It had been silent outside the TARDIS for awhile now, but the Doctor refused to leave (or let anyone else leave) until he had located Clara and Molly on the TARDIS scanner. Normally, he wouldn't have had any trouble pinpointing the location they had called from, but there was a strange signal messing with the TARDIS's technology. He grumbled as the third error message popped up onto the screen.

"Maybe we should go out and search for them now," John suggested for the fourth time.

"Too risky," Sherlock answered, before the Doctor could go off on another rant.

"Sherlock, the longer we wait, the more danger they're in," John insisted.

"I'm aware, and I want them back as much as you do," Sherlock argued, "but we are no use to Molly and Clara dead."

John sighed, nodding in acceptance before returning to his pacing. It was all he had been doing since the TARDIS had landed, and it was starting to drive the Doctor insane. Once or twice, he had been about to snap at John and demand he stop, but then he looked into his eyes and saw the desperation there. He couldn't bring himself to after that.

The Holmes brothers had sat in silence most of the time. Sherlock had his hands clasped under his chin while he stayed deep inside his mind palace, only emerging to comfort John on occasion. Mycroft's eyes wandered everywhere, soaking in every bit of information he could. Had the circumstances been different, the Doctor would have been eager to give Mycroft a full tour, but finding his friends was currently top priority.

A loud knock echoed through the room, pulling everyone out of their thoughts. No one dared to move as they stared in shock at the door. The knock sounded again, snapping the Doctor out of his trance. He rushed to the door and stared out the window at the faces just outside.

He nearly did a double take at the sight of Clara and Molly, alive and well, standing just outside. He almost didn't even notice the stranger standing just behind them in his excitement. As soon as he got over the shock, he threw the door open.

Clara was in his arms before he even had time to realize whether she had made the first move or he did. The two best friends beamed at each other. "It's such a relief to see you!" Clara exclaimed, pulling out of the hug.

"Same for you!" the Doctor replied, laughing happily, not even caring that he wasn't a hugger.

She ran to John next, embracing him tightly and kissing him. "I've missed you," he said at the first opportunity.

"I've missed you," she replied, leaning her head against his shoulder.

Meanwhile, Sherlock had pulled Molly into a tight hug, and he gently kissed her forehead. He said nothing, but the relief was obvious in his expression.

Gently, the door latched shut, and the Doctor finally turned to see the stranger. He looked into their eyes and immediately recognize the look they held.

"You're a soldier," he stated.

"Not by choice," they responded. "I am fighting to bring peace between both sides."

The Doctor nodded in acceptance. "Did you kidnap my friends?"

"No," they answered honestly.

"Did you rescue them?"

"Yes."

The Doctor smiled slightly, deciding that he could trust whoever was standing in front of him. "Do you have a name?"

"Naia," they responded.

"She helped you escape?" John asked.

"They," Clara corrected.

"I'm agender," Naia explained quickly. "You will refer to me as 'they'."

Turning their attention to the Doctor, the asked, "Will you help me?" Their brown eyes met his with hope.

"I will," he answered, smiling wider. "This war is about to end."

In her relief, Clara nearly collapsed onto the TARDIS seat next to Molly. "Good to be back, isn't it?" she asked, grinning widely.

Her friend grinned back, giving her tired face life. "Wonderful," Molly replied. "I never thought I'd see this box again."

Clara sighed and leaned back in the chair. Her eyes closed. She no longer had the energy to keep them open. "I need a long nap, followed by a long shower."

"I feel the same," Molly agreed. "I could sleep for years."

"Lucky for us, the TARDIS is full of bedrooms and bathrooms," Clara told her.

"Really?" Molly asked, shifting forwards in her seat. "I suppose I've never really explored the halls."

"Ask Sherlock," Clara said. "He can find a bed or bath for you."

Molly thanked her and stood. As Clara listened to her footsteps echo through the TARDIS, her eyes grew even heavier behind her eyelids. The adventure had worn her down, and she could only imagine how much worse Molly must be feeling since her body wasn't used to it. Clara nearly fell asleep in her chair before a voice from behind her brought her back to reality.

"You look like you could use a nap," John said.

Clara hummed in response. "Some help finding a bedroom would be nice. I still don't trust the TARDIS."

She extended her hand, and John pulled her up. In her tired state, she nearly fell on him. Chuckling slightly, he took her arm and helped her balance. "Your chamber awaits, milady," he joked.

Clara snorted as she followed him down the hall. "A real bed will be a nice change," she admitted.

"I'm sure they don't have much of those on Adder," John replied.

"Not the part of Adder I was on," Clara answered with a laugh. "What with being imprisoned and on the run and all."

"You lead an exciting life," John mussed.

He froze suddenly, his eyes squinting suspiciously down at her. "You weren't surprised to see Sherlock alive."

"Oh don't worry, I'm going to punch him later when I have the energy," Clara answered, trying to brush him off with a shrug.

"How did you know?" John questioned, intensifying his gaze.

Clara sighed. She had been hoping that she wouldn't have to give her friend away, but he deserved the truth. "Molly told me when we were first captured," she admitted.

John smiled, but it wasn't a happy smile. It was the smile of a man trying to hide his pain. "She knew," he said softly.

"I'm sorry," Clara whispered. "Believe me, I wish I could change how the past year and a half has been for you."

The pained expression remained on his face as he continued walking. "I'm glad he's back. Don't get me wrong," he began. He trailed off as if unsure how to continue.

"But you're angry," Clara replied. "And you've every right to be. Have you had a serious talk with him yet?"

John shook his head. "We've been too busy trying to find you."

"Well," Clara said. "Perhaps now you should."