The Doctor's Daughter
Chapter 8 – Family Ties
Aboard the Pact's ship…
"S…si…sir? The Nestene Consciousness has been eliminated."
"DAMN THE DOCTOR AND THAT LITTLE HALF-BREED BITCH! Take the storm down we need to move on immediately."
"Yes sir."
Back in London…
When they got out on the street, there was chaos in the square. Clearly the explosion had been felt everywhere and there were even a couple of ambulances for the injured. UNIT was luckily taking care of the situation and Kate spotted them and waved them over. "How bad?" the Doctor asked without preamble.
"No fatalities, a couple of people with broken bones at worst," Kate assured him. "We're telling people it was a minor earthquake. And you?"
"You'll need to send some people down to the cavern where we were to clean up properly, the Consciousness is dead but its remains still has psychic abilities." Kate called in another set of men and the Doctor gave them to directions to the underground room. She also arranged a large van to bring them all back to the Tower of London where the TARDIS was. The Doctor was oddly was quiet and that didn't go unnoticed, his companions all exchanged looks before Donna broke the silence.
"Is anyone going to explain what happened back there?" she jabbed her thumb behind her. "What did the Consciousness say to you Doctor? Why did you pretend to play hot potato with the anti-plastic?"
"Well we needed to take the attention off Sky so they wouldn't go after her," the Doctor replied dully. "The fact that Jack actually pretended to have it was his choice."
Jack shrugged, "I figured I was the best person."
"But what did the Consciousness say sweetie?" River insisted.
The Doctor scratched his head, "Ah yes, that. No need to worry about it, just some typical villain rambling. Honestly they could be more creative, always the same thing. Disney does a better job in my opinion."
"What did it say, Doctor?" Sky gave him a serious stare.
"What do they always say?" The Doctor's face became sour and he sounded incredibly bitter as he elaborated. "It blamed me of course. It's my fault that it was left to be put in this position. But I gave it the chance! I gave it a chance to leave in our first meeting. But out of hatred for me, it accepted the Pact's offer, then it naturally brought up the Time War," the Doctor snorted derisively. "Tell me, it appears my memory is failing but weren't there other Timelords in that war? There were weren't there? And yet I, and I alone, should have done something. I was entirely responsible for the war and should have stopped it, well newsflash I DID!" He roared almost frighteningly. "Or did I not commit mass genocide fast enough?"
"Doctor none of it was your fault," Martha said gently. "It just needed something to blame and -"
"It chose me," the Doctor filled in. "Surprising how often that occurs when you're me but I suppose those are the breaks of being the last Timelord."
"Well not anymore technically, I'm around," Jenny reminded.
"Yes you are, you're my daughter after all," the Doctor smiled and everyone felt the mood lighten. They got back to the Tower and hopped out of the van. They made their way back to the TARDIS and the Doctor did a scan. "No more time storm, we can get out of here with no trouble."
"Where are we going first?" Jenny asked excitedly.
"You, young Timelady, are going to school," the Doctor pointed a finger at her.
"What?!" Jenny's jaw dropped. "But you said -"
"I will come get you every weekend and holiday and we'll have a blast," the Doctor pulled her into a hug. "Remember what I said, Timelords have a shared culture and history. It's not just about the blood. Had I the chance to be a proper father to you, on Galifrey, you would have gone to the Academy. Just as I had done, and your grandparents, and your entire family that unfortunately because of me, you'll never have a chance to meet. That's where you earn the title of a Timelord, or Lady in your case, by learning and understanding the universe."
"But where will I go?" Jenny looked up at him.
"Luna University!" The Doctor proclaimed. "If you can't share in the Timelord history, you can still share our family's. River went there and became a professor in archaeology. Although I do wish you would choose another subject."
"But Father…" Jenny whined. "You're sending me to school!"
"Yes, but we'll still go away together. Besides," the Doctor grinned, "nothing helps get homework done on time like a time machine."
"Very true," River winked.
"Well I'm afraid this is it for me," Sky announced and there was a sound of protest.
"You can't leave now," Jenny held Sky's arm.
"Don't go yet," the Doctor appealed. "Let's all go get something to eat or anything that doesn't involve some aliens targeting my friends."
"But that's my job," Sky reminded him. "Don't worry I'll be back, still plenty of pages left in the diary. This isn't the end, and even if it was, you'll be seeing me soon I imagine." The TARDIS hummed and Sky patted at the column fondly.
The Doctor's eyes moved between them, "What was that supposed to mean? What is she keeping an eye on?"
"Nothing to worry about," Sky waved a hand airily. "I'll be off then."
"You're still not going to tell me about the code either," the Doctor didn't ask, he just stated the fact.
"Nope, too soon," Sky shrugged. "But I have complete faith that you'll understand when the time comes. Goodbye all, in another time." Sky waved and left.
When she was gone, the Doctor said, "Hang on, I want to see it." He exited the TARDIS with everyone following him and walked around the pillar to where the code was written.
"That's my activation code," Jack remarked. "Eerie."
"Hmm I carved it, but I don't remember carving it," the Doctor moved to take closer look when he stepped on something hard and sharp. "Ouch!" He bent and picked up the offending object, a thin, black piece of iron. "Interesting."
"It could be simple foreknowledge sweetie," River said.
"Yes but I tend to not remember things when certain timelines are crossed, my own," the Doctor weighed the iron bit in his hand. "I did something she does not want me to even know the slightest bit about, just that I was here, trapped in this room, and there was more than one of me."
"Something to look forward to," River smirked.
"Amen sister," Jack concurred and they chuckled.
"Indeed," the Doctor looked out the window. "See you around Sky."
A/N: Hey guys, the end of one story and now looking towards the beginning of another. The prologue and first chapter of Part 3: When Universes Collide will be posted either tonight or tomorrow,