A/N: Many thanks to all of you lovely reviewers and followers! You all keep me sane as I write this ;)

Chapter 37: Family of Blood Part 3

The moment the others left, what little control John had left was gone as he finally gave in and broke down. Rose moved over to him and brought him in her arms, one hand stroking his hair and the other his back. Holding onto her tightly for dear life, he buried his face in the crook of her neck as he sobbed, soaking her skin with his tears as he tried desperately to lose himself in the one he loved. This was all he wanted to do. He didn't want to let go of her, let go of his life—his happy, wonderful life with this lovely woman.

Everything he had ever known was a lie. Here he thought he was living a modest and simple life—an ordinary man with a job teaching young boys at a prestigious school who happened to fall deeply in love with a remarkable woman. But it was all false, a story of fiction. No…his actual life was one that should be written down as a fictional tale, but the fact was that it was reality. He was a man—an alien—that traveled across the stars. Someone who carried destruction and grief wherever he roamed. The lost prince…the lonely God. And this woman, Rose Tyler, was his angel. The Doctor's angel. As much as it hurt him deeply, he couldn't bring himself to hate her for deceiving him.

The sobs coming out from him were enough to pain her heart as Rose couldn't help but snifflel. This man, while he wasn't the Doctor, was still someone who grew on her, someone she cared for. Someone she loved. She may have been playing with fire when she became too close to him knowing full well it was wrong, but it was too hard to keep her distance. If two weeks of distance away from the Doctor was enough to hurt her inside, then over two months was most likely going to break her. How she would've managed was impossible to know, but she found solace in this man in her arms. Conflicting as it was, the Doctor was still there, and that's all she wanted.

But now, she needed the Doctor to come out fully. After a few more moments John's sobs silenced. Patting him on the back, Rose took his hand and led them over to sit on a bench located on the other side of room by a small fireplace. If she was about to convince him to change back, she was going to do it as calm as possible. If only she could tell her nerves that.

John lowered his head and kept his eyes closed as he continued to steady his breathing. Raising the hand not holding the watch, he wiped his face dry and sniffed before staring into the flickering fire in front of them. Just watching the torn expression crossing his face was enough to make Rose cry. She's always been the person to mend a sad and broken heart—now she had to shatter one to pieces. Her stomach was churning. How could the Doctor do this to her?

"It should have been me," Rose said quietly.

He turned to her, a crease forming on his brows. "What?"

"If I could, I would have put myself in this position. I should have went through the change." She scratched her forehead. "I'm not strong enough to do something like this. I didn't want you to suffer by yourself. If I had done it with you…" she trailed off.

He said he'd never forgive himself for putting her through such pain and agony, but she didn't care how much it hurt. If she was going to suffer just to help him out, then that's what she'd do. She hated when he did drastic things alone, especially ones with extreme risks—which was usually almost every one.

"You really love him?" John asked, bringing her out of her state. His eyes were now fixed the watch as he toyed with it, rubbing his thumb over the case.

"More than anything," she told him sincerely. "Always have, and I always will."

He stopped fidgeting with the watch and turned to face her, his eyes misting over again. "How?" he questioned, his voice breaking. "How can you love a man that hurts you like that? Why would you want a life that only gives you grief?"

Rose took a deep breath. She was unsure if the Doctor would remember any of this when he would change back, but she had to say it.

"It's the life I chose. I chose to be with him. He showed me a better way to live my life. It may have cost me my family, my friends, and anyone else who was close to me…but I could never bring myself to resent him for any of that—even if he blames himself for it. I made my choice a long time ago, and I'm never gonna leave him. No matter what. He's been alone for so long, but he isn't anymore. It's the happiest I've ever been in my life. We both love each other, and made a promise to cherish every moment we share together."

"But he doesn't give you all of the love you deserve," John stessed. "I could."

"Maybe, but he expresses it in so many other ways."

John shook his head. "So…you're just going to leave me, then?"

"John—"

"You said that the Doctor was once alone," he reminded, his voice thick with emotion. "Is that what you're going to do to me?"

How could she respond to that? That was it - she had no answer for him. Once that watch is opened, John Smith would cease to exist.

"I was going to ask you to marry me."

Wait a minute…what!?

Rose's eyes widened at his words. Did he…? Did he just say what she thought she heard him say? "W-what?" she managed to get out.

John scrubbed a hand down his face, letting it rest over his mouth for a moment before explaining.

"All this time I've had this strange feeling in the back of my mind. Like a…like a tug telling me you were the one I would spend the rest of my life with. You kept coming to all of my dreams. Every night there would be at least one or two, sometimes more than that, so many adventures with you beside me. You were always there. It seemed strange at first 'cause I had no idea who you really were. You were just the beautiful woman who happened to be the librarian at the school I was teaching at. But as they continued…I felt a familiar warmness inside, like I've known you for quite some time. So I took it as a sign…" he turned to her. "I love you so much…and I wanted it to last until we…" he took in a shaky breath and turned away.

Rose didn't know what to say. John had only known her for two months and he considered the thought of making her his bride—his wife. She knew most of the Doctor's traits leaked through and into John, but…that was big. That was intense.

Was that actually the Doctor's feelings, or was it just John's?

John sniffed again. "Would he want to marry you?"

"I…I don't know," she answered truthfully. "It doesn't matter if he would or not, though. We've promised each other forever no matter what. We'd love each other all the same regardless."

Being together was one thing, but to wed would be huge. For so long she's pondered the entertaining thought of becoming the Doctor's wife, especially with all of the times they've put on the married couple act when investigating. But that was an even bigger leap into their relationship that she was unsure if he really wanted to take it.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and smiled sadly. "All of those stories, all of those dreams…they were real. I actually met Shakespeare…William Shakespeare. And-and Charles Dickens." He shook his head. "All of those creatures…all that pain…and it was real…I wasn't…I really thought…"

Reaching over she placed a hand over his. As much as this was tearing her apart, too many deaths have occurred in this place…and now one more had to happen here in order for everything to be fixed. "I'm so sorry, John. But now it has to end. You have to open the watch."

In a flash, John stood up and ran a hand through his hair. "This is madness. I still can't believe that's my life. It's…I don't want it," he choked out.

Rose stood up from her seat. "No, no, please don't do this."

He turned around, "But…I love you," he said, tears welling up in his eyes again. "I can give you the love you deserve." He took her hands in his and held them tight. "I'm not ready to die just yet."

Rose blinked back the tears in her eyes. "Please, John. Please don't make this any harder for me than it already is. It has to happen."

He lowered his head when another sob escaped from him again. Pulling her hands away from his grip, she placed them to either side of his face. His own hands came up to cover hers as he leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers in the most natural of gestures. At contact, a golden light surrounded Rose's vision making her head feel like she was in a cloud. A reel played before them both, images of the life John Smith could have had…a life that she could have had if she were fully human.

Both of them were at a wedding—their wedding—being declared as man and wife before sharing their first kiss as a married couple. The next one showed Rose giving birth to their first child—a daughter. Then came another with them walking across the field with their three children, the two oldest walking ahead while the youngest was in between she and John, holding their hands. And lastly came elderly versions of themselves, John laying on a bed while Rose sat by his side. They held each other's hand as he let out his final breath and passed on peacefully. Through it all, Rose could hear the Doctor's voice in her ears, speaking words he's told her before.

I've taken you away from things you could want one day, things that I could never be able to give you—the chance of a normal life with a human.

She may not be fully human anymore, but the visions she saw were images of that normal life she could have had if she was—the husband, the children, living a life day after day…the one adventure the Doctor could never have.

John pulled back with a gasp, visibly shaking after witnessing the overwhelming future that could have been his. Could have been theirs. "That-that could be our life," he breathed out. "We could still have that," he said with slight hope.

"But it never will be," Rose told him sadly. "I'm sorry, but you have to open it now, John."

"I don't want to go, Rose," he whispered. "I don't want to die."

A few more tears dripped from his eyes, prompting her to brush them away with her thumbs. "I know. I'm so sorry," she told him before giving him a gentle kiss to his trembling lips. "I know you'll never forgive me for this, but…I'm gonna buy you some time."

Letting him go, Rose made her way out the back door. "Rose, what are you doing?" John asked fearfully. She wasn't…no. No, no, no. "Rose, no!"

His heart stopped beating for a moment. He still wasn't keen on killing himself…but, he also wasn't thrilled about the love of his life making herself bait for him. Even in his dreams, he noted how stubborn she could be, and that most definitely was true.

Looking down at the watch, he heard another whisper. "Save her."

He didn't need the watch to tell him otherwise. It was then, John made his decision.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

What was taking them so long? Martha thought to herself. She, Tim, the matron, and Mr. Stewart were still waiting impatiently for something to happen. She knew how uncomfortable Rose was with this whole thing just by the torn look in her eyes. She had to convince John to open the watch, which basically meant telling him to die. It was morbid and saddening, but the Doctor was the only one who could save this place.

In the far distance, some other explosions rocked the area. "I've no experience in any of this…field of alien studies," Mr. Stewart began. "But when exactly is this Doctor going to make his appearance?"

"When the watch is opened," Martha answered.

"How will we know it's opened?" Joan asked.

"Honestly, I'm not even sure. But I'm sure—"

A piercing cry cut her off, and she recognized it easily. Both the matron and the teacher moved to enter the house, but Martha stopped them. A bright golden light shone from the windows blinding them. Shielding their eyes, it dimmed down after a moment.

Martha went over to the window, putting her hands on the glass to peer inside. All she saw was the dark…and the back door opened. Oh, no. She turned to the others, "Wait here for a second."

Rushing inside, John—or the Doctor—was standing in front of the fireplace. But Rose was nowhere in sight. Studying him, she noticed a certain ancient look in his eyes in the firelight.

"Doctor?"

"Stay here," he said with a hard voice.

"Where's Rose?"

"Martha, just go. Bring the others in here, and stay with them. When you hear a big bang, head back to the school and gather your things then get to the TARDIS. We'll join you shortly." And with that he took off out the back door.

Relief washed over her knowing that the Doctor was back, but where the hell did Rose go? She couldn't be…oh, she was. Those two are never happy unless they're putting themselves in even more danger.

If the Family had Rose, then they'll have to face the fury of the Time Lord.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Not to her surprise, it hadn't taken long for Rose to be captured. Trouble really was so easy for her to get into, but at least this was part of her plan. After leaving John to make the change, she ran through the woods and across Cooper's field. This was where that green light shot through the sky, so the Family had to be around here. And of course, someone came up to her from behind and grabbed her. Sure enough an enormous ship was parked in the distance. Perfect. Leading her right in.

"Family of Mine, look at the stray I have found wandering around," Mr. Clarke proclaimed as they entered.

Baines turned around, that creepy crooked expression still on his face. "Well done, Father of Mine. She'll be most useful as we await for the Time Lord to emerge."

"Good luck with that," Rose spat, trying to wiggle out of Mr. Clarke's grasp. "You won't get anywhere near him."

"No matter. We've been patient this whole time," Jenny said before sniffing loudly. "But as you're here we could consume the essence of the Bad Wolf instead."

"Yeah, go 'head and try," she challenged.

"Oh, the feisty ones are the most delicious!" Mr. Clarke remarked, tossing her to the ground.

"Once the Wolf is drained, those Time Lord hearts will break over his beloved, and we shall have immortality!" Baines shouted.

"And what a lovely life," Rose said angrily. "All of those innocent people that have died all because of your selfish needs. You freaks make me sick!"

Jenny snorted. "How very human of you," she sneered.

"That's right! I may be the Bad Wolf, but I'm still human enough to care about all of those that have died. Just look at you lot," she gestured to them. "Those bodies you're holding? They were humans once, and you took everything that they were and threw it away."

"Those lives were worthless little snacks," Baines told her. "And the rest of those peasants will perish and soon we will conquer."

"The Doctor won't let you. He'll stop you."

Jenny scoffed. "You talk of him like he's innocent. We've seen into the future when we came onto his trail. What we're doing is hardly comparable to the destruction that he's done."

Rose shook her head. "That's where you're wrong, 'cause I know how he is. He's merciful. If someone dies in his name, he doesn't gloat or act all smug about it—he regrets it. Because he's been around for a long time and carries those who've fallen over his head and in his hearts, beating himself with every chance he gets for allowing it to happen. But he's strong…and if you're lucky, he may show some mercy for you lot despite all you've done."

In response the Family burst into another fit of maniacal laughter. "The Wolf is so confident. It's no wonder he's so infatuated with you," Jenny said. "You're the only one in the entire universe that believes he's a good man."

"That's because he is one," Rose stressed seriously. "He's the most wonderful man in the universe. I believe in him just as he believes in me."

Baines chuckled. "How very sentimental you are, picking up for him, and all of those dull humans out there." Another explosion in the distance got his attention as he turned to peer at a monitor and shouted with joy. "We'll blast them into dust, fuse the dust into glass, then shatter them all over again!"

By now John had to have opened the watch and the Doctor was restored. He was coming, she could feel it. The sound of something metal falling on the ground with a pang. Off to the side, she noticed the Doctor stumbling inside the ship…or rather John as he was trembling with fear with his hands held up in a peaceful manner. Oh, great.

"Just—" he began before clumsily tripping and hitting a panel of buttons to the side. "Just stop the bombardment, and don't hurt Rose. Just let her go and stop these attacks, that's all I'm asking. I'll do anything you want, just stop," he pleaded.

Baines humored him. "Say please," he said in a delighted tone.

"Please," he complied. Rose studied him carefully. Something was off about him. He was being too clumsy—far more than John actually was.

Jenny hit a switch, stopping the bombs and firing. Her head jerked up as she inhaled deeply. "Wait a minute…still human."

Wait, what? He couldn't be…could he?

"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," John said. "He made me John Smith. It's not like I had any control over it—" he stumbled again and hit another panel of buttons.

"He didn't just make himself human, he made himself an idiot," Jenny mocked.

"Same thing, isn't it?" Baines retorted.

John inhaled a shaky breath. "I don't care about this Doctor and your Family. I just want you to leave Rose alone and just go. So, I've made my choice," he raised his hand and held out the watch. "You can have him. Just take it, please! Take him away!"

"NO!" Rose cried in horror. This couldn't be happening. She stood up from the ground and stood beside him, facing the Family. "Take me instead."

John turned to her. "What are you doing?"

"Protecting my Doctor," she answered firmly. If this was the case, she'd rather her be the one to be consumed than the Doctor. Of course…she wasn't keen on dying.

"How sweet," Jenny teased. "Two lovers willing to protect each other. So thick."

"No, please," John insisted. "The Doctor's life is worth more. His life is filled with so much grief and pain, it's hardly one worth living. And I know he would do any and everything in his power to keep this pink and yellow human over here safe. So, just take him away!"

He glanced over at Rose for a split second, and that's all it took for her stomach to swoop. That familiar glint in his eyes made all of her worries vanish. It was him. He was back. She knew something was off. Only she could easily point out his believable charades. She inwardly smiled at his return while at the same time shook inside. Still, she went along with his facade.

Baines approached him and took the watch from his hand. "At last." As he gazed at the watch with wonder, he grabbed the Doctor by the lapels with his other hand. "Don't think that saved your lives."

He shoved him away, causing him to bump into Rose, but he exaggerated the force as he threw himself against the wall hitting more buttons. Rose inwardly rolled her eyes and bit back on a laugh. Always the dramatic one.

"We will kill the Wolf and her lover once we gain eternal life," Jenny remarked with delight.

Rose turned to face the Doctor, who was crouching down after that over that overly dramatic tumble. He threw a quick wink at her, and she resisted the urge to smile at him as they were still pretty much in danger. But she was glad to have him back.

"Family of Mine," Baines said to the Family. "Now we shall have the lives of a Time Lord!"

He opened the watch, causing them all to inhale his essence…

"It's empty!" Baines shouted angrily, turning back to the Doctor.

He frowned. "Well, where's it gone?"

"You tell me!"

Baines tossed the watch back to him, which the Doctor caught with one hand and straightened himself up then began to speak in his usual explanatory voice.

"Oh, I think the explanation might be you've been fooled by a simple olfactory misdirection. Little bit like ventriloquism of the nose. It's an elementary trick in certain parts of the galaxy. But it has got to be said—" he reached in his pocket and pulled out the trusty specs and inspected the gauges. "I don't like the looks of that hydroconometer. It seems to be indicating you've got energy feedback all the way through the retrostabilizers—" he tapped it with the back of his finger, "—feeding back into the primary heat converter. Oh!" He hissed. "'Cause if there's one thing you shouldn't have done…you shouldn't have let me press all those buttons." He grabbed Rose's hand. "But, in fairness, I will give you one word of advice: Run!" With a manic grin, he tugged Rose along and out of the ship.

From behind, they heard Baines repeatedly shout, "Get out!"

Running across the fields, the Doctor pulled Rose ahead of him as the ship behind them exploded. He pulled her down as they dove to the ground from the blast, but luckily there was a safe amount of distance between them and the explosion. Slowly standing he helped Rose up to her feet. Turning around, they saw the Family laying on the ground unconscious.

After a beat the Doctor startled Rose when he grabbed her by the waist and spun her around, pulling her close as he crashed his lips to hers to kiss her fiercely all in one swift motion. Though shocked by the sudden gesture, it didn't stop her from responding with equal intensity as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She's missed this, and judging by how tight he was holding her, so did he. They still have things to work out, but right now she was going to relish the moment.

All too soon it had ended when he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. "Rose…I…" he breathed out.

Though it was dark, she could see the apologizing look in his eyes, and she took it. "I know," she whispered.

Inhaling a shaky breath, he closed his eyes. "Head back to the TARDIS," he husked.

"Doctor—"

"Please, Rose, just go."

"What're gonna do with them?"

"Give them what they deserve," he ground out.

With that he walked back over to them. She didn't have to see his face, for she knew the Oncoming Storm was coming out of its cage. For once she was wrong—the Doctor might not show the Family any mercy for what they had done after all.

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