House Call

Chapter 8

Rory had been following Amy and Rose for what felt like hours. They two of them were hell bent on finding their respected Doctors. Though, Rose seemed even more driven than his wife. He didn't even think that was possible.

"I don't understand. We should have seen something by now. A door or something or even those weird vines, but nothing—there's nothing."

Amy said, "Well, maybe we took a wrong turn somewhere. Or it's farther then we thought. Joe said this place was bigger in the inside like the TARDIS."

Rose shook her head and bit her bottom lip in thought and said, "No that's what it wants. It wanted him. It wanted them both." Then with a frustrated huff she stated, "It's playing us."

Rory tried to ease tension and said, "Ok, don't freak out. The Doctor is a clever man. I'm sure he can figure it out."

"Yeah," added Amy. "But not alone he isn't, right?"

Amy turned for confirmation from Rose, but the blonde wasn't paying attention. She was running a hand through her golden hair and pacing in thought. She muttered under her breath and looked up at the couple and said, "Ok, assets. We have to figure out what we know and then try and see what we can do. So, right—they took Joe and the Doctor so they're probably alien. They either want to use him or force him to do something they want."

In reaction, Rory was surprised at this level of pre-planning. Normally, all he, Amy and Doctor did was run around and stumble onto clues and hope for the best. It was weird, but it actually looked like Rose knew what she was doing.

"Yeah, but we still don't know anything," said Amy. "They could be anywhere inside this big creepy castle with—with whoever it is that wants them."

Firmly, Rose said, "Right, then I think we should try and see what it wants. If we can't go forward them we'll back track. We'll go into the town and see what anybody knows about this place."

"Yeah, but isn't that like a long walk?" asked Rory with hesitation. He looked down the dark corridor and said, "And I don't remember where it is we came."

The group turned to look down the dark stretch of hall with him and paused. It was true that they had walked a long way. There was no telling how long the corridors went and all the stone and turns make the castle seem like a maze. It was a labyrinth of doors and empty places.

With a sigh, Amy said, "Great, so how are we supposed to find our way back?"

Suddenly one of the doors opened and out walked River Song. The future-companion was wearing a smart pair of slacks, a blouse, boots and had a flashlight in her hand. She shined the light at the three and scanned them with her keen eye. She recognized the couple, Amy and Rory, but she didn't know the blonde.

"Hello, darlings. Fancy meeting you here. Now, where's the Doctor?"

XXX

Meanwhile, in the large chamber room, the Doctor and Joe slowly paused and curiously examined the strange woman tentatively. It wasn't everyday you met someone who knew what a Time Lord was and practically invited you in.

Though, Joe cut to the chase and asked, "Who are you?"

"Yes," said Eleven more mystified and added, "And what exactly are you doing to my ship?"

The woman replied, "I need you to help me."

Joe said, "Help you with what?"

"I need you to help save me."

Shocked, the two men shared a look. Though, Joe was not convinced and stated, "It doesn't look like it. It seems to me more like a kidnapping. Now, what is it that you really want?"

Eleven boldly circled around her and looked over the controls on the console and spoke as he moved around. "Yes…you seem to be helping yourself. You've somehow hooked up your vines to both our TARDIS and appear to be sucking up the power. Oh, that explains the energy drain, but that doesn't explain why. Why? Why did you need so much power? What's it for?"

The odd beauty remained rooted in place by the controls, but then turned to face Eleven and replied, "I'm hurt. I need the power to heal. I need your help."

Eleven matched her intense stare and gaze into her green eyes and said, "Yes, but why us? Why Time Lords? What are you, exactly?"

In a stern voice, Joe asked, "What's your name?"

The woman faced the leather-clad man and answered, "I have no name."

XXX

In the castle hall, Amy dashed over to River said, "Oh, hey River. I take it you're looking for the Doctor."

The future-companion stated, "No, actually. I was looking into something when I stumbled onto this mystery. I should have known the Doctor would be here. Where's there's a good mystery he's sure to be found. Now, where is sweetie?"

Stunned, Rose asked, "Sweetie? Are you talking about the Doctor?"

River approached the blonde and answered, "Yes, so who are you? I'm River Song."

She extended her hand for a handshake and slowly Rose reached out to greet her politely. Rose felt awkward since it looked like this woman knew Amy and her husband. She bit her tongue for a moment and replied, "Um, yeah. I'm Rose Tyler. I used to travel with the Doctor."

Immediately, River felt her heart froze. Rose Tyler—no it couldn't be the Rose Tyler—the woman the Doctor was nearly too pained to talk about. River hadn't heard much about her, but from the little to drag out of him she knew that she was different. There was something about Rose that made her a cut above the rest. And though she knew the facts, like Rose saving him and meeting him right after the Time War, it still didn't explain the pain and the swooning.

River could still remember the Doctor as he tried to explain. He said, Rose had saved him and that she was loyal and brave, but it was the soft way he spoke when he thought she wasn't listening.

"Rose…my Rose…"

It was a slight thing. The one simple word, "my" but it somehow bothered River. She had never heard the Doctor speak so possessively about anyone before in her life. Mostly it was the Doctor who belonged to his friends. He was always their Doctor depending on the time or the regeneration, but never did they belong to him. River knew it would hurt too much if he allowed somebody to belong to him, however it appeared that Rose Tyler had gotten very close.

Smiling, she said, "I've always wanted to meet you, Rose."

Rose was surprised. "Oh, did he talk about me?"

"A little, but where is he?"

"He was captured by some weird creepy vine things. They dragged him and Joe off somewhere. I thought we'd double back to the town and get some information about who lives at this castle."

River shook her head. "Don't bother. The town, the people, this castle—it's all fake."

XXX

TBC

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More cliff hangers! Oh, I can't seem to help it, but at least I was able to get in River Song. Also it saves me from writing a town scene. LOL. Though, one of my reviewers mentioned her and I think she makes a good adition to the plot. It gives Eleven more to think about.

Please review. Thank you.