This will be a multi-chapter story, though hopefully not too epic. We're beginning the story with a bit of angst, but don't let it fool you; the smutty objective is the same as always!
Enjoy, and stay tuned for more...
Late spring, 2008
Donna was still asleep, and the Doctor was restless. But, as usual, the week's events had been so exhausting, he was reluctant to wake her before her time. Humans needed a lot of sleep anyway; add to it the running and screaming they did with him, and they were practically a species of hypersomniacs.
He stalked back and forth, up and down the ramp. He circled the console on heavy feet. He tugged at his hair and sighed, whispered mild curses, contemplated having that rare alcoholic beverage… or three.
Because as restlessness was par-for-the-course, what was not usual was the reason for this restlessness. This time, it was not merely a hunger to get back out there, stir the pot, run and scream and jump and show off the universe to his closest friend. It was something just as visceral, but less solvable, and something for which he was much less equipped. It was not unprecedented, just a bit unwelcome.
Love.
Over the past week, ever since the Sontaran debacle when he'd seen that ring on her finger, he had been pushing that word away. After all, the last time he'd allowed himself to acknowledge it, he'd wound up standing on a beach, emptily saying goodbye to a trusted companion whom he'd never, ever see again.
But in spite of that, he couldn't deny it: he was in love once more. And it wasn't just because now someone else had her, and her affections had been diverted. It was because of who she was and what she did, and how well she did it and with how much conviction and intelligence and grace. She was tough and compassionate, a fighter, but also a lover. And she'd been all these things all along, he'd just been too wrapped up in himself to see it. But now, damn it; another trusted companion, who had saved not only him, but also the Earth. But he knew it couldn't end any better than last time. He was destined to suffer the same heartbreak, but couldn't shake the feeling.
He had an overwhelming urge to go back and find her, tell her everything. He was a passionate and impulsive man, and several times, he'd set coordinates to return to her front garden and bang on her door. But he had to resist, remind himself, I had my chance… she's engaged now… she's chosen to walk away from me twice. Stay away, stay away, stay away.
And as if on cue, a mobile phone rang from somewhere on the console. It could only be her. She was the only person he knew who had the number.
He sighed. "Hi, Martha." He didn't bother with hello.
She sighed right back. "I knew it. Something's wrong. I'm glad I called."
"What do you mean?"
"When you dropped me off at my flat last week, I could tell… you're upset. Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," he answered, a little too quickly.
Martha clicked her tongue. "Come on, Doctor, I know you better than that. I know it was a war, and she was… what did you call her? A generated anomaly? But a daughter is a daughter, and a death is a death."
The Doctor smiled a bit, in spite of himself. "I know you're right."
"And I know you've been through it before, losing family members and all that, but she was only a few hours old, and you never even had the chance to know her…"
"Martha, is all this supposed to make me feel better?"
"Sorry. I just wanted you to know that I understand. I may not be able to relate, exactly, but I get it. I do."
He knew she did. And that's why she was wonderful.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "That means a lot."
"This might be a stupid question, but do you want to talk about it? Might help. Certain feelings, you know… need to be purged in order for you to get past them."
"That's true – very wise."
"So…?"
"Okay," he conceded. Talking to her, thinking about her had got to him. His resistance had worn down to nothing. He needed to see her. "Yes – let's do it. I need to get some stuff off my chest, so let's meet up."
"Well, my schedule is a bit tight, but… when and where?"