It really was pointless to lie to River. It was why the captain had taken her on the mission that changed everything. Because she would know who the threat was. She would know who would try to be a hero and get them all killed. All she needed was to be there, to sense them. No words were needed. Just thoughts. Feelings. Fears. Verbal lies were easier to detect but River didn't need words to know. She just did.
Watching John, or more like listening to how he moved, feeling his thoughts swirl around him, River could tell he wouldn't hurt her. Of course, she could go from scared girl in the corner to a killing machine with not sign, could lose herself and not know how until someone made her sleep and she didn't want to sleep. She could kill with math. One two three. So very simple. She didn't even have to look. But not here. It was safe here. That was what they said. Believed.
"Best friend. Partner. He doesn't have many. Just you. No one knows him like you or can handle him. He needs you and you need him. You worry about the human psychopath."
Having chosen the tea she wanted, River moved to the kettles and chose one, filling it with water and placing it on the stove before turning her attention back to the Army doctor.
"You're a doctor. Like Simon. Do you make faces, too?"
Lifting herself onto the counter, River tilted her head to the side curiously.
"You want him found. Everyone does. All the danger. Non native threats on top of native. Protects himself and plans....People want him found but others worry on finding him. The sacrifices and costs."
More like, Simon. If she wanted, she could find him. But Simon would make faces. She knew too much. Was dangerous. And he didn't want her experimented on. Didn't want them to turn on her from fear. So she had to keep quiet but people would figure it out. They always would.