Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who.

Chapter One 1: "Must we Save Every World?"

"Yes, River," he said with total confidence. He was typing. His controlling the console was doing no good, so I took over, typing in the planet he was so determined to save.

"Honestly, Doctor. We could just as easily stay in today."

"But, River! They're dying!"

"In the past. Or the future. Or the present. We can choose. And anyway, look." I turned the screen toward him. When he'd showed me the basic summery, I'd scrolled down for more information. As usual, I found things he hadn't considered. "All mammals with double or triple helix DNA are suseptable."

He waved me off. "Don't worry about me. I've already gotten it. You can only get it once."

But what about me? "Well, I suppose that makes it okay."

He looked up at the sarcasm. "What? You want to let them die or something?"

I sighed. "No. I suppose I don't. I was just sort of hoping this would be a Doctor and River go on an exciting but life-threatening adventure day. Not a Doctor plays doctor with River as his bored nurse day."

He came over to me, a wicked smile cracked across his lips, and bopped me on the nose. "Bored, yes, but still attractive."

"Oh, Sweetie, you do spoil me."

"As do you, love."

"Do I though? I don't think I do."

"Why's that, honey?"

I smiled. "Spoilers."

…

He swaggered back into the TARDIS like a pirate marking his X on the spot. "River Song," he said with a smile. "I think it's time for that day in you wanted."

Before I could answer, he ran to the console and started take off. "Planet's safe. People no longer dying. Cure was same as normal human flu! Thank heavens it wasn't something weird that we couldn't have provided. But those raxocoricofalipatorians aren't used to getting those sorts of illnesses. Think about it. Imagine, not having a clue what was going on! Good thing it was similar to human flu. I mean, it wasn't the same, but-"

He just kept talking, didn't he. I sat down on the jump seat and crossed my legs. Truth be told, this particular adventure was trying. My whole body felt heavy and there was a sort of pressure behind my eyes.

"-River?"

I looked up, putting on my normal face. "Didn't catch that last bit, love."

"I said, ready River?"

"For?"

"For that day in!" He waved his arms about with excitement. "I'm ready for it. Or maybe we could go out, but we could go somewhere nice! We could go to a ball. I love balls."

"You can't dance, sweetie."

"Yes I can! You just don't understand my taste."

Actually, a day in sounded nice. I leaned back into the jumpseat. "Let's stay in, dear. How about we head down to the library and you can show me that book you just can't shut up about lately."

"What book?" He looked confused.

"Oh. Never mind." I stood. To my own surprise, I felt like dead weight on my own legs. Maybe I should just sleep. "I'm just going to the library."

He followed me as I walked. While he couldn't see my face, I swiped a bit of hair away from my eyes, rubbing my temple while my hand was there.

"River?" he asked, suddenly. I stopped. We stood just outside the library, but he sounded serious, and that was never good.

I turned back to him. His eyes were wide, worried. "Yes, sweetie?"

"I never asked if you'd gotten Suoigatnoc before. You... you have, right?"

A wave of concern passed through my own mind. Maybe I was getting sick.

But no. That couldn't be. Not here. Not now. Not so soon. It took them practically two days before they got sick. We were only there for twenty four hours, and we hadn't been gone for long.

Yet, I couldn't help but wonder.

We did have two hearts. Did that circulate the virus faster?

Was I sick?

No.

No, I couldn't be.

I smiled reassuringly at him. "I'm fine. Don't worry about me."

"So you have gotten it before?"

No. "Yep."

He visibly relaxed and opened the door to me as if it was a grand gesture. I sashayed through, making a clear show of myself and knowing all the while that he was enjoying every bit of it.

He picked a book at random and pointed at the couch. "Okay. Sit. I'm going to read to you."

And that he did. He read me two chapters before the thoughts started creeping in again.

Why does my head hurt so much?

It's because you're sick.

But I'm not sick. I'm definitely not sick.

Why couldn't you be sick? Time Lords and humans are both suseptable. You're probably more likely to get it, not less.

But if I'm sick, and The Doctor finds out...

When he'd finished the third chapter, my head was throbbing. Goosebumps kept raising on my exposed skin. It seemed colder now. I wouldn't be able to hide the damage much longer.

Before he could start chapter four, I sat up. To my own surprise, the quick movement made my head spin, but I hid it well I think. "I should probably be getting back. Haven't slept for a while, and I need to serve that sentence some time. It might as well be while I'm unconscious."

He frowned. "But-"

I waved him off as I stood, this time being careful not to make myself too dizzy. "You'll see me soon, dear. I don't want to interfere."

He nodded, still looking a little unsure. I hoped I didn't look ill. I certainly felt it.

Normally, I would help him drive, whether he knew it or not, but today I didn't have the energy. She was nice enough to turn off the brakes though as I curled up on the jumpseat.

We stopped in my Stormcage cell, and The Doctor watched me carefully while I stood. I tilted my head at him. "What is it? Why so worried?"

"You look tired."

"I haven't slept in nearly two days. It tends to start to show."

He didn't look convinced. I went over and pecked him on the cheek, scared to kiss him much longer for fear I'd be clearly warmer. "You're so cute when you're worried."

He swiped a curl out of my eye. His cold fingers made me shudder a bit. His expression changed. I backed off before he could get another touch in, making myself more animated than before to compensate for his new information.

"See you soon, my love," I said with a naughty tone. I marinated the sentence in innuendo.

I got a slight smile out of it. "You must be right."

What did that mean? I was too tired to worry about it. I blew him a kiss, noting the warmth of my own breath, and shut the TARDIS doors behind me.

She offered a hum of worry before she disappeared.

I collapsed onto the thin mattress of my cot. Even that small act had drained me. I needed to sleep. I couldn't deny it anymore. I was sick.

"Doctor Song?" whispered a timid voice from outside my cell. I smiled. The poor young kid had no idea how to handle me, but I liked him. He was almost too innocent.

"Don't worry, dear. I won't be giving you any trouble tonight."

There was a long silence, and I thought he'd plainly accepted that, but then he whispered, "Why not?"

Oh, brave, young, innocent boy. "Feeling a bit unwell tonight. Nothing to concern yourself with, but I'll likely be sleeping it off a while."

"Are you sure? I could get a medic. Or, if you'd prefer, I could scan you myself."

"What's your name again?" The poor child was stuck here babysitting who he thought to be the worst criminal in human history. I might as well learn his name.

"Ethan, ma'am."

"Ethan, you're quite cute, but if I needed a medic, I would never ever ask for a medic. You'd have to come in and drag me out."

I think he was scared I may have been serious. I think I would have been more frightened by the fact that I was.

He didn't speak again, and I kicked off my boots and curled up under the thin sheets. It was normally chilly in my cell, but it was rarely this cold.

Maybe I could just sleep it off.

This idea came to me late at night, and I got so excited! It may start off like a normal sick fic, but I assure you that it get's quite fun! I'm having so much fun writing it!

I don't know how many chapters there will be. I'm writing chapter three right now. It likely won't go over six.

Reviews are appreciated! I love constructive criticism too! Be as harsh as you feel necessary :P