Chapter 35: Epilogue
The old man walked to the park with his great granddaughter, and watched her play happily. He sat on a bench and mused on how close he had come to never having a normal life. But, thanks to the TARDIS, he had escaped immortality and moved on from the Doctor. He still had the memory of the life the immortal Jack had shown him, but the memories were muted, like a shadow of the real thing. This was fortunate, as he was spared the full emotional impact a life of such trauma would have had on him. The memories had made him realise what was important in life, however.
He had loved and wooed a woman, and they had spent years together roaming the stars, before settling down to have a family. They had 50 happy years together before she died. 21st century humans did not live as long as 51st century humans. Since her death he had loved others, male and female, but she would always be the most important relationship in his life.
His children and grandchildren were grown now, but he was still involved in their lives, and his great granddaughter's life. It had been a good life and he wouldn't change a minute of it.
"Come on Martha," he called, "time to go home."
b_b_b_b_b_b_b
The TARDIS had got things right. The universe needed its constant for the timelines to remain intact, so the events leading up to Rose conferring immortality on Satellite 5 had to happen. But a substitute could be found, and Jack released from that burden. The Doctor had, unknowingly, given his permission to be that substitute, when he told Jack he would do anything to change what had happened.
The Doctor had pulled himself together after he was made immortal, and had saved Rose from burning up with the power of the vortex. But he had never been able to forgive her for making him 'wrong'. They had left her back on Earth in her own era a short time later. The Doctor assumed his other companion had died, but he never checked. Life went on. The TARDIS purred with contentment. She would never now be separated from her pilot. They would travel together forever.
End
AN: Thank you all for reading, especially those who commented, alerted, and favorited the story. It's made my first writing experience really fun. And, if you've never commented, it's not too late to leave a comment letting me know what you thought!
To those who were looking for a happy Janto ending. I'm sorry ! In this particular story I didn't go that way. I love Janto though, so I may well do so in another story.
I have started on my Valiant/post Valiant fic (it's fully outlined and plotted and 10,000 words so far). Please look out for it. As you might expect Jack wont have a good time in that story either. Why do we love to torment out favourite characters?