Ryoko entered the abortion clinic with a determined posture. She'd been rejected and now she didn't want this child. She wouldn't have the baby on someone who didn't love her.
He'd rejected her. After everything she'd said, everything she'd done. He'd just left her. Picked Ayeka over her no less. He'd left her with a baby and no home. But she wouldn't let him. If he was going to hurt her like that she would kill his baby.
The clinic was…scary. Ok, maybe it wasn't scary in itself. She was still in the foyer. It was decorated in a nice pale orange. There was a soft carpet and comfortable chairs. A curved Mahogany desk took up the front of the room; a small Degoran sat behind it. Ryoko had seen people of that particular race before. They looked, basically, the same as humans and Jurians, although their skin had a slightly orange tinge. They were known as the caregivers of the galaxy, having an unnaturally soft voice and a kind disposition to just about anyone.
The surgery was nearly deserted. Of course, it was the middle of the night, but that was the second largest clinic of it's kind in the known universe. Only a few people were sat around on the comfortable chairs.
Ryoko approached the desk slowly. The Degoran looked up at her and smiled. She nervously looked at her feet, then at the woman.
"I need an abortion," she said softly, "As soon as possible."
"Of course," the Degoran replied. Ryoko saw she hadn't been mislead about their soft voices. The receptionist called up a few screens and scanned them.
"Ok, we have an opening in 30 minutes with Dr. Lazlow. You'll like her. She's one of our top consultants. You're very lucky she's available."
"That'll be fine, that you," Ryoko said. The nurse nodded and held out a pen for her signature. Ryoko signed then slowly made her way over and sat down on one of the chairs. Another hour and this would be over.
~*~*~*~
A loud ringing waked Washu. She sat up with a jolt, forgetting she was in her adult body and overbalancing, falling forward and ending up on her face. Quickly she sat up and scanned the monitors for the source of the noise. Ryoko had just signed her name…for an appointment at an abortion clinic!
Washu jumped up and ran over to her other machine, cursing her child. She must have known Washu would be trying to track her. She'd picked out the abortion clinic that was the hardest to access by subspace. She had to work quickly though. There wasn't much time.
~*~*~*~
"Miss Ryoko," a gentle voice said. Ryoko looked up and found herself face to face with a young woman holding a cup of water.
"I'm Allya, and I'm the counsellor here. It's my job to talk to people before they go in. Is there anything you need to talk about?"
"I'm fine," Ryoko replied, taking the water that was offered and sipping from it. "I just made a mistake and need to clean it up."
"Are you sure you wont regret this?" the woman asked.
"I'm certain," Ryoko replied, sipping calmly at the water.
~*~*~*~
Sweat was running down Washu's back. She had to get that portal up and running. She didn't have much time left.
She had to be there. She had to stop Ryoko. She knew this decision wasn't made seriously, it was made in anger. She wanted to get rid of the child for all the wrong reasons and it was up to Washu to stop her. And, failing that, to be there for her. After all, that was what mum's did, right? They were there for they're babies. And right now her baby needed her.
She just wanted a chance to be a good mother.
~*~*~*~
"Miss Ryoko." Ryoko looked up again to find a kind looking, elderly woman stood beside her.
"I'm Dr. Lazlow. Would you like to come with me?"
~*~*~*~
Washu jumped up. It had worker. She'd finally got through. She ran over to yet another console and pressed a button. The world seemed to shimmer around her for a second, then she found herself stood outside the clinic. It was a pleasant looking building. All white and clean.
She ran forward, pushing through the double doors and into the foyer. She looked around wildly but her daughter was no where to be seen. She ran to the desk and slammed her first down, drawing the attention of the receptionist.
"I need to see Ryoko now," she demanded. The poor receptionist look more then a little shocked.
"I'm afraid she's just gone in, it's to late."
"I'm her mother and I need to see her now, she's about to make a huge mistake," Washu cried out, trying to impress upon the receptionist just how important this was.
~*~*~*~
"Please Miss Ryoko, just lay down here. This will only take a second. Don't worry now, you won't feel a thing."
~*~*~*~
"I'm afraid it's to late," the receptionist said firmly. "If you'd like to take a seat she shouldn't be long."
Deflated, Washu flopped into a seat and watched the door leading to the back of the clinic. She may not have been able to do anything to stop her baby doing this, but she would be there for her after.
She didn't have to wait long for the door to open and her daughter to exit. She watched as the doctor shook her hand, then turned.
"Mum," Ryoko whispered, taking a step forward.
Washu stood and walked forward, taking Ryoko into her arms. The space pirate burst into tears, the day's events having taken their toll, and clung onto Washu. Washu held her close, stroking her back.
"It's ok now," she whispered softly, running her finger through her daughter's hair. "You'll be ok."
"How can you know?" Ryoko asked through her tears.
"I'm the greatest scientific genius in the universe, remember," Washu said with a smile. "I know everything."
Ryoko gave a small smile and pulled back a little. Washu let her go, reaching up to wipe away the tears. Ryoko lent her head on her mother's hand.
"I didn't go through with it," she whispered softly. "I hate him right now but I still love him."
"It's ok," Washu said, sighing. "It's all for the best. You shouldn't make a decision like that when you're mad…"
Ryoko nodded slowly. Washu brushed her fingers down her daughter's face again. It was ok. Everyone was safe and well. They could talk this all through and see if there wasn't a better way to go about it.
"Do any of the other know where I am?" Ryoko asked.
"No," Washu reassured her. "I didn't tell anyone."
"I can't face them just now…" Ryoko said softly.
"It's ok," Washu said. "You can come and hide out in the lab if you want. Then you're not alone."
Ryoko nodded slowly, then hugged Washu again. Poor thing must really be hurting to act like this, not that Washu could blame her. She hugged her daughter tightly, whispering reassuring words into her hair, until Ryoko felt ready to let go again.
"Let's go," she said, wrapping her arm around her daughter's shoulder. They found Ryo-Oki with ease. The Cabbit had stayed in it's spaceship form in case it was needed. Once Ryo-Oki was back to 'normal' and sat on Ryoko's shoulder Washu summoned her lab and they stepped in.
Luckily, the lab was so large that there was plenty of space for Ryoko to stay where none of the others would see her, even if they did wander into the lab unannounced. Washu soon found her a small bedroom, tucked away in a quiet corner, and left her. She set herself in the room next door with an alarm to tell her if anyone entered the lab so they didn't come poking about. First sleep, then they could sort out this mess.
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