Author's Note: Well, here it is! The chapter you've all been waiting for! We've gotten a glimpse of the Doctor in the previous chapters, but here he is! In the metaphorical flesh! I never realized how hard it would be to write him in this particular setting, even though it's brief. It'll make sense after you've read the chapter. To all of my faithful readers, I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: Don't own!

-x-

Smaller on the Outside

"You're the man in my dreams." "Well I've never gotten that kind of response before." Oswin/Eleventh Doctor.

-x-

It was time to man up Clara.

No. No, that didn't sound appropriate.

It was time to grow a pair!

Oh, God, that sounded worse.

Clara rubbed her temples, wishing her headache away. It was Friday now, two days after the tragedy that was the company announcement and things weren't looking all that better. Sure, now people actually noticed her walking down the halls now but that certainly wasn't the type of acknowledgement she was looking for. She wanted to be known because her work was phenomenal. That she could go toe to toe with the best of them. That she walked the line of death and survived. Okay now she was starting to sound like a Terminator. Eyeing the Ibuprofen bottle on her shelf she only hesitated for a moment before popping two pills in her mouth.

She had an office now. A legitimate office. Well, it was more of a cubicle, and it was surrounded by prowling piranhas but still, it was her space. Her very own sanctified area that she could call her own and dismiss anyone who dare come near. Not that anyone had come near for the past two days that she's been here. Other than Donna.

Current office issues aside, there was something of more importance on her mind. She had to call Louise. There was absolutely no possible way she could be the speaker for the presentation and work as a caterer for Louise. She wouldn't even think about the implications.

Phone in hand she dallied through her contacts. With every intention of calling Louise she scrolled up and down. Up and down. Up. And. Down.

'C'mon Oswald. You're a big girl now. And big girls own up to their responsibilities. Now own it.' Clara zeroed in on Louise's number and called.

"Hello?" Louise sounded a bit frazzled but surprisingly more put together than Clara expected her to be.

"Hi Louise!"

"Clara! Oh thank God it's you. Everyone around me is just driving me absolutely crazy. No one here knows how to make a goddamn pastry correctly; yes I'm looking at you Roger, and the rest of my staff has been either avoiding my calls or not coming to the shop! It's a blessing knowing I could count on you Clara to call me. So, what's up?" Louise sounded more and more exhausted with every word that came out. It was true that most of her employees would avoid her every time there was a big even coming soon, mostly for the sake of their own sanities due to Louise's perfectionism. But she sounded so tired.

Clara's throat constricted, 'How am I supposed to tell her now?!'

"U-Uh, I was just-uh calling, because, I had to tell you something very, very important." The brunette was now tapping her hand on her desk in a panic.

"Something important? About what?" Louise questioned.

"It's about the gala."

"Oh! I've been meaning to tell you Clara. Are you sitting down?" Louise interrupted so swiftly Clara was actually startled.

"Yes. Yes I am. Why?" she asked slowly.

"Well, my dear girl, I've recently appointed you as head caterer the night of the gala! I thought, out of everyone who deserved the position, it would be you. Plus, Sandra couldn't make it, some family problem or something. Between you and me I think she's lying. She's probably going out of town to see her boyfriend up North. What's his face? Zack? Brack? Anyway, I hope you're ready, love, I know you'll do fine. I have to go now, but call again within the next three days yeah? We need to discuss some things. Ta!"

And just like that Clara's world imploded in on itself.

-x-

After work, she went to the one place she's also gone to for comfort. Her grandmother's.

When Nana died, they couldn't keep the house, so that went to the market. She was buried and placed in the family plot next to granddad. It was a very brief affair, mum barely concealing her tears and papa intent on consoling his wife and two daughters. The brevity of the occasion was punctuated by Elizabeth getting pregnant and married, in that order.

As was expected, everyone visited Nana at least three times a week. Then gradually, due to life getting in the way, it lessened. From three times a week, to two, then one, then once a month, and then five times a year. Clara, on the other hand, frequented Nana's grave more so than anyone else in the family. Maybe it was due to mum finally overcoming her grief and Lizzie preoccupied with raising Gabby.

Whatever it was, the youngest Oswald didn't think on it too heavily.

The family plot was located at a cemetery a good time away from London. The very act of taking the train out of London was doing loads of good for her stress. She hadn't told anyone where she was going, impromptu as it were, and she now realized how bad of an idea that was.

Getting off the train, she breathed in the cool air. While it was certainly chilly the air still filed her with a sense of comfort. Nana was buried in the same town she was born in, raised in, married in, and then raised her children in. While Nana was more than content with her lot, her two children weren't. They had immediately moved to colleges far from home and only visiting on holidays.

But Clara still remembered with perfect clarity the days she spent here as a girl with her sister. Running down the street to buy ice cream at the little shop owned by Nick and his cute son Robbie. Going down by the lake to watch the dragonflies skim over the water. Swinging on the old squeaky swing set that wouldn't go very higher for fear of it collapsing on you. Visiting her grandparent's house was the highlight of her childhood.

She began her trek down to the cemetery, which was about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the train station. No one was there to greet her or hinder her journey. It wasn't odd, the lack of people, after all it was nearing autumn and most people would be inside at this time of day.

Clara made sure to buy flowers before she walked towards the outskirts of town. The crinkling of the plastic surrounding the flowers and the huff of her breath were the only sounds she heard the entire walk down.

Finally reaching the family plot, she gently placed the flowers in between her grandparent's graves.

"Hi Nana, hi grandpa." She greeted. The only response she received was the wind brushing her cheeks.

"So, uhm, I'm in deep royal shit." There was no use in a preamble. Nana didn't particularly care if she cussed and neither did grandpa, only if it was appropriate, and only if it wasn't directed towards a person.

"I-I have three obligations. And they're all on the same night, at the exact same time. There's this gala occurring at the library I work at, it's to help raise awareness of all the good the library does. It's being hosted by the Bad Wolf Corporation, the very same design company that I'm interning for, and-and Nana, I got hired." she professed.

It was one of the last things she told her Nana before she passed. That after grueling hours of work put into the company she was accepted as an intern. She's never seen her Nana look so proud, before or since.

"But, oh God, Nana. I have to do this big presentation at the gala. It's the main presentation, the very same presentation this gala is revolved around. But that's not it. On the same night for the same occasion I have to cater for Louise, and as an employee of the library I have to somehow manage to keep the library in stable order throughout the night." Clara let out a shaky breath. It's the first time she's been able to vocalize her worries. Already the tension that was sitting in the pit of her stomach lessens.

"I don't know what to do." She whispers. She came here for guidance but she knew she would find none. But she knew she would find one thing she wouldn't be able to find anywhere else.

Solace.

She sat on the grass, wet and recently cut, but she didn't care. Suddenly, a voice that sounded much like her grandmother, rattled in her head, That's it?

"What do you mean that's it? That's my current midlife crisis, take it or leave it Nan." Clara muttered under her breath.

And here I thought you were pregnant. Clara could imagine her mocking smile.

"You know, Lizzie thought the same exact thing. I tried to tell her, but the words wouldn't leave my mouth." The granddaughter admitted.

Good. Knowing your sister she would have blabbed to your mother and then where would you be? Going as crazy as a chicken with its head cut off. God bless your mother girl, but when it comes to situations she can't handle she tends to overdo it. There was loving admonition in her tone, the sort of thing only her Nana could pull off.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so."

Of course you're not. I'm your grandmother, it's required we think alike. Now, girl, about this pickle you're in…you have an obligation to do right by all these people. You should cancel the other two appointments and focus on the one. Her Nana made it sound like she should already know all of this. And really, she had but she doubted herself the entire way. But before she could reply, the voice in her mind continued.

But then again, if there's anyone I know who could do this sweet pea, it's you. Ah, there it is.

"What?" Clara blinked.

My darling Clara. You're far too different from your sister and your mother and I don't mean that in a bad way. Maybe you've inherited all of this from your father, or maybe it skips a generation, but you're far too strong to just let something like this pull you down. If there's anyone in this entire Universe who could pull something like this off, sweet pea, it's you.

Tears are welling in her eyes, because while others would dismiss voices in their head conjured by their own imagination, this sounded too much like her grandmother to just dismiss. Through life and in death, her Nana will always be her number one supporter.

Go get 'em girl.

-x-

Saturday comes along and Clara has to hustle to get to her sister's place on time. She knew Gabby was an early riser and that Lizzie and Harold would have to get up early if they wanted to go to his sister's. She grabs a taxi because if she takes the bus again she'll be way too late.

Gabby was at that age where she still believed in fairy tales but thought they were meant for "little" children. Or, in her words, "littler" children.

Which meant that yes, she would be amused to watch children's movies but complain about them the entire time. Clara rubbed at her forehead, wondering how Gabby grew up so quickly. But she wouldn't dwell on it now.

She could see their house now, and when the taxi came to a stop she saw Lizzie and Harold in the driveway, with a little Gabby following them around still in her pajamas.

Gabby, naturally, was the first one to see her, "Aunt Clara! Aunt Clara aunt Clara aunt Clara!" and she was attacked by a four foot munchkin.

"Oof! Hello to you too! How's my favorite niece?" Clara asked, poking her favorite niece in the stomach.

"But I'm your only niece!" Gabby protested.

"Ah, so you are. And what has my only niece been up to hm?" another round of tickles to the stomach. Gabby's giggling had caught the attention of her parents, who came out of the garage to greet her.

"Clara! I didn't think you would get here this early." Lizzie said, coming to her hug her little sister.

"Well I knew you two would get a good head start, so I didn't want you worrying about leaving Gabby alone for too long. Hi Harold." Clara also hugged her brother-in-law.

"Well that's awful thoughtful of you. Isn't that thoughtful love?" Harold asked his wife. Her brother-in-law had an odd habit of asking other people confirmation of what he thought. It wasn't too odd, but it was something Clara found absolutely amusing, especially when it seemed as if he was just asking his wife to make sure it was all right to think the things he did.

"Of course it is dear." Lizzie agreed. She gave her husband's shoulder a squeeze which Harold returned with a smile. Clara's stomach itched at the sight of how comfortable they were with each other. It wasn't jealousy, per say, but something akin to it.

"Eeeeew. I think mommy and daddy are going to do that gross thing again." Gabby whined. Obviously her parents heard it but took no heed, instead curling in each other's arms.

Clara chuckled, "And what gross thing might that be?"

"That gross thing!" Gabby pointed at her parents currently smooching in the driveway, in plain sight of all children and little sisters.

"Oh no! Shield your eyes, shield your eyes! Into the house!" Clara mocked warned. Gabby shrieked in joy but followed orders, blocking the view of her parents with her hands whilst running back into the house with Clara hot on her heels.

Gabby ran straight into the living room, jumping on the comfiest couch Clara has ever laid down on, and curling herself into a ball.

The little girl asked something but was muffled from her face being pressed against a pillow.

"I'm sorry love I couldn't hear you." Clara said, putting down her jacket and purse on a nearby chair.

"I said, are you coming with me to my appointment?" Gabby clarified. But her aunt only looked at her in confusion.

"What appointment?"

Lizzie took that moment to walk in, "Ah yes, her appointment. I'm so sorry Clara but I had forgotten all about it. It's today at two, with her pediatrician. I've already cleared it with them that you can take her, all they really need is an adult to make sure she doesn't run off with the candy dish, like last time." Gabby's mother gave her daughter a pointed look which Gabby immediately avoided.

"You stole the candy dish?" Clara asked incredulously.

"Nuh-uh! Just all the candy in it!" Gabby protested waving her little fists in the air.

"That still counts little girl." Lizzie wagged her finger which just caused her daughter to pout.

"Well, we'll be off now. Harold's in the car and just waiting on me. You," she pointed at her daughter, "behave for your aunt Clara, she may be your fun aunt but if you misbehave she'll tell us and then you'll be in big trouble." She leaned down to kiss her daughter.

"And you," Clara jumped at suddenly having a finger in her face, "make sure you don't feed her junk food all day! You know how upset her stomach gets. The address for her pediatrician is on the fridge." Clara nodded obediently and she also got a kiss on the forehead.

"Bye loves! Have a fun day!" Lizzie waved them off.

"Drive safe!" Clara said to her retreating form.

"Bye mommy!" Gabby finished off.

When they were absolutely alone in the house, Clara looked down at her niece, "So what's on today's agenda?"

"Uhm," Gabby scrunched up her face in concentration, "Uhm, uhm, oh! The park! And then the ice cream store, and then the candy store, and then the toy store-"

"Whoa there munchkin, your mum just said to lay low on the sweets. Pick one, ice cream or candy, and then maybe we'll go to the toy store." Clara corrected.

Gabby pouted, "But aunt Clara-"

"No buts munchkin. You pick right now, or else we'll just have to go to the library." Her aunt threatened, widening her eyes comically in hopes of implanting the very thought of the library as a threat.

"Oh. I like the library." Clara faltered.

"You…you do?" Clara asked in confusion.

"I do! I go there every Wednesday with daddy when he gets home from work. Did you know they have a knight from a faraway land read us books in the fun section? Of course I know he's not a real knight. He's probably just a squire or something because he's never wearing any armor. But he's really funny! I like him. Can we go to the library?" Clara's niece looked up at her pleadingly.

Clara, however, could only gap. How could she have not seen her niece and brother-in-law at the castle? Oh wait, she never gets Wednesday shifts because that's when she's interning at Bad Wolf. Well, that settled that. But it touched her heart because it was actually at her suggestion that those who volunteer to read to the children should dress up as fictional characters.

"Of course we can go to the library, the minute you get your little butt dressed." Gabby was already half way up the stairs and squealing by the time Clara finished her sentence. She watched her niece with fondness, unbelieving that her niece visited the castle at least once a week without her having knowing.

"You're getting old Oswald." Clara said softly, rubbing at her forehead. She stood however to look at the address on the fridge. It was a good walk from the suburban house, it was actually deep in the city. Which would probably mean another cab ride there. Before she could even worry about the expenses however, she saw a note on the fridge being held up by a magnet.

CAB FAIR, CANDY FAIR, AND TOY FAIR

Attached to the note was a baggie with a significant amount of money inside. She wasn't the slightest offended, already having had spent a lifetime with Lizzie to know her little quirks. She was always adamant on paying for everything herself. That apparently extended to her child.

"Aunt Clara Aunt Clara Aunt Clara!" the munchkin shouted repeatedly as she went down the stairs, immediately grabbing Clara's attention.

"Yes, yes, yes?" She asked her niece.

"Do you think the squire will be there when we get to the library?" the little girl asked. Clara scrunched up her face in thought. On a Saturday? Last time she checked Saturdays were reserved for Landen, or as he liked to be called, the great Warlock Beastro.

"Have you ever met a warlock Gabby?" Clara asked. The little girl shook her head, her eyes widened comically at the thought.

"Well today is your lucky day."

-x-

"…and so I smote the deadly beast! It roared its mighty roar as it fell but I knew that it was as good as dead! And as its great carcass descended upon the castle steps, its entire body went up in a gigantic poof!" and here the Great Warlock Beastro gathered glitter into his hands and showered them upon the children, Gabby included. They were in awe of this great Warlock, capable of defeating dragons with a single blow. All the parents were immensely amused, finding it such an entertaining idea to see someone so interactive with the children. Clara could only smile, Landen was known for being an enthusiast at heart, but when he was in any specific role he was a natural.

Gabby was enthralled, as were the other children. While she was listening to his story Clara had actually checked the back to see if Gemma was working, in hopes of trying to explain her upcoming dilemma. However, to her dismay, she only found Margaret. As usual, the woman had only did her "polite sneer" as everyone at the castle had called it, and told her that Gemma wasn't there.

Clara had only nodded and hightailed it out of there. She only ever wanted to deal with Margaret when she was being paid to do so.

When story time was over Gabby had immediately rushed to her aunt, ecstatic at the prospect of hearing that an actual Warlock defeated an actual dragon. For a child who had immediately discerned that their knight wasn't really a knight she immediately believed that the Warlock was as true as he said.

"And then he smoted the dragon!" Gabby finished her tale.

"Smite, munchkin. The past-tense of smote is smite." Clara corrected, smiling.

"Oh. Well he did that! And it turned into glitter!" Gabby exclaimed, waving her hands in imitation of the Warlock's. Clara laughed at her enthusiasm, inwardly glad that her niece had enjoyed it so much.

"Well, now that that's over with munchkin, I do believe you have a doctor's appointment to go to." Gabby's enthusiasm immediately deflated.

"But I want to stay longer!" Gabby whined.

"Ah ah ah, what did we agree to earlier before we left the house?" Clara asked. Gabby crossed her arms over her chest and pouted, but at Clara's expectant look she recited the deal they had made, with grace.

"Should I, Gabriella Lucinda Winthrope, complain about going to the doctor's, I will immediately revoke my opportunity of going to the candy store." The little girl grumbled.

Clara, however, smiled. She had found this little trick when she had learned that when her niece was still engrossed in her fairy tale beliefs, Gabby always thought that a deal was a very, very sacred vow. As she had witnessed in fairy tales and in every other story her mother and father told her at night, should someone not partake in what they had promised, a terrible, terrible curse was sure to befall them. She knew her parents hadn't figured it out yet, but her aunt Clara had almost immediately. Now, in certain situations, should it demand it, Clara made sure to make a deal with her niece in order to make sure she behaved.

"Oh stop pouting." A sudden idea sprung to Clara's mind, "If I show you something no one else in this library has seen, will that make everything easier?"

"What kind of something?" Gabby asked thoughtfully.

"A secretive kind of something." Clara whispered in awe.

Gabby pretended to think it over, but Clara knew she had her when she had said it was a secret.

"Fine. But can we still go to the candy store?" the little girl weaved her hand with her aunt's and looked up at her pleadingly.

"So long as you remember our deal I don't see why not." Her aunt said. The elder woman led her niece through the library, going up and up the floors, with Gabby growing more excited with every step. When they had reached the attic door, Clara had made sure no one was around to see them go in, ushering in her niece.

"Aunt Clara it's awfully dark in here." Gabby pointed out, grasping for something to cling onto.

"Here," Clara made sure her niece was holding the railing leading up the stairs, "hold onto this tight all right? And go up slowly."

Gabby obeyed, holding onto the rail as she made her slow ascent. Clara behind her every step of the way to make sure the little girl didn't trip.

The roof of the attic had large one-way windows attached to the roof. As it was still midday, the sunlight flooding the uppermost floor allowed for an ample view. The first time Clara had been up here, it was in the dead of the night and she only had a small torch to view with. Now that everything was present to her, even she couldn't hold in her gasp of surprise.

The attic was expansive as it was abandoned. There were things she hadn't realized that were here. Old paintings and books that seemed more like relics than castoffs. Furniture from a bygone age, but still looked completely fashionable. Boxes and boxes were piled high, of what they contained she could only guess. A table full of old toys caught Gabby's attention but Clara reeled her in before she could stray.

"Now what I'm about to show you has to be kept a secret, alright? Something between you and me. If anyone finds out I took you up into the attic I could get fired." Gabby nodded her head solemnly, realizing how important this was.

Clara smiled and kissed her niece's forehead.

"Now take a gander, at this beauty." And Clara led them to the old Police Box.

"Wow." Gabby breathed. While yes, at first glance the Police Box wasn't something that caught much attention, the more intently you stared at it, the more appealing it became. And Gabby couldn't take her eyes off of it.

"What is it?" Gabby asked in awe.

Clara hesitated, not entirely sure herself, but decided to amuse her niece.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Clara said in feigned bravado, leaning against the side of the Police Box.

"Yes I would." Gabby said, indignant.

"Hmmmm, well, since I know I can trust you," Clara leaned down to her niece, whispering, "it's a time machine."

Gabby gave her a blank look, "Really?"

"Really! How else did you think it got here? There's only one way up to this attic and it's the way we came up. That narrow little stairwell. It was teleported here by someone very important." But for some reason, when she said it out loud, she actually had to wonder, how did it get here? Because there really was only way up to the attic, and it was the same way they were going out.

And for some reason, something deep down inside her, knew that for an instant, her words rang true.

"Hmmm," Gabby said in thought, looking back at the stairwell then to the Police Box.

"But why would they put something as important as a time machine in the attic of a library?" Gabby asked. Clara thought of a very good one.

"Well, the library is actually a very defendable position. Did you know that before this place became a library, this was actually a castle? Whoever put this time machine here obviously knew their history because they knew, that so long as they left it here, it wouldn't be found, and it would always be protected." Clara told her niece.

The little girl's mouth hung agape, "A castle?!"

"But you mustn't tell anyone." Clara told her critically. "Should anyone else find out about the library's history and the treasures it holds, then bad men would surely come here to loot it."

Gabby looked around the attic in profound wonder, "Are they any other magical things here?"

"There might be, but we'll have to find out some other time. It's almost your doctor's appointment." Clara said and while her niece looked put off she didn't complain. Gabby made for the stairs but Clara stroked the door to the Police Box.

"I said I'd visit you, didn't I? I hope you don't mind me lying to my niece about you. I actually don't know what you are, but she's always had an imagination." Her words, which were more to comfort herself, seemed to also comfort the wood underneath her hand.

But Clara didn't dwell too long on it.

"Until next time, Police Box. My niece has a doctor's appointment she needs to make." But before she made it far, a small mournful sound emitted behind her.

Startled, Clara turned, only to see the Police Box. Looking around quickly she found nothing else that could have made that sound. Her face scrunched up in confusion, "What?"

"Aunt Clara!" Gabby called from the stairs.

Looking around once more, but finding nothing, Clara gave a penetrating stare to the majestic box. But if the Police Box had answers, it wasn't willing to disclose them.

At least, not yet.

-x-

The cab ride to Gabby's pediatrician was uneventful. Her niece however had made a list of all the types of candy she intended on getting. Gum, chocolate, fruit chews, licorice, the list went on and on. Honestly, Clara was wondering why they weren't going to her dentist instead.

"We're here!" Gabby proclaimed before the cab driver could say anything. The little girl bolted out of the cab and Clara quickly paid the driver. She followed her niece out onto the sidewalk, while Gabby had already run inside.

"Gabriel Kelly Rowland you stop running this instant!" Clara shouted to her niece. The little girl immediately obeyed, but the receptionist behind the desk looked up the moment Gabby had run in.

"Oh you must be Gabriella's aunt." The receptionist said, smiling. Clara smiled back, about to introduce herself when Gabby took the liberty.

"Hi Wanda! This is my aunt Clara she's here to make sure I get home safely and that I get candy afterwards." Her voice was giddy at the very thought of it and Wanda smiled at her excitement.

"Well then she's certainly the best kind of aunt, isn't she?" Wanda asked. Gabby nodded in agreement and Clara was flattered enough to laugh.

"You're too kind, I'm hardly the best." Wanda waved her off, producing a paper and clipboard from the recesses of her desk.

"I just need you to sign this paper. It just states that you're here to make sure Gabby doesn't make off with the candy dish." Clara looked down at her niece.

"It wasn't the candy dish, just all the candy in it!" Gabby protested once more. Her aunt just smiled at her and signed the paper. Wanda told them they could wait in the lobby until the doctor was ready.

They were the only ones in the entire lobby. Apparently not many needed to get a check up on a Saturday. It was a very comfortable setting, with plush leather chairs one wouldn't expect to see in a waiting room. There were magazines littering the coffee table and a specific nook designated for smaller children to amuse themselves with what toys they had. Gabriella made herself comfortable on the very plush lounge chairs, kicking her little legs back and forth, which surprised Clara because she expected her niece to go gallivanting towards the toys. Clara sat next to her, picking up an Urban Living magazine, scanning the texture and color of the layout.

"So what's your doctor like, munchkin?" Clara asked.

"He's really nice. Sometimes, if I'm extra good, he'll give me a paper animal." Her niece said. The elder girl looked up at her in confusion.

"A paper animal?" Clara asked. Gabby nodded, "Yeah, they're the ones that can be made by folding them over and over and they make a shape? Eventually? I think it's called ori-ga-mo."

Clara paused, "Origami?"

"That's it! He's made me a rose, a teddy bear, a snake, and a butterfly." The little girl listed off the different origami pieces on her fingers.

"So does that mean you'll be extra good today?" her aunt asked.

Another nod from the munchkin, "Yup! I want to see if he can make a sunflower."

Before Clara could comment however, an adjourning door had opened.

"All right, Mickey, you know what it means to be a team player now, don't you?" a voice interrupted her thoughts. Her heart stilled, her throat coiled. There was no possible, conceivable way.

"Yes doctor." A timid voice replied.

"And what does it mean, Mickey?" his voice said. His voice. His voice.

"It means that winning isn't everything. And that winning can only be accomplished if that win can be shared with everyone."

"Good boy. Now scat, before your mom starts to cry again."

It couldn't be. There-there was just no way. He couldn't be here, he wasn't really a doctor. He traveled through space, he was a feared enemy of the Daleks, he could turn whole worlds into ruin, collapse universes, take down empires. He could heal a nation, breathe life into the dead and bring peace to warring planets. There's no avenue of possibility that could make him feasibly here.

But there he stood. A doctor's coat replacing the usual tweed that was on his person, but everything was the same. The ridiculous shoes, his penchant for bowties, his crooked smile, his straightened unruly hair.

"Why hello Gabriella, how've you been?" He asked congenially. His eyes, things that have plagued her in her dreams, were devoid of the usual intensity she's come to associate them with. Immediately he had focused on her niece, which delighted the little girl.

"I've been great. How've you been doctor?" Gabby asked.

"I've been spectacular." This time, his eyes found hers, and she couldn't bring herself to look away.

"Oh, hello! You must be Clara, I'm-"

"The Doctor." The reverence in her tone threw him off.

"Why, yes. Actually I am. Doctor John Smith, wonderful to meet you." He held out a hand for her to shake but she paid it no mind.

"No. No no no, you don't understand, you're the Doctor." She stressed. Doctor Smith looked at her in confusion, looking from Gabby to Wanda, who were watching with rapt confusion, then back to Clara.

"Well, yes, I am. Resident physician of this charming facility." He smiled. But Clara was shaking in her seat.

"You're the man in my dreams." She stuttered out.

The doctor blinked, "Well I've never gotten that kind of response before."

-x-

Author's Note: Ya'll just hate me right now, don't you? Sorry to keep the suspense! But it's all for the greater good, I swear. Thank you for reading!