I read The Blood Cell by James Goss - a Doctor Who story - and let me just say...Whouffaldi shippers will like this book. XD Now enough of that - enjoy!

Oh, and thank you for all of the Private Messages and comments regarding the bomb threat the other day - yes, everyone at my school was fine. We were all a bit shaken up and scared (and a bit uneasy about returning to the school), but everything is alright. :) Thanks for all of the concern! :')

Second Time - because he didn't want to scare her.

The Doctor was resting the palms of his hands against the TARDIS console, his mind running over with the possible things Clara Oswald might have seen. The way she had looked at him - the way she spoke to him - had sent a chill up his spine. It was the look - the sound - of someone knowing something that the Doctor didn't. And he truly hated that feeling, especially if it came from Clara.

But there was something else in the way Clara looked at him - something fond, something kind, something caring. The Doctor had been aware of Clara looking over him with that expression ever since she returned from...wherever. He sensed her looking over at him like that even after they dropped Orson off - even as the TARDIS parked nearby the apartment building Clara wanted to be close to.

The Doctor had been watching Clara from the corners of his eyes, too. He had been taking silent notes of how she was walking around him in her high heels. He had observed the way her lips would twitch into a sad smile. He had seen how Clara was slow to leave.

So when the Doctor watched Clara walk towards him, he had to control his breathing and movements. At that moment, everything about Clara - every sad, beautiful thing about her - made him want to press his lips against hers and wrap his arms around her waist and tell her that she needn't think about…whatever she was thinking.

Or something like that.

But what that good would that do? He would undoubtedly scare Clara away - and she didn't need scares today, not after all of the events that occurred in the last few hours. Not to mention the fact that the Doctor would look odd doing so…

The Doctor now casually flicked his eyes over to Clara - a silent message which would hopefully translate into, I see you and I know you're coming here.

Suddenly, with a wide smile, Clara flung her arms around the Doctor. At that moment, he was fairly sure that all of the air stored in his body was being sucked out of him. He stiffened for a split second - wondering if he could possibly savor the embrace - but then he started to think, You'll scare her away. You can't do anything back.

With those thoughts planted in his mind, the Doctor opened his mouth and started to protest, "No, not the hugging! You know I'm against the hugging! No!" He struggled around Clara's grip, but not so quickly so that she would give out. He found it quite easy, actually – Clara was pressing herself against him, and her hold was so strong that the Doctor toppled a little ways to the side. (He had to suppress a smile at the thought.)

When Clara did drop her arms, a beam was placed delicately over her face. "I'll be seeing you soon, then," she said lightly, her arms swinging casually at her sides. The Doctor had to force himself to look as stoic as possible as he replied, "I'll be in charge of that, thank you very much."

"Ooh, don't give me the grumpy face," Clara retorted. She started to head out for the doors and said over her shoulder, "And don't think about traveling for too long by yourself, either! I don't want to be yanked into another…chase that involves me driving the TARDIS." The Doctor only gave Clara a dry smile in return. "Pity," he said. "I thought you were beginning to get along with her."

"Ha," Clara shook her head and patted a hand against the door. As she started to push it open, however, she turned around. Her smile was slowly fading off her face, once again replaced by a look of uncertainty. "Are you sure you'll be fine by yourself?" she asked. The Doctor pushed himself off the console and managed to take a few steps closer to Clara. "Why would you ask something like that?"

Clara bit down on the corner of her lip. (And that was quite the distraction. God, the Doctor can't kiss her. Remember that! There won't be any room for goodbye this time! No. No, no, no, no, no – no farewells over here, and the Doctor has to play his part for that to happen.) "It's…ah…" her voice drifted and her eyes wandered back to the console. She exhaled a slow, soft breath and added, "It's nothing."

And the next gesture – very much like the hug – was unexpected. She reached over and gave the Doctor's arm a quick squeeze. "Just take care of yourself," she commented softly and with a small bob of her head, Clara ducked out of the TARDIS.

The Doctor didn't realize that he was actually holding his breath until he realized that his head was beginning to grow lighter. Parting his lips to let some air out, the Doctor quickly turned and headed back to the console. He closed his eyes and quickly started to flick the switches and pull the levers to take himself away from the unknown apartment complex. The TARDIS was a bit quieter and larger without Clara around.

Scaring Clara Oswald, the Doctor mused to himself sadly. I suppose I'd be traveling alone for a while if that ever happens. And I won't have a Clara Oswald to make me take care...of myself.

Oh, what a hollow, sad lesson to learn for everyone…to know that all of your actions would result in the leaving or staying of a friend, of a companion, of someone you care about. Of someone who you might possibly be driven to insanity without. Of someone who kept you grounded.

Shaking his head violently, the Doctor yanked a bit harder on the next lever. He needed to clear his head of these thoughts. The sooner he'd forget about worrying for Clara, the better off he'd be…and maybe he'll find it a bit more tolerable to control himself next time he picks her up.

A/N - I always personally thought that there was a certain element of fear that played in the role of the Doctor trying to get closer to Clara. Because in the end, I think that's what everyone is scared of - doing something or saying something that might scare off the one person who you want to be with forever. And so, to avoid that tragic ending, we do everything in our power to keep ourselves in the line - in the faded, grey areas of uncertainty - and try to cling onto the little amount of control in the relationship we have...

Anyways. Reviews are always great! Constructive criticism is welcome, but flames are not!