On the Run ♦ 007. Glimmer of Hope ♦ with captoftardis

[noblexcompanion]

Donna had lost count of how many days they had been stuck on the Shadow Hunter's planet. So far they had been shot at, chased, almost blown up - so much for disguises. So far, however, they had remained uncaptured, mostly due to an insane amount of running. A couple of days into their game of cat and mouse, Donna and the Doctor stumbled (quite

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[captoftardis]

His chest heaved and his eyes filled with mania and anger as he studied Tomas. "Don't even start to pretend you'd know what she wanted."

But Tomas was right, rushing off in anger was not conducive to positive outcomes. He knew that, and yet every fiber of his being told him to run. It was instinct for him, just as his sense of time and space, it was ingrained into him. Finally swallowing his anger and once again pulling himself away from clinging arms, he begrudgingly helped out

[noblexcompanion]

It seemed a lifetime ago that Donna had fallen asleep in the Doctor's arms, listening to the beats of his hearts. Yet it was barely a day. More hours passed and the group were already planning their next move, no time to mourn the dead. Names were already slipping from their minds. Just numbers. Just fatalities in an ever growing struggle for survival.

It was more hours still before one very bloody, exhausted and broken Donna stumbled in, clutching a child to her chest. In comparison to the child Donna had escaped lightly. The young girl was barely clinging to life and her arm completely torn off from the explosion.

[captoftardis]

He was avoiding everyone, again, completely unsure of who to trust. He only did what was expected, to assure the survival of the others, to try and distract himself that was was Earth-less, TARDIS-less, and now Donna-less. There, Regina and the Shadow Hunters, were you happy now? This was what you wanted, right? To break him enough that he'll turn himself in

[noblexcompanion]

Donna didn't care for words or for apologies. Tears welled in her eyes as she threw her arms around the Doctor and clung to him as though her very existence depended on it. She clung harder than she ever had before. Harder than after being killed by crazed Oods. Harder than after the crazy Time Beetle mess. A sob choked in her throat. She never wanted to let go.

Her hair was matted with blood from a gash on her head, her wrist was sprained and she had more bruises and cuts than she should count, and possibly more injuries besides, but she was alive and she was here and that was all that mattered to her.

[captoftardis]

He wrapped his arms around her equally tight, resting his cheek to her head, "I wanted to go back for you; I wanted to find you, but it was too dangerous and I was too angry. I thought I had let your grandfather and you down."

The Doctor could tell he was growing hopeless and useless without her around, too overwhelmed over the guilt wracking him. His thoughts and ideas were becoming too simple, his awareness of time and space dulling, all emotions just deadening all because of the intruding thoughts he was incapable of protecting anyone he traveled with and cared for.

"C'mon, let's get washed up, yeah? Dress those wounds."

[noblexcompanion]

She clung for awhile longer, before forcing herself to let go. "Stop blaming yourself, Spaceman. You're not the one who blew the building up." She offered a half smile that didn't reach her eyes as she reached for his hand.

She'd been so scared, but she didn't want to burden him with extra guilt. She was safe now - well, as safe as she could be under the circumstances.

"Can I sleep with you tonight?" She was too exhausted and in pain to even consider making some wise-crack about not mating.

[captoftardis]

It was almost a silly question, given how badly he wanted her near, to know this wasn't some kind of cruel joke. But it didn't matter, it was Donna, she was alive and well, but he would always blame himself for this incident no matter what.

Taking her hand, he lead her to the makeshift washroom they had created, "Go on, I'll find clothes for you."

He wanted to address some of her wounds, but all the dirt, sweat, and grime would have to be off before he could do anything useful.

After finally finding her with clean clothes and bringing her back to where he made his cot - away from everyone hidden almost in a far off corner - he took her wrist and began turning it over in his hand, inspecting, before wrapping it up. "Try to take it easy for a bit."

[noblexcompanion]

It felt good to wash up - course not as fabulous as a hot bubble bath on the TARDIS would've been. The Old Girl always got the temperature just right and always had the right amount of bubbles.

She winced and whimpered as he nursed her injuries. "Easier said than done around here, Time Boy." She paused, avoiding his gaze. "Is there any news on the little girl?" It would be a miracle if she survived, but Donna clung to whatever shred of hope she could find.