Author's Note: Here it is: the final chapter. It's basically a bunch of fluff and emotional aftermath. So, I want to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited, followed, or just plain read. It really means a lot since this is my first multi chapter fanfic in almost four years. I really appreciate all of the support. It gave me so much self-confidence. Anyways, I'll just stop and let you get on with the story. Hope you enjoy and happy holidays!

Chapter 10: Can You Stay Awhile?

Eyes fluttering open, she frowned at the brightness of the room she quickly recognized as her own. She brought up a hand to cover her eyes and tried to move onto her side but something was preventing her from making the full turn. Looking down she saw a large, worn hand covering her own.

Following the trail of flesh and clothing, a smile appeared on her face when she caught sight of the Doctor. He was asleep in a chair beside her bed, his other hand supporting his head and with glasses askew. His hair was ruffled and he stilled donned the same clothes with the waistcoat undone. Frowning, memories of what had happened came to her as she took a closer look at his state.

The sleeves of his shirt were crinkled and had a few tears. Her heart clenched when she saw the traces of blood on the collar and her gaze flew to his face. It looked worse than she remembered. Small cuts criss-crossed along his neck, cheeks, and forehead with dried blood. There was a particularly large cut across his nose and cheekbone that was still very fresh. A bruise covered the corner of his mouth and –

"Are you done staring?" She jumped at hearing his voice and felt his hand tighten on hers. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine. I'm just a little edgy after being shot at…" She regretted mentioning it as soon as his hand detached itself from hers and he turned his face away. Sighing, she began to sit up and groaned when an insistent soreness invaded her body. The Doctor immediately flew to her side.

"Careful. Your injuries are completely healed but your body still needs time to recover."

"Completely healed?" Confused, she finally took a proper look at herself and noticed that her previous injuries were no where to be seen. She flexed her arms and legs and only felt the same discomfort but no actual pain like before.

"But… how?"

"Do you doubt my medical skills? What kind of doctor would I be if I couldn't handle simple bullet wounds?" He asked with a hint of playfulness while pouring a glass of water and handing it to her. She didn't drink, instead setting it down and staring at him until she realized something: he still had his cuts and bruises.

"You used your left over regeneration energy on me." It wasn't a question, but a firm statement. He sat next to her on the bed, staring straight ahead.

"Why?" She was still baffled by the notion that he would give up something so valuable for her when there were other means that were just as effective and she couldn't stop the question from escaping.

"That's a stupid question." He took her hand in his and smiled at the sight of their intertwined fingers. "You're my impossible girl. There's no way I was going to let you suffer through all that pain if I could do something to stop it as soon as possible." At last he lifted his eyes to hers. She relaxed when she noticed that there was no trace of the earlier anger and gloom. After a few seconds of silence, the Doctor stood up from her bed.

"I should leave. You need to get more rest." He walked to the door but stopped when Clara called out to him.

"Wait, don't go yet. Let me help you clean up a bit. Just wait here while I change and get some things." She blindly reached into a nearby dresser, pulling out the first articles of clothing that were there and headed into the bathroom before he could protest. It was a relief to strip herself of the bloody and torn clothes. She contemplated taking a shower but decided against it when remembering that the Doctor was waiting for her. Quickly tying her hair into a ponytail and changing into pajama bottoms and a simple t-shirt, she grabbed the rubbing alcohol and the bag of cotton balls she kept under the sink and headed back into the room.

He was sitting on her bed again, body radiating fatigue as he slouched forward with his arms on his legs to support his upper body. It was when he noticed her and rapidly sat up straight did she become aware that he was trying to hide how exhausted he really was. Coming to stand in front of him, she got to work on caring for his wounds.

"Stay still. Stop fidgeting." She complained, planting one hand firmly on top of his head to stop him from moving.

"It stings!"

"Stop acting like such a baby." He grumbled and crossed his arms. Finally having cleaned the smaller cuts, she took off his glasses and began to clean the large one across his nose and cheekbone. He gasped when the alcohol seeped into the laceration and Clara instantly blew air on it to ease the pain. Once he calmed down she decided to finally enter the real reason why she had wanted him to stay.

"What happened after I passed out?" He tensed and for a second she thought he might storm out.

"We escaped, obviously." She ignored his flat tone and pressed on.

"But what happened to the –"

"I didn't kill her, if that's what you're worried about." He interrupted, pushing her hand away from his face a little rougher than he probably meant to. She threw the blood-stained cotton ball into the trash and cupped his face, pushing it up until his eyes met hers.

"I'm glad." Leaning in, she placed a small kiss onto his forehead. Giving him his glasses back, she took the alcohol and cotton balls and headed to place them back in the bathroom.

"But she died anyways." Clara stopped in her tracks and turned to him. He was slouching again, face in his hands. "Marshall too. We couldn't find a way to stabilize the life reactor so the only option left was to detonate the ship before it could crash into something. He stayed behind to do it." He felt a tap in his shoulder and looked up to see Clara extending clothes to him.

"Change into these. They were my dad's so they'll probably fit you."

"Why do I need to change into them?" He asked, slightly annoyed.

"Because we're both tired. We both need to rest. And frankly, I don't want to be alone right now and you definitely shouldn't be." She set the clothes on his lap. "You got three minutes to change before I come back." As she proceeded to the bathroom, she heard him give an exasperated sigh.

"You're the boss."

"Am I?" She replied mischievously.

He smirked. "Only for now."

When she exited the bathroom, he had already changed into the pajama bottoms and was in the process of pushing his head through the shirt. After dimming the lights, she took a drink of water all the while gesturing him to lie down and scoot over, and then settled down next to him.

They lay facing each other for a couple of seconds before she decided to be bold and scooted closer, hugging his midsection and nestling into him. He went rigid, surprised by her actions, but soon relaxed and wrapped his arms around her as well. Nuzzling her face into his chest, she could smell his scent through that of her father's and she decided that she quite liked the strange mix. The scent of two of the most important men in her life. Soon the smell and his warmth began to lull her to sleep.

"Why are you still here?" He suddenly asked. She sighed at his question.

"Well, this is my roo-"

"You know what I mean."

"Would you rather have me leave?" He tightened his hold on her, bringing her closer still.

"If it was up to me, everyone would stay…" He said, voice so low she barely heard the words. She doubted she was supposed to hear them at all. He cleared his throat and continued on his earlier question.

"It's just that… after everything I said - everything I did - what I was about to do, I-" He stopped himself abruptly, not knowing how to go on. He had never been this open with her before and she knew it was hard for him to even think about stuff like this let alone talk about it.

"It's fine, Doctor. I know what you're trying to say. And I want you to know something," She moved away a little to looked up at him and waited for him to look at her. "I am not afraid of you. No matter what, I will always try to be there for you, to help you, to stop you. You've spent your whole life saving the universe; it's about time you let someone save you."

She smiled and he brought her back to him, clinging onto her tighter than he had ever done before. Pressing a tender kiss into her hair, he finally started to feel at ease.

"Thank you."

Before long, they both fell into a peaceful slumber in each others arms.