Chapter Eighteen: And Time Makes It Harder I Wish I Could Remember

"Did you have chance to read my Journal?" He asked, wondering why it hadn't come up in conversation yet. The pair strolled past the fields taking the scenery in. The fields seemed to stretch on for miles, the crisp November air making everything slightly misty.

"I'm afraid I didn't have chance, the headmaster took it off me when he handed me Tala and forgot to give it me back." The Doctor nodded.

"No need to worry Joan, he probably gave it to Martha she'll return it to me." Rose smiled appreciatively.

"I have to admit I have been having my own dreams about adventures with the Doctor." She glanced at him. "And his daughter." He paused before continuing walking.

"Probably brought on by my describing my dreams. They've stuck in your head. What did you dream about?" Rose reached up and pulled his hat from his head.

"Different things. For example, the Doctor would never wear a hat." He smiled, not protesting at her actions although they seemed rather forward.

"What else to you dream about this Doctor?"

"Well he says he can't dance, so I am a little worried."

"I promise you I can dance." He assured her.

"I hope so, otherwise we will be the laughing stock of the village." She laughed genuinely.

"You can be a cruel woman Nurse Redfern."

"Where did you learn to draw John?"

"Gallifrey." He said without thinking.

"I think I've heard of it."

"My mother Verity was a nurse." He told her sincerely.

"Husbands and children never get sick with us." She stopped as she realised what she'd said.

"Really?" He grinned at her manically, not caring what he'd said.

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The pair sat next to each other on the comfortable but small settee, turning through the pages of the journal.

"How did you draw me so well from memory?" He shrugged slightly. "Although my hair isn't as light as that." She pointed to her natural brown hair.

"For some reason I always see you as blonde." She nodded.

"You've made me far too beautiful." She told him blushing, looking down at her lap.

"Well that's how I see you."

"Even as the mother of your child in your dreams?"

"Especially then." He placed two fingers under her chin lifting her face to meet his; He gently brushed strands of hair from her face. He leaned towards her fully expecting an interruption. Rose leaned in closer, she sighed as he gently brushed his lips against hers. As he pulled back she beamed at him. "I've never, um..." He looked at her again. "It's almost like..."

"Coming home." She finished for him. Rose pulled him closer this time; she kissed him with no hesitation it felt the right thing to do, he wrapped his arms around her waist tightly, in response Rose ran her hands through his hair. He gently stroked her bottom lip with his tongue, she opened her mouth to him and their tongues duelled. The door suddenly opened causing them to jump apart.

"Martha, what have I told you about entering unannounced?"

"Sorry sir." As Martha closed the door, she leant back against it and smiled. She looked round before running towards Jack's office. She knocked quickly on it.

"Come in!" Was the sharp reply, Martha poked her head round the door.

"We're going to have a month free of accidents." She told him.

"You mean…" She nodded; his whole face lit up. "Brilliant. Peace at last!"

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Jack found Martha cleaning the library, she sighed as she scrubbed at the floor. She felt a shadow overcome her.

"Please, no more wisecracks." She mumbled before looking up, she visibly relaxed when she saw Jack. He looked at her curiously.

"Boys been giving you a hard time?"

"No more than usual." She stood up slowly, stretching her back slightly hoping for it to click back into place. When she reached her correct height she brushed herself off. Jack motioned for her to sit down; she glanced round quickly checking that no one was about.

"I locked the door." Jack told her. She sat down as he said those words. "How are they doing?"

"Last time I checked they were still kissing like there was no tomorrow." Martha smiled.

"Sounds like we're definitely free from accidents." Martha snorted at his comment. She leaned forward.

"They're going to the dance, tonight. Rose asked me to help her dress." Tala reached for Martha, Jack passed her across. "Are you going to stay with them?"

"I have to, public image." Jack seemed tired, normally he'd revel in being the centre of attention but this time he'd had enough.

"Can I ask you something, have you noticed anything strange about Jenny?" He gave her a confused look. "The other maid,"

"No, not really. Why?"

"She just came back from the village, acting strange."

"She might be getting a cold."

"Yeah, she might…or…" Martha trailed off; a worried look overcame Jack.

"There goes a peaceful month." Jack stood up. "You stick with Jenny I'll watch over them.

"What do I do if I notice anything, I mean there's no way to warn you?" Jack thought for a moment before reaching into his back pocket, his long cloak swaying.

"Have you got your phone?" Martha reached into her apron pockets pulling out her phone. "Is that on vibrate only?" She nodded. He turned it off, turning the phone round. He opened the back and pulled out the battery replacing it, with something else. "This should work now, it should connect to this phone." He showed her his or rather Rose's. "He hasn't replaced mine yet so you need to dial Rose's number." He passed it back to her; she stared at it. "If anything – anything – doesn't seem right call me on this. Just let the phone ring our, I'll feel it." Jack smiled, reaching into his pocket. "You might need this." He handed her the Doctor's sonic screwdriver.

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Rose stood in front of the mirror admiring her dress. Martha stood behind and nodded.

"That suits you wonderfully ma'am."

"Do you think so, really?"

"The blue suits you." Rose's dress was a midnight blue, off the shoulders dress. The neckline as decorated with small gemstones. Martha was glad that she'd selected this dress for Rose from the wardrobe. Martha finished pinning the ornate coral clip into Rose's hair, pining it up high on her head. "If I may ma'am?" Martha asked, Rose turned to face her clearly confused; Martha reached for a black sash. Rose smiled.

"Of course Martha." Rose lifted her arms allowing Martha to tie it around her waist.

"If I may be so bold Matron," Rose nodded giving her permission for Rose to continue. "May I suggest that you wait to show Mr Smith your dress until you reach the village hall." Martha passed her a long cloak. Rose grinned and slipped it around her shoulders. Rose paused in the doorway and glanced back at the fob watch, dismissing it, reaching over to grab a locket. She slipped it around her neck. She gave Martha a grateful glance before leaving the room. Martha let out a sigh of relief, picking up the fob watch as slipping it into her pocket.

Leaving the room, Jack can across to her dressed warmly.

"Everything sorted?"

"Yeah." She showed him the fob watch. "I thought she was going to take it, instead she reached for a locket. Jack visibly paled. "What is it?"

"What did this locket look like?"

"I dunno…erm…I didn't really see it…oval with a sapphire jewel I think." Jack leaned his head against the door frame. "What is it?"

"If she opens that we're in trouble it's got pictures of him and Tala in it…" He paled whiter than snow as he remembered something worse. "Its inscribed on the back." Martha groaned leaning back.

"How did she manage to keep hold of it?" She asked.

"She must have been wearing it and we didn't realise."

"Well she probably won't look at it." Martha tried to reassure.

"I swear if they ever do this again I refuse to help them." He gave her a small smile. "At least I'm not alone." He squeezed her hand for assurance.

"Good luck." She pointed as the Doctor met with Rose. Jack groaned before walking towards them. Martha smiled and dodged into the Doctor's room, reaching for the watch. She gasped as her palm touched the wood. She turned to look. It was GONE.

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Martha ran as fast as she could towards the village hall, struggling to hold onto Tala. Dialling Rose's number as she ran. She found Jack just further down the road waiting for her. Martha nearly ran into him.

"What's the panic?" He asked.

"His…his…" She panted. "His bloody watch is gone!" She blurted, not caring about propriety. Jack covered his face.

"Brilliant, oh bloody brilliant." He groaned.

"My thoughts exactly."

"Why do they do it to us?" He asked looking up to the heavens.

"That was the good news." He looked at her. "I've got worse. Jenny's gone, she was sniffing the air as she left."

"We've got to tell them. Get them to remember." Jack looked at her. "I'll talk to 'John'. You talk to Rose."

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Rose flushed as the Doctor removed her cloak from her shoulders. She slowly turned to face him. Her face turned a deeper shade of red when she saw his draw drop.

"You look absolutely beautiful." She smiled; he lifted her right hand and pressing his palm against hers. Rose felt a wave of recognition flow through her, her heart warmed at the gesture. He led out his arm fro her to take, which she gladly accepted. He led her towards the dance floor. He carefully wrapped and arm around her waist. They waited patiently for the music to begin. When it began they moved in time to the music. "I told you I could dance."

"Never doubted it for a second." She giggled. She blushed as she felt him start to stroke her back with his thumb. She looked at him. "This may sound strange John but…with you its almost as everything is familiar." He stopped dancing suddenly; she trod on his feet. "Sorry."

"I know what you mean Joan, almost as if we've met before." She nodded. He stepped back, breaking their embrace. He held his hand out for her before leading her to a nearby table. He held out the chair for her, he sat down absentmindedly rubbing his ring finger. The Doctor leaned forward slightly and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

"JOHN!" She gasped, looking round furiously in case anyone had seen, luckily no one had. He gave her a cheeky grin. She shook her head.

"Would you like a glass of wine?" She nodded. He stood up and made his way towards the drinks counter.

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The Doctor stood at the counter, waiting for the drink's he'd ordered.

"John, can I have a word?" Jack asked, sidling up to him.

"Certainly headmaster, is this about my work…" Jack shook his head.

"No nothing like that. Doc, you're life is in danger." The Doctor looked at him curiously.

"I'm John, I'm not a doctor." The Doctor smiled at him. "Are you feeling alright, sir?" Jack resisted the urge to strangle the Doctor.

"I'm not your employer, I'm Captain Jack Harkness. You must remember me, Doctor; you met me in World War Two London. I met Rose at the same time. You hadn't regenerated then…"

"What are you talking about?"

"Your dreams are all real."

"How do you know about them?" He interrupted; Jack ignored him.

"You're a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey, you're married to Rose Tyler and you have a young daughter. You're hiding from the Family who will kill you so they can live forever. They need the body of a Time Lord."

"This is ridiculous!" The Doctor pushed past Jack. Jack placed a hand on his shoulder pulling him back, he sneaked a glance to Martha who was talking to Rose having as little impact as he was with the Doctor at the moment.

"You became human to hide, you hid your mind in a fob watch, a watch that's

missing."

"What fob watch? What are you on about?!" Jack noticed the Doctor was growing more and more distressed.

"We need to get back to the TARDIS…" The Doctor shook off Jack's grip.

"I'm not going anywhere." Jack sighed, and looked down in defeat; coming to a decision he'd regret sooner than he thought.

"Well then Doc, I'm sorry about this." Jack drew back his fist and knocked the Doctor out cold.

TBC