The Doctor tried to calm his breaths as River finally decided it was time to release him. He looked at her with mild surprise; though she looked as shocked as he did. With a reassuring smile he held her more tightly in his arms. Never before has he felt this way about anyone. Without really knowing who she was he felt as though he'd known her forever. He didn't feel superior with his vast knowledge of the universe, she knew equally if not more than he did, he respected that. He could count on River to be there, just as much as she could count on him to catch her every time she leapt out of a spaceship, or to come running after she'd written all over the oldest cliff face in the universe... in Old High Gallifreyan of all languages. He sighed,
"River..." he began.
"Hush," she whispered pressing a finger firmly to his lips. That man, he never knew when to be quiet. He slowly raised his hand to tangle his fingers in her soft hair. After laying a gentle kiss on her forehead he held her contently in his arms, watching the stars and enjoying the feeling of her being so close at last.
The Doctor gave a long and meaningful yawn before reaching for the empty soda bottles beside them.
"River...?" he whispered, "River we need to get going... River?" He strained his neck to catch a glimpse of her face. The exhausted Time Traveller had fallen asleep, right there, safely in the arms of her Doctor. He looked about in mild panic for anyone to help him. He looked back down to River, a thoughtful expression washing over his features.
"Oooft..." he panted after finally standing with her in his arms, "... definitely... more running..." he clicked his fingers and the Tardis door swung open slightly, he nudged it the rest of the way with his foot trying not to overbalance as he carried River inside. The Doctor was finally able to lay her down on one of the soft beds in one of the Tardis' many sleeping quarters. The Doctor sat beside her for a moment and stroked her hair gently; she was very beautiful when she wasn't ordering him about. He smiled to himself before finding his feet, after one last glance and a grin he turned out the light and left his angel to sleep.
He returned to the console working his way slowly around the controls, the last hint of his smile still lingered on his lips. He glanced a moment in the direction of where River was surely still sound asleep. Reaching down he pressed the blue stabilisers and allowed the Tardis to move silently back into space. Certain that the Tardis would just cruise peacefully and easily through the darkness he turned and sat on the small sofa in front of the controls. He absentmindedly bit his lip as his thoughts washed over him. He needed to avoid the trip to the Singing Towers with River for as long as he possibly could. Their time had just begun... their song... only just beginning to sing. He couldn't lose her to that library... that ridiculous library. He closed his eyes tightly and grimaced. He couldn't live through her death twice. He'd tear down all of time and space to prevent it. But could he really rely on his younger, inexperienced self to save the most important woman in all of time? He'd lived it... and the answer was crystal clear.
From his pocket he took out his old damaged sonic screwdriver and pondered over it for a short while twirling it elegantly between his long fingers. He knew what needed to be done. He just had no idea where to start. It would take a very long time to construct the screwdriver he'd seen in the library, especially from the mangled device he now held in his hand. Time was what he needed... which was the one thing he now found he no longer owned. He dropped the screwdriver loosely by his side and frowned, staring blankly at the centre of the console. Surely there was a way, a way to change it all, a way to save her. With his other hand he reached into his inside pocket and removed his new screwdriver, he studied it with interest before looking suspiciously at the Tardis console. His eyes moved between the two screwdrivers, his mind could practically be heard ticking. The Doctor got to his feet and moved to lean on the console with his elbows, a screwdriver in each hand. He pressed the button down firmly on his new screwdriver; it buzzed and lit up its usually green colour. Slowly he began to move them together, tip to tip.
"What are you doing?"
The Doctor nearly jumped out of his skin, dropping the damaged device into the console. He tried to catch it desperately but it had gone. Dropping to the floor he tried to see beneath the console, perhaps it had fallen through onto the floor. The Doctor jumped to his feet and turned around, new screwdriver in hand to face a still sleepy looking River.
"I...," he swallowed hard. In his mind he was ready to say. 'Oh nothing... just figuring out how to stop you dying in a deserted library ... which exists solely in a child's mind... the usual...' What came out was slightly different, "Errmm..." he mumbled, "I thought you were sleeping?"
"Not anymore," she yawned in reply. The Doctor considered her carefully. How long had she been standing there? She rubbed her hands together,
"Doctor it's cold in here..."
"I hadn't ... noticed... here," he removed his jacket and put it around her shoulders. River slipped her arms into it then wrapped them around his middle. She leant her head against his chest and let out a content sigh. The Doctor's his chin rested gently on her head. How was he going to get that damn screwdriver out of the console now? He rolled his eyes then closed them tightly in frustration. How could he have just... dropped it like that?
He rubbed his hands up and down River's back in an attempt to warm her up.
"You look shattered..." he said finally, "... I could do with a lie down... I'll keep you company"