Donna and the Doctor were back before Evie and her sister. Donna ran over and pulled her into a tight hug as they materialised in the warehouse. The teenager laughed, introducing the woman to her younger sister before turning to the Time Lord who was watching her.

"You still think you're nothing special, Evie?" He asked. She considered the question for a moment before nodding.

"I haven't changed." She said quietly. "It's what I know that's changed."

"Surely that's what makes you special?"

"But that's not me, is it? It's you and Donna inside my head."

He shook his head. The girl was determined to believe that she wasn't important. Clearly that had been disproved, but if she wasn't willing to accept it then there was nothing the Time Lord could do.

"Come on. Let's get this little trouble maker home." He said, ruffling Erin's hair, before winking at Donna. "Then we can sort Erin out as well."

"Oi, spaceman." The red-head snapped, punching him on the arm and pretending to be annoyed. The ten-year-old giggled as the Doctor picked her up. Evie blasted a beam from the gun and they found themselves knee deep in a snow drift, but outside the TARDIS once more.

"Hello old girl." The Doctor said happily, bursting through the doors. Donna followed, delighted to be in the little blue box once more.

Erin was speechless, her eyes as wide as saucers as her sister pulled her inside, closing the doors and rushing to the controls. Without communicating she, Donna and the Doctor began flicking switches and pressing buttons. The TARDIS began to fly, taking them through time and space.

When they landed, the Doctor nodded to Evie who smiled weakly back. Taking Erin by the hand she led her outside and through the farmyard. Helping the girl climb up the trellis and in through her old bedroom window, Evie had to keep breathing deeply to control her emotions. It was strange seeing Erin at ten after everything she'd been through – especially since she'd been all grown up the last time she'd seen her.

She tucked Erin back up in bed, stroking her hair lovingly. "Listen," she murmured her mouth close to the child's ear, "I want you to write it down, OK? Everything you remember whenever you see me or the Doctor or that little blue box. Write down who we were with, what we told you, everything. Alright?" Erin nodded, looking at her sister through big eyes full of wonder. "Promise me, Erin."

"I promise." She said nodding fervently.

"And tell Millie too." Evie said quickly as she stood up and moved back towards the door. "Oh… and happy Christmas, Sweetie."

x-x

"Right then, Donna Noble. Let's get you home." The Doctor said, bringing the lever down quickly and sending them shooting through space. Donna pouted. "Don't give me that look… you can't stay."

"Why?" She asked, putting her hands on her hips. "Evie and I make a pretty good team – we could give you a run for your money."

"Exactly. The two of you in one place… it's too dangerous." He said.

Evie frowned. "Can't handle competition, Sweetie?"

"It's not that." He told them exasperatedly. "Sharing the knowledge between you means that the information in Donna's mind is stable – for now, as long as she doesn't learn anything more that could set it into flux. But by being in the TARDIS the energy could bring the levels out of sync and cause Donna's mind to still burn out."

"So… what about my mind?" Evie asked. The Doctor moved to her side and put his hands on the side of her face, closing his eyes. The teenager found that her eyes had closed as well, without her realising it. The strangest sensation was coursing through her; almost as though the Doctor was physically reaching around inside her.

"You… you're fine." He said shortly. Evie opened her eyes and saw that he was puzzled. Then she blinked and the expression was gone, as was the Doctor, who was flitting around the controls.

Donna slipped an arm around the teenager's shoulders, seeing that she was shaken. Curiously she looked at her and, for a split second, she could have sworn that the girl's eyes were glowing gold. But then the light was gone and Evie was smiling at her. Together they returned to the controls, helping the Doctor to fly his beloved space ship.

Evie moved around the other side, pulling the scanner screen towards her and taking in the readings it was displaying quickly. Taking advantage of her distance, Donna turned to the Doctor quickly, raising her eyebrows.

"What's wrong with her?" She asked in a low voice, glancing over to the teenager who was still watching the readings.

"She's impossible." The Doctor said with a shrug, following Donna's gaze.

"She's not the only one." The woman snorted.

"No, I mean… she really is impossible. She's technically dead."

"But… how…" Donna couldn't even form the question that was buzzing round her brain. The Doctor shrugged.

"The TARDIS took me to her – it found her for something. And it saved her. I don't know why or what for. But Evie Jones is important for some reason."

"Can't you find out?"

"One day, maybe. Think about it Donna… you and me – we didn't know where our paths were leading, did we? But we got there in the end and it was brilliant."

"It was amazing." She agreed, nodding.

"So one day I'll work it out, but not just yet."

"Is she even a real person?" Donna asked, jokily. "I mean… you don't do too well on your own, do you? You haven't just invented a little friend, have you?"

The Doctor stared at her in surprise as she stopped speaking. Donna was slightly alarmed by the look that was passing through his eyes as he took in her words – a mixture of horror, doubt and uncertainty – but she didn't have a chance to question him as the teenager approached, looking at them suspiciously. They both grinned and she looked even more wary.

"What?" She demanded.

"Nothing." The Doctor assured her. "We were just saying how brilliant you are." Evie rolled her eyes and walked away, still not believing his words.

x-x

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" Wilf asked as they stood on the road between the TARDIS and Donna's house. "It is Christmas, after all."

The Doctor glanced around him curiously, something catching his attention and immediately putting him on guard. "No, thanks, but I think we should just get going. There's something… something important that I have to do."

"You're more than welcome to stay." Sylvia said, almost believably.

"Thanks." Evie said, hugging the woman, who was taken aback. She carefully put her arms around the girl, returning the sign of affection. Evie broke away, hugging Wilf and finally Donna.

"Be careful, Evie Jones. You're a special one." Donna whispered so that only the teenager could hear her. "I've seen it."

Evie narrowed her eyes slightly as she pulled away from Donna. The red-head only smiled before turning her attention to the Doctor. Glancing at the man as well, Evie saw that his gaze was fixed, sadly on his best friend.

Moving out of the way, Evie slipped into the TARDIS, leaving him to say goodbye privately. Her thoughts were still fixed to what Donna had said.

This is the penultimate chapter lovelies! Comments would be very much appreciated! :)