What if...

Life and Death

Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who. ...Not really sure who does...

A/N: Set in "School Reunion". Remember Finch's little speech? What if...Well, you'll see!

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"You act like such a radical, but all you want to do is perserve the old order?" Finch's eyes bored into him, holding him. "Think of the changes that could be made if this power was used for good!"

The Doctor narrowed his eyes. "What, by someone like you?"

"No." He smiled, like a tiger who'd found his cornered prey. "Someone like you." His smile grew as the other alien blinked. "The paradine gives us power, but you could give us wisdom! Become a god, at my side. Imagine what you could do; think of the civilizations you could save! Perganon. Acinta. Your own people, Doctor, standing tall. The Time Lords. Reborn."

The Doctors eyes looked at something far away, long ago. Faces flashed before him...to each was a memory. Distantly, he heard Sara Jane say something, but he couldn't tell what. All he could hear were screams...

Finch turned to the two women. The older one looked from him, to the doctor, to the blonde, while the blonde one simply stared at the Doctor. His eyes lit up. "And you could be with him throughout eternity. Young, fresh. Never wither. Never age. Never die." He looked back at the Doctor, still lost in his own thoughts. "Their lives are so fleeting. So many goodbyes. How lonely you must be, Doctor." He turned his head slightly to look at the screen and his eyes flashed. "Join us."

"I could save everyone..." The Doctor whispered. "I could stop the War."

Finally, the dark haired woman spoke up again. "No. The Universe has to move forward. Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it's a world or a relationship. Everything has its time and everything ends."

Suddenly, a beeping noice caught thier attention. Everyone, even the Doctor who'd just now woken up, looked at the big screen. Finch grinned, while the others stared wide-eyed. Before anyone could react, he moved, grabbing the Doctor by the back of the neck. The two women spun around, both taking a step forward.

"So, Doctor, still thinking over my offer?" Finch asked smoothly. His pupils grew wider, spreading over his whole eye, and his grip tightened on the Doctors neck. "Doesn't matter." With a flick of the wrist, he threw him across the room. He hit the wall hard enough to leave a dent, then slip down in a heap. The younger woman screamed, the older just stood there in shock.

He took a step towards them. "Ah, ladies. How about you?" They stepped back, into the computers. "And don't tell me you're not interested..." He tapped his temple. "I can see into your mind. Both of you want to stay with him. Live with him. Love him. Forever." He smirked as the elder woman stepped in front of the younger, almost protectively. "I could give you that. No strings attached. Just a wave of the hand and you can be by his side until the end of time."

"W-we'll never do anything you say." The blonde scowled, eyes flashing. "What did you do to him?"

"Oh, nothing really." He shrugged, taking another step forward. "You see, while the Time Lords are, of course, the supposed masters of time, they aren't good for much. Sitting around and collecting dust seemed to be their favorite past-time. Now, their regenerative ability is wonderous, but there are some other species with that; the Markovi for instance, and theirs is unlimited. The Time Lords only get thirteen. But what brings them to my attention, truely, is their telepathic skills. Yes, other species have that as well, but not on as grand a scale..."

"Oh god..." The blonde whispered, eyes not on him but at the wall where he'd thrown the Doctor, noticing for the first time the blood trail. The other woman still kept herself between them, eyes glued to him with a blank look.

He fought not to roll his eyes. "He's still alive. Barely. He should probably get some help." His smirk returned as he could smell the fear on the two of them. "So, any takers?"

"You hurt our friend, then expect us to just nod along with your plan?" The dark haird one...Now he caught her name 'Sara Jane'. Her voice and eyes were hard, but he could see her shaking. At least the other, 'Rose', had more control.

The two backed up another step, though he didn't move. He grinned, but it was more of a snarl. He was growing bored now. Then he pushed into their minds.

Sara Jane flinched, bringing a hand to her head. It felt like her brain was being clawed at, scratching away until it found what it wanted, whatever it was. Her eyes burned and she clamped them shut, leaning heavily on the table. Behind her, Rose stiffened. Her eyes went blank, wide open, staring at nothing. Unconsciously, she clenched her fists.

Finch narrowed his eyes at the blonde. Sara Jane's had been simple; one glance gave him everything. But this one... There were blocks scattered through her mind. Some on memories, others on power. Humans only used a small amount of their minds; Time Lords used most of theirs. This one had connected to power, but it was closed off now. He wondered what would happen if he broke through them all at once... With a dark grin, he blasted through.

Sara Jane turned around when she screamed. "Rose?" It was a whisper. The blonde ignored it however, eyes screwed shut in pain. She staggered backwards, holding her hands to her head. Tears ran down her cheeks. Sara Jane reached a hand out for her, but she just backed away.

She turned from the woman and glared at him. "What did you do to her?"

He simply chuckled. "Just gave her a little gift." The woman narrowed her eyes. "Ascension." He smirked at the panic in her eyes as she whirled around, looking down at the blonde who had passed out on the floor. "And now I see just what needs to be done. I'm sure she'll appreciate what you did for her."

She turned back to him. "Wha-" She froze. He held up his hand, palm up, bringing it higher into the air. Sara Jane rose with it, her eyes blazing with panic. With a final smirk, he closed his hand into a fist. She convulsed in mid-air, gasping and twitching. Then she was still. He brought his hand towards him, and a small white light came out of Sara Jane's chest. He opened his hand and it came to rest in his palm. As he watched it dance, he heard the womans body drop to the floor.

"So, my dear Doctor, who will it be." He asked without turning. Behind him, the Doctor stared with wide eyes at the two women on the floor. "Oh, they aren't dead, no. One simply has a little brain overload, and the other is just sleeping." He turned to face him, the small white light still in his hand. "Now, which one?"

The Doctor opened and shut his mouth several times before words came out. "You monster..." Was all he could grind out. "How could you?!"

"It was very easy really. Would you like me to show you again? They might live through another round, you never know." Finch eyed him, waiting. "Or I could save one of them from the pain they're in. So terrible really. One's on fire, the other is paralyzed. On the other hand, I could kill them both, and make you watch. Your choice."

The Doctor growled, stepping forward. Finch's face turned stoney. "I wouldn't do that." On cue, Rose whimpered and Sara Jane gasped for air. The other froze, looking from one to the other. "You're killing them, Doctor. Pick one." Oh, how he was enjoying this.

"Leave them alone. Kill me, but leave them out of this!" The Doctor hissed, eyes blazing. "Just let them go."

Finch laughed. "Why would I do that? There are things much worse than death, Doctor. Ah, and guess what? They both have ten seconds left. One will die of lack of air, the other will be incinerated from the inside. Or they both will." His eyes flashed. "I already know your choice, Doctor. It's right there, in the front of your mind. I can't really blame you," He turned slightly to look at the woman on the floor. "She is beautiful. Oh, five seconds now."

"STOP IT!" The Doctor roared. Finch mearly raised an eyebrow.

"Three...Two..."

"No!" Defeat mixed with anger as he gave in. "Fine, just..."

Finch's laugh stung. "Very good Doctor." Behind him, the life faded from one of the women, while the other was revived.

The Doctor ran around him, kneeling down beside her. "I'm so sorry." He whispered, touching her cheek.

Unknown to him, both Finch and the other woman were gone. As were Mickey, K-9, and just about everyone else in the school. In the world.

But right then, he couldn't find the means to care.

He had her.

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A/N: But who is 'her'? Use your imagination!! To you like Rose/Doctor or SJ/Doctor? See, I don't even know, and I wrote it. See ya next time!