47.2 What Do You Want?
It was just another investigation. Hints of alien interference in a school. There was no reason to believe this would go any differently than any of the ones before.
Sarah had built her life around her work. She was good at what she did, which was more than she could say about interpersonal relationships. How many people had she driven away or lost due to her hazardous lifestyle? She had grown accustomed to being alone and her work gave her purpose. Another solo investigation and then home to her too quiet, too empty flat. That was the plan.
Trading her "reporter's" outfit for clothing more suited to breaking and entering, she returned to the school that night. A quick reconnaissance, and then a retreat to her flat to sort out her next move. But things didn't go according to plan. Discovering Krillitane in the Head's office was something she could handle; discovering the TARDIS in the gym was something else entirely.
Sarah backed out slowly, as though it would disappear if she turned her back on it. Finally she turned and there he stood, looking like he hadn't aged a day.
He had been her lover and her best friend and had left without a word. She'd never believed she was the sort of woman who built her life around a man and yet, she had. Anger warred with grief and betrayal and she found herself being alternately clingy and accusatory. Cutting down his current companion because she was jealous. Tearing into him for leaving her the way he had.
She knew better. Investigative reporting had taught her to guard her tongue and control her impulses, but seeing him again sent her off-kilter and once she started, the words wouldn't stop coming. Sarah watched helplessly as all her plans to stay calm, cool and collected fell apart.
Sarah didn't want to pick up where she left off. She didn't want to be the bitch or the scorned girlfriend or the aged harridan clinging to her glory days. But what did that leave her? She had never expected to see him again and had built her life around that. Now that he was back in her life, what did she want from him?
Sarah Jane Smith
Doctor Who
Partner: the Doctor (canon)
375 words