The Doctor had returned to Skaro to find his companion after running off. It was something he had to do, he couldn't let her see he was the reason Davros was alive. The TARDIS materialised on the rocky surface and he ran back to where he had left her. It was different, the sky was darker, not black, but a dull pink. "Clara?" His voice was hoarse slightly as he looked for her.
His eyes searched the rocks till he came across a small figure on the floor, curled up. "Clara..." He let out a breath as he walked over to the sleeping female. The Doctor rolled up his sleeves before bending down to pick the girl up. "I'm sorry Clara, I'm a stupid old man," he whispered into her hair as he scooped her into his arms. She didn't stir, although he wasn't too worried since he knew she'd be exhausted from the ordeal. She did take naps at unconventional times in his eyes.
Once they were safely inside the TARDIS he took her straight to the infirmary, a white table was in the centre of the room. Carefully, he placed her down on it and rested her head on a pillow. On went his new sonic shades as he began to scan her for any damage. He was shocked when the device informed him of recent injuries which could be sustained from falling 20 feet and being tied in rope. He'd have to question her on that.
Her brain was a different matter entirely. Everything seemed normal however she would have a painful headache when she woke up. The telepathic connection had scrambled her head slightly. She was alive, that was what mattered the most to him.
When he was certain there was no inment danger he scooped her up again and took her to her room. The Doctor groaned slightly as his back ached slightly, one of the limitations of his new body. She wasn't heavy even when unconscious, he was just simply an old man.
He laid her on her bed before pulling Clara's electric blanket over the top of her. After staring at her sleeping form for a few minutes he decided to look around her room. The Doctor didn't really go into Clara's room very often, so he took this opportunity to familiarise himself.
A book on her bedside table caught his eye, "To Kill a Mockingbird," it was one of her favourites as he could tell she had re-read it numerous times from the wear and tear of it. He settled down on a chair by her bed as he began to read the first few pages.
It wasn't long before he heard the change in her breathing followed by a small voice calling out to him. "Doctor," Clara said slowly as she pushed herself up, mentally making a note not to wince.
"So you're awake then," he tried to hide his relief from her by being his usually grumpy self. The truth was he did care for her, he did a lot. Though he couldn't show it. Not with this daft old face. He carefully placed the book down as he leaned closer to her awaiting a response. Clara rolled her eyes at his remark and grinned sheepishly, "it's okay, I know you missed me," she said softly.
She hit the nail on the head, oh boy did he miss her.