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Anything is better than my sixth self's coat.

[His grin was a little self deprecating. Purple tweed was much better than that thing.]

Yes, that was me. The very first me. The same one that went to the Academy and grew up. The young girl was Susan, my granddaughter.

[Though he wondered why River was so hesitant.]

Is that the one who dressed like a clown put through a woodchipper?

[She nodded slowly.] I see. I know you've had plenty of lives, met and traveled with plenty of people...but a granddaughter. It's not something I ever considered before that day. Silly of me, isn't it?

That's the one, yes.

[He's quiet for another minute. Wondering why she brought all this up now.]

No, it's not silly. It's just something you never thought of, that's all. Does it bother you that I was married and had a family before?

[She shifts her shoulders a little.] Much as I hate to admit it... I think it did for a while. Which was why I never wanted to bring it up. I didn't like the idea of sharing you.

[She leans her head on his shoulder.] But...I've had to share you with the universe all the years we've been married. I think I've grown up enough that it doesn't make sense for me to still be afraid.

And I suppose...what with you talking about Gallifrey and all...I was wondering if Susan was from there as well.

Edited 2013-12-27 00:18 (UTC)

In all the ways that matter, you don't have to share me.

[Just because it didn't make sense for River to be afraid, it didn't mean she wasn't. Just that it didn't make sense for her to be.]

She was, Susan was a full blown Time Lady. She fell in love with David Campbell, a human. Seems as though we have a soft spot for you humans. They had a child together.

[River still had one or two things in the universe she feared. One of which she had only ever confessed to her father, on a day when he hadn't really known who she was. That someday the man she loved so dearly wouldn't recognize her, and that the pain would kill her.

She nodded gently.] Sounds rather romantic when you put it like that. They weren't on Gallifrey during the war, then?

No. The last time I saw Susan she was on Earth and I was the 8th me. The one before the war.

[He hadn't seen her since then, and he wasn't sure how she would take to seeing him again after the way he left things.]

Oh. Long time, then. [She lifted her head up to look at him.] I'm sorry. If I'm bringing up something painful, we can stop...

It's been quite a while. But it's no more painful than talking about everyone else who left over the years.

[Which was and wasn't true. His great-grandson died, that was difficult to think about. But if he couldn't talk to River, then it'd be impossible to talk to anyone.]

I'm not sure I believe you on that, sweetie.

[She reached to wrap her arms around him, pulling him into a hug.] Losing family isn't easy, especially when there's so little of it left already.

I don't think I believe it myself.

[He hugged River back.]

Maybe I'll drop by and visit her someday soon.

I think that would be nice. For both of you.

[She stays there holding him, sighing a little.] ....Does this mean I'm technically her step-grandmother?

[The Doctor couldn't help himself and laughs a bit. He'd never thought of it quite like that.]

I guess you are.

[She groans] Oh, god....I'm too young to be a grandmother!

[He laughs again]

Susan's older than you are.

Yes, because that makes it so much better!

[She finally gives in to the ridiculousness of it all and laughs.]

...You still manage to surprise me after all this time.