"Can I get you a beer?" John asked as Michael entered the flat.
"Sure, that would be great." He answered as he took a seat in the living room. "I assume that Clara left already."
"About half an hour ago." John said as he walked in and handed him a beer. "So, what makes you think I could use a friend?"
"I know how tough it can be being away from the people you love. Figured this is new for you and you might want someone to talk to. Or not doesn't matter."
"It's weird really how, when we were shooting just a few months ago, I didn't mind being here. Sure, I missed home, but there was nothing for me there. Now all I can think about is how I would rather be there than here."
"I understand that. It's also the other reason I wanted to come and see you, away from set." Michael said as he took a drink of his beer.
"I knew there had to be more. You're not much for emotions and sentiment." John said
"True. I know your contract is up at the end of this season, and you'll soon head into negotiations. Try not to let what is happening back home and here affect what you want to do."
"What do you mean?" John asked.
"Well, it's a new relationship John. I remember what it was like when Jackie and I started dating, we couldn't get enough of one another and had I been in your position then, I wouldn't have wanted to be away from her." Michael stated.
"Sure. It is tough, but I think I'm handling it. Do you think my work is suffering because of it?"
"No not at all. From what I've seen so far, you've been great as always. Which is why I want you to stay for at least one more season. All I'm saying is that there is a lot going on that could be factors in the decision you make about staying or leaving, don't let them be. I know it's not going to be easy being away from Clara and having to be here with River, but remember why you love this job."
"I will do my best, but the biggest factor would be River, not Clara. I'll be honest I'm not sure how this is going to go." John said.
"I know. All I ask is that you try and get along. If it helps, try and think about the fact that if she never did what she did to you, you might still be married to her and you never would have met Clara. So in a way, she did you a favour."
"I guess that's one way to look at it." John replied. "I just thought she was out of my life, so for her to come back has been tough. Anyway, enough chatter about that, I want to know what's going to happen in the next episode."
John was glad that Michael had come to talk to him and knew the next day why he had picked Sunday night to do it. Donna called him the next day to tell him that the studio wanted to extend his contract for two more seasons and they wanted to start negotiations if he was interested. He wasn't sure what to tell her because he didn't want to make that decision right now. She told him he had about a month to make a decision because they needed to know how to finish the current season. He had a lot of thinking to do in the next few weeks and it was probably a good thing that Clara wouldn't be around to distract him.
Shooting continued for the next week and John really enjoyed getting back into it again. They had just wrapped for the day and he was talking with Michael when River walked onto the set. Tomorrow was going to be the first day he would have a scene with her and he wasn't looking forward to it one bit.
"Hello sweeties!" She said as she greeted the men as if they were all old friends.
"Hi River. What brings you by today?" Michael asked as he hugged River.
"I was hoping to talk to John before we shoot tomorrow." She replied as she looked at John.
"Well we were just finishing here. Perhaps the three of us could go for dinner." Michael suggested, knowing that John wouldn't want to be alone with her.
"I kind of wanted to talk to John alone, Michael." She responded and then turned back to John again. "If it's okay with you?"
John had been avoiding being alone with her, but he knew that they should talk and it would be better to do it before they start shooting.
"Fine, but we do it here. I'm not going for dinner or drinks or anything else." John said.
"Okay." River agreed.
Michael gave John a look and John nodded at him that it was okay, so he excused himself leaving the two on their own. John walked over to some of the chairs that were off set and River followed him.
"Let me start by saying I'm sorry." River said.
"And what exactly are you sorry for because there's a long list and you've never apologised for any of it." John replied coldly.
"That's fair. Let's start for the way I've been behaving since I returned. I missed you and when I came back and saw that you're dating someone, I kind of freaked out and perhaps came on too strong and a little mean towards Carol."
"Clara. Her name is Clara and you damn well know that." John said angrily.
"Sorry." River winced at the rise in his voice. "Look, I'm going to be honest with you."
"Well that would be a first in a long time." John interrupted her.
"I made a huge mistake John. I should have never cheated on you or treated you the way I did and for that I'm truly sorry. We had something good and I threw it away."
"That you did." John replied. "I appreciate the apology, but it doesn't change how I feel about you."
"And how do you feel?" She asked. "Do you really hate me?"
"I don't hate you River, but I don't like you." He answered honestly.
"Is there any chance that we can be friends? You were my best friend and we shared so much. Surely there's some part of you that remembers that. Remembers the good times that we shared and the fun we had." River said as she reached out to touch his knee.
John stood up to put some distance between them.
"Of course I do. That's why it hurt so much. Why I was so unhappy. We were supposed to be forever. We were supposed to have a family. And you threw that all away, as if none of it, as if I wasn't important to you."
"But you were John, you still are."
"You had a funny way of showing it." He replied. Just then he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and pulled it out to see that it was Clara. "I need to take this."
"Let it go to voicemail. We're not done yet." River said, but John answered the phone anyway.
"Hi." He said into the phone, trying his best to sound happy for Clara.
"Hey sexy old man." She said, which made John smile. "Is this a bad time?"
"No, actually it's a perfect time." He said as he looked at River. "But can you just give me a few minutes to finish something and get to a more private place to call you. Say in about ten minutes?"
"Absolutley, I was just about to get in the bath with a glass of wine."
"Thanks for the imagery." He said as he smiled into the phone.
"Any time." She replied. "Talk to you in a bit."
John hung up from Clara and looked at River. "This is done. We're both professionals so I know that we can have a working relationship, but there's nothing outside of this job."
"If that's what you want, then that's what it will be." River said.
John raised an eyebrow at her, skeptical of her sudden change in attitude.
"I'm being honest John. I was too pushy when I got back and I realise that's not the way back into your life, so we'll do it your way." She said. "But I will prove to you that I'm a changed woman, the woman you once fell in love with."
"It doesn't matter River, I've moved on." He replied. "I love Clara, River, and nothing is going to change that. Now I've gotta go and call her back."
He walked out of the studio, hoping that she would finally put an end to the idea that she was going to get him back, but knew her well enough that she likely wouldn't.