Disclaimer: I don't own Doctor Who. If I did, Eleven would have stayed and had more adventures with Clara.
"Why didn't you come back?"
"John. Do I have to answer?" Clara asked guilt in her eyes.
"Yes. And don't call me John. I gave up that name days after waiting for you."
"Well I guess tell you."
John had just let Clara have his ice cream and they both lay out in the grass watching the clouds. David came up to the two of them and informed John that they had to leave. He tried to protest but David was not discussing the decision.
"Well I guess this is goodbye Clara."
"Yeah, but I don't want to go." The girl responded, with tears forming in her eyes.
"I don't wanna go either. But Granddad is waiting. How about we meet here again tomorrow?" John asked hopeful and so that Clara wouldn't cry anymore.
"Sure."
"You said we could meet again. But you never came back. I sat with a soufflé for you all of the next day. My Granddad and David had to come and get me to finally leave. I repeated this for days. Why did you not come?" At this point The Doctor was yelling.
"When I got home, I found out that we were moving back to Lancashire. We had only come to town for my mum to find a job. She didn't have any luck so we went back to Lancashire. And I know what you went through because the entire time I stood behind the trees and watched you sit on the swings, to scared to tell you that I was leaving. I just wanted to remember the single most wonderful day of my life. But I guess I ruined it!" Clara shouted back, tears streaming down her face.
The Doctor jumped up and pulled the girl into a tight hug. She latched onto him cried into his shoulder. He held back his own tears. He knew that they both needed this gesture. Because it was new to the two of them and it was comforting it. In The Doctor's mind, images of hugs, holding hands, smiles and even kisses flooded in the form of could have been moments and feelings. He could see himself as someone who had a best friend who became a love. Someone who felt like they had belonged. He could have been John Smith, and not a person who took a title that shaped his personality.
"Why did you come back?" The Doctor whispered softly, hoping to find some comfort from this Impossible Girl.
"My Mum got sick and it was suggested we move out here where the air was a little fresher. And it helped she was finally able to get her book published here. A small shop happened to sponsor it in a way. We moved back about a month ago and I was hoping you would remember me. When we bumped into each other today, I was so happy to see you. But it seemed like you had no idea who I was. And as a follow up question, what do you go by now?"
"I'm sorry about your Mum. I hope she gets better. And now? I'm The Doctor. Do you know the name of the shop by chance?" The Doctor questioned, his curiosity getting the best of him.
"It's called The Moment of Arcadia I think. And thank you for the support. I'm sorry about your parents too." Clara replied with a sad smile and watery eyes.
"How did you know? I haven't even told my best friends yet." The Doctor searched, desperate to find out what gave away his darkest secret.
"I didn't know it when we were younger but you have the look of a person who's lost. I figured it out when I looked into a mirror when my mother was about to die in surgery. I saw the reflection of a person with these big sad eyes. And at a young age yours were so much bigger and so much sadder. Since we collided this morning I've noticed that they have only gotten worse all these years. And I know that I am one of the reasons for that and I am so sorry Doctor for everything. I understand if you don't want anything to do with me." Clara looked him in the eyes; those filled with deep sorrows but tremendous kindness too and only felt more guilt.
"Shut it Soufflé Girl. Why would I want you to leave? I finally found you after all these years. One of the deepest causes of my sadness is that I could never introduce you to my friends or family. While you and my parents can't meet, you can still meet Granddad, Amelia, Rory, Craig and Sophie and you can even meet Rose, Donna and David again. Don't you get it Clara? I'm happy for you to be back." The Doctor could help but let the tears flow from here and it was Clara's turn to hug him.
This hug was one of mutual concern for the other, as both let the years of repressed sadness and loneliness flow out. In another life they would have never been separated and would have been there to be each other's best friend. At least now they could bond again and be what each other needs. A friend and companion, a conspirator and supporter, a doctor and savoir.
"Sorry about getting your shirt wet." Clara laughed out after what felt like hours of crying.
"I got your shirt just as wet."
"Then we're even, Doctor."
"Actually, if you want… You can call me-" He whispered the next part so quietly she could hear.
"Call you what?"
With a blush he told her. "You can call me John."
"Okay John. For now, how about I call you that when we're alone."
"Thank you Clara. My Impossible Soufflé Girl." John smiled, staring at said girl.
"You're welcome and thank you. My Lonely Chin Boy." Clara smiled back, not taking her eyes off of the boy.
The two walk into the dusty shop, hands intertwined, as John calls out. "Granddad are you here? I have someone I want you to meet."
"Who is it John? I'm in the back, organizing the travel books." A deep, weathered voice responds.
"Remember when we first moved here, and I met that girl who was crazy about soufflés?"
"Yes."
"Well Granddad, I would like you to meet Clara Oswald." John introduced her with a face splitting grin.
"Nice to meet you sir." Clara smiled while holding out her hand.
The older man wiped his hand against his trousers and shook the girl's hand. Without showing any expression he sized her up and broke into a smile. "So dickey tie here actually found you again?"
"More like smashed into me sir." She laughed out.
"Sounds like him. He is such a clumsy giraffe. And stop with the sir. You're a friend of John's so you can call me Granddad." The old man smiled more and turned back to the rear of the shop.
"We're heading up to the roof now. See you later Granddad." John spoke quickly pulling Clara by the hand.
"Have fun you two. Just remember that I am down here. Don't get too friendly." The shop owner smirked and laughed as the two teenagers blushed scarlet.
The friends rush up the flight of stairs and found themselves at a dead end. The building had two stories. The first being the book shop and the second having John, David and Granddad's rooms. The Doctor stood in front of Clara with an excited grin on his face. He gave a small hop and pulled a metal ladder from the ceiling and gestured her to climb.
She shook her head. "After you."
"No after you." John replied.
"After you, I'm wearing a skirt. Eyes front soldier." She argued back with a cocky smirk.
"My eyes are always front." He stated as he began to climb up the ladder.
"Mine aren't." Clara still had the smirk on her face.
"Stop it Clara." John whined.
"No."
"Maybe this was a mistake." He sighed as he pushes the door opened.
"You know you enjoy this."
"I do."
Both went through the ceiling door and John pulls Clara onto the roof. She takes his hand and they walk to the edge. They stand and watch as the sun sets, enjoying each other's company. They stay silent for a few minutes and then John jumps and gives himself a spin to the small building.
"This Clara is the Tardis. Kinda like a clubhouse that Granddad let David use. Then he passed it to me and I've made it my summer home basically. I usually spend the summer up here instead of in my room. I find it more peaceful." John smiled, showing a little more of him to Clara.
He opened the door and they stepped inside. She stared at it and ran outside and around the small box. She ran back in and stared wide eyed at him.
"I know. You can say it. I've heard them all." John said with a smirk.
"It's smaller on the outside." Was all she could muster.
"Well that's new. Usually the comment is that it is bigger on the inside."
"Sounds about like something I wouldn't say."
The room was darkly lit and had a hanging item with weird circles slowly rotating. The circles could be found all around the room. There was a sofa, a small tv and bookshelf that lined the walls. Wires and other random items were scattered about. Finally in each corner were various musical instruments. The most striking was an acoustic guitar that was the deepest blue she had even seen. It was covered in the weird circles and on each fret was a different symbol that had been painted on.
"Do you play all of these instruments?" Clara asked wide eyed at the guitar.
"I mostly stick to the guitar but I know a little off each. That was my first guitar. My dad had it made for when I got to high school. The design is called Gallifrayen. It is a language that was used as a code in town during one of the wars. My family kind of adopted it and as far as I know, we are the only one who uses it. The names on the guitar are my parents and brothers. On the rotating monument it has the names of all of my friends and David's too. The wall is just words I like." John explained, getting lost in his little world.
"What are the symbols on the fret board?" Clara questioned about the weird images.
"I let all of my friends pick something and paint it on. Amy put the tie with holes, reminded her of when I proved I was The Doctor. Rory drew the sword, because I call him the lone centurion. Craig went with the fez because we share a love of hats. And I drew the bowtie. Bowties are cool." John answered smiling about the last point.
"Keep telling yourself that, Chin-boy."
"Shut it. And Clara would you mind putting a design on it? I saved the first fret for you. Like I knew we would meet once again." John confessed blushing.
"Sure, you idiot." Clara responded blushing back.
"I just remembered that since the school is having the fair tonight we might get to see some fireworks from the roof. Wanna watch?" John asked bouncing around the room like a five year old.
"Yes, John, I would love too."
Both made their way back to the roof and continuously gave each other smiles and held hands the entire time. They sat over the ledge and stared at the dark sky being lit by the multicolored explosions. The entire time glances were stole from each other and blushes appeared, and then disappeared. John knew that they just met again but he was happy sitting with Clara and wouldn't mind falling for her. At the same time, Clara was thinking the same thing. And they were both content with the way the night had turned out.
As long as they were hand in hand, they would always be happy.
Authors Note: So here you go, as I promised, before New Years. So what did everyone think of Time of the Doctor? I thought it was an excellent swansong and a fitting end to an era. And honestly, I cried for about three hours during and after it was over. Finally, thank you if you reviewed. Those were my best christmas presents. :) I hope you enjoy the chapter and please review if you can.