The Doctor Lies

"Please, Doctor." She said, sounding very upset.

He stopped pushing buttons on the console and turned to face her, giving her his full attention. He studied her with concerned eyes while she spoke.

"I just..." She felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze, but continued. "I need you to be honest with me. Please." When he saw tears coming to her eyes, he walked over, cupping her face in his hands.

"My dear Aviana." He said, rubbing a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "Whatever makes you think I wouldn't be?"

She knew that this was a sincere question. Even though they'd only met a few days ago, she knew he would never take a tearful matter and twist it with sarcasm.

As he looked at her in askance, she decided there was no harm in telling him what he already knew.

"Rule number one," she recited, her eyes filling with sadness. "The Doctor lies."

His hands fell away from her face and he looked at her for a silent moment before replying.

"Where did you hear that?"

When she didn't answer, he turned around, walking back to and leaning on the console.

This reaction only added to the stress she was already carrying. More tears fell as she waited for him to speak again, and when he finally did, his voice was not angry as she expected, but gentle. He slowly stepped back toward her as he spoke.

"Aviana I may not always be able to be completely honest with you, but you must know that I will never, ever do anything to betray you. I will protect you with my very life. You can trust me." His eyes were almost pleading. "You have to trust me."

Taking in this promise and all that it meant, she gave him a small smile despite the tears.

"Always and completely."

She could tell he was shocked at this sentence, as it was the same words he'd said to someone very precious to him, a very long time ago. But he gave her a smile, wrapping his arms around her in a comforting embrace.

She felt him kiss the top of her head and they pulled back.

"Now, off to bed." He told her. "It's been a long day for you."

As the last of her tears faded away, she hesitantly nodded. He took her hand and led her down the halls of the TARDIS and finally stopped outside her bedroom door. "Goodnight, Aviana."

"Goodnight, Doctor."

"Sweet dreams."

He watched as she went inside. When the door finally closed, he ran back to the control room. With the things she'd mentioned, tonight he might finally be able to get some answers from his research.

He began his long night furiously typing at the console's computer.