Part 27 (2/2)

'Perfectly,' said the Doctor, but stopped him as he turned away, with a hand on the arm. 'But there are some nasty sights out there. Many of the people here will find them distressing.'

Max met the Doctor's eyes for a moment, then gave a brief nod. 'I'll get on to it.'

'Good man,' said the Doctor. As Max left, he turned back to Mike and thrust out his hand. 'Well, we'd better be off.

Goodbye, Mike.'

Mike looked taken aback by the Doctor's abruptness.

'Aren't you going to wait until the Brigadier wakes up?'

'Best not, eh? That way we can avoid unnecessary explanations.'

'If his memory's anything like mine,' said Tegan, who had risen to her feet and was now standing at the Doctor's shoulder, 'he's not going to know who we are. We're going to have to introduce ourselves all over again.'

'Just so,' said the Doctor.

'All the same -' Mike began to protest.

Turlough sneezed loudly.

The Doctor turned and patted his companion on the shoulder, his hand splatting on sodden material. 'Into the TARDIS,' he said. 'Have a hot shower and put some dry clothes on. I'll make us all some cocoa.'

Tegan and Turlough entered the TARDIS. The Doctor stepped after them. Just as he was about to disappear into the strange eye-defying darkness beyond the doors, Mike stepped forward and took hold of his arm. 'Doctor?'

The Doctor looked back, blond hair swis.h.i.+ng. 'Yes?'

Mike suddenly realised he wasn't sure what to say. 'I just...

thanks for your help, Doctor.'

'Thanks for yours,' the Doctor said. An odd, unreadable expression flitted across his eyes, and just for a moment Mike had the impression that he was about to say something momentous or significant. Then abruptly the Doctor said, 'Goodbye,' and, before Mike could respond, stepped smartly in to the TARDIS, slamming the door behind him.

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