Work Text:
When his mobile started to ring, the Doctor's initial response was shut up; and then he remembered the one person that could be calling him right now; the only person that could have his mobile number:
Martha Jones.
The last time he spoke to Martha was in his eleventh incarnation, two incarnations ago, which was far too many years to count. He had no idea why she would be trying to call him now, after all these years. Nevertheless, he answered.
"Martha?"
"Oh my god. Doctor, is it you?"
"Yes. Why did you call?"
"Oh my. You sound like an old Scotsman," she mumbled, "It's Donna."
"Donna? What about her? She didn't...?"
"Yes, she remembered."
The Doctor let out an exasperated sigh. Why would she call me to tell me this?
"But she's not dead."
"Oh, thank heavens."
"She wants to see you again."
There was a moment of hesitation, before the Doctor reluctantly obliged.
"Fine. What's today's date?"
"It's 13 October 2015 here. Come tomorrow. She moved back in with Sylvia and Wilf, so you can find her there—"
"Martha?"
"Yes, Doctor?"
"How are you?"
"Well, that's a very personal question, isn't it?" He heard her chuckle on the other end of the line.
The Doctor shrugged, then added an I suppose so when he realized that she couldn't see him, as they were talking over the phone.
"I'm fine, I guess. Mickey and I are doing well, and U.N.I.T. rehired me. They even offered Mickey a job, which he graciously declined. Thank you for saving us that one time, by the way."
"No problem."
"Well, I guess I better let you go find Donna, then. See you later?"
"I'll come visit you."
"What?"
"With Donna, I mean. We'll come see you and Mickey, just like old times." The Doctor had a small grin on his face by now, just thinking about how he was going to get the team back together.
"Yeah, if only Rose was there," Martha brought up, causing the Doctor's smile to fade. He hadn't thought about Rose in a long time. Just hearing her name brought back old memories that he did not want to relive, "I'm sorry, I didn't think about what I was saying. I guess I'll leave you to it then. Bye, Doctor."
"Goodbye, Martha."
He hung up the phone, setting the TARDIS controls to 51.4925°N, 0.2633°W; 14 October 2015.
—★—
The anticipation was killing Donna. Martha rang to let her know that the Doctor would be stopping by soon, and she didn't get any sleep that night. She just waited for him. She didn't know when he would be there. She just hoped it'd be soon.
She was still part-Time Lord, which had its perks, but also its difficulties. She almost always had migraines, and all of the Doctor's memories were clouding her own, to the point where she couldn't remember anything up to her twentieth birthday, which wasn't natural. She received her memories a few years back. How? Well...she'd rather not speak of it to anyone. When Shaun realized what had happened, he refused to believe her. Hadn't he been there for the countless alien invasions? She didn't understand what had gotten into him. Was it denial? Jealousy, maybe? She honestly didn't know. But he left her, stating that she was 'absolutely bonkers and out of her mind'.
Of course, she let him go. She didn't like him that much anyway, she told herself. Although, crying for three days straight might've proved otherwise. She was miserable—until Martha phoned to tell her of the Doctor's visitation.
But now, that misery settles inside her again, just waiting on the Doctor to show. She could feel a fresh set of tears come over her, but she wouldn't dare let them fall. She didn't want the Doctor seeing her eyes all bloodshot. She didn't want his pity. She didn't want anyone's pity. She just wanted the Doctor to show up already.
Knock, knock.
She shot up instantly and made her way to the door, swinging it open. What she saw confused her. This can't be the Doctor, she thought.
"Believe it or not, it's really me," he said, as if he read her mind (which, being the Doctor, wouldn't really surprise Donna).
Before she knew what she was doing, she slapped him. "You idiot! How dare you erase my memories?" He opened his mouth to respond before she quickly cut him off again. "Before you say that it was to protect me, I already know. But I'm still angry with you."
She stormed back inside the house, the Doctor trailing closely behind.
"Donna Noble," he smirked, "you haven't changed one bit."
