It suddenly dawned on me that there aren't many more chapters left. Maybe 2? I'm not entirely sure yet, but after this FanFic, I will continue another one I had already started called "The Years of the Word". Thank you again for the many reviews :) Hope you like the new chapter.

Chapter 14

"Isabel, where have you been?" Clara asked. She was relieved to see Isabel when she entered through the front door. Sammy greeted her joyfully, but Clara was still worried.

"I'm sorry. I slept at a friend's place," she explained, her eyes on her shoes. Isabel appeared to be in a terrible state of mind, "I'm really sorry. For everything."

The Doctor stepped into the foyer and watched the teenager closely.

"What exactly are you sorry for?" he asked suspiciously.

"Everything," she replied, "For treating Jenny this way, and you, Clara. For acting up so you would take me with you."

"Yeah, still won't happen," the Doctor said.

"Shhh, shut up," Clara said to the Doctor, "Let the girl explain."

"That's it, actually," Isabel stood there, shuffling her feet nervously, as if she was expecting them to question her further.

"Thank you, Isabel," Clara gave her a big smile.

"What changed your mind?" the Doctor wanted to know but Clara pinched his arm. "What? Clara, I think that's a good question, don't you?"

"No, I think Isabel just made a sincere apology and we should accept it."

"Okay, okay," the Doctor said, raising his hands, "I accept your apology and dearly hope and now you've taken a turn for the better Vastra and Jenny will return soon because this slow motion life of yours is really starting to tick me off."

"Thank you," Isabel said, though she seemed a bit confused by the Doctor's outburst, "I will walk Sammy now."

OOO

"I don't buy it," the Doctor said, walking up and down the conservatory. He had interrupted Clara's train of thoughts. All she had been thinking in the past few minutes was that it was very likely that Vastra and Jenny would show up soon and her domestic life with the Doctor would once again come to an end. And maybe, if she didn't make up her mind before that happened, she would lose him forever.

"Sorry, what?" she asked.

"I don't buy it. Her apology. It seems rather. . . random."

"It sounded sincere enough to me. She's a teenager, she had a phase. Maybe the fight the two of you had made her see reason," Clara said. She too had been surprised by the apology but she saw nothing wrong with it. Teenagers were prone to mood swings. It seemed like a completely normal thing.

"Yeah, maybe you're right. After all, you're the one who deals with these creatures on a daily basis."

"They're children, not creatures," she laughed, "And if you really told her that she couldn't travel with you, she probably believed you and gave up on that idea. Sometimes, even though I'm not a fan of that, teenagers do need to be shouted at."

The Doctor smiled back at her. "Well, well, Clara Oswald."

Now was her chance, Clara knew it. Now or never. She took a deep breath and gathered all the courage she could find.

"Doctor?" she asked cautiously.

"Mh?" he looked up at her.

"Ah, never mind. Forget about it." Don't chicken out now, Clara told herself.

"If you'd be so kind to tell me what I'm supposed to forget?"

"Doctor. . .," she said, but her voice turned to a whisper, "No, I can't do that."

"Clara, you're starting to worry me. What's wrong with you? Your face is all eyes again."

"Doctor, do you want to have sex with me?" she blurted out the words before she could stop herself. And now that she had spoken them, there was no taking them back.

The Doctor sat down on an old armchair and studied Clara for a while. His face was, as usual, unreadable and she was starting to grow really, really nervous under his gaze. She was about to take it back when he finally spoke.

"Last time, when I suggested that, you seemed rather grossed out by the idea," he remarked.

"Not grossed out, I was merely taken by surprise. You know, humans usually initiate sex in a more. . . romantic matter."

"You do realize I tried that, yes?"

"Yes, I do. Now, " she got up from the sofa, "But then I had absolutely no clue what you were trying to tell me."

The Doctor followed her example as well and stood up to face her as if he couldn't stand not being the tallest person in the room.

"I realize I'm not the most sociable person. I don't wear my hearts on my sleeve and that is something that will probably not change in this regeneration. You made it pretty clear that you cannot be with a person like me."

"I get it," Clara assured him, "But I think I can overlook that fact as long as I know you and I do indeed want the same thing."

"We do," he replied simply.

"Okay then," Clara let out a deep breath, looking down at the floor nervously, "Good we cleared that up.

"Shall I, how did you put it, initiate sex in a more romantic matter?" he asked. He seemed as uncomfortable and nervous as she was. This was even harder than it had been with John Smith, and Clara had already considered that pretty awkward.

"No, I think we both made our intentions pretty clear," she concluded.

"Good, cause I had absolutely no idea how I was supposed to do that."

"Good."

"Gooooood."

"So, uhm, bedroom? Bedroom is nice," Clara suggested.

"Yes, bedroom. Seems like the logical next step," he stared at her.

"You lead the way."

Clara followed the Doctor, who only reluctantly set his feet into motion, upstairs to the room in which she slept. Neither of them spoke a word on their way up, not until Clara had closed the bedroom door behind her.

"Gosh, this is awkward," she finally said, "Why is it so awkward? We did that before."

"Yeah, but I was human. Also, there is something I should tell you about. . ."

He stopped when Clara stepped closer.

"W-what are you doing?" he asked, visibly confused.

"I'm trying to kiss you. Don't worry, it doesn't hurt," she smiled sheepishly.

Clara closed her eyes and waited for the Doctor's mouth to finally touch hers. She forgot about the awkwardness, the tension and how stupid they had both been the moment their lips connected.