There's something disconcerting in that tone, non nonsense, and it's not playful. He knows River well, so very well, and knows the way her lip quirks when she teases him. It's been a long time, but some things you don't forget. But even as he can't see her now, he can tell it's not there, tell that whatever is happening here, this? This isn't a game.

Still, there's something about that tone, about the long lost voice like caramel in his ear. It makes his eyes close a moment. It's never going to be anything but painful, is it?

He takes a long breath as he opens his eyes again, gaze falling on the steam raising from a grate in the sidewalk. He's almost forgotten she pressed him for an answer, but as the barrel of the gun pushes further against his temple, he has a sharp reminder.

"The Doctor," he says quickly. "I'm the Doctor."