Alternative ending to Face the Raven – how I'd have preferred it to go down. "I can do anything. But I'm not supposed to. Ripples, tidal waves. Rules… I'm not supposed to…"

"But I will…"

I own nothing

One – The Raven

The light from the lurkworms shone straight through him, splashing against the cobbles and brickwork as though he were no more substantial than the chilly night air surrounding him. Further down the street, ahead of his vantage point, a door opened. The light from within spilling out, pooling onto the cobbles and momentarily bathing Clara's features in a warm, yellow glow as she stepped outside, her gait somewhat stilted, wooden.

"Clara." He breathed in a tortured whisper. It had felt so long since he'd seen her, he longed to rush forwards and pull her into his embrace... Pull her out of this nightmare. Protect her from what was about to happen.

But he couldn't change what he'd already seen.

Ripples, tidal waves. Rules…

Clara, my impossible girl… The first face this face saw.

'The not me one, the asking questions one.'

He watched Clara force herself to take her final few, faltering steps. Terror and determination fighting with equal ferocity for dominance in her expression. Behind her, the other him looked on in bewildered disbelief that was quickly morphing into horror. Not ready to accept what was to come. As if he could ever be ready for this.

His fault. This was all his fault. He'd seen this coming, of course he had. Her reckless behaviour leading to adrenaline highs, leading to her taking even greater risks, always looking for a bigger high. She hadn't just danced with death, she'd literally thrown herself, laughing, into the jaws of oblivion and dared them to snatch her away.

But her delight had delighted him in turn and he'd smiled and laughed when he should've frowned and scolded. No. More than that. He should've stopped her.

The few attempts he had made to curb her hunger for danger had been unforgivingly pitiful.

'I have a duty of care.'

'I know, and it's appreciated.'

'So can I stop now?'

Pathetic. Selfish. And now Clara was paying the price for his neglect.

He should have known she'd do anything to get that damned chronolock transferred from Rigsy to herself as soon as she suspected it was possible.

He heard the raven's wings fluttering behind him and saw Clara's lips move in a desperate, whispered plea as she faced her end. "Let me be brave." She begged. "Let me be brave."

The Doctor wished she could see him in front of her, wished more than anything that she didn't have to feel she was facing this alone, but the watch kept him concealed. It had to.

You can't see me, can you?

You look at me and you… can't see me.

Have you any idea what that's like?

I'm not on the phone, I'm right here! Standing in front of you…

Please just… just see me.

As the raven took its final death plunge, Clara stretched out her arms and threw her body forwards.

To be continued…

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