Index
Chapter 1: Guests
Chapter 2: Suspicions
Chapter 3: Aftershock
Author's Notes: This is my 20th Doctor Who fanfic, so I thought I'd do something a bit different. Written with Mouth On Legs in mind.
A word with regards to Tegan's age. Assuming that she's twenty in Logopolis, and aged one year aboard the TARDIS, then she's 44 in 2007, when this story takes place. The others of her generation, her two high-school sweethearts, are both 46, because Tegan skipped two years in the TARDIS and they didn't.
Part 1: Guests
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
February 14, 2007
1406 hours local time
Barry Henderson walked out of the divorce court and into his car, a 2005 Mazda 3. He hadn't come off too badly this time, a straight 50% split. He got the apartment in Broadbeach, she kept the house in Kenmore. Of course, that was this time around. As he eased into the mid-afternoon Brisbane traffic, Barry let his mind wander over his marriage history. Four divorces in twenty years. Where the hell was he going wrong? Every relationship he'd been in had ended in tears. No, that wasn't entirely true. There was one girl he'd dated, back when he'd been in his final years at Brisbane State High School. They'd dated for eight months or so, then they'd just sort of...fallen apart. What had her name been? His name for her had been Tegs, he remembered. Tegan, that was it. Tegan Jovanka. Once he remembered the name, Barry realised that he'd heard of her recently. It had been a couple of years back, connected with some resort on the Gold Coast. He hadn't really paid much attention at the time, being in the middle of his third divorce. Well, he was moving to the Gold Coast, after all. He might as well look her up.
****
Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
February 14, 2007
1834 hours local time
Keith Marsh wasn't as nervous as he should have been. On the other hand, this wasn't exactly the first time he'd proposed, either. He'd proposed thrice before. As for his current girlfriend...
He'd dated her before, in their final year of high school. He'd arrived at the Braveheart Resort a couple of months ago, and had been surprised to find her running the place. One thing had led to another, and now here he was. They were in the classiest restaurant in town, one with a live band. Keith was in the men's room at the moment, preparing to propose. He pulled the box containing the ring out of his pocket, and left the men's room, nodding to the band as he passed. The band abruptly changed tune, starting to play Can You Feel the Love Tonight. Their song. Keith reached the table where they were sitting. Instead of sitting in his chair, he knelt in front of his girlfriend and opened the box, allowing the light to catch the emerald in the 24-carat gold ring.
"Tegan Jovanka, will you marry me?"
A momentary look of surprise was replaced by pure delight.
"My God, of course!"
A grin crossed Keith's face as he rose and kissed his fiancé.
****
The Eleventh Doctor was a young woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties. She had short, dark-reddish hair and was about the same height she had been during her seventh lifetime. She was wearing her usual outfit, a pinstripe business suit with a white blouse underneath. Her two companions, Ray and Mike, had just joined her after she and three of her other selves had defeated a coalition of Daleks, Cybermen and Vampires. Ray, whose real name was Rachel, came from southern Wales in 1959, and had first met the Seventh Doctor. Mike Reilly was an FBI Inspector from 2006. Right now, the Doctor was standing in the TARDIS console room, wondering where she would take her companions first. No matter where she seemed to go, trouble always seemed to follow her and whatever companions she was traveling with.
She might check her messages, first. She'd given all of her former companions a space-time telegraph set, to contact her if they needed. The Doctor brought up a list of stored messages. The TARDIS computer scanned the messages as they came in, then brought the ones containing key words to the Doctor's immediate attention. Messages that didn't contain any key words were stored for later perusal, something the Doctor had yet to do. There was only one non-urgent message listed, surprisingly enough. It was from Tegan. The Doctor selected the message and played it. Tegan's voice began to speak from the speakers set into the console.
"Doctor, it's Tegan. I'm getting married. The wedding's on the second of March, 2007. You're invited, of course, and your companions too. Come along a couple of weeks early, if you want. I'm sure you could do with a holiday."
Tegan was getting married? 1,247 years old, and the Doctor was still being surprised by humans. Maybe that was why she liked them so much, the Doctor mused. Another thought struck her. How long had that message been there? The TARDIS systems were set up to automatically direct incoming messages to the appropriate Doctor. A quick check gave the Doctor her answer. The message had been there since she'd visited Sarn. Oh, well, better late then never. Still, she'd better check with her companions first.
The Doctor looked up as Mike stepped into the console room. The central column was moving up and down, and Mike gestured to it.
"Does that mean we're moving?"
"Yes. We're in a holding pattern at the moment. Do you fancy going to a wedding?"
"What?"
"An old friend of mine is getting married, and we've been invited."
Mike shrugged.
"I'm game. What about Ray?"
"I haven't asked her, yet."
"What haven't you asked me?" Ray asked as she entered the console room.
"We've been invited to a wedding. One of the Doc's friends."
"Ooh, sounds great. Who is it, Doctor?"
"Tegan Jovanka. You might have heard of her, Mike?"
"Some hotel big-shot, right?"
"The Braveheart Group."
"That's the one."
"When's the wedding, then, Doctor?"
"March second, 2007. Tegan's asked us to arrive a couple of weeks early, and I'm sure she'll appreciate a hand with the preparations."
"Fair enough, Doc."
The Doctor set the coordinates, and the TARDIS began to land.
****
Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
February 17, 2007
1048 hours local time
Tegan had moved to the Gold Coast a few years ago, taking one of the Braveheart Resort's four penthouses. Right now, she was in the middle of planning her wedding. She had her four nieces as bridesmaids, and she was going to ask Sarah Jane Smith to be her maid of honour. Sarah was due to arrive in a couple of days, and the Doctor was coming up to give her a hand with the arrangements. Tegan had been surprised at first, to find that this incarnation of the Doctor was a woman. But, once she'd got over that little detail, Tegan was glad that the Doctor was able to make it. Tegan laid her thoughts of the new Doctor aside for the moment, and returned to the wedding preparations.
Tegan had laid aside several rooms for the wedding guests, and knew that Keith's sister was due to arrive today from Western Australia. Tegan had also asked her assistant, Mark Williams, to take over the supervision of the running of the resort until after the wedding. Tegan knew she'd have to outsource the catering. The resort's kitchens were stretched to the limits providing for the hotel guests, let alone catering for any special occasions. No, Tegan decided, she would have to get the catering done externally. Then there was the wedding dress, the wedding cake, the invitations... the list went on and on.
There was a knock on the door of the apartment, and Tegan answered it, glad for the distraction.
"Come in."
The Doctor entered the penthouse and looked around, taking in the view from the resort's 34th level.
"Haven't seen a view like this since I visited Platform 1. Now, I believe you said something about wedding preparations?"
Tegan nodded and led the Doctor over to the coffee table, which was covered with pages of notes in Tegan's handwriting.
"There's still so much to do. I've still got to get the catering lined up, then there's the wedding dress, wedding cake, location, and God knows what else."
"Who have you got in mind for catering?"
The Doctor picked up the list of possible caterers and glanced at it, then placed it back on the table."
"You know, Tegan, I could deal with the catering. I don't suppose you've heard of the Androgums?"
"No, who are they supposed to be?"
"They're chefs, the best in the Universe. They've raised cooking to an art form, and are always looking for new...recipes."
"You've met them, haven't you?"
"One or two...extremists."
They were interrupted by a knock on the door. An expression of delight crossed Tegan's face as she answered it.
"Keith. Come in, darling."
Darling? That got the Doctor's attention. She'd never heard Tegan call anyone that before.
The Doctor looked over as Tegan led two people into the penthouse. The man appeared to be one or two years older than Tegan, about 46 or so. The other woman was younger, by a good few years. The man smiled as he saw Tegan.
"This is my sister, Shelia. Shelia, this is Tegan."
Shelia nodded to Tegan.
"Pleased to meet you, at last. Keith's told me so much about you."
Tegan indicated the sofa, on which the Doctor was sitting.
"This is the Doctor. She's an old friend."
Keith nodded to the Doctor.
"Pleased to meet you."
Tegan indicated the sofa.
"Sit down, I'll get some tea."
"I'll help you," Keith said as he followed Tegan into the kitchen. Shelia joined the Doctor on the sofa, and the Doctor shot her a welcoming smile.
"You only just arrived?"
"Yes, from Perth."
There was a loud giggle from the kitchen, and both the Doctor and Shelia looked across. Keith had his hands on Tegan's hips, and she was playfully trying to get him off. As the Doctor looked away, she caught the expression on Shelia's face. Just for a second, her face showed a mix of jealousy and annoyance. The Doctor pretended not to notice, but it worried her.
About ten minutes or so later, there was a knock on the penthouse door, and Tegan answered the door.
"Mr Purvis. I'm sorry, I forgot you were coming. Come in, please."
Tegan ushered into the penthouse a middle-aged man, who was wearing a black business suit and tie. She introduced him as Neil Purvis, lawyer, explaining that he was the lawyer she used for all her personal business. The three guests took their cue, leaving the penthouse. Tegan had told the Doctor that rooms 45, 47 and 49 had been set aside for her and her companions.
****
The Doctor strode into the lobby, deep in thought. She had a feeling, nothing more, than that, that something more was going between Tegan's fiancé and his sister, than there appeared to be. However, if the Doctor investigated and Tegan got wind of it, well... The Doctor knew what Tegan could be like. It could lead to the end of a long and beautiful friendship. On the other hand, if she was right and did nothing, then Tegan might get hurt. Which was it to be?
****
To be continued
Part 2: Suspicions
The Doctor strode into the lobby, deep in thought. She had a feeling, nothing more than that, that Tegan's fiancé was more than he appeared to be. However, if the Doctor investigated and Tegan got wind of it, well... The Doctor knew what Tegan could be like. It could lead to the end of a long and beautiful friendship. On the other hand, if she was right and did nothing, then Tegan might get hurt. Which was it to be? Had it been anyone else, she'd have chosen to investigate, regardless of the damage. But this was Tegan she was talking about, one of the Doctor's closest friends. It was a friendship that the Doctor wanted to keep. But, she couldn't just stand by and let Tegan walk blindly into a possible danger. A danger, the Doctor reminded herself, that may not actually exist.
As the Doctor entered the resort's pool area, the answer struck her. It was so obvious that she'd actually overlooked it in her contemplation. Mike Reilly, her companion, was an FBI Inspector. The Doctor made her way to where Mike was sitting in one of the poolside deckchairs. Ray was paddling nearby, watching the fish swimming in the pool around her. The Doctor sank into the deckchair beside Mike.
"Mike, could I ask you a favor?"
"Sure thing, Doc."
"I think Tegan may be in trouble."
The Doctor explained what she'd seen, and by the end of her story, Mike was nodding in understanding.
"Conflict of interest, right. Tell you what, I'll look into it."
"Thank you."
The Doctor rose and left the pool area, heading back up to the penthouse.
Back at the pool area, Mike was deep in thought. He had none of the usual resources, none of the usual access that he was used to. What did he have? His gun, the Doctor and Ray. Mike frowned at that last thought. Would Ray be willing to help him? He didn't know much about the mechanic from 1959. Well, there was only one way to find out. Mike rose from the deckchair and stepped over to the side of the pool. After a few seconds, Ray caught sight of him and swam over. Mike crouched down by the pool.
"Come in, Mike. The water is lovely."
Mike shook his head.
"The Doc's asked me to look into something."
"Would you like a hand?"
"Frankly, yes."
Mike helped Ray out of the pool and handed her her towel, explaining the situation. Ray listened closely, and when Mike had finished, nodded.
"So what is it you want me to do?"
"I was thinking you could keep an eye on the sister, Shelia Marsh. I'll look into the boyfriend."
"Where would I find her?"
Mike indicated one of the other swimmers in the pool, the one the Doctor had pointed out.
"That is her?"
"Yep."
Ray nodded and slid back into the pool. Mike turned and left the pool area, heading into the lobby. The Doctor had given Mike Keith's room number, and the first thing to do was to take a discreet look around. Once the opportunity presented itself.
****
The Doctor stepped back as Mr Purvis stepped out of the lift, then stepped into the now-empty elevator. She knew Mike's job would be easier if he found someone who knew Keith, and who Tegan could trust. Tegan had said she and Keith had first dated in high school, so the ideal person would be an old school friend who knew them both.
The lift stopped on level three, and Keith stepped aboard. As he went to press the button for level 34, he noticed it was already lit. He turned to the Doctor.
"Popping up to see Tegan?"
The Doctor nodded.
"I'm taking care of one or two of the arrangements."
"Thanks."
"That's alright."
The elevator stopped on level 34, and the two of them stepped out. The Doctor knocked on the door of room 3401, Tegan's penthouse.
"Come in!"
The Doctor entered, Keith behind her, and looked around. Tegan was talking on the phone.
"...he's just walked in. Hold on, I'll ask him."
Tegan placed the phone's mouthpiece against her shoulder, and looked over to Keith.
"Keith, you remember Barry Henderson?"
"Barry Henderson?"
The Doctor couldn't help noticing the confusion on Keith's face.
"You remember, he dated me just before you did. Weren't the two of you on the First Eleven together?"
Realisation crossed Keith's face.
"Oh, him! Yes, I remember now. Haven't seen him in decades. Why do you ask?"
Tegan indicated the phone.
"He's just on the line. Didn't know I was engaged."
"What did he say?"
"When I told him, he invited us both out to lunch, to celebrate."
"Oh."
The Doctor knew that something like this, although unusual, was not uncommon among Australians. The 'graceful defeat' routine, while endeavoring to remain friends with all involved. So, why was Keith looking so put out? Tegan hadn't noticed, the Doctor realised.
The answer was obvious. Because he had something to hide. With that realisation, the Doctor knew what she needed to do. She cleared her throat.
"Tegan, I just popped in to let you know I'll be bringing in the caterer."
"Right, Doctor."
The Doctor left the penthouse and entered the lift. She needed to talk to Mike.
****
Five minutes later, Ray was beginning to get bored. Sure, it was all very well to keep an eye on someone, but what do you do when the observed does nothing? Because that's what Shelia was doing. Nothing. Just floating on one of the hotel's floats, passing the time. Ray had hired another of the floats, just so that she didn't turn into a prune before Shelia decided to get out of the pool. Just then, a movement caught Ray's eye. A middle-aged man was making his way along the poolside, towards where Shelia's float was bumping against the poolside. Ray gently paddled her float in that direction, just close enough to overhear their conversation.
"...Henderson's shown up. An old friend of theirs."
"Shall I...?"
"Don't kill him. Just put him out of the way. Make it look like an accident."
Ray had heard enough. Slowly, she paddled her float away, glancing back to see if she had been spotted. She hadn't. She reached the edge of the pool and hauled herself out, wrapping a towel around herself and picking up her toolkit. Like she'd told the Seventh Doctor, she always carried it with her. She knew she needed to find Mike. She'd taken two steps towards the lobby when she saw Mike, walking into the pool area.
"Ray?"
"Over here."
Mike spotted her and came over. Before Mike could speak, Ray told him what she'd heard.
"Then they do have something to hide. This Henderson guy's an old school friend of Ms Jovanka and the real Keith Marsh."
"So what do we do now?"
"We've gotta get to Henderson before they do. You'd better get changed. I'll meet you in the lobby."
"Right."
****
1232 hours local time
Mike had been on stakeouts before, for both the LAPD and later on, the FBI. There was a rack of brochures next to the concierge's desk, and this was where Mike had stationed himself, pretending to leaf through some of the brochures. Ray was standing near the entrance doors, ostensibly waiting for a taxi. Mike glanced over at the main entrance doors, just in time to see a middle-aged man walk in. Mike watched as the man made his way across the lobby, to the concierge's desk. He clearly heard the man introduce himself.
"I'm Barry Henderson. I'm here to see Tegan Jovanka and Keith Marsh."
"They're in room 3401. Just take the lift."
"Thanks, mate."
So, this was Henderson? Mike stepped away from the rack of brochures and moved to intercept Henderson. Just as he was close enough to reach out and tap the older man on the shoulder, a movement caught the corner of his eye. There was a shout from Ray.
"Watch out!"
Mike took two steps and dived, tackling Henderson out of the way. The older man coughed and spluttered.
"What do you think-"
CRASH!
Mike sprung to his feet and looked around. The object - a fully-laden luggage cart - had run into one of the lobby's marble pillars, taking out a sizeable chunk of the marble. Mike turned back to Henderson.
"That could have been you."
Henderson was visibly shaken. Mike drew his gun and looked around. Just near the staff doors, the blonde-haired form of Shelia Marsh was visible in the shadows. Several members of the staff had come over at the sound of the crash. Mike waved them off, and pointed to Shelia.
"She pushed it. You'd better hold her until the police get here. While you're at it, you'd better call the police, too. Tell them to come up to room 3401 ASAP."
One of the bellboys nodded.
"Yes, sir."
The bellboy didn't have a clue what was going on, but when a man with a gun asks you to do something, you do it. Even if the gun isn't pointing at you.
Ray joined Mike and Henderson at the elevator. Mike nodded to her.
"Thanks for the warning, Ray."
"Ooh, not a problem."
Henderson managed to find his voice at last.
"Look, who are you and what's going on?"
Mike held up his hand.
"Not yet."
There was an electronic 'ding', and the lift doors slid open. Mike ushered Ray and Henderson into the lift, then stepped in behind them, pressing the button for level 34. As the elevator rose, Mike explained the situation. When he had finished, Henderson nodded in agreement.
"I thought something was funny when Tegs mentioned it on the phone. Last I heard of him, Keith was living in Darwin."
The elevator reached level 34, and the doors slid open. The three of them stepped out, and Henderson knocked on the door of room 3401.
"Come in," called a familiar voice.
The expression of surprise on Tegan's face was mirrored on Henderson's.
"Hello Tegan, good to see you again."
Henderson turned to the man who had been waiting in the penthouse.
"Who are you?"
"Keith Marsh."
So, that was it, Henderson realised. There was an uneasy silence, broken by Tegan.
"I thought you knew each other?"
Henderson nodded.
"We do. But this isn't Keith."
"Excuse me? Just because you've arrived on the scene too late..."
While this had been going on, Ray had been keeping an eye on Keith. When he reached into his pocket, Ray tapped Mike on the shoulder. Mike nodded.
"I see it."
Mike brought his gun up to cover Keith, at the same instant Keith placed his own gun on the back of Tegan's head. Tegan froze, a mixture of surprise and disbelief on her face. Keith's tone was almost apologetic as he spoke.
"I'm afraid he's quite right, Tegan. I'm not the real Keith Marsh. But, I have established myself enough."
"Enough for what?" Ray asked.
"To inherit the late Tegan Jovanka's fortune, of course. That's what the meeting with the lawyer this morning was about, wasn't it?"
Tegan knew that lying wouldn't get her out of it. She nodded.
Mike knew he had to act, and quickly.
"Drop the gun or I fire."
Keith's response was to move slightly, so that Tegan was between him and Mike. Mike nearly swore. If any of them acted, Tegan was dead. If they didn't act, Tegan was dead. She was going to be killed, and they could do nothing to stop it...
****
To be concluded...
Wedding Bells
Part 3: Aftershock
Mike knew he had to act, and quickly.
"Drop the gun or I fire."
Keith's response was to move slightly, so that Tegan was between him and Mike. Mike nearly swore. If any of them acted, Tegan was dead. If they didn't act, Tegan was dead. She was going to be killed, and they could do nothing to stop it. What they needed was a diversion. But, short of the fire alarms suddenly going off, there was nothing he could think of.
That was when a wind blew up, and a wheezing, groaning sound began to echo throughout the penthouse. Despite the situation, Mike couldn't help smiling. The diversion he needed had arrived, and it would definitely have the desired effect. Mike kept his eyes on Keith, who was looking around, trying to find the source of the noise. After a few seconds, Keith obviously caught sight of the blue box materialising in the penthouse's kitchen. His eyes went wide, and his mouth dropped. Mike dropped his gun and acted.
"Tegan duck!"
Tegan fell forwards, and Mike jumped in, lunging at Keith. As he approached, he reached out and forced the impostor's gun hand up, so that the gun was pointing at the ceiling. The two men collided, the force of the impact sending them into the kitchen bench. The impact sent them flying off in different directions, both of them slightly stunned.
Keith shook his head and rose to his feet. He may have been 46 years old, but he kept in shape. The situation wasn't lost, yet. All he had to do was to kill everybody in the penthouse, deal with that police box that was appearing in the kitchen like some sort of conjuring trick, then fabricate his alibi. But right now, he had to kill. He brought his gun down, pointing it straight at the man who'd attacked him, the American. The gun was halfway into position when Keith felt something round, cold and hard press into the back of his neck. A woman's voice spoke, strongly-accented and firm.
"I would drop the gun if I were you."
This was it. The end. There was no way he'd be able to get off a shot without being blasted himself. He dropped the gun. In the kitchen, the police box thumped into solidity.
The Doctor stepped out of the TARDIS, gesturing to the Androgum to remain inside for the moment. The Doctor looked around, taking in the situation at a glance. Mike Reilly was slumped on the floor at one end of the kitchen bench, and Tegan was lying prone on the floor. At the other end of the bench, Keith Marsh was standing with his hands on his head, and Ray was sticking a wrench in the back of his neck. There was another man in the room, and he was looking at the Doctor as if he'd seen a ghost. The Doctor shot him a reassuring smile.
"Don't worry, I'm real. You must be Barry Henderson?"
"Yes, that's right."
"What happened?"
"This bloke was pretending to be Keith, and he pulled a gun when I blew his cover."
The Doctor nodded understandingly, and walked over to where Mike was slumped against the kitchen bench. As she approached, he groaned and opened his eyes. It took a few seconds for them to focus, but then they widened in surprise. He tried to get to his feet, but staggered and had to grab the bench for support.
"Doctor, I..."
"Don't worry. Are you alright?"
"A little groggy, but I should be fine. What about Tegan?"
The Doctor was already moving to where Tegan was lying on the floor, where she'd fallen earlier. As the Doctor approached, she noticed that Tegan's body was shuddering slightly. The Doctor immediately realised what it was. Tegan was sobbing.
****
Half an hour later, the police had arrived and taken away the impostor and his so-called 'sister', after taking all the witnesses' statements. They'd just left, and now Tegan was sitting on the sofa, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue. She was onto the third box of tissues. The Doctor was sitting on the sofa next to her. The Doctor had asked Mike and Ray to wait in the TARDIS, and to tell the Androgum what had been happening. Barry had left, to return to his apartment.
"Tegan?"
"I...I thought he loved me, Doctor."
That brought on another wave of tears. The Doctor reached across and hugged Tegan, allowing the Australian to cry on her shoulder. After another few minutes, Tegan pulled away, slightly embarrassed.
"Doctor, I..."
"It's alright, Tegan. What are you feeling?"
Tegan didn't know. There was a mixture of emotions boiling away in her mind. Hate, anger, betrayal, sadness, but the strongest emotion within the turmoil was...
Loss?
No, Tegan realised. She hadn't lost anything. The love she'd thought she had was never there in the first place. That horrible realisation only increased the turmoil within her mind. She was vaguely aware of the Doctor asking her if she was alright.
"I'm fine, Doctor," Tegan heard herself saying.
Tegan spent the rest of that afternoon in a daze, not moving from the sofa in the penthouse. She was dimly aware of the Doctor dematerialising the TARDIS, saying something about sending it two months into the future. Tegan was just trying to cope. How could she have been such a fool? Why hadn't she recognised 'Keith' as an impostor? The first time she'd been in love, and it had all been false. Maybe she just wasn't meant to be loved.
****
Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
February 17/18, 2007
0000 hours (midnight) local time
The Doctor had given Tegan a sleeping pill, and Tegan was now fast asleep, dreamlessly, her emotional turmoil laid to rest for the moment. Subconsciously, she felt something brush against her mind's edge, then...
"Everyone's meant to be loved."
Tegan looked around. She was standing in the Zero Room in the TARDIS and from that, she knew it was a dream. So who was speaking to her?
"The Doctor said I'd have a dreamless sleep."
"Oh, this isn't a dream."
"Who are you?"
"Tegan Jovanka. I'm part of you. Your emotions."
"Right, well, what do you want?"
"You've given up, haven't you?"
"Given up on what?"
"Love."
"So what if I have? I'm - we're - 44 years old, you know."
"Exactly my point. This is the first time since that business with the Eternals that we've considered love. So, we've been burned once and now that's it? You're just going to fold? Come on, Tegan. This isn't us at all."
Tegan was about to reply, when she stopped short. This other part of her was absolutely right. This wasn't her at all.
"Well, what would you recommend?" Tegan asked.
"You might like to go to lunch with Barry Henderson."
Before Tegan could reply, the Zero room began to fade to blackness. A few seconds later, her sleep was dreamless again.
****
Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
February 18, 2007
1002 hours local time
The Doctor had spent the night on the penthouse's sofa. As a Time Lord, she only needed a few hours of sleep each night. But she'd lain awake for most of the night, worried about Tegan. Tegan had been dull and unresponsive yesterday afternoon, obviously in a state of deep emotional shock. What worried the Doctor was that Tegan's reaction was completely different to how she'd reacted when Adric had died. The Doctor had sent her companions forwards a couple of months in the TARDIS, in order to stay and help Tegan through this difficult time. The Doctor had also explained the situation to the Androgum chef, Chesoni o' the Tenzine Grig, that she'd picked up on Platform 14.
Now, the Doctor was sitting on the sofa, reading the morning paper. As she flicked over to page five, she noticed that yesterday's arrest had made the news. It seemed that the man who had tried to marry Tegan for her money was a serial 'black widower', named Mark Norris and wanted by the police. He and his accomplice - his real wife - had been responsible for two murders for profit in New Zealand, and the murderous duo were being extradited to New Zealand within the coming week. All the same, the Doctor mused, to have convinced Tegan he was Keith Marsh, Norris must have really done his research.
It was at this point that Tegan walked into the penthouse's combined dining/living area. The Doctor looked at her old friend, concerned.
"Tegan?"
"Doctor."
There was a curious expression on Tegan's face, a mixture between shyness and fear. She opened and closed her mouth a couple of times. How could she tell the Doctor what a fool she'd been? The answer hit her a second later. Because it was the Doctor she was telling. The Doctor, who was never judgmental, always willing to let people redeem themselves. At least, her Doctor had been like that when Tegan had known him. Tegan hoped that this new Doctor hadn't changed that much.
"Doctor, I've...I've been such a fool."
The Doctor nodded, the wisdom of 1,247 years experience behind her.
"Love's like that Tegan. Blind."
"But, I knew the real Keith. Why didn't I realise this bastard was an impostor? I don't think I was that desperate."
The Doctor had the answer, as usual.
"Tegan, are you still afraid of snakes?"
"What's that got to do with- oh! The Mara?"
The Doctor nodded.
"It affected your mind, Tegan. There's nothing to say it didn't distort some of your memories as well."
"So what do I do now, Doctor?"
"Breakfast. Then we start getting your life back together."
****
Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
February 18, 2007
1203 hours local time
Barry Henderson was in his apartment, making lunch. He had one of his favourite CDs playing on the stereo, the Beatles classic Hey Jude playing through the six-speaker setup. He was making a chicken and egg sandwich, but his mind was on something else. Someone else. Tegan Jovanka, to be precise. He hadn't meant to hurt her, but that's what he'd done. He hoped she was alright. The last time he'd seen her, she was in some sort of shock. That other woman, the Doctor, had assured him that she'd look after Tegan. All the same, though, he would have to go and see her. To apologise for hurting her, at least.
Just as Barry began to butter another piece of bread, there was a knock on the door, and he answered it. It was Tegan.
"Tegs-Tegan-Ms Jovanka-"
"No, call me 'Tegs'. Please."
"Oh, well...won't you come in?"
Barry stepped back and ushered Tegan into his apartment. She stepped in and looked around, taking in the simple furnishings, and the half-unpacked boxes lying around. She then looked at the apartment's owner, smiling nervously.
"Barry, I think I owe you an apology."
"Whatever for?"
"Yesterday. You were warning me, and I thought you were just..."
"What, jealous?"
Tegan looked away.
"Yes."
"Tegs, if I was jealous, I wouldn't have invited the two of you to lunch."
"I understand that, now."
Tegan stepped closer to Barry, and he didn't move back.
"Barry, do you think we could pick up where we left off, all those years ago?"
Barry nodded and indicated the kitchen.
"Yes, I think we could. Do you feel like having lunch?"
****
Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
March 31, 2007
1437 hours local time
The Doctor was in the resort's swimming pool, lying back on one of the pool floats, reflecting on the events of the last six weeks. Tegan had recovered rather well, and the Doctor was aware that Tegan was dating again. 44 years old, and still looking for love. The Doctor hoped that Tegan found it, this time. The Doctor was aware that Tegan's recovery was less to do with the Doctor's support and more to do with Tegan's new boyfriend.
Sarah Jane Smith had arrived a couple of days after the impostor had been arrested, and had stayed on at the resort, even though the wedding had been cancelled. Similarly, the Androgum chef, Chesoni o' the Tenzine Grig, had remained on Earth, touring the local eating establishments. As for the Doctor herself...well, she'd just been relaxing. Really relaxing, not just one of those intermissions between adventures.
The Doctor's attention was caught by a movement at the poolside. Sarah Jane Smith, who had been lying on one of the deckchairs, reading, was beckoning the Doctor over to the poolside. Standing beside Sarah were Tegan and Barry. The Doctor paddled her float over to the pool edge, slipped off the float, and climbed out of the pool. The first thing she noticed was the delighted grin on Tegan's face, mirrored in Barry's smile. It was Tegan who spoke first.
"Doctor, Sarah, we wanted you to be the first to know. We're engaged."
Tegan held up her right hand, and the Doctor noticed a ring on the ring finger, a ring that hadn't been there before. The sparkle of the diamond in the early-afternoon light matched the sparkle in Tegan's eyes.
"Congratulations, Tegan," Sarah said.
The Doctor nodded her agreement.
"Congratulations to you both. But isn't it a bit quick?"
Tegan shook her head.
"Not this time, Doctor. I can feel this is right."
"What about you, Barry?"
"Oh, Tegs is absolutely right."
The Doctor could believe it. She didn't want Tegan to get hurt again, and this time it seemed she would not. The Doctor could see it in their eyes, that the love both Barry and Tegan had for each other was indeed for each other, not for anything else.
****
Broadbeach, Queensland, Australia
April 16, 2007
1637 hours local time
The wedding ceremony was over, and the reception was in full swing. After having a fantastic meal, prepared by Chesoni o' the Tenzine Grig, the speeches had been made, and now it was time for the throwing of the bouquet.
"I haven't been to one of these things since my sister got married back in '98," Mike told the Doctor. The TARDIS had landed in the Braveheart Resort's penthouse two days ago, and Tegan had added Mike and Ray to the guest list for the wedding.
The Doctor looked over to where Ray was standing amidst the assorted bridesmaids and younger relatives of both bride and groom.
"Three...two...one."
Tegan threw the bouquet over her shoulder. It arced gracefully over the dance floor, angling for the middle of the waiting crowd. Several hands shot into the air, and the lucky one closed around the floral missile. Mike's eyes traced the line of the arm down, to the face of the lucky girl. A familiar face.
"Good lord, Doc, it's Ray!"
"So it is."
The speakers that had been set up around the room popped as the DJ turned on his microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, would you please welcome Mr and Mrs Henderson onto the dance floor for the bridal waltz."
There was a round of polite applause as Tegan led Barry to the centre of the dance floor. Barry nodded to the DJ, and the smooth strains of Love is All Around Me, by Wet Wet Wet, began to play. The Doctor watched as the bride and groom moved as one around the dance floor.
"You alright, Doc?"
The Doctor nodded.
"I'm fine."
"You're crying?"
"Am I?"
Much to the Doctor's surprise, there was a tear of happiness running down her cheek.
Mike nodded understandingly and looked away from the Doctor, towards the dance floor. A few other couples had taken to the floor, and frankly, Mike was beginning to get bored, just sitting here watching. He turned to where Ray had just sat down.
"Fancy a dance, Ray?"
"Ooh, yes."
Mike took Ray's hand and led her out to the dance floor.
****
1748 hours
The reception was beginning to wind down, the bride and groom having long since departed. Sarah Jane Smith, who had been dancing with one of Tegan's cousins, stepped off the dance floor and sunk into the empty chair next to the Doctor.
"Are you having a good time, Doctor?"
The Doctor nodded, and a contented smile crossed her lips.
"Sarah, this is the best night of my life. Of all my lives."
Truly, it was. The Doctor had seen many wonders of the universe, from the construction of the pyramids of Egypt, through to supernovae explosions against the blackness of the Universe. But, the Doctor reflected, none of these compared to the magic of true love.
****
The Eleventh Doctor, Mike and Ray will return.