I sat in a rocking chair and stared out of the window watching the end of a sunset. I heard the front door shut and shuffling in the hallway. A man with dark hair and blue eyes walked into the room, he wore navy blue slacks with suspenders, a blue button down shirt, and a coat from the World War.

"Sophia…" The man said.

"Yes Jack?" I said pulling my eyes from the twilight sky and onto my friend.

"I've finished bringing in your things." There was a silence. "I could stay here tonight if you'd like."

"No thank you. If I'm to live on my own then I might as well start right now." I said with an edge to my voice.

"You shouldn't be angry with him, Sophia."

"And why is that, Captain Jack Harkness? Why shouldn't I be angry with the Doctor? He dumps me here in this town and pushes me into a life I haven't lived for over five years… to what, protect me? I don't need to be coddled; I'm not a child anymore!"

"You need to see it from his perspective… you almost died, Sophia."

"Yes, and he has almost died too… I don't see him settling on a 'safe, average, small town' do I?" I replied, my anger shifting into sadness. "I know he means well… but I don't want to be 'protected'; I want to stay with him."

"He might come around." Jack said with a small smile.

"How long will that take?" I got up and began to pace. "He shouldn't be alone. I know what kind of trouble he gets into, he needs someone with him. What with Donna gone…" I swallowed hard, "… and him not taking on any new companions. I'm just worried."

"The Doctor is more than capable of taking care of himself."

"I guess you're right." I stopped pacing and looked at Jack. "How am I supposed to be normal, though? I've been living the Doctor's life since I was twelve, Jack."

"Because of that you're quick to adapt in new environments… this time it's just not as temporary. You'll do fine, you'll you better than fine, I'm sure of it. This will be your senior year of high school; it's a great experience, one you would never have gotten if you were still traveling. You're more than capable of the coursework, what with the Doctor being your tutor and all." Jack chuckled and I smiled. "Monday you start school, but tomorrow you start a new life."

"Thanks for the pep talk."

"No problem. I'll be off then; I'll come 'round once in awhile to see how you're doing, when Torchwood lets me. If you need anything don't hesitate to call Martha or I."

"Thanks again. Goodnight Jack."

"Goodnight Sophia." He left the house and I was alone.

I picked up the last box that Jack had brought in and I carried it upstairs. I walked into my bedroom and sat it on the vanity. I looked into the mirror and ran my fingers through my reddish hair, I twisted a lock in my fingers and though about the oddity of the hair color, I had never determined whether it was red or brunette. I laughed internally; I must be really distraught if I was contemplating my hair color. I stared in the mirror at the strange girl; pale skinned, blue eyed, with rusty hair; she didn't belong here, in the real world, she belong in a world of impossibility and… magic.

I looked in the box I'd carried into my room and the item on top was a scrapbook. I pulled it out and went and sat on the bed, turning on the bedside lamp. I quickly looked at the room, decorated for the average teenage girl, bright colors and plain. I sighed as I opened to the first page. There was the Doctor, smiling and bright-eyed. The man staring up at me from the page was the only real family I had in the world, he and his companion at the time Rose, had taken me in after the death of my parents. In this picture the background was meaningless, he was my main subject; his hair was as wild as always, he had a true smile on his face, and his warm brown eyes sparkled with mirth. Staring at his face I remembered the day he became my world…

Flashback

I sat on the side walk crying, my twelve year old form shaking with sorrow. I'd just witnessed my parents die... I'd almost died myself. The man who saved my life sat down next to me, placing an arm around my shoulder. I cried into his chest uncontrollably as he rubbed my back to calm me and whispered unintelligible words in my ear. When I'd calmed down significantly I pulled back and looked at him, with chocolate eyes made me feel safe.

"I'm sorry I was too late." He said to me, his voice clear but his face regretful.

"Don't be… you saved me." I said trying to comfort this man the same way he'd comforted me.

"Do you have somewhere to go… any family?" He asked. I saw his friend approaching cautiously, she fiddled with her blonde hair nervously and her hazel eyes scanned the scene, she seemed to not want to intrude.

"No. Mama and dad were my only family." I said, tears threatening to overtake me again.

"I…" The man stopped to collect his thoughts. "I don't think I can help you anymore, we'll call the police they will… be able to take care of you." He said hesitantly.

"Please don't leave me…" I pleaded. He blinked at my reaction, unable to respond.

"We could take care of her, Doctor." Rose said with an unsure tone. "She could come with us."

"She's only twelve, Rose. It's too dangerous." The Doctor said to his friend.

"Please Doctor." I said in a small voice. "I don't want to be with strangers." I said staring up at him, pleading with doe-like eyes.

The Doctor looked from me to Rose, and then back at me. "Alright, but only temporarily." Rose smiled and I felt much better with the uncertainty of what would happen gone. The Doctor offered me his hand and I took it. That day changed my life forever.

End Flashback

Iturned the page to a picture of Rose, her hair braided, she had a milk mustache, and she was laughing. I felt a tug at my heart as I looked at the girl who helped save me. I turned the page and saw a picture of the Doctor reading, a serious look on his face. His look reminded me of the second life shattering event in my life that occurred just today.

Flashback

I walked into the TARDIS console room to see a somber Doctor. "Right, I'm all healed up, where is our next destination?" I said gaily, in an attempt to lift the Doctor's spirits.

"You're going to Mystic Falls, to live." He said looking at me, sadness in his eyes. "It's a safe, average, small town. You'll live a normal life, make friends, and move on."

"What are you saying, Doctor?" I asked confused.

"The only way I can protect you is to keep you from me, I've put you in harm's way so many times, and I almost lost you. I'm giving you a normal life."

"I don't need you to protect me! I don't want a normal life, Doctor; I want to stay with you." The Doctor started fiddling with the controls.

"You can't, it's not safe. I've been selfish to keep you with me so long. You deserve a childhood, a human life." He said without looking at me.

"I am seventeen, hardly a child. I'll be an adult by human standards in a few months."

"I know." He said softly. The TARDIS jerked as she landed. "Please Sophia; I'm doing this for your best interest."

"Doctor, please." I said in a soft tone.

"Jack will get you settled." He said clearing his throat before turning to me. "I made some calls; you have a house, school records, everything needed for a fresh start." He walked over and hugged me tightly. "Goodbye, Sophia."

End Flashback

I snapped the scrapbook closed and sat in on the bed side table. I turned out the light and curled up in the bed. I hugged my pillow and cried myself to sleep.