23) Following You, What'd You Think?

[starjargon]

A/N- Mels when she first regenerates into River indicates she hadn't intended to kill the Doctor- her brainwashing had taken over when he showed up, hence all the events in Let's Kill Hitler. So, what was she still doing in Leadworth before?

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She had so many dreams. She was going to go off to see the world, and then when that got too small, she would obey the call ingrained in her very being and go back to the stars. Perhaps see the asteroid on which she was born. Maybe one day she'd see her Mr. Boe's home planet. And she'd take her mum and dad with her.

They'd know her by her real name then. And know who she was. They'd love her like she'd always wanted, and she wouldn't have to hide anymore. Their reprimands would be those of parents addressing a wayward daughter, not a wild best friend. And she would address them by their titles. They'd wait by her bedside when she was sick, and hold her close when she was sad. Then they'd scold her for worrying them and she'd complain while secretly loving it.

Her mother's Raggedy Man would return then, and she would marry him and they would travel in his magic phone box and rescue planets and right all the wrongs in history. She wouldn't forget her new dreams either. The ones her father had so long ago unintentionally inspired and so recently encouraged (although she was still unaware of the former fact). Researching the Last Centurion of whom she'd dreamed since birth had aroused an interest in history, and she had discovered a love of uncovering the past. She could do right by her dad. She would become all those things they'd dreamed of for her- a doctor in her chosen profession, maybe even a professor someday.

He'd be proud. He would be so proud to call her his daughter. And she knew how emotional he'd get. Probably cry at her graduation. Her mum- well, her mum would embarrass her for sure. Amelia Pond was not known for her subtlety. And Melody would bask in her parents' praise, once they knew they were her parents. She would be amazing- she'd even be able to keep up with her mother's imaginary friend once he returned, because she wouldn't have to hide anymore- wouldn't have to maintain the illusion of average.

Still, she couldn't deny she liked a bit of trouble, so she'd have to be sure and seek that out as often as possible. As much as people liked to think she was the main troublemaker, her mother was no saint. Ooh, the havoc they could wreak when they worked as a team. They could fluster any man with their flirtatious innuendos, outsmart the local authorities (well, distract them anyway), and they could escape any fix when they worked together. And when they didn't- well, that's why Amy always borrowed money from Rory to bail Mels out. What were future secret fathers for?

She could even put her training to use in wherever they went- she was more than fair with a gun and was trained in several types of combat. She could be a private detective or a consultant or a spy. She could command armies or lead teams or infiltrate wealthy parties, ripping off businessmen too small minded to realize what they had. And of course, she'd look fabulous doing it. Maybe she'd even teach her mum how to handle a weapon. No. Maybe not. Or her dad- but the thought of the mild- mannered future nurse actually fighting brought a smile to her face and a laugh to her lips.

Oh, what a team they'd make- Rory Williams and Pond girls travelling the universe. Well, at least Amy and she would- her dad wasn't much for travelling. Must've gotten it from her grandfather. So he wouldn't go with them. No, wait. These were her fantasies. Yes, Rory would go too.

But he wouldn't be as enthralled as they were with the universe, just be more as he was now- someone up for anything but not really the adventure seeker. She smiled to herself as she imagined him getting caught up in some dangerous adventure, then she'd saunter right up to him, say "Hello, Dad," because she'd be allowed to, and explain everything that was happening brilliantly, because she'd be 10 steps ahead of everyone else and that'd be okay.

She was roused out of her lovely dreams and looked around her very, very empty residence.

She turned to her picture of Amy and Rory. And decided as she thought about what life would hold for her after fast- approaching graduation, of all the dreams she had, she just wanted to be close to them. Someday, they would know everything. Someday, they would cause all the trouble they could handle. Someday, perhaps she would go to university and study whatever she wanted with people who were closer to her intelligence level. And maybe, someday, they would all see a life outside of their sleepy little town. But today, and tomorrow, and for however long they wanted, she would stay with them in Leadworth. Because today, right here, right now, even if they didn't know it, she was theirs and they were hers. And that was enough for now.