Wanderer of Time: Darkness Within

by Tinker16

The powers within have been steadily growing, buying time until the moment of remembrance. The moment swiftly approaches. Wanda's fears are coming to a head as she realizes what has been living inside her has only one purpose in the universe. And it holds no qualms in destroying any who gets in its way, even those who Wanda loves. (Part Three of the Wanderer of Time trilogy)

46. Ch 46: The Manhattan Paradox

What's up, everyone! :D

Hopefully everyone's week has gone well and that this day, or night, will be something amazing. :) Looks like the issues the site has been having are finally gone. Yay! Let's just hope no more issues.

So, enjoy the new chapter!

XxXxXxXx

Chapter 46: The Manhattan Paradox

The day was sunny. Very sunny. Cheerful and sunny, with a few drifting, fluffy, white clouds hanging about. The city of the sunny day was just as cheerful. With music blasting off into a merry tune, cars honking in 'hello,' sirens yelling out as they passed by, and so much babbling of thousands upon thousands of people of the massive city, it was no wonder the day decided to be happy.

None of this cheer was matched by a certain trio who was sitting down on a large rock in the middle of Central Park, Manhattan. People passed them by, strolling down the parkway, not even giving them notice. The lush green of the park made the area perfect for strolling, merriment, and fun. But neither person in the group of three sitting on the cold stone gave care to join in on the fun. Each one of them seemed to be trying to distract themselves from something or another. Distracting themselves from each other, perhaps? Or it might have even been what was on their minds? One male sat next to the lady beside the abandoned, untouched picnic basket they had brought along with them to the park. Facing upwards, the man watched the lazy clouds drift overhead. The woman, with long ginger hair, held a newspaper tight in her grasp, repeatedly pushing up her round reading glasses as they slid down her nose. Sweat built upon her brow as she tried to focus a little too hard on her paper.

Both she and the man glanced at the person sitting close by them. Each giving the second man either a look of pity, sympathy, empathy, or apprehension. They could see the clear tension in the other man's shoulders. With how quiet he had been lately . . . it was never a good sign. He had been tense and silent for some time now. For . . . certain reasons. None of which any of them wished to discuss or think about. The ginger woman and her husband glanced at each other. Both held haunted glimpses in their eyes as they stared at the other. Each of them wishing they could forget what events they had witnessed not too long ago.

"Doctor . . .," Amy finally spoke up after she and Rory seemed to be done with their silent conversation, "do you think . . . do you think that things might change?" The Time Lord, as he had been, remained deathly silent. Not even bothering to glance back at the two as he kept his dull, green irises staring ahead towards a large, dead tree in the park.

"You always say time can change. Maybe this time can?" Rory added, seeming to want to help his wife get the Time Lord to talk to them again. Again, silence was their answer.

"No . . . It can't," the Doctor said, breaking his silence at last. His voice having no emotions or tone. Simply droning in his response.

". . . At least things didn't turn out . . . so bad?" Amy offered in thought. The Doctor suddenly turned. The companions flinched at the hard eyes gazing back at them.

"Oh? And how bad could have things gone, Amelia?" retorted the Doctor darkly. In seeing the wary gazes of his companions, he sucked in a sharp breath and breathed out slowly. He rubbed a hand down his face, keeping it resting on his chin as he gazed off once more. His mind, wandering in their thoughts. "I'm running out of time. Our story is coming to an end."

"And you hate endings," Amy said softly. The Doctor glanced at the hand that placed itself gently in comfort on his shoulder. Looking up to the one whose hand it was, he saw Amy stare sadly at him, empathizing with him completely. He grabbed her hand, giving it a squeeze to let her know he truly appreciated her compassionate friendship.

"Hey, you lot!"

All three of them looked over quickly towards the call. They saw the last effects of the white light leaving from Wanda's body as she waved cheerfully at them. She walked up on the large stone, joining them in their unfinished picnic.

"So, I've just come from that cube invasion. We've done that, right? Or am I a little earlier than that," Wanda said, going into her happy, rapid rambles as she usually does. "Anyway, if I'm early or not, I still hope things had turned out all right. Didn't get to finish the adventure with you all. Wish I could have. Why in the world do my stupid wanderings take me away just before things get good? It would be much more fun if it waited afterward like it usually does. I think, after Ember is born, Doctor, that we should try figuring out how to control my wandering abilities. It won't do for Ember to constantly have her mother whisked away on her. How disappointed would she be if I left during something really important, huh?"

She stood there, beaming away so carefree in her happiness. Sill the trio she stood in front of her, remained seated as they gazed back. Her smile dropped swiftly as she saw how hesitant, solemn, and haunted their eyes were. She wondered briefly if perhaps she had spoiled Ember's arrival too soon for Amy and Rory, but judging in how much older they looked then from long before, she knew this was not the case. Then . . . why did both of them stare at her with such sad eyes? And the Doctor . . . the way he stared at her, it was as if seeing a ghost.

"What's wrong?" she asked in concern, immediately worried for them all. "What happened? Are you all okay? Was it the Shakri? Did they hurt you? Was it someone else? I swear if someone hurt you all I'm gonna sock them good." Balling up her fist, she held it up as her eyes searched the park as if looking for the person who had dared mess with her family.

"No, we're fine, Wanda," Amy laughed, a small, fond smile forming on her lips as she watched Wanda going through her quick tempers. Wanda's adorable tempers . . . that was another thing Amy added in her mind of things she will miss.

"Why don't you sit down and join us?" Rory offered, standing up and going over to the Time Lady. At the ready to help her sit down on the rock with them. He knew, with how long she was in her pregnancy, even if she did not look it at the moment appearing skinny and all, that it would be difficult for her to get up and down off the ground. He wanted to make she would be comfortable and happy through the rest of her pregnancy until . . .

The Doctor suddenly stood up and went right up to Wanda so fast that it shocked the others. Wanda blinked, taken back by the Time Lord's apparent urgency as he held her tight on her upper arms.

"Take it off," he instructed her in a hurry.

"W-what?" Wanda stuttered, blinking rapidly now with her face blushing. What was he wanting her to take off? Her clothes?

"The necklace. Off. Now," the Doctor pushed, reaching up in swift speed, yanking off her necklace before any even knew what he had done. He then promptly stuffed the necklace into his tweed pocket. Wanda gasped as she hurriedly placed hands on her stomach. Feeling almost naked without her necklace, she felt so vulnerable in anyone being able to see her with her large belly. Was he crazy?! Anyone in the busy park could see her stomach as clear as day, and any of them could be after Ember.

"Doctor! What are you thinking? What if someone sees me like this?" Wanda yelled angrily, waving a hand at her change of appearance. "How come you're—." She was silenced by the Doctor, who had slammed his lips against hers. He held her so tight against him that she wondered if he was trying to squeeze the air out of her. He then pulled back, leaving her blinking in a daze.

"It doesn't matter," he said, his voice rumbling like a gale. Tilting her chin up, she stared into his green eyes, seeing the storm brewing away in his irises as he seemed to take in all her features with care.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice quiet in her uncertainty.

He gazed in a forlorn manner at her for a moment longer before dropping her chin. "Nothing. Just . . ." He seemed unable to explain to her what his actions meant. Almost as though he himself did not understand what he was doing. So, not really trying to contemplate on why he was acting strangely, or give Wanda an explanation on anything, he merely kissed her again. Harder this time. Then, while she was still in a daze from the Doctor's almost desperate kiss, he pulled her over and, as tenderly as possible, helped her down to the ground. He sat down next to her, scooting down to begin cuddling up to her side. Hugging her around the middle, he lay his head on her stomach, slowly stroking it.

"Um . . .," Wanda spoke up, staring at her husband anxiously, truly beginning to fear on what his behavior meant, "is everything okay, sweetie?" She threaded her fingers through his soft hair, tenderly massaging his scalp.

"No," he mumbled as he continued on rubbing her stomach, keeping his eyes closed as he allowed himself to feel the bond between his wife and his child. Those two little hearts beating away . . . The sound weighed in his stomach like heavy stones.

"All right . . ." Wanda glanced at Amy and Rory, seeing how each of them stared at the Time Lords as though they were walking on thin ice. Wanda then stared at the Doctor once more. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"

"No," the Doctor repeated.

"Right then." A heavy frown set on Wanda's face as she stared at Amy and Rory once more. Waving a confused hand, gesturing at the Doctor, each of them averted their eyes. Great, now they were all keeping secrets from her. "Well, can I at least have my necklace back?"

The Doctor's hand tightened on her green blouse. "You don't need it."

"Says who? You've been nagging at me for months now on always keeping it on. Why the sudden change of mind?"

"Because . . . I want to remember this." He sat up, getting closer to her, holding her face in both hands as he stared deeply into her eyes. "I want to engrain this moment into my memory. Forever."

Wanda blinked. "Why this moment in particular?"

He did not answer as he merely kissed her again. Then, once more, scooted down to lay his head on her stomach and continue his tender petting. Wanda gave up on trying to ask him anything else. She knew she would get no answer. But looking at Amy who sat close by, and Rory who still stood facing away, she wondered if she could get answers out of someone else.

"So . . . where and when are we?" Wanda asked, trying to bypass the strange behaviour of a certain Time Lord and act casual.

"New York. 2012," Amy answered as she thumbed through her paper. Wanda pondered this date for a moment. New York. Something tried clicking in her mind on what this meant. It was something important, she knew this for certain. Why it was important, though, she could not remember. Shrugging this off, she knew that she would remember eventually. She looked over at Amy, realizing with interest that there was something different about the companion.

"You're wearing glasses. Since when?" Wanda asked curiously, smiling eagerly at the sight of glasses.

"Since a while ago," Amy laughed, lifting her eyes from the paper to see the Time Lady's eager grin of delight. "My eyes sight isn't getting any younger, you know."

"Yeah, I can tell by the lines under your eyes," Wanda responded casually. Amy scoffed, hitting Wanda on the arm while the Time Lady snickered.

"I do not have lines under my eyes. Right, Rory?" Amy turned to her husband, seeing the almost panicked look on his face when realizing he had to answer that. While Rory stuttered for an answer, Wanda snatched the glasses from Amy, spinning them around on her hands. Smiling when she had an idea, it was quick work of her to get the Doctor to sit up properly and push the glasses onto his face.

"There. I knew there was always something missing from this face. It was clever glasses. I miss the clever glasses. It always did make your Tenth face look so sexy." Wanda giggled as the Doctor blinked in shock, taken back by the glasses being put on his face. He pulled them off for a second, inspecting them, before promptly placing them back on with a small boyish grin.

"Do I look sexy now?" he asked her teasingly.

"Oh, yes, Definitely," Wanda chuckled. They both leaned forward and gave the other a kiss. She then pulled back, observing the Doctor's expression and actions carefully. Trying to see if he was easing somewhat from his earlier apparent dismay and utter loss in cheer. If he, and the other two, did ease into laughter easily, then Wanda knew that it was something bad, but not too horrid that they could not get over it. However, as she stared at the Time Lord and companions, she could tell that all of the smiles, the laughter, the jokes: they were forced. Each of them seemed to strain in keeping up a lighthearted charade for her. So, whatever was causing them woe . . . it must have been something so unspeakable . . .

"So, are any of you going to tell me what's wrong? For real this time," Wanda said calmly, holding an even stare with them all. Amy quickly looked back to her paper, though unable to read it now. Rory cleared his throat, staring off towards the sky. The Doctor was the only one who kept his gaze with Wanda.

"Spoilers," the Doctor whispered. He lifted a hand up absently, brushing a stray strand of blonde hair behind Wanda's ear. She blinked, grabbing the hand that stayed on her face, wishing she could ease the pain away for her Theta for the despairing expression on his face broke her hearts.

"I'm going to go and get us some more coffee. Who wants more coffee?" Rory suddenly asked in quick fashion, seeming to want to avoid the dreary atmosphere around them all. Wanda blinked out of her stupor of staring at the Doctor. Looking towards Rory, a quick plan formed in her mind.

"Can I come with?" she questioned, forcing a happy and light tone out. "I really want some, but I'm not certain what I'm craving at the moment." She struggled to get back up from the ground, and found the Doctor, acting fast, helped her right up. But he did not let her go, keeping her close.

"Stay with me. Please," he whispered in a plea. His voice only high enough for Wanda herself to hear him. Staring cautiously at him, Wanda felt almost as though he were not really asking her to not go with Rory to get coffee. No. It was almost as though he were begging for something else entirely.

"I'm just going to get coffee with Rory, sweetie," Wanda replied in assurance. Leaning up, she gave him a loving kiss, reaching into his pocket discreetly to pull out her necklace. "We'll be right back." Placing on her necklace, she turned on her heels, marching right up to Rory and linking her arm with him. "Come on, old man. That coffee ain't going to get itself."

She practically pulled him along as they walked off, heading over a bridge and through the trails of the park. Soon, while passing through a tunnel under another bridge, they came across a large open area for people to mingle. A very sizable fountain sat right in the middle of the area. A nice spot for people to sit and relax by. Dropping Rory's arm, Wanda walked right towards the fountain, crossing her arms as she stared down at the rippling waters. Rory shifted over hesitantly beside her, placing his hands in his pockets, watching the water, too. He repeatedly glanced at her, wondering if she was going to say something. Still, though, she remained silent as her eyes stay fixed on the water of the large fountain.

Finally, she said, "I really like fountains." She let out a sigh, looking over to Rory. "You know why I like fountains? 'Cause they are a good thinking place. A good calm place. It's soothing being by them, being able to let the sound ease your mind." She stared at the rippling water once more, trying to let the smooth motion and gentle sound of the falling water wash away her worries. "Wish they worked all the time." Turning to the still quiet companion, Wanda tightened her crossed arms as she held a soft stare. "Rory . . . if there's anyone I know that won't beat around the bush when it comes to secrets and spoilers, it's you. So, spill. What's got you all down in the dumps? I want to know what has caused you all sadness. I hate seeing my family in misery more than anything, and I want to help make you all feel better any way possible."

Rory opened his mouth a few times as though he were trying to come up with an answer for her. Soon though, he appeared to give up as he let out a heavy sigh.

"You know the Doctor's rules, Wanda. No spoilers," Rory mumbled.

"Oh, come on, Rory. This isn't the time for sticking to the rules. You and I broke more of the Doctor's rules than any ever had when it came to protecting both him and Amy during those two thousand years," Wanda stated in frustration.

"Yeah, in an alternate universe. It didn't matter then about rules. And, frankly, these are my rules, too" Rory retorted crossly, shooting Wanda a look in the corner of his eye. "I'm not having the universe blow up again because of your curiosity."

Wanda let out an agitated noise, throwing her hands up into the air. "Fine, then, at least give me a sneak peek or something."

He shook his head, firm in his stance. "I can't. I'm sorry." And he truly did look sorry. His eyes stared at her in remorse. "It's for your own good."

"Ugh!" She groaned, giving into the sad look Rory was giving her. "Fine. Fine. Fine! I won't ask for any more stupid spoilers." Turning, her motions sharp, she marched right back toward the tunnel that they had come through.

"Wanda, wait, where are you going?" Rory sped up, trying to stay in step with her.

"I don't want coffee anymore. I shouldn't drink it, anyway. Not healthy for the baby. You can go ahead and get drinks for the others if you want."

As they walked through the tunnel, the noise of the park seemed to almost disappear. The sunny day leaving them for a gloomy one. Things were almost too quiet. This did not improve Wanda's worry and anxious mind over what could possibly be plaguing her family. In fact, she only felt worse as her mind kept on trying to remind her of something important from earlier. Something she needed to remember and fast. But what? Then . . . she heard the squeaking laughter and the fluttering of feathered wings. Wanda halted in place, her eyes going wide. Rory bumped right into her.

"What? Did you change your mind about the coffee?" Rory asked her, staring curiously at her, wondering why she would suddenly stop like that. Wanda sucked in a shaky breath, closing her eyes tightly for a moment before opening once more, turning to stare at Rory with such sorrow.

"Oh, Rory. I am so, so sorry. I'd forgotten," Wanda let out in a small sob of sorts. Rory, confused by the Time Lady's apparent dismay and fright, held her shoulders steadily in hopes to calm her down as she looked ready to break down.

"What did you forget?" Rory questioned.

Wanda's lower lip quivered as she heard the fluttering of wings draw closer. "The Angels. I forgot all about the Angels." Lowering her gaze, she reached up and held onto Rory's hands that were still on her shoulder very tightly. "I'm sorry, Rory."

"Why are you sorry?"

"Because, now, there's nothing I can do to change it." She closed her eyes tightly and hugged Rory. Holding onto to him as strong as she could while the fluttering of wings and squeaking laughter surrounded them.

XxXxXxXx

Amy constantly glanced at the Doctor, still nervous as ever by him remaining so silent and solemn. He kept on her round glasses from earlier. Simply sitting there on the rock, with his elbows resting on his knees as he slumped in his posture, staring off at nothing in particular. He barely moved or shifted while they remained sitting there, watching the people of the park stroll by. Letting out a long sigh, Amy let her gaze wander over to the picnic basket next to her. Peaking at the Doctor in the corner of her eye once more, she cleared her throat.

"Do you want to start digging into the basket?" Amy suggested. She frowned when she received no response. Letting out a huff, she turned to the basket and began shifting through the contents inside. She was puzzled by the strange book that was inside, right on top of all the food and such. Pulling out the book, it was odd to her on why the book was there, what kind of book it was, and that there was a sticky note right on top. The note read:

Page thirty-four is what you're looking for.

Be careful.

I love you all.

A.T.

"I think this is for you," Amy said, handing the book over to the Doctor. It was very peculiar on why this certain book would be in the basket. But knowing who had packed the picnic for them, Amy knew it was not the oddest thing ever for them to do. The Doctor took the book from Amy, staring at it curiously as he held it. Taking off the sticky note, he stared at the small message for a long moment, taking in the handwriting, and the love and affection it portrayed.

"Her handwriting . . .," the Doctor trailed off thoughtfully.

"What about it?" Amy asked.

"It's just like . . .," he began saying, unable to properly finish his thoughts as the realization of how the message was written struck him with awe.

"Yeah," Amy agreed, knowing what the Doctor was trying to say. She even smiled while glancing at the sticky note.

Humming, even smiling a bit, the Doctor sat the note down into the basket, taking in the book's cover. On the front, there was drawing of a woman, with frizzy hair, wearing a dark trench coat, and a dark hat which covered her eyes while she smirked cheekily out at him. The title read, Melody Malone: Private Detective in Old New York. Seemed like an interesting book. He would have probably picked it out himself under normal circumstances. Though at the moment, he did not precisely feel like reading anything for amusement. However, if it was suggested to him for an important reason . . .

Turning to the page in quick fashion, he scanned through the writing, amused by the character of the book. She had a unique style that he could admire. As he read through one paragraph, even though he was through half the story, he could tell that she was trailing someone. Or rather a few persons. Two people, in fact. A skinny guy and girl. One taller than the other. The guy seemed at a loss as he walked around the streets, while the girl was observed by Melody as shaken, yet calm.

"What does it say?" Amy asked the Doctor, curious as to what was on the page that he was told to read. Gazing at the Time Lord, the ginger companion was caught off guard by the sudden wide-eyed, pure terror, expression on his face. The line that caught his eyes read: 'The skinny gal looked hard at me and said, "Doctor, please, find us in 1938, April 3rd. Hurry, the Angels are coming."'

"Wanda is telling me to come find them in New York of 1938," he breathed, standing up slowly as he held the book tight in his grasp. His eyes began scanning the pages in front of him in rapid pace, beginning to process on what exactly was going on. He then promptly stuffed the book into his jacket and began to run down the park walkway.

"Doctor?!" Amy called out to him, running after him.

"Come along, Pond! We haven't got all day!" he shouted in return.

XxXxXxXx

Travelling by a Weeping Angel's touch . . . it was best described similar to a Time Agent's Vortex manipulator. Sudden, uncomfortable, and gave a nasty headache afterward. Rory fell against a brick wall just behind him. Wanda rocked on her feet, keeping her balance the best she could. Breathing in sharply, she gazed around their surroundings, seeing that they were close to where Central Park would be in Old New York. It seemed the small Angel Cherubs had sent them a few blocks away from where they had just been. Now, they were located in an alleyway. A dirty one at that.

"What the hell just happened?" Rory panted, trying to catch his breath from the abrupt sensation they had gone through. He gazed around, taken back when seeing the dark night around them. "Wasn't it just the afternoon a moment ago?"

"It was in 2012. Not here," Wanda answered, narrowing her eyes as she searched for anyone who might be nearby. It seemed they were relatively safe at the moment for there was no soul in sight. Though 'safe' was not at all a guarantee on this day. Turning to the still unsteady Rory, Wanda walked over and helped the man keep on his feet. "There. I've got you. You've got to take it easy. Time travel without a capsule is real rough on the body."

"It's never been rough on your body. You travel through time without the TARDIS daily," Rory countered.

"Yeah, well . . . I'm a special case." Wanda gave a quick glance around when she thought she heard feathered wings flying about. She hoped it was just a pigeon or something. But in case it was not, she made certain to link her arm with Rory's and start steering him down the alleyway. "Come on. We need to find River."

"River?" Rory blinked in surprise, beginning to gaze around in wondering where his daughter could be. "She's here? And where is here anyway?"

"We're still in New York if that's what you're wondering." Wanda looked over her shoulder as they walked briskly through the empty streets of 1938. Things were much dimmer and quieter during the night then what New York would be in the future. It made things feel even more uneasy for her. "We've been transported by to New York in 1938."

"What? How?" Rory was appalled by this news, completely blown away that they could have been in one place just a few seconds ago, and suddenly find themselves in another time period. He could believe it if they had travelled by TARDIS. But to travel out of nothing?

"The Weeping Angels. Remember them? Creatures who you have to keep staring at, keep them locked in stone, or else they come to life and send you back in the past to eat up what would have been your future. Don't stare at their eyes, whatever you do. Might have an Angel living in your head after that, and we don't have a crack in time to send it away this time around. I wonder if the Doctor has already gotten to the page where we arrive. Do you think he has? Was he even reading the book in the first place? I don't remember a book being around."

"Wanda . . . can you breathe for a moment? I don't think you hyperventilating from talking will do us any good." Rory patted her arm lightly, hoping to calm her as she appeared to be having a small panicked moment, talking at a very rapid and high pitched rate.

Taking in a breath, Wanda let out her next exhale slowly. "Sorry. I just . . . things are gonna . . . I don't want . . . you and Amy . . . the Doctor . . ." No real sense came out of her words as she struggled to explain to Rory exactly how terrified she felt.

". . . Right. Okay. You're scared about something, I get that." Rory frowned, having a million questions running through his mind, but wondered if Wanda would even be able to answer them. She seemed just as lost as he felt. Still, he needed to know what they were up against. "You said earlier that River was here?"

"Yeah. She's using an alias by the name of Melody Malone, sort of looking into the strange happenings in New York. During this era of New York, anyway. It's a massive time distortions at the moment because of all the paradoxes the Angels are creating. In fact, this moment in time, for New York, is going to become an alternate timeline of sorts. Specifically, after a . . . certain event happens." Wanda grew quiet after this. Her voice trailing off to nothing as she let the silence hang heavily around them. Only their marching footsteps on the concrete made a sound.

Rory, staring carefully at the Time Lady, noticed her ever-growing somber demeanour. A glum mood seemed to grow heavier and heavier on the blonde the more they talked and walked. "What sort of event will that be?" He received no response as Wanda remained as silent as ever. Simply, she leaned her head against him and hugged his arm even more.

Soon, she finally spoke. "Your face was the first face that I saw of this universe. Did you know that?"

Staring at her curiously, Rory raised a brow at her sudden statement. "Yeah, I was kind of there."

"Right." Wanda nodded absently, staring off distantly towards the dark street ahead of them. She smiled and gave a small chuckle. "The very first companion I ever came across. Rory Williams, the Roman nurse, right there to comfort me upon my arrival into this new life of mine. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way, really. You're the perfect person to keep things calm, to keep people from freaking out or stop them from going overboard with crazy antics. You've kept the Doctor and Amy in line more times than I can count. They'd both be lost without you there to keep them in line . . . I know I would be, too. So . . . it was great being able to have you there. That day . . . heh, it's one of my favourite memories. The waking up in a grave part, I mean."

"Being found in an open grave is one of your favourite memories?" Rory chuckled and shook his head. "Only you or the Doctor could think of that as a good day." Glancing at her once more, he saw that, even though she was recalling a fond memory, she still held such a sad expression. "So . . . why are you bringing this up?" Again, she grew silent. "Wanda?" Still, she did not answer. Then, it sort of clicked in his mind. ". . . I'm going to die, aren't I?"

In a flash, she whipped her head up to stare at him, stopping them right in the middle of their tracks. She held onto his arm, beginning to tremble and her eyes welling up. She wanted to sob right there and then. Losing a companion was always hard. It was depressing with Donna. It was misery with River. It was heartbreaking with Rose. With Amy and Rory . . . she and the Doctor would be in anguish after everything is said and done on this day. How could she just sit back and let a part of her family go? Yet . . . she had to because . . . she already knew that it happened. Though . . . could she still stop it? Change time and all that?

Closing her eyes tightly, lowering her face away from Rory, she let her mind leap into any possibilities of the day. Many images flashed through. None of which were pleasant. From what was going to happen, meant to happen, and might happen, everything simply led to the same conclusion. Rory and Amy . . . the two wonderful and brilliant Ponds . . . could no longer travel with the Time Lords in the TARDIS. If they did not leave today . . . If they were not taken away from them by the Angels, then . . . in another time, in another possibility, Amy would die. She would die right before them all, and there would be nothing they could do about it. Rory would be distraught beyond comparison. He could not take life without his love, the one person who gave him meaning. He would leave the TARDIS in dismay and misery. Soon to follow after Amy's fate by his own hands.

No . . . Oh, god, not that, Wanda knew she must not let this happen. It . . . it was horrible. Beyond words. It . . . They . . . No. No. NO!

"Wanda?!" Rory yelled as he shook Wanda by the arms. She gasped loudly as she opened her eyes, staring wide-eyed at the man in front of her. Still alive. Still unaware of what could be lying for him in another timeline. Her body shook as she stood there. Whether it be from exhaustion in using her abilities of insight or from dread of what might come, she did not know.

"Are you using the possibilities again? You know what the Doctor said about using your abilities while being pregnant," Rory began to scold her. But he stopped in his rant when the Time Lady swiftly hugged him around the middle, crying right into his chest. "Um," he responded, glancing around as if hoping for the Doctor and Amy to show up to help him calm the Time Lady, before he wrapped his arms around her and patted her back, "hey, it's okay. It's . . . it's not like this is the first time that I've died." He tried chuckling humourously, but found himself unable to laugh at something so bleak. "That is why you're upset, isn't it?"

"No . . . Yes . . . I—I don't want to talk about it," Wanda's voice came out muffled in Rory's shirt.

"Well . . . at least I know that you and the Doctor will figure something out. You both always do." Rory swallowed heavily when seeing Wanda lift her tearful eyes to stare at him. The bleak expression she held . . . it was obvious that this time would be different than all other times. He kept his mouth shut for a while, thinking things over as Wanda buried her head into his chest and continued to weep for what was to come. Patting her back in kindness, he spoke, "How is it going to happen?"

"Rory . . . I don't' want to tell—."

"Tell me." His voice stern and strong. He held a firm gaze with her when she looked back up at him. "I want to know how it happens. If I'm going to die, permanently this time, then I want to know what to expect."

"You can't change this, Rory. This . . . this is a fixed point in time for you. And if you try to change it . . ."

"You saw in a possibility that things would go worse if it was changed?" Wanda's nod confirmed his suspicion. "Don't worry. I'm not going to try and cheat death. I've worked with death for years now. I know when it's time for someone to go, there's just nothing you can do about it. You and the Doctor know that all too well, too." Rory felt Wanda shiver as she held him tighter. "So, how does it . . . ah, how do I . . . um, well, die?"

Wanda whispered, "The Weeping Angels. They'll . . . they'll keep you locked here . . . in New York's past."

"Can't you and the Doctor just travel back and pick me up again?"

"No . . . not this time." Wanda sighed, taking a step back from Rory as she gave him such a look of remorse. "There are far too many paradoxes here. The Angels are creating so many. It'll be hard enough for the Doctor to travel here just for one trip. And after his one trip, another, more massive, paradox will be created. If he tries to make another after that . . . then the whole city, and all its people, will be destroyed." A gloomy cloud hung over them after this was said. Neither of them knowing what to say to the other.

Finally, Rory cleared his throat weakly. ". . . After this massive paradox, I'll be trapped here? So, then . . . it's not really dying. More or less just me living in another life. I guess I can deal with that." Soon, his eyes grew set in a determined gaze. "Wanda, can you promise me something? Can you make sure that Amy is taken care of? I don't want her to be alone after I'm gone."

Wanda pinched her thumb, staring down at the ground. "You don't have to worry about her being alone, Rory. She's going to be with you in the past, too. You know how she can't stand to be apart from you. And I did promise you a long time ago that you two would always be together, didn't I?" Wanda gave him a weak smile with her bottom lip trembling.

Rory blinked in surprise. "We'll be together?"

"Y-yeah. You'll always be together."

The nurse gave a sigh of relief, glad to at least some good news this day. He could go through anything that the universe threw at him, as long as Amy was by his side. However, in seeing how distraught Wanda still appeared to be, he knew just how deeply both he and Amy would miss the Time Lady and Time Lord. He smiled kindly, petting the top of Wanda's head in a reassuring gesture. "Well, Amy and I have been talking about whether or not we should settle down in our lives. Though it meant choosing between you, the Doctor, and the TARDIS, or normal life. Guess this is life's way of choosing for us." Wanda began to cry again. Rory shook his head, not wanting her to cry. "Hey, hey. Don't be upset, Wanda. Amy and I will manage. We'll be fine."

"B-but I do-don't want you two to go!" Wanda rubbed at her face, trying to quell her tears.

"We don't want to go, either. But we don't have a choice now, do we?"

They both remained solemn and quiet after this. Neither one knowing what to say. So, as if silently agreeing, they linked arms again and continued walking down the walkway. Rory stared on ahead, letting the information Wanda told him soak in while Wanda kept her gaze down on the concrete. Everything on her feeling too heavy to bother looking up. Soon, she looked back at Rory once more.

"I wish I could have spent more time with you, Rory. I mean, time with just me and you on our own adventures," Wanda told him. "I've gotten plenty of times to have my own adventures with just me and other companions. No Doctor or anyone else. Just us. But I don't think you or I have ever gotten that chance very often or for very long. I would have liked to. I enjoy getting equal times with all companions."

"But we have," Rory replied. "I guess it's just in your future."

"Oh . . ." Wanda glanced at him hopefully. "Do we have fun? I wasn't a bore, was I?"

Rory laughed, shaking his head. "No. You, a bore? Never." Pondering in thought, he grinned as he decided to give Wanda a few sneak peeks of his own. "There was one time, when Amy and the Doctor were stuck in this jail cell, and we had to figure out a way to get them out by using a blow horn, duct tape, and a rubber ducky."

Wanda snorted. "What? They were in jail?"

"Yeah. They both insulted this Lord—guy. Amy lost her temper, and the Doctor wouldn't stop calling this guy . . . um, I don't really think I should repeat it, but it was actually funny now that I think about it."

Rory continued to give Wanda small sneak peeks on what adventures they had gone on, or rather would go on for her. Many times would they have to get Amy or the Doctor, or both of them, sometimes with River thrown into the mix, out of trouble. Or vise-versa with them needing to get out of trouble with help from the others. To Wanda, it all sounded fun, and she was so glad to have made Rory and Amy so happy with all the fun adventures.

A figure shifted up ahead of them. Wanda observed the dark area with careful eyes. Squinting through the darkness, the figure was barely made out to be a woman, judging by the curvy hips. Then, when the frizzy hair was seen under the dark hat, Wanda knew who it was.

"Mels!" Wanda cried, running away from Rory and straight into the open arms of River. The woman laughed lightly as she hugged the Time Lady in return, even giving Wanda a kiss on her forehead.

"Hello, sweetie. I'm happy to see you, too," River said. When Rory came up to the two, River smirked cheekily. "Hello, dad." Rory gave her a nod in greetings. Wanda suddenly backed away from River, holding a very determined expression.

"Doctor, please, find us in 1938, April 3rd. Hurry, the Angels are coming," Wanda stated, voice full of authority. River was not even fazed by this statement from the blonde girl, as she only raised a sly brow with a cheeky smile. Rory, on the other hand, blinked rapidly.

"Um . . . why did you say that?" questioned Rory.

"'Cause the Doctor needed to read it in a book," Wanda answered casually, glancing back to look over Rory's shoulder. "You'll probably want to put your hands up now."

Confused by what she had said, he turned around slowly, going wide-eyed when seeing a gun pointed right at his face. His hands instantly shot into the air, surrendering immediately as River told him. Wanda backed up to stand with her back against Rory's, holding up her own hands as another man with a gun came up behind Mels.

"Melody Malone?" the man said gruffly. A car screeched right up to them, coming to a halt in the middle of the road. "Get in."

XxXxXxXx

"Oi, watch where you're pushing me about! I'm not some kind of rag doll for you to play with!" Wanda barked at the man who kept repeatedly shoving her forward into the large manor. She continued to grumble under her breath when the man's only response was to shove her even harder.

The mansion that they were being led to was massive. With tall stone pillars decorated on the outside, and . . . stone statues . . . everywhere. Wanda tensed as she swore she saw one of the Angels standing guard outside moved. She knew why there were so many here in this particular spot. The man who owned the mansion, Julius Grayle, was a crime boss, and collector of anything unique and unusual that he came across. Some of which happened to be Angels. Mostly baby Angels. But there was one adult who he had chained up in his office, slowly torturing it. And by doing this, he was causing the Angel to scream out to any other Angel in New York, gathering up almost a whole squad to come rescue it. That idiotic buffoon.

Inside the mansion was much more grand in appearance than the outside. Warm coloured wood made up the interior, with the place decorated by many old vases, plates, paintings. All of which appeared to be from the early Qin Dynasty.

"Ah, lovely pieces. The artist truly outdid himself with these. And I should know. Me and the Doctor met him," Wanda spoke up casually. "Isn't that right, sweetie? We met him in a bar fight, if I remember correctly. About 221 B.C." She stared up towards the ceiling as if talking to someone.

"Um, who are you talking to?" Rory asked her.

"The Doctor. I'm trying to remind him of which artist to go to," Wanda answered, rolling her eyes as if what she was doing and saying was obvious. The crime boss Grayle then came down the stairs, eyeing up River next to them with a sly smirk on his face. He then looked at Rory and Wanda with little disdain.

"These two, put them somewhere uncomfortable," Grayle ordered his men, pointing at Rory and Wanda.

"With the babies, sir?" the large man asked as he walked up behind the two.

"Yes. Why not?" Grayle replied, smiling as if pleased by this. "Give them to the babies." The man grabbed both Wanda and Rory harshly by the upper arm, ready to drag them off like his boss instructed him to. Wanda glared at the man when she heard Rory let out a sound of pain from the rough grasp the goon had. Her arm hurt just as badly, but the fact that Rory was in pain just made her feel even worse about what was going to happen later. She did not want any pain for either him or Amy this day.

Rory was pushed down the stairs of the cellar. He fell down the steps in a jumble, groaning out loudly in pain once he reached the bottom. The man who had pushed him chuckled cruelly under his breath. Scoffing in anger, Wanda raised her foot up and stomped sharply on the man's foot. He let go of her immediately as an instinctive retreat, crying out from the pain. Wanda then promptly marched down the steps after Rory, kneeling down to check up on him. She glanced over when hearing something hit the ground beside her. It was a box of matches. Very few matches. The man up on the stairs sneered at her before turning and walking back up the stairs. Once the door up above was shut, both people in the cellar were thrown into darkness.

"What is that?" Rory asked the moment the squeaky laughter started up from the darkness.

"Angel babies. They look like cherubs," Wanda answered steadily as she began searching through one of her trouser pockets. "Or, they could just be cherub statues that were converted into Weeping Angels, and are just called babies. Not quite sure. Never bothered to ask an Angel if they even have children biologically, or if they merely convert smaller statues into their race. Don't think they would answer that one. Question like that gets into the more private, personal life." Finding what she was feeling for within her pockets, she quickly pulled out her torch and clicked it on. Rory jumped up from the ground and backed away in panic when seeing all the cherub statues reaching their hands out towards them. Wanda stood up slowly as she took in the sight, seeing the almost playful smiles on the little statues faces. "Either way, they are just children. Murderous children, but children all the same."

"What kind of kids murder people for fun?" Rory retorted sarcastically, fearful of what was about to happen to them both. Would they be sent even farther back in time? Would the Doctor be able to find them if they did?

"The Weeping Angels feast on people's lives. It's not exactly their fault that's how they live themselves. You can't blame a lion for being a lion." She narrowed her eyes as she glared at the statues. Children or not, they needed to learn when enough was enough. "But, sometimes, a lion oversteps its natural ways. And then people must take their own step to correct the lion's disregard, reminding the lion that he has his place in the world and there must be balance. The Angels are doing that just now. They've gotten lazy, going for a loophole in the universe for an easy feast. The bloody cheating bastards."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's the reason why we're here, Rory. The Angels have created paradoxes, a huge mess of them, by repeatedly sending people back into this one particular time. Over and over again, never letting them escape. They've even turned an apartment complex downtown into a place of harvest." She backed up closer to Rory when the light on her torch began to flicker. "Time to get a move on. Here." She handed him the torch. "Hold onto this. Keep your eyes on them at all times. Blink one eye at a time if you have to. I'm going to get the door unlocked."

Pulling out her sonic, she made it light up and buzz briefly before marching upstairs. Rory walked up the steps backward, keeping his eyes trained on the little Angels. It was hard, however, as whatever power the Angels had were making the torch flicker even more. Each time the light wavered, the Angels grew closer to them up on top of the stairs.

"Wanda, you better hurry up. I don't think this torch is going to last," Rory pressed the Time Lady, pushing himself as close as he could get to her. Making certain that his way blocked the Angel's path towards her. Even if they were to be taken through time again, he hoped that he could do some good as to at least give Wanda a chance of escape.

"I'm trying. They're messing with my sonic, too," Wanda grumbled in frustration, banging on her screwdriver at it too wavered in light and power. Jamming it at the cellar door's lock, she gritted her teeth and focused her mind on the lock. Finally, the very satisfying click of a lock sounded off. "Yes!" Wanda jumped in cheer, turning to pull Rory out of the cellar with her. She froze in place when she saw her torch sitting on the step next to her, rocking back and forth while the light flickered weakly. The cherubs held out their hands towards her, grinning in glee as they ready themselves to get her next. Wanda glared at them in rage. "You all need a timeout!"

Snatching up her torch, she hurriedly backed up out of the cellar and slammed the door shut. She then speedily locked the door with her sonic, making certain to keep all the Angels inside. A clock ticked away somewhere in the hall as she stood stalk still by the door. She held onto the handle tightly, unmoving as she stared at the graining of the wooden door. A small sigh escaped her lips, letting her forehead lean against the door while closing her eyes. If anyone were to come across her at that moment, they would have assumed she was merely tired, unable to see the true weigh of time rest on her shoulders, making her feel so worn in her life. The weary nature of her life was finally starting to catch up with her. Just as the Doctor's timeline was. Now, after everything she has been through during her time with her precious Doctor . . . she wondered if she had finally and completely lost that innocence of her First self that still remained stubborn within her.

"Oh, Rory, Amelia. If only time can change. Just this once, can't it change?" Wanda breathed. Sucking in a wavering breath, she steeled herself, straightening up from the door and storming off from it. She knew by now the Doctor and Amy must have arrived in New York with the help of River. The TARDIS's one trip ticket into old New York used up.

"WHERE IS SHE?!"

Wanda jolted in her step when hearing the bellowing shout coming from her Theta from the front of the mansion. There was banging and yelling going on in a frenzy from what she could hear. It almost sounded like someone was creating a storm of chaos through the place. She quickened in her footsteps, trying to reach and calm her Doctor as fast as she could. Reaching the main entrance to the manor, she met with the chaos that she had heard from the back.

Papers scattered everywhere in the room. The TARDIS was parked by the stairs in a haste, not even aligned right as the Doctor usual did. Men of Grayle's lied around the floor, out cold with injuries on their hands and heads. Nothing too serious, but . . . it still appeared as though someone had given them a good thrashing. Wanda jumped, letting out a startled yelp when a door suddenly burst outwards with someone flying through the doorway and onto the floor on their backs. The Oncoming Storm, boiling in his fury, stomped right over to the goon he had thrown through the doors. The man on the floor stared back fearfully as the Doctor crouched over the human, snarling in his face.

"You have until the count of three to tell me where my wife is," the Doctor growled in a low, dark voice. "One . . . Two . . . Thre—."

"Doctor! Stop! I'm right here!" Wanda yelled, rushing over to him in fear that he might do something to the man that he would regret later. The Doctor glanced up from where he crouched, standing up so fast and reaching for Wanda before she knew what he was doing. He crushed her against him, keeping her locked to him as though fearful she might be torn away again.

"I'm sorry I let you out of my sight. Never again. I promise," he breathed strongly into her ear.

"Well, that'll be impossible. I can hardly keep track of myself at times," she joked weakly, patting his back in hope to calm whatever storm he had been raging through. She glanced over to see the man who had been lying on the floor now stood up and was running out of the mansion. The poor bugger must have had one hell of a scare from the Oncoming Storm.

"Doctor, I can't find Rory or Wanda anywhere!"

Amy came running down the stairs from above, appearing panicked in trying to find the two missing people that she and the Doctor had been in search for. Then, when the ginger woman spotted Wanda in the Time Lord's arms below, Amy practically leaped down the rest of the stairs to pull the blonde into a death grip.

"Why does everyone insist on choking me today?" Wanda joked humourously, smiling as she patted Amy's back in comfort. The Time Lady's hands tightened around Amy as painful thoughts went through Wanda's mind. It suddenly dawned on her . . . that this would be the last time that she and Amy might ever hug. For the companion, that is. Wanda's eyes began to well up, and she quickly buried her head into Amy's hair to hide her sadness. Amy tried pulling away, sensing something was wrong, but Wanda held her even tighter.

"I didn't say I wanted you to stop hugging," Wanda joked again, adding a weak giggle into the mix as to not alert Amy to her remorse for what was to come.

"Is everything okay, though? Where's Rory?" Amy asked the Time Lady, patting her back soothingly.

"I'm sorry, Amy. I tried getting us out of the cellar as quick as I could. But the baby Angels got him just before we escaped," Wanda explained, backing up to meet Amy's gaze. She hoped that her deep miserable expression might have been merely passed off of her being guilty for letting Rory get caught and not in suspicion of what was to come. Wanda then smiled as though to reassure Amy. "But don't worry! I know where he is. He was taken to the Winter Quay apartments. They're not that far from here."

"She's right. He's been moved in space, not in time," came the voice of River. The three in the grand hall turned to see River walking out of Grayle's study. She held a scanner up to her with one hand, while her other hand stayed limp at her side. The Doctor raised a brow in surprise at the sight of the woman.

"You got out," he stated in disbelief. Though, also in a little bit of joy.

He could not help but smile at the possibility of seeing River, wrist free from any breaks from the Angel's hold. They had been in an argument a few moments before he had lost control of his temper upon the arrival of Grayle's goons and their jeers of having thrown Wanda away somewhere. He insisted that they try to get River's wrist out somehow without breaking it from the Angel's hand. That was . . . until he saw the ending chapter to the book. A title that bore into his mind, reminding him over and over again just how powerless he was when it came to changing the fate of his loved ones. Fixed points in time. That phrase that haunted him since the time when the Earth had been stolen. Was there anything in his power to stop this? Any of this? Could he save Amelia, one of his very best friends? Could he . . . could he also, in the end, gain the ability to save . . .

His mind refused to think of the last one which he must save. It hurt his hearts far too much to even ponder over the ending story in his life. But with River saving her wrist, maybe, just maybe, things could finally change to turn out brighter for him. For them all.

Then, his hopes were crushed when Wanda suddenly stepped around him and rushed over to her sister in concern. The Time Lady, as gently as possible, lifted River's injured hand and wrist, showing them all the swollen appendage with deep red, bruised skin. River winced in pain as Wanda held it. Even though the Time Lady was being as loving and tender as possible in holding the injury, it still hurt River greatly.

"Oh, Mels, I'm so sorry you had to do that," Wanda whispered sadly. "It doesn't hurt too badly, does it? Is there anything I can do? Maybe there's something in the TARDIS . . ."

"I'm all right, sweetie," River assured the blonde. "I've been through worse injuries."

"Are you sure?" Wanda asked, still worried for the broken wrist. River had to go through such pain. To break one's own wrist like that was just torturous.

"Positive," River replied, smiling warmly and leaning forward to give Wanda a convincing kiss on the forehead. Wanda smiled weakly in response, still troubled by her sister having to go through such pain. Lifting River's hand, she gave the broken wrist a light kiss in return. Wanda then held the hand in both of her own, looking as though she were concentrating hard. She even gritted her teeth. River raised a brow. "Sweetie, what are you doing?"

"Trying to start up my regeneration energy. I want to heal you. But," Wanda sighed, removing one of her hands from River's to see the still horrible wound, "I can't access my energy. I'm so useless."

"Don't. You're not useless. And don't try wasting your energy on something like this," River countered, shaking her head firmly. The Doctor walked up to them both, staring guiltily at River's injury. He took the woman's hand out of Wanda's, examining it.

"I'm sorry. It must hurt," the Doctor said quietly.

"Pain just lets us know that we're alive," River shrugged, trying to bypass her inability to change time. She wanted to give the Doctor some hope that things could be different. But they both knew that some things just simply could not be altered. They both looked at each other for a moment, glancing together at Wanda, who still stared worriedly at River's wrist.

"Don't remind me," the Doctor muttered, an underlining tone of deep anger was heard in his voice as he covered River's hand with both of his. With his hands suddenly glowing with golden energy, River tried pulling away, staring at him in shock. She tried protesting what he was doing, but even Wanda held onto River's arm in determination for her to be healed. In a quick second later, the Doctor's hands stopped glowing and he patted River's now healed one. Smiling at her kindly, he said, "There you go."

"All better," Wanda added, giving River's hand another kiss. The woman frowned heavily, cross with them both. She opened her mouth to throw out a scolding when Wanda shushed her. "Yes, I agree completely with you. That was a waste of regeneration energy. But you know how the Doctor and I can't stand to see our family in pain. And we also can't have you running around with a broken wrist with the mess we'll be facing. Now, come on, we have to get going if we're going to save Rory. The old Roman has to have gotten himself backed into a corner by now knowing his luck."

XxXxXxXx

They ended up 'borrowing' a car from Grayle, driving in high speeds down the deserted roads of 1938 New York. Tension was high for everyone as all felt dread in what was to come. Amy, still unaware of what the final chapter read in the book, did not notice all the glances everyone else was sending her. Soon as they arrived to the apartments where Rory had been taken to, Amy jumped right out of the car and ran towards the building. The Doctor was not far behind her, with River and Wanda bringing up the rear. Once inside the building, they took the lift to the floor which River's scanner detected Rory. Amy pushed her way out of the lift as soon as they reached the floor. Not even letting the lift's doors to slide fulling open before she was out. The ginger woman then bolted through the open door that she found, letting out a happy cry when she finally found Rory.

The three outside the doorframe watched as Amy held Rory in a death hug, overwhelming in her joy in finding her lost husband. River and the Doctor began muttering to each other when seeing the name beside the apartment. Rory's name. Then, the Angel that was down the hall, smiling at them all. Slowly, Rory and Wanda's eyes met. He spoke of deep forlorn while Wanda's only held misery. He nodded to her, as though telling her that everything would be all right. She shook her head in return as if to say they would not be. Wanda gasped when she was yanked into the room with the Doctor and River. They slammed the door behind them, trying to grab for Rory and Amy to get them out of the room before the Angels came after them. But all halted when a wheezing voice called to them. Or rather, to someone in particular.

"Amy," they heard through the darkness. Amy let go of her Rory, gazing curiously into the room up ahead of them.

"Who's that?" she wondered aloud as she made out a very old man lying in the bed. Little light from the window beside the man fell over his features, allowing her to see just how weary the elder man was. However, it was strange to her in just how teary-eyed the man was. With an expression that crossed his face that could only be described as complete and utter elation as he stared back at her. The man lifted his hand towards her in desperation.

"Amy. Amy, please . . . ," he repeated weakly, pleading for her. Amy hesitated for a second before slowly walking over to the wheezing, coughing man. She took his shaking, outreached hand, kneeling down next to the bed. Confusion was written all over her face as she gazed upon the seemingly dying man. Then, the realization hit her as a few features on the man's face became recognizable.

"Rory?" she asked in uncertainty. The dying man did not answer, appearing unable to say much through his struggled for breaths. Amy stared back at the others behind her. More directly gazing at the younger Rory. Her husband held her gaze with his own heartbroken one. "He's you." Amy said this, wishing Rory would help either confirm it, or (hopefully) deny the man's existence. But Rory only answered her by looking away solemnly.

"Amy," Older Rory breathed one last time before life slowly left him. Amy slowly removed her hands away from her dead husband's, shaken by what she had witnessed.

"What—what just happened?" Amy questioned, standing up from where she kneeled and faced the rest. "Why is there another Rory here? Why is he older, and . . ." She could not bring herself to speak anymore.

"I'm sorry," responded the Doctor while all others remained silent in remorse. "Rory just died." Amy did not respond for a moment, simply staring at the mournful Time Lord in incredulity.

"What?" Amy stomped forward, going over by her still silent husband. "He's not dead. Rory's right here." She waved a hand towards her current husband.

The Doctor shook his head. "This place is policed by Angels. Every time you try to escape, you get zapped back in time."

Amy frowned, confused by this for she had never heard of Angels doing something like this before. From what she has always experienced, the Weeping Angels always seemed more like creatures of shadows and the night roaming from place to place. But doing something like this? "So, this place belongs to the Angels? They built it?"

The Doctor seemed to ponder over this for a moment, thinking carefully over the Angels' actions. "Displacing someone back in time creates time energy. And that is what the Angels feed on. But normally, it's a one-off, a hit-and-run. If they could keep hold of their victims, feed off their time energy over and over again . . ." He went quiet upon the implications of what kind of hell people within the building were going through. What kind of hell the Angels had created. A chill went down all of their spines. "This place is a farm. A battery farm."

"And every statue in the city have been converted into an Angel," Wanda spoke up. Rory and Amy both jumped slightly when realizing that the Time Lady had moved right in between them. Both of their hands were held tightly in the blonde's shaking grasp. She refused to meet either of their eyes, but . . .

The Doctor glanced at Wanda, taking in her expression, the trembling hands, the way she grasped so tightly at the companions' own, how desperate she appeared to hold onto Amy and Rory. All the signs of . . . of a companion ready to depart from their lives within the TARDIS. The Doctor winced, turning away from the sight. He could not think on it. It could not be true. Amy and Rory . . . they would always be with them in the TARDIS. Always. He would make certain of it. He had already lost so much in his life . . . both past and recent . . . he could not let anyone else slip through his fingers.

They all rocked on their feet when the building gave a slight shake. Something enormous was heard stomping slowly towards the apartments, getting closer by the second.

"What is that?" Amy asked, fearful of what was coming.

"I don't know," the Doctor said, staring briefly out the window in the room to see if he could spot where the noise was coming from. The noise had paused for a moment, seeming to halt. Turning, the Doctor stared at Rory, noticing briefly in interest in just how quiet and calm the man has been all this time. Why was the nurse not appearing alarmed by the events that had and would happen to him? "I think they're coming for you." He received no reply from Rory, so the Doctor pressed on more urgently. "The Angels are coming to zap you back in time to this very spot, 30, 40 years ago. And you will live out the rest of your life in that room until you die in that bed."

Rory swallowed thickly, not at all seeming shocked by this news. But, then, his eyes steeled as he gazed around the apartment, staring at the Doctor once more and asking, "And will Amy be there?"

The Doctor stared evenly at the man, and replied, "No."

"How do you know?" Amy questioned the Time Lord, skeptical of this response, refusing to believe it.

"Because he was so pleased to see you again," responded the Doctor, remorseful in his answer. Rory furrowed his brows, confused by what the Doctor said. He glanced at Wanda, who still held tightly onto his hand, wondering for a moment if she had lied to him earlier in a way to keep him calm and hopeful. But that was not right . . . Wanda would never lie, would she? No, not to her family. She would never lie to them. Then, what had she meant earlier? Was this not what was supposed to happen? Unless . . .

"Well, they haven't taken me yet. What if I just run? What if I just get the hell out of here? Then that never happens," Rory said, growing determined to keep fighting until the end. Even if Wanda said otherwise, he knew that he must at least try to change this. He would fight with everything to be with Amy, the love of his life.

"It's already happened, Rory," argued the Doctor. "You've just witnessed your own future."

"Doctor, he's right," disputed River, realizing their potential in saving her father.

"No, he isn't," countered the Doctor.

"If Rory got out, it would create a paradox," River challenged. Upon the mentioning of paradox, Rory looked at the still silent Wanda, beginning to realize where things might be going. Then again, he was still uncertain about how he and Amy were supposed to end up together in the end. They all tensed when they heard the loud crashing noise from outside once more.

"This is the Angels' food source. The paradox poisons the well. It could kill them all," River stated quickly. "Oh, this whole place would literally un-happen."

"It would be almost impossible," the Doctor grounded out, firm in his belief that there could be no changing this. There could be horrible consequences if anyone tried changing time in such as way. He knew that from experience.

"No such thing as impossible, Doctor," spoke up Wanda, making him suddenly realize just how quiet she had been in the past minutes. He looked at her, seeing how calm she tried keeping her face. But the storm of emotions brewed away within her emerald irises. No exact emotion which he could pinpoint on what she was feeling, but he knew that something must be troubling her deeply. Again, he glanced at the hands which she held onto tightly.

"But to create a paradox like that takes—," he tried to counter.

"—something with unimaginable power. Yes, I know what it'll take, Spaceman," Wanda spoke over him. Her eyes growing so sorrowful as she stared back at him. "I've always known." She sucked in her breath as the thunderous footsteps drew ever closer. Quickly, she let go of Amy and Rory's hands, making them each hold onto each other instead. "Amy, don't let Rory go for anything. You do the same, Rory. It's the only way we're gonna beat them today. Now, you two need to run like hell."

Pulling Rory—who dragged Amy—by the hand to the door, Wanda opened it to see an Angel standing just on the other side, with hands clawed up and teeth bared in rage. Wanda swiftly pushed both companions out of the room and past the Angel.

"Run, Ponds!" she shouted at them as they ran from the Angels. Wanda backed into the room once more when the lights in the hall began to flicker. Another Angel appeared, at the ready to strike the last three who remained in the room.

"Wanda, I'm not sure this can work," the Doctor said quickly as he jumped forward, whipping out his sonic screwdriver. He, Wanda, and River all stood side-by-side, ready to face the incoming Angels.

"Shut up, idiot, and have some faith in our companions," Wanda replied, grabbing onto her husband's hand while she too held out her sonic. They all backed up as the Angels advanced when the lights flickered once more. Sucking in a breath, Wanda took her eyes off the Angels for a moment, looking at both the Doctor and River beside her. "I just wanna let you two know that I love you dearly. Okay?" She felt a hand squeeze from the Doctor.

"We love you, too," both he and River said together. With that said, they got ready to run.

XxXxXxXx

The first thing Wanda heard next was the light chirping of birds. Sunlight hit her closed eyelids at an angle in a warm glow, making her feel as though whatever time she reappeared in was perhaps towards the beginning of the evening. The feeling of cool grass was felt all around her. Lightly her fingers threaded through the green blades, enjoying the comfort it gave her. Slowly, she allowed her eyes to open. She blinked, staring up towards the blue sky overhead with what appeared to be a gravestone right at her head. Suddenly, Rory's face appeared around the gravestone, smiling down at her.

"Never thought I find you twice in a graveyard," he joked lightly with a sarcastic tone. He then looked over his shoulder. "She's over here!" Wanda sat up as she heard rushing footsteps coming over. Next appeared Amy, River, and the beaming Doctor. The Time Lord immediately went to the blonde, picking her up from the ground and dusting her off before giving her a right big smacking kiss and hug.

"Haha! They did it! Can you believe it! They changed time!" the Doctor exclaimed in merriment. He stepped back, throwing out his arms. "The Ponds changed history! Oh, just think of the possibilities. If we can use more paradoxes like this, then maybe, just maybe, we might be able to save—."

"Doctor, shut up," River suddenly barked, in a warning of sorts as she gave the Time Lord a stern gaze. "You're going to chatter our ears off at this rate." River then plastered on a smile as she stepped forward and gave Wanda a hug as well before allowing Amy to do the same next.

"All right there, Wanda?" Amy asked, beaming away at the short blonde.

"Yeah . . . Never better," Wanda replied, trying to give Amy the best smile she could manage, though still felt as if it were a weak one. Still, none noticed the less than enthusiastic demeanour of the Time Lady as they all turned to walk back to the TARDIS, which was parked towards the front of the graveyard. Wanda trailed just behind them, not really joining in the cheer. She even heard the Doctor excitedly talking about going to a pub for a family outing. Something which Wanda would have been so happy to do under any other circumstances. But now . . .

She closed her eyes briefly, trying to keep herself calm. But she could not feel calm. Not now. Not now when it was just seconds away. Moments away from . . . from Amy and Rory's departure from their lives . . . forever. Oh, why could she not have been more useful for them on this day? She had just sat back for it all and done nothing. She knew she could not have changed time. That much was certain. But she could have at least been more cheerful for them all. She could have made their last moments special . . . right? Though, really, nothing truly special could come out of any of this.

"I guess not everything you see is always right."

Wanda blinked out of her stupor, seeing Rory walking right beside her now. He had let the others walk ahead, falling behind to trail next to the Time Lady. He held his hands in his pockets, observing Wanda closely.

"I mean . . . we changed time, didn't we? Fixed everything. Erased that timeline," he mentioned, looking away to stare ahead towards the TARDIS. "Were you just worried, or talking about me and Amy, kind of, uh, jumping off that building there. 'Cause I'll admit, that did feel like the end there. And after today, I think Amy and I have some overdo discussions to go over about trips in the TARDIS."

"Well, I will admit, seeing you and Amy jump did give me a heart attack," Wanda joked, punching Rory lightly in the arm. He chuckled, hiding his wince as he rubbed at his arm. Wanda let out a warm, sad smile. "I'll agree with you, though . . . maybe . . . less trips in the TARDIS. Especially ones involving Angels, or statues of any sorts." They both chuckled lightly, really trying to get past their strong sense of dread and foreboding. Her hand shook and she reached over and grabbed Rory's hand. He stopped in the middle of his walk, blinking when seeing her simply standing there, keeping her eyes locked on the TARDIS ahead, refusing to gaze upon any gravestone near them as her eyes became misty.

"Rory Williams . . . I want you to know . . . you were, are, and always will be, one of the very best," Wanda whispered, her voice barely carrying over the breeze of the day and noise of the city around them. She then smiled a genuine smile of content for him. "You're going to make one hell of a doctor you know." She gave his cheek a quick kiss, patting the spot before walking away from the confused companion.

She tried not looking back. She really did. She tried focusing on keeping herself from giving into her urges to stopping what was going to happen. She knew it must happen. It had to happen. It was the only way to give Amy and Rory the best life. But, in the end, her weakness came out. She turned around, seeing the brief confused look on Rory's face as he stared at one particular gravestone that stood out from the rest. His gravestone. Wanda swallowed heavily, her eyes widened, and her hearts raced.

No. She could not do it. She . . . she could not just stand there. What was she thinking?! How could she just sit back and let this happen?! She had to stop this! Now!

"RORY, DON'T LOOK AT IT!" she screamed in panic, rushing forward back towards him. He looked up at her in a start, frozen to the spot as she came at him. Then, in the most unwanted moments, Wanda felt the warmth beginning to spread through her. The early warnings that she was getting ready to depart. She tried getting to him faster, but, as it always was and will be, the universe had its own plans.

At the same time of Wanda slamming into Rory, each of them went their own separate ways. Rory, by the touch of an Angel, and Wanda, taken away by the white light. Neither one realized what had happened until it was too late.

XxXxXxXx

Welp, the ending is coming up fast by this point. It's all downhill from here. Or is it? Won't know until we get there I suppose. What did everyone think of this chapter? The goodbye of Amy and Rory. I cry every time. :( I hope it was good! Leave a review to let me know what you thought. Especially if it was bad, for that way I can make certain the next chapter is even better.

Reviewers:

NerdWithAPencil: Nine is nice most of the time. We just happen to see his more temperamental moments. But later Nine is most definitely less likely to have a temper. Things do seem to be heading in a stormy direction. Let's just hope things turn out for the best. Thank you so much for all your support. :) Until next time!

bored411: No, nothing good I think. And nothing good from this chapter, either. Cliffhangers. Gotta love them. ;) I feel you on procrastination. Truthfully I use writing to procrastinate doing homework. haha. Hope to see you next time!

swimmjacket: I love baby cute moments between couples, too. :) Well, the Doctor knows she never did that in the past, so it's mostly not a worry for them. Not unless time changes on them . . . Anyway, love them all, too. I think Kate and Wanda don't ever get much time to really meet. Which is unfortunate cause I think they would be friends as well. Aww, thank you. You're much more amazing than I am. ;) Overprotective Doctor is always fun. We'll just have to wait and see about Martha and Clara finding out I suppose. Not really that the Doctor 'knew' that she was going to have Ember next time. It was more of he's just super excited for the arrival of their daughter and can't wait for it to happen. Hope you enjoyed the newest chapter. Even if it was sad with Amy and Rory leaving. Until next time!

SakuraRcoa: I think they will be. I also think everyone will be okay in the end. Though no promises. Hope to see you again soon!

Authora97: I'm excited, too! I just can't wait for the next chapters to come now. :D Take care until the next update!

TheGirlWhoWept: I love pregnant Wanda moments, too. They really are the best. :) So cute! So glad you enjoyed the fluff chapter. I think they were futuristic fireworks, but as we know the Doctor something went wrong. haha. Can't wait to see what you think of this chapter. :)

All The Stories Are True 24601: Glad you like the idea of it so far. :) I've seen a few episodes, but I'm going to have to sit down and actually watch the rest so I know what to work with for the new story coming up. Which, after this part three is finally completed, I might be taking a break from the site for a while just so I can get the next story together and ready for the site. Hopefully it won't take me too long to work it out. I know the main reason for it to take so long is me worrying about post it. haha. There's a lot of things that will make sense through a re-read after this trilogy is all done. Maybe even after part four is done, too. ;) I love them, too! But sadly, we'll have to wait sometime before we see them again. Until next time! Can't wait to see you in the future. :)

Momochan77: Well . . . it's a thing that happens to pregnant women. Won't say more than that. Don't want to gross anyone out or make you uncomfortable talking about it. But yes, Wanda 'needing' the Doctor is funny. I hope so, too! That would just be horrible for them. :( So glad you enjoyed the ending! They are just so cute. haha. See you next time!

X-Lisa-Anne-X: I'm so happy that you're happpy! :) As always thank you for the lovely review. Can't wait to see what you think of the new chapter!

AGBreads: Aww thank you! It's not one of my favorites either. But it was a perfect moment for baby times. Haha. So glad you enjoyed it!

grapejuice101: Yay! So glad you liked them! I can't wait, too!

Jerry Skeleton: haha I'm so happy you're excited with everything! Yeah Rose's love for Wanda was something I wanted to be so subtle through the first two parts that I hoped no one saw coming until that chapter. But now anyone after reading that can look back and be like "I should have seen it coming!" Lol ;) That was my intentions anyway. Great theories! I love them! Sadly, can't give away any spoilers by telling you if all of that is true or not. Sorry. Aleena is . . . something. Won't say more than that. ;) You got it mostly spelled right! Just no "I" in it. I'm just so overjoyed that you're loving the story so much! Yep, the Doctor knows. He's known for quite a while. That's why sometimes when he and Rose got into arguments it was sometimes over who would get Wanda's attention. Lol ;) If you actually look back at Rose's departure chapter, there was that subtle hint that the Doctor was trying to help her tell Wanda the truth. But unfortunately Rose decided never to tell her. :( Aww, I love you, too! You're much more awesome than little old me. ;) And you're always welcome to rant away. I love seeing everything you and all readers have to say. :) Can't wait to see what you think of the rest to come! Until next time! Take care!

Amber0522: Well, since this is the last part of the trilogy, I'm leaving it up for a surprise when the end will actually come. But I will say that the end will finally be here when we reach the Day of the Doctor adventure. So when we get to that adventure, then you know the end has come. As for when the Day of Sorrow is . . . Let's just say spoilers for now. Sorry I really couldn't answer your questions. I hope it will still be a good read either way. :)

Ruby Slippers: Thank you! Hope this chapter was just as good. ;)

alwaystherereading: Something I think Wanda always secretly wanted. To go domestic. Lol ;) Nah, thank you! But it was a very cute moment, wasn't it? I just love moments like that. :) Umm I don't think it would work out exactly that way as most likely Wanda would be in the 'eye of the storm' so both her and the baby would be fine. I mean, if she does end up there. Who knows by this point. From the research I've done, Time Lords have the same kind of pregnancy as humans do. It's just that the baby develops much quicker than human babies do. Hope that helps and to see you in the next time! :)

DRESDENFANatic: Oh, well . . . I'm certain everything will turn out all right. I'm a big softie, too, so I feel you there. :( But after this chapter . . . Let's just keep our fingers crossed until we reached the end of that dreaded Year That Never Was. Hope this helps! Sorry I couldn't give away any spoilers. But I'll tell you what, if you want spoilers, just PM me and I'll let you know anything you wish. :) Really hope to see you again in the future! Take care!