TITLE: Temptation of a Time Lord
AUTHOR: Saffronangel
FANDOM: Dr. Who
TIMEFRAME: During second series, episode 'School Reunion'
CHARACTERS: The Doctor (10), Rose Tyler, Sara Jane Smith, Mr. Finch
GENRE: Angst
SUMMARY: What went through the Doctor's mind when offered a spot at Finch's right hand upon solving the Paradigm.
Mr. Finch had just offered him everything he'd ever wanted. He could save his people and travel with both Sara Jane and Rose forever. Neither one of them would age if he decided to make it so.
What Finch didn't realize is that the Doctor had already gained powers that the paradigm couldn't even begin to give him. His people had died for a reason; even though that reason is moot now (since the whole incident on the gamestation). His people had died in order to save others from a fate worse than death.
He thought back to the way Rose had looked on the gamestation when she had the Vortex running through her. He knew that she would die and be willing to if it would save him. Just as he was willing to die to save her. But when it came down to it, he knew that to loose her would be so much worse than giving up one of his lives.
He started to nod. Rose and Sara Jane were horrified. Surely, the Doctor wasn't actually going to go along with this madness? He couldn't possibly believe that this madman would actually keep his word? Sara Jane had been stunned at the offer of traveling with the Doctor for all eternity. She didn't believe it. She didn't think Finch would keep his word after he had gotten what he wanted.
Then, the Doctor heard it. The TARDIS screaming to him. She wouldn't allow him to forget the way his people had died. She wouldn't let him believe that this creature would not have destroyed his people as well if they weren't already gone.
The TARDIS knew what was going through the Doctor's mind. She couldn't allow this. To allow Finch access to the knowledge in the Doctor's mind would be tantamount to suicide for the ship as well as the Doctor. The Time Lords would truly become extinct and she couldn't allow that. She pled with him; chorused her voice with Rose and Sara Jane. She begged him not to let Finch kill the women, let alone her.
Suddenly, he had done it. He had found the strength inside to say no. He had denied the Krillitane what he wanted. He had stood strong against temptation.