In Her Eyes (A Whouffle Fanfiction)

Chapter 6- Hopeless

Clara woke up slowly, eyes gradually adjusting to the dim lighting. She pulled herself into a sitting position and stretched feeling her muscles pop and crack, wincing as her battered and bruised body screamed protest at her sudden movements. She felt like death. But at least she was alive.

Too tired to move just yet, or to question why she was hooked up to so many machines, Clara let her gaze wander around the room, fingers scratching at the straps of her oxygen mask as her eyes landed on the partially charred soufflé the Doctor had baked for her. She grinned, reaching out an arm to pluck the note off the side of the dish. The fact that the Doctor had taken the time to attempt a soufflé, charred as it was, made her feel ridiculously happy. A warm glow spread through her, gently heating her body from her chest right the way down to the roots of her hair and the tips of her toes. She knew it was madness to think that the Doctor had baked it because he loved her, he only viewed her as a friend, but...the gesture made her feel loved, and nobody had made her feel like that for a long time.

Oh, you clever boy.

She eagerly dug into the soufflé, taking extra care to avoid the sections that were burnt beyond recognition. With one hand she unfolded the note, recognising the Doctor's untidy scrawl, and loaded up the spoon with another morsel as she began to read.

Clara,

I've gone to New New New New Earth. Don't worry, I'm coming back. I'm going to find you a cure for  whatever it is that that monster injected into you.

Clara began to tremble at the memory. She would forever live in fear of the man returning to finish her off. She took a deep breath through her mask and shovelled in another bite to calm herself before continuing.

I won't be long, I promise. Two hours tops. Do not, under any circumstances, disconnect yourself from your life support machine. Even if a thousand Daleks are banging down the door. I can defeat Daleks. I can't bring you back to life.

Stay safe.

Love,

The Doctor.

P.S Hope you liked the soufflé.

Clara finished off the soufflé then placed it and the note on her bedside table. What was she to do for two whole hours? It's not like she could explore the TARDIS like she usually would, not in the state she was in with all the tubes connecting her to the life support system. She was weak; the simple action of eating the soufflé had taken it out of her. No, she needed to find something else to do.

Clara yawned loudly, rolling onto her side facing the machinery that was looking after her. It was so peaceful lying here in the TARDIS, all alone. Normally it was chaos, fighting monsters, flirting and running around in heels that killed her feet after about ten steps. She knew that she should wear shoes that were a little more practical, but the Doctor was tall enough even with her wearing eight-inch heels. She sometimes felt like one of those Ompa-loompas, looking up at the Doctor like one of the tiny people would Willy Wonka. Small and insignificant against a man so tall and powerful and alien as him. A candle against his raging inferno.

Clara drifted off into sleep, finally succumbing to the various aches and pains that plagued her body. She had just begun to snore lightly when-

"Psst, Clara. Wake up, sleepy head." A familiar voice half sang next to her.

Clara started awake, gaping at the figure standing next to her.

"Doctor?" She asked incredulously. In the back of her mind alarm bells began to ring. He wasn't supposed to be back for at least an hour yet.