[ She's waiting for him when he's released from the infirmary (or has he escaped?). Never mind. It doesn't matter. She's waiting. Has she been waiting all the time they've managed to keep him? Of course not. That would mean she's been worried, and she's never that. The Doctor's fine. He's always fine, just as she is, so she's no need to worry.
Her eyes scan him carefully, trying to mask it with her usual flirtatious grin. Satisfied, she releases a soft breath she hadn't realized she'd held. ]
[ The Doctor is rolling his shoulders — testing the strength of the bandages, and perhaps the severity of his wound — when he emerges from the infirmary. He winces at the pain that shoots up the length of his arm, pinching at the place between his shoulder and said arm, and doesn't quite notice River until she speaks up.
At least he has the grace not to jump. ]
River.
[ His expression brightens, partially to hide any moment of weakness, and also because he genuinely is happy to see her. ]
Ah. Yes, just a scratch.
[ He's fine, because he's always fine. ]
Didn't see you when we all got back here from Vrefesea Station.
[ She catches that wince, her brow creasing in a frown, but she doesn't comment. He's fine, up and walking. Just a scratch. She nods, entirely to reassure herself and lets her fingers brush his before pulling herself back again. ]
You had more important things to worry about, Sweetie. I would have only gotten in the way.
[ And she does a fair job of hiding her guilt behind careful words and an even more careful smile. ]
[ Please. His tone is admonishing for that slight on herself; it comes out in the form of a huff of breath but he nods to the latter, mostly because he wants the company.
(Otherwise he's absolutely, perfectly fine, you see. He isn't a wilting flower, he won't fall over or anything like that. Right as rain, in fact.) ]
Oy! In my defense, I really didn't think he was going to actually stab me! Although I suppose I was trying to knock the lights right out of him. It all went by really quite fast.
[ Which is saying something for the timelord who can remember every agonizing second of the day when he's forced to live through it the normal way forward.
He gently bumps shoulders (the good one, not the one still begrudgingly requiring a bit of recovery time) with her. ]
I will always worry about you, River. And I'll always ask after you.
[ She very kindly refrains from rolling her eyes because she does know how he got himself into this mess and why. ]
Darling, I'm afraid you're not the sort to knock the lights out of anyone. You're more the sort who...talks nonsense until they've decided you really aren't worth stabbing after all.
Well — yes, I suppose. [ He sees that now, though it hasn't truly been that long since he's thrown a punch, has he?
Or maybe it has. Maybe he ought to take up some sort of punching lessons. They do that, don't they? There are likely to be many in their team who would lend him a punchy-hand, in fact. But no — no, River's right; he really isn't that sort at all. ] I was trying something new! And those things weren't really going to listen to me anyway, they were really rather forward.
[ He gestures to himself. ]
Hence the stabbing bit.
[ He sighs. ]
Suppose I was lucky it didn't hit one of my hearts. Last time I went on with only one, it was rubbish.
[ She might sigh and roll her eyes and mutter in frustration about his lack of interest in weapons as he got older and his insistence on talking above direct violence, his refusal to so much as properly defend himself, but she would be horrified if he suddenly decided to take up fighting. ]
You were lucky.
[ She says it more firmly than he has, more pointedly, a small remnant of her worry.
Her voice softens, her fingers warm against his arm. ]
You know, Doctor, we're pretty good at taking care of ourselves, and she has so many people looking out for her.
[ The things controlling Newt had their hands wrung tight around her throat, and he thinks they would have done it too — would have strangled the breath right out of her if they didn't use that knife of theirs first. Either way, they'd lured her in and would have finished the job if he hadn't meddled, he's certain of it, and meddling is something he finds himself doing more often than not. He's really rather good at it, too. Even if he ... might have gotten himself a bit stabbed this time around.
Still.
He glances in River's direction, his own expression softening. There's the slightest hint of teasing when he pats her hand with his free one, the movement causing his bad arm to smart a little. He does his best not to wince too much, but he's always been the worst patient. ] I'd do the same thing if it were you, you know.
[ She takes a breath, fingers tightening on his arm like she might protest. But it will do her no good when it comes to this. Her expression is fond, though, her admonishment lacking any real heat. ]
Stubborn. I'll never forgive you if you get yourself killed.
[ There's an edge of sincerity to her voice, but her eyes glimmer with amusement. ]
I thought we'd rather established grand sacrifices are my job.
[ Then almost soothingly, ] Let someone else do it next time.
Well. Then I'll just have to be sure to avoid any sort of killing that comes my way, won't I?
[ Because between the actual being killed, and being met with River Song's scorn for the rest of eternity, he'll surely pick the former than the latter.
And he taps the very tip of her nose, as is his usual playful way, for good measure. ]
How about we all collectively agree that we try not to get ourselves killed before we can figure out this whole orbs business, eh?
But they've arrived now at their room, and he is feeling just a little less energetic than usual — which is rubbish, really; downright annoying. He'd rather be out and about and doing all sorts of things, but this tetchy, itchy wound must be healed the long way forward lest he risk blowing up this whole station with an uncontrolled burst of regeneration energy that could send him right into his last moments. ]
Right. Yes. [ He huffs. ] Rest. I'll do just that. What will you do now?
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Her eyes scan him carefully, trying to mask it with her usual flirtatious grin. Satisfied, she releases a soft breath she hadn't realized she'd held. ]
Only a little worse for wear.
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At least he has the grace not to jump. ]
River.
[ His expression brightens, partially to hide any moment of weakness, and also because he genuinely is happy to see her. ]
Ah. Yes, just a scratch.
[ He's fine, because he's always fine. ]
Didn't see you when we all got back here from Vrefesea Station.
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You had more important things to worry about, Sweetie. I would have only gotten in the way.
[ And she does a fair job of hiding her guilt behind careful words and an even more careful smile. ]
Let me walk you back to your room?
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[ Please. His tone is admonishing for that slight on herself; it comes out in the form of a huff of breath but he nods to the latter, mostly because he wants the company.
(Otherwise he's absolutely, perfectly fine, you see. He isn't a wilting flower, he won't fall over or anything like that. Right as rain, in fact.) ]
But you're all right, then?
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Me? I know how to stay out of the way of sharp objects.
[ Yes, yes, she's fine. Very little worse for wear. ]
You shouldn't worry about me, Doctor.
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[ Which is saying something for the timelord who can remember every agonizing second of the day when he's forced to live through it the normal way forward.
He gently bumps shoulders (the good one, not the one still begrudgingly requiring a bit of recovery time) with her. ]
I will always worry about you, River. And I'll always ask after you.
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Darling, I'm afraid you're not the sort to knock the lights out of anyone. You're more the sort who...talks nonsense until they've decided you really aren't worth stabbing after all.
[ Her hand at his arm squeezes gently. ]
But I'm sure it was a very valiant effort.
And thank you, Sweetie, but really, I'm fine.
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Or maybe it has. Maybe he ought to take up some sort of punching lessons. They do that, don't they? There are likely to be many in their team who would lend him a punchy-hand, in fact. But no — no, River's right; he really isn't that sort at all. ] I was trying something new! And those things weren't really going to listen to me anyway, they were really rather forward.
[ He gestures to himself. ]
Hence the stabbing bit.
[ He sighs. ]
Suppose I was lucky it didn't hit one of my hearts. Last time I went on with only one, it was rubbish.
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You were lucky.
[ She says it more firmly than he has, more pointedly, a small remnant of her worry.
Her voice softens, her fingers warm against his arm. ]
You know, Doctor, we're pretty good at taking care of ourselves, and she has so many people looking out for her.
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[ The things controlling Newt had their hands wrung tight around her throat, and he thinks they would have done it too — would have strangled the breath right out of her if they didn't use that knife of theirs first. Either way, they'd lured her in and would have finished the job if he hadn't meddled, he's certain of it, and meddling is something he finds himself doing more often than not. He's really rather good at it, too. Even if he ... might have gotten himself a bit stabbed this time around.
Still.
He glances in River's direction, his own expression softening. There's the slightest hint of teasing when he pats her hand with his free one, the movement causing his bad arm to smart a little. He does his best not to wince too much, but he's always been the worst patient. ] I'd do the same thing if it were you, you know.
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Stubborn. I'll never forgive you if you get yourself killed.
[ There's an edge of sincerity to her voice, but her eyes glimmer with amusement. ]
I thought we'd rather established grand sacrifices are my job.
[ Then almost soothingly, ] Let someone else do it next time.
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[ Because between the actual being killed, and being met with River Song's scorn for the rest of eternity, he'll surely pick the former than the latter.
And he taps the very tip of her nose, as is his usual playful way, for good measure. ]
How about we all collectively agree that we try not to get ourselves killed before we can figure out this whole orbs business, eh?
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You have yourself a deal. And don't think I won't hold you to it.
[ It's softly teasing except for the protective way her fingers dig into his arm. ]
You should rest, Sweetie.
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[ Not from her, especially.
But they've arrived now at their room, and he is feeling just a little less energetic than usual — which is rubbish, really; downright annoying. He'd rather be out and about and doing all sorts of things, but this tetchy, itchy wound must be healed the long way forward lest he risk blowing up this whole station with an uncontrolled burst of regeneration energy that could send him right into his last moments. ]
Right. Yes. [ He huffs. ] Rest. I'll do just that. What will you do now?
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Oh, you know me, Doctor. I've always got something in mind.
[ If she's currently somewhat adrift, it's nothing to worry him about. He has enough on his mind. ]
But I think I'll start with a walk.
[ Still smiling, she gives him a gentle nudge toward his bed. ]
I'll make sure you get settled in first.