Amelia Williams was sitting in her garden. She watched as her husband and their 3 years old son Anthony was playing hide and seek. Amy was a happy person, she had a wonderful family, they had a nice house and she was a writer, specifically kids' writer. Rory, Williams, her husband was a doctor, it was 1943, so Rory had a lot of work to do even though they lived in America and the war that raged in Europe didn't bother them much, there were still a lot of refugees and wounded people, so Rory's day-off was like a holiday for the whole family. And then there was their son Tony, they adopted him two years ago as Amy couldn't have the children of her own.
They seemed to be a normal family except they had a secret, in fact it was a huge secret they couldn't share with anyone. When Amy was a little girl, she had an imaginary friend, but he wasn't imaginary, he was real. He came back for her on the night before her wedding, her raggedy Doctor. She travelled in his magical machine that was bigger on the inside. He took Amy away and showed her whole of time and space, than he did the same for her Rory. Oh, the adventures they had all together, re-booted the universe, saved a space-whale, met Vincent Van Gogh, fought with pirates. They witnessed the wedding of the Doctor and their daughter…Daughter, Amy thought with a heavy sigh, her Melody was never really their daughter; they couldn't be there for her. She was stolen right after her birth and she found them when she was at school, even though they didn't know it was her…And then, they discovered that she was also River Song, the Doctor's friend and wife with whom he had a very complicated and ambiguous relationship. Amy made peace with all that, at least her little girl was never bored. But then, then something terrible happened, herself and her husband were transported back in time by the Weeping Angels, terrible creatures who fed on time. But because they already re-wrote events of that day a few times, they could never come back home. They were transported in 1937, leaving their family and friends in 2012.
She didn't mind living here, in New York of the past, but he heart ached for her Doctor, whom she could never see again. She knew that he would take their deaths very hard, she knew how much he loved them, she even wrote an afterword for him in Melody's book to ease his pain, and she hoped he was alright. It's been 5 years since they moved here and they built a great life but there wasn't a day they didn't talk or think about the Doctor. They would love him, always, even without seeing him anymore. Amy hoped that River would visit them now and then, but she never did, Amy wondered if the paradox they created was even more powerful, then they originally thought.
-You are brooding again – Amy didn't notice that her husband sat next to her.
-No, I am not –Rory looked at her skeptically – OK, maybe a bit, but you know, it's hard not to think about him and you know River and all.
-I know, Amy, but you need to try to think about good things we all had together – he took her hand – not about what we lost.
-Since when you became such an optimist?
-Since always – he pecked her on the lips and then something happened. Just in front of them, in the middle of their garden a golden light appeared
-Rory, take Tony to his room, now. – Amy Pond was showing in Mrs. Williams
Without a question Rory grabbed Tony and ran to his room, after a minute he came back holding a gun. They travelled with the Doctor for 10 years and they knew the intruder when they saw it. Finally the light disappeared and they saw a young, blonde girl, she was wearing jeans and a blue hoodie, her hair was in two pigtails and she was smiling to them like to the old friends, she seemed vaguely familiar somehow.
Rose made a deep breath, even with her Bad Wolf powers it was immensely hard to appear in this time line. Pond's life was covered with paradoxes and she had to be extra careful, that's why it took so long for her to materialize.
-Who the hell are you? – asked Amy
-Amelia Pond, Rory Williams it's a great pleasure to meet you – said the blonde – I can see where Melody took her addiction to guns – she looked at Rory, he lowered the gun
-You know Melody?- he asked
-Yes and the Doctor to, my name is Rose Tyler.
-Rose Tyler? – asked Amy – I thought that your face was a bit familiar, the Dreamlord showed you to us.
-Yep, I know. That little bastard knew how to manipulate, well he is the Doctor after all. – Rose smiled
-Why are you here? – Rory asked, Rose became sad instantly, her golden eyes were shining not only with the vortex but tears as well.
-The Doctor, I mean from my point of view is…dying. – she whispered
-WHAT? – yelled Amy and Rory together – What the hell are you talking about? –Amy continued – He can't die! He is a Timelord, he'll regenerate – she was furious with this woman, who was she to say such things? – And why should we trust you anyway? How do we know that you even real Rose and not some trick of the Dreamlord?
Rose looked straight into Amy's eyes. She had to make her believe, because the Doctor deserved to see his beloved companion one more time before his final bow. Rose knew something, something terrible and brilliant at the same time, but she couldn't share it with anyone, because she wasn't sure by herself.
-Amy, I know that you have no reason to trust me, and I know that you don't want to hear it, but that the truth. The Doctor is heading to his final battle and this battle will either kill him or change him even more than usually, there is no other option for him, just none, I looked through every possibility and there are none. Even if the Doctor's body survives this, his soul won't. He will change so drastically that…I can't even put that into words.
Amy wanted to cry, that's was not fair and the worst part she knew that Rose was telling the truth. No matter that she was a bit unearthly with her appearance and eyes, Amy saw that she loved the Doctor deeply.
-What do you want from us? – asked Rory – We can't help him, we can't even see him ever again. And even if we could, if you can't help him with your super-powers, how can we?
-You can't, no one can, you are right, Rory. But we can ease his pain and transformation, so to speak. Amy, - she addressed to a broken redhead – You were the closest person to him in this life, he loved you very much and he'll need you when the time comes.
-I would love to see him and do at least something. But you heard, Rory.
-Yes, but I can help. You see, something happened to me when I was alive, and yes now I am not, I am just an echo…sort of, it's complicated. But I gained the ability to control time and space, so I can project your consciousness to him, so you could be there when…when he will be gone.
-Wait, wait, wait…No. It's too dangerous – said Rory – What if you'll harm Amy or bring her somewhere bad? No, it's can't happen.
-Rory, I love you, but please shut up.
-But…
-No, it's my decision and…What do I have to do? – asked Amy.
-Close your eyes, Amy – Rose came close to Amelia and put her hands on her head – Think of your Doctor, the best, brightest memory you have of him. You have one?
-Yes, - Amy smiled as she remembered newly regenerated Doctor in her house eating impossible stuff.
-Now, I'll open the portal to his…well, to his location. It won't be long, just a few seconds, even with my abilities it's very hard and basically breaking every law of time, but I'm willing to risk. Are you ready?
-Yes
-I don't know what you'll like to him, so try to choose it by yourself. On the count of three. One, two, three…
And Amy felt like she was flying, she saw thousands of faces, millions of places and then she felt herself being in the TARDIS. It wasn't the TARDIS as she remembered it, it was more clinical and white and more like a mad scientist room. Amy was standing in some hall and then she heard voices, she heard as the Doctor called her name and heard her own laugh as she was a child, she rushed to the voices and then she saw him. She stopped for a second, her heart was bursting with love and sadness as she saw, her Doctor, her raggedy Doctor. He looked almost the as she remembered him, except for different costume. He was talking to some petite brunette, perhaps his knew companion. Then she heard Rose's voice in her head which told her to hurry up. Amy started to walk down the stairs slowly, her legs didn't listen to her properly, she felt that she was dressed in a 21st century style, just like the Doctor should have remembered her. And then the Doctor saw her, he was awestruck. Amy approached him slowly, she felt like crying but couldn't. She wasn't real after all.
-Raggedy Man – she touched his cheek and smiled as she saw the face of her beloved friend, her childhood hero, and she said the only thing she could think of when he touched her face gently, - Goodnight.
With that Amy disappeared into reality. She started to blink fiercely as if she was after roller-coaster and then she began to sob, she felt heavy tears in her eyes and then Rory's hands around her. She cried because her best friend just died and she couldn't even talk to him properly, she cried because she was so glad to see him even if for a moment and so sad that he was gone. She clanged to her husband as he tried to calm her down throwing angry glances at Rose. And then he saw that she was crying silently to, she looked so broken and lost that he couldn't be angry with her. He looked at Amy then, unlike Rose Amy had him.
When Amy calmed down they came into the house. Rory made three strong cups of tea. It was a hard day, the day the Doctor died, he was devastated to, but nowhere as close as was Amy and Rose, for whom the Doctor was more than a friend. For Amy he was childhood personified, a family and for Rose…well, whatever they were for each other, they were close.
Rose didn't cry anymore, she was strong, she was immortal echo of vortex power but she still felt as if her heart broke in million pieces. She felt like she was on that beach again, crying her goodbye to him.
-So, what's now? – asked Amy – Where are you going now, Rose?
Rose glanced at Amy, they understood each other, they shared the pain, but Amy had her family and Rose...well, when this will be over she'll finally rest in peace.
-I need to go back in time, the Doctor…well, the Doctor still needs my help. I just decided to pop to you before I'll visit him for the last time.
-Why didn't you come with me? I am sure he would love to see you.
-I couldn't Amy…it was too risky – Rose closed her eyes
-What do you mean? – Rory asked
-I wouldn't be able to just watch, I would have changed something – Rose said brokenly – in order to save him and I can't do it. I was protecting the Universe and myself.
-You could have changed that? –asked Amy – Why didn't you do that? Why did you make me see that if you could change time? – she yelled
- I AM time, Amelia Pond! – Rose growled wolfishly – And no matter how much I care for someone, no matter how much I love the Doctor, the Universe has to move forward! Even if he is the cost of it!
They glared at each other.
-OK, - said Rory calmingly – Let's take it slowly, it was a hard and emotional day and we are all exhausted. We need to rest and then…
-I won't stay, Rory – said Rose – I need to go soon.
-Why? – asked Amy, she wanted Rose to stay, she was her last connection to the Doctor - Rose, I know I've been harsh but that's because I…
-You are human, that's enough, I used to be one myself long time ago- said Rose, she wasn't angry anymore - But I need to go, because I can't stay here in this place for long – she smiled - too many paradoxes around you, guys.
-Mommy? – asked a child's voice. – Who's that?
Amy rushed quickly to her three years old son, she took him in her hands and then sat down on the couch. Tony settled comfortably on mother's lap.
-Say hello, Tony. This is our friend, Rose Tyler.
-Hello
-Hello, Tony. – Rose smiled warmly. – You know, I had a brother, his name was Tony to.
-Really? – the young boy asked
-Yep, he was very like you when he was your age. – Tony giggled -Amy, Rory – Rose addressed a redhead woman and her husband– I need to go now, but I can deliver a message from you to the Doctor, I know you wrote him an afterword, but...
-Can you bring a photo of us? – suggested Rory – Of our family, with Tony? It's not much…
-It's perfect – said Rose
-Wait here, I'll bring one –Rory rushed to their room
Amy and Rose sat in the silence a bit, Tony was watching them with curiosity.
-You know, he told me about you, after the Dreamlord stuff – Amy told
-I know, I can see all his life from the beginning to the end and not only his – Rose answered mysteriously.
-Wow, that's must be a lot of information. – she couldn't imagine to have so many stories in her head, she could hardly keep up with her own.
-I've visited him after you and Rory were gone – Rose continued – he was devastated, your death was one of the hardest blows he ever had. I know you are a writer? What book are you working on now?
-"Summer Falls"
-A nice one, I liked all your books, but I think this is my favorite.
-Thanks, I am surprised that such a being reads my books, but thanks.
-Well, even someone like me likes a good book and…
-Here – Rory came back with the picture. It was a picture of three of them. Rory, Amy and Tony when they just adopted them he was sitting between his parents and all three of them seemed to be very happy.
-It's perfect. – said Rose again, she put the picture in her pocket all she had to do now, not to change her clothes. – I know you are thinking of writing to your father about what happened to you, my advice, do it. He deserves to know the truth, the Doctor would never visit him to explain.
-I…I am still not sure, but thanks for advice, Rose – he hugged her suddenly, and then took Tony to his room, leaving two women for goodbye.
-Will we ever see you again? –asked Amy standing up
-No, this is where our story ends, even without a proper beginning. I know you are worried about why Melody hasn't visited you, but I am afraid she can't. Too complicated place this is.
-I thought it would be something like that. But I hope that she'll find a way one day, at least once.
-Hope is a good thing, who knows? Maybe she will find a way. – with that Amy hugged her to.
-Take of yourself, Rose and say "hi" to him when you see him. Tell him, that Amelia Pond still loves him.
-I will –answered Rose – you take care to. You've got a wonderful life here, Amy.
-I know, goodbye.
Rose vanished into space.