Thirteenth X Clara - Alternative

Chapter 21: Reunions and Introductions

"How did you end up with the house?"

"Well, like I said they moved out two years ago, so I ended up here on a nostalgia trip and I saw that it was up for sale and bought it. I've been maintaining it for the last year or so. It's kinda been a home base for me I guess, when I needed to slow down and relax and I didn't want to stay in my Tardis." Clara told the Doctor.

"Do they know you're...." the Doctor asked, wanting to make sure of one thing.

"....No, no they don't. UNIT told them about me I guess and I didn't want to make anything complicated. I ended up finding George and his new wife's house one Christmas and I checked in on them as the whole family was there. They left a chair open at the dinner table, ....for me. I didn't know I was that important to them." Clara said, her eyes began to water as her voice slightly trembled saying that last sentence.

The Doctor took Clara into her arms and she caressed her hair as a way to calm her down. "Of course you were. You stood in when no one else was available and you were a babysitter/big sister to Artie and Angie. You provided such valuable help to them in a time when they needed it the most. If there's one thing you absolutely are, it's important, especially to me."

Clara turned towards the Doctor and kissed her which surprised the Doctor who quickly took it in her stride. "Thanks for that. I needed it."

"I didn't say anything that wasn't true." the Doctor said smiling as she wrapped her arms around Clara and hugged her, "I still would like to know though why we're here."

"Well, I felt that such a answer for a big question like what you gave me, needed a familiar place to think about it. I came back here the day before and I've been thinking it over since then." Clara said as she wiped the stray tears from her face.

"What have you decided?" the Doctor asked, her attention being focused on the potential answer Clara was gonna give. Clara then got up from the couch and stretched out her hand towards the still seated Doctor.

"Come on. Let's head to my Tardis. It's not too far away from here." Clara told the Doctor. The Timelord's countenance dropped as she made her assumption of Clara's choice. In her mind, if she said yes, then they would be going to her Tardis so she couldn't help but be disappointed.

"Oh. Sure." the Doctor said taking Clara's hand. The two women walked out of the house and went on the short journey towards Clara's Tardis.

"You know I actually did end up making it into a restaurant once?" For a few years or so. I did it after Ashildr and I went on a particularly harrowing adventure and needed a cool down." Clara said to the Doctor as they got closer to the diner/ship.

"I bet you made amazing chips. You know I actually had a dinner lady travelling with me once. I did lie about how that was me but it actually was someone real. Her name was Bill Potts. Chips were her specialty. I'm actually really craving some chips right now." the Doctor said as she excitedly reacted to Clara's admission.

"I'll make you a batch when we get there." Clara said laughing at the Doctor's exuberance, particularly over chips. As they arrived outside the Tardis, the Doctor came to a stop and turned her attention fully on Clara.

"Look Clara, I know what your answer is gonna be, and I want you to know that I'm not gonna be angry about it or sad. I understand." the Doctor said as a way to brace herself for the answer.

"Snap your fingers and open it. The Tardis should register to you now as well. Fixed that yesterday too." Clara told her as she tried to keep a growing smile off her face.

"I really don't know if I should. I mean it's your Tardis. You do it. It's not really my responsibility." the Doctor retorted, unaware of the potential smile.