Author's Note: almbookbuyer did another awesome drawing for the last chapter. The link to it can be found on my profile :) Also, this chapter was running rampant so I had to cut it. If the ending is a little awkward, that's why. I also cut two flashbacks (one with 10 and one with young River) that I might post as oneshots if anyone's interested?
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"Singing with love and the will to trust. Leave the rest behind, it will turn to dust." – The Walin' Jennys
It's nothing like the last time. They aren't alone, listening to the towers sing from a distance, the only other sound their hearts beating in tandem. There's more than just their quiet thoughts and whispered affections filling the air between them. He isn't blinking back tears and River isn't watching him like he's fragile glass. Pieces of his porcelain hearts aren't cracking and scattering to the winds with every minute that passes.
There is no top hat, no tails, no figure hugging green dress, all that emotion buried beneath layer upon layer of fancy clothes, and yet he still feels naked, exposed, like she'll see straight through him as she always has. He's standing in front of her door, wearing his new haircut and a suit like armor. The semblance of normalcy is tied off with an overly enthusiastic smile and a skip in his step he hopes she'll believe. The facade is his cloak, shielding his emotions from her ever perceptive eyes.
All he can think of is that day so long ago and looming in her future. The day she laid his future at his feet, when she did more than just strip him of his title. She rendered him bare, removing the guise of Doctor so thoroughly that, for a moment, even he forgot to pretend. He knew then that she would be more than a companion. The look in her eyes told him she wasn't another doe eyed girl; she was a woman with her own shadows and sins, who was just as likely to burn him as embrace him.
And burn him she did, in ways no one else ever could, a cleansing fire that healed as much as it hurt. She raged through his insides, scorching him like wildfire. She branded her name on his hearts with such vicious finality that he swears the battered muscles beat out her name, scattering pieces of her throughout his body as the blood pumps through his veins.
With one last long exhale, he straightens his bow tie, a final touch before the mask is sealed into place and he is forced to find the strength to start his final night with her. He knocks, his cane rasping against the wooden door, and he shakes off the feeling that he is Death, come to carry his lover to her grave.
There's a shuffle of feet on carpeted floors and a soft click of a deadbolt. He has just enough time to steel the charade with a smile before the door eases open to reveal River. She's wrapped in a silk robe, her strawberry blond hair framing her face. She half smiles in surprise at the sight of him, her eyes dropping instantly to give his body a once over. He fights the urge to shift under the scrutiny, and he watches with baited breath as River's eyes narrow and arms fold across her chest.
"What did you do?" Her voice is all accusation and no mercy. The shock of it makes his charming smile drop like a lead weight.
"Nothing!" He gapes at her, perhaps a little too defensive.
"You're in your top hat." River states in a flat voice, looking at him like she's just explained everything.
The Doctor is left to blink at her, feeling like an utter idiot as he stands outside her door. "And?"
"You always wear a suit when you're apologizing." River shifts her weight, one hand propping on her hip. "You've upset some other version of me, haven't you?"
"I haven't!" He argues back with wide eyes and no small amount of flailing. River's eyes narrow further in response, and he stills his spastic arms. "I promise I haven't. Can I just…" He exhales a defeated little noise. "Can I please come in?"
Her eyes roam over him once more before she turns away, leaving him to let himself in. He steps over the threshold, closing the door behind him. River's already half way to the kitchen, preemptively annoyed on her future self's behalf.
"I don't only wear a suit when I apologize." He grumbles as he dutifully follows after.
"No, but you always wear one when you are apologizing." River states, heading straight for the kettle and filling it with water. "So when are you?"
"Dinner on, well, almost dinner on the planet of the Rain Gods." He takes a seat at her kitchen table, pretending not to notice how she brightens, the confirmation that he's so late in his timestream making her smile. It's recent history for her and his chest tightens in response, still clinging to the false hope that his days with her aren't wearing thin.
"That was just last month for me." She says, setting the kettle on the stove and turning back to face him with a teasing smile. "Maybe you're finally getting the hang of the whole linear time travel thing, sweetie."
"Have you done our date on Asgard yet?" He asks purely to keep up pretense.
River grins back at him. "So it was a date? Pretty Boy sure didn't think so."
The Doctor scoffs, "He's an idiot."
"He's you."
"Yeah, he's an idiot."
River laughs as she turns back to the boiling water. "Only I get to call my husband that." She sets about making their tea, perfect as always. She serves it to him in a lime green cup decorated with dancing chili peppers in cowboy hats. It's a ridiculous mug and there's a chip on the rim, but it's his favorite and no matter when he comes here, she always has it clean and waiting for him. He doesn't think he'll come back for it after tonight.
"So," River takes a seat across from him, wrapping both hands around her own warm drink. "What did you do to upset me, hm? Give a girl some warning. How bad will it be?"
He doesn't really feel like drinking tea. His nerves are too high strung as it is. But River would notice if he didn't, so he forces his fingers to wrap around the familiar cup, lifting it to his lips where he takes a slow sip of the hot liquid. It burns as it flows down his throat, but the warmth translates to his words as he sets the cup down and looks directly at River. "Why are you so sure I don't just want the pleasure of your company?"
Her eyebrow raises at him in challenge and when she sits forward, setting her cup down with a gentle thud, he feels like one of her students about to be lectured. "Berlin." She declares and he has the distinct feeling he's not going to like where this conversation is going. "You let me kiss you knowing how dangerous I was."
"You'd just regenerated!" He interrupts. "All saucy and sexy and smelling of time. I was a little distracted."
"You were dying and you knew what I'd have to do. So you put on a fancy suit and a show, trying to fix the cockamamie first meeting you let that turn into."
"River-"
"That's not the only time, either. You ruined my date in University, the one with the New New Latvian Prince. We were going to dance in front of the High Council until you showed up and distracted everyone with your Mc Hammer impression."
The Doctor looks smug about that one, making no arguments. "Heh, Yeah," At her unflinching stare, he shakes the smug smile away. "But then I took you dancing on the Rings of Orion to make up for it."
"Yes. You did. In a suit." He swallows, about to protest but River forges ahead. "And the first night I was in prison. You softened the blow by taking me to Calderon Beta. Not that I'm not grateful, sweetie. I just know you." It's her turn to look smug now, finishing off the last of her drink and getting to her feet. "You always get dressed up like this when you're paying penance."
She takes their cups, hers empty and his hardly touched, and places them in the sink. He simply blinks at her, finally comprehending the point she's trying to make. "You think I took you to Calderon Beta as a consolation prize?" He feels like he's been punched in the gut and he must sound that way, too, because River turns back to look at him with apologetic eyes.
"Sweetie, it's fine, really. I-"
He jumps to his feet, the urgency of it almost sending the chair over backwards, but he doesn't care. All this time she thought… and he can't let go to… not without…"River, I took you there because I wanted you to know that the universe wasn't the only thing worth saving on that pyramid. I took you because I couldn't imagine ever going with anyone else, because no silly prophecies or prison bars can keep up apart."
River watches him with an intensity that rivals his own. But there's tenderness behind her bravado. For a woman who knows him so well and sees so much, she never seems to comprehend just how important she is to him, just how much he loves her.
The Doctor steps toward her, voice softening. "You've got it all wrong. I crashed your date and took you somewhere better because I wanted to be the only one to parade you around the dance floor. And Berlin, well it might have been the last time I saw you. I had to go out with a bang. I had to try and woo you at first opportunity." He sighs, huffing out a self-deprecating laugh as he peeks at her through his fringe. "I wanted to make an impression, to set the bar as high as you always have."
River looks away, almost bashful, and he steps even closer to her.
"I take you to these places and dress this way because I-" her eyes snap up to meet his and he can't quite force the word he wants to say out of his lips. "I would do anything for you."
She smiles like she knows what he wants to say, like his mediocre confession is enough even though he knows it isn't.
"I don't regret a moment of this and I don't want you to either." He finally closes the distance, his hands smoothing over her shoulders and his head dipping so he can capture her eyes with his own. They're glistening, the brightest green he's ever seen, and he thinks that if this is the last night he'll ever see those eyes sparkle, at least the unshed tears are happy ones. "All this, this isn't apologizing." He confesses, hands finding their way to her hips, pinning her to the counter. "This is me making sure you know that this is worth it, that we're worth it." River's arms wrap around his middle, pulling him into her. The Doctor folds against her gladly, placing a kiss her temple. "This is me trying to impress you."
He looks like an idiot. No, that's too generous. He looks like a complete and total idiot, the king of idiots. If Amy could see him now she would have a field day making fun of him. River insisted that if they were going to go, they needed to dress to fit in, which for some reason meant he had to dress like an idiot and she got to look perfectly normal. River looks completely at ease in the heat, her shorts, sage green tank top, and pulled back hair reminiscent of something she'd wear on an archaeological excavation. He, on the other hand, looks completely out of place in the torture devices known as flip flops strapped to his feet. Thanks to them, he's spent half the day tripping over his own 'pasty Bambi limbs', as River called them. And to make matters worse, he's in cargo pants. Eights pockets and not a single one of them is bigger on the inside. The only saving grace of the outfit is the Hawaiian shirt, and though it's tacky and its baggy nature swallows his scrawny body whole, at least he'd been able to sneak a pair of his suspenders on underneath.
So yes, he looks ridiculous. But he never has been any good at denying her. Not even when it comes to Darillium, which, as it turns out is quite the tourist trap. All day they've been surrounded by families with fanny packs and dads wearing high socks and sandals, trying to make sense of overly colorful maps. From funnel cake to rollercoasters to silly souvenirs, this place is like Disney World on steroids.
River even let him buy a funny hat. It's bright yellow and adorned with Darillium themed buttons. It even sings. It's a singing, yellow, button hat! And apart from a few threatening glares, River hasn't even wished ill will upon it yet. He rests easy knowing she won't shoot this one off his head as they didn't allow guns in the theme park. Not that that would have stopped her if she'd wanted to bring one. He's not entirely convinced she didn't bring one, if he's honest. But he doesn't know where she'd be keeping it. For the sake of his own good, he tries not to let his thoughts dwell too long on the treasures that lie beneath her tank top and shorts.
Instead, he keeps his eyes focused on the glass bottom gondola they're currently riding in on their way to the observation view is spectacular. From this height, there is a clear view of Darillium. The sun has started its decent behind the hills and scattered mountains of all shapes and sizes pierce the sky for miles in all directions. But the main attraction is directly beside them. The two tallest towers stand relatively near one another and in the valley between lies the theme park. As they ascend the eastern most tower, the festivities of the park are left behind. People in glowing hats and children with light up toys have turned to a blurry sea, carnival rides reduced to specks in the growing distance. It's already lovely, and the best is still yet to come.
So, in spite of the funny clothes, the long lines, and the heat, he can't bring himself to regret coming to this planet again. He's seen more smiles on her face than he can remember in heaven knows how long. It's everything he couldn't give her last time. He wouldn't have been able to stomach this before. The crowd, the smiling faces, the happiness. Sharing her. No, he'd been selfish last time, wanting her all to himself with no distractions. And, if he's honest, he wanted her undivided attention. He didn't want to share her on their last day. He hadn't wanted goodbye to be long lines and gift shops. He wanted it to be quiet, peaceful, perfect. One last night of romance to sustain him in the eons of loneliness that lay ahead.
But he's been given a second chance, a real and completely improbable one. It's more than he deserves, but maybe this isn't about him and what he deserves. Maybe this time he can finally give her what she deserves. That's why he brought her here. He's giving her Darillium the way she always wanted. Sure, one day, if and when she gets her memory back, they could come here again. But it would always be tainted by the memory of that first time, by the bitter taste of goodbye. In a way, her lack of memory is a gift, one that allows him to give her The Singing Towers without the plague of sadness. No tears, no screw drivers, just him and her and music and lights.
They reach the top and as they exit the gondola, they're each handed a complimentary pair of goggles that will allow them to view the sound waves that resonate from the towers, turning their music into a light show. It's a massive deck, spacious even considering the thousand occupants already onboard. Therefore, the two of them drift along easily with the crowd, all filing in as they wait for the next light show to begin. River seems just as eager as the rest of the patrons, already steering them towards a front row spot by the railing.
The Doctor has something else is mind before they settle in to watch the show, and as his eyes search the crowd, they find their prize. He stops short. "Why don't you go grab us a spot up front and I'll meet you there, yeah?"
River stalls, looking at him dubiously. "Can you be trusted on your own?"
"Definitely not, but that's never stopped me before." He grins.
River contemplates for half a second before shrugging. "Okay, but try not to burn anything down."
The Doctor salutes, and River turns to continue making her way toward the railing. When she's nearly out of sight, he spins around, rubbing his hands together as he eagerly makes his way toward an ice cream vendor. The girl behind the counter smiles at him as he approaches. She has bright pink hair and skin to match, but her smiles is as white and as wide as a Cheshire cat.
"Hello!" The Doctor announces brightly as he examines the menu. "Two cones please: one chocolate suicide with extra sprinkles and one Peach sorbet."
"Six credits." His fuchsia friend announces as she fetches his order.
"Blimey." The Doctor mutters and she offers him a sympathetic shrug. He begins digging in his pocket, pulling out a handful of credits to pay. As he hands it over, he pauses, nodding to a bag of gummy sweets on display. "How much for those?"
"Two credits." She answers and the Doctor digs through his pocket once again, handing over the last of his currency. She passes him his sweets with a smile and a generic wish that he have a nice day. The Doctor returns the gesture, accepting the cones of ice cream and the bag of sweets before weaving his way through the crowd once again. It's thick with people now, all kinds of species packed together to see the fantastic light and music show.
As he nears the front, he spots River through the fog of tourists, her elbows resting against the railing as she gazes out into the distance. The dusky twilight paints her cheeks a coral color and the wind rustles her curls in ripples and waves. She is unique in all the universe, the ocean that dared to stand upon mountain tops, the fish that took to the skies despite being destined for the sea. He finds himself wondering if other people see her the way he does. Do they see endless strength and heart and possibility? Does she awaken the child within them, the one who loves the darkness but fears the unknown, who is fascinated by fire even when burned by its touch and blinded by its light?
The ice cream in his hand has begun to melt, sticky and cold as it drips onto his fingers. He quickens his pace, easing up next to her in the crowd. "Here we are." He announces, and River turns to face him, slightly surprised by his presence as if he'd awoken her from a day dream. "One peach sorbet. And," he holds up the sweets triumphantly. "I got you these little beauties, too."
River hums, pleased as she accepts the treats. "I'd tell you that's my favorite flavor, but I'm guessing you already knew that."
He shrugs, answering humbly, "Lucky guess."
"The way I take my tea, my favorite breakfast, and now my taste in ice cream. That's a lot of lucky guesses."
He buys himself a moment, licking at the ice cream melting down the cone. "I'm a really lucky man."
The corners of her lips threaten a smirk, but she chooses to accept his answer, looking back out over the canyon that separates the two mountains. It won't be long now before the towers begin their melody, the two larger ones providing the main tune while the small ones emit a chorus of equally moving music. As much as he dreaded it the first time, he finds himself glad of the opportunity now. He never knew how much he longed for a moment like this, a reality in which they could be here, sharing this, that it would mean hope for a beginning rather than a harbinger of the end.
"This is incredibly irresponsible, you know." River says, nibbling at her cone.
"What is? Ice cream?"
She shakes her head, jostling her curls. "Being here. We should be looking for those men. Who knows what they're doing to time."
"You should always waste time when you don't have any. Time is not the boss of you."
River snorts, but keeps her eyes forward. "Says the man who hasn't lost half his life."
He sobers then, tight lips pulling into a frown. She's right. He's hasn't lost his memory, but he has lost something equally as precious. They both have. "We'll find them. I promise."
River turns to him with a dim smile, one that says she isn't so sure. But he knows better. She is proof that miracles exist. He knows that anything lost can be remembered. And though he doesn't know quite how, he knows they'll find a way. You're going to have to walk like you can see.
River turns her attention forward and he does the same, occasionally stealing glances of her out of the corner of his eye. They remain this way, standing in comfortable silence as they both munch on the last few bits of their ice cream cones. The Doctor is just shoving the last bite into his mouth when an announcement comes over the speaker, alerting everyone that it's time to put on their glasses.
The Doctor does so eagerly, sliding the dark, hexagonal shaped lenses on before turning towards River. "How do I look?" He beams.
Sliding on her own pair, she turns her eyes on him, giving a snort of laughter. "Ridiculous."
"And you look wonderful." He smiles down at her and she smiles back.
"Right on schedule then."
She's still smirking up at him when the first notes begin humming out of the mountainside. It's smooth and sharp, earthy and warm, like a violin played by Mother Nature. An orchestra of colors follow the sound waves, radiating off the rocks like fireworks in tune to the rhythm of the planet, spinning and singing and hurdling through an infinite universe.
The entire crowd stares on in silent awe, captivated by the natural occurring phenomenon. The Towers sing every 194 minutes, but at dusk, right here, right now, is when the colors are the best. People flock from all over to hear and see the spectacle. It's like Disney World if at the end of the night the Magic Kingdom castle exploded into a symphony of sound and color.
He only tears his eyes away from the sight when he feels the press of River as she gravitates into his side. She hasn't taken her eyes off the spectacle before them, but her chin is tilted in his direction as she whispers, "Want to get a better view?"
"Where?" He whispers back. As far as he knew, this was the only observation deck on the eastern tower.
River just grins, lacing her fingers in his and taking a small step back. "Follow me."
He doesn't have to see her eyes to know there's mischief lurking behind them, his pulse quickening as she leads him through the crowd. No one notices their departure, too focused on the light display. The crowd thins as they weave their way towards the back, but it's not until they round a corner and pass a sign that reads 'Employee Area Only' that suspicion pricks at the back of his mind. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see." She chimes, leading him around another corner and stopping in front of a discreet grey door. She drops his hand, propping her glasses on top her head and digging a small pin out from the depths of her curls.
"I don't think this part of the park is on offer." He says, scanning their surroundings.
River merely smirks, leaning over to pick the lock. "Says who?"
"The 'Keep Out' signs."
"Are you going to let that stop you?" Her eyes flick up to his and he grins down at her.
"Not a chance."
Under her talented fingers, the lock gives way and River tucks the pin back in her hair, turning to face him with a wicked little smile. "So the man beneath the bow tie isn't as harmless as he looks."
"On the contrary," the corner of his lip curls into a crooked smile as he takes half a step forward. "I can be quite dangerous."
There's a challenge in her eyes that's just begging to be met as she pushes the door behind her open. "Prove it."
"With pleasure." The Doctor extends a hand to her, and when she takes it, they step over the threshold and begin ascending a skinny metal stairwell. They follow the signs for the roof, and a few flights later, they come to a heavy metal door. Pushing it open, they find the view of a lifetime. The building has been built half into the mountain side, the tin roof intersecting with smooth granite. It's a little windy up here, but the music is richer than ever this close to the stone. They take a seat, and as they press their backs against the granite, the vibrations hum against their skin. It's much more spacious up here on the roof, leaving them to lounge lazily across the warm, slightly sun baked surface.
River settles in beside him, her glasses concealing her eyes once more as they watch the Towers paint the sky, singing in baritones of blue and soft pink sopranos. Keys of greens, yellows, oranges, violets and every color in between swirl and dance like lovers in the sky.
"I always wanted to come here." River speaks softly and he turns to face her, drawn by the sound of her voice. "I wonder why I never did."
Her profile is sharp, pulses of lavender humming off the rock and bouncing off the contours of her cheek and jaw. "Was it worth the wait?"
She turns to face him and he can just barely make out the shape of her eyes behind the dark lenses covering them. "The nights not over yet." She smirks and then looks away. "What about you? Have you been here before?"
"Never quite like this." He admits, eyes shifting to his lap.
"You said it was special to you. Why's that?"
"It's a theme park. Practically Disney World, you know, without the giant mice monoliths. It's special to everyone." She snorts at his answer, but doesn't press him. And maybe that's why he feels the urge to speak again, to let the truth, or the sentiment behind it at least, crawl its way up his throat. "Besides," he exhales. "Sometimes it's just as important to make new memories as it is to remember old ones."
Her face is forward but he can tell she isn't really watching the light show anymore, far too lost in her own thoughts. "Do you think I should accept it?"
He leans forward, removing his glasses so he can see her properly. The lavender hues framing her and the rainbows in the sky vanish like someone turned off a light. River is the only thing in his line of sight and his eyes find themselves glad to be rid of the distractions. "No, not that, never that. But," He stalls and River's eyes finally find his again. "If we can't... If it's not reversible... Well, I'm here for you. Always. No matter what." She is his future even if they don't have a past.
River says nothing, but her jaw is relaxed and her mouth is slightly agape. He finds himself tracing the lines of those semi parted pink lips with his eyes, wishing she'd let him be privy to all the thoughts she doesn't speak, the ones that pool, heavy and unsaid on the tip of her tongue.
But River remains silent, watching him for a long moment through the hazy protection of her glasses. It's always one shield or another, always a secret to keep or damage to be hidden. Just once, he wishes she would look at him with everything he knows is inside her. Not just her love and adoration, but her sadness and her regret, her anger and her fear. He wants it all, every ounce, every flickering emotion and memory that make up her years. He wants the beautiful, flawed blemishes on her skin, the weary bones beneath, and atoms within them. He wants the energy that constitutes her soul, that cascades out of her in waves and renders him her slave. Just once, he wishes she would look at him with all of it, pour it over him like liquid gold. To behold it once, to bask in everything she is, is all he would need to forever feel like a king.
Finally she lifts a hand, removing the glasses and revealing sea green eyes that are fixed on him. "That's an awfully big promise to make to a girl."
"I know she's worth it." He answers easily, and she huffs out a hollow laugh.
"And I hardly know you at all."
The Doctor leans back against the rock, arms as open and inviting as his voice, "What would you like to know?"
River stares at him a moment, seemingly at a loss for words. He waits patiently, hands folded across his lap as she deliberates. Her intense study of him only relents when she lets out a sigh and asks her first question, "What's your middle name?"
"Bad Penny." He rebuttals without pause and she laughs openly.
"You're lying."
"Yeah I am. But only because I know you don't really care about that."
"Oh really?" River quirks an amused brow.
"You know that you trust me. That's all that matters."
But you don't always tell me the truth.
If I always told you the truth, I wouldn't need you to trust me.
"Still not sure why." River sighs, shaking her head softly.
The Doctor simply shrugs, "Must be my charm and boyish good looks."
"And so humble."
"I don't like to brag, but I have pretty good dress sense, too."
"Apart from that abomination on your head you're trying to pass off as a hat."
"Oi!" The Doctor squeaks. "This is a great hat!"
"Honey, I've seen Sycorax with more fashionable headgear."
Thoroughly offended, he stiffens his back, reaching up to smooth the lapels of his coat only to remember it's been replaced by a tacky Hawaiian shirt. "What do you know, River song? You're the one who talked me into wearing this ridiculous outfit."
"That had nothing to do with fashion and everything to do with my own amusement." She doesn't even try to hide her mocking gaze and he is left to gape openly at her.
"Oh, right, well in that case I think you should have to wear the hat as punishment for making me walk in these torture devices all day."
"In your dreams, sweetie."
"Alright, I'll settle for the rest of your candy."
River gives a derisive snort by way of response, and the Doctor leans forward, adopting a stern voice.
"Now River, don't make me take it by force."
"You wouldn't dare." She narrows her eyes at him, sizing him up.
The Doctor wings a nonexistent brow, smirking. "Wouldn't I?"
Half a second of silence follows before he leaps at her, diving for the bag of candy resting at her side. River squeaks in protest, too shocked by the sudden attack to scramble away. They both reach for the sweets and, for once, he's faster. Triumphant in his quest, he holds the bag high in the air as he leans away from her. River follows after, nearly clambering on top of him as she paws at the bag.
"Give those back, you thief." She demands through fits of laughter.
The Doctor doesn't relent, holding the bag further out of her reach. "It's the hat or the candy, River Song. Sacrifices must be made."
In another desperate attempt to reclaim the bag, River leans into his chest further. The added weight sets him off balance and the Doctor tumbles backwards, taking River with him as he cracks his head on the granite. Wrestling for the sweets instantly ceases, River's hand resting on his chest as she bites back enough laughter to ask, "Are you alright?"
The Doctor rubs at his head, wincing only slightly. "Yeah. Me hat took most of the blow."
"Maybe it's a lucky hat." River offers, disentangling herself and helping him sit upright. The play fight sufficiently ruined, he relinquishes the sweets, handing them back to her. To his surprise, River stays curled into his side, and he takes the opportunity to wrap an arm over her shoulder, the other plopping his ridiculous hat atop her head. And it must be a lucky hat, indeed, because River allows it. She even shares her candy with him as they settle back into the moment, both staring off into the majestic mountain range as music fills the night air.
He lets out a breath, relaxing as a peace settles inside him that he hadn't realized he needed. He did need her, in the vital way that the soul needs sleep and lungs need to breathe. He longed for her the way a wolf does the moon, the way books crave to be read, and music wants to be heard. He missed the comfort and ease of her presence the way a bird with heavy wings misses being carried by the breeze on a windless day.
He can't put a name on the feeling blooming within him. It's more than just love, more complex than delight, and more intoxicating than ecstasy. It's hard to explain, these emotions that could never be summed up in words, spoken by a voice, or heard by ears. And yet they exist inside him as clear and present and real as the hearts beating in his chest.
"It was." River says in a voice that doesn't bear arguing with, and he shifts, tilting his chin down to look at her, confused.
"Was what?"
"Worth the wait." She answers and he smiles like it's been pulled up from his toes to his lips, leaving a trail of warmth everywhere in between. They're not the three words his ears long to hear, nor did he expect them to affect him so deeply. But, in a way, it's all he's ever wanted to hear, to know that it was worth it, that they were worth it.
"Yeah," he admits. "It was." They aren't the three words he wants to say, but he means them more than she knows, more than he ever realized he would.
River pulls away from him suddenly, and it's only then that he hears the pounding of heavy footsteps reverberating through the metal stairwell. Their eyes meet, both sparkling with words that don't need saying. Without missing a beat, they're both on their feet, fingers entwined as they race for the door. They slide in behind it just as a team of security guards burst out and onto the roof. Slipping discretely behind the guards, the Doctor and River slide into the stairwell, sonicing the door locked behind them.
The Doctor makes for the stairs, but a tug on his arm halts him. "This way." River instructs, delighting in tugging him down a long corridor.
"Now where are we going?" Not that he's complaining. In fact, he's practically giggling as he runs along beside her.
"To find a teleport." She grins up at him. "There's always a staff teleport. No supervisor in history would ever volunteer to walk around a park this size."
It takes a wrong turn or two, along with the sonicing of a few locked doors, but eventually, they find the staff room. And just as she promised, a teleport stands like a beacon in the corner of the room.
"You, River Song, are a genius." He declares as they step into the, thankfully, empty room.
River chuckles, sashaying her way over to the teleport. "Flatter me later, sweetie. Right now we've got running to do."
"What? I can't do both?" He asks, skipping to her side as River adjusts the settings on the teleport.
"You're welcome to try, but I've seen how you multitask."
"With the right incentive, I'm a brilliant multitasker."
River arches a suggestive brow. "And what might the right incentive be?"
The Doctor steps closer, a crooked grin splitting his cheeks. Just then, a high pitched alarm pierces the air, interrupting their really important flirting. But River's quick to tug him into position, activating the teleport before the safety protocol can kick into gear. They materialize on the ground level not far from where he'd parked the TARDIS, a team of out of shape security guards already headed straight for them when they flash into existence. The mischievous pair takes off running, easily evading their pursuers.
An alarm still blares in the distance, but River's carefree laugh rings in the Doctor's ears richer and louder than any manufactured sound. They're only being chased by theme park security, but they run like their lives depend on it, the rush of the wind cool against their cheeks as hand in hand they head for the TARDIS. When they get within eyesight, the Doctor snaps his fingers. The doors open on command and the two of them file in, slamming the door behind them and leaning against it, panting like they'd just outrun a Dalek fleet.
The Doctor looks up at her, grinning through his labored breath. His lucky hat is no longer on her head, lost or discarded amid the chase. She looks radiant though, flushed cheeks, heaving chest, and a sparkle in her eyes. He couldn't imagine a more perfect way to end the night than this, than laughing and running and her hand in his as they catch their breath.
"Just as well we enjoyed it." River pants. "Because I don't think we'll be allowed back."
The Doctor kicks off the door, bringing her with him. "Lucky for us, there's a million other places left to see."
She smiles fondly as she lets him pull her to the console. "You just never sit still do you?"
"Not when there's so many places to go."
"How do you decide?"
He releases her hand in favor of tapping affectionately on the console. "She does a lot of it for me. The Old Girl knows better than me where I need to go."
River hums, running her own hand over the console. Her eyes linger on the rotor and he feels the air around him warm, a welcoming embrace for her only child.
"Would you like to fly her?" He asks, and River looks to him in surprise.
"Now?"
"Good a time as any." He jumps to attention eagerly. Showing River how to fly the TARDIS is a privilege he never thought he'd be granted. He practically skips to her side, bringing the monitor with him. "Right, first you'll need to check the sensors to make sure we're not bringing along any uninvited guests." He reaches around her, twisting a dial so the monitor flashes to life, displaying the outside perimeter of the ship. "Next we need to engage the electromagnetic indicators to broadcast a signal that we're preparing to enter the vortex."
River turns her cheek to look up at him accusingly. "Are you telling me to mirror, signal, maneuver?"
"Of course not! Well, yes. But it's nothing like that. It's all very spacey wacey and complicated."
"Mmmhm." River hums, unconvinced as she turns back around.
"Now, most importantly, you'll need to make sure this lever here is flipped, otherwise it won't make the brilliant noise."
"You mean the brakes?" River deadpans and he huffs beside her.
"Who's he teacher here?"
"Sorry," River relents, but a smirk still clings to her cheeks. "Carry on."
"Then, last but not least, we have the Trans-temporal Matter Displacement switch, which will send us into the vortex."
"Where's that?"
"That red one there." He points to the left and River frowns.
"The one that says 'Go', seriously?"
"Yeah, alright. Everyone's a critic. Just push it."
With a light chuckle, River flips the switch. The TARDIS jolts to the side, sending them both stumbling. But his grip on the monitor is tight and his grip on River is even tighter as he stands behind her, bracing her as she slides into him. As if on reflex, her hand not clinging to the console shoots for the stabilizers, flipping the lever and steadying the ship.
The action doesn't escape his notice and the Doctor looks down at her with reverence. "How did you know to do that?"
"I'm a quick study." She purrs, turning those vixen eyes on him. It's hard not to get lost in them and he takes a much needed step back, putting some space between them as he swallows his hope.
"Right. You can take it from here, can't you Old Girl? Pick us somewhere good, eh?" He doesn't make it two steps before the TARDIS jerks again, sending him back into River's side. She catches him this time, arms around his waist as his rest on either side of her, pinning her against the console.
"Maybe I'm not such a quick study after all." She chuckles, and the Doctor forces out a breathless laugh even though he knows this had nothing to do with her and everything to do with his stubborn ship.
"Maybe." He concedes, but he doesn't make to pull away. They simply stare at one another, time rotor pulsing as the floor hums beneath their feet.
And before he knows it, he's kissing her, pushing her up against the console like his life depends on it, greedy hands traversing her body, seeking out every delicious curve and crevice. River groans into his mouth, hands tugging violently at his shirt, not even bothering to undo the buttons. He breaks away to sink his teeth into her neck, the sounds of her guttural moans bouncing off the walls as buttons ping and scatter across the console floor.
"Doctor?" She speaks softly, and he swallows against a dry throat, pushing those images away and trying to focus on thoughts of relativity and time rotors and zig zag plotters and blue boringers.
"Yes, River?"
Her breath is velvet on his cheek and he represses the urge to shiver as she says, "We're here."
"Yes," he breathes, feeling a little dizzy. "We are."
"No," River stares up at him, smiling softly. "I mean we've landed."
"Oh," He shakes the fog away from his hazy brain, grabbing her hand as he steps back. "Well then, what are you waiting for? Let's go."
"Shouldn't we see where we are first?" River asks, laughing lightly as she lets him pull her along.
"Does it matter?" He cajoles, skipping his way to the exit.
They pause by the doorway, and when he looks down at her, there's a soft smile spreading across her features. "No," River exhales. "I guess not."
And with that, he swings open the door.
