Guest: The Malmooth were from the episode Utopia and from chapter 13 of this story.
It was with great reluctance that he landed on the Cardiff rift.
"Cardiff," He announced. Martha and Mickey were the first over to him. "Off you pop. Next time I arrive I expect babies." He told them.
"You better come around more often than that," Martha replied wrapping him into a hug.
"Boss," Mickey nodded at him and he nodded back and watched as they left.
River crossed the room and stopped at the doors. "Do contact Mummy, she misses you." She told him. "Goodbye sweetie."
"Until next time." He responded and she disappeared as well. Jack came in next.
"How does Ianto feel about River?" He asked curiously.
"As long as I come home to him, he is fine with her." Jack looked down. "He deserves better." He shook his head and then looked back up at him. "Doctor," He saluted.
"Captain," He saluted back and Jack left. He started to set the coordinates on the Tardis when John entered with Amy and Rory. All three were carrying bags. He looked at John confused.
"I am not saying goodbye forever, but when living in Pete's world I got use to a more normal life, I must get that from Donna. Jack has agreed that I can come work with him for awhile." John explained. "Plus my Tardis needs room to grow and fuel and the rift is perfect for that." He pulled the Doctor into a hug and released it quickly.
"Right," John said wiping his face as Amy hugged the Doctor next.
"Take care of yourself." She whispered.
"I will. My Amelia Pond." He responded as he hugged her back tightly. He let go and watched sadly as the three of them exited the Tardis. He stood watching the monitor for a moment, giving them a chance to return before he sent the Tardis into the vortex. He quickly landed it in orbit around a planet before searching the Tardis for its remaining two inhabitants.
He found them in the living area sitting on the floor at the coffee table. In front of them was a primary workbook and Kiam was on his knees, leaning on the table, trying to write his letters, under the watchful eyes of Rose.
"Is everybody gone," She asked looking up at him. He nodded as he flopped upside down on the couch with his knees hooked up onto the back.
"Where to now," He asked.
"This new body of yours is a lot more restless than the last." Rose commented as she turned her attention back to Kiam. "How about a nice relaxing night in, instead. We can have dinner, watch a movie and after Kiam goes to bed, we can talk."
"Why?" He asked her.
"Because I am trying to understand." She paused a moment. "Kiam, sweetheart. Go play in your room for a little while and mummy will come get you later."
"OKay mummy," Kiam responded, standing up. "Daddy in trouble."
"Very," He muttered and Kiam ran over and kissed him on the head before leaving the room. As soon as he was out of sight Rose started in on him again.
"You were willing to give up everything for what?" She asked him, "You have me, Kiam, Jenny, Amy, Martha, Donna, John, River, Jack, Sarah Jane and countless other who love you and yet you still went to that beach. To make it worse you lied to me. You told me you weren't going to die and you told Kiam you would be home for his story."
"I had to go."
"You had to try to commit suicide." Rose sounded appalled.
"I didn't try anything." He responded and she narrowed her eyes at him.
"Because I found out that unless I died the silence would continue to come after me." He turned around and sat up on the couch and folded his hands beneath his chin. "There was a prophecy that was spoken amongst the silence that went: On the Fields of Trenzalore, at the fall of the Eleventh, when no living creature can speak falsely, or fail to answer, a question will be asked. A question that must never, ever be answered."
"What question?"
"The first question. The oldest question in the universe, hidden in plain sight."
"But what was the question? Why did it mean your death?" Rose asked concerned.
"Suppose there was a man who knew a secret. A terrible, dangerous secret that must never be told. How would you erase that secret from the world? Destroy it forever, before it can be spoken."
"You would have to kill them?" Rose replied slowly.
"And silence would fall. All the times I've heard those words, I never realised it was my silence, my death. The Doctor will fall." He responded leaning back. "When I received the news about the Brigadier I realized there was no point in running anymore. Everything was falling into place."
"Alright, so why invite us to watch you die."
"Because I had to die, the prophecy never said I had to die alone." He responded. "I was amazed at how young Kiam looked but you, Jack and River looked exactly the same."
He turned to look at her as it finally hit him. "You don't age." He whispered.
"Well of course I age. It has been about eight years since we first met."
"Yes, yes, you've gotten older, that's not what I mean." He rambled quickly.
"I don't understand then," She told him confused.
"You don't age," He said again and tried to stand up quickly, tripped over his feet and slammed to the ground. He stood up looking dazed and ran out of the room, stumbling over nothing in the process. From inside the living area he heard Rose mumble. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the oncoming storm."