as always they aren't mine. The dialogue from a good man goes to war is from planetclaire dot org

Vastra finally caught up with Jack the Ripper on Dorset street in the early hours of November 9, 1888. She was too late to save Mary Jane Kelly, but the Ripper suffered greatly, and Madame Vastra enjoyed very fresh organ meat.

The adrenalin and the shock of seeing yet another victim left Vastra shaking. The ever faithful Parker was waiting nearby. Vastra trembled the whole way back to Paternoster Row, yearning more than anything for a hot bath and maybe a glass of wine.

Parker pulled up to the house. Madame Vastra dismissed him for the evening. It was an early night, by comparison because Vastra had been hunting until first light ever since the violent murders in Whitechapel began.

Jenny, as always, was ready to greet her "you're back early, ma'am . Another case cracked, I assume?"

Vastra was still shaky as she replied, with a twinkle in her eye "Send a telegram to Inspector Abberline of the Yard. Jack the Ripper has claimed his last victim."

Jenny was deeply relieved that this case was finally over, and extremely proud of her Vastra. " How did you find him?"

The twinkle grew brighter as she teased "Stringy. But tasty all the same. I shan't be needing dinner."

Jenny's pride overflowed, even as she knew she had to address the new mystery of the blue box. "Congratulations, ma'am . However... a matter has arisen in the drawing room. It just appeared. What does it mean?"

Vastra's eyes lit up as she saw the ancient time machine in her drawing room. At first she wondered why the Doctor hadn't come out to introduce himself, but then remembered how the Doctor explained he was banished by Queen Victoria. Just as well he stayed hidden. All she said to Jenny was "It means a very old debt is to be repaid. Pack the cases, Jenny. We're going to need the swords."

Jenny was giddy with excitement about finally being able to wield her sword in combat again. She packed quickly.

Vastra headed right into the Tardis. There was a man in a bow tie and another dressed as a Roman Centurian. The Doctor had regenerated since she last saw him. She scented the air to figure out which man was the Doctor even as the bow tie clad man grabbed her in a bone crushing hug. "How's my favorite Victorian Silurian - and who is that you're bringing with you?"

"Do you remember the little girl you guided me to save? Whose father died trying to save my sisters? "

"She's all grown up and " the Doctor clumsily made a gesture suggesting an adult woman's figure then blushed. Vastra hissed and blushed herself.

"She's my . . . maid and my assistant and . . . fiancée. "

"Fiancée? That's brilliant! When's the big day ? "

"Next June. Who's the Roman?"

"Rory the Roman. We're looking for his wife and baby. "

"Hello. Glad you and your fiancée can join us. Congratulations, by the way."

"I'm going to go see if Jenny needs help. I'm sure you have more stops to make."

"Yes, erm" the doctor was turning red.

"Out with it Doctor"

"Well, you're Victorian, and well, do you need, um, separate rooms?"

"Doctor!" exclaimed Rory, "leave the delicate conversations to me. Whatever you do, don't give them bunk beds"

"I'm never going to live that down, am I"

"We are accustomed to shared accommodation if that is acceptable for you." Vastra glanced at Rory, uncertain if that would make him uncomfortable.

"I'm a male nurse. My best friends, including my wife, all thought I was gay. I was really madly in love with Amy, and too scared to show it, but don't hold back on my account. Just because I can't be with her, you shouldn't be alone." His voice cracked and he turned away.

Just then, Jenny came in carrying the cases and swords. She looked around, stepped out, walked around the Tardis, and came back in.

"Oi, it's bigger inside!"

"Here we go again" Rory smiled through tears.

Jenny called over "soldier, can ya 'elp me wi' these?"

"It's Rory," he cleared his throat, and led Jenny to the room she would share with Vastra.

"What's troublin' ya"Jenny said as she offered a chair to Rory and took another herself, close enough to hold his hand.

Rory told her the whole story about Amy being pregnant then not pregnant, and finally melting in front of him just as they found out she was not only pregnant, but in labour. Jenny listened and comforted him.

"But enough about me, how did you end up engaged to be married to a Silurian?"

Jenny was flabbergasted. In her world there were two responses to her relationship with Vastra. Amongst other inverts, happiness for them, or jealousy. Amongst everyone else, disgust and fear. She didn't think Rory was an invert, but he seemed to accept their relationship as normal, well except for the Silurian part maybe.

"I was 'er maid an' assistant. She rescued me, I taught 'er about 'umans. We flirted. I kissed her, we're gettin' married. Don't know 'ow that'll work yet. "

"Get the Doctor to take you to the future?"

"We know a few priests who are inverts too. All we know for sure, there will be pontefract cakes, sherbet fancies, and raw, er rare steak. "

"Ok that was weird. You think I'd be used to the Tardis translation matrix by now. You said "invert' I heard 'queer'. Handy. ".

"We'll 'ave to talk more later. Madame is on 'er way. She'll be wantin' a bath".

Jenny either didn't notice or didn't respond to Rory's raised eyebrows at the 'Madame' . She could sense Vastra coming near, and that held her focus. Thankfully, their room had a jacuzzi tub and a queen sized bed. Vastra thanked the Tardis as she met Rory at the door.