6, oh poor Donna! captoftardisDecember 14 2011, 15:44:35 UTC
Donna!
[The Doctor had many regrets, one of which was letting Donna insist she could handle things on her own and letting her do exactly that. Only to be captured, sold into labor or some such, and caused him to go on a mad goose chase across the universe to track her down.
And here she was, looking downtrodden and lackluster, on the streets of the drug-holding station city, Tsudamster.
He raced across the street, reaching out to grab her shoulder.] I found you! Donna...
sob. poor thing!noblexcompanionDecember 14 2011, 22:54:53 UTC
[ A broken Donna is a bad thing. A broken, quiet Donna is even worse. She had given up all hope of ever seeing the Doctor again. She had no idea how long it had been since she'd last seen him, her days and nights all blur into each other. Work, punishment and pain are all she could think of. She could not remember what a good night's sleep feels like or a full stomach. On the plus side - as a diet plan, it works...
She flinched under his touch, pulling away from him. ]
[Realizing it probably wasn't safe in the open he took her hand and pulled her into the dark alley, voice a quick, but low whisper.]
Donna! Donna, I'm so sorry! So, so sorry.
[She looked a right mess, and despite her desires to lose weight (despite not being voiced), her sunken cheeks and dull eyes were far from flattering.] Oh, what have they done to you...?
You look a mess. [His hands touched her, starting with her cheeks trying to smooth away some dirt to tucking some strands of hair behind her ears.] No, I'm taking you with me. I'm sorry for letting you go. I shouldn't have left you alone!
[He frowned with mixed emotions, knowing that Donna, the Donna he knew, wouldn't step a foot out of the TARDIS or even her own home if she knew her hair hadn't been brushed and she was squeaky clean.]
[ The faintest glimmer of hope danced in her eyes for a brief moment before fading. ] With you? Back to the TARDIS?
[ She looked at him, so vulnerable and helpless. Every bit of stubborn determination and fire that made her Donna Noble had gone. She was exhausted, physically and mentally drained. ]
Yes, back to the TARDIS, and back home or anywhere you want to go.
[He quelled the urge to apologize profusely and wrap her tightly in a hug. She seemed shy from his touching already, like it was a foreign concept, and didn't want to make an already complicated and stressful situation worse.
Glancing back out in the street, he saw some people moving about, looking around.] They're looking for you... Let's go this way. [He took her hand and pulled her into the opposite direction, further back into the alley.] The TARDIS isn't far from here.
[ Every step was strained, each more painful than the last. How much could a human body take before giving in? Hard to say, but it would be easy to believe Donna was close to it.
Her hand slipped from his, and she dropped to her knees. She knew she had to run, but she just couldn't. Tears rolled down her cheeks, leaving wet trails down filthy cheeks. ]
[He felt her slow down and the gradual pull of her fingers slipping from his until she fell to her knees, probably scraping them up in the process.] Donna...
[The Doctor felt entirely guilt-ridden at the scene, seeing her sitting on her legs, hands to her knees and tears silently streaking down her face leaving a trail.
Quickly squatting down by her, he cupped her face in his hands.] Be brave, Donna, you can do that, right? Here, stand up, I'll carry you. [He pulled off his jacket, wrapping it around her shoulder as he helped her to her feet and scooping her up in his arms.]
[ Another sign of just how broken she was. There was no fussing or fighting that she was far too heavy for his skinny twig self to carry and that he would snap in half if he carried her another step. There was no indignant huffing and slapping at his hands, arms and back. There was no fighting, she just clung to him, burying her face against the crook of his neck.
She was trembling in his arms. It was hard to tell if it was fear, exhaustion or cold, or a combination of all three. Either way, it was a far cry from her usual bold, brash self. ]
[They got a few looks as they moved out of the back of the alley and down the street, but the Doctor was determined to save her. She wasn't even putting up a fight, which confirmed she was terribly mistreated.
No time for guilt now, as he quickly walked through a crowd, crossed the street, and just when he suspected they were spotted and being followed, he instructed Donna to search his jacket pocket for TARDIS keys on a necklace. He hadn't used them since traveling with Martha and dealing with the Master, but it'd be perfect in this scenario.] Quickly, slip one around my neck and yours.
[ Her head lolled against his shoulder as she searched his pocket. He should really tidy out his pockets once in a while. Donna was pretty sure she just touched something fuzzy. She really hoped it wasn't alive...
She found the keys, and slipped one around each of their necks as instructed. Perception filters. Perfect! Not getting chased was always a bonus. And the Doctor's shoulder? Looked more and more like a welcoming pillow with every passing moment. ]
[He tightened his grip around her as they moved through another alley and came out on another street. Glancing behind them, he smiled, realizing they had lost whoever it was following them.] Almost free, Donna.
[He pressed his cheek briefly to her forehead as he spotted the TARDIS and calmly walked over and unlocked it. Once inside, still holding her, he managed to press a button or two and the usual whirling sounded as they took off.]
We need to clean you up. Eh? A bath and fresh clothes? You could never resist that.
[ Once in the safety of the TARDIS and more so, safely floating in the vortex, Donna peels herself from the Doctor and gave a nod. A bath was very much needed. A long, hot, bubble bath at that. And a cup of tea. She had almost forgotten how tea tasted.
She dragged her feet, forcing herself to walk to the bathroom. She turned on the taps and stripped out of her filthy, tattered clothes. Her body was covered in bruises and cuts and dried blood. The sound of the running water was heavenly. Who ever thought a bath could look so beautiful? ]
[Without word, she left to her bathroom down the hall, leaving the Doctor alone in the console room pacing. He had so many questions and wanted so many answers, but he knew over time they might or might not be answered and he wouldn't push her to.
Pace, pace.... She often took long baths, but he was edge and finally broke his resolve. She wasn't acting normally and he was feeling quite overprotective in his guilt, and he marched down to the bathroom. Pausing at the door, he knocked.]
Donna...? [He glanced around realizing this was an invasion of privacy, so he damn well have a decent excuse than having a bar of soap lodged at his head.] I brought some towels... Can I come in?
Reply
[The Doctor had many regrets, one of which was letting Donna insist she could handle things on her own and letting her do exactly that. Only to be captured, sold into labor or some such, and caused him to go on a mad goose chase across the universe to track her down.
And here she was, looking downtrodden and lackluster, on the streets of the drug-holding station city, Tsudamster.
He raced across the street, reaching out to grab her shoulder.] I found you! Donna...
Reply
She flinched under his touch, pulling away from him. ]
Reply
Donna! Donna, I'm so sorry! So, so sorry.
[She looked a right mess, and despite her desires to lose weight (despite not being voiced), her sunken cheeks and dull eyes were far from flattering.] Oh, what have they done to you...?
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Her hand was cold in his - which was saying something considering his lower body temperature made him a walking icicle. ]
Can't stop... Have to keep working...
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[He frowned with mixed emotions, knowing that Donna, the Donna he knew, wouldn't step a foot out of the TARDIS or even her own home if she knew her hair hadn't been brushed and she was squeaky clean.]
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[ She looked at him, so vulnerable and helpless. Every bit of stubborn determination and fire that made her Donna Noble had gone. She was exhausted, physically and mentally drained. ]
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[He quelled the urge to apologize profusely and wrap her tightly in a hug. She seemed shy from his touching already, like it was a foreign concept, and didn't want to make an already complicated and stressful situation worse.
Glancing back out in the street, he saw some people moving about, looking around.] They're looking for you... Let's go this way. [He took her hand and pulled her into the opposite direction, further back into the alley.] The TARDIS isn't far from here.
Reply
Her hand slipped from his, and she dropped to her knees. She knew she had to run, but she just couldn't. Tears rolled down her cheeks, leaving wet trails down filthy cheeks. ]
Reply
[The Doctor felt entirely guilt-ridden at the scene, seeing her sitting on her legs, hands to her knees and tears silently streaking down her face leaving a trail.
Quickly squatting down by her, he cupped her face in his hands.] Be brave, Donna, you can do that, right? Here, stand up, I'll carry you. [He pulled off his jacket, wrapping it around her shoulder as he helped her to her feet and scooping her up in his arms.]
Reply
She was trembling in his arms. It was hard to tell if it was fear, exhaustion or cold, or a combination of all three. Either way, it was a far cry from her usual bold, brash self. ]
Reply
No time for guilt now, as he quickly walked through a crowd, crossed the street, and just when he suspected they were spotted and being followed, he instructed Donna to search his jacket pocket for TARDIS keys on a necklace. He hadn't used them since traveling with Martha and dealing with the Master, but it'd be perfect in this scenario.] Quickly, slip one around my neck and yours.
Reply
She found the keys, and slipped one around each of their necks as instructed. Perception filters. Perfect! Not getting chased was always a bonus. And the Doctor's shoulder? Looked more and more like a welcoming pillow with every passing moment. ]
Reply
[He pressed his cheek briefly to her forehead as he spotted the TARDIS and calmly walked over and unlocked it. Once inside, still holding her, he managed to press a button or two and the usual whirling sounded as they took off.]
We need to clean you up. Eh? A bath and fresh clothes? You could never resist that.
Reply
She dragged her feet, forcing herself to walk to the bathroom. She turned on the taps and stripped out of her filthy, tattered clothes. Her body was covered in bruises and cuts and dried blood. The sound of the running water was heavenly. Who ever thought a bath could look so beautiful? ]
Reply
Pace, pace.... She often took long baths, but he was edge and finally broke his resolve. She wasn't acting normally and he was feeling quite overprotective in his guilt, and he marched down to the bathroom. Pausing at the door, he knocked.]
Donna...? [He glanced around realizing this was an invasion of privacy, so he damn well have a decent excuse than having a bar of soap lodged at his head.] I brought some towels... Can I come in?
Reply
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