DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by the BBC. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. For story notes, see Part 1.

3. As will be evident, I finished this story before "It Takes You Away" aired, when Ryan finally called Graham "Granddad". I considered updating it, but in the end decided not to: if anything, it'll hopefully indicate sometime has passed by my next story, which will be set after the end of the 2018 series.

PART 7

Yaz and the Doctor watched as Ryan and Graham walked off in the direction of their home, the former still with the otherworldly drawing under his arm. All through the rest of their time spent on Daggle III, and return to the TARDIS, it was clear his initial joy at the piece was blunted somewhat by the Doctor's peculiar reaction. But of course, the Time Lady insisted everything was alright.

Yaz knew it was not. And now they were alone - the Doctor seemed to make sure they were never so during the journey back to Sheffield, instead talking about how unusual it was for the TARDIS to choose a destination on her own, without an evident reason - the police officer would find out exactly what was bothering the woman she loved.

"Another travel and still no 'Granddad'," mused the Doctor. "I hoped by now that Ryan would be more open. I suppose he's still tryin' to protect himself from the pain of Grace's death." She shrugged sadly, before turning to Yaz. "Anyway... guess this is it. Again. Say 'hi' to your family for me."

"I will," replied Yaz, but she made no effort to leave. "But first... "

The Doctor looked at her questioningly. "Yes?"

It was now or never. "What was that earlier? With the drawing."

To the policewoman's surprise, the Time Lady seemed to almost wilt. "Oh. That. Um, yeah. Can't keep anythin' from you, can I, Officer Khan?"

Yaz gave a small smile of her own. "Look, if it's somethin' personal, then I'm sorry if I'm prying. But as it stands right now, I don't understand. You've been actin' really strange lately - even for you."

Now a more trademark grin. "None taken."

Yaz chuckled. "But seriously. I mean, the drawing, the pictures on the walls... I haven't seen you act that way ever, and then it happens twice in one day." She then paused. "Actually, I can think of one other time: when you came over for dinner... " - the one and only time, sadly - "... and my Mum made a souffle. Just like today, you suddenly went all weird and flustered. And then abruptly left." Yaz quirked a brow. "That's twice you've abandoned food at my place, by the way."

"I 'ope your mum and dad don't take it personally," cringed the Time Lady. "It's just... "

"Just what, Doctor?" Yaz pressed. "Please tell me. I don't like seein' you like this." She tried keeping the anguish from her voice.

There was silence for a few moments, just the breeze waving the Doctor's loose hair slightly. She clenched her jaw, shook her head and finally sighed in defeat. "I know I can be rather silly, Yaz, but I am really clever. Time Lords - or Ladies - are renowned for our intelligence."

"You're the smartest person I've ever met," said Yaz, almost reverently.

"Thanks." The Doctor bit her lip, and almost seem ashamed. "That also includes memory. We have fantastic memories, Yaz. Instant recall and all that." Yaz thought better than to challenge that statement with specific examples to the contrary. "But lately... "

"Yes... ?"

Another sigh. "It's like I've... forgotten something. Something really important. Every now and again I get... glimpses. Not even that, just... something. A niggle in the back of my mind telling me that I'm missing something."

Yaz frowned. "Could it be the TARDIS tryin' to tell you?" She knew by now the box was sentient.

A shake of the head. "She feels it too. The old girl thinks she can hide her feelings from me - but she can't." The Doctor looked past Yaz, at nothing in particular, and Yaz could tell she was hurting more than she was letting on.

"Is there anythin' I can do to help?" she asked. "I mean... anythin' we can do to help?"

The Doctor smiled sweetly. "Just bein' with you helps alot," she said. "Don't worry, Yaz, I'll be fine - I promise. I'll work it out. So stop worryin' your pretty little head over me, OK?"

Now Yaz blushed. Every single time. "I can't promise that, Doctor. Maybe when you stop givin' me cause t'worry."

With that, the Time Lady took one of her hands and gave it a little squeeze. "I can't promise that, Yaz. But I'll do me best - for you." She then gave a lopsided grin. "Maybe it's just somethin' else I ordered from Kerb!am lifetimes ago and forgot about. I'll probably get another package tomorrow, this time with a stovepipe hat inside."

They shared a chuckle, before falling into a comforting silence, during which Yasmin Khan possibly never in her life wanted to kiss the gorgeous woman before her more. But of course...

The Doctor released her hand and moved back to the open TARDIS. Yaz tried ignoring the sting at the loss of contact. "See you in a few days?" she asked, dreading the answer.

Now the classic beaming smile. "I'll be waitin' right here."

She was gone all too quickly. Yaz stared at the now blank space where the TARDIS was, and slumped her shoulders. Time to get back to normalcy. Time to count down the days, hours, minutes until the woman who owned her heart returned.

Yaz turned to leave, then paused. Hold on a moment... something the Doctor said about Ryan and Graham... She frowned. "Who's Grace?"

She did not notice, on a wall just out of her view, there was a crack in the brickwork. A glowing, golden crack...

THE END