Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who.

Clara, pretending to focus on a book she was reading, watched from the other side of the TARDIS Library as The Doctor flipped through Anthony's baby book, a small smile on his face. That was something he did a lot, she'd noticed, especially since he'd told her who Anthony really was. Not always in The Library. Sometimes she'd find him looking through it in the console room. Other times, it would just be sitting nearby while he was fixing the TARDIS, for seemingly no reason at all.. Maybe as a way of keeping his son close.

The Doctor thought of his little boy often. Clara had found him, countless times, just staring into space, smiling, and when she asked him why, he'd recount a story River told him about something adorable Anthony had done (Or he'd been having a naughty daydream about River, in which case he'd blush and stutter when Clara interrupted it). Out of everything in The Doctor's amazing World, his son was obviously the most important to him. And he'd only been able to see him in person once, through an accident with River's Vortex Manipulator, since the day he was born.

"It must be hard.." Clara mumbled.

"Hmm?" said The Doctor, looking up.

"Oh" Clara flushed, not realizing she had spoken out loud. "I was just thinking how hard it must be for you, not being able to see Anthony."

"Oh.. yes, that is hard."

Clara moved to sit next to him, not as close as River (Who usually just plopped herself into his lap nowadays), or maybe Amy would have, but close enough for him to know that she was there if he wanted to talk some more.

"But I think how much harder it would be if we hadn't given him up, and something terrible happened to him" The Doctor continued. "I have so many enemies, and River's built up a decent list herself. If any of them knew we had a child.." He trailed off, shaking his head. It would do him no good to dwell on thoughts like that. "We did what was best for our son. Amy's a wonderful Mum, and Rory's a great Dad.."

"You're a great Dad too" said Clara, laying a comforting hand on his shoulder.

The Doctor shook his head.

"I'm Anthony's biological Father. I'm not his Dad. Not really, not yet."

"Doctor.." Clara frowned.

"I mean it. Anyone can get a woman pregnant. Actually being a Dad.. You have to earn that" said The Doctor seriously. "And I hope I do. One day, when Anthony's ready to come travelling with me, I can teach him about being a Time-Lord, and everything that comes with it, and really get to spend time with him.. Then maybe I can be his Dad, if he'll have me. He might not want another Dad. He might just want a mate, like I am now, and that's fine too. I won't force it."

After a few moments of silence, Clara's brow wrinkled in confusion.

"I don't mean to be rude, but how can you be his mate now when he's only really met you once?"

"Oh, I can talk to him" said The Doctor, elaborating when Clara looked understandably more confused. "Telepathically. Just worked out the kinks. Wasn't sure it would work through time, or that Anthony could even do it, being so young.. But he's such a clever little boy" He smiled proudly. "Yes, Anthony and I have had some great little chats. Remember that day River came home completely covered in mud?"

"Yes.."

"My fault. I may have driven Anthony to rebellion in the name of getting her a little of the childhood fun she missed out on."

"Well, that does explain while you were so giggly about it" Clara laughed.

"I haven't told River yet. That I talk to Anthony. I will, soon. But.. I wanted some piece of him that was mine, just for a little while" The Doctor sighed. "Is that wrong of me?"

"No" Clara shook her head. "No, it's perfectly understandable. It's the only thing you have that's even remotely close to spending time with your son."

"I don't like keeping things from River when I don't have to.."

"You're not, not really. You said you're going to tell her."

"I am" The Doctor nodded. "I am.."

"Why not let Anthony tell her, if it worries you so much?" Clara suggested. "Maybe tell him something only you and River know, that you wouldn't mind him knowing too, obviously.. and let her work it out herself from there?"

"Maybe.."

Their conversation was cut short by the familiar crackle of the Vortex Manipulator, followed by an equally familiar voice.

"Doctor?"

"We're in the Library, River!" He called back, smiling.

A few moment's later, River strode in with an envelope of newly printed photos, plopping herself in The Doctor's lap. He blushed only slightly, Clara having been around long enough now that he wasn't quite so uncomfortable being openly affectionate with River while she was nearby.

"Hello, Sweetie." She kissed his cheek. "Hello, Clara dear."

"Hi, River."

"Did you bring new photos?" asked The Doctor excitedly, eyeing the envelope.

"Mmhm." River smiled as she pulled them out for him to see. The Doctor beamed.

Clara stood to leave, giving them some privacy. Though she knew she'd never convince him otherwise, she disagreed with a great portion of the conversation she and The Doctor had had. She'd too often seen him proudly gush about even the smallest of Anthony's milestones. She'd watched him lovingly, if a little untidily, wrap gifts for the coming Christmas. Four more dolls made by Clara, woolen replicas of Madame Vastra, Jenny, Strax, and Clara herself. Anthony needed them, The Doctor said, because he so loved acting out their adventures. The Doctor was involved in his son's life in every possible way he could be, aside from physical presence, and how important was that really? Some Parents were physically present, but never really there for their kids at all.

The Doctor was. He was a Dad.