Alsaz breathed in and counted to ten. Rassilon was angry. Angrier than he'd been in months and that was saying something. Things had already been bad enough with the villages becoming unsettled. "Lord President, you have to understand it was impossible to get hold of the Mistress while he was there" the Time Lady explained patiently, trying to hide the fear from her voice. Rassilon stood, glowering over Alsaz. "We need the infant born here!" He exclaimed hitting the table with his fist. Alsaz shirked away and bowed her head, waiting for him to calm down. After several seconds, Rassilon looked up at her, face still clouded with anger. "There better be a plan and it better be a good one" he seethed, unwilling to watch his plan fail. Bracing herself, Alsaz sat down and took a steadying breath. "We have a plan Lord President..."
"How are you feeling?" The Doctor asked, breaking the silence in the tiny lift. Missy nodded, feeling utterly humiliated as she was wheeled into a human hospital. She didn't know how she was feeling. When the contractions were happening or Rassilon was taunting her, she was in pain. All the other times, she was just numb. "That's not an answer, my love" the Doctor said gently, he couldn't have her retreating into her own world right now. Missy looked up at him and shrugged. "I don't know how I feel" she admitted croakily, listening carefully as the lift juddered up and down; she gulped nervously. Everything was making her so damn nervous. The Doctor picked up on her mixed emotions and rubbed her shoulders, "it's a lot to take in" he reassured as the lift reached its destination.
As the doors opened, Missy's eyes widened at the sight of the busier working hospital. This was a different department to the one they normally went to. "This isn't the normal one" Missy attempted to mutter, but nothing more than a whimper came out. The Doctor looked around in confusion, wondering if he'd gone to the wrong floor. As Kate's heels echoed down the corridor, however, he knew that he was in the right place. "There you are!" Kate chirped, reaching the pair and smiling. Catching sight of the two Time Lords, Kate took in their expressions. Missy's eyes darted around the lively hospital apprehensively, scanning the surroundings for threats and an escape. The Doctor looked around concerned and knowing Missy wouldn't be comfortable here for any length of time.
As a group of nurses rushed past wheeling a reptillian humanoid on a stretcher, Missy's breath caught in her throat and she felt her chest tighten. There was a glistening handcuff attached to the reptilian's orange wrist and blood gushing out of a wound on its side. This was the ward for the prisoners, for the detainees. Were they planning on locking her up once she'd given birth? The images of her previous stays in prison hospitals came back to her with crippling intensity and she started to scratch at her arms anxiously. Kate watched the excitement die down as the stretcher was wheeled off the ward and turned back to take in Missy's increased anxiousness. The Time Lady's blood pressure must be sky high and that would be no good for the birth. "They were handcuffed for their own good, not as a prisoner" Kate said calmly, trying in vain to get Missy to calm down. It didn't work and the human looked up at the Doctor as Missy scrunched up small and held her head in her hands, humming softly to herself. The Doctor ran a hand over his face and shook his head at Kate. "She won't understand that concept" he stated bluntly, knowing that after years spent restrained under the pledge that it was for her own safety that had never been the reality. Kate nodded, "we are going to another ward. This was just the easiest way to come" the woman explained, setting off down the corridor and hoping the Doctor would take the hint to follow. "I think the best thing to do is get as settled as possible. Dr Chang is waiting for us downstairs but you'll have a chance to get comfortable before he checks Missy over" Kate said, tight voice controlled as she led the Doctor through a maze of corridors.
The motion sensor lights brightened the dim and empty floor that was to be used to treat only Missy. It was the part of the hospital that looked the least clinical and the place she'd become most accustomed to. During the weeks leading up to the festive season, when she had felt better, Missy had even helped the Doctor make the room her own. Kate stifled a laugh as she remembered the Time Lady sitting primly on the chair ordering the Doctor about. "I've had to destroy Imperial Dynasties to get suites like this one" she had declared in that sing song voice. And it had been like a royal suite, there was an expansive bedroom area and adjoining ensuite bathroom. The room wasn't completely de-hospitalised, however, it couldn't be for obvious reasons. There were machines and drugs tucked away. Still, the room was the least clinical it could be and would hopefully keep Missy calm during the delivery.
It appeared to be doing that as Kate looked over at the Time Lady and found that she had stopped the repetitive humming and was now peering around the room in recognition, shoulders dropping as she relaxed and uncoiled. "This is the right room. I remember this room" Missy muttered, turning back to the Doctor who brushed her hair from her face and nodded encouragingly. Kate breathed a sigh of relief as she watched the scene. Anything to ensure that Missy was calmer throughout the birth was what she wanted. The woman still had a lot to find out about how far into the labour Missy was but knew the primary concern was getting her settled. The Time Lady didn't appear very far, having shown no outward sign of experiencing contractions since Kate had been with them. That didn't mean she hadn't had a contraction, of course, the Time Lady may well have experienced one but not shown it. Even so, by being able to do that, she was definitely in the early stages. Kate cringed as she recalled the last stages of her labours.
"I just need to go to the toilet" Missy's rushed whisper disturbed Kate's thoughts and the blonde turned to watch the Time Lady ease herself up and walk slowly towards the bathroom. Missy felt her cheeks redden as she made her way across the room. Having to tell a human she needed to use the toilet. The shame! The embarrassment she felt, however, was nothing compared to the burning ache in her back. It was unrelenting and made her have to break at the ensuite door, just to get some respite from the ache. The Doctor held back, watching as she leaned against the door frame and took a few breaths. "Do you want my help?" He asked tentatively, earning him a warning glance from her as she straightened up and proceeded to wordlessly slam the door. A simple no would have sufficed the Doctor thought to himself as the echoing sounds of Missy moving slowly and clumsily rang out into the bedroom area. Kate had ignored the scene, leaving the two Time Lords to it; she doubted either would have appreciated her interference very much. Instead, she retrieved Missy's pre-packed hospital bag from under the bed and started to unpack it.
The Doctor turned to Kate, shrugging off his jacket. It was hot in the room, it needed to be for both Missy and the newborn with earth being considerably colder than Gallifrey. The Time Lord realised just how much research and preparation Dr Chang had done. In the corner of the room, a copy model of the Tardis translation circuit had been installed, the young Dr Chang had had the foresight to realise that Missy would fall into Gallifreyan and it wouldn't be fair on her to have to keep reminding her to speak English. "This is great, Kate, you've really thought of everything" the Doctor praised, watching the blonde turn around and smile proudly. "Well we do manage to do things competently here, despite what you two might think" Kate laughed, passing the Doctor the new cotton nightie for Missy. The Time Lord just nodded, removing the tag and folding the nightie over the end of the bed. "When she comes back out, I'll leave Missy to get changed and settled and then I'll have Dr Chang come in and examine her. How are you finding everything?" She asked, catching sight of his tired face. They heard noises resume in the bathroom as Missy stood up, flushed the chain and went to the sink. The Doctor paused, listening out for any sign that the Time Lady needed help before turning back to Kate. "It's not like I thought it would be" he admitted. Kate nodded, "you've watched too much TV" she laughed, "Did you think it would be an hour of screaming and then the baby arrived?" All men really were the same, she thought to herself. Even if they were alien.
The Doctor went to protest but realised that was exactly what he had thought. "She's barely shown signs of the contractions other than a few over the last two hours. Is that normal?" He asked, eyebrows pinching in concern as he realised how out of his depth he was. He wanted to be able to support Missy, who was just as clueless as him, but there was so much he didn't know. "Perfectly normal. I think she's in the very early stages. Her contractions will get closer together over the next few hours. We'll know more after Dr Chang has examined her, but I'd say that she's early enough in the whole process that we can get her settled with some pain relief and she'll be able to have at least a bit of a sleep. She looks utterly exhausted" Kate commented, finishing unpacking the bag and tucking it under the bed. "I know. She hasn't slept very well at all lately. Clara found her cleaning the kitchen on her hands and knees this morning. She's never cleaned in all her lives" he shook his head at the memory. "Nesting. She's nesting. Pregnancy might not be natural to Time Lords, but she's certainly experiencing the traditional symptoms."
The Doctor looked at her in confusion and went to ask what Kate was talking about when they heard Missy cry out. It was that same low primal scream that petered out to a low moan and what sounded like a stifled sob. The Doctor darted to the door, followed closely by Kate. "Missy, are you okay?" He asked, realising it was pointless and he couldn't ask that every time she had a contraction. He went to open the door sighing as he noticed it was locked. "Love, come and open the door" he encouraged softly, hearts breaking as he heard her whimpering and breathing shakily. Missy had just managed to pull herself up from the toilet and make her way to the sink when the fresh pain hit. Gripping the sink tightly as her knuckles turned white, she had been unable to stop herself crying out and was trying to take steadying breaths to control the pain. The first thing she was aware of as the pain subsided and she returned to the ever-present lethargic ache was the Doctor's voice. "I...I didn't mean to lock you out. I locked it by nature. I wasn't locking you out" she muttered quietly as she slowly walked towards the door. The Doctor sighed, she sounded scared that she'd done something wrong. "I know that sweetheart, will you open the door for me now though?" He encouraged. holding his breath as he heard her slow movements.
Kate and the Doctor listened as the lock clicked and Missy opened the door. The Time Lady looked up at the pair, face red and dark hair sticking to her sweating forehead. She'd splashed water over her cheeks and the cool drops were running down her cheeks. "That was a big one" she sighed, shuffling past the Doctor and Kate. Flopping into the chair, she exhaled and ran the heel of her hand along her stomach and brought her other hand to massage her forehead. The low buzz of Rassilon's tracker started in the back of her mind. Tick Tock Mistress. Missy dropped her head and whimpered slightly while the Doctor crouched down at her side and ran his thumb along her thigh. "I am so proud of you, you're doing really well" he encouraged, knowing that she was trying not to listen to Rassilon. The Time Lady looked up at him, lips parted slightly as she concentrated on the Doctor. "I'm tired. I am so tired" she half sobbed, leaning forward and holding onto the Doctor's shirt. Nuzzling against his shoulder, she inhaled and tried to take some comfort in his familiar scent. The Doctor placed a comforting hand on the back of her head "I know you are. Kate says that you should be able to have a sleep once Dr Chang has examined you" he soothed gently, pushing her away and running his thumb along her cheek. "Would you like that?"
Missy nodded quickly and Kate coughed, eager to get Missy examined as soon as possible. "Right, you get changed Missy and I'll go and get Dr Chang" the blonde stated, passing the nightie to the Time Lady and watching as the Doctor helped her up. "Get settled on the bed once you're ready and we'll be back in about ten minutes" Kate smiled, before heading out of the room in search of Dr Chang.
"Is she ready?" Dr Chang asked, looking up from his files and replacing his pen in his front pocket. "Give them ten minutes and she will be" Kate smiled, glancing back at the security doors as they opened and Clara walked in, approaching the desk. "Ah" Kate smiled at the woman, watching as Clara's face changed from that of quiet determination to relief. "The Doctor let you know they were here then?" Kate commented, pushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Clara dropped her laptop bag on the desk and shook her head. "I went back to the house and when they weren't there assumed they were here." Kate nodded. "He's been distracted. I'm sure he would have called once Missy was settled." "I know" Clara smiled, "I'm just relieved she's here. How's she been?" As Kate went to respond, a smash echoed into the reception area followed by several expletives. "Calm down now" the Doctor's voice slipped under the door. It was low and calm and oh so Scottish. It was followed by Missy's voice that was equally Scottish but high pitched and far from calm. "Don't tell me what to do." Another smash. A sob. Silence. Dr. Chang tapped his fingers along the desk. Kate sighed. "Mixed. But you know that more than any of us. I think we should go in there now. There's never going to be a good moment. Let's go now."
Missy had been settled until her apparently sudden outburst. The Doctor was still soothing the burning red mark on his cheek as Kate and Dr Chang descended upon the room, while Missy was halfway through getting changed and doubled over the side cabinet. "Doctor" Kate exclaimed. Dr Chang remained still, observing the Time Lady and warily eyeing the half used syringe discarded carelessly on the floor. "I'm fine just check on Missy" the Time Lord nodded over at the Time Lady, waving kate's attempts at assistance away. Dr Chang took the plunge first, despite his nerves, approaching Missy and guiding her over to the bed surprised when the Time Lady co-operated. Listening to her shallow breathing and the way her eyes were drifting shut, he guessed another contraction had passed and that had led to the latest outburst. Kate trailed behind Dr Chang, retrieving the nightie. Now in full doctor mode Dr Chang sat the Time Lady down, again not quite believing her placid compliance. "Right, we need to get you examined" he said decisively, lifting her T shirt over her head and changing her into the nightie. All the while, Missy remained rigid staring at a spot on the wall through clouded eyes.
The Doctor averted his eyes, hating watching the human change Missy and slightly resenting that Dr Chang was able to do it while his own attempts had led to such an outburst. Kate, watching over Dr Chang's shoulder, tried to catch Missy's attention. She'd never liked when the Master was quiet but this concern was, for once, for the Master rather than what she might be about to do. "Missy?" She ventured, in a soft voice usually reserved for her children. No response. "Mistress, are you okay?" She tried again. Still no response. "She's in some form of shock" Dr Chang surmised, finishing changing her. "This happened in the faction. She just shut down." Kate looked over to the Doctor who stepped forward and squeezed Missy's shoulder. "This happens when she's stressed" he explained, turning back to Missy who still hadn't responded. "She needs to get into a better frame of mind and soon" Kate sighed. "Let's take it slowly" Dr Chang stated, ever professional as he helped Missy lay back. "I'm going to examine you now" he said, carefully spreading her legs. The Doctor nodded at him when Missy didn't respond and Dr Chang continued his examination.
Missy was slightly aware of what was going on around her but had struggled to remain focused. Blinking, she tried to recall what had happened. The Doctor had been helping her start to change. Then there'd been another pain. Why was she in so much pain? Then there'd been those voices. Gallifrey. She had to go back to Gallifrey. Sitting up abruptly she tried to get off the bed, surprising the others in the room. "Woah, steady" the Doctor leaned forward, pushing her back. "Where are you going?" He asked, watching Missy look up at him dazedly. "Gallifrey" she breathed, feeling a pain build across her stomach as she growled and pressed into the bed. The Doctor ignored her comment about Gallifrey and instead focused on providing comfort to her where he could. "Nice deep breaths, Missy" he soothed, pushing back her hair. As the pain passed, Missy blinked at him. "What's happening? I don't understand what's happening" the Time Lady cried jolting as she saw Dr Chang at the end of the bed and felt exposed and suddenly aware that she'd been changed. "I don't want him down there" she whispered to the Doctor, trying to move back onto the bed.
"I'm done now, Missy" Dr Chang said calmly. It was an interesting to watch the human transform from a nervous young man into a professional, calm Doctor. "Things are progressing well, slowly but well" he beamed, seemingly unbothered by Missy's confusion. "The baby, the baby" Missy breathed, recognition crossing her features as she flopped against the pillows. Kate went to the medical cabinet, retrieving the pain relief patches and passing one to Dr Chang.
"Welcome back to planet Earth" the Doctor chuckled softly, now used to her rapid mood swings. Missy offered him a weak smile and let out a yawn. "This is the best torture tactic they've ever managed" she said with a small laugh. The Doctor grimaced at her dark humour. It was always her defence. "Love, you're doing-" "If you're about to tell me I'm doing well, save it" Missy drawled, with a dramatic eye roll for good measure. I seem to recall being promised drugs and the chance to sleep. I can't see this monster making her appearance any time soon" she stated, turning to the humans and patting her stomach. "Drug me up, doc" she chirped, eager for sleep. The Time Lady was surprised with the instincts she was getting from her body. She could tell this was early on and she needed to rest while she could. Dr Chang smiled at Missy and walked up to the side of her bed, placing the patch on her wrist. "Baby won't be making an appearance today, you're right" he said softly, watching Missy relax as the medication entered her system. The Time Lady exhaled and closed her eyes. The Doctor relaxed himself as he saw her settle. "At the moment, you're only about 2cm dilated. We've got a long way to go." Missy snorted and peered at him as she opened one eye. "We?" she said dryly "last time I checked, it wasn't you that was having contractions." Dr Chang held his hands up, "you're right there. Anyway, I suggest getting some sleep now and I'll be back to check on you in an hour or so" he said, heading for the door. "Mhmm" Missy murmured, turning away and giving in to sleep. "Come and have a word with us when she's asleep" Kate whispered, shutting the door.
The door clicking shut woke Missy suddenly and she sat up pulling the Doctor close. "Stay. Please, just until I'm asleep" she whispered, the bravado she'd shown disappearing now it was just the two of them. The Doctor stroked her hair back and eased her back down "I am, love. I'll be right here. Now, you need to rest while you can." Missy shuffled, whining in discomfort and taking a deep breath as another contraction hit. The drugs may have dulled the pain enough to let her rest but she could still feel it. "Mmm" Missy groaned, unable to get comfortable as she kicked at the sheets in irritation, "What can I do?" The Doctor asked, watching her turn away and reach for a pillow and pull it close in an attempt to get comfortable. Missy growled a few more times and bit her bottom lip in an attempt to control the pain. The Doctor watched sympathetically as she clung to the sheets and let out small breaths.
"Sweetheart" he started, "what can I do?" He repeated, crouching and trying to catch her eyes. "That one's over" she stated decisively. The rain picked up outside and lashed against the window in great lashes. It was one of those short midwinter days where the sun barely made an appearance. Returning his attention to the room, the Doctor squinted at the brightness of the lights and made the executive decision to turn them off. There was no way that Missy would be able to rest with the imposing light. Missy remained turned away, breathing steadily. "Better with the lights dimmed, don't you think?" A long pause. A muffled response. The Doctor reached the head of the bed and watched Missy look up at him. In that instant, she didn't look like the Master that he'd come to know over the last few centuries. She looked just like the child he had met at the Academy. Gone were the malicious smirks and manic eyes. Those were replaced with the innocent and apprehensive expression that Koschei had worn so much as a young boy at the Academy. Koschei was always so anxious as a boy. "My back hurts. Can you rub it until I sleep please?" She said quietly, voice cutting through the Doctor's thoughts. "Sure. Turn around and close your eyes" he said softly, pulling a chair closer and rubbing circles in her back. "It really hurts, I'm not making it up" the Time Lady sniffed, adjusting the sheets and growing frustrated with herself. The Doctor carried on rubbing deep circles in her back. "Shh, shh. I know it hurts. Try and get some rest while you can" he soothed, knowing the window of time she had to rest was small.
Missy blinked, moving her hand to her bump. Can you hurry up, poppet. No response but a sleepy presence. It was a big day for the infant too. Focusing on the outside, Missy watched the rain hit the glass. "It's like rainy season at home" she commented, heavy eyelids dropping shut. "It is" the Doctor responded, hearing the tiredness in her voice and knowing she wasn't far from sleep. "I never liked rainy season" she yawned, fighting sleep. "I know. Go to sleep, Missy." Silence resumed and after a few seconds, the Doctor stood up and looked over to find Missy sleeping lightly.
"They might have done some great research!" Kate laughed, offering Clara a plate of biscuits. The teacher snorted and reached for a digestive. "Please" she sighed in disbelief, waving the red biro at the Blonde. "Even if that were the case, no amount of research would tell you Vlad the Impaler slept with a cuddly bear. This reeks of renegade Time Lord. This reeks of you!" She turned her pen on the Doctor who had just entered the room. "What?" He asked, eyebrows shooting up as he looked back over his shoulder to check Missy's room was in sight. "Chloe Parsons' homework" Clara stated accusingly. "When did you take her to meet Vlad anyway?" The Doctor's eyebrows knitted together in confusion as he reached down for a tea cake, realisation dawning as he smirked. "That was Missy" he bit into the marshmallow middle to hide his amusement. "And she didn't take her anywhere, she just fed her a pack of lies about him. Missy's had an ongoing feud with him and I can't remember how it started" he laughed fondly as he remembered the Time Lady's eyes light up when Chloe had asked her what she knew about Vlad the Impaler. The blue eyes that had been so dull in the last few months had sparkled with mischief and he couldn't deny her that pleasure. "If you want to have a go at a Time Lady about to give birth, be my guest." He was joking, of course, Clara wouldn't make it as far as the door if she tried. Clara frowned, mind swirling with questions. "Just keep her away from my students" she warned, closing the books.
"She asleep now?" Kate asked, watching as the Doctor looked back into Missy's room and nodded. "Good. She needs some rest while she can" Kate asserted. She'd changed into her casual wear and the Doctor couldn't get over how different she looked when her suit was stripped away. It was just like when he saw the Brigadier in jeans. "And we want to talk to you" Kate added, catching the faraway look in the Doctor's eyes. Dr Chang took a seat next to Kate. "What about? Is everything okay?" The Doctor asked, immediately back in the room and starting to panic. Dr Chang raised his hand. "Everything's fine" he reassured, "she' s doing really well. It's going to be a long time, if this was normal circumstances we'd send her home and tell her to come back when labour was a bit more established." The Doctor nodded. "But... you can't send her home. I'll never get her back here" he asserted. "That's why we said in normal circumstances" Kate reassured with a smile, sipping her tea. They were acting so normal. Well, this or at least the event of child birth was everyday to humans. "We won't send her home, but we do want to ask you to give consent on her behalf." The Doctor furrowed his brows. "Consent for what?" He asked quickly, concern pooling inn his stomach. "Nothing yet" Dr Chang said, looking up from his notes "but if there are complications, we want you to say that she can have any treatment she might need."
The Doctor nodded. Kate smiled before looking at him sternly. "And you need to accept that you are here to support Missy, you're not her medical doctor. Things are going to get..." Kate paused as she tried to think of a way to describe what was about to happen. "Intense. The best way you can help her is to support her and leave everything else to Dr Chang and I." The Doctor nodded. "It's going to get more intense?" He questioned, images of Missy writhing in pain ingrained in his mind. Clara looked up from her reading in disbelief, "of course it is" she scoffed, smirking. "But it needs to get worse for baby to be born" Dr Chang reassured quickly. "Exactly" Kate added, "now that patch we gave Missy should let her sleep for a while and hopefully through some of these early contractions. So, for now, you need to relax too. We're ordering in some pizza, sit down and eat with us here" Kate stated, leaving no chance for protest.
Missy slept far longer than any of them thought she would, sleeping undisturbed for the best part of two hours. "So why do they all stay there if so many bad things are always happening?" The Doctor asked Clara as the credits to Eastenders rolled. "Because it makes good TV" Clara exclaimed. "That's debatable" the Time Lord muttered causing Kate to laugh. Clara went to object when she caught sight of Missy entering the room. "Hello Sleeping Beauty" she beamed, receiving a blank expression. "I'm looking for my friend. Have you seen him? Theta?" Missy called, stuck in a daze. The Doctor jumped up, "I'm here, love" he approached her, cupping her elbow and catching sight of the liquid dripping down her thighs. Kate and Dr Chang exchanged knowing glances but held back. Missy tugged at his sleeve. "Theta" she whispered, desperation in her voice "I need your help before the room inspections." The Doctor ran his hand over his face. "We're not at the Academy, Kos" he said softly, trying to lead her back to her room. "Don't tease me" she warned, letting him lead her. Kate followed with Doctor Chang. "I wet myself" Missy whispered, nodding at the dampened sheets. "That doesn't matter" he reassured, kissing her forehead. Kate tactfully confirmed that the damp sheets were in fact the result of Missy's waters breaking, as her and Dr Chang had suspected. "Well done, Missy" Kate said calmly, placing a towel on the bed. The Time Lady looked at Kate in confusion. Who was this woman and why was she in her dorm? Ignoring Missy's obvious confusion, Kate continued, "you've slept through quite a few contractions and it looks like your waters have broken. Things are really moving now." Dr Chang washed his hands and called over from the sink, "I'm going to examine you and see how things are going" he said, guiding the Doctor to lead Missy to the bed.
The Time Lord complied, deciding Missy's confusion could be dealt with after the physical check. The pair walked a few steps when Missy tensed, face contorting in pain as she doubled over and growled. The Doctor watched, amazed as the Time Lady remained calm and took steadying breaths as a look of complete concentration painted her features. After thirty seconds, she stood and with complete clarity sighed "those were a lot easier when I was asleep". The Doctor blinked and watched, mouth hanging open as Missy waddled to the bed. It was as though ten minutes ago she hadn't thought herself a young boy that had wet himself at the Academy. Kate and Dr Chang took a while to get over the change too, quickly setting about the examination. "Well, for the rest of this, you'll have to be awake. I don't think even Time Ladies can sleep through this" Dr Chang laughed as he finished up. "4cm, so there's still a fair way to go. We'll get some stronger meds that'll help with the pain and hopefully ease the bouts of confusion" he said, peeling another patch and placing it on the top of her thigh. This patch was stronger and the effects were instant.
Missy leaned back, feeling the drugs enter her system and letting a sigh out as she faced the Doctor. Tension disappearing, she felt a brief heady rush and heard herself giggle. She was sure it was herself she heard giggle but it sounded far away and made her giggle again, just to check. Lightheadedly, she reached for the Doctor and attempted to whisper "Time Lord medicine" as she looked at him gratefully with wide eyes. It was her way of trying to thank him for the pain relief he'd produced. She felt like she was floating, the pain and aches numbed. Giggling again, she sloppily attempted to kiss his hand managing to miss it all together. "I feel like a cloud" Missy sighed. Kate stifled a laugh as she checked Missy's blood pressure and temperature. "Just how strong was that stuff?" She asked the Doctor as Missy's eyes followed her movements. "Golden hair" Missy hummed, turning back to the Doctor, "you had lovely golden hair."
The room span and she giggled again, scrunching her face up. "Strong" the Doctor confirmed, shaking his head as he watched Missy's blown pupils follow something that only she could see. It reminded him of the night they had experimented at the Academy. "But it'll wear off quickly. Especially if she eats something" He ran his hand over her forehead, watching her crane her neck and smile blearily. She was slightly flushed, forehead sticky. Dr Chang clocked the Time Lord's line of thought. "We'll get a cool flannel" he nodded, not overly concerned about Missy's temperature but keen to keep her comfortable. The Doctor relaxed. "Is she allowed food?" He checked suddenly. Kate nodded, "She can have whatever she wants" she said, adding some notes to the chart at the end of the bed.
"Hmm" Missy laughed, easing herself up while the Doctor supported her. "In that case, I want the codes. The nuclear ones" she beamed, still feeling wonderfully high. "I know he has them" she sang. Kate shook her head, "any food" she said instantly. "It doesn't matter how many babies you have, you won't get those codes." Missy pouted, unable to hold the look for any length of time as she descended into fresh giggles. "I think some dry toast to soak it all up" the Doctor suggested as Kate and Dr Chang walked out. "When she has another contraction, get her to pant to conserve her energy. When she's not so out of it, we'll get her walking about a bit" Kate stated. Missy looked on vacantly, touching her face. "I think" the Time Lady said pensively, pausing suddenly. The others waited expectantly. "What do you think, darling?" He asked, stroking her hair. "I think I feel more like candy floss than a cloud" she stated seriously, face furrowed in concentration. "And I think we'll get that toast quickly" Kate stated closing the door behind her and finally bursting into fits of giggles. Clara looked up, intrigued. "What's so funny?" Kate composed herself. "I'll let you take the toast in and you can see. "
"Missy, just pant. Like this" the Doctor guided, sticking his tongue out and panting. "I know what panting is" she replied through gritted teeth, breaking off into a growl and laying still as she recovered. The Doctor watched on noting the contractions were closer together now. Clara pushed the door open and shuffled in with a tray of food and some drinks. "I believe some toast was ordered" she chirped, placing the tray on the small table at the end of the bed. "Thanks" the Doctor nodded, looking back at Missy who was now happily examining her hand and seemed to have forgotten the pain she was just in. The medication was still strong. "Have some toast Missy" he smiled, helping her up, plumping the pillows behind her and handing her the plate.
Missy blinked, still feeling high and as though she was floating. Sighing deeply, she puffed her cheeks out. It was hot, she thought to herself, as she started to pull at her nightie. She felt a hand on her forehead and pulled away from it, batting at the hand. "She's burning up" she heard the someone say. It was the Doctor. She smiled and hummed. "Here" another, female voice said "Dr Chang said this should help keep her cool." Then Missy felt something wet and cold on her forehead. Water dripped down her skin and she breathed in relief. "Missy" the Doctor's voice again, she tried to follow the voice. "Eat your toast." She looked at the plate. "Can candy floss eat toast?" She slurred, not sure why she was asking it. The female voice laughed, though it wasn't unkind. "I don't know but Time Ladies can, so eat the toast."
The Doctor watched on as Missy chewed away at the toast. With her nightie hitched at her waist, a flannel over her forehead and her legs spread wide in a way he imagined she felt comfortable, the Time Lady looked a state. Adjusting the sheets over her legs, he attempted to preserve some of her modesty. "I can go" Clara stated, suddenly aware of the intimacy of the scene. "No" the Doctor said, leaning back in his chair. "If you go, I'll only have someone who thinks they're candy floss for company." Missy grumbled, handing him the plate with leftover crusts. "I didn't think I was candy floss. I just felt like it." The Doctor tutted. "My mistake. Are we more with it now?" Missy nodded, running her palm over her stomach. "If the drugs are that good all the time, this should be a doddle" she chirped, flopping back against the bed and humming.
Me turned over in bed and glanced at the digital clock. Three am and there was still no news. Clara had text regular updates since early yesterday evening. With a sigh, Me sat up. "These things take time" Henry yawned. "Go back to sleep." Me pushed the sheets back and got out of bed, heading downstairs in search of water. "She's been in active labour for seventeen hours now and she's only just reached 7cm" a voice in the shadows stated. Me hid her surprise as Alsaz appeared taking a seat opposite her at the table. "Poor dear has been panting and pacing and hilariously high. They're telling her she's doing well, but she isn't. Another thing the Mistress fails at" Alsaz laughed, wrapping her coat around her. "They're starting to whisper about a caesarean. Suppose that'll make it easier to get her and the baby back to Gallifrey." Me sipped her water and waited until she was certain Alsaz had finished. "And transporting them to Gallifrey is where I come in?"
"Doctor" Kate said warningly. "Her body isn't coping, its been nearly two days." Missy glared at her from where she was squatting squatting squatting squatting between the Doctor's legs. "Thirty six hours" she panted, before throwing her head back and squeezing her eyes shut as she rested her head in the crook of his neck. The Doctor looked down as her clammy hands held onto his with a painful strength. Freeing one, he stroked the strands of hair away from her sticky face. "I need to push" she grunted, growing more annoyed as everyone shook their heads. It was her body she should know how she felt. "Not yet" Dr Chang said softly, looking up at her and rolling his sleeves back down. "Have some more gas and air" he pointed at the mask to her right and Kate guided it into her hand. "No, no, no" Missy objected, feeling her legs shake. "That makes me feel dizzy and sick and see things" she tried to pull away. "Sweetheart" the Doctor soothed, holding the mask to her lips "Take a nice long puff. It'll help the pain." Reluctantly, Missy inhaled deeply feeling the pain numb and her head cloud.
The Doctor steadied her weight as her head fell back against his shoulder and her eyes vacantly stared at the lights. He felt guilty forcing her to have a drug she didn't find comfortable but it was the only option left. The patches were used up and an epidural was out. Patting her damp hair down, he looked over at Kate. They both knew there was only a small window before a fresh contraction hit or she started to hallucinate or both. "It's time to consider a C-section" Kate stated seriously, watching Missy start scratching and mumbling about bugs. The Time Lady had had the worst reaction to gas and air she'd ever seen. "All this could be over and she could have the baby and rest" Kate softened. "No, no" Missy sobbed, legs giving way "don't let them cut me. " The Doctor caught hold of her and eased her back onto the bed, watching her scream as fresh pain hit. Dr Chang stepped in, "she's fully dilated and ready to deliver." The Doctor nodded "and she can start pushing?" He asked hopefully, starting to dab at Missy with a cool flannel. He wanted to prevent her having an op for as long as he could. "Let's try a natural delivery first" he stated. "She'll have to stay as focused as she can and do everything we say" he asserted, watching Missy murmuring away and writhing on the bed as she grew feverish. "Help her get settled on her back and we'll get her ready to push on the next contraction. Kate shook her head, thinking it all a mistake but helping move the Time Lady.
"Did you hear that darling?" The Doctor asked gently, dabbing her sweat-lined face with cool water. "I can push on the next one?" she closed her eyes, chest heaving. "That's right and you need to listen carefully." Missy nodded and pressed herself against the bed, a low guttural noise came from the back of her throat. She felt like she might be about to rip in two as her body cried out at her to push. This time, no one stopped her and she screamed as her muscles pushed. "Stop" Dr Chang shouted and Missy did; panting as she recovered. "Excellent, Missy. I need you to keep doing that" Dr Chang encouraged. And that's just what she did for a length of time she couldn't remember. Before too long, she felt a mass between her legs.
"Push, Missy." She pushed, feeling the head emerge.
"That's it! Now nice and slowly for the shoulders. Excellent, well done!"
Dr Chang and Kate exchanged worried glances. The Doctor went to ask what was wrong but was silenced by the humans. Nothing could be said that might distress Missy.
The Time Lady pushed once more, feeling something warm and wet slide out of her.
Then silence.