Far Better Things (2/2)
Title: Far Better Things (2/2)
Characters: Donna, Wilf, and the Doctor. Highlight to see full list. The Doctor (10 and 11), Donna, Wilf, the Master, and the Time Lord Council
Summary: After the best of times comes the worst of times. Or, the Doctor's actions may have farther reaching consequences for his companions than he realizes. Especially when the Master's involved.
Rating: PG-13 (there is blood, but nothing incredibly graphic)
Timey-Wimey Factor/Spoilers: Spoilers for the End of Time (parts one and two). This isn’t the theory of what might happen, but it’s a theory. I didn't solve the episode, just a part of it.
Notes: I had a write a fic to get End of Time Part Two off my mind and here it is. A very special thanks to time_converges for a completely fantastic beta.
More Notes: This was too long to put into one post so I split it. The first part is here.
By the time the smoke from the gun dissipated the Master was already standing innocently beside the guards, grinning triumphantly. His hands were still glowing and the smirk on his face grew wider as he gazed at the scene he had created. “Now this is fun,” he declared.
Donna stumbled and she opened her mouth to speak but simply gasped, looking down at her chest in shock. “Doctor,” she whimpered, then her knees buckled and she sank to the floor.
The Doctor caught her as she fell, glaring at the Master as he held his injured companion to his chest. “What were you thinking?” he shouted. “She’s done nothing to you!”
“Very fun,” the Master amended, and crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the wall.
“Donna,” Wilf said softly, and his eyes widened as he realized what had just happened. “Oh, my baby girl. What have I done?” He dropped his pistol to the ground and rushed over to where the Doctor was cradling Donna in his arms. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“I know,” Donna whispered. “It’s okay, Gramps, I know.” The Doctor motioned for Wilf to hold her and quickly pulled her shirt down. Donna squealed indignantly but he ignored her protests, pushing her hand away as she tried to cover herself. “Get off!”
“Sorry, but I just need to see....”
“You’ve seen enough,” she snapped weakly. “Stop feeling me up and fix me already.”
The Doctor just smiled and slid her top over a bit further, revealing a wound far too close to her heart. “Oh, Donna....” He pressed on her skin as gently as possible and his grin instantly dissipated. “Pulmonary artery,” he sighed. “I can’t perform surgery or get you to a hospital without the TARDIS, and they won’t release it until they’ve completed the sentence.”
“It’s all right,” she murmured. “It could be worse, you know. I could have died the way I was.” She winked, gesturing absently to her head. “That would have been rubbish.”
The Doctor grinned. “Little bit, yeah,” he agreed, and Wilf saw him wipe a tear from his eyes.
“Remove this woman from the Council,” a voice suddenly boomed. “She has no place here.”
Wilf saw the immediate change in the Doctor’s features. “No more,” he said darkly, and before Wilf could ask what he meant he stood and approached the Council. “‘This woman’ saved Gallifrey,” he announced. The Council erupted into shouts of protest and indignation, but the Doctor continued over them. “She was instrumental in stopping the plot of Davros, which would have ended all of civilization, even Time Lords. The dalek plan would have prevented your return had it not been stopped. You owe your continued survival to ‘this woman’, and as such she deserves the full rights of the Time Lords.”
“She has no rights,” one of the Council declared, and those around him agreed. “She is a human, not ours to deal with. We do not interfere in the natural course of human events.”
“This is hardly the natural course,” the Doctor argued. He pointed to the Master, whose grin immediately vanished. “I beg the Council to reconsider. The Master is responsible for this woman’s injuries, and as such should be punished. That also makes the Council responsible, as it was unable to prevent the Master’s actions. The Council has no choice but to comply.”
“You will not speak to the Council in that manner,” the President ordered.
The Doctor bowed his head. “Apologies, Sir President, but the woman is dying. The time to act is now. She must be saved, or else the Council contradicts its own regulations.” He took a deep breath then stepped forward. “If necessary, she can have one of my regenerations.”
“No....” Donna tried to sit up but she was too weak and she looked up at Wilf, tears running down her cheeks. “Granddad, you can’t let him. Please,” she breathed. “Don’t let him do it.”
“There is no other way in which the law can be satisfied,” the Doctor continued, ignoring his friend’s protests. “She is dying as a direct result of my actions. I should be held responsible, and if necessary will give up a regeneration to right the situation.” The President stared at him angrily and he swallowed. “Take them all,” he offered. “Take my remaining regenerations. I will relinquish the TARDIS as well if this will affect the Council’s decision.”
“Doctor, no,” Donna begged. He turned to face her and his hearts constricted at the sight of his friend in pain. She was lying in Wilf’s arms, blood already forming a pool around her. The entire front of her shirt had changed from purple to red and Wilf was holding his hand over her heart in a futile attempt to slow the bleeding. She stared at him intently despite her condition, reaching a hand toward him. “You can’t do this,” she insisted weakly. “I won’t let you save me, you stupid Martian, not this time.”
“And I won’t let you die,” he said sharply, turning away from her. “I offer my lives in exchange for her human existence. This will fulfill your punishment and right the timelines.”
Donna sobbed, pleading with the Doctor to stop, and he heard Wilf comforting her. She fell silent suddenly and the Doctor turned to see her cradled limply in Wilf’s lap. “Wilfred?”
“She’s unconscious,” Wilf called back. “She’s still with us, but....Doctor, we’re losing her.” He stroked the hair from Donna’s face, watching as her chest rose and fell with more difficulty. “Hold on, darling,” he pleaded desperately. “Don’t you dare leave your old granddad alone.”
The Doctor heard a whispering behind him and faced the Council once more. “Help her,” he snapped, finally losing the last of his patience. “That woman is dying because you stuck your noses where they didn’t belong. You made the Master able to return, you are the ones who sentenced me to be executed, and if you had been available at the initial metacrisis she would have been treated much sooner, thus negating the current crisis. You have to help her.”
The President rapped on the wood in front of him. “Silence,” he roared. The Doctor stumbled backward at the President’s voice and Wilf heard Donna take a shuddering breath as the Council turned toward each other, deep in conversation. Finally they turned back. “We shall allow your request,” the President said, and the Doctor’s shoulders sagged in relief.
“Thank you,” he said, sighing heavily. “Thank you. The Council has made a wise decision.”
“I have not yet finished,” the President said. The Doctor looked up at him, clearly frightened, but he just droned on. “The woman will be spared, and as compensation for your assistance in the protection of the universe your regenerations will not be suspended.”
The Doctor’s eyes widened and he smiled hesitantly. “Thank you,” he repeated, then he heard Donna moan softly behind him and dashed back to her as the President continued to read the specific terms of his and Donna’s sentencing.
“-And while you will not be denied future regenerations, you will be forced to change as punishment for your actions. By doing this you may absorb any excess regeneration energy from the human woman, ensuring that she not become like us.”
“Yes, yes, whatever you say,” the Doctor interrupted. “I appreciate the Council’s generosity, but there is little time to discuss matters further. Just initiate the procedure.”
“The woman will return to Earth in your care. She will be your responsibility, and she will be bound to Earth as a matter of security,” the President concluded. “Do you agree to these terms?”
“Of course,” the Doctor said, drowning out Donna’s gasps of protest. “Of course we do. I’d not want her to- wait, what? Why?”
“Doctor!” Wilf said impatiently. “It doesn’t matter. Just help her.”
“Right, sorry,” the Doctor said. “I accept the conditions set forth by the Council.”
“Oi, Spaceman.” The Doctor looked down to see Donna glaring at him with as much force as she could manage, which to be honest wasn’t very much. “First of all, stop feeling me up,” she hissed. “And second, I’m not agreeing to that. I’d rather die.”
“Donna, you hardly have a choice,” he reminded her. “Either you stay on Earth or you will die, right here and now.” Donna shook her head and he slid his hand onto her cheek, brushing her tears away. “Donna, I know you’re scared, but it won’t be like before. You’ll remember me this time, and I’ll be able to see you, I promise. Just let me do this.”
“Not that, you git,” Donna hissed. “You’re not dying just to save me. I won’t allow it.”
“Donna,” he said, clearly exasperated, “they’re going to make me regenerate anyway. If I’m going to change I’m going to make sure you’re safe. Stop arguing.” Donna gave him the tiniest nod in response and he smiled. “Good girl. Now just let me- Donna? What is it?” She was deathly pale and hardly breathing, the flow from her chest now a pitiful trickle. “Donna?”
“It hurts,” she said softly. “Granddad, it hurts so much. Please, please just make it stop.”
“We will, love,” Wilf promised. “You trust your old gramps, right? And this Doctor of yours?”
“Yeah,” Donna breathed. “I suppose I’ll give you a chance.” She smiled and the Doctor saw her try to reach for his hand but she didn’t have the strength. “I....I love you....I love you both....”
Her head tipped sideways into her grandfather’s elbow and her eyelids slid shut, her breath leaving her with an almost inaudible sigh. “Donna?” the Doctor called gently. “Donna, can you hear me?” He tapped her on the cheek but she didn’t respond. “Donna, wake up. Donna!”
“Just hurry up,” Wilf urged him. “Tell them whatever they need to hear, Doctor. Make them give my little girl back!”
The Doctor nodded and jumped to his feet to address the Council. “I agree to the Council’s conditions, and so does the woman. I ask that the process commence immediately.”
“Very well,” the President replied. “Let it begin.”
Wilf sighed in relief and kissed his granddaughter on the cheek, but his breath caught in his throat as he realized hers had stopped. “Donna Noble, don’t you dare give up now,” he ordered, blinking back tears. “Do you hear me, young lady? You’ve never been one to hush, and you better not start now. You keep fighting.” He felt for her pulse but could tell from her wound that her heart was no longer beating. “We’re too late,” he sobbed. “Doctor, she’s gone.”
The Doctor wordlessly shoved him out of the way and as Wilf fell over his granddaughter and her friend were both immersed in golden light, the glow slowly extending from the toes of the Doctor’s tatty shoes to the tips of Donna’s red hair. The Doctor pulled her close and kissed her on the forehead, quietly urging her to hold on as the shimmering light grew brighter around them. In less than a minute the blinding light encircled them completely.
“Doctor, what’s happening?” Wilf shouted. “Donna! Donna, can you hear me?”
The light faded a minute later to reveal Donna lying on the ground, absolutely still. There was a younger man sitting beside her, shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts. Wilf stared at him for a bit, taking in the blood smeared across his Doctor’s shirt and pants. He had rips in his clothing from his earlier scuffle with the Master and while there were no longer cuts on his face as there had been before blood still lingered on his cheek. “Doctor? Is she all right?”
“Oh! Of course!” the Doctor shouted. He bent down and shook her shoulder. “Donna, can you hear me?” Donna didn’t respond and the Doctor cupped her face in his hands, gently stroking her cheek. “Wake up, Donna. You’re safe now.” Wilf sobbed as his granddaughter lay still, and he crouched beside the Doctor as he attempted to wake her. “Donna, please,” the Doctor said softly. Wilf was about to tell the Doctor to stop when Donna suddenly gasped, sitting up with a start. The Doctor’s arms automatically wrapped around her, clinging onto her tightly. “It’s all right,” he assured her. “You’re fine now, you’re going to be just fine.”
Donna finally pulled away and Wilf bent down to give her a hug as well. She and the Doctor stared at each other for a moment. “So what do I look like?” they asked in unison.
“All right you two, that’s enough funny business,” Wilf said sharply, but he winked and helped Donna to her feet, making sure she could stand on her own. “How are you, sweetheart?”
“I’m fine,” she assured him, then turned to the Doctor. “You....you look like my son.”
“I do not!” he declared indignantly. “First of all, I’m not ginger. Which is rubbish, by the way,” he muttered. “And third of all, you’re young enough to be my great great great great great-”
“All right, I get the idea,” Donna laughed. “Second of all?”
“Right, second of all.” He pulled Donna to him, hugging her again. “I missed you.”
Donna just grinned. “Missed you too, Spaceman.”
There was a loud noise and they all spun to see the entire Council staring at them. “Oh, right. Sorry,” the Doctor said, blushing slightly. “We’ll just be taking the TARDIS back to Earth now.”
Before the President could argue the three of them dashed off toward where the TARDIS was being held, ignoring the Master screaming at them as they went. They were silent until they reached the ship, piling inside as the Doctor hurried up to the console to set their destination. Five minutes later they stepped out of the TARDIS and onto Wilf’s street.
“Wait a minute,” the Doctor said suddenly. He reached in and grabbed his coat, handing it to Donna. “We can’t have you going inside covered in blood. Your mum will kill me. Wilf, I’ll have that jacket off of you too. I can give it back once the TARDIS has repaired it.”
Wilf nodded, sliding off his coat. “Could your ship mend that seam right there?”
The Doctor just laughed. “Consider it done.”
“Oi!” They both turned to Donna, who had stepped back out of the TARDIS and was staring at them suspiciously. “You lot haven’t still answered my question. What do I look like?” She glanced down, poking her stomach experimentally. “Oh, I’m fat!” she whined. “What else? Did I get shorter? I did, didn’t I? I’m a fat midget with brown hair, I know I am. Did I-”
“Donna!” both men shouted, and Donna instantly quieted. The Doctor just grinned. “You look exactly like you always have. Blue eyes, red hair, and an attitude to match it. You’re fine.”
“Oi,” she repeated, but then she grabbed his hand and squeezed it gently. “It feels weird.”
“But it’s still me,” he reminded her. “I’m different, and the old me is gone, but I’m still here.”
Donna stared at him for a moment and slowly smiled. “Well, you make just as little sense as before, so I’ll believe you. Although you look ridiculous!”
“Says the woman wearing my coat,” he teased back. “That reminds me.” He grinned, waggling a fresh set of eyebrows and simply enjoying the sensation before he looked at her again. “So you love me, do you? I knew you’d come over eventually.”
Donna rolled her eyes. “I was dying, you idiot. Of course I said I loved you.”
“You mean you don’t?” The Doctor frowned and realized that, given Donna’s expression, he could still pull off the kicked puppy dog face. In fact, looking younger, it probably worked better. “Well, if you don’t love me I suppose I’ll just be....you know....” He cleared his throat, sighing dramatically. “Well, goodbye, Wilfred. It’s been....well, not fun, but an adventure.”
“Yes it has, sir,” Wilf said, and offered him a tiny salute as well as a conspiratorial wink. “You’ll still be bringing my jacket back, won’t you?”
“Yes, yes, of course I will. But I won’t be troubling you any longer, so goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Doctor,” Wilf said with a little grin. “Thank you for all your help, sir. I don’t know what my little Donna and I would have done without you. You’re a-”
“Oh, stop having me on,” Donna cried suddenly. “Granddad, I love you but you’re a horrible actor. And as for you, Mister Hyperemotional Time Lord....” She winked at her granddad then sidled up to the Doctor and wrapped her arms around his shoulder. “I suppose, if you must know, I do love you just the tiniest bit. And I suppose you don’t look that young....”
The Doctor’s nervous gulp could probably be heard for a couple blocks. “I don’t?” he squeaked.
“Nah,” Donna whispered in his ear. “I have to admit, I’ve always kind of thought you were....” She squeezed him tighter and he swallowed again, her face breaking out into a hidden grin as she made a mental note to burn all those silly bowties before he flew off. “Well, you know....”
“Thought I was what?” he choked out, and as Wilf watched he had to cover his mouth to stop from giggling. “Donna, as much as I care for you I think it’s better if I point out that-”
“That you’re a gullible Martian?” Donna put in. She pulled back and rolled her eyes. “Works every time,” she chuckled, and finally she hugged him properly. “Doctor, I do love you, but not like that.” She stepped away and glared at him teasingly. “Never like that, in fact. Got it?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” he mumbled, and Donna and Wilf laughed as he blushed. “Anything you say.”
“Good. Come on, Christmas dinner. And since you brought it up, you can meet my fiancé.”
“Oh, no you don’t. I don’t do that sort of thing, remember?”
“Yes, but you will now. Granddad, you get his right arm and I’ll get his left. We’ll drag him in if we have to.”
“Too right we will, my girl,” Wilf replied happily. “Come on, Doctor, don’t make an old man work too hard. I’m not like you young kids anymore.”
The Doctor just glared at Donna. “I could have let you die, you know.”
“I know,” Donna said, then grinned wickedly. “Bet you regret saving me now don’t you?”
“Donna....”
“Yes, Doctor?”
“I love you too.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Now come on, inside. And no struggling. I don’t want to rip my new coat.”