And here we have the updated version of The Snowmen!

Fitting considering it is currently snowing with me.

Next chapter will be Listen, and hopefully should be up sometime next weekend

Enjoy

The group watched in anticipation as the newest title appeared on the giant screen.

"The Snowmen?" Ryan announced, face bewildered at the title alongside most of the group.

Clara's eyes had narrowed at the screen before turning to the Doctor, "You don't think ...?" She had a strong suspicion she knew what this was about (her memories of her time splintered were slightly blurry and took some effort to think of, likely for the sake of her sanity, but she did remember them a lot better now).

"I think so." The Doctor nodded, face serious as she glanced briefly at Amy and Rory.

"Well, that was helpful!" Donna declared dramatically; voice full of sarcasm.

Jack chuckled, "Only you Doc would be able to find threatening snowmen."

"How do you know they weren't friendly?" The Doctor shot back, "And don't call me Doc!"

Everyone gave her a 'really?' look, Jack just snorted, grinning widely; "It's you ... Doc." The Doctor shot him a glare at the nickname but couldn't argue with his logic. Now the debate over the title of the video was done, the group turned to the screen ready to watch the latest video unfold.

Snowflakes with teeth drift down towards Earth

"That's a brilliant start." Bill muttered. No one missed the look that Clara and the Doctor shared.

In an English park, 1842, a group of children throw snowballs while a lone boy builds a snowman. A woman calls to the boy – Walter, asking if he wants to play with the other children but Walter says he doesn't need anyone else. A man walks up to the woman and mentions the boy is alone and never talks to anyone, that it isn't healthy, then they both walk back into a large building. Walter says he doesn't want to talk to them as they're sill, the snowman he's building agrees they're silly

"I'm starting to see how the snowmen can be unfriendly." Ryan declared, looking unnerved by the supposedly taking snowman on screen.

"Only you, Doctor, would meet snowmen that could talk." Yaz gave the Doctor a pointed look, to which she received a shrug and grin, although everyone could see the grin was slightly shaky which left them all a bit unsettled; something was off.

Walter runs away from the snowman that says don't need anyone else and it can help him, Walter asks how

"Because that isn't ominous at all." Martha muttered. The whole group was on edge; the whole atmosphere feeling unnerving and the glances Clara and the Doctor were sharing weren't happy-looking. This one didn't seem like it was going to end very well and no one was enjoying the apprehension building.

50 years later, in an institute, the young boy is now a grumpy old man that watches others scrape bits of snow from snowmen with nasty toothy grins. They transport jars back to the GI institute and into the laboratory. There is a massive globe on legs in the middle which has some snow, and electricity crackles across the place

"That looks a bit more serious than a talking snowman." Rose commented, watching the industrial process with apprehension.

"You could say that again." Mickey muttered.

Simeon (Walter) declares the last arrivals have been sampled and the snow declares the great swarm is approaching and as humanity celebrates it will end, asking if the final piece is ready

"The 'great swarm', end of humanity? None of that sounds remotely good." Bill announced with a grimace, glancing at the Doctor face full of concern.

"It doesn't, does it?" The Doctor mused, purposefully teasing the group. Clara just shook her head in fond exasperation at her words while the rest of the group sighed annoyed.

Simeon reassures it everything is in hand, and he serves him. Simeon spoons the snow from the jars into the globe. The snow asks how they will keep the secrets from the men who helped them tonight, and Simeon declares it won't be a problem as he promised to feed them

"Why do I feel like that's not a good thing?" Graham asked.

Ryan snorted, "Probably the talking snow, or creepy grin, or everything else that's wrong with this mess so far."

"Didn't need the sarcasm, Ryan."

In the courtyard, Simeon stands on a balcony and overlooks the yard of man. A worker asks about food saying it has been a long day and he sees no food. Simeon declares he does as the toothy snowmen rear up from the ground. Simeon declares he promised to feed them, he just didn't say who to

"Is it bad that I kind of expected that?" Yaz asked.

No one else spoke up all silently agreeing with Yaz even as they grimaced at the horrible fate of those poor workers.

At a pub – the Rose & Crown, a familiar young woman (Clara) gathers empty tankards and takes the trays outside. Outside is a toothy snowman in the yard, and a man walks past her.

"Clara?" Several people announced confused. From the way she'd reacted to the title and the video so far, they'd already known she was involved but they hadn't expected her to appear like this.

Clara and the Doctor shared a long look, having a silent conversation about what to tell the group at this moment.

"Essentially Clara got splintered. She became a jigsaw puzzle piece, an individual that when put together builds a bigger picture ... expect it's nothing like that. Forget I said anything ..." The Doctor rambled; drawing rolled eyes from the majority of the group. Clara sighed, but quickly took over as the Doctor looked more contemplative, trying to think of a better explanation.

"It's ... complicated. I splintered myself across the Doctor's timeline our first time on Trenzalore, not the one you've seen. This is me, but not me. I have some memories of it but they're not the clearest thankfully, too many to deal with. Amy, Rory – Oswin, you know the one you met on the planet with all the Daleks? That was another splinter." Clara tried to explain, nodding at Amy and Rory whose eyes widened as they connected some of the dots.

Clara asks the man if he made the snowman. The man – the Doctor – says no still walking away

"Bit grumpy Doctor, more like Eyebrows then Chinny." Jack joked, but his raised eyebrow and pointed look at the Doctor said it was a serious worry that he wanted answers to.

The Doctor bit her lip, glancing at Amy and Rory briefly. "It was a bad time." No matter the questioning looks she was given, she refused to elaborate. Clara just watching sadly but aware.

Clara asks who did then as it wasn't there a moment ago, it just appeared. The Doctor turns and examines it, saying maybe it is snow that fell before, maybe it remembered how to be a snowman

"Since when could snow remember?" Rose asked confused and weary. No one knew what to say, and those that did, refused to say anything.

Clara declares the idea of snow remembering silly and the Doctor asks what is wrong with silly. Clara says nothing is as she is still talking to him isn't she

"Ooh, burn. Good one Clara." Bill grinned at the other woman who grinned back.

The Doctor asks her name and once he gets it declares it a nice name and she should keep it, before saying goodbye

"Keep it?" Clara raised an eyebrow at the Doctor, she'd been far more focused on other things at the time to really question the comment. "As opposed to what?"

The Doctor just shrugged.

Clara follows him round the corner asking where he is going as they were just getting acquainted. The Doctor leaves and Clara returns to the inn before changing her mind and running after his carriage

"Too stubborn for your own good." The Doctor muttered but no one missed the fond smile on her face.

"Need to be to keep up with your nonsense, hypocrite." Donna snorted.

In the carriage, Vastra (through a telepathic device) declares it is refreshing to see him taking an interest again asking if Clara was nice

"Madama Vastra." Martha smiled, pleased to see the Silurian on screen again; she seemed very good at keeping up with and a good friend for the Doctor. And seeing how this video was going it was good to know the Doctor had such a good friend to help him and keep him out of some trouble.

The Doctor says he just spoke to her, and Vastra argues it undoubtedly made his normal impact. The Doctor argues it made no impact as those days are over

The whole group snorted in disbelief at that comment. Upon seeing the Doctor's pout, River smiled and nudged her wife; "Sorry Sweetie, but you just can't help yourself."

Vastra argues he can't help himself

"See, even Vastra agrees." River nodded to Vastra's comment.

Vastra is in her study as she declares it the same story every time, and it always begins with the same two words

In sync the whole group, with varying emphasis and tone (the Master grumpily and annoyingly included) spoke up; "Doctor who?" They then broke out into laughter at the look the Doctor gave them (Master not included).

The Doctor says she'll never be able to find him again and doesn't even have the name Doctor. He asks what two words. Clara's head appears through the hatch in the roof and asks Doctor who?

The group grinned widely at Clara's dramatic reappearance. Amy nodded approvingly, "Good, need to keep him on his toes. Don't let him just run away like that." She had a sneaking suspicion about when this was set based on the Doctor's attitude, and if she was right then she was very interested to see how Clara got to know/deal with the Doctor.

Outside Darkover house, a carriage drops off a middle-aged man (Latimer) who is greeted by a servant at the door (Alice). Latimer comments on the pond being frozen over, saying it hasn't frozen since the night. Simeon appears adding since the night Latimer's children's governess died a year ago

"Oh great, things are getting even more ominous." Rory muttered with a long sigh, because apparently evil snowmen, Clara-that-isn't-really-Clara-but-is, and a depressed Doctor weren't enough they also had a dead governess that seemed to be still (metaphorically) haunting them.

Alice introduces Dr Simeon and says he insisted on waiting. Latimer declares the governess drowned in the pond, and Simeon adds it then froze so they didn't find her until a month later when the ice melted

"No one knew she was missing for a month?!" Yaz exclaimed shocked. The rest of the group seemed equally appalled and horrified by the story.

Clara glanced at the Doctor who nodded at her (she would know more of the details in that regard) before turning to the group with a rough explanation, "They'd figured out she was missing before that but no one could find her. They only figured out she had died in the lake when it melted as they couldn't see through the ice before then." Her response earned some understanding nods but they group still seemed horrified.

Latimer says he remembers as it isn't something you tend to forget. Simeon declares the ice remembers too

"I'm going to guess he means a bit more literally based on the freaky snowmen and his general ... creepiness." Donna remarked, waving at Simeon on the screen.

Clara and the Doctor shared a knowing glance but didn't answer to Donna (and the rest of the group's) annoyance – it seemed they were back to normal, with never getting answers.

Latimer asks who he is and what does he want. Simeon hands over a business card – the Great Intelligence Institute. Simeon declares the pond is Captain Latimer's but what is growing inside is his when it is ready, he then wishes them a good evening and leaves

"Please don't tell me we're getting a zombie out of the ice?" Ryan asked Clara and the Doctor, eyes widening in horror.

"Don't be ridiculous, Ryan. That's not possible" Graham nudged his grandson, turning to the Doctor. "Right, Doc?"

The Doctor turned her eyes back to the screen, expression schooled and purposely avoiding eye contact.

"Right Doc?" Graham tried again, less confident and more desperate. She didn't answer, which only left the group feeling even more apprehensive.

In an alley, Jenny stands in Simeon's path. She remarks on him being out late and Vastra declares it makes someone wonder what he's been up to, and she's often thought of what Simeon and his institute do

"Jenny and Vastra are on his case at least." Amy nodded approvingly, good to see that even if the Doctor was in a mood that Vastra was taking care of things until Clara could help knock some sense into the Doctor (and that was only if Vastra couldn't deal with it all herself).

Simeon declares he is honoured by the presence of the veiled detective and her fatuous accomplice. He asks if they release Doctor Doyle is almost certainly basing his tales on their exploits, with some alteration of course as he doubts the readers would accept a female as the great detective

"I'm sorry. Did he just imply that Sherlock Holmes is based off of Vastra?" Martha grinned, leaning forward in her seat in excitement.

"He certainly did." The Doctor grinned back.

Simeon lifts Vastra's veil and he adds her suspiciously intimate companion

"They're gay, just say it!" Bill exclaimed with a dramatic sigh and gesture; however, she got too dramatic and managed to tilt her way off her beanbag, falling onto the floor. The group burst out laughing at the sight which Bill quickly joined in on as she settled herself back on the beanbag properly, leaning against the sofa that Yaz, Graham and Ryan shared.

Vastra resents the implications of impropriety as they are married. She declares the snow is interesting as the ice crystals have a low-level telepathic field, like it can detect and respond to thoughts and memories of people. Snow that learns

"In normal circumstances that would be amazing, but when the Doctor's involved you know there's going to be trouble." Jack remarked with a teasing grin at the Doctor.

The Doctor scoffed but they could all see her lips twitching, "I resent that implication Harkness!"

"We all know it's true Sweetie." River joined in on teasing her wife.

"You two really can't say anything!" The Doctor protested to deaf ears.

Simeon feigns disinterest. Vastra adds she hopes the snow is listening to the right people as it could be a terrible weapon in the wrong hands. Simeon thinks winter is coming, one the world has never known, the last of humankind and asks if they know why he is telling them this

"Seeing as this is set in like Victorian times –." Mickey started.

"1892." Clara shrugged interrupting her.

Mickey nodded at her and continued, "Right, seeing as this is 1892 and we've definitely had winter since then I'm going to go out on a limb here and say you stopped his plan."

"Good guess." The Doctor shrugged with a smile but refused to elaborate.

Because they can't do anything to stop it. Vastra admits she might not be able to but she knows a man who can, and Simeon says he is looking forward to meeting him, he then leaves. Jenny asks if Vastra meant the Doctor as he won't help, doesn't help any more. Vastra knows and says they need to pray for a miracle as she thinks they are going to need him

"What does she mean by that Doctor?" Rose asked quietly. They'd only seen the Doctor on screen briefly but they could all tell something was wrong.

The Doctor sighed deeply, eyes flicking up to glance at Amy and Rory before shifting to the floor as she considered her wording. Finally, she looked up again, "It was a bad time so I decided to take a break from everything with people I knew I could trust."

She stopped her explanation there, looking around in the hope that the group would accept that and move on. But as expected, they were watching her curiously, several raising eyebrows or nodding at her to continue. They tried not to pressure her to answer too often, but sometimes it was better for everyone and the only way to get explanations for anything.

The Doctor bit her lip before continuing, eyes locked on Amy and Rory but not meeting their eyes. She vaguely felt River grab and squeeze her hand tightly in comfort, already having worked out what had happened. "Amy and Rory ... I'd just lost Amy and Rory ... Weeping Angels took them ... they're fine and together, I mean obviously they're here ... but it means I would never see them again." The Doctor stumbled over her words, as it wasn't something she often had to explain.

Thankfully the group seemed to understand what she was trying to say, their eyes opening wide in realisation as they grasped what the Doctor meant. It added a whole new layer to the video, all quietly (and not so quietly) curious about what the Doctor was like after having just lost a companion. They all couldn't help but wonder what she was like after losing them specifically, and for Amy and Rory they would get that opportunity to see in this video. The silence as they all contemplated the Doctor's words, allowed the Doctor to sink into herself a bit as no one spoke up and eventually the video re-started, pulling everyone from their thoughts for the moment.

Outside the institute Strax is watching Simeon with electronic binoculars. The carriage is rocking. Strax informs the Doctor they have taken sample from snowmen all over London and asks what he thinks they are doing in the institute

"The potato is back." Bill grinned, trying to bring back a more pleasant atmosphere in the room after the revelation from the Doctor. She succeeded, mostly as the group wanted to move away from the more solemn atmosphere that had taken over the room, plus they were all happy to see Strax on screen again.

The Doctor declares the snow is new, maybe alien, and asks Strax what if the next thing you look for when you find something completely new? Strax suggests a grenade

"That's Sontarans for you." Jack chuckled.

The Doctor counters with profit, declaring it Victorian values. Strax suggest a full-frontal assault with laser monkeys and acid

"Laser monkeys?" Rory asked before thinking for a second, "You know what? I don't want to know."

The Doctor asks why, and Strax asks why they can't investigate before the Doctor declares it none of their business

"When has that ever stopped you before Doctor?" Amy asked, face stern even as her eyes portrayed her sadness and understanding for the Doctor. She wouldn't deny that she'd spent several nights after being transported back in time by the Angels just thinking about how the Doctor had coped. Had he moved on like she'd asked? Had he found someone else to travel with? Was he with River? She'd driven herself to distraction on several occasions, but she wasn't quite sure she was ready for answers. Not that it mattered as it seemed she would finally be receiving some.

Strax asks permission to express his opposition to the Doctor's apathy, which he does when the Doctor gives him permission

"Leave it to Strax to lay it all out." Mickey snickered.

In the carriage, Clara shouts to be let out

Clara glared at the Doctor, remembering how she'd been locked in the carriage, the Doctor didn't even have the grace to look sheepish, instead she seemed very entertained by the whole affair.

The Doctor thanks Strax saying if he needs advice from a psychotic potato dwarf he'll be the first to know

"Psychotic potato dwarf." Yaz grinned, "Best description of a Sontaran."

Strax asks him to be reasonable if the snow is alien shouldn't they be trying to destroy it. The Doctor is determined it isn't their problem as the one thing he learned over thousands of years of saving the universe is the universe doesn't care

"Oh Doctor." River whispered, voice heartbroken and eyes sad. It was made worse by the way the Doctor refused to meet anyone's eyes, firmly focusing on the screen.

Clara is still shouting to be let out asking if they are listening to her. The Doctor declares they have a problem of their own to worry about as Clara keeps shouting

"Are you calling me a problem?" Clara asked pointedly.

"Yes." The Doctor nodded before turning to actually see Clara's expression where she quickly scrambled to change her answer, "... Is what I would say if I was an idiot, which I am."

"At least you admit it." Clara sighed to herself but gave the Doctor one last glare just for good measure.

The Doctor reassures Clara no one is going to hurt her and Clara asks what Strax is

"Love the priorities, Clara." Rose chuckled.

"As if you wouldn't want to know about the talking potato." Clara retorted with a grin.

Strax is confused on gender as normal and the Doctor introduces Strax saying he is easily confused as she can see

"Oh Strax." Rory shook his head fondly.

The Doctor explains he is Sontaran, a clone warrior race and two genders is a bit further than he can count

"Just a bit." Nardole muttered, "Sounds appealing."

Strax asks him to not reveal his reproductive cycles to enemy girls as it is embarrassing. Clara asks who he is, and the Doctor counters that it doesn't matter as she is going to forget they ever met. Strax declares they will need the worm

"The worm?" Martha raised an eyebrow pointedly.

"The worm." The Doctor grinned and Clara groaned.

Clara is understandably worried, asking what worm? The Doctor reassures her that it won't hurt but she just needs to touch it with her bare skin and she'll lose the last hour of her memory

"A memory worm?" Mickey asked bewildered, "Why not." He sighed as the rest of the group snickered at the absolute ridiculousness of the situation.

"Is sending Strax to get the worm a good idea?" Amy asked the Doctor, with a knowing look. The Doctor had literally just discussed why he wasn't the brightest potato in the patch after all.

The Doctor sighed, "Not at all." She really should have thought about that beforehand.

Strax returns lacking the worm, and the Doctor asks where it is. Strax is confused what he means

"He didn't?" Bill grinned hopefully.

The Doctor's pained sigh and Clara's giggles was all the answer the group needed, all breaking out into laughter at poor Strax.

The Doctor tells him he was supposed to get the memory worm, which confused Strax who then asks who Clara is and remarks on it having been snowing. The Doctor realises he didn't use the gauntlets, and Strax asks why he would need the gauntlets, asking if he wants him to get the memory worm

"You should never trust a potato with a memory worm." Graham chuckled.

"That's one of the weirdest sentences I think you've ever said." Ryan replied with an expression of disbelief on his face as Yaz snickered.

A short time later, Strax is under the carriage and the Doctor asks if he can see it – Strax says he can hear it. Clara giggles and the Doctor tells her to not run away and stay where she is. Clara asks why she could run as she knows what will happen next and it is funny

The group in the room seemed equally amused at the situation, and unlike Clara on screen they were also aware that she wasn't in actual danger from the Doctor.

The Doctor asks what is funny, and Clara starts with Strax, calling him an ugly fella. The Doctor says maybe but he gave his life for a friend of his once

"Demons run?" Rory asked quietly, he had thought that he'd seen him die after all.

The Doctor nodded, "Demons run." The rest of the group was quiet in understanding, having already seen the video the pair were talking about.

Clara asks how he is alive then, and the Doctor explains another friend brought him back but he isn't sure all his brains came back too

The group snickered at that comment.

Clara agrees as Strax declares he can see the worm. The Doctor asks if he can reach it, if he got it, and Strax asks got what?

"He's not wearing the gauntlets." Rose laughed, the rest of the group bursting out into renewed laughter at her realisation.

Clara holds up a pair of gloves declaring they're the gauntlets, right? Strax declares there is an emergency as he thinks he's been run over by a cab

"Oh Strax." The Doctor shook her head fondly, she really needed to go visit the Paternoster gang sometime soon.

The Doctor uses the gauntlets and grabs a large white worm. He reminds her that one touch and she'll lose an hour of her memory, warning if she lets it bite her, she could lose decades

"Good to know." Donna muttered, making a mental note to never let one of those bite her. Not that she had planned it to begin with; the worm reminded her far too much of another worm-thing – the one that had shown her another timeline where she'd never met the Doctor, she wondered if they would be shown that at some point too.

He puts the worm in a jar as he comments on how she still isn't trying to run. Clara says she still doesn't understand how the snowman built itself and she'll run once he's explained

"I can see why you travelled together." River smirked, that was the kind of remark that drew the Doctor's attention to people.

He asks Clara who? And she counters Doctor who? Which he says is a dangerous question

"You're telling me about it." Amy muttered. The Doctor winced at that; it really was.

Clara asks what is so dangerous, then a snowman appears and the Doctor explains the snow emits a low-level telepathic field

"Telepathic snow, wonders never cease." Jack shook his head. He didn't think he'd ever see everything the universe had to offer no matter how long he lived or how far her travelled, and he'd long since accepted that.

The Doctor continues saying it seems to reflect people's thoughts and memories; Clara cuts him off as she spots the snowman that just appeared. The Doctor asks if she was thinking about it – which she obviously was, and more start appearing. The Doctor tells her to stop thinking about them

"It's really hard to stop thinking about something when it's right in front of you!" Clara countered. She was very thankful the snowmen had been dealt with, if they hadn't been then there would be a lot of snowmen in the room with them.

The closest snowman breaths snowflakes at them and the Doctor tells Clara to listen as she is caught in their telepathic field and they're mirroring her, the more she thinks of them, the more appear. He tells her to imagine them melting

"The Wicked Witch is dead!" Bill announced with a cartoonish cackle. Her words drew the room's attention, "What? You can't tell me you weren't thinking it too."

They're splashed with icy water and the snowmen are gone. The Doctor declares that good as Clara asks if it will happen again. The Doctor says she knows what to do if it does, Clara points out unless she forgets

"Ooh, you cornered him there. Well done." Amy nodded approvingly; it was good to see the Doctor's next companion after them had a sensible head on her shoulders (by their crazy standards).

The Doctor pits Clara into the carriage and tells her to forget him and not look for him

"There is absolutely no chance of that happening." Rose snorted.

Clara asks if they should be warning people about the snow which the Doctor says is not his problem, and merry Christmas. He orders Strax to take her back where they found her

"The evil telepathic snowmen are going to take over the world, but it's not my problem. Merry Christmas, go on about your day." Yaz said, "Great advice Doctor."

Strax drives on but Clara has already gotten out the carriage and follows the Doctor

"You're incorrigible." The Doctor deadpanned at Clara.

Clara raised an eyebrow, "Pot meet kettle."

"Touche."

He goes to a park where he climbs a railing, whistling Silent Night. Seeing no one around, he jumps and grabs a ladder which he pulls down. Clara hides behind a tree as the Doctor climbs the ladder and vanishes, a moment later the ladder rises and disappears too. Clara moves out after a second and jumps for the ladder, getting it on the second try

Clara turns to the Doctor, "If you even think about making a short joke, you will regret it." The Doctor held up her hands in surrender. The rest of the group was far more focused on the scene unfolding on screen.

She starts climbing, waving at passers-by from the top who don't see her. She realises she is invisible; at the base of a spiral staircase, she hears footsteps above. The ladder retracts as she climbs and the ground gets far below

"What are you up too?" Martha asked the Doctor confused. This was odd even by their standards, but then again, they hadn't really seen the Doctor dealing with the grief of lost companions/friends before (although she had seen the after effects of the Doctor's grief over Rose in person).

"Isolation." The Doctor replied bluntly and quietly, eyes focussed on the screen.

"Okay Elsa." Bill muttered, earning snickers from some of the group, and even a sad smile from the Doctor. She might not get all the movie references her companions made, but she did get some (mostly due to the movie nights most of her companions seemed to have during their travels on the Tardis. Right from Ian and Barbara up to her current three, although the genres varied greatly depending on who was with her at the time).

In the clouds the Tardis appears and Clara reluctantly steps off the staircase onto a cloud and then knocks on the door. She hides round the corner when the door opens, the Doctor says hello and they circle the Tardis before Clara runs down the stairs unseen. The Doctor finds her shawl

"You knew I was there." Clara realised; she thought she'd managed to sneak away with little suspicion.

"Yes."

"You didn't do anything about it." Clara continued.

"You were stubborn. There was no stopping you." The Doctor shrugged, eyes slightly cloudy as if lost in memories, "And maybe I was starting to think Vastra had a point."

At the institute, more snow samples are put into the globe and the snow declares the thaw will happen tonight before more snow falls stringer tomorrow. It declares the drowned woman and dreaming child will give them form, mankind will fall, she is coming

"They're absolutely taking about the drowned governess in the frozen pond, aren't they?" Rory groaned but seemed resigned to the truth.

Back at the pub, Clara wakes in her bed then dresses and leaves carrying a gladstone bag. She looks at the lack of snow declaring it must have thawed overnight. The landlord follows her out begging her, but Clara just says Elsie is back in the afternoon and she was only helping out but she has her own work to get back to

"Wait you don't actually work there?" Mickey asked confused.

"I heled out, but it was more of a side job then my actual place of work." Clara explained with a shrug.

"So where did you work then?" Nardole inquired. Clara just gave a purposely mysterious grin but didn't answer.

The landlord asks about the work and why she won't tell them about it, Clara says they'd never believe her. In a carriage, Clara draws the blinds and changes her clothes. She gets out at the Darkover house as a prim and proper lady, even her accent changes as she greets Alice

"Are you sure you're the same person?" Bill asked in shock. The whole room seemed equally confused by the drastic change from the Clara on screen.

"Pretty sure, yeah." Clara grinned.

Alice remarks the governess should enter by the back door unless with the children but Clara just asks about the children – Francesca and Digby, the latter who misses her. Latimer wants to see her too

"So, you're the governess?" Martha asked, face scrunched up in thought, "The one that replaced the one in the ice?"

"Yes." Clara answered hesitantly, unsure where Martha was going with this.

"Isn't that a bit too much of a coincidence? That you just happen to be at the place where everything is focused on and you ran into the Doctor." Martha continued, the coincidences seemed too much for it really to be an actual coincidence, at least in her experience.

Clara and the Doctor shared a glance, trying to decide who was going to explain the situation. Clara eventually rolled her eyes at the Doctor's pleading look, and took over the explanation duties. "Because it wasn't quite a coincidence. When I splintered myself in the timeline it was very purposeful to try and save the idiot. So, I ended up where I was needed mostly, it was just rare for the Doctor to actually notice me."

Clara meets Latimer in his study, who is glad to see her back. Clara apologises for her absence as family illness unpredictable, but she's back for Christmas

"Family illness?" Donna asked pointedly, having a feeling that wasn't quite true based on what they'd already seen.

Clara shrugged with a mischievous grin, "A friend needed help and family illness is a better excuse."

Latimer declares Francesca has been having nightmares but won't talk to him about them, Clara says if he asked in the right way, she'd love to tell him but Latimer argues children aren't his area of expertise. Latimer declares she has wisdom in the matters for one so pretty, quickly correcting himself to young, and Clara says she'll see the children now

"Oh." Bill's eyes widened as a mischievous smirk took over her face, "He has a crush on you!"

Clara sighed, "He did, but he's not my type."

The Doctor snorted, "But Jane Austen is apparently."

In the garden the children are playing chase but enthusiastically greet Clara upon seeing her, she corrects them and they greet her more formally, shaking their hands

"This is so British." Ryan shook his head at the interaction on screen.

"It's Victorian times Ryan. She is British. We're British. You're British!" Yaz countered, shaking her head in disbelief at Ryan who only shrugged.

Clara declares Christmas eve is a thrilling day, asking what they've been up to while she was away. Digby has been drawing and saw a dead cow

"That's such a young boy thing." Donna snorted, disgusted.

Digby asks her to do her secret voice, and Clara obliges losing her posh accent

"You're good with kids." Rose said, nodding at Clara as they watched her interact with the siblings on screen.

"Thank you." Clara smiled at her, "I actually quite like spending time with them, probably why I became a teacher in the end."

Slightly later, they are sitting on a bench as Francesca says they aren't really nightmares just dreams. Digby chimes in they're about their old governess who died, and she's haunting Francesca from the grave

"That could be the case, who know with the Doctor being involved and the telepathic evil snow." Mickey spoke up.

Martha nodded her head side-to-side in a 'so-so' matter, "It could be, but it could also just be a young girl who has been through something traumatising."

Clara asks if they have spoken to their father, which they haven't. Digby asks if she wants to see where the governess died, they walk to the front and the pond. Digby points out she fell in and froze, and he hated her as she was cross all the time. In Francesca's dreams she is waiting to come back

Mickey gave Martha a 'I told you so' look at that comment to which she rolled her eyes.

Clara notices that everything thawed but the pond is still frozen, and remembers what the Doctor said about the snow feeding off her thoughts. She asks Frannie specifically what she dreams. Francesca shares the governess is cross and says she has been bad and will come out the pond and punish her, she said she'd come back for Christmas, tomorrow. Digby says she's gone mad right, and he thinks she needs a doctor

"A very specific kind of Doctor." River smirked at her wife. As terrible as the situation sounded, it was good Clara was around to help Vastra pull the Doctor out of their depressed state.

The Doctor was focused on Clara, however. "That's what clued you in?"

"Bit too coincidental after my encounter with you. I thought it would be better to be on the safe side with everything going on." Clara explained.

"It's a good thing you did." The Doctor conceded.

In the park, Clara shouts for the Doctor as passes-by comment on her jumping in the air

"They probably all thought you needed a doctor with that behaviour." Nardole declared, noticing how the passers-by were all looking at Clara like she was insane. Clara shrugged; she hadn't exactly had anything else to go off on to find the Doctor.

Jenny interrupts her saying they don't want to attract attention. Clara says she's looking for the Doctor, and does Jenny know him. Jenny says Doctor who?

"Right answer." Amy declared; it seemed that question was coming up a lot more in this video then normal. She couldn't help but wonder if that was for a reason, or if she was just noticing it more after the last video.

At Vastra's home, Strax warns her to not escape or she'll be obliterated, then offers to take her coat

"Love Strax's manners." Bill shook her head fondly. The semi-peaceful Sontaran reminded her oddly of Nardole at times in an almost completely opposite manner, but it was hard to not enjoy his presence on screen.

Vastra sits in her conservatory, in a peacock chair and surrounded by exotic plants. She remarks on the fact there are two refreshments the colour of red wine, and she is not holding red wine

"Is she a vampire?" Ryan asked startled. "First zombies, and now a vampire. What's next, a werewolf?"

Rose and the Doctor shared a knowing look at the mention of a werewolf before pointedly looking away from each other in a false-innocent manner when Jack raised an eyebrow at the pair (knowing vaguely what they were thinking about). Clearing her throat, the Doctor instead turned to answer Ryan's question. "She's Silurian, not a vampire, though there are some similar aliens to those that you'd call vampires." She glanced first at Martha, then at Amy and Rory. She didn't elaborate on Vastra's choice of drink.

Jenny explains Vastra will ask her questions and she is to answer in just one word, asking Clara if she understands. Clara asks why

"That's a yes." Martha smiled, "But it also shows how much time you spend around children." Clara laughed at that comment.

Vastra declares truth is singular and lies are words. She says Clara met the Doctor – she did, and then why has she come looking for him. Jenny tells her to take her time and reminds her to use one word only

"Jenny is on your side at least." Graham smiled.

Clara shook her head in disagreement. "I wouldn't say that. The Doctor is their friend first and foremost, I'm a stranger trying to get myself involved. The only reason they're even letting me try is because they think it will help the Doctor, their friend. But they weren't going to let me near him without testing me first."

"So, it's more of a good-cop, bad-cop situation." Yaz nodded in understanding, earning a smile from Clara. They could definitely see her as a teacher.

Clara says she is curios, when asked about, she says snow, and when asked what she wants from the Doctor she says help, then for danger

"As always when the Doctor is involved." Jack smiled. Like the rest of the group, he was watching the screen nervously, hoping that Clara would past their test, and knowing she likely would if they were watching this, but still nervous despite themselves.

Vastra asks why her would help, Clara says kindness, and Vastra declares the Doctor is not kind

"Hate is always foolish. and love is always wise. Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind" The Doctor muttered quietly to herself, quoting some of the last words Eyebrows had for her before regenerating.

Vastra expands after Clara asks, saying the Doctor doesn't help people not anyone ever as he stands above the world. She says he is not her salvation or protector, asking if Clara understands what she is saying

"A load of nonsense." Donna declared loudly with a degrading snort. The rest of the group were nodding and muttering along, all agreeing with her. "It doesn't matter how badly the Doctor is doing, they're always sticking their nose in places it shouldn't be and interfering. Usually to the benefit of those in trouble." The Doctor smiled, knowing that was Donna's way of complimenting her and also offering support in her unique Donna-ness.

Clara says words

"Using her own against her, very clever." Martha smiled, very clever indeed.

Vastra admits the Doctor was different once, kind, a hero even but he suffered loses which hurt him so now he prefers isolation to prevent more pain. She wants a word to indicate Clara understands – man. Vastra says they are the Doctor's friends and they help his isolation but don't approve of it, so offers a test, give her a message for the Doctor to tell him about the snow and the new danger Clara fears, but only in one word. She adds Clara is thinking that such a word doesn't exist or if she'll be able to find it but they'll see if the gods are with her

"That's a difficult task." Rose spoke, the whole room feeling the seriousness and weight of the task in front of Clara.

River was smiling at Vastra, glad to see she was taking care of the Doctor and helping him out even if he was opposed to getting involved. She knew him well enough to know he needed a push to get re-involved.

In the Tardis the phone rings and the Doctor answers it. He asks what as he is trying to read, Vastra says it is about Clara and her concerns on the snow

"Wait, they're not even going to tell us what she said?" Rory queried, frustrated. He turned to Clara, "What did you say?"

"You'll just have to watch." Clara smiled, knowing how much it would annoy the group. It was nice to be on this side of things, knowing the answers and being able to dangle that knowledge in front of the group, ever out of reach, she could see why River and the Doctor enjoyed it so much.

Back at Vastra's home, she tells the Doctor she gave Clara the one word test. The Doctor, on the phone, argues it is pointless but asks what she said. Pond

The group was silent, all taking in the weight of the singular word. They were glad to finally get answers (and quite quickly for once), but they hadn't expected the answer to hit them so far. They could all see why the Doctor had gotten so involved. Unknowingly (or maybe not), Clara had managed to find the one word that would get the Doctor's attention enough to help.

Amy swallowed, eyes locked on the Doctor, "That's a good answer." Clara nodded; expression solemn even though Amy's attention wasn't on her. At the time it had seemed like the most important thing to tell him, she couldn't help but wonder if being a splinter had helped in that regard; some kind of innate knowledge from her main-self helping her out. She might never know the answer to that.

Vastra adds that Strax is already suggesting where to investigate

"She doesn't even have to ask; she knows you too well." River smiled, though it was tinged with the sadness at the memory of losing her parents and the ensuing argument with the Doctor that led to them separating.

In the institute, the snow declares danger as Simeon asks what is wrong. The snow says there is a danger, an intelligence beyond the time and place

"The snow has a Doctor detector." Jack laughed, knowing without a doubt that the Doctor had decided to get involved by going to the main man himself. The Doctor didn't often do the subtle approach.

A servant tells Simeon that someone is demanding to see him. Simeon says no callers ever, and asks if they left their name. The servant declares it is Sherlock Holmes

The whole group turned to the grinning Doctor in fond exasperation and disbelief. "Really?" Martha shook her head.

The Doctor grinned, "Why not?"

River smiled fondly at her wife even as she sighed deeply in exasperation, "Did you find a hat?"

The Doctor grinned wider, almost vibrating in excitement. "Maybe." Then she shot River a knowing look, "And you can't even shoot it."

The Doctor enters in a deerstalker hat, cape, walking cane and unlit pipe

Despite themselves the group couldn't help but join the Doctor in grinning widely at the sight of Chinny on screen, all draped out as Sherlock Holmes. All very glad to see the Doctor finally getting back to themselves again and working to stop the danger.

The Doctor says he has a nice office and tells him to shut up, making up random predictions which are very wrong, annoying Simeon

"Well done Sherlock Holmes. Really hit it on the nail there." Yaz congratulated the Doctor, voice heavy with sarcasm as the group all snickered at the Doctor's nonsense.

Simeon says he likes the Strand magazine as much as others but he knows Sherlock Holmes is fictional, shouting for him to get out

"He's not having any of that." Mickey snorted.

The Doctor declares he sees this is one of his business cards as it says so on the front

"Astounding observations." Bill grinned.

Simeon demands to know who he is and why he is here. The Doctor focuses on the globe hitting it with the cane and shouting wakey wakey

"I have a strange feeling he's not going to like that." Rose said pointedly.

Simeon declares it is highly valuable equipment and he needs to step away. The snow declares itself the Intelligence, and the Doctor is interested in the talking snow

"Talking evil snow." Jack clarified. "Wonders never cease."

"Isn't the universe a great place!" The Doctor declared, far too chipper for the situation. The worst thing was that no one could tell if they were being sarcastic or not.

The snow declares he is not of this world. The Doctor says it takes snow to snow one, and declares it a multi-nucleate crystalline organism that can mimic and mirror – it looks like snow but isn't

"The puns, really?" Amy sighed.

"So, it's not actually snow?" Rory, however, was focused on the snow itself rather than the Doctor's wordplay.

"It is, but it's not." The Doctor replied.

"Great. Thanks. That really clarified everything." Rory muttered as his wife snickered beside him.

Simeon urges him to leave but the Doctor tells him to shut up. The Doctor asks what the snow is declaring the globe is the clever one, it turns up on the planet and generates a telepathic field to learn what it can, but then what? It can't conquer the world using snowman as that's terrible in July and it would need to evolve

"Which is where the dead governess in the pond comes in." Martha realised, with a resigned sigh.

Ryan scrunched up his face in confusion, "How does ice deal better with July than snow?" No one answered him.

The Doctor sonicked the doors locked in his speech and the servant finds them stuck. Simeon asks what he has done and if he's locked the doors

"Stating the obvious. Almost as bad as the Doctor." Donna muttered.

The Doctor continues about the snow as the servant and Simeon try to open the door. The Doctor says it would need to translate itself into something more human and would need a perfect duplicate of human DNA in ice form, but from where? The Doctor grabs Simeon's scrap book and tosses it in the air saying most opened file, most viewed page – the book opens to a newspaper cutting of the tragedy at Darkover house

"Turns out you can actually do some detective work after all." Rose grinned, they'd all been enjoying teasing the Doctor after his little opening performance but they couldn't help but be at least a little impressed by the Doctor's method of finding answers (though it would have been easier if he'd just gone and talked to Clara, but that wasn't his style).

The Doctor declares he should delete his history. They've finally opened the door and Simeon orders the servant to grab the Doctor but he's already gone out the windows

"Dramatic as always." Nardole muttered.

Outside Darkover house, the Doctor comments on the body frozen in a pond, saying the snow gets a long look at a human being, all they need to evolve saying Clara had a good point with Pond

Clara nodded at the Doctor who smiled softly back. They were both starting to brace themselves for the ending that they knew was coming, aware it wasn't going to end well.

Strax is holding an alien weapon and declares Vastra asked if he needed any grenades, the Doctor questions it

"She likely didn't ask that specifically." Amy smiled knowingly.

Strax admits she said help, for his investigation. The Doctor asks who said he was investigating, and do they think he will start investigating because someone smiled at him, who do they think he is?

"The Doctor." The room spoke up in sync, deadpan as they stared the Doctor down.

The Doctor rolled her eyes (fondly) at the group, "Alright you lot. I get it, the sarcasm isn't necessary."

"The sarcasm is always needed." Bill countered.

Strax says Sherlock Holmes and the Doctor tells him not to be clever as it doesn't suit him

The group laughed at both of their comments, enjoying the comedy of the situation.

Strax apologises and the Doctor adds he is the clever one and Strax is the potato one

"And there's a sentence I never thought I'd hear." Clara laughed; she was kind of disappointed she'd missed this interaction.

The Doctor tells him to go away, which he does after calling the Doctor Holmes again. The Doctor shouts after him for him to shut up as he isn't clever or funny and he has tiny legs

"The best insult of all time." Bill announced, voice dripping in sarcasm.

"You're really running with this one, aren't you?" The Doctor muttered; she really should have expected that after being Bill's mentor for so long.

He spots Clara in the window; she waves and he waves back. The Doctor mutters to himself to say he's leaving and not going up. His hands say five and then thumbs up. He mutters to himself about where the five minutes came from

Clara stared at the Doctor for a moment, the Doctor matching her eyes as she waited for the younger woman to verbalise the thoughts she could almost see rocking around in her head. "You're just ridiculous, you know that right?"

"Yes." The Doctor didn't hesitate, both knowing it was true and that she wouldn't succeed if she tried to argue.

He leaves the pond and the ice starts to crack

The group watched the ice crack, a foreboding feeling dampening the jollier atmosphere in the room. It seemed the pair had run out of time.

Outside the garden wall, Strax, Jenny and Vastra watch a carriage pull up. Strax declares it is Simeon, asking why he is there and suggesting they melt his brain using projectile acid fish before interrogating them, then switches the order

"Strax has some ... interesting ideas." Mickey eyed Strax on screen wearily.

In a bedroom, Clara comforts Francesca who worries about nightmares. Clara reassures her someone is coming to help but when Francesca asks who, Clara says she wouldn't believe her if she told her

"I don't think any of us would if we hadn't seen it for ourselves." Rose grinned, it was weird to think back to the time before she knew the Doctor – it seemed like so long ago now and despite everything she'd gone through she didn't regret saying yes to traveling with the Doctor.

Francesca asks if it is one of her stories, her definitely true ones. Clara argues all her stories are true

A few members of the group raised eyebrows at Clara who just grinned mischievously before putting on a fake innocent look. It seemed they weren't going to find out if Clara had been sharing real stories or not.

Digby asks like how she was born behind the clock face of Big Ben, to which Clara says it accounts for her great sense of time. Then Francesca says she invented fish, and Clara adds she dislikes swimming alone

"Those are amazing." Amy smiled widely, her brain kicking into gear with inspiration for new story ideas. She'd picked up writing as a career/hobby when she and Rory ended up back in time in America, potentially inspired by all of the Doctor's talk of fairy tales during their adventures.

Digby asks what this one is. Clara sys there is a man called the Doctor who lives in a cloud in the sky and all he does all day is stop the children in the world having bad dreams

"Isn't that the Sandman?" Bill asked.

"Who?" Yaz asked confused.

"Just a story I read a while ago, doesn't matter." Bill shrugged.

Francesca points out she's been having bad dreams and Clara clarifies the Doctor was on holiday but has now returned to work and is right here in fact. The candle flickers as the door opens and Clara speaks to it thinking it the Doctor. A woman made of ice enters and the children scream

The room tensed as the ice woman entered the room, all horrified at the sight and desperately wondering where the Doctor was. Clara and the Doctor shared a knowing glance, things were heating up (or cooling down if they were being technical) and they both knew how it was going to end.

Clara drops her posh accent in shock as the governess declares the children have been naughty. Clara tells them to get back and Digby comments on her doing her other voice, she then tells them to run

"She's terrifying." Ryan breathed, voicing the thoughts of the whole room. "No wonder the kids didn't like her."

They run to the schoolroom and Digby asks what they do. Clara tells Francesca to imagine her melting

"Good idea, also well done on keeping calm." River noted, although she didn't think that strategy would work this time it was good thinking on Clara's part to remember it and stay calm enough to try it.

Francesca can't do it, and the governess gets the adjourning door open saying she is getting impatient and repeating they've been naughty

"Does she know any other words?" Donna exclaimed, the whole group getting tenser as the danger on screen increased and Clara and the Doctor remained separated. The Governess was likely going to feature in a few nightmares after this, the whole situation horrifying in an unfortunately memorable way.

"She's essentially an ice mould of a person, very little of the original governess remains outside of the humanoid shape. The Gr- er, Simeon is using that to his advantage." The Doctor tried to explain, just stopping herself before revealing the truth behind some of the snow – the group would just have to watch to get answers (not that they had a choice in that regard).

Digby asks about the man, as Clara said he'd be there, but Clara doesn't know where the Doctor is. A Punch puppet says Doctor, Doctor who?

"A bit late Doctor." Amy berated, but everyone could see she was teasing based on the relived smile on her face, not that anyone blamed her as they were all very glad the Doctor had finally arrived to help.

The punch puppet aims the sonic at the ice governess who shatters, he says that's the way to do it, then Punch kisses the Doctor who protests (despite it being him?)

"Seriously Doctor?" Martha sighed. The Doctor shrugged with a plastered-on grin, a few people noticed that it was a bit shaky but the ongoing danger on screen distracted them for the moment, plus they knew even if they pressed, they weren't likely going to get nay answer outside of 'just watch'.

Outside the grounds, Simeon activates a device on the back of his carriage that send snow in the air around the house

"It's starting." Ryan muttered, "Whatever 'it' is."

Francesca asks where she went and if she'll come back but the Doctor reassures her the sonic now has an anti-freeze setting and the governess is draining though the carpet

"Why am I getting the feeling this isn't over?" Rose muttered unnerved, the glance Clara and the Doctor shared did nothing to sooth her worries.

Clara declares she is grateful and knew she'd come. The Doctor argues she didn't as he didn't himself, he doesn't do this anymore so not to expect him the next time she's in trouble

The whole group snorted in disbelief at that comment.

The Doctor is distracted by his reflection in the mirror and when Clara asks, he straightens his bow tie saying he hadn't realised he put it on. Ice forms on the windows

Amy, Rory and River all smiled fondly at the sight of their Doctor in the familiar bowtie. It was a bit bittersweet to see their Doctor again after they'd been separated for real (besides River), but it was good to see them finally moving on. And although it made them feel a bit guilty, they couldn't help but be relieved to see how much their departure (their 'deaths' as far as the Doctor could consider it) had affected the Doctor, that the Doctor had cared for them as much as they had cared for him (they didn't doubt it, but sometimes it was hard to keep in mind with everything that happened).

The Doctor declares it old habit, and Clara says it is cooler. The Doctor misinterprets her words to think she means the bow tie is cool

Rory groaned, "Please don't tell him that, he's bad enough with the bow tie as it is."

The Doctor grinned with a little proud wiggle, even as Clara laughed, "Don't worry about that."

Clara corrects him to the room getting colder

"Phew!" Amy laughed, miming wiping away sweat from her forehead. She shared a grin with Clara as the Doctor pouted.

A bulge forms in the carpet as Digby shouts the governess is coming back. Francesca asks what she will do and if she will punish her. The Doctor says she's learned not to melt and she'd not really a governess but a beast so she'll eat them, then shouting run

Slowly the group all turned as one to the Doctor, with matching 'really?' expressions.

"That's not exactly reassuring Doctor." Yaz raised an eyebrow at the Doctor pointedly. The Doctor just shrugged with a sheepish, but unapologetic smile, an expression only the Doctor could master.

They run down the stairs to the entrance hall where they meet Latimer who wants an explanation before cutting himself off as he asks who the Doctor is and why he is in the house

"That's going to be fun to explain." Mickey muttered.

The Doctor lies he is Clara's gentleman friend and they've been kissing upstairs

"Ooh, nice excuse Doc!" Jack winked suggestively. Those that knew him though could see how tense he was under the fake cheer; he didn't like where this was going.

"Clearly I've spent too much time around you." The Doctor replied dryly.

"You say that like it's a bad thing!" Jack shot back, hand on his hear in mock offense. The Doctor just grinned.

Alice shouts to Latimer that snowmen are growing out of nowhere in the garden, she runs to answer the front door. Vastra greets her saying she is a lizard woman and Alice screams and runs back only to run into Strax who tells her to be calm as the dwelling is under attack. Alice screams and faints

"That's an understandable reaction." Graham said.

The Doctor asks if Latimer has any questions and Latimer asks Clara about her having a gentleman friend

"He has his priorities sorted." Donna snorted.

The Doctor asks Vastra what is happening and she informs him the snow is localised and not natural. Jenny adds it is coming from a cab parked out the gates and Strax proposes a grenade could deal with the snowmen

"He's a destructive potato, isn't he?" Nardole asked the room at large, thankfully he wasn't expecting an answer as he didn't receive one.

The Doctor replies the snowmen are already smithereens and turns to Clara, Latimer is confused about her being called Clara and the Doctor reveals their current governess is a former barmaid called Clara. The old governess interrupts and the Doctor adds that the previous governess is a living ice sculpture, before asking Jenny what she has

"A day full of revelations." Bill snorted.

Jenny throws a ball that creates a forcefield at the top of the stairs where the governess is. Strax outlines a good room for defence and the Doctor ushers everyone in. Vastra says it is good to see him engaging again and the Doctor counters he isn't engaging but is under attack. Vastra continues saying he missed it, and the Doctor tells her to shut up

"Vastra is correct as always." River gave the Doctor a fond, but pointed, smile.

"As always." The Doctor agreed sighing.

Strax tells the Doctor the enemy aren't going to attack and made no attempt to hide their arrival, they're in defence. The Doctor says he still has and kisses the top of Strax's head who asks him not to noogie him during combat prep

The group laughed at that, taking any opportunity to enjoy the video as the atmosphere grew tenser and the situation grew more dangerous.

The Doctor summarises that there is something they want, Clara realises it is the ice woman and Jenny asks why she is important. The Doctor tells them the governess is to help the snow evolve because of her being a perfect duplicate of human DNA in ice crystal from. He says the snow melted last night and asks if the pond did – which Clara says it didn't. The Doctor declares it living ice that won't melt, if the snow gets the governess, it will make more of them and destroy humanity

"We've faced a lot of threats from a lot of different aliens. But evil snow is definitely a new one." Martha commented.

"But no less terrifying." Mickey added on, grimacing at the screen. An army of those ice people was a horrifying thought, and it obviously hadn't happened (as the future was a very ice-people free place), but a no less terrifying thought.

The doorbell rings and the Doctor tells them to stay there as he goes to answer, Clara follows and says she didn't listen when he reminds her of his words

"No one ever does." The Doctor muttered, shaking her head before briefly glancing around the room. The whole group looked unrepentant, meeting her gaze with grins.

The Doctor says she does that a lot; Clara argues it is why he likes her. He asks when he said he liked her and she kisses him. He's shocked, Clara says he blushed and then tells him to shut up

The Doctor and Clara both met each other's eyes briefly before looking the other way. "Let's agree to never speak about this again." Clara declared swiftly. She really wished the whole group hadn't seen that, including the Doctor's literal wife and whatever the Master was. Her old crush on the Doctor was embarrassing and she was long since over it (thankfully), but he was still one of her closest friends and always would be.

"Agreed." The Doctor nodded rapidly. She absolutely was not blushing no matter what River's smirk suggested. She would admit to avoiding everyone's eyes however, leave her alone! She wasn't good at the whole romance thing!

The Doctor opens the front door to Simeon who demands they release the governess to them, giving them five minutes. The Doctor closes the door

"So, you're going to do the opposite of that right?" Bill asked. "But like, you don't want to keep her either."

The Doctor smiled fondly at the young woman, "We're absolutely not going to give it to him." She reassured Bill.

The Doctor says they need to get the governess out of there but away from Simeon

"A difficult line to toe." Rory muttered.

Clara asks how and the Doctor takes an umbrella from a stand saying with that, and does he always need to state the obvious

"Who are you? Mary Poppins?" Clara asked, giving the Doctor a knowing glance. She may know what the umbrella is for now but she certainly hadn't at the time.

"Is anything obvious with you?" Donna snorted.

Latimer asks what the creatures outside are, and the Doctor says they are no danger to them as long as he gets the governess out now, ordering him back into the other room. He goes up the stairs and sonics the forcefield. Clara asks what he is doing and the Doctor says he can't wait to find out

"Oh, so the usual then." Amy said.

The forcefield shuts off and reforms behind him and Clara. They both duck under the governess's arms and run up the stairs, they call each other's actions stupid and the Doctor says he's allowed as he is good at stupid

"You are very good at stupid." River nodded in agreement with her wife's comment on screen.

"Thank yo- Oi!" The Doctor turned to give River an offended look, having taken a second to realise what she'd said.

The governess repeats her 'that's the way to do it', and Clara asks why she keeps saying it. The Doctor explains she is mirroring and they need to get to the roof

"Add that to the list of things I never thought I'd see. An ice person mimicking Punch and Judy controlled by evil snow." Mickey snorted. Things just got weirder and weirder the longer they spent around the Doctor, even if they were just watching videos of old adventures.

Clara shouts this way, grabbing his hand to lead him and the Doctor complains he does the hand grabbing, it is his job

The group chuckled at the Doctor's annoyance of Clara taking charge while the Doctor just shook her head at them all.

They reach the roof, and the Doctor says to come quickly asking what she's doing when she stops. Clara's bustle is stuck and the Doctor says her bustle?

"The dresses look great but they are a pain to get on and off, and to do physical activity in." Clara sighed, watching herself on screen. This little moment of distraction had cost them time they really hadn't had in the first place. She glanced at the Doctor who was getting more and more tense despite her cheerful façade, both of them knew what was coming.

The Doctor pulls Clara through the window and she lands on top of him, he says she will have to take the clothes off, then clarifies he didn't mean

The group all laughed at how red the Doctor turned as they fumbled over their words. The Doctor in the room just groaned.

Clara knows, she then asks about the plan. The Doctor argues who said he had a plan and Clara says of course he did as he took the umbrella. The Doctor says maybe he is an idiot

"You're definitely that, but you're also a smart idiot. You have a plan, or at least part of one." Clara gave him a knowing look to which the Doctor shrugged, not going to argue that.

Clara says he isn't and he's really clever, the Doctor counters with is she

"You are very clever, but also a bit of an idiot too." The Doctor countered Clara's earlier comment.

Clara just smirked, "The best people are." That description could be used for just about everyone in the room after all.

He throws her the umbrella and tells her to tell him what his plan is as the governess gets closer. Clara asks if it is a test – which it is

"Really not a time to be testing her." Yaz said, getting more frustrated as they went back and forth despite the ever-approaching danger and possible lack of a plan.

Clara asks what the governess will do to them – kill them. The governess turns into snow to get through the window

"Since when could she do that?" Ryan exclaimed annoyed, "That's not fair."

"Life's rarely fair Ryan." Graham countered.

Ryan just rolled his eyes, "Don't need to get all philosophical grandad."

The Doctor continues asking what his plan is, Clara says she knew straight away what it was. The Doctor argues she didn't and tells her to show him, Clara asks why she should

"You're arguing like toddlers!" Donna berated the two making them both share sheepish glances. Donna had the rare ability to actually make them feel some shame for their nonsense. "The pair of you are terrible, it's hardly the time to focus on trying to out-do each other!"

"Sorry Donna." The pair in question apologised.

The Doctor says they'll be dead in thirty seconds so does he have a plan? Clara explains if they were escaping, they'd be climbing down the building and it they were hiding they'd be on the other side of the roof, but they're just standing there

"So, you have a plan. It's just a stupid one." Rose clarified.

"When the Doctor's involved it's always a stupid one." Amy snorted.

So, Clara reaches up the umbrella and pulls the ladder down as the governess starts to reform on the roof

"The Tardis!" Bill grinned happily, it was always good to have confirmation that the Doctor did actually have a plan for once (or the start of one), and at the very least – an escape plan.

Clara says after you, insisting as she has a dress on. The Doctor argues his eyes are always forward and Clara says hers aren't. The Doctor starts to climb as Clara turns to the governess and informs her the position is taken, before tapping the ladder and getting raised into the air as she steps on it

"Very classy." Jack nodded approvingly at Clara with a grin. "I approve." The whole group was smiling, almost proudly, at Clara's style in dealing with the ice-governess.

As they run up the staircase Clara asks if he can move his cloud, control it. The Doctor argues no one controls clouds, that's silly, but the wind a little bit

"Of course, my apologies. That would be silly." Clara said deadpan, giving the Doctor a dead-eye stare.

The Doctor didn't notice, far too busy sharing a glance with Amy and Rory. All thinking back to their time on Sardicktown (or in Amy and Rory's case – on a crashing ship heading in a collision course with Sardicktown) where the fish swam in the clouds.

Clara says the governess is following them, and the Doctor says that is the idea as they want to keep her away from the snow. The Doctor asks if she is a barmaid or governess, Clara says they're being chased and he wants to chat?

"No better time." The Doctor said with a straight face. No one could tell if she was being sarcastic or not, despite them all narrowing their eyes to try and notice any of the Doctor's tells.

The Doctor argues they can't chat after being horribly killed

"I hate to say this, but he makes a good point." Jack conceded with a shrug.

Clara asks how they got so high so quick and the Doctor calls it a clever staircase and it is taller on the inside. Clara asks what she is standing on and the Doctor says it is super dense water vapour which should trap the governess for a moment

"A thick cloud?" Martha raised an eyebrow at the Doctor.

The Doctor shrugged, "Yes but also no. Kind of?"

"Clear and concise as always Doctor." Mickey snorted as he rolled her eyes. The Doctor just grinned.

Clara asks if he really lives up on the cloud in a box, and the Doctor says he has for a long time now

"How long?" Amy asked quietly, the burning need to know how long the Doctor had been grieving their deaths taking over.

The Doctor bit her lip for a moment. "A long time."

"How much is a long time, Doctor? It seems to vary for you. Please, Doctor. How long?"

The Doctor met Amy's pleading eyes, and seeing the burning need in her them, she sighed. "Honestly? I don't know exactly. But -" She continued quickly upon seeing that Amy was about to argue again, "But, it was over six decades at the very least."

The silence echoed in the room, as everyone took in that information. They'd known the Doctor was grieving the loss of Amy and Rory, but it was something else to know he'd been doing so for so long.

"Oh." Amy muttered quietly, unsure what to say to verbalise the swirling storm of thoughts and emotions suddenly plaguing her mind.

Clara declares he really knows how to sulk

Clara winced at that comment, she understood much better why the Doctor had been 'sulking' in the Tardis now, and knowing what she knew now the comment was a bit on the insensitive side. She couldn't regret it too much though as it had distracted the Doctor from their spiralling thoughts and brought them bac to the danger they were facing.

The Doctor argues he isn't sulking and Clara counters that he lives in a box. The Doctor says it isn't a box as much as she isn't a governess and Clara declares he is much the same as everyone talking about her with ideas above her station

"You know that's not what I mean." The Doctor asked Clara with a hurt look.

Clara smiled softly at her, "I know. I wasn't as sure back then, but I didn't know you and this splinter had grown up in Victorian times. Besides I think you understand a bit better now." She nodded at her, referencing her change in sex. From what the group had said and knowing her history and the Doctor, she could easily see how the Doctor's new regeneration would lead to problems in her travels across time. The Doctor nodded at that, matching her smile.

They're at the Tardis and Clara's rant gets cut off as he opens the door and turns the light on, seeing the interior of the Tardis

The group took a moment to fully take in the appearance of the new Tardis interior. They hadn't been expecting one as the Doctor hadn't regenerated, but enough time must have occurred for either the Doctor or the Tardis to decide a new look was needed. There were a few mumbles of indecipherable comments, likely comparing the interior on screen to the one they had known.

Clara smiled, full of nostalgia at the first Tardis interior she'd travelled in. The Tardis may hate her but she still had many fond memories of her time travelling aboard her, and with that interior too – it reminded her of her first Doctor.

The Doctor tells her it is called the Tardis and ca travel anywhere in time and space, and it is his

"And I'm hers." The Doctor remarked to herself with a fond smile at the ceiling.

Clara is stunned, struggling with her words, and the Doctor encourages her to say it. She circles the outside before returning to say it is smaller on the outside

The group all laughed at the Doctor's expression, knowing how much they enjoyed people's first reactions to the Tardis, and Clara seemed to enjoy avoiding people's pre-conceived expectations. Clara was laughing the hardest, as the Doctor shook her head fondly (and pouted but she would forever deny that).

The Doctor admits that is a first, and Clara asks if it is magic or a machine

"A bit of both, a bit of neither." The Doctor nodded her head side to side in a 'so-so' matter.

"Why is your first thought magic or machine, when you're dealing with alien snow and have met actual aliens?" Rose asked, shaking her head in disbelief.

Clara shrugged, "Honestly I don't know."

The Doctor declares it a ship – the best in the universe

"She absolutely is." River smiled, "And her pilot isn't too bad either."

"Thanks River." The Doctor smiled at her wife.

"Why are you thanking me, Sweetie? I was talking about myself." The Doctor rolled her eyes at her wife's teasing grin.

Clara asks if there is a kitchen, which the Doctor declares another first.

"But not the last." The Doctor muttered, glancing at Bill out of the corner of her eye. Bill grinned knowingly back at her.

Clara says she doesn't know why she asked that, and she just likes making souffles, understandably the Doctor is confused

"Souffles?" Rory repeated. Sharing a glance with Amy and Clara. All thinking back to their time on the Dalek Asylum. For the rest of the group, it was their first-time meeting Clara, but for Clara it was just another meeting through a splinter. They still didn't know where the souffle part came from originally though.

Bill glanced at the group, "There's a story there."

Clara asks why he is showing her this, the Doctor counters she followed her, he didn't invite her

"I rarely do." The Doctor sighed.

"And you rarely regret it." Jack grinned knowingly.

Clara argues he is taller than her and could have reached the ladder without the umbrella so she took it for her, why? She throws the umbrella at her

"Because despite what he says. You've made him curious and managed to impress him." River shared some insight into the Doctor's thoughts.

The Doctor says he never knows why, only who, as he holds up a key which he then puts in her hand

The group stared at the screen in shock, "That's quick." Amy muttered, unsure how she felt about how quickly the Doctor had given Clara a key. Their time alone in 'retirement' had clearly had an effect. Was this when Clara had started to travel with the Doctor? From what they'd said it hadn't seemed likely, but maybe she'd presumed wrong.

Clara and the Doctor shared a knowing look but offered no answers.

Clara asks what it is, and the Doctor says it is him giving in. Clara doesn't know why she is crying

"I do." Clara muttered, answering herself on screen. For the Clara on screen, she was a splinter and one of very few that the Doctor had actually interacted with and acknowledged. It also meant the Doctor had decided she was 'worthy' to travel with the Doctor at least twice.

The Doctor does, telling her to remember this as this is the day everything begins. He starts to crank up the console but the governess grabs Clara from behind and drags her outside, dropping the key. The Doctor shouts after her

"Clara!" Several people exclaimed at once in shock. They'd been so distracted by the pair's conversation and the Tardis interior they'd almost forgotten about the danger of the ice-governess.

Clara and the Doctor shared a glance, things were only going to get worse and no one was prepared for it outside of them.

On the cloud, the pair struggle and Clara shouts for the governess to get off her, and the Doctor says he should have realised water vapour wouldn't stop ice

"That seems like a big oversight." Martha said, posture stiff as the atmosphere in the room reached a new tense height for this video. They were all leaning forward in their seats, as if it would help them find out what happened to Clara quicker. It was another case of them all feeling so powerless and helpless which was never a good felling, and even less of a pleasant feeling for those used to doing just that.

The Doctor shouts for the governess to let her go and they continue struggling until they fall backwards off the cloud as the Doctor screams after them, horrified

The room screamed in sync with the Doctor. All crying out in horror as if their protests would prevent Clara's deadly fall. Their eyes desperately turned to Clara, to reassure themselves of her presence, whole and healthy, in the room alongside them. Even the Doctor was watching Clara, curled in on herself and dreading reliving the death of this splinter (especially as she couldn't help but relive Clara's actual death in her mind).

Clara sighed reassuringly at the group, but didn't offer any comforts or answers. For those they'd just have to watch (and find out there were very little comforts). She couldn't help but feel a bit curious to know how they'd all responded to her death, as horrible as that seemed.

The group turned back to the screen, desperately hoping for the Doctor or someone else to swoop in and save Clara t the last moment.

Outside the study, there is a thump. Vastra asks what it was, and Jenny says it was Clara. Vastra uses a tricorder which detects no life signs

"No." Bill's eyes widened, shaking her head in disbelief. They'd seen her fall but they hadn't believed that it would actually be her death, after all she was safe with them (though they had been told she was dead – but that was after she travelled with Eyebrows).

Latimer is shocked asking where she fell from and saying they need to get her inside. Vastra tells him the snowmen will kill him and Latimer argues Clara is hurt

"Oh Latimer." Clara sighed, but couldn't help but feel a bit honoured at how he was so desperate to try and help her, even though they were in danger.

Vastra declares Clara is dead. They hear the Tardis as it materialises around Clara and Latimer asks what it is and what is happening

Clara turned to the Doctor whose expression seemed heartbroken (despite having known it was coming and that it wasn't the end), smiling softly "Thank you". She couldn't express how much she appreciated the Doctor taking the time to bring her body (and wasn't that a weird thought) inside.

The rest of the room was still speechless, glancing in horror between Clara in the room and the screen as the video played on around them. None of them able to verbalise any of the thoughts currently storming in their heads.

It felt cruel, for the Doctor to finally move on and try to live with the grief over Amy and Rory's deaths, only to lose their newest friend and potential companion immediately. The universe seemed to be playing a horrible joke on the poor time traveller.

Vastra says he is bringing her in. Shortly after Clara is lying on a table while Strax uses a device, the Tardis is parked in the corner of the room. Latimer declares Vastra said she was dead so how is she alive now. Strax explains they have technology beyond their human minds and not to worry

"She's alive?" Rose asked, eyes widening in hope. Several members of the group let out a breath of relief, thinking that this was it and that she would survive. A few remained tense, unsure if Clara would stay that way, as they had noticed the exchange Clara and the Doctor had shared.

"For now." The Doctor said solemnly, killing any hope that had built up in the group. It would be cruel to allow them to hope for Clara to survive when they knew she wouldn't even last a few minutes longer.

In the Tardis, the Doctor is scanning ice fragments that were found around Clara. Vastra asks if the creature is still dangerous as it could reform, but the Doctor says it can't in the Tardis

"The forcefield?" Mickey asked quietly. Not sure if he wanted to speak up at all with everything happening, but his curiosity got the better of him.

"Yes." The Doctor nodded.

Vastra says he should be with Clara then, the Doctor says Clara will be fine, he knows she will, she has to be

"I'm sorry Doctor." Clara apologised, large doe eyes seeming to bear into the Doctor's soul.

"Why are you apologising? It should be me that should be saying sorry?" The Doctor countered, and if her eyes looked a bit watery no one commented. Clara just shook her head, unable to verbalise the undeserved guilt she felt for her splinter dying on the Doctor like that, especially after knowing why they were hiding in Victorian London in the first place.

Strax declares Clara's injuries severe and the equipment will bring people back but long term. The Doctor cuts him off saying it was his fault; he was responsible for what happened to Clara as she was in his care

"They always are." The Doctor mumbled to herself, going unheard by everyone but those closet to her. Unnoticed by the Doctor, Jack and River shared a heavy glance over the top of her head.

Vastra asks what is the point in blaming himself, the Doctor says there aren't any as Clara will live

Clara couldn't help but wince at that, she briefly considered making a comment abut how she technically had lived but stopped herself as she knew that could go so wrong (with the Doctor having witnessed her actual 'death' in the end).

In the study the Doctor hands a London Underground souvenir lunchbox to Jenny, it rattles. He speaks gently to Clara who says everyone thinks she is going to die

Several members of the group had their hands cupped, hiding their mouths as if it would shield them from the scene in front of them. The sight of Clara lying prone, dying, in front of them was terrible and one they didn't have thoughts to verbalise for. They may not know each other as well as the Doctor did, but they'd spent time in the room together and started to get to know each other that it hurt. And even if it hadn't, they were connected by their time travelling with the Doctor, and that meant something. Something important.

The Doctor says he knows she'll live, when she asks how, he repeats he never knows how, just who. He hands her the key again, kissing her hand

Clara gave the Doctor a bittersweet smile and nod at that. Her own mind drifting unprovoked to all the keys she had thought she'd thrown into a volcano in an attempt to save Danny.

Clara remembers Vastra said he was the saviour of worlds once and asks if he'll save this one. The Doctor asks if he does, will she come with him, which she says yes to. The Doctor leaves with a merry Christmas straightening his bow tie, takes back the lunch box and answers the door to Simeon

"The Doctor means business now." Amy stated, recognising the gesture and stance in Chinny on screen. Simeon had hit where it hurt, and he wasn't going to get away with it.

The Doctor declares he has a piece of the ice lady in his hands, so if that is what Simeon wants, he'll see him at the office. Back at the Tardis, Vastra comments on him saving the world again asking if he is trying to make a bargain with the universe for Clara to live, the Doctor counters he does after all this time, isn't he owed one. Vastra says she doesn't think the universe makes bargains; the Doctor counters it was her fault so Vastra says he better save the world then

"Another day in the office." Yaz's joked fell flat, even in her delivery. The were all on edge, hoping to see how the Doctor would save the day, and most importantly what would happen to Clara (they were avoiding the fact that they knew she would die).

At the institute, Vastra and the Doctor are waiting as Simeon enters. Simeon asks if he brough it, and the Doctor mentions the snow has been quiet while he wasn't there, but that is expected given what it is, asking if they know what is on his lunch box (the London Underground)

"Its Victorian times, I'm pretty sure the Underground wasn't a thing yet. How would he have any ideas?" Martha asked the Doctor, confused about why the pattern on the box was important. The Doctor just gestured to the screen.

He holds up the lunch box and the snow declares it doesn't know the markings. The Doctor explains it is a map of the London underground from 1967, and he's never liked tunnels. The snow declares they are powerful but limited and need to learn the human form. The Doctor uses his conic and the snow's voice rises in pitch

"That's a kid's voice." Donna realised, blinking in surprise. "The evil snow is a kid? What is it having a tantrum and decided to take over the world?"

"Not quite."

"Well, that's bloody helpful, Spaceman!"

"Just watch Donna."

The snow declares the governess the perfect replica of humanity as Vastra asks what happened to the voice. The Doctor explains he stripped the disguise away and the snow protests demanding he stops

"Don't you know? I never listen to a giant evil snow globe." The Doctor put false bounce in their voice, an attempt to distract themselves from what they knew was happening at the Latimer house.

"And again, on sentences I never expected to hear." Rory muttered.

Vastra declares it sounds like a child, the Doctor says of course because it is, it is Simeon as a child, the snow has no voice without him

"How is Simeon the snow. He's not like ... a cyborg or something?" Bill perked up slightly, interest piqued at the new mystery.

"Oi!"

"Oops, sorry Nardole." Bill smiled sheepishly. "But is he? Not that that's a bad thing."

The Doctor smiled fondly at the pair. "Clam down Nardole. And no, Bill, Simeon's not a cyborg or anything robotic."

The snow demands they don't listen to the Doctor, and the Doctor asks Simeon how long the snow has been talking to him. Simeon says since he was a little boy, and the Doctor clarifies the snow doesn't talk, it mirrors

"Copycat snow." Jack shook his head in disbelief. There goes the universe, surprising them all again with new unimaginable things.

We get a flashback of the snow talking to Simeon as a child, mimicking his words, as the Doctor adds it reflects back what they think, feel and fear

"So, it's mimicking Simeon, who just so happens to be having thoughts of world domination?" Yaz queried, eyes narrowed as she tried to fit the pieces f the puzzle together. "But why him? And what about the ice governess?"

The Doctor shook her head as Yaz theorised, unwilling to give the group the answers they sought when the video was just about to explain for her.

The Doctor says he poured his darkest dreams into snow and this is what it became. Vastra doesn't understand and the Doctor explains the snow is a parasite feeding on the loneliness of a child and sickness of an old man, it is what happens when carnivorous snow meets Victorian values

"That still doesn't quite add up." Martha argued. "That's hardly likely to be the only time someone's poured their feelings out to a snowman. The parasite you mentioned, the snow, it can't quite be from Earth."

"Just watch." The Doctor sighed. Sometimes she regretted travelling with so many inherently curious humans (no she didn't).

"I'm getting really sick of that answer." Donna grumbled, but did as the Doctor asked, as she knew that the more time she spent arguing, would mean more time before she got the answers she wanted.

The snow declares it can continue its plans, and the Doctor says what a plan with a world of living ice people. Simeon asks what is wrong with Victorian values as he garbs the lunch box and opens it

"Erm, Doctor?" Ryan spoke up at the sight of Simeon grabbing the lunch box that supposedly contained the ice fragments. "Shouldn't you, ya know, stop him?"

"No need, Ryan. Don't worry." The Doctor smiled.

River stared at her for a second before her eyes widened as she realised what the Doctor's plan was. "Oh, you sneaky little thing." The comment made the Doctor practically preen under her wife's attention.

The Doctor asks if he is sure, and Simeon declares he always has been. The memory worm in the box bites him

"The memory worm! Clever." Clara grinned at the Doctor. She'd never known what had happened to Simeon or why the attack had ben stopped, she'd been a bit busy dying at the time and it had always slipped her mind to ask.

DOCTOR: Good. I'm glad you think so, since your entire adult life is about to be erased. No parasite without a host. Without you, it will have no voice. Without the governess, it will have no form.

The group grinned, the plan was brilliant and was working so well. That thought stopped a few of them in their (mental) tracks, with the Doctor nothing ever went that well. They glanced at the Doctor only to find her watching the screen with a grimace. Maybe things weren't quite so over as they appeared after all.

The snow asks what is happening as the Doctor declares it has nothing left to mimic, goodbye. The snow fills the globe and then the voice deepens again, saying did they think it would be so easy

"It's not just Simeon then." Rose voiced what the whole group was thinking. Any thoughts of celebrating swiftly chased from their minds.

The Doctor declares it isn't possible, and back at the house Jenny spots more snowmen growing and Latimer worries what to do. In the institute, the Doctor is shocked as the snow was just Simeon, his dreams so how does it still exist? The snow declares the dream outlives the dreamer and it will never die, Simeon is reanimated as an icy ghoul

"And I thought things couldn't get any creepier." Rory muttered with a sigh.

The snow declares it was a puppet before but not it pulls the strings, and by erasing Simeon he made space for it, he fills Simeon now, getting the human form it wanted

"But what is the snow?" Martha asked desperately, getting more frustrated at the lack of answers being presented to them.

Simeon knocks Vastra aside and grabs the Doctor as it declares itself more than snow or Simeon, and winter is coming! His touch starts to freeze the Doctor's skin to his pain, and the snow repeats its words

"Doctor." Clara muttered in concern. Now she felt a bit helpless, she was the only one around and she was too busy dying to be of any actual help. If the memory worm hadn't worked, she wasn't sure what had actually stopped the snow, and it must have been stopped in the end.

Back at the house, Strax tells Clara to fight and hang on. Clara tells Latimer his children are afraid and to hold them

"On your death bed and still helping the children." The Doctor said hoarsely, smiling sadly at Clara who mirrored her expression.

Latimer argues it isn't his area and Clara counters it is now. A single tear runs down Clara's eye and outside thunder cuts through the snowstorm and it turns to rain

"It's raining." Amy spoke up unthinkably before her eyes widened. "It's raining!" She repeated, with much more emphasise and cheer this time.

Rory seemed to catch on to what his wife was thinking, verbalising it for the rest of the group, "If it's raining, it can't snow. The snow will melt!" Registering his words, they all grew more hopeful, tuning back to the screen expectantly.

In the institute, the snow globe is filled with melt water and Simeon leaps off the Doctor as it asks what is happening. Vastra points out the snow turning to rain, and then notices Simeon die asking what happened

"That's far too well a timed rainstorm for it to be a coincidence." Yaz nodded in agreement with Vastra on screen

The Doctor says the snow mirrors so it is mirroring something else now, something strong enough to drown out everything else. He opens a window and holds out his hand as he says there was a major mass of snow at the house, and if something happened there

Any relief the group had felt at the death of the snow parasite was quickly dashed as they remembered what was happening at the Latimer household. The only thing any of them could think was 'Clara'.

They both taste the rain and realise it is salty. The Doctor realises it isn't raining but crying. A whole family crying on Christmas eve, the only force strong enough to drown out the snow

"No." Someone muttered, all of them knowing exactly what it meant for them all to be crying. Clara couldn't help but smile, her thoughts bittersweet. She managed to help save the day in the end, but only as she caused grief for those she had cared about.

The Tardis materialises in the study and Strax greets them with apologies, saying nothing can be done and Clara has moments only. The Doctor runs to her and says they saved the world together, her and him. Clara asks of he will go back to his cloud

"Dying, and you're still being nosey." The Doctor smiled through watery eyes.

"Someone has to look after you." Clara replied, doe eyes wide in understanding and comfort. A reminder to the Doctor that despite what it seemed; this was only the beginning of their time together, not the end.

The Doctor promises no more cloud, and Clara asks why so the Doctor tells her it rained. Clara tells him to run, run you clever boy, and remember.

"Remember?" Rose asked quietly, but curious. It seemed an odd thing for Clara to say on her deathbed. The rest of the group was silent as they watched Clara die.

The Doctor and Clara shared a long look, a silent conversation occurring between them. After several moments, Clara turned to the group with a comforting smile. "This was only a splinter of myself, remember? I was trying to get him to come find me, you all know how curious he is when he smells a mystery." The explanation was a bit vague, but the full story was too long for them to explain at the moment.

Despite the shortness, it severed to comfort the group. Reminding them that despite appearances this wasn't really Clara, and that she would be perfectly fine with lots of travels with the Doctor (and an actual death) still to come. Some sadness still lingered in the room, weighed down heavily. Grief seemed to be a running theme for this video.

The clock chimes midnight as Clara dies and Digby realises it is Christmas day. Later, in a graveyard, Latimer is with his children by a graveside. Vastra asks about the intelligence and if it melted with the snow. The Doctor doesn't think so as it learned to survive beyond physical form

"So, it will be back at some point?" Amy asked.

The Doctor glanced at Clara, "Already dealt with, don't worry."

Jenny declares they can't be in much danger from a disembodied intelligence that wants to invade with snowmen. Vastra adds one that thinks the London Underground is a key strategic weakness to Jenny's point. The Doctor muses the Great Intelligence rings a bell

The Doctor felt the need to face palm, she remembered now where she'd known the name from and it had taken her far too long to work out.

The Doctor walks up to the grave as the family leaves, he says he never knew her full name as Jenny calls to him concerned. The Doctor has a memory of Oswin Oswald from Asylum of the Daleks, he says it was Oswin, souffle girl

"And that was another splinter? At the Asylum?" Rory asked Clara for confirmation. She'd already sort of mentioned it earlier, but he just wanted to be sure.

Clara nodded, "Yep. The Doctor, and you two I guess, needed help. So, I was there, kind of."

Oswin had said the same thing that Clara did as she died. The Doctor repeats it was souffle girl again, saying he never saw her face the first time with the Daleks but it was the same voice

"Took you a while to work out." Clara teased.

Jenny calls to him again as the Doctor keeps talking about it being the same woman, twice, and they died both times. Vastra asks what he is talking about, worried

"I hope you explained what was happening to Vastra and Jenny, instead of just talking to yourself cryptically like a madman. I bet they thought you'd finally gone truly insane in your grief!" River scolded the Doctor.

The Doctor winced, "I did ... eventually." She'd put off that explanation far longer than she should have really. Though in her defence, she hadn't understood everything that had happened at the time either which makes a full explanation difficult. River just sighed.

The Doctor says something impossible is going on, telling them to stay right there and not move an inch. Vastra asks if he is coming back to which he replies he shouldn't think so

"Doctor." Clara sighed fondly. Rolling her eyes at his exuberance and hope, she couldn't help but smile. The Doctor in the room with her just grinned widely.

Vastra asks here he is going, the Doctor replies to find Clara, laughing in excitement. Jenny reminds him Clara is dead, asking Vastra what he is talking about. The grave says Clara Oswin Oswald, remember me, we shall meet again. November 23 1866 – December 24 1892

"You were 26." Rose did the mental math. Clara nodded; a bit unsure about why it mattered. Rose just shook her head in answer, really it seemed so old compared to when she first started travelling with the Doctor (at 19), but to her now? It seemed young, far too young to have died like that, even if it wasn't actually Clara.

Vastra tells Jenny she doesn't know but maybe the universe makes bargains after all. We change to the same graveyard, over a hundred years later and semi-overgrown. A girl asks where someone is going and Clara replies a short cut, the girl declares the graveyard creepy but Clara says she doesn't believe in ghosts

Clara blinked at that; she hadn't known she'd been trampling so close to her own grave. Maybe ghosts did exist after all, in one way or another (she tried desperately not to think back to their time on the Drum).

The rest of the group was just relived to have confirmation that Clara, the Clara that they all knew, the one in the room with them, was actually alive and well.

In the Tardis, the Doctor declares Clara Oswin Oswald, watch him run

"And I did, many times." Clara grinned. They seemed to spend half their lives running, usually away from something that was trying to kill them. As she spoke the screen faded to black as the video ended.

The group just sat in silence, the only sound their breathing and occasionally creak of one of the sofas as they all took in what had just happened.

The Doctor glanced at them all, taking a moment to absorb the semi-peace for herself before speaking up. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's see what's up next."