Abruptly regaining consciousness, the Doctor's first thought was that he felt pleasantly safe and warm. This wasn't a familiar thought on waking by any means, so he immediately set about diagnosing the reason for his contentment. He became aware of the smell of human surrounding him, which would also explain the warmth. Donna. Remembering the day before, their fight, his migraine and her compassion, he rolled over and nestled into her. Rubbing his cheek into her, in a display of Gallifreyan affection, he yawned mightily and opened his eyes to see if she was awake yet.

Seeing her brilliant blue eyes staring down at him, he noted the thoughtful look on her face, along with another emotion that he couldn't immediately place.

"Hello," he murmured, "What are you thinking?"

His foolish old hearts fluttered as she grinned at him and tenderly stroked his hair from his eyes. Despite their fight yesterday, despite his harsh words and hasty actions, she still cared for him. He smiled at her bashfully, waiting for her to speak.

"Hello yourself, Sunshine. I was just wondering when you'd be waking up. How are you feeling now? Headache all gone?" Her voice held concern as well as teasing.

Assessing his health for the first time since he woke, he realised that his headache was indeed gone. Thanks mostly the tender ministrations of the woman in whose arms he still sheltered. He replied, with a cheer he didn't really feel, "Yup, all gone. What will we do today then?"

"Nothing too strenuous or your headache will come back. Let's start with a cup of tea, shall we?"

Relaxing thankfully at her response, he tucked his head under her chin as he replied, "Sounds brilliant. Especially if it comes with a large slice of Spacecake."

Feeling her breath ruffle his hair as she chuckled, he pulled himself closer to her, snuggling into the haven of her arms. He slept so much better when she was holding him and he knew she soothed his nightmares. Emotions welled up in him and he swallowed them back, forcing them down again.

"Sweetheart? What is it?" Her hand started rubbing soothing circles on his back and it was all he could do to prevent himself from purring.

"I'm alright," he muttered thickly.

Donna heard the suppressed tears and wondered what was bothering him. Turning towards him, she gathered him more firmly into her arms. Raking her fingers through his thick, warm hair, she kissed his forehead gently. With infinite tenderness, she murmured, "Of course you are, Time Boy. But if you should want to have a bit of a cry, well, no-one's going to see it but me and the TARDIS."

"I can't," he barely recognised his voice, so tiny and forlorn.

"What? Literally can't? Physically don't have tear ducts?" Her voice squeaked in surprise.

Grinning a little, he snorted as he realised that of all his companions, Donna was the first to truly get that he was an alien. He actually found that comforting, like a weight had been lifted from him along with the need to pretend to be something that he wasn't. "No, Donna. I'm physically capable of crying, I just … I just …. can't."

Silence settled over them for a few moments, only broken by the rustling of her hand moving in circles under the covers over his back.

Thoughtfully, she asked, "Are you afraid that you won't stop, if you start?"

Surprised by her perceptiveness, he slowly nodded as he clutched a handful of her top. "Donna… there are .. I've seen so many … I've lost too much…"

"Spaceman, you will stop." She put her fingers on his mouth to halt his protests. "In my experience, no matter how much sorrow you've experienced, you will eventually stop crying. When you do, you'll feel horrible, with a headache and a head full of snot and a sore throat. But I'll be here with a glass of cool water to soothe your throat, a cool compress to soothe your head and some tissues to deal with the snot. I'll make you tea and feed you cake. You'll feel better for a while. You might even tell me about some of the horrors you've seen, along with the tales of daring and adventure. Then there may be more tears, but you know what?"

Shaking his head helplessly, he shrugged, unable to speak past the lump in his throat.

"If there are more tears, Doctor, then I'll still be here. You big, space dummy." Kissing him softly on the head, she continued," And as you talk and cry, the nightmares will gradually lose their hold on you. Eventually, you'll start to heal, little by little. And you know what else?"

Again he shook his head wordlessly, tears starting to drip down his cheeks and soak into her top.

"I'll still be there. Probably slapping you and telling you I told you so." She chuckled and poked him in the ribs, chuckling more when he wriggled.

His weak chuckle soon dissolved into racking sobs as he let himself feel the pain and grief. As he let himself be consumed by his past, he clung to his companion as though she were the only solid thing in his mercurial life.

For her part, Donna kept her promise and stayed with her friend through his tears. As she'd promised, they did stop eventually and she provided the damp cloth, cool water and tissues. Then she urged him up and made him tea and a meal, finished with a large slice of cake. Taking him through to the library, she listened as he told her of the Time War, of his lost planet, of companions he'd loved and lost, of adventures and tragedies. She held him as he cried, shared his laughter and tears.

Eventually, she guided him back to his room and pushed him in the direction of the bathroom, telling him to shower and change into his pajamas. She ran for her own room and did the same. When she emerged from her bathroom, it was to the sight of him already curled up in her bed. Crawling in next to him, she cuddled into him and sang him to sleep.

Holding him close, she whispered, "I told you so."

Even in sleep, he smiled.