Thank you so much for the reviews :) And I'm sorry.

Chapter 12

Clara would have picked a different destination after having been to France so many times but the Doctor had argued that he knew Paris well and they would just vanish in the streets of this bustling city. Grudgingly Clara had eventually agreed, knowing that she would only get what she wanted if the Doctor thought them to be safe. So they packed the few items of clothing they had into a bag and headed for Heathrow airport one week later. The place was crowded with people obviously on their way to visit relatives all over the world before or during Christmas and Clara sighed, thinking about her grandmother and how much she would loved to spend the holidays with her especially now. She made a mental note to call her later when there was still time.

Right now Clara had other matters to worry about, like her fear of flying. She had been on a plane so many times in her life already and it never got easier, but at least she had a hand to hold this time.

"Are you okay?" the Doctor suddenly tore her from her thoughts, "You look anxious."

Clara swallowed, looking up at him to see a similar expression on the Doctor's face. "I am anxious. Flying always makes me anxious. It's like my stomach twists into a knot and my head gets all fuzzy."

She breathed in and out, trying to calm her nerves until the Doctor gently placed his arm around her shoulder. No, not even that helped. "Don't worry about that. We'll be fine once we're on the plane."

Clara watched him as he let his gaze wander over the airport as if he was looking for something or someone.

"Why are you anxious?" she asked him.

The Doctor took a long, deep breath, scanning their surroundings once more before he came to look at her. "Isn't it obvious?"

"Not to me," Clara frowned and tried very hard not to feel stupid for not knowing what was wrong now.

"They're looking for us. I wouldn't be surprised if they watched the airports. This flight can't depart soon enough if you ask me," he said gravely.

"Well," Clara threw in, her voice hopeful, "You said they suspected us in Leeds. So maybe they won't watch the airports here."

The Doctor let out a long, deep sigh. "Maybe you're right. At least I haven't seen a familiar face around," he paused, turning to look her, "Nevertheless. Keep an eye open for anything that looks suspicious."

"Okay," she agreed even though she doubted that they were in danger here, among these masses of people. The Doctor was probably just worrying unnecessarily.

Since they had arrived a lot earlier than expected there was still time until they had to go through the checks and so they decided to settle down at the only free table in a café and each of them ordered a large cup of coffee and a piece of cake to go with it. Clara didn't feel particularly hungry, her stomach already going crazy about the upcoming flight, but the Doctor had insisted that she needed to eat at least a little.

"I'm glad you've agreed to come to Paris," the Doctor said after a while, "I know you would rather stay here but, trust me, it's the right decision. We'll be safer there."

"I know," Clara granted him a smile, "And I trust you. If you think it's the right thing, then we'll do it."

The Doctor face turned into a broad grin. "Paris is going to be great. We can visit the Louvre and Notre Dame and all the things you want to see. Maybe we could even take trips to another city once we get a car."

Suddenly Clara started to laugh. "Are we going into hiding or on holiday? Cause this sounds a lot like a holiday to me."

He shrugged. "Why can't it be both?"

And suddenly the realisation struck her and it made her smile all the more sincerely. "You're doing this because you think I need a distraction. To take my mind off everything bad that has happened."

The Doctor's features froze and now he looked almost guilty as he gave her a small nod as confirmation.

"Thank you," Clara said earnestly, "That's really sweet. I'm looking forward to Paris."

They finished their coffee and cake, talking about the things they had both already seen in Paris and those still on their bucket list. After they had risen to their feet the Doctor started to walk in the direction of the check-in, however Clara stayed behind, feeling uncomfortable yet again about the prospect of flying. The Doctor seemed to notice her hesitation quickly.

"Is something wrong?" he asked her.

Clara shifted her weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other and glanced at the board announcing the departure of flights. They still had time.

"Would you mind if I went out to have a smoke before we go through the check-in?" she asked sheepishly.

The Doctor's forehead turned into a frown. "I was hoping you had given up on that. I haven't seen you smoke since the first night."

"You haven't seen it," he replied, biting her lip, "But I may have sneaked out of the house a few times."

He let out a long and heavy sigh and Clara knew she was in for a lecture about her health and bad habits, so she decided to stop him before he even had a chance to start.

"And I want to call my grandma," she added.

"Clara, you can't tell her about Paris," the Doctor urged her, "You would only put her in danger."

"I know that," Clara said defensively, "I just want to talk to her. I'm not gonna tell her anything."

"I really wish we could just board this plane as quickly as possible," he told her and Clara saw just how worried he was that something might happen. But they had been at the airport for an hour. If someone had seen them they would have gotten to them already by now. Finally, after she had given him her pleading look, the Doctor blew the air out between his teeth and agreed.

Clara lit her cigarette as soon as she had reached the smoking area and inhaled deeply, the smoke in her lungs feeling oddly comforting as it always did. She just had to stop thinking about the flight and all would be fine. While she reached for her phone and dialled her grandmother's number the Doctor positioned himself a few steps away from her, looking around as if he was still scared about someone catching them. She knew that nothing would happen, that he would protect her even if he had left dropped his gun before they had entered the airport. He would never let her down.

"Clara, darling," her grandmother greeted her lovingly, "How are you?"

She sighed into the phone. "I'm alright, and you?"

"Getting by. Are you still with your friends?"

Clara wished she could just tell her grandmother. She would understand and maybe it would even make her feel better. But she knew that would only put her in danger. "Yeah, still with friends. I'm sorry. I wish I could be with you now."

"Nonsense," her grandmother said strictly, "Stay where you are. There's nothing you can do here either. Be with your friends, let them cheer you up a little."

Clara nodded even though her grandmother couldn't see it.

"Clara?!" the Doctor called her name in the distance. He sounded wary so Clara decided to end the phone call.

"Listen, I might not have reception for a bit but I'll call you as soon as I can, okay?" she said to her grandmother.

"That's okay, sweetheart. Talk to you later," her gran agreed.

Her words were hardly audible over the sound of an engine of a car that had pulled up at the bus stop next to her and Clara ended the phone call and turned around to where the Doctor had been standing moments ago. It took her too long to realize what was happening and by the time Clara had found the strength to set her feet in motion it had already happened. Two men dressed entirely in black had gotten to the Doctor, holding a piece of cloth over his face. She wanted to call out for them to stop, to let him go, but no sound came out of her. Clara stepped forward, unable to do anything as they hauled him into a van and right before the door closed she spotted Seb sitting in the back of the vehicle.