Chapter Text
River, Jack, Clara, Brian, Mickey, Sarah, Luke, and Martha stood around the TARDIS as the Doctor operated the TARDIS. The TARDIS hummed with the familiar warmth of its engines, though the atmosphere inside was far from comforting.
There the tension of having Brian Pond in the TARDIS. After all, he had plotted with Davros and the Daleks. But the thing that weighed on everyone the most was Melody’s absence. Melody was gone, and though River stood among them, River was different enough from Melody that it felt like they had lost a friend.
The Doctor smiled but it was rather strained. Everything that had happened, happened. His River is back… but yet, Melody had still seen there. That Melody had explained that she never wanted her life to revolve around a man. That Melody has been happy working and having a somewhat normal life and now River was back, the Doctor wondered just how happy River was. Dare he ask? His River always hides the damage, so he doubts that River would admit to being happier as Melody even if that were true.
River frowned slightly at John sensing mind whirling, and he smiled.
“I am going to land us in London 2016.” The Doctor said.
Perfect!” Sarah Jane beamed. “Better than Aberdeen!” She saif pointedly staring at the Doctor.
The Doctor laughed and shook his head. “That was one time!”
“One time too many!” Sarah said.
Jack leaned against one of the coral-like struts, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, I don’t know about all of you, but I’m looking forward to some fresh air. Time machines can get a bit stuffy; don’t you think?”
Sarah Jane smiled faintly, though her eyes lingered on River briefly before shifting away. The companions exchanged a few murmurs, but no one directly addressed the subtle shift in the group’s dynamic.
With a deep breath, the Doctor nodded and threw the final lever. The TARDIS shuddered gently before coming to a stop.
“London,” he announced, forcing a brighter tone. “Everyone out!”
The group spilled out onto the London streets, the cool evening air a welcome contrast to the TARDIS’s enclosed space. For a moment, they stood in silence, taking in the familiar sights and sounds of the bustling city.
“Well,” Mickey said, breaking the silence. “It’s no space station, but it’ll do.”
Luke chuckled; his hands shoved into his pockets. “It’s nice to be somewhere grounded for once.”
As the group began to disperse into smaller conversations, the Doctor lingered at the edge, his gaze fixed on River. She stood apart, her arms crossed loosely as she observed the others with a faint smile.
“You’ve got your wife back.” Jack whispered, sidling up beside the Doctor. “And everyone is safe and home. That’s a win!”
The Doctor sighed. His eyes stayed on River for a moment longer before shifting away. “True.” He said finally.
Over the afternoon, everyone slowly leaves. Sarah and Luke left almost immediately. “Got things to do!” Sarah insisted before whisking Luke away.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the group dwindled further. Martha and Mickey bid the Doctor and River goodbye after discussing their plans.
"Still owe you a drink, Jack," Mickey called out with a grin.
"You always owe me a drink," Jack retorted, though his smile faltered as he glanced back at the TARDIS. With a lingering look at the Doctor and River, he gave a two-fingered salute and strolled away with Martha and Mickey.
Clara, ever the whirlwind, hugged the Doctor tightly. "You’ll be fine," she whispered to him, then turned to River. "And you too."
River’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, but she returned the hug lightly. "Always."
When the streets quieted and the bustling crowd thinned, only the Doctor, River and Brian remained near the TARDIS.
Brian shuffled awkwardly, his hands in his pockets, as though waiting for someone to acknowledge his presence. River’s gaze lingered on him for a moment before turning to the Doctor.
“I… uh, am sorry. More than you know.” Brian said finally.
“It… well, its okay. I understand. The grief can drive you mad.” The Doctor said simply.
“There are things I need to do.” She told him. “I need to take Brian to see mum and dad. Would you… like to come?”
The Doctor sighed heavily. After all this time, he still could not.
“Have you got a vortex manipulator?” River asked with a cheeky smile.
The Doctor rolled his eyes before checking through his pockets and finally, producing one.
“Brian,” River said. “I… I am going to take you to see them, Rory and Amy. We are going to travel back in time using this.” She held up the vortex manipulator. Just hold on to me.”
River adjusted the strap of the vortex manipulator, her fingers brushing over the worn leather as she calibrated the coordinates. Beside her, Brian stood with quiet resolve, clutching a small bag containing keepsakes he’d chosen to bring. He had said little since they’d left, but his eyes brimmed with anticipation and a touch of unease.
“Hold on tight,” River said, her voice softer than usual. She gave Brian a reassuring smile, though she knew the journey ahead was as much a leap of faith for him as it was a matter of precision for her. The manipulator whirred to life, glowing faintly as it locked onto its target.
With a final glance, River pressed the button, and in an instant, the world around them dissolved into a blur of light and sound. The sensation was disorienting but brief, and soon they landed in a dimly lit alleyway surrounded by the bustling sounds of a city waking up.
Brian steadied himself, blinking in confusion. “Where are we?”
“Not quite New York,” River admitted, dusting off her coat. “This is the closest that the vortex manipulator can get because of all the time fluctuations. We are going to have to get a flight.”
The journey by plane was uneventful, yet it felt monumental to Brian. As the aircraft soared above the clouds, he stared out the window, his thoughts a whirlwind of what-ifs and long-overdue conversations. River sat beside him; her usual confidence tempered by an unspoken understanding of the gravity of their mission.
“Do you think they’ll be happy to see me?” Brian asked hesitantly, breaking the silence.
River’s smile was warm but tinged with sadness. “They’ve missed you every day, Brian. This will mean the world to them.”
The taxi pulled up to a modest brownstone in the heart of New York. River stepped out first, scanning the street with a practiced eye before nodding to Brian. Together, they climbed the steps, each one feeling heavier than the last. River knocked firmly, then stepped back, allowing Brian the space to stand front and centre.
The door creaked open, revealing Amy. Her vibrant red hair and sharp eyes softened as she froze, her gaze locking on Brian. Her lips parted in disbelief, a single whispered word escaping: “Dad?”
Rory appeared behind her, his expression mirroring hers.
“It’s me,” Brian said, his voice trembling. “I… I had to see you. I’ve missed you both so much.”
Amy’s hand flew to her mouth as tears spilled down her cheeks. “Oh, Dad!” she cried, throwing her arms around him. Rory joined the embrace, his own tears falling silently as the three of them clung to each other, the years of separation melting away in an instant.
River watched from the steps, her heart swelling at the sight. She had seen many reunions in her time, but few carried the weight of this one. Quietly, she stepped back, giving them the privacy they deserved.
Inside, the conversation flowed like a river breaking through a dam. They sat around a small table, the warm glow of a single lamp illuminating their faces. Brian spoke of the garden, of how he’d kept it thriving in their absence. He shared stories of their home in Leadworth, of neighbours who still asked after them, and of the quiet moments when he’d sit by the window and think of them.
Amy and Rory, in turn, recounted their life in New York, their struggles and triumphs, and the small routines that had become their new normal. There was laughter, there were tears, and above all, there was love—unspoken and undeniable.
At one point, Amy reached across the table, taking Brian’s hand in hers. “You’ve been so strong, Dad. Thank you for coming. This… this means everything to us.”
Brian squeezed her hand, his voice thick with emotion. “No, thank you. For being happy. For living your lives to the fullest. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
As the night wore on, River slipped back into the room, her presence quiet but steady. Amy looked up, her eyes shining with gratitude.
“You did this,” she said softly. “Thank you, River.”
River gave a small, self-deprecating smile. “Family deserves to be together, Amy. Even time can’t change that.”
She stayed only a little longer, watching as Brian and his son and daughter continued to bridge the gap that time and distance had created. When the moment felt right, she rose and quietly left, the faint sound of their laughter following her into the night.
River sighed. She had a long night ahead. Another flight far enough away before she could use the vortex manipulator.
River returned to her house on Luna, the soft light of the twin moons spilling through the wide, arched windows. It was a home unlike any other—a blend of the lunar settlement’s sleek minimalism and her own eclectic touches. The walls curved gently, painted in soft shades of blue and silver, and the floor was made of polished stone that shimmered faintly in the moonlight.
She missed this place. She missed the quiet, the way the house wrapped around her like an embrace. Her favourite chair, with its slightly frayed upholstery, sat by the fireplace—a purely decorative feature she’d insisted on installing, though it was never cold enough to need it. A delicate table nearby held a vase of lunar blossoms, their translucent petals catching the light, and a pile of books sat waiting for her on a side table.
Here, the chaos of her travels faded into memory, replaced by a stillness that was uniquely hers. She thought of the evenings she spent curled up in that chair, a cup of tea in hand, as the soft hum of the lunar generators filled the air. She thought of the mornings when she’d sit on the balcony, looking out over the serene, cratered landscape, and feel—if only briefly—at peace.
As River stepped further into the living room, her breath caught. There, slouched on her sofa, was the Doctor. He looked utterly out of place, a splash of weariness in the midst of her carefully constructed calm.
For a moment, she just stood there, taking him in. The slight droop of his shoulders, the tired set of his jaw—it was rare to see him like this, and rarer still to catch him sitting so still.
“Doctor,” she said finally, her voice soft.
He glanced up at her, his eyes heavy with something unspoken. “I thought I’d wait,” he said quietly. “I wasn’t sure when you’d get back.”
River smiled and sat beside John. He sighed, running a hand through his hair before meeting her eyes. “River… will you forgive me?”
Her brow furrowed slightly, but there was a flicker of amusement in her expression. “Forgive you? For what?”
“For… everything.” His voice was low, almost hesitant.
River stared at him for a moment before she laughed—a rich, genuine sound that echoed softly in the stillness.
“Sweetie,” she said, stepping closer, “if I held grudges for everything you’ve done, we’d never get anywhere. Besides, I’ve done plenty worth forgiving too, haven’t I?”
The Doctor’s expression softened, but his eyes remained serious. “When you were Melody,” he began carefully, “you said… you seemed happier. You had a normal life, a normal job. You said your life didn’t revolve around me.”
River’s smile faded slightly, and she tilted her head, considering him. “That’s true,” she admitted after a moment. “I was happy as Melody. I had friends, stability. I didn’t feel the weight of all… this.” She gestured vaguely as if referring to the universe itself.
The Doctor’s gaze dropped to the ground. “Maybe you were better off without me.”
“Oh, you ridiculous man,” River said, taking a step closer and placing her hands on his lapels. “I was happy as Melody. But I’m River Song. This—” she gestured again, this time with more conviction, “—this is who I am. I love the stars, the chaos, the danger. I love… you.”
The Doctor blinked, his gaze snapping back to hers.
She smiled, softer this time. “Yes, my life doesn’t revolve around you, and it never will. You are in my house after all at the University where I teach. But you’re a part of it. A big, infuriating, wonderful part. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”
The tension in the Doctor’s shoulders eased, and a slow smile crept onto his face. “You really are impossible, River Song.”
“And don’t you forget it,” she said, leaning up to kiss him gently.