> Title: The Time Lord of 13 Bannerman Road.
> Rating: PG-13/R, for adult language, sexual innuendo and physical displays of affection.
> Spoilers: Season 1 of The Sarah Jane Adventures and casting announcements for Season 4 of Doctor Who.
> Characters: Sarah Jane Smith, the Tenth Doctor and their respective companions in the seasons mentioned above, with further mentions of two other teams …
> Summary: Whether she’s acknowledged it or not, Sarah Jane has already been acting as a Time Lord for years … the Doctor has merely opted to make it official.
> __________
>
> “As much as I’ve enjoyed this little get-together,†the Doctor grinned at the odd collection of adventurers that had gathered in the attic of the equally curious house on 13 Bannerman Road, in the London Borough of Ealing, before he began tugging at his earlobe distractedly, “we do have rather pressing matters of state to which to attend.â€Â
>
> “Took you long enough to get to the point, skinny,†Donna Noble opined under her breath, albeit not without an affectionate smirk at the trio of teenagers whom she’d only just met, and found to be unexpectedly friendly and well-mannered, “as per bloody usual.â€Â
>
> “Shush, you,†Dr. Martha Jones nudged her traveling companion’s arm with her elbow, even as she audibly stifled a giggle at the Doctor’s expense. “Let them have their moment.â€Â
>
> After casting an archly cocked eyebrow at Donna and Martha, the Doctor turned to their hostess. “Sarah Jane Smith,†he practically bounced on the balls of his feet, before taking hold of her shoulders gently to reposition her so that she was facing him more directly, “if I could get you to stand right … there, that’ll do it. Oh, and, ah … Mr. Jackson,†he snapped his fingers and addressed Alan, almost as an afterthought, “if you and the … no, they’re not children, um … the rest of Team Sarah Jane, line up a bit?â€Â
>
> “Well, now that you’ve moved us all about, like department store dummies, would you mind terribly telling us what this is all about?†Sarah Jane inquired in mild bemusement.
>
> The Doctor straightened his shoulders, donned his studious glasses, and fixed her with what passed for a serious stare from him, whenever he tried to act like an adult around those who knew him better than to believe it. “Sarah Jane Smith,†he withdrew his Sonic Screwdriver from one of his suit pockets, as Martha passed him an ornately engraved antique pocket watch, “as the former Lord President of the Time Lords of Gallifrey, and therefore, the senior-ranking surviving member of the High Council of Time Lords, it is not only my duty, but also my distinct pleasure, to appoint you to the rank and title of a Time Lord,†he held out the fob watch for her to take, winking indulgently.
>
> Maria Jackson was beaming even more broadly than Luke Smith and Clyde Langer, but Sarah Jane could only gape, before she blinked, swallowed and composed herself. “I … can’t do this,†she shook her head in disbelief. “I’m not even from Gallifrey.â€Â
>
> “That’s rather the point, isn’t it?†the Doctor placed his Sonic Screwdriver and the fob watch in the same hand, so he could run his other hand through his already tousled hair. “There are no Gallifreyans anymore … well, except for me, obviously.â€Â
>
> “Yes, but … you also have a TARDIS!†Sarah Jane felt frustrated by how hard it was to articulate such sensible reasons for refusing him. “You can travel through time and space, and I … can’t. Not anymore.â€Â
>
> “I’ve been separated from my TARDIS before,†the Doctor shrugged casually, as Martha suppressed a frown at memories that were still difficult for her to deal with. “Even when I’ve had my TARDIS, it hasn’t always worked. Remember when we first met, back when I was with UNIT? Much as I love the Brigadier, the only reason I started working for him was because I’d been grounded by the Time Lords, to live on Earth, in your time. None of that made me any less of a Time Lord.â€Â
>
> Sarah Jane struggled to justify her stance. “But even the relatively little I’ve been able to do, here on Earth, I’ve hardly done all on my own,†she glanced gratefully, first at Maria, then at Luke and Clyde.
>
> “Oh, right, and I suppose I have, is that it?†the Doctor rolled his eyes. “I’ve had people walk the Earth, doing what I …†here, he paused as his voice cracked, before he inhaled sharply and continued, “… doing what I should have done, but I couldn’t … doing what I had no right to ask them to do, but they did anyway.†Sarah Jane spied Martha’s moist eyes and quavering smile, behind his back, as he went on. “When you have worthy companions by your side, to lend a hand to help you,†he winced as his eyes darted toward Donna, “or smack you, when you get out of line … it doesn’t make you a lesser Time Lord, but a better one. I’ve learned at least a little from you lot,†he confessed with a chuckle, “even from a certain nosy reporter whom I caught snooping ‘round UNIT once, whose inquisitive instincts and derring-do I daresay would have put Lois Lane to shame.â€Â
>
> Sarah Jane’s shoulders slumped wearily, even as she ducked her head to hide the rosy blush that the Doctor’s warm praise had brought to her cheeks. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate your confidence in me,†she finally lifted her head to meet his gaze, as she clasped his free hand in her own. “I just … don’t think I’m properly qualified, is all.â€Â
>
> “You what?†the Doctor nearly squealed, staring at her as though she’d gone mad. “Sarah Jane Smith, have you not been paying attention to your own life? Ever since I … no, you were right, ever since I dumped you, even without traveling through time or space, you’ve done more for your corner of the cosmos than just about any Time Lord, myself probably included! You’ve been doing the sorts of things that my people should have been doing all along, and that’s why the universe needs you to be a Time Lord, so that you can do the sorts of things that only a Time Lord can do.â€Â
>
> “He’s right,†Alan folded his arms across his chest. “Most of this stuff is still well beyond me, but that … Trickster wouldn’t have pulled you out of our timeline if what you’ve done didn’t matter … if you didn’t matter, at least as much as your … Doctor here says.â€Â
>
> “Yeah, she saved the whole planet from a meteor that time,†Clyde recalled, before slapping Luke on the chest, “plus me, Luke and a bunch of other kids from that … Kudlak guy’s spaceship the other time.â€Â
>
> “She became my mum after she rescued me from the Bane,†Luke contributed eagerly.
>
> “Rescued us from the Bane,†Maria elaborated admiringly, “and the Gorgons, and the Slitheen, whom she also stopped from destroying the Earth, twice.â€Â
>
> “I’d say the vote’s unanimous, Ms. Smith,†the Doctor rocked on his heels smugly, before he grimaced guiltily. “I wouldn’t ask this of you if I didn’t know, for a fact, that you’d be brilliant at it, but if you really don’t feel you’re ready yet …â€Â
>
> “No,†Sarah Jane shut her eyes tight, as the Doctor’s face fell. “No … I’ve never backed away from doing what needed to be done before, and I’m too old and stubborn to make a habit of it now,†she concluded stoically, as he perked up appreciatively.
>
> “Sarah Jane Smith,†the Doctor intoned solemnly, once again holding the watch up before her, “are you willing and able, and do you vow, to accept the role and office of a Time Lord, and all the responsibilities and privileges which accompany it?â€Â
>
> “I am, and I do,†Sarah Jane met his level gaze with one of her own to match.
>
> The Doctor nodded, before he scanned his audience. “Mr. Jackson,†he settled on at last.
>
> “Alan will do,†Alan stepped forward briskly.
>
> “Alan?†the Doctor cocked his head to one side. “That isn’t short for ‘Alonso,’ is it?â€Â
>
> “No, just ‘Alan,’†Alan sighed impatiently.
>
> “Thought not,†the Doctor clucked his tongue. “Pity, that. Anyway, Alan, if you would do the honor of placing this ‘round our lady fair’s neck?†he attempted to hand over the watch by its chain. “Among my people, this tended to be performed by someone who was … close to the newly confirmed Time Lord.â€Â
>
> “Oh, but then … well, no offense, Alan, but it should be Maria,†Sarah Jane suggested, before hastening to add, “or Luke, shouldn’t it?â€Â
>
> The Doctor cleared his throat. “Ah, yes, well,†he stumbled awkwardly, “by ‘close,’ I meant more along the lines of a … spouse, or life partner, you know, that sort of thing,†he rushed through in a muffled mutter.
>
> “Dad’ll do it!†Maria volunteered for Alan, before either he or Sarah Jane could decline.
>
> “Right, then,†the Doctor passed the watch to Alan, who cautiously looped its chain around the neck of a fidgeting Sarah Jane.
>
> “Congratulations,†Alan breathed in Sarah Jane’s ear. “I’ve never been prouder to know anyone than I am to know you.†He’d only meant to plant a quick, polite peck on her cheek, but when he saw her looking up at him, he found himself tilting her chin up and kissing her full on the lips, in a manner that was far from formal or platonic.
>
> “Save it for the honeymoon, you two,†Donna teased fondly, eliciting laughter from the teens. Martha bit her lower lip not to join them, and instead poked Donna in the ribs.
>
> Sarah Jane was mortified as she and Alan broke off their embrace, until she saw Maria’s giddy, joyful grin reflected on the faces of everyone else around her. Even the Doctor’s smile was sincerely pleased, albeit tight with regret. Alan gave Sarah Jane a supportive squeeze around the waist, before stepping to the side so the ceremony could carry on.
>
> “Hold out your hand,†the Doctor instructed Sarah Jane, as he placed the watch in her hand, with the engraved side facing her palm, “and brace yourself, because this will hurt a bit.†With that, he pointed the Sonic Screwdriver’s buzzing blue beam at the watch.
>
> “Ow!†Sarah Jane dropped the watch, which still hung by its chain around her neck, as a glowing imprint of the seal of Rassilon pulsed on her palm.
>
> “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,†the Doctor rubbed her palm tenderly. “It was necessary. In order for your bio-data to be recognized by the Matrix, I needed to perform a partial, but permanent, genetic transfer.â€Â
>
> Sarah Jane’s eyes went wide. “Do you mean to tell me I’ve got … Time Lord DNA now?â€Â
>
> “Well, technically, it’s Gallifreyan DNA,†the Doctor babbled pedantically, before he spotted Sarah Jane’s concern, “but the percentage of your human DNA is still 99.9999 … well, a lot of nines, anyway. You’re still you, if that’s what worrying you,†the Doctor waved his Sonic Screwdriver, like a boy who’d gotten away with a clever trick of mischief. “I just gave you a bit of a … cheat code, is all.â€Â
>
> Sarah Jane realized the once-sharp pain had subsided into only a slight soreness, and the previously luminous symbol on her palm had faded to the point where it was barely even visible. “So,†she smirked, “does this mean I’ll soon be able to trade in my old, worn face for a younger, prettier one, like you’ve done?â€Â
>
> “Your face would have to get old first,†the Doctor beamed, tracing the line of her jaw with his fingertips.
>
> “He’s cheating you,†Martha chided in gleeful retribution. “With this one, a ‘genetic transfer’ entitles you to nothing less than a proper snog.â€Â
>
> “Ah,†Sarah Jane arched her eyebrows. “Is that how it works with him, now?â€Â
>
> “Here!†Alan cried in mock protest. “Aren’t you meant to be my spouse or life partner?â€Â
>
> “I never promised to be monogamous,†Sarah Jane asserted boldly, before the Doctor caught her by surprise, by cupping her cheeks in his hands and kissing her so suddenly and deeply that it literally left her breathless.
>
> “So, your dad, my mum and the Doctor are in a polyandrous romantic relationship,†Luke whispered his deduction to Maria, “like you, me and Clyde?â€Â
>
> Clyde was within earshot and simply buried his face in his hands, while Maria rounded on Luke with a glare and hissed, “Remember that talk we had, about how it’s best that we don’t say certain things, if we’re near enough to others for them to hear?â€Â
>
> As the Doctor grudgingly let go of Sarah Jane, she discreetly licked her lips. “So, it’s just you and me, then? Two Time Lords, protecting an entire universe?â€Â
>
> “Oh, I’ve already got other promising candidates lined up,†the Doctor twisted at the waist to catch Martha’s eye, “who have already demonstrated how capable and deserving they are,†he swiveled again to regard the expectant teens, “and so have you, from the looks of things.â€Â
>
> “Hang on,†Alan interjected anxiously, “my Maria … a Time Lord? Look, it’s hard enough for me to let my daughter risk her own life defending the lives of others, here on Earth, without looking forward to a future in which she’ll be tripping through time and space, facing dangers the likes of which I can’t even imagine.â€Â
>
> “But Dad, think of the wonders and beauty we’ve already seen, just on this planet, thanks to Sarah Jane,†Maria pleaded, as she and Sarah Jane took hold of one another’s hands.
>
> “Even if she started training now, it’d be a few years yet, before I’d even consider her for such a post,†the Doctor sought to assuage Alan’s fears.
>
> “Have you ever been a father?†Alan raised his voice.
>
> “And a grandfather, too,†the Doctor deadpanned, taking Alan aback. “I … had a granddaughter, named Susan. When I started traveling through time and space, she was my very first companion, and she wasn’t much older then than your Maria is now. The sights she saw, and the things she did … they broadened her, not just her mind, but her heart as well. She became … more, than she’d been before, than she would have been, if I hadn’t taken her with me … and in the end, I had to let her go, because her world had become bigger than mine,†he hung his head and chuckled ruefully, “bigger than could be contained even inside of a blue wooden box that’s bigger on the inside.†He raised his head, and everyone could see how wet his cheeks had become. “That’s what being a parent is … even being a grandparent, because sooner or later, you have to let go.â€Â
>
> Alan wrapped an arm protectively around Maria. “She’s only a girl,†he choked out.
>
> “As a very wise woman once said, ‘There’s nothing only about being a girl,’†the Doctor reminisced, causing Sarah Jane to burst into a brief giggle, and spill a few tears in the process. “Ultimately, though, this can only be your choice, and not mine … the both of you, because this will affect both of your lives.â€Â
>
> Alan shook his head in resignation. “You know your mother’s going to kill me, don’t you?†he consented, his lingering doubts eased slightly by the enthusiasm of his daughter’s hug. “From now on, though, no lip when I tell you to do your chores, finish your homework, or go to bed by a reasonable hour,†he wagged his finger sternly, to which Maria nodded dutifully, even as she sniffled, wiped away her own unshed tears, and giggled gratefully.
>
> “Best we were off,†Martha tapped the Doctor on the shoulder, albeit reluctantly. “The Brig’s got me due to debrief Jack’s team at the Hub before too long.â€Â
>
> “You were associated with Torchwood once, weren’t you, Dr. Jones?†Sarah Jane observed in a dangerously placid tone. “Before you signed on with company more worthy of your own in UNIT, of course? Well, now that I am a Time Lord, I should wish you to relay a message to them for me, if you could. Please inform them that my patience with compensating for their inexcusable incompetence is well at an end, and … quite frankly, I’ll be damned if I have to send my overqualified young people out to wipe the arses of grown adults who should bloody well know better.â€Â
>
> “She didn’t half pick up your attitude in a hurry, did she?†Donna snorted approvingly to the Doctor, before calling out to Sarah Jane, “Here, if you want to stitch the good Captain up, good and proper, you might as well hitch a ride with us to Cardiff. Not only does he owe me for sneaking out on me, after I’d fallen asleep, but the pervert snatched my knickers to boot!â€Â
>
> “Knowing Jack, he’s probably wearing them,†Martha snickered.
>
> “This would be the infamous Capt. Harkness, then?†Sarah Jane checked. “The same man who managed to maneuver Liz Shaw and Jo Grant into …†here, she caught herself, even as she correctly anticipated that the trio of teens hanging onto her words would catch their intended meaning, “… a compromising position with him?â€Â
>
> “More than one position, to hear them tell it,†Martha couldn’t resist chiming in.
>
> “What?†the Doctor yelped, aghast. “He never told me that he did that … not with my Jo!â€Â
>
> “Right,†Sarah Jane invited her team, including Alan, “who’s up for a field trip to Torchwood Three, then? Trust me, there’s plenty of room in the TARDIS.â€Â
>
> “Oi!†the Doctor offered an amused objection. “That’s gratitude! I give you a promotion, and you commandeer my vehicle? The cheek! Where’d you learn to behave like a Time Lord from?â€Â
>
> “From you, of course,†Sarah Jane winked at the Doctor and smacked his backside, as they entered the TARDIS together.
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