"If anyone has any reason why these two should not be married…."

A noise from the back of the church made everyone turn. Rose's jaw drop. John gasped.

There at the back was River Song. She looked murderous and held a gun in her hand. The crowd gasped and chaos erupted.

"River," John said curtly.

The older woman began walking down to them, aiming the weapon at Rose. The bride was frozen in fear.

"If you want her to live, you will call off this wedding," River said as she stared directly at John.

John Smith wasn't about to be intimidated by this woman. He saw Clara out of the corner of his eye on the phone to the police, while recording the incident. He stepped in front of his still-frozen bride.

"Put the gun down."

She shook her head. "You have managed to ruin me, John Smith. You and your stupid model bride. Well, you don't deserve anymore happiness."

She took a step closer and John stiffened. Rose placed her hand on John's arm, grounding him. Clara nodded at Danny Pink who was about to tackle River.

"Killing her will kill me, you know that right?" the handsome doctor asked quietly. Clara was scared for her brother.

River Song nodded.

"If you actually cared about me, you wouldn't want that." John tried psychology to see if that would work on this insane woman.

Her hand faltered and she tilted her head, contemplating. John would never accept her if Rose was dead. Yet she knew he would never let her go.

Sirens were heard in the distance and River was tackled to the ground by Danny. Clara moved to grab the gun but it fired a shot before she could get there.

An ear-piercing scream rang out.

Clara saw her best friend's dress covered in blood. But it wasn't her blood. The brunette let out a scream of her own as she fell to her knees and reached out.

Rose was cradling John Smith as he quickly lost consciousness in her arms. Before completely succumbing to death, he whispered that he loved her.

"No John," Rose said as the tears spilled down her cheek. She glanced at her best friend, who was also crying. Pandemonium was all around them, but all the two girls could do was watch the life leave the young doctor's eyes.

Another ear-piercing scream emerged from the bedroom, causing John Smith to run in frantically.

"Rose! Rose," he said and shook her awake.

She came to and paused for a moment, looking into the green eyes of the man she loved. She reached up to touch his face.

"Are you real?" she asked quietly. He chuckled.

"Of course."

She continued tracing his face, committing it to memory. "You're alive."

He nodded and pulled her to him. "I wouldn't call running on just coffee 'alive,' but yes, I am breathing."

Rose snickered against his neck.

He held his fiancée tightly against him. Ever since River Song got out of prison on appeal, Rose had been scared she would do something to them in revenge. And with the wedding fast approaching, she had been having terrifying dreams.

"It felt so real, John," she said against his neck. She breathed in his scent as she held him so tightly. His grip on her increased and he placed a kiss at her temple. "She killed you."

"Shhh, I'm right here" he said softly. Rose Tyler shuddered.

"River Song won't hurt me."

"I'm so scared she's going to fuck things up again."

He nodded and pulled her back slightly so she could look into his eyes.

"I know you are love, but it won't happen. We have Tucker's word that the wedding day will be safe and secure. Besides, River won't get another job in this town. If she's smart, she'll just leave."

Rose nodded. He kissed some tears away.

"But what about Harold?"

John sighed. "He's harmless."

Rose wasn't so sure.

After several minutes, Rose was calmed enough to lie back down. John followed her lead and held her tightly. He had planned to stay until she fell asleep and then he was going to return to his home office. He had a major report that was up against deadline and he had lost sleep the past few days working on it. That and preparing for the happiest day of his life.

He fell fast asleep next to her. It was the best sleep of his life.

As stated, the wedding went off without a hitch. No one interrupted the ceremony and the reception was fun and laid back. Tucker raised a glass to John and they briefly talked about continuing their contract. John had grown fond of Tucker and vice-versa, so they quickly reached an agreement.

Rose couldn't believe that two years of planning had finally come to fruition and John was finally her husband. The blonde observed Clara dance with Danny Pink and she smiled. They were definitely going to stay together.

The bride nodded at her uncle, Graham O'Brien, as he led his girlfriend known as Ace to the dance floor. He smiled at Tucker and John as well.

John had moved into Rose's house upon returning from Scotland and transferred the title into Clara's name. While the brunette was a bit sad that she would no longer see her brother daily, she was also happy to have the place to herself.

"Now you can do weird kinky shit and be as loud as you want," she said to her best friend. Rose laughed.

"Not going to lie, that was the first thing John said when we decided."

Clara shook her head. "Hard to believe my inexperienced brother is now a sex addict."

Rose nodded, gently running her finger over her bottom lip. She could still feel the strength of John's on hers. Not that she ever complained.

Things progressed with Smith Laboratories and soon John was expanding his practice. Rose booked several more modeling jobs that took her overseas, including one in America. Newlyweds Amy and Rory settled in London two blocks away from Clara and the three couples often met up for game or movie nights.

River Song did eventually leave the country, settling in Wales and getting a job as a court reporter. She set her sights on a very respected lawyer and John suspected the cycle would continue.

Better him than me.

Harold Saxon won prime minister and eventually married Martha Jones, the café owner. They had two children together who grew up in the limelight. He never bothered John Smith again. Rumor had it that he distanced himself from River Song as the elections grew closer.

One day near Christmas, John watched his wife and his sister decorate the tree while listening to holiday music. His heart swelled; he couldn't believe how life had turned out.

As though she knew, Rose came over to him and sat on his lap. Clara smiled at them and resumed her decorating, hanging the "newlywed" ornament that she had gotten them a few years ago high up for everyone to see it.

"Are you happy, my love?" he asked his wife.

She nodded. "So much so. You?"

He kissed her gently, flicking his sister off when she pretended to gag.

"Immensely. I was just thinking that we might not have been here if I hadn't finally acknowledged what I had always know to be true; that I was in love with you."

She shook her head. "I think we would have always found one another. A love like this can't be ignored. It transcends time."

He nodded and they turned to watch Clara put more ornaments on the tree. The room exuded happiness and warmth.

All because two best friends decided not to fight their feelings for each other any longer.