Chapter Text
It had all started when that Queen Elizabeth documentary had played. And his own mouth got ahead of himself. God, he realized he did it a lot. Especially now in front of the tv.
“You met Queen Elizabeth”, Donna asked. “You’re just saying that. Like the Sherlock Holmes movies. Running around saying you battled Moriarty better.” She challenged.
“I did, and don’t get me started at that. I’m still not through giving you my thoughts on the sequel, or that tv series with doctor strange.” He sassed, pouting.
“Okay we both don’t need another night spent sitting on the couch. Debating again. I still remember Kate scolding me the next morning. I had run rigid.” Shivering. “Your just irked because you think they are based on you.”
“Well not wrong. I really… never mind. Agreed to disagree right you called it.” Waving it off. He can just win that argument later. “Anyway, we were talking about Queen Elizabeth. Weren’t we, and first off, we both traveled in time. And met Agatha Christie, you even been in Pompeii. And it’s been 15 years since we met each other again. How are you calling bull on Queen Elizabeth?”
“Because you like to embellish a lot. Even this face does it a lot. You remember game night? And the pounding I gave you afterwards.” She smirked, happy that reigning game champ title was intact. Giggling when the doctor rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, yeah, no stopping time, you’re the champ. All bow Queen Donna Lord of Games. Bowing. How can I forget? You talk about nights spent up in the house. You gave me a good scolding; you kept refreshing the board every time you thought I screwed up. Thinking I was cheating!”
“And don’t you forget it! Every time you think about touching that device kiddo.” Sticking her tongue out. She teased. Definition of a sore loser. Pulling out a loser sign at him. Only to get popcorn thrown in her face.
“And you’re a sassy gloater. Who loves throwing names, and dancing at our ashes.” Sighing. “Keep gloating, and I will go for that crown, and you won’t get it back.” With what was an evil smile, the doctor was convinced. Sometimes Sylvia and her were so similar, but the doctor particularly chose to kept that to himself.
“Okay, okay, we are getting off topic. Let’s put away the hostile threats.” She teased. “Can you learn all the games in the entire world?” “Oi, give me enough time to, and I will. Don’t forget I’m retired. Donna, I’m the man with plenty of time to learn. Let’s leave it at that. Before Shawn confronts you about why you decided to go and do that.”
“Shawn, I’m not afraid of him. He knows not to tempt me, when I get going.” “Sylvia?” And that made Donna choke on her drink. “Okay, okay I back down. I got enough scolding's from her, no reason to go nuclear now.”
Finally want to get back to Queen Elizabeth? He gloated, that earned him some popcorn in return. Worth it, and edible. He thought. With all the talking, he didn’t think his next words through before they are slipping out his mouth. “How about that I married her.” He grinned.
That earned him. A loud, you married her. “You got to be bulling me now, Brainbox. You’re embellishing after all.” “No really, I did marry her, along with two other regenerations it was like an anniversary special. There was Zygons, and a whole adventure. You got my memories, don’t you.”
Right. I still can’t believe that I have some of you still in me. I did not mean that to be so sexual. She gags. She did it, and it was almost as easy as remembering something she did. But harder too. Like a remembering something she wasn’t paying attention to. Was that car red. It’s easy to come to, but to recall it. Was hard for her mortal mind. Not fatal she was glad. Relived actually...
A breath she wasn’t realizing she was holding. Was free, for 15 years, she wasn’t realizing she had held in. The doctor, and her had been testing her mind, ever since the doctor finally got nosy about it. And confessed, he had heard.
It did, not take such a long time this time. Once she seen both bowtie, and grandad together. The dam broke, and the picture was clearer to remember.
She realized she felt something soft and saw that she was laying against the cushions of the couch. The doctor’s protectiveness over her. “I’m okay” she said. “Just exhausted, not going to die remember.” “Good. Good” he said. The same song, and dance before. Donna supposed.
It was always going to be a tough spot for him. Not that Donna blamed him, she still had it as a tough spot for herself. She barely caught the end of what the doctor said. “Uh yeah. I did. I see your little eloping.” Attempted to joke, put it back on track. “Eloping that definingly sums Elizabeth up.” A fond look came to the doctor’s face. Disrupting the storm.
Then a lightbulb went off in her head. “What if we can see her again? You can go back, and see her again?” Only for confusion to stare back at her. “I’m sorry what? Did your brain choke on those delicious treats we’re eating?
“No, you twit. Or did you conveniently forget that you have a Tardis?” Raising an eyebrow. That seems to get him to realize what she’s implying. Quite literally, as the doctor chokes on his drink. “We…” cough, cough. “Can’t...” cough.
“Why, we both know you wish you could. Or is it about running into her older with Martha. And she tried to take your head off?” “No… The other me! He said I had to take a break, from all adventuring. And we can’t break the future, can we?
“Try harder, Spaceman. We both know that your future self. Made me the deputy to your retirement, and if I say so. Then it’s okay. We can go, so try a little harder?!” She pushed. Grabbing his hand.
Sighing, letting a breath out the doctor didn’t know he was holding. “I don’t want to lose her too.” At Donna’s confusion now. “That her. I know the future her I saw with Martha hates me. The one I so eloquently tying that knot with. Hates me, like her.” He didn’t realize Donna shuffled closer.
“Oh doctor, but don’t you realize if you don’t then you deserve that her to hate you. You can’t be afraid, that you keep running from the possibility it will only hurt. You must get up and face it. Realize it won’t hurt one day. That’s what therapy is.”
“You’re not gonna give me a chance to, are you?” at the look in Donna’s eyes. “Bollocks sometimes you know my mind a little too well with those memories you know?”
“I know.” She playfully smacks him. “It’s the how to understand the doctor manual. Quite handy, isn’t it. I wouldn’t advise to leave home without it.” “Funny, shouldn’t you say I should have a manual for you? For how long I…” Gulping. “Anyway, we should go take the trip, before morning hit’s the fam. And I lose my nerve again.”