A/N: I feel like maybe I went with this in a weird way. I'm not sure. If it isn't good, just let me know and I'll try to work on it. If it is then I'm glad. Thanks to all who have read this story. I appreciate it.
After another minute the Doctor stepped to the side of the tub, Donna moving from her spot where she had been rubbing soothing circles on Graces back. The Doctor reached down, feeling her forehead tenderly. The fever was still very present but it was also much lower, and he couldn't handle any more whimpers in his mind, he was already breaking. He saw that Jack had an armful of towels and he reached down to lift Grace from the water. She was heavier now; clothes soaked with water, but still light enough for it to be an easy task. He held her soaking, heated form to him. Donna reached for a towel, and sat it on the bed and the Doctor sat Grace on the side. He took a towel and wrapped it around her, looking at Donna.
"Can you help her change," The Doctor walked to a dresser that was full of clothes and pulled out a t-shirt and shorts.
"Yes," Donna nodded and the Doctor and Jack stepped outside the room.
Closing the door behind them, the Doctor gave a long look to Jack, trying to decide if he should be honest. Jack spoke up before he got the chance to decide though.
"What is it Doctor," Jack asked, kindly. "Your face when you were trying to read her mind. It was all pain and then just at peace."
"She showed me something." The Doctor didn't want to share that memory of Shadowwalk. "Something that always brings me peace."
"How would she know what that was?" Jack always had a knack for cutting through the clutter to the message.
"I don't know. I don't know a lot of things about that girl. Telepathic was enough of a shock, but it's far beyond that. Her physic capabilities are far beyond what they should be, for a human."
"So she's not a human?" Jack asked softly. "Why would she pretend to be? And why would the scouts have thought she was?"
"I have no reason to think she is anything but human," The Doctor was looking into the distance, his words precise. "Without the scanners I can't say for sure though."
"So scan her," Jack concluded.
"It wouldn't work, remember."
Jack nodded. "It would if she wasn't conscious."
"Then I betray her trust. Someone has already crossed a line with her, how can I do that again?"
"We don't know her, Doctor. I understand she seems weak and hurt, and I'll bet she is, but what if what she is hiding is dangerous."
"Do you feel like that when you are around her," the Doctors brown eyes rolled to meet Jack's blue. "Do you feel like she is capable of being anything but good?"
"No," Jack agreed. "I don't Doctor. But what if she is and we just brought her into the TARDIS."
"Bit late to be worried about that part now, eh?" The Doctor tried to smile, to put Jack and himself at ease.
"We can kick her out."
The Doctor looked at him, filling with an anger he had to fight back. He knew Jack was right, that they didn't know enough about the girl. But he also knew in his hearts that he would never make her leave, as much as he knew that she wasn't an enemy. He may not know what or who she was, but he knew that she was welcome in his home.
Donna opened the door, and the Doctor and Jack stepped back into the room. Donna had helped Grace lay back down and pulled a thin sheet over her. Her eyes were closed, but the Doctor was certain she was not asleep.
"Grace," he ventured.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. He moved closer, sitting on the side of the bed near enough to gently smooth her hair. Soft, and slightly damp, smelling of water, he didn't speak at first, just enjoying the feeling. Donna just looked at them affectionately, with no jealousy in her eyes. She knew him too well to think that this was the kind of love he felt for her. Even if he had never spoken the words, he showed her with every action. Donna looked at them with a look of understanding, but Jack, always being less feeling and more practical, cleared his throat.
The Doctor stilled his hand, fingertips resting against the side of her head. Her skin still much too warm and he yearned to help, but also to understand. "Grace. I have equipment. I can heal you. I can make you better much more quickly."
She shook her head, I'll heal, I can tell now. Now that I'm not on Fair anymore I can heal.
"Why couldn't you heal there?" The Doctor asked. His fingers in place but he didn't reach for her mind yet, unsure if he was afraid he would have to push through or if he just wanted to give her the chance first.
I don't know, though I imagine I could have been forewarned of that fact.
"By who, did someone tell you were going to be there?" The Doctors eye searched hers for clues. Feeling more lost with every passing moment.
No matter. I will heal now, so nio need for equipment. Please, I promise what I keep to me has to be that way. And I mean you no harm.
The Doctor nodded, closing his eyes and taking the step forward. He hit the wall, and pushed against it. His mind was once again filled with an image. It was the smile on the faces of the children on Panridle, he could almost hear their songs of joy. He removed his fingers, with the knowledge that he couldn't make himself go farther than she would let him.
"You know places," The Doctor swallowed thickly. "Places that you shouldn't. That you can't. Are you taking the memories from me or are they your own."
Don't push; it is as it must be
"You need to rest, he encouraged." He could feel the sonic in his pocket. If she was asleep, all it would take was a swipe. But was he that kind of a man?
She looked at him. I trust you.
And her eyes closed slowly, and he watched her. His fingers returned to her head, and the wall was getting fuzzy. She would be asleep shortly, and he had a choice before him. He rose slowly, so he didn't wake her and moved close to Donna. She would have the answer. He could always trust her to guide him to the right choice.
"What do I do, Donna," he asked close to her, breath warm and he saw goose bumps rise. He loved that he could do that to her.
"Do I scan her, do I break her trust?"
"Outside," she muttered to both Jack and the Doctor.
The Doctor felt the TARDIS and knew that she would watch over Grace in their absence.
"Do you trust her Doctor," Donna asked when they were outside the room.
"I shouldn't," the Doctor muttered and Jack grunted his approval.
She turned to him and he quieted. Turning back to the Doctor she asked,"That's not what I asked, spaceman. I asked if you trust her, because she trusts you."
He raised his hands to his face. "Yes, I do. Even if I shouldn't. Even if I'm wrong."
"When are you wrong Doctor? It may seem wrong, but in the end it is always right. So if you trust her, then it must be right." She raised her hands and laid them tenderly on his chest, one over each heart. "I think these hearts must know the truth."
"The truth about what?" Jack asked.
"Who she is," Donna answered Jacks question but her eyes never left the Doctor.
His voice dropped, so soft Donna had to lean forward. "Do you know who she is?"
"Of course, not," she protested. "But I think some part of you does."
The Doctor pulled back, searching himself and though he didn't have an answer he knew Donna had a point. He felt something that he didn't understand. A pulling, a need to protect, that he hadn't felt in so many years.
"I think you have your answer," Donna spoke kindly.
"Thank you, love, "he pulled her close, not caring about the look Jack was giving him. She deserved to be loved openly, and this was a start. He leaned down and placed the softest, briefest kiss on her lips. "Thank you."
She pulled back surprised by his actions, but her face blushed and she smiled at him. "Anytime, especially if that is the result."
"What this?" the Doctor questioned leaning in again; yearning for the sweet taste that she offered his lips.
Jack cleared his throat and looked somewhere between hurt and angry. "Someone should probably check on the girl."
The Doctor pulled back and nodded, and opened the door and walked in; Donna lingered in the hall with Jack for a moment. She moved closer to him and took his hand. "You know I love you right?"
He nodded swallowing the words he wanted to say. The Doctor deserved to be happy, so how could he take that from him. Even if he wanted to, it was Donnas' choice. And he wouldn't do himself any favors but hurting her now. "I know, love you too, beautiful."
She smiled, blushing again. She released his hand and stepped back into the room with the Doctor. He followed the two people he loved. The two he would always follow.