" He sounds disapproving. I cringe at that. I don't like disappointing people. "it's the fifth time she's done this in a month, Mr. Smith. We've got to find out what she's really doing." Rani whines at him. "She goes off on her own, all mysterious. What if she gets in trouble?" Clyde asks Mr. Smith. "This is highly irregular behavior." Mr. Smith sounds baffled by this. I would feel bad about invading Mum's privacy, like Asha said, but last time this happened, the world almost ended. "Do not exceed your function, Mr. Smith. Your opinion has not been asked for." K-9 and Mr. Smith do not get on as much as we'd hoped for. "That told you! Good dog." Clyde is fussing over K-9 like he would a normal dog. "Affirmative, master Clyde." K-9 sounds smug. "She's stopped." Clyde realised. "Nowhere near the town hall." I don't know why I'm surprised. We all knew she was lying, but this just proves it. "There. She was lying. Knew it." Rani says.

"Scan for alien activity in that area, K-9." Clyde orders K-9. His sensor extends, retracting after a few seconds of whirring. "Negative for alien activity, Master Clyde." K-9 tells Clyde, who looks mildly put out. "I am perfectly capable of that function, Clyde. There is no need to consult the dog." Mr. Smith says waspishly. K-9 nods his head, saying, "Stick and stones." "So, what? Do we follow her down there?" Rani asks, not sure of what to do. Asha's gonna kill me for saying yes, but I'm sure she would have done the same if her Mum were doing this. "Come on, 2 minutes to the next bus." I grab my jacket, taping her arm, as I dash past her.

Just as we reach the end of the road, my phone rings. It's Asha! "Ash, are you okay?"

Asha's pov:

I'm sat at a fancy restaurant in town. Mum is sat next to me, with William facing Mum. I sigh as the conversation turns, again, to me and my lack of a love life. I really don't know what Mum's on about. "Honestly, you're 15. It's a perfectly normal age to have your first real relationship. I know you find it difficult to talk to people outside your direct friend group, but maybe you ought to try? I know..." I tune her out as she and William start analysing all the boys around my age that would be "suitable" for me, and I think I already know their eventual conclusion. Luke. He's easily their favourite of my friends, which is fair. I think if you look at our odd little group, Luke is most people's favourite. I'm suddenly distracted by who I see walk in through the front door. That can't be. No...it is! It's Sarah Jane! I thought she had that "meeting". Hang on, who's that she's sitting with? Is she? She's actually going on a date! Apparently not the first one, as she quickly kisses the man before sitting down at the table. "Hold the thought, I just need to use the toilet." I tell Mum, just as she decides to actually ask me about my feelings. How gross. I pull my phone out of my pocket as soon as I'm in the bathroom "Ash, are you okay?" Luke asks as soon as he picks up. I will admit, I get this warm, tingly feeling sometimes when I talk to him. "I'm fine. Are Clyde and Rani there?" I ask. "Yeah, We're just about to follow Mum, she's lying to us, and we know where she is." Luke tells me. "Don't bother. I know where she is. She's on a date, here at the restaurant that William took us to. She didn't see me, so here's hoping that Mum or William don't notice and decide to say hello." I tell them. I hear shocked gasps. "She's what?" Clyde asks. "On. A. Date." I spell it out slowly, like you would for a child. "How's your meal going?" Luke seems to not want to think about his mum on a date, which is more than fair. "Mum seems to think I'm at an appropriate age to start dating." I say as diplomatically as possible. "So, basically, they're rating all the boys you know and completely ignoring your opinions on them." Rani summarised. "Yep. Listen, I've gotta go, but I'll be over this evening, I don't want to see any more flirting from Mum." I hung up, quickly making my way back to the table. Just as I sit down, I hear this wheezing, groaning noise. I know that noise! I don't know where from, but I know it has something to do with my friend from space.

That evening, I'm back in the attic, being interrogated by all three of them. I tell what little I know, reminding them to calm down about it, as Sarah Jane probably doesn't want us knowing yet. Just as they start debating his name, we hear Sarah Jane walk up the stairs. we quickly bring our books closer, making it look like we've been studying for a while. "What are you all doing up here?" Sarah Jane sounds surprised that we're all here. "Exams are coming up, so, gotta work." Clyde's the only one here with a semi believable innocent face. "Luke's helping us revise." Rani tells her, sounding far too innocent to be believable. I just shrugged. "Mum and William were getting gross, so Luke offered the attic as a retreat." I offered as my explanation, which is 99% true. I was just aware from the beginning that I would also be grilled for answers. "How was the, uh, meeting?" Clyde's innocent act has been ruined by that tone of voice. I cringe as Sarah Jane starts going defensive. "It was good. Why is Mr. Smith still out?" She questioned. At this, Mr. Smith brings up an image with a blue stop flashing just outside the house. "Information. Sarah Jane's care is parked outside the house." I just put my head in my hands and wished for death. This can't get any worse, can it? Oh wait. It can. "Mistress Rani instructed me to not relay the information the Mistress Asha was already at your assignation, and that if she wasn't that you would have been followed." K-9 tattled. Rani slammed her book on the desk and stood, hands on hips. "The gob on you!" She shrieked. "You were spying on me?" Sarah Jane turned to me. "No, I was at the restaurant for Mum's birthday meal. I didn't know you would be there, and I called the others in a panic, because I was worried about Mum and William embarrassing you in front of your boyfriend!" I hurry to defend myself. "Besides, we were worried. When you've kept something secret before, it's always been a disaster." I'm not sure what Luke was going for there, but it obviously wasn't what Sarah Jane wanted to hear. "And that gives you the right to poke into my private business?" she snaps, before seemingly having a complete mood shift. "Oh, I was about to tell you, anyway." She sighed happily. "So, who's the lucky fella then?" Clyde leaned forward, eager as all of us to get an answer. "His name is Peter Dalton, and yes, he is lucky, and rather marvellous." She sounds really gone for him. "Where did you meet him?" Rani tries, only to have us all kicked out. "Night Sarah Jane! Night Luke!" I call, as Clyde, Rani and I walk out of the house. I knock on the front door of my house, just to let them know I'm coming in.

Luke's pov again:

I was lying in bed, waiting for Mum to come and say goodnight. I'm not sure what to make of Mum having a boyfriend. On the one hand, she was so happy when talking about Mr. Dalton, on the other...my Mum. I'm broken out of my thoughts by a knock on the door. Mum pokes her head in, coming all the way in when she sees I'm still awake. "Honestly, I was about to tell you. I think." She's still smiling, which is always something I like seeing. Yes, Clyde I am a bit of a mummy's boy, but can you blame me? She comes and sits at the end of my bed. "I'm not exactly an expert in matters of the heart." She admits. I think back on my conversation with Clyde about Asha. It seems this is another thing I've inherited. "Neither am I." I tell her. "Well, I thought that something was bound to go wrong, with my track record." This makes me sad. Mum deserves to be happy, not constantly waiting for the next thing to go wrong. "And...it keeps getting better." Mum continues. I smile at her. "I didn't know you had those sorts of feelings." I tell her. "Men were interested before." She says cautiously, like she's trying not to gross me out too much. I mean, it's a little bit weird to think of Mum dating, but I'm not grossed out. More curious, I think. "But then I'd think, 'how can a relationship go anywhere, with my bizarre life?'" I sit up slowly. "Where did you meet him?" I ask, curious about the man my mum is dating. "In a shoe shop. We got talking and he gave me his number." I take a page out of Clyde's book. "I didn't know people of your age did that sort of thing." She wacks my arm lightly. "Cheek! No, but I wasn't going to call him, but then I bumped into him again, and it got me thinking. I cut myself off from people all those years. How can a person like me, with what I know, and what I do, ever have proper friends? But then I got you! And Maria, and Clyde, and Asha, and Rani. And things change. And perhaps, they're changing on this front too." She looks so happy. This makes me feel much better about this whole thing. "You look really happy." I tell her. "But there's still the big problem isn't there? I can't suddenly just spring it all on Peter. 'Oh, by the way, I used to go travelling through space and time in a phone box with a Time Lord." I have to join in. "My son was created as part of an experiment by the Bane." "I've got a talking computer and a robot dog." "Oh, and by the way, my lipstick, it's deadly." I finish, going in for a hug. I love Mum hugs. "But, I do want you to meet him. Can we just keep all this madness quiet for a bit longer?" I nod. I get it, she's finally able to do something normal. "See how things go." She then gets up to leave. Just as she reaches my door, she turns back to face me. "And whatever happens, we're okay, you and me?" I nod again. "Night." She says, walking out and closing the door. I lie back down, and just as I was about to turn the lamp off, I hear this metallic thrumming. I'm sure I've heard it before, but I can't pinpoint where. I switch the light off and go to sleep.

Asha's pov: Three days later.

"Hey, Sarah Jane. Do you mind if I speak to Luke quickly?" I ask when she opens the door. "Also, before I forget. Nice dress." I say, smiling at how happy she looks. "Oh, yes. He's upstairs. I think he's a bit nervous." She tells me, shooing me in the right direction. I knock on his door. "Luke! Can I come in?" I ask. "Yeah..." He doesn't sound too sure. I open the door and walk in. "You good?" I ask when I get a good look at him. He looks terrified. "Do I look okay?" He asks, sounding smaller than normal. My heart clenches. "You look amazing." I give him a hug, which he takes. "I don't know how I'm supposed to react. What do I call him? Peter? Mr. Dalton? Dad? What if I don't even like him?" He says all this very quickly, most likely having been fixating on these questions ever since he found out about Mr. Dalton. I tighten my grip on him, making sure that he was still okay with the hug. "Okay, first things first, deep breath." I take and exaggerated breath, which he copies. "Okay, now for answers. 1: There isn't a right or wrong way to react. It's totally normal to have conflicting feelings about this. 2: I would stick with Mr. Dalton until told otherwise. Definitely don't call him dad at your first meeting. Wait until the relationship progresses to the point you feel comfortable calling him Dad. And, if you don't like him, I would suggest talk to someone about it. Maybe not Sarah Jane immediately. But you know I get hating a step-parent all too well. But try and put in the effort first. Who knows, maybe he'll become team Dad?" I joke, feeling Luke relax further. "Come on, Luke, he'll be here any moment. Chop chop." Sarah Jane calls, hurriedly putting her jacket on. I pull away from him slightly. I turn his head to look me in the eye. "Now, do you want me to come out with you, or leave now?" He looks at me nervously. "Can you come with me? Just at the beginning. I just..." He trails off before he finishes his statement. "Yeah, sure. That's why I offered, silly." He smiled shyly at me, before turning to K-9, who I hadn't even noticed was here. "Right, stay quiet, K-9. He mustn't find out about you." Luke instructed as we separate. "Understood." The dog replied. "Sarah Jane wanting all this kept quiet?" I ask as we walk down the stairs. He nodded, not saying anything. "Hey, you'll be fine. I promise." I tell him just as we reach the bottom of the stairs. He nods, finally looking up, instead of at his shoes.

We walk out of the front door to see Sarah Jane and who I'm guessing is Mr. Dalton. She seems both really happy, but also slightly stressed. I don't remember meeting William for the first time, but I'm sure Mum was something like this. They both turn to face us as we walk towards them. "Now, this must be Luke. And are you Asha or Rani?" He asks, extending his hand to Luke. "I'm Asha, Mr. Dalton." I nod politely to him, whereas Luke, having regained his confidence a bit. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Dalton." He shakes his hand. "It's Peter, please. I've heard all about you. You, are the apple of your mother's eye." Peter tells Luke. "I'll be off. I promised Clyde I'd help with his homework." I clap Luke on the shoulder before walking off in the direction of the Chandra's. "Why are you all stood around, staring at them?" I try to stifle a laugh at the guilty looks. Rani looks so much like her mum like this. "Oi, you're one to talk! You were over there when he came!" Clyde said accusingly. "I was checking on Luke. I've been in this situation before, so I knew he would need a pep talk before Peter arrived." Gita suddenly started walking across the road. "Mum, come back! Clyde!" Rani snaps as Clyde starts to follow her. She points back at the open front door while scowling at Clyde. He turns back and sulkily follows us into Rani's house.

"Okay, he looks alright." Clyde admits as we wander into the living room. There is a package just sat on the floor. "What's that?" I asked, pointing at it slightly. It suddenly moved. "Did that just move again?" Clyde asked, all of us going still. "Again? What do you mean again?" There was a blinking coming from under the label. "Yeah, when Sarah Jane was given it." Rani told me slowly. I screamed when an eye popped out. A second later, another eye stalk bursts out of the package. We all jumped out of our skins. "It's alive!" Rani exclaims. I roll my eyes at her. "No kidding?" I say sarcastically to her. "Let's hope it's harmless." Clyde wishes, even more eye stalks popping out of the package. It garbles a bit before bursting out of the box. I flinch back as packing peanuts fly all over the room .That's going to be a nightmare and a half to clear. It seems to be some sort of brownish-reddish slug, with stalks holding eyes and hearing organs protruding at intervals. It's...an interesting alien. "Stop! Stay calm, we're going to help you!" Rani called out to it. I sighed as it just shot off towards the door. "Future advice, Rani!" I call as we take off after it. "Maybe wait to see if it speaks English before shouting at it?" She sends me a look. "What? If it doesn't communicate in English, you shouting at it won't help with calming them down." She relents when I explain my reasoning. We see it do...something under the tree. I can't exactly describe it, as it isn't eating it, or anything like that. The best way to describe it would be that it was...smelling? Marking territory? I don't know, but it was certainly fast, as it had now moved to the edge of the path. We run after it, desperately hoping that Mr...Peter hadn't looked over. "Alert! Danger!" A certain robotic dog chants, stood right next to the pavement. "K-9! Get inside." I hiss as I run after the others. I see Peter, Luke and Sarah Jane have left. Thank. Goodness. We spend about half an hour battling the creature into a rubbish bin, then into the attic, where we call Mr. Smith. "Rani, call Sarah Jane. I know she's out with Peter and Luke, but this is important!" I call. Rani separates from Clyde and I, who are struggling to keep the bin lid on. She takes out her phone and rings Sarah Jane. I don't listen to the conversation, only backing off when Mr. Smith tells us to. "Sorted. You have fun, right?" Rani says slyly. Sarah Jane obviously hangs up after that, as she then returns her phone to her pocket.

"So, Asha." Rani speaks up as we all settle down in my bedroom. We felt bad about hanging around Sarah Jane and Luke's when they weren't in, so I offered my place up. "So, Rani." I mocked her. "What's going on with you and Luke?" This shocks me. "I'm sorry, what?" I ask. She shrugs. "You know, you went round this morning to check up on him, neither of us thought about that. You often seek him out before anyone else. When you got nabbed by Androvax, he was getting really worried when he couldn't see you, even though we all know that you could probably survive better than any of us." Rani starts listing. "Also, you get right worried about him whenever he seems even slightly off." Clyde points out. I tilt my head slightly. "What are you actually asking?" I don't like the looks on their faces. "Do you have a crush on my best mate?" Direct as ever, Clyde. Wait...what did he just say? "I'm sorry, a what now?" I blink rapidly, feeling heat rise to my cheeks. "You know, a crush. Romantic feelings. Do you fancy Luke?" Rani pipes up. "No...why would you think that?!" I shot back, feeling really defensive for some reason. Clyde and Rani exchanged glances. "Asha, do you even know how you feel?" Rani is telepathic, I swear. "Honestly, no. I very rarely know how I feel about people. I know that I really like you all, but I know there's something different about my relationship with you and my relationship with Luke. I know that there are times where I just get really happy when I'm with you both, and then I also feel very happy, but in a slightly different way when I'm with Luke. I've never had permanent friends before, so while it wouldn't surprise me if I do have a crush on Luke, I probably wouldn't do anything about it, because apparently, society doesn't like it when people are friends even if only one person has a crush on the other." I rant, feeling much better after I get that all out. I think I broke my friends. Rani looks up at me from my bed, Clyde is sat on the floor, underneath the window. I must have started pacing, as I am now not on my desk chair, where I had sat down on. "Sorry, that was...that was a lot." I mumbled my apology, sitting back down. They shared a look. "Do...you, want help sorting out your feelings?" Rani offers hesitantly. "Genuinely, I would rather die." I joke, startling a laugh from the others.

"Asha! Luke's here!" William called up. "Hey! How was it?" I ask when he comes through the door. "Yeah, it was really nice. We went to this new Italian place. He was much nicer than I was expecting." He's grinning, which is a much better reaction than the panic from earlier. "You see, I told you it would be fine!" I give him a high-five as he collapses next to Rani on my bed. We spend the next hour just hanging out. They do all have to leave eventually though, leaving me all by myself.

Two days later:

I'm back in the attic again. I would feel bad about always being here, but for once, I was asked if I could come over. "Hey, Luke. Are you okay? You sounded odd earlier." I asked when I walked in. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was just bored." He shrugged. "Okay, well, I was wanting to ask Mr. Smith about the other inhabitants of Raxacoricofallapatorius. I know that the Slitheen aren't the only ones from there, so I want more information. Plus, I'm fairly sure there's some history with the Slitheen and Sarah Jane, or Earth." I suggest. He grins at me. "See, this is why I called you. I'm now curious too." We turn to the wall. "Mr. Smith, we need you." We chant, giggling like children as he slides out of the wall. K-9 also rolls out to join us, where we sit on the stairs. "Good afternoon, Luke, Asha. How can I help you today?" He asks us warmly. "We were wondering if you could tell us more about the residents of Raxacoricofallapatorius." I say, as I pull my 'alien textbook' towards me, opening it to a blank page, my pen sat waiting for me. For the next two hours, Luke and I learn more about the families such as the Blathereen and the Hostereen, the strengths and weaknesses, and then comes a shocker. "The name, Sarah Jane Smith, is regarded highly by the non-Slitheen of the planet." Mr. Smith tells us. I'm sorry, Sarah Jane is famous on a planet she's never even been to? That's brilliant. "Mum's famous? Why?" Luke sounds delighted by this. I can't say I blame him. "Well, the Slitheen family are not well liked after they caused the economy to crash. So, given just how well Sarah Jane has been able to repel them from Earth, the Blathereen family, who are rather like the Raxacoricofallapatorian police system, are all grateful to her, and use her story to inspire their children to be more like her, and less like them." "I am so telling her this." I cackle, Luke cracking up with me. Just as we started to calm down, Sarah Jane walks in. We look at her, back at each other, and we're gone again. "What's so funny? What?" She's started laughing too, not entirely sure why her son and his best friend are practically rolling on the floor while laughing. "Mr. Smith?" She asks, chuckling as we struggle to regain our breaths. "Luke and Asha were just laughing about something I told them in regards to you, Sarah Jane." Mr. Smith said innocently. "It's nothing, Mum, don't worry about it." Luke said, both of us having calmed down enough that we could now hold a civil conversation. "Okay, we will come back to this, but I have news. Wonderful news! Peter and I. He asked me to marry him!" Luke jumps up and drags Sarah Jane into a hug. I bite my lip, suddenly feeling off. I know I should feel happy for her, and I do! I honestly do! It's just, this is setting my anxieties off. I'm sure Peter's a good man. Both Luke and Sarah Jane like him, which is already a good sign, as Sarah Jane doesn't trust easily, but there is still the fact that it has been about 2 months. "Congratulations, Sarah Jane." I decide to ignore my anxieties, as I usually do. I decide to focus on Sarah Jane's happiness.

We hear Rani and Clyde's footsteps as they charge up the stairs. "Here they come." I grin as they burst through the door. "Hey, I've just been telling Luke and Asha. I've got some big news! Wonderful news!" They both look a combination of guilty and nervous. What have they done? "Peter and I, we're getting married!" She exclaimed, giving mine and Luke hands a slight squeeze. "What?" Clyde and Rani seem shocked, and more like me, than Luke's shock. Sarah Jane's grin falls a bit. "Well, you don't have to look so pleased. I know it's a bit of a shock, but Peter's got it all planned." Sarah Jane sounds a bit hurt, as she moves a little towards them. I exchange glances with Luke. I know I didn't react as well as he did, but I was sure that the others would react more like Luke did, especially Rani. They had liked Peter...or at least I thought they did. "I bet he has." Rani says, not sounding at all impressed. "What do you mean?" Sarah Jane demanded. This is concerning. What have they done now? "Sarah Jane, we went round to Peter's house." Rani tells us, bracing for a reaction. "You did what?" Luke snapped. "What? Why?" I asked. "There's nothing there, it's empty." Clyde tells us. "So? What's that got to do with anything?" I ask, deciding to ignore the spike of suspicion. I'm not going to interfere with Sarah Jane's relationship. "What? What do you mean?" It's here that I remember that Sarah Jane had never been to his house. She then stops. "Mum?" Luke moves closer, sounding as worried as I feel. "I know it's empty." What? She...does? "He doesn't really live there. His firm got him a flat in London, nearer to the office." Oh, I hadn't realised he was a lawyer. Makes sense though. "And you've been there?" Clyde asked, definitely confused. "Plenty of times. Oh, I should be angry with you, breaking in there." She walks across the attic, standing at the top of the stairs when she turns to face us. Luke and I have also moved to stand next to Clyde and Rani when she carries on. "But, it's what I'd do, isn't ti?" Well, you can't argue with that logic. "Oh, look at you." She breaths when she looks at the four of us. I suppose we must all look like a rather sorry lot. "I've made you all so suspicious. But this is a happy thing, and I want you all to be a part of it." She says, looking between us all. "It isn't the end of the world. So thanks, but there's no need to sneak around, or worry about anything." She says, with a firm finality in her voice.

"So, when's the wedding?" Rani asked, begining to smile. "End of next week." Sarah Jane smiles as she takes a few steps down. "NEXT WEEK?" Clyde freaks out. "Well, at my age? Why wait?" She looks so happy. I really hope this works out as well as what she wants. "You what? That's mad!" Clyde distances himself slightly, walking over to the desk. "Well, Peter had it all on standby, a nice hotel in the country. You're all invited, and you, Luke. You can give me away!" She grabs Luke's arm gently. "Do I have to do a speech?" He asked, slightly puzzled by this whole, 'giving his mother away' deal. "I will help, master Luke." K-9 volunteers, rolling forwards slightly, his ears waggling as he speaks. "It'll be full of robot jokes, will it?" Rani asks sarcastically. I laugh, feeling much better about it all now. "Don't you think it's a bit fast?" Clyde looks really nervous. I wonder why. "Oh, you're telling me! I've got so much to arrange! A lot of changes." She says, going to fiddle with her ring. "Sarah Jane, anomaly detected." Mr. Smith speaks up, sounding worried. "That reminds me, first big change." I don't like where this is going. "Mr. Smith, commence deactivation program." "What?" I chock out. She's shutting down Mr. Smith? But...why? "But, Sarah Jane, I have detected an impulse registering..." Sarah Jane interrupts him. "Initiate total deactivation, Mr. Smith. Protocol five." She orders him, pushing a lever. But...Mr. Smith! "Complying. Goodbye, Sarah Jane." He withdraws into the wall, forever, apparently. "No, Sarah Jane! He was trying to tell us something!" Clyde protested. "The world can look after itself. I'm busy with something normal for a change, and I don't want anything, any of this, getting in the way!" She says, taking off her watch and placing it on the desk, next to her computer. When she turns back, she's smiling again, having turned very emotional during her little rant. "You haven't told Peter about...our thing? What we do?" Luke sounds somewhere between hurt and accusing. "Why should I? Perhaps I never will, perhaps, that's the solution." She says. "That's going to coming back to bite you later." I warn her. "Yeah, I don't like this." Clyde agrees with me. This is feeling very final. "I know what will stop you both worrying. Clyde, you can dog-sit for me. You can look after K-9." She says. Clyde brightens instantly. "What? Really?" He goes to pat K-9. Sarah Jane really knows him. "What do I say to my mum?" I snort. "Clyde, you've always got at least 12 excuses for everything you do. You'll be fine." I tell him. "Yes. Oh, Asha, Rani! Keep Saturday free. Dress shopping." She tells us, moving to take a hand from both of us. I smile reluctantly. "Oh, you're going to make such lovely bridesmaids." Rani grins. "You're on! And there's that wedding fair!" She remembers. Sarah Jane laughs before telling Rani that Gita can do the flowers. She pulls Rani and I in for hugs before sending us all out. We all leave the attic.

Two weeks later sees Rani, Sarah Jane and I sat in the car, being driven up to the hotel. Sarah Jane looks absolutely beautiful. She's in a very simple white dress, having known almost instantly that she didn't want anything fancy. Her hair is pulled back into a neat bun, with white roses twined around it. Rani and I are in matching pink dresses. Rani's hair has two small plats going from above her ear and joined together at the back of her head. She's got roses there as well. My hair is similar, except it doesn't hold plats very well, so we went with a simple half up hairstyle, with roses where the hair band is. The car ride isn't enormously long, however it does feel longer than normal, as I didn't bring my books with me. When we get to the hotel, we see Luke standing outside. My breath catches in my throat. He looks...amazing. His suit is a dark grey, with a white shirt and a pale pink tie. There's a white rose stuck to his lapel. White roses seem to be the theme for flowers, which makes sense, given that they mean loyalty, purity, and innocence. We all get out of the car, Luke meeting Sarah Jane at her door. Rani and I walk around the car. Luke looks shocked when he sees us. "Rani...Ash...you look..." His words seem to be failing, as he stutters out: Good. "We look 'good'?" Rani teases him. His brain seems to switch back on. "You look amazing. All of you." He tells us. "You too." I tell him. He then offers his arm to Sarah Jane and we all start to walk towards the hotel. Just as we step into the doorway, I hear it again! The wheezing, groaning from my childhood. It seems I'm not the only one, as Rani stops for a second too. "Did you...never mind." I say, hurrying to catch up. Rani follows me after a second.

We walk into the hall, where everyone is seated. It look absolutely beautiful in here. Gita's really outdone herself with the flowers. We walk to the front, where Peter is waiting. His face when he sees Sarah Jane is amazing. He looks absolutely gobsmacked. As he should! Sarah Jane is amazing and deserves the best. Rani, Luke and I sit in the front row. "K-9, scan." I hear Clyde whisper behind me. "All normal, Master Clyde." "Yeah, so far." Clyde mutters as he sits back up. "You bought the dog?" Luke hisses at him. I glare at Clyde. "Well what did you think was under there? The wedding cake? There's something wrong about this." Clyde said. Boy do I hope he's wrong. "Good afternoon, everyone. I'm the superintendent registrar. We are here today to witness the marriage of Sarah Jane Smith and Peter Anthony Dalton. In each other's company they have found happiness, fulfillment and love. And they wish to affirm this relationship with this marriage. Now, I have to ask this question. If any person can show just cause or impediment why they may not be joined together, let them speak now, or forever hold their peace." Is it just me, or can anyone else hear the thrumming? The doors burst open. "STOP THIS WEDDING NOW!" I turn to see who dares to stop the wedding before freezing. I know him. I've seen him before, I know I have. "I don't believe it." Luke says. "Who's he?" Rani asks. "Space man?" I say under my breath. K-9 rolls out from under the table, calling "Master!" Is that the Doctor then? Sarah Jane's Doctor? "I said stop this wedding." It starts getting very windy in here, all of a sudden. "Sarah! Get away from him!" He shouts over the sound of the wind. Sarah Jane begins to struggle against Peter. Suddenly, the Trickster, wearing white materialises. "Mum! MUM!" Luke calls out to her. "TRICKSTER LET HER GO!" Space man yells. "Too late, Time Lord! You're mine, Sarah Jane Smith. Mine forever." The Trickster tells her, Peter, Sarah Jane and the Trickster all vanishing.

a/n: Wow, this is a long one. Probably the longest one I've ever written. Well, we now have Asha, about to realise that yes, that is a crush. Luke's in a similar boat, so we can't judge them too harshly. And yes, he was 100% staring at Asha, but she's oblivious, so didn't realise. Anyways, I don't own Sarah Jane.