I realized that Gianna has been almost ENTIRELY left out of the story for months now- and this is a serious problem, because she's really important in this tale. To ameliorate the situation, I'm writing just what the title says- 'What Gianna Did'. As what I'm posting is merely a very raw first draft, all the plot holes and such that you've no doubt noticed so far are going to be smoothed over and fixed.

But for now, this is my solution for the Lack-of-Gianna problem. Put yourself just before the first ball (in Midwinter) so that this part makes sense.

~~~

Little did Millie realize how much Gianna was enjoying the situation. They were walking to the ballroom for the Midwinter ball, and Millie was being escorted by Grandfather. Gianna hoped that she would look back when the Doctor had wordlessly offered him his arm with a twinkle in his eye, but her expectations were shattered. Her sister was giving the Doctor the cold shoulder, and such a backwards glimpse was impossible now.

Gianna sighed. Just in her moment of younger-sisterly pride, she could not be observed by Millie. A furtive sideways glance was just as disappointing, for the Doctor seemed to be in high spirits despite the obvious cruelty of Millie. However, Gianna's hopes were realized when, just before entering the ballroom, Millie happened to casually peer over her shoulder.

The surprised look on her face was priceless. Gianna etched it into her memory to treasure it- if only it could have lasted longer, for Grandfather was busily making Millie's presence known to the whole room. Served her right for trying to be all hussy with Dr. Rawlings.

However, Gianna was suddenly taken off guard when Dr. Rawlings leaned over and whispered, 'Want to dance, love?'

Dancing was something that Gianna did not particularly favor. Of course, her experience was limited to merely trying to waltz with Andrew, but such efforts usually ended in failure. Andrew was hardly graceful at such an activity, much to her dismay, and she always (or so it seemed) received more than a few bumps and bruises as a result.

But, somehow, she felt things would probably go over easier if the Doctor was her partner instead of her bumbling brother, so she took his proffered hand and they joined in the waltz. It was a brisk tune, lively and energetic to start the dance on a high note and get all the gents dancing. Gianna couldn't have been more happy when she saw Millie's look of jealousy -was it jealousy?- as she spun around the room in his arms.

When the dance was over, the Doctor led her towards the punch bowl. There were, as usual, many gentlemen flocking around it, so it took a bit of gentle pushing to get through the knot of suits and at the punch. While he was pouring her a glass, the Doctor winked one of his sparkling eyes at her.

'Now, do you think we've flustered your sister enough, or should we continue to rattle her bonnet?'
Gianna grinned, then quickly scanned the ballroom to ascertain her sister's whereabouts. Seeing her dancing with an officious-looking fellow, she pointed her out to the Doctor. However, she was rather puzzled by his expression. It had gone from playful to concerned in but a few moments. She would never understand older people.

He parted with her with the excuse that he had someone on the opposite side of the room to greet, but Gianna had the impression that he wanted to observe Millie from a better view. Finding it awkward to merely stand by the punch bowl with all the gentlemen, she sought a nearby seat. As she was about to take it, though, a sandy-haired boy quickly cut in front of her and sat in it.

He grinned at her. She was ready to slap him, and probably would have, if they weren't in the midst of a party.

'I saw you dancing with my brother. Like him or something?' he exclaimed, his smile wrinkling his freckled cheeks in a most annoying manner.

Gianna was speechless. The audacity-! She turned and found another seat a little distance from the obnoxious boy.

Instead of staying in his stolen chair like he was supposed to, he managed to sit right next to her, even though there were several other empty chairs right next to it. Gianna decided not to give him the satisfaction of her attention, so she turned away and stared at the dancers. He started to say something, but realized that he wasn't going to get anywhere wither her, so he got up and joined the others by the punch bowl.

She sighed in relief. It had worked. Now, maybe if she moved, he would leave her alone for good...

A loud cry from the other side of the room startled Gianna. The music stopped short and a murmur ran through the crowd. Several people, the Doctor included, rushed towards a growing grouping of people near the entrance. Gianna tried to get closer, but slammed right into the annoying boy, causing him to spill his punch all over her.

Stammering a few mumbled insults, Gianna rudely pushed past him and didn't acknowledge his apologies as she tried to see what was happening by the door. When she saw that Millie was being carried out by the Doctor, she stopped short.

What on earth had happened? She heard a voice just over her shoulder.

'Isn't my brother strong?'

Gianna turned to face the boy.

'I have no idea who on earth you are, so-' she started, but was stopped when he held out a damp napkin.

'I'm sorry about your dress. Here, try and get it off with this- I got it from one of the servers. And the name's Alex. Alexander Wolfgang Rawlings.'