A/N: Hello, you all! : ) So this one is a youger Doctor, most likely early season 6. And it's a post WORS River, as most of these will be. This chapter is for Daisiella13, who wanted me to write another chapter like Chapter 14, Heart. It was requested that I write about a younger Doctor not realizing that he's in love with River. Also, in case it's not clear, most of this story, in the italics, is between two parts, or thought processes, in the Doctor's mind. Enjoy!
18: Explosion: sudden burst of emotion, a sudden release of intense feeling such as anger or love
He brought his hand to his hearts when River walked in the room. He hadn't meant to, it was instinctive. He'd felt something.
What is that? That feeling? My hearts! They're not supposed to feel like that! The Doctor thought, panicking.
He watched as she looked at something on the console scanner. His hearts felt like they were… exploding. It felt weird, almost like they were hurting because of the intense emotion they carried, the emotion that he couldn't even put a name on.
They're not supposed to do that! I don't like this! What is she doing to me?
She's not doing anything to you, you idiot. It's called emotion, and you're doing it to yourself. The other part, the realistic part, of his mind thought.
No! Why would I be feeling emotion because River Song walked in? The first him, in denial, thought.
Hmm, I don't know. He thought, getting sarcastic with himself. You're falling for her!
I am not falling for that woman! She does nothing to make me feel this way!
Look at you, you're so dense! Look how thick you are! 900 years of experience and you can't even realize when you're in love.
I am not in love! Why would I be in love with her?
The hand he held right under his bow tie clutched at his chest even tighter as the feeling intensified.
What IS that? The first him repeated.
Just hold her hand and get it over with, will you? You should be happy about this! She's smart, beautiful, AND she time travels.
NO! Still in denial, the original thought process argued back.
You're missing all of the signs! Look at the way she flirts with you, the way she looks at you. There's something going on there.
There is absolutely NOTHING going on. She's just a friend, nothing more.
And the way she acted towards you at the Library? The second him, ever the realist, pointed out.
She's just a companion. A very, very close companion.
You're still not seeing. I'm not surprised. You just don't want to see, do you?
No, I do not want to see! I do not want to be in love with River!
Well too bad, it's a bit late for that! And yes, you do want to be in love with her! Listen to the beating of your hearts when she comes anywhere near you, or watch the way you walk just a bit closer to her than you do to other companions. You're so protective of her, and you even flirt with her. Voluntarily, may I add.
Ugh, fine! I get the point already, now leave me be!
You're still in denial.
Yeah, whatever.
Say it. Say you love her.
I am not saying that!
Fine, at least think it.
The first him let out a mental 'humph!' I may, possibly maybe in a way, have feelings for River Song. There. Happy now?
Very. Now you just have to say it to her.
I am NOT-
"Sweetie?" River interrupted, looking over from where she stood at the console, a smile on her lips.
"Yes?" the Doctor replied, his voice hoarse. He immediately cleared his throat to try and hide it.
"Are you all right?" She indicated the hand he had placed over his hearts. He stared, knowing that she knew exactly what was going on.
"I, uh… Of course. It's just that I, um… I seem to have lost an argument with myself." This was one argument, however, that he didn't mind losing.