—/—

Cold…

Standing on the threshold of the Tardis Missy shivered. They had materialised in the evening and judging by the gaudy decorations liberally plastered across the opposite building it had to be December.

Turning on her heel Missy ignored the sudden hopeful look on The Doctor's face as she stepped back into the Tardis, in some way she gained a measure of satisfaction as his eyes suddenly brightened and a half hopeful smile began to tug at his lips as she stepped back up to the console.

She watched out of the corner of her eye as he actually moved as if to approach her, hand reaching out and for a moment she was almost tempted to take it. It hurt hurting him like this and yet another part of her seemed to get such a kick out of it, he made it so damn easy to hate him just as it was to love him.

That smile quickly began to fade as Missy reached for his velvet jacket that earlier she had left draped over the banister and wrapped it firmly around the already buttoned up twins as extra protection from the elements.

"It's cold; you don't want them to get sick do you?" Missy huffed when The Doctor seemed ready to protest at his beloved coat being used as little more than a baby blanket.

Swallowing down his kneejerk response that Time Lords didn't get sick from silly little sniffles like mere humans did The Doctor could only sigh as Missy once more stomped off in the direction of the open doors.

"I'll be back before you have time to worry I promise." The Doctor called after his departing family, unable to completely quash the growing feeling of panic. A feeling that grew as Missy didn't even reply or show any sign she was even listening.

Well then actions would have to speak louder than words. The Doctor had no intention of leaving them on earth for longer than five minutes , Osgood would probably barely have time to boil the kettle before he would be back to pick them up. With that in mind The Doctor made a point of saving the coordinates, there now even the Tardis couldn't scramble them or lose them by accident.

Darting after Missy as she made it through the door The Doctor literally came up short as the door was slammed shut in his face. Pressing his forehead against the smooth surface The Doctor resisted the growing urge to punch something himself, yet none of this was the Tardis's fault.

Outside the doors Missy paused, waiting and hoping that the doors would open and The Doctor would come to his senses. That he would finally prove to her that her and the twins meant more than his past and the ever present pull towards the nomadic lifestyle he had once loved. Closing her eyes she forced herself not to plead, the universe didn't care and Missy didn't believe in any divine intervention.

The familiar whooshing noise of the Tardis dematerialising shattered the remaining fragments of her hope.

Who was she kidding The Doctor had made his choice and it wasn't his family, it never was. Blinking back bitter tears Missy gritted her teeth and stomped up to the door that led to Osgood's flat. Pressing the buzzer Missy huffed when there was no answer. It was late and dark where the hell was Skip? Shouldn't she be collapsed on the sofa watching Star Trek reruns?

Liberating the sonic screwdriver from the pocket of The Doctor's coat Missy quickly let them in; Osgood wouldn't mind and besides Missy couldn't stand around in the cold all night waiting for her.

—/—

She couldn't quite stop laughing; leaning against her doorframe Osgood could feel her cheeks burning with the cold and the need to breathe. Was this how other people felt? This total lack of awkward and just a sense of joy in being with another person?

"So are you going to invite me up?" Tess asked tucking a strand of her auburn hair behind her ear.

Swallowing nervously Osgood could only nod not trusting her voice right at this moment as she fumbled in her pocket for her keys. Don't mess this up, don't mess this up, she repeated as a mantra in her head even as her hand shook until Tess reached out and covered her hand with her own.

"Hey we can just crash out and watch trash of TV you know I don't have any expectations."

Biting her lip Osgood tried her best to find the words, yes she was scared out of her wits right now but it was a good scared. "I want…I mean if you…I do…I'm just afraid I'll mess it up."

"There is nothing wrong with a little mess." Tess replied winking suggestively. "Mess can be fun." And then she kissed her.

Breathing in the kiss and the tang of spice that lingered on Tess's lips from the spicy salsa she had pigged out of earlier Osgood somehow managed to turn the key in the door. They somehow managed to make it up the flight of stairs in between kisses. Reaching her flat door Osgood moaned as she was pressed up against the wooden door hands moving everywhere and only fanning the flames.

Yet the door opened without Osgood needing to unlock it and the lip locked pair practically fell into the flat, tumbling over each other and landing in a human pile of limbs on the hallway floor.

Grumbling as she fished around for her lost glasses it took a moment for Osgood to spot the pair of heeled boots tapping expectantly, then to follow them up with growing dread and realisation up a pair of skinny jean clad legs to a familiar face that looked torn between amusement and irritation.

"Missy!"

—/—