Forgotten (Amy/River) - 2/3
Title: Forgotten (2/3)
Fandom: Doctor Who
Characters & Pairings: Amy/River
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don’t own Doctor Who
Summary: Post The Big Bang - Amy may remember the Doctor and all their adventures but there are some things she doesn’t remember. Established Amy/River. (there are some references to my Spoilers series but only very small and it is not necessary to have read them at all)
Notes: A special thanks goes to persiflage_1, my beta. Again, if I get a lot of comments I will try to update quicker, so if you want the next part be sure to comment as I am going to be pretty damn busy next week!. ; )
The walk back to the TARDIS was a long one for Amy. She had taken the wrong turn once or twice and come across rows of tents that housed the other archaeologists, all sleeping soundly by the time she finally left River. There were over 30 tents that she could see, ranging in size from small two-man tents to larger communal ones that reminded Amy of muddy school camps. Embers still glowed in the abandoned campfires; the ground around them littered with the remains of hastily-eaten dinners and discarded shoes. Around the tents was a force field that she guessed served the purpose of a second barrier against the sea above, it made her even less thrilled that River was sleeping in a pile of wood. Finally, more than half an hour after leaving the shack, Amy reached the TARDIS. It looked quiet and peaceful and small, but she knew that what would face her inside would be anything but.
Carefully, she opened the door, wary not to disturb the hopefully sleeping residents. To her relief the console room was empty and the corridor to the room she shared with Rory was lit by only a dim light. Maybe Rory and the Doctor were asleep? She crept over the metal floors, cursing herself for wearing heels. By the time she had reached the corridor the light had brightened and she saw that the door to her room was open, letting light stream out.
“Damn,” she murmured under her breath. Rory was awake and sitting in the bed, waiting for her.
“Were you with her all this time?” he asked, not looking up from his hands in his lap.
Amy nodded once.
“And?” he asked.
Amy closed the door behind her, stepping back to lean against it. “We had a lot to talk about. I stayed for dinner.”
Rory laughed humourlessly. “I’ve been sitting here going out of my mind worrying for you and you’ve been having dinner.”
“Rory,” Amy began. She exhaled deeply and let her hair fall forward to frame her face. “There’s something I have to tell you, about River.”
Rory nodded for her to continue.
“Do you remember I told you about the Weeping Angels?”
“Statues that kill,” Rory affirmed.
Amy nodded. “When it was all over, when the Doctor was away, something happened between me and River.” She looked up briefly for his reaction.
“What kind of something?”
“She kissed me,” Amy said, “and I kissed her back.”
Rory chewed on him lip; his hands wringing in his lap. He was trying to hide his agitation and failing. “And you forgot this, because of the Pandorica?”
“Yes,” Amy said quietly.
“Is there anything else?” he asked, trying to compose himself. He could forgive her a kiss, he’d done it before.
Amy nodded again, silent tears making their way slowly down her cheeks. Rory’s head dropped into his hands.
“I met her again, at Oxford when she was younger. She was teaching there and I bumped into her. She knew me already, the Doctor and I had visited her a lot over the years. I went back to her rooms with her for a drink,” Amy explained, her voice low and quiet. “We talked for ages and I... I kissed her.”
“You only kissed her?” Rory asked warily.
Amy shook her head, her tears falling freely. “I spent the night with her.”
Rory sighed heavily, taking it in and finding he could forgive that as well, as long as it was only the once. “Tell me it was only the once, Amy.”
She hung her head, “I’m so sorry, Rory.”
“Twice? Three times? Four?” He was shouting now and on his feet.
“More than that.” Amy whispered. She looked up. “I am so sorry Rory.”
He was pacing in front of the bed, his hands shaking. “You left me the night before our wedding to run around the universe with the Doctor and have some ridiculous fling?! She’s twice your age, for God’s sake! And that’s ignoring the fact the she’s from the bloody future! I know you’ve dated women before but you were engaged to me, you agreed to marry me! I though you loved me!”
“I do!” Amy cried.
“But you couldn’t wait for me, you couldn’t take me with you! If you were that desperate you should have come home to me!” Rory shouted. He whirled around and looked at her, “It was still going on after I joined you, wasn’t it? Those time the Doctor took me off, it was so you could meet her, wasn’t it?”
Amy nodded, “I’m sorry!”
“Wasn’t I enough for you? Did I fall so woefully short that you had to have meaningless sex with that woman?!” Rory shouted.
“It wasn’t meaningless!”Amy screamed.
Rory stopped pacing and stared at her. “What?” his voice was low and dangerous.
“I love her,” Amy said.
Rory sat heavily back down on the bed. “You love her,” he murmured.
“I’m sorry,” Amy said, sitting down beside Rory. “I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“But you married me.” Rory said, looking at Amy. “Would you have married me if you remembered her?”
“I honestly...” Amy hesitated, “I don’t know.”
“Do you regret marrying me?” Rory asked, his voice calmer now.
“I don’t know,” Amy sighed, “I feel like I’m betraying her.”
“And you didn’t feel like you were betraying me all those times you were with her?” Rory asked, a hint of annoyance creeping back into his voice.
“It felt like another life,” Amy said.
“So, what happens now?” Rory asked.
“I...”
Amy’s reply was cut short by the sharp yanking open of the bedroom door. A very flushed and dishevelled version of the Doctor's face appeared in the opening, gasping for breath. His shirt was undone at the top and his bow tie was hanging limply from his collapsed collar. He grasped the doorframe tightly whilst he got his breath, trying and failing several times to start saying whatever it was that was so important that the sound of a screaming argument hadn’t tipped him off that maybe it would be better to come back later.
“They- they’re co- coming,” he gasped between ragged breaths, jabbing aimlessly with his finger in the direction of the TARDIS door.
“Who’re coming?” Amy asked, her brow furrowing in annoyance (and secretly relief) that they had been interrupted.
“The Aureyans, a race of aliens who used to call Atlantis home, and I’m betting they want it back. Oh, and did I mention they were aquatic? If we don’t stop them then Atlantis will be back at the bottom of the sea, taking everyone down here with it,” said the Doctor, promptly running off when he had finished his obligatory exposition.
Amy leapt to her feet and ran after the Doctor with only one thought in her mind: River. The other archaeologists would be okay, they had their shield, and she was willing to bet the TARDIS could survive getting a bit wet, but River’s sorry excuse for a shack would be destroyed and River wouldn’t have a hope of getting out. Amy’s heart pounded in her chest as she ran through the TARDIS and out into the trench, following the Doctor in the direction of River. She knew that he was having the same thoughts. He had probably heard her and Rory arguing.
“Doctor,” she called, still running, “did you hear...”
“Yes,” he cut in, “and I remember now, I would never have let you marry him if I had known.”
“You couldn’t, only she could,” Amy said, dodging round a corner. There had to be a quicker route than this, it had only seemed to take her minutes the first time.
“No, Amy, she couldn’t. She would never make you choose,” the Doctor shouted back at her.
They soon found themselves upon River’s shack, knocking on the door. It wasn’t a genteel knock that politely informed the inhabitant that there was somebody at their door who wished to see them, but an impatient knock that more accurately said ‘AHHHHHHHH!’.
“River!” the Doctor called when there was no answer. He pushed on the door, finding the shack empty. “Damn.”
“Where is she?” Amy asked, fear shaking her voice.
“I don’t know, but wherever she is, I’m betting she got the warning as well,” he said, laying his hand briefly in comfort on Amy’s shoulder before starting off again back towards the TARDIS.
“What warning?” Amy asked, following him.
“The TARDIS warned me, you were being too noisy to hear her,” the Doctor said, speeding up.
Within minutes they had intentionally taken the wrong turns that Amy had made earlier that night and were faced with the chaos that is associated with over 100 archaeologists panicking immensely. The shield that had enclosed them was nowhere to be seen and fire was raining down from the sea above. At the far end of the campsite was a shiny round ship that gave the impression of cool inviting water. It was guarded by two imposing looking guards who resembled the lovechild of an iguana and a meerkat. The Doctor grabbed the nearest person and asked what the hell was going on.
“Something is attacking... Professor Song is inside the ship trying to negotiate,” the terrified man supplied before breaking free of the Doctor’s hold, and running after his peers in the direction of the only transport out of the excavation site and through the sea.
“No... You never try to negotiate with the Aureyans, they never listen,” the Doctor muttered to himself. “Amy you go back to the TARDIS and I... Amy?”
By the time he looked up Amy was disappearing through the door of the ship, dragged by the guards.
“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!” the Doctor cursed, stalking off through the crowd after his companion.
The inside of the ship was much the same as the outside. All the surfaces were shiny and blue, and seemed to be made out of solid water without the cold of ice. She was dragged along several long corridors where the guards who had snagged her outside talked in hushed tones to their superiors, getting their orders. Amy struggled against her captors, slipping out of her jacket only to be yanked off the ground and thrown through a seemingly solid, yet transparent, door into a dimly lit room. She jumped onto her feet and launched herself at the door, hitting it with a solid squish, bouncing back to land on her bum on the floor.
“It’s a one way doorway,” a silken voice supplied from behind her.
Amy’s heart leapt and sank at the same time as she rose and fell into River’s arms. Her eyes were tight shut to stop her tears falling as River’s strong arms held her too tightly; she had never felt more loved in her life.
“What are you doing here?” River asked softly, wiping the tears from Amy’s cheeks.
“We found out that you were in here and...” she shrugged, “I just had to get here.”
River cradled her face gently, her eyes expressing her desire to kiss Amy for being so heart-warmingly stupid, but also her fear that it wouldn’t be welcomed. They were in a limbo that only Amy could rescue them from, one way or the other. It was an exceedingly infuriating place to be for River, she had waited for Amy so many times in her life but it still hurt. Before the Pandorica had changed reality, River came from a world where she and Amy were indestructible. They had survived so many things together. It broke her heart to be so close to losing her, to never getting to show Amy how much they could do together, the wonders they could create.
Leaning up on her tip toes, Amy kissed River like they were on the edge of oblivion. She felt as though she would burst if she stopped, if she didn’t feel more of River, and lose herself completely in her. That heady dizzy feeling that filled her came to a crescendo when River’s tongue entered her mouth, silky and soft and penetrating. Her knees were weak from the heavy heat coiling in her stomach and her skin tingled with the feeling of a thousand tiny bubbles bursting as she felt herself losing control of her consciousness and melting into River. The only thing that mattered, that had ever mattered, in the universe was the sensation of River on her, in her, around her.
After an eternity they broke apart, gasping for air as they clung to each other, their skin glowing in the low light of their prison cell.
“I should have stayed,” Amy breathed. “I should never have left you alone in that sorry excuse for a shack.” Her voice was light and teasing as she took a shot at where River was staying.
“I’ve never been one for domesticity.” River laughed.
“Why is it when I’m with you I’m always getting into trouble?” Amy giggled, looping her arms around River’s neck.
“They way I remember it, it’s always you getting me into trouble.” River smirked, pinching Amy’s sides lightly to make her jump and squirm.
“Hey, I’m ticklish!” Amy protested, wriggling from River’s grip.
River laughed richly, “I know.”
Amy slid down the far wall and gestured for River to join her on the floor. The blonde complied, bumping her shoulder with Amy’s and grinning at her.
“How did things go with Rory?” she asked after a few minutes of silence.
“As well as could be expected,” Amy said, focusing a dark spot on the stone floor. “He was angry and hurt. He wanted to know what happens now.”
River nodded, listening intently.
“Don’t you want to know what I told him?” Amy asked, peering at River around the curtain of her hair.
“You’ll tell me when you’re ready,” River smiled softly at her, “I’m so sorry you have to make this decision. I know how hard it must be, I don’t think I could do it. I’ll wait for you, as long as you want.”
Amy kissed her chastely. “You can’t wait for me forever.”
“Yes I can.”
The Doctor had the whole mess cleared up within the hour. He had persuaded the Aureyans that it would be best for everyone if they returned to their home planet. The water in the Earth’s oceans was no longer habitable for them, there was nowhere near enough carbon dioxide for them to breathe, and the pH was 3 above their optimum. They wouldn’t last a day.
“So... What do we have here then?” the Doctor said smugly, leaning on the doorframe to Amy and River’s cell.
“He’s going to be insufferable,” River said, with a hint of annoyance in her amused tone. There was one thing she hated and that was sitting on the sidelines whilst the Doctor saved the day. She was a 51st century woman and not at all used to playing second best, even to the Doctor.
“He’ll never let us live it down.” Amy agreed.
“Now, now girls,” the Doctor smirked. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I could do with a nice hot cup of tea with a good plate of custard creams. It’s hungry work, saving the world.”
“You saved an archaeological dig, let’s not exaggerate, hmmm?” River said, getting up off the floor and strolling through the now open door, banging the Doctor with her shoulder on the way out.
“Come on Pond, let’s go sort out your mess of a love life,” the Doctor smiled, gesturing with his head to the exit. “I’m not quite sure how long this treaty I made with them to let us go is valid for so I would really rather not be here.”
When they got back to the TARDIS, after calming the other archaeologists, Rory was waiting for them.
“What happened, I tried to come after you but the stupid thing wouldn’t let me out!” he said angrily, shooting the console a dirty look.
“Rory, she was trying to protect you, the sky was raining fire,” the Doctor explained.
“The sky is sea!” Rory exclaimed.
“Yes,” said the Doctor slowly, “and it was raining fire. We were attacked by a very angry race who didn’t take too kindly to their holiday home being excavated, not to mention being made terrestrial.”
“And how exactly was I supposed to excavate it whilst it was underwater. Come on Sweetie, think before you speak,” River teased, hiding behind the facade that only the Doctor and Amy had ever seen behind; being in the same room as Rory was making her uneasy. It took every ounce of maturity and self control not to stick her tongue out at him and she didn’t think that would be very helpful.
Amy laughed at the offended, yet puzzled, and also slightly amused look on the Doctor’s face. It was a free and natural laugh that was quickly cut short when Rory looked at her sharply, not approving of her reaction to River’s retort.
River stepped past the Doctor and held her hand out for Rory to shake. “I think it’s time we were formally introduced. I know we’ve met before but trying to cling onto reality can be very distracting so I wasn’t exactly at my polite best. We should be civil about this, for Amy’s sake.”
Rory took her hand. “I agree.”
“Brilliant, everyone’s friends, now how about that cup of tea?” the Doctor said, eyes wide and overly enthusiastic.
Half an hour later they were all sat around the coffee table in the TARDIS’ drawing room. There was a steaming pot of green tea and a pot of filter coffee sending a rich aroma out into the room on the ornate silver tray embossed with the royal seal (yes, he had pinched it from Windsor Castle but he had just saved the Queen from a Cyberman). The Doctor was happily sipping his tea at the head of the table with River and Rory on either side of him with coffee and tea respectively. The two of them were starring at Amy expectantly as she sat opposite the Doctor, trying to choose which drink to pour into her fine china cup.
The decision between tea and coffee seemed to be loaded with the real decision facing the redhead. Tea or coffee; Rory or River.
Dismissing the choice she reached across the table and plucked the jug of milk up, pouring what was left of it into her cup. The Doctor smiled at her and she heard River concede a small laugh at her avoidance.
“So,” began the Doctor putting his cup back on its saucer with the clink of china on china, “have you come a decision yet, Pond?”
“Doctor!” Amy exclaimed.
“You’re still a Pond?” River asked hopefully.
“Yes,” Amy supplied quickly before turning back to scowl at the Doctor.
“What? You said you hadn’t decided yet!” Rory said, narrowing his eyes at the Doctor as if it was his fault.
Amy shrugged, “I like Pond.”
“It’s a good name,” River smiled, taking a sip of her oh so tempting coffee. Amy would love to be drinking coffee, the damn milk tasted like cream.
“I’m not changing my name, but that doesn’t mean anything,” Amy said, quickly becoming annoyed at both of them.
“You’re still wearing ring, which has to mean something. Never mind the fact that you actually married me,” Rory said, leaning forward towards Amy.
“I’m not usually one for spoilers but,” River held up her hand, showing off her wedding ring, “you’re not the only one who can boast that.”
Amy’s eyes darted to the ring. “Is that...”
“Your grandmother’s wedding ring,” River finished.
Rory frowned, “You never told me your grandmother had left you a wedding ring?”
“That’s because it’s a woman’s ring and because I lost it when I was 9,” Amy said, still staring at the ring in wonderment, “How did you get it?” she asked River.
“We were in the year 1944 to see a concert in Edinburgh and we saw your grandmother buying the ring with your grandfather at a second hand jewellery shop. You got really upset about losing it so when you were distracted at the concert I went back to the nineties to take it from your jewellery box before you could lose it,” River explained, smiling fondly at the memory. “We got engaged the next day, you asked me at a little cafe in Covent Garden in the 37th century.”
Amy smiled, her heart fluttering with the possibilities of the life she would have with River. She had never told anyone about the ring before, it was the first time her parents had really shouted at her. It was the worst day of her childhood.
“Have you ever thought that maybe Amy never lost the ring, that maybe you just took it?” Rory asked sharply.
“Rory,” the Doctor warned. He didn’t know who he wanted to win, but he knew that Rory wasn’t helping his case.
“Remember when I asked you to marry me?” Rory asked, placing a hand on her knee and squeezing. “It was the anniversary of the day after the Doctor left. You had been waiting up all night hoping he would show up. And in the morning, when he didn’t, I asked you to marry me and you said yes. Remember how happy you were at our wedding, how much fun you had dancing at the reception.”
“Amy,” River began, getting her attention, “Nothing I can tell you about the life you and I lived in the reality before the Pandorica can compete with what you have already lived in this reality with Rory. The life I knew with you has gone, it’s just a memory. But know that I will do everything I can to make this new world one where the two of us can shine together.” River smiled at her before replacing her cup on the table and standing up. “Whenever you make your decision come and find me, even if it is only to say goodbye.” She kissed Amy’s cheek and brushed her ruby hair back so she could whisper in her ear, “I’ll always love you Amelia Jessica Pond, no matter who you choose or what you decide to do.” She stood back up straight and extended her hand again to Rory, “No hard feelings, no matter how this turns out. You’re a good man, Rory, I see why Amy loves you.”
Rory shook her hand, “Likewise.”
“I should go and make sure my team are okay, there may have been damage to the camp in the fire.”
And with that River left.
Fandom: Doctor Who
Characters & Pairings: Amy/River
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don’t own Doctor Who
Summary: Post The Big Bang - Amy may remember the Doctor and all their adventures but there are some things she doesn’t remember. Established Amy/River. (there are some references to my Spoilers series but only very small and it is not necessary to have read them at all)
Notes: A special thanks goes to persiflage_1, my beta. Again, if I get a lot of comments I will try to update quicker, so if you want the next part be sure to comment as I am going to be pretty damn busy next week!. ; )
The walk back to the TARDIS was a long one for Amy. She had taken the wrong turn once or twice and come across rows of tents that housed the other archaeologists, all sleeping soundly by the time she finally left River. There were over 30 tents that she could see, ranging in size from small two-man tents to larger communal ones that reminded Amy of muddy school camps. Embers still glowed in the abandoned campfires; the ground around them littered with the remains of hastily-eaten dinners and discarded shoes. Around the tents was a force field that she guessed served the purpose of a second barrier against the sea above, it made her even less thrilled that River was sleeping in a pile of wood. Finally, more than half an hour after leaving the shack, Amy reached the TARDIS. It looked quiet and peaceful and small, but she knew that what would face her inside would be anything but.
Carefully, she opened the door, wary not to disturb the hopefully sleeping residents. To her relief the console room was empty and the corridor to the room she shared with Rory was lit by only a dim light. Maybe Rory and the Doctor were asleep? She crept over the metal floors, cursing herself for wearing heels. By the time she had reached the corridor the light had brightened and she saw that the door to her room was open, letting light stream out.
“Damn,” she murmured under her breath. Rory was awake and sitting in the bed, waiting for her.
“Were you with her all this time?” he asked, not looking up from his hands in his lap.
Amy nodded once.
“And?” he asked.
Amy closed the door behind her, stepping back to lean against it. “We had a lot to talk about. I stayed for dinner.”
Rory laughed humourlessly. “I’ve been sitting here going out of my mind worrying for you and you’ve been having dinner.”
“Rory,” Amy began. She exhaled deeply and let her hair fall forward to frame her face. “There’s something I have to tell you, about River.”
Rory nodded for her to continue.
“Do you remember I told you about the Weeping Angels?”
“Statues that kill,” Rory affirmed.
Amy nodded. “When it was all over, when the Doctor was away, something happened between me and River.” She looked up briefly for his reaction.
“What kind of something?”
“She kissed me,” Amy said, “and I kissed her back.”
Rory chewed on him lip; his hands wringing in his lap. He was trying to hide his agitation and failing. “And you forgot this, because of the Pandorica?”
“Yes,” Amy said quietly.
“Is there anything else?” he asked, trying to compose himself. He could forgive her a kiss, he’d done it before.
Amy nodded again, silent tears making their way slowly down her cheeks. Rory’s head dropped into his hands.
“I met her again, at Oxford when she was younger. She was teaching there and I bumped into her. She knew me already, the Doctor and I had visited her a lot over the years. I went back to her rooms with her for a drink,” Amy explained, her voice low and quiet. “We talked for ages and I... I kissed her.”
“You only kissed her?” Rory asked warily.
Amy shook her head, her tears falling freely. “I spent the night with her.”
Rory sighed heavily, taking it in and finding he could forgive that as well, as long as it was only the once. “Tell me it was only the once, Amy.”
She hung her head, “I’m so sorry, Rory.”
“Twice? Three times? Four?” He was shouting now and on his feet.
“More than that.” Amy whispered. She looked up. “I am so sorry Rory.”
He was pacing in front of the bed, his hands shaking. “You left me the night before our wedding to run around the universe with the Doctor and have some ridiculous fling?! She’s twice your age, for God’s sake! And that’s ignoring the fact the she’s from the bloody future! I know you’ve dated women before but you were engaged to me, you agreed to marry me! I though you loved me!”
“I do!” Amy cried.
“But you couldn’t wait for me, you couldn’t take me with you! If you were that desperate you should have come home to me!” Rory shouted. He whirled around and looked at her, “It was still going on after I joined you, wasn’t it? Those time the Doctor took me off, it was so you could meet her, wasn’t it?”
Amy nodded, “I’m sorry!”
“Wasn’t I enough for you? Did I fall so woefully short that you had to have meaningless sex with that woman?!” Rory shouted.
“It wasn’t meaningless!”Amy screamed.
Rory stopped pacing and stared at her. “What?” his voice was low and dangerous.
“I love her,” Amy said.
Rory sat heavily back down on the bed. “You love her,” he murmured.
“I’m sorry,” Amy said, sitting down beside Rory. “I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“But you married me.” Rory said, looking at Amy. “Would you have married me if you remembered her?”
“I honestly...” Amy hesitated, “I don’t know.”
“Do you regret marrying me?” Rory asked, his voice calmer now.
“I don’t know,” Amy sighed, “I feel like I’m betraying her.”
“And you didn’t feel like you were betraying me all those times you were with her?” Rory asked, a hint of annoyance creeping back into his voice.
“It felt like another life,” Amy said.
“So, what happens now?” Rory asked.
“I...”
Amy’s reply was cut short by the sharp yanking open of the bedroom door. A very flushed and dishevelled version of the Doctor's face appeared in the opening, gasping for breath. His shirt was undone at the top and his bow tie was hanging limply from his collapsed collar. He grasped the doorframe tightly whilst he got his breath, trying and failing several times to start saying whatever it was that was so important that the sound of a screaming argument hadn’t tipped him off that maybe it would be better to come back later.
“They- they’re co- coming,” he gasped between ragged breaths, jabbing aimlessly with his finger in the direction of the TARDIS door.
“Who’re coming?” Amy asked, her brow furrowing in annoyance (and secretly relief) that they had been interrupted.
“The Aureyans, a race of aliens who used to call Atlantis home, and I’m betting they want it back. Oh, and did I mention they were aquatic? If we don’t stop them then Atlantis will be back at the bottom of the sea, taking everyone down here with it,” said the Doctor, promptly running off when he had finished his obligatory exposition.
Amy leapt to her feet and ran after the Doctor with only one thought in her mind: River. The other archaeologists would be okay, they had their shield, and she was willing to bet the TARDIS could survive getting a bit wet, but River’s sorry excuse for a shack would be destroyed and River wouldn’t have a hope of getting out. Amy’s heart pounded in her chest as she ran through the TARDIS and out into the trench, following the Doctor in the direction of River. She knew that he was having the same thoughts. He had probably heard her and Rory arguing.
“Doctor,” she called, still running, “did you hear...”
“Yes,” he cut in, “and I remember now, I would never have let you marry him if I had known.”
“You couldn’t, only she could,” Amy said, dodging round a corner. There had to be a quicker route than this, it had only seemed to take her minutes the first time.
“No, Amy, she couldn’t. She would never make you choose,” the Doctor shouted back at her.
They soon found themselves upon River’s shack, knocking on the door. It wasn’t a genteel knock that politely informed the inhabitant that there was somebody at their door who wished to see them, but an impatient knock that more accurately said ‘AHHHHHHHH!’.
“River!” the Doctor called when there was no answer. He pushed on the door, finding the shack empty. “Damn.”
“Where is she?” Amy asked, fear shaking her voice.
“I don’t know, but wherever she is, I’m betting she got the warning as well,” he said, laying his hand briefly in comfort on Amy’s shoulder before starting off again back towards the TARDIS.
“What warning?” Amy asked, following him.
“The TARDIS warned me, you were being too noisy to hear her,” the Doctor said, speeding up.
Within minutes they had intentionally taken the wrong turns that Amy had made earlier that night and were faced with the chaos that is associated with over 100 archaeologists panicking immensely. The shield that had enclosed them was nowhere to be seen and fire was raining down from the sea above. At the far end of the campsite was a shiny round ship that gave the impression of cool inviting water. It was guarded by two imposing looking guards who resembled the lovechild of an iguana and a meerkat. The Doctor grabbed the nearest person and asked what the hell was going on.
“Something is attacking... Professor Song is inside the ship trying to negotiate,” the terrified man supplied before breaking free of the Doctor’s hold, and running after his peers in the direction of the only transport out of the excavation site and through the sea.
“No... You never try to negotiate with the Aureyans, they never listen,” the Doctor muttered to himself. “Amy you go back to the TARDIS and I... Amy?”
By the time he looked up Amy was disappearing through the door of the ship, dragged by the guards.
“Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!” the Doctor cursed, stalking off through the crowd after his companion.
The inside of the ship was much the same as the outside. All the surfaces were shiny and blue, and seemed to be made out of solid water without the cold of ice. She was dragged along several long corridors where the guards who had snagged her outside talked in hushed tones to their superiors, getting their orders. Amy struggled against her captors, slipping out of her jacket only to be yanked off the ground and thrown through a seemingly solid, yet transparent, door into a dimly lit room. She jumped onto her feet and launched herself at the door, hitting it with a solid squish, bouncing back to land on her bum on the floor.
“It’s a one way doorway,” a silken voice supplied from behind her.
Amy’s heart leapt and sank at the same time as she rose and fell into River’s arms. Her eyes were tight shut to stop her tears falling as River’s strong arms held her too tightly; she had never felt more loved in her life.
“What are you doing here?” River asked softly, wiping the tears from Amy’s cheeks.
“We found out that you were in here and...” she shrugged, “I just had to get here.”
River cradled her face gently, her eyes expressing her desire to kiss Amy for being so heart-warmingly stupid, but also her fear that it wouldn’t be welcomed. They were in a limbo that only Amy could rescue them from, one way or the other. It was an exceedingly infuriating place to be for River, she had waited for Amy so many times in her life but it still hurt. Before the Pandorica had changed reality, River came from a world where she and Amy were indestructible. They had survived so many things together. It broke her heart to be so close to losing her, to never getting to show Amy how much they could do together, the wonders they could create.
Leaning up on her tip toes, Amy kissed River like they were on the edge of oblivion. She felt as though she would burst if she stopped, if she didn’t feel more of River, and lose herself completely in her. That heady dizzy feeling that filled her came to a crescendo when River’s tongue entered her mouth, silky and soft and penetrating. Her knees were weak from the heavy heat coiling in her stomach and her skin tingled with the feeling of a thousand tiny bubbles bursting as she felt herself losing control of her consciousness and melting into River. The only thing that mattered, that had ever mattered, in the universe was the sensation of River on her, in her, around her.
After an eternity they broke apart, gasping for air as they clung to each other, their skin glowing in the low light of their prison cell.
“I should have stayed,” Amy breathed. “I should never have left you alone in that sorry excuse for a shack.” Her voice was light and teasing as she took a shot at where River was staying.
“I’ve never been one for domesticity.” River laughed.
“Why is it when I’m with you I’m always getting into trouble?” Amy giggled, looping her arms around River’s neck.
“They way I remember it, it’s always you getting me into trouble.” River smirked, pinching Amy’s sides lightly to make her jump and squirm.
“Hey, I’m ticklish!” Amy protested, wriggling from River’s grip.
River laughed richly, “I know.”
Amy slid down the far wall and gestured for River to join her on the floor. The blonde complied, bumping her shoulder with Amy’s and grinning at her.
“How did things go with Rory?” she asked after a few minutes of silence.
“As well as could be expected,” Amy said, focusing a dark spot on the stone floor. “He was angry and hurt. He wanted to know what happens now.”
River nodded, listening intently.
“Don’t you want to know what I told him?” Amy asked, peering at River around the curtain of her hair.
“You’ll tell me when you’re ready,” River smiled softly at her, “I’m so sorry you have to make this decision. I know how hard it must be, I don’t think I could do it. I’ll wait for you, as long as you want.”
Amy kissed her chastely. “You can’t wait for me forever.”
“Yes I can.”
The Doctor had the whole mess cleared up within the hour. He had persuaded the Aureyans that it would be best for everyone if they returned to their home planet. The water in the Earth’s oceans was no longer habitable for them, there was nowhere near enough carbon dioxide for them to breathe, and the pH was 3 above their optimum. They wouldn’t last a day.
“So... What do we have here then?” the Doctor said smugly, leaning on the doorframe to Amy and River’s cell.
“He’s going to be insufferable,” River said, with a hint of annoyance in her amused tone. There was one thing she hated and that was sitting on the sidelines whilst the Doctor saved the day. She was a 51st century woman and not at all used to playing second best, even to the Doctor.
“He’ll never let us live it down.” Amy agreed.
“Now, now girls,” the Doctor smirked. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I could do with a nice hot cup of tea with a good plate of custard creams. It’s hungry work, saving the world.”
“You saved an archaeological dig, let’s not exaggerate, hmmm?” River said, getting up off the floor and strolling through the now open door, banging the Doctor with her shoulder on the way out.
“Come on Pond, let’s go sort out your mess of a love life,” the Doctor smiled, gesturing with his head to the exit. “I’m not quite sure how long this treaty I made with them to let us go is valid for so I would really rather not be here.”
When they got back to the TARDIS, after calming the other archaeologists, Rory was waiting for them.
“What happened, I tried to come after you but the stupid thing wouldn’t let me out!” he said angrily, shooting the console a dirty look.
“Rory, she was trying to protect you, the sky was raining fire,” the Doctor explained.
“The sky is sea!” Rory exclaimed.
“Yes,” said the Doctor slowly, “and it was raining fire. We were attacked by a very angry race who didn’t take too kindly to their holiday home being excavated, not to mention being made terrestrial.”
“And how exactly was I supposed to excavate it whilst it was underwater. Come on Sweetie, think before you speak,” River teased, hiding behind the facade that only the Doctor and Amy had ever seen behind; being in the same room as Rory was making her uneasy. It took every ounce of maturity and self control not to stick her tongue out at him and she didn’t think that would be very helpful.
Amy laughed at the offended, yet puzzled, and also slightly amused look on the Doctor’s face. It was a free and natural laugh that was quickly cut short when Rory looked at her sharply, not approving of her reaction to River’s retort.
River stepped past the Doctor and held her hand out for Rory to shake. “I think it’s time we were formally introduced. I know we’ve met before but trying to cling onto reality can be very distracting so I wasn’t exactly at my polite best. We should be civil about this, for Amy’s sake.”
Rory took her hand. “I agree.”
“Brilliant, everyone’s friends, now how about that cup of tea?” the Doctor said, eyes wide and overly enthusiastic.
Half an hour later they were all sat around the coffee table in the TARDIS’ drawing room. There was a steaming pot of green tea and a pot of filter coffee sending a rich aroma out into the room on the ornate silver tray embossed with the royal seal (yes, he had pinched it from Windsor Castle but he had just saved the Queen from a Cyberman). The Doctor was happily sipping his tea at the head of the table with River and Rory on either side of him with coffee and tea respectively. The two of them were starring at Amy expectantly as she sat opposite the Doctor, trying to choose which drink to pour into her fine china cup.
The decision between tea and coffee seemed to be loaded with the real decision facing the redhead. Tea or coffee; Rory or River.
Dismissing the choice she reached across the table and plucked the jug of milk up, pouring what was left of it into her cup. The Doctor smiled at her and she heard River concede a small laugh at her avoidance.
“So,” began the Doctor putting his cup back on its saucer with the clink of china on china, “have you come a decision yet, Pond?”
“Doctor!” Amy exclaimed.
“You’re still a Pond?” River asked hopefully.
“Yes,” Amy supplied quickly before turning back to scowl at the Doctor.
“What? You said you hadn’t decided yet!” Rory said, narrowing his eyes at the Doctor as if it was his fault.
Amy shrugged, “I like Pond.”
“It’s a good name,” River smiled, taking a sip of her oh so tempting coffee. Amy would love to be drinking coffee, the damn milk tasted like cream.
“I’m not changing my name, but that doesn’t mean anything,” Amy said, quickly becoming annoyed at both of them.
“You’re still wearing ring, which has to mean something. Never mind the fact that you actually married me,” Rory said, leaning forward towards Amy.
“I’m not usually one for spoilers but,” River held up her hand, showing off her wedding ring, “you’re not the only one who can boast that.”
Amy’s eyes darted to the ring. “Is that...”
“Your grandmother’s wedding ring,” River finished.
Rory frowned, “You never told me your grandmother had left you a wedding ring?”
“That’s because it’s a woman’s ring and because I lost it when I was 9,” Amy said, still staring at the ring in wonderment, “How did you get it?” she asked River.
“We were in the year 1944 to see a concert in Edinburgh and we saw your grandmother buying the ring with your grandfather at a second hand jewellery shop. You got really upset about losing it so when you were distracted at the concert I went back to the nineties to take it from your jewellery box before you could lose it,” River explained, smiling fondly at the memory. “We got engaged the next day, you asked me at a little cafe in Covent Garden in the 37th century.”
Amy smiled, her heart fluttering with the possibilities of the life she would have with River. She had never told anyone about the ring before, it was the first time her parents had really shouted at her. It was the worst day of her childhood.
“Have you ever thought that maybe Amy never lost the ring, that maybe you just took it?” Rory asked sharply.
“Rory,” the Doctor warned. He didn’t know who he wanted to win, but he knew that Rory wasn’t helping his case.
“Remember when I asked you to marry me?” Rory asked, placing a hand on her knee and squeezing. “It was the anniversary of the day after the Doctor left. You had been waiting up all night hoping he would show up. And in the morning, when he didn’t, I asked you to marry me and you said yes. Remember how happy you were at our wedding, how much fun you had dancing at the reception.”
“Amy,” River began, getting her attention, “Nothing I can tell you about the life you and I lived in the reality before the Pandorica can compete with what you have already lived in this reality with Rory. The life I knew with you has gone, it’s just a memory. But know that I will do everything I can to make this new world one where the two of us can shine together.” River smiled at her before replacing her cup on the table and standing up. “Whenever you make your decision come and find me, even if it is only to say goodbye.” She kissed Amy’s cheek and brushed her ruby hair back so she could whisper in her ear, “I’ll always love you Amelia Jessica Pond, no matter who you choose or what you decide to do.” She stood back up straight and extended her hand again to Rory, “No hard feelings, no matter how this turns out. You’re a good man, Rory, I see why Amy loves you.”
Rory shook her hand, “Likewise.”
“I should go and make sure my team are okay, there may have been damage to the camp in the fire.”
And with that River left.