Chapter 24: Graduation

June 5, 2011

The Doctor watched from the teachers section in the Tribeca Prep High School auditorium. It was announced that he would not be returning to the school for another year of teaching art. People were sad to see him go. He was a favorite of most of the students there. The Doctor listened as the Valedictorian and Salutatorian gave their speeches to the Class of 2011. The Doctor listened as every name was called and he applauded loudly when Harper was announced and even louder when Alex was announced. The whole thing seemed to fly by for everyone who was there. Before anyone knew it, Mr. Laritate spoke into the microphone and said, "Everyone give a big round of applause for the Tribeca Prep Class of 2011."

The entire auditorium burst out in celebration. When it was all over, the Doctor left and was approached by Laritate. Laritate said, "Well, Doctor, it's been one interesting year."

"You have no idea," the Doctor said, "I hope you find a good replacement for me."

"Don't your worry yourself over that one," Laritate said, "I will."

"That's good," the Doctor said, "And I wanted to thank you for keeping me around even though you found out I was an alien on my first day."

"Call it an act of faith," the principle said, "And it was an act of faith that was paid off dearly in the end."

"Thank you," the Doctor said.

"I hope you have a good life traveling, Doctor," Laritate said.

"I will, and you stay this school's principle as long as you possibly can," the Doctor told Laritate.

"Oh I will," Laritate said. The two of them shook hands and then gave each other a goodbye hug.

"See you around, Laritate," the Doctor said.

"I'll be looking for you," Laritate said.

The Doctor smiled and then he walked off to be with the two graduates. He walked up to the Russos, Harper and K-9 and asked, "How does it feel to be free?"

"Amazing," Alex said.

"That's good," the Doctor said. He took out a camera and said, "Let's all get a picture."

"Okay," said Jerry.

The Doctor placed the camera and the seven of them got into frame. Max was crouching on the ground in front of Harper and Justin who were to the left. Alex and the Doctor were in the middle. Jerry and Theresa were at the right with K-9 at their feet. The camera snapped the photo and everyone agreed it was a great picture to have.

After the whole thing ended, they were leaving and the Doctor said, "You guys go on. I need to talk to Justin for a minute."

"Okay, are you sure?" asked Theresa.

"Yes, I'm sure," the Doctor said.

"I'm not sure," Justin said.

"Don't worry, Justin," the Doctor said. He wasn't as confrontational and Justin conceded. The others left along with K-9. The Doctor and Justin started walking back to the Wavelry Sub Station.

"What did you want to talk to me about, Doctor?" asked Justin.

The Doctor didn't look at him and said, "I know that the last year of college for you wasn't that good. It's not because it was too hard for you. It was because you didn't feel challenged by it. You are a smart person, a genius even, but you are starting to get bored with the same routine time after time again. Am I right?"

Justin thought about it for a minute and he said, "Yeah, I guess you're right. Why?"

"I have an alternative for you for next year," the Doctor said.

"What is it?" asked Justin.

"You still are interested in aliens and robots and doing things like that right?" asked the Doctor.

"Of course," Justin said, "What are you getting at?"

"I'm getting at this," the Doctor said, "I got in touch with General Osage and your clearance has been given to you already. All they need is your signature."

Justin's heart rate increased and he asked, "Signature for what?"

"To become a trainee scientist at UNIT," the Doctor said, "UNIT has been briefed of your magic and they won't tell anyone. They have had stranger this things than that, but I could tell you wanted to do something like that and now's your chance. I know it's not big, but if you just keep doing what you are doing, you will advance fast."

Justin stopped in his tracks and he couldn't believe it. All those things that Alex had made fun of him for doing when he was younger was actually going to be his job if he agreed to it. He loved doing that stuff and he wasn't going to let this opportunity pass him by. He replied, "Where's the paperwork?"

"I'll give it to you when we get to the sub station," the Doctor said, "But that's not all."

"That's not all?" asked Justin. He was already floating on clouds.

"I heard you once had a dog when you little and it ran away," the Doctor said.

Justin sank as he remembered that dog, "Yes, I did."
"Then the dragon dog thing just vanished," the Doctor said.

"Yes," Justin was hoping the Doctor would pick him back up.

"Justin, I have no need for him anymore. He was a great companion, but I only recently just took him out of storage and I haven't used him much. I think he'll be better use to you," the Doctor said.

"What are you talking about?"

"Justin, I want you to have K-9," the Doctor told him, "I've already talked to him about it and he would be more than happy to go with you."

Justin shot right back up. First a job at a place that deals with aliens, robots and science where he won't have to hide his powers and now a dog, a robot dog that can communicate with him. This was amazing and he asked, "Why are you doing this for me?"

"I've been too hard on you, Justin and this is my apology," said the Doctor.

"No one has ever done so much just to apologize," Justin said, "Your apology is accepted."

"Thank you," the Doctor said, "Now let's get home."

They made their way back to the sub station and the Doctor walked in and saw Alex was already ready to go. The Doctor looked at her and looked at the rest of the family and Harper. He nodded and said, "Okay, here comes the infamous question: Who wants to come with me? I know you do Alex, but anyone else."
"Yes!" Harper yelled, "I want to go with you."

"Really?" asked the Doctor he was surprised, "Okay, anyone else?"

Everyone was content just to stay home. The Doctor nodded and said, "You two be ready to go by tomorrow. We'll say one last good bye and then we'll be off."

As the day finished, Justin told everyone what the Doctor did for him and they celebrated. Jerry and Theresa thanked the Doctor for all he had done in their lives over the past year. They were so grateful and honored to meet him. Max was not his random and stupid self. He knew what the Doctor had done for him and he thanked him as well. Harper packed and was getting ready for the trips to come. Alex was just waiting for the next day to come as soon as possible.

As June 6th rolled in, everyone was saying their good byes for one last time. Harper said good bye to her surrogate family and went aboard the TARDIS first. Alex went up to her parents and said, "Goodbye Mom and Dad, I'll miss you."

"We'll miss you too," Jerry said.

"Be safe, Mija," Theresa told her daughter.

"I will be," said Alex. She went up to Justin and said, "Good luck with UNIT."

"Thank you, Alex," Justin said. The two hugged and Alex said good bye to Max and she went aboard the TARDIS too. The Doctor told her he'd be a minute.

The Doctor looked at the four of them and said, "I'll take care of them. I promise you guys."

"I believe you, Doctor," said Theresa.

"As do I," Jerry agreed with his wife.

The Doctor looked at Justin and said, "Have a great time in UNIT."

"I will," Justin replied.

The Doctor looked at Max and said, "Max, don't stop being Max."

"Got it!" Max said excitedly.

"Good bye everybody," the Doctor said and he shut the door of the TARDIS. He saw Alex and Harper standing there. He put one arm around Alex's shoulders and the other over Harper's shoulders. He said, "Let's go."

"Where?" asked Alex.

"I don't know," the Doctor said, "That's the fun of being in the TARDIS."

The Doctor bounded away from those two and said, "Goodbye Waverly Place. Hello everywhere!" He pulled a lever and the TARDIS dematerialized.

Outside, Jerry, Theresa, Max, Justin and K-9 all watched as the TARDIS started to dematerialize. The vworping sound repeated several times and eventually the blue public police call box was gone.

Jerry looked at Theresa and said, "Our girls are now out there somewhere exploring the universe."

"It feels so strange doesn't it," Theresa said.

"Yes, it does, but I am so proud of them," Jerry said.

"So am I, Honey. So am I," Theresa said.

Everybody knows that everybody dies, and nobody knows it like the Doctor, but I do think that all the skies of all the worlds might just turn dark if ever for just one moment accepts it. Everybody knows that everybody dies, but not everyday, not today. Somedays are special. Somedays are so, so blessed. Somedays nobody dies at all. Now and then, every once is very long while, everyday in a million days when the wind stands fare and the Doctor comes to call, everybody lives.

The End