Chapter 17

Returning

By: Izzy

Rhee was surprised when she woke up, for three reasons. One she was still in her French attire, two the Doctor's coat was draped over her like a blanket, and three the TARDIS was playing All American Nightmare by Hinder. That was one of the songs her Mum loved to open her radio show with. Why would the TARDIS be reminding Rhee of her Mum. Rhee shook her head and decided that she would address the TARDIS about it after a long shower. She hadn't had a TARDIS shower in 6 years, and she was going to remedy that.

After her shower the TARDIS started to play Ladies and Gentleman by Saliva. She sighed heavily. "Why are you doing this?!" she shouted at the TARDIS.

Share with them, Jess said in her head. Rhee nodded then left her room to find everyone in the console room. She did her best to smile for everyone but they saw through it.

"What's wrong, Love?" the Doctor said as she nearly ran to her.

"The TARDIS want me to tell you about my Mum," she said sadly. "But I don't know why."

"OK?" Rose said as he led Rhee back to sit on the jump seat. As she sat down the TARDIS started to play Bother by Stone Sour. "What a sad song." Rhee started to cry heavily.

"I miss my Mum," Rhee finally said loudly as the song played. "I've been trying not to think about her." She sniffed as he held her. "My Mum is an amazing woman. More amazing than me! She taught herself about computers. She learned C++ and-" She shook in his arms as she cried. "My Mum raised to girls and even has a radio station." The song changed again it was Get the Party Start by Pink. Rhee laughed. "My Mum loves to party. We used to have midnight daiquiris. The three of us were thick as thieves. Goddess Mum would smack me right now. I have an awesome man holding me, great music playing, and I'm not dancing." Everyone laughed. "But my dancing sucks."

"Couldn't be worse than the Doctor's," Rose teased trying to help Rhee feel better.

"Also I've never danced with a man before," Rhee said quietly as the song ended.

"So Matt and you never danced," Rose asked.

"Well not really," Rhee said blushing slightly. "The dance floor and I haven't seen much of each other." She laughed. "Unless you count the prom I was at, as punch girl. While my boyfriend at the time danced with my best friend at the time."

"That's terrible," Rose said.

"No it's funny," Rhee said. "Cause he couldn't dance either! And my best friend at the time in her sluttliness was dancing with every guy but him!" Both girls busted out laughing. The Doctor for some reason couldn't let go of Rhee, something in the back of his head was telling him that if he let go something bad would happen. "I'm glad times change." She smiled brightly at him. Suddenly the TARDIS shook so hard it knocked everyone to the grating. He helped her up and then went to the monitor to see what happened.

"Everyone OK?" Rose asked as Rhee helped her up.

"OK," Mickey responded.

"Fine," Rhee replied.

"Where are we?" Mickey asked.

"I don't know," the Doctor said.

"How can you not know?" Rose asked as Rhee walked over to the doors and opened them thinking they were in Pete's world. Though she found it weird that the TARDIS still had power if they were in Pete's world. She swung open the doors and was unprepared for the sight before her. It was the inside of her Mum and Dad's shed. Lawn mower and all.

"Well, where ever we are is a shed," Mickey said.

"My parents shed," Rhee said.

"What?!" the Doctor exclaimed. She pulled out her phone and called her Mum.

"Mum?" she asked.

"Rhiannon Jane Hayden!" her Mum shouted so loud on the phone everyone else heard it too. "Where the HELL have you been?"

"Everywhere," Rhee responded with tears wielding in her eyes. "I've been everywhere Mum."

"What kind of answer smart-ass answer is that?" her Mum said with anger in her voice. Rose and the Doctor shuddered at the memory of Jackie asking something close to that when he returned her 12 months late.

"Mum," Rhee said gently with love. "I will explain everything to you if you unlock the shed."

"If I unlock the shed?" her Mum asked. "Why?"
"Don't ask just trust me please," Rhee said.

"K," her Mum said. Rhee hung up the phone.

"Um," she started. "Let me explain things to Mum before you guys come out."

"Take your time," the Doctor said with a smile. Rose and Mickey both nodded. They watched as Rhee skillfully climbed over all the yard equipment. "Done that before?"

"Yea," she said. "The TARDIS is parked in my favorite hide-n-seek spot." She turned to the shed door as the door was unlocked. Her Mum opened the door. "Mum." Rhee's face lit up. Her Mum hugged her.

"Oh, Goddess how I prayed for your safe return," she said. "And you're here!" Then a smack was heard echoing through out the shed and even echoed through the TARDIS. "That was for worrying your sister and I!"

"OW!" Rhee shouted. "Goddess Mum I knew you'd hit me but did ya have to hit me so hard?" Then her Mum hugged her again, this time she started to cry. "Come on Mum. Let's go to the swing and talk." They moved away so the rest of the TARDIS crew couldn't hear.

"Her mum smacked her," Rose said blankly.

"She knew her mum would hit her," Mickey said in amazement.

"Does that mean she's not gonna hit me?" the Doctor asked. Rose started to laugh hard.

While outside Rhee had sit down with her Mum and was waiting for her to calm down a bit so Rhee could explain. "So," her Mum said.

"I was with the Doctor," Rhee said.

"Now you're gonna lie to me?" her Mum shouted.

"I'm telling you the truth!" Rhee exclaimed.

"He's a fictional character!" her Mum shouted.

"Please don't tell him that," Rhee begged. "I haven't told him that I know his time line."

"You honestly believe that you have been with THE Doctor," her Mum said.

"I can prove it," Rhee said as she got up from the swing. "Just try not to make a big deal of it. Like I said I haven't told him that he's a fictional character here." Her Mum nodded, so Rhee ran back to the TARDIS. But first she moved both lawn mowers out of the shed. She looked to the TARDIS to see that the doors were shut. She pulled out her key and unlocked the door. "Guys?" They turned to look at her, worry upon all three of their faces.

"Rhee," the Doctor said as he ran to her and hugged her. "Are you alright?"

"I'll be fine," she said.

"She slapped you," Rose said in disbelieve.

"Yea," Rhee said sheepishly. "She wasn't happy that I've been gone. 'Cause the last time I disappeared on her like that I ended up married to a man that abused me." Then it all became clear to the Doctor. "Anyway that's neither here nor there. Come on come met my Mum." She grabbed his hand and lightly pulled him out of the shed. Rose and Mickey followed. Rhee led them all to the swing that her Mum sat at.

She looked over to the group that was being led by Rhee. Her Mum couldn't believe what she was seeing. It was David Tennant. Could Rhee be telling the truth? Not possible. Could it? Rhee hadn't lied to her Mum in a long time and Rhee had no reason to lie. Her Mum got up as Rhee stopped just before. "Mum, this is the Doctor," Rhee said with the same smile on her face she had when Matt was alive. "Doctor this is my Mum, Rita Jane Riwitis."

"It's a nice to meet you," the Doctor said. Rita hesitantly approached him. She had to know if he was really THE Doctor or if Rhee had somehow got David Tennant to play an elaborate joke. Rita put her hand on his chest and he let her. Under her had she felt the double heart beat. Rhee smiled as Rita realized it was true.

"He is an alien," Rita said with excitement behind her statement.

"Well that's a first," he laughed.

"I told her I was traveling with an alien," Rhee said. "She didn't believe me."

"I do now," Rita said with pride. Rhee was the companion of the Doctor. Rita's daughter. And Rhee was a grinning fool because of it. Rita turned to her daughter. "You're with him." Everyone but Rhee's mouth dropped open.

"I am!" Rhee replied. Rita hugged Rhee happily.

"I'm so happy for you!" Rita proclaimed.

"What just happened?" Rose asked. The Doctor shrugged at her. Rhee and Rita broke their hug.

"Sorry Mum's empathic too." Rhee said. "She can feel our love for each other." She smiled lovingly at him and he smiled just as lovingly at her.

"By the way," Rita said. "Your sister is going to be thrilled you're safe."

"After I wake up from her knocking me out," Rhee laughed. Rose, Mickey and the Doctor gave her a worried look. "It's just how my sister displays worry." Rita started to laugh too. "Oh, Mum this is Rose Tyler and Mickey Smith." Rhee gestured to Rose and Mickey.

"It's nice to meet you," Mickey said.

"Rhee has told us all about you," Rose said.

"I hope not all about me," Rita said with a laugh. "If that's the case I may have to tell you a story or two about her."

"Mum!" Rhee said blushing. Rita laughed, "Come on let's go inside." Everyone nodded.

When they entered into the house the Doctor was surprised by how at home he felt. He wasn't even the whole way in but he felt like he could belong here. The first room they came too was a large sitting room with two large recliners and two blue sofas. But the TV in the front was huge. 65 inches. "Welcome," Rita said as everyone finally got inside. "My home is your home." She smiled at Rhee. "Just as any friends of my daughter is friends of mine."

"Thank you Mrs. Riwitis," Mickey said respectfully.

"Oh, No!" Rita exclaimed. "'Mrs. Riwitis' was my mother-in-law! Call me Rita." The three were taken back by her out burst. Mickey because he was trying not to offend her, Rose because of how much Rita was different than Jackie, and the Doctor because of the bits of Rhee he saw in Rita. Of course he knew Rita would be like Rhee but he didn't realize how much they were alike.

"Was?" Rhee asked sadly. "Is Nana OK?" The look on her face killed the Doctor and Rita a little inside.

"I'm sorry kiddo," Rita said in sympathy. "I'm so sorry." She hugged Rhee and Rhee held on like Rita was her life line. Rhee tried not to cry. She held it in.

"Rhee," the Doctor said softly and that was it. Rhee let go of Rita, ran to him, then as he embraced her she cried. "I'm sorry."

"She was sick," Rhee said between sniffs. "She was so sick she didn't even know who I was."

"Alzheimer's" Rita replied. He nodded to her as he let Rhee cry for the lose of her grandmother. "Doctor will you carry her over to sit. I have a lot to tell her." He nodded. Everyone sat down with Rita. "Rhee I know that you loved your Nana and she loved you. But that isn't all that has happened in your absence." Rhee sniffed and tried to stop crying. Then it just a curred to her that she was in the Doctor's lap. She smiled and tried to revel in his scent. She nodded to Rita to continue. "Well your cousins all got married again. Chrissty is living in New York as a model." Rhee smiled at that, Chrissty was really pretty. "Angie now lives in Kentucky. Audrey is married to the woman she was dating before you left, but she still lives in town. Amanda also married the same woman she was dating." Figures. "John and James are now in school." Rhee smiled she loved her second cousins even though she hasn't had a chance to see them in person. "KJ is in 2nd grade now. And Rhee she's so smart!"

"Just like her mom!" Rhee said happily. "Has RJ started school yet?"

"Yea," Rita said. "And Jess is going back to school for fashion design. I still have my radio station."

"Awesome Mum!" Rhee exclaimed.

"Not much has changed with your father," Rita said sadly.

"Oh, so that means we have to leave soon," Rhee said.

"No!" Rita shouted. "He left and I own the house now."

"You own it?" Rhee was amazed her father would give this place up without a fight.

"Well, actually you own it," Rita said. "Martha left this house to you. And her house to James."

"Well then before I leave I'm gonna have to sign the house over to you," Rhee said as she smiled at Rita.

"Yes we will." Rita replied. "Also you will have to say goodbye to your friends. Todd has been worried about you." Everyone but Rhee looked at Rita in udder shock.

"You're not going to fight for her to stay?" the Doctor asked.

"Rhee follows the beat of her own drum," Rita replied. "She has always followed her heart."

"And my heart is with you Doctor," Rhee said. He was over come by her statement so much so that for a minute he forgot he was sitting in front of Rita, Rhee's mother. He kissed Rhee passionately. He broke the kiss when Rose cleared her throat bring him back. He blushed like mad. Rhee giggled.

"Rhee," Rita said. "I know that you need to say goodbye to a good amount of people. Where do you want to start?"

"Grandma Jane," Rhee said as she pulled out her phone and made a call. The Doctor could hear it ring. Then it answered. "Hi, Grandma."

"Rhee!" Jane shouted. "Where the HELL have you been?" He could tell Jane was a red head.

"Well that is a long story that I don't have time for," Rhee said. "But I wanted to let you know that I'm going back."

"Going back?" Jane asked. "Did you meet someone?"

"Yes, Grandma I did," Rhee said a smile on her face and in her voice.

"So tell me about him," Jane said.

"Well he's a doctor," Rhee started.

"A doctor?" Jane asked. "Is he loaded?"
"No," Rhee said. "He is an amazing man."

"Do I get a name?" Jane asked.

"Doctor John Smith," Rhee lied. "He isn't a medical doctor Grandma."

"So he's a scientist?" Jane asked. He was amazed at Jane and how she asked so many questions.

"You could say that," Rhee said. And he was amazed that Rhee could answer all questions put to her without revealing to Jane that he is a Time Lord. "He studied a little bit of everything."

"Can I met him before you go back?" Jane asked.

"Not in person but I can put the phone on speaker if ya'd like." Rhee said.

"OK," Jane said so Rhee pulled the phone from her ear and put the phone on speaker.

"There you go," Rhee said.

"Hello," Jane said.

"Hello, I'm John Smith." he said.

"He's British!" Jane exclaimed. "Rhee's new man is British!" Rhee laughed.

"Rhee?" a male voice came through the phone.

"Uncle Rodger?" Rhee asked.

"Yea," he said. "I put mom's phone on speaker too. I hear you have a new man." Rhee laughed,

"Yes I do," she said.

"Good for you," he said.

"I'm John Smith," the Doctor said. "I would be the new man." He laughed lightly.

"Well nice to meet you," Rodger said. "Know this, break her heart I break your legs."

"Don't scare the poor boy away now Rodger," Jane said.

"Don't worry," the Doctor said. "I would never do anything to hurt her."

"Good," Rodger said.

"Grandma," Rhee said. "I need to go now. I love all three of you!"

"We love you too Rhee!" Jane exclaimed. "Take care, in Brittan." Rhee laughed as soon as the phone was hung up.

"She thinks I'm moving to Brittan," Rhee laughed with Rita. The Doctor smiled at Rhee. He was happy that she was getting a chance to say goodbye. She dialed another number. "Hey, Toddles."

"Where the fuck have you been?" Todd asked with a great deal of anger and worry in his voice. The Doctor was getting ready to say something when she slipped out of his lap.

"You'd never believe me if I told you," She said. He couldn't hear Todd's response. Rhee left the room.

"She'll be back," Rita said. "She's probably trying to get Todd to gather her friends so she can say goodbye all at once." Rita smiled at the Doctor. "You really love her."

"I do," he replied. "May I ask you a question?" He tensed up.

"Didn't you just asked one?" Rita teased him. He gave her a surprised look. "Sorry go ahead and ask your question."

"May I marry your daughter?" he asked very formal and tense.

"Yes," Rita replied. "Rhee loves you. And even though she is young and is bound to make a thousand mistakes more than she's already made, she knows her heart. And her heart is pointing to you." Rita gave him a reassuring smile. "I know my brother already threatened you but I tell everyone of her men this. I can be your best friend or worst enemy." He shuddered at the sickeningly sweet way she said the last part.

"I'll keep that in mind," he said. Rose and Mickey were trying to let this happen around them but they were also spooked by how much Rhee is like Rita. It was uncanny. Sure Rhee was younger but she was also more broken than Rita. But all three of them could see a deep sadness behind Rita's smile, and a deep anger there as well. Rhee came back into the room.

"Mum," Rhee said. "Can you take us by Wizard's Keep?"

"Wizard's Keep?" Rita asked. "Is that where you agreed to meet?"

"No that is where they already are," Rhee laughed. "Even Bry." Rita nodded and led everyone out to her Monte Carlo. "I see you still have your baby."

"I don't think I'll ever get rid of her," Rita replied as she stroked the car affectionately. "She's my black dragon." Rhee stroke the car in much the same manner Rita did. The Doctor understood this while Mickey and Rose laughed. After everyone calmed down enough to get inside, Rita drove them all to Wizard's Keep. It was packed inside.

"Are all of them your friends?" Rose asked.

"Most but not all." Rhee said as they all got out of the car.

"Fun Bags!" a short woman shouted as she came running out of the Keep. She grabbed hold of Rhee tightly.

"Hey, Tomas." Rhee said. Tomas was so short that she only came to Rhee's chest which the Doctor was getting a bit mad that this woman had her face buried in what was his. "Tomas, you can't do that."

"Do want?" Tomas asked teasingly.

"I have a man now and I don't think he likes you all up on me like this," Rhee said lightly pulling the smaller woman away.

"Awe!" Tomas whined. "But I love your fun bags." She moved away and grinned at Rhee.

"I know," Rhee said. "But I don't think you want him angry at you do you?" Rhee pointed to him. Tomas took a good look at him and saw how angry he was already and shuddered. "It's OK. I won't let him hurt my Tomas." Rhee rubbed Tomas' head affectionately.

"Thanks FB." Tomas said. "But I was actually leaving."

"OK," Rhee said. "I don't know if Toddles told you but I'm going to be leaving for good here soon."

"He told everyone," Tomas smiled with tears in her eyes. "I'll miss you FB."

"I'll miss you too" Rhee said as she rubbed Tomas' head affectionately again. "Bye." Tomas ran off.

"Do all your friends call you FB?" he asked realizing it stood for Fun Bags.

"No," Rhee said with a laugh. "Tomas is a breed of her own." Then the thought dawned on her she couldn't take the Doctor in there with her. He would cause a riot. She turned to look him in the eyes. "I'm gonna bring my friends out here too you." He give her a puzzled look. "You know me and crowds." He nodded. She ran off the the Keep. "Toddles!" She popped her head in the door. A short blond woman ran up to and hugged her tightly. "Hey Liz. Well I guess you can go talk to him first."

"Who?" Liz asked.
"My man," Rhee said proudly.

"You have a new man?" Liz asked surprised and clueless, as usual.

"Yes, Love." a big bear if a man said as he came up from behind Liz. "Hey Rhee."

"Aaron!" Rhee said as she hugged the big furry guy.

"So you got the Doctor as your man huh?" Aaron teased. "Quite the feet."

"What can I say I'm an alien magnet," Rhee said with a cocky grin.

"Right," Aaron teased.

"You guys go ahead and go to him I'm gonna try and find Toddles," Rhee said.

"Oh," he said. "He's with Dave."

"Thanks," Rhee said as she shallowed her fear of crowded places and pushed through to the back office where Todd and Dave were. "Hey, Todd."

"Rhee!" Todd exclaimed happily. "Did you bring 'him'?"

"Yes," she said trembling. "My man is out in the parking lot."

"What's the matter?" Dave asked.

"She has a large fear of large crowds," Todd answered for her. "Let's get you out of here." He helped her out of the crowded room. And as they walked he called for the rest of their 'gang' to follow them out. They did. Once outside Rhee must have looked worse than she thought because the Doctor was at her side in a second.

"I should have collected your friends," he said softly scooping her up in his arms and taking her back to Rita's car.

All Rhee's friends stood in awe of how gentle he was with her. He held her close as he carried her. It was something they'd never seen from any Doctor, and most of them had been watching all their lives. Heck Todd was one of the reasons Rhee watched. Rita had wanted Rhee to watch but Todd gave Rhee the means to watch. Doctor Who was one of their favorite topics of conversation. And here was the living breathing Doctor acting totally in love with Rhee. They felt honored to know her. Once Rhee looked better the Doctor put her down.

"Thanks Love," she said. That made all of their jaws drop. She loved him back. The woman who four years ago proclaimed that she would never love again. She loved. "Are you guys OK?"

"I'm always fine," Todd replied.

"Rhee!" Chuck finally hugged Rhee she was waiting for him to hug her.

"Hey Chuck." she said. Andrew came up from behind him and hugged them both. "Hey, Andrew. How's my favorite gay couple?"

"We missed you and will miss you." Andrew said. "Now who's gonna beat me at Tetris?"

"You'll find someone else to wipe the floor with you," she teased. Both men stepped back and Austin walked up.

"I-" he started. Rhee shook her head and extended her hand for him to shake.

"No words," she said simply as he took her hand and shook it. He backed away and Bry was next. "Hey Savage."

"Hey," Bry said. "Don't get all sappy on me."

"But I do have something to say to you," she said and he looked at her puzzled. "Thanks Bry. You saved me from Micheal. And from myself."

"You're worth saving," Bry said. She hugged him tightly with tears in her eyes. Bry moved away and Todd came up too her.

"Saved the best for last huh?" she teased.

"Rhee," Todd said. "You're my best friend." He hugged her tightly. "Hard to believe this only the second time we've hugged."

"Yeah," she said sniffing. "The first was at Matt and Jenny's funereal."

"I'm glad you can talk about it," he said as he pulled back to look in her eyes. "He has been good for you."

"She's been better," the Doctor added.

"I bet," Todd said as he looked at the Doctor and she turned to look at him. "Keep her safe for us."

"Rhee is part of our rag tag little family." Aaron said, "She is even the Godmother of our child. Don't worry about that though, Rhee."

"She means the world to us," Andrew said.

"Like a sister we could only dream of," Chuck added.

"And you guys were my family when I was at my lowest," she said.

"And now it's time for you to soar," Todd said. They shared a group hug with Rhee in the middle. They all laughed. The Doctor almost felt bad about taking her away from this. They were a family, with all kinds of personalities in it. And Rhee was part of it. All of them thought of her as a sister. But Rhee choose. She wanted the Doctor. Rhee said final goodbyes and got final hugs and her friends went back inside.

"Where to next?" Rita asked as Rose ran to Rhee and hugged her.

"Greeks," Rhee said smiling through her tears.

"Greeks?" Mickey asked.

"My favorite pizza place," Rhee said. They all got back in the car and they ate at Greeks. Rita paid of course even though the Doctor said he could with an ATM. She insisted. After Greeks they went to the Hartshorn's.

"What's here?" Mickey asked.

"Somewhere I'm going in alone," Rhee said.

"Are you sure?" the Doctor asked.

"Yeah," Rhee said. "This is Matt's grandparent's house." She walked up to the door and walked right in. "Hi Grandma."

"Rhee?" Grandma Hartshorn asked.

"Yeah, it's me," Rhee said with a watery smile.

"Oh my God!" Grandma Hartshorn said. "It's really you." Rhee hugged the older woman as they both cried.

"It's me Grandma," Rhee said. "But I have somethings to tell you." The older woman let go of Rhee. "I met someone new."

"That's wonderful," Grandma Hartshorn said. "Do I get to meet him?"

"If you want he's here," Rhee said.

"I would," Grandma Hartshorn said. Rhee walked to the edge of the walk.

"Doctor," Rhee said. "Come with me please." He nodded. They walked back to the house. They stepped in.

"Hello young man," Grandma Hartshorn said. Rhee had to try and not giggle.

"Hello, I'm Doctor John Smith," he said with a small bow.

"Quite the gentleman," Grandma Hartshorn said. "And he's a British doctor." She sounded throughly impressed. "Treat my granddaughter right." She grabbed his hand. "But I have a feeling you will. Rhee, dear will you go get me a glass of water?"

"Sure," Rhee said as she walked to the kitchen.

"Thank you," Grandma Hartshorn said. "I haven't seen her this happy since Matt was alive. What ever you're doing keep it up." Rhee returned with glass of water, Grandma Hartshorn let go of hand and grabbed the glass.

"I wanted to let you know that I'm going to be moving in with John," Rhee said straining to say his fake name. She always wanted to call him Theta but that wasn't an option.

"Ahh," Grandma Hartshorn said. "So this is goodbye then?"

"Yeah Grandma," Rhee said. "I will always love you though, you, Grandpa and Rose." The Doctor gave her a strange look. She shook her head. He figured she would explain later.

"And we will always love you," Grandma Hartshorn said as they hugged. "You'd better go say goodbye to Matt, Jeff, Jenny, and Ginny."

"I will," Rhee said as she took his hand and led him back out. He felt a sadness welding up inside. Should he take her from all these people that love her? But she would hate him if he left her here he knew that much. This was going to be a hard day. They got back into the car.

"Last stop?" Rita asked.

"Yeah," Rhee said as she grabbed the Doctor's shoulder for strength. They drove out to the country side. He wondered who lived out this far. He got his answer when they turned in to a sematary. They were going to visit graves. He shallowed a lump in his throat he didn't know he had. They stopped in the back of the sematary. Rhee pulled him out with her. "You guys stay here we won't be long." She led him out to the graves. "Hey guys. I did as you asked, Matt. I moved on." The Doctor's eyes went wide, Matt had asked Rhee to move on? How? "Hey Jenny, Mommy misses you. Everyday." She started to cry and he gripped her hand tighter. "I'm doing OK now. Better than OK I would dare to say I'm brilliant." She laughed. "Ginny, I miss you. You fiery woman!" He laughed at that. "I now know that I will always love you, but I will also always love the Doctor. He is mine and I am his now. Farewell my dear family." She looked up at him to see tears in his eyes too. She had told Matt that she loved the Doctor. He couldn't help it he had to kiss her. He kissed her passionately.

They walked back to the car. "Ready to go home?" Rita asked.

"I am home," Rhee replied. "Because where ever the Doctor is, is my home." He was taken back by this. He helped her into the car. "Let's drop them off at the TARDIS." She pointed to Rose and Mickey. "And let's go to the bank so I can put the house in your name."

"Thanks,"Rose said,

"You're welcome," Rhee said. "You look bored out of your minds." She laughed. Rita dropped Rose and Mickey off at the house and they went to the bank to handle the ownership of the house. While Rhee was inside signing papers the Doctor talked with Rita.

"I want to ask her soon," he admitted.

"Then do it," Rita said.

"But I don't have a ring," he said solemnly. "I know in human tradition a ring is required to ask."

"No," she said. "The ring is a symbol. A symbol letting everyone know she is taken." She smiled brightly at him. "What's the marriage traditions like where your from?"

"Well," he started. "We bond for life. We have bondmates not husbands and wives."

"That's sweet," she said. "She'll probably want to do things in the ways of your people too."

"Really?" he asked with hope in his eyes.

"Yea," she said. "If I know one thing about my daughters and that is that they love culture."

"I noticed that," he said with a smile.

"Mum," Rhee said as she walked up to them. "They need you to sign somethings." Rita nodded and went to the teller. Leaving Rhee and the Doctor alone. "So, what'd you and Mum talk about?"

"This and that," he replied with a goofy grin in his face.

"You think you're so cute don't you?" she said with a very similar grin on her face.

"I don't think I know," he said smugly.

"Good luck keeping up that smugness when you meet my sister," she said with a sly grin. "My sister is blunt."

"So that's where we're going next?" he asked.

"No," she shook her head. "Shorty is meeting us at Mum's."

"Shorty?" he asked. "I thought her name was Jess."

"It is," she replied. "But I have called my little sister Shorty for years. She used to trail after me when we were little, she even dressed like me so I was calling her a short version of me. But she has got her own style now. Then it became a joke because she is an inch or two taller than me now." She laughed happily.

"So she's short," he laughed with her.

"Yup," she said popping her 'p'. She looked over to Rita to see that Rita was headed to them. "Looks like it's time to go, back to Mum's."

"I have one more place to go while we're in town," Rita said. Rhee and the Doctor both looked at Rita puzzled. "I need to pick something up at the mall."

"So the Muncie Mall first then," Rhee said.

"Yup," Rita said. "I want the Doctor to go in with me. Rhee I need you to stay here."

"Why?" Rhee asked worried about what Rita was planning.

"Because I said so that's why!" Rita said firmly.

"Who can argue with logic like that?" Rhee teased. They got to the mall and Rhee stayed in the car and finally took the time to let their last adventure sink in. Along with the things she was avoiding. Why did she not age the whole time she was in Reinette's time? Why is her temperature dropping lower but she feels fine? Her temperature was 80 degrees Fahrenheit, last time she checked it and that was when she got her perfume, 4 years ago by her time line. She wondered what it was now. She should be hypothalamic right now. She also wondered why no one said anything about her feeling cold. Though the Doctor probably wouldn't notice because he was already so cold himself. But Rose or Rita should have noticed. She has hugged both so many times since she got back to the TARDIS from Reinette's time.

"Rhee?" the Doctor asked with a look of panic on his face. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, why?" she asked.

"Your mum and I have been calling for you for awhile now," he said still concerned.

"Sorry I was thinking," she said sheepishly.

"That's an understatement," Rita said looking just as worried as the Doctor. Rhee's phone beeps and she checks it.

"I'll talk about it later," she said. "Shorty is getting impatient."

"Let's go!" Rita shouted happily as they got back into the car and she drove them back to her house. Rhee got out of the car and was knocked out. "Jessica Dawn! Why'd you do that for?"

"She left us again!" Jessica shouted.
"Not by her choice!" the Doctor shouted back, from beside Rhee.

"I don't know who the hell you think you are, but this is between me and my sister!" Jessica shouted.

"I'm the Doctor," he said. "And she's my woman so that makes it my problem!" They heard a groan coming from Rhee.

"Did somebody get the licenses plate on that Mac truck that hit me?" Rhee asked.

"Your sister," Rita said.

"No wonder," Rhee said.

"You left us again!" Jessica shouted.

"And I'm sorry," Rhee said. "I didn't mean too. But it's one of the best things to ever happen to me." She smiled lovingly at the Doctor.

"Did you think of us?" Jessica asked anger and hurt thick in her voice.

"Yes," Rhee replied. "I even nicknamed the TARDIS after you."

"She did," he said.

"I don't know if I can forgive you this time," Jessica said.

"What if I buy you ice cream?" Rhee said.

"That's a start," Jessica said with a cheeky grin.

"Wait I know what will make it all up to you!" Rhee exclaimed as she ran to the shed. Everyone including Steven that had just walked up, looked at the retreating Rhee in confusion. She came back several minutes later with five boxes. Two large boxes, one medium box and two small boxes. She placed them on the deck in front of Rita's house. She handed the small boxes to Jessica. "Those are for the little ones." Jessica opened the first box and inside was a beautiful dress for Kristin. "The TARDIS made them for you guys. Mum, you, and both little girls have a dress that match."

"These are beautiful," Jessica said. "The TARDIS made these?" Jessica stared in awe at the dress in her hands. "Wait what's in the other box?" Rhee picked up the last box and tossed it at Steven.

"That I picked up when the Doctor was picking up parts for the TARDIS," Rhee said. He opened the box and saw it was a space marines' helmet, it looked like the Master Chief's helmet from Halo. "I saw it and thought of you. It has night vision and infrared."

"Thanks Rhee," Steven said.

"Rhee," Jess said. "You will be missed." Jess hugged Rhee.

"I'll miss you too Shorty," Rhee said.

"I never said I'd miss you," Jessica teased. "Steven, KJ and RJ will miss you but not me."

"Right," Rhee said sarcastically.

"Rhee," the Doctor said as he took a deep breath. Rhee's heart dropped in fear that he was going to tell her to stay here and not go with him. "I'm no good at this." He rubbed the back of his his nervously. Jessica and Rita realized what was going on and grinned. Rhee's fear melted away and confusion replaced it. He walked up to her and knelt down on one knee. Rhee knew what was going on and blushed. "I know I can't give you my forever, but if you would, I would be honored to walk all your days with you as one. What I'm trying to say is, will you marry me?" He was so nervous he shook as he revealed a beautiful engagement ring.

"Oh, Doctor," Rhee said as a whisper. But the shouted. "Yes!" He slipped the ring on her finger gently it was a perfect fit. She knew it had been Rita's influence. He never asked Rhee about rings in passing or otherwise. She was going to have to hug Rita, again before they left. He hugged Rhee and twirled around with her in his arms as they laughed. Everyone clapped, Rose cried happily.

"Congratz," Jessica said to him.

"Way to go, boss!" Mickey exclaimed.

"Finally!" Rose teased through her tears. Steven and Rita didn't say anything because all had been said.

"Well I think it's time to go now," Rhee said. "I'm sorry that we can't stay much longer but the TARDIS said she is ready to go and we only have a 5 min window or we get stuck here."

"Well record the wedding," Rita said.

"Don't get too busy with him," Jessica teased causing the Doctor to blush.

"It was nice to meet you all," Rose said.

"It was good to know Rhee's save," Steven said.

"Bye everyone!" Rhee shouted as she, Rose, Mickey and the Doctor got back into the TARDIS. They took off threw the rift and Rhee smiled happily at the TARDIS.

"Penny for your thought?" Rose asked.

"I'm home," Rhee said as she smiled at the Doctor. But then a panicked look spread across her face. "Hold on to something!" The TARDIS shook and it felt like they fell.

Notes: I know that it's a bit short but i feel it conveys what i wanted it too. Anyway today is the day yay! I don't know if I will be getting chapters out as fast as i have been because I got a sick baby on my hands. But i promise i will have it up asap. I just wanted to do something special for the new season starting today.