"I think we got some really great photos today," Clara said as she and the Doctor came out of the tube station.
They had spent the entire morning and most of the afternoon in Hyde Park, getting various shots of people, nature, and even the odd animal. It had been a really relaxing time, both of them feeling at ease, for the first time in a long time, which was likely because neither of them had brought up their meeting in the coffee shop earlier that week. Clara was, however, wondering if Missy would be coming to the party and wasn't sure if she should bring it up.
"I think the photo you got of that older couple on the bench was really nice," the Doctor added.
"Yeah, I'm glad we spoke to them and I was able to find out where to send them a copy."
"They will absolutely love it."
The pair turned down the street with the record shop they liked to go to and decided to pop in and see if there was anything new. It had been some time since they had been there together, but they immediately slipped into their old routine of quietly searching and sharing albums. They were both flipping through the alternative rock section when Clara finally decided to ask about the party.
"So you're going to the engagement party, right?"
"I think as the best man I have to."
"Right. I still can't believe that the two of them chose the two of us to stand beside them."
"Well it is a little odd, that's for sure, but without us they wouldn't be together, in a weird twisted way of fate."
"Yeah, I suppose that's true," Clara replied, flipping through more albums and not looking at the Doctor. "So are you bringing Missy?"
The Doctor suddenly had a feeling of dread overcome him. They had intentionally avoided the topic of Missy, but now it seemed he couldn't.
"Uh, yeah, I am. I hope that's okay?"
Clara was disappointed to hear that as she was hoping tonight might be a chance to get James and the Doctor interacting more socially. However, with Missy that wasn't likely going to be the case.
"Of course, it's okay. Why wouldn't it be?"
"I just wasn't sure after the other day if it would be."
"It's fine. Well not fine the way she spoke to me, but fine that she's going to be there."
"I really am sorry about that. I spoke to her after and, not that it justifies it, but she misunderstood our break up. She thought that you broke my heart and was angry about that. So maybe you two just got off on the wrong foot."
"Maybe." Clara flipped through some more records, neither of them saying anything until the Doctor spoke again.
"Is James coming with you?"
"Yes."
More flipping and silence.
"I didn't think he would be into that kind of thing," the Doctor stated quietly, not paying attention to the albums he was searching through.
"Me either. But I guess people can surprise you. Are you going to be okay with him there? Because honestly, I thought you were both working towards being civil, but after the other day, I'm not so sure."
The Doctor didn't want to bring up his confrontation with James, mostly because he knew Clara wouldn't listen without proof, but he did feel like he should at least try and warn her.
"I just don't trust him and I really question his motives for coming back here."
Clara moved to a different section and started flipping through more vinyl. The Doctor moved with her and started looking through the stack next to her, both just going through the motions more than anything.
"What other motive would he have other than to expand his business," Clara stated.
"You've never questioned him about it?"
"Sure, when I first met him, but why would I do that now?"
"Maybe because of his past," the Doctor tried to push her.
"What about it?"
"You don't wonder how a kid from Glasgow created a successful business from nothing?"
"Lots of people do that. Why should he be any different?"
The Doctor couldn't believe just how much Clara seemed to trust him, which really was beginning to worry him. He knew how James felt about her, but maybe her feelings were more than what she wanted to admit. Being subtle wasn't seeming to work and he was going to have to be a bit more straightforward. He stopped what he was doing and looked at her.
"Clara, he was able to move to New York and start his business because of money he stole from a gang of drug dealers."
Clara stopped what she was doing and turned to look at him. Was he seriously implying that James hadn't given up the life of crime?
"And what, I'm supposed to judge him on his past mistakes? Should I judge you on yours?"
"No." The Doctor was frustrated now and knew he didn't want to continue on this path with her, which is why he should have just let it be until he had proof. "I just think you
should be careful around him because I'm not entirely convinced that his motives are in the right place."
Clara didn't say anything because she wasn't sure how to respond. She understood that after the kidnapping the Doctor was concerned for her, but she was an adult and was capable of taking care of herself. There was something inside her that didn't want to admit that he had a point and that maybe this was the reason she wasn't letting herself fall for James. She really just wanted to drop the whole subject. I mean, he really wasn't in a position to chastise her on who she chose to date. She still had no idea what he even saw in someone like Missy.
"Can we just drop it?" She asked.
"Fine. You done?"
"Yeah," Clara responded and the two made their way over to the cash.
They walked the rest of the way home in silence and the Doctor wanted to get things back to the way they were before he opened his big mouth. As they approached Clara's flat he stopped outside while she searched for her keys.
"I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean anything by it and I don't want you to be mad at me."
"I'm not mad at you, Doctor. I just want you to know that I can take care of myself."
"I know you can, but that doesn't mean that I'll stop worrying about you."
Clara smiled at him, unable to stay mad at him after saying something so sweet.
"Truce," she said as she extended her hand to him.
"Truce," he replied as he shook her hand and smiled at her tenderly.
Clara returned the smile, both holding their hands a little longer than they should.
"So I'll see you tonight then," the Doctor said as he finally let go of her hand.
"Yes, absolutely."
Clara found her keys and made her way inside to start getting ready for the party, while the Doctor headed back to his flat to do the same. She wasn't looking forward to seeing Missy again, but at least she would have James. She had no idea what to think about the Doctor's insinuations and really had no time to think about it now. It was already four and James was going to be here in an hour and a half to pick her up.
James had spent most of his Saturday dealing with a pissed off River. He had decided to come clean to her about how he got rid of their current stock, which she was not pleased about, but at least happy it was gone. There was another shipment set to arrive in a few days and she was very implicit that the vans should be running again. They got into another argument about who exactly was the boss of this operation, as River was suddenly getting rather power hungry. When he got off the phone with her, he called his supplier in New York, wanting to know how the hell River had found out about him, even though he knew damn well how. The supplier told him he approached her out of concern for the business in the UK, since his sources told him things weren't moving out the way they should be. James urged him to stop talking to River and to only deal with him, but he wasn't sure how much he could trust him. He had known his supplier a long time and there had never been any issues of trust until now.
He was now standing outside Clara's flat waiting for her to answer her door, wanting very much to put his day out of his mind. He wasn't really paying attention, when her door opened to reveal the woman who could take his mind off everything. She looked gorgeous, as always, wearing a pair distressed skinny jeans, knee high black boots, a silky purple tank and a dark grey blazer with three quarter sleeves. Her hair was down and in waves and her smile told him she was just as happy to see him as he was her.
"Hey beautiful," he said as he leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. "Ready to go?"
"I am. Just need to grab my keys."
Clara picked up her stuff and the couple made their way over to Amy and Rory's house which they decided to walk to since it was a nice night. It also was delaying the inevitable grilling that Amy would no doubt give James when she finally had him on her turf.
"Maybe we could just keep walking and not bother with the party," Clara said as they turned down Amy's street.
"I thought you were looking forward to it?"
"I was, until I heard that the Doctor is bringing Missy. And I also know that Amy is going to grill you for as much information as possible."
"Oh, I can handle Amy. Don't worry about that. As for John, focus on the more handsome brother and how he's going to ravish the hell out of you when we get home tonight."
James slipped his hand into Clara's and brought it up to place a gentle kiss on it.
It didn't go unnoticed to Clara that his statement implied they had a shared home and she wondered which place he was referring to. She also couldn't help but notice that he was now holding her hand while they were walking down the street, which he never did. It was nice and Clara felt herself relax a little as they approached Rory and Amy's house.
She knocked on the door and took a deep breath as James kissed her on the cheek just as Amy came and answered the door.
"About time you arrived," she said to Clara.
"I asked you if you wanted help and you said no." Clara and James stepped inside as Amy shut the door. "Amy, you remember James."
"Yes. Nice to see you again."
"You as well," James replied.
"So where do you need my help?" Clara asked.
"I don't need your help, but a couple of Rose's friends from work are here and they are dull as shite. Rory's been trying to entertain them, but I swear they have no sense
of humour."
"Well this sounds fun," Clara remarked. "What exactly am I supposed to do?"
"I don't know, but at least you're someone else to talk to."
"Ladies, let me get this," James said. "I talk to a lot of dull people on a regular basis."
James walked off into the living room leaving the two girls in the hall.
"So still not your boyfriend?" Amy asked with a smirk.
"Shut up."
"I'm just saying, you two seemed very close when I opened that door."
"Yeah, well only time will tell what's going to happen there. Just don't talk to him about it, okay."
"I'm not making any promises," Amy replied as she walked towards the living room and Clara followed.
"Rory, I see you met Clara's boyfriend James," Amy announced as she walked in and saw the two men chatting with the other couple.
Clara sighed, knowing Amy would do her best to make things uncomfortable for her. The two girls joined the group and to Clara's surprise James was quite chatty with the other
guests and Rory. It wasn't that she had thought he wouldn't be, but she had just assumed he wouldn't be very social and only wanted to interact with her.
A half hour went by and a few more people arrived including JD and Rose, who greeted their friends and then made their way into the kitchen where Clara and James were getting a drink.
"Hello!" JD exclaimed when he walked in and saw the couple.
"Hey you two," Clara said as she walked over and hugged them both. "JD this is James and Rose you already met."
"Hi," James replied and extended a hand to JD. "Congratulations."
"Blimey, you are identical, aren't you?" JD exclaimed staring at James in shock.
"Well we are twins, so yes," James replied as he smiled at JD.
"Sorry," JD said.
"It's okay, Clara brought me up to speed with everything, so I'm well aware of how odd this all is."
"I think it's going to get even odder once the Doctor gets here," JD replied.
"Well if you think it's all too strange, I can leave," James offered, politely.
"No, please don't," Rose chimed in. "You're Clara's guest and we're all adults here. I think we can manage to make it through a night without an incident."
At that moment Amy walked into the kitchen with the Doctor and Missy behind her and if a record player had been playing it would have come to a screeching halt as all the pairs
in the room began eying each other. Let the night begin, Clara thought.