"So, let me get this straight," Pete said, eyeing the Doctor in a not at all happy way. "Not only do I have to hire the man who kidnapped my daughter and killed James, but I also have to set him up with a place to live and check on him?"

"I need you to watch him, that's why you have to set him up with a job and a place to live. Make sure someone his watching him at all times. Wire up his flat, camera feed, all that," the Doctor explained.

The chance of anything happening was minute, so small that it almost didn't exist, but when it came to the Master, especially given the unsettling fixation he developed over Rose the Doctor wasn't going to take any chances.

"If you're that worried about him then why didn't you just kill him? I mean, I know you don't do that sort of thing-" Pete began.

"Shush," he snapped, grabbing the man's arm and leading him off a ways. He glanced at Rose who was talking to her mum with Jack beside her. They were busy, that was good. When he felt they were a safe distance away he eyed Pete. "Don't you think I wanted to? It took every ounce of willpower I had not to kill him for what he did to her." He nodded in Rose's direction. "She's the reason I didn't do it."

"Sorry?"

"She almost killed him herself and that's not like her. I'm not the same man you knew. I…changed. I've done things, but when I saw her almost kill him I…I can't let her go through what I've been through. I have to be better, we both do, for her."

Pete glanced at his daughter and then back to the Doctor.

"She looks all right."

"Yeah, on the outside, but look," he caught the man's gaze, "this isn't a light punishment for him. I've taken away everything that made him the Master. He's human. He will age and he will die a human death, but at night he'll dream, dream of the life he once had and he'll remember that he's here, that he's human, that he's trapped. He won't remember that part when he's awake, but he will when he dreams."

That wasn't just from the Chameleon Arch. He...enhanced the Master's punishment. He couldn't allow himself to kill the man, but he couldn't just make him human either.

"That's something then," Pete said.

"Like I said, watch him, but if something happens, if he becomes dangerous or you think he might be a threat, then do what you have to do."

"All right. Now what about the other thing."

"Other thing? What other thing?"

"The…uh…TARDIS. The one you left in the shed."

"That's his TARDIS, or, at least, the one he was using. She's cloaked so no one will see her. Just leave her there."

"You're just going to leave it with us?"

"I can't take her with me. Two TARDIS-es can't occupy the same space. There would be really not good consequences and I think, what with crossing into this universe without destroying both universes, I've pushed my luck enough."

"What do we do with her?"

"Just leave her. Even if the cloaking fails, which eventually it will, no one can get inside. Let her sit there and collect dust. She'll fade into the background."

This was something he hadn't told Rose because he knew she'd want to save the other TARDIS, but there wasn't anything they could do. She would've died in the Time War if the Master hadn't taken her, not that, that was any consolation, but he couldn't bring her with them and there weren't any Time Lords or Ladies left to care for her.

"What're you two talking about?" Rose asked, walking over to them.

"Nothing," the Doctor said, straightening up and smiling at her. "Just discussing what you're dad's going to do to make sure everything's taken care of."

"I'm going to miss you," she said, giving Pete another hug.

She already said goodbye to her family, three times, but that was Rose. She would miss them terribly, he knew that, but it couldn't be helped. They had a life there, not only with Torchwood, but there was the house and Tony's school and all his friends and, although there had been a good row between Jackie and Pete it came down to one thing. Someone had to watch the Master because if something happened, if he somehow converted back to who he was Rose wouldn't be safe and that was something none of them would chance.

"We should be going," he said, not wanting to rush her, but two and a half hours of goodbyes should be enough time.

Jackie crossed the room, eyeing him. He took a step back, not entirely sure if she was going to slap him or not.

"If you leave her again I'll bloody kill you, parallel universe or not," Jackie warned, stopping far enough away that his concern about being slapped faded away.

"Mum," Rose said.

Jackie was worried. He could understand that. He caught her gaze, stepping closer.

"I understand your concern, Jackie. Believe me, I do. I was trying to keep her safe, but leaving her" he glanced at Rose and then back to her mum, "was the worst mistake I ever made and one I won't make again. Ever. On my life, I won't leave her again."

"Good, because I mean it. I'll bloody kill you, even if I have to cross the Void to do it."

He laughed.

"If anyone could do it, Jackie, I believe it would be you."

He smiled and a moment later she returned it.

"Oh, come here you stupid alien," she said, pulling him into a hug.

He pulled back before she could do that kissing him thing again, not that she would, what with Pete there, but just in case. Best safe than sorry. He took Rose's hand and led her back into the TARDIS with Jack following. It was time to go home, well, the TARDIS was home, but back to their universe to collect Violet, drop off Jack and then, then they'd be home.

Standard Disclaimer.

Thank you to all my brilliant readers!

Reviews are always welcome. :)