Note: Sorry guys it's been a while, but exams are calling again, 5 more to do then I'm finished, so I will be updating more regularly. I've had so much revision to do its unreal, so I finally found a few moments to write this, so this chapter is shorter, but I will not be updating until after/on the 18th June which is when my exams finish (finally!).
"Are you sure you don't want to sit down?" Clara was wandering around the console room quite happily, until the Doctor started to worry. "Do you want to rest for a bit?" Clara turned around suddenly, hands placed on her hips, shoulders set and a defiant glint in her eye.
"Doctor, I'm fine. I'm perfectly capable of standing up!" she exclaimed.
"But…" The Doctor began to protest but was interrupted.
"No buts. I will sit down if I need to."
"You promise?"
"I promise."
"Fine." The Doctor let out an exasperated sigh, which was a mistake because Clara noticed it straight away.
"Aw is the Doctor annoyed because he didn't get in his own way?" she said in a mocking tone, a smirk playing on her lips and a mischievous glint in her eye.
The Doctor's mouth gaped and he was unable to string a sentence together. Why could she always do this to him? Why couldn't he pull himself together? She continued: "Because it's your own fault, you told me I was the boss." Would she ever let that go?
"I didn't say that. That's not what I meant!"
She quirked an eyebrow.
"We both know I am the boss." Stated the Doctor.
"Down boy." She replied with a mischievous grin.
"I… erm… you… shut up!" The Doctor had turned a rather impressive shade of crimson. Clara had started to laugh uncontrollably, her musical laugh filling the room which took the Doctor's breath away.
"So, where are you taking me chin boy." She had eventually stopped laughing, which did disappoint the Doctor slightly. He gave a little, cough and straightened his bow tie in an attempt to compose himself.
"Well, Miss Oswald. We are going to go somewhere where there is no chance of danger."
She frowned at him. "What's wrong with danger?"
"It nearly killed you last time."
"Well, I'm here now aren't I?"
"I don't want to lose you again." Tears had started to form in the Doctor's eyes. "It's my turn to look after you." He choked out.
"Doctor." Breathed Clara and she closed the gap between them, wrapping her arms gently around his waist and burying her head into his chest. The Doctor rested his cheek on the top of her head, feeling her warmth, his Clara was there, still living, she was with him; that was all he needed.
"I'm sorry." He whispered into her hair.
"What for?" she mumbled into his chest.
"For all those times I let you die. All the times I never noticed you. All the times I couldn't save you" His tears now started to roll down his cheeks and he was letting out stifled sobs. Clara pulled her back and looked up at him, all of her emotion emanating from her soft brown gaze.
"It isn't your fault. It was my choice and I would do it all over again if it meant saving you." She started to shed tears of her own. They were of her own sorrow, the pain of all the lives she has lived that always ended horribly, but she always saved the Doctor. It filled her with a sense of pride and warmth and love. This was what she was born to do.
The Doctor seeing her tears, gently wiped away her tears and cupped her cheek. "You are special Clara. You are brave, strong and beautiful." Her features softened and her eyes were locked onto the Doctor's. The Doctor lowered his head, while Clara balanced on the tips of her toes. Their foreheads rested together, never breaking eye contact, they stood there for a few moments, revelling in each other's presence, until finally, they closed the last of the space between them. The Doctor's hands came to rest at her waist, Clara's reached for the nape of his neck where she lightly caressed his her, whilst pulling him closer. In that kiss both were able to show the other what they felt without uttering any words. Both had yearned for each other across time and space. This is not a ghost story, it is a love story.