Thank you so much for the reviews from the last chapter. They helped immensely to keep me chugging along with the story. I only hope that you enjoy this chapter, despite how I kind of rushed it.


Funerals & Fascinations

Donna tried desperately to slow down all the days that led up to the funeral, indulging herself fully into the wedding planning as well as keeping her friends nearby. Taking on certain responsibilities that included unsuccessfully shopping with Joan for wedding dresses, scouring out Cross Corner Hill with Jack, and forcibly planning a reception afterward that was entirely unnecessary, but seemed essential according to her mother.

"Well, we might as well plan the first wedding song," Jack acknowledged after Sylvia had left, feeding them the information regarding the reception.

"Pick whichever song you'd like," Donna tiredly mumbled, leaning back on the kitchen counter.

"Are you sure? I can go with an English group if you'd like."

"No, Jack. It's fine. You've helped me enough as it is and I'd be more than happy to have you pick the song. The kind of mood I'm in right now, might force me to pick something in the death metal department."

"Nothing wrong with a Slayer tune to help show off our love for each other."

Donna grinned, another thing she'd been doing a lot of around Jack recently. Despite the intensity of planning the wedding in less than a week, planning it with Jack seemed to entirely make up for it. He was just as relaxed as her about it, and his genuine affection for her, showed. Much more than it was with Lance who dominated just exactly who was coming to see them, how soon the wedding would end, and what their plans afterward would be. Not that she minded at the time, so hopelessly in love with him. But now with decisions being left up to her, there was an atmosphere of uncompromise that was missing from her first wedding.

"Wish my dad would be here for this one. God knows the first one disappointed him," Donna announced after a moment.

"I'm sure he is. It's said that the dead never leave us, but our eyes are closed to their presence. That's how there are claimed "psychics" in the world. They not only feel the presence of the dead, but are able to see them. Whatever happens on Thursday, I know he would have been proud of you."

"When you look at it that way, I suppose you're right."

"Have you thought any more about my offer?"

Glancing up, Donna studied Jack's features.

"I have."

"And?"

"What would I do at Torchwood? I mean I'm not exactly a soldier."

"Analyzing alien artifacts, chasing hostile aliens, or even teleporting with my teleporter anywhere you want to. Of course under my watch since the Doctor wouldn't exactly approve of intergalactic traveling."

"Breaking the rules on my first day there? You lot really do live dangerously."

"Is that a yes?"

Sighing, Donna bit on her lip as she thought of her plans, post-fake wedding. The Doctor would be gone with gramps, her mum back to watching soaps or hanging out with her girlfriends, and she? Trying to find another temp job? Oh the boredom and inactivity that would come attached was staggering.

"I'll have an answer by the end of the wedding."

And Donna did ponder the rest of the weekend on whether to work at Torchwood, knowing so little about the company but trusting it since Jack operated quite fairly according to Gwen and Ianto. There were the few close calls and Donna got the impression that a few members of the team had been lost since Gwen had said some names in past tense. Like they worked there one day, but never came back the next. Still, the idea was appealing enough to her adventurous side.

However, Monday snuck up on her faster than she would have liked and all that she'd done to keep herself preoccupied, paled in comparison to eventually coming to terms with Lee's funeral.

"Are you ready?" the Doctor asked her on Monday morning, chipper and sullen at the same time.

"Not really," Donna mentioned from upstairs. "What do they wear to funeral processions in Nuevo Las Vegas? Maddy mentioned that they celebrate a person's death afterward. I doubt they do that in black clothes."

"I'm so glad you asked. Unlike Earth funerals, the residents of Nuevo Las Vegas take their time to mourn, and to celebrate with very bright colors. The brighter, the more celebratory the death is."

Ignoring the black lacy underwear on her bed she had yet to put away, Donna rummaged through her drawers. None of the clothes however, really felt right. She'd either look like a rainbow or a colorblind watermelon.

Finally, she settled on a white skirt with red prints on the sides of it and a midnight blue Armani top that Joan had gotten her while in Italy. It was essential that Donna wore it once every week since it nearly cost a fortune to acquire, as Joan would constantly inform her.

When the redhead traveled downstairs to meet the Doctor, she nearly fell down the stairs in mirth. The Doctor wore a forest green suit, white tie, and banana yellow pants. His brown hair attempted to be slicked back but its' crazy spikes rebelled against the gel and ended up perking up unnaturally.

"Don't you dare tell me now that I can't call you Martian. You look mental."

Raising his eyebrows eagerly, the Doctor jumped up once on the balls of his feet.

"Funny thing about Nuevo Las Vegas. What I'm wearing, is considered normal garb."

"Maddy or Lee didn't wear anything like that when I met them."

"Did I say normal? Well...semi normal. Well...relatively semi normal. Well...semi, relatively, somewhat normal."

"C'mon then, let's get to the Tardis before someone sees you."

"I was getting quite a crowd of followers today, walking about."

"You were walking in London, dressed like that?"

"Yeah...well, running's more like it. Apparently cats like colorful things. Trouble is, I don't much care for cats."

Shaking her head, Donna hooked her arm through the Doctor's and they set off for the Tardis.

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"Ianto? Could I have a word?" Jack asked, entering the hotel room that he and Gwen were sharing.

"Sure," the Welsh yawned back, sleep still prominent in his eyes.

"Did you check out the company I asked you to yesterday? The one that supposedly made and sold the funky."

"Yeah," he grumbled, flipping through a file on a table. "Says no such company exists. In fact, the technology for it doesn't even exist in current Torchwood and UNIT headquarters."

"I know. The funky hasn't been invented yet. Question is...how could a woman be in possession of it in 21st century Earth?"

"Maybe she's from the future?" he suggested.

"From the future? Just like the future version of the Master. Could it have been possible that the Master may have been the time interference but someone came back to this time to make sure that Donna strayed into the Master's path?"

"Ask Donna about it," Gwen pitched in from behind the changing room.

"Ask her what exactly?"

"Oh c'mon Jack. Do you really think that a woman on her own is going to decide to screw around with the enemy to get back at someone else? Wait...don't answer that question."

"So you're saying that the woman could have pointed out the idea to her?" Jack questioned.

"Exactly. Especially from everything you told me about Donna and my own personal opinion of her. She doesn't seem like the type who purposefully wants to hurt the people she loves. Or if she does, she's not going to do it with out a little push."

"But wouldn't Donna have obviously known that that's what the woman was aiming for? For her to find the Master?" Ianto wondered.

"Not if the woman was careful about the words she used. Or if Donna trusted her," guessed Jack.

"And so this mystery still lingers," Gwen observed, opening the door.

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Stepping foot on the planet Nuevo Las Vegas, Donna was shocked to see how absolutely bright and vibrant everything seemed. Skyscrapers weren't a boring gray, but a shock yellow or royal purple. Gray roads were replaced by yellow ones with an indigo stripe in the middle to indicate lanes. Trees remained the same color as did most of the vegetation, but instead of crystal dew that settled on top of the grass, the dew was a sparkling orange.

"Should have brought my sunglasses," Donna noted, observing all the abnormal scenery around her.

True to his word, Donna noticed that the men and women of the planet seemed to disregard what was normal or casual and instead opted for bright, different, and exciting.

Donna saw yellow jackets with red leather pants. Blue scarfs matched with a black pirate shirt and aqua pants. Green polka dotted blouses and pink skirts. Clothes that literally seemed to radiate a kind of light of its own.

"Have I ever mentioned to you the history of this planet?" the Doctor asked her, walking on the yellow road.

"No...you haven't. Let me guess, Martha Stewart and Elton John discovered it."

"Technically...the planet Eltonia was in rememberance of Elton John...but more to the point. Nuevo Las Vegas, translating into New Las Vegas. Has all the bling, all the glamor, and individuality that the original Las Vegas on Earth had. A complete transformation however since there are less casinos and clubs but more of a haven for those with entertainment and individualism in their blood. Anything goes here creatively, matrimonially, and physically. Great planet to have been born on," the Doctor admitted, taking in an upside down cherry tree.

"It's a lot to take in, but it's certainly appealing. Good to know that the human race doesn't stay completely oblivious to change."

"Oh far from it. In fact, it seems like the further your race explored the stars, the further your minds expanded to what was really able to be. Quite extraordinary," the Doctor exclaimed.

The couple walked in silence with each other, but not with the planet. All around them, singing and music could be heard. Inside of futuristic bars and pubs that didn't look too far off from modern ones in London, men and women gathered to entertain and sing and laugh. On the streets, performers with guitars plucked impressively at their instrument. Only a block away, juggling acts were being performed with multiple persons involved. Everywhere you turned, something flashy or amazing would catch your eye.

"There's no cars," Donna noted, referring to everyone walking across the road.

"This isn't a major metropolis. In the bigger cities, they have cars."

"Is the whole planet like this?"

"Yep."

"Amazing."

The Doctor grinned, taking her hand in his.

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"Donna's not here," Sylvia expressed, slamming the house door.

Faster than humanly possible, Harry flung his outstretched foot into the space just before the door shut.

He kept his hood lowered, disguising his voice to sound friendlier than it had been the last time he was held captive at the house.

"Do you know where she is?" he asked, seeing a suspicious look mold into her features.

"Who are you? I don't just let strangers in on my daughter's whereabouts," Sylvia stated angrily, attempting to shut the door again.

Fighting back his agitation, Harry sighed as he stuck his foot back into the space.

His voice lowered back into normalcy, but in it, a hypnotic enticement was planted.

"Miss Noble, I'd really like to know where your daughter is right now," Harry said, focusing all of his hypnosis into the command.

Sylvia's features loosened its suspicion immediately and flexed back as her eyes glazed over in obedience.

"She's at a funeral."

"Where?"

"She only said that it was out of this planet," Sylvia mindlessly replied, her ears gently relishing at Harry's kind voice.

"When will she be back?"

"Later this afternoon."

Glancing behind Donna's mother, Harry quickly deduced that she was the only home. He had no plans to kill her, but it meant that his very own would have to be held back. He needed Donna's abilities for what he had in mind.

Still, taking in the willing woman in front of him who would divulge any information that he commanded, Harry couldn't help but feel an eagerness. It'd been a bit too long since he could interfere with someone's life and play around a bit. Normally, he wouldn't wish to since he'd be spending his energies on something as insignificant as a human. But Donna was an exception since she so casually strolled into his life, why couldn't he do the same to hers?

"Invite me in," he finally commanded with a courteous smile, his voice never losing its soothing quality.

Sylvia, under command, opened the door for the blond Time Lord.

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Noticing a man standing still in the middle of the road, Donna softly asked, "Excuse me. Do you know when Lee McAvoy's funeral is? And where."

A man of about forty with polyester red bell bottoms and a brown t shirt, turned toward them and answered, "It's starting right now."

"Where?"

"Avery Funeral Homes. But only close family is allowed in."

"Where is that?"

"About three blocks ahead then two blocks to the right then four blocks cross corner. But I'm telling ya-," he shouted, witnessing the redhead take off in a sprint, "only family can get in!"

The Doctor ran off after her.

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"You can go put on some tea now," Harry ordered.

Sylvia nodded her head, and turned to go back down stairs.

Harry on the other hand, entered Donna's room since Sylvia had so kindly decided to show him.

It wasn't exactly what he expected it to be. Normal bed with brown covers, large vanity that contained all of her make up and perfumes, and a closet as well as a drawer for her articles of clothing. Much more blander than he expected.

Speaking of articles of clothing, Harry lowered his hood and wandered over to the bed. On top of her covers lay a pair of lacy black underwear, out of place in a room that was the exact opposite of erotic.

Grinning, he picked them up, observed their cleanliness and laughed loudly into the silent room. They were the same pair she had worn on the night she'd first seduced him.

Dropping them, Harry found it strangely amusing that she so carelessly left undergarments lying around. Not that he was complaining.

Reaching her pillows, Harry glanced up at the door to make sure that Donna's mother wouldn't make a sudden appearance. Although she was under his command, it didn't mean that what he was about to do would exactly be something he wanted her to witness.

Picking up the pillow, Harry sniffed it and nearly moaned. It not only still held the Havic Rasperry that he'd smelled on her, but her very own scent of fresh berries and cinnamon that she from added to her tea.

Smothering it closer to his nostrils, Harry was surprised at how strongly his craving for the scent was. Not just the Havic Raspberry, but Donna's scent also. Having burned his sheets, Harry believed that would be the end of it. But inhaling the glorious scent once more, only reinstated a deep hunger that was tucked away inside of him. It stirred up nostalgic feelings in him reminiscent of his time at the Ood Sphere. A time where despite it's beginnings, it was the first time he was happy. By himself, he would have probably slaughtered one or two of the humans there. But with Donna, other things didn't matter. Only the time he spent around her did.

Ignoring for once that vicious voice that had been looking down on his current actions as of lately, Harry continued exploring the room.

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"Please, I need to get in," Donna begged the man who despite his bright apparel, had a stony expression on his face.

"I'm sorry but no one except family gets in," the man stated once more.

"We are family," the Doctor explained, showing the man his psychic paper.

"There is no such persons listed as "Gregory and Tracy McAvoy, distant cousins". I'm sorry, you'll just have to mourn outside," he repeated.

"My name is Donna Noble and I was given an invite to the funeral by Maddy Laine. Please just-."

"Donna Noble?" the man suddenly questioned, taking in her form.

"Yes," she tiredly exclaimed.

"Of course. Sorry for the inconvenience," he explained, unlocking the chain to the door.

Ignoring him, Donna grabbed the Doctor's hand from behind her and rushed into the home.

They'd been running for 15 minutes already, forgetting once where exactly to go before getting back on track. However, as Donna opened the door, there was only one person who stood near the casket, dressed in silver and lime green. The rest of the room was empty, the occupants having left long ago.

"Maddy?" Donna breathlessly said.

Turning around, Maddy grinned at Donna's appearance.

"I had them keep the casket out...just in case you'd show up."

Stepping forward, she noticed the confused look on Maddy's face.

"That's the Doctor," Donna informed, pointing a finger behind her. "He was the one that traveled with me to the Library."

Maddy nodded, stepping aside so Donna could observe the man in the coffin.

Lee was dressed in a dark brown suit and light yellow pants. Strangely enough, the yellow suited him. Still, his eyes were closed for their final time as his body laid dormant forever.

"He looks so peaceful," Donna commented after a second.

"He went peacefully," Maddy informed, taking Donna's hand softly.

Those were the only two things said as Donna observed the man she could have mistaken to have been sleeping.

Surprisingly, tears didn't come at first. All she saw before her was a man she'd known. But when it got to the topic of how she'd known him, her mind accessed all the memories of her time as being his wife. The kindness he showered her in, the marvelous way that he played with their children, the love making that seemed to go on for hours, and finally, the real love they'd shared with each other, day by day.

To believe that it was all a lie wasn't exactly a reassuring thought. Because she knew there was no lie despite the false reality of it. Embracing that it was an experience and she had learned from it, seemed better acceptable for her mind.

Oddly enough, Donna still noticed traces of his handsome youth even in this older man. And that was when the tears came. Tears for his life that she never got to experience. A broken promise of finding him, and then seeing his dead form laying in aged wonder. Time had moved on for him, but for Donna, it remained unbearably slow. Always her words ticking in her mind, promising to find him. Never doing so however.

In her free hand, she felt the Doctor place his inside as the three stood in front of Lee McAvoy's casket, grieving along with the rest of the inhabitants of the planet Nuevo Las Vegas.

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Although the scents he picked up in her room were near intoxicating, Harry felt obliged to do something that would infuriate the redhead. Or at least make sure that she thought of him just as often as he thought of her.

Now that he did mention it, it seemed like the amount of times he thought about her each day even when he promised himself not to, was quite staggering. But if she returned, his plan would be set in motion so all those thoughts could go on as often as he'd like since he wouldn't care about them once his plan was completed.

Grabbing a scrap piece of paper and a pen nearby, Harry glanced once toward the pair of underwear laying on her bed before scribbling down a note.

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"So what exactly are we doing?" Gwen asked, struggling to keep up with Jack's brisk pace.

"Well, from how I see it, we've got to ask Sylvia if she was curious about any of Donna's friends. Or if one just randomly appeared in the past few days and entered themselves into her life."

"If my mum knew the kind of people I hang out with...," Ianto mumbled.

"Good thing we keep you in line," Jack assured with a smile.

Stopping suddenly, Jack turned toward his Torchwood team.

"I promise that as soon as we find out who this woman is, you guys can do anything you like. Explore London, decapitate anyone who makes fun of your country, etcetera. It's just...driving me crazy, this whole funky business," Jack stated.

"We understand Jack," Gwen reassured. "Honestly, once you get into this kind of lifestyle of mystery, it's difficult to shy back away from it."

Ianto nodded in agreement and Jack smiled at them.

"Thank you."

Then before his gratitude could escalate any further, Jack turned around and headed up the stairs of the Noble house, his friends behind him.

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"He left you something," Maddy informed, placing a folded piece of paper in Donna's hand.

The casket had long been taken away and the three of them were only left to converse on Lee's legacy. All of the amazing things he'd done and the wonderful people he'd befriended. Stories he'd told of his adventures and the family he helped sprout.

Now with the piece of paper in Donna's hand, she was curious as to what it's contents held.

"He wrote it before he died but, after he met you again," Maddy clarified.

Stepping away briefly from the duo, Donna turned and opened the paper.

It's great, isn't it? Loving someone without even knowing it. Only makes the surprise that much more interesting when you finally acknowledge it.

Always remember Donna, the love we carried with us, will never die. But because I have, does not mean that your ability to do so, should. Acknowledge this: the greatest seduction, is of the heart.

-Lee

Smiling at the closure as well as the still somewhat cryptic meaning of the note, Donna hugged the piece of paper to her chest and whispered a final prayer of leaving.

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When Harry Saxon heard Jack's voice from upstairs, he cursed. It was bad enough that he hated the man with a strong passion, but he'd also left his teleporter down stairs after Sylvia had begun ascending upstairs to show him Donna's room. Near the steps on a small tea table, laid his teleporter. Hopefully away from public eyes.

"-you okay? Seem kinda out of it," Jack noted from the hallway.

"I'm fine today," Sylvia monotonously replied, letting them all in.

Harry calmed his heart beats as he watched the Torchwood team from upstairs. If they would move along, it'd be simple for him to grab the teleporter and run. Despite his past, Harry really didn't want to begin a fight. One where he would win. Regardless, all he wanted to know was Donna's whereabouts. His concern wasn't with any of them.

"-made tea if you'd like some. Come into the kitchen," Sylvia implored.

Jack, Gwen, and Ianto followed Donna's mother into the kitchen as Harry sneakily crawled down the stairs. From his vantage point, the kitchen was only partly viewable. Briefly, he noted the messiness of it before grabbing his teleporter.

Then, he disconnected his control over Sylvia, making sure that their little run in was a mere memory lapse for the aged woman. The only thing she'd remember was making tea.

"What am I doing making tea?" Sylvia objected from the kitchen. "We've got to you ready for the wedding! Have you even looked at tuxedos yet?"

Although Harry hadn't known who this statement was aimed at, his interest was slightly piqued at the topic. However, movement from outside the doorway signaled Wilf's arrival from his walk.

All Harry managed to think before he teleported away was how much he had hated his own wedding to Lucy.

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"No! Absolutely not!" Donna protested, taking a few steps back from Maddy's excited form.

"What's wrong with it? You said that you're getting married, but you can't find that perfect wedding gown in your city. This is perfect!"

Glancing at the Doctor for help, she was frustrated to discover that he was politely keeping his self out of the conversation.

"Look, Donna. I want you to wear my mom's wedding gown. Not like she'll need it anyway. Plus, I really think it'd look incredible on you."

Taking in the white and silver threading, modest yet tantalizing length and crystalline fabric, Donna shook her head. The gown was absolutely stunning and unlike any she'd ever taken in before. But to wear it, knowing it was Lee's daughter's, was a large opportunity to grasp.

"I'll even ask my mom if you want me to. I'm more than sure she'll say yes. Please Donna. Think how happy it would make Lee to have you wear it."

Donna glanced up at Maddy's pleading face and remembered what Jack had said about the dead staying with you, despite your eyes being closed to their presence. She wanted to make him proud with her future choices, even though she constantly had to remind herself that it was a fake wedding.

Could Lee have been referring to Jack in his letter when he explained that love was great, especially without even realizing that it was inside a person? Honestly, she had no clue. But taking another look at the wedding dress, Donna couldn't will herself to say no to something that had probably been just as important to Maddy's mother as well as Lee himself.

"Alright," she finally announced. "But you've got to make sure that your mum's okay with this. Don't want her to think that I'm hijacking her wedding dress or something."

Maddy's eyes lit up as she placed the gown in Donna's hands and ran back inside her house to ask her mom.

"What do you think Doctor?" Donna asked the strangely silent man behind her.

"I think," he observed, turning her to face him, "you'll look absolutely beautiful."

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"I'm not aware of any friends really that just entered her life. She's been friends with Joan for five years. Cady and Stacy for two," Sylvia described, rushing about the kitchen.

Jack sighed disappointingly, hoping that her information would have been more ground breaking.

"Jack," Ianto quietly mumbled, "we'll ask Donna when she gets home. Don't worry about it."

Just as he spoke, the front door of the house slammed open and their current topic of discussion walked in with the Doctor in tow.

"Mum?" Donna yelled from the hallway, keeping a careful hold of the wedding dress so as not to crease it.

Sylvia gravitated into the hallway to yell at her daughter for interrupting when she caught sight of the gown.

"Where did you get that?" she asked in awe.

"A friend of mine's mother offered it. Just have to give it back after the wedding."

"It's gorgeous!" Sylvia proclaimed, hesitating to touch the fabric for fear of tarnishing it.

"Yeah, well I'm going up stairs to hang it up in my room. Be right down," Donna promised, walking upstairs.

"What's going on?" the Doctor questioned, seeing Jack and his Torchwood team in the kitchen.

"We think we might know how Donna was led to the Master after he caused the time interference," Jack explained.

The Doctor curiously raised his eye brows, interested in the new development.

Meanwhile upstairs, Donna had found a hanger and carefully placed it inside of the dress, marveling once again at the beauty of it. She hadn't tried it on but Maddy's mother had assured that the dress was a one size fit all, made of special fabric not yet created in 21st century Earth.

Taking in the beautiful garment one last time, Donna turned to leave when something on her bed, caught her eye. Instead of seeing her black underwear that she remember leaving out, a white, folded piece of paper littered her bed.

Curiously, she ventured toward it, confused as to who else could have been in her room. When they had left earlier in the morning, her gramps had been gone for his walk already. Only her mum was home.

Unfolding the paper, Donna hesitantly read the scribbled writing:

So I have something to always remember my conquest by.

-H.S.

For a few seconds, Donna only stood petrified to the floor. And then anger coursed through her. Throwing down the piece of paper, she searched over and under her bed, inside the covers and near her drawer. But it was in vain. Her lacy underwear, were gone. Not only that, but the mocking initials from the note seemed to bother her the harsher she searched.

Finally, Donna threw herself down on her bed, running a frustrated hand through her hair.

"The bastard stole my underwear," she bit out disbelievingly into the empty room.


Only because I realized that it's been a long time since Harry did something mischiveous what with all the emotions he's been feeling. Might feel a bit too rapid with all the different POV that kept on switching, but it's my story and that's how I decided for it to go down. Let me know what you're thinking in a review :).