Part 3
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After a surprisingly short amount of time, considering, Donna reappeared at her dressing room door, looking fresh, ready to leave and face the fans.
Taking in her designer jeans and top, John managed to mumble something in her direction. "You look…," he began his compliment.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," she dismissed as though he'd just insulted her, "but we can't all be supermodels." She swept passed him and asked, "Where are the other two? Oh, there they are. Come on, John boy. Keep up."
And then she was gone, leaving him to get with the programme, yet again. A few swift steps and he easily caught her up before they reached the exit. He sighed in relief as he mentally put his body on alert. This, after all, was what the job was about.
The screams outside the theatre brought back more memories when the group left through the stage door to sign autographs. John stood protectively behind Donna whilst the crowd jostled each other to get to the front.
After a suitable amount of time, a path was forced through the throng to three London taxis ready and waiting to whoosh them all away. It hadn't gone too badly, and John had resisted laughing when Donna cautioned, "Oi! Watch it, sunshine. You're so close to me I'll be in your front pocket soon if you're not careful."
Amusement, like relaxation, were elements of the job that could wait until later. Caution was key. Part of it was anticipation, so it did not surprise him in the slightest when Rose clambered into the same car as Donna. He sat opposite them in the black cab, filing away the moment for future glee.
After the grand total of a minute, Rose couldn't hold in her curiosity any longer. "So why have you got a tasty new bodyguard of your own, Donna? I don't understand. Is there something you haven't told me?"
"No more than usual," Donna airily answered. "Nerys said something about dodgy letters. Probably the usual tosh about sex. Otherwise I haven't a clue, but I will find out. Anything you're allowed to tell me, John?"
Still watching the crowd outside, he cautiously replied, "I assume it was a death threat that caused Nerys to hire me to personally look after you."
"Oooh, does that make you like the Whitney Houston character with the bodyguard?" Rose pondered. "You know. Like in that Kevin Costner film."
"Don't think so," Donna dismissed. "I haven't got a sister to be the culprit, for a start."
"What about that Keeley Hawes as that woman in the political thriller thing?" Rose tested out.
"I have no power and am of no importance," Donna countered. "Wouldn't mind cosying up to Richard Madden though. But what would anyone achieve by blowing me up?"
"A part in our group," Rose cheekily considered.
Donna laughed. "Now now. We all know Rory's girlfriend Amy would love to stop being a top model to do this gig. Not. Anyway," she said, leaning forward to briefly place a hand on John's knee, "I've got a big strong man to protect me now."
"Can you protect me too?" Rose sweetly asked him.
Suddenly his clothing felt a little bit too hot and tight.
As he opened his mouth to reply, Donna retorted, "Sorry. I don't share my stuff when it's a personal gift."
"Not even when it's me?" Rose pondered.
"Especially when it is you," Donna jokily chided, causing them both to burst into laughter.
Don't take any notice, John told himself. Their embarrassing giggles that caused his cheeks to blush soon left his mind when a male fan threw themselves against the taxi, banging against the nearby passenger window.
The fan shrieked, "Donna!" on seeing them inside.
Flinging himself protectively in front of her, John yelled at the driver, "Go! Get us out of here! Now!"
He felt himself begin to calm as the taxicab sped away, but the gentle hand that brushed against his neck as it landed on his shoulder made his heartrate stay high.
"It's okay, John. It was just a fan," Donna murmured into his ear. "Nothing to worry about."
Gulping, he mentally berated himself for reacting to her touch. What had gotten into him? This should have been the easiest assignment imaginable. "I have to make sure you are safe," he told her, moving backwards into his previous seat. "You can never be too careful."
"I appreciate it," she softly replied, but her words were spoken over by her friend.
"Didn't throw yourself over me," Rose grumbled. "I could have been attacked by anyone."
"And yet you weren't," Donna scolded. "Never mind, perhaps your luck will be in tomorrow night."
Wrinkling her nose, Rose sneered back at her. "As long as I get to use John instead of him bothering you, I'll be fine."
"Let go of my new boy?" Donna queried, reaching across to pat his leg. "Who do you take me for? Get your own."
Rose gazed straight at him as she retorted, "Perhaps I will."
John was quite relieved that their hotel loomed up at that moment. It meant they would be distracted by booking in. The next hurdle was finding out what the sleeping arrangements would be.