Chapter Eleven
While the others drank tea in the kitchen, Paul retired to the room the TARDIS had made up for him. He had his Hofner bass in there along with an acoustic guitar. He picked up his guitar and strummed it softly while he thought to himself and began psyching himself up for what was coming. He smiled when Martha came into the room and he stopped briefly to stroke her fur before she turned around three times and lay down at his feet. Once she was settled, he began to strum his guitar again.
"Paul?"
He glanced up and Martha got up and went to Jane when she came to his door. He smiled and sat the guitar aside while she came into the room. He sighed when she sat down and embraced him.
"My love," she whispered while Paul stroked her hair. "I'll love you no matter what. No matter what happens, I won't stop loving you."
"Even if I become a mindless sleeper agent called Ian?" Paul asked.
He smiled when she chuckled in his ear.
"Well, maybe I'll draw the line at that," she said while he laughed and held her close.
He shushed her when she stared weeping.
"Love, don't. I'll be alright," he whispered.
"I'm scared, I don't want to lose you," she sobbed.
"You won't, I promise."
He smiled when Jane hugged him tighter.
"Do you hate that I've chosen to do this?" Paul said after a few minutes.
"You mean go after those people?" Jane said, turning her head to look at him.
"Yeah."
"No, I'm actually very proud of you," she said, stroking his cheek. "This is why I fell in love with you. Because you do care about something other than yourself and you're not one of those self-absorbed celebrities who think they're God's gift to the world and act like it."
"Yeah, well, not everyone can be as vain as Mick Jagger, you know," Paul said airily.
He giggled when Jane slapped his chest and they shared a kiss after they gazed into each other's eyes. Jane laid her hand against his cheek and leaned in for another kiss. They snogged passionately for several minutes before Paul heard Jane begin to sob again. He broke off the kiss and held her close, rocking gently and kissing her until she calmed down.
"Sorry, I know this isn't helping," Jane said. "But you're the most wonderful man I've ever known and I nearly lost you once and it hurts knowing that you're willingly walking back into their midst."
"I have to. They forced my hand. They have my friends and they'll kill them and send them back to us in tiny pieces. I just can't sit on my arse and do nothing."
"I know and I hate them for doing this to you, all of it, going back to trying to replace you with William. I hope to God you and him and the Doctor, all of you wipe them off the map so they don't bother us ever again."
"That's another thing, love. It might not end with this, you know. They might still come after me even if we stop them this time. When Satan was defeated, they simply replaced him. Who knows how many of those Diablons they have lined up to replace one another if we keep on defeating them."
"What are you saying?"
"I'm saying that if we get out of this, I'm going to ask the Doctor if we can stay with him and come back when we need to record an album or do what we need to do. I'm afraid if we stay in our homes they'll try again and again and again. Perhaps, if the lads can be talked into it, we can record our music here in the TARDIS and then come back to the '60's when we need to do interviews, promotion, that sort of thing. I don't know if he'll agree to it, but he did say I was one of his companions and I'm sure he'd rather I was here and safe than have to come back again and again to help get me out of a jam. And in return, William and I can earn our keep by helping him out whenever he needs us. And then, if there is a time where we know we'll be safe again, we can go back but I'm just concerned about what will happen if he leaves and they know it. I think they're scared of him, Janie. His people nearly wiped them out, that's got to strike fear in their hearts. They said in the letter he wasn't supposed to interfere and they sent Robert or Ian or whoever the hell that bloke was to kill him along with me and William. I haven't known him for very long but I can tell he's someone you don't want for an enemy. The man radiates power and authority and I'm sure that's terrifying to this lot. I'm betting they'll wait till he leaves and then resume business as usual. I bet they do that a lot since I'm betting if anyone can stop them for good, it's him. Anyway, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do and I won't ask you to stay with me, I just think it would be best if I stayed somewhere where I wasn't a constant target and a danger for those around me."
"I want to be wherever you are. I hated it when you moved out. I know you're thinking of our safety but I miss sleeping with you and feeling you body against mine. I know you're not far away, but it's not the same. I'd rather stay with you here in the TARDIS than sit in my house and wonder where in time you're at. If you stay then I'm staying."
"Then I want to ask you something."
"Yes?" Jane said.
He cupped her chin with his hands.
"You are my entire world, Jane Asher, and I love you with all my heart. I can't imagine being without you and I've decided that I want you to be with me for the rest of my life. My beloved, will you become my wife and make me so damn happy the entire universe knows it?"
Tears came to Jane's eyes as her breath caught in her throat. She swallowed hard and nodded.
"I will," she choked out as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I want nothing more than to be your wife, forever and ever."
Paul smiled and kissed her lips. Jane wrapped her arms around his neck and Paul sighed as she opened her mouth and his tongue went in. They snogged for several more minutes and then Paul leaned his head back and kissed her lips.
"Don't have a ring right now. This is sorta spur of the moment. I figured if I make it through all this, this is my reward," he said to her.
Jane laughed.
"In that case, bring Johnny back alive because I'm sure he'll whine if he isn't your best man," she said.
"Believe me, I will. I want all of them at our wedding," Paul said.
They cuddled for awhile and then Jane felt sleepy. Paul kissed her cheek, pulled the covers down and got into bed with her. He lay with her until she was asleep and then with a tender kiss, he got up. He smiled and rubbed Martha's side when she got up from where she'd been lying at the side of the bed. He walked out and Martha followed him. He was walking down the hallway when he stopped at Amy's door. She was lying on her bed with her laptop typing something. She glanced up and smiled when Paul entered the room.
"Hey, another future thing for ya. You thought that desktop computer was small, this one's portable. It's called a laptop," she said, pointing to it.
"Blimey, do they have one smaller than that?"
"Um…they have smaller versions of the laptop and some mobiles have internet access so yes, I s'pose there are smaller versions."
Paul sat down beside her on the floor and watched while she typed.
"What are you doing there?" he asked.
"It's called Email. Short for electronic mail. You type a message and you can send it instantly to someone else and they don't have to wait days to get your letter. You can talk back and forth this way, all on the same day. I'm emailing a friend of mine. What about you? What are you up to?"
"I just asked Jane to be my wife and she said yes."
Amy stopped typing. She got up and embraced Paul when he stood up with her.
"I'm so glad. You're made for each other," she said. "Congratulations."
"Thanks. I felt like it was time and I wanted to do it before I went back to the Illuminati. I want her to know how much I love her."
"I think she already knew that, Bro," Amy said. "But I'm glad you made it official."
Paul told her about his idea about staying on the TARDIS. Amy nodding.
"I don't think the Doctor would mind. I think he'd be thrilled and it wouldn't be a big deal to let you guys out now and then so you can take care of your Beatle business. Are you gonna ask him now?"
"In a moment but first…"
He hugged Amy tightly and Amy smiled as she returned the embrace.
"I just wanted to say before I go that despite all the shitty driver jokes I am glad you came into my life and you became my sister. You've been a good friend and a confidant and I'm blessed to have you."
"Aw, right back at ya," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
They hugged each other for several minutes and Paul rubbed her back.
"I'll see ya later, gotta go find the Doctor," he said.
"Okay," Amy replied.
She gave him a kiss on the cheek and watched him go with a smile on her face before she turned her attention back to her laptop.
Meanwhile, William was in his room, reading a book. He was trying to read but his mind kept drifting away and he kept envisioning himself back in his old cell being tortured and beaten again. He tried over and over to push those thoughts away but they always came back and finally, he sighed and closed the book. He got up and decided to take a walk. He got halfway down the corridor before he heard his name being called. He turned and saw the Doctor coming towards him.
"William. Can I speak to you for a moment?" he said.
"Sure," William said.
"I've been thinking ever since Robert killed himself that could have very well been you doing that and I hate to think that because I'm glad that I met you. You've had a very hard time, being kidnapped and basically forced to assume someone else's identity and then I'm sure at times you've felt like a third wheel being around Paul and his friends."
"Sometimes, yeah," William said. "I know that in the beginning they looked at me funny. Not Paul, his friends, but I think they finally got used to me."
"I'm glad because you deserve to have friends that care for you. I'm also chuffed that you have decided to turn right back around and bring down the people who did this to you, especially since not many people in your situation would have the guts."
"I feel the same way as Paul. I can't let them hurt anyone else and get away with it. There's been far too many deaths."
"I agree. It needs to stop. And I meant what I said about you and Paul being my companions. You're welcome to come here, stay here and travel with me if you want. I have no trouble picking you up and taking you back whenever you want to come and go. And…I was also thinking…see, I gave Paul a mobile and the IPod but you only got an IPod so I owe you a second gift."
"You don't have to."
"I know that but I was thinking…I know I mentioned laser eye surgery to you and I was wanting to offer that to you if you want to get rid of your glasses for good. But…I know better surgeons on other planets. Even in Amy and Rory's time, the procedure is a bit primitive. I can take you somewhere where it can be done in a much more efficient manner and then you'd have 20/20 vision for the rest of you life."
"Seriously?"
"Completely. I figure I'd give you an incentive to come out of this whole mess alive so would you like to do that?"
"Yes. Yes, please," William said, overjoyed.
The Doctor smiled. He gave him a hug.
"You're wanted here, William," he said after he finished. "Don't ever think you aren't or you have to spend your life in Paul's shadow just because you were destined to replace him at one point. I'm very, very glad to have met you and I'm glad you want to keep on being a part of our lives."
"Thank you."
He gave him another hug and the Doctor smiled.
"Anyway, sorry if I was interrupting something, I just wanted to make that offer to you before all hell broke loose," he said.
"Thank you."
The Doctor patted him on the shoulder and walked away. William, his heart light, turned and walked on to the kitchen to make a cup of tea.
On the way back to the console room, the Doctor bumped into Paul.
"There you are, I need to speak to you," Paul said.
"Yes?" the Doctor said as he stroked Martha's fur.
When Paul told him about proposing to Jane, the Doctor embraced him.
"I'm glad. She's perfect for you," he said. "I hope we'll be invited to your wedding then? And the reception afterwards so we can party and celebrate and dance. I'm a fabulous dancer, just ask Amy."
"Of course you're welcome to come to our wedding. But there's something else I need to ask you."
The Doctor nodded and listened while Paul told him his request to stay on the TARDIS. A grin broke over his face as he listened.
"You're more than welcome to stay here if you'd like. Any of you are welcome and that includes friends and family. I agree with you. At the moment until we defeat the Diablon or at least cripple them significantly, you and your loved ones are at risk and they know it. As you can see, I have more than enough room for an army of several thousand so I have no problem with you and Jane and whoever else staying here. That is definitely a very doable request."
"Thank you. Once again, I owe you so much."
"You owe me nothing. You've more than paid me back by helping out."
"One more request if you don't mind."
"Yes?"
"If…I don't make it out of this. Will you look after Martha and keep an eye on Jane and her family for me? I want to make sure they're all cared for if I do die."
"I will do everything in my power to prevent that but…if it does, yes, I will take care of Martha and check up on your fiancée and her family for you."
"And William, if he makes it out and I don't."
The Doctor nodded. He told Paul about running into William and his offer to fix his eyes. Paul grinned.
"Mate, you are a miracle worker. I bet he'll enjoy that. John wears glasses on occasion and he hates it. Tries not to wear them if he can get away with it, although I've noticed the older he gets the more he uses them. But I noticed that from Sergeant Pepper on, he wears them full time. Sad to think me mate's getting old now."
"Nah, you're still young and so is he, plenty of time to live and laugh and love," the Doctor replied.
Paul hesitated.
"I have a question for you," he said.
"Yes?"
"When we were captives, Amy told me about what happens to John and George in future. Since then I've debated whether or not to tell them what I know. You said that some events can't be changed. Can John and George's deaths be prevented?"
"Yes."
"Then should I tell them?"
"That's up to you but I will tell you this. We visited you when you were 64 and you did do that and you and the other Beatles were alive and well and planning to tour in a month. In fact, you invited us to one of your tour dates."
"So we stay together through all those years?" Paul said.
"No, you said you did decide to end it in 1970 to give yourselves a break from the stress and craziness but there was no animosity and you helped out on each other's solo projects and then when you were ready, you toured as a group on occasion."
"So that whole I hate you, Paul, how do you sleep at night…"
"You said, that never happened. You and John remained close."
Paul beamed.
"That's why I would like to tell him and why I want all of this to work out. I don't want us to land up in court fighting each other and composing these hate-filled songs. These are my mates, have been for years and I don't want to lose them. I don't want John to die by some gunman's hand and I don't want George to die of lung cancer. In fact, I gave up smoking myself after she told me that because my mum died of lung cancer as well and I don't want to die young like she did."
"I think that's a wise decision, Paul."
"I did tell John about Yoko and what happened with him abandoning Cynthia and that's one thing that didn't happen. He did meet Yoko in November but they're friends instead of lovers and he's going to help her out and collaborate with her on a few things."
"You said that as well when we visited you."
"Blimey, I just let my gob run, didn't I?"
"Yeah, you did after you found out that it was the first time we visited you after we left. But I'm glad you did. I'm glad that things turned out better than before when you died and the whole band was thrown into turmoil. I like it when time changes for the better, makes me proud to be a Time Lord."
"Well, I don't know about William but I s'pose we should go ahead and finish this, yeah? They may not kill my friends until the twenty four hours are up but I'm sure they're torturing them and I want them out of there."
"Then let's go talk to William and see if he's ready yet."
Paul nodded. He and the Doctor turned and Martha followed them while they went to find William.