Chapter Four: Pickups

As 3:30 drew closer, AL sent Jesse to Duff’s to pick up the cake and Data to make sure her weather-controllers got here safely. Then she left to meet Daystar, Medicus and Quade at the Gate, taking Radu with her for the strength.

She’d had the Gates from Earth to Alnilam specially enchanted so that no matter where anyone entered from, they would all end up coming out this particular Gate. It was easier this way with Woodhorn and Janis Thorn always ready to pick a fight with any humanoid they encountered.

When the trio of equines arrived, she and Radu hitched them to the wagons. They did far less grumbling than Lightning did.

All they had to do now was wait for everyone to arrive and that started happening nearer to 3:50. The first to show up were Sarah Jane Smith, her son Luke and the K9 that belonged to them.

AL squealed at the sight of her favorite tin dog and gave Sarah Jane and Luke a hug. “How are you?” she asked.

“Fine. You?” replied Sarah Jane.

“Great. We’ll be heading to the house as soon as everyone gets here. Radu, can you get K9 onto one of the wagons?”

“Sure.”

There were thirty-seven people to arrive with Sarah Jane and her group. Radu lifted the four K9s into the wagons while everyone else used the mounting blocks AL had glommed from who knows where.

Once everyone was settled, Medicus, Quade and Daystar started off at a trot back to AL’s house. The group of former companions began acquainting themselves with each other and comparing notes on their respective Doctors.

Closer to the house, they met up with Jesse, who was carrying a very large box. AL had Radu take the burden and she and John Benton helped him climb onto the wagon so he wouldn’t have to walk so far.

They also saw Tempest and Mistral landing at the boundary between the forest and the small meadow where AL’s house was. Everything was finally coming together.

Once they arrived, AL tossed the mounting blocks down and everyone climbed out, all ooh-ing and ahh-ing at the decorated area that had been set up for them. After all, it was technically their anniversary, too. Radu once again carried the K9s.

“I think we’re just waiting on the Doctors, Jack and Jamie,” said AL.

As if on cue, the Scot and ex-Time Agent exited the TARDIS located on the side of the house, followed by the four Doctors that lived there, followed by the other six.

Data and ClockworkDoc arrived then and joined the people milling around. AL checked her watch: 4:30. Just enough time for everyone to hang out and relax before dinner.

She was grinning at the turnout. At last, the party could begin.

End chapter four.

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