((A relatively small-ish chapter here. It was fun writing this one. A couple of things that I have introduced in previous chapters are answered here, and a few more questions arise ;) I figured I had better update now while I have the time. I feel bad when I keep everyone waiting for so long.

Big thanks to everyone who has been reading/reviewing/following etc... so far. It means a lot. I never thought I would get this response to this fic.

Also, I have been asked if I am writing anymore stories. I am! I have another Sherlock fic on the go that I started a few weeks ago. A ChildLock story, if you will. :) Hopefully I will be posting the first few chapters in the next week or so. I am also planning a Merlin story. Once I have started writing up the first couple of chapters I shall post them up to.

Anyway. On with the story!))

At 2PM the next day, on the dot, Amy arrived at Hyde Park. The person she was supposed to be meeting was nowhere to be seen. She had expected that. She wasn't meeting just anybody. No-one else Amy knew signed notes with 'M'. Melody had done several times before. It was either 'M' or 'RS'.

In the park a child ran around with a red balloon that reminded her of her childhood - the time when her Aunt Sharon had taken her to the fair and bought her a red balloon, big and shiny. A huge gust of wind had caught it and sent it high into the clouds. Amy had cried for hours after. The child in the park kept hold of their balloon as if it was the most precious thing in the world. It made Amy smile.

She had opted to wear trousers today, along with a green coat with a belt. It was becoming overcast. Very soon it would rain. April showers and all.

Something buzzed behind her. Like when something interfered with radios. It was faint, static, too. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Then, out of nowhere, there was a flash of light, an electric crackle, and when she spun around she saw River stood happily a foot away from her.

"Am I late?" she asked with twinkling eyes and radiant cheeks.

"Nope." Amy was more than pleased to see her. She was the first familiar face she had seen in a while.

"Good." River shook her wiry hair and straightened out her coat. "Blimey, that was one hell of a teleportation! I wasn't one-hundred percent sure that it would work. The blasted thing broke the other day. If it hadn't worked I would have been scattered into a million atoms all across time and space."

That line worried Amy to no end, though River gave her no time to dwell on it. "Come on, mother, dear," she said, grinning, and dragged her off into a toasty cafe. It held the appearance of a small French restaurant. It even smelled like a French restaurant. The smell of freshly made toast hit Amy's nostrils and she felt like she was back at home on a Sunday morning while her Aunt prepared toast and cake.

It poured with rain as they sat inside. "What are you doing here?" Amy cut to the chase.

River took off her coat when their coffee arrived. "I need to talk to you." The table they sat at was neatly decorated with a blue checkered table cloth. Above them on the wall hung a garland of yellow flowers, helping to brighten up the drab day outside.

"If this is about the divorce then -"

"No. I am pretty sure I will give you a lecture on that very soon if my memory serves me right. No. I am here to warn you."

"About what?"

"I think you know what: or rather who?"

"The shapeshifter."

River cocked an eyebrow.

"You sent me a note. I'm in danger. I assumed it was about that."

"Oh, you mean Kaos?"

"Who?"

"Spoilers."

"Don't," Amy sighed. She really wished her daughter would stop saying that. Amy drank while River talked. "No, no, no. I meant that dashing Sherlock Holmes of yours."

"He's not mine." Nooooo way. What gives you that impression?

"Are you sure?" River raised her brow again, this time suggestively. "That famous, elusive detective you've been sharing a flat with for the past... what month is it now?"

"April."

"Really? I thought it was July. Blimey, time travel. Who knew it was such hard work. Yes, three months now. You are not safe."

"He solves crimes. There are guns and fights and drugs and mad criminal killers. I know I'm not safe." She didn't need to be a genius to work that out. And anyway, since when had she ever been safe? She certainly hadn't when she had traveled with the Doctor, despite his many attempts to keep her out of harms way. Most of the time it had been her own fault, not listening to what he told her, doing the exact opposite, deliberately seeking out trouble. Because it was fun. Maybe that tiny part of her subconscious had brought her to Baker Street, knowing how much she liked danger, how she had become addicted to it.

"No, Amy, you don't understand. Your life is in danger. I don't know how big I can express that, but you are in serious danger. I wouldn't be here if you wasn't."

"How so?" She frowned?

"I can't tell you much about your future, nor can I change what will happen, but I can at least prepare you."

"For what?" She didn't like it when her dear daughter spoke in riddles. She had had enough of that from the bloody Doctor. Or did the Doctor get that from River?

"Your relationship with Sherlock Holmes is going to change. More than you care to realize. He is in big, big trouble and that puts you at risk as well. He has enemies, Amy, and they are enemies who want him and those close to him dead."

"Surely it can't be that bad..."

River shook her head. "Don't be so naive. You know who he, and I assume you know what has happened in the past two years. There is someone who is baying for his blood."

"Who?" Suddenly, she came across as worrisome. Her mind started filling with all sorts of questions.

"I can't tell you that. I have told you more than I should have already. You need to stay aware. Trust no-one."

She thought through the silence. Trust no-one. Not even Sherlock? "Where is the Doctor?" she quickly asked, remembering the shapeshifter.

River smiled. "He is on his way, don't worry. He is trying to find you."

"How did you know wh- oh, you've already been here to see me."

River smirked, as did her mother.

After the solemn talk, general chit-chat ensued. Amy was desperate to know everything her daughter had been up to. Well, maybe not everything.

"I do not want to know about your womanly wiles, Melody!"

River giggled. "Sorry, darling." She sighed. "I saw the Doctor a few weeks ago and he had changed his face again. It took me a while to realize who he was and which regeneration he was in. I do wish he would stop doing that. I'm going away soon, so I think it will be a good while before I see him again."

"Where are you going?"

"On an expedition to the largest library in the universe. I managed to work my magic and join the team."

Amy laughed. "It sounds exciting. All those books..."

"Oh, it will be! It should be otherwise what is the point? There's an important investigation happening and I cannot miss it!"

They talked some more. Mainly about River's travels because she already knew about Amy's cases with Sherlock, and much more besides, but she managed to keep schtumn.

River glanced at her space-watch after finishing the rest of her drink. "Gosh, I have kept you for an hour. You should go now the rain has stopped."

Peering out of the window, Amy agreed. "It was great to see you."

"Likewise."

When Amy stood up River clasped her hand tight around her wrist. "Don't mention anything we have spoken about today to anyone. Not even Sherlock."

"I wont."