The Doctor had been looking after Clara for such a long time. He had left the gang in Victorian London.
"My Clara." He said as he quietly smoothed her head.
The Doctor then slowly took off the blankets, revealing her petite frame clothed with a silk light pink nightdress, long up to her knees, her right ankle wrapped neatly in layers of sterile gauze as a supportive brace and her cuts and bruises cleaned.
He lowered himself down towards Clara as he took her hands and knitted her fingers of both hands together behind his neck before placing one of his arms under her knees and another under her shoulders. The Doctor heaved her delicately and pressed her against his torso. He paced across her large bedroom, cradling her gently in his arm like a small child.
Like a
small
delicate
vulnerable
child.
The Doctor decided he would take her to a very special place...
He walked with her sleeping in his arms, sometimes groaning and stirring. One time, she tightened her arms tightly around his neck as she breathed the title he chose so many years ago on Gallifrey. But as Clara buried her face further in his chest, she murmured another name.
The oldest question in the Universe...
He just stared at her... She knew absolutely everything about him...
And yet...
To him...
She was an enigma...
So many lives...
So many experiences...
So many deaths...
Too many horrible things a young innocent girl had to experience.
My Impossible Clara...
He laid her on the only chaise longue there was, in the middle of the room, and placed a soft blanket on her. The Doctor kneeled near her before smoothing her hair.
"Doctor," she groaned.
"I'm right here Clara. I'm here."
She opened her eyes to the sight of millions of colourful stars... So many galaxies, far away.
"It's beautiful."
"Especially for you."
"How long was it Doctor? How long have you waited?"
"A few days... It doesn't matter, Clara. You need not worry... The best is the-"
"How long?"
"6 days." He said as he looked down.
"Looking after me?"
"How couldn't I? You scared me, Clara... I'm sorry..."
"Don't give me those big sad eyes, Chin boy... It's fine... I'm absolutely fine. Thanks to you I'm much much better... If only I could show you."
"I had..." He swallowed his nervousness...
"I had no choice, I had to make you forget some of your lives... If I hadn't... You would've..."
Clara squeezed his hand.
"You haven't lost me... Not yet, Chin Boy. I may have been weak, but I certainly don't give up that easily."
She let go of his hand.
"I'm very grateful you did so. Thank you."
"Mind you... Some of them were as stubborn as you." They both laughed.
"At least I've got something to remember through all that clutter in your time stream."