Katy watched on with confusion and a touch of amusement as the Doctor argued back and forth with the strange bride who had somehow been teleported inside the TARDIS. Considering the woman seemed to think they had kidnapped her; she certainly wasn't afraid to tell them exactly what she thought. The bride didn't look to be much of a threat. Likely human, Katy thought to herself. Only a human would react so...brazen.
"Tell me where I am. I demand you tell me right now, where am I?" The bride exclaimed, at the top of her lungs.
"Inside the TARDIS" The Doctor replied, appearing just as confused as Katy felt.
"The what?" The bride frowned.
"The TARDIS" The Doctor repeated.
"The what?!" The bride cried, in disbelief.
"The TARDIS!" The Doctor snapped, growing irritated.
"Okay! How about we take it down a notch, yeah? How did you get in here?" Katy interjected, placing herself in between the two.
"Well, obviously, when you kidnapped me. Who was it? Who's paying you? Is it Nerys? Oh my God, she's finally got me back. This has got Nerys written all over it" The bride muttered, with a shake of her head.
"Who the hell is Nerys?" The Doctor questioned, having only halved listened to the woman's rambling.
"Your best friend" Donna scoffed.
"...Maybe she's a hologram" Katy whispered to the Doctor, who gave a slow nod.
"Could be" The Doctor mumbled, taking out a red bouncy ball from inside his suit.
Katy watched in disbelief as he threw the ball toward the bride, hitting her in the stomach, his brow furrowing as if he expected the ball to pass right through her. A few moments of silence followed, as even the TARDIS seemed to quieten its constant hum, not wanting to invite the newcomer's wrath. The woman placed her hands on her hips then, raising an eyebrow at the Doctor, looking as if she was about to smack him.
"You know, I don't think throwing things at her is really helping" Katy pointed out.
"Hold on, wait a minute. What are you dressed like that for?" The Doctor asked, finally noticing the wedding dress she wore.
"I'm going ten-pin bowling. Why do you think, dumbo? I was halfway up the aisle! I've been waiting all my life for this. I was just seconds away, and then you, I don't know, you drugged me or something!" She accused, as the Doctor began racing around the TARDIS, becoming concerned they might be under attack.
"I haven't done anything!" The Doctor huffed, flipping a switch on the console.
"I'm having the police on you! Me and my husband we're going to sue the living backside off ya!" She exclaimed, angrily.
"Technically, if you were halfway up the aisle, he's not actually your husband yet..." Katy trailed off when she saw the murderous look the older woman shot her.
"Now, who's not helping" The Doctor murmured.
"Seriously? You want to do this right now when she's...about the open the doors...wait!" Katy cried, watching as the bride rushed over to open the doors, revealing they were in space.
Katy walked over to the dumbfounded woman, whose jaw had dropped open, her eyes darting around as her brain tried desperately to comprehend what she was seeing. Katy's brow furrowed as she noticed the remnant of what once appeared to be a sun outside the TARDIS doors, wondering what happened to the star.
"It's a lot to take in. So, just...take a deep breath, yeah?" Katy suggested, coming to stand next to the bride.
"You're in space. Outer space. This is my spaceship. It's called the TARDIS" The Doctor explained.
"How am I breathing?" The bride inquired, inquisitively.
"The TARDIS is protecting us" The Doctor answered, walking over to stand behind the pair.
"Who are you both?" The bride asked.
"I'm the Doctor. This is Katy. You?" The Doctor replied, as the bride turned to look at him.
"Donna" She mumbled, still trying to get over the shock of the last few minutes.
"Human?" Katy questioned, as Donna raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Is that optional?" Donna huffed.
"Well, it is for us" The Doctor stated, as Donna's mouth went slack.
"You're aliens..." She trailed off, her eyes widening in shock.
"Pretty much. Not gonna' pass out, are you?" Katy frowned, as Donna clamped her lips together, and shook her head.
The three continued to watch the slowly dying sun for a few more moments, before Donna visibly shivered, more from the shock than anything else. Katy was amazed the woman was still able to function after everything she had just been told.
"...It's freezing with these doors open" Donna muttered, as Katy leaned forward to close the TARDIS doors.
"I don't understand this and I understand everything. This can't happen! There is no way a human being can lock itself onto the Tardis and transport itself inside. It must be...some sort of subatomic connection?" The Doctor suggested, racing back to the console and grabbing an ophthalmoscope.
He then used the device to look into Donna's eye, crowding into her personal space without a second thought. Katy could see the bride was losing her patience but couldn't get a word in with the Doctor's ranting.
"Something in the temporal field? Maybe something pulling you into alignment with the Chronon shell. Maybe something macro mining your DNA within the interior matrix. Maybe a genetic—" The Doctor was cut off when Donna suddenly slapped him in the face, causing him to stumble back.
"What was that for?!" The Doctor gaped, rubbing at this sore cheek.
"Get me to the church!" Donna exclaimed, in a loud voice, as the Doctor turned to Katy for some backup.
"Hey, don't look at me. I've been wanting to slap you too since I jumped here" Katy huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Right! Fine! Where is this wedding?" The Doctor questioned, twisting around to begin pulling levers on the TARDIS console.
"Saint Mary's, Hayden Road, Chiswick, London, England, Earth, the Solar System!" Donna said, in an irritated tone, before she spotted something hanging over the railing nearby.
"I knew it, acting all innocent. I'm not the first, am I? How many women have you abducted?" Donna accused, grabbing the purple blouse she had found and shoving it near the Doctor's face.
Katy's chest tightened at the way the Doctor's face dropped once his eyes landed on the shirt. It looked like the sight of it had caused his hearts to break once again, his face contorting in pain which he had been desperately trying to hide. To run from.
"That's my friend's" He mumbled, his voice thick with emotion.
"Where is she, then? Popped out for a spacewalk?" Donna scoffed.
"She's gone" The Doctor replied, his brown eyes shining with sadness.
"Gone where?" Donna insisted, as Katy reached out to grab the blouse, seeing how much Donna's words were hurting him.
"We lost her. Just drop it, alright?" Katy snapped, looking down at the clothing in her hand, surprised at how her own eyes started to well with tears.
She had only met Rose a handful of times but saying that she was gone aloud...it hurt. She could only imagine how the Doctor would be feeling. No matter how pissed at him she was for how he was treating her, she understood it. He needed someone to take it out on. And for better or for worse, she was the one that was always around.
"How do you mean, lost?" Donna pushed, as the Doctor shot her a warning look.
"What about you then? How'd you end up in here with him?" Donna asked, looking at Katy.
"...Well, he...sort of...kidnapped me...but I'm pretty much a willing volunteer now..." Katy trailed off, realising just how bad it sounded.
"How do you sort of kidnap someone?" Donna gaped.
"It's a long story. Now, don't you have a wedding to get to?" Katy pointed out, as the Doctor flipped a switch and the TARDIS started to fly through the vortex.
Donna was the first to rush out of the TARDIS as soon as they had landed, finding they were surrounded by office buildings, with no church in sight. She let out a groan when she realised they were nowhere near where she needed to be.
"I said, Saint Mary's. What sort of Martians are you? Where's this?" Donna complained.
"Oi, not all aliens are Martians, you know. That's like saying everyone from England is from London. Although, travelling with him it's starting to seem like it" Katy scoffed, as the Doctor let out an indignant sound.
"Why'd the TARDIS land here?" Katy inquired, turning to find the Doctor running his hand out the outside of his machine.
"Something's wrong with her. The TARDIS, it's like she's...recalibrating!" The Doctor realised.
"And is stroking her gonna' help?" Katy muttered, watching as the Doctor ran back inside the TARDIS.
"She's digesting. What is it? What have you eaten? What's wrong? Donna? You've really got to think. Is there anything that might've caused this? Anything you might've done? Any sort of alien contacts? I can't let you go wandering off. What if you're dangerous? I mean, have you, have you seen lights in the sky, or did you touch something like something, something different, something strange? Or something made out of metal...who're you getting married to? Are you sure he's human? He's not a bit overweight with a zip around his forehead, is he?" The Doctor asked, as Katy gave him a confused look from where she was standing in the doorway of the TARDIS.
"Did you say a zip around his forehead?" Katy frowned.
"Bit of trouble with the Slitheen last year," The Doctor told her.
"Uh...Doctor. Where's she gone?" Katy exclaimed, peeking her head out of the TARDIS to see Donna had run off.
"Donna!" The Doctor called out, spotting a flurry of white in the distance.
"Leave me alone. I just want to get married" Donna retorted, as the pair sprinted forward to catch up with her.
"Come back to the TARDIS" The Doctor suggested.
"No way. That box is too weird" Donna muttered.
"It's bigger on the inside, that's all" The Doctor shrugged, stuffing his hands inside his pockets.
"Oh! That's all? Ten past three. I'm going to miss it" Donna sighed, looking down at her watch.
"Can't you phone them? Tell them where you are" Katy suggested.
"How do I do that?" Donna questioned.
"Haven't you got a mobile?" The Doctor said, as Donna came to a sudden stop, glaring daggers at the Time Lord.
"I'm in my wedding dress. It doesn't have pockets. Who has pockets? Have you ever seen a bride with pockets? When I went to my fitting at Chez Alison, the one thing I forgot to say is give me pockets!" Donna shouted, as Katy had to bite her lip to stop herself from bursting out laughing.
"This man you're marrying. What's his name?" The Doctor queried.
"Lance" Donna replied, with a dreamy expression.
"Good luck, Lance" The Doctor mumbled.
"Oi! No stupid spaceman is going to stop me from getting married. To hell with you!" Donna retorted, grabbing the skirts of her dress and storming off.
"You know...I'm starting to like her" Katy exclaimed, as the Doctor ran a hand down his tired face, before following quickly after the bride.
After a very unsuccessful taxi ride that lasted all of two minutes because none of them had any money, Katy raced off to find the nearest cash machine. She paced around on the spot as she lined up behind an elderly couple, who were typing their PIN into the machine at a jaw-droppingly slow pace. When it was finally her time to use the ATM, she put her card into the machine only to find her account had been frozen.
"No, no, no. Ugh, you've got to be freaking kidding me" Katy cried, as the Doctor walked over to her.
"No money?" The Doctor guessed.
"Someone's blocked my account. What day is it?" Katy inquired, as the Doctor raised an eyebrow, gesturing to all the Christmas Eve sale signs in shop windows.
"Oh...yeah. I might have gone blackout drunk at the 2006 Christmas work party and...given my card to...a dog..." Katy trailed off, as the Doctor's brow furrowed.
"Doesn't matter. Look, we need money or we're about to have a very angry bride on our hands" Katy insisted, as the Doctor pulled his sonic screwdriver out of his pocket.
She watched as he used the device on the machine, and only a few seconds later, the ATM produced a wad of cash. Katy's eyes widened as she realised the Doctor was now holding at least five hundred pounds in his hands.
"Stealing, huh? I think I'm starting to rub off on you" Katy smirked, as the Doctor opened his mouth to reply when he spotted something over her shoulder.
Katy whipped around to look at what had the Doctor looking so tense, only to see a group of Santa's approaching them, all playing brass instruments. Her eyes narrowed as she heard mechanical sounds coming from their limbs every time they moved, not to mention they weren't actually bringing the instruments anywhere near their mouths.
"Thanks for nothing, aliens! I'll see you in court!" Donna yelled at the pair, who watched helplessly as she opened the door to a taxi and jumped in the back.
It was only then that Katy saw who was driving the car. A man dressed up in a Santa costume...although she was starting to wonder whether there was a man under the mask. The Doctor called after Donna, but it was already too late, as she was driven away from sight. He then turned back to the trio of Santa's who were almost upon them. Katy stumbled back a pace when the Santa's turned their instruments toward them, knowing it would mean nothing good. Thinking fast on his feet, the Doctor held his sonic screwdriver back toward the ATM, as cash started to spurt out of the machine. People were crowding around them in a matter of seconds, jumping up to catch as many of the notes as they could. Before Katy had a second to question him, the Doctor was grabbing her hand and dragging her away. He kept a tight grip on her hand all the way back to the TARDIS.
"So, what's the plan?" Katy asked, as the Doctor began jumping around the console, pressing all different buttons.
"We're going after her. I'll fly us right up to the taxi and then...well, I'll figure that out next" The Doctor announced.
"I don't think time machines are really meant to do much actual flying, you know" Katy exclaimed, as he pressed down on a lever and the rotor at the middle of the console started whirring to life.
"She'll manage" The Doctor retorted, as the TARDIS let out a groaning sound.
"I think she disagrees" Katy pointed out, as a red dot shone up on the monitor, indicating that Donna had been brought onto the motorway.
As they closed in on the taxi, sparks began to fly all over the console, as the ship lurched from the left to the right. Katy kept her grip tight on the railing behind her, hoping the Doctor knew what he was doing. She felt she gained her answer as he picked up a mallet and slammed it down on the keyboard, telling the TARDIS to behave.
"Have you put the stabilisers on?" Katy called out.
"Of course, I've put the..." The Doctor trailed off, realising that she was right.
The moment he had flipped the switches, the TARDIS stopped swerving all over the place, as Katy shot the Doctor a smug look. Before she could gloat, they had caught up with the taxi, and the hopefully unharmed bride. Katy still couldn't understand what was so important about Donna.
"Right, I'll open the doors and grab Donna. They'll try to speed up, so you need to—" The Doctor started, when Katy cut him off.
"Hold down the throttle and press down the blue switches to combine the secondary drive?" Katy suggested, walking over to the aforementioned switches when she noticed the confusion etched over the Doctor's features.
"...Oh, you gave me lessons recently" Katy shrugged, placing her hand over the throttle.
"I...showed you how to fly the TARDIS?" The Doctor questioned, as she nodded.
"I never do that" The Doctor frowned.
"Who knows, maybe in the future I'll be teaching people how to fly her" Katy smiled to herself, thinking of River Song, when she saw the Doctor still hadn't moved.
She couldn't understand why it was so shocking to him to know that in the future he was giving her lessons. Maybe he really trusted her so little. Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she began to slowly increase the throttle, as the Doctor turned around to open the TARDIS doors.
"Open the door!" The Doctor shouted, spotting Donna in the taxi opposite him.
"Do what?" Donna asked, deafened by the sound of the traffic around her.
"Open the door!" Katy yelled, just about able to see Donna over the Doctor's shoulder.
"I can't, it's locked!" Donna retorted, as the Doctor reached into his pocket to pull out his sonic screwdriver.
Katy tensed as she watched how he swayed forward, only holding onto the doorframe with one hand. If he fell forward, he'd fall right out onto the road and into oncoming traffic. She was moving forward instinctively, wanting to pull him back inside, but without her hand on the throttle, they started to slow too much. Reluctantly, she placed her hand back on the lever as the Doctor used his sonic screwdriver to unlock the taxi door.
"Santa's a robot" Donna huffed.
"Donna, open the door! You've got to jump!" The Doctor told her, as she gave him a look of disbelief.
"I'm not blinking flip jumping. I'm supposed to be getting married!" Donna retorted, as the robot accelerated, weaving through the traffic in front of them.
"We need to go faster!" The Doctor called back, as Katy nodded, flipping the blue switches at the TARDIS veered forward and they lined back up with the taxi again.
The Doctor then used his sonic screwdriver to stop the transmission to the robot, meaning it would stop accelerating. He then placed his foot in the doorway to steady himself and held out a hand, ushering for her to open the door.
"I'm not jumping on a motorway!" Donna insisted.
"Whatever that thing is, it needs you. And whatever it needs you for, it's not good! Now, come on!" The Doctor cried.
"I'm in my wedding dress!" Donna exclaimed, unable to believe what was happening to her.
"Yes, you look lovely! Come on!" The Doctor yelled, as Donna finally opened the door, looking down at the fast-moving ground beneath her.
"I can't do it" Donna cried, as the Doctor held out both his hands toward her, meaning he had nothing to hang onto.
"Doctor!" Katy exclaimed, rushing forward, figuring they wouldn't need the throttle anymore.
Just as the TARDIS veered forward and would have meant the Doctor fell out the doors, he felt an arm wrapping around his waist. Looking behind him, he saw Katy was holding onto him, her free hand gripping the doorway, keeping them steady.
"Donna, you've got to trust us!" Katy insisted.
"Is that what you said to her? Your friend? The one you lost? Did she trust you both?" Donna replied, as Katy could feel the Doctor tense up at the mention of Rose.
"Yes, she did. And she is not dead. She is so alive. Now, jump!" The Doctor announced, with tears shining in his eyes.
Sucking in a deep breath, Donna did the most frightening thing she had ever done in her whole life. She jumped. She collided with the Doctor, who's arms were quick to wrap around her as the three of them fell to the ground in a heap. With a groan, Katy kicked out her foot to shut the TARDIS doors behind them as the ship flew upwards and out of danger. Donna rolled off the pair and onto her back, pulling her wind-swept hair away from her face as they stayed where they were on the ground for a few more moments.
"Well, that could have gone a lot worse" Katy murmured, as the Doctor's lips twitched into a smile.
"Did we miss it?" The Doctor asked, as he watched Donna glance down at her watch.
"Yeah" Donna nodded, trying to put on a brave face.
Katy glanced behind her to where the TARDIS was still spewing out smoke and wouldn't be fit to fly for at least a few hours. They had only just been able to park the machine on top of a seemingly uninhabited building in the city, giving them a gorgeous view of London. But seeing as Donna had just missed her own wedding, none of it seemed to matter.
"You've still got the honeymoon. I hear a lot of the time that's better than the whole wedding thing. No annoying relatives to deal with" Katy pointed out, as Donna nodded once more, strangely quiet.
"I'm sorry you missed it" The Doctor exclaimed, as Donna let out a long sigh.
"It's not your fault" She shrugged.
"Oh? That's a change" The Doctor replied, the smile falling from his face as he seemed to think of something else.
It didn't take Katy long to realise just what that thing was. Or who it was, to be exact.
"Wish you had a time machine, then we could go back and get it right" Donna suggested.
"Even if I did, I couldn't go back on someone's personal timeline" The Doctor stated, as Donna walked forward to sit on the edge of the roof, hanging her feet off the edge of the roof.
The Doctor was about to join her when Katy's hand shot out, realising something, figuring it could be why the Doctor was so resentful toward her.
"Is that it? That's why you're so angry at me? Cause' you think I should have changed things? That I could have kept Rose with us?" Katy guessed, as the Doctor's jaw clenched.
"No" He answered, with a shake of his head.
"Then what is it?" Katy pushed.
"I'm not angry" The Doctor muttered, as Katy let out a harsh scoff.
"Oh, no. You're fine. Completely fucking fine" She stated, storming forward to join Donna where she was sitting.
"So, this Lance. He nice?" Katy asked, as Donna shivered a little on the cold rooftop.
"Well, he didn't run in the other direction. That's as good as it gets for me" Donna mumbled, as Katy let out a quiet laugh.
"Yeah. I know what that's like" She sighed, as the Doctor pulled off his jacket and placed it around Donna's shoulders, leaving him in just his white shirt and tie.
Katy realised it was the first time she had seen him in just a shirt, and for some reason, she felt her cheeks beginning to flush as he came to sit beside her. Her eyes trailed over him for a few more seconds before she pulled her gaze away before she could be caught.
"God, you're skinny. This wouldn't fit a rat" Donna exclaimed, making Katy snort.
"Oh, and you'd better put this on" The Doctor announced, pulling a gold ring out of his pocket.
"Oh, do you have to rub it in?" Donna complained, as Katy raised an eyebrow.
"Why'd you have that ring in your pocket?" She questioned, as a smirk grew on Donna's lips.
"Now, you're in trouble" She grinned.
"It was a...a gift" The Doctor stuttered.
"A gift? From a girl?" Katy pushed.
"I...didn't notice. Anyway, those creatures can trace you. This is a bio-damper. Should keep you hidden. With this ring, I thee bio-damp" The Doctor stated, sliding the ring onto Donna's finger.
"For better or for worse. So, come on then. Robot Santas, what are they for?" Donna asked.
"Ah, your basic robo scavenger. The Father Christmas stuff is just a disguise. They're trying to blend in. I met them last Christmas" The Doctor admitted.
"Why, what happened then?" Donna frowned.
"Great big spaceship hovering over London? You didn't notice?" Katy insisted, as Donna gave a slight shrug.
"I had a bit of a hangover" Donna confessed, as Katy shook her head, fondly.
"To be fair, I slept through it. Three night shifts in a row. I was out for the count" Katy told them.
"I spent Christmas Day just over there, the Powell Estate, with this...family. My friend, she had this family. Well, they were..." The Doctor trailed off, as Katy could tell the words on his lips.
They had been his family too.
"Still, gone now" The Doctor murmured, swallowing down his sadness.
"Now, it's just the two of you?" Donna asked.
"Yeah. He got stuck with me a while back. Hasn't been able to outrun me yet" Katy stated, looking down at the far drop beneath their feet.
"That's not so bad then, is it?" Donna pointed out to the Doctor.
"Question is, what do camouflaged robot mercenaries want with you? And how did you get inside the Tardis? I don't know" The Doctor sighed, taking out his sonic screwdriver and scanning the bride with the device.
"It's weird. I mean, you're not special, you're not powerful, you're not connected, you're not clever, you're not important" The Doctor exclaimed, as Donna grit her teeth.
"Jesus, Doctor. You want to be more of an asshole?" Katy complained, nudging him with her elbow.
"This friend of yours. Just before she left, did she punch you in the face? Stop bleeping me!" Donna exclaimed, slapping his hand away from her face.
"What's your job?" The Doctor inquired.
"Secretary. I'm at HC Clements. It's where I met Lance. I was temping. I mean, it was all a bit posh really. I'd spent the last two years at a double glazing firm. Well, I thought I'm never going to fit in here. And then he made me a coffee. I mean, that just doesn't happen. Nobody gets the secretaries a coffee. And Lance, he's the head of HR! He don't need to bother with me" Donna explained, as Katy's brow furrowed.
"Oh, what? Cause' he's got some big old office he can't talk to lower lifeforms? You know what, I sure as hell don't miss that about my job" Katy huffed.
But he was nice, he was funny. And it turns out he thought everyone else was really snotty too. So that's how it started, me and him. One cup of coffee. That was it" Donna smiled, thinking of her memories with her fiancé.
"When was this?" Katy questioned.
"Six months ago" Donna admitted, as Katy's eyes widened.
"Bit quick to get married" The Doctor pointed out.
"Well, he insisted" Donna told them, as the Doctor and Katy shared an amused look.
And he nagged, and he nagged me. And he just wore me down. And then finally, I just gave in" Donna went on.
"What does HC Clements do?" The Doctor asked, curiously.
"Oh, security systems. You know, entry codes, ID cards, that sort of thing. If you ask me, it's a posh name for locksmiths. Anyway, enough of my CV. Come on, it's time to face the consequences. Oh, this is going to be so shaming. You can do the explaining, E.T" Donna suggested, patting Katy on the knee.
"Sure. We'll just say you were abducted by aliens. Oh, and a robot" Katy exclaimed, as Donna rolled her eyes.
"Oh, I had this great big reception all planned. Everyone's going to be heartbroken" Donna sighed.
Katy couldn't often be rendered speechless. Not after everything she had been seen. But turning up at Donna's reception to find everyone dancing and cheering, looking like they didn't have a care in the world had caused her brain to stop working. Did her friends and family really care about her so little? Donna's gaze landed on a man with his back to them, dancing with a blonde in a blue dress, both smiling happily. She crossed her arms, looking as if she wanted to do nothing more than scream. As the three walked through the doors into the crowded party, people slowly started to spot them, until the music was suddenly switched off mid-song. The room was deadly silent for a few moments. The man Donna had been glaring at finally turned around, his eyes growing wide with shock and something Katy didn't like the look of.
"You had the reception without me?" Donna announced.
"Donna, what happened to you?" The man strolled forward, as Katy put two and two together, figuring he was likely Donna's fiancé.
"You had the reception without me?" Donna repeated, with a scowl.
"Hello. I'm the Doctor. This is Katy" The Doctor greeted, putting on an awkward smile.
"They had the reception without me!" Donna insisted.
"Yes, I gathered" The Doctor nodded.
"Well, it was all paid for. Why not?" The blonde from before suggested, as Katy stepped forward to stand beside Donna.
"I'm guessing this is Nerys?" Katy muttered, as Donna gave a curt nod.
"Well, what were we supposed to do? I got your silly little message in the end. I'm on Earth? Very funny. What the hell happened? How did you do it? I mean, what's the trick, because I'd love to know!" A middle-aged blonde woman rushed forward, as the crowd all started asking questions all at once.
It looked like the reception was about to descend into chaos when Donna started crying loudly, her shoulders shaking up and down. Lance was quick to rush forward and pull her into a hug, as Donna hid her face in the crook of his neck. She then turned around and gave Katy and the Doctor a quick wink, her plan working perfectly as the crowds began clapping the couple.
"She's definitely growing on me" Katy grinned, as the Doctor couldn't help but smile.
"So, are we gonna' mingle for a bit or..." Katy trailed off, turning around to see the Doctor already disappearing into the crowds.
"Guess I'll do it myself then. Maybe I'll start at the bar" Katy huffed.
"Another" Katy announced, holding her hand up as the bartender walked over to her with a look of horror on his face.
"That's the nineteenth shot you've had" The bartender pointed out.
"And I want to make it to twenty" Katy snapped, as the bartender shrugged, before pouring out another vodka shot for her.
Katy looked out at the crowd, soon spotting the Doctor leaning against the bar counter close by, seeming engrossed by something. She followed his gaze, finding a pretty blonde dancing with a man as he spun her around. Everywhere they looked was another reminder of Rose.
"You know what? Leave the bottle" Katy exclaimed, as the bartender shook his head, but did as she requested.
Maybe she should have left, Katy thought to herself. She could sneak out when no one was looking. It's not like the Doctor would care. Not this version of him.
"You might want to pace yourself a little" A familiar voice exclaimed, as Donna came into view.
"I'm celebrating" Katy replied, before bringing the bottle of vodka to her lips and taking a long swig.
"Well, I know you're not celebrating my wedding that never happened. So, what is it?" Donna pushed, as Katy's eyes flickered back over to the Doctor without thinking.
"...This friend of yours. Were they...?" Donna said, quirking an eyebrow.
"He loved her" Katy answered, simply, as Donna's forehead wrinkled.
"But I thought you and him were—" Donna started, as Katy cut her off.
"Nothing. We're nothing. I'm nothing to him. But whatever. It's a free bar, so...celebrating. It is a free bar, right?" Katy murmured, as Donna gave her a look of sympathy.
"What a load of crap" Donna huffed, as Katy gave her a confused look.
"I'm sorry, but how dumb are you both? I've seen the looks all bloody day. And quite frankly, I don't appreciate another couple trying to overshine me on my wedding day" Donna teased.
"Yeah, well I thought that me and him were...well, maybe one day...but I was obviously wrong. We're different people" Katy shrugged.
"I could slap him again if you want?" Donna said as Katy's eyes lit up.
"Aw, would you? That would really make my day" Katy admitted, taking another sip from the bottle.
"Take it easy, yeah?" Donna insisted, placing her hand on her shoulder and giving a small squeeze.
She was then turning on her heel and marching toward an unsuspecting Doctor. His brow furrowed as he saw the angry expression on the bride's face, not sensing the attack that was about to come. Donna slammed her pointy high-heeled foot down onto his without warning, causing the Time Lord to let out a yelp. He could hear sniggering from further down the bar, as he reached down to rub at his sore foot.
"Now, what have I done?" The Doctor complained.
"You need to get your head out of your arse! Because let me tell you, mate. You're punching above your weight" Donna accused.
"What?" The Doctor asked, completely dumbfounded.
"Look, I know you lost someone. And that hurts. But blaming that girl over there isn't helping. So, pack it in!" Donna warned, pointing her finger at him.
"...I don't blame her" The Doctor replied.
"Well, you could have fooled me" Donna scoffed.
"It's complicated" The Doctor insisted, as Donna rolled her eyes.
"Listen to me, Doctor. You've got something good there. Do us both a favour and don't lose it" Donna told him, before shaking her head and storming away.
The Doctor ran a hand through his hair as he thought over Donna's words, knowing deep down that she was right. Before he could think too much about it, a sharp cry was grabbing his attention. He twisted around to find Katy had left the bar and made her way into the crowds with a glass of champagne. The contents of which had accidentally spilt onto the back of Nerys' dress.
"Aw, I'm sorry. I didn't see you there" Katy exclaimed.
"You walked straight into me!" Nerys cried, grabbing a napkin and trying to dry off her stained dress.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Truth is...I was thinking it was time to take the trash out. So, you coming?" Katy announced as Nerys' jaw dropped open.
"You little—" Nerys began when the Doctor sprinted over, pushing himself in between the two women.
"My friend's just a little drunk. She didn't mean that" The Doctor stated.
"I bloody well did" Katy scoffed, as he grabbed onto her arm and started to pull her away before she could say anything else.
"Starting a fight at a wedding?" The Doctor mumbled, as he dragged them through the crowds.
"Oh, there it is. That's all I'm good at, huh? I'm a monster and you're a goddamn saint?" Katy retorted, shoving the Doctor away from her.
"I didn't say that" He insisted, as Katy's face contorted in anger.
"I didn't kill Rose!" Katy yelled, earning a few concerned looks from partygoers.
"I know!" The Doctor stated.
"Then stop blaming me!" Katy cried, shoving him in the chest.
She didn't give him the chance to reply, quickly turning around and rushing out of the busy room, stumbling a little as she did so. She probably shouldn't have drunk that bottle of vodka...
"Katy, wait. Wait!" The Doctor called after her, as she stormed out into the corridor.
"I'm jealous" The Doctor announced, as Katy came to a grinding halt.
"What?" She frowned, wondering if she had heard right.
"You get to see her again. I don't. Rose is gone. But not for you" The Doctor explained, as Katy slowly turned back to him.
"So...you don't hate me?" Katy exclaimed, as the Doctor's eyes softened, opening his mouth to reply.
"Santa" He gaped, confusing Katy further.
"Come again?" Katy asked, as the Doctor grabbed her shoulders, turning her to look out of the window toward the courtyard.
Katy's eyes almost popped out of her head as she saw one of the robot Santa's marching toward the building, a large trumpet in their hands. The damper hadn't worked. And now they were all in danger.
"Get Donna. I'll try to find a way out" Katy told him, as the Doctor nodded, rushing back into the reception.
Katy rushed around the building, trying desperately to find any exit, but everywhere she turned there were the robots. They had them completely surrounded. With nowhere left to turn, Katy returned to the reception, finding the Doctor and Donna herding people away from the large Christmas tree near the windows, warning everyone that they were dangerous.
"Oh, for God's sake. The man's an idiot. What harms a Christmas tree gonna'..." Donna's mother trailed off, as the baubles from the tree began to float in the air.
"Doctor?" Katy called out to him.
"Get down!" The Doctor yelled, racing toward her as the first bauble launched itself into the crowd, exploding on impact.
The Doctor wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her to the floor just as a bauble whizzed right past them. The pair clung onto each other as the room fell into chaos, fire and explosions spreading all over the room, followed by more panicked screaming. The Doctor pulled them behind an overturned table, shielding Katy with his own body as a bauble exploded on the other side of the table, causing wood to splinter in their direction. He kept his arms wrapped around her, peeking out from behind the table, glad to find Donna had also found some shelter from the explosions. His gaze landed on the DJ decks not far away, figuring he could make it to them if he was quick.
"Stay here" The Doctor exclaimed before he rushed out from behind the table, staying low to the ground.
"Doctor!" Katy cried, jumping to her feet, ready to chase after him.
Suddenly, the air grew thick all around her, and a gust of wind had her lurching forward. She would have fallen to her knees if an arm hadn't reached out to grab her, holding her upright. Katy blinked a few times as she realised her surroundings had changed and she was now outside, sunlight almost blinding her for a moment. Had she jumped again so quickly? No. The buildings around her all had tinsel and lights still up in the windows. It was still the same day, but she had...moved?
"You're welcome" A voice exclaimed, as the arm around her waist tightened.
She looked up to find the last person she had expected, wearing a smug smirk, looking far too happy with himself.
Harold Saxon.