Aquarius Epta Project Mine, Giannes, 2080 A.D.

River could hardly believe her eyes.

Here? On this god forsaken planet, forty light years from his usual stomping grounds. The Doctor was here?

She sighed. It all began to make sense now. Why the vortex manipulator wouldn't take her back to 2047. How Haven made it to Giannes before Aquarius Epta. And of course why the name Turlough sounded so familiar.

She watched the Doctor take measure of her. She couldn't help but feel both annoyed and amused by his obvious disdain for her interference. Such a bloody hypocrite, she thought.

"And you must be the infamous River Song." he guessed in an infuriatingly snarky tone.

It was his fifth incarnation, the blonde with the silly striped trousers. He was wearing a winter coat and was without his hat but she'd know the Doctors' faces anywhere.

She cleared her throat and tried to rein in her emotions. "I am." she replied politely. "And you are...?"

"I'm the Doctor." he told her. "And I have the situation well in hand. I'm not sure that your further involvement is strictly necessary."

River couldn't believe his nerve. She actually laughed out loud. "I'm sorry?" She shook her head in disbelief. "Did I just hear you say that you have the situation well in hand?" She gestured toward the inside of the mine. "If I hadn't come along, that android would have killed the girls and your companion. What exactly do you believe you have well in hand?" She put her hands on her hips.

The Doctor was becoming angry. "There's no evidence to suggest that the android was trying to kill anybody. I was hit by a burst of energy from the gun and I don't seem to be injured at all."

"Believe me, those things are killers." River assured him, starting to raise her voice. "I've seen them in action. I'm fairly certain those guns they carry are molecular dispersal weapons. You should be thanking me."

Instead of replying, he looked over at Turlough and the Barber sisters who were all clearly entertained by the heated discussion. "Let's head back to the TARDIS to get warm." he commanded irritably before turning on his heel and stomping off in that direction.

"Seriously?" River uttered incredulously. "You're just going to walk away?"

The Doctor was already quite a distance away with Turlough and Cadence running to catch up. Haven was hovering uncertainly to see what she would do next.

River made an onward gesture. "I suppose we're headed to the TARDIS." she told Haven, shaking her head. Of all the childish, ridiculous behavior. The man couldn't even finish a conversation without...

"Do you know what a TARDIS is then?" Haven suddenly asked her curiously. "Because you sort of sound like you might."

River glanced over at the clever young woman walking beside her and smiled. "Haven, it's quite possible that I know more about the TARDIS than the Doctor himself does." She held a finger to her lips slyly in a shush gesture. "But let's just keep it between us girls. It's best he doesn't know for now."

Haven grinned and nodded her agreement.

When they reached the TARDIS, Turlough was holding the door, waiting for Haven. Interesting. Going on stories she'd heard from the Doctor, River never would have taken Turlough for the chivalrous type.

When River tried to enter the TARDIS, Turlough looked like he was considering stopping her but ultimately just sighed and held the door for her as well.

She looked around at the simple white console room. The TARDIS hummed a greeting at her and she felt instantly at home.

"Where did he go?" she asked Cadence who was hanging her coat on a rack near the doors.

"The Doctor?" Cadence asked. "He said he was headed to the library to do a little research." She was looking at River in a way that wasn't exactly hostile, but certainly not as friendly and trusting as her sister had been.

Cadence was a few inches taller than her sister with blonde hair cut into a flattering pixie style haircut. Her big blue eyes were shrewd. She was every bit the protective big sister. River decided if she was going to keep her promise to Leola, she was going to need to earn her trust. She stepped forward and offered a hand. "We haven't properly met yet. I'm River Song."

Cadence stepped toward her slowly, studying her. She took the offered hand and shook. "Where did you get that device that belonged to my mother?" she asked after a moment of awkward silence.

River blinked. "You get right to it, don't you." She sighed. "I'm afraid I can't tell you everything, but suffice to say, I'm a time traveler like the Doctor is. I came to this planet nearly a thousand years in the future. I found the remains of Aquarius Epta and found your mother's digital chronicle on board."

Cadence looked part confused and part skeptical. "Well that seems an awfully big coincidence, don't you think? We encounter two different time travelers wanting to help us."

"Cadence. Please listen to me." River told her urgently. "Because I need you to trust me. I do want to help you." she sighed. "I listened to most of your mother's journal while I was trying to get off this planet. And her story made me...angry. I decided I would do whatever I could to get the two of you out of there." She raised her eyebrows and shook her head. "I had no idea the Doctor would get to you first."

The blonde woman's expression had softened slightly. "So because you felt bad for my mom, you decided to come find her kids and help them."

River shrugged. "Something like that."

Haven had walked up to join the conversation. "River, would you like to get cleaned up or have some tea or anything? Turlough told me to ask." She was addressing River but seemed to be studying her sister to see how the conversation was going.

River decided to leave the two of them to talk it out. She smiled. "That would be just lovely. But first, I'm going to go have a word with the Doctor in the library. I think it's time we shared our experiences."

The Library, The TARDIS

The Doctor sat at the wooden table leafing through a book on Molecular Mechanics. He finally found the chapter he was looking for.

"Molecular Dispersal." he read out loud, squinting at the pages curiously. The Doctor doubted it was a coincidence that Giannesite was said to have molecular dispersal properties and now this River person was claiming the android's weapons had those same abilities. It would actually all make logical sense if it weren't for the fact that he hadn't been the least bit affected by the weapon's blast.

He turned a few more pages, still not seeing the information he'd been looking for

"A little light reading?" River's voice nearly made him jump out of his skin.

He looked up in irritation. How had she found her way back here? "I imagine you have a perfectly good reason for interrupting me." he said testily.

"I always have good reasons for what I do." she informed him, having a seat at the table across from him. "I think it's time we discuss what's going on here. Exchange information." She sat back, arms crossed, watching him, perfectly confident in herself.

"Excellent idea" the Doctor agreed, crossing his arms, unconsciously mirroring her relaxed pose. "I suggest you start. What exactly are you playing at?"

"What makes you so certain I'm playing at anything?" she wondered. She didn't sound defensive... or even offended. Instead, she seemed merely amused.

"Why did you give that recording device to Haven?" he insisted. "What was the purpose?"

River nodded as if he'd asked a question that met her approval. "I wanted her and her sister to know that things were wrong on that ship. And I knew they wouldn't take the word of some stranger."

The Doctor silently agreed that what she said made perfect sense but he didn't let on. Instead he continued to question her. "How did you come by that device? And how do you know about those android creatures?"

River sighed. "I came to Giannes on a mission with a crew of four in the year 3019. We came across the androids not long after landing." Her expression darkened. "Two of them wiped out my entire crew. I was the only survivor and I was alone on the planet aside from the androids. After I escaped, I found the Aquarius Epta ship with Leola's device on board. Shortly after, I encountered the mine compound. I drew conclusions from both Leola's story and my findings. That was how I decided to go back and try to help the Barber sisters."

The Doctor was somewhat speechless. This woman had clearly been through quite a lot. He was surprised she was holding up so well. He raised his eyebrows and cleared his throat, feeling suddenly guilty for how hard he'd been on her. "I'm sorry that's happened to you. How long were you on Giannes by yourself?"

River seemed surprised at his change in tone. She studied him speculatively before answering. "A couple days I should think." she answered at last. "I was stranded until I could get my vortex manipulator working."

Ah, the Doctor thought. A vortex manipulator. He felt relief wash over him. She couldn't be a Time Lord. No Time Lord would be caught dead traveling in that manner. "Well, in that case, I'm glad that you made it out alive. It sounds like you were very lucky... to be the only survivor."

River regarded him playfully, not looking the least bit upset or traumatized by recent events. "Tell me Doctor. Why do you suppose I survived?"

He was thrown by the sudden shift in the conversation and by the flirtatious way in which she spoke to him. It was like she knew something that he didn't. And if there was one type of person the Doctor didn't trust, it was the type of person with secrets. His jaw tightened, suddenly feeling less sorry for her. "Because you ran faster than the others? Because the androids missed?" He didn't take his eyes off her while he spoke. What was she playing at?

She leaned forward, her hands folded on the table, the amused glint still in her eye. "What if I told you I'm not such a fast runner? What if I told you that they didn't miss?"

The Doctor's eyes narrowed. "You're saying you were hit by the beam from that weapon as well?"

River shrugged. "Five or six times that I can recall for certain. I watched those things disintegrate three of my friends right before my eyes. And yet the weapon didn't leave a mark on me. Just as it didn't on you. Why do you suppose that might be Doctor?"

The Doctor thought back to the beam of energy passing through his body. It had stunned him momentarily but it really hadn't even hurt. Now River was saying that despite the fact she'd seen that same weapon kill others, it had no effect on her either. "This makes no sense." he mumbled, shaking his head.

"And you haven't found anything worthwhile in that chapter on Molecular Dispersal?" River asked cheekily.

"Well I haven't really..." the Doctor froze, his hearts nearly seized in his chest when he realized the implications of what she'd just said. He stood so fast that he actually knocked his chair over. "You can read Gallifreyan." he accused as if she'd committed a crime. "River, tell me who exactly are you?"

She sighed, looking as if he was ruining her fun. "I can't exactly tell you that." she informed him. "Spoilers." She shrugged regretfully.

He felt adrenaline flood his system as his mind went back to the error message on the TARDIS computer when he'd done his search on River Song. Spoilers the screen had said. The very word that had sparked that eerie sensation of premonition in him.

The Doctor began to pace the library, trying to shake the feeling that he was in way over his head with this person. After a moment, he stopped in front of her. "I take that to mean you know one of my future selves. That our paths will cross somewhere down the line."

River grinned. "Can't get anything past you." She chewed at her full bottom lip, her green eyes sparkling.

"So... you're a Time Lord then?" he demanded.

She wobbled her hand in the air. "Sort of. It's a bit difficult to explain. Suffice to say, I'm part human and part Time Lord."

The Doctor sat back heavily in his chair. He decided he wasn't going to play her game. She clearly enjoyed holding all the cards and he wouldn't give her the satisfaction. She could just stay a mystery as far as he was concerned. He sighed. "Just tell me what you're driving at then." he urged. "Are you suggesting that the android's weapon didn't work on us because of our... similar physiology?"

River raised her eyebrows. "It stands to reason."

The Doctor studied her for a moment longer, finally feeling he had the upper hand in the conversation.

"Only it doesn't." he told her. Then sat back and smugly watched her wonder for a bit.

Her eyes narrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?" she demanded, almost losing her cool.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Your theory doesn't hold water. There must be another explanation."

She blinked rapidly, and repositioned herself in her seat, obviously annoyed. "You seem very sure of yourself. It's an awfully big coincidence, don't you think?"

The Doctor rubbed at his chin thoughtfully. "There's only one problem."

Now River completely lost her cool. "Oh would you just say it already!"

The Doctor grinned. "Time Lords are quite susceptible to molecular dispersal. It's used on Gallifrey as a form of execution all the time. There's no reason at all that a weapon with molecular dispersal properties shouldn't work on a Time Lord." He sat back, arms crossed, watching her, perfectly confident in himself.

Tegan's Bedroom, The TARDIS

"River said she listened to most of mum's recordings." Cadence told her quietly. "It's like...maybe she feels she knows her from hearing her story and now feels she needs to protect us." She shrugged, her expression troubled.

Haven took her sister's hand. They had gone back into their bedroom and were sitting on the bed together. "What is it? Do you really not trust her?" Haven prompted.

Cadence sighed, a sad smile coming to her face. "It's just that... I'm not sure which is scarier. Being certain that all people are liars and only out for themselves. Or starting to believe that there is actually good in people."

Haven chuckled and pulled her sister in for a fierce hug. "I know just what you mean." she said softly against the side of her face. "And I happen to think believing is much scarier."

Cadence pulled back and looked at her sister slyly. "So how scary are you finding your budding romance with Turlough?"

Haven could feel herself blushing and as usual, deflected with sarcasm. "Oh yes. We broke into a highly classified computer together. The next step in our courtship is obviously wedding bells."

Cadence rolled her eyes, unimpressed by her sister's attempt at levity. "Come on now. It's blatantly obvious there's something happening there. Even the Doctor can see it and I get the distinct feeling he knows next to nothing about that sort of thing."

Haven sighed and looked down at her hands. After a moment she looked up and shrugged. "I like him." she said simply. Saying it out loud was something of a revelation. She did like him. She actually liked a man. After all the years of being mistreated and used by every man she encountered and feeling certain she'd never be interested in any guy in that way.

Cadence's sly grin turned into a genuine smile that reached her eyes. "I think that's good." she said. "I really do." After a moment, the slyness returned. "And I'm fairly certain he would agree."

Haven giggled and punched her sister on the leg. "Shut up. You don't know everything."

There was a knock on the door just then.

"Who is it?" the sisters shouted in unison, then cracked up laughing.

The door opened a crack and Turlough peeked in, his face apologetic. "Sorry to bother you. The Doctor is still busy in the library with that River person. I was looking through those files and came across something." He shook his head. "I'm afraid I'm not sure what to make of it. Perhaps one of you could shed some light..."

Cadence all but launched Haven off the bed. "Haven would be happy to be of assistance. I was just going to take a little nap."

Haven stumbled and had to catch herself on the door handle. She turned back and gave her sister a dirty look, mouthing "Stupid cow" at her.

Cadence grinned back at her broadly before stretching and feigning a melodramatic yawn. "Sorry... just so sleepy."

Haven joined Turlough in the corridor, calling her sister more colorful names than 'stupid cow' inside her head.

"Everything okay?" Turlough asked, cutting into her mental diatribe.

"Of course." she answered quickly. "Why shouldn't it be?"

Turlough shrugged and put his hands in his pockets as they walked. "You and your sister in there talking. Is something troubling you?"

Once again, Haven was touched that he seemed to care about her well-being. She wasn't sure it was a concept she would ever get used to- a man being sensitive and kind. She cleared her throat. "We were discussing River Song. Trying to decide if we should trust her."

They'd reached the control room and headed for the computer on the console. "And what have you decided?" Turlough asked with a half smile.

Haven shrugged. "She seems... genuine. Like she really just wants to help us."

Turlough used the touchpad input device to reopen the file he wished to show her. "And what have you decided about me?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the computer screen. The half smile remained on his face.

Haven swallowed, feeling as if a million fireflies had taken flight inside her stomach. Had he heard them talking? "About... you...?" she stammered.

He turned to look at her, squinting to study her closely. "Have you decided if you should trust me?" he wanted to know.

His question took her by surprise. Only because, she was surprised that he didn't already know the answer.

She nodded, keeping her face impassive. "Yes, I've given it a lot of thought."

Turlough blinked. "...and...?"

A grin broke out on her face and she giggled. "Yes of course I do, you git."

It was his turn to look away, but not before she saw how pleased he was by her answer. He pointed to the computer monitor. "It's this set of documents here." He opened the folder. "They appear to be medical records for both the passengers and the crew. They provide medical histories along with lists of any medications prescribed to each individual." He rubbed his chin. "I noticed something strange. There is one particular drug that all the male passengers are taking daily. There's a different drug that all the Coordinators and Guardians are taking daily. And yet another drug listed as 'administer as needed' on all the passengers' records. I didn't recognize any of the three drugs but I found the blanket prescriptions for them questionable."

Haven's eyes narrowed. "What sort of medicine are you talking about. The only thing we were ever given was antibiotics when needed or headache tablets." She tapped the computer's monitor. "Show me."

He navigated through the folder until he found her record and opened it. The first page showed a recent picture of Haven. Her ID picture. All passengers were meant to carry an ID with them at all times.

Turlough scrolled through slowly. There were a lot of abbreviations and symbols that read as gibberish to her.

"How can you even read half of that?" she wondered, feeling bewildered. "It's like another bloody language."

Turlough shrugged. "I've learned a thing or two in the course of traveling with the Doctor. Humans seem to have a universal code for making notations in medical charts."

Haven crossed her arms unhappily. "Well what's it saying about me?" she demanded, hating being left out of the loop.

"It mostly says you're healthy. You had an ear infection when you were seven." He ran his finger down the screen, reading. "A history of epistaxis- er... nosebleeds before receiving cauterization treatment."

Haven nodded impatiently. "Yes yes...I remember all that. What about the drug you mentioned. Tell me what they've been giving me."

Turlough continued to scroll through the documents. "Here!" he exclaimed when he found it, pointing to the words as he read them out loud. "Vergessen 10mg p.r.n; SL noct."

"What the hell does all that mean?" she asked, feeling upset but not surprised that she might have been given something without her knowledge or consent.

Turlough sighed. "All the jargon just means to administer the drug as needed sublingually- meaning under the tongue- in the night."

Haven gave a little harsh laugh, shaking her head. "So they drugged me while I was sleeping. Charming."

"Not just you." Turlough pointed out quickly, closing her file and opening another at random. "Look." He scrolled down and found the very same notation for a man named Louis Cardera. He closed that and opened another, this one Genevieve Soloux. "See. It's everyone."

"And you don't know what that drug is?" she asked.

Turlough cleared his throat. "I've never heard of it before now. But I do happen to know that the word vergessen means 'forget' in German." He was looking her in the eye when he said this. "Do you think it's possible you were made to forget things that happened to you?"

"It would actually explain quite a lot." Haven murmured softly.