Six Months Later

Clara Oswald knew that the day was coming. Six months. They had been dating for six months now and while their relationship has been stable and wonderful, she hadn't told John the truth yet. Every time she worked up the courage to tell him, to be open and honest, she couldn't. Seeing that face full of adoration only for her terrified her. What if it ruins their relationship?

"You look more worried than I am," her boyfriend commented as he observed her carefully while fixing his tie.

She snapped out of her thoughts. "Well, it is a bit nerve-wracking," she admitted before examining John from head to toe as he was dressed in a white shirt and black dress trousers.

Clara Oswald was finally going to introduce her boyfriend to her father tomorrow night, but this evening, they were going to meet her aunt.

"Ogling again, Miss Oswin?"

She couldn't help but smirk. Since the past few months, John had started becoming more confident of himself and did she love it. She likes to think that she played a part in it, however small it may be.

The schoolteacher checked her hair in the three vanity mirrors, avoiding his gaze. "You wish."

He chuckled and hid his hands in the pockets of his trousers. "So just to be clear, your aunt is nice and your Linda is a nightmare I should avoid tomorrow?"

Clara turned around to face him. "Well, don't avoid talking to her completely," she pointed out, wishing that the woman wasn't part of the meeting.

Her father had phoned her a few days ago and had asked if wanted to have dinner with him. The thought of introducing John to her father then crossed her mind.

Dave had been trying to find out more about his daughter's boyfriend, but his effort had been less than successful. He could just as easily hire someone to follow his daughter around, but he didn't want to invade her privacy and break her trust, so he had no choice but stick to the notion that she would eventually instigate a meeting.

The schoolteacher recalled how excited her father sounded on the phone when she had suggested bringing John along to dinner. She couldn't help, however, fear for the worst when he finds out that the so-called boyfriend is a detective at Met.

"I have a feeling that he's going not going to be all that pleased with the age-gap," John commented as he put on a suit jacket.

Clara shook her head. That was the least of her worries. "I'm sure he'll see past that once he gets to know you a little better," she said, standing up before placing her hands on his shoulders. "Just relax and be yourself and hope to God I don't murder Linda."

He grinned. "Might be a bit awkward if you did."

She got on her toes and gave him a peck on the lips. "Not the first time a criminal and detective slept with each other."

"Don't see you more of the murder-type – more like a torturer-waterboarding sort of criminal," he said jokingly.

She giggled. "Looks like Mr I don't Do Banter is bantering."

"This isn't bantering."

Clara straightened his tie. "Anyway, that's something we'll be worrying about tomorrow night," she pointed out. "You have nothing to be anxious about tonight – Aunt Vastra is a very nice person."

John Smith felt optimistic that he could at least have a good impression on her aunt. That optimism, however, died down as soon as he spotted the woman from across the restaurant.

They locked eyes and she flashed him a knowing smile.

Clara, oblivious of her boyfriend, waved her hand to catch her attention.

"Hang on," John managed. "You didn't tell me your aunt was an MI5 officer."

The schoolteacher's eyes widened. "You know my aunt?"

"We worked together on a case," he revealed. "I was in counter-terrorism, remember?"

She recalled him mentioning this, but he never revealed much beyond that. "Well, isn't this another odd coincidence?" she joked.

"I don't feel so optimistic now," he admitted as they made their way to the table.

Clara snorted. "What did you call her?"

"Nothing, we got along fine."

She didn't see why he was acting so nervous. Silently, she reached for his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"My, my, my," Vastra said as they finally got to her and Jenny.

"Hi, Aunt Vastra," Clara greeted. "Hi, Jenny."

Both women had their eyes set on John who wondered what the hell he got himself into. The best he could do now is glancing at his girlfriend for some guidance. Anything, really.

"This is John Smith," the schoolteacher introduced, wrapping an arm around his. "John, my Aunt Vastra and Jenny."

Vastra smirked. "Yes, we know each other, dear."

"Worked on a case a few years ago," the detective added. "Um, nice to see you again."

"Yeah, he mentioned that earlier," Clara said as all four took their seats.

Jenny decided to start the conversation as she wasn't able to contain her excitement. "Clara said that you have a team of your own."

John fought the urge to bite his nails. "Yes."

"Still not a man of many words," Vastra commented lightly. "How's life as a DCS?"

"Fine, just solving cases and catching criminals," he replied, no longer feeling as tense as before. "What about you?"

"Enjoying retirement for the most part – spending time with my wife," Vastra revealed, glancing at Jenny. "Some days I take cases that interest me."

"You're a private detective?"

"More of a consultant, really."

"Aunt Vastra just hates being idle," Clara revealed, looking up from the menu.

The chatting then shifted to the schoolteacher and John took the opportunity to browse through the food and drinks selection.

"Clara says that you're quite the artist," Jenny mentioned.

He shifted his gaze. "Well, I'm not that good, but I can draw," he began.

Clara snorted. "Stop selling yourself short," she commented. "You should see his work."

John felt his ears burning and cheeks reddening, flashing her a kind smile.

"Good evening," a waiter greeted as he approached them. "Are we ready to order?"

The detective couldn't have been more thankful for the great timing.

"Come on, just admit that it wasn't that bad," Clara coaxed as they entered John's home.

"It wasn't as bad as I had imagined," he confessed, shutting the door and loosening his tie. "But I would have been happy if she didn't mention the part where I borrowed her car to chase the suspect."

She giggled. "Which you ended up denting the front end."

He grimaced at the memory. Vastra's vehicle was parked closer and so it was a no brainer to use hers to chase the fleeing suspect.

"If it's any consolation, my aunt likes you," she assured which earned her a smile.

"I just hope I give a better first impression to your dad."

Clara then realised that she hadn't even told him the truth yet. She had to do it tonight but couldn't bear the thought of her true identity causing a rift in the relationship.

"I think I'm going to go to bed early," John announced one foot on the step.

"There's something I've been meaning to tell you," she said, face serious.

The detective furrowed his brows. "Did I say something I wasn't supposed to during-"

"No, no, it's me."

He waited for her to speak.

"Right," she began. "You just have to promise not to get upset or angry."

He was even more confused now but remained silent.

"I think you should know about who I am before meeting my dad tomorrow," she continued, finally making eye contact. Those eyes of his full of nothing but adoration. She knew she couldn't do it. At least not yet. How could she tell the man she loves that she's been lying about her past? She loves him. "I love you," Clara blurted.

John's lips slowly formed into a grin.

She wondered why he looks amused at the same time. "Well, say something."

"For a second there, I thought you were going to say you were a supercriminal or something," he said.

Clara let out a nervous chuckle, trying her best to sound normal. "Sounds like something out of fiction."

He slowly approached her and gently held her wrist before bringing the back of her hand to his lips, never breaking eye contact. She could see it in his eyes. "I love you, Clara," he whispered. "Supercriminal or not."

Without another word, she got on her toes and kissed him, forgetting about her woes, forgetting about her intention earlier, everything. The only person who matters to her right now is John.

"Maybe we should take this upstairs?" he suggested, the moment their kisses grew more desperate.

She nodded and intertwined her hand with his, leading the way. She reasoned that the truth could wait just a little longer.

John Smith couldn't help but notice the change in Clara. She seemed a lot less strained and happier compared to before. Maybe it was because of the previous night. He was sure of it because he felt the same too.

"How do you feel about tonight?" she murmured, snuggling him.

He pondered the question for a moment. "He's likely going to hate me," he answered, lazily drawing circles on her back. "I can't imagine what your future step-mother's going to say."

"Her opinion doesn't matter and the same goes for my dad," she stated, kissing his shoulder.

John cracked one eye open. "So what's the point of meeting them, then?"

"Dad's been asking about you a lot."

"If dinner goes sideways, I suggest we leave early and go somewhere fun."

Clara chuckled. "Deal."

"Now, if you'll excuse me, Miss Oswin, I'm going to sleep in because a certain schoolteacher kept me up all night."

She punched his arm. "Oi, you're to blame, too."

His lips curved into a smile before he sighed and pulled her closer to him.

Later that day, the couple were preparing for dinner with Dave.

"Right, I have some good news for you," Clara announced cheerfully when John entered the room. "Linda's not coming."

"That's one last person throwing questions at us, I suppose," he commented.

"Exactly, no Linda to say something stupid."

John stared at his girlfriend. "You really hate this woman, don't you?"

"Hate is too strong of a word, dislike sounds better," the schoolteacher sighed. "But enough about her," she said. "Get dressed, detective."

"Yes, boss."