Author's Note: Woop. This story hasn't been abandoned. I'm sorry for not updating in like a year and a half. I'll never promise regular updates. I'll just update things on occasion. I'm sorry.

Anyway, I had some trouble writing this chapter but this is the last interlude before we're diving headfirst into series 3, I haven't quite decided yet how everything will go, but I'll figure it out.

Anyway, have fun reading, this I guess.

Disclaimer: Nope, still have zero rights for this content.

9. Conditions

The Doctor woke up a couple of hours later, feeling refreshed. He was feeling anxious about the conversation he would have later with his host, it would potentially determine his future.

He hadn't had many conversations like that.

Before he had first stolen his TARDIS he had had such a conversation with his granddaughter, deciding that they wanted to leave Gallifrey.

He shook his head, forcing the memories out of his mind before throwing back the duvet, he climbed out of bed. Before making his way towards the bathroom, taking a long shower, trying to forget the impending conversation.

By the time he was dressed the sun had set and the other occupants of the house had risen. Luke was seated at the breakfast table, eating his toast as he entered the kitchen. He bid the boy a good morning as he went to get his own toast.

"Are you going to be leaving?" Luke asked in a small voice as he sat down across the boy.

Startled by the tone, The Doctor just stared at the teenager, he hadn't even considered the possibility of Luke wanting him to stay. Now he thought about it, he had only thought about what he wanted. Admittedly he hadn't decided yet what it was he wanted, though it certainly involved seeing the teenager regularly. The boy's remark made him realize that he should consider the opinions of his surrounding people as well, though.

Something he normally didn't.

He had changed so much in the past year.

Whether that was a good thing or not was up for debate. He had always stayed detached for a good reason, not wanting to get hurt by losing people he cared about.

The fact that he would still end up caring about people even when trying to stay detached wasn't important. (It was.)

"I don't know Luke." He told the boy honestly. "We're going to be discussing it though."

As he saw the teenager deflate he grabbed his hand. "Hey, if I end up leaving I will still come by to visit a lot." The Time Lord smiled at Luke. "You're not going to get rid of me that easy."

"It's just…" The boy hesitated.

"I know." And he did, he had grown attached to the teenager, and he knew that Luke felt the same towards him. He didn't want to leave him only to see him now and then. "Come here."

The Time Lord got up and pulled Luke in his arms, hating to see the boy distressed.

Kissing the teenager's head he murmured. "We'll figure something out, alright? It will be fine. Trust me."

He felt a nod against his chest.

"You wanna be part of the conversation Sarah Jane and I are going to be having later about this?" He asked the boy.

Another nod.

Luke was appeased, for the time being, with the promise that he could be there when he had the conversation with Sarah Jane about leaving. Martha was also going to be joining the conversation.

Not that the medical student knew that just yet, but that didn't matter.

Sarah Jane had put the Time Lord on vacuuming and laundry duty in order to help pass the time until Martha would be there, which would be just afternoon.

When The Time Lord was done with his chores he joined Luke at the dinner table. The young boy was working on the last of his homework for Monday, while the Time Lord wrote down some calculations for a device he was working.

The time went by fast and before they knew it Martha had arrived, angrily complaining about her parents once again. She was long since done with being the mediator between them, but as she had explained to him she just wanted her parents to be civil, just getting along.

That was something he definitely related to.

The Time Lord plopped down on the sofa next to Martha, clutching his cup of tea. Looking expectantly at Sarah Jane, who sat down across him.

"I locked you out of your TARDIS for 2 months now, which you know was for your own benefit."

"Yes, we've only been over that 36 times." The Doctor paused. "37 times now."

Ignoring him she continued. "I think it's a bad idea for you to leave-"

"But-" He exclaimed interrupting her, but Sarah Jane held up her finger indicating that she was talking.

Leaning back with a huff he waited for what she had to say.

"On your own. If you want to travel again, I need you to take someone with you." She continued as if she hadn't been interrupted.

This was something she had discussed with Martha earlier, the younger woman had readily agreed to be the person to go with him, under some conditions. But they had decided that he had to ask her on his own, come to the conclusion that he could ask their new friend to come with him.

He seemed to process her words for a bit, before turning towards Martha with a hopeful look. Coming to the realization that she was a good candidate quicker than she had expected.

Guess she owed Martha a tenner now, in hindsight she shouldn't have taken that bet.

"Martha? " He started slightly hesitant. "Will you-" It was obvious that he was hoping for her to fill it in herself.

And really everyone in the room knew what he was asking, but it was quite clear that Martha wanted him to actually say it. To Sarah Jane at least, she wasn't so sure about the Time Lord.

"Will I what?" Martha prompted.

He shifted slightly, uncomfortably. Taking a deep breath he finally murmured. "Come with me?"

The medical student smiled slightly. "I'd love to." Making a huge smile break out on his face.

Then he turned back to Sarah Jane. "What else? You're not going to let me go that easy." He cocked his head as he awaited her answer.

Honestly, she was slightly surprised at this question, she hadn't realized he knew her so well.

Really she should've expected that.

"While I do think you're ready to go on adventures again, I feel like it's a bad idea for you to fully into it again. Just start slowly, go out for like a day or two in the weekends then be back here during the week, and then we'll slowly build-up to you fully travelling again." She raised a warning finger. "But don't you even dare to think that I'll let you get away with not visiting here at least once a month." She didn't think he would be opposed to that, he enjoyed spending time with Luke way too much for that.

The Time Lord nodded slightly. "I understand."

"Can I come?" Luke spoke up, excitement shining in his voice.

All adults turned towards the boy, surprised at the question. Sarah Jane literally didn't know what to say to her son, she wasn't sure if that was a good idea, it could be dangerous out there. But at the same time, it was amazing out there.

In the end, to her relief, it was The Doctor who answered the teenager. "Luke, it can be really dangerous out there. I don't want to endanger you."

"There's danger here as well. It's just going to be somewhere else." Luke pointed out. "Besides you took us to that space station!"

The Time Lord rubbed his eye slightly as he tried to figure out what to say. "That was only a small hop, it's not comparable."

"But-"

"Luke!" He glared at the boy, effectively shutting him up. Before sighing. "I'll discuss it with your mother later, okay? No promises."

Luke looked entirely too smug about that admission.

"You better be back before dinner." Sarah Jane told the Time Lord as she handed him the key for the TARDIS.

They had been agreed that he would take Martha and Luke for a trip to see Shakespeare, not that they knew that last part yet. They had a lengthy discussion and decided that Luke could come with them. Luke was under the instruction to behave and listen to the Time Lord.

If The Doctor told Luke to do something, he would have to do it. If he broke that rule even once he wouldn't be allowed to come with him again until he was an adult.

Basically, one wrong move from him and the deal was off.

"Of course, Sarah Jane. Don't worry. We'll be on time." He assured her with a sigh.

Nodding she turned towards her son. "Be careful and listen to him."

"Yes, mum." He had obviously lost his patience with her constantly reminding him, but that didn't mean she was going to stop.

She gave him a small kiss on the forehead. "I'll see you tonight."

Straightening up she nodded towards Martha as they all entered the TARDIS. "Have fun, and I'll see you all tonight."

The Doctor smiled at his companions. "Well then. Off we go." He danced around the console as he put in the right coordinates. "Hold on tight." He warned before pulling the handbrake, causing them to shoot into the Time Vortex.

Oh he had missed this.