River sighed. She was overwhelmed by what had happened, how he had cheated fate and death, and forgiven her - always and completely - for her part in killing his other self. She had loved him even as she had trained to kill him. But he didn't love her. Not yet. She wanted him so much, but after everything they'd been through she was unsure about his response. Unsure was not a feeling with which River Song was familiar, nor comfortable. So she gritted her teeth and said it. "You know you have to take me to the Stormcage." He didn't even turn around, but mumbled something in her general direction and kept working the controls. He may have forgiven her, but he must hate her. He must. Nobody could love her after what she'd done to him, forgiveness or no.

Then he did his trademark little spin, clapped a bright green bowler hat on his head (where had he gotten that awful thing?), and pointed at her with both forefingers. "Right, not today! Today you're staying with me. She'll get you back when you need to be. Today, we're staying in." He got suddenly very serious, with that little-lost-boy look she found so endearing... "I mean, you are going to stay, River. Aren't you?"

"You have only to ask."

"I'm asking."

"I'm staying with you."

He grinned at her, thrilled that she had acquiesced so quickly. She was so amazing, his River Song, his wild, brilliant, clever, beautiful and weird River Song. His wife. His wife! He picked her up by her waist and swung her around and kissed her exuberantly. She was laughing and breathless when he put her down on her feet next to the console, but she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him seriously. Very seriously. She spun the awful green bowler off somewhere and attacked his lips with hers, muffling his startled exclamation.

He kissed her back, murmuring her name against her lips as the kiss got deeper. And then she pulled away from him, tears in her eyes, and whispered, "Love me. Please love me."

"You have only to ask."

"I'm asking."

"I'm loving you."