A/N: All of you really are the best. I'm so glad that everyone seems to have enjoyed the last chapter, with that extra glimpse into Sherlock & Rose's world, as well as the interactions with the Doctor.
Several of you had asked about River though, and that brings us here... This chapter would have completely stalled out if not for TheWheelWeaves. In fact, much of the River dialogue is really thanks to her. xoxoxo
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Chapter 10
It wasn't long after the Doctor left with Sherlock and John that Rose found herself sitting in the back seat of a taxi with a certain Dr. River Song heading toward St. James Aquatica. While she harboured no ill will toward the woman, she didn't appreciate the feeling of distrust and suspicion that radiated from her.
"What?" Rose asked, somewhat annoyed at being watched like a hawk.
"Who are you?"
"Rose Tyler-Holmes, and you?"
"Dr. River Song, professor of archaeology at Luna University, sometime companion and wife of the Doctor, last of the Time Lords. Now tell me who you actually are."
Rose sighed. "I just did. If you won't listen, I don't care to talk, thank you." Turning back to the window, Rose's mind raced. The Doctor was married. Actually, properly, married. With a wife. And domestics. Biting the inside of her cheek, Rose turned back to River. "I'm Rose, just Rose. No 'Doctor' or 'Ph.D.,' Just Rose Tyler, who married Sherlock Holmes and occasionally saves London or the world, whichever is in danger at the time, in between ballet recitals and football games and pub nights. Now why don't you ask me what you really want to know, Dr. Song."
River looked carefully at the blonde woman, almost appraising her. "Sherlock Holmes? Really? You don't seem the sort to have read the books."
"Maybe not, but I was the sort to appreciate Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law," Rose replied and allowed another uncomfortable silence to settle between the two of them.
"He's never mentioned you, you know," River stated, deciding to skip ahead to the jugular.
Rose shrugged indifferently. "People change," she replied, handing some bills to the driver as they arrived. "He was a different man when he knew me." Before River could reply, she exited the taxi and walked toward the shop that was their destination. If this was the type of person that the Doctor was interested in now, the less time that she spent in their company, the better.
The shop clerk looked up from the counter as the door chimed, announcing a customer. "Good afternoon," he greeted the two women.
"Hello," Rose replied, pasting a warm smile on her own face.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, we're looking-" River began, surprised to be cut-off by Rose.
"Actually, I have a favour to ask," Rose interrupted, adopting a pleading tone. "My brother-in-law was in here yesterday, tall bloke with freckles, yeah?" She paused, encouraged when the clerk nodded. "Well, he returned a fish. I think he thought it was sick or something but the problem is that my son was really attached to it. So, of course, he's been beside himself. I hate to ask, but is there any chance that I could have it back? I'll pay, of course…"
River stared at Rose, her mouth agape at the story the other woman so quickly invented. It wasn't as though she never had to think on her feet - quite the opposite in fact - but this domestic approach seemed to actually be working. She could only watch in frustrated awe as the clerk nodded sympathetically to the fictional account that he had been given before leading Rose to a row of tanks on the other end of the store.
"This should be the one," he said, capturing the fish with a small net and placing it into a plastic bag. "We separated a couple of them out, just in case there was something wrong, but he seems fine."
"She," Rose corrected absently. "This silly fish is like royalty to my little one." Turning to River, she once again forced a smile. "Looks to be the right one, yeah?"
"Yes, I do believe so, sweetie."
"Excellent. £3.50, right?"
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A/N: Typical plea for reviews. I know it was a short one, but make my day?