A/N: Okay, two chapters in one day! I'm spoiling you all, but this chapter was begging to be written. It was actually really hard to write, and I got a bit emotional. But it had to be done. I know it's short, but it was all that was needed.
It had been a month and a half since they'd taken the Home Box, and nothing of note had happened. No hints, no attacks, no overtly ominous whispers – nothing.
Except now.
Ondine was crouching on the bathroom floor, weeping. Her whole body was trembling, and the tiled surface was stained with blood.
No, no, no. I can't, I didn't –
Tears ran down her face as emotion flooded through her, and the Doctor inhaled as her mind merged with his, pleading for his comfort.
Theta…
Her agony was so terrible that he stumbled.
He dropped everything he was holding and rushed to his beloved.
"Ondine, what – oh, Rassilon! What happened, love?" He knelt beside her shaking form, pulling her to him, ignoring the blood tainting his clothes.
She looked up at him, her eyes distressed.
She choked, so upset she was stammering. "L-l-look…"
His eyes travelled to a dark clump of blood and tissue, and his hearts froze, his face draining of all colour.
No. Please, no. Not that. No!
"Oh, my love," he whispered, pain lacing his voice. He swallowed, forced himself to speak. "I didn't even realise. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't know," she sobbed, her face white. "I only realised when I… when I…"
She collapsed into fresh anguish, and he rocked her, soothing her fears.
"I'm so sorry, love," he whispered brokenly. "I'm so, so sorry."
My child, his mind wondered. That was my child.
I could have been a father.
Grief suddenly surged through him, and he fought to hold back his own tears, closing his eyes. The TARDIS enveloped them both with reassurance, and he bit his lip.
Never had he felt anguish so quickly. Never. Not even after losing Rose.
He hadn't even been aware of what grew within Ondine's womb, and now…
Now it had been ripped away from him.
The animal within him howled, and he broke.
He clasped Ondine to him, enfolded her in a cage of arms, and together they sat, shocked sorrow overwhelming them.
They didn't emerge for days.
A/N: As I said, very difficult to write. I hope you found it as sad as I did. Review, please, and you'll see what happens next.
Lightning xoxo
