This isn't how I normally write them, but it stemmed from a conversation with the lovely NobleLark. And well, here it is.

Why Not?

Donna's hair was really beautiful.

The Doctor never thought about it. Well, truthfully, he never dared to think about it. It was nice, this "just mates" thing. It was easy. It was safe. Better to be just friends rather than to think of how cute Donna was when she rolled her eyes at him. Or how her skin sometimes caught the starlight, making her shimmer like a jewel. Or hearing her laughter at his antics. The funny tingle he'd get in his stomach whenever she'd call him "Spaceman."

How soft her hair was draped over her shoulders, like it was at that moment. That breathtaking river of red silk…

He sensed she was about to turn, no doubt feeling his eyes on her. He quickly hid his gaze, turning his head down to his book. He had been on the same page for hours.

He thought she was going to say something, but she just remained still for a moment. He kept his head bowed, waiting for her to look away again.

No, it was definitely better to just be friends.

"If you'll just wait here, well get your table ready, Dr. and Mrs. Noble…" The hostess at that restaurant the night before had been the latest of many who'd mistaken them for a couple. Why? They could not display more platonic energy.

It was platonic, right?

Donna returned to her puzzle. He'd offered to help earlier, but she'd refused, saying he always ruined everything because he solved everything so quickly. She wanted to do it on her own.

His mouth curved upward, hearing her usual outburst. "Lemme alone, Martian! You take all the fun out of it."

Of their own accord, his eyes drifted over to her again. She was biting the pencil as she worked, staring at the paper. Her lips were especially brighter that evening, a brilliant shade of red that nearly matched her hair. The Doctor gulped as a small bit of red curls fell over her eyes.

Donna brushed it aside, looking up. She blinked as she caught the Doctor staring at her.

She held her breath. "What?"

He flinched, surprised. "Pardon?"

She set her pencil down. "Is something on your mind, Doctor?"

"What? Oh, no, nothing," he muttered, fumbling with his book.

Donna remained still for a moment. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately: staring at her. His cheeks would get all pink when she'd catch him. Almost as pink as her own would get whenever he'd nearly catch her gazing at him.

"Nothing is never on your mind," she said. "Not that great big head of yours."

He cleared his throat. "It's nothing. Go back to your puzzle."

Donna frowned. He sounded defensive. A little ire flushed through her at being dismissed like a child, but she got the feeling that maybe she really didn't want to talk about whatever was on his mind.

But instead, he leaned back, placing his book on the table. He wasn't sure why he had the courage to do this. He waited for her to meet his gaze again.

"Why do you think everyone thinks we're a couple?"

Donna blanched. "What!?"

"Last night, at dinner, the hostess called us Doctor and Missus Noble," he pressed. "And that was the-"

"Tenth time," Donna answered without missing a beat. She wasn't sure why she was keeping count.

"I think it's funny."

"I think it's rude. Presumptuous."

The Doctor smiled. "Am I that repulsive?"

Heat flooded Donna's entire being. "We're just friends."

"Right," the Doctor said, not wanting to register why he felt so sad at their initial edict. "Do you ever…"

That heated blush instantly froze as fear left her immobile. "What?" She refused to acknowledge the bitter edge in her heart whenever she thought of their insistence that they remain friends.

"Nothing."

"No, what?" she pressed, despite herself.

The Doctor remained still, holding her still by his gaze. Did the lighting in the small room change? She looked softer, so very lovely. Her hair framing her porcelain skin, her heart racing. He didn't need his accelerated hearing to know that. He felt an emboldened push, a pressing need to be closer to her. But he held back; the look of terror on her face kept him in check.

"Why aren't we more than just mates?"

Donna's stomach shrank. "Are you daft?" Why was she resisting? He leaned forward. Damn, he looked hot. That hair you could run your hands through and watch it sort itself back to its constant state of disarray.

"We get along well," he started.

"We're always fighting."

"Because you're always telling me I'm wrong."

"Because you always are."

"We have a good laugh from time to time."

"That's what good friends do. Have a laugh."

He smiled, not wanting to let this go. "You're my best friend."

She blushed but still remained rigid. "And here you're talking of muddling it all up with this talk."

"Is that so bad?"

Flustered, Donna looked down at her forgotten puzzle. "Please," she pleaded. Her voice was barely a whisper. "I'm nothing like those pretty things you usually have with you. I'm surprised you've allowed me to tag along this long."

She looked up and gasped. How did he stand up and come so close, but not too close, in such a short period of time?

His eyes were searching hers. "I've got the prettiest woman right here, and she's my best friend," he said. "How could I possibly want anyone else?"

Donna felt a tingling behind her eyes and she blinked rapidly.

"Why are you messing this up, Doctor?" she asked. "Isn't this, this mates thing, good enough?"

He nodded. "It's the best. The very best."

"They why?"

He smiled, but it was different. There was something else in his look, and Donna knew it was never going to be the same again. What both thrilled and terrified her was how happy the thought made her.

"Why am I muddling this up?"

She nodded.

"Well, it is muddled. I am all muddled when I think of you, Donna Noble," he said. "It only took ten separate people from ten separate worlds and eras to make me see what's been there all along. We're just too stupid to see it ourselves."

She snorted. "You sure know how to charm a girl."

He leaned closer; the air sparked. "Is it working?"

Donna inhaled, that pressing energy coursing between them. She grinned, suddenly fortified. "Why don't you kiss me and I'll let you know?"