Chapter Twelve: Dean

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DAYS PASSED FOR CLAUDIA BEFORE SHE WAS ABLE TO LEAVE HER ROOM. Or, at least, it felt like days. Time blurred in the TARDIS, and she couldn't tell how long a day even was. She didn't want to think about the science behind it all — it only made her head hurt.

Her dreams were haunted by Castiel's voice, his eyes, his warm, gentle, calloused hands. She dreamt he never left her. They were happy — like in the parallel world.

The only world they ever would be.

When her eyes opened and she blinked away sleep, she saw Sam. He tormented her waking thoughts. Seeing a parallel version happy, alive, in awe of the Doctor and relishing in him — the guilt was eating her alive.

Because her Sam, her brother was still trapped in hell. Tied to Lucifer, a plaything for both he and Michael to use for eternity.

And she couldn't forgive herself for that.

Both the Doctor and Rose has taken time to check up on her, both comforting her in different ways.

Both seemed to understand that she needed time. That it was too many things piled on top of her already broken mind and she couldn't take another. They gave her time. Patience. Empathy. Something she'd never really had before.

Rose preferred to talk. Claudia noticed she didn't take well to long silences and instead, recapped the adventures she'd been on with the Doctor prior to Claudia's arrival, and the few they'd taken without her present.

She was thoughtful, though.

Rose brought Claudia cookies late in the night because she thought it would cheer her up. (It did.)

Rose fell asleep in Claudia's bed and hugged her when she broke down in tears randomly.

Claudia really liked Rose.

The Doctor was very different.

When he comforted Claudia, he didn't speak much, if at all. He held her as she cried, or read quietly next to her as she did the same.

He tucked his coat away and leaned his head on her shoulder, and she placed her head on his.

Rose drowned out her noise, distracted Claudia from her thoughts; her mind. The Doctor was quiet and she found herself not thinking them at all.

And so, when Claudia cleaned herself up and left the room for the first time since the parallel universe, they both looked at her in surprise from the console room.

"Hey."

The Doctor blinked at her before a soft smile took over his face. Rose beat him to words.

"Hey, Claudia!" She beamed, walking over and pulling her into a tight hug. "How're you doing? We were thinking of this planet the Doctor was saying has purple oceans, can you believe that? Purple oceans!"

Claudia smiled at her excitement, nodding at the younger woman. "That sounds cool. I don't do the beach though."

"It's not really for swimming," the Doctor spoke up. "They have thousands of kilometer aquariums underwater to watch the ocean. I think you'd like it."

Claudia nodded, her eyes meeting the Doctor. She could see the question in his eyes. Silent but knowing. Always quiet.

Her smile softened in response and he watched her another moment before nodding, turning back to the console and flicking a switch.

Rose grinned, squeezing Claudia's hand once before walking towards the Doctor again. Claudia settled in the Captain's Chair and observed the pair, feeling not as out of place as she had before.

That was new. And nice.

Claudia opened her mouth to thank the pair when her phone rang. All heads turned to the object in her pocket and she blinked, looking down at it in bewilderment.

Pulling it out, her face morphed into that of surprise.

"It's Dean," she said softly, looking between the Doctor and Rose.

Rose gave her a look. "Answer it!"

Claudia glanced to the Doctor who raised his eyebrows a fraction, the question clear: are you ready to talk to him?

Was she?

The call ended. Disappointment flooded her. Of course she missed her chance. She was a coward, a —

It rang again.

Claudia didn't hesitate.

"Dean?"

"Hey."

Claudia stared at the Doctor and Rose when her brother's voice sounded in her ear. Her heart clenched hat the sound. She hadn't heard it since Christmas when they'd briefly discussed the aliens.

Before that? Not since Sam's death. Not since the fight.

"Hey."

"I hate to do this, but I need your help."

Claudia straightened, her eyes leaving her friends, as she leaned into the seat more, pressing the phone closer.

"Got a case?"

"Not really, no, but listen, Crowley fucking showed up—"

"—Crowley?" She snarled, her face hardening. "What does he want?"

"He won't say. He asked for you."

"Me? Why? I'm not making any deals with him, nor again."

"I know. And you won't. But he...he threatened Ben, Claud. He said he's been searching for you but you keep disappearing."

"Ah."

"Explain that?"

Claudia hesitated. How would she begin to explain her adventures with the Doctor?

"I'll show you later. It's too hard to explain. You home?"

"Yeah, you need the address?"

"No, I got it. Um, odd question, but, what's — what's the date?"

Silence.

"Are you on drugs?"

"No, I—"

"—Because when Sammy said to live a normal life, I don't think he meant get addicted to drugs."

"I'm not on drugs, Dean," Claudia sighed. "Just give me the date."

"February ninth."

"...what year?"

Dean swore loudly. "Kidding me, Claud? 2006, what's wrong with you?"

"I'll see you soon. With my friends."

"The drug-addicts?"

"I'm not on drugs, Dean!"

"Yeah, okay. How long you think?"

"Um...tomorrow."

"Great. See you."

The line disconnected.

Claudia looked at it for a moment, her thoughts reeling. What did Crowley want with her? Why now? Why had he been searching for her? Why her specifically?

She glanced to the Doctor and Rose worriedly.

"I need to go to Dean's," she said shortly. "February tenth, 2006," she gave him the address quickly. "I need to now. You can't come with me."

"Why not?" Rose asked. "You just said with your friends."

"It's dangerous," Claudia shook her head. "Neither of you believe in demons or ghosts and I can't protect you against Crowley. Not when I'll have Dean there." She looked at them carefully. "I'm sorry, I'd save his life first and I can't promise yours won't be threatened."

Worry crossed the Doctor's face. "Who is this Crowley?"

"The King of Hell."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that a code name?"

Claudia sighed. "Exactly what I mean. Look, just drop me off, it's fine."

The Doctor watched her for a moment before setting the coordinates and starting the TARDIS back into flight mode.

Claudia fidgeted nervously as he steered them to the date and place located. Her mind filled with concern. Was she ready to see Dean again? Was he ready to see her?

She wasn't ready to see Crowley.

She hated him.

He betrayed them and liked to gloat about Sam's death. Or, she thought he did. She hadn't seen him since he betrayed them.

"We're here."

Claudia barely glanced at the pair before rushing outside, shutting the door behind her.

Dean's house — or Lisa's, really — was cute and suburbial with a white picket fence and everything Sam would have wanted for Dean.

A pang of longing hit her as she thought of the alternate Sam. The alternate Dean. She hasn't asked about his marital status. Did he still have Lisa? Ben? More children?

The doors behind her opened and the Doctor and Rose stepped out.

"No, stay in there—"

"—We're coming with you."

Claudia looked at the Doctor seriously and he gave her the same look back. An eyebrow raised challengingly. He'd follow anyway.

Better they stick with her than be on their own.

"Fine," she relented, turning around. "But this is my shit. Don't pretend to know anything."

Without another word, she walked across the street to the house and across the paved stones to the door. Cute. Everything Dean secretly wanted but could never have.

She found herself at the door and felt the pair behind her.

"We can come back," the Doctor said quietly, leaning his head a bit towards her. "It's a time machine, love, we can do a thousand things and come back to this."

Claudia hesitated, her hand over the door. So tempting. She wanted to run. Wanted to leave and turn around and not face Dean and his happy life with Ben and Lisa. She didn't want to deal with Crowley.

Her head turned to the Doctor's and their eyes met.

He said nothing else, only watched her. But he knew she'd already made up her mind. She had to do this. It was the only way to forgive herself: if she and Dean talked it out, if she stopped Crowley, this was the only way.

He nodded once and she sighed, knocking on the door.

Twenty seconds later it opened and Dean stood before them, a hard look on his face. It softened a fraction seeing Claudia wearing Sam's old flannel, but confusion flickered across it at the Doctor and Rose.

"These the addicts?"

"Dean, no one is on drugs. This is Rose," the girl in question smiled, a light blush on her cheeks. "And the Doctor." The Doctor grinned, waving cheerfully.

"Sounds like a dealer name to me."

Claudia rolled her eyes. "Will you just let us in, asshole?"

He debated for a second before handing her a flask. Bobby's old flask. Her heart tugged at the late night spent with her brothers and Bobby, drinking whiskey and pouring over cases.

"Drink." He handed it to her and she rolled her eyes but relented. "Them too." He added, nodding to Rose and the Doctor.

The Doctor looked at it curiously.

"It's holy water," Claudia explained. "Just drink it."

The Doctor looked between the pair with furrowed brows before taking a swig and handing the flask to Rose, who did the same.

Claudia took it back and capped it, handing it to Dean. "Can we come in now?"

Dean nodded, opening the door further and letting them in.

Warmth. Immediately, that's what Claudia felt entering. A few pictures of Sam, she, and Dean were strung up or laid on cabinets, but mostly it was Lisa and Ben, and Dean, Lisa, and Ben. A large sofa, a monochromatic rug. A coffee table.

Four walls and a ceiling.

A house.

A home.

Dean had a home.

"It's nice," Claudia commented, walking in, her friends following close behind. "You happy?" She glanced at him, asking quietly.

He looked over her face for a moment. "Yeah," he said finally, stiffly. "Lisa's good. Ben too. They're out right now, I put 'em in a motel with warding so Crowley wouldn't get to them."

Claudia nodded in understanding and followed Dean through the house, both Rose and the Doctor looking around curiously.

Dean led them to a door and opened it, flicking on a light. It led to a basement.

"Tie him up?" Claudia smiled hopefully.

Dean snorted. "That slimy asshole? No, gotta summon him. Shit's down here, I didn't wanna ruin the floor."

"How domestic," Claudia teased as they walked downstairs.

"Bitch," he retorted back with a small smirk as he hit the ground floor.

"Dumbass," Claudia said habitually, glancing to the side naturally, noticing Dean do the same. They were both waiting for Sam to say 'jerk'.

Clearing his throat, Dean nodded to the middle of the room where a pentagram was drawn up, different ingredients around the room.

"What's this?" Rose asked with a disturbed look on her face, glancing to the Doctor. "This is...demonic stuff."

Dean snorted. "No shit, Sherlock."

The Doctor looked to Claudia, watching her for a moment, his eyes flicking to the pentagram. "What are you doing?"

"Summoning the king of Hell," she said nonchalantly. "Stand back. And be quiet. I don't want him to get any leverage on you."

"Wait, wait," Dean cut her off as she picked up the bowl. "They're not Hunters?"

"No. He's an alien, she's my old neighbor."

Dean blinked. "What?"

"They're my friends."

"An alien?"

"You experienced Christmas."

"Yeah, but he's not the thing from the tv. What was that, um, fuck what was the name," Dean snapped his fingers trying to remember, "Sick-sicker, something?"

"Sycorax," the trio said together.

Dean looked between the three of them. "That's fucking weird."

Claudia laughed a little. "The Doctor's a Time Lord. Different kind of alien. He has a time machine that can travel through space."

Dean looked at the Doctor, eyeing him up and down. "This guy?"

"Yes."

The Doctor smiled. "I can show you if you'd like. Grand tour."

Dean narrowed his gaze to Rose. "And how old are you? Twelve?"

"Nineteen."

"Same thing."

Claudia snorted. "You used to hit on girls like Rose."

"Yeah, and then I became a dad."

Claudia smiled softly. "It looks good on you."

His eyes flickered to hers. "Thanks. We, uh," he glanced back to the Doctor and Rose, visibly uncomfortable. "We're actually pregnant, Lisa's pregnant."

Claudia's eyes widened and her mouth fell open a fraction, awe flooding her face. "Dean, that's amazing. I'm so happy for you."

A grin broke on Dean's face. "Thanks. It's why — I had to call you, I can't — I can't lose them, Claud, I can't."

"I know," Claudia said quickly, her eyes flickering to the Doctor and Rose. "I get it. They're family."

Realization flickered over his face and his eyes settled on the Doctor and Rose again, a new expression in them.

"Yeah, exactly." He cleared his throat, nodding to the bowl. "You go ahead, I'll keep these two from being stupid."

"Sorry, what are we doing exactly?" The Doctor asked quickly. "Just — just curious. Why the pentagram and bowl of black, ooh, what is that," he walked forward to get a closer look and Claudia shook her head.

"Don't you dare try to lick this."

"I wasn't — I was just," he spluttered before shaking his head. "Curious. I'm just curious."

"You can't lick everything."

"That's what she said," Dean smirked.

"Who said that?" The Doctor looked at him in confusion. "Claudia just said that, why are you repeating it?"

Claudia sighed as Dean grinned, a mischievous look in his eye. "Just, don't. Hand me the knife."

Dean chuckled before sobering, pulling a knife from the cabinet and gesturing for her palm. She gave it willingly, holding it over the bowl as Rose and the Doctor watched in concern, exchanging a look.

Dean cut her palm and she barely winced, turning it so the blood dripped into the bowl.

"What are you doing?" Rose asked with wide eyes. "What is that? Doctor, what're they doing?"

"Hang on, Rose," the Doctor said softly, watching them in fascination.

Dean glanced at them and shook his head, taking the bowl and setting it down, offering Claudia gauze.

"You break your wrist?" He nodded to her other one.

"Yeah, don't ask."

"Whatever." He rolled his eyes before starting the chant. They both chanted in Latin for a few moments until the final part of the spell. "...et ad congregandum eos coram me!"

A flicker, the candles went out, and then:

"Well, my favorite Winchester."

Claudia crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow. "I'm here. You have about ten seconds before I take my pretty little angel blade," she tugged it from her sleeve. "And kill you."

Crowley smiled, amused. "No need for such dramatics, love. I do miss that hostility. Now," his mouth fell open and he met the Doctor's eyes. A grin widened on his face. "Oh, I get it. A Time Lord. Brilliant. I haven't seen of you since Romana. She was fiery."

The Doctor stepped forward. "How do you know Romana?"

Crowley chuckled. "What's your title, then?"

"None of your business," Claudia interjected firmly, shooting a look at the Doctor for speaking up.

"If you think I'm afraid of a measly Time Lord, love, you're—"

"—Don't pay attention to him," Claudia interrupted Crowley, looking at said man with nothing but contempt. "Don't fucking look at him. What'd you do with Bobby? Why'd he have a heart attack when he was supposed to live? You had a deal."

Crowley shrugged. "Did you even read the terms and conditions? My deal explicitly stated you or him. He chose his own fate."

"What?" Dean asked loudly. "What the fuck does that mean? You want my soul? Take it. Bring Bobby back."

Crowley rolled his eyes. "Oh, Squirrel, your soul is worthless now that you've already corrupted it. It's Claudia's I want."

"No deal," Dean said quickly.

"You'd let Bobby go?" Claudia asked after a moment. "He'd be okay?"

"Healthy as a horse," Crowley smiled wryly. He flicked his hand and a contract rolled in front of him. "Do we have a deal, darling?"

"No, hang on, hang on," Dean interjected, pulling Claudia back. "Don't you fucking dare," he said firmly to her. "Why now? Why not after? You had months. Why now?"

Annoyance flashed Crowley's features. "The cage isn't...as secure as we'd hoped."

Claudia and Dean paled, stumbling a bit.

"Cage? What cage?" The Doctor asked.

"Bit out of your depth, Time Lord," Crowley winked. "Stick to the aliens. The professionals are talking."

The Doctor's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and he opened his mouth to speak but stopped when Claudia gave him a harsh look.

Taking a step closer to Crowley, she stood centimeters from the outline of the circle and gave him a cold expression.

"You have one chance to explain properly or I will take my Angel blade and remove your intestines and feed them to you. Then I'll take you right back back to Hell, they'll heal you, and I'll do it again. Do you understand me, Crowley?" Her voice was low and threatening. Dean glanced at her in worry, but it flickered away a second later. "I'm not playing your fucking games. The rings were your idea. So if He has a chance of escaping and my brother sacrificed himself for nothing, I will hold you personally responsible and ensure every second of your immortal existence is filled with nothing but sheer pain and suffering."

Crowley shrugged, unbothered. "Ever so dramatic, love, it's why you're my favorite. I do so miss your violent tendencies. Didn't Castiel really enjoy—"

He didn't get a chance to finish his sentence before the angel blade was out and stabbing his shoulder. He groaned in pain, looking at her in shock. Her face didn't change.

"Don't fucking say his name."

Crowley glanced to the Doctor but she reached her hand over the circle and gripped his jaw tightly, bringing his attention back to her.

"Look at him again and I'll remove your eyes from their sockets."

Crowley watched her for a moment. Everyone was quiet. Tense. And then he snorted.

She rolled her eyes, dropping her hand and wiping the blood on her jeans. "Why do you want my soul in particular?"

Crowley's head tilted a fraction. "Ninety years love, nearly a century of torment in Hell and not once did you break." At her perplexed expression he smirked. "You don't know, do you?"

"Know what, asshole?" Dean asked, stepping next to her and crossing his arms.

Crowley looked between the two of them. "Castiel didn't just save you, Dean-o," he glanced to Dean. "He made a pitstop first to your lovely sister."

Claudia's brows furrowed. "No, he didn't. He didn't come until five months later. He only saved Dean because he was the—"

"—Righteous Man, the First Seal, yes, yes, that's incredibly old news. He healed you. Don't you remember?"

Claudia stumbled back, shaking her head. "N-no, he didn't. Not until he took me out."

"No, it created quite a stir downstairs. No one was particularly happy with his protections on you. It took two months to remove the bloody enchantments before anyone could touch you again."

Claudia and Dean exchanged a look, wordlessly communicating for a moment before Dean shrugged. Claudia looked back to Crowley.

"So what does that have to do with wanting my soul? Why take Bobby's?"

Crowley shrugged, brushing off dust from his suit jacket. "Your soul was touched by the hand of an angel. He marked you." He looked over Claudia's face for a moment before continuing. "And then when he died, his Grace was passed through into the only living soul it had touched. One it had bonded with. You, are incredibly unique, Claudia."

Silence.

Claudia and Dean were baffled by his words. She tried to think them over. Castiel had healed her? Why couldn't she remember that? Did that effect their relationship? Why had he given her his Grace? Does that mean she wouldn't die?

Rose spoke up then. "What's he mean by angel, Claudia?"

Claudia jumped, having forgotten she was even there.

She didn't answer Rose, looking to Crowley. "How do you know all of this?"

"Because the cage is no longer stable."

"Yeah, explain that, you bag of dicks," Dean cut in. "And you can forget getting her soul. Bobby made his damn choice and I'm not letting her die."

Claudia tried not to tear up, she did, really. But after their last real conversation, hearing that Dean didn't want her dead warmed her heart so much she thought it might burst from her chest.

"No matter," Crowley eyed her with a small smirk. "She's coming anyway. When she finally kicks the bucket, no more deals. She's already mine."

Claudia winced as Dean tensed, slowly turning his head to look at her. "What's he mean by that?"

"Nothing," she answered quickly. "Don't listen, he's an asshole."

"You haven't told him?" A smile tugged at Crowley's lips. "Oh, am I the one to break the news?"

"Shut up, Crowley," Claudia glared at him. "What does any of this have to do with the cage?"

Crowley hesitated. Briefly, and for a second, but Claudia noticed it.

"He's willing to exchange you for Sam. Says you'd be more fun with the healing factor. And in doing so, he'd be hurting Castiel, or whatever's left of him in you. In turn, the cage stays closed."

"No—"

"Fine—"

Dean slapped the back of Claudia's head. "No fucking way, you idiot. You," he turned to Crowley. "Get fucking lost."

"Fine," Crowley raised an eyebrow. "But when he escapes, don't say I didn't warn you. And don't come running to me for help."

Claudia just watched him as Dean scuffed his shoe along the pentagram line and Crowley disappeared.

Standing still, all Claudia could think about was Sam. Her sweet brother. Sweet Sammy. He could be free of his pain. His torment. She could save him.

She could hear the Doctor's and Rose's voices and Dean's — and someone was grabbing her arms — but she was staring blankly into nothing. She couldn't think of anything except Sam. She could trade herself. Save him.

Save Sammy.

If Crowley truly wanted her soul, if Lucifer truly wanted her soul, she could surely trade for both Bobby and Sam.

They could both be free. With Dean. Rose and the Doctor would still travel.

She would be okay.

She'd done Hell before, she could surely endure it again.

Hands were on her cheeks, gently, and a face was in her vision. She couldn't see it clearly until the brown eyes met hers and everything snapped into place like a rubber band.

"What's he mean, angel?"

"Don't even fucking think about it Claudia."

"Sorry, what does he mean? Who was that? What is this?"

"Claudia, listen to me."

All she could focus on were the brown eyes. The Doctor. He wasn't saying anything anymore, just looking at her. Worry flickered in his gaze and then — was that relief? — and she nodded a fraction. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before pulling back.

Claudia took a second to regather her thoughts before turning to Rose.

"I'll explain in one second." She looked to Dean. "You would do it in a second. Let me do it."

"Absolutely not."

"Dean—"

"Don't start with me," Dean said firmly, glaring at his sister. "Sam wouldn't want this for you."

"Sam's in the worst possible place in all of creation, I don't think he wants anything more than to be rid of it."

"Not if it means you take his place," Dean shook his head. "And shame on you for doing that to Cas," his voice broke for a second. "He gave you his Grace for a reason and you're not going to throw it away for fucking Lucifer."

"Lucifer?" Rose asked loudly. "Like the devil? What's going on?"

Claudia ignored Rose. "Dean," her eyes pleaded with her brother. "I don't have anything here. Sam could have a life. A really good life. Like you. I just — I just float around and, I'm not — he deserves to be here, not me."

"You promised," she heard the Doctor say quietly, his gaze on her. "You promised me."

Claudia's gaze snapped to his and a torn expression overtook her face. "Don't say that to me."

"You did promise. Don't go back on that, you pinky swore, Winchester."

Dean snorted. "What're we, twelve?"

Claudia didn't look at him, focusing on the Doctor. "I can't let him stay there," she whispered, tears flooding her vision. "You don't know what it's like down there. I don't even know what it's like where he is. It's so much worse for him. And if you knew Sam, you'd want me to do it, because he's better than me in every single way and—"

The Doctor shook his head. "I've met Sam. In the other universe. He was very nice, strong leader, and there was nothing he loved more than you."

Claudia looked away from him, trying to stop herself from crying, but he continued.

"Do you know what he said to me? Before we left?"

Claudia shook her head, surprise in her eyes. She hadn't known they'd spoken.

"He told me to keep you safe. And I swore to him I would. I'm not very good at keeping people out of precarious situations or ensuring they're not in danger, but I told him I would do everything in my power to ensure it. I will lock you up in the TARDIS before I let you do this, Claudia."

Claudia said nothing, swallowing and trying to regain her breath. Dean reached out and placed a hand on her arm gently.

"Don't make his sacrifice be in vain. He wouldn't want to live up here if you're down there."

Claudia nodded, guilt flooding her decision as she made it.

"So what do we do?" Her eyes found Dean's. "About the cage?"

Dean ran a hand over his face. "I don't know, Claud. We don't have..." he sighed, suddenly looking much older than he was. "No Bobby, Sam, or Cas. We just...hope Crowley's lying."

"Hope?" Claudia echoed, shaking her head. "We're betting Sam's sacrifice and the fate of the world on hope?"

"We've bet more for less."

Eyes closing, Claudia inhaled deeply and walked forward, pressing her face into Dean's chest, wrapping her arms around his middle.

Surprise straightened his back, but he tentatively wrapped his arms around her, one hand cradling the back of her head, holding her to him.

They weren't huggers, either of them. Sam was the physical one. But in that moment, all she wanted was to feel safe in the arms of her big brother.

"It'll be okay, Claud," he promised gently. "Thank you for coming."

Claudia squeezed once before pulling back, smiling softly up at him. "You're all I have left."

Dean's lips quirked up and he nodded to the Doctor and Rose, who stood next to one another again — her hand in the Doctor's — watching the siblings worriedly. Then he looked back at Claudia.

"You're an idiot for saying that. Go home." He ruffled her hair gently. "I'll call you if Crowley gets antsy and I'll kill him if he touches my family."

"You can call me for fun too," she replied in a small voice. "If you want."

He smiled, nodding upstairs. "I gotta clean this up before they get back. Lisa hates this shit everywhere."

"See you, Dean."

"Later, Claudia."

—

Explaining everything to the Doctor and Rose wasn't as hard as Claudia expected it to be, now that they'd seen a bit of it.

The Doctor was still skeptical, of course, but Rose was a little shell-shocked and after the conversation about souls and hell, all she wanted was her mother.

The Doctor dropped her off for the night, leaving him and Claudia alone.

They were quiet after Rose left, and Claudia was startled with the realization that both of them wore facades with Rose.

They laughed and voiced opinions and answered questions and provided banter, but there was a hollowness in them that stretched them further and further the more it festered.

Rose was comfortable between them; a warm blanket of sunshine and excitement. A much needed distraction from the painful histories they could not hide from one another.

And yet, despite the silence — long and harrowing; chilling the gaps in their souls that were shredded from loss and trauma — Claudia's head rested gently on the Doctor's shoulder, as they watched a star reborn in the cosmos.

There were no words to be said, no promises to be made. Rose asked questions and needed assurances. Rose was the ray of light and laughter between them, and without her, they were left with nothing but a mirror of themselves.

Claudia understood now, why the Doctor wanted her to stay. It wasn't selfless, it wasn't a promise to Sam. It wasn't even to dissuade his own guilt if something were to happen to her otherwise.

He wanted her to stay for the same reason she needed too. Because with everything beautiful that was Rose encompassed, she could never quite dull the ache of loneliness that nestled deep in the crevices of their hearts.

And no one understood that better than the other.

—

Eehhhhhh okay so this is essentially to explain what happens later on with impossible planet (one of my ALL TIME favorite episodes and the reason I started writing this story) and to get a little closure on Dean, help establish some of Claudia's backstory BUT we will still get some supernatural hints gang don't worry
hope the end made sense idk