When Aderyn awoke the Doctor was gone. River was still sat on the floor and Amy and Rory were stretched along a sofa. She quietly got to her feet and found River's bag. She pulled the vortex manipulator out of it and slipped it on. There was someone she had to buy a drink for. And she would need to do some explaining.
Rita left the hospital feeling oddly disconnected. She had barely been able to make it through the day. Since she had returned home after the hotel she had been almost disenfranchised by the world around her. She pulled her hood up. It was little protection from the rain but it made her feel more secure with the hood up. The sound of someone clearing their throat made her look up. Leaning against a lamp post no more then a few feet away from her was Aderyn. At least someone who looked like Aderyn. This person was taller, with longer, curly hair.
"Hi." Rita said as she approached her.
"I believe the drink is mean to be on me." Aderyn smiled.
They ducked into a coffee shop to get away from the rain. It was busy but they were able to find a quiet corner to talk in.
"Thank you for helping me." Rita said shyly.
"Don't mention it," Aderyn said "How have you been?"
"Fine." She replied. This was a lie, but she didn't know if she would be able to properly put into words how she had been feeling. But Aderyn seemed to understand.
"I know what it's like to suddenly find yourself in a world you don't understand. But I was younger then you when that happened. I do understand." Aderyn said quietly.
"The Ponds and the Doctor, did they make it out?"
Aderyn nodded "Yes and I'm sorry to say I wasn't completely honest about them. The Doctor is my father and the Ponds are my in laws."
"I thought River was glaring at me a bit too much." Rita laughed.
"Yeah sorry about that, I was having issues." Aderyn mumbled at the coffee, not quite able to bring herself to meet Rita's gaze.
"You look different." Rita said.
Aderyn tried her best to explain what had happened. And although Rita nodded and said she had a vague understanding of what Aderyn was talking about, she clearly didn't. When Rita gave Aderyn back the vortex manipulator, Aderyn decided she had better get back before the Doctor. Awkward goodbyes were said and, as Rita turned a corner and Aderyn lost sight of her, she wondered whether she would ever bump into her again.