It was Friday. The first Friday. For some reason, she woke up nervous. Not that they had any solid plans yet. Missy had simply told her they were going out. That was enough to set her stomach into nervous spirals.

She made herself and Lily breakfast, doing her best to keep things normal, then packed Lily's lunch. The usual routine, nothing out of the ordinary. Except that Lily was going to Jack's after school. And, of course, she'd had to tell Jack why. Which meant that now, everyone knew she was going on a date with her wife that evening.

Armitage took Lily to school while Hally headed to work, pushing aside the odd flutter of nerves gnawing at her stomach. She stepped inside the building, making her way to her office, when a presence stepped beside her.

"There are flowers on your desk." He sounded amused, as always.

Hally shot him a look. "Thanks, Owen."

He grinned at her, knowingly. "Thought you should know."

"Mmhmm." She tried to brush him off, but he wasn't done.

"An envelope too."

"Right…" Her voice was flat as she turned the corner.

"And a box." Owen's eyes lit up with that familiar gleam of curiosity.

Another presence, and another familiar voice, slipped in on her other side. "Excited for your date?"

Hally let out a long exhale, the flutter of nerves increasing. "It's not a date."

It was… but she needed Hart to fuck off.

He chuckled. "Yes, it is."

"It's not. She's my wife."

"So hot." Hart groaned, clearly enjoying himself.

"Shut up." She snapped, frustrated. "It's not a date. We're just going out."

"Ooh, a surprise date. Even better." Hart teased, moving to stand just a little too close as she reached her office door and spun on both of them, glaring at the pair of them.

"Well… whatever it is, it's none of your business."

John raised his hands innocently. "Actually… as your personal security, it's completely my business."

Hally growled at him, turning on her heel to storm into her office, shutting the door firmly behind her.

Ah yes. There it was. The stuff on her desk, just as they'd said. She went over to it, eyes flicking from the vase of flowers to the envelope and the rectangular box sitting on top of a neat stack of paperwork. Progress, she thought absently. A normal-sized vase of flowers, not the massive, over-the-top arrangement Missy had been sending.

The envelope first, she decided, sitting down at her desk.

She carefully peeled back the flap and pulled out the black card inside. The thick, glossy card seemed unnecessarily grand for something so simple.

6pm. Downstairs.
Wear the dress.

The words were written in that flowing, curly font Missy loved. It was so… her. Hally read it again, blinking at the brevity of it. Wear the dress. No explanation, no added flourish. Just that.

She sighed. The box. She didn't need to open it to know what was inside. She knew it would be exquisite, and she knew she would wear it.

She reread the note one last time. Downstairs. Missy was picking her up from here?

Hally's mind flickered to Kate. She'd love that.

Letting out a soft breath, Hally moved the box off her desk and opened her laptop, attempting to focus on work. The butterflies, though, refused to leave her stomach. She did her best to ignore them.

Jack popped in at lunch, sitting down opposite her across the desk. He huffed, eyes sliding over the flowers and the envelope sitting there.

"If she drugs you again, I'll kill her myself."

Hally let out a short laugh, closing her laptop for a bit and relaxing back into her chair. It was nice to actually relax, really. Everyone else was either skirting around her, walking on eggshells, or teasing her or acting all concerned. It was just good to have Jack here, someone who probably understood her internal struggle better than most. She could use more 'girlfriends'. Talking to Alina always felt like she was slipping into a therapy session. Tosh was on maternity leave. Gwen was in Cardiff, and talking to Martha about anything to do with The Master still felt… insensitive. Even though Martha had told her, time and again, that it had been over a decade ago and that she was fine with it.

Well… she supposed she might have gone to Osgood, but…

Well.

So, Jack would do. Even if his girl-talk needed work.

"You're welcome to try." She gave him a smile.

"And she can't keep you out too late."

A wry smile curved her mouth. His sulk was lightening her mood.

He sighed, relaxing into his chair with the exhale. "You alright?"

She shrugged, then smiled. "It feels weird." She let out a bitter laugh. "Really weird. I'm going on a date with a mass murderer and… the whole office seems to be weirdly excited."

"You married the mass murderer."

"Yeah, I know. I just mean… I thought people would disapprove but it's like it's… office gossip." She pulled a face.

"Well, it is. They're all living vicariously through you. It'll get forgotten about soon enough."

"Do you… disapprove?"

He shifted in his chair. "No. I moved past disapproval years ago." He gave her a soft smile. "It's just all a bit shit, isn't it?"

She nodded, pressing her tongue against the side of her mouth. "Yeah."

"I always knew The Master would come back for you…" Something lingered on Jack's face. "And I suppose it was naïve of me to think she might do it quietly."

Hally chuckled to herself.

"But she's just…" He trailed off, frowning.

"Pulled the rug out from under our feet? Flipped the world upside down? Tore through everything like a fucking hurricane?" Hally offered glibly.

Jack looked at her and barked a soft laugh. "Yeah… any of those."

"I know." She ran a hand through her hair. "Believe me, I know…" She huffed, voice tight. "And I'm a total mess. I feel like I'm being pulled in at least a dozen different directions. I want to forgive her while simultaneously not wanting to forgive her. I want to settle down with her while simultaneously being fully aware that that's an insane idea. I want Lily to have both her parents but, at the same time, her father took over the planet… what… a month ago? I want to go out with her but I'm also terrified of letting myself love her. I want to hold her accountable for hurting people but I also really can't find the bandwidth to care. I want to just drown in her… all the fucking time. I'm so damn tired of fighting. I don't want to fight her. I don't want to fight with her, or Lily. I want it to be easy, but I feel awful for forgiving her. And all of that is before we get into the unhinged amount of time I'm spending imagining her naked."

Jack listened, a small smile on his face. He cleared his throat. "Well… my feelings are somewhat less complicated but… yes… I get it."

She laughed, rubbing her hands across her face, then leaned her head back against her chair with a groan.

There were a few moments of silence before Jack hummed. "Have you ever had sex with a woman?"

She tilted her head back down to glare at him. "Oh, fuck off." But she couldn't help the smile tugging at her mouth.

"I'm going to take that as a no…" His eyes twinkled. "Need some pointers?"

"Jaaack." She reached across her desk, scrunching a post-it in her hand, swiftly throwing it at him. "We're not doing that. I'm not having sex with her."

"Oh yes, because restraint is famously your strong suit."

She fixed him with a glare and huffed. "Well, it can't be that difficult. Men work it out." She pulled a face at him. He chuckled.

"At least this time, I don't have to tell you to use protection."

"Yes, very clever. Very convenient." She clipped back at him.

She finished just after 5pm, the little stone of nerves having sat in her stomach for the entirety of the day. With nothing left to distract her, she finally picked up the box, taking it with her into the bathroom.

Hally opened the box carefully, her fingers brushing along the sleek edges, unwrapping the paper. Beneath it lay a dress, a striking deep burgundy. She slowly lifted it, eyes sliding over it. The asymmetry was striking, a single structured sleeve on one side, sharp and angular, contrasted with the bare, sculpted neckline on the other.

At the collar, an intricate choker crafted from deep black diamonds gleamed like liquid night, catching the light with a dark, hypnotic sparkle.

Hally stared at it for a moment, her breath catching at the audacious beauty of it.

With a deep breath, Hally slipped into the dress, her hands carefully fastening the choker at the nape of her neck. The material was cool against her skin at first but warmed quickly, moulding itself to her. She adjusted the choker, the weight of it settling against her collarbone as she studied herself. The high slit against her thigh revealed just enough. Her reflection stared back at her, a mix of awe and discomfort flickering across her face. It was bold, powerful. Hally smoothed down the fabric, tilting her head to take in the woman looking back at her. A thought made itself known, lingering as she looked at her reflection.

This is what Koschei sees when she looks at me.

And for once she can perhaps see the appeal. Regal. Powerful. Commanding. Deadly.

She let her hair fall over her shoulders for a moment before lifting it, twisting it loosely atop her head to better reveal the choker. The dark diamonds caught her reflection like tiny stars against the pale curve of her throat, and the effect was... stunning. The dress demanded attention, accentuating every angle, every line.

Returning back to the box, she found the shoes to accompany the dress. Black, elegant, low heels. She slipped them on, touching up her makeup because… well, because the dress kind of demanded something more dramatic. Eventually, she slipped back into her office, drawing her long grey coat over her shoulders. She hid the dress, not fancying walking all the way through the office in it.

She didn't officially 'sneak' out, but she did make sure she avoided absolutely anyone on her way out.

Her phone buzzed obnoxiously in her pocket as she passed through the front doors.

Armitage.

A: Get in the car.

She looked up from her phone to indeed see a black car lingering a few feet from her. A frown creased her forehead for a moment before she started towards it. As she approached, the back passenger door clicked open, her wife stepping from the car, straightening to face her.

It was difficult to keep her breath whenever those bright blue eyes met hers.

"Ready?" Missy purred, stepping aside with a fluid movement, making space for Hally to get in. She was dressed all in black—every inch of her attire sleek and deliberate. The long black overcoat covered most of her, but just enough of the soft black blouse peeked from beneath it.

Hally's lips barely parted, her heart racing in the quiet as she nodded. "Yeah."

As she moved to step into the car, Missy's hand brushed lightly across her back, a ghostly touch that sent a shiver down her spine. The car door clicked shut, and Missy slid in beside her as the vehicle pulled away from the curb, the steady hum of the engine filling the space between them.

The black screen separating the backseat from the front seats caught her attention, or perhaps she was simply looking for somewhere to look that wasn't directly at her wife. Her gaze slipped back down to her phone screen. When she glanced back up, a small frown creased her forehead. "Missy, who's driving?"

Missy didn't look at her immediately, but when she did, her gaze was calm, that knowing smile playing at the corners of her lips. She didn't answer.

"Is Armitage driving?" Hally's suspicion lingered in her voice.

Missy leaned back into the seat, crossing one leg over the other, her dark coat pooling around her like a shadow.

Hally let out a long, heavy exhale. "He works for UNIT… he's supposed to be Lily's security. You can't just force him to play 'driver'."

Missy's eyebrow arched. "Oh, in the same way he definitely never plays babysitter?"

"That is not the point," Hally replied, frustration lacing her words.

A crackle sounded from the intercom above them, followed by Armitage's bored voice. "Hart is on surveillance at Harkness's. She's with Jack and Ianto, and Hart's on it. She's fine."

Hally frowned, her gaze flickering to the darkened window. "Plus, he knows how to drive a boat," Missy added with a casual shrug.

"A boat?" Hally's voice was tinged with confusion.

"Mmhmm. I wasn't going to have your discomfort around staff ruin the evening," Missy added, her eyes meeting Hally's with a knowing twinkle.

Hally opened her mouth to protest, but Missy stopped her before she could get a word out. "Darling, it's been less than thirty seconds. Stop trying to pick a fight and just come here." Her wife motioned her closer, to the empty space that had been left between them.

She disobeyed for a few short moments before she gave in and scooted in closer to her. Missy wrapped an arm behind her back, resting her hand on her waist as she held her to her. With her free hand she caressed her thumb across her cheek. Admiring her. Gently her hand moved to undo the top of her coat, loosening it. Just enough to reveal the top of the dress. Missy's gaze shifted at the sight underneath, sharpening as her eyes scanned over the fabric of the dress, the bare skin above her right breast curving towards her shoulder. Her fingertips grazed Hally's exposed skin, tracing just above the neckline of the dress as if committing the sight of her to memory.

Something inside Hally shifted and she was momentarily overwhelmed with an urge to get closer. She wasn't sure where the impulse came from, but she found herself curving towards Missy, her head gently resting on her wife's shoulder. The warmth of Missy's presence seeped into her, and she let out a slow, soft exhale, the butterflies in her stomach endless in their fluttering.

"Ugh. How is it that even after this long you still manage to make me feel nervous?" Hally muttered, her voice barely more than a whisper. Perhaps the decision to lie her head against her wife's shoulder had been out of a desire to avoid her penetrating gaze.

Missy chuckled, the sound vibrating through Hally's chest as she rubbed her thumb across her waist. "Darling, those aren't nerves."

Hally couldn't help the reluctant agreement that hummed in her chest. "Being anywhere near you is increasingly difficult," she admitted, her voice low.

"I am more than happy to relieve that frustration. You just have to ask," Missy murmured, her voice full of that familiar, teasing warmth.

"Don't tempt me," Hally replied, her words soft yet resolute. She shifted slightly, pulling away enough to look at Missy, her eyes narrowing just a fraction. "I'm assuming you're the reason my vibrators have gone awol?"

Missy didn't respond right away. Instead, she shot Hally a sly smile, her eyes glinting.

The car rolled to a stop, the faint sound of water lapping against wood filtering through the closed windows. Hally peered out, catching glimpses of dimly lit docks and the silhouettes of boats swaying gently in their moorings. The backdrop of London.

Missy stepped out first, her long black overcoat catching the faint breeze from the water. She turned back, offering her hand to Hally with an exaggerated flourish. "Come along, darling. You'll catch a chill sitting in there."

Hally hesitated, smoothing the coat over her dress before taking Missy's hand and stepping out into the cool night air. The smell of water, the London night air hit her immediately, mingling with the faint scent of wood and diesel. She glanced around, her brow furrowing at the sight of Armitage leaning casually against the car, arms crossed.

Her wife stepped in, gently pulling her coat closed.

Armitage hummed, simply pushing off the car and gesturing toward the dock. "Boat's waiting."

"Wait," Hally said, digging her heels in for a moment. "Boat? What kind of boat? Where are we going?"

Missy let out an exaggerated sigh, her hand now firmly guiding Hally forward. "You're asking all the wrong questions," she chided. "Instead of 'where are we going,' you should be asking, 'how lucky am I to have a wife who goes to such lengths to sweep me off my feet?'"

Hally shot her a glare, though the corner of her mouth twitched upward despite herself. "You don't 'sweep' me off my feet," she retorted. "You ambush me."

Missy gave her an impish grin. "Ambush. Sweep. Tomato. Tomahto."

The dock creaked softly under their feet as they approached the sleek, white yacht waiting at the end. Its hull gleamed in the soft glow of the city lights, polished to an almost mirror finish. Hally took it in, her brows furrowing slightly.

Missy's hand on her lower back guided her forward with deliberate ease. "Ours for as long as you wish." The smile on her face was purposeful. "As private as we could be in a city of eight million."

Armitage reached the boat ahead of them, stepping onboard with practised ease. He turned back, offering a hand to Hally, but Missy intercepted the gesture, taking her wife's hand instead. "Hands off," she said breezily, shooting him a playful glare. "This one's mine."

Hally rolled her eyes but didn't protest, letting Missy help her onboard. The boat rocked gently beneath her feet, but it was steady enough not to throw her off balance. She glanced around, taking in the polished wood deck and the faint hum of the river surrounding them.

Armitage, as efficient as ever, vanished below deck. After a few moments, there was a gentle rumble beneath their feet as the boat started to move.

Missy steered her toward a set of steps leading down to an open deck at the back of the boat.

As they descended, the chill of the night air began to fade, replaced by a cocoon of warmth radiating from hidden heaters tucked into the deck's railings. Hally's eyes widened as the scene unfolded before her. A small, elegantly set table sat in the centre of the deck, illuminated by soft golden lights strung overhead. Plates and glasses gleamed in the warm glow, and the faint, inviting aroma of food drifted toward her.

The table was adorned with dark linens, flickering candles, and a bottle of wine resting in a chilled silver bucket. Around them, the cityscape glittered in the distance, the boat cutting a smooth path through the water. The whole scene felt surreal, intimate, and… achingly thoughtful.

Hally turned to Missy, her lips parting as though to speak, but no words came out.

Missy tilted her head, studying her expression with a satisfied smile. "Lost for words? That is rare."

Hally finally found her voice, though it came out softer than she intended. "You… you can be really quite romantic when you want to be…"

Missy raised an eyebrow. "Well, I wasn't about to let some restaurant or dreary rooftop bar set the mood, was I? No, no. If I'm going to spoil my wife, I'll do it properly." She stepped closer, her fingers brushing against the lapel of Hally's coat before easing it off her shoulders. "Now, come on. Let me see that dress."

Hally hesitated for a moment, the sudden attention had her stomach fluttering. But Missy's gaze was soft, adoring, and it coaxed her into letting the coat slide down her arms. She stood there in the deep wine-coloured dress, the choker glittering darkly around her neck. The city lights reflected faintly in Missy's eyes as she took her in, her lips curving into a slow, wicked smile.

"Exquisite," Missy murmured, her voice low, reverent. She stepped closer, her hands finding Hally's waist as she looked her over, the intensity of her gaze sending a shiver down Hally's spine. "The most beautiful creature in the universe."

Hally swallowed, suddenly feeling the butterflies return in full force. "You're being ridiculous."

"I'm being honest," Missy countered, her thumb brushing along the fabric at Hally's hip. "You deserve to feel as extraordinary as you are."

Hally rolled her eyes, trying to deflect, but her cheeks betrayed her, flushing faintly under Missy's scrutiny. "Okay, fine. But if this is one of your elaborate schemes, I swear—"

Missy silenced her with a finger against her lips, her grin softening into something more genuine. "No schemes tonight, my love. Just you, me, and a perfectly orchestrated evening. Now…" She gestured to the elegantly set table, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Be a doll and enjoy it, will you?"

Hally hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering between Missy and the lavish spread before them. Eventually, with a soft sigh, she lowered herself into the chair Missy had pulled out for her. Missy's sharp blue eyes lingered on her, a faint smirk tugging at her lips as she poured champagne into Hally's glass. The liquid fizzed and sparkled, catching the warm glow of the lights strung above them.

"You're staring," Hally pointed out, though her voice was more teasing than accusing.

"Can you blame me?" Missy retorted, handing her the glass. She poured one for herself, leaning back in her chair with effortless grace. "You do look rather edible tonight."

Hally rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched with the beginnings of a smile. She took a sip of the champagne, the bubbles tickling her nose, and set the glass down. Her fingers fidgeted briefly with the edge of the tablecloth. "What do people do on dates?" Hally asked suddenly, her tone almost uncertain.

Missy raised a brow, her lips quirking into a smirk. "Talk about themselves. Flirt. Fuck." She shrugged, then added with a wicked grin, "We can skip straight to—"

"Talk about what?" Hally interrupted, fixing her with a sharp look.

Missy hummed, clearly amused by the abrupt change of subject. "I do believe they get to know one another," she mused, her tone deliberately light.

Hally scoffed. "I think we're rather a step or two past that, don't you?"

"By a decade or two." Missy winked, spearing a bite of her food with her fork. She leaned back, chewing slowly, her gaze fixed on Hally with a knowing glint. Swallowing, she continued, "Then again, it has been a little while, hasn't it? For the both of us."

There was something weighty in her tone, in the way her eyes lingered on Hally's face. The air between them shifted, growing heavier.

"How long has it been?" Hally asked quietly, her voice laced with something she couldn't quite name. "Since Gallifrey."

Missy paused, her fork hovering just above her plate. When she finally spoke, her tone was softer, more subdued. "Longer than it's been for you."

Hally's brow furrowed. "How intentionally vague of you," she said, her voice dipping into a frustrated sigh.

Missy's lips twitched in a small, enigmatic smile. "Darling… it's all rather hazy. I don't quite remember."

"You don't remember?" Hally's voice sharpened with incredulity.

"Not everything."

"Then what do you remember?"

Missy set her fork down with deliberate precision, leaning back in her chair. Her gaze drifted upward, as if searching for the answer among the stars. "I came the long way round," she murmured. "I can't pinpoint when I regenerated. Only that I did. I came to Earth once I could, and I've been here for almost fifteen years. Give or take."

Fifteen years. The words struck Hally like a physical blow, pain flashing briefly behind her eyes. Fifteen years. Most of that time, she supposed, Missy must have been near. Watching. Waiting. They were both hurt, both carrying wounds carved deep by time and distance.

Why was she taking this slowly again?

Oh, right. Yes.

"Why did you kill Osgood?" The question slipped from her lips before she could stop it, her voice quieter but no less pointed.

Missy pouted, the expression both exaggerated and entirely unapologetic. "That's not quite the kind of small talk I had in mind."

"Missy. I'm serious. She was my friend." Hally's voice dropped, her words almost a whisper. "You didn't have to kill her."

Missy sighed and set her glass down, leaning back into her chair with a scrutinizing gaze. Her blue eyes studied Hally carefully, as if weighing her response. "Was she your friend?"

"Yes," Hally said firmly, her jaw tightening.

"Or was she the clone of your friend?"

Hally's eyes narrowed into a scowl. "They're the same."

"Correct," Missy said, sucking on the back of her teeth in thought. "So… there was a spare, and now there isn't."

Hally growled softly, her hands balling into fists in her lap. "How can you be so…" She trailed off, grinding her teeth. "How can you be so utterly uncaring? She had a life, Missy. It doesn't matter if there were two of them or not. She was a person, and you killed her, for what? For fun?"

Missy tilted her head, her gaze never wavering from Hally's. She was listening, though her expression betrayed little. Missy leaned back in her chair, folding her arms with a bemused expression. "Honestly, darling, you're making a mountain out of a molehill," she said, her tone light, almost flippant. "There were two of her. They were the same. One's gone now, sure, but the other one is still kicking about somewhere. You've still got your friend."

Hally blinked, her jaw tightening as she tried to process the words. "Missy… they were people. Individuals. You don't just get to… to subtract one and call it even."

Missy tilted her head, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Why not? It's basic arithmetic, my love. There was one, then there were two and now there's one again. Problem solved."

Hally's hands clenched into fists on the table. "She had a life. She had feelings, thoughts, experiences. She wasn't just a copy you could erase without consequence."

Missy sighed dramatically, rolling her eyes. "Oh, please. Don't get all sentimental on me. If you'd asked her yourself, she'd have said the same thing—that they were the same person. Same memories, same everything. Technically, I didn't kill anyone." She reached for her drink with a theatrical air, taking a long sip. "But fine, yes, I killed her. Because it was fun. Because it hurt him. And perhaps," she added with a coy little smirk, "just a smidge because she caged you."

Hally's breath hitched, her face hardening. "You're unbelievable."

"No, darling, you're unbelievable," Missy shot back, a spark of irritation creeping into her tone. "I know you like to disapprove when I remind you how perishable these humans are, but really, you can hardly sit up on a moral high ground when it comes to squishing a few."

"That's not the same!" Hally snapped, her voice rising before she forced herself to take a breath, to steady the tremble in her hands.

Missy's grin widened, sharp and dangerous. "And yet you still bring about death, don't you? Directly, indirectly—it doesn't really matter. War zones, battles, fallout… you're no stranger to it, my love. You just wrap it all up in a tidy bow of righteousness and call it something else."

Hally's jaw tightened, but her voice softened as she replied, "I don't kill for fun."

Missy arched an eyebrow, leaning forward with a pointed smirk. "Oh, no? Never felt a thrill when a plan went off perfectly? Never felt the smallest twinge of satisfaction when you gave them their comeuppance? Don't lie, darling. I've felt it. You revel in it. I know you do."

"That's not the same," Hally countered, her tone rising with restrained frustration. "There's a difference between standing up for something and tearing it down just because you can."

"Perhaps," Missy mused, twirling her fork lazily between her fingers. "But the bodies pile up all the same. You can dress it up however you like, sweetheart. Morality, necessity, justice. All fancy words for the same thing." She tilted her head, feigning curiosity. "When it comes down to it, what makes me so much worse than you?"

Hally's hands tightened around her fork, her knuckles white. "Because I try to do better," she said firmly. "I don't stop caring, I own up to my mistakes."

Missy's expression faltered for the briefest of moments before her mask of amusement slid back into place. "Ah, yes, your relentless little hearts," she said mockingly, but there was a flicker of something deeper in her tone. "Was it truly so selfless? To let the humans pretend to hold you, to play along with their little story. Your redemption arc. You've come out of it all rather well, haven't you? A house? Drivers? Personal security and babysitters for every night of the week. All expenses paid. Your own office and more sway than you know what to do with. All from pretending you didn't kill them on purpose."

"I didn't." The words vibrated deep within her chest. A growl of warning.

Missy cocked her head, disapproval flickering across her features. "Darling… I was there. Twice…"

Uncertainty passed across Hally's face for just a second, a heavy stone settling deep within her abdomen.

"Don't lie to me." Her wife clipped, her gaze trapping Hally's.

"I… I didn't mean to kill them."

"Yes." Missy cut back sharply. "Yes. You did." Something within the bright blue, softened. "But it's alright. You've done your time either way, haven't you?" The corner of her mouth lifted with a gentle smile. "Now, you're adorable when you're self-righteous," she said finally, a faint edge to her voice. "But let's not ruin a perfectly good meal with all this moralising."

Hally shook her head, sighing softly as she leaned back herself, though her gaze never left Missy's. "I … I hate you sometimes."

"And yet," Missy said with a grin, raising her glass, "here you are."

"It didn't have to be her," Hally said quietly, her anger giving way to something softer, more vulnerable. "You could have spared her."

"You want me to say I'm sorry?" she asked, her voice rising. "Fine. I'm sorry. I'm sorry your little friend got caught up in the crossfire. I'm sorry I couldn't be the person you wanted me to be in that moment. But let's not forget that we both know that I didn't do anything you haven't already forgiven me for. So don't sit there and pontificate unnecessarily."

Hally stared at her, the words settling uncomfortably in the space between them. "You could have done better," she said softly, her voice laced with quiet disappointment.

Missy shrugged, her playful façade sliding seamlessly back into place as she reached for her fork. "Perhaps. Or perhaps not. But it's done now, and we're here. So, tell me, darling, dessert?"

Hally rubbed her fingers into her temple, a long, slow exhale escaping her lips. She looked at Missy—at her wife. Her wife who did terrible, horrible things. Sometimes. Always toeing the line.

And the bitch knew Hally had already forgiven her.

Annoying.

It really left Hally with very little ground to stand on.

Missy cocked her head to one side, eyes perusing over her in admiration. "Did your breasts get bigger?"

"Fuck off." Hally snapped, glaring at her.

Missy smirked, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

With another sigh, Hally leaned back in her chair, staring up at the stars as the faint hum of the boat's engine thrummed through the deck. The silence stretched for a few long moments as Hally decided where she wanted the conversation to go. "You've still got the TARDIS?"

"Yes."

"Is that where you live?"

"Sometimes."

Hally's scowl deepened, and she shot Missy a pointed look. "Sometimes?"

Missy's grin widened, teasing. "I've got an address. I live there most of the time. The TARDIS is usually there or at the school."

"You just park a TARDIS at the school?" Hally asked, incredulous.

Missy tilted her head, that small, knowing smirk playing on her lips. "The perks of being a headmistress. Unlimited parking."

Hally muttered something under her breath, but there was no mistaking the faint curve of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Missy saw it, of course, and leaned forward, her chin resting in her palm as she watched her wife with a maddening mix of affection and amusement.

Hally rolled her eyes. "You're lucky you're charming."

Missy's grin widened, satisfied. "Darling, I'm not just charming—I'm irresistible."

Hally snorted, stabbing a piece of her dessert with her fork. "Keep telling yourself that."

Missy leaned back, a picture of smugness. "I don't need to. You've been telling me with every stolen glance, every lingering touch—"

"Missy," Hally warned, though her lips twitched at the corners. "Finish your dessert and behave."

Missy's eyes sparkled mischievously, but she did as instructed, taking a dainty bite and humming in mock satisfaction. "So," she began, a note of casual curiosity slipping into her voice. "How's our little prodigy."

"Lily?" Hally asked, grateful for the change in subject. Her expression softened. "She's fine. She's a cheeky little shit. Definitely still in a mood with me. Yesterday, she asked me if I always had bags under my eyes or if they were new."

Missy chuckled, swirling her glass lazily.

Hally shook her head, though she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face. "And what about you? You know, I'm really almost impressed you've managed to run a school for this long. You're not exactly known for patience."

"It's tolerable. The children are entertaining, at least. And it's convenient for keeping an eye on our little terror."

"Convenient for parking your TARDIS, you mean," Hally said, smirking.

"Well, that too," Missy admitted shamelessly. "But I do like the occasional chaos. The parents are so wonderfully predictable. A misplaced rumour here, a mild scandal there—it's practically a hobby."

"Missy," Hally said warningly, though she couldn't hide her amusement.

"What? I'm an excellent headmistress," Missy protested, eyes wide with mock innocence. "The test scores have never been higher."

"Probably because they're terrified of you."

Missy shrugged, clearly unbothered. "Motivation is motivation."

Hally shook her head, finishing the last bite of her dessert. As she set her fork down, a distant pop echoed through the air, followed by a burst of colour against the night sky. She blinked, glancing up just as another firework exploded in brilliant reds and golds behind the boat.

She frowned slightly, her brow furrowing as she glanced around. The colours blinked into view as she craned her neck, but she couldn't quite make sense of where they were coming from. She turned her gaze back to Missy, a small, satisfied smile tugging at her lips.

"Are you serious?"

Missy merely shrugged, as though it had been nothing, her expression indifferent.

As the fireworks burst into the night sky, Hally pushed back her chair and stood, drawn to the edge of the deck. Missy followed, close on her heels, the low hum of satisfaction practically radiating from her as she watched Hally take in the display.

"Alright," Hally said, tilting her head to glance back at her. "I'll admit it. You've outdone yourself. Someone's trying very hard to impress me."

Missy smirked, stepping up behind her. "You deserve nothing less, darling. Besides, I don't need to try to impress you. It's an effortless talent of mine."

Hally rolled her eyes, her lips quirking in a small smile as she looked out at the water. "Effortless, huh?"

"Caught red-handed," Missy purred, slipping her arms around Hally's waist. She drew her in, resting her chin on Hally's shoulder. "But don't let my meticulous effort fool you. It's all terribly self-serving. The more you're wrapped around my finger, the less likely you are to strangle me for my… indiscretions."

"You mean the world domination and murder," Hally replied dryly, though the warmth in her tone betrayed her amusement.

Missy's lips brushed her exposed shoulder, and Hally stilled, her breath catching ever so slightly. "Mmm," Missy murmured, the sound low and velvety, "call it what you will. I call it foreplay."

Hally turned her head to give her a half-hearted glare, but before she could retort, Missy's lips moved deliberately to the faint mark at the curve of her neck. She paused there, letting the moment stretch out as her kiss lingered, soft and insistent over the faded scar.

Hally's eyes fluttered shut briefly, her hands resting lightly on the railing. "You really don't know how to take a moment and let it be, do you?"

Missy chuckled, her breath warm against Hally's skin. "And waste all this delicious tension? Perish the thought."

Another firework exploded, its golden light spilling across the water. Hally leaned back into Missy's embrace, shaking her head even as her lips curved into a smile.

Missy smirked, her fingers trailing lightly over Hally's stomach as the next firework painted the sky in bright blues and purples. "Still mad at me?" she asked, her voice low.

Hally's hand came to rest over the top of Missy's arm, fingers intertwining with hers. She squeezed her fingers gently. "Ask me again tomorrow."

Two days in a row was a lot of Missy.

Lily had decided that for their first day out together, she wanted to go to the zoo. Hally had gotten Missy's mobile number through Armitage… because… that was normal, and had told her to meet them there.

After their date had finished the night Missy had dropped her off home. Well… Armitage had, Missy had just been in the car.

It had been a monumental effort to not just invite her in. But she hadn't. Boundaries. She needed to take this slow not just for her but for Lily.

So, meeting at the zoo.

The weekend busyness buzzed around them, the sounds of other humans drifting through the air, a mix of voices, laughter, and the distant hum of traffic. Hally had already bought their tickets, ready on her phone. She spotted Missy, waiting for them. Lily broke away to run straight for her, arms open. The child embraced her, and Hally couldn't help but watch them for a moment.

Missy was different today—casual, almost unrecognisable compared to the night before. Dark jeans and black boots, a simple top under a leather jacket. The difference was striking. She effortlessly fit in, blending seamlessly into her surroundings. Even her eyes, not outlined as sharply as usual. For a moment, it was as if the sharp edges had dulled, and Missy, standing there hugging their daughter, seemed almost... relaxed. Almost domestic.

The faintest shift in Missy's posture, a straightening of the back, and then their eyes met. Butterflies stirred in Hally's stomach, the soft smiles exchanged between them something intimate, even in the midst of the zoo's weekend crowds.

Lily tugged on Missy's hand, practically dragging her through the turnstile. Hally followed behind, still clutching her phone with the tickets.

Lily stopped just short of the zoo sign, scanning the area until her gaze landed on a team member. She was quick to march up to them, a confident "Excuse me," cutting through the noise of the zoo. The team member looked down at her, smiling, before their gaze flicked up to meet Missy's. There was a brief, silent exchange, amusement flickering in the team member's eyes as they watched Lily.

Hally caught up, her own smile softening as she saw Lily's self-assurance.

"Can you take a picture of us, please?" Lily asked, continuing without missing a beat, motioning behind her towards Hally. It only took a second for Hally to realise what Lily was doing—she was after her phone.

"Oh, of course!" the team member agreed politely, setting themselves up. Missy, chuckling at Lily's boldness, allowed herself to be dragged into position. Hally handed over her phone, stepping into place with them.

Lily huffed, planting her hands on her hips as she pulled Hally into position. "I have to be in the middle," she declared, voice firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

"Bossy, isn't she?" Missy grinned, catching Hally's eye.

"She gets it from you," Hally breathed, leaning slightly towards her.

Missy tsked playfully. "You raised her."

Lily's voice cut through their exchange, sharp but with a hint of mischief. "I can hear you. Smile, please."

Hally's soft laugh mixed with Missy's grin as they both flashed a smile for the team member, standing still for the photo. Once the picture was taken, Lily darted off, snatching the phone back, quickly checking the image. She zoomed in and out, her mouth curling into a satisfied smile.

Hally stood with Missy, a strange feeling settling over her. It was surreal, the three of them like this—so incredibly human.

"Do you remember…" Missy's voice, suddenly lighter, turned toward her, eyes sparkling. "…when we destroyed the whole Dalek fleet at Oixn?" Her smile was wry, amused.

Hally laughed, catching on. "Or when we took over the whole planet with clones of you?"

Missy grinned, her gaze shifting as she looked over their daughter, who was still busy with the phone. "Look at us now…"

Hally crossed her arms, leaning slightly to the side. "That little menace will never understand the power at her fingertips. Manoeuvring a renegade criminal."

"Manhandling a Queen," Missy corrected, her tone teasing.

They both laughed, the sound strangely easy between them.

Lily, finished with her photos, returned to them, holding out the phone. "Can we print it when we get home?" she asked, her voice almost pleading.

"Of course, we can," Hally replied with a smile.

Missy looked around, her gaze thoughtful as she surveyed the zoo. "Now. Where do we start?"

Lily, with all the seriousness of a seasoned tour guide, nodded resolutely. "We start at the lions and work our way back. Tigers after lunch. Mum always spends ages at the tigers." She rolled her eyes dramatically before starting off to the left, heading for the lion enclosures.

Hally and Missy exchanged a glance, a shared understanding in the quiet moment that followed before they both followed their daughter.

They were at the meerkat enclosure when it happened. She and Missy stood side by side, the heat of the midday sun warming their shoulders. Lily was a few feet away, leaning over the rail to get a better look at the scurrying animals.

Their hands brushed.

Hally froze, startled by the unexpected contact, but Missy didn't pull away. Instead, her fingers lingered, grazing Hally's knuckles with a deliberate softness. Hally didn't move, letting the touch remain as they both pretended to be focused on the meerkats.

Missy turned her head slightly, her voice quiet. "Comfortable?"

"Hmm?" Hally blinked, realising she hadn't breathed in a second too long. "Oh. Yes. Fine."

"Good." Missy's lips curved into a smug smile, but her hand didn't move.

The day progressed with increasingly tactile moments. A hand on Hally's back as Missy leaned in to point something out to Lily. Hally brushing stray hair from her face as Missy tilted her head to speak to her. The playful tug of Missy's sleeve when she made a sarcastic quip. It was a slow, careful dance, one Hally wasn't entirely sure how to navigate but found herself leaning into all the same.

By the time they reached the reptile house, they moved together with an ease that felt strangely natural. Lily darted ahead, her attention taken by a boa constrictor.

That's when she spotted a familiar face. "Niamh!" Lily called, running up to a girl her age.

Niamh turned, smiling brightly, and the two girls immediately began chatting. A woman standing a little farther back—Niamh's mother, Hally guessed—noticed them. She stepped forward, smiling politely until her eyes landed on Missy. The polite smile turned into wide-eyed recognition.

"Headmistress?" the woman blurted, her tone a mix of surprise and confusion.

Missy's reaction was immediate. She straightened, her usual sharpness tempered by the casual air of the day. "Ah, yes," she replied smoothly, giving a brief nod. "Hello, Mrs. Green."

Hally stiffened slightly, aware of how closely they were standing together, Missy's hand still resting lightly on her arm. She moved a fraction of an inch away, but Missy, clearly unfazed, stepped closer.

"You're here… together?" Mrs. Green's gaze flickered between them, the question hanging awkwardly in the air.

"Well…"

"Yes." Missy cut across her quickly. Not offering any explanation, letting the unanswered question hover sharply between them.

Missy chose that moment to brush her hand against Hally's again, this time deliberately letting it rest against her side. It didn't help.

"Right…" Mrs. Green spoke slowly, her eyes dipping down to where Missy had her hand very obviously wrapped around Hally's waist, her brows knitting together in obvious confusion. Before she could say anything else, Niamh turned to her mother and asked loudly, "Are they girlfriends?"

Hally felt her cheeks heat instantly. This was going to get around the other parents by the end of the day…

"No, silly. They're married," Lily interrupted matter-of-factly as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Mrs. Green blinked, clearly thrown. "Married?"

Lily nodded, beaming. "Yep. They've been married for ages."

"But…" Niamh tilted her head, confused. "I thought your mum was married to your dad?"

"She is," Lily said brightly. Then, with zero hesitation, added, "He regenerated."

Mrs. Green's face froze in bewilderment. "I'm sorry…?"

Hally cleared her throat meaningfully.

Realising her mistake, Lily quickly backtracked, stumbling over her words. "Oh, I mean... He… uh… died." She settled on quickly. "Dad died."

Great. Just great.

Hally closed her eyes briefly, forcing a calm expression onto her face as she let out a soft sigh.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry," Mrs. Green gushed immediately, her face softening with sympathy. "I had no idea."

Hally plastered on a polite smile. "It's fine. Really."

"No, it must be so hard," Mrs. Green continued, her tone heavy with concern. "Raising a child on your own. Such strength…"

Missy, ever unhelpful, leaned in closer, placing a hand lightly on Hally's waist and murmuring, "Such strength indeed. I don't know how you do it, darling."

"Gosh, I had no idea… well… I'm glad you've… moved on." The humans' gaze moved to linger uncertainly on Missy.

Maybe they should just leave this planet.

Live in the TARDIS.

URGH.

She tried to smile, but it came out stiff and forced. "Well, you know... life, um, happens," she managed weakly.

Mrs. Green frowned slightly, clearly trying to piece things together. "When did it happen, if you don't mind me asking? I mean... it must be hard for Lily, too. Losing her father and then everything changing so soon."

Hally opened her mouth, but no words came out. She hadn't exactly prepared for this line of questioning. It didn't help that Missy, standing casually close, was clearly enjoying her discomfort. Hally could almost feel the smirk radiating off her.

"Oh, you know," Hally stammered, waving a hand vaguely as if that would fill in the blanks. "It's, um... complicated. These things always are."

Mrs. Green nodded slowly, though her expression betrayed polite intrigue. "Quite. I'm just surprised… you know… I don't think I've ever really seen the two of you together. At school."

Hally gave her a tight-lipped smile. "Well. Perhaps that was on purpose?" The edge to her tone was definitely caught.

"Oh… of course… it's none of my business." Mrs Green laughed with a faux politeness that had the hair on the back of Hally's neck standing on end.

"Exactly," Missy interjected smoothly, her tone cutting through the awkwardness with unsettling ease. "None of your business at all, Mrs. Green."

Hally shot her a sharp look, but Missy ignored it, instead slipping her arm around Hally's waist with a possessiveness that was both maddening and—if Hally was honest—oddly grounding.

"Anyway," Hally said quickly, desperate to change the subject. "Have a nice day." She hummed, shooting the woman an overly sweet smile.

"Of course," Mrs. Green said again, though her eyes lingered a moment too long on Missy's arm around Hally's waist. She opened her mouth to say something else, but thankfully, Lily's impatient voice cut through the awkward silence.

"Are you done talking?" Lily asked, her tone impatient. "I'm hungry."

Hally hummed softly in agreement, pulling their daughter closer as she began to move, intent on turning away from the uncomfortable interaction with the humans.

As they walked, Hally frowned, glancing towards Missy as a thought settled within her. "What do they think your name is?"

"Headmistress," Missy replied without missing a beat.

"Yes, but… don't you have a name? A human name?" Hally pressed.

"No," Missy answered simply, her tone matter-of-fact.

"So they just call you 'Headmistress'?" Hally raised an eyebrow, slightly incredulous.

"Yes," Missy affirmed, her voice unfazed.

"What about when you weren't the headmistress?" Hally continued.

"They called me Miss."

"Has no one ever asked for your actual name?" Hally's curiosity piqued, a curve of a smile pulling at the edge of her mouth.

Missy smirked at the thought. "No, darling." Her hand settled at the small of Hally's back as she guided them both through into the canteen area.

They reached the counter, Missy buying her lunch with a dramatic air of distaste as she scrutinized the choices before them. The cafeteria was bustling with other families, kids running about, and families clustered around tables. Hally and Lily sat down, already digging into their meals, while Missy picked at her sandwich with a slight scrunch of her face.

"You're such a snob," Hally observed with a light chuckle, watching Missy's exaggerated expression of distaste.

"I don't understand the need to mix cheese with mayonnaise," Missy muttered, holding up the sandwich as if it were a foreign object. "And why are they tiny triangles?"

"Because it's a kids' meal," Hally said with a shrug. "Adults are supposed to eat adult meals."

"The adult meal didn't come with a toy," Missy clipped, clearly displeased.

"Well then, stop pouting." Hally rolled her eyes. "You're at a zoo cafeteria," she pointed out, lowering her fork to her plate. "What were you expecting? A five-star dining experience?"

"I was expecting edible food," Missy replied, flicking the sandwich back onto its plate with a dramatic shudder.

Hally shook her head in amusement, leaning back in her chair. "You could at least try not to look like you're suffering. You're drawing attention."

"Let them look," Missy said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. She scanned the room, eyes glinting. "It's good for their mundane little lives to encounter something extraordinary now and then."

Lily, who had been quietly eating, suddenly looked up. She tilted her head as she observed Missy for a moment, her gaze thoughtful.

"If you're not going to eat it, can I have your toy?" she asked, her voice casual.

"No," Missy replied immediately, pulling the plastic-wrapped trinket closer to her plate as though protecting it from a thief. "I might want it later."

Lily pouted, the expression strikingly similar to the one on Missy's face moments ago.

Missy's hands were tucked neatly into her jacket pockets as they walked toward the tiger enclosure. Hally's arm had somehow ended up linked with hers. Lily darted ahead, Hally's phone clutched in her hands, snapping pictures of everything from the informational signs to a particularly muddy patch of grass.

"Careful with that," Hally called after her. "If you drop it—"

"I won't!" Lily interrupted, turning just long enough to snap a picture of Hally mid-scold. She grinned mischievously and skipped further ahead.

Missy smirked, leaning closer to Hally as they strolled. "She's got you wrapped around her little finger, doesn't she?"

"She does not," Hally muttered, though the faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her.

Missy hummed noncommittally, her smile widening as Lily turned back toward them, her expression suddenly serious.

"You should just buy me my own phone," Lily announced, holding Hally's phone aloft like a prize. "Then I wouldn't have to keep borrowing yours." Mischief glinted behind her daughter's eyes. Hally knew she was only bringing this up now because Missy was present. Perhaps Lily was under the impression Missy would side with her.

Hally sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We've been over this. You don't need a phone."

"Why not?" Lily challenged, coming to a halt and planting her hands on her hips. "Lots of kids at school have phones. Sophie has an iPhone."

Missy snorted softly, clearly enjoying the show.

"Sophie's parents buying her an iPhone doesn't mean you get one," Hally said firmly. "And what could you possibly need a phone for, anyway? You're eight. You know what we were doing at eight?" She motioned between the pair of them. "Being sent off to boarding school. Would you prefer that?"

Lily stuck her tongue out at her. "For safety," Lily replied without missing a beat, her tone as sweet and innocent as she could muster. "I need a phone for safety. Don't you want me to be safe?"

Hally gave her a look, one eyebrow arching in disbelief. "Nice try, sweetheart." Her mouth curved with a knowing smirk. "Really, pulling at those heartstrings today." She moved over to her and ruffled her hair, earning her a scowl. "That might've worked, but unfortunately for you, your safety is already more than handled."

"She's not wrong," Missy interjected smoothly, leaning casually against the railing as they reached the tiger enclosure. "Between me, your mother, the morally ambiguous bodyguard and a certain overly dramatic uncle who thinks he's invincible, you're about as safe as anyone could possibly be. Frankly, you're over-insured."

Lily pouted, clearly realising she wasn't going to win this one. "But it's not fair—"

"Life isn't fair," Hally said simply, turning her attention to the tiger pacing lazily in its enclosure. "And I'm not buying you a phone."

Missy chuckled, watching as Lily huffed and stomped off to take more pictures, muttering under her breath about unfairness.

"You handled that well," Missy said, her tone teasing.

Hally shot her a look. "Don't start."

"Who, me?" Missy's expression was the picture of innocence, though the glint in her eye gave her away. "We could get her one of those… what do humans call them? Brick phones?"

"Absolutely not," Hally said firmly, though she couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "See, this is what she does. She flashes that hopeful smile, looks at you with the puppy dog eyes and suddenly you're giving her everything she wants."

Missy hummed softly as she reached out to brush her fingers lightly against Hally's. The touch lingered, warm and grounding. "Reminds me of someone else I know."

The small petting zoo was alive with the gentle hum of children's chatter and the soft rustling of fur as tiny hands eagerly reached out to touch the animals. Lily was in her element, perched on a low bench with a fluffy white bunny nestled in her lap. She stroked it with care, her small fingers trailing delicately over its ears. Hally and Missy stood nearby, leaning on the enclosure's low railing. Missy looked vaguely bored, but her curiosity perked when she caught the tail end of Lily's latest conversation with the zookeeper.

"…and when they regenerate, they can be any colour, you know." Lily explained to the zookeeper.

The zookeeper blinked, momentarily thrown. "Regenerate?" she echoed, her brows furrowing. "Like... grow their fur back?"

Lily gave her a knowing look. "No. Like when they die and come back."

The zookeeper chuckled hesitantly, clearly unsure whether Lily was joking or simply imaginative. She patted Lily on the head before moving to another group of children. Lily continued happily petting the rabbit.

Missy straightened, tilting her head with mock interest. "Sweetheart…?"

"Yes?" Hally replied, her tone already defensive as she avoided Missy's sharp gaze.

"Why does she think rabbits regenerate?"

Hally's lips pressed into a thin line. "No idea."

"Does she think all animals regenerate? Or just the ones she's had as pets?" Missy asked, leaning closer, her tone entirely too amused.

"I have no clue what you're talking about." Hally muttered, crossing her arms tightly over her chest and looking decidedly anywhere but at Missy.

A low chuckle vibrated in Missy's throat. "I'm surprised not one of her plethora of Uncles has explained."

Hally sighed softly.

Missy's chuckle softened, and she shifted slightly closer to Hally, her voice dipping to something less teasing, more sincere. "I could explain it to her, you know. Gently. No theatrics, I promise."

Hally turned to her, eyebrows knitting together in suspicion. "You? Gentle?"

Missy placed a hand theatrically over her chest, feigning offence. "I am perfectly capable of tact. When it suits me."

Hally rolled her eyes but didn't respond, her gaze flickering back to Lily, who was now murmuring softly to the bunny in her lap. There was a long pause between them, the faint sounds of children's laughter and the rustle of straw filling the space. Missy broke the silence, her tone losing its usual edge.

"She's a clever girl, Hally. She's going to figure it out eventually," Missy said, her hand brushing against Hally's arm as she leaned in. "Wouldn't you rather she heard the truth from us? Well, from me. I'm quite good at delivering harsh truths with... finesse." Missy replied smoothly, her hands finding their way to Hally's hips, pulling her infinitesimally closer. Her touch was grounding, warm, a subtle reassurance beneath the surface of her words. "Let me do this, darling."

Hally hesitated, her gaze still on Lily, who was now showing the bunny's twitching nose to another child. "It's not just about the stupid rabbit," she said softly. "It's about everything else she's already lost. I was trying to let her keep... something."

Missy's fingers squeezed gently, her voice low and steady. "I know. But she's stronger than you think. And so are you."

The words hung in the air for a moment, heavier than the playful banter that had preceded them. Hally turned her head, meeting Missy's gaze. There was sincerity there, buried beneath the layers of mischief and ego, but undeniable all the same.

"Fine," Hally said quietly, though her tone was laced with resignation. "But keep it simple. No dramatics."

Missy's smirk returned, but it was tempered, almost fond. "Of course. You have my word."

"How reassuring." Hally muttered sarcastically, but her lips twitched in a faint smile as Missy's hands lingered, steady and unyielding.

The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden light over the zoo's winding paths. Families and groups of children ambled toward the exit, their laughter and chatter filling the air as the day wound down. Hally held Lily's hand, a paper bag with a stuffed Giraffe under her arm, while Missy walked a little to the side. She was exhausted. Running around after an excited child was harder than facing Sontaran hordes, for certain.

They stopped just outside the gates, where the bustling energy of the zoo gave way to the quieter hum of the park. Hally crouched to adjust Lily's jacket, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her daughter's face.

"Did you have fun today?" she asked, her voice soft.

Lily nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! I liked the tiny hippos the best. And the tiger was cool. And the ice cream!"

Hally smiled, standing up again. "Good. And you forgot to be moody all day." A wry smirk tugged at her mouth, breaking into a smile at Lily's stuck-out tongue.

Lily looked at Missy, her brow furrowing. "Are you coming with us now?"

Missy shook her head, crouching slightly to meet Lily's gaze. "No, little one. But I'll see you bright and early Monday morning. Don't think you can skive off class just because you had an exciting weekend."

Lily rolled her eyes but grinned. "I don't skive off class."

"Good," Missy replied, standing again. Her attention shifted to Hally, and her smirk softened into something less sharp. "Well, this has been... unexpectedly tolerable." Her gaze shifted to the steady trickle of humans.

Hally scoffed. "Don't overdo the sentiment, Koschei. You'll sprain something."

Missy's eyes twinkled with amusement, but she didn't bite back. Instead, she took a step closer, her hands slipping casually into her pockets. "Walk to the car?"

Hally hesitated for a moment, glancing at Lily, but then nodded. "Sure."

The walk to the car was quiet, the chatter from earlier fading into the background. When they reached the vehicle, Hally unlocked the doors and opened the back for Lily to climb in.

"Seatbelt," she reminded, watching as Lily dutifully buckled herself in.

Once the door was shut, Hally turned back to Missy. They stood there for a moment, the cool evening air brushing against them.

"Well," Hally said finally, awkwardly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks for coming. I know this isn't really your thing. It means a lot… to her… to do normal stuff. And me… it means a lot to me."

Missy shrugged. "It wasn't dreadful. And you…" Her voice dropped slightly, her gaze flickering down to Hally's face. "You were rather radiant today."

Hally's cheeks flushed faintly, and she rolled her eyes to cover it. "Ah, flirting to cover up the fact you had fun."

"Always," Missy agreed, stepping closer. She reached out, her fingers brushing lightly against Hally's arm before settling gently at her waist.

Hally let out a soft sigh, her voice lowering. "We really shouldn't—"

Missy cut her off with a wry smile. "Oh, hush. One kiss won't unravel the universe, darling."

Before Hally could respond, Missy leaned in, her lips capturing Hally's in a kiss that was warm and steady, tinged with a tenderness that caught her off guard. It lasted just a moment, but the world tilted ever so slightly, regardless.

Missy pulled back, her eyes sparkling with mischief and something softer beneath it. "Until next time."

Hally shook her head, fighting a small, involuntary smile. "Goodbye, Missy."

Missy winked, stepping back. "Goodbye, my darling. Monday morning, Lily."

From inside the car, Lily waved, her small voice ringing out. "Bye, Mamaidh!"

With that, Missy turned and walked away, her coat sweeping behind her, leaving Hally standing by the car with a mix of exasperation and warmth twisting in her chest.

The TARDIS hummed softly in the background as Lily perched on the console chair, swinging her legs in the air while The Doctor fiddled with some nonsensical gadget on the console. Hally leaned against the railing, her arms folded, watching them both with an amused smile. Sundays in the TARDIS had at least, not changed.

"Grandad," Lily started, her voice curious, "do I look like you?"

The Doctor paused, glancing over his shoulder, his face alight with faux offence. "No… I believe you're lucky enough that you don't."

Lily huffed. "But I look like Mum, right?"

The Doctor turned, a grin tugging at his lips. Without warning, he scooped her up and held her upside down, her delighted squeal filling the room. "From this angle, maybe."

Hally snorted, trying to stifle her laugh as Lily's giggles echoed around them. The Doctor swung her back upright, plopping her back down onto the TARDIS floor.

"You've got your father's eyes," he said after a moment, his tone softening. There was something wistful in his expression as he glanced at Lily, his usual energetic spark momentarily subdued.

"…and his sulky pout," he added quickly, breaking the moment with a teasing grin.

Lily immediately pouted in protest. The Doctor pointed dramatically. "Ah, yes. There it is."

Hally couldn't hold it in anymore and burst into laughter. The Doctor cocked his head toward her, an eyebrow raised. "Although your mother is pretty pouty too when she wants to be."

Lily giggled as both she and Hally stuck their tongues out at him in unison. The Doctor held up his hands in mock surrender. "Practically twins," he chuckled.

A comfortable silence settled over them as he returned to tinkering, and Lily sprawled back onto the chair, her head resting in her hands. After a moment, her voice broke the quiet, thoughtful and clear.

"When I regenerate," she said, her small fingers tapping against her chin, "I want eyes like Mamaidh."

Hally froze, her stomach twisting into knots as she carefully kept her face neutral, her prayer silent but fervent: Don't say her name. Don't bring her up.

The Doctor stiffened just slightly, enough for Hally to notice. His head tilted as his brow furrowed at the Gallifreyan word.

The Doctor hummed softly.

"Well hopefully you won't be regenerating for a very long time." Hally cut in and although she could practically feel his silent question, he didn't speak it.

Hally was running late. The stupid PTA afterschool bake sale had her in a rush, but it wasn't just that—London was having earthquakes for no reason. So naturally, UNIT had assumed extraterrestrial involvement. So she'd had to stay late. Not that they'd solved the problem. But that meant, of course, she was late. Late for the bake sale. Where there would be other parents and, worse, Missy.

Great.

She really didn't want to draw attention to herself. But now? Now she had no choice. She was going to be that parent—the one who always seemed to be caught in awkward situations, who never fit into the neat little boxes everyone else was placed in. The one who, somehow, was always running behind.

Picking up Lily from school had gotten weird enough. The other parents and teachers had, without a doubt, figured something out by now. They all knew—something. Their 'Headmistress' and Hally, the weird parent that already drew attention for reasons she couldn't even remember, were… what exactly? Dating? Having an affair? Lily had told Mrs Green they were married, but the gossip was already spiralling out of control.

One rumour going around was that Hally had actually murdered her husband in order to marry Missy so that Lily could get the private tutoring she supposedly needed. Another one? That Hally was pretending to be married to the headmistress and they were actually having a torrid affair.

And, of course, Missy didn't help matters.

She'd started showing up. Every time she picked up Lily or dropped her off, Missy was there. Standing too close. Sending coy, amused smiles her way. Coming up beside her, casually placing a hand on her, lingering just a little too long for comfort.

So far, none of the parents or teachers had asked outright, but the strange looks were unavoidable. The whispers that stopped when she walked past, the sideways glances that followed her—she could practically hear their thoughts.

She didn't really care, though. It was awkward, yes, but she didn't care. The problem was Lily. She didn't want any of this to affect Lily, especially when she seemed blissfully unaware of how awkward things had become. Not that Lily cared one way or another—she was just thrilled to have both her parents in the same room, even if everyone else was staring. There was no concept of 'embarrassment' in her world. Just a solid, uncomplicated happiness.

Hally slipped into the bake sale, weaving her way through the bustling hall. The place was packed with parents and kids, everyone huddled around tables stacked high with cakes, cookies, and homemade goods. Some people were seated and munching, while others were crowded around the raffle table. It was all perfectly mundane.

She was just about to make her way further into the room when she was stopped by someone stepping directly into her path. "There you are. I've been having to run the raffle and your stall for the last thirty minutes." Ah, joy, Evie's mother. The head of the PTA.

"Yep. Sorry. Work thing… just… point me in the right direction and I'll get on it."

She huffed at her but did so, showing her the table. She quickly ran through the prices and allergen information and showed her where the change was. With an unnecessarily dirty look she clipped. "Did you get all that?"

Hally pulled a face at her. "Yes." She hissed as she practically shooed the woman away. "You can get back to your raffle."

Maybe this was why the parents didn't like her… she couldn't help the edge to her words.

Across the hall, she could see Missy, gliding through the crowd, effortlessly drawing people in. It was as though they couldn't help themselves, gravitating toward her like moths to a flame. Hally, on the other hand, felt like she was constantly on the outside looking in. The contrast was stark. How did Missy manage to be both terrifying and charming all at once?

Well, maybe it wasn't so hard to figure out. Technically, they were both terrifying, weren't they? But there was a distinct difference. Hally's terrifying was the kind that made people steer clear of her, a quiet kind of danger that repelled. Missy's? Hers was the sort that made people want to be liked by her, to be in her good graces, to bask in her attention. It was disarming. And dangerous in its own way.

As if on cue, Missy's gaze slid over to Hally, and she saw the slow curl of Missy's lips into a sly smile. That smile—it was dangerous. But there was something more to it, a knowing, teasing edge. She gave Hally a little wave, one that was so casual it might've been dismissive if it hadn't been so deliberate. A wave that was pointed, as if to remind Hally: Yes, I see you.

Hally's response was quick—too quick. She sent a scathingly sarcastic smile right back, her expression sharp and biting, the kind that clearly said, I want to die.

It wasn't long before Missy started making her way over, her progress interrupted only by Lily bounding up to her, face smudged with chocolate. Lily was clutching a paper bag bulging with treats.

"Have you bought out half the bake sale?" Hally asked as Lily trotted over, showing off her haul.

"Mamaidh gave me five pounds," Lily said cheerfully. "I'm allowed to."

"Oh, I see." Hally shot Missy a pointed look. "She'll be bouncing off the walls all night," Hally muttered, but Lily had already darted off, clutching her bag of spoils like treasure.

Missy leaned on the edge of Hally's table, effortlessly casual, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "You're late," she said, her voice low and teasing.

"Thanks for noticing," Hally replied dryly, busying herself with stacking change in the tin. "And thanks for the audience. Everyone's staring."

Missy's smile widened. "Let them."

"Missy, stop it," Hally said, her voice dropping to a warning tone as Missy's hand grazed her back.

"Why?" Missy's hand lingered, her fingers lightly tracing the seam of Hally's shirt. "What's wrong with a little affection?"

Hally swatted her hand away, glancing around. Sure enough, parents at nearby tables were casting sidelong glances, their whispering only barely concealed. She groaned inwardly.

"I don't need to give them more to gossip about," Hally hissed. "The last they heard, I was married to a man."

Missy chuckled, completely unfazed. "Well, this will give them something to talk about for a week, won't it?"

"Missy…"

"Relax," Missy said, her hand settling on Hally's hip, her voice dropping to a murmur only Hally could hear. "I'm just being supportive."

Hally turned, fixing her with a glare. "Supportive doesn't involve groping me in front of the PTA."

Missy smirked, clearly enjoying every second of Hally's discomfort. "Well… you won't let me grope you in private so…"

"Well, no wonder Lily's getting special treatment," a woman with a clipped accent muttered to her friend. "I'm sure Xander would too if I was fucking his teacher. Maybe I should try seducing Mr. Edwards—see if that fixes his report."

Hally froze, her cheeks burning. She glanced at Missy, who had straightened slightly, her expression suddenly sharp as a blade.

"Oh, dear me," Missy said, loud enough to carry but still silky-smooth. "What an absolutely fascinating theory."

The woman stiffened, turning slowly, her face blanching as she realised Missy's piercing gaze was fixed on her.

Missy smiled sweetly, though the glint in her eyes was anything but kind. "But, let's not be too hard on Xander. He's only working with what he's got. Which, sadly for him, isn't much. The apple never falls too far from the tree, does it?" Her voice carried unapologetically. Loud enough that the entire room definitely heard it.

The woman's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water. She mumbled something incoherent before hastily turning back to her friend, who looked equally mortified.

Hally tried. She really, really tried. She bit the inside of her cheek, clenched her jaw, and even coughed to disguise the laugh bubbling in her throat. None of it worked. A snort escaped her, quickly followed by an undignified giggle. She slapped a hand over her mouth, her shoulders shaking as she fought to contain herself.

The woman's face flushed a blotchy red, her attempts to act unaffected crumbling under the weight of the attention now directed her way.

Missy, standing tall and unruffled, leaned closer to Hally, her hand still possessively placed on her hip.

Hally couldn't help herself. The other woman's embarrassment, combined with Missy's unrelenting confidence, was just too much. Her laughter spilt out, no longer contained, drawing a few curious glances from nearby parents.

The woman gathered what little dignity she had left and whispered furiously to her friend before grabbing her handbag and making a swift exit.

"Oh, now you've gone and scared her off," Hally said between laughs, finally lowering her hand.

Missy's eyes sparkled with mischief as she pulled Hally just a touch closer. "Darling, if that's all it takes, she's clearly not cut out for the PTA bake sale battlefield."

As the other parents awkwardly resumed their chatter, pretending they hadn't been eavesdropping, Hally sighed. "Just watch them somehow turn that onto me."

Missy tilted her head, looking thoroughly pleased with herself. She leaned in, her voice low and laced with that familiar mix of mischief and affection. "Let them talk, my love. Let them whisper. I'll be here to defend you against the nasty little humans. Always." Her eyes twinkled with amusement.

Hally gave her a sideways look, fighting the warmth creeping into her cheeks. "You mean you'll make it worse."

Missy's lips curled into a sly smile as her hand slid just a touch lower on Hally's waist. "Oh, darling, you've never fit in with them. It's one of the many reasons I love you. You don't belong in their dull little worlds. You don't fit anywhere." She tilted her head, her voice softening. "Except perfectly next to me."

Hally blinked. "Missy…"

"Shhh," Missy interrupted, her eyes glinting. "Give me a kiss. Let them see you're mine."

Hally's eyes widened, glancing around the room. "Are you insane? They're already—"

Missy leaned in closer, her lips brushing near Hally's ear as she murmured, "Let them look. Let them gossip. Let them see, just how inconsequential they are."

Hally felt her cheeks burn, but before she could come up with a retort, Missy tilted her face toward hers, their foreheads nearly touching.

"Come now," Missy purred. "Show them you're not afraid. Show them that you're mine."

Hally hesitated, biting her lip. With a sigh that betrayed more affection than frustration, she cupped Missy's face and kissed her, brief but firm.

When they parted, Missy's grin was radiant, her eyes gleaming with victory. "There we are," she said, her voice carrying just enough to draw attention. "That'll keep them entertained."

Something inside Hally shifted, as though the ground beneath her had tilted ever so slightly. Kissing Missy, here, in front of everyone, no longer hiding. No longer pretending. Her breath caught, she wasn't sure if she was excited or terrified by the shift, but she didn't have time to dwell on it before she'd pressed her lips to Missy's for the second time.

The second kiss was deeper, longer, more intense than the first. Missy's lips were soft and firm against hers, a gentle pressure that seemed to pull the world closer. Hally pulled away first, reluctantly, clearing her throat to give herself a moment to regain composure. She turned back to the stall, feeling the stares that she knew were there but refused to acknowledge. "You know you're making this increasingly difficult..." Her voice was steady, but the words felt like a confession.

When Missy didn't respond immediately, Hally took a breath, her gaze flicking back to her. "Taking things slow," she added, as if that would somehow make everything make sense again.

"Why are we doing that?" Missy's voice was quiet but insistent, the question almost a teasing challenge.

"I'm struggling to remember..." The words slipped out before she could stop them.

The weeks slipped by, accompanied by work and Missy.

The strange balance they'd hit between comfortable family life and unnecessarily extravagant gestures.

There had been the private viewing at the National Gallery, where they wandered through the galleries alone, the silence of the art world surrounding them, the paintings glowing under the soft lighting. Missy had known exactly what would captivate Hally's attention, and as they stood in front of the Renaissance collection, Missy's hand resting casually on the small of Hally's back, she leaned in to whisper something so intimate it might have been an inside joke between just the two of them, leaving Hally laughing quietly.

Then there was the night at the Royal Opera House. Missy had secured a private box. The opera house, grand and filled with the scent of velvet and anticipation, Missy's hand always just a bit too close, but somehow never close enough.

One Friday evening, Missy had dragged her to a high-end boutique in the heart of London. It had started innocently enough—Hally picked out a couple of simple pieces. But Missy, with that wicked smile, encouraged her to try on everything. They left with bags brimming with dresses and shoes, suits and scarves—all carefully selected by Missy, who insisted that Hally needed to update her wardrobe, push her boundaries a little. As Missy twirled her in front of the mirror, admiring her like a prize, Hally couldn't help but laugh.

But there were also quieter, simpler days that became just as precious, if not more so. Family days, with Lily in tow, felt like they grounded them in something real. They'd gone to the aquarium. Lily had been practically bouncing off the walls the entire morning, thrilled to see the sharks and dolphins, the giant sea turtles gliding by. Hally found herself following Lily's excited footsteps, watching her daughter's face light up with awe as she pressed her hands to the glass tanks. They ended the day with hot chocolate in the café, the three of them crammed into a small corner booth, stupidly laughing over Lily's attempts to catch a fish-shaped biscuit in her mouth.

They'd wandered through the Science Museum, the exhibits pulling them into conversation about everything from space travel to ancient history. Lily loved running from one interactive display to the next, pulling on their hands to get them to join her. A smile tugged at Hally's mouth as she observed how much Missy seemed to enjoy it, her sarcasm fading in the face of their daughter's enthusiasm.

That Saturday, it'd pissed it down with rain all day. So, they'd settled on a movie night. Just the three of them at home. They'd left the choice of film to their daughter, who, predictably had chosen her current favourite, Frozen.

"Mum, do the snow!" She demanded, to which Hally obliged because the look on her daughter's face at seeing the bright silver sparks and flurry of snow was something Hally couldn't help but treasure.

Beside her, Missy shifted slightly. Hally could tell she was tolerating the film purely for Lily's sake. She knew for a fact that Missy wasn't a fan of musicals—Disney, even less so. It was a little funny, in an absurd sort of way. There they were, on the sofa, wrapped in this strange domestic comfort. Missy's arm was casually draped around Hally's shoulders, the touch pleasantly familiar.

Hally had to stop herself from laughing at the juxtaposition of it all. Missy, her wife, the woman who had held the planet at its knees… what, three times now? And yet here they were, nestled on the sofa, entangled in something as mundane as watching Frozen. Hally nestled a little deeper into Missy's side, feeling the steady rise and fall of her chest.

Lily sat between them, leaning forward with complete focus on the screen, watching intently. Missy shifted, curving in towards her as her arm tugged her closer. She ended up watching the film somehow entangled with her.

Not that she minded.

The film ended. She hadn't realised how late it had gotten until the credits rolled, and Lily let out a little sigh of contentment.

"Come on, Lils," Hally murmured, brushing her daughter's hair back. "Bedtime."

Lily stretched, getting up as she followed her mother's lead. "Can Mamaidh stay?" she asked, her voice small but hopeful.

Hally's chest tightened. She wasn't sure how to answer. How to explain. She took a slow, steadying breath, glancing over at Missy, unsure of how to proceed.

Before she could speak, Missy's voice cut through the quiet, low and steady. "Not tonight, Lilja," she said, the words soft but firm.

Hally caught Missy's eyes, surprised at the gentleness in her tone. It wasn't the sharp edge she often carried with her, but a quiet assurance. A simple boundary. And, strangely, it made Hally's hearts swell.

She nodded, smiling softly at Lily, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead. "Not tonight, sweetheart," she echoed, her voice warm and soothing.

Lily pouted for a moment, then accepted it with a small sigh. "Okay, Mamaidh," she murmured, already half asleep.

As Hally tucked her daughter into bed, the soft weight of her presence lingered in the room. Hally returned to the living room after tucking Lily in, her footsteps soft on the wooden floor. The house was quiet now, the sort of quiet that settled deep into her bones. She found Missy still sitting on the sofa, her eyes closed, her posture relaxed but somehow alert, as if she were always ready to slip back into the role she played with such ease. But tonight, there was no sharp edge, no distant look in her eyes. Just a sort of soft, unguarded presence.

Hally didn't say anything at first. She simply walked over and sat down beside her, leaning her head against Missy's shoulder. Missy shifted slightly, her arm instinctively wrapping around Hally's shoulders, pulling her closer. Just this—the shared silence, the steady rhythm of their breathing, the soft hum of the world moving around them while they stayed still. It was enough.

A small laugh bubbled up from Missy's throat, a sound so rare and so genuine it made Hally's chest tighten. "What?" Hally murmured, lifting her head slightly to look at her wife, the tiniest smile curling at the corner of her lips.

Missy tilted her head, her eyes opening to meet Hally's, her gaze soft but intense. "Nothing," she replied, her voice low. "Just thinking how... normal this is."

Hally blinked, surprised by the words. "Normal?" she echoed, her voice soft and almost amused. "Normal for us, you mean?"

Missy's smile was small but genuine. "Yes. Weird, isn't it?"

For a moment, Hally said nothing, simply studying her wife's face, taking in the relaxed lines, the way Missy's usual sharpness had faded, replaced by something almost tender. "I think I could get used to it," Hally murmured, her voice quiet but full of meaning.

The words hung in the air, and for the briefest of moments, Missy didn't respond. Then, with a faint chuckle, she brushed a lock of Hally's hair away from her face, her touch lingering. "Good."

She didn't say anything, but she leaned in closer, her lips pressing against Missy's in a soft, lingering kiss.

When they parted, Hally could feel the warmth of Missy's presence still lingering, a calm after the storm of everything else. She rested her forehead against Missy's, the two of them silent for a while.

"Stay," Hally whispered, her voice soft and almost hesitant. The request was simple, but she could hear the vulnerability in it.

Missy exhaled slowly, a small sigh escaping her lips. "Not yet." She said, her voice tinged with something like regret.

"Damn you…" Hally whispered softly, pressing a kiss to Missy's jawline.

Missy's lips curled into a smile, though there was a trace of something deeper in her eyes. She kissed the top of Hally's head, the gesture tender and soft. "I know." She murmured. "I know."