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Chapter Three

Testing the Waters
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Donna stood up from the bed, testing her ankle and finding the joint more than willing to support her weight now without the previous stabbing pain. Shrugging her injured shoulder, she found that it, too, felt wonderful, no longer throbbing in pain with movement.

The Doctor was right, rest was probably the best thing for her now. But even though she felt so much better, she also felt rather grubby, and rightfully so. After all, it wasn't that long ago that she'd been running for her life and shot with a dart. A hot shower would most certainly make her feel close to perfect. And then she could get the rest that he insisted she needed.

Donna went into the bathroom and started the shower, then walked back out to retrieve a pair of undies and pyjamas from the dresser. Turning back towards her destination, she grinned as steam began rolling out, anticipating the divine warmth the water would give her.

Entering the bathroom, Donna closed the door and made sure it was locked. After all, one could never be too careful.

When she'd finished, she dried off quickly and wrapped herself in a thick towel as she wiggled her feet into her favorite slippers, feeling immensely better and refreshed. Maybe she didn't need to lie back down after all. Perhaps a little make-up and some proper clothes and she could talk the Doctor into taking her somewhere. She didn't feel the need to go home anymore, since there was nothing left to heal. Hopefully he had fixed his ship.

She turned towards the mirror at the same time the slick bottoms of her slippers began sliding beneath her. The floor had little dampness on it from her leaving the shower, but there had been plenty of steam and the condensation was just enough to send her flying. With a startled scream, Donna Noble twisted herself, trying to regain her balance, and ended up slamming her head against the towel rack, knocking herself unconscious almost instantly.

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The Doctor returned to Donna's room about forty-five minutes later, intent to keep an eye on her, but returning under the pretense of bringing her some food and drink. He'd realized she'd had neither for quite some time, and with all the side effects he knew the dart's poison would inflict, he didn't want any other ailments cropping up as well. If she were asleep, he'd leave the goodies for her on her bedside table with hopes she'd indulge them when she awoke. Her tea had been specially made at his hands, loaded with nutrients and electrolytes to help stave off what had been depleted throughout the day.

Holding two tea cups with his left hand and balancing a bag of chocolate biscuits atop that arm, he gently knocked on her door with the right. Waiting a proper time for her to respond, he opened the door, calling her name softly.

Peering inside, he found the lights up and her bed empty.

Walking into the room, he instantly smelled soap knew she had showered. And that was fine - good even, because judging by the humidity seeping into her room, he knew she'd used very hot water, which would only help her relax and sleep more recuperatively.

Setting the items he carried down on her night stand, he sat on her bed, waiting patiently. The water was not running, so she'd obviously finished and would be out soon. So he'd just wait for her. But no, that was a bad idea. Very bad idea. If she came out and found him sitting there, she'd believe he was after her body. Again. Nope. No need to go over that paranoid theory of hers. The Doctor stood and walked up to the bathroom door, knocking lightly.

"Donna?" he called. "I brought you a little snack; thought you could use it."

The Doctor waited patiently for only a few seconds, then knocked a bit harder. "Donna?"

Surely she should be going on about his intrusion by now. Something was wrong...

"Donna? I really need you to answer me," he voiced loudly as he tried the door, muttering to himself when he found it locked.

Pulling out his sonic screwdriver, the Doctor sprang the lock on the door and opened it, calling to her one more time.

Steam swirled around him as the door swung inside the little room, and the humidity within it was like entering a sauna.

"Donna!" The Doctor found her on the floor behind the door, barely covered by a towel and obviously unconscious.

He knelt beside her as he gently grasped her wrist, feeling for her pulse. Within seconds of finding it, she began to stir.

"Oh, my head," she winced, letting the Doctor help her sit up. "What happened?" she asked, her face registering her bewilderment.

"You tell me," he answered, retrieving his sonic screwdriver again, this time to check her pupils. "Looks like you took quite a spill," he added as he shut the tool off. "How many fingers am I holding up?" he asked, his hand raised in front of her.

"Three?" she questioned.

"Mmm. Close. Come on, I think we need to get you to the Infirmary."

He stood then, helping her to do the same as he propped her against the wall. When she was upright, he looked closely into her eyes again. "Think you can walk? Come on, I'll help, all right?" His voice was soft and gentle, as if talking to a child.

"Doctor, I'm just so bloody tired," she practically whispered, no longer able to fight the draw of gravity as she slid down the wall she was leaning against.

The Doctor knelt down beside her, worry clear on his features. "Donna?"

"I just want to sleep," she stated groggily.

"Nope, not a good idea right now. You've given yourself a concussion. Let me sort it, then you can sleep all you want."

"No, see, I really just need to rest for a bit, yeah?" she whispered, her words slightly slurred and her eyes only halfway open.

"Here?" he asked incredulously.

"Sure. Why not?" she answered, shivering slightly from the cool air entering the bathroom.

"Perhaps you'd like to get a little more ... dressed? We can't have you catching a chill."

She looked at him, blinking rapidly as if trying to focus her vision. "You know, you sure are a cute little thing. Bit bossy, though. But still, cute. Wonder why I haven't noticed that before?"

"Because your vision's been concussed all this time and now you can see clearly? Oh wait, I think it's the other way around," the Doctor chuckled. "Come on, up you come." He grunted, helping her to stand.

Suddenly she was leaning into the Doctor heavily, having a hard time maintaining her balance.

"Donna?" His arms surrounded her as she swayed.

"God, you even smell good," she told him as she pushed her face into his chest.

"Yes, um, well. You don't smell so bad yourself. What is that, lilac?"

"Mmm hmm." Her eyes were closing, and the Doctor tightened his hold, not wanting her to land in the floor again.

"Donna? Can you stay awake for me?"

She looked at him then, her eyes seemingly almost clear. "What's in it for me, Sweetie?"

"Sweetie? Did - did you just call me 'Sweetie'?"

"I'll call you whatever you like, as long as you kiss me," she mumbled, eyes closing and lips puckering in anticipation.

"Oh, you've got to be joking," the Doctor muttered, looking up towards the ceiling. He looked back at Donna again just as her eyes opened, no doubt wondering what happened to that kiss.

"Donna, where's that robe of yours I've seen you wearing - not that I was looking. Is it out here?" He gently nudged her to take the few steps into her room as he looked around for that particular article of clothing. When she didn't answer him right away, he looked down at her again, seeing her watery eyes.

"Why are you crying? Am I hurting you? Are you injured somewhere other than your head?" he asked, quickly turning and urging her to sit down on the bed as he looked her over thoroughly. "That was a nasty fall you took. Probably bumped yourself up a bit, but don't you worry, I'll make it all better," he said, his voice lilting with kindness as he hoped to get through to her. But when he saw the first teardrop fall, it saddened him, feeling as if he were failing her somehow.

He knelt down directly in front of her line of vision. "Donna? Where does it hurt?" he asked softly.

Her eyes met his, then she looked down. Her hand rose to her chest, and she pointed at it, still looking away from him.

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