Human Nature
Everything had gone downhill. Clara wasn't exactly sure how or why, but it was pure chaos. The Doctor, Martha, and Clara had sprinted back to the TARDIS and set her off to another destination. The TARDIS had thrown them all to the floor and was sparking like crazy. The Doctor ran over to Martha and Clara and helped them both up, then looked at them closely.
"Did they see either of you?" he asked them urgently.
"I don't know!" Martha said.
"I don't think they did," Clara said in a panicked voice.
"Did they see you?" the Doctor asked again.
"I don't know, I was too busy running!" Martha said.
"Martha, it's important—did they see your face?" the Doctor asked.
"No, they couldn't have!" Martha said.
"They probably saw my hair," Clara said, touching her head.
The Doctor ran to the console, pressing buttons like crazy. A warning beep suddenly sounded and there were symbols on the computer screen.
"Ahh!" the Doctor said, annoyed. He grabbed the screen and read it. "They're following us."
"That shouldn't be possible," Clara said.
"How can they do that, you've got a time machine," Martha said.
"Stolen technology, they've got a Time Agent's vortex manipulator. They can follow us wherever we go, right across the universe. They're never going to stop," the Doctor said, running a hand through his hair. "Unless...I'll have to do it..."
"Do what?" Clara asked, scared by the look in his eyes.
"Martha, you trust me, don't you?" the Doctor asked.
"Of course I do," she said.
"Clara?" the Doctor asked.
"You don't even have to ask, dear," she said. "I trust you with my life."
"Good, cause it all depends on you two," the Doctor said, then dove beneath the console to get something.
"What does? What are we supposed to do?" Martha asked.
The Doctor held up what looked like a pocket watch.
"Take this watch, 'cause my life depends on it. The watch, Martha, Clara. The watch is-"
Clara woke up with Matron Redfern standing over her.
"Get up," Matron Redfern said, with a slight cross look on her face.
"I'm sorry," Clara said. "I don't know what came over me."
"You'll do well, Nurse Tyler, to wake up on time to do your job," Matron Redfern said.
"Yes, ma'am," Clara said. She waited until Matron Redfern was gone before sighing and getting up. She put on her nurse apron over her dress and then went about putting her hair up into a bun.
Clara followed after Matron Redfern, doing the morning rounds.
"Excuse me, ma'am," a boy said, going past them.
"It's quite alright," Clara said, smiling at him.
Clara's breath hitched as they approached Mr. Smith in the hallway, carrying a load of books.
"Good morning, Mr. Smith," she said shyly. She covered up a giggle as he fumbled with the top book in his stack, then dropped it. It fell to the floor and he stepped on it to keep it in place. 'Mr. Smith' was even more clumsy than the Doctor. Actually, she thought, the Doctor hadn't been clumsy at all. It must just be the human in the Doctor.
"There we go," Mr. Smith said.
"Let me help you," Matron Redfern offered.
"No, no, I've got it, no..." he said. "Um...ah...Just to...retrieve it...ah...If you could take these-"
He handed Matron Redfern the stack of books and bent to pick up the book the same time Clara did.
"Oh, sorry, sir," she said, as they bumped heads.
"Oh, it's quite all right, Miss-?" Mr. Smith asked.
"Tyler, sir. Nurse Tyler," she said.
She handed him the book and straightened up.
"No harm done," Mr. Smith said, smiling at Clara. "So, um, how was Jenkins?"
"Oh, just a cold, nothing serious," Matron Redfern said. "I think he's missing his mother, nothing more."
"Aw, can't have that," Mr. Smith said sympathetically.
"He receive a letter this morning, so he's a lot more chipper," Nurse Redfern said, then looked down a the books she was still holding. "I appear to be holding your books."
"Yes, so you are! Sorry, sorry," Mr. Smith said, after looking at Clara. He turned and took the books from Matron Redfern awkwardly. "Just let me-"
"No, why don't I take half?" Matron Redfern offered.
"Ah, brilliant idea, brilliant," Mr. Smith said. "Perfect. Division of labor."
"We make quite a team," Matron Redfern said and Clara's jealousy perked up.
"Don't we just," Mr. Smith said, smiling at Clara.
"So, these books," Matron Redfern said. "Were they being taken in any particular direction?"
"Yes, um. This way," Mr. Smith said.
He let Matron Redfern and Clara go first and followed after them. It would've been entirely improper to do so at the time, but he was looking at Clara's backside as she walked in front of him.
"I always say, Matron, give the boys a good head of steam, they'll soon wear themselves out," Mr. Smith said.
"Truth be told, when it's just you and me, I'd much rather you call me Nurse Redfern," she said. "'Matron' sounds rather...well, matronly."
Clara felt her face burning red with heat from jealousy.
"Ah, Nurse Redfern it is, then," Mr. Smith said, not really sounding sure.
"Though we've known each other all of two months, you could even say 'Joan'," she said.
"Joan?" Mr. Smith asked.
"That's my name," Joan said.
"Well, obviously," Mr. Smith said, slightly flustered. "And yours?"
"My what, sir?" Clara asked.
"Your name?"
"It's Clara," she said, looking back at him and smiled.
"And it's John, isn't it?" Matron Redfern asked, looking bothered by the fact that Mr. Smith was talking to Clara.
"Yes, yes it is," Mr. Smith said.
Clara felt awkward as Matron Redfern stopped at a notice board that Clara had seen so many times and looked at the notice about the dance.
"Have you seen this, John?" Matron Redfern asked. "The annual dance at the village hall tonight. It's nothing formal, but rather fun by all accounts. Do you think you'll go?"
"I hadn't thought about it," Mr. Smith said, flustered and unsure.
"It's been ages since I've been to a dance, only no one's asked me," Nurse Redfern said, laughing nervously.
"Well, I imagine that you would be...um...I mean I never thought you'd be one for...I mean, there's no reason why you shouldn't—if you do, you may not...I probably won't, but even if I did then I couldn't...um, I mean I wouldn't want to-" Mr. Smith stammered, not being able to form a complete sentence.
"Um, sir," Clara said.
"The stairs," Matron Redfern said.
"It—what about the stairs?" Mr. Smith asked.
"They're right behind you," Matron Redfern said.
Mr. Smith lost his balance then and tumbled down the stairs with the books flying into the air. Forgetting the propriety of the time, Clara rushed down the stairs, going to his aid, the same she would if he was still the Doctor.
"Sir, are you alright?" she asked, her voice full of concern. That was when she noticed the blood. "Matron! We need to get him to his room, right away!"
Mr. Smith leaned on Clara as she helped him back up the stairs and to his room. He seemed woozy and dizzy, like he had a concussion. She cleaned the cut on the back of his head, while Matron Redfern watched on, making sure she did everything correctly. Mr. Smith groaned from the pain.
"Stop it," Matron Redfern said, with a smile. "I get boys causing less fuss than this."
"Because it hurts!" Mr. Smith said sulkily.
"Sorry, sir," Clara said with concern.
Martha then burst into the room. In this whole thing, Martha was Mr. Smith's maid.
"Is he alright?" Martha asked, concerned.
"Excuse me, Martha," Matron Redfern said. "It's hardly good form to enter a master's study without knocking."
"Sorry, right, yeah," Martha said, a little annoyed. She then ran back to the door and knocked on it before coming back. "But is he alright? They said you fell down the stairs, Sir."
"No, it was just a tumble, that's all," Mr. Smith mumbled.
"Have you checked for concussion?" Martha asked Clara and Matron Redfern.
"We have," Matron Redfern said and Clara nodded. "And I daresay we know a lot more about it than you."
Clara gave Martha a look and Martha nodded.
"Sorry, I'll just...Tidy your things," Martha said.
"I was just telling Nurse Redfern—Matron, and Nurse Tyler, um, about my dreams. They are quite remarkable tales," Mr. Smith said.
Clara looked at Martha as if to say that Mr. Smith was remembering things about being the Doctor.
"I keep imagining that I'm someone else, and that I'm hiding-" Mr. Smith said.
"Hiding? In what way?" Matron Redfern asked.
"Um...er...almost every night...This is going to sound silly-" Mr. Smith said.
"Tell me," Matron Redfern said.
"I dream, quite often, that I have two hearts," Mr. Smith said.
Clara let out a small laugh that she tried not to make sound nervous as she said, "That's quite unlikely, Sir."
Matron Redfern pulled out a stethoscope from her doctor's bag and handed it to Clara.
"Go on," she said.
Clara held her breath as she put the stethoscope to Mr. Smith's chest and then let it out as she only heard one heartbeat.
"Only one heart, Sir," she said.
Mr. Smith let out a laugh at his silliness and said, "I have written down some of these dreams in the form of fiction...um...not that it would be of any interest."
"May I see them?" Clara asked, wondering what would be in it.
"I'd be very interested," Matron Redfern said.
"It's there on the desk," Mr. Smith said, and Clara walked over to see a small black, leather-bound journal. "Well...I've never shown it to anyone before."
Clara opened it to the first page, which read, 'Journal of Impossible Things.' She flipped through it to see pictures of very familiar things in it. She passed it to Matron Redfern, who looked impatient to see it.
"'Journal of Impossible Things'," Matron Redfern read out, looking at the first page. "Just look at these creatures! Such imagination."
"Mmm. It's become quite a hobby," Mr. Smith said, looking at Clara for her reaction.
"It's very interesting, Sir," Clara said.
"It's wonderful," Matron Redfern said. "And quite an eye for the pretty girls. This one looks quite like you, Nurse Tyler."
"I'm sorry, but that isn't possible," Clara said, trying to sound convincing. Martha looked at her in concern.
"Oh, no, no, they're just inventions," Mr. Smith said. "That one character, Rose. I call her, Rose."
Clara was saddened by the fact that he thought she was just an invention. She missed her cousin like crazy.
"Seems to disappear later on..." Mr. Smith said. He was looking at a picture with Matron Redfern. "Ah, that's the box, the blue box, it's always there. Like a...like a magic carpet, this funny little box that transports me to far away places."
"Like a doorway?" Matron Redfern asked.
"Mmm," Mr. Smith said. "I sometimes think how magical life would be if things like this were true."
"If only," Matron Redfern said and Clara bit her lip.
"It's just a dream," Mr. Smith said, with a short, quiet laugh.
Clara stayed behind after Matron Redfern had left with Martha following her. She looked at Mr. Smith's head again and said, "There you go, Sir. Good as new.
"It's John, not Sir," Mr. Smith said, smiling.
"Oh, um, alright," Clara said, smiling.
"Um, I wanted to ask—but Nurse Redfern was there—would you accompany me to the dance?" Mr. Smith asked, sounding quite nervous.
Clara felt flattered. The Doctor wouldn't've asked her something like that. She flushed slightly and said, "Oh, I'd be flattered, John."
Martha then returned and Clara left, saying that she needed to check in with Matron Redfern. As she passed by Martha, she said she'd meet her at the pub that night.
Bundled up, Clara met up with Martha and her maid friend, Jenny, at the pub. She liked Jenny, who was a sweet person. Martha came out of the pub, carrying three pints.
"Ooh, it's freezing out here!" Martha said, shivering. "Why can't we have a drink inside the pub?"
"Now don't be ridiculous—you do get these notions!" Jenny said. "It's all very well those Suffragettes; but that's London, that's miles away."
Clara took her pint that Martha handed her and warmed her hands with it.
"But don't you want to scream sometimes, having to bow and scrape and behave, don't you just wanna tell them?" Martha asked.
Clara felt awkward. She was only outside with them because they were her friends. She was able to go inside and drink her pint if she wanted to.
"I dunno," Jenny said. "Things must be different in your country."
"Yeah, well, they are," Martha said. "Thank goodness I'm not staying."
"Me, neither," Clara said. "I don't know if I'm cut out for this nursing. No offense," she told Martha.
"You keep saying that," Jenny told Martha.
"Just you wait," Martha said. "One more month and we're as free as the wind. I wish you could come with us, Jenny—you'd love it!"
"Where are you gonna go?" Jenny asked.
"Anywhere," Martha said, at the same time Clara said, "Everywhere."
"Just look up there," Martha said, looking at the stars. "Imagine you could go all the way out to the stars."
"It's beautiful out there," Clara said.
"You don't half say mad things!" Jenny said, laughing.
"That's where we're going," Martha said. "Into the sky, all the way out."
Jenny laughed again.
"Did you see that?" Martha asked suddenly.
"See what?" Jenny asked.
"Did either of you see it though?" Martha asked, standing up. Right up there, just for a second."
"Martha, there's nothing there," Jenny said.
Martha looked at Clara.
"What was it, Martha?" Clara asked.
"A green light, up in the sky, for a split second," Martha said.
"You don't think-?" Clara said, suddenly afraid.
"I dunno," Martha said.
A moment later, Matron Redfern came running up to the pub in a panic.
"Matron, are you alright?" Martha asked.
"Did you see that?" Matron Redfern asked. "There was something in the woods...this light..."
Mr. Smith then came out of the pub and approached them.
"Anything wrong, ladies? Far too cold to be standing around in the dark, don't you-" he started, then Matron Redfern interrupted.
"There!" she said, pointing into the sky to see the green light fly over again. "There, look in the sky!"
"That's beautiful," Jenny said.
"Commonly known as a meteorite," Mr. Smith said. "It's just rocks falling to the ground, that's all."
"It came down in the woods," Matron Redfern said.
"No, no, no, they always look close, when actually they're miles off," Mr. Smith said. "Nothing left but a cinder. Now, I should escort you back to the school." He was looking at Clara when he said it. "Ladies?"
"Oh, no thank you, Mr. Smith," Clara said.
"No, we're fine, thanks," Martha said, still staring at the sky.
"Then I shall bid you goodnight," Mr. Smith said, still looking at Clara.
He gave a backwards glance to her as he then walked back towards the school with Matron Redfern.
"He's sweet on you," Jenny said with a smirk.
"Never mind that," Martha said. "Jenny, where was that? On the horizon, where the light was headed?"
"That's by Cooper's Field," Jenny said.
"C'mon, Clara," Martha said, and the two of them started running in the same direction as the light landed.
"You two can't just run off! It's dark, you'll break a leg!" Jenny called after them.
Martha and Clara headed through the woods and Jenny caught up to them as they stopped. They were in a clearing, but there was nothing there.
"There y'are...Nothing there," Jenny said breathlessly. "I told you both so."
"And that's Cooper's Field?" Martha asked.
"As far as the eye can see, and no falling star," Jenny said. "Now come on, I'm frozen to the bone, let's go. As your Mr. Smith says, 'Nothing to see'."
"It doesn't feel right," Clara said, as Jenny turned to walk away.
"I know," Martha said, looking back again before following Jenny.
Matron Redfern was already back by the time Clara got back to the infirmary.
"Up early tomorrow, Miss Tyler," Matron Redfern said.
"Yes, ma'am," Clara said, before turning in for the night.
The next morning, after doing her rounds with Matron Redfern, Clara met up with Martha and they both rode bikes towards the barn, like they did every week. Clara smiled and rubbed the side of the TARDIS, after they had closed the barn door. Martha pulled out her TARDIS key and unlocked the door and they both entered.
"Hello," Martha said, then shook her head. "I'm talking to a machine..."
"She can probably hear you," Clara said, touching the console. She sat on the pilot's seat, content just to do nothing in the TARDIS, for once.
She caught sight of the chameleon arch hanging down still and shivered. She could still hear the Doctor's screaming echoing around in her head.
Martha went over to the monitor and turned on the recording that the Doctor had made before he had turned himself human.
"This working?" the Doctor asked, tapping the camera.
"Yeah, it is, now stop hitting it," Clara's voice was heard in the background.
In real time, Clara closed her eyes, knowing what he was going to say.
"Martha, Clara, before I change, here's a list of instructions for when I'm human. One, don't let me hurt anyone. We can't have that, but you both know what humans are like," the recording said.
Clara snorted at the offensive remark. She knew he didn't mean it like that, but that was just the Doctor.
"Two, don't worry about the TARDIS. I'll put it on emergency power so they can't detect it, just let it hide away. Four—no, wait a minute, three. No getting involved in big historical events. Four—you two. Don't let me abandon either of you. And fi-" the recording said, but Martha sped through the list.
"But there was a meteor, a shooting star—what are we supposed to do then?" Martha said out loud.
"And twenty three. If anything goes wrong, if they find us, Martha, Clara, then you know what to do. Open the watch. Everything I am is kept safe in there. Now, I've put a perception filter on it so the human me won't think anything of it, to him, it's just a watch. But neither of you open it unless you have to. Because once it's open, then the Family will be able to find me. It's all down to you, Martha and Clara. Your choice."
"That doesn't really help," Clara said, opening her eyes.
"Oh, and—thank you," the Doctor said. "Both of you. And I love you, Clara."
"Yeah, and so does the human you, apparently," Martha said. "I wish you'd come back."
Clara sighed as they locked the TARDIS back up and headed back to the school. Taking off her coat, she literally ran into Mr. Smith.
"Oh, sorry," she said, as he caught her arm and straightened her.
"Oh, my fault entirely," he said, walking with her. They reached his room. "Would you like to come in?"
"Oh, um, thank you," Clara said, as he led her in.
She wasn't sure how, but the conversation started and led to Mr. Smith drawing a picture of her in his book.
"Alright, you've had your time. Let me see," Clara said, smiling.
He sat down next to her and showed her the picture.
"There you go," he said.
"Oh, wow," she said, amazed at his skills at drawing. "May I have it?"
"Of course," he said, delighted.
"Is that what I really look like?" she asked, looking at the picture of herself. She looked like she fit right in with the time period. She looked at the picture of the Slitheen on the opposite page and said, "Are you sure that I don't look like that?"
"Oh, quite sure," he said. "It's definitely this page."
"You did something to the drawing. It's too pretty to be me," she said.
"Well, that's how I see you," he said.
Clara squirmed, slightly uncomfortable. She knew that he wasn't the Doctor, but he still looked, and on occasion, acted like the Doctor.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Oh, yeah," she said. "Sorry. This is all a bit new to me."
"It is to me as well," he said, tucking a red curl behind her ear. He slowly leaned forward and Clara paused, before leaning forward as well. Clara had a shiver as he kissed her. His kiss felt the same as the Doctor's. Exactly the same.
"I've never, um..." Mr. Smith said, before kissing her again.
Clara flushed as the door opened and Martha entered.
"Martha, what have I told you about entering unannounced?" Mr. Smith asked.
Clara gave Martha an apologetic look as she went back outside and closed the door.
"I'm sorry, I should go, John," Clara said, standing. "Matron Redfern will be looking for me."
"Are you sure, Clara?" he asked.
"Yes, I really should go," she said, standing and edging to the door. "Goodbye, John."
She met Martha outside.
"I don't know what to do," she said to Martha, tears gathering in her eyes. "He's not the Doctor, but he looks like him. What happens when he needs to change back?"
"I dunno," Martha said.
"We need to go to the box," Clara said, hinting to the TARDIS. "I need to find something to wear for tonight."
"Alright, yeah," Martha said, as the two went out to the barn again. In the wardrobe, Clara found a dress to wear that was appropriate for the time period.
"Very pretty," Martha said.
"Are you sure you can't go?" Clara asked her.
"Hello, maid," Martha said.
"Sorry," Clara said.
"Let's head back to the school," Martha said.
"I just hope there'll be no running tonight," Clara said, looking at her heels she had put on.
Still unsure about the whole human Doctor thing, Clara still met up with him for the dance. She loved his bow tie that he was wearing.
"You look wonderful," Mr. Smith said, looking at her.
"Can you even dance?" Clara asked. "I would really like to keep my feet," she joked.
"Um...I'm not certain..." Mr. Smith said, thinking about it.
"Are you actually certain about anything?" Clara teased. That was something he had in common with the Doctor.
"Yes," he said, looking at her. "Yes."
She flushed as he kissed her again. They broke apart quickly as Martha burst into the room.
"They've found us," Martha said.
"Are you sure?" Clara asked, eyes wide.
"Martha, I've warned you," Mr. Smith said.
"They've found us, and I've seen them—they look like people, like us, like normal. I'm sorry, but you've got to open the watch," Martha said.
She went over to the mantle place where the watch was last, then spun around.
"Where is it?" Martha asked.
"It was there last I saw," Clara said.
"Oh, my gosh, where's it gone? Where's the watch?" Martha exclaimed.
"What are you two talking about?" Mr. Smith asked, looking at Clara in confusion.
"You had a watch, a fob watch. Right there!" Martha said.
"Did I? I don't remember," Mr. Smith said.
"You did, John," Clara said, not really comfortable calling him that. He would always be the Doctor to her.
"We need it...oh, my gosh, Doctor, we're hiding from aliens, and they've got Jenny and they've...possessed her or copied her or something and you've got to tell me, where's the watch?" Martha asked.
"You've got to think," Clara said gently.
"Oh, I see...Cultural differences," Mr. Smith said, and picked up his journal that Matron Redfern had returned earlier. "It must be so confusing for you. Martha, this is what we call a story."
"Oh, you complete...THIS is not you," Martha said, gesturing to Mr. Smith. "THIS is 1913."
"Good," Mr. Smith said. "This IS 1913."
"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, but I've got to snap you out of this," Martha said, then slapped Mr. Smith.
"Martha! That's not gonna help anything!" Clara exclaimed.
"Wake up!" Martha shouted at Mr. Smith. "You're coming back to the TARDIS with us!"
"The TARDIS isn't going to do anything," Clara said. "We need the watch."
"How dare you!" Mr. Smith said, as Martha had tried to drag him off. "I'm not going with an insane servant! Martha, you are dismissed, you will leave these premises immediately. Not, get out!"
He took Martha's hand and drug her to the door and threw her out.
"Nerve of it, absolute cheek!" Mr. Smith exclaimed. "You think I'm a fantasist, what about her?"
"John, she's only trying to help," Clara said. "But she's right. You did have a watch on the mantlepiece. Don't you remember?"
She knew he didn't, due to the perception filter on the watch itself.
"Enough of the subject," Mr. Smith said. "Shall I escort you to the village?"
He held out his arm and Clara took it, after letting out a quiet sigh. Taking her wrap and putting it on, Clara let Mr. Smith escort her to the village hall where the dance was.
"You can't blame Martha," Clara said. "She was only protecting you and trying to help. You are a dangerous man, after all," she said, smiling.
"You've taken my arm in public," Mr. Smith said.
"Of course I have," Clara said. "I know you can protect me."
They both laughed.
"Spare a penny for the veterans of the Crimea, sir?" a man asked.
"Yes, of course," Mr. Smith said, and pulled a couple of coins out of his pocket. "There you are."
They went in the hall, which was already full of people.
"Would you care for a drink?" Mr. Smith asked.
"Oh, thank you," Clara said, as he left her at a table.
After he returned and they finished their drinks, the announcer said, "Ladies and gentlemen! Please take your partners for a waltz."
"May I have this dance?" Mr. Smith asked and Clara took his outstretched hand. They took their places and started to dance as the music started.
"So, you can dance after all," Clara said, with a slight smirk.
"I've surprised myself," Mr. Smith said. They then bumped into another couple. "Sorry."
After their dance, Clara sat at the table again, as Mr. Smith once again went off for drinks. Martha appeared through the crowd and sat at the table.
"Are they really here, Martha?" Clara asked, spotting Mr. Smith through the crowd.
"Yeah," Martha said.
"So, what do we do now?" Clara said. "He said to open the watch when they found us, but the watch is missing!"
"I know," Martha said.
"I think finding the watch should be our first priority. I'll keep an eye on Mr. Smith so he doesn't do anything stupid," Clara said. "You know how the Doctor is."
Mr. Smith then appeared at the table, holding two drinks.
"Oh, now really, Martha," he said. "This is getting out of hand. I must insist that you leave."
Martha pulled the Doctor's sonic screwdriver out of her pocket and held it out to him.
"Do you know what this is?" Martha asked. "Name it. Go on, name it."
Clara watched him apprehensively as he slowly took the screwdriver from Martha and turned it over in his hands.
"You're not John Smith. You're called the Doctor. The man in your journal, he's real. He's you," Martha said.
"Martha, they're here," Clara said, as people started shrieking and panicking.
"I said silence!" a voice roared.
"Mr. Clarke! What's going on?" the announcer asked.
Mr. Clarke turned and fired a gun at the announcer, dissolving him into dust.
"Mr. Smith, everything I told you, just forget it! Don't say anything," Martha said.
"I'll watch him," Clara said.
"We asked for silence! Now, then. We have a few questions for Mr. Smith," the boy named Baines said. Clara had never liked him. Every time he came into the infirmary, he had harassed her.
"No, better than that," a little girl said. "The teacher. He's the Doctor. I heard them talking."
Clara glanced at Martha out of the corner of her eyes.
"You took human form," Baines said.
"Of course I'm human, I was born human!" Mr. Smith said. "As were you, Baines. And Jenny, and you, Mr. Clarke! What is going on, this is madness!"
"And a human brain, too!" Baines said. "Simple, thick and dull."
"He's no good like this," Jenny said. Clara was sad to see that she was involved in all of this. She was such a nice girl.
"We need a Time Lord," Mr. Clarke said.
"Easily done," Baines said.
"Not gonna happen," Clara said, standing in front of Mr. Smith as Baines pulled his gun on him. Mr. Smith tried to pull Clara out of the way, but she stood her ground, hands on her hips.
"Change back," Baines said.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Mr. Smith said, still trying to get Clara behind him.
"Change back!" Baines yelled.
"I literally do not know-" Mr. Smith started to shout before Jenny grabbed Martha and held a gun to her head.
"No, don't!" Clara said firmly. "You'll never get the Doctor if you do that."
"Get off me!" Martha said.
"She's your friend, isn't she?" Jenny asked Mr. Smith. "Doesn't this scare you enough to change back?"
"I don't know what you mean!" Mr. Smith said.
"Wait a minute...The maid told me about Smith and the nurse...that woman, there!" Jenny said, pointing at Clara.
"Let's have you!" Mr. Clarke said.
"Don't touch me!" Clara yelled, as Mr. Clarke grabbed her and used her as a hostage.
"Have you enjoyed it, Doctor?" Baines asked. "Being human? Has it taught you wonderful things, are you better, richer, wiser? Then let's see you answer this. Which one of them do you want us to kill? Maid or nurse? Your friend—or your lover? Your choice."
Clara struggled, determined to get free, but had no such luck. The look on Mr. Smith's face was one of confusion and struggle. Clara started to feel scared as the gun was pressed even more firmly to her temple.
TO BE CONTINUED...