Ch 1

The clock was showing it was just past midnight. All the Song children were sound asleep in their beds, oblivious to their parents' quiet conversation in the living room down stairs.

River was laying with her head in her husband's lap, a cup of tea in hand, looking up at his face. "Where exactly did you say you were going again?" She asked softly.

"To the Sisterhood of Karn." The Doctor hummed. He was fidgeting with her hair. "They get concerned if they don't know what I'm up to every few centuries. And really, you wouldn't want them coming all the way to Earth. They don't do discrete."

"Are you sure you don't want me to come?" She asked.

"No, Ohila can be a bit much when she meets someone new. And you know the girls think they're too old to be babysat."

"Yes, which is exactly why you owe me a date, Mr. Song." She purred, leaning up to kiss him.

"Of course, Mrs. Doctor." He met her lips. "Karn, however, is not a date. I promise you a real one in a much nicer place, just as soon as I get back."

"Good, I look forward to it." She beamed. "What time are you leaving?"

"After breakfast, I would think." He informed.

She nodded, sitting up and moving to sit in his lap so she could still face him. "The children will miss you. This is the first long trip you've taken in a long while, well, at least the first long trip that you're actually staying away for."

"Only the children?" He teased.

"Oh, well I suppose the dog will miss you too. I, on the other hand, am looking forward to spending time with my secret lover." She teased right back.

"Do tell her I say hello." He chuckled. "And to be out by Monday because I'm only gone the weekend." He wrapped his arms around her. "I'll be back before you know it."

She smiled, "Alright, but if you're not back soon I might just have to replace you."

"Fair enough, wife." He brushed his nose against her cheek, glad his lie was holding.

She pressed her forehead to his, "I think this time I'll go for someone a bit older. Grey hair perhaps, a silver fox." She continued her teasing, finding it easier than thinking about his impending trip. She knew it was only for a few days, and they had been through much longer separations, but there was something about this trip that worried her.

"I'm over 1200 years old. You can't get much older than that. Where will you look?"

"You know, I was thinking of having Jack set me up. He's bound to know a few older men." She murmured.

He made a less than pleased face. "Oh, never trust Jack's opinion. He has horrible taste. He'll probably just close his eyes and pick at random."

"Getting a little jealous, are we?" She smirked.

"Perhaps..." He wiggled beneath her weight. "I'd rather just keep you all to myself."

"I must admit that it would be terribly hard to find someone that I love as much as you." She cupped his face in her hands, kissing him softly.

He relaxed against her. "I love you, too."

"Promise me you'll come back in one piece?"

"Of course, love. Don't I always?"

"For the most part."

"Well, if Ohila tears my arm off, you'll know where to find it." He reasoned.

She laughed softly, "Well, I do worry about you. You seem to forget you have no more regeneration energy left." She nuzzled his nose.

"I ought to be careful on my trip, then." He murmured, the realization making him a bit more nervous.

"I'm sure you'll be fine." She whispered, closing her eyes. He held her close, starting to worry that that might not the case.

He felt bad lying to her about where he was really going, and the thought of possibly not returning to her wasn't helping.

"You look tired." She nodded, "Are you coming to bed with me, husband?"

"Of course, wife." He nodded.

Together, they walked up the stairs, River changing and slipping into bed. The Doctor did the same and joined her, very aware that he wouldn't get to share a bed with her in the coming few days. "What will you do with the kids this weekend?"

She curled against him, "Well, tomorrow the twins and Arthur all have football matches and then Amelia and Freya have a sleepover party to go to. And I was thinking that on Sunday we could go to the zoo since Terra has been begging to see that new lion exhibit."

"Maybe I should take your vortex manipulator and leave the TARDIS with you. You sound like you're going to need it."

"No, I'll be alright." She gave him a smile, "I have everything already planned out. Like I said, I want you to be safe and the TARDIS is safe."

"You're too good to me." He said, though it was the same reason he didn't tell her the real location of his trip; he needed her to be safe. She hummed, tucking her head beneath his chin and drifting off.

-x-

Terra crawled into bed with her parents in the morning, something she'd been doing since she'd started school last month. River stirred when Terra wiggled into bed. She rubbed the girl's back slightly, letting her curl up between her and the Doctor.

It was not long before the alarm was to go off. The Doctor had set one so he could do a bit of packing. The kids didn't know he was leaving yet.

Only an hour or so after, River woke, having slept through his watched him from then bed.

He glanced up, noting that she was awake. "Morning."

"Morning." She breathed.

Though it wasn't necessary, he kept his voice down for his sleeping daughter. "Something bothering you?"

She shook her head, "No, I'm alright. Are you packed?"

Terra snuggled closer to her mother.

"Yes, I think so." He nodded. His bag was small since the TARDIS would be able to provide most necessities.

She nodded, glancing down at the sleeping girl, "Do you think we should be worried that she keeps doing this?"

"Maybe. I think she's just not used to being away from us for so long everyday." He murmured. "She's still adjusting."

"I suppose you're right." She stroked back Terra's hair. "She's going to be the most upset that you're leaving."

He sighed and nodded in agreement. "I feel rather guilty about it. She hates it whenever you leave, too."

"I know." Her expression only grew more worried as she watched her daughter, "I hope she'll grow out of it."

He shared sympathy. "How about some breakfast, hmm?"

"Already?" She murmured, knowing that after breakfast, he would leave.

"I want to be able to eat all together." He nodded. "I can make something... pancakes?"

"Of course. Would you like help?"

"Sure." He paused. "Maybe Terra can help, too."

"I don't think she's quite awake yet."

"Why don't you stay with her until she wakes, then come help?" He suggested.

She nodded slowly, "Sure." She wanted to spend as much time as possible with her husband, but being a mum came before her own wants.

He moved over to her and kissed her temple. She gave him a weak smile, "Don't burn yourself."

He chuckled. "I won't." He moved to kiss Terra's head as well. "I'll see you in a moment."

About twenty minutes later, Terra began to wake. She stretched and opened her eyes, frowning quickly when she noticed her father was absent. "[Where's Daddy?]"

"[He's making pancakes.]" River signed back.

Terra looked excited at this. "[I want to help!]"

She smiled, "[Let's go downstairs then]"

Terra wiggled out of the bed, running ahead of her mother. River rose much slower than her, descending the stairs and going to the kitchen.

Terra was already buzzing about her father's legs, getting ingredients that he asked for. The Doctor was smiling, mixing things in a bowl. River stood in the doorway, watching the scene before her.

"Rivah!" Her husband smiled brighter when he spotted her. "Did you want to help?"

She shook her head, "I think I'll just watch if you don't mind."

"I don't." He grinned, Terra giving him another egg for the batter.

"[Can I break the next one?]" She asked.

"[Of course.]" He nodded and lifted her up onto the counter. She held the egg in her hand, whacking it against the bowl, a good effort for someone who had never cracked an egg before. The Doctor removed the bits of egg shell that made it into the mix. "[Wonderful job.]"

Terra beamed proudly. "[We should make brownies next!]" She suggested, wanting another opportunity to test out her new skill.

"[Not for breakfast, sweetheart. Maybe tonight you and Mummy can make some for dessert.]" He suggested.

"[Will you help too?]" She asked.

He glanced at River, taking a breath. "[I'm sorry, lovie, but I'll be gone tonight. I'm going on a trip.]"

Her face fell, and she blinked up at him, not saying anything for a moment, "[Do you have to go?]"

"[I'm afraid so, but I promise I'll be home for dinner on Monday.]"

She whimpered, eyes tearing up, "[No! Stay!]"

His hearts tightened at her sadness and he pulled her into a hug, humming so she might be comforted by the vibrations. She wrapped her arms around his neck, crying quietly into his shoulder.

River walked over, her own face solemn listening to her daughter's cries. "River," He looked up at her, "What do I say to her?"

"Just do what you're doing." She whispered, "She'll calm down."

He smiled weakly. "Maybe you should start the pancakes."

She nodded, taking over the task.

Terra continued to cry in her father's arms. Her siblings soon came downstairs at the noise she was making. By that time, the Doctor had brought Terra to the couch to sit.

"Why is Terra upset?" Freya asked, going to sit in the chair near them as Arthur climbed up to sit next to his sister.

"Because I'm going to be away this weekend." The Doctor replied.

"Why?" Amelia frowned.

"I'm needed with the Sisterhood of Karn. Have I ever told you about them?"

All the children shook their heads, "What is the Sisterhood of Karn?" Arthur asked.

"Well, it's a female society of people who... are not unlike my own." He signed along as he spoke for Terra's understanding. "They live near where my home planet used to be and some of them are actually from there. They helped me before when I needed it." He didn't exactly want to mention the Time War, but the Sisterhood had played a large role. "They keep me in line now and then."

"Does mummy have to go to?" Arthur ask.

"When was the last time you saw them?" Freya piped in.

"No, Mummy doesn't have to go. And... well a very long time ago." He answered both.

"Are you going to tell them about us?" Amelia asked.

"Yes, I think I will." He nodded, though he probably wouldn't, even if he was actually seeing them.

River cleared her throat from the doorway, "Breakfast is ready."

He offered a smile to his children. "Let's eat shall we?"

They nodded, hopping up and running to take their seats at the table. River hung back, "Are you really going to tell them about the children?"

"Er, no. Probably not. They may be good at secret keeping, but really I best not."

She nodded, "I would rather you keep them a secret."

"Not a problem." He took her hand. She squeezed his hand, going to eat breakfast with the rest of their family.

The food seemed to cheer the children up considerably, or at the very least distract them. It cheered the Doctor up a little bit, too.

As the meal came to a close, River got up to wash the dishes, telling the kids they'd have to get ready for the day soon. The Doctor helped River with the dishes, glancing at the clock. "...I ought to leave soon."

She nodded slowly, "You need to say goodbye to the kids."

He nodded, "I'll wait for them to come back downstairs."

"I'll go fetch them." She murmured.

"Alright." He whispered.

She went up the stairs, gathering the children so they could say goodbye. They gave him big hugs as he reminded them it would only be a few days.

Terra clung to his legs, whimpering. He took pity and lifted her up. "[The sooner I go the sooner I can come back, my little star. And I promise to stop by the sweets store and get you something on my way back.]"

She nodded, hugging him as tightly as she could. He returned the gesture then put her down and moved to give River her goodbye.

She smiled weakly, leaning in to kiss him. He relished her touch. "I'll be home soon. Cross my hearts."

She nodded, hugging him tightly, "Stay safe."

"Of course." He reluctantly let go. "I love you."

"I love you too." She kissed his cheek before finally letting him go.

Terra had attached herself to her mother's leg instead, waving from there as the Doctor headed into the TARDIS and dematerialized from the house.

The Doctor let the ship float in the vortex for a moment, his shoulders heavy. It felt reprehensible to have River worry about him like that. She knew that anything that had to do with Karn was dangerous. Where he was going was even more so. She probably would've insisted on coming with him for safety if he'd told her where he was actually going: Gallifrey.

It had been a happy accident to finally discover it's location yesterday, but he knew that it posed a threat. Having River or the kids with him for this wouldn't be safe for them and he couldn't but them in at any risk. He wouldn't. But as it were, he did need to make sure his kind wouldn't go about repeating history.

River lifted up her whimpering daughter as they watched the TARDIS disappear, humming to calm her. "Come on now it's time to get ready for your football matches." She shooed the children upstairs after a few minutes, "[Daddy will be back before you know it.]"

"[But what if he isn't back? He never goes away!]" Terra fretted. It was usually River who took care of any matters that required being away. "[He never talked about K-A-R-N before.]"

"[He'll come back. It's just a quick trip, I promise.]" She soothed.

"[Is it dangerous?]"

"[No, I'm sure he'll be just fine.]"

She lied, "[How about we go get ice cream after all the football matches?]"

Terra hesitated for a moment then nodded, deciding she believed what her mother said. River carried the girl up the stairs, going to help her get dressed.