AN: Set post Angel's Take Manhatten. With eleven and OC. Set in the land down under, eleven runs into his past companions; or at least someone like them.


My fingers were slowly turning blue and I could feel the goosebumbs forming under the denim. I sighed and headed inside, dreams of stars would have to wait for a warmer night I suppose. In books characters are never held back from dreams by the weather, its usually class or gender, or in most fairytales an evil stepmother and or witch. I don't know where my fascination of the stars comes from. Maybe its that they could lead to other worlds, but more than that I think it is because they are uncountable, seemingly limitless and burning thousands of lightyears from me appearing as tiny dots in the skyline. Nothing will happen in my lifetime, the furthest we've gone is to the moon, and the whole 'water on Mars' theory seems to have lost ground.

My fingers tingled, on the point of pain, when I went back into the heat filled house. Living in the inner city, well, at least in view of the Yarra, gave me a whole new set of stars to look at. Obviously not that different, but seeing half of them covered up with smoke gave them a fragility that was strange to think about regarding huge burning suns. Nan was, naturally, fast asleep by now and I could raid the cupboard for her chocolate storage without fear of being caught. The supply seemed endless, as a child I called it the magic box, always filling itself up. I have gotten over the whole magic theory now but I still don't know when she buys chocolate to fill it.

The morning came and I heard granpa's off tune song float through the house

'back again now today

from when I spent so long away

to catch those fish

that I really did wish

to take home to my love

who much sweeter than a dove

let me fly from home

and left her all alone'

'Hey! she was never all alone!' I called in protest.

'Right you are sweetie, but my rhymes were quickly running out'

'To make it up to her a think an obligatory breakfast-in-bed is necessary'

'Already ahead of you love.' He kissed me on the head before humming away to the back of the house

'Alone and home don't rhyme you realise?' I shouted laughing towards his retreating back

'And my arguing little granddaughter shall get none of my special traditional pancakes unless she honestly agrees that I am the best song writer she has ever heard.'

'You're okay gramps, between your songs and Amy's drawings I should really have gotten some of your talent. Speaking of your lovely wife, I doubt she will forgive you if you are not there with tea the moment she awakes.'

'Your as naggy as she is! How did I end up stuck with you two?'

'It's just because you're so special. You help us women survive, how ever could we cope if you hadn't returned sooner! We had no man to protect our delicate souls!' I fainted dramatically into the chair.

'If any women needed any less help from men than you and your nan then I'd be shocked, two most competent girls I've ever met in my life! Now if you will stop your chattering I have a tea to deliver to a most deserving wife. AMY LOVE, I'm coming with your tea!' Humming up the stairs his still mud covered boots left prints on the steps.

'Just heading out for a bit today guys, won't be back too late, see you for dinner.'

'What no pancakes? It's your loss I suppose.' Pa called back to me

'Don't be ridiculous, the girl needs to live, it can't be any fun hanging out with her old grandparents all day. Good morning Rita by the way!' Nan rescued me, but I knew it was hard on her.

'Fine, fine. Have fun love, but maybe not as much fun as your Nan did; a kissogram… it was unbelievable.'

'I was young and stupid back then'

'Not as stupid as I was to fall in love with you'

'You couldn't resist my brilliant hair obviously'

'I maintain it was a spell you bewitched me with'

'Oh no, I have forgotten to give you the tablets while you were away, Rita the spell I cast is breaking! If you leave now Rory will find out everything!'

'Don't worry nan, he couldn't survive by himself, I think you may be stuck with him for a while longer yet.' I took my chance and left then, before they could start telling stories, not that the stories weren't interesting. That was the more annoying thing, I as an 18 year old girl was still captivated by the tales from my grandparents. The stories weren't the normal fairytales, of course I heard them as well, but the most interesting ones were the ones that Nan and Pa made up themselves. Most, no I'd have to say all featured themselves, and a varying mix of creatures, or should I say monsters? Aliens perhaps?