This takes place right after Partners in Crime

Different Approach

The Doctor flipped a bunch of switches. Frowning, he grabbed the ever-obliging mallet and smacked a few uncooperative levers upward. One of these days, he'd fix them.

"Oh my God! There's a swimming pool!"

The Doctor grinned. His latest traveling companion's excitement was contagious. No matter how many people he'd traveled with, no matter how old he became, he would never tire of a new friend's enthusiasm at discovering the wonders of this life. Humans were the most emotive species he'd ever encountered, and he found himself needing that joy at times.

And no one had ever encapsulated that indomitable human spirit as much as Donna Noble.

The grin grew stronger. She hadn't been the only regretful one that Christmas. He thought he's brushed off his hurt when she'd declined his offer to join him. He'd tried to tell himself that it was no big deal.

But, meeting up with her again, he knew that was a lie. He was ecstatic to see her again, and he thrived on having her near.

She'd commented that he'd never changed, but he could not say the same for her. Well, he could to a degree. She was still wonderfully energetic. She had that assertive attitude that was an intoxicating force of nature. She still masked her fears and insecurities with bluster and shouting…

But she had changed, and he was thrilled to reconnect with the woman who had been searching an entire year for him. She was still brilliant, but now just a little more so. Her compassion was tangible: her concern for Stacey and the other victims of Ms. Foster's endeavor… how she'd remembered Rose…Donna not only wanted to see the universe with him, she wanted to be there for him. To stop him or to guide him, he wasn't quite sure yet. And he was honored she had put so much passion into finding him. He would do his very best to make sure Donna Noble would find her own way to shine brighter than anyone.

"Get out!" she exclaimed, her voice even more distant. "Is that a forest!? Who has forest on a spaceship?!"

He laughed and looked up the walls. "She's making herself at home," he said. The console glowed brighter, pleased with the activity.

Out of the corner of his eye, the Doctor thought he saw a small white object moving. He turned and frowned. There was nothing but empty space around him. Shrugging, he returned to one of the more stubborn levers, wondering why it seemed to insist on being unmovable.

A tiny chirp sounded over the constant hum.

"What?" the Doctor asked, peeling off his glasses and heading in the direction he'd thought the earlier movement bad been, the light noises increasing with each step.

Descending to his hands and knees, he peered under one of the far shelves. A small white ball of fat, literally, was scooching itself comfortably along the wall. It looked up at him and waved.

"Oh, hello!" he said brightly. "And how did you get in here?"

The baby Adipose blinked and smiled at him.

The Doctor pulled out his sonic screwdriver. The tiny alien's eyes widened and it reached greedily at the bright light. But when the Doctor reached for it, it shrank back, fear replacing its curiosity.

"No, it's okay," he said, trying to sound reassuring. He tried flashing the screwdriver again to coax it. "We just need to get you home to your parents… or there will be hell to pay."

It refused to budge, staring at him with cautious eyes. The Doctor pushed back and blew out a dramatic breath. "Great," he muttered. In the distance, he could hear doors opening and closing. Suddenly remembering he wasn't alone, he jumped up.

"DONNA!"

Silence. He rolled his eyes. "Donna! Could you come to the console room?" Still nothing. "Please?!"

Quickly-paced footsteps sounded until she arrived, her eyes dancing. "Did you know there's a fountain?"

"Yes, it's Rococo, isn't it?" he asked and turned before she could answer. "I need your help. One of those infant Apdiposes must have wandered its way until the TARDIS – "

"You need my help?"

He pivoted to see her standing closely, surprised.

"Yes," he said. "If you don't mind."

She smiled eagerly. "No, I don't mind," she said and looked to where was pointing. When he returned to a crawling pose, she arched her eyebrow.

"What?"

"Did you drop your keys or something?"

"No, an infant alien is stowing away on the TARDIS and we need to get it out," he repeated. He waved for her to join him. "It won't come for me."

"Of course you probably scared it," she muttered, joining him on the floor.

"Aw! Hello!" Her voice rose in pitch and softened in tone. She extended her hand as far as she could. But unlike the Doctor's aggressive stance, she held her palm upward and lower. "Come here, little fella!"

The baby sucked on its finger, considering. The Doctor held his breath.

"Come on!" she coaxed.

It shook a little in what could only be considered a laugh and reached both its arms outward to her. It latched onto two of her fingers, and she slowly pulled it out. Giggling, she cuddled it close to her chest.

The Doctor watched, a bemused smile on his face.

Donna looked up. "You know, if it wasn't made of human fat and might have hurt or killed someone to be created, I might think it's kind of cute," she said. The baby made a little squeak and nestled in her embrace.

The Doctor chuckled. "You've made a new friend."

She smiled. "Can we keep him? Like our little pet or something?"

Frowning, the Doctor shook his head and pulled out the sonic again. "It'll get bigger."

She looked around. "Like we're cramped for space."

"No, not Great Dane big. Like elephant-sized big," he clarified.

She pouted. "Oh."

"And the parents will be missing it."

She looked down at her charge. It yawned and pulled at her jacket like a blanket. "With all those babies, how can they know one is missing?"

"Believe me, they'll know," he answered. He waved the screwdriver over his newest passenger. The chirping and bright light roused it, and it reached for the device again f.

Donna chuckled. "Babies and flashing lights," she muttered.

"I'll go and plot a course for the Adipose home world," the Doctor said, hoisting himself up. He extended a hand to Donna. She cradled the little alien as she followed him to the jump seat. "I wonder what Ms. Foster meant by its breeding planet disappearing…"

A light giggle diverted him from his train of thought. He turned to see Donna pulling her arm away from the little alien as it tried to nibble on her. "It tickles."

Peace spread through the Doctor at the sight. He marveled at how alive his ship had suddenly become, with just the arrival of one new person.

And what a person…

He never knew how much he needed someone until she was there. And he had a feeling he'd come to deeply cherish Donna's presence.

He smiled at her before turning to enter their destination's coordinates.