It always amazed the Doctor how often Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart wouldn't recognize him, or at the very least, instantly know that someone showing up at their doorstep, uttering their full name with a smile, would be pretty damn obvious. Well, what could he expect... it had been sometime since they last saw one another, and a few regenerated faces later. Still, he was glad the awkward moment passed by and Lethbridge-Stewart finally clued in.

Having briefly discussed his situation (about the crash on Karnn, the sisterhood, and his new face), they moved on to why he was there, needing help on matters of war.

Alistair was always keen on listening to the Doctor's adventures, hard as they were to keep up on the details, the alien man rarely explained the context behind them. Still he was patient. He allowed the Timelord to dish it all out and then let him have a word when he was given the opportunity. He couldn't help but notice how young and energized this new regeneration version of him was. He definitely didn't look like most of the ones he knew from his past, and he was far more harder in his resolve than all the others combined.

Lethbridge-Stewart decided to go and make some tea for them both and talk more of his newfound warrior persona. The Doctor stood in front of Alistair's living room window and gazed out at the serene scenery.

So many times in the past he came back to Earth, lecturing Lethbridge-Stewart on why not to use military might against every single alien threat; Now here he was, asking the man to give him advise on how to become more military minded. He snickered at the irony.

"Oh, what a tangled web we've weaved, eh?" the Doctor mused.

"The tea is nearly ready..." Alistair announced from the kitchen. It was beyond the well furnished living room and periodically stuck his head out to ask the timelord more questions. "So, why is it you've come to me again? Surely, your people are well suited to give you a lesson in the art of full on combat. Would you like some biscuits with your tea?"

"No," the Doctor said. "To both those questions, thank you. My people aren't doing so well as one might think. War hasn't been much of a concept on Galifrey. Not for a very, very long time. Not that it ever was to begin with, mind you."

The former brigadier walked out with two cups of tea in hand, both in a fine bone china with saucers. Eyeing the cup with mild surprise, The Doctor took hold of his and joined the elderly Lethbridge-Stewart as they sat down across from one another. After taking a quick sip of his tea, a nice spot of earl grey, the Timelord gave his aged-looking friend a curious look. He seemed more frail than before, definitely losing weight, and constantly struggling to keep his tea cup in hand. The former brigadier took a few sips and fumbled his cup to the adjacent table beside him.

"I'm surprised you didn't whip out a spot of brandy or some of that cognac you've been keeping whenever we meet." the Doctor chortled lightly. "It's not like you to pass up a cup of that, surely?"

"Oh, yes, quite." Lethbridge-Stewart. "But you know Doctor, I'm not the man I once was either. I'm older now, can't seem to stomach the spirits as much anymore. Unlike you, I can't revert to a younger version of me and start up old habits."

"Can you even imagine?" The Timelord laughed. "A younger Lethbridge. The very idea... with a different face, or sex for that matter..."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Sorry, nothing..." the Doctor took another sip of his tea and steered the conversation away from the insinuation.

Lethbridge-Stewart was never told about that fact. Timelords spontaneously changing sexes at times. The Doctor having never done such a thing, yet. He instead brought back to the reason for his visit.

"Can you give me some advice on how to fight? Strategies? Some sort of tactic that might help in my cause? I can think of no one else that's best suited to talk if such things with."

That seemed to flatter Lethbridge-Stewart, he gave the youthful looking Doctor a grin and clasped his hands together with delight. What a change this was for him, the Doctor giving praise of his military-like mind instead of being criticized for it. But that, of course, concerned him the most.

"Praise from The Doctor?" He thought. "Of my use of brute force? That is definitely not the same man I know."

Alistair sat up in his seat, took another sip of his tea, and eyed the young-looking man with scrutiny.

"Against the Daleks?"

"Absolutely," the Doctor grinned. "You've had your share of combat against those pepper-pots as well, not to mention the Cybermen, the Zygons, the Autons, those invading dinosaurs..."

"Good lord," Lethbridge-Stewart snickered. "I can't believe I forgot about those bloody dinosaurs..."

"Oh, well... that could be from a result of a time distortion thing." The Doctor casually remarked as he took a sip of tea.

Alistair nodded at that. He never questioned the science coming from him, not that he ever understood it, but a quick dismissal from the Doctor meant it wasn't major concern. Or, so he hoped. It made him think more about what happened to him. The details of his transformation weren't still sinking in.

"Look, those women you met, the sisters of... what was it, of Karnn, yes?" He asked, The Doctor nodded at him. "What was it? In that drink they gave you?"

"The elixir of life... a variation of one," the Timelord shrugged. "They had a few options, of which I had to make choice. A retroactive regeneration, as it were. So I took the one that seemed appropriate. They said it would make me into a warrior."

"Is that normal? For a Gallifreyans, such as yourself, to consume a brew to change your persona? To make you want to go to war... or join up, like some sort of conscription?"

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"It's rare," the Doctor glanced at him. "The sisterhood is a big believer in such hypocritical changes. Of course, no Timelord would dare go against the whole regenerative process to change one's planned path. Not even to bestow on them forbidden knowledge, or give them supernatural prowess, or..." He paused of a second in thought and then glanced up at his friend again. "Oh... oh, I see... you think that they gave me the means to be of a military mind? To make those hard decisions, right?"

"Well, that's not really what I meant, but..."

"Ah, of course it was!" The Doctor exclaimed. He placed a hand to his head in realization. "They actually made me to think like a warrior, not just act like one... oh, I am getting on in years, aren't I? I guess my brain is still trying to catch up with this new body. Thank you, thank you a million times and more, my dear Lethbridge-Stewart, I knew I could count on you for help."

Stewart wasn't sure what he did exactly to deserve such praise. He did give him any knowledge on battle tactics or how best to win a war. He simply asked a question, that the Doctor already seemed to know the answer to, apparently. But, if that sparked some dormant synapses in his head, and managed to help his alien friend, then Alistair was only too happy to have been of service. The Doctor tapped on his leg with a smile and yet another verbal 'thanks'.

It was in that moment, as Lethbridge accepted his gratitude, that the Doctor took note of the various boxed items close to the door and a pair of suitcases standing beside it.

"I say, are you preparing to move again?"

Lethbridge-Stewart glanced over to where his eyes were fixated and then shifted back. "Oh, yes, sorry... I meant to tell you. I've decided to move closer to the city."

"Really? But you love the countryside," the Doctor said with mild surprise. "That's why you retired out here."

"Yes..." He said, unsure how to answer. But then his eyes tweaked and smiled. "I'm moving closer to be with my daughter. You remember Kate, she's become the head of the science division in UNIT now."

"Oh yes," the Doctor grinned. "Kate, and of course little... um, what's his name again... oh, Gordon, your grandson. He must a few years on now, eh?"

"More than just a few, old chap, he's twelve. A devilish handsome lad, often comes with his mum to help out ol' granddad here with chores. He's become quite popular with some of the girls in his class... so Kate's been telling me."

"Dear me..." the Doctor said with raised brows. "I have been away for a bit, haven't I?"

Silence fell on the the two as they both took another sip of their tea. The conversation was becoming as cooled down as the brew in their cups, and that signalled the Timelord to end the visit before the tea got any colder. He slapped his knee in a hearty fashion, handed the cup back to Alistair, and stood up abruptly.

"Well, I'm off..."

"So soon?" Lethbridge-Stewart said, looking surprised by his sudden statement. "I thought you wanted my advice on matters of military engagements?"

"I did, I have, and..." He pursed his lips and motioned his eyes about. "I'm getting some ideas already. Thanks to you."

Alistair seemed puzzled by that statement. He stood up while glaring at the quirky man and twisted his lip in thought. The usual glib answers he got from him always irritated Lethbridge-Stewart; No explanations or helpful details to fill in the blanks, just an extremely short comment and off he went.

"Typical," he thought. "Absolutely, typical..."

He shook the Doctor's hand and tried to look gracious, for whatever he did to help. The youthful Timelord headed for the door and gave the old brigadier one last praise of thanks. Alistair opened the door for him (ever the host), and bid his alien friend goodbye.

"If I ever come out this way again I'll be sure to give you a ring." the Doctor said.

"Oh, hang on..." Lethbridge-Stewart poise a finger up. He turned back for a second, grabbing a small card with scribbling on it, and handed it to him. "You can reach me here from now on. That's where I'll be staying."

"What is this? Some sort of a retirement community?" He said, looking and the name and number of the place. "Downsizing, are we?"

"Something like that..." Alistair smirked.

"Well, thank you for letting me know. I'll be in touch, perhaps, I can't make any promises."

"I don't expect from you. But, I'll defiantly answer the call should you need me again, Doctor."

"No..." he raised a hand, a look of disapproval in his face. "I don't deserve to be called that anymore. I've sullied that name by turning my back on my principles. I'm not worthy it. Especially when I've cheated death by returning to cause more of it."

"But it's who you are," Lethbridge-Stewart passively glanced at him. "You've always have and always be the Doctor. Not even a stiff drink from some strange nuns could ever change the man you are. I believe there is a good man deep within your heart... er, hearts, I should say."

The Doctor winced at his words. "A good man" he thought. There is was again. The high sister of Karrn said the same thing to him. Was it good to stand by while the Daleks and Timelords burn though the galaxies across all time? Was it good to let Cass die? To just assume she would just willingly join him because he was 'The Doctor'? He had no answer to give back to Lethbridge-Stewart. Instead, he sheepishly smirked and nodded while walking away.

"Take care, Lethbridge-Stewart," he waved while heading out. "I'm off to war."

"Goodbye, and good luck."

As Lethbridge-Stewart continues to wave, the Doctor nearly out of sight while exiting driveway, a small grey car pulled up at his home and a blonde woman in a light blue trench coat stepped out.

"Who was that man?" She asked.

"That was the Doctor, or.. at least a shadow of him, anyway."

"The Doctor?" She glared back. "What did he want with you?"

"Oh, you know, just came round for a chat. To talk of the good times, and the bad. So, it time to head off then? I don't want to put you out. I know you're busy at UNIT HQ and all."

"Dad, please..." Kate said, taking his arm with care. "I'm always here for you. Did you tell the Doctor of your condition? Of where you were going?"

"No, no-no, don't need to distract the Doctor with my health, Kate. He has enough on his plate without worrying about an old dying man, like me. Besides, he thought it was a retirement living centre, best to leave it at that."

"But," Kate looked at him with sad eyes. "He's you're friend, you should tell him you haven't got long. What if he asks me about you? What should I say your final words to him were?"

Lethbridge-Stewart was about to explain, when he suddenly heard that familiar whine of the Tardis taking off in the distance. He and Kate looked up as it grew louder. Alistair smiled and gave a salute.

"Tell him... until we meet again. Fare thee well, old friend."

----------------------------------------

Far across the infinite boundaries of time and space, to the edge of the universal cosmos, the Tardis dematerialized and spun though a vast asteroid field that once belonged to a solar system long forgotten. All that remained in this dead looking graveyard was the chunks of rock that haven't been visited in countless centuries. The Timelord craft dodged the endless debris and headed for the only small planetoid hanging in a dense purple-red nebula could that once occupied the sun of this ancient celestial sector. As it drew closer, the police box dematerialized again, then reappeared inside the cavern of this small dead moon. Once the top lantern had finished flashing, and the Tardis became inert, the Doctor stepped out and was approached by figures hidden in the shadows.

"In the name of Galifrey, in accordance with the treaty of Scaron Seven, article two thousand ninety-five, sub-section eighty, paragraph six... I hereby request the right to see the prisoner for questioning as a representative of my people."

The figures, tall and silhouetted, glanced at each other and conferred. They all nodded after a quiet discussion, and the lead figure spoke on their behalf.

"You have come a long way, Timelord... just to die."

Stepping into the light, where the Tardis sat in the cavern, the group walked up to him with raised weapons; The Cybermen made themselves known as they surrounded the Doctor.