I am still baffled that so many people loved my FanFiction "Family Ties". Writing a sequel has been going through my mind ever since I finished the story, but I couldn't really think of a plot. Well, that plot came to my mind a few days ago and I just couldn't stop thinking about it. Here is the first chapter for you before I head off to London next week.

The Doctor's and Clara's relationship has been more than just a little rocky ever since he turned back into a Time Lord, but when Vastra asks them to watch over teenage Isabel in 1975 for a few weeks, they soon discover that a looming alien threat is the least of their problems. Sequel to Family Ties.

Life In Slow Motion

Chapter 1 - Prologue

"I never get to choose any more," Clara complained, letting herself fall into the cosy armchair, pouting.

"Stop that. Now!" the Doctor said and pointed at her face.

"Stop what?"

"The mouth-thing you do. It's not flattering. Besides, you chose the last destination."

"Ha," Clara jumped up again, her arms crossed, "That's a lie! I've asked you three times to take me to Woodstock, yet you insisted on a planet."

"I took you to Woodstock, remember?" the Doctor said innocently, avoiding her eyes.

"Woodstock on earth, not Woodstock on what's-its-name-planet-thingy where we were chased by a cannibalistic tribe," Clara almost screamed.

"Well, you should have been more specific."

"Argh," Clara grunted and turned away from him, "Never do a tango with an Eskimo."

"What, what's that supposed to mean?" the Doctor asked.

"Nothing!" Clara said angrily, adding: "Only a song title."

Sometimes she couldn't stand looking at him any more. 3 months had passed – for her – since they had left London in 1966. Clara had thought that changing him back into a Time Lord would surely be the end of their romance, but the Doctor had confessed to her that he sort of fancied her. At least, that's what Clara thought it had meant. But she didn't see it now. He had dropped her off at home, and came back a whole month later, not mentioning what had happened in London with a single word. In fact, his visits had grown scarce. Clara had tried to address London 1966 once, but the Doctor only reacted with moodiness.

But today she was so angry with him.

"Doctor," Clara said with a grave tone in her voice, "You do like me, don't you?"

The Doctor stared at her in confusion, the favourite state of his 12th regeneration when it came to human emotions and human interaction. "Yes, of course."

"Okay. But would it kill you to show it once in a while?"

"Probably not. Why?"

"Becaaaaause," Clara said, dragging the word and moving a little closer to him, "I didn't expect our relationship to continue like, you know, when you were human. But I thought that. . ." she suddenly stopped, thinking about how stupid it was, bringing up the subject.

"You thought what?" he asked, still dumbfounded.

"Ah, never mind."

"Clara, what happened in 1966, it's impossible. It will never be like that. I'm a Time Lord. I can't settle down like you humans."

"I'm not asking you to settle down. I. . ."

The ring of the TARDIS phone interrupted her. The Doctor stared at it for a while, considering whether he should pick up or not.

"Who could that be?" Clara asked, intrigued.

"I have no idea. Let's find out?"

The Doctor picked up the phone and talked to someone for about a minute. When he finally hung up, his face was unreadable.

"Well, who was it?"

"That was Vastra. She needs our help, apparently," the Doctor explained.

"With what?" Clara asked.

"She didn't say. So, is London 1975 close enough to Woodstock for you?"

Clara sighed. She would never attend the festival.

OOO

"Do you really think this is a good idea?" Jenny asked.

"I don't know," Vastra said, shrugging, "But I think this situation calls for a firm, male hand. And by that I don't mean Strax."

"Will you tell him?"

"No. I think he will find out very soon," Vastra said, "I'm sure they'll be able to handle this."

"We can only hope so. This is a nightmare."

"Jenny!"

"Don't tell me you're not thinking the same thing."

"You're right, my dear. But it's our failure."

The sound of the TARDIS interrupted their conversation and the blue box materialized in the conservatory. The Doctor and Clara, both looking a little grumpy, stepped out a moment later.

"You called for help?", the Doctor asked, now looking enthusiastic, "I hope we landed at the right time?"

"Perfect timing, just like I described," Vastra complimented him.

"So, let me get this straight. When she describes a time and place, we arrive at the perfect time. When I say Woodstock, we land on a cannibalistic planet?"

"Ah, drop it, Clara. Here's an adventure waiting. Woodstock, on the other hand. . ."

"Well?"

"Boring."

Clara decided to just ignore the Doctor for the time being and instead turned to Vastra and Jenny. "What's the emergency?"

"My work as a detective requires that I have to go to America and work with the FBI on a rather strange case. And I need the assistance of Jenny and Strax for that," she explained, "We need someone to watch Isabel for a few weeks."

The Doctor's jaw dropped. "You need a babysitter?"

"Well, if you put it that way."

"I'm not a babysitter. I'm the Doctor."

"Yes, I am aware of that," Vastra gave a polite smile, "But Isabel is only 15. I just wouldn't be comfortable leaving her alone for a few weeks."

"Weeks? I can't stay here for a few weeks," the Doctor protested, "Find someone else to do it."

He was about to turn around and head back for the TARDIS when Clara grabbed his arm.

"We'll do it," she said, "Isabel knows us and we know of her powers. You won't find anyone better for the job."

"Yes, she will, now come on," the Doctor said but Clara still held his arm.

"Doctor, a few weeks on earth won't kill you. And as you have pointed out in the past, you owe Vastra. Also, she took the dog. Remember?"

The Doctor let out a grunting sound. "Fine. Fine, we'll do it."

"Excellent," Vastra smiled, "You can stay in our house. Please, make yourself at home."

Vastra checked her watch. "Well, we better be off. Have a nice time."

"You're leaving so soon?" Clara asked.

"See ya," Jenny said, "Strax is already waiting in the car."

A few moments later, only the Doctor and Clara remained in the conservatory.

"Nicely done," the Doctor complained, "Now what?"

"Now we play house. Again."