Ch 10
River was a bit nervous heading back, not knowing what to expect from this experience. She'd never been a ghost before, let alone been put back into a body.
"Jack?" The Doctor called upon entering an empty console room.
"Out here!" He responded from the Hub.
They followed his voice out the door, River squeezing the Doctor's hand. Jack was down in the autopsy bay, having already taken the liberty of moving River's new body to the table. The girls were back and waiting with Vastra and Ianto near the couch.
"So, how do we do this?" River asked, staring at the body before them.
"With lots of patients and cooperation." The Doctor murmured. "I need you to lie on the table."
She nodded, laying down as instructed. She overlapped the new body almost perfectly.
"Now, Jack's got your physical self wired up. He's going to be kickstarting your brain while I... install you."
Jack went to the computers and the Doctor went next to her, placing his fingers on the temple of her body and her data ghost. River closed her eyes, bracing herself for the process to start.
The Doctor nodded to Jack, who started up a programme. "You're going to feel a mental pull, don't fight it. It's only Jack."
"Alright." She whispered, starting to feel the pull after a moment and giving in to the sensation.
"That's it, love. Just keep your mind nice and open. Relax." His tone was soothing. "The pull might vary in intensity as Jack works, but just focus on me, alright?"
"Okay." She murmured, trying to relax as much as possible. Jack gave a thumbs up to confirm he was properly connected and ready.
"Alright, now try focusing on your big toe through the pull you're feeling." She focused on her big toe as she was told. "See if you can find the part your brain that will allow you to move it."
She concentrated hard, trying to move the toe. He murmured encouragements, watching her toe for movement. It twitched after a full two minutes.
"Good work, River." She was exhausted after the one simple movement, unable to respond. "Take a rest now." He murmured, feeling her exhaustion, "Then try all the toes on that foot."
She took several minutes rest before trying again, focusing all of her mind on moving the toes on both feet. This took even more time, feeling closer to ten minutes before her toes scrunched up. She could feel her energy draining as she exerted more effort.
"Your toes moved, River. Take a rest." He urged, knowing that this was going to be a long and exhausting night.
She tried to relax again, frustrated that she was exhausted and all she had done was move her toes. He stroked her hair back and he instructed her to move onto her ankles.
They went with this process for hours and hours, him telling her where to focus and how to move.
The girls were given dinner by Ianto who'd taken to telling them stories and entertaining them. Their bedtime rolled around, so they came down to River to say goodnight, who was only up to abdominal muscles at that point. River said goodnight, trying to not look so tired.
"Will you be done in the morning? Will you be back?" Amelia asked.
"I don't know, love." She breathed, "I hope so."
The girl nodded and kissed her cheek. Freya did the same. "We love you, 'kay?"
"I love you too, my loves." She smiled weakly, "Take care of your brother for me." They nodded, Freya still seeming a bit reluctant about it but less so than before. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Night night." Amelia waved as Vastra ushered the twins off.
"I'll make sure your children are seen to bed." Vastra told River and the Doctor.
"Thank you." River murmured, giving Vastra the best smile she could manage.
"Ready?" The Doctor asked.
"Yes, ready."
They moved on to lungs and spent a full hour trying to get her body to inhale just once, which then required the same amount of time to rest. The night dragged on in similar fashion as they tuned her motor skills in her hands, arms, and face.
The sun was coming up by the time they'd covered everything, and even then, they still weren't done.
"You've done so wonderfully, River. We're at the home stretch."
"What else do we have to do?" She asked, exhausted.
"We need to permanently lock you into your brain. Right now you can control your body with effort that will be easier with time, but you're only connected through what Jack and I are doing." He explained.
"So how do you lock it in?" She whispered, not liking this whole process.
"Well... in a tug-of-war sort of way. The pull you feel from Jack is going to increase and I'll mentally push from the other side through our connection." He said, though sounded more like he was sugar coating it. "Only, your body will be resistant to the change... so it might- it'll probably hurt."
"Everything seems to hurt." She grumbled.
"I know, and I really am sorry. But it's almost over love." He offered a smile. "You're almost back."
She fell silent, just wanting to get it over with. He waited a moment, then nodded to Jack, who increased the intensity of the pull. River tried not to show the pain that it caused, and focused on letting the pull take her. The Doctor eased into his push against her consciousness. She let out a whine of pain as the feelings grew more intense.
"Almost there, almost there..." He muttered, wincing at her pain. She didn't answer, not having the strength.
The minutes dragged out in high tension until he felt her click into place. "Jack, stop now!"
Jack stopped the system as fast as he could. The Doctor withdrew his mind from River's, cupping her face. "River? River, love, can you hear me?"
Her eyes slowly opened, and she looked up at him, as if trying to process what he had just said.
He let out a breath of relief. "Take a breath. Go on, just like we practiced." She took a shaking breath, unable to do much else. "It worked." He whispered, pressing his forehead to hers. "Thank Rassilon it worked."
Moments later, she was passed out, completely exhausted from the ordeal.
"I think we should put her on a breathing mask for a few days." Jack suggested, "It can help her adapt."
The Doctor nodded, scooping her up in his arms. "Let's move her to the medbay." Jack shut down the Hub equipment. The Doctor moved back into the TARDIS, knowing the other man would follow.
The sickbay was already set up when he arrived and he set River on the bed. The TARDIS had made the sickbay more homey for River, the bed having her favorite blanket laid across it and her picture box on the table beside it. He fetched an oxygen mask for her, carefully securing it over her mouth then sitting on the edge of the bed. She looked so peaceful as she slept, hair sprawled out encircling her head.
Jack wandered in some time later, finding the Doctor curled up next to his wife, both asleep. He tucked the blanket over the pair before going off to find a bed for himself.
River slept throughout the night and far into the morning, her body trying to gain as much strength as it could. The girls' little feet were what woke the Doctor in the morning. He squinted his eyes open, finding two little faces peering at him.
Freya whispered, "Is Mummy back yet?"
"Yes, she's back in her body." He whispered back, yawning.
"Can I talk to her?" She asked excitedly.
"I'm afraid she's sleeping right now. It was very tiring getting her back, so she's going to be like that for at least a few days."
Freya pouted, circling to the other side of the bed, wanting to curl up with River. He patted the bed for both girls to climb up. The girls clambered up onto the bed, snuggling against their mother and father.
Arthur began to cry down the hall, making it known that he was now awake. The Doctor finally rolled out of bed. "You two stay here. I'll be back." He went down the hall to the nursery. Arthur's cries grew louder when there wasn't an immediate response. "I'm coming, I'm coming." He quickly made his way in, turning the light on and scooping the baby up. "There's no need to fuss."
He whined, asking for River as usual.
The Doctor smiled softly at the boy. "Looks like you've got a treat today." He started walking back to the medbay. "Mummy's got a physical form again."
He cooed, liking the sound of whatever he had just said. The Doctor murmured to Arthur as he reentered the medbay, making sure to stay quiet. He placed Arthur on River's chest, keeping a hand on the boy's back so he'd stay balanced.
River stirred as the baby was placed on top of her, her eyes fluttering open slowly. "Auh." Arthur wiggled, trying to get his mum's attention.
She looked at him, a small smile spreading across her face, "Hello, my love."
Mummy! Mummymummymummymummy! He made a noise of excitement.
She couldn't understand what he was saying, as the connection they had had not been rebuilt, "Hi." She whispered again.
The girls perked their heads up, beaming. "You're awake!"
"Yes, I'm awake." She laughed softly, turning her attention to them. They tackled her with a hug, mindful of their baby brother. "Oh, gentle girls." River whispered.
"You're back, you're back!" They were too caught up with her not being dead to pay much mind to her words.
"Yes, I am. Please be gentle, my loves." She repeated.
They listened this time and settled themselves. "Back for good though, right?" Amelia asked.
"Yes, back for good." She tried to nod.
"Daddy says you're going to be tired for a long time." Freya said, not happy about that part.
"Yes, I'm sorry my love. I will be, but I'll get better with the more rest I get."
"You said that last time and then you got worse." She fretted.
"This time will be different. I promise." She whispered.
"Pinky promise? Cross your hearts?" The girl didn't seem convinced.
She nodded, "Yes of course."
Freya held up her little finger. "You hafta do the thing."
River tried to link pinkies with her daughter. The Doctor took her hand, helping guide her weary fingers.
Freya frowned. "Why'd he do that?"
"Because I don't have enough energy to do it myself right now, but the more rest I get, the sooner I'll be back to normal."
She nodded in a quiet understanding. "But your birthday is really soon."
"I know, so hopefully I'll be a bit better then."
"But you won't be better by tomorrow." She pointed out.
"No, but I'll be able to move on my own, hopefully."
"What kind of cake is there going to be?" Amelia interrupted.
"What ever kind your father wants. He can choose." River looked towards the Doctor.
"Marble with vanilla frosting." He said decisively, his sweet tooth doing most of the talking.
"Sounds delicious." River murmured, looking back at the baby who was now growing fussy.
Arthur had been trying to talk through the mental connection the whole time, mostly just repeating the word 'Mummy'. Disappointment was all he was getting out of it.
"What's the matter, my sweet?" River whispered, bringing a shaking hand to rest on his back with the Doctor's after some effort. He started mewling, not quite at the point of wailing, but clearly quite unhappy.
"I think he's hungry." The Doctor murmured.
"Can I feed him?" River asked, not knowing if it was still possible.
"Your body hasn't had enough time with Arthur to trigger your hormones to produce milk." He explained to her. "They will within the next day or two, but for now you're stuck with bottled formula."
She nodded slowly, pressing a kiss to Arthur's head, "I'm sorry, sweetie, I can't help you."
"You can give him the bottle if you're up for it."
"I can help!" Amelia chimed in.
River laughed weakly, happy to see her daughter so enthusiastic to help with her little brother, "I'd love to give him a bottle, and I'd also love the help."
"I'll prepare one." The Doctor offered, going to rummage through the cabinets until the TARDIS give him what he needed.
A few minutes later, he wandered back over to the now properly crying Arthur. "Here we are."
The bed position had been shifted so River was sitting up now, though she needed help re-adjusting the baby in her arms, "I'll start him off and then you can help me hold the bottle, alright Amelia?"
The girl nodded eagerly, Freya just watching indifferently. River held Arthur carefully in her arm, coaxing the bottle into his mouth. He latched greedily, round, wet eyes staring up at her. Amelia took over holding the bottle, feeling how she expected big sisters felt.
River looked over at the Doctor, beaming. "Isn't that lovely..." He murmured and smiled back, remembering the girls' first feeding.
River glanced at Freya, hoping she would get over her initial grievances with her brother. Freya was staring at the baby, though more in a decisive manner than a glare. "Freya, my love, would you like a turn?" River asked gently.
She shook her head. "I'm okay."
"Alright." She didn't want to push her, looking back down at her son.
"You really like him." Freya muttered after a moment.
"Of course I do. I love him just like I love you. He's my baby." She looked back up at her, "Are you unhappy because I love him?"
She shook her head and tucked her knees up to her chest. "I just didn't know if you really meant it 'till now... You don't blame him or nothing."
"Of course I don't blame him. It wasn't his fault."
"Was he the only reason you wanted to come back?" Freya looked up at her mother, eyes glistening.
"No, no he wasn't the only reason. I wanted to come back to be with you too." She whispered. Freya silently nodded then moved to curl up against River's side. "I love you, Freya." She whispered.
The girl turned her head to River, the words returned in a muffled way. River looked at the baby, then up at the Doctor. The Doctor gestured for River to put her arm around their daughter. The girl seemed to just want comfort and that could be given easily through the physical contact. River wrapped her arm around Freya, sighing.
"Well," The Doctor stuck his hands in his pockets. "Since one of us is eating, can I make breakfast for the rest of you?"
The girls nodded, "Yes! Can we have muffins?"
"'Course. What kind?"
"Apple and chocolate chip." Amelia suggested.
"Coming right up. You can stay here, I'll bring them in when they're done." He smiled at his family, then left to the kitchen.
The girls curled up with River, the whole family content to be reunited.
Vastra wandered in some time later. "River, you've got physical form again."
River nodded, "Yes, and it feels good to be back."
Vastra smiled at her friend, practically beaming. "I'm so glad that after all you and your family have been through, your struggle has been rewarded."
She smiled back at her, "Thank you."
"Where's the Doctor, may I ask?"
"He went to go make breakfast for us." She murmured, looking down at the baby for a moment.
Vastra nodded and approached the bed. "Arthur looks delighted."
She laughed softly, "You think so?"
"Certainly more so than the last few days." Vastra reached down and stroked the boy's cheek for a moment before looking at the twins. "And how are you, little ones?'"
"I'm happy Mummy's back." Freya snuggled against River, Amelia nodding in agreement.
"We all are." She murmured. "Well, I just wanted to say goodbye to you all. I'll be heading home when the Doctor finishes cooking."
"Thank you so much for staying with us." River whispered.
"My pleasure. I'm just glad you're all okay now. The Doctor can see to your recovery and I do suppose you have a lot of... catching up to do with your family. You know where to find if you need me. Or to visit, of course. Tea is always at half past four." She added.
"I don't know what we would have done without you." River held out her arms to give her a hug before she left, "I'll see you soon."
"Bye-bye Auntie Vastra!" The girls chimed, waving to her.
Vastra waved as she headed out of the room, back to her home.
"Did Auntie Vastra know what was going to happen to you?" Freya asked after a few minutes of content silence.
River nodded slowly, "She did, but I made her promise not to tell anyone."
"Does that mean Uncle Jack knew too? And Clara?"
"Yes." She murmured, "You can't be cross with them for not telling you, I made them promise not to. So if you're going to be upset, be upset with me."
"Why did you tell us?" Freya asked quietly, Amelia looking up curiously as well.
"Because I didn't want you to be sad for all that time. I wanted to be able to make happy memories with you, without you both constantly thinking about what was going to happen."
"...I was pretty happy." Freya acknowledged, thinking about the amazing moments that had happened in the past many months. Getting the apartment, her birthday, and countless other things.
River smiled softly, "Good, I'm glad."
"And... I think I can be happy now too." She added, looking up at River.
River's smile grew wider, "I'm even happier to hear that."
The Doctor came in with the muffins just then, the smell wafting over to the girls and River.
"Those smell wonderful."
"Are you up for one?" He asked River. It was still pretty early for her digestive system to be properly running, but her body came with an empty stomach anyways.
She shook her head, "I don't think I'll be able to eat it."
He nodded, and handed each of his daughters a muffin. "Well, it might take a little while."
"I'm happy to just keep holding Arthur." She smiled.
He settled next to his wife and wrapped his arms around her and his son. Amelia moved next to Freya, munching contently. River rested her head against the Doctor's shoulder, looking down at the baby, letting the boy chew on her finger.
"You know, I think everything's going to alright." The Doctor murmured, and he really meant it now.
She nodded in agreement, "I think so too."
[A/N: I realize I could've just ended part one (never alone for very long) at this point and called the fic concluded, but if I left a cliff hanger, then more of you were likely to bother to read part two. I still have so many more chapters planned that I'm so excited to share so huge a thanks to those of you have stuck with me, hugs to all of you (unless you prefer an appreciative handshake you can have that instead). My point is: if you are feeling that this is ridiculously long and want to jump ship, this would be the point to do it. Thanks for reading it anyways. It will get ridiculously longer since I'm still going to wrap up all that jazz with Missy and have these characters face a whole different kind of challenge, so thank you everyone who sticks with it, too. You're all wonderful!]