To Be Astrid

Chapter 5 - A Good Man Goes to War

Demons Run When A Good Man Goes To War -

Astrid and Jeremy jumped up off the couch when an alarm sounded. They quickly got dressed into their uniforms and ran to where they were needed. Cell Four Two Six, Astrid's personal favourite. River Song was making her way to her cell as well, wearing a warm Regency-Era-appropriate dress

"Oh, turn it off. I'm breaking in, not out", she picked up the phone opposite her cell, "This is River Song, back in her cell. Oh, and I'll take breakfast at the usual time. Thank you."

"Doctor Song, you can't just go in and out as you please, this is a prison", Jeremy reminded her, his gun propped up.

"Professor Henderson, I'd appreciate it if you lowered your gun. She is returning to her cell as we speak. So shut up", Astrid told him and moved towards River.

Then, they spotted another man in a dark corner and River spoke up, "Oh, are you boys dressing up as Romans now? I thought nobody read my memos."

"Shut up, I won't dress up for you", Astrid pushed her with an amused smirk.

"Doctor Song, Astrid. It's Rory. Sorry, have we met yet? Time streams. I'm not quite sure where we are", the man stepped out of the shadow.

"Oh my days. Is he-?", Astrid started with the same shock in her face that River held.

"Yes", she interrupted her, "Yes, we've met. Hello, Rory."

The women both smiled at him and Rory stepped closer, "What's wrong?"

"It's my birthday. The Oracle took me ice skating on the River Thames in 1814, the last of the great Frost Fairs. She got Stevie Wonder to sing for us under London Bridge", she explained.

Astrid just smiled as Rory asked in confusion, "Stevie Wonder sang in 1814?"

"Yes, he did. But you must never tell him. Or the Doctor", River replied.

"I've just come from the Doctor", Rory told them.

"Yes, but a different point in time", River said.

"Unless there's two of them", Astrid mused.

"Now, that's a whole different birthday", River wiggled her eyebrows.

"Oh, no, River. We've talked about the innuendos. That's my dad you're talking about", she frowned in disgust.

"You can't tell me your parents aren't like that when they're together at all. Come on", River rolled her eyes.

"They need you", Rory pointed out.

The women exchanged a worried look and River got her diary out. Astrid stopped her from flipping pages when she saw what they were looking for, "Demons Run."

"How- how did you know?", Rory asked, taking a confused step back.

"We're from his future. We always know", River explained.

"I thought you were his daughter", he looked at Astrid, "And you're already born. How can you be from his future?"

Astrid chuckled, "You'd be surprised."

"Why on Earth are you wearing that?", River gestured to Rory's attire.

"Fitting, actually", Astrid muttered.

"The Doctor's idea", Rory regained their attention.

"Of course. His rules of engagement. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

"Sometimes you say things about my dad that leave me wondering about who he is", Astrid furrowed her brows in confusion.

"Have you seen him with floppy hair and a bowtie?", River propped up a new topic to play off her worry over the situation.