The tardis ride home was filled with laughter as they went over the events of the last few days. 10 hated to admit, it was fun to fix this particular problem. To see a family reunited and the Time Lord rules broken again. It made him feel like he did in the good old days. 10 hoped it would only be a small ripple in time and not a tidal wave. Still, no matter how small, it could be a real danger to him and his family.

Chapter 65 Memories

An hour or so later they returned to Karn. Rose and Ohila were there to meet them. The Doctors were still laughing when they came out, all of them going to their room to tell them what happened. A light supper was brought and a long story told. "...so everything worked out in the end. Problem solved by the Tardis herself. Oh and, Rose, Sayla wanted you to know that if they have a girl she is going to name her Rose." Rose smiled and held her husband's hand.

Ohila sat back in her chair with her glass of wine. "I knew you could do it. If I had to look at that sad little face one more day… As for the timeline, it all happened just as it should, with a few extras perhaps." Rose was curious, "Why do you say that Ohila?" "It was the reason I asked the Doctor here in the first place," looking at 8, "I was going to try to persuade him to help her. You were just a bonus my dear." Relief was plain in 10's eyes. "Now my children, It's late and I suggest a good night's rest." 10 looked up from his cup. "Ohila? May I come to your office in the morning? We have something to discuss." "Whenever you like. Good night.

8 yawned and headed for his Tardis without further comment. Alice was already in bed, having fallen asleep listening to the grown ups talk. David was starting to sleep through the night now, and was already fed and changed and dreaming.

Rose stood up and went to the balcony railing. Karn was a harsh place, but beautiful. She was looking up at the stars wondering which one the new family was on. A soft breeze stirred her hair, and her husband put his arms around her waist, nuzzing an ear. "I want to go home Rose. Do you think you're both well enough?" She leaned back into his chest and sighed. "Yes my love. I want to go home too." "Are you sure?" He put his hand on her stomach. "Do you have any symptoms that need more time? I'd rather wait an eternity than risk your health again." Rose laid her hand on his, "No, I don't have any symptoms. In fact I have something to tell you. She took his hand and led him to the small table and chairs.

"There's good news and bad news. Which do you want first?" His face was filled with worry as he swallowed hard. "Bad news first."

"Ohila and I were talking. There is some scar tissue on my uterus. It's not absolutely sure, but it will probably prevent me from getting pregnant again. I'm so sorry my love." She saw the look of devastation on his face, and held out her hand to cup his cheek. He leaned into it, holding hers with his own. "You have nothing to be sorry for. After what you just went through, I was trying to find a way to say, maybe we shouldn't have any more. I almost lost you Rose. As much as I love Alice and David, I don't want to risk it again."

Rose smiled as he kissed her hand. "So...There's good news?"

"She said the Elixir of Life will extend my lifespan. You're stuck with me for a little while longer." His face lit up like a Christmas tree. "How long?" "Ohila says I could reach 200 years or more." He was going to shout for joy, but Rose covered his mouth. The children were sleeping nearby. He settled for hugging the stuffing out of her and twirling her in a circle. When he let her touch down again, he held her face in his hands and gave her a long sweet kiss. She looked in his eyes and said, "Aren't you glad I talked you into coming?"

The next morning, the Time Lord met with Ohila in her office. He knew this would not be pleasant or easy, but he was determined to remove the memories she had stolen. He knocked on the heavy wood door, but didn't wait for a reply.

She was bent over some dispatches on her desk, and he closed the door behind him. "You are not removing my memories so don't bother asking." She hadn't even looked up from her work. "Your memories? I'm not interested in your memories. It's the ones you stole from me. You can't keep them Ohila." was his simple reply.

"You, can not tell me what I may and may not do, Time Lord!" Her look was as menacing as a rabid wolf. "Yes, I can, when it comes to this." He said, calm in comparison. He spoke softly to try and reason with her. She knew right from wrong, and he was going to prove it to her. "Ohila, we have relied on each other for many centuries. He needs to rely on you for what's to come. You just saved my entire family, and I have forgiven you for taking them, but the time has come to relinquish that knowledge."

She was quiet, too quiet. "Look at me!" She slowly looked up from her pages, but her eyes were not friendly. "The burden I bear. The horrors I've seen and done, crush my soul, every... day... But I know now it happened, as it was meant to happen, because you had already seen fragments of it.

The threads of the past are always woven into tomorrow. If you're holding on to these memories in the hope of saving Gallifrey or others, you still don't know which threads you should cut. My memories can't tell you that.

I know you are terrified of the carnage to come. No one could look on what you've seen and not want to change it. But what if the threads you cut allow the Daleks to survive? They will march across the universe and destroy all reality." He knew what he was asking of her. To sit by and let it happen. But there was no choice. "I sympathise Ohila, I really do, but I won't allow you to play dice with the universe, and neither will you.

She looked down at her hands. The power to change the future resting there. But which future, and who's? Yes, He was right. I may want to keep them to do good, but I could also do great harm. "There must be something I can do?" She answered at last. He shook his head, "If you keep them you will always be tempted to interfere. That's enough to drive anyone mad. I promise you Ohila, as I promise myself everyday. I will find a way to save my people."

He stood up with purpose, but his eyes filled with compassion. "Let's get this over with." She looked up at him, true to the best of his race, a Time Lord. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. He stood behind her and placed his hands on her temples. It was over in seconds. He had left the memory of them coming for Alice's initiation, but taken the rest. He had left something behind as well, hope. A sustaining sense of hope. She would be able to sleep at night now.

He sat in the chair before she awoke and waited. Moments later she stirred and he began talking. "I'm sorry Doctor, What did you say? I must have dozed off." "I was just saying thank you for your help with Alice. Rose and I will never forget your kindness. But, we have been here long enough and I don't want to risk changing the timeline. We'll be leaving within the hour." She stood and walked around the desk to embrace him. "You have a remarkable wife and daughter Doctor. I'm glad you have found such peace."

"Thank you Ohila. I will hold on tight to them both. Take care."

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