The party was set to be perfect -- the cake, the candles, and all the presents had been carefully selected. Benton had chosen the balloons, and Yates had found the tombstone.

"Doctor, where are we going?" Liz asked.

"It's a surprise, my dear." Was his reply, as he neatly steered Bessie through the packed traffic.

"Hmph." Liz sank into the corner, crossed her arms and sulked.

The building was dark as they approached. "Doctor, why are the lab lights out?"

He looked worried, "Must be a problem."

"I hope it's not another Auton invasion!"

"I doubt it, Liz, we did defeat them rather handily, last time." he walked slowly towards the door.

"What is it?" She demanded as he paused, testing the nob.

"It appears to be locked," He gestured, moving out of the way, "Care to try your key? I've forgotten mine."

He's got keys, why doesn't he ... She shrugged, and stepped up, taking her keys out.

The door opened silently. They stepped in, Liz leading. "Doctor, where are the light switches?"

"They're over this way." He took her arm, leading her down one hall and up another.

"Doctor, the light switches ought to be by the door! Why are you--"

"Here." He opened a door, "After you."

She rolled her eyes, stepping through.

"SURPRISE!!"

Liz blinked in the sudden light. Benton, Yates, the Brig, a few other Unit officers, the Doctor ... all were standing around smiling and grinning.

"What?!?" Liz stared at the cake, the mound of presents, but, most of all, she stared at the balloons. 'Over the Hill;' 'In the Grave;' 'Dead, but doesn't know it' were just a few of the comments printed on the black things. In one corner lurked a tombstone engraved with: 'Here lies the Youth of Elizabeth Shaw'. The cake's frosting was black with red letters, 'Happy 35th Liz!'

People were beginning to look at her worriedly. "Don't you like it, Liz?" Benton asked worriedly.

"I-I, don't know quite what to say," Tears misted her eyes, "No one's ever thrown me a surprise birthday party before!" She looked at them, her friends. "Thank you. And on my 35th..." She began to giggle.

Smiling, the Doctor caught her hand, "Come and open prezzies, then we'll start the cake!"

Benton gave her that watch she had been eyeing -- the one with the compass, time for every planet, and date. The Brigadier gave her a long furlow (a week, he said, then he wanted her back and ready to work again). Mike gave her a silk scarf, gloves, and a hat (his girlfriend had quite obviously picked them out -- the hat was perfect!). And the Doctor? He gave her a little circuit board.

"What is it?"

"It's part of a directional stabiliser."

"Umh. Thank you." I think. There were other presents -- jewelry, a few books, some lab supplies she'd been begging for. But the most important have already been described.

Someone started a toast as the candles were being lit. Everyone had champagne in hand as Benton stood up, "I'd like to toast to Elizabeth Shaw, one of the nicest scientific minds I've ever met!"

There was a round of "here, here's" And all tapped glasses, then drank.

Mike stood up next, "To the best lady-scientist Unit has had!"

They'd gone through several more glasses of champagne, before someone thought to sing "Happy Birthday" and have Liz blow out the candles.

She stared down at the cake. The candles were burned down into little wax puddles, but, for the most part, were still lit. "Make a wish!" someone called. A wish. She took a breath. Make a wish. And blew out the candles.

"Woohoo! She got 'em all at once!!" Benton crowed. "Now, what did you wish for, Liz?"

She smiled, "I can't tell you that, it would negate the wish!" She felt rather silly though, "But, since it doesn't matter as there's no such thing as a wish coming true, I guess I can tell you." She felt reluctant though.

"You don't have to tell us if you don't want to, Liz" The Doctor said.

"Thanks, but ... I wished that next year would be as happy and fun as this." She said, simply. "You've all --" her throat began to close, Damn! Emotions are so over-rated, but ... "You've really made my year, thank you."

As she smiled around at her friends, Liz wistfully wished again that next year could be just like this ...