"You know, I never really was a fan of Christmas. For me, it was just a 'run in, save the world, go back to the TARDIS' thing. And although that happened again this time round, at least I'm with you guys."

Amy leaned over the table, smiling at the Doctor. Just like him to have to make a speech. If he wasn't funny and eccentric enough, it was even worse when he had gravy all round his mouth. Oh, and look, there goes a bit of chicken on his lap.

Rory coughed up, "You know, Doctor, I think the idea of this is for you to actually get the food in your mouth?"

"Oh what?" the Doctor replied as he pushed himself up to look at his reflection in the kitchen window. "Oh, yes. Mucky boy I was. Never mind — didn't really like it that much."

Amy snorted. "That much? Doctor, you pretty much had 4 servings of full Christmas dinners!"

"No, no, no, Miss Pond. No, I loved your brilliant husband's cooking here. It just doesn't do the same to me though as..."

"Fish fingers and custard." Amy and the Doctor said simultaneously. They were both remembering that night, so very very long ago, when the Doctor first met young Amelia. She had gone through everything, trying to find the one type of food the Doctor must love. And finally did — fish fingers and custard.

Rory just stared blankly at them. Goodness me, fish fingers and custard? Then he reminded himself that this was The Doctor, and you never quite knew what was going through his mind.

"I'll see what we've got." Rory sighed, as he picked himself up. Although he still felt like the Doctor was playing some sort of trick.

As Rory was off fetching the strange concoction from the deep depths of the freezer, the Doctor leaned in closer to Amy.

"Amy. Oh, oh, oh, Amy. Do you know how much I miss you two on the TARDIS? You with your flaming red hair sticking all over the console, and Rory's strange cardigans lurking on the coat hanger by the door? It so hard travelling alone..."

"Huh." Amy answered in a huff. "Well, as far as I can remember, YOU were the one that made us believe that you were dead. Tricking us — bringing us back here."

"Yes, but that was for the best, and anyway..."

"For the best?" Amy's voice started to rise a little louder. Rory stuck his head out of the freezer, giving his wife a knowing look. She soon hushed down again. "Do you know how bad I felt after you were burned on that lake? Do you know what it feels like to lose someone you love?"

The Doctor was silenced by this last sentence. He knew exactly what it felt like, as he had loved and lost so many. Amy didn't know this though, and it felt wrong to make guilt fall upon her.

"No. No, you're right, I have no idea. But I trusted River to tell you, comfort you, in the knowledge that one day, one day I would be able to return."

"So, I suppose 'that day' is today then, Doctor?"

"Yes, yes, it is, Amy."

Amy bit her lip in silence. What the Doctor was asking her — and Rory — to do, would change her life around all over again. She was finally settling down, getting the job, the house, the car. And now, now even the baby. This time, a PROPER child. And the Doctor was here, clear as day, appearing out of nowhere after 3 years (which probably would have been 5 minutes for him), asking her to give that all up all over again, for a couple thrills and spills. She couldn't — not this time. Amy sighed. She would have to say no.

"So, Amelia Pond — will you come with me, one more time?"