The Doctor guided Clara towards Jack's table, hand splayed once again across her lower back. Jack had chosen a dimly lit booth in the corner, and as they arrived Jack gestured for them to sit on the bench across from him.

"The Doctor so rudely cut off my introduction earlier, so I must insist on how lovely it is to meet you Clara Oswald." Jack greeted her as she slid into the far side of the booth.

"Doctor! I must say this new face will take some getting used to. How was it that you changed from my sexy pinstriped friend into this tall commanding silver fox?"

"Well Jack, you actually missed my face before this one. Oh don't get that look on your face, he was horrid, really. Had floppy hair, the look and personality of a child, and topped it all off with a bow tie." The Doctor grimaced as if just remembering caused him pain.

"Oi! Don't go making fun of him. I was quite fond of that bowtie. I think you were so insecure about your eyebrows in that incarnation that you let them outgrow your face in this one!" Clara started to trace his eyebrow, wanting to see how far this new "touching" Doctor would let her go with physical contact.

Not too far, apparently, for after about a second-long sideways glare at Clara the Doctor gently grasped her wrist to remove her hand from his face and set it in her lap. Although initially displeased, Clara quickly changed her mind when the Doctor did not let go. Instead, under the table and out of Jack's line of sight, the Doctor turned Clara's palm over and gently began tracing circles with his thumb.

The pads of his thumbs were calloused, and every circle sent a shockwave through her body. She would have jumped him, right there in the bar, had Jack's voice not reminded her that they were far from alone.

"So you've been around a while then haven't you beautiful! That explains why I missed your last face Doc, you never did like sharing. I can't say I'm not disappointed though—your younger face, do you think I would have had a chance with him? I can think of my fair share of fantasies involving a bowtie. Excellent leverage point, bowties! Also the perfect length for most wrists…"

The Doctor had no verbal response; he instead glowered across the table. His glare only intensified as Clara began to giggle uncontrollably next to him.

The Doctor's grumbles did nothing to deter Jack, and he gleefully continued. "You don't wear anything around your neck now Doctor—easier access I suppose. I guess I'll just have to bring my own rope when—"

"Aren't we here for drinks Jack? Go make yourself useful and grab the first round. On me of course," the Doctor let go of Clara's hand to grab a silver card from his pocket, "I would just like you to occupy yourself with something more useful than dreaming up possibilities with me that will never occur."

"Ah Doctor but that's the charm of the American Dream! Nobody can tell me what to fantasize. Now I'll be back in a few minutes, hypervodkas sound all right to everybody? Please do try to stay clothed while I'm gone. Or don't, up to you, but don't have all the fun without me!" With those parting words and a swipe of the Doctor's card, Jack strolled away from their table.

Clara was not one for awkward silences. She much preferred to fill the emptiness with babble; no matter how mindless it sounded it always felt better than the alternative. Without looking at the Doctor, she stared straight ahead and started to ramble.

"Well! He certainly is…something. Very…something." This was harder than usual. Determined that the burden of noise should not fall solely on her shoulders, she chanced a look at the Doctor and was shocked at the sight in front of her.

"Oh my stars you're blushing! You never blush!" The Doctor shot Clara a sideways glare and attempted to wipe off the blush by forcefully dragging his hand down his face. "Actually, properly, red in the face, blushing. Oh it's getting darker! Oh that would be my doing wouldn't it…sorry! Sorry, sorry, I'll shut up now."

The Doctor let out an exasperated sigh and turned to face Clara. "I knew he was bad but I didn't expect him to be quite like this. At least he's focusing his attentions on me rather than you."

"Why would that be so bad? He is quite the charmer. And it would make you all the more jealous." Clara was sick of treading around his walls. He was jealous of Robin Hood, jealous of Danny, and he refused to admit to those. If Jack was what took to get him to admit to anything, Clara was going to go all in.

"I'm not jealous!" The Doctor spluttered. "Jealous of that pretty boy American? In his dreams."

"Oh yeah? Then explain why you kissed me earlier."

"Kiss? Oh, no, Oswald, that was merely an extension of touch."

Clara's spirits plummeted at his words. She looked down, embarrassed that she had been reading everything so wrong all night. She opened her mouth, about to tell him the bar did not sound quite so fun anymore and request he drop her at home, when the Doctor spoke again.

"When I kiss you, you'll know it." Each word was spoken in a smooth low drawl.

Clara's head shot up at his statement, and she found him much closer than when she looked down. "When?" She whispered.

His hand reached out to cup her face. His long fingers rested on her jawline, the tips slowly stroking behind her ear. "Oh yes Clara, that sentence hasn't had an 'if' in it since the day I regenerated."

Clara shivered at his words. The Doctor noticed. "Want me to stop?" He asked, already leaning in.

"Shut up" Clara whispered, unable to think of anything cleverer with her heart pounding in her ears.

"Yes boss." With that, the Doctor captured her lips. He gently sucked her bottom lip between his, eliciting a small sigh that opened her mouth to his. He had waited too long for this. He threaded his free hand in her hair and pulled her closer to him while plunging his tongue into her mouth

Clara did not remember ever moving her hands but as the Doctor showed her what 2000 years of experience felt like her grip on his lapels became white knuckled as she dragged him impossibly closer.

Reality fell away as the kiss took dominance in every single one of their senses. Eyes screwed shut, only able to hear blood rushing in their ears and the soft sounds they were making, lost in the feel of one another, neither of them took notice of the throat clearing behind them.

"Hellooooo friends! I got those drinks we discussed only minutes ago, what have I missed since then? You did manage to keep your clothes on I see. Gosh you'd think the two of you had never kissed before!" Jack radiated glee as he slid in across from them, and he did not take notice of the wary glances Clara and the Doctor shot at each other, or the sheepish one with which the Doctor rewarded Jack.

"I do feel a little left out, you know." Jack said after passing out the drinks. "But I do understand. Get the night started the right way and all that, and boy do I think this will be a fun night."

A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I'm enjoying writing this story.