Yowzah Oneshot Collection (3)

71(G)

         The Name of the Doctor

                 EbonySolcum

“Doctor, what’s your name?”

River watched his reaction carefully as she pulled his jacket tighter around herself. His eyes were still fixed on the sky, even though there weren’t as many stars as there had been a few minutes before. He frowned at her question but didn’t turn to face her.

She nudged him with her shoulder.

“Doctor?”

He finally turned to look at her.

“Why do you ask?” he said.

“Because I don’t know it. I was taught everything about you as I a child, and then I’ve spent the last three years studying everything I could find about you, but I never found your name. What is?”

He frowned and shook his head. “I can’t tell you.”

“Why not?”

He turned back to face the sky. It was several moments before he spoke.

“I just can’t, River. Please don’t ask.”

She knitted her eyebrows together in a confused frown, but she decided not to push it. This version of the Doctor wasn’t even married to her yet. Letting out a sigh, she leaned closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

____

River and the Doctor were sitting at a table in an alien restaurant, ordering their food.

“So,” she said when the waiter — a rather handsome, red-skinned alien with four arms — had left. She crossed her ankles beneath her chair and leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table. “Why won't you tell me your name?”

The Doctor looked up. “My name is the Doctor.”

“You know what I mean, Sweetie,” she protested. “Your real name.”

“It is my real name,” he said.

“Are you not telling me your name because you've already told an older version?” she asked.

His gaze was fixed on the table and his voice sounded strained when he spoke.

“No, I haven't. And I can't.”

____

“Sweetie?” River murmured.

“Mmm.” The Doctor pressed a kiss to her bare shoulder. “What?”

“Why don't you tell anyone your name?”

He groaned. “Not this again, River.”

“I'm not asking for your name. I'm just asking why you don't tell anyone.”

“Because it's dangerous,” he replied. “Anyone who knew my name would be in constant danger.”

“Hmm. Sounds fun.”

“No, River.”

She rolled over to nuzzle him with her nose. “You're going to tell me one day,” she told him before pressing her lips to his.

He pulled away to press a kiss to her forehead, but he didn't respond.

____

River continued to ask her husband what his name was nearly every time she saw him. Eventually, she realized it was hopeless. Every time she brought it up, a far off look appeared on his face, especially when he was older. In time, she gave up completely, reluctantly accepting that this was one thing she'd never know about her husband.