CHAPTER 34
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THE HAPPY DAY IS FINALLY HERE AT LAST
"Didn't we just do this? I'd say that we all got caught in a time loop if I didn't know any better," Clara said with an amused smile as Merry and Angie helped her make last minute adjustments to her wedding dress once more for the second time that day.
Merry immediately gave her an angry look as she said, "I'm glad that you think this is all so amusing because I certainly don't. I just spent the last hour helping Gran and Angie sew up several rips and tears in this dress that wouldn't have been there at all if you hadn't spent the entire day fighting for your life . . . again. Do I get a single word of thanks for that? No, of course I don't!"
A guilty look instantly quickly came over Clara's face and she hugged her tightly in gratitude as she said, "I do appreciate it. I really do. I was just teasing you. It's what I do to the people that I care about. I really didn't mean anything by it though. Winding people up is just my way of showing them that I love them."
Merry briefly smiled as she said in a much gentler voice, "I know and I'm sorry that I yelled at you. That's . . . That's not really what I was mad about anyway. I heard what the Rani said. She said that she almost erased you. That's when I realized that while all of this running through time and space is fun that it can also be deadly serious. I just . . . I don't want to lose you, Mum. I really wish that you'd be more careful. Couldn't you be a little less involved in life threatening situations from now on?"
Artie immediately began to laugh as he said, "You do know that this is Clara that you're talking about, right?"
"Shut up. You're no help whatsoever. Do you know that?" Merry said in anger.
"Hey! No fighting especially not today, alright? I promise that I'll do my best, okay? Although this last time really wasn't my fault, you know? It's not like I asked Ushas to suddenly bust up my wedding was it?" Clara said with a warm smile.
"No, but you seem to be a magnet for trouble. It just comes right to you. Sometimes it almost feels like you want it to happen. It's almost like you actually enjoy it," Merry said with a troubled look.
Clara looked even more guilty now as she said in a hesitant voice, "I . . . I guess I do in a way. Being in constant danger of dying at any moment makes me feel more alive if that makes sense. I've always been this way to be honest. I love the thrill of it all. I never thought of how that might affect you though, sweetie, and I'm so very sorry for that. I promise that I really will try to be more careful from now on. Alright?"
Merry nodded as she admitted, "I kind of loved the thrill too . . . until I realized just how close that I had come to losing you. Then it suddenly wasn't so fun anymore."
Clara hugged her once again as she said in a soothing voice, "Don't worry so much, alright? I'm okay and I'm going to make sure that I stay that way by not taking any more unnecessary risks from now on. I promise. I love you, Merry. I love you more than anything even seeing new planets or saving the universe. Don't ever doubt that."
Merry's only answer was to hold onto her tightly and refuse to let go.
"I'm sorry," Clara whispered as she kissed her cheek.
The Rani watched all of this with a growing sense of guilt from just outside of the dressing room as she said to herself in a low voice, "Not half as much as I am."
Then she walked away from the doorway with tears in her eyes as she silently promised herself that she would never do anything to ever cause Clara's daughter or anyone else that she loved to be that upset again. Not that that was likely to be a problem anyway after the Time Lords were finished with her.
"You actually feel guilty about this, don't you? You definitely have changed," The Doctor noted as he saw her silently crying in the corner.
"I made that poor child cry at her mother's wedding because of what I did. I actually caused her to think of a loved one's death for what was probably the first time in her life. Of course I feel guilty. I completely traumatized that poor girl," The Rani said in a mournful voice.
"You're definitely a far cry from the woman that you became after your father died. You actually seem to care about people again. Or at least I think that you do anyway. I don't quite understand feelings that well in this new body so I might be mistaken about that," The Doctor said with no change of emotion on his face whatsoever.
"No, you're not," The Rani said with a fond smile as she kissed his cheek.
The Doctor stiffened and looked shocked as the Rani reassured him, "That was purely a kiss of friendship. Nothing more."
"No, it's not that, Matron. You'll have to excuse the Professor. Ever since he regenerated any kind of display of emotion freaks him out . . . except for when it comes from Clara of course. For some reason, that's still perfectly okay," Ace said with a mischievous smile.
"He's only loved her since he was a child. Of course it's okay," Tish said with a chuckle.
"Did she just call me Matron?" The Rani said to the Doctor with a perturbed look.
It was Jenny who answered her as she said with a good natured smile, "Don't let it bother you. She loves giving people cute little nicknames like that just like Clara does. She calls me Little Sister for instance, and sometimes she does it so much that I just want to punch her for it. I know she doesn't really mean anything by it though. You just have to get used to it."
The Rani eagerly smiled back at her and found herself liking Jenny already and being extremely appreciative of her attempts to reach out to her as she said, "Does she have to call me Matron though? She makes me sound like some angry schoolteacher with a heavy ruler in my hand that I'm all too eager to use on somebody as quickly as possible."
"Sounds about right to me," The Master quipped causing her to glare at him.
"Koschei, behave yourself. This is Clara's wedding day, remember?" Tish said in a disapproving tone.
"Sorry. I just can't help it. She always brings out that reaction in me," The Master apologized.
"Really? That's not what I heard. In fact, you seemed to have quite a different reaction to her earlier according to the Doctor," Tish said with a stern look on her face.
The Rani and The Master both turned bright red as the Master said to the Doctor in a furious voice, "That's it! This time I really am going to kill you. I don't care if it is Alura's wedding. I'm going to kill you . . . again. She'll gladly thank me for it later once she comes to her senses. I'm sure of it."
Then suddenly a stern looking Jenny put a restraining hand on his arm as she said in an admonishing tone, "Don't."
The Master visibly calmed down as he said in a much more controlled tone, "Yes, you're right. I love Alura too much to do this to her. It's not worth it. Not even for the pleasure of getting to kill him again."
"Now was that so much to ask?" Jenny said as the usual good natured smile returned to her features once more and she hugged him.
The Rani looked at her in surprise as she said to Tish, "That's amazing. I've never seen anyone handle him that easily. Not even you. No wonder Ace calls her Little Sister."
"Yes, she's just like everyone's little sister. She's definitely a calming influence on him alright," Tish said with a smile.
"Listen . . . I just wanted to say that nothing happened back on my TARDIS. He just kissed me in order to distract me. That's all it was. That's all it ever could be," The Rani immediately said in a reassuring voice.
Tish laughed as she said, "Yes, he definitely has a distracting kiss alright."
Then she turned serious as she said, "Thank you for telling me that. I didn't believe that anything really happened, but it's nice to hear it from you as well."
"So you believe her and not me?" The Master said in disbelief.
"I never said I thought you enjoyed it," Tish insisted.
"Why did you even bring it up at all then?" The Master asked in confusion.
"To make sure that you know never to use that particular . . . distraction ever again in the future," Tish said with a brief warning look that quickly became a reassuring smile.
"Believe me. I definitely won't," The Master said as he looked at the Rani with a shudder.
"Oh, please. It couldn't possibly have been that bad," The Rani said in an indignant tone.
"I'd rather have kissed a Dalek. Not that there's really that much of a difference between them," The Master muttered causing Tish, who was the only one who could hear him, to instantly burst out laughing even as she gave a scowling Rani an apologetic look.
"I'm not really sure what all of the fuss is about. It's not like he actually kissed her because he was in love with her anyway. Even I can tell that," The Doctor said to Jenny in a confused voice.
"So you wouldn't mind it for instance if someone suddenly kissed Clara right before the wedding like say one of your other selves?" Jenny said with an evil smile.
The Doctor's face filled with fury and his eyes seemed as if they were about to pop right out of his head as he said, "Which one of them did it? I bet it was Babbling Man Child wasn't it? That big chinned . . . !"
"Nothing happened, Dad. It was just an example. Now you know exactly what the big deal was though, don't you?" Jenny pointed out.
The Doctor nodded as he said, "Yes, I suppose I do. Thank you, Jenny, for helping me to understand. Thank you for being so understanding about how I am in this new incarnation period. Even if I don't show it like I used to, I still . . . Well, you know."
Jenny smiled as she kissed his cheek and said, "I love you too."
"Yes, and quite right too," The Doctor said as he looked at her with eyes filled with warmth.
Rose shook her head and groaned while she watched this as she said to the Metacrisis, "Blimey! No version of you can say those words to anyone can you? Not even your own daughter."
"It becomes much easier to pretend that you don't feel anything once you're lost so many people. It makes things hurt just a little less that way once they're actually gone. I always regretted not telling you exactly how I felt about you back then though. Always," The Metacrisis admitted in a sad voice.
Rose kissed him and gave him a wide grin as she said, "I always knew it anyway. I would have just liked to have been told every once in a while, yeah? Besides I've got you nicely trained now anyway so that you always say it."
"Trained?!" The Metacrisis said in an angry voice.
Ten smirked at him as he said, "Yes, like a dog, mate. It's not like it's anything to be ashamed of though. I'm in the exact same boat. Not that I care too much."
He smiled at Marion while he said this as she rolled her eyes at him before smiling and kissing him.
"That's my lovable idiot alright," Marion said as Rose laughed at the way that Ten looked dazed after she pulled away from him.
"He never changes does he? He always looks like someone slapped him silly every time anyone kisses him. Mine does that too," Rose admitted with a chuckle.
"So does mine. Although in his case, sometimes I actually do slap him silly after I kiss him especially when he annoys me," Clara said with a wicked smile as she entered the room.
"I'm sure that only happens once or twice a day though at the most, right?" Rose said with a giggle.
"Yeah, sure," Clara said with a snort of derision.
Then she noticed the Doctor looking at her with a dumbstruck expression on his face that made her instantly say in an amused voice, "What's with the befuddled look, Old Man? I haven't even given you your daily slap for the day just yet so you should still have all of your senses intact . . . more or less."
"It's just that you . . . you just look so . . . incredible," The Doctor said in a voice filled with awe.
Clara smiled at him with her eyes filled with love as she said, "You don't look so bad yourself . . . for a cute little skeleton man."
"No, I really mean it. I've seen many beautiful things on my travels but you . . . you make them all look like . . . I – I . . . I'm trying so hard to say something from the hearts. I – I'm sorry, Clara. It's just so hard to do in this incarnation," The Doctor said in a frustrated voice.
"It's alright. I know exactly what you meant and it was wonderful," Clara said in a soft voice as she kissed him.
"Love even translates Doctor," Rose agreed as she grabbed the Metacrisis' hand.
"I'm glad that something does," The Master couldn't resist saying earning himself an instant look of fury from everyone else there.
"What?" The Master said in an innocent tone that didn't quite work for him.
As in it didn't work at all of course.
Ellie Oswald walked in at that moment and instantly said to Clara without missing a beat, "So what did the Doctor do and/or say now?"
"For once nothing, Mum. It was Koschei this time. The Doctor's actually being very sweet right now," Clara said as she smiled at the Doctor who gleefully smirked at the Master.
"Well, I knew it had to be one of them. Whenever everyone's all angry at once like this, it's always one of those two behind it all somehow," Ellie said with a tone of experience.
"I see where Clara gets her acid wit from now. She was much nicer back on Gallifrey. Well, she was somewhat nicer anyway," The Doctor said with a shrug.
"And you were doing so well too," Clara said with a frown.
"That's funny. I always thought that Clara got her absolutely fabulous sense of humor from me," Clara's grandmother, Carolyn, said as she entered the room with Dave Oswald.
"Gran!" Clara shouted with joy as she rushed forward to hug her.
"So she came after all. I was hoping that she would and I know that Clara was. She really wanted her to be here. It's really bothered Clara that she hasn't come to see her since we found out the truth about her even if she won't say that out loud," Ellie whispered to Dave in a disapproving tone.
"It isn't what you think. She could care less when she found out that Clara is an alien because she absolutely adores her. In fact, she asked me if that meant that Clara would take her to see the moon. She was actually excited about it. That wasn't it at all," Dave said.
"Then what is?" Ellie asked with concern as she noticed for the first time that Dave's mother wasn't looking well.
"She's very sick. She's been that way for a while now. The doctors all say that she needs to rest and not to push herself too hard but she insisted on being here. That's how much she loves Clara, Ellie," Dave said in a sad voice.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Ellie said in a surprised voice.
"She didn't want anyone to know especially when she found out that Clara was engaged. She didn't want it to ruin her wedding," Dave said as he gave his mother a worried look.
"I think Clara will notice anyway. She looks very pale," Ellie pointed out.
"She's just going to tell her that she's got the flu and hope that she doesn't read her mind to find out the truth. That's how much that she didn't want to miss this day," Dave explained.
The Rani couldn't help but overhear them and quietly listened in on them as they further discussed the old woman's condition. It made her understand for the first time just how truly wrong that she had been about humans. She had once thought them worthless, useless creatures barely even fit for a good experiment due to their short lifespans and extreme susceptibility to disease and injury, but now she could see just how very brave that they really were in the way that they pressed on and persevered even despite all of that.
But then she had been oh so wrong about a great many things in her life, hadn't she?
If Clara knew the truth about her grandmother, then she definitely didn't let it show as she continued to smile and act just as chipper as ever while she talked with her. It was clear to everyone watching that Clara loved her grandmother a great deal and was extremely pleased to see her there.
"Yes, Gran. I promise that I'll take you to the moon just as soon as the honeymoon's over," Clara said as she shook her head at her grandmother's almost child-like enthusiasm at the prospect.
"I'm actually not sure why she wants to go to be honest. When you've seen one giant alien egg, you've seen them all," The Doctor said with a shrug.
"What?" Dave asked in confusion.
"Don't ask," Clara said with a wide grin.
"It's just one of those things that I always wanted to do ever since I watched the first moon landing on television. I suppose I'd like to cross it off of my list of things to do while I'm still alive. I'm not getting any younger after all," Carolyn said in a nonchalant tone that somehow betrayed no signs of worry or concern whatsoever.
"You're not going anywhere, Gran. Don't you even dare," Clara said as she gave her a small smile.
Carolyn only smiled back at her in response but otherwise said nothing. What else could she do?
"Is everyone finally here then at last? I'd like to finally get this wedding underway as soon as possible. I have another appointment later today, and you've already made me wait long enough to do this particular wedding as it is. Really, Doctor, is anything in your life even remotely normal? You can't even have a wedding without having an old enemy come back to kill you during it. Let's not even get into having all of your other selves here and having to sit here and listen to them all argue and bicker with one another this entire time. This is all just so very you, isn't it?" Tasha Lem said with a barely concealed smile of amusement as she pretended to be angry.
"Well, one thing's for sure, Tash. At least when you're around him, you're never ever in any danger of being bored, are you?" Clara said with a grin.
"Why do you think I came? I needed a little break from my official duties right now," Tasha admitted as she finally allowed her own smile to show at last.
"Well, it's nice to know that fighting for my life and for the fate of all of time and space helped cure your boredom. That makes it all worth it then," Clara quipped.
"I find that you have to take your thrills in life whenever and wherever you can get them," Tasha said with a small smile.
"That's so very true," The Doctor said as he eagerly nodded in agreement.
"Why am I not the slightest bit surprised that you'd agree with that, Old Man?" Clara said with a grin.
"Let's get this ceremony under way then. Before we do however, I just have to ask you one last question, Clara. Are all of the Doctors going to be standing beside you for the actual ceremony or just this one? I'm not sure marrying someone to so many people at once is legal anywhere in the universe even if they are all the same person," Tasha said with a mischievous smile.
Clara quickly blushed as she said, "Just shut up and marry us. Me and the Old Man I mean. Not . . . Not me and . . . Just shut up!"
Tasha laughed at Clara's obvious embarrassment as she took her place in the front of the room to begin the ceremony. She actually liked Clara a great deal but she couldn't resist making her suffer just a little.
She was taking the Doctor off the market after all. She would never again be able to fantasize about eventually going off somewhere with him after her career as Mother Superious was over.
She couldn't blame the wily old Time Lord for wanting to marry Clara though. In her opinion, he had definitely found the perfect match for himself in her. She never would have agreed to perform their marriage personally if she hadn't approved of her after all.
"Since I really don't have time for a huge ceremony anymore thanks to your friend's trying to kill you and all, Clara, I'll just skip over all of the formalities and get straight to the important part. You don't mind do you?" Tasha asked.
"Do I really have a choice?" Clara asked in a resigned voice.
"Not really, no," Tasha said with obvious glee.
"She's really enjoying torturing me way too much," Clara whispered to the Doctor.
"She doesn't mean anything by it. Not really. It's just that she fancies me and can't stand to let me go without putting you through a few hoops first. It's only natural. Don't take it personally," The Doctor said in a completely unconcerned manner.
"You know that's one of the things that I love about you, Doctor. You're just so incredibly modest," Clara said with a smirk.
"Yes, I am, aren't I?" The Doctor said with no trace of humor on his face whatsoever.
"Everyone take their places now. Doctors, all of you stand nearby since Clara's not actually marrying all of you at once . . . or so she says anyway, Feel free to say yes right alongside your future self if you wish though. I won't try to stop you. Who am I to stand in the way of true love?" Tasha said with a snicker.
"Just stop it already," Clara said with a sigh.
"You're no fun," Tasha said with a grin.
"Just get on with it and quit teasing Clara or you might find a little present in your ship when you go back to it. One that's got a ten second timer on it . . . if you're lucky," Ace said with a sinister smile.
"Now you I like. You know exactly how to play along," Tasha said with approval.
"She's not joking," The Doctor said in a completely serious voice.
"I know. That's what makes her so interesting. Fine. Let's do this then. Doctor, do you want me to use your real name or do you just wish to be called Doctor?" Tasha asked.
Clara gave the Doctor a surprised look as he quickly said, "You don't know my real name. I never told it to you."
"I know but I thought I might trick it out of you. If nothing else, it definitely made Clara jump didn't it?" Tasha said with a chuckle.
"Okay, that's it. I've tried to be nice because I know you're just teasing me but I've had enough. One more little put down and I'll slap you all the way back to that church of yours. Got it?" Clara said in a voice filled with fury.
Tasha immediately looked apologetic as she said, "Sorry. I suppose I did get a bit out of hand there. I was just enjoying myself so much though. This is so much better than the boring everyday duties of the church that I usually have to deal with . . . and maybe I was a bit jealous. No hard feelings?"
"Just maybe, yeah? You think so? Seriously though no hard feelings," Clara reassured her.
Tasha smiled with approval as she said, "Good. Now let's get to the main event. Doctor, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do. In fact, I should have a long, long time ago," The Doctor said as his other selves looked on in approval.
"Clara Oswald or Alura Heartshaven, whichever you prefer, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Tasha asked.
Clara frowned for a moment as she said, "Does this mean that I have to put up with him even when he's being especially annoying?"
"I'm afraid so. Still interested?" Tasha said as she started to smile.
Clara seemed to consider it for a moment while the Doctor turned pale before finally smiling at him and saying, "Yeah, I suppose he's worth it. I guess I'll keep him."
"So that's a yes then?" Tasha asked as she struggled not to laugh at the exasperated look on the Doctor's face at that moment.
"Yes, I do," Clara said without hesitation now.
"Why did you look so serious for, Mr. Grim? You know I do," Clara said in a serious tone as she kissed the Doctor.
"Wait a minute. You're jumping the gun a bit there. I didn't pronounce you man and wife yet," Tasha protested.
"Just call that a freebie then. By the way, you're not the only one that can relentlessly tease someone you know?" Clara said with an evil smile.
Tasha rolled her eyes as she said, "Ah, so this is revenge then? I guess I deserve that. Alright let's make this official then. With the power vested in me by well, me, and the Papal Mainframe, I now pronounce you man and wife. Now you can officially kiss him."
"Don't mind if I do," Clara said happily as she gave the Doctor a passionate kiss amid a chorus of cheers from all of the attendees.
Tasha now quietly left even as she silently wished Clara and the Doctor a long, happy life together. She decided that even if it couldn't be her marrying him that Clara was probably the next best thing after all.
Or at least she would do unless and until the Doctor ever actually came to his senses anyway.
Marion now gave an audible sigh of relief as she said, "Blimey! I thought I'd never actually pull it off!"
"You and me both," Clara said as she winked at her.
"No thanks to me. I have a way of making that all up to you now though, Clara," The Rani said.
"You don't need to do that, Ushas. I forgive you for everything. You know that," Clara said meaning it.
"I know but I want to do this. I need to do this . . . for you. That way all of the terrible things that I've done in the name of Science will at least have something good come out of them," The Rani said.
"What do you mean?" Clara asked curiously.
"You'll see. This is my wedding present to you, Clara Oswald," The Rani said as she pulled a needle out of one of her bracelets and walked towards Clara's grandmother with it.
"Ushas, what are you doing?" The Doctor asked suspiciously as Dave looked on in alarm.
"What's happening?" Dave asked Clara as he quickly got in-between his mother and the Rani and stood there protectively.
A frustrated look came over the Rani's face now as she looked back at Clara, and a brief moment of wordless communication passed between the two Time Ladies. Then after what seemed like an eternity to Ushas, Clara suddenly smiled and nodded at her.
"Let her by, Dad. I trust her. Whatever she's going to do, I know that it won't be anything that would hurt Gran," Clara said in a completely confident voice.
"Clara, are you sure?" The Doctor asked in a hesitant voice.
"Yes, she's the same old Ushas again. I know she is," Clara said.
"Thank you," The Rani said with an appreciative smile.
Dave now reluctantly moved aside as the Rani gave him a reassuring look. Then she stopped in front of Carolyn and gave her a warm smile.
"This won't hurt a bit. Well, not much anyway. It'll be just like one of those shots that you get in the hospital only this one will be far more effective," The Rani said as she stuck the needle that she carried in Carolyn's arm.
"I feel stronger already. I'm not weak all of the time like I was before," Carolyn said in surprise.
"That's because it's already taking effect. My nanogenes should already be restoring your body completely back to normal," The Rani said with a pleased expression.
"You mean I'm not dying anymore?" Carolyn asked in stunned disbelief.
"What?" Clara asked in surprise as she gave her father an accusing look.
The Rani smiled as she said to Carolyn, "Yes, you're going to be completely fine now. You see I've studied your species for centuries now and know all of the ins and out of your genetic code including how to repair it. Even old age means nothing to someone who knows how to do a complete rewrite of all of the human body's systems."
"Ushas, what happens to the nanotech after it finishes?" The Doctor asked with a suspicious look on his face.
The Rani groaned as she said, "It stays in her system and keeps her body repaired of course. It's not going to turn her into a monster or something if that's what you're worried about."
"Wait a minute. Are you saying . . . ?" Clara asked in surprise.
"What? What's going on?" Dave asked.
The Rani shook her head as she said, "She won't be immortal, Clara. I have however given her a little extension on her life. The nanotech will make sure of that."
"What kind of an extension?" Carolyn asked curiously.
The Rani smiled as she said, "Oh, I'd say about twenty years or so give or take a year here or there. I fooled your body into turning back the clock, you see? Your appearance won't change but technically you'll have the body of a woman at least twenty years younger than you. I didn't want to disrupt your life too much after all."
"Thank you! I already feel much stronger. I can actually stand up for longer than five seconds without wanting to fall over now," Carolyn said as she gratefully hugged the Rani.
"Now I see where she gets the hugging from," The Rani said with an elated smile.
"When she's done, I want to be the next in line. Thank you, Ushas. I'll never be able to repay you for this. I just wish that I had known that she was that sick. I don't normally read the minds of family. Maybe it's time that I started though," Clara said as she gave her father an angry stare.
"Don't be angry at him. I told him not to tell you. I didn't want to ruin the wedding for you," Carolyn said.
"Yeah, because having you suddenly drop over not long afterwards from whatever you had wouldn't have ruined it at all," Clara said in an upset voice.
"It doesn't matter what she had. It's gone now and it won't ever come back again. I made sure of that," The Rani said dismissively.
"Thank you and I'm sorry that I was suspicious of you," Dave said to her in an apologetic tone.
"It's alright. You had a perfect right to be suspicious after what I did. Not anymore though. No one will ever need to worry about that again. The Time Lords will make sure of that," The Rani said sadly as she looked behind him.
They all turned to see a member of the High Council in full ceremonial robes standing there impassively watching her. They all knew immediately what he had come there to do.
"Now wait just a minute. Before you take her back to Gallifrey for a trial, I just want to say something in her defense," Clara protested.
"So do I," The Doctor said surprising everyone.
"I've always wanted to help her as much as I could. She was my friend once after all despite what she's done," The Doctor explained.
"And will be again one day I hope," The Rani said with a hopeful look.
"Yes, I hope so as well. I hope that there still will be another day actually," The Doctor said as he gave her a clearly worried look.
The Rani smiled as she realized that he didn't want anything to happen to her any more than Clara did.
"I wish to speak for her too. She helped me when no one else could. I think that should count for something," Carolyn spoke up as she stood in front of the Council member without fear.
"That's not why I did it. I wasn't looking for leniency. I was just trying to make amends for spoiling Clara's wedding . . . and I did it because she's my friend," The Rani protested.
The Council member's formerly impassive face now changed into an expression of approval as he began to smile and said, "Yes, and I can see that you truly mean that as well after reading your thoughts. You truly have changed thanks to Alura. She seems to have become a positive influence on you. In fact, thanks to her you've actually started to use your incredible skill in genetics to help people once more. Yes, I think that should definitely be taken into account."
"So do I get to speak now?" Clara asked eagerly.
"There's no need to actually. I believe that I've already seen enough to make a decision. In fact, the Council already fully backs my decision. I've just informed them of it through our link with one another and they heartily approve," The Council member said.
"Wait a minute. I want to have a say before you just decide on the spur of the moment to do something to her," Clara protested.
"You're not even attempting to read my mind are you? That shows exactly how very human that you've become. Maybe it's that human influence inside of you that's helped to make a difference here, and that already makes me think that this decision is the right one," The Council member said with a warm smile.
"What decision? What are you . . . ? Oh! I see," Clara said as a surprised look suddenly appeared on her face.
"Something tells me that Mama Bear finally read his mind," Ace said to Jenny who smiled back at her.
"So have I and I completely agree with it. For once, the High Council were actually using their brains for something useful," The Doctor said with open disdain.
"Oi! Don't make him angry," Clara hissed.
"I'm just choosing to ignore him, Lady Alura, much as you must constantly do," The Council member said with a smirk.
"Ooh, he got you there, Grimmy," Clara said with a giggle as the Doctor frowned in disapproval.
"So what's going to happen to her? You never have said and I can't read minds like Clara," Carolyn asked anxiously as she looked at the Rani with concern.
The Rani smiled and said, "He's going to put me on probation and let me stay with Clara. Clara's going to help reform me for lack of a better term. He thinks that Clara can help me become a better person once again and you know . . . he's right."
Carolyn laughed with joy as she said, "Well, I could have told him that right from the start. It would have saved us a lot of trouble."
"Well, it certainly worked for the Master . . . mostly," The Doctor said with an evil smile that immediately caused the Master to give him an angry stare.
Then the Doctor became completely serious as he said, "And I know that she's made me a better person."
Clara smiled in approval and kissed him even as the Council member added with a smirk, "That's still somewhat debatable."
The Doctor openly glared at him now even as the Master laughed.
"Don't you have somewhere else to be now that you've finally made your decision? Shouldn't you be off annoying the Shobogans and prosecuting them just for breathing or something? Or did Commander Maxil steal all of your fun for the day?" The Doctor said in an annoyed voice.
"It's always such a pleasure dealing with you, Doctor. I'm actually here to make sure that all of your other selves wind up back in their proper time zones and don't cause any further havoc to the timelines. I was going to let you say good bye to them before I sent them back," The Council member said with a look of disdain.
"Ah, I see," The Doctor said.
Then he turned to his other selves and mockingly waved good bye before saying, "There. Are you happy now? Ready to go yet?"
The Council member sighed as he said, "I meant I was giving Alura a chance to say good bye to them."
"Oh. Well, if she must," The Doctor said in an undeniably jealous tone.
Clara smiled at him even as she shook her head at him and said, "I love you, you daft old man. All of you. I always have and I always will. I'm not going to favor one of you over the others because I love each and every one of you exactly the same."
Then she gave the past Doctors an appraising gaze as she said, "Although some of them aren't half bad to look at. I really should at least give them all a good bye kiss, don't you think?"
The Doctor immediately turned red with jealousy as he said, "No, I think they should leave as soon as possible. The Web of Time is in constant danger the longer that they stay here."
"It's just way too easy to wind you up, Mr. Grim. It's almost no fun anymore. Almost," Clara said with a good natured laugh as she kissed him.
The Doctor immediately looked relieved when she finally said, "I'll just give them all a hug . . . if that meets your approval of course."
"It's more than most of them deserve but I suppose there's no reason why you shouldn't," The Doctor said dismissively.
"Is he always this tetchy? He makes even me look a giddy school child at times," The First Doctor asked as Clara hugged him first.
"He's not so bad. Not with me anyway," Clara reassured him.
"Well, if he ever gets too out of control, you can always call on us. We'll gladly sort him out for you, my dear," The Third Doctor said with a warm smile.
"I'd like to see you try," The Twelfth Doctor said with a snort.
"He's definitely not the best tempered of us, is he? I've certainly had happier incarnations," The Fifth Doctor noted.
"I rather like him myself," The Sixth Doctor said proudly.
"You would though wouldn't you, old chap? He's like an older version of you only with better fashion sense. Not much better mind you," The Fourth Doctor said.
"Don't listen to them, Alura. They're just jealous. They all know that he'll treat you well. They just wish that it was one of them that you were traveling with instead. I know because I feel the exact same way myself," The Second Doctor admitted with a fond smile.
"I'll be keeping a watchful eye on him though just in case so don't worry," The Seventh Doctor said.
"And how are you going to do that I wonder? You won't even remember this at all once all of our timestreams sync up once more," The Eighth Doctor asked.
"Oh, I'll find a way," The Seventh Doctor said enigmatically.
"If any of them could, it would be that one alright," Ace said.
The Seventh Doctor smiled in approval at her even as Clara finally reached Eleven at last after hugging her way through all of the other Doctors. She held onto him longer than any of the others it seemed much to the current Doctor's dismay.
After the Twelfth Doctor loudly cleared his throat, Clara said, "Sorry. I just recently lost this you though and I suppose I'm still not quite over it just yet."
"Well, that's perfectly understandable. I am extremely hard to forget after all what with my rugged good looks and extra cool bow tie," The Eleventh Doctor said smugly.
"Yes, who wouldn't want all of that? It's like she just won the lottery," Ten said sarcastically.
"Exactly," The Eleventh Doctor said proudly.
"I really do get a bit thick when I become him, don't I? I suppose that's obvious just from the way he dresses though," The Ninth Doctor said with a smirk.
"Oi! Was that a cheap shot about my magnificent wardrobe? Bow ties are cool I'll have you know. Far cooler than that silly old jumper of yours," The Eleventh Doctor said angrily.
"At least it doesn't make me look like I picked my clothes out of the rubbish bin," The Ninth Doctor shot back.
"No, just the latest yard sale," The Eleventh Doctor said with a triumphant smile.
"I think you can send them back now. They're probably just going to keep doing this until you do, and then I'll create a major paradox by killing at least half of them way too early," Clara joked to the Council member.
"Yes, I definitely agree. I'm not sure how you put up with them this long actually," The Council member said as all of the past Doctors but Ten began to be rapidly sent back to their TARDISes and restored to their proper places in the timestream.
"What can I say? It's definitely true love," Clara said with a warm smile as she waved good bye to each Doctor just before they vanished.
"Yes, well, it would have to be wouldn't it? I suppose it's time to say good bye now, Lady Alura. I'd wish you good luck but I'm not sure all of the luck in the universe would help you in a life with him. I still wish you well though despite that," The Council member said as he too disappeared now.
"I see the High Council has picked a better class of idiots to join its ranks these days. Good for them. That one was actually able to speak in complete sentences," The Doctor said in a voice filled with venom.
Clara groaned as she said, "Yes, I can already see that this honeymoon is going to be filled with fun alright. Can you not be Mr. Grumpy for at least one day? Please?"
Then she kissed him.
The Doctor actually smiled now as he said in a much happier tone, "Well, I'll certainly work on it."
Clara kissed him once again as she said, "What was that?"
"Keep kissing me like that and you won't be able to tell me from Bow Tie Boy," The Doctor said as his smile now began to rapidly fill his entire face.
Clara laughed as she said, "That's better. And that, Marion, is how you really train your Doctor. Please take notes for the future. Well? Are we going or what?"
The Doctor gave her a blank stare now as he said in a dazed voice, "Going where?"
"The honeymoon? Remember? Watch and learn, Marion. Too much kissing can completely wipe his brain for a while. Sometimes even us seasoned pros can overdo it," Clara said as she waved her hand in front of his face in amusement as he continued to stare at her.
"You're definitely not telling me anything that I didn't already know, mate," Marion said with a chuckle.
Clara now grabbed the Doctor by the hand and led him towards the TARDIS as she said, "Never mind. I'll just pick a good place out myself and we'll both end up enjoying it I'm sure. Don't worry, Merry. It'll be someplace safe. I promise. I'm sure you won't mind that it won't be filled with danger, Old Man. You'll probably be completely zoned out the entire time anyway, but at least you'll be easier to deal with that way, right?"
"What? Oh, the jelly babies are in my right pocket," The Doctor said as he continued to look extremely distracted to say the least.
"Good to know. See you all later, everyone. A lot later if everything goes right," Clara said with a wicked smile as she finally dragged the Doctor into the TARDIS and waved good bye to the others.
As soon as the TARDIS dematerialized, Marion's smile quickly faded. Rose instantly noticed this and gave her a questioning look.
She said nothing though. There was no use in worrying Rose any more than she probably already was after all.
There was nothing that any of them could really do anyway after all. What was going to happen to the Doctor and Clara on their honeymoon had to happen exactly the way that it did. It was a fixed point in time, and there was nothing that she or anyone else could do to change that.
No matter how much that she wished that she could.
Next: The Doctor and Clara finally go on their honeymoon at last. It doesn't quite turn out like they planned it however. Even the Doctor can tell that Clara isn't quite acting like herself and he can't understand why. Is it possible that something's happened to her or is Clara just being unpredictably human like usual?
We'll receive the shocking answer to that question in the next chapter. I just hope that you won't hate me too much afterwards for it.