"Subject Alpha proving too much the fighter. Subject Beta needed for project completion" they hear from the other side of the wall.
"Beta has been summoned through connection with subject Alpha." Another droid-like voice answers "Beta subject proving much the fighter as Alpha."
"Irrelevant. Project is nearing completion then no need for either subject."
Amy felt her heart twist in panicked apprehension listening in on the muffled back and forth. Not for the first time she wonders who they were talking about.
The Doctor?
That had to be it. Only he would be able to warrant this level of panic. An all-new version of Demon's Run.
And once again it seemed her little girl was right smack in the middle of it all.
Yet if she hadn't already seen just how deeply her Raggedy Man cared for River, and how much River fought at every turn to be with him in return she would be fighting even harder to keep history from repeating.
"It's called marriage, Mother." River had remained over the rim of her wine glass one night as the two had sat in the backyard to watch the stars together. Then she added her normal "You'll understand soon " comment with a sad kind of smile at Amy's surprised expression at just how coolly River had waved away her worries.
Amy fired back with a scoffed "Spoiler, Riv." As she'd taken another mouthful of wine and turned her attention back towards the sky.
Again, River feels her knees buckling under her as she tries to guide her mother towards something considered safety, yet her head feels like it is split in two in more ways than one, making the job that much harder. Once again she wondered at her actions in following the summons-worthy call of this place.
Not even the pull towards Darillium was as strong as this.
"River just this once let me…" Amy attempts to argue when after a heavy groan of effort her daughter lifts her head at the sounds of someone coming closer to where they'd hidden for the moment.
"Mummy lookout" Her attempt at a warning came as more of a whimper as Amy whirled around to defend her instead of the other way around.
"you're not having her" Amy growls tugging her not-so-little, baby daughter even more securely against her back.
"Mother, please" River begs her trembling fingers digging harder into the sleeves of Amy's jacket.
Then they both hear it. A sublet but very memorable humming sound pulsing low at the other end of the hallway.
The effect was immediate as the looming threat that had been slowly stalking towards the cornered pair buckled to its knees with a howl of agony as it clutched at its head. At the same time River feels the tightening ache in her own loosen its burning grip on her mind.
"I warned you." was the whisper as the comforting buzzing drew closer. "I warned you what would happen if you harmed her."
Then it dropped again as the twin gazes lifted to the still-twisting haze of gold as their almost attacker gave an even weaker plea of pain.
Amy gasped at the burning fury in those so familiar eyes despite the face being different from the one she was used to. Heck even her gender was different than Amy was used to but it was the eyes that told her new face or not this was still her dear Raggedy Doctor.
And Amy has to admit the purple shirt with its failed striped patterns of the red, and gold did pair well with the blue pants the new face had to roll a few times at the waist for them to fit her snugly. And even then, she'd had to stuff the leg cuffs into the lips of her too-big boots. The sight alone earned a giggle from the red-haired mother.
"Sweetie" River whispers when that quiet rage is dropped to the almost attacker. "Sweetie that's enough."
"Doc, can you read me Doc? We got her. She was right where you said she'd be as if we ever doubted you. She's pretty out of it and more than a little bruised and battered but she's alive." An also new voice says crackling to life from the small silvery earpiece tucked into the Doctor's ear. The cool sliver of the things causing a striking contrast to the gleaming gold of the ear cuffs adorning the new regeneration's ears.
"Not even kidnapping can save you, you know."
Amy's eyes widen at the husky-counched tone as a much steadier River slips out from behind her to restrain the now unconscious one scent to track them down.
"Like I need saving when it comes to you." The blonde-time woman laughed as a little more of that fear-inducing silent rage dimmed a little more in the chuckling woman's eyes.
Oddly, Amy notices how similar it was hearing Mels and River giggling at the reply and the way both versions of her daughter's laughter harmonized with one another.
Never in her time of knowing just who this wild-haired, sharp-shooting 'devil in high heels' had she ever considered asking if she'd ever run into her younger selves.
"Sure to keep a marriage interesting, isn't it?" Mels coughed over the commlink.
The Doctor's eyes lift to fall on River before she answers, "Certainly will, love." she agrees before turning the volume lower as if now considering something she steps towards the taller blonde a move that for once has River backing up a few steps in surprise until her back hits the unmoving wall behind her.
"I'll give it back." The Doctor promises to fish what looked to Amy to be a small spray bottle kind of thing from one of River's jacket pockets.
"Hum, how many hands do you have?" the listening mother hears River purring leaning a little more into the wondering touch.
The Doctor only smiles before backing up a few steps then sprays a puff of the stuff over her head whilst the other two watch.
The mismatched rainbow-stripped shirt and rolled-up pants are soon replaced by a still oversized suit.
"Hum watch out that bow tie." River hummed as the now blushing Doctor held out the small spray bottle in thanks.
"They're still cool." The blonde-time woman defends her hand lifting to straighten the thing self-conscious under River's hungry gaze. "now if you, please. I have a wedding to get to."
"I would stay around to crash it but can't risk the whole of time collapsing." River sighed already shaking back her sleeve to show off the badly damaged vortex manipulator. "If you please?"
The Doctor nodes pulling her silvery sonic back from her jacket pocket at the sight of the sparking thing attached to her wife's wrist.
"So just how many times do the two of you get married?" Amy wonders aloud
"Spoilers." The out-of-sync time wives say in unison then share a knowing smile between themselves under the glow of the humming sonic.
"Till another time, my love." River sighs and Amy takes the words as their cue to leave.
"All my love to long ago, sweetie." The Doctor answers with a pained kind of attempt at a smile.
Amy wavers wanting to pull her best friend in for a soothing hug and would have if River weren't already on the move a half beat later.
Amy felt the overwhelming need to shield her eyes regardless of the fact she'd witnessed her daughter and her best friend kiss on multiple occasions now in their mismatched meets through time and space but there was something about witnessing one now that just felt….
Different.
"Doc?"
Only the nervous wavering of the voice over the cracking commlink separates the two lip-locked time women.
"I'll….I'm coming now, Yaz." The Doctor promises her breathing ragged under River's greedy kisses.
"Hum. Lucky me." Amy hears her daughter chuckle stealing another quick kiss before walking backward enough to move back to Amy's side.
The Doctor's next words don't translate to Amy's mind yet part of her knew that had to be because the dialect had to be Galifrayan in origin.
The only language the translation matrix never thinks to translate even for those without Galifrayan backgrounds.
"And I love you too, Sweetie." River answers her eyes misting in tears now as the two hold gazes. "Now go marry me." She orders shaking herself back to the matter at hand.
"Happy to." The Doctor grins making another touch fixing to her bowtie as River flips the cap on the wrist strap sitting snugly against her arm.