Clara sat up in bed, staring at the man who was still the Doctor, who had only minutes ago burst into a yellowish explosion and emerged mostly the same but slightly different, tucking vigorously into fish fingers and custard of all things. She had had him help her get propped up in the bed so that she could see him better; she had thought that she would be able to figure this whole thing out but she felt more confused than ever. Her mind was slow from the medication and she ached all over from her injuries but she didn't think that it had anything to do with why she was so confused.

The Doctor had forced himself to die so that he could get rid of Mr. Clever; he had said that he would have to change completely to do so. She hadn't wanted him to change; though the past year had been hell she still loved everything about her Doctor. His gentle nature, his childish innocence, his wide smile and happy exuberance; everything he had been before he had been inhabited with the Cyberplanner. She had wanted things to simply go back to the way that they had been but she was sure that was impossible. He was damaged…..she more so. She was sure that things couldn't go back to the way that they had been.

Only…..he was back to his normal self. Or, at least he looked like he was. He was physically different in only a few ways; she laughed a little bit when she saw how his sleeves now hung loosely over his hands like a child trying to wear their father's clothing. She had to guess that they were close to the same height now, or at least much closer. Though his eyes were now dark coloured, they still held the same zest for life that she had always known him to have. He hadn't changed like she had thought he would and she was both elated and confused by that. She wasn't sure where they were supposed to go from here.

"So what's with the fish fingers and custard?" Clara asked , her voice raw and rough.

The Doctor stuffed a fish finger rudely into his mouth and began to chew, talking with his mouth full. "What do you mean? Fish fingers are wonderful" the Doctor said enthusiastically.

"You just…died" Clara said, confused, "You're whole body exploded a few minutes ago….and now you're eating like nothing happened?"

The Doctor finished his bite and looked at Clara curiously. "Well…yeah" he said, seeming confused himself. "Regeneration gives you quite an appetite"

"Aren't you scared? Didn't it scare you?" Clara asked, alarmed to hear that her voice trembled. She had been so terrified, watching the Doctor change. Even now, she wasn't sure how long it would be before she could fully trust that Mr. Clever wasn't tucked inside his head still.

The Doctor's face fell. "It scared you, didn't it?" he asked with understanding.

"Yeah" Clara said, forcing herself not to get emotional even though she felt the beginnings of tears.

The Doctor noticed the emotions and softened. He put his food down and took Clara's hands. "It's alright…..I know regeneration can be…..alarming to humans when they see it. It's not that pleasant on my end either. But it's over now. It's a pretty dodgy process…I'm just relieved that I stayed mostly the same"

Clara paused. "But how can I know….how can I really know that he's gone?" Clara asked, her voice apprehensive.

The Doctor dropped her hands, looking nervous. "I suppose you won't know for sure…..you just have my word to go on. My word and time….I realize my word probably doesn't mean much anymore. Do you want to go home? I'll take you back if you want"

Clara realized that was why he looked so sad now, why he was wrenching his hands and glancing around. The idea of going back home did sound nice…..it had been so long. But she didn't want to leave him forever and she was sure that was what he was suggesting. Just the fact that he said he would made her trust him more; she had pleaded so many times for it in the past year and he always said no. "I would like to go back to Earth…..but not to stay. I just want to visit" Clara said. "I still want to travel with you. I just need…some rest" She wanted to trust him and she was sure that she would once more. But some time on more stable ground would be good for the both of them.

The Doctor looked slightly disappointed but he nodded in understanding. "Okay…..I understand. Once you heal a bit more I'll take you home" he said, his voice sad. He tried to get up and exit the room but Clara grabbed his hand to stop him. She was glad that he didn't try to pull away because she wouldn't have been able to hold on. The Doctor looked at Clara who was giving him a small smile. "Don't think you're getting rid of me permanently, you crazy alien" she said easily.

The Doctor smiled half way. "I wouldn't dream of it, my impossible girl"