A/N: Sorry that this chapter is quite short, school has been hectic with all the homework. I'll update again in the next few days, so in the meantime, enjoy!

And don't forget to review please :)

Chapter Fifteen.

"First things first!" Jack said loudly, his voice booming with authority. He gazed around at the inhabitants of Pogon that had gathered, feeling a strong sense of responsibility. "The most important rule is to not panic. That'll only make things worse. My friend is going to try to prevent this, but if he can't then we have to be prepared."

"Are we all going to die?" piped up a young native, his large blue eyes widened with fear and excitement.

"Not if I can help it," Jack said with a grin. "If the worst happens, then the debris will fall in large chunks and be potentially very dangerous. You must stay inside. I repeat: stay inside! Keep away from glass and windows. Crouch under a sturdy table or desk and cover your face. Stay there until I give the all clear."

"What's the all clear?" another native demanded.

"I'll come around, yelling when it's safe," Jack continued and he noticed that Rose was huddled in the background, nursing Theta and clearly afraid. "Do not try to come out or move until you hear me telling you to do so. If you get trapped under debris, do NOT light matches or anything of the sort. Don't move about and kick up dust, or you'll choke and make things worse. Cover your mouth so you don't inhale dust."

"How will you find us?" the first alien asked, his voice becoming somewhat squeaky.

"Shout as a last resort only," Jack said firmly. "Instead, tap on a pipe or wall. Are we all clear about the procedures?"

There came an affirmative chorus from the crowd and Jack nodded, ushering them all back inside their dwellings. He quickly made his way over to Rose and Theta, placing his arm around the woman's shoulder. Guiding them back inside he took one last glance around the planet and shut the door firmly. Rose immediately set about changing Theta, grabbing blankets and quietly dreading the next few hours. Jack watched her from the corner of his eye as he set about boarding up the windows. He wasn't sure whether to say something or not; to reassure her. In the end he decided not to. She was very strong, and he was sure she could handle the waiting part on her own. But he was there if she wanted to talk.

----

The Doctor raced around the console quite madly, slamming buttons and yanking levers feverishly. He was a man on a mission, hell-bent on saving the small planet he had now settled on. A demented shine in his eyes, he stood back to watch, breathing heavily as the TARDIS whirred, whizzed, whooshed and groaned. He could feel her strain as she heaved and grinded, whining piercingly with the effort. It had been several centuries since they'd had to use the quantum DIS conductor, and it was clearly taking its toll.

The minutes stretched out, tense and nerve-wracking, until finally a neon blue light began to shine from the TARDIS's central column. It lit up the control room like a magical beam of moonlight, glimmering around and bouncing off every flat surface. The console gleamed and the Doctor hadn't felt as peaceful in quite some time as he stared on in wonder. It wasn't until the light began to build up to an almost blinding white that he realised what he was supposed to be doing.

Leaping forward he heaved several levers, punched in coordinates and flew the TARDIS like he'd never flown her before. The intensity was lucid, the sweat coating his skin in a slick, clammy layer. The TARDIS practically screamed as she strained to assist her beloved Doctor in his desperate quest. The light was now making it almost impossible to see and he staggered over towards the door, wrenching it open. With a gasp the Doctor looked out at the sky, taking in all its terrible beauty. The clouds had darkened, stars were burning, and there it was. Planet Earth. More than a dot now, the crumbling grey masses were moving through quite rapidly. He could almost feel the Universe's pain as it was ripped and torn open, this great ball forcing itself through. Almost like a woman giving birth, he thought in one ironic moment.

Back to the console he ran, feet pounding on the metal grating of the floor. A deep shuddering breath and he knew this was the moment. His fingers hovered over the lever that could save them all, and force the Earth back into the Void. But could he do it, knowing the consequences? If it didn't work, he'd be blasted into nothing. Tiny little particles of nothing. The Doctor shook his head. No, he didn't matter anymore. If he tried to save his own skin then the rest of the planet would perish. Jack, the handsome and brave captain. Theta, who'd barely had a chance at life. And Rose, his beloved Rose. No, they were more important than him. Besides, who knows? It might actually work. The Doctor pulled the lever.

----

Jack was knocked from his feet as the whole planet shook. Theta gave a terrified shriek and began to howl, and Rose staggered towards him. She scooped the tiny baby up into her arms and dropped to the floor, holding him tightly to her chest. Jack was already crawling towards the table and Rose followed, her teeth gritted in determination.

"This is it," Jack shouted over the noise, reaching out an arm to help pull Rose under cover.

Theta was bawling, with no idea what was happening and no way of being reassured. Rose wrapped a warm blanket around his body and adjusted his little woollen hat, cradling him close. Jack draped his arm protectively over her shoulders and gazed down at the red-faced tot. He really hoped that the Doctor knew what he was doing. And then it happened. A great crashing noise as something heavy and hard fell through the roof, smashing a hole. Rose screamed as she stared at the football sized piece of debris.

"Jack," she shrieked. "We can't survive this!"

"Of course we can!" he shouted back, face alight with excitement and fear. "This table is strong and sturdy. Just stay calm Rose, and we'll ride it out!"

"As long as the Doctor's okay," Rose murmured, holding her son close and squeezing her eyes tightly shut.

TBC…

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