"When he'd finished, he said if I ever told anyone he would kill my children in front of me. He left me this as proof of his word."

Chapter 32 Verdict

The crowd at the inquest was shocked as she pulled up her sleeve and exposed a long jagged scar down her arm. "I believed him and have said nothing until now." Paula looked at the council and then spoke to the crowd "Mrs Smith and the Captain are telling the truth. That bastard finally got what he deserved no matter what that hideous woman says."

The crowd grew loud, unsure who to believe. Another woman stood and barred her arm. The same jagged scar telling the tale. And another, and another. A total of five women with the same scar. Paula went up on the stage and asked the others to join her.

"These are just the ones in attendance here. We don't know the real total." Paula turned on the widow. "As for you bitch! You, who knew what he was, and what he did, and said nothing! It's you who should face trial. Why didn't you stop him!?"

The crowd was loud and angry about to turn into a lynch mob. The widow and her children cowering, trapped against the stage. "No!" Rose shouted above the crowd. "Stop, please!" The Time Lord knew a crowd of angry people could get ugly and turn on you. He and Quinn were poised to bodily defend Rose if necessary. But the crowd stopped to listen.

She spoke tenderly to the group of scarred women, "We have all suffered a terrible day, but we only had one day. She and her children were tortured, and twisted, every day by that monster. Have pity. We should be helping her, not arresting her."

Another voice was heard. Henderson's son Tom. "Mrs. Smith is right. You don't know what my mother has suffered, or my sister, or me. If she has done wrong she has paid for it a thousand times more than you will ever know."

"She stayed silent for the same reason you did Ms. Stevenson. Because my father threatened to kill us all if she ever said anything. Perhaps, now he's gone, we can learn to deal with our grief and pain and become a family. Come on mother, let's go home." The boy led his mother and sister out of the building and past the silent crowd.

The President's gavel made a loud sound as he struck the bench to get everyone's attention. His voice was loud and authoritative. "Be it known to all here. The facts have been gathered, and no charges will be filed." He turned to Rose and Quinn. "You are free to go. That is the judgement of this inquiry!"

The crowd exploded in shouts and applause. Rose hugged her husband and asked to go home. The Time Lord looked to the crowded exit. "Quinn, can you get us out of here?" He smiled, "Yes. I think I can. Follow me."

Quinn led them to a room behind the stage where they could wait out the crowd and sneak away. While they were waiting, the town council came in. President Sinclair wanted to ask him some questions in a more private setting.

"Doctor, the council wants answers to her questions. We can no longer continue as before without those answers. Do you understand?" "Yes, Mr. President I do. Can I ask in deference to my family that my answers will be kept in the strictest confidence?" They nodded.

"Do you want Quinn to leave the room?" Rose spoke up first, "No, He can stay if he wishes." The Time Lord braced himself. "What do you want to know?"

"First, Where do you come from?"

"My people were called Time Lords. They lived on the planet Gallifrey before the last great Time War destroyed them all. I am the last of my kind."

"Then you are not human?"

"No Madam Counselor I am not. And as you would guess, that means my name is not John Smith. Though my real name would mean nothing to you, across this universe I am known simply as The Doctor."

The council members began to ask questions one by one. "Is Mrs. Smith human?"

"Yes, she was born on earth."

"Why are you on this planet? Are you hiding from something?"

"That's a complicated question Mr. President. We are here because I fought one too many battles and it had to stop. If I'm running, it's toward a place of peace to raise my family and forget for a while."

"Why didn't you tell us this when we first met?"

"You didn't ask, and I consider my personal life no one else's business." The council wanted to discuss it for a while and asked them to wait there. Rose crept up behind him and held his hand, putting her head on his shoulder.

When they returned a few moments later they had a pronouncement.

"Doctor Smith. You and your wife have proven yourselves kind and honorable citizens. It is our profound regret that you have found at least one of our community not to be. We've no right to ask it, but we would be honored if you and your family would stay and help us build a better future."

Behind them Quinn whispered an enthusiastic "Yes!" along with a fist pump. Rose looked at him, but he looked away quickly as if he wasn't listening. She grinned and shook her head, the Time Lord responded, "Mr. President, In my 900 years of existence, I have never turned down anyone who asked for help. We would be happy to stay." The President smiled, "Thank you Doctor. Good day."

The council left them alone in the room. He looked at Quinn and said "You have more questions." Quinn shook his head, "No, But I want to say something."

He stared at the floor unable to look at Rose. "I am not in love with your wife." He looked up directly into the Time Lord's Eyes. "It's true, she is the image of my Sarah and when I first met her I felt… It doesn't matter.

It is true that I am attracted to her for that reason, and that reason alone." He looked at her with pain written on his face. "Rose is not my Sarah and nothing will ever happen between us. It's just a memory of lost love that will never be gone from my heart. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand." The Time Lord said plainly, thinking of his wife and son.

"Do you believe me?" "Yes, I believe you. A lie would hurt Rose, and you'd never do that." Quinn grew suddenly pale, "No, never. I'll go and check to see if the crowds are gone. Excuse me."

The Time Lord moved in front of him with a scowl on his face, "Quinn, I have something to say to you." Quinn lifted his chin and stared at the wall behind the Time Lord, as if expecting a blow, but not going to defend himself.

"You have saved our lives and defended us at the possible cost of your career. That's my definition of a good friend. I'd be honored if you would be mine." He held his hand out and waited.

Quinn looked at his hand in disbelief, considering what he had just said, but took it. "Of course. Thank you John." He silently left the two of them alone in the room.

They clung to each other. It had been an emotionally draining day. "Rose, they want us to stay, but maybe we should find some other world." She looked at him puzzled. "Why?" "We've been through a lot since they got here. I miss having a whole planet to ourselves. I don't want Alice to grow up afraid."

She understood his worries, but there was more to it than that. "If we leave, she will have no comparison to judge the human heart and will always be afraid. We can't hide forever, and it's not fair for her to grow up alone. Look how fond she is of Mary."

The Time Lord knew she was right. He looked at her with an odd smile. "What's that for?" She inquired. "I'm so proud of the way you handled that crowd. And the compassion you had for Mrs. Henderson. You're a truly remarkable woman Rose Tyler." "Rose Tyler Smith if you please." Looking at her wedding ring. "I have to be. I'm married to a truly remarkable man."

Chapter 33 Quinn