19) New Mouth, New Rules
Amy and Rory are used to seeing their daughter flirt with strangers... but this was a bit too much.
They were at their daughter's new house in the 50th century Swiss Empire, and Amy and Rory were unpacking boxes and arranging the hydroponic garden, when a man came up behind River and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her and nuzzling her neck.
"Hello dear," he said as he kissed her on the cheek.
River smiled up at him, cupping his face and fingers lightly brushing his hair.
"Ooh, be careful darling, my husband can get awfully jealous." She flirted with a grin on her face.
"Oh? Better not do anything to upset him then."
"Like inviting a total stranger in with me and my parents?" she said playfully in such a way that Rory knew that is exactly what she intended to do.
He knew what thoughts of an unfaithful wife felt like, and he didn't wish it on anyone, certainly not his friend and son- in- law. He was trying very discreetly to figure out a way to acquire a sword or a gun- this was River's house after all, and no one would turn his daughter into someone he would feel shame towards. Not even this tall stranger who came with confidence and smooth words. And obviously this man had been stalking her- how else would he know where she lived? Undoubtedly he'd drugged her filling her head with flattery and trying to make her forget her absent spouse.
"I don't know. How jealous does your husband get?" The man said, turning her to face him and lightly kissing her cheek once more.
The blackguard. He knew about the Doctor. Must be wearing hallucinogenic cologne or something, because River didn't seem to be her usual self: charming strangers while simultaneously coming up with biting remarks toward them.
"Well, he really doesn't like seeing me with strange men." She traced a finger down his nose and to his lips before lightly pecking him on the mouth.
"Well, can you blame him? Wife like you?" he said, flirtatious smile creeping up into his eyes, his arms still wrapped lightly around her.
"No, I really can't." She smiled back and tilted her head, gazing at him tenderly.
Amy didn't know who this stranger was, but she didn't like how obviously familiar her daughter was with him. It was one thing to flirt- but this: she wasn't fooled for one minute by this man's intense gaze, the slight smirk playing at his lips, the playfulness in his eyes. She didn't like this middle- aged man's slender face and sharp features- the way his nose pointed sharply or his chin narrowed or his too- thin lips or… or his grey hair, even if everything did come together in a way that suited him well. The Doctor was her best friend, after all, and her unwavering loyalty to him incensed her toward the man who had obviously somehow manipulated her daughter's affections away from her Raggedy Man. She lost it when River's hands reached down and took the imposter's firmly, their fingers interlacing as she slowly broke her parent's hearts.
"Melody Po-" Amy's righteous tantrum was halted by too- familiar words.
"Hello Sweetie."
"Hi Honey. I'm home."
A/N- Just a short little "Welcome, Peter Capaldi" piece. Let's assume they merrily went inside and had a lovely visit together after this and that River already had seen him prior. I don't know, maybe I'll expand on his visit once we know more about his doctor.