When the Doctor spots River at the university, he can't help but be in awe of her youth. She couldn't be more than 20. She is all youth, hopes, dreams, and an infectious imp grin. She is every bit Amy's daughter. He could almost hear Amy behind him whispering "gotcha" as he guiltily leers at her daughter.

The Doctor is reminded not of all the adventures River and he have had, not all the lives they had saved nor the places they roamed. No, he is reminded of the first time he met River in the Library.

He remembers her sobbing in heartbreak, "That means that you've always known." His brave River. She lived for the days spent with him even as she plugs into her death.

He peeks at this young River from behind the building again. In his right hand holds her dusty blue diary, thoughts come sprawling out of his head as he watches the young girl break out in bright laugh.

"Don't you dare. Not one line."

He hasn't, until now.

He could stop all of this. He could never meet her and never whisk her off into the TARDIS. She could stay Melody Pond. Brilliant Melody. With no mad old man putting her in harm's way, no awful sacrifice on the behalf of him. He could stay a bedtime story Amy and Rory must have told her as a child. The Doctor in the blue box who brings the princess back to her kingdom. Every one could live happily forever. The Doctor would do anything to keep River living happily ever after, including sacrificing his happiness but oh, the times they had.

Suddenly there is an explosion in the background and screaming students come running his way. He is knocked down on the ground and out of his reverie. River runs by him as she seeks shelter. She stops, stares at him and offers her hand. "Come ON," she commands. Not quite the tone that one day will make the Doctor listen to her every word but in time, will be.

The Doctor makes the decision that he wanted to make. The right decision (Oh, he hoped so. So, so, hoped so).

He grabs her hand, she pulls him off the ground. A mad, manic grin reaches his lips. She gives him what will become her Doctor smile: urgent and knowing. Because in the end, she is the one that always calls first. She has always been the one to lead. His brave River.

Another blast occurs 100 meters from where they stood. They duck, peek under their covered arms at the skies above and with hands tightly held, run for their lives.