Again, I don't own Doctor Who.
By the time Clara woke up from some of the most vivid dreams she had ever had, it was already 10 in the morning. After getting her bearings, and looking at the clock, she panicked, bolting out of her room and out of the TARDIS.
"Who got the kids prepared for school if I didn't!?" It was only a matter of about a minute before she was in her room at the house, and got downstairs in a hurry. Where she saw her Dad and the Doctor talking at the dining room table, chatting.
"Morning Clara!" The Doctor said brightly. "We knew you wouldn't be up in time for the kids, nor would Vastra and Jenny. So I helped George get them ready and out the door."
Clara looked relieved at this. "Thanks Doctor. I hope that you gave them a perfectly normal lunch? Didn't give them anything alien for us to get a call later?" Clara finished that question with a smirk.
"Of course not. I do realize a need to make things seem normal here. I am quite capable of subtlety." The Doctor stated. Clara, seeing her opportunity, raised her eyebrows, and began to smirk.
"I don't think waving the Psychic Paper around and passing yourself off as somebody you aren't qualifies as subtle. Even without that though, how we got on the Soviet Submarine was pretty brazen." Clara responded.
"I didn't have control of that. Besides, I almost always work a way out of the situations I get myself and my companions with, Clara." The Doctor stated with, giving a small smirk in the last few words.
Clara smiled back to him and responded "Oh, I have no problem with your way of doing things. I went with you to travel, after all. You have shown me more than I could have dreamed of." The Doctor smiled back at her, and she pulled him into a hug. "Thank You."
Dave, smiling while watching the Doctor and his daughter, asked Clara "You know, you told us you would have an idea of what you wanted to do in the morning. What do you want to do?"
Clara thought about it for the moment. "Dad, are you going to be off work?"
Dave responded "Yes. I called in to let work know I would be taking vacation on Thursday, Friday, and Monday. Told them I had a family emergency."
Clara, after thinking for a second, had an idea. "Doctor, can we go to a peaceful alien planet? I would love to show my Dad something cool."
"Of course, Clara. I have the perfect one in mind. Come along, rabbits!" The Doctor said loudly while jumping out of his chair.
While Dave got up and followed the Doctor, Clara followed behind, he face confused. She asked the Doctor "Rabbits? Why are we rabbits?"
"Well, Clara, you and your dad's last names are Oswald. Like the old Disney Character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. They started using the character again around this time, after they acquired the rights for it. I thought of Oswald with your last name."
Clara gave raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Only you would end up thinking like that."
Soon the Doctor and the Oswalds were back in the TARDIS. After finding Vastra, Jenny, and Strax, the Doctor informed them of his plans for the day. After the three collected some items for the day, they went to spend a day watching the house. Within 10 minutes of the Doctor and Clara's conversation on their plan for the day, they were off.
Clara, upon entering the TARDIS, went back to her room. She needed to take a shower, as she had missed doing so in her panicked rush earlier.
After she finished, she went into the wardrobe to pick out a dress. The wardrobe was a few times larger than the bedroom. Oh, this is just showing off, Clara thought of the TARDIS, though she did appreciate how the nice the TARDIS was being. She chose a short sleeved Black Dress with Dark Blue shoulders and sides, which ended just above the knee, with Black tights, as usual. She went to the TARDIS Control room, where the Doctor was at the controls, piloting them to their destination. She walked up next to the Doctor and asked a question. "So, where are we going Doctor?"
"We are going to the Oodsphere. Peaceful Place, and wonderful sentient beings. Though they may startle you at first with how they look, they are very nice." The Doctor said. After he said that, the sounds of the TARDIS materializing started. "Ah, looks like we are here. Let's see what it looks like outside"
After look at the sensors and the screen for a moment, the Doctor announced "It's been about about a century since I came here last, but only 10 years from the perspective of the Ood. Looks to still be the Cold, Earth-sized moon I remember." The Doctor looked up to Clara beside him, and to the bemused Dave standing against the railing from the opposite side of the console.
"Both of you are underdressed" stated the Doctor. "Dave, you should be able to find a Coat in my Wardrobe. I used to be your height centuries ago. Clara, you should go back to your wardrobe and find something warmer."
"Okay!" Clara exclaimed, walking back to her room.
It had been an hour after the Doctor and the Oswalds had left for the day. However, Vastra, Jenny, and Strax acted like they did when they were in 1892. Strax was acting as the Butler, and without the Detective work, Vastra and Jenny were trying to find ways to keep themselves occupied, with their attempt right now being a great deal of reading. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it." Jenny said. "Besides, if you or Strax came to the door, we might have an issue."
"Quite right, Jenny," Vastra replied smiling at her wife. Jenny was soon up and to the door. When Jenny opened the door, she saw a Blonde Woman in her 30s to 40s, dressed in a grey dress suit, with no tie. The woman quickly pulled out identification, and stated "I am Kate Stewart, leader of the British portion of UNIT. Am I looking for the Doctor. I have seen readings that he was in this building earlier. Do you know when he will be back?"
"Yes, the Doctor will be back this afternoon or this evening. Why did you pay a visit?" Jenny asked, somewhat concerned. She had heard of UNIT from the Doctor, and how they would occasionally be over-zealous in dealing with non-Human life forms. She was very concerned for Strax, and especially for Vastra. As much as Vastra is there for her, she is there for Vastra.
"May I come in?" Kate asked, noticing the concern on Jenny's face.
"Yes, under one condition."
"Which is?"
"You will not be armed, and I will have your communication device."
While Kate was perplexed, she did comply. "I am not armed, but here is my cell phone."
"Come on in," Jenny responded, after taking the cell phone. "What is the cause of your visit?"
Kate replied "Last night, I noticed a bizarre reading in relationship to the Doctor. UNIT detected an individual who had Artron Energy readings of the same scale as the Doctor. I came out here to check it out."
"I do know why, but I don't think I should explain it to you. I'll let my wife handle the explanation, as she has more knowledge on the Time Lords. And before you meet her and the butler, I do want you to know that we are all comrades of the Doctor. Despite what your first impressions might be from UNIT, please remember that." Jenny explained.
"Of course. I will not harm the companions of the Doctor."
"Good! Vastra, we have another associate of the Doctor here. She's head of UNIT. She came by to investigate readings from yesterday from Clara."
Kate presumed this "Clara" to be the Doctor's current companion. After the Slow Invasion, Kate and a few others kept track of the companions, and learned that, shortly thereafter, that they had not returned. Feeling a need to investigate, she contacted Rory's father, Brian, and he had explained what had happened. She remembered crying, as she had grown to like Amy and Rory, and couldn't imagine what the Doctor had been through. She was relieved to know though that he was still around, and had gotten himself a new companion. Quickly, Jenny led Kate to Vastra.
Kate sat down across from a woman whose face was covered by a book. The woman lowered the book. While Kate was slightly startled by the Silurian in front of her, she kept composure. "I was hoping you could explain to me the readings yesterday. You must be Vastra yes?"
"Correct, Kate. I do hope that UNIT has changed since the 70's. We also have our butler, Strax the Sontaran here. We are all associates the Doctor. You said you wanted an explanation for some anomalies yesterday?"
Kate replied. "Yes, I did. I have delegated to my duties to an officer the rank below me for the day, so I should be able to stay for as long as an explanation is needed."
"Good," Vastra responded, "because this will require a deal of explaining. We should be done in a few hours however."
Thus, Kate started to hear the story about a lady who died three times, and her bravery and sacrifice.
"Doctor, I'm ready." Clara walked out of her room, half an hour after she had come back in for warmer clothes. She was now in a long sleeved dark red dress that reached to her shins. With it, she wore black tights and a pair of black snow boots. On top of her dress, she wore a black leather coat.
"Good, ready Oswalds?"
"Yes, though I do need to ask a question, Doctor" Dave stated. He was dressed the same as he was earlier, but with a Black Parka on.
"Glad to Dave."
"I am noticing you didn't change at all, even for a coat. Why not?"
"Gallifreyan Time Lords have a greater resistance to cold. And before you ask, I am not sure if that will translate to Clara."
"Okay, you two, let's go." Clara quickly interjected.
"You're the boss." The Doctor replied, looking at his beautiful companion. He took her hand, and opened the door. He held the for her, and helped her outside. Dave followed them, with a faint smile on his face. Though the star of this planet-sized moon was shining bright, the moon and the massive, ringed Gas Giant it orbited were at the edge of the Habitable Zone for this stellar system. The temperature never exceeded 5 degrees Celsius. As a result, the Oodsphere was covered with ice and snow. In fact, from the vantage point of the TARDIS, on a snowy plain, the City of the Ood was visible, with all of its spires and walkways. From that direction, a single Ood was walking towards them. It was wearing a Blue Uniform of some sort, with the Greek letter Sigma on the right side of the uniform.
"Greetings, Doctor." Odd Sigma said.
"Sigma! It's good to see you. Haven't seen you in a long time" Eleven replied. He walked over to the Ood and hugged him. "Again, I thank you for your work at Demon's Run. You were great at command and control."
"Thank you Doctor," Sigma nodded. "I presume the lady with you is Clara Oswald?"
The Doctor nodded, and Clara piped up from a few feet behind. "Hold on, why does Sigma know my name."
"Ood are able to sense complicated space-time events. We sensed the unraveling of the Doctor's Timeline, and its repair, Madam. You also got dispersed through Space and Time, and that is how we know who you are." Sigma answered.
"That makes sense." Clara replied. While she now was relaxed with the Ood, her father looked at the Ood quizzically, head tilted.
"Don't worry Dad, you can trust them." Clara stated. "They may look odd, but they are some of the nicest sentient species in space."
"Thank You," Sigma replied to the complement. "Your current companion is very special."
"I know." The Doctor confirmed, a grin plastered on his face.
"New Companion? Can you explain Doctor?" Dave asked.
"Well, I am very old by your standards, over 1,000 in fact, it's hard to keep track. But I don't like traveling alone. So, I have often taken companion of my favourite planet, Earth. Clara has been a companion for about 2 months. But we have had wonderful times together."
"What happened to your last companions?" Dave asked.
At this, the Doctor hung his head low, and Clara went up and put her left arm along his back, and leaned into him. "Can really save that for later, Dad?"
"Alright, Clara that's fine." Dave replied. "Sorry, Doctor."
"It's okay." The Doctor replied. They walked into the city of spires, and entered the tallest spire, where the Ood Elder lived.
"This place is beautiful, Doctor. Thanks for bringing us here." Dave replied.
The Doctor adjusted his bowtie and smiled "You are very welcome Dave."
Clara playfully punched his arm. "Hey, smug doesn't suit you. But this place really is peaceful. Reminds me that not all of the universe is not schemes, war, and violence."
The Doctor leaned in close, and said "You're welcome. I hoped you would like it."
"I really do, Doctor. So, we are going to listen to the Music of the Ood? I remember that from your memories." Clara replied
"Yes, we can do that. Oh, here is the Ood Elder."
"Greetings again Doctor. It hasn't been long since we saw you last, but I sense it has been for you." The Ood Elder stated telepathically.
"Yeah, it has been a while. Since I dropped off the refugee Ood from the Androvax Conflict, I think. That must have been a century ago." The Doctor replied
"We are glad to see you back. What is the occasion, Doctor?"
"I wanted to take my companion and her father on a peaceful trip, and the Oods came right to mind, so, here I am." The Doctor replied to the Odd Elder.
"We are glad you thought of us. We invite you to listen to the sounds of the Universe." The Ood Elder replied.
"We would love to hear it." The Doctor replied. Soon, they were listening to the rhythms of pulsing stars, spinning planets, and all sorts of exotic stellar objects.
"The universe sounds so beautiful." Dave stated with a sense of awe. "This is amazing."
"It certainly is, Dave." The Doctor replied. "And being with you and Clara to hear it makes it more enjoyable."
"Would now be a better time to ask about your previous companions, Doctor?"
The Doctor's face turned grim "Yes, I suppose it is. You should be aware of stuff like this, you being Clara's father."
At the same time, Clara wrapped her arm around his and said "I'll help you through telling the story. I'll be right here for support."
"And so will we Doctor. We will play another song. The Song of the Ponds. I think you will find it uplifting, and full of love." The Ood Elder said.
The Doctor was brimming with tears. "Thank you all. Thank you for the support."
Clara, the Ood Elder, Ood Sigma, and the other Oods in the room nodded their heads. And, with that, the Doctor started telling the Story of Amy and Rory.
Back in London, Kate had heard the story of the Clara Oswald, over the course of. For a moment, she sat there stunned. However, she was eventually able to speak.
"I am very grateful to Clara. She saved so many people, plus the Doctor himself. Would there be a way to meet her?"
"Yes, you should be able to meet her when they come back. But I sense this is for two reasons." Vastra stated.
"Yes. I am quite curious to see the regeneration myself, and study it. My father saw it happen to an earlier incarnation of the Doctor. I am curious about the changes that occur to the body, and the nature of the energy." Kate told Vastra.
"You will have to ask for Clara's permission on that. I myself am uneasy of the idea of an invasive experiment, however." Vastra stated.
"Oh no, we should be able to find a way to have be non-invasive." Kate quickly responded, trying to calm worries from Vastra.
"That makes me much less weary of the idea you have." Vastra replied. "Will you stay here until they get back?"
"I plan to."
Jenny interjected, "It seems to be only about 1:30. Are you sure you want to stay here that long?"
"Certainly. In fact, I would like to continue talking. I would like more information on all three of you, since you are companions to the Doctor."
"Very well. Strax! Come in to the main room." Vastra shouted. He had in Clara's room, checking up and maintaining the medical device he used to check Clara earlier, along with other tools.
"Coming down as requested, Vastra!" Strax shouted back.
"Now, Kate, this should take a little while." Vastra stated back to Kate. As Strax got downstairs, Vastra told Jenny to speak first.
With the song of Amy and Rory having repeated numerous times, it was close to 5 when the Doctor finished explaining how he met Amy, Rory, and their Daughter Melody. How they met them, how they became the closest of friends, and how they were so cruelly wrenched away from him. The Doctor, Clara, and Dave were all in tears, though the Doctor was sobbing.
"The worst part is that I never got to say goodbye, or said how much they meant to me." The Doctor said, trying to compose himself. "I did get that closure with Melody, but not with Amy and Rory."
Dave spoke up, "No one should have to go through that. To lose your best friends and become a widower in such short succession must have soul crushing. Did you have any power to save Melody?"
"No," the Doctor responded, "Me having seen her die when I first met her made that a fixed moment in time. And some of her last words to me were telling me to not change a single thing in her timeline."
"Doctor, I might be able to give a little bit of closure." Clara stated quickly.
"Hmm?"
"During one of my lives, I lived in the Northeast United States. I met Rory and Amy. They were very happy. They even adopted a child. They lived good lives."
"And what about you?" the Doctor asked?
"I was Claire Lubbert. I lived to old age, and had a happy life as well, though towards the end I took a great deal of time to watching Amy and Rory. It was a pleasant life."
"Oh, Clara!" the Doctor exclaimed, pulling her into a hug. "You are absolutely wonderful. And that does make me feel a bit better."
Dave smiled, seeing how his daughter was able to drag the Doctor out of a truly dark place, but then had a thought for the Ood. Going to the head Ood, he spoke up. "Ood Elder, I have a question."
"I would be glad to answer it." The Ood Elder responded.
"Do you have songs for other friends of the Doctor?"
"Yes."
"Could you play the Song of Clara?" Dave asked.
"Of course, we can." The Ood Elder responded.
From behind Dave, Clara piped up "After that, I want to hear the Song of Donna, and the Song of the Doctor, if that is alright."
"Of course it is, Clara." The Elder Ood responded. The Song of Clara was a restrained, but definitely upbeat song that showed the determination and selflessness of the Impossible. It was followed 5 minutes later by the Song of Donna. It started as a quiet song, but quickly become louder and more forceful with time, until, going back to being quiet right at the end. The Doctor looked glum at the end of the Song, so Clara scooted around and gave him a big hug from behind, with one hand over each heart. She stayed there as the Song of the Doctor started. It was a long song indeed, but with 11 parts (or was is 12? Clara thought she could hear hints of a difference around 2/3rds the way through.). It was upbeat and powerful song, but had some sad moments throughout. By the time it was over, it was time to go back to Chiswick. The Doctor, Clara, and Dave got up.
"Thank you so much for your hospitality." The Doctor told the Ood Elder.
"It has been my pleasure. Come back any time." The Ood Elder stated.
"Doctor, thank you so much for bringing me here." Dave said. Clara nodded in agreement.
"You are very welcome" The Doctor replied. They started back for the TARDIS, and were back within a handful of minutes. It was here Clara had an idea.
"Being with the Oods gave me an idea for how to spend time together tomorrow. I want to go to a concert or three. I love music."
"That should be quite possible, Clara. Everyone, think of someone to see tomorrow." The Doctor replied, while getting the TARDIS to take off, going back to the Maitlands. Another few minutes, and they returned to the same spot in Clara's Bedroom.
"So Dave, you want to go to a concert for Dexys' Midnight Runners? That should be possible, though I do need to find period currency. " The Doctor stated. It had only taken Dave a come to that decision after entering the TARDIS.
"Thanks Doctor, I remember them from when I was young, and would love to hear it live. I hope you will enjoy it as much your Mom did." Dave replied.
"I think I might be able to do that." Clara stated with a grin while walking down to the main floor. Once the Doctor, Clara, and Dave were downstairs, Maitlands and the Paternoster Gang. Along with Kate Stewart.
"Kate! What's brought you here?" The Doctor came up to her and gave her a hug, grin on his face.
"There were some strange readings in regards to Time Energy compared to normal, so I came to investigate." Kate stated, after being released from the hug. "I thinking the young lady here is Clara."
"Yes, that would be correct. Clara Oswald, and this is my father Dave." Clara replied.
Kate held out her hand. "Kate Stewart, Head of the Unified Intelligence Taskforce, Mr. Oswald."
"Nice to meet you."
"I've heard all about you Clara, from Vastra and Jenny. You are truly a remarkable young lady. To have saved the Doctor the way you did requires great bravery."
Clara grinned "Thank you very much. I just saved a…friend in peril."
Kate nodded "I do…have a request though, Clara. I wish to monitor and study your Regeneration."
"Okay…." Clara replied with a questioning tone, while Dave looked on with a large amount of concern.
"It will be completely non-invasive, I promise both you and your father. In addition, most of the studying will be done by a UNIT Doctor. A former companion of the Doctor's in fact." Kate stated.
Clara and her father visibly relaxed. Meanwhile, the Doctor was beginning to get giddy. "Oh, which one!" the Doctor asked.
'"Mrs. Jones. However, she will be busy until then."
"Understandable, being with UNIT. How is she?" the Doctor replied.
"Great. I will be seeing you Monday then." Kate replied.
"Kate, I would keep your schedule open on Sunday. Take the day off if you need it." The Doctor quickly replied.
"Why, exactly?"
"I'm making a plan, Kate. It's a secret." The Doctor replied. At this statement, everyone in the House gave him a quizzical look. "Just wait, everyone."
"I should be able to do that." Kate replied, starting to walk for the Door. "See you then, Doctor."
Kate exited leaving the others in the house.
"It's only 5:30 pm, so we have some time before going to sleep" Mr. Maitland stated. "Want to order out some dinner and just chat for a while?"
"Sounds good. However, I would recommend going to the TARDIS. She can provide the food." The Doctor said. He soon led the gaggle of people up to the TARDIS. The rest of the night was filled with stories and talking about the Doctor and his various adventures. While the kids and Clara (becoming exhausted much more quickly than usual) went to sleep at 9, Dave and George continued to listen to the Doctor and the Paternoster Gang for another hour.
At around 10 pm, everyone retired for the night. Save the Doctor. He was in the Control Room, looking through various planet's in the TARDIS's memory banks.
Thank you all for your patience. I got bogged down with moving, getting used to a new job, and sometimes being miserable.
I decided early on to have Dave warm up to the Doctor because of how Clara trusts him. Clara is a very sensible character, and I hope that is showing through. I may add more notes here, but I am having a headache. I will have another chapter up, hopefully soon.
Reviews, as always, are welcome.