Doctor Who: Surprise Holiday

Chapter 10: Examination

Clara and the Doctor, followed closely by Rebecca, Nils, Sophie and Hans, exited the U-bahn station closest to the research hospital on the University of New Berlin campus. They ascended the stairs into the middle of an open plaza surrounded by buildings ranging from four to fifteen stories high. It was early evening. Some buildings were mostly dark with a few lights scattered over multiple floors, but the main building was brightly lit with a large, red cross and "Humboldt Medical Center" across the top, in blue, back-lit lettering.

The Doctor took his bearings and began striding rapidly toward the main hospital, leaving everyone behind. As he walked, he used his sonic screwdriver to scan the general surroundings.

"Slow down, Doctor!" Clara called out as she trotted to catch up. "You don't know where you're going!"

"Correct, which is why I'm going there," the Doctor said as he pointed to the front entrance. "I intend to ask around until I find what I'm looking for."

"Or you could start by asking us!" Clara said as she reached out and grabbed the Doctor by the forearm. "I've been here a while, you know."

The Doctor stopped and looked at Clara. She let go as he folded his arms, pulling away from Clara. "All right then," he said as the rest of the group caught up. "Where is the sample being held?"

"It's in the Pathology department," Clara replied as she checked her information.

"That's the Oberndorfer Research Center—building three," said Rebecca. She pointed to a darkened building across the plaza in the opposite direction of the main hospital. "It's that one, but it's usually closed after hours."

The Doctor held up his sonic screwdriver. "Not to us," he said with a smile.

They turned around and headed for building three, walking back towards, then past the U-bahn entrance.

"Doctor, I know you're used to winging it," said Clara, "but this time you have allies already in place who are ready to help. Try it my way first before using that, yeah? I have to live here you know!"

The Doctor stopped once again and looked at Clara as surprise played across his face. "Do you intend to stay when this is over?"

As her friends watched her in silence, Clara felt a wave of anxiety as she struggled to find an answer. Her mouth opened and closed in silence once or twice before she found her voice. "That just sort of slipped out. I... I don't know. I could happily live here for the rest of my life, but now that I have a choice... I mean, I have a life on two planets now. Which one do I choose?"

"Yes, you have a life here," Sophie said as she moved to stand face to face with Clara, looking into her eyes. She reached out and took Clara's hands into her own. "And yes, you have friends—close friends—but not family. Your family is back on Earth. I'd dearly hate to see you go, but that's where your roots are strongest."

"Oh Sophie!" Clara exclaimed. They embraced, chins resting on each other's shoulders, eyes closed. "You're like a sister to me."

"Not to spoil the moment, but let's stay focused!" the Doctor said gruffly. "We have work to do. But to your point about doing it your way: if you want to take the lead, then lead. I'll just be an observer and advisor from here on out."

As they walked on, Clara glanced over at the Doctor. "By the way, you know that mystery business, back when you first dropped me off, about Neuesonne being too perfect? Well, I did do a little digging into that. This planet was like this when the settlers first arrived. Geologic evidence suggests Neuesonne has been this way for millions of years—no terraforming required. That's part of what made this planet attractive. Its relative isolation, especially three hundred years ago, is the only thing that kept it from being claimed earlier by some other group."