John didn't wait, the only thing keeping him from sprinting towards the line of UNIT soldiers being the now fairly-pronounced limp he sported. He passed the Doctor, then backtracked and grabbed him by the arm, tugging him along until they were behind the safety of UNIT firepower. Immediately he saw Luke and Kate being guarded by a UNIT soldier.

"How did you two get here?" he asked.

"I was trying to find my dad," said Kate, "and I ended up helping a man who got shot. He left me where he said it was safe and I was watching what was going on down here when I found Luke just a few feet away from me." Kate slipped her arm into her father's and looked at him with love and new-found admiration. "Great job dad," she said to him.

The Brigadier smiled a funny smile that John didn't think he'd ever seen before.

Luke suddenly ran up to his dad and his father. "We've both got pretty good dads," he said. He took John's hand and smiled up at him. "I'm sorry dad, can you forgive me, please?"

John lifted him up and held him as though he'd never thought to see him again, tears streaming down his face. "Of course, of course, anything, as long as you're all right," he said.

"I got help," Luke said as he squeezed John's neck and kissed his cheek.

"Yes, you did," John said, squeezing him like he'd never let go. "You got help." He turned to the Brigadier. "Brigadier, Sarah and the kids are still out there."

"I'm quite pleased to inform you that they are all safe and waiting to hear that you are too," the Brig said as he placed his hand on John's shoulder. "Your wife wasn't pleased about it, but I maneuvered her to a safe distance behind the lines. I expect she'll be here momentarily."

He nodded. "They're safe, that's what matters. Thank you. And thank you for the assist," he said, motioning towards Torchwood, where the UNIT team was completing the process of arresting each of the soldiers.

"I can assure you," the Brigadier said, "that it was my pleasure to come to your aid. Chances are we won't be able to hold them, but I must admit I'll enjoy causing Horace Dewhurst a bit of aggravation."

Luke whispered conspiratorially in John's ear. "He's the Doctor," he said.

He whispered back in Luke's ear. "I know. What do you want to do about it?"

Luke looked over at the Doctor who had been quietly watching Luke's reunion with John. "Put me down a minute would you?"

When John set him down Luke walked over to the Doctor. He stuck his hand out to him. "Thank you for the help Sir. I believe you can be trusted now," he said with a smile.

The Doctor took his hand and shook it. "Thank you very much, Master Tinker."

Luke shook his hand back. "You still make my insides vibrate you know."

The Doctor saw this slight look of panic that passed John's face and leaned over to whisper in his ear. "Let's keep that between us."

"Alright, I suppose I owe you that much," he whispered back.

The Brigadier watched the exchange, then leaned over to John, and quietly said, "Is that…"

John nodded.

Luke reached for John's hand, then took the Doctor's hand and led the three of them to stand by the UNIT squad.

"Are you alright then, Mr. Tinker," the Doctor asked pointing to his limp.

John rolled his eyes. "I wish people would stop asking me that. I'm fine, honestly."

Luke swung their arms back and forth. "I got help," he said proudly.

John gingerly leaned down and picked him up, the adrenaline starting to go. "Yes, Luke, you saved the day," he said. "And now, I think we need to go sit down while we wait for Mummy."

"Mister Tinker," he heard the Brigadier's voice boom as he headed for a bench, "are you alright? That's a pretty pronounced limp you're sporting."

"I'm fine!" he shouted back, then mumbled, "And for heaven's sake stop asking."

Luke sat down next to him. "What about him, dad," he asked motioning to the man in the leather coat who was now watching them from a distance.

"Stay here," John said, then stood up stiffly and walked back over to the Doctor. "You should come see Sarah Jane," he said simply.

The Doctor looked over at Luke and then back at John. Certainly he wanted to see her, but he knew he couldn't face her. He shook his head no. "Best I don't see her right now. I think she has everything she needs, and I'm sure I won't hear any complaints about how she's being treated," he said firmly, as though it were a warning. Then he suddenly softened. "Give her my best regards won't you please?" he held his hand out to John. "I know she's in good hands."

John's brow furrowed. "But … she really wants to see you," he said, unsure how to proceed. "And I … I just … I want her to be happy."

The Doctor took a deep breath. He knew what he had to say. "I'd only put her in harm's way if I stayed," he started. "This war, it's beyond what anyone could have anticipated, and it's far too dangerous for her to be with me. Look at all of this death and destruction that was caused by the Daleks wanting to get to me through her. No, I'm afraid it's out of the question. In fact, for her safety, you probably shouldn't even tell her I was here. I'll likely even make myself forget about it just to be safe," he said, his speech beginning to pick up speed, as though it were tumbling down a hill - or he needed to get it out before he changed his mind.

"Besides," he continued, "she's gotten on with her life. It's you that makes her happy now. Tell her I'll see her another time perhaps, when it's safer to come for a visit." He looked over and saw Sarah Jane from a distance breaking into a run as she caught sight of John. He gave Luke a quick rub on the head. "Take good care of everyone," he said. "And don't forget me." Then he was off, running back towards where he'd left the TARDIS as quickly as he could. The Brig signaled the troops to let him through, and in a moment he was gone.

John looked behind him to see what had caught the Doctor's eye and saw Sarah running towards him. He let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and waited for her.

Sarah Jane ran up to him and threw her arms around her husband. "Oh John," she exclaimed after she kissed him. "I was so worried about you. Are you alright?"

Before he could answer Luke tugged at her blouse. "Oh Luke, I was so worried about you too." She picked him up and started smothering him with kisses.

"Mum, oh mum, I'm so sorry," he said as put his head on her shoulder.

"Never you mind, my dearest one," she said stroking his head. "You're not to blame for anything. I'm the one who's sorry for not telling you sooner. We'll talk about it later if you like."

Harry, who had Sid and Lisa Ann with him joined them. He handed Lisa Ann to John - who hugged her tightly - as Sarah Jane set Luke down.

They stood and watched Sid and Luke hugging and talking animatedly about Daleks and soldiers and their adventures, the two boys exchanging tales of bravery and life and death situations as though they were seasoned veterans.

Harry shook his head to think that they had gotten over being terrified so quickly. "Ah to be that age again," he said.

Behind a nearby tree, the Doctor stood and watched the reunion wistfully. It was what he always wanted, of course. But not from the outside.

And yet, there was Sarah Jane. His Sarah Jane, always. He had worked so hard not to see her, not to interact with her. And yet, here he was, watching her, knowing that it was too late. He'd intersected with her timeline now; there was no going back to 1977, to a street corner in South Croyden, picking up as though nothing had happened.

He looked again at Sarah Jane, staring longingly at her. Who was he kidding? When he left, he'd known he wasn't coming back. This fantasy that he'd come back five minutes after he'd gone, it was just that: a fantasy. The pain of losing Sarah Jane to age and time was too great. It had been more than he was willing to bear then, and it was more than he was willing to bear now.

No, he'd rather have Sarah Jane in his memory as she was now, happy, with her husband and her children, forever laughing and joyful. Forever alive.

Even if she could never be his.

But she had given him Luke. His miracle progeny. By rights, he shouldn't exist. And neither the Daleks nor the Time Lords must ever find out that he does exist, he thought, slowly turning and heading back to the TARDIS, knowing that the only way to guarantee that, the best thing for Luke, and for Sarah, and for all of the Tinkers, was for him to forget, and not even consider staying.

Besides, he mused, his thoughts turning darker, so much had happened, and so much more was going to happen before it was over. He was certain of it now.

He could never go back to Sarah as he was now, dark, and violent, and full of anger. Jason's words echoed in his ears. He knew how mad Jason sounded, and in a way he was. But part of him understood everything the poor man had said. Each of them wanted nothing more than to defend their planet. Each of them was willing to do what no-one else was willing to do in order to make it happen.

It wasn't like him, he knew that. His other selves would be horrified if they knew what he had become. But that was why he'd become a warrior. Because it had to be done. Because he couldn't see any way to end the violence other than to end the war.

He took one last look at Luke and smiled. No matter what happened next, the Time Lords would survive.

It was time to go back to Gallifrey to end this madness.

"No more," he said, and closed the TARDIS door behind him.