Stepping out of the blue police box the Doctor breathed in deeply. River was a hard person to track down. His eyes took in his dim surroundings. A mop, a bucket... A cleaning cupboard... Typical.
"Why break a habit of a lifetime..." he grumbled pulling the door open. He found himself in a long curved corridor. The wall facing him was made up of solid glass windows, floor to ceiling. Outside he could see millions of stars spread neatly across space. He stepped up to it. The stars however were of no interest to him. He'd seen them all; and there would plenty of time to visit them all. No, what interested him more was his appearance. He played with his hair, flicked his fringe this way and that. Adjusted the bow tie to fit perfectly straight. He bared his teeth at his reflection, finally nodding in approval before rubbing his hand over his cheeks and chin. Well shaved as always. He twisted left then right examining his jacket, shirt and trousers. Raising his hand to sit on the top of his head he paused, "... Fez..." he whispered, "... Maybe later"
"Sweetie? What are you doing here?"
'Sweetie' he mouthed to himself with a frown before turning around. She was stood facing him, dressed in a white, one piece, full body suit; matching white helmet tucked under her arm.
"Tardis. Now," he demanded pointing to the cleaning cupboard door. There was no point in prolonging this. Time wasn't exaclty in excess after her unforseen departure. Her eyes narrowed in amusement at his attempt at a stern tone with her. She complied and entered the cupboard without question; then boarded the Tardis obediently.
"Now what?" she asked, as she turned her hair flicked about casually.
The Doctor glared at her a moment, not quite finding the words that he wanted to address her with.
"You left me," he sighed finally. He shook his head sadly, his eyes closed in a slow blink before looking straight into her soul... And it saddened her.
"Sweetie I..."
"Yes... The expedition. I know. But... Time Machine!" he cried throwing his arms around indicating to the Tardis around them, "Anywhere you want. Any. Time. You. Want. Just please... Stop running from me" River stared sadly back at him, his firm stare never faltered. Finally his features relaxed; with a flick of his wrist he aimed his screwdriver briefly at the doors.
"Doctor... Doctor what was that?" Her eyes darted between the doors and the Doctor.
He stepped up to the console, "Sorry River," his eyes looked her up and down casually as he started the Tardis. From the corner of his eye he could see her dart to the doors, "Deadlocked!" he called over the rumble of the Time Machine. She shook
"I hate you sometimes!" she yelled across at him. She gripped the rail to catch herself as the Tardis shuddered into action.
"I know!" The Doctor cried, his feet slipping from under him as he gripped the console.
The Tardis spun excitedly out of control. It threw the pair about as it veered off course, its own agenda in mind. The Doctor toppled backwards over the railing laughing uncontrollably.
"It's not funny!" River yelled clinging onto everything she could. Her helmet rolled away forgotten.
"It's brilliant!" the Doctor cried vanishing from her view, "Ohh Time Travel...!" River couldn't help but laugh at his legs in the air. The multicoloured socks weren't exactly sexy, "Right...!" His head bobbed up, his hair was strewn about his face, "Now then... A going away present..." He scrambled up, without bothering to correct his ruffled appearance he hopped over to the doors, stepped casually over River and opened them in his usual over dramatic fashion.
"HaHaa!" he cried stepping out into the light, "Brilliant... Just brilliant!"
Inside the Tardis River lay on her back staring up at the ceiling. She'd waited a long time to go on the expedition to the Library. It had taken 3 generations of the Lux family to crack the codes and open the Library which had been one hundred years silent. She sighed and swallowed hard. What worried her was the fact that the Doctor had developed a terrible habit of arriving late to every occasion presented to him. It suddenly dawned on her that that man, that horribly cringe worthy and impossible man, would probably be late for his own wedding and funeral. It was a good job she was there to keep him in line. She clambered up and followed him out through the open doors. The sight was incredible.
Two large towers stood tall, stretching high up into the clouds. The sun's reflection shimmered off brilliant white stones. The cone shaped tops were a deep red colour with wisps of white clouds encircling them. And the sound. River closed her eyes as the gentle notes surrounded her. The Doctor's voice broke her peaceful state.
"Darillium," he beamed leaning towards her as he spoke, "And those are..."
"...The Singing Towers," she whispered breathlessly.