Checking the time on the monitors above the console, a man stares as he sees the timer counting down, when it finally reached zero, he'll leave to finish what he started so many eons ago.
It's difficult to know how it'll turn out, but he believed that after this, he'll get the long-awaited closure he's been wanting since he stole the TARDIS that very day from his late father.
He overheard two people walking through the door of the TARDIS, easily recognized them, as he walked towards them with a look on his face.
"This is it?" he heard his brother asking him.
Nodding, he affirmed, "After tomorrow, mum will be at peace."
Slowly, his brother nodded.
Next to him, their childhood friend.
She'd change her name numerous times during her own adventures that it's difficult remembering her birth name hadn't his brother joggled his memory.
These days, she preferred going by her assumed name that she gotten from her late adoptive father, whom she vowed vengeance for his death, on top of the brothers wanting vengeance for their late mother's death.
After tomorrow, they'll have what they want.
Peace for their loved ones.
Justice for their deaths.
A sincere look on River's face, she stares at William as she asked him, "Are you sure you're prepared?"
This wasn't an ordinary enemy the lot of them dealt with and William affirmed that while he won't lie to them that he's scared, he won't let it stop him from doing this, as he's committed to the cause, and to take back mum's wedding ring the Master stole from her body that night.
A rare sight, Tom wasn't smoking during this, instead, he looked cleaner, but morose, as he stared at his little brother, concern in his dark eyes as he sees his brother's convictions.
"This sick tom cat ain't got nothing on my little brother," he tried amping up his brother, but the fear in his voice became more evident as he got towards the end of his sentence.
After losing their mother to the Master, their father to suicide driven by losing her, Tom couldn't help but worry that he'll lose his little brother, too.
A frown on his face, William assures him that no matter what happens, he'll avenge their mother and River's adoptive father.
"There must be something more we can do," River murmured as she crossed her arms, a frown on her bourbon lips.
With everything going on, she and Tom felt like thumbs sticking out, while William worked with the other Doctors in destroying their shared enemy, tirelessly going over the plans, working out the kinks.
Pondering this, William took a deep breathe before telling them both what he wanted them to do, should it be him that dies in the incurring fight, "If it's me… I want you to take the TARDIS, Tommy. I know you never wanted it, but if there's anyone out there that'll keep it from danger, it's you. Mel—River, I know our differences haven't been sorted, a surprise you haven't glued my mouth shut after all this time, a miracle you haven't stranded me in my underwear, but if anything happens… I want you to take mum's ring. Who else but an extraordinaire thief to know to keep it safe?"
He tried to smile, but the fears hidden within him had it go away within a short time as the dread seeped through his face, as he dealt with implications that this final battle chanced killing him.
"Don't you talk like a third-rate adventurer," Tom heavily patted his back, "you'll kick his arse, come home, and we'll celebrate!"
His voice growing hoarse at the end.
He wouldn't hear the thought his brother might die, refusing to believe it, that he had faith in him.
Nodding in agreement, her sunburnt frizzy hair bobbing, River stated, "You sprung me from my imprisonment many a-times, raggedy man. You'll get out of this one!"
During their… admittedly bizarre relationship, William helped free River from her constant imprisonments, from the sophisticated prisons run by Judoon to the far reaches of the galaxy, he always found a way.
And he'll find a way out of this predicament.
After he helps kill the bastard, he's taking her dancing.
Already have a club picked out on Tom's recommendation.
Oh yes, despite his reservations with her, Tom gave his blessing for her to romance his little brother, under specific conditions that she wouldn't try her tricks with him, and then some.
Lightly mess with him should he start acting like a fool, reasonably, of course.
They celebrated their anniversary last week, Tom bought them cake, of course his little brother wanted to add a spin to it.
If only that was the extent of the little plan of his!
The cleaning crew weren't happy at the mess made by the whole thing, but the laughter from William jumping out of the cake lasts forever.
"Don't put the cart before the horse," William reminded her not to get ahead, they don't know the outcome until after tomorrow.
Can't even think about sleeping, the anxiety's kicking into overdrive, the anticipation, if he tried closing his eyes, he'll be up within half an hour, wide awake.
However, there's some silver lining to this.
Seeing them back together, brought back memories of their childhood to William, when they used to play together under the watchful eye of their parents at the park, everything that happened afterwards that caused a schism.
Here they were, like old time's sake.
"Whatever happens, raggedy man, you come home to me," River bluntly tells him, wrapping her arms around his neck, greedily stealing his kisses.
Even if Tom had to take her out there, she will bring William home.
Struggling in her embrace, William tried tampering her expectations, but the forceful woman wasn't having it, as she wouldn't hear it.
He's coming home, that's that.
Once she finally released him, Tom stood close to him, holding his hand out.
When he took it into his, William heard, "I admit, I haven't been the big brother I shoulda been. A tumbleweed with thorns. Even if you drive me up the wall, Willy, you're still my baby brother. Hell will pay if it tries taking you. Devil's promise."
In his own way, Tom gave his long-waited apology for his abrasive nature over the years.
Shaking his hand, tears welled behind William's dark green eyes as he tells his older brother, "You're still my big brother!"
Even though they had their differences in the past, arguments, they're still brothers.
A smile on his face, Tom pulled his brother into a bear hug, squeezing him tightly as there's tears running down his face.
Though his clothes stunk to high heavens of cigarettes, it didn't dissuade William from hugging his brother, possibly for the last time.
Once he released his brother, William looked between his brother and River, a look in his face as he says with a distinct voice, adjusting his red bow tie, "Come hell or high water… I am the Doctor."
THE END