Title: A Day and Life on the TARDIS
Author: Flydye8/Heintz571
Pairings: Clara/12th Doctor
Rating: T (just to be on the safe side)
Summary: This is a collection of stories about the times in-between Clara's and the Doctor's adventures. The ones we never see; because we all know once you starting living with someone, life always gets more interesting. The stories are primarily fluffiness, domestication, and a loving friendship and romance taking place after "Last Christmas".
Clara re-entered the main room of the TARDIS, after the Doctor suggested she go and change before their arrival. It seemed the talk she had with Sexy was successful, because when she entered her room a pair undamaged undergarments were on her bed or maybe the TARDIS was having another 'off day' but she hoped it was her first thought.
The Doctor turned to her as she entered, "We are at the right time and place. I parked the TARDIS in one of the utility rooms of the hospital." Seeing that Clara was not moving, he returned to her side and engulfed her hand with his pulling her close to him, rubbing her back softly he asked, "Are you okay?"
Looking up at him she shook her head, "No, I am not. I don't think I can go through this again."
Pushing her dark hair off her shoulders he leaned and kissed her tenderly, "Let's not jump to conclusions, it could be nothing."
"Do you really believe that Doctor?" She inquired pleading for an honest answer with her eyes.
"I don't know but we will never find out if we dawdle here, at least this time I am here for you. Come on." He replied as he gently tugged her toward the doors of the TARDIS.
Smiling at him she responded lovingly, "Yes, you are."
Walking down the passageway of the hospital, Clara's heart pounded with apprehension and fear. Approaching the front desk a friendly woman inquired, "How can I help you today?"
Noticing Clara not responding the Doctor answered for them, "What room is Mrs. Oswald in."
Glancing at her computer screen the secretary asked, "Are you family?"
The Doctor replied politely yet loudly, "Yes, this is Clara Oswald and I am the Doctor. Now please do hurry up and tell us her room number."
Doctor Martha Smith was on her way to see her patient when she heard someone mention his name was the Doctor, looking around to find the source of the voice, her eyes fell upon an older man with graying hair dressed impeccably in a dark suit and white shirt. Seeing a young woman with brown hair standing next to him she knew her assumption was correct.
She hurried in their direction, as she approached closer she heard the secretary insist, "I am sorry sir, but I need to confirm that you are indeed Mrs. Oswald's family. Do you have any identification?"
Getting irritated with the secretary he leaned forward his accent getting thick, "Just tell us her room."
"I can't sir policy states I need identification before I let you pass."
The Doctor was reaching into his inner coat pocket to retrieve his psychic paper when a soft hand touched his shoulder, stiffening up at the contact he turned toward the owner of the hand as she addressed the secretary, "Don't worry Melissa I can vouch for them. I will bring them to Mrs. Oswald's room."
The woman behind the desk nodded in acknowledgment, "Okay Doctor Smith."
The Doctor's eyebrows raised in astonishment as Martha directed, "Follow me Doctor, Miss Oswald."
As they followed his previous companion the Doctor brought his arm around Clara. Leaning closer to him she whispered, "Is that the same Martha that traveled with your 10th self?"
"Yes Clara, it is the same Martha." He confirmed as they walked through the nursing unit doors.
Approaching the far end of the hall Clara saw her father walk toward a room, breaking away from the Doctor she hurried ahead calling out, "Dad I am here."
Hugging his daughter tightly he then released her and led her into the room, "I am so glad you got my message."
Martha stood by the Doctor as she watched father and daughter embrace and enter the room, turning toward the Time Lord she moved forward and hugged him tightly, noticing how he stiffened up again because of her touch commenting, "So, are you not a hugging person anymore?"
Stepping back from her he confirmed, "No, not this time around."
"Scottish this time around are you. How many times?" Martha asked.
"How many times have I what?" He questioned unbuttoning his coat and placing his hands in his pocket the red lining of his coat flaring out.
"How many times have you regenerated?" She clarified.
"Oh… two times since we last met."
"You look older."
"Well you know regeneration is a lottery at times, I don't usually have much of a choice." He exclaimed glancing at the room Clara entered a moment ago wishing he could be by her side.
"No Doctor, you look older. Your eyes are not young anymore they have aged. How many years has it been for you?"
Meeting her dark eyes he responded, "About 1000 years give or take I really don't keep track anymore, it is a waste of my time."
Astounded she gasped, "1000 years."
Bringing the palm of his hand to his forehead he rubbed it roughly, "Listen Martha I am sure small talk is very entertaining for you, but it is really bothersome for me." He stated with sarcasm, "So can you please just fast forward the conversation a bit and ask me what you really want to know."
Crossing her arms she spat angrily reacting to his sarcasm, "Did my time with you mean so little, that in 1000 years you never thought to stop by and say hello."
"I have been busy and no it didn't." He exclaimed before continuing, "Our time was precious to me but some things must remain in the past otherwise we can never move forward with our lives."
"What if I didn't want to move forward Doctor?"
Smiling sadly at her he responded, "Sometimes we don't have a choice; therefore we have to accept whatever choices we are given… good or bad."
"When did you become such a philosopher?" Martha inquired uncrossing her arms smiling softly at him her anger fading with his comment.
"When I spent 600 plus years stuck on a planet isolated from everything including Clara and the TARDIS." He answered, "But that doesn't matter anymore the only thing that matters now is making sure Clara is okay."
"Then go and make sure she is okay." Martha stated gesturing toward the door understanding his need to be with his current companion. "I am Mrs. Oswald's physician so I will see you later, after my rounds." She finished turning from the Doctor, moving down the hall to her first patient.
"Martha." He called out after her, "What is wrong with Clara's gran?"
Moving back to him she replied, "He ailment is something all us humans have to deal with."
"What ailment is that?" He questioned.
"She's has gotten older, her body is giving out, there is not much we can do except keep her comfortable. I see you later." She simple stated before returning to her previous path.
The Doctor stared at Martha's retreating back; the meeting could have gone better but with his worry over Clara's state of mind he was distracted. Resolving to talk with Martha later, he entered the hospital room to see his impossible girl sitting close to her Gran's bed, holding her relative's hand tears falling down her cheeks.
Dave walked over to him and extended his hand, "Thank you for bringing her here so quickly."
"That was not a problem." The Doctor responded before nodding in the direction of his mother, "How is she?"
Taking a deep breath to hold back his tears he answered, "Her heart is failing. I found her on the floor in her home passed out just a few hours ago. The doctor has told me that her body is just giving out." Chuckling sarcastically he continued, "They said it is just what happens when a person gets older. They gave her some medications and now she is resting." He finished as he walked toward the window trying to control his emotions as he stared at the scene outside.
Picking up the medical clip board at the foot of the bed the Doctor scanned the blood work, EKG, and the results of the other tests they have done on Clara's Gran. The results were not promising. Replacing clip board he moved to Clara's side and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Pulling out his sonic screwdriver he moved it over Gran's body, finishing he looked at the results and they confirmed the hospital's diagnoses.
Looking up at him Clara asked, "Why won't she wake up?"
"The doctors have her sedated according to her charts; however she should be waking up soon." He answered.
Right on cue Gran opened her eyes, seeing the Doctor and Clara she smiled happily as she spoke her voice weak, "Hello dears."
Clara hurried and sat on the edge of the hospital bed, "Oh Gran I am so glad you are awake, for a bit there I thought we were too late."
"Oh my dear granddaughter I would never depart from this world without seeing you and the Doctor first, you should know that by now."
Shaking her head Clara quickly retorted, "Don't say things like that Gran, you need to stick around a bit longer. You're going to be fine."
"Lying is never a becoming trait my dear, you really should refrain from doing it." She chastised her as she lifted her hand toward the Doctor, "It is good to see you again but I think I prefer you in a blue coat with tails." She flirted.
Chuckling, the Doctor kneeled at her side and grabbed her hand, "Of course you would prefer that suit to this one."
"Yes, it is my favorite era. I am glad to see you took my advice Doctor, you both look happier." Relinquishing his hand she took Clara's, "And don't you try to find out what advice I gave him, it is between us and when the time is right he will tell you."
Surprised that her Gran guessed her thoughts so accurately she smiled through her tears, "Okay I will wait."
"Good, now stay near you two, no adventuring for a bit. My time on this Earth is drawing to a close." She stated without any sadness in her voice.
Clara brought her hand to her mouth stifling the anguish she was feeling and laid her head across her torso, causing her Gran to run her fingers through her hair, "Don't you fret my dear, it is a rite of passage each of us must go through. I am okay with it and so should you."
The Doctor stood, looking down at two extraordinary women, an idea developing in his mind directly related to Gran's comment about rites of passages, it would be tricky but it could be done. However, he was going to need some help. Leaning down he kissed Clara on her cheek and whispered, "I will be right back." Leaving the room he went in search of Martha.
Seeing Martha in the distance the Doctor hurried to intercept her, "Martha I need your help."
Taking a moment to say farewell to her co-worker she then turned to face him, "What's wrong? Is everything okay with Mrs. Oswald?"
"Yeah she is fine. I need to speak with you, it is important." He responded to her question.
Shifting the files in her arms she looked at her watch, 'I am on break in thirty minutes we can…."
He interrupted "No, not good enough."
"Well it has to be. I have patients I need to attend to."
Raising his hands shaking them he inquired, "Don't you have interns or something?"
"Yes, but…"
Ignoring her he gestured adamantly to a young man in a white coat, "You there."
The man looked around then pointed at himself.
"Yes yes you…come here." The Doctor insisted. As the man approached he continued, "Are you one of Doctor Smith's interns?"
"No sir, I'm not." He replied worriedly
Grabbing the stack of files from Martha, he handed them to the man, "Well you are now." The Doctor stated shooing him away, "Go do an intern thing."
Well beyond irritated with the Time Lord, Martha shouted, "Doctor!" retrieving her files from the terrified intern she gave him a soft smile, "Sorry Mitchell, I think I saw Doctor McAdams in room 340. Why don't you go and see if he needs any help."
"Yes, Doctor Smith" he replied quickly moving toward the room she suggested.
Once he was out of sight she turned toward the Doctor angrily poking his chest; "You will not come into my hospital and start demanding I help you."
"But time is the ticking." He interceded only to be stopped by Martha's raised hand.
"No Doctor, if you want my help you will have to wait. Go down to the cafeteria and have cup of…well whatever you drink in this incarnation. I will see you in thirty minutes." She finished turning on her heel to continue her rounds, barely hearing the Doctor mumble something about irrational, irritating companions.
Thirty minutes later the Doctor sat at one of the empty tables nursing his rapidly cooling coffee as he waited for Martha.
He didn't have to wait too long, she approached him calmly; "It is good to see your sense of timing is better."
"Yes, I guess it is… well sometimes. Are you now ready to help me out?" He asked briskly.
"I guess that depends on what you need my help with." She countered
Leaning forward he replied, "I need your help to make Clara's Grandmother's last days in this world beautiful."
Surprised at his request she inquired, "Why?"
"Why… what?"
"Why are you doing this for Mrs. Oswald?"
Smiling at her he explained, "In my long life I have had the privilege of meeting some remarkable women. Women who do amazing things in my name; I have been told that I don't always adequately express how much I appreciate them and the things they do. This is me trying to amend for my oversights and do the right thing for once, though Clara would say I am not doing it as well as I should."
"Well than Clara would be wrong, you are doing it perfectly." Martha smiled understanding the duel meanings behind his words, leaning forward her eyes sparkled, "So tell me, what do you have planned and how I can help."
"Let me first refresh my coffee and get you one as well before I explain."
"I would like that a lot." She replied as she watched him move away, "And Doctor." She called out to him causing him to stop and face her. "Thank you." Seeing his smile she knew he understood.
"I should be saying that to you, Doctor Martha Smith."
"You already have."
Clara looked at her watch, pacing the small hospital room as the light from the sunset shined through the window. Since her Gran was resting her father decided he would run home shower, change and pick up Linda before returning to be at his mum's side.
Glancing at her watch again she was contemplating leaving to find the Doctor when he entered the room hurrying toward him she exclaimed, "You know Doctor, we you said you will be back in a moment; I didn't expect the moment to be three hours."
"I know, sorry but I had to do a thing." He responded as he moved to Gran's bed and shook her gently to awaken her. "Come on Mrs. Oswald it is time for a little trip."
Hearing his statement Clara quickly moved to his side and placed her hand on his arm, "We can't take her into the TARDIS she needs to be here under her doctor's care."
Turning his head to her he smiled manically, "Don't worry her doctor is coming along."
At that moment Martha walked in with a wheel chair, setting the lock, she extended her hand to Clara her white doctor coat replaced with a brown leather jacket and her braided hair pulled back in a ponytail, "I am sorry we haven't properly met yet, I am Martha."
Grabbing the extended hand she asked, " It is a pleasure to meet you I have heard a lot about you. What has the Doctor come up with this time?"
"I'll let him explain." Gently pushing the Doctor to the side, Martha took over waking the elderly women. Seeing her open her eyes she smiled down at her, "Are you ready for an adventure Mrs. Oswald?"
Clara pulled the Doctor to the other side of the room and hissed in frustration, "You are going to tell me right now what is going on."
Grabbing her upper arms he bent down to stare into her eyes, licking his lips he began, "You know how people say that their lives flash before their eyes before they pass on to the next life." Seeing her nod he continued, "Well we are going to bring your Gran to revisit each of her rites of passages in person before it is her time to pass on."
"Won't that be a bit dangerous with timelines and such?" she asked worriedly.
"It can be but we are going to use these." Holding out his hand Clara saw a bracelet in his palm.
"What are those?" she inquired as she lifted the bracelet with her fingers.
"These are perception filters they will allow us to observe without being seen. It is one of the reasons why it took me so long to return, I haven't used this technology since Martha traveled with me so I had to refine it a bit."
Placing it on her wrist she glanced over his shoulder to see her Gran comfortable in the wheelchair, a similar bracelet on her wrist, moving pass the Doctor she kneeled in front of her Gran, "Are you sure you are up for this?"
Her Gran's eyes sparkled with more life then Clara has seen since arriving at the hospital, "Yes my dear, I am looking forward to it."
With a large smile on her face she stated, "Okay Gran let's go."
The four time travelers exited the hospital room and headed toward the TARDIS all excited for Gran's grand adventure.
Author's Note: Thank you once again for all the reviews and if you have a chance keep reviewing I appreciate them immensely. Keep reading and enjoying.
Cheers
Flydye8