The Hen Party

Clara giggled as Strax handed her another cocktail and she took a sip of the sugary drink before placing it down on the coffee table.

"I still don't see a stripper," Clara complained, eyeing Vastra and Jenny cautiously.

"Don't worry, he'll come," Jenny tried to reassure her but Clara still wasn't convinced. She had wanted a nice, normal hen party but since all her former friends and colleagues believed her to be dead Vastra and Jenny had been the only option.

"And you're sure it's a male stripper, yeah? I mean, not that I'd be against a gorgeous woman but for this occasion I want to traditionally make my future husband jealous," Clara said before she reached for her drink again.

Madame Vastra gave her a mischievous smile. "Trust me, he is most definitely male and we may have a preference for women but that doesn't mean we're blind," she explained and sipped a red liquid that she had told Clara was wine even though she wasn't sure she should believe that. A man that brought a smile to Madame Vastra's face? If he truly existed, then Clara really wanted to meet him.

"Aye," Jenny confirmed, a grin on her face, "Definitely male."

Suddenly the wheezing sound of the TARDIS filled the living room of the Victorian house and Clara looked up to see the blue box materialize right in front of them. She rolled her eyes when the Doctor stuck his head through the door.

"Clara, are you absolutely sure Elsie is safe with your dad?" he asked and looked around the room curiously as if searching for something.

"He raised me, remember?" Clara asked back, pointing at herself, "Don't worry. He and Linda are absolutely capable of watching her for a night. Now go! Don't you have a bachelor party to attend?"

"Yes, yes, I do," he confirmed but his eyes still searched the room, "Sorry for pointing it out but doesn't your party seem a bit. . . dull?"

"Go," Clara urged him and shooed the Doctor back inside the TARDIS with a hand gesture. He looked as though he wanted to protest but eventually gave in and a few moments after the door had closed the TARDIS started to vanish.

"Alright, what's the name of this mysterious stripper?" Clara demanded to know and reached for her drink again.

"His name is-" Jenny broke off when the blue box was once more materializing in the living room.

The door burst open and the Doctor peeked outside, more confused than ever and still a little wary of his surroundings.

"Clara, have you seen my sonic screwdriver?" he asked.

She took a deep breath. Normally she quite enjoyed seeing him jealous because he just had a talent for making a fool of himself when he thought Clara was paying more attention to another man than she did to him but tonight he had absolutely no reason to. They were going to get married tomorrow, he knew she loved him, he should just let her have her traditional hen party in peace.

"Why do you need your screwdriver at your bachelor party?"

"Uhm," he hesitated, "There's a loose screw." An obvious lie.

Clara shook her head. "Have you checked your jacket pocket?" she asked him dryly.

After a short frown the Doctor reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and a few moments later his eyes lit up as he produced the sonic screwdriver. Clara wasn't sure whether to laugh or get angry with him.

"Where would I be without you?" the Doctor gave her a sweet smile.

"You. Bachelor party," she growled, "Now!"

Hesitantly the Doctor followed her order but as soon as the TARDIS had dematerialized someone else had taken its place. A smirk spread over Clara's face once she saw him: tall, extremely handsome, dark hair, army coat. She didn't have to guess to know that this man was the stripper Vastra and Jenna had been telling her about.

"Hi ladies," the man flashed a row of straight, white teeth and gave a wink in their direction, "I'm Captain Jack Harkness and you," he smiled towards Clara, "Must be the beautiful bride to be."

Captain Jack Harkness curtsied in front of her and took her hand to place a long kiss on the back of it. Clara felt the heat rise into her cheeks as she blushed and she couldn't help but giggle.

"Uh, charming," she commented, smiling.

"Now," Jack said excitedly, jumping up again, "Word is you ladies want me to take off my clothes?"

Jenny started clapping her hands, cheering at his suggestion and Madame Vastra sank back into her chair, wearing a smirk like Clara had never seen it on her face before.

"I will play the music," Strax announced, "And then I'd like to excuse myself."

He made a small bow as Vastra nodded approvingly but once the music had started a familiar roar sounded through the living room as well and Clara rolled her eyes as the TARDIS started to fade into view.

"Clara, I can't seem to find my-" the Doctor stopped abruptly once he spotted Jack and Clara could see all sorts of emotions cross his face before he spat: "What are you doing here?"

Jack grinned proudly at her husband to be. "I'm the stripper."

The Doctor frowned. "You? You are the stripper?" He snorted. "I'm sorry, but I don't think anyone wants to see your 700 year old body without clothes."

"746, to be precise," Jack corrected him.

"And we do want to see him without clothes," Clara interrupted their banter, "Doctor, what was it you were looking for now?"

The Doctor climbed out of his time machine and pointed at her. "You. I have something to show you. Come on!"

He made a waving gesture towards the TARDIS but Clara didn't move. "No, you can show me later. I'm not leaving my hen party."

Clara watched as he threw a distrustful glance at Jack before he looked back at her. "No, really, Clara, we have to leave right now. I'll get you another stripper when we get back."

He flinched when Jack placed his arm around the Doctor's shoulder and Clara giggled at how uncomfortable he looked all of a sudden. He really didn't like being touched, except by her of course.

"If you're worried your fiancé is going to change her mind and run away with me you can rest assured. I am taken," Jack told him, smiling broadly, "Though. . . what happens at a hen party, stays at the hen party."

Jack threw her another wink which, unfortunately, the Doctor seemed to have witnessed. He took a step away from Jack, glaring at him.

"Well, too bad. Cause I'm staying right here until you leave. And I'll remember every look you throw at my Clara," he growled.

She couldn't help but laugh. "Doctor, please," she begged him, smiling, "There's no need to be jealous. I'll behave, I promise. Go and attend your own party."

The Doctor sank into the nearest empty chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest out of protest. Clara sighed. He wouldn't go anywhere. And apparently Madame Vastra had come to the same conclusion.

"Alright," she said, "Bring on the music. We want to see some action."

The Doctor's stare grew darker with every piece of clothing Jack took off and Clara tried very hard to focus on the actual stripping that was happening and not her future husband's hilarious pout. When Jack hovered over her lap Clara knew she was supposed to enjoy it and she laughed about it but her thoughts were only with the man in the seat next to her who just stared down at his own boots.

Once Jack had finished his dance and attempted to put his clothes back on, with Jenny watching him intently as he did so, Clara casually slipped onto the Doctor's lap. He appeared a little startled at the sudden closeness.

"You're an idiot," she whispered, smiling, before she bent down to peck him on the lips, "My jealous idiot Doctor."

"I'm not-"

"Yes, you are jealous," Clara laughed and placed her hand on his cheek, stroking it softly, "And I still love you."

"Clara-"

"Shh," she shushed him by placing her index finger on his lips, "Let's just enjoy my hen party, okay?"

"Okay," he replied as Clara sank deeper into the chair and leaned her head against his shoulder. Reluctantly the Doctor placed his arm around her waist and Clara sighed. Come tomorrow she would officially belong to her Doctor.