Epilogue
River placed the steaming cup into the Doctor's hands. Their fingers touched for a moment, lingering. She treated the Doctor to one of her bright smiles. Although River generally hated stereotypically feminine domestic work, she was pleased to make a cup of tea for the Doctor.
It had been an hour since coming back from that strange event from with the time key. After a shower and a rest and some explanations for Amy before dumping her on a planet with Rory, River and the Doctor could finally talk openly. "You've been looking very thoughtful, Doctor" said River in a sympathetic and understanding tone, "what's on your mind?"
The Doctor shifted in his seat. He let his eyes roam and he fidgeted for a minute before answering. "It's just that lately I've been saying that time can be rewritten. But in the case of the Time War it can't – it just goes against all that I've known and lived by."
Cuddling up to the Doctor's side, River placed an arm on his shoulder. "Honey, you do rewrite the future – all the time. You do it well, always sticking to your principles and upholding justice. It's like the Time Lord leader said, some things you need to let go on their natural course."
Staring off into space, still in deep thought the Doctor continued, "I just don't think that the Nurse and the lock is the… just how could they … why can't it be rewritten - there must be something I'm missing."
Leaning in closer, River persisted, believing every word she said and speaking sincerely, "The Nurse made sure that the future of the Universe could be rewritten. Look at it on a massive scale, no Daleks, no pollution from the war leaking into space, and you. You help the Universe. She ensured that it would be safe. I cannot imagine the Universe functioning without you."
Trying not to take advantage of the Doctor in his current state, but unable to deny her feelings, River turned the Doctor's face so he looking at her, into her. "I can't image the Universe without you." said River, slowly and passionately.
The Doctor smiled, somewhat stoically, but generally happy. "You know," he said, "we may not have found a real time key, but I think I found another key."
"Oh," said River, smiling, "now what key would that be?"
The Doctor looked at her, "The key to your heart." He laughed a little crazily then said, "But all of this nonsense about keys is going to drive me mad."