The Singing Towers of Darillium

"So, where are we going?" River bounced to the Doctor, from the other side of the TARDIS console, the controls humming lightly.

He looked to her from the corner of his eyes, "nowhere," a grin edged his lips "Not in prison clothes, you're not." Her eyes lit up, as she ran off to the TARDIS wardrobe, the Doctor eyeing her closely and waiting for her to be completely out of sight before dropping his smile. His expression stiffened.

"Tonight's the night," he muttered. He took a deep, elongated breath, thinking back to the library. "You took me to see The Singing Towers of Darillium, oh what a night that was. The towers sang and you cried."

"Oooo! Doctor!," she called from the wardrobe, "so many dresses, I can't have been the only one you've seen try these on. Oh, you naughty doctor you." He laughed silently, listening to her. "She never changes." He thought, and he never wanted her to. Allowing his thoughts wander, he couldn't help but see all of the glory and beauty in their story. The Byzantium, the Pandorica, the Silence, even the little side glances, the knowing that he had more to see with her. He couldn't do it. Not today. Not tonight. Just one more adventure. Just one more detour, just one more thing to stall the inevitable.

"My, this dress has sass. Oh, I love it. What do you think?" She came up the stairs, the scarlet river of silk flowing around her. Her hair bouncing lightly as she took each step. Her smile was devious, but her eyes were filled with longing.

"I think you look beautiful, Professor Song." He smiled

"Oh don't call me Professor Song, you know I don't leave for my archaeology trip until tomorrow." She leans on his arm, as he begins piloting the TARDIS.

He smiled, "Well tomorrow could be days from now," they exchanged a look of mutual joy, before the TARDIS made a large thump noise, landing.

"Where are we, Doctor?"

"The Towers, specifically, SINGING Towers of Darillium. That's right River, tonight you are going to have the night of a lifetime." He felt as if his collar was constricting his lungs, and he began to work up a sweat. Tonight was goodbye.

Bounding to the door, he swung it open, and outstretched his arms. River slipped past him, her eyes gleaming as she gasped. He looked to her, enamored by the stars in her eyes. Through all of space and time, everything he had seen, everything he had done, he never got tired of seeing River's absolute euphoria with every new sight. It was the only reason he could carry through. She deserved a final adventure.

He grabbed her hand, and pulled her through the lush forests, twirling through trees and wildlife, the occasional luminescent owl hooting as they pass. River, laughing all the way through.

Making their way out, they found themselves on a beautiful hill top, and looking out, past the forest, and the gleaming lake, were the towers. Their song sweetly ringing through their ears, River, completely lost in the music.

"Doctor. . . this. . . I-"

"Wait, it gets better," he chimed, "The Raash, the inhabitants of this planet, say that if you stay here until dawn, the Towers adjust their song to incorporate you. Oh and  We will be a living part of history, Professor Song!" He beams as he watches her, at a loss for words.

The Doctor sat on the grass beneath him, and patted for her to join him. She slowly sat, watching the stars reflect the sterling towers. He knew the towers would be this amazing, yet in the same breath, this tragic. Their bittersweet song represented everything he couldn't have prevented. Those who he had lost, those who he was going to lose. Somewhere in time and space, Rose was alone in a parallel universe, on a bay, saying goodbye to her Doctor. Somewhere Donna was recalling a strange dream about a mad man in a blue box, that she had from the night before, and Wilfred's face would go cold, wishing that he could give her memory back. And somewhere, River was saying her last words, looking into the eyes of someone who was the doctor, but not her doctor. But right here and right now, was their place in space and time. It was the last time River would see her bow tie wearing, fez obsessed, stumbling around Doctor.

And he was going to make it the best of times.

He felt his eyes well up with tears, as he looked to River, her head resting on his shoulder, her arm around his, and her eyes gently closed, taking in the melodic tune of the towers.

He knew he would cry at some point tonight, though somewhere in his mind, he thought if he could delay it, just maybe he'd stop it. Just maybe. But he knew that could never happen.

His voice cracked and he looked to the ground, sternly, trying not to show her the damage. She looked to him with concern "Doctor."

Silent tears steamed down his face, as River sat up and wrapped her hand lovingly around his head, and through his hair. She kissed the top of his head, as he buried his face into her shoulder.

She didn't ask why he cried. Instead, she whispered softly, "I love you, Doctor." Must he always hear those words in the face of tragedy?

"River" his voice was muffled, as he rose up from her tear stained dress, "I want you to take this." From his coat pocket, he pulled out his sonic screwdriver, and lovingly placed it into her hands.

She looked to him with disbelief, "No, Doctor, you need th-"

"River," he cut her off, "Take this, and remember that I will always save you. I will always find a way back to you."

He chocked up a moment before continuing, "And one day, when I meet you for the very first time, don't ever stop trusting me, don't ever stop believing in me. Because I will always, and completely love you."

"Doctor-" Her eyes glimmered affectionately, unable to respond with words. "Doctor I. . . I-"

"Shhh, now, River." He looked out to the sun, rising up above the Towers "they're singing our story, let's make it a good one." Rising to his feet, he reached his hand down to help her up.

Drawing her close, she rested her head on his shoulder, as they danced their last dance, along to the same song the ood bode Ten farewell with.

"Be strong," he whispered softly. "My amazing Melody Pond, my amazing River Song."

Soon, River would be saved to a hard drive, for the remaining of her days.

And maybe, just maybe, with enough wild, insane, beautiful luck, they'd see each other again.

"Everybody knows that everybody dies and nobody knows it like the Doctor. But I do think that all the skies of all the worlds might just turn dark if he ever for one moment, accepts it."