Fic: Can This Be Love? - (1/?)
Title: “Can This Be Love”
Authors: thenoblethang & monkeysrule13
Rating: PG (will raise to only PG-13 later)
Characters: Ten (John Pond), Eleven (Troy Smith), Donna Noble, River (Pond), Amy Pond, Rory Pond, Sarah Jane Smith, Rassilon Smith
Genre: Drama, romance, humor, fluff, friendship
Words: ~4500
Disclaimer: We own them not, but the idea is ours. ‘Tis true.
Summary: This is a completely AU story that surrounds John (Ten), Troy (Eleven), River, and Donna.
It takes the criteria of a typical Filipino Drama. Takes place in a fictional setting, probably a mix of London and the Philippines. LOL what.
Warnings/Spoilers: There are very few spoilers, but there are crack pairings (well, only Sarah/Rassilon), and lots and lots of drama in parts to come.
A/N: monkeysrule13 and I were discussing the criteria of a Filipino drama, and it goes -
- Cheesy title after an equally cheesy love song ("Can This Be Love" - Sarah Geronimo)
- Lots of crying, and we means lots
- Complicated/forbidden love triangles/squares/pentagons
- Complicated blood relations and/or family issues
- Childhood friends/lovers
- Class difference
- Lots of minor character death
- Jealousy issues
- Overload of cliches
- Happy, tears of joy inducing endings with magical marriages
- Dragged out storylines that just don’t seem to end
Just to avoid confusion:
The characters are the same people, except different backgrounds (and they're all human, for one), and because of the nature of this fic, there is bound to be some minor OOCness.
Characters -
Rassilon Smith (Lord President) - A rich dude
Sarah Jane Smith - Equally rich wife of Rassilon
Rory Pond - a lower class man
Amy Pond - Wife of Rory, a friend of Sarah Jane
Troy Smith (11th) - son of Sarah Jane and Rassilon
John Pond (10th) - son of Amy and Rory Pond
River Pond (River Song) - daughter of Amy and Rory Pond, John’s younger sister
Donna Noble - daughter of Sarah Jane’s family friend
Chapter 1: It's only the beginning...
“I don’t want to go to school,” a little girl yelled as she hid behind her pillow, safe in her room with the door locked.
“River Melody Pond, stop being so stubborn and open this door! You’ll be late!” Amy yelled, continuously banging on her door.
“No, I don’t want to!” she continued to whine.
“Here, I’ll take care of her, you go get John,” Rory whispered to Amy.
Amy gave an exasperated sigh and agreed. She stomped off angrily and Rory got out a key that only he and River knew the location to. He unlocked her door and crept into her room.
The young, five year old girl had her curly, blond head in the pillow and the blanket pulled over her head. Rory closed the door quietly and sat on her bed gently. He began to caress her head, but she didn’t move an inch or acknowledge his presence.
“River, sweetie, what’s wrong?” Rory asked her softly.
“I don’t wanna go to school,” River pouted and looked at her father, knowing that he’d melt under her touch in a second, “please daddy, don’t make me go.” She quickly pulled out her puppy eyes.
Rory sighed and looked at his daughter’s pleading eyes. “Alright, fine,” he gave in, “I won’t make you.”
He stood up and began to dust off his pants as River jumped up and gave him a hug.
“But next time your brother wants to do big kids stuff, you can’t go.”
“Why not?” River’s eyes grew with panic. She loved playing with her older brother, John. He always did the most exciting things, in her eyes at least.
“Because you never started school, so that means you’re still my baby girl, and that means anything he does is too dangerous for you,” Rory explained, leaving River alone to think about it.
--
Amy was packing two lunch sacks when River suddenly ran into the kitchen. She was wearing her new jeans and favorite Winnie the Pooh shirt. Her pink butterfly backpack that Amy had bought her was bouncing on her back as she urged John to hurry up.
“Come on John,” she moaned, “The bus is gonna be any minute!”
“How do you even know how to tell time?” John slumped in, wearing jeans and a Power Rangers shirt, one size too big.
“Because I’m more smarter-er, now come on,” she continued to press as she grabbed her packed lunch and ran out the door.
“How do you get her to do everything you want?” Amy asked Rory, giving him a soft, thankful peck on the lips.
“I just know what my baby girl wants,” Rory smiled, then he turned to his son. “John,” he kneeled down in front of him, “I need you to take extra care of your sister. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, dad,” John agreed tiredly. They’ve been having this talk for the last two weeks.
“What’s the number one thing to look for?” Rory tested his boy.
“Any guy who may be a bad influence on her or tries to make her mature faster than you think she should.”
“That’s my boy,” Rory ruffled his hair. “Now go on before you miss your bus, have a great first day of 2nd year,” he commanded, sending John running out the door after his sister.
--
“Alright, are you sure you have everything?” a worrying mother asked her son as she straightened his white collared shirt and pulled his hair towards one side.
“Yes, mum,” the boy sighed annoyed.
“Have you got your pencil case?” she began to list off items.
“Yes.”
“Lunch bag?”
“Yes.”
“Your notebook?”
“Yes.”
“Your--”
“Sarah, leave the boy alone,” Rassilon put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Troy, my boy, are you ready for public school?”
“Yes, sir,” Troy puffed his chest proudly.
“What will you do if someone tries to pick on you?”
“Show them what Smith boys know best.”
“Good man,” Rassilon said, “now go on and find your class,” he instructed as a school bus pulled up.
“Tell us how it is!” Troy heard Sarah call out as he ran for school.
--
John quickly walked his sister to the Kindergarten area before getting ready to head to his class. “Okay, so after school, just wait by the basketball courts. I’ll take you to get ice cream and then we can walk home.”
“Why aren’t we taking the bus?” River asked curiously, “It’ll be much faster.”
“Don’t you want ice cream?”
“Yes.”
“Then you can deal with some walking. Now I have to go. Be good and don’t kiss any boys. They’ll give you cooties.”
“Ew! You’re so gross!” River exclaimed, hitting her brother’s arm.
“See you little baby Pond,” John said, running off before she could get another whack at him.
John, not wanting to be late and giving a bad first impression on his teacher, quickened his pace and began to run to class before the first bell could ring. As he turned the corner to class, he ran into another boy.
“Hey, watch where you’re going,” the boy exclaimed as he got off his buttocks.
“Sorry bout that, was trying to head to class,” John explained hastily as he stood up and dusted himself off. “I’m John,” he extended his hand politely, as his father showed him.
“Troy,” the other boy responded, just staring at the hand. “And yeah, I’m trying to find my class too, I have to get to room 206.”
“Sorry,” John apologized once more, “but you’re going the wrong way. Room 206 is this way, that’s my class too. Come on, I’ll show you the way.”
The bell rang and the boys quickly ran to class.
--
Forgetting about the rough start that morning, the boys quickly made amends and found themselves in the fast lane to being friends. They played during recess and their last names were coincidentally right after one another, so they sat next to each other in class.
After school, the boys planned on continuing this good streak, and having a video game marathon at Troy’s house. He had video games beyond belief, and John was ready to witness what he was was impossible and kick Troy’s butt at all those games.
When the bell rang and all the kids ran out of their classes to escape the first day of school, the two boys strolled out talking about which Marvel Superhero they preferred.
“Superman is so much better than Green Lantern. He can fly, be hit by bullets, has laser eyes, is super strong and is just awesome!” Troy exclaimed.
“Well Green Lantern is part alien and his ring lets him do everything, and more!! He can have a force field, he can shoot people with his ring, he can fly, and he’s green!” John argued.
They heard sudden steps running behind them and a high voice yell, “Wonder Woman can kick both their butts!”
The boys stopped and turned around. River was chasing them and quickly stopped to catch her breath.
“River, what are you doing here?” John asked her irritatedly.
“You told me,” she said in between breaths, “to wait by the basketball court. I saw you just pass by.” River looked at him angrily. “Oh and Wonder Woman has a truth lasso, the invisible ship, bullet resistant bracelets, and a crown!”
“Wonder Woman’s stupid!” Troy told her. “Who are you anyway?”
“This is my little sister,” John frowned. “Go home, River!”
“You promised me ice cream!” she yelled.
“I’ll bring some home, now go! Troy and I are going to play video games,” John told her.
“Video games? I want to go!” her eyes sudden grew with desire and a grin plastered itself on her face.
“No, no girls are allowed,” Troy quickly intervened, immediately disliking her.
“Then why are you going?” she shot back cleverly.
“Fine,” John gave in, “you can come, but be good or I’ll tell mom and dad how bratty you’re being.”
River stuck her tongue out at Troy as she quickly went in front of them and lead the way.
“Sorry,” John apologized, “dad says that she learns how to get her way from my mum.”
“My dad says that all women are temptresses and manipulate to get anything they want, so I should stay away until he examines them.”
“Well your dad’s right, you boys should be afraid. Be very afraid,” River grinned mischievously, before turning away and minding her own business once more, leaving the two boys half-annoyed and half-intimidated.
The routine went on for the next 4 years. Sarah openly welcomed Troy’s new friends, while Rassilon looked over them in disapproving suspicion.
“He’s really grown, hasn’t he,” Sarah said softly to Amy, referring to John, who was playing out in the yard with his sister and Troy.
“Yeah,” she smiled. “Your boy’s not so bad either. Oh come on, Sarah. Be proud of him.”
Sarah Jane sighed. “How can I when...” she trailed off, hearing Rory and Rassilon enter the room. The subject dropped instantly.
“I don’t really like this guy,” Rory whispered into Amy’s ear. She merely responded with a roll of her eyes as she patted his cheek.
“Too bad, honey.”
Outside, the kids were in a different world. Troy slowly accepted River as a force to be reckoned with, but would never openly admit that he was mindfully allowing her to hang out with them, much less would he admit he enjoyed her company from time to time.
“Help, help,” River cried from her position under Troy’s personal playground. “Our ship has crashed and we’re out of fuel!”
“Captain Troy Handsome of International Rescue here, what’s your problem,” Troy spoke into a small box.
River sighed and rolled her eyes. “Well if you were listening,” she emphasised, clearly annoyed, “I said that our ship crashed and we need fuel.”
Troy grumbled indignantly.
“Hey, hold on!” John exclaimed. “Why are you always Captain Handsome of International Rescue?”
“Cause I’m handsome,” Troy replied nonchalantly.
“Not to mention vain, egotistic, annoying, arrogant...” River listed as she crawled out from under the slide and defended her brother.
“Now, kids,” Rassilon stepped out, hearing all the ruckus. “Play nice.”
“But--” John interrupted.
“Don’t speak back to me,” Rassilon cut him off angrily. Something about the boy made him dislike him. “Whose house do you think you’re at? Your mother taught you manners, didn’t she?”
“Not really,” River said, “that’s dad’s job.”
“Who taught you that attitude then?” Rassilon glared at the little girl.
“Who taught you yours?” she fought back strongly.
“Why you--”
“We-ell!” Sarah came in just in time, clasping her hands together. She faced Rassilon. “Sylvia’s invited us for her daughter’s birthday tonight. Perhaps it’d be a nice opportunity for the kids to have a little fun?”
River jumped up excitedly. “Will there be cake?”
Sarah Jane smiled at the girl’s sweetness; she really was like her mother. “Yes, and plenty of it! Why don’t you three get ready. I believe your mother brought you two some clothes. Troy your suit is laid out on the bed.”
The three kids quickly ran in, their attitudes changing after hearing of the sweet treat they were about to indulge in, and changed.
-----
The Noble household, Sarah Jane called it, and it was quite fitting. It was bigger than Troy’s home, John and River noted complete with a “Whoa.”
To their dismay, there were hardly any kids their age. Only a handful of grown-ups, and one blond woman who frantically searched the house going “Where is she? She’s going to miss her own cake for crying out loud!”
“Yes, so this is my boy, he’s going to inherit the space station and be the next Neil Armstrong,” Rassilon gloated as he spoke to a group of dignified men.
“One small step for man, one gigantic leap for Troy!” Troy exclaimed, puffing his chest out proudly as the men laughed amused.
“Well I bet I can be a better space woman then you can!” River stepped in, annoyed by his constant gloating.
“Nuh-uh,” Troy glared at her, “girls are too stupid to be astronauts!”
“Yeah-huh! We’re smarter than boys!” River declared.
“Nuh-uh,” Troy stood his ground, “there is no such thing as a space woman anyway! Only spacemen!”
“Actually--” John tried to help.
“Stay out of this,” they both yelled.
“Okay you three, go off now,” Sarah urged them, as even she was getting slightly annoyed by their constant fighting. How they managed to be friends for four years, she’d never know.
John was unamused by their constant bickery. What did a boy have to do to have some quiet friends?
He heard them still going at it as they walked off in the opposite direction. God, if they ended up together in the future, John’d hang himself.
John had some hope of finding someone less loud to talk to, only to find more grown-ups with their glasses of wine talking about politics or news or something he didn’t care about. And now there was that blonde woman and an old geezer roaming the house looking for Miss Birthday girl.
He found his way to their enormous back lot, much bigger than Troy’s, which was empty. The stars looked bright out, and the blue radiance emanating from the pool calmed him.
The water swished, and John looked down to see a little red head above the water. He blinked. “Hello.”
“Hi,” the red headed girl said, before disappearing under water.
John awkwardly waited. Was she drowning? An odd way to drown.
The ginger arose from the water once more, this time closer to the edge were John stood.
“How do you do that for so long?” John asked quizzically, his head tilting in curiosity.
“Dunno,” she said nonchalantly, shrugging. “I just can.”
He smiled. “Could you teach me?”
“Sure,” she responded with her same tone, her words bubbling as she swam closer to him. “I’m Donna, by the way.”
John straightened the bowtie-darn bowties, he hated them-to his black suit before he sat at the edge with his legs crossed. “I’m John. What’re you doing out here by yourself, by the way?”
“Avoiding my mum,” Donna said with a shrug, holding on to the edge of the pool. “She never looks in the pool. Daft woman she is, sometimes.”
John tilted his head. “Are you the birthday girl they’re all looking for by any chance?”
“And if I am?” she challenged him, raising an eyebrow.
John shrugged. “Nothing, I guess. I’d wish you a happy birthday, is all.”
Donna sighed, climbing out of the pool and wrapping herself in a towel hanged on a chair, like a burrito, covering her soaked one-piece swimsuit.
“Birthdays are never happy for me,” she said, taking a seat next to this John boy. “Mum only invites her friends. Then brags about me. I think that’s supposed to make me feel good but, eh.”
“Don’t you at least get presents?”
“Nothing I really like.” Donna shrugged again. “It’s no big deal, I guess. It’s better than nothing at all.”
“Sorry then,” John apologized. “I wish I’d known. I’d have got you something.”
This made Donna genuinely smile. “Please, treat yourself before anyone else. You look like you could use some extra meals a day, skinny boy.”
“Hey! I eat...” John pouted.
Donna laughed, and John changed his expression to a lighter one.
“Donna!” a voice yelled from the doors. It was that blonde woman, Sylvia, standing with her arms crossed, her foot tapping agitatedly.
Donna groaned. “Thanks for getting me caught,” she said sarcastically to John, then laughed at him when she saw he was ready to defend himself from any blame.
“Young lady, you will get ready upstairs and come back down in five minutes, you hear me?” Sylvia demanded and Donna muttered a “yes, mum.”
“As for you, young man,” Sylvia said to John, “watch yourself.”
John awkwardly nodded.
“Now come on then, time for Lady Muck to blow out her candles soon.”
--
“Girls cannot be astronauts!!” Troy told River once more as they found a more private place to finally argue without anyone trying to stop them.
“And why not?” River spat angrily, happy that she can let him have all her mind now.
“Because-- they just can’t,” Troy furrowed his brows. “They aren’t good enough,” he declared.
River’s jaw dropped and her glare intensified. “Woman are just as good as men, if not better! We have female doctors--”
“Nurses,” Troy stated.
“Female business women--”
“Secretaries.”
“Female actresses--”
“Prostitutes.”
River finally slapped him. “Why aren’t we as good as you, huh? You are such an egotistical jerk!”
“See you can’t even swear, that obviously makes you more cowardice,” Troy smirked, after recovering from the stinging on his cheek.
“I don’t need to swear,” she puffed. “I have more class than you, I find no need for that.”
“River, just let it go,” Troy said, “accept it. Men are smarter, cooler, funnier, and stronger.”
“Marie Curie!” she would not let up for one moment, if she was letting this boy win this argument, it’d be over her dead body.
“Albert Einstein,” he countered.
“Chelsea Handler.”
“Craig Furgeson.”
“Lisa Cuddy.”
“Gregory House.”
“He’s fictional!!” she yelled.
“So is she!”
“Well you know what, girls know how to kiss better!” she finally shouted fruitlessly.
“Ha!” Troy scoffed. “In their dreams maybe--”
Before he could finish, River cut him off as her lips pressed firmly against his. His eyes flew wide open as her closed and his hands flailed around wildly, surprised, as she held him securely. It was the way she had seen her mother kiss some guys when she was a kiss-o-gram.
After several seconds, River finally let go and pulled back. She looked down, suddenly shy and playing with her flowing, blue dress as Troy continued to stare at her with wide eyes and his mouth slightly open. Another moment passed and River regained her confidence.
“See, I told you we kiss better,” she smiled victoriously.
Before he could respond, they heard Sarah Jane’s voice calling out for them. Troy quickly gathered himself together and straighted out his black suit jacket.
“Come on, we’d better go,” Troy said a bit quieter than usual as he reached out and grabbed her hand.
River got closer to him and quickly straightened out his bow tie before they headed back to the party. He’s never loved bow ties more than he did at that moment.
Once they began to approach the group, River and Troy’s hands separated and they stayed arm length apart, which was still closer than usual.
---
John waited by the stairs for Donna, not wanting to let go of the only decent person he’s met in a while. As her mother instructed, she came down in exactly five minutes. He turned around once he heard her descend from the steps. She was wearing a modest green dress, plain, but elegant and fitting for her age. Her damp hair was half up and half down, and there were clips with white flowers in it.
“Wow,” was all he could say.
Donna blushed. “What... I look like a Christmas tree.”
“Yeah, you do,” John agreed, earning a face from Donna. “Good thing I like Christmas.”
“Well I don’t,” she pouted and then went off to the backyard, where her 22 by 44 cake was waiting for her with ten candles shining brightly on it.
As John escorted her out, they heard the unified singing of “Happy Birthday” begin. It seemed so perfectly rehearsed, because by the time they got to the top of the seat and Donna was about to blow out her candles, the song ended.
She blew them out powerfully and everyone cheered and several flashes of light went off. Donna held onto John’s hand, not wanting to face this alone and somewhat wanting to punish him for getting her caught after she almost escaped.
Soon after Sylvia had pulled her away, flaunting her child to people who had heard it every year, but never tired because there was something always knew with Donna. She gave an internal groan, turning her head to take a glimpse at John. He was smiling at her, half making fun of her, and half encouraging her to keep her composure through it, as he knew she would, despite only knowing her for such a short time. She struck him as someone different.
Donna rolled her eyes, but returned the smile, and proceeded to be a good trophy daughter.
Soon enough, they’d all gotten carried away with their adult talk, giving Donna a chance to slip away. She giggled as she grabbed John’s arm and ran off before Sylvia noticed.
“That was horrible,” Donna laughed as they entered an empty hall.
“Do you ever get used to that?” John asked, amused.
“Nah. But oh well. This year’s better.”
The corner of John’s mouth curled into a half smile, trying not to give itself away too soon. “And why?”
“Cause there’s you of course! Oh, don’t you look at me all sappy. We’ve only just met, alright? My gramps wouldn’t be too pleased to see you fawning over me,” she laughed.
“I am not fawning over anyone, okay,” John defended. “You’re just really nice.”
That seemed to surprise Donna. “That’s a first,” she mumbled.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing! Have you had the cake?”
“Jo-ohn,” Troy whined as he walked into the hall. “We need to go now, my mum’s waiting--”
He caught sight of Donna, and they both looked at each other for a moment, and then turned away.
John stared at them back and forth in confusion. “Is there...?”
Troy tugged at John’s arm. “Hurry up, we’re gunna leave without you!” He scurried off, not acknowledging Donna a second time.
Before John could ask Donna any questions, she turned to him. “You’re going? Will I see ever you again?”
John smiled. “If I’m lucky.”
Donna gave a sad smile.
“Next birthday? I’ll be sure to give you a present that time. What do you like? Chocolate? Girls can’t resist chocolate,” he nudged her playfully.
Donna smiled, though not quite reaching her eyes. “Okay... but only chocolates, I don’t want you serenading me ‘r anything. We’re not Romeo and Juliet for pete’s sake.”
John laughed. “We’ll see. See you, Donna!” He waved as he walked off.
John began to approach Troy and River and immediately knew something was off. They both stared at John patiently. They weren’t fighting or arguing or threatening to kill each other. They were just standing there.
“What?” River asked him irritatedly when she saw that John was just staring, that was the sister he knew.
“Nothing, get in,” John told her, so he could sit in the middle like he always did. It stopped them from choking each other.
“I can sit in the middle if you want,” River told him softly. “I know you like to sit next to the window.
“Or I can,” Troy pointed out, “I mean I always get the window seat. I don’t know what it’s like to sit in the middle,” he said, almost shyly.
“Can you kids just get into the limo,” they all heard Rassilon yell from inside, followed by Sarah’s amused laughter.
John quickly brushed off his suspicions and climbed in, followed by Troy then River. John was happy that Troy chose to be in the middle, he needed to ask him something anyways.
“You know Donna, Troy?” he asked the second the limo began to move.
Troy gave a deep, sudden frown. “Yeah. Why?”
“She’s nice, isn’t she?”
“Fancy her, do you?”
“No,” John denied almost too defensively, and then countered with a tease. “But you seem like you do.”
That got an unexpected reaction from River. “Do you, now?”
“No!” Troy frowned even more, crossing his arms like a grumpy old man, but a soft blush came across his cheek. “Change the subject, please.”
“Hmm fine,” John dismissed. “But be sure to invite me next year.”
Troy gave him a look. “Are you daft? There won’t be a next year, smarty, she’s moving across the country.”
“Of course you’d know,” River said, not letting go of the previous subject, “you probably know all about her.”
“I don’t know all about her,” Troy defended, a hint of fear and bitterness flashing in his eyes.
“Oh really? Do you know her favorite color?” her eyes narrowed, with a slight pout tugging at her lips.
“No, why should I?”
“Of course you do,” Sarah suddenly interjected, “you chose out the green dress that she wore tonight.”
Without another word, River looked out the window not saying another word, but glaring at Troy every once in a while.
John was silent as well, not having said anything after hearing that his bright new friend was never going to see him again.
--
Finally arriving the Pond residence, the car pulled over.
“Blimey, it’s dark out,” Sarah Jane said. “I’ll go walk you two over, okay?”
“Kay auntie Sarah,” River said, trying to hide her sulk.
Sarah held both of their hands on each of her own and walked them across the road to their door.
“You had fun, didn’t you?”
They each mumbled in despondency.
Amy opened the front door. “There you are! You party animals!”
River ignored her mother and walked right past her, heading straight to her room. Amy raised an eyebrow.
“It went well, didn’t it?” She asked worriedly.
Sarah Jane smiled. “It’s just the usual, you know. Boys.”
“What? Boys?” Rory said in the background from the kitchen.
“Oh, does River have a little crush on Troy?” Amy whispered with a teasing laugh.
“No! Troy’s a stupid head and an ass!” River shouted back from the kitchen where she was getting a cookie; her mother wasn’t as quiet as she thought she was.
“Who taught you that word?” Rory asked River with a scolding tone.
“The stupid head,” she sulked.
Amy shook her head. “Well, how about you, John?”
He shrugged.
“Oh, poor boy. He can tell you all about it later, I suppose,” Sarah said as she fondly caressed John’s head.
John never really noticed how nice Sarah Jane was to him. Amy wore a soft smile, like she understood something.
“Well, I best be off, my poor grumpy Troy is waiting for his mummy,” Sarah said, and with that left.
John stepped into the house, looking back at Sarah Jane, and if he looked closely, he could see the slight slump of her shoulders, as if something had been weighted on them for years and years.
He couldn’t help but wonder how many.
Next
Authors: thenoblethang & monkeysrule13
Rating: PG (will raise to only PG-13 later)
Characters: Ten (John Pond), Eleven (Troy Smith), Donna Noble, River (Pond), Amy Pond, Rory Pond, Sarah Jane Smith, Rassilon Smith
Genre: Drama, romance, humor, fluff, friendship
Words: ~4500
Disclaimer: We own them not, but the idea is ours. ‘Tis true.
Summary: This is a completely AU story that surrounds John (Ten), Troy (Eleven), River, and Donna.
It takes the criteria of a typical Filipino Drama. Takes place in a fictional setting, probably a mix of London and the Philippines. LOL what.
Warnings/Spoilers: There are very few spoilers, but there are crack pairings (well, only Sarah/Rassilon), and lots and lots of drama in parts to come.
A/N: monkeysrule13 and I were discussing the criteria of a Filipino drama, and it goes -
- Cheesy title after an equally cheesy love song ("Can This Be Love" - Sarah Geronimo)
- Lots of crying, and we means lots
- Complicated/forbidden love triangles/squares/pentagons
- Complicated blood relations and/or family issues
- Childhood friends/lovers
- Class difference
- Lots of minor character death
- Jealousy issues
- Overload of cliches
- Happy, tears of joy inducing endings with magical marriages
- Dragged out storylines that just don’t seem to end
Just to avoid confusion:
The characters are the same people, except different backgrounds (and they're all human, for one), and because of the nature of this fic, there is bound to be some minor OOCness.
Characters -
Rassilon Smith (Lord President) - A rich dude
Sarah Jane Smith - Equally rich wife of Rassilon
Rory Pond - a lower class man
Amy Pond - Wife of Rory, a friend of Sarah Jane
Troy Smith (11th) - son of Sarah Jane and Rassilon
John Pond (10th) - son of Amy and Rory Pond
River Pond (River Song) - daughter of Amy and Rory Pond, John’s younger sister
Donna Noble - daughter of Sarah Jane’s family friend
Chapter 1: It's only the beginning...
“I don’t want to go to school,” a little girl yelled as she hid behind her pillow, safe in her room with the door locked.
“River Melody Pond, stop being so stubborn and open this door! You’ll be late!” Amy yelled, continuously banging on her door.
“No, I don’t want to!” she continued to whine.
“Here, I’ll take care of her, you go get John,” Rory whispered to Amy.
Amy gave an exasperated sigh and agreed. She stomped off angrily and Rory got out a key that only he and River knew the location to. He unlocked her door and crept into her room.
The young, five year old girl had her curly, blond head in the pillow and the blanket pulled over her head. Rory closed the door quietly and sat on her bed gently. He began to caress her head, but she didn’t move an inch or acknowledge his presence.
“River, sweetie, what’s wrong?” Rory asked her softly.
“I don’t wanna go to school,” River pouted and looked at her father, knowing that he’d melt under her touch in a second, “please daddy, don’t make me go.” She quickly pulled out her puppy eyes.
Rory sighed and looked at his daughter’s pleading eyes. “Alright, fine,” he gave in, “I won’t make you.”
He stood up and began to dust off his pants as River jumped up and gave him a hug.
“But next time your brother wants to do big kids stuff, you can’t go.”
“Why not?” River’s eyes grew with panic. She loved playing with her older brother, John. He always did the most exciting things, in her eyes at least.
“Because you never started school, so that means you’re still my baby girl, and that means anything he does is too dangerous for you,” Rory explained, leaving River alone to think about it.
--
Amy was packing two lunch sacks when River suddenly ran into the kitchen. She was wearing her new jeans and favorite Winnie the Pooh shirt. Her pink butterfly backpack that Amy had bought her was bouncing on her back as she urged John to hurry up.
“Come on John,” she moaned, “The bus is gonna be any minute!”
“How do you even know how to tell time?” John slumped in, wearing jeans and a Power Rangers shirt, one size too big.
“Because I’m more smarter-er, now come on,” she continued to press as she grabbed her packed lunch and ran out the door.
“How do you get her to do everything you want?” Amy asked Rory, giving him a soft, thankful peck on the lips.
“I just know what my baby girl wants,” Rory smiled, then he turned to his son. “John,” he kneeled down in front of him, “I need you to take extra care of your sister. Do you understand that?”
“Yes, dad,” John agreed tiredly. They’ve been having this talk for the last two weeks.
“What’s the number one thing to look for?” Rory tested his boy.
“Any guy who may be a bad influence on her or tries to make her mature faster than you think she should.”
“That’s my boy,” Rory ruffled his hair. “Now go on before you miss your bus, have a great first day of 2nd year,” he commanded, sending John running out the door after his sister.
--
“Alright, are you sure you have everything?” a worrying mother asked her son as she straightened his white collared shirt and pulled his hair towards one side.
“Yes, mum,” the boy sighed annoyed.
“Have you got your pencil case?” she began to list off items.
“Yes.”
“Lunch bag?”
“Yes.”
“Your notebook?”
“Yes.”
“Your--”
“Sarah, leave the boy alone,” Rassilon put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Troy, my boy, are you ready for public school?”
“Yes, sir,” Troy puffed his chest proudly.
“What will you do if someone tries to pick on you?”
“Show them what Smith boys know best.”
“Good man,” Rassilon said, “now go on and find your class,” he instructed as a school bus pulled up.
“Tell us how it is!” Troy heard Sarah call out as he ran for school.
--
John quickly walked his sister to the Kindergarten area before getting ready to head to his class. “Okay, so after school, just wait by the basketball courts. I’ll take you to get ice cream and then we can walk home.”
“Why aren’t we taking the bus?” River asked curiously, “It’ll be much faster.”
“Don’t you want ice cream?”
“Yes.”
“Then you can deal with some walking. Now I have to go. Be good and don’t kiss any boys. They’ll give you cooties.”
“Ew! You’re so gross!” River exclaimed, hitting her brother’s arm.
“See you little baby Pond,” John said, running off before she could get another whack at him.
John, not wanting to be late and giving a bad first impression on his teacher, quickened his pace and began to run to class before the first bell could ring. As he turned the corner to class, he ran into another boy.
“Hey, watch where you’re going,” the boy exclaimed as he got off his buttocks.
“Sorry bout that, was trying to head to class,” John explained hastily as he stood up and dusted himself off. “I’m John,” he extended his hand politely, as his father showed him.
“Troy,” the other boy responded, just staring at the hand. “And yeah, I’m trying to find my class too, I have to get to room 206.”
“Sorry,” John apologized once more, “but you’re going the wrong way. Room 206 is this way, that’s my class too. Come on, I’ll show you the way.”
The bell rang and the boys quickly ran to class.
--
Forgetting about the rough start that morning, the boys quickly made amends and found themselves in the fast lane to being friends. They played during recess and their last names were coincidentally right after one another, so they sat next to each other in class.
After school, the boys planned on continuing this good streak, and having a video game marathon at Troy’s house. He had video games beyond belief, and John was ready to witness what he was was impossible and kick Troy’s butt at all those games.
When the bell rang and all the kids ran out of their classes to escape the first day of school, the two boys strolled out talking about which Marvel Superhero they preferred.
“Superman is so much better than Green Lantern. He can fly, be hit by bullets, has laser eyes, is super strong and is just awesome!” Troy exclaimed.
“Well Green Lantern is part alien and his ring lets him do everything, and more!! He can have a force field, he can shoot people with his ring, he can fly, and he’s green!” John argued.
They heard sudden steps running behind them and a high voice yell, “Wonder Woman can kick both their butts!”
The boys stopped and turned around. River was chasing them and quickly stopped to catch her breath.
“River, what are you doing here?” John asked her irritatedly.
“You told me,” she said in between breaths, “to wait by the basketball court. I saw you just pass by.” River looked at him angrily. “Oh and Wonder Woman has a truth lasso, the invisible ship, bullet resistant bracelets, and a crown!”
“Wonder Woman’s stupid!” Troy told her. “Who are you anyway?”
“This is my little sister,” John frowned. “Go home, River!”
“You promised me ice cream!” she yelled.
“I’ll bring some home, now go! Troy and I are going to play video games,” John told her.
“Video games? I want to go!” her eyes sudden grew with desire and a grin plastered itself on her face.
“No, no girls are allowed,” Troy quickly intervened, immediately disliking her.
“Then why are you going?” she shot back cleverly.
“Fine,” John gave in, “you can come, but be good or I’ll tell mom and dad how bratty you’re being.”
River stuck her tongue out at Troy as she quickly went in front of them and lead the way.
“Sorry,” John apologized, “dad says that she learns how to get her way from my mum.”
“My dad says that all women are temptresses and manipulate to get anything they want, so I should stay away until he examines them.”
“Well your dad’s right, you boys should be afraid. Be very afraid,” River grinned mischievously, before turning away and minding her own business once more, leaving the two boys half-annoyed and half-intimidated.
The routine went on for the next 4 years. Sarah openly welcomed Troy’s new friends, while Rassilon looked over them in disapproving suspicion.
“He’s really grown, hasn’t he,” Sarah said softly to Amy, referring to John, who was playing out in the yard with his sister and Troy.
“Yeah,” she smiled. “Your boy’s not so bad either. Oh come on, Sarah. Be proud of him.”
Sarah Jane sighed. “How can I when...” she trailed off, hearing Rory and Rassilon enter the room. The subject dropped instantly.
“I don’t really like this guy,” Rory whispered into Amy’s ear. She merely responded with a roll of her eyes as she patted his cheek.
“Too bad, honey.”
Outside, the kids were in a different world. Troy slowly accepted River as a force to be reckoned with, but would never openly admit that he was mindfully allowing her to hang out with them, much less would he admit he enjoyed her company from time to time.
“Help, help,” River cried from her position under Troy’s personal playground. “Our ship has crashed and we’re out of fuel!”
“Captain Troy Handsome of International Rescue here, what’s your problem,” Troy spoke into a small box.
River sighed and rolled her eyes. “Well if you were listening,” she emphasised, clearly annoyed, “I said that our ship crashed and we need fuel.”
Troy grumbled indignantly.
“Hey, hold on!” John exclaimed. “Why are you always Captain Handsome of International Rescue?”
“Cause I’m handsome,” Troy replied nonchalantly.
“Not to mention vain, egotistic, annoying, arrogant...” River listed as she crawled out from under the slide and defended her brother.
“Now, kids,” Rassilon stepped out, hearing all the ruckus. “Play nice.”
“But--” John interrupted.
“Don’t speak back to me,” Rassilon cut him off angrily. Something about the boy made him dislike him. “Whose house do you think you’re at? Your mother taught you manners, didn’t she?”
“Not really,” River said, “that’s dad’s job.”
“Who taught you that attitude then?” Rassilon glared at the little girl.
“Who taught you yours?” she fought back strongly.
“Why you--”
“We-ell!” Sarah came in just in time, clasping her hands together. She faced Rassilon. “Sylvia’s invited us for her daughter’s birthday tonight. Perhaps it’d be a nice opportunity for the kids to have a little fun?”
River jumped up excitedly. “Will there be cake?”
Sarah Jane smiled at the girl’s sweetness; she really was like her mother. “Yes, and plenty of it! Why don’t you three get ready. I believe your mother brought you two some clothes. Troy your suit is laid out on the bed.”
The three kids quickly ran in, their attitudes changing after hearing of the sweet treat they were about to indulge in, and changed.
-----
The Noble household, Sarah Jane called it, and it was quite fitting. It was bigger than Troy’s home, John and River noted complete with a “Whoa.”
To their dismay, there were hardly any kids their age. Only a handful of grown-ups, and one blond woman who frantically searched the house going “Where is she? She’s going to miss her own cake for crying out loud!”
“Yes, so this is my boy, he’s going to inherit the space station and be the next Neil Armstrong,” Rassilon gloated as he spoke to a group of dignified men.
“One small step for man, one gigantic leap for Troy!” Troy exclaimed, puffing his chest out proudly as the men laughed amused.
“Well I bet I can be a better space woman then you can!” River stepped in, annoyed by his constant gloating.
“Nuh-uh,” Troy glared at her, “girls are too stupid to be astronauts!”
“Yeah-huh! We’re smarter than boys!” River declared.
“Nuh-uh,” Troy stood his ground, “there is no such thing as a space woman anyway! Only spacemen!”
“Actually--” John tried to help.
“Stay out of this,” they both yelled.
“Okay you three, go off now,” Sarah urged them, as even she was getting slightly annoyed by their constant fighting. How they managed to be friends for four years, she’d never know.
John was unamused by their constant bickery. What did a boy have to do to have some quiet friends?
He heard them still going at it as they walked off in the opposite direction. God, if they ended up together in the future, John’d hang himself.
John had some hope of finding someone less loud to talk to, only to find more grown-ups with their glasses of wine talking about politics or news or something he didn’t care about. And now there was that blonde woman and an old geezer roaming the house looking for Miss Birthday girl.
He found his way to their enormous back lot, much bigger than Troy’s, which was empty. The stars looked bright out, and the blue radiance emanating from the pool calmed him.
The water swished, and John looked down to see a little red head above the water. He blinked. “Hello.”
“Hi,” the red headed girl said, before disappearing under water.
John awkwardly waited. Was she drowning? An odd way to drown.
The ginger arose from the water once more, this time closer to the edge were John stood.
“How do you do that for so long?” John asked quizzically, his head tilting in curiosity.
“Dunno,” she said nonchalantly, shrugging. “I just can.”
He smiled. “Could you teach me?”
“Sure,” she responded with her same tone, her words bubbling as she swam closer to him. “I’m Donna, by the way.”
John straightened the bowtie-darn bowties, he hated them-to his black suit before he sat at the edge with his legs crossed. “I’m John. What’re you doing out here by yourself, by the way?”
“Avoiding my mum,” Donna said with a shrug, holding on to the edge of the pool. “She never looks in the pool. Daft woman she is, sometimes.”
John tilted his head. “Are you the birthday girl they’re all looking for by any chance?”
“And if I am?” she challenged him, raising an eyebrow.
John shrugged. “Nothing, I guess. I’d wish you a happy birthday, is all.”
Donna sighed, climbing out of the pool and wrapping herself in a towel hanged on a chair, like a burrito, covering her soaked one-piece swimsuit.
“Birthdays are never happy for me,” she said, taking a seat next to this John boy. “Mum only invites her friends. Then brags about me. I think that’s supposed to make me feel good but, eh.”
“Don’t you at least get presents?”
“Nothing I really like.” Donna shrugged again. “It’s no big deal, I guess. It’s better than nothing at all.”
“Sorry then,” John apologized. “I wish I’d known. I’d have got you something.”
This made Donna genuinely smile. “Please, treat yourself before anyone else. You look like you could use some extra meals a day, skinny boy.”
“Hey! I eat...” John pouted.
Donna laughed, and John changed his expression to a lighter one.
“Donna!” a voice yelled from the doors. It was that blonde woman, Sylvia, standing with her arms crossed, her foot tapping agitatedly.
Donna groaned. “Thanks for getting me caught,” she said sarcastically to John, then laughed at him when she saw he was ready to defend himself from any blame.
“Young lady, you will get ready upstairs and come back down in five minutes, you hear me?” Sylvia demanded and Donna muttered a “yes, mum.”
“As for you, young man,” Sylvia said to John, “watch yourself.”
John awkwardly nodded.
“Now come on then, time for Lady Muck to blow out her candles soon.”
--
“Girls cannot be astronauts!!” Troy told River once more as they found a more private place to finally argue without anyone trying to stop them.
“And why not?” River spat angrily, happy that she can let him have all her mind now.
“Because-- they just can’t,” Troy furrowed his brows. “They aren’t good enough,” he declared.
River’s jaw dropped and her glare intensified. “Woman are just as good as men, if not better! We have female doctors--”
“Nurses,” Troy stated.
“Female business women--”
“Secretaries.”
“Female actresses--”
“Prostitutes.”
River finally slapped him. “Why aren’t we as good as you, huh? You are such an egotistical jerk!”
“See you can’t even swear, that obviously makes you more cowardice,” Troy smirked, after recovering from the stinging on his cheek.
“I don’t need to swear,” she puffed. “I have more class than you, I find no need for that.”
“River, just let it go,” Troy said, “accept it. Men are smarter, cooler, funnier, and stronger.”
“Marie Curie!” she would not let up for one moment, if she was letting this boy win this argument, it’d be over her dead body.
“Albert Einstein,” he countered.
“Chelsea Handler.”
“Craig Furgeson.”
“Lisa Cuddy.”
“Gregory House.”
“He’s fictional!!” she yelled.
“So is she!”
“Well you know what, girls know how to kiss better!” she finally shouted fruitlessly.
“Ha!” Troy scoffed. “In their dreams maybe--”
Before he could finish, River cut him off as her lips pressed firmly against his. His eyes flew wide open as her closed and his hands flailed around wildly, surprised, as she held him securely. It was the way she had seen her mother kiss some guys when she was a kiss-o-gram.
After several seconds, River finally let go and pulled back. She looked down, suddenly shy and playing with her flowing, blue dress as Troy continued to stare at her with wide eyes and his mouth slightly open. Another moment passed and River regained her confidence.
“See, I told you we kiss better,” she smiled victoriously.
Before he could respond, they heard Sarah Jane’s voice calling out for them. Troy quickly gathered himself together and straighted out his black suit jacket.
“Come on, we’d better go,” Troy said a bit quieter than usual as he reached out and grabbed her hand.
River got closer to him and quickly straightened out his bow tie before they headed back to the party. He’s never loved bow ties more than he did at that moment.
Once they began to approach the group, River and Troy’s hands separated and they stayed arm length apart, which was still closer than usual.
---
John waited by the stairs for Donna, not wanting to let go of the only decent person he’s met in a while. As her mother instructed, she came down in exactly five minutes. He turned around once he heard her descend from the steps. She was wearing a modest green dress, plain, but elegant and fitting for her age. Her damp hair was half up and half down, and there were clips with white flowers in it.
“Wow,” was all he could say.
Donna blushed. “What... I look like a Christmas tree.”
“Yeah, you do,” John agreed, earning a face from Donna. “Good thing I like Christmas.”
“Well I don’t,” she pouted and then went off to the backyard, where her 22 by 44 cake was waiting for her with ten candles shining brightly on it.
As John escorted her out, they heard the unified singing of “Happy Birthday” begin. It seemed so perfectly rehearsed, because by the time they got to the top of the seat and Donna was about to blow out her candles, the song ended.
She blew them out powerfully and everyone cheered and several flashes of light went off. Donna held onto John’s hand, not wanting to face this alone and somewhat wanting to punish him for getting her caught after she almost escaped.
Soon after Sylvia had pulled her away, flaunting her child to people who had heard it every year, but never tired because there was something always knew with Donna. She gave an internal groan, turning her head to take a glimpse at John. He was smiling at her, half making fun of her, and half encouraging her to keep her composure through it, as he knew she would, despite only knowing her for such a short time. She struck him as someone different.
Donna rolled her eyes, but returned the smile, and proceeded to be a good trophy daughter.
Soon enough, they’d all gotten carried away with their adult talk, giving Donna a chance to slip away. She giggled as she grabbed John’s arm and ran off before Sylvia noticed.
“That was horrible,” Donna laughed as they entered an empty hall.
“Do you ever get used to that?” John asked, amused.
“Nah. But oh well. This year’s better.”
The corner of John’s mouth curled into a half smile, trying not to give itself away too soon. “And why?”
“Cause there’s you of course! Oh, don’t you look at me all sappy. We’ve only just met, alright? My gramps wouldn’t be too pleased to see you fawning over me,” she laughed.
“I am not fawning over anyone, okay,” John defended. “You’re just really nice.”
That seemed to surprise Donna. “That’s a first,” she mumbled.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing! Have you had the cake?”
“Jo-ohn,” Troy whined as he walked into the hall. “We need to go now, my mum’s waiting--”
He caught sight of Donna, and they both looked at each other for a moment, and then turned away.
John stared at them back and forth in confusion. “Is there...?”
Troy tugged at John’s arm. “Hurry up, we’re gunna leave without you!” He scurried off, not acknowledging Donna a second time.
Before John could ask Donna any questions, she turned to him. “You’re going? Will I see ever you again?”
John smiled. “If I’m lucky.”
Donna gave a sad smile.
“Next birthday? I’ll be sure to give you a present that time. What do you like? Chocolate? Girls can’t resist chocolate,” he nudged her playfully.
Donna smiled, though not quite reaching her eyes. “Okay... but only chocolates, I don’t want you serenading me ‘r anything. We’re not Romeo and Juliet for pete’s sake.”
John laughed. “We’ll see. See you, Donna!” He waved as he walked off.
John began to approach Troy and River and immediately knew something was off. They both stared at John patiently. They weren’t fighting or arguing or threatening to kill each other. They were just standing there.
“What?” River asked him irritatedly when she saw that John was just staring, that was the sister he knew.
“Nothing, get in,” John told her, so he could sit in the middle like he always did. It stopped them from choking each other.
“I can sit in the middle if you want,” River told him softly. “I know you like to sit next to the window.
“Or I can,” Troy pointed out, “I mean I always get the window seat. I don’t know what it’s like to sit in the middle,” he said, almost shyly.
“Can you kids just get into the limo,” they all heard Rassilon yell from inside, followed by Sarah’s amused laughter.
John quickly brushed off his suspicions and climbed in, followed by Troy then River. John was happy that Troy chose to be in the middle, he needed to ask him something anyways.
“You know Donna, Troy?” he asked the second the limo began to move.
Troy gave a deep, sudden frown. “Yeah. Why?”
“She’s nice, isn’t she?”
“Fancy her, do you?”
“No,” John denied almost too defensively, and then countered with a tease. “But you seem like you do.”
That got an unexpected reaction from River. “Do you, now?”
“No!” Troy frowned even more, crossing his arms like a grumpy old man, but a soft blush came across his cheek. “Change the subject, please.”
“Hmm fine,” John dismissed. “But be sure to invite me next year.”
Troy gave him a look. “Are you daft? There won’t be a next year, smarty, she’s moving across the country.”
“Of course you’d know,” River said, not letting go of the previous subject, “you probably know all about her.”
“I don’t know all about her,” Troy defended, a hint of fear and bitterness flashing in his eyes.
“Oh really? Do you know her favorite color?” her eyes narrowed, with a slight pout tugging at her lips.
“No, why should I?”
“Of course you do,” Sarah suddenly interjected, “you chose out the green dress that she wore tonight.”
Without another word, River looked out the window not saying another word, but glaring at Troy every once in a while.
John was silent as well, not having said anything after hearing that his bright new friend was never going to see him again.
--
Finally arriving the Pond residence, the car pulled over.
“Blimey, it’s dark out,” Sarah Jane said. “I’ll go walk you two over, okay?”
“Kay auntie Sarah,” River said, trying to hide her sulk.
Sarah held both of their hands on each of her own and walked them across the road to their door.
“You had fun, didn’t you?”
They each mumbled in despondency.
Amy opened the front door. “There you are! You party animals!”
River ignored her mother and walked right past her, heading straight to her room. Amy raised an eyebrow.
“It went well, didn’t it?” She asked worriedly.
Sarah Jane smiled. “It’s just the usual, you know. Boys.”
“What? Boys?” Rory said in the background from the kitchen.
“Oh, does River have a little crush on Troy?” Amy whispered with a teasing laugh.
“No! Troy’s a stupid head and an ass!” River shouted back from the kitchen where she was getting a cookie; her mother wasn’t as quiet as she thought she was.
“Who taught you that word?” Rory asked River with a scolding tone.
“The stupid head,” she sulked.
Amy shook her head. “Well, how about you, John?”
He shrugged.
“Oh, poor boy. He can tell you all about it later, I suppose,” Sarah said as she fondly caressed John’s head.
John never really noticed how nice Sarah Jane was to him. Amy wore a soft smile, like she understood something.
“Well, I best be off, my poor grumpy Troy is waiting for his mummy,” Sarah said, and with that left.
John stepped into the house, looking back at Sarah Jane, and if he looked closely, he could see the slight slump of her shoulders, as if something had been weighted on them for years and years.
He couldn’t help but wonder how many.
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