Okay my wonderful readers, here is the next chapter. I feel that the last one I posted really wasn't quite up to par, so I apologize for it and hope this one will make up for it.

I am giving a warning now that there are just a few innuendos in this chapter that you should be aware of, but really nothing severe, which is why I haven't changed the rating. If you think I need to up the rating let me know in a review. I do love reviews! Even if you don't think the rating should be changed leave me a review anyway because I adore them and they make my day, also the more reviews I get the faster I update the chapters!

Oh! And guess what! I have finally figured out the villains of the story...and let me tell you...it's absolutely brilliant and genius and trust me you won't be disappointed. You get just a hint of what is to come at the end of this chapter. Ooooh it will be great, so hang in there my dear readers

Happy reading.

Oh and I don't own Doctor Who.


"You know, Doctor, this bandage is really uncomfortable, couldn't I just take it off now?" asked River in her most persuasive tone as she itched around the edges of the bandage taped to her chest. The Doctor, who had been about to get her a bowl of broth, hopped back to her side and grabbed her hands quickly to stop her.

"No, you can't," he replied firmly placing her hands at her sides, but not before putting a quick kiss on each. "Now, don't move. I'll be right back with something for you to eat." He gave her a smile then scurried away out the door to the kitchen of the Tardis, which he had recently just added on specifically to take care of his injured wife. Since she was not allowed to leave the bed for the week he couldn't take her to exotic planets for each meal, so a kitchen had been his only option.

River did as she was told and stayed in bed, but she did not look happy about it. Her arms were crossed and she looked around for something to keep her entertained. She had been released from the hospital after two days and had now been on the Tardis for three. At a total of five days sitting propped up on pillows doing nothing River was about to burst. She was not used to this and decided she was not in the least fond of it either.

She was very glad when the Doctor came tripping into the room with a tray in his hands, but her face fell when it was a bowl of broth and a plate of jammie dodgers. She sighed and sunk back into the pillows looking very much like a pouting child. The Doctor's face fell as he saw his outgoing and bold wife looking very much like a child who had just gotten sent to their room.

"I brought you some lunch," he offered, hoping it would cheer her, but she just looked at him and raised an eyebrow. She knew he was trying, but she couldn't handle being cooped up. He was just setting the tray of food down on the bedside table when River threw the blankets off her legs and moved to get up.

"No, no, no!" protested the Doctor trying to set down the soup to stop her, but his lanky limbs managed to spill it all over his shirt instead. He did an odd dance as he waved his hands in the air trying to cool down the hot liquid now burning his skin.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" he whined. River chuckled to herself as she gracefully got to her feet and walked around to the side of the bed where he was now trying to clumsily remove his jacket. He wasn't paying attention to her any longer, so he didn't see her come around behind him and slip the tweed off his shoulders. He jumped and gave a squeak at the light touch of her fingers and she laughed outright this time.

"A little jumpy, Sweetie?" she inquired smoothly as she reached up to untie the infernal bowtie. He gulped before answering, and River knew his face had to be beet read.

"Considering the recent circumstances I feel that being jumpy is a completely acceptable response to someone creeping up behind you and trying to steal your clothes," answered the Doctor quickly, stumbling over his words because he had been talking a bit too fast. The problem was he had a very large distraction pressing up against his back and she just happened to be his wife and she just happened to be unbuttoning his shirt.

"Oh, you think so, do you?" she asked in a whisper that brushed against and tickled his ear. He swatted at her, trying to get her away so he could focus.

"Why, yes, in fact, I do," he answered defiantly. Before he could say anymore River spun him around and planted a firm kiss on his lips as she slid the shirt over his shoulders. He reached up to put his hands on her shoulders and leaned into their kiss, but before he could River pulled away and laughed making him look very confused.

"You were having trouble getting those off; didn't want you to burn yourself," she informed him gesturing to his shirt and jacket on the floor. She then leaned in very close to his face with her nose touching his and murmured, "Now go put a shirt on." With that she pranced away out of reach and disappeared into the bathroom where she had been meaning to go all along.

"Melody Pond, you tease!" griped the Doctor as he scooped up his bowtie and jacket before heading for the closet where he had a few spare shirts hanging. The only response he got from behind the locked door of the bathroom was another playful laugh. When River returned the Doctor was fully dressed once more and in the process of tying his bowtie. She perched herself on the edge of the bed and watched him until he was finished.

"It's been three days, Doctor," she informed him as she began to itch at the bandage once more.

"Yes, it has, and you seem to have all your former spirit back already," he answered with a stern look at her. She stopped scratching and let her hand fall back into her lap.

"We promised Mum and Dad we'd check in after three days, so they could make sure you were looking after me properly." With that sentence River winked at him and he launched into a long-winded speech.

"I'm an excellent care-taker; very brilliant at it. I've taken care of loads of sick people. You could call me the Healer of the Sick—no, no don't do that. Nevermind. Scratch that. But still, look at you, you're healing up quite properly. I think I'm doing a fantastic…."

He was hushed by River's finger being placed over his lips.

"You are very brilliant, Doctor, but you know Mum will want proof." She moved to walk out of the door of the bedroom, but the Doctor caught her arm, being careful not to grab the one on the injured side of her body.

"I wouldn't suggest you going dressed like that," he replied, his voice a bit higher pitched than normal. River saw a perfect opportunity to tease and grabbed on with both hands.

"Oh? This isn't—appropriate for the folks?" she inquired, looking at him seductively as she swayed back and forth before him in the silk nightie she was wearing, which revealed quite a bit more of River than would be decent for public society. She had ditched the hospital gown as soon as she had reached the Tardis and traded it for a silky slip of lacey fabric which she argued was much more comfortable. However, the Doctor decided she wore it just to taunt him because she knew no—shenanigans could happen while she was injured. He slapped a hand over his eyes as he answered.

"River Song, you stop that right now and put on some proper clothes for heaven's sake," pleaded the Doctor.

"I can't," she replied cheekily as she stepped forward and removed his hand from his eyes.

"And why not?" he demanded in return as he kept his eyes on the ceiling and not on his scantily clad wife.

"I can't lift my arm. You have to help me," she answered slyly, and he rolled his eyes at her then quickly looked around for an escape.

"Ah ha! Here we go. This will do. Turn around, dear," he instructed as he noticed a soft dove grey robe flung over the back of a chair. It would have to do.

"Doctor," replied River with her eyebrows raised.

"Oh stop it, and come here," he ordered impatiently.

"Make me," she purred, but obeyed his wishes. As he slipped the robe over her shoulders she tied it and then turned to him.

"Well, Sweetie, shall we?" she asked then looped her arm through his. He gave her a bright smile and a nod then together they strode through the Tardis and back to the control room.

"Next stop, Pond's residence!" announced the Doctor happily as he threw up a lever and pushed an array of buttons. On the other side of the console River quickly twisted a knob and typed in something before the Doctor could notice. He leaned around the console and eyed her suspiciously.

"Did you touch something?" he asked.

"No, no, just watching," she replied quickly putting her hands innocently in the air. He squinted his eyes at her for a second then continued to drive, and she continued to correct until the Tardis gave its jerky landing and made the brake noise as usual. River rolled her eyes at the Doctor's glee then together they exited the Tardis.

It was dark out and the moon was high in the sky. River decided it was very late. She knew her parent's would not forgive her and the Doctor quickly for waking them up in the middle of the night, but they would have to get over it. They had landed the Tardis in the back garden only a few yards from the back door. River was already beginning to feel worn out from the walking she had been doing, but she figured she could make it the rest of the way.

"Come on, Doctor," she encouraged as she took a step toward the back door, but the Doctor didn't move. He seemed to be listening intently to something. When she tried to ask what he was doing he shushed her and continued to listen.

"Did you hear that?" he finally asked, turning to River. She opened her mouth to answer, but she stopped when she saw the Doctor's eyes grow wide with fear and his face contort with anger.

"River, please tell me you have your blaster," he murmured as he crept toward her. She looked at him in confusion, but pulled it quickly out of her pocket and took a step toward him.

"Never go anywhere without it, my love," she answered with a cheeky smile.

"Then would you be a dear and get rid of the infernal things standing behind you?" asked the Doctor as he whipped out his sonic, hoping it could be of use. River spun around to find three Silence materializing from the shadows behind her. Her mouth fell open and panic raced through her. She remembered now. How could she have forgotten? Now she understood why she had been so afraid when she found out she was pregnant.

"Doctor?" she made his name a question as she felt him press up against her. They were back to back as they each stood pointing their weapons at the creatures surrounding them.

"Don't take your eyes off of them, River, or you will forget. Kill them," instructed the Doctor calmly.

Doctor. The creatures were only able to say that one word before River's blaster was lighting up the night sky and the sound of the sonic echoed around the garden. They danced around the garden, back to back so that the Silence were never out of their sight. River could feel the fatigue of her injury and of pregnancy weighing down on her, but she continued to leap and lunge, shooting all the silence with the ferocity of a mother protecting her baby.

The scene was over quickly—much more quickly than either the Doctor or River had expected. It almost seemed as if it had been too easy, but River was not complaining. She stood swaying on her feet as the sudden exertion took its toll on her. With drooping eyes she let herself sink to the ground where she sat holding her blaster loosely in her hand—just in case.

Nearby the Doctor was standing and slightly panting as he tucked his sonic back into his jacket. He looked around and wondered what had just happened. The Silence were supposed to be dead. They weren't supposed to exist anymore. He couldn't understand. He turned to see River sitting on the ground looking very exhausted. He moved to her, but froze when light flooded into the yard.

"Oi! What's going on out here?" a familiar Scottish voice filled the night air and both River and the Doctor looked up to see Amy standing in the doorway of the house dressed in her nightie and looking very cross.

"Uh—it's complicated?" offered the Doctor looking a bit nervous about the glare on Amy's face.