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.

PART 4

"Run!" the Doctor screamed. "Keep running!"

Ahead of her, Hakim, Najia and Sonya sprinted as fast as they could. The TARDIS was in sight - just abit further…

Behind them, the soldiers continued giving chase. "No one escapes the Red-Eyed Turtle Army!"

Even as she kept running, the Doctor let out a chuckle. "Did it before, mate! And now I don't 'ave Graham's constant complainin'!" Not that she was particularly happy to bump into this species again.

Inwardly, the Time Lady chastised herself: she should have known something like this would happen, considering how well everything was going. Her attempts to explain and show her lover's family just who she was and what she and her Fam did, seemed to be working. Surely it could not have been her imagination: Sonya appeared to be enthralled. Take away her phone and she was so much like Yaz, inquisitive, clever and eager. Hakim and Najia were still clearly overwhelmed by it all, but considering the latter had experience with oversized arachnids, the Doctor surmised it was more to do with her true nature, rather than the fantasticalness of it all.

But of course, it could not last: those rocky outcrops were only hiding the residents of this world. Sure, Team TARDIS encountered the Red-Eyed Turtle Army before, but it was not like they traversed the entirety of this planet. Anyway, one thing led to another, misunderstandings escalated - which seemed to happen a lot to the Gallifreyan - and before they knew it, the four visitors were running for their lives, with the half-shelled soldiers in hot pursuit.

Eventually, they reached the TARDIS. The doors opened on their own, letting a terrified Khan family in, with the Doctor not far behind. The Time Lady slammed the doors shut just as a Turtle got within arm's reach, managing to make a glancing swipe at her legs.

With the four safely inside, the Doctor rushed to the console and, within seconds, the police box was back in the vortex. She let out a huge sigh and rested herself against the console. "Sorry 'bout that, Yaz's fam! Guess I miscalculated. I've met those green guys before, but obviously in another part of the planet. Not all worlds are restricted to one area." She frowned. "Well, some are. There's one planet that's little more than a house. That was a quick visit, let me tell… " She fell silent as she was met with three glares. "But er… it was still cool, right? Seein' another world, that was fun, wasn't it? I mean, before the… ahem… threats of capture and running away… "

The Khans remained silent, trying to get breath back into their bodies. Eventually, Najia spoke up. "Giant spiders… giant turtles… is this normal for you?"

The Doctor shrugged. "Well, it's not always giant animals. The universe is full of different types of life. Not all are friendly, but most are. Well, some. Well… "

"And Yaz… " said Hakim, "… you take Yaz to places like this?"

The Time Lady nodded enthusiastically. "And she's always amazin'! So brave and brilliant - she'd do anythin' to help. She's certainly been a massive help to me these past two years. She's been my pillar of strength, my hero… " - she paused, and gulped down the meaning of her next words - "… more than I can ever say."

Najia noticed Sonya appeared to still be out of breath - the second Khan girl was never the most active person. "Sonya, are you OK?"

"Yeah, yeah," she replied. "I gotta say, that was… pretty awesome."

"Not exactly how'd I'd describe it," mumbled Hakim.

"But it was," continued Sonya. "I mean, sure it was scary, but… I think that's the most fun I've ever 'ad. And Yaz does this all the time?" The Doctor again nodded vigorously.

"Wait, Jod… Doctor," came Najia's voice, concerned. "Is that blood?"

Frowning, the Time Lady glanced down and saw a rather nasty cut on her bare shin. "Huh - seemed the Turtles snagged me. I'll be fine, though, don't worry. If it was really serious, I'd be glowin'." As if on cue, a slot opened from the TARDIS console and a roll of bandage popped out. Taking it, the Doctor began wrapping her shin. "Cheers, love."

"Who are you talkin' to?" Sonya asked.

"The TARDIS. She wants to make sure I'm OK."

"She… ?"

"Mmm-hmm." The Doctor had a strip of bandage in her teeth as she finished bandaging up her wound. "The ship is alive," she explained casually.

Sonya was wide-eyed. "That is so cool."

"It is, innit? She takes care of me, and I her." The Doctor pursed her mouth. "Infact, she was rather against me showin' you all this, if I'm honest."

"Why?" Hakim asked.

"More to the point," interrupted Najia. "Why have you showed us this? We always knew you were rather… strange… but this is… is… I don't know what this is!"

"It's awesome is what it is!" said Sonya.

Taking a deep breath, the Time Lady knew now was the time. Everything she did today was for this moment, and she was going to seize it, before she lost the nerve. Clearing her throat, she dropped all whimsy and her jaw went straight. "Hakim, Najia, I brought you here… showed you all this, told you who and what I really am… because I have something very important to ask you."

The parents shared a concerned look.

"I am deeply, deeply in love with your daughter." The Doctor frowned again. "Er, your first daughter. No offence, Sonya."

"None taken," Sonya said sincerely, still beaming wide.

"I've spent hundreds - thousands of years alone," continued the Time Lady. "I rarely give my hearts out to someone else. But Yaz is one of, if not the, most amazing person I've ever met. And… " - she braced herself, ready to make the leap - "… I want to spend the rest of her life with her. I am asking you, Hakim and Najia Khan, for permission to marry your eldest daughter. I love Yaz with all my hearts, and I want her to be my wife. May I ask for her hand?"

The silence seemed to last an eternity. Hakim and Najia were holding each other close, while Sonya's jaw was almost hitting the floor. It was deadly silent; even the TARDIS' echoes were absent.

Yaz's parents again glanced at each other in thought, then turned back to the Doctor. Hakim looked at her dead in the eyes. "No."

TO BE CONTINUED