John and River walked into the quaint little café. Everyone around them was lost in their own little world. He saw a table tent for "Vote Saxon" with Harold's picture on it, smirk evident. John rolled his eyes.

I hate him so much.

Ever since Rose began "spying" on Harold, John had been fighting his feelings more and more. He felt he couldn't compete. So he finally broke down and asked River out, knowing full well she fancied him. Also knowing full well the sentiment was not returned.

But he knew he wouldn't result in anything. His mind kept flitting back to Rose and their encounter last night.

It had been an intense moment. She was playing games with him while Clara was out with a guy named Adam. Seemed harmless enough. Genius, like John. Adam was a TA and hoping to be a professor of economics at the local university. Clara was smitten.

They had just finished their third round of Cards Against Humanity when Rose yawned. She decided to call it a night. John walked her to the door, per always, and helped her into her jacket.

Opening the door, the feel of autumn was in the air. Rose smiled.

"I can't WAIT for fall," she said as she took a whiff of the air.

John watched her, his heart soaring. He loved her so much.

Suddenly, he turned her to him. She opened her beautiful cinnamon eyes and stared into his green ones. He brought his hand up and placed it against her cheek. She leaned into his touch. His heart rate increased as she fluttered her lashes at him.

"Rose…" he started as he moved closer to her.

And because the universe hates him, THAT was the moment that Clara arrived home.

Snapping back to the present, John and River took their seat at a table about halfway back. River wondered why he didn't pull his chair out for her; after all, she had seen him to that when he hung out with Rose. The last time she came to the office, he was all about her comfort.

River Song had been wanting to go out with John for years but he never seemed interested. He was much more into hanging out with his sister and his friends, taking weekend trips and playing mini golf than dating. River had done some digging and learned that John only ever casually dated. Nothing serious. And not like he had a long string of women, far from it. There were only a few. And they never lasted more than a few dates.

Interestingly enough, they were all blondes.

So he has a thing for blondes, she told herself. Even still, she went out and dyed her hair.

It took him months to notice.

River liked the way she looked with the color, so she kept it. But after six months, he finally said something.

"You look different, River. Did you do something to your hair?"

She glared at him. His eyes scanned her. He looked at her employee badge.

"I know! You colored your hair. It's very…pretty."

She smiled. He turned and left the room.

She'd take whatever she could get.

After ordering, John looked around.

"Not as busy today."

River nodded and sipped on her water.

Their drinks were brought. She tried to flirt a little with him.

"So John, have you thought about joining me for the dance off Friday night?"

John looked at her quizzically.

She sighed.

Then it hit him. "Oh! Sorry. I haven't had the time. But Friday night sounds good."

River smiled widely at him. She gently placed her hand on his. He didn't even notice.

John couldn't concentrate. He saw more "Vote Saxon" flyers throughout the café. Why did these people care so much?

Rose dating Saxon was taking his toll on him. He couldn't concentrate. It had been a month. A month of agony. He was close to his breaking point. And after last night, he felt he might shatter completely.

The floppy-haired man looked at the counter. The owner, Martha Jones, was adding more pastries to the glass case while her sister handled the register. Once completed, Martha turned to the cappuccino machine.

"When I finish cleaning this, Jenny should be in. Then you can take your break." Martha's sister nodded.

"How's Clara?" River asked John, bringing attention back to her. He turned and looked at his colleague.

"Good, actually. She turned her thesis in. No more grad school for her." John took a sip of his coffee as he pulled his hand away.

River smiled. "I'm glad to hear. I know some of those classes kicked Clara's ass." John nodded. He was extremely proud of his little sister.

Martha's sister arrived with their order. River had gone for a tuna nicose salad and John ordered an egg salad sandwich.

Rose's favorite, he mused.

The two made light conversation until there was a commotion at the counter. They both looked over. The bow-tied man's eyes narrowed.

Harold Saxon had walked in and Martha Jones practically fainted. John chuckled until he saw who was behind him.

Rose.

John let out a small growl. River raised her eyebrow at him and then turned to look. Her lips formed into a thin line.

Always her, she thought.

Harold walked among the café, talking to people and shaking hands. He reached over and placed Rose's arm in his, as though showing her off. Like a trophy.

He doesn't deserve her, John thought.

Martha Jones fanned herself from behind the counter. The floppy-haired man figured it out.

"I wondered why this place seemed to be kissing Saxon's ass," he said lowly to River, not taking his eyes off Harold. "Now I know."

River nodded. "Martha Jones has had a crush on Harold for some time. She was hoping he would have chosen her for the Gallifrey Ball coming up, but as you can see, he chose your friend."

Harold and Rose were now coming closer to their table.

"Yeah…wait, what ball?" John turned his head to River. She sipped her latte.

"The annual Gallifrey Ball that benefits homeless children. Surely you've heard of it?"

He nodded slowly. "Yes, I just never paid much attention." John didn't like hearing this. Harold was one table away. "Never particularly cared for Saxon."

River raised her eyebrow again.

Harold and Rose stopped at their table. Her eyes lit up when she saw John.

"Well hi."

He smiled widely. "Hello Rose." He then glanced at Harold, who wore a big smile on his face. "Saxon."

Harold nodded. "Dr. Smith, how are you?"

John bristled at his tone. Harold always spoke condescendingly towards him, as though his being a doctor wasn't impressive enough. That and the fact he was trying to close his lab.

"What are you doing here?" he asked both of them, eyes flitting to Rose.

River was temporarily forgotten. She just stabbed at her salad, clearly annoyed.

Harold smiled, releasing Rose. "Gotta be out amongst the public to help drum up support." He turned to Rose. "Doesn't she look lovely today?" River glanced at the object of John's desire and then back down at her food.

John looked at his best friend. Unlike River, he always noticed Rose. She just drew him in. Today, she wore a yellow dress with white polka dots and a pearl necklace. Her blonde hair was swept up, revealing a very smooth, long neck. Not for the first time, John flashed on his lips caressing her neck. Her earrings were pearls that dangled.

John recognized those. They were a gift from him.

He internally punched the air at that.

"Rose always looks lovely."

She flashed him her tongue-in-teeth smile. That always got to him. His heart began beating faster. Harold took her hand. John narrowed his eyes.

"It's been nice chatting. I hope I can count on your support. Many more things to come." He and Rose started to walk off when she spoke.

"Call me later, John. We'll make plans for the weekend." He nodded.

They were gone.

John watched the pair advance to the next patrons. Rose looked a bit uncomfortable, like she didn't really want to be seen. He didn't blame her; it was clear Saxon was using her as a trophy.

When is she going to stop going out with him? Surely she has been able to spy enough?

Rose had been "dating" Harold for one month. One month of agony for John Smith.

River started speaking but he didn't hear her. He was lost in his thoughts.

Why does that make me so angry? I know it's for show. But WHY?

Because internally, he feared he would lose her to him. That she was falling for him.

The other night, game night, Rose had brought Harold up in conversation as though it was the most natural thing in the world. She said that Saxon was considering getting a dog. He had always loved dogs and wanted one, regardless of his career. Rose said she had encouraged him to get one.

John couldn't believe his ears when he heard that. It was what a girlfriend would say. And then he realized his blonde friend had not given him any intel on how to take him down.

Clara was tight-lipped about it, which made John worry more. And then the moment at the doorway practically had him in a coma over everything.

River stopped talking when she realized John was a million miles away. She glanced at Saxon and his flavor-of-the-week. They had made it to the counter and Saxon was easily flirting with the café owner.

If he dumps Rose, as is likely, she'll go running back to John. And he'll pick up the pieces. River looked back at the man she fancied and her heart ached. She knew she should just let him go, but she couldn't.

He's brilliant.

"If you can have those ready by Thursday, I can pick them up," Saxon said. Martha nodded at him.

"Absolutely, Mr. Saxon. Anything else you need me to do?"

Rose had walked out of the café, needing some fresh air. Harold turned back to the counter.

"Yes," he said with a sly smile. "Just stand there and look gorgeous."

Martha blushed.

Snake, the bow-tied man thought. He's supposed to be campaigning with a beautiful woman on his arm, and there he is flirting with the shop owner. And Rose is doing this, putting herself through this, for me. To find a way to take Harold Saxon down. But why?

Suddenly, it hit John.

All of his reflecting. All of his jealousy. All of his disproval. All of his wondering; it came down to this. He couldn't believe he'd been so stupid to not see it before.

Rose was in love with him as well.

He smiled widely.

River continued to watch Harold flirt with the shop owner, Rose forgotten.

Rose has affected my life in ways that I never realized. Everything I've done, in a way, has been for HER. I need to get off my ass and DO something about it.

Well, that certainly explained the short string of blondes that he never let get close.

A/N: John is almost at his breaking point. Will he crack in chapter 5?

Thanks for reading!