Right, so, getting to work on this. Not much else to say, except thanks for the reviews, follows, and favorites so far, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Dobby's Polka-Dotted Sock

Chapter Three

The place had a shine to it, like a fancy veneer that was peeling at the edges. When he looked closely he could still see the same things that were at any other bar. Dorium Maldovar just appeared to have clients who liked to pretend they could afford something better. The man working behind the counter pointed him to an appropriately shady corner, where a figure in a curve-hugging dress sat with their head down, a drink half-finished on the table and a cup of tea waiting at the spot reserved for him.

The shadows made no difference, though; there was no hiding that head of hair.

He sauntered over, taking his time as he felt her eyes watch his every move under the brim of her hat. It seemed right to announce his presence all the same. "'Melody Malone'. I should have known." He dropped into the booth with ease, raised the teacup in a sort of salute. "Hello, River Song."

She lifted her face at last as she removed the hat, still the same mischievous eyes and full lips. "Hello, Sweetie." When he placed the cup down without drinking, she noted, "That's going to go cold, and to think I ordered it just for you."

"Then I'll let whatever you've put in it go cold, too."

"You don't trust me?"

"Should I?" He countered. She laughed and didn't answer.

Instead, she put forth a question of her own. "You didn't bring your partner with you?"

He didn't bother to parry back, opting to let her see his scowl. "You know Donna doesn't work with me anymore."

"Yes, pity that, I quite liked her. Still, there's always little Miss Clara, isn't there?"

"I had been told, you know, that I was to be hearing some rather pertinent information about a case," he remarked rather impatiently. "Seems to me all we're making is small talk."

She simply smirked at his irritation. "And don't you want to hear what I've been up to?"

"Something tells me I won't be hearing it. Not unless it's in a police report."

She arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow at his retort. "I do some professional work as well, you realize."

"Yes; how you got a Ph.D., I'll never know." He sat up straight and folded his hands on the table in front of her. "River, the Williams Case."

She sighed. "Always the work, isn't it?"

"You called me," he pointed out.

"Only way I'll get a date out of you."

"Is that what happened to Williams?" He decided to just plow ahead. She was likely to make him work for the information anyway. "Was he meeting someone—you, maybe—for a date?"

She rolled her eyes. "Oh please, as if I'd date a nurse. Married one at that."

"Yes, and his wife is paying me to find out what happened to him, so if you have information I'd appreciate it now," he stressed.

Her eyes flashed. "Oh, I have information, but not about Rory Williams. Tell me, Doctor," she leaned forward, and he found himself doing the same. "What do you know of the Silence?"

He hoped his expression didn't seem too blank. "I'm assuming you're not just talking about the word." When a hint of a smirk came to her face as she shook her head, he said, "Alright, then, educate me. Who's the Silence?"

"Not who," she corrected with a wagging finger, "what. They're an organization, ruthless—"

"A gang, then?"

"Not just any gang." Her tone was deadly serious. "This goes deeper than you could ever know."

"Then how do you know about it?"

"I have my sources," she shrugged lightly, not trying to hide the deflection. "But that's what's become of your missing nurse."

"What, he was part of them or ran afoul?"

She shook her head sadly. "Just in the wrong place at the wrong time, doing something they didn't like."

"And what was that?" He prompted, hoping she wasn't going to keep being so cryptic.

"His job."

Well, that was concrete enough. "His work at the hospital? Why would they single out him out of all the other nurses?"

"Like I said, bad timing for him. Just bad luck."

"Hang on, you said 'missing'," he realized, and her eyes widened for a fraction of a second. "He's still alive? River, where is he?"

She was shaking her head before he even finished the question. "I don't know."

"Then find out!"

"Because it's that easy, is it?" She shot back heatedly. "You wouldn't even know this much without my help!"

He reached for her hand across the table. "Then help me, River, please. For him and his wife's sake, if nothing else." He was starting to hate the shaking motion of her head, even as it tossed her curls back and forth in a teasing sort of way, daring him to reach out and touch one. "Why not?"

"I didn't ask you here to help you with the case," she said simply, "I asked you here to warn you."

"Why?"

"Because they don't know you've taken it yet, but they will soon. And that puts you in their sights." She had a fearful light to her eyes now.

He did his best to scoff. "You act like that's new for me."

Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Like I said, this goes deep. Don't go digging for it, Doctor, or you just might fall in too far."

He squeezed her hand briefly and let it drop to the table. "Come on, River, you know that's like waving a red flag in front of the bull. And anyway, I've already taken the case so I've simply got to take the risks that come with it."

She managed a laugh that was more shaky than anything. "Of course, why do I try?"

"Yes, why do you?" He wondered aloud.

Her smirk was back as she smoothly replied, "How else is a girl to have fun in this town? Have you seen the other PIs? And don't get me started on the coppers."

He leaned back in the booth. "The uniforms don't do it for you, then?"

"Oh, I think you know what does it for me." He stood abruptly and adjusted his bowtie, causing her to laugh. "Speaking of which, not a word to your friend DI Stewart. The walls in those offices have ears, you know."

"Right," he said, fully composed. "Well, whatever your intentions, thank you for the information."

Her lips formed a pout. "A thank you? You really know how to treat a girl, don't you?"

"Sorry?"

"Here I buy you a drink, and not even an offer to head back to your place," she sighed at the supposedly obvious oversight, while he turned flushed a red that probably matched his bowtie.

"Pretty sure you head back to the buyer's place, actually," he muttered before he could think through the consequences.

Her eyes lit up. "If that's how you feel, I'm sure I could find us something."

"No, River, it's back to the office—"

"Ooh, that could be fun."

"—for me," he emphasized. "I've got a lot of work to do on this."

"Oh, alright," she huffed, clearly thinking him to be a spoilsport of the worst kind. When he reached into his wallet and, grumbling, produced a couple of crumpled bills to compensate, she at least lost the disappointed frown. Instead, she plucked them up between manicured nails, smoothed the wrinkles in the paper, and then smoothly tucked away the money. Down the front of her dress.

He would deny staring to any and all witnesses, even under the glare of Kate's interrogation lamp.

She laughed as he unnecessarily straightened his collar again and walked away. "Don't let this case keep you up too late." That woman; she knew perfectly well what he'd be losing sleep over thinking about tonight.

OoO

Craig hadn't bothered to wait at the edge of his boss' jurisdiction, and so he drove straight back to the office.

"Busy day?" Clara asked as he came through the door.

"You could say that," he acknowledged, about to go on and describe the unusual meeting with River. But her warning about danger gave him pause. He was fairly certain any conversation in his office was private, and he was absolutely certain Clara could be trusted, but did he want to take the chance with her?

"You still in there?" Her voice filtered through at last, and he shook his head to clear it.

"Course." It was then that he registered she had her coat on. "What time is it? Is it really that late? Sorry about that—"

"Don't apologize, you're the one running around the city," she shrugged. "Need to talk it over?" She knew his pacing tirades all too well, as he puzzled things out aloud. Oftentimes it had been a keen observation from her that provided the breakthrough.

"No, no, you best go home." No need to include her just yet when he wasn't sure what he'd be including her in. He turned to head into the inner office. "Oh, and lock the door on your way out."

She sighed. "I'll be back in the morning with breakfast."

"No, no, take the morning off, it's late!" He protested, embarrassed enough. After all, they both knew he couldn't pay her for the extra time.

She just smiled at him in the doorway. "Just try and keep me away, Chin Boy. Goodnight." And she was out the door.

He stood there for a moment, then shook his head. When Clara was determined, she had to have her way. Lucky for him that she was determined to take care of him.

But now, he had a job to do taking care of the Williams Case. He sat heavily in his desk chair, propping his feet once more on the desk. This Silence River spoke of sounded ominous enough, and her sources were usually reliable. But how had she found a source in such a 'ruthless organization', as she had called it? Something like that required an in of some kind.

Just how was River Song involved with the Silence? That was certainly something to think about. The woman wasn't always on the right side of the law in her dealings, and she pretended to be so even less than he did most of the time. Still, it would be foolish to completely disregard her advice.

But supposedly, Rory Williams was still alive. He'd been taken, then, somewhere because the Silence hadn't liked what he was doing. He would need to go back to the hospital, then. He was really hoping this wasn't going to turn into some circle-round-the-tail case.

What was he kidding himself for? They always were.

So there's River for you, I know people were excited to see her. As always, she and the Doctor clearly have some history. But the Silence! Just what form will they take in this AU? More on that to come. And there may be hope for Rory yet; the man will never die. I hope this installment was interesting to you all, thanks for reading and please review!