Chapter 1: River

The Doctor walked slowly back into the Tardis. The look in young Amelia's eyes was absolutely heartbreaking when he told her.

"I want to go with you now raggedy man. I don't want to wait."

"Amelia, I'm sorry but you have to patient. I promise the fun times you'll have will make up for the waiting."

"Please please please take me now!"

"Sweetie? Are you okay?" River's smooth voice snapped the Doctor back into the present. "Surely my young mum wasn't that bad." She put her hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek. The Doctor turned away and fiddled with the monitor.

"So where to Ms. Song? I don't know where you're located now that you're out of prison."

"Doctor, you didn't answer my question."

"And you didn't answer mine."

"You know, it wouldn't hurt you to cry every once in a while. You don't always have to put on a brave face. Now stop pretending to be looking at something important and come over here." River outstretched her arms. The Doctor dragged his feet over to her. He didn't want to refuse a hug and make his wife mad, especially since she just lost her parents. River wrapped her arms around him and started slowly rocking him back and forth. It was then he started sobbing.

They stood like that for several minutes before River whispered in his ear "You can drop me off anywhere, anytime you like. Not knowing where you're going is the most fun a girl can have."

The Doctor wiped his eyes on his sleeve and flicked a lever on the console. The Tardis whirred. River held the Doctor's hand as they gripped on to the railing, trying not to be flung across the other side of the Tardis.

As soon as it had taken off, the Tardis landed. "Well, I guess this is my stop." River opened the door to see the Sydney Opera House. "Hmmm, Australia. What year?"

"1995. I thought you'd want something not too far into the past." The Doctor grinned.

"Thank you sweetie, I'm going to have some fun here. But one last thing before I go, find someone. You know what you're like when you travel alone." River shut the door.

The Doctor knew he had to find someone, but the wound left by the Pond's was still fresh. He felt like he needed some time alone. He slammed down on a button and the Tardis took off. He still had one last thing to do.