A/N: Thank you to my awesome beta, Jason!
Jenny realized she had yet to water the plants in the sitting room today and began filling the watering can. She heard the front door close just as she shut off the tap. "Jenny, have the plants been watered?" Vastra asked, smiling when she entered the kitchen to find Jenny with a watering pail.
"I was just about to do that, ma'am." Jenny grinned.
"Meet me in the greenhouse, then."
"Yes, ma'am." Jenny carefully watered the plants in the sitting room, then went to help Vastra in the greenhouse next to the house.
Vastra wanted to set up an irrigation system in the greenhouse, but apparently the human technology (Vastra used the word ape) wasn't advanced enough. She didn't seem to mind too much, though, the greenhouse stayed warm and humid even in the heart of winter. Jenny sometimes woke late at night to find Vastra in the greenhouse, reading or just thinking.
Vastra's gloves and veiled hat were sitting where the watering can usually was, the Silurian tending to the plants.
"Ma'am, about me reading Mr. Irving's body language..."
"Yes?"
"'Aven't you read all those body language books? You could read 'is body language better'n me, couldn't you?"
"I could, but I also need to focus on the information being given to me, and it never hurts to have another pair of eyes." Vastra tapped her maid's nose and Jenny childishly stuck her tongue out. Vastra flicked out her forked tongue and laughed.
"So 'ow are you going to find this Anna girl?"
"It shouldn't be difficult. I'll get her scent from her room, talk to her employer and coworkers, Mr. Irving's friends, the man who tried to woo her..."
"You'll be going out at night, then?"
"Yes, you may accompany me." Vastra grinned. "I don't expect we'll need weapons."
"But you'll take a sword just to be safe."
"Yes, you never can be sure on the streets at night." Vastra replied easily.
Jenny stayed silent, trying not to remember how she met Vastra and the Doctor. A match girl out late at night, staying under street lights offered no protection. The shops were closed, no houses nearby, no people about...
"Jenny?" Vastra laid a hand on her shoulder, bringing her out of her memories with a start.
"S-sorry, ma'am." Jenny hurriedly wiped her eyes and resumed watering the plants, but Vastra took her watering can away and held her close.
"I'm sorry, my dear. I wasn't thinking. I should have realized how my words would affect you."
Jenny held her girlfriend tight, taking deep breaths, willing herself to understand that she was safe now, the Silurian would never allow anything to hurt her. She managed to calm herself and reached for the watering can, but Vastra withdrew it. "Go have a cup of tea, Jenny. I'm perfectly capable of watering plants on my own." Vastra gently rubbed Jenny's cheek with a scaly thumb. Jenny sighed and did as she was told.
In the kitchen, she poured herself a cup of tea, still warm, and on a whim poured Vastra a cup as well. She had been told to go have a cup of tea and not help with the greenhouse, but she could have a cuppa and not help with the greenhouse while watching her girlfriend.
She quietly entered the greenhouse and set the cups on a counter, but hopping up to sit on the counter was less quiet due to her rustling skirts.
"I told you to go have tea." Vastra chuckled without turning round to face her.
"I am 'aving tea. Brought you some as well." Jenny grinned as her girlfriend laughed, coming over to the counter and giving her a kiss.
"Thank you." They relaxed in comfortable silence for a few minutes.
"I won't be bringing my sword, will I?" Jenny asked.
"That's right."
"But why not?" She knew she was talking back and being impertinent, but Vastra hardly ever cared when they didn't have company over.
"As soon as you pick up a weapon, you become a threat. I'd rather not have you seen as a threat until I know you can handle yourself." Vastra explained. It made sense, but Jenny still wished she could bring her sword, just to have. "You are still incredibly proficient at combat." Vastra reminded her. "And no-one expects it from a female, especially one of your stature. Without a weapon, you have an element of surprise."
"You don't 'ave to call me short." Jenny smiled, leaning her head against Vastra's shoulder. She knew her girlfriend was trying to cheer her up.
They finished watering the greenhouse, had a nice dinner followed by exhausting katana practice, and went to bed. Vastra held Jenny close as they drifted off.
I hope to post a new chapter every Monday!
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