One Last Chance |6| The Ascension

Chapter Thirty-Four: An Addiction

"Er, it's er... quite a vehicle you have here, Angel," Perkins was saying as they came up the steps from below the time rotor. "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?" she asked, nodding.

"Yeah, you should get someone in," he advised. "A job like that takes forever."

"Mmm," she agreed. "Well, I guess, if I did get someone in, it might just be easier to have them stay onboard for a while. I don't suppose you'd know of anyone?"

He looked tempted for a moment, then shook his head. "No. Sorry, Angel, but I don't think I do. That job could, er, change a man."

She smiled, glancing across at the Doctor. "Yes, it does. Frequently. Anyway, we won't keep you. Goodbye, Perkins. Good to meet you." They shook hands, and Perkins waved to the others as he left.

As the door swung shut behind him, Clara turned to the Doctor. "Do you love it?"

He blinked. "Love what?"

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

"Why would he?" Wanda frowned.

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

"It's my life," the Doctor told her.

"Doesn't have to be," she pointed out. "Is it like...?" She faltered.

"Like what?" McKenzie asked.

Clara hesitated. "An addiction?"

The Doctor smiled. "You can't really tell if something's an addiction 'til you try and give it up."

"And you never have," Clara realised.

Wanda flashed her a grin. "Let us know how it goes."

Clara's phone rang, and she headed up the stairs onto the gallery to answer it. "Hey, Danny. How are you?"

"Fine," he replied. "So, is it done?"

She bit her lip, taking a moment to look over at the others, who were chatting animatedly. How could she possibly let them go? But at the same time, she didn't want to let go of Danny either. "Yeah," she lied. "Mission accomplished. Listen, I can't talk now, but I'll see you soon, alright?"

"Alright, bye."

"Bye." She hung up.

"Was that Danny?" McKenzie asked curiously. "What did he want?"

Clara took a deep breath. "He's fine with it," she said brightly, knowing full well she wasn't fooling Wanda. "He's fine with the idea of us 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."

"That's a big change of heart," Wanda noticed, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, they happen," Clara assured her. "I'm serious. 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."

The Doctor raised his eyebrows. "Well, I'm glad you said that, because you know that one that's made entirely of shrubs—" He cut himself off. "Are you sure about this?"

"Are you?" she countered. "Have you ever been sure?"

"No," he admitted.

She grinned. "Then what are you waiting for? Let's go." Together, they threw the dematerialisation lever.

~~~