Chapter 10- Bad Timing

Amy's timing was terrible. Today was her and Rory's one year anniversary and he had gone all out; a show in London, dinner at a fancy restaurant, and a room at a nice hotel. He had everything planned out to try to make the night perfect for them. She should have been happy, but she wasn't.

As they sat in the theater, all she could think about was the news she had for Rory. After months of searching, Amy had finally found a job that worked for her. Normally this would have been good news, except for the fact that it was as a kissogram. While she knew Rory would have been happy with any job, she thought this might be an exception. Amy couldn't pay attention to the show because that was all she could think of. She knew Rory wouldn't be happy with the news and was trying to figure out how to tell him.

Amy hadn't looked for a job that would upset him, it kind of just happened. A few months after graduation, Rory was brought on by the local hospital as a nurse. He had been so driven since he realized this was what he wanted to do. She was so proud of him because he had a career and was going to University. Amy was a bit jealous though because her life was a mess. She had no idea what she wanted to do and was just drifting from job to job. While being a kissogram wasn't her first choice, she found that the money would allow her to be more independent. That was something she was certainly looking forward to as she was still living at home.

She was worried how Rory would take it though. He could be so insecure and stupid sometimes, and Amy didn't want this to hurt him. She had almost not taken the job, but the opportunities it afforded her were too important. She would have to find a way to make him understand. Before they started dating she couldn't imagine being with anyone for any long period of time. When she was with Rory though, everything felt right.

She clung onto that thought and used it to calm herself down. After all, this was still their anniversary and Amy wanted to enjoy her evening with Rory. She would figure out how to tell him about the job tomorrow, tonight was all about them. Amy placed her arm around Rory's as they held hands. Rory glanced over to Amy smiling. As his attention moved back to the show, he squeezed her hand a little which pushed all other thoughts from her mind.

Amy was feeling better after that. When the show ended, she and Rory had decided to skip the cab and walk to the restaurant, enjoying the surrounding nightlife. As they strolled through the city, Amy just held on to Rory's arm. It was one of the few times she had ever been at peace. Normally her fears of everyone that had abandoned her were always at the edge of her thoughts, but not tonight. Tonight she allowed herself to just be happy without worrying about the future. When they reached the restaurant they sat at the bar listening to the jazz band.

Rory ordered a bottle of champagne for them. When the bartender finished pouring, Rory drank his entire flute in one go. Amy laughed a little. "All right there Rory, a little nervous about something?"

"You might say that," Rory answered. He set his glass down and looked her directly in the eyes. "Amy, I love you."

Amy's eyes widened at Rory's words. This was the first time he had ever said them to her. Her breath caught and she couldn't say anything in response. She had no idea what to do as all her fears came flooding back.

Rory saw her reaction and broke the silence himself. "It's all right if you're not ready to say it yet," Rory said nervously, "or if you don't feel it yet. It's just that I have known for a little while now and thought you should know too."

Amy sat there silently simply staring at him. She watched as Rory started to fidget, and began avoiding eye contact with her. This is what Amy had been afraid of all these years. She just couldn't open up to people in that way, and now it might have cost her the person she cared about most. "I'm sorry Rory."

"You don't have to be sorry Amy," Rory said staring at his empty champagne glass.

"No it's just, I don't want you to think the wrong thing," Amy said as she took hold of Rory's hand. "What we have is very important to me and I don't want to break up."

Rory closed his eyes and smiled a little. It had taken him all evening to build the courage to tell her. It hadn't gone as well as he had hoped, but it also wasn't as bad as it could have been. "Amy, I'm not going anywhere," he said as he looked up at her.

"Neither am I," she said as she kissed him. "I like it right here."

"I do too," Rory said feeling a little better after the kiss. "Okay then, let the evening continue," Rory said trying to sound casual.

"All right then," Amy said as she signaled the bartender for two more pours of the champagne. "Let our evening continue."

When the bartender finished with their drinks, they toasted to their first year together.

"Oh speaking of things to celebrate," Rory added, "I hear you have big news on the job front."

"What?" Amy said almost choking on her champagne.

"You got a new job, right? I spoke with Sharon yesterday and she mentioned something about it."

Amy started to panic. She needed time to figure out how to tell him. She also didn't want to tell him tonight, just another way she could ruin their evening. "Oh, it's nothing. It can wait until tomorrow."

"No Amy, we should celebrate, tonight's perfect," Rory said, "I know how hard you've been looking."

"Rory, I don't think right now is a good time."

"Amy what's wrong?" Rory asked seeing the panic in her eyes. "Is everything alright?"

Rory knew her too well. He knew she was trying to hide something and wasn't going to drop it. She thought about lying to him, but that would only make things worse. It was now her turn to avoid eye contact.

"Nothing's wrong," Amy started. She took a large drink of her champagne looking for strength. "I did find a job actually. The pay is pretty good too. Should make enough to move out on my own."

"Sounds great," Rory said a bit unsure of why she didn't want him to know.

There was no way that she could sugar coat it, so she decided to just come right out and say it, "I'm a kissogram."

"A what?"

"A kissogram," she said as she tried to watch Rory's reaction from the corners of her eyes.

"I'm sorry?" Rory asked not being able to process what she was telling him.

"You know a kissogram," Amy said again, swallowing hard. "I dress up in costumes, go to parties and kiss people."

"Oh," Rory said simply stunned at the news. He wasn't really sure what to think. Once again, he drank his entire glass of champagne.

"Are you okay Rory? It's just a job," she told him unsure of what else she could say. She reached over and placed her hand on his shoulder. At her touch Rory flinched slightly, and Amy caught her breath.

"No, I'm sorry," Rory said immediately as he reached for her hand. He hated that he was so insecure when it came to Amy, and didn't want to make things any worse with her tonight.

Amy rested her hand in his, as it helped give her some strength to continue, "You don't need to be sorry. I know it's not really a dream job for a boyfriend to hear."

Rory straightened up and looked over at her smiling a little, "You know I think that's the first time you've ever called me your boyfriend."

At that, Amy stiffened. "What? Of course it's not," she said awkwardly hoping Rory would move on.

"No, it definitely is," Rory said as his smile grew. He was enjoying watching her squirm. "So you think I'm your boyfriend. Well, it has been year."

"Shut it, before I change my mind." Amy said smiling back, happy that Rory was feeling better.

"Fine, fine, whatever you say," he remarked. "I just want you to be safe Amy."

Amy leaned over and kissed Rory. That was not the reaction she was expecting from Rory about her new job. "I know. I will be. Besides, I know a handsome young nurse who could protect me. How about we head back to the room and order room service?" she asked giving Rory a devilish grin.

"Sounds good to me," Rory said as they got up to leave. As they exited the restaurant, he paused for a second. "Amy, as long as it's just a job, I'll be fine."

Amy turned to him bringing him in closer, "It's just a job Rory."

"All right then, let's go," he said as he placed his arm around Amy's shoulder. They headed down the street to continue their anniversary.

A/N: Thanks for the follows and reviews everybody. Please continue to let me know how you feel about the chapters!

This was a chapter that I spent a long time deciding whether to write or not. It was all because I needed to decide whether Amy ever tells Rory that she loves him or not. She says as much in Amy's Choice, but people do speak figuratively at times. Plus, how does a couple get engaged if one of the participants never says those three little words. I decided to have her be literal because it brought up a few interesting story points that I enjoyed exploring. Hopefully you guys like the decision also. We are almost to the TARDIS chapters too.

Hope you enjoy!