Halloween. Clara's favorite holiday. She loved being able to dress up and go to parties and everything that came with it. When in high school, she worked part-time at a local Halloween store. The money was great and she scored some costumes for cheap. Sadly the store closed but that didn't diminish her love of the holiday.
The outside of the Smith house looked normal. They really hadn't had time to put up decorations outside. Inside, though, was another matter. Decorations were everywhere and the lights were dimmed and colored. Clara pulled some chips out and placed it on a bat-shaped platter. Music blared from the Bluetooth speakers.
"How can I help?" Rose asked, dressed as a wolf.
Making sure she hadn't spilled anything on her spacesuit, Clara then glanced at her friend. She looked beautiful, as always. The younger sibling noticed the model's costume was tight in all the right places. It would surely get her brother's attention.
He won't be able to resist, she thought with a smile.
"Uh," the pretty brunette looked around. "There are some bags of ice in the deep freezer in the basement. Can you bring them up?"
Rose nodded. "On it."
After she disappeared, Clara began humming to herself. This would be the best Halloween party yet. Not only was it for their friends, but John invited his staff as well. It was a great opportunity for everyone to let their hair down and relax.
John came into the kitchen, carrying a cowboy hat. He wore a red plaid flannel shirt and jeans with brown cowboy boots. His belt had a set of handcuffs that Clara was curious as to where he got them.
She pointed at them and raised an eyebrow.
"Mind your business," John said, turning to the refrigerator.
Clara laughed.
Rose came back into the room with two bags of ice. Clara pointed at the big punch bowl on the table and the blond immediately began pouring the cold cubes into it.
Suddenly she felt John behind her.
"Hi," he whispered as he leaned down to kiss her neck. His breath ghosted her skin.
Rose shuddered.
"H-hi," she breathed back. When the bag was empty, she turned to the handsome doctor. His arms wrapped around her waist and he pulled her tightly against him. Very tightly.
"You look great," she told him. He smiled.
"So do you," he said as he went in for a kiss. He kept it light right now as Clara was definitely watching them.
"I got the cuffs that you suggested," he whispered in her ear. Rose smiled.
"Well cowboy," she said suggestively, "you may need to use those in the near future."
He pressed against her again so she'd know he was already half-hard. She glanced up at him from beneath her lashes and felt him go completely hard. The wolf smirked.
"You are a bad wolf," John said in her ear. She placed a kiss on his cheek.
"Geronimo," she replied. He laughed and kissed her passionately, his left hand sliding down to cup her very delectable ass.
"Can you two try and make it through the party before fucking each other six ways from sideways?" Clara asked with annoyance. Although unconfirmed, she had a strong suspicion her brother and best friend had already had sex.
John walked into the house the next day around eleven. Clara looked up from her laptop and raised an eyebrow.
"Where were you?" She honestly had thought he was just sleeping in.
"Rose's."
The younger Smith raised an eyebrow. "All night?"
John looked her way and his green eyes glowed. "Mind your business." He grabbed a glass of orange juice and headed upstairs.
That was pretty much confirmation for her suspicions.
After setup was complete, guests started to arrive. First were a few of John's colleagues. Yasmin Kahn wore a gray nineteenth-century dress and carried a parasol while her husband Ryan Sinclair matched her in a gray suit with a top hat and tails on the coat. They both looked elegant.
River Song came as a flapper with a lot of skin showing. She made a beeline for John and Clara decided to keep an eye on her. She knew that the doctor wouldn't take no for an answer.
You're in for disappointment, River, she thought.
Amy Pond and Rory Williams arrived next. The redhead was stunning as a Roman princess while he was a soldier of the same era. Clara was convinced they'd win the couple's award.
John stiffened when he saw his colleague approaching. Things had been tense in his lab between them ever since she pulled that stunt. He hadn't found out yet that she had snooped through his phone, just that she had sent that New Year's picture as an attempt to ruin the best thing he ever had. He still talked with her when he had to, but it was only work-related events.
He had asked Rose what he should do regarding the Halloween party. He didn't want to specifically tell her she wasn't invited as things were already tense but he really didn't want her there. His pink-and-yellow girl said to invite her to be polite and if she shows, spend the evening avoiding her. It wouldn't be hard as over fifty people were expected to attend the party. John and Clara were always sought after by the guests so he figured he'd be for the most part, safe. Minus the pleasantries.
He glanced around for Rose but saw Clara watching them. His sister was very astute and knew almost everything. Rose had assured him that she hadn't mentioned they slept together but did mention the photo being sent and that it resulted in some bonding. He knew his sister could figure it out.
Clara has probably already realized Rose and I have shagged. Wait until it happens here; I can imagine the bitching coming from her.
"Doctor!" River said as she approached. Her flapper dress was very flattering on her and in another world, he may have been tempted. But given he was in love with someone else, seeing that much cleavage on his coworker did nothing for him.
"River," he said curtly. He turned to the punch bowl and poured a glass and then handed it to her. She smiled graciously and accepted, nodding a thank you.
"This party looks great," she said, as she took a sip. John filled his glass and looked around, noting that the place was filling up quickly. He saw more guests arrive, mostly colleagues but a few neighbors as well.
"Yes, Clara made this her best one yet."
"Where's Rose?"
He stiffened and looked at her. "Around." He really couldn't be more specific. He had seen his girlfriend run off when Amelia Pond and her fiancé arrived but otherwise he had no clue. He figured the three friends were catching up as they had not seen one another for over a week.
River smiled and placed a hand on his upper arm. "John," she said quietly, "I know you've been avoiding me."
The doctor-turned-cowboy sighed and poured more punch, deftly stepping out of her touch. "Yes I have River." He looked at her, eyes cold. "I don't appreciate that stunt you pulled."
She nodded. "I am truly sorry about that. I let my feelings get the better of me." She laid her glass on the table.
He downed his drink before continuing. "I need you to realize this, Dr. Song," he said quietly. It was never good when he used her formal title. "I do not have an attraction to you other than as a colleague. You are a brilliant doctor and scientist and I respect you and your work." He looked up when a woman shrieked nearby and saw someone being chased around by a man in a devil costume.
"But you meddled in my private affairs; in something that is not your business nor concern. I understand you have feelings for me and while flattered, I do not reciprocate. I am in in love with someone else." His green eyes bore into the other doctor's. She could see he was dead serious at what he was saying.
When his voice gets low, he means business.
But even still, River wasn't done.
She saw Rose Tyler approaching over his shoulder and took her chance. Grabbing the doctor by his shirt, she pulled him to her and kissed him. His arms flailed for half a second before landing on her shoulders and he pushed her away.
"River!" He spat. He wiped his mouth. Rose had stopped and was now watching the interaction. Clara was too, even from across the room. She had found Adam and he kept trying to get her attention even though she wasn't having it.
"We will be together, John," she said. She reached for him and he stepped back, shaking his head. "You can count on that."
He raised an eyebrow. "We'll see."
Rose appeared by his side. "Is there a problem?" She looked right at River.
The other doctor narrowed her eyes. "Yes, actually." Might as well go for broke. "My problem is you. I don't get why you're suddenly interested in John, especially when you can have any man."
Rose felt John's arm wrap around her waist and she repeated the action. "That may be, but I have been in love with John for years." She looked at him and caught him staring back. Smiling, she continued. "We fit."
John nodded.
"And how many men have you slept with, Rose?" River spat. "Because as I recall, the last count was pretty high."
John's head snapped to her. "Get out."
Rose put her hand on his chest to calm him. She could see a fury raging in his eyes. "You shouldn't believe everything you read, River." She turned to the other woman. "Not that it's your business, but I've been with a total of three men. Including John."
The truth was out. While she had suspected before, she now knew he had shagged the model.
Dr. Song looked like she had been slapped in the face. He moves quickly. "Well, then," she said as she put her glass down. She looked around as her cheeks warmed up. "I guess I know what to do with that piece of information."
"You can take it and shove it," John said through gritted teeth. He broke out of Rose's embrace and took two steps towards his colleague. "If you ever try anything again that isn't work related, I will fire you so fast. The only reason you still have a job is because you're a brilliant scientist and Rose insisted I not retaliate against your stunt." His voice was deathly low now, a sure sign he was furious. "But you are hereby issued a warning. If you get out of line once more, your ass is out of a job and I will make sure no other labs in London hire you."
River narrowed her eyes. She had to play it cool because the timing wasn't right. Yet.
"I understand," she said and walked away.
John let out a sigh. Rose took his hand.
"You okay?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He nodded and turned to the blond. Reopening his eyes, he saw happiness sparkling in her beautiful cinnamon ones.
"What?" he asked with a smile.
"You love me."
He nodded and leaned down to give her a kiss. "With all my heart."
The kiss grew in intensity and suddenly she was against the wall. No one at the party was paying attention to their shenanigans except for his sister. She kept glancing between the couple about to make love in a crowded room and River Song who had been snagged by Nardole for a chat.
Suddenly the couple disappeared into the hall closet. An evil smile crossed Clara's features and she walked over to River Song while Adam glared at her for being ignored.
"Hello Clara," she said with a smile.
Clara smiled at Nardole and asked if she could borrow the doctor. The bald man nodded and Clara took River's arm, guiding her through the room.
"I have something you should hear," she said with a smirk. She led her to the hall closet.
"Listen," she told her. River looked at the brunette and then glanced at the door.
A bang came from it and she jumped. Her eyes wide, she turned to Clara.
The younger Smith just crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at River, telling her to continue.
Sighing, the doctor leaned closer to the door. She didn't know what to expect. When she heard moaning and a very distinctive "Rooose," she pulled back.
"Now you know," Clara said coldly. "My brother and my best friend are soulmates. They are very much in love and nothing you do will break them up." She pointed to the door. "I suggest you leave before they come out. It could be a few minutes, it could be hours. I don't know. But no matter how chill my brother will be afterwards, the last thing he'll want to see is you. Trust me, you do not want to awaken the oncoming storm that accompanies his anger."
River walked away without a word. Clara watched her grab her coat and exit the house.
She turned back to the door as another loud moan emanated from it. Rolling her eyes, but still happy her brother was finally getting some, she walked to the stereo and turned the music up.
Heading back into the raging party, she saw Amy Pond approach with a knowing look. The brunette nodded at her. The two friends conversed about different topics as the music drowned out the consistent groans, moans and screams that came from behind a certain closed door.