AN: Not dead... Maybe brain dead, because finals, but they are OVER and I will finally be updating regularly again hopefully! Although I cannot guarantee anything...
Shorter chapter this time, but I had a nice long chapter last time so it's okay (I hope). A little Doctor/River fluff and no warnings for this chapter except if you don't like Doctor/River fluff than beware, Doctor/River fluff ahead! And that was really repetitive and long and I am rambling by this point. So I don't own anything except my plot bunnies- weird phrase, plot bunnies- and without farther ado... here it is!
The Doctor lay awake long after he heard Amy's soft snores.
Eventually he tried swinging his legs over the hospital bed- but an overwhelming, sharp pain in his chest left him stifling groans.
He gingerly put his legs back onto the bed and lay back down, sweating from the exertion.
He talked into the mental link with the TARDIS.
Hey Old Girl he whispered strap me down.
When the TARDIS hesitated briefly, a questioning concern emanating from her, he said somewhat gruffly I know, just do it.
Slowly the TARDIS put barriers up around his bed and fastened cloth restraints around his wrists; but the Doctor could still feel her hesitation.
The Doctor sighed, settling back gently onto his pillows.
It would be a long, uncomfortable night, but at least he couldn't hurt anyone.
Satisfied, he gradually drifted off to sleep.
When River came to wake Amy later that night, the Doctor was still sleeping, albeit restlessly. River was surprised, but she didn't mention anything to a very tired Amy as she ushered her out of the med bay, back to her husband…
And their unfortunate bunk beds.
River looked down at the Doctor.
She sighed softly when she saw the cloth restraints.
Did you go along with this? River asked the TARDIS.
The TARDIS radiated sheepishness; but she gave River access to their conversation, if it could be called that.
River sighed.
Your thief is so worried about others that he never stops for himself. You're there to make sure he does. Okay, Old Girl? River said to the TARDIS.
She hummed in affirmation.
River went and stood by the Doctor.
She gently undid his restraints and had the TARDIS hide them again.
River could see the Doctor visibly relax as soon as the restraints were gone.
She would wait until he woke up.
She would always wait for him until that inevitable day when he never knew her.
That would be that day she would stop running.
Until then…
He was hers.
The Doctor could feel a weight diminishing from around his wrists. He murmured in his sleep. Slowly his eyes blinked open, taking in the white room and River's nearby form.
He sat up, wincing a little but glad he could at least prop himself up on his elbows without crumpling back onto the mattress.
River turned around, rolling her eyes in a fond sort of way.
"Oh, you bad, bad boy," she said, with a little less of the mischievous lilt than usual, but still in her characteristic tone.
The Doctor sighed.
"Hello to you too."
River tilted her head. "You know you could just have the TARDIS raise the bed for you."
The Doctor started objecting, but she raised a finger and continued, saying, "But you always want to do it the hard way, don't you?"
The Doctor smiled, a little tiredly.
"Of course," he said. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
River ran her finger up his chest to tweak his bowtie.
The Doctor shivered a little, squeezing his eyes shut momentarily as memories resurfaced.
She raised an eyebrow, but made no comment.
It was better to be silent. He would not do well having her fuss over him like a mother hen.
There was a momentary lull in the conversation before the Doctor asked her, "When did I tell you I needed saved?"
When River tried to look innocent and confused, the Doctor sighed in fond exasperation.
"I know it was me who told you- and in all honesty, I might as well know when and where so you do in fact save me and I'm not, instead, dead right in Kovarian's torture chamber for them to dissect me and discover interesting facts about Time Lord biology."
River chuckled. "Someone's blunt today," she said. "Although," she added as an afterthought, "It is quite cute."
The Doctor snorted. "I am NOT cute, and you, River Song, are ignoring my question quite deliberately."
"And what are you going to do about it?" River asked with a teasing lilt to her voice.
The Doctor sighed. "Unfortunately I can't do anything because you saved my life."
River laughed.
"Okay," she conceded, "You win."
The Doctor smiled triumphantly.
"But don't get used to the feeling, because this is one of the few arguments we have had that I will actually admit you win," River said.
The Doctor huffed disappointedly.
"And it's only because you are sick and pitiful," she added mischievously.
When the Doctor started to object that he was NOT sick or pitiful, or even cute, River raised her hand.
"Nevertheless, I agreed to tell you how I came to be there, so I will tell you," she paused before adding, "And if you interrupt, I swear I will not let you win an argument from this moment forward. Deal?"
"Deal," the Doctor grumbled grudgingly, determined to be silent at least in hope that he had a chance of winning their next argument.
And so River began her tale.
I apparently like cliff hangers, but I have in mind what I want to write next, so hey, it's okay. The next chapter will focus on River's story (I think) and not making the Doctor's timeline go crazy and not making him die in some evil way... you know, the general plot line of Doctor Who or, if you want to narrow it down, the Big Bang II if you are talking about making the timelines go crazy. And I am rambling again, so I will see you guys later and until then have fun, enjoy the break off school if you are in school, and have a good time doing things with family!