‘He can’t go in,’ the sergeant decided.

‘He’s with me,’ Donna informed him. ‘If he doesn’t go in, then I’m staying here, too. Perhaps you’d like to go and inform my father. I’ll wait.’ She moved towards one of the chairs inside the entrance.

‘He doesn’t have a security pass,’ the guard replied, clearly trying to sound reasonable.

‘Yes, I do,’ the Doctor replied cheerfully. He fished in one of his coat pockets and pulled out a wad of cards. ‘Hang on a moment.’ He started flipping through them. With a smile, he offered one.

‘UNIT?’ the guard said, puzzled. ‘Dr John Smith?’ He glanced up. ‘It doesn’t even look like you.’

‘I was younger then,’ the Doctor explained.’ I’ve got several others if you like. I’m the most security‐passed person I’ve ever known. I even have one signed by Queen Elizabeth the First somewhere, though I may have left it in my other coat.’

Donna had to force herself not to smile. The sergeant turned to her.

‘Is he all right?’ he asked. ‘He seems a little…’

She nodded. ‘He seems it,’ she agreed, ‘but he isn’t. Now, do we stay here or go on in?’

The sergeant looked at the Doctor, who was grinning amiably and replacing the cards in his pockets. Weighing the possible consequences, the man sighed. ‘Well, if you vouch for him, miss…’

‘On my head be it,’ she stated, flatly. ‘Come on, Doctor.’ She led him through the security post. ‘Try not to do anything embarrassing, would you?’

‘Cross my hearts,’ the Doctor promised, crossing both sides of his chest.

There were more soldiers in here, including a couple of her father’s commanders. She threaded through them, heading for her father’s council room, where he was bound to be. The Doctor stuck carefully to her side.

There was another guard at the entrance to the council mom, but he simply opened the door for her. He didn’t give the Doctor a second glance, obviously figuring that if he’d been allowed this far he had to be acceptable. The Doctor favoured him with a smile, and swept into the room behind her.

Donna’s father sat at his big wooden desk, on which a large map was currently spread. He was as irritated as always, his dark hair turning grey, his beard neatly trimmed, with a slight affectation towards a goatee. He was carefully dressed in deep burgundy, and there were the customary oversized rings on all the fingers of his right hand, flashing in the light as he gestured at the map.

‘– strong force moving through Bexley,’ he was saying. With him were McAndrew and Durgan, which was no surprise. They were her father’s two biggest sycophants, and couldn’t be trusted to do any real work. All of the actual fighters would be out in the field by now. Her father looked up, and saw Donna.

‘Ah, there you are,’ he said, gruffly. ‘What kept you? Been out slaying dragons again?’

‘Slythers,’ she replied, moving closer.

She could see him wince at the mere mention of the name. ‘When are you going to be sensible and give up this foolish business? There’s no need for you to go off like this, you know.’

‘And what else can I do?’ she asked bitterly. It was the same old tired argument, and she really didn’t want to air it in front of the Doctor. ‘So, why did you want to see me?’

‘I wanted you safe, of course,’ her father replied. ‘I’m sure you must have heard that there’s a war on by now. Haldoran’s attacking via Bexley.’

‘And you, of course, did nothing to provoke him?’ the Doctor asked quietly.

Her father’s eyes narrowed as he stared at the newcomer. ‘Who’s this?’ he demanded.

‘The Doctor,’ Donna answered. ‘I’m trying to help him find…’ His granddaughter would sound very odd. ‘A couple of friends. David Campbell, the Peace Officer, knows them.’

‘Oh. Another of your lame ducks.’ Her father felt he knew all he needed. ‘Fine, I can’t see any harm in you helping him in that way. It’ll keep you out of trouble.’

She hated it when he did that. ‘I’m not a child,’ she snapped.

‘You’re my daughter,’ he growled back. ‘Whatever else you are. And I don’t want you hurt.’

‘That’s very touching,’ the Doctor murmured, ‘but she’s really able to make her own decisions now. Even if they’re not ones you like.’

Donna winced. ‘Doctor!’ she hissed, reprimandingly.

‘I don’t know who you are,’ her father said coldly, ‘and you don’t seem to have it quite clear in your mind who I am.’

‘You’re Lord London,’ the Doctor said cheerily, holding out his hand.’ And I’m the Doctor. If I was staying longer, I’m sure we wouldn’t enjoy getting to know one another better, so it’s probably just as well that I’m here on a flying visit.’

‘I’m usually referred to as “your Lordship” and treated with respect,’ London snapped.

‘I’m sure you are,’ the Doctor agreed blandly. He gestured to the window with the hand her father had been completely ignoring. ‘It’s the chopping block otherwise, eh? Must be convenient, setting up shop close by.’

‘I think,’ London said ominously, ‘that it might be a good time to get him out of here. Before he says something that I might regret.’

Donna couldn’t agree more. She grabbed the Doctor’s arm. ‘Come on, let’s find David.’

‘Good idea.’ The Doctor smiled politely at the bearded man. ‘I wish I could say it’s been a pleasure, but, well, you know.’ He spread his hands. ‘A word of advice on this war, if I may. Think about peace as a wonderful alternative.’

‘Haldoran’s pushed for this for long enough,’ London said. ’And now he’ll get what’s coming to him.’

‘Perhaps,’ the Doctor agreed darkly. ‘But a lot of innocent people are going to get the same thing on both sides. And they don’t deserve it, even if he does.’ He looked at the ageing man imploringly. ‘Call it off before that happens.’

London shook his head. ‘It’s too late for that, even if I wanted it.’

Donna spun on her heels and marched out of the room. She didn’t even look to check that the Doctor accompanied her. Hovering behind her, he cleared his throat rather theatrically.

‘A trifle overprotective, I’d say. Though I imagine that’s because he loves you.’

‘Imagine what you like,’ she snapped back. ‘I’m sure you will anyway. And you’re mistaking concern for love.’

He gave her an odd look. ‘That can be a very similar thing.’

‘It might be if it was me he was concerned about.’

‘Ah.’ The Doctor finally understood. ‘You’ve embarrassed him somehow, and he doesn’t want it to happen again.’

Her face burned again. ‘Yes.’ She poked a finger under his nose. ‘And –’

‘– that’s personal.’ he finished for her. ‘I’m quite incorrigible, aren’t I?’ He smiled gently ‘Though I think you’re making a mistake. I’m almost as good a listener as I am a talker, you know. And I’m hardly ever judgemental.’

She could hardly believe his cheek. ‘You say that, after what you said to my father?’

‘I said what he needed to hear,’ the Doctor replied, ‘and won’t listen to. He sees Haldoran’s attack as an opportunity. Well, I hope he’s right, but I fear he’s not.’

Donna slowed down and stared at him. ‘Doctor, you hardly know the situation. How can you make such a blithe accusation?’

‘I don’t need to know the specific situation,’ he answered soberly. ‘I’ve seen this same thing a thousand times before. Do you think arrogance and ambition are limited to just this time and space?’

Donna shifted uncomfortably under his gaze, remembered the tales he’d told her on their journey. ‘Why do you think my father’s wrong?’

‘Because Haldoran clearly expects to win,’ the Doctor replied. ‘He wouldn’t have attacked otherwise. I suspect he’s got some sort of ace up his sleeve, and that your Father’s in for a nasty shock.’

That made her very uneasy. ‘You’re just guessing,’ she accused him.

‘Yes,’ he agreed. ‘But it’s based on a lot of experience.’ He tapped the side of his nose. ‘I’ve an instinct for these things, you know.’ He looked as if he were trying to reach some hidden recess of his mind, but gave it up with a shake of his head. ‘I can’t help feeling the situation’s more complicated than it looks. But, as I said, I’m just passing through. We were looking for David,’ he prompted her.