Mia's POV
"Taxi!" Donna shrilled, her hands waggling in the air whilst she pattered up and down the length of the sidewalk.
Mia and the Doctor skidded to a halt a few metres away, watching the taxi not heed the fiery ginger.
"Why's his light on?" Donna demanded, though it was really directed to no one in particular.
Mia shrugged. Putting on a show, appearing as if she were as wound up in the events as either of the two, was easy. She spotted a taxi a few metres away and pointed at it, which was accompanied with a sharp cry. "There's another one!"
Waving feebly to catch the driver's attention, Mia sprinted down the hectic street. People, clinging to their purses and bags full of items, crossly bellowed at her as she wove between them, narrowly avoiding collision with several by only a hair's breadth.
"Taxi!" Donna shouted again, stumbling onto the asphalt.
By now, Mia had doubled back to re-join Donna and the Doctor. It was vital that she did not get lost – and the taxi was driving in the opposite direction. The pair were flailing their arms in a desperate attempt to snag the driver's attention, but the taxi merely drove past.
"Oi!" Donna yelled fiercely to the driver.
"Now why'd he do that?" Mia grumbled, folding her arms across her chest in mock irritation. "I thought we made our presence well-known."
No sooner than the first taxi passed, the Doctor located yet another and rushed toward it, loudly shouting. Mia and Donna jogged after him, but the driver of this cab also overlooked the trio with disdain.
"Oi!" Donna screamed in frustration.
She knows that we're running out of time.
"Do you have this effect on everyone?" The Doctor inquired, puzzlement wrinkling his brow. "Why aren't they stopping?"
Mia shrugged. "I'm sure we'll find one for you, Donna. They must just… be listening to music or something. It is Christmas Eve, after all. Great way to be festive…"
Honestly, who was going to believe that? That has got to be the worst lie I've ever told.
"No," Donna muttered dryly. "They think I'm in fancy dress."
Another taxi streaked past. However, instead of disregarding Mia, the Doctor, and Donna, the driver blared his horn and roared, "Stay off the scotch, darlin'!"
"They think I'm drunk." Donna groaned, throwing her hands in the air.
Mia grimaced. "Well, you're not, and that's all that matters, right?"
Meanwhile, a blue car coasted by and two impertinent men leaned out the window, calling, "You ain't fooling no one, mate!"
"They think I'm in drag."
So much for the pep talk, Mia thought bitterly.
The Doctor looked Donna up and down, as if he were evaluating her. "Hold on, hold on."
Get ready, Mia whispered wordlessly to Donna, to which the ginger gave a bewildered expression.
The Doctor placed his fingers between his lips and began to whistle. Donna grimaced and jammed her fingers in her ears so as to drown out the noise, as it was rather lengthy and strident in quality. All the same, it did attract a taxi, which the threesome gladly clambered into.
"Saint Mary's in Chiswick, just off Hayden Road. It's an emergency, I'm getting married! Just… hurry up," Donna ordered.
"You know it'll cost you, sweetheart? Double rates today." The cab driver informed Donna.
Already knowing the situation, Mia had fiddled around in her pockets and withdrawn two quid. "I don't suppose two quid is enough, is it?"
"Nope," the driver answered.
Mia frowned and withdrew a wad of alien money. "Will this do?"
The driver appraised the money. "What are you trying to do, cheat me? There is no such…"
"Couldn't you just do something out of the kindness of your heart?" Mia demanded.
The driver shook his head. "Sorry, I've got a family to feed."
With the raucous squeal of brakes, the taxi skidded to a halt and the trio scrambled out into the blustery day. Upon exiting the cab, Mia slammed the door behind her and tucked her hands into the pockets of her drab olive jacket.
"And that goes double for your mother!" Donna spat at the driver.
Rapidly, the taxi sped away.
"I'll have him," Donna huffed. "I've got his number. I'll have him. Talk about the Christmas spirit."
The Doctor scanned the street, seeming surprised. "Is it Christmas?"
"Well, duh. Maybe not on Mars, but here it's Christmas Eve."
And what a present I've received.
Mia normally would have been overjoyed that it was Christmas; the holiday was, in fact, her favourite. However, rewinding time to meet a formerly deceased friend and a woman that she'd only heard tales about was more than even she had come to expect in the passage of a single day. What was more was that she could not reveal anything to anyone, lest she alter more than she already had.
"Oh, look, a phone box!" Mia shouted.
The trio broke into a jog, hustling past clusters of shoppers toting bags stuffed with gifts, chattering eagerly into their phones. No doubt they would all be enjoying their humble lives, ripping open their exchanged presents beneath a beautifully adorned tree.
Travelling with the Doctor, you forget all about holidays, even your own birthday. I'm not quite sure how old I am anymore.
"How come you're getting married on Christmas Eve?" The Doctor asked Donna.
"Can't bear it. I hate Christmas. Honeymoon in Morocco. Sunshine – lovely."
"Well, I love Christmas," Mia put in boldly. "I think it's a brilliant holiday."
They reached the phone box; Donna unlatched the door and stepped inside. Mia casually leaned against the weathered frame of the phone box, her hazel gaze sweeping over broad swaths of careless civilians passing by.
"What's the operator?" Donna wondered aloud, gripping the phone in her shaky hands. "I've not done this in years. What do you dial? 100?"
Mia did not bother to look in the direction of the Doctor and Donna. What was the use? Perhaps she could just slip away now and hope she faded from memory entirely. That's what she always seemed to do. Why should this time be any different?
"Now, phone! Mia, come with me. We're getting money."
Long before the Doctor's words became cohesive in Mia's brain, she was being tugged along behind him as he ploughed through the masses. Though the cash machine was but a short distance from the phone box, Mia reminded herself to keep a steady watch over Donna Noble.
Already, an irritatingly slow man was withdrawing his money from the machine. The Doctor was growing anxious; he shifted from foot to foot in impatience.
"Oi!" Mia slugged him mischievously. "You'll get your turn in a moment, Doctor. Honestly, you've never been patient, have you? But don't worry. You'll get to use that sonic screwdriver and all."
No sooner had the words spewed from her mouth did she clamp her hand over her lips, still muttering; now it was muted.
The Doctor looked gravely at Mia. She scrutinized his eyes for any traces of recognition but could find none.
Of course there wouldn't be! Mia chided herself brusquely. He's not even regenerated – or met the Ponds yet!
"I don't know who you are, Mia Williams, but Donna needs my help right now. I think you know that as much as I do."
Her mouse-brown ponytail bobbled as she nodded. "Yes." In a softer pitch, she murmured his name.
But he heard. Instead of proceeding toward the cash machine, he seized Mia's wrist and whispered, "My name. You know my name. My real name. I've…"
Mia merely gave a slight dip of her head but inwardly, she was quivering with grief. All of her energy had been placed into fighting off a steady stream of tears which so desperately longed to escape her stinging eyes. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry that I can't save you. I'll try my hardest, though. Isn't that what I promised you?
Instantly, the Doctor straightened up and released his rigid grasp. "Right! Money!" He exclaimed, surreptitiously scanning the area for any noticing persons. After doing so, he then slipped out his sonic screwdriver and pointed it at the machine, which beeped loudly and several quid dispensed.
He retrieved the cash and tucked it into his coat, staring intently at something in the distance. Mia knew it was the robots Santas, with their deadly alien weapons disguised as instruments. Inching closer and closer, the metallic creatures were closing in for their prey.
"Doctor!" Mia whispered in a rather shrill voice. Donna was about to get into the wrong taxi cab, and a deadly chase would ensue. She could stop it. She would stop it, just this one minor detail.
"What?" Her piercing voice must have jerked the Doctor from his thoughts because he stepped away from the machine.
"TAXI!" Donna's bellow rang out in the frigid air. The furious ginger spat, "Thanks for nothing, spaceman! I'll see you in court!"
Mia gazed on in horror as Donna clambered into the taxi and it barrelled away.
"Donna!" The Doctor shouted after Donna, as if the woman could still hear him, although she had already disappeared, along with her captor.
The remaining robot Santas had levelled their instruments, causing Mia to panic. These scavengers would open fire on her and the Doctor. Thoughtlessly, her hand plunged inside the Doctor's jacket pocket and found its purchase in the sonic screwdriver. Depressing a small black button on the side and mentally ordering it to withdraw all of the bank's money, Mia pointed the silvery stick at the cash machine. Money was distributed in every direction, spiralling to the concrete in iridescent colours. People whooped in joy and danced at this so-called 'miracle'.
However, the diversion was enough to prevent the robots from firing upon them. Wasting no time, Mia gripped the Doctor's hand and towed him along with her. Because most everyone had formed a writhing mass, hoping to lay hands upon some of the money, the journey back was much easier. As soon as they returned to the TARDIS, Mia handed the Doctor his sonic screwdriver. He stashed it back inside his jacket before hurriedly unlocking the doors with a TARDIS key.
"Who are you?" The Doctor breathed as he rushed to the console and began throwing levers, flipping switches, and fiddling with the remaining controls. "How would you know to do that?"
Instinctively, Mia's hand flashed to the locket clasped about her neck. "I don't know." Her answer was more or less for both of the questions.
"You know what I love most?" Mia smirked as the Doctor peered up at her from the console.
"A good mystery." She answered without hesitation.
"Yes! Mysteries! Really good ones, though…"
"Doctor, I think you're forgetting about Donna."
"Oh, yes! Donna!" The Doctor slammed his palm heavily against a button. "Allons-y!"
I'm so sorry, but I can't stick around, Mia wanted to say. You'll see me again, though. She instinctively grinned as the console pitched. I'll miss it here, in the TARDIS, that's certain. But it's always me that's got to save you in the end, I suppose.
Whilst the TARDIS commenced her distinctive, grating materialisation sound, the Doctor checked the monitor for Donna's location and locked onto it. Mia peered over his shoulder, grimacing at what she saw. "Do you think she'll be able to fly that low over the motorway?" She inquired hesitantly.
Of course, Mia already knew the answer; it was merely a ruse to pretend as if she didn't.
The Doctor did not reply, for now the console was sparking as if Mia's question had provoked it. Mia was surreally reminded of her own experience with a flaming console room just minutes ago. Now, the machine was spinning wildly, bashing into cars and skidding against the asphalt. Mia clung to the tower, her fingernails into whatever object was nearest to her.
"Mia!" The Doctor's words exploded into her mind, blossoming against the haze of chaos. He tossed her the end of the rope which he held the opposite end of. "Tie that to the black lever!"
Mia fumbled with the thin string for a few heartbeats before knotting it tightly around the lever.
"Anything else?" She called in reply.
"Hold tight!" The Doctor yelled, flinging open the door.
A stinging wind tore thin strands from the ponytail Mia had so painstakingly put in place this morning and whirled them into her eyes. She squinted against the air, blood roaring in her ears, still refusing to release her grip on the console. Her heart palpitated as the TARDIS pitched again and the Doctor was bashed awkwardly into the doorframe.
"Open the door!" He shouted to Donna.
"Do you what?" Donna demanded, though her voice was muffled.
"Open the door!" The Doctor repeated more loudly this time.
"I can't; it's locked!" Donna wailed, tugging in vain at the door handle.
Mia strained her vision, the image of the Doctor withdrawing his sonic screwdriver and pointing it at the car door, contorted and swimming in a puddle. With a slight squeal, the car window inched down a few inches.
"Santa's a robot!" Donna snarled, peering through the tiny slit between the frame of the car and the edge of the glass.
"Donna, open the door!" The Doctor pleaded.
An exasperated sigh slipped between Mia's lips. Just do what the Doctor says already! With an unsteady buck, Mia clutched harder to the console, her trainers skidding against the grate of the dais. Each moment, her energy drained slightly.
"What for?" Donna retorted.
"Just listen to him!" Mia shrieked.
Honestly, you've been kidnapped by a robot mercenary and you wonder why you should escape from this taxi?
"You've got to jump!" The Doctor insisted, still shouting in order to make his voice audible above the rush of wind and the din of car motors.
"I'm not bleedin' flip jumping!" Donna obstinately protested. "I'm supposed to be getting married!"
Irritation – or perhaps guilt – pricked at Mia's heart. "We can help you get there in time!" She called to Donna, although Mia was almost certain that her words had been a waste. "Just listen to the Doctor and jump! He'll catch you, I promise!"
Their eyes met for a heartbeat, but Donna hesitated. Then the taxi shot forward, pulling away from the TARDIS. The rotating blue box hovered above the motorway for a moment before the Doctor jerked the string which Mia had previously attached to the lever. Sparks danced a hair's breadth from Mia.
Rather startled by the eruption, Mia's fingers loosened and she collapsed, sliding precariously toward the Doctor. Tumbling across the dais, she slipped through the narrow space between the Doctor and the opposite side of the doorway.
Help me!
Luckily, the fingers of her right hand grasped the edge of the TARDIS. However, she was suspended over the motorway, her legs flailing unrestrainedly. Mia shot a horrified glance at the asphalt rushing hurriedly by beneath her shaking feet. Alarmed, she struggled to locate a better grip before the TARDIS lurched again.
"Doctor!" Mia screeched, feeling her fingers slip after the TARDIS banged into a car.
Mia saw a profound combination of sorrow and terror in his brown eyes. Was he remembering when Rose lost her grip on the lever at Canary Wharf and sucked into Pete's World?
You can't let me die here! I've got to save you!
"Doctor!" Mia shrieked again. "Please!"
I'm going to die if you don't! She wanted to add.
The Doctor jerked out of his thoughts. "Take my hand!"
Gritting her teeth, Mia grasped the Doctor's proffered hand and was hauled to safety. It was in just enough time too, for the TARDIS had pulled alongside the taxi in which Donna was detained, pulverised by thousands of rushing wheels.
Brandishing his sonic screwdriver, the Doctor used it to temporarily disable the robot. "Listen to me, Donna – you've got to jump." He spoke as calmly and as clearly as he could.
"I'm not jumping on a motorway!" Donna tenaciously shrieked through the open window.
"Listen to him!" Mia hissed irritably, glaring at Donna.
"Whatever that thing is, it needs you. And whatever it needs you for, it's not good. Now come one!" The Doctor was growing impatient, and Mia wondered if he was worried.
"I'm in my wedding dress!" Donna whined as though the fact alone excused her.
"Yes! You look lovely!" Mia assured Donna; vexation edging her piercing voice. "Now come on!"
With a soft sigh, Donna opened the taxi door and readied herself to leap.
Donna opened the taxi's door and readied herself to leap. Mia and the Doctor held out their arms, prepared to catch Donna. But the fiery woman hesitated.
"I can't do it," she whispered.
"You saw what he did for me," Mia informed Donna. "The Doctor saved my life. You have to trust him. I've always trusted him."
Donna looked grimly at Mia. With a slight nod, she yelped while leaping from the taxi into the TARDIS. As Donna did so, she knocked the Doctor to the floor. Mia slammed the TARDIS doors shut behind them. Wearily, Mia slumped down into a sitting position with her back against the doors, panting.
He's done it again!