Chapter 1: The Swap
So, this is my first fanfiction online. I DON'T OWN DOCTOR WHO OR IT'S CHARACTERS THEY BELOG TO THE BBC. And that was my first disclaimer. Feels good. Please review and more chapter en route ;)
The room that the Doctor and Clara were standing in was small, sterile and white, gleaming with light. There were two beds in the opposite corners, each one wired up to a central machine, complete with flashing lights, dials and buttons.
"Welcome," the Doctor said grimly, "to Earth, 3150 AD,".
"But what is it?" asked Clara, staring at the contraption.
"A body swap device. The last of its kind" the Doctor replied. "You see, it was used as a form of
relationship therapy. Better way to understand one another, et cetera. But, they were all decommissioned, except for this one. Even now, it's only used for the rich and famous".
"Since you were complaining about not being able to reach the top shelf, my bow tie - which, by the way, is cool - and the TARDIS hating you, I thought it would be a good way to resolve our 'issues'. Agree?" the Doctor asked.
"Yeah, but, why the last of its kind? Why not an earlier model?" Clara asked.
"Well, it got individually updated, so this is the best of it's kind," the Doctor replied, clearly pleased with himself, gleaming at the short brunette next to him. Clara admitted defeat, not staring into his brown eyes.
"Fine, but how long is it for?" The Doctor checked his watch and pondered the answer
.
"About 48 hours, give or take a few" he replied uncertainly. "All you have to do is lie down in the bed and it'll work automatically. I've set it to 48 hours at least, so it should be ok. Ready to go?" The Doctor finished, looking at Clara.
"Fine, just don't screw it up. Do you think i want to be stringy and...you forever?" she finished sassily.
As the duo entered the beds, Clara felt a small buzzing in the back of her skull, growing louder and more intense until it overtook her mind. Her vision faded to black slowly and the buzz got louder and louder...
Clara woke first. She pulled herself up out of the bed and examined the room. Across from her was a petite, brunette woman - was that really how small she was? Looking down, she could see the purple jacket and vest, complete with bow tie. She put her hands to her neck to loosen it, but stopped when she felt her Adam's Apple in her throat. Her shock was delayed when the machine began to whir back into life and sparks of electricity flew off of it in a frantic haze.
"Doctor!" she cried in despair.
When the Doctor awoke, he could immediately hear the sound of electricity crackling. He sprung to his and was instantly jarred by the sheer contrast in height. He dashed over to the machine and fiddled with the dials. Suddenly, all life vanished from it and the lights died down. The monitor was the only form of life present. As the Doctor peeled a look at it, he let out a small gasp and collapsed on the spot. Clara rushed to the screen. Luckily, she had a bit more back bone and could withstand the information. The screen read 'Conversion Complete. Cycle fixed at 48...'. The final word caused Clara to let out a gasp herself. It wasn't hours. It wasn't days or weeks, or even months. It was 48 years..