River locked the door to the bathroom and as soon as she did she slid down the wall and onto the floor, silent tears cascaded down her face. She pulled a crumpled photograph from her pocket and she began to sob.

The photograph was from Demons Run, Amy was holding her and Rory was kissing the back of her head in black and white. It was the only thing she had taken from the orphanage, she never went anywhere without it in her pocket and she kept it under her pillow at night. Amy, Rory and Melody Pond, March the eleventh, Demons Run, was written in a delicate scrawl on the back.

River knew good and well that it was stupid to keep it, she knew it was. But, how could she help but wish that she had grown up with her parents? How could she help but wish she had grown up in Leadworth, where whippings and harsh words were replaced with tender kisses and bedtime stories? Her body shook with sobs as she held the picture close to her chest as she tried to keep quiet.

Two knocks landed on the door and Amy's sultry Scottish voice came through the door. "River? I heard some noises, are you okay?"

"I'm fine Amy, go back to bed," River tried to say confidently, but her voice broke when she said Amy.

The Scot on the other side of the door rolled her eyes and removed a few bobby-pins from her pocket and set to work. About a minute passed and Amy swung the door open, throwing the bent bobby-pins to the side as she sat on the ground next to River.

"So, what's wrong," she asked bluntly.

"Nothing you need on your chest Amy, you should go back to bed, Rory's probably missing you."

"Oh come on Mels, be honest."

River's head shot up and she looked at Amy bewilderedly. "Yep, we came from Berlin about a week ago, so, daughter dearest, spill."

Reluctantly she pulled the crumpled photograph from her chest, it wasn't in that great of shape, but the picture was still clear. "I'm upset," more tears fell down her face and she suppressed a sob. "Because I didn't get to grow up like this, with you and D-Rory."

Amy pulled the woman close to her, holding her in tight embrace, "I'm so, so sorry Melody, you didn't deserve what you got, and I'm sorry Rory and I didn't get to raise you but we can't do a thing about it so stop sulking. What matters is that here, now, you've got your mum, and you've got your dad, and that they love you, and would give anything to make you happy. Your dad would step in front of a bullet for you, and I would bite off the head of anyone who hurt my baby, the Doctor included. We love you Melody Pond, and we're here for you now. And Rory and I don't mind you calling us Mum and Dad either, so don't be afraid to do it." She dropped a kiss onto River's crazy mane of hair. "But what I won't do for you is sit on a bloody cold and uncomfortable linoleum bathroom floor for the rest of the night crying. So, get your butt off of this floor Melody, and we are going to go watch some Jerry Springer and eat chocolate ice cream like we used to when we were fourteen and upset."

River sniffled and did as she was told but she turned at the bathroom door, "Thanks...Mum."

Well, thoughts?