Donna was in London in record time, knowing how important it was that she got Ryan and Martha back to the city she focused on driving while they chatted. Ryan ran his hand over his face as he thought of the man who had come into his life when he was just a young teenager. Graham had put his own feelings aside as he dealt with a grief stricken teenager and a mother who had lost her only daughter. Sighing, he felt guilty at the way he had treated the older man. He knew Graham didn't hold it against him but he also knew he would be worried at what he would say if he had a relationship now that Grace was dead.
"Can I ask you something?" He sighed as Donna nodded once.
"Go on."
"If Wilf met another woman, now your Gran has gone would you be against it?"
"Of course not. I'd love it. As long as she made Grandad happy. IF she hurt him then I'd have to do something even Torchwood would never dream of."
Martha smirked, knowing how serious Donna was being. Ryan nodded. He had to admit he felt the same about his grandad. As long as Graham was safe and happy then he had no problem. And if Ace made him happy, then it was ok with him. He just had to get the older man to see that Grace would want him to be happy.
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Ace shoved her hands in her pockets as she walked along the corridor. She felt sick. The Sontaran Empire were about to smother the planet but that was just a routine day in UNIT. She knew Kate and the others were more than capable of dealing with it. And now that there were two Doctors she was even more certain that the Sontarans would not know what hit them.
"Ace,"
She paused as she heard the familar voice call her name.
"Yeah?" Turning she saw the man she had been thinking about approach her. "Graham, what is it?"
"Look." He paused. "We need to talk. I know it ain't the right time and it definitely is not the right place but this. Whatever this is between us. Is affecting the work."
Ace raised an eyebrow as he seemed to stumble over his words.
"Well, what with the Sonarans and whatnot."
"And how dare human life and emotions come between Earth and stopping the next Apocalypse." She rolled her eyes. "I mean."
"Look." Graham interrupted. "I ain't no good with words. Never 'av been. I'm just a bus driver at the end of the day. An old man."
"You are not old. And anyway age is no excuse. Do you see Ian trying to blame everything on his age?"
"When it comes to his round in the pub, yeah."
Ace smirked, she had to concede Graham had a point. Ian was terrible when it came to his round in the local but they all just let him get away with it. She looked up to see him watching her, his eyes darker slightly.
"Look, Tegan told me."
"Told you what, exactly?"
"About you and Mike."
"Oh she did, did she?" Ace knew her friend would only have meant well but her husband's death was not something she spoke about. To anyone. Ever. It was private. Not for idle gossip. She looked away as Graham took her hand.
"No details. Just how much in love you pair were. Like me and Grace. But they've gone. Through no fault of their own. And we are 'ere. I'd like to think Mike was a good man."
"He was."
"And he would want you to be happy. If that's on your own, with me or anyone else. I'm just saying, I get it now. And I don't want to not be a mate of yours. I'll back off. I wont say another word. If you change your mind. If, well I ain't going nowhere am I?" He shrugged before stepping back. "That was it, really."
Ace closed her eyes, the anger at Tegan's revelation dissapating.
"Graham?"
"Yeah?" He almost held his breath as she grabbed him by the shirt before pulling him towards her and kissing him firmly on the lips.
"That answer your question?"
"Er, yeah. Yeah I reckon it does."
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