The Doctor was working on the TARDIS, repairing the wiring and improving her, slowly. Clara was asleep in her bedroom. The control room was lit only by a soft green light and the occasional spark.
He was handsome as ever. His dark hair was falling in his eyes which were bright with the love he had for his ship. It was always her and him. Long after everyone left, he would never be alone.
River smiled at the thought that her Doctor would never be fully alone. Of course the TARDIS was as much a part of her as a part of him. She had been conceived on this ship. It had made her all that she was and had given her the ability to save the man she loved.
She walked forward and stroked the Doctor's face.
"Hello, Sweetie."
He kept on working. He couldn't hear her.
"You've really improved her since the first time I saw her. She looks so beautiful."
His face remained blank as he worked.
"I miss you so much. I hate to say it. I feel so weak. Sometimes I just sneak in here at night when you finally sleep."
She stroked his hair.
"I stroke your hair just like this, and you smile. You reach forward in your sleep and hold me. It makes me feel loved again. It was torture growing up as you grew younger. Watching you forget me. Well, not really forget me, just become too young to know me."
A single tear glistened in her eye.
"That day in the library, when you had never met me, was the worst day of my life. I'm almost glad it was the day I died. I couldn't bear living in a world where you didn't know me."
The tear fell from her eye. The light in his eyes was fading to the darkness that she recognized as brooding.
"Is something wrong dear? Can I help?"
He sighed heavily. A sad smile curled up his lips. He sat down on the floor and she found a spot next to him.
"I wish you could see me. I wish you could hear my words and know that I was here. Cause I am. I always am."
Tears flowed from her eyes heavily now.
"Why?" She yelled at him. "Why did you have to hide me away where you couldn't see me? Why did you put me where you couldn't hear me, or touch me? I would have rather died for real! Anything is better than this. Because I can see how sad you are, and there is nothing I can do!"
She put her head in her hands and sobbed. Quietly, warm hands pulled hers from her face. Lips parted hers and stilled her crying. She was being held by strong arms as the Doctor kissed her as he would only do in later years.
He held her like that for what seemed like hours, but was only a few minutes. He pulled away only because he needed to breath.
"I love you." He said, breathing heavily and staring straight ahead.
"I love you too, my dear." She said, shocked and breathing heavily as well. She heard a noise and turning toward him with a sad look, she disappeared.
The Doctor watched her go as he sat, crying silently on the floor. Clara came walking sleepily from her room with a smile on her face. He quickly stood and wiped his eyes. He smiled at her.
"Good morning! Have a good sleep? Have any dreams?"
She looked at him and saw right through his façade.
"Yeah, it was good, I guess."
"Where do you want to go today? The crystal seas of Mandin? The premiere of the next one of those movies you love? Whatever they're called."
She looked at him and his faked excitement faded a bit.
"Are you okay? Your eyes are red."
He reached up and rubbed them.
"I'm fine. Just got a small spark in one. Hurt like the dickens. But I'm fine. Just like always."
She didn't look convinced.
"You pick today, Doctor."
"Are you sure? Yesterday you said you had somewhere in mind."
"I forgot it during the night. Maybe I'll remember tomorrow. But, today, you pick."
He gave her a thankful look.
"Thank you, Clara."
"You're welcome. I'm just gonna go take a bath for while."
"Okay. We'll have breakfast in an hour."
"See you then."
She walked away, leaving him to ponder his sadness alone.