[On the Run] Exit Stage Left

[nevermindtherunning]

It took three days to return back to the TARDIS, right where they had left it by the Great Wall. News hadn't arrived of the emperor, and to that, the Doctor was relieved. They were able to give a poor villager the horse and anonymously go their own way back on foot to the TARDIS.

He and Donna looked a little worn, but it was to be expected given what they had been through and their mutual determination to move as quickly as possible back to the TARDIS. Once unlocked and inside, he closed the door and placed his forehead against the cool door. Without a word, he stayed there, palm on door, just breathing slowly in and out.

And a moment later, he spun on his feet, looking up at the coral struts and the control console. It was over, wasn't it? Everything was over? They caught the time vortex and were sent back to their time, hadn't they? And now it was just Donna and himself.

"All of time and space, anywhere in the entire universe and you want to go to the beach." He offers Donna a smile as he walked up to the console, slowly pressing buttons and locking onto coordinates. "The blue moons of Xerxes VI, the most beautiful flowers you can imagine in infinite colors on Matapooshta, the longest waterfall in the galaxy is on Scwetzguld; you can't even see the bottom from the top or the top from the bottom! And you want to go to the beach." There's something endearing in his tone of voice.

Comments

[nevermindtherunning]

With a frown, he shakes his head. "Not now; not for a while." He needed to lie low for a while. Perhaps take a trip here and there, but otherwise focus on TARDIS repairs or something. He didn't know right now.

[noblexcompanion]

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks as she pulled out of the hug and settled herself back by the viewing screen to watch the storm. He could really be a stubborn git when he had made his mind up about something.

[nevermindtherunning]

After a long awkward silence and a few hours later, back to the TARDIS they went. Without saying anything he walked up to the control console and flopped on the jump seat, slouching down and propping his feet up against it.

He stared at it, lost in thought, and absently licking his lips as he struggled to say something to Donna. She was upset with him, which was completely understandable. She wanted forever, just as Rose did, but he couldn't give it to her.

[noblexcompanion]

Could he blame them for wanting forever? He swooped in and stole them away from their dull, mundane lives and showed them the stars. He made them feel special. Why would anyone want to leave that behind and go back to a normal life?

The awkwardness of it all was too much, she rocked on her feet. "I'll be in my room..."

[nevermindtherunning]

An hour or two passed when he slipped to his feet and let them carry down the hall until he stopped just outside Donna's door. He placed his hand flat on the door, and stayed like that for a moment before knocking, "Can I come in?"

Typically he would barge right in without asking, but somehow he found his manners and bothered to listen to reason for once.

[noblexcompanion]

"It's open." Inside Donna was packing her things. A long task considering a) how much she had brought along with her the first time that was still here and b) how much she had accumulated during her time with the Doctor.

She had idly considered how long she could realistically survive without food and water if she locked herself in the wardrobe. But in the end she had resigned herself to the fact that her welcome was outstayed, he didn't want or need her anymore and she was going how.

[nevermindtherunning]

He ruffles the back of his hair, as he stood and watched her. His mouth opened, beginning to offer her some assistance, but realized her frustrations at him and the circumstances, that may not be feasible at this time.

So he moves and sits on the edge of her bed, picking up a slipper and just running his fingers over the texture of the rubber bottom. "This isn't the end, you know, of us." He speaks softly, avoiding her gaze, "I can come back."

[noblexcompanion]

"Don't. Just... don't." She tried to swallow down the lump that was forming in her throat. "I'm not an idiot. I was lucky to find you a second time. A third time was a miracle. There's no forth time." Okay, so technically the third time he had come to her, but the point remained the same.

"The Doctor. Always running, never looking back." She held out her TARDIS key to him. "Here."

[nevermindtherunning]

The problem was, he did look back. Maybe not physically, but emotionally he was always reflecting on past adventures with friends and loved ones. "Keep it. You never know when you might need it. It does contain a perception filter if you ever need one."

There was something that was always attracted to her in the universe and he wanted to be sure she would be safe.

[noblexcompanion]

Well, it was hard to be the ginger goddess of the universe without attracting a little bit of unwanted attention along the way, right? Not that she was an actual goddess - although she sometimes had to wonder. Even so, she packed the key away with her belongings.

"I don't reckon there's much need for a perception filter in an office..." There's no bite to the words, just sadness. "Right then. I think that's most of it. Blimey, there's a lot. Forgot I had so much."

[nevermindtherunning]

He jumps to his feet, "Stop it! Just... stop it right there. You're acting like your life is over, like this is the final, absolute, definitive, ending with no other 'chose your own adventures'." He moves to her cupping her face in his hands, "Don't you get it, Donna? You've seen so much, and you're so brilliant, and yet you never think you're good enough for anything."

He pulls away, "There are worlds upon worlds out there, yes, but you! You are the narrator of your story! Donna, as the Ood pointed out, you have your own song! Go out there and sing it, change the melody, grasp the tone, find the crescendo, because it's not over just yet!"