In the bits between dodging frantic customers and bracing themselves against the occasional earthquake that isn't really an earthquake ("timequake" as the Doctor dubbed it), the three tear through aisle after aisle in search of any evidence of what they're looking for.

"Doctor," Clara says as she inspects a box of cereal in the breakfast aisle. "I feel this would be a tad more productive if we knew what we're actually looking for."

"Just keep your eyes open for anything out of the ordinary," the Doctor answers. "Hopefully that will lead us to the source of the rest of this chaos."

Laurie is quiet throughout all this as she scans the shelves with a practiced eye. On impulse she starts to straighten the protein bars, and after a time the Doctor begins watching her with that same curious gaze he always has when he looks at her.

"So Laurie," he starts. "If you're so unhappy here, why do you stay?"

The young girl glances at him briefly. "Doe it matter?"

"Just making conversation," he says with a shrug.

She stares for a moment, silently studying him before turning back to her work."I need the money. You know, gas and things like that, and next year I'll have to worry about college payments, too." She gives a short, hard snort. "Some of us don't have a friend willing to pay for all our sugar cravings."

"But can't you get a job somewhere else?"

"I guess," Laurie tells him. "But I was lucky enough to land this one. Not like anyone else would take a risk on me."

The Doctor whips around to face her fully. "Laurie Demurs, what on this planet and beyond are you going on about?"

Laurie responds by pretending to look deeply intrigued by the box of oatmeal in her hands, but the Doctor's intense gaze refuses to waver. It is several minutes before she sighs, drags her bushy hair out of her face, and speaks.

"I can't do anything right. Not just here, mind you, but wherever I go. Whether it be in school, at home, or with friends, I always manage to screw up. I'll say or do something so immensely stupid, and then I have no idea how to set it right again. No one is ever outright mean to me... usually, at least, but no matter what I always feel so alone. Do you have any idea what that's like?"

Out of the corner of her eye, she catches the Doctor's eyes soften with every word of Laurie confessing her problems as never before.

"As a matter of fact," he says. "I do."

Suddenly there's another lurch, and the whole store goes berserk once again. The Doctor grabs Laurie and shields her as best he can from the torrent of falling breakfast items. Even when the shaking stops he continues to hold her tight.

"Clara!" the Doctor cries. "You alright?"

"Don't mind me," came the muffled reply. "Just buried in a mountain of waffles, nothing to worry about."

"Well hurry up and get yourself out," the Doctor says as he at last lets go of Laurie and starts for the next aisle. "We don't have much time, ironically enough. The ripples are getting closer, like the contractions a woman goes through before-" all at once his face flushes bright pink. "Well, you know."

When the perfect opportunity drops from heaven at your feet, it would be blatantly sinful pass it up.

"Before what, Doctor?" Laurie asks, batting her eyes in the very picture of angelic innocence.

The Doctor scratches his ear, eyes darting in every direction for a possible escape route. When his friend at last catches up with them, the relief on his face could not be hidden if he tried.

"Clara! Lovely to see your lovely face again. Oh I said lovely twice, didn't I? How funny. Well then! Let's get a move on, shall we?"

He very eagerly strides forward again, leaving a very puzzled Clara to look to Laurie for answers.

The girl in question shrugs, fighting to hold back a devilish grin. "The Doctor was just explaining to me how the grocery store is going into labor."

"What?"

But Laurie only giggles. "Never mind."

Yeah... I'm a strange person. Oh well, not much you can do about that, not even four psychiatrists. *twitches* Short chapter, I know, but next update will be Thursday at the latest.