[Author's Note: Did you guys catch the episode tonight? All I can say is WOW! It was pretty awesome. Anyway, onto the third chapter of my story! For anyone who wasn't a huge fan of the angst in the previous chapter, this one is a bit sweeter. I let my brother pick the prompt from the hat, and after putting three of them back because they sounded 'stupid', he settled on this one. Enjoy! :3]

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Chapter 3:

Delicate (adjective)- Fragile, breakable, easy ruined.

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"Clara!" The Doctor called. "Are you coming? I think we're in the right place now, so we probably won't have to, you know, run for our lives this time." He flicked one last lever on the TARDIS console, not for any real reason other than to do something with his hands, and waited patiently for a few moments for his companion.

After several long seconds of silence, he called again. "Clara? Are you okay?"

A muffled reply came from down one of the long hallways, "I'll be there in a moment!"

The Doctor sighed and leaned idly against the console, running his fingers across the buttons and switches as he waited for the girl to appear.

After a minute of two Clara's face popped around the corner of the doorway. "Hello!" She called.

"Hello!" The Doctor smiled. "Ready to go now? Lots to do, things to see." He bounded across the room and grabbed the door handle. "Care to come?"

Clara flashed him a huge grin and ran across the sleek metal floor to stand next to him. "Ready to go." She affirmed, and he took her hand to lead her out. Something rough that was definitely not the normal softness of her palm rubbed against his skin.

Confused, he lifted her hand up for examination. A white gauze bandage had been wrapped around and around her palm. A slight reddish stain was just visible through the cloth. He ran his thumb across it, and she stiffened, snatching her hand back.

"What's happened there?" He questioned.

"I slipped and cut it on the rocks while we were running from those 'friends' of yours." She said, giving her hand a brief glance before stuffing it into the pocket of her jacket. She smiled at him and tapped the door. "Can we go now?"

The Doctor stared at her for a moment, not making any move to leave yet. He nodded slightly to where she had hidden her injured hand. "Can I see it?"

Clara huffed and slowly drew her hand from her pocket, holding it out for examination. The Doctor took it carefully, lightly running his fingers across the surface of the bandage. The red splotch on the gauze was slowly growing darker as blood pooled into it. It was probably a much deeper cut than should be solved with a piece of cloth.

He should have noticed she'd been hurt; how had he not seen her fall, or hear her cry out, or seen her holding her hand? He'd forgotten how delicate she could be, how easily damaged. In fact, she somehow seemed more fragile to him than most other people he'd met. Wasn't it his job to protect her? He said he would keep her safe; he would. "You should have told me you got hurt, Clara." He said, looking back up at her.

She shrugged. "I'm fine. I fixed it up in the bathroom."

"Still must hurt." He commented.

"Well, cuts do tend to do that." She deadpanned, wincing as he prodded at it too hard. "Ow! Leave it alone already."

"Sorry." He said, moving his fingers away. She pulled her hand back sharply and placed it at her side.

She turned around and took a step through the doors. "Are you coming, or am I going exploring by myself?" She asked.

"Yes, fine. Lead the way." The Doctor said, waving his hand in the direction of the land outside. "Just be careful this time!" He added quickly. Clara smiled and ducked through the doorway, scampering off happily. And after a moment she was followed by the Doctor, who caught up next to her and reached out, taking her hand safely in his own.

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[Author's Note: And there's my chapter for the day. These are ridiculously fun to write! I think I'll get a little better at writing them now that I've recently got to hear their voices again in tonight's episode. In fact, I should probably start writing the next one while it's still fresh in my head. Expect another chapter tomorrow. Pretty please review! :3]