Sorry it takes so long between chapters, it's hard to write this because i stopped watching Doctor Who and I no longer have anything to do with the Fandom really, This fic is my last anyway, sorry about the coded chapter I posted last night, not sure how that happened. Big thank you to LoverShadowGirl for telling me so i could fix it.

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Chapter 13

Jack holds the phone tightly, trying to stay calm as River explains the situation. He is the only one without a first period so the teacher's lounge is empty; giving him privacy to talk to someone he thought would always come back. River is a free spirit, much like Jack himself, but he could always trust that she would come back from wherever she went and be with him but here she is, telling him that she isn't sure she's coming back this time.

"What's so important in Skaro?" Jack asks, curious about what could be more important then what they have together.

"There was this war, hundreds of thousands of years ago; we don't have an exact date yet." Rive begins to explain. "And they want me to lead the excavation of the battle grounds as well as write papers about it so we can create a time line."

"So you're leaving me and everyone else so you can dig up some bones?" Jack asks, hoping she'll at least fight for something long distance.

"This is what I do, Jack, and you knew I'd leave that place if I ever had the chance." River argues, sparks of anger in her voice. "You knew from the beginning this was all temporary so don't act like I'm in the wrong here."

"So that's it?" Jack drops his shoulders and hangs his head, feeling as if everything around him is breaking apart.

"You can always come with me, Jack, even though I know you won't." River's voice is soft again, all charming and argument stopping.

Jack wants so argue, to tell her of course he'll come but he can't find the words. Jack used to run everywhere but he never did it for anyone but himself, running someplace he has no interest in going just to be with River seems as pointless as buying John a hat. And that's when he realizes he doesn't love River, not as deeply as he thought he did anyway. Sure they were great together and Jack wouldn't have given up a moment he had with her but he also knows it's time to let her go. No matter how much it'll hurt, River was never his to keep just as he was never hers to love.

"Goodbye, River." Jack says, trying to something with his tone, something to let her know she'll always have a piece of his heart. Because he can't say it and she knows that, he can only hope she knows he wants to say it.

"Goodbye, Jack." River sighs. "Go try and fix things with Ianto, okay? Even a friendship with him is better than nothing but memories."

River hangs up and Jack puts away his phone, feeling as if she was never there to begin with. A dream, a child lost to the world. River has always been better off running from the world, getting lost and refusing to be found. Jack leaves her like that, a thought inside his head rather than someone who could have become his whole world.

...

Rose and John sit in his classroom, not saying a word and waiting for his next class to come in. Everything seems so unreal, River leaving and the board debating the future of Harold's job. Even their relationship feels unreal, as if it's been stretched between universes.

Rose tries to keep going, tries to focus on John, but all she can see is Jimmy and what he did to her. She has been skittish and vacant all day, something that isn't fair to those around her but who ever said surviving was fair. John has been doing his best to stay positive around her, trying to keep her mind off of Jimmy and Harold. Always so sweet, forever someone she doesn't deserve, someone too good for her. She didn't think that way when she kissed John, or when they said 'I love you', she hasn't felt so worthless in a long while but old memories bring up old feelings.

"I love you." John says and takes her hand. "They'll fire him and everything will be okay." He assures her and Rose nods.

"Promise?"

"I promise, Rose Tyler."

...

Rose walks into the teacher's lounge with John, hand in hand. Amy and Rory are sitting together, mumbling things only Jack wants to know. Jack is sitting alone, looking out the window and looking almost as lost as Rose. John assumes River must have called. Clara is back, sitting at the table with Amy and Rory, looking slightly pale and probably wishing she had extended her vacation. Rose sits with Clara and smiles when Clara takes her hand.

"I figured the board would have called by now." John says and sits with Jack.

"They're probably calling Harold now," Amy says. "Hopefully firing his ass or else I'll have to do it myself."

"You can't fire people, love." Rory tells her and she gets an evil look in her eye.

"But I can set people on fire." Amy laughs and Rose feels something lift in her chest.

Rose isn't great, but she's okay and that's more then she could have ever asked for. She has a family and a safety net, she has a place to call home and people would do anything to protect her. Rose smiles, realizing that she hadn't thought about Jimmy since she stepped into the room. They'll protect her and that's why she's okay, John will always love her, Amy will always protect her, Clara will always offer comfort, Jack will always make her smile and Rory will always be there to remind her that there are good people in the world.

"Thanks you guys, just sticking up for me means a lot." Rose announces and everyone smiles, Amy grinning and looking proud.

"Looks like this is where the party is." Harold walks in the room, kids looking curious as they walk by the room and down the halls.

"No need to greet me, this is my last day after all." Harold says and everyone seems to brighten for a moment. "But this doesn't mean you've won, Ms. Tyler."

Rose pales as he walks out.

...

It's getting dark by the time Rose is ready to leave work, tired beyond belief. Amy and John are still working away, finals just around the corner and work piling up. Rose walks through the quiet halls, blowing John a kiss as she walks by his room and smiling when he blushes. Outside she is hit with cold air, a shiver running all over her body. She wraps her coat tighter and rushes to her car, just wanting to get home and fall asleep for the rest of the weekend.

"Ms. Tyler." A voice like a blade in the darkness makes Rose jump, spinning away from her car to face the speaker. Harold.

"I'm leaving." She starts fishing around her bag for her key and nearly jumps when Harold leans against her car.

"You got me fired, the least you can do is talk to me."

"I'd rather not."

"Now don't be a tease." He warns and Rose's hands start to shake, making finding her keys much more difficult.

"Fuck off," Rose spits, finding her keys and moving to unlock the door.

"How about I don't." He moves in, trapping Rose against the car and keeping her from unlocking it and getting inside.

"Get away from me," Rose growls, swinging at him with her keys between her knuckles. He catches her wrist before she lands a blow, a cruel smirk twisting his lips.

"Let her go," It's John, standing in the parking lot with a look in his eyes that Rose never thought him capable of. It's a look of someone who is will to do anything to protect her, and Rose isn't scared of what he'll do, she feels safe.

"Do you have to ruin the fun, Johnny?" Harold asks like a child. "Just walk away, no one has to know."

"Let. Her. Go." John says, moving forward and grabbing Harold by the collar. "Or you won't like what happens next."

Harold tries to swing at John but he misses, landing on the car instead. He winces and John flings Harold into the car, knocking him to the ground. Rose just watches as Harold picks himself up and hurries away, shouting nasty things back at them. John embraces Rose, mumbling soothing words into her hair and rubbing circles on her back.

"I love you." Rose whispers and she can feel John smile against her head.

...

I got rid of Harold fast, I know but I'm really trying to wrap up this story (another chapter or two?).

Kudos and Comments are always welcome, thanks for reading you guys! ^-^