ULTIMATE Doctor Who Book of Randomness (COMPLETED)

Series 8 Episode 8: Mummy on the Orient Express (Part 8)

P.O.V: Clara Oswald

I awoke slowly, wrapped inside a blanket, lying on, what was that, pebbles? Or maybe rougher sand. I opened my eyes to see the Doctor over in the sand, writing something in the sand. The sky was light pink, it must be morning.

"Oh hello, again." The Doctor said when he saw me sitting up. "Sleep well?"

I looked around the beach. "Weren't we just on a train?"

"Oh, that was ages ago." The Doctor continued writing on the sand.

"And?" I asked, hoping for some good news.

"And what?" The Doctor asked, oblivious. "Oh, and we got off the train. Oh, well, the teleporter worked eventually. Beamed everyone into the Tardis. No casualties, just a bevy of sleeping beauties. I tried hacking Gus from the Tardis, find out who set this all up. He really didn't like that. Set off some fail-safe thing. Blew up the train."

"Blew up the train?" I asked, astonished.

"Blew up the train. But we got away. Then I dropped everyone off at the nearest civilized planet, which happened to be here." He pointed north, and I saw a skyline of tall, pointed buildings in an alien city.

The Doctor didn't pause in his writings. "You seemed happy asleep so I just left you."

I looked at him, with somewhat confusion and somewhat admiration. "So you saved everyone."

He smirked. "No, I just saved you and I let everyone else suffocate." He paused, and then laughed.

I turned towards the city. "Hmm."

"Yeah, this is just my cover story." He dropped his stick and walked over to me.

I sighed, shifting in my blanket. "So, when you lied to Maisie, when you made me lie to Maisie---"

"I couldn't risk Gus finding out my plan and stopping me." He interrupted.

I didn't really know what to think at this point. The Doctor was such a confusing man, but other times he could be as straightforward as anyone can get. I didn't even know if I admired or hated him anymore. "So you were pretending to be heartless."

He didn't answer at first, just looked at me, his expression unreadable."Would you like to think that about me? Would that make it easier? I didn't know if I could save her. I couldn't save Quell, I couldn't save Moorhouse. There was a good chance that she'd die too. At which point, I would have just moved onto the next, and the next, until I beat it. Sometimes the only choices you have are bad ones. But you still have to choose."

************************

P.O.V: The Doctor

Perkins was looking at the workings under the time rotor. "Er, it's er, quite a vehicle you have here, Doctor. I won't pretend to understand half of it. Having said that, I did notice you've got a couple of drive stacks need replacing."

"Oh, you did, did you?" I asked, half sarcastic half genuine.

"Yeah. You should get someone in. And a job like that takes forever." He said simply.

I had an idea. "Really? Well, I suppose, whoever I did get in, it might just be easier to have them stay on board for a while. I don't suppose you'd know of anyone?"

Perkins knew what I was getting at, but he merely smiled and shook his head. "No. Sorry, Doctor, but I don't think I do. That job could er, change a man."

I dropped my smile. "Yes, it does. Frequently."

We went back up to the main deck where Clara was walking around with her cell phone in hand.

We stopped at the Tardis door. I was going to miss the odd fellow. "Well, I won't keep you. Goodbye, Perkins. Good to meet you."

We shook hands. "You too, Doctor. And er, good luck."

Perkins touched his cap to Clara on his way out. Clara smiled and hopped down next to me. "Do you love it?"

I turned to face her, confused. "Love what?"

"I know it's scary and difficult, but do you love being the man making the impossible choice?"

I hesitated. "Why would I?" She kept on smiling, she seemed really excited for some reason.

"Because it's what you do, all day, every day."

"It's my life." What did she think was getting at here?

"Doesn't have to be. Is it like---"

"Like what?" I interrupted her.

She hesitated before speaking. "An addiction?"

"You can't really tell if something's an addiction till you try and give it up."

She smiled even wider at that. "And you never have."

"Let me know how it goes." I smiled.

Clara's phone rang. She went up to the gallery to answer it.

"Hey, Danny. How are you?"

****************************

P.O.V: Clara Oswald

"So, is it done?" He asked, after we exchanged some greetings.

I smiled wider. "Yep. Mission accomplished. Listen, I can't talk now but I'll see you soon and, er, I love you."

"I love you, too." I loved hearing him speak, and even more saying those words.

"Huh. No accounting for taste." I said.

"Okay, see you soon." I hung up the phone and stood still for a minute. I knew what I wanted right now, right a this moment. I knew what I wanted to do, for as long as I wanted.

I heard the Doctor call out to me. "Was that Danny? What did he want?"

I took a deep breath. "He's fine with it!" I exclaimed, hopping down next to the Doctor.

He looked puzzled. "Sorry, I---"

"Danny. He's fine with the idea of me and you knocking about. It was his idea that we stop but, he's decided he doesn't mind and neither do I. Oh, to hell with the last hurrah. Let's keep going." I looked up at him expectantly, a big smile on my face. I real smile. Happy.

"That's a big change of heart." He sounded somewhat suspicious, but I could see he was pleased deep down.

I laughed. "Yeah, they happen."

"Seriously?"

"Look, as long as you get me home safe and on time, everything is great. I am so sorry. I've had a wobble. It's a big wobble, but it's fine. Forget about it. Now, shut up and give me some planets.

He smiled. "Well, I'm glad that you said that, because you know that one that's made entirely of shrubs." Pausing, he went on. "Are you sure about this?"

"Are you? Have you ever been sure?"

"No."

"Then what are you waiting for? Let's go."

We pulled the levers together, and off we went.