Nara:

All I wanted was a family. Now I'm paying for it. Dal told me he planned go back under the chameleon arch to raise the kids. He said he'd never visit me again.

My family visits occasionally. They do not hide their disappointment. I try to explain my actions, but they refuse to hear it. The kids are doing fine apparently and Dal has a new job. I wish they could understand.

I wanted to be happy with the Doctor. I was willing to go to great lengths to do so. Even making some dangerous enemies. I thought it was the price for love.

Occasionally, I question my actions. I wouldn't be in a Judoon prison for up twenty years. There might have been another way. I'm not convinced though. Happiness has a cost, and I should not be paying for it here.

I think of the female Doctor. How I hate her! If only I had killed off the minute she was in my vehicle. But I took pity on the creature, and couldn't bring myself to harm her until it was too late. Motherhood had made me soft.

Dal will always be the love of my life. Even now, I can't entirely hate him. He is the father of my children after all. I miss Sem and Ese. The future for me is set in this rock. It may change, but for now, all I have is time to think of what went wrong.

…

Anna Lee:

I met with Jack, three months after my Doctor had rescued his Doctor.

"I'm glad you picked a nicer place," Jack said.

We were in a café on a planet where the sun never set for most of the year. It was a bright airy place. I thought it seemed fitting compared to the last place we met in terms of being the complete opposite.

"How is your Doctor?" I asked.

"She's doing better," Jack said. "Still gets nervous in tight spaces. It takes prodding to get her to open up about her feelings. She's picked up a couple new friends. All things considered she's doing well."

"I'm glad to hear it," I said.

"How's your's?" he asked.

"Happy," I said. "He used a sudden inheritance he found to go into private practice. Dal picks his own hours for work and seems to enjoy being a single dad. The arch has him convinced Nara died and Nara's family is okay with that. They say that is better than the alternative."

"And you?" he asked.

"I'm fine," I said dismissively. "Dal and I are essentially partners. He trusts me implicitly. It's not that different from our original partnership. I've gotten to know his kids better and they like to call me Auntie Lee."

"Can I ask you something?" Jack said.

"What is it?"

"You were back on earth for the first time forty years. Did you think about staying?"

"No," I said easily. "My family thinks I'm dead. Most of my friends are now much older with their own lives. I prefer life among the stars."

"I see," he said.

"So, are you a full-time companion now?"

"Not quite," he said. "I travel a lot with her, but then I make my own side trips. I always find a way back to her though. I'm in this for the long haul."

"Do you think we could meet occasionally?" I asked. "To compare notes on our Doctors and keep them out of each other's way."

"I'd like that," he said. "I like you too."

I blushed.

"You're growing on me."

"I'll take it," he said. "So where are you keeping the chameleon arch these days?"

I pulled a fob watch out from around my neck.

"The chain is indestructible. Dal thinks it's just a cute accessory."

"Interesting," Jack said. "I better get going. Until next time, Anna Lee."

He leaned over and lightly kissed me on the cheek. I rewarded him with a smile. Jack winked and left.

I think Jack and I are meant to be friends (and possibly more) for a long timee. I'm glad we met, and I'm glad he didn't give up. It was nice to have a companion in the journey of being a companion to the Doctor.

…

Dal:

Sometimes, I look at the stars and wonder if I belong among them. Then I look at Sem and Ese and realize I am exactly where I belong.

The stars will always be there for me. I have two beautiful children to look after. They are bright, precocious, and full of life. I don't need the stars when I see brilliant light emanating from them.

I miss Nara sometimes. But she betrayed me and people died. My understanding is she died as result of her actions. It is sad on so many levels. The kids miss her and I comfort them. I try to remember her as the mother of my children, and not as a monster.

I love my current line of work. Every day is different, whether it be a will, or divorce filing. I'll never be king of the courtroom again, and that is fine. My PI and I get along great. I sense Anna Lee knows more about me than she lets on, and the fob watch she wears is beautiful. The thing is, I've learned some questions are better left unanswered, when there is so much else to the universe.

There are nights where I dream of a woman with extremely short hair. She used to be scared, but now she isn't. She smiles at me. I feel a connection to her. I doubt I will ever meet her, but her presence in my dreams is enough.

One day my world will change again, of this I am certain. Until that time comes though, I am happy to shuttle the kids from extracurriculars, help with homework, and make sure chores are done. I'm a dad and there is no other title I prefer more. Not even Doctor or Defender.