DISCLAIMERS/NOTES

1. This is a fan fiction based on characters owned by the BBC. I DO NOT OWN THEM. This is just for fun.

2. This is a femslash story. If you don't like that sort of thing, you won't like this.

3. You'll notice this largely ignores - or at least, doesn't bring up - the revelations in the 2020 series. I'll probably address them at somepoint, but in the meantime, I have a story I wish to tell, and introducing elements like the Timeless Child details or destruction of Gallifrey would overcomplicate an already complicated self-canon. Also, with the Doctor and Yaz being together in this canon, I presume the Doctor wouldn't be as secretive about her origins and homeworld. If she's in a committed relationship, I've reasoned she'd be far more open to her girlfriend. So, at least in my stories, the Doctor isn't as hung-up on her past... well, not as much as in the actual show.

4. Real talk. While I'm currently COMPLETELY FINE, I'm also in the high-risk demographic of the current worldwide pandemic, so I've decided to update three times a week for this story, just in case.

PART 1

"Yaz… we can't… can't keep… keep doin' this… " The Doctor struggled to get the words out.

"Then come with me this time," whined her companion, arms wrapped tight around the taller woman's neck, all the while stealing kisses.

"Y… mmpph… Yaz… " The Doctor managed through her girlfriend's eagerness, but it only reinforced her resolve to send her on her way. "Yaz," she chuckled, finally creating some distance between their faces. "Y'know that would be silly. You 'ave work."

Yasmin Khan, very uncharacteristically, pouted. "Then stay with my family. They really should get t'know you better."

A moment of pause passed over the Time Lady, and as always, the policewoman noticed immediately. "What's wrong?"

Quickly lighting her face up again, the Doctor shook her head. "Nothin', love. It's just that I 'ave things t'do."

Yaz gave a lopsided smirk. "Like what? I know for a fact that the TARDIS doesn't need any work."

"And how would you know that?"

"She told me," Yaz replied smugly.

The Doctor rolled her eyes. "Suuuurrre… "

"Honest!"

The Gallifreyan frowned, but was certain Yaz was just trying to distract her. Probably. "Listen, we both know that you still have your police work. I wouldn't be a very responsible girlfriend if I kept you away from that anymore than I already have." She grinned. "Besides, your mum would kill me."

Sighing, Yaz seemed to relent. "At least come back to the flat with me. Stay until I leave for work." She planted another kiss to the Doctor's accepting lips.

"After what you told me the other month, I don't think your family would want t'see anymore padda between us for awhile." Hence why they started saying goodbye in the TARDIS rather than walking to Yaz's block of flats. As always, Graham and Ryan left ahead of Yaz, knowing the two women wanted a few final minutes to themselves. Or hour. Or three.

The Human frowned at the Doctor's odd sentence. "Padda?"

The Doctor nodded. "Yeah, y'said they caught us havin' padda. Though I don't recall passerine birds bein' around at the time."

With that, Yaz burst into laughter. "Oh, Doctor! I said PDA… public displays of affection!"

"Oooooohh," came the slow response. "That makes more sense."

"Sometimes I think you just act silly to make yourself more adorable."

The Doctor gave a cheeky grin. "Is it workin'?"

Rolling her eyes, Yaz instead kissed the alien again, and the Doctor indulged herself in enjoying her girlfriend a little more before she left. She tightened her grip on Yaz's back, bringing her closer and deepening their kiss. Once again the Time Lady found herself both amazed and exhilarated at how this girl made her feel.

Which just strengthened her decision…

Finally separating their lips, the two stared into each other's eyes, simply bathing in the closeness. Looking into those beautiful brown orbs, the Doctor knew without a shadow of a doubt - what she planned to do today, was the right thing.

After a few more pecks, the two women parted reluctantly. The Time Lady was determined not to delay her beloved anymore, and decisively broke all physical contact. "Now go," she mock-ordered. "Patrol the streets like only PC Yasmin Khan can."

"I will," Yaz chuckled. "How long will you be?"

"If you like, I can be ready tonight, when you're back from work."

Yaz's eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yup. And if you're good, I might 'ave a special surprise for you."

As expected, the Human's face lit up. "A surprise?"

"Yup," repeated the Doctor. "But t'come back from work, you have to go to work. Go on, hop it."

Yaz frowned quizzically, but kept the happy smile, before giving one last parting kiss to the Time Lady. "I love you," she breathed.

"Right back at ya," the Doctor replied sincerely. "More than anythin'." Yaz's eyes glazed at those words, as they often did. But the Doctor was insistent and eventually, the policewoman opened the TARDIS doors and was gone.

Finally alone, the Gallifreyan narrowed her eyes. "Did you really tell her you didn't need any work?"

A few bleeps and bloops came from her surroundings.

"I know you're just tryin' to stop me," said the Doctor. "But forget it: I've made my decision. Infact, if you really are in telepathic contact with Yaz, then that just makes me evenmore determined! It proves it's the right thing t'do!"

A whirr.

"Of course it is! How can you even ask that? I love her, she loves me - it makes perfect sense!" The Doctor frowned. "You're not… jealous, are you?"

The console room suddenly jerked sideways, nearly sending the Time Lady to the tilted floor as she struggled to keep her balance. She gripped onto one of the crystal pillars before the room righted itself. "OK, OK, sorry!" she huffed, running a hand through her dishevelled hair. "I should'a known. But if not that, then what is it?"

More sounds echoed around her.

"Aw, that's sweet," said the Doctor. "But I'll be fine. There's nothin' to worry about, really. It's a dead cert."

After more noises, her jaw dropped. "I am so thinkin' clearly! Never been more clear in me life!" More beeps. "Irrational?! First of all, I'm so not being irrational, and second of all, even if I was, since when has that stopped me?! But that doesn't matter, 'cos I'm not bein' irrational! So ner!"

There was a slight pause, before more bloops. The Doctor rolled her eyes. "Like I said, it makes perfect sense. I've read up on it. This is how I'm supposed to do it." She scrunched her face. "'Least I think it is. Besides, it's only fair. They deserve to know, and it has to be a surprise for Yaz. This is the best way."

The sounds lowered in tone, setting the Doctor's jaw firm in response. "No. That's exactly why I have to do this. Time is one thing I don't have. Y'know how reckless she is… always tryin' to impress me." She smiled at the thought. "Always being so brilliant… my brilliant Yaz… "

A few moments of silence filled the room. "I know I'll lose her eventually… " the Doctor said through a thin mouth, pained at the truth of those words. "But until then… " Taking a deep breath, she nodded in determination. "Look, you know I've thought long and hard about this. And I appreciate your concern, and that you're worried that I'll get hurt. But I'll be hurt in the end anyway. And I… " A loving smile crossed her face. "I need her."

The next hour was filled with the Doctor generally pottering about. She did not wish to jump ahead in time just incase she miscalculated, or the TARDIS sent her astray. She knew her beloved box was just looking out for her, but as she explained, this was something she had to do.

When the time was right, the Doctor left the old girl and soon found herself standing infront of a door. After knocking, the door opened and the alien was greeted by a surprised face. "Doctor!" exclaimed the person within.

"Hi, Najia," replied the Time Lady. "I hope this isn't a bad time."

Najia Khan looked confused. "Well, I'm afraid you've missed Yaz. She left for work half-an-hour ago." She eyed the woman suspiciously. "I thought you'd have known that. She spends all her time with you, after all."

The Doctor shrugged. "Well, we're a couple, so it makes sense that she would." She did not notice Najia's slightly put-out face at the bluntness.

"Ah, hello Jodie," Hakim said from inside the flat. "Or is it Jane?"

"Jodie Jane, right?" offered Najia.

"Doctor's fine," came the reply, which Yaz's mum raised a brow at. Still, she moved to allow the visitor entrance to the house. The Doctor, however, stayed on her spot just in the doorway.

Both parents noticed and looked expectantly at her.

The Doctor took another deep breath. "Najia, Hakim - there's something you need to know…"