"Ace, you need to go back to work and finish the hiring paperwork for Nyssa." Graham says to her as she paces the room back and forth.

"I know, but you have only been out of the hospital for two days."

"And I was there for over a week. You never left my side."

"I can't leave your side. One day we might make a promise."

"I know, but a part of that will be making sure each of us makes sure we do things that make the other happy. That is your charity my love."

"I know but," Graham gets up trying not to jostle his ribs too much and wraps his arms around her. "Graham."

"I want to give you a hug."

"You're supposed to be on bedrest."

"I know that, but first the one who has my heart needs a hug before she has a nutty."

"I will only have one if you don't go back and lay down."

"Yes Nurse Ace."

"Don't give me any ideas Graham Nelson O'Brien. I can become Nurse Ratched if you want me to be."

"No I'd rather you'd be my w- I mean lover."

"Were you just about to say?"

"Noo, I wasn't, I was about to do this," he kisses her. "Now I'll go lay down. Don't you have someone to come make sure I follow doctor's orders."

"I do, I have two people, one to keep you in line the other to keep her in line."

"Who?"

A devilish smile crosses her lips, "exactly."

"Should I be afraid?"

"Are you of me," she saunters back to the bed on his side, leaning over him.

"Never," right before their lips touch.

"HELLLLOOOOO," shouts a familiar voice.

"Tegan?"

"And someone else. Don't you worry everything I love will still be intact by the time I get home. Nyssa is waiting for me."

"There should be no hanky panky in the room right now, per the one with an actual medical degree," Tegan says rather loudly bursting into the room.

"Don't worry Tegan, nothing is happening. If he gets up you have my permission to tie him up."

"I have always wanted to do that to someone," Tegan's eyes turn menacing.

"I'll be a good boy."

"You'd better be, if you are each time Tegan and."

"Where is everyone," calls a voice they are getting to know.

"Up here Professor," Ace shouts down; after which she looks back at Graham, "if you are good each time they watch you; the moment you are cleared I will have a gift for you, but if not, it will only be for me."

The Doctor comes into the room saying, "why do I have to enter hearing you say that?"

"Just bad luck Professor, make sure she doesn't kill him please," Ace points to Tegan.

"Oi, I am right here."

"I know," Ace looks back at Graham. "I love you, see you tonight. Tegan, Professor, thank you for taking care of him."

"You both mean a lot to me, in different ways of course," adds the Doctor.

"In what ways do you mean Doctor," Tegan asks the Time Lord as Ace walks out of the room.

"Ace is like a daughter to me and Graham is Fam."

"In what way?"

"Please don't say Doc, I am in love with Ace, I don't want any convoluted way to change that. You both know I want to marry her."

"When are you going to ask her anyway," asks Tegan.

"It seems every time I want to ask something comes up. This first one was a good reason, the second time; not so much. That is when this happened. Tegan, I wanted you here in England for that reason. I am keeping my promise to you."

"Graham, where's the ring?"

"In my nightstand very back," Tegan opens it up and goes to find the ring.

"Where did you find this?" Tegan asks after looking at the simple cut, Peridot with small diamonds surrounding it.

"I went to a jeweler and told them what I wanted."

"Is it custom made?"

"One of a kind for a one of a kind woman."

"You really love Ace that much?"

"I do, you can ask Nyssa," he chuckles, "the day I gave your son a ticket to see you, I got into a fight with Ace. I originally bought it for Ace."

"Why?"

"The two of you weren't talking. I didn't like that."

"You're a big softy."

"When it comes to Ace's happiness, yeah."

"What about yours," the Doctor asks.

"The moment she almost hit me with a bat, a shed of light or fire you can say was lit."

"That's good to hear, but the fight."

"The details will remain between her and I, I didn't let her leave and drive somewhere angry."

"Good. Doctor," Tegan turns to the Time Lord.

"Yes Tegan."

"We should let him get some rest." Tegan and the Doctor leave Graham who looks over at the empty side of the bed.

"I will try and rest while reading this book. I won't be able to sleep without you by my side." Hours later Graham is almost done with his book when he hears voices coming from downstairs.

"He needs to eat Doctor."

"I know that Tegan, but this is too hot for any normal human."

"Are you saying that I am not normal," Tegan asks rather loudly, putting her hand on her hip.

Eyes going wide, "no I am not. I just know how hot he cooks his soup too."

"How?"

"He did travel with me."

"So."

"After adventures he made sure we'd all eat."

Graham starts to get up, "I might as well go pee." Slowly getting up he makes the way to the bathroom. Looking in the mirror, "I wish I could shave." He uses the bathroom as Tegan enters the room.

"What the hell are you doing, get back in bed."

"I had to pee. My Doctor said I could get up for that."

"I'll make sure to ask Ace about that."

"Go ahead," Graham makes his way to the bed. "Are you two done arguing yet?"

"You heard?"

"That is why I decided I had time to use the bathroom," Graham lays back down trying to hide the wince of pain.

"Have some food then you can have your pain medication."

"Tegan, how long are you going to stay in England?"

"Not you too."

"I am asking for more than just Ace being able to see her friend in person more often."

"Nyssa."

"And your son. There are a few people that want you here Tegan."

"My home is in Australia."

"The Doctor's home is the TARDIS, and look at them and before that was Gallifrey."

"Anything else?"

"No, Tegan before you get mad, there are many here that care about you. All of your friends and family are here, plus I think it would make it easier on Nyssa if you are here."

"I know, it's hard to move you know?"

"I do, but think of the payout, your son, girlfriend, her kids, best friend that is basically your sister."

"I know."

"Tegan, just actually think about it for once."

"How?"

"Ace, every time you turned her down from the moment we got close she would call me."

"You have been her sounding board from day one."

"I do what I can," he starts eating and Tegan leaves. His phone rings looking at it.

"How's it going?"

"They love to argue."

"Is that all?"

"Tegan is going to ask you if I can get up and use the bathroom by myself."

"You did that I guess?"

"I did, and she came into the bedroom as I was exiting the bathroom."

"You two argued didn't you?"

"We did, and I tried to convince her some more."

"Graham, don't get your hopes up."

"I did tell her there are a few people important to her that live here."

"If it works I will thank you."

"It may."

"Thank you."

"Anything for you."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Even tell me what you were about to ask me?"

"Except that. Though all will be revealed."

"When?"

"When the time is right my love. How is work?"

"Paperwork is signed."

"How does it feel that you now have someone working there again."

"I have many people working here Graham."

"How does it feel to have a COO?"

"Ask me again in a few weeks."

"I will do just that."

"I just wanted to check on you."

"I am doing ok, after I ate lunch I did have to take a pain pill."

"Graham, they don't have to help you use the bathroom, but please ask for help to get there."

"They're not you."

"I know that, but they are there to help."

"I understand that."

"I want you better."

"I'll try and ask then."

"Good, I got to go; see you tonight. I love you."

"I love you too. Have fun."

"And you rest."

"I am in bed. I will probably finish my book today."

"I'll pick up a few more on my way home. Bye Graham."

"Bye Ace."

A few hours later Ace and Nyssa arrive back at Ace's. "You want to see Graham don't you?"

"I do. This is a new feeling for me, wanting to get home because someone I love is still in pain and on short term bed rest."

"Tegan is going to ask you something."

"I know Graham already told me."

"You called him during a break."

"I did, though I am wondering why he didn't pick up when I called to tell him when we were on the way home." Once inside Ace heads upstairs with barely a wave to the Doctor and Tegan heading straight to check on Graham. The picture she is greeted with makes her smile, Graham slightly snoring with his book open on his chest.

Once back down, "he's asleep, thank you two for keeping an eye on him."

"He's family," the Doctor says, "all of you are."

"How does it feel that many of this family of yours fall for each other," Nyssa asks.

"Ian and Barbra were the first, you and Graham probably won't be the last."

"Well, I am going to make dinner for Graham and wake him up, when was the last time he took a pill?"

"After he ate lunch," Tegan replies as she puts on her jacket.

Sometime later Ace makes her way up to see Graham still asleep. Ace puts down the sandwich and kisses him on the lips, when she feels him responding she breaks the kiss. "What a great way to be woken up, a kiss by a beautiful woman."

"Well I wanted to wake you up in a good way so you know there wouldn't be two people arguing downstairs for a few hours. Are you hungry?"

Graham looks her up and down, "I can eat."

"For food Graham not for me, you need to get the ok first."

"I know, I just wanted to see you smile."

"I was smiling from the moment I saw you relaxed."

"I have a question."

"What is it?"

"How can you kiss me right now?"

"What do you mean?"

"I have too much stubble."

"I love this face," she takes his chin into her left hand, "I don't care if it's clean shaven or covered with a beard and mustache. This face is my favorite face to see." She brings him in for a kiss. "I love you. I will always love this face, and the heart it belongs to."

"Can I ask a favor?"

"What is it?"

"Can you shave me?"

"Are you sure?"

"I trust you Ace."

"I will shave you in the morning. Now you need to eat before you can take another pain pill."

"I don't need one, I am feeling no pain."

A smile forms on her face, "good." After they eat Ace lays her head on his shoulder and the two fall into a deep slumber.