"Oh, you were right, this is fantastic," Donna said as she and the Doctor emerged into the theatre lobby for the interval.

The Doctor smiled and took her arm. "I thought you would like it. And it gets even better. Did you want a drink?" he asked.

Donna shook her head. "No, thanks, but you go on if you like." The crowd jostled them both, and his hand tightened on her arm.

"Maybe some air?" he suggested, nodding toward the door.

"That'd be lovely," she agreed, and let him lead her outside. The air was cool, but the night was clear and beautiful. She shivered a little at the breeze, and he let go of her arm to slip off his suitcoat. Donna smiled as he put it around her shoulders. "Thanks." She tucked her arm through his and looked up at the night sky. "All those stars."

"And we could visit any of them you like," he said, covering her hand with his.

"Wonderful," she said. She could see another couple a few feet away, their arms looped together, deep in conversation. The man brushed a lock of hair back from the woman's face and let his hand rest on her cheek. The woman smiled at him as she covered his hand with hers. Donna felt her stomach do a little flip and looked away. She looked up at the Doctor to find him watching her.

"I missed you, you know," he said.

"I'm right here, you big dumbo," she said, giving his arm a squeeze.

"Not now. Before. Not many people turn me down when I ask them to travel with me."

"Well, I'm not most people." She had seen the flash of hurt on his face when she had turned him down, so long ago. She had regretted that at the time, although it was later she had regretted not going with him.

"True enough. You are one of a kind."

Donna rolled her eyes. "You had the lovely Martha Jones with you. I'm sure you didn't spare me a thought."

His eyes were shadowed as he looked down at her. "It was a long year for me. I had lots of time to think. I wondered what you were doing, where you were."

"I didn't know."

"Well, I was also trying to remember whether you still had the ring."

"Oh. Yes, I did. I do. "

"Really?"

"I didn't mean to keep it. I just liked it. I felt safe with it on."

"Even though it didn't work on the robot Santas?"

She laughed. "Yes, even then."

"You're not wearing it now?" He looked at her hand.

"Well, I started to be afraid I would lose it, so I put it on a chain." Donna let go of his arm and pulled the necklace from the pocket of her dress, to show him the gold band looped on it next to the TARDIS key. She saw them both catch the light.

"Oh," he said. She couldn't read his expression, but she saw his Adam's apple bob up and down as he swallowed.

"I usually wear it, but it didn't really match the dress." She touched the necklace she was wearing instead. She started to return the chain to her pocket, but he stopped her, taking it gently from her hand.

"It doesn't protect you unless you are wearing it," he said softly, as he opened the clasp and removed the ring from the chain. She felt her heart skip a beat as he took her left hand in his and slid the ring onto her finger.

"S'pose not," she agreed, a little breathless.

He brushed her hair back from her face and let his hand rest on the back of her neck. He leaned his forehead against hers, his eyes closed, and Donna put her hand on his chest, between his hearts. She could feel them both beating under his skin, the tempo matching her own as he pulled back, opening his eyes to look into hers. She was dimly aware the other patrons were returning to the theatre, and she whispered, "I think the interval is over."

"We should go in," he said. "I don't want you to miss the show."

She swallowed. "If you think that's best."

He straightened and offered her his arm, and the ring caught the light as she looped her arm through his and they joined the crowd returning to the theatre.