And this is why he travels with companions. The shock and wonder. The doubt and hesitation. All of it is brilliant. He's so old now, he sometimes forgets what all of that was like.

"This isn't science fiction, it's reality."

They're at Ten Forward now. He drops her off at a table and goes over to get a drink for her. It's a glass of her favourite red wine. For himself, a Scotch. Yes, he can't resist the pun, even now. He sets her drink in front of her and he sits with his own.

"We were brought here by an entity called 'Q'. He's as near to a god-like creature as you will ever encounter. Well, a menacing god, anyway. Most of us here are from different universes or different time zones within this universe."

And he'll pause, wait for her to catch up.

"I'm here in four different incarnations myself. But you are the first companion to recognise me in this form..."

And, that was the loneliest bit of all. It's why he kept running, never looking back.