The Gold and the Grey

He watched her, fascinated. Alex Kingston was filming the scene at the start of Time of Angels, wearing a lovely black dress that flattered her frame. They weren’t shooting the scenes in order, so they had already done the scene where River “flies” into the TARDIS and lands on the Doctor. Matt had had his own idea for that, and let’s just say he had lost some of the feeling in his…yeah.

He looked at Alex carefully as she filmed her parts, completely in awe of how easily she slipped into a relatively unfamiliar character. The experience showed on her face, her eyes had sparkled earlier when Matt had shyly asked her for advice. He greatly admired her, and if he was honest, she was kind of attractive-in a very unique way, he had never seen someone with this kind of attractiveness before. This was their second time meeting, as they had had a read-through a day previously.
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As she walked back to set from her trailer, Alex noticed a tall frame walking towards her, his floppy brown hair falling into his face. Upon realising it was Matt, she suddenly became self-conscious in her heavy army-style costume. She knew it wasn’t the most flattering of outfits, and for some reason she just felt the need to look good around Matt. She put it down to knowing that he admired her, and not wanting to disappoint him. Really, though, she knew that if she was about fifteen years younger, he would be the kind of bloke to awaken the nervous schoolgirl within her.

“Hey, Alex! Well done on the filming, you were amazing!” Matt was gesturing wildly and beaming, his hair bouncing with every movement.
“Thank you, sweetie” she replied flirtatiously, “you weren’t too shabby yourself!”
This made him blush and laugh, she looked so small and sweet in the costume, and he could only reply with “Is that why you injured me, trying to outdo me?” He winked to show he was joking, but she still looked slightly guilty. He regretted that decision.
“Sorry Matt, I did try to keep my knees out of the way!” They both laughed, and a few minutes of awkward silence ensued. She watched, amused, as Matt fidgeted awkwardly. He made her think of a clumsy giraffe, and yet he was still adorable.
Scratching the back of his head, he broke the silence, saying “So, would you like to come to the pub with Kazza and the boys tonight? We thought it might be a good plan seeing as it’s your first day as a regular.”
“Oh, that’d be lovely, thank you.” Her smile was small and just for him, and they chatted on the way back to the set about who River Song could be in relation to the Doctor. Little did he know, Alex had all the spoilers!

The rest of the working day was one of the best Alex had had in a long time, and it was spent meeting wonderful new people, messing around with Karen and Arthur and flirting playfully with Matt. Back in the hotel, she changed into a little red dress and black heels, teased her hair so it looked bigger than ever and headed off in the cab to a pub called The Gold and the Grey.
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The pub was surprisingly ordinary, Matt thought, considering its unusual name. He hadn’t actually been there before. It was Karen’s turn to choose and she wanted a change…in truth, she was hiding from the bartender in their usual pub because she had fallen on him while trying to river dance, spilling drinks everywhere. She couldn’t face the embarrassment of going back there yet.

So far, it was quiet, but that was good. It was warm and cosy, with a real fire and a guitar hanging on the wall above it. They were seated at a table in the corner, and for once they felt as though they had some privacy. Karen was already slightly tipsy, and was talking enthusiastically about how good Alex had been while shooting and how lovely a person she was. The low chatter that had been going on in the pub suddenly died down; Arthur and Karen had their backs to the door, but Matt could see what-or, rather, who-everyone was staring at. His friends twisted around to look, too, as his jaw dropped open in shock.

Alex Kingston had stepped into the room, looking like she’d fallen straight from heaven. Her red dress hugged her curves and brought out the red of her full lips. It also made more noticeable the deep blush that had spread across her face and chest at the realisation that everyone was staring at her. In that light, Matt say new elements to her features-the gold flecks in her eyes, how the light caught in her magnificent hair, the shy tense in her shoulders at the unwanted attention. He was blushing for her-he would hate this-but she was positively adorable and he caught her gaze, smiling reassuringly and gesturing for her to come and sit with them.

She glided gracefully over and sat in the seat beside Matt. “Sorry I’m late, the cab driver didn’t know where this place was, nearly gave up!” She glanced around, then asked quietly “Why was everyone staring? Do I have something on my face?”
“Nope,” Matt answered, “You just look absolutely gorgeous, that’s all.” He looked deep into her eyes, and for a few endless moments they were held like this, each trapped by the other’s mesmerising gaze. Karen, glad to have Alex here, interrupted the moment.
“Alex, you look stunnin’! This round’s on me! What would you like?”
“Beer!” yelled Matt and Arthur in unison, and all four giggled hysterically.
“Alex, wha’ abou’ you?”
“I’d love a Poire Royale, Karen, thank you. I’ll get the next round, too.”
“Ooh, that sounds interesting! I’m gonna try that!” Karen declared, clearly already losing her sensible side.
“What’s a Poire Royale?” asked Matt when Karen had gone up to the bar to order. Alex only winked at him. She made his heart flutter when she did that.

Alex’s drink choice proved to be popular, as they had two more rounds before calling a cab and squishing in. Matt, who had Alex half-sitting on him, told her the drink tasted like her…the bartender had been a little too generous with the vodka.
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Alex’s weeks in the UK flew by too quickly. She bonded incredibly well with Matt, Arthur and Karen. Over this time, they texted frequently and the Gold and the Grey became a regular place for them to drink. Alex found herself chatting to Matt far more than the others. He was amazing, there were so many different aspects to him that had to be discovered as you grew closer. Humour, seriousness, sensibility, vulnerability. Within a week, however, she knew his background, his hobbies, how he actually loved romantic films, how he was sweet and kind and funny…and that she liked him. It was only a stupid, immature crush and she denied it every time her heart fluttered at his touch, every time she blushed at his flirting with her.

Little did she know that Matt felt the same way. Texting her goodbye on the morning of her flight, his heart was heavy. She had to be one of the most fabulous people he had ever met. She was so smart and witty, she was flirtatious, compassionate, sexy and just completely beautiful, inside and out. By now he knew how her childhood was, what her husbands had been like, her difficulties raising her daughter…and her favourite little things, like cream liqueurs, roses and crisp autumn mornings. There was something so passionate about her, she was intriguing. However, he knew that she would never want anything to do with him. She would feel weird about the age gap and would probably view him as an immature schoolboy with a crush on the teacher anyway.

Unbeknownst to them, they sighed in unison as Alex sat into the cab and Matt, at home in his flat, sent the goodbye text.