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[not_on_her_own]

Maria Jackson went to bed last night feeling more content than she had in a while. Her mother's most recent visit had been free of acrimony, and her father had been spared any unnecessary stress. In fact, it had been rather pleasant, which was unexpected. And then, the dinner her father had cooked last night for Sarah Jane and Luke had been

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[splendid_roman]

Teenagers were a speciality with Ian. Well, teaching them at any rate. This one looked like someone who had just gone through the same thing he had, months ago.

When Ian went over, he smiled at her. "Are you alright?"

[not_on_her_own]

Maria was startled by the voice, and looked up sharply. On the one hand, she was grateful to see someone, on the other hand, she was even more worried about what had happened to her friends.

"I...'m not sure. I was with my friends, and then they--everybody just disappeared. Do you know what's happened?"

[splendid_roman]

"The universe is ending, apparently." He offered her a hand up. "Come up, up you get and tell me the names of your friends. They might be here." Not that Ian knew everyone at Sarah's house, but it was always possible this girl knew someone there.

[not_on_her_own]

Maria accepted his hand gratefully, tucking the watch she'd bought into her pocket and taking a shaky breath.

"The universe...is ending," she repeated under her breath, with apparent anxiety. Maria recovered momentarily, realizing she hadn't answered his question. "I was with Sarah Jane Smith and--and Luke. He's her son. We were all...they were right there, and now everyone's gone. And my dad..."

She wondered what had become of him.

[beige_doc]

A blonde head poked out of one TARDIS just in time to hear (and see) a young girl flop down sighing to herself. "I suppose one could answer that question in a myriad of ways. The simplest being that you're sitting in a field." The man stepped out from his blue box, revealing a handsome young cricketer, appearing to be in his early thirties at most.

"However, I don't think that is the answer you're looking for." There was confidence in his stride as he made his way to the girl, "am I correct?"

[not_on_her_own]

Maria looked up quickly. At least the voice belonged to someone friendly, that was a relief.

"Yeah," she started quietly, studying him curiously. "Um...do you know what's going on? I was with my friends, but they disappeared. Everyone disappeared."

He seemed like he knew something, or maybe that was just her mind automatically assuming anyone who came out of one of those blue boxes had to know a bit more about the extraordinary than the average person.

[beige_doc]

A sad look crossed the Doctor's features momentarily, he didn't want to have to tell the child. Even if she'd find out for herself soon enough. "The universe ended I'm afraid. There's only a few of us who survived." Sorrow and seriousness in his eyes, "I'm sorry."

He placed his hands behind his back to stop them from fidgeting. He hated to know that they'd failed to save the universe, he'd had more than enough blood on his hands before that. This was nearly unbearable to think about.

[not_on_her_own]

Maria was silent for a few moments. It was bad enough to be separated from Sarah Jane and Luke in London, away from home, but now she worried about her dad.

She had even more questions, and she didn't know where to start. The simplest one for now seemed to be, "Who are you?"

[unearthlysusan]

Susan was alarmed - but very pleased - to see someone who wasn't much younger than herself (physically at least) sitting on the grass.

"Hello," she said. She felt as if it was her duty to approach her. Susan herself hadn't been particularly scared when she arrived here, but that was only because she was used to time travel, and had her own beloved TARDIS - not to mention her Grandfather, somewhre out there - to keep her safe.

That seemed as good a way to start a conversation as any.

[not_on_her_own]

Maria looked up, curious to see someone who looked relatively young. Maybe she had gotten separated from people, too. She seemed friendly enough, for now.

"Hi," Maria smiled slightly. "Are you...alone, too?"

[unearthlysusan]

"Yes," said Susan, automatically, before correcting herself. "Well, no, not really. I have a few friends here. And my Grandfather."

Several Grandfathers, actually. But Susan didn't want to confuse - or, for that matter, scare her - yet, so she didn't mention that part.

"Do...do you know where here is?" she asked, carefully, taking a step closer. She almost wanted to sit down next to her, but waited for now.

[not_on_her_own]

Maria found herself inexplicably calmed by the girl. It was nice to be asked a question she actually had an answer to.

"London. It's 2008, I think," Maria frowned at that. She knew this was London, but she really couldn't be sure of anything else. "I was with my friends, but they disappeared. Have you seen your friends or your Grandfather since...this happened?"

She was hoping that if other people were about, there was a chance she would find her own friends and family again soon.

[sarahs_attic]

Sarah was still trying to figure out what was going on herself, when she saw the girl sitting on the grass. Years of dealing with Stephen's younger brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews had given her some experience with teenagers, and besides, the more she learned the better, in this situation.

She dropped lightly down beside the girl and asked gently, "Is everything alright?"

OOC: My Sarah still doesn't know she isn't in an alternate reality.

[not_on_her_own]

Maria looked up quickly; she recognized that voice.

"Sarah Jane! You--I was really, well, I was trying not to freak out too much, but when you and Luke disappeared--"

Maria cut herself off and stood up, reaching out to hug the woman.

OOC: She's in for a shock. :D

[sarahs_attic]

"Do I know you? Do you go to the Chalet School, by any chance?" It was hard to tell what time of the year it was. Perhaps it was the break between terms. And she was a familiar figure on the Platz.

The hug was unexpected, though, so she stiffened slightly, but didn't pull away. Best to have more information first.

OOC: So's Maria, come to think of it.

[not_on_her_own]

The elation she'd felt at finding Sarah Jane quickly fled when Sarah appeared to have no idea who she was. Maria pulled away, dropping her arms awkwardly.

"You...you are Sarah Jane Smith, right?" She had to be. Only...why would she seem to have no recollection..."What's the Chalet School?"