River slowly open her eyes. Her vision was blurry. She saw The Doctor in front of her his hands still on the sides of her head.

"River? Are you awake?"

The voice of her father slowly filtered through the haze. Rory's voice had an undertone of panic.

"Don't move. Ok?"

"Ok." River's throat was raw. It hurt to talk.

"They are waking up! Amy! Malokeh! Sigma!"

River saw the Doctor eyes slowly blink open.

"Don't move either of you! Please!" Rory said from behind them.

River and the Doctor exchanged a glance. First thing they both noticed was that they were no longer on the balcony. They both had masks on their faces and sensors covering their chests. Both of them were also soaked with sweat. They could both hear the others come running. River saw her mother's face come into view.

"Amy, don't touch them yet." Sigma stated.

Amy pulled her hands back.

"Doctor. Can you understand what I am saying?" Sigma asked quietly.

"Yes. Sigma I can hear and understand you. Why are you asking?"

Sigma could hear the annoyance in the Doctor's voice.

"Please Doctor. Just listen. Are you fully within yourself and out of River?"

"What..." River interjected.

"Yes, Sigma."

"Doctor now you can remove your hands from River." Sigma calmly announced.
The Doctor slowly removed his hands from River's face. He felt worn out. His hands were shaking.

"River? Are you OK?" Amy asked.

"I am healed. The Doctor fixed me." River stopped and looked at everyone."What is the matter? Why are you all looking like you want to kill The Doctor? And why is my throat so raw?" River rubbed her throat for emphasis.

"We were discussing the opening of The Library. Saw you leave. Saw The Doctor leave to find you."Rory started.

"And?" River asked.

"About twenty minutes later we heard you scream and start sobbing. We went looking for you." Amy picked up the story.

"We found you two collapsed on the steps of the balcony. River, you quieted down, but Doctor, you looked like you were going into a panic attack." Malokeh added.

"Sigma tried to meld with either of you."

"I tried to meld to help. Every time I entered I couldn't get in because I would be burned or given wrenching pain." Sigma stated.

"I am so sorry, Sigma. I never meant to hurt you." The Doctor said.

"No Doctor, River. I realized what was going on. River you were mixing. Correct?" Sigma asked.

River looked confused then nodded yes.

"I knew that The Doctor must have felt that and tried to fix it himself." Sigma said.

"Big idiot." Amy growled as she swatted the back of his head.

"Oww! What was that for?"

"You could have been killed or mentally messed up for life! Sigma explained what was happening to us!" Amy yelled.

"Sorry, Doctor." Sigma answered to the look that The Doctor shot him.

"No they needed to know."

"We carried you here and started monitoring you both." Malokeh added.

Amy heard a sniffle behind her.

"Charlotte. It is OK. See they are both awake." Amy quietly said. "You can come over."

River and The Doctor both swung their legs over the sides of the large gurney they were on. Charlotte walked over to River. River could see she had been crying. River opened her arms and Charlotte hugged her around the neck. River just held her and stroked her back.

"I got so scared, River. You both were screaming and crying." Charlotte sobbed.

"We didn't mean to scare anyone. The Doctor fixed me."

"You both kept saying that you hurt and I kept saying you were OK. But you couldn't hear me."

"I am very sorry you had to see that Charlotte. But I am all better now." River said with a smile.

"I would like to check both of you out myself." Sigma said with a bit of force.

"I agree. I need a shower first." The Doctor said.

The Doctor stood up and quickly found himself on the floor. Rory shook his head and bundled The Doctor into his arms. Rory silenced any protests from The Doctor or River with a look. Malokeh followed behind Rory with River in his arms.

"Old girl we have to clean these two up." Rory stated as he walked into the TARDIS.
Both pairs got misted with warm water.

The Doctor, River and the TARDIS were consumed by giggle fits.

"Very funny." Rory said.

"Nice one." Amy laughed.

Amy noticed a glow coming from the corridor down and to the left of the consul.

"Over there Rory." Amy said.

The TARDIS produced bathrooms big enough so The Doctor and River could have some privacy but also be watched by Rory and Amy. Malokeh and Sigma let them be after promises that both The Doctor and River submit to a battery of tests later. Rory stepped out for a moment to let the Doctor have a few minutes. He could hear both of his girls laughing, giggling and generally carrying on. Rory knocked on the door.

"Can you two try and keep it down a bit."

River opened the door. She was wrapped in a towel. Amy had already removed the bandageing from her burns. They were looking much better.

"Daddy dear."

"Yes, daughter of mine." Rory said with a smile.

"No." River smiled and closed the door.

Rory could hear the burst of laughter from Amy and River. Rory cautiously entered the room with the Doctor.

"Doctor?"

"Rory I'm going to need some help."

"That is what I'm here for."

Rory walked in with his eyes closed.

"Rory you can open your eyes. Nurse, right?"

"Right."

"What were those two giggling about?"

"Don't know but it sounds like when they would have sleep overs. The no boys allowed kind."

"OK."

The Doctor and Rory shared a shrug and a smile. Rory walked him to the shower.

"Never do that again." Rory stated.

"Do what?" The Doctor asked as he stepped into the shower.

" Be in distress where I can't help you. This is twice now."

" I will not insult you by saying, sure. Rory it has only been once."

"Twice."

"Rory didn't you see me look at you and Amy."

"When?" Rory sounded confused.

"Back at your house."

"Oh. Yes. You heard me? I thought you were beyond understanding anything."

"Of course I heard you. Family."

The Doctor stuck his head under the stream of water. He didn't believe it. He was starting to choke up again.

"Yes." Rory didn't sound to stable either.

"Rory. I was lost, scared and numb when I showed up. I didn't know what to do or say to the both of you. I really wanted you to use that sword of yours."

Rory let out a choked laugh. "Sorry about the throwing."

"I felt I deserved that. You looked at me and I knew I was safe. I am surprised I didn't crack in the kitchen."

"We were terrified at that point."

"Rory give yourself some credit. I wanted to die and you brought me through it. Did you mean it?"

"Mean what?"

"Family. I have caused all three Ponds so much trouble. How could you ever forgive me?"

Rory hated questions like this. Yes, The Doctor was the cause of a lot of pain. He was also the bringer of so much wonder and joy.

"Doctor, at one point I hated you."

Rory heard a gasp from the shower.

"Don't act surprised."

"I'm not."

Rule one. Rory thought.

"You opened both Amy and I up. To the Universe and to each other. What I have learned and experienced can not be received for nothing."

Rory clearly heard a sob from the shower. He hated making the Doctor cry. Rory needed him to know this.

"Doctor?"

Rory reached into the shower. The Doctor grabbed his hand and put it to his cheek. Rory pulled the Doctor's head out and cupped his face. Rory opened his eyes and looked The Doctor square in the eye.

"I meant every word. Son." Rory said with a smile.

The Doctor buried his head in Rory's shoulder.

Amy and River quietly closed the door and hugged. Everything really was going to be better.