Louise didn't want to lie to spare her friend, "To be honest I was a bit afraid when I first found out. Afraid of the unknown. But then I remembered how Alice had defended Mary to Susan at the sandbox. Susan is older and bigger than Alice, but that didn't matter to her. When she stayed with us that terrible night, she never let on how afraid she was to Mary. I could see it in her eyes, but she was so brave for you. How old is Alice?" Rose had a sheepish grin when she said "Six".

Chapter 35 Gallifrey

Quinn and Louise were puzzled. She didn't look six years old. Rose finished, "Six months. She was born on June 13th. She started speaking in a week. At two months she could walk, talk, sing and draw. At three, read and count. As of now she is physically the equivalent of a 5 or 6 year old human. Her mind is much more advanced. John is teaching her what would be college level classes for you and I."

Rose could see the shock on their faces. Quinn spoke up, "So that's why she couldn't join the other children at school. They would be so far below her." Rose nodded, "I promise you she will never harm Mary or anyone else. Just think of her as a prodigy.

She is still a child in many ways, and I don't treat her any differently than I would any 6 year old. With her body changing so drastically almost every day, she needs a lot of sleep. She loves to take naps. She loves playing with Mary, and her dolls. She draws pictures by the ton.

She has a highly developed sense of right and wrong. Very rarely will she be angry or lose her temper, though she's gotten mad at me for not exactly sticking to plans. If I say we're having meatloaf on Tuesday, it better be there. Her mind is neat and ordered and so her life is neat and ordered. She won't throw her clothes on the floor or leave her toys out. A place for everything and everything in its place. Sometimes it feels like she doesn't need me at all."

The Time Lord took Rose's hand and smiled at her. "Of course she needs you. You're her Momma and you chase away nightmares and tell her bedtime stories and dance with her when her favorite music is played." He winked at her and she smiled back.

Louise was calculating, "By that rate she will be all grown up by next year." The Time Lord answered, "No. The body can not sustain a growth rate that high. After six months it starts to slow down to what you would call a more normal rate that will carry her through the rest of her life."

Just then the girls came running down the stairs. "Momma can we have some ice cream?" Rose looked over at Louise who smiled and nodded. "Yes my angel you may. Do you want me to get it for you?" Alice was delighted, "No momma I can get it. Come on Mary. Do you like rainbow sprinkles? I love rainbow sprinkles." "Alice, Not too much it will be bed time soon." "Yes Momma." The girls giggled all the way to the kitchen. Rose watched them leave the room with pride and love.

Quinn spoke up again. "You said you were 900 years old John, yet you look only 35 at the most. How long do your people live?" The Time Lord grinned, "You ask good questions Quinn. It's a little hard to explain. Our average life span is between three and five hundred of your years. At the end of our lives we have the ability to regenerate. Our bodies are completely broken down atom by atom and rebuilt into any form we choose. It's called regeneration.

My last regeneration was seven years ago after I was exposed to, well, you would call it a massive dose of radiation." He looked at Rose remembering the circumstances. "Rose saved my life that day. In fact, she saved all life on earth."

He could see the question, as well as the disbelief in their eyes, but answered seriously. "A race known as the Daleks, who were responsible for the destruction of my people, were about to do the same to yours. They were going to start with me when she stopped them.

Rose was brilliant, and it nearly cost her own life. Afterwards, I was near death and regenerated into what you see now. I am the tenth such regeneration since my birth more than 900 years ago." Quinn wanted more, "If you're the tenth, then why aren't you 3000?" The Time Lord grinned a little sheepishly.

"I'd not lived a quiet life until now, and have never reached 300 in a single lifetime yet. Another reason to find some quiet place to settle down in. We are only allowed 12 regenerations, so in my view I haven't much time left." Louise asked, "What about Rose and Alice?"

Rose took over the story. "I am human, like you. I can expect to reach 80 or 90 years at best. It's too soon to tell if Alice can regenerate, being half human, but with her other Gallifreyan traits so evident, it seems likely."

Quinn was fascinated. Tell me about your people John. They must have been a great and wondrous civilization." The Time Lord looked at the floor and sighed. "I wish I could say they were. Time Lords, like me, ran the government. An educated elite, who lived in comfort in great domed cities.

The majority of the population were good people, farmers, merchants, and tradespeople living on the open plains known as the Dry Lands. The Time Lords had intelligence but no wisdom. We were not benevolent in our greatness.

Our technology could have brought peace and prosperity to the whole of the universe. Instead it was twisted into selfishness and arrogance. During The Dark Time, our technology destroyed our souls. Making us emotionless monsters with no regard for others.

We built an empire on the ashes of fledgling civilizations. It was a terrible time of gladiatorial games and wholesale destruction of anyone who stepped out of line. After a billion years we were bored with running everything.

We became historians, recording and observing all, but never interfering. The rise and fall of whole civilizations was a mere trifle to be indexed. We became isolated and atrophied. Foolishly believing in our superiority until the end. Until the Daleks came.

They wanted our time technology to destroy all of creation, leaving them alone in the universe. It was a long and bloody war. On the last day, the Daleks attacked Gallifrey, slaughtering half our population in minutes. We were all going to die. Our defenses down, I could do little but stand by and watch." His eyes glazed over as he saw it happen all over again.

"I decided I could make a difference in only one way. We had one weapon left, but it would incinerate everything. I chose to let my people die to stop the Daleks. To at least bring peace to the rest of the universe. I expected to die with them, but the weapon was sentient and punished me by keeping me alive to live with what I'd done." He stopped a moment. "So they are all gone now. Except me," He smiled sadly, "and Alice."

Quinn and Louise were both shocked, but said nothing. He saw their reaction. "I'm sorry. That's probably more than you wanted to hear. I have spent my lives hopelessly trying to atone for what I'd done. But it's Rose who has saved me in the end, and so, my people." He smiled at her and held her hand. Rose kissed him gently on the cheek.

The girls came in from the kitchen with their bowls wiping away the gloom. Everyone went to the den to look at the tree. There were simple presents for all and the hour grew late with normal conversation. All questions of alien origins and technology, forgotten with the company of good friends. The girls were asleep on the couch and it was time to go home.

Louise took Rose aside to say goodnight. "Quinn and I had a wonderful, or maybe I should say, amazing time." Louise looked over at Quinn and smiled. Quinn grinned and looked a bit sheepish, having been caught again staring at her like a schoolboy.

Rose had seen all night how their feelings for each other were getting stronger. What was standing in their way? "Louise, Can I give you some advice?" Louise had a puzzled look. "You have to grab happiness when it comes your way or it will pass you by. I almost lost John to waiting for the right moment. Quinn is the man for you. Don't make my mistake." Louise smiled and nodded. "You don't need to tell me Rose, tell Quinn. He's still hurting over his first wife and can't let go."

Rose understood now, and decided she was going to do something about it.

Chapter 36 Panic