Ch 45
Ramone ended up staying the night at River's, the two content under River's sheets in the morning until knocking on the door woke them up.
"Go hide in my closet and be quiet." River murmured, giving him a kiss and throwing on her robe to answer the door.
Ramone did sleepily as he was told. Arthur was on the other side of the door, all dressed.
"Are you ready for school?" River asked, "Nardole said he'd drive you today."
"I need breakfast and my lunch." He informed her. "Freya won't help me with mine."
"Okay, I'll be down in a minute. Let me just get dressed first." She kissed his forehead.
"Terra won't let me wake her up. She says she doesn't' feel good." He added.
"I know, Terra's not going to school today."
"Oh." He nodded, then went downstairs.
River went back into the room, locking the door and going to her closet. Ramone peeked out, still clad in nothing.
"Nardole's going to take the kids to school and Terra's staying home. You can stay if you want though." She murmured, "We could take a shower together once I get the kids out the door."
Ramone shook his head. "I'm afraid I've got a meeting today."
River pouted, "Can't you skip?" She moved in a bit closer, pressing kisses to his jaw and neck, "You could call in sick."
He very nearly purred at that. "Well... I might be able to swing a late morning."
She smiled, "I'll go get the kids ready. Be back in a tick." He nodded, slipping back into the bed.
River woke Terra and went downstairs to feed all the children and get them ready for school. She then got them situated with Nardole, waving them off. Terra quickly fell asleep on the couch again after another round of medicine and her favorite cartoon.
Upstairs, River and Ramone's shower evolved quickly into something more physical, though they didn't have to control their volume as much this time.
"Better than a meeting?" River teased, her legs still wrapped tightly around the man's waist as the water poured over them.
"In every way possible." He panted, forehead pressed against her neck.
She laughed, "Have I tired you out?"
"Only a little." He assured.
"I should check on Terra." She murmured.
"She's fine." He hummed. "Stay?"
"Give me a reason to." Her eyes glinted mischievously. He grinned knowingly and moved his head lower.
Downstairs, Terra stirred from her nap. She blinked a few times and looked to the window, frowning when she saw the movement of shadows.
She climbed off the couch and padded over to the door to peek out of the envelope slot. There was a man at the door, one wearing the funny clothes she'd seen yesterday. Terra could feel the door being knocked against, though wondered why no one was coming to answer it. River had taught her children never to open the door for strangers. They were always supposed to come find their mother if someone was at the door who they didn't know.
Upstairs, River's pleasure was interrupted with a strong urge to go check on her daughter. "Get dressed." River breathed to Ramone. She was already wiggling out from beneath him, grabbing for a towel.
"What- now? We're in the middle of something..." He pouted.
"Something doesn't feel right." As soon as she emerged from the bathroom, she could hear the knocking, practically flying down the stairs once she was dressed.
Terra was still staring out of the mail slot when suddenly the man at the door leaned down to stare back at her. She screamed, nearly falling backward in in fright.
"Terra!" River cried, reaching the bottom of the stairs and catching her. She stood protectively in front of her daughter before opening the door.
The man in the doorway straightened up with a cold expression. "Is this the Song residence?"
"Yes. Why? Who are you?" River frowned. He didn't look like any salesman she'd ever seen.
Un-answering, the man drew a machine from his pocket. He looked like he was about scan her with it when suddenly there was a loud clang, and the man dropped unconscious. Behind him, Nardole stood with a raised frying pan.
River stared at him in shock, "Nardole?"
"Oh hello, Professor," Nardole said surprisingly cheerfully and handed her the frying pan. "I brought your car back."
River took the frying pan, "Do you know this man? What's going on?"
"Well no, not exactly, but I was told that if I saw him I should use any means to make sure he doesn't go near you and you left that in your car." He gestured to the pan.
"Told by who?" She frowned, Ramone came clambering down the stairs at that moment, fully dressed this time.
"I would check him for weapons." Nardole nudged the limp body with his foot, avoiding the question.
"Nardole." River pressed, her tone had a bit of an edge to it.
"[Hello, Terra!]" He continued to ignore River. "[Sorry about the fright.]"
"It was the Doctor, wasn't it." River was getting angrier. She stormed back inside and grabbed her mobile off the kitchen table, calling the man whose number she still had.
It rang nearly to the end before a Scottish voice picked up. "Hello?"
"Will you please explain to me why there is a man in red robes unconscious on my doorstep!" River shouted into the phone.
"Maybe he's taking a nap," replied the Doctor nonchalantly.
"Not funny." She growled.
"Well then, guess number two is that somebody knocked him out."
"You're infuriating." She hissed at him, "Absolutely infuriating."
"If you wanted a specific answer, then ask a more specific question, because I have very little context to go on here."
"You told me to watch out people wearing red robes. A man showed up at my door wearing red robes today and Nardole knocked him unconscious, under your orders I presume. My question is what the hell is going on? Is this some sort of stupid game that you're trying to play because it's not funny."
"I don't take violence as a game, Professor Song. The man on your doorstep is dangerous, and that is the truth." He sighed. "Fine, yes. I did send Nardole. I had a feeling you'd prefer his daring feat of heroism over mine."
"Who is he? What does he want with me?" She frowned at the mention of the man being dangerous.
"You'd never believe me if I told you." He muttered.
"Terra's home from school today. Is she safe?" River was getting more concerned, "If that man is dangerous… what happens when he wakes up?"
"I suggest you tie him up and take his possessions before he does."
"Doctor, are my kids safe?" She repeated, more urgently this time.
"As safe at school as they are at home."
She took that to mean not very safe at all, "Where am I supposed to bring them? Where will they be okay?"
"Well optimally under supervision but away from that man."
"I don't have anywhere else to go." She was trying to stay calm, "They know where I live so it's not safe here, but I have nowhere else to bring them."
"I'd volunteer my services if you could stomach seeing my face." He replied quicker than he'd meant to.
She hesitated, then finally agreed, "Okay, but only because I have to keep my kids safe."
"Right then. Meet me at my office."
"Okay, I'll be there soon." She hung up the phone. "Nardole! I need you to tie this man up and search him for weapons. Then I want you to pack a bag for the kids and meet me at the university. Ramone, I need you to drive me to there, but we need to pick up my kids first."
"Are you going to explain what's going on?" Ramone was confused, trying to help a seemingly relaxed Nardole drag the robed man inside.
"I'll try my best, but I can't say I really understand it either." She murmured, gathering medicine for Terra and her stuffed animals.
They set their unwanted guest in a kitchen chair, finding a rope which Nardole got to immediate work with.
"Come on, darling. We need to go." River murmured to Terra, pulling on Ramone's arm. Terra clung to River's hand, just as confused at her adult counterparts.
They picked up the three other children, River explaining what little she knew. None of the children knew what to think about the situation, all of them worried. The twins were slightly distracted by Ramone's presence, not liking that he had clearly been at the house. Terra was relatively calm knowing that they were going to visit the Doctor.
When they arrived at the university, Terra clung to her mother, starting to feel ill again. The Song family plus Ramone walked to the Doctor's office.
The Doctor frowned in the direction of Ramone. "Why've you brought him?"
"He was at my house this morning and he drove me here. Jealous?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Who said anything about being jealous?" He defended.
She shrugged, "Just asking."
He coughed, "Well, he can go now."
"I'm not going anywhere." Ramone shook his head, wrapping an arm around River's waist, "Not until I know that she's safe."
The Doctor's jaw tightened. "She's safe in here, she always will be. You're just going to be in the way if you stay."
Ramone huffed, pulling River closer and murmuring something in her ear. He glared slightly at the Doctor, "Keep her safe." He then left.
The Doctor crossed his arms muttering something that sounded like 'pudding brain' before counting the number of occupants the room now had. "The whole gang is here, I see."
Terra whimpered in her mother's arms, forehead damp with sweat.
"Is she alright?" He asked.
"No." River answered worriedly, touching the girl's forehead "She came home yesterday with a head cold, but it's only been getting worse. She's got a fever now."
He made a sympathetic sound. "I've got some pillows somewhere if she wants to lie down."
"That would be good." River nodded, rocking the girl slowly. The other children looked around the office, checking out the books and the strange blue box in the corner.
The Doctor found some pillows and a light blanket for the girl, helping get her settled in the library area. Terra reached out for his hand, happy that she was getting to see the man that reminded her of her father.
He looked at River, not sure if she would allow him to oblige. River didn't say anything, giving silent permission. The Doctor held the little girl's hand, feeling warmer. "I rather think I owe you a more detailed explanation about all of this."
"Yes, you do." River nodded.
He paused for a moment. "John Smith." He whispered. "How did he die? What were you told?"
She immediately tensed at the mention of her husband's name, "What? How is that relevant?"
"Because if I'm going to explain this then I'm going to explain it my way. What were you told?"
"He died while on a work trip. It was an explosion...or a fire...they would never be specific with me, but they told me there was no body." She stared at him, still wondering how he even knew who her husband was. She was sure she had never mentioned his name.
"Completely off the mark about that." He shook his head. "I met John that week. Funny man, he wouldn't shut up about you. He wanted me to know every damn reason he married you right down to how you take your tea."
She could feel her eyes welling up with tears, though she tried hard to fight them back, "Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"Because I'm not supposed to be interfering in your life. He wanted me to keep an eye on you lot and try to make sure none of you got caught up in the mess he got himself into. I was trying to avoid all," he made a vague hand gesture, "this. I thought I might be able to avoid explaining the true circumstances of John's death, spare your feelings."
"What happened to him?" River whispered, "Please, I need to know."
"They happened to him." He murmured, referring to the people in the red robes. "He should've have assumed the best in recruited him for some... thing. I'm not sure what. They use different tactics for everyone. It's all just a facade for their organization. I never quite found out if they were a cult, a mafia, or something else, but they have a habit of making family-fulls of people disappear."
"No." River shook her head, "No that can't be right. He wouldn't..." She squeezed her eyes shut, looking away from him. Gently, the Doctor moved to pat her on the back in what he hoped was somewhat comforting. "So what do we do now? Are my children not going to be safe anymore?" She whispered, her voice trembling despite her efforts to stop it.
"No, I rather think they're going to be fine. I've been making it my job to get rid all these... let's call them Councilman. There's only two left, including the one presumably tied up at your house." This wasn't a lie.
"By getting rid, do you mean you've been killing them?" She whispered. He said nothing, not having it in him to admit aloud that he was. "How do I know I can trust you? How do I know you're not lying to me?" She breathed.
Continuing with his silence, he reached into his pocket and pulled out John's wedding ring, placing it in her palm. Silent tears rolled down River's cheeks as she stared at the familiar ring in her palm.
"He got a bit drunk when we first met." The Doctor whispered. "He said, 'Don't let me lose this, mate, the missus would have my organs out in alphabetical order'."
"He's right." She smiled weakly, trying to brush the tears away, "I would."
"I don't doubt it." He murmured, aware now of three sets of young eyes on their backs. "It's a beautiful ring."
She nodded, "John picked our rings out."
"Good to know his taste in jewelry wasn't as atrocious as his taste in clothes." He teased lightly.
She laughed weakly, "Always wearing a bow tie and those stupid hats."
He nodded, glancing at the kids. "How are you lot holding up?"
The kids shrugged, still in a bit of shock. "What's that box?" Arthur asked.
"It's a police call box." The Doctor answered.
"Why do you have it?"
"I liked the color." He shrugged.
Arthur scrunched up his face, "That's a silly reason to keep a big box like that."
"If you'll notice, most physics teachers are a bit silly."
Arthur smiled, "I like you better than Mummy's other friend, Ramone."
Amelia elbowed Arthur. "You can't just say that in front of Mum."
"Why not? I don't like him, he's stupid."
"I know that, but it's rude even if it's true."
"That's enough you two." River interrupted before Arthur could say any more. The two of them shut their mouths exchanging looks between each other and River. She looked back at the Doctor, "You need to go take care of the man at my house."
"I rather think I should." He nodded. "Will you all be alright here?"
She nodded, "I think so."
"Just give a ring if you need anything." He stood. "And... try not to touch anything." He added, glancing in the direction of the box.
The whole Song family nodded. He gave them an assuring smile before leaving.