Sarah turned to see Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart striding towards her.
"No," she replied, shaking her head. "I was just on my way to his laboratory."
"Could I have a word with you first? In my office?"
Sarah smiled. "Of course, Brigadier. How can I help you?"
Lethbridge-Stewart looked up and down the corridor, as if checking they were alone. "I think we had better talk in private," he decided.
Sarah was intrigued. "Lead on, Brigadier," she said.
***
Surgeon Lieutenant Harry Sullivan knocked nervously on the door.
"Come in," called a confident voice from the other side.
Harry entered the room. At first glance it looked very much like a mad scientist's laboratory. Benches covered in test tubes, electronic equipment and things Harry couldn't even begin to guess the function of. In the corner by the doors stood a Police Box, which Harry found even more strange.
Sat at one of the benches, stirring a mug of coffee with a silicon rod, was a man dressed like Jimi Hendrix. He wore a pale blue ruffle-fronted shirt, neatly creased black trousers and a red velvet smoking jacket, which contrasted with his shock of white hair. He had a lined face, currently creased in a welcoming smile and wise eyes.
"You must be the new doctor," the man said, rising from his seat and extending his hand. "I'm the old Doctor!"
Harry returned the firm handshake. "I wouldn't call you old," he replied. "Just mature."
The Doctor's grin widened. "Very diplomatic, young man." He winked conspiratorially. "I'm older than I look, you know."
Harry decided to change the subject. "I'm Harry Sullivan, the new chief medical officer. You must be Doctor Smith."
"Just call me Doctor," the white-haired man smiled. "Would you like macaroon? I have some in the TARDIS." He started walking towards the Police Box.
Harry shook his head. "Thanks, but I really must be getting on. I'm just meeting everyone at the moment. Do you know where I could find Sergeant Benton?"
"The canteen," the Doctor replied. "I can recommend his coffee."
Harry nodded and held up his hand in farewell. "Thanks again, Doctor."
"Any time, young man," the Doctor replied, returning to his coffee.
***
Outside the laboratory, Harry was met by the Brigadier. "Is the Doctor in his lab, Doctor Sullivan?"
"He is," Harry replied. "Nice chap."
The Brigadier looked up and down the corridor. "Can I have a word with you? In my office?"
"Of course, sir," Harry said, following his new commanding officer.
***
Sarah found Sergeant Benton in the canteen. She took him to one side and they had a whispered conversation. A minute later, the Doctor strolled through the canteen door. Sarah and Benton parted quickly, both of them looking guilty.
"I'll catch up with you later," Benton said, exiting swiftly as the Doctor walked towards them.
"Hello, Sarah," said the Doctor. "Where is Benton off to in such a hurry?"
"I've no idea," Sarah said, a little too quickly.
The Doctor frowned slightly. "Were you on your way to see me?" he asked.
"I was," Sarah admitted, "but something has come up. I have to go. See you later."
"Very well," the Doctor said. A look of bemusement crossed his face as Sarah made a quick exit from the canteen.
***
"I see," Harry said, sat across the desk from the Brigadier. "Do you think you can keep a lid on this?"
"I hope so," Lethbridge-Stewart replied. "Under no circumstances must the Doctor find out about this."
"Can you trust the others?" Harry asked.
The Brigadier nodded. "I can rely on the people under my command, Doctor Sullivan."
"Of course," Harry said, a little sheepishly.
"And your part of the operation?"
"You can count on me, sir," Harry assured him.
***
The Doctor was back in the laboratory, studying a printed circuit, when a knock came on the door. It was Harry Sullivan again, this time wearing a white lab coat and carrying a manila folder.
"What can I do for you, Harry?"
"Well, Doctor, I've been checking the records and you have not had a proper physical in three years."
"I've never needed one," the Doctor said.
"The Brigadier himself has ordered me to give all the staff a full medical examination. That includes you, Doctor."
"Well, let me know when you're ready and I'll see if I have the time."
"I'm ready now, Doctor. And so are you. I have full authority in medical matters."
The Doctor sighed. "Very well, if you insist."
"I do insist," Harry said with a smile.
As they stepped out into the corridor, the Doctor thought he saw Sarah duck back around the corner but dismissed the idea.
When the Doctor and Harry had gone, Sarah and Benton slipped out of hiding and approached the laboratory.
"He's not going to like this," Benton said as he and Sarah sneaked into the laboratory.
"Well, we're acting on the orders of the Brigadier, if he asks," Sarah shot back.
Benton frowned. "That's fine for me, Miss Smith, but you're not a member of UNIT. He'll blame you more than me."
"I'll deal with that later," Sarah said. "Now, shall we get on with it?"
Together, the two conspirators set about their task.
***
The Doctor blew reluctantly into the tube. Harry took the contraption from him and studied the result.
"Very good, Doctor," he said, noting the results on a clipboard. "You have very strong lungs."
"I already knew that," the Doctor told him grumpily. "Is that it now? Can I go?"
Harry glanced at the wall clock. "I suppose so. Thank you for your time, Doctor."
***
Benton and Sarah stood before the desk of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. The commanding officer of UNIT stood.
"Success?" he asked.
Benton nodded. "We did as you asked, sir."
The Brigadier nodded. "Very good, Sergeant." He was about to say more, when the phone on his desk rang.
He reached over and picked up the receiver. "Lethbridge-Stewart. Yes, Doctor Sullivan. They're here with me now. Mission accomplished. His is? We'll be ready for him."
The Brigadier put the phone down again. "The Doctor is heading back for his laboratory. I suggest we get there before him."
He led the way out of the office, Benton and Sarah at his heels.
***
The Doctor strode down the corridor towards his laboratory. As he was about to open the door, the Brigadier, Benton and Sarah rounded the corner.
"Ah, Doctor, there you are," Lethbridge-Stewart said. "I would like a word with you."
"Well I'm too busy," the Doctor replied snappily. "I've already been delayed far too long by the new doctor, who insisted I have a medical. Now, if you'll excuse me."
He pushed open the door and left the three of them standing outside.
Harry arrived just after the Doctor walked through the door.
"Have I missed anything?" he asked, slightly out of breath.
"Not yet," said Sarah with a slight smile. She followed the Doctor into the laboratory.
The Time Lord was standing in the centre of the room, looking about himself in surprise.
"Do you like it?" Sarah asked.
He turned towards her. Thankfully he was smiling.
"You remembered," he said to Sarah. "I assume this had your backing, Brigadier?"
Lethbridge-Stewart, who along with Benton and Harry had followed Sarah inside, nodded. "It was done with my full blessing, Doctor."
The laboratory was festooned with balloons, bunting and banners. A large cake took centre stage on a cleared lab bench, along with a finger buffet.
"Happy birthday, Doctor," Sarah said.
The Doctor grinned at his friends. "This is very thoughtful. Thank you, all of you."
"Well, its not every day you turn six hundred," Sarah replied with a smile.
