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When Rose first met River it was by accident, she was hoping through the dimensions- trying to find the Doctor. She landed in the right one, but not at the right time. It had been on an asteroid known for its wide market, she'd wandered around, following the device's beeping towards a two-hearted person.
Eventually she ran into them, literally. She ran into River, who she tentatively looked at, her voice wavering as his name slipped from her lips, "Doctor?"
Her voice had made River freeze, she looked at her, Rose Tyler-the Bad Wolf, the Woman The Doctor Loved, Defender of Earth, and many more titles. And a bittersweet smirk overtook River's face, "Sorry Sweetheart, I'm not him."
River's response had made Rose furrow her eyebrows as she looked between River and the device, she shook it- maybe it was malfunctioning? But nope, the reading was clear as daylight-
HEARTS SEARCH: 2 | PEOPLE FOUND: 1 | DISTANCE: 2 ft
RESPIRATORY BYPASS: SEARCH | PEOPLE FOUND 1
"Are you a Timelord? But no- that wouldn't make any sense considering-" Rose's voice droned on, making River laugh.
She placed one hand on her shoulder, calming her down. Extending her hand Rose took it, "Professor River Song, Archeologist, Wife of The Doctor. And yes- I'm a Timelord, naturally born- mind you. Pleasure to meet you Rose Tyler. I do believe he'd hinted that I'd met you at some point but I thought he was simply joking. Never know with that man."
River said it all so easily, but Rose's mind was spinning. Focusing on one part of what she'd said, "...wife of the Doctor...?"
At that point Rose's recall had activated, pulling her back to Pete's World. And with her sudden disappearance, River cocked her head. A smirk spreading across her lips as she laughed, "Rose Tyler. How interesting," with that she continued forward to get the thing she'd been there for. The interaction lingering in her mind.
Then there'd been their second meet, several years had passed for River. But for Rose only 2 or so years, considering what River had said, they had the correct Dimension, just not the place or time. So when she jumped this time she was quick to look around, not quite sure when or where she was.
Finally her eyes landed on something that gave her an idea, "New York." she sighed, "At least it's Earth this time and-" she pulled out her phone, "April, 2012. Damn it."
But it was close, closer and more accurate than some of the other jumps. They were getting better at making sure she landed in the correct dimension, and time was getting more and more accurate. And yet she still shook her head, turning to come face to face with a statue. It's styling was unique, reminding Rose of more Greek clothing, at least- Rose thinks Greek. It's been a while since she looked at their outfitting so she wasn't 100% sure.
And the wings, nicely carved- though she wasn't one able to truly judge, the Doctor would know though- reminiscent of angel wings. She shook her head as she turned her back. Her mind spinning as she suddenly fell, she looked around-still New York but... something was different. She pulled out her phone again, eyes balking, "1938?"
Pushing herself up Rose started walking, trying to restart or fix her communicator, she'd fallen on it.
Behind her, Rose heard a slightly familiar voice, "Rose Tyler? What're you doing here in 1938?"
Turning, her surprise colored her voice, "River? I suppose I could say the same to you."
"Angels." was River's only response.
"...angels?"
"Weeping Angels, nasty things. Sends people back in time with a touch then feeds off their time," River explained.
"oh"
"Yeah, well. Luckily I've got a Vortex Manipulator. Need a lift?"
Rose nodded, "April, 2012 if you could. It's when I landed. 'bout noon I think?"
River said nothing, just simply nodded before pulling Rose close. Her arm wrapped and Rose's waist, practically melding their bodies. She gave a wink before she hit a button, pulling them forward. Rose stumbled a bit.
"Not nearly as nice as the TARDIS I'm afraid. But, best I can do."
And before Rose could respond River stole a kiss, "Bye Sweetheart~" and she was gone.
Rose touched her lips, a flush rising up to her ears. "Rose- an---- us? Ag--- ---er, do you ---y?"
The static coming in from the communicator roused Rose out of the state she was in, she pressed her mic, switching it on. "This is Agent Tyler, requesting pull back."
And if anyone had been looking that way, they would see a blonde disappear as suddenly as she had appeared.
They met many more times, sometimes in order, sometimes not. But, it is one of these that is most important.
Rose Tyler had just been left on a beach in Norway, the Meta-Crisis Doctor stood beside her as they stared at the spot the TARDIS had been. Slowly the two of them began to turn away before that glorious sound came back.
Rose turned sharply, her eyes narrowing in on the TARDIS. Once the doors opened she was ready to start yelling yet she found her voice stolen from her once she saw who was in the doorway.
"Hey," River said casually, as though her being there wasn't the strangest thing in the universes.
"You two want a lift back to Universe Prime?" she looked between the two of them.
Rose looked at the Doctor, and he looked at her. Through their eyes an understanding passed, this was their only chance. And neither of them wanted to be here.
Running to her Mum quickly Rose hugged her, apologies spilling from her lips. Jackie looked at her, then at the Doctor, and then at the TARDIS and the strange women standing in its doors.
She whispered one word, "Go." though her eyes betrayed her, tears slipping down.
Rose smiled and said, "I love you Mum." for the last time. Turning she hurried back and grabbed the Doctor's hand hauling the two of them past River and on board the TARDIS.
And the doors slammed shut as River hurried over to the console, her eyes flickering over to the Doctor, "Mind giving me a hand Sweetie?"
Numbly he moved forward, helping her pilot the ship. Eventually they landed, the ship thudding against the ground. River opened the doors for them, "Maglia, 34th century. No wars or revolutions of any kind take place until the 37th if I'm recalling correctly. It's a planet many people migrate to, if only to see the beauty of it. Warm almost all year round 'cept in the far North were it's quite cold-"
Her explanation of where they where was cut of when Rose threw her arms around River. Pulling back she pulled River into a fervent kiss, "Thank you," her smile was like the sun.
"No problem Sweetheart, good luck." River pulled back, she tossed Rose something, "Credit Stick, unlimited. Maybe see you later." she closed the doors of the TARDIS.
Rose and the Doctor stood next to each other as the Old Girl vanished once more, "Together?" "Together."
451 YEARS LATER
Rose sat down, a smile on her lips, "You ever think we'll see her again dear? It's been quite a long time, I wonder how she's been." "Silent as always, huh? Fair enough, not sure what I expect."
Beside Rose is a gravestone with no body, once she'd asked him- when he was getting older. What funeral rites were customary for Timelords, and when he'd passed she had done just that. Set his body alight on a pyre. Staying until the flames died and his body was nothing more than ash, and then she'd gathered that ash, placed it in a box. And dug a small, but deep hole just in front of the gravestone.
She sat, 4 centuries later. She sat next to his grave on Maglia. Her eyes closed, before springing open when she heard someone walk up and sit next to her. She looked at the person sat next to her, it took her brain a moment to recognize them.
"River?"
"Rose."
They both sat, looking at one another before River extended her hand. "What'd you say to some adventures?"
"What kind?" for the first time in a while something more than dullness was in Rose's voice.
"Oh- just the running kind I do think. But, perhaps maybe some domestics too, Sweetheart?"
A grin broke out across Rose's face as she took River's hand and pulled her close, "Well, I'd never say no to an adventure. Darling."
A competitive gleam appeared in River's eyes, she pulled Rose closer. Kissing her, "Well then. I suppose we should get started then."