"Hello, Sweetie," the Doctor called softly through the cracked door. River was sitting on her bed, reading out of her diary. She didn't look up, but he saw her head move a little, hidden behind her hair.
"Please, River! I know you're upset with me, but I swear it wasn't because I thought you weren't capable of defending yourself. I just….well….I just wanted to….er….I wanted to do my job! I wanted to keep you safe. Isn't it a husband's job, to keep his wife safe?" He leaned his head against the wall. "River. It was the Silence. I know. I know you can take care of yourself. I know you've been surviving on your own since you were a child, but that's the thing! I couldn't protect Melody Pond, but maybe…..maybe I can keep River Song safe."
The door opened, and his head shot up.
"Doctor, shut up," she said, her face blank.
"I'm sorry! I can go now. I just really wanted to apolo-"
"Shut up. You had me at 'Hello Sweetie.'"