Chapter 10: Dancing on Saturn's Rings

"You're doing that wrong sweetie," River said as she flipped some switches on the console. "I am not! I think I know how to fly my ship!" he shot back. "Oh you do, but I fly her better," River stated, "Besides, you leave the brakes on!" The Doctor groaned, "How many times have I told you I like the noise!?"

"Umm should I go back up and come back down in a few minutes?" Macy asked, thinking they were actually fighting. Neither the Doctor nor River had noticed she had come down until she spoke.

They both looked at her and laughed. "No, no it's alright. This is just something we do. I tease him about his driving and," River placed a red-polished hand on the Doctor's shoulder, "He tells me how sexy I look in evening wear." The Doctor ran a hand through his hair and cleared his throat. "Macy, you look gorgeous," he managed to squeak out through his so apparent embarrassment.

"Thank you," Macy said smiling. "You both look stunning as well." It was true. River was the epitome of gorgeous and the Doctor, as always, was the most handsome, proper man she had ever seen. After a moment, River landed the TARDIS effortlessly.

"I told you I could do that!" The Doctor lightly chastised River as the three of them walked towards the doors. "Oh save it for later sweetie," River quipped back. The Doctor opened the door and walked out. He turned around and offered his hand to both River and Macy, helping them out of the TARDIS.

They both thanked him. "Wow..." Macy's breath was caught in her throat for a moment. "This is breathtaking," she finally managed to mutter. There were stars all around them, everywhere they looked. The weather was warm and perfect. River smiled, "Yes, this has always been my favorite place that the Doctor has shown me."

"Must be why we're back then," the Doctor muttered. He hated going anywhere twice, but for River he'd go someplace a thousand times over. "Oh shut up Doctor," River said with a smile and a roll of her eyes.

He smiled at her and laced his fingers in hers, "You know I don't mind," he said as he leaned over and kissed her cheek. Even though Macy was horribly jealous, she had to admit, they were made for each other.

The trio found a table and the Doctor slid the chairs out for both Macy and River. When they were all seated, River clasped her hands together, "Shall we order champagne?" The Doctor took River's hand and kissed it. "If you'd like darling," he smiled.

River looked at the Doctor long enough to see a hint of sadness in his eyes, and as soon as she saw it, the emotion was gone. "Are you alright my love?"

"Of course dear. Perfectly perfect. In a gorgeous place with two gorgeous girls. Couldn't be happier," he stated. Macy could tell the Doctor was having a bit of a difficult time so she decided to distract River. "River, how was it exactly that you and the Doctor met?" She knew this thought hearkened back to the library for the Doctor, and that wasn't good, but she wanted to know the story from River's end.

River smiled and thought back for a moment, "I remember it like it was yesterday. I have to say though, the Doctor and I didn't get off to the best start..." "She was trying to kill me," the Doctor chimed in. River laughed, "Yes and I have never been happier to fail at anything." She went on to tell Macy the story of the day they met and how they almost killed Hitler.

Macy sat there completely entranced. "River, your life...I don't even know what to say. It's sad, it's brilliant, it's crazy...it's wonderful." She saw the Doctor's eyes grow sad again so before River could look at him, Macy half exclaimed, "Oh look food's here!"

The Doctor was happy for all of Macy's distractions tonight, he wasn't sure how he was going to repay her, but he would. He looked at River and kept feeling that he wanted to hug her to him and never let go. He could just take her in the TARDIS and whisk her away and keep her there forever, but if he did... there was no telling how the library would turn out... it could unravel part of his timeline as well. He sighed and moved his food around on his plate to make it look like he was eating some. He chimed in when he needed to in conversation, and sounded happy when he spoke... but his heart wasn't in it. He was trying to enjoy the time he had with her, but his hearts kept aching.

Music began to play and River's eyes lit up. "Doctor, do you hear what the band is playing?" The Doctor listened for a moment and smiled to himself. "Oh yes I do...our first dance." River grabbed his hand and looked at Macy, "You don't mind if I tow him out to the dance floor for a bit do you Macy?"

She smiled at them both, "Dance your hearts out," she replied. "Thanks so much," River said smiling as she dragged the Doctor out of his chair and onto the dance floor. She was smiling from ear to ear as she placed her hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes, "This brings back so many memories."

"So, so many darling," he grinned. They swayed slowly to the music. He smiled and gave her a quick kiss. "You're hiding something from me my love," River stated as she rested her chin on his shoulder.

He couldn't lie to her. "Yes I am, but I promise it's for your own good." he replied, trying to keep his voice from cracking. He tried to memorize this moment; he wanted to freeze it forever, her in his arms.

"Spoilers?" she asked, whispering in his ear. "Spoilers," he replied. The Doctor spun River around and dipped her; his strong arms around her waist. "Must be SOME spoiler if it's making you act like this," River said with a smile before leaning up and kissing him.

"What do you mean? I'm not acting like anything," he insisted as he set her back on her feet and looked into her beautiful eyes. He put his arms around her and held her tight as they twirled around the dance floor.

"Oh I just mean you've been a bit sadder than usual darling. But I suppose you're fine!" River said cheerily as they continued to sway. "Uhmmm Doctor...sweetie..."

"Yes?" he asked as he snapped out of his thoughts.

"The music's stopped," she said with a giggle as they still twirled around.

"Oh sorry," he muttered as he blushed and let her go. "I suppose I was just really enjoying myself." He took her hand and led her back to the table where Macy sat applauding them. "You all are wonderful!" she exclaimed.

"Well we were on 'Strictly Go Dancing 5000' in 2678," River told Macy with a smile as she sat down. "Yeah, but we lost to that Silurian couple," the Doctor added.

Macy marveled at them, "You two are amazing; you make me see life so differently... so much clearer." She yawned and smiled at the Doctor, hoping the dancing had cheered him up some.

"You tired? We can go back to the TARDIS if you like?" the Doctor said in a comforting, concerned voice. "Me? Oh not at all I could go all- oh you meant Macy...sorry," River said quietly.

Macy smiled, "I'm fine. I can go back on my own. You guys take your time and enjoy yourselves." She looked at the Doctor, trying to keep the hurt out of her eyes. She had tried to help him all she could today, but watching them dance together, eyes so full of love was about all she could take.

"You sure?" he asked. "Yeah I'm fine," she replied before getting up, "Goodnight." With that she walked back to the TARDIS. River placed a hand on the Doctor's thigh and squeezed it slightly. "Mmmm, hello sweetie," River hummed.

The Doctor smirked at her and straightened his bowtie, "River, you naughty thing…what has gotten into you tonight? It was the champagne wasn't it?" He winked as he leaned over and kissed her fiercely.

She pulled away momentarily and rubbed her nose against his. "Mmmm...maybe," she muttered before kissing him again. River glanced around at the people and other life-forms, "Uhmm sweetie..."

"Hmmm?" he mumbled as he was too lost in her to notice anything.

"I'm all for public displays of affection darling, but maybe we ought to go back to the TARDIS," River said raising a mischievous eyebrow.

The Doctor grinned, "I think that's probably best," he said as he got up and tried to hide the fact that he was already slightly aroused. He had been thinking about their escapade that morning.

"Hello Sweetie..." River said cheekily, her voice slightly raised, as she eyed his trousers. She stood up quickly and grabbed his hand, spinning him on his heels. "Let's go!"

The Doctor hurried to the TARDIS with River, grinning like a silly, love struck school boy. As soon as they were inside he pushed her against the door and kissed her madly.

River smiled widely and returned his kiss eagerly. She reached her arms up and around his neck, running her fingers through his hair.

oOo

Back in her room, Macy had heard a loud slamming noise. She got up from her bed and opened the door. Sticking her head out, she listened for more noise. She heard a few pounding noises and some muffled voices. "River and the Doctor must be back," she said to herself before shutting the door and going back to her bed, another tear rolling down her cheek.

She was trying so hard to be strong for the Doctor, but inside it was killing her. Every time he held River's hand or kissed her in front of Macy it was like stabbing her. But over the course of the past few days she loved the Doctor, truly loved him... so she would do anything, and be anyone he needed her to be; even if that meant standing on the sidelines.

oOo

Meanwhile, River and the Doctor had made their way toward their room. The Doctor kicked the door shut and River slammed against him, frantically trying to undo his bow tie. The Doctor's hands had already found River's zipper and he was slowly pulling it down.

"Hmmm, I think I was right. This is one hell of a spoiler," River breathed as the Doctor kissed and nibbled his way down her neck, "You never get worked up like this." She pulled his face up and kissed him again passionately as she pushed him back onto the bed.

"You've got no idea...," he replied and pulled her on top of him. He pulled River's dress down and kicked it off the bed. She, meanwhile, furiously pushed his jacket off and tore at his shirt until all that remained was his pale, bare chest and his black braces.

The Doctor was lost in her, he couldn't give this up. He wanted to smile, laugh, cry and scream all at the same time. He knew this would be their last moment that ended this way. He ran his fingers through her hair and tugged slightly as he rolled them both over so that he was hovering over her, looking into her eyes. With a shaky voice he whispered, "I love you more than you will ever know River."

River caressed the Doctor's cheek. "Oh sweetie, I love you too. More than life itself." Little did River know how true her words rang. Tomorrow he would take her to the Singing Towers and then that would be it. He wanted to make the most of his last night with her.