Title: A Day and Life on the TARDIS
Author: Flydye8/Heintz571
Pairings: Clara/12th Doctor
Rating: T (just to be on the safe side)
Summary: This is a collection of stories about the times in-between Clara's and the Doctor's adventures. The ones we never see; because we all know once you starting living with someone, life always gets more interesting. The stories are primarily fluffiness, domestication, and a loving friendship taking place after "Last Christmas".
Author's note: This is the continuation and completion of Claraoswelve prompt. Enjoy! Flydye8
The Doctor continued to bath Clara till her temperature according to the TARDIS was 102 degrees. He unsuccessfully, tried to recall how the human body reacts to high temperatures, his worry for her keeping him from having any coherent thoughts. He continued to wash her hoping that her temperature would decrease further because of his ministrations; for an agonizing ten minutes he watched and waited.
Finally she opened her eyes, "Doctor, what happened?" her voice weak.
"You fainted, you're ill with the flu." He answered the relief in his voice apparent to her ears.
"I'm cold." She stated, her eyes starting to close again.
"Oh no you don't Clara Oswald, you need to stay awake for a bit longer."
"I can't Doctor, please just let me sleep." She begged as her body started to shiver again.
"You can sleep in moment, but right now I need you to stay conscious." Lifting her from the tub he placed her on her feet, reaching for a towel he dried her off quickly as her body started to sway. Seeing her movements he held her tightly against his body, "Stay with me Clara, tap into your stubborn tendencies and just stay with me."
Her body stiffened a bit her eyes clearing for a moment, "I'm not stubborn!"
"Ah there is my impossible girl." Lifting her again in his arms he carried her to her bed, setting her down he made sure she was stable before reaching into her armoire for a sleep shirt. Covering her body with the garment Clara whined, "This is not warm enough, help me get my flannels."
"No my Clara you have a fever, fewer clothes are better." Pulling the bed cloths back he helped her lay down, covering her with the sheet he continued pointing his finger at her, "Now you stay put, I am going to get you some paracetamol."
As he turned to leave, Clara reached for her comforter only to be stopped by his words, "That also means no adjusting the bed covers." Too weak to argue she just grunted her displeasure.
He hurried down the corridor to the med bay calling out to his ship, "Emergency protocols activated."
He felt his ship vibrate with his command moving into the vortex, he didn't want any interruptions as he took care of Clara, and the vortex was the best place for that. He quickly retrieved the medicines he needed to make Clara feel better.
Returning to her room he approached the bed noticing her body shivering, her skin becoming flush with the increase of her temperature. Sitting beside her he shook her gently, "Come on wake up." She opened her eyes barely coherent, pulling her up gently he commanded as he placed the tablets against her lips, "Open up!"
She responded to his request automatically and opened her mouth, once the medicine was on her tongue he grabbed the glass of water that materialized on the night stand and guided it to her lips. She sputtered briefly at the intrusion of the cool liquid but somehow managed to get the pills down.
Laying her head onto the pillow the Doctor held her hand and waited for the medicine to take effect, using his other hand he pushed her wet hair back from her forehead. "Oh my Clara, please get well soon." His voice cracked with emotion as the adrenaline spike in his body decreased, leaving him exhausted.
Placing his head across her chest he listened to her steady heartbeat allowing it to calm him and lull him into worried sleep.
A few hours later he awoke, his cheek against her chest noticeably wet. Her fever had broken. The bedsheet and nightshirt were wet as well. Knowing the break in her fever would be short lived he quickly retrieved another nightshirt replacing the damp one on her body. There really wasn't much he could do with her bed sheet, because he didn't want to disturb her more, so he covered her with the folded duvet. He needed to get some food and water into her system to prevent dehydration from setting in. Checking on her one last time he exited the room to get the nourishment she needed.
In the small kitchen he opened the cabinets and smiled, it was completely organized and stocked because of Clara's controlling predispositions. Reaching in he pulled out a can of chicken soup, remembering humans often use it as a comfort food when they were sick. Warming the soup on the stove, he then put on the kettle.
Reaching into his pants pocket he pulled out a packet of herbs he retrieved earlier from the med bay, it was mixture yarrow, elderberry flowers, peppermint and ginger. Smiling he remembered fondly who taught him about the herbs, the amazing Donna Noble.
She swore to him that the concoction he was preparing for Clara worked brilliantly. She stated her Gran served her the tea whenever she was sick. He could hear Donna's voice echoing in his head as he recalled her specific instructions.
The most important thing to remember when preparing the tea, spaceman, is the ratio of water to the herbs.It needs to be exactly 2:1 otherwise it won't be potent enough; also the temperature of the water needs to be at least 120 degrees.The heat from the water will properly infuse the herbs throughout the cup. It can also be made into a tincture too but only if a fever lasts more than three days. I also know about a great herbal remedy for coughs too but I will teach you that later.
Sadly he never got to learn about the other remedy before they parted ways. He pulled out a tray and placed everything on it. Returning the herb packet to his pocket he grabbed honey, oil and a small container, her would prepare the tincture once Clara was resting again because he feared he might need to use it later.
Entering her room he placed the tray onto the bed table and gently shook Clara awake. Seeing her respond he smiled down at her, "Time for some food and drink."
"I am not hungry." She stated wearily.
"Come on my love don't argue just do as you're told." He responded softly as he lifted her supporting her back with his strong arms, adjusting her pillows before placing her back down against them.
His comment barely registering in her mind, except for the part when he called her love, she liked how it sounded on his lips, "Okay." she whispered.
"Good, now take a drink of tea it is a special creation I learned from Donna a long time ago." He blew the liquid gently, cooling it before bringing it to her lips. He watched as she took a tentative sip and smiled as she took a bigger drink soon after.
Placing the cup on the table he picked up the soup, "I have been told you lot enjoy chicken soup when you're sick so I made you some."
Smiling faintly at him she nodded before allowing him to feed her the comfort food. He continued to serve her until most of the soup and tea were gone. "Do you want more?" he asked quietly.
"No." she answered her eyes lids closing.
He helped her lay back down. Brushing her hair from her face he inquired, "Is there anything else you need."
"Yes, Doctor."
"What?"
"I need to be held in your arms." She pleaded with her voice and eyes.
"It would be my pleasure." He responded as he moved to the other side of the bed removing his pants and shirt to be more comfortable, however leaving on his boxers and t-shirt. He lay next to her, bringing her closer to his body. She placed her head on his chest while wrapping her arm around him. Snuggling into his side she inhaled deeply allowing his scent to comfort her, smiling she commented, "You smell so good."
Before he could reply she fell back asleep her breath steady against his skin. Caressing her side softly his eyes closed as sleep soon consumed him allowing a brief reprieve from his worry.
He awoke to Clara thrashing next to him her body burning with fever as she yelled, "I am sorry Doctor, don't go! I didn't mean to send you away. Please come back to me, I'm sorry about the moon. Please come back! Come back, I love you. Come back please!"
He grabbed her shoulders turning her face him, chastising himself for sleeping beyond the time frame for her next dose of paracetamol. He called out trying to bring her out of her fever induced delirium, "Clara, Clara I'm right here!"
Her glazed eyes met his, slowly she brought her hands up to his face, her fingers awkwardly tracing his features, "You're here? Why are you here? What if Danny shows up, no, no don't tell him. Can't tell him, he will be hurt?" Then suddenly her eyes closed as she slumped against his chest.
Laying her down he immediately hurried to the other side of the bed, retrieving her medicine he returned pulling her up into a sitting position, he forced the pills through her compressed lips followed by some water, her natural reflexes kicking in allowing her to swallow without too much difficulty.
Adjusting her till she was sitting across his lap he held her tightly against his chest, trying to control his rapidly beating hearts. He was foolish to fall asleep within the first twenty-four hours of her illness. Taking a deep breath he contemplated her feverish words. Obviously, her dream was about their disagreement after they visited the moon. What surprised him the most was even then she loved him. His hearts ached as he thought about the guilt she carried because of her feelings for him.
Cursing himself for his impetuous actions toward her after his regeneration, he promised that he would never cause his Clara to second guess his love for her, no never again.
Looking down at her he whispered into her hair, "I love you too."
For the next couple of days he didn't sleep as he watched over Clara making sure she took her medicine at the proper times comforting her when her fever induced dreams came to the surface. He even created and used the tincture Donna taught him, not letting Clara's displeasure in the home remedy, dissuade him from giving it to her.
On the fifth day of her illness he walked into her room with his usual tray of medicines and food to find her sitting up in her bed, her eyes clear of the fever that was wreaking havoc on her body for the last few days.
"You look better than you have in quite some time." He commented as he placed the tray on the bedside table smiling at her lovingly.
"How many days have I been sick?" she inquired feebly.
"Oh about four and half days, you were quite the mess." Handing her a cup of tea he continued, "Here drink up you are still not out of the woods yet."
Sniffing the tea she took a small sip, "I don't remember much but I do remember this drink."
Sitting next to her he caressed her cheek, "It is not uncommon to have a loss of memory with a fever as high as yours."
Bringing her hand up, she placed it over his, "I guess, but there is one thing that I do know without any doubt. Something I will never forget."
"And what is that?"
"I know that I am deeply loved by you." She replied as she leaned to kiss him gently.
"Yes you are Clara Oswald." He replied as he took the cup out of her hands. He lay down beside her pulling her closer to his body nestling her next to his side, caressing her back he repeated, "Yes you are."
Author's note 2: I am currently in the last three weeks of my college semester so I am not sure how much I am going to be able to update my story. Be patient with me and as soon as my summer begins you will see much more of my writing. Please comment and let me know how you are enjoying it and if you do come up with a prompt don't hesitate to send it to me I will get to each and every one of them in time.
Cheers and think of me as I am completing papers and taking finals
Flydye8/Heintz571