Thank you, my dear reviewers :) I hope you like this new chapter just as you liked the ones before. This time only Twelve/Clara stuff, no Isabel to get in the way. Enjoy :)

Chapter 7

"I am a genius!", Clara heard the Doctor shout from the kitchen. She was reluctant to check on him because that sentence could mean he was either doing something that to her seemed like complete idiocy or dangerous. But when the sweet smell of warm food entered her nose, she decided to have a look.

"You're cooking," she commented from a safe distance.

"Yes, I am cooking," he turned around to smile at her, waving a spatula.

"And how exactly does that make you a genius?" Clara asked carefully.

"Because it's delicious. Here, have a bite!"

When Clara approached him, she eyed his cooking skills sceptically.

"Doctor, why are you tearing the pancakes apart?"

"Because they are not pancakes. That is Kaiserschmarrn," he explained to her.

"I'm sorry, I don't speak German. How's that not a torn pancake?"

"Well, technically it is a torn pancake, but after an Austrian recipe. It is usually ripped apart while still in the frying pan."

"And were you, under any circumstances, present when they decided to start ripping pancakes apart in the frying pan?" Clara asked carefully.

"As a matter of fact, I was. Now, try this," the Doctor picked up several pieces with a fork and lifted it to Clara's mouth, "Careful, it's still hot."

"Wow, it really is good," she said, still chewing.

"Maybe Isabel can help you set the table," the Doctor suggested.

It took Clara a while to take her eyes off the Doctor. Where did this sudden domesticity come from? Was he feeling bad about their fights or about suddenly kissing her earlier? But feeling bad didn't really seem to fit the Doctor's character either. Then Isabel came back to her mind.

"Isabel isn't home. She's gone out with some friends, but we can save her a bit of your. . . Austrian thing," she replied.

"Gone out with friends?" the Doctor asked.

"Yes."

"And you allowed her?"

"Yes, why?"

The Doctor shrugged. "Well, it's a school night and judging from our latest disagreements, it doesn't really seem like the type of thing you'd do."

"You're right," Clara said absent-mindedly. Now that she thought about it, why had she allowed Isabel to go out? She couldn't think of a sane reason to do so. But she remembered the words coming out of her mouth.

"I think dear little Isabel played a little trick on you," the Doctor explained.

"But I didn't even notice," Clara said, still thinking about the moment she had given Isabel permission.

"Well, wouldn't be much of a trick if you could notice it, would it?"

"What do we do now?" Clara asked earnestly while they were both sitting at the dinner table, "With Isabel, I mean. How could I possibly get through to her if she thinks so little of me that she can just manipulate me without even blinking?"

"I'm afraid you're just going to have to trust me on this," said the Doctor, "She doesn't seem to be having a problem with me."

"Yes, because you're the magical uncle from space. You're like a superhero. Of course she has no problem with that."

"A superhero? Really?" A smile spread across the Doctor's face.

"You know what I mean," Clara smiled back, "She's never really seen your bad sides."

The Doctor's face grew stern again. Clara knew instantly she shouldn't have mentioned his bad sides, but she was being honest. And she could never know what was going on inside his head. It was like every time she thought she had figured him out, he changed and became unpredictable for her again. He could be sweet and making her dinner, but she could never be sure what he would say next.

"Clara," the Doctor put down his fork and stared at her, "Do you want to have sex with me?"

And here's number one on the list of things I never expected from the Doctor, Clara thought. She was too baffled to answer for a moment. She wasn't even sure whether it was a serious question or a trick or a test or whatever crazy stuff he'd pulled on her in their time together. First the unexpected kiss, now this.

"Uhm, just to make sure I heard you correctly. . ."

"I was asking if you wanted to have sex with me," he repeated and this time sounded as if it was an actual, serious question.

"I, uhm, I. . ." she stammered.

"It's not like we haven't done it before. Okay, I wasn't exactly in my right state of mind, but the body is the same. It should function just as before, even better, you see, since Time Lords have a certain advantage on the. . ."

"Stop!", Clara interrupted him before he could get into detail. She couldn't listen to this. It was too bizarre.

"Did I do something wrong?" he stared at her and looked almost disappointed. Clara knew he didn't mean it in a bad way, it was just who he was.

"I can't deal with this right now, I'm sorry. Thank your for making dinner. That was really thoughtful of you," Clara excused herself and got up.

"Where are you going?"

"To bed. I'm sorry. Today was just a little too much."