Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who. Just Sophie my o/c.

A/N: What can I say other than I am so very sorry that it has been so long since I've managed to update any of my fics. But after taking a break (a break that ended up being longer than I ever intended it to be) and a lot of prodding to stumble my way through a fair bit of writers block I finally have this chapter finished. I'm really hoping that you guys find it worth the wait and I've got my fingers and toes crossed that chapter will start coming more frequently now.

Also, thank you to everyone who read, followed, favourited, reviewed and waited with such patience and understanding for this chapter to come out!

That being said. I hope everyone has had a wonderful holidays and a fantastic beginning to 2020!

CHAPTER 9

Family of Blood

Sophie swallowed thickly; her eyes locked on John. His gaze wide with fear and helplessness, as Clark held her with a bruising grip with one hand. The vaporising gun held to her temple with the other. The feeling awfully familiar; except this time there was no chance that this gun was a prop. She sucked in a quiet breath and as discreetly as she could manage, slipped her hand back into the hidden pocket in the heavy skirts of her pale violet dress. Her fingers closing about the slender device hidden in there. Her fingers that now felt slightly clammy within the soft material, settling over the sonic as she blindly fumbled with the settings once more. Still desperately hoping that she'd somehow just 'know' when she'd found the right one.

"Make your decision, Mr Smith," Jenny demanded with cold impatience and John swallowed helplessly – throat tight and voice lost as his heart pounded against his ribcage. Whilst where he stood out of sight, Latimer reached into the pocket he'd hidden the whispering fob watch in. His nervously shaking fingers closing about it.

"Perhaps if that human heart breaks," Baines mused and Sophie winced a little as Clark's hand seemed to tighten around her arm. Whilst Latimer slowly drew the watch out of his pocket, "The Time Lord will emerge."

Latimer opened the watch and the golden energy shimmered as it began wisping from the watch and Sophie stiffened, her eyes widening at feeling the Doctor's consciousness so close – which had to mean the watch was somewhere nearby! The Family's nostrils flared and they turned their heads sharply in the direction it was coming from.

"Time Lord…"

"It's him!" Baines exclaimed.

Sophie swallowed, blue eyes narrowing with determination, 'Oh no, you're not getting him!' she thought as flicked the switch of the sonic with no idea what setting it was on – just hoping that it would do something helpful. The slender device buzzed to life in her pocket and above and around them the lights blew drawing the Family's gaze upwards in confusion in response whilst Latimer swiftly snapped the watch shut as they were plunged into gloom that was illuminated only by the light of the moon as it streamed in through the windows.

Sophie swung her left leg backwards as hard as she could, slamming her heel back into Clark's shin, getting a pained cry from the man and his hand loosened on her. She pulled free as his finger squeezed the trigger, the shot narrowly missing her and impacting on the wall, creating a small hole in it. Startled and scared screams erupted whilst Sophie felt hands grab her again, drawing her into a familiar chest, "Miss Connolly," she heard John, his voice filled with relief, only for the rest of his sentence to die in his throat as Martha's voice rang out through the room.

"Alright!" she shouted, the medical student having used the distraction to break free herself and turn the tables on Jenny, using her as a shield as she aimed the gun at Baines, "One more move and I shoot."

"Oh, I hate guns," Sophie muttered under her breath. She'd been hoping that whatever setting the sonic had been on had taken out more than just the lights – it was just her luck that it hadn't. But at least the Doctor was safe; for now. But who had him?! She felt John's arms tighten about her protectively, drawing her closer as he stared at the scene before him with eyes wide with confusion, relief and a host of other emotions.

"Oh," Baines sniggered coldly amused by the display, glancing brief at Clark as he clutched at his leg muttering about weak fleshy bodies, "They're full of fire."

Martha glowered at him, whilst Sophie slipped her hand back into the hidden pocket in her skirts, flicking her clammy fingers over the settings again, "And you can shut up!"

Sophie flinched slightly at the noise as Martha fired the gun up at the ceiling; vaporizing a hole into the plaster.

"Careful, Son of Mine," Clark urged as he straightened, gun held out in front of him, "This is all for you so that you can live forever."

"Shoot you down!" Baines threatened.

"Try it," Martha retorted as Sophie's fingers stilled over the settings of the sonic, teeth sinking into her lower lip as she heard the faint, hushed voice of the Doctor whisper to her softly, "We'll die together."

"Or," Sophie cut in, drawing their attention "We could all live," she flicked the switch and the guns fizzled and sparked, "Everyone out!" she shouted as Martha shoved Jenny away from her and into the Family that had glowered down at their suddenly malfunctioning guns.

Baines narrowed his eyes at her, "You've got alien technology," he accused.

Sophie blinked at him, staring at them as innocently as she could manage, "Do I?" she blinked at them again.

"Yeah! She does!" Martha exclaimed before Sophie could say anything else, the petite telepath glancing at her.

"Martha!" John exclaimed, his arms shifting slightly about Sophie as he shot his maid a frantic glower, "There's no such thing…"

"A really powerful alien gizmo," Martha cut in over John, who stared at her blankly, completely out of his depth.

"Really?" Baines mused, a glint in his eyes as he eyed Sophie, who shifted slightly, her hand still clenched about the sonic in her pocket – John's arms shifting her back towards him protectively in response.

Sophie blinked once and met his gaze calmly, heart pounding, expression blank – letting the silence speak for her.

"Really," Martha gritted, still keeping her hold on Jenny, who'd yet to try and break free despite the now useless gun Martha was holding, "And your weaponless. So, just stay where you are."

"For now," Baines smirked, "Unless completely destroyed. They'll auto repair."

"Of course, they will," Sophie huffed under her breath.

"Right," Martha licked her lips, "Doctor, get everyone out," she ordered, "There's a door at the side. It's over there," she gestured with a quick nod of her head, "Go on!"

John swallowed, staring at Martha, his arms still wrapped protectively around Sophie. Indecisive as he tried to process.

"Do it, Mr Smith. I mean you!" Martha urged him with growing impatience.

"Go on," Sophie urged.

He swallowed, "They're mad," he muttered, mentally floundering. It was like something out of his dreams come to life – but that wasn't possible. None of this was possible!

Sophie touched one of his arms gently with her free hand, "All the more reason to get people out – before anyone else gets hurt."

John hesitated another moment, not wanting to let her go, before he slowly, reluctantly, released her, "Everybody out, now!" he called to the frightened and confused crowd.

"Sophie keep your fingers on that alien gizmo," Martha stated and Sophie nodded at her, fingers clenched around the sonic screwdriver. Desperately hoping that they wouldn't call their bluff. As handy as the sonic screwdriver was – it wasn't exactly a weapon – not really.

"No, don't argue Mr Jackson," John cut a man off before he could start as he continued ordering people out of the hall, "They're mad. Now outside, all of you. Out Miss Cooper," he urged and the gathered villagers made swiftly for the exit, racing out into the night, screaming, "Move yourself, boy," he addressed Latimer, "Back to school, quickly."

"And you," Martha told him a bit flatly as John turned back to them, "Go on. Just shift."

John glanced from Martha to Sophie to the Family, hesitating as his gaze went to Sophie again.

"John, go," Sophie told him, not taking her eyes off the Family

He shook his head, "I'm not leaving you!"

"I'll be fine," Sophie murmured and swallowed, her throat tight, "…Promise."

John blinked as he stared at her a sudden image of the alien, he dreamed himself to be saying something almost exactly the same before he turned and sauntered out the doors of his Time Machine with a confidence and swagger he didn't possess and in this awful moment wishing that he did... had the confidence to just march forward into death with nothing but a vague thought in place that had the barest trappings of a plan. He clenched his hands, casting the thought away. It was a dream – unhelpful. He stepped towards her, "Sop…"

"Please John!" Sophie cut him off, gloved clammy fingers trembling over the sonic in her pocket as she clenched it tighter.

John swallowed heavily, staring at her, not wanting too…

"Doctor!" Martha shouted with frustration. The medical student not sure how much longer the Family would continue to by their bluff.

John gritted his teeth and turned and ran for the door, that name reverberating in his ears. He wasn't the Doctor. The alien was just a figment of his imagination. Nothing more! In that moment though, he couldn't help but wish that he was – the mad alien Doctor that travelled through time and space would've had a plan.

*O*O*O*

John ran out the doors of the village hall, "Mr Hicks," he shouted with urgency drawing the man's attention, "Warn the village. Get everyone out," he ordered before turning to Latimer who had yet to run back to the school as he'd been told, "Latimer, get back to the school," he reaching for the boy's arm in an attempt to impart how serious he was, "Tell the headmaster…"

Latimer jerked away from him as John's fingers grazed his arm, "Don't touch me!" he exclaimed harshly, "You're as bad as them!"

John stared after him perplexed as the boy ran, before he turned away. His gaze going back to the doors he'd come out of, hoping for Sophie and Martha to come running out the doors. Straining his ears for even the faintest sounds of a fight as he lingered, inching closer to them.

*O*O*O*

Jenny jerked herself out of Martha's grip and rejoined her Family. The medical student swallowed, her hand feeling clammy around the useless gun she was still aiming at them – unwilling to lower it even if it didn't work, "Don't try anything. I'm warning you or my friend here will use her alien tech to do more than just fry your guns circuitry," she warned.

Baines cocked his head slightly as he eyed Sophie, "Yes, your alien technology. What kind is it?" he pondered sceptically, "Invisible?"

Sophie swallowed harshly, but narrowed her eyes, resisting the impulse to squirm with fear as she felt her heart thundering against her ribcage, "Sonic."

Baines sniggered, "How quaint."

Sophie frowned, "Effective," she retorted, fingers shifting slightly on the slender device.

Baines smirked, "They're almost brave, these ones."

"I should've taken the maids form," Jenny mused as they started forward and Sophie and Martha backed away, "Much more fun. So much spirit."

"What happened to Jenny?" Martha demanded to know, "Is she gone?"

"She is consumed," Jenny replied, "Her body's mine."

Martha swallowed, frowning at the possessed body of her friend, "You mean she's dead."

"Yes. And she went with precious little dignity. All that… aah… screaming."

Sophie scowled, heart clenching for the kind hearted woman, who'd been nothing but pleasant to herself and Martha, "Shut up!"

"Or what?" Jenny sneered, "You'll use your sonic device?" she mocked.

"Might do…" Sophie trailed and then stiffened, hearing the faintest sounds of movement from behind her, "Martha!" she cried in warning even as she ducked down and to the side just barely escaping being caught by one of the scarecrows that had come up behind her as Baines shouted at the Family's soldiers.

"Get the gun!"

Martha relinquished her hold on the gun and ducked under the scarecrows arms.

"Good work solider," Baines complimented as the two women ran out of the hall and out the doors of the building.

"Don't just stand there, move!" Martha shouted as she spied John lingering just outside the building, waiting for them, "God, you're rubbish as a human!" she huffed with irritation as she darted swiftly past him, really wishing that he was the Doctor. The mad alien that always seemed to know what to do, "Come on!" she groused.

John blinked after her, before he turned to look for Sophie just as a gloved hand took his and he was jerked into motion. He glanced at her, the petite brunette offering him a small smile as he fell into step with her. His hand shifting to grasp hers in a firm grip. The three swiftly running. Putting distance between them and the hall.

*O*O*O*

Latimer shivered as he ran through the woods towards the school. His steps faltering slightly as he heard the villagers screaming.

"Guns seem to be up and fully operational once more," Clark mused as the villagers screamed in terror as they ran.

"Run!" Baines exclaimed with predatory delight, firing another shot, delighting in the fresh wave of screams, "Ah, this is super. We've been hiding for too long. This is sport."

Jenny sniffed, "I can smell the school teacher. He's gone back to his academy."

Baines turned his head to look at her, "And what do we know about those two women. The maid and the secretary?"

Jenny closed her eyes in concentration, her body emitting a faint green glow, "This body has traces of memory. Was once their friend. Was closer to the maid. Martha and Sophie would go walking to the west," she opened her eyes, "Husband of Mine, follow their scent. Go to the west. Find out what they were keeping secret."

"Soldiers!" Clark barked commandingly, before he started to the west, nostrils flared to catch the old scent of the maid and the secretary. Some of the scarecrow soldiers following behind him as ordered.

"As for you Mother of Mine," Baines turned to her with a smirk, "Let's go to school."

*O*O*O*

Martha, Sophie and John dashed into the school, panting for breath after their long run. John turned to the door, still breathing raggedly and arms straining. He pulled the heavy wooden main doors of the school closed behind them.

He turned and started away from the door with a determined stride – falling back on what he knew – the only plan he could come up with to protect them and the school from whatever madness had gripped the others.

Sophie and Martha glanced at each other as they followed him, hurrying to keep up with his long stride. The three stepped into the school's front hall. John strode over to the bell, grasping it firmly. The loud peeling ring of the bell immediately filling the air as he rang it.

"What are you doing?" Martha demanded.

John glanced at her, "Maybe one man can't fight them, but this school teaches us to stand together," he informed her before turning away from her, still ringing the bell as he shouted, "Take arms! Take arms!"

"You can't do that!" Martha exclaimed.

John pinned her with another look, still ringing the bell to rouse the school, "You both want me to fight, don't you?"

"Not exactly," Sophie replied over the tolling of the bell as John called for the school to 'take arms' once more. He turned his head to look at her, "Was aiming for more along the lines of running – very swiftly," she tacked on as John continued to stare at her whilst Martha nodded firmly in agreement.

John opened his mouth, a frustrated retort on his lips only to be distracted as Hutchinson called out to him, the young man amid the other students that had scrambled awake and out into the school corridors at the first tolling of the bell, "I say sir, what's the matter?"

"Enemy at the door, Hutchinson," John replied urgently, never ceasing in ringing the bell as Hutchinson blinked at his teacher, "Enemy at the door," he repeated as Sophie and Martha stared at him, "Take arms!"

Sophie bit her lower lip – this wasn't good.

*O*O*O*

Baines, Jenny and Lucy approached the school, a few scarecrows marching silently behind them. The sound of the tolling bell, had Baines tilting his head sightly, traces of memories belonging to the body's previous owner whispering across his mind, "They're sounding the alarms," he divulged, a cruelly amused smile twitching up the corners of his lips.

"I wouldn't be so pleased, Son of Mine," Jenny cautioned her gaze flicking briefly from the school to her son, "These bodies are silly and hot," her lips curled downwards in a sneer full of distaste, "They can damage and die. That's why we need the Time Lord."

"Indeed," Baines agreed, the smile falling from his lips as he eyed the school, "They will have guns. Perhaps a little caution," he mused before turning his head to look at the small squishy body his sister was inhabiting, "Sister of Mine," he addressed her, drawing her gaze, "You're such a small little thing. Find a way in and spy on them."

She grinned wickedly, before she started away skipping off down a path, leaving Brother and Mother to stare after her…

*O*O*O*

Sophie chewed on her lower lip. Her brow furrowed as guns where passed out. Boy's checking and loading their weapons. Her worried gaze inevitably found John as he stood amid the chaos, addressing a cluster of boys as they fumbled with the guns they'd been handed. Hardly seeming aware of her and Martha as he ordered his charges like they were soldiers instead of school boys. She released her abused lower lip, indents from her teeth lingering, "This is wrong."

Martha gave a jerky nod, "You can't do this, Doctor," her eyes narrowed dangerously as the man ignored her, "Mr Smith!"

"…Maintain position over the stable yard," John continued, ignoring her, ignoring everything but the task at hand.

"They're just boys!" Martha exclaimed incredulously, hands clenching at her sides, "You can't ask them to fight!"

"Faster now!" John urged, eyeing the boys critically as they handled their weapons with slightly clumsy fingers, "That's it."

Sophie swallowed helplessly imagining the boys marching out against alien weapons – weapons that vaporised. She tore her eyes away from the boys nervously fumbling fingers, "John, they haven't even finished school."

"They don't stand a chance!" Martha exclaimed and Sophie winced at the truth of it as John finally turned to them.

"They're cadets," he stated firmly, "They are trained to defend the King and all his citizens and properties."

"They're-" Sophie was cut off and her gaze snapped to the Headmaster as he stalked towards them with obvious irritation.

"What in thunder's name is this?" Rocastle demanded to know, "Before I devise an excellent and endless series of punishments for each and every one of you, could someone explain very simply and immediately exactly what is going on?"

"Headmaster," John took a step towards him, drawing the focus of Rocastle's gaze, "I have to report the school is under attack."

"Really? Is that so?" Rocastle eyed his subordinate a touch dubiously, "Perhaps you and I should have a word in private."

"No, I promise you, sir," John insisted respectfully, "I was in the village with Miss Connolly. It's Baines, sir. Jeremy Baines and Mr Clark from Oakham Farm. They've gone mad, sir. They're got guns. They've already murdered people in the village. I saw it happen."

Rocastle turned his gaze to the slender brunette dressed in a pale violet dress, her lower lip caught between her teeth. He eyed her as if weighing her worth, "Miss Connolly, is that so?"

Sophie released her lower lip, that she'd been worrying on again, fingers twitching with the need to tangle in the ends of her hair, that had started to come out of the simple 'updo' she'd swept her length of curls into, "Well yes, but-"

"Murder on our own soil?" Rocastle spoke over her.

"Yes, but I-" Sophie tried again only for Rocastle to turn away from her, dismissing her without another word. The rest of what she wanted to say of no interest to him.

"Perhaps you did well than, Mr Smith," Rocastle mused.

Sophie frowned with frustration at the man, eyes narrowed in a hard glare, "I really dislike this time period," she muttered lowly and beside her, Martha nodded her vehement agreement as she too glowered at the man.

Rocastle eyed John, ignoring the indignant glowering of the maid and the secretary, "What makes you think the danger's coming here?"

"Well, sir, they said, um…" John trailed floundering on how to explain it when he struggled to understand – to make sense of what they wanted. Before he straightened his spine, jaw clenching, "They held a gun to Miss Connolly and my maid," he clenched his hands into fists at the memory, "Baines threatened me – I don't understand why," he held the headmasters gaze, "Truly, they've gone mad."

"Very well," Rocastle gave a sharp decisive nod, before he turned to some of his charges, "You boys, remain on guard," he ordered, "Mr Snell, telephone for the police. Mr Philips, with me. We shall investigate."

He turned to leave only for Martha to firmly plant herself in his path, "No," she levelled a determined look on the Headmaster, "It's not safe out there."

Rocastle furrowed his brow, "Mr Smith, it seems your favourite servant is giving me advice," he fixed John with a look, "You will control her, sir."

Martha stared after Rocastle with narrowed eyes as he walked off with Philips. She heard the soft sound of swishing skirts as Sophie stepped towards her and her hand came to rest against her shoulder. She sighed out a breath heavy with stress, "We've gotta find that watch," she muttered.

Beside her Sophie nodded her agreement.

Martha nodded to herself, before she turned her head to look at Sophie, "Make sure Mr Smith doesn't do anything stupid," she stated, shooting John a look full of her frustration, before she turned and swiftly stalked off.

"Why of all the cheek!" John spluttered, blinking after Martha stunned by her behaviour all over again, "I don't know what's gotten into her lately."

"Nothing," Sophie retorted, tearing her gaze from the spot Martha had disappeared, her gaze landing on John. Her heart heavy in her chest, torn between desperately wanting to help find the Doctor and the equally strong need to keep John safe from the Family, "She's a star. You've said so yourself."

John blinked and frowned at her perplexed, "When?"

Sophie winced, heart stuttering in her chest, clenching in pain at her slip. John hadn't said that the Doctor had. She looked down, abused lower lip caught between her teeth again, "Sorry," she murmured as John's perplexed frown turned concerned.

"Whatever for?"

Sophie shook her head.

"Well, undoubtedly you're right," John mused, still eyeing Sophie as she sucked in a slightly shaky steadying breath, "If only a rude, insubordinate one," he grumbled mildly, "With no notion of how to knock…" he trailed off as he saw a tear roll down her cheek. His eyes widened with alarm, "Miss Connolly are you crying?"

"I -," Sophie frowned and reached up to touch her cheeks, "Oh," she mumbled at feeling the material over her fingers becoming slightly damp.

"A chair for Miss Connolly," John shouted over his shoulder and one of the boys broke off to procure a chair as John turned back to Sophie taking her slender hands in his, feeling damp material against the pads of his fingers and squeezing gently.

Sophie shook her head, "I'm fine."

"We've all had a very trying evening," John murmured as he led her off to the side, out of the way of the bustle.

"Here you are, Miss," the boy exclaimed as he hurried back, chair held aloft awkwardly in his arms for a moment, before setting it down.

"Good lad," John nodded as the boy set the chair down all awkward limbs.

"Sir," the boy nodded and hurried back over to his previous place, accepting back his weapon with surer hands.

John helped her onto the chair, her hands, so much smaller than his, still grasped gently between his own. He sank down on his haunches in front of her, gazing at her as she stared at the cadets as they busied themselves with their preparations, with a frown furrowing her brow. And he couldn't help but think in that moment that she'd make a wonderful mother. Immediately his cheeks flushed and his hands tightened about hers unintentionally as he shifted a little awkwardly at the warmth the thought instilled in him. The increased pressure around her fingers drew her gaze from the cadets to him. a question in the hazel flecked blue.

John cleared his throat and smiled at her, hoping that the darkness would help hide the colour in his cheeks, "You're an amazing woman, Miss Connolly," his warm smile turned to a rather thrilled grin as he spotted her cheeks flush in the dim light.

Sophie opened her mouth, closed it and then opened it again, "I thought I told you not to start," she groused lightly. Hands squeezing about his.

John grinned amused, before he sniffed a little, "I still have no idea what you're talking about."

Sophie bit back the impulse to roll her eyes as she peered down at John, unable to tell if he was being serious or not, before she swallowed, her expression turning solemn again as her attention was drawn to the students once more, "Mr Smith," she turned her gaze back to him, "I -,"

"Sir!" one of the cadets called an urgent tenor to his voice, "Mr Smith, we need…"

"Just a moment Donnett," John called over his shoulder and Donnett's voice quieted. John focused back on Sophie. His thumbs brushing over the backs of her knuckles before he brought her hands up to his lips and pressed a quick soft kiss to the backs of them. He spared her another smile before he lowered her hands, releasing them into her lap. He straightened and marched back into the remaining cadets, coming to a stop by Donnett to check on what he needed. All the time aware of Sophie's gaze on his back…

*O*O*O*

Latimer glanced after Martha as she ran past the alcove, he had hidden himself in. He swallowed, anxious fingers tightening about the fob watch as he heard the voice whispering from it again, "Hold me. Keep me safe. Keep me dark. Keep me closed," the Time Lord whispered as at the other end of the corridor, Lucy snuck quietly into the school, "The time is not right. Not yet. Not while the Family is abroad. Danger!"

*O*O*O*

Headmaster Rocastle and Mr Philips strode purposefully out the front doors of the school, immediately spotting Baines and Jenny. The two standing together with a quiet and cruel anticipation.

"So," Rocastle eyed the odd pair, "Baines and one of the cleaning staff. There's always a woman involved," he huffed before pinning Baines with a quelling look, "Am I to gather that some practical joke has got out of hand?"

"Headmaster, sir. Good evening, sir," Baines greeted, dark eyes alight with a mocking amusement as he regarded the Headmaster, "Come to give me a canning, sir?" he cocked his head slightly, "Would you like that, sir?"

"Keep a civil tongue, boy," Rocastle warned, bristling with mounting irritation at the nonsense that had gotten them all out of bed.

"Now come on, everyone," Mr Philips spoke up as he attempted to diffuse the situation as John stepped over to a window overly looking the front of the school and peered down at them with a furrowed brow – straining to listen as he watched what was going on, "I suspect alcohol has played its part in this."

"Let's all just calm down," Philips continued, his eyes flicking to the scarecrows stood behind Baines and Jenny, "And who are these friends of yours, Baines?" he flicked his gaze back to the boy in question, "Fancy dress?"

"Do you like them, Mr Philips?" Baines smirked, "I made them myself," he bragged as he stepped over to one of the scarecrows, "I'm ever so good at science, sir. Look…" he grabbed one of the scarecrows arms and easily pulled it free from the body, "Molecular fringe animation fashioned in the shape of straw men. My own private army, sir. It's ever so good, sir."

Rocastle scowled with impatience, tired of the nonsensical blather, "Baines, step apart from this company and come inside with me."

"No, sir," Baines retorted, gaze turning back to the headmaster, his tone darkening with impatience of his own, "You sir… you will send us Mr John Smith. That's all we want sir, Mr John Smith and whatever his done with his Time Lord consciousness," he smiled, "Then we'd be very happy to leave you alone."

Rocastle eyed him, disconcerted and wary, "You speak with someone else's voice, Baines. Who might that be?"

"We are the Family of Blood," came the proud reply.

Rocastle subtly straightened, "Mr Smith said there had been deaths."

"Yes, sir! And the they were good, sir!" Baines replied eyes gleaming.

"Well," Rocastle huffed, eyes narrowed on Baines rather hoping to call the young man bluff, "I warn you; the school is armed."

"All your little tin soldiers," Baines mocked hardly feeling threatened, "But tell me, sir, will they thank you?"

Rocastle stared perplexed, "I don't understand."

"What do you know of history, sir?" Baines inquired eyes flashing with malicious amusement as the Headmasters confusion built, "What do you know of next year?"

"You're not making sense, Baines."

"1914, sir," Baines stated, "Because the Family has travelled far and wide looking for Mr Smith and, oh, the things we have seen," he smirked, "War is coming. In foreign fields, war of the whole wide world, with all your boys falling down in the mud," he tilted his head again in mocking inquiry, "Do you think they'll thank the man who taught them it was glorious?"

"Don't you forget, boy, I've been a soldier," Rocastle reminded curtly all confusion forgotten, "I was in South Africa. I used my dead mates for sandbags. I fought with the butt of my rifle when the bullets ran out, and I would go back there tomorrow for King and Country!"

"Et cetera, et cetera," Baines drawled bored with the conversation, in a swift movement he turned and fired his weapon at Mr Philips, instantly vaporising him. At the window John gulped past the fearful lump in his throat whilst Rocastle stared wide eyed with fear, "Run along Headmaster. Run back to school," he crowed as Jenny laughed as Rocastle turned and fled back into the school, "And send us Mr Smith!" Baines shouted after the man whilst John stepped away from the window not wanting to be spotted.

*O*O*O*

"Mr Smith?" Sophie murmured softly as she approached him, drawing his attention from his moody brooding.

"It appears we are to be given no quarter, Miss Connolly," he murmured, reaching out to take one of her gloved hands.

Sophie swallowed and nodded slightly in acknowledgement, "Somehow," she muttered, "Not surprised."

"I'd not see you come to harm, Miss Connolly," John murmured, doing his best to steel his spine against fear of death, "I'll protect you, with my very life."

Sophie heart lurched sickeningly in her chest, "I'd rather you didn't," she rasped, throat tight, "I much prefer you alive."

"As do I," he sighed, "But the world has descended into madness in the blink of an eye and if needs must I…" John swallowed heavily and shifted slightly, clasping her slender hand in his a little tighter as he reached for her free hand, grasping it with a palm that was starting to sweat lightly as his heart beat a bit faster. The weight of what was in his jacket pocket feeling heavier with every passing second, "If things go poorly…"

"Mr Smith-"

"Miss Connolly – Sophie," John murmured, shifting his feet with nervousness, "I beg you let me finish lest my courage desert me."

Sophie's eyes met his and she stilled, her hazel flecked blues widening at the expression in them – the one that used to perplex her so whenever the Doctor levelled it on her.

"I had – I had intended to wait for a uh, a much better moment," John fumbled over his tongue, the words he'd been practising in his head as he brooded coming out awkwardly, "But needs must… and if things go poorly. I'd regret," he swallowed heavily trying to dislodge the lump that was trying to chock him, "Not taking the chance."

Sophie frowned eyes locked on his confusion stirring as her insides started to twist into themselves and her heart started beating against her ribcage. She licked her lips a touch anxiously, before she took a breath to talk only for John to continue hurriedly before she could.

"Miss Connolly," he winced slightly, "Sophie," he tried again, releasing one of her hands to reach into his pocket, "I was wondering – well, hoping really," heat rose hotly to his cheeks as he continued to stumble over his words, "If you'd do me the honour – uh," he stuttered, composure slipping, "I'd be honoured, truly, deeply honoured-,"

Sophie's pounding heart skipped a painful beat in her chest as she cottoned on, palms sweating in her gloves and blood rushing in her ears. He wasn't – he couldn't be – no. There was no way that he could possibly be…

John cleared he throat as tripped over his tongue again, the anxious lump in his throat threatening to suffocate him as he pulled the small box out of his pocket, "If you'd consent to be my wife."

'Oh…' Sophie's brain seemed to stall as her gaze dropped down to the box as John released the hand, he'd still been holding to open it…

"Mr Philips has been murdered, Mr Smith," Rocastle stated as he marched into the room, John and Sophie both jumping, the former biting back the curse that wanted to spill from his lips at the unfortunate interruption as he tucked the box right back into his pocket and out of sight, "Can you tell me why?"

"Honestly, sir," John sighed as he turned from Sophie to face the Headmaster, "I have no idea. And the telephone line's been disconnected," he informed him, "We're on our own."

"If we have to make a fight of it, then make a fight we shall," Rocastle stated with a firm nod, "Hutchinson," he called turning to the young man in question, "We'll build a barricade within the courtyards. Fortify the entrances, build our defences. Gentleman," he turned to the room at large, "In the name of the King, we shall stand against them."

"Yes Sir!" the boys shouted before following the Headmaster out of the room.

John turned his gaze to where Sophie had been standing only to swallow heavily at not seeing her there. He swept his eyes over the room, his heart sinking at finding no trace of her. He turned and strode after the headmaster himself, hands clenched into fists at his sides as he tried to comfort himself that he hadn't actually received an answer. Trying not to think that she'd run – they could be plenty of reasons for that. Not all of them bad – he hoped.

*O*O*O*

"Right, come on," one of the boys urged as they lifted a wooden bar, "Hurry get back," he continued as they lifted it into place.

"Drop!" Another boy ordered and the three let the bar drop into place.

*O*O*O*

"Barricade the kitchens," Hutchinson directed the other boys, "Secure the passageway to the stables," he shifted, spotting a boy hiding and grabbed him by the arm dragging him out of his chosen hiding place, "You coward!" he spat at the shocked younger boy, "You'll do your duty, Latimer, with the rest of us!"

*O*O*O*

Outside Rocastle and John directed the boys, barely glancing over as Hutchinson and Latimer joined them.

"Sandbags to the North and West," Rocastle ordered.

"…Stables in case of…" John continued.

"Pemberton, load the spare magazines with bullets," Rocastle directed another boy.

"Quickly now," Hutchinson directed Latimer, "Take the magazine cut-ff out," Latimer nodding reluctantly all the while aware of the fob watch he'd hastily tucked away when he'd been grabbed all of a sudden.

Looking down on them from a window, Lucy watched it all, observing the goings on with a curious tilt of her head.

*O*O*O*

"They've got an army," Baines muttered, smirking, "So do we. Soldiers. Soldiers!" He called them to arms and in amongst the fields, more scarecrows came to life. Lifting their heads and shambling quickly towards the school and their master.

*O*O*O*

"Ashington, we need water for the Vickers gun. See to it," the boy Ashington nodded and hurried to do as he was ordered, "Faster!" Rocastle turned to the other boys, "All of you, faster!"

"Lockley, when firing commences, you're in charge of the gallery," John delegated and the boy nodded.

"Peterson, that's not acceptable," Rocastle stated sternly and Peterson's shoulders hunched a little in disappointment, "Report to your senior officer."

*O*O*O*

Baines smirked up at the school as the scarecrows assembled en masse behind him and Jenny awaiting further orders, "War comes to England a year in advance."

"Family of Mine, wait," Lucy's voice had Baines and Jenny pause, heads cocking to listen as she continued telepathically, "Hold the soldiers back. The Time Lord is playing some sort of trick," she warned.

"Discover him, Sister of Mine," Baines replied.

*O*O*O*

Martha jumped and spun from her search towards John's office door as it all but slammed open and an agitated Sophie barrelled into the room, slamming the door shut behind her and leaning against it. Chest heaving.

"He proposed!" Sophie blurted before Martha could get a word out and started to pace, "John, he proposed!"

Martha blinked momentarily thrown for a loop before blinking again as she watched Sophie pace, "And?"

Sophie whirled to her, her eyes wide as she wrung her hands together nervously, "What do you mean 'and?' he proposed!"

"Well, what did you say?" Martha questioned as she gazed at the other woman expectantly.

"Nothing."

Martha arched her brows in disbelief, "Nothing?"

"Well," Sophie shifted her feet, "We got interrupted by the headmaster and defence of the school and then I just – I just ran."

"Ran," Martha repeated with disapproval.

Sophie threw up her arms, "I panicked!" before she hung her head in defeat, "I didn't – don't know what to tell him."

"Well generally a 'yes' or a 'no' is the way to go," Martha retorted dryly.

Sophie jerked her head up, "I know how to answer a question!" she huffed arms crossing over her chest defensively, "But we're supposed to be finding the Doctor and he's going to need his body and John – John is going to…" she trailed off and made a desperate 'poofing' motion with her gloved hands, "I just don't know what to do! I don't want to hurt him."

"Pretty sure he's feeling pretty hurt already. You did run off without a word," Martha replied and Sophie winced.

"I don't want to hurt the Doctor either," Sophie murmured feeling rather defeated, "And now I'm pretty sure no matter what I do I'm gonna hurt both of them. If I haven't already," she took a steadying breath and let it out slowly, before giving her head a shake, "We need to find the Doctor and…"

"No," Martha shook her head, "I need to find the Doctor. You," she pointed an adamant finger at Sophie, "Need to go give that man an answer," she stated firmly.

"I-I don't know what to say," Sophie cried twisting her fingers together.

Martha's expression softened at the other woman's obvious distress, "Speak from the heart," she suggested.

Sophie's already anxious expression fell, "Right…" she muttered lowly, that didn't really help her. Not in this case.

"Go," Martha shooed her, "Put the poor man out of his misery," the medical student confident at least in this matter that everything would work out fine, "Whilst I find the Doctor."

Sophie gave a jerky nod, casting her eyes briefly about John's office, recalling searching it frantically earlier, stretching her senses, "I still can't feel him in here," she murmured, before she turned and forced herself to walk back out the door on legs that felt like led.

Martha blinked and glanced about the office herself, before letting out a short-frustrated scream of annoyance. Where else could the watch be?!

*O*O*O*

"Son of Mine, Wife of Mine?" Clark called to his family as he stood in the barn gazing at what he'd found hid inside.

"Father of Mine, what have you found?" came Baines reply.

"His Tardis," Clark grinned, "The Doctor can't escape."

*O*O*O*

Sophie stepped into a room as two boys exited it, the two nodding to her briefly as they passed by her. Her gaze landed on John as he stood with Nurse Redfern, the woman dressed in her uniform. She glanced at her nodded a touch stiffly at her, before heading off on her own way to prepare herself for the night ahead.

John turned towards her, his hands in his pockets, as he stared at her, "You came back," he murmured as she hesitantly stepped towards him.

"I did," Sophie agreed with a slight wince, "I'm sorry. I-I shouldn't have run off…" she trailed off as John stepped towards her; eating the distance between them with his long stride.

"Yes well," John muttered, "Wasn't exactly… wasn't exactly a conversation I wanted to have in front of the Headmaster anyway," he took a breath as he came to a stop in front of her, "I would – I would have your answer now though, Miss Connolly," a slight smile that was both hopeful and pained curving up the corners of his lips, "If you'd be so kind."

Sophie licked her lips, tongue feeling thick and clumsy in her mouth, her heart racing – still completely unsure of her answer. Speak from the heart Martha had said – but how was she to do that when her heart was saying both 'yes' and 'no'?

"John I-,"

"Mr Smith!" Rocastle's voice cut into the room, loud and demanding and John shut his eyes tightly in frustration at the Headmasters second interruption.

"A moment Headmaster!" John shouted back before he turned back to Sophie, his smile a little wry, "Seems we are doomed to be forever interrupted," John muttered and Sophie offered a weak smile in return. He sighed and scrubbed a hand through his hair, "I think," he swallowed heavily, "I think I have your answer. Though I find myself struggling to let go of hope that I may yet be wrong…"

"Mr Smith, if you please!"

John sighed heavily and reached into his pocket, pulling out the small box for a second time that night, "Whether your answer be 'yes' or 'no' Miss Connolly – this belongs to you," he pressed the box into her gloved hand, "And now I fear I must oft to do battle," he stared at her, trying to memorise the sight of her, all too aware that this might be the last time he saw her.

"John," Sophie attempted, her voice cracking.

"I would ask that you send me off with a blessing and not a curse Miss Connolly – Sophie. I'm aware of your thoughts on the cadets doing their duty for King and Country."

"It's wrong, John," Sophie stated, "And you know it is. I know you do," she took a shaky breath, "But, I could never – would never send you anywhere with a-a curse."

John smiled thankfully, before brushing a soft kiss to the corner of her lips, "Whatever the outcome of tonight. I pray you always think well of me," he murmured before he turned and marched out of the room to the sound of the Headmaster shouting for him again whilst Sophie was still blinking the image of John's, the Doctor's heartbroken brown eyes away unable to tell which it was, that had flashed across her vision for a second time.

"Always," Sophie whispered her promise to his retreating back. He strode through the door and she finally glanced down at the little box he'd pressed into her hand. She lifted trembling fingers to the lid and gently lifted the lid to reveal the inside. She stared and stared down at the ring, nestled snugly in soft velvet. It was a simple band, silver from what she could tell in the dim light. The same as silver she'd exchanged the bell earrings for to blend into this time more. It was beautiful – she continued to stare until her vision blurred with unshed tears, "Though I fear you – the both of you won't always think well of me…" she murmured closing the box and closing her hand around it and bringing it up against her chest as she squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her free hand to her mouth as she struggled to get control of her tear ducts.

She didn't have time to cry. They had to find the Doctor, stop the Family, save the school… and – she sucked in a shuddering breath as John's – the Doctor's – she didn't know – heartbroken eyes flash before her eyes again.

God, was that her fault? She had the devastated feeling that it was…

She shifted glancing down at the ring box clasped tightly in her hand, "Bugger," she breathed, "Just bugger!"

*O*O*O*

"Get those bags piled up, filth," Hutchinson directed Latimer, the pair of them teamed up to operate one of the guns, "Gonna mean the difference between life and death for us."

"Not for you and me," Latimer replied, pausing in his piling of the sandbags around their station.

Hutchinson frowned with perplexed irritation as he stared at the younger boy, "What are you babbling about?"

Latimer shifted, angling his head up to look at his partner, "We're going to battle together," he murmured as he recalled the quick vision of him and Hutchinson struggling together in the trenches – shots all around. An explosion of noise as shells screamed through the air overhead as they struggled on, "We fight alongside. I've seen it," he swallowed meeting Hutchinson's gaze with his own, "Not here not now."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you and I both survive this," Latimer replied, "And maybe…" he trailed pulling the fob watch back out of his pocket, "Maybe I was given this watch so I could help. I'm sorry," he apologised before jumping up and darting away on swift feet to avoid being yanked back by the older boy.

"Latimer, you filthy coward!" Hutchinson shouted after him.

"Oh yes, sir," Latimer called back over his shoulder as he hurried away before one of the teachers could spot him, "Every time."

*O*O*O*

"Go put that man out of his misery Sophie – I'll find the watch. How hard could it be. It's a watch not like it can grow legs!" Martha grumbled to herself as she searched Nurse Redferns office. She shifted some papers, before she let out a frustrated scream, tossing the papers up in the air before marching back out into the corridor.

*O*O*O*

Latimer sat alone in a dark corridor, shoulders hunched as he slumped forward, arms resting on his knees the watch cupped between his hands, "What do I do?" he whispered to the watch, "What do I do? What do I do?"

"Beware…" the Doctor's voice whispered and Latimer stilled at the warning, frowning at the watch with trepid confusion.

"Beware of what?"

"Her."

Latimer jerked his head up, his gaze immediately landing on a little girl, a balloon clasped by its string in one hand as she stood staring at him. He scrambled to his feet, swiftly hiding the watch from view as she sniffed deliberately at the air, "Keep away."

Lucy took a step closer, "Who are you?"

"I saw you at the dance," he frowned with disquiet as he eyed her, "You were with that family. You're one of them."

"What are you hiding?" she asked, ignoring his statement. Her focus on what he was hiding in his hands.

"Nothing," he denied swiftly.

"What have you got there?" she persisted.

"Nothing."

"Show me, little boy."

"I reckon whatever you are, you're still in the shape of a girl. How strong is she, do you think?" Latimer asked shifting his grip on the watch, "Does she really want to see this?" He aimed the watch at her, opening it. The golden energy wisping out in her direction, the image of an explosion, the Doctor, an alien dying in pain.

Before she could stop herself, the little girl turned and ran, terrified in that moment. Latimer snaps the watch shut – breathing a little harshly.

*O*O*O*

Sophie whirled around, eyes wide, "Doctor?" she started from the room, her steps picking up speed until she was all but running… heading toward where she'd felt him – even as he disappeared again. Locked away in the watch that was so little to hold a consciousness so big.

*O*O*O*

"Time Lord," Baines breathed, he, Jenny and Clark having seen what Lucy had seen through the telepathic link.

"Inside the device," Jenny agreed.

"Everything he is concealed away in the hands of a schoolboy. But now we know, that's all we need to find. The boy and the watch. What are we waiting for?" he demanded, "Attack!" he ordered and the gathered scarecrows started forward.

*O*O*O*

Sophie rounded a corner and into another corridor and almost collided with a swiftly moving Martha.

"Sophie!" Martha gasped, startled, "Where's the D-John?"

Sophie flinched a little, "Oft to do battle," she muttered and Martha opened her mouth to speak only for Sophie to continue – a little nervous about what she'd ask next, "I uh, I thought I felt the Doctor."

"Oh, thank God!" Martha beamed with relief, "You've found him then?"

Sophie shook her head and Martha's expression fell, "I was kinda hoping you'd opened it."

Martha shook her head in the negative.

Sophie sighed and nodded she'd thought as much from the other woman's reaction, "The Doctor needs a beeper," she huffed, arms crossing, "I need a bell and he needs a beeper."

"A lo-jack," Martha agreed and the two sharing a brief smile. She sighed as they started walking together, "At least you put John out of his misery…" she trailed as her friend winced and looked down, pained. Martha looked down herself, "Busts all around then."

Sophie delved her hand into her hidden pocket, gloved fingers grazing over the little box that sat beside the sonic screwdriver. She swallowed heavily, "Yeah…"

*O*O*O*

Inside the courtyard, the boys paired with their guns watched the main doors, "Stand to!" Rocastle ordered.

The doors trembled minutely as the scarecrows came up against the doors, pounding against the heavy wood.

"At post!"

Almost in exact unison the boys moved to their duties, aiming the guns.

"Enemy approaching, sir," the lookout called.

"Steady!" Rocastle ordered, "Find the biting point," he added a moment before the scarecrows forced the doors open, the wooden bar that had been slotted into place across it cracking, and the scarecrows shuffled swiftly into the courtyard, "Fire!"

The courtyard erupted in an explosion of noise and smoke as the boys opened fire, downing the advancing scarecrows only for other to step over their fallen brethren and advancing onwards only to be downed themselves.

John, however, stood frozen, finger hugging the trigger but not squeezing, not firing – unable to bring himself to do what he needed to operate the gun – his ears ringing with the sound of gunfire and of boys' voices raised in song as the choir sang their hymn.

"Cease fire!" Rocastle shouted over the hail of bullets as the last scarecrow fell. The firing ceased and he walked over to their downed enemy, "They're straw," he muttered, "Like he said, straw!" he exclaimed with disbelief.

Hutchinson swallowed, glancing at Mr Smith, "Then, no ones dead, sir? We killed no one?" he questioned, silently wallowing in the surprising amount of relief he felt over this one fact. He'd been prepared to of course – but it was a relief to have not to all the same.

The sound of footsteps approaching, had Rocastle retreating back behind the guns, "Stand to!" he ordered.

*O*O*O*

At a window, Sophie and Martha had joined Joan at a window, peering down below at the goings on. Sophie's eyes tearing themselves from John as a familiar little girl with a balloon stepped out of the gloom.

"A child!" Joan breathed with relief that was tinged with horror with what might have been if the boys had been ordered to open fire before she'd come into view.

"Not good," Sophie muttered.

Martha nodded and the two started down the corridor at a run. Joan stared after them in confusion before hurrying to catch them up.

*O*O*O*

"You child, come out of the way," Rocastle coaxed, "Come into the school. You don't know who's out there," the little girl stared up at him quietly, "It's the Cartwright girl, isn't it? Come here," he urged, "Come to me."

"Mr Rocastle!" Sophie exclaimed as she and Martha ran out of the school and into the courtyard, "Wait!"

"Please, don't go near her!" Martha shouted.

"You were told to be quiet," Rocastle scolded the maid before turning to the secretary, "And you are very close to being told the same."

"But," Sophie protested.

"Thinning ice Miss Connolly. Thinning ice," Rocastle warned.

"Just listen to us!" Martha cried, "She's part of it," she pointed at Lucy.

Joan who'd come out after them, "It's a little girl," she huffed at Martha before turning to the little girl with a kind smile, "It's Lucy, right?"

Sophie caught her by the arm, drawing Joan's attention to her, "You really won't want to be doing that."

"Of all the nonsensical," Joan started, drawing up her shoulders as she bristled at being grabbed by the slightly smaller woman.

"Mr Smith," Martha exclaimed turning to the man in question, "Tell them!"

John glanced from Martha to Sophie and then to the little girl before turning his gaze to the Headmaster, "She was…" he trailed swallowing, "She was with… with Baines in the village."

"Mr Smith, I've seen many strange things this night," Rocastle allowed, "But there is no cause on God's Earth that would allow me to see this child in the field of battle, sir," he stated firmly, before he turned his attention back to the little girl, "Come with me."

"Really, bad idea," Sophie tried again.

"Quiet!" Rocastle barked at her, before turning back to Lucy as she smiled slightly.

"Your funny."

"That's right," Rocastle urged and held out a hand to her, "Now take my hand."

"So funny," Lucy reached into her coat and pulled out her weapon and in a fluid movement shot the Headmaster; vaporising him, "Now," she smiled at them, brows raised, "Who's going to shoot me, any of you, really?"

John lowered his rifle, "Put down your guns," he ordered the boys.

"But sir," Hutchinson protested, "The Headmaster…"

"I'll not see this happen," John cut him off, "Not anymore. You will retreat in an orderly fashion back through the school. Hutchinson, lead the way."

"But sir…"

"I said," John cut off his protest for a second time, levelling a firm look on the boy, his tone brooking no more arguments, "Lead the way."

Baines stepped into the courtyard, waving his gun aloft, "Well, go on, then, run!" he fired his weapon into the air, grinning with amusement as panicked screams broke out once more and the boys ran.

"Come on!" Martha shouted as Sophie flicked the switch on the sonic, hoping to buy them a few more minutes, before releasing the sonic as she broke into a run.

"Reanimate!" Baines all but snarled, bringing the scarecrows back to life once more. He scowled down at his faintly smoking weapon as the scarecrows shambled to their feet and shuffled off in pursuit of their fleeing prey, "That girl's alien tech is starting to annoy me."

"A minor setback," Lucy stated, tucking away her own lightly smoking weapon once more.

"Trivial really," Baines agreed.

*O*O*O*

The boys scattered through the buildings chased by the reanimated scarecrows whilst Latimer ran as swiftly as he could upstairs.

"Let's go," John urged the boys as he, Sophie, Martha and Joan led the boys out through the stables, "Quick as you can."

"Don't go to the village!" Martha warned in a low hiss as the boys hurried on, "It's not safe!"

"I'll go with them," Joan told them, barely waiting for a response before trooping after her charges, determined to render aid to those that needed it.

John nodded after her retreating back, before turning to Sophie and Martha, "And you ladies!" he urged only to receive to pairs of arched brows and stubborn looks. He sighed out a long-suffering breath and frowned slightly at how familiar that felt and his lips twitched up in fond amusement without his permission.

*O*O*O*

Inside the school, captured boys stood trembling as one by one they were brought before Lucy, scarecrows looming behind and around them.

"One of these boys has got the watch," Jenny asked as one of the scarecrows brought one of the boys forward, "This one?"

Lucy shook her head, "No."

"This one?" Baines asked as another was brought forward.

"No."

"This one?" Jenny questioned.

"No."

"Get off me," Hutchinson exclaimed with affront as a scarecrow brought him forward, "I said, get off me!"

"Ah!" Baines exclaimed at the show of fire from one of the herd, "This one, is that him?"

Lucy sniffed at the air as she eyed him, "No."

"Right," Baines sniffed, "Kill this lot," he stated dismissively and weapons were raised in a smooth motion…

Up in the dormitory, Latimer opened the watch, golden energy streaming out once more and the disembodied voice whispered.

"Lord of Time."

The trio stiffened and spun eyes going up, nostrils flaring, "That's it," Baines breathed.

"Upstairs!" Jenny exclaimed and the trio swiftly swept from the room, headed for the swiftest path up to the dormitory.

Hutchinson blinked bewildered before he turned to the other boys, "Don't just stand there. Outside!" he barked, "Come on, out!"

*O*O*O*

Outside the stable, John paused glancing around, before turning and heading back to where Sophie and Martha were waiting for him, "Now, I insist," he told them firmly, "The pair of you, just go. If there are any more boys inside, I'll find them," John turned and opened the door and paused at the sight of scarecrows in the passage beyond it. He swiftly slammed it shut and slid the bolt across before turning back to Sophie and Martha that were staring at him with their brows raised once more, "I think… retreat."

And the three took off running.

*O*O*O*

Latimer ran through the woods, whilst back in the dormitory he had fled from shortly after opening the watch, the Family entered, nostrils flaring as they sniffed and glanced around, before they turned and left.

*O*O*O*

"Doctor!" Clark shouted in sing-song as he stood in front of the Tardis, the rest of his Family with him. John, Sophie and Martha, paused, hiding in amongst the bushes and peered out at him, "Doctor! Come back Doctor. Come home. Come and claim your prize!"

"Out you come, Doctor," Baines urged mockingly, "There's a good boy. Come to the Family."

"Time to end it now!" Jenny cried with impatience.

Martha glanced at John to see him staring at the big blue box, "You recognise it, don't you?"

"Come out, Doctor," Jenny cried as John swallowed eyes still on the box, "Come to us!" she demanded.

John slowly shook his head, "I've never seen it before in my life."

"You have," Sophie murmured and John looked at her – eyes wide and hurting.

"Do you remember its name?" Martha urged.

Sophie swallowed as John shook his head, "She's yours," she murmured softly, "She's-she's your ship…"

"No," John shook his head adamantly, heart pounding with denial, "I'm not. It's a dream. A silly stupid dream!"

"I'm sorry," Sophie apologised hopelessly, "But it's not…"

"No!" he cut her off, his voice breaking, "I'm John Smith. That's all I want to be. John Smith, with his life… and his job… and his love," he looked at her pleadingly, brown eyes beseeching, "Why can't I be John Smith? Isn't he a good man?"

"Yes," Sophie breathed, heart aching and the backs of her eyes pricking hotly, "Yes," she assured him again, "You are."

"Then, why can't I stay?" John asked her and Sophie couldn't keep from squeezing her eyes shut as she let out a shuddering breath.

Martha stared at him helplessly, "But we need the Doctor."

John whipped his head around to glare at her, "What am I, then? Nothing? I'm just a story," he turned and ran.

Sophie darted after him whilst Martha paused a brief moment before chasing after them with a frown.

"One more phase and we won't have to hunt," Baines enthused, "The Doctor, Mr Smith, the boy, the watch, they will come to us. Soldiers," he barked at the scarecrows, "Guard this thing!" he ordered before leaving them to do just that. The rest of the Family following him away from the captured Tardis.

*O*O*O*

Sophie, John and Martha hurried down a country road they'd come across. The three continued on for a ways, before coming to a stop as they glanced about the night.

"Which way do we go?" Martha puffed mildly out of breath.

"Uh…" Sophie chewed on her lower lip as peered through the moonlight night, "Um – let's go that way."

Martha breathed a sigh of relief, "You've got an idea?"

"Uh – no…?" Sophie replied and Martha groaned but nonetheless fell into step with Sophie as she started in the direction the other woman had chosen.

John blinked after them, but after a pause followed as well, swiftly catching them up with his longer stride.

*O*O*O*

"Fully armed and ready," Baines spoke as the Family stood in their ship, "Mother, Father and Sister of Mine, prepare the armaments," he smirked, "I doubt that England is ready for this! Fix targets and counting down."

*O*O*O*

"Are you sure you know where we're going?" John asked after an extended moment of silence as the three of them continued to move swiftly – now off the country road.

Sophie blinked and glanced at him, "I never said I knew where we were going," she stated before looking away again, "Moving was better than standing still, though. Why?" she glanced at him again hopefully, "Do you have an idea?"

John shook his head and remained silent – his lips pursing slightly.

Martha glanced from one to the other, before looking ahead of them, "Ooh!" she exclaimed, "A barn!" she hurried towards it leaving John and Sophie to hurry after her.

The three cautiously opened the barn door peering inside, "Looks empty – we should be safe here for a while," Sophie murmured – at least she really hoped that they would be.

"Doesn't seem like anyone's been in here in a while," Martha observed as she peered about the dark barn.

Sophie gave a nod, her nose crinkling, "The hay smells like it's been sitting here a while."

John leaned against a beam, shoulders slumped heavily, "I must go to them before anyone else dies."

Sophie shook her head, "You can't!" she took a breath, twisting her fingers together.

"What else are we to do, Miss Connolly?!" John demanded straightening, "Just sit here and wait for them to kill us all?"

"No, but -,"

"We need the watch," Martha cut in, "If we had the watch we could…"

John turned to her, frown darkening "Watch?"

Martha nodded.

John turned back to Sophie, staring at her with a hurt frown, eyes dark with pain, "You were frantic about finding a lost watch earlier," he clenched his hands at his sides, "Is that why you were so reluctant to answer me earlier?" he demanded, "You've just been waiting for your Doctor to come back?"

"What?!" Sophie exclaimed, her voice cracking, "No!"

"Then, please, enlighten me, Miss Connolly," John demanded, his voice rising, "If not that. Then, what was it?!"

"I-,"

A knock sounded on the barn door and John all but through up his arms in exasperation and hurting frustration, "Oh, of course!" he groused and Sophie flinched at the anger in his tone, "No doubt they've found us already."

"I'm no expert," Martha began eyeing the door speculatively, "But I don't think scarecrows knock," she stepped towards it and cautiously creaked the door open. Her gaze landing on Latimer. She blinked in confusion.

Latimer held the watch up in explanation, "I've brought you this."

Martha beamed and stepped aside, allowing Latimer into the barn, taking the watch from him, not hearing it softly whisper her name in response. She turned to John taking a step towards him as she held the fob watch out to him, "Hold it."

John shook his head backing up a step as he shook his head adamantly, "I won't."

"Please," Martha pleaded, "Just hold it."

"It told me to find you," Latimer told them, "It wants to be held."

Sophie lifted her gaze, eyeing him, "How did you find us?"

Latimer nodded at the watch in Martha's still outstretched hand, "He told me."

Sophie's gaze turned to the watch, her expression softening at feeling the familiar whispering consciousness from inside the watch again now that it was so close. Not seeing John staring at her hands trembling, "Of course he did," she murmured, before turning back to Latimer frowning at him with annoyance, "Why'd you even take it?"

Latimer blushed a bit, "I was curious," he muttered, "And, then. I knew I should have returned it… but it was waiting and I was so scared of the Doctor."

Sophie gave a small nod, "He can be scary."

"I've seen him," Latimer admitted, "He's… like fire and ice and rage. He's like the night and the storm in the heart of the sun."

"Stop it," John tried to cut in. Not wanting to hear it not wanting to know. He wasn't that man – he didn't want to be.

"He's ancient and forever," Latimer continued, "He burns at the centre of time and he can see the turn of the universe."

"Stop it!" John all but shouted, his voice lowered as he continued, "I said stop it."

"And he's wonderful," Latimer concluded with a small smile.

"Yeah," Sophie murmured and John turned away, "He is."

"He was just a story!" He bit out, "Just a stupid story."

"He's not," Martha retorted and then her tone softened as she eyed his turned back, "And, I think now – you know he's not."

The ground shook as an explosion sounded from outside.

"What the hell?!" Martha shouted and they ran to the barn door, peering out into the night to see fireballs falling to the Earth a little ways away.

"Oh bugger…" Sophie cursed under breath as she stared with wide eyes.

*O*O*O*

"This'll flush him out," Baines crowed mirthfully from inside the Family's spaceship, "This'll do it. Super, super fun."

*O*O*O*

Latimer swallowed, his eyes wide as he stared at the large falling balls of flame, "They're destroying the village."

John turned from the door, his gaze landing on the fob watch where it had fallen from Martha's grasp after the first explosion, "The watch…" he muttered, drawing Sophie's attention from what was going on outside.

"John…?" Sophie murmured cautiously as he stepped towards the watch, bending down to pick it up, flicking away a couple of bits of hay as he did so.

"Come closer," the Doctor's voice whispered from the watch.

Latimer swallowed, "Can you hear it?"

Sophie gave a small nod, unsure of who he was talking to and too focused on John and the watch to care.

"Closer. Closer," the Doctor's disembodied voice beckoned.

"I think he's asleep," John muttered, still eyeing the watch, "Waiting to awaken."

Latimer glanced from the watch and up to John, a slight crease to his brow, "Why did he speak to me?"

"Oh, low level telepathic field," John replied and Sophie's voice caught in her throat as he spoke with the Doctor's voice, "You were born with it. Just an extra synaptic engram causing…" John trailed off and turned to Sophie with a wrinkled nose, "Is that how he talks?"

"He tends to talk faster – but yeah," Sophie murmured, before falling silent as John's wounded eyes landed on her.

"That's him!" Martha enthused, so relieved to have the Doctor so close, "All you have to do is open it and he's back!"

John turned from one to the other, "You both knew this all along. And yet, you let me fall in love… let me believe…"

"He didn't tell us not to let you," Martha protested, "He gave us a list of things to watch out for, but that wasn't included."

John stared at her incredulously, "Falling in love? That didn't even occur to him? What sort of man is that?!"

"One already in love!" Martha shouted, guilt making her feel defensive at the obvious pain the man was in, "One where the possibility that he could fall in love with anyone else was unfathomable to him."

John turned to Sophie again, "Of course…" he huffed, voice straining around the painful lump in his throat, "And now you just expect me to die so you can have him back?"

Sophie swallowed heavily as she took in the heartbroken look in his eyes as he stared at her – momentarily robbing her of speech.

'Definitely my fault,' she'd put that look there. She gone and done the one thing she hadn't wanted to do – she'd hurt him. She squeezed her eyes closed against the hot sting of tears that was pressing against the backs of her eyes – against the heavy press of her own heart. Dimly she was aware of Martha speaking and John replying, but all she could really hear was the pounding of her heart as it bled in her chest. She should've just kept her distance – should've refused the offer of tea – should've, should've, should've… and now the weight of the ring in its box sat heavily in her pocket next to the sonic screwdriver.

Sophie's eyes snapped open as the ground beneath their feet rocked as a fireball landed close by with an explosion of sound – unaware of the few tears that had slipped down her cheeks when they'd opened.

"It's getting closer," Latimer murmured.

"I should have thought of it before…" John suddenly exclaimed and all the eyes in the room turned to him, "I can give them this," he held up the fob watch, "Just the watch – then they can leave…"

Sophie stalked forward, snatching the watch from his grip with a snarl curling up her lips, "Don't you dare!"

"Well of course you wouldn't want me to!" John spat back, "All you want is the Doctor back – you don't care about me at all you just -," he broke off abruptly as pain flared through his cheek as Sophie's gloved hand collided with it solidly.

"Do they seem like the type of-of people that'd just let you swan off?!" Sophie exclaimed, chest heaving with heavy breathes as she glowered at him, "That they'd take the watch and just let you go?! They wouldn't John they'd kill you! They'd might even do worse to you first! I-I won't let you do it. I refuse to just stand by and let you…"

She trailed off and took a breath squeezing her eyes shut briefly for a second time as she felt the Doctor's consciousness whispering against hers, more tears slipping free to roll down her cheeks, "I won't let you because I care John. I -," she took another shuddering breath, "For what little it's worth. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I hurt you – I never wanted to. Never! I…" her throat tightened choking off her words as she stared at him. Drinking in the sight of him. Of John and the feeling of the Doctor's consciousness as she clasped his watch tightly in hand. Lips trembling as she heard him whisper his nickname for her.

Before she turned slipping a hand into her skirts pocket and pulling out the little box that held the silver band, stepping towards John she placed it down on a workbench he was now stood beside, before reaching into the bag she took with her everywhere and pulling out his journal and setting that down beside it, "These-These belong to you," she all but whispered her throat feeling too tight to muster any volume in that moment. She swallowed heavily trying to dislodge the painful lump in her throat. She pressed the fob watch she'd snatched from him back into his hand, drawing John's gaze back from the things she'd set down. Her eyes going to his face taking in the red mark her hand had left with a slight wince, "Don't give him to them," she pleaded, "Just run –," she attempted a weak smile, "You'll no doubt find your good at that," she turned from him before he could speak and moved swiftly over to Martha, "Look after him – both of them," she murmured and Martha frowned disquieted, "And when – when the Family's gone I'm sure the Tardis will be able to take you home."

"What are you gonna do?" Martha asked, shifting on her feet, eyeing Sophie with concern a bad feeling settling in her stomach.

"Wing it – apparently," Sophie replied in an attempt at humour that fell far short of the mark, before she turned and hurried towards the barn door.

"Miss Connolly," John called taking a step forward, his eyes locked on her retreating back, "Miss Connolly – Sophie!" he shouted with alarm when she didn't stop, anger and hurt forgotten for the moment as he turned to Martha after she'd slipped out of the door and back out into the night as fireballs continued to rain from the sky, "Where is she going?!"

Martha swallowed heavily tearing her eyes from the barn door as it swung shut behind her friend and turned to him, "To save you."

"I never…" John swallowed heavily his gaze going back to the barn door his hand tightening about the fob watch, "I never asked her too. I didn't want…"

"I doubt anyone could've stopped her," Martha murmured, shifting on her feet with concern before pacing a bit back and forth.

John swallowed heavily and glanced down at the watch in his hand, hearing it whisper to him – that same sleepy murmur. Suddenly rather sure that there was someone who could've stopped her. Wouldn't have even let her step out of the barn without him if he couldn't have convinced her to stay…

*O*O*O*

Sophie paused briefly as the barn door swung shut behind her, taking a steadying breath as she heard the Doctor's voice whisper to her from inside the building.

'Sparks…'

She swallowed, 'Bye Foxy Git,' she thought before swiftly starting away, making swiftly back for the woods, resisting the urge to turn right back around and go back into the barn. Almost one hundred percent certain that she wouldn't see the Doctor/John or Martha again. She hunched her shoulders and moved faster almost loosing her footing as another round of fireballs shook the ground as they impacted.

She ducked into the tree line and paused, glancing back the way she'd come. The barn no longer visible. She turned away, pulling out the sonic, "Alright – give me some Spock," she muttered as she fiddled with the settings, squinting at the sonic, "Which one was scan for alien tech…?" she mumbled to herself, "Let's try this one…" she muttered, flicking the switching and turning in a slow circle listening as the sonic made soft clicking sounds as it whirred quietly. She stopped as the sonic started chirping, "Ok – this way then," she started away, heading through the woods in the direction of Cooper's Field.

*O*O*O*

"We'll blast them into dust," Baines enthused, "Then fuse the dust into glass, then shatter them all over again!" a slight metal twang came from behind them and as one the Family turned to look at the door to see Sophie as she stepped into the ship, the petite brunette's eyes darting swiftly about the interior, before settling on the Family.

"You're not the Doctor," Baines scowled.

Sophie effected as nonchalant a shrug as she could manage eyeing the aliens with wary eyes, "Sorry to disappoint."

"Wait – it's the secretary," Jenny stated, "Smith's lady love," she continued derisively, "Ah!" she cautioned pointing a finger at her as she took note of her gloved hands twitching, "Keep your hands out of your pockets. We won't have you pulling your little trick again."

Sophie clenched her hands, before lifting them up to show that they were empty, jaw clenching briefly.

"Won't be long now," Baines smirked, feeling victory creeping right around the corner, "The Doctor will come for her."

"No, he won't," Sophie retorted, shifting a little anxiously on her feet, before swallowing, "He'd be long gone by now."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Jenny mused, lips curling back in a sneer, "Humans are such fools for those they care about."

"He's long gone and far from you," Sophie insisted, "No matter what you do – he's gone and nothing you do is gonna bring him back."

"We'll see soon enough," Baines said dismissively, "We'll just how far away he is when he hears you screaming."

Sophie swallowed heavily and took in a slow breath, being careful to keep her fear off her face – determined not to give them the satisfaction.

Baines nostrils flared and he smirked cruelly; scenting her fear before he turned to his Lucy, "Sister of Mine, search her. Relieve her of her alien technology," he ordered, "I won't have her using it against us again."

Sophie grimaced, shifting a little defensively at the thought of the sonic screwdriver being taken from her. Her last and only defence.

Lucy took only two steps towards her, before the soft metallic sounding woosh of the door to the ship opening again made her pause and all eyes turned to look.

Sophie's eyes widened with horror as her gaze landed on an all too familiar face as he stepped into the ship and into sight.

"Just -," he began, only for the ship to lurch as another explosion hit the ground, rocking the ship, he stumbled with it, falling against a column of switches, hand clumsily hitting a button and then a couple more as he pushed himself upright and took another step into the ship, "Just," he tried again, "Just stop the bombardment and let Miss Connolly go. That's all I want. Just those two things and I'll do anything you want."

Baines cocked his head slightly, "Say please."

"Please," John repeated obediently as he stepped up beside Sophie.

"What are you doing here?!" the brunette hissed with horror before she could stop herself. She specifically asked him not to give the Doctor up… and for that matter where was Martha? The other woman wouldn't have just let him come here.

"Oh, I thought that'd be obvious," John retorted, barely glancing at her as he quickly skirted his gaze over the ship, "You're not the only one who can make grand gestures."

"G-Grand gestures?!" Sophie spluttered incredulously.

Jenny turned a switch and a soft hiss sounded in response and her nostrils flared as she sniffed at the air, "Wait a minute," she inhaled deeply as John and Sophie turned their eyes to her, "Still human."

"Now I can't… I can't pretend to understand, not for a second," John admitted, "But I want you to know that I'm innocent in all this. He made me John Smith. It's not like I had any control over it," he tripped over his own feet, knocking into Sophie rather heavily – sending her into a panel of switches her gloved hand smacking into one as she braced herself whilst John's hand slid over a few more. He straightened and turned to Sophie. Helping her to her feet, the brunette blinking at him, her eyes meeting his before catching the briefest of winks and her eyes narrowed in suspicion – before her gaze lowered to the watch that he had clasped in one hand. She sucked in a breath her eyes widening minutely. It wasn't whispering. It was completely quiet. Her eyes shot back up to him, blue meeting brown. His hand squeezed hers, before letting go.

"He didn't just make himself human. He made himself an idiot," Jenny huffed derisively, arms crossing.

"Same thing, isn't it?" Baines replied dismissively.

"I don't care about this Doctor and your family. I just want you to go. So, I've made my choice," he held out the watch.

"Don't-," Sophie protested.

"Quiet," Baines snapped and she subsided, clasping her gloved hands together as the man pretending to be human stepped closer to Baines.

"You can have him. Just take it, please! Take him away!"

"At last," Baines breathed, snatching the watch, before grabbing a fistful of the taller man's collar with the other, "Don't think that saved either of your lives," he sneered before shoving him down, ignoring the buttons the man hit during his short fall, "Family of Mine, now we shall have the lives of a Time Lord."

The Family gathered closer, stepping in towards the watch as Baines flicked it open and they breathed deep. Only to stare stumped for a brief moment, before Baines turned on the human with a snarl curved up his lips, "It's empty!"

"Well," the Doctor blinked at him all confusion, "Where's it gone?"

"You tell me," Baines demanded, tossing the watch to him, only for the previously clumsy human to snatch it cleanly out of the air with one hand.

"Oh, I think the explanation might be you've been fooled by a simple olfactory misdirection…" the Doctor rattled off, "Little bit like ventriloquism of the nose," he expounded before shrugging, "It's an elementary trick in certain parts of the galaxy. But it has to be said…" he plucked his spectacles out of his pocket and peered closer at one of the meter readouts, "I don't like the looks of that hydroconometre. It seems to be indicating you've got energy feedback all the way through the retrostabilisers feeding back into the primary heat converter…" he trailed off his expression hardening, "Ah, cos if there's one thing you shouldn't have done," he hissed through his teeth, "You shouldn't have let me press all those buttons. But, in fairness," he took a step back, "I will give you one word of advice…" he took another step back to stand beside Sophie again. He grasped her gloved hand in his, "Run," he spun and darted out of the ship, Sophie barely a step behind him as they fled from the ship as alarms suddenly started blaring through the ship.

"Get out! Get out!" Baines shouted, hurrying for the door himself. The rest of the Family behind him as they ran out into the field behind the Doctor and Sophie, a moment before the ship exploded, the blast throwing the Family off their feet and to the ground.

The Family looked up and it was then that Baines felt true fear for the first time as he looked into the furious cold eyes of the Time Lord as he stood before them. His secretary stood a step or two behind him.

"Sparks," he murmured, his gaze filled with cold fury not wavering, "I left Martha at the barn. I'm sure she'd like to know we're alright."

Baines watched her eyes flick from them to the Time Lord and back again, before she gave a small nod and left. Walking away and in a peculiar way – the Son of the Family wished she'd have stayed for the Time Lord's fury suddenly seemed to deepen in her absence.

*O*O*O*

Sophie approached the barn, smiling at Martha as she stood – hovering by the door. Martha let out a sigh of relief and beamed rather brightly, before the two hugged…

*O*O*O*

"He never raised his voice," Baines would recall with fear days, week, hours, years later. He couldn't really tell, time having lost meaning, "That was the worst thing. The fury of the Time Lord. And then we discovered why… why this Doctor, who had fought with gods and demons, why he'd run away from us and hidden. He was being kind," Baines twitched or wanted to twitch, wishing he could scratch his nose – the agonising itch that persisted to the point of madness, "He wrapped my Father in unbreakable chains, forged in the heart of a dwarf star," how long had it been – he wondered if he was still screaming, "He tricked my Mother into the event horizon of a collapsing galaxy to be imprisoned there… forever," he wondered on occasion if she had gone mad, "He trapped my little sister in a mirror, every mirror. To only be noticed and dismissed as a trick of the light. A figment of imagination if spotted at all," he spared her more thought than the rest – wondered if the Doctor visited on occasion as he'd said he would. Wondered if he might one day forgive her.

The itch upon his nose persisted, making his muscles want to twitch to scratch at it – trapped in stillness as they were, arms stretched out over the wooden beam. He heard murmured voices as a couple of people passed by the field, he'd been left in. He ached to lift his head from its partial slump even as he tried to peer through the scratchy material of the hood that had been fitted snugly over his head. Words bitter and helpless trapped in his throat.

"We wanted to live forever, so the Doctor made sure that we did," and for himself trapped as he was as a scarecrow, left to stand vigil and protector over a stretch of fields in England. He wondered how they'd survive it.

*O*O*O*

The Doctor stepped quietly into the Tardis. Morning light streaming in briefly through the open Tardis door before it quietly snicked shut behind him. He shed his coat, tossing it over one of the 'y' beams before crossing to the console. He rested his palm against it in greeting, smiling at the warm hum he received in response. Before he turned, cocking his head slightly to the side, "Now, if I was a Sparks –," he mused aloud, "Where would I be?" he made to start towards the stairs, only to pause and cast his eyes towards the Tardis ceiling, "She's not asleep, right?" the Tardis responded with a hum and the Doctor headed for the stairs.

*O*O*O*

"Ah," the Doctor sniffed the air as he stepped into the Tardis' kitchenette and strode towards the island where Sophie was sitting with a stool her, back to the door, "Hot chocolate. The comfort drink of choice."

Sophie stiffened, fingers of one hand already tangled in the ends of her hair, twisting about them a bit harder.

The Doctor sighed softly as he pulled up a stool beside her, the silence stretching between them for a moment, before he murmured softly, "You've been thinking very loudly, Sparks."

Her shoulders slumped and the hand that had been mangling the ends of her hair thumped to the table, almost knocking over her hot chocolate, "Damn it," she cursed swiping the hair she'd been twisting around her fingers back behind her ear in a jerky movement, "I didn't – I thought I was," her shoulders slumped again. Certain she'd hurt the Doctor this time, "Sorry."

He shook his head, "What I don't understand," he began a little carefully, "Is why you'd think I'd think poorly of you for falling in love with him?"

Sophie blinked and shot him a somewhat confused look.

The Doctor levelled a look at her, "I'm not to fond of the fact that you went rushing headlong into danger and believe you me we'll be having words about that at some point," he told her seriously only for Sophie confused expression to suddenly shift, minutely. And it was a testament to how well he knew her that he recognised stubbornness in the scrunch of her brow as she frowned and in the flash of her eyes as she narrowed them slightly – oh yes, he internally grumbled. He imagined that the two of them would have lots of fun during that conversation, "But for loving me," he raised his brows at her, "Why would I ever think poorly of you for that?"

Sophie looked away from him, angling her head to allow her hair to cover her face, her heart still aching in her chest – blood still seeping from the wound it'd suffered at seeing him level that heartbroken look at her, "Cos, he was you, but he wasn't," she murmured, glancing at him as his fingers lightly brushed her cheek as he tucked her hair back behind her ear and she found herself turning towards him, "There were as many similarities are there were differences! He walked like you, but slower. He had your smile but it was wider; easier," there'd been so many little things and bigger things and she'd notice each one and when she did… "It hurt! Cos as much as I lo-," she cut herself off sharply.

"You can say it," he murmured.

She swallowed heavily, her lips pursing briefly as she felt the backs of her eyes prick again, "Cos as much as I loved him. I missed you!"

The Doctor smiled and shifted, wrapping his arms about her as he stood up from the stool he'd sat in, "Adorable dunce," he sighed into her hair, "He was me," he murmured into her curls, "Different but the same. I thought you understood that."

"Wasn't the same," she muttered into his jacket, her gloved hands fisted in the material as she leant into him – luxuriating in the feeling of his arms around her and the sound of his hearts beating beneath her ear, even as her own warmed and yet hurt at the sound – the wound continuing to seep even as it was soothed – different but the same, but it'd been entirely different in many ways, "And I'm sorry."

"So, you should be," the Doctor sniffed and felt her shift slightly in his arms, "Avoiding me for two months. It was awful!"

Sophie let out a slightly strangled pained breath, squeezing her eyes shut, "Never again," she mumbled against his chest.

"Good."

The two lapsed into silence and Sophie's tensed muscles relaxed and she settled deeper into his embrace, just listening to his hearts beating in his chest. The Doctor's chest rose higher as he took a deeper steadying breath, "He's still in here you know, John Smith," he murmured and he tightened his arms about Sophie slightly as she shifted against his chest, not wanting her to pull away from him, "His last thoughts before opening the watch were of you. Asking me to save you."

Sophie's hands tightened in his jacket, a couple of tears escaping her tear ducts without her permission to dampen the material, "I thought he hated me…" she mumbled.

"I know," he murmured, "But, Sparks – there's no version of me regeneration or otherwise that could hate you."

"You can't know that."

"I can," he argued. Sophie tilted her head back to look at him, "I can!" he insisted.

Sophie shook her head, brows raised, "Your logic doesn't much resemble Earth logic."

"Course not. It's Gallifryan logic – far superior to its cousin Earth Logic."

Sophie thunked her head lightly against his chest, hiding her smile from view, "I'd argue but I don't wanna."

"Good, cos you'd lose."

Silence settled over them again and he heard Sophie supress a yawn, "You should probably sleep," the Doctor broke the silence again, but made no move to release her, only shifting slightly to look at her, "Something tells me you didn't slept at all last night."

Sophie let out a slight huff, "You're such a snitch, Sexy," she mumbled out a grumble and got an unrepentant hum from the sentient ship. She shook her head, "Don't wanna move," she mumbled shifting to press her ear to his chest again – happily listening to the beats of his hearts again, "I'm happy just where I am."

"Well, no one said you'd have to move."

Sophie blinked, shifting to look up at him, lips parting to speak only for a knock to echo back to them from the console room.

The Doctor sighed, he was starting to think these things were timed, meticulously timed to interrupt him right when he didn't want to be interrupted, "Alright – door first, then nap," he grumped, stepping back to release Sophie from his arms, grinning a bit at her rather disgruntled expression at the development. He took her hand, the two trooping towards the console room, meeting Martha along the way to the doors…

Sometime later – after the trio had stepped back into the Tardis and the sentient ship had been set to drift idly. The two settled down, the Doctor draping blankets over them before settling his arms over Sophie's smaller frame, cuddling her to him as she settled into sleep, her head pillowed against his chest. His gaze pierced the darkness of his room as he glanced at the jacket he'd flung over a chair – the two still dressed aside from jackets, shoes and socks, neither willing to part long enough to change into pyjamas. He eyes lingered on the jacket for a moment, before he closed his eyes and buried his nose in Sophie's hair, pressing a kiss to the soft strands. As he turned his mind from the contents in his jacket – deciding that later was soon enough as he allowed himself to slip into a light sleep to the soft sounds of Sophie's sleepy breathing.