On the Run ♦ 012. One Step Closer to Goodbye ♦ with captoftardis

[noblexcompanion]

Saying goodbye to Kassia was one of the hardest things Donna had had to do. If ever she had a daughter of her own she hoped she'd be just like Kas. Being around her triggered all those deep rooted maternal instincts Donna tried so hard to hide. In fact, part of her had been more than a little tempted to stay behind with Kassia on Scallite VI to

Comments

[captoftardis]

The Doctor was quiet. Really, really quiet, as he had a hand tucked into a trouser pocket and another lacklusterly pressing a button or two on the console. Perhaps one could say he was procrastinating, as he had yet to reply to Donna.

Rose walked over, peering over to him at an angle, before searching for John, whom couldn't be found at the moment. Biting her lip, she held back saying what probably should be said -- it was time to take her home, wasn't it?

"What?" The Doctor finally looked up to Donna, "Did you say something?" He knew perfectly well what was spoken, just... didn't want to register any definitely answers yet.

[noblexcompanion]

"I said, where to next, Spaceman? What's wrong, got some moon rock in your ear or sommat?" She knew what was wrong, and she hated to see him look so crestfallen.

She pushed herself to her feet and crossed the short distance separating them to rest her hand on his forearm.

John had hidden himself away in the TARDIS garden room. It would probably be the last time he would see many of the wonderful plants it had to offer. Might as well make the most of it.

[captoftardis]

"Ohhh, I dunno." He straightened out his back, smiling softly to Donna at her hand upon his arm. "Somewhere quiet, maybe?" And if anyone knew the Doctor, he never did quiet.

"Or..." Rose spoke hesitantly, cleared her throat, "...I should find John." She had changed her trail of thought, not really wanting to face finality. Not just yet. Her gaze caught the Doctor's, lingered for a moment, then stepped out of the room to search for the metacrisis.

[noblexcompanion]

Once Rose was out of the room Donna tugged on the Doctor's sleeve to get him to face her before tiptoeing to wrap her arms around him in a tight hug. "I wish there was something I could do to cheer you up."

She clung for a little longer than necessary, before relaxing back onto the flats of her feet. "Besides, three minutes of quiet and you'd be bored..."

[captoftardis]

The Doctor stumbled to the door and opened it as warm air flooded the control room. "We're outside Xi'an." He poked his head out even further to look around, then stepped out and groaned.

"We hit the wall." As in the Great Wall of China. Or a piece of it. The TARDIS looked alright, but he couldn't say the same for a section of the wall.

[noblexcompanion]

"What do you mean we hit the wall? What flippin' wall?" Donna followed after him, practically stumbling out of the door. She was still fighting the urge to vomit - what a time to get travel sickness!

Her eyes widened. Her mouth formed a perfect 'O'. "We hit the wall..."

[captoftardis]

He nods, "Yup."

John and Rose stumbled outside a moment later to study the damage themselves. "Well that's just wizard." John commented lamely upon inspection, and looked over to the rest of the crowd. "What do we do now?"

"There's nothing we can do..." The Doctor stopped, "Do you hear something? I definitely hear something." It was getting closer and closer until something came bobbing just over the horizon until a clear view of men on horseback were racing towards them.

"RUN!"

[noblexcompanion]

"I'm guessing that's not the welcoming party, nor the wall inspectors..." Donna grasped hold of the Doctor's hand. So much for fixing things and then going to the beach. She was promised a beach. This was not a beach. This was running or their lives. Again.

John grabbed Rose's hand, pulling her along.

Donna huffed as they ran. "So, Spaceman? Great ideas? Because in case you didn't notice the flippin' horses can run faster than us!"

[captoftardis]

It didn't take long before they were locked up, separated by gender, in holding cells made of stone and iron guarded by two men with spears.

The Doctor was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed listening to John rant and occasionally taunt the guards, blowing steam he supposed. He vaguely wondered if Donna was doing the same thing. "We're between 221 BC and 210 BC. I overheard them talk about Qin Shihuangdi. I wonder when, exactly..."

"Does it matter? We're flipping stuck right now." John sighed and finally took a seat.

[noblexcompanion]

Donna was pacing, ugh she was so angry right now. Stupid people with their stupid swords and their stupid cells. Grr. It wasn't their fault they smashed into the stupid wall. They shouldn't put their wall in the way, should they?

She leaned against the bars, glaring at the guards before quite literally yelling at the top of her lungs. "DOCTOR!? CAN YOU HEAR ME?"

[captoftardis]

"Donna!" Rose warned, worried of what might come of Donna's aggression and impatience. Hadn't she been caught enough to know how these things work? Time, is the answer. It takes time.

Before the Doctor could answer, a guard was smacking his spear against the bars of Donna's holding cell, making threatening gestures as a reply to her outburst. The Doctor sighed, hearing all this commotion, until it hit him. An idea.

Quickly, he ran to the bars and clutching tightly, "I demand to see Qin Shihuangdi!"

"HA! Don't we all, captive!" The guard taunted him in his reply.

"Yes, but I know what he seeks. I know where!" The Doctor pleaded excitedly.

[noblexcompanion]

John arched a brow, arms folded across his chest in a very Donna-esque manner. "This is the part when you reveal your cunning plan that isn't going to get us all killed right? Some of us only have one life and we'd really like to get to old age - thank you very much." Oh yes, he definitely had a strong streak of Ginger Goddess in him.

Donna glared at the guard with such intensity it was a wonder he didn't go up in flames. "Yeah, we want to see the Whatsit Shindig too..."

[captoftardis]

"He won't do that. He won't!" Rose gives Donna's hand a squeeze. "I know he won't."

Morning came all too soon, everyone being startled from their beds other than the Doctor, who was sitting at the table for half the night, drinking tea and lost in thoughts.

"It's time to go." A guard spoke roughly, "Qin Shihuangdi expects you in his court in 30 minutes. Although there are rules he expects you to follow." Most namely, they were to remain 100 paces away from the royal court at all times, as he had grown quite paranoid of assassins within the last few years. Within reason too.

Lucky for them, they were traveling light and entered the court on time. Roze felt all the eyes upon them rather eerie as they entered.

[noblexcompanion]

Donna rubbed at her tired eyes. She hadn't slept well at all. She swore once this was all said and done she was sleeping for a month on the softest bed she could find.

She rolled her eyes as the rules were mentioned and the whisper of assassins passed her by. "Assassins?" She mumbled under her breath, "can't imagine why with such a warm and charming personality..."

"Well, this is a nice warm welcome. All ready for the off, are we? Don't suppose we'll be taking the bus? No? Horses maybe?"

[captoftardis]

"Doubt it. Most likely on foot." The Doctor replied to Donna's comment just before they were stopped 100 paces from Qin Shihuangdi, who sat upon his throne, looking rather unamused.

"Your highness," The Doctor bowed which was quickly followed by John and Rose, "We're indebted to you." Lies, but one had to be buttered up as they were at risk being in court here.

"From where are you from?" Qin Shihuangdi looked positively bored, waving his hands over the pleasantries.

"Oh, around." The Doctor responded, raising back to his full height and tucking his hands in his pockets.

"And they said you know where I can achieve immortality. Why should I believe you?"

A flash of mischief came upon the Doctor's eyes, "What do the omens say? The stars? Your advisers?" Yes it seemed he knew how to play his cards correctly.

[noblexcompanion]

Oh, the Doctor was good. Really good. He was a super bullshitter and he made lying look so damn easy. Whether it was experience, luck or just a natural ability to lie Donna wasn't entirely sure. And one of these days she was certain it would backfire on them all and get them all killed.

"So, your highness, immortality awaits. Let's get going eh? Sooner we get there sooner you can get on with the living forever thing..."

[captoftardis]

The Doctor was becoming agitated now and ruffles his hair before jumping to his feet, "I didn't pick it! The TARDIS brought us here, and if it's worth anything he doesn't 'peg it' the moment he reaches the palace. We'll just sneak off before he does!"

"I hope you're right." Rose commented, arms crossed and still feeling a bit stern towards him.

"I am right." The Doctor replied with a snap before going in their tent and flopping down on his mat.

[noblexcompanion]

Poor Doctor. It couldn't be easy having three people yelling at him and blaming him for things that weren't really his fault.

Donna waited for a few minutes before following him in, sitting herself down next to him. "So, come on Spaceman, why'd the Old Girl bring us here? Not to play buddy-buddy with some nutso on his journey I bet..."

[captoftardis]

He lied there in silence, back facing her, for the longest time before replying. "There's an anomaly in the timeline somewhere." He could feel it, prickling at fingertips, itching his skin. He didn't know when or where, but it was here, just at the edge, teasing him.

This was his final trip with Rose, and he figured everyone silently knew it, just no one knew how to approach the subject only to allow their frustration at the situation take over.

[noblexcompanion]

Tensions were definitely higher than usual due to the fact they all knew the big goodbye was soon on the cards. Sure, Donna was usually mouthy, John too and Rose wasn't afraid to speak her mind, but it seemed on this trip every time they spoke to the Doctor it ended in argument because everyone was so stressed.

She shifted closer, she couldn't stop herself from wrapping an arm around him. He looked like a hug was something he needed, and selfishly, she needed one too. "We'll fix it. We always do."