FIC: Flipped, Book 3 (10/12)
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 / Chapter Seven / Chapter Eight / Chapter Nine
Flipped, Book 3
Started July 14, 2013
Finished December 31, 2015
CHAPTER TEN: The Worst Case Scenario
Decorating for the baby was well underway. Loads of plans formed in Donna's head and David could only fall into line.
He found himself melting into impending fatherhood. The images of ginger children were becoming more frequent and vivid, drawing him deeper into the situation. Even as he worried sick over whether he could just let the Doctor remain Donna until he was near death. Jack was still uncertain about what to do in that case. Three months would be up in two weeks.
To his amazement, his mother was softening into the situation. Not so easily, but Donna ran to the loo when they visited - for the first time since the near explosion between Donna and his mum - when she was six weeks along. Several smells were suddenly too much for her. It was impossible to deny it, so they had finally shared the news.
Geoffrey, Wilfred, and Eileen were all instantly thrilled. Cheers and congratulations flowed, with only a hint to David's eyes of their concern. Sylvia's reaction was more subdued, shocked, but it was hard to not share in the joy of the moment and after Geoffrey pulled her aside for a long moment she was telling Donna stories about being pregnant with David.
The change was more than drastic enough that David had to corner her.
“Mum, you're being awfully supportive,” he whispered. “Not that it's unwelcome, but it is surprising.”
She hesitated before answering in the same tome. “Geoffrey reminded me of how much I panicked while pregnant with you, and how many times I went to my mum for help. Donna... she has no mother to call with frantic questions or to get reassurance. How can I let my grandchildren suffer, no matter... their mother's origins?”
Not entirely accepting, but more than he was willing to hope for. And it meant he wouldn't have to referee discussions much, since Donna's questions were largely about what he had been like growing up.
David wondered if he should be grateful the Doctor wasn't herself, or worried about what she would remember. Because if he went through with his idea of letting the Doctor remain hidden until he was about to die then he would barely have any time to worry about it.
He still didn't know what to think.
He had sighed and laughed as Donna had oohed and awwed over his baby things. He wasn't laughing so much when she insisted on bringing it all with them and setting it up. Sylvia backed her on that, the first time the two had been entirely on the same page.
The celebration with Donna at home over finishing the decorating of the room he had always mentally set aside for a nursery had been fun and playful. The dreams of ginger-nut children kept coming, now almost a nightly event.
But he couldn't stop the fear that it would all end. The Devil's words kept coming back to him, the way he was described:
The man who will see his dearest wish destroyed before his very eyes.
Martha was visiting that morning, helping him stay focused and sane while they prepared for the day. But she was more watching the news. They had all heard about the crash only a few miles away, and she and David were a bit on edge. The Aubertide couldn't have found them, could they?
Suddenly they had a knock at the door. David tensed and slowly went to the door. He checked th peephole and frowned. He quickly opened the door. “Jack? Mickey? Sarah Jane?”
Martha perked up at the mention of the younger man. Donna smirked, having seen how well the two got on.
Jack's smile wasn't there. Instead he was all business. “David, get the ladies into the car. That crash means trouble.”
What he was saying with his eyes sent ice water through David's veins.
Donna stepped forward. “Jack? What's going on?”
“Grab Curie. You're going.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere away from here,” Sarah Jane said. “There's a great danger nearby.”
“Well, don't you have to warn others?”
“No, just you.”
“Why?”
“Donna, please don't argue,” David pleaded. “Curie!”
The dog came instantly, with Martha on her heels holding the leash. In her other hand he saw the fobwatch. He nodded a discrete approval and shuffled Donna out the door.
“But the food-”
“Won't mean a thing if you're caught,” Mickey stressed. “Now come on!”
Jack held David back, whispering in his ear. “What about the TARDIS?”
“She's got a perception filter on her, and is running only on emergency power. Take Donna and my TARDIS key. I'll lock up here. There are some things they can't get access to.”
“Okay, but hurry.”
Donna noticed that David wasn't following. “David?”
“I'll follow. I'll only be a few minutes. I promise.”
Martha tugged her. “Come on, you have babies to think of.”
That convinced Donna to follow, as they suspected twins given the severity of her morning sickness, but she looked at David pleadingly. “Hurry!”
“I will.”
Jack hesitated as the other three got in with Donna. “Sure you don't need help?”
“Positive. I know what needs to be done.”
“Okay.” Jack hurried to the car, hopped into the driver's seat, slammed the door shut and drove off.
David rushed back inside to shut off the computers and lock the journals. The only thing he would keep on him would be his Sonic, his early warning system that something was going wrong. Although they had not had time to test whether it could detect the Aubertide coming.
He powered down the computers with the Sonic's help, locked all of the drawers, and hid the keys in the secret box the Doctor had gifted him back two years ago. It only opened with either his or the Doctor's Sonic. The only keys he had on his person were the house keys.
He rushed downstairs to check on the TARDIS and froze. It was surrounded by scarecrows.
“Shit!” he breathed and grabbed his phone to send a fast text:
TARDIS surrounded by scarecrows. Am about to make a run for it.
The back door burst open, and a teenage girl led several scarecrows inside. She smiled evilly at him and raised her head. “Family of Mine, I have found the Human male.”
David turned toward the front door, but stopped. There were more scarecrows coming.
He pressed the Sonic and thought of Setting 1 to send a prepared emergency message. And wondered if this was what the Devil foresaw.
His mood sank further when he saw who was with them. “Rose Tyler?!”
She smiled. “You won't be hurt, David. Just tell them what they want to know.”
He was too shocked to react even when the scarecrows grabbed him.
/=/=/=/=/
“What's happening?” Sylvia demanded as Donna got out of the car. “Where's David?”
“That crash in Chiswick?” Mickey answered. “It's likely the danger we've been looking for. David's behind us, locking the house.”
Geoffrey paled. “What if he's found?”
“We should have enough of a lead,” Jack said. “Besides, it's not like they have any knowledge of where to find him.”
A beeping came from Jack's phone. He drew it out and stilled solid.
“Jack?” Donna demanded. 'What is it?”
Jack's mouth worked silently, and then he swallowed. “Animate scarecrows have surrounded the TARDIS.”
“What?!”
Another beeping, this time from Martha's phone. She drew it out and nearly dropped it. “Oh god, he's been found.”
“Who are they?!” Donna shouted.
Jack swallowed. “Martha, please tell me-”
She grabbed the fobwatch from her pocket and held it before Donna. “You need to open this, Donna.”
“What? That old thing? How's that going to help David?!”
“It will when you become the Doctor again.”
Donna looked helplessly at Martha. “Wait, how do you know about my dreams? That's what the man I keep seeing calls himself. I even saw myself going by that name!”
“Because I travelled with you and David. You're not really Donna Noble, nee Smith. You're the Doctor. An alien from Gallifrey who turned from a man into a woman. You hid as a Human because these creatures were after you, but you told us to open the watch if they found us.”
She shook her head. “But they're all just dreams. Crazy dreams. Some of them you've each been in.”
Sarah Jane shook her head. “No, they all actually happened. You are the Doctor. You changed yourself to hide from those creatures, but they've surrounded the TARDIS and they've captured David. We need the Doctor to return if any of us are going to survive this. The planet is at stake.”
Donna's hands flew to her belly. “But what about my babies? The Doctor is an alien! What's going to happen to my and David's babies?!”
No one wanted to answer, but Jack forced himself to. “No one knows. But I'm afraid that David will die if the Doctor doesn't return. And they'll hunt for you next. If they have him, they must know to look for you.”
“They do,” Mickey said grimly. “And I bet it's all because of Rose. I told you I saw her walking around the cordon! And the police report taken about the girl watching his house looked like her!” He was grateful Jackie wasn't there, and wouldn't know for a while that there was nothing that could hide the truth that Rose had allied herself with monsters in the name of getting what she wanted.
Martha again held out the watch by its chain. “We can't make you do it, but you said you'd do anything to help and protect David.”
Donna could barely see the watch through her tears. Hesitating, she reached and took it. And froze as a slew of images filled her mind.
Her holding newborn twins in her arms with David sitting by her side, smiling in awe. Them guiding those and other children as they grew. Seeing them reach their milestones. Watching them fall in love and wed. Becoming grandparents. Growing old with David and being at his side as he made the world a better place through his work. Being together in the end.
She came back to herself and let the tears fall freely. She didn't know where those images came from, but she knew that beautiful future could never be now. She had to save her love, even if it cost them the precious lives within her.
Rubbing her belly, she whispered, “I'm so sorry, little loves. I'm so, so sorry.”
And she opened the watch.
/=/=/=/
Son of Mine sniffed the air all of a sudden, and smiled. “The Time Lord has returned.”
David paled further.
Chapter Eleven: Victory and Devastation
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 / Chapter Seven / Chapter Eight / Chapter Nine
Flipped, Book 3
Started July 14, 2013
Finished December 31, 2015
CHAPTER TEN: The Worst Case Scenario
Decorating for the baby was well underway. Loads of plans formed in Donna's head and David could only fall into line.
He found himself melting into impending fatherhood. The images of ginger children were becoming more frequent and vivid, drawing him deeper into the situation. Even as he worried sick over whether he could just let the Doctor remain Donna until he was near death. Jack was still uncertain about what to do in that case. Three months would be up in two weeks.
To his amazement, his mother was softening into the situation. Not so easily, but Donna ran to the loo when they visited - for the first time since the near explosion between Donna and his mum - when she was six weeks along. Several smells were suddenly too much for her. It was impossible to deny it, so they had finally shared the news.
Geoffrey, Wilfred, and Eileen were all instantly thrilled. Cheers and congratulations flowed, with only a hint to David's eyes of their concern. Sylvia's reaction was more subdued, shocked, but it was hard to not share in the joy of the moment and after Geoffrey pulled her aside for a long moment she was telling Donna stories about being pregnant with David.
The change was more than drastic enough that David had to corner her.
“Mum, you're being awfully supportive,” he whispered. “Not that it's unwelcome, but it is surprising.”
She hesitated before answering in the same tome. “Geoffrey reminded me of how much I panicked while pregnant with you, and how many times I went to my mum for help. Donna... she has no mother to call with frantic questions or to get reassurance. How can I let my grandchildren suffer, no matter... their mother's origins?”
Not entirely accepting, but more than he was willing to hope for. And it meant he wouldn't have to referee discussions much, since Donna's questions were largely about what he had been like growing up.
David wondered if he should be grateful the Doctor wasn't herself, or worried about what she would remember. Because if he went through with his idea of letting the Doctor remain hidden until he was about to die then he would barely have any time to worry about it.
He still didn't know what to think.
He had sighed and laughed as Donna had oohed and awwed over his baby things. He wasn't laughing so much when she insisted on bringing it all with them and setting it up. Sylvia backed her on that, the first time the two had been entirely on the same page.
The celebration with Donna at home over finishing the decorating of the room he had always mentally set aside for a nursery had been fun and playful. The dreams of ginger-nut children kept coming, now almost a nightly event.
But he couldn't stop the fear that it would all end. The Devil's words kept coming back to him, the way he was described:
The man who will see his dearest wish destroyed before his very eyes.
Martha was visiting that morning, helping him stay focused and sane while they prepared for the day. But she was more watching the news. They had all heard about the crash only a few miles away, and she and David were a bit on edge. The Aubertide couldn't have found them, could they?
Suddenly they had a knock at the door. David tensed and slowly went to the door. He checked th peephole and frowned. He quickly opened the door. “Jack? Mickey? Sarah Jane?”
Martha perked up at the mention of the younger man. Donna smirked, having seen how well the two got on.
Jack's smile wasn't there. Instead he was all business. “David, get the ladies into the car. That crash means trouble.”
What he was saying with his eyes sent ice water through David's veins.
Donna stepped forward. “Jack? What's going on?”
“Grab Curie. You're going.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere away from here,” Sarah Jane said. “There's a great danger nearby.”
“Well, don't you have to warn others?”
“No, just you.”
“Why?”
“Donna, please don't argue,” David pleaded. “Curie!”
The dog came instantly, with Martha on her heels holding the leash. In her other hand he saw the fobwatch. He nodded a discrete approval and shuffled Donna out the door.
“But the food-”
“Won't mean a thing if you're caught,” Mickey stressed. “Now come on!”
Jack held David back, whispering in his ear. “What about the TARDIS?”
“She's got a perception filter on her, and is running only on emergency power. Take Donna and my TARDIS key. I'll lock up here. There are some things they can't get access to.”
“Okay, but hurry.”
Donna noticed that David wasn't following. “David?”
“I'll follow. I'll only be a few minutes. I promise.”
Martha tugged her. “Come on, you have babies to think of.”
That convinced Donna to follow, as they suspected twins given the severity of her morning sickness, but she looked at David pleadingly. “Hurry!”
“I will.”
Jack hesitated as the other three got in with Donna. “Sure you don't need help?”
“Positive. I know what needs to be done.”
“Okay.” Jack hurried to the car, hopped into the driver's seat, slammed the door shut and drove off.
David rushed back inside to shut off the computers and lock the journals. The only thing he would keep on him would be his Sonic, his early warning system that something was going wrong. Although they had not had time to test whether it could detect the Aubertide coming.
He powered down the computers with the Sonic's help, locked all of the drawers, and hid the keys in the secret box the Doctor had gifted him back two years ago. It only opened with either his or the Doctor's Sonic. The only keys he had on his person were the house keys.
He rushed downstairs to check on the TARDIS and froze. It was surrounded by scarecrows.
“Shit!” he breathed and grabbed his phone to send a fast text:
TARDIS surrounded by scarecrows. Am about to make a run for it.
The back door burst open, and a teenage girl led several scarecrows inside. She smiled evilly at him and raised her head. “Family of Mine, I have found the Human male.”
David turned toward the front door, but stopped. There were more scarecrows coming.
He pressed the Sonic and thought of Setting 1 to send a prepared emergency message. And wondered if this was what the Devil foresaw.
His mood sank further when he saw who was with them. “Rose Tyler?!”
She smiled. “You won't be hurt, David. Just tell them what they want to know.”
He was too shocked to react even when the scarecrows grabbed him.
/=/=/=/=/
“What's happening?” Sylvia demanded as Donna got out of the car. “Where's David?”
“That crash in Chiswick?” Mickey answered. “It's likely the danger we've been looking for. David's behind us, locking the house.”
Geoffrey paled. “What if he's found?”
“We should have enough of a lead,” Jack said. “Besides, it's not like they have any knowledge of where to find him.”
A beeping came from Jack's phone. He drew it out and stilled solid.
“Jack?” Donna demanded. 'What is it?”
Jack's mouth worked silently, and then he swallowed. “Animate scarecrows have surrounded the TARDIS.”
“What?!”
Another beeping, this time from Martha's phone. She drew it out and nearly dropped it. “Oh god, he's been found.”
“Who are they?!” Donna shouted.
Jack swallowed. “Martha, please tell me-”
She grabbed the fobwatch from her pocket and held it before Donna. “You need to open this, Donna.”
“What? That old thing? How's that going to help David?!”
“It will when you become the Doctor again.”
Donna looked helplessly at Martha. “Wait, how do you know about my dreams? That's what the man I keep seeing calls himself. I even saw myself going by that name!”
“Because I travelled with you and David. You're not really Donna Noble, nee Smith. You're the Doctor. An alien from Gallifrey who turned from a man into a woman. You hid as a Human because these creatures were after you, but you told us to open the watch if they found us.”
She shook her head. “But they're all just dreams. Crazy dreams. Some of them you've each been in.”
Sarah Jane shook her head. “No, they all actually happened. You are the Doctor. You changed yourself to hide from those creatures, but they've surrounded the TARDIS and they've captured David. We need the Doctor to return if any of us are going to survive this. The planet is at stake.”
Donna's hands flew to her belly. “But what about my babies? The Doctor is an alien! What's going to happen to my and David's babies?!”
No one wanted to answer, but Jack forced himself to. “No one knows. But I'm afraid that David will die if the Doctor doesn't return. And they'll hunt for you next. If they have him, they must know to look for you.”
“They do,” Mickey said grimly. “And I bet it's all because of Rose. I told you I saw her walking around the cordon! And the police report taken about the girl watching his house looked like her!” He was grateful Jackie wasn't there, and wouldn't know for a while that there was nothing that could hide the truth that Rose had allied herself with monsters in the name of getting what she wanted.
Martha again held out the watch by its chain. “We can't make you do it, but you said you'd do anything to help and protect David.”
Donna could barely see the watch through her tears. Hesitating, she reached and took it. And froze as a slew of images filled her mind.
Her holding newborn twins in her arms with David sitting by her side, smiling in awe. Them guiding those and other children as they grew. Seeing them reach their milestones. Watching them fall in love and wed. Becoming grandparents. Growing old with David and being at his side as he made the world a better place through his work. Being together in the end.
She came back to herself and let the tears fall freely. She didn't know where those images came from, but she knew that beautiful future could never be now. She had to save her love, even if it cost them the precious lives within her.
Rubbing her belly, she whispered, “I'm so sorry, little loves. I'm so, so sorry.”
And she opened the watch.
/=/=/=/
Son of Mine sniffed the air all of a sudden, and smiled. “The Time Lord has returned.”
David paled further.
Chapter Eleven: Victory and Devastation