ELEVEN

Rory nodded, not looking at her. "Hey." He responded flatly. He had a feeling he knew what was coming. He was also pretty sure he didn't really want to hear it.

Amy smiled, clapping her fist to her palm. "So." She nodded nervously. "So…"

"Yep. So." He sighed, offering her a way out because he needed one. "Look, I know what you're here for and…just don't worry about it, okay? I'm f-I'm fine. Really. Just…well, I'll be fine. Eventually. You know. So you don't have to be all nervous or worried about me. I'll survive." He picked at the covers, looking at his shoes.

Amy closed her eyes, hands resting in her back pockets. "I know. I know you'll be okay. I know you'll survive…because you're Rory and you're so much stronger than you give yourself credit for." He met her eyes then, still not able to smile. "You don't have to prove to me you're tough. I was…that was really low of me, everything that happened back there…"

He put his hand up. "Yeah, I could do without the reminders, thanks."

"So could I, but we don't really have a choice—"

"Wrong, Amy." He stood up. "You're trying to make yourself feel better, but I don't really want to hear it. I'm not in the mood after everything that's already happened. We may not have been acting normally, but that doesn't mean I don't remember. I'm not…" He half smiled. "I'm not angry with you. Okay?"

Her bottom lip twitched. "But you should be. I may not have been thinking clearly, but that wasn't how any of this should have happened. None of it was right...If it had never happened we might not even be here, having this conversation. We would have probably avoided all this drama and guilt and just all this headache." She paused, wondering if she would have ever even broken up with Rory if it hadn't been for going to that moon. If she would have gotten over her fears and reluctance for the quiet married life. If she hadn't jumped on her impulses at the time, the emotions that always stirred so strongly when she was around her Raggedy Doctor. There were a lot of 'maybes' floating around with recent events, all the talking they had done when they had no control over it. A lot of maybes but no way to go back and change them. Even with a time machine, they couldn't erase the future they had created. There was only dealing with the consequences however they could.

Rory touched her shoulder and withdrew his hand quickly, the gesture feeling so familiar, but now awkward as well. Amy's hand went to meet his and withdrew just as quickly. She kicked at the ground. "I don't want it to be like this."

"Honestly? I don't either." He replied, giving her more of a smile, but one that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I've known you for, like, ever. Whether as my boyfriend or not, you're still my best friend." She smiled.

"Yeah. Although, I think it's probably a good idea if we…I mean, I think I want to go home."

"Oh." She blinked. "Of course, if that's what you want…but…you don't have to, you know? We'd never kick you out, you're one of us. One of my boys." She lightly punched his shoulder, and then frowned when he didn't look amused.

"See, that's what is going to get a bit hard to deal with. I've got things to do back home…try and move on…you, though, you belong here, Amy. All this, space and aliens and everything, that's you. I was only here because you were. It was fun, at times, but I just want to go back to Leadworth. Where things make sense."

"Okay." She said, feeling like things weren't okay yet, but they would be. It was hope, because Rory was not someone she could just erase, and she didn't want things to be awkward between them forever.

They walked back to the main control room together. The Doctor was leaning against the console, his back to the stairs. Amy jumped the last step, her boots echoing on the floor and causing him to turn abruptly. His eyes, wide and unblinking, landed rather unsubtly on Rory. He pulled his hands from his pockets, sending a glance to Amy, and then, once he felt it was safe, smiled warmly.

"Hello Rory." The Doctor said, standing a little too close to Rory.

"Um. Hey." Rory said dryly.

"So. You're looking well." He chirped, beaming.

"Yeah, I just saw you like five minutes ago. Why're you acting like you haven't seen me in years?" Rory sent him a suspicious look.

The Doctor shook his head, looking to Amy, but her head was in her hands. "What? I am not…" He snorted and put his arm around Rory. "This guy. Always with the jokes." He patted Rory's chest with his hand.

"Doctor." Amy scolded evenly. "I think that's enough overcompensating. He says he fine and we're going to take him home now. Kay? How 'bout we remove that hand…" The Doctor slowly took his hand away from Rory, and slipped the other from around his shoulders. "That's it. Now. We all feeling better? Yeah? Okay. Doctor. Let's get moving."

The Doctor looked at them, rubbing his thumb against his other fingers. "Yes. Well, we're already here, actually." He tired to properly gauge the reactions. Rory was looking at the console and Amy was trying very hard to seem content.

"That's my stop then." Rory offered. He walked toward the door, the Doctor and Amy trailing behind him uncertainly. When he turned around, the other two stopped abruptly. Rory shook his head then turned to the Doctor. "I'd say something nice here…but, you know, given the circumstances…"

"Yeah. No worries." He smiled kindly. "Have a good life, Rory Williams. It was truly a pleasure to have known you." The Doctor nodded and then stepped forward for a quick hug.

Rory smiled and then turned to Amy. They both turned a look on the Doctor who spun on his heel and exclaimed that he had something very important to see to upstairs and that it couldn't possibly wait a second longer. Amy laughed.

"So. I guess this is goodbye then." She said, her voice cracking slightly. She sniffed.

"We'll see each other again." He offered, still not able to watch her cry.

"Yeah." She breathed, sucking in air through her teeth. "Yeah, I'm sure we will…I hope we will." Bouncing on her heels she decided she didn't care if he objected and threw her arms around his shoulders, letting a few tears fall onto his shirt. "I'm going to miss you. Don't forget that."

Hesitantly, Rory put his arms around her, allowing a few seconds of just holding her for probably the last time. "I'll miss you too." He added after a minute. As much as he didn't want to, he knew he would.

"Take care of yourself, alright?" She sniffed again, pulling back slowly.

"I will." He bit his tongue. "And you too. Take care of yourself."

"Yeah. Will do." She smiled, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before walking with him to the door.

With a final wave he turned around and walked out into the brisk air. It was early evening and the wind was sharp against his shirt. He knew where he was, the streets familiar no matter what time of day. He hiked up his shoulders and started walking home, not looking back when he heard the door click shut. The whooshing of the TARDIS fazing rose above the wind and he knew it was gone. They were gone. And he was sad, a little, but also relieved and so many other things all at once. He would miss Amy and even the Doctor, but he was glad to be home. Happy to see the familiar streets without a worry that he'd be shot at or attacked or running for his life. His only immediate plan was to sit and do nothing for at least a week before worrying about the future. Nothing, was going to be a nice change of pace.

When the door closed Amy could hear the Doctor behind her. She knew he'd be wondering what her reaction would be. She wiped her eyes and turned with a smile. He smiled back, unsure if hers was genuine.

"Where to then?" She asked quickly, stalking up to the console. She smiled and pranced because she wanted to be strong enough to do so.

"Amy?" He stood next to her, unsure of what to do with his hands and letting them fidget in front of him. She was being brave, he knew that much when her head kept fighting to stay upright on her shoulders. When she fought to keep her eyes bright and level with his. It was admirable, but unnecessary. And so typical. "Are you okay?"

She laughed, loudly. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?" She took a deep breath and looked at him. "Oh, don't look so forlorn. Geez, I'm fine." She pushed his shoulder lightly, to show that she was as fine as she claimed.

"I'm not trying to be…well, untactful here, but you don't…look…it." He took a quiet breath. "If you need a second to be alone…"

"Oh my word, I don't need a second, alright? I told you. I. Am. Fine."

He didn't say anything. Just looked at her sadly, knowing she was lying. So, he waited. She picked at the plastic of the console with her nail stubbornly. She kicked at the ground moodily. She wiped at her nose discreetly. She sniffled intermittently. And finally, she fell sideways, allowed him to catch her, and cried openly into his shirt.

The Doctor waited until she was finished, rubbing her shoulder slowly. His shirt was soaked, but he kindly didn't mention this when she straightened and fixed her hair.

"Thanks." She said finally, giving him a weak smile. "I feel much better."

He returned the smile. "Yeah, well, don't mention it."

She continued to rub at her eyes, laughing. "I must look a mess."

"No…" He shook his head, scratching his temple and shrugging.

"Oh, thanks. But I know I do." She could see make-up on her shirt sleeve and the ends of her hair were matted with tears. She raked her fingers through it quickly, fluffing it out as she straightened her shirt and regained her composure. She used a napkin to clean up the mascara.

When she felt clean again, she noted that the Doctor had moved to the other side of the console. He seemed to want to avoid her, but that wasn't going to happen. Amy almost wanted to laugh if he thought he'd be walking away without another word. Like hell. She stalked around the console where he was pushing buttons to look busy. Tilting her head, she leaned back on her elbows, resting with her back to the console. "You're not going to avoid this forever."

He didn't look at her, spinning and tapping things looking extremely preoccupied. "Says who? I've a time machine. That's what I do. I can avoid something for eternity if I want." He swallowed.

"You see, that is where you're wrong. I'm not letting this go, so you're not running from it." She stated. It was pure fact and he could fight it all he wanted, but she was going to win this argument. No amount of snapping or evasion would change that.

He nodded. "I had a feeling." He wouldn't smile. And the flicker of humor that was always there somewhere, even when he was angry, was completely gone.

Amy sighed. "Just so you know, I sort of just got out of a very serious relationship." She glanced sideways at him, noting that he seemed confused. She shrugged, moving a few steps closer and looking up at him casually. "In other words, I'm not really looking for another serious thing. Just a bit of fun. Maybe a little adventure, you know. Not really looking to settle down just yet."

He smiled curiously. "Okay…"

She chuckled, "I'm letting you off the hook, you big moron."

He took a breath. "Oh. Well, that's good I guess. Yeah. Splendid." It was just as well, because there was very little he could offer in that department. Romantic relationships made things sticky and messy. If they could just go back to friends, even after everything then that was perfect. He could keep Amy as the amazing friend she was and he wouldn't be alone. Deep down he was afraid that she might have mistook everything that had happened on that moon. Women sometimes had a tendency to take small gestures and impulses and turn them into dramatic declarations with deep hidden meanings.

Feeling a small sense of relief, he looked at his companion. Amy Pond. His brilliant ginger Amelia Pond. Her lovely face was smiling happily and her green eyes shining. Unfortunately, it was at that point he noticed the impish shine in her eyes and the smile was really more of a smirk. Something that made him not at all comfortable.

"However…" She added, her eyes lowering coyly. "You're not getting out of this completely..." She put her hand over his and he jumped backward, shaking out his hand nervously.

"Well, I think that's enough talking for right now—"

"I was thinking the same thing." She purred.

The Doctor looked into her eyes, temporarily mesmerized. Frozen for several seconds he allowed her to gain some ground before shaking his head vigorously. "No. No. No. Amy, this is not going to happen. This can't happen." He put out an arm to keep her from advancing, but she hadn't made a move yet, just watched him flutter around the control room with amusement. "I was really hoping to avoid any of…this…" He ranted, whirling around and motioning to her with his hands, a very grand up and down gesture, before spinning and continuing to rant and pace around the room. Finally he stopped and rubbed his face in his hands.

"I don't see why you're flipping out. It's really not that big a deal." She shrugged, leaning against the console coolly.

He laughed. "See, and that's part of the problem. You would say that wouldn't you? You don't know, Amy. You don't know what I know and that…that is…" He held his finger in the air. "I know that anything you're thinking in that zany head of yours…is off limits."

"Oh, and what am I thinking?" She cooed.

He shook his head, eyeing her knowingly. "Don't…don't play dumb."

"No really. Please tell me about these 'oh so forbidden' thoughts in my zany head." She toyed.

He shook out his hands, still a little antsy. "That's not the point, Amelia. The point is that I don't like the way you're looking at me and you need to stop right now."

"So there're rules now?" She huffed.

"There have always been rules. One, don't wander off. Two…through," He counted in his head, "Five aren't important right now. But six is a giant no to the crazy hormonal thoughts flitting through Amy's head."

"It really says 'Amy' in your list of rules?"

"No it states 'insert companion name here,'" He corrected and then he looked at her sternly taking her by the shoulders and sitting her down in one of the seats. He found her eyes, which were still skeptical and a little playful, but he was determined to keep things serious. "I want you to understand how this works. You're not at all in your right mind right now. With or without the noxious plant life." He added before she could protest.

She shook her head. "You didn't seem so unwilling earlier."

He opened his mouth and shut it quickly, stopping and starting a few times before actually saying what he was thinking. "That…that is what I was afraid of. Okay. You need to completely disregard anything that happened down there. That…well I was…none of it was real."

"It was real that when I kissed you didn't stop kissing me back." She raised her eyebrows. "You obviously didn't mind."

"Not minding that it happens and not wanting it to happen are two different things. Of course I didn't mind." He exclaimed. "Look at you. I mean, no I didn't mind, obviously, but that doesn't mean I wanted it to happen. I didn't start that."

"No, but you sure finished." She mumbled. Blinking she put a hand on her head. A sudden surge of memory made her wince and then she was blinking and looking at the floor. "Oh…my God. Oh my God." She put a hand over her mouth.

The Doctor glanced at her, hands in his pockets, looking wary. He was curious if those memories would resurface once the toxins wore off. She couldn't actually make herself forget something through sheer will, and she had only managed to suppress the memory until, well, now.

Amy put a hand on her chest and swallowed. "So…we didn't just…" She bobbed her head as she kept herself from finishing her statement.

The Doctor hung his head. Somehow, it was rather disappointing. This reaction. The appropriate one, but still, it hurt. "Yes. We didn't just…"

"So we almost…"

"Yeah." He nodded solemnly. "That's my point. You regret it now and it's only been," He looked at his wrist. "A few hours. And nothing even really happened. That's what I'm trying to tell you."

"Wait, regret?" She looked confused and then she looked at his puzzled expression and laughed. "Oh…" She giggled. "You think I'm acting like this cause I regret…" She snickered into her hand.

He frowned. "Wasn't that what you were just doing with the shocked exclamations and everything?" He didn't think he had misunderstood.

"Well," She nodded. "I mean, it wasn't my proudest moment. I was a bit slutty actually…but don't get me wrong. It was totally hot." She raised her eyebrows suggestively.

He mouthed the word 'hot' running a hand through his hair. "So, I think we need to establish a few things. Because I am just…well, completely in the dark. You don't regret what…well…didn't about almost sort of could of happened?"

She smiled. "No. Not at all. Do you?"

"No." He replied quickly and then he shook his head. "I mean, yes. Of course I do. Look what it's led me to? This is why I avoid these kinds of situations."

"So you never have any sort of…I dunno…desires? Never get a dirty thought? Ever?" She stepped closer.

He rolled his shoulders, hands still in his pockets and he pointedly tried to avoid her gaze. "Not in the way a human might."

"But you do? In your own alien way?"

He squirmed uncomfortably. "I do not have to take this." He pointed in her face. "I'm not answering these…clearly ludicrous questions."

She sighed. "Why are you being such a baby? What would it hurt?"

"There are so many reasons why it would hurt. Three hearts would get broken here. I'm just trying to keep that from happening." He looked down at her, now that she was standing right in front of him. It took her a second to think of what he meant by 'three hearts.' But she understood and stepped forward, throwing her arms around his neck and resting her cheek on his shoulder.

A little off balance, he didn't shrug her off. Besides, hugs were perfectly legal in his book. He put an arm around her waist and accepted the gesture. When she leaned back she kept her hands on his neck, looking up at him kindly. The mischievous air was mostly gone, although it was still always present somewhere in her eyes. She smiled warmly.

He returned the smile, hoping that this was her conceding and that that was the end of the argument. In hindsight, it was a stupid hope.

Her face was pressed against him before he could say otherwise, her fingers pulling at his collar. His arms moved away from her waist, touching her shoulders to push away from the kiss. Her lips moved quickly, trying desperately to get him to react, which he didn't.

Finally, he managed to push her head back and she growled at the interruption. Amy spoke first.

"Are you dead?"

"What? No…" He replied, thrown off. Her fingers still gripped his collar and she was holding him from retreating.

"Did the universe explode?"

"Well…" He looked over her shoulder like he wanted to go and confirm this before answering the question, but she tugged him back fiercely. "No." He said quickly, noting that she looked actually pissed.

"Is the world going to end?"

"I-no."

"Do you like kissing me?" She raised an eyebrow. Go ahead, say the wrong thing, she dared.

He swallowed, knowing a lie was not really an option. "I don't dislike it…"

"Then is there a reason for you to be acting like you're going to die at any moment?" She reasoned.

"N-no…" He groaned.

"Good. Then there should be no problems. Suck it up." She ordered.

The Doctor looked at Amy. Defeated. He shut his eyes and wasn't surprised when she jumped on the opportunity and was kissing him gently. His hands hovered on her waist, but he didn't try to stop her. And when he continued the motion, she moaned happily. It was more in triumph than anything, he thought annoyed. But it wasn't unpleasant. Nothing about the situation was unpleasant upon reflection.

She wandered backward, backing him into the stairs where he had to catch the railing to keep from toppling over. She giggled against him and he smiled, leaning his forehead against hers.

"So…does this mean I get to see your room?" She bit her lip as she waited for an answer.

"That's taking things a bit fast." He replied. "I suggest, in this situation, that you take what you can get. Considering I was seconds from having to throw you out if only to maintain my dignity."

"Oh fine." She pouted. Then she let her fingers run up and through his hair, smiling confidently when he closed his eyes. "So, still no protests?"

He opened his eyes. "You've won, Amy. And I am not a gracious loser, don't provoke me." He conceded. This was a very dangerous path he was being dragged down. So many different ways this could end horribly wrong. So many different ways that either of them could be hurt beyond repair, although he was more worried about her.

His life did not follow the pattern of grow old and die. He would regenerate when she would be forced to live as a human forever. The positives really didn't compare when he thought of things the way he saw them, all the experience that made him much more knowledgeable than Amy thought she was. Her thigh slid next to his as he was forced to sit on the stairs, Amy's legs on either side of him. Just a little indulgence wouldn't hurt. No one would die from a little harmless kissing. Although, if she continued this much longer he doubted she'd be willing to end there. Still, there really wasn't any harm, was there?

He knew there was. So much harm was in store. That was inevitable. That was his life. He didn't get to enjoy things for long. But there was no way Amy was going to lose to him about this, so there was no sense in beating himself up about it now. He ran his hands up her back, not minding that it made her arch further into his lap.

Amy pulled away, face flush and out of breath. She did have certain things in mind, but she wasn't trying to get it all out at once. She smiled, her hair falling over his face as she tried to push it behind her ears.

"So. I was thinking."

"That's never good." He mumbled.

"I was thinking we should go to Paris." She sat up, lifting her leg over his lap and standing. She straightened her shirt and skirt.

The Doctor looked confused as he grabbed the railing and stood. "Okay."

She pushed her hair over her shoulder and turned on him brightly, hands on her hips. "When?"

"Whenever you like." He began to smile.

"Well, I was thinking past…past like…late 15th century?" She bounced over to the console, leaning on it as she waited for him to navigate.

He jumped from the stairs and scooted over to the console. "French renaissance?"

"Sure." She agreed as he began to flutter around the controls with enthusiasm.

He set the coordinates and then looked at his companion. "France 1499?"

"Sounds good to me." She laughed, stalking along the console and smiling playfully.

"So then, this is how it's going to be now?" He had a hand on the lever that would take them to their destination.

"Is that a problem?" She purred.

He laughed. "Oh, Amy." He found the situation rather funny now. "Beautiful brilliant," He held a finger to her face. "Completely impossible, Amy." His hand settled on the lever for takeoff. "Not at the moment." He answered and he lowered his hand, sending the TARDIS shaking as it fazed in 15th century France. Amy grabbed the console to keep from falling and he held onto the monitor, both of them laughing. "So what the hell? Why not?" He yelled above the noise of the brakes he never took off.

"Exactly." Amy agreed with a giggle as the ship landed.

He jumped the small flight of stairs in front of the door and leaned against the doorway with one hand. "Ready?"

"Am I ever not?" She laughed and then she extended a hand.

He took it and let the door swing open, "Welcome to 15th century Paris, Amy Pond."

The End.

A/N: Okay, so this particular story is done. If I get an idea for another plot I might continue with this universe, but it's not likely. There is the possibility of exploring the fact that now River will never have been born and the consequences that might cause, if there are any. Not sure as of yet. One thing, I have watched series six and I feel I should apologize to poor Rory for this story. I was rather mean to him because I didn't like him at all in series five, but in series six he is so much better and he and Amy are an adorable couple, I will concede them that. However, I still think Amy and the Doctor is an awesome match. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the ending. Thank you to all the awesome people who reviewed and I hope I kept everyone in character for you, since that is my main goal and that there was enough Amy/Doctor stuff at the end. I might write a one shot between them later, just see what would happen. So, that's it. I completed a story which is rare for me. Thanks for reading. ^_^

p.s. It's kind of coincidence that I ended with chapter eleven and he is the eleventh Doctor...I just noticed that as I was posting this. Sorry. That's it.

p.p.s. Sequel is now up. The Time Alteration. For those interested. Thanks!