This is dedicated to the wonderful Elisabeth Sladen who passed away on 19th April 2011. She was 63. My thoughts go to her family and friends. Xx

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A small garden in Ealing sparkled. Whilst the rest of London bustled about its business or fell into their dreams, the garden of number 13 Bannerman Road stood open to the skies and smiled. The darkness had settled merely an hour ago and yet it had seemed like the darkness had been there all the time. In the shadows, waiting to take hold, but being kept back by a bright light holding vigil over humanity. The stars shone their familiar glow and a single person stood in nature's arms. Earth's protector, Sarah Jane Smith stood staring up at the sky, feeling like it could swallow her up and take her anywhere. Just like it always had seemed. A single tear ran down her cheek. The sheer beauty of everything that stood ahead of her filled her heart with joy.

A rustle of bushes and a glimmer of a familiar face suddenly appeared from behind her. A welcome face she hadn't seen for a long time. It was kind and the eyes bore into her soul, making her feel special and for once she could afford to feel special.

'I always try and count the stars. Whenever I come out here, when it's quiet, counting the stars reconciles even the most anger ridden soul. I've never counted very far though. How many stars do you think there are out there? She enquired; her voice sounding more like a child's than an investigative journalist's.

'Ooh. More than can be counted in a lifetime. Even those of a Time Lord, I should say.' Replied her companion. His voice sounding uncertain, and yet full of vigour and assuredness.

'Do you think we'll ever know?'

'One day. Maybe one day someone will know how many stars there are in the universe. That person, whoever they turn out to be, shall be the luckiest being alive. To know the splendour of a universe that cradled them in its arms. To reveal its secrets. That person will be very special. Never can be certain of that kind of thing though. But tonight there is one thing that I'm very clear on…' Her dear friend walked closer to her, pulled her vision from the stars and into his eyes.

'And what might that be?' The quizzical nature of Sarah's request brightened even the weariest of star traveller's hearts.

'Tonight, Sarah Jane Smith. Tonight, each and every star shines for you.' Sarah recoiled in a childish show of slight embarrassment, whilst her innocence glowed through. Her eyes wandered back to the stars.

'Now don't be silly. Even I know that the stars don't shine for individuals. Stars are for everybody. The destiny of a star is unknown, unlikely and unbelievable. We can never know the reality of the stars. Their fascination is what keeps their mystery and intrigue. Another thing I want to question tonight, is here. This garden. My garden. It's not real either. Is it?' Her companion took his eyes away from Sarah and directed them toward the sky.

'Reality is in the eye of the beholder, Sarah Jane.'

'I thought that was beauty…'

'That too is true. And I see beauty here tonight. As you've always been. My Sarah Jane. The beauty of the universe. Take my arm my dear. Let's count those stars. One last time. Think you're ready?' The kindly man's eyes twinkled.

'Always.' Sarah's eyes lit up. Her smile shone brighter than the brightest star and as the two lonely figures walked away to find their stars, the world become a darker place. The world would grieve for its stargazer and yet she would go on to so many more adventures. Ones that we could never imagine in our dizziest day dreams.

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Our Sarah Jane. Thank you for reading.