"Make your decision, Mister Smith." I stared at John, willing him to choose Martha. She deserved her life to find someone she loved just as much as I did John. His and our time together was anything but short. We had many years together and I knew I could die happily knowing that I had found the love of my life and had the opportunity to spend my years with him. However, it would terribly hurt leave him on his own… something I would never wish upon him. He deserved all the happiness in the world.

"Perhaps if that human heart breaks, the Time Lord will emerge." Suddenly the group turned their heads, deeply sniffing as they did so. Whatever had caught their attention caused them to lighten their grip on me. "It's him!" In their moment of distraction, Martha and I were able to get out of our captors' grips, Martha grabbing the odd, silver and green gun and using Jenny as a shield and while I returned to John's side. His hand grasped mine the instant I was beside him, and he pulled me behind him, promptly shielding me from the two men with foreign weapons.

"Alright! One more move, and I shoot."

"Oh, the maid is full of fire!"

"And you can shut up!" She fired the gun in at the ceiling. The people in the room, including Jon, gasped. I was unusually calm in the predicament I was in. It was as if I knew there was no need to be frightened, that everything would pan out without much difficulty, no, that in the end, John and I would still be together.

"Careful, Son of Mine. This is all for you so that you can live forever."

Baines seemed not to heed Clark's warning and took a step forward and aimed his gun at Martha. He held an air of arrogance and it seemed to not only irritate Martha, but me as well. "Shoot you down."

"Try it. We'll die together."

"Would you really pull the trigger? Looks too scared."

"Scared and holding a gun's a good combination," Martha sarcastically spat. "Do you want to risk it?" The group lowered their guns, obviously realising where they stood. While Martha was only one person, she was right, scared and holding a firearm was not something anyone wanted to be around. Yet, I couldn't help the pride I felt as I watched Martha. She was so strong and loyal that I couldn't help it. The woman was the closest I had to a best friend, something I never truly had. We held each other's secrets and although the times denied it, we never cared to display just how close we were. I suppose that added to the rumours that circulated around the town about me, not that I cared. "Doctor, get everyone out. There's a door at the side. It's over there." She nodded her head to the right, indicating the door. "Go on." John remained where he was. "Do it, Mister Smith. I mean you!" I grabbed his arm, pulling him from his stupor.

Obviously seeing that John would do nothing and I refused to leave my friend, Joan jumped into action, instantly taking authority. It was good that at least someone was looking out for the others in the room. Then again, Joan was a nurse and very matronly if it could be said. She was the best candidate to get people moving, to get them to relative safety. "Do what she said. Everybody out- now! Don't argue, Mister Jackson. They're mad. That's all we need to know. Susan, Miss Cooper, outside! All of you!" Everyone ran out screaming, besides, John, Joan, Martha, myself and the mad quartet. As I stared at them, I couldn't help but pity them. It was like I knew what they wanted to accomplish while not knowing but also knowing things wouldn't end the way they wanted.

Finally finding his feet, John, moved to Timothy Latimer and began to push him towards the door. As he did so, he kept my hand firmly in his, almost refusing to release it… or me for that matter. "Move yourself, boy. Back to the school, quickly!"

"And you. Go on, just shift."

"What about you?"

"Mister Smith, I think you should escort your wife and friend to safety, don't you?"

John nodded and led Joan and I outside, although he received much protest from me in doing so. I didn't want to leave Martha behind with those people. Sure, she could handle herself but there was something within me that knew she shouldn't be left alone, that she needed someone there with her. However, with him refusing to let go of my hand, he was able to drag me along, stopping as we reached the gates to speak with a man who was comforting a distraught woman. "Mister Hitch, warn the village. Get everyone out." He then turned to Tim and rushed at him. The boy stood at the opening, watching us intently. It was like he knew something… I jolted from my thoughts as John released my hand and latched onto Tim's shoulders. "Latimer, get back to the school. Tell the headmaster-"

The young boy ripped away from him, terror evident on his face. Yep, he definitely knew something. "Don't touch me! You're as bad as them." With a final glance at me, the boy ran off, leaving John and Joan dumbstruck. Seeing the two were distracted, John in particular, I rushed back into the building, desperate to get to Martha.

Seeing me, Martha's eyes widened. "Cerys! What the hell are you doing here?"

"I couldn't just leave you," I said as Jenny escaped Martha's grip and re-joined the other three.

She gave a curt nod, never once taking her eyes off the four, particularly the three with the guns. "Don't try anything. I'm warning you, or Sonny boy gets it."

"She's almost brave, this one."

"I should have taken her form. Much more fun. So much spirit." The foursome continued to take steps forward and Martha backed away. I followed, keeping an eye on the four and the door. I wanted to make sure we had a clear path of escape. Hopefully, they wouldn't shoot at us as we did so.

"You could have but you'd have me to deal with," I all but snarled. There would be no way on Earth I'd let anything happen to Martha, not if I had anything to do with it.

"What happened to Jenny? Is she gone?"

The being that took over Jenny's body cocked her head to the side. Her eyes were wide and an eerie smile took over before it became menacing. She took to the front of the group, leading them closer to us. "She is consumed. Her body's mine."

"You mean she's dead."

"Yes. And she went with precious little dignity. All that- 'Aah!' screaming." Seeing movement in my peripherals, I turned and saw a scarecrow approach us. Before I could utter a word of warning, it grabbed Martha from behind, practically covering her face with its large hands.

"Get the gun!" As it took the gun, I grabbed Martha's hand and pulled her from its grasp and dragged where outside, where we found John and Joan standing. John's eyes were wide with worry and I could tell it was from my disappearance. Sighing, I knew I probably could have saved him some worry, but I also knew he would have never let me go back for Martha, no matter how close we were.

"Cerys! What were you thinking?"

"She's my friend."

"Don't just stand there chattering! Move! God, you're rubbish as a human!" She exclaimed, causing me to chuckle a bit. It was odd, that the statement would make me laugh, considering she seemed to be speaking to the both of us. Yet it didn't bother me at all. In fact, it brought back a memory of one of my nightmares, about something I'd heard John say pertaining to settling down and that he never would. It sounded like nothing that would ever leave John's mouth, but I knew he had said it, I could feel it. "Come on!" With that, we took off towards the school. John had recaptured my hand along the way and pulled me along. Martha was at the helm of the group, leading us back to the campus. She wasn't stopping for anything and from her desperation to get away, I couldn't help the fear and unease that began to stir within me. Whatever was happening or had happened, it terrified her.

The run back to the school was shorter than the walk for obvious reasons. We were all terrified, the others seeming to me more than I was. It might have been from the fact that I felt things would be alright in the end, that nothing too bad would happen. When we finally reached the academy, the four of us raced inside, John quickly shutting the gates and rushing inside. The minute we entered the atrium, he grabbed a bell and began to ring it, calling the boys. I stared at him, bewildered by what he was planning to do. How could he even think young boys could fight the threat outside? They were children and what stood outside those doors was NOT human. Looking to my side, I saw Martha and Joan with the same expression, Martha in particular. "What are you doing?"

"Maybe one man can't fight them, but this school teaches us to stand together. Take arms! Take arms!"

Joan and Martha stepped up to him as I backed away, not recognising the man I married. He'd never been one for violence and the fact he'd call upon children to defend the school, to fight, that was entirely unlike him. While I wanted so terribly to say something, I couldn't, my words were caught at the tip of my tongue, unwilling to be released. Lucky for me, Martha was true to herself and extremely vocal on her opinion. "You can't do that!"

"You want me to fight, don't you? Take arms! Take arms!"

Hutchinson soon joined us. The boy had stormed down the stairs, pulling on his coat as he did so. He seemed to be shocked and frightened from being called from his quarters at such an hour. "I say sir, what's the matter?"

"Enemy at the door, Hutchinson! Enemy at the door! Take arms!" Nodding, Hutchinson raced back upstairs, no doubt getting everyone up and together. John moved to the opposite side of the atrium, making sure the bell reached every corner. "Take arms!" Within mere minutes, boys were running down the stairs towards us and soon guns are being distributed and ammunition checked.

"We can't do this, Doctor. Mister Smith!" Martha tried as the boys readied their guns.

"Redfern, maintain position over the stable yard. Faster now. That's it." Taking the direction, Joan went off to the yard.

"They're just boys, John," I whispered, finally finding my voice. It was barely audible but I knew he had heard it. As much as I loved John, I hated this school. Something about teaching young boys, no children, to wield a weapon, to fight, to take the bullet that could lead to their death, it didn't sit right with me. It seemed to be changing him as well, turning him into a man of violence, a man who would rather reach for a weapon than try to find an alternate solution.

"She's right. You can't ask them to fight. They don't stand a chance."

John directed his gaze from me to Martha, quickly striding up to her. They're cadets, Miss Jones. They are trained to defend the King and all his citizens and properties."

The headmaster, Mister Rocastle, shortly joined us, an upset expression on his face. He wasn't happy with what was going on, and it was obviously clear. "What in thunder's name is this?!" John immediately turned to him, hands clasped behind his back. The boys around us also turned their attention to the man. "Before I devise an excellent and endless series of punishments for each and every one of you, could someone explain, very simply and immediately exactly what is going on?"

I watched as John took a breath and stepped forward. "Headmaster, I have to report the school is under attack."

"Really? Is that so?" The man sarcastically replied, not believing a word he'd said. "Perhaps you and I should have a word in private."

"No, I promise you, sir. I was in the village with Cerys and Matron. It's Baines, sir. Jeremy Baines and Mr Clark from Oakham Farm. They've gone mad, sir. They've got guns. They've already murdered people in the village. I saw it happen."

"Matron, is that so?"

Joan nodded, seeming to jump a bit as the attention was so suddenly turned to her. "I'm afraid it's true, sir."

With her words, he seemed to believe what John had said. I couldn't understand why he wouldn't in the first place, as John had given no indication of being untrustworthy, yet, I suppose with him being a new addition to the faculty, it made sense that he was somewhat sceptical. "Murder? On our own soil?"

"We saw it. Yes."

"Perhaps you did well then, Mister Smith. What makes you think the danger's coming here?" Rocastle questioned.

"Well, sir, they said, um…" He glanced to Joan for assistance, almost knowing I couldn't say a thing.

"Baines threatened Mister Smith, sir. Um, said he'd follow him. We don't know why," Joan interrupted, thankfully saving John from seeming like a bumbling idiot. Then again, at the moment, I couldn't help but think he was one. The thought shocked me. I'd never really insulted John, mentally our outwardly in seriousness and the fact that I had just done so, scared me more than I could or wanted to admit. Maybe being at the school was changing me as well.

"Very well. You boys, remain on guard. Mister Snell, telephone for the police. Mister Philips, with me. We shall investigate."

Martha stood in front of the man, blocking his way so that he couldn't leave. She was doing what she could to probably save his life. "No, it's not safe out there."

Her effort was left uncared for. "Mister Smith, it seems your favourite servant is giving me advice. You will control her, sir."

As he walked around her, I decided to once again speak up. "Actually, Mr Rocastle, she is my friend and if she says it is not safe, then you should listen to her and remain here."

This stopped the man and he turned to face John, his eyes quickly passing over me. "Dear God, Mister Smith. Does your wife not know her place? Control your women, sir."

"She is my wife therefore making her my equal, Mister Rocastle. Any means of controlling her, as you say, is merely discourteous." I beamed at him, happy he had spoken for me this time. He must have seen the shift in my expression and decided it was for the best. Otherwise, neither of us would have a bed if we survived this night. The Headmaster let out a gruff breath and with Mr Phillips behind him, the two left us. Once gone, John continued to prepare the boys.

Meeting Martha's gaze, I watched as she glanced around nervously before she walked off. "Got to find that watch," Martha muttered as she passed by me. Knowing that I had to follow her, that I needed to help her, I kissed John's cheek and followed her, seeing Joan come after us as well.

We followed Martha through the corridors. As we passed a corner, I froze, hearing a faint whisper. Before I take a good look around, I shook my head and followed after Martha and Joan to John's study. Entering the room, I watched as Martha wildly searched the area. I joined her, knowing exactly what she was looking for, and leaving Joan to stand by idly and watch us. "I know it sounds mad, but when the Doctor became human, he took the alien part of himself and he stored it inside the watch. I mean, it's not really a watch," Martha explained in her haste. "It just looks like a watch. Just like Cerys, although hers is in her bracelet." Confused, I glanced down at the article of jewellery I'd always worn. I barely gave it any thought, or noticed it for that matter. It was just a beloved bracelet that I never removed.

"And 'alien' means 'not from abroad', I take it."

Martha stopped and leaned against the desk, facing Joan and giving the woman her full attention. "The man you call John Smith, he was born on another world. Just like Cerys."

The woman cautiously eyed me. "A different species?"

"Yeah."

"Then tell me, in this fairy-tale… who are you?"

After giving me a quick glance, Martha began to search again, busying herself. "Just a friend. I'm not- I mean, at first I thought, but the Doctor and Rys… they're so in love. He doesn't see anyone else. I'm just a friend. Just their friend."

"And human, I take it?"

"Human. Don't worry. And more than that- I just don't follow them around. I'm training to be a doctor. Not an alien doctor, a proper doctor. A doctor of medicine."

"Well that certainly is nonsense," Joan scoffed. "Women might train to be doctors, but hardly the skivvy and hardly one of your colour."

"Oi! Watch it. Martha-" she smiled, silencing me. She had an extremely smug look on her face as she faced the woman.

"Oh, do you think?" She held up her hand. "Bones of the hand. Carpal bones, proximal row- scaphoid, lunate, triquetal, pisiform." As she went on, Joan's expression changed to that of disbelief and slight embarrassment. Although it wasn't quite right of me to think so, I couldn't help but thing it served her right, that she needed to be taught a lesson. "Distal row- trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, hamate. Then the metacarpal bones extending in three distinct phalanges- proximal, middle, distal."

"You read that in a book."

"Yes, to mass my exams." Martha laughed, not seeming to believe that the woman could be so blind to what was in front of her, to what was being revealed. While I couldn't believe it myself, I felt that I had to, I knew she was telling the truth. "Can't you see? This is true."

"I must go."

As Joan rushed out of the room, Martha quickly followed after her. "If we find that watch, then we can stop him."

Joan stopped and faced her. "Those boys are going to fight. I might not be a doctor, but I'm still their nurse. They need me," Joan said before she left.

Sighing, Martha and I continued to look around until she stopped me. I glanced at her, horribly confused as to what she wanted. "Go to him."

"I'm sorry?"

"John. Go to him. I can find the watch on my own but I know you want to be there."

I nodded, knowing she was doing this for my best interest. Honestly, I wanted to help her find the pocket watch, but at the same time, she was right, I did want to be with John, even if I hated what he was doing. Besides, I was never one to idly stand by as he did something dangerous, especially if he was risking his life. "Thank you, Martha. The Doctor and Rys, they're very lucky to have you as a friend, as am I." The woman nodded and pushed me out of the room.

Running to the front, I found John and Joan speaking by the staircase. He seemed to be confused by something she'd said. Not wanting to interrupt, I stood to the side and just listened. There was no harm in it, especially once I heard Joan's question. "Tell me about Nottingham."

"Sorry?"

"That's where you were brought up. Tell me about it."

As he began to speak, his eyes fell onto me and he rushed to my side, leaving Joan to herself. Catching the woman's expression before she turned, I noticed that she was irritated with the distraction. I couldn't blame her really. While she knew we were married, she still wanted some answers, now more than ever thanks to Martha's words. "What are you doing here? It's not safe."

"Yes, but we took our vows. I will stand by your side, John."

"I can't allow it, Cerys. Not this time. Please. Return indoors."

"No. We have stood by each other through far worse. I am not going anywhere."

"Cerys, ple-"

I held up my hand, silencing him and ending the conversation. I wanted him to answer her, not only for his sake, but for my own. In my mind, I had already answered the question and it felt wrong, like I was just saying it because it was what I had to say. It didn't seem real, or true for that matter. "Finish your discussion with Nurse Redfern."

He sighed and pulled my along with him as he returned to the woman and gave her his attention. John gave me a quick glance before taking a breath. "Well, it lies on the River Leen, with its southern boundary following the course of the River Trent, which flows from Stoke to the Humber."

"That sounds like an encyclopaedia," Joan interjected. "Where did you live?"

"Broadmarsh Street. Adjacent to Hawley Terrace, in the district of Radford Parade." I sighed, as he spoke, the same things were what popped into my mind as well.

"But more that facts. When you were a child, where did you play? All those secret little places, the dens and hideaways that only a child knows. Tell me, John. Please tell me."

Before he could utter a sound, I spoke. "Joan's right although in my mind, the same is repeated."

He turned to me, his eyes wide and slightly angry. It was as if he couldn't believe what I'd said, that I was practically denying our relationship, our love. It was like I had betrayed him. "How can you think that I'm not real? That we are not real? When I kissed you, was that a lie?"

"Of course not. But I have stated more than once that this felt like a dream."

"But this Doctor sounds like some- some… romantic lost prince. Would you rather that, Cerys?" I stared at him, saddened and upset. I never meant to hurt him but his words stung as well. How could he think that I would want that, that I wouldn't want him, my John Smith. I blinked, forcing away the tears that threatened to spill. "Am I not enough?"

"How could you say that? How could you even question my feelings for you?" My blinking had grown rapid as I continued to keep the tears at bay. Yet, before I could go on, a boy ran past us, diverting John's attention from me.

"I've got to go."

"John, please. They're just children. They, they can't fight. They just can't," I cried, tears finally falling from my eyes. John pulled me to him, whispering soothing words in my ear. "You know it's wrong. Never mind the Doctor. You, John, my John, you know this is wrong."

Suddenly, Mr Rocastle's voice rang through the room. "Mister Smith, if you please!"

"What choice do I have?" he asked before he kissed me and walked towards the courtyard.

"There's always a choice," whispered as I wiped away my tears. I was angry that he thought he didn't have a choice, that he truly felt that the young boys had to fight. It was wrong and I knew he knew that as well. Barely giving notice to the boys and Joan, I walked to the door just before the courtyard.

"Stand to!" Rocastle ordered the boys. I jumped with each pound on the gate. Steeling myself, I stepped through the door. "At post!" I watched as John and the boys take aim.

"Enemy approaching, sir."

"Steady. Find the biting point." There were gasps as the banging continued. The boys were terrified, I could feel it, and the whimpers were another clear indication. They would never be thankful to the school for putting them through this, for removing their innocence before its time. Suddenly the wood splintered and the scarecrows began their trek onto the campus. "Fire!" The moment the boys opened fire, I let out a small yelp, something within me stirring. Almost instantly images flashed before my eyes of a different war, one fought in the vast expanse of space. There was so much death, the images practically debilitated me. I felt an immense weight come over me, one of dread, fear, and sadness. It was almost as if I'd lost someone in a war, someone I loved dearly, someone like a child. I fell to my knees, shuddering with each breath. "Cease fire!" With the Headmaster's command, the shooting stopped. There was a chuckle that mad its way to my ears. "Just straw. Like he said. Straw!"

"Then no one's dead, sir?" Hutchinson asked, his voice hopeful as he considered the possibility. "We've killed no one."

"Stand to!" The man was silent for a moment and I could hear nothing. Yet, it was obvious that something was happening. "You, child. Come out of the way. Come into the school! You don't know who's out there. It's the Cartwright girl, isn't it? Come here. Come to me." I then realised he was speaking to the youngest of the four, the little girl.

I suddenly felt someone brush past me. "Mister Rocastle, please! Don't go near her."

"You were told to be quiet."

"Just listen to me. She's part of it. Matron, tell him."

"I think that- I don't know- I think you should stay back, Headmaster."

"Mister Smith."

"She was- she was… with- with Baines in the village."

"Mister Smith, I've seen many strange sights this night, but there is no cause on God's Earth that would allow me to see this child in the field of battle, sir. Come with me." I couldn't help but feel it was a bad idea, that whatever Rocastle was doing would end horribly.

"You're funny."

"That's right. Now take my hand."

"So funny." There was a scream and then the girl spoke. I paid no mind to her words, though, too caught up within myself and my internal struggle. There was so much going on and my head ached so much. It was as if something was trying to push its way to the forefront of my mind and the more I tried to force it away, the harder it pushed and the more my head hurt.

"Put down your guns."

"But sir, the Headmaster…"

"I'll not see this happen. Not anymore. You will retreat in an orderly fashion back through the school. Hutchinson, lead the way."

"But sir…"

"I said lead the way."

"Well go on, then. Run!" That was the sound of Baines. I shuddered as another gunshot rang through the air, this one sounding much different than what I'd previously heard.

"Come on!" Martha urged and I watched as the boys scattered into the building, the scarecrows following.

There were the sound of multiple footsteps but none got too close to where I was. They were scattered and panicked and I instantly knew I was hearing those of the boys. Suddenly though, I heard footsteps approach me and stop where I was crouched. "Mister Smith!" It was Martha. I should have known, considering that if it were John, he would have already had me in his arms.

"Not now, Martha."

"It's Cerys."

Precipitously, I felt arms around me. They jolted me from my thoughts and although I was still in pain, I felt much better being closer to John. A certain calm rushed over me and it made the discomfort a bit bearable. "What is it? Tell me, please."

"I-I-I don't know. I don't like this. I can't take the fighting. Please John, no more." John nodded, silently promising that the boys would no longer fight. That made me feel a bit better. Grasping my hand, he helped me to my feet and pulled me into a hug. Seeing that there were more boys running past us, I pulled away from him and quickly turned him towards them, making sure he knew that right now, I wasn't what was important, that the boys were. Realising that, he handed me to Martha and worked on getting the children to safety.

"Let's go. Quick as you can."

"Don't go to the village," Martha warned them. "It's not safe."

As the last of the boys ran through the door, John turned to Martha, Joan, and I. "And you, ladies."

The moment the words left his mouth, I shook my head, pushing the door shut and latching it. There was no way I was going to leave him behind, no matter how sick I happened to be or feel. "No."

"Cerys, you're not well. I need you need to get to safety."

"I'm fine. I just don't like the fighting."

"Not till we've gotten the boys out," Joan said just as I finished speaking. She was obviously against leaving while the boys were still in danger. From the expression on Martha's face, she was going nowhere. I smiled, hating the times and the way society happened to be. While John was nowhere as bad as most men, he still seemed to believe that women needed protection and that in some cases, we were unable to care for ourselves. It was the one thing I hated most about life in 1913. It was bad enough I was somewhat forced into the normalities of society, but the fact that John had seemed to fit in the mould so oddly, often caused some irritation with me.

"Now, I insist. Just go! If there are any more boys inside, I'll find them," John said as we watched the last of the boys leave the stable block. As he opened the door, we were met with a wall of scarecrows. Immediately, he slammed it shut and locked it, facing us afterwards. "I think- retreat!" He grabbed my hand and pulled me along. The four of us raced outside, making our way through the thicket for a while before hiding in the bushes. Peeking through some branches, we heard and saw Mr Clark and a few scarecrows surrounding a large blue box.

"Doctor! Doctor!" Came the sing song voice of Clark. Martha seemed to recognise it as she gasped and grabbed hold of my hand, giving it a quick squeeze. "Come back, Doctor. Come home! Come and claim your prize."

"Out you come, Doctor. There's a good boy. Come to the Family."

"Time to end it now!"

"You recognize it, don't you?"

John shook his head. "I've never seen it in my life."

"Do you remember its name?" Martha asked, glancing expectantly at me. I looked away, not wanting to say anything. The box seemed vaguely familiar, too familiar for my liking. The longer I stared at it, the more I felt as if it were calling out to me, as if I needed to approach it. Everything was growing more and more confusing the longer time progressed and the headache I'd been sporting seemed to grow in strength. I made no indication of pain as it grew, not wanting to alert those around me of trouble, or cause anyone worry.

"I'm sorry, John, but you and Cerys wrote about it. The blue box- you dreamt of a blue box. You both did."

"I'm not… I'm John Smith." John's voice broke, causing me to wrap my arms around his torso in a gesture of comfort. "That's all I want to be- John Smith, with his life, and his job…" He looked down at me, tears in his eyes, "and his love. Why can't I be John Smith? Isn't he a good man?"

"Of course he is," I whispered, placing a hand on his cheek. I hated seeing him so distraught. He was scared, something I hadn't seen in many years. It was killing him, just as it was me. If he was this Doctor, then that would make me Rys. We would be lonely travellers, experiencing one pain after another. We could never have a stable life… but we would be together, we would still be in love. I just wanted him to be alright, for him to understand that it wouldn't really be the end.

"Why can't I stay? Why can't we stay?" He ran his palm over his face.

"But we need the Doctor and Rys."

Unfortunate for Martha, that was the one thing he didn't want to hear. He was already in such a state of panic that her words did nothing but make him more upset. "What are we, then? Nothing. We're just a story." He ran off, pulling me along with him. I sighed, knowing that things were only going to get worse before it got better. Looking back, I saw that Joan and Martha were following close behind us.

"This way. I think I know somewhere we can hide," Joan said as we walked down a country lane. She walked behind us a bit but I could still see her from my peripherals. She came to a stop, the three of us doing so as well.

"We've got to keep going."

"Just listen to me for once, John. Now, follow me." Sensing his reluctance, I pulled his hand in the direction she walked, letting him know it was all right. Giving in, he allowed me to drag him along. We walked a while longer until we reached a small cottage. From the exterior, I could tell it was empty. Joan panted as we came to a stop just outside the gate. "Oh, here we are. It should be empty. Oh, it's a long time since I've run that far."

"But who lives here?"

"If I'm right, no one." Walking inside, the dark house, we were greeted with a table that was set for tea. "Hello?" Joan called and as expected, there was no answer. "No one home. We should be safe here."

"Whose house is it, though?"

"Um, the Cartwrights'. That little girl at the school, she's Lucy Cartwright. Or she's taken Lucy Cartwright's form. If she came home this afternoon, and if the parents tried to stop their little girl, then… they were vanished," Joan explained before touching the teapot. "Stone cold. How easily I accept these ideas."

John moved from my side and sat at the table, despair covered his face. He looked so helpless and I didn't know what to do to help. Doing what I could, I walked behind him and wrapped my arms around his shoulders and kissed his cheek. He reached a hand up, holding onto mine. "I must go to them, before anyone else dies."

"We must."

John sighed, seeming to know that I would never let him go alone. "You can't. Martha, there must be something we can do?"

"Not without the watch."

John faced her, all bit ripping himself from my embrace. In anger he slammed his fists onto the table. Taking a breath, I began to run my hand through his hair, doing my best to soothe him, not that it helped much. "You're this Doctor's companion. Can't you help? What exactly do you do for him? Why does he need you?!"

"John," I softly said, catching his attention. While he was angry, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Martha. She'd gotten the worst end of the deal. She was left to deal with John and I as we currently were. His words got to her, and it hurt her, I could see that clearly in her eyes.

"No, your life is at stake Cerys." He then returned his attention to Martha. "What is the point of you?"

"He needs me because he's lonely."

"How can he be lonely if he has Rys?"

"They're both lonely."

"And that's what you want us to become." There was a knock on the door and John jumped up, fearful and on the defence. He quickly pulled me behind him, even though I told him there was no need. Whatever or whoever was at the door, it wasn't the Family or scarecrows. They wouldn't knock. "What if that's them?"

"I'm not an expert, but I don't think scarecrows knock," Martha stated before she went to open the door. While she was there, I whispered soothing things to John, growing content as he began to relax a bit. As she moved to the side, Timothy walked in, his hand balled up around something.

"I brought you this." The young boy held out his hand, and opened it, revealing the 'lost' pocket watch. When John backed away, he handed it to Martha and she held it out the John. She was still, waiting for him to make the first move. Her eyes kept moving to me, as if trying to tell me something, but I didn't understand exactly what she was trying to convey.

"Hold it."

"I won't."

"Please, just hold it. Tell him, Cerys. He'll listen to you. He always does, even when you think he doesn't." I stared at the boy, shocked that he had even picked up on that. Then again, if it was the Doctor within that watch, it could have just informed him. However, how could the watch know? There was so much I wanted answers to, and I was getting none.

"It told me to find you. It wants to be held."

"You've had this watch all this time?" Joan questioned. "Why didn't you return it?"

"Because it was waiting. And because I was so scared… of the Doctor." Martha pulled her hand back, examining the watch. I observed her curiously as she did so. It was almost as if it were the first time she's seen it up close. There was an inquisitiveness within her gaze, as well as immense sadness.

"Why?"

"Because… I've seen him." Tim stepped forward, walking past Martha and continuing until he was directly before John and I. "He's… like fire and ice and rage. He's like the night and the storm in the heart of the sun."

"Stop it."

"He's ancient and forever. He burns at the centre of time, and he can see the turn of the universe. I saw her too. Rys. She balances him. She's his universe, the only one who could get through to him. She's like water, ever moving but remaining the same. She's the moon and the stars, the eternal."

"Stop it! I said stop it."

"And… they're wonderful."

"I've still got this." Joan pulled out a book, the journal John and I had spent so much time writing in. "The journal."

"Those are just stories."

"Now we know that's not true. Perhaps there's something in here." Suddenly there was a thunderous bang and the cottage trembled as a flash of light seeped through the window.

"What the hell?" We ran to the window, peering out, seeing balls of fire fall to earth in the distance. I couldn't help the pang of guilt that rushed over me. If it weren't for John and I, this probably would have never happened, no one would have died and the Family would not have come after us. Then again, I couldn't help but feel that the Doctor and Rys didn't think that far. If he was anything like John, he probably did whatever he could to keep Rys safe. I couldn't blame him for that.

"They're destroying the village."

"The watch."

"John, don't." He reached for it a moment before taking it from Martha's hand. As he stood beside me, I heard the whisper I'd heard in the corridor before the school had been breached. It was the same whisper, the same voice. It had to be the Doctor.

"Closer."

"Can you hear it?"

"Closer."

"Like he's asleep. Waiting to awaken."

"Waken me, little man."

"Why did he speak to me?" Timothy asked.

John held it in his hands, rubbing his thumb against it. "Oh, low level telepathic field. You were born with it, just an extra synaptic engram causing-" He stopped, inhaling sharply as he looked at me with a ghastly expression on his face. My eyes, however, was on Martha, who had a small smile on her face. "Is that how he talks?"

"That's him! All you have to do is open it and he's back." There was another explosion.

"You knew this all along, and yet you let us continue, Cerys and I-"

"I didn't know how to stop you. He gave me a list of things to watch out, for but that wasn't included."

"It never occurred to him?" John asked incredulously. I sighed, knowing that he didn't want this to be real. But, as a man of knowledge, John couldn't deny the evidence before him, there was no way he could.

"He and Rys were already so in love. Why did it have to?"

"Then what sort of man is that? And now you expect me… us, to die?" Another explosion rattled the cottage.

"It was always going to end, though! The Doctor said the Family's got a limited lifespan, and that's why they need to consume a Time Lord. Otherwise, three months and they die. Like mayflies, he said."

"So your job was to execute us." I placed a hand on his arm, seeing him relax just a tad. I knew this was hard for him; it was hard for me as well. I didn't want this to be over, but I had also said multiple times that this felt so much like a fantasy. Things weren't meant to remain this way, it was something I'd felt the entire time we'd been in the small village.

"People are dying out there. They need them and I need them. 'Cause you've got no idea of what they're like. I've only just met them. It wasn't even that long ago, but… they are everything. He's just everything to me, they both are, and he doesn't even look at me, but I don't care, 'cause I love him to bits, just as I love her- and I hope to God they won't remember me saying this."

There was another explosion. "It's getting closer."

"I should have thought of it before! I can give them this- just the watch. Then they can leave and I can stay as I am."

"You can't do that!"

"If they want the Doctor, they can have him."

"She'll never let you do it," Martha said, pointing to me. I stared at her before meeting John's gaze. Martha was right, I wouldn't allow him to do that. There were things at work here and if what John and I had written in the journal was true, then things would only be worse if they were given the watch.

"If they get what they want, then- then…"

"Then it all ends in destruction," Joan said, causing us to face her. I" never read to the end. Those creatures would live forever, to breed and conquer. War across the stars, for every child," Joan said.

"John," I began softly, "please, think of it. Everything would end." When he glanced down and away from me, I turned to the others in the room. "Martha, Tim, Joan, could you leave us for a moment please?" The three left and I embraced John, holding him close as he sobbed. "If what Martha says is true, we would still be together. But think, if you give them the watch, what is to happen to Rys, to me, when I change back? I'm sure she could love you but you wouldn't be the man she fell in love with."

"It was real, wasn't it? Were you right? Was this just a dream?"

"A lovely dream. Give it here," I said, holding out my hand. He dropped the watch into it. I gasped seeing what Timothy had seen. He then placed his hand over mine. I saw us, our wedding, our first child, a boy with chin length black hair and icy blue eyes, and our second, a girl with blonde hair and eyes like her older brother's. The four of us enjoying a picnic in the fields, the wedding of our children, births of our grandchildren and finally us on our deathbeds, old and wrinkled.

They're all safe, aren't they? The children, the grandchildren. Everyone's safe?"

"Everyone's safe, my dear. They send their love. I suppose the grandchildren will miss us."

"It's time. I love you."

As I love you, John."

"Did you see?"

"The Time Lords has such adventures, but we could never have a life like that, not again."

"And yet, we could."

I rested my head on his shoulder, knowing what we HAD to do. "What are we going to do, John?"

"Just me."

My head snapped up as I shot him my fiercest glare. "No. Together or not at all." Understanding, John nodded and pulled me into a kiss before he opened the watch. As he did that, I grabbed the lone charm on the bracelet and pushed it, feeling an overwhelming pain envelop me. This continued until everything went black.

Reaching the spaceship, crept in, hand in hand. When we were halfway down the ramp, the family turned to face us. The Doctor released my hand as he did so; making sure I was behind him the entirety of the time. We both needed our hands free in order for the plan to work. That and the Family believing we were still human and all. It was a pretty good plan, if I had to say so. "Just…" Another boom rocked the ship, sending us against a column of switches, that we pushed. "Just stop the bombardment. That's all we're asking. we'll do anything you want. Just- just stop."

"Say 'please'," Baines taunted.

"Please."

Jenny and Baines pushed down two levers and the bombing stopped. We looked around, fear written over our faces. "Wait a minute." Jenny sniffed the air. "Still human. The both of them."

"Now I can't- I can't pretend to understand, not for a second, but I want you to know I'm innocent in all this. He made me John Smith. It's not like- like I had any control over it." He ran his hand over more switches.

"He didn't just make himself human. He made himself an idiot."

"Same thing, isn't it?"

I ground my teeth, not at all appreciating that they were speaking ill about the Doctor. In all honestly, I was the only one allowed to call him names. Hearing my train of thought, he spoke calming words through our mental link. "My husband is not an idiot."

"I don't care about this Doctor and your family. I just want you to go! So I've made my choice- you can have him." He held out the pocket watch for the Family to take. "Just take it, please! Take him away!"

"And her?"

"I- I don't know where she hid herself," I answered as the Doctor held out the watch.

"At last," Baines said, snatching it from his hand. As he stared at the watch, he grabbed the Doctor's jacket lapels. "Don't think that saved your life." He pushed the Doctor away. His hands hit more buttons as he fell to the floor. I ran over to him, hitting a few buttons of my own. "Family of Mine… now we shall have the lives of a Time Lord." Baines opened the watch and they all sniffed, disappointment crossing Jenny's face and anger on Baines'. "It's empty!"

"W-where's he gone?"

"You tell me?" Baine's threw it at the Doctor who quickly caught it as he looked at me, beckoning for me to tell them.

"Like I said, my husband is no idiot… well, he's my idiot. You've been fooled by an embarrassingly simple trick of olfactory misdirection. Quite elementary in certain parts of the galaxy. But, onto business, your hydrokinometer, it's not looking too nice. You've got energy feedback all the way through the retro stabilisers feeding into the primary heat converters. You really shouldn't have let him press all those buttons. But I will tell you one thing… run." The Doctor grabbed my hand and we raced out the ship as the green light turned red and an alarm started up. The four immediately followed in suit, falling from the blast of the explosion.

"You are brilliant."

"Not as brilliant as you."

"Now, let's not. You are, so very brilliant. It's sexy." The Doctor had grabbed onto my waist and begun to pull me closer to him. Since he wasn't shielding his thoughts, I heard and saw everything he wanted to do to me. Before he could pull me any closer, or his lips touched mine, I pulled away, causing him to pout. I chuckled and kissed his cheek.

"That lot, Doctor."

Seeming to remember what we were up to previously, he turned to the Family. "Right, of course, dear."

With a quick trip to the Tardis, we tied Clark in unbreakable chains that were forged in the heart of a dwarf star and pushed him into a pit. We tricked Jenny into the event horizon of a collapsing galaxy. As for Lucy, we trapped her inside every mirror. And Baines, we suspended him in time, making him a scarecrow, watching of England's fields. I felt no remorse for what was done. We had hidden to spare their lives and in the end, they brought their own demise. We gave them their wish. They could live forever.

When we had finished, we returned to the cottage, the Doctor in his suit and me in my typical lace and leather, with his 9th incarnation's jacket on. Entering the cottage, we were greeted by Joan. "Is it done?"

"Yep. It's done."

"The police and the army are at the school. The parents have come to take the boys home. I should go. They'll have so many questions. I'm not sure what to say." Her eyes met mine before they averted to the Doctor's. "Oh, you look the same. Goodness, you must forgive my rudeness. I find it difficult to look at you. Doctor- I must call you Doctor and Rys- where are they? John and Cerys Smith."

I shrugged and smiled at the woman. "They're in here somewhere."

"Like a story. Could you change back?"

"Yes."

"Will you?"

"I would never put Rys through that again," he said, wrapping an arm protectively around my waist.

"I see. Well, then. They were braver that you… in the end. That ordinary man and woman. You chose to change, but… they chose to die."

"If that's the case, I'd rather be a coward, any day," I said, repeating the Doctor's words from when we faced the Daleks on the game station. Joan and I hadn't quite become friends, but there was a mutual respect there. However, it seemed that she had none for me as I was and her disdain was easily viewed on her face. I sighed, knowing that I couldn't win them all. But I was disappointed. I knew things would be different but I didn't think she'd consider us lower than what we were. John and Cerys were still within us and it seemed she didn't care much about that. Hearing the Doctor's thoughts, I shook my head, telling him not to ask. Unlike most times, he chose not to listen to me.

"Come with us."

"I'm sorry?"

"Travel with us."

"As what?"

"Our companion," he simply stated.

"But that's not fair. What must I look like to you, Doctor? I must seem so very small."

"Not small. Humans are giants."

"I can't."

"Why not?"

"John and Cerys Smith are dead, and you look like them."

"But they're here… inside… if you just look into our eyes."

"Answer me this- just one question, that's all- if the Doctor and Rys had never visited us, if they'd- never chosen this place on a whim… would anybody here have died?" We remained silent. "You can go." When Joan turned away from us, I tugged his arm, and led him back to the Tardis where we found Martha waiting.

"Right then. Molto bene."

"How was she?"

"Time we moved on."

"If you want, I could go-"

I shook my head, shooting down her idea. "He's right, time we moved on." As I said that, I realised the double meaning in those words. Not only was it time to move on from this place, but we both, me especially, had to move on from Rose. While I hadn't properly or completely grieved from her loss, I needed to move on with my life. I didn't want to remain in a cycle I couldn't break from.

"Um, meant to say, back there, last night- I would have said anything to get you both to change."

"Oh yeah, of course you would. Yeah."

"I mean, I wasn't really…"

"We know, Martha. I know."

"Good."

"Fine."

"So here we are then."

"There we are, yes. And I never said… thanks for looking after us." I nudged him. "And sorry for what I said… and throwing you out of the room."

"And the view. It must have been scaring," I chuckled, noticing the Doctor's red cheeks and ears. It was nice that I now had something else to tease him about and it also was a bit of ammo for Martha, not that she'd use it against him. Knowing what I was thinking, the Doctor nudged me, almost causing me to fall over if he hadn't also grabbed my waist. I rolled my eyes and slapped his abdomen, grinning as I did so.

Martha joined in on the teasing, chuckling at our antics. "Never doing it again. But apology accepted." With that said, we hugged. I was happy to have another friend, even if our relationship had been slightly rocky to start. I did feel a bit bad though, with the Doctor being the only male on board, but that was quickly forgotten as I thought of all the possibilities and what would and could probably happen. I cringed as I thought of there being a man-cave on our beloved ship.

"Doctor. Martha. Rys." We turned, seeing Latimer, confidence shining through.

"Tim Timothy Timber."

"I just wanted to say goodbye. And thank you. Because I've seen the future and I now know what must be done. It's coming, isn't it? The biggest war ever."

Martha and I frowned but it was her who spoke first. "You don't have to fight."

"I think we do."

"But you could get hurt."

"Well, so could you, travelling around with them, but it's not going to stop you."

"Tim, I'd be honoured if you'd take this." The Doctor gave him the fob watch.

"I can't hear anything."

"No, it's just a watch now. But keep it with you, for good luck."

"Look after yourself," Martha told the boy, kissing his cheek before walking into the Tardis. I gave him a small smile and walked in. Going to the console, I put in the coordinates and waited for the Doctor to enter before setting her off.

I landed the Tardis near the War Memorial. After a short walk, we stood to the side as a female vicar read from "The Fallen" by Laurence Binyon. "They have no lot in our labour of the day time. They sleep beyond England's foam. They went with songs to the battle." We saw Timothy sitting in a wheelchair, an old soldier with his polished medals. "They were young, straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted." He looked up, spotting us as I placed a poppy on the Doctor's lapel. I gave the man a small wave, seeing him smile at us as I did so. "They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them."

When the ceremony finished, we returned to the Tardis and I put her into the vortex. Martha had gone to her room to sleep while I returned to the library, thinking. Our time in 1913 had changed me- us, our relationship. We were so unafraid to tell others of our relationship, something that would make things difficult with our current life. I loved travelling, helping people, seeing history, and being with him but, there was a part of me that wanted the life the watch had shown us. I knew we could never have that life, but it didn't change anything. I would never ask him to settle down, I didn't really want to… I just wanted to be a family- him, Kiere, and me- the three of us together again. Seeing those boys, those children, take arms reminded me so much of our child. He was still a child, a teenager, but still my baby. He was the only child I had, and I wouldn't be able to have another, not with the damage Rassilon and the High Council had inflicted. I could feel it. Although regeneration heals the body, whatever they did, caused permanent damage that carried over. I could never give the Doctor another child and that hurt.

Caught in my thoughts, I jumped as I felt the Doctor's arms snake around my waist, pulling me onto his lap. It seemed he hadn't heard my thoughts, something I was grateful for as it would break his hearts. I laid back, nestling into his chest. "What are you thinking about?"

"1913."

"What about?"

"Us. It seems no matter what form the other is in, we still are a match."

"Of course we are. You're my Ame Soeur."

"And you're mine. Do you remember how you showed me it wasn't a dream?"

"I do," he replied, his voice husky.

"Show me this isn't one." I jumped from his arms, running from the library and to his room, the Doctor hot on my trail.

19/12/2014

Hey guys. I am so sorry this is WEEKS late. I have been going through personal stuff, as well as finishing up with finals. The plan was to update last Wednesday, but I had to clean and pack before going to a wedding. I took it as a bit of a holiday and ended up doing absolutely nothing in editing this chapter... although I did start editing 'Cerys'.

The wedding was great and I'm happy for my aunt and all, but it was insanely awkward since I was with family I don't get along with beside the aunt, her new husband, and my two uncles (and ones wife). Needless to say, I ended up drunk that night... and the rest of the time I was there. It was fun though, I got to see the friends I missed, hence the drinking, and we ended up staying up for the most part playing Super Smash Bros and me playing Dragon Age: Inquisition. Both games rock, if I must say so, although I kinda preferred Dragon Age. I'm such a loner haha. But yeah, I only got home a few days ago and have been working 8/9/10 hour shifts so I haven't been able to write much. Luckily, I forced myself to finish this chapter off with the editing since it has been such a long time.

So, I hope you guys liked the chapter. I tried to give a bit more insight to Cerys 'Rys' and her relationship with Martha. Gosh, if I must say so, I love John and Cerys together. They're so perfect! And John defending her when the headmaster told him to control her... *swoon*. I just loved writing these two chapters. It's so much fluff and love that I probably haven't been conveying in the previous chapters. But I will say that these chapters lead up to certain events pertaining to their relationship in the future. With that said, thanks to everyone who reads the story, has followed, favourited, and reviewed. I love seeing the emails and I hope you guys will stick around as I continue to work on it. Now then, onto the reviews.

Takara Matsudaira: I loved the fluff. I did promise it a few chapters prior. I felt like they needed the fluff after dealing with the star. Haha, that happened to me recently actually. I was so confused I ended up exiting the tab and reopening the story. Since I finished one, I won't have too much of a problem, hopefully. But I did read your one shot and I really enjoyed it. I'm sure by now you've seen my review on it, but I truly want more loz.

margie-me:Yay, I definitely won't. In that case, I'll be leaving an A/N in the near future when I've updated at least 12 chapters (since we're on 12 Doctors). Um, the italics was meant to be before the change. But yeah, Rys was supposed to keep her modernist views. With her having just come out of the bracelet, she's retained some of her usual self. The Doctor was definitely supposed to behave that way while still not conforming too much to the ideals. It's just the relationship the two have overall. I really wanted Rys and Martha to get on well since Rys made herself more open to Martha before entering the bracelet. Glad to hear the way I incorporated Joan worked. I was slightly worried about that. Anyways, glad you enjoyed the chapter.

Jasmine-The True Believer: Glad you enjoyed it. I can tell you, I get quite jealous as well. We all want someone to love us wholeheartedly and unconditionally. Sigh, now I'm feeling incredibly sad thinking about it lolz.

Squidtastik: Indeed. I have to agree. Gosh. Now, I'm thinking of doing a one shot of them in 1913 with them being all lovey dovey and cute.

I'm-a-Klaus-addict: Yay fluff! In the show, I felt that if he actually was human, they'd totally be together. However, in my AU, with Cerys around, it would never work for obvious reasons. I did like her though. Not many people say no to the Doctor, especially women. I just love seeing strong female characters. These were my favourites as well. Although, who can deny Captain Jack Harkness? I know I can't.

NicoleR85: I have finally updated. Yeah, Cerys is not one to take crap like that. I kinda wanted to portray Joan as extremely stiff and completely into the Doctor until the reveal. I hope it worked out well.

Muirgen79: Thanks. Yeah, I felt bad for her as well, especially considering the fact she has to take care of them since they're, more so the Doctor, are incapable of doing so themselves. No worries though, Martha will get her downtime. So glad you enjoyed it.

Oh, and if I don't update before the 25th, Happy Holidays. Hope you guys have a good one and I can't wait to hear from you all. And this chapter literally went fro 4600 to 10,948 words. Oh yeah!