Ending of the Hours (Book Four of the Bad Wolf Chronicles)

Trips With Separate Ways

Jessie stared at her phone for a second before saying, "No way."

"Way," Donna Noble said.

"You're joking."

"I'm not."

"We've been gone seven months?!"

"Is time really that off inside your box?"

Jessie shook her head, faintly wondering why all of these phone calls were getting to her now. "I don't know. But what is it you need help with, Donna?"

"You didn't spend Christmas with us last time."

Jessie groaned. "Donna - "

"Nope, you're listening," Donna said firmly. "You are getting down here and helping with shopping and planning, and Martha is coming as well, and if not, we'll get some HYDRA folks for you to slaughter in the meantime." Jessie blanched, and Donna quickly said, "I mean - "

"It's OK, Donna," Jessie laughed. Same old Donna. "I get it. You want me to help. I will."

"Who said I needed help, Aussie Wolf?"

"Damn, I miss that name."

"Then get down here to Chiswick and I'll call you that even more."

Jessie grinned and hung up, walking back to the console room. "That was Donna," she reported.

The Doctor frowned, looking up from whatever he'd been doing to the console. "What does she need?"

"Christmas shopping is coming up," Jessie answered.

The Doctor's eyebrows shot up. "Christmas is coming already?"

"From what I gathered, it's still about a month away," Jessie shook her head. "It's November there."

The Doctor stared at her. "What?"

"I know, and she wants me to help."

"What?"

"And Martha's coming, too, and I swear if you say 'what?' again, I will slap you into our next regenerations."

The Doctor shut his mouth with an audible click. "Right . . . "

Jessie sighed. "It's just for the day," she assured him, squeezing his hand as she stepped to his side. "You don't need to stay. Give yourself time alone for once."

The Doctor considered. "Well . . . "

"Go on." Jessie nudged him with her hip. "Give yourself a nice trip for once. We both get to do something. Besides, you'll be able to avoid the others."

The Doctor rubbed the back of his neck. "I suppose," he sighed.

Jessie kissed his cheek. "Just drop me off at Donna's house," she said.

***

Donna beamed when the TARDIS finally materialized, and the Bad Wolf came running out. "Donna!" she cheered.

Donna laughed and gave her friend a huge hug as Martha's car pulled up. "You're not late!"

"Oi!" Martha complained, stepping out, a wide smile on her face. "Don't I get a hug?"

"Oh, get in here," the Bad Wolf laughed, holding out an arm, pulling Martha in.

The Doctor smirked from where he stood in the TARDIS doorway. "I'll be back by the end of the day," he promised.

"You better, Spaceman," Donna threatened.

The Doctor just smirked and nodded before heading back into the TARDIS.

"Come on," Martha said, tugging the Bad Wolf to her car. "Let's go!"

Donna smiled, taking her purse and heading over as well. But as she went, she paused, feeling a familiar tingle go through her. She looked around, frowning. It almost felt like . . . Messaline.

But there was nothing around her at all.

Frowning, she got into the passenger seat, and Martha pulled her car out onto the street as the TARDIS disappeared.

All four of them never noticed the dark-haired girl watching from the shadows, her gold eyes narrowed as she watched the very thing she feared happen.

The Doctor and the Bad Wolf were separated.

She strode out, heading down the street towards where the TARDIS had disappeared. Well, that wasn't going to happen. Not with her.

She stepped into the empty space the TARDIS had been, and she vanished without a trace.

Later, people would never be able to explain how the symbol of a wolf had been graffitied into the side of a house next door.

***

Merry Christmas, everyone! Even if it might be a day late. ;) Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

But . . . what's this? Our Jessie isn't going to be here for "The Waters of Mars?" O.O Well . . . this will be interesting. And it looks like the Doctor's being stalked by an old friend. ;)

"The Waters of Mars" will be up in a few moments!