Disclaimer: I do not own Dr. Who. I am just someone who keeps getting hit by plot bunnies.
Things were not going as Dr. Donna Smith planned. First the 'rescue' of Jenny from her intellectually stifling parents went fairly well except that vortex manipulator was damaged in the jump. She got Jenny here but they were not going anywhere else for now. That was fine once the doctor was saved he would take them where ever they wanted to go.
Once they had arrived here she had not counted on Jenny being so unwilling to help her father. She would stay out of the way and do as she was told. After a day of the girl's constant crying Donna dropped her off at the day are center. That way Donna could get the preparation for their new life together.
Dona was now near her wits end. The incident at the shop had drawn unnecessary attention to her, but the mess after the collapse did allow for time to get back to the house in time to get Evee away from that wretched girl who had been baby sitting her. A payment of double her fee had kept her quiet and got her out of the way quickly. Their quiet get away was in jeopardy when Jenny wouldn't stop screaming for that dumb bear of hers. She didn't need it anyway it was from her old life. But dear lord that girl could scream like a banshee. They didn't have time to go back and get it. A trip to the medicine cupboard found a bottle of chloroform. She hated to do this to the child but at least she would quit screaming. A few drops on a cloth put her right out, and into her car seat with out a fuss. What she hadn't counted on was the after effects of the incident later on.
They had drove most of the night. She knew that the police would be looking for her car. She would be able to dispose of it once Jenny was awake. They could take the train back into the city. That way they could look like a mother and daughter in to town for a holiday for the New Year.
Soon as Jenny was awake that morning all she did was fuss. She didn't want to get up when she was told to. She wouldn't eat the breakfast Donna had gotten for her. All she seemed to do was call for her mummy and daddy. Try as she might Jenny would not accept "Auntie Donna", nor would she accept that they were going to see her father that night. She needed her mummy and daddy NOW!
Due the toxicity of the chloroform she couldn't gas the poor child again. She decided to take her shopping. That always made Donna feel better, therefore it should make her happy. That plan backfired. Jenny became 'that child'. You know the one that in ever store soon as they enter they start screaming at the top of their lungs, nothing can pacify them, nothing makes them happy. In desperation Donna decided she might as well turn up for the play date that was set for Jenny and little Angie. Jenny finally stopped screaming soon as they were at the park. The only bad part was that she still kept asking where her mummy and daddy were. Donna had been able to pass off most of Jenny's comments as 'the poor child is missing her parents so much. She can't go back until the divorce is final. Pity isn't it?'
They had gotten about a half hour of quiet time before Donna saw the flash of Adam's face in the crowd. She was no fool she knew what Adam was coming for, and he couldn't have her. Life would have been so much easier if Jenny had done what she was told. She didn't want to present the Doctor his daughter with bruises all over her. Regretfully Donna grabbed Evee and practically threw her into her pram.
Convincing the other children's mothers that Adam was crazy had been easy. It fed on their natural fears. They were able to delay him somewhat, but they cry of police brought aid. Donna couldn't help the satisfied smirk as she and Jenny rode away in the cab; the sight of Adam being forced to the ground by the police was quite satisfying.
Jenny slept most of the afternoon in her pram. Being up most of the night screaming, and then the morning throwing tantrums must have wore her out. Her sleeping allowed Donna to get a few things in place. In the mean time they puttered around town trying to stay out of areas where Adam might find them. She wasn't going near the Powel estate until later in the evening. She didn't want to accidently run into Ms Rose and Jackie Tyler.
For now she and Jenny were going to spend the evening enjoying the evening. She had taken Jenny for pizza, which she enjoyed. At time Donna actually smiled. She couldn't deny who her parents were. The dark blonde hair, the quirky smile; they were all Rose's. The laugh and those eyes; those big brown eyes; they were the Doctor's. It was also those eyes that betrayed her. Dona knew the Doctor very well, and she said you could always tell what was going through his head by his eyes. Jenny shared those same eyes. In them was dislike, the distrust in her, and pain. Dona had to turn away to not look into them.
"Come on Jenny we have to catch the bus." Dona started to reach for her.
"NO!" Evee started fuss, and squirm.
"Now Jenny, listen to Auntie." Donna started to pick her up.
"No!" She started to scream, and move away from her.
"I said come here you little brat!" Donna made a grab for her, but missed. Evee started running down the sidewalk.
In the crowd Adam, stopped and tried to listen.
"Something wrong ?" Jack asked as he looked around.
"I heard a scream."
"It's New Years eve. You are bound to heard many of them." Jack started walking again.
Adam started to move toward the right, "No, I swear it was Evee."
Jack stopped, "You can hear it?"
Adam didn't need to respond when a scream went off 100 yards from them as something small went running bell mell down the sidewalk. "Evee…" Adam and Jack started pushing their way through the crowd.
"Of all the traits to pick up from him it is being a fast runner." Donna said out of breath as she chased after the girl.
Evee in fear managed to get as far as a bus stand before stopped running, and tried to hide. She was now alone, terrified, and strangers were all around.
"There you are!" Donna came up angry, "How dare you run away from me!" Donna dragged Evee out into the open by her arm. By now Evee was crying in fear, and she was covered in muck and dirt. "Look what you have done!" In frustration, Donna smacked her. "Stop crying you have got to stop crying. I want you to look good for your Daddy and you are now all dirty!"
"No Daddy…" Evee wimpered, tears streaming down her face.
"I only need to you to save the Doctor, and then I could toss you in an orphanage if I wanted you little brat. Your only value to me right now is that you're his daughter. Now,I said stop crying," Donna brought her hand back to smack her again when a passer by grabbed her arm.
"Hey lady no hittn' kids." The man had a firm grip on her arm.
Donna yanked her arm out of the guy's grip, hauled Evee to her feet then started to half drag, half carry Evee down the street.
By then Adam and Jack were at the bus stop. Seeing a man glaring down the street Adam walked up to him, "Hey, you ever see this woman or girl before." Adam showed him a picture of Donna and Evee.
"Yeah,they went that way about a minute ago." The man pointed the way they had gone.
The words no more left his mouth then Adam was running down after them, with Jack right on his heels calling for back up.
"Hey," the man called after him, "she was hitting that kid."
Jack called back to him, "Oh don't worry she won't be doing that ever again."
"Would you please walk!" Dona snarled at Evee who kept stumbling as her tears kept streaming down her messy face. "Move you stupid girl!" This only made Evee cry more.
Donna tried to calm down. The bus stop they needed was just on the other side of the street. She would get Jenny on the bus to Powel estate. Once there find some café they could stay at until it was close to midnight then have Jenny absorb the extra regeneration energy from her father, thus making him heal and not fully regenerate, thus leaving him able to stay in this form. He will be so happy to see her, and Jenny they would travel in the Tardis again. They would never be alone again. Now to just get Jenny to do what she is told.
Donna yanked Evee back to standing on her own two feet, as they came up to the corner. Unfortunately the traffic light changed just as they got there. No matter, they would get to their bus.
Hearing a ruckus behind them Donna turned and saw two men running through the crowd. "Come on sweetie, we have to go."
"NO! " Evee screamed and tried to pull way from her.
Donna managed to get an arm around Evee's middle to carry her, but the other way across the street was blocked as well with bad traffic.
Trapped for the moment, Donna shifted Evee so she only had her by the arm, pulled out a sonic screwdriver.
"Oh crap!" Adam said as various things started falling from awnings, brakes giving way on vendor carts, and an ATM spitting out cash. Adam managed to avoid most of the hazards but one he tried to jump over he miss calculated and landed hard on the ground on the other side. Jack was 10 yards behind and was able to clear them and kept coming.
Adam manged to lock eyes with the little girl, "Evee!" The girl's head snapped to where Adam lay, "Run!
"Come on you silly girl." Donna began dragging her down the side walk a different direction. Evee continued to scream and fight Donna, for an instant she was able to get loose, and in that instant she bolted. In fury Donna started after her, but was tripped by Adam as he managed to grab her ankle. Donna kicked Adam in the face as both managed to get to their feet.
"You will not go anywhere you little witch!" Donna snarled as she tore after the child.
With a scream Evee darted away from Donna between two parked cars and into the street. The first car missed her but she could only stand there and scream as a lorry barreled down on her. The driver laid on the horn and tried to stop.
"Evee!" Without thinking Adam jumped into traffic after her ignoring Donna. Before the lorry could hit her he scooped her up and was on the median. Evee clung to him crying; Adam's world centered on that little girl.
From the curb Donna screamed, "NO!"
"Donna it's over." Jack said as he got up to her.
"I'll just take another. Little Verity is just like me they say." Donna started backing away from him.
"Don't even think about it lady," Jack started to go for his gun, but Donna took off across the street opposite of where Adam and Evee were.
"Ah hell..." Jack took off after her. Jack tore after down the side walk. She tried to hide in the crowd but Jack continued to follow her. With a quick glance behind her she split off and dashed across the street nearly being hit. She ducked behind a public sculpture hoping Jack could not follow her. Jack was closing on her but took a glancing blow from a car but kept going. Seeing Jack still coming Dona ducked down a small side street. As she ran she knocked over racks of second hand clothing and cheap cafe chairs.
In pain Jack stayed on her. Seeing an opening she darted to the right down a pedestrian mall. It was packed with merry makers as several pubs were going full tilt.
Again Donna slowed down thinking she lost him, but as she came to the end of the pedestrian mall she saw the way was blocked by police cars. 0frustrayted she spotted batch of scaffolding and made for it.
Pushing his way through the crowd, Jack saw her swing herself up the ladder of the scaffolding. Already the police were trying to get her down but she just continued to climb the 4 stories. Flashing his credentials at the police Jack made a flying leap at lowest rung and swung him self up to start climbing.
When Donna reached the top she realized she ha nowhere to go. In desperation she made a leap from the small foot holds to land shakily on a neighboring building.
Jack tried to get into a position so that he could make a grab for the building's ledge but just as he jumped Donna made the supports of the scaffolding let go. He did manage to catch the window ledge of the building but the falling pipes striking him caused him to loose his grip. With a curse he fell to the concrete below.
Donna looked down to where Jack had fallen; with out looking she turned and started to walk away from this. She had to get Jenny back. Only she tripped over something. With a curse she started to get up but the first thing she saw was a pair of shoes. Praying it wasn't who she knew it to be; her eyes tracked upward to the pair of black trousers, then the tweed jacket. As she continued to look up fear rose, until she reached his face. All that could think to say was, "I'm sorry..."
"Why?" His eyes were both hard and sorrowful.
"I lost you. I didn't want you to be lonely. I didn't want to be lonely anymore." she started to cry.
"What made you think this is something I wanted?"
"You were always alone..." she bowed her head.
"Time Lords are always alone. From now on you will never be alone but never with me." he laid a hand under her chin making her look up at him again. "You didn't give me a choice. Doctor Donna or no, no one makes decisions for me"
What are you going to do to me?" Tears started to stream down her cheeks. He said nothing as he took her arm.
Adam was sitting on a gurney with Evee in his lap. She still clung to him tightly but the EMT's were able to check her over for any injuries. "Is she alright?"
"A few scratches and bruises, but she will be fine." The EMT said as he packed up his bag.
"Evee, I need to get something for you." Evee snuggled into his chest, "Sweetie, it's from Daddy."
Reluctantly the little girl let go of her death grip on his neck enough for him to be able to move. Carefully he opened his back pack, the whole time letting her see what he was doing. He carefully pulled out Bilbo." I think someone wants to see you." Evee's face lit up soon as she saw the bear.
"Thank'ou!" she hugged Adam, one arm around the bear, and the other him. As she was hugging him she stiffened slightly, "Daddy?"
Adam quickly stood, with Evee in his arms, and turned to face whoever was there.
"She looks like her mum," A man that could only be THE Doctor walked up to them.
"Yur not Daddy," Evee said as she held tighter to Adam.
"Oh I don't know. I think she takes after her father in some areas." He shifted Evee to his hip, and offered his hand to him. "What happened to Donna? And Jack?"
"Jack will be along soon, as for Donna," He shrugged, "I've dealt with her."
"What did you do?" Adam looked at him warily.
The Doctor didn't acknowledge his question. "I wanted to say thank you." He brushed a hand over Evee's hair. She turned to face him, fingers in her mouth.
Adam shrugged, "One thing I have learned is there are something's you can't change because they are meant to be."
The Doctor looked at the two of them oddly.
"What?" Adam looked confused.
"I think you have something's you need to do," He rocked back on his heels, "I'll find you when you are ready."
"You are taking us home?" Adam looked at him surprised.
"I can't have you poking random holes in the universe, can I? Besides, I need to lock the door behind you." The Doctor started to walk away.
"How long do we have?" Adam asked as the Doctor turned a corner.
The Doctor poked his head back around, "A few hours, see you soon."
Adam shook his head.
"Wan down!" Evee started to fuss. Adam sat her down but held tight to her hand. "Hold my hand"
"Ok…" Evee held his hand as they walked down the sidewalk. They hadn't gone far when they head someone calling their names, "Adam … Evee, wait!"
Picking up Evee, Adam watched Jack come jogging up to them. "Jack! What happened to you?"
"I lost Donna" He said out of breath.
"You did but the Doctor didn't." Evee laid her head on Adam's shoulder.
"What did he do to her?" Jack cringed slightly.
"I don't think I want to know." He felt Evee go slack on his shoulder.
"She asleep?"
"Yeah, as only little kids can." Adam smiled, "So much for a boring New Years Eve. I've got no where to go and a pretty girl asleep on my shoulder."
"What are you going to do now?"
"For the moment, find a place for this angel to sleep for a few hours. It's a little bit past her bedtime."
"Come with me. I know a place." He said with a smirk.
"Go easy on that," Jack handed Adam a tumbler of whiskey.
"Thanks for the use of your couch." Adam looked over to where Evee was sleeping with her arm around Bilbo.
"Your welcome, but this was NOT how I planned on spending my New Years Eve."
"Well at least you have a pretty blonde asleep in your flat." Adam smirked as he sipped the whisky. He coughed as it went down.
"Told you it was strong." Jack laughed.
Both of them were quiet for a while as they watched Evee sleep.
"She looks like her mum." Jack commented
"Watched Rose sleep much?" Adam smirked.
"Well..." Jack hid behind his glass. "Once or twice..."
Adam laughed. "She has her father's eyes."
"So... Are you ever going to tell me who her father is?"
Adam let his head fall backwards against the back of the chair, "Jack..."
"Adam, I'll find out one way or the other." He leaned forward. "Just tell me, please."
"I can't Jack!" Adam stood up, and bit his lip. He wanted to shout but didn't want to wake Evee up.
"Why not?"
"Because, it would be telling you the future."
"Then at least tell me this." He followed Adam around the flat. "Is Evee's father the Doctor?"
Adam sighed, "Jack, this will be the last time I say this, Evee is not the Doctor's daughter."
"Why? If you ever saw them together you would know that they wouldn't..."
"Argh! Jack, the Doctor could never have a life with Rose. He could never settle down, have a wife, children, a family, not for anyone, even for someone like Rose ."
Jack walked away and wiped his face with his hands. Adam licked his lips, and looked away from him, "But..." Jack looked up at him, "There comes a point where a choice is made. In that choice the Doctor gives her the life she always wanted with him. Evee and her siblings are the product of that life. The Doctor you know goes on as always, alone; while Rose spends her life with her Doctor, and it is a good life."
"Adam, that doesn't make any sense."
He shrugged, "It's the best I can tell you. In time you will know what I mean. It may just take time."
Rolling his eyes Jack finished off his whisky, and then picked up a folder off the counter. "You will want this back. It has all the information on Evee."
"Thanks," Adam took it from him, and opened it to make sure everything was there. He picked up something from it. "This is yours."
Confused Jack took it from Adam, and looked at it. "This is a photograph."
"Yes," Adam looked away, "Of the children. Keep it."
"You said I wasn't to know the future."
"You don't. You know at some point someone you care about has children of their own." Adam leaned over and kissed Evee's temple. "And it gives you hope..." He turned and faced Jack. "For yourself."
A little uncomfortable Jack turned away, "Thanks."
"You are welcome. Now I'm going to get some sleep." Adam stretched out in the chair next to her. "Evee will be awake soon enough. I've got one last thing to do in the morning before we leave."
"Which is?" Jack slipped the photograph into his pocket.
"Keep a promise to someone."
Adam rang the door bell twice, before an older woman answered the door, "Can I help you?"
"Yes I'm from the Azure's floral shop. I have a delivery for," Adam checked the card, "a Miss Donna Noble."
"I'll take them for her." The woman took the large bouquet of yellow roses.
"See to it that she gets's them."
"I will, I will." The woman slammed the door in his face.
With a smirk Adam walked down the street and into an alley. In the shadows of the alley the Doctor held Evee next to the Tardis. As Adam turned the corner both of them waved to him. "How did it go?"
"From what I can tell, no abnormalities in her time line; her mum quite a character herself."
The Doctor laughed as he sat down Evee to run to Adam, and hug him. Adam scooped her up onto his shoulders.
"Ready to go home?" The Doctor leaned on the door way of the Tardis.
Adam looked out into the street, "Yeah, Time to get this little one home. Let's hope she doesn't remember any of this."
As the Doctor shut the door he mumbled, "She won't if I can help it."
"Mum, who was that at the door?" Donna Noble came into the kitchen where her mother was sitting down the bouquet of roses.
"A floral deliver boy, some one sent you roses," She raised an eyebrow as she handed Donna the card.
"Wonder who it is from? Haha!" Donna opened the card, and read it.
"Who is it from?"
"I don't know." Donna flipped the card over trying to see if there was anything else on it.
"What do you mean you don't know. Doesn't the card say?"
"That's just it," she handed the card to her mum; "All it says is 'Thanks from your P in C'. What is P in C?"
Her mum sniffed one of the blossoms, "Beautiful roses though."
"Who ever it was I don't care." She laughed, "I got roses!"
Author's Note: Only two short chapters left. I'm glad you have liked my stories so far. Read and review.