Hello again! Thanks for all the lovely song suggestions. I'm slowly trying to work through them. Anyway, this story takes place before TATM, at the time when the Ponds only travel with the Doctor periodically.

Disclaimer: Do I really need this anymore? I bet everyone just skips this part anyway. All rights to their proper owners, etc.

Song: Empire (Shakira) Suggested by: Manga Albina

The Doctor jumped at the loud popping noise that came from behind him. River Song had materialized in the console room, holding up a small blue envelope.

"Hello, sweetie," she smiled. "You called?"

The Doctor's face lit up instantly. "Ah, yes! Our presence has been requested for dinner."

She raised an eyebrow. "Dinner?" The Doctor nodded. "You sent me an invitation just for dinner?" Again, he nodded. "You know, you could have just called like every other time."

"But what's the fun in that?" he asked cheerfully. "Besides, I'm not the one who wrote that invitation."

Her expression became confused now. "Then… why does it give coordinates for the TARDIS?"

"It doesn't," he answered smugly, walking over to open the door. "It gives coordinates for the Pond Residence!"

River walked over to where he stood to make sure he wasn't lying. When she was convinced that they were in fact at the Ponds' house, she asked, "So we're having dinner with my parents?"

"Precisely!" the Doctor said as he stepped outside. He offered his arm to River in order to escort her inside. "Shall we?"

Resisting the urge to roll her eyes, she grabbed on. "Lead the way."

Before they had even reached the door, it was opened by Amy. "Well, well, well," she said, looking them up and down with a slight smile. "Looks like you're on time for once."

From somewhere within the house, Rory could be heard calling, "Amy? Are they here?"

Amy hollered back to announce their arrival, and both River and the Doctor exchanged pleasantries with them before retiring to the sitting room with Amy while Rory checked on the food. There was some talk of adventures, with the Doctor always leaving out the most dangerous parts where death was narrowly avoided. However, River was thoughtful enough to add those moments to the story in vivid detail, causing Amy to send more than one accusatory glance in the Doctor's direction. Luckily for him, Rory soon called them into the dining room to eat.

There were four places set at the rectangular table, two on each of the longer sides. The Doctor and River sat on one side, leaving the Ponds to sit on the other, with Amy right across from her son-in-law. The Doctor stole a sideways glance at River, and he noticed a familiar gleam in her eyes. He gulped. She was planning something. He didn't know what it was or when she would do it, but he knew enough to be afraid.

He shook his head slightly. If he wanted to survive this dinner, he would have to act as though everything were normal. "So how's life for the Ponds?" he asked eagerly, hoping this topic of conversation would distract River sufficiently for the time being.

Unfortunately, he never actually heard what the answer was. Amy and Rory were talking, but he didn't have the faintest idea of what they were actually saying, as all he was conscious of was the hand that had rested on his thigh. He suddenly became aware of what River was planning to do, and as a result, his face became bright red.

The next thing he heard was Amy saying, "Doctor? Doctor, are you okay?"

"Hm? Oh, yes, sorry," he stammered, breaking out of his reverie. "I was just… thinking of our last adventure. Lots of running and danger, nothing unusual. Anyway, how are the jobs?" He knew this conversation topic would keep them occupied for a while. No doubt Rory would begin telling stories about his life as a nurse. This bought the Doctor some time.

And as it turned out, he would need it, because at that moment, River began to slowly move her hand back and forth across his leg, causing him to squirm ever so slightly in his seat. From the corner of his eye, he could see her failed attempt at hiding a smirk. She knew exactly what she was doing. Any time he came into contact with her, it felt like sparks to him. However, now it was more like wildfire coursing through his veins.

When he was finally able to snap back to reality, he realized that not only was River successfully distracting him completely, but she was also carrying on casual conversations with her parents just as she normally would. He tried his best to interject little phrases of agreement or dissent into the conversation every once in a while, but his ability to think clearly was greatly diminished.

As if that weren't enough, he then felt her leg on his, causing him to jump just perceptibly enough for Rory to ask what had happened. The Doctor muttered something along the lines of "Nothing, nothing," before focusing all his attention on the food in front of him in an attempt to escape suspicions.

However, when River took his hand and placed it on her on leg, the Doctor stood up quickly from the table and asked the Ponds where he could find the bathroom. Amy motioned down a hallway, and he followed her directions. Inside, he shut the door and tried to collect himself. Unfortunately, it didn't last long.

There was a knock at the door, and the Doctor opened it to see River standing there. "They sent me in to check on you," she smirked. "Apparently they think you've been acting rather strangely all night."

"And whose fault do you think that is?" he asked, half accusingly, half playfully.

"Well, I have no idea," she winked. "Come on, we should probably head back now."

He followed her out the door and down the hallway. However, when they were about halfway through, she walked into a room whose door stood open on their right. Before the Doctor could think better of it, he allowed her to pull him in as well. She shut the door and turned on the lights to reveal a quaint little guest room, complete with a fairly large bed.

"Now, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" she asked.

"River!" the Doctor whispered. "Your parents!"

She waved her hand dismissively. "I'm sure they figured out what was happening a long time ago. Besides, we just have to be quiet."

The Doctor thought for a moment, then suddenly kissed her as if the wildfire he had felt before was lighting up once again. His hands entangled in her hair as she reached to take off his bowtie. "Quiet?" he laughed. "Now that might be hard for you."

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