My humble contribution to the world of fics about The Doctor's Daughter. Reviews are greatly appreciated.
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He'd never get used to the pain.
He thought of that often. After Rose. The Master. He'd wondered if, some day, it wouldn't affect him anymore. He'd be prepared for it. It wouldn't hurt.
That day wasn't today, he realised, as he closed his eyes and the tears didn't fall.
"Doctor." Donna was talking to him now. She touched his arm gently, bringing him back.
She looked sympathetic. Then-
"Are you gonna sit there all day?"
"What? No!" He leapt from his seat, smiling. "We've got planets to visit!" He bounded to the TARDIS controls.
"Doctor," She said again, quietly this time.
He turned to face her.
"I'm sorry," She began. "I'm sorry that you didn't get to spend any time with her, and-"
"It never would have worked." He said, not sure if he was reassuring her or himself. "Three of us in the TARDIS never would have worked out." He smiled, sadly. "Never has. Probably never will."
There was silence.
"There have been three people in this place before?" Donna demanded suddenly. She was giving him a chance to change the subject, and he smiled, gratefully.
"Oh yeah! Travelling through galaxies, saving worlds, you're bound to pick some people up!" He told her. "So, where should we go next?"
"Oh, I dunno. Somewhere. Anywhere." She said, sitting down by the control tower.
"Right. Somewhere and Anywhere, twin planets in the Narctis Commemoration."
"No way! They're actual planets?!" Donna sounded amazed, and he couldn't help but smile.
"Yup." He flicked some switches on the controls. "Which one should we visit first?"
As the TARDIS dematerialised, there was a moment when he thought of Jenny, his daughter, and how amazing she would have been.