So, last chapter! Thank you so much for all the lovely reviews. This was quite short, this fic is a sort of prequel/ the first in hopefully a trilogy. The next story is in progress, I'll try and get the first chapter up as soon as I can.

III.

'The sweetness of reunion is the joy of heaven'

Richard Paul Evans, lost December.

There is a man standing four paces in front of her, deep-set green eyes mapping her face. He is tall and thin, wearing a tweed jacket and a blue bowtie. Slim ankles, shown by black trousers just a little too short above worn brown boots. His hands are long, one twitching at his side, the other curled up on his chest. He doesn't appear to be armed. He's looking at her like…

Then he breathes "No, it can't be…it's impossible..."

His hearts are clenched to stillness, his breath clogging in his throat. It is her. "Jenny…?"

"Yes?" impatient. Nothing in her eyes as she looks at him.

Jenny. His Jenny. His daughter.

He realizes he's staring when she speaks again. "-Look, I don't know who you are, but I was told the Doctor is here. Do you know where he is?" she glares when he doesn't answer, irritated, and-she would never admit it-uneasy under his intense gaze. "He's tall. He wears a long brown coat. Do you know him?"

Jenny-

"Yes-" a sudden clipped burst. "I-rather-I did." He corrects in a tumble, hands rising and twisting. "Jenny. It's me."

She pulls back now, weighting shifting down unconsciously on her back foot, just a little. Fighting stance.

"I'm-I'm the Doctor."

"What?" she's incredulous, then. "No, you're not." Who the hell did he think he was?

"Please-I am-" Why is he looking at her like that? Jenny watches his hands, but still she can see no weapons.

"You're mad." she says in disbelief.

She's so close-the Doctor steps forward then in a lurch, seeing the tilt as she goes to retreat from him-no don't run, it's so hard to stop once you start please-

"No-Jenny-please-" he can't get the words out. "-Messaline!" he rushes.

It stops her.

"Wh-how do you-"

"Messaline. Jenny. That's where we met…I know you don't understand but I'm the Doctor. Truly. And you were a soldier and then you were-I know I look different now but-" he dares another step and she doesn't move, transfixed. "I wish I'd known and you've been looking for me-I'll explain everything-Jenny." The Doctor's words roll into each other as he takes another step, reaches out slowly. "I wish I found you sooner. I wish I had never left."

She stays as she is. Wary…afraid? No, Jenny, no. Never be afraid. I wont allow it.

"Father?"Jenny breathes, staring.

Oh, her voice. Father. Asking, so unsure- Slowly, so slowly-but he makes himself still; wait- she takes a half step.

You mean you'll take me with you?

Well, can't leave you here-

She flings herself to him. All the times she dreamt of this moment-what she would do when she found him, how she would react-you left me-all thought leaves her head. Jenny wraps herself around him in tight hug.

"My Jenny." he breathes, a confirmation, realization and thanks all at once, and she presses her face to his shoulder.

"I found you, you're here-" her hands tighten "You're actually here."

He presses a kiss to her forehead. He can't speak. There is so much he has to tell her. He wants to apologize-There are no words past the lump in his throat-

But he doesn't have to say them now. He will say them, but not just now. She is really here.

Not dead. Not the last. Together.

Time is theirs.

"Come on," he smiles encouragingly. Warily, Jenny looks at it as the Doctor unlocks the door, and then steps aside. "After you." She frowns at him, then steps past him and pushes the door open.

Jenny is captivated.

"It's…" The world is far bigger than she thought it was. She didn't know this sort of thing could be real… "….bigger inside. Bigger on the inside…" she repeats slowly.

The Doctor sees the wonder on her face, the bright, pure astonishment, and his hearts warm. Jenny. Of all the people inside the TARDIS…She suddenly whirls to face him, still wide-eyed, as if remembering he is there.

"Father-" she blurts, the questions jumping in her eyes.

"Daughter." He returns, amused. Then it catches him-daughter-and it must show on his face because suddenly they are beaming at each other like fools and she bounces forward to throw her arms around him in another fierce, impulsive hug and his own laughter rises up with such joy that he is surprised.

"This is the TARDIS."

"TARDIS? Your ship?" She whirls a circle.

"My ship. The greatest ship there is-or ever will be. It stands for Time And Relative Dimension In Space." Her eyes dart to him again briefly, then up to the ceiling. She steps slowly up to the console, hand reaching out to the railing. Suddenly, Jenny snatches her hand back in surprise as the lights on the walls flare, a deep hum vibrating up through the soles of the Doctor's boots.

"What's that?"

"She's saying hello. She recognises you."

"She?"

"The TARDIS is alive, Jenny. Sentient."

He comes up the steps, Jenny moving past him around the console, eyes darting at every detail, hands hovering as she takes in the controls. She comes back to stand in front of him. "But-how? How can it be bigger on the inside?"

"All in good time," oh, and they had so much of that now- "I promise, whatever you want to know." He grins and chucks her under the chin. "But first-do you know what's special about the TARDIS?"

Still facing her, he steps up to the console. "We have all of Time and space. Brand new worlds, Jenny." Transfixed, she doesn't take her eyes from his. Between them, the Rotor sighs into the rise and fall rhythm of flight.

"Everywhere," he continues softly, "Anywhere."

And a sound shivers down her spine and tickles the soles of her boots. A sound like nothing she has ever heard before. A sound Jenny's not sure she can even name. It is a sound she will forever associate with adventure and running and the furthest places and times. The sound she will automatically associate with the Doctor.

The sound of home.

So, hope you enjoyed! Reviews are fish fingers and custard

Grá,

TheSoul