This takes place between the Doctor's Daughter and The Unicorn and the Wasp (no episode references)

Hat Trick

The word cozy wasn't often applied to the rooms of the TARDIS. But it was the only apt description for one of Donna's favorite places. Nestled in the warmth of a large, comfortable couch, she snuggled up in her blanket and placed her novel next to her while she sipped her tea. Across from her, the Doctor readjusted his glasses as he got further lost in his latest tome. She had no idea what he would find interesting. He, a nine-hundred year old alien who had probably read everything from every galaxy in every language.

The TARDIS herself seemed to be in a lazy mood; her song was low and comforting. If there were windows, Donna was convinced rain would be soaking the panes.

Something caught her eye. Frowning, she leaned forward and saw a bright box poking behind the Doctor's chair.

"What's that?"

He looked up. "What?"

Placing her book aside, she left her chair's warm haven and stood, tea in hand, to the spot in question. Recognizing it, she was only puzzled further. "I thought I left that in my room!"

Intrigued, the Doctor forgot about his own reading and twisted in his seat. "That's your hat box!"

"Yeah, but why is it here?"

The Doctor gave the walls a wary look. But to Donna, he kept his tone off handed. "Why did you bring that again?"

She shrugged. "Planet of the Hats," she answered. "I wanted to be prepared."

He removed his glasses, chewing on the ends as he thought. "There is no Planet of the Hats," he said.

She hoisted the box into her arms and pouted. "Not even a place where they wear fun things on their heads?"

He stared off. "Well, there's Brixitar," he started. "Once a year, they celebrate their king's birthday with a massive festival… oh, we can't go there."

"Why not? Do they wear fun hats during this festival?"

His cheeks colored. "Yes, but that's all they wear."

Donna grinned at the blushing Time Lord. "Well, then we ought to go!"

The Doctor's mouth dropped, and Donna felt triumphant at silencing him. But she took pity on him. "No worries, Doctor," she said. "Your honor is safe with me."

She opened the box, not catching how the Doctor's cheeks were slow to cool.

"Is there another place?"

He cleared his throat. "Let me think."

She revealed a pretty white hat with an orange ribbon around it. Placing it atop her head, she posed. "What do you think?"

The Doctor smiled. "Lovely," he replied.

"I bought if for my friend's wedding," she supplied, placing it back in the box. "Funny that you spend all that money and only wear it once."

"OH!" the Doctor exclaimed. "I know where we can go! Dartor's second moon has a fantastic race every five years, and they wear such fun clothes."

"Hats?"

He bounced up and ran over to her. "Lots of hats," he answered, extending his hand. "Come, let's see if we can find something." With his free hand, he gathered Donna's hat box as he led her down the hall to the TARDIS's massive closet.

Upon entering, Donna stilled and frowned.

He turned and stared at her. "What?"

She waved at the box in his hand. "I guess it was pretty silly of me to bring a hat when you've got all this," she said.

"Nah!" he said and grabbed her hand again. "Your hat is prettier than any old thing I've got in here," he assured her. The TARDIS hummed a little louder, as if offended.

"Here we are!"

Surrounded by dozens of hats, Donna laughed at the display. "Oh, this is fun," she muttered, digging into the collection. She threw a sombrero at him. "Cinco de Mayo?" she suggested.

He pursed his lips. "Something like that."

She flopped an over-sized Gatsby on her head. "Not showy enough?" she asked.

"You shouldn't cover your hair with that," he said, also starting to search around.

"Oh, my," Donna exclaimed, a soft and drawn out lilt to her voice. The Doctor turned to see her wearing a pretty lavender sun hat. Its shade complimented her hair, making her entire countenance seem luminescent. He gulped a little.

"Why, I declare, sir," she said with a very impressive Antebellum sing-song voice. She flittered her hand next to her face. "I believe we're off to a cotillion!"

"Scarlett indeed," he said, turning away before she noticed his red ears.

Her laughter made him turn around again.

She held up a pair of Mickey Mouse ears. "Why do you have this, of all things!?"

He snatched them away and grinned as he placed it on his head. "Well, it is the happiest place on earth," he said.

"And you would know, too."

Still in her Southern Belle character, Donna delicately sat upon the floor. She adjusted the brim. The Doctor sat across from her.

She regarded him. "Can we buy hats at this race?"

"I believe so," he said and looked around. "Do you think we need more?"

Donna shook her head. "No, I want to buy someone a present."

The late April night was clear and crisp. A perfect night for stargazing.

Wilfred took another peek through the telescope before plopping into his chair and pouring another cup of tea. He wondered if he could see where Donna and her magical Doctor would be. He sipped, marveling at where (or when) she might be.

Voices cut into the normal nighttime sounds. Startled, Wilf turned quickly to see two people approaching him. His heart skipped. It was them.

Leaping up, his arms extended as Donna ran toward him.

"Hey there!" he exclaimed, hugging her tightly. She was beaming. How long had it been for them? It had only been a few days since the skies had been on fire. Who knows what she'd seen since then.

She stepped away, and he could see the tears glittering in her eyes. "Got a moment for your wayward granddaughter?"

"Do I have a moment," he repeated, chiding. He regarded the Doctor, whose broad smile sparkled brighter than the entire night sky.

"Hello, Wilfred," the Time Lord said, shaking his hand.

"We brought you a present," Donna exclaimed with the excitement of a five-year-old. She practically forced a box into his hands.

"You got something for your old Gramps?"

"I saw it and thought immediately of you," she said.

Eager to see what a gift from a futuristic space world would be like, Wilf opened the box and immediately laughed. Grinning, Donna dug inside and grabbed the odd, neon green hat with two large stalks jutting outward. She placed it over his red cap and nodded with satisfaction.

"Oh yes," the Doctor said. "It suits you perfectly."

Wilfred reached up to feel the alien thing. "I love it," he said. "And I'll only wear it while star gazing, thinking of you two."

Donna glanced at the Doctor, her expression pure and peaceful. Wilfred smiled to himself before grabbing another chair. "Please, I want to hear all about what you've been up to," he said.

He poured them cups of tea, and they immediately began to recount their latest tales. They'd often talk over each other or finish each other's sentences. Wilfred listened, enraptured, to their impossible stories. He had never been happier for his girl.

I don't want to think about how giving Wilf a "future hat" would somehow be a paradox or something.