Doctor Who?
. .

I shook the dark brown curls from out of my eyes. Earth was a wonderful place wasn't it? The people were so happy here, friendly…Unlike the stuffy politicians of Gallifrey. And I have to admit… Humans were interesting. And from a window seat at the coffee shop, very easy to observe. I relaxed my thoughts and allowed myself to sip a bit of my tea.
.

My attentions were distracted by a young woman in the crowd outside of the window. She was lightly freckled, ginger.. (I've never been ginger), and had one of the most distressed looks on her face.

.
The café's bells jingled as to my surprise, she came in, scanned the room, and casually walked to my table.
"Do you mind? There's no where else to sit."
Ah. So she was Scottish. Even more interesting!
"Not at all." I replied courteously.
She slid up into the chair and gazed out the window.
"Is something wrong?" I felt concerned as I noticed a few tears well up in her eyes.
"No..Just," she stiffened, "A very close friend of mine…" she swallowed, "..died recently."

I felt a strange compassion for this girl, though I'd known her only for a few minutes.

"I-I'm so sorry, Miss…?" I said, hinting at the last word of the phrase.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Amelia Pond." She smiled, obviously trying to lighten the darkening atmosphere. "Call me Amy."
"Well, Amy Pond," I said inviting her to talk by sliding a menu towards her seat. "What was this fellows' name?"

Her eyes turned dark. She suddenly sat rigid in the leather seat. I felt I'd asked a horrible question, one that I was likely not to receive an answer to. I quickly apologized.
"Pardon my rudeness, Ms. Pond. I had no right to ask."
She looked up at me, a stoic expression worn on her flushed face.

"No-I was just thinking Mr.-?"
I fidgeted. "Um… Smith. John Smith."
Amy gave me a queer look. "Smith? That's funny-" She cut herself off, staring at something next to my cup.
Not giving me time to glance at her fixation, she looked at me, her eyes alight with new understanding. I was utterly dumbfounded by her sudden epiphany.
She smiled hopefully. "May I see that?"
I followed her gesture. My TARDIS key. I'd left it near my teacup.
"Sure-"

She snatched it up and stroked its curves and teeth. Her eyes reddened and she smiled through the sudden wetness streaming down her face.
Amelia Pond then set down the key, wiped her cheeks and beamed brightly at me.

.

"My Doctor."
.

I gave a curious grin. "Well, it's a pleasure meeting you before I should."
The mood seemed to instantly brighten.

"So…Am I ginger?"
She laughed, obviously amused. "Oh, it's definitely you!" She sighed happily. "Your eleventh regeneration isn't… Are you Ten?"
"I'm Eight!" I wiggled eight fingers up playfully.
She clapped her hand over her mouth. "Really? You're so cute!" She reached over and patted my curls. "Different.."
Her smile faded.
.

Then I remembered something.
"You said your friend died… May I inquire who he was?"
Her eyes widened.
"I think I should go…" She trailed off, and then left the café, leaving me with empty curiosity and cold tea.