Hi everyone! I've been really busy lately, and it's a miracle that this story is complete. However, not all of it is typed. I will be adding new chapters as soon as I am able to get them typed up.
Also, please only leave positive reviews! I know this series isn't a masterpiece, but I'm focusing more on getting my thoughts out. I will put up a high-quality, well-written, shorter story at some point.
Enjoy!
The TARDIS landed safely just outside Clara's apartment with its usual whirring sound. Clara and Jack had been bonding during their trip through the vortex, sharing stories about their previous lives and adventures with the Doctor. The Doctor opened the door for them. "So, I'll see you in a couple weeks then, Clara?" the Doctor said.
"Yeah," she responded. "I should probably give my family a legitimate explanation for you posing as my naked boyfriend."
"Hey- that's my job!" said Jack with a laugh.
The Doctor didn't laugh. "No more messing with rifts and other universes, Jack. I've told you this before and I don't need any more problems right now."
Clara started walking away toward her building. Jack was admiring her from behind. "Damn," he started to say, "if you'd stayed young-looking you probably could've had that…"
"Get out, Jack," interrupted the Doctor.
"Fine, fine, I'm leaving," he said. "I'll see you around."
"Not for a couple billion years when you're just a kind old face, buddy," the Doctor mumbled when Jack was far enough into the distance. He closed the TARDIS door and looked around at the emptiness. No cheery companions, flirtatious time agents, apparitions of dead wives, or Cybermen heads. "Just you and me, old friend," he said to the console.
He wanted to continue his search for Gallifrey because he hadn't lost faith. But for once, he didn't even know where to begin. "River would know," he thought aloud. After a few more minutes of thinking, he concluded that maybe he did deserve some time away from trouble. After all, he had just spent hundreds of years right in the eye of it.
The Doctor decided to track down River- the living one, of course, to take her on a nice date. He wondered if she would still love him with this new face.
The Doctor headed down to his wardrobe and picked out a new suit that better fit his new look. Soon, the TARDIS was on its course in space through the time vortex to Luna University, where he guessed she might be. Upon landing, entering the school, and talking to the front desk clerk, he learned that the Professor had gone home for the evening. The clerk was hesitant to give him the address, as this new face did not match the photo she had included in her computer profile under the emergency contact section. The Doctor proved his identity using his psychic paper, realizing that this was one of the only times he had used the paper to display his true self. He retrieved the address and set out by foot, as it was only a few blocks away.
The Doctor stopped when he reached her house and smiled. He walked up the path through the neatly trimmed grass and confidently knocked on the TARDIS-blue door. He heard footsteps and soon he was face-to-face with his beautiful wife. He feared that she wouldn't recognize him, but she grinned.
"Hello, sweetie," River cooed, and she invited him in.