The silence inside the Tardis library was a stark reminder of all the lonely evenings she had spent there. She had been searching through the books for nearly two hours, looking for information on a peculiar tiny box that seemed to have no history. But unfortunately, Clara's thousands of books included no mention of it. She sat on the floor deflated, leaning against the shelves, her fingers moving slowly over the pages of another book entirely. Yaz's favorite, Around the world in 80 days. It transported her back to quiet evenings on a big sofa, snuggled beneath a blanket with a hot cup of cocoa, when this book would begin a debate about faraway places and alien worlds. The memories that appeared so far away are now receding into the distance. She raised her gaze to the great ceiling, tears streaming down her cheeks, wondering if she was being ungrateful and selfish, feeling guilty for wanting those moments back.

 

....

"Morning" Yaz walked into the kitchen still wearing her pajamas. Her hair loosely falling over her shoulders as she dragged her feet still half asleep

"Morning gorgeous" Clara smiled peaking over the open door of the fridge "Want some toast?"

"Mmmmm" Yaz hummed into her lips kissing her lazily then walked over to the window "I hate leaving her again"

"Me too Yaz....this isn't easy for me at all" she said closing the fridge and walked over to the window "But I can't" she said putting the bread in a toaster

"It's not fair" Yaz said disappointed

"No, it's not...but I rather have you safe Yaz...I think even my Tardis agrees on that" she smiled leaning over and kissed the side of her neck "Exited about the trip?" she grinned haply

"Yeeeees...I can't wait to get there and just chill out. It's been so crazy recently I just want us to relax"

"You and me both" Clara smiled

"Here you go baby" she placed the cup of freshly made tea in front of her and rubbed her face into her shoulder. Clara smiled and tugged her arm wrapping it around herself, feeling her lips placing a long kiss to the back of her neck. She inhaled the sweet honey smell of Clara's hair she could stay like that forever pressed against her comforted by her proximity which made feel less vulnerable. And as if Clara knew it she palmed her hand on her stomach wiggling playfully with her hips making her giggle.

"The toast is done...we should get a shift on darling...Don't wanna miss the flight"

"Can we go like this?"

"Sure we can Yaz...I'll just say I have a strange alien creature growing on my back but nothing to be alarmed about"

Yaz giggled and kissed the side of her neck pulling away "I can't see how that would fly"

"Might need extra explanation" she laughed

.....

Yaz watched as the sun seeped through the clouds which looked like whipped cream through the small oval window of the plane. Clara fell asleep next to her, another waking night catching up with. Her eyes recently lost their glow, sunken in with dark circles underneath them so prominent on her pale completion and she was thinner than ever before. She hoped that getting away from everything would finally put them back on track, forgetting all the madness around them. She reached for her hand and sifted her long fingers through hers then placed a small kiss to her temple before returning her attention back to the clouds.

The flight finished quicker than it started. Yaz sat down for a drink in the airport cafe surrounded with all their luggage waiting for Clara to hire a car and took the opportunity to text her family. She was getting into the trip now excited about seeing the place her parents booked for them.

"Got it" Clara waived the keys in her hand

"What did you get in the end?...It took a while"

"I got 4 wheel drive Yaz...I thought it be easier for sightseeing"

"That's a good idea...Here I order a juice for you and a sandwich"

"Brilliant...I could do with some food. That nap did me good"

"You still look tiered baby...I don't suggest we do a lot today...just rest and I'll unpack us"

"I suppose you're right" she said biting into her sandwich "Mmmm...that's nice...But we can still go out in the evening...it'll be fun."

"I want to but only if you rest Clara. You're pushing yourself way too hard. When did you come to bed last night?"

"Fiiiiive" Clara looked at her with hooded eyes and replied sheepishly "Or...maybe half four...No definitely half four Yaz!"

"Oh that's a massive difference babe" she laughed "Did you even find anything?"

"Noooo" she slumped her shoulders disappointed "I went through so many books Yaz and every single information Tardis can find...Honest I'm starting to feel extremely irritated now. This has never happened to me. And I've been doing this for a looong time Yaz. I feel like someone's pulling my nose"

"Have you actually considered dropping it baby?"

"Noooo....I can't"

"Why not? What if this is alll a trap Clara? Did that ever even cross your mind"

"It did Yaz"

"What if this is all just a pile of bullshit just to break you down. I'm not saying everything...just this...all this stuff that you have no clue what it is. It's systematically destroying you mentally and physically. And by the time they actually come you're gonna be like a fucking plant baby"

"But with what happened to you I can't just leave it. You're never gonna be safe...Look what happened Yaz...a month ago. It can happen again, and it will. They will not stop"

"This is crazy" she sighed leaning back into her chair and left her half eaten sandwich on a table "We can't live like this...I just want us to have a normal life...Half normal...semi normal at least with a spaceship in our garden"

"Me too darling...All I want is to go to university, make some dinners and for us to have fun. I wanna take you to all the beautiful places Yaz....I don't want any of this.... I’m fed up.... Never thought I'd ever say that but here we are"

Clara munched haply on her sandwich then realized Yaz's eyes have wondered somewhere in the distance. She put her food down and reached for her hand across the table tangling their fingers together. It worked as Yaz turned her gaze towards her. There was sadness in her eyes and Clara could swear disappointment as well. This wasn't exactly what Yaz was expecting her married life to look like and Clara couldn't help but feel she was failing her in that.

"I'm sorry...I can't help but feel you're disappointed" she said brushing her thumb over her hand

"I'm not...that's not it" she shook her head gazing at her eyes "I'm just sad...and I feel frustrated because I don't understand enough to be able to make a decision with you. I feel...useless in that"

"But you're..."

"Wait...let me explain...When you're married Clara you're supposed to make decisions together...that's the whole point...You go through the hard times pulling the weight together.... But this isn't a normal problem...this isn't exactly what people have to deal with on everyday basis. This feels more like living in a witness protection program and then you realize you've been clocked...And I'm not used to just sit on my ass and letting someone take a wheel Clara...I want us to resolve this together....And I constantly feel as though I'm tapping in a dark not knowing what the hell is going on around me"

"But I'm just trying too..."Clara trailed off

"I know...to protect me...you said this so many times...and that's sweet but baby when we come back off this holiday I want in...I neeeeed to understand what's going on and I need to be able to make my own decisions...Pleaseeee give me that...pleaseeee let me in" 

Clara pursed her lips and sighed, her gaze shifting to their hands as she watched their fingers interlaced, and their wedding bands touching.

"Alright...."she said quietly as her eyes went back on Yaz "Alright Yasmin Sigma" she smiled from the corner of her lips "I'll let you in"

"Completely?"

"Completely I promise"

"And no more lies Clara"

"Doctor always lies" she giggled

"Well this Doctor better not or this Doctor will get divorced" she lifted her eyebrow

"Right...feeling a bit cornered there I must admit"

"Oi!"

"Just joking" she giggled "You got yourself a deal Yasmin"

"Yeeeees!"

"But!!!" she points her finger "under one condition....Cause even though this is a flat team structure you do not do anything without telling me"

"Deal"

"I'm serious Yaz...cause you have no no idea what you're dealing with and I do...Well sort off...kinda...but still...Please I still have to keep you safe...And none of that thing you did last night....I can't deal with that Yaz....that was so silly"

"Alright...deal" she smiled and offered her pinky finger

Clara hooked her finger to hers and Yaz dragged her across the table stealing a kiss from her before she could complain, making her fidget in her chair shyly but smiling happily.

It was a relatively long but pleasant drive to their destination the one they both enjoyed. Despite Clara's complaints, Yaz took over the wheel after a brief potty break at one of the local petrol stations, allowing her to have much needed rest. Clara fell asleep after half an hour, proving her correct.

She drove past several sheep grazing on the local field. It made her chuckle remembering the silly woolly rebellion, which she still didn't take seriously convinced Clara made up silly stories here and there simply to make her laugh.
She felt easier after having a conversation earlier hoping that by working together, they could come to resolution. Something she felt was desperately needed if they wanted any kind of future together.
Her own missing memories began to feel like a trivial issue in comparison to everything else.
She began to think that it was something she could live without, if it was the price she had to pay for happiness, she would pay it in a heartbeat. She glanced at Clara who, clearly exhausted, was slumped in a seat with her head resting on a little pillow and her heart dropped. She adored every single cell of the woman next to her and couldn't think of anything she wouldn't do for her.

She became hungry after driving for about an hour and a half and was in dire need of a toilet. So, she took a left in the direction of a tiny hotel, hoping they could get some food there.
Clara woke up as the engine fell quite. She rubbed her sleepy face and sat up disoriented looking around.

"Where are we?"

"You're so fucking cute" Yaz smiled at her sleepy  face and rosy cheeks "Stop gap...I need some food and I have to pee or I'm gonna explode"

"Huh...I'm doing a lot of sleeping lately" she wiggled in a seat pushing edges of her shirt back into her trousers "But I could do with some food" she smiled drowsy "Ten points for Yaz"

Yaz rushed to the toilet as soon as they stepped inside leaving Clara to find them a table.

"Hey butterfly" she said with her eyes  still on a menu as Yaz returned to the table "Good choice Yaz...they have some wonderful quiches here...look"

"Uuuu I could do with that"

"We could mix and match...salads look nice as well" she lifted her gaze "I'll drive the rest of the way....I'm well rested now"

"You sure?"

"Oh yeah...rebooted me brains Yaz....still feels a bit fuzzy but I'll be fine once I eat"

"Alright babe"

"Not long to go now"

"Can't wait"

"Oh...your mum called....told her we're fine and we'll call her back when we arrive"

"Thanks babe" she said with a yawn "That's a nice car you rented...I was a bit a nervous driving at first"

"I'm sure you're perfectly fine driving the car Yaz if you can drive the Tardis" she said proudly

"I still can't though" she giggled

"All in good time Yaz...it's all there" she pointed to her temple "Forgotten not lost...remember"

"How did you learn to drive the Tardis?"

"We all know how to drive the Tardis where I come from Yaz...Can't be a Time Lord if you don't"

"So what if someone comes one day and stays you need to give it back...I mean you did nick it" she laughed

"Neah...Tardis wouldn't have it Yaz" she waived her hand and picked up a glass with juice

"You can be so cocky" she laughed

Clara winked at her cheeky and leaned in her chair  "This is exiting...I never had a honeymoon...I always wondered what's it like" she said haply

"You haven't?"

"Nope"

"But you did have a wife before me?"

"I did...Didn't have a honeymoon though...Did take her to the Singing Towers of Darillium...Have to take you one day"

"You wanna take me to the same place you took your ex?" She giggled

"Oh...is that not acceptable?"

"I suppose it's alright" she cracked up laughing "Is it nice?"

"It is very nice...I was planning to...never got around to it...Not gonna miss it this time around....Aaaaa food Yaz" she sat up straight wiggling haply in her chair "Thank you" she smiled to the waitress

"Thank you, that looks lovely" Yaz smiled

"Enjoy ladies" she smiled back

"Oh god I didn't know I was so hungry" Clara said as her eyes grew wider at the plate "Smells so nice"

"I was starving...last 20 minutes all I could think about was food and a toilet"

"Mmmmm...I was thinking Yaz...we could go fishing"

"Fishing?"

"Yeah, why not...I love fishing"

"I never went fishing" Yaz said as she was moving food around their plates

"Aaaaa...but you have...many times...just don't remember"

"And do I like it?"

"Love it....we used to do it a lot"

"Alright...I'm up for exploring my fried brain....let's go fishing"

"Please don't say that"

"Say what?"

"Fried brain....sounds horrible Yaz"

"But it is fried...it's a fact"

"Fact or not I just hate the way that sounds “Clara frowned "Say something else...something less ominous"

"Alright babe....I'm up for exploring my fucked up brain...How's that?"

"Yaaaaz!"

She laughed so hard she couldn't eat, then looked at Clara, who was holding back, corner of her lips twitching as she kept her eyes on a plate, but just glancing at Yaz was enough for her to burst out laughing as well.

....

As they came off the main road it only took a short drive down the country road before Clara turned to a driveway in front of the most charming cottage Yaz had ever seen in her life. A small stone house with blue windows and door looked almost surreal surrounded with nothing but trees and beautiful flowers. It was late afternoon by the time they arrived and smell of freshly cut grass and crisp county air hit their faces as they stepped out of the car.

"Hello" Clara waived to the older gentleman waiting for them in front

"Evening" Yaz smiled

"Hello" the man approached them with a smile "I hope it wasn't too difficult to find us"

"Not at all....What a lovely place" Clara shook his hand "I'm Clara this is my wife Yasmin"

"Nice to meet you Clara, Nick....Yasmin" he shook her hand

"Nice to meet you" Yaz said beaming

"I'm going to make it quick, you must be tiered"

"I did have a nice nap on a way..." Clara said following him inside

After giving  them a short tour around the property the man left and Yaz sighed deeply throwing herself on a comfy blue sofa in front of the stone fireplace.

"Finally....this is soooo nice" she said with the biggest smile

"I love it Yaz...it's perfect" Clara peaked through the window at the beautiful view to the valley behind the house then walked up to the sofa

"C'mere" Yaz grabbed her wrist pulling her in

Clara straddled her lap with a silly smile across her face "I was thinking...." she trailed off playing with the ends of Yaz's braids "We just arrived...and we have to unpack...."

"Mmmm?" Yaz smirked tracing her palms over her legs

"We could just stay in for today"

"Mmmmm...we could" Yaz smiled and wrapped her arms around her hips

"...I mean we have time...not like we have to rush"

"Nope..." Yaz nodded "No rush at all"

"And we are on a honeymoon after all" Clara looked down and run her fingers over the buttons of Yaz's shirt

"We certainly are" she giggled tracing her palms over Clara's waist "I thought you wanna go to town"

"I mean we could..." she said looking down "But we don't have to today" she raised her gaze and draped her arms over Yaz's shoulders

"Noooo...we don't" Yaz smiled and pulled her closer "I think..." she said leaning in watching as Clara's eyes were slowly closing and feeling her breath on her lips "I think we need a rest"

"Mmmmm....definitely" Clara said closing the little gap between them kissing ger gently

....

 

"I have to unpack us" Yaz said bringing her hand up and tucking Clara's hair behind her ears 

 

"You will...Stay for a bit longer" Clara said pressing her lips to her collar bone and dotted a small kiss to the tip of her nose. 

 

"I didn't say now, now" she smiled wrapping her legs around her "I could stay in this bed for a week..." she smiled tracing her fingers gently over Clara's shoulders. 

 

"It could be a bit difficult to manage.... But I think it's doable." 

 

"I'm glad you made me come here." 

 

"I needed to kick you in a bum" Clara giggled. 

 

"I'm glad you have.... I’m so sorry" she said quietly brushing her thumb over Clara's cheek. 

 

"For what butterfly?" 

 

"For how I was for the pass month...That couldn't have been easy for you" 

 

"Don't be silly...if I'm honest, I was expecting it to be a lot worse...I think you're handling it quite well.... Gold star for my Yaz" 

 

"I get rewarded for treating you like shit?"  

 

"Hey, you didn't...you were just sad and scared and confused...end even if you had I'd understand.... Come on...let's unpack and we can do something fun" 

 

"I'd like that." 

 

..... 

 

"Yaaaaz!" Clara yelled from the car taking the bags out of the booth "Yaaaaaz" 

 

"I think they herd that to Dublin" she said leaning through the bedroom window 

 

"Which one first?" 

 

"Big black suitcase and the small red one" 

 

"Alright" she huffed pulling the suitcase out on the stone path 

 

"Oh, and bring that bag with food babe. It has to go to a fridge" 

 

"There's only biscuits left Yaz" Clara said looking inside Sainsbury bag 

 

"OMG you ate all that?" 

 

"It was a long trip...can't help it" she said dragging the suitcase through the door 

 

"There's a table here for your computer" Yaz said as she came downstairs 

 

"Good...I have to check the progress and maybe Jack has some news" she said dragging the suitcase up the stairs 

 

"Not sure I wanna know on my honeymoon...I'm very torn I must admit" Yaz said putting biscuits away in a cupboard "We have to go food shopping tomorrow by the way" 

 

"We will...we can do that in the morning" Clara was shouting from the top of the stairs "and go somewhere for a breakfast" 

 

"That sounds nice" Yaz said climbing the stairs as Clara was going down meeting her in the middle 

 

"Then we can go somewhere nice in the afternoon" Clara said pushing pass her 

 

"You have something planned?" Yaz smiled cheeky palming her behind 

 

"Noooo...but I'm sure I will by tomorrow.... although if you continue in this manner, I can't see us doing loads of sightseeing" she laughed as Yaz's hand kept brushing over her bum 

 

"Would that be a bad thing?" Yaz asked kissing her collar bone 

 

"I haven't said that...Haven't said that at all and I'm very pleased you are going back to your old self" she took her by the wrists and moved her hands from her ass kissing her palms "But this is very distracting at the moment" 

 

"Cause you have to really concentrate to take the bags out of the car?"  Yaz giggled 

 

"Nooo I just have to do it....and this way I can't see it happening. We will also go through quite few pairs of knickers really fast if you continue like this" 

 

"Wooooow....Cheeky, cheeky" Yaz laughed "Alright....go! Get your nickers" she lifted her arms up letting her pass

 

"It's just an observation Yaz" 

 

"Amateur or scientific one?" 

 

"Logic one really" Clara giggled rushing downstairs 

 

Yaz was sorting through their clothes while Clara was downstairs setting up her computer. A fresh early evening breeze came through the open window blowing the sheer curtains. It smelled like grass and some flowers that were unfamiliar to Yaz. She loved the small bedroom with the low ceiling and wooden beams. And its stone walls which seem to tell the story of long-gone times. The house was over 250 years old, as the owner let them know, and had belonged to his family for generations. She wondered how many people lived in it and what their lives looked like. A thought crossed her mind that with the Tardis she could go back in time and take a peek for a moment. 

 

"Hey Yaz" Clara peaked through the door "I was thinking to go and get us some nice food" 

 

"Yeees please...I'm starving...but where from?" 

 

"There's a restaurant in town I can give them a call and just collect it" 

 

"Yeeeah do that" 

 

"Alright...wanna pick?" 

 

"Neah...you pick something yummy for me" 

 

"Alright" she grinned and disappeared behind the door frame then peaked again a second later "Drink?" 

 

"Coke" 

 

"That's so bad for you Yaz if you knew what's inside it..." 

 

"If you knew what's in those fish fingers you love so much, I think you would throw up" she giggled. 

 

"Right...Alright...one Coke" she disappeared again then came back again making Yaz laugh "Don't touch anything" she points her finger 

 

"Yes mummy" Yaz pouts her lips and twirls her braid between her fingers 

 

"That's scary Yaz....I'm serious...no exploring of alien technology whilst I'm out" 

 

"I get it...goooo" she laughed throwing a t-shirt at her 

 

"Just saying..." she said finally leaving 

 

"Chill the fuck out" 

 

"I am chilling Yaz" 

 

"Good" she shook her head laughing 

 

Yaz finally finished unpacking and rolled all the bags into the hallway for Clara to put back them in the car later, then threw herself onto the bed with a sigh. She smiled looking out the window and around their room listening to the crickets outside. 

 

Clara parked in front of the house and was about to grab a bag of food from the seat when she heard frantic screams from the window. 

 

"Yaz!" she yelled and wiped her sonic out bursting through the door. She saw Yaz running down the stairs hysterically. 

 

"Get it off me.... get it off me...pleaseeee!" she screamed shaking her hair and her clothes 

 

"What? What Yaz?" Clara scanned her sonic around her "Nothing" she wrinkled her nose confused. 

 

"The thing... get it off meeeeee! " she screamed hysterically 

 

"What thing? Did you touch anything? You did not open that bottle from my bag?" 

 

"Whaaaa? Noooo...What bottle? OMFG just pleeeease" 

 

Yaz practically tore off her own shirt leaving Clara looking confused as the shirt flew in the other direction. Clara stood wide-eyed looking at Yaz in her underwear frantically jumping in one place and shaking her hair. 

 

"There's nothing on you Yaz" Clara repeated 

 

"Are you sure?" she asked still hysterical 

 

"Yes...There's nothing on you Yaz...What are you talking about?...Can you be more specific" 

 

"It's in the room it flew inside...In a bedroom" she pointed trying to fix the mess of her hair "It was huge, and it was just...flying everywhere." 

 

Clara put her hand on her shoulder and Yaz screamed again hysterically. 

 

"It's meeeee...calm down Yaz it's probably a big moth or something." 

 

"I dunno...whatever it is can you just get it out!!!!" She shook her finger pointing towards the bedroom 

 

"Alright..." she laughed shrugging her shoulders climbing the stairs 

 

As she grabbed the door handle Yaz hid behind her "It was flying around everywhere" she said gripping Clara's shirt 

 

"Wanna stay here?" Clara laughed as Yaz was pulling the shirt out of her trousers frantically grabbing for any part of her she possibly could. 

 

"Yeah...maybe I should" 

 

"Alright...stay here...I'm sure it's just a moth Yaz...they are very common here and you had your light on...." 

 

"I don't give a shit just get it out please or I'm sleeping on a sofa." 

 

Clara rolled her eyes laughing, relieved to know it was probably just a bug as she scared the living daylights out of her a minute ago. The odd moth was the least of her problems, but for Yaz it was like an attack of killer bees. At first glance, she couldn't see anything, and then she finally saw a tiny bat in the corner of the curtain. Apparently lost and disoriented, the poor creature could not find a way out. 

 

"Hello there..." Clara smiled "Don't worry...just got a bit lost that's all...If you keep still, I can help you get out. I'm not gonna harm you I promise. I love bats" 

 

Yaz heard her talking to someone and got utterly confused. She opened the door just enough to be able to see inside. 

 

"It's bat Yaz" Clara turned over her shoulder with a massive smile "...tiny bat...I love bats" Clara announced it as if she found a cute puppy. 

 

"I don't" Yaz said. 

 

"It's probably still a baby Yaz just having its first flight." 

 

"Oh god...Can you call it's parents then?" 

 

"Give me your t-shirt Yaz" 

 

"Ok" she nodded and went to get it 

 

As Clara slowly walked towards it, the tiny animal flinched and started flying around again. Yaz screamed again and closed the door. Clara grabbed the curtains and opened them, letting the animal out at last. 

 

"It's out Yaz!" 

 

"Are you sure?" 

 

"You can look for yourself if you let me out" she said trying to open the door as Yaz held it shut 

 

"Oh....sorry about that" 

 

"Well thank the stars it wasn't the giant bat of Oxtrite Yaz...cause that would be a serious problem" 

 

"The Whaaaa?" 

 

"They have this poisonous saliva they shoot...Never mind...forget I said that" she trailed off when she saw Yaz's horrified face "See all clear" she spread her arms haply 

 

"Can we get nets?" Yaz said sheepishly looking around the room 

 

"Sure, we can...we'll get nets...C'mere" Clara laughed pulling her in "You really scared me there Yaz...I thought someone attacked you" 

 

"I'm sorry" she giggled into her shoulder "Thanks for doing that" she looked up at her with a smile 

 

"That's alright...Can we have some food now cause I'm really hungry" 

 

"Yeaaaah" Yaz laughed kissing her 

 

.... 

 

Yaz cuddled up to Clara, watching a movie. She ran her fingertips over her hand that was resting on her tummy. Clara would occasionally place her lips ever so gently on the top of her head, giving her a brief kiss. A gesture that made Yaz's hand tingle and her stomach warm inside. Her breath hitched between the strands of her hair, her hearts pounding against her back through the thin fabric of her pajamas. It felt safe, inseparable and like home, something her heart longed for. She made her laugh by arguing loudly with the characters, something her grandmother often did. Criticizing every decision they made or something that wasn't scientifically conceivable, giving her a lengthy explanation as to why. Most people would be annoyed, but not Yaz. She adored her tiny, nerdy, wacky wife and her unique brand of weird. She took Clara's hand in hers and brought it to her lips, kissing her knuckles as she wiggled her bum just that bit closer to her. 

Clara laughed and palmed her face playfully before leaning forward, pressing her lips to her cheek, and releasing with a pop, making Yaz laugh like a child. At least this evening they both forgot about everything else and simply adored each other with each kiss, glance, and tender touch. It was as if time had frozen for this moment, and it felt soothing. 

 

.... 

 

Clara awoke as fresh air from their bedroom's open window tickled her bare shoulders. She stood up and shut it. It was early morning outside. She missed early mornings and seeing the sun rise above the horizon, so she snatched her pajamas top off the armchair and walked downstairs to make herself a hot cup of mint tea before sitting in the garden behind the house enjoying in the scent of dewy morning grass and garden roses and listening to the birds tweeting from the treetops. 

She smiled as the butterfly passed by her, raising her hand to see if it would rest on her palm, then noticed some horses grazing on the pasture far down in the valley below the house. It’d been a while since she felt this calm inside, a welcoming change to the chaos which she was used to by now. 

She heard footsteps behind her and smiled from the corner of her lips as Yaz's hand brushed over her shoulder and down her neck. 

 

"Morning" Clara looked up at her smiling. 

 

"Heeeey..." Yaz laced her fingers with hers 

 

"C'mere" Clara gave her a little tug 

 

Yaz sat in her lap draping her arms over her shoulders. "When did you get up?" 

 

"Not long... How come you're up? Not like you to get up so early." 

 

"Empty bed...woke up and you weren't there." 

 

"I haven't watched the sunrise since Christmas...I thought it be nice...Look horses" she pointed down at the valley. 

 

"Waaawwww...they're beautiful. Do they sleep outside?" 

 

"Sometimes...depends. If the weather is nice, they can." 

 

"Do you know how to ride them?" 

 

"I dooo...just haven't done it in a long time." 

 

"At least 200 years...." Yaz trailed off giggling 

 

"Oi!...Cheeky monkey..." Clara smiled "taking a piss out of me" 

 

"Who me? I would never" she nodded laughing "It's so beautiful out here...so peaceful" she said rubbing her nose sleepy over Clara's cheek 

 

"I was just thinking that Yaz" Clara said looking into the distance I always love to be high up...it's like you have a world in your palm" 

 

"What's the most beautiful place you've ever seen?" 

 

"Uuuu...dunno...I've seen so many Yaz...I never thought about it. Places can be beautiful for many reasons" 

 

"Such as?" 

 

"How it makes you feel inside....in here Yaz, in your heart. It doesn't have to be anything special, it's just the way it makes you feel" 

 

"Do you have such a place?" 

 

"Universe...it's so beautiful, always changing, forever surprising and amazing...You never see the same thing twice, there's always something new and just when you think you've seen it all it surprises you again. There's nothing like it Yaz..." 

 

"Do you miss it?" she asked placing a small kiss to her cheek and rested her head against hers 

 

Clara fell silent for a short moment and tightened her arms around her waist "I doo Yaz...It is my home...it was for centuries" 

 

"I'm sorry" 

 

"Sorry for what butterfly? Oh, we are seeing it...together...I'm gonna take you to see all the stars Yaz" 

 

"Without someone trying to kill us?" 

 

"Mmmm...can't guarantee" she scrunched her face 

 

"You silly sod" Yaz giggled nudging her 

 

"I thought we go to town today...have some nice breakfast and walk around" 

 

"Buy some food" Yaz said kissing her temple, her curls tickling her nose "Cause in two hours you're gonna be wasting through the empty fridge.” 

 

"True... not much in it...draft really...I was desperate for at least a toast when I got up... so I ate all the biscuits from yesterday...There's a lonely croissant in a bread box if you want it" 

 

"I might wait for something better," she said brushing her lips over Clara's cheek dotting small kisses over her soft face. She could see her lashes from that angle and the depth of Clara's eyes glistening in a first morning light. She was taking it all in. 

 

"Cuddles?" Clara smiled tightening her arms around her giving her a dreamy look as her pupils grew wider looking away from the sun and her eyes seemed to be peering into her soul 

 

"Mmmmm..." Yaz hummed as Clara's hand trailed down her sides and she had that half open eye look just before the kiss 

 

"Breakfast cuddle" Clara smiled into her lips bopping her nose at hers playfully then closed her eyes completely as their lips touched. She kissed her slow and gentle, one short kiss following another and Yaz knew by now when she was relaxed as she took her time as if she was drowning in her whiles her hands would explore every inch of her as if for the first time. Her breath tastes sweet, her lips still cold from the crisp morning air, slowly warming up as Yaz took them into hers. She slipped her hand underneath Clara's shirt tracing her palms over her breast catching a short moan escaping from Clara's lips before they pressed to hers more firmly and with more determination. 

 

"Love ya" she whispered breathlessly then gave a little nudge and Yaz got up looking for her hand letting herself be taken back into the bedroom forgetting about the breakfast for the time being.  

 

Bedroom was still warm, stark change from the fresh morning air. By the time they reached it half of their clothes were dumped up the stairs. Clara tugged her hand pulling her through the door. Her lips pressed on her neck as soon they were closer, her hands slipping past the waistband of her pajamas palming her behind pulling her in then reaching under lifting her off the ground with ease. She locked her arms around Clara's neck moaning as she kissed the delicate skin of her neck and then she was deposited on the bed. Sinking into the mattress, tangling her fingers in Clara's locks as she trailed a line between her breasts down to her stomach almost in a rush. She lifted her hips just a bit and felt air hit her inner thighs as the rest of clothes was disregarded on the floor. Clara moaned into her hip bone as Yaz's nails trailed down her back. She climbed her body and wrapped her lips around her breast driving air out of her lungs then flashed a cheeky smile to her before kissing her deep and passionate. She soaked every inch of Yaz pressed her lips to every part of her palming every single bit of her before following the path down her stomach again. Gentle push of Yaz's fingers in her hair made her chuckle and she obliged sealing herself on her listening to her moans like the most beautiful sound, feeling her toas curl on her shoulders and her stomach muscles twitch underneath her palm. Her skin became hot and wet as she lifted herself off the mattress then a deep sigh left her lips when she embedded herself inside her.

Yaz heard her own voice somewhere from the distance, thankful for a split moment the house was so remote as her own body failed her drowning underneath the woman she adored as she squeezed the fingers of her hand between her own falling apart. 

They felt quiet, only their breathing could be heard in the perfect silence of the room. She palmed Clara's hand that was still wedged between her thighs, feeling her own stomach rising. 

 

"C'mere" she said breathlessly and looked down to meet her eyes tugging her other hand and Clara obliged climbing up her body as Yaz rolled on her side letting Clara wrap herself around her. She kissed her slowly breathlessly.

 

"I adore you" Clara smiled into her lips

"Don't go" Yaz cupped her face with her hand and moved closer

"Where would I go?" she smiled into her lips and kissed her again

Yaz watched her with half opened eyes tracing her fingertips over the curve of her hip and the slope of her waist. "God you're so beautiful" she whispered then closed her eyes as Clara kissed the tip of her nose.

She let her fingers play between the bumps of her spine gently trailing over them to her lower back and giggled as Clara twitched when she passed the little ticklish spot.
There was something beyond adorable in the way Clara gazed at her with the softest smile. Her tiered eyes getting a glimpse of shine in them again. She wiggled closer and kissed her again then slipped her hand between them watching Clara's eyes closing her cheeks slowly blush and her lip’s part.
Clara's fingers closed around her upper arm and her heel dug into Yaz's side as she moved herself slowly. She slipped her hand around the side of Yaz's neck kissing her lazily as her lips travelled across her face, she moaned into the crook of her neck losing herself completely sinking into the sheets as Yaz took every inch of her under her lips. She twirled her braid between her fingers arching her back as Yaz sealed herself on her breast. Clara's fingers closed around the nape of her neck keeping her there wordlessly as the sheets wrinkled underneath her feet pressed into the mattress. She tugged on Yaz's hair and her hips bucket. Deep moan leaving her lips and she went limb in her arms. Her fingers lazily sifting through Yaz's hair. She kissed the line from her belly button to her mound then lay next to her. Clara smiled with half opened eyes pulling her for a lazy kiss.

"Love you too..." Yaz giggled "I am getting a bit hungry...on a second thought....I might have that lonely croissant" she laughed running her palm over her chest and placed a small kiss to the side of her breast

"Thought you might" Clara giggled..."The stores should be open by now and I really need some food"

....

They had a nice relaxing short walk around the town. Clara had already passed a few shops on the way with her face glued to the front window, and Yaz having to drag her away as she was getting hungrier. They sat down for breakfast at The Donnabhain's opposite a park. It was still quite early in the day, and they were not in a rush. It started to feel like a proper honeymoon for both of them. They both ordered some delicious panini and very welcoming first morning coffee.


"I love that gallery...I wanna go back" Clara said picking tomatoes out of her panini.

"Why are you taking them out?"

"Want them?" She dangled sliced tomato in her hand

"Yeah...give it here" Yaz laughed

"I forgot to tell them to take it out"

"We will go and see the gallery I was just feeling like I'm gonna pass out...Sorry"

"That's fine Yaz...like your sandwich?"

"Yes...I could eat anything by this point.... I love this place. It's so cuuute....and the houses are so adorable in different colors"

"They are.... very cheerful looking...We can go and see the stone circle today if you'd like that"

"What's a stone circle?"

"It's one of the largest stone circles in south West Ireland Yaz. built during the bronze age 2,200 – 500 B.C"

"Oh you mean like Stonehenge?"

"Arrrh...similar" she scrunched her face "...this one doesn't have Pandorica"

"What's a Pandorica?" Yaz asked intrigued

"Perfect prison"

"Prison?" her eyes widened "For who?"

"Aaaa who?..." Clara smiled then looked down into her plate taking one more tomato slice out of her panini dumping it discussed on her plate "We could see the Reenagross Woodland Park today...not far from here and I think we will have time"

"Right...could do....Pandorica?" Yaz insisted in spite of Clara's efforts to change the subject

"What about Pandorica? Just a boring old box Yaz...nevermind"

"Just a boring old prison box... for who? You?"

"Arh....Yeaaaah...sort of...very clever...but I had Rory" she said with a smile "It was a really long time ago Yaz...Don't worry about it"

"Why do you do that?"

"Do what? I don't understand?"

"Filter all the information"

"I don't..."

"Yes you do...why won't you tell me?"

Clara stood still for a moment then moved the plate across the table and leaned back in her chair "Alright...what do you wanna know?"

"Everything...what it was, what it looked like, where was it, why was it there, who built it...why did they built it and when...what did you do"

Clara shook  her head smiling from the corner of her lips "Oh Yaz"

"Whaaat?"

"You just reminded me how similar you are to me"

"What?" she blinked "Meee" she laughed "Fuck off Clara I'm nothing like you"

"You are very much like me" she nodded smiling "Yes youuu are Yaz....those are exactly the same questions I would ask"

"You would?"

"Aha" she went back to her sandwich "So....did I ever tell you about Pandorica alliance...."

…

They continued their walk around the town visiting a gallery and stopping at loads of stores.

"Sooo...does it suit me?" Clara turned around trying on cream color aran sweater

"Yees...it's beautiful..."

"Not sure if this is my style" she looked down scrunching her face

"You dress like you stepped out of Edwardian time its perfect "...and autumn is coming...get it"

"I suppose Tardis can make it but it is special"

"Tardis can make a knock off" Yaz laughed "that's the original...I'm gonna get this scarf...it's beautiful"

"Oi...she makes some really nice stuff you know"

"Just get it" Yaz laughed rolling her eyes

"Yeah alright then...hope it’s not itchy...I can't stand when it's itchy and Tardis doesn’t make itchy stuff"

"It's nooot just get it...I saw a man's store around the corner...they sell braces"

"Do they?" Clara's eyes widened with massive grin

"I'll get you some" Yaz smiled

It was her thing. She would constantly add to already large collection of Clara braces. Clara eventually purchased the jumper after spending a considerable amount of time in a store. She was also persuaded by Yaz to get chocolate color aran poncho, which she was confident would look fantastic over Clara's shirts for autumn. Most of the time, Clara didn't ask for or require advice in choosing her clothes, but she would spend a considerable amount of time at stores, making Yaz want to pull her hair out standing in front of the changing room. So she gradually began to give her advice in a desperate attempt to minimize the time.

"That was fun" Clara said happily as they stepped out of the store

"I love the scarf and a hat you got me...thank you baby"

"They're really lovely and you look cute in that hat"

"It's adorable but I still think I look an idiot in it"

"Noooo...don't say that...it really suits you Yaz...you look adorable. Besides you're gonna need it for Christmas in Scotland, you froze last time"

"I have...I won't deny it...and I got headache from the wind"

"It's gonna be a year" Clara said as she reached for her hand and seamlessly laced their fingers

"Crazy isn't it...it's so much longer for you but for me it will always be when I met you in November"

"That's alright Yaz...for me it will always be when I fell in love with you all over again" 

Yaz smiled and closed her eyes to the gentle press of Clara's lips to her temple

....

Yaz chatted away with her mother whilst walking through the food store. She lost Clara at some point, so she was wheeling the trolley trying to find her.

"Honest mum it's so beautiful here. We went to see the stone circle and some really unusual bridge...Tomorrow Clara wants us going fishing"

"Fishing? Since when are you going fishing?"

"Since never" sha laughed "But Clara really wants to do it so...hey...new experience and all that...why not"

"I agree...just enjoy yourselves....you only have one honeymoon"

"Alright mum...I'll have to go...I can't find Clara anywhere...I bet she's somewhere by the biscuits" she laughed

"Alright honey...love you"

"Love you too mum"

She hang up and wheeled the trolley to the biscuit section convinced she's going to find her there.

"Hey Yaz!" she heard Clara calling her from behind

"Hey...I was looking for you"

"Look what I found!" she was holding what looked like a big olive bag in her hand

"What's that? " she asked confused

"Tent"

"A whaaa?" Yaz frowned

"It's a tent Yaz...for camping"

"Alright" she responded even more confused

"Fishing...tent...nature Yaz...full experience"

"You wanna buy a tent?"

"Yeaaaah why not...nothing like sleeping underneath the stars Yaz'"

"Whaaat?....You wanna sleep in that?"

"Aha" she nodded with a massive grin

"OMG...oooookkkk"

She wasn't sure about that at all, but she quickly decided to come to terms with it. At the end of the day, she was desperate for normalcy, and this was as normal as it could possibly be.

"Pleaseeee Yaz" Clara put her hands together begging "I promise you'd like it"

"Did I like it before?"

"Yes...yes...loved it actually"

"Oh alright then" she finally agreed "But no bugs Clara I seriously can't deal with bugs"

"Oh...thought of that as well" she reached inside her trolley taking out some special camping lamp

"I don't believe this" Yaz laughed

"Look I also got some other stuff" she started  pulling out sleeping bag, thermos bottles and a picnic blanket "Oh, oh....and I thought this is something you'd like the most...You used to love these" she pulled out a real picnic backpack fully equipped with plastic plates, cutlery and glasses. Yaz's eyes suddenly widened. For some inexplicable reason, her reaction to this was complete excitement.

"OMG that's fantastic" she smiled exited and rushed to see every detail "I love it"

"You do?" Clara asked beaming

"Don't ask me why but I fucking adore it" she said truly exited kissing Clara's cheek "Thank youuuu"

Clara melted completely. She couldn't wipe a silly happy smile off her face hopping towards the till. 

"I'm so excited Yaz....We're gonna have the best time you'll see. I found a perfect spot"

"You have?"

"Oh yes....fishing here we come...though...I think you need better boost Yaz"

"I do?" she looked down to her own feet

"Yeah...you need something more....well more safe Yaz...don't want you hurting yourself...We can get something in the store...Shame though....Tardis can give you the best hiking boots, if only I thought about that earlier"

"That's ok babe....I'm sure we'll find something"

....

"Can I ask you the obvious question" Yaz turned to her as they drove back

"Sure Yaz"

"Fishing"

"What about it?"

"I mean we bought a lot of stuff..." she looked at the back seat loaded with things she was sure they needed and some she was convinced they didn't need at all "Don't you need...you know...fishing equipment or something?"

"I have it Yaz...it's in booth...it's that long black bag"

Yaz burst out laughing

"What's funny?"

"The one you said was specialist equipment...You've planned this all along?"

"Maybe...Might have done" she smiled then turned her gaze towards Yaz "Got me" she leaned over kissing her cheek quickly

"You're a right peace of work" she giggled shaking her head

"You're gonna love it Yaz...honest"

....


Later in the evening Yaz prepared dinner and also organized her kitchen area by putting away everything they bought. Meanwhile, Clara was tinkering with a heater she had bought for camping. She was convinced that it could work a lot better if she made some changes and took it apart into tiny pieces on the floor. Yaz was half convinced she'd never be able to put it back together, but she let it go anyway because Clara seemed as happy as a child playing with Legos.

"So where are we going tomorrow?"

"Killarney national park...There's lakes and rivers Yaz....you're gonna love it"

"Oh waaaw..."

"And stars in the night sky Yaz...so many" she smiled looking up at her then few sparks jumped the heater making her flinch

"You sure you know what you're doing?"

"Cause I do..." she said smug and continued repairing it

"Should I make sandwiches for tomorrow?"

"Definitely...I don't keep the fish Yaz...just let it go"

"Oh...I was gonna ask that...didn't wanna sound weird"

"Most times I don't even catch anything and if it happens once in ten years I let it go"

"That makes me feel better I must say...I was already planning how to sleekly get them back into the water" she laughed "Why do you do it then?"

"When I was a kid...well in that life that I do remember I was definitely a kid I used to go fishing with my friend. It was something we used to do to get away from everyone, just us two. We used to sit by the river talking about all the places we want to go to, see and travel to...So dunno" she shrugged her shoulders and razed her gaze to Yaz "Guess it brings the nice times"

"That's nice" Yaz passed next to her and leaned over kissing her forehead "Food is done...so wrap this up baby or put it on a side"

"Almost done Yaz" she said closing the casing "Should work"

"Well let's hope it does or we're gonna freeze our buts" she laughed setting the table

"I'll warm you up" Clara winked cheeky

"Then why do you bother" she giggled

"TOUCHÉ" Clara laughed

....

Evening brought fresh, chilly air from the mountains, carrying with it the scent of the forest and indigenous vegetation. After dinner, they went to the garden and made themselves at home on one of those garden rocking sofas. Yaz was snoozing as she rested her head on Clara's lap, the smooth rocking motion paired with Clara's fingers running the line between her breasts and down her tummy was soothing whilst she listened to the stories about all the places they visited and adventures they had together in her forgotten past.
Yaz wanted to hear it, and Clara wanted to say it. It was a perfect moment. Clara's face lit up when she spoke of the Punjab or rain bathing in the upward tropics of Kinstano, when she admitted she was already falling for her. She talked of the time they were separated and of the long, lonely nights in a Jodoon prison, and how her hearts sank, and her breath seized in the back of her throat as she saw the thousand notes strewn about the Tardis while Yaz was desperately attempting to find her. She told her about the kisses that never happened and the one that finally did, and how she had shared her two hearts with her ever since.
She spoke of her joy and of her sorrow, of all her loves and all her pain, of all the laughter and tears of people who came and went, and of those she had lost,

Yaz listened, she sobbed and she smiled, and every now and then a sliver of her lost life would appear in an infinite chain of forgotten memories, and she treasured the sentiments that came with them, hoping that one day she may have them all.
Clara fell silent looking at flicker of the stars in the night sky as Yaz played with her fingers

"You alright butterfly?" she looked down at her her with tender smile and stroke her hand over her hair

"Mmmmmm..." she smiled "Yeaaaah..."

"I love you...so so much" Clara said rubbing her fingertip on that small spot between her brows

"I'm crazy about you" Yaz giggled

"Well good, cause I am about you" Clara laughed and poked her tummy

"You must be, going through all that...and being alone for so long" Yaz reached up with hand stroking her face "Do you think I'll ever remember? Be honest with me"

"Honestly Yaz I don't know....But I will do everything I can to bring that back....If there's anything that I can do I will find a way...I promise"

"Why did they do that?"

"I dunno...to hurt me, to hurt you, destroy what we had...or it just happened as the consequence of the experiments they've done. The truth is I'm very much tapping in the dark. I have no idea who they are, what they wanted to do, why they were doing it or how they did what they did...It's pretty pathetic Yaz"

"We will get to it. You always do"

"Oh yeah. How do you know that?" Clara chuckled tapping her nose playfully

"Cause you're the Doctor...the oncoming storm"

Clara's stomach flinched, she looked down at Yaz's loving gaze. She had no idea where those words came from, and she didn't think Yaz knew either, but they were what she needed to hear.

....

 

Everything was packed for the next day in one large rucksack, complete with their tent attached to the bottom, and all the food was in Yaz's smaller one. To Yaz's absolute horror Clara also insisted on carrying with them a miniature car fridge.

Seeing the multitude of stuff Yaz half wondered how Clara was going to carry all of it but she kept convincing her that being an alien she's stronger than any human, a fact that would very often slip from Yaz's mind. She was looking forward to their adventure, especially never having to sleep in a tent before. It all seemed rather exciting to her. 

 

 

Something tickled Yaz's nose and she frowned with a moan but then something tickled her cheek as well and she opened her eyes. She saw Clara's silly face inches away smiling at her exited. 

 

"Morning" she chirped with a massive grin splattered across her face 

 

"OMG...you're in your hyper mode, aren't you?" Yaz said with a yawn and giggled stretching her arms than draping them over Clara's shoulders pulling her on top of herself 

 

"Aaaaa...need to get up Yaz" 

 

"I wiiill...Cuddle first" she giggled locking her legs around her 

 

"Short cuddle Yaz we need to go" 

 

"Am I getting cuddle decline?" 

 

"Nooo...when did I ever decline a cuddle? Just saying...wanna use all the time we've got" 

 

"We will...after a cuddle" she wiggled locking hands around her neck 

 

"That's a very restrictive cuddle if I may say" 

 

"Just making sure you don't go anywhere." 

 

"I can see that" Clara giggled and poked her armpits 

 

Yaz screamed releasing in a second "No tickles....pleaseeee no tickles" she yelled 

 

Clara wiggled her fingers infront of her face grinning at her. 

 

"Nooo...nooo...don't you dare" 

 

But Clara just laughed and grabbed her rolling her around the bed and in a second, she was on top of her pinning her down with her legs tickling her so much Yaz screamed the house down 

 

"I give up! I give up!" She screamed, trying to fight her off desperately trying to restrain her by grabbing her wrist and screaming wiggling underneath her. 

 

Her hopeless flapping made Clara laugh so much that in the end she stopped. Yaz still held her wrist giggling trying to catch her breath. 

 

"Blimey Yaz you got a pair of lungs in there" she chuckled rolling off of her 

 

"Fucker" Yaz sad frowning a pillow on her face 

 

"Come on sleepy...let's get a shift on" she tapped her leg then rolled like pancake kissing her cheek before getting off the bed 

 

"It's so early" Yaz moaned 

 

"Come oooon sloth" she grabbed her by the ankles dragging her over the bed whilst Yaz laughed like crazy purposely making herself floppy. Clara pulled her by the arms to sit up and Yaz flopped on her giggling wrapping her arms around her waist blowing air into Clara's stomach. 

 

.... 

 

An hour later Yaz was in the kitchen putting sandwiches and the rest of the food which she prepared a night before into a small fridge, and onto her rucksack whilst Clara was loading the car. 

 

"Yaz...you can't go dressed like that" Clara shook her head as she walked into the kitchen 

 

"Like what?" 

 

"Jeans shorts...can't go hiking in shorts Yaz" 

 

"Why not? Your trousers don't reach either?" 

 

"But they are long...not like this when it barely covers your bum Yaz..." 

 

"They do cover my bum...What's wrong with shorts? " she looked down 

 

"Nothing at all Yaz, you look very lovely but it's not safe" 

 

"You're losing me?" 

 

"If you fall you can get seriously hurt with all that skin exposed" 

 

"Oh, come ooooon.... I’m gonna cook...it's hot if haven't noticed.... Which you probably haven't" she whined 

 

"Just saying, not happy about it at all.... And you do have something warmer for later don't you?" 

 

"Yeah, I do...come on...I'm not gonna climb the rocks babe" 

 

"Oh, alright then...just please be careful...I'm still not happy about it" 

 

"Love the rainbows" she smiled pulling her braces 

 

"Mmmm...love the braids" Clara winked "Very cottage core" 

 

"You know about cottage core?" 

 

"Oi...I do read" she took the straw hat of the counter putting it Yaz's head and kissed her nose 

 

"You thought Spice girls was an herb mixture" Yaz laughed 

 

"And you thought Caesar was a salad Yaz" she smirked from the door  

 

....

 

More than two hours of their hike through a beautiful nature park following a narrow path have passed. The sun was high by this point, and they kept in the shade as much as they could. Clara chirped the whole way, explaining the history of the park and showing Yaz the local plant life and a few insects that Yaz was afraid of to reassure her that there was nothing to worry about. 

 

"Wanna make a stop?" Clara asked "I'm bit peckish, and I know your leg is fine and exercise is good for you, but I still don't want to strain it Yaz" 

 

"Yeah, I could do with a break to be honest...Look there....by those trees is nice" 

 

"Oh, Brilliant....perfect spot" 

 

"I am hungry...I only had something little in the morning" 

 

"River is that way Yaz" Clara pointed further down the valley whiles laying out the blanket on the ground " When we get there, I'll find us a nice place to camp" 

 

"Is it far from here?" 

 

"No, another 25 minutes’ walk...But we take it easy Yaz. I don't feel comfortable being so far away from the car. You're still not well." 

 

"I feel better than ever though" Yaz said sitting down and started taking all the food out. 

 

"You may do but there's so much going on inside you we're not familiar with," Clara said dumping her boots on a side and making herself comfortable on a blanket. 

 

"Sandwich?" 

 

"Mmmm...thank you...any gherkins?" 

 

"Yes...I almost forgot them" 

 

"Goodie" she wiggled haply crossing her legs "This is nice.... haven’t been on a picnic date with ya Yaz" 

 

"We're married..." she chuckled "Can't date me once you've married me" 

 

"Sooooo?...Date's a date Yaz...Can't you date a wife?" she scrunched her nose 

 

"Don't think so...haven't had a wife..." 

 

"Aaaaa but you have Yaz!!!" Clara pointed a finger at her "It's just technicalities." 

 

"You were dying to say this, admit it?" 

 

"Longer than you know it" she leaned over kissing her temple "Right...sooooo...after this we go and set up a camp." 

 

"And then what?" 

 

"Then Yaz we sit by the river enjoying in water and little fireflies and flowers...soaking in the nature, chilling out" 

 

"Chilling out" Yaz laughed "Never heard you say that...Picking up the cool words" 

 

"Oi...I am cool" she smug 

 

"Yes, you are baby" she smiled lovingly grabbing the back of her neck pulling her for a kiss "In the most unique way" 

 

After a short break, they continued on the path walking through a short piece of forest. The pleasant shade cooled them down. Yaz enjoyed tapping through the stream of water that flowed down the forest. She stopped for a moment to splash some water on her face and hands while Clara was busy photographing some bird she saw on a nearby tree. She turned to Clara wanting to say something and then noticed her standing there looking up at the treetops lost in her thoughts. She would often do this, suddenly becoming very quiet and drifting off somewhere, and Yaz wondered where. 

 

"Right" Clara suddenly snapped out and turned towards her with a smile "Shall we? Not long to go now" 

 

"Sure..." Yaz stood up and shook her hands from the water "Is it long now?" she asked balancing over the rocks in the water grabbing Clara's hand 

 

"Not at all Yaz....Just over there" she pointed to where the sun came stronger through the leaves making Yaz believe this must be another turn out of the forest although it didn't seem so from where they were standing. She felt almost sad having to leave the forest as to her it was a lot more interesting than walking through the endless grass, but she let Clara lead the way. 

 

Not long after they finally reached the spot Clara picked. It was a nice location right by the shallow entrance into the water. And as soon as they put their bags down, they got to assemble their tent. Yaz had no clue what to do as she’d never even seen a tent in real life, but she soon got the hang of it as Clara was explaining to her what to do. Once assembled, the tent wasn't big but with the sleeping bag inside it looked cute and cozy. Yaz crawled inside exited and lied down for a moment just to get the feel of it, imagining what it would be like during the night. She peaked through the zipper with big smile on her face. 

 

"Looks cozy..." 

 

"It looks perfect.... I’m so chuffed.... Oh...almost forgot" Clara hopped to her bag and pulled out a little lamp and the heater "Here" she passed her a lamp "...hang it from the top butterfly...and just put that in a corner for now" she said, giving her a heater. 

 

"That looks so cool" Yaz said as she was hanging the little lamp from the middle of the tent "That's gonna look so cute at night...it's like an igloo." 

 

"Mmmmm...sort of...Just the shape really...But I'll take you once to sleep in a real one...Now that's an adventure..." 

 

"You slept in an igloo?" She said getting out of the tent 

 

"Only twice...But even better than sleeping in an igloo is watching a night sky in long winter nights during the full moon" she was saying excitedly "...The snow glowing like tens of millions of diamonds Yaz and all the stars in the sky looking like glitter...so brilliant." 

 

"I'd love to see that." 

 

"You will..." 

 

Clara set everything up an hour later, and their tiny campsite looked cute and cozy. 

Yaz sat on a blanket, wowing a small flower wreath that reminded her of her childhood, when she used to help her nanny make them for weddings. Clara was in the water up to her ankles, chirping away while fishing. 

 

"Hey Yaz look" Clara pointed to the pair of birds flirting with each other in the air above the river. 

 

"Awwww....that's so cute...It's like they're dancing in the air...what are they?" 

 

"A pair of hawks darling...see how they glide." 

 

Yaz took her shoes off and stepped into the water. 

 

"Don't slip...be careful Yaz" 

 

"I'm not made out of sugar" she smiled placing a flower wreath on Clara's head and kissed her cheek. 

 

"Yes you are" she smiled "Wanna try?" 

 

"What...fishing?" 

 

"Mmmm...it's nice" 

 

"Alright...show me" 

 

"C'mere" she grabbed her wrists helping her to step in front of her then rolled the fishing line back 

 

"I thought you're gonna have something more...you know spacey" she giggled "That's a sort of thing my grandad would use" 

 

"Classic is the best butterfly...Here take it in your hand. This is a drag control, bail, line roller, line spool. You need to make sure this is clipped across just like that. Then copy me...one step back...throw it from your hip Yaz not from your hand and don't force it...just let it fly" she circled her arms around her grabbing the fishing pole "I'll do it with you then you try on your own" 

 

"Alright" Yaz smiled then raised her gaze at Clara who drowned in her big beautiful brown eyes. 

 

"What?" she chuckled. 

 

"Love ya"  Clara smiled dotting a quick kiss to her lips

 

"Love you too.."

 

Right one step back...Ready?" 

 

"Yes" 

 

"On three...one two three!!!!" she said and swung fishing pole "You did it Yaz!" Clara hopped on a spot. 

 

"I did it!!! Look...look how far it went" she pointed exited "Can we do that again?" 

 

"Sure...but try on your own...Remember...clip it, step back and swish. 

 

Clara stepped back a bit and watched her proudly as she carefully repeated each move. Eagerly trying to impress Clara and herself. 

 

"You're doing great Yaz...that's it...ready?" 

 

"Ready!" she said fully immersed into it and threw it 

 

"Wooohooooo!!!" Clara jumped on a spot "You did it Yaz...ten points." 

 

"I did it.... I did it by myself Doctor!" Yaz shouted exited. 

 

"Yes, you have butterfly" Clara whispered and quickly wiped the tear of her face 

 

"Woooow....wooooow.... Clara...what's happening?" she held the fishing pole as the line started being dragged. 

 

"Stars Yaz....I think you got one" Clara jumped over the rocks "Eaaaasy....don't pull." 

 

"Aaaaa!... Clara...I don't wanna hurt it." 

 

"You're not gonna hurt it. See slooooowly..." 

 

"It's close...babe it's close" she was jumping on a spot exited whilst Clara stepped further into the water following the line 

 

"Stay here Yaz...just hold it" 

 

Clara stepped deeper all the way to her knees and slowly reached into the water grabbing a fish 

 

"OMFG....it's a fish babe" Yaz tapped through the water closer to her "Of cause it's fish I'm so fucking stupid...Now what?" she was tapping Clara’s back exited. 

 

"Hello there...sorry for stressing you out...just give me a minute" Clara took her sonic out and zapped the fishing hook releasing it "There you go.” 

 

"Is he gonna be, ok?" 

 

"Yes...see no wound...don't worry that's Yaz ...he's going home" she lowered the fish back into the water releasing it 

 

"Waaaaaw...." Yaz exhaled "I got that fish babe...I'm fishing champion" she yelled, and voice echoed across the valley. 

 

Clara laughed and splashed a water on her 

 

"Oi...!" Yaz giggled splashing it back at her leaving Clara gasping as water went all over her hair and her face 

 

"Aaaaaaa....Did you just make me completely wet Yasmin Sigma?" 

 

"Suppose I have" she said smug "And what are you gonna do about that.... Doctor?" she giggled 

 

Before she managed to get away Clara grabbed her waist, tipping them both in the water. 

 

"Shit....fuck...cold.... cold" Yaz gasped moving hair from her face as Clara laughed. 

 

"Fuck you Clara" she put her hand on her head dunking her down. 

 

"I swear on my Tardis Yaz..." Clara said spitting the water out 

 

"Swear what?" Yaz laughed grabbing her by the shirt kissing her 

 

"Mmmmm...." Yaz suddenly broke the kiss "Where's your fishing pole?" 

 

"Now you're worried about it?" Clara lifted her eyebrow pointing in a shallow water then put her hand on Yaz's head dunking her. 

 

....

 

Later in the day, they sat on a blanket and played an Alice in Wonderland board game that Yaz had randomly picked up from the toy section of the store. She wasn't sure about it, but it turned out to be a fun way to spend time together. She also beat Clara twice and learned that she's a sore loser throwing a wobbly over it like a toddler. 

They were halfway through the third game when Yaz got up to grab some snacks from the tent. She took out a packet of Clara's biscuits and some chips for herself.

Clara quickly whizzed a sonic over a dice like a naughty child before Yaz came back outside. 

 

"Here you go babe" Yaz passed her the biscuits and sat back down 

 

"Your turn Yaz" 

 

They played for about half an hour, Yaz losing miserably and Clara suddenly having luck on each roll of the dice. 

 

"Oh, come ooooon.... I need a fucking two" Yaz whined when she got four and moved her rabbit pawn over the board. 

 

"I'm on to you" Clara laughed. 

 

"Neah....chances of you getting three are one in a million" 

 

"Actually, it's more ...." 

 

"Noooo....I don't wanna know" she laughed covering her mouth with her hand. 

 

Clara rolled the dice and got three "Off with your head Yaz!!" she yelled knocking her rabbit flicking it across the board. 

 

"Nooooooooo..." Yaz whined "Oh come oooon" 

 

"Wanna play one more?" Clara chirped haply. 

 

"Definitely...and I'm gonna fucking beat you this time" she said picking up the cards and the pawns from the board. 

 

Half an hour later Yaz was losing again. She pouted her lip rolling the dice in the hope she gets away from Clara's Queen, but her Alice got slammed in a jail for 4 rounds of dice roll. 

 

"I'm so losing this one again...." she said disappointed "You're way ahead of me." 

 

Clara glanced at her and smiled "Oh alright...I have a confession." 

 

"What?" Yaz frowned. 

 

Clara whipped a sonic out and whizzed it over a dice giggling. 

 

"What? Nooooo....you fucker!" 

 

"I'm soooorry...it was funny" 

 

"You fucking cheated" she threw a dice at Clara 

 

"Did a bit...but just for one game..." she laughed rolling on a blanket "I'm soooorry.... give us a kiss" she sat up again trying to reach Yaz 

 

"Sorry?....You're laughing....there's zero remorse" Yaz pushed her over again 

 

"Little bit" she pointed with her fingers laughing "Your face...I just couldn’t, you were about to cry.... C’mere..." she pulled her kissing her pouted lips "You look cute when you sulk butterfly" she pulled her bottom lip down with her finger 

 

"Fuck you" Yaz smiled "Gotta watch you" 

 

"Come on let's play again.... you can beat me this time" 

 

"Too right I will.... cheater" 

 

....

 

"You are sure nobody is around?" Yaz said standing in her underwear taking her bra off 

 

"100% Yaz...nobody around for miles" Clara said as she was standing in the water up to her waist "Though it is cold a bit" she held her arms up just above the water reluctantly. 

 

"Well I need a shower so fuck it" Yaz took the rest of clothes off "We bought so much stuff you could've mentioned swimming" she said tapping into the water 

 

"It's more fun this way Yaz" 

 

"Oh fuck.... a bit cold.... It’s fucking freezing." 

 

"I knoooow.... get your circulation going...It's proven to be rather healthy for humans" 

 

"I'm no longer a human.... remember?" 

 

"Still are partially Yaz...." Clara giggled reaching out for her hand "Careful Yaz don't slip on the rocks." 

 

"There's some mud here...ewwww...I expect some tendril to grab me leg" 

 

"I can assure you there's no tendrils or any sort of tentacle stuff here.... Just sand..." 

 

"OMFG babe that's so cold" she said as they both dipped inside. 

 

"Swim butterfly" Clara laughed as she was swimming away 

 

She followed her, hoping that with each stroke she would warm up a little. After about a few minutes the water was no longer as cold as when they first went in. She swam over to Clara and wrapped herself around her 

 

"I was wrong...there are tendril things in here" Clara giggled as Yaz locked her legs around her. Her feet just barely touching the bottom she wrapped her arms around Yaz whose body heat felt so present against her cold skin "Can't stay for long. Don't want you to get ill" she kissed the tip of her nose. 

 

"I won't.... this is nice" she said squeezing herself against her "You look cute with your hair up" 

 

Clara scrunched her face making her laugh and walked over to a part where she could stand properly "Don't want to get your hair wet, it will never dry out" 

 

"It's so pretty here" Yaz said looking around "And peaceful...just us" 

 

"Well...not just us...there's loads of people around just not close to us" 

 

"I love this..." she said moving little curls from Clara's face 

 

"Told ya" Clara smiled haply 

 

"Baby" 

 

"Mmmmm?" She hummed pressing her lips to her temple 

 

"Promise me something" 

 

"Anything" 

 

"We will be happy?....Like now...like at this moment" 

 

It was more of a question than a request as the future suddenly went from perfectly mapped out in her mind to uncertainty at every corner that sent shivers down Yaz's spine in ways that weren't pleasant. 

 

Clara looked up. Her lip twitched for a split second, and she brought her hand to Yaz's cheek as her expression changed before Yaz's eyes giving her the softest smile "I promise darling" she whispered. 

 

Yaz ran her fingers down the nape of Clara's neck, feeling her breath on her lips. She gazed into her chestnut colored eyes as the evening sun bathed her face with a golden shimmer. Clara drew a straight line up her back, then closed her fingers around the nape of her neck, pulling her into the softest kiss. They fell silent for a moment with Yaz resting her face on Clara's shoulder occasionally kissing it softly as she felt lighter than air being held in her arms which were the safest place in the universe. Was it an illusion, nothing more than a comfort zone she had created in her mind? She wasn't sure but neither did she care.

Clara watched the sun slowly descend behind the trees. She pressed her lips to the curve of Yaz's neck 

 

"Universe pleeeease provide for me...I'm doing my best" she pleaded silently clenching her arms around Yaz 

 

It started to get dark and Yaz was being eaten by mosquitoes. 

 

"We should get that lamp out..." Clara said "If we had the Tardis we wouldn't need it..." she said getting up and crawled into the tent "I'm a bit hungry...are you?" 

 

Yaz got distracted by a mosquito who landed on her arm. She was about to slap him as he bit her, but he flashed for a split second reminding her of a firefly and then dropped down on her leg 

 

"Yaaaaz!" Clara repeated 

 

"Ha? Whaaaa?" she blinked changing her focus from the insect 

 

"Food?...We got that nice quiche if you'd like?" 

 

"Quiche....yeah...alright" 

 

"You alright Yaz? You look like you've seen a ghost?" Clara said still peaking from the tent 

 

"Fine...Food yes....I could do with some food" she answered quickly then looked down again at the mosquito who appeared to be dead. 

 

"Here we go butterfly" Clara sat down next to her and switched on a little lamp for bugs then started taking all the food out "Peanut butter?" 

 

"Noo...all yours babe.... I’ll just have some of that quiche and coleslaw." 

 

"The fridge is working nice" Clara said haply 

 

"I still can't believe you carried that thing all the way from the car" 

 

"We need it...don't wanna get food poisoning." 

 

"I could've carried something myself you know" 

 

"Not with that leg of yours darling" 

 

"My leg is fiiiine...you worry too much. My head is fine I'm fine...Whatever that was it's gone now" 

 

Clara spread peanut butter on the bread with a quick glance at her. She refrained from commenting but felt a knot twist in her stomach. Part of her was glad Yaz wasn't stressing about it, but her oblivious attitude didn't help ease her worries. She knew it was only a matter of time before the symptoms would reappear again and she could only hope she could intercept whatever was coming. She felt more and more guilty for every moment of relaxation, the guilt eating her inside as she felt she was wasting precious time. But life was complicated at the moment, and she was torn between marriage and work. Yaz needed her, she needed this time, and yet that same time was slipping through her fingers as always. Clara leaned over kissing her temple then passed her a bottle of her favorite cherry Coke from the miniature fridge. 

 

.....

 

Night descended on the valley and only the full moon was reflected on the surface of the water. The river seemed much calmer, and crickets echoed from the grass. It was a warm night and they decided to look at the stars before going to sleep. But before they did that, Yaz had a problem to tackle. Being a Sheffield girl who hadn't really spent that much time outdoors in her life, let alone camping in a tent in the middle of nowhere, Yaz quickly realized that camping wasn't just about enjoying the outdoors. She followed Clara as she lit the way with a sonic to the edge of the forest. It wasn't far from where their tent was, but walking the familiar trail at night wasn't the same. 

 

 

"I'm scared" she said as they reached some bushes 

 

"Scared of what?" 

 

"Bugs, snakes...animals...What if something bites my ass?" 

 

"Nothing's gonna bite your behind Yaz...." Clara laughed as she was scanning the area "All clear ...go on...just pee" 

 

"Don't go" she said pulling her pajamas down 

 

"I'm right here" Clara giggled 

 

"I didn't think about this when you said camping"  she said squatting down frantically looking around 

 

"Can't exactly carry toilet around butterfly" 

 

"I'm aware of that...just didn't think" 

 

"Well, just look at it as a new experience" 

 

"The one I could do without" she said pulling her pants back up 

 

"What you do when you travel to all those different planets... What if you need to pee?" 

 

"Hold it like everyone else I suppose...Most places do have toilets Yaz. Some really weird ones...I still didn't work out the ones on Sarix 7" 

 

Yaz shook her head laughing. The conversations such this one become so normal she still couldn't wrap her head around it sometimes. 

 

Clara watched the clouds as they slowly passed over the moon. She rested her head on Yaz's stomach, her fingers sifting through her hair gently made her eyes heavy. 

 

"It's getting cold darling" Yaz said "You're like ice..." she brushed her hand over her arm "Let's go to bed" 

 

"Mmmm..." Clara reached for her hand "Suppose we should. I was falling asleep. Just need to contact Jack before. I promised I'd call him" 

 

"Alright baby" 

 

Clara was sitting with her legs crossed concentrated on her little laptop swiping her finger over the screen. 

 

"Gummy bear?" Yaz waived it in front of Clara and she just opened her mouth without a word 

 

"Aaaa...here we go...C'mere Yaz" she wiggled making space for her in front of the screen "Hello Jack" 

 

"Doctor!!!....Yazee...hello honey" 

 

"Hiiii..." she waived smiling 

 

"Where are you two?" 

 

"Tent..." Yaz said "Camping....look" she picked up the laptop whizzing it around 

 

Clara just laughed rolling her eyes 

 

"That looks cozy" 

 

"It's great...I caught a fish today" 

 

"I didn't know you’re fishing Yaz....we must go together" 

 

"Me neither..." she laughed "apparently I do" 

 

"You look happy" 

 

"I am..." 

 

"Should I just go outside give you two sometime for catching up" Clara said grumpy 

 

"Oh, come oooon stop being so miserable...cheer up" Jack winked "So how much you love me?" 

 

"Fair amount" she said 

 

"Oh, so you do love me?" 

 

"Speak Jack...I haven't got all night...Pleaseeee give me some good news" 

 

"Look what I've got" he glued the paper to the camera and all they could both see is blur. 

 

"What's that?" Clara scrunched her nose 

 

"All I see is dots" Yaz said leaning closer 

 

He moved the paper and looked into the camera again "That is a very bad drawing of what they are making...It's some sort of a machine Doctor but I have no idea what it is" 

 

"Can you send that to me Jack?" 

 

"How?" 

 

"Look at your wrist.... you’ll see a small tiny itsy bitsy button on the bottom" 

 

"Yeah, I can see that" 

 

"Well...press that and it will scan it" 

 

"Right...that's cool...Can I keep that?" 

 

"If you come back alive you can" 

 

"I'm always alive." 

 

"Well, I was always the Doctor and look at me now I'm gonna start doing crochet next.... Anyway, how did you come to that?" 

 

"You sure you wanna know?" 

 

"On a second thought NO" she scrunched her face grossed out "Aaaa... that’s it Jack I got it" she moved around the tent grabbing her bag and hooked up another gadget to her laptop. 

 

"What's that?" Yaz asked 

 

"That Yaz will convert this lousy image into this" she pressed the button and the image of the machine hovered in space" 

 

"Waaaaw....that cool" Yaz said "What is it?...Looks like some sort of an incubator" 

 

"Hmmm...hard to say Yaz...it could be...tank, cryo-stasis chamber, incubator...or...wait a minute..." she twirled the image around "Nooo...can't be...maybe...no but that's not possible...Oh...that's bad...that's really bad" 

 

"What?" Jack said 

 

"It's hard to tell Jack" she scrunched her face "If it is, and Im pretty sure I'm right, it's modified...but modified for what?" she magnified the image "Parts missing but then the Tardis can only make an image presumably what that really bad sketch shows, and it was really bad" 

 

"What is it, Clara?" Yaz asked nervously as her patience was running thin by this point 

 

"Loom" she said horrified 

 

"What's a Loom?" Yaz frowned 

 

"Oh shit" Jack sat back in his chair 

 

"I did say it's bad" Clara said 

 

"Clara" Yaz grabbed her chin turning her face "What's a fucking Loom?" 

 

"Breeding-engine...it's complicated Yaz" 

 

“ Did you just say Breeding-engine?”

 

“Yeah”

 

“Breathing what? What does it do?" Yaz asked utterly confused "What like incubator for babies?" 

 

"As I said Yaz it's really complicated but yes and no...it weaves a new life from base matter and biodata...in essence Yaz it's a Gene-Splicing machine" 

 

"Right...like IVF Gallifrey style" Yaz said 

 

"Could say that..." 

 

"They can make an entire army with that thing" Jack said 

 

"Or worse" Clara said "I heard the stories" 

 

"So, they can clone people?" 

 

"In essence, yes Yaz..." 

 

"OMG...are those the tests they did? Like what they did to me?" 

 

"I don't know darling.... it’s too early to tell...I'm not sure...But it brings more questions that's for sure. It also makes more sense now" 

 

"How did they get those? You said Gallifrey was gone" Yaz continued with questions 

 

"Dunno Yaz...more questions" 

 

"I have to go now" Jack said ".... It’s not safe for me here Doctor....Let me know if you have any news" 

 

"Will do...keep yourself safe Jack...and thank you...this really helps" 

 

"Always...." 

 

"Bye" Yaz waived 

 

"Bye girlie's" he blew a kiss "And remember you're in a tent…. be more quiet cause you never know ...." 

 

"Bye Jack" Clara switched off the screen cutting him off whiles Yaz was pissing herself laughing. 

 

"What are you laughing at?" Clara turned to Yaz who was rolling 

 

"Does he know you're loud?" she screamed 

 

"Yaaaz!!!" Clara jumped "I can't believe this" she closed the laptop shoving it in her bag 

 

"Oh, come oooon grumpy" Yaz grabbed her by the waist tipping her over "I think he's into you big time" she slumped her leg over her kissing the back of her neck 

 

"Can we change the subject?" Clara tried wiggling then gave up entirely as Yaz rolled her on her back sitting on top of her 

 

"Seriously...he really loves you...Look what he's doing" she said lacing their hands in the air 

 

"I know" she said with a sigh "I know he does...always has" 

 

"You look so worried baby" 

 

"I am worried." 

 

"But isn't this a good thing? Something more than just a puzzle box that opens randomly...It's something to go on, a lead to follow. Someone made it or gave them information on how to do it. We can find out who and it will lead us to them. It's a good thing baby...At least this time you know what it is" 

 

Clara's face was riddled with worry, her mind working overtime and she could feel herself being half present as she had this desperate need to now go to her Tardis and work on this until she cracked it. To pull the lever and fly off into the unknown following the breadcrumbs. But the gentle squeeze of Yaz's fingers brought her back to the tent and she looked up at her, smiling lovingly at her. The face she had so desperately wanted to see again for decades looked at her with so much love that her hearts bled, and she felt more blessed than ever to have this moment, so she surrendered to it. 

 

"...C'mere" she pulled her forward and trailed her hands down her sides 

 

"What?" Yaz smiled and dotted her lips across her face watching Clara melt into her closing her tiered eyes 

 

"Yaz" 

 

"Yes baby?" 

 

She didn't answer, just wrapped her fingers around her face pulling her into a kiss. 

 

..... 

 

Yaz rolled on her side, somewhere half asleep she felt Clara's hand brushing over the curve of her hip and a press of her lips on her shoulder, cool air hitting her back. She went back to sleep. Clara walked to the river, her bare toes peaking from underneath the hem of her pajama bottoms. Wet soft grass felt nice and refreshing to the souls of her feet. She sat down by the edge of the water crossing her legs. The moon was still high outlining the river basin and the highest trees, somewhere in the distance she herds scops owl calling on a mate. She didn't know what time it was, but it smelled at about four in the morning. She was waiting for the sunrise. Her mind was working overtime trying to make sense of things. There was a story she heard a long time ago about the Looms. 

 

These breeding-engines designed to produce generations of flawless academicians and observers and Time Lords, and they did so for ten million years. Created to stabilize the Gallifreyan population after they were rendered sterile by Pythia's curse, and they did so until the womb-born children started to be born, hidden at first under general population for hundreds of years.

 

Most members of a Great House were loomed to full physicality but lacked the experience of the elders, so they were called loomlings. Some felt pity for Gallifreyans, saying that the Looms prevented "true children" from existing on their planet.

 

Despite their supposed infallibility, mutations began to appear in the breeding-engines resulting in a broken generation of renegades. On Gallifrey Eight were used to mass-produce soldiers. 

 

She remembered all those stories, but they brought more questions than answers. If Looms were used, for what purpose, how were they modified or did they just malfunction in attempts to recreate them, resulting in test subjects dying or coming out with deformities. Was that a reason for their memory loss, their minds being fried and how did her Yaz fit into all of this. Was she a as well woven and then disposed like rubbish. Is this why her mind is half blank, broken. Was this the reason for her gentle, almost childlike innocence like loomlings who lacked the experience of their elders, despite their grown-up appearance. If so, what was used, what genetic makeup and what does that mean for her future, life expectancy or quality of life. Can her body even handle it. And most importantly, how does she even tell her, where does she even begin to explain all this. One thing she knew for sure was that the only way she was going to be able to answer half of those questions was to replicate the machine herself.

She didn't notice how much time had passed until she saw the sun slowly rising behind the trees. She twirled a little rock between her fingers and threw it in the water then walked back to the tent and lay down pressing herself against Yaz's back. She moved her hair from shoulders and kissed the silky skin of her neck slipping her hand around her palming her stomach to feel her breathing against herself. 

 

"Mmmm" Yaz moaned sleepy and wiggled her bum closer. 

Clara's eyes grew heavy and her mind finally settled down. She fell asleep quickly.