Noble-Temple House
Morning
Donna finished buttoning her shirt before looking at herself in the mirror, letting out a deep breathe. It was almost time. She, Jack, Mickey and Martha were going to meet up before heading to Amy and Rory's.
She didn't know she was so nervous. Well, nervous wasn't the word. Perhaps anxious summed it up better. She supposed the fact that she was about to be reunited with her best friend was finally hitting her.
Donna took a few moments more to make sure she didn't look overdressed or underdressed before she finally walked out of her room. Walking into the sitting room, she smiled as she saw Shaun sitting down, holding the sleeping Will as he watched the news.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Shaun asked as she kissed him on the cheek.
"It's best that it just be us for the moment. It'll be a bit of a shock, knowing that I remember him. The Spaceman doesn't always react well to this kind of thing," Donna said with a grimace as she remembered some of The Doctor's less stellar moments. "Next time though, I promise."
"Next time," Shaun agreed with a tight smile, hating feeling excluded from this part of her life.
As if sensing this train of thought, Donna leaned down, kissed him lightly on the cheek before smiling at him lovingly.
"It's just…there's a lot I need to talk to The Doctor about, things we all need to talk to him about. Try and understand," Donna said gently and Shaun sighed.
"I understand. Doesn't mean I like it," Shaun said begrudgingly.
"I know. But thank you," Donna said before grabbing her purse. "I'll let you know when I'll be home."
With one last kiss to both Shaun and Will, Donna headed out the door; hoping things would go well today.
Amy and Rory's house
Later that morning
"Beautiful day, isn't it?" Brian asked as he, The Doctor, Rory and Amy sat in the backyard, enjoying a late breakfast The Doctor had made.
"Right you are, Brian," The Doctor said cheerfully as he took a sip of water.
"I had my doubts, but you actually can cook Raggedy Man," Amy said in surprise.
"Where do you think all that food on the TARDIS came from?" The Doctor asked and Amy paused, realizing he had a point.
"I never really thought about it. You should come over for holidays," Amy said and The Doctor smiled.
"This was a nice idea though, just us, on my day off," Rory noted.
"Nice day, just family. If only River were here," The Doctor mused.
"Who's River?" Brian asked curiously and The Doctor looked at Amy and Rory surprised.
"You haven't told him?"
At the look that crossed their faces, The Doctor immediately understood why. It was still very difficult for them to talk about. Which he understood, he still struggled to think about Jenny or his children on Gallifrey without feeling like a Dalek was weighing down on his chest.
The Doctor's head suddenly whipped to the side, hearing something.
"Doctor? What is it?" Rory asked as they noticed the sudden change in his demeanor.
"Not sure. Stay here," The Doctor said before getting to his feet.
As the others watched him bewildered, The Doctor walked a few feet away, towards the end of the yard. He wasn't sure what had him so on edge; he had thought he'd heard something. Sensing something behind him, he whirled around as the others got to their feet, all of them staring at the intruder who had entered the yard.
"Doctor," Jack greeted politely as The Doctor stared at his friend in disbelief.
"Jack," The Doctor said after a moment, overcoming his shock. "What are you doing here?"
"Can't I come visit an old friend?" Jack said with a smirk.
"You can. But it's not really your style, is it?" The Doctor pointed out and Jack shrugged.
"Maybe I'm feeling sentimental in my old age," Jack quipped.
"Uh, Doctor? Who is this?" Rory asked as they all stared at Jack, a little bewildered.
"Jack, everyone. Amy, Rory, Brian, this is Jack. He…used to travel with me, a long time ago," The Doctor introduced.
"Why hello," Jack said as he walked over to Rory, shaking his hand as he looked at Rory with a look that made the other man uncomfortable. "And you must be Rory."
"Yes, and he is spoken for," Amy said testily, grabbing Rory's hand and yanking it out of Jack's as she glared at Jack.
"And what a lucky man he is," Jack flirted and Amy stared at him, perplexed.
"Stop it," The Doctor said in exasperation as The Ponds and Brian looked at Jack, bewildered by this strange man.
"I'm just saying hello," Jack said innocently.
"For you, that's enough. Why are you here, Jack?" The Doctor demanded and Jack shrugged.
"Heard from a little birdie that you were on earth and staying with the people you'd been traveling with. We decided we needed to see it for ourselves," Jack explained and The Doctor stiffened.
"Who is 'we' exactly?" The Doctor asked uneasily.
Standing on the front porch, Mickey and Martha were waiting as Mickey checked his watch.
"Think maybe Boss killed Jack?" Mickey joked.
"Jack is probably…being himself," Martha said with a sigh.
The door then opened up, revealing The Doctor staring at them wide eyed as, behind him, Jack smirked and Amy, Rory and Brian looked at these new arrivals curiously.
"Hey Boss," Mickey greeted happily.
"Mickey," The Doctor said, shocked for a moment before smiling. "Hello, Mickey the idiot!"
The Doctor stepped out of the house and the two men embraced, laughing heartedly as they did so.
"And Martha Jones! The girl who saved the world!" The Doctor said excitedly as he let Mickey go and turned to Martha.
"Hello, Doctor," Martha said brightly as he hugged her next. "So, about Elizabeth the First."
"Oh. Well, yes," The Doctor said uncomfortably as he let go and backed up, as if expecting to be hit while Jack and Mickey watched in amusement. "It was…not completely my fault. There was a Zygon involved."
"I'm sure, Doctor," Martha said with a laugh and The Doctor relaxed a bit. "Just try not to leave a Queen at the altar again. It's not good to have your new Companions running for their lives from royalty."
"You can say that again," Amy said as they all came outside.
"More people who used to travel with you?" Rory asked.
"Yes. Amy, Rory, this is Mickey and Martha," The Doctor made the introductions.
"Nice to meet you. Oh, um, this is my Dad," Rory said as he gestured to Brian.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Williams," Martha said politely.
"It's nice to meet you all as well. And you all used to travel with The Doctor?" Brian inquired.
"Yes, although not this Regeneration," Jack said, confusing Brian.
"Regeneration?"
"I'll explain later," The Doctor promised.
"Been a long time we were all in the same place," Mickey said wistfully.
"Since Davros," Jack agreed.
"Yeah. Except Rose, Sarah-Jane and Donna aren't here," The Doctor said, his face growing sad as he spoke the last two names.
"About that," Jack said with a smile and The Doctor looked at him confused. "I can't do anything about Rose or Sarah-Jane. But as for Donna…"
Jack looked towards the drive way and the Doctor turned his hand, all of them seeing a car that hadn't been there before. The driver's side door opened and The Doctor's hearts stopped as Donna Noble got out.
"Hi, Spaceman."
The Doctor stared at Donna in disbelief, wondering if he had finally snapped as she made her way towards him. But then the smell hit him, that familiar scent of strawberry shampoo that Donna had always used.
"Donna?" The Doctor asked lowly, realizing this wasn't a dream as Donna smiled at him lovingly.
"Doctor? Who's this?" Amy asked, feeling like she was missing something from the way that The Doctor was staring at her and The Doctor was silent for a moment, still in a state of shock.
"This is my best friend, Donna Noble. She…shouldn't remember me," The Doctor said, some of the shock clearing from his mind. "How is this possible? I wiped your mind completely."
"Does it matter?" Donna asked.
"Yes, it does! If you remember, your mind could burn and you will die! I need to do tests, I need to-"
"Spaceman," Donna gently cut off The Doctor's rambling, placing a hand on the side of his face. "Can you just trust me when I say that I'm fine? Please."
The Doctor wanted to drag her over to the TARDIS, do all sorts of test to determine that it was as she said it was. But a voice in his head that sounded suspiciously like River to calm down and listen. So, reluctantly, The Doctor nodded.
"Okay. But if I see anything wrong, I'm dragging you over to the TARDIS, kicking and screaming if I have to," The Doctor warned and Donna rolled her eyes, laughing as she did.
"You are still a dumbo," Donna said halfheartedly.
"So I have been told. It is very good to see you, Donna," The Doctor said with a smile.
"It's good to see you too," Donna said with a laugh before throwing her arms around him.
Surprised at the unexpected contact, The Doctor threw his arms around her, feeling something wet on his face and realizing he was crying.
How very human of him.
"So tell me, how is everyone?" The Doctor asked later as they all sat in Amy and Rory's sitting room. "How are the families?"
"Good, really good. They're happy, especially with Mum and Dad back together. Things calmed down a bit after I left UNIT," Martha said and The Doctor nodded.
"You worked for UNIT? How was that?" Amy asked curiously.
"It was nice; I enjoyed the work I did. But in an organization like UNIT, the more good you try to do, the more restricted it becomes. I felt stifled. So I decided to leave, especially once my engagement ended," Martha explained before smiling as she reached over, grabbing Mickey's hand. "But things work out for the best."
"So I've noticed," The Doctor said with a smile before glancing over at Donna. "And you? How's Wilf?"
"Still looking up at the stars, hoping to see you," Donna said with a laugh, which The Doctor joined with one of his own.
"Oh, that man. Never gives up, does he?" The Doctor noted fondly.
"Like someone else we know," Rory deadpanned and The Doctor shrugged.
"Speaking of family, Doctor, there was something I wanted to talk to you about," Donna said and The Doctor raised an eyebrow. "My husband, Shaun, he just found about…well, you. He wants to meet you."
"Ah, wants to make sure my intentions towards his wife are honorable, does he? Ok, I'll put his mind at ease," The Doctor shrugged.
"Why don't you all bring your families?" Rory asked, an idea occurring to him. "They've all met The Doctor, right? So it can be a sort of reunion party."
"That actually sounds like fun," Martha said after a moment.
"Yes! Brilliant idea, Rory! We can tell stories, eat and dance!" The Doctor exclaimed as he jumped to his seat.
"You and dancing? No Raggedy Man, just no," Amy said with a laugh, causing The Doctor to pout while everyone else joined Amy in laughing.
"Sounds like fun. Unfortunately, I'll have to decline. I have some things I need to take care of. But it was very nice to meet you all," Jack politely declined.
"You in trouble?" The Doctor asked and Jack smiled tightly.
"No, not me. A friend," Jack said honestly, knowing The Doctor would never suspect it was him that Jack was talking about. "Don't worry about me though, I'll be fine. I'll be back. Might pop in for another visit."
"Could you call ahead this time? Next time, one of our neighbors could call the cops," Rory warned him and Jack nodded with a laugh.
"Sure thing," Jack said before standing up. "Well, I guess it's time to go."
"I should get going too, I need to get back to Shaun," Donna said as she checked the time.
"And we should pick up Matthew from your Mum's," Mickey reminded Martha.
"Well, it was nice meeting you all," Brian said politely.
"You as well, Brian. Hope to see you next time," Martha said politely.
"And you, stop being such a stranger, Spaceman," Donna said, walking over to The Doctor and hugging him goodbye.
"No promises, Earth Girl," The Doctor joked as he returned the hug, stroking her hair lightly.
"So I guess we'll see you in a few days then," Martha noted.
"Wouldn't miss it. Until then, Martha Jones," The Doctor said with a smile as he released Donna.
"Until then, Doctor," Martha said as she walked over, lightly kissing him on the cheek.
"See ya, Boss," Mickey said as he waked over, bumping fists with The Doctor.
The Doctor merely smiled, walking his former Companions to the door and showing them out. He stood in the doorway, waving as they got in their cars and left. Once they were all gone, The Doctor looked down at his hand, opening it to reveal a red hair, which he had subtly taken from Donna's head when they had hugged goodbye.
It was time to run some tests.
And now that the reunions have happened, we'll start to get into the plot of the story. Hope the reunions were enjoyed.
Did anyone honestly expect The Doctor to just accept Donna's non-answer LOL!