Clara was apprehensive and she didn't like it. She didn't like feeling nervous about anything, she always felt stronger than that, so whenever a nervous feeling hit her, it just annoyed her. Especially when the something that was making her feel that way was something she used to feel excited about; that was just plain rude.
She took a deep breath, berating herself as well as her two friends, before she pushed the door to the TARDIS open. This was all their fault. It was the Doctor's for making all their relationships complicated and uncomfortable, and it was Danni's for practically tricking her into going into the ship once again for a trip. How the hell was she supposed to say no when she begged her so convincingly? No one could say no to those big, brown eyes.
The Doctor was waiting for her by the console, stood up straight, hands clasped behind his back like he was meeting someone official and incredibly important. That did relax her somewhat; after all, she was rather important.
She held onto the handrail as she walked up the pathway to the console. "Before we go anywhere, we need some rules," she stated.
The Doctor rolled his eyes, even though he had been expecting this. Clara never did anything by halves, and as with Danielle, he knew that he had a lot to make up for. Didn't mean he was by any means happy with it though. "Oh? Pray tell," he drawled.
"This will only be a short trip," she started. "No peril, no saving lives. Just sightseeing, meeting the locals, trying the food, that sort of trip."
The Doctor nodded. "Anything else?"
"This is not me coming back," she replied. "Danni might be wanting to try and give you a second chance, but I'm not sure yet. This-This is more like a test run. To see if we can work again."
"Noted," the Doctor drawled and Clara finally closed the distant between them. "I am sorry that I hurt you, Clara."
"No you're not," Clara replied bluntly. "You're sorry that it didn't go the way you planned, that's different and that's why we're testing this out first," she leant onto the console. "Where are we off to?"
The Doctor efficiently set them into flight. It was true that this was not anywhere as exciting as it was when Danielle was there to share the experience, but he still got the same bubbling of eager anticipation at heading somewhere new.
"Somewhere warm," he told her enticingly. "You may want to get changed into something cooler and made for walking."
Clara really tried to not be intrigued by his suggestion, but her face still broke out into a grin. She dashed into the hallway to look for the wardrobe as she tried to think of what he could be possibly taking her to see.
The Doctor waited, finding that he never had to change when they went anywhere either woman considered warm. His body temperature could control itself much better than the human and the almost-Time Lord, so he tried to wait patiently for Clara's return.
He wanted this to go well. His days were now filled with missing his wife, his two-year gap having done nothing for keeping him sane. But he also found himself missing his companion as well. Clara and Danielle had always been close, but Clara was his friend too. Hopefully this trip could win her back as well as his wife. He was sure Danielle would take longer to come back to more than just travelling, but he knew exactly what Clara Oswald would need to entice her back as his friend.
And, of course, if he had Clara on side, she could help him win back his wife again.
~0~0~0~
Danni couldn't begin to tell Clara how grateful she was that the teacher had decided to give the Doctor a chance. Not only did she genuinely think that he deserved it, although she was struggling to find it within her to trust him, but she didn't want Clara to have to choose side, or to lose her friend. Clara enjoyed her time travelling with or without Danni, and so she hoped Clara and the Doctor could find their friendship again after what was a terrible mistake.
She was also rather grateful that Clara was still going to travel with him on Wednesdays after school. It meant that she could snuggle up on the sofa, laptop on her blanket-covered knees and television playing some random crap on that she wasn't paying attention to, and shop for a bed.
It turned out that the Doctor was owed a pension from UNIT. Not that he was of retiring age – or maybe he was, she should ask – but he was way past it in terms of a human. And, he was owed a pension. So Kate had it sent to Danni, who wasn't entirely convinced that she was telling the truth in that regard, but with the fee she'd received for helping with the Shadow Men, Danni didn't have to worry about getting a job for a long while, and so she decided that it was time to get herself a bed of her own.
She frowned to herself as she flicked through yet another website, with yet more beds. Clara's spare room wouldn't fit a king size, so just a double would have to do. But they were all boring, or too big, or too small and the more websites she went through, the more she thought she was just never going to find a bed that matched up to her ridiculous standards. It was hard to follow up a bed like the one on the TARDIS. Even Clara's was disappointing, but she didn't feel like that would have been appropriate to point out.
Not that she expected every mattress to be as comfy as the ones the TARDIS could create. She wasn't stupid, and she could survive just fine without one. She just didn't want to.
Basically, she was just missing her home.
In fact, she was missing a lot of things. She enjoyed sitting down and just wasting a night away, but she missed spending that time with someone. She missed snuggling up to someone at night, not just sharing a bed. She missed all of her stuff. She missed her husband. She missed her family.
She reached out and grabbed her phone, flicking through the contacts. She missed Jack, and she missed River. She missed all of the Ponds. She missed Martha, and she'd always miss Donna, and Rose, and Mickey. She just missed them all, but there was only a few of them she could contact.
But she shouldn't, should she? Her original fear about calling Jack still hadn't gone. Jack would want to take her away and look after her, but she was doing better. Alright, she missed not being on her own, but she could do it on her own.
Still, she dialled his number, holding her phone up to her ear.
Then she chickened out, quickly hanging up after the first ring.
Then she tried again, telling herself that she was six hundred years old, dammit, and she could ring her dad for a chat and not get convinced to move away.
Then she hung up again, because she could fight aliens, but she knew that saying no to Jack was probably one step too far for her.
She sighed, settling back into the sofa. She really needed to find herself a bed. She couldn't continue to sleep with Clara. She was the wrong Danny for that.
~0~0~0~
The Doctor opened the door onto the sunny planet that was waiting for them. A nice tourist destination, one that would be incredibly interesting and diverse whilst also still playing up to that mass appeal that Clara and Danni liked so much. He preferred places more out of the way, and Danni always preferred places she'd never been before, but for some reason she loved places full of people taking pictures as well. He'd never understood it, but he was always happy to give her what she wanted.
Clara stepped out a few moments later, now wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, with sunglasses pushed on her head and a camera around her neck.
"Going full tourist this time?" he asked, much to her confusion. "You've never brought a camera before."
Clara frowned, then realised he was talking about the camera. "Oh, no, that's Danni," she explained. "She insisted that I take as many pictures as I could to show her. And, well, when in Rome," she looked around. "Or, wherever we are."
"We're on the seventh moon of Huin," he explained. "Well renowned for its twelve month summers and lighter atmosphere. Very rich people like to come here, get suntans and pretend they're not as heavy as they actually are."
As he expected, Clara didn't look too impressed. "So, what you've done is bring me to a rich person's getaway?" She asked.
"If you would like," he replied, knowing she wouldn't. "I was planning on taking you to the bohemian district, but if you would rather see where the beautiful people live…"
"Stop it," Clara scolded lightly. "I'm not Danni, you don't need to tease me. Come on, show me the bohemian district."
She started walking down the street the Doctor had parked them in, always in charge and the Doctor watched her for a moment. He considered calling out to her to tell her she was walking in the wrong direction, but she was actually walking the right way, which was a little annoying. He sighed, then started to follow.
~0~0~0~
Danni jumped as her phone starting ringing. She'd been enthusiastically joining in on an episode of QI, which was a lovely little quiz show she remembered from her childhood. She wasn't doing very well, but she was sure the game was rigged to make her fail.
She held the phone up to her ear without taking her eyes off the screen, "Hello?" she asked before pointing at the screen. "I knew it!"
"Danni-Girl?" Jack's voice replied in confusion and she reached for the remote, muting the sound.
"Jack?" she asked in reply. "Are you okay?"
"You tell me," Jack replied. "I had two missed calls off you. How did you manage to ring me when I wasn't at my phone?"
"Oh, yeah, that," Danni replied softly. "I was… are you in London?"
"No, Germany," he replied. "I can be in London though, if you need me."
The tears that appeared in her eyes surprised her, and she nodded to herself. "I do," she replied softly. "I-I left the Doctor, I'm living with Clara and I'm working for UNIT and I can't even decide a bed for myself."
There was a pause, then she heard Jack kick into gear. "I will book the first flight I can," he told her. "It probably won't be until morning, though but I will come as soon as I can. Do you think you can hold on for me until then?"
She nodded. "I'm just upset, Jack, I'm not falling to pieces. I just…" she sniffed slightly. "Clara's been so nice, but I can't do this, can I?"
"Of course you can," Jack reassured her gently. "You've always been more than capable of doing anything on your own."
"I can't even buy a bed, Jack!" She exclaimed. "They're either too small, or I don't like them, and have you seen the prices of them? How am I supposed to make an adult decision if I can't even buy a bed to sleep in?"
"Danni, calm down," he told her evenly. "I know you're worried, but you'll be okay. We can buy you a bed, or a new flat, or whatever you like, okay? You're not on your own, and you can do this."
She took a shaky breath, "I can do this," she agreed, even if she didn't quite feel it was true. "I can totally do this. You'll be here tomorrow, right?"
"First thing in the morning," he promised. "Do you think you can last until then?"
She rolled her eyes. "I'm sad, not dying. I can last one night."
"Without a bed?" Jack retorted and she giggled.
"I'm sharing a bed with Clara," she explained.
"Danni!" he exclaimed. "I'm both shocked and proud! Look at you jumping right back on the horse!" Danni flushed bright red.
"Jack! Don't be a pervert, she's my friend!" She exclaimed.
He chuckled, "Yeah, really sounds like it," he replied dryly. "I won't be long, Danni-Girl. Ring me if you need to."
Danni smiled softly to herself, already feeling better despite the fact that she was crying. "I will," she promised. "Thank you so much, dad."
Jack paused again, this time not thinking about his plan of action, but the soft voice that came from the other side of the phone. "I'll be right there, Danni-Girl, I promise."
~0~0~0~
Clara had to admit, she was really enjoying walking through the streets of the seventh moon of Huin. The people were so friendly, and they seemed to be drawing a bit of attention. Probably because it was hotter than most summers in Britain and the Doctor was walking around in a full suit without breaking a sweat.
It was just so beautiful. The buildings were wonky and built at different heights, all decorated with mismatched flowers and paint jobs and all looking a little bit out of repair. There was a museum, or an art gallery, at the end of the main street they were heading down and little cafes dotted the street, with metal tables and chairs. Clara felt like she was walking in a picture, and she had to admit she was rather happy that Danni had insisted that she brought a camera.
"Come on, Clara," the Doctor demanded impatiently. "The museum isn't open all day; you know?"
"Well, move out of the way and I'll be quicker," Clara snapped in reply. She was trying to take a picture right down the street to the museum in question. It would look perfect above her bed when she got around to redecorating her room. Not that she had any plans of doing so in the immediate future, but it was always good to be prepared.
Someone bumped into her and she turned around, ready to apologise to whoever it was despite the fact that she was the one who'd been bumped into. She didn't quite expect the seven-foot giant in a black hat and an off-white shirt, though, so she just smiled as he bowed his head.
"I do apologise, mademoiselle," he said in a deep, French accent. As always, Clara had to wonder what he was actually saying, and what his accent actually was. "Would you like me to take the picture for you so you can be in it?"
She shook her head. "Oh, no, thank you," she replied gratefully. "I'm just trying to get a good shot of the museum."
"Oh, in that case, you need to be much higher up."
She yelled in surprise as the man wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off the floor with ease. She was about to command him to put her down, after all she'd not given him permission to touch her, but then she caught sight of the street and realised that he was right. She quickly held the camera up, took a few pictures, and then he placed her back down again.
"Thanks," she replied a bit cautiously. "I wouldn't go around picking up random people like that, though. You'll get yourself in trouble."
The man looked unperturbed at her advice, though. "You have come from quite far away, haven't you?"
She nodded. "You have no idea."
"Then, perhaps I could show you around," the man suggested. "I would be more than happy to show you the magic of our great district."
She smiled, recognising a bit of a flirt when she heard one. "Thank you, but I already have a tour guide," she broke to him gently, motioning to a rather impatient looking Doctor, who she realised hadn't done anything to save her from the giant man.
"Clara, we don't have time to make friends," he ranted like his usual self.
"Why, there is always time to make friends," the giant replied, obviously having no clue who he was talking to. The giant bowed his head, taking off his hat with a flourish. "My name is Fenrick, dear sir."
Clara stepped in before the Doctor could retort with something mean. "I'm Clara, this is the Doctor," she introduced. "He's my tour guide."
The Doctor looked at her, almost insulted. "Tour guide? Is that what I've been reduced to?"
"What do you mean, 'reduced'?" Clara retorted cheekily.
"I am not your tour guide," the Doctor swore before pointing at Fenrick. "He is our tour guide?"
Clara's eyebrows shot up in surprised. "He is?"
Fenrick was likewise confused. "I am?"
"You offered, didn't you?" The Doctor challenged and Fenrick nodded eagerly.
"That I did!" He cheered, obviously ecstatic that they had taken him up on his offer. "Follow me, friends," he encouraged, slapping his hand on the Doctor's back. The Time Lord stumbled slightly at the force, but neither Fenrick nor Clara noticed as they headed down the street.
"Are you from around here, then?" Clara asked the giant man.
"Alas, I am not," he replied. "What I wouldn't give to have roots in such a wonderful district, but I am from this moon, and that is all that is needed to understand it."
"Not true," the Doctor interjected. "I'm not from Earth, but I bet I understand it a lot more than the people who live there."
Clara snorted. "You've never understood Earth," she replied.
"No, I've never understood humans," he corrected. "Earth is just like any other planet. Lot of things living on it, taking its resources then demanding to know why it's not working anymore."
Clara, for a moment, felt like reminding him that it was very obvious that he didn't understand humans, that's why his wife was living with her instead of him. But, the moment the thought came, so did the guilt that accompanied it. Luckily, Fenrick took up the conversation for her.
"Understanding a planet is more than knowing about plants and animals. It's about how the people live, how they learn, how they love," he told them both. "And, to understand that, you need to see their art. Whatever makes them paint is what truly shows the mindset of a nation."
~0~0~0~
The museum was beautiful. It had no flow, no direction to follow. People walked between rooms on their own design, stopping whenever something caught their eye. Clara would have thought it would create chaos, but somehow it just gave the whole building a little bit more charm.
The pieces were beautiful as well. She'd never had a great knowledge of art. She knew just enough to pass art at school, and that was about it. So she couldn't tell you the rhyme and reason behind many of the images, but she could see that something was pleasing to look at. And this planet had plenty of beauty to offer them.
And Fenrick was a wonderful tour guide. He seemed to know the story behind each and every painting, and he told them in such a poetic way. She wasn't sure if it was the accent or not, but she found herself hanging off every word, and taking pictures to show Danni when she got back, which apparently wasn't frowned upon. Fenrick had said that this was because the art was only considered art in person, that you couldn't see its true beauty in a photograph.
The Doctor had snorted at this, but to his credit didn't say a word. In fact, Clara noted as she lowered the camera after taking a picture of wonderful swirl of colour that represented two lovers dancing. In fact, he'd been rather quiet for the entire way around the museum.
She turned to him, hand on one hip, looking at him suspiciously. "Are you okay?" she asked him.
He looked at her, rather perplexed. "Why wouldn't I be?" He retorted. "We're being lead around an art gallery by Jack's giant."
She shot him a look, grateful that Fenrick didn't seem to be paying them much attention, and was instead admiring the art like it was his first time seeing it despite his knowledge of it. "Be nice," she warned before nudging him. "Admit it, you're having a good time."
He rolled his eyes as the followed Fenrick. "I'm having a time," was all he'd give her as his eyes darted around, looking for something he couldn't seem to place. Something seemed rather familiar about this place, but he wasn't sure what.
"Ah, I see," Clara said with a smirk on her face. "You're having a good time without Danni, and you're not sure how to process that, aren't you?"
"I am fully capable of spending time without my wife," the Doctor snapped. He just didn't particularly want to. Seeing Clara's face taking in the art, taking pictures and asking questions, reminded him of why he loved to travel with a friend. They always saw things he never could, point out little things he'd otherwise miss out on. But so did Danielle, and she had the added bonus of giving him kisses when she was truly happy. She'd have a bounce in her step that Clara could only imitate.
"I just prefer the less guided route. You see so much of a place when someone isn't telling you what you're seeing," he continued.
"But he's from here," Clara pointed out. "He isn't a tour guide, he's just friendly."
"No one is just friendly," the Doctor dismissed. "He's just showing off because there's a pretty girl to give his attention to."
Clara smirked. "You called me pretty," she teased. Fenrick came back over to the pair, his big grin having not faded.
"This way, my friends," he told them both. "The next room is my favourite, although I am a little biased."
Clara grinned up at the friendly giant, who seemed to tour over everyone in the place, not just herself and the Doctor. "Oh? And why would that be?" She asked as they were directed to the next room.
"This is where the royal collection is kept," he replied before looking rather sheepish. "I have to admit; I may not have told you about this part of myself."
Clara was about to ask if he'd painted for the royals, which would have been quite the claim indeed, but the room answered that question for her. There were grand pictures of people in finery, statues of men and women in ridiculously uncomfortable position, and all of them loomed down on them much like the giant. And, on one wall, hung a portrait of Fenrick, dressed up like the rest of the royals and nothing like the casually bohemian way he was dressed now.
"You're royalty?" She asked, amazed and he flushed slightly in embarrassment. "But, but no one had batted an eyelid at you."
He shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a frequent visitor, they are all used to me," he explained. He then placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let me show you my family, dear Clara."
He walked them over to a line of portraits, all hung in a row with little plaques to tell them who was who. The first one was of a rather largely built man, in red velvet clothing not unlike the aristocracy of Britain would be seen in. "This is my great-great grandfather, Emperor Fenrick the third. I was named after him, but that is obvious. He ruled for almost a hundred years," Fenrick explained.
Clara grinned, then held up her camera. "Could I get a photo of you with it? I have a friend who would be so disappointed to have not been here with you." Fenrick nodded, stepping into place and shooting Clara the biggest of smiles. He wasn't rigid like the man in the painting. He held himself confidently, and yet somehow shyly and Clara was glad they'd met him along the way.
"And this is his wife, my great-great grandmother Lianna," Fenrick continued, motioning to a portrait of a wonderfully beautiful woman in a silver dress. "It's the only portrait we have of her. She hated standing for them, she much preferred photographs. There are some in the next room, if you would like to see."
Clara took a picture of the portrait. "We very much would," she replied enthusiastically. "Wouldn't we, Doctor?"
She shot the Time Lord a pointed look, and he grunted slightly in agreement. He knew better than to disagree with Clara when she shot him that look.
"This is my great grandfather Derina, with his wife, Emperor Dimester," the Doctor's eyes widened slightly as he released just what he was missing. How could he have been so stupid? Yes, the time without Danielle before he'd gone back for her forgiveness was a bit of a blur, but he could see the angry Emperor calling for her guards to kill him as he snatched her tiara.
He clasped his hands on Clara's shoulders firmly, startling her with the unexpected contact. "This has been wonderful, a true delight," he rambled off. "But we really must be going. Clara has students to tell lies to, and I have bowling."
Clara looked back at him, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "I'm sure that all can wait," she replied pointedly. Yes, she had had been the one to suggest a short trip, but she was still enjoying herself.
"No, it really can't," the Doctor replied from behind a big grin. "We really need to go."
"Oh, but there is not much left," Fenrick dismissed. "Let me show you the rest of the gallery, and then you can get back to your plans. You'll regret missing it."
"See?" Clara said to the Doctor. "We'll regret it."
Fenrick moved onto the portrait of his father, but Clara stayed close to the Doctor. "Why do you want to leave?" she asked him quietly.
"I just think we've outstayed our welcome, don't you?" He countered, also lowly. She didn't believe that was his excuse, not for one second.
"What did you do?" She demanded, leaving him no room to deny it.
"I just don't have a great history with this royal family, that's all," he brushed off. "We don't get on."
"When do you get on with anyone?" Clara countered and Fenrick finally moved onto the picture of himself. The Doctor reached out slightly, like he was going to just grab her and go, but instead he just lowered his head and closed in on the pair. He couldn't make a scene; he'd just pull more attention to himself.
Why did he steal that bloody tiara? He'd not even given it to Danielle.
"Oh, I need a picture of you with your picture as well," Clara told Fenrick. This time he looked a little bit smugger at the picture, copying the pose he'd been forced into when he had been painted.
"You see," he told Clara, "I just never found the duties and the pomposity of my position remotely entertaining. I wanted to see how everyone else lived, and I found it so much more enjoyable than anything that the throne could offer me. I'm still technically in line for it, but once my turn comes, I will be handing it to my brother. He is a born leader, nothing like me."
"I wouldn't say that," Clara replied as he led them through to the artefacts portion of the exhibit. "You care for your people, about their lives. That may not be what they want in an Emperor, but it's much more valuable as a leader than being able to follow rules."
"Alas, if only everyone else saw the world in that beautiful way, dear Clara. However, I am happy with my lot. My brother will rule, and I will continue to spread our history and our art," they came upon a collection of crowns and tiaras behind secure glass.
"Oh wow, screw your brother," Clara murmured and Fenrick chuckled happily.
"Yes, they are wonderfully extravagant, aren't they?" He agreed. "This is my great grandmother's collection of crowns. She was very fond of her jewels," he pointed to one. "That was her every day one. She liked to remind everyone that she was the Emperor, as if anyone could forget."
He motioned around the side of the cabinet. "Over her years as Emperor, many people attempted to steal her jewels. Only one was ever successful, and he became infamous for it. He's still wanted to this day; the whole planet is always on the lookout for the Doctor thief."
On the wall hung a 'Wanted' poster, and Clara's eyes widened as the rest of her features hardened. She turned to look at the Doctor, waiting for an explanation as to why he was wanted for jewellery theft.
~0~0~0~
Jack had tried to get a flight. He'd called the airports, he'd called his friends in high places. Unfortunately, nothing had come about, and even though he personally was in a rush to get back, it wasn't a big enough emergency to use his more… secretive contacts to get back to London. He knew that if he used them for this, then if he actually needed them in the future, they'd be less than inclined to help him.
For some reason, planet security didn't extend to his heartbroken daughter. Who knew?
So he'd settled down in his hotel room for the night, with a glass or two of Scotch and a documentary channel on the television. His German was a bit rusty, but he understood the gist of the shark show that was currently being shown. Sharks were big, with lots of teeth, but weren't as dangerous as you may have suspected. He already knew that, but it was nice they were telling other people this.
She had called him Dad. He hadn't been expecting it, no matter which Danielle he saw he knew that she was never one for calling him that. He'd always be Jack, and River was always River, and she was always their Danni-Girl. The 'd' word only came out when she was truly worried and upset, when she needed her parents.
It was nice to be needed. The last few years had been hard for him, and he'd not felt useful for a while. Only when she would call, begging for his help. He knew that she was more than capable on her own, and more than a couple of times he had dropped everything, rushing to her side only to find it all fixed without him.
He'd do it every time because he knew that it helped her. In some ways her self-confidence had only improved with age, and in some ways it was still how it was when she was 22 years old. She never felt like she could do something without there being someone there to give her the support. Just knowing he was coming gave her the drive to fight whatever demon, or alien, or marriage issues that she was having on her own. He was happy to give her that strength.
He was her Dad. He just wanted her to be happy.
He downed his scotch then turned the television off. He needed to try and get some sleep before his flight. She was fine, he knew she was fine, and he had a six am flight to make.
He knew she would be fine. He wasn't an idiot, and both of them had been through more than enough in their lives to be able to survive one night of boring life. Danni wouldn't even be awake. She'd be sleeping in Clara's bed, dreaming away, not worried at all because her Dad was coming and she was going to be okay.
He had to wonder how old she was. The last Danni he'd saw had been over five hundred years old. Was this the same Danni? Or was she much younger? Or older, even. How much had he missed of her life? What had happened to make her leave the Doctor? He'd done a lot of bad things she hadn't left him for.
So what had changed? What had made her move out? And into Clara's, instead of contacting him directly? How long had she been living there? How long had she been upset?
He stared up at the ceiling in the dark room, the sound of the city dulled by the soundproof glass in the windows. It was late, he had to get up early, but questions ran around his head. He wasn't getting any sleep tonight.
~0~0~0~
Clara stared at the Doctor expectantly, who was obviously trying not to tell her anything at all. He refused to look at her. "We should go," he told her.
"What did you do?" She demanded lowly. "Why the hell would you steal a tiara?"
"I thought Danni would like it!" He replied insistently, surprising her with the nickname for his wife. He very rarely called her that now, preferring her full name in some sort of purr that would have Danni blushing and Clara feeling slightly uncomfortable. "It's not like the Emperor needed it, look how many she had?"
Clara just glared before turning to Fenrick, who had obviously noticed the similarities between the wanted poster and the man next to her. She shot him her most apologetic smile. "Danni is his wife," she explained. "And we can go get the tiara right now, because I know for a fact it isn't in my flat."
Fenrick chuckled, patting her on the shoulder and almost knocking the wind out of her. "Keep it," he dismissed much to her surprise. "Your friend is right, great-grandma had more jewels than she knew what to do with. If it will make someone else happy, we can keep it to ourselves.
"Are-are you sure?" Clara asked a bit suspiciously. "You're not going to turn us in?"
"Of course not," Fenrick replied, sounding insulted at the suggestion. "We are all friends here. Come with me, let me show you the furniture that sat in our palace until my great-great-great grandfather decided he wanted everything red."
Clara nodded and Fenrick started off towards the next showcase. She turned to the Doctor, pointing her finger at him. "Not a word," she warned. "We will discuss why you're stealing jewellery when we get back to the TARDIS. Keep your head down, and don't make a scene."
"I think you're the one making the scene," the Doctor replied as people seemed to be drawn to the young woman telling off an older man. Clara's glare darkened and he held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, no scenes, Miss Oswald," he retorted. "I hope you're not so mean to your students."
"Not all my students are thieves," she retorted because she was sure that there was a lad in Year 10 who had been stealing from her drawer. "Come on, Dick Turpin."
The Doctor followed obediently, keeping his head down even as Fenrick reassured them that no one would think it was him. He was considered old all those years ago, most people probably wouldn't even believe it was him even if they saw the similarities.
This reassured Clara, but not the Doctor, who knew people better than that. Fenrick still treated them like old friends, talking to them about people and places they had never heard of, but his poetic language made it seem like Clara was really there. Kings and Queens dancing together, princes and princess and Emperors having balls contrasted wonderfully with the stories of the artists who painted them. All poor, in cramp houses, and yet all happy and loved and doing what made them feel like they were making a contribution to the world.
The last exhibit they saw before Clara knew it was time to call it a day was a series of statues that depicted an illicit love affair between a doctor and his young student. Different materials intertwined, paintings with loud colour splashes contrasted with the dark and dismal imagery that was created when the student ended the relationship.
"This was the doctor's last piece," Fenrick explained, motioning to a canvas painted in pure black. "It was the darkest of his days, and he saw no more reason to paint. His love, his muse, had gone and now he was truly alone. With no more brightness in his world, everything faded dull and black."
"That's horrible," Clara murmured softly as the Doctor crossed his arms. It was like the universe was trying to shove his mistakes in his face today. Danielle wasn't gone forever, though, unlike the doctor's long-lost student lover. She was at Clara's house, and he still had a chance to win her back.
It didn't help that the universe did feel duller without her by his side, but that didn't make it any less amazing, right? It just made it ever more so when he could show her it.
He definitely wasn't coming back here again. He wasn't sure how he'd managed to choose the same place twice in the first place.
Clara hugged Fenrick as they were heading out of the museum. She'd really had a wonderful time. She'd forgotten how nice it was to just travel to new places, to meet new people and not worry about being chased down or killed. She had to insist on this more often.
"You must come back," Fenrick told them. "There is so much more to see, so much more to do, to meet, to experience. We have only scratched the surface; I wish you could stay longer."
"So do I," Clara admitted. "But, like he said, I have class and I need to prepare."
Fenrick nodded. "I understand. Knowledge is important as well as experiences. You have to mould the future of your own people as well as getting to know mine."
Clara grinned. "I'm going to miss you," she told him as they stepped out into the street…
And found a group of twenty or thirty police men and women waiting, guns pointing and shouts telling them to put their hands up and to stand still.
"I thought no one would care!" The Doctor snapped.
"They shouldn't," Fenrick replied before taking a step towards the police. "Lower your guns!"
"We can't, sir," the one in charge shouted back. They were at the front, wearing the most armour, in a different colour to make them stand out. "He is a wanted criminal, sir. Our orders are clear and have been for many years. He must be punished for his crimes."
"And I am your prince," Fenrick replied, reaching back and grabbing Clara. She yelled in surprise as she was dragged forward in front of the prince. "You will do as I say and lower your guns. I am going to run," he squeezed Clara's shoulders on the word and her eyes widened slightly at the very distinct cue he was giving her, "this moon in years to come and I will not allow you to hurt these visitors."
Clara turned, curtsying for the man she knew didn't want the gesture but appreciated it non the less, "Thank you for your kindness," she told him honestly.
"Come back in a couple of years," he replied in a whisper before motioning her back behind him. He turned to the policemen. "What crime do you think our guests have committed?" He challenged to buy them time.
Clara fell to the Doctor's side. "You know what to do," she told him out of the corner of her mouth.
"Run?" He asked in the same manner and she nodded.
"Run," she confirmed.
"That man stole the birthday crown of the Great Emperor Dimester," the officer replied and the two time travellers started shuffling away from the front door of the museum. "He had been wanted for hundreds of years."
Fenrick scoffed. "You are telling me that this man somehow managed to survive all those years, never aging, and happens to visit the establishment where his portrait hangs for all to see?"
"Now?" The Doctor asked and Clara nodded.
"Now," she agreed.
"A civilian overheard him talking to his accomplice. Time Lords are known for their agelessness, which is why we have been on guard for them since he first appeared." the policeman replied before turning his attention onto the rapidly retreating pair. "Get them!" He shouted, and the police began their chase after them as Fenrick chuckled loudly.
"Why can't it ever be calm with you?!" Clara panted.
"Because you'd be bored," he counted. "Now shut up and keep running!"
~0~0~0~
Clara held onto the railings as the Doctor flew them off from the moon, away from their newfound friend and back towards her house. She was sweating, she was panting and she was sure that the camera that she'd had to remove from around her neck as they'd ran had bounced against her chest hard enough that it caused her to bruise.
"You can't go anywhere without causing trouble, can you?" She challenged angrily. "This was supposed to be a nice, calm trip!"
"I didn't cause any trouble," he replied. "I'd already caused it long before we'd arrived."
"Then why take us there at all?" She asked and he shrugged.
"I remembered the place, but not why," he offered. "No matter, it's over now. You're getting worked up over nothing."
"Nothing?!" She exclaimed. "We were shot at because you stole a tiara!" She raised her hands up, like she was ready to throttle him. "Why the hell would you steal a tiara?!"
"I told you, it was for Danielle," he replied in calm voice that just infuriated her more. "It's part of being a Time Lord, when we're lonely, we're reckless."
She lowered her arms slightly, her anger fading away at this cynical self-analysis. "You were missing her," she commented calmly.
"Of course I do," he snapped. "Don't be foolish, Clara, it doesn't suit you anymore than those sunglasses do."
She reached up onto the top of her head, taking them off and deciding to be nice and not tell him off for the attack. "She misses you too, you know?" He scoffed slightly. "No, it's true. When we were dealing with the Shadow Men, it was you she saw."
"Yeah, she mentioned that," he replied, although his wife hadn't at all. She'd explained the creatures, and the damage they'd done to Earth and had asked him if letting them go was the right thing to do. He'd told her she'd done fantastically, but to warn them that he was watching them. She didn't need to know the rest. Her good hearts didn't need to know.
Clara, though, was already passed the good side of the creatures, and onto the bad. "She also saw the Master," she commented and the Doctor's hand slipped off the control he had been holding. He spun around, and Clara was surprised by the look on his face.
"I'm sorry?" He replied. "Did you say the Master?"
She nodded. "When she was in the cell with the creature, it turned into its second form and she saw the Master," she explained. "She didn't mention much about him, though."
The Doctor took a moment to process this. It had been hundreds upon hundreds of years ago for both of them, and yet the Year That Never Was was one thing neither of them seemed to be able to forget. He knew she had still suffered from nightmares on Christmas, but they seemed more and more sporadic. His hands clenched at the thought of the evil man he'd once called friends.
"He is of no consequence," the Doctor replied simply and Clara knew she wasn't getting any more information out of him. "Tell her that, and if she has nightmares you call me, is that understood?"
Clara raised her hand to her forehead, saluting him. "Yes, sir," she retorted in a grumble. "She hasn't had any nightmares, though, as far as I'm aware."
"And if you keep something like that from me again, Clara, I will be bringing her home," he warned.
"She won't let you," Clara replied.
"I don't care," he replied in a snappy tone. "You never keep any information about that man from me."
The TARDIS shuddered as she landed and the Doctor nodded to the door. "I'll see you next Wednesday," he told her gruffly.
She frowned. "Aren't you coming to see Danni?"
"It's not Friday," he replied like it explained everything. She rolled her eyes but turned to walk out.
"Fine, don't, I'm sure she's not waiting for you or anything," she replied sarcastically. "I'll see you next Wednesday."
"Oh, so you're still coming?" He asked, sounding put out at the news but she knew better. She turned and smiled.
"Well, you still owe me that calm trip," she pointed out. "I'll tell Danni you said hi."
She opened the door to find Danni leaning out of the front room, somehow looking both guilty at being caught and hopeful at the door opening. Clara smiled at her, a little sadly, because she knew the blonde was waiting for her husband to come out, and he wasn't.
Instead, Clara silently motioned her over. Danni practically ran to her side and Clara opened the door as wide as she could, "Oh, look, Doctor, your not-quite-wife has appeared!" She exclaimed before pushing Danni inside.
Both Time Lords looked startled at the sudden meeting, which made almost no sense because Danni had been waiting for him to come out. She mentally shook the shock away, and smiled softly at him. "Did you have a good time?" She asked.
He wondered if he should tell her about the policemen and the guns, but decided worrying her wasn't worth telling the story for. Instead he just looked her over. She looked shy, she didn't need to be shy with him. "We went to an art gallery. I believe Clara took quite a lot of pictures to show you."
"That's good," she replied softly and the two stood in silence until Clara rolled her eyes.
"Why don't you show her the gift you got her?" Clara said pointedly before heading out of the TARDIS to give them a little alone time. They didn't need chaperoning.
Danni looked surprised, then excited, "A gift?" She asked, "You didn't need to."
Her smile was just delightful, and the Doctor walked over to her, just wanting to be a little closer to her. "I'll show you on Friday," he purred to her as he reached out and took her hand. "If you will still join me?"
"It is our date night," she said, "I'd be happy to."
He lifted her hand, placing a kiss on her palm then let it drop. "Best go get ready, my pet," he told her, gently nudging her out of the TARDIS as every part of him screamed for him to slam the door and fly her away. "Only two days to go."
Danni was out in the hallway before she realised, and the TARDIS dematerialised in front of her. She watched her home take her husband away, and took a moment to gather herself together.
"Show me the pictures!" She exclaimed, running into the living room where Clara was waiting. She jumped on the sofa and pulled her blanket up around her. "Tell me everything."