The clinic was slow that day allowing the Doctor more free time. While he looked in on Adele, he made sure not to alert Harris to the fact that there was someone else in their home as he spent the morning watching the clinic. Instead, he tried to figure out a way to feed the baby during the night as well as fix her clubbed foot. Feeding was fairly easy as he had an extra blanket in the home that he could rip into pieces and boil before allowing her to suckle the milk that Adele would leave behind. The foot was a little more difficult as he couldn't perform surgery or take her anywhere that was going to help her. There was a technique used on earth that required casting the limb and resetting it several times before bracing it while the child slept. The Doctor decided that was the best way to go at the moment, but he had the problem of coming up with a proper cast. Just using clay could be too heavy but if necessary he would use it because, in order to give her the best chance at having a normal life, he would need to set her foot as early as possible. If they waited she could walk she risked pain and having a disability because he couldn't help her.
Looking out, he saw that Harris had moved on, for the time being, so he entered his home to collect two blankets and a bottle of water taking everything back into the clinic with him. He tore the first blanket into two different sized squares. The littler squares he would use to feed her at night while the larger ones could be used for nappies. He made two nappies then took them into the home for Adele. He had nothing to pin the nappy so he made the nappy longer than necessary tying a small knot to hold it in place. The infant whimpered and started to fuss over the coolness of the planet on her small body but calmed once she was wrapped again. He cuddled her close and kissed her softly on the top of the head breathing her in. She smelled of milk and dirt even if he had tried to clean her.
Looking at the baby in his arms, he made a decision. He was going to find a way off of this planet. He had actually become lax in trying to figure out a way as he and Jack had fallen into the routine of the village. He couldn't be complacent anymore though. Cadis's daughter didn't deserve to suffer because her mother had made a mistake and been sent here as a punishment. The Doctor told himself that he wasn't going to become attached to the child. Once they were off the planet, he would find her a loving family that could raise her. As the day went on he had to admit to himself he was already attached. The baby had stolen his hearts the moment he delivered her into this unforgiving world and if her real mum couldn't raise her, then he would happily take her place.
He had also been rudely reminded that life went on her regardless of when come the afternoon, a new girl had delivered his rations. He had seen her when he went to talk to the leader standing with the other new arrivals. Unlike with Cadis, he didn't try to talk to her. He just took his rations, handed her the empty bottles and let her continue on her way before getting back to his own task. By the time the end of the day bell rang through the village, he had a small collection of boiled and dried blankets that were in both strips and squares. The smaller squares he put on a plate and in the cupboard to try to keep them clean. He also had a clay pitcher of milk that Adele had provided so they could feed the baby overnight. He thanked Adele, showing her out and closing the door behind him. With her gone, he went to the kitchen cutting up one of the apples from today's rations as well as two slices of bread for them to share. He was just finishing plating them when the door opened.
"I'm home," Jack called out.
"Shh. Don't wake the baby. She just went to sleep and it is a while before I can feed her again," The Doctor hissed softly. He pointed to the couch where the infant was wrapped in her blanket. The Doctor had taken a second blanket and made a small nest for her to lay in. She didn't react though to Jack's arrival as she had just been fed not too long before and was sleeping peacefully. She wasn't going to be happy for long though. As of her next feeding, he was going to start fixing her leg.
"I didn't expect her to still be here," Jack told the Doctor honestly. He wouldn't admit it but he had expected to come home to a heartbroken Time Lord who had failed to save yet another child. So, he was happy though that the baby was still alive and seemed to be thriving. "The Leader helped you, after all?"
"Of course not, it went just like you expected. On the way to the Leader's home, though, I stopped by several homes of nursing mothers. Adele agreed to be her wet nurse during the day and leave us milk in order to feed her at night," The Doctor responded.
"How are we supposed to feed her with no bottles, and no breasts, Doc? I mean I can lactate given the right circumstances but it really isn't something I like to do," Jack wondered.
"I can show you later once she is ready to feed," the Doctor answered calmly but not commenting on the fact that Jack could lactate. It made sense though since he knew Jack was able to get pregnant due to discussions they had on the TARDIS. It only made sense that his body would also be able to provide a way for him to feed the child. With Adele providing her milk currently, they didn't have to worry about finding a way to feed the infant but if he could convince Jack to begin making milk it would be one less then to worry about when they decided to leave the village. For now, he leaned in and kissed Jack softly on his lips. Jack looked confused but he returned the kiss, wrapping his arms around the Doctor's waist and pulling him closer. The Doctor broke the kiss first and then turned back towards the kitchen. "Get cleaned up, supper is ready."
"I really hope it is a large pizza with everything on it," Jack said.
"Close, it is bread with half an apple that has been cut into slices," The Doctor told him. Jack sighed loudly as he disappeared into their room. He returned a few minutes later and they took their places on the floor of the living room by the couch. The Doctor kept one eye on the infant as he ate his portion of bread.
"Have you named her yet?" Jack wondered as he saw the way the Doctor was looking at the child. The Doctor looked over at him like he was insane.
"We're only taking care of her until the Leader agrees to give her a home or until I can get off this planet. Then I will help her be adopted to a loving family," The Doctor stated. Jack knew him too well though and just quirked an eyebrow. He could see the love in the Doctor's eyes as he stared at the sleeping infant. He cared for her even if he was trying desperately to deny it.
"Even if we only have her for a day, she still deserves a name," Jack whispered.
"I haven't thought about a name, Jack. I have spent the day helping patients, while trying to figure out how I am going to fix her leg as well as get us off this planet. Normally, I can hold many trains of thought at the same time but something about this planet makes it hard to think. I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that this planet shouldn't exist, you haven't discovered any more metal have you that proves this was Atlantis have you?" Jack shook his head. "Then we need to figure out how they get supplies in. If I can get to the supply ship, I can get the TARDIS and get us off this planet."
"I have seen the supply ships a few times as they pick up ore from the mines and drop off food. They are heavily guarded the entire time and the guards have guns. It would be impossible to sneak into one of those ships without being caught and I don't want you and the baby to end up dead while I am sent back to the caves because we were foolish enough to try it," Jack informed the Doctor.
"Then how are we going to get off this planet?" The Doctor questioned. Jack shrugged. The Doctor ignored him though as he didn't expect Jack to have an answer. There were answers somewhere on this planet and if they couldn't find them here they would need to try to find another village they may have answers. In order to leave, though, they were going to need a plan as well as enough food to sustain them on the journey. It was going to take time to arrange that so as eager as he was to get off the planet he had to be smart about it and continue to do his job helping the people of this village. The only ones who mattered were in the home with him and one needed her leg tended to. He finished his meal and had Jack take the plates to the kitchen while he retrieved the strips of cloth as well as a bottle of water and a small bowl. He made a thin slurry of clay, then dunked one of the strips in it to soak.
"What are you planning?" Jack wondered as the Doctor worked.
"I am going to start straightening out her foot in order to give her the best chance at life," The Doctor responded. He took the sleeping bundle off the couch and laid her on the table next to the supplies. He was as gentle as possible as he moved her foot, but she still screamed at him as he manipulated her leg. Wrapping it in the cast to hold it in place, he had Jack retrieve the clean cloths and warm a small amount of milk. He showed Jack how to feed her using the cloth wrapped around his finger and dipped in the milk. She suckled on it and even if the process was slow, it calmed her.
"That didn't look pleasant," Jack commented once she was calm again.
"No, and that was only the first time," The Doctor responded. He touched the cast and found it was almost dry. He waited a few more minutes before gently wrapping her in her blanket again. With her leg no longer being touched and a full belly she was calm. Picking her up and handed her to Jack who cuddled her close to his chest providing her warmth. In no time, she was asleep again and he transferred her to one arm so he could wrap his other around the Time Lord as he was joined on the couch.
"What do you think about the name, Carys?" Jack wondered. The Doctor smiled at him.
"Alright," The Doctor agreed. He leaned over and kissed her on the head. Leaning up he kissed Jack again before settling back down to rest in his lover's arm.
