The next morning Amy and Rory woke to the sound of the TARDIS. Not even bothering to dress, they shot downstairs in their bathrobes to meet him, locking River's door on their way down.
Amy opened the door before he could knock and was surprised to see his eyes were swollen and puffy.
"Doctor? Have you been crying? What's happened?" she asked, pulling him into a hug.
"We need to talk." he said seriously.
Frowning, she invited him in and they sat in the front room.
"Amy, Rory, I have done something so...incredibly stupid." he started, not able to look them in the eye. "River's gone. Forever."
There was silence as a confused Amy and Rory looked at each other, startled and confused.
"Well, of course she's gone, Doctor. She's on an expedition. But it's only for a few days." Rory said carefully.
"No, listen. The Library was so very long ago for me. I-" he choked, lips quivering and tears pooling in his eyes. "That was the first time I met River. I broke her heart. I didn't know who she was at all but she new me so well and-" he stopped again, letting out a sob and wiping his eyes.
"Doctor..." Amy said hesitantly, feeling sick to her stomach. "What happened at the Library."
His head was in his hands and his shoulders shook with sobs. Amy and Rory looked back and forth nervously. They'd just dropped her off last night. Their daughter and grandchild. What was going to happen? Or, more accurately, what was happening right now, on a distant planet full of every book ever written?
"Doctor, please." Rory said softly, drawing the man's attention.
He looked up and opened his mouth.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so very sorry."
He didn't have to say anything else. Instantly, Rory was on his feet, pacing and running his hands through his hair, and Amy burst into tears.
"No. Please..."