River Song remained hidden in the shadows, observing the Doctor and his new companion. The girl scanned as human, but with a few vague, anomalous factors that the database refused to identify. She was lovely, certainly, with dark eyes and long dark hair, and rather obviously possessed of a keen intellect and tremendous curiosity. She wasn't giving him a moment's peace, demanding to know the functions of the various instruments of the alien control room they currently occupied.
And the Doctor loved it - loved demonstrating and sharing his vast wealth of knowledge. No. River was brutally honest with herself - the Doctor loved her - his brilliant new companion. She could see it in the way he hovered so protectively, and in the casual intimacy of his actions. Right at this moment, he was leaning his chin on her shoulder to study the computer screen she was working on. He was…happy. So very, very happy.
River thought she felt her heart crack, just a little. She took a deep breath, and stepped out into plain sight. "Hello…Doctor."
"River."
She didn't blame him for being wary, trouble always did seem to follow her.
The dark haired girl looked up curiously, her gaze darting from one to the other, clearly sensing something in the air. "Who's your friend?"
"Clara, this is River Song, an old-"
"Friend of the family," River supplied.
"River, this is Clara."
"Was that your distress signal, then?" Clara asked, rather obviously trying to break the uneasy silence.
"Yes. As you can see, I'm a bit stranded."
"How can we help?" the Doctor asked.
"I could use a new power cell for the vortex manipulator."
"Easily done. You're sure that's all you need?"
"Certain."
"And there's no other surprises lurking about here?"
"None that I'm aware of, Doctor."
He relaxed visibly. "Come on, then, this should be very easy to find. Clara?"
"I'd like to keep working on this, if you don't mind. There's a couple of levels of security I haven't gotten through yet."
The Doctor smiled warmly and ruffled her hair. "No system left unhacked, eh?"
"Well, a girl does have a reputation to maintain," Clara replied cheekily.
"Just don't go wandering off alone, all right?"
"The computer's right here, why would I go anywhere?"
He leaned in close and lowered his voice, but his words were perfectly audible to River anyway. "Please, just no adventuring without me."
Clara looked up from her screen and smiled. "All right."
The Doctor turned and politely held the TARDIS door for River.
She waited for the door to shut behind her before speaking. "Love becomes you, Doctor."
"River…"
She turned and gently set her fingers against his lips to hush him. "It's all right. You're going to say that you didn't mean to cause me pain, and I know that. No one ever…plans…these things. The universe has set someone in your path who brings you great joy. Cherish that. Cherish her."
"River I found her, twice before, on different worlds, centuries apart. She died, both times."
"All of us have to die sometime Doctor. Even, eventually, you. What matters is everything that comes before."
"I suppose you're right," he admitted quietly.
"Of course I'm right. Now, about that power cell?"
"Yes, of course." He knelt and began rummaging in a supply cupboard under the main console. "I think this should do it," he announced, passing up a small component.
River carefully inserted it into the vortex manipulator and quickly typed in some commands. "Perfect."
The Doctor reached out and caught her hand. "River…I really do care for you, you know."
"I know." She reached up and kissed his cheek. "I'll see you again. I know that the universe isn't quite done with us yet."
He wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace, and she allowed herself to revel in it for just a moment, then stepped back. "Be happy, Doctor," River whispered, before typing a final command into the vortex manipulator and vanishing.