RUN

Ghost of a Kiss

Doctor'sP.O.V

I'm so scared. I could feel my chest burst when Clara let go of the rail. How many times have I seen her die? When I jumped into my time stream in Trenzalore to save her, I saw Clara die so many times. I've lost her so many times. My impossible girl. And now I've lost her again. She looks as if she's sleeping in my arms. But her skin is turning cold and death leaves her pale as a snowflake. I brush away the dark strands of hair sticking to her face and hold her hand in mine. I couldn't see what happened to Clara, but I heard her hit the Tardis console. My mind is racing with possible ways to bring her back. There is no way I'm going to lose her again. But I know one thing for sure. The longer I wait, the harder it will be to save her. I lean in to her ear. "Clara if you can hear me, I'm going to bring you back. I need you more than I ever thought I did, and I will not let you go."

Clara'sP.O.V

I keep pressing my right hand frantically against the spot where my heart is supposed to beat. Still nothing.

"How... but..." I can't be dead. What about the Doctor, and the kids, and their father. How will they fare without me?

"Honey you would be surprised. They are all going to keep living their lives without you. The kids will get a new nanny and the Doctor will get a new companion." I jerk my head up and stare her down angrily.

" I'm sorry but all of the Doctor's companions meet their deaths. You are no different from the others."

"Others?"

" Yes River, Amy, Rory. Aren't ringing any bells I see. He hasn't told you about them." Missy stands up with a smug look on her face, a look that was there since I woke up. "You couldn't have believed you were the only one."

" I guess I had my... suspicions. But I didn't care."

"You would have, if you knew what they meant to him." I want to argue that I don't mean any less, but honestly I am not sure any more.

"So I'm dead, now what?"

"Well now I have to give you this pamphlet." She leans over the desk and slides a pamphlet over to me. I pick it up and read the title. So I'm Dead, Now What?

"It should answer your question."

As I start reading through I hear something through my thoughts.

"Clara if you can hear me, I'm going to bring you back." It's the Doctor. The pamphlet almost falls out of my hand. Missy doesn't notice at all as as she continues to flip through a folder. "I need you more than I ever thought I did, and I will not let you go." His voice is so far and faint as a whisper, but I can hear the raw emotion in his voice. He sounds completely torn. I reach up to my eyes expecting to feel tears but my face is completely dry. The spot in my chest that should be feeling the anguish and heartache is just a hollow pit.

"Why can't I feel anything?"

"Hmm? Oh you mean emotions? Well when you're dead it's better not to have them. Otherwise you'll feel nothing but misery thinking about your loved ones and heaven would be a very sad place," She pouts mockingly.

"I think he is going to save me. The Doctor."

"You are dead." She growls at me, standing up and slamming her fist down on the table, making me jump.

"You think if he could save a dead person he would have done it before, instead of letting them go? Think rationally dear. You might as well get over your silly fantasy because it's too late." I know I should want to stand up and defend myself. Who does she think she is? If she only knew how many immposible rules the Doctor has broken to save lives. I believe in the Doctor whole heartily. I just can't grasp the confidence and strength to say it. I can literally feel my emotions draining down one big sink and I can't find the plug.

"Okay," I agree, because on a logical level she's right. The Doctor will just find another companion. And I'm okay with it. As I look back at the pamphlet my lips tingle for a brief second.My fingers immediately shoot up to them, and I feel a spark of wonder.
"Something wrong," Missy asks me with curious eyes.
"No," I answer, and drop my fingers into my lap leaving the ghost of a kiss on my lips.

Author's Note: Clara doesn't remember jumping into the Doctor's time stream. The reason will be explained later in the story.