Chapter Summary: It takes a little trickery to get Donna out of her office and out to a surprise Jacob as for her. The TARDIS team starts making plans for their first trip after Teni.


"Look at that, Doctor! This is gorgeous! Oh, Donna would love it here." Jacob stepped away from the pump engine they had been working on by the waterfront to look out at the sunset.

The Doctor looked up at Jacob from where he lay, half under the engine. He then looked out over the water at the view his twin was taking in. "Yes, it is beautiful. Perhaps you should bring her here."

"How am I going to manage that? She barely leaves that office of hers, except for dinner, and that's usually if we've arranged something with the Queen, or you, or to sleep."

The Doctor had gone back to tinkering on the engine but stopped to think about Jacob's predicament. He really was thrilled that Jacob and Donna were getting along so well, and wanted to help his brother however he could, especially if it also meant treating his best friend to something so special. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head and he grinned. "Perhaps I can help with that."

Jacob looked down at the Doctor, his left eyebrow raising, "Oh?" Then he saw the grin on his face. "Oh, you're scheming something. What is it?"

The Doctor continued to tinker as he explained. "Well, perhaps if it was a direct order from the Queen herself. I'm fairly certain Donna wouldn't make an argument with Scarlett?"

Jacob's grin now became as wide as the Doctor's had been. He squatted down next to his twin, holding onto the side of the engine to keep his balance. "Why would the Quee—oh wait, oh you wouldn't—would you?"

The Doctor turned the wrench one last time, finishing the last of his repair work, and slid out from under the engine. As Jacob helped him up, he continued, "Anything for my brother—" He patted his twin on the shoulder. "—and my best friend."

Jacob turned back to the sunset and smiled wide. "Brilliant!"

The Doctor moved to stand next to him. "We'll plan for tomorrow then. I'll talk to Scarlett tonight after we finish dinner with her and Balen. We should be getting back so we can get washed up beforehand. I'm not showing up to another dinner with Scarlett looking like a mess."

Jacob defended his brother, "Well, you couldn't exactly help it that she surprised you with a picnic."

"True, but this dinner is not a surprise, so let's not press our luck, shall we?" The Doctor ushered them away from the pump area and out towards the closest transport station.


It had been two weeks since their picnic, and other than their dinners and status meetings, all of which happened amongst the whole group, the Doctor had seen little of Scarlett.

After they had finished their main course that evening, as they awaited for dessert, the Doctor spoke telepathically to Scarlett. I can't explain in detail now, but I need to speak with you later, if I can bother you after dinner.

After complimenting the chef as he brought out their dessert and presented it to them, Scarlett responded to the Doctor as she ate, Everything okay?

Oh, yes, it's fine. I was hoping you might be up for helping me with a surprise that Jacob would like for Donna.

Scarlett smiled behind her fork, hoping she could cover it up with another bite. Oh, that would be wonderful. I'm not meeting with anyone else this evening, I'll just be reading reports in my quarters—so just contact me when you get back to the TARDIS.


Late the next afternoon, Donna was standing over the shoulder of one of her assistants, looking between three different computer screens at reports coming in. "Why hasn't the watering system for the fields in Grid 20 been repaired? See how soon a repair team can get out there, otherwise, we'll check and see how soon the Time Twins can work their magic."

Before she could move on to the next issue, there was a beeping from her private computer terminal. She moved over to the desk and sat down, tapping the screen to answer the call. Scarlett's face appeared on the screen. "Donna, we've got a problem. The Doctor said they repaired the water pump in Grid 5 yesterday, but the Elder from the city has just contacted me personally, complaining that it isn't working properly. Can you please get down there and see what's going on? The Doctor is going to meet you, and Elder Leeson is on his way."

"But Scarlett—" Donna corrected herself, "—Queen, what help can I be?"

Scarlett was insistent. "Donna, we both know that conversing with politicians is not the Doctor's strong suit. Please. I need you to be sure he doesn't create a bigger nightmare than this already is."

Donna nodded. "Right. Good point. Okay, I'll get there as soon as I can."

"I already have a transport waiting for you at launch pad 3." Scarlett cut off the communication, sat back, and smiled. She tapped another button, waiting for an answer. The Doctor was still strengthening his telepathic skills, and at this distance, the connection would be a bit too weak. After a few moments, the Doctor's face popped up on her screen.

He grinned wide at her. "Oh, hello there!"

"Mission complete, Doctor. Donna should be there within the hour."

"Ah, perfect timing, the sun should just be beginning to set then. I'll make myself scarce and go get some actual work done while Jacob waits for her. Thanks, love!" He winked and cut off the communication.

Scarlett almost choked at his last words. He wasn't aware of where she was, and it was the first time he had used such an—intimate pet name towards her. Thankfully, she was in her private office for the call, and she was sure he assumed she wouldn't have made such a call from a more pubic place. She looked up at Jana, who stood not too far away, at attention by the door.

Jana, who was almost the same age as Scarlett, had served in the Royal Guard for as long as Scarlett had been Queen. It wasn't long after she had begun service that she had been chosen to serve as one of the Queen's personal guards. The Queen trusted her implicitly, and in correct circumstances, the Queen allowed herself to be more personal with Jana.

Scarlett smirked slightly, speaking comfortably with the guard. "You handled that well. Not even a hint of mortification or disdain."

A small smile peaked out at the edge of Jana's mouth. "My Queen, I would never express mortification and disdain towards you—especially about this particular personal choice."

"And that, Jana, is why you are the one standing at my side these days." Scarlett stood and moved to stand in front of the other woman. Jana shifted her gaze from straight ahead to look at the Queen as she continued, "I will miss you, Jana."

Jana allowed herself to relax momentarily, the smile fully appearing. "And I will miss you, my Queen."


Donna rushed off the transport and down the walkway. It was a short distance down to the shoreline where the pump was located. It was raised up about twenty feet on a metal platform, with enough surrounding it to have room to walk around the pump. Donna was thankful it was a set of stairs instead of a ladder that led up to the pump. She quickly made her way up, looking around for the Doctor as she came around to the backside of the pump. She stopped quickly when she saw instead of one Time Lord, the other. Jacob was standing there, leaned against the railing closest to the ocean, in his blue suit instead of work clothes. "Jacob?"

He smiled as he turned towards her. "Donna! You made it! Just in time, too. The sun is about to set, come join me." He held his hand out, wiggling his fingers to encourage her to take his hand.

Her brow was furrowed in confusion as she approached slowly. "But I was supposed to be meeting the Doctor here? Elder Leeson?"

"Yeah, well, that might have been a bit of a fib from the Queen." He continued to hold out his hand and glanced between it and her, reminding her of his earlier request. She finally came close enough and took his hand. He laced their fingers together and gently pulled her the rest of the way over to the railing.

"But why?" She asked in confusion.

"Because I wanted you to see this." He nodded out towards the ocean. The sun was beginning to dip below the water, and the color of the sky and water began to change into gorgeous hues of red and orange. "And the Doctor and I felt the only way to get you away from your desk just might be at the command of the Queen herself."

"You did all that for me?" Donna asked breathlessly as she turned her attention towards the view. "It's gorgeous."

"Well, to be fair, the Doctor did most of the work." He looked back at her face, watching her reaction to the sunset. "I just cleaned up and showed up for the beauty."

She glanced back at him, to see him staring at her. "Hey, Timeboy, the beauty is out there." She nodded towards the ocean.

"Oh, I beg to differ. I think I've found the greater of the two." he whispered to her.

She tried to hide her blushing by leaning into his arm. He adjusted their position, releasing his hand to place his arm around her waist. She did the same, moving so one hand was around the back of his waist while the other rested over his left heart. She rested her head against his right heart. He lifted his left hand to rest over top hers and shifted them to the side so that she could continue to watch the sunset without changing position. He took a deep breath and tilted his head down to place a kiss on her hair.

"This is nice," she whispered. "Thank you, Jacob."

"You deserve a break. You're remarkable, but you work too hard."

"Oh?" Donna looked back up at him and pushed slightly away. "Pot, meet kettle."

Jacob couldn't disagree. "Yes, okay, so we've all turned into a bunch of workaholics on the TARDIS these days, haven't we?" He pulled her closer again, encouraging her to move back to their previous embrace.

She complied. "Yeah. I'm enjoying the work, this planet is beautiful, and overall, the people are great. But I can't lie— I'll be happy to be off on the TARDIS for our next adventure," Donna responded.

Jacob began gently stroking her arm. "I think our next adventure will most likely be back to Earth—" He suddenly froze. "Oh. I still have to meet Sylvia and Wilf, don't I?"

"I'm sure the Doctor can give you some pointers."

"Oh, because he's handled your mother so well? No, I'll have to come up with some tactics of my own." He was quiet a moment, then continued, "So, back to Earth, we'll see what help we can provide there. Then perhaps off on another adventure. Where would you like to go?"

"Hmm, I don't know. Anywhere with you, and the Doctor—and Scarlett. You know we're going to have to see about the Old Girl getting some more seating in the control room. Now that Spaceman is really going to have people traveling with him long-term, we need more than one jump seat."

Jacob nodded and smiled. "Good idea!" They stood in silence then, watching as the sun continued to set.

"You know, Timeboy…" As she talked, she turned in his arms to fully face him and he wrapped both his arms around her waist. "You probably could have just asked me to come out with you this evening, I might have said 'Yes.'"

"Yeah?" He smiled. "But the surprise was fun, wasn't it?"

She looked up into his eyes with a smile. "Yeah, a good surprise."

"How about this one?" He leaned in further, and they shared their first, gentle kiss.


An hour later they had made their way back to the Citadel on the transport ship and were walking through the hallway of the great building when the Doctor popped out from around a corner, a big grin on his face. "Oh, hello there!"

Donna jumped in shock, then gave him her best glare. "Oi! Spaceman! Do I need to put a bell around your neck so I know when you're coming?" She then turned to Jacob with a scowl. "You didn't even flinch!"

Jacob shrugged. "Sorry, Donna. It's a twin thing, I could feel him coming before I ever saw him."

"Oh, so you didn't warn me, then?" She batted his shoulder playfully, then turned back to the Doctor. "Okay, you have my attention, Doctor. What is it?"

The Doctor bounced between the heel and toes of his feet. "Oh, just checking to see how our little surprise went?"

Donna rolled her eyes playfully then smiled and moved to give him a hug. "It was nice, thanks Spaceman."

He smiled and winked over his shoulder at Jacob, then noticed something over his brother's shoulder, quickly releasing Donna. "Jack!"

Donna stepped away and turned quickly, "Jack?"

The three of them ran up to the Captain, who was looking rather disheveled.

Donna furrowed her brow and turned her glare on him. "It's been days since you last checked in, I was about to send out the cavalry."

"Good to know you missed me, Red. C'mere." He opened his arms and she stepped in for a hug. After a moment she stepped back and he continued, "Think we can move this conversation to the TARDIS? I could sure use a hot shower and a cup of coffee. Not necessarily in that order, and not necessarily alone." He grinned.

"How about dinner and a cup of coffee?" Donna smiled, knowing he wouldn't miss her avoidance of his offer.

"Boys?" Jack glanced at the Time Lords who both just shook their heads and chuckled as they all walked away towards the TARDIS.

The Doctor picked up the conversation as they walked. "It's good to have you back, Jack. I hope we were right to assume you were okay and just busy?"

"Yeah, Doc. Would you believe I was helping track some local wildlife?" Jack explained.

"You mean actual animal wildlife, or the kind you find in the local pub?" Donna joked.

"Hah, funny – yes, actual animals. There's a team of Teni zoologists that keep track of endangered species on the planet, and a herd of Creans had gone missing since the Dalek invasion. Thankfully, after days of tracking, hiding, and waiting, we found them out on the countryside in an area they normally don't visit." Jack continued to recount tales of animal tracking till they made it back to the TARDIS.

Once they had arrived back, Jack went off to shower. Donna offered to make dinner, and when Jacob mentioned a project he needed to get to in the workshop, the Doctor volunteered to assist him.

"Um, if you don't mind, Doctor, I'd like to work on this one on my own."

"Oh, well okay then—" The Doctor tried not to be too curious about Jacob's refusal for help, having realized his twin had been spending a lot of what little down time they had in the workshop. Instead, he decided to seize the opportunity to chat with Donna for a bit. "Donna, want some help with dinner?"

"Sure, Spaceman. You can prep, but after last time, I'm not letting you near the stove," Donna insisted.

"Oi! I didn't mean to burn your favorite oven mitt! I apologized for that!"


An hour later, the four friends sat around the small kitchen table eating dinner. Jacob mentioned Donna's idea about working with the TARDIS to add more jump seats to the control room.

"It's a fair point," the Doctor conceded. "There are actually quite a few improvements that the Old Girl could do with, particularly with the increase in passengers." He looked around at the table they sat at. "Like a larger dining table."

"The TARDIS has looked the same for as long as I've known you, Doc. What's required for her to make those sort of changes?" Jack enquired.

"Well, she didn't make many changes in my last regeneration. Typically, she makes major overhauls as a part of my regeneration cycle."

"Why not this time?" Donna asked.

I have a few theories on why that happened. As you well remember, Jack, she had just endured being ripped open by Rose."

"When Bad Wolf was created. When she brought me back to life—forever." Jack nodded solemnly.

"The Old Girl expended a great deal of energy with that experience," the Doctor continued his theorizing. "It's part of the reason it took me so long to recover from the regeneration, that and the fact that I spent so much time outside the TARDIS afterwards. So, the lack of redecorating is understandable."

"So, if it typically occurs during regeneration, how can you do it outside of that?" Jack asked.

"Theoretically," Jacob continued the Doctor's explanation. "We just need to explain to her what we'd like done. Of course, she'll take it from there and do what she wants. As you are all well aware, you can tell the Old Girl to do whatever you want—she's going to do what she sees as best."

"It does require a great deal of energy," the Doctor added as he thought through possibilities.

"Well," Donna added, "Jacob and I were just discussing the next stop for the TARDIS, once we're done on Teni—"

"And Scarlett joins us—" the Doctor interrupted with a smile.

"Yes, and that—" Donna smiled. "We've all mentioned before that a trip to Earth is in order. To see my family, let Jack get back to Torchwood, and to see what assistance we can be in recovery there. We can always let the Old Girl rest in Cardiff and soak up Rift energy. You've used Teni transports for almost three months now, Doctor, think you can handle using an Earth car for transportation for a while?"

The Doctor nudged at the food on his plate a bit as he thought. "It's been a long time since I drove a car."

"Yeah, how about Jack and I handle the driving for a bit? I don't know if I can handle letting you behind the wheel of a car after seeing how you managed in the 1920's." Donna rebutted.

"Hey, do you know how hard that car was to handle? And it was a car chase, not a fair representation of skill," Jacob argued for the Doctor, and the Doctor nodded in agreement and his own defense. Sometimes sharing memories with Jacob came in very handy—like when arguing with Donna.

"Either way, we'll find some nice abandoned car park for you two to practice in a while before you get back behind the wheel." Donna was ready to move on from the debate on Time Lord driving skills. "Besides, we don't know how long we'll be there, may not even need to worry about it."

Jacob and the Doctor looked at each other before they decided to let Donna have the last word—for now—sort of. The Doctor went back to her previous comment. "Well, you are right about one thing—the Rift is the perfect place for her to be while going through any transformative processing. It shouldn't take too long to go over with her what it is we want. Since all us Time Lords can all communicate with her on some level telepathically."

"And Time Ladies." Donna added.

"Yes, and Time Ladies. You know 'Time Lord' is just the general term for any gender of Gallifreyan, right? I'm not trying to be sexist. Next time you're looking through my memories, look up Ramona."

Donna shrugged. "Time LordhuMAN. It's all a bit sexist. But okay, Spaceman, I'll give you that one. I was just poking fun at you anyway. Besides, we all know the TARDIS likes me and Scarlett best. We ladies stick together."

"Yes, that's what I'm worried about. Who knows what the place will end up looking like after you two have a talk with her." He feigned concern, but the smile at the corner of his face told them all differently. The Doctor was thrilled to have a family and friends to share the TARDIS with again.