Authors Notes: Sorry this has taken a while, I hope some of you are still with me.
Chapter Four
As he thought on it, he realised it was entirely possible that River had formed this beautiful item in front of him, he didn't know how old she was, it wouldn't be gentlemanly to ask and despite having used her regenerations, he knew that she could potentially be centuries old at this point.
The feelings swelling in him however were so powerful he had to be absolutely sure that they were being caused by her own emotions, and with this woman the best way he knew was confrontation. He stormed over to where she stood, attempting to read the emotions and truth in her eyes. His most aggressive stance, he kept his hands by his side, torso slightly leant forward, attempting to tower over her. He felt like a cat making itself look big to intimidate another animal.
"River, it's simply ridiculous to think that you would be able to make something like that. And it's not nice to lie." He attempted to look angry, pretty certain he was failing, but it was worth a try.
"You still don't trust me do you? You assume that your bad-girl-River..." He loved that name "Couldn't actually make something beautiful? That I would actually steal something and pretend it's mine? Charming." She moved around him, he remained resolute, not moving, processing her words, but felt a shudder within his core as he felt her brush against him. "You know it is possible that you are wrong about me. You call me Mrs Robinson," she continued; he stole a quick grin while she couldn't see him, another nickname he loved, "Like I'm the one always doing the chasing , but you love it, you enjoy the challenge. And yes, I might be an archaeologist but I didn't steal that." He heard her turn away. He knew she was stinging from his accusation, which simply proved to him that it was true, she had made the orb for him. Just one more little push - he wanted to see how far he could push her.
He turned to face her. "Prove it. Go on River. You say I'm wrong about you, that I'm going about this the wrong way. Prove it, prove that you're trustworthy." He knew she was looking past him at the sphere, memories danced across her face as she stood against the railing in front of him. Strikingly beautiful, he couldn't help but be entranced by her.
"God you're annoying." She threw at him, feigning anger. This was not the first time she called him that.
Suddenly and with a sharp intake of breath, the lights went out. He panicked, trying to find something to hold on to. Remembering the sphere, attempted to search for it blindly, knowing that one leer to the side and the orb would roll off and smash. For pity's sake, what is happening?
"River, what's going on?" He didn't know this new area of the library, and in the darkness his legs seemed too long and his arms and hands unresponsive as he reached out for something solid. The Old Girl has finally shut down, I knew it would only be a matter of time. She was no spring chicken when I borrowed her!
"Doctor." Her seductive yet authoritarian voice came from his right. "Stop panicking! If you stand still for a few seconds, you'll understand why she turned the lights off."