Chapter Text
River giggles, only just getting her gun back into his holster before the Doctor has swept her off her feet and is spinning her around like a six year old. Despite the fact that she has just destroyed his hat he seems remarkably pleased to see her and she is astonished when he presses a quick kiss to the corner of her mouth, out of Amy and Rory's view.
He is hugging her like he hasn't seen her in years which, actually, by the way he is treating her, might just be true. "Oh I missed you River" the Doctor whispers before two balls of human slam into them and the tender moment turns into a huge group hug.
"Your mother is a pain" the Doctor murmurs into her ear but very very quietly so Amy doesn't hear him. River snorts then her stomach does a funny little flip. Mother. But that means... "Hello wife" the Doctor whispers into her ear. River is ecstatic. She has finally, finally met a version of her husband that knows exactly who she is.
She thinks her face will split in half if she doesn't stop smiling but she can't seem to shake the grin. They finally separate and the Doctor draped an arm around her shoulders ignoring Amy's raised eyebrow. He leads them to the diner and flips into a booth. River sits opposite him much more elegantly and pulls out her diary.
"Right then, where are we?" She asks. "Have we done Easter island yet? " she adds glancing up at him. "Er... Yes! I've got Easter island!" The Doctor replies cheerfully. "They worshipped you there! Have your seen the statues?" River asks. "Jim the fish?" The Doctor asks, ignoring her question.
"Oh Jim the fish! How is he?" River asks practically squealing in glee. This is better than she could possibly have imagined. She isn't ahead of him for once. "Still building his dam" the Doctor says slightly indignantly. The little group laughs. "Sorry, what are you two doing?" Rory asks frowning slightly as him and Amy slid into the seats, Amy next to the Doctor, Rory by River.
"There both time travellers. They never meet in the right order. They're syncing there diaries" Amy says looking pleased with her knowledge. The Doctor shoots her a quick smile. "So what's happening then?" The adds glancing between the Doctor and his curly haired companion. "Cos you've been up to something."
The Doctor is silent for a long moment then glances at River before replying. "I've been running. Faster than I've ever run. And I've been running my whole life. Now it's time for me to stop. And tonight I'm going to need you all with me" he says calmly. River is starting to get worried.
"Ok" Amy replies. River narrows her eyes at the Doctor but doesn't says anything. He isn't his usual perky self and seems far to subdued. "We're here. What's up?" Amy asks. "Picnic" the Doctor says. "Then a trip. Somewhere different. Somewhere brand new!" Amy is starting to smile, obviously remembering her earlier travels with the Doctor.
"Where?" she asks. "Space. Nineteen sixty nine" the Doctor says looking at River with am almost feral gaze. Amy slips out of the booth. "Okay then!" She says grinning at him. The Doctor jumps up as well and the other two follow them. The Doctor grabs River's hand and entwines there fingers, making the most of the last time he will see his wife.
"Amy and Rory are going to suspect something" River whispers. "Let them" the Doctor whispers back, gripping her hand tighter. "I don't think I tell you this enough but I love you River." River tilts her head sideways and rests it on his shoulder. "Oh trust me, you do" she whispers. The Doctor smiles and rests his head on top of hers.
They hear a quick whispered conversation from behind them then Amy's voice pipes up. "So what's the deal with you two?" She asks the Doctor sighs. He holds out his other hand to her and she takes it willingly. He tugs gently until she falls into step beside him then he drapes it around her shoulders, releases River and wraps the other around River's shoulders.
"Friends are all that matters Pond. Friends are all that ever matter" he says softly. River smiles and her arm creeps around his waist. The Doctor releases Amy and River then spins around d to face them. "Okay! Picnic! Amy, Rory, if you ask in the diner I have a basket set back. The car is parked around the back. You two take that down we'll walk and see you in a few" he says.
Amy and Rory walk back into the diner then a few minutes later, pass them on the car. "Close to the water!" The Doctor yells after them. Amy waves before the car crests the hill and vanishes. The Doctor pulls River to a stop and kisses her softly, cradling her face in both his hands, his lips moving slowly against hers. River sighs happily. "I knew you had an ulterior motive sweetie" she purrs.
The Doctor smirks at her then pulls her into a warm hug. River hums contentedly. After a few minutes she realizes he is is whispering something into her hair. "I love you. I'm sorry. I am so sorry. I love you. I'm sorry. I am so sorry" he whispers over and over again. "Sweetie? What is it?" River asks. "Oh it's nothing" the Doctor says softly, releasing her from the hug. He kisses her again and River can feel his desperation and fear.
"Sweetie, what's going on?" River asks pulling away slightly. "I told you, it's nothing love" the Doctor says firmly. "Oh and your parents, they don't know who you are yet so don't let anything slip. But you're good at that River, you are so, so good at that" he says more gently.
He presses one last kiss to the corner of her mouth then pulls away so his lips are hovering just over hers. River tilts her forehead slightly so it is resting against the Doctor's. "Come on, it's a bit of a walk down but I wanted some time alone with you" the Doctor says, pulling on her hand until she falls into step next to him then wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
Amy smirks when they appear over the crest of the hill. "There's something going on there. There's gotta be. There too intimate" she says . Rory rolls his eyes. "You're as bad as Mels. I can't believe you thought I was gay" he mutters.
River breaks into a run, her hand coming down to grip the Doctor's. Grinning, the Doctor jogs along next to her, even his natural clumsiness not enough to disrupt her. They are most of the way down The hill when River finally stops. The Doctor glanced quickly to his left to check her parents aren't looking then drags her down for a kiss.
River is astonished, delighted and suspicious all at the same time. it is quite confusing and she surrenders to his kiss. The Doctor eventually pulls away and leads her the last few meters to the blanket. River drops to the floor and props herself up on her chest. The Doctor lies next to her, propping himself up on an elbow.
River smiles at her family then grabs the last glass. The Doctor scowls playfully at her but pours them all a glass and keeps ahold of the bottle. "Alue!" He says enthusiastically, holding it up like a toast. The other three imitate him. "So, when are we going to nineteen sixty nine?" Rory asks. "Mmm. And since when do you drink wine? " Amy asks.
River listens to there banter with half an ear. "I'm eleven hundred and three! I must have drinking at some time" the Doctor says taking a sip and immediately spitting it back out again. "Eugh! Wines horrid! It- er... I, I thought it would taste more like the gums" he says looking annoyed. River and Amy laugh then Amy frowns.
"Eleven hundred and three? You were nine hundred and eight last time I saw you" Amy says slightly sadly. "And you've put on a couple of pounds! I wasn't going to mention it!" The Doctor says immediately dissipating the slight tension.
Amy suddenly seems captivated by the horizon. River glances up and freezes. No. No, no, no, no, no. They can't be here. Not now. Not when she's having such a good time. "Who's that?" Amy asks, snapping River out of her stupor. She looks away from the tall white figure instantly and glances at the Doctor who is looking at Amy with an unidentifiable look.
"Hm? Who's who?" Rory asks Amy. "Sorry what?" Amy asks looking a him and away from the figure on the cliff. "What did you see? You said you saw something" Rory tells her gently. "No I didn't" Amy says taking a sip of wine. "Ah! The moon! Look at it!" the Doctor says pointing at the white orb hanging in the sky. River smiles at him and catches a quick flicker of emotion pass over his face.
"Of course you lot did a lot more than look, didn't you! Big silvery thing in the sky! You couldn't resist it! Quite right!" He says. River watches his profile. He is tense and clearly uncomfortable with something. She almost asks what the matter is but Rory cuts in first.
"The moon landing was in sixty nine. Is that where we're going?" he asks. "A lot more happens in sixty nine than anyone remembers" the Doctor says softly. "Human beings. I thought I'd never get done saving you." Amy smiles at him, obviously not catching the slightly dangerous undertone.
A car pulls up a few meters away and a man steps out. The Doctor stands up and raises his hand suddenly looking old and worried. The man imitates his gesture. "Who is he?" Amy asks. River stands up as well. "Oh my God" she says in a soft voice looking towards the lake.
A spaceman in a spacesuit has appeared out of nowhere, standing in the water. The other two stand up as well. "You all need to stay back. Whatever happens now, you do not interfere" the Doctor says softly. "Clear?" He adds glancing at Amy. River walks around the blanket, half an idea about stopping him.
The astronaut walks out of the lake and the Doctor walks down to meet him. There is an odd ringing in Rivers ears. She can hear Amy and Rory talking but doesn't take on the words. Something is wrong. Something is very very wrong.
The astronaut shoots the Doctor. Amy races forward and The other two dart after her, grabbing we arms and holding her back. "Doctor!" She screams. "No! Amy stay back!" River pleads, one arm around Amy's chest. "You have to stay back!" Amy is crying and pleading with them to let her go. "Doctor!" She calls desperately . River can feel her heard breaking as the tell tale glow of regeneration energy starts to engulf the Doctor.
He can't loose this body so soon, he can't. He barely knows her. The spaceman fires again and the Doctor collapses to the ground, all the yellow glow vanishing instantly. River screams. "No! Doctor!" She yells racing forward and releasing Amy who follows her with Rory. River has never run so fast in her life. She drops to her knees next to his prone form and scans him.
"River" Amy pleads. River stands up. Her head is spinning and the only thing in her mind apart from grief is a desire to rip the Doctor's killer, limb from limb. "No" Amy whispers. River walks toward the water, her gun out of its holster and firing at the astronaut. She empties her magazine into its suit without any effect whatsoever.
"Course not" she whispers, letting out a sob and lowering the gun, turning back towards her dead husband and stunned parents. Amy is crying with her arms wrapped around her knees. "River he can't be dead. It's not possible" she whispers. River is struggling hold herself together but manages to answer her.
"Whatever that was, it killed him in the middle of his regeneration cycle. This body was already dead. He didn't make it to the next one" she whispers. "Maybe he's a clone, or a duplicate or something" Amy says, grasping for straws. "I believe I can save you some time" the old man says, who, up til now, has been silent. River head snaps around, he senses on high alert.
"That most certainly is the Doctor. And he most certainly is dead" he says. "He said you'd need this" he adds, placing a metal gasoline tin next to them. "Gasoline?" Rory asks, more confused than ever. River knows what to do and it will break her heart.
"A Time Lord's body is a miracle. Even a dead one" she says, struggling to hold back tears. She kneels next to him and start to arrange his body into a less dramatic position. "There are whole empires out there that would tear this world apart for just one cell. We can't leave him here" she says, standing up barely able to keep her composure.
"Or anywhere" she whispers . Amy crawls forward and shakes him. "Wake up" she pleads. "Come on, wake up you stupid blind idiot. She curls up, resting her head on the Doctor's still chest. "What do we do Rory?" She asks tearfully. "We're his friends. We do what the Doctor's friends always do" River says, picking up the can. "As we're told."
"There's a boat" Rory says. River looks around, still struggling to hold herself up and not collapse onto the sand next to Amy. "If we're gonna do this. Let's do it properly" he says. He goes to get the boat with the mystery man and River finally kneels next to Amy and rests her hand on her shoulder. The other is on her Doctor's cheek and she gives in to her tears, resting her head next to Amy's.
Amy meets her eyes and River sees her own grief reflected in them. She turns her head and inhales the Doctor's comforting scent. He smells safe and he smells like home. No matter how many time she tells people there is a worse day coming for her, she never imagined how much it would hurt her, having to live her life without him.
She heard footsteps approaching and straightens quickly, her hand regretfully leaving the warmth of his face. The men appear over the crest of the small him, dragging the boat and she starts to coax Amy off of the Doctor's shoulder. "Amy, we have to" she whispers. "No! River you can't do this!" Amy sobs. "Amy I don't have a choice!" River says, barely holding back a distraught sob.
She finally managed to get Any off the Doctor and waves off Rory's attempts to help here lift the Doctor. She is strong but it is still the hardest thing she has ever done. She works in silence apart from Amy's sobs but when she goes to push the boat down to the water Rory steps forward. "I'll do it River" he says, gently squeezing her shoulder.
River walks out he beach slowly. She sees Amy still crying in the sand and kneels down next to her. Amy looks up at her then hugs her. River holds her mother gently, the two of them kneeling in the sand. She strokes her hair and methodically reassures her and comforts her. It is getting dark and by the time Rory drops the lit match onto the Doctor's body it is almost completely dark.
River helps Amy stand up as they watch the boat floating out in the currents. Rory is almost knee deep in the water and Amy steps forward, almost racing down to the water but hesitating when Rory start to walk back. River is standing just behind the man.
"Who are you?" She asks, he voice hoarse. The old man turns to look at her. "Why did you come?" The other two have also turned to look at him. "Same reason as you" he says, holding out a TARDIS blue envelop. River pulls out her own and holds it next to his. The old man smiles.
"Doctor Song, Amy, Rory. I'm Canton Everett Delaware the third. I won't be seeing you again. But, you'll be seeing me" he says. He pulls his cap on, smiles at River and walks back up to his car. The pieces are starting to slot into place in River's mind which is running at about a hundred miles per hour.
"Four" she says looking at Amy and Rory. "Sorry, what?" Rory asks. "The smiles numbered the envelopes." Hope is blossoming on Rivers stomach. She sets off back towards the car and starts the engine. Rory and Amy jump into the back. River is more focused on driving than answering any of there questions. It has been a long time since she had driven.
She jumps out when they get to the diner and slams the door. "River what are you talking about?" Rory asks as she opens the door to the diner. "You got three, I was two, Mr Delaware was four" she says. "So?" Rory asks. "So where's one?" River asks. Amy has stopped by the table they were sitting at just a few short hours ago. River tried to ignore the growing hole in her heart.
"What, you think he invited someone else?" Rory asks. "Well he must have. He planned all this or he last detail" River replies, her mind deep at work. Amy snaps them out of there mental studies. "Will you two shut up. It doesn't matter" Amy says softly. "He was up to something. Space, nineteen sixty nine. What did he mean?" River asks, not really expecting an answer.
"You're still talking but it doesn't matter" Amy says. "Hey" Rory says, unexpectedly taking River's side. "It mattered to him" he says. "So it matters to us" River finishes. "But he's dead" Amy whispers, as though saying this aloud will make it come true. "But he still needs us" River says desperately. "I know Amy. I know. But right now we have to focus" she says.
She is distracted by Rory's light touch on shoulder. He points at a blue envelope on a table. "Look" he says. River is by the table in seconds, picking up the envelope and comparing it to her own, checking the number. Rory asks the waiter has been sitting at the table. "The Doctor knew he was going to his death so he sent out messages. When it's the end, who do you call?" River asks.
"Uh... Friends, people you trust!" Rory says. "Number one. Who did the Doctor trust the most?" River asks. The door behind her opens and she turns, freezing when she sees him just emerging from the cupboard, the Tardis parked inside. He looks up, twirling a straw and breaks out into a smile, pointing around at them. "This is cold. Even by your standards, this is cold" River whispers, unable to think of anything else.
"Or hello! As people used to say" the Doctor says looking slightly confused. "Doctor?" Amy asks softly. "Just popped out to get my special straw, it adds more fizz" the Doctor says cheerfully, slightly surprised by there stunned attitude. Amy walks up to him and circles him, her hand coming out to grip his bow tie. "You're ok" she whispers. "How can you be ok?" She adds in a harder voice.
"Hey course I'm OK, I'm always OK, I'm the king of OK" the Doctor says, pulling her into a hug. "No that's a rubbish title, forget that title. Rory! The Roman!" The Doctor says releasing Amy and pulling Rory into a hug. "Thsts a good title! Hello Rory!" He says . Rory patted him on the back in a surprised manner. River shock is starting to ebb away, leaving room for anger which fills it happily.
The Doctor releases Rory and walks over to River. "And Doctor River Song, oh you bad, and girl. What trouble have you got for me this time?" He asks, unaware of her inner turmoil. River snaps and slaps him hard around the face. The Doctor recoils a look of shock on his face. "Okay. I'm guessing that's for something I haven't done yet" he says. River nods, struggling it hold herself together
"Yes it is" she whispers. The Doctor looks at her, obviously concerned but reluctant to come near her. "Good, looking forward to it" he says. "I don't understand" Rory says. " how can you be here? " he asks, poking the Doctor in the chest. The Doctor is starting to get seriously alarmed for his friends sanity. "I was invited! Date, map reference" He says indignantly, taking the envelope from River.
"Same as you lot, otherwise it's a hell of a coincidence" he says. "River?" Amy asks, turning to the other time traveller. "What's going on?" She asks. " Amy ask him what age he is" River says. "That's a bit personal" the Doctor says, still twirling his straw. "Tell her. Tell her what age you are" River says sternly. "Nine hundred and nine" the Doctor says patiently.
"But you said you-" Amy starts. River cuts in before she can give him any spoilers. "So where does that leave us?" she asks, struggling to hold back tears. She had her husband. For a few short hours she had her husband back. "Jim the fish! have we done Jim the fish yet?" She asks, her voice getting louder and more angry. " Who's Jim the fish? " the Doctor asks, unintentionally putting another crack in her hearts.
"I don't understand" Amy says finally. "Yeah you do" Rory says helplessly. "I don't! What are we all doing here?" The Doctor asks indignantly. The three Ponds exchange glances for a few seconds. "We've been recruited" River says finally. "Something to do with space, nineteen sixty nine. And a man called: Canton Everett Delaware the third."
"Recruited by who?" The Doctor asks, starting to get angry in his turn. "Somebody who trusts you more than anybody else in the universe" River says. Up until that moment the Doctor had thought that was River but apparently not. "And who's that?" The Doctor asks. "...Spoilers" River whispers, the word breaking her heart and all but destroying her attempts not to cry.
She turns and walks, head held high into the Tardis. The Doctor frowns a follows her, a few meters behind. By now it's almost ten o'clock at night. River is exhausted and she holds up a hand to forestall any comment from the Doctor. "Please tell me the bedrooms are still there" she says, her back to him. "Yes" the Doctor says softly. "Good" River says quietly. Rory and Amy seem to have heard this and vanished.
The Doctor slowly closed the Tardis doors. River is pulling off her jacket and taking her shoes off. "Do you want to talk about it?" He asks hesitantly. River does. Oh she does, but she know that is impossible. She turns to face the younger version of her husband and feels herself breaking. He may not be her husband yet but she still needs someone to be herself with.
She is standing next to the rail by the stairs and he is suddenly so, so tired. She sinks to her knees, her body leaning against the glass wall. She doesn't even try to hold back the tears any more and she is sobbing silently within seconds. She sees the Doctor's feet approach slowly through her haze of tears then his knees appear by hers and his arms snake around her shoulders, hugging her awkwardly.
River cries uncontrollably until she has shed every tear and just sits, cradled in the Doctor's arms. She has shifted so she is resting against his chest and his arms are around her back. He shushes her softly, much more understanding than she expected. She tucks her knees up to her chest and rests her head on his collarbone.
The Doctor has shifted so River is sitting between his long gangly legs. He is slowly running a hand up and down her upper arm, the other is cupping her head, pressing it to his shoulder. His chin is resting on the top of her head and he seems way too comfortable.
River really doesn't want to move and she happily gives in to the urge to curl her hand inside his jacket and allows her eyes to drift closed. She ignores his gentle strokes and allows her mind to drift into a state of calm, not quite enough to fall asleep but enough to let her go floppy and all but melt into the Doctor.
"River?" The Doctor asks when her hand slips out of his jacket and her head becomes heavy on his shoulder. "Are you asleep?" He asks incredulously. River hums softly, sliding further down his chest. The Doctor laughs softly. "You really are" he says softly. River is too tired to protest against him. The Doctor slowly releases her from his arms.
River is about to sleepily protest when his arms slides around her back and under her knees. He lifts her just as easily as her husband does and River rests his head on his shoulder and inhales softly. The Doctor smiles to himself. He isn't really sure what to make of an upset, snuggly River but he loves the trust she places on him.
His step falters when he reaches her bedroom. River is so tuned to his movements that she feels the slight change in his step. She stirs and her hand slides around his neck. "Your hand will do it" she murmurs sleepily. The Doctor blinks, surprised she has programmed her door to accept his genetic code but presses and hand to the panel by the door and it slides open.
He steps in, curious. He has never seen her room before, didn't know she had one. He steps inside and gasps softly. The room isn't hers. It's theirs. A rack of blasters and pistols next to a shelf of bow ties. Archaeology tools next to some of his tools. River knows exactly what has gotten him so flustered and she waits patiently for a reaction.
"We... I- we- River... River is this...?" He lets the question hang. River nods slightly against his shoulder. The Doctor places her gently on the bed and watches her as she curls up on her side, on top of the covers and smiles lazily up at him. The Doctor crouched down next to her. "What's the deal with us River?" He whispers. "Spoilers" River whispers.
"You're someone I trust with my life" she adds in a whisper. The Doctor smiles and kisses her forehead. He brushed her hair out of her face and pulls the covers over her shoulders. He stands up and walks out of the room, pulling the door closed behind him. River is cosy and she shuffles out of her jeans, leaving her clad in her shirt and knickers.
She half wishes the Doctor had stayed with her but cosy and content she sleeps, unaware of the Doctor slipping into the room very late at night and climbing into bed with her, apparently unaware she is in the room. When River stirs the next morning she is curled up with the Doctor spooned protectively around her. She almost starts to cry again.
His hand is warm and pressed against her abdomen, the other is squashed between them. She knows it will probably wake him but she rolls over and buries her face in his chest. It doesn't wake him and she feels his arms tighten slightly and tangles there legs. She knows he is a heavy sleeper, literally unable to wake before at least three hours have passed.
She kisses him lightly on the cheek before sliding regretfully from the warmth and comfort of his arms. She pulls her jeans back on and walks out of the room. The Doctor stirs as the door closes. He nuzzles the pillow River had placed in his arms and frowns his eyes drift open and he takes in the room around him and the delicate floral scent on the pillow.
He is in River's room - or, more accurately - their room. He sits up, looking around for River but finds no sign apart from a few strands of very curly hair on his shirt. He slides out of bed and pulls his clothes back on, blushing when he realizes they were both probably half naked. He walks silently up to the control room and spots River sitting on the bottom step.
She is facing the doors, cold cup of coffee next to her, completely absorbed in her diary, head resting against the glass. Every few seconds she adds another note or adds to a sketch. "Hi" he says sitting next to her when he has got himself a coffee and her a fresh one. He hands her a mug and she shoots him a quick smile. "Thanks" she says softly .
"What are you doing?" The Doctor asks glancing at her diary. River tilts it slightly so he can only see the cover. "Writing spoilers" he says. The Doctor laughs quietly. He drains his coffee and glances into he direction of the Ponds room. "Do you think there awake yet?" He asks. River glances up and laughs softly. "Probably. I've been hearing movement for a while" she says.
Sure enough, the Ponds appear a few minutes later. The Doctor jumps up. "Right!"