Chapter 7

The days passed quietly, as Rose moved back and forth between the school, the TARDIS, and the small village. Farringham had a small bookshop, and she found herself stopping in anytime she was free of responsibilities. Any reminders that the world was larger than this small village were welcome—as was the fact that a certain John Smith also frequented the bookshop. By the end of her wait here, Rose was certain that the words 'He's not him' would be tattooed on the inside of her eyelids, she repeated them to herself often enough.

John Smith was a sweet man, even if he wasn't the Doctor, but they were similar enough to give her near constant déjà vu. She called Mickey to check for the Family every once in a while, but wherever they were, it wasn't here. Martha still joined her for breakfast every morning, and the Matron began treating her a bit more coldly as John (as he insisted on being called) treated her ever more warmly.

It was mid-morning one day as Rose was in the library when a sound from the hallway caught her attention. She opened the door and saw a small blond schoolboy surrounded by three older boys, their fists raised menacingly.

She stepped into the hallway, eyes blazing. "Excuse me! What do you think you're doing?"

The oldest boy, an aristocratic-looking brunette, smiled in a way that he probably thought was ingratiating. "Nothing to bother you with, Miss Tyler. Latimer here is just a bit late on his promises."

"Yes, well, it does bother me. Latimer, was it?" The blond boy nodded warily. "I find myself in need of assistance in the library. If you would be so kind?"

He walked into the library, glancing nervously behind himself at the three older boys, who were glaring unabashedly at him.

Rose shut the door firmly on them and shook her head. "That's rid of them, for the moment." She sighed and glanced at the boy. "I didn't really ask, but are you free at the moment? I wanted you away from them, but I really could use some help."

He blinked at her and spoke for the first time. "Yes, Miss. I mean, I'm free. I have an open period at the moment."

"I'm glad to hear it. I'd hate to think that I got you in trouble. Here, I'll organize the books and you can re-shelve them." They worked in silence a few moments, both of them caught up in their own thoughts.

Rose cleared her throat as she stacked Catullus and Callimachus. She glanced at him. "I'm sorry, I never got your full name."

His voice was whisper-quiet as he filled in the shelves. "Timothy, Miss. Timothy Latimer."

She shot him a quick smile, her voice soft. "I've dealt with a few bullies in my day, Mr. Latimer." He looked at her, surprised, and she continued. "They'll do their best to make it seem like their behavior is your fault, but they're wrong. Every time they treat you badly, every harsh word they say, it's only a reflection of their own character, never yours. If you ever need to get away, Mr. Latimer, the library is always open to you. I won't let anything like that happen in here, no matter the blind eye most of the staff seems to think is best."

Latimer swallowed and nodded, blinking his eyes quickly. "Thanks, Miss."

There was a noise at the door and Rose looked over to see Martha standing there, her dark eyes wide. She looked at Latimer and her eyebrows twisted.

Rose cleared her throat and met Martha's eyes. "There you are, Miss Jones. If you could fetch me the list we were discussing, I forgot it this morning. It should be in the top drawer of my desk."

Martha stared at her for a moment before her understanding set in, and she nodded emphatically. "At once, Miss Tyler."

She hurried off and Rose went back to organizing the library, biting the inside of her cheek. Martha never panicked. What had happened?

When she returned a few minutes later, Rose calmly accepted the note she was handed and turned away from Latimer to open it.

The pocket watch is gone. Her eyes widened, and she turned to stare at Martha. The other woman nodded at her, looking dismayed.

"I think I'll need your help later in the afternoon, Miss Jones, if you could find the time—perhaps after the lunch hour?"

"Of course, Miss Tyler." She bobbed a curtsy and left as Rose slipped the note back in her pocket.

She smiled robotically at Tim Latimer, who frowned a little. "Are you all right, Miss Tyler?"

She blinked at him and smiled distractedly. "I'm fine, Mr. Latimer. Just realized I misplaced something, is all."

The day wore on, and Latimer left for lunch. Not many people used the library, Rose was beginning to realize—just the teachers and, on rare occasions, the more diligent students. There was a knock at the door, and Rose opened it to find Martha standing there with a lunch tray. "Oh, good. I wasn't sure if you'd be able to make it." She shut the door behind her and joined Martha at her desk. "So what happened?"

"God, I don't know. He keeps the watch on his mantel—well, I say he keeps, but he's not really aware of it. He just thinks it's some old family heirloom. But it's been there since we started here, and when I took him his breakfast this morning, it was gone. After he left for class I checked for it as I cleaned his room, but it's not there. It's not anywhere. Somebody must've stolen it." Rose handed Martha a plate, and she nibbled her food discontentedly. "If whoever it is opens it, though, it's all over. He said that was what did it, you see. Open the watch, and the Doctor comes back."

Rose paled. "And there's still another month to go. I've got to talk to Mickey."

"I've got a free afternoon coming up today, I'll go. I was planning on dropping the TARDIS, anyway." Even as nervous as she was, Martha was blushing.

Rose hid a grin, taking a bite of her lunch. "Right. Make sure to ask him about containment technology—if the Family arrive, we have to ensure there are no civilian casualties."

Martha blinked, but nodded. "I'm off in about an hour, I'll head over then."

Rose sighed and rubbed her forehead, trying to ignore the knot of tension sitting low in her stomach. "I hate the waiting, I really do. No wonder the Doctor's always on the move."

Martha grimaced. "I know what you mean. Since I've been travellin' with him, even standing in line makes me antsy. I don't know how I'm going to go back to my studies."

Rose looked at Martha, surprised. "Oh. Are you not staying, then?"

The other woman sighed. "No offense, Rose, but it was hard enough to live with you and him when you weren't there. Soon as the Doctor comes back, I think it's time I get out. Focus on my family again, finish school." She smiled crookedly. "After all, I always knew this wasn't forever."

Rose caught her hand, brown eyes meeting brown. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah." Martha smiled lopsidedly. "I've needed to do this for a while, if I'm honest with myself."

Rose pulled her into a hug suddenly, holding her close. "I'm going to miss you."

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'll miss you, too." Martha pulled back and wiped at her eyes, laughing a little. "But hey, you've got a mobile, which is more than I can say for himself. You'd better keep in contact, yeah?"

"I will." Rose laughed and helped her clean up the lunch tray. "You won't be rid of me that easily." A pulse of something flashed through Rose's mind and she stumbled, catching her hip at the edge of the desk. She blinked back confusion, clutching her forehead, and slowly came back to the library and Martha's worried voice.

Martha had settled her in a chair, kneeling in front of her and checking her pulse. "Rose? Rose? You all right?"

"Rose? Are you ill?" Both women turned to see John Smith standing in the doorway.

Rose straightened, clearing her throat. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a sudden headache, is all."

He flushed and tugged on his earlobe in a move that was achingly familiar. "I'm sorry to intrude if this is a bad time, but I came by to drop off some more books."

Martha spoke up, watching her carefully. "If you're sure you're all right, Miss Tyler, I'll be off."

Rose blinked and focused on Martha again. "Yes, thank you, Miss Jones. That's all, for now."

Martha smiled tightly at Rose and left, skirting around John at the doorway. He set his books down on the table and came over to her, watching her carefully. "Are you certain you're feeling well? You still seem a little pale."

She smiled up at him and stood, fighting off dizziness. "Really, I'm fine. No need to make a fuss."

He smiled down at her, watching her curiously. "If you're sure." He cleared his throat suddenly and looked at the table. "I brought back more of your collection—it seems every time I think I've found them all, more pop up." He smiled nervously at her and rubbed the back of his neck.

Rose smiled up at him, her eyes dancing. "Gee, I wonder why that is?" She glanced at the books and grinned. "It wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that several books from Barkely's Bookshop have found their way in here, would it?"

He flushed violently and coughed lightly into his hand. "Well, there were several I ran across that seemed like they would fit rather well into your collection." He glanced down at her, his ears bright red. "Not that I'm impugning your selection, of course."

"'Course not." He began to stammer out another apology, and she rested her hand on his arm. "Really, John, I'm not offended. They fit in quite well, and they're interesting reads."

He blinked, caught off guard. "You're read them?"

"Some of 'em." She shrugged. "I've got to have somethin' to do in my evenings."

"I see." He flushed and looked down, tucking his hands in his pockets. "If you ever wanted something else to read, I… I've actually done some writing myself."

Rose blinked and raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

"It's not much, nothing serious, of course, but…" He glanced at her, his ears turning bright red. "I've been having these dreams, you see. I dream I'm this madman adventurer, roaming the stars." He chuckled a little and shook his head suddenly. "It's quite mad, of course. Forget I said anything."

Rose bit her lip and caught his hand as he turned to go. "No, John, I'd love to hear about it." She smiled lopsidedly. "It sounds fascinating."

"R…Really?" He flushed and cleared his throat. "Well, I've got a few of them written out. Perhaps I could show them to you later?"

Rose looked down, a faint pink staining her cheeks. "I'd like that."

"Right." He smiled suddenly, the Doctor's wide, joyous smile, and she felt her heart twist within her chest. "Later it is, then. For now, though, I'd better go—classes await, after all." He paused in the doorway, his eyes tracing her face. "Goodbye, Rose."

"Goodbye, John." The door closed behind him and she sat at her desk, dropping her head onto her crossed arms with a groan. "Oh, brilliant. This is a fine muddle you've gotten yourself in, Tyler."