I.
It takes three months for Rory to gain the courage to borrow his dad's tie. With a muttered lie of needing it for a school project, he takes the bit of material and trots off.
OoOoO.
"Come on, Doctor!" she calls. "Keep up!"
Rory tries, but he can't seem to match her stride.
Amelia turns, folding her arms over her chest with a scowl. "You're rubbish at this," she says flatly. "Prisoner Zero could have eaten us both by now!"
"Sorry."
Because he isn't the Raggedy Doctor. He's just plain Raggedy Rory.
II.
"Marry me," he says, his voice trembling with nerves.
Amy hesitates, and Rory understands. The Doctor has crashed into her life again. Now, she's left waiting for his return.
"All right," she decides at last.
Though Rory smiles, he knows the truth. She's only agreeing until something- someone- better comes along.
III.
Rory leans against the Pandorica, eyes wide and vigilant. His hand slides over his sword, ready to draw it at a moment's notice.
How long has it been? Days, months, centuries? He's lost track, but he will wait until the end of time if it means keeping Amy safe.
IV.
A touch. One moment, he's talking to Amy. Then a touch, and he's alone.
"Amy?" His first word when he gathers his wits because she's always his first thought. "Amy!"
And then she's there, her face streaked with tears, but a smile on her lips. "Rory!" she cries, relief and disbelief heavy in her tone.
Slowly, realization sets in. "You didn't. Amy, tell me you didn't. You-"
She silences him with a kiss, laughing against his lips and holding him close as though she's afraid he might disappear again. "Do you really think I could have stayed behind if it meant never seeing your stupid face again?"
Rory pulls back, gently resting his hands on the sides of his wife's face. She could have left him alone. She could have carried on with the Doctor and learned to move on. Instead, she's there.
"What do we do now?" Amy asks uncertainly, her smile fading.
"Real life," he says.
Real life. No more Doctor life. But, if Amy's beside him, Rory doesn't mind.
