Title: Twelve Days of Christmas gifts (2/13)
Author: Flydye8
Pairing: 12th Doctor and Clara
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I don't own them I just play around with them.
Summary: The Doctor (12) contemplates Christmas gifts for Clara, while searching the computer database in the TARDIS for the right ones; he comes across a list of stories. Reading them he receives his inspirations for his gifts, from the authors' writings. This takes place before the Christmas Special.
Author's Note: This past semester of college was a rough one for me and one of the things that kept me sane was reading the many delightful stories of Clara and 12th Doctor, posted here on FFN. This is my way of thanking each of you for your writings.
Additionally, I have a challenge to each of you; can you guess what stories the gifts were chosen from? Give a guess in the comments below, I will post the list after Christmas.
Happy guessing.
Day 2
Perusing the list of stories, the Doctor came across one sparking his interest; it was tagged as AU within the listing. Opening up the story he started to read, within a few moments, he laughed loudly, as he spoke to his oldest companion, the TARDIS.
"Can you imagine, old girl, Clara teaching a bunch of collage age pudding heads, 19th century British literature?" An affirmative hum gave him his answer, "Of course you would think that."
"I really don't know why, I would attend a class like that, but at least I am keeping Doctor Oswald on her toes in this story."
Settling in he continued the captivating tale, smiling as he continued to read each line. Yes, he concurred with his TARDIS, Clara would be an excellent college professor. He admired her gift to teach and on many occasions she taught him, in turn he taught her as well.
Stopping his reading for a moment, he remembered his callous words, spoken to her, after they defeated the Boneless. Why couldn't he have complimented her, as they stood next to underground line, the only conclusion he could come up was vanity.
She was an excellent Doctor that day, he felt threatened by her new found abilities, because maybe, she would not need him anymore. Resolving to give her a decent apology soon, he turned back to the screen and continued with the story.
Once finished, he moved to the promenade of his ship to one of the many book shelves, reaching down he removed a book on 19th century British literature. He would never be able to look at the book again without thinking about chocolate, burnt soufflés and kissing Clara.
Wrapping the book and another SD card in paper, the same color of his TARDIS, he put the finishing touches, on Clara's next gift. Addressing it to her school, he moved to the controls of his ship, so that it could be delivered to her.
The next day Clara hurried back to the school office to see if another gift had been delivered, her face shown her disappointed that there was none. With a sigh, she continued to her classroom to start her day.
During the lunch break Crystal came into Clara's classroom, "So what was in the gift box you received yesterday?"
Smiling at the memory, Clara responded, "A crystal snowman ornament and a story to read."
"Those are unusual gifts." The maths teacher responded slightly desponded.
"Yeah, well he is an unusual man." Clara smiled thinking of the Doctor.
"Ah ha, I knew it would be an old boyfriend of yours."
"No, No you don't understand, he was never my boyfriend." Clara tried desperately to squelch any miscommunications on the matter.
Right at that moment a man entered, "Special delivery for Clara Oswald."
"That would be me." Clara raised her hand, gaining the attention of the delivery man. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest, as another blue box was given to her.
"Please sign here mam." After she signed the paper he tilted his hat, "Thank you mam, good day to you."
Crystal looked at the package and smirked, "You can't fool me Clara Oswald; your old boyfriend has just sent you another gift."
"It is nothin Crystal."
"It doesn't seem to be nothing to me."
The school bell rung saving Clara from responding, placing the gift in her desk drawer she greeted her class with the first real smile they had seen in a long time.
Later that evening, Clara sat at the kitchen table with a glass of red wine, reaching for her gift she delicately unwrapped it. She smiled as she read the title, "19th Century British Literature" bringing the book to her nose she breathed in deeply.
It smelled like the TARDIS, and of the Doctor, a mixture of chalk, sugar, and something she could only label as time. Sighing, she remembered a time where her clothes and items smelled the same way. Oh how longed for that smell to cling on her personal items once again.
With glistening eyes, she put the SD card in her laptop, so she could read the story that accompanied her gift.
The Doctor scowled as the deliver-man approached, "Took you long enough."
"Sorry sir, I ran into traffic." He stated handing him the return receipt.
"Of course, you pudding brains always find some sort of excuse." The Doctor stated as he glanced at the paper. "Wait a second, why is the name Clara Oswald, written on this receipt."
"Well sir, the office staff said there was no Clara Pink on the roster. They suggested that I bring it Miss Oswald instead."
Raising his voice loudly he exclaimed, "That can't be right, she said that her and Danny would be fine!"
Backing up slowly the delivery man stuttered, "I don't know any Danny, sir, I delivered it as instructed."
"Yeah, Yeah, NOW GO AWAY!" the Doctor yelled as he turned on heel and headed back to the TARDIS.
Saint Nick was right, something was not right about Clara Oswald, and he was going to find out what.