Title: When Affections and Time Collide
Author: Flydye8/Heint571
Pairings: 12th Doctor/Clara, Cardinal Richelieu/Clara
Rating: T
Summary: Cardinal Richelieu finds himself in modern day London and in the presences of Clara Oswald as well as the Doctor. Can they figure out who brought the Cardinal out of his timeline before history changes permanently altering the history of France and possible all of Europe?
Author's note: Well here it is, the completion of this epic adventure of the Doctor, Clara, and Armand. It was a joy to write and I am pleased it has been well received by you dear readers. I am so thrilled that you have enjoyed this story.
I must take a moment and thank my beta reader Marie Anne Louise (marieannelouise on Tumblr) she was the one who gave me this prompt, in May (so many months ago, has it really been that long) and I was fortunate enough to have her offer her services of a Beta Reader for me. Since the first chapter she and I have emailed, discussed, revised, revisited, cried, cheered and planned. She was a excellent sounding board for me when I was having a rough patch in my writing or needed to know something about 17th France. She often helped me see things from a different point of view for which I am eternally grateful.
I am so happy to call her my friend and I am so glad she has continued to offer her services for "A Day in Life in the TARDIS" as I start writing for that neglected story next week.
Captain Treville walked to the private apartments of Monsieur Philippe de Champaigne, the smell of oil paints reached his nostrils as he approached the commissioned painter.
"Monsieur, can I have a moment of your time?"
"Of course Captain Treville," the painter said as he placed his brush into a jar of reddish water.
"Are you still painting His Eminence Cardinal Richelieu?"
"Yes Captain, however I am not sure how realistic my painting is going to be with His Eminence having departed into the afterlife. I have to paint most of his facial features by memory."
"I am sure it will be fine. I was wandering if it would be possible to put these," holding out the two letters to the painter before continuing, "behind your canvas before the painting is framed to allow them to be found far in the future?"
Looking down at the letters Philippe noticed the Cardinal's seal and questioned, "And who are these for?"
"For two heroes from a different time; so can you do it?"
"Yes, I can mix some of my resin with turpentine, and over time it will break down and allow the letters to fall. However, the writing inside may be unreadable."
"What if we wrap them in leather? Will that protect the writing inside?" Treville asked.
"Yes, it would work, I think."
"Good, can I please use some of your black paint?"
"Of course," Philippe replied as he handed over the requested items.
Treville walked to as small wooden desk and pulled off his blue cape. Using his blade he cut out the Musketeer symbol and enough of the soft leather to cover the letters. Remembering the story he'd heard from the Doctor, he painted the words To UNIT. Pleased with his work, he gave the leather piece and letters to the painter.
"Here, once this is dry please wrap the letters with it and place it behind your canvas."
Kate Lethbridge-Stewart walked into the curator's office of the National Gallery and held out her hand to the older gentleman. As she smiled at him, she was reminded once again of the pictures she had seen while growing up, and she couldn't prevent herself from thinking that the curator looked very much like an older version the Fourth Doctor.
"Please Ms. Stewart have a seat," he said with a small smile on his face before continuing, "How have you been, my dear."
"I've been well; things have been quiet for a few days and I hope things will still remain quiet after my visit here. So what has happened?" she asked.
The curator pulled out a drawer and withdrew a faded piece of leather. Handing it to her he explained, "We were re-framing a painting of Cardinal Richelieu when we found this, and I thought we should give you a call since it is addressed to UNIT."
Unfolding the thin package, Kate held up two letters and seeing who they were addressed to, she nodded, "Thank you, I will get these to their rightful owners."
Nodding knowingly the curator smiled, "I know you will."
After entering the TARDIS and having sent his ship into the vortex, the Doctor and Clara hurried hand in hand to the Hanging Gardens. He placed his hand on the wall; when the door opened he asked one last time, "Are you sure, moghraidh?"
Smiling up at him she grabbed his hand and led him into the garden. Reaching the pile of pillows she turned to him and wrapped her hands around his neck. She pulled him down until his lips met hers. Feeling him hesitate, Clara encouraged, "I am more than ready, make love to me Doctor."
Placing one hand at the small of her back and the other under her knees he lifted her and then gently laid her on the pillows. Once done, he lain down next to her. With matching smiles they shuffled until they were lying face to face. With a gentle caress to her face, he closed the distance between them and kissed her lips reverently showing her how much he loved her.
Entwining her hands in his hair, Clara responded to his kiss by pressing her lips harder against his. Tracing her tongue along them she asked silently for entrance to which he happily complied. As the kiss deepened, he brought his hands down to the edge of her blouse: pulling on the fabric, he sighed against her lips as his fingers finally touched her skin.
Not one to be left behind, Clara traced her hands under his coat removing it from his shoulders, after which she immediately unbuttoned his crisp white shirt. Breaking the kiss, she bent and kissed the newly exposed flesh of his chest. She smiled against his skin as she heard him moan in delight. Feeling his hands on the center of her back she suddenly needed to feel all of him against her body.
Pulling back, she quickly shed all her clothing and he did the same with his because he felt the same urgency to feel her against his body. Once they were both naked, they came together and when their bodies touched they both gasped in delight. Soon hands blurred as they caressed the others skin while passionate kisses were shared.
When they joined as one, they both moaned in pleasure, not moving to take a moment to enjoy their new closeness. The Doctor covered her face with butterfly kisses while Clara traced the contours of his back with her fingertips. As he started to move in and out of his beloved he nuzzled her neck whispering sweet endearments in his native tongue to which she returned in her own.
Wrapping her legs around his lower back she pushed down, causing his hips to move more rapidly against her core. Soon their combined passion pushed them over the precipice of pleasure as they gasped each other's name in shared ecstasy.
Clara wrapped her arms around the Doctor and snuggled closer to his side as she caressed his chest and whispered, "Yes."
"Yes?" he asked unsure why she said it to him.
"Yes, I will marry you," she replied to his question.
He sat up causing Clara to lay flat on her back. As he looked down at her, his eyes reflected such joy that her breath hitched, "Are you sure?"
Raising her eyebrow she responded, "Seriously, Doctor, you need to stop asking me that. I wouldn't have said yes if I wasn't sure."
"I know but this seems like a dream and I am afraid that I'll wake up."
Lifting up from her bed of pillows Clara kissed him, "Does that feel like a dream?"
"No."
She then pushed him against the soft surface they laid upon and straddled his waist, "How about this?"
"No," he said breathlessly as he grabbed her waist to join them together once more.
When she felt him enter she gasped, "Oh, this definitely doesn't feel like a dream."
Just as they started to move together Clara's phone shrilled causing the Doctor to roll his eyes, "Now, I know this isn't a dream because if it was we would never get interrupted."
Giggling she searched through her clothes, finding the phone she looked at the caller ID, and pressed the answer button and grumbled. "Kate, you better have a damn good reason for calling me."
The UNIT's Head of Scientific Research laughed, "Are you always this grumpy when you are woken up in the middle of the night?"
"Well, I do like my sleep."
The Doctor lifted up and whispered mischievously, "You were not sleeping."
Shushing him with her hand Clara asked, "So what can I help you with?"
"I need you and the Doctor to come to UNIT headquarters right away. I have something for you both."
"Okay, we will be there soon," Clara replied as she quickly hung up the phone.
As she moved to get off the Doctor, he stopped her, causing her to stay joined with him. Looking down at him she smiled, "Kate needs us."
"Yes, but I have a time machine," he said with a wink.
Clara settled back on him, and while she enveloped him with her inner warmth, she leaned down. "Yeah, you do," she said with a smirk, before giving him a passionate kiss.
The Doctor and Clara were escorted into Kate's office, and as they entered Clara sat in the chair with the Doctor behind her.
Kate lifted her head and snipped, "When I said that I needed you right away, I did not expect you to show up two days after I called."
Shrugging his shoulders the Doctor replied, "Sometimes I get distracted by beautiful things, but we are here now so tell us what you need. And do hurry because I have a thing to plan and prepare for."
Shaking her head she retrieved the letters and handed them to the two time travelers, "These were found hidden behind a painting of Cardinal Richelieu at the National Gallery. The curator called me immediately after he found them."
Clara accepted them from Kate and glanced down at them. Sadly she brought them to her chest. Her voice quivered in emotion as she said, "Thank you."
The Doctor somberly guided Clara up from her chair and led her out of the office, and as they exited he called back, "Thank you, Kate."
"You're welcome," the UNIT Head answered.
Once inside the TARDIS the Doctor moved the ship back into the vortex. Clara sat on the stairs staring at the letters as the Doctor sat beside her.
Silently she handed the letter addressed to him than opened the seal of the one with her name on it. Unfolding it she read:
My Dearest Clara,
My death is looming and in the darkness of the night I felt the need to write to you.You have recently chosen the Doctor and I accept your decision even though I did wish it had been me.I admit that I am jealous of him because he will have your love for an eternity and I will not. But I guess that is the way it is supposed to be.I am truly thankful to have danced with you, kissed you, and loved you.
I ask you not to mourn for me, très chère amie,since I am ready for this life of mine to end and the next life to begin.You have helped me regain my faith, trust in love and be at peace with my life, and for those reasons I will always love you.You are my angel, sent to me by God, not once but twice. I saw you in the forest as a young man and I was fortunate enough to see you again as an older man.I am truly blessed.
Please live well and always know that my love will shine down on you from Heaven, and maybe God will allow me to be your guardian angel just as you were mine.
With all my love,
Armand
Clara re-read the letter twice and as tears cascaded down her cheeks she kissed his signature and whispered, "Farewell, my dear friend."
The Doctor broke the seal of his letter while Clara unfolded hers and found a ring within his letter. Holding it up he saw that it was simple but elegant, the gold band consisted of two thin circular threads intermingled together and where they met on the top was a ruby with small diamonds surrounding it.
Seeing the ring Clara asked, "What is that for?"
"I'm not sure; maybe the answer is in the letter," he replied as he started to read his letter.
Dear Doctor,
You are a fortunate man to have Clara's love, therefore don't waste it, for a love like hers comes to a person once in a lifetime.My time is ending but I have a sense of solace knowing that my love, Clara, is safely in your care and that you will love her just as deeply as I do.
I have enclosed a ring. It is a ring infused with love; the deep love shared between my mother and my father. I am pleased that you will use it when you ask Clara to be your wife. Yes Doctor, I know you will ask her to marry you, and yes I know you will use this precious gift I have given to you.For you see Doctor, I have already seen it on her finger when I was a young man after my first contact with the Nestene.Why I saw her I cannot tell you, but I think you are a brilliant man and will figure it out.
Be safe, mon frère, and love Clara enough for the both of us.
Armand
The Doctor rolled the ring between his fingers thinking about what the Cardinal said in his note; there was something he was missing and he wanted to know what it was. Standing he started to pace raking his hands through his hair. After a few moments he knelt down on one knee and held the ring out to Clara and asked, "Will you be my wife?"
Confused, Clara replied, "I have already told you yes, so why are you asking me again?"
"The Cardinal gave this ring to me to use when I asked you to marry me. He said it was infused with love," he explained.
Holding out her left hand she smiled at him, "Then let us share that love between us."
After placing it on her finger, he stood and sat next to her. And as he kissed her ringed left hand, he said, "He loved you very much. In fact, I believe that he loved you just as much as I do."
"I know and I love you," she said as she kissed his lips. Pulling back from him she continued as she looked at the ring, "I just wish he could be there when we get married. It would be interesting to see what he thought about 21st century weddings."
"Yes it would be…" the Doctor stopped in mid-sentence and started to mumble, "21st century… how did he get to the 21st century…" Grabbing her letter he started to read.
Clara grabbed the letter from him and exclaimed, "That is mine!"
"Sorry. No, not sorry. He saw you twice; he saw the ring on your finger. What does that mean?" Standing, he went to the screen on the console and pulled up the footage of the Cardinal's first death. Slowing down the recording, he looked for the origin of the beam. Changing the picture to ultra violet mode, he smiled broadly, turning toward Clara he said as he typed some coordinates into the console, "We have to make a couple of trips."
Still confused, Clara blocked the activation switch and demanded, "We are not going anywhere till you explain."
He scratched his head fervently, then he guided Clara to the monitor and pointed, "Look, there are two beams converging on the Cardinal when he died the first time; one coming from the Nestene and the other coming from his pendant. In his letters, he stated that he has seen you twice: once when he was a young man and then later. In mine, he stated he saw his ring on your finger."
"Okay so what's your point?" she asked still confused.
"Don't you see? We were the ones who sent the Cardinal to the 21st century," The Doctor said excitedly.
Finally understanding what the Doctor was saying Clara exclaimed, "It's a paradox loop."
"Yes, and we need to hurry and make sure it happens. First stop is retrieving the Cardinal's pendant."
"I don't want to dig up his grave," Clare retorted with a horrified expression.
Holding up his sonic screwdriver he replied, "We won't have to. The pendant is metal and this is the most powerful magnet in the universe."
Using her hand she pushed his screwdriver down and suggested, "Or, maybe we could just go to the time right before his coffin was brought out of the church and retrieve the pendant before the lid was sealed shut."
Pointing at her with his finger he shook it gently, "Yes, that might be a better plan, especially since the screwdriver doesn't do wood."
A young Armand lay face down in the dirt of the forest, the light that had encompassed him was no longer surrounding him, and he wasn't sure if it was because he had run away or if his God had ascended back to His heavenly realm.
He wanted to stand up but his body refused to move, turning over and lying on his back he stared into the heavens when suddenly his vision was obscured by a woman with shoulder length dark hair a golden glow surrounding her head from somewhere behind her.
Licking his lips he asked quietly, "Are you an angel sent from Heaven to guide me?"
Smiling down at him Clara caressed his face, "Yes, Armand, I am your angel and I have a gift for you."
"Your beauty is gift enough."
"You are quite the charmer Armand," Clara responded to his compliment before holding up the cross pendant they'd retrieved from his future grave. She placed it over his head and adjusted it till it lay on his chest as she instructed, "Keep this on you at all times. Never take it off."
"Who am I to argue with an angel?" Then he saw her ring and grabbed her hand, "Where did you get this?"
"You gave it to a man who looks just like you, and he gave it to me," Clara answered vaguely.
"It is a symbol of love," Armand explained before he gave into his body's need for rest.
As his eyes closed, Clara brushed his dark hair from his forehead, "Yes it is Armand, and I love you just as much as I love the Doctor."
As Clara entered the TARDIS the Doctor asked, "So is it done?"
"Yeah, it is."
"Are you okay?" he inquired as he watched her walk toward him.
Wrapping her arms around his torso she answered, "I will be, but right now I want to be held in your arms and let the universe pass us by for a bit."
After bringing his ship into the vortex, he kissed her reverently. "I would like that too," he stated as he led her down the passageway of his ship.
Fin - The End
Author's note 2: Now that it is finished please review and let me know what you think about this story. Thanks for reading
Cheers
Flydye88/Heintz571