Disclaimer: I don’t own Doctor Who or anything to do with it, it belongs to the BBC. I don’t own the lyrics to these songs; the lyrics are by Tuomas Holopainen, performed by Nightwish.

Note: This is a sort-of tribute to the band, Nightwish. Short story collection.

Summary: Sarah Jane sometimes wonders if the Doctor ever thinks about her, now that she’s back on Earth. Set after ‘Hand of Fear’. When the Doctor does make his return, he has a lot more to say than Sarah had ever thought.

Nightwish: Ever Dream

‘Ever Dream’ by Nightwish

Sarah sat back on her couch. Sipping and smothering away at her hot, sweet tea. Cradling it up against her lips and taking in small amounts. Sarah didn’t feel like eating anything at the moment, even though her stomach was completely empty, food had never crossed her mind. She snuggled her knees up against her chest and stared out the window, watching the snow fall silently and peaceful.

There was something about it that reminded her of the Doctor. She didn’t remember or understand why, but it did. Sarah used to hate the snow, such horrible and messy and cold thing it was. But the Doctor, for some reason, made her change her mind about it. She had grown to take a great fondness of snow and admire its never fading beauty. A confident smile formed on her face.

It was Christmas. And Sarah Jane did not plan to spend this one alone. She gave Harry, the Brigadier and Sergeant Benton a call, since they were the only ones that really understood her and the way she was feeling when the Doctor had left her back on Earth. Harry was more than happy to spend the night with her and help her put the decorations up around the house.

The door bell rang and Sarah leapt out of her sofa. She still had some hope left in her, just for that one day. She unlocked the door and pulled it. It was Harry standing out in the blizzard. He shivered and his lips quivered from the bitter air. Sarah led the young doctor into her home and quickly closing the door behind him.

“I see you’ve managed to get rest of the decorations up on your own, old thing.” Harry said while dusting away the snow.

Sarah glared viciously at him for a slit second. “What have I told you about that?” She snapped.

“Sounds like someone has put coal in your stocking this year, what’s the matter?” Harry questioned before hanging his coat up.

Sarah bit the bottom of her lip. “I’m sorry, Harry. I thought it was the Doctor, I could have sworn I heard the TARD-.” Then she stopped herself and sighed. “He isn’t coming back, I know he won’t.”

Harry curled an arm around her slim shoulder. “Look, Sarah, the Doctor had only gone for at least two months.”

“I know, but it feels like forever.” She took him in the living room. “Do you not get that terrible feeling inside your gut? You’ve seen everything beyond anyone’s imagine nation, touched the very edge of the universe itself. And then suddenly he just dumps right back to where you’ve started. There’s just so much that you want to say to everyone, but you can’t, and it’s gets you frustrated and angry.”

Harry sat down on the chair. “I don’t often feel that way, but it is frightfully irritating every now and then.” Sarah just simply nodded.

“Well... it is Christmas, and let’s not try and destroy the good feeling.” Sarah smiled weakly. “Do you want any tea?”

“Oh, yes please.” Harry smiled and nodded. “Shall I help you?”

“I don’t mind.”

When Harry had finished drinking down his tea and eating some chocolate biscuits, he insisted in helping Sarah with the washing up. Once Sarah cleaned the cups and saucers, Harry tried them with a dish towel. At the same time, he felt worried about Sarah. She hardly smiled all day, and it definitely wasn’t like her to look so down. So, he decided to say something to lighten to mood a bit.

“Me and John are taking a small trip to Manchester, we wouldn’t mind if you come along with us.” He smiled, Sarah didn’t. Harry’s gentle smile faded into a sign. “Sarah,” his tone was serious this time, “you can’t continue going on the way you’re behaving now. I’m worried about you and wouldn’t want anything bad happening to you.”

“It’s ok, Harry, I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.” Harry dried his hands and placed the cloth over the chair. “You have to stop worrying about the Doctor all the time. I’m sure he is capable of looking after himself.”

“Yes, but you don’t know about his regeneration cycle.” Sarah murmured.

“Pardon?” Harry was lost.

Sarah shook her head. “It’s nothing, Harry... I’m just concerned that anything horrible bad happens to him.”

“And like I said before, he’s capable of looking after himself.” He crossed his arms and head back into the living room. “If you don’t want to, I could just easily leave you to your thoughts.”

“Sarah looked horrified. “No, Harry... I need the company.”

Harry had spent most of his time keeping an eye on Sarah, giving her something to talk about and stopping her from thinking about him. But in sentence, he’s usually mentioned. The day was growing short and it time that Harry was heading back home. He told her that he would make a return sometime tomorrow evening. Sarah grinned and closed the door shut behind him.

Sarah was feeling tired herself. She slipped out of her clothes and into her nightwear. While doing so, more images of the Time Lord kept reappearing – nearly driving the poor girl mental. Sarah tried her best not to think about him too much, since it was making her feel quite ill. But she couldn’t help herself; she gave into her fantasy and allowed her mind to wonder freely.

She lay inside her bed, tucking herself deep into the covers and staring out of the window again. The Doctor made an appearance in her head; he smirked and then faded away. Sarah groaned.

“Stupid, foolish, silly Time-Lord...” She said with anger. Sarah couldn’t maintain her painful feeling any longer. She held onto her pillow, cuddled it up against her chest and cried. “Please come back, Doctor.” She sobbed. “Please... come home.” It was the one thing that she was afraid of. What the Doctor had already forgotten about her? What if he had already found someone else to take her place?

THE END

To be continued next story...