A/N: new chappie! enjoy!

Chapter 7: Seven Seconds

The Doctor grinned as he was shoved through the tunnels, noting the path they took as he was taken to the Callifraxan queen. He grazed the crease of his left ring finger with his thumb and frowned in wonder. Something was supposed to be there. A ring. He was sure of that. What had he done with it?

"Kneel before the queen!" one of the soldiers snarled, bringing him out of his thoughts as he focused on the Callifraxan queen now in front of him, sitting in her throne and glaring at him.

"Sorry, I only kneel for one queen," the Doctor retorted. "My wife."

"You're making trouble in the cells," she repeated what she'd been told. "Taunting my men."

"Yes, I have," he nodded with a grin.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed, Doctor?" she wondered. "I could have you killed without putting you into the arena with a beast. Is that what you want?"

"Of course not," he shrugged. "Just killing time until my cue."

"Do you ever make any sense?" the queen snapped, but their attentions were drawn to another Callifraxan running into the room.

"Your majesty!" he panted from running. "The other prisoners! They've escaped!"

"And that will be my cue," the Doctor nodded, whipping out his Sonic and rushing toward the queen to grab her by the arm and aim the screwdriver at her head as he used her for a shield. "This is a deadly weapon! Let me go or she gets it!"

The soldiers glanced around at each other, lifting their crossbows but hesitant to shoot as the Doctor shuffled toward the pathway he'd been brought through, watching them all carefully. Once his back was to the entryway, he shoved the queen forward and darted down the hall and back toward the cells.

"Get after him!" the queen screamed, and her soldiers did as she ordered.

The Doctor ran down the path, recalling every turn, but when he turned down a corner he nearly ramming into a couple of familiar faces.

"Liv! I told you to get to the TARDIS!" he recalled, seeing Olivia supporting Aaron as he struggled to remain conscious.

"Trying!" Olivia shot back, shifting Aaron to support him a little better before glancing to her left. "Oh, look! A control room! Let's hide in here!"

"Olivia—!" He cut himself off with a growl as she kicked the door open and hobbled in with Aaron, the Doctor following her to shut the door, using the Sonic on the lock to keep the soldiers at bay. Olivia lifted her Sonic with her free hand and the lights came on, revealing panels with buttons and a station in the corner of the room.

"Teleport," Olivia sighed as she sat Aaron down in a chair. "Lovely. Shall we commandeer it, my love?"

"I think we shall, but first," the Doctor began, rushing toward the panels to start working on them. "We have to find a way to stop them."

Olivia rushed up next to him to examine the panels, Sonic out, ready to use it.

"No, Liv, that won't work," he told her. "If they're smart it's Deadlocked. I'll have to try something else."

"Whatever you do you better do it fast, Aaron doesn't have long," she warned.

"Get him onto the teleport and I'll get him up top," he instructed, and without a word of argument she rushed toward Aaron to lift him from the chair again.

"No, no, I can't—" Aaron whined as she hauled him up.

"Just to the teleport, Aaron, we've gotta get you up top," she told him, practically dragging him that way while the Doctor remained at the control panel, working on it.

"Liv, you listening?" the Doctor called as she scuttled Aaron toward the teleport.

"Yup!" she called back.

"The teleport is just a smaller version of the entire underground network that's sitting on top of a transmat," he explained, still working. "If I set the self-destruct, it'll transport the entire population of Callifraxans back to their planet, and we'll use the teleport to get out before the blast."

"Perfect! Do it!" Olivia called, helping Aaron onto the platform, but the Doctor growled in anger at the control panel, slamming a hand onto it. "What's wrong?"

"It's not letting me set it!" he snapped, working on the control panel, fervently. "It's damaged. It's only gonna give us seven seconds to get out, and I have to program it manually."

"Ok, not so perfect," she strained under Aaron's weight as she situated him on l be there in a second to help."

"No," he murmured, finishing with the panel before turning to see if Olivia was on the teleport with Aaron. He knew she would hate him for it, but he had to be sure she was safe…for Amelia. "No, you won't."

He pressed a button on the panel and a shield rose around the teleport, catching Olivia's attention and making her look to him with wide eyes.

"Doctor, don't you dare!" she shouted, but he activated the teleport, sending her and Aaron up to the alley where the TARDIS sat. Olivia gasped as she was suddenly staring at the TARDIS, Aaron hanging off of her and she glanced around at the alley before gritting her teeth in anger. "That idiot!"

She pushed the door of the TARDIS open, knowing she had to help Aaron first before she could kill the Doctor for his stupidity. She pulled him toward the stairs to head into the hall and the TARDIS moved the med bay closer so she wouldn't have to walk that far. She led him to the bed hooked up to the monitor and let him fall upon it.

"Gonna have to help me out, dear," she told the TARDIS as she made her way to his feet. "Aaron, I have to get your shoe off. This is gonna hurt."

"Do it," he ground out, preparing himself and she yanked his shoe off his foot, making him yell in pain.

A tray slid out from one of the countertops on its own, catching Olivia's attention and she dropped his shoe to rush toward the tray, finding a syringe, a small vial and a tin filled with some sort of green balm.

She grabbed the tray and made her way back to Aaron, putting two and two together as she filled the syringe then injected it straight into the wound, holding his foot down by the ankle when he struggled.

"Ah! Jesus! Olivia! What are you doing?!" he shouted as she pulled the syringe out then grabbed the tin. "A little warning!"

"Sorry," she muttered before scooping some of the balm from the tin and slathering it all over his foot. She set the tin down then looked to Aaron. "Don't move."

"Where am I gonna go?" he snapped as she ran out the door and into the hall. "Where are you going?!"

Olivia ignored him as she ran back out to the console, rushing out the door and into the alley. She bolted for the manhole they'd gone down, but gasped and stumbled back when the ground rumbled and a geyser of fire shot out of the hole. She covered her face to protect it as she stared up at it, feeling its heat, then screamed when the manhole came down with a thud next to her, the metal so hot it was red. She stared at it in horror before looking to the dying fire geyser, tears instantly filling her eyes.

"Doctor!" she screamed, rooted to her spot, her heart breaking. After everything they'd been through, after she'd begged for a second chance, and got it, before he could even finish regenerating, he was gone.

"This is my fault," she sobbed, shaking her head and hugging herself as tears fell freely from her eyes. "It's all my fault!"

"Well, you could've at least given me a kiss for luck, but I wouldn't say it was entirely your fault."

Olivia gasped at the sound of the now familiar voice from behind her and slowly turned to see the Doctor leaning casually against the frame of the TARDIS, arms crossed and a smirk over his full lips. She stared at him for a moment before rushing toward him and he stood tall to catch her as she flung her arms around his neck and he held her close, giggling into her shoulder. He set her down and she pulled back enough to look up at him as he smiled down at her, but he read the look in her eyes. She lifted a hand to slap him across the face and he caught her wrist before it connected with his cheek, making her rage instantly shift to shock as their gazes met.

"I know you're upset," he assured her in a low tone, making her swallow, hard as his grip loosened on her wrist and she lowered it. "But things are going to change. No more slapping, yes?"

Olivia only nodded, making the Doctor grin back, "Brilliant!"

"But you…" she trailed off, making him frown in wonder before she resumed, "You…sent me away and I thought you'd died!"

"I had to be sure you were safe," he explained, cupping her face in his hands. "We have a baby now. One of us has to get out alive for certain, and Amelia needs her mother."

"But—!"

"Sh," he whispered, placing a finger of his lips and she tried to continue, but her voice had left her. She pursed her lips and stomped her foot in anger, making him laugh before he asked, "How's Aaron?"

"Oh, my god! Aaron!" Olivia gasped before rushing into the TARDIS, the Doctor right behind her and they both made their way back to the med bay where Aaron hadn't moved. In fact, he was fast asleep. "The TARDIS gave me the stuff to treat him and I think I did it right."

"You did," he assured her, seeing the supplies on the tray, now abandoned. "Neurotoxin counter-acted, and the balm will heal his foot right up. I'll get us back to your mum's. She's probably worried. And I want to see our daughter."

"Me too," Olivia replied as the Doctor made his way back to the control room and she remained looking over Aaron. "Me too."

Felton Home...

Amelia wailed as Joyce bounced her in her arms, gently shushing her as she paced around the nursery, trying to get her granddaughter to stop crying.

"Amelia, I don't speak baby," Joyce reported desperately. "I don't know what you want! You ate, I've changed you, your Bun-Bun is right here, you refuse to sleep. I don't know what to do, little one."

Amelia's cries started to die down as another sound filled the air, a sound Joyce recognized as well. She stepped toward the window to see the blue box materialize in her backyard, in its usual spot. She rushed out of the room and down the stairs with Amelia suddenly gurgling happily in her arms as she carried her toward the backyard.

"Olivia!" Joyce grinned as her daughter stepped out of the TARDIS, but frowned when she noticed how tired she looked. "Are you alright? You look terrible."

"I'm fine," Olivia smiled, tiredly before stepping toward the wriggling Amelia to take her from Joyce. "I know I'm a mess but I need my baby."

She hugged Amelia close as she made happy baby sounds, having been crying because she wanted her mother, and Joyce glanced around to see if anyone else was coming out of the TARDIS.

"Where's the Doctor?" Joyce asked, looking back at Olivia who was rocking the baby, soothing them both.

"He's making sure Aaron's ok," Olivia explained, making Joyce frown at her. "He was on his way to visit when he was picked up. I'll explain it in a bit. Mom, the Doctor's regenerated, so he—"

"Looks different, I know," Joyce nodded, then looked Olivia over before hesitantly asking, "How are you holding up…with that?"

Olivia said nothing for a moment as she rocked Amelia a little longer, smiling down at her before shrugging.

"I'm fine," she murmured, kissing Amelia's head. "I begged for his life, I can't very well complain that he's regenerated, can I?"

"No, but that doesn't mean you have to like it," Joyce replied. "You hated it the last time. He was so different."

"He's different now…again," Olivia reported, then frowned in thought. "But I think it's different for me now. Not that I'm used to it, because I'm not, but…I think I've come to terms with it. It'll be heartbreaking every time, but this is how he lives. This is how he can stay with me and Amelia as long as he can."

Joyce smiled as she lifted a hand to stroke her cheek, affectionately, making Olivia look up at her in wonder.

"I knew you'd see it eventually," Joyce smiled, making Olivia grin back.

The creak of the TARDIS door opening caught their attention and they both looked to the blue box to see Aaron stepping out with a huge smile as if he hadn't been hurt at all.

"Well, you're back on your feet quick, considering one of them had a huge hole in it," Olivia smirked.

"What?!" Joyce squeaked.

"Yeah, that stuff the Doctor has is like a miracle," Aaron grinned, stepping up to Olivia to kiss her cheek then kissed Amelia's head and went for a hug from Joyce, giving her a peck to the cheek as well. "I'm fine, Mrs. F, don't look so worried."

"You were stabbed in the foot and I'm not suppose to worry?!" she shot back. "You're practically my kid, too!"

"Doctor wanted to see you before he introduced his new face to your mom," Aaron told Olivia, his arm slung around Joyce's shoulders.

"Ok," Olivia nodded, readying to hand off Amelia to one of them.

"Take the baby," Aaron advised, making her frown in wonder but it soon turned to a smile as she nodded then turned back to the TARDIS, stepping inside with a happily squirming Amelia in her arms.

"Theta?" she called as the door shut behind her and Amelia gave a squeaking noise as Olivia glanced around the control room. "Are you here?"

The sound of footsteps echoed through the room, making her turn to the steps leading down into the halls of the ship, and she smiled as she watched him head up the stairs. Her smile expanded into a grin as she noticed he'd changed into a new outfit. A crisp white shirt, the collar left undone, peeked out from a plum colored waistcoat, covered by a light grey suit jacket with matching trousers, but it was the shoes that made her grin. They were blue suede shoes with black soles and laces. She loved that there was still the bit of the ridiculous in his wardrobe.

"Hello, Liv," he crooned, one hand in his pocket, the other holding up a sleek, silver wand, and when he pressed the button on the side, a purple light flashed from the top, accompanied by a familiar hum. "Got a new Sonic Screwdriver."

"And a new look," she smirked, rocking Amelia gently in her arms, then giggled when he reached the top step and gave smooth spin for her to appraise him in full.

"You like it?" he smiled.

"I love it," she grinned as Amelia gave her baby noises when he approached them. "And I think Little Amelia likes it too. Doesn't daddy look cool, sweetie?"

She gave a raspberry which didn't need interpreting, making the Doctor frown down at her.

"Oi! I could get you a pony in future, you better be nice to your dear old dad," he scolded, playfully, making Olivia laugh.

"So, what kind of a man are you this time?" she asked, making him look to her with a slight frown before he registered the question and smiled, leaning down to kiss Amelia's head.

"I'm a family man, Liv," he smiled, warmly, making her bite her lower lip and grin at the same time before she stood onto her tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek and he smiled down at her.

"Ready to say hi to mom?" she asked him and he tousled his curly black hair a bit before giving a definite nod. "Promise I get to do that eventually."

"I look forward to it," he smirked, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Let's go show your mum my new face, then."

That Evening...

Olivia watched from the doorway to the nursery as Joyce sat in the rocking chair holding Amelia so she was leaning back on her stomach, Aaron entertaining her with faces and noises and making her bunny dance around in front of her.

"She should be in bed," the Doctor murmured into Olivia's ear from behind, making her jump with a start but when she looked up at him she smiled. "She's falling asleep right now. Look at her little eyes. They're drooping."

Olivia sighed and waved him on into the room. Without another word he sailed around her, catching Joyce and Aaron's attentions.

"Time for bed for this one," he smiled, warmly as he plucked his daughter up from Joyce's lap to gently rock her. "You two look knackered, too, eh?"

"Well, after the days we've had, it's no wonder," Joyce sighed as she stood and stretched and Aaron set the plush bunny he'd given to Amelia into her crib.

"He's right," Aaron yawned as he stepped toward Olivia and hugged her, tightly. "Thanks for coming to the rescue."

"Any time, ya big lug," she grinned, hugging him in return before he stepped out of the room to head for the guest room.

They all bid each other a good night as the Doctor stepped toward the crib, still rocking Amelia to sleep. Olivia smiled warmly as he set the baby down in her crib and she made sleepy baby noises before grabbing her Bun-Bun and hugging it tightly, falling asleep completely. She took his hand and leaned on his arm as they watched their daughter sleep.

"I can hear the wheels in your head turning," Olivia sang, softly as she swung his hand in hers, gently. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking…" he trailed off, pulling his hand from hers to wrap it around her shoulders and pull her closer as they still watched Amelia sleep, then resumed, "I'd like to stay here for a good long while."

Olivia looked up at him with wide eyes and he looked back at her with a warm smile.

"Really?" she breathed through a grin and he only nodded.

She threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly before giggling like mad when he held her close to dip her backwards, pressing his lips to hers. Her giggles died as she melted into the kiss, and her arms tightened around his neck as he stood her up again but held onto her. He broke the kiss slowly, but when he pulled back she tried chasing him by craning her neck forward, making him chuckle.

"Insatiable, aren't you?" he smirked.

"New lips, can you blame me?" she smirked back, lifting her hands to play with his curls. "How long will you stay?"

He shrugged, kissing the tip of her nose and making her giggle before he answered, "Not sure yet. As long as I like, or as long as you like."

"I like the sound of that," she grinned, her hands sliding down to wrap around his chest and set her head against it as he hugged her close, setting his cheek on the top of her head. They remained silent for a long while, watching Amelia sleep peacefully before Olivia gave a slight gasp and pulled back, whispering, "I almost forgot!"

She reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out the Psychic Band that matched hers along with her Sonic from her jacket.

"Give me your hand," she urged, and he held his left hand out, palm down as he smiled widely. She scanned his ring finger with the Sonic then used the screwdriver on the ring as he'd told her to do before his regeneration, then slid the ring onto his finger, easily. "Can't have my husband wandering around the universe with out this, can I?"

Before she could pull her hand back, he gripped her fingers and brought her hand to his face to kiss her knuckles, their eyes locked. She gave a girlish giggle as he lowered her hand and pulled her back into his arms, her head resting on his chest hearing one of his hearts thumping against her cheek. She smiled when he gave a contented sigh, his hand soothing up and down her back.

"Thank you, Mrs. Sigma," he whispered, making her frown in wonder.

"For what?" she wondered, honestly.

"For saving me," he replied, kissing her hair and she smiled, tears coming to her eyes as she realized what he was thanking her for and she hugged him a little tighter.

"I'll never let you go, Mr. Sigma."

A/N: So what do you all think? i hope no one's too angry with me about this Doctor, I wasn't sure I could do this, but since the actual series is going darker, I wanted to go back to a lighter Doctor, sort of David Tennant but not...really? O.o reviews?