1 [Video]

[quitethespoiler]

[There is a buzz of blue light as the feed flickers on -- and the image wavers slightly around the edges as the Sonic Screwdriver adjusts the focus. Before long, the feed clears, and a person appears. The woman that is on the feed has a head full of curly hair, is wearing a space suit, and looks somewhat tired. When she speaks, though, her tone is

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[Video]

[got2haveasmith]

[Space suit, interesting.]

I'd say welcome, Professor Song, but this isn't the place for welcomes. And the only communication device that works is this PCD, I'm afraid.

I'm Sarah Jane Smith. This place is called Adstringendum, and it's sort of a nexus-point that shouldn't exist as it does. It lives up to its name too well. And as of yet, there's no way out.

[Video]

[quitethespoiler]

[There's something of a pause -- and River arches her eyebrows slightly. Sarah Jane Smith... the name is familiar -- a previous companion of the Doctor's, perhaps, far before her own time. But River can't quite place it for certain, so she doesn't comment on it.]

Fellow scientists and linguists can call me River. And I do like a challenge -- no way out sounds intriguing. I haven't been in a situation like that in a long while.

[Video]

[got2haveasmith]

River, then. Call me Sarah Jane.

[And then she registers the sonic screwdriver in the woman's hand, and her eyes widen.]

Nor have I. Nor has he, from what I can gather.

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[quitethespoiler]

So you are. How lucky for me.

[Her tone shifts into something a little more serious.]

Is he here, Sarah Jane? The Doctor.

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[got2haveasmith]

[She nods.]

Two of him. One I've met before, and the one after him. Pinstripes and trainers, and then a bow-tie and tweed. Which of them have you met?

[Looking at the sonic River's holding, she can guess, but....]

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[quitethespoiler]

[Her breath catches.]

Both... actually. One before the other.

[River grins a little.]

Pinstripes and trainers, he was so young.

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[got2haveasmith]

[Sarah Jane grins right back.]

I thought him rather older, then, even if he did look younger than when I'd last seen him. But he did say it had been half a dozen lifetimes since we'd seen each other last.

[She turns pensive for a moment.]

So many regenerations and experiences - they hardened him quite a bit. So much loss....

[She shakes her head.]

But he's still the same old Doctor.

Do you know any of the people he's traveled with? Amy, or Jack? Or Donna, Martha, Rose, or Mickey?

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[quitethespoiler]

[So, so, so much loss. River purses her lips slightly, in silent agreement. The Doctor grows into a bitter old man far before his time. A sad reality. But Sarah Jane is right -- he's still the Doctor.]

I've heard the stories, but I've only met Donna from his younger days -- I has just met her, actually, before I came here. And I know Amy Pond quite well.

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[got2haveasmith]

[She grins at that.]

I've met Donna - not all that long ago, in fact. I quite liked her. And Amy I've met here - lovely girl, from what I can tell. We've traded a few stories.

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[quitethespoiler]

I've saved the universe with Amy Pond once or twice.

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[got2haveasmith]

I've done the same with Donna and the others. Good to know he still has excellent taste in his friends.

[She thinks a moment.]

The cracks in time and space?

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[quitethespoiler]

Ancient history to me. Or did it ever happen in the first place?

[Somewhat mischievously.]

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[got2haveasmith]

[She can't help but be amused at the response.]

It did for Amy, since she told me about them. But for the rest of the Earth? You lot are probably the only ones who would know, if you were involved in it.

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[quitethespoiler]

Most likely, though time is a fickle thing.

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[got2haveasmith]

It is indeed.

[Visions of the alternate 1980 flash through her mind - the one where Sutekh had succeeded in his plans because Sarah Jane had been so confident that he couldn't succeed, because he hadn't done. It was only then she'd understood the basics of the time-stream.]