The Talking Stones of Tyron, scene 8

Vicki helped the Doctor get up, and supported him as they started out on the long walk back to the ship. His legs were giving him trouble, and it was a sign of how bad they were that he allowed her to help. As circulation returned, however, he straightened up, swung his cane, and without words made sure she knew he was back to his normal self.

They passed the point where Ian had lain; it was empty, just a patch of flattened grass. The Doctor wasn't in a talkative mood, so they walked on in silence. It gave Vicki the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the world again, now that the threat was over; but even so, she wanted to get back to the TARDIS as soon as possible.

As the ship came into view, she could make out Ian and Barbara standing by the door. Of course - she had the spare key! The Doctor sped up, slightly, but it was still some time before they got back home.

Home. It was a relief to find that it was still true. She hadn't lost her new family. On one level, she had always known the truth, that it wasn't the Doctor driving her away; but there was that nagging doubt underneath, that feeling of insecurity which was always there. The realisation crossed her mind briefly, but she wasn't one for introspection; and as soon as they were near enough she called out to the others, then ran forward and wrapped her arms around Barbara. The Doctor, coming up behind, shook Ian's hand warmly.

"Doctor," said the the teacher, "it's good to see you back to your old self! I don't know what you did, but thank you anyway."

"Oh, it was nothing, dear boy. Besides, it's young Vicki who most deserves your gratitude - without her we would all be stuck to those stones still."

"Vicki?" The expression on Ian's face was priceless. Vicki, blushing from the Doctor's unexpected praise, still felt a momentary flash of annoyance that he should be so surprised. Well, this wouldn't be the last time - she was going to take the lead more often from now on, and he would just have to get used to it.

Barbara stepped back from the hug and looked down at the teenager. "I don't recall much after that thing started controlling me, but I can tell you it wasn't a pleasant experience. So, thank you very much." Ian echoed her appreciation.

"What do you remember?" asked Vicki.

"Only snatches after that odd conversation where you looked so worried," said Ian. "I couldn't understand why."

"And I remember trying to show you there was something wrong by keeping my teeth together," added Barbara.

"Well, it worked!" replied Vicki. "I wouldn't have been sure I was right without that."

The Doctor harrumphed. "That's all very interesting, I'm sure, but we can't stand about here all day." He unlocked the ship and disappeared inside; Ian laughed. "I did say he was back to his usual self, didn't I?" He ruffled Vicki's hair. "Come on."

They all followed the Doctor inside. He was fiddling with the controls on the central console, obviously eager to move on.

"Goodness," said Barbara, "look at the state of these clothes! I'm just covered in grass stains. Time for a wash and a change, I think."

"Me too," said Ian, ruefully. "You'd think we could at least go for a quiet swim without getting filthy, wouldn't you?" He looked at Vicki. "What about you?"

"Oh, I don't think I'm too bad - I'll change later." Besides, she thought, I want a word with the Doctor.

As soon as the others were out of the room, the Doctor slumped, leaning on the console. Vicki came up to him. "What really happened back there, with the other stones? I could only hear one part of the conversation."

The Doctor put his arm around her shoulders. "Sometimes, my dear, there are things we wish we could change, but cannot. This was one such. The Stones of Tyron are not evil, but still they could have brought about our deaths. They chose not to, at great sacrifice to themselves; and that is how we should remember them."

Vicki knew she would get no more from him, but she wasn't stupid; she could figure out what he meant. She didn't like to see him so sad, though, and decided that if he wouldn't draw a line under the affair, she would. She took one last look out of the doors and then threw the lever to close them. "Where to next, Doctor?"

"Hm? Oh, I don't know."

"Why don't we just take off and see where we end up?"

A slight smile crossed the Doctor's face, and he looked down at her with a twinkle in his eye. "Why not, indeed?" He straightened up and started operating the controls again.

As the central column began to rise and fall, Vicki couldn't resist one final dig. "Still, it was funny, hearing someone else sounding exactly like you."

He looked up at her, frowning. "Exactly like me, you say? Nonsense! A mere caricature at best. What has happened to your critical faculties, young lady?"

Vicki gave him a friendly hug, and headed back to her room, his complaints following her down the corridor.

Next Time:
An epilogue. I was going to post it along with this, but since I'm not sure if it's a good idea I'll leave it a couple of days so you can decide if it's better to stop here.