River Song: Hello Sweetie

Raining On A Parade

Raining On A Parade

River has never been so grateful for the rain. If it hadn't been for the wrath of the "rain gods", River and the Doctor might just have ended up as a sacrifice. The Doctor had sworn he had a plan, but River still isn't convinced. As soon as she had set foot in the Tardis, River immediately took a shower. As handy as the rain had been, it had chilled her to the bone and ruined her hair.

She comes into the console room with her hair hanging around her in wet, perfect ringlets, and the Doctor is staring at the monitor. "Finally finished showering?" The Doctor asks, not looking at her. "I still don't understand how it takes you so long." "With great hair comes great need to condition." River says virtuously. The Doctor snorts and turns to her. He gulps nervously. "What are you wearing?!?" She looks down at herself. The tank top and shorts she had put on earlier are still there. "Clothes, Sweetie. I'm wearing clothes." "Put something else on. We are going to Dontra IV, and if you keep wearing that, I might land us in Dontra III, which is quite a different place!" River grins. "So you're saying I'm distracting?" She drawls. "Yes." She brushes against him as she pushes a lever down. "Nice excuse, Sweetie, but I know you would probably land us in Dontra III even if I was wearing jeans and a turtleneck sweater." The Doctor laughs and pouts at the same time. "Like you would ever wear a turtle neck." He scoffs. River smirks, and he realizes he forgot about her driving comment. "And I'm a good driver!" He insists. "A little delayed reaction, my love." She says softly as she wraps her hands around his untied bow tie. He briefly wonders when it had come undone before being distracted by her lips.

He had only just put his lips on hers before the phone rings. He curses the timing. "Let it go to the machine." He mumbles, and then pauses. "Wait a minute." He says, pulling away slightly. There's a slight groan of protest from River. "That wasn't my phone." He realizes. "It's mine." River sighs and tries to pull all the way away from him. His arms are stubborn, and she's thoroughly trapped in his loving grip. She laughs lightly and answers the call. "Hello, Professor Song." "Professor?" A girl's voice rings out. "Professor, you're late!" "Late for what?" River asks. She turns in the Doctor's arms and leans against him. "Luna's annual gala?" River groans, partly in frustration and partly because the Doctor had just kissed her neck. "I'll be there in a few minutes." She promises and hangs up. She sighs. "What was that?" The Doctor asks, leaning his chin on her shoulder. "It seems I forgot about Luna's gala. It's held once a year so all the professors can suck up to potential donators. It's dreadfully boring. When the married old men aren't hitting on me, I'm trying to convince the filthy rich that Luna is worth investing in." The Doctor hums sympathetically. "I do happen to have a time machine." He says as he nuzzles into her neck. River sighs, squares her shoulders, and pries his arms off of her. "As much as I would love to, I should just get this over with." The Doctor sulks and sets course for Luna. "Go ahead and get ready. I'll fly the boring way, for you." River kisses his cheek. "I'm touched, but Sexy will have to fly herself tonight. You're my plus one." The Doctor shakes his head in denial. "Now River-" "If I'm not getting out of this, neither are you." She tosses over her shoulder as she walks deeper into the Tardis. "Get yourself ready, my love." The Doctor follows after her. She's nowhere to be seen in his closet. He starts to choose his outfit. "Oh, and Sweetie?" Her voice echoes. "Don't you dare wear tweed, and if I see even a hint of a fez..." Her voice trails off ominously, and the Doctor hurriedly drops his hands from the offending objects.

"River!" The Doctor cries, dressed in a tux and completely impatient. "Are you ready yet? I've been waiting an hour!" River steps into view and the Doctor gasps in horror. "River... What have you done to your hair? You've-you've-" "Straightened it. Aren't you observant tonight." "Why?!?" He demands. "Your hair was perfect just the way it was!" "Sweetie, it's just hair. And it's only for tonight." He pouts and inspects her hair. It's shiny and quite a bit longer than he expected. He fingers a strand and she huffs, hands on her hips as she waits for him to finish his perusal. "I guess it's alright." He finally says. "I'm glad you approve." She says sarcastically. "Now, are you going to keep being ridiculous or can we get this over with?" "Don't sound so excited." He mutters. She tugs his bow tie straight and gives him a light slap. "None of your cheek. Now, we are going to a gala, people are going to be insufferable, and you need to behave." The Doctor scoffs and River kisses him lightly. "I'll behave." He says, leaning down to kiss her again. She lets him, but pulls away too soon for his liking. "Do I look acceptable?" She says, straightening the imaginary wrinkles in her dress. "You look amazing." The Doctor tells her sincerely. She smiles and quickly kisses him again. He holds her hand and they walk into the gala together.

When River had told him the gala was going to be boring, the Doctor hadn't believed her. Now he does. As soon as they had stepped into the gala, River had been whisked away by some of the other professors and the Doctor had been left alone. He had tried the champagne, (nasty stuff) and he had tried the appetizers. (Even worse) Nothing held his interest for very long. There was dancing, and a few ladies asked him to dance, but it was awkward. The women were either too short, too bossy, or too forward. He would glance over to River occasionally, but she would always be surrounded by men and apparently very engaged in their conversation. Some of the men were very attractive. The Doctor tried not to be jealous. She was flirting only for the benefit of Luna... Or she's just being River. Honestly, the woman's flirtatiousness could be matched only by the Captain Jack Harkness. The Doctor gives an involuntary shudder at the thought of those two together, should they ever meet. (And the Doctor has done his best to make sure it will never happen)

The Doctor maneuvers his way around people to finally be reunited with River. She is alone, and the Doctor is immensely relieved. "So Professor Song." He says in mock seriousness. "How are you enjoying the gala?" River turns her gaze to him, eyes gleaming with humor. "I find it to be most pleasurable. We must do this every evening." He pokes her in the side and she laughs lightly. She leans closer to him and his hand finds her lower back. "This is so dull." She murmurs into his ear. "Want to leave?" He asks hopefully. "I would love to, but I can't." "I'm sure they wouldn't notice if we slipped away." He whispers. River shivers slightly and the Doctor smugly grins. She scowls at him and pinches his bum. He jumps. "River!" He squawks, trying his best to be as quiet as possible. "That's what you get for trying to distract me." She teases. "I thought I told you to behave." The Doctor quickly pecks her on the lips. "I will if you will." He says. She chuckles, and a voice interrupts the gala and speaks loudly in the room. "I don't wish to alarm you, but a gigantic scorpion has escaped from Luna's lab. Please leave the building in a calm, and orderly fashion."

And, of course, that's when the screaming and running begins. "Finally." River says. "It's about time something interesting happened." She pulls a gun from heaven knows where and sets it to stun. "Always guns with you." The Doctor grouses. "And always running with you, my love." She says cheekily. He flashes her a grin and pulls out his sonic. "Ah. I see where it is. Ready to go catch this beastie?" He asks her. She kisses him on the lips and he forgets everything. He watches in a daze as she pulls away from him and starts running. "I bet I can catch the scorpion before you!" She calls over her shoulder. The Doctor comes out of his stupor and tries his best to catch up. "We'll see about that, Song!"