Tegan arrives at UNIT the next day with Nyssa, Neeka and Adric with her. They immediately see Ace and Graham off to the side both holding to-go cups from the same place. Nyssa smiles at Ace as she notices them. "I'll see you at lunch Graham."
"Ok, love," Ace smiles at him as she turns to face Tegan, Nyssa and family. She walks over to them, "are you three looking forward to your first day?"
"Neeka's nervous," Adric jokes.
"ADRIC," Neeka nearly yells.
"It's ok if you are nervous, everyone gets nervous from time to time. Sometimes when I have to go do a speech I am nervous."
"How many have you done?"
"I do two every year, for the past 10 years."
"Speaking of your speeches Ace, when is the next one and does Graham know?"
"He does, we are using it as a little get away."
"A romantic getaway?"
"Maybe a little," Ace blushes a little.
"I have to say Ace, I love this side of you. I have seen you in one or two relationships, but this is the first one that can make you grow flush."
"I guess that's love and with someone who loves all of me."
"So he's."
"Shh Tegan, no we haven't. We are still getting interrupted. Have you seen yours lately?"
"We have," Nyssa starts to speak, "he said he wanted to talk to Graham about how he is supposed to treat you."
"That is what mine said, though last time I saw the Professor, he looked dejected about something."
"Tegan told him off."
"Let me guess it's because he wants to threaten my partner."
"It is," Kate comes up behind them.
"So the two of you know we are looking for ways to remove whatever the Doctor put into you."
"Thank god," Ace exclaims.
"We know why Ace wants it gone as soon as possible," Tegan teases.
"Nothing wrong with me wanting to hide Graham's."
"You do not need to finish that sentence Ace."
"Pickle."
"ACE," all three women say as Ace laughs walking away.
Ace walks up behind Graham, "Kate says they are trying to figure out a way to remove the chip. Once they do that you and I."
Graham turns around, "will finally be able to consummate our relationship," he says, grabbing her hand.
"Finally, it really does feel like I am sneaking a boyfriend around; even though I didn't really even need to do that as a teenager as you know, mum and I didn't talk except when she was yelling at me and well my father wasn't around."
"You know he is probably popping up, because you didn't get to experience that."
"I know. We should probably get to work."
"We should."
"So you know we may be getting looks today from Tegan, Nyssa and Kate."
"What did you say?"
"I will tell you later," Ace tells him while wiggling an eyebrow.
"Ace."
"Love you." Ace turns and walks to her desk. Graham just shakes his head and goes to his desk. Neeka and Adric a few hours later come out of a room with Kate. Ace looks up, "you two ok?"
"Yeah, just had to answer more questions about my ex. Kate knows that Mum won't say much more to protect us."
"So you know if something happens I have a secret room at A Charitable Earth that can protect you three."
"What about you?"
"Oh, I have something that can take care of anyone who threatens my family."
"Family?"
"Yes, family, Neeka. Your Mum and Tegan love each other, and Tegan has loved her for years. Granted she didn't realize that for many of them," Ace adds with an eye roll, "Tegan is like a sister to me sometimes, and one day you and Adric will become my surrogate niece and nephew." Neeka smiles at Ace and moves to her computer. Around lunch Ace shoots a text off to Graham.
'Meet me at my office for lunch.'
'K.'
'Just remember to set a timer.'
'Will do, love you.'
'Love you too.' Both Ace and Graham at lunch sneak away.
"Mum, where did they go," asks Neeka.
"I don't know," Nyssa replies as both of them join Tegan and Adric.
"Know what?"
"Where did Ace and Graham sneak off to."
"Probably to Ace's office at A Charitable Earth, they sometimes like the privacy during lunch and after Ace's comment earlier I don't want to think about it."
"What did she say," Adric asks.
"Trust me you do not want to know, may I join you four?" Kate asks.
"Of course, you can, do you have an update on the chip?"
"Sadly no I do not Tegan."
"The moment you do please tell us, probably Ace first. I don't know how much longer she can last with the constant interruptions from her Doctor whenever she and Graham want some alone time."
Adric makes a face while Neeka laughs. She sees Yaz sitting with Jo Grant, "is that Yaz?"
"It is, have the two of you met yet?" Tegan asks the younger woman.
"I haven't."
Tegan grabs Neeka's and Adric's hands and drags her over to Yaz, "what is Tegan doing?"
"She wants them to become friends, and after a while they can have separate rooms but still be close. Tegan suggested that we get them to be friends so that after my children can save up money and they can all get a place together."
"After that the two move out, you and Tegan get the house alone together."
"We do."
"Nyssa, you know you can be my friend. My father did say you and Tegan made an impression on him."
"Your father?"
"You met him one time, the Brigadier."
"That is your father?"
"Yes, he was in and out of my life, but was always there when I needed him."
"So there is a whole family built around the Doctor."
"Multiple, look at Jo, she met Cliff through the Doctor and now she has 11 great grandchildren."
"11!"
"Her and Cliff had many kids, they met through the Doctor. We recently found out she lost him last year."
"How is she?"
"Jo always bounces back. She is strong."
"She seems to love everyone."
"And everyone loves her, including the Master."
"What do you mean?"
"She impressed the Master when she wasn't able to mind controlled, and after that every time she and the Doctor crossed paths with the Master he made sure she wasn't hurt."
"Wow, I remember when he stole my father's face."
"Ace met that one."
"She did?"
"Yep, it was after a difficult time for her and the Doctor took her home for a quick visit, and she should tell you the rest."
"I get that." When everyone is done eating they get back to work as Ace and Graham rush in.