River landed the TARDIS expertly. By this time, the Doctor had some of her strength back. She felt less polluted, as though simply being back in the ship had a healing and restorative effect. "I have no idea how you managed to get me out," she said, staring at the floor. "But I'm so grateful to you, River."
Her wife, in contrast, made direct eye contact. "Sweetie, I know a thing or two about escaping a high-security prison. And it's a pretty selfish gesture on my part, honestly - I just wanted some more time with you." Time was the one thing that their relationship had never truly had. "I had heard the rumours that your last regeneration was rather unusual, and you know me," her eyes twinkled. "I'm always curious about these things. The new look is fascinating."
The Doctor stared at the floor again, a gentle blush creeping lightly across her cheeks. River found it utterly adorable, but the Doctor just became increasingly embarrassed. "Anyway, my darling, " River continued, "We're going to be hiding out here for a while, as we're both technically intergalactic fugitives. We may as well enjoy it." she grinned and glanced at one of the TARDIS screens. "Just as I thought. We're in Scotland - you always did like it there - and it's a rare warm Spring day." River tugged on a large backpack, took her wife's arm, and led them into the sunshine.
A bucolic scene greeted them. They were in the countryside, surrounded by lush fields. The air was fresh and unpolluted, the nearby gorse bushes filling the air with a heady, sweet scent. The Doctor smiled a little as she heard some swallows chirping loudly. For now, she could just wind down and try to enjoy the moment. And she was finally able to spend some time with her wife again.
River was enjoying the contented look on the Doctor's face. This new regeneration had the most innocent, kindly face she had ever come across. She was all the more attractive for her courage, strength and determination. Shaking away these thoughts, River laid down a picnic blanket on the grass. "I assumed you would be starving, so I brought a few things along. I know how disgusting that prison food is!" She laughed lightly, and took some boxes out of her backpack. "I brought a flask of tea - but also wine, in case your tastes had changed. Selfishly, I hope they have. Oh, and a whole packet of custard creams!"
The Doctor sat down awkwardly on the blanket, distancing herself slightly from River. She greedily gulped down the tea and ate too many custard creams at once, coughing and spluttering. "Careful, sweetheart." River winked.
When she had finally finished eating, the Doctor's thirteenth regeneration looked at River. Her eyes were drawn to the wild, curly hair, and her constantly mischievous expression. River's outfit was as flamboyant as ever: she wore skinny black dungarees with dark brown, knee length boots. A leather jacket was slung casually over her bare shoulders. She smirked, obviously acutely aware of the attention and rather enjoying it.
"Quick question," the Doctor said. "How did you know where to find me?"
River glanced lazily at the sky, the sunshine twinkling lightly on her forehead. "You told me. Well, not you, clearly, but one of you. I would imagine in your future, but you know me. Always running out of time with you. Past or future, I never could tell."
The Doctor made a mental note to at some point in her future tell River to rescue her. Her wife continued: "Besides, you've rescued me often enough. Thought I could return the favour."
"And why was I in there in the first place?" The Doctor had a deeply concerned expression.
"Now," said River impishly, "That would be telling. Spoilers, my dear."
"So I was imprisoned for something I haven't done yet?"
River smiled, a little sadly. "It's a situation with which I am all too familiar."
They settled down, relaxing in the warm sunshine. Before the Doctor had a chance to protest, River shifted and rested her head on her wife's shoulder. One of her hands draped lazily across the Doctor's chest, rising and falling with her breathing. Eyes closed, they stayed like that in the warmth of this stunning afternoon.
They were startled to alertness by fearful shouting and screams in the distance. The Doctor jumped to her feet and watched the horizon. A quick scan from the sonic revealed the presence of seventeen alien life forms approaching. More sharp, harsh sounds echoed across the remote, still landscape: the language of the Judoon.
River considered this. "I'm surprised they found us this quickly. Impressive, really." She took our her gun, ever-present at her side. The two women glanced at each other, and at the TARDIS parked a little way ahead of them. They yelled in unison: "RUN!"