"She's fine," the Doctor hastened to reassure him. "She's all right. She's safe. I promise. So's the village. See, I'm from a bit after you. Quite a bit, actually. As long as whatever's going on here gets sorted properly, I think we'll all wind up back in our correct timelines, which for you means ... Well. It means you open the watch and I come back, and I know you're not terribly keen on the idea--who would be?--but you do what you set out to do. Joan is safe, and the village, and the boys and the school. In fact ... that watch of yours is going to save young Timothy Latimer and Hutchinson."
The Doctor thought John might be grateful for that. He hoped it would bring him some comfort. There was little else he could tell him about what had occurred following the watch's opening that would bring him peace. He certainly couldn't tell him how heartbroken Joan Redfern had been, nor could he say for certain that Joan had moved on and made a life for herself. He hadn't checked. Perhaps he should have.
"As for the TARDIS ... I don't think she intends you to fix her. I certainly wouldn't ask it of you, though you might know more than you think. You're me and I'm you, John Smith. It works both ways. There's probably hints of the Doctor in you the same way there are hints of John Smith in me."