"So you're inviting yourself to bed then...?" River smiled up at him.

"Well... I... I... Uhm... Yes... But... Well not necessarily... Not necessarily your bed..."

"... I never mentioned my bed Doctor..." She smiled widely as she left the Doctor tripping over his words and blushing a furious shade of red. He'd never in all his life encountered such a woman. She could make his blood boil just as easily as she could reduce him to fits of laughter. He took a step back to the console... now... if only he could salvage the screwdriver...

By attempting to save River's life he was going against every rule he'd ever lived by and every comment he'd made to his former companions...

"... it doesn't work like that... some events in time are supposed to happen... you can't go back and change the past," he voiced aloud in frustration, "What a load of rubbish... I mean... Hello... Time Lord... Lord of Time... Oncoming Storm... Time machine!" he cried waving his free hand at the Tardis, "Of course it works like that... Of course I... Ouch!" He snatched his hand back out of the console. He shook it wildly in the air before sealing his mouth over the scorch marks on his hand. He kicked the console in annoyance... a little too hard... He fell over, rolling around on the platform floor, one hand to his mouth, and the other holding his foot. Sometimes he was sure the Tardis just liked to mock him... stupid thing... half the time he wished he hadn't borrowed it ... without permission.

He ruffled his hair and sighed positioning himself back on the small sofa. Letting his braces fall from his shoulders he leaned back and stared up at the ceiling of the Tardis. Being brilliant was getting to be a real chore. After a moment the Tardis console spat out a steaming hot cup of Tea. The Doctor smiled taking hold of the handle.

"Thanks dear" He sipped it cautiously as he stood up. At least he could be understood occasionally. River was sat up writing in her diary when he entered her room.

"Spoilers I know," he whispered holding his hand up and sitting casually on the bed beside hers, "I'm not peeking" She closed it and tucked it carefully beneath her pillow and after putting the lid back on her pen she placed it on the small table beside her.

"So where are we now?" she asked quietly pulling her knees up to her chin and hugging them.

"I don't know... why are we whispering?" he whispered leaning forward towards her.

"I don't know..."

He held his cup out handle first towards her which she obediently took from him as he moved to sit next to her. With one foot firmly on the floor he stretched his other leg out on the bed beside her. He let his arm hang loosely around her shoulders.

"It's good tea..." he assured her watching her take a sip.

"You still don't know who I am to yet do you?"

"Not a clue... but you can travel with me anytime," he beamed. River smiled back up at him,

"Doctor..." she half whispered leaning up to put her lips against his ear, "... I want you to show me the stars..."

He closed his eyes smiling before looking straight into her shiny ones; "If you're quick" he replied leaping up and darting out to the console area. River finally caught up to him at the doors.

"Are you ready?" he asked unlatching the second door so as he could open them both simultaneously.

"Always," she breathed. The Doctor pulled the doors inwards and watched as River's eyes took in the beautiful sight before her. He'd looked outside those doors hundreds of times, there was nothing that could possibly interest him more than seeing River's amazed expression, able to see it all for the first time. He moved to stand behind her laying his hands gently on her hips.

"...You can... stand on the edge... to get a better view..." he said quietly as they shuffled forward slightly, "...Don't worry... I won't let you go..." River took hold of the door frame either side of her and leant out as far as she dared with the Doctor holding her safely in his grip.

"It's so beautiful..." she gasped watching as a star shot past them.

"It's not half as beautiful as you are..." he whispered in her ear before laying a gentle kiss on her neck.

"I could stand looking out here forever"

"Well... I'm not sure about that... forever is a long time..." he stood back as he took out his sonic screwdriver, "But I can...," he aimed out into the glittering darkness, "... do something else for you" He pressed the button firmly; the screwdriver extended to its full length and buzzed noisily, "Get me a jar..." he added leaning further out of the doorway.

Jar in hand River finally caught a glimpse of what was being pulled towards the Tardis. It lit up her face as the Doctor carefully settled it into the large glass Container River had fetched for him.

"A star," he said proudly, "But be careful... it's hot... and only keep it in a well ventilated area... or the light will go out" He placed it in her hands beaming at her, pride oozed from him. He'd never given anyone a star before.

"Sweetie it's..."

"...a star... I know," he beamed, "Good isn't it..."