Eyes of Time: The Final Line ✓

Chapter 8: School Reunion

[TARDIS- Alchemist Private sitting room]

It's the afternoon of the second day, stuck in the TARDIS inside a public primary school of all places. During the nights, she and the Doctor have been enjoying each other's company, either lost in books in the library or tucked away in their private quarters. Gradually, their connection is re-establishing itself. Their thoughts are intertwining once more, leading them to speak in unison more frequently. The longer they share this time, the closer their bond will become, inching toward complete restoration.

Alone, though? She's working. She's scratching, digging at the patch in her mind, and getting nowhere.

A nagging sensation lingers within her, a sense that she's neglecting something significant that she usually engages in during her moments of solitude. While she recognizes that she could be focusing on one of the companion rooms, an instinct warns her against tackling Rose's. It's not just a hunch; it's more of a specific voice echoing in her mind. Each time the thought crosses her, she hears Teacher's low growl. She hasn't even bothered to look it up in the system yet.

The feeling she has that she's missing something massive is bothering her. It's not just the children; it's something significant, but what?

'Amara! Sarah's here!' the Doctor shouts at her.

The Time Lady rises from the sofa, her face lighting up with a broad smile, 'What!? Show me, show me!'

She can't help but excitedly clap when she sees her Chosen sister-in-law. She's as lovely in person as the photos she's been sending her via email since she returned.

[Staff room]

"Yesterday, I had a twelve-year-old girl give me the exact height of the Walls of Troy... in cubits," a teacher says, astounded.

The Doctor asks, "And, it's ever since the new headmaster arrived?"

"Finch arrived three months ago," He nods, "Next day, half the staff got flu. Finch replaced them with that lot, except for the teacher you replaced, and that was just plain weird, her winning the lottery like that."

The Time Lord shrugs, "How's that weird?"

"She never played. Said the ticket was posted through her door at midnight."

"Hmm. The world is very strange," the Doctor smiles.

The Headmaster enters and the Doctor's jaw drops in shock before it turns into a wide grin.

'Amara! Sarah's here!' he shouts at his wife silently.

'What!? Show me, show me!' she begs.

He does so, opening the visual connection of the telepathic bond.

"Excuse me, colleagues!" Finch announces, "A moment of your time. May I introduce Miss Sarah Jane Smith. Miss Smith is a journalist who's writing a profile about me for the Sunday Times. I thought it might be useful for her to get a view from the trenches, so to speak. Don't spare my blushes."

Sarah Jane approaches the Doctor first, "Hello," she greets.

The Doctor grins wider, "Oh, I should think so."

She nods awkwardly, "And you are?"

Lost in thought, he shakes his head, "Hm? Uh, Smith. John Smith."

"John Smith. I used to have a friend who sometimes went by that name. His wife went by Ally," their previous companion recalls with a soft smile.

"Well, it's a very common name, and that's a very lovely name," the Time Lord smirks.

She smiles, "He was a very uncommon man, and she was a very lovely woman. Nice to meet you."