Christmas Open Thread

[rude_not_ginger]

•deck•the•halls•

• THE DOCTOR LEARNS THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS •

~•~

Christmas Eve. 2009.

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[forever_noble]

She was busy blowing into her own cup of cocoa as she carefully made her way over to him, the heat from the cup warming her chilled fingers. It figured she'd leave her mittens in her other winter coat, though it did make ringing up home a great deal easier. Never could manage to press the right numbers while wearing those things. Couldn't help smiling though; she was in good company and, if the first sip was anything to judge, she had a good drink to top it all off. Now if she could only think of a gift for him.

"Glad to see you're grinning," she said, lightly bumping her shoulder against his. "D'you realise we could have a right and proper Christmas this time? No robot Santas or chases in taxis, and no particle things pulling me into the TARDIS? Not that Mum will have us round for dinner. Doesn't exactly trust you still, or so Gramps--" She cut herself off, finally noticing the device.

"Doctor," she said a little pointedly as her enthusiasm started to wane. "We are going to have a proper Christmas? Aren't we?"

[rude_not_ginger]

"Course we are," the Doctor said, distracted by the buzzing and whirring of the device in his hands. "I've got you a present and everything."

Not that his bigger-on-the-inside pockets would give that away.

"But! The important thing about this Christmas is finding out the real meaning of Christmas and----" He made a face. "That's awful. Terrible! I can't believe it!"

[forever_noble]

Well, hearing he'd already gotten her a gift made her feel like a right old cad. When did he find the time for that?! Though she knew a tailor who did rush jobs. The Doctor could do with another kind of suit, she thought...

"The real meaning? Who are you, Charlie Brown?" But her frown grew more concerned a second after that outburst. "What's the matter?" she asked, peeking at the noisy device.

[rude_not_ginger]

The Doctor turned from the device, looking at Donna very, very seriously.

"You have more marshmallows in your hot chocolate than I do. It's terrible. Awful!"

[forever_noble]

She smacked his arm lightly. "That's what's so awful?! The number of marshmallows in my hot chocolate? You prawn..." she sighed, rolling her eyes. After a moment's thought, she added in a softer voice, "Here, switch with me. I'm not a big fan of marshmallows any longer."

[rude_not_ginger]

He grinned, switching eagerly with Donna. He did like marshmallows, but he also liked arguing with her about them.

He held up the device for her. "Psychic resonance. Figure out the real meaning of Christmas!"

[forever_noble]

She arched an eyebrow at him and sipped her cocoa. He really did get less marshmallows, but hey that worked all the better for her.

"You're serious about this, aren't you? You know, I think I saw a film like this once. Involved a really skinny bloke in a pinstripe suit who sang all the time and took over Christmas at. Don't suppose he's a relation of yours?" she asked, glancing at him, a smart little smile playing at the corners of her lips. Never mind the bloke in question was a skeleton.

[rude_not_ginger]

"If you're trying to relate me to Jimmy Stewart, I'll consider myself flattered," the Doctor said. He was still working his way up from the Christmas movies of the 40's, it would take him a while to make it to those of the 90's.

"But, it's an interesting phenomenon! And not one you find in other planet's holidays. Religion only plays a small part in it, I think. There's something more. And you and I, Donna Noble, are going to figure out what."

[forever_noble]

"Yeah...sure." Any other time she'd correct him, but being in the spirit of the season all, she allowed him his delusion just this once.

"Right," she said after another sip of her cocoa. "What's the plan then? We're not going to wander around all day with that thing, are we?"

[rude_not_ginger]

"No," the Doctor said. "I plan to figure out the spirit of Christmas, and then we'll go ice skating."

So, only part of the day, then.

[forever_noble]

"That's a bit of a tall order, even for you. What makes you think this psychic resonator thing can detect something like the spirit of Christmas?" Donna asked very dubiously, eyeing the gadget in question. Ice skating right then sounded very nice indeed, even if she hadn't done it in a few years. "It is the spirit we're talking about, not some little alien creature manipulating things from behind the scene."

[rude_not_ginger]

"It might not be," the Doctor agreed. "But something alien is here."

He turned the detector back to face her. A small, red line cut the white psychic spikes running up and down the screen.

"Alien," he said. "And very close." He sighed. "Well, that's all part of Christmas when you're with me."

[forever_noble]

She shook her head, amused. Of course there'd be an alien, present company excluded. "I had a feeling we couldn't have an ordinary day. At the rate we're going, this'll become our own little Christmas tradition."

Quickly, she downed the rest of her drink. If she didn't enjoy it now, she had a feeling she wouldn't get a chance to a few minutes from now.

[rude_not_ginger]

The Doctor did the same, taking in the last long drink of chocolate, and then tossing the cup into the nearest bin.

He gestured down the street and offered Donna his hand.

"Ready?"

[forever_noble]

"Of course," Donna said after tossing her cup in after his. She didn't hesitate to take his hand, threading her fingers between his cold ones, and gave him a little squeeze. "Lead the way, Rudolph."

[rude_not_ginger]

He immediately gave his nose a little rub. It was a bit red because of the cold, but it wasn't that red. Was it? In any case, it was his turn to lead and he gave her a grin.

"This way." He started down one side street, device ahead, Donna's hand in his.