"River!" The Doctor jumped forward, checking her for a pulse. He sighed, relieved. "She's okay, she's breathing." He stroked her face gently, and River's eyes slowly fluttered open. She rubbed her face and attempted to sit up, failing to do so.
"River, it's okay, we've got you." He motioned for Clara to help, and together, with River's arms wrapped around their necks, they carried her to the Doctor's room.
She sank down onto the bed, groaning. "I feel horrible! My head aches!" The Doctor kissed her forehead. "Do you want some water?" She nodded weakly. "Alright, I'll get you some in a moment." He straightened the blankets for her so that they covered her legs. "Are you sure you don't want a body scan? It will just take a second."
"I'm fine, Doctor, I promise." He sighed, then stood up. "Okay, okay. I'll get you some water, and something for your head." He turned to the door, and Clara stepped out of the way so that he could pass. "Watch over her, make sure she's okay." He whispered in passing. She nodded, and waited until the Doctor had rounded the corner before approaching River.
She gestured to River's fault. "Do you want a new shirt?" River glanced down. Her shirt was stained with vomit. She nodded. "Third drawer in that cabinet, if I remember correctly." Clara opened up the drawer and selected an old, worn tee shirt. She handed it to River and waited awkwardly for her to change shirts.
When River finished, Clara cleared her throat. "What's making you sick?" River hesitated, then shrugged slightly. "No idea." Clara crossed her arms. "Drop the act. I know you know what's wrong, and just because it isn't obvious to him, I can tell."
River considered lying again, but she knew it would be no good. They would still be pushing her, and when she would finally come clean, he would be disappointed that she hadn't come clean sooner. The sooner the better, I guess. She thought to herself with a sigh.
River stared at her feet. "I didn't want to tell you so soon, but I guess it isn't worth hiding." She cleared her throat and inhaled heavily. "I- I'm pregnant." She glanced up at Clara, expecting her to look shocked, but instead she was nodding. "I thought so."
"Really? Is it that obvious?" Clara laughed slightly. "You're throwing up and dizzy. And you've got a bit of a gut showing." River looked down at her stomach. Clara was right. The baby's presence was obvious, even more in the shirt she was in now.
River sighed. "How am I going to tell him?" Clara sat on the the edge of the bed. "You could just, you know, tell him?" River shook her head. "Our lives aren't safe enough for a child! I can't tell him this, it's- it's too much. I shouldn't have even come, I should've just stayed on Earth and had the baby and went on my way."
They sat in silence. "So why did you come?" River sighed. "I- I was escaping fro Kovarian again." Clara tilted her head, confused. "Long story, don't ask." Clara opened her mouth to say more, but the Doctor entered the room, interrupting them.
"Here you go River! Some hot tea should help your headache." He smiled at her, and she attempted to smile back. Clara motioned for River to tell him, and River shook her head slightly.
With a sigh, Clara rolled her eyes. "Doctor, can I..." She gestured to the hallway, and he nodded, glancing back at River. "I'll be back in a moment, dear." He closed the door behind him.
"Have you noticed anything different about River?" The Doctor nodded. "Well, she's sicker. Throwing up, fainting." "Anything else?" The Doctor thought for a moment. "No, nothing else. Why?" Clara sighed, shaking her head.
From inside the room, River listened, hanging onto their words. Tears were forming in her eyes.
"Did you notice that she's gained weight?" He looked taken aback, like he was wondering if it was a trap. Hesitantly, he replied. "I guess she has, but not much, why?" Clara sighed. "I wish I didn't have to tell you this, but River- she couldn't."
"Tell me what?" The Doctor looked panicked, his eyes wide with fear. "Oh, don't worry, she isn't dying." The Doctor's expression calmed. Clara continued. "She is, however, gaining weight, puking, and is feeling dizzy." She looked at him expectantly, looking for the realization that would surely spread on his face. Instead, nothing.
She sighed. "Doctor, she- River's pregnant." His smile faltered. "What?" "She's pregnant. That's why she's here, running from Kovarian." His eyes widened. "Kovarian knows?!" Clara nodded. "That's what River said."
The Doctor paced. "How? She- she can't be pregnant..." Clara crossed her arms. "Well, it's certainly possible." His cheeks reddened. "I- I know that, but-" He sighed. "It just doesn't seem like it could happen. "
"You should go talk to her. I'll leave you two alone." Clara walked away, and with a deep breath, the Doctor entered the bedroom, unsure what to expect.