Today's the day the newlyweds, Karen and Arthur, returned from their honeymoon.
Six months have passed since the newlyweds left their world to stay on Mars for the six weeks on it.
They've enjoyed their time extensively and Arthur's bursting with novels he typed out during the honeymoon.
When he gets back to their place, he's going to sort through his novels, and slowly send them to his publisher. He's expected to reach his tenth book by the end of this year if he paced it correctly.
Karen's excited to start her training with the detective, of course, Arthur reminded her of her limitations and his concerns for her safety.
She told him multiple times that she can take care of herself and she's not going to let anyone pull one over her. Not on her watch.
Bringing up a good point, Karen said that it'd be good if she's a detective because then it'll help them if they run into any trouble.
However, all good things end and they're ready to return to their normal lives, refreshed, and ready to take it in stride.
Matt and Ripley closed the shop during lunch to go fetch them and when they arrived, they're squeezed by the couple as they've not seen them in so long.
Arthur grew a beard during the time he was away and his started turning a lighter brown from his time under the sun.
Karen's vibrant hair, bleached from the sun, shimmered with hints of blond.
Their skins tanned and they've been keeping tabs on what's been going on in their world as Matt and Ripley kept them up to date on the goings.
"We missed you!" Karen hugged Matt and Ripley for the umpteenth time.
Matt smiled as he said to her, "Welcome home, Kare!"
Running a hand through her hair, Karen excitedly talked about their honeymoon.
B'eemix was sad to see them go, Arthur was his best customer, but he gave Arthur his business card in case he ever needed a bartender for a party.
Arthur's tempted to invite him to his birthday party next year, if only to drink the Cosmos, the Galaxies, the Stardusts, the Blackholes, the Comets, and the Planetary Digests!
Of course, having to explain why there's an alien mixing drinks to his mates who haven't considered the idea of aliens existing, well, he'll do a themed birthday party. Costumed. That way, B'eemix can come and work his magic and everyone's none the wiser.
"Had a lot of fun?" Ripley asked them.
Smiling widely, Karen nods as she tells Ripley all the activities they did and how exciting it was learning how to water sport. Of course, Arthur stayed on the shore and watched, but he supported Karen all the same from the comfort of the beach chair and a cold drink.
"Well, I'm glad you two had a wonderful time!" Matt smiled at the couple.
Karen crossed her arms and asked a simple question, "So, get into any trouble while we were gone?"
Matt raised a finger as he trailed in his thoughts and Ripley stepped in to tell her that it'll talk a long while to explain what'd happen over the course of six months in their universe.
"Hm, how about something recent?" Karen suggested they start with something that happened not too long ago.
Matt said that Thanksgiving happened and that was a lot of fun.
Except for the embarrassing conversation he had with his mum about the markings on his wrist that made him and Ripley so red, they might as well be sold as heaters, but it ended well and his parents accepted Ripley.
So, that was something.
Even though he had to live with the fact his parents weren't green as he thought and caught on to what he was doing, even though he was careful.
Ripley received a late birthday present from Ianto with some friendly cuffs didn't help in the matter, either!
As the four conversed in the console room, Matt and Ripley noticed looks on Karen and Arthur's faces.
It bothered them, so they asked what was wrong.
"Well?" Karen asked.
Arthur crossed his arms as he interjected, "We're waiting!"
Confused, Matt and Ripley sheepishly asked what they meant.
They've kept them informed on everything that happened.
It appears the couple weren't green and saw through the façade like it wasn't even there.
"When were you going to tell us?" Karen inquired as Matt and Ripley looked on in confusion.
Arthur spoke up and said, "Yeah, how come you didn't tell us sooner?"
Looking confused, Matt and Ripley would've continued hadn't the couple spelled it out for them.
"You're not hiding it very well, mate," Arthur points at Matt's partially exposed neck. Peaking out from the collar, a mark on his neck that's slowly going away.
Blushing, Matt yanked his collar up.
Karen spotted the circular marks on Matt's wrists and pointed them out, further blushing as he yanked his baby blue sleeve through the tweed jacket and over the marks.
"I mean, we did have some adventures before then," Ripley brought up as she noticed Karen unconvincingly looked at her.
Karen then said as she raised a brow, "Some adventures, hm?"
Feeling their eyes on them, Ripley ended up telling the couple, "It… just… kinda happened."
The couple listen to Matt and Ripley discussing what happened prior and the culminating events that resulted in the blossoming of their relationship. They didn't tell them anything private, just what they felt like telling them and when they finished, the couple shared looks with each other.
"I knew it!" Karen smirked.
Matt and Ripley looked at her, confused.
Karen elaborated as she said that she always knew something was going on between the two even before then.
"You two fight like a married couple!" Karen points at them.
Ripley's taken aback and so is Matt at the accusation that they've fought so much like a couple, that to the untrained eyes they were together.
"Since when?" Matt crossed his arms.
Arthur brought up countless examples and by the time he finished, Matt's flushed in the face as he lowered his arms. He meekly said, "Well, when you put it like that…"
Curious, Ripley asked them why they didn't say anything prior if they caught the alleged tension between the two. Karen gave her reasoning as the fact that it's rather improper to discuss things like that with the Doctor and his boss.
Arthur plainly said that he didn't know how to broach the subject without Ripley hitting him with her cane.
Either way, the couple are happy for the two.
"Just one of those things," Matt held an arm around Ripley's shoulder as he smiled.
Karen asked when they'll have a double date soon and the couple looked at each other before shrugging their shoulders.
They've just been working at the shop, going on adventures, eating takeaway, like they've always been since they've grown comfortable enough with each other that they're not fussed with dates, anymore.
Once a while, they'll go out and have a date, but even then, they're not fussed about it. Some good cheap food, a movie, concert, whatever.
"Come on, it'll be fun, it can be one of the things we do since coming back," Karen offered as they've not seen Matt and Ripley for six weeks.
Thinking on it, the couple agreed to the dinner date, there's a grill place where they can sit around with cutlets of meats in different marinades they cook while discussing whatever came to mind.
Of course, if what the following conversation says anything, the dinner date will be an amusing sight for everyone in the restaurant!
"I never pictured you, of all people," Karen chuckled as she pointed out that Matt gave himself away with the markings on his wrist and neck.
Matt sheepishly remarked that, "Everyone deserves to have a little fun, every now again."
He felt Ripley's elbow as she gave him a quick look before Karen called to her and smirked as she asked about the marks on Matt's wrists.
Ripley shrugged as she tried to say, "Come on, have you met him, getting caught's part of his job description."
Karen's unconvinced at Ripley's explanation.
She giggled as she looked at Matt.
"Naughty boy!" Karen giggled at him.
Like a school girl, Karen gaggles at this scene and she's grateful of having stopped at the loo just before she left!
Matt turned so red, it's possible he could easily replace Mars if he wanted to.
Ripley didn't help with the matter as she sputtered that it was his idea in the first place.
Turning his head, Matt spoke up that she didn't have any problems with it, even took glee in it, and Ripley pointed out that all the things he did, he deserved it.
Their quibble made Karen turn red as she laughed hard at this. Arthur kept her upright as she held her gut, bellowing with laughter.
When Matt and Ripley finally stopped, Karen wiped her collected tears away from her tear ducts as she waved her hand. She's just taking the piss out of them, really, she's happy for them.
Everyone deserves a little fun every now again, within reason and safety, of course.
"Shouldn't we be getting back?" Arthur brought up that they ought to head back to their home and check up on everyone. His mum and dad would've wanted to know he's back in town.
Nodding, Karen said she'd have to talk to the detective she's supposed to shadow about her schedule.
Matt went towards the console and pushed buttons.
The air shifted and cooled. The sounds of metal sheets rubbing against each other echoed throughout the console room, until it ceased.
When the TARDIS landed, they went to the door and opened it, expecting the backroom of Ripley's shop, but it seemed that it's going to be one of those days.
Quizzically, they looked around to see they've landed somewhere near a loch with dark water.
"Um, where are we?" Karen asked Matt.
Matt blinked as he looked around the scenery.
"I… don't know," Matt frowned.
Sighing, Ripley said, "One of those days, again?"
