The next day Ace wakes up to Graham making breakfast. "I see you got to bed."
"I did." Ryan walks into the kitchen and feels tension and walks out quickly.
"Did you hear anything last night?"
"Like what?"
"Oh nothing." There is a knock on the door, Ryan opens it to see Tegan and Nyssa.
"Hello Ryan."
"Thank god you two are here. It is awkward in there." Ryan points to the kitchen where Ace and Graham are having a small conversation.
Tegan whispers, "Ace heard you two talking last night."
"You were right that I would get tired of the flirting between the two."
"We are coming in." Tegan and Nyssa walk straight to the kitchen to see Ace and Graham are now standing close to each other. The three outsiders stand there just hoping something is going to happen, but nothing does.
Ace looks up, "what are you two doing here?"
"I am taking you out for the day," Tegan says.
"Why."
"Just because Ace, now get your coat."
"Tegan."
"Ace," Tegan gives her a look that only she and Nyssa can read.
"What is going on," a confused Graham asks.
"Nothing," Ace raises an eyebrow.
"How about the five of us all do something together," both Ace and Graham relax at that, Tegan seeing her friend react like reluctantly agrees to it. At one point during the day the ladies all go to the bathroom at the same time.
"How are you doing Ace?"
"Better than last night, I don't know why I freaked out."
Nyssa comes up beside her as she starts to wash her hands, "the man who you have fallen for admitted to someone who is not you that he has feelings for you."
"That could be why, but at least he is talking to someone about it. I am happy to wait for him. As you two know I have never been lucky, and I feel I can be with Graham."
"Just don't wait too long."
"When was the last time I was in a relationship?" Neither Tegan nor Nyssa can answer, "I am not someone who dates around."
"We know."
"Also I am someone who can wait."
"We know."
"Good let's go, they will probably start to worry about us." They walk out Tegan and Nyssa notice the smile on Graham's face and think it will not be that long until he is ready. The last stop of the day is a grocery store. Tegan puts strawberries into Ace's basket and winks at Ryan who pretends not to notice.
Ace doesn't notice that they are in her cart until after she gets home and she is putting groceries away with the help of Graham and Ryan. She didn't notice because she and Graham were back to flirting. She makes a vow to herself to call Tegan for putting this specific fruit in her basket. "What's wrong Ace," asks Graham.
"Tegan trying to play matchmaker."
"What do you mean?"
Ace's face goes wide, "she put strawberries in my basket, and I somehow didn't notice it until now."
"The two of you were too busy flirting the whole time at the grocery store, I am not surprised she did it."
"Why didn't you or Nyssa alert me about it."
"I don't know about Nyssa, but I just want Graham to be happy, you two of course. Granddad?" He looks at Graham, "since you have been awake I have seen you happier than I have in the past few years." Ryan almost brings up the conversation from the night before, but decides against it. Ryan then walks out of the room Ace and Graham stand there for a few seconds then finish putting everything away.
Sitting down at the table they share a look and start talking at the same time. "You go first, Ace.''
"Those closest to us seem to be playing matchmaker."
"They do, though Ryan knows I am not ready to date right now. I mean if I was it would be you."
"I like you too, and I can tell that you are not ready to date yet, and I understand it. You love Grace, and hearing your stories about her makes me wish I got to meet her."
"While I was in my come, I had a dream of Grace, and she told me the same about you."
"There are things that I can wait for."
"What do you mean?"
"I have never been with someone who fully understands me. They never got to know Ace, only Dorothy. If I have looked and waited some 30 years since leaving the TARDIS, I can wait for the one person who does know both."
"I don't want you to wait, I want you to be happy Ace."
"Graham," she reaches across the table, "I am happy."
"If you say so, but promise me if you meet someone who knows and likes both, give them a chance."
Looking into Graham's eyes she can see the turmoil beneath them. "I will."
"Thank you." Over the next few weeks Graham gets the all clear and goes home, Ryan with him.
Ace walks around her house listening to some music when the song Knowing Me Knowing You comes on. Walking the two bedrooms that held two people she cared about for a few weeks, stopping at Graham's room her mind goes to their conversation about her not waiting for him. 'Graham, I love you, I will wait until you are ready. You are the first one to not care that I have money.' Her phone rings and she smiles at who is calling her.
"Hello."
"How are you doing today?"
"Good you?"
"It is weird to be home."
"I can see where you are coming from. It was quiet here. I had to put on music. At least I have to leave soon for the meeting."
"You are going?"
"I am."
"Ryan and I are also going."
"That's good, I will see you then."
"Yes, you will. Hey Ace?"
"Yes, Graham?"
"Do you, nevermind."
"Do I what," Ace's heart starts to beat a little faster.
"Nothing, I will see you in a few hours."
"Yes you will, bye Graham."
"Bye Ace." After hanging up leans against the doorframe while in a different city Ryan walks up to Graham.
"I'll take it she said no."
"I didn't ask her."
"Why?"
"I want to ask her in person."
"Are you sure you won't chicken out again?"
"I don't know."
"Graham," Yaz who was over at the flat comes up, "you need to stop torturing yourself and Ace.''
"What do you mean?"
"I know you were told about Ace's reactions when you were in the hospital right?"
"A little bit."
"She didn't want to leave you. She slept in the cot every night that was in the room. Tegan and Nyssa had to bring her an overnight bag."
"I want her to be happy."
Ryan starts to walk around, "what about your happiness."
"Just being around you guys and being around Ace makes me happy."
"Exactly, now let's figure out an outfit for you to wear." Yaz walks straight to the bedroom closet.