She hisses and snarls at these- these- apes? Va'stra narrows her eyes at them. They look like apes but smell different and look a lot less hairy than they used to be. These apes had killed her sisters by damaging their pod and now awoken from hibernation, in her rage, Va'stra has already killed five of them. She snarls, ready to attack the rest of them when—

"No, no, no!" A male ape and a female ape come running into view.

The male wears a stripy fabric with a cloth wrapped around his neck while the woman wears layers and layers of fabrics that Va'stra is unsure how to describe them. They seem different to the apes despite looking similar. All the same, Va'stra narrows her eyes at the unknown creatures.

The male suddenly flashes some object at the apes. "Mr John Smith of Scotland Yard and this is my assistant, Madame Davis. We'll deal with this."

The apes nod hurriedly before fleeing. Va'stra growls at the two that had interrupted.

The female, Madame Davis the male had called her, raises an eyebrow. "Now, Vastra, I know your angry but please listen to us."

Va'stra growls at this woman. Why had this female called her this and with almost familiarity?

They explain that those innocent tunnel workers she seeks revenge on had accidentally killed her sisters and had awoken Va'stra. They'd been constructing an "extension of the London Underground" and had no idea of Silurian hibernation.

Va'stra hadn't calmed hissing angrily at them but Kathy and the Doctor quickly argue that it isn't wise to seek revenge on these apes, humans they'd called them, as during the Silurian sleep, they'd been developing and dominating the planet. Va'stra quickly realises she's quite outnumbered and agrees to cease her attacks on the tunnel workers.

Va'stra had wanted to rejoin her people but her life ahead has been filled with too many fixed points for her to be able to rejoin them. The Doctor had expressed his understanding of not being able to be with his people, explaining the horrors he's experienced. This leaves Va'stra and the Doctor with a bitter understanding but one that helped ease the former's guilt all the same. While the Doctor stays for a short while, he leaves and it's Kathy who stays with her to help her accept her grief and start to heal as well as learning how to adjust to Victorian London.

Over the years, Kathy, as she says she prefers to be called, keeps to her word and is there to help Vastra, as she goes by now, to integrate into humanity's Victorian culture. She meets Kathy's son and daughter-in-law, the latter she begrudgingly accepts despite her being an ape. Kathy informs her that she can't go into detail about Ashildr to the Doctor until after a certain point in their timeline. Kathy had also gone into detail about the Doctor's species as well as her own background of rebirth and future knowledge.

Vastra initially spends time performing as The Sensational Scaled Siren for Henry Gordon Jago, and also performs in Jago's "Monstre Gathering".

Under Kathy's encouragement, after Vastra had found lodgings above a gin palace in Cheapside (Vastra had wanted to move in with Kathy, Carlyle and Ashildr but Kathy had argued that Vastra needs to learn to stand on her own feet but they'll be there to offer support), Vastra takes on a human called Jenny Flint as her maid. Kathy explained that Jenny had also herself been ostracised by society for who she was. Kathy had saved Jenny from being molested by a gang and being a part of a mating ritual. Kathy explains that Jenny will need shelter and protection, which she insists Vastra can provide.

Vastra reluctantly admits to herself that there's something about this ape that's actually quite appealing. This confuses her as Vastra has not previously been fond of human society. She goes to Kathy in her confusion and stress but Kathy quickly reassures her everything is alright and that she should inform Jenny, who, she insists, feels the same. To Vastra's relief, Kathy is right and the two soon develop a romantic relationship. It's not long before they marry with Kathy, Carlyle and Ashildr in attendance.

Vastra joins Kathy in becoming a member of "polite Victorian society", due to their saving the Queen from a Zygon plot. Vastra gained the title of "Madame" and they take up residence at Paternoster Row (Kathy had insisted).

After spending some time as a bank robber, Vastra eventually became a detective and consultant to Scotland Yard, solving cases that they could not. Due to her proficiency in the field, some referred to her by the title of "the Great Detective". All this under Kathy's encouragement. This is what Vastra liked about her friend, she never pushed Vastra to do anything, only encouraged her.

Their adventures don't always go off without a hitch. When they visited Egypt, Vastra was mistaken for a god and Jenny and Ashildr had almost ended up as sacrifices but thankfully Kathy had stepped in though she had ended up injured enough to have to use her time vortex energy to heal herself. The occasion they battled some Neomorph Cybermen in Japan went better.

It's London 1888 and a horse drawn cab pulls up and a woman gets out. Her figure is largely hidden by a veil and a dark dress.

"Thank you, Parker. I won't be needing you again tonight." She tells him.

"Yus, my lady." The driver replies, heading off as the woman enters the home.

She enters the entrance hall and puts a Samurai sword back on its stand.

"Well," the woman turns to look at who'd spoken revealing it to be Kathy with Jenny lingering behind her, "you're back early. I'm assuming it went well?"

The woman under the girl smirks. "Jenny, send a telegram to Inspector Abberline of the yard. Jack the Ripper has claimed his last victim."

"How did you find him?" Jenny questions.

The woman throws back her hood to reveal that she is Vastra. "Stringy, but tasty all the same. I shan't be needing dinner."

Kathy raises an eyebrow. "Lovely…"

"Congratulations, ma'am." Jenny compliments. "However, a matter has arisen in the drawing room."

"A matter?"

"Seems someone is here to collect that debt you owe." Kathy remarks pointedly.

Vastra charges past them, into the drawing room to see the TARDIS parked inside.

The door opens and Eleven pokes his head out. "Ah, Vastra. Kathy said you wouldn't be long. I need your help."

Vastra nods. "Of course. Pack the cases, Jenny. And we're going to need the swords." Her maid/wife runs off to do just that.

"Can I come?" Kathy asks.

The Doctor's head snaps toward her. "Uh, no, I'm, you're already inside." He says hurriedly, darting back inside.

Kath frowns but then shrugs and smiles at Vastra. "Best not interact with my future then."

Vastra smiles but knows Kathy is suspicious as is she herself. "Seems so. I'll be sure to keep any spoilers to myself."

Two days after the Battle of Demons Run, Vastra walks over to Kathy whose sitting on a box, clearly still weak from what Kovarian and her people have done to her. Vastra is surprised to not see Carlyle lingering near his mother, he's hardly left her side.

"Kathy?" Vastra calls softly so as to not startle her.

Kathy looks up and gives the Silurian a warm but weak smile. "Vastra. I assume Strax has made a full recovery from his wounds?"

"Yes. I assume you already knew that." Vastra remarks with a smile, trying to lighten the mood that had fallen on them ever since the battle to protect baby Melody had been for nothing as the baby had already been lost. Kathy has been consumed by guilt because of it though River's arrival eased it a bit.

Kathy huffs a slight laugh. "Maybe."

"You always seem to know everything."

Kathy's smile falls. "Not everything. I don't understand how I didn't realise." She murmurs the last bit to herself.

"You weren't to know the changes that have occurred because of your presence." Vastra tries to reassure her friend.

"Mmm…"

"The station is being evacuated. We're all being returned to our proper times and places." Vastra then says, deciding to move into a different topic.

"Yes, I believe I am waiting for you back in 1888." Kathy replies. She stands up but then creases over in pain, clutching her stomach and waves Vastra away before standing up straight when the pain has eased. "I know you've already promised but you must not mention my involvement in this to the me that's with you in 1888."

Vastra nods. "I know. I wouldn't know how to explain all this even if I could."

"Better to live in ignorance." A smile appears on Kathy's face though Vastra knows it's false. "You should ask Strax to go back to 1888 with you."

"Of course you would say that, wouldn't you?" Vastra remarks.

The two share a light laugh at that, sharing some joy amongst the sadness.

Kathy walks into the park at night. She casually strolls along and, once seeing that the coast is clear, jumps up and grabs a ladder, which she pulls down. Kathy climbs the ladder and once she's at the top of the ladder, she waves at passers-by, but they do not see or hear her. Kathy can't but grin to herself before beginning the ascent up the spiral staircase. The ladder retracts as she climbs.

Marching up the stairs, going past the clouds and fog, the rooftops disappear from view. Kathy comes to the top to see a large cloud surrounding the bottom of the TARDIS. The ship hums pleasantly, with the lights glowing peacefully from the blue box. Kathy grins and, after a brief hesitation, steps onto the cloud. It is no ordinary cloud despite its appearance. The density is much different than that of an average Earth cloud. Perfectly okay to hold a ship up in the sky, and more than suitable to allow a person to walk around on the cloud. Kathy walks across the swirling cloud and to the ship, snapping her fingers and the door swings open and she steps inside.

The console room reflects the later days of Eleven. Gone are the warm oranges and yellows to a more sombre colour palate, wiping away the memories of the Ponds. It's stripped it back to the bare minimum compared to his old console which was bright, spacious and full of wacky buttons and switches.

"Do you ever knock?" Kathy turns to see the rather sad figure of Eleven sitting in an armchair in the corner, wearing Amy's glasses and reading a book.

Eleven had arrived not too long ago, requiring somewhere to retreat as he mourns the loss of the Ponds. Vastra, Jenny and Strax have been trying constantly to get the "old" Doctor back by explaining weird happenings that could pique his interest. However, most of them were unimportant or mediocre, but no matter how often the Doctor told them he has retired, they keep trying. So does Kathy though she takes an entirely different approach, patience.

"If I knocked, you wouldn't let me in." Kathy remarks with slight cheek. It's funny trying to comfort and help the Doctor after the loss of the Ponds considering there's so much of them she hasn't experienced yet. It makes her feel almost guilty even though she knows it's silly to.

"I suppose you're right." The Doctor admits with a sigh.

Kathy shrugs, presenting a false carefree nature as she wanders over to the console. "If only you'd listen to me on other matters." She strokes the console, which earns her a happy hum. Kathy can feel the section she's touching warm slightly as if the TARDIS is greeting her.

"I told you. I have retired from the universe. I'm done saving it." The Doctor retorts.

"My memory serves otherwise." Kathy says, referencing her memories of interacting with future hims in the future though this Doctor doesn't know about the extra faces.

"The future can always change."

"Wouldn't that cause some paradoxes? Amy and Rory wouldn't have wanted this. They wouldn't want you to give up on the universe." Kathy argues as she strolls around the console.

"It's the universe who took them from me." The Doctor angrily retorts.

"It's also the universe who gave them to you." Kathy counters. There's a brief silence as the Doctor seems to think on her words before shaking his head and turning away. Kathy sighs before speaking again, "Do you know what the month and year is?"

"I suppose you'll tell me." The Doctor replies with a bite. When he'd initially arrived, the tone of his voice had been hurtful but Vastra had reassured her his anger is not really directed at them.

"It's June, 1890."

"And?"

"Well, I was at the Savoy, you see…" Kathy hesitates before continuing, "as I knew a certain couple, having been dropped off as an anniversary present, would need some help with a Zygon ship under the Savoy."

The Doctor's face drops at that. Kathy can almost see the memories flicker over his eyes.

"I know you've lost them as well as others but are you really going to condemn everyone else?"

"Yes." The Doctor retorts.

Kathy often returns for more talks. It varies on how receptive the Doctor is.

"Ran into Jack the other day."

"How is the Time Agent?" The Doctor asks, looking almost fond as he thinks of his friend.

"Got into a fight on Ellis Island. He got shot, so did I. Wasn't the best day I've had."

In London in the time of Queen Victoria, there were many tales of a remarkable personage known as the Great Detective. I refer, of course, to Madame Vastra, the lizard woman of Paternoster Row and her extraordinary adventures, her friend, the unageing mysterious Katherine Davis who's often joined by two other companions who do not age, Ashildr Einarrsdottir and Carlyle Arantxasson, her beautiful assistant, Jenny Flint, and their mysterious henchman, Strax, whose countenance was too abominable to be photographed. There are also accounts of another member of the Paternoster Gang, a shadowy figure whose assistance was only sought in the direst emergencies.

Strax is putting handcuffs on a man at the end of another solved case. "Prepare for obliteration, Earthling scum."

Kathy presses her lips together as she tries not to laugh. Kathy had been thrilled when Jenny and Vastra had returned from Demon's Run with Strax in tow. She's sure future her must've been insistent about it. She frowns sorrowfully as she thinks of what her friends went (or will) go through. Losing a child like that must be heartbreaking. Kathy already knows what it's like to lose a child and hopes she'll be a comfort to Rory and Amy in the future.

"Actually, Mister Strax, if you could just take him aside for a moment, I have some officers on the way." Inspector Gregson hurriedly interrupts.

"As you wish. Humans." The Sontaran butler huffs as he drags the criminal out of the house's entrance hall that they stand in.

Jenny sighs like you would as a mother to a misbehaving child. "Sorry. He is new." She apologises to the Inspector.

"Funny looking fellow but, Turkish, is he?" The Inspector remarks as he watches Strax leave.

"Oh no, Strax is a genetically modified clone warrior from outer space." Kathy bluntly explains.

The Inspector blinks numbly. "Ah. Makes sense. Well, what a case. Identical twins, poison undetectable to science, an ancient Egyptian curse. Once more Scotland Yard is in your debt, Madame Vastra, Madame Davis. Where would we be without you?"

"Quite some distance from a clue, one imagines." Vastra remarks. Ain't that the truth.

"You might be right." The Inspector shifts uncomfortably before asking, "Does it ever hurt?"

Kathy winces at this. Oh, dear.

"Does what hurt?" Vastra asks innocently.

"Your skin condition. Always wondered."

"It's not a condition, Inspector. It's just skin." Jenny tells him.

The Inspector is doubtful. "Are you sure?"

Vastra now does the tired, irritated sigh of a parent to the Inspector. "I am, as I may have failed to mention, an intelligent reptile from an ancient civilisation long preceding mankind. Many of us slumber under the Earth's crust."

"Madame Vastra was accidentally awoken by an extension to the London Underground." Kathy adds casually.

"Well, that would account for it." The Inspector says, but Kathy knows he's lost and is just going along with it.

"I was not initially keen on the society of apes," Vastra continues to explain, "but I made the most elementary of errors. I fell in love." Vastra and Jenny gaze into each other's eyes. Kathy smiles softly at them.

"What, with the Turkish fellow?" The Inspector asks.

"No. Not with the Turkish fellow." Vastra and Jenny step closer to one another, gazing at each other.

Kathy watches as it dawns on Inspector Gregson as he begins to splutter, "Good lord. Good lord."

"Come along, my dear." Vastra offers her arm to Jenny.

Jenny accepts. "Yes, my darling." They both depart, leaving a bewildered Inspector and an amused Kathy.

"Good lord." The Inspector continues, the man looks like he's going collapse out of shock.

Kathy bursts out laughing and continues to giggle as she follows after Vastra and Jenny.

They continue to laugh as they journey in the carriage. Strax is outside driving it. He's been learning well after Kathy began to teach him despite him complaining about needing help from a weak weasel creature.

Jenny soon sobers as she broaches the topic. "Still no word from the Doctor, then?" Vastra and Kathy soon sober themselves.

Kathy shakes her head. "Hardly get a conversation out of him when I visit these days and he hardly ever comes down now."

"He can't sulk in his box forever." Jenny huffs.

"Heartbreak is a burden to us all. Pity the man with two." Vastra reproaches her wife softly.

Jenny nods and turns to the window next to her, lifting the curtain to view the world outside the carriage. "It's starting to snow." She observes.

Vastra looks out of the window next to her. "But it can't be." She argues.

Kathy joins them and knowingly looks up to the sky where it's all clear despite the snow.

"Well, it is nearly Christmas." Jenny counters.

"But the clouds."

"What about them?"

"There aren't any." Kathy tells her. "Winter is coming." She needed to say something ominous and she can't help herself.

A/N: I had to do a chapter on these guys.

Yes, one of those scenes features a future Kathy just after A Good Man Goes to War. Hints of what's to come.

The opening has Vastra meet Kathy with Ten. I haven't listened to the audio dramas or read the comics but from what I read it doesn't seem to be very clear on which Doctor Vastra meets first though she does meet Nine and Rose at one point between being woken and A Good Man Goes to War. I had Ten with Kathy as I wanted a Doctor before Eleven to meet Vastra as I wanted Vastra to have experience with the changing faces of the Doctor before Eleven's regeneration into Twelve. Ten seemed the best fit as Kathy knows him better than Nine right now. I like to think this happened at some point during the gaps between Ten's companions.

To explain Carlyle's last name, I imagine when meeting Ashildr, or soon after, Carlyle said he want a last name (last names were not a thing in England till the 11th century) and one like Ashildr's. Vikings' last names literally meant son/daughter of one of the parents (usually the father) and didn't change on marriage. Since Carlyle is much closer to his mother than his father, I think he'd choose her name and her new life name Arantxa fitted better.

And now onto The Snowmen episode.