Hello, my lovely, lovely, readers!
Do any of you wish to see how Alpha looks like? Then you are in luck! The lovely and wonderful SkeleTea from twitter made a picture of Alpha as she would have looked like during the war. If any of you wish to see the new picture, you must go to twitter, and then add this into the web search: a (/) then (skele_tea), another (/), (status), another (/) and then (999564430387089408). You will be looking for a post on 24 May 2018. :)
Go visit SkeleTea and see what you think! Note that this link you will have to place in yourself into a search engine as the fanfiction site will not let anyone place a link to another site. Something that used to be a feature, but sadly the site has decided to not let us share links anymore. :(
Welp, enjoy the new chapter!
XxXxXxXx
Chapter 58: Christmas Woes
The Doctor let go of Clara's hand in the end because of wanting to be the one to face Dr. Simeon at the front door. He knew that man would be there. That man just screamed of arrogance, wanting to face-off with whoever got in his way. That man would be in a rude wakeup call having to face a Time Lord, however, as the Doctor was not about to let that man anywhere near Clara or Wanda. Also, the ice woman and the others in the house. Them too, of course.
When the Doctor opened the door, he stepped aggressively towards Simeon, glaring at the man in full Oncoming Storm force. The dark expression on the Time Lord's face could scare many through the universe, send armies running and enemies cowering. This man seemed different, however, as he barely even batted an eye when facing the Doctor. Merely eyed the Doctor coolly in response as if to brush off any sort of threat the Time Lord showed as nothing more than pathetic. Snowmen gathered around the back of Simeon, hissing with sharp teeth.
"Release her to us," Simeon commanded, voice as cold as the snow around him. When seeing nothing more than a dark glare from the Doctor in response to this, the man sneered. "You have five minutes." The man turned and walked away, leaving the snowman there to guard the house. The Doctor turned and slammed the door shut.
"We need to get her out of here but keep her away from them," the Doctor began to tell the two walking beside him as he made his way towards the stairs. The Ice Governess still shrieked from the top of the stairs, banging her fists against the force field.
"Doesn't seem too difficult to do," Wanda said, staring thoughtfully at the ice creature. "We've had worse situations to deal with. Remember the Trogos?"
The Doctor gave a shiver of disgust and said, "Don't remind me." He frowned when Captain Latimer came storming back out of the study room.
"Those creatures outside, what are they?" the man demanded to know.
"No danger to you, as long as we get that thing," the Doctor pointed at the ice creature while assuring the man, "out of here. You, in there," he then pointed back at the study room, "now." The Time Lord then grabbed a nearby umbrella from a stand and marched quickly over to the stairs. He aimed his sonic at the force field around the Ice Governess, walking steadily up the stairs. He felt Clara and Wanda right behind him. There was a brief second he wanted to tell them to get back into the study room with the Captain and children. But the other half of him was just too elated in having his Wanderer back in action, back to loving him, that he dare not ruin the mood with his protective nature. Plus, this was always a great moment for him to get to know the new companion of theirs even better.
He made the force field shift to be behind them instead of in front, allowing them in to be trapped in the same area as the Ice Governess. The three of them ducked as the ice creature swung at them. The trio moved under the ice creature's reach as she took another swing at them. The Doctor grabbed Wanda's hand and she Clara's as they bolted upstairs. Eventually, they reached an upper landing with a small window leading to the snow-covered rooftop outside. The Doctor climbed through first, bouncing onto the roof with a spring in his step. Clara tried climbing through next, but her bustle got stuck halfway through. Wanda shoved the girl through, in a hurry to follow after as the ice creature was only a few steps away now. She tried getting herself through the window, though suffered the same fate as Clara in clothing not allowing a proper getaway. Damn dress. Never again would she wear a Victorian dress. To hell with this fashion statement.
The Doctor and Clara both reached for Wanda's hand, yanking her through. It ended up flinging Wanda through the window as the two lost their footing on the slippery rooftop. The Doctor and Clara landed on their backs with Wanda right on top of them.
"Remind me to get you out of that dress later," said the Doctor. He immediately stuttered and blushed when realizing what that statement sounded like. "I—I didn't mean—."
"Is that a promise?" Wanda teased, winking at her husband. She found it amusing how he acted just like he used to in the past during the very beginning of their relationship. Like a schoolboy with a crush.
"Come on you two. Enough flirting," Clara said as she stood up. She pulled down her hair as her bun had been slowly slipping all night. Shaking out her hair, she helped the husband and wife up, glancing over when seeing the ice creature at the window. "Now, what's the plan?"
"Who said I've got a plan?" replied the Doctor, watching the Ice Governess begin to reform outside the window with a whirl of snow.
"Of course you got a plan, you took that," Clara countered, pointing at the umbrella he still had clutched in his hand.
"Maybe I'm an idiot," disputed the Doctor.
"Well, you are, but that's beside the point," spoke up Wanda, grabbing the umbrella from him. She then tossed it to Clara before smiling cheekily. "So, Clara, what's his plan?"
"Is this a test?" the woman asked, curious as to what the two were playing at as they both just stood there grinning.
"Yes," both husband and wife replied smoothly, grinning in delight at their companion. Humming, Clara fiddled with the umbrella in hand as she began to walk around them.
"If we'd been escaping, we'd be climbing down the building," Clara began to ramble. "If we'd been hiding, we'd be on the other side of the roof. But no. We're standing right here." She turned, going to a certain spot on the roof. "So," she used the hook of the umbrella to reach up, yanking down the invisible ladder from above, making it come down with a clatter at her feet as she smirked at the two, "after you."
"Oh, she's good," whispered the Doctor, grinning at Wanda. "You know how to pick them."
"We know how to pick them," corrected Wanda, nodding to the ladder. "You first, sweetie."
"No, after you two," the Doctor countered, waving a hand to the ladder.
"After you," scoffed Clara.
"Remember. Dresses," said Wanda, insisting her and Clara's point by grabbing her skirt and making it bounce.
"Right. Of course," the Doctor mumbled, embarrassed that he had forgotten about the 'dress' thing. He started up the ladder quickly, wanting to move along as the Ice Governess behind them was almost done reforming. He heard Wanda and Clara just behind them, following along the best they could given what they were wearing.
"Besides, it gives us a great view going up," Clara stated impishly as she followed just under Wanda. The Doctor froze on the spot, looking back at the grinning companion in disbelief.
"Clara!" he scolded.
"That's mine to look at, thank you," Wanda said, smiling even more impishly than Clara as she gazed at the Doctor.
"Wanda!" the Doctor exclaimed, waving a finger at them both now. "Don't make me have a word with you both. This is not the time!"
"It's always the time," Wanda replied smoothly, winking at him. She giggled as she heard the Doctor grumbling under his breath as he continued up the ladder. Clara was chuckling beneath her. Just as amused. Hurrying along, the Doctor helped them onto the staircase before making the ladder come back up. Just in time as the Ice Governess below was about to grab on.
"So, you can move your cloud? You can control it?" Clara asked them as they made their way up the spiraling staircase.
"No. No one can control clouds. That would be silly," scoffed the Doctor. "The wind, a little bit." Clara kept up with the questions as she, Wanda, and the Doctor continued up the staircase. At one point they heard the Ice Governess coming up the staircase as well. The Doctor—once they were up on the cloud—turned and made it so it would take the ice creature trapped right under the super-dense vapor cloud. It would only work so long, but it was the Time Lord knew he could get things done before then.
"So you actually live up here on a cloud in a box?" Clara questioned them as the trio made their way over to the TARDIS.
"Yep," Wanda replied, popping the 'p' when she said this.
"Have done for a long time now," added the Doctor. Though it had not really been that long of a time for him and Wanda. Seeing in what species they were, a little over five years was not really all that long. But it felt so much longer than that given in how they lived within the TARDIS for five years. Never again would they live like that, though. Now that they had their companion, things would be different.
"How did you two fit in there for so long?" Clara asked in disbelief. Not for a moment did she believe that they could have lived in a box for that long of a period. She was taken back when the two grinned widely at her before giving one another a sly look.
"Shall we?" the Doctor said.
"We shall," agreed Wanda. Each of them turned and opened the doors wide, stepping into the ship. Clara briskly went after them, only to halt in the doorway. They both grinned even more so when seeing the girl's eyes grew so large and her mouth gaped open. Wanda, as well as the Doctor, waved her arms out in a dramatic gesture. "Welcome to the TARDIS! Our home that can travel to places beyond your dreams!"
"Through all of time and space," added the Doctor in delight, always greatly amused when seeing a companion's expression upon meeting the TARDIS for the first time. Stuttering for a moment, Clara could only stare at it all. The grand interior being nothing what she would have ever imagine inside the blue box. The two aliens chuckled as they watched the companion exit to inspect the outside of the box before coming back in.
"It's smaller on the outside," Clara seemed to conclude, looking more interested now than stunned. The Doctor's grin quickly fell as he pouted. She did not say the thing. It was interesting in what she said, but he liked the usual thing companions said.
"That's a first," mumbled the Doctor under his breath.
"Told you that you would miss it," Wanda whispered in a sing-song voice.
"Hush you," muttered the Doctor, pointing a pretend stern finger at her while she giggled. He then turned to the console, starting to work with different controls.
"Is it magic? Is it a machine?" questioned Clara.
"She's a spaceship," Wanda explained gently. "She's alive and aware as you and I. Say 'hello' Sexy!" The controls blinked and the ship hummed lightly. Though there was not much of a welcome from the ship. Wanda knew why the TARDIS always felt wary of Clara. It was because of the whole paradox behind the girl and the echoes of the girl that followed. Plus, there had always been a conflict of personality between the two from the very beginning. They both just buttheaded heads more than Rose and the Doctor ever did.
"Hello," Clara breathed, waving in awe. The young governess shook her head, laughing as though she felt like she was losing her mind. "I'm speaking with a machine. The machine's a 'she.'" She then looked at Wanda and the Doctor in pure excitement and elation. "Is it always like this with you two?"
"Always," the Doctor and Wanda promised, beaming away at their companion. Clara bounced around the control room while the Time Lord and Wanderer worked together on the console, getting things set up.
"Is there a kitchen?" Clara suddenly asked out of nowhere, coming up beside them.
"Yes. There's at least five, actually," said Wanda. She frowned as she stared at the scanner, trying to remember why this question from the girl bothered her. Why was she feeling as though she were missing something?
"Another first," mumbled the Doctor, not really paying attention but finding the new companion's comments to be odd.
"Don't know why I ask that, it's just . . .," Clara paused as she stared thoughtfully at the console. ". . . I like making soufflés." The Doctor halted in his process on the console, slowly looking at the governess. He watched as she walked up the steps back to the doors of the TARDIS, still taking in the grandness of the ship.
"Soufflés?" he wondered aloud. He half thought of Wanda's old habit of making soufflés. But another side of his mind suddenly clicked. Something of the way Clara said that word brought a fuzzy memory to surface. It had been a reoccurring thing with this brunette woman for some time now. Ever since he met her outside that bar in the alleyway. Something about her seemed so familiar, but for the life of him he could not put his finger on it. He hardly cared at the start, just shrugging it off as nothing. But now he was thinking his mind was trying to recall something important. What was it though?
Clara turned to him as he walked over to her by the doors, staring at him thoughtfully before asking, "Why are you showing me all this? You're nearly a foot taller than I am. You could have reached the ladder without this" She held up the umbrella. "You wouldn't have gotten it for Wanda because you're her husband. You would have been the gentleman and just gotten the ladder down for her. You took it for me. Why?" She tossed him back the umbrella and he caught it with ease.
She knew, from what she and Wanda had discussed earlier, that the blonde wanted her onboard for help. But the Doctor? Clara had expected for him to be very unwilling to have her anywhere near their lives. She had even been ready to put up a 'fight' of sorts upon Wanda's request to be more involved with their lives after the snow situation was handled. However, it was strange for Clara as the Doctor was not doing as she thought he would and was seemingly to be very welcoming to her. As she stared at the man, it dawned on her that it might not just be Wanda who wanted her onboard for help. It just might be him as well.
Wanda came up beside the Doctor. Each of them shared a significant look. Then they looked back at Clara as the Doctor slowly walked up to her.
"We never know why. We only know who," he said kindly as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver key. Gently he opened Clara's hand and placed it in her palm. The brunette stood there frozen, staring at the key in clear awed disbelief. Soon Wanda came over, tenderly closing the girl's hand around the key.
"Welcome aboard the TARDIS, Clara," she whispered happily, beaming away at the girl. "We are both so happy to have you with us." Clara gave a small watery laugh with her eyes tearing up.
"I don't know why I'm crying," she said with her voice wavering.
"Because . . . you're finally home," Wanda said gently, reaching out to tenderly hold the girl's face. Warm brown eyes met mystical emerald. Wanda felt a pull as she stared at those eyes. The same strange feeling she felt since meeting the girl again. It made her feel . . . so warm inside. Why was she feeling this way? Clara had always been just a friend before. What had changed?
Suddenly, ice stabbed into Wanda's hearts as Clara was yanked away from her. The silver key fell with a clang to the floor as the companion dropped it. Ice hands grabbed the brunette from behind and pulled her to the still open doorway of the ship. The Ice Governess had finally reached them, and, foolishly, they had forgotten to close the doors.
"Clara!" Wanda screamed in dismay. She and the Doctor ran after the companion. Clara screamed in terror as the Ice Governess snarled and pulled her back to the edge of the cloud. The Time Lord yanked out his sonic screwdriver, aiming it aggressively at the ice creature.
"Let her go. Let her go now! Now!" he shouted.
"Don't you dare harm her!" yelled Wanda as she made a furious step towards the creature. Her hearts stuttered as brown eyes met emerald once more. Only this time in pure terror instead of wonder. Clara's eyes screamed for help, making Wanda jump forward as she saw the ice creature beginning to slip off. The companion tumbled backwards off the cloud along with the ice creature. Hands only just brushed each other as Wanda and Clara reach for the other. A scream ripped from Wanda's lungs as she watched the companion plummet to the ground below, disappearing from view into the darkness of the night.
"CLARA! NO!" Wanda screamed even louder still. Sobs leaked from her as tears spilled down her face. She felt the Doctor yanking her back up to stand before pulling her backward. She stumbled on her feet, numb from the pain in her hearts. For the first time in so long, she felt the ship rocking around in flight. The sound of the universe coming from the ship as the old girl materialized back down on the Earth. Wanda cared about none of it. Only cared when seeing Clara's body slowly materializing within the floor of the control room.
"Clara. Clara, sweetie. I'm here. I've got you," Wanda breathed shakily, falling to her knees besides the girl. She pulled Clara's body up to her, holding the companion in her arms as she rocked in place. "I'm here. I'm here. Sssshhh. It's okay." She began to shake as she felt no movement from the girl. No breath. No heartbeat. More tears flowed down her face. The Wanderer stared up at the Doctor weakly, eyes shining with sorrow as he stood solemnly over them. "Help her. P-please. Save her. Sh-she can't die like this. She can't." The Doctor crouched down slowly, placing a hand on Wanda's shoulder. It brought no comfort to her.
"I'll do everything I can," he promised her, voice even in knowing he would do everything in his power to bring their companion back. He had to.
Making the TARDIS materialize inside the study room where the others had been left, the Doctor soon took Clara's body from Wanda's arms. Walking steadily out of the ship, he brought Clara into the room. Vastra, Jenny, and Strax acted quickly, getting a table ready to lie the companion on. All the while the children, maid, and Captain Latimer stood there in horror at the sight. Once a table had been set with a comfortable pillow and spread for Clara, the Doctor placed the girl on the table top to allow Strax to begin his work of medicine. The Time Lord stepped back, observing the scene blankly. He looked over when seeing Wanda come up beside him. Tears still travelled down her face as she pinched and twisted her thumb around. Her entire body quivering as she watched over Clara.
With eyes darkening, the Doctor turned on the spot and marched straight back into the TARDIS. Vastra glanced at the Time Lord and followed after him. Wanda remained in place, refusing to leave Clara from this point onwards. She had forgotten. Forgotten about all of this. Stupid. She was so stupid. How could she have forgotten? She had even been thinking about it over and over again. This was an echo of the future Clara. Of course, this would have . . . It did not mean it was any harder. She walked over on the other side of the table, reaching forward with a shaking hand before carefully grabbing onto Clara's. Wanda tensed when she felt a stuttering heartbeat from the girl.
"She's alive," Wanda breathed in awe, allowing her body to relax somewhat.
"Yes, but I won't be able to bring her back all the way," Strax said gruffly as he waved his handled device over Clara's body. "It's placed her on a cycling now."
"But she's breathing again and that's all that matters," Wanda stated, her voice strict and severe. She shot Strax a gaze. One that was similar to a time during her Second self when she had first met Strax. The Sontaran looked away, uncomfortable by her gaze. Wanda gazed back at Clara, her eyes softening as she saw the companion slowly opening her eyes. She saw how Clara could barely keep her eyes open. Clear weakness showing on the girl's face as her body fought to stay alive.
"Hey, sweetie," Wanda breathed quietly, giving the girl a wavering smile. "How are you feeling? Ah. Ha. That's a stupid question. But don't worry! You'll be feeling right as rain in no time. You'll see." Clara simply gave her a soft, sad smile. Wanda gripped her hand tighter. "Now, don't give me that look. You are going to be fine."
"And how do you know that?" Clara asked softly, her voice barely above a breath.
"Because I'm psychic, remember? I know everything," Wanda joked as she smiled at the girl. She stiffened as a hand slowly curled around hers and Clara's. The Doctor stood beside Clara on the other side of the table, staring down gently.
"Here you go. You dropped something," he whispered quietly, pulling out a silver key from his pocket and placing it into one of Clara's hands. "Best keep a good hold on that. You'll be needing it when we start travelling."
"We're travelling?" Clara asked lightly, a small bit of humour in her whispering voice.
"Oh, yes. You watch us run," said the Doctor, smiling softly. "Wanda and I aren't going to let you go for anything."
"Never," agreed Wanda, matching his smile. Clara just gave them another sad smile before her eyes slid shut, unable to stay open any longer. Wanda shook slightly, looking at the Doctor the same time he glanced at her. Emerald eyes swirled with sadness as she seemed to beg him to work a miracle. His eyes grew dark with determination, leaning over to kiss her forehead with a promise of doing just that. He then kissed Clara's forehead gently in a promise to be back before marching away to begin his work.
Wanda stayed put, unwilling to let go of Clara's hand. Even when she heard the Doctor departing with Vastra in the TARDIS, she did not move a muscle. She wanted to be there every second for the girl. Until she was back on her feet, Wanda would never let go. Even though her mind wanted to repeatedly tell her that this was meant to be. That this Clara's death had been written in stone since her birth. But she refused to accept it. Refused to believe it. She had already lost a daughter once. She was not about to let it happen . . . Daughter . . . No. That was not right. Clara . . . Clara was not her daughter. But yet . . .
Daughter. That's why she feels different. Because we're different. We wanted a daughter. We lost a daughter. But now we can gain a new one again. Wanda heard Alpha's voice distantly in her mind.
Clara isn't our daughter, Alpha. We can't do that. It isn't right.
Doesn't mean we still can see her that way. The Doctor does it all the time. Why can't we? We have lost so much. I'm tired of losing. You're tired of it, too. I could . . . I could try to bring her back to life. Let me try for you?
Wanda sighed in her mind. You don't have that kind of power outside the pocket universe, Alpha. You know that. We can only destroy in this universe. She felt Alpha grow both sad and irritated by this fact. Fuming away in the back of her mind.
"Wanda," Clara breathed quietly. Wanda straightened to attention, snapping herself out of her stupor. She felt the girl's hand tighten briefly around hers. "Can you tell me . . . What were you going to call your daughter? What was her name?"
"Ember," whispered Wanda. Her lip trembled, though she forced a kind smile as she stroked Clara's hair with her free hand. "Her name was going to be Ember."
"That's a pretty name," Clara sighed as she smiled softly. Still, her eyes would not open.
Wanda smiled tenderly, running her fingers through Clara's hair in soothing motions. "I used to dream of her. Of what she'd look like. I dreamed about her . . . almost every night." She swallowed, trying to speak through her tight throat and dry mouth. One could clearly hear the sadness in her voice as she spoke. "I dreamt . . . that she had freckles, just like mine. She would have a temper. Oh, just like her mother. But she'd have her father's brilliance. And . . . she would have his hearts as well. She would be kind . . . just like him. Though sometimes she would struggle. It would be so hard for her at times when things seemed bleak. But she'd always get there in the end. She was going to be . . . just like her father." Wanda had her rub at her face to wipe away her tears, sniffling a bit as she tried holding back in a sob.
She pressed on, smiling the best she could at Clara. "You know what else I dreamt? That she was a lot like you, too. I think that's why I like you so much, Clara. Because . . . if I had Ember . . . she would have been so much like you. Just as brilliant and fun as you are. Do you think you two would have been good friends?"
"Oh, the very best. No doubt about it," Clara laughed quietly, smiling peacefully. "We would have even had the same colour eyes, I bet."
Wanda's smiled wavering greatly at this statement. She had been thinking the very same thing. She had always dreamed of Ember having brown eyes like Ten. That was why, whenever she looked into Clara's eyes, she saw a piece of her daughter there, too. Because Clara's eyes . . . were so much like the Doctor's. The grip on Clara's hand tightened. Wanda grew stiff as Clara's breath turned raspy.
"Would you like to know . . . what I'd love for a name?" Clara breathed even quieter still.
"What?" Wanda asked gently, leaning down to hear her better.
"Aleena," Clara whispered, face showing a sign of thinking deeply. "I always liked that name. It's a name . . . of a friend. From long ago. I don't even remember that friend. Just the name."
"Aleena?" Wanda blinked, feeling her hearts speed up. That name . . .
Clara's breath started to come out in a struggle. But she pushed on. "Wanda . . . there's something I need to tell the Doctor. Something for you. It's for you both."
"Ssh. Don't speak. Save your breath."
"No. I need . . . to say it." Clara opened her eyes, staring tiredly yet determinedly. "Tell the Doctor . . . Keep being a clever boy running with your Wanderer. And remember . . ." The girl closed her eyes tightly as if in pain. Then her face slowly relaxed as her heart stopped beating. One last breath left her before she grew still. Unmoving. Her life gone for good from them.
Wanda let go of Clara's hand, backing away from her. Distantly she heard Captain Latimer holding his children and crying with them. Distantly she heard Jenny and Strax muttering sadly on what happened. All of this felt far away to her. All she could feel now was her head pounding away at a fierce headache. Hearts beat rapidly in her chest. The world swayed to and fro as the ringing in her ears picked up. All the while the wolf within snarled.
They killed her. Alpha growled darkly.
Yes. Wanda agreed numbly.
He killed her. He killed our daughter.
Yes.
KILL HIM.
. . . Yes.
Wanda began to pant as savage breaths left her. Her hands tightened into shaking fists as her whole body trembled. The glow in her eyes started, growing brighter and brighter by the second. White wisps even formed around her body. Lights flickered in the room and the house began to tremble.
"Wanda?" Jenny called as she and Strax quickly looked at the quaking blonde. The maid's eyes widened as she saw the way Wanda stood there, breathing out growls and the white glow forming around her angrily. "Wanda, you need to be calm. Remember what the Doctor says."
But Jenny's words were drowned out as Wanda let out a savage scream. All the lights went out in a blink and the window in the room shattered. There was a blinding flash of white light and Wanda was gone.
XxXxXxXx
Things went wrong very quickly for the Doctor and Vastra at Simeon's Institute. The Doctor had thought his plan with the memory worm would have worked. It should have destroyed the Great Intelligence by erasing all of Simeon's memories with worm because the two were connected. Simeon had given the Great Intelligence power, placing all his deepest and darkest thoughts for fifty years into the snow. It only existed because of Simeon. Or at least, it had. Now, however, as Simeon lay on the ground with an empty mind, the Great Intelligence inside the snow globe only laughed darkly, stating that it outgrew Simeon long ago. Now, it controlled everything on its own. With that, it now could control Simeon.
They watched in horror as Simeon turned into a hybrid of human and ice. The snow outside in London turned into a blizzard as well, creating even more snowmen to begin destroying the city. All the while the two inside the office had a fight of their own in having to deal with the attacking Simeon. Vastra was knocked clear across the room, rendered unconscious by the Iceman. The Doctor was then forced down onto the ground by Simeon. While the Time Lord struggled to get the Iceman off of him, Simeon grabbed a hold of his face. Screams of pain left the Doctor as his face was burned from the cold. He felt all of his skin being slowly turned to ice. Soon the Great Intelligence would turn him into another one of its creations, using him as a puppet.
There came a sudden blinding light and the shattering of the office window. Glass sprayed around the room as the Wanderer came through the window in the glow of white light. She landed on the floor by the large desk in the office at a crouch. Her eyes stared fiercely in full fury at Simeon as they shined bright white. A low growl left her as her lips curled. Next thing anyone knew, she slammed into Simeon, throwing him off the Doctor. The Time Lord lay panting on the ground, trying to recover from almost being turned into ice. He sat up and turned to where the blonde was. Eyes widened in horror as he saw her slamming her fists down repeatedly into Simeon. All the while snarling savagely at him.
"YOU KILLED HER! YOU KILLED HER!" he heard the echoing voice of the universe come from her. "NOW SUFFER LIKE SHE DID!" She continued to rip into him. Even after he was turned into dust, she kept slamming her fists down on the spot where he had been.
"Stop this at once!" the Great Intelligence cried from its globe. It shot out a spark of electricity from its pylons, hitting the Wanderer. She did not even flinch. Instead, she turned to face the globe, hissing as she stood up and stormed over to it. Balling up a tight fist, she punched right into the glass and created a large hole. Jerking her hand back out, she allowed the globe's snow from within to leak out everywhere, falling to the floor of the office before melting. The Great Intelligence could be heard yelling in pain from this as it lost pieces of itself.
"Die," the blonde hissed darkly as she watched the globe slowly lose its life.
"This will not stop me. My snow will continue. It will consume this world," the Great Intelligence spoke weakly now, by still in its arrogant voice. The blonde snarled and punched another hole in the glass. She was about to pull her fist back and do so again when a hand grabbed hers to yank her away from the globe.
"Alpha, stop this," the Doctor ordered strictly. The blonde turned to him, glaring as she growled. He merely stared back sternly. "Enough. You've done enough. It's over."
"He killed her. He killed our daughter," hissed Alpha.
"What?" the Doctor blinked, taken back. "Ember? Alpha, you . . ." He frowned, trying to see what she was saying. "Is Clara dead?" Alpha began to tremble, her lip quivering as she did. Tears slowly leaked down her face as she quaked. Soon the glow in her eyes dimmed somewhat. One eye even turned back to normal. Then, when she spoke again, it was a mixture of her and Wanda.
"He killed our daughter. He killed Ember. We couldn't save her," she cried. "We . . . we just want our daughter back!" She collapsed to her knees as she began to weep. There was a crack of thunder outside and the snow in the globe next to them suddenly turned into rain. The Doctor heard rain outside the broken window as well, knowing that the snow had transformed again. It was being washed away.
The Doctor slowly sat down next to the blonde, pulling her into a strong hug as he tried to soothe her. All the while she wept against him, clinging to him. He rubbed gentle circles on her back as he rocked her. "I'm sorry," he whispered softly. He never knew that the loss of their child had affected Alpha just as much as it did Wanda. If he had known . . . "No more suffering on your own. No more sorrows. I promise." He kissed her head tenderly, wishing to convey that he only wanted to ease their woes. To make it so neither one of them felt as though they had to deal with their sorrows alone.
"The Doctor . . . the rain . . .," he heard Vastra behind them. He could tell she felt uncertain in how to help them but wanted to also know what was happening.
"Go taste it," the Doctor instructed her as he held the crying Wanda and Alpha against him. He kept up his soft comforting while Vastra held out her hand outside the window and gave the rain a taste.
"Salty. Saltwater rain," Vastra told him.
"It's not raining. It's crying," he explained, holding the sobbing woman in his arms even tighter still. A mother's tears. What greater force on this world was there? Though it could have also been those crying back at the home where Clara had passed. It did not matter to him. All that mattered was holding his wife and consoling her the best he could.
XxXxXxXx
The Doctor stood outside of his TARDIS, leaning against the ship. He had brought it not too far away from the graveyard where the Latimer family was currently having their funeral for Clara. Vastra and Jenny were there as well, paying their respects to the family and to Clara. He refused to go to the funeral. He did not want to be reminded of another failure of his. He had failed his Wanderer once more as she had buried herself away inside the TARDIS after that night, refusing to come out for anything. Not that he had been the one to try to get her out of the ship. He let her be, knowing that she would not want to be anywhere near him now.
His mind did the one thing that it was known for since the moment of Clara's death: race in thought. Over and over again he tried thinking over the girl and what it all meant. Wanda had been so happy to see Clara, showed all the joys in finding a companion for the first time. What had gone wrong? Had time changed on them? It felt as though the universe were just punishing him now. Not that it has not been for a long while now. Over and over again. Toying with him. Laughing at him.
There was also that strange feeling in him still. Like he had seen that girl from somewhere before . . .
"You could still come to give your farewell you know. I believe Clara would have appreciated it," came the voice of Madame Vastra. The Doctor looked up from his stupor, frustrated as he almost had it. But of course, he was interrupted before he could remember.
"I have some flowers here," Jenny offered, holding up a small bouquet for Clara's grave. "They're some of Wanda's favorites. I thought, maybe, she'd like to give them to Clara." She smiled hopefully at the Time Lord. He merely held a hard gaze with the two standing before him. Arms crossed tightly and dark storm swirling away in his irises. The two collectively felt their spirits drop. It looked as though everything was back to as it had been before. Back to a brooding Time Lord and secluded Wanderer.
"How is the Wanderer?" asked Vastra.
"Fine," the Doctor answered gruffly. "No thanks to me."
"I'll say it again," Vastra sighed in exasperation. "What is the point of blaming yourself?"
The Doctor ignored her, starting to pace. He stopped suddenly and let out a furious yell at he slammed his fist into the side of his ship. The TARDIS let out a sound of annoyance, but the Time Lord ignored the old girl's disproval. "AAAGGGGHHH! I was so close! I almost had my wife back!"
Vastra scoffed loudly, staring at him in irritation. "You do still have your wife, Doctor. She never—." But she hissed slightly when the Doctor shushed her.
"She was getting better. She was healing. Now I'm back to square one again! I thought Clara was supposed to be our new companion. Wanda showed all the signs. She was so happy to see that girl. I thought maybe . . ." He let out a huff, banging his fist against the ship once more as he stood there fuming. He ignored the TARDIS as the old girl made another sound of annoyance for him hitting at her. "There's something I'm forgetting. Something I'm missing . . ."
"What I want to know is why in the world did the Wanderer call Clara 'Ember'? Why call Clara her daughter?" Vastra questioned, truly baffled in what had come over the Wanderer.
"When Clara was dying, Wanda said that she dreamt of Ember all time," Jenny said quietly, looking sad. "Wanda said she dreamt that Ember would be just like Clara." The two jumped slightly when the Doctor made a large exclamation of shock. His eyes wide as he slapped a hand over his forehead.
"I'm completely thick!" he exclaimed. "I knew I've seen Clara somewhere before!" He faced the two, face lighting up as hope suddenly filled him. "Oswin! Or, rather, Ember. From Wanda's world. She made Oswin . . . who I met long before meeting Clara. That means . . . I don't know, but I'll figure it out! I have to."
"Doctor, what are you talking about?" questioned Vastra as both she and Jenny frowned at him in confusion. They watched as he swiftly opened his ship's door wide, ready to depart.
"Something's going on. Something impossible," the Doctor told them, excitement coursing through him rapidly now as he beamed. "I'm going to find her. I'm going to find Clara. I find her, then I'll get my wife back. Wanda will finally be healed." Before either one of them could say a word in return, he closed the doors behind him with a slam. They watched as the TARDIS wheezed and slowly dematerialized, travelling away from Victorian London for the first time in a very long time.
"Do you think those two will ever get it? That they'll finally realize what they need?" Jenny asked her wife lightly as they stared at the spot where the TARDIS had once been.
"One day, my dear," Vastra replied smoothly. "One day."
XxXxXxXx
Wanda sat against the metal wall of the corridor, curled in on herself as she stared blankly at nothing. If any saw her they might describe her as wilted with all colour drained out of her. Any moment she looked as though she might break apart. Guilt was written all over her face, too. With her closing her eyes and trying to keep calm breaths, one might assume she just wanted the warm comfort of another. To help soothe her from her woes. As though she were just desperate for a hug at this point. After all, a hug was always great medicine.
She did not move from the spot when she felt the ship around begin to move softly side to side. The TARDIS's in-flight motion actually felt soothing to her. Allowing her to feel somewhat comforted. In fact, the old girl had been giving Wanda much love and support since that night of Clara's death, trying to help her feel better the best way Sexy knew how. It did help a little. But all Wanda wanted now was . . .
She stood up quickly when hearing the Doctor's footsteps coming down the corridor. Her hearts sped up, feeling anxious to see her husband. Whether it was a bad feeling, she did not know. All she knew was she wanted to see him. Wanted to know what he felt of her after what happened. Did he blame her for Clara's death? Did he fear her again for losing control of herself in her and Alpha's rage? Would they . . . would they go back to how they had been before meeting Clara? Things had been going so well. Had she ruined it all in just one moment of anger? She dearly hoped not.
But her hearts came crashing down as the Doctor marched right past her. Not even once looking at her. He appeared to be keeping his gazed locked forward. Clear determination set on his face as he walked briskly down the corridor. It was as though she were not there to him.
She stared at his retreating back, almost wanting to reach out a hand and call to him. To beg him to come back. To beg for his forgiveness. She wanted to ensure him that she would get better. She would make sure to never lose control again and never be a weapon that killed. But there was no forgiveness. He had gone back to what they had been before. Separated in their relationship and avoiding one another. And it broke her hearts.
Wanda slowly slid back down to the floor, going back to her blank expression and wilted appearance. She thought things could go back to the way they were in the past. That everything could be normal, the same. She realized now, in a painful conclusion, that this was always just a mere fantasy she deluded herself to. There was no going back. The moment she pulled that trigger on the Master had ensured that. She and her beloved Doctor could never be the same. Everything that she had built up in her life would forever be changed. And there was nothing she could do about it.
There was no going back.
XxXxXxXx
So close, yet so far. Will these two never figure it out? Let's hope the next time they come across Clara, she can straighten these two out for good. ;)
Reviewers:
TheBlueRiver: They were back together. It was sweet while it lasted. But I'm certain things to be back to normal in the new chapter. ;) Agreed. I loved Victorian Clara. I really wish that we could have seen more of her. Oh, well. Hope to see you next time!
All The Stories Are True 24601: I've been doing very well. Just going through horrible allergies at the moment haha. I'm glad to hear that! I actually haven't found any good OC stories in that fandom yet. That's why I've sort of been wanting to write my own, truth be told. Truthfully, I'm most like First Wanda more than anything. I'm extremely shy and very timid. Nowhere near as confident as the other two Wandas haha. Which Wanda would you say you're like? ;) Until next time! Can't wait to see what you think of the newest chapter. :D
bored411: Well, they were working it out. Seems they're back to square one again. Agreed, I want to scream at them as well. Clara needs to kick their butts again when they meet her in the future. Hope to see you again in the future! Take care!
Momochan77: It was a very nice moment for them all. Too bad it couldn't last. :( Let's hope things get better for those two soon. I'm certain Clara will straighten them out. It was a mix of Wanda being involved and of her sort of not wanting to remember what was going to happen to poor Victorian Clara. The poor dear. We really need a happier adventure next time.
SakuraRcoa: Welp, I hope it was worth the wait. :)
swimmjacket: Yay! I'm happy to hear how joyful you were for the update. I just hope this new chapter made you just as happy. Even if it did not end on a happy note. Oh, yes, it's never been just the Doctor or Wanda being oblivious to these situations. It's always a two party thing. I suppose that just means they are meant for each other with how oblivious each can get at times. haha ;) Very poorly, I'm afraid. Wanda really did not take it well. Not that the Doctor took it well, either. I'm glad to hear that. I like keeping things a surprise. :) Makes the reading more fun that way. Hope to see you again in the future! Take care!
UltimateFan-girl15: Ah man. Sorry about that. But don't worry, things will get better. I promise. :) I hope that everything has been really good up to this point, and will continue to be enjoyable through the rest. Take care!
Arkytior's Song: Well, they were back to normal. Looks like things are back to square one again. :( Hopefully, things can be back to the way they were before soon. Clara is definitely cute. :)
mjahappy: Well, happy late birthday! I hope it was good. :) Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you enjoy this one just as much.
Whovianeverlark17: Um . . . unfortunately, looks like it's back to square one with these two. *sigh* When will they learn? Let's hope that Clara can straighten them out again. Hope you enjoyed! Even if it did end rather . . . unhappy.
normandy1701: Yep, progress. And then right back to where they were before. Don't worry, I'm certain they will get back on the right track again. :) Glad it helped you with your work shift. Hope this one helps, too. Even if it did not end on exactly a happy note.
Guest: Wanda and the Doctor started to come back to their old selves . . . Unfortunately, it did not stay that way. Hopefully next time, things will get better. :)
N7SpaceHamster: Glad to see you again! No worries. Always just glad to see from you whenever you have the chance. Always a million thanks for giving the time to review and support the story. It always means the world to me. :) It is hard seeing them go through so much. Definite role reversal here. Agreed, wish it were under better times as well. Oh, no, it's a definite time for Alpha and Wanda to grow. Things could never go back to being the same for any of them. So it's good to for Alpha and Wanda and the Doctor to learn how to move past and grow together. Glad you enjoyed how all of that came together. :) You could say that I planned it all out to be just like that. ;) Man, I keep forgetting just how far along we've come with this story. It's been amazing. You are 100% correct. Wanda has been dying for an adventure and interaction with a travelling companion. So, yes, she got a little excitable during that moment haha. These two really need some help at communicating. They are both equally terrible at it. But at least it's a sign that they really do make a good couple haha. Well, as we saw in this chapter, it was more of a connection because they are sort of placing an unhealthy mindset of seeing Clara as their dead daughter for themselves. Wanda isn't exactly as unwilling to share personal information as the Doctor is. She's very much willing to open up to people and get help when needed. Again, as we saw, the fuzziness was because of Wanda being in denial of Clara's 'death' at that moment. And I actually don't think she had time to tell everyone that Clara was still alive in the future. Probably slipped her mind, if anything. Well, they were on the right track for things to be 'normal' again. Too bad it got messed up again. :( Hopefully next time will be better. Until we meet again! :)
BeCent: Yep, it's Clara time! We'll be seeing a lot more of her in the future. ;) You must remember that, though five years for us seems like a long time, for these two five years is hardly anything. Probably feels more like a year or two than almost a decade. Still, though, let's hope things can get better for them. That would be very cute if Wanda took care of animals like that. :) Thanks for the kind words!
Rixelated: Really great theories! I love how you remembered so much to put into perspective and to use for evidence. :D Though I can't say where you're right or wrong, I do want to say I really love how much joy you're getting out of the story. :) I was actually thinking about that, too. Having a section of the story through the Doctor's view. I might do that for a special extra or something. You never know. ;)
The Early Precambrian: Hello! Well, it was all safe. Until things went down the drain again. :( Hopefully next time things will be back to better grounds for those two. No worries, I love those two as well. :) Vastra and Jenny are my favorite couple from the show. Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Have a brilliant day/night. Take care!
alexa-chan me: No worries! I know I go through that sometimes. Leaving a show or something I like only to come back again later. I call it a 'fandom vacation.' We all need a vacation from something every once and a while. ;) Funny you mention that. I actually had all of this written up long before Infinity War came out. So now things are definitely going to feel similar. Wish I knew what they were going to do in that movie. Would have done a few things different here haha. Oh well. I'm just so happy to see you back again! Hope you continue to enjoy the rest to come. :)
Take care everyone!
~Tinker~