THANKYOU TO JACKS MARIE FOR INFORMING ME THAT CHAPTER ONE WAS UNREADABLE THE PROBLEM HAS NOW BEEN SOLVED

TO MAKE UP FOR IT HERE IS CHAPTER 2

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

2 REVIEWS AND I WILL UPLOAD THE NEXT CHAPTER TOMMOROW INSTEAD OF THURSDAY

River awoke in the morning on the Console room floor, half sprawled across here husbands sleeping form.

'wow' she thought to herself that was an intense finale to the evening, by her husband's standards anyway. Usually there was passion yes, but more often that not there would be moments of childlike giggling from the Doctor, like he knows he is doing something he shouldn't be. Or blushes as he fumbled and stuttered unsure about himself. But last night there was none of that. Only pure animalistic, unbridled need, want and passion. What had gotten into him? Not that she minded. It just served as proof that the Doctor could always surprise her.

She was quickly pulled out of her thoughts by a low grunt from the man below her.

"hello sweetie" she purred in a sultry low voice

The Doctor rapidly blinked looking up at the mass of curls above him

"well hello…Mrs Robinson" he grinned followed by feigning a pout as River playfully punched him in the arm.

"well then what should we do today? I do have a few ideas but in case you have plans" he shrugged with a wiggle of his eyebrows suggestively

River rolled her eyes before swatting at him for a second time

"as much as I have a feeling, I know what your ideas are" she paused "I have things I need to prepare for my upcoming departure"

The Doctors mood immediately darkened. There was no need to feign a pout this time.

Sensing the Doctors spiralling mood, River pressed on "now sweetie don't pout, we knew this was coming. I have a job and responsibilities I need to attend to. So do you. You can't just lock yourself away from the universe because we are now linier...more or less. People still need the Doctors help"

That did nothing to alleviate the Doctors mood. He knew it was selfish, but why couldn't he be selfish sometimes? Why did it always fall to him to save people? it was surely someone else's turn by now. He had only just got her back and now he had to lose her again. It wasn't fair.

"what if they didn't?" he whispered, slightly surprised he had spoken the words aloud.

"sorry love what was that?" River was now standing by the console navigating the TARDIS into the Vortex and didn't quite catch what the doctor had said. She paused what she was doing and turned to the Doctor to give him her full attention.

"what if they didn't?" he repeated a bit louder and more confidently "what if I retired? Surely I've earned the right to a quiet life by now?"

River gave the Doctor a sad understanding look "then you wouldn't be the man I fell in love with sweetie" she didn't say it with malice or judgment. River understood better than anyone the toll a lifetime of running around the universe saving planets and species -even when some of them didn't deserve it- had taken on him. The pain of losing friends and companions. Never being able to lead a normal life. But she couldn't lie to him. She fell in love with the Doctor for his compassion and understanding, his kindness and ability to forgive. His resolve to always do the right thing even when it cost him dearly.

The Doctor sighed. He knew she was right but he could dream right?

"when do you go?"

"in two days my if it would make things easier I could go today?" She frowned, she didn't really want to but if it would make it easier emotionally on the Doctor not to delay then she would. After all why delay the inevitable "I have some things that need doing back at the flat before I go back to work anyway" she shrugged half heartedly.

The Doctor mulled this over for a moment, as much as he wanted to hold on to River as long as he possibly could a part of him knew the next two days would feel like a ticking clock. Counting down the seconds until he would ultimately lose her anyway. As painful as it was he knew deep down it was better to get the departure over with as soon as possible. Like ripping of a band aid.

"I guess that makes sense" still unsure of himself. "but…don't leave it to long this time okay? We are going in the same direction finally. There's no reason to be apart for longer than we need to" he sighed with a stiff but hopeful smile.

"oh, sweetie the devil himself couldn't keep me away" and she gave him one last kiss to the cheek before heading towards the TARDIS doors. With a glance over her shoulder and the most sincere grin she could muster she sang "until the next time sweetie" and departed.

The moment the doors closed behind his beloved the Doctors hearts sank, he wished he had been strong enough to tell her to stay, to believe he could endure the pain if it mean 48 more hours. But deep down he knew he couldn't do it, at least this way her departure was in their control, something that rarely happened. If they had waited, they would of been forced to say goodbye. There was nothing the Doctor hated more than having no control.

Luna University two weeks later

River had been feeling unwell for three days now and made a mental note that although a sea food planet sounds good on paper, in practice it probably isn't wise to go there for lunch again.

"Professor Song? Are you okay? You've been in there for half an hour now"

River could here the concerned voice of her PA coming from outside the bathroom stall.

River groaned to herself. 'That's all I need' she though. She was due to start her lecture 15 minutes ago and there was no way she was in any fit state to teach a whole lecture hall of students right now.

"I'm sorry miss Anderson I seem to be suffering with some kind of stomach bug. Would you be kind enough to dismiss my students for the day and cancel the rest of my appointments I think I should go home."

"oh… of course Professor" came a timid response from miss Anderson. It was highly unusual in the short time she had worked for the Professor to see her cancel appointments she noted. "don't worry about a thing you go home and rest and maybe to be on the safe side you should call your Doctor"

"hmmm…maybe that's not a bad idea" she mused to herself.

Tardis Console Room

The Doctor had been sulking for two weeks. He couldn't help it. he knew once River had left he should of picked up Clara. It never did him any good to travel alone, but he just couldn't face anyone right now. The only persons face he wanted to see was hers and if he couldn't then he would just wallow until the next time they ran into each other. He'd visited a couple of places and inevitably ran into some trouble as a result but the spark had gone. He was no longer interested in the thrill he found in travelling, so he sat the TARDIS suspended in the vortex while he moped about, much to the TARDISs dismay.

"Don't start." He grumbled at the old girl in response to her audible protests.

"I want to be alone. That's all" as he plonked himself down at the foot of the staircase.

Suddenly without prompting the time rotors started up by themselves

The Doctor incredulous, whipped his head around to face the centre console "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING!" the Doctor roared

Was the TARDIS really going through a rebellious streak he pondered.

Completely ignoring the Doctors furious outburst, the TARDIS continued her course and with a gentle thud -which was not entirely necessary but only served to make a point-she landed.

Even as angry as he was the Doctor couldn't help himself and stalked over to the scanner to see where the girl had taken him.

"what?" was all he could manage before the familiar sing song voice greeted him from the door.

"Hello sweetie"