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 3

Clara stepped out of the bedroom and saw her fiancee sitting comfortably in the adjoining lounge. She turned her head slightly and saw the corner of the room where the TARDIS would always materialise whenever the Doctor came to whisk her and Amy off on another jolly. It had been nearly two hours now since the married-to-be's were brought back to their London home. It was time to get back into the real world.

Clara leaned against the doorway and folded her arms. Amy was busy checking her phone, no doubt seeing if any job offers came in during their time away. "Thanks for the help unpacking," the schoolteacher called out.

"Uh-huh," came the distracted reply. Far from being upset, however, Clara smiled. She loved the fact Amy was determined to get a job of her own, eventhough they could comfortably live in their small London flat on just Clara's income. She remembered the former kissogram strongly - almost angrily - telling her "I won't be a kept wife!" in that sexy-as-anything Scottish accent.

Clara was so proud of her intended: after all the hardship Amy went through, growing up with people thinking she was crazy... with Amy herself thinking she could be crazy... she ended up being the strongest, most capable person Clara ever met. Even moreso than the Doctor. Perhaps the teacher was clouded by love, but so what? Amy proved her strength everyday by not just being Clara's rock, but the Doctor's, too. Clara was well aware how much his regeneration troubled Amy, and how much the Doctor needed Amy's support and understanding. Clara still remembered him standing before them both on that street, begging the two young women to just see him.

Clara walked over to her perfect fiancee and rested her arms on the back of the sofa, looking down at Amy. "Anything?"

Amy let out a frustrated sigh. "Nothing yet," she grumbled. "It seems the Doctor picked the perfect time to take us away, as we missed fuck all."

"You'll get a job, sweetheart," Clara assured, reaching down with one hand and stroking Amy's hair. "Do you want anything? Can I make you anything?"

The Scot leaned her head back into Clara's touch and smiled despite herself. "No, I... er, I'm fine." At first Clara was concerned at Amy's words, but quickly realised what she meant. Clara tried once again to make a souffle on New Venus. And the results were the same as always. Still, it was not Clara's fault: she had limited resources on an alien planet, dammit, in what was essentially a camping trip. Yes, it was what she had to work with. Not her skills as a cook. Definitely not that. Despite what Amy, the Doctor and everyone in time and space thought.

Besides that, however, their New Venusian getaway in the far, far future was wonderful. The first day was spent mostly making love - oh! how terrible! - and, after finishing unpacking at the start of the second day, Clara and Amy decided on a little swim in the nearby waterfall. Which, of course, led to even more lovemaking.

After a couple - OK, several - hours of that, the two women returned to their little campsite and exchanged Valentine's Day presents. They were simple, humble things, but precious nonetheless. It seemed horrendously corny, but their greatest gift to eachother was truly their love. As long as they had that, nothing else much mattered.

That being the case, Amy seemed to adore the broach Clara got her, and Clara was touched by the baking tray she received. While that gift could be construed as an insensitive pisstake, Clara knew Amy was actually showing her support for the teacher's continual efforts at cooking, just as Clara always encouraged Amy in getting work.

They decided against visiting the small village on New Venus, as Sod's Law seemed to be an actual thing for the Doctor's companions. Instead, they spent their time making love, interspersed with pillow talk. All in all, not a bad way to spend Valentine's.

Returning to the present, Clara noticed Amy had raised her own hand and joined it in hers, entwining their fingers. Amy then put Clara's hand to her mouth and softly kissed her engagement ring. "Sorry, baby. I'll get off my arse. Do you want a cup of tea?"

Clara smiled. "I'll make it, love." At Amy's frown, she continued. "You finish off going through your e-mails. You never know."

Amy's face melted. "I have no idea what I did to deserve you. I love you, Clara."

Clara mirrored her fiancee's earlier move, raising their joined hands and kissing Amy's own ring. "Right back at you." With that, the two somewhat-relunctantly released their mutual grip, and Clara turned to go to the kitchen. However, before she got there she remembered there were actually no teabags there: they took all their stock with them to New Venus. And while Clara indeed unpacked everything, the remaining few teabags were still waiting to be put back in the cupboard, instead still on their bed.

The teacher returned to their bedroom... and stopped at what she saw. There, dead-set in the middle of their bed was a small package. A little gift box, with ribbon and a bow tied at the top. Clara blinked. That was not there before. She was sure of it. And she barely left this room three minutes ago - five at the most.

How did it get there? Amy had not left her spot on the sofa for sometime. And they were the only ones in the...

Clara walked upto the bed and spied the small box. It was rose red with a tag attached near the bow. Had Amy left this here when they first got back? How did she do that without Clara noticing? How did Clara not see it when she was alone unpacking?

Cautiously, the teacher picked the package up and inspected the tag. A heart was at each end of it, with "Clara" inscribed between them in fancy handwriting.

Wow. Amy must have been even cleverer than Clara thought to get this past her. Clara untied the bow and lifted the lid off the box. She blinked again at what was within. Taking the contents out, she frowned in confusion. It was a little soft toy of a dog. How odd. Attached to the plush's collar was a frankly-stunning purple gem.

Clara was beyond confused. How the hell did Amy afford that? If the teacher did not know better, she would say it was otherwordly in its beauty.

On a second inspection of the box, Clara noticed something else inside: a note. Holding the toy puppy in one hand, she picked the note up and read it. Her eyes widened at what it said.

"Happy Valentine's, poppet. See you soon. XXX."

Clara's breath caught, and a chill went down her spine...

THE END