Chapter Text
Amy grabbed up her skirt and followed closely after Charlie. Just the thought of this doctor being Rory made her heart skip in her chest. But, if it was Rory, he had been alone here for a year. He had needed to go on with his life not knowing that he would see her again. There was a chance that his time here had changed him. There was a chance that he wasn’t her Rory anymore. Amy shook her head in an attempt to rid herself of the idea.
“He’s really nice,” Charlie said as the continued to walk. “Doc Williams.”
“Yeah?” Amy was still attempting to calm herself.
“Sometimes, if Ma can’t pay, he just lets her bring him sweet bread. My Ma makes the best sweet bread.”
“I bet she does.” Amy couldn’t focus on anything except for Rory. “Did you ever talk to him? The Doctor.” Amy paused. Doctor. She took a deep breath. “I mean… do you know anything about him?”
“He’s kind of quiet,” Charlie said. “He just works and that’s all.” He paused. “Sometimes he lets me help out. Even gives me pennies to get candy. But I see him writing once in a while. Letters I think. I asked him once if they were to his sweetheart, but he didn’t answer. He just looked… sad.”
Amy’s shoulders fell. She couldn’t hope any longer. If this man wasn’t Rory, her heart wouldn’t just be broken, it would be shattered. “How much further?”
“Just down the road.” Charlie turned back to her, walking backwards, weaving effortlessly through the people who were still on the street. “How do you know him, Amy?”
“I’m not sure that I do,” Amy admitted. “I’m just hoping that I do. I’m hoping that… he’s been the man I’ve been wishing to find here.”
“I hope so.” Charlie smiled. “You seem sad too. Maybe if the Doc is who you’ve been looking for, you will both be happy again.”
Amy finally smiled. “You’re sweet,” she said as Charlie came to a stop outside a stand-alone building.
The small structure had two floors from the looks of it. A short set of stairs led up to the front door, the lantern in the front was still lit.
“Do you want me to fetch him?” Charlie asked.
Amy had never been more nervous. She closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath as she nodded. Charlie jogged up the stairs and knocked three times on the large wooden door. Amy could barely breathe. She tried to blame it on the dress, but her palms were sweating and she bounced gently to calm herself. She saw the door open a crack and strained to hear Charlie speak.
“What’s wrong, Charlie?” Amy could barely hear the man who spoke, but was too nervous to step closer.
“I met a lady today, Doc.” Charlie’s voice came through a lot clearer.
“Is that right? Don’t you think you should be meeting girls your own age?”
“It’s not like that,” Charlie laughed and shook his head. “She looked like you.”
“What do you mean?”
“You remember when you first came here you were dressed all… funny? Well she was too. And, the best part is that she has the same name as you. She’s a Williams too! She wanted me to, so I brought her here…”
The wooden door flew inward and Charlie stepped to his left. Amy’s eyes widened in anticipation. Suddenly, her shoulders fell and her eyes welled up with tears.
“Rory….” Her voice was soft as she choked out his name.
“Amy…” He ran down the stairs as Amy gathered her skirt up again and broke into a sprint. For a moment, everything seemed to move in slow motion as they fell into each other’s arms. “I didn’t think I would ever see you again.”
“I wished it was you. I didn’t care about anything as long as I found you.” Amy cried.
Rory cleared his throat and wiped his eyes. “You’re finally here, I finally have you back and… we can go home…”
Amy’s eyes were bloodshot with tears as she wrapped her arms tighter around Rory. “This… is home now.”
“What do you mean?” Rory took a deep breath. “Amy…” Realization finally began to hit him. “Amy, how did you get here? How did you find me? Where is the Doctor?”
“He’s not coming.” Amy choked. “The Doctor… will never find us.” She paused, still holding him. “Rory… we’re not going home. We’re lost here.”