The young surgeon walked into the laboratory of the New York hospital and paused to take in his surroundings. It was a wide room with a low ceiling; fluorescent lights illuminated the workspace, where half a dozen long grey tables boasted microscopes and test tubes and all of the latest and best innovations of modern medicine.

"Truly incredible." He remarked in awe.

"I've worked with better." The response came from a gray-haired gentleman who appeared to be in his mid sixties. He looked up from the microscope he was fiddling with. Standing up straight, he walked over to the younger man and extended a hand. "You must be the surgeon they've sent over from England. I come from a small town in England, myself. What part of the country are you from?"

"London." The younger man said as he shook the offered hand. "I came here because I wanted to learn from the best. I've been told this institution is the most innovative in the development of vaccinations, thanks to your contributions."

The older man shrugged modestly. "I do what I can. How long will you be with us?"

"I'll be here the whole summer. I return to England at the beginning of September."

"You're going to be in for a very hectic summer, then." The older doctor said. "We've got quite a lot of developments to work on in a short period of time."

"I expect it'll be something of a relief to have that sort of structure and order to my days." The surgeon replied. "It'll be a nice change after these last months, I can tell you that!"

"Sounds like you've had a heck of time." The older man looked interested.

The surgeon hesitated. "I've done quite a lot of...travelling lately. Been just about everywhere, I suppose...always falling into some sort of trouble...playing second fiddle to a madman..."

"I know what that's like." The older man said quietly.

"Don't know whether you're coming or going half the time..." The surgeon ventured.

The older man nodded. "Always stumbling upon some new danger..."

"And of course he just has to get involved and make things right."

"So does she."

"Yes." The surgeon nodded. "So does she."

"And they think it's fun!"

"They live for that sort of adventure." The surgeon said.

"They were born for that life." The older man agreed. "But we weren't."

Their eyes met, and each man knew he had found another like himself.

"Why us then, eh, old chap?" The surgeon asked.

The older doctor put an arm around the surgeon's shoulders. "You and I...and others like us...we're the practical ones. We don't choose that life. It chooses us. Not everyone who steps through the doors of that blue box is looking for a life of adventure. Some of us are just...following the girl we love..."

"Or else we're skeptics." The surgeon said with a laugh. "Or in my case, I suppose a little of both."

"We may never know why he chose to take us with him." The older man said. "But in the end, even after everything, I think you'll find...it was the best time of your life."

Neither of them spoke for a long moment. The silence was broken when a middle-aged woman in a nurse's uniform appeared in the doorway. "There you are." she said to the surgeon. "I was told you were waiting here. I'll be giving you a tour of the rest of the facility. If you'll come with me..."

The surgeon followed her out of the room. At the threshold he stopped and turned back to the older man. "I think I'm going to enjoy working with you this summer." he said. "We seem to have quite a lot in common. I look forward to hearing some of your stories, Dr. Williams."

The older man smiled. "I look forward to hearing yours as well, Dr. Sullivan."