The Doctor couldn't stop staring at Yaz. And Yaz couldn't stop staring at the Doctor. And Ryan couldn't stop noticing it. Ryan liked to think he had a sixth sense about these things, because he was almost always right. He'd caught glimpses, glimmers of something simmering between the two of them, but he hadn't been too sure until Yaz had that awful migraine. Seeing the Doctor so worried about Yaz when she was in pain, the terror on her face (the Doctor would call it concerned, but Ryan knew better), and then the tender way Yaz had looked after her when their roles were reversed, Ryan felt there was more to it.

Whenever they went places, people normally assumed that Yaz and he were dating, and when people made that assumption, Ryan had noticed that the Doctor would quieten, or would completely ignore what was being said. The first few times he had put it down to the Doctor just being a bit weird, but the more it happened, the more she seemed to retreat, and he had to wonder why.

The most recent occurrence of what Ryan and Yaz jokingly called 'the assumption,' was when the Doctor had taken them to a fancy restaurant on one of Jupiter's moons in the 45th century. Ryan really couldn't make this stuff up. This was his life now.

The Doctor had asked them all to get dressed up, as, to quote, 'it was the finest restaurant in the galaxy, so that means no trainers Ryan!' As a team, they had scrubbed up pretty well. Ryan and Graham had pulled out three piece suits from the wardrobe, whilst Yaz had donned a long, dark blue dress, its sparkles catching the light as she moved around the console. Ryan assumed that the Doctor would just wear her usual braces and boots, but no, even she made the effort. She wore a dark red velvet suit, with dark shoes, not her usual brown boots. Ryan had to admit, she looked good. He just found it a shock to see her out of her usual attire.

So there they were, sat at one of the finest tables with one of the best views of space, and they had been having a great time. The Doctor had said they were dining amongst some of the most glamorous citizens in the galaxy. Ryan had been surprised that the Doctor had brought them somewhere so high-end, considering that she was usually so disdainful of the wealthy. The food had been exceptional, and the courses kept on coming. Ryan grinned at the Doctor when a particularly delicious dish was set in front of him.

'Doctor, this is epic! How did you get us the best seats here?' The Doctor tapped her nose conspiratorially, grinning back at him.

'I have friends in high places.'

'Yeah, and a psychic paper in low places.' Graham muttered, spooning the current dish into his mouth. The Doctor mock-scowled at him, causing Yaz and Ryan to laugh.

'Yes, thank you, Graham, ruin the illusion that I have good connections!' Yaz laughed again, and the Doctor glanced at her. Yaz patted her shoulder, causing the Doctor's smile to return.

'Don't worry Doctor, I believe you know lots of interesting people.'

'Thank you, Yaz. Always defending my honour.' Yaz grinned, patting her shoulder again. Ryan glanced between them, sensing the spark that was flickering again. Before he could say anything, the waiter came up behind him, clearly wanting to speak to him.

'Sir, would you like some more wine?' Taken by surprise, Ryan glanced around at the group, unsure. The Doctor subtly nodded, letting him know it was okay to order some more.

'Er yeah, sure. More of the same please.' The waiter jotted it down, and turned back to him.

'Very good sir, and some more for your lady friend?' He asked, gesturing to Yaz. It took Ryan a moment to fully register what the waiter was implying, but Yaz sat up straight in her seat, eyes widening in surprise. Graham choked on his next mouthful. The Doctor… well, her face dropped, losing the joviality from a few moments ago. It only lasted a second, before she plastered a fake smile back on her face. Before Ryan could answer the waiter, Yaz answered for him, salvaging the situation.

'Yes, I'll have some more of the house white, please.' She said shortly, hating that he was talking to her through Ryan. At the same time, it was hilarious that 'the assumption' had sprung up again.

'Very good ma'am.' He took another order off Graham, but the Doctor politely declined. When the waiter left, Ryan and Yaz shared a look. Then they dissolved into silent hysterics.

'Oh god, not again!' Ryan complained, slumping in his chair. Yaz grinned at him, laughing behind her hands.

'Why does that keep happening? I mean, do we honestly look like we're going out?'

Ryan grinned at her.

'I mean, you are hot, Yaz. Maybe he was checking to see if you were available.' Yaz guffawed at that, gently slapping at his arm.

'Well, you are the one that said I was too good for Danny Biswas…' She joked, causing Ryan to groan.

'Yaz, that was one time! That was an accidental compliment.' She grinned.

'And I'll never let you forget it.' Ryan sighed with exasperation. To tell the truth, Ryan had once considered Yaz as a potential interest. They'd always got on, and during school there had been a flicker of interest, at least on his part. When they'd started travelling with the Doctor, he had wondered if it would go anywhere. However, his feelings had changed the more he got to know her, and not in a bad way. He felt like he had gained a sister rather than a crush, and it was great to have a female best friend that he could just talk about anything with. Yaz had once described them as 'platonic soulmates,' and that was really, really accurate. So when they flirted and bantered, he knew it was all in jest, and he felt comfortable in knowing that. He knew that there would be no awkward unrequited crush on either half of their friendship.

He glanced up at the Doctor, who was watching their exchange with interest. Her eyes mostly remained on Yaz, he noted. Graham seemed to have noticed the change in her too, but didn't comment on it. Instead, he tried to change the subject.

'Alright, that's quite enough banter, you two.' The younger of the team members looked at each other before rolling their eyes at Graham. They turned to tuck until the next dish, when the waiter returned with the wine.

'Here you go sir, the red wine for you, and for your lady friend, the white.' He set the glasses down on the table. Ryan and Yaz shared a look, smirking. They both picked up their wine to drink at the same time.

'Er, yeah, thanks mate.' Ryan said awkwardly, before taking a sip. The waiter, however, wasn't finished.

'Sir, may I recommend the oysters for your next course? They are quite the aphrodisiac!' Yaz choked on her wine, whilst Ryan spat out his drink. Graham's eyebrows shot up into his hairline, and the Doctor's jaw dropped. Ryan looked at the Doctor in panic, now trying to avoid looking at Yaz. They often joked and bantered, but this was too far, even for them. He couldn't get the words out to answer the waiter. The Doctor felt his panic and decided to diffuse the situation.

'No, we're good thank you, that'll be all!' The waiter bowed, not seeming to notice the awkwardness he had launched across the table. He turned away, ready to misread the signals on another table. The group were left in silence, unable to look at each other. Ryan thanked the Doctor by nodding, but was still avoiding eye contact with Yaz. Yaz, meanwhile, looked down at the table, lips pressing against the rim of her glass. Graham put his spoon down on the table. He decided to speak up.

'Well, he was eager to please. Thought he wasn't going to leave your side at one point, Ryan.' Ryan looked at Graham, then at the Doctor, then finally at Yaz. Yaz looked back at him, now biting her lip. He could see the mirth twitch in the corners of her mouth. At that sight, he felt relief return to his limbs and felt his mouth quirk into a smile, repressing the laugh he could feel building up from his stomach. Yaz's eyes flashed at him, begging.

'Don't you dare,' she whispered through gritted teeth, repressing her own humour. He coughed out a laugh at that, which caused a woman from another table to turn around and look at them. Ryan noticed and put his hand over his mouth, holding in the laughter.

'I'm trying Yaz, I'm… trying not to… but he said…'

'I know what he… what he said.' Yaz pressed down another laugh, supressing it. They were both trying so hard not to laugh, not in the fanciest establishment in the galaxy. They both took a deep breath, before reaching to take a drink from their glasses. They set them down simultaneously, having calmed down a bit.

'Man, he really wants us to be together doesn't he?' Ryan commented, still grinning but now taking a bite of his dish. At his words, the Doctor's fingers tightened a little around her glass. She took a quick sip of the wine and set it down with a thud. She clearly hadn't realised how loudly she had set it down, as three pairs of eyes turned to her in surprise.

'Doc, you alright there?' Graham asked with concern. She nodded in the affirmative, although it seemed too enthusiastic, even for the Doctor.

'Yep, fine. Fine and dandy. Right as rain. I'm just gonna nip to the loo. Carry on without me!' Without another word, she jumped up from her seat and moved away from the table. Her three companions watched her go, confusion written all over their faces. A beat passed, before Ryan spoke.

'Okay, what just happened there?' Both Graham and Ryan instinctively turned to Yaz for the solution, as if she would know the answer.

'I-I don't know.' She said, genuinely none the wiser. Graham looked over her shoulder to see if he could still see the Doctor, but she had vanished around the corner of the bar.

'She's been a bit off since that waiter started serving us. Maybe she's suspicious of him for some reason?' Graham questioned, starting to think that this relaxing evening out wasn't going to be so relaxing after all. Ryan groaned at that.

'Really? Not an investigation on our day off!'

Yaz turned in her chair to see if she could still see the Doctor, but she had gone from their line of vision.

'Okay, I'm going to go and find her, see if she's alright.' Yaz started to get up from her chair, bustling her skirts together and then letting them fall against her legs as she stood up. 'Won't be long.'

'Sure? Want us to come with?' Graham asked. Yaz shook her head.

'Nah it's fine. She might have just genuinely gone to the loo.' Yaz didn't believe what she was saying for a second. She had seen the way the Doctor had held that glass in her hand. The way she watched the waiter as he served them. She knew something wasn't right. But she hoped she was wrong. The boys nodded at her, and she went in search of the Doctor.

Yaz passed the other tables quickly, not taking in the array of other species that dined around her. Her head was too full of worry. Was the Doctor okay? What was wrong? Was there a bigger danger here that had pulled her away? Was it something to do with the waiter? Yaz's copper instincts kicked in, as she surveyed the room for any sign of suspicious activity. Something in her gut told her that they were all safe, but there was no harm in being vigilant.

Once she was away from the tables, she passed the bar and headed towards the lavatories. She turned the corner, and was suddenly mesmerised. There, just around the bend was a massive viewing window of Jupiter. Everyone else was busy wining and dining to notice the huge planet that they were orbiting. The oranges and browns swirled past the window. Yaz's eyes cast down, and there was the Doctor, looking out at the massive planet. She had her back to Yaz, and had her hands in her pockets. So, not in the loo then.

Yaz took a deep breath and headed in the direction of her friend. They'd been in a similar situation before where the Doctor had vanished and Yaz had cautiously approached her. Yaz's stomach seemed to flip as she drew nearer. Not now, she thought, not when she'd had loads of food and wine. Being sick in front of the Doctor would not be a good move. Finally, she reached the Doctor's side, and looked straight ahead at the planet before them. Best to move in with a safe subject first. Yaz registered when the Doctor realised she was there, as she slightly jolted out her silent reverie.

'Jupiter is the biggest planet in our solar system, right?' She could sense the Doctor nod next to her.

'That's right. Five points to Yasmin Khan.' Yaz grinned at that, and relaxed a little. The butterflies settled slightly.

'It's so beautiful. And so, so big. It's so hard to comprehend. A bit like time travel, really.'

'Yeah, I suppose it is.' The Doctor responded. There was a pause.

'You know what else is hard to comprehend? Why a certain Time Lord is all the way over here, when her friends are missing her company at the finest restaurant in the galaxy.' Yaz commented, still looking at the vast planet. She moved nearer to the Doctor, slightly poking her in the side with her finger.

'I just went to the loo, and got distracted,' the Doctor lied. Yaz turned to face her.

'And what really happened?' She asked softly. The Doctor turned to look at her, surprised at Yaz's perceptiveness.

'What do you mean?' She asked, sounding a little nervous. Yaz hooked her arm around the Doctor's, letting her hand rest in the crook of the Doctor's elbow.

'We were concerned the waiter was up to something. Is everyone here safe?' She asked more quietly, not wanting to alert anyone to their suspicions. To her surprise, the Doctor looked at her in confusion.

'The waiter? He's harmless, if a little… inappropriate.' The Doctor chose her words carefully. 'There's no danger here.' She added. Yaz blew out a sigh of relief.

'Thank goodness.'

'Is that what you were worried about?' The Doctor asked her seriously. Yaz shrugged.

'Well, you seemed to be suspicious of him, and then you ran off. We thought something might be wrong, so I came to find you.' The Doctor turned her face away, looking back at the planet. She was silent for a moment, her expression changing.

'I wasn't suspicious. I just didn't like him.' Yaz tightened her grip on the Doctor's arm.

'Why not?' The Doctor turned her head back to Yaz, pulling her closer.

'I… just didn't like his manner.'

'But you like everyone!'

'Most people, yes, but I didn't like the way he was so presumptive.'

'Of me and Ryan?'

'Yeah.'

'But that happens all the time! It's a running joke.'

'I know, but…' The Doctor paused. 'I wouldn't want anyone making you feel uncomfortable. The way he was speaking to Ryan about ordering for you, and then the whole oysters thing, showed he had little respect for you.' The Doctor sighed, tired. 'Now that I've been a woman for a while, I'm really starting to see why being a woman is harder. I just never want you to feel bad, especially on a night out like tonight.'

Yaz gave her a small smile, squeezing her arm gently.

'I'm having a great time, don't you worry Doctor. I just hope you are too.' The Doctor's smile returned, and she brought her hand to cover over Yaz's on her arm.

'My night seems to have picked up again.' Yaz's heart leapt when she felt the Doctor's hand come into contact with hers. The Doctor's eyes scanned over her face, flickering between her eyes and her lips. Yaz's heart started thudding erratically. Was she moving in? When had they got so close? They were suddenly broken out of their bubble by the sound of chatter.

'Doctor? Is that really you?' The pair turned to find a woman in a dark red dress looking at them in wonder and excitement. The Doctor squinted, trying to work out who was addressing her.

'Caroline? Caroline Parker?' The Doctor inquired. Caroline rushed over to them, putting out her hand to grab onto the Doctor, causing Yaz to let go of her. She pulled herself up a little and planted a kiss on her cheek. The Doctor looked at her, stunned. Caroline pulled back, beaming a toothy smile up at her.

'The one and the only. Best reporter this side of the galaxy. Or so people tell me.' Caroline cackled. Yaz could already feel her irritation start to rise.

'What brings you here?' The Doctor asked cordially. Yaz glanced at her friend, and could tell the tell-tale signs that she wasn't happy to see this woman. Her hands were fisted into her pockets, and she glanced at Yaz, begging for help. Caroline didn't seem to notice and carried on.

'Well, this place needs reviewing and they wanted to best writers, so here I am.' God, she was getting more obnoxious.

'Right, well, that's good,' the Doctor commented. She looked back at Yaz, and extended her arm to her, willing her to take it. Reading her cue, Yaz happily took the Doctor's arm back and stood flush to her side. Caroline watched the interchange.

'Ah yes, the Doctor and her companion. Loving the new female body Doctor, talk about an upgrade!' The Doctor blushed, and Yaz felt for her. She gave her arm a gentle squeeze. I'm here, she said through touch. I won't leave you alone with this woman. Caroline looked between them, devious expression all over her face.

'And this must be River Song!' Yaz blinked in confusion. The Doctor stiffened at the name.

'No, Caroline, this is…'

'Oh this must be Rose!' This time the Doctor looked like she'd been slapped.

'No, this is…'

'No hang on, my Doctor history is a little rusty but I can do this. Is this Martha?' The Doctor recoiled again.

'No, Caroline, this is…'

'Donna? Amy?'

'Caroline, I'm trying to tell you…'

'I'm really bad at this, what a laugh! Okay, I've got it, this is Clara! Or are you Bill?'

'My name is Yasmin Khan.' Yaz practically shouted over the top of the other woman's ramblings. Caroline cocked her head at her. Her eyes seemed to ponder, before they came back to land on her.

'Sorry, never heard of you.'

'She's new to travelling with me.' The Doctor said protectively. Yaz felt her heart warm a little at the Doctor's tone, but it was also clenching in tight. Who was River? Or Rose? Or any of the other women Caroline had just listed? The Doctor had never mentioned any of them, but they clearly meant something to her, from the way she had stiffened at each of their names. Yaz had no right to be jealous, none at all. She knew there must have been others before her and the boys, but having it laid out by a stranger made it too real.

Caroline nodded at her, but had clearly lost interest in Yaz, especially as she wasn't even on the list.

'Doctor, will you join me for a drink? I'd be more than happy to write another article about you!'

'I didn't want an article written in the first place,' the Doctor muttered under her breath. Caroline strained forward to hear her.

'Sorry Doctor, what was that?'

'I said I'd love to, but I've already got plans for this evening. Another time.' She stated, but not offered. The Doctor unlooped her arm from Yaz, and then brought it round to loop around Yaz's waist, her hand coming to rest respectfully just above Yaz's hip. Yaz felt the redness and warmth start to creep up her cheeks, a blush settling yet again. Caroline watched the interchange with interest.

'Very well, another time.' She waved them off, turning back to her dinner party. 'Enjoy your plans.' The Doctor waved her off, waiting until she had vanished before letting out a sigh of relief.

'God, I hate the press.' She muttered to Yaz. She glanced sideways at her friend. 'Are you alright? I'm sorry about Caroline, she's a bit much. I try to avoid her, but I always forget what century she lives in.'

Yaz nodded, but her mind was still reeling, and it wasn't from Caroline herself. It was what she had brought up about the Doctor's past. Yaz didn't want to be the one to sound all jealous about the Doctor's exes… wait… were they even exes? Ex-companions? Ex-somethings? From the way the Doctor had reacted, they sounded like they had all been close, in whatever way that was. The Doctor looked at her, reading the questions from Yaz's face. She loved that she was so expressive. Yaz looked at her, realising the Doctor was trying to read her face.

'I don't want to ask invasive questions.' She answered the Doctor's unasked question.

'But you have questions.'

'Well, yeah, but it's none of my business.'

'Then ask them.' The Doctor paused, then whispered. 'I want to you feel comfortable asking me things, even if you think they'll hurt me.' Yaz's eyes widened at that, so the Doctor continued. 'I want to be open with you.'

'But I don't want to hurt you.' The Doctor grinned at her, pulling her impossibly closer to her side.

'Oh, Yasmin Khan, you are amazing. I probably don't tell you that enough. Absolutely amazing.' She then pulled Yaz into a grateful hug, which Yaz immediately reciprocated. Strong arms wrapped around her, and once again she felt like she was in the safest place in the whole universe.

Yaz whispered into the Doctor's ear.

'Not here. Back on the TARDIS?' She asked, wanting privacy for the conversation. She didn't want another Caroline interrupting. She felt the Doctor nod into her shoulder.

'Okay, back on the TARDIS.' They stayed in their embrace for a few seconds longer, before slowly extracting themselves from one another. They glanced at each other, before laughing, a little nervously. The Doctor offered her arm to Yaz.

'Back to dinner first. You haven't tried their pecan pie yet!' Yaz grinned and took the offered arm, allowing the Doctor to lead her back to their friends.