REWRITE THE STARS ― doctor who

age of steel : part two

Chapter Eleven: Age of Steel

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CLAUDIA CLAMBERED DOWN THE STAIRS AFTER THE DOCTOR, Sam following in suit after her.

Once reaching the ground, she let out a small huff and avoided looking at her brother. He seemed to notice, bumping his shoulder with hers, but she took a step to the side, wanting nothing more than to curl up and cry.

"It's freezing," Mrs. Moore commented, wrapping her arms around herself.

Claudia nodded, doing the same.

"Any sign of a light switch?" Mrs. Moore asked. "Can't see a thing. But I've got these," she reached into her backpack and pulled out three headlights, handing one to the Doctor and Sam before putting on her own. "Sorry, Claudia, I've only got the three."

"That's fine," Claudia waved her off.

"Something for every occasion," Mrs. Moore told the Doctor.

"Haven't got a hot dog in there, have you?" He asked her. "I'm starving."

"Of all the things to wish for. That's mechanically recovered meat."

"I know. It's the Cyberman of food, but it's tasty."

The four of them chuckled at his comment and Claudia dug into her own backpack. "I may not have a headlight, but I come with snacks," she grabbed a granola bar. "You really hungry?"

The Doctor's face lit up and he grinned down at Claudia. "Thank you, what else you got in there?"

"Guns," she raised an eyebrow challengingly and his smile fell.

"Well, thank you."

Sam laughed at the duo, nodding to her bag as she slipped it back over her shoulders. "You do the same thing here, always carrying snacks."

"Dean's always hungry," Claudia chuckled.

"Here, love," Mrs. Moore grabbed Claudia's attention, handing her a flashlight. "A proper torch for you."

"Oh, thank you."

"Let's see where we are," the Doctor said, grabbing a second flashlight from Mrs. Moore and clicking it on.

Claudia jumped back, bumping into Sam, who steadied her, as she saw what awaited them. Dozens, maybe hundreds of Cybermen lined the walls for what appeared to be the entire tunnel.

"Already converted," the Doctor said quietly. "Just put on ice." His voice changed a moment later. "Come on."

Sam and Claudia exchanged a look but followed after the pair, watching as the Doctor tapped his knuckles on the helmet of the first Cyberman.

"Let's go slowly," he told them, and Claudia looked at the Cyberman as they passed, chills running down her spine. She hated things she couldn't defend herself against. "Keep an eye out for trip systems."

As they walked, Mrs. Moore stayed next to the Doctor, the pair talking in low tones. Claudia knew he was giving her a chance to speak with Sam, and she had a feeling Mrs. Moore felt the same.

"So I'm pregnant here?" Claudia asked finally, her voice just above a whisper.

"Yeah," Sam nodded, a sympathetic smile on his face. "Like I said, it's Cas' and you're really happy. You're having a girl."

A girl. She wondered if she'd be a good mom. She knew if she had Castiel by her side, she would have been. Or at least, tried to be. But she didn't really ever see herself having children. The thought scared her. She didn't want to end up like her father, neglectful and cold towards the ones he was meant to cherish.