Thirteenth X Clara - Alternative

Chapter 9: Take My Breath Away

At the behest of the Queen, the rooms of the two newcomers were not to be disturbed unless absolutely necessary. She felt that the two women should be given their privacy and not be bothered. But, if one was to somehow find their way through the locked door of the room of Joan Doctor, they would realize that the room was empty, so too was the room of Clara Oswald. But if they listened rather closely, they would hear faint voices coming out of that wardrobe with the strange design...

Clara sat on the steps in the console room, her eyes transfixed on one person and one person only. Her eyes were drawn to anything the Doctor did, as the Timelord sped around the console, trying to locate and understand the alien piece that she found. Clara had been like this many times before. Oh yes. Whenever her White-Haired Scotsman or her Chin boy were working, she'd just... watch. Marvel at their way with technology, the love and the passion they had for building and experimenting, and it was no different here. After so long of being apart, she just fell right back into the old ways. But... she didn't mind it. For once in a long while, she wanted the normal life. Comfort. And staring at the Doctor was one way she could retrieve it. Besides, wasn't a bad view, anyway.

What was different, was that she wasn't doing it to someone who was unaware, not this time. The Doctor could feel it this time. Even without actively seeing her, she just knew. Maybe because she... wanted it. It was an odd feeling, but ever since Clara reassured her about the Tardis carrying them here, something was different. It felt different to be around her. Of course, they were best friends, so there was no real awkwardness, but there was something... more. Something that wasn't there before, at least, not until the very end.

She could remember whispers of what that feeling was. He became more hyper-aware of her looks. Noticed her hair more, her smile, her eyes. He always noticed them, but this time, it was more deliberate. More purposeful. He'd imagine stroking her hair or just staring into her eyes for hours upon end. Not that much different now, but this time her lips became more of a focus than before. And well, she knew what she wanted to do with them, even if it felt odd to want. But then again, this was a very odd time for them.

"Having a good time looking, over there?"

It surprised Clara, not accustomed to ever getting noticed. But she just rolled with the punches.

"I'd say so. Pretty interesting view."

"Not that interesting. You've seen me here doing stuff like this, hundreds of times."

"True. But...you were never doing it while being a woman...and wearing a Victorian nightgown, which you've seemed to have adjusted slightly."

She was indeed wearing that. They both were, issued by Victoria for them after they showered (again) and got out of their original clothes, which sat nicely in the Tardis' dryer. The Doctor's nightgown, however, was currently rolled up to her ankle, and the outfit now left her legs mostly unencumbered.

The Doctor tugged at the gown a few times and shrugged.

"I tried wearing it the other way, but it just didn't work out."

"Well... I think you look cute." Clara said as she walked up next to her.

"Thanks, so do you. The colour brings out your eyes."

"Thanks, oh arbiter of good taste." Clara said, giving her a playful shove as she folded her arms.

"Shut up, haha"

Clara then looked at the scan the Doctor was doing, remembering the true purpose for them here.

"So, where are we here in the scanning?"