The Lost Ships

Stars That Shine Before Us (In Memory of Clara Oswald)

A/N: I watched Face The Raven today and decided I needed to do a tribute to The Impossible Girl, Clara Oswald. The next three one shots will be a Whoufflé one, a Whouffaldi one, and a Clara x Danny one. Even though these ships are not necessarily underrated I decided to write them in her memory. The Whoufflé and Whouffaldi ones don't take the relationship past what it is in show, and I think it's best that way. So here's the Whoufflé one. The video above is a "Tribute in memory of Clara Oswald - (Face The Raven)" by VidEdit Lola. Now we may all drown together in our tears.

Clara skipped up the stairs and into the console room. The Doctor stood by the controls, pressing buttons.

"Where are we going?" She asked cheerfully.

Turning to grin at her, he pulled down the last lever, setting the TARDIS into motion, "Somewhere amazing."

Clara grabbed hold of the console just in time to stop herself from being thrown back down the stairs. She was violently jerked from side to side as the Time Machine flew through the vortex. Losing her grip, she was thrown into The Doctor, who collapsed under her, both of them falling to the metal floor laughing. As the TARDIS came to a stop Clara picked herself up, pulling The Doctor to his feet along with her. She ran to the doors but he got there first, blocking her.

"Doctor! Let me through!"

He shook a finger at her, "It has to be a surprise. Now close your eyes."

Sighing with impatience Clara obediently shut her eyes.

"Right," The Doctor came around behind her and set his hands on her shoulders, guiding her carefully towards the doors he opened and positioning her right where the TARDIS floor stopped. "You can open your eyes now," he whispered, removing his hands from her shoulders.

She opened them slowly. Looking down, her breath caught in her throat. Just beneath her feet the floor dropped away and was replaced with billions and billions of stars, all twirling and circling each other in an elaborate dance. They spiralled inwards in a nebula of twisting colours; blues, greens, purples. Painting a stunning picture against the black canvas of the sky.

The Doctor wrapped his arms around her from behind. "Do you like it?"

"Like it? Oh Doctor, it's gorgeous." She lay her hands over his and leaned her head back against his shoulder.

Smiling at her awe, he pressed a kiss to the side of her head. They stood there for a long time, just watching the stars twist and bend around each other. Then Clara spoke.

"Thank you Doctor."

He was surprised, "For what?"

"For this." She gestured to the nebula beneath them, "For everything. All our travels."

He laughed lightly, "Oh Clara Oswald, thank you."

It was her turn to be confused. She turned her head to look at him. "Why are you thanking me?"

He smiled down at her. 'Thank you for traveling with me. For showing me again just how beautiful life is. Sometimes I look at you humans and all I can see is how stupid your species is, how willing to destroy and provoke violence. But then I meet people like you, Clara, who recognize how beautiful life can be, and want to do everything they can to help other people. And that gives me hope. Thank you, Clara Oswald, For giving me hope."

"Always, Doctor." She pressed a light kiss to his cheek before turning her gaze back to the wonder that was taking place right before their eyes.

In loving memory of Clara Oswald, The Impossible Girl. She was brave to the very last.