This story is based on a suggestion from TKelParis: Oh, how about using that awful ending for the 2014 Christmas special for good Doctor/Donna use? Maybe Donna wishes she could undo her no, and Santa gives her the chance?

Sleep wouldn't come for Donna Noble the night after the Doctor left. Her stomach was full from dinner, but it was unsettled, and her mind wouldn't stop replaying the day's events. She remembered waking up that morning and feeling so excited for what was supposed to be the best day of her life, and now all she could do was see Lance's face as he admitted to poisoning her and openly mocked her for being stupid enough to fall into his trap. She had loved him. Loved him. Wanted to marry him, make him a part of her family forever, bear his children, and grow old together. She'd never had good taste in men, but she had thought he was different. The realization of what he had done hit her all over again and she wanted to cry. She didn't, though. She had done enough of that earlier, after she had lied to her parents about what had happened out of public view. She'd told them that Lance had left her, and it was true, but it was so much worse than that.

Despite the tragedy and loss of the day, there was one bright spot. The alien man she'd met. The Doctor. She supposed she could add abducted by aliens to her journal entry for the day if she ever got around to doing it. Well, an alien. And he hadn't really abducted her, but still. She'd ended up in his spaceship, and that was close enough for her. Never mind that he looked like an ordinary human man and spoke perfect English. He even wore Converse.

He'd saved the day and rescued Donna from the giant Racnoss spider, all while acting like it was part of a normal day's work. Maybe it was for him. She'd certainly got that impression. But he had made her laugh despite everything and had offered her comfort on one of the worst days of her life.

She still wore the ring he'd put on her finger, and she played with it as she lied there, twisting it around. At least someone had given her a ring today. The look on his face when he'd slipped it onto her finger had nearly melted her heart then and there. That was how she wanted her future husband to look at her when they got married. Not with contempt or resignation to an unwanted fate, but with warmth and love reflected in kind eyes.

She'd been stupid enough to turn down his offer to go with him, but that was the theme of the day, wasn't it? Donna Noble is stupid and undesirable, so let's all point and laugh at her. How dare she think someone actually loves her and wants to marry her. Even the Doctor had said so. His voice was on repeat in her head along with Lance's, saying, "...you're not special, you're not powerful, you're not connected, you're not clever, you're not important". Of course she wasn't, but she was still a person, and her heart had been ripped out and torn to shreds.

She blinked away tears, wondering how she had any left to cry by this point. She couldn't even go to her parents for support because they would never believe her. Gramps might, but he was sick and didn't need any extra stress right now. She just needed someone, anyone to listen and make things better.

How many humans get the chance to travel the universe with their own alien tour guide? It was like that book she'd read long ago. And the Doctor had said some mean things, but he'd also said nice things. He'd been funny and warm, and had shown her great kindness. The darkness in him when she'd had to stop him had scared her, but it had also made her realize that he needed someone. Why hadn't she said yes?

She rolled over, fluffing her too-warm pillow. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths. She needed to sleep. Sleep would help her feel better. Tomorrow would be a new day.

She had almost managed to drift off when she heard the sound of bells from outside. Curious, she crawled out of bed and looked out her bedroom window. Surely carolers weren't still out this late.

What she saw probably would have shocked her if she hadn't seen so much else already that day. "Santa Claus?" she whispered, and despite her low voice, the jolly bearded man in red turned to face her, gesturing for her to open her window.

She did so at once, not even stopping to think of the risk that he could be a thief dressed in a disguise. "Santa?" she repeated.

"Donna Noble!" His voice was exactly as she expected from Father Christmas. "What's got you so upset? I was out delivering presents when I heard your mournful call. I've got a schedule to keep, you know."

Donna looked him up and down, taking in the coat and boots as disbelief sat in. Maybe this was Nerys' trick, and she'd forgotten to cancel it. "What?"

He pulled a little book out of his pocket and flipped through it. "Oh, you only believed until you were seven, my dear. Always asked for blonde hair. I could bring you the toys and books you asked for, but hair is not my jurisdiction."

Donna self-consciously touched her hair, twirling a few strands between her fingers. She remembered that. Every year, she had asked Santa to make her blonde so the kids at school would stop calling her names. "I don't- What are you doing here?"

"Like I said, I heard your soul call out for help. I bring happiness and joy to people with my presents, and I don't like to hear of anyone being sad on Christmas. Even the oldest people were children once, and the children I care for always matter to me. So tell me, Donna. What's wrong?"

Donna took a deep breath. This was crazy, but so was everything else that had happened to her today. "I was supposed to get married today," she said, and explained what had happened. She slowed once she got to the part about the Doctor. "The man who saved me, he was… Well, he was an alien from outer space. I was in his spaceship and everything. I really want to find him because he asked me to go with him and I said no, but I should have said yes. I miss him already, and I need to find him. But how do you find an alien with a spaceship that also travels through time? He could be anywhere!"

Santa grinned at her, holding his belly as he laughed. "Ho ho ho! I know this Doctor you speak of, and I know just where to find him. Why don't you climb aboard my sleigh and I'll take you right to him?"

"Really?" Donna couldn't hold back an answering smile as hope filled her. Maybe today wasn't completely ruined. "Just give me a minute to pack some bags," she said, and disappeared back into her room.

She scrambled to pack her suitcases, wondering what she needed. They could go anywhere or anywhen. A thrill ran through her at that thought. How could she prepare for a trip without knowing the destination? She did the best she could, tossing clothes into bags. Hot weather, cold weather, no weather. Could a place have no weather? Maybe. She even included a few hats, and plenty of shoes.

That done, she dragged her bags next to the window and grinned joyfully at what she saw outside. Santa Claus sat in his sleigh, three reindeer eagerly prancing as they waited for her. Rudolph had a shiny red nose just like the movies and songs said. She tossed her bags out of the window one by one and then crawled out after them.

She made her way to the sleigh, looking at it in awe. "It's beautiful!"

"Why, thank you." Santa smiled as he stepped down to help her with her bags. Eventually, they got them all loaded up, and he offered Donna a hand to get in. She sat on the front seat, holding on as Santa got in and prepared them for flight.

The reindeer lifted the sleigh into the air with a jolt, and she held on tightly as they bounced along. The ride smoothed out as they gained altitude, and then they were sailing through the air. She couldn't help but grin as her hair fluttered behind them in the wind. She was actually flying with Santa Claus! She laughed, joyfully whooping as they soared across the nighttime sky.

They flight didn't last long, and soon they were landing in an alley in another part of London. Donna looked around, puzzled. "He's still in London?"

"Oh, yes. He loves this place," Santa explained. He slid out of the sleigh and then helped her down. "His TARDIS is just around that corner. Let's go."

Donna followed Santa, and just as he said, the Doctor's blue police box was parked next to a rubbish bin. Santa knocked on the door. It took a few minutes, but the Doctor eventually came to answer it.

He looked back and forth between them as if he couldn't believe his eyes. "Donna? Jeff?"

"Jeff?" Donna repeated, looking at Santa.

"Well, you know..." Santa said, and shrugged.

"But what are you doing here?" the Doctor asked, looking at Donna.

"I wanted to find you. I hope it's not too late to change my mind," she explained. "I'd really like to come with you. I packed my bags and everything, and Santa helped me find you."

The puzzled look on the Doctor's face faded and was soon replaced by a soft smile. "'Course it's not too late."

"Really?" she asked.

"Really," he confirmed. "Welcome aboard."

Donna laughed and flung herself at him for a hug, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. He pulled her against him, his arms around her waist as he held her. "Thank you," she said, softly, and he hugged her even tighter.

When they broke apart, she turned to thank Santa for his help, but he wasn't there anymore. She hurried back around the corner to find his sleigh gone without so much as a sound. Her bags sat in a pile where it used to be, with two tangerines placed on top.

The Doctor came to stand beside her and put his hand on her shoulder. "He does that. Thinks everyone likes tangerines."

"But I wanted to thank him," she said, softly.

"He knows," the Doctor assured her. "Believe me, he knows. Now, let's get your bags inside before it rains."

Donna watched the Doctor for a long moment as as he began picking up her bags. She didn't know what was going to happen tomorrow, but her future suddenly felt bright with endless possibilities. She knew she was going to have a wonderful life with this alien man. With one last glance at the sky above, she moved to help him with her things.