Chapter Four: The Baby

"I want to see my mom," Veronica said. She sighed as she watched the Doctor's face. "I know that she's dead, even if you won't verbally tell me so. I can see it all over your face. I want to be there for her."

"No," the Doctor said. "I'm not doing that." He ran his fingers through his short brown hair. Somehow, he could see that this was the only way for him to convince her. He glanced at Veronica and his shoulders sagged. "I can't."

"My mother said you could do anything," Veronica retorted. "You're the mysterious man!" Veronica sighed, and leaned against the orange rail, her arms crossed. "I know you can do anything."

"I can't do everything," the Doctor said.

"My mother thought you could," Veronica said. She gave the Doctor an even look, which they shared for a moment. But that moment was over before either of them knew it, and the Doctor was pulling switches and maneuvering leavers. When he was done, he stepped away from the control panel. "Grab the rail," he yelled just as the Tardis started to rumble.

Veronica didn't wait for him to explain, and grabbed the rails until her knuckles were white. But there was only a slight rumble and a strange, almost siren like, sound was to be heard before the Doctor let go of the Tardis and fixed his bow tie.

He looked at Veronica. She was pale, the thought of traveling with a stranger just weighing down on her, but he didn't give her time to dwell on that fact.

Before she could say anything, he whisked away to the door, and walked right out of the Tardis, leaving Veronica to follow him. Of course, she did, and she was shocked to find that she was in a hospital. From the way that her mother had described this mysterious man, a hospital would be the last place that she'd end up.

The Doctor turned a corner up ahead of her, but Veronica was slower. She was taking it all in. The hallways were bright with florescent lights beaming down onto the white stoned floors. The walls were a tan, creamy color that Veronica instantly hated. It was an ugly color and made the hospital look cheap. Veronica, unlike some people, visited hospitals too much. She knew too much about them, about what happened in them. She'd visited too many relatives in these buildings.

So Veronica sucked in a small breath and tried to calm her nerves, only it wasn't as easy as she thought it would be. She was about to see her mother as she lay on her death bed. Veronica felt faint, but with a sudden wash of determination, she straightened her back, and began to walk faster.

I'm a strong woman. My mother needs me right now and there is no way in hell I'm going to- Veronica's thoughts were cut off by the Doctor popping out of a random hallway, and grabbing Veronica's hand. Unfortunately for the Doctor, Veronica wasn't ready for his sudden arrival, and she was about to punch him before she saw who it was. With a growl, she ripped her hand out of his and spat, "Don't do that!" She glared at him. "Don't touch me. I don't like strangers touching me."

The Doctor held his up in surrender. "Sorry, sorry. I will respect your personal space." He nodded and that goofy smile found it's way to his face again. Veronica wanted to slap it off of him, but he was turned around and walking off before Veronica could respond. "Follow me!"

"Hey," Veronica called, running up to him, "wait for me!" But the voice died in her throat when she saw what the Doctor had suddenly stopped in front of. It was the nursery, where tons of little babies where sleeping cutely in either pink or blue blankets. Veronica's eyes were frozen to the name tag over a small girl that read: VERONICA SMITH. "But..." Veronica felt strange seeing herself there, in the blanket and she could feel a strange sense of discomfort, like she shouldn't be here-like she should be anywhere but there. After a few moments she looked back at the Doctor. "But you said..."

"I lied," he said. He smiled and looked at Veronica and then baby Veronica. "You were a cute child."

"Yeah, I know," Veronica snapped. "I can't believe you lied to me! What the hell, man?" Veronica let out a growl. You don't lie about something like that, she thought, but then she thought she should tell him that. "You don't like about something like seeing your mother die."

It was so strange, it was like time slowed down while Veronica turned away from the Doctor to watch herself sleep. What he did suddenly made perfect sense. Veronica watched as a nurse came in and picked up the baby version of herself.

"Oh," Veronica breathed as she watched the nurse walk out. "Oh." Veronica then started to follow the nurse, and the Doctor walked behind her, watching her carefully.

Veronica ignored him, though, and followed the nurse silently until she disappeared into a room. Veronica stopped at the end of the hall, and leaned against wall, fidgeting with her necklace. She was about to see her mother. She was going to see her mother. Her mother was right in front of her. Her mother was only a few steps away. Veronica's breath became heavier at the thought of seeing her mother again.

Her mother was alive and only a few feet away.

Slowly and silently Veronica turned around and headed back to where the Tardis was parked.

Author's Note: This is just a short story I'm writing. I will most likely make a lot of mistakes because I'm trying to get it out of my head before I lose it, but I will go over it again and again. So do not worry!

This chapter hasn't been looked over because I've got to get it out of my head! I've been working on it for too long, so please don't be too upset.

Have a great day - and criticism is welcomed. I'm aware that I'm not perfect, and it's okay to point out the flaws. I would actually insist on it because not only will it help me as an author, it would help me to make this an enjoyable story for more people. I love you, and drop a review, tell me if you're enjoying the story or not. :)