August 2007

"So just how much money are you making off this book?" Mels said as she tossed the mock-up copy of Amy's first novel onto her night stand.

"It's not about the money." Amy said with a shrug. Picking up the book, the red-head placed it carefully on the bookshelf. "It was never about that. I only started writing as part of my therapy."

"So a lot then?" Mels giggled.

Amy couldn't help but smile back. "Yeah a lot, bit only 'cause they want the whole series."

"So enough to set you and Rory up for life then?"

"Why would my book have anything to do with me and Rory?" Amy's forehead crinkled in confusion.

Mels gave her friend a knowing look. "Come off it. You and Rory are meant to be. "I'm sure the two of you will be married before too long. Don't even try to deny it, Ams you've been together for years and I've seen the way he looks at you."

"Doubt it," Amy said with a small sigh. "We're too young to think about getting married. Plus he hasn't even told me he loves me yet."

"Typical bloke," Mels said shaking her head. "Always rubbish at expressing their feelings, just 'cause he hasn't said it doesn't mean he don't feel it. Rory Williams is head over arse in love with you. I'm certain the two of you will end up married one day. Not to mention you've always wanted to be a Williams."

"That's not even their real last name." Amy revealed without thinking. Immediately realizing her mistake, she slapped a hand over her mouth.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Mels compelled Amy to answer. "What's their real last name, then?"

Amy vehemently shook her head and kept her hand clamped in place.

"Come on, sweetie, it's just me." Mels said prying Amy's hand away. "I know how to keep a secret. I've got a couple doozies myself. Ones that would blow your mind if I told you. Come on spill."

Again Amy shook her head and pursed her lips together.

"I bet it's really embarrassing isn't it?" Mels laughed. "Something they wouldn't want anyone to know. Who cares though you can always keep Pond if you want, make Rory take yours."

"Not telling." Amy managed to say without opening her mouth.

"I'll just have to guess then." Grinning gleefully Mels started rattling off names.

Bahls, Fuchs, Tittsworth, Butts, Bottoms, Dickman, Glasscock

Soon both girls were rolling on the floor in laughter. "Stop it." Amy said trying to stifle her giggle. "It's not embarrassing, I promise."

"Then what? Just tell me."

"Alright but I need you to swear on everything in this world that you will never tell." Amy let one last giggle escape her lips.

"Babe," Mels said rolling her eyes. "You realize that the only people on this shitty rock that I give a damn about are you, Rory, Nan, Pops, Brina, Tony and Trisha. I'm not telling anyone. I swear on my very own existence. Now spill."

"Right," Amy pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "So years ago, Dad told me that they were in this kind of Witness Protection thing and I kept overhearing Trisha call Tony "Tyler'. So I asked her and she confirmed that that's the family's real last name."

Mels smirked. "So, it'll be Amy Tyler instead?"

Amy threw a pillow and hit her friend square in the nose. "Nah, I'm going to be a famous author soon, I need to keep at least part of my own name. I think I'll be Amy Tyler-Pond."