A/N: it's been too hot to write. Sorry.

Part 8

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"Well? How did it go?" Jenny hastily whispered when Donna entered their bedroom as if she were on a secret ninja mission. "You were a long time."

"Was I? Sorry," Donna quietly answered. "It's just…" She then dreamily touched her lips. "It was nice, while it lasted. Although I doubt he will want to bring it up in the morning, knowing my luck. But I think I got him to stop moping about."

"You kissed him?" Jenny sought to confirm, leaning forward.

"No. He tried to kiss me," Donna replied, sitting down on the bed, "and I stopped him doing something so stupid."

"It wouldn't be stupid," Jenny countered. She couldn't understand her sister's pessimism where John was concerned. "But if he tried to start things between you, surely you'd want him to carry on?"

"I'm not going to encourage any of that," Donna dismissed with a shrug of her shoulders. "Not yet, anyway. I have my job to think about."

Jenny frowned at her, but Donna refused to dwell on negative thoughts. That was tomorrow's problem, worrying about it. All she wanted to concentrate on now was how good it felt knowing he'd wanted to kiss her, here in the present. For all she knew, he'd get one whiff of disapproval from the other Doctors and that'd be it: the end of 'them' as a potential couple anyway. Wouldn't be the first time such a thing had happened to her so there was no need to dwell on that aspect.

"I really hope he's not daft enough to change his mind about you," Jenny commented, settling the bed clothes back into place once Donna had clambered in. "He'd regret it."

"Are you saying that as a threat, or merely about his thoughts in the future?" Donna sleepily enquired.

"Both, but I can make it more of a threat, if you want," Jenny offered.

Knowing her sister, it was no idle threat either, so Donna gave her arm a thankful squeeze, and let her temporary happy thoughts drift her off to sleep.

-0-

John fretted as he lay in bed that night, wondering how he could convince his fellow lecturers to overcome their misgivings about a relationship with a non-Gallifreyan, and how in the world he could then get Donna to admit her feelings for him. It was obvious that there was something between them, otherwise she would not have planted that kiss on him that afternoon. And she had not totally rejected his advances since, despite being given ample opportunity to do so. He was sure she would have made it very clear if she wasn't remotely interested.

As he tossed and turned, he asked himself yet again if he had acted too soon, whether he had misread the signals and it would be better if he left the House of Gallifrey for good. You know, rent or buy a property nearby, perhaps or, horror of horrors, make a new life elsewhere, in a different place entirely. Was he prepared to do that for love? After all, he'd only known Donna a relatively short time. It was far too much stress to place upon a fledgling relationship.

So, the burning question returned to: should he, in the circumstances, go out on such a limb yet?

The trouble was, his answer kept coming back to "Yes," and he was powerless from stopping it happening, no matter how much the familiar counter argument was applied.

Having made the decision to talk it through with his colleagues, he eventually fell asleep.

-0-

Next morning, John hovered uncertainly by his bedroom door, hoping to catch a glimpse of Donna before she went to breakfast. "Good morning," he quickly greeted her when she appeared.

"'Morning. You alright?" she queried, peering at his taunt face. "Aren't you coming to eat yet?"

"Not just yet," he cautiously replied, glancing at Jenny and wondering what her smirk meant. "I was hoping for… Good morning, Dr Baker," he tacked on when Dr C. Baker headed for the bathroom nearby.

"Good morning all," Dr Baker returned to the greeting, and briefly glared at John. "Are you waiting for anything in particular?"

John deliberately shrugged. "No, no waiting going on here. Just standing, like you do. Feel free to use the bathroom first."

Donna felt it was best to bustle off and leave them to it, sort out whatever problem was happening between the two men, so she ushered Jenny away, unaware that John was forlornly watching them.

"Is there something you need to tell me, Doctor?" Dr Baker persisted.

His words broke the spell John seemed to be under. "Not yet, as far as I know. But if anything crops up, I'll keep you posted."

"Yes, do that," Dr Baker murmured as John scuttled off. This situation was beginning to look most disconcerting.

Descending the stairs, John could feel the inevitable let down was on its merry way so he might as well face it head on. At the bottom of the staircase he turned right instead of left and knocked upon Dr T. Baker's door.

It only took a few seconds for the door to open. "Hello, old boy," Dr Baker greeted him. "What can I do for you?"

Following the invite, John stepped into the room, and waiting for the door to be closed behind him before admitting, "I need to discuss something important to me, regarding Donna Noble."

Dr Baker indicated for him to be seated before sitting down himself. "You're not dissatisfied with her already, are you? I thought things were going splendidly."

"Well, they are," John agreed. "Her skills have proven to be invaluable."

"Then her sister is causing you problems."

"Again, no. Her sister has shown herself to be keen to learn as well as intellectually capable of being an excellent student here. Admittedly I was concerned at first that living in the same house would cause her to be over familiar, but she has handled that aspect well."

Dr Baker shook his grey curly-haired head in confusion. "Then I do not understand the problem, dear boy."

"It's me," John blurted out, dipping his head. "I'm the problem. Or rather my regard… my feelings for Donna are; to levels that would clearly be disapproved of. Well, I completely approve of her. Too much so, but you probably don't. Hence the problem."

"Ah. I see," Dr Baker sighed. "Have you discussed this with anyone else yet?"

"No. Not yet," John admitted, "but I cannot avoid the subject for long."

"They won't approve unless you find someone like us."

"I know," John acknowledged. "That's why I am considering leaving."

"Leaving!" Dr Baker repeated in a horrified tone. "Isn't that a little drastic?"

"Not if I continue working here at the university but live elsewhere," John reasoned. "You know, where Donna and I would be accepted."

Dr Baker leaned towards him, peering through narrowed eyes. "Has she persuaded you that this is a good idea?" he suggested.

"This is not her doing, "John protested. "None of it. In fact, she is avoiding her feelings towards me."

His eyebrows quirked upwards. "But you are sure she has a high enough regard for you?" Dr Baker wondered.

"Oh yes." John nodded confidently. "We came close to a mutual declaration yesterday, but her good character stopped her from doing so in light of my situation."

"Hmm." Dr Baker was still not entirely convinced. "And what makes you so sure of her undeclared affection?"

"She erm… She…," John stammered. "She briefly kissed me." He blushed in remembrance. "Long enough for me to know."

"A kiss would do it," Dr Baker agreed. "And what about the other one? The pretty little shop girl. Have you forgotten her?"

"More a case of replacement than forgotten," John explained. "She contacted me yesterday to inform me that her affections were now for my brother, and I discovered that I was not as upset by the news as I might have previously been."

"Because of Donna?"

"Precisely." John beamed and then sobered. "Yet I am still left in a situation where there is disapproval."

Playing devil's advocate, Dr Baker commented, "Since your feelings have changed once, we are to be congratulated on saving you from an unwise choice."

The truth of that riled John. "Yes, you did, but what I feel for Donna is different."

"How are we to tell?" Dr Baker argued. "We will discuss it on your behalf, obviously we will, but there will be understandable reservations about your relationship. Time will tell, however, so there is no need to feel down."

"And what do I do in the meantime if Donna expresses an interest? I could lose her for ever if I cannot reciprocate."

"My dear boy, do not fret so," Dr Baker said, giving John a consoling pat on the back. "If you genuinely love each other as you think you do, it is worth waiting for, and I rather get the impression that Donna is stubborn enough to wait for whatever she desires, if necessary. You mark my words."

But how did he explain that desire doesn't always want to wait? He had mortal concerns, after all.

"All in good time," Dr Baker answered the unspoken question. "Believe it or not, but such feelings don't have a limited shelf life either. Nevertheless, we will all discuss this as soon as possible. Give you some indication how long the wait might be."

John managed a smile. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

"Good. Now go and cultivate your relationship in the eyes of the other Doctors. Let them see the sincerity of your emotions. We want only the best for you, remember."

Of course, John knew that. The Doctors were never malicious; merely dutiful. Everything was considered and the best option chosen. Yet he still felt a change was in the air as he headed towards his breakfast and the day beyond.

-0-

Jenny was bouncing with excitement. It had all been arranged by John and Donna for her to join a taster week supplied by the university for prospective students. She was going to meet genuine people who liked the same subjects she did, and none of them would think her weird for choosing the course. Normally, she had to hide her true interests, unless she was with her dad and Gramps, of course.

The thought of her father brought down her mood as she contemplated how much she missed him. He'd been gone such a short time from their lives, but she felt sure he was looking down on her, proud of her new achievements.

"Should I still join you and John for lunch?" she asked Donna just before she left her outside the main faculty building.

Donna had softly laughed. "You'll be too busy making new friends to worry about me. Go to the refectory with them for lunch and I'll see you later. I want to hear all about it; every single detail."

"Thanks," Jenny sighed with relief. No offence, but she could have lunch with her sister any day of the week, but these new people might be her future. "Will I have to pay?" she suddenly wondered in horror.

"I'll give you some money." Donna immediately dove into her bag to pull out her purse. "Here, take this," she insisted, handing over a note and some coins. "And no saying anything to John. Do you hear me?"

"What if I've got a technical question?" Jenny cheekily retorted. "He'd think it weird if I don't ask him anything."

So Donna made a throttling gesture. "Keep to the topic and don't mention me. Alright."

"I promise not to show him up," Jenny huffed in defeat. "But if you want to come and grab him to kiss him, I'll make myself scarce," she tacked on as she raced away, expecting Donna to give chase.

"Watch it! I know where you live," Donna called out after her as a mock threat, but there was no fire in her words.

If Jenny actually ended up going to the university, she'd miss sharing a living space with her. And that thought brought her mind back to her next task, organising some of the student accommodation for when they returned in September.

-0-