Title: When He Knew
Spoilers: For Season 4 through
Midnight
Characters: Donna, the Doctor
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the BBC -
no infringement is intended.
Summary: When, exactly,
did he fall in love with her?
In times to come, the Doctor would wonder when, exactly, he had fallen in love with Donna Noble.
He knew he liked her from the beginning. When she appeared in the Tardis, all questioning, bossing him around. And he slipped a ring on her finger then, promising to keep her safe and whole.
He knew he needed her when she put her hands over his, when they destroyed Pompeii to save the world. And when she begged him to just save someone, knowing it would help ease the pain of being responsible, once again, for death and destruction.
He knew he cared for her when she was trapped on the Sontaran ship, connected to her only by her voice on the phone. He felt her fear, and wanted to spare her, but she was so brave. He surprised himself with the intensity of his relief when she made it through.
But he realized he loved her, there in the kitchen with Agatha Christie. Her medicinal kiss had healed more than the cyanide that day. She had saved him once again, the antidote to his loneliness. His better half.
Or maybe it was when he saw her face on the statue in the library - when his hearts nearly stopped, believing her lost forever.
But he knew for sure on Midnight. On the shuttle, waiting for rescue, wanting nothing so much as to get back to her. And the sight of her - the feel of her - had been like life, restoring him. He had hugged her so hard, so long, drawing strength from her, feeling her offering comfort. He loved her utterly and completely, beyond all reason. And he dared to hope she loved him too.
And that night, back in the Tardis, he went to her room, seeking comfort and companionship. She let him into her bed, wrapped herself around him. He whispered, "Don't ever leave me." And she said, "Forever."