FIC: Flipped, Book 3 (7/12?)
Title: Flipped, Book 3
Rating: heavy T, with some M/MA
Author: tkel_paris
Summary: David Noble thought he had come to terms with the strange feelings the female Doctor inspired, and it seemed to be helped by Martha Jones joining them. But when the Aubertide threaten the Doctor, protecting her requires a cover that will test his sanity and his ability to find the right thing to do. Written for tardis_mole.
Required Disclaimer: The summary should be enough to tell you I own nothing.
Dedications: My good friend tardis_mole, for helping me discover my talent at editing and for being an inspiration. You've challenged me to go beyond what I previously thought I would like, and so this is the farthest I've gone from my comfort zone so far. Who knows where I'll go next?
And another important shout-out: sykira, whose LJ post about John Barrowman's comments about how Doctor Who could eventually go was the ultimate spark for this idea. So I suppose that means the ultimate blame for this lies with the Barrowman. I can only imagine what he would think, although I suspect he would heartily approve. :P
Author's Note: Originally spawned from a different idea that split into three, this is a new version of one of those ideas revived as a birthday present. And it's spawned a slightly AU version as a Christmas present. The original prompt from TM boiled down to this: “The Doctor and Donna in a situation that's never been done before.” Ask and ye shall receive, my friend. Enjoy the second sequel. :D A VERY Belated Happy Birthday, TM! :DDD
Special Disclaimer: I refuse to be held responsible for any $2000/₤2000 lattes, spit-takes, fainting spells, workplace/school gaffes, or falling against/from things that might happen if you're not careful while reading this story. Especially in certain chapters. Read at your own risk. (I put this in because I was warned by one of my betas, cassikat, that my emails should come with a spit-take warning. So I'm looking out for y'all. ;D)
And TM, be careful that you don't hyperventilate from reading some of the sections. I know you. :P And so sorry for the delay. At least I have a legitimate excuse for not working on it last year; we had our balrog to work on. :D
Thanks to cassikat and bas_math_girl for betaing. Couldn't have done it without y'all.
Chapter One / Chapter Two / Chapter Three / Chapter Four / Chapter Five / Chapter Six
Flipped, Book 3
Started July 14, 2013
Finished December 31, 2015
CHAPTER SEVEN: HEART-MELTING SIGHTS ON THE HIGHWAY TO HELL
Donna was grateful that Emily had loaned her their second car for the day. It meant she got to properly meet the twins and earn their trust by taking care of them for several hours. Although they seemed willing to accept the word of their beloved uncle, she knew that nothing would compare to having the experience of knowing that someone was safe to be around. She felt that she should know.
If she could only put her past into words. Sometimes it felt blurry, like an impressionist painting but even more vague.
So she watched them at the play park, rushing along and generally enjoying themselves. She stayed close to give them encouragement and to learn more about them. And through them, she knew she would learn more about David and how any of their children might act.
“Hello,” said one of the older women there, walking to stand beside Donna.
Donna smiled. “Hello. Which ones are yours?”
“The ones by the swings. My granddaughter's. And you?”
“Oh, I'm watching friends' children today. The pair chasing each other by the slide.”
“Ah. I'm Minnie Manton.”
Donna accepted the handshake. “Donna Noble.”
Her eyes lit up. “Noble? Are you related to David Noble?”
Her smile grew a bit shy. Here was a moment of truth. “Well, no. I'm his wife.”
Minnie eyes widened. “You what?”
“It was a bit sudden. We only just got back from Gretna Green.”
“Ooh. So how long have you known him?”
“About three years. We've worked together on projects, been friends, and... it finally became more than either of us imagined. We had the chance to marry right away, and we weren't willing to wait any longer. Even though his family would've preferred to be there. I hope they can forgive me for it.”
Minnie was thoughtful, but her eyes kept examining the woman before her. “What exactly do you do?”
“I was a consultant, which had me travelling all over. But now I want something closer to home, and home is where David calls home. Never really had a place to call home before, you see.”
“Oh.” That quieted Minnie. “Well, you love him, don't you? The people around here think very highly of him and would hate to see him miserable.”
“My God, what do you think I am? A social climber or fortune hunter? I married him because he makes me feel safe, because we respect each other, and because we love each other. I gained two children to call me their auntie. What more could any woman ask for right away?”
Minnie raised her hands. “I mean no offence. Just making sure, you know. I've known him since he was a baby, and I'm part of Wilf and Eileen's Silver Cloak. We're all a bit protective of him, even though he'd hate to know that. As long as you love each other then we'll all be happy for you both.”
“Okay,” Donna said, smiling as she understood it came from genuine affection.
A shout burst from the side, along with a cry. “Auntie Donna!”
Donna looked up and paled. “Excuse me.”
“Of course.”
Not that she stayed to give a proper goodbye. Donna hurried to help Ella who was on the ground, bleeding slightly from her knee.
/=/=/=/=/
Another long day, but somehow it had calmed him. Enough that he could reflect on what his friends said. Yes, he had a choice in how he thought and acted. The TARDIS had given them their present circumstances, and so he had to act like he was exactly what Donna thought he was. His job would be much more difficult if he did not.
And so David entered the house, ready to do whatever he needed to, and heard Donna's voice humming a lullaby. It also sounded like one of the twins was sniffling. He closed the door and hurried to see. And promptly froze.
There was Donna sitting on the couch (the same one that he doubted he would ever be able to sit on again without a reaction below the belt) with a twin curled against each side. Ella had an open scrape on her knee that Donna was treating with witch hazel, and the little dear was fighting to not cry out loud.
“Oh, love, it's all right,” Donna crooned softly. “I had all sorts of scrapes - literally and figuratively - growing up. We all do. Now let me put a plaster on it and we can read a story. Will you be more careful next time you chase each other?”
Ella nodded, tears in her eyes. Her brother was quiet as he held her hand, trying to lend her some strength.
David had to ask. “What happened?”
Josh turned, looking a little guilty. “I ran too fast, and Ella couldn't avoid tripping.”
“It was a little scary, wasn't it?” Donna asked. When she got two little nods, she smiled as she finished putting the plaster on Ella's knee. “There!” She put down the other materials and hugged Ella tightly. “You'll be better soon. Josh, thank you for helping me. You did a good job.”
David remained frozen. Suddenly he couldn't see the twins. Instead he saw two different small children in the room. Both with ginger hair. The boy's face looked even more like his, and the girl's was now a match for Donna's. And she was somehow even more maternal toward them, shining with the glow of motherhood. And her belly was swollen in the obvious way.
He blinked himself back to reality. What was that?! That couldn't have been a new vision, because Donna had also looked pregnant!
Or could it be his future?
He didn't know what to think.
Mercifully, he had to prepare dinner since Donna was busy caring for the twins and soothing Ella's tears. The little one was always a bit sensitive after a trauma, which that had clearly been to her. And her brother was worried about his younger sibling. Even in their mothers' home, the twins were not immune to the idea that the boy was supposed to look out for the girl.
Ella wasn't normally one to milk a scrape for sympathy, but he supposed the new baby was a change. And change wasn't something they adjusted to immediately. Which made their acceptance of “Aunt Donna” surprising to him.
David made simple sandwiches, and ensured that he had some of their favorite biscuits to go with some milk if they wanted it for desert. Normally he ensured they ate healthy foods when they were with him while making it seem like something cool, but tonight more comforting choices seemed right.
It suddenly became the most comforting and relaxing night of his life. He never had problems being able to handle the twins by himself, but having Donna there made them so much calmer and made dinner more fun. She was wonderful at telling silly stories to make the children laugh, even better than he was. And he found himself as enraptured as they were, laughing as hard as they did.
It amazed him that Donna wasn't complaining about having to watch them. He knew she had to know that he had first priority in watching over them, first responsibility; but he suspected she was considering it practice for their own children.
It made the images he saw earlier seem more vivid.
Donna helped him bring the exhausted children to bed in the spare room he kept for their use when they became drowsy from their exciting day. Officially it was a guest bedroom, but he tended to keep extra things for the twins there since they were his most frequent guests.
As they left them sleeping, David noticed Donna's sad face. “What's wrong?”
He shouldn't have asked, but he couldn't help it.
Donna looked at the guest room door, looking lost and lonely. “No one tucked me into bed once I was old enough to get into bed myself. Cuts were covered, but there was no comfort. It was all duty and responsibility from a very early age.”
David nearly sucked in a breath. This sounded a little too close to some of the things he had slowly pried out of the Doctor over the years. The TARDIS hadn't just transformed the Doctor's own memories into something that a human woman in her early to mid thirties could have seen and known, had she?!
“I wasn't really allowed to have toys, or much fun. I guess it's made me want to go in the opposite direction with my life, because I always knew I was missing something major. I just wish I'd been able to know what it was then. Sometimes I still don't know. I know our children will never feel that way.”
He swallowed, glad she wasn't looking at him yet. “Do you remember anything good about growing up? People or places, or some event?”
She frowned. “I remember my mother, and how kind she was when she wasn't having to abide by the rules of my father. I remember running in the valleys by a mountain, but I couldn't tell you which one. I remember going to a very regimented school at first. But I can't remember the details. I just know that I struggled in courses that my cohorts found easy, and that made me even more of an outcast than my hair did.”
Watching the tears forming, he sighed and drew her into a hug. Despite his nerves and unease. She needed it, end of. As she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his neck (something that was distracting enough as it was), he made a promise. “You'll make new memories, Better ones. And you are not alone.”
She squeezed just a little tighter. “Thank you.”
They moved to turn down the house for the night and put Curie to bed, and talked a little while longer, which enlightened him about the life the TARDIS had created for her, including more about how they met. He could finally make educated guesses about what he could talk about that she would know something about, and felt like he could handle that part at last.
She looked at the clock. “Do you think everything's all right?”
David took a deep breath. “Nerys is more slender than Emily, so it wouldn't surprise me if she's needing more time. She's in good hands, I know that.”
Soon it was late enough for bedtime, which had him nervous as hell. His friends' words drifted back into his thoughts. He'd given in last night. How could he turn her down at all now without really mucking things up?
Even having little kids in the house was no assurance. He did expect to one day be seeking some time with his wife while the children slept, so it felt like the universe was offering him practice.
In the end, she accidentally chose for him when she, in a moment of distraction, started disrobing in front of him. His body, which had been hovering on standby since he had to hug her, turned all the way on in an instant. He blushed even though all he could see was her bare back.
Donna didn't even notice his lack of speech until she turned, also without thinking, and gave him a full-on display of flesh. She blushed a little, suddenly unsure what to do. The night before she had felt the impatience of ensuring a wedding night. Now she wanted to see what he would do without any additional prompting.
He remained still, except for his mouth, which remained silent.
Her flush started fading and her face filled with concern and dismay. “What, do I have some new mark that's unattractive?”
“What?! No! You're as beautiful as ever!”
The words made him flush all the more.
Donna sighed. “Sorry, it's just... years of feeling like I wasn't really attractive, and now... I'm married and yet my husband hasn't made a move on me. I've been the one to initiate romance.”
His eyes widened. Oh, lordy, this wasn't something he factored into his thinking! Now that he'd given in once, it looked like not making love to her would drive a wedge between them and probably endanger her life.
The future was uncertain, but his present course became clear. He slowly stepped toward her. “Maybe I'm afraid that this dream come true will vanish like vapour if I touch you.”
Hope flickered across her face. “Truly?”
The pain mixed in her expression melted his last vestiges of resistance. He cupped her face tenderly. “I've never lied to you before, and I don't intend to start.”
Just don't ask me too many questions, he silently pleaded as he kissed her.
The proof of his feelings made her heart feel like it was trying to escape into the atmosphere. She wrapped her arms around him, leaving room for her hands to start tugging his shirt out of his trousers.
He broke the kiss. “Oh, no you don't.” Before she could do more than open her mouth in protest, he was propelling her backward onto the bed, although a lot more gently than he had done when it was on the couch from last night. He pinned her with just a look so bedroom eyes that it would've made the hardest to embarrass blush. “You drove me insane last night. It's time for payback.”
She blushed, but grinned. “Are you saying I was a bad girl?”
“There are short ears in this house. Don't tempt me to restrain you.”
She dropped her jaw. And considered what it might take to tempt him.
He had just decided to silence her with exploring hands when they heard a door open in the hallway. Swearing quietly, he threw a blanket over her. He just made it to the door that they had forgotten to close, tossing Donna's jumper to her, when Ella came to the door. “Uncle David? I'm thirsty.”
David sighed silently. She always seemed a little vulnerable after something shocked her, and she liked someone taking care of her. Probably also didn't dare go downstairs. Of course it didn't help his mood that she had just proved an old adage that children would always want something when their parents or responsible adults started to get amorous. “Go back to bed and I'll get it for you.”
His voice was patient enough because she nodded with a smile. Then she noticed Donna trying to act nonchalant. “Oh, you're gonna wrestle?” Her smile turned into a knowing smile that said she had walked in on her mothers more than a few times.
Donna blushed hard.
David groaned through a closed mouth. “Off to bed with you. We obviously need to teach you to knock first. As for you, madam,” he added to Donna, “we're going to continue this.”
Her blush slowly faded with that knowledge, even as he left to hurriedly take care of his niece's need. They would need to figure something out for future visits, but she had hope that they could be quiet enough to not disturb them. She hoped. She was hornier than she was last night. That should not have been possible after their little mini-marathon last night.
How long had it been for her? She wished she could remember the answer.
A knock at the front door interrupted her musings. She pulled on her jumper as she listened. The sound of Emily's tired voice combined with Ella's happy tones told her to get up and wake Josh even before David called gently for her to do so.
At last she got Josh moving. They hurried downstairs as David was asking, “So you want us to come over in three days? With food?”
“That'd be lovely,” Emily agreed. “There you are, Josh. You have a little brother named James.”
Ella's pout grew as her brother cheered. “I wanted a sister.”
Donna smiled. “Sweetheart, I'm sure you'll love James. Besides, maybe you'll have a little cousin to dote on eventually.”
David blushed a little, grateful that Emily rushed the children out into their primary car. He promised to return the second one when they visited. And thankfully the children were too happy to see one of their mums to do more than hug their uncle and aunt goodbye, with thanks for the day.
Once the door was closed and locked, Donna grinned and leaned to press her chest gently against David. “So... where were we?”
His eyes fixed on the sight she knew would appeal to him, and his pupils darkened. “With that temptress behaviour you're acting like you're wanting me to tie you up.”
She sucked in a breath, not sure if it was obvious how much more strongly the fire within felt at the thought. “With what? Cuffs or one of your ties?”
“Oh, that's it,” he playfully growled, so far past the point of caring whether this was a good idea that he could no longer remember what it was like to think that way. He swept her into his arms and carried her upstairs, smiling subconsciously at her squeals of delight.
He quickly laid her on the bed and undid his tie. Donna stayed still, breathing a little shallower with each second he looked at her. She offered no protest when he took her wrists in his hands and drew them up to the knobs at the headboard. He made quick work of binding her.
“How did you learn this?”
“I'll tell you later.” He could not admit that it was from one of their adventures, when he had to restrain someone who could have let the word get out of what they intended to do to his boss' plans. Neither terribly cared for knocking someone out if it could be avoided, and David thought the memory of being humiliated by a woman and a man who he had underestimated would last far longer than any physical punishment he feared from his master.
Donna smirked at the evasion. “Tied up a woman before?”
“No, you're the first, but I know a few things. Now... be a good girl and I won't locate another two ties.”
She gasped and stilled completely. “Oh my god... you'd do that?”
“I think that should be for another time, but if you beg nicely,” he promised, well aware he was running head-long on the highway to hell.
She squirmed at the utter bedroom look in his eyes. “I can wait for the next time. Just... please start.”
He could hardly ignore such a pleading tone or the almost puppy-eyed glint in the attempt at a sultry tone. So he let his fingers trace over her curves, barely there with his touches and avoiding all the places they both wanted his fingers to go. Making the touches a little firmer as she began moaning and squirming toward his hands.
“Please, more,” she gasped. “Don't tease me.”
“That was caressing,” he insisted. “This is teasing.”
His fingers drifted up toward the very things that had caused him so much discomfort over a year earlier, the chest that had been the center of his dreams and fantasies for so long. And he made the touches even lighter than his first caresses, running from the crease where her breasts met her stomach and all the way around in circles to her erect nipples, which acted to him like they also yearned for his touch.
She moaned loudly. But his touches turned firmer as he allowed more of each hand to be touching her at once, letting him treat them like these gentle stress balls for someone already completely relaxed. She felt like sparks of energy were shooting along her body from her chest to her center, and racing up to make her head feel like it was floating on a cloud and racing higher and higher into the sky.
“Ah, now you're being a very good girl,” he purred, deeply into the moment.
“Please, love,” she whispered, barely getting the words out against the strain of holding in her moans and the need to scream. “I need you now.”
“You'll have to wait,” he whispered thickly, beyond delighted and gleeful that she was utter putty in his hands. “It will be worth it, I promise.”
She whimpered but did not protest further. Just tried to get closer to his body and hands.
He was amazed he was holding out as well as he was. His body wanted nothing more than to be completely naked and joined with hers, but the wicked side wanted a little payback for all the times she had made him need quality time alone.
Shame she had no idea just why or how much he wanted payback.
He finally decided he could not torture them both much longer like this, so he lowered his mouth to start kissing her neck.
She sighed in relief. “Oh, yes. Like that,” she moaned, stretching her neck to give him more skin to touch, and overjoyed that he gladly obliged in kissing the additional inches.
He let his mouth dance over her skin and lower slowly toward where they both wanted him to go. The wait was long enough that they both groaned when he took her nipple in his mouth. He had to fight the urge to just go for sucking her, and barely kept things going smoothly. She felt and tasted lovely, and he was starting to wonder if he was about to find home for the first time since he was a child.
She tried to tilt her body toward him for more contact and more kisses, licks, and even bites. Each one made her alternate between gasping, moaning, cursing under her breath, and begging for more or for release. But he ignored her, switching breasts instead.
“Cruel man!” she breathed when she could find any breath for voicing anything.
He just smiled against her, but did not stop. He doubted he could stop now unless she did something drastic.
Finally she suddenly screamed as her body spasmed against his mouth and body. It lasted for a long minute before she stilled.
He let go, panting as he slowly undid her trousers. “Hope you're ready, love. I need you.”
She moaned and parted her legs as soon as he had her naked. “Maybe not as much as I need you?”
“Oh, that's not possible,” he insisted as he struggled against his own clothes. They now felt constricting for the first time ever. Had he ever been this horny in his life?
It did not matter as he lined them up. Given that she had been a virgin the night before, her body was incredibly receptive to his. He bit back his own loud moan of joy as they fully met. “You feel like heaven.”
“Come join me there, please.”
They rocked and he thrust into her as slowly as his frazzled body would allow. But it was not to be for long. He soon had to speed up as her legs wrapped around him like they had the night before when he lost all control, and they spiraled into the little death.
Neither was quite sure how long they were out of it, but they came back to themselves with smiles on their faces and still connected. “Oh my god,” she whispered. “That was amazing.”
He nuzzled her hair. “I know. You were brilliant.”
She grinned up at him as she giggled. “I just lay here doing nothing but react to you.”
“It was quite the show,” he admitted with a blush.
“I guess I could be persuaded to do it again,” she sighed, faking resignation like a wife of the olden days. Then she smirked evilly. “And maybe one day I can return the favour?”
His eyes widened. Once or twice he had wondered what he would do if the Doctor had taken charge of him like that, and his body had liked the idea more than his mind was comfortable with. Now that he was practically being propositioned by the woman he would be treating as his wife? He had not thought he could start going hard again so soon. “I've never let anyone do that.”
“I'm your wife. One day soon will you let me take complete control?”
He lowered his head to kiss her deeply instead of answering right away. Keeping her from talking meant he could avoid thinking for a while longer, and anything was better than thinking. Thank goodness he had an alternative to every other option than talking. Or making promises that he was not certain he would one day be able to keep.
He hated having to make a promise that would one day be broken. Through no fault of his own.
Only Donna tilted her head to break the kiss. “Release me so I can touch you back?”
He did, reveling in the feel of her hands on his skin and bum. She was rather eager and a fast learner for a virgin. He wondered what the TARDIS had given her, what she had had the time to research, and what the Doctor had known before this had happened. It was all going to be on his thoughts, especially since he vaguely recalled the Doctor indicating that neither of his marriages had involved intimacy of any kind.
But not tonight. Not for long. Touching like this was a surefire way to forget rational thought. The only plus to it, he thought as she rolled them over to be on top, was that at least he would enjoy the highway to hell.
He might feel differently in the morning, but perhaps his friends were right. What else could he do?
CHAPTER EIGHT: MEET THE PARENTS AND A JOB INTERVIEW GOES PEAR-SHAPED
Rating: heavy T, with some M/MA
Author: tkel_paris
Summary: David Noble thought he had come to terms with the strange feelings the female Doctor inspired, and it seemed to be helped by Martha Jones joining them. But when the Aubertide threaten the Doctor, protecting her requires a cover that will test his sanity and his ability to find the right thing to do. Written for tardis_mole.
Required Disclaimer: The summary should be enough to tell you I own nothing.
Dedications: My good friend tardis_mole, for helping me discover my talent at editing and for being an inspiration. You've challenged me to go beyond what I previously thought I would like, and so this is the farthest I've gone from my comfort zone so far. Who knows where I'll go next?
And another important shout-out: sykira, whose LJ post about John Barrowman's comments about how Doctor Who could eventually go was the ultimate spark for this idea. So I suppose that means the ultimate blame for this lies with the Barrowman. I can only imagine what he would think, although I suspect he would heartily approve. :P
Author's Note: Originally spawned from a different idea that split into three, this is a new version of one of those ideas revived as a birthday present. And it's spawned a slightly AU version as a Christmas present. The original prompt from TM boiled down to this: “The Doctor and Donna in a situation that's never been done before.” Ask and ye shall receive, my friend. Enjoy the second sequel. :D A VERY Belated Happy Birthday, TM! :DDD
Special Disclaimer: I refuse to be held responsible for any $2000/₤2000 lattes, spit-takes, fainting spells, workplace/school gaffes, or falling against/from things that might happen if you're not careful while reading this story. Especially in certain chapters. Read at your own risk. (I put this in because I was warned by one of my betas, cassikat, that my emails should come with a spit-take warning. So I'm looking out for y'all. ;D)
And TM, be careful that you don't hyperventilate from reading some of the sections. I know you. :P And so sorry for the delay. At least I have a legitimate excuse for not working on it last year; we had our balrog to work on. :D
Thanks to cassikat and bas_math_girl for betaing. Couldn't have done it without y'all.
Chapter One / Chapter Two / Chapter Three / Chapter Four / Chapter Five / Chapter Six
Flipped, Book 3
Started July 14, 2013
Finished December 31, 2015
CHAPTER SEVEN: HEART-MELTING SIGHTS ON THE HIGHWAY TO HELL
Donna was grateful that Emily had loaned her their second car for the day. It meant she got to properly meet the twins and earn their trust by taking care of them for several hours. Although they seemed willing to accept the word of their beloved uncle, she knew that nothing would compare to having the experience of knowing that someone was safe to be around. She felt that she should know.
If she could only put her past into words. Sometimes it felt blurry, like an impressionist painting but even more vague.
So she watched them at the play park, rushing along and generally enjoying themselves. She stayed close to give them encouragement and to learn more about them. And through them, she knew she would learn more about David and how any of their children might act.
“Hello,” said one of the older women there, walking to stand beside Donna.
Donna smiled. “Hello. Which ones are yours?”
“The ones by the swings. My granddaughter's. And you?”
“Oh, I'm watching friends' children today. The pair chasing each other by the slide.”
“Ah. I'm Minnie Manton.”
Donna accepted the handshake. “Donna Noble.”
Her eyes lit up. “Noble? Are you related to David Noble?”
Her smile grew a bit shy. Here was a moment of truth. “Well, no. I'm his wife.”
Minnie eyes widened. “You what?”
“It was a bit sudden. We only just got back from Gretna Green.”
“Ooh. So how long have you known him?”
“About three years. We've worked together on projects, been friends, and... it finally became more than either of us imagined. We had the chance to marry right away, and we weren't willing to wait any longer. Even though his family would've preferred to be there. I hope they can forgive me for it.”
Minnie was thoughtful, but her eyes kept examining the woman before her. “What exactly do you do?”
“I was a consultant, which had me travelling all over. But now I want something closer to home, and home is where David calls home. Never really had a place to call home before, you see.”
“Oh.” That quieted Minnie. “Well, you love him, don't you? The people around here think very highly of him and would hate to see him miserable.”
“My God, what do you think I am? A social climber or fortune hunter? I married him because he makes me feel safe, because we respect each other, and because we love each other. I gained two children to call me their auntie. What more could any woman ask for right away?”
Minnie raised her hands. “I mean no offence. Just making sure, you know. I've known him since he was a baby, and I'm part of Wilf and Eileen's Silver Cloak. We're all a bit protective of him, even though he'd hate to know that. As long as you love each other then we'll all be happy for you both.”
“Okay,” Donna said, smiling as she understood it came from genuine affection.
A shout burst from the side, along with a cry. “Auntie Donna!”
Donna looked up and paled. “Excuse me.”
“Of course.”
Not that she stayed to give a proper goodbye. Donna hurried to help Ella who was on the ground, bleeding slightly from her knee.
/=/=/=/=/
Another long day, but somehow it had calmed him. Enough that he could reflect on what his friends said. Yes, he had a choice in how he thought and acted. The TARDIS had given them their present circumstances, and so he had to act like he was exactly what Donna thought he was. His job would be much more difficult if he did not.
And so David entered the house, ready to do whatever he needed to, and heard Donna's voice humming a lullaby. It also sounded like one of the twins was sniffling. He closed the door and hurried to see. And promptly froze.
There was Donna sitting on the couch (the same one that he doubted he would ever be able to sit on again without a reaction below the belt) with a twin curled against each side. Ella had an open scrape on her knee that Donna was treating with witch hazel, and the little dear was fighting to not cry out loud.
“Oh, love, it's all right,” Donna crooned softly. “I had all sorts of scrapes - literally and figuratively - growing up. We all do. Now let me put a plaster on it and we can read a story. Will you be more careful next time you chase each other?”
Ella nodded, tears in her eyes. Her brother was quiet as he held her hand, trying to lend her some strength.
David had to ask. “What happened?”
Josh turned, looking a little guilty. “I ran too fast, and Ella couldn't avoid tripping.”
“It was a little scary, wasn't it?” Donna asked. When she got two little nods, she smiled as she finished putting the plaster on Ella's knee. “There!” She put down the other materials and hugged Ella tightly. “You'll be better soon. Josh, thank you for helping me. You did a good job.”
David remained frozen. Suddenly he couldn't see the twins. Instead he saw two different small children in the room. Both with ginger hair. The boy's face looked even more like his, and the girl's was now a match for Donna's. And she was somehow even more maternal toward them, shining with the glow of motherhood. And her belly was swollen in the obvious way.
He blinked himself back to reality. What was that?! That couldn't have been a new vision, because Donna had also looked pregnant!
Or could it be his future?
He didn't know what to think.
Mercifully, he had to prepare dinner since Donna was busy caring for the twins and soothing Ella's tears. The little one was always a bit sensitive after a trauma, which that had clearly been to her. And her brother was worried about his younger sibling. Even in their mothers' home, the twins were not immune to the idea that the boy was supposed to look out for the girl.
Ella wasn't normally one to milk a scrape for sympathy, but he supposed the new baby was a change. And change wasn't something they adjusted to immediately. Which made their acceptance of “Aunt Donna” surprising to him.
David made simple sandwiches, and ensured that he had some of their favorite biscuits to go with some milk if they wanted it for desert. Normally he ensured they ate healthy foods when they were with him while making it seem like something cool, but tonight more comforting choices seemed right.
It suddenly became the most comforting and relaxing night of his life. He never had problems being able to handle the twins by himself, but having Donna there made them so much calmer and made dinner more fun. She was wonderful at telling silly stories to make the children laugh, even better than he was. And he found himself as enraptured as they were, laughing as hard as they did.
It amazed him that Donna wasn't complaining about having to watch them. He knew she had to know that he had first priority in watching over them, first responsibility; but he suspected she was considering it practice for their own children.
It made the images he saw earlier seem more vivid.
Donna helped him bring the exhausted children to bed in the spare room he kept for their use when they became drowsy from their exciting day. Officially it was a guest bedroom, but he tended to keep extra things for the twins there since they were his most frequent guests.
As they left them sleeping, David noticed Donna's sad face. “What's wrong?”
He shouldn't have asked, but he couldn't help it.
Donna looked at the guest room door, looking lost and lonely. “No one tucked me into bed once I was old enough to get into bed myself. Cuts were covered, but there was no comfort. It was all duty and responsibility from a very early age.”
David nearly sucked in a breath. This sounded a little too close to some of the things he had slowly pried out of the Doctor over the years. The TARDIS hadn't just transformed the Doctor's own memories into something that a human woman in her early to mid thirties could have seen and known, had she?!
“I wasn't really allowed to have toys, or much fun. I guess it's made me want to go in the opposite direction with my life, because I always knew I was missing something major. I just wish I'd been able to know what it was then. Sometimes I still don't know. I know our children will never feel that way.”
He swallowed, glad she wasn't looking at him yet. “Do you remember anything good about growing up? People or places, or some event?”
She frowned. “I remember my mother, and how kind she was when she wasn't having to abide by the rules of my father. I remember running in the valleys by a mountain, but I couldn't tell you which one. I remember going to a very regimented school at first. But I can't remember the details. I just know that I struggled in courses that my cohorts found easy, and that made me even more of an outcast than my hair did.”
Watching the tears forming, he sighed and drew her into a hug. Despite his nerves and unease. She needed it, end of. As she wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face into his neck (something that was distracting enough as it was), he made a promise. “You'll make new memories, Better ones. And you are not alone.”
She squeezed just a little tighter. “Thank you.”
They moved to turn down the house for the night and put Curie to bed, and talked a little while longer, which enlightened him about the life the TARDIS had created for her, including more about how they met. He could finally make educated guesses about what he could talk about that she would know something about, and felt like he could handle that part at last.
She looked at the clock. “Do you think everything's all right?”
David took a deep breath. “Nerys is more slender than Emily, so it wouldn't surprise me if she's needing more time. She's in good hands, I know that.”
Soon it was late enough for bedtime, which had him nervous as hell. His friends' words drifted back into his thoughts. He'd given in last night. How could he turn her down at all now without really mucking things up?
Even having little kids in the house was no assurance. He did expect to one day be seeking some time with his wife while the children slept, so it felt like the universe was offering him practice.
In the end, she accidentally chose for him when she, in a moment of distraction, started disrobing in front of him. His body, which had been hovering on standby since he had to hug her, turned all the way on in an instant. He blushed even though all he could see was her bare back.
Donna didn't even notice his lack of speech until she turned, also without thinking, and gave him a full-on display of flesh. She blushed a little, suddenly unsure what to do. The night before she had felt the impatience of ensuring a wedding night. Now she wanted to see what he would do without any additional prompting.
He remained still, except for his mouth, which remained silent.
Her flush started fading and her face filled with concern and dismay. “What, do I have some new mark that's unattractive?”
“What?! No! You're as beautiful as ever!”
The words made him flush all the more.
Donna sighed. “Sorry, it's just... years of feeling like I wasn't really attractive, and now... I'm married and yet my husband hasn't made a move on me. I've been the one to initiate romance.”
His eyes widened. Oh, lordy, this wasn't something he factored into his thinking! Now that he'd given in once, it looked like not making love to her would drive a wedge between them and probably endanger her life.
The future was uncertain, but his present course became clear. He slowly stepped toward her. “Maybe I'm afraid that this dream come true will vanish like vapour if I touch you.”
Hope flickered across her face. “Truly?”
The pain mixed in her expression melted his last vestiges of resistance. He cupped her face tenderly. “I've never lied to you before, and I don't intend to start.”
Just don't ask me too many questions, he silently pleaded as he kissed her.
The proof of his feelings made her heart feel like it was trying to escape into the atmosphere. She wrapped her arms around him, leaving room for her hands to start tugging his shirt out of his trousers.
He broke the kiss. “Oh, no you don't.” Before she could do more than open her mouth in protest, he was propelling her backward onto the bed, although a lot more gently than he had done when it was on the couch from last night. He pinned her with just a look so bedroom eyes that it would've made the hardest to embarrass blush. “You drove me insane last night. It's time for payback.”
She blushed, but grinned. “Are you saying I was a bad girl?”
“There are short ears in this house. Don't tempt me to restrain you.”
She dropped her jaw. And considered what it might take to tempt him.
He had just decided to silence her with exploring hands when they heard a door open in the hallway. Swearing quietly, he threw a blanket over her. He just made it to the door that they had forgotten to close, tossing Donna's jumper to her, when Ella came to the door. “Uncle David? I'm thirsty.”
David sighed silently. She always seemed a little vulnerable after something shocked her, and she liked someone taking care of her. Probably also didn't dare go downstairs. Of course it didn't help his mood that she had just proved an old adage that children would always want something when their parents or responsible adults started to get amorous. “Go back to bed and I'll get it for you.”
His voice was patient enough because she nodded with a smile. Then she noticed Donna trying to act nonchalant. “Oh, you're gonna wrestle?” Her smile turned into a knowing smile that said she had walked in on her mothers more than a few times.
Donna blushed hard.
David groaned through a closed mouth. “Off to bed with you. We obviously need to teach you to knock first. As for you, madam,” he added to Donna, “we're going to continue this.”
Her blush slowly faded with that knowledge, even as he left to hurriedly take care of his niece's need. They would need to figure something out for future visits, but she had hope that they could be quiet enough to not disturb them. She hoped. She was hornier than she was last night. That should not have been possible after their little mini-marathon last night.
How long had it been for her? She wished she could remember the answer.
A knock at the front door interrupted her musings. She pulled on her jumper as she listened. The sound of Emily's tired voice combined with Ella's happy tones told her to get up and wake Josh even before David called gently for her to do so.
At last she got Josh moving. They hurried downstairs as David was asking, “So you want us to come over in three days? With food?”
“That'd be lovely,” Emily agreed. “There you are, Josh. You have a little brother named James.”
Ella's pout grew as her brother cheered. “I wanted a sister.”
Donna smiled. “Sweetheart, I'm sure you'll love James. Besides, maybe you'll have a little cousin to dote on eventually.”
David blushed a little, grateful that Emily rushed the children out into their primary car. He promised to return the second one when they visited. And thankfully the children were too happy to see one of their mums to do more than hug their uncle and aunt goodbye, with thanks for the day.
Once the door was closed and locked, Donna grinned and leaned to press her chest gently against David. “So... where were we?”
His eyes fixed on the sight she knew would appeal to him, and his pupils darkened. “With that temptress behaviour you're acting like you're wanting me to tie you up.”
She sucked in a breath, not sure if it was obvious how much more strongly the fire within felt at the thought. “With what? Cuffs or one of your ties?”
“Oh, that's it,” he playfully growled, so far past the point of caring whether this was a good idea that he could no longer remember what it was like to think that way. He swept her into his arms and carried her upstairs, smiling subconsciously at her squeals of delight.
He quickly laid her on the bed and undid his tie. Donna stayed still, breathing a little shallower with each second he looked at her. She offered no protest when he took her wrists in his hands and drew them up to the knobs at the headboard. He made quick work of binding her.
“How did you learn this?”
“I'll tell you later.” He could not admit that it was from one of their adventures, when he had to restrain someone who could have let the word get out of what they intended to do to his boss' plans. Neither terribly cared for knocking someone out if it could be avoided, and David thought the memory of being humiliated by a woman and a man who he had underestimated would last far longer than any physical punishment he feared from his master.
Donna smirked at the evasion. “Tied up a woman before?”
“No, you're the first, but I know a few things. Now... be a good girl and I won't locate another two ties.”
She gasped and stilled completely. “Oh my god... you'd do that?”
“I think that should be for another time, but if you beg nicely,” he promised, well aware he was running head-long on the highway to hell.
She squirmed at the utter bedroom look in his eyes. “I can wait for the next time. Just... please start.”
He could hardly ignore such a pleading tone or the almost puppy-eyed glint in the attempt at a sultry tone. So he let his fingers trace over her curves, barely there with his touches and avoiding all the places they both wanted his fingers to go. Making the touches a little firmer as she began moaning and squirming toward his hands.
“Please, more,” she gasped. “Don't tease me.”
“That was caressing,” he insisted. “This is teasing.”
His fingers drifted up toward the very things that had caused him so much discomfort over a year earlier, the chest that had been the center of his dreams and fantasies for so long. And he made the touches even lighter than his first caresses, running from the crease where her breasts met her stomach and all the way around in circles to her erect nipples, which acted to him like they also yearned for his touch.
She moaned loudly. But his touches turned firmer as he allowed more of each hand to be touching her at once, letting him treat them like these gentle stress balls for someone already completely relaxed. She felt like sparks of energy were shooting along her body from her chest to her center, and racing up to make her head feel like it was floating on a cloud and racing higher and higher into the sky.
“Ah, now you're being a very good girl,” he purred, deeply into the moment.
“Please, love,” she whispered, barely getting the words out against the strain of holding in her moans and the need to scream. “I need you now.”
“You'll have to wait,” he whispered thickly, beyond delighted and gleeful that she was utter putty in his hands. “It will be worth it, I promise.”
She whimpered but did not protest further. Just tried to get closer to his body and hands.
He was amazed he was holding out as well as he was. His body wanted nothing more than to be completely naked and joined with hers, but the wicked side wanted a little payback for all the times she had made him need quality time alone.
Shame she had no idea just why or how much he wanted payback.
He finally decided he could not torture them both much longer like this, so he lowered his mouth to start kissing her neck.
She sighed in relief. “Oh, yes. Like that,” she moaned, stretching her neck to give him more skin to touch, and overjoyed that he gladly obliged in kissing the additional inches.
He let his mouth dance over her skin and lower slowly toward where they both wanted him to go. The wait was long enough that they both groaned when he took her nipple in his mouth. He had to fight the urge to just go for sucking her, and barely kept things going smoothly. She felt and tasted lovely, and he was starting to wonder if he was about to find home for the first time since he was a child.
She tried to tilt her body toward him for more contact and more kisses, licks, and even bites. Each one made her alternate between gasping, moaning, cursing under her breath, and begging for more or for release. But he ignored her, switching breasts instead.
“Cruel man!” she breathed when she could find any breath for voicing anything.
He just smiled against her, but did not stop. He doubted he could stop now unless she did something drastic.
Finally she suddenly screamed as her body spasmed against his mouth and body. It lasted for a long minute before she stilled.
He let go, panting as he slowly undid her trousers. “Hope you're ready, love. I need you.”
She moaned and parted her legs as soon as he had her naked. “Maybe not as much as I need you?”
“Oh, that's not possible,” he insisted as he struggled against his own clothes. They now felt constricting for the first time ever. Had he ever been this horny in his life?
It did not matter as he lined them up. Given that she had been a virgin the night before, her body was incredibly receptive to his. He bit back his own loud moan of joy as they fully met. “You feel like heaven.”
“Come join me there, please.”
They rocked and he thrust into her as slowly as his frazzled body would allow. But it was not to be for long. He soon had to speed up as her legs wrapped around him like they had the night before when he lost all control, and they spiraled into the little death.
Neither was quite sure how long they were out of it, but they came back to themselves with smiles on their faces and still connected. “Oh my god,” she whispered. “That was amazing.”
He nuzzled her hair. “I know. You were brilliant.”
She grinned up at him as she giggled. “I just lay here doing nothing but react to you.”
“It was quite the show,” he admitted with a blush.
“I guess I could be persuaded to do it again,” she sighed, faking resignation like a wife of the olden days. Then she smirked evilly. “And maybe one day I can return the favour?”
His eyes widened. Once or twice he had wondered what he would do if the Doctor had taken charge of him like that, and his body had liked the idea more than his mind was comfortable with. Now that he was practically being propositioned by the woman he would be treating as his wife? He had not thought he could start going hard again so soon. “I've never let anyone do that.”
“I'm your wife. One day soon will you let me take complete control?”
He lowered his head to kiss her deeply instead of answering right away. Keeping her from talking meant he could avoid thinking for a while longer, and anything was better than thinking. Thank goodness he had an alternative to every other option than talking. Or making promises that he was not certain he would one day be able to keep.
He hated having to make a promise that would one day be broken. Through no fault of his own.
Only Donna tilted her head to break the kiss. “Release me so I can touch you back?”
He did, reveling in the feel of her hands on his skin and bum. She was rather eager and a fast learner for a virgin. He wondered what the TARDIS had given her, what she had had the time to research, and what the Doctor had known before this had happened. It was all going to be on his thoughts, especially since he vaguely recalled the Doctor indicating that neither of his marriages had involved intimacy of any kind.
But not tonight. Not for long. Touching like this was a surefire way to forget rational thought. The only plus to it, he thought as she rolled them over to be on top, was that at least he would enjoy the highway to hell.
He might feel differently in the morning, but perhaps his friends were right. What else could he do?
CHAPTER EIGHT: MEET THE PARENTS AND A JOB INTERVIEW GOES PEAR-SHAPED