I don't own Doctor Who. Another 11th Doctor story, hopefully good.

Emily exited the building, pulling her coat tighter around her body. She was so ready to go home, this business trip had lasted far too long in her opinion, but her flight wasn't until tomorrow. She was looking forward to getting back to her routine, and seeing her mum again.

One month in New York, but it had felt like so much longer. There was nothing wrong with New York, she had met a lot of very nice people, but it just wasn't home for her.

Walking the short distance to the hotel where she had been staying, she didn't really look around her. The view was the same, and she had lost some of the fascination in the familiar path even in this short time. She entered the building, greeted by the doorman, Simon.

"Hello, miss," he spoke kindly.

"Hello, Simon," she responded, as he opened the door for her. She had been much too busy in her time here to really make friends, but she really liked Simon. He had helped her get settled and establish a routine here. He let her know what to avoid and where were the best places to eat. "Thank you and you have a good night."

"You too, miss," he grinned at her, and she saw a small wink.

She looked down to her watch, it was half past six, and she took the elevator instead of the stairs tonight, to the fifth floor. She wanted to take a quick shower before she spoke to her mother. Her mother called her twice a week, at ten thirty her time and they spoke about what was going on in their lives.

She pulled back the shower curtain stepping in, and sighing as the water washed away the day. The water trickled down and she watched in being sucked down the drain absently, and thought of the woman who had raised her. She had always had a good relationship with her, close without being too close. Emily had always been taught to be independent but she was also taught that she was never alone.

Her mother was the best mother that she could ever ask for, telling her always that she was amazing, and smart, and that she could be anything. She let her know that she was proud of her at every chance, because she said that her own mother hadn't been like that.

Emily didn't have a father, well, of course she had a father, she knew how babies were made. She just didn't have a father in the, pick you up at school, read you bed time stories, kind of sense. Her mother had to be both mother and father and she took that responsibility on with a humble grace.

Stepping out of the shower, Emily wiped the foggy mirror and looked herself over. She had dark spots under her eyes, but she never rested very well when she was on a business trip. She brushed her hair, darker now than when she had been a child, almost completely brown. Eyes were still bright though, not dulling with her age. She was only twenty three, but sometimes she felt like she was so much older.

Her mum said that was because she had accomplished so much already, with owning her own business, but she thought that sometimes the world just affected her differently. She didn't talk about it with anyone, but sometimes she thought she saw the world differently than other did.

The phone rang as she was finishing brushing her teeth; she rinsed her mouth quickly, and answered it.

"Hello," she said.

She listened to her mother's voice flood the device, and she smiled a smile that no one could see. Even the accent, so familiar, so much a reminder of home, was a relief to her.

Her mother spoke of life back at home, and of things that were going on that she might be interested in, but mostly she asked after Emily. Wanted to know if she thought the trip was a success, which it had been, and if she was doing well.

Telling her that she would meet her at the airport tomorrow when she came in, and that she couldn't wait to see her again, and Emily was touched that she still cared so much.

"You sound tired," her mother told her, concern clouding her voice. "Are you okay, darling?"

"Always," responded, Emily, easily.

Her mother laughed. "Okay, well, you get some sleep, and I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"

"Of course, Mum," she agreed. "I love you, you know."

"I know, and I love you too my sweet girl," she didn't have to say that she was wishing she could hug her, but Emily knew. "Good night, love."

"Goodnight, Mum," she hung up the phone, and pulled back the covers, sliding into the bed, and setting her alarm for her early flight.

She turned on the television, knowing that she would probably fall asleep watching it tonight. Despite the early hour, she was exhausted, and her flight was early in the morning anyway

She ignored the nervous feeling in her stomach, letting her head rest on the fluffy pillow, and her eyes close.

She had no idea what lay in store, for the girl who didn't see the world as the others did.

DW

River laughed at the Doctor who was still chasing her through the halls, and marveled how he could be so fast for one so old. Hours ago she had been in Storm Cage, bored as was per protocol in prison, and hoping that he would show. Just like the wonder that he was, he answered her call that she never made, and showed up at her doorway, hair falling over his eyes.

Now they were dressed for bed, but clearly had no intention of sleeping anytime soon. He was gaining on her now, and she just couldn't have that, and threw back a taunt.

"Is that the best you can do, sweetie?"

He growled, and pushed harder, and she giggled and ran around the corner, steeping into a doorway. She had an ally in the TARDIS, and the door shut quietly before he could round the corner himself.

"River," he called out, barely out of breath. "Come out, River. This is cheating."

He sounded stern, but she knew that he was smiling. Somehow when the two of them were alone together, they became so much younger, and he wasn't the man who carried around the weight the universe, and she wasn't the woman carrying out a sentence for a murder she didn't commit.

They were just in love, and they didn't have to be anything else. It was times like this that she lived for, and the events that would occur a bit later as well.

"River," he was starting to sound annoyed, but only just. She could hear doors opening and closing. "Come on, or I'm not going to do that thing."

He was bluffing, but she supposed that she should just give in. It didn't do to have a pouting Lord of Time on her hands, and he would give her those eyes, and claim that he wasn't pouting, just thinking. Like she didn't know better, and then it would take forever to get the playful Doctor back, so yes, it was better to quit while she was ahead.

She stepped out, and he spun, and moved to her, pulling her into his arms. "That's cheating." He kissed her lips, and she laughed against his mouth.

"Give me a complex if you laugh while I kiss you," he insisted, and kissed her again. She didn't laugh this time, at least on the outside.

Oh, he was a great kisser, he just was also funny. She ruffled his hair, "You cheated earlier."

"Did not," he shook his head, "That short cut was a valid move."

"Valid for someone who was cheating," she grinned.

He smiled back, "What does that make us then?"

She kissed him now, "People who make their own rules."

He nodded to that, "Yes, that's us. I think I have a new rule, would you care to join me in the bedroom, while I explain it?"

"Sure," she agreed, taking his hand, letting him lead them, at a slow lazy pace.

He stopped suddenly, and she could feel the TARDIS shake and then stabilize, and for a brief moment a single TARDIS bedroom flashed in her mind. Looking over at the Doctor she assumed the same had happened to him.

"Sweetie?"

He held up a finger, and moved down the hallways, without releasing her hand, and opened a door. River followed him in and stood shocked at what she saw. There on the single large bed was a girl. Early twenties, if River had to guess by the low light that filled the room. She was asleep, hair fanning across the pillow, on top of the covers as though something had placed her there, but her head was resting on a pillow, so it was done with consideration.

A quiet breathing filled the air, a sign that their stowaway was alive, and she started to move toward her, but he Doctor stopped her. Right, she could be dangerous, River thought.

The Doctor tilted his head, and it made him look so young. All he could say, for that big old genius brain surprised her, "What?"