Big Bang Challenge (part 3)
River woke after an uncomfortable few hours sleep, doing her best to flex her aching muscles without disturbing Amy. At some point in the night they had shifted, River now lying on her side, with Amy curled into her, resting her head on the curve of her waist.
“So this is the Amy Pond?” came a quiet voice from across the cell.
River looked up to see Jack still hunched against the wall, but awake. “One and the same,” she sighed. It was strange, but Jack was probably the person who knew most about her in the entire universe at the moment. She had met him a handful of times, and yet told him so much. Underneath his charming appearance, there was actually a really decent man. Someone who would sit and let you unload all your worries, never complaining for a moment.
“Then this is…”
“Complicated,” replied River, gently running her fingers through Amy’s hair.
“Does she know?” Jack asked.
River shook her head. “No. And I won’t force it on her. If I think it’s what she wants, then I’ll tell her…someday.”
She saw a sad smile on Jack’s face. “There’s still time.”
“I never had you down for a patient woman,” said Jack.
“You can’t force someone to love you,” River smiled, glancing down at Amy’s sleeping face. She would wait as long as it took. It was more complicated now, yes. But complicated was what she did best. Amy shuffled in her sleep, cuddling closer to River.
“People don’t have to be forced to love you,” smiled Jack, looking at River. She was an exquisite woman, and if he didn’t know she was already wrapped up in someone else, he would try his hand. He glanced down at Amy’s sleeping form, where she clung to River. “I don’t think she’ll need much persuasion.”
River smiled back at him. “I’m not persuading anyone. It’s a decision she needs to make all on her own.”
“Does she know that there’s a choice to be made?”
River frowned at his question.
“Does she know all of her options?” he said, asking the question in a different way.
It occurred to River then that perhaps Amy didn’t know what a relationship with her was on offer. She had never openly flirted as she would like to, she couldn’t, not with the Doctor and Rory so close. It was possible that Amy didn’t even have an inkling. And yet, she had still kissed her. “Throwing myself and hoping.” Maybe she could give it a try on more than a Harojen.
There was noise outside the cell, and River gently shook Amy awake, helping her to sit up while she remained curled around her, ready to launch herself at whoever may come through the door. She saw Jack ready himself to move also, before centering her attention on the door.
“Amy! River!” came the Doctor’s overly happy voice. The two of them looked at the grinning face through the small window in the door, and quickly changed their looks to glares. The door was opened and two Harojen stepped inside. River quickly moved in front of Amy. If they were going to move them, it took two of them to hold her, meaning Amy could make a run for it.
One of the Harojen turned to the Doctor, “These two women are with you?”
He nodded, also stepping into the cell, “Haven’t been causing too much trouble have they?”
“We thought they were spies from another village,” came the deep, bellowing reply of the Harojen.
“Jack?” the Doctor said suddenly, only just noticing him.
“You also know the one who only cause nuisance?”
“I could take him off your hands if you release him to me,” suggested the Doctor.
“We will gladly let you have him,” said one of the Harojen, hauling Jack unceremoniously to his feet.
“And um, those two?” prompted the Doctor, pointing at River and Amy.
“If you say they are not spies then they are not spies. They will be released, and free as long they can control themselves. That one especially,” said the slightly taller of the Harojen, pointing at River.
River heard a small snort of laughter from Amy behind her and reached back with a hand to tap her playfully. She hadn’t been shy of opening her mouth and letting the Harojen have it. One of the men stepped towards them, and River stayed put in her defensive stance in front of Amy. “If we’re free you don’t need to lay a hand on us,” she growled, glaring. The man silently stepped aside letting them follow the other Harojen, the Doctor and Jack before bringing up the rear. River tugged Amy to walk in front of her, meaning she walked between Jack and herself. She would be safer that way.
*
“You and your friend will have to be responsible for them. If they cause more nuisance they will be imprisoned again, and this time your words will not let them out,” said one of the Harojen, directing his words at the Doctor, who nodded in understanding. “Now, we feast!” shouted the huge man, startling Amy and River.
The Doctor turned to them both. “Can you two please behave for this? We don’t want them starting a war a day early.”
“A day early?” asked Jack, coming to stand relatively close to the two women.
“They go to war tomorrow. I thought we could stay tonight, join in the festivities, and leave them to it tomorrow,” replied the Doctor, jumping up and down like a five year old child.
“So we eat, drink and leave them to die?” asked Amy, managing to succinctly put the situation into one simple question.
“Well, when you say it like that, yes. But that’s the way it has to be. It’s the way their race is. They are warriors, this is what they do,” said the Doctor. “Now, I got you all invited to the feast, so, I suggest you enjoy it or they’ll put you back in prison.” And with that, he left them standing, somewhat dumbstruck, while he strode off after the two guards who had let them free towards an elaborately decorated table.
“How does he manage to score a seat at the top table?” asked Jack, annoyed. “I come here to worship their strength and good looks and get branded a nuisance, he wanders in and gets to eat with the chief!”
“There’s Rory!” said Amy suddenly, pointing. As the other two looked in the direction, true enough, there was Rory, seated to the Doctor’s left. “If he thought I was angry at him for letting me get carried away he hasn’t seen nothing yet! He’s been here the whole time, and let me sit in that prison cell the whole night, freezing!” she yelled, drawing a few looked from the Harojens nearest them.
“Amy, sweetie, I think we better just keep it down unless you want to spend another night in that cell,” said River, placing a finger gently against Amy’s lips.
“I’m still pissed,” mumbled the red head despite River’s finger.
“You’re not the only one,” said Jack. “But, I suggest we make the best of a not so bad situation. I see food and drink and a quiet few seats.”
“I did promise you could laugh at me drunk,” said River, smirking at Amy.
“Lead the way,” laughed the young redhead, glancing one last time at Rory before plastering a smile on her face and looping on arm through River’s and letting Jack loop an arm around her shoulders.
*
“What the hell is this?” Amy sputtered, forcing herself to swallow the strange tasting liquid in her mouth.
“I don’t know, but if you mix it with this it doesn’t taste too bad,” said River, taking her glass and pouring a little of some other unknown alcohol into it before handing it back to her.
“River do you even know what any of these are?” asked Amy, sniffing the drink warily.
“Of course I do,” replied River in that confident way she had. “They’re all alcohol.” She picked up her own glass and drank deeply.
“It’s likely just your basic alcohol,” said Jack. “They’re not the most advanced race, so I doubt it’s hallucinogenic or telepathic or anything like that.”
“They make that?” asked Amy amazed.
“They make hallucinogenic cocktails that almost make you feel like you’re in some simulation game,” Jack smiled. “Just one example of the miracles scientists can create when they put their minds to it,” he laughed.
“The telepathic stuff is fun too, and those cocktails give a whole new meaning to ordering a screaming orgasm” grinned River knowingly. “But if good old fashioned standard alcohol is all we have, I’m not going to complain.”
“I’ll drink to that, said Jack, flashing them both a grin. “Now how about we liven this up with a little old fashioned drinking game?”
*
“No, no, I have one,” said Jack, narrowly escaping his forfeit of having to down his entire drink for not being able to think of an a suggestion quick enough, which by this stage was before the other two participants got bored. “Never have I ever kissed the Doctor, whatever face he might have had then.” He took a mouthful of his own drink and watched in amusement as both women he was sitting with also took a drink, looking at each other in wide eyed shock.
“What one?” asked River, looking directly at Amy.
Amy shook her head. “Not saying.”
“Come on, Pond,” urged Jack, who was now becoming quite fond of Amy’s second name.
“This one,” she murmured, wanting them both to stop starting at her.
“This one?” Jack laughed. “But this one’s all gangly. I far preferred the one before.”
“Hmm, I’ll agree with that,” said River, thinking back. “He was a little easier on the eye.”
“Well sorry, but I never got to see that one, did I?” said Amy defensively.
“When was it anyway?” asked River, curious.
“After the weeping Angels.”
“After I was gone?” River asked, trying to remember.
Amy nodded, not looking at her. Not wanting her to see her eyes that would surely give away the truth. That that kiss was never meant for the Doctor, but he was there at the time, and Amy had felt she would explode if she didn’t kiss someone. “What was the old Doctor like?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“Cheeky,” smiled Jack. “And kinda sexy,” he added, laughing. “Usually always wore a suit.”
“That pinstripe number,” River smiled. “I remember that. He was wearing that when I kissed him.”
“Same,” laughed Jack. “And that coat I always liked on him. That Doctor had some good taste.”
The three trailed off into silence for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. It was Amy who finally broke the silence, making a rather clever suggestion, she thought. “Never have I ever, or will I ever, marry the Doctor.” She didn’t bother to hide the fact that she was openly staring at River, who rather surprisingly, didn’t move a muscle.
“Amy, you do know the rules if you say something no one drinks to,” River smirked.
“Down it, big puddle,” laughed Jack, nudging her playfully.
Amy did, and didn’t entirely mind that she had to. After a few ill-tasting experiments, River had managed to cobble together from the drink they had one half decent tasting mix. As she emptied her glass, she watched River over the top of it, the blonde’s face giving away nothing. Still curious, Amy couldn’t help but wonder, if River wasn’t the Doctor’s wife, then who the hell was she?
“River, back to you,” said Jack, leaning over to refill Amy’s glass.
“Never have I ever…” she trailed off, thinking.
“Amy?” came the sheepish voice of Rory. River and Jack awkwardly looked away, knowing this wasn’t anything to do with them.
“Finally remembered I’m here, did you?” barked Amy, her annoyance clear.
He stepped towards her, a pleading look on his face. “Amy it’s not like that!”
“Not like that? So what is it like Rory? You left me in prison overnight!” shouted Amy.
Noting a couple of Harojen paying Amy a little too much attention, River placed a hand on her forearm. Amy paused, quiet for a few seconds as she looked to where River gestured.
This time when she spoke, it was at a lower volume, but still with as much venom. “Just go Rory. I don’t want your little apology.”
“But I-“
“Just go Rory,” growled Amy with a matching glare.
“I think it might be best if you left her to cool off,” said Jack in a quiet voice.
Sighing, Rory gave Amy one last pleading look before turning and heading back in the direction he had come.
There was an awkward silence for a few minutes after Rory’s departure, neither River nor Jack sure what to say.
“I know I should probably just kiss and make up, but he annoys me. Twice in the last two days he’s just left me when for all he knew I could have been taken away and killed. Any time there’s trouble he just sticks his head in the sand and waits till it seems safe before he comes back out!” said Amy, speaking quickly in anger. But it wasn’t just anger in her voice, there was also a noticeable hint of sadness. She closed her eyes for a moment, regaining her composure. “River, it was your turn wasn’t it?” she suddenly asked, wanting to have something else to occupy her mind.
“Sweetie maybe-“
“I don’t want to talk about Rory. I don’t want to think about Rory. Now you promised me I would get to laugh at you drunk, and right now you’re barely hitting tipsy,” said Amy decisively.
“Alright then,” grinned River. “Never have I ever done body shots in public,” she finally said after a rather long thinking pause. If they were still playing this ancient game, she was going to have some fun with it.
Both she and Jack drank through a confused look from Amy.
“Hallucinogenic beer,” smirked Jack.
“Telepathic champagne,” River smirked back.
“Ooh, now that is nice,” laughed Jack. “Almost makes it classy.”
“Body shots?” asked Amy, making the other two turn to her wearing matching looks of disbelief.
“You’ve never done body shots?” River asked, amused.
Amy shook her head. “What the hell are they?”
“You really don’t know?” asked Jack, surely she must be screwing with them.
Again Amy shook her head.
“Shots you drink off of someone’s body,” he said, thinking he was rather pointing out the obvious. And yet, Amy was still looking at him as if he was mad. “As in, you pour the drink onto them and drink it off,” he said, trying to think how he could better explain what was to him, a very simple process.
“Oh!” said Amy, suddenly getting it, or at least, part of it.
Still seeing a flicker of confusion on the young woman’s face, Jack turned to River, wearing his best and most charming smile. “Care for a practical demonstration?” He knew he was pushing, but in the times he had met River, he had learned that she was a woman who could be pushed. Or who, at least, would never back down from a challenge.
In answer River poured a small amount of the sickly sweet alcohol they had previously been mixing into a cup of its own, passing it to Jack before lying back in the bench she had been sitting on and lifting up her top to reveal a smooth, toned stomach.
Startled by this recent turn of events, Amy quickly sat herself on the edge of the table where she could clearly see what the other two were doing. She watched in slight awe as Jack poured the contents of the cup into River’s navel before lowering his lips to her skin and drinking it straight from her body. Again, she felt the sudden rush of jealously towards him at his closeness and easy flirting with River.
Chuckling, River sat back up, tugging down her top once more. “It’s been a long time since anyone asked me to do that.”
“It’s been a long time since you seen me,” grinned Jack, falling back into his own seat. “And I think it’s back to me, yes?” He paused for a few seconds before a mischievous look crept onto his face. “Never have I ever had an erotic thought about someone at this table.”
The three of them drank deeply, hiding any looks of surprise behind their cups before finally setting the drinking vessels down, and regarded each other awkwardly.
*
For a while after that the ‘never’s’ became quite innocent and common things, letting everyone drink, and the awkwardness which had descended dissipate.
The light was failing, and the Harojen had started lighting camp fires all around the settlement, providing light and warmth. This was a job for the men, and they moved easily around the settlement, carrying with them huge piles of tinder, which they quickly and expertly made into fires.
“Where are all the women in this place?” River suddenly asked, the thought having only occurred to her.
“Where they should be,” replied one of the Harojen nearest her with obvious distaste. “Inside where they are safe and useful.”
Jack suddenly leant over from where he was sitting, clamping a hand over River’s mouth, who had been about to bark back some sassy retort. “Just where they should be,” he grinned, waiting until the man left before releasing River.
“What a backward bunch of assholes!” she complained when she was free.
“Not always,” came a new voice from behind her. She twisted to see a very tall, slender woman behind her. The first female Harojen she had seen in all the time they had been here. “It may seem harsh, but we have our fun. When they go to war, the settlement is ours to do as we please. And when they are here they are not as bad as they seem. They do most of the work. We are left to please ourselves most of the time,” she smiled, showing perfect teeth. She placed blankets down next to River. “It is traditional the night before war for the men to sleep outside, but it does get very cold. If you would prefer, the shelter there is free. It has four rooms in, so plenty of space.” She smiled at them all once more, pointing towards the building she meant. “And also, drink this. It will stop the headache and sickness that will come.” She slipped a small bottle out of her robes, placing it on the table in the middle of them. “I will let you back to your game,” she smiled. “And thank you, for being most amusing.” And with that, she slipped off in silence, disappearing into one of the far away buildings.
“Huh,” said River, turning back to face the other two. “I still wouldn’t live here.”
“No shoe shops,” grinned Amy.
“Precisely!” laughed River, leaning forwards on the table. She took a sip from her almost empty cup, glancing up as she put it down. She found Amy staring at her intently, her brown eyes seeming almost on fire as they reflected the flames from the nearby campfire. River didn’t think she had ever been on the opposite end of such an intense stare, which was saying something, the places she’d been and the people she’d seen.
Jack also noticed the stare, and had to smirk. Ever since learning that this Amy Pond was the Amy Pond, the woman whose marriage had been enough to reduce River to crying into her drink, he had been deeply intrigued. River clearly hadn’t given up on winning the younger woman’s heart, and from the looks Amy had been giving her all night, it was a good thing she hadn’t. As he saw it, the only thing stopping Amy from crawling straight into River’s arms was the table between them, and perhaps also his presence...and the fact her husband was sitting about a hundred feet away. Out of curiosity, he decided to see what removing his presence for a few minutes would do. Pushing himself up, he made his excuse of finding the nearest thing that resembled a bathroom.
Amy looked over at River, who was leaning back on her arms, staring up at the sky. In the firelight her hair looked like liquid gold, her skin like caramel, asking to be touched, tasted. Amy wasn’t sure if it was the drink or simply her growing attraction, but River’s neck was simply begging to be kissed. She longed to feel the blonde’s pulse point beneath her lips, to slide her hands into those wild curls…She quickly turned away and closed her eyes as if it would somehow help. The image of River, and her accompanying thoughts were already burned into her memory. Opening her eyes once more, she reached for the jug containing the sickly sweet drink, and poured a small amount of it into a cup as she had seen Jack do earlier. Then, picking up the cup, she made her way around the table on slightly unsteady, but sure legs. She glanced behind for a moment, satisfying herself that they were out of sight of the top table, and so Rory and the Doctor, before coming to stand in front of River.
The blonde slowly met Amy’s now slightly hesitant gaze. “What is it?”
Amy held the cup out in front of her, silently asking River permission. She saw River’s eyes widen slightly in surprise, but she didn’t resist. Instead, she lay back, raising her top to once more reveal her stomach and navel.
She watched with lust darkened eyes as Amy settled between her legs, pouring the cold liquid onto her skin. She hissed slightly at the coldness of it, but her noise of displeasure was quickly quelled by Amy lowering her soft lips to her skin. Her body reacted before her mind could stop it, and she arched her back into the contact she had craved for so long. A small moan erupted from her throat, and she quickly bit her lip to silence herself. She forced herself to keep her eyes open, and focused on the red hair of Amy as she drank the liquid from her skin.
As Amy’s tongue darted out, however, she felt her eyes close, and her head fall back. She struggled to keep herself silent as Amy then started to trail sloppy kisses up her stomach. Forcing her eyes open once more, she looked down at Amy, who was now looking up at her. She watched as the younger woman crawled further up her body, leaning down to kiss her on the lips. River didn’t protest, willingly opening her mouth to Amy when she felt her tongue as for permission, running gently across her bottom lip. She felt Amy’s hands slide into her hair as the younger woman deepened the kiss, trusting River to keep them steady on the bench.
When Amy finally pulled back, they were both breathless, their eyes searching the other’s faces. What both saw, was that the other showed no signs of regretting the kiss. A slow smile spread across Amy’s face, and she gently traced a finger down River’s cheek, and then the curve of lips that were set in that trademark smirk.
“Doing body-shots without me?” came a voice that even without looking, definitely belonged to a grinning face.
Amy froze, the smile slipping from her face. River steadied herself, leaning up on one elbow, gently cupping Amy’s face with her now free hand. “It’s okay,” she smiled reassuringly. “I promise.” She pushed them both into a sitting position, meaning that Amy was now practically sitting in her lap. Amy turned a fearful gaze towards Jack.
“Hey big puddle, it’s alright,” he smiled, putting a reassuring hand on her arm. “I’m not one to judge.”
Amy was still doing her best impersonation of a rabbit caught in headlights. Something which certainly did not escape River’s attention. The last thing she wanted now was for Amy to run away from her. Today had been a huge leap forward in her book. Yes, the Doctor wasn’t the only one River Song had a little book for. Amy’s little book, however, was one she would never take out in public. It was more a lovesick journal full of teenage sounding emotions, and although River would cringe when she thought about it, it served as an outpouring for everything she felt towards the red head. Otherwise she was sure to shout it out at someone. And probably someone she shouldn’t shout something like that at.
She shot Jack a quick pleading look, silently asking for another few moments alone with Amy. Not as crass as he may first come across, Jack played the role of a gentleman, silently taking his leave.
River rubbed one hand gently up and down Amy’s arm in what she hoped was a reassuring gesture. She felt Amy relax into her slightly, but her hand still clutched nervously at River’s shirt. The older woman placed a hand over Amy’s, bringing the younger woman’s gaze to meet her own. “He won’t say anything,” she reassured.
Amy closed her eyes, but still didn’t move. “I don’t know why I did that,” she whispered.
River was at a slight loss at what to do. She didn’t know how this would turn out. She had no spoilers for this. This was just her, falling stupidly and irreversibly in love.
Amy finally opened her eyes, gazing straight at River, and seeing fear there. River’s features, usually so guarded, were open and honest. And if Amy was honest, slightly overwhelming. The fear, Amy realised, was not at all due to their situation, but rather a fear the blonde held that she was going to run. When Jack had appeared, she had thought about running, but had instead grabbed a fistful of River’s shirt. There was something in her that didn’t want to run. The same something that had her throwing herself at River earlier that day, that had her kiss her way up to her lips not five minutes ago. “Rory,” she whispered, watching the hurt spread across River’s face.
Tears welled up in River’s eyes, and she fought to stop them spilling down her cheeks. “I know.” She closed her eyes as she lost the fight to contain her tears. His was a name she didn’t want to hear. She gasped as she felt soft lips press against her own. She turned her head to the side, denying both of them the kiss. She couldn’t do this anymore. She couldn’t know what it was like to kiss her, what she tasted like, for her to go back to Rory.
“So this is the Amy Pond?” came a quiet voice from across the cell.
River looked up to see Jack still hunched against the wall, but awake. “One and the same,” she sighed. It was strange, but Jack was probably the person who knew most about her in the entire universe at the moment. She had met him a handful of times, and yet told him so much. Underneath his charming appearance, there was actually a really decent man. Someone who would sit and let you unload all your worries, never complaining for a moment.
“Then this is…”
“Complicated,” replied River, gently running her fingers through Amy’s hair.
“Does she know?” Jack asked.
River shook her head. “No. And I won’t force it on her. If I think it’s what she wants, then I’ll tell her…someday.”
She saw a sad smile on Jack’s face. “There’s still time.”
“I never had you down for a patient woman,” said Jack.
“You can’t force someone to love you,” River smiled, glancing down at Amy’s sleeping face. She would wait as long as it took. It was more complicated now, yes. But complicated was what she did best. Amy shuffled in her sleep, cuddling closer to River.
“People don’t have to be forced to love you,” smiled Jack, looking at River. She was an exquisite woman, and if he didn’t know she was already wrapped up in someone else, he would try his hand. He glanced down at Amy’s sleeping form, where she clung to River. “I don’t think she’ll need much persuasion.”
River smiled back at him. “I’m not persuading anyone. It’s a decision she needs to make all on her own.”
“Does she know that there’s a choice to be made?”
River frowned at his question.
“Does she know all of her options?” he said, asking the question in a different way.
It occurred to River then that perhaps Amy didn’t know what a relationship with her was on offer. She had never openly flirted as she would like to, she couldn’t, not with the Doctor and Rory so close. It was possible that Amy didn’t even have an inkling. And yet, she had still kissed her. “Throwing myself and hoping.” Maybe she could give it a try on more than a Harojen.
There was noise outside the cell, and River gently shook Amy awake, helping her to sit up while she remained curled around her, ready to launch herself at whoever may come through the door. She saw Jack ready himself to move also, before centering her attention on the door.
“Amy! River!” came the Doctor’s overly happy voice. The two of them looked at the grinning face through the small window in the door, and quickly changed their looks to glares. The door was opened and two Harojen stepped inside. River quickly moved in front of Amy. If they were going to move them, it took two of them to hold her, meaning Amy could make a run for it.
One of the Harojen turned to the Doctor, “These two women are with you?”
He nodded, also stepping into the cell, “Haven’t been causing too much trouble have they?”
“We thought they were spies from another village,” came the deep, bellowing reply of the Harojen.
“Jack?” the Doctor said suddenly, only just noticing him.
“You also know the one who only cause nuisance?”
“I could take him off your hands if you release him to me,” suggested the Doctor.
“We will gladly let you have him,” said one of the Harojen, hauling Jack unceremoniously to his feet.
“And um, those two?” prompted the Doctor, pointing at River and Amy.
“If you say they are not spies then they are not spies. They will be released, and free as long they can control themselves. That one especially,” said the slightly taller of the Harojen, pointing at River.
River heard a small snort of laughter from Amy behind her and reached back with a hand to tap her playfully. She hadn’t been shy of opening her mouth and letting the Harojen have it. One of the men stepped towards them, and River stayed put in her defensive stance in front of Amy. “If we’re free you don’t need to lay a hand on us,” she growled, glaring. The man silently stepped aside letting them follow the other Harojen, the Doctor and Jack before bringing up the rear. River tugged Amy to walk in front of her, meaning she walked between Jack and herself. She would be safer that way.
*
“You and your friend will have to be responsible for them. If they cause more nuisance they will be imprisoned again, and this time your words will not let them out,” said one of the Harojen, directing his words at the Doctor, who nodded in understanding. “Now, we feast!” shouted the huge man, startling Amy and River.
The Doctor turned to them both. “Can you two please behave for this? We don’t want them starting a war a day early.”
“A day early?” asked Jack, coming to stand relatively close to the two women.
“They go to war tomorrow. I thought we could stay tonight, join in the festivities, and leave them to it tomorrow,” replied the Doctor, jumping up and down like a five year old child.
“So we eat, drink and leave them to die?” asked Amy, managing to succinctly put the situation into one simple question.
“Well, when you say it like that, yes. But that’s the way it has to be. It’s the way their race is. They are warriors, this is what they do,” said the Doctor. “Now, I got you all invited to the feast, so, I suggest you enjoy it or they’ll put you back in prison.” And with that, he left them standing, somewhat dumbstruck, while he strode off after the two guards who had let them free towards an elaborately decorated table.
“How does he manage to score a seat at the top table?” asked Jack, annoyed. “I come here to worship their strength and good looks and get branded a nuisance, he wanders in and gets to eat with the chief!”
“There’s Rory!” said Amy suddenly, pointing. As the other two looked in the direction, true enough, there was Rory, seated to the Doctor’s left. “If he thought I was angry at him for letting me get carried away he hasn’t seen nothing yet! He’s been here the whole time, and let me sit in that prison cell the whole night, freezing!” she yelled, drawing a few looked from the Harojens nearest them.
“Amy, sweetie, I think we better just keep it down unless you want to spend another night in that cell,” said River, placing a finger gently against Amy’s lips.
“I’m still pissed,” mumbled the red head despite River’s finger.
“You’re not the only one,” said Jack. “But, I suggest we make the best of a not so bad situation. I see food and drink and a quiet few seats.”
“I did promise you could laugh at me drunk,” said River, smirking at Amy.
“Lead the way,” laughed the young redhead, glancing one last time at Rory before plastering a smile on her face and looping on arm through River’s and letting Jack loop an arm around her shoulders.
*
“What the hell is this?” Amy sputtered, forcing herself to swallow the strange tasting liquid in her mouth.
“I don’t know, but if you mix it with this it doesn’t taste too bad,” said River, taking her glass and pouring a little of some other unknown alcohol into it before handing it back to her.
“River do you even know what any of these are?” asked Amy, sniffing the drink warily.
“Of course I do,” replied River in that confident way she had. “They’re all alcohol.” She picked up her own glass and drank deeply.
“It’s likely just your basic alcohol,” said Jack. “They’re not the most advanced race, so I doubt it’s hallucinogenic or telepathic or anything like that.”
“They make that?” asked Amy amazed.
“They make hallucinogenic cocktails that almost make you feel like you’re in some simulation game,” Jack smiled. “Just one example of the miracles scientists can create when they put their minds to it,” he laughed.
“The telepathic stuff is fun too, and those cocktails give a whole new meaning to ordering a screaming orgasm” grinned River knowingly. “But if good old fashioned standard alcohol is all we have, I’m not going to complain.”
“I’ll drink to that, said Jack, flashing them both a grin. “Now how about we liven this up with a little old fashioned drinking game?”
*
“No, no, I have one,” said Jack, narrowly escaping his forfeit of having to down his entire drink for not being able to think of an a suggestion quick enough, which by this stage was before the other two participants got bored. “Never have I ever kissed the Doctor, whatever face he might have had then.” He took a mouthful of his own drink and watched in amusement as both women he was sitting with also took a drink, looking at each other in wide eyed shock.
“What one?” asked River, looking directly at Amy.
Amy shook her head. “Not saying.”
“Come on, Pond,” urged Jack, who was now becoming quite fond of Amy’s second name.
“This one,” she murmured, wanting them both to stop starting at her.
“This one?” Jack laughed. “But this one’s all gangly. I far preferred the one before.”
“Hmm, I’ll agree with that,” said River, thinking back. “He was a little easier on the eye.”
“Well sorry, but I never got to see that one, did I?” said Amy defensively.
“When was it anyway?” asked River, curious.
“After the weeping Angels.”
“After I was gone?” River asked, trying to remember.
Amy nodded, not looking at her. Not wanting her to see her eyes that would surely give away the truth. That that kiss was never meant for the Doctor, but he was there at the time, and Amy had felt she would explode if she didn’t kiss someone. “What was the old Doctor like?” she asked, trying to change the subject.
“Cheeky,” smiled Jack. “And kinda sexy,” he added, laughing. “Usually always wore a suit.”
“That pinstripe number,” River smiled. “I remember that. He was wearing that when I kissed him.”
“Same,” laughed Jack. “And that coat I always liked on him. That Doctor had some good taste.”
The three trailed off into silence for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. It was Amy who finally broke the silence, making a rather clever suggestion, she thought. “Never have I ever, or will I ever, marry the Doctor.” She didn’t bother to hide the fact that she was openly staring at River, who rather surprisingly, didn’t move a muscle.
“Amy, you do know the rules if you say something no one drinks to,” River smirked.
“Down it, big puddle,” laughed Jack, nudging her playfully.
Amy did, and didn’t entirely mind that she had to. After a few ill-tasting experiments, River had managed to cobble together from the drink they had one half decent tasting mix. As she emptied her glass, she watched River over the top of it, the blonde’s face giving away nothing. Still curious, Amy couldn’t help but wonder, if River wasn’t the Doctor’s wife, then who the hell was she?
“River, back to you,” said Jack, leaning over to refill Amy’s glass.
“Never have I ever…” she trailed off, thinking.
“Amy?” came the sheepish voice of Rory. River and Jack awkwardly looked away, knowing this wasn’t anything to do with them.
“Finally remembered I’m here, did you?” barked Amy, her annoyance clear.
He stepped towards her, a pleading look on his face. “Amy it’s not like that!”
“Not like that? So what is it like Rory? You left me in prison overnight!” shouted Amy.
Noting a couple of Harojen paying Amy a little too much attention, River placed a hand on her forearm. Amy paused, quiet for a few seconds as she looked to where River gestured.
This time when she spoke, it was at a lower volume, but still with as much venom. “Just go Rory. I don’t want your little apology.”
“But I-“
“Just go Rory,” growled Amy with a matching glare.
“I think it might be best if you left her to cool off,” said Jack in a quiet voice.
Sighing, Rory gave Amy one last pleading look before turning and heading back in the direction he had come.
There was an awkward silence for a few minutes after Rory’s departure, neither River nor Jack sure what to say.
“I know I should probably just kiss and make up, but he annoys me. Twice in the last two days he’s just left me when for all he knew I could have been taken away and killed. Any time there’s trouble he just sticks his head in the sand and waits till it seems safe before he comes back out!” said Amy, speaking quickly in anger. But it wasn’t just anger in her voice, there was also a noticeable hint of sadness. She closed her eyes for a moment, regaining her composure. “River, it was your turn wasn’t it?” she suddenly asked, wanting to have something else to occupy her mind.
“Sweetie maybe-“
“I don’t want to talk about Rory. I don’t want to think about Rory. Now you promised me I would get to laugh at you drunk, and right now you’re barely hitting tipsy,” said Amy decisively.
“Alright then,” grinned River. “Never have I ever done body shots in public,” she finally said after a rather long thinking pause. If they were still playing this ancient game, she was going to have some fun with it.
Both she and Jack drank through a confused look from Amy.
“Hallucinogenic beer,” smirked Jack.
“Telepathic champagne,” River smirked back.
“Ooh, now that is nice,” laughed Jack. “Almost makes it classy.”
“Body shots?” asked Amy, making the other two turn to her wearing matching looks of disbelief.
“You’ve never done body shots?” River asked, amused.
Amy shook her head. “What the hell are they?”
“You really don’t know?” asked Jack, surely she must be screwing with them.
Again Amy shook her head.
“Shots you drink off of someone’s body,” he said, thinking he was rather pointing out the obvious. And yet, Amy was still looking at him as if he was mad. “As in, you pour the drink onto them and drink it off,” he said, trying to think how he could better explain what was to him, a very simple process.
“Oh!” said Amy, suddenly getting it, or at least, part of it.
Still seeing a flicker of confusion on the young woman’s face, Jack turned to River, wearing his best and most charming smile. “Care for a practical demonstration?” He knew he was pushing, but in the times he had met River, he had learned that she was a woman who could be pushed. Or who, at least, would never back down from a challenge.
In answer River poured a small amount of the sickly sweet alcohol they had previously been mixing into a cup of its own, passing it to Jack before lying back in the bench she had been sitting on and lifting up her top to reveal a smooth, toned stomach.
Startled by this recent turn of events, Amy quickly sat herself on the edge of the table where she could clearly see what the other two were doing. She watched in slight awe as Jack poured the contents of the cup into River’s navel before lowering his lips to her skin and drinking it straight from her body. Again, she felt the sudden rush of jealously towards him at his closeness and easy flirting with River.
Chuckling, River sat back up, tugging down her top once more. “It’s been a long time since anyone asked me to do that.”
“It’s been a long time since you seen me,” grinned Jack, falling back into his own seat. “And I think it’s back to me, yes?” He paused for a few seconds before a mischievous look crept onto his face. “Never have I ever had an erotic thought about someone at this table.”
The three of them drank deeply, hiding any looks of surprise behind their cups before finally setting the drinking vessels down, and regarded each other awkwardly.
*
For a while after that the ‘never’s’ became quite innocent and common things, letting everyone drink, and the awkwardness which had descended dissipate.
The light was failing, and the Harojen had started lighting camp fires all around the settlement, providing light and warmth. This was a job for the men, and they moved easily around the settlement, carrying with them huge piles of tinder, which they quickly and expertly made into fires.
“Where are all the women in this place?” River suddenly asked, the thought having only occurred to her.
“Where they should be,” replied one of the Harojen nearest her with obvious distaste. “Inside where they are safe and useful.”
Jack suddenly leant over from where he was sitting, clamping a hand over River’s mouth, who had been about to bark back some sassy retort. “Just where they should be,” he grinned, waiting until the man left before releasing River.
“What a backward bunch of assholes!” she complained when she was free.
“Not always,” came a new voice from behind her. She twisted to see a very tall, slender woman behind her. The first female Harojen she had seen in all the time they had been here. “It may seem harsh, but we have our fun. When they go to war, the settlement is ours to do as we please. And when they are here they are not as bad as they seem. They do most of the work. We are left to please ourselves most of the time,” she smiled, showing perfect teeth. She placed blankets down next to River. “It is traditional the night before war for the men to sleep outside, but it does get very cold. If you would prefer, the shelter there is free. It has four rooms in, so plenty of space.” She smiled at them all once more, pointing towards the building she meant. “And also, drink this. It will stop the headache and sickness that will come.” She slipped a small bottle out of her robes, placing it on the table in the middle of them. “I will let you back to your game,” she smiled. “And thank you, for being most amusing.” And with that, she slipped off in silence, disappearing into one of the far away buildings.
“Huh,” said River, turning back to face the other two. “I still wouldn’t live here.”
“No shoe shops,” grinned Amy.
“Precisely!” laughed River, leaning forwards on the table. She took a sip from her almost empty cup, glancing up as she put it down. She found Amy staring at her intently, her brown eyes seeming almost on fire as they reflected the flames from the nearby campfire. River didn’t think she had ever been on the opposite end of such an intense stare, which was saying something, the places she’d been and the people she’d seen.
Jack also noticed the stare, and had to smirk. Ever since learning that this Amy Pond was the Amy Pond, the woman whose marriage had been enough to reduce River to crying into her drink, he had been deeply intrigued. River clearly hadn’t given up on winning the younger woman’s heart, and from the looks Amy had been giving her all night, it was a good thing she hadn’t. As he saw it, the only thing stopping Amy from crawling straight into River’s arms was the table between them, and perhaps also his presence...and the fact her husband was sitting about a hundred feet away. Out of curiosity, he decided to see what removing his presence for a few minutes would do. Pushing himself up, he made his excuse of finding the nearest thing that resembled a bathroom.
Amy looked over at River, who was leaning back on her arms, staring up at the sky. In the firelight her hair looked like liquid gold, her skin like caramel, asking to be touched, tasted. Amy wasn’t sure if it was the drink or simply her growing attraction, but River’s neck was simply begging to be kissed. She longed to feel the blonde’s pulse point beneath her lips, to slide her hands into those wild curls…She quickly turned away and closed her eyes as if it would somehow help. The image of River, and her accompanying thoughts were already burned into her memory. Opening her eyes once more, she reached for the jug containing the sickly sweet drink, and poured a small amount of it into a cup as she had seen Jack do earlier. Then, picking up the cup, she made her way around the table on slightly unsteady, but sure legs. She glanced behind for a moment, satisfying herself that they were out of sight of the top table, and so Rory and the Doctor, before coming to stand in front of River.
The blonde slowly met Amy’s now slightly hesitant gaze. “What is it?”
Amy held the cup out in front of her, silently asking River permission. She saw River’s eyes widen slightly in surprise, but she didn’t resist. Instead, she lay back, raising her top to once more reveal her stomach and navel.
She watched with lust darkened eyes as Amy settled between her legs, pouring the cold liquid onto her skin. She hissed slightly at the coldness of it, but her noise of displeasure was quickly quelled by Amy lowering her soft lips to her skin. Her body reacted before her mind could stop it, and she arched her back into the contact she had craved for so long. A small moan erupted from her throat, and she quickly bit her lip to silence herself. She forced herself to keep her eyes open, and focused on the red hair of Amy as she drank the liquid from her skin.
As Amy’s tongue darted out, however, she felt her eyes close, and her head fall back. She struggled to keep herself silent as Amy then started to trail sloppy kisses up her stomach. Forcing her eyes open once more, she looked down at Amy, who was now looking up at her. She watched as the younger woman crawled further up her body, leaning down to kiss her on the lips. River didn’t protest, willingly opening her mouth to Amy when she felt her tongue as for permission, running gently across her bottom lip. She felt Amy’s hands slide into her hair as the younger woman deepened the kiss, trusting River to keep them steady on the bench.
When Amy finally pulled back, they were both breathless, their eyes searching the other’s faces. What both saw, was that the other showed no signs of regretting the kiss. A slow smile spread across Amy’s face, and she gently traced a finger down River’s cheek, and then the curve of lips that were set in that trademark smirk.
“Doing body-shots without me?” came a voice that even without looking, definitely belonged to a grinning face.
Amy froze, the smile slipping from her face. River steadied herself, leaning up on one elbow, gently cupping Amy’s face with her now free hand. “It’s okay,” she smiled reassuringly. “I promise.” She pushed them both into a sitting position, meaning that Amy was now practically sitting in her lap. Amy turned a fearful gaze towards Jack.
“Hey big puddle, it’s alright,” he smiled, putting a reassuring hand on her arm. “I’m not one to judge.”
Amy was still doing her best impersonation of a rabbit caught in headlights. Something which certainly did not escape River’s attention. The last thing she wanted now was for Amy to run away from her. Today had been a huge leap forward in her book. Yes, the Doctor wasn’t the only one River Song had a little book for. Amy’s little book, however, was one she would never take out in public. It was more a lovesick journal full of teenage sounding emotions, and although River would cringe when she thought about it, it served as an outpouring for everything she felt towards the red head. Otherwise she was sure to shout it out at someone. And probably someone she shouldn’t shout something like that at.
She shot Jack a quick pleading look, silently asking for another few moments alone with Amy. Not as crass as he may first come across, Jack played the role of a gentleman, silently taking his leave.
River rubbed one hand gently up and down Amy’s arm in what she hoped was a reassuring gesture. She felt Amy relax into her slightly, but her hand still clutched nervously at River’s shirt. The older woman placed a hand over Amy’s, bringing the younger woman’s gaze to meet her own. “He won’t say anything,” she reassured.
Amy closed her eyes, but still didn’t move. “I don’t know why I did that,” she whispered.
River was at a slight loss at what to do. She didn’t know how this would turn out. She had no spoilers for this. This was just her, falling stupidly and irreversibly in love.
Amy finally opened her eyes, gazing straight at River, and seeing fear there. River’s features, usually so guarded, were open and honest. And if Amy was honest, slightly overwhelming. The fear, Amy realised, was not at all due to their situation, but rather a fear the blonde held that she was going to run. When Jack had appeared, she had thought about running, but had instead grabbed a fistful of River’s shirt. There was something in her that didn’t want to run. The same something that had her throwing herself at River earlier that day, that had her kiss her way up to her lips not five minutes ago. “Rory,” she whispered, watching the hurt spread across River’s face.
Tears welled up in River’s eyes, and she fought to stop them spilling down her cheeks. “I know.” She closed her eyes as she lost the fight to contain her tears. His was a name she didn’t want to hear. She gasped as she felt soft lips press against her own. She turned her head to the side, denying both of them the kiss. She couldn’t do this anymore. She couldn’t know what it was like to kiss her, what she tasted like, for her to go back to Rory.