Chapter Two
"You really should stop pouting. It's very unbecoming on you. Especially when I know that pout is just for my benefit. And I have to tell you... it never works." The words slithered out in her confidant seductive tone. She stood in the doorway to the room only she and he knew. He was sat in one of the old leather armchairs next to the fireplace which was roaring in accordance with his mood. He didn't look up.
"It's not fair that you should know where I go to be alone. And if you're here I'm not alone." He pulled his legs underneath him, almost like a child. She sighed, shut the door behind her, which, being part of the TARDIS vanished in appearance from outside and walked over to the opposite chair. She poured another glass of wine and sat down.
"Sweetie. It's not like you to mope. Not when I'm around anyway." She tucked her own feet underneath herself, mirroring his pose in the hopes that it would relax him. She had hoped the slight flirting would bring him around.
"It's just..." he flung his hands around, as he always did. She smiled, knowing that he was opening up to her. Trusting her more and more; Becoming the man she loved more than her own life. "It's just so silly. You humans, always getting into trouble. I'll never get bored saving you, so fragile and breakable..." He was in a dark mood. She took a sip of wine before bending down and placing it on the floor. She took herself out of the chair and sat at the foot of his, her feet tucked beneath herm, she laid her hands gently on his knees. He tried to hide his surprise, having instantly moved backwards a fraction from the contact he relaxed a little, still avoiding eye contact.
"You are pushing her away." She sought his eyes, needed him to know what she was saying was true. "Whether you realise it or not. I know what you are feeling. This unspoken guilt about losing Melody, but..." she couldn't believe she was saying this for a second time "Doesn't my presence here tell you anything?" She leaned backwards, unaware his eyes were following her movements to the glass of wine she had set down. As she sat back up and took another mouthful she caught him smiling, finally he'd let down his guard a little, "I know you want to find her, and I know you are frustrated that I can't tell you where she is. But the rules Doctor. They are there for a reason. Trust me, I feel the same guilt as you, but trying to keep Amy and Rory away from... well anything, is not helping. You have to understand that." He sighed again. "You will find her, and we will run. Together. And anyway," She took some more wine before putting it down on the fireplace. "Look how well she turns out." She smiled flirtatiously raising an eyebrow, finally catching his eye and seeing that sparkle. The sparkle which showed how much he loved and wanted her, despite himself. She knew that right now it was only a sapling compared to what it became, but just knowing that it had started filled her with joy. "Now that you're out of your state, come on." She stood, presenting her hand to get him up. He ignored it and jumped up beside her, in one swift and typically, ungraceful motion.
"Where are we going?" He peered around as if he expected some sort of neon sign to point out the direction she intended. River smiled knowingly, seductively. She grabbed his hand as he had refused to take it on his own.
"I'm going to show you my favourite part of this library of yours."
