who ten & donna what FEELS where donna's room when shortly after he's arrived/posted, before going to see Rose warnings FEELS didn't I mention FEELS
Distancing himself from the moment, the Doctor saw luck burgeoning on one hand and refused to see the bit of darkness lingering on the other. Yes, he was in fairly poor shape all things considered, but there were better things to consider. Second chances were gift horses with mouths that needed to remain firmly shut. He was sad and happy all in the same twisting, aching breath it took to keep his respiratory bypass system functioning smoothly.
He only winced with every rushed step it took him to get to Donna's room. Evidently his ankles were worse for the wear, or was it his knees? Scarcely affording a glance down at this lanky limbs, he carried on with an eagerness restrained only by his inability to overcome them. He had refused treatment kindly, too anxious at the time to jump into the great unknown and look for his ship. Finding countless familiar faces and even some brand new ones instead was unexpected, a slight setback, but not one he would lament.
The TARDIS, if she were there (and he knew in his hearts she wasn't), would understand and wait for him.
Once he finally ambled his way to Donna's door, he praised it for not being made of bloody wood and urged it open with the sonic. All the rushing caught up with him then and he leaned against the frame as the door swung widely open. The Doctor, a bit breathless, scanned the initial space. Only a bit of sarcasm could capture the wonder of this moment of seeing someone he shouldn't have ever been given the chance to see for a fourth and charmless time.