VIII.

Throwing her scarf around her neck, Donna glanced at Venus one more time through the lens of her grandfather's telescope. It was the one thing he'd left her and the only thing she'd wanted.

Initially she'd spent most of her nights up the hill, either with her grandad's old astronomy books or with the Doctor's and River Song's diary open on her lap. She would like to have been there to wave him off, as her Gramps had done for them. She'd have liked to have seen that splendid blue box one last time.

But maybe it wouldn't have mattered. Maybe that was being greedy. She'd had her turn. And she had her memories. It was someone else's time now to follow that ridiculous man around the stars and save his hide whenever he needed it. It was her time to get on with her life.

She got to her feet and gave her mother a peck on the head: "Gotta go, Mum. Will you be alright with the telescope?"

"Fine, dear, yes, fine," she murmured, not raising her head from River Song's diary: "Have you read this part about the Durians and Riticulans?"

"Yeah," Donna smiled, giving her a wave: "Don't stay out too long, it's cold."

Sylvia waved absently. "Tell Martha I said hello…And have fun with Lee!"

"I will!" she shouted back as she headed down the hill at an increasing pace: "I'm gonna ask him to marry me!"

"What? Donna!" Sylvia dropped the diary and hurried to the crest of the hill: "Are you mad, my girl? What will he say to that?!"

Donna turned to face her, her arms spread wide against the starlit sky. "What do you think? He'll say yes, of course!"

Epilogue

'March, 2117.

The Doctor left today and it's back to reality. Books and university, late shifts and the Tube. It's all rather anti-climactic after sailing the skies. But at least I finally got up the courage to ask him before he flew away again.

It can be so difficult getting him to talk about anything real. He's particularly reluctant to speak about the people he's loved and left behind. But today, the Doctor told me about my great-great grandmother.

Mostly basic facts, some of which I already knew. That she had red hair and a temper. That she saved his life and all of reality. That she loved him fiercely and the feeling was mutual.

Sometimes I wonder if he sees any of her in me, however distant the ancestry. Sometimes I wonder whether he compares, how much he remembers. And sometimes I wonder whether he'll ever love me half as much as I know he loved her.

I worry that he sees me as a half-way version of her. Not quite formed, not quite ready. Too young and inexperienced. Not strong like her. Not brave or special.

One day I will be though. One day, I'll be the one he trusts and calls on and turns to. The one he fights for and admires. Next time the Doctor calls, I'll be ready and waiting.

When I asked him to describe what Donna Noble was actually like when he knew her, the Doctor was silent for a long time. I think maybe his eyes went a little wet and he could only find one word to reply with.

'Magnificent' was all he said.

R.'

END.