A Stutter in Time (Doctor Who Fanfiction)

Chapter 2: Epilogue

Chapter Two: Epilogue

Clara was on her feet and pacing the length of Vastra's study. The lizard woman stood beside the window and watched her long strides, a hint of a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth.

"So, what's happened? Is he okay? Is he safe?"

"He's safe for now, but very soon he'll be able to notice the disturbances too." Vastra answered, "The Quantum Shades are watching him. Very closely. They're waiting to step in if they need to."

If Clara's heart was in motion, it would have leapt out of her chest. "What do I do? If I go to Gallifrey now, will it all stop? Will everything be forgiven?"

"I believe so." Vastra didn't sound completely certain.

"And what - " Clara stopped to stare at her. "What happens if I'm delayed? If I can't get the TARDIS to work properly? How long do we have?"

Vastra closed the gap between them. She tapped Clara's chin with her gloved hand, redirecting her brown eyes to meet her blue. She shook her head. "I have every ounce of faith in you, Impossible Girl."

"What happens, Vastra? Tell me."

The lizard woman let her hand drop to her side. "Splinters turn into fragments. Ripples into tidal waves. Where the Doctor goes, followed closely by the Quantum Shades, especially in places you two have been together, time will unravel. Historical events will cease to exist, civilisations will struggle to survive. Wins will turn into losses. Worlds will crumble. The Doctor will barely have time to apply a plaster, never mind a bandage."

Clara nodded. She took a deep breath, out of habit rather than need. The Hybrid was still a threat to the universe as long as she and the Doctor existed at the same time. Suddenly it made sense why her death was a fixed point. She couldn't let any of this happen - too many people had already suffered for them. She could fix this. She would put it right.

"Well, here we are then." She laughed and wiped her hands across her face. "We all knew it was coming. I've had plenty of time. As far as epilogues go, this certainly wasn't a bad one."

Was it just her imagination, or did Vastra have a tear in her eye? She placed a heavy hand on Clara's shoulder and squeezed it tight. "You're an amazing woman, Clara Oswald."

Clara shook her head. "Nah. Someone amazing wouldn't have let it get this far."

She turned to the door and then reconsidered. She observed Vastra how Vastra usually observed her. She turned a darker shade of green at the intensity of the stare.

"Vastra, one more question. Please, you will answer this question." Clara licked her lips, unsure if she wanted to know. She had to know. It was the one thing no one ever wanted to tell her. "Death by Quantum Shade. Why do people run?"

The green woman tilted her head. She joined Clara at the doorway, never breaking eye contact. "It's not just a death, Clara. Some cultures see it as a condemnation. The soul is... a delicate creation. Sacred. For a parasite to feed on it is - quite frankly, agony."

Clara bit her lip so it wouldn't wobble. "On the plus side, it's pretty quick."

Just before she slipped out into the hall, and without looking back, she called, "Thanks for your honesty, Madame Vastra. I'll remember it."

Clara walked out of the study a different person. She'd been running for too long; just like the Doctor, she was travelling, never stopping to escape reality. Wasn't it being exactly like the Doctor that had gotten her into this mess? Now she was even threatening him by just existing. It needed to stop. It couldn't go on. She needed to remember who she was; Clara Oswald, human. She wasn't afraid.