For several silent moments, the Doctor gazed into Missy's eyes, then slowly, released her. Since they had gone into the shallow end with the tip of his toe, he touched the bottom of the pool so he didn't have to concentrate on treading. He then sighed and seriously told Missy, "My affection for you hasn't changed. Even when we fought in the past, a part of me always wanted to back so we could be together. This is the closest I've ever been to getting that, since our days on Gallifrey. But." His frown deepened. "If you're hoping to have a monopoly with my attention, I can't give you that. You're right. I need them, and I'm not willing to give them up, not even for you. I'm sorry."