Summary:

The Doctor has a special surprise for his companions, and Jacob begins to express his intentions towards Donna.


A/N:

Finally, we start to explore Jacob & Donna's feelings. We'll see more of them now as we go along. My goal is to try and fill in more of the POV and feelings of each character as we go along, where appropriate.


The Doctor was the first to stand after they finished their 'mind-work' for the morning. He reached out his hand and helped Scarlett up from the floor. Jacob did the same for Donna. Jack had hopped up quickly on his own.

"If everyone is ready, we'll wait for Balen in the control room," the Doctor spoke towards all those following him as he walked out of the library. "I have something for you before we leave."

Donna, Jacob, and Jack looked between each other curiously, and Jack shrugged in response. When they arrived in the control room, the Doctor knelt and opened a hidden compartment in the underside of the console.

"The TARDIS and I have been considering this—really ever since we left Pete's World. Last night I completed the final specifications and she worked on them all night, so they would be ready today." He pulled a metal box out of the compartment and set it on top of the console, his hand resting on the lid. "We have a lot of work to do here, and I can't be everywhere to open every door, unlock every lock, fix every gear—at any rate—"

"Doctor, what are you saying?" Jacob said, peering curiously at the box.

"You all are my family now. The best family I could ask for—" He opened the box, pulled out a device, and turned to hand it to Jacob.

"My own sonic screwdriver! Ha!" Jacob grinned and laughed with glee. He looked at the device more closely and noted that it's handle was blue and had his name etched into the handle in Gallifreyan.

"And for the best super-temp in the whole of time and space—" The Doctor pulled out what looked like a pen and handed it to Donna. The pen was a sleek black and etched in purple Gallifreyan was her name.

"A pen?" She took it and looked closer. "A sonic pen! It's very sleek, spaceman!" She grinned and gave him a hug.

The Doctor grinned back and winked at her before he turned back to the box and pulled out another sonic device. This one was more like a sonic screwdriver but seemed more elegant in design. Its handle was dark purple, and Scarlett's name was etched into it. It looked almost like a miniature handheld scepter. "And for you my lady," the Doctor announced as he grinned and handed it over to Scarlett.

At this point, Jack, assuming that the Doctor was done, clapped his hands together once. "Fantastic, four Time Lords, four sonics! This is going to come in handy!"

"Oh, but Jack, I'm not done yet." The Doctor turned to him with a straight face.

"You're not?" Jack's expression turned puzzled.

"Oh no, not nearly." The Doctor paused and sighed before he looked Jack squarely in the eyes. Jack, I have treated you terribly in the past, and I don't think I'll ever be able to make up for that. But you have looked past my unfair treatment and remained a true friend. You are a part of this family, and you always will be." The Doctor reached into the box and pulled out one last sonic screwdriver, this one was solid black, except for the blue light source on the end. Etched into it was Jack's name, also in Gallifreyan. "And just perhaps, after this is all said and done, we'll look at that wristband of yours and see if we can do something about your vortex manipulator. But not before we're through here, Jack—deal?"

Jack stared down at the device in his hand, unable to put words together. "Doctor, I—"

Suddenly there was a knock at the TARDIS door.

"Saved by the knock," Jacob spoke as he chuckled. "A speechless Jack, I never thought I'd see the day." He patted Jack on the back as he walked past, towards the door. Upon opening the doors he found Balen outside. "Ah, Prime Minister, we were just about to come out. We're all ready, I believe." He glanced back up the ramp to see Jack embracing the Doctor in a hug. "Just another moment, I think."

"Jack." The Doctor pulled back from the hug. " I'm sorry if you've felt that you aren't a part of—us," the Doctor waved his hand in the direction of the rest of the group as he spoke.

"It's okay, Doc. I figured if you didn't want me around you would have dropped me off before Pete's World, or afterwards. It meant a lot that you wanted me to help you with that—mission. But that you brought me to Teni—and now this."He looked back down at the sonic screwdriver in his hand as he continued. "This is so much, Doc."

"Not nearly enough, Jack." The Doctor patted him on the shoulder. "Now, let's get going. Time for the grand tour."


It was interesting to Jacob that, even though he looked exactly like the Doctor and held his memories, he could still be surprised by him. The idea actually made him feel very happy, to know that he was a unique enough individual now— with that dash of Donna and Scarlett, and his own personality now taking hold—that his twin could still surprise him. And it was certainly a big surprise to have the Doctor hand him a sonic screwdriver of his own.

Of course, as he considered it more, some differences between them had become evident very quickly. It wasn't too long after the metacrisis occurred that Jacob began looking at Donna—differently—than he knew the Doctor ever had. Not that the Doctor didn't think Donna was an attractive person, but Jacob found her absolutely gorgeous, and not just the fiery red ginger hair that matched her personality, or her piercing blue eyes with their amber rings that drew him in and made him feel he could sink into if he looked too long, no those things were just the tip of the iceberg. Underneath all that brash exterior that she used to protect herself, there was also a compassionate, caring, tender individual. One who still didn't understand her own worth. And Jacob was certain he'd be happy spending the rest of his regenerations making sure she was reminded of that daily.

It was so strange, looking back on all the memories that the Doctor had with Donna, and seeing them through his own 'filter' of sorts. He saw everything differently than the Doctor had. To Jacob, looking back at those memories drew him even closer to her.

Since the metacrisis, he and Donna had been spending a lot of time together. As near as he could tell, going through such a life altering event together had made them both feel almost inseparable. They hadn't really spoken a whole lot about it; it just became a fact that they should stay close. Their rooms were now beside each other on the TARDIS. But of course, the Old Girl knew their connection, she was a part of making it happen. The Doctor seemed pretty certain when they had explained the events to him, that the TARDIS had been involved in the process.

The question for Jacob was: what was Donna feeling about him? Were her feelings different towards him than they were towards the Doctor? He was pretty sure that was the case, the glances, the touches, the time they were spending together—but could he chance laying all his cards on the table just yet? Donna was too important to him to suddenly have an awkwardness between them. But she was also too important to him to let the chance go by. And in reality, as hard as it was to grasp, it had only been a few days since the metacrisis had even happened.

They were walking through the halls of the Citadel when Jacob caught up to the Doctor and mentally 'tapped' at the door into his mind. Doctor, may we speak this way now?

The Doctor quickly responded, Of course, brother.

Jacob smiled at the name the Doctor used, and the Doctor returned the smile.

Before Jacob continued, the Doctor asked more pointedly, What is it, Jacob?

It's about— Jacob hesitated a moment. it's about Donna.

Oooohhh. The Doctor drew out his response exactly as he would verbally.

I just wanted to know if you would be okay— Jacob's nervousness seeped into his response as well. He continued, That is to say, if I was to—argh, this is hard.

The Doctor sniffed back a snicker. Seems you've developed the same inability to express your feelings that I have, especially as of late.

Jacob agreed, Yes well, I just thought I should be sure you were okay if I were to—pursue—something with Donna. A relationship that is.

The Doctor smiled wide at that admission. You haven't talked to her about this yet, have you?

No. Any advice? Jacob queried

The Doctor grinned. You're asking me for advice? Have you seen the mess I've been the past few days? My best advice is, be honest with her.

Do you think she— Jacob hesitated a moment before continuing, I mean I'd hate to say something and then—

The Doctor shook his head. You really can be as thick in the head as me sometimes. Talk to her.

The twins mental conversation was interrupted by a familiar shrill behind them. "Oi! You two! It's pretty obvious you're having a little chat up there, and both of you grinning like the Cheshire Cat!" Donna snapped at the twin Time Lords. The Doctor chuckled, Jacob blushed.

"Sorry, Donna. We were just comparing notes on a matter to be dealt with," the Doctor replied with a grin.


Donna tried to brush off the nervousness she felt watching as Jacob and the Doctor conversed mentally. She distracted herself looking at the architecture of the Citadel as they walked through the halls and went up several floors on a lift. After walking quite some time they arrived at an outer door that led to a landing pad high up above the ground. Donna was taken aback by the sight around her. This was their first time outside the building really, and to see ships flying about amongst the city was quite astounding to her.

"Our ship will arrive momentarily," Balen spoke to the group as they all looked around at the scene before them. Royal Guards had walked with them and now stood at strategic points along the landing pad. Scarlett stood by Balen, the Doctor stood with Jack. Jacob had moved back towards Donna as they had come onto the landing pad.

A breeze in the air left Donna a bit chilled and her hands went up to her arms to rub them. A moment later she felt a warmth around her body. She looked down to see a blue suit jacket surrounding her, then glanced to her side to see Jacob standing at her side, left in his shirt and tie. She smiled a bit shyly at him. It wasn't lost on her the similarity to a past experience. "Been a while since anyone's offered the coat off their back to me."

"Oh yes, I remember that memory quite clearly." Jacob nodded and looked at her, a bit serious, but with a smile at the edge of his mouth.

"You do?" Donna replied softly. She knew he had the Doctor's memories, but surely with 900 years of memories to sort between, something as simple as the Doctor offering his coat to her wasn't one to keep on hand.

"Oh yes." Jacob nodded again. "I was sure to keep all the memories of—" He paused awkwardly. "—well, you know..."

"No," Donna almost whispered her reply, unsure of what to read into his answer. "I'm not sure I do know—" What Donna knew was that she had felt like a bundle of nerves, but was trying hard not to show it. She and the Doctor were best friends, it was what they had agreed upon and it was wonderful. How was it that she was falling for his new twin brother? Surely he must have the same feelings as the Doctor, right? Sure, there was a bit of her, and a bit of Scarlett thrown in the mix. And it hadn't been sorted out quite yet how different his personality would be, although she loved what she had seen so far. He seemed to have all the courage, intelligence, and valor of the Doctor, but with a bit more—cheek, and emotion mixed in. It was all terribly confusing for her to describe, even to herself. She suddenly realized she had gotten lost in thought and was staring at Jacob, but he was staring back at her, too.

"I just mean—" Jacob swallowed hard as he continued his response, looking to see that the others were far enough ahead on the landing pad as not to hear.. "I made sure to keep all his memories of you close. They're very important to me. You— you are very important to me, Donna."

Her mouth opened, though she wasn't even sure what her response would have been. She suddenly felt his hand in hers, their fingers intertwining.

Interrupting her thought, and perhaps providentially, her need to respond, they heard Balen speak again from up ahead. "Ah, here we are."

Both Jacob and Donna looked up in time to see a large elongated ship flying up to the landing pad. If Donna had to describe it to someone, she would have said it looked almost like a smooth, rounded, silver almond, with back wings and a transparent top.


As the ship approached the landing pad, Jacob watched as landing feet extended from the body and it touched down. A door opened on the underside and a ramp extended down out of the ship.

He took a moment to glance back over at Donna and saw the look of wonder in her eyes as she examined the ship. With the Doctor's memories, he had seen similar ships before, and even seen this one in fact from the Doctor's previous time on Teni. But he understood now the joy the Doctor found in having companions along with him, to experience their first time seeing new things. It helped him to remember how wondrous things could be.

And speaking of wondrous things, Donna hadn't smacked him over his most recent revelation. But had he made himself clear? Ah! He wanted to smack himself. I am thick! I told her she was important to me. But that's not enough. Of course Donna is important, she's important to the Doctor too. I have to show her it's different than that.

He took a deep breath and moved quickly as he saw the others starting to move towards the ship. He quickly pulled the hand he held up towards his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of it. "Shall we, my lady?" He smiled at her as he let their hands go back to their sides, trying to convey with his eyes the feeling in his heart.

Donna gaped a moment, blush creeping into her cheeks, before she smiled softly and spoke, "Yes, I do believe we shall."

Jacob grinned and, with the hand he still held, pulled her with him towards the ship.


The Doctor smiled as he walked between Scarlett and Jack. He had glanced back just in time to see Jacob's move, but he quickly turned back. He knew Donna might be embarrassed if she knew he had witnessed it, and he didn't want to ruin the moment. Inwardly, he cheered for what the future might hold for his brother and his best friend.