For a while, the Doctor just looked at me, his big sad eyes staring into mine. I just stared back. My expression was slightly amused. I was not. This situation wasn't one that anyone would call amusing.

"What do you propose we do?"

He shrugged. I sighed, I had a feeling this case (I was taking it as a case) was going to make a lot more work on my part as opposed to his.

"Sweetie, I'll help, of course I'll help but you're going to need to be your usual brilliant self as opposed to this."

He looked down at himself with a frown, "What's this?"

"This is you wallowing in pain over my parents," he winced and went to protest "No, don't. I get it, you're sad and you're blaming yourself like you always do but you need to get your act together if you want to find this girl. Sitting around feeling bad is not going to help."

He looked hurt by my words and my tone but I didn't apologise. It hurt me seeing him like this, it hurt a lot, but right now I needed to be the strong one. I was going to have to be the tough one as per usual.

He huffed and stood up and I thought he might leave but he turned back and held his hand out to me. I took it cautiously.

"Well then Melody Malone, let's go investigating, eh?"

We left the office quickly, deciding to head downtown to a small bar I frequented. We needed to plan and I needed a drink.

I sat on a high bar stool with my legs crossed and my heels resting on the metal frame nonchalantly. The Doctor looked uncomfortable. I looked at him over my wine,

"Ideas. Got any?"

"I was thinking, start in London." He reluctantly took a sip of his beer and grimaced. God only knows why he ordered it.

"We need an era, dear"

"I was just thinking, River" he grumbled. Definitely no banter today, I thought.

I sighed "C'mon, you need a change."

"A change of what?" he frowned

"Everything"

I took his hand, jumped gracefully off the stool and dragged him out of the bar.

"River" he whined "Where are we going?"

"Shut up." He fell silent instantly.

I brought him to a tailor. One I had been to a few times when I had needed either a disguise or something to stun.

He looked up at the fading sign, "What are we here for?"

"You. I'm buying you a new suit."

"I don't need a new suit."

"I said you needed a change. A new suit is a change so shut up."

"Stop telling me to shut up" he muttered under his breath.

"I heard that" I pushed open the shop door and walked in, leaving him with no choice other than to follow me. He did.

After trying on an array of suits and various other clothes (and me dismissing most of these) the Doctor finally decided on a long, purple coat in a light, tweed-like material. It suited him and he'd always wanted something purple so I bought it.

We left the shop with the Doctor grinning like an idiot. He looked a little better now, more like his normal self. Though not quite there yet, I thought.

"Where now?" he questioned.

"Now...It's investigation time." I stuffed my hands in my trench coat pockets and led him back to the office to collect the TARDIS (the Doctor had fixed it so he could control it from the sonic screwdriver and had moved it to the office.)

Almost as soon as we got into the office, the lift started up downstairs. It creaked and groaned as it made its way up and, again, stopped outside my office. I ducked my head back outside the TARDIS and frowned.

"Doctor, wait a minute would you?"

There was a short shadow cast through the small, frosted-glass window and a quiet but urgent knock on the wood. I skipped to the door and took out a key to unlock the door, fumbling in the dark for the lock. I opened it and there stood a short, brown haired girl in a red dress. She looked frightened, all wide-eyed and almost shaking.

"Hello..?" I said.

"Hi...I don't mean to intrude, only I just..." her eyes rolled back and she tipped forwards, falling limply into my arms.

"Doctor..." I called seemingly calmly into the TARDIS."Get out here. Now"

He skipped out, his new coat tails flying behind him.

"Yes?"

I nodded my head towards the unconscious girl in my arms. I mean really, it was quite obvious, I don't know how he hadn't noticed her.

"Oh..."

"Yes 'oh'. Now help me."

He nodded and lifted her legs and lifted her into the TARDIS as it was the only suitable place to set her down. Once the Doctor let go of her he just stared at her in awe for a while.

"Doctor? Is that her?"

He nodded but said nothing for the moment. I stood a little way away from him, my eyes darting between him and the girl. I didn't know which she was yet, Clara or Oswald, and my mind raced over all the possibilities of what exactly she could be. I could say one thing though, she was definitely interesting.

After a short while she woke up. A little frown glazed over her features as she reached a hand towards her head and sat up slowly. We stared. She looked up, her mouth dropping open as if she had something to say. She didn't speak for a while

"Hello" I gave her a reassuring smile.

She pointed a finger around the console room, the quizzical frown still on her face. "Where am I?"

"The TARDIS," I replied. She nodded slowly but as if it made sense to her.

"And how did I-...he's staring at me." She looked at the Doctor warily.

"He does that. Ignore it. I'm Melody Malone." I stepped forward with my hand outstretched. She took it hesitantly.

"I know" she replied "I came to see you. I'm Clara."

So she was Clara then, I thought to myself. I raised a questioning eyebrow. "You came to see me?"

She nodded but said nothing more. I asked what for.

"Oh! I think I've got a case for you, Ms Malone." She still looked nervous but a little more comfortable. I smiled. Another case, this day was looking up.

"Oh yes?"

"Yes. You see, well, there's these things and," she paused and frowned again "this might not make any sense. I barely believe it myself"

"Oh, honey, I've seen lots of unbelievable things. I think I can manage one more."

"Moving statues." She said. My heart jumped and my breath caught in my throat. The Doctor looked at me and, for once, I couldn't hide the pain. Not again...