A/N: Wow, two updates in one day! I was having fun with this word, I got really into it. This one is set directly after TATM. Reviews are always and completely appreciated. Also, as a side note, this is a word my friend gave me. Enjoy!

7: Façade- A false, superficial, or artificial appearance or effect

"River." The Doctor and River were sitting in the Tardis living room after he had finished reading Amy's afterward in Manhattan. It had been an exhausting day, both physically and emotionally, but he needed to address something important with his wife. "Why do you always have some sort of façade?"

She looked over at him for a long moment before looking away. "I don't know what you mean."

"River, please. Just… please. Tell me. I know you more than anyone, and I know that you know what I'm talking about. Tell me, please. Do this for me."

She sighed and thought for a while before talking. When she did talk, her voice was quiet, low, and uncharacteristically her. "I don't want to see you hurt."

"River… Why would I be hurt by you?"

She sighed again, slowly, wishing she was anywhere else but right there having that particular conversation. "Not by me, just…" She trailed off.

"'Hide the damage.' Why?"

"Because you know that I'm human, and even if I'm part Time Lord, that doesn't make me invincible." Her tone was cross, and she quickly looked away after realizing it.

There was a pause.

"I don't understand," he said, almost desperately.

"No, you don't," she replied, gently this time.

The Doctor stood and walked to where she was sitting, kneeling in front of her. He took both of her hands in his. "Then help me. Explain to me what I don't get."

She stared at him for a time, contemplating whether or not she should go on. Finally, she spoke, putting emphasis on each and every word. "There will come a time- it may a few hundred years from now and it may be next week, we won't know- when I will be gone. I'll be gone both in my timeline and in yours. And you know that. It's obvious enough; it's the same with every companion. But… with me it's different. We're married, I'm not just anyone to you. When we're together, and something happens, or almost happens, it reminds you that one day I'll just cease to exist in this universe, and you won't see me. And it scares you half to death."

He knew what she was talking about more than she could imagine.

"River-"

"Don't deny it, I know it's true. I know you more than anyone; that's the same thing you said about me. I know that it scares you, and I don't want it to. I don't want to do something and have you worry about me. I don't want you to get hurt because I'm hurt… I don't want anyone to think they have to watch over me and look over my shoulder all the time in case I get myself into trouble, I don't want anyone to think I can't fend for myself. I'll go when I go, I'll die when I die. It's going to happen one day, and I know that, I accept that. So what's the point in being careful? Things are going to happen sometimes, they always do. I just don't want to have anyone worry about me. Because I know what I'm doing, I'm a big girl. I don't want to scare you, or make you keep me at a distance so you don't get hurt. So that I don't get hurt."

"River… I would never do that. You know that, you know me. That's not me."

"Don't tell me that you're not scared of something happening."

"Of course I'm scared of something happening to you; you're my wife, you're everything I am. What would I do with myself if I didn't have you?"

"Exactly. This is why. This is why I hide the damage." She made to get up, but he pulled her back down, cupping her face in hands so she couldn't look away from him. Before he could speak, she continued. "You would go on. Promise me that when I'm gone you'll go on, you'll find someone to show you the universe."

"River Song. Melody Pond. Always. I will always do as you ask me. But for now… I have you. Always and completely will I have you, you will never go away. Not completely. And I will always be protective because you are my wife, and I… I love you. I don't want to see you hurt, like you don't want to see me hurt. Promise me that there will be no more façades. Promise you'll be honest with me."

"If you promise to do the same, my love."

"For you… I could do anything." He pulled her close and hugged her, closing his eyes.

"I promise you my world."