Dark Moon (A Doctor Who Story)

An Unexpected Traveller

"Hello, sweetie" River said, her smile widening as she stepped into the TARDIS.
The Doctor appeared from behind the control panel and immediately retreated back, his eyes wide. He could hear River laughing, her low, sexy laugh. He looked into the reflection of his scanner and rubbed his hand through his hair, smoothing it back. He checked his breath and fixed his red bow tie. Satisfied, he stepped back into view and admired the beauty of his wife.
She wore a long, black, silk dress. Pieces of sparkling diamonds were embedded into golden beads sewn along her neck line. Her usual frizz was pulled back and securely fastened underneath a black felt hat that had been fashioned with black netting. She smiled widely and stepped towards him. The Doctor took in the sight. He watched her bouncing toward him and was caught off guard when she grabbed his neck and pulled him into a passionate, long-awaited embrace. It had been a long time since he had seen her. And he guessed it had been a long time since she had seen him.
He broke their kiss and stood with his arms wrapped around her waist. He gazed into her emerald eyes and knew that she was not amused he broke their kiss. But still he gazed some more. He loved her eyes the most, the sparkling pools of emerald, speckled with tiny streams of yellow.
She let her head fall against his chest and sighed, relieved.
"I've missed you, sweetie". She said, eventually.
"I've missed you—
Suddenly there was a low rumble coming from outside of the front door. River spun, retrieving her gun mid spin, pointing it straight at the TARDIS doors.
"Now, now River, it could just be—
There was more noise, a slight scratching at the door, as if someone had a key.
"How are they doing that? Doctor, how many people have keys?" River demanded.
"I don't just give them out willy-nilly, River!" The Doctor retorted, stressed, confused.
Before she could respond, River was hit by a wave of bright light, as was the Doctor. They both stumbled to the floor. They could hear feet scramble into the TARDIS, laboured breaths stealing oxygen, until the doors slammed closed, the intruder locking them from the inside. The bright light vanished.
The Doctor's eyes still burned from the light, his vision impaired, but he could hear River clicking the safety off of her gun. He scrambled around the floor trying to steady himself, grabbing the control panel for support.
Struggling with his sight, he had to listen as River interrogated the intruder,
"And who the hell are you?" She demanded.

The Doctor heard the swish of a trench coat and then the click of an old pistol. It wasn't until the person spoke that the Doctor remembered who this was.
A voice he hadn't heard for a long, long time. A husky, deep American voice,
"I could ask you the same question. I know, you two must be his companions, but where is the Doctor? I need to see him immediately!"

"Jack? Is that you?" The Doctor asked. "Captain Jack Harkness?" The Doctor's eyesight returned and before him he could see that it most definitely was the captain. His old pistol aimed firmly at River, his blue trench coat looked more worn than last time he had seen Jack all those years ago.
"How do you know my name?" Jack now pointed the gun at him.
"I'm the Doctor." He replied, skipping a little.
"Doctor?" Jack lowered his gun slightly, puzzled. "You regenerated? But I thought... weren't you supposed to erm... stop regenerating?"
"Well, I suppose I kind of was supposed to stop but here I am. New, improved. Or at least new to you." The Doctor explained.
River stood her ground beside the Doctor, gun still aimed at Jack watching them have a conversation. She was still offended by Jack's remark about her being the Doctor's 'companion'.
"Hello, who is he?!" River exclaimed, frustrated.
"Ah, River!" The Doctor jumped, slightly startled. He glanced between the two and struggled with what to say, "Right, well erm, you see. Right." He repeated.
"Captain Jack Harkness," Jack put his gun away and smiled at River. "And you are?" His eyebrows raised, inquisitively.
River thought for a moment, then placed her gun on the control panel, much to the Doctor's dismay. She gave him a look and stepped tentatively towards Jack, suddenly noticing how tall and well-built he was.
"Professor River Song" she replied.
"Oh stop it!" The Doctor said, unamused.
"I was only saying hello" Jack and River said at the same time. They glanced at one another, perplexed.
"Oh god, no" the Doctor sighed.
River and Jack creased with laughter while the Doctor wandered around his control panel, rather unamused. He picked up River's gun by the end and tossed it on the closest chair. It landed with a gentle thud. He hated guns, more he hated River bearing a gun. Guns were not cool.
"Still hate guns huh?" Jack remarked, as if he'd heard the Doctor's thoughts. The Doctor flashed him a look but said nothing. He returned to fiddling with useless controls on the panel.
Jack eyed River for a moment. River noticed, taking the compliment.