Well this chapter did just not want to get written but last chapter here we go :)

"Spare me through your mercy, do not punish me through your justice."

-Anselm of Canterbury-

The two groups faced each other, across a divide that seemed wider than the ocean. Mitchell, haggard and desperate. Annie on the verge of tears, unable to tear her eyes from her lover's face. George, nervously muttering under his breath. Nina, eyes blank, carefully watching the others. Martha, biting her lip, second guessing the decision she has come to. And the Doctor, eyes at once ice-cold and full of kindness.

Martha took a deep breath. As she opened her mouth, lips dry, her mind flung itself back to what she had discussed with the Doctor. Blood on his hands and blood on his heart. The way vampires became, twisted and tired. But the way he looked at Annie, laughed with George, squabbled with Nina. What right did she have? What right did the Doctor have? But what right did Mitchell have? He was a murderer true, an addict. Had he truly repented?

Her face soft with compassion, she spoke slowly, "Mitchell, how do we know you won't kill again? If we leave you here… and you kill… that blood will be on our hands." She blushed and hesitated, "Literally, I mean…"

His face was a mask of indecision and fear. Striving to hide his terror he muttered, "What did you mean by 'wolf-shaped bullet' alien? What was that supposed to mean?"

The Doctor waved his hand dismissively. "Oh you humans – and vampires – you have no telepathic control whatsoever. An Ood could have plucked that thought from your brain from miles away!"

Nina wrinkled her nose. "You read his mind?"

The Doctor grinned. "Didn't I mention I was brilliant?" At his side Martha failed to stifle a groan.

His eyes flickered, shifting suddenly from sparkling wit to dark silence. "Mitchell. You broke the deal we made. You murdered innocent people, in cold blood."

He held his hand up. "You can make all the excuses you want. You can plead you were blinded by anger or controlled by sorrow. Trust me, I've been there. But the fact is that you are dangerous. To yourself. Your friends. To everyone around you."

Even in the bright light the Doctor's face seemed cast in shadow. "Somebody has to make the law. That's me. And you broke it.

The Doctor's face was unreadable, eyes glinting like shards of polished stone. "Five minutes. Say your goodbyes."

With that he turned and strode from the room, long coat swirling around his ankles.

Martha hesitated. Her eyes were soft as she saw the supernatural house mates standing together. She fumbled for something to say. "It's for the best really. Good luck". With that she fled the house, biting her lip in indecision as she clattered down the steps. The Time Lord was waiting at the bottom, and without a word they turned in the direction of the TARDIS.

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There was silence in the house. Minutes passed as they said a clumsy farewell to their vampire friend. The seconds seemed to hang in the air, heavy with words unspoken. They sped by, like catching snowflakes on your fingertips. The clock's hands shuddered and moved. Inching ever forward.

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Aboard the TARDIS the atmosphere was uneasy. The young medical student was unsure, "But Doctor are we doing the right thing?"

The alien shrugged, face splitting into one of his trademark easy grins. He leant forward lifting her chin between finger and thumb. "Maybe, Martha, you were right. Not that I was wrong. We were both right. Obviously."

He spun away hands blurring over the controls, pushing, flicking, spinning and oddly enough, sniffing. He turned to face her again. "Sometimes, if you spend too long looking at the bigger picture you miss how important the individual cogs are. At least to other cogs. Or am I getting my metaphors mixed up?"

She smiled. "No Doctor. You're making perfect sense."

He shook his head sadly. "I wasn't lying when I said that killing robs you of your humanity. I spared him for now. I gave them all precious time together. But you cannot deny the future. And when his story ends it will be brutal and terrible."

"You did what you thought was right."

His face was a picture of anguish as he turned back to the control panel. "Well. It's done now."

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Back in the old B&B George frowned. "Either that clock is slow or it's been fifteen minutes."

Mitchell growled low in his throat. "What's he playing at?"

Annie was moving on automatic, already clearing up mugs of cold untouched tea. Suddenly she stopped, pivoting to face the group. She spoke as if in a daze, "She-Martha- she said they were time travellers."

"So?" Nina slumped in a chair and raised an eyebrow.

"So…five minutes? Why did he leave? He could have waited but he left! Five minutes to them could be hours to us! Months, years!"

"What?"

George yelped, caught up in her enthusiasm. "She's right! He pardoned you, he let you stay!" Grabbing Nina he whirled her round in a clumsy circle as Mitchell embraced Annie.

She clasped him tight, ghostly lips next to his ear. "You don't have to go Mitchell. You don't have to leave me. Not ever. I love you, no matter what you've done in the past. I love you."

There we go, finally finished it!

Any thoughts?

I hope you enjoyed!