Disclaimer: Sorry, still don't own it.

Chapter 10: Human Nature

The central console of the TARDIS sparked crazily as Martha and Rose started to pick themselves up off the floor. Rose dashed to Martha, grabbing her hand and pulling her to up, then pulled her eye to eye and asked, urgently, "Did they see you?"

Martha stuttered, "I don't know!"

Rose asked again, "Did they see you?"

Martha retorted, "I don't know, I was too busy running!"

Rose said, "Martha, it's important... Did they see your face?"

Martha hesitated and then replied, "No, they couldn't have!"

Rose ran round the console and started playing with controls. Martha came to stand next to her as she watched the time rotor intently. As a warning beep cut in, Rose, clearly very annoyed, groaned, "Ahhh!" She grabbed the console screen and read it and said, "They're following us." She went back to the controls.

"How can they do that?" Martha asked. "You've got a time machine.

Rose replied, "Stolen technology, they've got a Time Agent's vortex manipulator. They can follow us wherever we go, right across the universe..." She paused, "They're never going to stop." She brushed her hair aside nervously and stared, then she said quietly, "Unless... I'll have to do it again..." She stared into Martha's eyes and asked, "Martha, you trust me don't you?"

Martha replied, "Of course I do."

Rose said, "Cause it all depends on you." She dove below the console to retrieve something.

Martha watched on in confusion. "What does, what am I supposed to do?" She asked.

Rose reappeared holding a black and gold ornate pocket watch aloft. "Take this watch, 'cause my life depends on it." She said, "The watch, Martha, the watch is..."

Rose Smith lay in a bed sporting a blue nightdress. Her eyes flicked open suddenly. She blinked in confusion a few times. After a couple of seconds, she pushed herself to sit up, feet on the floor. As she rubbed her eyes, she heard a knock. Rose called, "Come in."

Martha entered, wearing a Victorian maid's uniform and carrying a tray of breakfast. As she saw Rose sitting on her bed, her eyes widened and she turned back and said, "Pardon me, Ms Smith, you're not dressed yet. I can come back later."

She turned to go as Rose stood, pulling and tying a dressing gown around herself. "No, it's alright." She assured, "It's alright. Put it down." Martha walked to a table in the middle of the room and set the tray down, keeping her eyes lowered. Rose watched her thoughtfully as she said, "I was, um..." She paused. "Sorry, sorry." She said thoughtfully, "Sometimes I have these extraordinary dreams."

Martha crossed to the window and pulled the curtains open. "What about, ma'am?" She asked.

Rose replied, "I dream I'm this..." She searched for the right term, "Explorer. This... daredevil. "Bad Wolf" or 'The Vixen', I'm called. And last night I dreamt that you were there, as my... companion."

Martha crossed back to the tray on the table. Rose's eyes had been following her across the room. Martha asked, "A professor and a housemaid, ma'am? That's impossible."

Rose replied, "Ah no, a woman from another world, though..."

Martha chuckled, "Well it can't be true because there's no such thing." Rose moved to the fireplace and looked at the mantle- where the black and gold watch was sitting. Rose murmured, "This thing..." She picked up the watch. Martha watched her, hopeful, but after holding it for a second she placed it on the mantle with a sigh. "Ah, it's funny how dreams slip away." She turned back to Martha and grinned, "But I do remember one thing, it all took place in the future. In the year of Our Lord two thousand and seven."

Martha said, "I can prove that wrong for you miss, here's the morning paper." She handed it to Rose and said, "It's Monday, November tenth, nineteen thirteen, and you're completely human, ma'am." She smiled at her. "As human as they come."

Rose mumbled, "Mmm, that's me; completely human." She flashed her a smile as Martha headed out.

Rose, in a grey dress, mortar board and teacher's gown, walked past a group of students before turning into the main door. A boy greeted her, "Morning, Miss."

She passed a young boy in the corridor. "Morning, Miss Smith." He said.

A bell rang, calling the start of school. Further into the building, Rose passed more teachers and nodded to one who was heading for a flight of stairs. "Headmaster." She greeted.

A little later Rose was giving an English lesson, book in hand. The neat copperplate writing on the chalkboard read "Romeo and Juliet, 1597". Rose was reading aloud from the book while the class looked on attentively

Martha and Jenny, another maid, were on their hands and knees scrubbing the tiled floor. Rose walked past, making Martha smile. Her eyes followed her as she passed. Martha greeted, "Morning, Miss Smith."

Rose slowed down a little and answered distractedly, "Yes, hi." She disappeared up the stairs.

Jenny remarked, "Head in the clouds, that one. Don't know why you're so sweet on her." She smiled slyly then they both carried on scrubbing.

Martha replied, "She's just kind to me, that's all. Not everyone's that considerate, what with me being..." She pointed to her face.

Jenny smiled and asked, "A Londoner?"

"Exactly." Martha grinned. "Good old London town!"

Two senior boys, Baines and Hutchinson walked over the area Martha and Jenny were cleaning, and looked back as the girls laughed. Baines authoritatively said, "Ah, now then, you two." Martha and Jenny stopped laughing and looked up. Baines continued, "You're not paid to have fun, are you. Put a little backbone into it."

Jenny apologized, "Yes Sir, sorry, Sir."

Hutchinson, looking at Martha, asked, "You there, what's your name again?"

Martha replied, "Martha, Sir. Martha Jones."

Hutchinson asked mockingly, "Tell me then, Jones. With hands like those, how can you tell when something's clean?" The two boys laughed cruelly and left. Martha and Jenny watched them.

Martha deadpanned, "That's very funny, Sir."

Jenny warned, "Careful now, don't answer back."

Martha retorted, "I'd answer back with my bucket over his head."

Jenny laughed as they both went back to scrubbing. Jenny said, "Oh I wish! Just think though. In a few years' time boys like that will be running the country."

Martha quietly muttered, "Nineteen thirteen. They might not."

The history teacher, James Griffin passed a student, who said, "Excuse me, sir." Rose was overloaded with a stack of books as the professor approached and greeted, "Oh, good morning, Ms Smith." Rose fumbled with the top book and it fell to the floor. She quickly stepped on it to stop it falling away. James offered, "Let me help you."

Rose said, "No, no, I've got it, no... Um... ah... Just to... retrieve... ah... If you could take these..." She handed her the stack of books, then bended to pick up the book.

James said, "Good." He smiled warmly.

Rose replied, "No harm done." She smiled back at him and asked, "So, um, how was Jenkins?"

James replied, "Oh just a cold, Matron tells me, nothing serious. I think he's missing his mother, more than anything."

Rose sympathetically said, "Aw, can't have that."

James continued, "He received a letter this morning so he's a lot more chipper." He looked down at the stack of books he was still holding and said, "I appear to be holding your books."

Rose was still staring at James' face, then suddenly snapped back to life and blushed, "Yes, so you are! Sorry, sorry." She started to relieve James of the books awkwardly. Rose mumbled, "Just let me..."

James grinned, "No, why don't I take half?"

Rose stuttered, "Um, okay. Perfect. Division of labour."

James remarked, "We make quite a team."

Rose said, "Don't we just." She was still all smiles.

James asked, "So, these books. Were they being taken in any particular direction?"

Rose replied, "Yes. Um..." She looked up the corridor, thinking- then turned to the other direction and said, "This way." Ever the gentleman, James let Rose lead on.

In another corridor, she had finally settled into a coherent conversation. Rose said, "I always say so, Professor."

James whispered, "Truth be told, when it's just you and me, I'd much rather you call me James. 'Professor' sounds rather... well, strict."

Rose smiled, "Well, James it is then."

James asked, "And it's Rose, isn't it?"

Rose replied, "Yes, yes it is." A wooden noticeboard was on one wall of the landing. Rose spotted a particular notice and headed towards it and asked, "Have you seen this, James? The annual dance at the village hall tomorrow. It's nothing formal, but rather fun by all accounts."

"Do you think you'll go?" James asked hopefully.

Rose stammered for a moment, unsure how to answer. "I hadn't thought about it."

James laughed, "It's been ages since I've been to a dance, I never asked anyone."

Rose stuttered, "Well, I should imagine that you would be... um... I mean I never thought you'd be one for... I mean there's no reason why you shouldn't... if you do, you may not... I probably won't, but even if I did then I couldn't... um, I mean I wouldn't want to..."

James warned, "The stairs."

Rose asked, confused, "It... what about the stairs?"

James said, "They're right behind you."

Rose turned to see and overbalanced, falling backwards down the stairs and sending the books flying.

A little later, the school Matron was cleaning a cut on the back of Rose's head with James sitting in the desk chair. Rose groaned against the pain, "Dying is better than this. How much longer, Matron? It hurts."

The matron, failing to hide a smile at the young professor, criticized, "Stop it. I get boys causing less fuss than this." She was quite fond of the young teacher.

James put in, "It can't be that bad."

Rose sulkily repeated, "But it hurts!"

Martha burst in, concerned, and asked, "Is she alright?"

The Matron, annoyed, said, "Excuse me, Martha. It's hardly good form to enter a mistress's study without knocking."

Martha said, a little miffed, "Sorry, right, yeah." She ran back to the door and knocked it before returning and asking, "But is she alright?" She looked at Rose and said, "They said you fell down the stairs, miss."

Rose grinned, "No, it was just a tumble, that's all." Then she cried out in pain, "Ow!"

The matron said warningly, "Stop it. You're not going to get any better like that, groaning around."

Martha asked the matron, "Have you checked for concussion?"

"I have. And I daresay I know a lot more about it than you."

Martha remembered her place and nodded. Martha stuttered, "Sorry. I'll just..." She looked at Rose and moved towards the desk. "Tidy your things."

Rose told her, "I was just telling James... Professor Griffin, um, about my dreams."

James commented, "They are quite remarkable tales."

Martha looked up in interest as Rose explained to James, "I keep imagining that I'm someone else, and that I'm hiding..."

James asked, "Hiding? In what way?"

Rose laughed nervously, "Um... er... almost every night... This is going to sound silly..."

James urged, "Tell me."

Rose continued, "I dream, quite often, that I have two hearts."

The matron chimed in, "Well then, I can be the judge of that." Reaching into a battered doctor's bag, she drew out a stethoscope with a smile. Martha had been watching, but turned and walked away as Matron placed the stethoscope against Rose's chest and said, "I can confirm the diagnosis, just one heart, singular."

Martha seemed a little disappointed, but Rose laughed at her silliness and said, "I have written down some of these dreams in the form of fiction... um... not that it would be of any interest."

James said, "I'd be very interested." Rose looked in amazement, and James nodded.

Matron then said to her, "You'll be fine, watch where you're going next time. I'll take your leave now." With that she left.

Rose stood up and moved to the desk and said, "Well... I've never shown it to anyone before." She handed him a black leather-bound journal, and he read the handwritten title on the first page, "Journal of Impossible Things".

He turned the pages, and saw they were covered in both writing and ink pictures. The central console is sketched on the first page, then the monitor screen section, a detailed sketch of a gas-mask victim from her earlier encounter with the nanogenes. James remarked, "Just look at these creatures!" He turned the page again to reveal a Dalek in all its inked glory. James muttered, "Such imagination."

Rose agreed, "Mmm. It's become quite a hobby."

More pages, more sketches and pages of writing. The face of the Moxx of Balhoon gave way to a sketch of two Autons, then to the face of one of the clockwork robots that had tried to take the brain of Madame de Pompadour. James looked at her and said, "It's wonderful. And quite an eye for the gentlemen."

In the centre of the next page was a sketch of the Doctor's face. Rose said, "Oh no no, he's just an invention. This character, Theta or the Doctor, I call him." Rose thoughtfully said, "Seems to disappear later on..."

Another page, another sketch; this time of a quartet of Cybermen, and in the top corner on the next page, a small sketch of the TARDIS. As Rose explained it, there was a bigger, more detailed sketch further down the page. "Ah, that's the box, the blue box, it's always there. Like a... like a magic carpet, this funny little box that transports me to faraway places."

James asked, "Like a doorway?"

Rose grinned, "Not quite." The next page was a mess of writing, but the pictures stood out brightly; Galifrey, two boys and a girl in robes, [1]. Rose said, "I sometimes think how magical life would be if things like this were true."

James mumbled, "If only."

"It's just a dream." Rose gave a short, quiet laugh. The next page was a familiar picture, Rose's watch, inside and out.

A school bell rang, and James was leaving Rose's quarters with the journal. Martha ran to follow him. "Sir!" She called, "That book..."

James turned round, stopped and said, "Oh I'll look after it, don't worry. She did say I could read it." He made to leave.

Martha said, "But it's silly, that's all." James turned back. Martha continued, "Just stories."

James seriously asked, "Who is she, Martha?"

"I'm sorry?"

"It's like she's left the kettle on. Like... she knows she has something to get back to, but she can't remember what."

Martha laughed nervously, "That's just her."

James asked, "You arrived with her, didn't you? She found you employment here at the school, isn't that right?"

Martha replied, "I used to work for her family, after she lost them, she just sort of inherited me."

James said, "Well, I don't feel like it's my place, but I'd be careful, if I were you. If you don't mind my saying, you sometimes seem a little familiar with her. Best remember your position." With a nod, he left.

Martha looked unimpressed and said, "Yes Sir." James headed down the stairs while Martha strode back to Rose's quarters.

Out in the night, Jenny was sitting on a bench outside the village pub. Martha came out carrying two pints, wrapped up tightly in coat, hat and gloves. Martha said, "Ooh, it's freezing out here! Why can't we have a drink inside the pub?"

Jenny said, "Now don't be ridiculous, you do get these notions! It's all very well those Suffragettes; but that's London, that's miles away."

Martha asked, "But don't you want to scream sometimes, having to bow and scrape and behave, don't you just wanna tell them?"

Jenny smiled, "I dunno. Things must be different in your country."

Martha replied, "Yeah, well they are. Thank God I'm not staying."

Jenny said, "You keep saying that."

"Just you wait. One more month and I'm as free as the wind. I wish you could come with me, Jenny - you'd love it!"

Jenny asked, "Where are you gonna go?"

Martha, looking up at the stars, replied dreamingly, "Anywhere. Just look up there. Imagine you could go all the way out to the stars."

Jenny laughed, "You don't half say mad things!"

Martha replied, "That's where I'm going. Into the sky, all the way out."

Jenny laughed again, but Martha was fixed on the stars. Suddenly, a green light flared into and out of existence in the night sky. Martha, surprised, asked, "Did you see that?"

"See what?"

Martha asked, "Did you see it though?" She stood up. "Right up there, just for a second."

Jenny replied, "Martha, there's nothing there."

Martha was unconvinced. She saw James coming and stood up and asked, "Professor, are you alright?"

James breathlessly said, "Did you see that? There was something in the woods... this light..."

Rose emerged from the pub and approached the party and asked, "Anything wrong? Far too cold to be standing around in the dark, don't you..."

"There!" James interrupted, pointing into the night sky, the light flew over again, like a shooting star. James repeated, "There, look in the sky!"

Jenny breathed, "That's beautiful."

Rose put in, "Commonly known as a meteorite. It's just rocks falling to the ground, that's all."

James said, "It came down in the woods."

"No, no no, they always look close, when actually they're miles off. Nothing left but a cinder."

James relaxed, smiled and turned to her, "Alright then. Now, I should escort you back to the school." He turned to Martha and Jenny, "Ladies?"

Martha replied, still staring at the sky, "No, we're fine, thanks."

"Then I shall bid you goodnight."

Rose waved, "Night."

Putting on his hat, James and Rose walked away back towards the school. Martha waited until they were out of earshot then asked, "Jenny, where was that? On the horizon, where the light was headed."

Jenny replied, "That's by Cooper's Field." Martha started to run in the same direction. Jenny called after her, "You can't just run off! It's dark, you'll break a leg!" She sighed, stood up and ran after Martha.

Martha was still running, heading through the woods. Jenny was right behind, and slowly gratefully stopped as Martha stopped. They were in the same clearing as the craft, but there was nothing to be seen. Jenny, breathlessly said, "There y'are... Nothing there. I told you so."

Martha asked, "And that's Cooper's Field?"

Jenny replied, "As far as the eye can see, and no falling star. Now come on, I'm frozen to the bone, let's go. As your Ms Smith says, "Nothing to see"." Jenny turned and strode away, but Martha gave one last look before following.

The next day, Martha was riding a bike towards an old stone barn near the wood. Pushing open the door, she smiled as she entered.

Reaching around her neck, she withdrew something on a long chain round her neck, a TARDIS key, as the TARDIS itself stood further inside the barn. Martha unlocked the door and went in- the console room was mostly in darkness. Martha smiled, "Hello." Shaking her head, she muttered, "I'm talking to a machine..." Taking off her gloves, she headed for the console. Sighing, she looked up at the time rotor, dormant. Closing her eyes, she remembered how they all came to be there.

Rose shouted, "Look out!" Martha dove to the floor as a bolt flashed past, creating a fountain of sparks to erupt from the console.

In real time, Martha walked round the console towards the console screen.

Rose growled in anger, "They're following us! They can follow us wherever we go. Right across the universe. They're never going to stop... Martha, you trust me don't you?"

Martha replied, "Of course I do."

Rose said, "'Cause it all depends on you."

Back in real time, Martha reached the console.

Rose held her pocket watch in front of her. Rose said, "Martha, this watch is me."

Confused, Martha took it from her as she ran round the console and said, "... Right, okay, gotcha... No, hold on! Completely lost!"

Rose replied, "Those creatures are hunters, they can sniff out anyone- and me being a Time Lord; well, I'm unique. Plus, adding Bad Wolf, the scent just increases. They can track me down across the whole of time and space."

Martha laughed, "And the good news is?"

Rose said, "They can smell me, they haven't seen me. And their life's bound to be running out, so, we hide, wait for them to die."

Martha protested, "But they can track us down."

Rose stopped and looked at her, serious, "That's why I've got to do it again. I have to stop being a Time Lord. I'm gonna become human."

In real time, Martha looked up at the TARDIS ceiling- where a strange headset hung from a cable.

In her memory, Rose did the same as it lowered into her reach. "Never thought I'd use this again." She said. "Never wanted to. All the times I've wondered."

Martha asked, "What does it do?"

Rose replied, "Chameleon Arch. Re-write my biology. It's had to do it once before. Literally changes every single cell in my body. I've set it to human." Taking the pocket watch back off Martha, she fitted it into a section of the headset and instructed, "Now, the TARDIS will take care of everything. Invent a life story for me, find me a setting and integrate me. Can't do the same for you... you'll just have to improvise. I should have just enough residual awareness to let you in."

Martha asked, "But... hold on, if you're going to rewrite every single cell, isn't it going to hurt?"

Rose replied, "Oh yeah. It hurts. Hurts like hell. Just have to bear it." Rose wore it, power passing through it and making her scream in pain as Martha could only watch in horror.

Martha activated a few of the controls on the console. The screen fizzed from its normal display to show Rose, addressing the camera. Rose asked, "This working?" She tapped the camera. "Martha, before I change here's a list of instructions for when I'm human. One, don't let me hurt anyone. We can't have that, but you know what humans are like. Two, don't worry about the TARDIS, I'll put it on emergency power so they can't detect it, just let it hide away. Three, no getting involved in big historical events. Four, you. Don't let me abandon you. And fi…"

Twisting a dial, Martha speeded through more of Rose's speech and asked desperately, "But there was a meteor, a shooting star, what am I supposed to do then?" She let go of the dial at the last item on Rose's list.

"And lastly, if anything goes wrong, if they find us, Martha, then you know what to do. Open the watch. Everything I am is kept safe in there. Now, I've put a perception filter on it so the human me won't think anything of it, to her it's just a watch. But don't open it unless you have to. Because once it's open, then the Family will be able to find me. It's all down to you, Martha. Your choice." She walked off-screen, then returned and said, "Oh, and, thank you. I know you can do this." With a reassuring smile, the recording stopped and the screen returned to its usual display.

Martha whispered, "I wish you'd come back."

Latimer was outside a door marked "R. Smith". He knocked, the door opened, and Rose looked at him. "You told me to come and collect that book, Miss."

Rose smiled, "Yes. 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott, where did I put it?" She walked to her desk, Latimer following slowly behind. Rose said, "And I wanted a little word, your marks aren't quite good enough."

Latimer asked, "I'm top ten in my class, ma'am."

Rose chuckled, "Now, be honest, Timothy. You should be the very top. You're a clever boy, but you seem to be hiding it." She muttered, "Where is that book..." With no luck finding the book on her desk, Rose walked into an annexe library off the main room and said, "And I know why. Keeping your head low avoids the mockery of your classmates. But no man should hide himself, don't you think?"

Latimer heard something and distractedly replied, "Yes miss..." The watch on the mantlepiece seemed to be drawing his attention.

Rose called, "You're clever, be proud of it. Use it."

Over the top of all this, Latimer heard whispering voices emanating from the watch, "Time Lord...Timothy, hide yourself... I'm trapped, kept inside the cogs..." Latimer pressed the watch's release button- and it opened, releasing wisps of golden energy.

As Rose came back into the room, Latimer quickly closed and pocketed the watch. Rose said, "Fascinating book, really quite remarkable, are you alright?"

Latimer replied timidly, "Yes Miss. Fine, Miss."

Rose said, "Right then. Good. And remember, use that brain of yours!"

Rose held out the book and Latimer went to take it- but as soon as he touched it, he saw a vision of Rose as a different woman to the teacher. The voices spoke again, "Power of a Time Lord." Rose appeared in black jeans, t shirt and leather jacket and wielding her sonic screwdriver. The vision faded as Rose released the book, leaving Latimer shaken. Rose asked, concerned, "You're really not looking yourself, Timothy, anything bothering you, or...?"

Latimer, in shock, said, "No Miss... Thank you, Miss." Walking quickly, he exited, closing the door behind him.

Latimer stood for a moment, before running up the stairs to the dormitory. Sitting on his bed, he had taken the watch out again and could hear the voices. He opened it again, letting out more of the golden light and louder voices, "You are not alone... Keep me hidden..." More images came to Latimer's mind: Daleks, Cybermen, Ood, the werewolf from the Torchwood Estate, the Emperess of the Racnoss, Lazarus, the Sycorax..." He snapped the watch shut again.

The boys were doing target practice, a machine gun set up behind a bunker of sandbags. James barked, "Concentrate."

Rose appeared from one of the school doors, watching. The gun was being fired by Hutchinson, the rounds being fed in a steady stream by Latimer. Baines was one of the boys watching the targets, with James standing a few paces behind. As Rose approached, she frowned, not happy with what she saw.

James commented, "Hutchinson, excellent work!"

The Headmaster appeared and ordered, "Cease fire!" Hutchinson obeyed.

James greeted, "Good day to you, headmaster."

The headmaster remarked, "Your crew's on fine form today, Mr Griffin."

Hutchinson chimed in, "Excuse me, Headmaster, we could do a lot better. Latimer is being deliberately shoddy."

Latimer protested, "I'm trying my best."

The headmaster said, "You need to be better than the best. Those targets are tribesmen from the Dark Continent."

Latimer said, "That's exactly the problem, sir. They only have spears."

The headmaster sighed, "Oh dear me. Latimer takes it upon himself to make us realise how wrong we all are. I hope, Latimer, that one day you may have a just and proper war in which to prove yourself. Now, resume firing." Hutchinson did so Latimer feeding the ammunition again.

As the firing rang out, Latimer heard a different kind of warfare, the sound of a falling bomb. Another vision took over. Two young soldiers struggled through the dark, one supporting the other, who was injured. A watch was opened. Latimer said, "One minute past the hour. It's now. Hutchinson, this is the time. It's now." He looked up as another sound of a bomb heading straight for them sounded.

Back in real time, the gun stopped firing. Hutchinson said, "There's a stoppage, immediate action." He looked at Latimer to assist and said, "Didn't I tell you, Sir, this stupid boy is useless! Permission to give Latimer a beating, Sir?"

The headmaster said, "It's your class, Mr Griffin."

James replied, "Permission granted."

Hutchinson growled, "Right, come with me, you little oiyk." He grabbed Latimer's wrist and pulled him up. He and most of the other boys escorted Latimer away to be beaten.

Baines remained standing next to James, and turned to Rose standing at the side- and sniffed loudly. James turned and looked him up and down and asked, "Anything the matter, Baines?"

Baines turned and replied, "I thought... No sir. Nothing, sir." Turning sharply, he headed off to join the beating.

Rose was still watching. The headmaster said, "As you were, Mr Griffin."

James said, "Ah... Pemberton, Smythe, Wicks, take post." As three more boys took up positions at the gun, James spotted Rose and walking to her, said, "Ah, Ms Smith. Um... I'll give you back your journal when next I see you."

Rose said, "No, no, no, you don't have to." Rose looked a little troubled and said icily, "If you'll excuse me, Mr Griffin, I was just thinking about the day I lost my mother." She glared at the boys firing the gun and James thought he saw an angry glow in her gold eyes. As the gunfire rang out, she turned and walked quickly away, leaving James a little more understanding.

In the village, a piano was being winched up outside a building in a rope sling. Two men were straining with the rope. James and Rose walked through the village. Rose said, "Her name was Jacqueline. She died in the battle of Spy-On-Cope. Raised me on her own... But you see, I was angry with the army for such a long time."

James said, "You still are."

Rose said, "I find myself as part of that school watching boys learn how to kill."

James asked, "Don't you think discipline is good for them?"

Rose asked, "Does it have to be such military discipline? I mean, if there's another war those boys won't find it so amusing."

James said, "Well... Great Britain's at peace, long may it reign. In your journey, in one of your stories, you wrote about next year. Nineteen fourteen."

Rose said, "That was just a dream."

James replied, "All those images of mud and wire. You told of a shadow, a shadow falling across the entire world."

Rose murmured, "Well, then we can be thankful it's not true. And I'll admit mankind doesn't need warfare and bloodshed to prove itself; everyday life can provide honour and valour and... let's hope that from now on this, this country can... can find its heroes in smaller places..." She was distracted as she saw two things. First, a woman and a stroller coming round the corner by the shop building. Second, the rope sling holding the piano aloft was breaking outside the same shop. The two men holding it desperately tried to steady it and hold it, but the woman didn't notice and continued into its path. Rose continued, "In the most..." A young boy tossed a cricket ball up and down in his hand. Rose looked from the ball to the rope; the second strand was almost completely broken, and the piano lurched alarmingly. Rose went on, "Ordinary..." The rope was almost cut. And the woman was almost beneath the piano. Rose finished, "Of deeds!" She snatched the cricket ball from the young boy and pitched it at a bundle of spare scaffolding poles standing outside the ironmongers.

The poles fell, hitting a plank of wood with a brick on the end. The brick flew into the air, up and over the piano- just as the rope snapped and it started to hurtle to the ground. The brick hit a milk churn on a cart, sending it falling into the path of the stroller and stopping it in its tracks. The woman screamed and the piano hit the floor and smashed. James looked, amazed at Rose, while Rose herself looked amazed by her own skill. As the baby in the pram started to cry, the two workmen rushed to see if the woman was alright. Rose and James stood stunned for a moment.

Rose muttered, "Lucky..."

James asked, "That was luck?" Then, plucking up his courage asked, "Ms Smith, will you come to the village dance this evening? As my guest?"

Rose replied sincerely, smiling, "I would love to." The both laughed and viewed the near fatal scene again.

Later on, they were passing fields, one of which had a scarecrow. James said, "It's all becoming clear now, Rose Tyler is the woman you'd like to be, doing impossible things with cricket balls."

Rose said, "Well, I discovered a talent, that's certainly true!"

James teasingly said, "But Rose has an eye for the ladies!"

Rose gasped, "The devil!"

James grinned, "A girl at every fireplace."

Rose laughed, "Now, there I have to protest, James, that's hardly me!"

James retorted, "Says the girl dancing with me tonight!"

Rose spied the scarecrow hanging oddly and said, "That scarecrow's all skewed." They crossed the furrows to reach it, and Rose started stretching it across its frame again.

James commented, "Ever the artist. Where did you learn to draw?"

Rose replied, not thinking, "Galifrey."

James asked, "Is that in Ireland?"

Rose, a little unsure, replied, "Yes, it must be, yes."

James asked, "But you're not Irish?"

Rose replied, "Not at all, no. My father Peter was a professor from Nottingham and my mother Jaqueline was... um... well, she didn't do anything, actually."

James said, "Oh, we make such good husbands!"

Rose, a little uncomfortable, asked, "Really? Right. Yes. Well, my work is done, what do you think?" She stood back.

James looked at the scarecrow and said, "Masterpiece."

Rose said, "All sorts of skills today!" Laughing, they headed back onto the road- and the scarecrow turned its head to follow them.

In Rose's study later in the day, Rose was sketching a young man, James.

As she finished and lowered the book, James asked, "Can I see?" Rose moved to sit next to him on the sofa, showing him the book. He laughed in delight and said, "Oh, goodness... Do I look like that? Are you sure that's not me?" There was a sketch of a Slitheen on the opposite page, and he pointed to it.

Rose laughed, "Most definitely this page, I should think." She pointed back to her sketch of him.

James said, "You've made me far too handsome."

Rose replied, "Well that's how I see you."

James said, "I don't care if you see me like this or not but I see you as a very beautiful woman, Rose. Is that fair?"

Rose whispered, "It's fair enough." James fondly brushed the side of her hair. Slowly, he leant in towards her; she returned the movement, and the two kissed. Rose whispered, "I've never, um..." She ran out of words, and chose to kiss James again instead, a long and loving kiss.

The door rattled open and they heard a gasp, and they broke apart, blushing. Rose asked, stuttering, "Yes, Martha, what do you need?"

Martha mumbled, "Um… never mind, I can come back later." She scurried back out of the door and closed it behind her, leaning against it in shock and whispered, "That wasn't on the list."

The TARDIS still hid in the barn, and Martha was going through Rose's recording again, "Four, you. Don't let me abandon you."

Martha muttered, "That's no good. What about the stuff you didn't tell me, what about men? Oh no, you didn't think of that. What in hell am I supposed to do then?" She fast-forwarded to the end.

Rose said, "Thank you. I know you can do this."

Martha said, frustrated, "You had to, didn't you? Had to go and fall in love with a human."

Latimer was toying with the pocket watch as he sat on a bench in the school grounds. The voices were whispering again, "The darkness is coming... keep me away from the force and empty man... the last of the Time Lords, the last of a wise and ancient race..." Latimer saw Baines heading through the ground to meet with Mr Clarke. Then, a red balloon bobbed its way along on the other side of the wall as the little girl joined them. As Latimer watched, all three of them turn to look at him. As one, they tilted their heads to the side curiously, and sniffed deeply.

In the school, Rose turned round in her dress to show James, who smiled, "You look wonderful."

Rose said, "You'd best give me some warning, um, can you actually dance?"

James thinking said, "I'm very certain...You?"

Rose blushed, "Um, I'm not sure."

James teased, "There's a surprise. Is there anything you're certain about?"

Rose replied, "Yes." She stepped towards James. "Yes."

In the maid quarters, the door opened and Jenny entered. Martha was making a pot of tea on an elaborate tray and smiled as she saw Jenny, "There you are! Come and look what I've got. Mr Poole didn't want his afternoon tea so cook said I could have it. And there's enough for two."

Jenny was still standing in the doorway and Martha asked, "What are you standing there for?" Jenny sniffed loudly. Martha asked, "Are you alright?"

Jenny replied, "I must have a cold coming on." She joined Martha sitting at the small table.

Martha sighed, "Problem is, I keep thinking about them but I don't know what to do."

Jenny asked, "Thinking about who?"

Martha replied, "Ms Smith and Mr Griffin. Cause it's never gonna last, she's gonna leave in a few weeks."

"Why?"

Martha replied, "It's like her contract comes to an end. And Mr Griffin's gonna be heartbroken."

"Leave for where?"

Martha said, "All sorts of places. I wish I could tell you Jenny, but it's complicated."

"In what way?"

Martha sighed again, "I just can't."

Jenny urged, "It sounds so interesting. Tell me. Tell me now."

There was something in Jenny's voice that Martha didn't think was right. Frowning, she changed the subject, "Would you like some tea?"

Jenny replied, "Yes thanks."

Martha said, "I could put a nice bit of gravy in the pot. And some mutton. Or sardines and jam, how about that?"

Jenny smiled, "I like the sound of that."

Martha replied, "Right... hold on a tick." She knew something was wrong now, and moved to the door. Closing it on her way out, she walked to the stairs- then started to run.

Jenny's head turned, she knew Martha was getting away. She pulled an alien gun from under her coat.

Martha was out of the building, Jenny went to the window, aimed, and fired her gun at the retreating Martha. Narrowly missing, Jenny headed off.

Rose and James were sharing a loving kiss which was quickly broken as the door burst open and a breathless Martha ran in and up to Rose and said, "They've found us."

James scoffed, "This is ridiculous..."

Rose calmly asked, "Martha, what's wrong?"

Martha repeated, "They've found us, and I've seen them. They look like people, like us, like normal. I'm sorry, but you've got to open the watch." She looked to the mantlepiece, and the watch was missing. Martha asked, "Where is it?" She shuffled through the things on the mantlepiece. Martha asked, "Oh my god, where's it gone? Where's the watch?"

Rose asked, "What are you talking about?"

Martha urgently replied, "You had a watch, a black and gold fob watch. Right there!"

Rose asked, "Did I? I don't remember."

James said, "I can't see what concern it is of yours."

Martha groaned, "But we need it... oh my god, Rose we're hiding from aliens, and they've got Jenny and they've... possessed her or copied her or something and you've got to tell me, where's the watch?"

Rose picked up her journal and said, "Oh Martha, this is what we call a story."

Martha grumbled, "Oh you complete... This" she waved her finger to indicate Rose, "Is not you, this is nineteen thirteen."

Rose smiled, "Good. This is nineteen thirteen."

Martha sighed, "I am sorry, I'm really sorry, Rose, but I've got to snap you out of this." She pulled her into a kiss and then slapped her after pulling back.

James cried out, shocked, "Martha!"

Martha shouted, "Wake up! You're coming back to the TARDIS with me!" She grabbed her hands and tried to pull her along.

Rose stuttered, "Um… I'm not entirely sure what just happened but Martha you are dismissed, you can leave now. And maybe get a bit of rest." She led Martha to the door. As she closed the door she sighed, "Poor Martha! She's been working too hard, contrary to my instructions."

James crossed his arms and said, "The funny thing is, you did have a fob watch. Right there. Don't you remember?"

Martha was running into the night again, and bumped into Latimer. "Oh, sorry!" She said. As she carried on, Latimer stopped and watched her. He had a flash memory of a strange time; it was back around the 2000's, and Martha in her usual clothes bumped into him as she ran past.

Latimer asked, "Martha?"

Back to the present, Martha turned her head to call back, "Not now, Tim, busy!"

Latimer watched her for a while longer, then turned and walked away.

Martha closed the TARDIS door and ran to where Rose's leather jacket was lying over a forked beam. She searched through her pockets, looking for something.

James and Rose were arriving at the village hall for the dance laughing. They didn't see Latimer hiding round a corner of the building. A man said, "Spare a penny for the veterans of the Crimea, sir?"

James replied, "Yes, of course." He dug in his pocket and pulled out a coin or two. "There you are."

As Rose and James went inside, Latimer came out of his hiding place and crept to the doors. As the man collecting money had his back turned counting the donations, Latimer hurried in. Inside, people were milling about, getting drinks from a beer keg, laughing and talking. Latimer walked in slowly, looking around.

The anchor announced, "Ladies and gentlemen! Please take your partners for a waltz."

Rose and James took their places, and started to dance as the music starts. James said, "You can dance."

Rose laughed, "I've surprised myself." They danced into another pair. "Sorry."

The collector man rattled his tin as he saw Martha approaching stormily. "Ooh, staff entrance I think, miss!" He said.

Martha retorted, "Yeah, well think again mate." She walked past him into the hall.

Rose was sitting down now, waiting for James to return with drinks. She spotted him, and he motioned that he was still waiting. Rose smiled. James smiled back but his smile faded as he saw a familiar figure stood next to him, Martha. James pleaded, "Please, don't. Not again."

Martha said, "She's different from any other girl you've ever met, right?"

"Yes."

Martha went on, "And sometimes she says these strange things, like people and places you've never heard of, yeah? But it's deeper than that. Sometimes when you look in her eyes you know; you just know that there's something else in there. Something hidden. Right behind the eyes, something hidden away. In the dark."

James stuttered, "I don't know what you mean, I..."

Martha cut him off, "Yes, you do. You see that glow of gold in her eyes when she's angry. I don't mean to be rude, but the awful thing is it doesn't even matter what you think. But you're nice. And you're lucky. And I just wanted to say sorry for what I'm about to do."

Rose walked over to them and looked none too pleased to see Martha there. "Oh, now really, Martha." She said, "This is getting out of hand. I told you get some rest."

Martha held out Rose's sonic screwdriver and asked, "Do you know what this is? Name it. Go on, name it."

James asked, "Rose, what is that silly thing? Rose?"

Rose slowly took it from Martha and turned it over in her hands. Martha said, "You're not Rose Smith. You're called Rose Tyler. Bad Wolf. The Vixen. The girl in your journal, she's real. She's you."

The collector man rattled his tin again as more people arrived and said, "Evening all! Spare a penny, sir?"

Baines said, "I didn't spare you." Without even looking at him, Baines pulled out a gun like Jenny had earlier, and fired it at the man. As he disintegrated into nothing, Baines, Jenny and Clarke all walked on into the hall. Latimer was still inside, walking to a window and pulling back the curtains. The face of a scarecrow popped up and made him jump back. When he looked back again, it was gone. He let the curtain fall back.

In the dance hall, Clarke entered first, gun in hand. Knocking over a hat stand as he strode in, the people shrieked and moved away. Clarke shouted, "There will be silence! All of you!" Scarecrows filed in after Baines and Jenny. Clarke barked again, "I said silence!"

The announcer asked, "Mr Clarke! What's going on?"

Clarke turned and fired at the announcer, dissolving him into nothing. Rose's hand stifled a shriek. Latimer, in a corner, stood up. Martha said, "Ms Smith, everything I told you, just forget it! Don't say anything."

Baines shouted, "We asked for silence! Now then. We have a few questions for Ms Smith."

The little girl chimed in, "No, better than that." She joined Baines and Clarke and said, "The teacher. She's Rose Tyler. I heard them talking."

Baines said, "You took human form."

Rose said, "Of course I'm human, I was born human! As were you, Jeremy. And Jenny, and you, Mr Clarke! What is going on, this is madness!"

Baines remarked, "And a human brain, too! Simple, thick and dull."

Jenny said, "She's no good like this."

Clarke said, "We need a Time Lord."

Baines replied, "Easily done." Stepping forward, he raised his gun and aimed it at Rose. The crowd gasped and Rose recoiled backwards. Baines ordered, "Change back."

Rose said quietly, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Baines ordered again, "Change back!"

Rose snarled, eyes flashing gold, "I don't know..."

Jenny grabbed Martha, holding a gun to her head, Martha screamed, "Get off me!"

Jenny asked, "She's your friend, isn't she? Doesn't this scare you enough to change back?"

Rose snapped, "I don't know what you mean!"

Jenny said, "Wait a minute... The maid told me about Smith and the professor... that man, there!"

Clarke said, "Let's have you!" He grabbed James and held him hostage, as Jenny was with Martha.

Baines asked, "Have you enjoyed it, Vixen? Being human again? Has it taught you wonderful things, are you better, richer, wiser? Then let's see you answer this. Which one of them do you want us to kill? Maid or professor? Your friend, or your lover? Your choice."

To be continued...

A/N: [1] I told you Rose had a fob watch, right? So the two boys and girl are Rose, Koschei and Theta. Please review on what you think.