A/N – In case you're interested, I've started a new fanfic about Peeta's time in the Capitol during Catching Fire of The Hunger Games Series. I know, I know, why would I write two different stories at the same time? - You may ask. Well, it's because I'm stupid ;) Anyway, I'm going to try to focus mostly on this story, because it's more important and I started it first.

Period Eight - A Change in Hearts

I have no idea what time it is, or what day. I've had no way of knowing how long I have been here. For all I know it's been a week, or just a day. I've found that a lot can happen in one day. You can regenerate in one day, for instance. Or cross between parallel universes that are never meant to be crossed. You can lose a friend in one day. You can murder thousands in one day. So many things that can be done in only 24 hours...And yet even after years of traveling with one person; once they get ripped from you...You realize that it wasn't enough time; that you wasted it. You realize how much you took for granted...How you wish you could hold them one more time...You wish you had told them how much you cared about them. But in the blink of an eye they're gone...And it's too late.

A hand on my arm makes me jump, and I turn to see River beside me, arm still outstretched. She doesn't question my nervousness. As I see her, something inside me aches...Because I've seen how River's life ends. I know how, when, and why she will die. And I also know that she will be alone...Alone because I will not know her. She will know who I am. She will know me fully and utterly, and yet I won't be there for her...I wish more than anything that I could change my past - her future. But I know more than anyone that I cannot alter my past. I wish I could...I wish...

"Sweetie," River says softly, caressing my arm soothingly. "Talk to me."

I shake my head and turn away from her. I can't tell her all the things that are bothering me. I can't explain how Clara's mysterious life is still nagging at me, or how guilt courses through me whenever I lay eyes on my wife.

River grips my arm more firmly and makes me face her. "It won't do you any good to keep things inside, and you know it."

"I just don't know what to do, that's all." I say.

River looks at me intently for a moment. "There has to be something we can do."

"There's nothing, River." I say bitterly. "There's no way of escaping this."

"Not with that attitude, there's not!" River snaps at me. I look at her, surprised by the change in mood.

"Listen, River-"

"No, listen to me, Doctor." She interrupts. "You're over 900 years old. You've fought countless aliens and humans alike. You've been in hundreds of tight spots before. This one is no different!"

A thought occurs to me. "River...Have you met me past this point?" I ask tentatively.

River shakes her head. "You know more than anyone that I can't tell you anything."

"I'm tired of letting that stop me, River! Can't I know just once if my friends are going to be taken from me?" My voice becomes desperate. "Please, if you know anything..."

"Listen to you!" River says, voice rising. My friends turn and stare at us, but River doesn't seem to care. "What has gotten into you? The Doctor I know wouldn't let something like this beat him! The Doctor I know wouldn't try to break the rules he's lived by all his life because he didn't know what to do!"

"Do you know how hard this is for me?" I shout angrily. "Do you know how often I've watched as my friends die, or forget, or leave? Do you know what that does to a man?"

"Yes, I do."

"Apparently you don't! Because that's what my life is, River! I already had all my friends taken from me, do you know what it would be like to have them come back, only to be snatched away again? So, yes, I'm willing to break the rules. Anything to protect the ones I care about! I thought you of all people might understand what it's like to hurt so much; to feel this desperate!"

"Don't you dare talk to me like that!" River says, also yelling. "You don't have to live your whole life knowing that you one you love the most will eventually not know you at all!"

"What are you talking about now?" I snap.

"You!" River screams in my face. "I'm talking about you, Doctor!"

"What?" I say, surprised.

"I live with the constant knowledge that soon enough you won't know me! And I'll see you, expecting to see that smile on your face whenever you see me...And you won't know me. Do you know what that does to a woman?"

I move forward and kiss River right on the lips. She's surprised by my sudden movement, but quickly regains her senses and kisses back. I put my hand on the back of her head, running my fingers through her wild hair, pulling her closer to me. I feel her hand reach behind my neck as we continue to snog, right there, in front of everyone.

"Get a room, you two." Mickey scoffs.

I pull away gently and rub my thumb against her cheek. "I'm sorry." I say simply, unsure of what else to add. River smiles at me lovingly, and I wonder - not for the first time - how close we become in my future.

"You better be." River whispers, her tone lighter than it was before. I give a little nod and take a step back. My eyes lock onto Rory's, and he raises an eyebrow at me disapprovingly. I give him a sheepish grin and turn away quickly.

"There has to be some way out." Amy says quietly.

"There's nothing, Amy." I sigh.

"There's got to be!" Martha says determinedly.

"I've thought of everything. Nothing works."

"Well, if there's one thing I know," Jenny says, coming up to me. "It's that soldiers never give up, no matter what situation."

"I'm not a soldier!"

"We've had this conversation before, Dad." Jenny remarks. I shake my head and turn away from her. They just don't get it...

"I've seen you beat Cybermen and Daleks," Mickey says seriously. "And we made it out every time. You're not going to let some tiny brained alien chick win you over are you?"

I think of all my friends, who never did anything to deserve this. It's my fault that they're here, and I know it. But inside I feel like kicking myself. General Atisha and the Kwana's haven't even done anything to hurt my companions, and here I am breaking apart, giving up...

"We don't walk away."

I turn at Clara's voice, clear and calm. Her face is set. "That's what you told me, Doctor. We don't walk away."

I look at her in silence for a moment. "No..." I say softly, shaking my head. "You're right. I don't walk away." I walk over to my friends, determination flowing through me.

Amy smiles and throws her arms around my neck. I laugh as I hug her, lifting her feet just barely off the ground, like I used to do all the time. I set her down and she looks me square in the face, a grin twitching on her lips. "So, Raggedy Man," She says cheekily. "What's the plan?"