Surprise!!

[xx_doctorwho_xx]

Who: The Doctor and River Tam
When: March, 13
What: Shopping!
Rating: PG

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[brainpanned]

River had missed her Doctor. She didn't understand why he was always leaving and pressing her into confused, lonely predicaments.

And had gotten very lonely, as of late. Even surrounded by people who loved her, River found herself becoming more and more alone. The introduction of the Captain had done nothing for her waning homesickness. And Ianto...she didn't know what happened to Ianto. One morning wandering into the coffee shop, he wasn't there.

But at least her Doctor had returned, and she peered out of the apartment at the familiar sound of the TARDIS' engine, raising her hand in a little wave when he looked out.

[xx_doctorwho_xx]

Grinning in excitement, the Doctor stepped outside and cupped his hands around his mouth. "You coming out, or am I coming in?" he called, laughing.

River had changed since the last time he'd seen her. There was a sadness in her eyes that he hadn't seen in quite some time. His smile gentled and he held out a hand, wiggling his fingers.

"Come with me?" he asked softly, exaggerating the words with his mouth to be certain she understood him.

[brainpanned]

River disappeared for a minute to slip into her shoes -- not boots anymore; these were of a more practical, spring-ish sort. Still, she remembered absently that it was very cold and grabbed a light jacket on the way out the door. You never knew exactly where your adventures with the Doctor were going to take you.

"Coming!" As soon as the door was securely locked behind her, of course. Kaylee wouldn't like it if she left it open for strangers. She approached sheepishly, her small hands tucked away into the folds of the jacket.

[xx_doctorwho_xx]

The Doctor noticed the sheepishness, but he was too happy to see her to question it at the moment. Instead he wrapped River up in a big hug and spun her around.

"Hello you," he grinned, leaning back to look at her. She was getting older on him. Realizing that about people he loved always made him a little melancholy, but he wasn't going to think about that today.

"Ready to go on a little jaunt? I have a surprise for you."

No peeking!

[brainpanned]

She dropped the bag where the TARDIS had been and ran. Stumbled -- shuffled more like. "My -- my hands will not work...will not." She was having trouble bending her fingers and stared at them like foreign objects clutched in the Doctor's hands. "They don't work." Clenching panic froze in her chest. Where was the TARDIS? Why did her feet keep tingling?

"Doctor -- the air?"

Strange taste to it. Unfamiliar because she didn't smell it. Rather she felt it on her skin, working into it.

"...neurotoxin. Induces paralysis."

[xx_doctorwho_xx]

"Shh, it's alright, I'm going to get you out of here," he assured River, squeezing her hand and pulling her toward the hallway indicated by the guard. "We'll get to the TARDIS and you'll be fine, just keep moving," he begged, hoping they could get there before the neurotoxin made her completely immobile. He would carry her if needs be, but one way or another, he was getting her out of here.

They came through the doors to the parking garage, bringing the TARDIS into sight. "See, she's right there, just stay with me."

I won't let anything happen to you, I promise I'll keep you safe.

[brainpanned]

River closed her eyes, tugged along even though her feet were beginning to disobey. She was running as if through mud or taffy. "Sticking to the floor, it doesn't...it doesn't want to move but it does. And then doesn't." All the way to the parking garage, she tripped over her own feet, though River was convinced that the invisible wires all over the floor were what kept her from walking upright.

I'mfinei'mfine... she thought, frantic hands clawing place into his arm until the familiar blue box loomed into sight. "Oh! It's so -- ! Blue!"

[xx_doctorwho_xx]

"We're almost there, you're all right," the Doctor told her, trying to sound reassuring. When she began to really panic, he scooped her up, carrying her the rest of the way to the TARDIS. He fumbled with the latch, but finally got her inside, kicking the door shut behind him. He carried her to the bench along the rail, sitting her down before crouching in front of her.

"Deep breaths now," he said, taking her hands and squeezing them tightly. "Come on, deep breaths." His eyes met Rivers as he inhaled deeply, urging her to do the same.