Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Donna could sense the change in the Doctor as soon as he said Darlig Ulv Stranden. Not that she could blame him. He was already grieving the loss of Rose despite her being right there. 

 

Jackie was out first, then the new Doctor, whispering a quick "sorry" to the Doctor as he passed by him. He was followed by Rose. Donna could see the Doctor dragging his feet. She placed a hand on his arm meeting his eyes before stepping off the TARDIS as he followed. She watched as he shoved his hands in his pocket, Jackie and the other Doctor talking amongst themselves. 

 

"This is the parallel world right," Rose asked, clearly confused although Donna wasn't sure why.

 

The Doctor and Donna continued to walk towards them, "you're back home," he began.

 

"And the walls of the universe are closing again now that the reality bomb never happened. It's a dimensional retro closure. See? I really get that stuff now," she interrupted, trying to delay the inevitable where the Doctor would have to inform Rose he was leaving her again. 

 

The half human Doctor smiled at her but there was something else in his eye, something else she couldn't quite place. Sadness. Why was he sad when he'd get to spend the rest of his life with Rose? 

 

Rose's eyes narrowed, "no but I spent all that time trying to find you. I'm not going back now," she protested. 

 

Sighing, Donna realized Rose wasn't going to get it unless the Doctor spelled it out for her. "But you've got to," he said walking closer to her, "because we saved the universe but at a cost. And that cost, is him." Donna saw the new Doctor bristle at counterpart's words. "He destroyed the Daleks. He committed genocide. He's too dangerous to be left on his own."

 

"You made me," the new Doctor rebuked.

 

"Exactly. You were born in battle, full of blood and anger and revenge," he said meeting Rose's eyes, "remind you of someone?" She watched as Rose turned slightly away from him, unable to meet his eyes, "that's me, when we first met." Donna could see the tears in her eyes, "and you made me better. Now you can do the same for him."

 

She watched Rose and knew the Doctor wasn't doing this right. Her headache was starting to increase and she could feel the walls were closing. Donna tried to focus on what he was saying.

 

"He needs you. That's very me," the Doctor pushed. 

 

Sometimes he was just rubbish. "But it's better than that though. Don't you see what he's trying to give you? Tell her, go on," she said meeting the new Doctor's eyes. 

 

She saw as Rose turned towards the new Doctor and willed her body to stand, she just wanted a nice long nap and a couple aspirin. Could she still take aspirin with a timelord brain?

 

"I've only got one life Rose Tyler, I could spend it with you, if you want," the new Doctor said. Donna wasn't sure why it made her sad to hear him say that. She knew the Doctor knew best but it was almost like the new Doctor was a part of her. To know that he'd be stuck here never able to travel having an adventure the Doctor never could, made her want to cry. 

 

The Doctor held up a chunk of something and Donna recognized it immediately, "oh and don't forget this. This universe is in need of defending. Chunk of TARDIS," he said, tossing it to the other Doctor. 

 

"Grow your own? That takes thousands of years," he protested.

 

"No because," the Doctor began.

 

Donna smiled. Just another thing these dumbo's didn't get. "if you shatter fry the plasmic shell and modify the dimensional stabilizer to a fullback harmonic of 36.3 you accelerate the growth power by 59," she explained to them as they both stood there with mouths gaping open in shock. 

 

"We never thought of that," they gasped in unison.

 

"I'm just brilliant," Donna beamed as the other Doctor met her gaze before something shifted and he met her Doctor's. Her mind throbbed in a wave.

 

Rose watched him, "what about you," she asked.

 

"Oh I'm fine. I've got madam," he said. 

 

She could just hug him. He did have her. She knew she wasn't Rose but she'd never leave him. "Human with the timelord brain. Perfect combination. We can travel the universe forever. Best friends and equals. Just what the skinny one needs, an equal," she smiled. 

 

The TARDIS wheezed at them, sending a jolt of pain through Donna's head. 

 

"We've got to go," the Doctor said. 

 

Donna really needed that aspirin. Seeing him turn she started following him back to the TARDIS. 

 

"But it's still not right," Rose yelled coming after the Doctor, "because the Doctor's still you," she protested. 

 

"And I'm him," he reminded Rose. 

 

Rose watched his face. "All right. Both of you, answer me this. When I last stood on this beach, on the worst day of my life, what was the last thing you said to me? Go on, say it," she pushed.

 

Donna couldn't blame her. She understood why Rose needed to hear those words from the Doctor. It's all anyone wanted to hear from the person they loved. 

 

"I said Rose Tyler,” he paused before finally saying, “does it need saying," the Doctor asked.

 

God, how could he be such an idiot. It always needed saying. Headache or not if the other Doctor didn't say it she was gonna go slap the both of them for Rose. Thankfully, the face that had part of her mind too, the other Doctor knew better. Donna smiled as they got their happy ending, seeing the Doctor tuck tail to the TARDIS she followed after. 

 

She watched as he set the TARDIS in the vortex, smiling at all the things on the console she now understood as she gently stroked it. She could pilot the TARDIS by herself if she wanted to. Even better, she could feel the TARDIS in a way she'd never experienced before. 

 

"I thought we could try the planet Felspoon," she suggested looking up and noticing the Doctor leaning against a column. He looked so sad, so broken. "Just because. What a good name, Felspoon. Apparently, it's got mountains that sway in the breeze. Mountains that move. Can you imagine," she asked, twisting a knob to help stabilize the TARDIS and ignore the pounding in her head.

 

The Doctor didn't move, "and how do you know that," he asked.

 

"Because it's in your head," she grinned, glancing at him over her shoulder, "and if it's in your head, it's in mine."

 

He looked like he was at a flipping funeral. "And how does that feel," he questioned. 

 

"Brilliant! Fantastic! Molto bene! Great big universe, packed into my brain," she confessed, turning to look at the Doctor again. "You know you could fix that chameleon circuit if you just tried hot binding the fragment links and superseding the binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary," she saw his face shift as he stood to attention but she couldn't stop her mouth.  "Binary, binary, binary, binary, binary, binary," she gasped, "I'm fine," dismissed Donna as everything started to make sense. 

 

He was at a funeral, he was at hers. That's why the other Doctor had apologized, why everytime she said something brilliant there was proudness followed by sadness. She noticed that the Doctor didn't come closer. Well if he wasn't going to admit what was happening neither was she. 

 

"Nah, never mind Felspoon. You know who I'd like to meet? Charlie Chaplin," she said circling the console and playing with different parts. "I bet he's great, Charlie Chaplin. Shall we do that? Shall we go and see Charlie Chaplin? Shall we? Charlie Chaplin? Charlie Chester. Charlie Brown. No, he's fiction. Friction, fiction, fixing, mixing, Rickston, Brixton," Donna huffed, keeling over and bracing herself on the console at the pain radiating through her head. "Oh, my God," she gasped as her hand came to her head. The pain was increasing quickly.

 

She could sense him coming closer, looming over her, "do you know what's happening?"

 

Pushing herself up Donna didn't know if she could look at him without breaking, "yeah."

 

"There's never been a human Timelord metacrisis before now," he revealed and she couldn't not meet his eyes. She had to look at her best friend if these were the last moments they were gonna have. "And you know why," he hinted.

 

"Because there can't be," she dared, her eyes stinging from the tears welling up. Donna pushed herself further away from the Doctor despite just wanting to hug him but it wasn’t fair that he had to comfort her in her last moments. He’d done that for so many other people in his long life already. "I want to stay," she told him. 

 

The Doctor leaned in as she toyed with the console, "look at me," he asked but when she didn't, his voice broke, "Donna, look at me."

 

Turning to face him, she took a breath. She loved him and now he was going to be alone. "I was going to be with you forever," she breathed. 

 

"I know," the Doctor promised and she could see tears in his own eyes. 

 

It broke her that she was going to leave him like this. "The rest of my life, traveling in the TARDIS. The DoctorDonna," she softly smiled. As soon as he'd made a decision it rippled through her. Donna knew what he was going to do. "No. Oh my God," she wheezed, stepping back from him. "I can't go back," she begged as his hands met her shoulders, "don't make me go back. Doctor, please, please don't make me go back," she begged.

 

"Donna," he said and for a moment she hoped he'd changed his mind. "Oh, Donna Noble. I am so sorry. But we had the best of times. The best," he assured her as tears fell down her face. "Goodbye," the Doctor told her. 

 

"No. no, no. Please. No. No," she begged as his hands met her temples and the Doctor closed his eyes. "No," she screamed. 

 

Gasping, she shot up in the darkness. Her scream of “no,” still echoing around her. Head pounding she tried to see, "Doctor?" Donna moved to push herself up. Where was she? "Arg," Donna yelped as something entrapped her legs, sending her tumbling to the floor. 

 

"Donna, are you alright," the Doctor questioned, slightly panicked. He sounded so far away. "Donna," he said, sounding worried as the knocking increased.

 

The knocking only exacerbated the pounding, "stop," she whined which the Doctor took as his okay to come in.

 

"What's wrong," he queried, flipping the light on blinding her.

 

Groaning Donna covered her eyes, "too bright."

 

She felt his cool fingers on her bare skin, "what happened?"

 

Opening one eye she met his frantic face, "I didn't think you would have let me sleep in my room after that, or at least alone," she huffed.

 

"What,” his voice rose.

 

And then it clicked. Reaching out she slapped him, "why didn't you tell me you just needed those memories dumbo?"

 

"What are you talking about," the Doctor asked as his hand met her forehead, "are you well?"

 

Pulling him into a hug, Donna could feel the Doctor briefly tense before relaxing into it, “thank you for saving me.”

 

“Of course I’d come for you. One of the perks of traveling with me. I’ll never leave you behind,” promised the Doctor. 

 

Loosening her grip Donna pulled back looking into the Doctor’s eyes, “what are you talking about,” she asked. 

 

“With the Sibylline Sisterhood. If anything happened Donna I’d find a way to come get you,” he stated. 

 

Donna graped at him, trying to process what he’d just said. The Sibylline Sisterhood was in Pompeii but they were just on the Crucible. "What,” she paused, unsure what was going on as panic coursed through her, “Doctor, where were we just," she clarified.

 

"Pompeii," the Doctor assured her.

 

Nodding Donna closed her eyes, pressing her lips together. Pompeii. That didn't even make sense. Pompeii was months ago. "And next," she asked, trying to gather more information. 

 

"No idea," he beamed, "going to set the old girl to random and see what happens," the Doctor explained. “I thought we talked about this already,” he queried.

 

The Oodsphere. That's where next was. Her bottom lip quivered, giving away the fear she was trying to keep inside. Donna tried to cover it with her hand but she had been too slow. 

 

"You're alright. I've got you," the Doctor promised, pulling her into a hug, "I'm sorry Donna. The nightmare you had must have been horrible," he reasoned. 

 

She listened to the drumming of his double hearts, "yeah, you could say that," she swallowed. 

 

“Was it about Pompeii,” he questioned. 

 

Donna shook her head, “no. It was,” she trailed off unsure what to say. What was it in the future? Was it a dream? Was this a parallel world? But the Doctor had said they were sealed off. Then again with the reality bomb junk they just had gone to one parallel world. Without his mind it was all too hard to work out. Could she ask this Doctor? She sat there as his words flowed through her head, sometimes I think there's way too much coincidence around you Donna. She shivered, It's like something's binding us together.

 

"You're shaking," he noticed. 

 

She looked at her hands in the dim light, sure enough they were unable to still. Donna fisted her hands, "I need you to scan me," her voice was soft, so unlike herself. 

 

"Donna," the Doctor began.

 

"Please," she begged. 

 

He watched her for a moment, "you must really not be feeling well if you're willing to be scanned," the Doctor realized, retrieving his sonic screwdriver from his breast pocket and running it over Donna. "Nothing remarkable," he revealed. "Can you tell me what feels wrong," the Doctor asked.

 

Pressing her lips together she nodded, "no. Can you scan me in the infirmary?"

 

"Well, yeah, of course," he let on, "what made you so terrified? I've not seen you like this, even when you thought you could die," he gently prodded. 

 

She pushed back against the wall trying to lift herself from the position she was sitting in but her legs were shaking nearly as bad as her hands. She knew that wasn't a dream. She had lived that life. Just as she had lived in the parallel world. Somehow, she was here again but it didn't make sense. 

 

"Here, let me help," he said as his arm wrapped around her, "you're shaking like a leaf."

 

Swallowing, she gripped onto him to steady herself as they walked, "what are all the different ways of time travel," Donna blurted, causing the Doctor to give a little chuckle in response. 

 

"Well, there's thousands of ways really. The TARDIS of course, but there are other vessels that can travel through time as well. Saw a time cabinet once too. Then there's time scoops, time corridors, vortex manipulators, and bits like that," he prattled turning into the infirmary, "Then there are time storms, time winds,  weeping angels, the trickster, and less influential things such as time viewer," he explained helping her onto the bed.

 

Not one of the things he noted seemed to be anything that could have done this to her. Although the Doctor didn't necessarily explain what any of those things did. She watched him pull the scanner down, "do any of those throw you back in your own personal timeline?"

 

"I suppose every one of them could. I've done that once or twice but it's a dangerous business and I won't be doing it again. Well, maybe for a cheap trick here or there he winked. Looking from her to the scanner, "anything in particular you want me to look for on this scan," he queried.

 

"Everything. Diseases, poisons, time sickness," she guessed. 

 

His eyes popped up at her words, "time sickness? How do you know about time sickness," the Doctor wondered aloud. 

 

Shit. She hadn't even made it ten minutes in the past without messing up. Maybe she should just tell him everything now. But then the Doctor might leave her and if she wasn't there then how would she save him? 

 

"That's a real thing," she laughed, a bit too fake for even her own standards, "I just figured you know traveling in a time box might make someone sick from all the traveling, you know, through, time," she stammered grasping at straws to make him less suspicious. 

 

"I suppose," the Doctor shrugged, turning back to the monitor and typing on it. 

 

Sitting there for a moment Donna was trying to get her brain to calm down. If she could slow the thoughts, maybe she could make sense of them. "What about those movies where someone wakes up in their life like the day or years hadn't existed and they have to go through it all again," she fumbled trying to make the words make sense. 

 

"Are you talking about a time loop," he questioned. 

 

Time loop. A loop in time. She was repeating time. "Maybe, what about that?"

 

"Time loops are complicated points. They take a massive amount of energy which makes them very uncommon," he expounded. 

 

A massive amount of energy. Like what the reality bomb had needed. "What could produce an amount of energy like that," she asked. 

 

Laughing he shrugged, "well Time Lords had all sorts of ways. We were good at making things bigger on the inside," he recalled. 

 

Bigger on the inside. The TARDIS. Oh my God. But why would the TARDIS? The TARDIS sent her back in time. The TARDIS tried to save her. 

 

"So, Time Lords had a thing for time loops. That means the troublemaker you are, I assume you've been stuck in one? How did you know it was a time loop," she pushed.

 

Smiling he took a deep breath, "mostly my superior time sense. However, when that wasn't an option you gain a feel for it. Deja vu, repeating patterns, unexplainable predictions or intuition," he chuckled, "this one time I had gone through one eight times before I realized it," the Doctor reminisced. 

 

Well, this was certainly one hell of a deja vu. Except none of this had happened before. She hadn't woken after Pompeii to this. Donna wouldn't know for certain if she was losing her mind or if she was in a time loop until they landed tomorrow. 

 

The TARDIS hummed, causing the Doctor's attention to return to the monitor, "absolutely nothing is wrong," he began but she could see the way his face changed and his head turned slightly to the left he had found something, "why didn't you tell me you were in pain? You have major bruising on your side," the Doctor read moving to a drawer, "how did you even get that side bruised? You hit your right earlier, even then you landed on me," he remarked astounded. 

 

"No idea. Can I see," she hoped. Contrary to what she told the Doctor, she knew exactly how that bruising had happened. It was a result of Davros' zap that activated her Time Lords self. Which meant that she wasn't dreaming. It is real, this was real, and she was really back on the TARDIS the night they went to Pompeii. 

 

Turning the screen toward her the Doctor smiled, "see nothing to worry about," he assured her moving to her side. "Erm, Is it okay if I," he questioned, "this will help with the bruising and any pain you might be having."

 

"Yeah," she breathed, shifting and lifting her shirt up. Was it funny that this was the first time he was seeing this much skin when she had seen him completely starkers earlier? Donna bit her lip as his fingers ran the cool gel down her side. Maybe thinking of the Doctor naked wasn't the best idea when he was touching her like this. She wasn't entirely sure how that touch telepathy worked. "Um, even my brain? It all looks normal? The way it's supposed to? Nothing there that shouldn't be," she worried. 

 

The Doctor's eyebrow shot up inquisitively, "scanner says so. Are you telling me you think there is," he questioned running his fingers over her ribs.

 

"No, no, just curious," Donna replied, trying not to think about the way his hand was caressing her.

 

The Doctor watched her curiously for a moment. “How about a cuppa,” he suggested, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck, “when I can’t sleep, erm, or wake up, a good cuppa always helps to settle me down,” he offered.

 

Smiling Donna nodded. The Doctor had told her about his nightmares in her past but this Doctor hadn’t. Were they really that different? “That sounds lovely,” she agreed, escorting him to the kitchen.

 

Once in the Galley Donna moved to retrieve their mugs before the Doctor shooed her away, “sit, I’ve got this,” he assured her. 

 

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she curled up at the table. Usually Donna was the one on tea duty. When had that changed? It was almost like she was watching a whole new Doctor. So eager and bright to show her the universe. Then again they had just returned from their first real trip. He had made her a cuppa the first time too. 

 

“Thank you for saying yes,” Donna found herself telling him.

 

Peering over his shoulder at her the Doctor looked confused, “to what?”

 

“Letting me come with you Dumbo. I wouldn’t give it up for the world. Actually, I’m sorry I said no in the first place,” she reiterated. 

 

Pouring water in their mugs, and dressing their tea the Doctor turned, his smile brightening. “Of course. Thank you for saying yes this time and understanding about the whole mate thing,” he grinned, coming over and setting a mug before her. 

 

Laughing at the memory of the Doctor’s face as she huffed at him, Donna took his hand, “I have a feeling you and I are going to be the best of mates,” she told him.

Chapter Text

Tossing and turning through the night didn’t make for the most restful sleep. Try as she might, after their hours-long conversation Donna had tried to at least nap before they ended up meeting the Ood again. Yet, it felt like she’d not slept at all. After making breakfast and drinking enough coffee to speed up a racehorse Donna got dressed, trying to remember what she’d worn the last time they visited. Most importantly she did remember one thing she’d be needing: a coat. 

 

Coming into the console room she smiled at the Doctor caressing the TARDIS. It may have only been brief but she wished she could feel that again. To know the TARDIS was sentient was one thing, to feel it was another. 

 

“You brought a coat,” the Doctor chuckled, seeing it draped over her arm.

 

Shrugging Donna sat on the jump seat, “I figured you always have one better bring one myself. Never know where we’re going to end up,” she grinned, sticking her tongue between her teeth.

 

Beaming back the Doctor shook his head, “wish some of my other companions would think it through that much,” he winked. 

 

“I promise you one thing Doctor, I’m definitely overthinking everything,” she breathed. 

 

She watched as the Doctor ran around like a maniac in his blue suit just like last time setting the TARDIS to random despite Donna knowing in her bones where they would end up. The first time they’d done this she thought it was a bit odd that the Doctor hadn't even looked to see if they ended up in a safe place. Now, she knew that the TARDIS would never take them anywhere they didn’t need to be. How much had changed since the first time they’d been here. 

 

The Doctor raised his leg to kick a lever and Donna remembered the first time they'd done this how impressed she was at his flexibility. This time she found herself watching the Doctor, taking him in completely different. He was still her best mate. Pompeii had set that in motion on his side but instead of getting caught up in the wild ride they were on Donna could just sit back and appreciate, even observe the Doctor in a way she hadn't before.

 

The TARDIS bounced them around like pinballs as Donna grabbed onto the console to steady herself. The Doctor's hand found her waist as he bumped into her before falling back onto the jumpseat as the TARDIS landed with both of them laughing. 

 

"Set the controls to random. Mystery tour. Outside that door could be any planet, anywhere, anywhen in the whole wide universe," he began setting his eyes on her face. "Are you all right," the Doctor questioned.

 

She smiled, "terrified," she gasped. Just not for the same reason she was the first time. If they really were back at the Ood Sphere it meant this all was real. 

 

"I could always take you home," he jested.

 

Donna reached up, swatting his shoulder, "don't laugh at me," she huffed. 

 

The Doctor shoved his hands in his pockets, a grin spreading across his face. "I know what it's like. Everything you're feeling right now. The fear, the joy, the wonder? I get that," he beamed.

 

Funny thing was she did too. Even if she hadn't traveled nearly as long as the Doctor had been traveling. She matched his smile, and asked "seriously?"

 

"Yeah. Why do you think I keep going," he assured her.

 

Unable to tamper down the excitement that radiated from him Donna pulled the Doctor into a hug. "Oh. All right then, you and me both, come on then," she urged, grabbing her coat as the Doctor shrugged on his.

 

"You get the honors," he said, nodding to the doors. Throwing them open they stepped out just where Donna knew they would. Before her was the familiar frozen landscape. Ice formations and snow covered mounts sparkled around them. How couldn't she find it dazzling? 

 

"Snow! Oh, real snow. Proper snow at last. That's more like it. Lovely," he noted looking round, "what do you think?"

 

"A bit colder than the last time you and I were in the snow together," laughed Donna as she began slipping her coat on. She felt the Doctor's hands grip it to assist her. "Thanks," she said, adding, "It's beautiful," taking in the same view she had seen before. 

 

"Look at that view," he cheered, throwing his arms out. "Millions of planets, millions of galaxies, and we're on this one. Molto bene. Bellissimo." He began to wander forward, "all you've got is a life of work and sleep, and telly and rent and tax and takeaway dinners, all birthdays and Christmases and two weeks holiday a year, and then you end up here. Donna Noble, citizen of the Earth, standing on a different planet. How about that," the Doctor looked at her expectantly. 

 

Had he said that the first time? She didn't remember. Was that how the Doctor saw her? Boring? "Yeah, it's amazing," she agreed, trying not to let his words eat away at her.

 

"Donna," he questioned, looking at her just as a rocket ship flew before them. The very same one that had before. 

 

"The TARDIS is way better than that," she chuckled thinking of how she'd been lured away with its shininess the first time. The Doctor looked at her, "what," she questioned taking his hand, "come on spaceman, I take it we have some walking to do."

 

Walking hand in hand Donna smiled as they came up to one of her favorite parts of the Ood Sphere. It was just as beautiful as she remembered. "Come here," she asked, pulling the Doctor close as she reached in her pocket for her camera and snapped a photo.

 

"Here," he said, taking it, "go on." Smiling Donna walked onto the ice bridge and posed. "Look like you're taking it in," the Doctor directed as Donna spun in a circle only to have the Doctor rush over after doing the same as he handed her back the camera. 

 

"Thanks. Don't worry I won't show them off. Just for us. Well, me but if you ever want a look you're welcome to," she blabbered unsure why being around the Doctor this time around made her nervous. 

 

Coming off the bridge, the Doctor paused, "hold on, can you hear that?"

 

Knowing what was about to happen she swallowed, "no. I don't hear anything," she told him. 

 

"It's like a song," he murmured, searching around trying to pinpoint it, "over there," the Doctor pointed, rushing to the Ood lying in the snow. 

 

Donna followed quickly after him kneeling on the other side of the Ood. "It's an Ood," the Doctor explained while producing his stethoscope, "I don't know where the heart is. I don't know if he's got a heart. Talk to him, keep him going," he urged listening to the Ood. 

 

Her hand met the Ood, "it's all right, we've got you. I'm Donna and this is the Doctor," she softly smiled introducing the two of them. Wishing she would have remembered his name Donna frowned, "what's your name?"

 

"Designated Ood Delta 50," he answered, which made Donna frown more. She supposed that wasn't his real name, just the one they had assigned him after separating him from his brain. 

 

"You've been shot," the Doctor noted.

 

The Ood looked at her, "the circle. The circle must be broken," Delta 50 choked out. 

 

"Circle? What do you mean? Delta 50, what circle? Delta 50? What circle," questioned the Doctor. 

 

His eyes flashed Red as Delta 50 sat up causing the Doctor to jump across him pulling Donna back away to safety. Staring up in the Doctor's eyes as his body pressed against her putting him in harm's way Donna frowned. It hadn't happened exactly like this last time. She was already changing things. Donna placed a hand on the Doctor's arm as he looked over his shoulder at the Ood. "I think he's gone," she said as the Doctor stood helping her up.

 

"Careful," warned the Doctor, allowing her to go to Delta 50. 

 

Kneeling back beside and gently running her hand across Delta 50's head Donna couldn't help but frown. "I'm sorry we were too late," she apologized, feeling the Doctor's hand on her shoulder giving her a gentle squeeze.

 

"The snow will bury him," he acknowledged, "come on." 

 

She knew that they still had more walking to do in order to make it to the compound. A conversation and some psychic paper later the Doctor and Donna were inside checking in for their tour. After another dismissal of their marriage status, Donna wondered why they worked so hard to deny it. Of course they weren't married but they always seemed to beat the fact that they weren't far past what was needed. 

 

"What did he mean the circle must be broken? It seemed very important to him," Donna noted, trying to draw the Doctor's attention to it as they looked around the room they had entered. 

 

While the Doctor listened to Solana's speal as he tapped into the computer pulling up the Ood distribution centers, Donna tried to figure out how to get the Doctor the information he needed to shut this down as soon as possible and save more lives than they had last time. She wondered when would be a good time to make a break for it or if they should stick to the initial iterary.

 

Donna knew that Mr. Halpen would soon be joining for questions and answers. They needed to get out before he came, before the Doctor asked him questions peaking his interest. She placed her hand on the packet the Doctor was holding and began going through it as the Doctor sonicked the computer showing her the Ood distribution centers. 

 

Finding the map Donna held it up, "fancy taking a look at other things," she asked as an Ood came up to them offering them a drink.

 

The Doctor grinned, "look at us, two peas in a pod. I was thinking the exact same thing."

 

Pausing, Donna placed a hand on the Ood before them knowing she needed more to get the Doctor to the end goal. "Can you tell us what the circle is," she questioned. 

 

"The circle must be broken," he stated just like Delta 50 had.

 

Stepping closer the Doctor watched him, "what is it? What is the circle?"

 

"The circle must be broken," the Ood repeated. 

 

Placing a hand on the Doctor's arm knowing that Halpen was about to show Donna needed them to get out of there fast.

 

"Why," pushed the Doctor. 

 

"So that we can sing," the Ood noted. 

 

Solana started talking and Donna knew their time was running short. "We have to go," she hissed, taking the Doctor's hand Donna pulled him along, moving out and through the corridor they had before. 

 

"What was that about," he spat as they left the building.

 

She shrugged looking down at the map, "the big boss was coming. Thought that we shouldn't be around," she noted. 

 

They walked along the way they had before, the Doctor using his sonic screwdriver on the gate to get them through. They were running early so there were no Ood in the courtyard yet which meant they had to hurry.

 

"A whole empire built on slaves," sighed Donna as they walked. 

 

He glanced at her quickly, "not that different from your time," he rebuked.

 

"That's a cheap shot. I don't have any slaves. I don't like this any more than you do. Trying to help you free them at the moment," she growled.  

 

Shoving his hands in his pockets they continued on, "sorry," he said as they entered into silence. She just needed to find the right warehouse. "Last time I met the Ood I was too busy to save them. I had to let them die," he confessed. 

 

Frowning Donna stilled, "then you owe them one and I'm going to help you fulfill it." She looked down at the map. "The map is fine and all but I reckon that the places we need to go aren't on the map. You said you could hear them, Doctor, where are they?"

 

"You are brilliant," he grinned, taking her hand, "this way," the Doctor said, pulling her along after him. 

 

Sonicing open the door they entered the conversion area and the Doctor clutched his head, "it's the song of captivity," he said.

 

She stroked his arm, "please, I want to hear," Donna noted knowing how much it hurt last time but not wanting the Doctor to shoulder this burden alone.

 

Pushing her in, the Doctor locked them inside. "Face me," he said.

 

Turning Donna allowed the Doctor to place his hands on her temples, opening her mind. It was more gut wrenching than she remembered and she had to will her body to breathe. 

 

"Open your mind. That's it. Hear it Donna, hear the music," he encouraged. 

 

The song of desperation rang through her. She wanted to wrap herself up in her coat until the pain subsided but Donna knew there was so much they had to do to put things right. Instead, she ran over to the machinery, ignoring the bodies of Ood and scientists, and the pain in her mind. Looking over to the large trays she gasped seeing shaking Ood strapped down with their brain beside them waiting to be severed. "We have to shut this place down," she told the Doctor. 

 

"They're removing their secondary brain. It processes their memory and emotions. You get rid of that, you wouldn't be Donna anymore. You'd be an enslaved Ood," explained the Doctor as they freed the Ood they could. The Doctor led them to the door allowing them out, "find your kind. They'll know what to do," he noted locking him and Donna back in again.

 

"How about we blow this place up," she queried.

 

Smiling, the Doctor nodded, "think we can do that," he agreed, tossing her a translator ball, "find as many as you can," he instructed, starting to throw balls on the floor. "If I can increase the power I can put it on a delay and blow this whole building," he explained. 

 

Thankfully Donna knew exactly where the others were and started scattering her own amongst the floor as the Doctor used his sonic to adapt the frequencies.  "Never thought I'd be helping you make a bomb," she laughed at the ludicrosity.

 

"Nothing wrong with a bomb. Bombs get a bad wrap. Sometimes it's helpful. We're not hurting anyone. Just helping," reasoned the Doctor. 

 

Taking Donna's hand the Doctor pulled her from the building running behind a snow bank as the Doctor aimed his sonic and activated the balls. The two of them were blown backwards as the Doctor's hands wrapped around her protectively.

 

"Are you alright," he worried as he helped her up.

 

Wiping the snow off herself she nodded, "yeah. Used a few too many balls I see," she chuckled. 

 

"Possibly," the Doctor grinned. 

 

She really wanted to avoid being handcuffed again. Currently Donna thought they were ahead of the game. They could still save lives if they played this right. "I heard that man talking, he said warehouse 15. We should see what they have there," suggested Donna. 

 

"This way," the Doctor chirped, grabbing her hand. 

 

The Doctor pulled her down in the snow, shoving his hand over her mouth knowing that she would yelp, just in time to see a group of people walk by up ahead and move to the warehouse. 

 

"How long since you went inside," one man asked. 

 

"Must be ten years ago," the man Donna knew to be in charge, and who she knew would soon become an Ood responded. They watched as he entered a code and they all went into the building. 

 

"Whatever's in there we need to get to it," the Doctor noted. "A creature can't survive with a separate forebrain and hindbrain. They'd be at war with themselves. There has to be something else," he thought aloud. Peering around he grabbed her hand, "come on."

 

Sonicing the door Donna remembered the smell as soon as it hit her nose, "it smells," she gasped having forgotten how strong it was last time.

 

"Now isn't the time," he reminded her as they snuck in.  

 

"I've read the documents, but it doesn't quite prepare you," a man in a lab coat noted. 

 

"The Ood Brain. Now it all makes sense, That's the missing link. The third element, binding them together. Forebrain, hindbrain, and this, the telepathic center. It's a shared mind, connecting all the Ood in song," he whispered. 

 

Donna saw it, while also keeping her eye on the others, "it's in a circle. The circle must be broken," she said aloud. 

 

"Damping the telepathic field. Stopping the Ood from connecting," the Doctor noted. 

 

A transmission broke through, "mister Halpen, the two people from the Noble Corporation failed to pass security checks." Donna squeezed the Doctor's arm. 

 

"Just what I need. Start a search. No alarms, got that? Keep it quiet. Any word on what caused the explosion in conversion," he queried. 

 

"Not yet sir," Solana answered. 

 

The Doctor stood moving to where the two men and Ood stood, "the thing I don't get is why keep the telepathic center all this time," he interrupted, presenting himself. 

 

Mr. Halpen smiled, "I think we're finished here," he said, moving to speak into his communication device before the Doctor soniced it. 

 

"Sorry about that," he mused.

 

"If the barriers are in place, how did the Ood start breaking out," questioned Donna. 

 

He gave her a smile before turning back to the two men, "maybe it's taken centuries to adapt. The subconscious reaching out?"

 

"But the process was too slow. It had to be accelerated. You should never give me access to the controls, Mister Halpen. I lowered the barrier to its minimum. Friends Of The Ood, sir. It's taken me ten years to infiltrate the company, and I succeeded," the man in the lab coat revealed, stepping towards the computer.

 

Producing a gun from his pocket Mr. Halpen pointed it at the three of them, "now then. Can't say I've ever shot anyone before. Can't say I'm going to like it."

 

The Ood stepped forward, "would you like a drink, sir?"

 

Donna swallowed watching their exchange wondering if it was too soon. “I think hair loss is the least of my problems right now, thanks," he spat. 

 

Shifting, the Doctor stepped in front of Donna as the Ood stepped between them and Mr. Halpen. 

 

"Please have a drink, sir," he insisted. 

 

Mr. Halpen glared, "if you're going to stand in their way, I'll shoot you too," he warned as the Doctor placed a hand on the Ood's shoulder ready to move him out of danger's way. 

 

"Please have a drink, sir," he repeated. 

 

Worry crossed Mr. Halpen's face, "have, have you poisoned me," he urgently asked. 

 

"Natural Ood must never kill, sir," he responded. 

 

The Doctor stepped forward as Donna smiled, "what is that stuff," he questioned. 

 

"Ood graft suspended in a biological compound, sir," he explained. 

 

"What the hell does that mean," Mr. Halpen spat. 

 

Glancing at Donna, the Doctor sighed, "oh, dear."

 

"Tell me," demanded Mr. Halpen. 

 

"Funny thing, the subconscious. Takes all sorts of shapes. Came out in the red eye as revenge, came out in the rabid Ood as anger, and then there was patience," the Doctor grinned. "All that intelligence and mercy, focused on Ood Sigma. How's the hair loss, Mister Halpen," he questioned. 

 

Donna stepped beside the Doctor as Mr. Halpen ran his hand over his hair with more coming out. She hated seeing this the first time and it wasn't any better knowing what was about to happen this time. 

 

"What have you done," he nearly whimpered. 

 

"Oh, they've been preparing you for a very long time. And now you're standing next to the Ood Brain, Mister Halpen, can you hear it? Listen," the Doctor encouraged. 

 

His mouth hung open confused, "what have you? I'm not," Mr. Halpen began before his face went blank. Swallowing Donna didn't want to see it again as he dropped his gun and reached for his head before peeling the skin off revealing tentacles.

 

Burying her face in the Doctor's chest Donna closed her eyes, "they turned him into an Ood," she said, trying to act surprised. 

 

"Yep," the Doctor said.

 

Mr. Halpen sneezed and Donna knew he'd just produced the hindbrain. 

 

"He has become Oodkind, and we will take care of him," Sigma assured them. 

 

The man in the lab coat beeped, "they're trying to locate us," he noted. 

 

"Sigma, would you allow me the honor," the Doctor asked running to the computer. 

 

"It is yours, Doctor," he nodded.

 

That familiar grin crossed his face, "oh, yes! Stifled for two hundred years, but not any more," he cheered typing on the computer as the electrical noise ceased, "the circle is broken. The Ood can sing."

 

The most beautiful sound surrounded them, somehow more breathtaking than last time. Donna wondered if it's because she'd been hearing the song of captivity this whole time so that the song of freedom filled her in a way she never expected. 

 

Watching on as the Doctor put Ryder in charge helping the Ood Donna was pleasantly pleased with herself. They'd managed to prevent the massive amounts of deaths that occured last time. Still, she nearly wasn't even sorry for Mr. Halpen. Sometimes the best lesson was the chance to walk in another's shoes. He'd get that opportunity for the rest of his life. 

 

Coming over to her the Doctor was grinning, "the message has gone out. Their song is resonating across the galaxies. The Ood are coming home," he announced. "You ready," he questioned, holding his hand out.

 

"Yeah," she agreed, looking out at the happy Ood.

 

"You were brilliant today," the Doctor praised as she took his hand.

 

Donna rolled her eyes, "you weren't so bad yourself time boy," she joked stopping short at a group of Ood who were blocking their way. 

 

"We thank you, Doctor Donna, friends of Oodkind," stated Ood Sigma. 

 

"We'll be off," he noted.

 

Ood Sigma nodded, "take this song with you."

 

Smiling Donna nodded, "we will," she agreed. 

 

"Always," the Doctor assured them. 

 

"And know this, Doctor Donna. You will never be forgotten. Our children will sing of the Doctor Donna, and our children's children, and the wind and the ice and the snow will carry your names forever," Ood Sigma vowed. 

 

A long walk later Donna was curled up beneath the blanket she had procured in the library, trying to warm herself before the fireplace. The day’s events had mostly gone to memory except for the places she hurried it along. Martha would soon call and then they'd be whisked away back to Earth and then onto Messaline for Jenny. Could she prevent Jenny from dying this time? Or would it be better to prevent her from ever existing? 

 

"Mind some company," the Doctor asked, bringing Donna from her thoughts. He paused in front of her, handing her a mug.

 

Pulling her legs up to make room for him on the sofa Donna smiled, "what's this now," she asked, taking the mug from her. 

 

"Hot cocoa. Thought you could use a pick me up," he suggested sinking beside her. 

 

Donna watched him. She hadn't asked to go home this time so what could he be talking about? "Oh," she queried. 

 

"Erm, you, well, you were brilliant out there today and I just thought you'd be more enthusiastic after," he muttered. 

 

Frowning, she nodded, staring into her mug. Donna took a sip before meeting the Doctor's gaze again, "it was a lot," she sighed. "Seeing someone turn into an Ood, whether he deserved it or not and then all the death and destruction they brought the Ood just to force them into slavery," she recalled. 

 

"Donna," he said, watching her intently, "I've been told that sometimes I'm rude, or can be rude," he began, "earlier, when I said Halpen and his men were not so different from your time, well, I didn't mean you," he clarified.

 

Reaching out she intertwined her fingers with his, "I know that spaceman. I just. I'm sure it can all get muddled with you. We're all just temporary wisps in your eyes," she admitted trying to ignore the stinging that began behind her eyes signaling she was tearing up. 

 

"No, not at all. I think you're rather giant," he dismissed. "Erm, Humans, the good ones. I know you aren't like that. I know not every human is," he verified. 

 

Taking her hand back she took another sip of the hot cocoa, "of come off it," she chuckled.

 

"Besides, we're a team now. DoctorDonna. Can't get rid of you if I tried," he beamed. 

 

Her fingers gripped the mug tighter at his words. Reminding her of the prophecy they once again had predicted. 

 

Donna had to make sense of everything. She needed to get it out of her head and on paper, "Doctor, do you possibly have a notebook, legal pad, anything that I could have? I can buy you a replacement one next time we stop by somewhere," she offered. 

 

"Of course," he popped up, setting his mug on the table and moving to one of the tables, opening a drawer and producing a bound journal and box of pens. "Here," he said, handing them to her sitting back down with a huge smile on his face. 

 

"Thanks," she said looking at the notebook and noticing a D on it. "Is the D for Doctor or did the TARDIS magically give this to you for me," she joked.

 

Grabbing his mug, the Doctor shrugged, "does it matter,” he winked. “You know I keep a journal too. Helps me keep things straight in my brain. Might be a good thing for you to help conceptualize everything. I know life on the TARDIS can be a bit different," he let on.

 

He looked so vulnerable there. Donna knew all he wasn't saying, she could see it, hear it all beneath his words. "Doctor, I'm not going anywhere," she promised taking his hand, "I love this, I'll stay as long as you'll have me."

 

“Good,” he agreed, settling back in and picking up a book to read. 

 

Frantically she began writing. There was the Ood sphere, Atmos business with the Sontorans, Messaline where Jenny was born, visiting Agatha Christie, India, the Andromeda galaxy, Sebastian’s horrible plan, Gramps’ star. Then there was Galactic Royal Hotel, the side trip to find that writer, Methuselah, Cantabulous Nine, Shadow Cay, that trip to the London Technology Museum, Calibris, and the Library. 

 

Donna thought of the time she took after the Library. Even if she couldn’t prevent going into the computer, she wasn’t spending any time away from the Doctor, not this time. So, those wouldn’t matter anymore but she made note of those adventures and what happened as well just in case something happened and she wasn’t able to prevent it.

 

That left a quick visit to China. And the blasted incident with Rudolph in Goritania which she really needed to find a better way to do than last time. She certainly wasn’t doing that to the Doctor again. Then playing house with the Doctor for Haunted Makeovers and hopefully keeping her fingers safe this time. A visit to Vallarasee, then that Smog business. Which left Midnight. Donna would be damned if she was letting the Doctor go on the bus to see the waterfalls this time.  Last but not least, her last two chances to prevent ending up memory wiped, Shan Shen and the whole Dalek business.

 

Donna tried to think about what the point was. It had to be to save herself right? But why would the TARDIS send her back in time to save herself? It's not like they could have done anything different today to save more lives on the Oodsphere. Getting things done as efficiently as they did already did that. Maybe she could save more lives with the Atmos business, or Jenny. She had the opportunity to save Jenny or she could save the Doctor the pain of losing another child at least if Jenny never existed. Donna groaned, scrubbing her face with her hand.

 

"What's wrong," questioned the Doctor looking up from his book. His eyebrow was raised in a questioning manner like he knew there was more than just the day's events getting to her.

 

He was her best friend, Donna knew she could tell him anything. Then why did she feel like she couldn't tell him about this? The Doctor would believe her, she had no doubt about that. Maybe that was the problem. If she told the Doctor, he would believe her and he'd want to hear about it. Or at least some of it. Every single thing she did would be under scrutiny then. It was just too early in this friendship to risk losing her best friend. If the Doctor had taken her memories without permission, her certainly wouldn't think twice about leaving her home to prevent everything from happening and Donna knew if she wasn't on the TARDIS there was no way for them to save Earth. At least until she had time to come up with a new plan.

 

"Nothing," she lied, "just brain stuff."

 

Setting his book down the Doctor smiled, "I"m rather good at brain stuff," he told her.

 

"I bet you are, brain boy," she chuckled. Frowning, she picked up her mug of cocoa and took a sip. "I'm just trying to process everything," Donna admitted.

 

Things were already different. Could someone do everything exactly the same even if they tried? But wasn't that the goal? Donna needed to change the future. Well, what happened in her past and prevent it from becoming the new future.

 

Starting a list of things she needed to know in order to prevent the past from happening Donna knew the first thing was to figure out how to fly the TARDIS. She needed to know how to dematerialize the TARDIS, how to set it to repair, how to turn on the invisibility, and how to set coordinates as well as figure out coordinates. If she could do that, then she could get the TARDIS out of the fiery pit and navigate it enough to get to safety until she could figure out the next step. 

 

She wondered if she’d be able to remember what she’d done last time if she faced those buttons again. Of course, Donna knew what she did but the mechanics of doing it worried her. As long as she could turn the Dalek’s off and bring down the holding cells nothing else really mattered. The Doctor could handle the rest. She could worry about being the third wheel on the TARDIS when the time came. If she could get those two things figured out, at the very least then she would change her fate.

Chapter Text

The Doctor was sprawled out beneath the console as Donna rolled her eyes at him trying to fix yet another thing. She knew she’d have to tread a little lightly in order to get the Doctor to give her a better piloting lesson than last time. “I was thinking,” Donna began kneeling down by his feet. 

 

“Oh? That means trouble,” he chuckled. 

 

Slapping his cream converse she huffed, “pot meet kettle,” Donna dared. 

 

With another laugh the Doctor pushed himself out from his position and sat up, “okay, okay,” he relented, “what is it you were thinking?”

 

“We seem to land in a lot of trouble,” she began as the Doctor opened his mouth to protest, “I’m not saying you do it on purpose but you do tend to attract it,” she reasoned.

 

Nodding he wiped his hands off, “and your point is,” he pushed.

 

“I think I should know a few things about how the TARDIS works. Well, the whole flying business,” she suggested. 

 

Shaking his head the Doctor stood, “no. No way,” he dismissed.

 

“Why not,” she pouted.

 

“Because I don’t teach anyone to drive the TARDIS,” the Doctor settled on.

 

Pushing herself up Donna sat on the jumpseat crossing her arms, “wouldn’t it be beneficial to have had another set of hands when things get shaky? What about that day on the motorway? If someone else was here and could have helped you wouldn’t have burnt the TARDIS up like you did trying to save me,” she reminded him.

 

“No,” the Doctor rebuked. 

 

Huffing out a breath Donna sunk further into her seat, “okay, fine. How about you just teach me how to dematerialize the TARDIS. Get us to the vortex for safety if needed,” she hoped watching the Doctor think it over, “if you became incapacitated I’d at least be able to get you out of wherever we were safely,” Donna explained. 

 

He ran over to the console hitting levers and she heard the familiar wheezing signaling they had landed. The Doctor leaned against the console, his hands in his pockets, “if I show you, no telling anyone. Biggest secret out there,” he warned. 

 

Grinning Donna jumped up, “my lips are sealed,” she promised.

 

The Doctor reached out pointing to a button, “this one right here will materialize us in the vortex,” he said proudly.

 

“What? One button? Really,” doubted Donna eyeing him.

 

Raising his hand the Doctor grinned, “on my honor,” he affirmed. 

 

“Can I press it,” she asked.

 

“Why do you think I’ve just parked us,” the Doctor beamed, jumping up to watch her.

 

Pressing the button Donna felt the TARDIS jolt and wheeze. She burst with laughter at learning how easy it was. She also remembered the Doctor’s cheat sheet and how she should help him get that even though they weren't going to be separate this time around. “That's bloody fantastic,” she howled. “What’s next,” she pushed.

 

“That’s it. You asked how to get us to safety and now you know,” the Doctor declared. 

 

Scrunching up her face Donna nodded, “okay, say the TARDIS was damaged, would I have to repair her before we took off or would we be able to take off to get you to safety,” she questioned. 

 

The Doctor eyed her, “is that what your nightmare was about? Did something happen to me in it,” he queried.

 

Biting her lip she nodded, “a lot of things actually,” confessed Donna. 

 

A solemn look flashed across the Doctor’s face. “The TARDIS should be able to take off as long as she has power, even if she’s damaged,” he promised meeting her eyes, “but, if we’ve sustained some hits,” the Doctor paused moving over and pointing out three square buttons that were lit up white and red, “these will active the repair interface. It can handle basic damage like gunshots, arrows, bombs, things like that,” explained the Doctor. 

 

Donna couldn’t help herself and wrapped the Doctor in a hug. Just knowing those two things made her feel a world better. “Thank you,” she told him.

 

“Anything else that would help keep the nightmares at bay,” asked the Doctor. 

 

“How do you make the TARDIS invisible? Like if we need her to go completely undetected cause someone is following us,” she brought up.

 

Taking her hand the Doctor led her to a silver flip hidden under a red cover, “this makes the TARDIS invisible,” he said before moving on and pointing out a square blue switch, “this puts the TARDIS on silent mode,” he educated. “But, even if the TARDIS is running on silent you can still be heard in the TARDIS. Any noise,” he warned. 

 

Excited, she gave him another quick squeeze, “thank you Doctor. Now I only need to know how to put in coordinates in case I need to get you to a proper hospital,” she said.

 

“Everything you need for me is here in the TARDIS infirmary. Promise. Plus, I keep a first aid kit under the jumpseat,” he noted pointing it out for Donna to see. “So, he began changing the subject, “you’ve gone back in time, seen an alien planet, what adventure next for Donna Noble,” he questioned, beginning to tinker with settings.

 

Each thing the Doctor showed her was easy enough. So easy that Donna couldn’t understand why he was so secretive about how to fly the TARDIS, “if all that is so simple why is it so complicated for you to fly the TARDIS?”

 

“It’s not easy.” he rebuked, clearly aghast at her suggestion, “the TARDIS is meant to have five pilots, she’s really only had me,” he shrugged.  The TARDIS hummed loudly. “Well, sometimes another set of hands,” the Doctor reluctantly admitted.

 

The words had barely left his lips when her way into driving lessons hit. Donna grinned at him mischievously, “what I’m hearing is you want another set of hands to fly the TARDIS,” she pushed. 

 

Rolling his eyes the Doctor pinched the bridge of his nose, “no,” he sighed. 

 

“Come on Spaceman, you don’t want another set of hands for old times sake? It’d give you a chance to be all timelordy and explain things way above my understanding,” she hinted.

 

Shaking his head the Doctor tried to hide his smirk, “Donna,” he began.

 

“Please? She likes me so I know she’s okay with it,” she suggested.  The TARDIS hummed happily in reply, “see,” Donne urged.

 

A smirk spread across his lips lighting up his face, “alright,” he acquiesced to a yelp of excitement from Donna, “but just the very basics,” he warned, moving to grab his mallet.

 

“I don’t think she likes it when you hit her with that,” Donna hinted. 

 

Shaking his head the Doctor motioned for her to move in front of him, “nah, she likes it,” he dismissed. “Now place your right hand here,” he said pointing to a lever and then pointing to another, “left there.” 

 

Positioning her hands in place Donna felt a thrill run through her as the TARDIS hummed beneath her fingers, “like this?”

 

“Yep,” he popped, “now twist your right hand to the left,” instructed the Doctor.

 

The electricity of the TARDIS was nearly a jolt as she touched the controls. It was almost as if they were connected in a way they hadn’t been last time. “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” exclaimed Donna, feeling the ship move at her will.

 

The Doctor swallowed nervously, “me neither,” he noted. “Careful,” the Doctor shot, banging the console with the mallet.

 

Opening her mouth to holler at him for hitting the TARDIS she felt the ship jolt.

 

“Left hand down,” yelped the Doctor, grabbing onto her arm. “You’re getting a bit too close to the 1980s,” he warned.

 

Huffing Donna eyed him, “what am I gonna do, put a dent in them?”

 

“Well someone did,” he spat. 

 

A shiver ran through her at the deja vu. Too bad Donna knew it wasn’t just a feeling. “Oh you know you like this,” she sassed trying to pretend everything was normal as the TARDIS began to ring on cue. 

 

Setting the mallet down, the Doctor moved around her just as the TARDIS tossed Martha’s cell phone to him. Donna wasn’t sure if she remembered the Doctor looking at the phone with such hesitation last time. Or, maybe she’d been so wrapped up in the moment to notice the torment clearly present. Then again, the first time around Donna didn’t know him like she did now. “Hold on, since when do you get a mobile,” she questioned, realizing she should be surprised at this situation. 

 

“It’s not mine,” the Doctor said, finally flipping it open as he dropped to the jumpseat listening to Martha. “Right, yep,” he agreed but Donna noticed the absence of his smile and how his voice lacked his typical timbre. “Coordinates,” queried the Doctor as if he was conducting a business call rather than talking to someone he’d traveled with. Had she done something to change his reaction to Martha? “Be there shortly,” agreed the Doctor as he closed the phone and stood. 

 

Standing there Donna watched him as the Doctor entered the coordinates, “so where are we going,” she asked.

 

“Oh, right, well,” he paused, scratching the back of his neck. He was stalling and she knew better, “that was Martha. She needs our help for something on Earth,” he explained, not meeting her eyes. 

 

Stepping closer she placed her hand on his, “are you going to be okay seeing her,” worried Donna. Their first night on board he’d elaborated on how things had gotten complicated and how the Doctor should have been firm from the beginning: that he only wanted a friend to travel with. In fact, the Doctor unburdening himself now made Donna feel responsible for their whole situation. The Doctor didn’t even want to take Martha on except for Donna’s words that stuck with him. 

 

“Me? Yeah, I’ll be fine. I’m always alright,” he assured her with a smile. 

 

Squeezing his hand, Donna eyed him, “you know you used that a lot,” she warned not wanting to risk calling the Doctor on it too early. 

 

He gave her a smile as Donna held her hand out, “ here give me the phone,” she instructed.

 

“What,” the Doctor questioned.

 

Rolling her eyes Donna wriggled her fingers, “I'm going to add my number and call my phone from it in case something happens,” she explained.

 

The Doctor placed it in her hand, “right,” he agreed, returning his attention to the TARDIS console.

 

Quickly Donna saved her number and called her own phone before adding the number Martha had called from too. She wasn’t going to be caught unawares this time. “Here,” she called, tossing the phone back to him as he materialized the TARDIS. 

 

Grabbing his coat the Doctor slipped it on as he made for the door. Stepping outside he paused and Donna couldn’t help but notice how weary he was. “Martha Jones,” the Doctor stated.

 

“Doctor,” Martha said before the Doctor disappeared from view. 

 

Taking a deep breath Donna steeled herself following after. Tricking the Doctor was one thing but Martha would be another. 

 

“How’s the family,” he asked as Donna listened from the door.

 

Guilt flooded through her. Last time Martha had warned her, mentioned her own family and how they had been imprisoned and tortured. And she’d forgotten. After everything, she wanted to see her Mum and Gramps and had completely forgotten to ask the Doctor about Martha’s family. Maybe he was so hesitant because of what happened with them. She’d have to remember this time after the Doctor saved the world again. Stepping down she took Martha in trying to determine how to play this.

 

“Right, I should’ve known,” she said spying Donna, “it didn't take you long to replace me then,” noted Martha. 

 

The Doctor grimaced, “now don’t start fighting,” he warned. “Martha, Donna, Donna, Martha. Please don’t fight. Can’t bear fighting,” he lectured.

 

She’d have to ask him about that bit too. Why did he think they would fight over him? “Oh you wish,” sassed Donna shaking her head at the way his mind worked. Donna hugged Martha who gave a soft cry of surprise, “I’ve heard all about you. I think we’ll be great friends. He talks about you all the time,” Donna assured her, “says you saved his neck too many times to count,” she continued, wanting Martha to know that the Doctor did appreciate her even if he sucked at showing it at the time. 

 

“I dread to think,” Martha worried, looking from Donna to the Doctor as Donna let go of her. 

 

Donna shot the Doctor a look, “he does. Good things,” she paused, swatting the Doctor, “tell her,” she encouraged. 

 

“Yep, good things,” the Doctor agreed, missing Donna’s point. 

 

Martha winced, “oh my God, he told you everything,” she realized. 

 

“Yeah well, it didn't take you long to get over it. Who’s the lucky man,” she queried pointing to Martha’s ring.

 

Aghast the Doctor looked between the two of them, “what man? The lucky what,” he clarified clearly confused as Martha held her hand up for the Doctor.

 

“She’s engaged, you Prawn,” huffed Donna. Seriously, the skills this man was lacking. Just another reason why he needed someone. 

 

The surprise on his face was palpable, “really? Who to,” he wondered.

 

“Tom, that Tom Milligan. He’s in pediatrics working out in Africa right now. And yes, I know I‘ve got a Doctor who disappears off to distant places, tell me about it,” she sighed.

 

For some reason Donna didn’t fully believe her. Martha didn’t quite seem brimming with happiness. Then again what did she know about good working relationships? The last relationship she was in ended up with the Doctor needing to save her from being eaten by a giant spider. “Tell me he’s not skinny like this one,” she laughed.

 

“No, he’s sort of strong,” Martha disclosed. 

 

Reaching out her knuckles brushed against the Doctor’s stomach, “he’s too skinny for words! Give him a hug and you get a papercut,” she chuckled. 

 

“Oy! I think I’d rather you were fighting,” protested the Doctor. 

 

Nudging him in return Donna broke into a smile, “that’s why just mates is best,” she reminded him. 

 

Static broke across the intercom, “doctor Jones report to base please. Over,” it interrupted. 

 

Grabbing the walkie talkie Martha responded, “this is doctor Jones, operation blue sky is go go go,” turning and walking out of the alley they were nestled in. 

 

Just like if they were in a movie jeeps, and black uniformed men clad with guns appeared out of nowhere storming their position and shouting orders. Donna couldn't help but notice the facility they were storming had a large Atmos logo. 

 

“What are you searching for,” questioned the Doctor. 

 

Martha glanced over her shoulder at him, “illegal aliens,” she answered as personal filtered in around them barking orders at those inside the building. 

 

Last time Donna was so shocked by all the movement that she didn’t really grasp the magnitude. This time more and more soldiers kept appearing. As they both followed Martha the Doctor leaned in beside Donna, “Unit stands Unified Intelligence Taskforce. Used to work for them back in the 70s or was it 80s,” he explained. 

 

“You had a job? Going after aliens,” she quizzed incredulously. 

 

The Doctor shook his head, “more protect from aliens. I was their first scientific advisor,” he boasted. Pausing at his words Donna realized he hadn’t willingly volunteered that last time as he rushed ahead to catch up with Martha. “You’re qualified now? A proper Doctor,” he asked. 

 

“UNIT rushed it through given my experience in the field,” she noted, motioning for them to continue following, “we’ve established a field base on site, they’re dying to meet you,” she explained, giving the Doctor a grin.

 

Shock and disbelief was emanating from the Doctor. “Wish I could say the same,” he muttered as Donna and he climbed the stairs. 

 

“It’ll be fine,” Donna assured him. How had she missed just how out of sorts this had put him last time? For having worked there he sure didn’t want to be around UNIT.

 

The cold, methodical military precision of Martha stood out to her just like last time. Whatever had happened to Martha and her family surely had caused this. The way the Doctor spoke about Martha made her seem so much warmer. Donna wished she would have gotten to know Martha more last time. If anything it’d be good to have someone else who understood the intricacies of life traveling with the Doctor. 

 

Climbing up the stairs to the mobile command center behind the Doctor was no less dizzying this time with people afoot, giant computer screens and all the hullabaloo. 

 

“Operation Blue Sky complete sir. Thanks for letting me take the lead,” began Martha marching up to the same man as last time. “And this, this is the Doctor,” she smiled, turning to them, “Doctor, Colonel Mace.”

 

Immediately Colonel Mace jumped to a salute, “sir.”

 

“Oh don’t salute,” grimaced the Doctor. 

 

Donna had to hide her chuckle despite her strong dislike for the Colonel from the first time. Maybe he’d be better this time around. Or, maybe the Doctor’s dislike for the military had rubbed off on her. 

 

“But it’s an honor sir. I’ve read all of the files about you. Technically speaking you’re still on staff, you never resigned,” he gushed.

 

The Doctor looked around disinterested, “yeah it was all a bit more homespun back then.”

 

“Times have changed, sir,” Colonel Made noted.

 

Shaking her head at the disgust on the Doctor’s face it took everything in Donna not to laugh when he directed the Colonel to stop calling him sir. 

 

“Come on Doctor, you’ve seen it, you’ve been on board the Valiant. We’ve got massive funding from the United Nations,” appealed Martha, leading them deeper into the temporary center, “all in the name of Homeworld security.” 

 

“A modern UNIT for a modern world,” added Colonel Mace.

 

So much for Modern, they hadn’t really come that far from what Donna remembered in their first go around. Sending people off to get killed, sounded like the same military to her. “And that means arresting ordinary factory workers in broad daylight,” she huffed, reminding them of the current predicament. “It’s more like Guantanamo Bay out there,” she scolded noticing the Doctor’s smirk as he slipped his coat off and tossed it to hang. “Donna Noble by the way since you didn’t ask and I’ll have a salute,” she ordered. 

 

When the Doctor didn’t come to his rescue, Colonel Mace finally saluted her. 

 

“So tell me. What’s going on in that factory,” pushed the Doctor plopping down in a chair and getting comfortable. 

 

Colonel Mace turned to the giant screen before them, “Yesterday, 52 people died, in identical circumstances. Right across the world, in eleven different time zones. 5 AM in the UK, 6 AM in France, 8 AM in Moscow, 12 PM in China.”

 

“You mean they died simultaneously,” interrupted the Doctor. 

 

“Exactly,” Colonel Mace agreed. 

 

The Doctor’s eyes didn’t leave the screen, “how did they die,” he questioned. 

 

“They were all inside their cars,” explained Colonel Mace. 

 

Martha interrupted, “They were poisoned. I've checked the biopsies, no toxins. Whatever it is, left the system immediately.”

 

Surprised, the Doctor finally looked up from the screen. Donna could see his brain trying to solve this puzzle, “What have the cars got in common?”

 

“Completely different makes, but they're all fitted with ATMOS. And that's the ATMOS factory,” explained Martha. 

 

Smiling at the confusion on the Doctor’s face as he tried to place that word Donna couldn’t wait to show him up, “What's ATMOS?”

 

“Oh come on, even I know that. Everyone's got ATMOS! Fit ATMOS in your car, it reduces CO2 emissions to zero,” she educated him. 

 

“Stands for Atmospheric Omission System,” Martha added. 

 

Jumping up the Doctor nodded his head, “really? No carbon? None at all,” he asked, flabbergasted. “Well, let’s have a look,” he encouraged the door.

 

“Everyone has them,” Donna told him as Martha led the three of them into the ATMOS factor, “And you get Satnav thrown in, plus twenty quid in shopping vouchers if you introduce a friend, bargain.” She appreciated the impressed look the Doctor gave her.

 

Colonel Mace paused on the catwalk so they could look down at the factory, “and this is where they make it, Doctor. Shipping worldwide! Seventeen factories across the globe, but this is the central depot. Sending ATMOS to every country on Earth,” he noted as they watched workers get lined up at gunpoint. 

 

“You think ATMOS is alien,” queried the Doctor. Sometimes he could be so standoffish. Donna wondered if the Doctor’s hesitation to believe that ATMOS was alien was because UNIT had discovered it despite Martha’s involvement. She only wished she could remember if he’d been quite like this last time. 

 

“It’s our job to investigate that possibility,” Colonel Mace assured them before continuing on leading them through another door and the factory, “and here it is, laid bare. ATMOS can be threaded through any and every make of car.”

 

Glazing around the Doctor didn’t seem that enthralled, “you must have checked it before it went on sale?”

 

“We did. We found nothing. That’s why I thought we needed an expert,” agreed Martha. 

 

Noticing that Martha didn’t appear amused by the Doctor’s cavalier attitude Donna couldn’t help but watch as the Doctor jumped into investigative mode putting on his brainy specs. “Really? Who’d you get,” the Doctor asked. Donna couldn’t help from snickering. For a genius the Doctor could be so stupid sometimes. When no one responded it finally clicked, “oh, right. Me. Yes. Good.”

 

Continuing to investigate, the Doctor looked at the other ATMOS parts on the table. Scooting beside him as he followed the wires to a square metal box. She had to get him moving faster this time, maybe if they were faster they wouldn’t wind up on a count down and the Doctor wouldn’t try to sacrifice himself again. 

 

“Okay, why would aliens be so keen on cleaning up our atmosphere,” she pushed. 

 

His brain was already working, she could tell by the look in his eyes, “very good question,” he noted. 

 

“Maybe they want to help? Getting rid of pollution and stuff,” Donna suggested knowing it was nothing to do with that. 

 

The Doctor eyed her, setting down the piece of ATMOS device in his hand and turned to her, “do you know how many cars there are on Earth? 800 million. Imagine that, 800 million. If you could control time then you’d have 800 million weapons,” he trailed off caught up in his thoughts.

 

Thankful the Doctor was on the right track Donna took a deep breath in, “but who’d want to do that? What sort of Aliens? And why,” she encouraged. 

 

Quietly thinking for a moment the Doctor shrugged, “no idea,” he responded turning back to explore the ATMOS device. 

 

“Surely there’s someone out there who would gain from this,” proposed Donna. 

 

Glancing up, the Doctor briefly met her eye, “oh yes. Many,” he agreed. 

 

“Well sunshine I’ll leave you to think on that,” she chuckled, turning to leave. 

 

Scanning his sonic over the device he paused, “where are you going,” he questioned.

 

“Personnel, going to use these super temp skills,” she gave him a wink, “remember not to be rude,” warned Donna, leaving him with Martha and Colonel Mace. Hopefully he wouldn’t ask how she knew where it was. Last time someone showed her. This time she really didn’t even need to look through anything. Quickly Donna made her way down and grabbed the required binder. 

 

Coming back to the room they’d been in she could hear Martha’s voice through the curtain, “he’s a good man,” she protested. 

 

“People with guns are usually the enemy in my books. You seem quite at home,” shot the Doctor. 

 

Whatever this was, the Doctor needed to get over it. How had she missed this last time? Donna peeked around the corner.

 

“If anyone got me used to fighting, it’s you,” Martha reminded him. 

 

The Doctor stilled. Donna noticed how his shoulders tensed, “right so it’s my fault,” he retorted. 

 

“Oi, being rude,” scolded Donna, interrupting where the Doctor might go next. 

 

He looked up, properly admonished, “sorry,” he offered. 

 

“You got me the job. And besides, look at me, am I carrying a gun,” she asked. 

 

His eyes swept over her body, “suppose not,” the Doctor agreed. 

 

“It’s all right for you. You can just come and go but Donna, Jack and I, we have to stay behind. I’ve decided to work from the inside. And by staying inside maybe I stand a chance of making them better,” explained Martha. 

 

A smirk spread across his face. Apparently Martha was quite capable of admonishing the Doctor on her own. “That’s more like Martha Jones,” he beamed.

 

She gave a small shake of her head, “I learnt from the best,” she told him.

 

“You mean Jack right,” laughed Donna.

 

“Oi,” yelped the Doctor before eyeing her suspiciously. 

 

Shoot. Donna had forgotten she shouldn't know much about Jack yet. “You lot are all rubbish,” she began rambling trying to distract him. “That’s where there’s something weird going on in the paperwork. First thing I noticed was this,” she explained, holding up the binder and showing the empty folder. 

 

“Why? What’s inside it? Or, what’s not inside it,” queried the Doctor.

 

Turning the folder so they could see the label Donna smiled, “sick days. There aren’t any. Hundreds of people working here and no one’s sick? Not one hangover? Sneaky little shopping trip? Nothing! They don’t get ill. They’re aliens,” she presented knowing it wasn’t quite right but it would propel them forward. 

 

“That can’t be right,” Colonel Mace argued, taking the binder from her. 

 

Martha’s smile brightened, “I can see why he likes you, you’re good.”

 

“Super temp,” she agreed as the Doctor met her gaze, dopey grin proud on his face. 

 

Colonel Mace handed Martha the binder, “Dr Jones set up a medical post. Start examining the workers,” he ordered before leaving. 

 

“Come on Donna, give me a hand,” Martha called.

 

The Doctor began to go after the Colonel and Donna grabbed his arm, “you be careful,” she warned.

 

“Always am,” the Doctor winked scurrying off. 

 

That was exactly the problem. The Doctor’s version of careful wasn’t careful enough. But right now she needed to see if she could prevent Martha from being cloned. Moving with her they began setting up a medical area. The silence between the two of them was wearing on Donna already, “wonder what type of aliens don’t get sick,” she questioned aloud. 

 

“No idea,” dismissed Martha. Picking up a clipboard she stilled, “Donna, does your family know where you are? I mean that you’re traveling with the Doctor,” Martha queried. 

 

“Not really, although my grandad sort of waved us off. I didn’t have time to explain,” confessed Donna. She knew where Martha was going with this, “next time I’m home I’ll explain it all. I know they deserve to know.”

 

Martha frowned, “I didn’t tell my family. Kept it all so secret and it almost destroyed them,” she revealed. 

 

Donna knew Martha was right. That’s what hurt the most. “The Doctor told me a little bit, not a lot mind you. He said your family were tortured and you saved him, you saved them all,” Donna revealed. 

 

“They ended up imprisoned and yeah tortured. My mum, dad, sister. It wasn’t the Doctor’s fault but,” she trailed off.

 

“He blames himself,” Donna admitted, not knowing if Martha was aware of that or not. 

 

The frown on Martha’s face deepend. “I know it wasn’t the Doctor’s fault,” Martha assured her. 

 

Unsure if she should say more Donna couldn’t help herself, “you know he’s not good with feelings. He’s learning though. He regrets what happened to your family, wishes he could have prevented it.”

 

“You know the Doctor. He’s wonderful, he’s brilliant but he’s like fire Donna. If you stand too close, people get burnt,” Martha warned. 

 

Donna nodded in agreement. Martha didn’t know how right she was, “yeah. You should be careful. Don’t go anywhere alone with those alien men,” she warned. 

 

“I’ll be fine,” promised Martha. 

 

Eyeing her Donna placed a hand on her arm, “I’m serious. We don’t know what they are,” she urged knowing that she couldn’t tell Martha they were some type of clone or drone yet.

 

Leaving her to find the Doctor, Donna knew Martha wasn’t wrong.  Donna had been burnt by the Doctor and her family hadn't known. Well, her mum hadn’t really until it was too late. Thankfully the last time through she had told her Gramps. But Donna wished she had told her mum more even if she would have thought Donna mad. Donna had already decided she wasn’t going to leave the Doctor’s side this time but now she was torn. She didn’t want to leave the Doctor a chance for trouble. She also knew that given everything which happened last time she needed to see her Gramps. This time she had to tell him and her mum about the Doctor, about it all. Even if her mum hated him even more. 

 

Making her way to the front, Donna saw Colonel Mace and the Doctor standing there as the Doctor smirked, “looks like you two are getting alone,” she noted coming up as the Colonel left. 

 

“He’s a bit cheeky,” the Doctor noted, taking her hand, “you're just in time. We’re going to the country,” the Doctor announced, pulling her towards their jeep, “fresh air and geniuses. What more could you ask for?”

 

“I’m not coming with you, I’m going home.” she quickly told him. 

 

The Doctor froze, “really?”

 

He was just as nervous as the last time. Big idiot. She needed to rip the bandaid off and assure him she wasn’t going anywhere. “Yeah, I’ve got to.”

 

“Well, if that’s what you want but it’s a bit soon,” the Doctor interrupted, racing into all the things he’d wanted to do with her. “I had so many places I wanted to take you: The Fifteenth Broken Moon of the Medusa Cascade, The Lighting Skies of Cotter Palluni’s World, The Domanod Coral Reefs of Kataa Flo Ko,” he tempted before squeezing her hand, “thank you Donna Noble. It’s been brilliant, you’ve saved my life in so many ways,” he continued as she couldn’t take it and let out a small chuckle. “You’re just popping home for a visit,” he realized. 

 

Nodding Donna shook her head, “you dumbo,” she began swatting his arm, “great big outerspace dunce,” she chided as he anxiously palmed the side of his face.

 

“Yeah,” he agreed. 

 

“You can give me a lift. Come on,” she instructed as he rushed over opening the car door before she could. 

 

“Broken moon of what,” questioned Donna. 

 

“I know, I know,” he huffed, getting into the jeep behind her.

 

Settling in beside him she grinned, “seriously though, I’d like to go there.”

 

The Doctor looked at her, “what,” he gulped.

 

“Those places, dumbo, I’d like to see them with you,” she clarified. 

 

A grin broke out across his face, “right then, well, next stop we’ll go to one,” he hummed in agreement as they turned a circle causing the Doctor to squish her into the door.

 

“For a skinny streak of nothing you sure pack a wallop,” she scoffed. 

 

“Timelord,” he reminded her, “my people were good at hiding dimensions.”

 

Donna eyed him, “what does that mean,” she queried. Certainly Donna knew he was better than her in many ways because of his timelord abilities. Less cold, faster at the running, could hold his breath longer, stronger, but was he actually more than what she could see compressed into that shape? 

 

“Later,” dismissed the Doctor as they sped through London towards Chiswick. 

 

Even after all this time there was so much she didn’t know about the Doctor. Donna thought she knew him but maybe she didn’t. Never would she have ever thought the Doctor would take her memories. He may need her to knock sense into him and usually he let her. Until that day. A shiver broke through her and Donna ran her hands up and down her arms. 

 

“You alright,” queried the Doctor.

 

Smiling, she nodded, “always alright,” Donna agreed not wanting to spill all the things on her mind, all the things she shouldn’t even be aware of yet.

 

“You know,” he began leaning in closer and dropping his voice, “if you weren't that would be okay. Something going on with Earth, anyone would be concerned with the safety of their home planet,” the Doctor explained. 

 

Donna nudged him playfully, “thanks for the reassurance spaceman. Just a lot on my mind. Promise I’m alright.”

 

“If you ever need an ear I have two,” he offered.

 

Rolling her eyes Donna swatted him, “great big dumbo,” she huffed as the soldier chuckled from her other side.. 

 

“Ma’am is this good,” the soldier asked, bringing the jeep to a stop. 

 

The Doctor popped out holding the door open for her, “yeah, I can walk the rest,” she assured him, eyeing the Doctor, “I’ll see you back at the factory yeah,” pushed Donna getting out.

 

“Yes. Bye,” the Doctor said, hurrying into the seat she had been sitting in. 

 

Holding the door from closing Donna waited for the Doctor to meet her gaze, “you be careful,” she warned.

 

“Of course,” the Doctor promised with a wink, pulling the door closed. 

 

That look meant anything but careful and Donna knew it. Watching the jeep zoom off Donna took a deep breath. Steeling herself Donna walked the familiar street to her home. She had to tell her Mum this time. Even if she knew it wasn’t going to go well, her mum had a right to know. Donna couldn’t let it go this time.  

 

“Haven’t seen you for days,” her neighbor Gertrude noted passing by. 

 

Sighing Donna knew it was so much longer for her, “been away,” she dismissed moving towards her home. All she wanted was the comfort of the four walls she grew up in. 

 

An old man in a brown coat marched into her line of vision. Immediately she knew it was her Gramps as he dumped the red bin bag on the sidewalk. God she has missed him. Donna’s eyes stung as tears sprang forth, her Gramps seemed just as surprised to see her as she was him. All she wanted was one of his hugs. They could fix anything. So used to the running, she didn’t even notice that her feet had picked up as her Gramps waved to her before barreling into him for a big hug. He pressed a kiss to her cheek as Donna held onto him for dear life. 

 

“I missed you,” she mumbled.

 

Wilf tightened his arms around her, “come tell me all about your adventures,” he urged, “Sylv is working on laundry in the garden.” 

 

Moving into the house Donna got the kettle going as her Gramps grabbed one of his hidden biscuit tins. She couldn’t help but dive into telling him everything he wanted about the Adipose, Pompeii, and the Ood Sphere over tea and biscuits. 

 

Chuckling Wilf sat back, “I said so didn’t I? Aliens. I said they were real. Just didn’t expect em in a little blue box.”

 

“It’s bigger than it looks,” laughed Donna, “really though. You should have a look sometime,” she suggested worrying her lip, “all this with the aliens though. You were right. I think I need to tell mom who I’m traveling with,” she hinted. 

 

Wilf’s eyes went wide, “for God’s sake don’t tell you mother,” he protested. 

 

“She has a right to know Gramps, what if something happens,” pushed Donna, “this is massive and it’s not fair if she doesn’t know.”

 

Frowning, Wilf sipped his tea, “she won’t understand, that’s what you always say.”

 

“I know but this is different. It won’t make her like him but sometimes it gets a bit hazardous,” implored Donna. 

 

Concerned Wilf leaned in, “is it safe? This Doctor, are you safe with him,” he questioned.

 

Smiling Donna nodded, “he’s amazing Gramps, absolutely dazzling. Don’t you ever tell him I said so though,” Donna laughed, “honestly though he’d do anything to keep me safe. I trust him with my life,” she promised. 

 

“Thought that was my job,” Wilf protested with a grin.

 

Donna reached out taking his hand, “you still come first,” she vowed. He would. She needed to make sure of that. Both he and her mum. 

 

Just then her mom walked into the kitchen, “who comes first,” she asked, interrupting them. 

 

“You both,” Donna said, taking a breath, “kettle’s hot, want a cuppa?”

 

Setting the laundry basket on the counter Sylvia shot her a look, “I can make my own tea in my home thank you. Where have you been the past few days lady? After that silly little trick with the char keys. I phoned Veena, she said she hadn’t seen hide nor hair,” Sylvia prattled. 

 

“I’ve been traveling Mum,” offered Donna. 

 

Folding the linens Sylvia huffed, “oh hark at her, Micahel Palin.”

 

“Actually, that’s why I came by, I wanted to talk to you both about my travels,” began Donna.

 

Sylvia eyed her, “oh you’ll be doing more now? You and what money,” she scoffed 

 

“Actually, I don’t need money. You remember the Doctor? I’m traveling with him,” she explained.

 

Squawking Sylvia set the linens down, “that horrible man from the wedding? He’s nothing but trouble,” she warned.

 

“You’ve met him,” Wilf interrupted. 

 

Sylvia crossed her arms, “he’s the man from the wedding when you were laid up with Spanish flu. He caused a disaster,” she assured him.

 

“The Doctor didn’t cause the ornaments to explode, he saved everyone. He saved me too,” protested Donna. “Also, he’s not just a man,” she hinted, “maybe you should take a seat,” hoping her Mum would listen for once.

 

“What do you mean he’s not just a man,” rebuked Sylvia, “what have I told you about men at your age?

 

Scrubbing her face as her mum launched into a tirade she sat back in the chair. It wasn’t that she hadn’t heard it all before, her Mum just didn’t know how amazing the Doctor was. Once you shared a piece of it you’d never be able to go back to a normal life. She’d do anything for that barmey alien. 

 

“He’s not human,” interrupted Donna tiring of her Mum’s blathering.

 

Barking a laugh Sylvia glared at Wilf, “oh this is your doing? You two think you can pull one over on me?” Wilf raised his hands in innocence starting to protest. “I don’t have time for this,” she dismissed opening the fridge, “are you staying for tea? Because I haven’t got anything in. I’ve been trying to keep your Grandad on that macrobiotic diet but he sneaks off and gets pork pies and biscuits from the petrol station.” Wilf opened his mouth but Sylvia glared at him, “don’t deny it! I’ve found the wrappers in the car. Oh, I don’t miss a trick. Aliens,” she sneered. 

 

Donna looked at her Gramps for help but he just shook his head as Sylvia closed the fridge with milk in her hand before turning the kettle on. Certainly Donna hadn't expected this to go well but she had expected her Mum to believe her. 

 

A pile of papers and scissors plopped before her, “cut out these coupons. Every penny helps. This new mortgage doesn’t pay itself,” she continued as she wrote things down on a list. 

 

Grabbing the scissors Donna began cutting lest she be yelled at again. She’d have to try again, somehow get her mum to believe her. Maybe the Doctor could even help prove he wasn’t human. 

 

Just then the doorbell rang. “I’ll get is,” Donna exclaimed, jumping up and trying to act normal. Knowing it had to be the Doctor. 

 

Opening the door his familiar brown eyes met her gaze. “You would not believe the day I’m having,” he sighed, “is your car around here?”

 

“Yeah, right there,” she pointed to the blue car on the street, closing the door behind her. Lucky for the Doctor, she did believe the day he was having and already knew all about it. It was Donna who was keeping secrets. Following him to the car as he kneeled to the ground looking beneath it she watched on. 

 

“Do you got your mobile,” queried the Doctor as she and the soldier looked on. 

 

Nodding, Donna slipped it from her pocket, “want me to call Martha?”

 

“Yep,” the Doctor grinned, “you always know exactly what I need,” he assured her as he opened the hood of the car, continuing to inspect it. Hating his comment Donna looked for Martha’s number. “We’ll need to get back, requisition us a vehicle. Anything without ATMOS. And don’t point your gun at people,” he ordered. 

 

Donna heard the front door of their house, “is it him? Is it the Doctor,” he shouted hurrying over to them as she called Martha. She couldn’t help but smile as her Gramps stopped dead in his tracks pointing at the Doctor as he realized who he was, “oh, it’s you!”

 

“Hmm? Who,” the Doctor hummed looking up. “Oh,” he realized coming over to them, “it’s you.”

 

Almost chuckling before she realized that she wasn’t supposed to know they had met before Donna quickly jumped into feigning surprise, “have you met before,” she urged.

 

“Christmas eve, he did the thing, disappeared right in front of me,” he explained, holding his hand out for the Doctor, “Wilf sir, Wilfred Mott. You must be one of those aliens.”

 

The Doctor beamed, “well yeah but don't shout it out. Nice to meet you properly Wilf. Donna’s told me so much about you,” the Doctor noted, shaking his hand. 

 

Smirking at the awe Wilf had looking at the Doctor’s hand that had just shaken his own she couldn’t get over his amazement. “An alien hand,” he bemused. 

 

“Donna, anything,” queried the Doctor.

 

She shook her head knowing this wasn’t good news. “She’s not answering. Let me try again,” Donna said, hanging up and redialing the number knowing that the person who would answer the phone wouldn’t really be Martha. 

 

Turning back to the vehicle the Doctor began to investigate again. “They can’t just be remote controlling cars, that’s not enough,” he mumbled to himself glancing around the street, “is anyone answering,” he spat. 

 

Hating when the Doctor got tetchy Donna held her finger up hearing the line pick up, “Martha,” she greeted as the Doctor held out his hand. 

 

“Don’t tell me, Donna Noble,” she began. 

 

Donna remembered she had answered the phone the same last time. She’d thought it a bit weird then but now Donna knew why. “Are you okay Martha, you don’t seem yourself,” she noted as the Doctor impatiently motioned for the phone, “hold on, here he is,” she huffed handing the Doctor her cell. 

Grabbing the phone the Doctor walked away prattling on about the Sontorans and code red. Donna turned to her Gramps, “might want to go back in the house, stay inside until we get this all sorted,” she urged. 

 

“I’m staying by him, just like you,” protested Wilf. 

 

Damn her for trying, Donna thought as the Doctor hung up and handed her phone back. 

 

Slipping on his glasses, watch the Doctor try to figure out what was going on again. “Did Martha sound different to you,” she pushed. 

 

“Probably just busy,” assured the Doctor not looking up from the ATMOS device. 

 

“Doctor, Donna’s my only grandchild. You better look after her,” Wilf interrupted. 

 

Placing her hand on his shoulder she shook her head, “you don’t have to worry about that,” she began.

 

“I think she looks after me,” the Doctor agreed. 

 

Wilf smiled, “that’s her. That’s my Donna. She was bossing us around even when she was tiny. The little General we used to call her,” he beamed.

 

The Doctor glanced up with a smirk, “oh don’t start,” she warned the both of them. 

 

“Some of the boys she used to turn up with. Different one every week. Who was the one with the nail varnish,” Wilf asked. 

 

Sighing Donna rolled her eyes, “Matthew Richards, lives in Kilburn now,” she reminded him.

 

Just then the ATMOS device sprang up spikes.“Woah,” the Doctor yipped, “it’s a temporal pocket. I knew there was something else in there. It’s hidden just a second out of sync with realtime,” he mused.

 

“But what’s it hiding,” Donna asked, trying to lead the Doctor to the right answer. 

 

As with last time her Mum moseyed on over to them, “I don’t know, men and their cars, sometimes I think if I was a car,” she trailed off seeing the Doctor. 

 

The Doctor glanced up at her, “oh it’s you,” she huffed.

 

“That’s me,” the Doctor agreed. 

 

“Mum, I told you I’m traveling with him now. Why don’t you go back in the house so he can have a look and I promise everything will be fine,” she assured her.

 

Sylvia glared at her daughter, “I don’t need to be managed,” she complained, “I know when I’m not wanted. One scratch on that car and I’ll have the lot of ya,” warned Sylvia before leaving to Donna’s surprise.

 

Now if she could get her Gramps to go in, “why don’t you go with her,” suggested Donna.

 

“Oh no you don’t,” grumped Wilf. 

 

Suddenly white smoke began to filter from the ATMOS device. “Get back,” warned the Doctor, putting his arm out protectively in front of Donna and Wilf. He aimed the sonic at the device, causing it to spark but the smoke didn’t stop “It’s not just exhaust fumes. It’s some sort of gas, artificial gas.”

 

“Is it poisonous,” Donna enquired, wanting to lead the Doctor to what the gas was. 

 

Her Gramps moved closer, “is it aliens,” he asked.

 

“Well, if you only breathed it,” offered the Doctor.

 

Leaning in, Donna looked at the ATMOS device, “they've got poison gas inside every car on Earth. What are they planning to do, Doctor? Why would the Sontorans want to gas Earth?”

 

“If it’s not safe, I’ll get if off the street,” Wilf realized. 

 

Instinctively Donna reached out taking the keys from her Gramps, “I’ll do it,” she said getting in the car. The last thing she needed was her Gramps stuck in the car and she knew her Mum would be around shortly with the ax to save her.

 

Just as Donna sat the car sprung to life billowing white smoke as the car door closed locking her in as it started up. 

 

“Donna turn it off,” panicked the Doctor as he tried to sonic the door open.

 

Wilf hurried to the door, “get out of there,” he instructed.

 

The key was to stay calm, “I can’t. it’s okay,” she assured them trying to see her Mum. Last time she had saved the day and she would this time too. 

 

“They’ve isolated it,” the Doctor realized, dismayed.

 

Trying to pull the door Wilf moved for the Doctor, “the car’s filling with gas, it’s going to choke her,” he realized. 

 

The Doctor attempted the window trying to get in, “Donna hold on. I’m going to get you out,” he promised.

 

She knew there was no need to worry. Her Mum would be here any minute. But where was she? She didn’t think it took this long last time. The smoke had filled the car causing her throat and eyes to burn. Had her Gramps felt this dizzy from the smoke? Donna couldn’t help but cough on the toxic gas. 

 

“It won’t open. It’s deadlocked,” the Doctor panicked trying to break the door open. Covering her mouth and nose Donna could hear the sonic not doing anything. “Donna,” growled the Doctor at his unsuccessful attempts to get to her. 

 

She needed her mum. Where was she? “Get Mum’s axe," she yelled through coughs. She saw a blur move outside and hoped that someone was on it. Her breathing was becoming more difficult by the moment. Quickly Donna moved into the back putting herself on the ground in hopes that maybe there might be a little oxygen that hadn't been depleted yet. Or at the very least would prevent her from getting glass all over herself. Covering her face with her arms she breathed into her clothes in hopes that would help. Instead everything burned until it went black.

Chapter Text

A loud bang echoed through the fog, jolting through Donna's body. Donna could barely register what was happening. Her body felt weightless, a haze in her mind that drowned out the panic. 

 

Strong arms surrounded her, “Donna, Donna, hold on,” the Doctor begged.

 

Cool air hit Donna. Yet the world felt far away.

 

Wilf hovered anxiously behind them, his eyes darting back and forth between Donna and the Doctor. “What’s wrong? What’s happening to her?”

 

“She has a pulse, it’s weak,” the Doctor’s voice drifted in. “Donna!” he called, the desperation in his tone cutting through the haze in her mind. “I’ve got you just stay with me.”

 

Pressure slammed into her chest, pushing, rubbing up and down. Something warm pressed against her lips, air rushing into her. The pressure building in her chest was unbearable. 

 

“Come on, breathe,” demanded the Doctor. 

 

She could hear the Doctor’s voice but it wasn’t enough to anchor her back to the world.

 

“Please wake up,” cried her Gramps

 

Air met her throat and chest. Pressure mounted on her chest again. Where was the Doctor? Why wasn’t he making it stop?

.

“I told you he brings disaster,” her Mum spat.

 

That wasn’t true though. Disaster found him. Donna knew better.

 

“Pulse is getting stronger,” the Doctor noted. 

 

More air filled her chest. Donna’s eyes fluttered open struggling to focus on the blurry figure in her face. Not, someone, the Doctor. And he was kissing her! Instinctively Donna reached up and smacked him despite her body feeling heavy.

 

“Hmph,” he recoiled as she started coughing. Quickly his hands found her helping Donna turn as she hacked bile up. “You’re alright. I’ve got you,” he assured her. 

 

“I told you he’d save her,” Wilf cheered. 

 

Every time she tried to take a breath, her lungs burned, causing coughs that interrupted it.”Nice and slow, in and out,” encouraged the Doctor, his hand rubbing her back. Her chest heaved with a gasp as oxygen flooded into her starved body.

 

The world was so bright. Her head was full of pressure. The Doctor’s hand, still present on her back, grounded her. “I’m okay,” she gasped, still trying to get a good breath. But the look in his eyes sent her world spinning not just from the lack of oxygen. 

 

“No you’re not,” the Doctor protested, scanning her his brown eyes locked to hers mixed with relief and concern. 

 

The cool air clung to her, helping clear the lingering fog despite the cars around them spewing street with white gas. Every move elicited a protest from her body. 

 

“Donna, love, are you alright? You're pale as a ghost,” Wilf said.

 

She nodded. “She’s going to be fine, Wilf," the Doctor assured her gramps.

 

“Well don’t just stand there then, get her inside,” ordered Sylvia. 

 

The Doctor’s hands fell from her, “yes, right. Come on,” he noted as he helped Donna to her feet, his grip firm and reassuring.

 

“Thanks,” she murmured as Donna steadied herself with his support, still feeling like her legs might give out. 

 

The Doctor glanced down at her, his jaw set with determination, “let’s make sure you’re safe," he noted as a black cab drove up. 

 

“Doctor,” greeted the soldier, “all I could get but it hasn’t got ATMOS.”

 

Turning the Doctor shifted to let go of Donna, “get inside the house, just try to close off the doors and windows,” he advised. 

 

Her hand reached up to clutch the Doctor’s arm, “wait a moment,” she said turning to her mum and gramps,  “close the windows and tape them and the doors shut, wet towels and put them under the cracks,” Donna told them. 

 

Sylvia’s eyes went wide, “Donna don’t go. Look what happens every time that Doctor appears. Please stay with us,” she begged. 

 

“You go my darling,” encouraged Wilf.

 

Glaring at her dad Sylvia shook her head, “no,” she protested. 

 

Wilf didn’t seem to care, “don't listen to her! You go with him!” 

 

Already knowing her decision Donna she went for the cab as the Doctor did, “just take it slow,” warned the Doctor. 

 

“That’s my girl,” cheered Wilf from the doorway.

 

As Donna and the Doctor settled in the cab the Doctor was still watching her carefully, “I can’t believe your mum had an axe,” he mused, stuck somewhere between shock and gratitude. 

 

Leaning against him she nodded, “axe, golf club, never know what she’ll attack you with,” Donna chuckled, breaking into more coughs. 

 

“That should remedy soon, just need more oxygen back in your system,” the Doctor explained. 

 

Nodding Donna sucked air in, “good,” she breathed. 

 

She leaned against the window taking smaller breaths to prevent further coughs but all the while her mind still spun. "Martha sounded a bit odd didn't she," suggested Donna.

 

"Well, she is working with UNIT who knows what stupid ideas they're up to now," reasoned the doctor. 

 

Ross glanced at the Doctor in the rearview mirror, "I'm sure not all of them are bad though if you worked for them, if Martha does," Donna hinted as they pulled up to the ATMOS factory. 

 

"Alright, Ross look after yourself get inside the building," the Doctor ordered as they got out of the car. 

 

Ross pulled up his walkie, "will do," he said before talking into it. 

 

Soldiers ran about in gas masks while smoke floated around everyone trying to do something but unsure what. The smoke hit Donna hard causing her to cough. "God the air's disgusting."

 

The Doctor's hand came up squeezing her elbow, "It's not so bad for me. Go on, get inside the Tardis," he instructed as Donna turned to walk away. She reached her hand in her pocket just as the Doctor called after her, "Oh," he began reaching inside his inner pocket, "I've never given you a key," he noted, pulling out a silver key, the same Donna had had before unbeknownst to him. "Keep that, go on. That's yours. Quite a big moment, really," he grinned. 

 

Another cough wracked through her but Donna couldn't help but smile back, "sentimental old fool," she sassed, reaching out and squeezing his hand before taking the key. "Maybe after the world's finished choking to death we can come back to this," Donna asked.

 

"Good idea," he agreed.

 

Donna's eyes met his, "thank you though," she said as he turned to run, "now go stop a war before we end up in one," she called after him.

 

Starting to run and quickly being told not to by her body Donna power walked to the TARDIS, smacking the smoke away from her face. The weight of the TARDIS key in her hand felt right, she'd have to get a chain for it around her neck this time. Last time she hadn't thought of the TARDIS as home but this time around her neck, close to her heart, that's where the key belonged. Donna unlocked the TARDIS in a hurry. Closing the door behind her she wrested on the railing trying to catch her breath as more coughs broke out, trying to breath the clean air in.  Looking up Donna saw an oxygen tank beside the jumpseat. Smiling she gently patted the railing whispering, "thanks girl."

 

Making her way to the jumpseat Donna sat and grabbed the oxygen mask holding it to her face. She couldn't prevent the TARDIS from being taken by the Sontarans, Donna needed to be on the ship for this to work. Standing Donna moved to the console pulling up the viewfinder and watched for someone to come. It didn't take too long before 2 soldiers came up to the TARDIS placing round devices on it. Donna held on waiting for the transport as the TARDIS gave a small bump. Donna watched on the viewfinder, as the TARDIS suddenly appeared on the Sontoran ship. She wasn't where the TARDIS was last time. She needed the Doctor to get them to move the TARDIS. Sitting on the seat, Donna pulled out her phone calling the phone the Doctor had. 

 

"Donna," answered the Doctor. 

 

Sitting on the jumpseat Donna shook her head, "bit of a problem spaceman," she began. 

 

"What? Where," the Doctor stammers. 

 

Martha's voice drifted through the phone, "but where's the TARDIS?"

 

"Ah, you and Martha are aware," reasoned Donna. 

 

She heard a noise as if the Doctor was tasting the air, though knowing him he probably was. "Taste that. In the air. Yecch. Bleh! That sort of metal tang," he began. "Teleport exchange, it's the Sontarans, they've taken it! I'm stuck! On Earth! Like an ordinary person! Like a Human! Oh, that's just rubbish! No offence, but come on!"

 

"Oy, if you're done pouting," Donna interrupted, "still on the TARDIS surrounded by Sontarans," she reminded him. 

 

"Yes, right, are you okay," the Doctor asked turning his attention back to Donna. 

 

Peaking out the viewfinder again Donna sighed, "yeah they don't know I'm in here."

 

"Keep it that way," he ordered. 

 

A muffled rustle of fabric came through the phone, "so what do we do," Martha's voice quietly came through. 

 

"But how? I mean, it's shielded, they could never detect it," he paused. 

 

Donna sat there as the Doctor put the clues together. 

 

"What," questioned Martha. 

 

"Just thinking, the Sontarans outsmarted me," admitted the Doctor.

 

Even Donna knew better than that, she was sure he had realized Martha was a clone now. 

 

"But what about Donna, I mean, where is she," Martha asked. 

 

A rustle came through the phone, Donna wondered if the Doctor had touched his pocket where the phone was, "she's gone home. She's not like you, she's not a soldier," the Doctor explained. 

 

She sat there shaking her head with a smile at that stupid Martian. Now all she could do was listen and wait until the Doctor figured out how to get the TARDIS moved so she could start the next phase. Well, hopefully he'd think of the same plan again. 

 

The TARDIS monitor popped on with the Doctor and Colonel Mace. "Calling the Sontaran Command Ship, under Jurisdiction Two of the Intergalactic Rules of Engagement. This is the

Doctor!" 

 

Donna stood up watching him as the screen showed two Sontarans on the screen as well. "Doctor. Breathing your last," they dared. 

 

Mace's eyes widened seeing the Sontarans, "my God, they're like trolls," he muttered. 

 

The Doctor shot Mace a look, "yeah, loving the diplomacy, thanks," he murmured moving around the war room. "So tell me, General Staal. Since when did you lot become cowards," dared the Doctor plopping in the seat and kicking his feet up. 

 

Staal stepped forward angrily. "How dare you," he demanded. 

 

"Oh, and that's diplomacy," spat Colonel Mace. 

 

Donna wondered if the Sontarans had any look other than angry, "Doctor! You impugn my honour," General Staal yelled. 

 

"I'm really glad you didn't say 'belittle' cos then I'd have a field day. But poison gas? That's the weapon of a coward, and you know it," pushed the Doctor. 

 

Unable to hold her smirk in, seeing him taunt the Sontarans, Donna shook her head. The Doctor did always have to be a bit of a smart ass. 

 

"Staal, you could blast this planet out of the sky. And yet, you're just sitting up above and watching it die, where's the fight in that? Where's the honour? Or are you planning something else? This isn't normal Sontaran warfare, what are you lot up to," the Doctor continued. 

 

Staal stood there unmoved, "a general would be unwise to reveal his strategy to opposing forces," he declared.

 

He sat there swirling back and forth like this conversation was just to bide time, but then again maybe it was. "Ah, the war's not going so well then. Losing, are we," taunted the Doctor. 

 

"Such a suggestion is impossible," rebuked general Staal.

 

Colonel Mace looked from the Sontarans to the Doctor, "what war," he asked. 

 

"The war between the Sontarans and the Rutans. It's been raging far out in the stars for 50,000 years. 50,000 years of bloodshed and for what," the Doctor huffed. 

 

"For victory," general Staal declared as all the Sontarans began chanting "Sontar-ha," repeatedly. 

 

Ready for the Doctor to get on with it Donna blew out a breath making her bangs move. 

 

Thankfully the Doctor was also done as he pulled out his sonic, mumbling "give me a break," and causing cartoons to appear on the screen before blinking back on asking "finished?"

 

"You will not be so quick to ridicule when you see our prize. Behold. We are the first Sontarans in history to capture a TARDIS," the revealed showing the TARDIS on screen. 

 

Leaning forward the Doctor let his elbows rest on his knees, "well as prizes go, that's noble. As they say in Latin dona nobis pacem." 

 

"If you could just get to the point," said Donna.

 

The Sontarans didn't care what the Doctor was prattling on about, "we have registered your distress Doctor," they informed him. 

 

"Big mistake though, showing it to me cause I've got a remote control," the Doctor informed them waving his sonic screwdriver.

 

General Staal turned ordering, "Cease transmission." The screen cut just as the Doctor gave a little wave. 

 

Looking at the phone in her hand Donna put it to her ear but could still only hear mumbles. "If you could pick the phone up that'd be helpful spaceman," she spat feeling the TARDIS move. This was it, once they moved the TARDIS she could get back to him and he could get the TARDIS back. 

 

"Donna," yelped the Doctor in her ear.

 

Flinching she pulled the phone further away from her ear, "still here. Nice you remembered."

 

"Oh I couldn't forget you if I tried," the Doctor proclaimed. "I just need to figure out this gas," he admitted. 

 

Machines whizzed through the phone. "Carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, but 10% unidentified. Some sort of artificial heavy element we can't trace, ever seen anything like it," Martha questioned. 

 

"Must be something the Sontarans invented. Cos I reckon this isn't just poison. They need this gas for something else. But what could that be," wondered the Doctor. 

 

Thinking this was her, Donna knew she needed to say something, "I heard them talking about clones," she provided. 

 

"Hold on," the Doctor snapped as Donna heard more ruffling like she was being put back in his pocket. "I told you not to launch," she heard the Doctor scream.

 

The line went quiet again except the muffled sounds of alarms going off. "Oh, come on," whispered Donna. 

 

"For the billionth time, you can't fight Sontarans," yelled the Doctor. Rustling drifted over the phone mic, "Donna," he chirped through the phone.

 

Sitting on the jumpseat, "what's happening, where are you," Donna asked wondering if anything had changed. 

 

"Still on Earth. But don't worry. I've got my secret weapon," he proclaimed. 

 

Donna rolled her eyes, "and what's that?"

 

"You," the Doctor affirmed. 

 

"Damn right I am. And you really should get a remote," she told him. Not waiting for a reply she stood up grabbing the mallet, "alright, what do you need me to do," Donna asked already knowing.

 

The Doctor lowered his voice, "I need you on that ship. That's why I made them move the Tardis. I'm sorry, but you've got to go outside."

 

"Right. But, there's Sontarans out there," she reminded him, needing him to tell her how to disarm them so she didn't have to figure out how to explain what she already knew. This whole knowing the answers because you already lived through it was exhausting. 

 

"I can talk you through it. The whole planet's choking, Donna," reminded the Doctor.

 

Already making her way down the ramp she asked, "what do you need me to do."

 

"The Sontarans are inside the factory. Which means, they've got a teleport link with the ship. But they'll have deadlocked it, I need you to reopen the link," he explained. 

 

Standing at the door Donna had an idea, "can't I just pilot the TARDIS to Earth," she questioned. 

 

"Well, yes if you knew how to do that bit but we didn't get that far," the Doctor noted. 

 

Donna nodded, "right, so you trust me enough with this but not enough to mend a fuse," she joked. 

 

"Stop talking about yourself like that. You can do it, I promise," he assured her. 

 

She stood there another moment, "and if there is a Sontaran outside?"

 

"Don't let them see you," offered the Doctor.

 

Scoffing into the phone Donna would smack him if the Doctor was close enough, "right lot of good that advice is," she spat. 

 

"Right, Donna, listen, on the back of his neck, on his collar, there's a sort of plug, like a hole, the Probic Vent. One blow to the Probic Vent, knocks 'em out," disclosed the Doctor. 

 

Gripping the mallet harder Donna tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder, "if I get killed," she warned. 

 

"I'm sorry. I swear, I'm so sorry. But you've got to try," reasoned the Doctor.

 

Donna opened the door carefully, walking up behind the Sontaran and whacking him in his vent with the mallet. Just like last time the Sontaran fell down unconscious.  "One down, back of the neck," she proclaimed, smiling brightly. 

 

"Now you've got to find the external junction feed, to the teleport," the Doctor instructed. 

 

Already walking the direction she had the last time she was on the ship Donna carefully kept her eyes out, "what's it look like," she queried.

 

"Circular panel on the wall, big symbol on the front, like a letter T with a horizontal line through it. Or two Fs back to back," the Doctor briefed her. 

 

She continued her path coming to the door, "hold on there's a door," she said. 

 

"Should be a switch by the side," the Doctor reasoned.

 

Automatically she put her hand up in the three finger button opening the door. She hadn't realized last time how much the Doctor actually believed in her. Donna had thought it came later. Though maybe it was there all along. Or, maybe he just believed in her sooner because she was different this time around. 

 

"I'm through," she told him, continuing on her way. 

 

"You're brilliant, you are," the Doctor hyped her up. She could hear the smile in his voice. 

 

Rolling her eyes Donna couldn't help but smile, she liked when he was proud of her. When did that start? "Shut up. Right. T with a line through it," she murmured to herself continuing down the corridor. 

 

"I'll be back," warned the Doctor. 

 

Making her way down the corridor, Donna remembered there would be Sontarans up ahead. She carefully edged along with her mallet ready to take them on.

 

"Donna, hold on I'm coming," he assured her through the phone. 

 

Once she got to the teleportation device Donna stood there waiting. Donna pulled the cover beside it but couldn't remember what to do with the switches. She heard a yelp through the phone and hoped that meant he had saved Martha.

 

"Alright, got it," the Doctor asked.

 

Settling the phone between her ear and shoulder she said "Yes, what do I do?"

 

"All the blue switches inside flick them up like a fuse box and that should get the teleport working," he instructed.

 

Quickly Donna did as the Doctor said, "done."

 

"Give me a minute," she could hear him grunting and the sonic buzzing. "The gas. Tell us about the gas," the Doctor demanded.

 

Donna huffed, "I told you the Sontarans mentioned clones," she reminded him.

 

"Why does clone gas need to cover the Earth," the Doctor questioned before yelling, "clonefeed! It's clonefeed," he realized before prattling on, "like amniotic fluid, for Sontarans. That's why they're not invading, they're converting the atmosphere. Changing the planet into a clone world! Earth becomes a great big hatchery! Cos the Sontarans are clones, that's how they reproduce. Give 'em a planet this big, they'll create billions of new soldiers."

 

Thankful that the Doctor finally was on the right track Donna leaned against the wall. "Right, now that is figured out," she began hearing the Sontarans advancing on her location, "but they've found me!"

 

"Now," the Doctor shouted as she heard the sonic wizz. 

 

Suddenly standing in front of him Donna ran out hugging him then smacking him, "I still hate you," she guaranteed him.

 

He hugged her back briefly, but his attention wasn’t on her and Donna knew why. "Hold on, hold on. Get off me. Gotta bring down the Tardis," the Doctor said, moving back to the transporter and using the sonic on it. 

 

Behind them, Martha was already at her side holding out her palm pilot looking at the Doctor, “what about this thing,” she asked. 

 

“Keep pressing the N,” instructed the doctor, “we want to keep those missiles on the ground yeah?

 

Martha nodded her eyes forced on the screen. Caught up in the moment Donna had almost forgotten about the clone. She turned to her right, seeing the second Martha, “there’s two of them,” she pointed out. 

 

“Long story,” muttered the Doctor, not even glancing up, “you were right though, Martha did sound off,” the Doctor added, tossing a quick smirk her way. Finishing what he was doing the Doctor swept Donna and Martha toward the platform. "Here we go! The old team, back together,” he urged them in adding, “well the new team.”

 

She could feel his presence and realized how much she missed the Doctor even though she knew exactly where he was and what was going to happen. “Where are we going,” Donna pushed despite already knowing.

 

His back to her, the Doctor keyed in coordinates, "I just needed the teleport working so we could get to-”. A burst of light swallowed them as they transported to the Rattigan Academy, “-Here,” he finished, “The Rattigan Academy owned by -” his words died off seeing Luke with a gun trembling. 

 

Feeling the Doctor’s hackles come up as he made a beeline for Luke, Donna couldn’t help but feel sorry for Luke. She herself had been manipulated by, it was far easier than she had expected and Luke, well he was just a boy. 

 

“Don’t tell anyone what I did,” Luke’s voice cracked, “it wasn’t my fault. The Sontarans lied. They promised me.”

 

Without slowing the Doctor strode by Luke plucking the gun from his hands with contempt. “If I see one more gun,” he glowered, tossing the gun aside like trash. 

 

Making a mental note to talk to the Doctor later about Luke and second chances she quickly remembered that Luke wouldn’t have the opportunity for one. Donna walked over to Luke placing a hand on his shoulder, giving him a soft smile. 

 

As Martha walked by her and she caught her in the Doctor’s coat, “I’ve gotta say," Donna murmured, her gaze flicking down the Doctor’s back, "that coat sorta works."

 

Martha laughed, "feel like a kid in my dad’s clothes," she said, glancing at the uniform she wore with a half-smile.

 

Laughing Donna smiled, “If you’re calling him Dad, you’re definitely getting over him."

 

Like a tornado the Doctor was tearing through Luke’s laboratory. Tools clattered, circuits sparked as he ripped apart experiments, jamming wires together. Donna stood by Luke offering a calming presence, even if he didn’t deserve it fully.

 

“You see, that’s why the Sontarans had to stop the missile strike,” the Doctor began to explain grabbing components without even looking, “They were holding back because Caesofine Gas is volatile! They needed the gas intact, sealed across the atmosphere, saturated,” he nodded towards Martha, “that’s why they used you. They couldn’t risk a full-scale missile engagement. Ground to air would’ve set the sky on fire.”

 

Gasping Martha’s eyes went wide, “what, like set fire to the atmosphere,” she questioned.

 

“Yup!” the Doctor chirped, teeth flashing in a manic grin. “Big boom. Bye-bye, Earth. But it’s not just about destruction, it’s about creation. They need all the gas intact to breed their clone army. And all the time we had Luke here in his dream factory.”

 

Luke’s shoulders sank, “they promised me a new world,” his voice was barely a whisper.

 

The Doctor’s head tilted but he caught Donna’s eye and dropped his indignation a level, “You were building equipment, ready to terraform El Mondo Luko so that humans could live there and breathe the air with this. An atmospheric converter,” the Doctor explained as he yanked a mess of thin metal tubing off the workbench and held it up triumphantly.

 

Knowing what it was this time still didn't help Donna wrap her mind around the awkward metal column, barely four feet high, with a wire trailing to a small switch clutched in his hand like a detonator. It buzzed faintly. It hummed with purpose. without another word, the Doctor bolted out the doors, down the hallway, and into the blinding open air. Donna, Martha, and even Luke ran after him. 

 

Outside everything was swamped in smog. That heavy, churning gray gas coated everything, sky to grass. The Doctor skidded to a stop and slammed the converter down into the earth like a flagpole on a battlefield. He stabbed at the controls, muttering to himself, tuning the device with manic fingers. 

 

Donna looked at London, barely visible on the horizon. It didn’t take her breath away any less this time voice cracked as she pointed through the haze. “That’s London. You can’t even see it,” her voice shook, “my family’s in there.”

 

Not looking up, the Doctor focused on his new creation, “if I can get this on the right setting,” his voice trailed off.

 

Knowing he would, Donna kept watching him waiting for the Doctor to work his magic. 

 

A small gasp left Martha as she realized what the Doctor was doing. “Doctor, hold on. You said the atmosphere could ignite,” she reminded a level of horror in her voice.

He froze. Then looked over his shoulder with a crooked grin. “Yeah,” he said. “I did, didn’t I,” he replied, flipping the switch and clicking down. Red energy blasted upward toward the sky piercing the fog. They all watched holding their breath, “please, please, please, please, please, please, please,” the Doctor chanted like a prayer. 

As if on cue and just like last time the sky caught fire. A wave of flame rippled across it vanishing as fast as it started.

Martha cheered, “just brilliant.”

The fog gone, Donna felt lighter since they were near fixing all this. She laughed, her eyes full of light. “That was amazing,” she turned, beaming at the Doctor, "you really are.”

“He’s a genius,” Luke said quietly, awe radiating.

Donna turned to him with a gentler smile. “He is,” she agreed. Then she looked back at the boy, “and you can be too.”

But the Doctor didn’t reply. He didn’t even smile. Instead he crouched down and plucked the column from the ground, “Now,” he said, voice tight, “now we’re in trouble.” The Doctor sprung back into the house like a man with a mission. Well, he did have one Donna mentally chastised herself as the Doctor ran down the corridor to the teleport chamber. 

When he stopped everything felt too still as he stood there. Donna knew what was coming and swallowed, still trying to catch her breath as tears met her eyes. The Doctor met her eyes, “right. So,” he began, voice strangely soft, fragile in its stillness. “Donna. Thank you. For everything. Martha, oh, so many times. I wouldn’t be here without you. And Luke,” he hesitated, “do something clever with your life.”

“No,” Donna breathed, stepping forward. “You’re not doing this, you’re not saying goodbye.”

But the Doctor shook his head, “Sontarans are never defeated. Not really. They’ll be regrouping, rearming, getting ready for the next war. That’s what they do. And I’ve recalibrated this,” he raised the device slightly, “for Sontaran air. It'll ignite the Caesofine gas. All of it. From the source.”

Martha’s face blanched understanding, “you’re going to ignite them?”

“You’ll kill yourself,” Donna said, stepping closer now, her fists clenched at her sides trying to get through to him like she hadn’t last time. This time she knew two lives were at stake, the Doctor’s and Luke’s. 

Tension filled the room purely from Martha and Donna. “You don’t have to go with it,” Martha insisted, “just send it up on its own! Put it on a delay! There has to be a way!”

“I can’t,” the Doctor said simply.

“Why not,” pushed Donna.

He looked at her, really looked and for a moment Donna hoped but it was dashed when he looked away to Martha, “because I have to give them a choice,” the Doctor reasoned.

“You already did,” Donna’s voice broke, her heart pounding. “You gave them a chance, they chose war,” she demanded, aiming her words like bullets at him.

But he didn’t answer. He just gave her a soft, sad smile. And then, in a blur of golden light.

Grief didn’t hit her like it did last time. “That absolute idiot! That Martian-faced,” the insult died out on her lips as Donna spun toward Luke, eyes wild. “You’re smart. Figure out how to reverse the teleport bring him back and not that contraption he built!” As much as she desperately didn’t want the Doctor to die Donna couldn’t in good consciously volunteer this boy’s life. He deserved a second chance too, to grow from his errors and could help the UK in so many other ways with his brain. 

Luke froze for a moment before something snapped. His made for the teleport, his fingers flying over the console,  yanking wires, twisting components like a madman, like the Doctor.  

“What are you doing?!” Martha shouted, ducking as sparks flew.

Luke didn’t look up, “something clever,” he noted.

Donna staggered forward, grabbing him by the arm, “you find another way. If you can save him without going up there, you do it.”

“I’m on it,” Luke promised breathlessly. 

Mentally Donna prayed every prayer her grandmum ever taught her, every one they said in church. She recited them in hopes two lives might be saved, not just the Doctor’s. 

The teleport sparked. Luke leapt off of the platform like he’d done it a hundred times. His shoulders squared. He faced the chamber like a soldier about to charge a battlefield. “This should” he began and then he slammed the button.

A blinding glow filled the room. The next instant the Doctor was hurled onto the floor with a thud, machine absent from his hands as he rolled to his side with a groan. He blinked rapidly trying to place where he was but Donna was already closing in. 

“Don’t you ever do that again,” she snapped, voice raw and shaking, “you thick-headed, self-sacrificing, space-dunce,” she lamented hitting him.

The Doctor sat up, dazed, “what?”

Donna plopped beside him hugging him, hoping he didn’t notice the wetness in her eyes. 

Martha joined them hugging the Doctor after the near miss.

After a while Martha stepped away calling UNIT to inform them of the situation and get someone out there to process Ratigan Academy just like last time. Unlike last time the Doctor remained sitting Donna wondered if it was because her head was resting on his shoulder. Her eyes drifted to Luke, “before UNIT storms in with cuffs and clipboards, maybe you ought to put in a word about him,” she suggested. 

The Doctor glanced up, expression unreadable as Donna lifted her head to meet the Doctor’s gaze. “Luke,” he asked, though she could tell he was thinking, calculating, already slipping into that distant place he went to when the lines between punishment and redemption blurred.

Donna didn’t wait for him to retreat too far, “yeah him. I know what he did, working with the Sontarans, building all this. Not exactly the makings of a good citizen,” she began.

His brow furrowed as he stood, “he gave them a way in. Nearly killed the whole planet,” the Doctor reminded her

“And he nearly sent himself up there to fix it, he was going to sacrifice himself for you,” countered Donna, stepping closer. “He didn’t have to by the way, didn’t ask for permission, just did it. He saved your life, that has to count,” she supplied. 

Meeting her eyes, The Doctor was quiet for a long beat, “I’m not sure UNIT will see it that way,” he finally remarked.

Huffing Donna stood folding her arms, “that’s why you need to say something. You know what UNIT can be like, march in, bark orders. But Luke? He’s just a kid, Doctor. One who got dazzled by the stars and a bit too full of himself.”

The Doctor didn’t look convinced.

Donna exhaled, her voice softening. “After everything with Lance, everything he did, you still agreed he didn’t deserve to die. All the lies, poisoning me, trying to feed me to the spider queen.  didn’t see it. Hooked me right in and I didn’t know any better.”

His face twisted, “you didn’t kill anyone,” the Doctor reminded her. 

“I’m not saying what Luke did is the same, not really,” shrugged Donna, “but I know what it’s like to think you’re part of something good. To have someone clever tell you you’re special. That you’re needed.” Her voice faltered a bit, but she held it together, “he was manipulated. Same as me.” I don’t think Luke meant to kill anyone. He didn’t fire those weapons. He didn’t write the playbook. He just got in way over his head.” She looked over her shoulder toward where Martha was finishing her call, “he could still make something of himself. UNIT could use a mind like his. And with someone like Martha around, maybe he’d finally have someone showing him the right way to go.”

Standing there the Doctor studied her for a long moment. The intensity in his stare wasn’t judgment, it was the weight of centuries, all pressing behind his eyes, it was like he was seeing her remembering what Lance did and that even with that Donna didn’t believe he deserved to die, it was about her stopping him that same Christmas night.

Finally he nodded, “alright,” he murmured, “I’ll talk to them.”

Donna smiled, “thank you.”

They stood in silence together for a beat, the quiet of the post-battle lull falling heavy between them, “you call me amazing Donna Noble but you are brilliant, you really are something else,” the Doctor told her.

Her cheeks warmed, “get off it,” she sassed a smile still on her face. 

The loud rumble of military vehicles interrupted their conversation as UNIT arrived. Soldiers in tactical gear began to fan out, sweeping the perimeter and barking orders into headsets. Martha took charge of them until Colonel Mace arrived though Martha was still the one everyone was listening to. 

The Doctor made his way to Colonel Mace. Donna watched him go knowing he would make a case for Luke. She turned, seeing Luke sitting alone on the steps of the entrance to the Academy. She wasn’t sure if he was numb in shock or over his dreams being shattered in pieces around him. He looks so young, so small now, clearly just the boy he was. Donna approached quietly sitting beside him, “they're not here to throw you in a cage hopefully,” she said gently.

Luke didn’t look at her, “aren’t they?”

“No, Not today. Doctor’s having a word,” she promised. At that, he glanced up. Just briefly, The doubt in his eyes was sharp and thick. Donna gave him a small smile. Then reached out, placing her hand on his forearm giving it a squeeze. “You know, for someone who started the day playing evil genius,” she said, nudging him with her elbow, “you didn’t do too bad by the end.”

He let out a breath that was almost a laugh. “Didn’t exactly plan on redeeming myself,” he murmured, “it just happened.”

“Yeah, well, life’s like that. Messy. Unscripted. Full of stupid decisions and second chances,” explained Donna thinking about her own second chance she was currently on. 

His eyes met hers, brow furrowed, “you really think this is a second chance?”

Donna didn’t hesitate, “Absolutely.”

“But I almost destroyed the Earth,” he reminded her.

Nodding, Donna looked back to where the Doctor was talking with Colonel Mace. “And then you saved the Doctor,” she said firmly, “doesn’t cancel everything out. Doesn’t erase what you did. But it counts, Luke. It counts because you didn’t have to. You chose to.” He looked away again, jaw tightening. “Look,” she continued, her voice quieter now, “I know what it’s like to be lied to. To think you’re changing the world, and then find out someone’s just using you for their own ends. It wrecks you.” He nodded slowly, saying nothing. “You’ve been given something most people don’t get,” she said, “a chance to put it right. To do something real with that brain of yours. So don’t waste it.” Leaning in, she wrapped her arms around Luke in a quick, tight hug. He went stiff at first but then slowly, cautiously, returned the gesture.

“Thanks,” he muttered.

“Don’t thank me,” Donna said, pulling back, “thank yourself. You made the choice.” As she leaned back she saw the Doctor stepping away from Colonel Mace, his eyes meeting hers. There wasn’t a smile but he nodded.

Chapter Text

Leaving Luke, Donna made her way to the Doctor walking by someone muttering about containment reports and civilian debriefing. “Think you can commandeer a jeep,” she asked.

The Doctor looked at her surprised, “are you suggesting I misuse my influence with a top-secret paramilitary organization just to borrow a glorified land rover,” he smirked.

Rolling her eyes Donna swatted him, “yes.”

“Brilliant. I knew I kept you around for a reason,” grinned the Doctor.

"Come on spaceman," she said, taking his hand.

The Doctor looked at her confused, "what?"

"You're coming for dinner," she informed him. He didn't need to know that last time he hadn't. This time Donna didn't want to be without him for one moment. "And you're gonna stay in the guest room tonight," she added as he opened his mouth to protest, "if you don't mum will wonder if I've been lying to her," she explained stretching the truth to get the Doctor to give in. It was incredibly domestic and she knew that. She also knew that he'd be willing to stay the night in their house in a few weeks so why not make him tonight too?

That stopped him cold, “your house? As in with Sylvia,” he queried.

Nodding she met his eyes, “yeah,” she breathed continuing to walk as her hand dropped his.
“You’re voluntarily subjecting me to the wrath of your mother,” the Doctor worried, catching up with her in two long strides.

Chuckling Donna shook her head, "I know how difficult my mum can be, more than anyone else," she reminded the Doctor. The Doctor’s mouth opened, closed, then opened again, no words came out. Donna raised a brow, “what? You’ve faced down Daleks and Sycorax and killer Christmas trees, but my mum renders you speechless,” she laughed.

“Well,” he managed finally, “she does have an axe and thinks I'm nothing but trouble,” he offered.

Stilling Donna turned to meet his gaze, “you are nothing but trouble but I love you anyways, that’s what best friends are for,” she supplied.

He scratched the back of his neck, visibly recalibrating, “not sure any of this is a good idea.”

“Yeah, well,” she said, tone softening, “I do. I’m tired of pretending. Mum deserves to know. Not just the vague, oh he’s a friend. I want her to know you. The real you,” implored Donna. He looked at her warily, the smile slipping into something more guarded. “I mean it,” Donna went on, eyes bright with conviction. “You’re this amazing, mad, brilliant alien. You’ve saved the Earth more times than I can count, and I’m traveling with you. Me, Donna Noble, in a spaceship that goes through time.”

The Doctor’s expression had shifted into that thoughtful stillness he sometimes wore like the moment just before lightning strikes. “You know what happens when people find out what I am,” he said carefully, “they don’t always handle it well.”

Donna didn’t flinch but a frown met her face. “Mum’ll have opinions, sure. She’ll freak out, but she’s tough. And stubborn. And Gramps will help,” she assured him. He didn’t respond. She stepped closer. “I know you don’t want to make a fuss. Or complicate things. But it’s not fair to her. Not when I keep coming back scraped up or breathless or just not the same. She deserves the truth. Especially if something ever,” her voice caught, just for a moment, “if something ever happened to me.” The Doctor’s jaw tightened. “She’s my mum,” Donna added, “she should know who I’m with.”

The silence that followed wasn’t heavy. It was just full. Full of unspoken things, of the weight they both carried every time they stepped into the TARDIS, of the dangers they outran and the ones they couldn’t, all the things Donna knew and couldn’t say, of all the people the Doctor had lost.

At last, the Doctor gave a slow, reluctant nod. “Alright,” he said quietly, “let’s go tell your mum I’m from outer space.”

She smiled, taking his hand again, “you’ll charm her. Eventually.”

He glanced sideways at her, arching a brow, “you really think so?”

“No,” she said cheerfully, turning toward the jeep, “but it’ll be fun to watch you try.”

The drive back to Chiswick was littered by cars people had abandoned. She hadn’t realized the aftermath fully last time, she was more caught up in making sure her family was alright but this time she already knew they were. As
they pulled up to her house Donna climbed out of the jeep cautiously, anxiety running through her as she smoothed her hair.

“Brace yourself,” she muttered.

The Doctor shot her a wary glance, “is it too late to go back and face the Sontarans?”

Donna snorted, steeling herself then rang the bell. The door opened in a heartbeat. Wilf’s face lit up like it was Christmas and the Queen had personally come for dinner. “Oh, it's you,” he beamed, stepping forward to shake the Doctor’s hand with both of his, “I was just watching the news smoke over half the city, and I said to myself, that’s got to be our Doctor, that is.’”

Grinning, the Doctor nodded, “guilty as charged.”

Before anyone could reply, another voice sliced in, sharp as ever. “Of course it is,” came Sylvia’s familiar tone from deeper in the house, “trouble never knocks when you’ve got the front door open, it just walks in wearing a pinstripe suit.”

Donna sighed, “Mum.”

Sylvia appeared behind Wilf, arms crossed and wearing an expression that could sour milk. “You again,” she said to the Doctor, eyeing him like he was a stray dog dragging mud into the carpet.

“Hello, Sylvia,” the Doctor offered politely.

“He’s been with me, Mum,” Donna said quickly, “all day. And for once, he didn’t cause anything. He fixed it. Saved the Earth. Again.”

Sylvia raised a skeptical brow, her eyes flicking between her daughter and the man beside her. “Really,” she said slowly, “a man who leaves destruction in his wake somehow saves the world. That makes perfect sense.”

“It was aliens, Sylvia. Proper ones this time,” Wilf told her.

Sylvia scoffed, brushing him off like a bit of lint, “don’t be daft, Dad.”

“But he’s right,” the Doctor interjected gently. “It was aliens. Sontarans, actually. Clone warriors. Bit short. Very shouty,” he agreed.

Sylvia crossed her arms tighter, “and how would you know that?”

The Doctor opened his mouth, but before he could explain what he was, where he was from, or what century he’d just come from, Donna stepped forward and raised her hand.

“Mum, maybe sit down,” she suggested, trying for calm, “I’ll make us some tea.”

Sylvia stared at her like she’d grown a second head. “No. You don’t get to warm me up with a cuppa like I’m some pensioner you’re softening up for bad news. If there’s something to tell me, you say it now. Not in five minutes over Earl Grey.”

Donna hesitated, looking at the Doctor, her silent question hanging in the air like static. The Doctor met her gaze before taking a breath. “Alright,” Donna said preparing herself to pull the plaster off, “mum, the Doctor is an alien.”

Sylvia blinked once, “a what,” she huffed in disbelief.

“An alien,” Donna repeated, steady and clear, “not from another country but from another planet.”

Sylvia’s eyes narrowed, her mouth pulling into a smirk, “oh, don’t be ridiculous,” she dismissed.

Shaking her head Donna looked to Wilf a silent plea for help, “I’m not joking,” she promised.

“Oh, of course not. Next you’ll be telling me you’ve been off holidaying on Mars,” she said, voice laced with sarcasm.

“Actually, closer to Pompeii and the Ood Sphere,” the Doctor began before Donna shot him a look. “Sorry,” he muttered, holding up his hands.

Wilf stepped forward eagerly, nodding like a bobblehead, “it’s true, love. Last Christmas Eve, I saw it myself. I was at the newsstand, yeah? He vanished! Right in front of me, poof! Gone in a blink,” the old man recalled.

Sylvia turned on her father, glaring, “you’ve always been easy to fool, Dad. You thought crop circles were alien runway lights.”

“I’m telling the truth,” protested Wilf.

“And I’m telling you,” Sylvia huffed, spinning back to her daughter, “you’ve all gone round the bend, winding me up.”

Donna didn’t sigh, didn’t argue, she knew the only way to make her mum believe was to prove it to her. She calmly reached out a hand toward the Doctor, “give me your stethoscope.” He blinked before pulling it from his coat pocket and passed it over. Sylvia eyed it suspiciously as Donna turned toward her and held it out, “here.”

Sylvia frowned, “what am I meant to do with this?”

“Just put the buds in your ears, Mum. Please,” Donna said gently. After a long, narrow-eyed pause, Sylvia reluctantly complied, muttering under her breath about wasting time and how she had things to do. Donna took the chest piece of the stethoscope and placed it over her own heart. The rhythmic thud echoed faintly through the tube. “Can you hear it,” she asked.

Sylvia nodded, “yes. It’s a heartbeat,” she noted because a heartbeat didn’t scream alien.

Donna slid the piece to the left. “still just one, yeah?”

“Yes,” Sylvia admitted, clearly skeptical.

Then Donna motioned the Doctor forward with a little wave of her fingers. He stepped closer. “Now,” Donna said softly, “listen to his.” She placed the chest piece on the Doctor’s left side first. Then she moved it across to the right side. Another heartbeat. Distinct. Steady. Separate.

Sylvia stiffened, eyes widening, as if the stethoscope had suddenly shocked her. She tore the buds out of her ears like they were burning. “That’s a trick,” she snapped, stepping back, “it’s a trick. Some kind of trick!”

“How,” Donna asked calmly, “how could we fake that, Mum?”

Sylvia opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. “He’s got speakers or some device under his jacket,” she proposed.

The Doctor gave her a little finger-wiggling wave and smiled, “hello.”

Sylvia backed up until she hit the hallway table, her hand grabbing at a bowl of fruit like it might protect her. “Oh my God,” she whispered, “you’re serious. You’re all serious! He’s got two hearts!”

“Yep,” Donna said, folding her arms, “want that cuppa now,” she asked.

Minutes later the kettle whistled as Donna reached for mugs, depositing the correct amount of milk and sugar in everyone’s tea. Sylvia had taken a seat at the kitchen table, still stiff-backed and tense, but not ready to bolt anymore. Wilf sat beside her, practically buzzing with excitement, like this was the best episode of Panorama he’d ever seen. The Doctor stood near the counter, hands tucked into his coat pockets, rocking on his heels. Donna set a steaming mug in front of her mum and slid into the seat across from her.

Sylvia stared down into the tea, then up at Donna, “so today, that was aliens?”

Donna nodded, “yeah. Sontarans. Clone warriors. Short, angry, and allergic to the back of their necks,” she explained.

Shaking her head Sylvia stared at her cuppa, “you’re joking,” she finally replied.

“Nope,” the Doctor agreed, stepping forward, “they were releasing a gas into Earth’s atmosphere, an artificial compound, meant to change the air. Convert the planet into a breeding ground.”

“Charming,” Sylvia muttered, taking a cautious sip. After a movement she looked at the Doctor, “and you stopped them? The smoke was all over London, over the whole world, how can one man do all that,” she asked.

“He did and he’s not just a man mum,” Donna assured her.

Leaning back in her chair she took a breath, “and the little fat people a few weeks ago?”

The Doctor blinked, “ah. The Adipose.”

“Fat babies,” Donna supplied thinking about the night she found the Doctor again.

“They were harmless,” the Doctor said quickly. “Well, mostly harmless. They were meant to be grown on a nursery world. The company on Earth cut corners,” he expanded.

Sylvia shook her head, eyes wide, is that what happened at your wedding? Alien nonsense?”

Feeling the Doctor’s eyes flick to her Donna took a deep breath. She hadn’t thought about this part through but it made sense that her mum put the pieces together. She let out that breath rubbed her face with one hand, “that one’s complicated,” she confessed.

“I want to know,” Sylvia insisted, “I deserve to know.”

And she knew her mum wasn’t wrong, she deserved the truth. Donna dropped her hand. Her face had hardened slightly, not with anger, but something heavier. Something old. “Lance is dead,” she said quietly.

Sylvia’s brows shot up, “what? How,” her voice rose demanding answers.

Not looking away Donna took another deep breath. “He poisoned me,” she divulged. Sylvia opened her mouth, stunned. No sound came out. “He gave me something called Huon particles,” Donna continued, “they’re dangerous. He was dosing me with them over months. So I could be used. Sacrificed.”

“Oh Love,” Wilf interrupted, moving to Donna and pulling her into a hug.

“To who,” Sylvia questioned, her voice small.

The Doctor stepped in gently, “the Empress of the Racnoss. A species long dead or so I thought. Very old. Very hostile.”

“Spider queen,” Donna added as her Gramps let go of her. “I was the key to waking her children. Lance fed me the particles so I’d be compatible. It wasn’t about me. It was never about me. He didn’t love me, Mum. He never did. Just needed someone stupid enough to say yes. And that was me,” she disclosed.

“You're not stupid,” the Doctor corrected.

Sylvia’s face crumpled for a moment. Her mouth moved again like she was trying to find the right words, but nothing came. She looked at the Doctor conflicted but not the same as before. Something had shifted, “and you saved her,” she verified.

The Doctor hesitated, “yes,” he admitted, “but if we’re keeping score she saved me,” he smiled nodding towards Donna.

Rolling her eyes Donna glanced at him sideways, “he’s being modest. He flooded a tunnel to stop that spider and nearly drowned until I yelled at him.”

“Donna got me out,” the Doctor said, eyes not leaving Sylvia, “she didn’t run. She never runs.”

Feeling her cheeks warm, she couldn’t help but see the admiration in the Doctor’s eyes when he spoke about the night they met. Donna didn’t miss her mum’s fingers tightened around her mug before her gaze met Donna’s. It felt like her mum was looking at her for the first time.

“Is this what your life is now,” Sylvia asked, “aliens and spaceships and nearly dying?”

Nodding Donna smiled, “yeah. Pretty much.”

Sylvia nodded slowly. Then she took another sip of tea and whispered, more to herself than anyone else, “What did I ever do to deserve a daughter like you?”

It warmed her heart like the scene in the Grinch when his heart grows two sizes too big. Her mum was proud of her. Donna reached out placing her hand on her mum’s, “dunno. But you got one.”

Things changed after that. The atmosphere around them was warm instead of cold and on edge like Donna always felt. It felt like it used to when her dad was alive, full of love. Sylvia wrangled Donna into helping with dinner. Something was different though, Donna could feel it as she worked beside her mum chopping vegetables and bickering over the right amount of salt. Peeking in the living room Donna shot the Doctor a glance to mind himself as he and her Gramps talked. Well, Wilf asked a million questions and the Doctor answered every single one.

Their animated discussion continued around the dinner table. Gramps said grace and Donna smiled seeing the Doctor wink at her before bowing his head in respect even though he didn’t believe in such things. The Doctor urged Donna to take the lead telling stories about how they’d outrun Pyroviles in Pompeii. She made Sylvia snort into her drink and even got a full-bellied laugh out of her by mimicking the way the Doctor ran when chased.

Returning the favor the Doctor shared how Donna helped in the Ood Sphere which quickly gave way to tales of being mistaken for a god on a distant planet, of being nearly married to a fish queen. Wilf hung on every word like a schoolboy, eyes shining with wonder.

After dinner Donna cleared the plates while Sylvia boxed up leftovers and they both washed dishes. Donna stood shoulder to shoulder with her mum at the sink, sleeves rolled up, bubbles floating between them as they passed dishes back and forth.

Sylvia was quiet for a moment, the running water the only sound until finally she whispered, “I’m sorry, Donna.”

Surprise bloomed in Donna’s chest as she looked over at her mum, “for what,” she questioned.

Frowning Sylvia handed her a saucepan to dry, “for earlier. For being me, I suppose,” she confessed.

Donna dried the pan with deliberate motions. “You’re always you, Mum.”

“I just” Sylvia stopped, sighed, and looked her daughter in the eye, “I worry. All this aliens, danger, nearly getting killed. I didn’t understand it. And when I don’t understand something, I get sharp.” Just as Donna was about to speak Sylvia shook her head, “I’ve been more sharp since your father died I know that. Just with the wedding, you were so quiet. Then everything with Geoff,” she sniffed tears coming to her eyes.

Setting the pan down Donna leaned against the counter, “mum, I know,” she promised because on some level she did.

“I want what’s best for you,” Sylvia promised, drying her hands on a towel.

“I know,” Donna said again. She hesitated unsure if her mum would take it the same way but she also had a right to know. Donna glanced at the Doctor and Wilf out on the allotment before confessing, “he is what’s best for me.”

Her mum looked at her, something like understanding flickering in her expression, “you really believe that,” she questioned.

Taking a deep breath Donna nodded, “I know it,” she vowed.

“Okay then,” Sylvia settled on with a small nod. Not quite approval but the closest she would get for now. Much better than she had last time.

Peering outside the kitchen window Donna looked to the allotment catching a glimpse of the the Doctor and her Gramps in the darkness. The Doctor was hunched over the telescope point upwards as he used his sonic on it. Donna rolled her eyes going to get the thermos and making cocoa to take out to them.

By the time she made her way up there the stars had taken to the sky in full force. Thankfully it was a clear night. The cool air surrounded her as she came up behind them pressing a kiss to her Gramps cheek and handing him the thermos of cocoa. “Thought you could use a little warmth,” she smiled, settling down on the other side of the Doctor, “wouldn’t want you freezing your alien and pensioner bits off.”

Wilf beamed, opening the thermos and pouring some into the cups she had set beside him, “ta sweetheart,” he cheered taking a sip.

The Doctor took his saying, “now this is proper Earth hospitality.”

Swatting his arm Donna rolled her eyes at him, “oi watch it,” she warned.

“Don’t say I never spoil you,” Donna replied, nudging the Doctor with her elbow.

Wrapping his fingers around the mug, the Doctor’s eyes remained fixed on the sky, “you know,” he said quietly, “there’s something about a cup of cocoa that even the most advanced civilizations can’t get right. They’ve tried. Synthesized versions with chocolate flavoring,” he took a sip breathing it in, “it’s never quite the same.”

“Because it’s not just about taste,” Donna pointed out, “it’s comfort.”

He looked at her then, grin across his face and nodded, “see brilliant,” he said to Wilf pointing to Donna.

Later, once Wilf had been convinced to go to bed and the stars had dulled behind a creeping mist, Donna led the Doctor upstairs to the guest room. It was the smallest room in the house, with a narrow bed, faded wallpaper, and shelves cluttered with old model planes and football trophies from Wilf’s younger days.

She handed him a folded pair of striped pajamas that had once belonged to her granddad. “Might be a bit baggy,” she said, “but they’re clean.”

The Doctor took them reverently, as though they were royal robes. “These are brilliant,” he said. “Look at this elastic, the stripes,” he grinned holding them up in front of him.

Rolling her eyes she chuckled, “you’re sleeping in them, not regenerating into them. Goodnight, Spaceman.”

“Night, Donna,” he murmured as she disappeared into the hallway.

Moving to her own room, the familiar creak of floorboards under her feet grounded her as she changed into her pajamas. The house was quiet now, just the distant groan of pipes and the ticking of the hallway clock. She brushed her hair, folded back the covers, and slid beneath them with a sigh. Her eyes were heavy before her head even touched the pillow from their eventful day and sleep took her quickly.

But the nightmares that had plagued her didn’t stay away for long. She saw the Doctor standing in front of the Sontarans again, that metal column in his hands. The teleport platform hummed behind him. They aimed their weapons. He turned to look at her and smiled. A bolt of blue energy struck him square in the chest. His body jerked back. He was gone. Donna screamed, but no one heard her. He was gone.

Donna woke with a gasp, bolting upright in bed, her sheets twisted around her legs, her heart pounding in her chest like it was trying to escape. The room was quiet. The sky outside still dark. Her alarm clock read 3:17 AM in glowing red numbers. She sat there, wide-eyed, staring at the wall. It was just a nightmare but she knew just how real that nightmare was. No matter what she did it was always going to end up the same. The Doctor was always going to be the Doctor. Donna could never, would never fault him for that. What she could fault him for is trying to take her memories. He'd lost so many people, why couldn't he have just let her go? Tears stung her eyes as she cried herself to sleep that night trying to make sense of the seemingly pointless situation she was stuck in.

Staring up at her ceiling she heard the soft rasps of his knuckles on her door. "Donna," his voice softly echoed through the wood.

"I'm fine," she dismissed.

His hand clicked on the doorknob, "can I make sure," questioned the Doctor.

Causing her frown to turn up at the edges Donna took a deep breath. She shoved the blankets off and padded to the door opening it. "See? I'm fine," she promised.

"I heard you scream. Was it another nightmare," he worried as his hand came up to scratch the back of his neck.

Donna bit her lip nodding, "nothing big. Just gave me a fright," she said. It wasn't an entire lie at least.

Pressing his lips together the Doctor nodded, "want a cuppa?"

"Yeah," she sighed as he reached his hand out. Taking it they quietly snuck down the stairs into the kitchen hand in hand. Unable to understand why she was having nightmares this go around angered her. It was better, not worse, shouldn't that mean that there shouldn't be any at all?

"Sit," he instructed, moving over and flipping the kettle on before gathering two mugs and pulling out tea.

Making herself comfortable at the table Donna couldn't help but watch him trying to make her feel better. She worried briefly that his realization of her nightmares could be due to something else. He'd only ever noted the ones she had the night after Pompeii before. But those were the only nightmares she really remembered last time other than her mum mentioning she’d been talking in her sleep during her time home.

"Want to talk about it," offered the Doctor as he poured water and brought their mugs over.

Shrugging as she pulled the mug he sat before her closer Donna wasn't sure if she could. Even after everything she tried to change, he still risked his life. It was always going to be that. Wasn't it?

"You didn't make it back from the Sontoran ship," she confessed.

Swallowing the tea in his mouth the Doctor exhaled sharply. "Oh," was all he said, allowing them to fall into the quiet hum of the TARDIS surrounding them. "Is that why you slapped me," he questioned.

Donna nodded. How was she going to protect him if he wouldn't let her? "You didn't let me stop you," she softly noted.

"There wasn't anything you could have stopped me from Donna," he told her, taking her hand.

Looking up she met his gaze, "but why?" She needed to know, needed him to make her understand.

"I had to give them a choice. That's the type of man I am. I have to give them a chance to change their mind, to not destroy them all," the Doctor tried to explain.

That wasn’t new though. He’d said as much last time. “Do you ever think that you might be giving them too many chances,” she wondered.

Frowning he set his mug on the table, “I have to give them a choice once. That’s all they get. No second chances,” he confessed.

Donna gave his hand a squeeze. He’d said that before, “why? Why no second chances?”

Letting go of her hand the Doctor sat back in his chair not meeting her eyes, “this face is the only one you’ve seen me with but it’s not my first face. Timelords regenerate instead of dying. My previous selves, some of them were fools,” he breathed.

Knowing about regeneration already that part didn’t surprise her but the way in which he talked about his other selves made her heart break. “That can’t be true,” she protested.

“It is,” he rebuked, “I’ve seen so many things Donna. I’m so old,” the Doctor admitted, scrubbing his face, “there are horrible people in this universe and if I give them too many chances, lives are at stake,” he admitted, shaking his head gently as if trying to erase a memory.

Reaching out she placed her hand on his, “but not all of us are which is why you have to give us a choice,” she said aloud making sense of why he always did. The words he’d said after she killed the wasp echoed in her mind that thing couldn’t help itself. “The universe doesn’t know how lucky we are to have you,” she professed.

“I have difficulty sleeping sometimes too,” he revealed, changing the subject.

By now Donna was used to the Doctor’s habit of abruptly changing course. She smiled gently realizing exactly what he was doing but deciding to let him get away with it. After all he had opened up to her so he deserved a bit of a reprieve. “I imagine so with all that you’ve seen. Lifetimes worth,” she recalled even though she’d only seen it for a brief period of time.

His eyes met hers before he stood snagging their mugs, “those nights I find myself in the library. No place better than a library surrounded by the comfort of books,” he grinned.

Donna bit her lip trying not to think of the ache that thought brought to the surface. “Unfortunately we’re stuck here for the night. Mum would go berzerk if we vanished into thin air,” Donna reminded him.

“Who’s fault is that,” the Doctor huffed indignantly as he took her hand leading Donna to the couch in the living room. The Doctor sat down on the sofa stretching out before reaching out his hand to her, "come here."

"What," she asked incredulously.

He smirked, "Wilf told me how you used to fall asleep in front of the telly when you were little and your dad would have to carry you upstairs. Sometimes the best way to overcome the fear of a nightmare is to be around someone else or something comforting," suggested the Doctor.

Slowly Donna laid beside him as he fiddled with the remote, "is this okay," she questioned.

"One thing, if I may miss Noble," he said as the Doctor took Donna's hand. "That way you know your nightmare is just that. I'm right here, very alive," he assured her.

Taking a deep breath she smiled, "thank you."

The Doctor leaned slightly into her and turned the volume down on the telly until it was little more than background hum. They sat like that while he channel surfed until he stopped on a film halfway through. The screen showed a man robot-shaped but human-eyed speaking softly to a woman with silver hair.

Donna blinked. “Bicentennial Man,” she murmured, voice thick with sleep edging in.

Glancing up at her the Doctor tugged a blanket over tucking it around her, “good one,” he asked.

She smiled faintly, shifting to see him better, “it’s about an android who wants to be human. Starts off learning tricks, doing chores. Then one day he wants to feel, age, love,” she trailed off.

The Doctor watched the screen for a moment, his eyes unreadable. “Fitting,” he said at last, voice quiet.

She nodded and rested her head against his shoulder, her fingers still tucked in his. Within moments, her breath softened, evened out. She’d fallen asleep again, her hand still anchoring her to him like a tether.

Chapter Text

The scent of frying bacon and fresh toast crept into Donna’s dreams like a slow fog lifting. The telly had gone silent, flicked off sometime in the early hours, and the blanket draped over her had slipped halfway to the floor. From the kitchen came the unmistakable clatter of pans and the rhythmic, no-nonsense chopping that could only belong to her mother.

“Mum’s up,” Donna murmured sleepily, blinking herself awake. She lifted her head and winced at the ache in her neck. Sitting up she pushed off the couch and made her way. At the kitchen table, Wilf sat with a cup of tea, animatedly describing some memory of a flying saucer he swore he saw over Margate in the ‘70s. The Doctor, still in his striped pajamas listened attentively.

“Morning, sunshine,” Sylvia said dryly, not turning as she flipped an egg with swift precision.

“Morning, Mum,” Donna yawned, heading straight for the kettle and pouring herself a mug of strong coffee.

Wilf beamed at Donna. “He was just telling me about this planet where the clouds float up instead of down!”

“I said condensation rises in the magnetic field,” the Doctor corrected, smiling over his tea.

“Well, it's all fascinating,” Wilf said, as if he were sitting with Einstein.

They all gathered at the table soon enough, Sylvia placing the last of the eggs and toast down in the center, plates distributed without ceremony.

Breakfast was full of warmth and chatter, the kind of easy domestic peace that could almost convince you yesterday had been normal. Donna recounted the less traumatizing bits of their travels. Wilf laughed like a boy, Sylvia listened more than she scoffed, and the Doctor looked content.

Eventually, as the plates cleared and the last bit of toast was swiped through egg yolk, the Doctor stretched back in his chair and cleared his throat. “Well,” he said, tapping his fingers lightly on the tabletop, “we should probably be off.”

Donna glanced up. “Already?”

“Can’t keep that jeep forever. UNIT will notice. And we’ve got to meet up with Martha, she’ll want the full debrief.”

Donna groaned, dragging a hand down her face. “Can’t we have five minutes where no one’s trying to kill us, dissect us, or recruit us?”

The Doctor grinned, “that was five minutes. You got cocoa and everything.”

She rolled her eyes, but she was already rising from the table, gathering plates into the sink. “Okay, I’ll change give me twenty,” she hoped.

“Ten,” the Doctor suggested.

Donna eyes him, “we live on a time machine,” she reminded him.

“Right,” the Doctor nodded, taking the stairs two at a time.

Moving up the stairs much slower Donna made it to her room and got dressed before slipping into the bathroom to finish up. By the time she was done the Doctor was already in the living room rocking on his heels talking with Wilf again. Sylvia was also standing with them waiting which surprised Donna.

Donna hugged Wilf then her mum saying her goodbyes.

Sylvia eyed them both. “you be careful, Donna,” she said, softer than usual.

Smiling, Donna squeezed her tighter promising, “I always am.”

"We've got to go or we'll be late," the Doctor reminded her.

Rolling her eyes in full knowledge that they would not be late at all and the TARDIS was perfectly safe where she was parked Donna hugged her gramps and mum. "Love you," she said, kissing them both and hugging them tight one more time. If their trips kept to the same pattern as last time Donna knew they'd be seeing them again but if something happened she wanted to know that she had made sure to say goodbye to them both. She wasn't going to take that for granted this time.

The Doctor tipped an invisible hat to them both, then followed Donna out into the morning light. The air was crisp, the sky blue. They climbed into the jeep, and the engine roared reluctantly to life beneath the Doctor’s touch.

As they left she wiped a stray tear from her eye wishing the Doctor hadn't seen that. Thankfully he didn't mention it. And with that, they were off again

The drive back to the ATMOS factory was quiet, the fields rolling by like a memory of calm. When they pulled up to the site, the air still smelled faintly of scorched ozone, but the chaos had thinned. The world slowly pretending it had never been on the edge of ruin.

Martha was already outside, clipboard in hand, issuing orders with that polished authority she wore like a second skin. Her eyes lit up the second she spotted them.

“You two nicked a jeep,” she called, stepping forward with a grin.

“Technically borrowed,” the Doctor replied, climbing out.

“I’m calling that a no on the paperwork,” she said, but any protest vanished as she hugged him tightly. Then turned to Donna and wrapped her in a warm embrace.

“How were they,” Martha asked, voice gentler now, meaning Donna’s family.

Donna smiled faintly, “oh, same old stuff. They’re fine.” She knew they were, they would be this time. With a breath she met Martha’s eyes, “so. you gonna come with us? We’re not exactly short of space.”

Martha looked past her to the TARDIS, that battered blue box that could carry them to the ends of time. Her smile was fond, but distant.

“Come on just a peak,” the Doctor urged, unlocking the TARDIS and holding the door open.

Grinning Martha stepped inside breathing the ship in, “oh, I’ve missed all this,” she admitted looking around.

“We could go see the the coast of Meta Sigmafolio, meet Charles the second or Henry the eighth, how about Agatha Christie,” tempted the Doctor.

“I’m good here. Back at home. And I’m better cos I’ve been away,” Martha decided. She lifted her hand slightly, the light catching the glint of her engagement ring, “besides, someone needs me. Never mind the universe, I've got a great big world of my own now,” she added.

Unable to calm herself, Donna looked around at the TARDIS on edge. Why wasn’t the TARDIS taking them to find Jenny or to create Jenny?

Donna’s smile faltered just a little, “are you sure about this?”

“Yeah,” Martha said firmly, “positive. I can’t do this anymore. You’ll be the same one day.”

“Not me,” Donna said immediately. “Never. How could I ever go back to normal life after seeing all this? I’m going to travel with that man forever,” she vowed, pointing her thumb at the Doctor.

Martha laughed softly, “good luck.”

Donna gave her a little salute, “and you.”

The Doctor had wandered towards the door with Martha. They fell into step together, walking out of the TARDIS. “We’re making a habit of this,” he said with a half-smile as they left Donna standing at the console.

“What are you doing,” she harshly whispered at the TARDIS, didn’t you pick her up the future time lord, why aren’t we going there now with Martha,” she demanded.

The TARDIS doors closed with their usual soft thud, “everything alright,” queried the Doctor.

Donna stood at the console, hand resting on it. “Yeah,” she lied because it was far from it. Jenny, they were missing the creation of Jenny. Donna didn’t understand the TARDIS hadn’t taken off to find Jenny. Something she did must have changed the future and because of it the Doctor would never know Jenny but now he would never lose her either. The Doctor would never know what he lost.

She caught the Doctor staring at her, “sorry, leaving home. It’s always hard, you know? I think it was a little harder this time.” Donna crossed the metal grating toward him, bumping her shoulder against his with deliberate warmth. “But don’t get any ideas. I’m not rethinking anything, spaceman. You’re stuck with me,” she promised.

He smiled at that, one of those rare ones that reached both his hearts and lit the corners of his eyes making them crinkle. He leaned forward just slightly, “good.” The Doctor jumped to life spinning around the console, flipping switches, turning dials from muscle memory. He was in his element now. “So,” he said brightly, “where to next, eh? We could visit the planet Midnight, ancient Greece? Or! Oh! Ever met Agatha Christie? Absolute genius.”

Donna raised an eyebrow. “The writer that you already brought up once to Martha in the last ten minutes?”

He grinned. “Yep. Murder mysteries, typewriter, real flair for the dramatic. I actually asked Martha once before if she wanted to go meet her but,” he paused, “the timing was off,” he settled on.

Donna just smiled to herself, warmth blooming in her chest. She already knew. Of course they were going to meet Agatha Christie next. The pieces were moving similar to before. Maybe not all the same but this much felt set in stone.

“Agatha Christie, hmm?” she said, stepping up beside him, one hand brushing along the console, “that sounds about right.” She gave him a sideways look, lips tugging into a grin.

“Allons-y,” he cheered, hitting another lever.