Disclaimer: I still don't own Doctor Who.
Chapter 11: Family of Blood
Jenny said, "Make you decision, Ms Smith."
Latimer reached into his jacket pocket and slowly pulled out the watch. Baines suggested, "Perhaps if that human heart breaks, the Time Lord will emerge."
Latimer opened the watch which said, hushed, "Time Lord..."
Baines shouted, "It's her!"
Using the distraction, Martha turned the tables on Jenny, holding a gun to her. "One more move and I shoot." She said.
Baines remarked, "Oh, the maid is full of fire!"
Martha snapped, "And you can shut up!" She fired the gun into the ceiling.
Clark warned, "Careful, Son of Mine. This is all for you so that you can live forever."
Baines gritted his teeth, "Shoot you down!"
Martha replied, "Try it. We'll die together."
Baines asked, "Would you really pull the trigger? Looks too scared."
Martha retorted, "Scared and holding a gun. It's a good combination. You wanna risk it?" Baines looked at Rose, who was completely out of her depth, before lowering the gun. James went to stand beside Rose. Martha ordered, "Rose, get everyone out. There's a door at the side. It's over there. Go on!" Rose stood hesitant. Martha shouted, "Do it, Ms Smith. I mean you!"
James said, "Do what she said. Everybody out now." He began to usher everyone out. "Don't argue, Mr Jackson. They're mad. That's all we need to know. Susan, Miss Cooper, outside, all of you!"
The villagers exited the hall through the front door, screaming. Rose said to Latimer, "C'mon Timothy. Back to the school, quickly."
Martha said, "And you. Go on. Just shift." Rose asked, "What about you?"
Martha called, "Mr Griffin, I think you should escort your lady to safety, don't you?"
Rose looked to the door, where James was standing, to Martha, back to the door then Martha again before running out with James. Rose arrived outside and began directing people, "Mr Hicks, go to the village. Get everyone out. Timothy, get back to the school. Tell the headmaster..."
Latimer interrupted, recoiling, "Don't touch me! You're as bad as them!" He ran off.
Martha pushed Jenny away and held the gun with both hands and said, "Don't try anything. I'm warning you, or sonny boy gets it."
Baines remarked, "She's almost brave, this one."
The Family slowly advanced and Jenny said, "I should have taken her form. Much more fun. So much spirit."
Martha backed away and demanded, "What happened to Jenny? Is she gone?" Jenny snickered, "She is consumed. Her body's mine."
Martha corrected, "You mean she's dead."
Jenny replied, "Yes. And she went with precious little dignity. All that... aah... screaming." A scarecrow grabbed Martha from behind.
Baines ordered, "Get the gun!"
Martha ducked under the scarecrow's arm and ran outside. She ran out the door of the hall and saw Rose and James still there. "Don't just stand there, move!" She said, "God, you're rubbish as a human! I don't know how you ever were before. Come on!" Martha ran and Rose took James's hand and they followed. Latimer ran along a road through the woods towards the school and in the distance heard the villagers screaming.
Rose, Martha and James arrived breathless at the school. James closed the heavy wooden main door behind them. Once inside the school's front hall, he immediately began ringing a bell. Martha asked, "What're you doing?"
"Maybe one man can't fight them, but this school teaches us to stand together. Take arms! Take arms!" James said.
Martha protested, "You can't do that!"
James asked, "You want us to fight, don't you? Take arms! Take arms!"
Boys began rushing down the stairs, including Hutchinson, who asked, "I say sir, what's the matter?"
James replied, "Enemy at the door, Hutchinson. Enemy at the door. Take arms!"
Baines, Jenny and Lucy approached the school with a few scarecrows in attendance. Baines said, "They're sounding the alarms."
Jenny scoffed, "I wouldn't be so pleased, Son of Mine. These bodies are silly and hot. They can damage and die. That's why we need the Time Lord."
Baines said, "Indeed. They will have guns. Perhaps a little caution. Sister of Mine, you're such a small little thing. Find a way in and spy on them." Lucy skipped away down a path.
Inside the school, the boys were loading machine guns and other weapons. Martha said, "You can't do this, Sir. Mr Griffin!"
James ignored her and told the boys, "Maintain position over the stable yard."
Martha said, "They're just boys! You can't ask them to fight!"
James went on, "Faster now! That's it."
Martha tried to get him to listen, "They don't stand a chance!"
James replied, "They're cadets, Miss Jones. They are trained to defend the King and all his properties."
The Headmaster entered the room and asked, "What in thunder's name is this? Before I devise an excellent and endless series of punishments for each and every one of you, could someone explain very simply and immediately exactly what is going on?"
Rose replied, "Headmaster, I have to report the school is under attack."
The headmaster asked, "Really? Is that so? Perhaps you and I should have a word in private."
Rose insisted, "I promise you, sir. I was in the village with Mr Griffin. It's Baines, sir. Jeremy Baines and Mr Clarke from Oakham Farm. They've gone mad, sir. They've got guns. They've already murdered people in the village. I saw it happen."
Headmaster asked, "Professor Griffin, is that so?"
James said, "I'm afraid it's true, sir."
Headmaster asked in disbelief, "Murder on our own soil?"
James replied, "I saw it, yes."
Headmaster said, "Perhaps you did well then, Mr Griffin. Ms Smith, what makes you thing the danger's coming here?"
Rose tried to reply, "Well, sir, they said, um..."
James chimed in, "Baines threatened Ms Smith, sir. Um, said he'd follow her. We don't know why."
Headmaster said, "Very well. You boys, remain on guard. Mr Snell, telephone the police. Mr Philips, with me. We shall investigate."
Martha stood in front of the Headmaster to stop him and said, "No, it's not safe out there."
Headmaster said, "Ms Smith, it seems your favourite servant is giving me advice. You will control her, ma'am." He left.
Martha sighed and said, "I've gotta find that watch." She headed out of the room and Rose followed.
Running down the hallway, they passed Latimer who was hiding in a small alcove. Rose's voice was speaking from the watch, "Hold me. Keep me safe. Keep me dark. Keep me closed. The time is not right." Lucy entered the hallway from the other end. The watch whispered, "Not yet. Not while the Family is abroad. Danger!"
The Headmaster and Mr Philips strode outside to confront Baines and Jenny.
Headmaster said, "So, Baines and one of the cleaning staff. There's always a woman involved. Am I to gather that some practical joke has got out of hand?"
Baines said, "Headmaster, sir. Good evening, sir. Come to give me a caning, sir? Would you like that, sir?"
Headmaster warned, "Keep a civil tongue, boy."
Philips said, "Now, come now everyone. I suspect alcohol has played its part in this." Rose watched from one of the windows as Philips continued, "Let's all just calm down. And who are these friends of yours, Baines? In fancy dress."
Baines asked, "Do you like them, Mr Philips? I made them myself." He walked to one of the scarecrows. "I'm ever so good at science, sir. Look..." He pulled the arm off the scarecrow. "Molecular fringe animation fashioned in the shape of straw men. My own private army, sir. Ever so good, sir."
Headmaster ordered, "Baines, step apart from this company and come inside with me."
Baines said, "No, sir. You, sir...You will send us Ms Rose Smith. That's all we want, sir, Ms Rose Smith and whatever she's done with her Time Lord consciousness. Then we'd be very happy to leave you alone."
Headmaster said, "You speak with someone else's voice, Baines. Who might that be?"
Baines replied, "We are the Family of Blood."
Headmaster said, "Ms Smith said there had been deaths."
Baines replied, "Yes, sir! And they were good, sir!"
Headmaster warned, "Well, I warn you, the school is armed."
Baines said, "All your little tin soldiers. But tell me, sir, will they thank you?"
Headmaster asked, "I don't understand."
Baines asked, "What do you know of history, sir? What do you know of next year?"
Headmaster said, "You're not making sense, Baines."
Baines replied, "1914, sir. Because the Family has travelled far and wide looking for Ms Smith and, oh, the things we have seen. War is coming. In foreign fields, war of the whole wide world, with all your boys falling down in the mud. Do you think they will thank the man who taught them it was glorious?"
Headmaster warned, "Don't you forget, boy, I've been a soldier. I was in South Africa, I used my dead mates as sandbags, I fought with the butt of my rifle when the bullets ran out, and I would go back there tomorrow for King and Country!"
Baines said, "Et cetera, et cetera." He turned and fired on Mr Philips, disintegrating him. In the window, Rose visibly gulped. Baines continued, "Run along, headmaster. Run back to the school, and send us Ms Smith!" Jenny laughed as the Headmaster ran back inside. Rose left the window.
Inside, Rose looked up when the Headmaster entered the room and said, "Mr Philips has been murdered, Ms Smith. Can you tell me why?"
Rose replied, "Honestly, sir, I have no idea. And the telephone line's been disconnected. We're on our own."
Headmaster said, "If we have to make a fight of it, then make a fight we shall. Hutchinson, we'll build a barricade within the courtyards, fortify the entrances, build our defences. Gentlemen, in the name of the King, we shall stand against them."
The boys chorused, "Yes, sir!"
The Headmaster walked out of the room and the boys filed out to help with the defences. One of them said, "Right. Get on. Let's get moving."
Three boys lowered a wooden bar across the heavy main doors. He said, "Hurry, get back."
Another one said, "Drop!"
Inside, Hutchinson was delegating. He said, "Barricade the kitchens. Secure the passageway to the stables." He spotted Latimer and grabbed him by the arm. "You coward! You'll do your duty, Latimer, with the rest of us!"
Outside, the teachers were directing the boys as they prepared for the attack. Headmaster said, "Sandbags to the north and west."
Rose said, "... stables in case of..."
Headmaster continued, "Load the spare magazines with bullets."
Hutchinson ordered, "Quickly now! Take the magazine cut-off out!"
The Headmaster said, "That's it. We need water for the Vickers gun. See to it. Faster! All of you, faster!"
Rose said, "Lockley, when firing commences, you're in charge of the gallery."
Headmaster ordered, "Peterson, that is not acceptable. Report to your senior officer."
Martha was searching "Rose Smith's office" with James. Martha said, "I know it sounds mad, but when Rose became human, she took the alien part of herself and stored it inside the watch. It's not really a watch, it just looks like a watch."
James said, "And alien means... not from abroad, I take it."
Martha said, "The woman you call Rose Smith... she was born on another world. She turned human before. She became alien again and now she's human. Again."
James muttered, "A different species."
Martha said, "Yeah."
James asked, "Then tell me, in this fairy tale... who are you?"
Martha replied, "Just a friend. I'm not... I mean you haven't got a rival. Just her friend.
" James asked, "You're human I take it?"
Matron burst in as Martha chuckled, "Human, don't worry, and more than that, I just don't follow her around. I'm training to be a doctor... not an alien doctor, a proper doctor, a doctor of medicine."
Matron spoke up, "Well that certainly is nonsense. Women might train to be doctors, but hardly a skivvy and hardly one of your colour."
Martha asked, "Oh, d'you think?" She paused, trying to figure out how to prove it. "Bones of the hand." James watched them both as Martha held up her left hand and pointed to each. "Carpal bones, proximal row; scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, pisiform. Distal row; trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate. Then the metecarpal bones extending in three distinct phalanges; proximal, middle, distal."
Matron said disbelievingly, "You read that in a book."
Martha laughed, "Yes, to pass my exams. Can't you see this is true?"
James said, "I must go. Coming Matron?" Matron followed him as he headed for the door.
Martha said, "If we find that watch we can stop them."
James said, "Those boys are going to fight. Matron might not be a doctor, but she's still their nurse. And I'm their teacher. They need us." He walked out with Matron in tow, leaving Martha alone.
Rose walked into a room with two boys where Matron, now in uniform, was preparing for after the battle. James said to the boys, "You're with Armitage and Thwaites. They know the drill."
Rose went to James. "James, it's not safe."
James replied, "I'm doing my duty, just as much as you." He paused. "Fine evening we've had together."
Rose chuckled, "Not quite as planned."
James suddenly said, "Tell me about Nottingham."
Rose asked, confused, "Sorry?"
James explained, "That's where you were brought up. Tell me about it."
Rose said, "Well, it lies on the River Leen, its southern boundary following the course of the River Trent which flows from Stoke to the Humber."
James said, "That sounds like an encyclopaedia. Where did you live?"
Rose replied, "Broadmoor Street, adjacent to Hotley Terrace in the district of Radford Parade."
James urged, "But more than facts. When you were a child, where did you play? All those secret little places... dens and hideaways that only a child knows? Tell me, Rose. Please tell me."
Rose asked tearfully, "How can you think that I'm not real? When you kissed me, was that a lie?"
James replied, "No, it wasn't. No."
Rose said, "But this Rose Tyler sounds like some... some lost rebel princess. Would you rather that? Am I not enough?"
James said, "No, that's not true. Never."
Rose said, "I've got to go."
James said, "Rose, you and Martha was right about one thing, though. Those boys, they're children. Rose Smith wouldn't want them to fight, never mind Rose Tyler. The Rose Smith I was getting to know, she knows it's wrong, doesn't she?"
Headmaster called, "Mr Griffin, if you please!"
James chuckled, "Who am I to talk? What choice do I have?" He kissed her then left.
The teachers and the boys were in the courtyard making final preparations. Hutchinson and Latimer were teamed at a gun. Hutchinson ordered, "Get those bags piled up, filth. Gonna mean the difference between life and death for us."
Latimer replied, "Not for you and me."
Hutchinson asked, "What are you babbling about?"
Latimer said, "We're going to battle together. We fight alongside. I've seen it. Not here, not now."
Hutchinson asked, "What's that supposed to mean?"
Latimer replied, "It means you and I both survive this. And maybe..." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the watch. "Maybe I was given this watch so I could help. I'm sorry." He ran off.
Hutchinson called after him, "Latimer, you filthy coward!"
Latimer called back, "Oh yes, sir. Every time!"
Martha was still searching. She screamed in aggravation and throwed papers into the air before running out of the room.
Latimer was sitting alone in the hallway holding the watch in his hands. He asked, "What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?"
The watch whispered, "Beware..."
Latimer asked, "Beware of what?"
The watch said, "Her."
Lucy was standing at the opposite end of the hall. Latimer stood to face her, hiding the watch. Lucy sniffed. Latimer ordered, "Keep away."
Lucy asked, "Who are you?"
Latimer said, "I saw you at the dance. You were with that family. You're one of them."
Lucy asked, "What are you hiding?"
Latimer replied quickly, "Nothing."
"What have you got there?"
"Nothing."
Lucy sneered, "Show me, little boy."
Latimer said, "I reckon whatever you are, you're still in the shape of a girl. How strong is she, do you think? Does she really want to see this?" Latimer opened the watch in Lucy's direction, sharing some of Rose's memories, especially her confrontation with the Racnoss. Lucy ran off.
Baines and Jenny had seen it all through their telepathic connection. Baines said, "Time Lord."
Jenny said, "Inside the device."
Baines continued, "Everything she is concealed away in the hands of a schoolboy. Now we know that's all we need to find the boy and the watch. What are we waiting for? Attack!" The scarecrows began to move forward.
Inside the courtyard, the boys were at their guns watching the main doors. Headmaster said, "Stand to!" The scarecrows pounded on the door. Headmaster ordered, "At post!"
Everyone aimed their guns, including James. A boy said, "Enemy approaching, sir."
Headmaster said, "Steady! Find the biting point." The wood bar across the gate cracked apart and the scarecrows entered. Headmaster ordered, "Fire!" The boys fired and some of the scarecrows fell but other kept coming. James did not fire.
Headmaster ordered, "Cease fire!" He walked to the bodies. "They're straw. Like he said. Straw!"
Hutchinson said to James, "The no one's dead, sir? We killed no one?"
Footsteps were heard and the Headmaster headed back behind the guns and ordered, "Stand to!" Martha and Rose watched from inside. Martha ran from the window as Lucy approached. Headmaster said, "You child, come out of the way. Come into the school. You don't know who's out there. It's the Cartwright girl, isn't it? Come here. Come to me."
Martha said, "Mr Rocastle, please. Don't go near her.
" Headmaster barked, "You were told to be quiet."
Martha shouted, "Listen to me, she's part of it! Professor, tell him."
James said, "I think... I don't know. I think you should stay back, Headmaster."
Martha pleaded, "Ms Smith."
Rose came out and said, "She was... she was with... with Baines in the village."
Headmaster said, "Ms Smith, I've seen many strange sights this night but there is no cause on God's earth that would allow me to see this child in the field of battle, sir." He spoke to Lucy, "Come with me."
Lucy said, "You're funny."
Headmaster chuckled, "That's right. Now take my hand."
Lucy repeated, "So funny." She reached into her coat, pulled out a gun and shot the Headmaster. "Now who's going to shoot me, any of you, really?"
Rose said to boys, "Put down your guns." James lowered his own rifle.
Hutchinson argued, "But Miss, the Headmaster..."
Rose said, eyes flashing gold every so often,, "I'll not see this happen. Not anymore. You will retreat... in an orderly fashion back through the school. Hutchinson, lead the way."
Hutchinson tried to argue again, "But miss..."
Rose faced him and her eyes glowed with authority. "I said, lead the way. Please." Hutchinson found himself nodding.
Baines arrived and said, "Go on, then, run!" He fired his gun into the air. There was screaming and panic as the boys retreated.
Martha shouted, "Come on!"
Baines ordered the scarecrows, "Reanimate!"
The boys ran back into the school chased by the scarecrows. Latimer ran upstairs. Rose, Martha and James took the boys out via the passage through the stables. Rose shouted, "Let's go! Quick as you can!"
Martha said, "Don't go to the village! It's not safe!"
James said, "And you, ladies!"
Rose replied, "Not until we get the boys out."
Inside the school, Baines and Jenny brought captured boys in front of Lucy. Jenny said, "One of these boys has got the watch. This one?"
Lucy replied, "No."
Baines asked, "This one?"
"No."
Jenny asked, "This one?"
"No."
The scarecrows brought Hutchinson forward who shouted, "Let go! I said get off me!"
Baines grabbed him by the arm and said, "Ah! This one... Is that him?"
Lucy replied, "No."
Baines ordered, "Right. Kill this lot."
Weapons were raised but up in the dorm room, Latimer opened the watch, which said, "Lady of Time..."
The Family sensed it and Baines whispered, "That's him."
Jenny shouted, "Upstairs!" The Family went upstairs followed by the scarecrows. Hutchinson and the others were left alone.
Hutchinson ordered, "Don't just stand there, outside! Come on!" They ran out the door.
Outside the stable, James paused before heading back. Martha and Rose were there waiting. He said, "Now, I insist. The pair of you just go. If there are any more boys inside, I'll find them." He opened the door to the passage and saw scarecrows. He slammed it shut and locked it. "I think... retreat." Rose, James and Martha ran.
Latimer was running outside. The Family arrived in the room to find it empty. They left.
Rose, Martha and James were in the woods near the school and heard Clarke saying in a sing song voice, "Vixen! Vixen!" Martha, James and Rose stopped and looked. Clarke was standing in front of the TARDIS. "Come back, Vixen." He said, "Come home. Come and claim your prize."
Baines said, "Out you come, Vixen! There's a good girl. Come to the Family."
Jenny shouted, "Time to end it now!"
Martha softly said, "You recognise it, don't you?"
Jenny shouted again, "Come out, Vixen! Come to us!"
Rose said, "I've never seen it in my life."
Martha asked, "Do you remember its name?"
James said, "I'm sorry, Rose, but you wrote about it. The blue box. You dreamt of a blue box."
Rose, voice breaking, argued, "I'm not... I'm Rose Smith. That's all I want to be. Rose Smith, with her life... and her job... and her love. Why can't I be Rose Smith? Isn't she a good woman?"
James replied, "Yes. Yes, she is."
Rose asked tearfully, "Why can't I stay?"
Martha replied, "Because we need Rose Tyler."
Rose asked her, "So what am I then, nothing? I'm just a story." She ran off and James went after her. Martha followed after a pause.
Baines said, "One more phase and we won't have to hunt. Rose Tyler, Ms Smith, the boy, the watch, they will come to us. Soldiers! Guard this thing!" The Family left.
Rose, Martha and James were rushing down a country road. They stopped to get their bearings. James said, "This way. I think I know somewhere we can hide."
Rose said, "We've got to keep going."
James said, "Just listen to me, Rose. Follow me." Martha looked between them before following James. Rose followed after a pause.
James, Martha and Rose arrived at a dark house. James, breathing heavily, said, "Here we are. It should be empty. Oh, it's a long time since I've run that far."
Martha asked, "But who lives here?"
James replied, "If I'm right, no one." They walked slowly to the front door and James entered first. It was a simple cottage kitchen with tea set on the table. James called, "Hello? No one home. We should be safe here."
Martha asked again, "Whose house is it, though?"
James replied, "Um, the Cartwrights. That little girl at the school... she's Lucy Cartwright, or she's taken Lucy Cartwright's form. If she came home this afternoon and if the parents tried to stop their little girl, then they were vanished." He put his hand on the teapot on the table. "Stone cold. How easily I accept these ideas."
Rose sat on one of the chairs at the table and looked as if she was carrying the weight of the world again. She said, "I must go to them before anyone else dies."
James said, "You can't." He sat beside her. "Martha, there must be something we can do."
Martha shook her head and said, "Not without the watch."
Rose snapped, her Bad Wolf side showing, "You're this Rose Tyler's companion! Can't you help? What exactly do you do for her? Why does she need you?"
Martha replied sadly, "Because she's lonely. She's lost so many people. Over and over and over again."
Rose asked, "And that's what you want me to become? A heartless and cold alien?"
There was a knock on the door and they all turned to face it. James asked, "What if it's them?"
Martha replied softly, "I'm not an expert like Rose Tyler, but I don't think scarecrows knock."
She walked to the door and opened it to reveal Latimer, who said, "I brought you this."
He held out the watch, which whispered, "Martha."
Inside, Martha held out the watch in her palm in front of Rose and begged, "Hold it."
Rose replied, "I won't."
Martha pleaded again, "Please, just hold it."
Latimer put in, "It told me to find you. It wants to be held."
James asked, "You've had this watch all this time? Why didn't you return it?"
Latimer replied, "Because it was waiting. And because I was scared of Rose Tyler."
James asked, "Why?"
Latimer replied, "Because... I've seen her. She's... like golden fire and golden ice and golden rage. She's like the night and the storm in the heart of the sun."
Rose hissed, "Stop it."
Latimer went on, "She's ancient and forever. She burns at the centre of time with her Doctor and she can see the turn of the universe."
Rose snarled, "Stop! I said stop it."
Latimer finished, "And she's wonderful."
James reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the journal. James said, "I've still got this. The journal."
Rose said, "Those are just stories."
James replied, "Now we know that's not true. Perhaps there's something in here."
There was an explosion outside and they all gasped. Martha asked, "What the hell?"
They all looked out the window to see what could pass for meteorites falling to the ground. James said, "They're destroying the village."
Rose softly said, "Watch." She picked it up.
James said, "Rose, don't."
The watch whispered, "Come closer."
Latimer asked, "Can you hear it?"
It whispered again, "Closer. Closer."
Rose said, "I think she's asleep. Waiting to awaken."
Latimer asked, "Why did she speak to me?"
Rose replied in the 100 miles per hour way of hers and the Doctor's, "Oh, low-level telepathic field. You were born with it. Just an extra synaptic engram causing..." She stopped and inhaled deeply. "Is that how she talks?"
Martha, excited, said, "That's her! All you have to do is open it and she's back."
Rose stuttered, "You knew this all along and yet you watched while Professor Griffin and I..."
Martha came forward and said, "I didn't know how to stop you! She gave me a list of things to watch out for but that wasn't included." James scanned the journal.
Rose asked exasperated, "Falling in love? That didn't even occur to her?"
Martha replied, "No."
Rose asked, "Then what sort of woman is that? And now you expect me to die?" Explosions continued outside.
Martha said, "It was always going to end, though! Rose Tyler said the Family's got a limited lifespan. That's why they need to consume a Time Lord. Otherwise, three months and they die. Like mayflies, she said."
Rose laughed dryly, "So your job was to execute me."
Martha shouted, "People are dying out there! They need her and I need her. 'Cause you've got no idea of what she's like. I've only just met her. It wasn't even that long ago, but she is everything... she's just everything to me and she doesn't even look at me, but I don't care... 'cause I adore her and I respect her to bits even if she doesn't. And I hope to God she won't remember me saying this." The house rocked with the explosions.
Latimer said, "It's getting closer."
Rose said, "I should have thought of it before... I can give them this. Just the watch. Then they can leave and I can stay as I am!"
Martha protested, "You can't do that!"
Rose said, "If they want Rose Tyler, they can have her."
Martha said, "She'll never let you do it."
Rose went on, "If they get what they want, then... then..."
James finished, "Then it all ends in destruction. I never read to the end but those creatures would live forever to breed and conquer. War across the stars... for every child." Rose was on the verge of tears. James said quietly, "Martha, Timothy, would you leave us alone, please?" Rose sobbed as Martha and Latimer leave. Once they were gone, Rose broke down and James hugged her. The Family kept firing on the village.
Martha and Latimer sat on a bench outside the house. Martha pulled Latimer into her arms and just held him tight.
Back inside the house, Rose and James were sitting side by side, Rose holding the watch in one hand, staring at it. James said, "If I could do this instead of you, then I would. I'd hoped... but my hopes aren't important."
Rose turned to look at him and said, "She won't love you."
James said softly, "If she's not you, then I don't want her to. I had one wife, and she died... I never thought... ever again. And then you... you were so..."
Rose said, "It was real. I wasn't... I really thought..."
James inhaled sharply, "Let me see." He took the watch. "Blasted thing." He turned it over with his fingers. "Blasted, blasted thing. Can't even hear it. It's nothing to me." Rose reached out and held James's hand, the watch touching both of them. Rose gasped and experienced visions of what her life could be with James: their wedding, the birth of their first child, walking in the park with James and their three children, and finally her husband's peaceful death in bed. James said in the vision, "They're all safe, aren't they? The children... the grandchildren... everyone's safe?"
The alternate Rose replied, "Everyone's safe. They all send their love, James."
James chuckled, "It's done. Thank you." He closed his eyes and died.
Rose said to James, "Did you see?"
James said, "The Time Lord has such adventures but she could never have a life like that."
Rose cried out, "And yet I could!" She looked at the watch once again.
James asked, "What are you going to do?" Rose turned to James, breathing heavily, but did not answer.
In his ship, Baines said, "We'll blast them into dust, fuse the dust into glass, then shatter them all over again!"
There was a slight metal twang and the Family turned as one to see Rose enter the ship. "Just..." She said, giving a clumsy lurch and leaning against the side of the ship, hitting a few buttons. "Just stop the bombardment. That's all I'm asking. I'll do anything you want, just stop."
Baines said, "Say please."
Rose begged, "Please."
After a slight pause, Jenny turned a switch and there was a hiss as the ship responds. Jenny said, "Wait a minute." She inhaled deeply. "Still human."
Rose said, "Now I can't... I can't pretend to understand, not for a second, but I want you to know that I'm innocent in all this. She made me Rose Smith. It's not like I had any control over it." She fumbled with more buttons.
Jenny scoffed, "She didn't just make herself human, she made herself an idiot."
Baines sneered, "Same thing, isn't it?"
Rose said, "I don't care about this Rose Tyler and your family, I just want you to go. So, I've made my choice." She held out the watch. "You can have her. Just take it, please! Take her away."
Baines breathed, "At last." He took the watch. As he gazed at it, he reached out with his other hand and grabbed Rose by the collar. "Don't think that saved your life." He pushed Rose away and, as she fell, she hit some more buttons. Baines said, "Family of Mine, now we shall have the lives of a Time Lord." He opened the watch. The Family all breathed deep. Baines shouted, "It's empty!"
He turned on Rose, who asked, "Well, where's it gone?"
Baines said, "You tell me." He threw the watch and Rose caught it one-handed.
Rose said with a grin, "Oh, I think the explanation might be you've been fooled by a simple olfactory misdirection... little bit like magic of the nose. It's an elementary trick in certain parts of the galaxy. But it has got to be said... I don't like the looks of that hydroconometre. It looks to be indicating you've got energy feedback all the way through the retrostabilisers feeding back into the primary heat converter... oh." She whistled through her teeth, "'Cause if there's one thing you shouldn't have done, you shouldn't have let me press all those buttons. But, in fairness, and cause I'm really nice, I will give you one word of advice..." She grinned, "Run." She ran out of the ship.
Baines ordered, "Get out! Get out!" The Family ran out of the ship and across the field behind Rose before the ship exploded, throwing them to the ground. The Family looked up to see Rose standing over them.
(It'll be Baines POV in clips now and it'll be in bold whenever it is.)
She never raised her voice. That was the worst thing. The fury of a Time Lord. And then we discovered why. Why this Rose Tyler, this, Bad Wolf, this Vixen who had fought gods and demons alongside her Doctor, why she'd run away from us and hidden: she was being kind.
She wrapped my father in unbreakable chains, forged in the heart of a dwarf star.
She tricked my mother into the event horizon of a collapsing galaxy to be imprisoned there... forever.
Rose watched coldly, no emotion on her face, as Jenny was pulled out of the TARDIS.
She still visits my little sister once a year every year. Rose looked into an ornate mirror where a door was cracked open and Lucy peered out. I wonder if one day she might forgive her, but there she is... can you see? She trapped her inside a mirror, every mirror. If ever you look at your reflection and see something move behind you, just for a second, that's her. That's always her. Baines was dressed as a scarecrow out in a field. As for me, I was suspended in time. And Rose put me to work... Rose placed the hood over his head. ...standing over the fields of England... as their protector. Rose walked away. We wanted to live forever, so Rose Tyler made sure that we did.
Rose returned to the Cartwright's house in her regular gear. James was there, waiting. Looking out window, he asked, "Is it done?"
Rose replied, "It's done."
"Police and the arm are at the school. The parents have come to take the boys home. I should go. They'll have so many questions. I'm not sure what to say." He turned around. "Oh, you look the same. Goodness, you must forgive my rudeness. I... find it difficult to look at you. Vixen, must call you Vixen. Where is she? Rose Smith?"
Rose replied, "She's in here somewhere."
James chuckled, "Like a story. Could you change back?"
Rose said, "Yes."
James asked hopefully, "Will you?"
Rose replied, "No."
James said, "I see. Well then. She was braver that you, in the end. That ordinary woman. You chose to change. She chose to die."
Rose said, "Come with me."
James asked, "I'm sorry?"
"Travel with me."
James laughed, "As what?"
Rose replied, "My companion."
James said, "But that's not fair. What must I look like to you, Vixen? I must seem so very small."
Rose replied, "No. We could be friends. I can't love you, but we can be friends."
James replied, "I can't."
Rose begged, "Please come with me."
"I can't."
Rose asked, "Why not?"
James said, "Rose Smith is dead and you look like her."
Rose said, "But she's here." She walked to James. "Inside. If you look in my eyes."
James said, "Answer me this, just one question. That's all. If Rose Tyler had never visited us, if she'd never chosen this place on a whim... would anyone here have died?" Rose didn't answer. "You can go." Rose left and James slowly walked to the table, picking up the journal and holding it to himself, crying.
Martha was waiting by the TARDIS in a field and watched as Rose approached. "All right."
Rose said, "Molto bene!"
Martha asked, "How was he?"
Rose said, "Time we moved on."
"If you want, I could go and..."
Rose repeated, "Time we moved on."
Martha stammered, " I meant to say back there, last night... I would have said anything to get you to change. I mean, I wasn't really..." She rambled on.
Rose grinned, "Martha, I do respect you. You're the only family I have left. If you want to be."
"Really?"
Rose nodded and said, "And I never said thanks for lookin' after me." She wrapped Martha in a hug.
Latimer called, "Rose, Martha."
Rose pulled away and smiled, "Timothy."
Latimer said, "I just wanted to say good-bye. And thank you, because I've seen the future and I now know what must be done. It's coming, isn't it? The biggest war ever."
Martha said, "You don't have to fight."
Latimer smiled, "I think we do."
Martha protested, "But you could get hurt."
Latimer retorted, "Well, so could you, travelling around with her, but it's not going to stop you."
Rose put in, "Tim, I'd be honoured if you'd take this." She gave him the black and gold watch.
Latimer said, "I can't hear anything."
Rose gave him a hug and said, "No, it's just a watch now. But keep it with you. For good luck."
Martha hugged Latimer as Rose pulled away and said, "Look after yourself." She kissed him on the cheek before going into the TARDIS.
Rose grinned, "You'll like this bit." She went inside and the TARDIS dematerialised. Latimer smiled and walked away.
Years after the war a Remembrance Sunday service was being held. An older man sat in a wheelchair, others standing behind him. A female vicar was reading For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon, "...They mingle not with laughing comrades again, They sit no more at familiar tables of home, They have no lot in our labour of the day-time, They sleep beyond England's foam. They went with songs to the battle," As the old man pulled out a black and gold fob watch and revealed that was in fact he was Latimer. "... they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted," Latimer's head turned and he saw Martha attaching a poppy to Rose's leather jacket. Latimer smiled. "... They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them".
A/N: By the way, I'm not doing Blink. The Doctor's not in it much so I don't know how to add Rose. Let's go straight to Utopia shall we?
