The Doctor dressed slowly with unsure fingers. His body still felt weak even if the Master had assured him that he was healing. A week had passed since the desperate surgery to save his life and while his liver was still healing itself it had been decided that he didn't need another healing coma. Still he didn't like healing slowly and was finding being weak irritating. He wanted to build his new life with his lovers and not be confined to the medi-bay anymore.
"I still think you should take a few more days to rest Doc," Jack spoke up from where he was watching the Doctor.
"I am tired of resting Jack," The Doctor answered. He turned slightly to see Jack lying on his bed. Jack smiled at him as he made a point to stretch out further. It was tempting to climb back into bed with him, but he was determined to make it off of the TARDIS today. He wanted to see the small community of survivors that he had heard about. He also wanted to head to the cells and speak with Rose. He was sure that she was the same woman that he had left on the beach and he wanted to know how she ended up in this universe. He also wanted to know where the metacrisis was. One thing at a time though. He finished buttoning up his shirt and turned to head out of the room. Within a moment, Jack was beside him, holding his arm to support him.
"I can't convince you to stay can I?" Jack questioned. The Doctor smiled.
"There is too much to see Jack. I'm fine and if I need to, I can lay down again later," he reassured Jack. Leaning over he kissed his lover on the cheek making Jack smile as well. Together they walked arm in arm through the console room and out into the bright sun of the Boshane Peninsula. The Doctor stood just outside the TARDIS doors observing the people. It had been almost two weeks since the Outlaw destroyed their lives and already they were starting to rebuild. The clearing that had become their sanctuary was turning into their homes. All around the clearing structures were rising as the stronger men and women of the village worked. The Doctor laughed as he watched Emma race by on her crutches chasing after her three brothers.
"Doctor," Martha called out as she saw him standing by the TARDIS. Handing her basket of fruit over to another of the women she made her way over to him. "Decided against the bed rest I ordered?"
"Well." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I am happy to see that they are rebuilding their lives. Humans, you get knocked down, but you always find a way to persevere." The Doctor grinned happily at her.
"They are still suffering from their losses. A lot of people lost friends or family members that day. There were even a few children who were orphaned, but the survivors have rallied together and they aren't going to let this destroy them," Martha informed the Doctor. She was amazed as well that they were already rebuilding their lives such a short time later.
"We are going to be leaving soon. The Council has summoned us back for the trial of the Outlaw," The Master told them as he came up behind Jack and the Doctor. He put his arm around the Doctor, kissing him on the side of the head.
"I'm not going with you," Martha said. The Doctor looked at her in surprise. "I know that it is unlikely that you will be able to find the door again. The Master told me that the coordinates for it were lost since the TARDIS was unable to link with the vortex. I loved traveling with you again Doctor, but I am needed here. The doctor of the village was killed during the Outlaw's attack. Emma is going to need her cast off soon and rehabilitation and there are others who need me as well. I can't just leave them." The Doctor stepped forward wrapping his arms around her. She hugged him back just as tightly.
"We will find the door Martha and I will get you home," He promised her softly.
"And if you don't I understand." She whispered. Leaning back she spoke louder. "You take care of yourself and if you ever need me, you know where to find me." She hugged Jack goodbye as well before hurrying off to help the others.
"Marta is staying as well. It seems that your Martha's influence has been good on her," The Master stated. The three of them turned and went back into the console room. The TARDIS hummed happily at the Doctor as he took his place at her controls. It was a simple quick jump back to Gallifrey and one that he planned to make many times throughout the years. This universe had started out as a new place to explore, but just like the survivors in the clearing, the Doctor had found a home. He had the Master and Jack as his lovers and though they weren't the Time Lords he left they were the ones he always dreamed they could be.
He landed the TARDIS outside of the Master's home rather than at the citadel. He was still wary of the people who lived outside of the citadel, but hopefully today's trial would help. The sentencing of the Outlaw was an open and shut case. The Council just had to decide if they were going to lock him in the cells forever or force him to regenerate. Either one was an unpleasant sentence. He wasn't ready to head there yet. There was still one more thing he needed to do first. He had to speak to Rose.