Ch 15

Upon Terra's request, all the Songs wore football jerseys to the match and sat fairly close to the field. It took no time at all for the game to excite huge cheers from the audience. Terra was cheering along and bouncing around, having a grand old time of herself. She looked many keys happier than when River had picked her up from Jack's and claimed she was going gloat about this to her siblings.

River smiled weakly at her daughter when she glanced back at her.

Terra was still overflowing with energy when they headed back to the TARDIS after the game. They stopped by the playground for a few hours before dinner so Terra could get the rest of her energy out.

River ran around with Terra, trying to distract herself. The girl was delighted and out of breath by the time her parents decided it was time to head home for dinner. She held the Doctor and River's hands, asking if she could help fly the TARDIS.

The Doctor smiled and agreed, helping to instruct her. The twins could at this point fly the TARDIS to a certain extent, knowing how to change the time they were in, but still having difficulty changing location, especially for planet jumps. Arthur knew what most of the buttons did, but couldn't string together what order to press them in. Terra had yet to learn.

River acted more as an extra pair of eyes, letting her husband take lead in this. The ship had a shaky lift off since trying to since and trying to level the controls both took two hands, but the flight smoothed out.

Terra beamed at her achievement, proud of herself for flying the ship for the first time.

"[What do you want for dinner, my little star?]" The Doctor asked.

"[Grilled Cheese!]" She signed enthusiastically, not caring that they had had it for breakfast a day or so before.

"[Alright, but you have to eat some fruit with it.]"

She nodded, "[I will!]"

They soon exited the ship, going to the flat. Terra was eager to help make the food, immediately running to the kitchen to get the cheese. "[Mummy, can I cut it up?]" Terra asked, looking at the cheese knife.

"[Not this time, I'll do that bit, but you can do everything else.]" River took the knife, still not entirely trusting that the little girl wouldn't accidentally cut herself with it.

Terra pouted, but the Doctor suggested she pick out a bread and she quickly busied herself with that. It only took her a minute to get the bread, running over with the loaf.

"[Do you know how to turn the stove on, little star?]" The Doctor asked.

She shook her head, "[Can you show me?]"

He nodded. "[Here, you stand back and turn the knob like this.]" He demonstrated, then turned the flame off again so she could try.

She flicked the knob, beaming at how grown up it made her feel.

"[Lovey job, sweetheart.]" He put the pan on the flame along with a bit of butter to melt in it. River brought over the cut cheese, then went to go clean off the table.

Terra help with as much cooking as her parents would allow, and soon enough their food was ready and they were sitting down to eat.

Terra had no problems digging in, munching on her food. River was a bit slower, eyes flickering between the Doctor and the little girl. The two were signing a silly conversation; Terra had wondered when humans would invent genetically engineered pegasi which had lead to thoughts about what kinds of "[really cool animals that can breathe fire like dragons]" might be invented in the future.

The conversation made River smile. It was comforting to see her daughter smiling and laughing with the Doctor again.

The conversation flowed towards the subject of dragons, which Terra easily got hooked on. The Doctor told her of the time he and River fought a malfunctioning robot dragon at the Asgard™ theme park.

"[Is that true, Mummy? Did you really get to fight a dragon?]"

"[Of course it's true! We saved a little boy, his name was Mure and he had accidentally gotten picked up by the dragon. Your Daddy was very smart and he used his sonic screwdriver to get the boy to jump into my arms just in time.]" She told the story, the little girl hanging onto every word.

"[I want to go fight a dragon!]" Terra declared when River had told the whole thing. She'd finished her food by the point.

"[Well, you can only fight a dragon if there are people in danger. Just because they look big and scary doesn't mean they're all bad.]"

Terra thought for a moment. "[If we find a nice dragon can we make friends and ride on it's back?]"

"[I suppose so.]" She nodded, "[Now why don't you go watch a bit of telly before you take a bath.]"

Terra beamed, hopping off her chair and skipping to the living room, leaving her plate at the table. The Doctor picked up her plate and his, moving to take River's. "I can do the washing up."

"Are you sure?" She watched him.

"Yes." He smiled softly. "I don't mind."

"Do you want tea?" She asked, getting up to get the kettle.

"Yes, thank you." He nodded, moving to the sink to do the dishes.

She made tea for them, handing him a cup once it was made. He looked grateful, taking a long sip.

"You're doing really well with her." She murmured.

"Thank you." He smiled weakly. "It's starting to feel a bit more smooth."

"Good." She gave him a half smile, her gaze shifting to her tea cup.

He looked at her hands around her cup, noting that the cuticles of her fingers had been recently worried at and the skin there was loose. "...Do you want to watch a movie or something after Terra goes to sleep? I know it's not the Onyx Cliffs, but as long as we have a night in we can still, em, spend some time together."

She looked back up at him, "That sounds nice. I'd like that very much."

He smiled. "I'm glad."

River finished her tea, then went to put their daughter to bed.

Terra was quite energetic in her bath, playing "Giant squid slayer" and taking some convincing to get out and dry off. She insisted on two bedtime stories. River obliged in her daughter's request, though the girl fell asleep halfway through the second one.

Soon enough, Terra was tucked contently into her bed and dreaming. River crept back down the stairs once she was sure the girl was sleeping, going to find her husband.

He was crouched in front of their DVD collection, scrutinizing each title for something appropriate.

"See anything good?" River asked, curling onto the sofa with a blanket.

"Good if you happen to be under twelve. When did we get so much Disney?"

"I believe it was when we started having children, dear." She smiled softly.

"Ah." He tutted. "Any thoughts?"

"I'm up for anything, as long as it's not a children's movie."

After a few more minutes of pondering, he pulled out 'Renegade King', a medieval fantasy movie that wasn't actually to be in production for another fifteen years or so. "How's this?"

She nodded her approval. He triumphantly set up the movie and settled on the couch next to his wife. She draped the blanket over him, curling up beside him. The warmth from her body and his delight at having her close filled him and he ventured to weave their fingers together. She melted a bit closer to him, her head resting just beneath his chin.

Content stayed with him as the movie played, which he wasn't paying a ton of attention to in the first place.

River stopped paying attention to the movie about halfway through, nuzzling his neck lightly with her nose.

He shivered. "Your nose is cold." He commented.

"Sorry." She breathed, her breath warm against his skin.

He smiled. "That's alright. I'm sure my neck makes a brilliant nose-warmer." She hummed, pressing her lips against his skin. He couldn't help but hum as well. "That's much warmer."

"Shall we pause the movie?" She smiled, pressing another kiss to his jaw.

"That's alright with me." He nodded. She moved to kiss him deeply. He met her lips when he realized what she was doing, more than happy to spend their alone time snogging instead of watching a screen.

She pulled him close, moving to straddle his hips. He let his arms wrap around her waist, as heat rushed to lower parts of him. She smiled against his lips, happy to have his attention.

They hadn't actually paused the movie yet but were quite openly ignoring it now.

"I'm sorry." She murmured against his lips.

He made a confused noise. "Whatever for?"

"This morning, in the bathroom..."

"It's quite alright, dear." He assured.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, River." He kept his tone gentle. "This is a hard change, and everyone deals with change differently."

She looked down at her lap, still looking guilty. He took her hands.

"I'm not holding anything against you, River. Your feelings are true and valid and yours. It's only fair that I support you in dealing with them, just as you're supporting me with dealing with mine."

She nodded, giving his hands a weak squeeze. He kissed her cold nose and then her cheeks. "I love you."

"I...love you too." She whispered.

He kissed her again, softly this time in contrast to her heated snogs, but with all the same want for her. She closed her eyes, shifting more comfortably.

He held her tightly just as there was a knock on the door.

"Who on Earth could that be." She frowned slightly.

"It's nearly nine." He shared her expression. "Are you expecting anyone?"

The knocking came again.

She shook her head in response to his question, getting up to answer the door.

There on their stoop stood an old woman in red robes, a bit shorter than River; Ohila.

River frowned, "Why are you here? What do you want?"

"Isn't that obvious, child?" She invited herself inside. "I'm here to bring bad news, of course."

River's eyes darted towards where the Doctor was, "How did you find this place?"

"Through your husband's home planet," Ohila replied.

The Doctor had put himself in front of the stairs, very much not wanting the woman to go near Terra.

"They've been tracking him." Ohila was openly glaring at the Doctor, though answering River.

River swallowed with obvious unease, looking between Ohila and her husband, "Tracking him?"

"And found him. That's why I was able to come here: because they've secured your location and by my guess will be here in a few hours to kill you all. Mostly just you, Melody, and your children, but the Doctor, too, if they're smart."

River didn't wait to hear if there was anymore, "Call Jack!" She shot at her husband as she ran up the stairs to get their daughter. The Doctor scurried to the phone and Ohila made herself comfortable on the couch.

Terra was none too happy about being woken up. "[I was having a good dream! You made me miss the best part.]"

River was signing very fast. "[I'm sorry, darling, but I need you to get all your stuffies and everything you may need and go to the TARDIS. As quick as you can.]"

"[I'm tired, I wanna sleep.]" She wasn't getting up.

"[You can sleep in the TARDIS, I promise.]" River was already gathering the little girl's things for her.

Terra rubbed her eye. "[Why do I gotta move?]"

"[Because we have to go. I don't want you to worry, but I do need you to listen to me.]"

"[Tell me.]" She insisted, slowly climbing off her bed with her blankie in hand.

River shook her head, grabbing the bag she had thrown together and shooing the girl down the stairs.

"[Wait, you forgot him.]" Terra pointed to her stuffed mantaphant.

Her mother grabbed the mantaphant, "[Anything else important?]"

She looked sleepily around the room, then shook her head. River ushered her down the stairs, throwing her bag into the TARDIS, "[Go find the cats and put them in the TARDIS.]" She told her daughter before going to the Doctor.

"Jack's put the Hub in lockdown, which means no TARDIS can enter it for now." The Doctor informed.

"That's not good enough. I want them with us." River shook her head.

"...I'll call him back." He murmured.

"Wait..." She took a deep breath, trying to calm down, "Do you think they'll be safe there?"

"About as safe as Terra is in the TARDIS." He murmured, unconvincingly. "I personally know that Jack's shields work very well, but I also know what my people are capable of. Missy got in several times, as she was bloody bananas."

"I don't know what to do..." She whispered, squeezing her eyes shut. She was terrified for the safety of her children.

Terra came up to her, tapping her leg. "[I put all the kitties in Mumma TARDIS.]"

"[Thank you, my darling.]" She scooped the girl up, holding her tightly, looking at the Doctor and Ohila with frightened eyes, (the latter of whom has started making herself some tea).

"The more technology you use," Ohila said, "The brighter target you paint on your backs. Your defense is all very well, but machines can be hacked, tampered with, and broken."

"We could put the TARDIS in orbit in the vortex and power it down. Then, if we put shields on the flat and generate as much energy as we can, perhaps they'll come here first and that could buy us some time to think of another plan." River suggested.

The Doctor nodded in agreement. "In that case, we should call Jack and get the kids here."

She nodded, "Of course. Ohila, do you know how they're tracking him? Are they using just his energy signatures or is it something else?"

"I believe they tracked the TARDIS he used to escape Gallifrey. Where ever that landed is where they'll go first."

"They're going to go to the Hub first then, we need to get the children immediately."

The Doctor was already dialing the phone again. "Come on... pick up."

River ushered Terra into the TARDIS along with the Toby before hurrying back to the Doctor's side, clasping onto his arm.

"He's not picking up." The Doctor looked at her worriedly.

"Ring him again." She clutched his arm tighter.

He dialed Torchwood again, impatiently tapping his fingers on the counter. She caught his hand in hers, trying to act as some sort of comfort. She could feel Ohila's eyes on their backs.

He put the phone down when it went to voicemail again. "It could just be the lockdown..."

She pressed her face into his shoulder, needing a moment to think. Her concern for their family was clouding her thoughts and making it hard to come up with a plan.

He took a breath. "Maybe you should take Terra to the vortex while I set up the energy spikes and we can meet back here."

"No, I'm not losing you again." She shook her head, "We're doing this together."

"Alright." He knew time wasn't on their side, but she was right. "TARDIS first. Ohila, are you coming?"

The woman nodded, walking towards the ship with her tea.

"I have to get something." River breathed, running up the stairs.

The Doctor followed Ohila into the TARDIS where Terra was waiting patiently on the jump seat. He brought his daughter to her bedroom.

"[Who is that lady?]" Terra asked as her father tucked her back in.

"[Do you remember before I left I told you about Karn?]"

She nodded, "[The ladies that watch you.]"

"[Yes, well, Ohila is one of those ladies. The boss lady, actually.]"

"[Why is she here? I thought they didn't know about us.]"

He thought for a second. "[They didn't, but a bit of a situation came up, so she came to find me. Mummy and I are going to be working with her tonight, so we might be out for a little while.]" He reached into his pocket and pulled out two familiar bracelets, giving her one and putting the other on his own wrist. "[If you need us, just make some noise at this, and we'll come to you.]"

She nodded, slipping the bracelet on her wrist. She was too tired for much more interrogation, easily slipping back to sleep. He kissed her temple and returned to the console room.

Ohlia was there, but River still wasn't back. He frowned and looked at the other woman with a sigh. "I'll be back. Don't go anywhere. Don't even think about going near my daughter because I'll know." With that, he went to find River.