(Untitled)

[thedoctorwho]

The Doctor notices the sign about tabs when he comes downstairs from the library for some tea. He's had to depend on that tab system while he's been stuck here, not having access to the TARDIS to settle up accounts as usual

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[his_sarah_jane]

A watch is slid across the table along with three twenty pound notes. The watch has obviously been physically broken; it's obvious by the long crack on the glass face. In fact, it's about five-minutes broken.

Sarah Jane stands there silently, heart pounding in her chest. Valerie clings to her mother, unaware of anything except her nap. He isn't exactly forgiven yet. But she's so very tired of fighting with him.

[thedoctorwho]

The Doctor looks up when the watch is placed before him and nods. He picks up the watch and sets to it with the sonic screwdriver. It's a simple matter to get the mechanics ticking again, takes only a moment.

He sets the watch back on top of the notes and slides them all back across the table to her. "I could close the crack in the face, but it wouldn't be as strong as if you just replace it," he explains. Then, he sighs, and his voice softens. "I don't want your money, Sarah Jane. You can always come to me when you need something. You earned that right long ago."

[his_sarah_jane]

She looks at him, hoping he doesn't see the glint of tears in her eyes. She takes a breath, swallowing before speaking quietly:

"I thought I lost that right, Doctor."

[thedoctorwho]

"It's not a right that can be lost. No matter what else happens, that much is always there."

[his_sarah_jane]

"And what about your friendship?" Sarah asks quietly, taking another breath. "After everything... Doctor, can you honestly never forgive me?"

[thedoctorwho]

"It's not about forgiveness, Sarah Jane," the Doctor replies almost immediately. "It's that you're not the person I remember anymore. You're literally not. I have memories of things that you'll never do now. That's not an easy thing to keep in one's brain. It makes everything hard."

[his_sarah_jane]

"Oh yes I am," she replies stubbornly. Valerie squirms slightly in her arms."I am still very much that same girl who snuck into that UNIT base and blamed you for the disappearance of the missing scientists. And everything after that point where I - where I mucked up, as you so kindly put it?

"Doctor," she continues, voice softening. "Doctor, you have the most amazing brain I've ever had the pleasure of met. If anyone could know two of the same person... Can't we start over?"

[thedoctorwho]

"When you told me what you were going to do, it felt like an enormous slap in the face. As though everything that you learned while traveling with me about the sanctity of Time and how easily those with a will can disrupt it didn't mean a thing."

The Doctor swallows.

"But you were in love. An emotion I haven't felt for so long that it's almost a completely foreign concept. And so I couldn't understand."

[his_sarah_jane]

He isn't going to yell, at least Sarah hopes. Tentatively, she takes a seat across from him. Valerie blinks sleepily, tries to tilt her head, and ultimately decides it's best laid against her mother's chest.

"Once I thought that I would follow you to the end of the universe and beyond," she admits, not quite meeting his eyes. "And then I met James and everything you taught me flew out the window. Love is, quite possibly, the strongest force in the galaxy. It's positively frightening just how strong it can be."

[thedoctorwho]

He's long past yelling. And he does respect the fact that the little one is sleeping.

"Yes, yes it is frightening. And for all the good it can do, it's also capable of inspiring destruction on just as grand a scale. But I'd not try to deny you from having it, no matter the cost."

[his_sarah_jane]

"And I would rather not lose you in the process. As long as we both still come here - oh, Doctor, you're my best friend. And no matter how hard I try to forget you and what we had, I can't. I want to be able to talk to you when I see you sitting here. I want to give you these blasted notes for your tab. I want."

She pauses, glancing down at the baby in her arms. "I really want you to meet Valerie - more so than anyone I could ever think of."

No matter how rebellious Sarah Jane has come off in their travels, she has always sought his approval. It's still the same now.

[thedoctorwho]

"I'm not good at the family thing, Sarah Jane. The last baby I held was..."

Well, it was baby Rose on the day her father died. But before that... long before that...

Susan.

The Doctor shakes his head of the memory.

"It's hard to think of you as my Sarah Jane anymore, when I have all these memories of things you'll never do. But I can try to get to know this Sarah Jane and share in her life as well."

[his_sarah_jane]

"It's not a family thing, Doctor," she responds quietly. "It's a friend thing. Don't you understand how much I do want you to share in my life? No matter what?"

Sarah takes a breath and smiles softly, tilting her head to look at him. Hearing him say that he'll try clearly means a lot to her.

"Aside from James and Valerie, you're the most important person in my life. Even when I never see you again, you always will be."

[thedoctorwho]

He sighs and nods. "Yes, I understand that. And I will try."

[his_sarah_jane]

Sarah smiles, stepping from her seat to move next to him. She adjusts Valerie in her arms before offering the baby out to him. Valerie turns her head to stare at the man for a second. Then, she reaches for the Doctor's hair.

"One step at a time. And one day at a time," she answers. "But first, I've really been waiting for a chance to introduce the two of you. Think of her as a friend, Doctor. A very tiny friend who just wants you to hold her for a bit."

[thedoctorwho]

It's strange how easily long-forgotten tasks like holding babies can come back to you. The Doctor cradles the little girl like a natural, supporting the head, and keeping her at the optimal distance for her to focus on his face.

"Hello, little one," he coos softly.