Chasing Hearts
Summary: The Doctor and Clara end up in California during the Gold rush. Chased by outlaws lead by a mysterious leader, they use the help of a miner named Sam to hide in his gold mine. Retreating further into the forest they escape only to find the outlaws have stolen the TARDIS. The universe seems to place them in situations forcing them into revealing their feelings. Suspense, gunfights, tension, and whouffle.
Chapter 1 – Miscalculation
The sound of the TARDIS echoed through the tall pine trees as it landed. The blue door creaked open as the Doctor walked backward out of it pulling Clara along with him. "You'll love it! 1950's Los Angeles, loads of fun shenanigans to get into." Clara's smile faltered as she observed her surroundings of trees and rocks, not exciting buildings with movie stars and baseball.
"Doctor." He of course continued his rant, ignoring her. "Doctor!" He stepped on a thin branch eliciting a loud snap.
"Did I break something?" He picked up the half broken stick. "A stick? Who leaves a stick on the ground?"
"Doctor." He finally looks at Clara, and then alters his gaze as the realization eventually reaches him.
"Oh. Not 1950 Los Angeles." He turns around observing the setting, and then inhales deeply. "Still California." He licks the stick he's holding and Clara scrunches her nose in disgust. "1850. Placerville, California, America. Well I suppose since it's 1850, not Placerville, Hangtown. Must not be far." Clara became rigid, staring behind the Doctor's shoulder. "Clara?" The dreaded clicking of a shotgun caught the Doctor's attention. Dropping the stick he slowly turned around and threw his hands in the air. "Don't shoot! Don't shoot! We're nice! Promise!" The man with a cowboy mustache eyed him curiously.
"You ain't one of them forty-niners are you? This here is my land, I don't want no foreigners stealing my gold."
"No! No – not forty-niners. Well, we are foreigners, but still, no thieves here. Definitely not interested in stealing any gold." The man kept his gun raised as he contemplated their presence. "Hello! I'm the Doctor and this is Clara. Say hello Clara."
"Hi." She nervously waved one of her raised hands. The man's eyed shifted from beneath his worn, flat rimmed, black hat to the Doctor, to Clara, and back again. He lowered his shotgun and wiped his hand on his dirty levi's before reaching out for a proper introduction.
"Name's Samuel Tucker, jus' call me Sam." The Doctor gladly accepted his handshake.
"Nice to meet you Sam. Now – can you tell me how far to Hangtown?" Sam slung his gun over his shoulder.
"Hangtown? Well I'm guessin' bout eight miles South. You plannin on walkin there? Today?" He pulled out his old pocket watch checking the time.
"Yes, I promised Clara to show her the sights and all that."
"You'd never make it there b'fore dark, why don't you stay at my camp till mornin? Not safe round these parts at night, specially foreigners with strange clothes." The Doctor smiled at Clara. She looked down at her black halter-top dress flowing to her calves, with a red belt around her middle, and flat black shoes. She glared at the Doctor for his criticism. If he had landed in 1950's Los Angeles then her dress wouldn't have been a problem. The Doctor, amused with himself, turned back to Sam.
"That would be lovely! Lead the way to your camp." He grabbed Clara's hand and followed their new friend Sam.
Sam's camp consisted of two small tents, a fire pit, and a gold sifting box near the creek. The creek was shallow and flowed at a fairly calm pace. Upon entering the camp a brownish red, short haired dog rushed to greet them. One ear flopped over while the other stood on end. The dirty white fur collared his neck and ran down his chest. "This here's Red. Not fond a strangers, but he seems ta like ya." Sam gathered timber from a small pile and threw it in the fire pit before breathing life into the hot coals.
"You're so cute! Isn't he Doctor?" Clara petted Red's dusty fur enjoying his affection. The Doctor looked at Red then crossed his arms with a scowl on his face.
"My chin is not too big." Red barked at the Doctor. "She is small isn't she." He barked again. "Yes – quite soft." Clara furrowed her brow at the Doctor. "What? I speak dog."
"Of course you do." Clara walked further into camp after rolling her eyes at him. "Doctor look! He has horses." She directed her attention quickly to Sam. "Can I pet them? I won't frighten them will I?" Sam smiled under his mustache.
"Nah, they're good, reliable fellas, but careful round the mule, she's little more touchy." Clara walked behind the tents. A tight rope was strung between two trees about six feet up. The two horses were tied to the rope with comfortable slack. They perked their ear forward as Clara approached, Red following close behind. One was tall and muscular with a sleek dun colored fur that turned black on his legs. He shook his black mane to shoo away flies then stretched his nose out to her. The other horse was shorter, but well built with a beautiful bay coat of hair darkening to black at his knees down, and a long black mane. He joined his buddy in sniffing Clara's hand. Gaining their trust easily, she stroked their long faces.
"They're wonderful!"
"The darker one's Clyde and the lighter one's Trigger. They're nice boys, always together they are." Sam continued to stoke the fire. Jealous of Trigger and Clyde, the mule nickered at her to get her attention.
"Who's this one?" She made her way to the rope next to the horses where the mule was tied.
"That there's Lilly." Lilly was dark brown with a white nose, and had a slightly different build than the horses. Her ears were a little bigger, her face broader, her back straighter, and her hooves flatter. She was more assertive than the horses and came right up to Clara to sniff her. The Doctor smiled at Clara's joy as he quietly observed the details around him. Sam brushed of his knees with his hat. "You hungry? I ain't got much, but there's a few biscuits left and some beans." The Doctor wrung his hands together.
"Delightful! Clara! Come have a biscuit." He joined them by the lively fire. Sam returned from one of the tents with two plates and horse blankets over his shoulder.
"Here ya are." He handed them the plates and laid down a horse blanket for each of them by the fire. They all sat down to enjoy the warmth dancing against their skin. The sun casted shadows among the tall trees and the sky slowly darkened with the cooler air settling in. Clara quickly felt the chill in the air causing her to shiver. The Doctor took off his purple tweed and put it on her shoulders.
"We'll need to buy you some proper clothes when we reach Hangtown."
"Thanks." Clara thanked the Doctor and continued nibbling on her delicious biscuit. Sam brushed his fingers over his mustache, wondering about the two foreigners he welcomed to his home.
"So what are you doin round these parts if you're not looking for gold?"
"Well, we sort of – miscalculated." The Doctor didn't mind talking with his mouth full, any chance to express his immense knowledge should not be wasted.
"Lost your way did ya? Well, round here it gets to lookin the same. Sometimes folk wander round n' never make it back. Anyhow, I 'spect y'all tired. I'll sleep in that tent there, you two can have the better tent over yonder." He pointed to the tent slightly further from the other one and closest to the creek.
"You're so kind. Thank you, Sam. Come on Doctor it's about time we got some rest." Clara stuck her arms through the Doctor's coat sleeves as she stood. The Doctor joined her.
"We'll see you in the morning."
"Night." They approached the small tent and stepped through the flap. Inside contained an old pillow and bedding lain across the dirt. Clara then realized just how small it was. The Doctor had the same thought and suddenly felt nervous.
"Go ahead, lie down. I'll just sit here, I don't need much sleep – Time Lord body and all." He fidgeted with his hands.
"I don't mind, Doctor, really. Besides, it's chilly you'll be wanting some blankets." Clara took off his jacket and offered it back to him. The Doctor held up a hand in protest.
"No, no you keep it on. I'll be fine." She put the oversized coat back on and laid down, settling in under a heavy blanket. The Doctor fidgeted some more then sat next to her.
"Are you going to sit there all night?" Clara looked up at the awkward Doctor.
"Yes – no. Fine I'll lie down." He stayed above the covers and laid sideways away from her being certain she had all the room she needed. Clara smiled at his version of lying down and turned away from him, wrapping herself in the comfort of his tweed and the heavy blanket; closing her eyes.
Sam lingered at the fire with is gun on his lap. Something didn't feel right, something was lurking out there in the shadows of the night. Sam patted Red on the head and went into his tent for the night, keeping his gun in reach.
History: Placerville California was formerly known as Hangtown and before that, Dry Diggin's. The name changed from Dry Diggin's to Hangtown because during the Gold Rush the town decided to take disciplinary actions against gold thieves into their own hands. Two outlaws charged with murders and robberies were hanged there setting the stage for many hangings to come, thus changing the town's name to Hangtown.