Chapter 6: The Bringing of The Storm

A/N: School's coming out soon, so I'll try my best to keep up with the story. Sorry about the long wait. Disclaimer's in the first five chapters. Hope you enjoy it!


The next day Donna sat in a mom and pop diner with her grandfather, treating him to lunch. The two sat opposite to each other in a tiny booth. Donna's phone began to ring, causing her to excuse herself and answer it, leaving her Gramps by himself. "Hello?"

"Oh – um, hello. This is… this is… Britain's Long Life Health Centre. We were wondering if –"

Donna puffed. The Scottish woman's voice on the other end wasn't a very convincing telemarketer.

"Listen you! I don't care what you're selling, I'm not interested!" Donna angrily hung up. She turned around to see Gramps talking with a man when her phone rang once more. "Hello?"

"Yes, hello, I'm Thomas Thatcher. I represent Door and Windows –"The male voice began before interrupted.

"I just dealt with a person like you. Don't you dare call this number ever again!" Donna had to force herself from shouting and causing attention to herself. Hanging up the phone, the man was still there with Gramps. Once again, her phone rang. She picked it up and I an angry voice, began, "Listen! If I have to hear about something you're trying to sell, so help me I will –" whoever was on the other line hung up, probably too scared of her. Donna looked at her phone for a moment. How could they call so simultaneously like that? She looked through her call history only to find they were unlisted numbers.

"He wasn't kidding about her having a temper." Rory leaned against the console, surprised.

"And yet she was one of his closest friends." Amy did the same.

"The Doctor said she's a feisty one." River shrugged.

Returning, she sat down and looked up at the elderly man at the table. "Are you alright?"

Wilf Mott's face appeared saddened. Just a moment ago he was all too happy to be spending some time with his dear Donna, but now, it was almost as if she had left him alone for too long. The phone calls didn't take much time – it wasn't like she had left for half an hour. "Gramps?"

Wilf pulled himself together. "I'm just fine." He picked at his food. "How've you been feeling lately dear?" he hoped she was doing well.

"Good, I'm very good." Donna wasn't sure where this was coming from all of a sudden. "What's gotten into you? You were happy just a moment ago."

Wilf sighed and ate a bit of his food. He wasn't sure what to say. He couldn't tell her what had just happened – it wouldn't make much sense. "Donna, I want you to be careful of people you meet. You never know who's out there."

Donna's face shifted to one between worried and amused. "Gramps, I'm a grown woman. I know how to take care of myself."

"I know, I know. I'm just a worrisome old man."

Donna couldn't help but get the feeling it was due to the man who sat at the table with him. What did he tell Gramps? Was it something about one of his old friends? Was it something about a medical condition?

Donna entered the coffee shop close to her office when she spotted a familiar face. Jack dug through all his pockets, digging out what change he could find in them to pay for his coffee. Donna smirked; the roles were reversed as it seemed. She came up behind him and placed a bill on the counter. As the cashier took it, she peered up to him. "Looks like you need a bit of help there."

Jack smiled sheepishly. "I'll pay you back after, prom –"

"It's fine. Consider it a treat. After all, you did help me before." She reminded him.

Jack took his coffee once it came and handed Donna the change. "Want to grab a seat with me?"

Donna opened her mouth to protest, but closed it just as quickly. What were a few minutes with him going to do? She was on her lunch break, and it wasn't like she was expected to be anywhere for a half hour. "Yeah."

They took a seat next to a window, sitting on opposite sides of the table.

"So, what brought you back here?" Donna asked. Sure, he was a lawyer and he did cases all around, but why this place? There were many places to stop in for a coffee.

Jack shrugged, cradling the cup in his hands. "Thought I'd pop by and see if you were here before I went to settle a case." He replied. He had almost forgotten about the lawyer career.

Donna felt her stomach flutter for a moment. "So you wanted to be the damsel this time?"

Jack chuckled. "I didn't plan on it."

Donna raised her eyebrow. "That's why you've been here four of seven days this week?"

"What can I say? I'm attracted to you Donna."

Inside the TARDIS, The Doctor sat himself upon the seat, thinking to himself. I told him not to talk to her. To leave it as it is. But he just had to go and stir up trouble. Oh, this isn't going to end well. He supported his head with his hand. It's not like I don't want to talk to her. I wish I could, really, but I can't risk her life for my happiness. Oh, Donna! Why did it have to happen to you? Why was it you who was in the TARDIS when it was thrown into the fire?

The memory hit him hard; it was a painful one, one that haunted him whenever it came up. Usually he tried to push it back, to suppress it before it could bring unwanted feelings. However, there were days when he wondered if he did the right thing. If he did what was best for her. If because she had a Time Lord mind she would soon develop the body to go with it, to regenerate, to have her memories back.

The things she did and the people she saved. She didn't deserve her fate, but what could he do? Let her burn? Suffer? No! Especially since she was a friend! There were already people who had felt pain by his hands and he wasn't about to let them be stained with Donna Noble – the most important woman in the Universe.

As he sat contemplating, River, Amy, and Rory watched him from the other side of the room. They were well aware of what was going on and weren't exactly sure how to handle this.

"He's just looking for love. If she didn't remember who he was while he was in the house then she might not remember this Jack." Amy folded her arms.

"Yes, but she remembered the Master guy. He said she fainted because it almost burned her." Rory countered.

Amy thought about it for a moment. "What if she remembers only the villains? What if maybe she could reunite with her friends and be alright?"

River piped up. "It's too much of a risk. They still might bring up memories. Little things can trigger it and cause her to be in pain."

Amy sighed. "As much as the Doctor's in right now?"

The three adverted their eyes to their friend. He hadn't budged in a while, and he seemed to be lost in his thoughts. The pained expression meant they weren't very good ones.

"Much more." River replied.

The Doctor took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Donna, please be safe. Wherever you are.