Thank you for your support and reviews. Now, how will 12 react when he finds out Clara got injured while riding a horse? Let's find out.
John jumped out of the carriage as soon as it came to a halt in front of the mansion. He strode to the front door, walking past several people who told him where Clara was and marched up the stairs.
His mind was running wildly. He didn't know how serious the injuries Clara had sustained, but Mr Rentford had briefly told him she fell off a horse.
The moment he reached her bedroom, he saw Donna glaring menacingly at a guilt-ridden young man. John knew it was Clara's suitor. Speaking of Clara, she was in bed, her back resting against the headboard, cushioned by several pillows.
"Oh, Doctor, you're finally here," Clara said, as she granted him a smile.
He tried his best to calm down as he stepped inside. While he was relieved she seemed to be fine, he wasn't sure how serious she had injured herself.
"Right, since the Doctor's here, I'm gonna wait outside," Donna said, rising from the chair.
"I'm so sorry this happened," John Foreman apologised once more as he left the room.
Clara shook her head. "You've said that a hundred times now, John. I'm fine. Probably a bruised leg."
He granted her a sad smile before disappearing into the hallway. Donna, on the other hand, remained where she was.
"Don't try anything funny, Medicine Boy," she warned before taking her leave as well, closing the door behind her and standing guard outside.
The Doctor was left in a confused state. Had he been missing something? Why did she look like she was ready to yell? He had so many questions to ask.
"You shouldn't take it personally," Clara spoke, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Donna is my best friends, so I think it's only natural she gets a bit protective."
John immediately rushed to her side and placed his bag on the nightstand. "How are you feeling? Does your leg feel numb? Are you experiencing a burning sensation in your leg?" he asked frantically.
"Doctor, I am absolutely fine. Like I said, it's probably just a bruise."
He nodded silently before he looked down at his feet. "If you don't mind, I still have to check it… which leg is it?" he said quietly, almost in a whisper. "Sorry."
"Left leg," she replied, amused at how John was behaving like a shy teenager.
He drew the covers slightly and began examining her ankle with shaky hands. He had done this sort of thing numerous times before so there was no reason for him to be nervous, but he was, and he hoped Clara didn't notice his strange behaviour.
She hissed in a pain when he applied pressure to the bruise, confirming his suspicions. "I can happily say you don't have any broken bones -just a twisted ankle," he murmured, pulling the covers. "I'll tell… your best friend to get some ice."
"See, I told you."
He wrinkled his nose. "Could have been worse and I would have hated to see that."
"I'm sure John would be doing more than just apologising if that were the case," she answered.
John glanced at the door. He didn't see why he couldn't have a quick conversation with her, and so he took a seat in the chair next to the bed. "Ah, so the man with the funny chin has a name."
Clara smiled at him. "Do I sense jealousy?"
"Why would I be jealous?" he replied a bit too quickly.
"I don't know, why would you be jealous?"
Here they were, dancing around each other once again. The Doctor glanced away from her.
"Did you get my letter?" she questioned, changing the subject.
"I did," he answered, producing the letter from his jacket pocket. "Although, I haven't had the chance to read it."
"I'll just put you up to speed then."
He stared at her. "I should be leaving."
Silence surrounded the room, both not saying a word before they glanced at each other again started laughing quietly. "I will ask your friend to fetch an ice pack for real this time."
The Doctor strode to the door, pulled it opened and told Donna to get an ice pack.
"Fine, but like I said, try anything funny Medicine Boy and I'll kick you all the way to the police station," she said, eyeing John like a hawk.
He refrained from rolling his eyes and closed the door shut.
"I take it she does that to everyone?" he commented, taking his seat.
"Almost everyone – anyway, so, as it turns out John Foreman is a childhood friend of mine."
The Doctor's attack eyebrows arched up.
"I only found out today – before falling off his horse."
It made a lot of sense why the young man looked at Clara as if she was the stars. He was smitten with her from the very beginning.
"I take it the two of you are serious then?"
"What? No!" she denied immediately. "I don't see why I have to fall for him just because we met once when we were children."
"And yet, here he is, probably thinking about you downstairs. I think you like him… but it was reckless of him to let you anywhere near his untamed horse."
Clara wasn't entirely sure what possessed her that moment but her left arm seemed to be moving by itself as it held John's hand. "One, Idris was well-behaved. I suppose she was spooked by a stranger being near her, and two, believe me, it's going to take a lot more than just a handsome face to make me fall for someone."
The Doctor caressed her hand gently, smiling at her. "Maybe you will."
"Maybe my mind has made up."
John sighed. Why would Clara want an old fool like him? She deserves better and the young man with the funny chin seems like the ideal husband for her.
"How about we give some time? Perhaps you'll change your mind?" he suggested, and he could see the anger and annoyance bubbling inside her and so, he grabbed her hand with both of his and pressed a long gentle kiss to the back of her hand, never breaking eye contact.
A knock was heard, and both were initially startled before distancing themselves away from one another.
Clara cleared her throat as John stood up. "Come in."
As Donna marched down the stairs, she walked past John who looked like a kicked puppy, waiting for any sort of news.
"How is Clara?" he questioned her.
Donna glared at the young man and he slowly backed away. "The Doctor told me to get an ice pack so I'm guessing she's fine."
He followed her to the kitchen. "What else did he say? She hasn't broken any bones, has she?"
"The Doctor didn't mention that, so I guess her bones are still intact," she replied, fighting the urge to add a comment about breaking his bones.
"Can I deliver the ice pack?" John asked. "Please, it's the least I can do. I still feel very much guilty of what transpired."
She reluctantly handed him the ice pack and he smiled at her gratefully before rushing out of the kitchen.
"Oh boy, John and John are going to be properly introduced."
John Foreman raced up the steps with the ice pack in one hand, stopping in front of Clara's bedroom door before knocking.
"Come in."
He twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open. He couldn't really tell why but there was a strange kind of silence in the room when he entered, but he brushed it off. "I have your ice pack."
"Thank you, you can just give it to me," the Doctor said a bit harshly before drawing the covers slightly to place the ice pack on her bruised ankle.
Sensing the two men aren't off to a good start, Clara decided to introduce them to one another, "John, this my Doctor, Dr John Smith, and Doctor, this my friend, John Foreman."
The two men didn't shake hands but merely acknowledge one another.
"I would advise you to tame your horse properly before letting anyone near it to avoid this kind of predicament. Miss Oswald could have suffered more serious injuries."
John Foreman was taken back by the comment. "My horse is well tamed, thank you very much, but Idris got a bit too excited about being out in the open. I can assure you it won't happen again."
Before the Doctor could throw another insult, Dave Oswald dashed into the room. "Clara! Are you alright, darling?"
Clara groaned. She was sure that was the 12th time she heard the same question. "Yes, I am fine. The Doctor said I've only bruised my ankle. Can everyone stop acting as if I'm on my deathbed?"
All three men stared at her.
Dave caressed her hair. "I'm sorry, I was only concerned."
"I think it's time for me to leave," the Doctor said as he grabbed his bag.
"Thank you, Dr Smith, once again," Dave said. "Just send me the bill and I will pay it immediately."
"Mr Oswald, if you don't mind, I'd like to pay for the bill - it's only right after what happened."
Dave nodded. "We can talk about that later," he then diverted his attention back to the Doctor. "Just send me the bill and thank you for well, taking care of my daughter."
"The pleasure is mine, Mr Oswald," he said, taking a quick glance at Clara before leaving.
Once Dave and John left the room to let Clara rest, Dave began speaking. "Would like to tell me what happened? Mr Rentford said Clara was riding your horse when she fell."
John wanted to do nothing more than to hide under a rock or let the ground swallow him. Anything but being questioned by his possible future father-in-law.
The young man cleared his throat. "That's exactly what happened, and I apologise Mr Oswald, I'm sure you're angry with me and you have every right-"
"Nonsense, boy! I was very concerned for Clara's well-being but it's only going to bring the two of you closer together."
"You're not mad, sir?"
"No, no, no. It was an accident. Hardly your fault but I am impressed you're taking responsibility. I tell you what. Clara, she loves having dinner at this one restaurant called 'Gallifrey'. Why don't you make amends by having dinner with her say, in three days time?"
John smiled. "I do believe that's a good idea."
"Brilliant!" Dave exclaimed. "Now, for dessert, I would recommend you order the chocolate soufflé – that's her favourite."
The two men chatted away, unaware that she was only falling deeper for John Smith and not John Foreman.