Because I didn't think 2 stories on the go at once was enough... here's number 3! Different AU to previous, still Danny/Clara... or is it?

It was the cold patch the other side of the bed that woke her up. Clara opened her eyes and looked at the clock to see it was only 5 minutes before her alarm which she duly switched off and sat up. The floor was cold and uninviting and she was quick to find her slippers and dressing gown, making her way to the bathroom.

Half an hour later - she'd got very good at getting ready for work quickly - Clara was dressed and made up ready. Her bag was already from the night before which meant all she had to do was find out where on earth James had gone.

The mystery was solved soon enough when she got downstairs to the smell of pancakes. Opening the kitchen door she found her fiancé standing over the oven cooking - apron included.

"Very sexy," she grinned as she leant against the door frame.

"I can hardly go to work with batter all down my suit. I thought you might need something to start your term off," he smiled, producing the plate of pancakes.

"Always thoughtful," she kissed him quickly before sitting down. "I thought you'd already gone," she told him.

"I'm just about to," James told her and her smile dropped.

"Can't you just have one? When will you be home?" she held on to his hands but he let go.

"I have an important meeting. I'll be home when it's done," he told her, "I hope your day goes alright." James kissed her once more before disappearing out of the room and soon out of the house. Clara watched him go, sitting down at the table but suddenly not very hungry. They never saw each other anymore, she'd almost forgotten that in the two weeks they'd been away, the two weeks in which he'd proposed. She stared at the ring, spinning it around her finger. It was beautiful, perfect, he knew her well. They were lying on a beach under the stars when he asked… but that was a week ago, now she was sat in the kitchen on her own not knowing when she'd next see him. His work had taken over since he'd got promoted, he took it so seriously - more than he needed to. Clara loved him, that hadn't changed, she just missed him.

Time passed quicker than she'd realised and suddenly it was time to leave. She grabbed her bags and went in to school, preparing herself for a new term.

Her first stop was the staff room, tea was a necessity this morning especially as she never had eaten breakfast. She was quickly pounced on by Grace, one of her colleagues and best friend who was dying to know what had happened and to see the ring.

"Clara it's gorgeous!" she hugged her, "oh he is such a catch," Grace smiled but was a little confused by her friend's reaction. "Are you okay? You don't seem all that happy…"

"Oh no I am, I am, I guess it's just the post-holiday comedown. James really spoilt me these last 2 weeks, I kinda miss just being in his arms," she sighed. "Anyway, have you told anyone?"

"No of course not, it's your news," Grace replied.

"Good, keep it quiet for now yeah? I want to settle in before I make the big announcement," Clara explained, slipping the ring off and putting it in her purse.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine! Honestly, stop worrying, I need a full low down on your holiday later too - lunch?" Clara asked, tea now finally made. Grace agreed and left to go to her classroom. Clara picked her bags back up and made her way to her own room.

The morning went surprisingly well, her classes seemed shockingly happy to be there which made life much easier. She stayed in her room at break, smiling when James text her briefly, I miss the beach, have a wonderful day xx.

"English, who apparently have some sort of rivalry going on with the maths department but that's something I like to keep out of," Clara looked up and saw Mr Armitage stood outside her classroom door which was still open. He was talking to someone but she couldn't work out who, presumably a new teacher… and he definitely caught her looking. "Sorry to disturb you Miss Oswald, oh actually, you'd be great to finish this tour off if you could. Danny is the new maths teacher, I've been showing him around but I need to go and speak to Joseph, if you're not busy?"

"I guess that's alright," Clara stood up and made her way through to the hall. Mr Armitage had already disappeared by the time she got there and suddenly Clara found herself stopping in her tracks. "Danny..." she stared at the man in front of her - instantly recognising him.

"Clara? I had no idea you were working here…" they both looked at each other in shock. "Sorry, I've interrupted you working, I can make my way back if you like?"

"Can you find your way back?" Clara asked raising an eyebrow.

Danny glanced back down the corridor and then looked back, "honestly? Probably not." She chuckled and moved out of the doorway.

"Come on in, I'll let you in on some trade secrets," she smiled and followed him in, shutting the door behind her.

As suggested, Clara told him everything he needed to know about working in the school - the difficult students, the interesting teachers as well as the joys to teach and work with. Breaktime disappeared before they knew it the bell was going and Danny stood up to leave. Clara watched him walk towards the door, unsure whether to speak to him about the obvious elephant in the room. "Danny…" she stood up and he turned around quickly, "it's good to see you." He nodded, smiling and leaving.

#-#-#-#-#

Danny walked back to his room, kicking himself for not saying anything to her. It had been 6 years since they'd last seen each other, since he'd gone to the army, leaving everything behind. Clara was his biggest regret, he should never have let her go so easily and he'd never stopped thinking about writing to her - but the courage never came. Now she was stood right in front of him, but they were 6 years down the line, she could be married for all he knew - he should have checked.

He sat down at his desk as the class filed in, thinking back to the last time they'd seen each other - the day he'd left…

She'd been crying, he could see it, but always the strong one she'd wiped them away by the time he came back in from packing the car. Clara stood in his now empty flat, staring at him where he'd stopped just inside the room.
"I can't do this Danny, I just can't," she told him, looking at the floor. "I can't be sat at home waiting to hear if you're alive or dead, I can't be tied to that," she looked up. "I'm sorry, I know I said I could, but I can't."

Danny wasn't surprised, he'd expected this a long time ago but he had hoped they'd survive this. He walked over, taking her arms gently before pulling her into a hug. "I know, it's not fair on you," he rubbed her back. "I guess that makes this goodbye…" they both stood there in silence.

"It was always goodbye," she replied quietly, "just more permanent than before," she looked up at him. "I'm sorry," Clara told him once more.

"You're 19 Clara, you shouldn't have to sit and wait for me knowing I may or may not come back. You need to live your life, you have so much to live for. Go travelling like you always wanted, I'm not here to hold you back now," he smiled gently but Clara shook her head.

"You were never holding me back Danny," she told him, but he stopped her.

"This was, me going to the army, it's holding you back. I love you, and because I love you I'm going to leave now. The key is on the side, take as long as you need here before you go back. Move on, find something new, someone new. You deserve better," Danny kissed her one last time before turning away and leaving.

It was only when the door slammed shut that he came back around and went back to his lesson.

When lunch came Clara wasn't in her room, at least she wasn't by the time he'd found it again. Thankfully the staff room wasn't far away and he was able to find his way there, lunch in hand. He sat down in the circle of chairs in the centre (which was actually more of a square), opening his salad box.

"That looks distinctly unappetising," he looked up to see a woman he hadn't yet met sit down next to him, "sorry that's a rather rude introduction, I'm Grace Beardman - English. You must be Danny?"

"It is rather," Danny responded, "word spreads fast," he replied.

"In this place, you can't avoid it," she sipped at her coffee, "so how's your first morning been?"

"Brilliant actually, it's a lovely atmosphere here," he told her, "so English then? Aren't we supposed to avoid each other's company or something?"

Grace laughed, nodding a little, "that's the theory. It's a long running thing, nobody is really sure where it started. Anyway, tell me more about yourself."

Danny explained about the army, training to be a teacher and ending up here. It was vague, but it covered the main points without giving away too much.

"Oi you, thought we were meeting outside?" Danny heard Clara's voice and turned around, "oh, hello again," she froze a little as she saw him, he noticed that. Was this going to be awkward forever? He didn't want it to be.

"Sorry, got a little distracted, you two met already then?" they both nodded, "fair enough. Come on let's go, I want to see that ring again," Grace grinned and stood up with Clara shushing her, "see you later!" They both went to leave and Danny's gaze fell to Clara's hand and the ring on her finger. She was engaged, of course she was, any man would be stupid not to have her. Danny sighed, going back to his food and trying to figure out exactly what was going on in his head.

#-#-#-#-#

Clara was vaguely listening to Grace as she started talking about her summer holiday, but her mind was on other things. Danny was back in her life, someone she never thought she would see again - but there he was, sat in the staffroom at her work. They'd said goodbye, it had been final, it had taken her years to get over him but James had been that person to change her. He was a wonderful man, gave her everything she needed and loved her every second of the day. They'd been together 3 years next week and it had been a wonderful 3 years. She loved him, there was no doubt in that.

Danny and her were together for 6 years, they were childhood sweethearts and everyone had expected them to be together forever - they had expected to be together forever, but that had changed when Danny decided to join the army. The fear of losing him was too much, it wasn't something she could go through. She always hated him for putting her through that, but she couldn't tell him - it was his life, not hers to play with. They'd moved on. 6 years ago they'd moved on.

"Oi, Oswald, you listening to me?" she jolted back to the conversation at hand and looked up to Grace, "the new guy - what do you think?"

"Oh he seems alright, I got abandoned with him at break, told him the secrets and all that jazz. You learn anything much?" she asked.

"He used to be in the army, left there and went into teaching - that's about it really. Pretty sure he's single though," she smirked. Clara sat up a little, "what? Don't you think he's attractive?"

"Engaged Grace," Clara grinned, sipping at her drink.

"You can still window shop," she winked, "but that saves any competition," she chuckled. Clara rolled her eyes, "what's that look for?!"

"Nothing, nothing, just don't get drunk and embarrass yourself in front of him this time eh?" Clara replied.

"That was one time!" Grace through a grape at her, "cheeky bugger, anyway, we should get back. You coming to the pub tonight?"

"James is working late so no reason why not," she smiled, "see you later."

#-#-#-#-#

Good day? Missing you x Clara smiled at the text that came through exactly a minute after the bell went for the end of the day.

Not so bad, how's the meeting going? X She put her phone down on the desk, going to clean up the classroom.

"Uh, hey…" Clara looked up quickly as she heard the voice at her door and saw Danny stood there. "Sorry, someone said I should come to the pub to meet everyone but I don't really know where I'm going?"

"Oh, well give me 5 minutes and I'm walking over. How was your day?" Clara asked as she organised her shelf.

"Fine thank you, really nice actually, everyone's been really welcoming," he explained before a silence fell over them. "So… how have you been?"

"Good thank you, settled. When did you get back?" she asked.

"A couple of years ago, then I did the training and now… I'm here. I… I thought about contacting you, but I didn't really know how and what to say…" he sounded nervous. Clara looked around.

"It's fine, we said goodbye a long time ago," she told him, "anyway - things have changed."

"I spotted the ring, congratulations," he smiled. "I'm really glad you're happy Clara - I always hoped you'd find someone."

"Thanks," she replied, "and you? Anyone special?"

"Not at the moment, but I've got time," he winked and she laughed - he always could make her laugh.

"Come on you cheeky sod - pub time," she grabbed her bag and headed for the door.

They arrived at the pub and sat down. Danny sat opposite her and Clara sat by Grace who was looking at Danny maybe a little too longingly. They had a drink and chatted as a group, catching up on summers and plans for the term. Danny got to know a few people which relaxed Clara a bit as he wasn't always looking to her for conversation. As time passed Clara got thirsty again and stood up, Grace followed soon after, joining her at the bar and glancing back over at the table.

"He's talking to us a lot don't you think?" she asked, Clara shrugged, paying the barman. "Does he know you're taken?"

"Yep, saw the ring when we were talking earlier. He just knows us that's all Grace, stop over thinking this," she sighed, picking up the drinks and handing Grace hers.

"Who put you in such a bad mood anyway?" she asked.

"Just leave it, please," Clara told her and walked back over sitting down.

"Clara come on," Grace followed, "this isn't like you - what's up?"

"Something wrong?" Danny asked as they sat back down, "Clara? I know that face." That got Grace's attention. Clara put her head in her hands briefly before shaking her head at Danny. "What, what did I do?"

"Forget it, I'm gonna go home," she stood up, picking up her bags and saying goodbye, not offering any explanation to Grace as she left. She hadn't long got outside when there was a tap on her shoulder, "can't you just leave well alone?!" she spun around and saw Danny behind her looking a little shocked.

"What the hell Clara? You didn't tell Grace you knew me?" he asked, "there was no need to snap back there," he kept hold of her arm. Clara glanced down at his hand and then looked up at him.

"I don't know what to say! I don't even know how to react. One minute things are really awkward the next we're laughing, I don't know what I'm meant to do here. We said goodbye, 6 years ago we said goodbye! I moved on Danny, I'm happy… you have to get that, we have to just be colleagues now," she told him.

Danny let go of her arm now, stepping back, "I know, I'm sorry - I really am happy for you. Can we settle for friends?"

"Yeah, I guess friends is okay," she smiled and looked up as Grace came out of the pub. "Sorry, I didn't mean to snap in there. Danny and I went to school together, I probably should have mentioned that. We dated for a little while, it's just a bit of a shock," Clara explained, not going into too much detail.

"Well that wasn't what I was expecting," Grace replied, "but fair enough, you could've just told me that. You still gonna go?"

"Yeah, I've got some tidying to do," she told her. "Look I'll see you both tomorrow, I think I need some sleep," Clara sighed, "that and it'd be nice to see James tonight," she smiled. "Night."

#-#-#-#-#

Clara shrieked as Danny grabbed her from behind and spun her round. When he finally put her down Clara hit him on the chest, unable to stop herself from smiling a little.
"What are you doing?! I thought you had athletics practice over lunch?" she asked, slipping an arm around him and moving back where she had been with their friends.

"I lasted about 10 minutes but it's freezing out there," he chuckled, "you alright?"

"I'm fine, you need warming up?" she put her other arm around him and leant into him. Danny kissed her head softly.

"Oh get a room you two," Hayley jumped in, it appeared the other had finished whatever they were discussing. "Hey Danny."

Danny loved his friendship group, they were the best thing to ever happen to him. Having Clara as a part of it just perfected it all. Home life wasn't easy, it never had been, but he had the friends to make up for the lack of family. They were 16 now, the end of high school was nearing, change was on the way. It scared him a little, but Clara always told him whatever happened they'd still have each other and she was right. Danny held her as they stood in the circle, chatting away about the morning's lessons and their plans for the weekend. She was smiling with that beautiful smile that had always drawn him to her, laughing discretely and still holding him to warm him up.

"Oi, you listening?" Clara knocked him gently, bringing him back to reality, "bowling Saturday - you in?"

"Of course," he replied, returning to the conversation at hand.

Clara woke up when James came home. She must have fallen asleep on the sofa and only woke when he crouched down beside, shaking her slightly.
"I'd have left you but it wouldn't have been all that comfortable in the morning," he kissed her head gently. "You were smiling, nice dream?"

"Don't really remember… must have been I guess. How was your meeting?" Clara glanced at the clock, it was just gone 10. "Long one."

"I thought it was never going to end, I'm sorry I'm so late back," he told her, helping her up, "come on, let's go get comfortable."

They climbed into bed, Clara cuddling up to her fiancé and placing a hand on his chest, he rested one arm around her and placed the other on top of hers. "Friday night I'm going to make sure I leave early, I'll be home before you. Date night?"

"Sure, what do you want to do?" she asked.

"My surprise," he replied, "I have a feeling I might be late a couple more times this week, call it an apology."

"James I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to marry you, you don't have to apologise," she told him and he shrugged, telling her he still wanted to treat her. They settled down, Clara smiling thinking how lucky she was, but she also couldn't shake one little thought.

She did know what she was getting into, she agreed to marry him, so why did it bug her so much?