Blue Christmas

Part 8: Devil in disguise

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The museum staff were being decidedly uncooperative even after The Doctor flashed them his psychic paper. In fact that had probably made it worse since it seemed their guards had been trained against psychic influencing and The Doctor had been forced to flee before they arrested him as well. Well having had one robbery they were undoubtedly on high alert but that then left The Doctor with only one option if he was going to get inside and check the site of the crime for clues.

"We're going to have to break in ourselves." The Doctor pronounced gravely to the console room only glancing up when there was no reaction or response. "River?"

Surprised and more than a little bit annoyed The Doctor found himself all alone in the console room. The Doctor pushed himself away from the console and went looking for his absent wife. Walking through the Tardis corridors The Doctor avoided looking in the direction of the twins room, it would be cold and empty, and it would force him to dwell on the fact that his children weren't here and safe where they should be. He had already squashed that feeling of guilt down far below his stomach once today he had no desire for it to rear it's ugly head again and take him by surprise.

"River?" The Doctor called out not interested in a prolonged game of hide and seek when there was a puzzle to be solved.

"In here Sweetie."

Intrigued The Doctor poked his head around the door his heart sinking at the familiar décor, no, oh no...

He knew that the Tardis had been less than pleased with having Missy on board but The Doctor thought that she had come to accept it, she had certainly stopped making life quite so difficult for the former Time Lady after a few months and more than a few pleading words from The Doctor. Yet seemed his ship had merely been lulling him into a false sense of security, why else would she have led River to this room?

"I just needed to freshen up, I actually found plaster in my hair could you believe it?" River called out from the bathroom...From Missy's bathroom.

"Did you need a change of clothes I could probably find something in the wardrobe that would fit?" The Doctor asked as he nervously glanced at the discarded pile of clothes.

"Oh no need I already found some." River called back. "It really is amazing what some of your companions actually leave behind. I mean they're not my usual style but I'll make do."

No....no....The Doctor glared at the Tardis mentally rebuking her and feeling his ship quail a little under the force of his anger.

Yet before The Doctor could do anything about it River reappeared, her curls wet and pulled back into a messy bun, yet it was the familiar high necked blouse that River chose to wear partially open over a tank and soft plum fitted velvet jacket with skinny jeans that were now supper skin tight on River's curves.

"Ta dah." River pronounced with a smile and a twirl surprised when The Doctor continued to stare but not in a I can't keep my eyes off her way. "Doctor...Is everything...Oh is it bad memories I'm sorry I didn't think."

"No." The Doctor shook his head.

They were memories but they weren't necessarily bad ones, far from it, he could still recall Missy bouncing into the console room gleefully showing off that jacket, the latest in her long line of plunders from the Tardis's extensive wardrobe. It was only missing a cameo broach and then it would be perfect she insisted. It had been such a Missy moment that The Doctor had struggled to smile, her daughter's cameo like her Tardis was still MIA, and although Missy couldn't remember either there was clearly still some pull there.

"Doctor?" River's concern only grew when this new Doctor seemed to grow more withdrawn from her. He wasn't like either of the other versions she had met before, those Doctor's had worn their hearts on their sleeves, this one by contrast kept it all so tightly locked down it was so difficult to judge if he was even pleased to see her.

"How long?"

"What?" The Doctor barked eyebrows drawn in a deep frown.

"How long has it been since you last saw me?"

"Like this?" The Doctor questioned gesturing between them. "A very very long time, near to a thousand years."

That answer nearly knocked the air from her lungs and River actually sank down on to the bed. It was a lifetime, well several lifetimes in fact, and in some ways it did explain the distance. She would have been little more than a memory by now, The Doctor would have moved on with his life, would have almost forgotten about her like he did with all the others and then in she came crashing back into his life and turned it upside down.

"I'm sorry I didn't think." River replied gently. "No companion at the moment?"

"Y...No I wouldn't call her that she wouldn't like it." The Doctor corrected himself, imagining the explosion if he ever made that mistake, Missy would annihilate him.

"Oh." River replied with an arched eyebrow and a saucy wink. "Don't tell me you've gone and replaced me Sweetie." Yet the damning blush on The Doctor's cheek and the way he suddenly avoided her gaze like the plague told her the truth.

"Well I at least hope she's fabulous." River chuckled easing herself up from the bed and moving towards The Doctor. "I mean you've hardly been my only husband Sweetie, as wonderful as you are you are a little expensive for everyday wear."

Surprised by that confession The Doctor realised he was actually less bothered than he expected he would be. Once upon a time he imagined he would have been jealous, his earlier incarnation had had a little trouble sharing.

"So where is she I'd love to meet her?"

Rubbing his neck awkwardly The Doctor now could really feel his cheeks burning. "She's...she's visiting friends at the moment."

"Independent too even better." River added savouring this new side to The Doctor, her main version had never been this type of awkward, it was truly Darling.

"Yes well perhaps another time....Now we have an emerald to find otherwise the Judoon will track you across the galaxy and back again."

"I take you have a plan?" River asked retrieving her equipment from her pile of clothes and strapping them on.

Smiling The Doctor's eyebrows waggled in the most suggestive manner as he leant closer. "Tell me Ms Song how do you feel about a spot of breaking and entering?"

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