Human Nature: The Family

In one of the dormitories Hutchinson called over a young boy as he laid on his bed, "Ah, Latimer. Here you are, Latin translation," he tossed a book to the floor as the young boy, Latimer, picked it up, "Blasted Catullus. I want it done by morning."

"Yes sir," Latimer nodded, turning to sit on his bed and start the work.

It was more...a tradition of the school than a desire to shirk his work to another, at least in Hutchinson's mind. Mrs. Smith would, undoubtedly, frown upon this, but...it couldn't be helped. He had done it when he had been a new student, when he'd been younger. All the senior boys were to pick a younger student and pick a subject for that student to tak over. It was only one subject and it was more meant to help the older boys gain more time so they might better prepare for their final exams and entering the world of men when they graduated. The older boys had so much to do before school ended, securing many things outside of school, advancements and the like, that they needed the time they normally would have spent struggling on their weaker subjects. It also taught the younger boys hard work. It did make the course load a bit tougher on them, being so new to the school, but it was only for one year after which their work seemed lighter as they wouldn't have to worry about the extra subject they had before.

It was a balance of sorts and a tradition, that was all.

"And no mistakes," Hutchinson added, "I want it written by best handwriting," he opened a letter and started to read, "Listen, father says he's been promoted," Baines looked over from reading a book on his own bed beside Hutchinson's, "That means more money. Might end up in a better school."

"Ah, he should enjoy it, sir. My uncle had a six month posting in Johannesburg. Says it was the most beautiful countryside on God's Earth."

"What are you talking about?" Hutchinson frowned.

"Africa," Latimer stood, turning to the other boy, "Your father."

"You been reading my post?" Hutchinson demanded.

"What?"

"Who said Africa?" Hutchinson glared, "I've only just read the word myself," he stood up and crossed the room to Latimer, grabbing him by the collar and forcing him against the wall, "How did you know that?"

"I haven't…"

"Have you been spying on me?"

"No! I just guessed..."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm good at guessing, that's all."

Hutchinson gave him a suspicious, angry look, before letting him go and striding away, "Idiot."

Latimer straightened his jacket and moved back to his bed, "Sometimes...I say things and they turn out to be correct. Just little things. Tiny things. I can't help it...it's just...some sort of luck."

Baines and Hutchinson looked at him a moment before Baines stood, "Right, well never mind that little toad," he nodded, certain that Mrs. Smith wouldn't fault him for calling a boy, who clearly was snooping through other people's mail, a toad, "Who's for beer?"

"You've got beer?" Hutchinson looked at him.

"No, but Baxter's hidden a secret supply in Blackdown woods."

"Well what are you waiting for?" Hutchinson laughed as Baines moved to the window and unlatched it, climbing out, "Make sure the Bursar's down the pub before you go past his window."

"A bottle for everyone, is it?" Baines looked around at the other boys in the room.

"And none for the toad," Hutchinson shot Latimer a dirty look, still thinking the boy had been going through his possessions, no one could just guess Africa of all places, "And hurry back, Baines, I'm parched," Baines saluted and climbed out of their window as Latimer turned away sadly.

~8~

Jenny sat on a bench outside the village pub that night, when Martha came out, carrying two pints, tugging her coat closer, hat and gloves on, "Ooh, it's freezing out here!" she complained, "Why can't we have a drink inside the pub?"

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

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

"I dunno. Things must be different in your country."

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

"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!" she was fairly certain that the Doctor would have some sort of argument as to why Jenny couldn't come, but she could also guess that Angel would be able to convince him, she doubted Angel would have an issue with Jenny tagging along, seeing the stars. Angela seemed to like Jenny well enough after all.

"Where are you gonna go?"

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

"You don't half say mad things!" Jenny chuckled.

"That's where I'm going," Martha nodded, "Into the sky, all the way out," Jenny laughed but Martha just looked up at the stars still. Suddenly a bright, green light flared in and out of existence in the night's sky, "Did you see that?"

"See what?"

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

"Martha, there's nothing there," Jenny shook her head.

"Is everything alright Martha?" Angela asked as she and John stepped out of the pub with a pint of something in hand, a soft smile on her face, John's arm around her waist.

John didn't look quite as pleased as Angela though, he'd been content to sit in the warm pub and enjoy their drink but Angela had insisted they join Martha and Jenny…and who was he to deny his wife anything?

~8~

Joan crossed a field, alone, heading to the pub, when suddenly a green light burst into life a few meters ahead of her, hovering in the sky. She shielded her eyes as it beamed down on her. A few seconds later though, it disappeared. She looked back the way she came to see the green beam light up again and drift across the countryside before going out again. She quickly turned and ran.

~8~

Martha, Jenny, Angela, and John were sitting outside the pub, talking, as Martha looked around uneasily at the sky, Jenny looking rather flustered that the two were willing to join them in the cold, when Joan ran over. Martha stood up quickly, seeing the woman distressed, "Matron, are you alright?"

"Did you see that?" she asked, breathless, "There was something in the woods...this light..."

"What light?" John asked, looking around.

"There!" Angela pointed to the sky just as the light flew overhead, like a green shooting star.

"There, look in the sky!" Joan cried.

"That's beautiful," Jenny smiled.

"I suppose," John nodded, considering the light, "I've seen far more beauty before though," he smiled at his wife.

"What is it though?" Angela wondered, watching the star in awe, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, "Is it supposed to be green?"

John stared at her face a moment longer, a soft look in his gaze as he took in her beauty, looking more ethereal bathed in the green light of the star, "They're...orgom," he explained, seemingly more to his wife than the other women, "Commonly known as a meteorite. It's just rocks falling to the ground, that's all."

"It came down in the woods," Joan looked at the forest.

"No, no, no, they always look close when, actually, they're miles off," John added, "Nothing left but a cinder," he turned to Angela, "Now," he took her hand, kissing the back of it, "I should escort you back to the school," he told her, knowing she must be tired, she usually was whenever she woke as violently and suddenly as she did earlier that morning, "And you Nurse Redfern?" he asked Joan, who nodded, not wanting to walk alone after seeing that odd light. He turned to Martha and Jenny as well, knowing Angela was fond of them and would wish to see them safely back to the school, "Ladies?"

"No, we're fine, thanks," Martha said distractedly, looking up at the sky.

"Then we shall bid you goodnight," John said, putting his hat on.

"Have a goodnight Martha," Angela smiled at her friend, pointing at her playfully, "I shall expect tea tomorrow though."

Martha smiled, nodding, "Yes ma'am."

"Good," she nodded, pleased, "Sleep well."

"You as well ma'am," Martha watched as John tugged Angela on, leading her off with Joan, back towards the school before she turned to Jenny, "Jenny, where was that? On the horizon, where the light was headed."

"That's by Cooper's Field," Jenny said and Martha took off, "You can't just run off! It's dark, you'll break a leg!" she sighed and got up, heading after her.

~8~

Off in the woods, Baines grinned as he found the stash of beer, he picked up a crate, when a strange sound made him stop. A moment later a strange green light drifted down towards the woodland floor a few meters ahead.

He watched when the light went out and scrambled over to it, curious, "I say, hello? Is that some kind of aeroplane? You chaps alright?"

He was cut off abruptly when he walked into a clearing and straight into a green force field that flared to life, repelling him. He stepped back and it died down, invisible. Experimentally he reached out and pushed until he hit the wall again. He pulled back with a gasp, looking around, but seeing nothing.

He tried again but with his fist, still taken aback, "What...that's...that's impossible!"

He slowly pushed the palms of his hands against it, looking at the indents of what seemed to be windows. He slid a hand along it till he hit a button and a door opened, "Some kind of door...hello?" he shouted, only to hear an echo, "Is...is anyone there?" he stretched his hand out again and followed it through the door and inside.

~8~

Martha ran through the woods, Jenny right behind her, before stopping at the clearing, only to see nothing there, "There y'are..." Jenny gasped for breath, "Nothing there. I told you so."

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

"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 Mr. Smith says, 'Nothing to see,'" Jenny turned and strode way, Martha giving the clearing one last look before following after.

~8~

Baines stumbled around the craft, through the dark, wires hanging everywhere, "But I don't understand. Who are you?"

"We are the Family," a distorted, male voice replied.

"Far more important, who are you, little thing?" a woman asked.

"My name is Baines," he answered, "Jeremy Baines. Please...can I go?"

"I'm so sorry, Baines, Jeremy Baines, but I don't think you can ever leave."

"But...who are you? Why can't I see you?"

"Why would you want to see us?" the man and woman asked as one.

"I want to know what you look like!"

"Oh, that's easily answered, because very soon, we will look so...familiar," the woman said.

Baines screamed as a green light shot right at him.

~8~

Latimer sat on the floor, polishing his shoes in the dormitory while the senior boys played a card game behind him, "Where is he?" Hutchinson asked as a clock struck, "Promises us beer then vanishes into the night," just as he finished, there was a knock at the window, they all looked over, "There he is," he turned to one of the younger boys, "Let him in," the boy got up and unlatched the window, Baines climbing in as Latimer looked at him warily, "Baines, you dolt. I thought you'd been caught by the rozzers," Baines stared at him, wide eyed and blank faced, "Well then? Where is it, man? Where's the blessed beer?"

"There was no beer," he replied, "It was gone."

"Damn it all, I've been waiting. Pretty poor show, Baines, I have to say," Baines sniffed loudly, "What's the matter with you? Caught sniffles out there?"

"Yes, I must have. It was cold. Very cold."

Latimer just eyed him uneasy.

"Well don't spread it about, I don't want your germs," Hutchinson told him, "Come on, might as well get some sleep," he turned to the other boys, "Come on chaps, maybe tomorrow."

Baines looked over at Latimer.

"Jackson's got some beer in the pavilion..."

Latimer looked away, back to polishing.

~8~

The next morning Martha rode a bike through the woods to a quaint, old, stone barn. She pushed the door open, smiling as she saw the TARDIS standing in the back. She pulled the TARDIS key out and unlocked the door, heading into the mostly dark console room.

"Hello!" she greeted before shaking her head, "I'm talking to a machine..." she sighed.

She'd seen Angel do it loads of times, but...it always seemed like the box was answering her back, it always sort of...hummed...or made some sort of noise when Angel spoke to it. That didn't happen when SHE talked to the box though, not even before it had been powered down. She'd found herself, at times, in the console room, alone, and would...talk, just for a short while, at the box, but...nothing. No hums, no nothing, the rotor hardly even moved when she did so. She wasn't sure if it was a Time Lord thing or an Angel thing, she knew the Time Lady had been responsible for the TARDISes on Gallifrey so that might have been it.

She shook her head to clear her thoughts and pulled off her gloves, heading to the console, sighing as she looked at the dormant rotor, recalling what had happened that night two months ago…

the Doctor held the pocket watch before her, "Martha, this watch is me, it's Angel, the two of us."

Martha nodded, confused, taking it from him as he ran to help Angel set up, "...right, ok, gotcha...no, hold on! Completely lost!"

"Those creatures are hunters, they can sniff out anyone," he explained quickly, "And with us being Time Lords."

He turned to Angel, running a hand down her back, kissing her temple, his hearts racing at the new threat against them, at what he'd have them do to try and escape it. He knew, without a doubt, whoever he became would protect Angel, whoever she became, to his last breath, but...he didn't like not being able to control his own body, to not know or be aware of what was going on, to basically have to trust her life to a stranger but...Martha would be there, she'd protect Angel, protect them both, and he had to...hiding or hunted, he would pick whatever would keep his Mate the safest, hiding it was.

"Well, makes it easy for them," he mumbled, returning his attention to helping Angel frantically try to get everything set up, "They can track us down across the whole of time and space."

"And the good news is?" Martha stared at him, shocked.

"They can ONLY sniff us out, right?" Angel looked at the Doctor who nodded, "By smell, if they haven't seen us, which...I don't think they did..."

"Their life's bound to be running out," the Doctor agreed, "So, we hide, wait for them to die."

"But they can track us down!" Martha argued.

"That's why we've got to do it," the Doctor stopped, taking Angel's hand and looking at her seriously, "We have to stop being Time Lords. We're gonna become human."

Angel swallowed hard, pulling a lever and the helmet lowered farther so they could reach it. She glanced at it, staring at it a long while, "I never ever thought I would use that," she breathed, eyeing the helmet.

"All the times I've wondered..." the Doctor admitted.

"What does it do?" Martha asked.

"It's called a Chameleon Arch," Angel explained, blinking as she turned away from the helmet and to Martha, "It's supposed to rewrite the biology of a Time Lord, change every single cell in our bodies and..." she looked at the monitor, flashing with Gallifreyan symbols Martha couldn't recognize, "It's set to human."

The Doctor took the pocket watch back and fit it into a section in the helmet, "Now, the TARDIS will take care of everything. Invent a life story for us, find a setting, and integrate us. Can't do the same for you...you'll just have to improvise."

"We should be able to let you in," Angel added, trying to reassure the woman, "Be aware enough to include you somehow..."

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

"Oh yeah," the Doctor nodded as he squeezed Angel's hand, "It hurts."

Martha flinched, recalling his screams of pain as the Arch went to work on him a short while later, Angel having to stand there and witness it before she was forced to do the same just after he was released, unable to go to his side as he collapsed to the ground. The watch, from what she gathered, wasn't meant to hold two Time Lords in it, Angel had to be quick in order to continue the stream of the Time Lord essence, make the watch think that it was just more of the Doctor pouring into it.

She turned away and activated a few keys, thankful Angel had taken to showing her what a few of them did here and there, bringing up the monitor, "This working?" the Doctor tapped the camera as he sat down before it with Angel close beside him to fit in the frame.

"Martha," Angel smiled at her, "We wanted to make you this list of instructions before we become human."

"1: don't let us hurt anyone. We can't have that, but you know what humans are like. Though I can't imagine any form of Angel doing something like that, I mean, me? Well, as long as no one's trying to harm Angel I don't think I'd hurt anyone either but you never know what sort of people we'll become and..."

"2," Angel cut in lightly, knowing they didn't have time and that he was on the verge of rambling, "Please, don't worry about the TARDIS. I'll set her to run on emergency power to keep them from detecting her. She should automatically land in a well-hidden place so just...let her be."

"4…"

"3."

"Right, 3: no getting involved in big historical events."

"4: you," Angel said gently, "Martha, don't let us abandon you. Don't let us leave you or send you away. Handcuff yourself to us if you have to."

Martha smiled at that, as though any version of Angel would just abandon someone, as though she would let the Doctor do that.

"And 5…"

Martha twisted a dial and sped through more of their speech, having watched it so many times now she could probably recite it herself, "But there was a meteor, a shooting star, what am I supposed to do then?"

"And 23," the Doctor continued, "If anything goes wrong, if they find us, Martha, then you know what to do. Open the watch. Everything we are is kept safe in there."

"Be careful though," Angel added, "There's a perception filter on it. That means the human versions of us won't even really notice it, it'll just be any old watch to them."

Martha scoffed, that watch certainly wasn't just any old watch, not with how John displayed it, with how he never let it leave their rooms for fear of it being damaged, wanting it pristine, a memento of his proposal to his wife.

"But don't open it unless you have to," the Doctor reminded her, "Because once it's open, then the Family will be able to find us," she could see him squeezing Angel's hand, "It's all down to you, Martha. Your choice."

He started to walk off the screen, when Angel pulled him back, looking at the camera still, "And thank you, Martha, thank you so much for doing this."

"Yes," the Doctor nodded, kissing the top of Angel's hair at her words and turned to the camera as well, "Thanks."

The recording stopped at their smiling faces, "I wish you'd come back," Martha muttered quietly.

~8~

Latimer stood outside a door marked 'J. Smith' before knocking. The door opened moments later to reveal John standing there, "You told me to come and collect that book, sir," he reminded.

"Good lad, yes…yes!" John nodded, stepping back to let him in, "'The Definitive Account of Mafeking' by Aitchison-Price, where did I put it?" he walked over to his desk while Latimer followed behind, coming to a stop near the fireplace, "And I wanted a little word, your marks aren't quite good enough."

"I'm top ten in my class, sir."

"Now, be honest, Timothy, you should be the very top. You're a clever boy, but you seem to be hiding it," he turned and mumbled to himself, "Where is that book..." walking into a small annexed library off in the back, "And I know why. Keeping your head low avoids the mockery of your classmates. But no man should hide himself, don't you think?"

"Yes sir..." Latimer trailed, his attention caught by a watch on the mantelpiece that seemed to be whispering to him.

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

Latimer stared at the watch as a pair of voices, one male, one female whispered out to him, "Time Lords...Timothy, hide yourself...We're trapped, kept inside the cogs...Stay safe…" he reached out and took it in his hand, pressing the button on top and opening it, releasing wisps of golden energy.

~8~

Baines's head jerked around as he stood outside the grounds.

~8~

"Oh hello!" a woman said. Latimer quickly closed the watch and pocketed it, looking up to see Angela Smith standing in the doorway, dressed in a very simple, sleeveless, though fitted, green dress with a black shawl tied over her shoulders, holding a small tray of tea with a bit of fruit on it, "Timothy isn't it?"

"Yes ma'am," he nodded.

"Ah, Angie!" John called, still rummaging around the back, "Have you seen that book, 'The Definitive Account of Mafeking' by Aitchison-Price?"

Angela rolled her eyes playfully and walked over to place the tray down on the desk, "Have you checked the desk?"

"Yes," he called, coming to lean in the doorway of the annex.

"How about the bookshelves?" she asked, smirking as she could obviously see he had.

"Yes."

She thought about it a moment, brushing her hair behind her ear as she considered it, "Under the bed?"

John blinked a moment before walking over to their bed and kneeling down to look under it, pulling out the book in question. He stood up, looking at it before shaking his head and walking over to her, "My psychic," he kissed the side of her head.

"My thief," she joked back.

John grinned widely before dropping onto a plush chair, pulling her, laughing, down onto his lap as he wound his arms around her, holding her close, gazing up at her in the gentle awe that always seemed to be on his face. His wife was just...so remarkable, like something from a dream, truly such an angel that he often found himself staring at her, wondering if she could truly be real, truly be his...and then pinching himself to ensure that it was, that she was.

"Psychic?" Latimer asked, seeing that the two of them seemed to have forgotten he was still there.

Angela turned to him, smiling, "Sometimes I say things or guess things and they turn out to be correct..." she eyed him a moment, "Like you, yes?" Latimer blinked, surprised she knew that, but she just reached out as far as she could in John's unrelenting hold, to take Latimer's hand, squeezing it in reassurance and comfort, recalling how timid SHE had been about her own talents till she had met her remarkable husband, "It's nothing to be ashamed of Timothy, trust yourself."

Latimer nodded, looking at Angela a moment longer as she sat back against her husband, before asking, "Why do you call him a thief?" for he felt like something about their little exchange before was important.

She smiled, "Guess."

He frowned, "He's...stolen something."

"Very good. Could you venture what?"

Latimer looked at her intently, John watching the two with a fond smile, seeing his wife at work, improving the lives of all those around her, she must be exhausted doing it but it never stopped her, "…you?"

"He's stolen my heart," Angela nodded, turning to her husband and reaching out to gently touch his cheek, stroking it a bit as she smiled at him warmly, all the love she felt for him shining in her eyes.

John just hugged her closer, positively beaming at that, before he moved to reach up a hand and touch her hair...only to realize he was still holding the book and held it out to Latimer, "Fascinating details about the siege, really quite remarkable. Now, just remember to use that brain of yours!"

Latimer nodded and took the book, blinking as a vision filled his mind of John Smith, dressed in a different suit, holding some sort of metal wand with a blue light on it in one hand, pulling Angela, dressed in a sweater and blue trousers in another, "…Power of a Time Lord…" whispered in his mind.

"Are you alright Timothy?" Angela asked, eyeing him in concern.

"I'm fine, ma'am," he nodded, "Thank you, sir," he said quickly, walking out of the office. He shut the door before running back up to his thankfully empty dormitory. He hopped on his bed and pulled the watch out of his pocket, holding it in his hand as he opened it once more.

"You are not alone...Keep us hidden..." Latimer's eyes widened as images flashed across his mind…Daleks, Cybermen, Ood, the werewolf from the Torchwood Estate, the Empress of the Racnoss, Lazarus, the Sycorax, and a brilliant golden light that forced all the images back…allowing him to snap the watch shut again.

~8~

Baines sniffed loudly.

~8~

John stood up suddenly, Angela squealing as he lifted her with him, holding her tight in his arms, bridal style, for a moment, before she laughed. He beamed at the sound and turned in a circle, making her laugh even more before he silenced her with a quick kiss...which turned rather deep, to the point where he had to set her onto the ground in order to move his arms around her more.

He smiled as he pulled away quite a few moments later, resting his head to hers, "I love you," he whispered to her, "So very much."

She gave a gentle giggle, "I can tell," she murmured, her hand resting on his chest, feeling his heart pounding against it, before she lifted his other hand to rest it over her heart as well, "I love you as well."

"I'm glad," he winked at her, leading her by the hand to the tea she'd brought up, reaching for it when she playfully slapped his hand away.

"That's not for you dear," she told him, kissing his cheek as he pouted, he knew full well it was for her and Martha to share.

He sighed but nodded, "I have class to see to anyway," he nodded, "Have a lovely time with Martha," he told her, kissing her once...twice...more before he picked up his class books and headed out, leaving his wife to set up the tea, nodding at Martha as he passed her at the door.

"Afternoon, sir," Martha greeted as he stepped out, "Afternoon ma'...Angela," she corrected, seeing Angela shooting her a playfully-cross look, "I apologize for my tardiness," she walked over to the woman, "I went to the kitchens to collect the tea but they said you'd already taken it. You didn't have to do that..."

"I was in the kitchens this morning Martha," Angela assured her, nodding to one of the chairs for her to sit and NOT try to serve the tea herself, "It was no trouble at all to bring the tea with me as I left."

"Thank you," Martha smiled, taking a cup Angela offered her.

Angela sat there, watching Martha sip her tea in silence before placing her cup to the side, reaching out to take Martha's and do the same, holding the woman's hand, "Are you alright Martha?"

"What do you mean?" Martha frowned.

"Is everything alright?" Angela looked at her, concerned, "Are you doing well here? Do you like it here? There are no more mishaps like yesterday I hope?"

Martha blinked and smiled, "No, no, everything's fine, just fine."

"You're sure?"

"Yes but..." she trailed off as Angela looked at her, Martha's heart pinging seeing Angel looking at her, as she had in the past, with keen attention and friendly concern, "I think I should be asking YOU that, don't you think?"

"Oh I'm fine," Angela tried to wave it off, sitting back in her chair and brushing her hair behind her ear, taking her cup back up.

But Martha could see it, she could just...tell...Angel...she had a special connection to TARDIS, to time itself she'd guess. The Time Lady had always had a talent for pinpointing time, for sensing what was coming, what was happening, how the TARDIS was...to be human, to be without that...she could just tell that Angela didn't feel right being there, being human, being Angela. But she couldn't say, she couldn't risk the woman opening the watch for she seemed a bit more aware of it than John was, she'd often caught the woman polishing it when she'd come to tidy the room.

"It was another nightmare, wasn't it?" she asked softly, knowing that Angela, during the times she didn't wake her husband when she started awake, always tried to play it off throughout the day, but she could tell, the woman would keep it in till it ate away at her. She needed to talk about it to feel better and if SHE could be that ear that listened, she would.

Angela sighed and nodded, "Yes, it was."

"What about?"

Angela hesitated, "I was..." she blinked, trying to recall it, "I was standing in a dark room with these creatures, the...Daleks, we've named them. John was there and...he was scared, we were surrounded and...suddenly...Rose appeared. She gave me something and...the next thing I knew..." she shook her head, tears in her eyes, "I wasn't ME anymore, I was...I was something else. I...did things. Strange things. There was this...power...around me, this overwhelming power and..." she swallowed, "I don't think I could control it and..." she let out a shuddering breath, "My brother...something happened to my brother Jack..." she shook her head, "I did something to him..." she blinked and a tear fell from her eye, "He wasn't there anymore..."

Martha quickly got out of her seat to kneel before Angela, taking the woman's hands, "It was just a dream," Martha told her, "Your brother died in the war, remember? YOU had NOTHING to do with it."

It was another aspect of the story the TARDIS had invented. It seemed like there were three people besides her that Angela remembered from her time as Angel. Rose, who she knew was the Doctor's previous companion, like a sister to Angel who became a close friend of Angela that disappeared one day, no one knew where she'd gone. Then there was a boy, Mickey, a young man of color who she knew was Angel's previous companion, had been a 'servant' of Angela's family but so much a dear friend to Angela that she convinced her father to pay for the man to attend University, he'd left the family for a better life. And finally there was Jack, who the Doctor had told her all about during Lazarus, a man like a brother to Angel, had really become a brother to Angela. He'd been a soldier and died near the end of the Second Boer War. Angela had been devastated when they received word that the man had died apparently.

"I know," Angela whispered, pulling Martha's attention back, "I just...I wish there was something I could have done to save him."

Martha smiled, reaching up to wipe away the woman's tears, "He died doing what was right," she nodded, "He died with honor and dignity and for love, he died to protect you," she sighed, "Perhaps that's why you dreamt that? You feel like it's your fault still. But he would do it all over again in a heartbeat, I know so," she squeezed the woman's hand, "Anyone who's met you would do the same."

Angela nodded after a moment, taking in Martha's words, "I just...I miss him."

"I miss my brother as well," Martha admitted, "And my sister, my family..." she'd never really been away from her family so long before without a way to contact them. She'd had to leave her mobile in the TARDIS to keep it from being noticed or seen or going off.

"Perhaps we can go visit them," Angela suggested, "Over the holidays? Best Christmas present they could ask for."

Martha shook her head, smiling at Angela, and there she went again. She'd just spoken of a terrible nightmare, had to relive the death of her 'brother,' felt terrible about it all...and now she was trying to cheer HER up.

That was just like Angel...er, Angela...both of them really.

"I'd like that," Martha told her.

"Then that's what we'll do," Angela determined, squeezing Martha's hand again, "Thank you Martha."

"No problem at all," Martha beamed, getting back up to sit in her chair once more, picking up her tea. She watched as Angela reached out for a grape, tossing it into the air and catching it in her mouth, making Martha smile behind her cup at the familiar action.

~8~

A teacher rang a bell to signal the change of classes while Baines walked through the corridors, down a main hallway, and stepped into a gap beneath the main stairs. His eyes rolled back into his head as green glow surrounded him.

'There is a trace, but somehow scattered,' he called telepathically to the ship, 'The scent is confused. Nevertheless, we'd best arm ourselves.'

The glow disappeared and his eyes snapped open, "Activate the soldiers."

~8~

A portly, middle-aged man strode down the lane in the village, glancing over at the country, where a scarecrow raised its arm in greeting. He stopped, staring at the scarecrow in shock as it lowered its arms.

"That is my property, and you're trespassing on my land!" he shouted, waving a finger at it as he advanced towards it, it was just like the boys of the school to play a trick like this, though less common now since that new teacher and his wife had arrived but still likely to happen, "Come on, who's in there?" angrily he started pulling straw away to try and find the prankster, "One of those idiot boys from the school, is it, eh? Come on, there's…" he trailed off, his eyes widening as his hand went through the scarecrow, "But how did you…"

The scarecrow's head tilted to one side as two identical scarecrows walked stiffly up the bank behind him. It raised its arms and the other two attacked, grabbing the man.

~8~

A little girl skipped down the lane, a bright red balloon in her hand, when a scarecrow lumbered out from the bushes behind her. She turned, hearing the rustle, and screamed as it grabbed her and carried her off.

~8~

Angela stood outside, on a terrace of the school, watching as the boys went about target practice. There were three dummy-like targets made of buckets and sticks standing a few feet away, the boys running machine guns behind a bunker of sandbags.

"Concentrate!" John called, leading them.

"Hello Joan," Angela greeted as Joan appeared behind her, moving to her side, watching. Hutchinson and Latimer fed one gun while Baines watched the targets, John standing a few feet behind.

"How can you bear it?" she asked as they watched, "These boys learning this…"

"I can't," Angela admitted sadly, "This is the one thing I dislike about this school, about John's position. Children have no place near guns or in war. None at all. War in itself...there's no need for it. There shouldn't be."

~8~

"Hutchinson, excellent work!" John cried.

"Cease fire!" the headmaster called, walking over.

"Good day to you, headmaster."

"Your crew's on fine form today, Mr. Smith."

"Excuse me, headmaster, we could do a lot better," Hutchinson muttered, "Latimer is being deliberately shoddy."

"I'm trying my best," the boy defended.

"You need to be better than the best," the headmaster replied, "Those targets are tribesmen from the dark continent."

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

"Oh dear me. Latimer takes it upon himself to make us realize 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 as ordered, Latimer feeding the ammunition again as the firing rang out.

Latimer stared in the distance as a vision filled his mind…

...he and Hutchinson struggled through the dark, Hutchinson injured...

...He looked down at a watch in his hand...

'...One minute past the hour. It's now. Hutchinson, this is the time. It's now!...'

...he looked up as a bomb dropped straight at them...

"There's a stoppage, immediate action!" Hutchinson looked at Latimer, who was still dazed, never having seen something like that before, "Didn't I tell you, sir, this stupid boy is useless! Permission to give Latimer a beating, sir?" he looked at the headmaster.

"It's your class, Mr. Smith," the headmaster turned to John.

"Permission granted," John nodded.

"Right, come with me, you little oiyk," Hutchinson hefted Latimer up and dragged him off to a small tent, most of the other boys walking with him. Baines, though, remained outside, sniffing loudly.

"Anything the matter, Baines?"

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

"As you were, Mr. Smith," the headmaster continued on.

~8~

"If you would excuse me," Joan said quietly to Angela, "This reminds me of when my husband was shot…I can return the journal tomorrow?"

"Of course," Angela said understandingly, placing a hand on the woman's arm for a moment before the nurse walked off.

A/N: Woo! Before posting this chapter I'm only 97,460 words away from 3,000,000! I might actually make it before the end of this series! Which is incredible as I was only hoping for reaching that at the end of Series 4! Wow! :)

I seriously LOVE writing the Smiths, they're so much fun and you can just feel the love :) I also wanted to add that tea scene to show the friendship that still exists between Martha and Angel/a.

Lol, as for the voices in the watch, can you guess who is who? Bold vs. Italics? :)

Just a quick thing about DW...the latest episode (no real spoilers but...) that tear during the Doctor's speech, it killed me, I died watching it, I really think I did :')

Some notes on reviews...

Lol, I truly can't even begin to imagine Jack and River's flirting competition because, let's face it, they would HAVE to have one :) I think I'd die from an overdoes of flirt with all of it flying around :) It's a little sad though, so far, for my stories, I've made River into someone that Jack really couldn't flirt much with, his godson's best friend (which brings up the complicated age differences going around) and his friends' goddaughter...same principles as with the first scenario. I won't say what River will be here though, whether Jack will flirt with her or not, I do like to try and make this story different but...we'll have to wait and see :)

Oh Toby, Angel has been SUCH a mother to Baines and Hutchinson hasn't she? :) It can only be imagined how she'll be with a sick child.

That Sherlock video was brilliant! Actually...that brings up a slight announcement, I'm going to add to my tumblr today a page dedicated to all the videos and songs that have been suggested throughout the different series I've written (mostly starting with the ones from this saga as they're they most recent but I WILL work through the reviews from my other stories as well). So, hopefully, by the end of today I'll have all the ones from the saga posted in one spot including the Sherlock one :)

You were close with them having tea as John taught, but no talk of children just yet. I think the need to wait till the emotional connection is completed to even THINK of 'dancing' carried over to the humans and they aren't even aware that they aren't thinking of children at that point, even being surrounded by them...if that made any sense lol :) That would be a very funny reaction though :) I will say that the Vortex won't be popping up in Angel as an actual power source. I interpreted the Arch to be that it separated their 'mind' from their body which would also impact the Vortex as well, split it. There are aspects of it in Angela, but also in the watch as hinted at with Timothy. Angel will actually think on that when we get back to her :)

Nope, not in a relationship. Actually, haven't ever really been in one...which is just fine :) I'm partially at fault for it, I've perfected the art of blending into the background during school and it sort of carried over so not many people have noticed me in school or outside it. But that's ok, one day, when someone does notice me, I'll know that mean it's someone worth knowing :)

Yup, I will have the deleted scenes from Eleventh Hour and Flesh and Stone. I haven't done them before and I really wanted to give them a shot in this saga :) As for Turn Left, all I can say is that Donna really was a driving force in stopping that whole mess so...I'll leave it up to your imagination what sort of Angel we might get. But I CAN say that the Rose we see will be VERY different than the one from the episode :) And thanks for the youtube suggestion, those videos were very good, I love ones that have dialogue/voice overs :)

My favorite character for New Who would have to be...Rory too :) I just LOVE his story and how his character really grew and how we got to see him growing. Classic Who, I haven't seen much of it unfortunately, though, from what I've read and the small clips I've seen, I think I might like either the 4th or 5th Doctor or the Brigadier, not sure, I'd have to get back to you on that once I manage to see more of it :)

I'd have to pick, for a companion, it's a toss up between Ovid and Vergil, just because I love their works and I would love to see their interpretation of things, especially given the time/culture differences :) (Though I'd REALLY like to meet Edgar Allen Poe). As for a non-famous person...my sister. My brother's got a bit of a temper I wouldn't want to put up with, my dad tends to sleep through important things, and my mother would be WAY too scared to face some of the things the Doctor does. My sister's a little firecracker and always willing to go new places and try new things and tell people off lol. Complete opposite of me so I think it would make for an interesting time :)

I really don't know what the Doctor might like about me. Maybe...my imagination? I can look at a teapot or an icecube (seriously, an icecube) and have an idea for a novel running through my head so that might be nice for him. Either that or...I've always been good at getting in people's heads and explaining their reasons for doing things, how they think, why they think that way, how to talk them down from something, which might come in useful at some point if I was ever a companion. As for who I'd get along easiest with, I'm not sure, I haven't seen much of the Classic Doctors so I could really only pick from 9/10/11, but of those three...10, just because he seems to be not as brooding as 9, which I feel would make me sad at times, but not as 'bonkers' as 11, he's like a calm person who gets excited about things, and I like how he holds people's hands, I'm a hand-holder :)

My favorite Disney movie would have to be Meet the Robinsons, I think I literally went to see that movie 4 times when it came out, and I actually got my sister to see it once and SHE liked it which was a great thing to bond over as we don't usually have similar tastes :) Favorite princess would be...Belle, because she loves books and I think, if she were real, we'd get on fairly well :) Favorite Disney animal would be...Rafiki because he's just so bananas that I laugh and smile every time I see him. My favorite Disney character in general would be Hercules, just because of his journey :)

Small world! I learned a whole bunch of Les Mis songs in chorus too when I was in high school :) Love to sing but am really terrible at it. You know that expression 'they've got a face only a mother could love' well I've got a voice not even my mother loves. Oh well, it's all fine because it doesn't stop me from singing along when I want to :) But the videos were great! It really fits with the show and Angel too :)

Lol, Go Crazy was great :)