A/N: Well this is it everyone, the last chapter! I like to thank everyone who kept encouraging me and stayed interested in this story until the end! I feel like a mum who's child is leaving home! lol My heart felt thanks to Persiflage, who red pen made my words readable...
DISCLAIMER: All I'm asking for is one trip on the TARDIS! Enjoy!
Chapter Twenty-Five: Allons-y
Despite Annalise's protests, she and Clive was the first to leave.
Clive, claiming he wasn't as young as he used to be, needed at least eight hours of rest for his body to function properly.
"Thanks for coming dad," Martha murmured into his shirt, embracing her father tightly. "Thank you for supporting us."
Clive kissed his youngest daughter on top of her head. "You don't have to thank me," he said, holding her just as tightly. "You're my daughter and I will always support you." He looked at the Doctor and gestured for him to join them. The Doctor stepped forward and Clive wrapped his free arm around him, pulling him into their embrace. "You better take good care of my daughter," Clive warned him. "Alien or not, I will kick your ass."
The Doctor nodded, mentally adding Martha's father to the long list of people who would help him regenerate to his eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth selves prospectively if he mistreated Martha.
"Mr. Jones…"
"Clive…" he corrected him.
"Clive, I can assure you that not a day will go by without Martha knowing how much she means to me," he declared. "That sir is a promise I have no intention of breaking."
DWDWDW
After Clive and Annalise left, the rest of the party sat around and talked.
Jack was trying to convince Mickey to move to Cardiff with Pia and the baby to join Torchwood.
"I don't know Jack," he said, cuddling a very tired Pia in his arms. "Why don't you let me discuss it with Pia and I will give you a definite answer in a few days?"
"I couldn't ask for anything more, but I really hope you say yes."
Mickey grinned. "But in the mean time, I have to get Pia back to our hotel room and to bed," he helped Pia to her feet, then turned to Sarah Jane. "Are you riding with us back to the hotel?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied. "Like Clive, I'm not as young as I used to be."
"I think you're beautiful," Jack replied.
"So do I," the Doctor added.
"Sexy, most definitely," Mickey chimed in.
A bright smile curved on her lips. "You three are so good for my ego." She went around the room and gave everyone a hug. "We have to do this more often," she suggested. "I mean we are a unique group of friends, who have seen things and done things no one else could ever imagine…, but we're more than friends, we're…"
"Family," the Doctor spoke, barely above a whisper. "My family." He entwined his fingers with Martha's and smiled faintly.
She swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded.
The room fell silent as his words sunk in.
"Awww hell," Mickey groaned, clearing his throat to prevent the tears from falling. "Does this mean Uncle Cheesecake is available for babysitting duty?"
"Damn Skippy," Jack winked, gracing Pia with a disarming smile. "That's another reason why you should join Torchwood…free babysitting."
"I'm sold," Pia yawned. "Come on Mickey, the bed is calling to me."
Mickey winked at the Doctor and Martha. "Keep in touch, yeah?"
"Family always does," the Doctor answered, reaching into his breast pocket and pulling out his mobile.
Mickey took it from him, programmed his number into the phone and handed it back to him. "Expect to see you and Martha at the christening."
"We wouldn't miss it," Martha said.
They watched as Mickey, Pia and Sarah Jane walked out of the club to the waiting limousine.
"I guess we should be going," Leo sighed, draping his arm around his girlfriend's shoulders. "I'm sure Keisha has terrorized the sitter long enough," he quipped.
He kissed his sisters and Donna goodnight, and shook hands with Jack, Rafe and the Doctor. "Doctor, I'm going to take your advice," he said. "It couldn't hurt."
"It'll work," the Doctor smiled. "Trust me."
Shonara looked between the two men – puzzled. She made a mental note to asked Leo what he meant later.
Tish took out her mobile and moved across the room for privacy, twenty minutes later her new friend Roan showed up to give her a lift home.
Martha looked at the ginger haired man, who wore his hair in dreadlocks, then at her sister, her eyebrows raised in surprise.
"Long story," Tish giggled. "Call me later?"
"Most definitely." Martha promised. "And thank you for such a lovely party."
Tish waved and followed Roan out the door.
Donna kicked off her shoes and flexed her toes.
"It's time for bed," she announced stifling a yawn. "Party's over."
"How are you getting back to Cardiff?" the Doctor asked.
"Don't worry about it; we've got it taken care of," she answered. "But, tonight we're going to our hotel room and enjoy the perks of being guests."
"Martha and I could always drop the three you off at home," the Doctor suggested.
"Doctor..."
"Okay," he sighed, he reached over and tugged several strands of her hair.
She swatted his hand away. "You're begging to be slapped aren't you?" she snapped, sleepily.
He chuckled; he was going to miss his sister.
Jack poured two shots of whiskey and slid one glass in Martha's direction.
"On the count of three," he said. "One…two…three…"
They quickly gulped down the bitter tasting liquid and banged their glasses on the bar.
"Another," Martha replied, sliding her empty shot glass towards him.
"This is the one thing among many, that I'm going to miss about you Nightingale," he said, refilling her glass. "You can drink with the best of them."
"I'd learned it from you Jack," she said, picking up her glass. "Ready?"
Jack nodded; they drained their glasses and sat them down on the bar.
"You're good for him, you know," he commented. "Keep him laughing."
"I will," she promised.
Martha turned and watched as the Doctor and Donna teased each other, well rather he was pestering her and she was telling him to sod off.
"Donna, you know you love me," he said teasingly, poking at her. "Just say it and I'll leave you alone."
"Okay…" The red-headed goddess slapped him on the back of his head. The Doctor let out a yelp as he rubbed the sting out of the slap. "Do you want me to say it again?"
"No- no, once is enough."
He looked up and locked eyes with Martha, grinning from ear to ear. She bit her bottom lip to suppress her laughter.
"Nightingale, take care of him," Jack continued, reaching up and tucking her braids behind her ears.
"Haven't I always?" She placed a hand over his and looked into her immortal friend's blue eyes. "Are you happy?"
Jack quickly glanced at his lovers; Donna had rested her head against Rafe's chest as he absentmindedly stroked her cheek, a beautiful smile formed on Jack's lips.
"For the first time in a long time," he answered. "But it doesn't mean I'll stop flirting with you and the Doctor."
Martha hit him playfully on the chest. "You're incorrigible," she laughed.
"I know right?" he lifted her off the bar stool and engulfed the tiny woman in a hug. "Martha Jones, I love you."
"I love you too, Jack Harkness."
The Doctor drummed his long fingers against the table as he stared at Martha and Jack, after a few awkward seconds, he cleared his throat.
Jack looked at him and winked.
He was not amused.
Jack chuckled softly and released Martha from his embrace.
"Well Doc, I guess this is it," Jack said quietly, chocking back the tears that suddenly clouded his vision. He quickly grabbed the Doctor in a bear hug before he could protest.
"If you and Martha ever get into a bind…"
"Don't worry, we have your number on speed dial," the Time Lord assured his immortal friend. "Thanks for everything," he said, his voice cracking. "If it wasn't for you and Donna…"
"Like I said, I'm a sucker for romance," Jack said matter of factly. "And hey, you finally got the girl."
DWDWDW
The Doctor and Martha waved goodbye as they watched Donna, Jack and Rafe climbed into the back of the limousine.
"You better take care of Donna, Jack!" he yelled as the limousine pulled away from the curb.
Jack glanced out the back window and smiled.
They waited until the limousine had disappeared around the corner before heading towards the TARDIS.
"Where would you like to go first Doctor Jones?" he asked, wrapping his arm around her waist. "Would you like to see the talking trees of Lamron?" He unlocked the door of the sentient machine. "They are in full bloom now and love to show off their leaves, or better yet…"
"My mum," Martha said abruptly.
"Huh, what's that?"
"My mum," Martha repeated. "I would like to see my mum." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "All that talk about family." She folded her arms across her chest and shrugged her shoulders. "I can't leave without seeing her."
He dipped down and kissed her on the lips. "You don't have to explain anything to me." He set the coordinates for Martha's childhood home and observed her as she ran around the control panel pressing buttons and pulling levers per his instructions.
Francine was awakened with a start, her heart leapt to her throat and settled there as the sounds of the TARDIS announced her arrival. She quickly threw off the covers and climbed out of bed, grabbing her robe as she sprinted down the hall to her living room just as the spaceship materialized.
She patiently waited for the door to open.
Martha stepped out of the blue box, followed closely behind by the Doctor. Francine narrowed her eyes as he entwined his long fingers with Martha's indicating they were a united front.
"Sorry about the lateness of the hour mum," Martha apologized. "But I had to see you face to face before the Doctor and I leave for parts unknown," She explained. "I-I couldn't leave without saying goodbye."
"Okay," she said nonchalantly, folding her arms over her chest.
"Okay?" Martha squealed, incredulously. "Is that all you have to say?" The Doctor squeezed her hand until she brought her rising temper under control. "Alright mum, I can't change the way you feel about my relationship with the Doctor," she sighed, a look of defeat on her face. "But I can't let your feelings interfere with my life so this is goodbye…for now."
She stepped forward and planted a soft kiss on her mother's cheek.
Francine felt the wall around her heart crumble.
"Take care of yourself mum…I love you."
Martha turned to leave.
Francine grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into an embrace.
They held each other for what seemed like an eternity.
Francine finally released her daughter and cupped Martha's face in her hands and kissed her on both cheeks. "I have wasted so much time and energy being angry with you that now it's too late, you're leaving…"
The Time Lord interrupted her by clearing his throat.
Francine turned in his direction.
"Excuse me Mrs. Jones, but would you fancy a trip on the TARDIS?" he offered. "You and Martha could spend some time together before we head off."
"That's sounds lovely," Martha agreed. "Mum, what do you think? Are you up for it?"
Francine looked at Martha, then the Doctor and back to Martha again, a slow smile spreading on her lips. "Let me change into something more comfortable." She answered.
She made a mad dash to her room to change.
"Promise me, we will not take her somewhere too dangerous," Martha said once Francine was out of ear shot.
"And spoil all the fun?" he smirked.
She rolled her eyes at him. "Does being bitch slapped by my mum turn you on for some perverted reason?"
"Okay, okay," he sighed. "Somewhere Francine friendly it is."
Martha stood on her tip toes and kissed him on the lips. "After my mum leaves I will thank you more properly."
He raised his eyebrows, a wicked grin spread on his lips. "I've noticed we have a new addition to our bedroom."
"Oh you mean the stripper's pole?" she replied innocently. "I thought that maybe you would like for me to…" Before Martha had a chance to finish her sentence, Francine returned dressed in comfortable clothes.
"I'm ready," she announced, eagerly.
"Ladies first," the Doctor said, making a sweeping gesture with his arms.
He growled at Martha as she passed by.
Dirty old man, she mouthed.
Yep, He agreed.
DWDWDW
Francine looked around the console room. "It's bigger on the inside," she gasped. "But I had no idea how big…"
Martha and the Doctor snickered softly to themselves.
"Mum, why don't you sit down?" Martha suggested, leading her to the captain's chair. "And hang on while the Doctor and I pilot the TARDIS."
"You-you know how to drive this machine?" she asked in disbelief.
Martha nodded. "I'm learning, since this is my home," she replied.
Francine noticed the glances passed between the besotted couple along with the small touches of intimacy that had a language of their own as they worked together to steer the sentient machine into the Vortex.
"Brilliant, absolutely brilliant." the Doctor complimented Martha, kissing her on the lips.
"I couldn't have done it without you," she praised, reaching up to rake his sensitive scalp with her fingernails.
The Doctor moaned.
Francine cleared her throat – reminding them she was sitting a few feet away.
"Sorry mum," Martha apologized; the heat slowly crept up her neck and settled on her cheeks. She briefly locked eyes with the Doctor before excusing herself to change her dress, leaving the Doctor and her mum alone.
"Doctor, would you mind if we have a little talk before Martha gets back?" Francine asked, after a few minutes of awkward silence. "It's very important." She smiled weakly as he sat on the edge of the captain's chair, his arms folded across his chest. "First, I want to apologize for my behavior," She hung her head in shame. "I have been very unfair to you and I'm sorry. The only valid excuse I could give you is that I'm a mother who loves her child very much and wanted to keep her safe."
"Mrs. Jones, do you think I'm a danger to Martha?"
"In a way yes," she confessed. "I'm so afraid that one day she might not return home and I'll die if that happens, but I know deep down in my heart that you will keep her safe."
He nodded in agreement. "Mrs. Jones, I will do everything in my power to keep Martha safe," he assured her. "Including giving up my life for her."
Francine reached across the space between them and held out her hand, the Doctor unfolded his arms and took her hand in his.
She looked into his ancient eyes, searching until she found what she was looking for.
She squeezed his hand, firmly.
"I believe you."
He squeezed back.
Martha almost tripped over her own feet as she entered the console room and found her mother and the Doctor holding hands.
"Is-is everything alright?" she asked, approaching them carefully. Her brown eyes shifted to the Doctor. "Doctor… what did you do to my mum?"
Francine and the Doctor laughed.
"Nothing Martha," Francine replied. "Your fiancé and I are on good terms."
"Really?"
"Really," he assured her.
She shifted her eyes to her mother.
"Really," Francine seconded.
Martha exhaled the breath she didn't know she was holding as waves of relief washed over her.
DWDWDW
Francine truly enjoyed the trip to Lamron, later she would describe it as a scene from The Wizard of Oz because of the talking trees. The Doctor informed Francine she was indeed correct. He had taken the author L. Frank Baum to Lamron a couple of years before he had written the popular children's book.
"Is there anyone you haven't met?" Martha asked.
"Hmmm," the Doctor hummed, tapping his finger against his nose as he thought for a moment. "No," he finally replied.
They took the scenic route back to Earth by the way of Kaileous, to have brunch at the universe's biggest buffet. The Doctor couldn't help but laugh as Martha and her mother marveled at the planet's beauty of golden grass and clouds twinkling like diamonds as the sunbeams hit them.
X'atyc, the proprietor of the restaurant took an instant liking to Francine and flirted outrageously with her. On the way back to the TARDIS the Doctor and Martha teased her about dating the handsome alien.
Francine assured them that there was no way she would consider dating someone that lived on another planet; it put the phase in a long distance relationship on a different level. No matter how attractive she found him.
Little did she know that Martha had slipped him her mobile number while the Doctor sonicked his communicator for universal unlimited long distance.
DWDWDW
The blue box landed in the middle of Francine's living room.
Martha and the Doctor stepped out the TARDIS behind Francine.
Francine turned to them and wrapped her arms around the both of them.
"I'm going to miss you both," she said, into her daughter's hair.
"We are going to miss you too, mum," Martha replied, fighting back her tears.
Francine disentangled herself from them and kissed Martha on the cheeks, then the Doctor.
"Call regularly and stay out of trouble." Her last four words were directed at the Doctor.
"Me? Trouble?" he asked feigning shock. "Never."
""Love, you attract trouble like a flame attracts moths," Martha teased.
Francine gave them one last kiss. "Until we meet again," she said.
"Until then," Martha agreed.
They turned towards the TARDIS just as Francine's mobile rang.
"Who is calling me at this god forsaken hour?" she questioned, fishing her mobile out her pocket and stared at the Caller ID. "Who is +LAM7843543000?"
The culprits glanced at each other and ran towards the spaceship.
"X'atyc? How did you get this number?" she gasped. "My daughter and the Doctor did WHAT?"
The TARDIS quickly dematerialized before her eyes.
DWDWDW
Martha and the Doctor laughed hysterically.
"My mum is going to kill us the next time she sees us," Martha predicted.
"Maybe, maybe not." the Doctor replied, shrugging his shoulders.
Martha wrapped her arms around his slim waist and looked up at him.
He dipped down and covered her face with butterfly kisses.
"Mmmm," she moaned. "Nice."
"I know," he nipped her neck. "Didn't you mention something earlier about thanking me properly?"
Martha let out a throaty laugh. "I did."
"And you never did explain why there's a stripper's pole in the middle of our bedroom."
"As I recall, my mum was in the room."
"Well she's not here now."
A wicked grin spread on her lips. "I prefer to show you if you don't mind."
"I have no objections to that."
"Good." She took him by the hand and led him down the long corridor to their bedroom. "Leather or lace?"
"Huh?"
"My outfit, leather or lace?"
"Leather most definitely."
"The fuck me pumps or thigh high boots?"
He thought for a moment and grinned.
"Surprise me."
ALLONS-Y
A/N: Once again I like to thank everyone for reading! I am hard at work on the sequel and if things goes well I will be posting Twelve Months, in a few weeks!
Sharon