AN: Three parter! How did that happen? Oh yes a day plagued by migraines. I hope you don't mind the extra delay until completion, this isn't the only WIP i've got going at the moment. Another WARNING, if you walked into this fic expecting fluff...expect otherwise.


Morning came soon enough. She woke alone in a bedroom of a more sensual décor than she deemed appropriate for her mood but she appreciated it nonetheless. Last night had left her feeling exhausted and exposed when the last of her hardened resolve dripped away in the cascade of tears. She wanted nothing more than to bury herself underneath the safety of the silken sheets, hide until her tough exterior restored and she could face the world again but her body forbade her such respite. From the moment she opened her eyes she was aware of the hard pounding in her head, the sore aching around the skin of her eyes and the parched, cracking state of her lips. She attempted to clear her throat, finding it equally wanting of water and from her mouth was torn a chain of hoarse coughing that threatened to black her vision and starve her of breath. Tossing herself to the bed's edge she stretched out a hand to the bedside cabinet where a tall glass of water waited temptingly for her. The cool liquid was like sweet syrup down her throat and she drank it down to a half point before she stopped for air. One ill of the morning dealt with, she intended to bathe to fix her eyes and her head would just have to be soothed by time.

She walked to the only door in the room, at first expecting it to open up to a long TARDIS hallway but instead walking into a bathroom with a steaming hot bath waiting for her in the middle. She tested the water with the tip of her finger. Thinking it perfect, she unbuttoned the dress she had slept in and sunk down into the water, resting her head over the side so the warm water lapped against her jawbone. Eyes closed, she listened to the peaceful thrum of Missy's TARDIS, and soon found all pain melt away.

A sudden chill brought her out of her peace as the water line receded leaving her neck and collarbone bare to the cold. Bath time was over so it seemed. She rose to a waiting towel, wrapping it around herself and taking another for her hair. Walking through the same door she was back in her bedroom. The sheets were tucked in immaculately and something new had popped up on the bedside cabinet. Next to the tall glass of water that had been refilled was a large coffee in a take away cup and a change of clothes all neatly folded. A note rested on top.

Stopped off at yours. Brought everything you'll need. Meet me outside.-Mxxx

Missy had indeed brought her everything, right down to clean underwear and so she began to change. When her skin dried she slipped her legs into black trousers and fastened the belt at her waist. Next down on the pile was bright white blouse, feminine but largely featureless except for the subtle lace design at it's collar. Finally was a familiar black blazer which she swung on immediately to warm her arms but there was something obstructing in the right sleeve. She made a grab for the item and withdrew her arm and when she opened her palm she was looking down on a clip on bow tie. Her mouth made a rounded 'O' shape and something warm crept down her check, but he was lost too long ago for tears and the tie only brought a sad smile to a face. Setting it down gently on the pillow she turned, now facing a mirror her mouth vocalised the 'oh' she had started earlier and she cast her eyes downwards, unable to look at her self. Black trousers, black jacket, white shirt and nothing more. How minimal and how like he she looked.

Slipping on shoes, she left the mirror behind her. The one door opened up to a corridor and a short walk later she was in the TARDIS control room. Unlike the Doctor's, Missy's TARDIS had only a single floor, was largely unadorned and soaked in a grey eerie lighting. The central command pillar gave off a subtle pink glow and, as a superior model, the TARDIS had an ever present visual interface. When she walked in the image had distorted, contorted and became like static imagery before embodied the image of the person she most esteemed. And the eyes of her grey haired Doctor followed her silently as she made for the exit.

Taking two steps out of a red telephone box Clara concluded it to be morning. Buffeted by winds she wrapped her arms around herself, keeping her blazer as closed as she could. It was a quiet street. Not London then. London would be rife with nine to fivers, street cleaners and delinquents even in the early hours of the day. But she was on a high street that was slowly waking up. Doors were opening and patrons were window shopping. In fact, it all looked quite familiar. She pondered this some more as she strolled downwards, ever wary of the swarm of gulls flying overhead. Finally the high street ended at a long road and beyond that a mile of sand and then the Irish sea. She didn't protest the smile that tugged at her lips then. Not once she realised where she was.

"Millions of species across the universe and every one of them has a sense of home," Missy had stepped up behind her. She hadn't noticed her approach nor turned when she spoke. Instead enthralling herself to the sound of seagulls above and distant rhythm of the sea lapping against the sand. "This is where you began isn't it?"

"Blackpool was never really my home. I just grew up here." Clara clarified.

"Same thing to you humans isn't it?" asked Missy before sighing indignantly. "Should I have taken you back to London instead?!"

"No, no!" Clara protested earnestly, "This is good Missy. Very good." It was the first time she had looked at her since last next. Her face was all pointed features, her eyes dark and uncaring. And she had wept in her arms until she slept. How embarrassing. Her cheeks began to burn and she averted her eyes hoping she hadn't read too much into her. When Missy tutted Clara raised her vacant gaze and flinched when Missy reached out to stoke the laced fabric of her collar with her thumb and index finger.
"No bow tie. I really thought you'd appreciate it." said the Mistress and Clara took a step back, leaving her hand open and lingering mid air before she lowered it with a slap against her thigh.

God this woman was infuriating. Clara scrunched her brows curiously, feeling a small layer of her armour return. And so she turned, defying her earlier instinct to look away and locked eye contact with the Time Lady. "Why?" she asked; a simple question.

At the question she quirked a brow, "Why what? I do a lot of questionable things dear."

"Why bring me here? Why take me in? Why...Everything?"

"The request of a mutual friend," she informed.

"You mean..?"

"Yes," replied she "and besides," she continued, "This is where you started Clara Oswald. Where my little control freak took her first steps into becoming a force of nature. Whatever happens next, seems only fitting it happen here. Poetic even."

"Poetic?" she inquired, her guard raising ever so slightly again.

"Oh I'm sorry. Was that not you doing a very bad job a killing yourself last night?" And Clara was stripped to the core. Pure dread pitted in her stomach, a sickly sense balled in her throat and Missy sniggered and roared into laughter. "Seriously though you should've seen you! All shaking and weepy and bleeding. That little prayer you whispered on the edge and oh, so much apologising!"

"Stop it.." said Clara, barely a whisper.

"And at first I was mad! Thought you were cheating me out of a good kill! And it would have been good you know. I had a thousand things lined up for you Clara. But then the Doctor went and died and you got boring."

"Please just.." she cried meekly. Missy pressed forward, becoming a shadow looming over her.

"I suppose it worked out for the best! Especially considering... Well, even with all the things I could've done to you..."

"Shut it!" Clara roared though gritted teeth. Her body tensing when Missy cupped her face, rubbing in with her thumbs the many tears that stained her skin like polish to treasured silverware. And then she added, her voice a purr, "Nothings been more beautiful than watching you tear yourself apart."

Clara collapsed to her knees and Missy recoiled. Hands in the air as if the weeping girl was diseased. "Oh no, not the noise pup. Cry all you like but put yourself on mute! People will stare." she yanked the human up by the arm and supported her until she was stable. " There we go! Still want to know why I've been watching you?" Clara didn't respond. She took that for a 'yes', " Well then. Mummy wants a coffee. Care to join?" she offered her a hand to hold. A moment passed and it was clear Clara would make no such movement. Instead Missy leapt to her side, wrapping her arm around her shoulder and walking them both towards the promenade.