After her initial shock and questions (and one threat), River finally accepts it.

He's navigating the TARDIS while she continues to stare at him, as if he's a treat she didn't know she had left.

He turns. "So, what do you think?"

She snaps out of it. "Of what?"

"My new body." He straightens his lapels a bit, feeling slightly self conscious (which is odd- since when does he care what anyone thinks?) as she glances at his outfit.

The smile she gives him may make his knees feel weak. "Oh, I don't know." The glint in her eyes is predatory as the sidles closer to him. "I've only seen the face."

This body isn't one for touching- in fact, he's been adverse to any hugging or physical contact. He wasn't sure how he would deal with it when River found out. Unfortunately, he still doesn't feel that strong urge to cuddle his wife.

Then again, after she grabbed his hand when they were running from the explosion, he had felt more.. inclined to touch her.

So he does it again, reaching out for her left hand. River looks down at their joined hands while he examines the ring.

"This is for me, correct?" He murmurs, running his thumb over the band of metal.

"Of course."

"Good." He peers into her face, searching her eyes to make sure she still has that look in her eye- the look she has always given him, even when he was young and foolish, when he wasted time avoiding her reaching for his hand and warm gazes. 

He makes sure she still loves him.

When he finds what he's looking for, he reaches his hand up- albeit hesitantly, to rest on her cheek. "This body isn't too good with affection," He admits.

She shakes her head. "It's alright. I'm sure we can make do."

He strokes her cheek with his thumb. "You can make up for it, hm?"

River surges up on her toes. "Certainly," she mumbles against his lips, before finally closing the gap.

After the initial "oh there's something on my face" reaction, he tries to sink into it, moving his lips against hers slowly, even biting her bottom lip before soothing it over.

His last body was more one for faster, clumsy passion. Now, this one suddenly wants to drag it out, whisper sweet nothings into his wife's ear, kiss her until neither of them can breathe. He wants to hold her closer, now that he's gotten used to it, wants to run his fingers through her hair and tell her again and again that he loves her.

He pulls away slowly, regretfully.

"Later," He says. "We have somewhere to be. Do Grandpa a favor and put on something red?"

-------------

She can't tell where they are, he knows. The Doctor refuses to tell her yet, and she's been examining the architecture as they make their way across. The sky is dark and cloudy, so it's difficult to tell where they are from the stars. The buildings aren't necessarily unique where they are now- these are the simpler ones, made for durability, not to look at. They resemble practically every other humanoid race's typical buildings, so it's difficult to pinpoint who built them. She may have been able to figure it out by now, but he doubts it. He's been careful to make sure she won't, not yet. The suns will rise soon, and then she'll understand.

They're in the Citadel- normally it'd be teeming with Time Lords, the marketplace full and bustling, children racing around. But it's the one night of the week ( a Sunday) designated as the one for sleep. He's said that he doesn't need sleep, but even galifreyans need a couple hours a week to function at their best. They'll all wake up at dawn, rushing into the main city. Which is in- he checks his watch- five minutes. Thankfully, they're almost there.

He stops her by the far wall. "Here," He says, pressing a button. "we're going up."

The elevator ride is short (it's more like a teleport than an elevator, to be honest), and he gently pulls her into the 60th floor- which is more like one giant balcony.

"I really wish you'd just tell me where we are." She says, peering over the edge. It's still too dark to see anything, though when the sun rises the view will be spectacular.

"What's the fun in that?"

"A happy wife is a happy life. Didn't anyone ever tell you that?"

He rolls his eyes, even though she probably can't see it. "Just wait, dear. Any second now.."

The first rays of light from the rising sun creep over the terrain, slowly illuminating the orange terrain. It looks a brilliant burnt red in the light, bursting in his eyes, and even he feels a tug on his heart. The city below is waking up, a low hum coming from the houses as spouses and children wake and greet each other.

The light finally climbs to the balcony, and he tears his eyes from the scene to look at his wife.

Her curls look even more magnificent in the sun, as if she were one herself. Her eyes are sparkling, the greenness magnified even more by the wetness that has gathered there and the second sun making its appearance to the west.

"Oh, sweetie," She breathes out, and his hearts may stop slightly-he hasn't realized how much he's missed the endearment. "This is..."

He smiles again (funny how often he's doing that with her around) and looks back over his planet.

With River beside him, it feels more like a home.

They climb down after another good snog, River tugging on his hand and insisting that she has a look, the archeologist in her wanting to see if the stories are true, if the culture is the same, if it's really like he's described it to her. He grumbles a bit about being rushed, but it's good natured and her enthusiasm is quite possibly the most endearing thing about her.

At the first Time Lord they see River stops in her tracks.

(Un)surprisingly, the first thing she says is "My God, that headdress is atrocious".

The woman hears her and scowls as she passes by. River just chuckles.

"And here I was thinking you were exaggerating the horrible dress sense." She murmurs as they continue walking, passing a few more dressed in the long, flowing red robes.

"It's not as bad in the actual city. Only councilmen have to wear the whole getup all the time." He stops in front of a set of doors. "Now, are you still fluent in galifreyan?"

---------

The street isn't too crowded yet, though people are flowing in at an increasing rate.

River stays close by, acting uncharacteristically... dare he say shy?

"Doctor," She's staring at a small shop- a treat shop, actually, "what's that?"

"A shop. Sells the best Guiers I've ever had, though. Want to get some?"

River arches a brow at him. "You have currency?"

He grins. "One of the best things about the Citadel- you don't need any. Everyone has to contribute to society, and everyone benefits. Of course, naturally it's not perfect and there's a ridiculous amount of corruption every couple of years, and outside the Citadel everyone thinks it's stupid, but you do get free treats. Come along."

River followed him into the candy shop.

"Two Guiers, if you don't mind." He says to the man behind the counter, who is distractedly throwing together a dessert of some kind.

"Sure. I have some extras in the oven already. Should be out in a minute," He calls over his shoulder.

"Let's sit," He leads her to a small hovering table.

She's still looking around them when she slides in next to him, so he braces himself and takes her hand. (It's alright- this time isn't as hard as the first.) "So," he nudges her gently, "what do you think?"

"Oh, it's wonderful, sweetie."

He'd be lying if he said a surge of pride doesn't well up inside him. "Yeah, well. The High Council are usually the only ones I have problems with. The rest are.." He glances around at his people, bustling around, exchanging smiles, talking amongst themselves about different things, brilliant scientific theories and your ordinary gossip. "extraordinary."

She looks up at him, gauging his face. This one is easier to read than his last- he can't control his expressions and thoughts as well as he used to. "Why did you leave? Really?"

"I.." He swallows, avoiding her gaze. "We shouldn't talk about this now. Later," He promises.

She doesn't look like she's happy about it, but she doesn't press the issue.

With perfect timing, a worker brings up their food. "Two Guiers, sir..." His voice trails off when he sets them down on the table, staring at the Doctor.

"You're..." His eyes widen. "You're back."

The Doctor presses a finger to his lips and nods, and the worker walks away, to his credit only looking back over his shoulder once.

"Here," He hands her the dish. "try it."

---------

Once he's treated her to all of his old favorite places (next was a diner, then an antique shop, and then an old parts shop), she pulls him to the side of the street and faces him. "Dear, this has been wonderful. Really, I'm happy that you've found it, you know that," She gives him a look, "but you haven't looked for your family yet, have you?"

He shrugs. "Not really, no."

"Shouldn't you?"

He looks away from her. "And say what? My wife is dead, my children are dead. If their children are still alive, what do I say? Sorry, I ran away and abandoned you instead of staying and grieving?"

River gives him a firm look. "You need to sort it, you know you do. If you don't, you'll forever regret it."

She's right, and he knows it, but seeking them out is daunting. "I'll do it later," He says.

"Liar."

"Damn it." The Doctor mutters. "Fine, I'll go. But you're coming with."

"What?" Her brows crinkle. "No, no, I shouldn't. I'll wait in the TARDIS, and you-"

"That's the deal-breaker, Song." He informs her, crossing his arms. "And after, we get back to sight-seeing. I haven't even shown you the best places outside the Citadel."

She smiles at him, again (they're very lenient with the smiles today), "Alright. Let's go say hello to your grandchildren."

----------

He reaches out for her hand, almost without thought.

"I don't think I'm ready." He tells her, hand poised to knock.

She shakes her head. "That's the thing. No one ever is."

[A/N. I'm not sure about this one... but I posted it anyway because God knows I need to quit writing stuff and then refusing to post it. But it is shorter. Sorry about the time skips... I just thought it'd be better to have those than have the story be all choppy and boring in between.

Merry Christmas, everyone!]