Note: I do not own any of these characters….except Ardesind. But he's only here a bit. R&R! I'm just having some fun trying my had at FanFic!
Thank you all for your comments and messages. And I apologize for waiting until this evening to post. It was my intention to get these next three chapters up this morning but I found out my friend was in hospital and nearly died in surgery after she had her baby so, needless to say, it wasn't the most pressing thing on my mind. WOW. That was a little depressing. Right. On a (hopefully) happier note for you all, I have decided to devote my entire day tomorrow to a writing marathon and plan to have most of this week's chapters finished. Therefore, you can plan on a New Years gift from me...at least 5 chapters up before the end of my day tomorrow! (Yay! *applause*) This is going the direction I need it too, but you're going to have to go through a bit of fluff before I can move on properly...please be patient! Enjoy!
River sat at the counter thinking about what she had just experienced. It must be important, but what did it mean? And what did she mean about using her Timelord half? And back to the lake?
Pain began surging through her. Terrible pain. She doubled over and gasped. What's wrong? Nothing's wrong. Why is there pain? Oh gracious... Shecould barely take the pain. She wanted to give in and pass out or something, anything, to make it stop. The pain began to slowly die down and she began to become coherent. Then, all at once, it was over. She felt perfectly normal again.
The time had passed quickly and she realized her parents and the Doctor would be back in soon. She loaded the dishes and then wandered into the library, still thinking.
She sat on the couch and brought her knees up to her chin. Thinking through the events of the day. Kovarian was finally gone for good. The Silence wasn't after her baby or the Doctor anymore. Her parents knew about the baby and were thrilled. Then there was her future self. She had to figure out the prophesy. And then she had to go rescue the Doctor from the death she had inflicted upon him.
Why me? River thought.
Then she realized.
It's because I killed him. I'm the guilty one. The pain of the universe is my fault.
She began to feel pain again and leaned forward, arms crossed over her stomach. It steadily increased and she began to worry a little, still not having any idea what was going on.
She heard laughing and chatter in the corridor. In strolled her family, happy and unaware of the pain she was in.
Rory noticed. He rushed over to her and put his arm over her shoulders, fatherly. "River? Are you alright?" he said to her softly.
River had her face in her hands. She didn't answer.
"River you can just nod or shake your head."
After a minute, River gathered all her strength and looked at him. "I'm alright."
She was pale and her hands were shaking a little. "Darling, come with me. Lets get you to bed." he said, gently placing her arm around his shoulders and waited for her cue.
The Doctor and Amy were standing back, watching a father care for his daughter but ready to jump into action should something happen. Rory didn't get to play father to River very often but when he did, the universe seemed to stop in awe.
Finally, River thought she could stand. There just was so much pain! She nodded slightly and Rory slowly helped her stand. She whimpered a bit, causing the Doctor and Amy to take a step forward but they stopped as Rory scooped her up into his arms, not wanting his baby girl to have to endure whatever pain she was feeling.
He carried her to her room and set her on the bed, pulling the blanket up over her legs and then sat next to her. "Do you want to talk?" he asked after a minute.
River had her eyes closed but her shaky breathing showed she was wide awake. She opened her eyes and looked at him, gratefully. "Thank you, dad." she said quietly, leaning into him.
Rory smiled and put his arm around her.
"You know, the first time I held you at Demon's Run, I was so proud to be the father of such a precious little daughter." he said, "Even now, every time I see you I feel like I could burst open with pride. Even though we didn't get to raise you, your mother and I love you very much."
He stopped for a minute then said, "In fact, I'm pretty sure if we really had gotten to raise you, I'd be so proud I really would burst!"
River laughed and hugged him tighter. "I love you too." she said.
Then, she decided to talk more, "I really am fine. The baby is fine. It's just...I keep getting these pain waves. See, when you all walked into the library, they were just starting, now they're starting to lessen a bit and they'll be gone in a few minutes. I don't know what it is but I do know it's not anything from before I took off the monitor. That monitor was to check my whole body. It said I was fine. It's a puzzle."
He stood and began pacing slowly. "Right. When the Doctor drops us off again, I'll ask a few of my work friends and see what they think. Meantime, you get some rest. You want some water?"
River sighed. "I suppose I'd better. If you tell mom, please don't let her strangle the Doctor. None of it is his fault. None at all."
He nodded. "Yeah I'll mention it, but maybe when the Doctor isn't around."
She laughed and he left, heading toward to kitchen.