My Queen of The Garden

by aliceoakdown11

"This is where we've always been heading, you and I." The Doctor's daughter was always shunned on Gallifrey, now travelling with her father, can she learn to trust him while keeping from him her biggest secret? That she's unavoidably in love with his best enemy. The MasterXOC

91. Part 6 - Chapter 91

Hally stood in a haze, her mind spinning. The announcement seemed like it was coming from underwater, distant and muffled. "...we have decided to approve the integration plan as outlined. Mrs. Oakdown will be released under the specified conditions." The words should have brought relief, a sense of triumph or at least closure, but instead, Hally felt strangely detached, as if she had watched the moment happen to someone else.

Her body felt heavy, although her hands were oddly light without the weight of the cuffs that had been there moments before. When had they been taken off? She couldn't remember. She stared at the red marks circling her wrists, slowly fading but still visible. Around her, people were moving, talking, congratulating each other and her, but it all felt wrong, like a play she wasn't meant to be a part of. Their voices blended into a soft murmur, a background hum that didn't quite reach her.

The words Alina had spoken echoed in her mind, loud and sharp in contrast to the muted sounds of the room. She felt exposed, as if everyone could see right through her skin, straight into the dark, ugly, broken parts she tried so hard to hide. She felt small, so much smaller than she wanted to feel. She didn't want to seem weak, didn't want Jack or Martha or anyone at Torchwood to look at her with pity. She wanted to be strong, to show them she didn't need their sympathy, but simultaneously she craved their comfort. The contradiction twisted in her stomach like a knot she couldn't untangle.

People brushed past her, their bodies warm and close in a way that was suffocating. Hally tried to focus on anything else, her eyes darting around the room. She noticed a crack in the paint on the far wall, the way the light flickered just slightly from the overhead fixtures, the scratchy fabric of the chair she'd risen from.

A hand on her arm jolted her out of her daze. She flinched slightly but recognised Henry's gentle touch. He stood close, his face calm and kind, a small smile playing on his lips. "Well done," he said softly, squeezing her hand.

Hally stared at him, trying to understand why he was congratulating her. What had she done? She hadn't really done anything. The reality of how much Henry had done for her hit her suddenly, a wave of gratitude mixed with guilt. She opened her mouth to speak, her throat dry and scratchy. "Thank you. Not for... I mean, for this. Thank you," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

Henry nodded, his smile understanding, and then he moved away, leaving her alone again. She could hear Kate talking to Jack nearby, their words a jumbled mix, but she caught bits about her transport, about where she would go next. The thought made her stomach twist again. Her feet glued to the floor.

And then Martha was there, right in front of her, not saying a word. Hally blinked, and before she could react, Martha's arms were around her, pulling her into a hug. The warmth of the embrace cut through the numbness, and Hally's body began to tremble uncontrollably. The sudden contact was both a comfort and a catalyst, a safety net but a shove towards the edge of breaking down completely. She felt the tears welling up, burning at the corners of her eyes, and she blinked rapidly, trying to force them back.

She wanted to pull away, to hide, but Martha's grip was firm, her hand rubbing slow, calming circles on Hally's back. "It's okay," Martha whispered softly, her voice soothing but threatening to unravel the last of Hally's control.

A sob built in Hally's chest, hot and painful. She tried to swallow it down, but it only made her throat ache more. She felt her body shaking with effort. She couldn't cry here, not in front of all these people, not after what they had heard. The room felt too small, the air too thick. She was suffocating under the weight of it, and she couldn't let go, couldn't let them see her like this.

But then the reality of what had happened, of what was still happening, crashed over her. They had won, right? She wasn't going to be imprisoned. She should be happy, but all she felt was overwhelmed, the relief buried under a mountain of fear, guilt, and confusion. The lives she had taken a heavy, unmovable stone, the weight of every action pressing down on her chest. The Doctor had left her here, and that thought alone was a sharp, stabbing pain that refused to fade.

But she wasn't alone, was she? There were so many people here for her, all of them having fought for her, planned for her, while she had been sitting in a cell, feeling lost and scared. They had done all this for her without her asking, without expecting anything in return. A mix of gratitude and a deep, gnawing feeling that she didn't deserve any of it, that she wasn't worth the time and effort they had given, twisted in her gut.

Martha held her tightly as she began to break, the tears she had tried so hard to hold back finally spilling over. She cried quietly, her body shaking with each suppressed sob, trying to stay as silent as possible. She could feel people around them, still talking, still moving, but she was off to the side, slightly hidden by Martha's embrace. She knew some of them would see her crying, but she couldn't stop the tears.

A sob caught in her throat, and she swallowed hard, managing to pull herself away from Martha just enough to speak. "I'm fine. It's fine," she said, her voice shaky as she wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to force the tears back.

Martha gave her a gentle, understanding smile. "You don't need to be fine, Hally."

Hally took a shaky breath, trying to gather herself. She didn't want to fall apart, not here, not now. "No... I know, but... I am. I don't... I'd really prefer not to have a full-on breakdown right here," she said with a weak, bitter laugh, trying to inject some humour into her voice.

"Fair enough," Martha replied, her smile soft but supportive. "Let's pretend you're totally fine," she added with a hint of sarcasm, trying to lighten the mood just a little.

"Yes, please," Hally responded, managing a faint smile as she took another deep breath, the air cool in her lungs, helping to steady her just a little.

Martha glanced over her shoulder. "I think Ianto and Gwen are going to take you home. They're just sorting out which car you're going in. Are you ready to go?"

Hally nodded, swallowing the lump that seemed permanently lodged in her throat. "Yeah," she said softly.

Hally felt the pressure in her chest start to ease slightly as Gwen and Ianto walked over. They must have noticed the redness in her eyes but neither of them said a word about it and for that, she was immediately grateful.

Gwen smiled softly. "We're ready to go when you are," she said, her tone light and careful.

Martha gave Hally's shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I'll see you soon, okay?" she said with a reassuring smile.

Hally nodded, trying to find some semblance of steadiness. "Yeah, thanks, Martha," she managed, her voice still unsteady but sincere.

As they moved through the small group, Hally felt a mix of awkwardness and gratitude. People were watching her, some with sympathy, others with cautious curiosity. She knew she should say something—thank them, acknowledge their efforts—but the words felt stuck somewhere deep inside her, unreachable. So she just kept her head down, moving through the small sea as quickly as she could.

When she reached Jack, she paused for a moment. She needed to say something, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, she reached out and squeezed his hand briefly. He returned the gesture silently, his grip warm and steady. It was enough—more than enough.

Her gaze flickered around the room, catching sight of Alina standing a little way off. Alina didn't make any move to approach her, and Hally was strangely relieved. She knew Alina was most likely giving her space. There was so much Hally wanted to talk about, so much had happened, but not here, not now. For now, she just needed a moment to breathe.

Gwen took Hally's arm gently, guiding her toward the exit with a quiet but comforting presence. Ianto walked ahead, leading the way, and Hally noticed two soldiers following at a distance.

When they reached the car, Ianto slipped into the front seat, while Gwen and Hally climbed into the back. The soft thunk of the car door closing brought a momentary sense of isolation, a small bubble of quiet amidst the noise of the world outside. As they began to drive, neither Gwen nor Ianto said much, a silence hanging in the air that Hally found herself oddly thankful for. She wasn't ready to talk—not yet. Instead, Gwen and Ianto exchanged a few words between themselves, discussing routes and traffic, keeping their voices low and unobtrusive.

Hally gazed out the window, watching the streets of London pass by. The city was alive with its usual bustle, people going about their day, oblivious to her presence. The convoy moved steadily, a car in front and two behind, a tight formation that reminded her she wasn't exactly free, just in a much larger cage.

Clearing her throat, she broke the silence, needing to ask something, anything to distract herself. "How far is it?" she asked, her voice sounding small even to her own ears. It wasn't the question she truly wanted to ask, but it was a start, a way to fill the silence and gauge how much longer she would have to sit with her thoughts.

Gwen turned to her with a reassuring smile. "It's not far, about 25 minutes? Depends on this bloody London traffic," she chuckled, the sound light and a bit forced, but comforting nonetheless.

Hally nodded.

As the car navigated through the streets, Hally watched the scenery shift from busy, commercial areas to quieter residential zones. The houses became more uniform, with neat squares and tidy front gardens, their rows forming a picture of suburban calm.

Ianto eased the car to a stop halfway up a street lined with redbrick townhouses. The cars in their convoy slowed as well, each one finding a spot along the street but remaining idle, their occupants staying inside. Ianto stepped out of the car, his movements assured, and Gwen followed suit with a warm, encouraging smile.

"We're here," Gwen said, her voice gentle, laced with a note of optimism. She looked at Hally, eyes glinting with a touch of humour as if trying to offer some levity.

Hally nodded, her hearts pounding slightly as she stepped out of the car. She followed Gwen and Ianto up the path that led to a small front garden, neatly landscaped with a few shrubs and flowers. The red door of the house stood invitingly, and Ianto unlocked it with a key, opening it to reveal a small, enclosed entrance area.

"Let's take you for the tour," Gwen said, her smile bright as she stepped aside to let Hally in. "It's honestly lovely. I wouldn't mind one myself," she added with a chuckle.

Hally followed them round, taking in the details of the house.

Her house.

Hally followed Ianto and Gwen, her steps hesitant as she moved through the hallway, walking into the first room on the left.

The room was bathed in sunlight, thanks to the large windows that framed the closest wall. The light streamed in, casting a warm glow over the wooden flooring. In the middle of the room lay a large, soft rug. To one side, a generously sized sofa beckoned, its cushions plump and inviting. Near the window, two armchairs sat, angled towards one another. Opposite the sofa, a fireplace stood, flanked by bookcases that were already filled with an assortment of books.

Ianto and Gwen led her through a set of double doors at the back of the living room into the kitchen. The space was modern and spacious, with sleek, contemporary appliances that gleamed under the overhead lights. The kitchen island, with its smooth marble surface, stood as a centrepiece, its surface bare and ready for use. She wondered momentarily what she was supposed to do with all this space. A window over the sink looked out onto the garden. To the right, the kitchen opened up into a dining area, furnished with a dark wood dining table and matching chairs. Patio doors led out into the garden, their glass panes framing a view of the outdoors, the neatly kept grass, a few clusters of flowers adding pops of colour, and a newly painted fence that enclosed the space.

They headed upstairs, the staircase creaking slightly under their weight. Ianto opened the door to the master bedroom, which overlooked the garden. The room was spacious and elegantly decorated, with a large bed and minimal furniture. Next, they showed her the spare room, currently set up as an office. A desk sat by the window, its surface clear but for a few pens and a notepad. Bookcases lined one wall, again already filled with neatly organised books.

Finally, they opened the door to a smaller room that had been converted into a nursery. The space was decorated in neutral tones—beiges and soft whites. A small cot was set up, along with a changing table and a few other essentials. The sight of the room sent a strange, unsettling feeling through her. Without thinking, she closed the door firmly, the door clicking decidedly shut.

Ianto and Gwen checked in with her. "If you need anything, just let us know," Gwen said warmly. "Would you like one of us to stay for a bit?"

Hally shook her head, trying to force a small smile. "No, I think I'll be okay. Thanks, though."

They left her then, to her own devices.

Hally moved through the house once more, her steps slow and contemplative. The space was beautiful, but it felt oddly foreign, like an elaborate stage set. The idea that it was hers still incredibly obscure. It wasn't that she didn't like it, she did. It was light, cosy but minimal, it was warm and although it was quiet, gentle sounds of life from the outside world seeped through.

It was more that it was a new concept.

A house.

A home.

A place for her to be for an extended period of time.

It wasn't something she was overly familiar with.

Of course, she'd had the TARDIS. But that had never really been hers.

A place for her to live, with their daughter.

A small smile crept onto her face.

She did another loop around the house, this time fiddling with the back patio door, unlocking it and taking herself on a short loop around the garden.

She liked it.

She liked the bright flowers and made a mental note that she'd had to try to keep them alive.

From the bottom of the garden she looked back up at the house, there were two houses either side, a small gap between her walls and theirs. She couldn't see anyone through the windows and she wondered briefly if they were empty. Walking back inside, she made her way back upstairs, exploring deeper within her bedroom. She opened the large wardrobe that spanned across the far wall, a few items of clothing hung pre-prepared on hangers but she made a mental note that she'd need to buy more. Traipsing through the bathroom reminded her of other things she'd need to buy. The house had been left completely ready, with enough items that she could survive for the first few days at least without leaving if she needed to.

Downstairs again, she opened the kitchen cupboards and finally the fridge.

Hmm, she'd need to buy some more food.

What she wanted first of all though, was a shower and to finally change her clothes. Which she did, taking her time to enjoy the new space of her bathroom. It took her a few minutes to find where the hairdryer had been tidied away, but it wasn't long before she was back downstairs in the kitchen.

It was then that she noticed the sleek, black mobile phone sitting on the kitchen counter. She picked it up, noting the 'UNIT' logo in the top right hand corner of the phone screen, she pocketed it, assuming someone would contact her when necessary.

After a few more minutes of aimless wandering, she picked up a pen and paper from one of the office drawers and began to make a few lists.

Kitchen Stuff

· Food

· Cleaning stuff

She momentarily paused to check to see if she had a dishwasher.

She did.

Excellent.

Garden

· Stuff to keep plants alive

Bathroom

· Shampoo

· Conditioner

· Soap

· Toothpaste

· More towels?

· Toilet roll?

Each list she stuck up on the fridge.

Bedroom

· Clothes!

· Pyjamas?

· More bedding?

· Makeup?

Nursery

· Baby stuff…

That had been as far as she had gotten with that particular room before she'd placed the list at the bottom of the fridge door.

That stuff wasn't so urgent.

She could return to that list another day.

The evening stretched out before Hally like an endless expanse of time, and she found herself flitting from one room to another, unable to settle.

Her phone remained silent, the screen dark. She imagined the others were giving her space, letting her find her footing. The thought should have reassured her, but instead, it left her feeling oddly disconnected. She wandered into the kitchen and decided to make herself some dinner. The process was slow but at least it killed time.

After dinner, she dutifully washed up, returning the kitchen to its pristine state.

Once the kitchen was tidy, she drifted back into the living room. She tried out different seats on the sofa, trying to decide which she preferred. Standing, she scanned the bookshelf, her fingers trailing over the spines of the books. She recognised a few of the titles and considered perhaps starting one of them, but the task of starting a whole book suddenly seemed gigantic.

With a sigh, she flicked on the TV, hoping to find something to distract her. She flipped through channels, pausing briefly on a nature documentary, but the gentle narration did little to hold her attention. After about twenty minutes, she found herself bored, the novelty of television wearing thin.

Hally rose from the sofa and wandered back upstairs, her steps echoing slightly in the quiet house. The master bedroom was spacious and inviting, and for a moment, she stood at the threshold, contemplating the comfort of the bed. But even as she moved toward it, she hesitated. The room was still unfamiliar.

In the end, she decided to head to bed, sleeping through her discomfort seeming like the best option and acknowledging that the last few days had exhausted her. As she pulled back the crisp sheets and settled in, she silently stared at the ceiling. The house was hers, but it felt like it belonged to someone else—someone who had yet to truly inhabit it. She turned off the lights, the room falling into a deep darkness.

As she lay there, staring up at the ceiling, Hally could feel her mind starting to catch up with her, starting to pull forth reminders, moments of the past few days, of moments before that. She swallowed and pulled the covers up, shifting onto her side and instinctively wrapping an arm around her stomach. Forcing thoughts from her mind, she eventually fell asleep.

---

Hally woke up slowly, the unfamiliar comfort of the bed having softened the sharp edges of the previous day. As she lay there, she began to notice how the room, bathed in the soft morning light, felt just a bit more familiar. She stretched, feeling the warmth of the blankets and the gentle pressure of her own body against the mattress. It was as though the room had quietly accepted her presence.

Rolling over, she reached for her phone on the bedside table, tapped the screen, her heart sinking a little when she saw there were no new messages. Although, she did notice the date, it was Saturday, so she imagined that the others would likely be giving her space over the weekend, allowing her to figure things out on her own before everything picked up again on Monday. Although, the thought of a whole two days stretching out before her didn't feel wonderful.

She glanced around the room, her gaze falling on the window. What was she supposed to do with all this free time? The idea of leaving the house crossed her mind, but she hesitated. She wondered if she was even allowed to go out. Maybe she could try gardening? But then she looked down at her slightly rounded belly and the thought became less attractive. Perhaps instead, she could research the plants in the garden, learn how to not kill them? That seemed like a more manageable task.

With a sigh, she swung her legs out of bed, taking her time in the bathroom to wash and dress. As she passed by the closed door on the landing, she considered taking another look, considered finishing that list, but she didn't, continuing downstairs into the kitchen. She went through the motions of making breakfast, eating and again cleaning the kitchen back to its original state.

As she finished, she felt a sudden vibration against her leg. Startled, she fished her phone out of her pocket. The screen lit up. 'Toshiko Sato'.

Her hearts thudded, and she quickly answered the call.

"Tosh?" she said, trying to keep her voice steady as she paced the kitchen.

"Hi, Hally! How are you this morning? How's the house?" Tosh's voice was immediately warm and friendly.

Hally paused. "It's... good! The house is really nice. I'm just settling… looking for things to do."

Tosh offered her a low chuckle. "Good," Tosh said. "Well, I was calling to see if there was anything you needed? I could pick up some clothes or groceries, or if you'd prefer, I could take you out. Maybe get you out of the house for a bit?"

Hally felt a rush of grateful relief. "Actually, yes, that'd be amazing… if we could go out? We could go shopping, I've got lists…" She exhaled.

"Great," Tosh replied, her smile audible in her voice. "I can come by in about an hour?"

Hally nodded, even though Tosh couldn't see her. "Yes, that's great. Thank you, Tosh."

"Not a problem at all. See you soon."

The doorbell rang, its chime echoing through the quiet house. Hally's hearts gave a small leap as she crossed the hallway to answer it. She opened the door to Toshiko, a friendly smile on her face and a bag slung over one shoulder.

"Ready?" Tosh greeted, her voice warm and upbeat.

"Yep." Hally smiled back at her, slipping her shoes on and moving through the door.

Tosh sent her a knowing smile. "Keys."

Hally's eyebrows shot up before she hummed. "Oh. Yes. Keys." She exhaled a laugh and grabbed the set that Ianto had hung by the door the day before, locking the door to her house.

Tosh watched, a small amused smile curving her lips. "I'm glad they kept the red." She noted, motioning to the door. "Jack wanted to have it painted blue but Alina disagreed. Said you'd like the red."

Hally's gaze trailed across the bright red door, a smile creeping onto her own face. "I do like the red. Blue would have been annoying."

Tosh hummed knowingly, turning to lead Hally to her car, the pair of them slipping in.

"Oh, before we go…" Tosh reached into her bag and pulled out a pair of sunglasses and then a baseball cap. "Pick one. We thought both would be a bit too conspicuous but one should take the edge off."

Hally raised an eyebrow, taking the cap. "You're not sneaking me out, are you?"

Tosh chuckled. "No, nothing like that. You're definitely allowed out, but we're heading into a public place. And, you know, celebrities who vanish for months before randomly appearing in Westfield might attract a lot of attention."

Hally laughed, a touch of unease still lingering in her smile. "Point taken…" She pulled the cap onto her head. "Is this really going to help?"

Tosh shrugged. "I have no idea, but celebrities seem to do it all the time." She chuckled, starting the car and pulling away. Hally's eyes flicked out to the mirror, watching as two other cars pulled out and started to follow them. "It's not likely, but if anyone does approach you, you can confirm who you are. Stick to the story of Hally Saxon. If they ask anything about Harold Saxon then you can just tell them he's working undercover. You're both still working for Torchwood."

Hally nodded slowly, chewing on the inside of her lip.

Tosh noticed and offered her a smile. "You should have seen some of the theories floating around when you disappeared. The internet is wild." Tosh said, her tone light and teasing.

Tosh drove them to a large shopping centre, parked underground before leading her up into the centre. It was huge. She'd been shopping in Cardiff before, obviously but this was on a whole different scale.

"Who would need this many shops?" She muttered, turning to shoot at look at Tosh.

Tosh simply smiled back at her before leading the way. They moved in and out of multiple clothing stores, homeware shops and finally a supermarket, picking up everything Hally needed and more. Tosh used a UNIT credit card to pay for it all, letting her know they would cover anything she needed while she was working for them.

Hally and Tosh strolled through the bustling aisles of Westfield London, arms loaded with bags from their shopping trip. Just as Hally thought they might be heading out, Tosh steered them down a different corridor.

"Where are we going?" Hally asked, a curious smile on her face.

Tosh grinned. "Just a quick detour. There's something I want to check out."

Hally followed as Tosh led the way into the Disney Store, bright and colourful with displays of merchandise everywhere. Hally couldn't help but chuckle at the sudden change of scenery. "Disney, Tosh?"

Tosh laughed, a bit sheepishly. "Owen has this secret Disney mug collection. They're usually on sale here..."

As Tosh headed over to the wall of mugs, Hally's attention wandered to a display of plush toys. The shelves were lined with stuffed characters of all shapes and sizes, each one more colourful and squeezable than the last. She slowly walked over, running her fingers along the soft fur of a few of the toys.

She'd watched some Disney movies while hanging out on Earth; it was impossible not to. Her favourite character had always been Hades, from Hercules. She remembered Jack's amused smile when she told him, how he'd hummed that it made sense.

As her gaze continued to graze over the collection of teddy bears and other plush animals, her hand drifted to her belly, almost unconsciously. She considered it. She considered their daughter. It would be nice to buy her something, wouldn't it? A simple teddy bear. A teddy wouldn't hurt. She could almost pretend like she was buying it for herself. Lots of people bought teddies.

Tosh appeared at her shoulder, holding a couple of mugs. "Do you want one?" she asked, her tone light and curious.

Hally looked at her, a small smile playing on her lips. "Maybe…" She glanced back at the plush toys. "I mean… not for me."

Tosh laughed softly. "No, I figured."

"But there's quite a lot of choice…" Hally murmured, her eyes scanning the entire wall full of teddies and plush animals.

Tosh nodded, stepping closer to the display. "Well, there's always a classic Minnie or Mickey?" She reached out and picked up a plush Minnie Mouse, showing it to Hally.

"Hmmm… I like this cat," Hally said, picking up a dark grey, fluffy plush toy.

Tosh frowned, a confused smile on her face. "Oh, no, that's Lucifer from Cinderella. He's the evil cat... I don't really know why they make a teddy of him."

Hally pouted, hugging the toy closer. "Because he's adorable…"

Tosh chuckled. "Winnie the Pooh is cute, or Dumbo?"

Hally's eyes caught something on a higher shelf, something blue and a bit larger than the rest. "What is this?" She reached up and grabbed the plush, holding it up in front of her. It was bigger than her head, a strange blue creature with large ears and an even larger grin.

Tosh smiled, recognising the toy. "That's Stitch. He's... I think he's an alien. Causes havoc, that sort of thing."

Hally grinned, her decision made. "Perfect. This one."

Tosh chuckled to herself, taking the teddy from Hally and heading toward the checkout. "An excellent choice," she said over her shoulder, her voice teasing.

After they finished at the Disney Store, they made their way back to the car and headed home. Tosh helped Hally carry the bags inside, and they spent the next hour or so finding a place for everything, tidying everything away. Hally found a spot in the nursery for the Stitch plush, placing it carefully in the corner of the cot, although she didn't linger there for long.

"Tea?" Hally offered, already moving to the kitchen.

"That would be lovely," Tosh replied with a smile.

Hally returned with two steaming mugs, passing one to Tosh before sinking into the soft cushions of the sofa. She partially wished for a glass of wine but alas. She cradled her tea instead, grateful for the warm comfort of the mug in her hands.

"Thanks for today, Tosh," she said after a moment, the quiet of the room settling around them.

Tosh smiled at her, a soft warmth in her eyes. "Anytime."

They chatted a bit longer, about small things—Torchwood's move down to London, her relationship with Owen, which Hally insisted on all the details of. It was nice, simple.

Eventually, Tosh checked the time and made her excuses to leave. Hally saw her to the door, and then, once Tosh was gone, she wandered back into the living room, feeling the stillness of the house settle back in.

She made dinner, moved some things around, finding alternative places for the new items they'd bought before finally, she picked a book from the bookshelf and settled down on the sofa to read. It was strange, the peacefulness of it. A kind of calm that she hadn't felt in a long time. When she finally went to bed, the house felt a little less empty, a little more like a home.

---

Hally woke up the next morning with a yawn, stretching her limbs in the soft morning light that filtered through the curtains. The bed felt more familiar now, the contours more forgiving, and she took a moment to savour the stillness before rolling out of bed. She moved through her morning routine on autopilot—washing her face, brushing her teeth, getting dressed in a loose, comfortable outfit. As she checked her phone, her heart gave a small, anticipatory flutter, but there were no messages. Nothing.

She sighed, putting the phone back on her nightstand. The empty day seemingly endlessly in front of her. While pouring milk into her cereal, she came up with a plan. Research. She would go through all the Disney films and make a list—a favourites list. That seemed like a productive use of her time. A child would eventually watch animated films, so why not pick out the best ones early?

She spent the morning camped out on the sofa, remote in hand. First up was Snow White. Hally found herself rolling her eyes more than once at Snow White's naivety. The woman had no self-preservation whatsoever, she thought. Next was Pinocchio, which quickly turned from a charming story to something far more unsettling. The wooden puppet's journey was, frankly, terrifying. And Dumbo? That one was too sad to even talk about. None of them made it onto her list.

Just after lunch, the doorbell rang. Hally paused the TV, her gaze flicking to her phone. Still no messages. Was she expecting someone? She figured anyone coming over would text first? Curiosity piqued, she made her way to the door and opened it.

"You didn't call?" she said, seeing Jack standing there, looking his usual self—casual yet somehow commanding.

Jack cocked an eyebrow at her, a playful smirk on his lips. "Why, you busy?" His tone was dripping with sarcasm.

She pouted, stepping aside to let him in. "Not exactly, no."

Jack entered the house, kicking off his shoes and shrugging out of his coat like he owned the place. He seemed entirely at ease, which Hally took as a sign that he intended to stay for a while.

"Can I get you anything?" she asked, half out of politeness, half out of curiosity about what he was actually here for.

Jack offered her a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You got any whiskey?" he joked, clearly not expecting an affirmative answer.

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Well, unless UNIT left some lying around, no."

"You went shopping, didn't you?" Jack teased.

"I'm pregnant, Jack. I'm not buying myself alcohol. If you want whiskey, next time bring it yourself." With that, she slumped back onto the sofa. Jack snorted and sat down on the opposite end, crossing his long legs out in front of him.

There was a quiet moment between them, filled with the unspoken things neither was ready to say.

"So... is this a social visit?" she asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," Jack replied simply.

Hally hummed, shifting on the sofa as Jack casually brought his legs up, making himself even more comfortable. She made a face at him, and he mirrored it right back, daring her to complain. Huffing, she lifted her own legs onto the sofa, the two of them now facing each other in a mirrored position, their legs squished up against one another's.

"You good?" Jack asked, his voice softening slightly.

"Mmhmm," she murmured, not quite meeting his eyes.

Jack's gaze drifted to the TV screen, where Bambi was paused mid-frame. He cocked an eyebrow. "Are you trying to make yourself cry?" he asked with a grin.

Hally frowned. "Why? Is it sad?"

Jack laughed, leaning back. "Uh... yeah. His mom is shot by a hunter."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Okay... that one is definitely NOT making the list."

"You're making a list?" Jack asked, intrigued.

"Yeah. It's... research," she said, a little defensive.

"Researching Disney films?" His amusement was clear.

"Yep. For... future... stuff," she replied, her voice trailing off, a hint of uncertainty creeping in.

Jack cocked an eyebrow, catching on. "I feel like there are more pressing things you should be researching. Maybe pick up a pregnancy book."

She huffed, making a face. "I will. Just not right now."

Jack hummed softly, a sound of understanding mixed with concern. "I'll pick you up at 8 a.m. tomorrow, take you into UNIT. Orientation type stuff. Kate will take you through it."

"So, basically, I work for UNIT now?" Hally asked, trying to keep her tone light.

Jack shrugged. "Technically, we're all under the big old UNIT umbrella now..."

"Oh? You caved?" she teased.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, I did not cave. We're still 'Torchwood'. But I compromised."

"Why?" she asked, her tone amused, but genuinely curious.

"To keep an eye on you." There was something in his eyes, a spark of protectiveness mixed with a hint of teasing discipline.

Hally shifted on the sofa, trying to get more comfortable.

"Robin Hood," Jack said suddenly.

"Huh?" she asked, confused.

"We can watch Robin Hood," he suggested, shifting to grab the remote from her, quickly navigating the menu to find the film.

Halfway through the film, Hally leaned back against the sofa cushions, her hand resting on her belly as she hummed softly. "I think I can see why you like this one..."

Jack grinned, his eyes never leaving the screen. "Us rogues gotta stick together," he said with a wink.

She rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. The room was warm with the golden glow of late afternoon light, and for a moment, the world outside seemed distant, less pressing.

Jack smirked, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Plus... you know, Prince John... he always kinda reminded me of someone." He glanced at her sideways, his amusement evident. "Short-tempered, immature, obsessed with himself."

Hally shot him a warning look, but the corner of her mouth twitched in reluctant amusement.

"And I can really see the Master sucking his thumb..." Jack added, his voice laced with teasing.

She threw a cushion at him with a scoff. "He does not suck his thumb!"

Jack snorted, catching the cushion and tossing it back onto the sofa. "Oh, I bet he would."

"Fuck off," she muttered, rolling her eyes, her tone was more playful than angry.

Jack laughed, the sound filling the room. After the movie ended, he got up and stretched, then wandered off upstairs. Hally listened to his footsteps, slightly curious, until he returned a few minutes later, a chessboard in his hands.

"Where was that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Cupboard in the office," he replied casually.

Hally blinked, surprised. Jack seemed to know where everything was in her house, like he'd spent more time here than she realised. Interesting.

He set up the chessboard on the coffee table between them, sitting up straight on the sofa. She mirrored his posture, and they began to play. The game was mostly silent, the only sounds being the soft clatter of chess pieces and the occasional rustle of fabric as they shifted in their seats. But Jack's presence was a comforting one, and she suspected he knew it. When she finally won, Jack groaned dramatically, throwing his head back against the sofa.

As the afternoon stretched into evening, Hally glanced at him. "Do you want to stay for dinner?" she asked, more out of politeness than anything else. Yet, a part of her hoped he would.

Jack grimaced in mock horror. "Only if I'm cooking."

She laughed, pushing herself up from the sofa. "Be my guest."

They moved into the kitchen, where Jack began pulling ingredients from the fridge. She hovered nearby, doing her best to 'help' but mostly just watching him work. Jack moved around her kitchen with ease, again, he seemed to know without her telling him where everything was. She leaned against the counter, arms crossed, occasionally handing him things he asked for, enjoying the normalcy of it all.

When dinner was ready, they sat down at the dining table, the plates steaming in front of them. Jack took a bite, closing his eyes in exaggerated pleasure. "God, I'm good," he said with a grin.

Hally rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smiling. They ate quietly for a few minutes, the comfortable silence only broken by the clinking of cutlery and the occasional murmur of appreciation.

Then Jack broke the quiet, his tone more serious. "You really should probably read a pregnancy book," he said, his eyes meeting hers across the table.

She looked up, feeling a twinge of frustration. "I've read half of one. It's not really the pregnancy part I'm worried about..."

He smiled gently, understanding in his gaze. "Well, the later chapters go into that. Newborn stuff. You just need to get past halfway." His smirk returned, a playful challenge in his expression.

"Mhmm," she replied, noncommittal, staring down at her half-eaten plate.

Jack leaned forward slightly, his voice softening. "It's normal to feel like you don't know what you're doing."

"Yeah, but I really don't know what I'm doing," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

He hummed softly. "No one does, Hally. You just do your best."

As Jack was putting his coat on to leave, he shot her a levelled look. "You know, this doesn't mean I'm not still angry at you."

She gave him a relaxed salute in response.

---

At 8 a.m. sharp, Hally heard a loud blaring noise from outside her house. She jumped up, recognising the sound of a car horn being leaned on without mercy. She quickly pulled on her jacket and grabbed her bag, grumbling under her breath as she made her way to the front door.

"Wake up the whole street why don't you, Harkness."

She swung open the front door, squinting against the morning light. Jack was sitting in his SUV, his hand firmly pressing down on the horn, an unapologetic grin plastered across his face.

She threw her hands up in mock exasperation as she walked towards him. "Really? This is how you pick people up?"

Jack released the horn and leaned out the window. "Come on, Maid Marian, we've got places to be!"

She rolled her eyes but couldn't help a small smile. Once in the car, Jack didn't waste any time. He sped off, navigating through the London streets with only an inkling of road rage.

Jack shot her a look. "First day of school. Kate's got a whole day planned for you."

"Great," she muttered, not entirely sure if she meant it. He snorted knowingly.

"Be nice. Try to make friends."

They arrived back at UNIT, at least this time she wasn't being led inside in handcuffs. As they pulled up, Kate Stewart was waiting for them just inside the main entrance. She greeted Hally with a warm smile.

"Welcome back." Kate smiled, quickly leading the way through the security gates. Once through Kate handed Hally an ID card. "This is for you. It'll get you anywhere you need to be within the building. If a door doesn't open, it's probably because you shouldn't be there."

Hally nodded, slipping the card into her bag. "Got it."

Kate led them both further inside and down a corridor to a lab. "We're going to start with a medical." she explained. "Sorry, I know you had one before. This one's just routine."

Inside the lab, Owen Harper was already setting up. He gave Hally a quick nod as she entered. "Back again so soon." He quipped, although his eyes twinkled.

Hally sat on the edge of the examination table, her feet dangling slightly above the floor as Owen moved around her. She doubted Owen was hanging around the lab doing mundane medical checks on staff nowadays, which insinuated they'd brought him across just for her. Which made sense. She was familiar with him. Jack and Kate stood a few feet away, talking quietly but keeping a close eye on her. Meanwhile, Osgood was flitting around her like a worker bee, her attention focused on the collar around Hally's neck.

Owen moved with practiced efficiency, wrapping a blood pressure cuff around Hally's arm. "We're going to run through the basics first," he said in his usual brisk tone. The cuff tightened around her arm, and Hally watched the numbers on the gauge.

"Blood pressure's good," Owen muttered, more to himself than to her, scribbling notes on a chart. He switched to an oxygen saturation monitor, clipping it onto her finger. The small device beeped softly as it took its reading. "All normal..."

As Owen continued his checks, Osgood moved closer to Hally, her hands gently adjusting the collar. "How's it feeling?" Osgood asked, her eyes darting between Hally's neck and her tablet, where a series of readings flashed. "Any discomfort? It's not restricting your movement at all?"

Hally shook her head. "No, it's fine. I barely notice it."

"Good," Osgood murmured, continuing to take measurements and jotting down notes. "We just need to ensure everything is in working order."

Kate stepped forward, her clipboard filled with documents and forms. "While Owen finishes up, let's go over what's going to happen today," she said in a calm, reassuring tone, hoping to distract Hally from the poking and prodding. "You'll get a work laptop later today; you've already got your phone. For any issues or questions, don't worry about the usual HR channels. Your phone is already programmed with any contact details you need. Any issues go to Jack first, or you can always contact me."

Hally nodded, trying to take in everything being said as Owen moved on to measure her height. She stood up straight against the wall, and he quickly jotted down her height before guiding her to the digital scale. She stepped on, watching as the numbers shifted and settled, feeling a bit like she was being appraised.

Owen made another note. "Weight's good for this stage," he said, his tone neutral.

Kate continued, moving seamlessly from one point to the next. "We'll take you down for team introductions soon. After that, you'll have lunch, and then there's an appointment later this afternoon. Jack will take you home after that. We'll arrange transport to and from your house each day."

Hally nodded again.

"For now, we'll start with just mornings working with the team on their projects," Kate went on. "We can always increase your hours if you feel up to it, but keep in mind you're only going to become more pregnant, so the time might get reduced instead. When you do come back in, we'll scale up your hours until you're comfortable. There will be questions along the way, but we'll handle them as they come. Your main job is to settle in, get comfortable, and let us know if there's anything you need."

Hally absorbed Kate's words. It was strange, different to have so many people involved in her day to day.

Owen then guided her back to the examination table. "Alright, let's check on the baby," he said, grabbing a handheld ultrasound device. Hally lay back, her eyes fixed on a random spot on the ceiling as Owen applied the cold gel to her stomach.

Owen placed the probe on her abdomen, and Hally felt a soft pressure as he moved it around.

"There we go," Owen said quietly. "Baby's measuring in line with our estimated timeline. Strong heartbeat. Sorry, heart beats." He smiled. "Habit." The rhythmic sound filled the room, a rapid set of thumping that seemed to echo in the otherwise silent space.

Hally stared resolutely at the ceiling. Owen continued to move the probe, taking measurements and capturing images. "Everything looks good," he said finally, wiping the gel off her stomach. "Nice and healthy."

Osgood took the opportunity to check the collar again, taking more readings and adjusting it slightly. "Just a few more checks," she said, more to herself than to Hally.

Owen moved on to take blood samples next. He wrapped a tourniquet around her upper arm, finding a vein with practised ease. Hally barely flinched as the needle went in, the sensation more of a dull pressure than pain. Owen carefully filled several vials, switching them out with methodical precision.

"I know this is going to be an adjustment." Kate continued, offering her an empathetic nod. "…and while we're all aware of why you're here I don't want you feeling like you're walking on eggshells. Mistakes are going to happen. I don't expect you to be perfect, but as long as safety is maintained then I'm happy. I'm not going to throw you into a cell because you missed a few team meetings." Her mouth curved with amusement.

Osgood packed up and shooting Kate a smile, left the lab. "See you in a minute!" She called back towards Hally.

Owen pressed a cotton ball to the puncture site and secured it with a piece of tape. "Hold that there," he instructed.

He then pulled out a stethoscope and placed it against her chest, listening intently. He moved the stethoscope around, his brow furrowing slightly as he concentrated.

"We'll start off with mainly in-house work, it's the easiest way to integrate you and safer for you while you're pregnant. Eventually, we can expand your role, it'll be a collaborative effort."

Hally nodded slowly.

Owen pulled back, noting something down.

"I expect you to find some parts of this difficult." Kate continued, fixing Hally with a serious look. "I expect there are going to be times when you're not alright and what I need from you is open and honest communication. It doesn't have to be with me, it can be with Jack, or Alina, or even Owen if you must…"

Owen snorted, shooting her faux look of offence.

"Can you do that for me?"

Hally nodded again.

As Owen continued his checks, Kate took a step closer to Hally, maintaining a calm and reassuring demeanour. "Good. Like I said, it's going to be a process. Things might change, might need adjustment, but we're in this as a team, and you're a part of that team." Her tone was steady but firm, ensuring Hally understood both the flexibility and the seriousness of the situation.

Hally nodded, her attention divided between Kate's words and the gentle prodding and poking from Owen. His hands were cool and clinical as he checked her lungs, eyes, ears and mouth and adjusted the equipment around her. Finally, Owen moved away, packing up his tools and clearing the space. Hally took this as her cue and rose to her feet.

Kate waited until Hally was standing before levelling with her, her gaze direct. "Although I do just want to remind you, just once, that you are under surveillance—quite a bit of it. Safety and security are my main priorities, and I have to consider the possibility that having you here on Earth might attract other Time Lords."

The corner of Hally's mouth lifted in a slight smile. "I assume we're not talking about The Doctor."

"No, we're not," Kate confirmed, her tone flat. "Now, I believe—and Jack isn't completely convinced—that you're here for the reason you say you are. That you don't have an ulterior motive for integrating yourself into UNIT. However, I would ask, as a courtesy, that if he does contact you, you inform us."

Hally rolled her lower lip against her top one, contemplating her response as she cleared her throat. "He's stuck on Gallifrey. He's not going to just pop by." She hesitated, then continued with a hint of resolve in her voice, "However… if an opportunity did arise for me to find him, I am going to take it." She met Kate's gaze directly. "But… I'll be sure to keep you in the loop."

Kate studied her for a moment, her expression revealing little. There was a tension in the air, a silent understanding passing between them. Finally, Kate nodded, her voice even. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

Jack watched the exchange closely, his eyes sharp and assessing. He stood with his arms crossed, a faint frown creasing his forehead. His posture was relaxed, but Hally knew him well enough to sense the undercurrent of vigilance. This wasn't just about UNIT protocol; this was about trust, and whether Hally had truly earned it.

Kate broke the silence, her professional demeanour back in place. "Alright, let's move on."

Hally waved a goodbye to Owen, following Kate out of the lab. She led back out along the corridor, Jack falling into step behind them. They ascended to a higher floor in the lift, moving along another hallways.

As they approached a set of double doors, Kate turned to Hally. "I want you to meet the team you'll be working with. They're part of the combined scientific division, led by Osgood. You'll be spending most of your mornings with them."

Kate pushed open the doors, revealing a medium-sized office space filled with desks and computers arranged in clusters of four. Each desk was adorned with an assortment of monitors, papers, and gadgets. Osgood rose from her desk, her bright, curious eyes locking onto them as she crossed the room to greet them. The dozen or so people scattered around the office paused their work, looking up with a mix of curiosity and anticipation as they entered.

"Everyone," Kate announced, her voice carrying over the low hum of conversation and clicking keyboards, "this is Hally. She'll be joining us within the scientific division. I'd like you all to introduce yourselves and make her feel welcome."

Hally suddenly felt very much like the new kid, all eyes zeroed in on her with varying degrees of interest.

" First day of school," Jack muttered again under his breath, just loud enough for Hally to hear.

Without turning, she shot him a middle finger behind her back, keeping her expression composed as she forced a smile onto her face.

Osgood stepped forward, her smile warm and inviting. "We're excited to have you on board, Hally," she said cheerfully. Kate gave Osgood a nod of approval.

"Well, I'm going to leave you in Osgood's very capable hands, and we'll see you later," Kate said, offering Hally an encouraging smile. "Have fun."

"Behave," Jack added, his tone half-joking, half-serious as he followed Kate out of the room. He threw her a pointed look over his shoulder before disappearing through the doorway.

Hally swallowed, trying to calm the fluttering nerves in her stomach as she turned back to face the room full of expectant faces. Fortunately, Osgood quickly took over, sensing Hally's unease. "Let's start with some quick introductions, and then we can get into the nitty-gritty of what we're working on," she suggested, her voice light and welcoming.

Hally gave a small nod of thanks, relieved at Osgood's swift intervention.

Osgood led Hally through to a meeting room just off the main office, a space dominated by a large table big enough for everyone to sit around. The others filtered in behind them, taking seats around the table. Osgood smiled at her, adjusting her glasses. "It's a bit nicer in here for introductions, don't you think? Rather than having you hover awkwardly in the office while we all have a chat." She laughed lightly, and Hally nodded, offering a smile of her own.

Once everyone was settled, Osgood, with her strangely endless bright energy, decided to kick things off with an icebreaker. "Let's all share our names, what we do, and an interesting fact about ourselves," she suggested.

Hally tried to suppress a groan but managed to keep her expression neutral. Osgood started, introducing herself as the team lead and sharing her interesting fact: she had once been stranded on a deserted island during a UNIT training exercise, where she managed to build a makeshift radio out of coconuts and twine to signal for help. The group chuckled, clearly familiar with the story.

Next was a tall, slender man with a shock of white hair named Marcus. He was a cybernetic systems specialist and his interesting fact was that he'd once hacked into the Pentagon's database as a teenager for fun. "Just to see if I could," he added with a mischievous grin.

The introductions continued around the table. There was Nadia, a bioinformatics researcher who specialised in alien DNA sequencing; her interesting fact was that she had once accidentally danced with an alien imposter at the UNIT annual conference. Next was Raj, a quantum physicist, who confessed that he had once tried to build a time machine in his basement when he was ten years old. He said, "I was convinced I could meet Einstein," earning a round of laughter from the group.

Then came Sarah, a communications engineer, who shared that her interesting fact was her encounter with The Doctor in London during an alien invasion. "He told me I had the most brilliant shoes," she said, almost blushing.

Daniel, a robotics expert, followed. His fact was also related to The Doctor; he had once been saved by him during an attack by a lone Cybermen. Daniel detailed the experience with a boyish grin.

Hally pressed her mouth together in a forced smile.

Lila, a mathematician specializing in multidimensional algorithms, proudly shared that she had been part of a secret project to calculate the true size of the universe. After Lila was Brian, an artificial intelligence researcher who casually mentioned he had been a consultant on the repair for a K9 unit.

Then came O, whom Hally had already met. He was still as shy as before, fidgeting with his hands as he introduced himself as a temporal mechanics expert. His interesting fact was that he had once been caught in a time loop for three days without realising. "I thought it was just a really weird week," he mumbled, earning a few sympathetic laughs.

The introductions continued, with a few more scientists sharing their names and roles. Hally noticed a pattern emerging as a third person, Claire, mentioned meeting The Doctor as her interesting fact. "It was during a Dalek invasion," she said, her eyes shining with excitement. "He showed me how to disable a Dalek with a paperclip."

Hally tried not to roll her eyes. It definitely wouldn't be a good first impression. When it was finally her turn, she straightened up in her chair, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze on her.

"Hi, I'm Hally," she began, giving a small wave. "I'm… well, new here, obviously." She paused, trying to think of an interesting fact. What even counted as interesting when you were a time travelling alien…? After a moment's thought, she said, "I once met Shakespeare and, uh, saved him from witches."

The room went silent for a beat before a few chuckles broke out, and then some genuine laughter. Osgood grinned, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, that's a new one." She said warmly. "Did you have any questions for us?"

Hally shook her head slowly.

Osgood pushed her glasses up her nose, looking around the room with an encouraging smile. "Alright, does anyone else have any questions?"

There was a beat of silence.

Hally could feel it, the weight of unasked questions hanging thick in the air.

A few of the team exchanged glances, and O's lips twitched like he was holding something back.

Hally couldn't help but let a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth. She leaned back slightly in her chair, folding her arms. "Go on, then. Shoot."

Raj, a middle aged man with a sprinkle of grey within his dark hair, was the first to speak. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed thoughtfully. "I've been working on a theory about the interaction between temporal shifts and quantum states," he began, his voice a low rumble. "If you had a device that could manipulate both time and quantum entanglement, could it theoretically allow for instantaneous travel not just through time, but across universes? Or would the quantum flux be too unstable for such a thing to be possible?"

Hally let out a low hum of amusement at the immediate complex question. She had perhaps been expecting something more painfully human, like, 'What's it like to travel in space?'… but no. "Oh-kay… you're definitely asking the wrong Time Lord, but I'll do my best" Her face split with a laugh. "Well, in theory, if you could precisely control both time and quantum entanglement, you could achieve something like instantaneous travel across universes. But it would require an incredible amount of power and precision. The biggest issue would be managing the quantum flux. The flux tends to create a kind of chaotic interference pattern, which could tear apart anything attempting to use such a device. You'd need a stabilizing field that could hold both temporal and quantum states in perfect alignment. It's not impossible, but it's on the edge of what even Time Lord science could achieve."

Raj hummed and nodded thoughtfully. "As I suspected. The power requirements alone would be astronomical."

"Yup."

Next, Nadia raised her hand. "I know you're not human, but you look human, and obviously Time Lords have similarities to us. Is there any particular reason for that? Did Time Lords evolve in a way that mirrors human development, or is there something more... intentional about it?"

Hally smiled, biting her lip. She was evidently going to need actually use her brain in this office. "That's a question that's been debated a lot, even among some Time Lords. Although they would pretend that there's no similarity. Some believe it's just convergent evolution—we developed similar traits because they're efficient. Others think there might be more to it, some kind of shared history or influence. There's a theory that our shared appearance might have something to do with the ancient universe, when species were still evolving and the fabric of reality was more malleable. It's possible there's a deeper connection, but if there is, it's buried in history even older than the Time Lords."

Nadia's eyes widened, clearly delighted by the answer. "The idea of a shared cosmic heritage is... compelling."

"And slightly terrifying…" Hally hummed.

Lila pulled her notepad from her back pocket, flicking through a few of the pages before she raised her own hand. "I've been trying to solve a paradox equation related to a causal loop, but I keep running into problems with infinite regression. How would you approach a simulation where altering an event seems to cause an infinite loop? Is there a mathematical or temporal principle that breaks the cycle?"

Hally let out a slow breath. "Infinite loops are tricky because they create what you'd call a 'temporal singularity.' It's like a black hole in time—you can get caught in the loop indefinitely. To break it, you usually need to introduce a variable that wasn't originally in the timeline, something that disrupts the loop's internal logic. It's like breaking a circuit with an unexpected input. Mathematically, you're looking for a 'discontinuity'—a point where the equation can't continue in its current form. If you can identify that point, you can sometimes push the timeline out of the loop and back onto a stable path. But… well… that's just one troubleshooting option the others are more complicated and slightly beyond me…"

Lila grinned, scribbling something down swiftly.

O leaned forward, his gaze flicking to hers momentarily before he blushed. "I have to ask… when you're… travelling through time and you're interacting with people along their timelines… well, when you're moving along someone else's timeline, how do you avoid disrupting the natural flow of events? For instance… you said you met Shakespeare, but how would you know if you'd accidentally altered his timeline. Some timestreams are strictly linear, meaning that for a future event to occur, the past has to unfold in a very specific way to avoid creating a paradox, right? …If you were travelling along someone's timeline, how would you ensure that you don't inadvertently create a paradox by altering even minor details?" He exhaled a weak, almost apologetic laugh.

It was a rather long-winded way of asking the question but she didn't point that out.

"Well, if you're travelling specifically along a strictly linear timeline, like for example someone as famous as Shakespeare, preserving the integrity of the timeline is crucial to avoid paradoxes." She leant back in her chair. "One effective strategy is to adhere to what's known as the 'self-consistency principle.' This principle suggests that any actions taken by a time traveller must already be accounted for within the timeline. In other words, whatever you do must be consistent with the events that have already occurred or are destined to occur." She motioned along with her hands. "To navigate such a timeline, you'd need to be extremely meticulous. Analysing it beforehand, continuous monitoring while you track your actions and their effects in real-time, avoiding key events would be important, you could plan ahead with predictive models but they rarely account for human nature, or as a safety net you could always implement a feedback mechanism. So, if a paradox seems imminent, the mechanisms would help you adjust your actions to realign with the established timeline. Essentially, the goal is to ensure that your presence and actions are seamlessly integrated into the timeline without introducing any inconsistencies. It's like fitting into a pre-written script where every action you take must already be a part of the story."

"Mmm…" O hummed, nodding slowly.

"Or… even better… just don't follow one person through their timeline." Hally's face split into a grin. "It's much safer to travel at random."

O's face split into a shy smile and he laughed. "Right… yes. Of course."

Marcus raised his hand, his face scrunched with curiosity. "Is it true that The Doctor once defeated a horde of Daleks with a banana?"

Hally snorted, shaking her head. "No. Definitely not."

Osgood let out a short chuckle, clearing her throat. "Alright, perhaps we should abandon this Q otherwise, we'll be here all day." She rose from her seat, a welcoming smile lighting up her face as she turned to Hally. "Let me show you what a few of us have been working on."

Hally followed Osgood out of the meeting room, the sounds of the team returning to their desks following them. Osgood led her to a desk situated among a cluster of others. "This will be your workspace," she explained, gesturing to a chair in front of a sleek, dual-monitor setup. "Nadia will be working opposite you, and O is on the diagonal and then I'm next to you. " She pointed to the neighbouring desks with an excited smile.

Nadia, gave Hally a welcoming smile from across her desk. O was already settling into his space, his attention focused on a pile of documents.

Osgood sat down at the computer next to Hally, her fingers quickly bringing up a project file. "We're working on a new materials analysis project. It's focused on developing advanced alloys for use in various applications. Your task will be to analyse the results from our latest batch of experimental alloys and prepare a report."

She navigated through a series of windows and tabs on her computer, explaining the basics of the task. "You'll need to input data from our tests, compare it with the baseline parameters, and identify any anomalies or significant changes. The idea is to determine how well the new alloys perform under different conditions."

Hally hummed and nodded. Simple enough.

Hally settled into her work for the next few hours, the rhythmic tapping of her fingers against the keyboard became a soothing, if somewhat monotonous, backdrop. Entering data and running preliminary analyses was methodical and predictable, but perhaps that was exactly what she needed.

After a while, an error message popped up on her screen, indicating a discrepancy in the data analysis module. Frowning, Hally tried to troubleshoot the issue, scrolling through settings and searching for the source of the problem. Despite her efforts, the error remained, its persistence making her increasingly frustrated.

Feeling a pair of eyes on her, she looked up and met O's gaze. His dark eyes, focused and intent, were fixed on her with a hint of concern.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice soft and inquisitive.

Hally sighed with apprehensive acknowledgement. "I think there's a function still active that I want to deactivate, but… I can't seem to find where it is."

O rose from his seat with an easy grace and moved around to her side of the desk, leaning across to view her screen. She looked up at him at the same moment he shifted to shoot her a look. Both, simultaneously becoming aware of just how close they were. O's cheeks flushed slightly, and he quickly refocused on the computer, avoiding eye contact.

He began examining the error message, his fingers deftly navigating the system settings with practiced precision. As he concentrated, Hally noticed how his features softened. The scent that gently moved across her was subtly sweet but pleasantly spiced, an inviting earthy warmth with a rich, slightly woody undertone.

She cleared her throat, realising that she was rather intensely smelling the human and sat herself further back in her chair.

After a few moments, O found the function exactly where it should have been.

Hally let out a soft, relieved laugh. "Right… okay…" She hesitated, feeling a twinge of embarrassment. "At what point can I start blaming baby brain?" She shook her head, her tone light but self-deprecating.

O straightened up, offering her a small, understanding smile. "I wouldn't blame it on that," he said gently. "Sometimes these systems have a mind of their own."

Just then, Jack entered the room, his presence immediately unavoidable. "Looks like you're released from us for the day," O said, glancing at Jack.

Hally, offering him a smile, began to gather her things. "Thank you… for that," she said, nodding toward the computer.

"No problem," O replied, his tone warm yet slightly awkward. He had lost the ease of a few moments ago, defaulting back to painfully awkward.

"See you tomorrow?" Hally asked, looking between them both.

"That you will," O said, his smile genuine.

---

Jack and Hally grabbed lunch together in his office, their conversation flowing lightly as they ate.

"Making friends?" Jack asked, his tone light as he took a bite of his sandwich.

Hally rolled her eyes with a grin. "Of course, I'm a delight."

"Yuhuh."

"They're all a bit… awkward," she added, her smile widening slightly as she teased.

"Well, they're scientists. Social interactions come secondary."

Hally laughed, shaking her head. "That's a bit of a generalisation."

"Prove me wrong," Jack challenged, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"We've got scientists who aren't awkward. Tosh, for example."

"Tosh was awkward as hell. She's gotten better with time."

"Okay, well, Owen is a Doctor. He's never been awkward."

"Owen's a breed of his own," Jack countered with a smirk.

"Martha isn't awkward."

"Doctors don't count. I'm talking about lab scientists."

Hally snorted and rolled her eyes. "You're awful."

"You can't prove me wrong, though, can you?"

After lunch, Jack led Hally to an office for her 'appointment.' Hally didn't feel the need to ask, she had a pretty good hunch. As they entered, she wasn't at all surprised to see Alina sat behind the desk. Behind her, the wall was adorned with bookcases filled with an array of books and a few potted plants.

To one side of the room, two tall windows let in soft, natural light, a few more plants sitting happily on the window sills. Opposite the desk, two sofas faced each other across a central table. The table was adorned with a simple vase and a few notepads.

She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.

Jack nodded towards Alina as she rose to her feet. "Text me when you're done."

She offered him a hum of acknowledgement, waiting for the door to click closed behind them before turning to Hally.

There was something initially cautious about Alina's smile. "Hi."

Hally met her gaze with a genuine smile. "Hi."

Alina seemed a bit surprised by the friendliness. "I wasn't sure if you'd be happy to see me…"

Hally chuckled softly. "Oh, I am. You have no idea, I've been wanting to talk to you for ages."

Alina's smile brightened and she let out a soft laugh, motioning for Hally to take a seat. "Well, that's good to hear. I'm glad you see value in this."

Hally took the sofa closest to the wall, waiting as Alina took her seat opposite her, gathering a notepad and pen into her lap.

"So, where would you like to start?" Alina asked, her eyes glittering with curiosity. "It's been a while."

Hally hesitated, trying to figure out where she could possibly begin. "Well, yeah…"

"Why don't we make some bullet points?" Alina suggested, her tone light and encouraging. "We can prioritise them into major and minor talking points and start from there."

"Alright… okay…"

Alina watched Hally with an almost amused expression, sensing her returning to familiar habits. "Would you like me to suggest some topics?"

"Yeah… let's do that," Hally agreed.

Alina nodded, a hint of amusement in her eyes. "Okay, I'll list some things that have happened since we last spoke. You can tell me whether they should go on the Major list, Minor list, or if you feel they don't need discussing."

Hally nodded again, settling further into the sofa, and Alina began.

"Well, The Master died on board the Valiant…"

Hally considered it for a moment. "That was major, but I resurrected him. So, it's probably more of a minor issue for now."

Alina made a note. "Your mother?"

Hally let out a small whine. "Definitely major."

"You're pregnancy."

"Major."

"Jack?"

Hally paused, thinking it over. "Hmm, minor."

"Your current position at UNIT?"

"Minor, for now," Hally said.

"The Doctor."

Hally swallowed hard and shot Alina a pointed look. "We both know that you already know which list that belongs on."

Alina smiled and wrote it down under major. "The Master's absence?"

"Major."

"Your relationship with him in general?"

"Minor?"

"The trial?"

Hally's expression softened. "Hmm, yeah…I suppose we probably should discuss it…"

Alina nodded sympathetically. "It can't have been comfortable for you."

"No… alright, maybe it's minor," Hally conceded.

"The deaths you caused. Naismith Mansion?"

Hally coughed, her tone serious. "Major."

Alina hummed. "Anything you think I might be missing?"

Hally chewed on her lip. "I think… I think they're minor but I think I should talk about the house, the nursery is… uhh, freaking me out. I know that probably comes under the whole being pregnant thing but… anyway. Maybe we should talk about Martha too? Probably New York and then, yeah what happened… afterwards. Umm… well, then I fell through a crack… it probably comes under The Doctor category. Just, all of that." She scrunched her nose.

Alina nodded, gently scribbling a few things down.

"Well, now there's a list, we can get started on one of them. Where would you like to start?" Alina's eyes flicked up, catching Hally's.

Hally squirmed slightly. "Maybe… I don't know we could start somewhere minor?"

Something twinkled behind Alina's eyes as she kept her attention fixed on Hally's face. "I'm going to politely disagree."

Hally exhaled slowly.

"I think we should probably start with the most pressing subject. The one that is becoming unavoidable despite your efforts to avoid it." Alina cocked a knowing eyebrow towards her, not reacting to the pout Hally's lips pursed into.

When Hally didn't say anything, Alina continued. "When did you find out you were pregnant?"

Hally rolled her jaw, shifting to look out of the window. She considered offering an alternative topic but realistically she knew she couldn't wriggle away from something Alina wanted to press.

She had forgotten how unbearable this actually was…

Swallowing she turned back to look at her. "After what happened at the mansion. I… fell into The Doctor's path. He was older than he had been. He'd regenerated."

Alina made a note.

Hally sighed. "We got onto the TARDIS and eventually after he'd decided I wasn't a flight risk he told me I was pregnant."

Alina's eyebrow twitched upwards. "How did you react to that?"

"I didn't believe him. I told him he was wrong." Hally's mouth curved with a bitter smile. "But then we checked and… he wasn't wrong. Evidently." She shot a pointed look down towards her very obviously pregnant belly. "I… had a little breakdown… realised I didn't want to be pregnant which spiralled into a guilt trip, realised I'm a hypocrite then… well then I went on a road trip with an archaeologist." Hally rolled her eyes.

Alina hummed softly. "Why did you feel guilty when you realised you didn't want to be pregnant?"

She pursed her lips. "Because I felt…" She frowned and let out a soft breath. "I feel… like it makes me like him. It made me realise that I could bring her into this world and I could hurt her, I feel like I will hurt her because initially I didn't want her. I don't…" She paused, looking away from Alina. "I don't want her. Not that… I want her to be gone, I don't, but it doesn't mean I actively want her."

Alina hummed softly. "Would you say that you're afraid she'll come to view you as you view The Doctor?"

"Yeah."

"And you don't want that?"

"No." A frown creased her face. "I want her to feel safe and loved and I want her to know that no matter what I've…" Hally's throat tried to close with emotion. "I've got her."

Alina gave her a few moments of silence, letting her blink away the water that had pooled in her eyes.

"It doesn't make you a hypocrite or a bad person to not want to have a child, Hally." Alina's voice was low, steady. "There are lots of people who don't want to have children." She could feel her eyes held on her. "Your life is constantly between extremes, it can be dangerous, uncertain and stressful. It's a perfectly reasonable reaction to not want to bring a child into that. Especially after losing The Master."

Hally bit her lip, tilting her head in a short nod.

"How do you feel, about her?" Alina asked after a few silent moments.

The wave crashed against Hally, battering at the wall she'd put up. She shook her head. "I don't… know."

"I think you do."

"I don't… I don't want to talk about it."

"I know you don't want to. But I think it'll help. If you can try to put it into words for me."

Tears sprang back to her eyes, her breath catching in her throat. Walls closing in. Shook her head again.

"Tell me how you feel about her, Hally." Alina pressed again, it was gentle but firm. "Just one word after the next…"

Hally took in a shaky breath, her eyes pressing closed momentarily. "I…" She swallowed them. The emotion was right there, pressed up suffocating against her chest. She couldn't let it in, if she let it in it wouldn't leave. She knew that. It wouldn't budge. It'd stay there. It'd drown her.

She wiped the tears from her face. "I can't…"

"Yes. You can. I know it's scary. I know it's easier if you don't acknowledge it but you can't fight something like that for very long. Your daughter, how do you feel about her?"

Her body constricted, rigid, every muscle wound tight as if she was bracing for an impact that had yet to come. Her hands clutched the edge of the sofa. Glaring holes into the wall just above Alina's head, her breath shallow and fast, each exhale trembling as she struggled to let the words form in her mouth.

"I... I love her," Her voice barely more than a whisper, as though the confession itself might break something. The words were jagged, rough around the edges. "I love her so innately, so deeply... it's like... it's like it's cutting into me, carving into me. It hurts." She swallowed hard, trying to catch her breath. "It's so... painfully unconditional. Every single second, I can't... I can't stop it."

Her voice wavered, closing her eyes tightly. "It's like this tidal wave... that's drowning me. I love her. I need her to be safe. So much so that I've abandoned... I've abandoned finding him. I've fucking given up," she spat the words out, her voice trembling, "so that I can be sure... that she has somewhere safe to grow up." Her breath hitched, her chest tightening as she tried to push through the wave of panic that was beginning to build inside her. "Even though I need him so desperately to be here. Even though I want her to have her father... but I can't... I can't possibly risk putting her in any danger because I love her too fucking much."

The air she was pulling into her lungs seemed to thicken, catching in her throat. The darkness was beginning to make her head spin, so she reopened her eyes. "And it hurts. It hurts because if I acknowledge it... if I let myself feel in this feeling, if I admit to myself that I love her, if I let myself feel how monumental this feeling is… then I realise how... how angry I am. How completely and utterly furious I am that they didn't do the same for me. That if they'd even felt a fraction of this... of this terrifying, all-consuming feeling... how could they have left me there?"

Her voice rose, the words almost tumbling over each other. "How could they have taken me back to Gallifrey if they'd felt even a fraction of this? I wouldn't give a damn about fucking fixed points. I would tear everything apart... just to keep her with me. To keep her safe."

Hally's breath was coming in rapid, shallow bursts now, her chest heaving. Her hands shook as she pressed them against her chest, feeling the pain there, sharp and relentless. "And I know I shouldn't say that..." She shook her head insistently. "I know I've done enough damage. But it hurts, it hurts right here in my chest like... like this knife sticking into my ribs. It hurts that they weren't there. It hurts that they didn't pull the universe apart to keep me safe. And… and I know that's ridiculous, and it's selfish... but they didn't even try."

Her voice cracked, and she felt the tears burning in her eyes, threatening to spill over. "They could have tried. They could have done something, anything, to show me that they were there, that I wasn't alone... that they hadn't wanted to leave. They could have been honest with me. They could have told me."

Her breath was coming in frantic gasps now, her vision blurring as the tidal wave continued to crash over her, battering her. "It terrifies me. I am so scared. Terrified that I could feel this for anyone else. Guilty that this love... this pure, beautiful thing comes with so much anger. It shouldn't be about me. It isn't about me… I don't want to taint her with this…"

Her chest tightened, panic wrapping itself around her like a vice, squeezing the air from her lungs.

"Take some deep breaths for me," Alina's voice broke through, calm and steady.

Hally's eyes darted up to meet hers, wide and frantic, her breath still coming in short, rapid bursts. Alina's gaze was steady, reassuring, grounding.

"Breathe with me, Hally," Alina instructed gently, her voice firm but kind. "In... and out. Slowly. That's it, just like that."

Hally swallowed, trying to follow her lead. She pulled in a breath, shaky and uneven. But she watched Alina, following the rhythm of her breathing. Slowly, the room moved further into focus, the weight in her chest easing just a little.

"That's it," Alina said softly. "Just keep breathing."

Hally blinked, water slipping down her cheeks as she took in a slower, deep breath.

Alina watched her carefully, only speaking once she was satisfied that Hally's breathing had slowed.

"Thank you, Hally, for being honest with me." She leaned forward, gently passing across the tissue box placed at the end of the table. Hally sniffled before accepting it with a weak thank you, wiping the tears from her face. "Having conflicting emotions is normal." Alina began gently, "You are allowed to simultaneously feel happy and scared and angry all at once. This is a big change that you weren't planning for and it is going drag up with it other emotions and feelings that you were otherwise suppressing. The reason these emotions feel so massive, so overwhelming is in part because you haven't let yourself feel any of them." Alina's gaze never dropped from hers, watching as she calmly spoke, her voice even. "When you hold these large, complex emotions back, they build. Almost as though they're trapped inside you and then, when you eventually do let them out or when it becomes too much and they break free themselves the effect is far worse than if you'd just let yourself feel that uncomfortable emotion to begin with." She offered a small smile. "I want us to work on letting you just feel your emotions as they come. Because I promise you, if you let yourself feel them, you will move through them. They're still going to be uncomfortable, but they'll come in smaller, more manageable waves rather than holding back the dam until it takes you out."

Hally's body released slightly back into the sofa, her arms coming to wrap across her stomach protectively.

Alina offered her a reassuring smile. "Now, I know you're probably going to roll your eyes, but I want us to try something…" Her eyes flashed with amusement. "I would like you to start writing down these emotions in a journal."

Hally didn't roll her eyes, although her face did scrunch with distaste.

Alina hummed, the tone light with a hint of command. "For now, we're going to work on doing it for this topic specifically, but eventually we might move to it being a broader exercise," Alina continued. "Each day, I want you to take 15 minutes in the evening to write down all the thoughts and feelings you've had about your daughter that day, about the pregnancy, about your concerns, your fears—whether you've felt angry, upset, excited, anxious—all of it. Nothing is insignificant. It can branch out, for example, if you find yourself feeling things related to The Master or The Doctor but they stem from thoughts you'd had about your daughter, you can write that down too. We'll start with this exercise specifically related to your pregnancy because that's where I want to begin. I want you to acknowledge these emotions. Notice them. Sit in them if you have to because by doing this, you're going to be able to move through them. Your brain and your body are going to try and resist because you've spent so long learning to hide uncomfortable feelings. You're going to try and trick yourself, but stick with it. Everything is progress. Feeling the same emotions weeks in a row isn't a failure. Some things take a long time to work through. Do you think we can do that?"

After a moment of silence, she nodded slowly, her voice shaky but resolute. "Yeah."

Alina leaned forward slightly, her expression compassionate yet firm. "I know I haven't given you homework before, but that was because we were mainly focused on crisis management. These sessions are going to start working on the underlying issues that are influencing your behaviour, your triggers and coping mechanisms, hopefully equipping you with tools you can continue to use. But that means it's going to take work from you. You're going to need to put in conscious effort." She warned. "You're usually honest with me, which certainly makes this easier, so I'd ask that you continue to strive for that. But I want you to be aware that it's going to be an uncomfortable process. Not all the time, but sometimes, we're going to touch on things you don't want to talk about and probably drag up feelings that you don't want to acknowledge…"

Hally's shoulders slumped inwards, letting a slow breath fall from her. She nodded.

Alina offered a gentle, approving smile, shifting to cross one leg over the other. "As well as the journal, there are a few things I want you to do over the next couple of weeks." She started noting a few things down in her pad while she spoke. "I'll be seeing you every other day for now, which I know might seem like a lot, but it's necessary for the moment. Plus, it means I can check you're doing the work." She flashed her a knowing smile, she paused her pen catching Hally's gaze again.

"This week, I want you to spend some time thinking about your daughter. Sitting and spending time with her. No distractions. Perhaps talk to her? Read her a book? Something like that. Just for a few minutes a day. Perhaps before you go to sleep. I want you to actively try and nest a little. I want you to buy things for her. I want you to buy things for the nursery. Maybe decorate a little. I'm not expecting you to get them all done, but make a start. Make a conscious effort. Does that sound reasonable?" Alina looked at her expectantly and despite her immediate reluctance, Hally nodded.

"Good." A small smile curved across Alina's lips, as though she'd already known that Hally would comply. She set her pen down.

She paused for a moment.

Alina leaned back, a thoughtful expression on her face as she considered how to approach what was evidently on her mind.

"I think that's enough for today," Alina began, "although, before I let Jack know we're done, I wanted us to have a brief chat about the things that were said during the trial…"

She paused, tilting her head slightly as she evaluated Hally's reaction. "We'll go into more detail soon, but I think it's better for both of us if we have an honest conversation about what was said during my testimony." Her eyes flickered with a knowing look.

There was a moment of quiet as Alina allowed the words to settle between them. "I need you to be clear about a few things," she continued. "Our sessions are confidential. What you share with me stays between us. I am not going to pass on any specifics of anything you say here. But it's important for you to understand that you are under surveillance and that includes your mental health, throughout your work with UNIT."

Hally's expression tightened slightly, but she didn't interrupt. Alina pressed on, her tone softening. "I have to provide written reports on your progress. Only Kate and I have access to these reports. They don't contain the specifics of what we discuss, but they do include my professional opinion on the progress you're making and whether more or fewer safety measures are required. My goal is always to support you, but I'm also responsible for ensuring the safety of those around you."

Alina took a breath, her gaze never wavering from Hally's. "What I said during the trial was unfortunately necessary. It was meant to explain your behaviour in a way the council would understand but I know that it was hard for you to hear within that environment, and I'm truly sorry for that. I want you to try, as best you can, to not overthink my words. They were a heavy generalisation of some aspects of your behaviour, not a complete picture. It doesn't define you, Hally. It doesn't mean all of your actions are rooted in that specific trauma, and acknowledging and admitting that that trauma exists is not a weakness. It's something many people carry, and it doesn't diminish your strength."

Alina leaned forward slightly, her voice softening. "I want to encourage you to ask me any questions you have about what I said, anything you disagreed with, anything you thought was unfair or didn't understand. If there are any feelings you're harbouring about it, I want us to talk about them. This space is for you, and in order for us to progress I need to be sure that you trust me with your vulnerability and I understand that what I said during the trial could have damaged that trust." She finished, her expression open and patient as she left the silence for Hally to fill.

She took a moment, chewing on the inside of her mouth. "I'm not … angry at you… if that's… I understand why it was necessary and yes, it was uncomfortable but not because I disagreed with anything you said. I think I just wasn't prepared to hear it…" Alina offered her an understanding nod. "But I don't blame you for it, I don't feel betrayed or upset or anything." Hally assured. "It was just uncomfortable… just… shining a light on something that I really would have preferred all my friends not to hear…" She exhaled a weak laugh. "I guess it just wasn't something I'd really considered before, I'd not identified what those feelings were or actually let myself see the damage they were doing, how deep they ran. So when you put it so bluntly it sort of… smacked me in the face. But no… I'm not harbouring anything against you because of it." She gave Alina a smile, her eyes brightening. "I'm quite used to you making me cry…"

Alina let out a soft laugh. "I don't make you cry. I simply facilitate it."