Forgotten Fantasies
Words: 328
A belated Christmas chapter! Italics are flashbacks.
"Are you sure you're not coming with me?" Donna asked, just barely over the TARDIS threshold.
"Yes," the Doctor nodded. "Go. Be with your family."
"What about you?" she wondered as pity entered her eyes.
"What about me?"
"What are you going to do?" she put her hands on his shoulders. "Where are you going?"
"I'll be here," he answered, gesturing to the TARDIS. "Me and the old girl, just spinning in the Time Vortex. We'll pick you up when you're done here."
"No one should be alone on Christmas," Donna protested. The TARDIS glowed. "Even if you and the TARDIS are together. You need someone."
"Come on, Doctor!" Rose grinned, tongue sticking out from between her teeth. "We're going to be late!"
"We can't be late, we have a time machine!" he replied, running around the console, simultaneously pressing buttons, tying his tie, and buttoning his tuxedo.
"Tell that to my mother, then," she laughed as the ship landed, running up to him and taking his hand. "Come on!"
"I have you," Donna blushed at the words.
"Then come with me," she beckoned. "Mum won't mind. You know Granddad won't."
"Rose, you know I'm not a family man," the Doctor twitched as she ran the doorbell.
"Today you are, Doctor," Rose put her hand through his. "Today you are."
"I . . ."
"Come on."
"I don't want to intrude," he looked doubtful.
"You won't!" Donna nodded decisively. "Come on, grab the presents. There's a spot for the TARDIS in the room, too!"
The Doctor stared after her retreating back, then squared his shoulders, smiled, and went to follow her instructions.
"What do you want for Christmas?" Rose asked excitedly.
"I don't know, something nice, I guess," he shrugged.
"We all want something nice," she agreed. "But what about something specific?"
"I have all I need right here."
Rose's mad giggle turned into a shriek of laughter as he attempted to tickle her into the next year.