Oh, yeah. You guys are going to get to 120. :P Thank Maddythewriter for being so enthusiastic about it!

In this chapter, the human Apocalypse is obviously uncomfortable with her past, Martha is much more protective, and how much of the Apocalypse is left when she's still human? Her fob watch is on the side.

Enjoy "Human Nature!"

***

"Get down!" the Apocalypse shouted as they ran into the TARDIS.

Martha fell to the ground by the console, an energy weapon hitting the console. Sparks flew as the Apocalypse slammed the door shut. "Did they see you?" the brunette asked, coming up to her.

"I don't know!" Martha shook her head.

"But did they see you?" the Apocalypse insisted grabbing her arms.

"I don't know! I was too busy running!"

"Martha, it's important. Did they see your face?"

Martha shook her head. "No, they couldn't have."

The Apocalypse nodded. "Off we go," she said, flipping a lever. The TARDIS took off, but something beeped, and she groaned. "They're following us!"

"How can they do that?" Martha shook her head in shock. "You've got a time machine!"

"Stolen technology," the Apocalypse rubbed her head. "They've got a Time Agent's vortex manipulator. They can follow us wherever we go, right across the universe. They're never going to stop . . . unless . . . " She took a deep breath. "I'll have to do it." She turned to Martha. "Martha, you trust me, don't you?"

"Of course I do!" she stared at her, stunned by the idea the Apocalypse doubted the fact.

"Because it all depends on you."

"What does?" she asked as the Apocalypse fished through her pockets. "What am I supposed to do?"

The Apocalypse held up a rose gold fob watch. "Take this watch, because my life depends on it. This watch, Martha. The watch is - "

+++

Kylie Smith jerked herself out of the dream, blinking in the morning sunlight. She sat up slowly, shaking her head a bit. Was she brunette in that dream? She double checked the plait she had her hair in. No, her hair was blonde, like it had always been. She shook her head again, then looked over her shoulder when there was a knock on the door. "Come in!"

Her friend and maid, Martha, stepped inside, her breakfast tray in her hands, but the girl paused and turned her back respectfully when she saw Kylie wasn't dressed. "Pardon me, Mrs. Smith, you're not dressed yet," she said. "I can come back later - "

"How many times have I told you, Martha, to call me Kylie?" Kylie laughed, standing up and slipping on her dressing robe over her nightgown. "It is perfectly acceptable. Put it down." Martha slowly did. "I was, er . . . " She scratched her head, taking her hair out of its plait, her hair naturally wavy now. "Sorry, sorry. Sometimes I have these extraordinary dreams."

"What about, ma'am?" Martha asked, pulling the curtains back, letting the morning light in.

"I dream I'm this adventurer," Kylie smiled. "This daredevil, a madwoman. The Apocalypse, I'm called. And last night, I dreamed that you were there as my companion."

Martha smiled. "A librarian and a housemaid, ma'am? That's impossible."

"I'm a woman from another world, though."

"Well, it can't be true, because there's no such thing."

Kylie frowned, walking over to the mantle and picking up the rose gold fob watch she had lying on top. "This thing," she mused. "The watch is . . . " She paused before shaking her head. "Ah, it's funny how dreams slip away," she said, setting it down. She didn't see Martha's hopeful face fall. "But I do remember one thing. It all took place in the future. In the Year of Our Lord, two thousand and seven."

Martha smiled. "I can prove that wrong for you, ma'am. Here's the morning paper." Kylie took it with a small smile. "It's Monday, November 10th, 1913, and you're completely human, ma'am. As human as they come."

"Mmm, that's me," Kylie smiled. "Completely human."

***

"Morning, ma'am," one of the boys in Farringham School greeted as she arrived, her hair curled, dressed in a casual deep red dress.

"Morning," she greeted back with a smile. As one of the few women who actually had a proper job at the school, each of the boys showed her a decent amount of respect . . . and she knew nearly every one of them by name. Each of them had dropped by the library some time, either to pick up a book or as a punishment from the headmaster.

Speaking of headmasters . . . "Good morning, headmaster," she acknowledged Headmaster Rocastle as she approached the staircase.

"Off to your books, Mrs. Smith?" he asked with a smile.

"Again," she nodded.

He chuckled. "One would believe that's all you have left in your life." Kylie's smile fell from her face, and his face quickly turned to mortification. "I apologize, I did not mean - "

"I know you did not," Kylie shook her head, but her smile was gone. "But I do not like mentioning my deceased husband, if you do not mind."

"Of course not," Rocastle nodded furiously. "But do know that if there is anything you need, everyone here loves you."

Kylie laughed. "It is good to know I have the future of Britain at my back," she said before heading up the staircase.

***

"Morning, ma'am," Martha told Kylie as she passed.

"Morning, Martha," she replied, heading up the staircase again, reading from a few cards.

Martha shook herself slightly. Even after two months, she was still trying to get used to the English accent and blonde hair color Kylie Smith née Tyler had adopted. It just wasn't . . . her. "Head in the clouds, that one," her fellow maid Jenny remarked. "Don't know why you're so sweet on her."

"She's just kind to me, that's all," Martha shrugged. "Not everyone's that considerate, with me being . . . " She pointed to her skin color.

Jenny just joked, "A Londoner?"

"Exactly!" Martha laughed. "Good old London Town!"

Two boys that annoyed Martha to hell stopped in front of her. "Er, now then, you two," Baines told them. "You're not paid to have fun, are you? Put a little backbone into it!"

"Yes, sir," Jenny bowed her head, going back to scrubbing the floor, all four unaware of Kylie watching from above with a small frown. "Sorry, sir."

Hutchinson pointed at Martha. "You there. What's your name again?"

"Martha, sir," she answered. "Martha Jones."

He smirked. "Tell me, then, Jones. With hands like those, how can you tell when something's clean?"

"She's served my family for years, Mr. Hutchinson," Kylie finally spoke, making them all look up at her. "She's never failed me once. You'll do well to respect all staff in the school, regardless of skin color. Is that understood?" She waved the cards she held in her hand. "Or would you rather help me sort through books?" She inspected them. "I'm handling the history section next, if you wish to help?"

"No, ma'am," Hutchinson quickly lowered his head. "Not again."

"Good," Kylie smiled. "Now, off you go."

"Thank you, ma'am," Martha smiled up at her as the boys hurried off.

"Not a problem, Martha," Kylie waved a hand. "You let me know if they do so again."

"I will, ma'am."

Kylie nodded with a smile and headed off again, but Martha swore she heard her say, "Rassilon, those boys are dreadful" as she went.

"Just think, though," Jenny sighed. "In a few years time, boys like that'll be running the country."

"1913," Martha mused. "They might not."

***

"Excuse me, ma'am," one of the boys said, going past Kylie, who was carrying a stack of books.

"Oh, good morning, Mrs. Smith!" a bright voice said.

With a yelp, Kylie jerked back, her books toppling, some of them hitting the school nurse, Joan Redfern. "Oh, there we go," she sighed, looking around for a place to set her load down.

"Let me help you," Joan tried to say.

"No, no, I've got it, no," she shook her head. "Tell you what, if you could take these . . . "

Joan took the books she had, and she smiled as Kylie picked up the ones on the floor. "Good."

"No harm done," she smiled. "So, how was Jenkins?"

"Oh, just a cold," Joan shrugged. "Nothing serious. I think he's missing his mother more than anything."

"Poor boy," Kylie sighed.

"He received a letter this morning, so he's a lot more chipper." She looked down at her arms. "I appear to be holding your books."

"Yes, so you are," she nodded furiously. "Sorry, sorry. Just let me - "

"No, why don't I take half?" Joan suggested.

Kylie grinned. "Brilliant idea," she nodded, taking her half. "Perfect! Division of labor."

"We make quite a team," Joan smiled.

"Don't we just?"

"So, these books . . . I suppose they were headed for your library, yes?"

"This way," Kylie nodded, heading down a corridor. "I keep saying, Joan, give the boys a good head of steam. They'll soon wear themselves out."

Joan smiled, then nodded at a flyer on the notice board as they approached the staircase. "Have you seen this, Kylie?" she asked. "The annual dance at the village hall tomorrow. It's nothing formal, but rather fun by all accounts. Do you think you'll go?"

"I hadn't thought about it," Kylie answered.

"It's been ages since I've been to a dance, only no one's asked me."

"I doubt I would be," Kylie shook her head, backing up. "With John gone, and the rest of my family . . . I mean, nearly everyone, last I heard, and - "

"The stairs," Joan said, eyes wide.

Kylie blinked. "What about the stairs?"

"They're right behind you!"

Kylie let out a small scream when she fell backwards, tumbling down the stairs. Joan gasped and put her load down, running to check on her, even as a few boys ran up to help as well, seeing the librarian go down in a flurry of paper.

***

" . . . she all right?"

"Excuse me, Martha, it's hardly good form to enter a master's study without knocking."

"Sorry, right, yeah."

"Hi, Martha," Kylie moaned as she stirred, moving around a bit.

"Take it easy, Mrs. Smith," an unfamiliar male voice said above her. "That was quite a nasty fall."

"That was a tumble," she corrected before blinking up at a man that looked quite similar to Joan.

"Are you all right, ma'am?" Martha asked nervously.

"No harm done," the man shook his head. "No concussion, only bruises, most likely."

"And perhaps a loss in dignity," Kylie admitted, sitting up and rubbing the back of her head. "Ow."

"I'll just tidy your things, ma'am," Martha smiled, heading around the room.

"We haven't been introduced," the man smiled at Kylie as she tilted her head at him. "James Redfern."

"Any relation to the Matron?" Kylie asked.

"Her younger cousin. I'm a doctor."

Kylie's smile faded a bit. "Is that so?"

"I know all about your family, Mrs. Smith," James assured her quickly. "I know."

"Good," Kylie blew out a breath, brushing her hair out of her face. "Good. Very . . . good. Brilliant, in fact." She frowned a bit. "Fantastic . . . "

+++

"Fantastic!"

+++

"But what you're saying is that if we get in trouble, there's no one to help us out?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Fantastic!"

+++

"Oh, fantastic!"

+++

"I can't believe I'm here to see this! This is fantastic!"

+++

"Fantastic! Oh, fantastic!"

+++

"This is a fantastic period of history."

+++

"All in all, all things considered, fantastic!"

+++

"Fantastic."

+++

"Before I go, I just want to tell you . . . you were fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. And you know what? So was I."

+++

"Kylie?"

Kylie blinked herself out of those memories. "That madwoman again," she muttered.

"I beg your pardon?" James asked in surprise.

"Pardon me, James," Kylie sighed. "I have these dreams. They are quite remarkable tales. I keep imagining that I'm someone else, and that I'm hiding."

"In what way?" James asked curiously.

"They're almost every night." She huffed. "Oh, this is going to sound silly."

"Try me," James smirked.

Kylie raised an eyebrow. "Well, then, James Redfern, let's see," she sat back, not seeing Martha wince at using his full name. "I dream quite often that I have two hearts."

"Well, then, I can be the judge of that," James smirked, taking out his stethoscope. "Let's find out." He used it on her, then smirked wider. "I can confirm the diagnosis. Just one heart. Singular."

Kylie bit her lip. "I have written down some of these dreams in the form of fiction, not that it would be of any interest - "

"I'd be very interested."

"Well . . . " She hesitated, then stood and walked over to a desk drawer, taking the key she kept around her neck and opening it. "I've never actually shown it to anyone before." She pulled out a leather bound book and handed it over to him.

"A Journal of Impossible Things," James read before flipping it open. His eyes widened as he looked across the pages, at Kylie's neat but still messy scrawl, and the drawings she had. "Just look at these creatures! Such imagination!"

"It's become quite a hobby," Kylie chuckled nervously, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"It's wonderful," James nodded before raising an eyebrow and showing him the drawing of a man on one page. "And quite an eye for the handsome men."

"Oh, that's, um . . . " Kylie swallowed, and Martha slowly looked over. "Sorry, that's . . . well, I had a friend before John died. His name was Jack, Jack Harkness. My little sister, Rose, we thought he was actually our brother. He's the big brother. I had another brother, Harry. All three men fell to guns."

"And is this Rose?" James asked, flipping to the next page.

Martha stopped what she was doing to sneak a quick look at the girl called Rose Tyler. The girl really was beautiful, with chin-length hair and a kind expression. "Yes," Kylie whispered, nodding. "That's her. Disappeared, after a while. But both she and Jack appeared in my dreams, as my companions. Both seemed to disappear later on as well." She brightened when James flipped to the magic box. "Ah, that's the box! The blue box. It's always there. Like a . . . like a magic carpet! This funny little box that transports me to faraway places."

"Like a doorway?" James asked.

"Mmm," she nodded. She looked over James's shoulder as he found the sketches of earlier versions of the daredevil. "I sometimes think how magical life would be if stories like this were true."

"If only," James nodded.

"It's just a dream," Kylie sighed, leaning back on the couch and resting her chin on her hand.

She didn't see James find the fob watch on the next page, frown, then raise his eyes to the mantle, looking at the fob watch there as well. "May I borrow this?" he asked, holding the journal up.

"Of course," Kylie smiled.

"Then I will take my leave," James nodded to her, standing. "Feel better, Mrs. Smith."

"And you, Dr. Redfern," she smiled back.

Martha hurried after James as he left. "Sir?" she asked, and he turned to her. "That book - "

"I'll look after it," James promised. "Don't worry. She did say I could read it."

"But it's silly, that's all. Just stories."

James paused. "Who is she, Martha?"

Martha blinked. "I'm sorry?"

"I've only just met her, but it's as if she's left the kettle on, like she knows she has something to get back to, but she can't remember what. And she had this watch in her journal, and a similar watch was on her mantle."

Martha smiled weakly. "That's just her."

James tilted his head. "Joan told me you arrived with her, yes? She found you employment here at the school, isn't that right?"

"I used to work for the family," Martha nodded. "From her husband. She just sort of inherited me."

James smiled. "She needs a friend like you in these times," he told her. "But remember your position."

"Yes, sir," Martha nodded, heading back inside, letting James wander off.

***

"Ooo, it's freezing out here," Martha grumbled, trying her coat tighter around her as she joined Jenny outside, putting two pints on the table. "Why can't we have a drink inside the pub?"

"Now, don't be ridiculous," Jenny laughed. "You do get these notions! It's all very well, those Suffragettes, but that's London. That's miles away."

"But don't you just want to scream sometimes, having to bow and scrape and behave?" Martha urged. "Don't you just want to tell them?"

"I don't know," Jenny admitted. "Things must be different in your country."

"Yeah, well, they are. Thank God I'm not staying."

"You keep saying that."

"Just you wait," she smiled. "One more month, and I'm as free as the wind. I wish you could come with me, Jenny. You'd love it."

"Where are you going to go?"

"Anywhere. Just look up there," Martha sighed, looking up in the sky. "Imagine you could go all the way out to the stars."

"You don't half say mad things!" Jenny chuckled.

"That's where I'm going. Into the sky, all the way out . . . " She paused when she saw a flash of light in the sky. "Did you see that?"

"See what?" Jenny asked, squinting.

"Did you see it, though? Right up there, just for a second!"

"Martha, there's nothing there," Jenny shook her head.

Joan ran in from the field, eyes wide. Martha stood up in concern. "Matron, are you all right?"

"Did you see that?" Joan asked breathlessly as Kylie and James emerged from the tavern. "There was something in the woods! This light!"

"Anything wrong, ladies?" James asked.

"It's far too cold to be standing around in the dark," Kylie added.

"There, there!" Joan pointed in the sky as a light streaked across it.

"Oh, that's beautiful!" Jenny breathed.

"And all gone," Kylie added. "Commonly known as meteorite. It's just rocks falling to the ground, that's all."

"It came down in the woods," Joan argued.

"No, no, no, they always look close, when actually, they're miles off. Nothing left but a cinder."

"Quite the scholar, Mrs. Smith," James smiled at her. "Now, shall I escort you back to the school, ladies?"

"No, we're fine, thanks," Martha shook her head.

James nodded. "Then we shall bid you goodnight."

He led Kylie and Joan off, and Martha turned to Jenny. "Jenny, where was that?" she asked. "On the horizon, where the light was headed?"

"That's by Cooper's Field," she answered, but blinked when Martha ran off. "You can't just run off!" she shouted, going after her. "It's dark! You'll break a leg!"

***

The next morning, Martha rode her bike out to an old barn, and stepped inside. She used her key to get into the TARDIS and smiled around. "Hello," she whispered, then blinked. "I'm talking to a machine," she muttered, her mind going back to when the Apocalypse had changed.

+++

"Martha, this watch is me," the Apocalypse told her.

"Right, OK, gotcha," Martha nodded. The Apocalypse turned, then Martha shook her head. "No, hold on! Completely lost!"

"Those creatures are hunters," the Apocalypse explained. "They can sniff out anyone, and me being a Time Lord . . . well, I'm unique. They can track me down across the whole of time and space."

"Huh," Martha mumbled. "And the good news is?"

She hadn't expected any, so she was surprised when the Apocalypse smiled. "They can smell me. They haven't seen me. And their life span'll be running out, so we hide, wait for them to die."

"But they can track us down!"

"That's why I've got to do it," the Apocalypse told her, lowering a headset from the TARDIS ceiling. "I have to stop being a Time Lord. I'm going to become human." She shook her head. "Never thought I'd have to use this. All the times I've wondered."

"What does it do?" Martha asked.

"Chameleon Arch. Rewrites my biology, literally changes every single cell in my body. I've set it to human." She fastened the sides of the fob watch into the set. "Now, the TARDIS will take care of everything, invent a life story for me, find me a setting and integrate me. Can't do the same for you. You'll just have to improvise. I should have just enough residual awareness to let you in."

"But, hold on," Martha shook her head. "If you're going to rewrite every single cell, isn't it going to hurt?"

The Apocalypse darkened. "Not as much as the Experimenting did," she shook her head.

+++

The woman hadn't screamed once as her entire biology was rewritten. She'd seen her hair turn from dark brown to blonde, and she'd been extremely surprised to hear her accent change. Martha swallowed and turned on a recording from a scanner. The Apocalypse, still brunette, grinned at her. "This working? Martha, before I change, here's a list of instructions for when I'm human. One, don't let me hurt anyone. We can't have that, but you know what humans are like. Two, don't worry about the TARDIS. I'll put her on emergency power so they can't detect her. Just let her hide away. Four - no, wait a minute. Three. No getting involved in big historical events. Four, you. Don't let me abandon you. And five - "

Martha fast forwarded, shaking her head. "But there was a meteor! A shooting star! What am I supposed to do then?"

"And twenty three, if anything goes wrong, if they find us, Martha, then you know what to do. Open the watch. Everything I am is kept safe in there. Now, I've put a perception filter on it so the human me won't think anything of it. To her, it's just a watch. But don't open it unless you have to. Because once it's open, then the Family will be able to find me. It's all down to you, Martha. Your choice." She stood to turn the recording off, but she popped her head back around and smiled. "Oh, and thank you."

Martha swallowed. "I wish you'd come back," she whispered, heartbroken.

***

One Timothy Latimer knocked on the study door of Kylie Smith, and the librarian opened it. "You told me to come and collect that book, ma'am?"

"Good lad," Kylie smiled, letting her in. "Yes, yes! The Definitive Account of Mafeking by Aitchison Price. It should be here somewhere." She looked through the bookshelves for the book. "I've been getting word from your teachers. Your marks aren't quite good enough."

"I'm top ten in my class, ma'am," Latimer frowned.

"Be honest, Timothy, you should be the very top," she told him. "You're a clever boy. You seem to be hiding it. Where is that book?" she huffed in frustration, going further into the library to check. "And I know why! Keeping your head low avoids the mockery of your classmates. But no one should hide himself, don't you think?"

"Yes, ma'am," Latimer admitted when he saw a rose gold fob watch on her desk. He approached, swearing he heard a faint voice.

"You're clever. Be proud of it. Use it!"

He picked up the watch, and he gasped, hearing another woman's voice, this one like Kylie's, except the accent was more lower class. "Time Lady. Hide yourself!"

"The secret lies within," another man's voice, this one an American accent, said. "She's trapped. She's kept inside the cogs."

Latimer slowly opened the watch, and this one was Kylie's voice, but her accent was changed as well, American, like the man's. "In the darkness, waiting. Always waiting."

Latimer snapped the watch closed and slipped it into his pocket as Kylie returned with a smile, the book in her arms. "I've heard it's got fascinating details about the siege," she smiled. "Really quite remarkable." She paused. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, ma'am," he nodded quickly. "Fine, ma'am."

"Right, then," Kylie nodded. "Good. And remember, use that brain of yours."

"Power of a Time Lord," multiple voices, the three he'd heard, plus two more, whispered.

Latimer took the book from Kylie, and his eyes widened, suddenly seeing Kylie in much different clothes, so much tighter - and wearing pants - wielding what seemed to be a black wand glowing gold, her hair twisted into two interesting plaits. He blinked, and the image was gone, and the librarian was tilting her head. "You're really not looking yourself, Timothy," she remarked. "Anything bothering you?"

"No, ma'am," Latimer said quickly. "Thank you, ma'am."

He returned to his dormitory and set the book down, then opened the watch again.

This time, a man's voice, with a Northern accent, spoke. "You are not alone," he said.

"Keep her hidden," another man's voice, this one harsher, ordered.

"And infinite fire," the voices said as one. "Burn with light. Burn in time!"

***

Kylie frowned as she watched the boys on the firing range. James walked up to her, leaning on the railing. "Are you all right, Mrs. Smith?" he asked in concern.

"I believe so."

"I'll give you back your journal when next I see you."

"You do't have to." She swallowed. "Excuse me, Dr. Redfern. I was just thinking about the day my family was killed."

James regarded her. "Would you like a walk in the village?" he asked.

She smiled faintly in reply. They turned to go, and Kylie missed Baines tilt his head and sniff deeply.

***

"John fell protecting me when there was an attack on our village," Kylie explained as they walked through the village, her hands in her coat pockets. "Harry fell almost the same way. Everyone thought he was mad. Jack went to war, never came back. I don't know what happened to Rose. One day, I hope to."

"Joan's husband's name was Oliver," James recalled. "He died in the battle of Spion Cop. They were childhood sweethearts. She was angry with the army for such a long time."

"And yet she finds herself part of a school watching boys learn how to kill?" Kylie asked with a snort. "I do not see the point. If there's another war, those boys won't find their deeds so amusing. But currently, Great Britain is at peace. Long may it reign."

James considered her. "In your journal, in one of your stories, you wrote about next year, 1914."

"That was just a dream."

"All those images of mud and wire . . . you told of a shadow. A shadow falling across the entire world."

"Well, then, be thankful it's not true," Kylie huffed, before her attention was drawn elsewhere. "And I'll admit, mankind doesn't need warfare and bloodshed to prove itself. Everyday life can provide honor and valor, and let's hope that from now on, this country can find its heroes in smaller places." She slowly looked around, James following her gaze in confusion, not seeing what she was. "In the most . . . ordinary of . . . of . . . deeds!" she shouted, grabbing a cricket ball from a boy nearby and pitching it expertly.

James's jaw dropped when the ball hit the scaffolding by the Ironmongers, and it fell and hit a plank sending a brick flying through the air, knocking down a milk churn in front of a woman pushing a perambulator. It stopped just before a fraying rope gave out, and a piano fell with a crash in front of them. The baby with the woman started wailing, and James stared at Kylie incredulously, who looked just as stunned. "Lucky," she managed to say.

"That was luck?" James asked in shock before asking, "Mrs. Smith, if I may ask, would you like to attend the village dance this evening with me, as my guest?"

Kylie turned to him, obviously surprised, before she smiled again.

***

"Oh, it's all becoming clear now," James shook his head as they walked through a field. "The Apocalypse is the woman you'd like to be, doing impossible things with cricket balls."

"Well, I discovered a talent, that's certainly true," she chuckled.

"And she has an eye for the companions, as well."

"The devil."

"Even a girl at a fireplace."

"Now, that is hardly me, James." She paused. "That scarecrow's all skewered," she frowned, going over to fix it.

"Ever the artist," James smiled as she fixed it. "Where did you learn to draw?"

"Gallifrey," she answered easily.

James frowned, not recognizing the name. "Is that in Ireland?"

She paused. "Yes, it must be," she nodded, but she was still frowning. "Yes."

"But you're not Irish."

"Not at all, no," Kylie shook her head. "My father Peter died when I was very young, not too long after Rose was born. He was a watchmaker from Nottingham. My mother Jackie . . . well, she tried to be a nurse, actually." She stepped back, admiring the fixed scarecrow. "My work is done. What do you think?"

"Masterpiece," he laughed.

"All sorts of skills today!" she marveled, taking his arm and going with him back to the school, neither one of them seeing the scarecrow turn to watch them.

***

Kylie's eyes flickered to James occasionally as he sat looking through her books, before he paused and realized what she was doing. "What are you doing?"

"Sketching," she answered, bent over, her eyes flickering up once or twice.

"Can I see?"

She held up a finger, then sat down next to him and showed him the page. James's eyes widened at the detail she had. It was amazing! "Oh, goodness, do I look like that?" He pointed to the creature called a Slitheen on the other page. "Are you sure that's not me?"

"Most definitely this page," Kylie chuckled, tapping the page she'd drawn him on. "Do you like it?"

"You've made me far too handsome."

"Recently widowed doesn't affect my vision," she said softly. "Makes me wonder sometimes why the world takes them from us. Would it rather we stop? Would that be fair?"

"That's not fair at all," James shook his head, pausing, before he leaned in to kiss her.

His lips barely touched hers, when unbidden, a fiery memory sparked in her mind.

+++

"How are you doing?"

The Apocalypse looked over her shoulder as the Doctor walked up, a blanket in his hands, the twin suns of Gallifrey high in the sky. "Not bad," she admitted, wrapping her arms around herself as the Doctor placed the blanket around her shoulders. "Not very often I get a break in the program."

"Miracle," the Doctor nodded, the Apocalypse not seeing the smirk on his face.

"Still, any day I get a break is good," she nodded, taking a deep breath as the Doctor sat next to her. "Make the best of them."

"Always a good idea. What did they do this time?"

"Made us cancel our Contracts," the Apocalypse sighed. "Guess who mine was, of all people."

He raised an eyebrow. "Not the Controller?"

"That's the one. Thank Rassilon they were cancelled. I couldn't have stood a single day with him."

The Doctor gave her a tense smile. "About Contracts . . . "

She turned, eyes wide. "You're not enforcing yours?!" she asked, not sure why she felt so . . . disappointed about the idea. He was her best friend aside from her brother! She should have been happy for him! . . . shouldn't she?

"No!" the Doctor shook his head desperately. "No, I never would have survived the Summer for long. No." He took a deep breath. "I cancelled mine."

Her eyes widened. "You found a United?" she guessed, not sure how she felt about that, either. That was the only other time another Time Lord that wasn't an Experiment could cancel their Contract, was if they found a United.

The Doctor gave her a look. "I found her a long time ago," he whispered.

The Apocalypse's eyes widened when she realized what he was implying. "Oh, my God," she whispered, using the saying from one of her favorite planets of study.

"There it is," he smiled at her, taking her hand.

She shook her head, totally floored. "You cancelled your Contract for me?"

"Experiments never get a day to themselves," the Doctor pointed out to her. "Why do you think the entire lot of us were there the other day?"

"But Experiments can't!"

"Have you seen your mother against the council?" the Doctor chuckled. "You're the farthest that's gone through the program. We'd have fought tooth and nail to get to this." She looked down when she felt something cold placed in her hand, and she gasped in surprise and delight, seeing a rose gold wedding ring fall in her hand, glittering green emeralds lining it. "There's no other Time Lady on this planet I want," the Doctor told her softly. "Will you be my United?"

The Apocalypse grinned at him, ecstatic. "Yes!" she cheered, the Doctor grinning as well. "Oh, yes!"

When he finally kissed her, they didn't part for a long time. The stories from Earth were wrong.

It was definitely the first kiss between Uniteds were far better than exaggerated.

+++

Kylie made a strangled noise in the back of her throat and ducked her head down, closing her eyes, blushing furiously. Where had that come from?! "I'm sorry," she shook her head desperately, avoiding looking at James in embarrassment. "I cannot."

"Kylie," James told her softly, putting his hand on her arm.

"I cannot," she repeated, tears in her eyes. "Not so soon, not so soon after John . . . "

"I understand," he swallowed. "I know - "

The door to the study opened, and Kylie snapped her eyes open angrily. "Martha, what have I told you about entering unannounced?" she snapped.

Martha looked from the tearful Kylie to a very apologetic James, before she made the connection. Her eyes narrowed, and she closed the door, leaning back against it. "That wasn't on the list," she muttered angrily, running to get to her bike.

***

"Four," the recording of the Apocalypse said. "You. Don't let me abandon you."

"That's no good!" she huffed. "What about the stuff you didn't tell me? What about men?" She sighed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, no, you didn't think of that. What in hell am I supposed to do then?"

"Thank you," the Apocalypse finished again.

"You had to, didn't you?" Martha shook her head angrily. "You had to go and get a man to fall in love with you when you couldn't fall in love back."

***

Latimer sat on a bench by a tree, the watch in his hands. "Darkness is coming," the harsh man's voice said.

"Keep her away from the false and empty man," the lower class accented woman's voice pleaded.

"The last of the Time Lords," the Northern voice said. "The last of that wise and ancient race."

"Merge with the faces of men," the American man's voice said.

Latimer looked up to see Baines walk up to Mr. Clark, then a little girl carrying a red balloon joined them. Together, they tilted their head to the same side and sniffed deeply.

***

Later that evening, James smiled as he watched Kylie look over herself in her dress for the evening with a critical eye, the dress a beautiful crimson. "You look wonderful," he admired.

"Thank you," she smiled. "I will give you warning, though. I'm not certain I can dance after so long . . . "

"There's a surprise," he joked lightly, making her laugh. "Is there anything you're certain about?"

Kylie's smile faded. "I don't know anymore," she admitted.

***

Martha was pouring tea when Jenny entered the room. "There you are," she grinned. "Come and look what I've got. Mr. Poole didn't want his afternoon tea, so Cook said I could have it. And there's enough for two . . . " She trailed off, seeing Jenny just standing there stiffly. "What are you standing there for?" She frowned when Jenny sniffed deeply. "Are you all right?"

"I must have a cold coming on," Jenny answered, sitting down.

"The problem is, I keep thinking about them, but I don't know what to do."

"Thinking about who?"

"Mrs. Smith and Dr. Redfern. It would never have worked out anyway, she only had her eye on her husband. But she's going to be leaving in a few weeks anyway."

"Why?"

"It's like her contract comes to an end, and she's going to be . . . " Martha paused. "Well, I'm not entirely sure."

"Leave for where?"

"All sort of places. I wish I could tell you, Jenny, but it's complicated."

"In what way?"

"I just can't."

"It sounds so interesting." Martha blinked, startled, when Jenny took on a demanding tone. "Tell me! Tell me now!"

"Would you like some tea?" Martha asked.

She smiled. "Yes, thanks."

"I could put a nice bit of gravy in the pot. And some mutton. Or sardines and jam. How about that?"

"I like the sound of that," Jenny nodded.

Martha's heart fell into her stomach. "Right," she nodded, standing. "Hold on a tick." She headed out the door, then took off running. She ran outside, narrowly avoiding a green laser fired at her, heading for the school.

***

Kylie turned, startled, when Martha burst into the room. "They've found us," she gasped.

"This is ridiculous," James groaned.

"Martha, I've warned you," Kylie began.

"They've found us, and I've seen them," Martha shook her head. "They look like people, like us, like normal. I'm sorry, but you've got to open the watch . . . " She paused, seeing there wasn't a watch on the mantle. "Where is it?" she demanded, looking around. "Oh, my God. Where's it gone? Where's the watch?!"

"What are you talking about?" Kylie folded her arms.

"You had a watch. A fob watch. Right there."

Kylie blinked. "Did I? I don't remember."

James frowned. "You did," he recalled. "But I can't see what concern it is."

"We need it!" Martha shouted. "Oh, my God, Apocalypse, we're hiding from aliens, and they've got Jenny, and they've possessed her or copied her or something, and you've got to tell me, where's the watch?!"

"Oh, don't tell me," Kylie groaned. "Don't tell me this is cultural differences! Martha, this is a story!"

"Oh, you complete . . . " Martha growled. "This is not you! This is 1913!"

"Yes, it is," Kylie nodded. "This is 1913."

Martha sighed. "I'm sorry," she told her apologetically. "I'm really sorry, but I've got to snap you out of this." She raised her hand up to slap her -

But faster than she would have ever imagined, even with the Apocalypse's reflexes, Kylie's hand came up and grabbed her wrist in an iron grip. "What?" James's jaw dropped at her reaction.

Kylie, however, winced, another memory of some sort hitting her hard . . .

+++

"No!" the Apocalypse insisted, shaking her head. "That's not that at all! It's just, my friend, he's a doctor, I know - "

"Oh, you know what to do, then?" Jackie mocked. "Prove it. Stitch this, lady!" She brought her hand back and swung at the Apocalypse.

She never connected. The Apocalypse's face twisted into a mask Rose had only seen once, and she grabbed Jackie's wrist and twisted her around so she was forced into the seat. "Caly!" Rose gasped, standing up.

+++

Kylie gasped and bent forward, wincing, holding her hands to her head. "Kylie?" James asked, going to her side.

"My head," she gasped, shaking her said head. "It hurts . . . "

"That's it!" Martha encouraged. "That's the Apocalypse! That's her!"

Kylie glared at her. "You dare try and tell me this is true?" she demanded, straightening. "No. I am not letting these nightmares say who I am! Martha, get out!" Martha swallowed, then left, going to find the watch. "The nerve of it," Kylie grumbled, turning to James, to see him still staring at her. "What is it?"

James swallowed. "You did have a watch," he told her. "You did have a fob watch, right there," he nodded at the mantle. "Don't you remember?"

***

Latimer was heading to find the librarian when Martha bumped into him. "Oh, sorry!" she gasped, running past in a hurry.

Latimer blinked, suddenly seeing her in skin tight clothes, and he turned. "Martha?"

"Not now, Tim! Sorry!"

***

"Spare a penny for the veterans of the Crimea, sir, ma'am?" a beggar asked as James and Kylie approached the village hall.

"Yes, of course," Kylie nodded, fishing a coin from her dress pocket . . . wondering why she'd had pockets in her dress in the first place . . .

+++

Donna stared at her. "I'm in my wedding dress! It doesn't have pockets! Who has pockets? Have you ever seen a bride with pockets?" The Apocalypse barely refrained from rolling her eyes. Were all gingers this sassy? "When I went to my fitting at Chez Alison, the one thing I forgot to say is 'give me pockets!'"

+++

"There you are," she added, handing the beggar the coin.

Latimer poked his head around the corner, then slipped inside as the beggar checked what was in his cup, and he kept watching the two as they entered the dance.

***

James sighed when Martha walked up to him. "Please, not again," he told her.

"She's different from any other woman you've ever met, right?"

"Yes."

"And sometimes she says these strange things, like people and places you've never heard of, yeah? But it's deeper than that. Sometimes when you look in her eyes, you know, you just know, that there's something else in there. Something hidden. Right behind the eyes, something hidden away in the dark."

James swallowed, that was exactly what he feared. "I don't know what you mean," he tried to lie.

"Yes, you do," Martha smirked. "I don't mean to be rude, but the awful thing is it doesn't even matter what you think. But you're nice, and you're lucky, and I just wanted to say sorry for what I'm about to do - "

"Oh, now, really, Martha?" Kylie groaned as she walked up. "This is getting out of hand! I must insist that you leave - "

She broke off when Martha held up her sonic screwdriver. "Do you know what this is?" she asked, Kylie staring at it in shock. "Name it. Go on. Name it!"

"Kylie?" James asked softly. "Do you know?"

Kylie took it slowly. "You're not Kylie Smith née Tyler," Martha told hr. "You're called the Apocalypse. The woman in your journal, she's real. She's you."

There was the sound of a shot outside, then Mr. Clark stormed into the room with Baines and Jenny. "There will be silence, all of you!" Mr. Clark roared, even as people screamed when scarecrows entered. "I said silence!"

"Mr. Clark, what's going on?" one man asked, approaching. Mr. Clark just promptly vaporized him.

Martha gulped. "Mrs. Smith? Everything I told you? Just forget it. Don't say anything."

"We asked for silence!" Baines roared, and the sound abruptly diminished. "Now, then . . . we have a few questions for Mrs. Smith."

Kylie blinked, but then little Lucy Cartwright bounced up, her balloon in hand. "No, better than that," she smirked. "The librarian. She's the Apocalypse. I heard them talking."

Baines eyed her in surprise. "You took human form."

"Of course I'm human!" Kylie shrieked in protest. "I was born human, as were you, Baines! And Jenny, and you, Mr. Clark! What is going on? This is madness!"

"Ooo, and a human brain, too. Simple, thick, and dull."

"But she's no good like this," Jenny whined.

"We need a Time Lord," Mr. Clark nodded.

"Easily done," Baines smirked, raising his gun to her, making everyone gasp. "Change back."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kylie shook her head.

"Change back!"

"I literally do not know - !"

Martha yelped when Jenny grabbed her and pointed her gun to her head. "Get off me!"

"She's your friend, isn't she?" Jenny smirked. "Doesn't this scare you enough to change back?"

"I don't know what you mean!" Kylie shook her head, tears in her eyes.

"Wait a minute," Jenny started to grin. "The maid told me about Smith and the doctor. That man, there."

"Then let's have you!" Mr. Clark smirked, grabbing James.

"Let go!" James shouted, trying to struggle.

Kylie took a step forward, eyes flickering back and forth between James and Martha. "Have you enjoyed it, Apocalypse? Being human?" Baines asked with a sick smile. "Has it taught you wonderful things? Are you better, richer, wiser? Then let's see you answer this: which one of them do you want us to kill? Maid or doctor? Your friend or your lover? Your choice."

Kylie swallowed, because for once in her life, she didn't know how to choose.

***

To be continued. }:)

Sorry I didn't come up with more of an original character. I still wanted the "romance" element there, but Caly would never forget the Doctor, even as a human. And I went with the name Kylie because I don't think Caly would have been used. I would have said what actor James is, but his actor is a major part in another upcoming series, and I didn't want to use him here. Think of him as who you'd like. ;)

By the way . . . guess the other voices inside the watch. ;) It looks like Caly's got even more people watching her back.

I will update "The Family of Blood" as soon as I can!