One Last Adventure

A/N: Yeah, I actually got this finished on Tuesday and decided to post it early-about 3:49 am, LOL. Please review! Thanks and enjoy!

Chapter 3

As they entered the TARDIS (the Doctor throwing off his hat in the process), the child looked about the spaceship with un-exaggerated awe. When Rory had set him down on the glass floor, the boy twirled around, trying to take in the new sounds and foreign sights. When he turned around to face the four adults again, his mouth was gaped open.

"Yeah, I know how you feel, kid. That's exactly what I looked like the first time I was on board the TARDIS." Amy said with a laugh.

The child rushed to the console, and before any of them could stop him, began to press various buttons on the control panel, making the time machine lurch and knock them all back against the railing with a yell.

Rory rubbed his now sore shoulder before glancing back at his companions, "Bad idea to bring him up here first."

"Yeah, definitely," Amy said, rubbing the not so invisible bump on her head. "Maybe we should, I dunno, try to keep him from the console?"

"Good idea, Pond." The Doctor popped back to his feet, grasping his aching knee. "Needs a bathe and some clean clothes. I'll set the TARDIS matrix to create a bedroom for him. Think he'll be a guest for a while. Rory, the wardrobe will have some clothes for the boy to wear, can you go up and get them whilst Amy washes him?"

Rory nodded and ascended the steps to disappear into one of the corridors of the unimaginably spacious machine. Amy had turned to take the child to the bathroom when she was stopped by the Doctor.

"Hold it, Amy." The Time Lord called out, who had taken the sonic screwdriver from his pocket that lay on the pilot seat and scanning the little boy. The child's eyes widened, and he clung to Amy's leg, whimpering quietly with tears in his eyes until the green light ceased.

"Doctor, your scarin' him even more than he already is." Snipped Amy, who bent down to pick the child up in his arms and gently shushed him. Tossing the Doctor an annoyed look, Amy took the opposite stairs to the guest wing of the TARDIS.

When both of his companions were out of earshot, the Doctor eyed his sonic screwdriver intently and then grimaced.

"Doctor," River rushed to stand next to him, "What's wrong?"

He turned to face his wife, "That child isn't all he seems. His visions are something that only that made him out of place there. He's a Sky Djinn."

River's eyes narrowed as she looked up the steps to where Amy had disappeared. The Sky Djinn of the planet Algol were a race of advanced human looking species that had the power to tell the future and used kinetic energy to set traps for their enemies.

"Then why would they set the boy on Earth, and especially during the Witch Trials of 1692?" River asked, looking concerned. "Maybe he wasn't deemed suitable for the Sky Djinn because of his deafness? Why, if they had all of time and space, would they choose that place?"

"That could be a reason," The Doctor agreed, bobbing his head, "Still, I don't know. And I really don't like not knowing,"

"Do you think...Amy and Rory are in danger?"

The Doctor's expression seemed to soften slightly, "From him? No. Except if he gets his hands on the buttons of the console again." He chuckled, then looked seriously at his wife again. "And how are you feeling about all this, River?"

She turned to him looking slightly confused, "What do you mean?"

"I mean-" The Doctor tossed his head towards the corridor, "about Amy and Rory crooning over that child."

River Song scoffed, "I'm not jealous, Doctor. They're getting a second chance at raising a kid, being a mum and dad again. What, did you think I was a five year old finding out that her parents were having another baby?"

The Time Lord shrugged, "Just wondering how you felt about the whole situation dear." He kissed her, "We all kept our secrets and did what we did because of the time lines. What happened was meant to be, otherwise we never would have...married."

River returned the kiss, only this time on his lips. "And aren't you glad we did?"

Above them, Rory had changed into his normal clothes and had retrieved the clothes meant for the little one now in their charge. Tentatively, the Roman soldier knocked on the bathroom door, and hesitated when he heard his wife for him to come in.

What befell him took the 2000 year old soldier by some surprise. He would have though the child would have been frightened by the concept of the big tub and the running water from the taps, let alone the bubbles. But as he entered the bathroom and shut the door behind him, Rory Williams looked gobsmacked. His wife was sitting on the edge of the tub with her bonnet thrown aside onto the bathroom sink and sleeves rolled up. The boy was enjoying the sight of a rubber duck rolling in the waves of his splashes, not even minding that Amy was washing his arms in the process. Rory sat on the lowered toilet seat and was quiet for a moment.

"You brought his change of clothes, yeah?" Amy asked suddenly, which made her husband nod and show her the light blue footie pyjamas that the TARDIS had provided for him and shook her head.

"She may be a sentient machine, but she's a little old fashioned." Amy laughed.

"How'd you get him in-?" Rory asked, nodding to the tub.

"I think the TARDIS already filled it up and put the bubbles in when we arrived here." She shrugged nonchalantly, "He didn't mind, I think it reminded him of when his mum was still alive to take care of him."

Rory blanched at this, "Amy, your not suggesting-?"

At this, Amy stopped scrubbing the boy's cheek and glanced over at her husband. "What? That we be his mum and dad? You heard the Doctor; his parents are dead, he had no one. Can you really turn your back on him?"

Rory looked at the child sympathetically, "No, I can't say that I can." he sighed, "But Amy, if...for some reason we can't keep him..."

The red-head's eyes expressed hurt, "Don't say that, Rory." she whispered, turning her head back to wash the child's hair.

Rory didn't say another word as the child finished his bath and he excused himself while Amy dressed the young boy, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

When the pair stepped out of the washroom, the child looked much cleaner, and no doubt smelled quite better. His damp hair was slicked back and he looked no worse for wear as he held Amy's hand.

"Rory, he's really thin, I think we need to get him something to eat." She suggested.

At this, the nurse chuckled, "We should have thought of that before you gave him a bath."

When Amy and Rory, alongside the boy came down the steps, both time travelers were waiting for them on the pilot seat.

"So, how'd it go?" River asked casually.

"Great. He's pretty calm for some kid from the 17th century. Not one tear, even when I shampooed his hair." Amy reported. "Anyway, anybody up for a snack? We need to get some meat on this kid's bones. He's skinny as a rake."

The two couples along with the boy made their way into the kitchen and sat at the table, as River made tea, and poured a glass of milk for the child.

"By the way, I think it's kinda annoyin' to call him 'boy' or 'kid', he probably should have a proper name." Amy said as she stirred in the milk for her tea. "How about...Alex?"

River smiled, "Alex sounds just fine to me, mum." There was a mumble of approval from the men that made it unanimous.

"So...what's the next step, Doctor?" Rory asked, looking at the Time Lord who was calmly sipping at his tea.

"The next step, Rory, is to find out why this child was dumped in 1692 Massachusetts." The Doctor replied, telling them of his finding from his sonic screwdriver.

"If he's unwanted, then we have to go to the Shadow Proclamation to request a formal adoption. Because he's an alien child, there are some strict rules as to adopting kids with special abilities like the-like Alex."

They all looked at the little one who had downed his milk in a bunch of gulps and now look sleepy, fighting to stay awake.

Amy gave him an affectionate smile, "I think it's time for bed, for all of us." She pulled Alex's chair out and gathered him in his arms.

"His room is right next to yours." The Doctor replied, "Goodnight Ponds."

"Goodnight Doctor, River." Amy and Rory said together before heading off to their rooms.

When they arrived at Alex's room, Rory carefully opened the door and peeked inside.

The room was painted TARDIS blue, with a small but perfect bed for a young child with a wood headboard and green and blue bedsheets. In one corner was a toy box filled to the brim. Above them, the ceiling boasted a twinkling night sky that would have been the envy of every child. In another corner was a large horizontal book case that was easy access for a kid. Next to the bed was a night-lite.

Rory let out a low whistle, "The Doctor sure can decorate."

Amy rolled her eyes before she pulled down the bedclothes and tucked Alex in, kissing his forehead.

"Goodnight, sweetheart." She whispered, and both of them turned and shut the door.

An hour later, the couple woken by a little whimper at the door, making Amy sit up and shake her husband awake.

"Rory, I think we have some company." The red-head said sleepily, getting up and opening their bedroom door.

The little boy looked up, and she smiled, lending her hand out for him to take, lifting him into the middle of the bed between her and Rory. "Goodnight, sweetheart."

TBC...