"Clara...you're dying," said the Doctor, in shock.
His wrinkles were prominent as the TARDIS lights reflected off his gray hair. It still amazed Clara that he was so, so very old.
"Doctor...I...thank you," Clara said with a smile. She could feel herself starting to depart from this world.
"Now now, don't go away yet!" a voice called. The voice was familiar. It was beautiful and burdened, with the lightest little laugh to it.
"Doctor?"
"Clara, I'm here," replied the gray one.
"No-not you-him, my Doctor," said Clara, desperately searching for him.
"It's okay Clara. I'm here, and will be with you until the end, then you can actually join me," he said with a smirk.
"I'm ready."
"Clara-no-I can't lose you!!!" objected the gray one. He frantically shook her, pointed his sonic at her, but it was too late. Tears for the first time since he regenerated trickled from his eyes down past his wrinkled face and onto the floor of the TARDIS. He pulled Clara towards him and hugged her as he wept.
Her heart ceased to beat again.
***********
"Doctor? Am I dead?"
"Soon, my dear Clara. I am, though," he smiled.
"The Doctor, the bravest of them all, who laughs and smiles at the face of death."
"Always."
Then they both came towards each other and were suddenly back in Victorian London, where they met fore the second time.
She remembered this moment, them being chased by an ice-formation of an old governess. She remembered her flirting with the Doctor, her Doctor. She remembered those sad eyes.
She looked down at her dress, and then back up at him.
"I know what happens now," said Clara.
"Me too," said the Doctor, her Doctor.
They kissed each other as Clara drifted from life.
************
He stood up, tears still on his face.
Numb, that was what he felt.
And now the sad old man went to travel alone, again, and was still alone, and would always be alone,
After all this time.
