001 ↘ VIDEO

[waitedforyears]

[ The video clicks on to reveal two familiar faces: the City is, once again +1 Scottish redhead and +1 floppy-haired bow-tied Doctor. Even if said Doctor is currently hiding the floppy hair under a sombrero.

They're both grinning wildly. ]

Do you want to do the honours? I think you should.

[ The Doctor looks pleased, taking a deep breath and then he is doing a truly remarkable impression of a drum roll. While Amy is not giggling. Really. ]

Guess what, City? We're back. Did you miss us?

[ A beat. ] You better have. Roll call, who's here? Barnes, you better not have left while I was gone or I will confiscate all your alcohol.

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[yourbestguysgun]

[ Then minutes later, Bucky's rapping on the door to the hat shop. He's missed her so much, hid it down because he's just that kind of guy, he doesn't talk about it.

Just let him in Pond, he needs to make sure you're fine. ]

[waitedforyears]

[ Amy has not been waiting. Not at all. She hadn't missed him, exactly, because she hadn't remembered but damn, she's glad he's still around.

So the door all but flies open and a moment later, Bucky gets an armful of Pond. ]

Jaime!

[yourbestguysgun]

Heya sweetheart.

[ Hugging her close because yes, beyond Steve, Amy is his closest friend. He's glad she's back, he knows he shouldn't be, the City is cruel, but he'd missed her. ] Knew you couldn't keep away from me.

[waitedforyears]

You missed me. [ Pulling back just long enough that she can look in his face, all but beaming, before she throws her arms around his neck again. Yeah, she's not letting go anytime soon. ] Bet you were moping and the City decided you needed me back.

[yourbestguysgun]

Maybe, maybe not, I ain't telling.

[ But he's hugging her so hard he's almost lifted her off her feet. ] I should be pissed you went and left me without a drinking buddy.

[waitedforyears]

I'm gonna ask Steve. He'll tell me.

[ And she's hugging back just as much, wouldn't complain if he did lift her off the ground. How could she have forgotten him? ] That all I'm good for, eh? It's all alcohol with you, Barnes, I'm gonna remember this.

[yourbestguysgun]

Steve'd back me up, he likes me. [ Pulling back to grin at her again. ]

Well yeah, Clint's not half as fun to drink with. He likes the shadows too much. [ But that expression is not just the one of a fly-by friend. He is genuinely pleased. ]

[waitedforyears]

Yeah? 's good, that. So you and Steve, you're still. [ WAGGLING HER EYEBROWS. ]

You jerk. [ But she's laughing, so pleased. ]

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Faint colouring to his cheeks. ]

Yeah, we're still. [ Because they're for life, Amy Pond. But he's smiling softly, that overly dumb romanticism in his expression. ] Shame y'left, otherwise you'd know all about it.

[waitedforyears]

So there's something to tell, then. Don't think just 'cause I left means you get out of telling me, Barnes, don't think that for a minute.

[ She's so glad for him. ]

[yourbestguysgun]

Nu uh, no way. [ Because he is a punk, he's going to hold out. Amy's going to have to work for it. ]

You might wanna talk to this kid called the Archive for his cat, I gave it to her to look after. And the blonde gal - Rose? She's been looking after this place.

[waitedforyears]

I'll get you drunk and you'll spill, just you wait. [ You can't hold out on her for long, Barnes, and you know it. ]

Gotcha. Thanks. [ A beat. ] How long were we gone?

[yourbestguysgun]

[ Miming zipping his lips. ]

'Bout a month. I sorted it out, hope y'don't mind. Now, y'gonna invite me in or what?

[waitedforyears]

No, 'm gonna keep hugging you out on the street. [ Fine, fine, untangling herself enough to step back and let him in. ]

[yourbestguysgun]

Well, I wouldn't know with you.

[ But he does follow her in, glancing about the place. ] Hats still here?

[waitedforyears]

Hats still there. First thing he did, drag me here to make sure they were. [ Pulling him into another hug as soon as the door closes. ]

[yourbestguysgun]

Well, you never know, plenty of people like hats.

[ Hugging her back. ] It's good t'have you back, Ames.

[waitedforyears]

He has a thing about hats. Wore a fez for ages for a while until River shot it.

[ Hugs. She likes hugs. ] Yeah. Good to be back, too.

[yourbestguysgun]

I don't know who River is, but they sound like my kind of people.

[ Spinning her round again. ] You ain't allowed to leave again, got me?

[waitedforyears]

You'd like her. [ There's pride in her voice now. ] She's my daughter. Older than me, 's a bit complicated, but she's my girl.

[ Spinning. She likes that, too. It's good to see him so happy. ] Gotcha. Promise I won't, if I can help it.

[yourbestguysgun]

You got a kid? Amy Pond, you've been keeping secrets while I spill all mine. [ Grinning at her. ]

We need to talk. Properly.

[waitedforyears]

Yeah. Long story. Sorta... Complicated. Really complicated. Didn't even know she was mine until a little while ago. [ Waving a hand dismissively. ]

Tomorrow? You, me, pizza?

[yourbestguysgun]

Vodka?

[ Grinning. ] Ain't nobody gonna share if we ain't good an' drunk.

[waitedforyears]

You're buying.

[yourbestguysgun]

Well, one of us still has a job, so I might as well.