I Remember you, Old Friend

James Robert McCrimmon stood on a crowded street corner in a busy English town. He had never been there before and found himself quite lost. He was reluctant to ask for directions with all the strange looks he received from passers-by. He couldn’t see the problem with his appearance, he had worn the same type of clothes his whole life.

He looked around and picked a street at random. With a shrug he walked down it, certain he would figure out where he was eventually.

Something caught Jamie’s eye down an alleyway to his left. What he saw sitting there made him do a double take. It had been so long since the first and last time he saw that blue Police Box.

“It’s the TARDIS!” He cried, bewildered to see it again. The memory of the TARDIS and The Doctor stuck with him his whole life. He would often have dreams about space and time travel with The Doctor, and then awake with regret for the missed opportunity to follow him.

The door to the box opened, and out stepped The Doctor. He looked up and saw someone he never expected.

“JAMIE!” The Doctor shouted, running up to him, taking his hand in both of his and shaking vigorously.

“Ummm….Who are ye?” Jamie asked, obviously confused.

The Doctor looked at Jamie, a bit surprised, though still excited at seeing his old friend. Then he realized the source of the Scotsman's confusion. “It’s me,” he said. “the Doctor!”

Jamie’s eyes narrowed at this statement. “Well ye don look like ‘im.”

“Ah, well, I’ve regenerated…nine? Yes, nine times since we last met.” The Doctor said, surprised it was that long ago.

“Regenerated…?” The poor man was still confused. He shook his head. “No, The Doctor was just a wee old chappy.”

“Yes I was a wee old chappy wasn't I…twice really, but I regenerated. It’s a Time Lord’s way of getting out of dying. It completely changes my appearance and personality, but it’s still me!” The Doctor explained rather cheerfully.

“Oh, uh…right.” Jamie said much like he used to. “But we only met once; you act like ye know me so well.”

Hearing this, The Doctor remembered that the Time Lords had whipped Jamie and Zoe’s memories. Then he realized something. The Time Lords were gone. There was nothing to stop him from giving Jamie back his memory. It would be the only good thing to come from the Time War. There would be no harm done from it either. The Time Lords only whipped their memories as punishment for The Doctor’s interfering.

The huge smile on his face grew bigger at his realization.

Without saying a word, The Doctor placed his hands on either side of Jamie’s head.

After all the people he lost in his long life, he would have this one back.