John took a quick glance at his sleeping partner and smiled as he noticed that she was fast asleep, just as he had predicted and hoped she would. It was the reason why he had suggested them leaving so early in the morning.

Clara had been throwing him questions here and there, attempting to get a hint of where he was taking her, but he was resilient, insisting that the surprise would be ruined.

By the time the couple reached their destination, she was still asleep, and he decided to let her get some proper rest while he checked in at the reception.

John was pleased to find her awake when he returned to the car with a set of keys.

Clara took in the scenery around her. "Where did you kidnap me to?" she asked jokingly.

"I will have you know that I didn't kidnap you and that you came here on your own free will," he said with a grin and opened the bonnet. "As for where," he continued, pulling out their suitcases. "York."

Her eyes widened in surprised. "You drove us all the way to York?" she said enthusiastically.

The detective waved his hand in the air, gesturing to the lake next to their cottage. "York."

She grabbed the lapels of his jacket before kissing him square on the lips. "Didn't know you could be so romantic."

"It was actually Donna's idea," he confessed as they headed for the cottage. "She suggested I take you somewhere during term break."

"And you made the right decision listening to wise Donna."

"She's not that wise," he mumbled, unlocking the door.

"Just admit it."

He pushed the door forward before looking over his shoulder with a twinkle in his eyes. "No."

"Wow, this is beautiful," the schoolteacher commented, looking around the cosy living room. "There's even a fireplace."

"Not really that useful since it's boiling right now," John commented as he peeled off his jacket and hung it on one of the hooks attached to the wall.

"Still nice to have and see," Clara said before entering what seemed to be the only bedroom. "You've really outdone yourself, John Smith."

He followed her inside before leaving their suitcases next to the mattress. "It wasn't a difficult choice after doing a bit of research."

"You mean googling?" she suggested, wrapping her arms around his neck.

He placed his hands on her hips.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

John arched a brow. "The room feels a bit chilly despite the weather outside?" he guessed, hoping he was right.

Clara chuckled. "Daft old man," she murmured before snogging him.

"Oh."

"Yes, oh."

Without warning, he lifted her off the ground and twirled her around, earning a gasp before it turned into a fit of giggles.

"The nearest supermarket is Asda and it's just ten minutes from here," John stated, lazily watching his girlfriend look for her clothes. "Drove past it."

"We'll just go there then," she suggested. "So, come on."

"Five more minutes?" he requested, stretching.

She grabbed his shirt and tossed it at him. "And who was it earlier complaining he was hungry?" she laughed.

"Excuse me for driving four hours straight while you sleep throughout the journey," he replied, fighting the urge to flash her a grin.

Clara raised her eyebrows. "Didn't think a four-hour journey could tire you out so easily."

"That and obviously the exercise we've been doing," he mumbled, pulling the duvet up.

She laughed before launching herself at him. "Oi, don't you dare go to sleep!"

"This isn't helping," he groaned as she draped herself across him.

"Come on then, detective."

John cracked one eye opened and took in the sight of her. She was doing those things with her eyes again. It was impossible to say no.

"We might as well explore the town."

He beamed. He loves her to bits. "Yes, boss."

She climbed out of bed and went straight to the bathroom while he gathered his clothes, happy and content.

He couldn't wait to have dinner under the stars later in the evening. It would be fantastic.

Once the couple finished their food shopping, the schoolteacher insisted they drive past the small town not far from where they were, just to take a few pictures.

"Looks like there's a wedding," John commented, slowing down when he spotted a crowd walking out of the church.

He felt his heart jump out of his chest when he spotted a familiar face among the cheerful guests. A man he met not too long ago. The groom himself. Dave Oswald.

The vehicle halted and the detective glanced to his left.

Clara had her mouth agape as she stared at her father, all smiles and arm linked with the bride. Her face went pale and tears were threatening to come out of her eyes.

She made eye contact with her father in the final moments before ordering John to drive.

He didn't need to be told twice to step on the accelerator. The car zipped past the scene and he thought it would be best for them to return to the cottage, the happy mood ruined by what they just witnessed.

The journey felt longer than it was and the detective pin-pointed it to the silence in the car. Not a single word was uttered. Just total silence.

He could tell she was crying as she faced the other way, sniffing every now and then and it broke his heart to see her in such a state.

Once they reached their accommodation, neither made a move to leave the vehicle.

John considered his words very carefully. "Clara," he said gently, hoping she would at least look at him.

She wiped the tears and glanced at him. Her eyes and nose were red. Clara then opened the door and got out, hugging herself.

He quickly went to her side and hugged her, hoping that the gesture would at least make her feel slightly better. She had mentioned to him on several occasions that she loves hugs.

The sobbing then started, and John guided her to the cottage, mind racing. What is he supposed to do in a situation like this? He was terrible at comforting people.

He set her down on the sofa as she continued crying into his chest.

Eventually, she calmed down, but he refused to let her go until he was sure she was completely fine, which was unlikely. "I'm sorry you had to see that."

Clara's eyes were half shut. "I can't believe he would do such a thing," she said tiredly, voice hoarse.

"He could have just told me," she continued. "I'd still be supportive even if I don't like Linda."

"I'm sorry for taking you here," John murmured, regretting the decision.

She lifted her head. "Don't you dare apologise – this isn't your fault."

He still couldn't help but feel bad. Maybe he should have taken Donna's suggestion of travelling to Brighton seriously.

"Don't kick yourself over it," she said. "If we had gone someplace else, I would have never known how selfish he is."

A ringing sound tore their moment and it came from Clara's bag. Both knew exactly who was calling.

John continued rubbing Clara's arm soothingly until the ringing stopped. They had a few more days left, and he wasn't sure how that was going to turn out since all his plans are ruined to put it simply.

"We can go back to London if you want."

"God no," she retorted. "You didn't drive us here for nothing."

He flashed her a kind smile. "I wouldn't mind."

"I enjoy our alone time together," she insisted, placing a hand on his cheek. "Nothing but the two of us."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

He nodded. "Ok, if that's what you want."

Clara thought it might be a good idea to change the topic and elevate the mood a bit. She was determined to spend as much quality time with John as possible. "I saw that picnic blanket you were hiding in the cupboard," she commented.

"Thought you'd fancy dinner under the stars."

Finally, she cracked a small smile. "I'd love that very much."

Dave inhaled deeply and breathed out of his mouth as he tried his best to control his temper while waiting for the receiver on the other end to answer his call. "I thought I made it clear that you'd report her every movement to me."

"I meant to text you after your reception, sir," Danny lied, bracing himself for whatever was coming.

"Don't play games with me, Pink," Dave said through gritted teeth. "How fucking stupid do you think I am?"

Danny said nothing, taking whatever anger and insult his boss threw at him.

"I know you care about her Pink and look what you've done – had you told me she was holidaying here with that detective I would have taken the measures to avoid them."

The former soldier didn't expect the conversation to take such a turn. He had known Dave Oswald for about five years and he never had the impression that he was the sort of person to blame everyone but him for any sort of misfortune.

"One more screw up from you, Pink, and you'll be dealt with," Dave threatened. "Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir."

Danny lowered the mobile phone from his ear. He was expecting the call to go a lot worse. As much as he hated reporting to Dave, at least he was still in charge of Clara's safety.

He thought about sending her a message, asking if she was ok. Well, that would be stupid since it's likely that she's upset and even if she is, she has her boyfriend.

It wouldn't hurt just to send her an apology.

He exhaled through his mouth before unlocking his phone and composing a message.

"I think the last time I did this with my parents, I was around nine."

"I've never done this before."

John and Clara were laying on top of a blanket, observing the stars in the skies.

"Ever wondered what's out there?" she inquired, almost in a whisper.

He glanced at her. "Back when I was young, I used to think there were multiple universes out there," he said, feeling silly already. "I know it sounds ridiculous-"

"Nothing ridiculous about that," she interrupted.

He beamed before looking back at the bright stars. "I'd imagine there would be a different version of me somewhere out there, living life as maybe a doctor or even a time-traveller or both!"

Clara grinned. She could definitely see him as an eccentric time-traveller.

"Maybe that version of me would kidnap you from school every now and then just to travel to a planet where it's made of ice-cream."

"I'd love that," she whispered, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. "Just the two of us zipping through time and space."

"Are you ok?" he asked, thinking that it was finally safe to ask that question.

She rested a hand on his chest. "If I'm honest, no," she confessed. "I… I'm angry and upset and I feel betrayed."

"It's even more worrying if you said you were fine."

She didn't want the moment to be ruined with the thoughts of her father. "What do you have planned for us tomorrow?"

John shrugged. "It's up to you what you want to do – I only got this far," he explained. "You're the boss."

"I'll be honest, I don't feel like leaving the cottage," she began. "And the WIFI here is surprisingly good for being secluded."

"Stay in bed all day and 'binge-watch' something as the young people say while eating ice-cream?" he guessed.

She nodded. "You read my mind."

"It's a good thing we have ice-cream."

Clara beamed before she captured his lips. Things were going to be just fine with John around.