"Paris restaurants
Our last summer
Morning croissants
Living for the day"

* * *

After a long days work for the Goblins, raiding house after house in search for silver and gold Bill found himself in a restaurant further away from his hotel than he had have liked but nevertheless settled comfortably in it, alone. People had tried to protest and not let anyone into their house but Elio, a French cursebreaker forced his way in clearing a path for Bill and some others. Elio had argued with a French lady whom wore next to nothing about letting them into her house which she was not backing down for, until she caught sight of Bill. Bill, flattered of course, dipped his head as she opened the door for them and he tried his best to avoid the lady who was very much like a leech, on his back for the two hours they spent in her house.

Sighing, Bill waited for his food to arrive stealing glances at the entrance of the restaurant. For an unknown reason Bill wished for River to enter, to smile his way and join him for another meal since their rendezvous a few nights before. He hadn't seen her since, perhaps she had left the city? He hoped she hadn't at least without letting him say a proper goodbye. Was that a weird thing to do?

His food came. He ate. He had some extra drinks. And still no sighting of the beautiful blonde woman. Hours flew by and Bill was still alone in the restaurant as it began to close. He picked up his jacket, shaking his head in defeat as he slipped his arms through the sleeves, sorting the collar and leaving the establishment disheartened.

Maybe if he didn't have to work then he may have crossed paths with her? Or maybe he wouldn't have either way? He would never know.

Bill could have quite easily apparated back to his hotel but he decided to walk back because it could be his chance to see River. The streets were alive with lights, chatter and laughter, some people even danced together outside of establishments! Bill didn't know why he felt so keen to see a woman he barely knows, yes, they shared a moment that lasted for hours which one would normally share months or perhaps years into a friendship or a relationship and not a few hours but like he had said to the woman herself; he didn't regret it.

Every time he caught a glimpse of long blonde curls, his head would snap in them direction of them hopeful for it to be River but each time he was let down. Until he passed a train station.

There she stood, case in her hand, leaning against the wall staring down at her feet. Bill's eyes lit up at the sight of her as he rushed across the road, dodging traffic. "River!" He called out, the woman jumping and her eyes widening.

"Bill?!" She exclaimed breathing heavily, her hand pressed to her chest. "Jeez, you scared me!"

"Sorry about that," he laughed, "how are you?"

"I'm good, yourself?"

Bill smiled, "I'm well. Are you still looking for a place to stay?" He asked motioning towards her case.

"Nah, I, erm, I am leaving. I'm moving on to the next place."

"Where? Why?"

"I'm going to Greece. I have always wanted to go and there is this island that I want to visit. I heard it is the place of Aphrodite's fountain which is wicked!" River grinned widely, a surge of excitement rushing through her veins as she bounced in place.

Bill snickered, "you seem very excited. Did you not enjoy Paris?"

"Oh, I adored Paris, but it's not my place. I'm searching for myself and my place. A place which is made for me and all the while that is, Paris is great but not it."

Bill raised his eyebrows, "do you have to go now, though?"

"My flight is in three hours."

"That's three hours to waste," he shrugged, "we can go for another drink?"

River shook her head, "that would be lovely but I have to be there early to check in. Perhaps if we cross paths again, Bill, we'll go for a drink."

"Seriously?"

"One hundred percent," she smiled, leaning up and pressing a kiss to his cheeks as a taxi arrived.

"River Dawson?" A lovely Frenchman asked, the window rolled down, "to ze airport?"

River raised her hand, "I'll be right over," she replied turning back to Bill. "It was nice to meet you, Bill."

"It was a pleasure, River, I hope to see you again sometime." He dipped his head, his lips hovering over hers. River's breathing hitched as her eyes fluttered close, her lips meeting Bill's in the middle for a short but sweet kiss. River blushed as he pulled away, scratching the back of his neck. "Safe travels, love."

She nodded her head, turning to the taxi where she climbed into the back, her suitcase on the seat beside her. As the car pulled away she stared out of the window watching as Bill grew smaller and smaller until he was nothing but a memory in Paris.

It seemed like no time at all (when it was actually nearly 14 hours due to her flight, then many hours drive to a specific part of Greece) before River was chasing after the last ferry to the island she wanted to visit.

"Wait!" She shouted, unaware of all of her clothing falling out of the case as it collided with her leg. "Come back! Wait! Come back!"

Reaching the end of the pontoon, she stopped in defeat because otherwise she would have ran straight into the water. On the ferry she could see people laughing and smirking, some jeering at the young woman who was left behind.

"Bugger," she exclaimed brushed her hair out of her face.

"If you were to continue running, I would have a brand new and full wardrobe in no time!" River spun on her heals, her eyebrows raised at the person who owned the voice. A man around the same height as she, with long blonde hair and a thick Swedish accent stood holding up one of her yellow bralette's in front of his chest. "How do you think this would look on me?"

River rolled her eyes, "bloody beautiful, darling," she replied scurrying on her knees picking up her strayed clothing, snatching the bralette from his hands as well.

"Well aren't you a happy bunny?" The man snickered, "there's another ferry first thing tomorrow morning." He told her, leaping off of the pontoon and onto a boat.

"That's marvellous! In the meantime I'll just wait here and let the evening turn to night and night turn to morning because it's only another twelve hours. Oh the joy!"

"See! There you go!"

River raised her eyebrow, "or perhaps, a boat owner could be so kind and give me a ride on their boat?"

"Hmm, and would this owner be a sexy blonde?"

"More of a moderately handsome blonde, but sure." River replied clipping the case shut.

The man nodded his head, "I'd love to give you a ride but unfortunately this isn't my boat. Not yet anyway, I just need to have a tinker with some wires and this baby will be mine!"

River's eyes widened, "Are you joking? You're going to steal this boat?"

"Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not."

"Oh come on! I really need to get to the island!" River whined, jumping impatiently.

The man smirked holding out his hand for her. "Then it's lucky that I was joking, then isn't it?"

"Oh you wankstain!" River cried pushing him back and hopping on without any help.

The man sniggered, shaking his head amused, "Actually, I'm Mathias! And what name beholds the pretty lady?"

"River!"

"Welcome aboard!"