Tyler Turner winced. The wallpaper rotted, peeling off the walls. It's that toxic green everyone loved in the Victorian ages, but led to so much illness and disease. The floorboards were full of holes into the basement. The stairs had no handrail. All the light fixtures were still better suited for gas lamps instead of electric. It's the definition of a fixer upper, and the first building his client insisted on seeing.

"Here at Haven Group Real Estate, we try to find your perfect home. I must apologize for the state of this place, madame, but rest assured, many of the other homes we are scheduled to see today-"

"No. This is good."

"Just- I'm required to tell you the walls are full of asbestos, and the floorboards are rotted. Not to mention the plumbing barely works." Turner tried.

The client hopped around the living room. She avoided the large holes, and the most rotted of spots. Dust filled the air. The windows let in no sunlight.

"You'd need to pay for the repairs yourself." He added.

"I can do that." She twirled on the rotted carpet. "It'll be fun."

"I'm shocked this building wasn't torn down. No human should live here. Ever."

The client turned to him. She smiled, adjusting her dark blue bowtie. "Exactly. I'll take it."

POMW=

You'd think it's better to start with a blank slate. Normally, I'd agree. This building should be a fresh start for anyone and everyone walking in from the doors. Except, that's not exactly right.

The building is meant to restore them. They were broken and in need of healing love. To start the build from a broken down home, left abandoned and forgotten by everyone? That suits the Haven much better than a freshly built home.

Magic works better when these sorts of things are added.

My friend was in complete agreement. That doesn't mean she liked the new building. Twilight Sparkle walked into the place, immediately sneezing from all the dust.

"Bless you." I continued scribbling notes.

The current dimensions of the building mattered for the restructure. The entire thing looked like the Haven I knew, except shrunken down. It's odd to be in a space where I keep expecting more room.

No, I haven't walked into the walls. And even if I did, it wasn't my fault. It's the part of the 10th Doctor in my head. He's extraordinarily clumsy.

So I gave Twilight the entire speech. Explaining the intent behind the efforts, with the add ons of magical assistance.

"Uhh, Raspberry? I agree on all those points, but…are you sure this is- whoa!" Twilight stepped forward.

I caught her arm, pulling her to safety. The rug fell through the new hole in the floor. It floated harmlessly to the basement. "Okay. First, sending all the rugs in for cleaning. You ever watch a rug get cleaned? It's oddly therapeutic."

Twilight got her new footing. It's good that she's human right now and not her real alicorn self. It's also good that the magic gave her boots. Boots are a much better look than heels or flats. "No, I haven't."

"It's so fun." I cheered. Back to business time. I showed off the notepad. "There's gonna be a checklist and everything! I know you like those."

"That is true." Twilight admitted. She eyed the notepad with a nerdy glee. She shook her head, going back to her usual state of worrywart. "But we can make spells work without a rotted home."

"No we can't!" I dismissed the concern. "Come on, Twilight! You're the one person I trusted with this stuff! Nobody else understood transdimensional relocation like you!"

"Why, thank you. I do enjoy a bit of magical transformation. But-"

"We made a portal together, Twilight! A working dimensional doorway between your world and another one! That's just the beginning. The next one will be bigger! So much bigger!"

"Or it can be the same size! The exact same size. Smaller, even."

"We can add more things! More dimensions! Twilight, we can make the door move!"

"Raspberry-"

"Oh, we need to repaint the walls too. I'm thinking of blues and creams, those are sweet colors. The floors will obviously need replacing."

"Raspberry!" Twilight cut me off. I paused, smiling in delight. Twilight is so funny, she doesn't even know how funny she is. "Slow down. I'll catch up, just- just slow down."

I nodded. Twilight did catch on fast to new scientific things. She rarely even needed help with it! She just needed to loosen up those silly things like 'the laws of physics' or the ever pesky 'moral boundaries'. It's like that one scientist said: we spent so long thinking of what we could do, and not enough time actually doing it! Or something like that, I've omitted less important details.

"Okay. So. We're building a new magical home out of the remains of the old. We need specific magic for that. I can come up with a spell for that." Twilight reasoned.

"You know how our new castle grew out of a magical seed that came from a tree in the bottom of the cave, because our friends fed it things like a rubber chicken and a spool of thread?"

"That's...ahh...exactly what happened, yes." Twilight replied. She scratched the back of her head. "You skipped over some parts."

"We already have the outline. And it's perfect." I gestured to the house around us. A piece of wood fell from the ceiling, crumbling to the ground beside us. "We need to create the seed from similar items! Once that's done, it won't take much to activate the new 'seed' and grow a multi-reality hotel. See? Easy!"

Twilight hummed. I handed over the notepad. She eyed the list. Originally, excitement filled her. Now she's confused. "There's only one thing on here. It's- You need-?!"

"A clipping from the harmony tree." Her jaw dropped. "I know! I know."

"But we have no idea how that will affect the Tree!" Twilight exclaimed. "It could- It could damage it! Or damage our castle!"

I put my palms out. "The TARDIS was grown by Time Lords, and I don't have access to her material. My calculations say it's the only feasible replacement."

Twilight guffawed again.

"You know I wouldn't ask if there was another choice." I promised her.

Twilight gulped. She fretted with her dark blue hair, twirling it in her hand. She's still getting used to human body functions. It's almost funny that she struggled with handwriting but mastered nervous ticks. "Okay."

I relaxed.

"Did you say grow? Time Lords grow time machines?"

I shrugged. "Time Lords are weird. But I bet it was a beautiful garden, full of time machines."

Twilight hummed in agreement. "They'd be machines."

"Beautiful machines." The TARDIS was so beautiful, and sang the most perfect songs. A whole chorus of TARDISes must be divinity itself. The graveyard in Doctor's Wife is horrifying in the way you can eventually find beautiful.

Twilight herself had stars in her eyes. She blinked them away, rubbing her palm against her eyes.

I clicked my fingers, pointing a finger gun at her. She always gets it in the end.

"What other items?" Twilight asked. Another thing I can count on. She always gets back to business. "For the building?"

I thought about it.

"You don't know."

"I don't know yet." I corrected. "Gimme a minute."

Twilight held up the notepad. "I could take notes?"

I clicked my fingers, pointing finger guns at her. "Good! That's good. You do that for me. I. I am gonna meditate for a minute, focus on the parts."

Twilight dutiful pulled out a pencil. She struggled to hold it in her human hand. At the end, her hand was covered in tiny sparkles. The sparkles kept the pencil upright.

I stood upright on the floor. My leg crossed behind my knee, my hands folded in prayer, and I closed my eyes.

"So, you have a precognitive ability as well?" Twilight asked.

"In this body. She's got a special talent." I replied.

Twilight giggled. That made me smirk.

Peace. Quiet. Now, to find these items I need to focus on the feelings behind each item. The meaning behind them, the special thing this item meant to me.

The feeling of loyalty. Depending on friends, knowing a person that had your back whenever. The object came to my mind suddenly. It appeared in my mind as a ticking clock, too big for The mantelpiece but tall enough for a man.

"Okay. I need a clock from the SS Madame de Pompadour."

The thoughtfulness behind a gift, no matter the cost to themselves. I thought about the intent behind a gift. So Christmas carols began. I focused harder. The spirit of Christmas all year long. It's not giving to better the image of yourself, but to better the image of the world. A familiar cry came to focus.

"A cyberman's info stamp."

Kindness. Now, it's hard to imagine someone kinder than Fluttershy, but needs must. This item must come from someone selfless. Someone caring for another. A compassion unmatched amongst them all- spreading the message of kindness with them.

A song popped up. One with only one distinct memory in this world.

"A stethoscope from a doctor in Africa."

Now honesty. This person need not be honest to be a dick. This honesty comes with knowing a lie, by knowing what value honesty holds. Perhaps living an honest life, but also being led to one. So all I heard was buzzing, and a familiar flash of light.

"Oh! The necklace."

Now laughter. Laughter is easy. Laughter lightens your chest. Laughter perks you up when you are down. It's a well timed joke when you feel you can never come back.

An absolutely iconic guitar riff. It can be no other item, and I'd be disappointed if it was.

"Last, a Brittany Spears record."

I opened my eyes, relaxed my leg.

Twilight scribbled on the notepad. The sparkles vanished. She caught the notepad. "These things are the keys of harmony?"

I walked up to her side. She'd properly labeled all the items. "This body is rarely wrong about her foresight."

"But what about the last two items?" Twilight asked. "You're recreating the Seed of Harmony. It took seven items to unlock it. You said five."

"They'll come to us." I grabbed an item from my Bag, pulling it out. The pink surfboard was long and wide, given the engine screwed to the back. Still, the board floated in the air. "First. Fancy a trip through time and space?"

Twilight raised an eyebrow. "We need a Time Machine for that."

I gestured again to the floating surfboard.

Twilight glanced at the surfboard, me, and the surfboard again. Her purple eyes widened. "You- You wanna time travel with me?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Let's go."

"But- but- what if I mess up?! Destroy the universe and cause the apocalypse like-"

"-Future Twilight from next Tuesday?" I teased.

Twilight brushed.

"It's that kind of thinking I need." I assured her. "Not my sister, or my husband, or even my kids. You've got way more magical knownow than any of them. It can't be anypony else."

Twilight smiled, pleased. "I'll be the best time traveler ever!"

"Great! Now get on the surfboard." I twisted and turned knobs on the engine. The proper date shined. I flipped around, reaching back to grab the handle.

Twilight climbed in front of me. "Did you build this?"

"Is it that obvious?" The pink stripe was tame but I did add glitter.

"It's amazing!" Twilight cheered.

I preened. "Squeeze to the board, and maybe close your eyes." The lever flipped.

"Close my-? AHHHHHH!"

POMW=

The surfboard landed us on the space station. The smell was there, briefly overpowered by the smells of our time. But that smell of burning meat. It made me as nauseous as last time.

I hopped off the board. Twilight gagged immediately.

"What's that smell?!" Twilight coughed, gagging again.

I handed her a handkerchief. "Broken space parts." She never needed to know the specifics."

Twilight put it to her nose. "Ooh. Mint." A scented handkerchief is smart to keep around.

Instead of walking to the fireplace, a painting caught my eye. "Yep."

Madame de Pompadour

Reinette

Twilight turned. "She's human." Her voice was muffled by the handkerchief.

"Most of these people were." I touched the painting. It was dusty. "She was an exceptional human, though."

Her painted smile filled me with fondness. She looked so regal, holding flowers. Her blonde hair stayed perfectly curled in ringlets. Her blue eyes shined, and the arched eyebrow reminded me of her humor.

"Our friend, Reinette."

Twilight came up beside me. "A friend?"

"Yeah." It's a fond memory. To see and be around Reinette, to have her excited to meet us. Yet also, Darcy was there. She and I got drunk in 18th century France. We partied hard.

But Reinette stayed. She waited for us. We left her again and again, and she never stopped looking for us.

I left the painting. Twilight followed. The fireplace was still there.

"What element was she?" Twilight asked.

"She met us as a child." I recalled.

The clock stayed so silent. No Droids to camouflage anymore.

"This ship had holes in time, along the course of her life. The Doctor and I kept popping up along the way to stop monsters. From Reinette's perspective, we were imaginary friends that became real. From age eight, until she died. She never doubted we'd come back. She stayed on our side. She trusted we'd returned, and never betrayed our confidences to others."

"She's a wonderful person."

"She's loyalty." The clock popped off the mantle. "And I owe a trip to the stars."

Wind blew. Stars lit up in my eyes. Somewhere deep in my chest, something sparked inside me.

"Wow." Twilight touched my shoulder. I turned to her, raising an eyebrow. She lowered the handkerchief to smile at me. I smiled back. "That's beautiful."

The clock was so small. Proper French design, the glass perfectly shattered. It's well maintained. She kept it clean, but kept the broken glass.

"You don't just want to replicate what they did here?" Twilight asked.

"Obviously I do. But the power is crazy, and I have no way of guaranteeing the doors go to the right people." I tucked the clock away in my Bag. "Magic doors are better."

POMW=

The snow had long since melted. The air still has a chill, but it's calmer. The last remains of chill at the start of spring.

"Slightly more recent." The surfboard folded up again. I caught it, tucking it into my pocket. "So slightly harder to collect without noticing."

Twilight dusted off her pants. She handed me the handkerchief. I accepted it back.

We landed in an alleyway. The alleyway across from his home. It's helpful.

His boy skipped around the grass. His father chased him. Rosita watched with a heavy eye roll, but smiled at the end. The three laughed, and it filled up the street.

I smiled, proud.

"Who's he?" Twilight asked. "Is he a Cyberman?"

"Jackson Lake, and that's his son. Rosita is in the dress. He thought he was a Time Lord for about a week. Used up his human resources to help stop monsters." I explained.

Twilight widened her eyes. "Does he still think he's-?"

"Oh, no. We fixed that." I assured her. "Now he's a math professor at one of the colleges around here. A very good one, if the track record of his students can be believed." Yes I checked, obviously. I was curious.

Twilight nodded. "That does sound very kind."

"Yes, but that's not the element we're here for." I glanced at my watch. Thankfully, when researching his classes the times for them were included. "Any second now."

She tilted her head.

Rosita took Frederick's hand. She walked him off up the road. Jackson went the other direction.

"He's off to school, and Jackson to a lecture." I skipped out onto the street. "We're good."

Twilight ran to catch up. "Why are you so fast?!"

I giggled. "Practice!" I leapt up, landing on the front steps of his house. My sonic already slipped out of my sleeve.

Twilight caught up. She tugged on my skirt. "Uhh. This is the front door."

The sonic buzzed. The lock didn't move. He hadn't locked it. Huh. Interesting. I pushed it open.

"We're stealing!" Twilight squeaked.

"He'd give it to us anyway." I replied.

Twilight whined. Still, she followed me.

My sonic buzzed. I scanned the home. It pointed me towards a closet.

He tidied up nicely. The home was very barren. Most of his items probably reminded him of Caroline, his wife. So I was intrigued to see some items that suited Rosita's style more than Jackson's.

The closet wasn't locked. I opened it, seeing his winter coat. I reached in for it.

"You still prefer the front door."

Twilight yelped. She whirled around, quickly ducking behind me. I smiled innocently at Jackson Lake.

"It's still the best method of entry." I replied easily. "You didn't lock the door."

Jackson walked over towards us. "I knew you'd visit." I raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Hello, Miss. Jackson Lake, professor of mathematics."

Twilight grabbed my hand, which still held my sonic. "Umm. Hello. Twilight Sparkle. Sorry we broke into your home."

"Think nothing of it. Friends of Terra Stardust are always welcome in my home." Jackson assured her. "What brings you by? I could make some tea."

"No, no, no. It's okay." I assured. I tried reaching for the coat again, but Twilight held my hand too tightly. "Just needed one of the infostamps."

He hummed.

"But- but it's fine!" Twilight blurted. "We can- We can just go. Or come back another time?"

"You can have it." Jackson told us. I smiled. Twilight frowned. He walked to his closet, grabbing it out of his winter coat. He held it out to me. "I could surely use them, but I am not a history teacher. They are better suited for you."

"It's not just history. Advanced equations are in there." I said. "You could be the greatest mathematician to ever live."

Jackson shook his head. "I have no desire for that. Providing for my son, that's all I want."

"You really are so generous." I accepted it.

Another spark. Bigger than last time, but still very strong. Air filled my lungs like the coldest glass of water after a long hike.

It's perfect.

"Will I see you again?" Jackson asked.

"Maybe. We always think it's the last time, until it happens again." I assured him. Jackson smiled. "Until then, Jackson Lake."

"Until then, Terra Stardust." Jackson politely motioned to the front door.

I curtsied. Twilight rushed to stay at my back.

Outside on the street, she shoved my arm. I giggled.

"You- broke- in!"

"So- have- you!" I teased.

Twilight hit me again. I laughed harder. We went back to the original alleyway.

Twilight paused. "Generosity."

"I can think of very little else." The surfboard came back. It grew. "Next?"

POMW=

"Oh, I will never get used to the African heat."

"Your dress is an air conditioner."

"I know, but still."

Twilight and I landed on the outskirts of a village. Far enough away that the surfboard wouldn't be noticed, or cause alarm. I tucked it away as usual.

Twilight asked questions, as expected. "Have you ever been to this place before?"

"A few times." I said. "There was a movie called Lion King. I was here for a few months helping out friends. There was also this visit when I was 183-"

"I meant with your family." Twilight asked.

That made my stomach sink.

The African Savannah has never been a fond place. I'd visited this continent many times in my life. My father took us on trips to Florida for visits, yes, but visiting the actual relatives was a bigger deal. That, and mission trips with my medical grandparents. Yearly trips- two weeks dedicated to them. Sometimes three.

We were never allowed to be sad on these vacations.

"Every summer since I was 10." Came my answer.

Twilight perked up. "Oh wow! That's almost common for you."

"Yeah."

"Back in Equestria, we just have Saddle Arabia. It's a much smaller desert than Africa is reported to be. Sometimes I'm just shocked at how big your planet is."

"Thanks Twilight." The people would have handled us parking closer. "But it-"

"What were the vacations like?" Twilight asked. "Did you ever see the rainforests? The pyramids? The Sphinx? Oh! I heard about the national parks. What were those like?"

I paused in my steps.

Twilight was practically vibrating with excitement. "Did you see the long river- it's called the Nile! My research said some people called it 'de Nile' but I can't find the explanation for why."

I looked up at her.

She slowly lost her excitement. "What were the trips like?"

"It's like what family vacations are always like." I replied.

"But you have such a big family. I don't know what that's like." Twilight admitted.

That's true. I grew up with three brothers, to Twilight's one brother. There's also multiple aunts and uncles, and even more cousins. None of that even touches on my extended family. People that I'm not at all eager to see anymore. The last one happened before I adopted Dynamite, Justice, and VC. None of them will ever see my family if I can manage it.

"We didn't really come by to be tourists." I told her. "We spent time indoors listening to family stories, or having- well I always called 'mini-sermons' about the Bible or reading out book reports."

Twilight got stars in her eyes. "Book reports?! You did a book report every summer? Lucky!"

"Twilight. The books were not about magic or science." I hated to kill her personal joy. However, I will not lie and let her think the book reports were fun. "It was an insight about the Bible, or about the Christian persecution in Russia. I was 13."

It's a lot for any kid to deal with, no matter the age. I was fresh off a year of witchcraft and summer fun in Danville. To spend my "real" summer reading a book about the horrors of the real world, and then asked to write three pages about it? It kills the mood. I fell into horror movies to cope.

I fell into her horror movie to cope.

"Did you get to have any fun?" Twilight asked.

We made it to the camp. People milled about. Some were natives to the area, dressed in colorful dashikis and kentes. The visitors wore medical blues, or short sleeve plain shirts with cargo pants. It's such a familiar mix of people, of colors. It makes me feel like a kid again.

Speaking of, kids played nearby. They'd brought a soccer ball. The kids were going apeshit over the small toy.

I smiled, fond. "Sometimes."

Sports were never my wheelhouse. It was never really theirs either, so everyone got along great. There's no language barrier for kids at play. Even when I learned the language, not much changed. I still loved playing soccer with the kids. I miss it, even.

I glanced around the camp. To call it a camp might be a misnomer. There's a building deeper inside. That building had my target.

He stepped out of the building. Skin tanned by many months in the sun, beard thicker and slightly scraggled, and dressed up in medical blues. He got the attention of a nearby helper, spoke in low tones to them, then the two parted.

"That guy, over there. Tom Milligan." I told Twilight. "He's in pediatrics, used to work with teenagers and kids. Now he makes medical trips to Africa to vaccinate the locals."

"Kindness." Twilight replied.

I nodded.

We walked to the building. I didn't bother knocking, instead just walking inside. Twilight stopped complaining about breaking and entering.

Tom turned to us. "Uh, hello. Are you the new volunteers?"

"No, just visiting." I replied.

"That sounds right." He went back to his work. "Why would they send more volunteers, or equipment, or anything else important we need?"

I watched. "Martha says hi."

Tom paused. "Does she?"

I shrugged. She'd probably say it if she knew I was coming here. Maybe not, actually. Maybe me being close to Tom Milligan would annoy her. Her breakup with Tom might make it worse too. "She told us all about your outreach. Pediatrics all over Africa, providing vaccines and flu shots to those in need. She's very proud."

"Oh. I hadn't expected that."

"She also admitted to breaking up with you." I added.

Tom and Twilight winced at that.

Twilight winced. "No. Sorry. Martha didn't-"

"Martha was holding you up to a false idea in her head, and you deserve better than the comparison. She couldn't stay with you anymore when she realized what she was doing to you." I supplied. Twilight gawked at me. Tom even raised an eyebrow. "Maybe. Just spitballing."

"You must know her really well."

"We traveled together. For a bit." "Martha Jones was never one to skirt an issue."

"No." "I knew we weren't going to last. She admitted to coming off a breakup. I knew I was a rebound, but just thought...I guess I don't know what I thought."

"You were trying to be kind, and hoped for kindness in turn." I tried.

Tom hummed, smiling. "Isn't everyone?"

"No. Not everyone. Everybody hopes others share their values and beliefs. It's disappointing when it's otherwise, and surprising when it is. Because by then, we're so used to being disappointed."

Tom considered that. "Which one am I?"

"Sorry, but I'm comparing you to someone else too." I admitted.

"Hope you're not comparing me to Martha."

I snorted. The idea is inherently hysterical. "Nobody compares to Martha Jones." The idea of that sends me- who could ever compare, and who could ever think otherwise? Her joy, her spirit, her quick mind, and her unending compassion? It's beautiful in person, and evanescence in hindsight. Nobody else could be Martha Jones, and nobody else should try. "I'm comparing you to another version of you in a timeline that doesn't exist anymore."

Tom, still awkward by my early comments, merely nodded. "Right. Obviously."

"He was kind to me once." I said. In the Year, that Tom Milligan was a very different sort of man. Still, I was spoken to as a person instead of an idea. He spoke to me like I was any other patient. The care, tenderness, and appreciation in those moments helped me stabilize in time to save his life. "I was stuck in my own head. He treated me like a person. Nobody did that for three years. I appreciated it."

"Right." Tom blinked, with eyes that were alive. Eyes that never dreamt of a world of his own death, and a world where he never needed to watch his own country suffer. Still, he helped the people of this country. "Umm."

"She's like this." Twilight excused. "Last week, she told the store clerk his girlfriend was cheating on him."

I shrugged. The man showed clear signs. A quick conversation confirmed my suspicions. He needed to know! "Can I have the stethoscope?"

"Sure?" Tom handed me the item with no further questions.

Another spark. A beautiful, warm spark. It brought back the exact feeling of the kind gesture, as if I was in the moment again.

"Raspberry?" Twilight asked.

Her friends had been fine when they collected the items. They collected them one at a time, and combined them together in a chaotic disaster. They hadn't taken the full brunt of psychic energy from it. This body was naturally more inclined to psychic energy and readings, to feeling feelings from things.

I just collected three items of powerful friendship. My mind would go apeshit at 5.

"Good day, Doctor Milligan." I exhaled. Somehow, I managed to stop from crying. "Enjoy the gift."

I turned tail to leave.

"Huh? Wait!" Twilight ran after me. "Bye Doctor Milligan!"

His assistant ran in after us. Twilight watched, turning back and forth.

"Tom! Did you hear?! They increased our funding!" The assistant announced.

"They what?" Tom gawked.

By then, we'd left the building. We didn't hear the rest of it. Not that it mattered, anyway, I remembered everything from my brief search this morning.

"You have questions." I mused. The stethoscope stayed in my hands. It's hard to look away.

"Nobody was kind for three years?" Twilight asked.

"Humans are especially cruel, Twilight. I was an alien having a mental breakdown. Nobody knew how to be kind to me." I tucked the item away. It stayed with the other two.

Tom ran out of the building. I waved him goodbye, taking Twilight's hand and running further away.

I appreciate his kindness, and will always love him for it. He will definitely appreciate the added items. Including some medicine, food, and soccer balls.

POMW=

The grand estate came with the smell of 1920's mint. We arrived at the same spot as the TARDIS before. Tracking the locations of the others had been an easy fair. This place is a lot harder to get without being obvious.

"Four people live there." I explained. Twilight adjusted her wild hair. I fixed my bowtie. "Lady Clemency Eddison, Colonel Hugh Curbishley, their son, Roger Curbishley, and Clemency's first son, Arnold Golightly."

Twilight nodded. "Okay."

"Golightly is a priest. We're going to talk to him." I stated.

"A priest, a priest. What was a priest again?"

I raised an eyebrow. "You learned about Africa but not priests?"

Twilight blushed. "It- Umm. Religion was one of the harder things to study. You have so many religions but just seven continents!"

"Explained that way, that does make sense." I nodded, taking in the well reasoned comment. Seven continents versus hundreds of religions? I know which one I would research. "This is going to be a very watered down explanation of them. Don't get mad at me later for not giving the full history."

"Promise."

"Christianity is a very big religion. It has a lot of branches, and one of the branches has people called priests. Think of them like teachers of the bible with a different title."

"Okay."

"They read the bible, and spend their entire lives teaching it to others." I explained. "They pride themselves on doing it right, of giving the word of the bible to their peoples."

"Well they sound nice." Twilight cheered.

"I highly recommend you do not talk to them." I warned her. "You won't stand for their tactics, and they will be very upset with any attempts to 'solve their friendship problem'."

"Oh." Twilight lost her joy. Instead, she looked hesitant and unsure. "And that's bad-?"

"They are not ready to hear it." I assured her. "Me? I get a cheat code. I show up in people's lives when they are ready for that change. If you go out to find a priest, even for research, they will not be ready for a change. You're not ready for that, and neither are they."

Twilight nodded.

Greeves welcomed us again. He was surprised to see me again so I just grinned at him. He rushed off to collect...someone?

"I want the priest!" With that, I turned to Twilight. "Hopefully he heard that."

Twilight nervously fiddled with her hair again. "How- How do you know this priest again?"

"Well, he's very private. I basically reunited with his family." The truth of his life had been revealed once to a room of strangers. It's up to Golightly if it ever happens again.

Twilight smiled. "You did? That's nice."

Greeves returned with a very stiff upper lip. "You are asked to wait in the sitting room."

I politely nodded my head. The butler led us to the familiar sitting room. It's very sweet to remember almost being poisoned in this room. The Doctor was definitely poisoned, and it's very funny to recall. It's disappointing I couldn't use any of those items for laughter.

Golightly walked in. The door closed behind him. He still carried himself with a welcoming priest air, but it's much more relaxed. He even dressed in simpler clothes than his priestly garb. The vicar collar is on his throat. "Hello, Lady Johnson."

I stood up, shaking his hand. "Reverend Golightly. And it's Stardust now, actually."

"You married someone?" Golightly asked. "Well that is a milestone. Where is your gentleman?"

"He's at home." I answered. "Busy with some work. He knew I was going out of town, so he didn't want to trouble me. This is my traveling companion, Twilight Sparkle."

Golightly continued to smile, but his eyebrows creased. "Hello, Miss Sparkle. A pleasure to meet you."

"You as well, Reverend." Twilight replied. She shook his hand too. "We hope we didn't cause too much trouble? Your butler looked really...rushed."

"We often do not get unexpected visitors." Golightly replied. "Think nothing of it. Any visit from Lady Jo- from Lady Stardust is welcome."

The three of us took seats on the couches. Before, it was less noticeable. Now? It's very obvious that Twilight and I were wearing skirts. Skirts that would get a great deal of looks in 1920. It's best not to point that out to Twilight. There's no closet of clothes to search, and I don't want to stress Rarity out with human designs and fashion eras.

That pony will go insane trying to dress me for every single conceivable time period. It'll make her cry to hear I only wear, like, three costumes. Four if you count the Christmas outfit.

"So. What is the nature of this visit?" Golightly asked.

"How do you feel about honesty?" I asked instead.

Golightly tensed. He glanced at Twilight. She tilted her head, innocent to any of the truths. "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."

"Exodus 20:16." That earned him a proud nod. "What about John 8:32?"

"You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Golightly answered.

"So you are aware of it." I said. "How's the family handled all the truth coming to light?"

"How much has she told you?" Golightly asked Twilight.

Twilight tried to give an apologetic smile. "She said she reunited you with your family. That's all."

Golightly nodded. "Well. Things were...tense. At first. Still, the family has welcomed me with a grace rarely seen in this age."

"That's good." I folded my hands in my lap. "Any adverse effects from your biology?"

Golightly shook his head. "No. Things are normal."

"Normal?"

"Normal as to be expected in the circumstances."

I glanced at Twilight. "For the sake of this conversation, normal isn't expected. What I expect as normal is very different from what the society outside expects as normal. The events of that day? That's my normal. So I'm gonna need more details."

Golightly grinned. This time, the hair on my neck stood up. Twilight sat up straight beside me. "Isss this an interrogation?"

"No. It's not." I assured him. "1 Thessalonians 5:11. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up."

His jaw clenched. "My brother is less than pleased."

"Oh?"

"Yes. He finds my arrival distasteful, and insulting to his standing in our family." Golightly admitted.

"But why?" Twilight asked. "Family is a wonderful thing. Shouldn't he be excited that you were brought back?"

Golightly's jaw clenched even harder. "Reunited. That's an odd way to phrase it."

"I revealed your truths once." I told him. "Never will I do so again without your approval. It's not, nor has it ever been, my secret to share."

Golightly licked the inside of his mouth, sucking on his cheek. A practice probably meant to control his anger. The rage of a man that suppressed it for forty years. "I was not brought back, as you put it. My mother gave me up when I was born"

Twilight gasped.

"She had me out of wedlock. The shame and scandal forced her to send me away. Lady Stardust revealed the deception to my family, and their dinner guests, because I had caused quite a stir in concealing that fact." Golightly explained. "My mother was the only one pleased at my return. Her husband grew used to me as I kept Mother happy."

"I'm so sorry." Twilight wiped her cheek. "That must have been awful."

"It was quite alright."

"Still. To be without your family for your entire life! You must've felt so lonely." Twilight said.

Golightly clearly wasn't used to the affection. I warned Twilight she wasn't ready to meet priests. The emotional repression cannot withstand Equestrian values. "I- I grew up with the Christian fathers. The Lord never left my side."

Twilight cooed, holding her hands over her heart. "I'm so glad it worked out for you."

Golightly turned to me. I flattened my lips, nodded, and shrugged.

"Yes. All that. Anyway, the reason for my particular visit today." I began. Golightly straightened up. He's much more willing to discuss this than feelings. He's going to change his mind. "I want to take the necklace."

His eyes widened. The hairs on my neck went up again. ""It's my family history. It's who I am, what brought my family together. Why? You said it would cause no further harm."

"It won't. There's a project I'm working on. The necklace is a key component." I said.

"Why?"

"Because it carries the value of honesty." I admitted. Twilight turned to me, eyebrows rising. "Your value for honesty. The way you feel about the truth, about lies, what both things mean to you in a way you cannot deny."

"You're being forthright with this information." Golightly scoffed. "You expect me to trust it?"

"I'm trying to collect a token of honesty. Why would I lie for it?" I asked. "If doing that would work, I'd've snuck in last night to take it before you noticed."

He grit his teeth.

"Raspberry." Twilight warned. "Stop. We didn't come here for a fight."

I tilted my head to her. Still, my eyes stayed on Golightly. "I don't want one either. But I won't lie to him. I never have before, and I'm not starting today."

Twilight frowned. Getting honest answers from me was usually a fight with her. I enjoyed teasing her too much to make it easy. My own sister needs to work for hard answers sometimes. Lying and me? They go hand in hand. To hear I've never lied to somebody? It carries a lot of weight. Twilight knows that. She's fought to get the level of honesty she gets now.

"Take the bear."

"The bear?" I asked, frowning. It came back in a blink. "Oh. The bear."

"The bear?" Twilight asked.

"My mother- when she was pregnant, she kept this bear. She sealed off the room I was born in, leaving this bear inside. No one touched it until Lady Stardust did three months hence." Golightly explained.

"It belonged to you," I reminded him.

"It did not. It belonged to a child. No, not even, it belonged to my mother." Golightly insisted. "Take it. It holds this honesty trait you require."

"It does not. That teddy bear represents something much more important than honesty. It is the teddy bear of the child who never got to hold it, who never got to be held by his mother on the nights he needed, the bear of a child who could've had this amazing, wonderful life, but instead was raised in an orphanage. That teddy bear represents the possibilities of the childhood you could've had. How dare I take that from you?"

Golightly licked his teeth again. My body hadn't relaxed. But never did I start reaching for my weapon. I can move faster than he expects, especially now. He won't start a fight here.

"The necklace." I repeated. "It's what I need. But making sure you're okay? That's what I want."

Golightly sighed, hard and deep. "You ssssswear?"

Twilight flinched back.

I met the stare, not even blinking. "Yes."

"Take it." Golightly reached for his neck. He tugged the necklace off his neck, tossing it over to me. I gladly caught it.

The strongest bit of psychic energy yet. I expected it. The shock still had me flying back on the couch.

"Raspberry!"

"Lady Stardust!"

My body locked up. My grip tightened on the necklace. The cool gem shined. My mind spun in a million different ways.

The lies I've told companions, and others. The lies I told the Doctor. In this very room, almost this very spot. The deceptions I pulled over him. Being a liar is what I needed to be to survive. Yet in telling the truth, I brought my friend closer to me.

I could have revealed the truth immediately. But I didn't. This item of Harmony knew it. It didn't appreciate the lie. There's a perfectly logical reason for it. The sentiment was acknowledged but not appreciated.

Liar.

You are a liar, Morgan Stardust.

Take this and learn!

"Raspberry!"

I gasped. My body shot upright off the couch. I turned back. Twilight and Golightly were on the couch, gawking up at me.

"What's up?" I asked, innocently.

"You- You just-" Golightly gestured to me. "You had a reaction!"

"A system overload!" Twilight said. "From the item. It's stronger than last time."

"I'm fine." The item was tucked away in my Bag. "It's fine. I can handle the mental backlash."

"Did the necklace harm you, Lady Stardust?" Golightly asked. "I will not let you keep it if it harms you."

"It has harmed nobody." My hand squeezed his shoulder. "This item just has some psychic energy, and it's really strong. That's a good thing!"

"You haven't reacted like that!" Twilight countered. "All day!"

I smiled, trying to make her shut up. "Then I collected four heavily psychic items. We need to get the fifth."

"No way!" Twilight argued. "I'll get the last three items. You need to go home."

"This quest is unsafe for you." Golightly warned. "You cannot be sure of your safety."

I narrowed my eyes on both of them. Then, I remembered I was the responsible adult who did the math and hadn't exactly shown my work. "This type of energy cannot kill me. Hurting me is a stretch. Okay? I'm going to be fine."

It needs to be fine. It's gotta be. Even if I struggle, it'll all be worth it. The HAVEN is worth any struggle. This is a lifelong goal. Ever since I first started helping people, when I first started seeing the inadequacies my world provided, that's what invented the HAVEN. This is just making it real for everyone else.

POMW=

The surfboard landed behind the window. The fiery corpse of the Earth lit the room.

We managed to leave the Clemency estate with no further issue. Golightly tried to give me tea, but I declined. Twilight tried to get us home. I declined.

"Oh this was just the funniest fucking day." I hopped off the surfboard. "I'll show you the episode. The Earth was exploding-"

"I'll never understand your sense of humor."

"That wasn't the funny part! So, Earth was dying, and they decided to play an Earth ballad to sing the planet off. They played this song by Brittany Spears called 'Toxic'." I cheered. "It's so funny."

Twilight climbed off the surfboard. "I can grab it. You really don't need to strain yourself."

"Twilight. It's fine." I reminded her. "Okay? I can handle some friendship energy."

"Not as well as I could." Twilight offered. "Please? That's why I'm on the trip."

"Okay. Okay! The next one can be completely your's." I said. "That work for you?"

Twilight agreed.

We walked into the room. Grand, empty, big. All the passengers had long since left. Only one thing remained. A jukebox.

I popped the jukebox open. The record was up for grabs.

"Are you ready?" Twilight asked.

"Yep." I took it. The record was cold in my hands. No spark. No big swelling of feelings. It's the perfect item, I know it is. My investigation proved it. Why won't it work?

"So funny, but Jack was always funny." I mused. The psychic trail led me here. Why isn't it working?

"I agree."

Twilight screamed. She whirled around. "Will people stop sneaking up on us-?! Raspberry."

I twirled the record in my fingers. Still no psychic energy. "Twilight."

"That's a giant head."

"You're an alicorn."

"Stop it!" Twilight sighed, annoyed. "This universe is so weird. How are you a head?"

"Well it was chopped off so long ago. I can't recall the exact details." The Face of Boe, apparently, stayed. Of course he did. This whole thing was sponsored by him. Why wouldn't he stay? He spoke so much to me that night. It's not a shocker that he'd stay behind for one more chat. "Hello Morgan Spencer. I suppose it's Stardust now, isn't it?"

"It is." Without looking at him, I turned to Twilight. "Twilight Sparkle, meet my former companion, Jack Harkness. This is him billions of years in the future. People call him the Face of Boe now."

"Cause- cause he's just a head." Twilight said. "That's funny."

"It's the first thing people notice." The Face of Boe replied politely. "You're upset with me."

I still refused to turn back and face him. "Gee, good for you to notice."

"What has my younger self done this time?" The Face of Boe asked.

"Shut up. Come on, we're leaving." The surfboard floated in the air.

"Can the Seed of Laughter truly be accepted with such hostility?"

I hate him. I hate him so much.

"Raspberry."

"Twilight. No."

"He's right, Raspberry. You need to make peace." Twilight said.

"Then you fucking solve it." I spat. "I'm not."

Twilight accepted that. The record stayed in my hands. No magic, no energy, nothing. It stopped reading at the Laughter item. It won't lead to anything else, but this record isn't working. This isn't fair. "Mr- Mr Face of Boe, what happened?"

"I can rarely recall a time my younger self angered her so. Morgan was very forgiving of my transgressions,"

"She certainly is." Twilight smiled. "You know her name."

"A rare honor, you agree. But one moment does stand out. I met her brother as an enemy. When I learned they were related, it did nothing to stop my younger self's anger at him. Freddie Rose knew he was hated. He decided to save a woman the Doctor and Morgan detested."

"Who was that?" Twilight asked. "What did she do?"

"Haha. Sorry, I cannot recall if anyone ever had to ask."

"Harriet Jones. She shot a retreating spaceship out of the sky. Yes we hated her. We got her kicked out of the office. My brother had no reason to be hated. He bothered Martha's family for a year. That was nothing. That's mercy."

"Freddie saved her, and doing so nearly killed him. At the time, we believed him dead." The Face of Boe admitted.

"Tell her what you did next." I spat. The Face of Boe stayed quiet. I marched over to him, glaring into his big eyes. "Do it or you'll be a coward."

Despite being just a face, he had very little expression. Age did that to him. "We never told her."

"Told her?" Twilight asked. Understanding cleared her features, frustration came. "You never told Raspberry about Freddie."

"We did not."

Twilight turned to me. "That's- That's- How did you know?"

"I found out from Jackson Lake, a man who thought he was the Doctor for a week." I snapped. "Not any of the companions. Not from people who knew me. Not from the man I trusted with my secrets. After all I did for all of them, they rewarded me by lying about my family." I turned back to Twilight. "Could you forgive them?"

Twilight was about to explode from rage. "I don't understand. Did any of you even try?"

"We have no excuse." The Face of Boe replied. "We were cruel. Her brother deserved better. She saved mine. I knew she did, and still I kept silent."

"I deserved to know!" I yelled at him. "From any of them, but especially knew! You knew what family meant to me. You knew! Still you kept your fucking mouth shut. How fucking dare you?"

"Did you bury him?" The Face of Boe asked. "I could never find his body."

"My brother is half ghost. There wasn't a body!" I revealed. The Face of Boe blinked in shock. "The Daleks shot him with some fucked up electricity. He's an electric type ghost. He walked it off! But that doesn't fucking matter cause none of you knew that. As far as you knew, he was dead! You should have told me so I could've corrected you!"

"We should have."

He's apologizing without apologizing. It's sickening. "Yeah!"

"Okay." Twilight stepped in between them. "Okay. Stop. We need to stop."

I hissed. My rage boiled. So I turned away from both of them.

"Face of Boe." Twilight began. "What you did was wrong. Very, very wrong. You said you kept silent. But I think I'd like to know why. Why did you never tell her? What stopped you?"

"I was scared." The Face of Boe admitted. "Back then, I think I was scared to break her heart. I knew the pain of losing a sibling, and I knew what Morgan went through at the mere thought of losing her sister. To lose her brother? I couldn't do that to her. My excuses were selfish. In the end, my actions showed that I didn't care at all. That's something I always regretted."

This fucking guy. I hate him. He sucks. He sucks like a son of a bitch.

"Morgan?" Twilight asked.

I said nothing. Changed nothing about my body. The Earth continued to explode.

"I deserve your ire." The Face of Boe assured me. "Please, hate me if you wish. I am an old man, and can take it. May the Haven be what you always wanted. Accept my gift as a key of laughter, by laughing at my suffering."

"Oh shut up." My hand ran over my face. "You big ole boat race."

"What?" Twilight mumbled.

I turned back to him. It's not just a giant head there. In my mind, Jack Harkness stood in front of me. My old companion, eyes full of tears, regretful of everything.

"Don't make me laugh at your suffering." I asked. "Do you know how easy that is? To laugh at Jack Harkness, the man who wears belts and suspenders at the same time? The key that can flirt with anything and everything? It's a rule on the fandom websites. The Jack Harkness clause: If he would fuck it, then you can fuck it. Oh, you want me to laugh about the time your actor said his stripper names? Maybe you want me to laugh at your Torchwood 3 team all being completely in love with you. I can mock you for sticking a gun in your ass."

The Face of Boe sent psychic waves of mirth to me. He's clearly laughing.

"I can laugh at your suffering for years. In fact, I have." I walked around Twilight. She let me pass. In front of this huge case, I knelt down. "I will always laugh with you. Please, my friend, do not make me laugh at you. You're my friend, and it's way more fun to laugh with you than at you. I want to laugh with my friend again."

"Then please. Tell me a joke." The Face of Boe asked. "What stripper names did he come up with?"

"Doctor Do, I think. Jack Hardness. Captain Crack. Mr Touchwood was my favorite." I was giggling through them already.

"Yes I was." The Face of Boe winked at me. "Perhaps I can name one?"

"Shoot."

"Terra's Johnson."

I burst out laughing. "That- Ha!" I clutched my stomach, laughing. The record pressed against my middle. "Terra's Johnson. I get it!"

"Another one. Terra Firma."

More laughter, more joy. "S-Son-Sonic Screwer!"

The Face of Boe laughed now too. Deep, low chuckles like he still had lungs.

Twilight Sparkle stood to the side. She contributed nothing, but it's clear she's content just watching us work.

"Galli Lay."

I laughed harder.

Energy burst before I could brace myself. A huge torrent of laughter and joy came over me. Laughing as he flirted with the Doctor. Laughing as he tried to flirt with me at the first meeting. We joked about dancing. Jack asked if he was cheesy. Giggling and enjoying his company for months on the TARDIS. Laughing again during our breath visit to Utopia. After the Year, exchanging pleasantries and jokes with each other. As the Face of Boe, joking about the Doctor and Rose's first date. Again at the hospital, and lastly at his death. We enjoyed our time together.

Jack Harkness never failed to make me laugh. Never, ever, has it failed. He is my friend, my first in this universe and definitely the one I have the most trust in. Nobody else can provide the Key of Laughter, in the Doctor Who universe.

"It really wasn't that funny? Oh Celestia, the key!" Twilight rushed to my side.

I wheezed. Half from laughter, half from the feelings flooding my body. Good, happy feelings. The full feeling of friendship overwhelmed my body.

Then, it calmed. It relaxed. The energy faded from me into the item, and towards my Bag.

"She is well, Princess Twilight Sparkle. She is happy."

POMW=

The two of us arrived back at the HAVEN original building. I laid the five items down on the dusty broken table.

Twilight checked my forehead. I smacked her hand aside.

"Okay. That's five out of the way. Two left." I turned to her. "Ready?"

Twilight nodded. "Ready." She stood on one foot, held her hands in prayer, and closed her eyes.

It's very endearing. "Twilight. You can't replicate it like that."

She squinted an eye open. "I can't?"

I shook my head.

Twilight relaxed her body. "Oh."

"You haven't watched the show. The items aren't clear to you. They weren't exactly clear to me either, but I did it twice."

"Twice?"

"I searched that morning, and just did it again in front of you so you'd feel included."

"You-?!"

"Thorax agreed you were a better partner for it!" I assured her. Twilight groaned. "It's how I knew what time Jackson Lake left his house, Tom Milligan's location, and many other things I did today."

Twilight ran her hands over her face. "That...does answer some questions."

That's a relief. "So, are you ready to try?"

She nodded.

"Take my hand."

Twilight did.

I sat us both down. Taking hold of her other hand, I held our arms in the middle of our laps.

We breathed. In and out, long and slow. Her eyes drifted close. Then, I finally allowed my eyes to close. Power began to flow between us. It began swirling around us, like a harsh breeze.

"Think about friendship. How it makes you feel. Recall Discord handing you the necklace. The spark of magic, that twitch that told you you found it. Recall the feeling. Feel it again."

The power grew. Stronger and stronger, blowing air faster around us. Just the same speed it came, it vanished. The air became calm. Twilight squeezed my hands.

"I saw it! I saw it!" Twilight cheered. She stood up. I dusted off my skirt.

"Good! What was it!" I asked.

"I have no idea!" That made me giggle. She sounded so enthusiastic about it, even if she didn't know. "It was long, thin, and metal?"

Oh no. "Did it have a ring on the side?"

"Yes!" Twilight cheered. She held my hand again. "You know it?"

"River Song's sonic." I informed her. "It would represent friendship."

Twilight frowned. "Your cousin? She's here too?"

"It's her home." I explained. My hand went into my Bag. There's no other place I trusted with it.

"That's great! It's a friendship item. She wouldn't mind sharing it with you." Twilight cheered.

"She didn't, no." I pulled the sonic out of my Bag. Twilight widened her eyes, and her eyebrows went up. "Hold it?"

"Of course." Twilight accepted the sonic. Her eyes lit up with magic. "Wow."

"Yeah. It's the next piece." River will be so smug when she finds out something of hers helped build this place. Still, she can't ever know until after she dies. That'll make it a rough transition. I sat down on the floor. "This is it. The last item. Mine, then. Can't wait to see it."

Friendship. My item. When I got it last time, it came with such mixed memories. Fluttershy's teacup, borrowed after helping a "sick" Discord. We discussed the future of Equestria. I kept the cup because the talk helped, and seeing it reminded me I wasn't alone in my struggles. Then, Discord betrayed our friendship and my confidence. It broke the cup. The biggest shard ended up being the key. Even though I knew he'd betray the others, I never thought I'd be betrayed too because he was being played. He still betrayed me very deeply.

See? Mixed bag. Friendship is always like that, for me. I greatly relied on it to my own detriment. There's gotta be a way. A bond that had no strong betrayal like that. A person I relied on for my deepest worries, and trusted to hold my secrets. Better than that, somebody that still held my secrets close.

Tick

Tick

Tick

Tick

"I know where to go." Was my soft reply. "Please. Let me do it alone?"

Twilight balked. "But- But if you take another friendship item, it'll overwhelm you again!"

I shook my head. "It'll be fine. Please?"

Twilight frowned "O-Okay."

I smiled, grateful.

"Freddie can take me home, yes?"

"He can."

"Good. I'll get the pieces from our castle. We'll be back in an hour."

"I'll time you."

POMW=

This place is cold and sterile. Doctors and nurses walked around me. None of them paid me much mind. My destination room was crowded. Yet as I approached, the people cleared out of the room. I continued on my way.

It's a tiny hospital room. Warm and caring, the perfect sort of spot for hospice care. The elderly man on the bed was looking out the window.

"Timothy." I greeted.

The old man turned. "Caroline." He smiled.

His face was covered in lines, but that's the same face I knew in 1913. My friend that stood by Caroline Brown through her struggles, and held close the truths of my life as they accidentally spilled out. Timothy never told anyone what he learned in those months. He helped me, and I helped him. We supported each other in those times.

"You know that's not my name." I sat at his bedside. His relatives left it close to the bed.

"No, but you miss it." Timothy replied.

Well I can deny that, in part. I missed being Caroline, except with John Smith around. "You sent your family away."

Timothy nodded. "I did."

"Why? You must miss them."

"I knew you'd come again." Timothy responded. That's really sweet. Timothy was known for his big heart. I bet it made him the perfect grandpa. He pulled his hand out of his blanket. "It's dangerous for any human to have this."

My fobwatch. Gold and shining, almost brand new. In his wrinkled hand,

"You never wanted to pass it on?" It's odd, but I wanted to hear him reply. "Why?"

"I missed you too." Timothy said.

And didn't that just make a girl blush. "That kinda talk how you got your wife?"

Timothy chuckled. "You found out about her."

"Abigail Hutchinson was the perfect choice." I replied. Timothy chuckled again. "Your children, Vera and Christopher live good lives, and their two children, and each other their two."

Timothy hummed. "You looked me up, old friend?"

"Yeah." I shrugged. "I wanted to know you were okay."

Timothy held the watch up higher. "I checked on you too."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Lady Terra Stardust." Timothy replied. "Married as of 1928. There's no record of your man, but you are not the type to flaunt your romance."

Was my crush on Martha that obvious?

"In a memoir, one of her last discovered last year, Madame de Pompadour wrote of her childhood friend. A friend of the stars, and took care to show Madame de Pompadour 'as many stars as years in their friendship'." Timothy listed as well. "And, most recently, a particular doctor in Africa received a surprise visit and additions to his supplies. You follow back on people to see their success. You would never risk for love, but could for friendship."

I couldn't stop smiling. Tearing up, yes, but smiling wide. "You were in the army until the end of the Great War. You were invited to stay with Hutchinson, and met his sister. You fell in love. Her parents approved. You returned to war during the depression to support your now wife and first child. After years, the Second War. You received so many medals for victory and saving your men. They sat proudly in your son's first birthday party photos. Your daughter graduated with a high honor in her writing class. Your son won multiple sport scholarships. You fought in another war, a terrible one. Finally, you settled down at retirement age. Your children loved you, and your wife welcomed you proudly. People admired you. You ran a Veteran Clinic in your area to connect. Everyone in your orbit admired you, and couldn't help respecting you. When you got sick, they all came together to pay any medical bills for your family and provide for them."

Timothy reached out. The fobwatch slipped from his hands. I ignored it, holding him instead.

"You're so good, Timothy Latimer." I promised him.

"You never visited." Timothy said. "You never visit if it hurts."

"She died." I exhaled, trying to speak past the pain. "I killed her. You didn't even have her body to mourn. How could I hurt you like that?"

Caroline Brown was his support. She, the only person in the whole school to agree and appreciate him. My memories were gone, Caroline had no knowledge of that show. Her connection to Timothy Latimer was genuine. Her feelings for Timothy were just who she was, as she was. Becoming myself again implied a similar goodness deep down within me. Those same feelings, perhaps.

"You're the same girl." Timothy assured me. "The girl never went away, she's just deep inside."

I squeezed his frail, boney hands. He squeezed back.

"Does he take care of you?" Timothy asked.

I nodded. "Does she?"

"Yes."

"Good." That settled this ache in my chest. "Good for both of us."

I reached down to take the fob watch. On contact, the power shot up my arm. It's strong, yes, incredibly so.

Timothy met my eyes. "Could I ask a favor?"

"Anything."

"My great grandson. He's- I don't think he's well. They said he wasn't allowed."

"What's his name?"

POMW=

The realtor ran up the HAVEN stairs. I danced on my feet, shaking with delight. He knocked on the door.

"Come in!" I called out.

The door did open. He stumbled in, not expecting it to be open. He caught his footing, then looked surprised that he caught his footing.

"Thought you'd like to see the place." I twirled on the floor, gesturing to the beautiful changes. "We just finished it."

The main lobby I kept as the SHIT lobby. It was fun. The rest of the building became a virtual playground.

There was a giant room where people with wings could fly. People who like driving had their own roads; with twists, turns, long roads, short roads, so everyone had a road they liked. Somewhere in here there was a room for magic-users to practice, but I haven't been able to find it.

I was a fan of the 50's. There was an old style drive-in theatre for movie watching. I had a room set up to look exactly like the diner from Back to the Future. There's a spa for people and animals, complete with bouncy castles and mud baths. Everything is perfect the way I remember, and in new ways.

"It's going to be a safe haven." I promised him. "How's your girlfriend?"

The realtor blinked, still shocked at the place. "Sorry?"

"Barbara McLoughlin. How's she?" I asked.

He frowned. "She's- well she's fine. Sorry, how do you know-"

"You started dating two months ago but you already moved in together." I said. Sitting on the main table, I tapped my nails on the hardwood. GARTH provided the file. "She reads your messages every night."

"Her last partner cheated. Sorry, how do you know all that?"

"Her last partner filed a restraining order." I held it up. Thumbing through, the evidence became more, well, evident. "Looks pretty bad. Sent multiple messages to them over call and text, even showing up at their job announced. Then she- ooooh. I am going to stop reading. You really need to break up with her."

Tyler Turner dropped his jaw, picked it up, and dropped it again. "Who are you?"

"Your great grandfather's old prom date." Was my cheerful reply. "Welcome to the HAVEN. It's your perfect home."

POMW=

AN: I tried very hard to keep in below 10k…11k is close enough!