Clara sat on the couch of Alec's living room surrounded by silence and boredom! She yawned stretching her leg out, noticing the TV remote by her foot but that could wait.
She was way more interested about this mystery detective who had come to her rescue.
Grabbing her crutches she hobbled through the living room, poking around for anything that could tell her more about this guy, "playing Sherlock," her mom called it. But there wasn't a lot of interesting things to discover here just some old antiques and a couple of potted plants, that clearly needed watering.
Clara just wandered around until she spotted an old photo album sticking out from under the end table, intrigued she retrieved it then settled back on the couch, eagerly flipping through the pages, a couple of baby photos caught her eye making her smile, Alec was a cute kid but strangely never seemed to smile much, she noticed. All the smiles in the photos felt forced, just a little too tight, like maybe he was just managing through most of the time.
Clara knew what that felt like, always faking a smile to please everyone. She sighed as skimmed through more pages, the only pictures displaying any genuine happiness were ones with his daughter. It seemed he never knew true happiness or maybe he was happy and something ended it, she realized. Regardless, at least they had something in common. Misery really does love company, Clara thought, sadly as she kept turning through the pages,
Meanwhile, Alec was going through his computer trying to find anything that could help him find out who Clara was. He even resorted to Googling her name! But nothing. Suddenly, a knock came from his door. Ellie was standing there looking at him slightly amused as he cursed under his breath scrolling through the screen.
"How's it going?" She asked.
He grunted.
"Fantastic," Alec muttered. "She has quite a mouth, but she still won't tell me anything." He sighed frustrated. "I can't find anything about her, she's a mystery! Alec said baffled.
"Is there really nothing on her?" She asked.
He shook his head.
"All I know is she wants to go home." Alec replied.
Ellie shrugged.
"Well, she could be an abused victim or running away from something." She reasoned.
Alec gave her a look.
"Maybe or maybe, she's a smart arse who's trying to make my life miserable." He snorted. He shook his head. "No, I already checked. Clara has no marks, and she certainly doesn't act like someone who's in trouble." Alec said. He frowned. "And then there's that ring…that gaudy ring, she refuses to part with..." He muttered to himself.
Ellie sighed.
"Well, eventually you'll figure it out," She said. Ellie turned to leave when she paused. "Oh,
and watch out for Olly, word's gotten out and he knows you've got a young lady staying over and is itching for an interview with you." She warned.
Alec groaned.
Ellie just gave a sympathetic smile before leaving.
Alec sat there rubbing his eyes, exasperated.
"Great, Olly Stevens! Of course, why not!? First Clara and now this!" He grumbled.
Today was not his day!
Clara was still on the couch calmly going through a photo album when she heard the door open. She briefly glanced up at Alec as he walked in.
"Hi." She said before looking back down.
"Hi," He frowned folding his arms watching her. "What are you doing?" Alec asked.
"Going through your photo album." Clara replied simply.
He scoffed.
"Glad you're enjoying my private life." Alec grunted putting away his jacket.
"It was either that or go through your drawers again." She replied simply.
Alec scowled at her.
"You're really a nosey one, huh?" He remarked.
She looked at him and shrugged.
"Look, if I have to stay here might as well learn about you." Clara reasoned.
Alec just shook his head, muttering under his breath. He was just too tired to argue.
He removed his tie tossing it in the chair before plopping down.
"So, other than being nosy what else did you do?" Alec remarked.
Clara set aside the album, sighing.
"Well, I made a soufflé." Clara replied.
Alec glanced at her, curious.
"Oh, you can cook?" He asked.
She nodded.
"Yeah, well, not as good as my mum," Clara admitted. "I never did get the chance to ask her for her the recipe." She added sadly. "But I'm determined to perfect it." She declared firmly.
"You and your mum were close, then?" Alec asked hoping to get more from her.
Clara looked at him. She knew what he was doing and shut down, again.
"Yes, and as I said before I'm not talking!" She stated strongly.
Alec sighed heavily. This was getting silly! He moved to the coffee table sitting in front of her meeting her eyes hoping to reason with her.
"Please talk to me," He begged. "I just want to help and you're just hurting yourself by not speaking!" Alec said.
Clara just stared at him, blankly. He had no idea what her situation was or even what he was dealing with. It was just best he didn't get involved. Besides, why should she trust him, she couldn't trust anyone, anyway, not even her own family!
He gently squeezed her hands.
"Please just talk to me!" Alec pleaded.
For a minute Clara was tempted. Those amber eyes were so trusting and sincere it would've been easy to just give in, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Clara just turned her eyes away keeping silent.
Finally, Alec gave up and stood.
"Alright, I'll just take you to the station, tomorrow and let them deal with you." He said leaving the room.
Her head shot up. Police station!?
"Am I in trouble?" Clara exclaimed.
He paused.
"No but maybe they can get farther with you than I can," Alec sighed. "Personally, I don't care who you are I just genuinely want to help and maybe that's where I'm going wrong," He said frustrated. "Maybe it's just me caring about someone too much again, I don't know," He muttered, shrugging. "But I'll just let them deal with you and perhaps they can do a better job than me." Alec sighed turning to leave.
Clara sat there processing what he had just said. Maybe she had been wrong, maybe he did really care. Clara then realized Alec was probably her last hope besides, it was either confess or deal with investigators and have everybody know who she is!
Finally, she sat up and blurted ,"I'm a Princess!"
He turned looking at her.
"Sorry?" He replied.
Clara sighed.
"I'm a princess." She repeated.
Alec scoffed.
"Yeah, I gathered!" He remarked.
She scowled standing, propping herself up, leaning on one of her crutches.
"No, I'm actually a princess," She insisted. "Princess Clara Oswald of Torchwood Castle," Clara said pulling out her royal pin from her pocket and placing it in his hand. She sighed. "Happy?"
Alec just gawked at the ruby red royal pin then back at her, her words slowly setting in.
She was telling the truth, Clara was a Princess!