She spoke with authority. "Lay the child down in the soil of Gallifrey and step aside." The Time Lord did as he was told. If anyone could help Alice, she could. He stepped back and stood next to Rose, who would not look at him.

Chapter 55 Hell To Pay

The Rev Mother put her hands on Alice's temples. Her parents and 8, held their breath. After a short time Rose saw Alice's hand move, and then a leg, and then her head. She tried to go to her, but her husband held her back until the holy woman was finished. Alice opened her eyes and smiled at the old woman, who smiled back and motioned to her parents.

As she stood, Ohila groaned and took a deep breath. Alice's parents rushed to her side, overjoyed to see her alive and awake, covering her face with kisses. 8 hated to break up this scene but he knew they had been noticed and it was time to leave. He grabbed 10's shoulder with an urgent look. "We've got to go, now, unless you want to spend the night and possibly an entire regeneration with the temple guards.

Nodding his head, "Rose, we have to go." He picked up Alice and they ran to the shuttle. Once inside they headed off for Karn. Alice was sleeping peacefully on Roses lap, while she hummed her favorite lullaby and smoothed her hair. 8 was beside them both.

"I know that tune." he questioned Rose. "What is it?" Rose looked up at him. "It's from a music box in the Tardis. My husband said it was your mother's." The light of remembrance flashed in his eyes. "That's right, Mother used to sing it to me." Rose looked at the man next to her. Trying to see her husband in him, but he wasn't there. "You've been very kind. Thank you." she said. "For everything." He smiled in return and looked down at the girl.

"Genetically she's my daughter too. I hope you'll allow me to be proud of her. She's so brave and beautiful. Just like her mother. He held his hand to Rose's cheek, suddenly envying his older self. This woman was very special. "I should go up front so he can come back. Rest now. You've a long ride back to Karn." He patted her hand and went forward.

8 went to the front of the ship and tapped 10's shoulder. They were out of danger from Gallifrey and he knew 10 would want to be with his family. "You're a lucky man. I hope you know that." 10 looked up at his former self, "Every minute, of every day" he replied.

8 smiled, "Go on then, I'll take over here." 10 looked at the woman next to him. "My apologies Ohila. This may not be pleasant to hear."

"You're lucky it's not me." she said, making his skin crawl. 10 steeled himself to go to Rose. He knew there would be hell to pay.

There was nothing she could say to him that he hadn't already said to himself. He would let her vent and hopefully, she would forgive him in time. He came and sat at Alice's feet. Putting her legs up on his lap. Touching her arm, feeling her pulse, steady and normal. He looked up at Rose, "Has she spoken?" "No" was the cold response. He sighed, "Rose, please, I'm worried too."

He went to reach for her hand. "Don't touch me." she said with cold menace. "Look at what you've done to our child. You filled her head with fantastic stories of a dead race on a dead world, and this is what it's led to!" He looked over to the cockpit to see if they had heard. "Rose be careful, they can't hear any of that." "Do you think I care?" She said louder. "This is your fault and I will never forgive you. Her screams will be in my nightmares for the rest of my life!"

Then, he did something he never thought he could do with Rose, he cracked under the strain. "Do you think I didn't hear her scream! Do you think I didn't feel every electric shock that passed through her body! You're not the only one suffering here Rose. I won't blame myself for being a Time Lord and everything that goes with it. That was chosen for me. Just as you chose me. If you regret that choice now you have only yourself to blame."

He pulled back on his emotions, but it was too late. He'd spoken words that could not be taken back. He'd left himself open to a mortal wound and was waiting for her to deliver it. When it didn't come immediately, he looked up at her. She was staring at him with tears in red rimmed eyes. He closed his own and said pitifully, "I love you both. You know that you're my whole reason for existence." Tears began to fall from his lashes "Please don't shut me out."

Rose was in too much pain and worry to forgive him just yet, but she knew he was right. It was her choice to love a man from a different world, to have his children. She just couldn't get past her fear for Alice and her son, not even born yet. Alice began to move. She tried to lift her head to see where she was. Rose caressed her face, "Lie still Alice. You need rest." She began to speak. Her voice was weak but steady "Daddy? Momma?"

The Time Lord spoke to her as he held her little hand. "Shhhh, little one. It's over, you're safe, you're with us. You must sleep now." Alice wanted to know, "Did I do well father?" He held back a sob, "Yes, daughter. You did very well. Now sleep." Alice smiled in relief and slept. Rose and The Time Lord sat in silence for the rest of the trip.

8 wandered back to them eventually. We're coming into Karn. Ohila called ahead for quarters for you. She thinks you should stay until the child is recovered and can be tested." "What do you mean tested?" Rose growled defensively. 8 smiled at Rose, "It's non invasive. You should want to know if what she went through was worth it, or if there are any, shall we say, side effects."

Rose was not tolerant of his euphemism, "You mean to find out if she's insane!" she whispered terrified, so Alice couldn't hear her. 8 looked at 10 incredulously. "What have you been telling this poor woman? No wonder she's in such a state."

8 knelt in front of Rose to look kindly into her face, "It is true that a small fraction of those who go through the process are permanently harmed, about one, in five hundred. Some have their minds and abilities vastly enhanced. They become Time Lords and Seers. The majority have some enhancement, but not enough to qualify for academy. Their station in life is set by how much they are improved. Bureaucrats, technicians, farmers etc.

Even half human, Alice's chances are very good that she will excel."

"Doctor!" Ohila called. 8 looked at Rose tenderly, "Excuse me." Rose watched him walk away, perhaps not relieved, but a bit less frightened. She looked down at her little girl's peaceful face with hope now.

They landed on Karn with no fanfare. When they got out of the shuttle, two large women were there with a stretcher. The Time Lord was possessive of his bundle, "No thank you, I will carry her." "It's not for your daughter." Ohila said next to him, "It's for your wife."

Rose was fine until she stepped down from the shuttle. As her foot hit the ground, a sharp pain made her cry out. 8 grabbed her arm before she could fall and helped her to the stretcher, Rose holding her belly, in a wide eyed panic. The Rev Mother held Rose's hand, "Don't worry, not yet. You're just overwrought and need rest. Take her to her chambers." The novices moved quickly and were down the road before the Time Lord could ask how she knew. He didn't bother. It was well known that Ohila was the most talented seer in this part of the universe.

The room they had prepared for the family was well appointed. A large four poster bed, a small comfortable cot for the child, tables and chairs, and it had a large open balcony that overlooked the mountains to the east. He entered and put Alice onto the cot and covered her, kissing her cheek. Rose was already on the bed asleep. She had been given a sleeping draft by one of the novices per the orders of Ohila.

The tired Time Lord sat in the chair to wait vigil, on the two most important people in his life. He was exhausted as well, but would not sleep until he knew they were safe. A novice came in the room, "The Rev Mother would like you to come to the outer hall." The Time Lord did not even look at her, "Please give the Rev Mother my apologies and say that I will not leave this room." The novice bowed and left the room.

"Don't be stupid." he heard from behind him. It was 8 standing in the doorway. "Get out." was the only reply. "Go, I will stay and watch over them. She's not a woman to be gainsaid and there is much to discuss." 10 only growled another "Get Out." 8 grinned and slapped the back of his head gently. "She needs to talk to you about your family. It's important! And they will sleep for hours." Then he said gently, "You know you can trust me, and I will call for you if anything happens."

The Time Lord rubbed his red swollen eyes and decided to get it over with. He growled an oath at 8 and left the room.

Chapter 56 Betrayal