The doctor stood stiffly at the Tardis controls, his body rigid and his grip like vice, memories flooding through his brain of a past regeneration, old connections and an old life. He was naive to his crimes, the people he had hurt, the sacrifices he'd made and the enemies he forged. The things he had left behind in order to become the person he was now. He had hit the wall and making desperate sacrifices to do right by the people he loved dearly. Of all the people he had hurt, of all the people he failed, he refused to allow the ponds to endure the same fate. A distant stare, filled with a storm of emotions, he'd spent his life avoiding and running from the shadow proclamation. Running away from his mistakes and heartache as they were too much to bear. He had only been here once before when it came to the saving of earth after the Daleks abducted it. When they wished to once again enslave the earth and sentence the doctor to death. When he and Donna saved the world, when Donna became merged with the mind of a timelord. Now he was back here trying to protect the lives of his friends, his family, his future wife, his best friends. They were relying on him, believed in him, standing beside him despite all that had happened.
River sensed his hesitation, approaching her beloved cautiously and silently, reaching out her hand to place it gently over his own. She knew it was becoming too much for him to bear, his pain, his grief. He hated knowing what her past was, he hated knowing the pain she had endured. He loved her more than anyone, his future partner and better half, the person who understood him better than anyone. Her eyes patient, gentle and loving, no judgement behind her eyes "Sweetie?" she questioned. She knew he was seeing ghosts, the memories of his past companions, painful mistakes he could never take back.
The doctor blinked, his darkened brown eyes reflecting from empty and conflicted. Of all the people he'd been close to, friends, love interests, could have been's, what if's? River ended up becoming the person who loved him most of all. She was never jealous or cruel towards any of the past companions, she knew they were his past and a part of his life. She was part of his future. That familiar twinkle she loved so much reappearing, turning to her with a fond smile "Geronimo" he mumbled quietly.
Amy stood nearby, cradling melody in her arms, a look of worry formed on her features. She knew there were things that the doctor could never tell her, secrets and stories he would only confide in River. Seeing them interact so familiarly, seeing them flirt so naturally. Act like a married couple, fall into a familiar routine. Knowing how happy they made each other, knowing he would keep her daughter safe. But she worried of the pain that he didn't show, the struggle he suffered from internally. Watching her best friend struggle internally with the guilt that weighed on his shoulders. Rory stood beside her protectively, knowing how Amy was still suffering with anxiety and trauma. Her mental health was fragile and his wife wasn't as strong as she appeared. "Doctor?" she questioned.
The doctor sighed, Amy would never be safe so long as she was connected to him, their baby would always be a target as would she. The little girl whose garden he fell into when he was regenerating, the lonely little girl who made him her imaginary friend. He needed to know she would be happy, that she would never be endangered again. They deserved a semblance of a normal life after all they had endured, but he hated knowing how many of his personal demons he was facing in order to protect his loved ones. Walking down another road of pain which would never be forgotten; of all the mistakes he had made, all the people he had hurt, Amy and the knowledge of what happened to River hurt the most. His familiar smile formed on his face, beaming as bright as ever, bolting from the console energetically "Well, here we are, may as well get the greetings over with" he beamed.
The doctor opened the doors of the Tardis, River following him cautiously, making sure her weapons were on her person in case things got hairy. She knew of the many reasons the doctor avoided council, of the many reasons he avoided summoning, it was for his questionable and often violent path. The doctor was seen as a threat due to his unpredictable nature, whether he would be a fervent ally or a volatile enemy was the question.
Amy following closely behind, cradling her daughter protectively, soothing her as to ensure she wasn't scared. Telling her stories and admiring her affectionately. This was different from any other journey she had experienced with the doctor. She had been in real danger, she had felt genuine fear and she knew she couldn't go back from this. Rory stood diligently by her side as they entered the room, he was an immortal being, the father of River Song and wife of the scariest woman he had ever met. But he would protect his family, he would ensure he never let Amy out of his sight again. Everything was pristine, white and appeared almost like an office, an eerily perfect setting that seemed dystopian and off-putting.
A woman with pale skin, bright red eyes and curly white hair appeared, the shadow architect. Dressed in perfect black clothing, like a creature of doom, surrounded by Judoon. It appeared the doctor had gotten a new face, a new incarnation, a new body, more lives. She wondered what endeavours he had endured since his last regeneration, what chaos had been left in his wake. "Well, well Doctor, we meet again, for what reasoning do you seek our council this time?" she asked patiently.
The doctor held up his hands in silence, showing he was unarmed. He knew he was a conflicting force to the shadow proclamation, enough chaos to instil fear and concern. But he came here in good faith and for the sake of those he loved. Amy shifted, immediately tensing as she held Melody closer, willing to act as a shield to protect her offspring. "I come seeking refuge for my companions, a breach of proclamation has occurred against my companions" he stated.
The woman raised her eyebrow, how did the doctor have proof of this and how would they not have heard about it "Explain" she stated.
The doctor carefully pointed to Amy, he hated singling her out but she was a useful tool to use against Kovarian. Knowing her crimes would never he forgotten or erased, held accountable. He needed to ensure nothing like this ever happened again. "This girl is a human, she's my companion, my best friend really. This is her husband Rory, during their travels with me, Amy conceived a child..." he explained. Though he didn't wish to mentally picture his companions in coitus, it was the only way for River to be born. He knew Amy was a flirt and very open in expressing her sexuality, which he knew was how Amy became pregnant so quickly.
"A child? She became pregnant within the time vortex?" The shadow architect questioned in disbelief. How was that possible and how would it affect the child's genetic code? No human had ever been able to pilot or command a Tardis, it was purely timelord technology.
The doctor nodded "Indeed, a child influenced by the time vortex. Unaware of her pregnancy, she was abducted from her home on earth, and replaced illegally by a Ganger. Her mind fused to it in order to keep up the charade. Illegally held hostage and sterilised after birthing her daughter Melody. Said child would later be replaced by a ganger and illegally modified into a timelord variant and conditioned into a a weapon" the doctor explained. Amy's genetic code was altered due to her prolonged exposure to the time vortex and the Tardis, as well as the experiments done on Melody when she was a child. Due to this River had an unnaturally extended lifespan, as well as an in depth knowledge of the Tardis. Amy's body was illegally modified and her child was ripped from her, all due to her connections and affiliations with him.
The Judoon watched carefully, before one approached "What proof of these allegations do you obtain?" they asked
The doctor smiled, he loved it when they asked questions, and he knew River loved it when he got clever, he's being sexy. Admittedly he had a habit of loving to show off, showing his intellect. It was a trait that passed on from every generation of the doctor, showing their influence of so many centuries. "Amy is the mother of Melody "River" Pond, she birthed my future wife, technically my mother in law but we'll get to that.." he explained. Amy was family, the closest family he'd had in a long time, the people he'd come to love. He'd said goodbye to many beloved people, but he always found himself coming back to the Ponds.
"Still getting used to that" Amy mumbled, the fact that her childhood friend was also her son in law, it was a strange feeling. She wondered if she would ever wrap her head around it.
"My wife River is a timelord variant, she's the future alternate self of this baby. This current Melody is still a human, pure and untainted by the silence. However, Madam Kovarian still seeks her as a weapon. It's a breach of protocol to abduct a human as a weapon" the doctor pressed. River was the original variant whose body was altered and modified into a weapon, conditioned into killing him. However, the Melody they saved alongside Amy was the child River could have been. So long as they had the weapon that Kovarian sought, so long as the silence hadn't been destroyed. She would keep seeking Melody as a weapon. Amy was a civilian, she had no ties to the doctor outside of being a companion and a friend. She was dragged into a hell by a group of delusional and fear mongering enemies of the doctor.
The shadow architect reflected, before stepping forward "If what you say is true, this would make this girl a wanted escapee, a target. She's under the protection of earth"
"She has the protection of Torchwood and Unit too" The doctor informed, he knew that she would find refuge within Unit and Torchwood, friends willing to protect her. She would never have to feel fear again. Learning to fight and learning how to protect her family. Martha had watched her own family suffer, watched them at the mercy of the Master. She would never let anyone else suffer under that.
"I see, we'll need to discuss this in depth" she agreed
Amy watched River closely, she could see the rigid body language of her daughter, the hardened look in her eye. Much like herself, she was fearless, always ready to fight and not to be underestimated. The alternate version of herself that left Kovarian to die at the hands of the silence, much like River would. She knew her daughter all too well, it was like looking in a mirror, they were all too similar. At any given moment, she knew her daughter would fire a weapon without hesitation to protect the doctor, her devotion to her family was admirable.
"You're staring" River teased, she and her mother were too alike, she had inherited much from her personality, including her flirtatious streak.
Amy shifted, she knew River would be handling a lot of emotions, facing many demons much like the doctor. He was the love of her life "I'm worried" she mumbled. She would always protect her child, no matter how big she got.
River softened "You're in the safest place you can be, as sneaky as Kovarian is, she knows she cannot defy the Shadow proclamation. If she does, she'll have the galaxy at war against her" she explained. She knew Kovarian better than anyone, her corrupt "Maternal figure", the eerie figure always looming. As conniving a woman as she was, she wasn't stupid. Kovarian knew that despite the enemies the doctor had, he still had allies. After their escape, their hiding and forming shields with Unit and Torchwood, they were forming barriers. And now they were at the galactic police, though River was reserved and often avoided them, she knew she was in the safest place possible. She knew now more than ever the doctor wouldn't be the one to put them in danger. The doctor was risking it all, repairing old bonds, seeking old connections, all for the sake of protecting the Ponds.
Amy shifted, stroking melody's soft hair affectionately, Melody had passed out, sleeping peacefully in her arms. Finally able to stop looking over her shoulder, expecting this to all become a dream and remind herself she never escaped. She felt like she could finally breathe a little, wondering what her life would become when this was all over. Being a mother, the mother in law of the doctor, raising a child born in the time vortex, knowing what her future would become.
"You're already settling into the role well" River smiled warmly, she was able to bond with her daughter, enjoy these small moments that River was denied. She knew this incarnation of herself would be safe. She would know stories of the doctor, she would grow up around her parents and grandparents. She would never know fear or pain, she would always be loved. Amy was a natural mother, she was fiercely protective, loyal and loving.
Amy smiled softly, the one thing she feared was her daughter being restless or anxious after demon's run. But surprisingly she settled well, perhaps because she was familiar with her father and the doctor. She knew she was with people who would always protect her "You're a heavy sleeper" she teased.
River hummed, seeing Amy actually able to mother her hurt deeply, knowing she would never have that. The version of herself that didn't have an extended lifespan, a normal human. A girl who would look nothing like her, who wouldn't become a weapon. It felt strange knowing they were the same person and yet somehow were not. But she was happy her parents were safe. But she wanted to be part of her parent's lives, even when she was travelling, even when she got up to mischief. She wanted to know she would always have a home with them. "You know, I'm still going to visit for wine and chats sometimes" River smirked
Amy laughed in amusement, the adult daughter she was able to bond with, the version that never had a childhood. She knew River would always be strong, but she didn't want her to have to be "I look forward to it". She always wanted River to be part of her life, no matter what occurred in their lives, she always wanted to know her daughter was safe. Whether she was with the doctor, whether she was on dangerous missions, seeing mutual allies or just getting into mischief. She wanted to know that her daughter would always come back alive or unharmed.
River smiled warmly, gently reaching out to take her hand gently to kiss it. She would never lie to her mother, she would only tell riddles. She knew her mother was just as mischievous and always understood her best. Just knowing that River still thought of them and always came to visit no matter what meant the most. River loved her parents more than anything, before she broke her conditioning, she had followed them around in her past incarnations. Living her life in reverse and watching them fall in love.
"So, from what I can understand, you are informing me of your alliances to UNIT and Torchwood, two earth based groups who monitor alien activity" The architect stated. The doctor was forming alliances on every corner of the universe, he was creating bonds with all different forms of species, many whom had once been his enemies. Was he forming an army of his own? To become the most powerful being in the universe? Everywhere he went he changed lives for better and for worse, it all depended on fate.
The doctor nodded "Yes, two of them have very close friends of mine working within them, Martha Jones and Jack Harkness. Madam Vastra of the Silurians and her partner Jenny" he explained. Martha trusted him with her life, but she would never go back to a life in the Tardis, she was happier where she was. Jack had been in and out of the Tardis for many years but he had his life within Torchwood. They were both loyal to him even if they didn't always approve of the methods he used. Madam Vastra was a detective, she worked on her own cases and lived in private with Jenny, travelling through space and time together. Vastra's previous hostility to humans was softened through meeting Jenny and falling in love. They loved one another devotedly.
"And what exactly are your intentions with them?" the architect asked. They had to know the truth, they couldn't be expected to help him if he had ulterior motives, so much was at risk. Powerful groups with weapons, capable of damage against peaceful or harmless interspecies planets and cultures. The harm Unit and Torchwood could do to species who didn't pose a threat to earth. The doctor having them as allies was questionable.
The doctor hesitated "As much as I love Rory and Amy within the Tardis, it's not their home, they belong on Earth. They deserve to raise Melody in peace. But they can still visit me whenever they want" he pressed. He loved travelling with them and he loved watching Melody bond with them, as well as bonding with her himself. But he couldn't ask them to stay with him. He would always be present, he loved them as family, but he needed to do what was right. He needed to keep them safe and he would.
Vastra was fiercely loyal to him, he had shared much of his history with her as to better understand his species. She had become a trustworthy friend to him and cared deeply for his companions. She would understand his methods and would keep a close eye on the ponds no matter what. River had also flirted a little with the couple, but remained respectful of their relationship and loyal to her husband. Vastra knew what it felt like to lose your home, your people, she had promised to protect the family with her life.
Amy stepped forward bravely, still holding her baby "The doctor is very precious to me, he's my best friend. I will do anything to protect him and my daughter" she warned. She wouldn't be manipulated or lied to again, she wouldn't allow herself to fall for any more traps. If anything happened to the doctor there would be hell to pay and more. River knew that better than anyone and she would fully agree with her. River was her first and only child so far, she loved her from the moment they met, born of the love she shared with Rory. She would do anything to ensure the safety of her newborn daughter and future daughter. From the moment he landed in her garden and ate cold custard with fish fingers, from the moment he stepped into her life, he was irreplaceable.
River smirked in the background, a sense of admiration for her mother. That spark, that anger, that fierceness, she got it from Amy. There was so much Kovarian stated she passed onto River due to her conditioning, failing to realise it was merely Amy's shared traits showing dominance.
"From the documents I've found, the experiments used on River song are indeed barbaric and illegal, as well as the misuse and dangerous handling of timelord genetics. Infusing them into a human child unwillingly, which would cause immense pain and trauma" the architect stated, her features warping into disgust. They had illegally injected Melody with timelord genetics, as well as conditioned her into assassinating the doctor, as well as becoming a weapon. They had taken an innocent child and corrupted her. She could only imagine the horrific things this child would have gone through in the process.
River shifted, a flicker of pain forming behind her eyes which didn't go unnoticed. She had never cried in front of anyone, never shown weakness, never shown vulnerability. Never told anyone about her past and why she knew the doctor so well. The doctor finally knowing who she was, finally understanding her, was the hardest moment of her life. She remembered everything Kovarian did to her, the conditioning she broke and the loneliness she felt. How much she wished someone would come and save her. The memories of her parents and the doctor were what kept her sane.
The architect turned to Amy "And you are her mother?" she questioned, confirming the details; Amy nodded. Her features softened "You're a very brave woman, an infant barely a month old and a few weeks after childbirth. I'm surprised you are able to stand" she soothed. "We have a medical bay in which you may gain any sustenance and medical care you may need. You may stay as long as you need, you won't be harmed here. We shall help you find relocation in order to protect your family". Amy softened, such kindness wasn't something she had experienced for a long time, even if it was just being polite. She had her anatomy ripped from her, she had her freedom ripped from her. She was finally learning what it felt like to have a choice again.
"Due to the evidence that you were abducted from English territory, you would be safer within Scottish Borders" The architect muttered. They had managed to track her in the village she was raised in, due to that she would need to leave the country to become isolated. All traces and accounts would be scrubbed for her wellbeing. She had familial ties to Scotland and she would be safer there, her family of course would be able to contact her but it would be heavily monitored.
Amy smirked, she'd always missed home, she had always felt like an outsider in England, her accent always got her teased. Now her daughter would be raised in her home country, she may even have a different accent entirely. Anything that would keep her daughter safe was what mattered the most "So I get to leave England?" she chuckled.
"Doesn't explain how I would end up with an English accent?" River hummed in amusement, through all her education and exposure, she'd ended up with an English accent like her father. But then Kovarian had one, when she escaped and hid, she ended up retaining that accent instead of an English one. Through her many regenerations her accent remained consistent. But then she had come to love this body, this accent, this form, the one the doctor fell in love with too.
"All of time and space and somehow you wonder how you'd still have an accent" the doctor teased, she had managed to relocate herself to England after she escaped Kovarian and still had her conditioning, hiding in England. She could speak and translate thousands of languages of both human and non human background, but somehow she still found ways to amuse him.
River scoffed, nudging him affectionately at his teasing "Shut up" River laughed.
Amy would need around the clock protection even for the smallest reasons, if she wished to remain guarded and wanted her child to remain safe. She needed someone who could be trusted to care for them both. "We can send Madam Vastra as the doctor suggested to be your guardians, to live alongside you or nearby to ensure your safety" the architect explained. The last thing Amy would want was to feel claustrophobic, guarded and trapped. But she couldn't be left alone, so she would need someone within reach to protect her.
"Free babysitting" Rory joked, Madam Vastra and Jenny had no children of their own, but they would dote on Melody. They would ensure she was well protected and that she grew up a happy child. It would also take pressure off Rory when he had to work in nursing or Amy had work herself, taking some of the burden off them.
"You can remain in constant contact with Unit and Torchwood, they have branches in that district that can keep a close eye on you" the architect explained. Their agents would be closely monitoring and watching to ensure they weren't attacked. Amy softened, she had never felt so protected, the doctor was doing all he could to ensure she would be safe, to ensure she was never put at risk again. He was covering all measures to make sure she was safe, that she was never made to feel frightened ever again. Making sure she always had someone to keep an eye on her when he wasn't there to do so. "We will need to make arrangements and ensure safeguarding is taken care of, but you can return home soon" the architect assured her.
River stepped forward "Mother dear, you must be exhausted, I'm sure the proclamation have a room in which you can rest. I do believe Melody will be hungry again soon enough and you need rest. Rory will keep an eye on you and I'll stay with the doctor" she encouraged. She could see Amy was shaking, she could see how exhausted she was and how her body had tensed. All of this was overwhelming her and she just wanted to go home. The best thing she could do was take care of herself and focus on the baby, if she got worked up nothing would be achieved.
"She's right, you need sleep" Rory agreed, Amy had rested in the Tardis but it had been intermittent and she had Melody by her side a majority of the time when he wasn't with her. Amy hadn't had decent sleep in weeks, her body needed rest and she wouldn't cope until she did. Soon she would hit her limit. River knew what was best and she wouldn't let anything happen to them, arguing wouldn't do any good.
Amy shifted, holding her baby close, the last time she slept easier was within the Tardis. Was within their walls. The last time she was in unfamiliar territory, her baby was nearly taken from her, ripped from her arms. She had felt so helpless and so utterly alone. If she closed her eyes, what if the baby in her arms wasn't real, what if she was a replacement? "You promise nothing will happen?" she asked.
The doctor had rather enjoyed babysitting, nurturing the daughter of his companions and speaking privately in their language. He had so many secrets of Melody as he knew how to speak baby. Amy knew her daughter was in safe hands, she had no reason to feel afraid "If you feel easier, you can sleep within the Tardis, it won't be going anywhere" The doctor smiled. He would never put Amy in any situation in which she felt threatened or scared.
Amy shifted, she didn't want to be rude, they were being accommodating and hospitable "No, I'll sleep in a room, I just... I'm..." she stammered. The last time she was in a room, she woke up in a strange incubator tube that monitored every stage of her pregnancy right up to the birth. She knew that in rational mentality, she was far away from people like that, but the trauma had inflicted her deeply, always at the back of her mind. She would always fear something happening to her daughter, that this would all be a dream and she would never be safe.
"Don't push yourself, I understand how wary you must be and how being in a place such as this is intimidating. But you are safe, no harm will be taken against you" the architect assured her. She would be mentally and physically exhausted, her body on red alert and her maternal instincts would be screaming. Amy softened, nodding gratefully as Rory led her away, she didn't have the words to say. "New clothes will be provided, as well as something for your infant" the architect called after her.
River stretched wearily, today had certainly been exciting and she was exhausted, she had a boundless imagination for ways she planned on relaxing. She wouldn't mind if the doctor helped her with that, knowing how tense he was feeling himself. They had spent their time running through the galaxy trying to evade Kovarian and coping with their new life, now they were in one of the most secure political safe holds the doctor could think of. All the adventures and escapades her doctor dragged her into, it was never a dull time. A new timeline had been formed upon her rescue from demons run, branching out from the original and forming a different story for their variants. Her relationship with the doctor had been changed, the way they would meet and fall in love would be different. She would know him during her adolescence, a familiar face in her developmental years. Her beloved husband and the doctor, a future in which she never became a conditioned timelord weapon. But someday she would still marry the doctor, they would be wed and become a lawful couple. The moments she spent with him were her most treasured, as they would become to her childhood self too. Thinking of the little girl who would grow up to be Melody pond, the one whom knew her parents and lived on earth. She wondered what she would look like without her regenerations, would she even recognise herself? She sighed wearily, shaking these intrusive thoughts from her mind, she needed a hot bath, a hot shower and a good nights sleep.
"Tired honey?" The doctor asked fondly, as always River hid her emotions under the veil of mystery. Showing only glimpses of her true feelings and how she was affected by all of this. River would be under speculation of whether she could be trusted due to her alleged murder of him. She needed rest herself, but he knew she wasn't the type to easily settle. But in any way he could comfort her as much as she had him, he would do whatever it took. Whether it was curled up in the Tardis with tea and sharing stories of their adventures, or just being close to one another.
River hummed in amusement, the doctor knew her so well, able to read her like the pages of a book "So much excitement for one day, a girl can only take so much" she teased. She could feel herself trembling, her heart racing in her chest and that familiar anxious knot in her stomach.
The doctor gave her a knowing look, he knew what she was made of, she was so much like her mother. River was the strongest person he knew, the only woman in the universe who knew his real name. She could fly the Tardis better than him, she had her own sonic screwdriver and she knew his secrets. River was never an ordinary girl, even before Kovarian had turned her against them. "Oh I know what your made of, this is a tamer regular Tuesday for you" the doctor teased. River smiled sweetly, oh how she loved her doctor. "So, instead of an imprisonment by Kovarian and conditioned to be a weapon hiding in time. You'll be raised as a normal human within Scotland" the doctor reflected.
River scoffed giving an accusing expression, just what was he trying to imply? Just because Kovarian had never enacted her schemes, didn't mean she would be an easy well behaved child. She would merely become a different variant, she would become someone new and exciting. "Oh sweetie, we know I'm anything but normal" she reminded him. She wasn't Rose Tyler, she wasn't a doctor Donna, she wasn't Martha Jones of Unit, but she was something entirely different.
The doctor chuckled, all that mattered to him was that River was safe, the person who knew him better than anyone. The woman whom he conveyed and trusted all his secrets with. His wife, his soulmate, the person he shared his life with. The doctor approached, reaching out to delicately take her hand and kiss it gently, tracing his fingers along her knuckles. These tender moments they shared, the intimate ones where River gave him her heart, they meant the most to him. "How are you River?" he asked, his voice genuine and patient, much like him she hid her true feelings, buried them under layers of courage and smiles. The way River mirrored him sometimes scared even him, showing how alike they were.
River shifted, her brain felt like it was overloaded, ghosts of her past flashing behind her eyes like a haunted life. The memories of being trapped, memories of the silence watching her like guard dogs. Trying to escape, using whatever was in her means to evade Kovarian. Running through time and space to find her parents and her beloved doctor. Through her many regenerations before she gave them to the doctor, saving his life. Seeing her parents safe and happy, seeing them finally have the life they deserved, healing from their wounds. She felt a part of her had been healed and yet part of her would always be broken "You know, after all this, I could use a date" she reflected. The doctor taking her away in the Tardis to a new or familiar place, just the two of them, a romantic trip together.
The doctor smiled, she had more than earned it, to see her smile from her heart meant the world to him "Once this is all over, I'll take you on a picnic somewhere in time" he promised. Wherever she wanted to go, whatever part of the past, present or future, whatever universe or planet. But right now this moment was more important, but he knew when this was over he had a promise to keep.
River could tell when the doctor lied and when he made false promises, but she knew he was being sincere. He wanted to apologise, he wanted to make amends and he wanted to distract her from her sadness. He was checking in with them all and making sure they knew he cared, that he was going to keep making this up to them. Sometimes she hated him, sometimes she wanted to punch him, but sometimes she wanted to kiss him until he lost his breath, until she stopped crying or couldn't stop laughing. "I'll hold you to that sweetie" she smirked.
The doctor looked her up and down, a small glint of mischief in his eye, as well as a look of concern. He knew River had a sense of fashion and he knew she loved a good dress. She had a variety of styles to choose from and whatever took her fancy, she would get the most out of the Tardis anyway. "But for now, what I can promise, is a change of clothes, a hot shower and a meal. I know you'd rather use the Tardis anyway" he soothed. She could use up all the hot water she wanted, lather herself in scented soaps and oils, eat to her hearts content and feel at home. More privacy that way, nobody could get in without his knowledge.
River smiled, the Tardis had always been home to her, even before she was self aware of the world around her. She could feel the heart of the Tardis, feel her breath, the Tardis spoke to her in words no other person could "You know me too well sweetie". The timelord in her recognised it, knew the equipment, knew the history, knowing how to bond with her. The Tardis was her home, she was conceived there, she had her crib there. She knew how to fly her, she knew how to speak to her, she knew how she operated. The Tardis was her home as much as it was the doctors.
Amy held Melody to her breast, wrapping her daughter in a blanket as she nursed her, a gaze of endless affection pouring from her. This sense of peace that had been so lacking in her life. She felt refreshed, Rory had taken care of Melody, assuring her nothing would happen. While she showered, rested, tried to get some sleep, Rory watched over their daughter without fail. For the first time in weeks, Amy had stood under a hot shower, allowed her mind to wander, not have to worry about being watched. Wash the feel of the chemicals from demons run off her skin, redressed into comfy clothes again and feel like a person. When she came back, Rory was holding his daughter, playing with her and having conversations. Now Melody was hungry, calling for her mother for nutrients, she breathed in the scent of her baby, stroked her smooth head, caressed her fondly. This was something that Kovarian had tried to rob her of, this connection, this bond, dehumanising them. Amy could finally hold her in her arms and know she would never let her go again. Their firstborn, her daughter, the child she would become, the brave young woman that would explore the universe. Out of reach of Kovarian, no window where an eye-patched woman would spy on her. Knowing no enemies could touch her ever again, no guards observing her as she held her baby. In a still guarded but less intimidating room, where she had freedom to breathe.
"River was right, you are a natural" Rory agreed, Melody had attached to her instinctively, remembering her smell and warmth. Amy knew what her baby needed and wanted. River knew that Amy would do whatever it took to protect her baby, she wasn't scared to become the enemy of many. Once she was able to adapt, once she was able to overcome her fear, she settled.
Amy hummed, she knew this was a huge ask of Rory, this had all been organised without his consent or input. She knew Rory loved her, he had since they were kids. But she didn't want to leave him out, Melody was his daughter too, the father of their daughter. How would he feel uprooting his life in England as a nurse? She felt selfish asking this of him, forcing him to make a choice while he still had one. "You sure you're gonna be ok, moving to Scotland?" she asked. He would be forced to make new friends, meet new patients, get used to an entirely new culture.
Rory scoffed, he'd protected her for centuries while she was trapped in the pandorica. He had travelled across time and space to save her from Kovarian and rescue her and the baby. He would do anything for her, he would do anything to protect her "I mean I've been smitten with you since we were kids, you don't think I won't follow you across borders?" he asked. She was his wife, the moment she said yes was the happiest day of his life. They had a life together, a baby together, he couldn't ask for more.
Amy's heart swelled with love, her idiot, this dorky big hearted idiot that she had fallen in love with. The man who she chose to marry, the bravest man she knew. No matter where life ended up taking them, she would always choose Rory "Point taken" Amy laughed. But there was one thing that dwelled on her mind, she never got to see River grow up, to see the girl she was. They knew her through the varied incarnations she had thanks to the experiments. But what would Melody look like, raised as a normal human without the timelord genetics or regenerations. The daughter she would get to raise, get to nurture and get to watch grow up? "I know River looks the way she does, due to her regenerations, due to her giving them to the doctor. But... without it, how you think she'll look?" she asked.
Rory hummed, even he had to admit though River blatantly had more in common with Amy in personality, she had her father's dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. Though a miniature Amy with red hair would be adorable. He had an instinctive feeling, a mass of blonde curls seemed to be more likely. Rory smiled "Well, she'll either have your hair, or she'll still end up with a mass of dirty blonde curls". All he wanted was to see his daughter grow up, all he wanted to know was that she was safe. That the smart, educated and dangerous woman she became was someone she would always be. Amy smiled, she had to agree, even without the regenerations, her parents inherited genes would still exist. It just wouldn't be altered or interfered with by Kovarian's experiments. Most likely she would still end up growing up to look like River, just with less of the trauma. A mini river running around in Scotland, told stories of the doctor and how she was born. Told stories of the raggedy man and the Tardis, only this time she would be believed.
Rory shifted "You know, when this is all over, and we're... home? Settled?..." he trailed off awkwardly. He would never push Amy into anything, he would never force her to do anything she didn't want. God knows she'd been traumatised enough already. But he wanted the wounds in her heart to heal, to someday overcome it. Once they were back on Earth, the memories of what happened would still remain. "We can... you can... therapy? Counselling? Just... anything you need that might help" he pressed. They could go as a couple, Amy could go on her own and he and the doctor would take care of Melody. Whatever Amy needed to feel better, to stop the pain.
Amy softened, he'd protected her across time and space, she had told their newborn stories of him when Kovarian tried to rip them apart. Now he was here taking care of them both while she was in pieces. He was willing to move across country for her, he was willing to go to therapy with her, anything to keep her safe "Rory...". Waking up beside him, raising Melody together, sharing a life and watching her grow up, they could never ask for more. She hated how much grief he was being put through because of her, she was always impulsively running into danger and he was paying the consequences.
"This isn't something you can overcome overnight, you don't have to play strong or pretend. You were kidnapped, abducted, sterilised and held hostage" he pressed "You can be honest with me". She was still healing, her fragmented mind unable to tell what was reality and what could be false memories. She was still terrified that Kovarian would take her away from her happiness. Amy was the strongest person he knew but she didn't always have to be. Whether she would be able to have another child or not they could work through it together. She would never be alone again, she never had to feel that way again.
Amy's eyes flickered with pain, still holding Melody tightly, he spoke such profound words that made her feel safe. He didn't sugarcoat, he didn't coddle, he didn't overwhelm her. He was present, attentive, gentle and patient, he acknowledged her pain and all he wanted to do was be a supportive husband. She didn't have the words to explain the storm of emotions within her and how much it hurt her, she licked her lips. "For... for months I thought... I believed I was still with you and the doctor, all the adventures we were on were real. When I woke up pregnant, I thought it was a nightmare. Of all the things to be I wanted to share it with you. Knowing how close we came to losing her, wondering if we can ever have another..." she stammered. She had believed all those adventures she was on with him, in reality her ganger was actually seeing her daughter's past and discovering truth's. Something she wanted to share with Rory, something they should have shared together, became a frightening discovery. Now she never knew if she would ever be able to experience it ever again.
Rory approached, kissing Amy on the head affectionately, breathing in her hair, he knew how frightened and confused she still was. She was processing so much and she needed time. But he was just happy to have his wife back, to have her back in his arms, knowing she was real, she was here and this time she wasn't a ganger. But he hated knowing that while they were apart, he was helpless to do anything, knowing Amy was alone, she was held hostage and speculated. Observed around the clock while her baby was growing inside of her, one of the happiest moments of her life was turned into the most frightening and traumatic.
Amy softened as he kissed her, stroking his cheek as she fed Melody, "I love you, and I love her, this is our family, whatever it takes to keep us safe, I'll trust the doctor" Amy pressed. Her husband, their baby, their adult daughter, their family. The doctor knew what would be safest and they had to trust him. Rory nodded, as always she was right, but his fear and reservation always gnawed at the back of his mind. "Guess it will be a while before the in-laws meet Melody" Amy scoffed, they had never known she was pregnant, they had never known they even had a grandchild. That would be a hell of a story to have to explain.
Rory shifted, they had been on their honeymoon for so long, they didn't know much about the doctor aside from being Amy's friend. Now they had to explain that Amy was pregnant, they had a baby and they were moving away "Oh god" he mumbled, they hadn't even considered it. Amy laughed fondly, her idiot, but she wouldn't have him any other way.
River dried her blonde curls, wringing the ends with a towel, assuring no droplets were left, the glowing lights of the Tardis surrounded her, speaking silently in a language only she knew. She had always felt home in this place, before she was born she had a connection to the Tardis, walking along the steps with a delicate step. Having changed into some comfier clothing, something that felt more like home than military garb. A cream coloured shirred short sleeved blouse, a flowy brown tweed diamond print skirt that ended at her knees, with a cinched waist. A brown leather jacket laid nearby, black tights and her familiar black heeled boots. She considered leaving her hair as it was, or perhaps styling it into a messy bun instead. Fitting her style of a bombshell from an old fashioned film, she had a feeling the doctor would appreciate it, given it showed her curves better. But then she always felt the doctors eyes on her, gazing at her like a star. She looked lovely and screamed trouble, just the way he liked it.
"Dressed to impress beloved?" The doctor called, the shirt showed her neckline and cleavage better, the skirt showed off her curves. He had never failed to appreciate his wife's sense of stye. He couldn't stop staring at her with adoration, his wife, the love of his life.
River smiled, biting back a laugh of amusement, the doctor was staring at her like a love struck schoolboy. That same puppy dog gaze of utter adoration, the silent expression of love "Always sweetie" she teased. The doctor was leaning against the controls, watching her with fondness. They had the entire ships to themselves, so much privacy, no interruptions. Just the taste of his lips, the feel of his hands all over her body. She could hold the doctor in her arms and know this was her home.
The doctor softened, he could smell her shampoo like a fragrant perfume, the way the water droplets trickled from her hair. The fieriness of her eyes, that dazzling smile. He loved everything about her "Feeling better?" he asked. The freedom to do whatever she wanted, the freedom to have the small basic necessities, especially after the childhood robbed from her. He was aware he wasn't always kind to her, that sometimes he could be cruel, elusive and distant. But he did love River, she was always with him. River was everything to him, the only person who was nearly as old as him, someone with an extended lifespan. He'd loved and lost many people, but he adored her more than anyone.
"Well, you could have joined me..." River trailed off, she would have preferred her doctor accompany her. To feel his body pressed to hers, the doctor holding her close. His fingers delicately caressing her head and soothing shampoo into her scalp. The hot water rippling across her skin, admiring one another's bodies as they embraced their intimacies. She always felt safest with the doctor, she always felt the most loved with the doctor.
The doctor smiled, as much as he wanted to embrace River he was distracted, his mind was polluted with knowledge. She didn't deserve his backlash and she didn't deserve the coldness. Right now the anger, guilt and sadness were consuming him, he didn't want Amy or River to see him in such an ugly state "Later" he hummed. Right now he just wanted to watch his wife be happy, spoil her and watch her blossom, knowing he saved her.
River sighed, rolling her eyes, the shadow proclamation weren't known for being decadent, she was born amongst criminals and sadly it was familiar to her. She had never known any other life. She at least wanted her husband to spoil her, to make her feel cherished "At least treat me to dinner, the food here isn't the best" she sighed. She knew the doctor wanted to, he wanted to chase time with her and show her around the universe. But he was holding back on her for some reason.
The doctor smiled, the lost and lonely little girl she was grew up into the strongest woman he had ever met. All he wanted was for her to smile, all he wanted was for her to feel loved. He hated knowing she met him at the end of her life and he met her while he was in the golden years of his. He wished their timelines made sense, he wished they could meet at the same time "Anything for you honey".
River softened, he was trying to make her laugh, make her smile, she would follow him through time and space no matter the cost, just to see his face. The same as any lovestruck woman, the woman who had claimed his heart, one of the rare few to achieve this. She adored him with every fibre of her being. The way he looked at her she knew she was loved. She always wondered if the doctor knew how precious he was to her, how far she would go for him, the sonic screwdriver he would someday gift her, how he trusted her indefinitely.
She spun delicately on her heels, the skirt spinning as she did so "So you like it then? Very vintage detective. Though I do feel it gives saucy secretary" she hummed
The doctor smiled, whatever she wore she always stood out no matter what. The way it hugged her in all the right places, accentuating her accents in the best way. "You alway did have a sense of fashion, it's what makes us partners in crime" he smirked. River blushed, he was flattering her but in the best way possible, filling her with pride and making her feel loved.
"You know, I always did wonder what made you so familiar, now that I look at Amy I can see so much of you in her" The doctor hummed. Seeing glimpses of the Pond's in river only clarified their familial bond, though she did look more like Rory than Amy. Knowing the woman she would grow up to be was astounding. Knowing of her history, her timeline, her bond with her parents and how she would be raised by them. It made him wonder of the lessons they would teach her.
"Like mother like daughter" River laughed fondly, the only people in the world more precious to her than the doctor were her parents. The people who gave her life and brought her into the universe, the only people she would love more than anyone else. Knowing they were safe and protected meant everything to her.
"Whatever Kovarian tried to erase she clearly failed, given how you used your regenerations to find them. But also how much of you was able to break the conditioning" The doctor hummed. Kovarian had ripped her away from Amy by using a Ganger as a replacement, making her believe she got her baby back. But while she tried to make River forget, it clearly never worked. River was stronger than people gave her credit for, she was fearless and dangerous, which is what he loved about her.
River sighed, wrapping her arms around the doctor's neck as she perched atop his lap "You do know how to make a woman feel special" she sighed. He knew how to say sweet words that got under her skin and made her feel alive. The doctor had seen her at her worst, loved her regardless. They knew of the other's flaws, failures, crimes and trauma and still loved each other. She knew his real name and he knew of her past. They never tried to change the other, they just accepted them for who they were and tried to heal their wounds.
"You have a brilliant mind, probably the only person in the universe on the same level as me" he hummed, she was an archeologist, she was a doctor, she was the only person smarter than him. River was clever, she could read him like a book and knew how to outsmart him. But what worried him was how she would risk her own life to save his, which was a guilt he could never live with. She became a doctor just like Rory, but not in medicine, but in history.
"A perfect match" she smiled, she used her knowledge on the universe to her advantage, to help her studies and her profession. She was resourceful, she knew how to protect herself. She respected the doctor more than anyone, she trusted him with her life. The doctor acknowledged that she and him were cut from the same cloth, a two sided blade. They would never try to change the other, merely accept the other as they were.
The doctor gently took her hand, caressing his fingers across her own, admiring her fingers "You know legally, as my wife, you should be adorning a ring" he hummed. He could travel the galaxy, look at every gem, every stone possible and none would be good enough for her. But he would like to see her wearing a ring, just to remember the binding promise they made. Nothing would make him happier than to see River wearing something they could share. But he doubted River would agree to such a thing as happy as it would make him.
River stared back at him, her eyes wide and quickly pulling away from him, fear and confusion filling her, was this real? Was she dreaming? Had the doctor just asked her what she assumed she had just heard? She had always known she loved the doctor far deeper than he loved her, she would kill for him, rip the universe apart for him, go to prison for him. But there was never a symbol of their union, of their marriage, he had never offered her a ring. Any gift the doctor gave her she treasured, imagining him gifting her a ring and wearing one in return.
"You've had lovers River, you've been briefly married to many people aside from myself. But we all know, I'm the most important person in your life" he hummed. River had never loved anyone like him, the expressions she wore when she was around him, the way she looked at him. How devastated she was when their timelines were out of sync. When she kissed him for the first time. He felt immense guilt knowing their timelines were out of Sync due to Kovarian, that glimpses of her life happened with varying variants of himself.
River scoffed, everyone she had ever loved or had been close to would always be compared to the doctor "Don't let it get to your head" she huffed.
"You know about Rose, you knew about all my past mistakes and relationships. But you were never jealous of them, you know the love I feel for you is different. You don't judge my past, you love me as I am" he reflected. Rose was the love of his tenth incarnations life, they were inseparable until she was ripped from him and trapped in an alternate universe. Then as he recovered from her he learned to love again. He could never make up for the people he had hurt because of his actions, only learn from it. Through meeting Martha and Donna he changed for the better, he recovered and learned to move on from Rose. Allowing him to meet the Ponds, meet their daughter and fall in love with her. River was always his person, always the best match and the woman who loved all sides of him.
River hummed "You met Rose before you knew me, before our timelines connected. You fell in love with me later in your timeline, I've loved you before you knew who I was. Our timelines are distorted due to Kovarian. That's not your fault sweetie" she soothed. Rose was a young teenage girl swept up from her mundane life and met a broken, traumatised post war timelord. He hadn't even met River yet, he had no idea who she was. Rose had been a huge part of his life, just as she would be. River would never compare herself to Rose and she never would, she was a different person. The doctor loved her because of who she was, not as a replacement for Rose.
The doctor smiled, of all the names he had been called over his lifespan, nobody had ever called him that. He just wished his past incarnations had the knowledge of how important she would become "I do love it when you call me that".
River smiled, she knew all of his weaknesses, his vulnerabilities, his flaws and more. She knew what he wanted to hear, what he hated hearing and what he loved to hear. Their secret conversations and spoilers "Why do you think I love saying it" she beamed. She knew in his next life he would call her sweetie as much as he called her honey.
The doctor smirked, but he thought of letting her go so soon, letting her say goodbye. He didn't want this to end so soon, not when he didn't know what could happen to her. He needed her here, he needed her with him. "You know you're always welcome to stay, as long as you need. Now that the truth of what happened to you is out, I don't see a sentence at the storm cage" he soothed. Now that the galaxy would know about her illegal abduction, about the crimes committed against Amy and the schemes to kill him. River would be cleared of all charges and able to live a normal life. Well as normal as she could be.
River gave him a knowing look, as much as she wanted to stay with him, they both knew that wasn't possible. They were fated to always be apart in some way, as much as it hurt them. They were always on the other's minds, always in their hearts "One psychopath per Tardis remember" she reminded him.
The doctor shifted, he was always alone, even when he had his friends he was always alone. When he lost his planet, his species, he travelled the universe alone, an aching heart bleeding for his people. When he lost Rose his heart was empty, pushing everyone away, to protect himself. He used others as scapegoats to heal the anger and grief of losing someone he considered his best friend. He stopped meeting people because when he tried, it always hurt him the most. River was the only person who felt at home in the Tardis, who never left, the only person he would trust with a Key and gave her a diary, he loved her more than anyone. Time was being rewritten, her story was being altered, so much was possible. "That timeline won't exist for her, I can assure you the Shadow proclamation will inform the galaxy what happened. That sentence will be erased or shortened. You won't be a prisoner for long" he soothed. She wouldn't be bound behind bars, she wouldn't be locked away, she could be free to do whatever her heart desired.
River blinked, of all the things she never expected her doctor to say, to ask of her. He was now sitting in front of her asking to travel with him because he needed her to. He didn't want to be alone, he didn't want her to leave, he wanted her to stay. He was reaching out and opening up to her, something he didn't do easily.
"You can stay as long as you want, I want you to stay River. You don't have to be so eager to leave" he soothed. He would never shackle her to the Tardis, he would never make her stay if she didn't wish to. He would never lock her away and force her to stay, it wasn't in her nature. He wanted to go on adventures they would remember, make memories together. She was his wife and he wanted to spend time with her, he wanted to understand her, to make her open up.
River felt her cheeks heat, her heart aching with sadness and joy, she wanted to smother him in kisses until he couldn't breathe. Which given his alien lungs wouldn't be easy to do. She had longed for the moment the doctor would admit he needed her as much as she did in return. How long had she longed to hear those words? How long had she dreamed of them? Keeping them close in her heart always. Her beloved timelord "Well when you ask a girl like that, how can she refuse" she mumbled. She wrapped her arms around his neck, closing the space between them as she pressed her lips to his, smiling against his lips.