Doctor Who_ Lungbarrow - Marc Platt [134]
The Doctor bowed graciously to Charkesta. 'The Sisterhood's intervention is most welcome and timely. I hope Romana's grateful.'
The priestess nodded. 'Time moves in circles, Doctor. The omens for the President are also most propitious. Once again the female principle is restored to Gallifrey.'
'I don't think,' said the Doctor with a twinkle, 'that it ever really went away.'
Romana took a deep breath. 'The first child on Gallifrey in millennia. We must take care of you.'
'Not too much care,' said Leela firmly.
'President Romana?' said the Doctor. 'Is this why I was summoned home?'
'Yes, that's right,' she said very quickly. 'I thought you should be the first to know.'
'Then don't look so glum. Anyone would think it was something dreadful.'
***
'Romana wil get you home,' he said to Dorothée. 'I am sorry about your motorbike.'
He was sitting on the crumbling edge of a wel , examining a scarlet-winged fly that had landed on his finger.
'Don't worry,' she said. 'I discovered two more stashed away in a stable.'
'Kadiatu Lethbridge-Stewart,' he smiled. 'Always prepared for any eventuality.'
'Doctor?'
'Hmm?'
'You know what you said about me going to the Academy?' She swallowed hard. 'Well, if you want me to enrol...'
'Ace. . . I mean Dorothée. You are breathtaking.'
'I mean it.'
'I know. But only if you want to.'
She stuck her hands in her pockets and kicked a dead fish. 'Not real y.'
'Then thank you anyway,' he said. 'Just go on being Time's Vigilante.'
'Thanks, champ,' she said and gave him a long hug.
When they final y pulled apart, Innocet was standing a little way off, looking awkward.
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***
They watched the Doctor and Innocet walking together on the mountainside.
There were no words to hear. Just the angle and movement of their heads. The pauses in their steps. A moment when they stopped to examine a flower together.
The Doctor went inside the TARDIS, which they had hardly noticed, standing among some scrubby bushes. He emerged a moment later pushing a battered wheelbarrow loaded with books.
Innocet reached out and touched the Doctor's arm.
The disgruntled Cousins muttered to themselves as the Doctor and Romana faced them. 'You tell them,' she said.
He took off his hat. 'Cousins of Lungbarrow, you will shortly be transported to the Capitol. President Romana assures me that you will be wel cared for and recompensed.'
'Not enough!' shouted several of them.
'Furthermore, the excommunication of the House will be revoked and the Family reinstated in the Prydonian Chapter.'
'What about our House?' yel ed Rynde.
'And there wil be a new House, restructured from the original template, but without the temper. Anything else I can do for you!'
In one movement, they turned their backs.
'Goodbye, Lungbarrovians,' he cal ed. 'Don't worry. I don't ask for your forgiveness. Time runs in circles. I have other families!'
He looked away across the slope to his companions. Close by, the Director of Allegiance was standing with several of his agents.
'If I keep my job,' Romana said, 'I'll have Lord Ferain suspended on a charge of misdirection of power. I'm going to have the Agency doors thrown open to Public Register Video for a full investigation.'
'What it is to have power,' said the Doctor.
'You'd know.' She grabbed his arm and tried to steer him away as Ferain started towards them.
The elderly man caught up with the Doctor. 'Has she told you why she summoned you yet?'
Romana scowled. 'Go away, Ferain.'
'Has she told you about the mission she's arranged?'
'I changed my mind,' Romana said. 'The Doctor's not involved.'
'What mission?' said the Doctor.
'To Skaro,' Ferain said.
'Cairo?'
'No, Skaro.'
The Doctor shook his head. 'Is this some new Skaro? Or the one that I destroyed with the Hand of Omega?'
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Romana flailed her arms. 'I said it doesn't matter!'
Leela and Chris and Dorothée were drawn in by the sound of the argument.
Ferain stood smugly back while the Doctor and Romana argued.
'No, Doctor. I'll get someone else to go.'
'If it's the Master's remains,