It was a windy afternoon in April when River's perusal of a particularly interesting book was interrupted by the familiar groans of protest from the TARDIS's brakes. She glanced up, gently shutting the book and moving to approach the time machine when no one immediately stepped out. There was what sounded like a brief scuffle before the doors were creakily opened, the Doctor's face grinning back.

"River, my dear! Lovely to see you, as always," he said, ducking out of the way of a piano, of all things, being wheeled into the room by a brightly smiling Nebula.

"Did you steal a piano?" River questioned, tone half admonishing, half impressed.

"We might have paid for it."

"Might?"

"Matters if I ever get around to it."

She rolled her eyes.

It had been three days since she last saw the two, the memory of their goodbyes much fresher in her mind than she was used to when the time came for them to be replaced with hellos. Hunter had kept her busy, both young and old, for she woke the morning after the Doctor and Nebula's farewell to the sound of crackling electricity and a muffled curse. But's that's a story for another day. Today, they danced.

The upright was moved into a position against the wall adjacent from the fireplace, sleek black surface shining dully in the soft light as a low, backless chair was dragged into place, the Doctor sitting down with much straightening of his jacket and cracking of his knuckles. Nebula snorted at the display, nudging his shoulder with an elbow.

"Get on with it, you old coot."

And he did, after an indignant squawk at the insult.

Music seemed to almost tumble out of the piano, bouncing and swaying like the Doctor's hands as they danced across the keys like pale spiders. It was an erratic tune - jumping and changing like the thoughts of the one playing it - with snippets of song both recognised and unheard-of mixing and colliding with the brightness of a sun. It was the kind of music that set foots tapping, pulled lips into smiles and urged you to grab the nearest person and spin them around the room with a laugh, which is exactly what Nebula did.

Their eyes were bright and their grins were brighter as they danced together in a jovial sort of waltz, twirling around and around until their heads spun and their smiles were lopsided. It seemed that for a moment - one golden, shining moment - they could forget their troubles, ignore the ever present darkness of their pasts and futures, and be happy with the present.

The noise soon attracted baby Hunter and he ran into the room on his wobbly toddler feet, coming to a halt at his father's knee. The Doctor looked down, head tilted towards the keys as the tune went on and the two women danced, watching the boy as his tiny hands grabbed hold of the Doctor's leg. He bounced up and down excitedly, eyes wide with wonder like he was watching a star supernova or a nebula burn with light, but such things wouldn't draw such wonder to the baby's face. His young mind couldn't understand the wonders of the universe on such a large scale. Best to start small.

His family will always be his first wonder.