In the other reality Sarah and the baby were coming through the Tardis door. "Doctor, we're home." she called out loudly. She listened for a minute and after hearing nothing she looked down at the baby. "Well, I guess he's busy or something. Let's go find out." She smiled down at the infant and pushed her out of the console room and down the hallway.
She found the Doctor in his lab. It looked as if a paper bomb had exploded in the room. "So what happened here?" Sarah asked as she pushed the baby's pram into the room, rolling it over many of the papers that were scattered on the floor.
"Sarah you're here." he said in surprise.
"Yes I am. If we're in the way…" Sarah started.
"Never." he said as he quickly crossed the floor and kissed Sarah on the lips. "So what did you and the baby do today?" He reached down into the pram and gently stroked the baby's cheek, much to the delight of the baby who gurgled loudly in response.
"The Brigadier treated us to lunch in the Officer's Mess at his private table. Though after everyone noticed our special little guest here, it was anything but private." The Doctor looked at her questioningly. "Apparently she can draw attention like a magnet. Everyone was amazed by her. It's the general consensus that she is by far the most beautiful baby they have ever seen." She smiled down at the baby.
"Well of course she is. How could she be anything but? She has our DNA after all!" the Doctor said as he wrapped his arms around Sarah.
"So did you find what you were looking for?" Sarah asked smiling up at the Doctor.
"Well…" he began as he scratched his head, his curly hair bobbing around madly.
"Well what?" Sarah inquired as she reached for the baby who was squirming in her pram. She checked the baby's diaper. "Uh oh."
"What? Is something wrong?" the Doctor asked urgently, his voice full of concern.
"Don't panic, just a full diaper. Now, tell me what's wrong while I go to the nursery and change her diaper."
The pair walked through the hall as the Doctor tried to explain his quandary. He pulled a folded up paper out of his pocket and unfolded it. "See this reading here?" he said pointing to a line of numbers on the page.
"Yes." Sarah answered as they turned the corner and entered the nursery. Sarah reached into the pram and carefully picked up the baby and placed her on the changing table. "Go on, we're listening." she said looking down into the infant's face.
"This reading shows the coordinate of origination, Earth. This number shows a timeline which is 1975. This number is the one that's confusing." He frowned.
"Confusing how?" Sarah asked as she finished her task and was redressing the baby.
"This number should show a specific coordinate in space. But there are two overlaid and I can't seem to separate them." the Doctor said while pacing. He'd paced a lot while trying to work this out.
"Can you separate them?" Sarah asked as she picked the baby up.
"I don't know. I just don't know." he replied honestly as he spread his arms wide. "I thought of asking Gallifrey but I'm not sure what they would do."
"Do?" Sarah asked as she left the nursery and headed for the kitchen for a bottle for the baby.
"Well…" the Doctor began as he followed Sarah and the baby, "my people are very xenophobic and…"
"The baby? What if we have a baby?" Sarah asked with growing concern.
"I'll be honest; I'm sure they will be less than pleased when we have children, especially when we don't give them over to the Academy. But this isn't exactly our child." he said as he handed Sarah a warmed baby bottle.
"So she's fair game?" Sarah said as she gave the baby her bottle and took a defensive stance.
"Not as long as I'm breathing." Then seeing Sarah raise her eyebrows added, "As long as we're breathing. But without Gallifrey, I'm limited to options."
"I have an idea. What about Cho Je? Can he help?" Sarah asked. She had very fond memories of that particular Time Lord. He had been of immense help on their last grand adventure, an adventure she wished she could forget.
"That's a wonderful idea Sarah." he said with an ear to ear smile on his face. He watched Sarah raise the baby to her shoulder to be burped. "Do you think she's up to her first road trip?"
"As soon as we're finished here. I'll dress her in something warmer and we can be on our way. Why don't you open up the box with the car seat in it I picked up and attach it to Bessie?" Sarah said as she put things she thought she might need in a diaper bag.
"Attach it to Bessie?" the Doctor asked puzzled.
"The car seat, you have to attach it to the back seat of the car." Sarah explained. That much about babies she knew from watching movies and seeing other people on the street.
"Attach it how?" the Doctor asked.
"I don't know. There are usually instructions with things like that. Or maybe Sergeant Benton can help. He seems to know a lot about kids." Sarah offered as she pulled some clothes from one of the drawers.
"Good idea." He pulled the phone the Brigadier had given him from one of voluminous coat pockets. After touching a few buttons he put the phone to his ear. "Benton," he started ginning, "are you still at the base? Good, I need a little help." He listened intently and then quietly said two words into the phone, "Car seat." Then listened again and said, "Whoa, whoa, whoa. I don't have seat belts in the back seat."
Sarah watched him with a smile on her face. An alien invasion no problem but a car seat, that was a problem. "I think he's in over his head, don't you little one?" she whispered to the baby as she changed her clothes. The baby cooed in response to Sarah's attention.
"Can you meet me in the garage? I just need to grab some metal? See you there." He said before ending the call.
"Metal? Metal for what?" Sarah asked, trying her best not to show any amusement.
"According to the good Sergeant you attach the car seat to the seat belt and Bessie doesn't have seat belts. So I'm going to build some sort of bracket to attach it to." he said as he pulled the Sonic Screwdriver from his pocket.
"Is that safe?" Sarah asked.
"It will be a great deal safer than anything that it was meant to attach to." He crossed the room and kissed Sarah on the lips. "I'd never do anything to risk her or you." He kissed Sarah again, this time with a bit more passion. "Give me fifteen minutes and meet me in the garage. Do you need any help?" he said as he walked to the door and picked up the car seat box.
"No I have it under control. We'll see you there." Sarah smiled at him.
The Doctor started to leave and turned around and asked, "We're still going on that honeymoon after this is over, right?"
"Oh you can count on it." Sarah smiled widely at him. The Doctor returned her smile before leaving. Sarah turned back to the baby. "Don't worry little one, you're certainly worth the interruption."
Forty five minutes later they were pulling into the Monastery. The Doctor holding the baby with Sarah at his side knocked on the door. Tommy answered it with a huge smile on his face. "Doctor and Sarah Jane, how good to see you. I've been so excited since K'anpo Rimpoche told me you were coming. Please come in." he stood to the side, allowing the trio to pass.
The Doctor and Sarah exchanged a smile. They weren't surprised that he knew they were coming. "Thank you for having us Tommy."
"We are honored to have you. Thank you again for inviting me to your wedding Sarah Jane." he said, turning to Sarah. "I had a wonderful time meeting all your friends."
"It is us that were honored with your presence Tommy. We're very glad that you had a nice time." Sarah told Tommy taking his hands in hers.
As the group approached the sitting room another voice was heard, "Yes, it was a wonderful day. But now we have a puzzle to solve, do we not Doctor?" Cho Je asked.
"Unfortunately, we do." the Doctor replied as he looked down into the sleeping face of the infant.
"Please come in and be seated. Tommy please bring our guests tea." Cho Je told Tommy.
"Yes, of course." he said as he bowed to Cho Je and slid the tall wooden doors shut.
"Do I even need to tell you how she arrived?" the Doctor asked while he passed the infant to Sarah's waiting arms where she sat on the couch.
"I know she belongs to you and Sarah Jane yet she is not yours. I know she was sent from another reality for safekeeping."
"I have these readings." he said as he crossed the room and pulled the readout from his pocket and handed it to Cho Je. There are two coordinates in space, but they don't make any sense. The Tardis couldn't make sense of it." The Doctor watched Cho Je take the paper and hold it reverently between his hands with his eyes closed.
Cho Je looked at Sarah. "Please bring the child here."
Sarah rose from the couch and stood in front of Cho Je. "Doctor please bring that chair over for your wife." The Doctor brought the chair and set it in front of Cho Je. "Please sit." Sarah sat down facing Cho Je. "Do not look concerned Sarah Jane; I will not harm the child in any way." Sarah smiled at Cho Je. He reached forward and placed both his hands a few inches above the baby's body. He closed his eyes and tilted his head up.
He remained in his self-imposed trance for several minutes. He opened his eyes, a look of astonishment in them. He placed one of his hands on the baby's chest, a smile covering his face. "You know her father, both of you do as do I."
"Are you saying she belongs to the Doctor we met?" Sarah asked, shocked.
"Yes and now your problems really begin." Cho Je said as pulled his hand back.
"Why?" Sarah asked, looking from one to the other.
"Because the Time Lords have closed the rift that was opened that allowed the other Doctor and his companions to enter this reality." the Doctor volunteered.
"And they're not going to want to open it again." Sarah finished.
"Exactly, not without a good reason." Cho Je said. "They mustn't learn about the child. Nor will they give us the coordinates willingly. I have some connections in the astrophysics lab that will get me the coordinates. But opening the rift in space at the exact coordinates we need, that will be the challenge. Perhaps if you appeal to the scientific council with the ruse of an experiment…" Cho Je closed his eyes in thought and then opened them suddenly, his mind made up. "Yes, I believe it will work."
"What can I do to help?" the Doctor asked.
"You are going to apply to the scientific council to perform a black hole experiment and its effect on an opening in time and space. Tell them you want to keep it open ended for now. In the meantime I will use my 'influence' on a friend in the astrophysics lab and find out the coordinates that were closed. Once we have the rift open what will you do?"
"I guess cross into the other reality and look for him." the Doctor said as he put his hand on Sarah's shoulder.
"You realize that may not be easy." Cho Je stated.
"Yes, I realize that but what else can I do?" the Doctor reasoned.
"His allies, did he speak of any allies from his world?"
"Yes, a Silurian. I believe her name was Vastra. Thank you Cho Je." The Doctor placed a hand on each of Sarah's shoulders indicating she should rise. "We'll return to Unit and wait to hear from you."
"I will leave tonight and contact you tomorrow." Cho Je said as he watched them turn toward the door.
"I'll contact Gallifrey as soon as I get back about the 'experiment'. It will likely take them several days before they agree, if the past is any indication."
At that moment the large wooden doors slid open revealing Tommy with a tray laden with a tea service. "I have your tea." he said to the group.
"I'm sorry Tommy we have to go." the Doctor said to a disappointed Tommy.
"We'll be back to visit soon Tommy." Sarah stopped and touched his shoulder. "I promise, soon Tommy. We'll have a proper visit."
"Thank you Sarah Jane. I would like that." he said with a huge smile. He put the tray down on the table and walked them to the door. He stood in the doorway and watched them drive away. He hoped they weren't in trouble again. Not so soon after their last misadventure.
The Doctor was at the central console writing up his request for his 'black hole' experiment. It would be surprising to the Time Lords to know that in this instance he hated going behind their backs, but given their precious cargo he knew he had no other choice. He wanted to think they wouldn't hurt her, but having said that he wasn't sure what they would do if they found out. His other self seemed so alone, even with a Tardis full of companions. He knew what that felt like. Knew in the past tense he reminded himself and went to find Sarah. He knew where she would be, the nursery.
He entered the nursery to find her rocking the baby and humming softly to her. She looked up and put her finger to her lips. He nodded his head in understanding and watched as she slowly stood and walked to the crib. Sarah carefully lowered the baby to the crib and bent over and placed a gentle kiss to the baby's head before raising the side of the crib and heading toward the door.
Once she was at the Doctor's side he slipped his arm around her back and led her from the room. "Everything all right?" he whispered.
"Everything's fine. She's sleeping like an angel. Did you make your request to Gallifrey?"
"Yes, now we wait." he sighed.
"You're not good at waiting." she commented. "Well we'll just have to think of something to occupy our time." She smiled shyly up at him.
"I have a great idea to pass some time." Before she could say a word he lifted her off her feet and carried her to the bedroom. "It's still our honeymoon after all." he said before closing the bedroom door.
"It's been three days; do you think they'll get back to you soon about the black hole experiment?" Sarah asked as they walked the baby though the grounds of Unit? 'The Sun was brightly shining and though it was a crisp day there was a quiet splendor to be found on the grounds', Sarah thought as she walked with her new husband and their new houseguest. Looking down into the pram she realized it was going to seem awfully empty in the Tardis when she left. Both their lives revolved around the baby and her needs. The funny thing was, it seemed so easy and natural. They ate, worked and slept according to her schedule. Realizing she had drifted off, lost in her own thoughts she heard the Doctor answer her.
"Gallifrey runs on its own timetable, though when 'they' want something done, they want it yesterday. When 'I' want something it's…well whenever they think they've made me wait long enough." He threw his hands up to the sky in frustration. If he were totally honest with himself, he wasn't as in as much of a hurry to return the baby as he once was. Looking down into the pram he smiled at the infant. He'd heard humans fussing about staying up all night with their babies and what a challenge they were. And while they did take up a large amount of time, this experience hadn't been anything like they'd described. The baby rarely cried or even fussed. Granted Sarah had taken over the majority of her care, still he took turns with Sarah in her feedings during the night. He looked over at Sarah and could see she was lost in thought.
The wind blew lightly rustling the leaves that remained on the trees as well as those on the ground. The Doctor looked up feeling uneasy, something wasn't right but he couldn't put his finger on it. As they rounded the building he could see Sergeant Benton and Harry Sullivan and they were waving. There was a snap. What was that? He looked behind him but could see nothing. Maybe he was paranoid, but he could have sworn he heard a twig snap. Looking up again he saw a few leaves drift down. Still…
Sarah looked up at the approaching pair and waved them over. "We haven't seen them much lately."
The Doctor returned his attention back to Sarah, not wanting to unduly upset her over something that was possibly nothing. "That's what I was thinking. How do you feel about a special dinner out with them at The Olive Pit? I'm sure I could get Guido to give us one of his private rooms. But if you're too tired…" he asked as he watched her face to get an honest response.
"Nonsense, we'd love a night out. Wouldn't we little angel?" she cooed to the baby, who replied with a smile and a gurgle back. She thought she caught a look of anxiety on his face before he realized she was looking. She decided to ask him about it later.
"Well you two, excuse me…three." Harry said as he looked down into the pram. He reached down to touch the baby's chubby hand and she grabbed his finger tightly. "Did you see that? She grabbed my finger. I think I'm growing on her." He was grinning immensely.
"Well of course she likes you. How could she not? How are you Harry?" Sarah asked as she stepped forward and hugged him. "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages."
"I'm fine and how are you two? Parenthood seems to agree with you." Harry said as he returned Sarah's hug and shook the Doctor's hand vigorously.
"Yes, I agree with Harry. When my sister had her first kid I wasn't allowed to touch the baby for the first year. She was paranoid about everything. I don't think the poor thing even knew there 'was' an outside till he was six months old. I swear that first week she looked like she'd aged ten years. My mum said all new parents are like that. But look at the two of you. You look just the same as you always do." Benton professed.
The Doctor and Sarah looked to each other and smiled. "She hasn't been bad at all, has she Doctor?" Sarah smiled looking up into the Doctor's face.
"No, not much trouble at all." The Doctor wanted to say he was going to miss her but thought that might bring up a discussion about children that he and Sarah weren't quite ready for. The Doctor placed his arm around Sarah's shoulders as she started to push the pram down the path and the group moved on. "Sarah and I were just talking and wondered if you'd be interested in going to The Olive Pit with us for dinner tonight?"
Harry and Benton looked to one another and then to the Doctor and Sarah and answered as one. "Yes."
"Wonderful, I think I'll call the Brigadier and ask if he and Doris would like to go as well." the Doctor said grinning madly.
"They won't be able to." Sarah began. "I talked to Doris this morning. She called to check on us and the baby." she explained to the group. "One of their daughters has arrived for a holiday and they're going to take her to their cabin this weekend. So it's just going to be us."
"So five it is then." The Doctor smacked his hands together. "It's about two now, what do you say we meet at Bessie around five? I'll tie up any loose ends at the Tardis and the baby can get her nap in." The Doctor looked down into the pram to see the baby watching him, giving the impression that she was hanging on to his every word.
"After I get her down, I need to work on a few reports. So that works out for me as well." Sarah added.
"You have time to do reports?" Benton exclaimed. "Wait till I tell my sister!"
"We're lucky aren't we little one?" the Doctor said to the baby and then added, "She's exceptional."
The group laughed as they headed toward the front entrance to Unit. As soon as they entered the building, the private that was working as the receptionist rose from his chair and saluted the group. "Doctor, this was delivered for you while you were out Sir." he said as he stood at attention as he held a medium sized manila envelope forward.
"The salute isn't necessary, but thank you." the Doctor said as he took the envelope from the soldier's hand. He opened it up. In it was a single small piece of handmade paper. On it was a string of numbers written in Old High Gallifreyan. He showed the paper to Sarah. "The coordinates."
"Do you think Gallifrey…?" Sarah started to be interrupted by the Doctor.
"No, my Sonic Screwdriver would have alerted me to a message on the console." he answered quietly.
"Problem Doctor?" Harry asked.
"If this isn't a good time…" Benton started. Both Harry and Benton knew the pair was desperately trying to track down the baby's parents. It had been the main reason they had gone looking for the Doctor and Sarah to begin with, in case they needed cheering up.
"No problem, just one answer to a larger puzzle." Placing his hand on the small of Sarah's back he ushered her on. "We'll see you later." he said as they walked away.
"See you then." Harry called after them.
"I think it's going to be harder to give that baby up than they think it is." Benton commented as he watched the trio round the bend at the end of the hall.
"I know. I never thought of the Doctor as the baby type. But you can see it in his eyes, he and Sarah. I hope they find out where she belongs soon." Harry replied.
"Either that or decide they can't get her back and just decide to keep her." Benton offered his opinion.
"The Brigadier would love that! The two of them raising a child at Unit!" Harry laughed as they turned down the hall towards the canteen.
Author's Note: Five chapters to go. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated.