Prologue - The (New?) Time of the Doctor

What if the Eleventh Doctor didn't change?

Trenzalore was supposed to be his end.
But when the Time Lords offer a new regeneration cycle, something unexpected happens:
The Doctor survives-without changing.

And Clara? She gets him back. Her Doctor. Still the same, but haunted by what could have been.

A new season begins. Not with a new face, but with unfinished feelings, second chances... and a question neither of them dares to ask:

What if he stays?

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Disclaimer:
I do not own Doctor Who or any of its characters-those belong to the BBC.
This story is just my emotional, slightly timey-wimey tribute to a version of Season 8 that never happened... but maybe should have.