The raven haired girl glanced around at the busy street, finding the smallest things about passersby interesting. Her book was merely for appearances, as creating stories in her mind about each individual on the street was much more fun. Besides, it kept her mind off of certain things.

One little boy caught her eye as he ran past on wobbly legs, laughter ringing through the air. His innocence made her smile sadly, as she wondered what it would feel like to be young and completely carefree again. She sighed and rubbed the fob watch that hung around her neck.

If someone asked her, or at least someone she trusted, she would easily say that the watch was her most precious possession. The things it had taught her, that the voices inside of it had whispered to her every day and night as she lay awake and as she slept, dreaming of everything she'd do and see with the Doctor, her Doctor. His lives, all of them, had already taught her so many amazing things. How much better would it be in person?

She couldn't wait.

But, in the meantime, she was content with imagining backstories for the different people she saw.

For instance, the young man hurrying by with a bouquet in one hand and the other holding his cell phone to his ear was late for his anniversary with his girlfriend (as her was wearing no ring). The couple in their mid-forties was out for dinner, enjoying a night away from the kids. The quintet of girls with shopping bags dangling from the crooks of their elbows had just finished midterms and felt like celebrating by spending a good amount of their savings. The dark skinned woman was... walking up to her?

She was quite sure she'd never met this person in her life. Unless she had really been drunk that one time and didn't remember her... no, she was positive this wasn't the case. Whatever it was, the woman was still calling her name.

"Aria!" the woman smiled as she came to a stop in front of her. Aria wasn't sure what to say, merely nodding towards the empty space next to her on the bench. She silently surveyed the woman, seeing that she was wearing a black uniform with no visible insignia that Aria could see. The woman's dark chocolate gaze roamed over her face, searching for something that Aria knew deep down inside wouldn't be there. Aria was at a loss, for this woman seemed to care so much about her, but she didn't even know her name.

Martha, Martha Jones, a voice from the watch whispered to her. His was the most familiar, especially since she had finally met him the previous year. He was ten, as she affectionately called him by the life number he was on.

"Aria... are you okay?" Martha leaned slightly forward, a worried crease forming on her forehead as she slightly frowned. Aria sighed, placing her book on her lap as she turned to face Martha, feeling guilty even though it wasn't her fault.

"Martha Jones," Aria paused, already seeing the disappointed look washing over her face. "You're from my future." Aria winced, wondering if she shouldn't have said it so bluntly as tears began to well up in Martha's eyes. The woman sighed.

"Figured as much, otherwise you wouldn't be looking this age around here." Martha smirked, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "I came back to visit, worked here for a while after having an adventure with Doctor and Donna. This city is similar to London; it always rebuilds stronger than before." She stood up and stretched. "If you haven't caught up though, then I suppose this is goodbye for now. Can't go telling you things you shouldn't know of."

Aria smiled. "I know the feeling. No spoilers, or things can end badly." She stood as well to shake Martha's outstretched hand, trying to suppress any physical signs of the sadness and longing of friendship her watch was emitting into her.

It wasn't that the Doctor's feelings influenced her at all, but more that she could feel what he felt. His happiness, his sadness... they held a link that couldn't be severed. At least, not easily.

"You'll see me soon, I suspect," Martha said before walking away, hands shoved in her pocket. She turned several steps later to look over her shoulder at Aria and winked. "Give that soldier of yours a kiss for me when you meet him!" Martha then vanished amongst the colorful throngs of (mainly) humans of New York City.

With a small smile, Aria turned to walk in the opposite direction, book in one hand, as she mused over her future-friend's words."Her soldier" had been mentioned several times by her watch, always as a companion of the flower and the Doctor and the song. She didn't like to try and decipher the future, which is one thing she suspected the Doctor and her would disagree on. Things could go sour if you tried to control them, especially something as powerful yet fragile as time. Time was something that only fools did not respect.

Aria snapped back to the present as she saw a hand reaching towards her from the shadows out of the corner of her eye. She sprung backwards, using the book in her hand to harshly smack the attacker's away and was rewarded with a harsh yelp followed by a string of curses.

"You humans! When will you ever stop and think first before you act?! The whole lot of you, with your guns and knives and forks..." Aria followed the voice into the dim alleyway, already knowing what to expect from the thick Scottish accent and vexed tone.

Twelve, the watch whispered, warming against her cool skin as they moved closer to the TARDIS, and consequently, the Doctor. Twelve, twelve.

"Maybe you should refrain from grabbing your human companion's appendages when they are unaware you are the one standing in a dark alley and not a common criminal. Trust me, you are not a common criminal, but how would I know that while walking by randomly?" Aria scowled at the silver haired man and crossed her arms as he scowled right back at her.

"Common criminal? You insult me."

"You insulted me! Now we're even." She stuck her tongue out at him, which only caused one of his prominent eyebrows to raise.

"Must you resort to such childish behavior?"

"Only if you're going to be this stubborn."

The Doctor sighed dramatically. "Remind me why I bothered to come here."

"That is extraordinarily difficult for me to do when you're from my future."

"'Extraordinarily difficult?'" He stepped towards Aria, who held her ground, arms still crossed. "Why is it not impossible?" He narrowed his eyes.

The girl finally relaxed, slipping her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. "Nothing's impossible, Theta." It took a moment for any reaction from either of them, but a grin did form on the Doctor's face.

"Hello, Miss Aria," he said slowly with a spark of joy in his eyes. Aria grinned back before throwing her arms around him. He stiffened slightly before giving in but not fully returning the gesture. "Yes, yes... okay that is quite enough, you can release me from your grasp."

Aria did so, hesitantly and with a victorious smirk. "So what'd you come here to tell me?" she asked, tipping her head to one side, not unlike a cat. The Doctor didn't say a word, instead releasing the fist his left hand had formed, holding it palm up for her to see what he held: a charm of a miniature flathead screwdriver. Aria stared at the accessory incredulously. "Is this supposed to be funny?"

"Only if you want it to be. Thought you could put it on your chain with your watch." He took her wrist to place it in her own hand before spinning on his heel to strut towards the darkest section of the alleyway, where Aria could now make out the dim glow of the TARDIS's light. She was still as a statue, even as the Doctor paused to look back at her from the doorway of the TARDIS. "I'll be coming for you soon, Aria Gles. Be ready."

Aria didn't move as the door creaked shut and the familiar groan of the TARDIS rang through the air as the madman and his box vanished.

Tick tock

Aria sighed with a smile before turning back towards the now empty spot and walking out of the alley, happiness making her heart feel lighter than ever.

Twelve has struck

This was his invitation, his warning. Next time she saw the wandering alien, she would be staying with him.

The cycle now can start;

Everything she had ever dreamed of could come true.

Tick tock

Aria stopped still as she finally realized that a young voice was saying a rhyme from within the watch.

Goes the clock

it whispered,

For the soldier and Aria.