“Out of our way.“ Madame Kovarian said, the woman was clearly interfering with whatever they were doing here. River had a look around. They were on the surface of a planet and a barren one at that. Rocks and blazing sun, that was about it. What could they possibly be doing here? There were a couple of guards with them and a shuttle was parked quite close by.

“Oh no, Madame Kovarian, out of my way.“ The woman said and there was a tense moment of silence. 

“How do you…“ Madame Kovarian sounded genuinely confused and so was River, who was this person? Feeling a little bit more awake, River pushed herself up to get better look at what was going on. She peered past Madame Kovarian to the mystery woman that was facing her down. A petite blonde with very little sense of style. She had to be sweltering in this heat with her long coat on. There was something about her though, a certain twinkle in her eyes and a steely determination. It sent a jolt through River as the woman noticed her sitting up and they locked eyes. There were three more people who were keeping their distance, two men and a woman, who looked rather confused themselves. 

“I really think you ought to let Professor Song go now, before I make you. This is the last time you try to take advantage of her.“ The blonde returned her attention to Madame Kovarian while River grew even more unsettled. How did she know who she was?

“Ah sleeping beauty is awake, we haven’t got time for this.“ Madame Kovarian looked back to see River awake and she gave her a gleeful smile. Then she looked back at the other woman and gave her soldiers a signal. “Kill her.“

“I really wouldn’t if I were you.“ The young woman replied as she pulled a device out of her pocket and directed it at the guards that had raised their rifles. Their weapons jammed. 

“Who…“ Madame Kovarian seemed genuinely thrown by how events were unfolding. River, however, felt her breath catch. That was a sonic screwdriver, was it not? She looked around and that’s when she spotted the tip of something blue just peeking out from behind a dune. Why, hello, Sweetie!

“How are you going to kill the Doctor if you don’t even recognise them?“ The Doctor titled her head slightly amused.

“You can’t be.“ Madame Kovarian shot back in disbelief. 

“I am. And I suggest you step away from my wife and run. Very. Very. Very far away.“ The Doctor took another step towards them. She gave River a wink who still couldn’t quite believe it. That was a rather unexpected turn of events but certainly a delightful one. Being a woman certainly suited her husband.

“This is a trick.“ Madame Kovarian insisted. 

“Final warning.“ The Doctor twirled her screwdriver in her hand. “Step away from her.“ She focused her steely gaze on the woman that was responsible for for much pain, so much suffering. The Doctor hadn’t forgiven her, even after all this time, what she had done to her beloved Ponds. 

“Or what, Doctor? If you actually are who you say you are, thank you for coming out to play and making this easier for everyone involved.“ Madame Kovarian seemed to be frantically working on a way of turning the Doctor’s premature appearance into an advantage. 

“I was actually hoping I would meet you again some day.“ The Doctor said.

“Is that so?“

“Yes.“ She nodded pushing her hands into her pockets. “I hate leaving unfinished business.“

“So what are you going to do, Doctor? Kill me?“ Madame Kovarian chuckled and looked around. The Doctor appeared unarmed and her companions, who didn’t exactly look threatening, were keeping their distance.

“You have no idea how tempting it is. After everything you’ve done to her. I would enjoy it but you're not worth the effort.“ The Doctor stepped right up to her now, her voice was low and threatening. And then she pushed right past her, knocking her shoulder into hers, forcing her way through. “Now get out of my way.“ The Doctor focused her attention on River as she knelt down and reached out to undo her cuffs.

“Hello, Sweetie…“ She smiled but River didn’t have time to properly respond as her attention snapped back to Madame Kovarian.

“Doctor, behind you!“ 

The Doctor turned around just in time to see Madame Kovarian lunging for her with a knife. In this new body, the Doctor was quite quick. She ducked the knife and slammed herself into her attacker at waist height. Her momentum worked in her favour and Madame Kovarian slammed to the ground. The Doctor was on top of her in an instant and knocked the knife from her hand. She grabbed it for herself and pressed it to her attacker’s throat forcing her to stop struggling. 

“Was it worth it?“ The Doctor bellowed at her, the adrenaline rushing through her veins, her emotions heightened. “All the effort, the time that went into it. River’s life? Amy’s pain? It was all for nothing. I held my silence. The timelords didn’t return. In fact, they’re wiped out for good. But none of it thanks to you, all the pain you’ve caused was for nothing and still you can’t stop. It is over. Your pointless quest has run its course!“

“Silence must fall.“ Madame Kovarian pressed through gritted teeth, she tried to push herself into the ground away from the blade but the Doctor held her in place. 

“Give me a break, you’re delusional. It’s all done with. All that remains is your own obsession.“ The Doctor shot back. 

“Look at yourself, you deserve to be stopped, you’re out of control.“ Madame Kovarian spat. 

“You haven’t seen me out of control yet, would you like to?“ The Doctor’s voice dropped becoming low, threatening and almost smooth. There was a dangerous twinkle in her eyes. “Why don’t you ask the Daleks what that’s like? Or the Cybermen? Or maybe ask yourself where all my names have come from? Destroyer of worlds. The Oncoming Storm. The Doctor of War… would you like to find out?“ Her voice was barely more than a whisper and River felt her heartbeats quicken. She had never seen the Doctor like this. It took her breath away. “Not so brave now, are you?“ The Doctor smirked. “Of all my enemies, Madame Kovarian, there is no-one I despise quite as much as you. I will never forgive what you’ve done to the people I love. If you value your life, you will spend the rest of it as far away from my wife as you possibly can. And from me. Because the next time we cross paths, I will kill you. You’ve had your warning.“ The fierce determination, the protectiveness, the blatant display of power, River couldn’t deny that it did something to her. 

“You are dangerous, Doctor.“ Madame Kovarian retorted, her eyes wide. 

“Yes, I am. Never forget that.“ The Doctor let go of her and got to her feet. “The only reason why I’m not killing you right now is because I want you to take this message to every member of your little chapter. If any of you ever come for my wife again, I will hunt you down one by one and kill you. And believe me, I have time to spare.“ She threw the knife into the sand right next to Madame Kovarian’s head. She had no need for it. She looked at the soldiers who backed away from them. Her warning was received loud and clear.

“This is not over Doctor.“ Madame Kovarian insisted as she pushed herself up. The Doctor helped River to her feet and unlocked her handcuffs with her sonic. 

“Yes. It is.“ She didn’t even look at her, her attention fully devoted to her wife as she brushed her hand against her cheek. “Let’s go.“ She pointed River in the direction of her friends. 

“You’ve not seen the last of us, Doctor!“ Madame Kovarian shouted as they started walking, frustrated for being ignored. 

“Yes, I have.“ The Doctor turned, her anger resurfacing. She directed her sonic at the shuttle. In the heat of the blazing sun, a spark was enough. The fuel lines ignited and the shuttle exploded. “You should have just kept your mouth shut.“ She took hold of River’s hand and they kept walking towards the Tardis.

“You can’t just leave us here.“ Madame Kovarian caught up with them, grabbed the Doctor by the shoulder to stop her. 

“Yes I can.“ The Doctor answered completely disinterested. 

“How will I spread your message?“ Madame Kovarian knew the implications of their shuttle destroyed. The planet was hostile and they would be stuck. She had to find a way to appeal to the Doctor’s famous better nature and mercy. “You wouldn’t actually leave us stranded would you?“ The Doctor turned back, stepped right into Madame Kovarian’s personal space.

“Actually, I was lying.“ She hummed. “I will be happy to spread the word myself. The reason why I’m not killing you right now is because I expect it would distress my friends too much to see it. They don’t think I’m capable of that and I’d like to keep them thinking that.“ Then she smirked a little. “They’re wrong of course. I’m more than happy to pass this death sentence. This planet is nothing but rock and dust, uninhabited, no vegetation or water. And now you have no means of travel. You will be dead within the week. Have a good long think about the actions that brought you here.“ Then she turned back to River who gave her a satisfied and approving nod and they carried on on their way. 

“River, you can’t let her do this.“ River ignored Madame Kovarian’s plea. It didn’t undo the damage done to her life and that of her parents but it certainly felt like justice was being served. “Doctor!!“ 

“There are things out there I can’t protect you from, but this, I had to do.“ The Doctor said and squeezed River’s hand as they headed back to the Tardis. She tried her best not to think about what was yet to come for her wife. Not long until Darillium for her. And then the Library… “They’re gone from your life forever. From now on, the only one that has power over you, is me.“