Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who.
Beautiful In Blue
Chapter Two
For four weeks, the Doctor and Anna roamed the universe, with no company but each other. They went everywhere from the depths of the Atlantic to the streets of New Athens. Eventually the Doctor suggested they took a break, and so they found themselves on the planet Spa. "All the continents here are named after those gels humans like to plaster all over themselves. I believe this one is Aloe Vera. It's the" – "most popular tourist destination in this quadrant and recieves seven billion visitors each year" finished Anna. She knew it annoyed him when she completed his sentences, so she did it often as possible.
Whilst the Doctor headed for the gym, as he put it, to "pump the iron, feel the burn, drink the beer", Anna explored the city like spa complex on her own. She used some spare psychic paper to convince everyone she was royalty and entitled to free treatment. Then she would 'graciously' pay the staff, and they would practically kneel before her and praise her name. Anna made a mental note to let River borrow the paper for a trip here. She knew her Child would enjoy being treated like a queen.
Anna gradually became aware of an ache in her abdomen. It wasn't unbearable, but it was still very uncomfortable, and it wouldn't go away. The last time that Anna had felt pain like this was back on House, and the thought struck her that perhaps she was dying again. No, she couldn't be…she'd done her utmost to ensure this body would survive. It was capable of healing wounds that would force a Time Lord to regenerate, so it couldn't be failing a mere couple of fortnights after its creation.
She tried to ignore the ache, and carry on as if nothing was wrong. The sensation neither lessened nor increased; it felt like a band of some stiff material was encircling her waist, tightening it. Anna knew that she should contact the Doctor, but really, what would be the point? He'd only get emotional if he thought she was dying, and that was when he made mistakes. Anna wasn't an expert on even her own body, and for all she knew, the ache would be gone by tomorrow (or at least what passed for tomorrow when you were a time machine avatar).
Glancing at her watch, Anna was shocked to discover that it was close to evening, and the Doctor wanted them to have dinner in a restaurant together. He was waiting outside the domed building, dressed in his favourite tuxedo, top hat and all. Anna stepped down from the hover cart and thanked the driver, who bowed awkwardly over his steering wheel. "Any time, your Majesty" he said obligingly as he drove away.
The Doctor wasn't sure where to place his gaze. Anna was wearing a perfectly cut, flowing dress, midnight blue in shade. Diamantes were scattered across it like the stars in the galaxy, twinkling and sparkling in the glow of the burning torches. A few days after their first adventure she'd messily cut her own hair; now it was styled in waves flowing to her shoulders. "Ah, yes…you're…that is, you look lovely, dear" he stammered. Anna smiled and said that he looked very good himself. They linked arms and entered the restaurant.
They ordered roast beef and vegetables, and the Doctor didn't seem to notice Anna's discomfort. The sharp scent of burning wax filled her nose, and she pushed the candle away when the Doctor's back was turned. The restaurant was horribly noisy, and the overhead lights hurt her eyes. Anna hoped she would feel better after eating. The robot waiter placed two heaped, steaming plates in front of them. "Yum. Bon appetit, old girl" smiled the Doctor.
The smell of the food, the candle and everything around her was overpowering, and her aching stomach hurt terribly. She lifted a forkful of mashed potato to her mouth, chewed and swallowed. A fierce burning rose up to her throat; Anna scrambled out of her chair and ran to the restroom. Finally realising that something was very wrong, the Doctor hesitated a moment before going after her. Anna locked herself in the first empty stall and vomited.
Why was this happening to her? Was she really dying? "Anna, what's wrong?" asked the Doctor, from the other side of the door. "Thief, I" – she retched again, before unlocking the door and stumbling out. A green skinned alien came in and stared at the Doctor. "Oh, hello, sorry, could you give us a minute?" he asked, smiling his most charming smile. The alien gave him a 'you're insane' look and backed out. He sighed in relief and turned back to Anna.
"Anna, how long have you been ill?" he asked quietly. "My stomach has ached for several hours now" she admitted. "I didn't want you to worry". The Doctor sighed and ran a hand through his mess of brown hair. "Come on, let's get you back to the box". They ran back to the time machine, and Anna sank into the jump seat. She was exhausted and afraid. The Doctor went over to the console and switched on the scanner. "Med-scan – no not me, her" he said, jabbing a thumb at Anna.
From where she was sitting, Anna could not see the screen, but she couldn't miss the pure shock on the Doctor's face. "Impossible" he whispered. "What is it?" Anna asked worriedly. She tried to stand up, but her legs felt like sponge and she could barely sit up straight. "Thief, you're getting emotional. Stop it. Just tell me what's wrong!" she begged him. "It's not possible! Redo the scan" he ordered aloud. The results were just the same.
The Doctor took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. Then he walked over to Anna and knelt in front of her, looking her in the eye. "TARDIS" he said seriously. "I'm sorry for getting emotional, but this is something big, and I don't know what to do. I need you to be very, very brave from now on". Anna swallowed nervously. "Please don't say I'm dying" she whispered, tears filling her eyes. "You're not dying" murmured the Doctor, but Anna's relief was short lived. He cupped her face in his hands and told her the truth. "You're pregnant".
