"Rory?" Patricia offered him the mug of tea, he took it silently, sadness covering his face. Crouching at his side she gently stroked his arm, "I know this is hard but she's alive, that's a good thing."

Taking a drink of his tea, Rory shrugged.

The Doctor, who had been standing in silence in one corner of the hall since they'd returned to the house, suddenly walked into the kitchen. He then turned and walked upstairs to what had been Amelia's bedroom before he ran back down to the garden.

"What are you doing?" Rory demanded when the other man finally stopped.

"Working through events," the Doctor replied before turning to Rory again. Reaching out to cup the younger man's cheek, he said, "I'm going to fix this. We're going to get her back."

Pulling back Rory demanded, "How?"

Hesitating, the Doctor finally admitted, "I'm not sure right now but," he caught Rory's arms again so the younger man would look up at him, "I will."

"Did they tell you what they wanted you for?" Josh asked thoughtfully.

Rory grimaced, "The woman said all they needed was for me to do one thing."

"That's concerning," Patricia mused, "Any ideas what she meant by that?"

Rory shook his head, "I need some time alone." As he started to walk away from them all three yelled his name. He paused and turned back, "I am going to my room in the TARDIS."

Patricia moved to his side, "We're just worried after what happened earlier."

"I know," he said softly, "But I need some time alone."

Without another word he walked to the blue box sitting beside the house and disappeared inside.

x

Patricia watched Rory leave before she turned to the man standing beside her, "Doctor, I know you've promised Rory that you'll find Amelia, but you have to protect him. Rory is blind when it comes to Amelia. She means the world to him and now he knows she's alive…" she sighed, "You need to protect him."

The Doctor gently nodded, "Always."

Josh grimaced, "If he lets you." At his fiancée's stern look, Josh shrugged, "You know Rory."

"Why don't you both head back inside," the Doctor suggested, "Be here to keep Rory from going off on his own. I need to look around the village for any clues where these people have gone."

"Doctor," Patricia called, "What if they come back?"

He shook his head, "They're after Rory. He's safe inside the TARDIS. If they come back, join him. She'll let you in."

The Doctor rested his hands on each of their arms, "I am going to protect you all, I promise. But I have to try to save Amelia."

With a nod he stalked away with determination. Patricia and Josh watched him leave, Josh wrapped his arm around her.

"Come on," he ushered her back inside, both hoping the Doctor was able to protect their friend.

x

Rory sat on his bed with his knees pulled up to his chest as he went through every second that he'd spent with Amelia…Amy. Trying to look for clues in their interaction, in case she'd given him any information that he could use to find her again.

Pushing himself off the bed he began to pace, hoping to clear his head because all he could think of was the look on her face when they pulled her away. He began to walk the corridors of the TARDIS, needing to get rid of the energy filling his body and found himself in the control room. Where a mobile phone sat on the console in front of him.

Rory began to wonder if she still had his phone, he didn't remember her putting it down after taking it from him. Picking up the phone he typed a quick message before tapping in his number and sending it.

Taking a seat on the stairs he waited, hoping she'd answer.

x

Amy dropped onto her bed in relief. Madam Kovarian had punished her for not obeying orders and talking to Rory instead of calling them.

But she'd seen him and couldn't resist talking to him. Then Amy started to remember how much she missed him.

Rory had been her best friend; he would almost always do whatever she wanted, and he was always there to listen when Aunt Sharon annoyed her. She remembered when Aunt Sharon had told her that he had been in a car accident with his mum and dad, how the cold fear that she would never see him again filled her. She'd cried learning that his mum had died, because Mrs Williams always been so nice.

Amy had hugged him tightly when she saw him a few days later, sitting in his room with him and talked for him because he didn't want to talk to anyone but her at that time.

She hadn't meant to leave him for so long, but in order for the plan Madam Kovarian developed to save the universe they had to be adults when they saw one another again.

And Amy had believed in it.

Seeing her jacket on the floor, Amy picked it up knowing she'd be punished for leaving it there, surprised at the weight. Searching the pockets, she found Rory's phone. Pushing the button, the screen lit up and she saw there was a message waiting for him. Wondering who was contacting him curiosity got the better of her.

Amy, it said, Code is the day and month we first met.

Smiling to herself, Amy entered in 0507, the 5th July. The first full day she'd been in Leadworth. To her joy, it unlocked the phone and Amy smiled.

Part of her knew she should tell Madam Kovarian that she had this, but she wanted to make sure he was alright first. Amy couldn't get the look on his face out of her mind, the pleading in his eyes for her to stay this time.

Opening the emails and messages, Amy frowned to see there were very few personnel ones. She didn't understand why he didn't have more friends because Rory was the best friend anyone could ever have.

Opening the pictures on the phone, she frowned. There some with the Doctor as well as the man and woman who had been with the Time Lord. Reaching the end, Amy smiled when she found one of her. It looked as though it was a picture of a photograph, but he kept a picture of her with him and warmth blossomed in Amy.

She bit her lip in thought. He'd wanted her to be able to unlock the phone meaning he wanted her to contact him.

Taking a breath, she typed:

I remember.

Sending the two words, she sat and watched the screen. Waiting. Hoping he'd contact her again. When the phone buzzed, she grabbed it.

Are you alright? Have they hurt you after today?

Amy smiled at his concern.

I'm fine. Did the Doctor hurt you?

Of course not. He's my friend. We've been trying to find you.

x

Rory sat on the stairs of the TARDIS relieved Amy still had his phone and had answered him. He was concerned that she thought the Doctor was not the good man he was and worried what the people who had taken her had done to make her believe this.

Where are you?

He knew it was a long shot she'd tell him, but he needed to try.

I think about you every day, Amy's next message said ignoring his question, I didn't want to leave you, but they told me it was for protection.

Protection from what?

Rory watched the screen and waited for her to reply.

Do you forgive me for leaving?

He sighed that she wouldn't answer his questions but if these people had programmed her to believe that the Doctor was bad then he had to be very careful.

Of course I do, he paused for a moment before asking, Do you forgive me for not recognising you earlier?

A few seconds later she replied, Yes. I shouldn't have surprised you like that, but I was so excited to see you again.

I've been trying to find you, Rory typed back, With the Doctor's help. I never forgot you and thought of you every day.

No answer came through for several minutes and Rory began to worry. Finally a message came through

Will you meet me? Just us, I promise.

Rory stared at her message. He wanted to tell her yes, he desperately wanted to, but he couldn't trust her. Could he?

Rory, please come and meet me.

Wrapping his arms around his knees, Rory debated with himself. He wanted to see her, to make sure she was alright and hopefully talk her into coming home. But after what happened he knew he had to be careful.

Meet me at the spot we would count clouds.

It was a bit obscure but only Amy and Rory would know where that was. Plus it meant he knew he could see if anyone followed her.

I'll see you in an hour.

Rory had never been that good at climbing trees as a kid. He'd fallen out one at the age of six, after Amelia had goaded him into climbing it, and broken his arm. Which led to him sitting in a hospital with Amelia holding his other hand, tears filling her eyes that he was hurt. However, since meeting the Doctor his climbing skills, along with running and computer abilities had grown exponentially. Which was why he'd chosen this spot to meet Amy.

Since they had been children the trees in the area had grown and there were several that he was able to hide in so he could watch to make sure there was no one following her.

Sneaking away hadn't been easy but Rory knew how to be move quietly so people didn't see him. Although he had brought the phone and had it set up ready to call for help if needed.

He spotted her easily, her long red hair streaming behind her as she ran through the field. Rory smiled to see that the little girl he had known was still in there somewhere.

Amy found their old spot at the big rock and took a seat, she leaned back on the flat surface and smiled as she lay in the sun.

Rory waited for about ten more minutes, watching Amy and ensuring that no one was waiting in the wings to try to grab him again.

Finally, feeling assured she'd come alone Rory climbed down and moved slowly to her.

"Amy," he said softly.

Her head came up and a bright smile covered her face, "Rory!"

Amy jumped up and ran to him, throwing her arms around him tightly to his surprise.

"You're okay?" Amy pulled back and started to check that he wasn't injured after what happened that morning.

"I told you I was," Rory smiled, he brushed her hair back and asked, "Are you?"

Amy nodded before she hugged him again. Rory closed his eyes and held her to him, sighing happy that he'd found her.

"I can't stay long," Amy spoke up after a few minutes, not moving from their embrace, "Madam Kovarian will be looking for me soon."

"You know you don't have to go back," Rory said, "You can stay with me," he winced when she pulled away, "Amy…"

"I can't," she whispered.

Rory took her face in his hands, "Yes, you can. You might not remember but I do. Amelia Pond who did nothing that anyone told her. Who took orders as suggestions," he smiled sweetly at her, "Who persuaded me to break rules."

A smile touched her lips, "You were always so nervy whenever we did something we weren't supposed to."

He nodded, "And then you were gone."

Sadly she looked away, stepping back to take a seat again.

"My best friend," Rory continued, sitting at her side, "Who promised she'd never leave me like my mum and dad did."

"Rory," she grabbed his hand, "I didn't want to leave you but…"

"But?" he demanded when she trailed off.

Amy sighed, leaning against his shoulder, "It used to be so clear. Until I saw you again. It doesn't make sense anymore."

Rory rests his head against hers whispering, "Then stay. Come back with me and forget whatever they told you. It's nonsense."

"I…"

"Trust me," Rory breathed turning her to look at him.

Amy nodded, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

Holding her Rory knew he had his best friend back and, at that moment, nothing else mattered.