“You feel beautiful.” He told her quietly. He couldn’t see her, but he could still feel the contours of her face, and the smoothness of her skin. “I wish I could see you.”
“Maybe its supposed to be this way.” She whispered “you see me one last time on Darillium and the once more when I….” she broke off, her voice wavering. “I’ve gone back to the university. I’m heading off on a research trip in a few months actually, you would like it. A library planet suddenly empty, it should be exciting.”
“A…library planet?” The Doctor swallowed hard. “Maybe you could…put off the trip for a while…I need you.” He admitted. “I can’t do this, I can’t be blind, I can’t deal with anything. I need you.”
River felt a pang of guilt and pain at his words. He so rarely admitted to needing anything, much less help. “We have the TARDIS. I can be back at the university five minutes ago.” She promised him. “Why are you here? Where is the TARDIS? Do you want to go somewhere?”
“I just…I have to stay here. I took an oath. I have to stay here for a thousand years.” He answered quietly. “I can’t be blind for a thousand years, River. Please. I need you.”
River took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she tried to get her head around everything. “I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. You have me.” She promised. “I’ll stay here with you.”
The Doctor sighed softly. “I’m sorry….you don’t have to stay and look after this blind old fool. I just need….someone.”
“I want to stay” River insisted firmly, her hands moving to gently frame his face, her heart breaking. “I want too, I want any and all time I can get with you. I’ll put off the library exhibition as long as you need and want me.”
He tilted his head slowly into her hands, closing his eyes. Not that closing them made a difference. “Thank you.” He whispered. “Thank you for everything.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for.” River insisted, sighing as she moved to pull him into a tight embrace. “Can I get you something to eat?”
“Yes, anything. I haven’t been able to make myself anything for a few days.” The Doctor returned the hug hesitantly.
"Where's the TARDIS? You can wait here and I'll go make us something." She offered, hesitating slightly as she pulled back. She didn't want to leave his embrace, she had missed it so much.















