{Sorry I haven't been updating this as much as my other fic. I got really caught up in the other, and I had run out of ideas for this one. I wouldn't mind getting some ideas sent it on how I should continue this. I'm thinking the Doctor will meet up with an earlier River, but...Thanks again for reading, and reviews are appreciated. Sorry about this one being so short. :/}
River paced slightly, unsure of how to bring this up to the Doctor. Clara had taken a break from travel days ago, informing them that she felt like she was intruding on them. River, while thankful, felt exasperated. Clara was the only one keeping her sane in the Tardis. At the moment she just wanted to take a break and stay on Earth for a while.
The Doctor entered the room, and River stopped her pacing. "I was wondering..."
He looked at her, slightly confused. "Yes?"
"Could I take a break from time travel? Just for a few days?"
He hesitated. "It's not really safe, River...With Kovarian-"
"Just long enough to see a Doctor. To make sure the baby is alright." She knew that he would say yes, especially since her request was involving the baby's health.
He considered the options. "Who would you stay with?"
She shrugged. "I have friends. Here, I'll drive." She took control and he watched, realizing that he hadn't even agreed to whatever she was doing. Like always, she didn't really get his permission. River was her own woman, after all.
River ended up staying with an old friend she had met in high school, telling the Doctor to come back in a few days (She had narrowed her eyes at him, shooting him a look that obviously read don't be late. He silently vowed he wouldn't be).
He sat back in the Tardis, feeling uneasy and bored. He wasn't used to the Tardis being this calm, at least not as of late. Sure, River had told him to do things on his own, but without someone to talk to or at least make fun of him, the adventure part just wasn't as fun.
He decided the only thing to do was to go to Earth, maybe do a little shopping or save someone. Or something.
He ended up in the 20s. 2020s. He walked around on the crowded streets of a city, watching people walk around. Some were old, some were young, some were alone, and some were together. He watched as a little girl held her father's hand lovingly, and it hit him that that could be him. Well, not exactly. That could be him, with some time-travel involved.
How far along was River now? Four-no, nearly five months. Yes, that was it. It still scared him how fast this was all going. Especially since they hadn't even made a nursery in the Tardis yet. Or found out if it were a boy or girl. He realized just how behind he was in all this.
Ahead of him he saw a park and made his way over. The sun shone brightly, and he realized just how improperly dressed he was for the heat. He removed his brown jacket and sat down on a bench, looking out onto a pond, deep in his own thoughts.
He didn't notice when she strolled up behind him, a smirk on her face. Swiftly, she sat beside him.
"Hello, Sweetie."
He stared at her, confused. "River?"
She wasn't pregnant. Or, at least, this one wasn't. He looked closer at her; was this River older or younger? He stared into her eyes, looking deeply at her skin. There didn't seem to be as many wrinkles...
"What brings you here?"
He hesitated. "I was...Just in the area. What are you doing here?"
"Oh, you know, the same." She smiled mischievously, then glanced at two Police officers behind them. "Er, maybe not the same. Can we go somewhere private?"
They entered the Tardis, the Doctor still wondering what River had done this time to have to escapes from the police's grasps. He sighed, and decided he didn't want to know.
He closed the door behind them and walked over to where River was standing, a broad smile on her face.
"Are you using my Tardis just for hiding?"
She chuckled. "Pfft, no, of course not." She swiftly grabbed his lapels and pulled him close, her lips meeting his greedily and his hands unsure what to do.