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This chapter is dedicated to the wonderful pinetree13.


Chapter 3: Dinner and declarations

"Uh oh, here's trouble," River muttered sidelong to Amy, as they stood at the Ponds' kitchen counter, chopping vegetables for dinner. The TARDIS had just materialised on the back lawn, and the Doctor and Rory were striding towards the house, with quite a distance between them, both with locked jaws, jutting out like scolded two-year-olds.

"Had a good time?" River chimed cheerily, as the men entered the kitchen. Both merely grunted in response, and River and Amy exchanged glances.

"Trying to kill the carrots with your stare, Rory?" Amy asked with an understanding smile towards her husband.

Rory's face softened considerably, and he smiled apologetically; he was far less stubborn than the Doctor. "Anything I can do?" he offered quietly, shuffling towards his wife.

"Plates and cutlery would be good, thanks."


Dinner was ate in near silence from the Doctor, who shoved his food around his plate grumpily with his fork, and refused to make eye contact with anyone but his wife, and even then, only grudgingly. Rory, too, offered very little by way of dinner conversation, merely listening as Amy and River recounted some stories from their day in town.

"It was odd, seeing people I know well, who I grew up with, and having to pretend they're complete strangers," River said, as she cut her chicken.

"Yeah, or having people ask me how Mels is, when she's standing right next to me," Amy laughed.

"Or being introduced to your childhood friends as your mother's second cousin from London," River joined in, shaking her head at the memory.

After dinner, Amy and River made their way to the living room, leaving the Doctor and Rory to clear the table and wash the dishes.

"What do you think happened?" Amy asked, worriedly.

"They were both probably being stubborn; the poor TARDIS, being left alone with those two!"

"I suppose we should find out, shouldn't we?"

"Probably," River agreed with a sigh.


"What happened?" River asked softly, sitting beside the Doctor, who was perched on the edge of the bed in Amy and Rory's guest bedroom.


"Alright, out with it!" Amy demanded, poking Rory in the chest.


The Doctor sighed sadly, reaching up to run his hand through his floppy hair. He looked at River, who was startled to see tears forming in his eyes, threatening to escape the safety of his eyelids and cascade down his face.


Rory sighed, sitting on the edge of their bed to remove his shoes and socks. "He's just so stubborn!" Rory complained, rubbing his forehead wearily.


"He's a better man than me, River."

He blinked, and the tears fell.

"He's older than me, and better than me. He waited; he waited for two thousand years, stayed by Amy's side in that Pandorica. Plastic or not, he was there the whole time, never giving up, and waiting. He's so loyal. He's so good."

"Sweetie, you're – " River started, but he cut her off.

"No, River." He said firmly. "I'm a selfish old man, whisking humans off to see the stars, promising them everything and giving them nothing." He closed his eyes, and dropped his face into his hands. "I make them wait. I never stay. I always leave."


There were a few moments of silence, as Rory stared straight ahead, frowning, and Amy just watched his profile sadly. When he spoke, it was quiet and measured.

"He thinks he's better than me. His ideas are the only ones that matter. His plans are the only ones worth following."

There were a few moments of silence, as Rory continued to stare at the wall of their bedroom. "I just wish he would listen to me sometimes," Rory turned to Amy, and smiled sadly. "I know I can't change that he's a Time Lord, and I'm just another human."

"You are not just another human," said a voice from the doorway. Amy and Rory jumped, surprised.

The Doctor took a step forward, into the room, and looked straight at Rory. "Rory Williams, you represent everything that is good about the human race. You are the Last Centurion. You are constant and loyal, strong and fierce, brave and courageous, kind and caring. If every human being was more like you, the Earth would be a far better place, and I wouldn't have to save this damn planet nearly as much."

The Doctor smiled down at Rory, who returned the smile, and stood from the bed. They hugged briefly, as Amy childishly chided, "Awww" in the background, and then the Doctor turned to leave.

"Oh," he said, poking his head back around the doorframe, "Except the nose. The rest of the human race could definitely do without having that nose!" he laughed, quickly dodging the shoe that Rory sent flying in his direction.


Reviews make me smile giddily, like the Doctor when he finds out that River is Melody Pond.