“I wouldn’t let that happen,” River says with a small laugh, but her smile begins to soften when she recognises the genuine concern in Methos’ voice. She doesn’t mean to sound flippant, but this is the life she knows and the madness seems so normal to her now.

“I wouldn’t,” she repeats more seriously. “It’s a big universe out there, Methos. So many places we could go, far away from Earth. Imagine that - not having to sleep with one eye open in fear that someone is coming for your head.”

She tries to show him the possibilities, the opportunities this could give him - but she knows she can’t force him, and she wouldn’t. But she needs him to at least consider the option, just as she’s considering staying put on Earth for him.