She sat, waiting patiently. Her left leg crossed over the top of her right, tapping her long, manicured fingernails against the cheap white plastic desk. Against its will, her dark hair was scraped back into a low bun, a sharp contrast against the paleness of her skin. Everything surrounding her was so incredibly colourless, the unfortunate grey scrubs with the accompanying white lab coat.

Oh, she did love pretending to be a doctor.

It was her favourite.

A wry, feminine giggle fell from her mouth.

She waited.

Reaching into her inside pocket, she pulled out a sleek black capsule, popping the top off to press the dark red lipstick across her lower lip, pressing them together and rubbing the pigment against her upper lip before she opened her mouth with a pop.

She had to look her best.

She would be here soon.

The right side of her mouth curved upwards before her eyes scanned back down the corridor she was currently waiting, oh, so patiently in, towards the two separate doors. Unbeknownst to her, her face had fallen into a grimace.

She hated this place.

Hated 'working' here. Infiltrating.

That room.

The too-smooth, white walls had sent a shiver down her spine the first time she'd willingly walked back inside.

It would be fine.

He would be fine.

She wasn't here for him.

The pager on the desk bleeped, her attention flicking down to it.

ETA – 2 minutes.

She rose to her feet, moving out from behind the desk as she straightened out her lab coat.

Perfection.

A fizzle of excitement settled over the top of the lingering dread. Drowning out the fear she'd never admit had ever been there.

This place.

He would be fine.

She wasn't here for him.

Everything was set.

The double white doors at the end of the corridor swung open, banging against the walls as four black-clad men pushed the gurney inside. Two of them moved the bed, while one held the oxygen mask over the face of their first arrival, the second squeezing the drip bag. She stepped aside, allowing them past her a moment later. Her eyes lingered on the unconscious form.

Him.

His eyes were closed.

Unconscious, thanks to the perfectly concocted potion of drugs being pushed into his system through the drip in his arm. The four men wheeled him into the room.

That room.

Hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, prickling uncomfortably. However, she turned to look away, focusing instead on the second arrival.

Her.

Again, four armed men accompanied the gurney, an oxygen mask pressed firmly against her mouth, a cannula taped into her arm feeding in the sedative.

Itching impatience gnawed at her skin at the sight of them. They had their hands on her.

Time.

Patience.

Wait.

She stepped in behind them, following her gurney into the room next to his. A blank, windowless box. The four men transferred her swiftly onto the larger, hospital-like bed. Her body lolled uselessly.

Gently.

Gently…

One of the men turned to her, giving her a nod. "Ma'am."

She didn't respond, her eyes remained on the sleeping form in front of her.

Sleeping.

Unconscious.

"No problems were encountered, Ma'am. Both subjects remained unconscious throughout the journey." The same insignificant human barked.

Of course. She wanted to snap.

She knew how to keep her wife unconscious.

A lazy smile edged its way onto her face as the four apes left the room.

Now, it was just the two of them.

Reluctantly, she set about doing the job she was supposed to be doing. She checked that both the oxygen mask and cannula were still correctly placed, keeping her under.

She was so beautiful. It always struck her. Always.

Perfectly unmarred skin.

So innocent looking.

Harmless.

But underneath.

Deadly.

Perhaps the deadliest creature she'd ever met.

A hum of soft appreciation vibrated in her chest. Her eyes slowly slid away from her face down to her attire.

Ah yes. She remembered that. It was a shame really, she was going to have to remove it. It suited her. That colour. She cocked her head to one side. She still liked it.

Gently she removed the jacket first, then the long skirt, redressing her in the ugly hospital gown.

Pure white.

Ice-blue eyes lingered on her. A sleeping angel.

She moved around to the right-hand side of the bed, setting the IV drip bag up on its hook. In her other arm, she inserted another needle, attaching a second drip with a new concoction of chemicals.

Nothing that would harm her.

No.

Never.

Just to keep her asleep.

Now, she could remove the oxygen mask, the second cannula removing the need for it.

Her fingers ghosted over Hally's cheek, pressing until her head turned to one side, exposing more of her neck. She removed the golden patch from its packaging, no bigger than a watch face, and pressed it against the skin of her neck.

The 'Governors' had insisted on it, despite her assurance that the sedation would work perfectly well. It was rather primitive technology, a temporal energy monitor. Just to ensure there was minimal entropic activity.

They feared her.

They should.

She drew her finger down along the skin of her exposed arm, soft and warm to the touch. The drag of her fingernail left a painless, momentary white indent until she reached her destination. For a moment, she unclipped the IV, using the butterfly cannula to take half a dozen vials of blood. A waste really, but not only was it her 'job' to monitor the subject, she also needed the results for her own plan. Wordlessly, eyes lingering for perhaps a moment too long on the dark red liquid pooling beneath the plastic, she re-clipped the IV bag back into place.

Leaving her side for a moment, she stepped back and moved to the back wall to pull out the drawer of the supposedly high-tech medical equipment. She let out a soft snort of amusement as she clicked the six vials into place before pushing the drawer back in. The machine let out a low whir as it began its analysis. Her head turned an inch back to the sleeping form, her chest slowly rising and falling as she slept soundly. So calm. So serene.

Her gaze moved from her face, down, and hovered.

She took a step away from the whirring machine, taking two, measured steps in to the side of her bed. Her shoes clicked against the bare floor and her lips curved upwards into a fond smile. Lowering herself, she perched on the side of the bed bringing her hand up to settle over the edge of the sheet.

The need to touch was overwhelming.

The sheet folded back as she pulled it down past her hips.

She knew that she probably shouldn't.

But when had that ever stopped her from getting what she wanted?

The starchy, hospital-like white gown bunched up as she lifted it, exposing her legs, hips and finally her lower abdomen.

The unassuming area rose and fell with Hally's even breaths as she stared at it. Eyes flicking up for a moment to the face of her wife.

She looked so young, she noted with an amused hum.

The urge won, and she reached out, laying her hand just over her lower abdomen.

Gently.

She held it there, taking in a slow exhale as her eyes fell shut.

Searching.

There she was.

Small.

So small.

Barely winked into existence.

Brand new.

Opening her eyes, she pulled back, readjusting Hally's gown and pulling the sheet back up. Again, she moved away, back towards the machine which had given a beep of completion. Sharp, blue eyes scanned across the given readings. All within range, as expected. All apart from the one protein that had come back marked as high.

As expected.

Her attention fell back on the sleeping form on the bed.

Once she had taken the readings to the Governors... Then, they wouldn't be able to touch her.

She, a Time Lord-human hybrid. So incredibly valuable to their 'research'. Their primitive poking. But now, she would be deemed even more valuable. With a delay… They wouldn't be able to touch her now. Not now. All their carefully laid plans. Ruined. They would no longer be able to touch her.

So instead, they would work on him.

A pained wince marred her face.

He'd be fine.

Fine.

Her shoes clicked across the floor as she headed to the doorway, pausing a moment to scan over the painfully beautiful creature lying so still against the white sheets.

Her wife.

"Sleep well…"

""I can't help it, I can't help it!" shrieked Michael as he rolled into the fender. "It's so terribly funny. Oh, Jane, isn't it funny?"… Jane did not reply, for a curious thing was happening to her. As she laughed she felt herself growing lighter and lighter, just as though she were being pumped full of air. It was a curious and delicious feeling and it made her want to laugh all the more. And then suddenly, with-" She paused, eyes moving from the pages of the book upwards to glare at the opposite wall.

It was becoming impossible to continue the story through his screaming.

Letting out a dramatic, heavy exhale, she snapped the book shut, giving up on 'story time'.

Another shout of agony fed through the wall and she shivered, shifting in her chair uncomfortably.

Pain.

She cleared her throat, plastering a smile onto her face. Those memories had been pushed so far down, so far away that she could barely remember them.

Although.

It was increasingly becoming more and more difficult to ignore them with her younger self screaming so loudly.

She sighed, taking her wife's hand in her own, squeezing it as if trying to comfort her sleeping form.

The Governors had agreed, upon hearing her reasoning.

They wouldn't touch her now.

Not until she'd 'bared the child'.

'Why stop at one human/Time Lord hybrid, when you could have two?'

Her face fell into another scowl before she realised and placed another smile there instead.

The stupid humans would get what was coming to them.

Eventually.

Not long.

It wouldn't be too long.

Four weeks until Christmas.

And she had the best gift to give them.

Through the wall, the voice cracked and broke.

Unbearable.

She let out another heavy sigh, eyes focusing on her face. "You're actually pretty lucky you're sleeping through all of this. You wouldn't like it." She clipped, running her thumb across the back of Hally's hand.

The sleeping deity.

Her eyes softened as she watched her.

Sleeping.

As always.

She wouldn't know.

She wouldn't know for a while.

Neither would he.

Not until it was too late.

A stone of uncomfortable sadness dropped into her stomach.

Timelines.

She knew what her wife would say.

"Fuck the timelines!"

The hum of amusement vibrated in her throat. "Always so angry… you're turning into me." Her eyes remained trained on her face as her tongue slowly ran across her teeth. "It's… good… to see you." The words seemed to have to be forced from her mouth, not wanting to let go of them as she lent her head back. "Always sleeping." She whined. "Passing by. That seems to be our problem. These days." Her head tilted back down, eyes falling on Hally's abdomen. "All out of order."

Images flashed through her mind. The knowledge of what was to come. Looking back up at her face, a tired exhale fell from her. "I'm sorry. You'll be alright…" She offered to her wife's unconscious form, her tone not wholly convincing.

Darkness slithered onto her expression, her features shifting into something more determined. "But I am here." The look she gave her wife could have been confused with a glare. "Just remember that. I am." At the sharp yell of agony from the other room she growled lowly at the interruption. She rose to her feet. "Ignore him. He'll be fine."

"Fine…" The word hung in the air.

Busying herself unnecessarily, she checked on her IV drips. More than enough to keep her out.

Perfect.

"My beautiful wife…" The words left her lips, a barely audible whisper as she brushed a wayward hair away from her face, her thumb caressing across her high cheekbone.

"I've been so bored without you…" She continued, her voice, a little louder but only reserved to be heard by the sleeping woman in front of her. "Had to keep myself entertained. You know how well that goes." A lazy chuckle hummed in her chest. "I know you won't like it… Eventually anyway… In a while." Her face scrunched into a petulant pout. "Timelines Schmimelines."

With that, she leant down, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Her gaze lingered.

The noise.

How could she have forgotten?

That pain.

She could hear it in his voice. The sound, that sound. It took every effort for her to not retch.

Bringing her thoughts back into the room, the white cocoon, shielded from the pain of next door, she manoeuvred herself closer to the side of the bed, dragging a chair along behind her, ignoring the screech along the floor until she plopped down onto it.

"Daddy's being loud." A soft smile played on her lips as her eyes fixated on the exposed expanse of her wife's abdomen. The fondness in her tone soothing over the racket seeping into the room. Leaning forward, she rested her chin on her crossed arms, her gaze tracing the contours of Hally's form. "Mummy's being good for once." She mused, amusement dancing in the bright blue of her eyes. She shifted forward, her forehead connecting with the soft skin of Hally's stomach, a tilt in her neck, keeping her eyes on her face. A fond expression melted across her sharp features, a tickle of light amusement at her slumber. Always so relaxed. Oblivious to the pain…

Her attention drifted back down to her pelvis as she lifted her head back up. "Just remember that D-… hmm." She paused, chewing on her words. "Well… I'm not Daddy… he's the one screaming…" Her voice trailed away as she considered, before a slow smile spread across her face. "How about… Mamaidh." She whispered into the air. "Mamaidh's here… right from the start. Right here." She cooed with serene certainty. With a slow exhale, her attention drifted as she watched her wife's face. "I've been busy…" She confessed. "You're probably not going to like it. You never do." Her lips curved into a pout as she whined. She turned back to her exposed skin, as if talking between two close friends. "She'll be angry at me. But then, when is she not?" Her laugh rang out across the room, a whimsical giggle, before her face fell sharply into an expression of sad contemplation. "…I would like nothing more… than to play happy families with you. But we can't. Not yet." Her eyes flicked upwards to glare into the unassuming white wall. Finally, there was silence.

The screaming had stopped.

"It's all out of order."

"It's not fair, you know… I've definitely ended up with the short end of the stick."

Her mouth had curled upwards with a silent snarl, her scowl fixed to the wall as she rose swiftly to her feet.

She paced at the end of her bed. "I wish you could remember this." Anger sizzled hotly underneath.

That noise.

Always the same noise.

"Remember that I was here." She spat.

Banging and screaming.

"He wasn't."

Shouting.

"He never is."

Begging.

"The Doctor."

Pain.

She could remember that pain.

"Remember where he left you."

"Where is he, hmm? When you need him. Never here."

"Never, ever here!"

"He'll see."

"I'll make him see."

If Hally had been awake she would have been able to feel her breath across her face.

Not long now.

She fixed the clip into place.

The IV drip, now closed.

"A Christmas Eve gift…" She caressed her cheek, knowing she might not be able to touch her again for a while.

The heavy, disgusting, sadness swelled inside her chest.

To let her go.

Continue.

They would be fine.

Fine.

"Now please… look after yourself… I've kept you safe here, because I could." She hummed.

God, the impulse to kiss her was hard to ignore.

"Not yet."

"I'm not going to have our first kiss while you're unconscious." She shot towards her sleeping form, her mouth curving with a flirtatious smile.

Behind her eyelids, her wife's pupils moved.

She watched, enthralled.

She couldn't stay long.

Couldn't be seen.

But she couldn't bring herself to leave.

Not yet.

She'd have to be quick when she did.

She knew how the next bit went.

Excitement twinkled in her eyes. She had already dealt with the security and unlinked the monitor attached to her neck.

Hally let out a deeper exhale, opening her mouth.

The urge to touch her.

Claim her.

Her perfect skin.

To see it blotch, to see it red.

But only by her hand.

No one else would ever touch her.

She took a step back as her wife stirred, her body finally able to fight off the sedative. Metabolising it faster than any human could. She shifted on the bed, an audible noise slipping from her mouth. A soft groan. Confused. Mouth dry. She could just about feel her, drifting in and out of reality. A presence slithering against the edges of her mind.

Fear started to trickle across from her wife as she slowly became more aware of herself.

Lying down.

Asleep.

The last memories she'd had.

They'd been in danger.

She knew there had been danger.

Fear.

Dread.

She took another step back.

She didn't have long.

She allowed herself the luxury of one more, slow scan over her, forcing herself to pocket every single detail of her face to memory.

The side of her mouth tugged into a wry, almost proud smile.

"Darling… Give them hell."