Two-Shot 'bout River and a mysterious package. Inspired by finding a book that I really didn't enjoy in High School. Nothing against it now though, so no one take offence please! I made it dramatic 'cos it's River. Thanks for reading!

River Song hated this book.

She really really really hated this book.

Honestly, this was university! Shouldn't they be past reading stories written by people with too much time on their hands and little ability to be productive?

Not to mention the fact that the Professor wasn't even getting the facts right. She knew. She had been there.

River wouldn't even have been in this class if she hadn't been required to. She doubted anyone else would have been either, if they were half as smart as she thought.

Unfortunately though, there was little she could do about it. Part Time Lord, married to The Doctor (who had, by the way, practically given the author the idea to write this stupid book while he was rambling on trying to get out of trouble, again), older and more experienced than anyone in this room including the professor, and she couldn't do a damn thing.

River sighed, and continued not paying the man at the front any attention.

"Can I help you?" The annoyed (and annoying) voice of the professor broke River from her stupor, and she started, scared for a moment that he was addressing her, and the relieved when he wasn't.

Instead, his annoyance was focused on the girl who had walked into the lecture hall, not even bothering to close the door softly.

"Euh… yeah, hang on a mo'" The girl was blatantly ignoring how ticked off the teacher was, choosing instead to rifle through her papers until she found a small package covered in brown butcher paper and tied with a string.

"I've got a package for a … Melody Pond?" She glanced up at the professor questioningly, trying to subtly figure out if she had found the right room.

The professor was not amused.

"I don't believe we have a - "

"Yeah, that's me, that's mine, I mean." River stood as she spoke, and moved across the row of students staring in fascination to nearly snatch the package from the girl. There was only one person who would use that name on a package addressed here.

"Ms. Song," the teacher began.

"That's Dr. Song, thank you very much, and I'd like to find out what this is, now, thanks."

River was done dealing with this man's incompetence.

She turned and addressed the messenger again.

"Who gave this to you, if you don't mind?"

"Some bloke showed up 'n the office, in a bow tie, of all things. Said he had a package for a Melody Pond, and knew what room you were in."

"Is he still here?" River's voice nearly wavered in excitement.

"Don't know. Who is he, anyway? No offence luv, but he doesn't look like someone you would know. Bit to insane, even for you." By no fault of hers (well, not really), River had quite the reputation on campus.

"Family friend."

"He said you left this there the last time you were at his place." The girl's voice was turning accusatory now.

"Yeah – I must have left it when I was visiting. I stay with him occasionally during break." River added a flirty wink at the end, hoping that tidbit would keep the girl off her back – and from asking questions.

"Oh – you don't – Oh, I got it! I don't blame you – I'd 'visit' that too!" She was giggling and River rolled her eyes inwardly.

"Ladies, if you don't mind?" The professor was losing his patience.

This time River really did roll her eyes, and moved back to her seat, clutching her package and seriously considering just shooting the man – she needed to know if her husband was still here.

As soon as she took her seat, the 'lecture' started again, and River quietly undid the string of the package and took off the crinkly paper with as little noise as possible.

That didn't stop the teacher from glaring, though.

It didn't help that River nearly laughed out loud when she figured out what it was. She almost couldn't tell, at first, because it looked so worn. It wasn't old, it was just used. She finally did make out the cover though, and grinned.

Animal Farm, George Orwell.

An exact replica of the text the professor was waving around excitedly and comparing to the Russian Revolution of the continent of Russia (yes, the insolent man actually thought Russia was a continent) of Sol-5 at the front. Except this one was actually from 1947, and signed. She couldn't believe that man. She spent the rest of the class reading the notes he had written in the margins, most of them on the real revolution, others on his ideas of how things could actually work for the animals. Others he had obviously added at a later date, after he had decided to give it to her. There was no way he would have put in love notes to his River the first time he went through the novel.

Then again, he was The Doctor.

Sequal coming, just not yet! River gets revenge... fun! Please review - I need at least 5 reviews before the next chapter goes up! I'm serious! Thanks again!

-Reinette

P.S. Was Earth called Sol-5 at some point in the series? I can't remember, but it sounded right!