The phone rang and rang before she finally answered

"I'm going to bed, Doctor, good night," she said, sounding plenty annoyed.

"But Donna! I'm lonely, the TARDIS is so quiet," he said, knowing that he was pouting.

"I'm going to assume that isn't you trying to tell me I'm loud," Donna replied with a yawn.

"No, Donna, my love. You are the perfect volume. Wellll, except when you are angry, and then you scream, and your forehead gets that throby vein."

He heard her huff out a sigh. He had done it again, been too honest.

"I love you so much," he amended.

There was a long pause, in which he imagined she was mentally slapping him. It was probably best he wasn't actually near her at the moment.

"I love you too, Doctor. Now can I go to sleep, I think my vein is getting angry."

He smiled, safe in the knowledge that she wasn't there to see.

"I'm bored, and lonely," he said again. "And you left me here, all alone."

Another long sigh.

"I left you, did I? First of all, Martian, you brought me here willingly. Second of all, you could have stayed on the couch, Mum said it was fine."

"I'm not from Mars," he said, just because he knew he was being difficult. "And I don't feel comfortable sleeping on the couch. I think your Mum is out to get me."

"I don't think she's trying to get in your pants, Doctor. I think your virtue is safe."

He shuddered and said, "I didn't mean out to get me like that, Donna. That never even crossed my mind. Thanks, love, never going to sleep again."

"Oi," Donna said, suddenly more awake. "There is nothing wrong with my Mum."

"I didn't-"the Doctor sighed. "I didn't mean there was, but she's not the woman I want in my pants."

"Who's that then?"

"Well, she's a beautiful ginger. With a heart of gold, and a temper of fire."

"I don't know where you learned your compliments, but you aren't supposed to mention bad things."

"I love your temper."

"And my vein?"

"And your vein. It's sexy in a scary way."

"Thanks, can I go to sleep now?"

"I'm never going to see you," the Doctor pouted.

"Doctor, relax. I will see you tomorrow morning."

"I miss you."

"I don't know if you can miss me. I mean, you're in the back yard, and I'm upstairs."

"I can so miss you. I'm in love, I'm allowed to miss you if you are out of sight, just the same as if you are in another country."

"Sometimes I think you are in another country."

"No need for insults. Are you saying you don't miss me?"

Another yawn. "Of course I miss you. I'll miss you while I sleep, too. Which is what I'm doing now, so goodnight."

"Fine," the Doctor said. "I'll just sit here in my loneliness."

"Okay, then. Love you."

The line went dead. She hung up on him. How could she do that? Sure she had to be up early, and it was a bit late. He shouldn't have brought her back for her friend's wedding. Except he loved her, and he couldn't not do it.

He sat there for a few minutes, but decided he was bored. And maybe a feeling a little frisky. He left the TARDIS, walking across the back yard in the moonlight. He listened but Donnas' mum's house was quiet and he used the sonic on the lock. He slipped in and crept up the stairs. Fortunately he knew which room was Donna's because that could have led to an uncomfortable situation.

He opened the door, and went inside. She was asleep, breathing nice and even. Well, he would have liked to explore a few ideas he was having, and it would have been fun to try to be completely quiet…but this was nice to.

He would just stay here until morning. At least he wasn't alone.

He sat on the edge of the bed, and smiled at her. Then her breathing shifted, and before he could think he was getting whacked in the head with a pillow.

"Ow," he hissed.

Donna was glaring. "What are you doing here?"

He rubbed at the tender spot, and said, "I missed you."

"So you thought you would be a creep and watch me sleep?

"The girls in the movies think it's sweet."

Donna glared, but the effect was broken by a yawn. He actually felt a bit guilty.

"You sleep, I'll stay right here. Quiet as a mouse, although mice tend to be a bit squeaky, so I should be quiet like something else."

"Shut up," she said.

"Right," he agreed.

She moved over and said, "Climb in, but if Mum catches us I blaming you."

"Done," he agreed, happily.

He slid off his shoes, and climbed in. He reached out, and she let him pull her close.

"Donna?"

"What?"

"Want to make love?"

She seemed to ponder before saying, "Want to see body number eleven tonight?"

He gulped. "No, love you, get some sleep."

"I love you."

He held her close, and really tried to be still. He didn't know why he was so antsy tonight. Maybe he was nervous about being Donnas' date for the wedding. He had a bad history with weddings, and he didn't want to ruin the day for anyone.

Donna groaned, and asked, "What is it, Spaceman? Ants in your pants?"

"No," he said, "sorry, just thinking."

She pulled out of his arms, and the lamp came on. She was exhausted, but like always when he needed her she was there for him.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"I'm sorry I bothered you."

"You didn't," Donna said. "Not really. Now what's on your mind?"

"Will you marry me?"

She studied him for a moment. "What's brought this on?"

The Doctor shrugged and said, "I love you, and I want to keep you around."

Donna ran her fingers through her hair. "I'm going to pretend that was something romantic in your head, but your mouth lost the signal to your brain."

"You don't want to marry me?"

"I didn't say that," Donna told him. "It's just, I don't know. It needs to be discussed, and not at three in the morning."

"But we'll talk about it?"

"Sure," Donna agreed. "You should know that I expect a better proposal than that."

"Ring in some cake?" the Doctor asked.

"Heaven help me," Donna said and smiled.

He pulled her close, and she let him give her a long kiss.

"Still no?" he asked, unbuttoning her shirt.

"Can you actually be quiet?"

"Quiet as a…."

Donna kissed him hard, cutting him off.

This night was turning out quite well. And assuming didn't blow up anything tomorrow; maybe she would eventually be ready to become his wife.