Tom cares for River a great deal, even though he doesn't see her, well, ever, anymore. :-P She falls into the category of "young women he is sworn to protect". This group consists primarily of Door, Anthy, River, Tonks, and Amy.
Now, he knows full well that none of these young women really need his protection, but he will offer it in case they ever do. So she taps into his newly awakened chivalrous side that borderlines on chauvinism, because hey - born in 1927. It's a thing.
He also respects her as a warrior, but because she is a little off (he's polite about this kind of thing), he thinks she is a little more fragile than a warrior like Faith, but a warrior nonetheless.
He thinks of her often. The trip they made together was one he'll never forget.
no subject
Now, he knows full well that none of these young women really need his protection, but he will offer it in case they ever do. So she taps into his newly awakened chivalrous side that borderlines on chauvinism, because hey - born in 1927. It's a thing.
He also respects her as a warrior, but because she is a little off (he's polite about this kind of thing), he thinks she is a little more fragile than a warrior like Faith, but a warrior nonetheless.
He thinks of her often. The trip they made together was one he'll never forget.