Clara gazed curiously at Sarah Jane over the rim of her teacup. "Does the Doctor ever come to visit you?"

"Very rarely, and it usually requires something rather earth shattering."

Clara frowned, chewing her lip. "But…you were together for so long…"

"He doesn't like to see the damage. I was young when we traveled together, and now, well…look at me."

"You look wonderful," Clara assured her.

"That's very kind," Sarah Jane replied. "But still, I rather suspect I'm old enough to be your mother. And I look old enough to be his." She paused a moment, under pretense of sipping her tea. "Does he know that you come to see me?" she asked carefully.

"I never really mentioned it," Clara admitted. "I don't know why, exactly."

"I do. I overheard one of his other companions refer to Rose and I as 'the missus and the ex.' Not that he and I ever…but…"

"It's just a bit bizarre," Clara agreed.

"And you and he? Are you…?"

"I don't know, exactly," Clara admitted. "Sometimes I think, so, but then he goes and does something so well -"

"Alien?"

"Weird."

The two women chuckled over that.

"Clara, just remember this: whatever time you have with the Doctor is a special gift. How many other people on this planet have the chance to travel the stars, and see and do all those wonderful things?"

"I know," Clara sighed. "It does come with a price though."

"It does," Sarah Jane agreed. "And if you ever need to talk about that, you just come and find me. I promise I'll listen, and I'll understand."

"It's not exactly like I could just go to my dad and tell him that I'm having boyfriend issues with an alien that I've been traveling in outer space with!"

"Your dad?" Sarah Jane said softly. "I just thought…your mum is gone, isn't she?"

Clara nodded mutely.

Sarah Jane set down her tea cup and moved to sit beside Clara on the couch. "I know that no one can ever truly replace a parent, but if you ever need, that is...if I could help in some way…I'd consider it an honor."

Clara bit her lip for a moment, then launched herself into the older woman's arms. "Thank you," she whispered.