Nine watched her waiting for her to answer. He had shared the darkness within him, at least some of it and she hadn't run from him. She was still by his side, and he knew before he said it that he didn't want to watch her die.

He understood time lines, understood some things are fixed and her death was, but he also knew he had no intention of letting it happen. If she didn't run away with him, if she was too strong- and he suspected that she was- then he would find a way to stand in her place.

He knew what could happen, but she wasn't just any little human. She was special. She was theirs.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Doctor," she told him so softly it hurt him.

So brave, he knew. "You are so young, you don't understand."

At this point he wasn't even trying to convince her, it had been a last attempt anyway. He had expected a no, because the universe wouldn't be worthy of her if she had said yes.

She let out a low long sigh that it occurred to him might be a sign of danger. He looked over at her and wondered aloud, "When did young become an insult?"

She met his gaze, "When you meant it as one, Dumbo."

Dumbo? He knew that he should feel ruffled but she said it with so much tenderness it could have been just another term of endearment that humans are so fond of. In fact he was very calm in the face of the insult that wasn't one. He thought she might be more upset about him calling her young than he was about being called a dumbo.

What was the universe coming to?

A warm smile graced her features for a short moment, and then faded away. She looked at him now with a seriousness that defied her age.

"I don't understand you're right." She swallowed here. "But I know something is coming, and that it can't be stopped. I don't understand why or how, but if it could be you all would do it, right? Not run away. I don't….I don't want to die, or watch others die, but sometimes we just have to be strong."

He felt tears in his eyes. He wouldn't cry, but he was fighting it. Looking at her now he was slapped with another reminder. Often, especially with all he had seen lately, he thought the universe was more bad than good. It was full of selfish, weak species that were only looking out for themselves, but here she was.

Scared he could tell, even if she tried not to show it, but so willing to stand up and do what had to be done. He knew there was a reason he loved humans.

He reached out to touch her cheek gently, and then he felt a sudden spark and she moved away quickly. She was rubbing her head and he moved closer, fearing that he had caused another experience for her with Time Lines.

He had his suspicions of how that was even possible, and he had heard the story about this Donna Noble from the other two.

Either Emily had developed latent Time Lord abilities from her mother or somebody- a certain pretty boy from his future- had done something stupid. And in doing so he had given them such a gift, one they were going to have watch end.

He touched her gently, and when she didn't recoil he asked, "What did you see, love?"

She looked up, tears in those pretty eyes, and he thought if she had just been forced to watch her own timeline end he might lose it. Either she realized that or she was being honest, for she said, "Nothing. I'm all right."

He wanted to ask her more, but the TARDIS started shaking around them, and the lights went out. He reached out to her, and she took his hand, but she wasn't being idol. She was dragging him to the door as well as if she could see, and he heard her mumble something about her mother.

He wondered if he should stop her, he was meant to be distracting her after all, but her tug was insistent and he didn't think she would stop for anything.

They reached the med- bay in the low lighting of the emergency lights, and he wondered how she found it so efficiently. She pulled the door open to reveal a room full of glowing light.

He held her at the door way, wrapping her in his arms and she didn't try to fight him. She laid her head over his hearts but made sure she was watching. She trembled just slightly and he rubbed her back as they waited.

After what wasn't, but felt like forever, the glowing stopped. Lying on the bed he saw the figure of Donna Noble, unmoving for a moment before he heard an inhale.

She sat up, and looked around the room.

Nine noticed how she looked like a younger version of the woman he had met not too long ago. Probably more like the woman that used to travel with the other Doctor. Ten, he thought he had heard in passing.

Ten was looking at her, and moved forward.

"Donna?"

She looked at him, and smiled and then frowned. When he got close enough he heard her let out a sigh, and then she slapped him.

Nine looked down at the hair of the girl he was still holding. He knew that he was right to be cautious before.

"Doctor," Donna told him, still looking around the room. "What the hell is going on?"

The Doctor rubbed his face, but he was beaming. "You remember, Donna."

She slipped her legs over the bed, and nodded, "No thanks to you, Dumbo."

There it was, definitely a term of endearment despite the hard tone. Ten looked at her only, like she was the only one in the room. "I've missed you, Donna."

She didn't seem impressed by his declaration, "If you hadn't wiped my mind you wouldn't have to miss me."

He nodded seriously before turning to the doorway, "Emily, come here."

Nine released her and she walked over to the Doctor. When Donna saw her she leapt up and wrapped her daughter in a hug. Nine thought she might smother the girl, but he could see a faint smile from Emily.

"If I hadn't done that, you wouldn't have her," Ten said softly.

When Donna released Emily she looked at Ten, and bit her lip. She tucked hair behind Emily's ear, and finally smiled at Ten. "It was so worth it then. A million times over, now come on. Fill me in. Who are these people, and what's going on?"