She was snapping more than usual. Nobody seemed to be able to get through. Paula was getting nothing in lessons, Jess and Faye couldn't seem to cheer her up in the usual way, in fact she spent more time in her room than anything. She was behind in lessons, homework wasn't getting done and despite Danny's best attempts he was having to complete it without her doing so. Teachers tried, many of them, but she was getting out of control even walking out of lessons and arguing with them. She still visited her Dad frequently, that was the only kind of conversation Paula could get from her. She was there tonight, and from what Danny could gather he had no idea what was going on - Clara refused to let Paula anywhere near his hospital room.

"It's been 2 weeks, she has to go back to the home next week and if she goes back like this…" Jess sighed as they sat down on her bed.

"Do you know what's going on?" Danny asked. He sat on Clara's bed - they'd decided to meet to discuss it all.

"Danny if you don't know what hope do we have? She's barely spoken 2 words to us in days, nobody can get through. Not that long ago she couldn't be in a room with others without freaking out and now she's disappearing all the time and arguing with teachers? I don't get it," Faye replied, "something is really wrong."

"Yeah, I got that," Danny looked down. "I need to get her alone, force her to talk to me," he replied and as he spoke something suddenly clicked. "When was the last time she ate with you guys? Or you even saw her near the canteen?" Faye and Jess both looked at each other, realising where he was going. "How did I miss that for 2 weeks?! Damn… this is just everything getting on top of her. Losing her Dad to the hospital, dealing with Jackie, not being home for Christmas. It's all too much. I- I need to go somewhere," he stood up. "When she comes back I need to get her to her private room."

"We can cover that, we can text you," Jess nodded. "Let us know if we can do anything else."

"Thanks, consider this an intervention," he said before leaving.

Danny ran around getting everything sorted, making phone calls and having to be clever to get things sorted. Just in time he finished and his phone buzzed.

She just walked out. Pretty sure she's headed to her room. J x

It was now or never. Danny was already in there, ready to act fast. He stood by the door and almost got hit by it when she stormed in but without flinching he shut the door behind her and locked it, putting the key in his pocket.

"Not now Danny," she told him.

Danny didn't move, "then when Clara?! This is getting out of hand and it has to stop."

"I'm fine, everyone else seems to have the issue," she replied almost bitterly.

"Why are you being like this? You haven't done any work all week, you're arguing with teachers and your friends. Has Jackie done something?"

"When hasn't she?" Clara rolled her eyes. "She never stops. Nobody stops. Nobody will just let me be alone! Don't you get it? Everywhere I go everyone is judging me and this and my dad it's all just a complete mess!" she got louder and louder as she spoke, her anger rising and she hit at Danny's chest out of frustration. It was this moment he chose to grab her and pull her in and within moments she had relaxed and started sobbing on him. Danny took her to sit down on the bed with him and kissed her head softly.

"Deep breaths and listen to me sweetheart, listen. I've made some phone calls, I've spoken to your social worker, Paula and my parents," he told her.

Clara looked up, panicked. "What have you told them?!"

"Nothing yet, I just pulled some strings. You're coming to mine at Christmas. Not the whole holiday, that's not allowed, but if you agree and once your social worker has agreed some details with my parents it'll be settled. You can come on Christmas eve until 2nd January." Clara's breathing settled as he said that. "You won't have to deal with her and… well, my parents said your Gran should come on Christmas day too."

"Really? She can be there?" Clara asked and Danny nodded. "Thank you, thank you so much," she told him and hugged him again.

"There is one condition," he replied. "Eat something. I know you haven't eaten properly in days, maybe even weeks. I know it's how you react to the stress, I'm not blaming you, I'm telling you you have to eat. That's why you're so out of character recently, you're not coping with the lack of food."

"I'm not going back out there," Clara told him, pulling away and lying down on the bed.

Danny stood up, going over to the cupboard and opening it, pulling out a tray with various bits of food on for her. "You don't have to, I wouldn't make you. But remember what happened last time…" he couldn't help but remember seeing her on the floor. "Please not anymore," he sat on the bed beside her and placed the tray down next to her. Clara took a moment but she sat up, looking at the tray and grabbing the pack of sandwiches. "Thank you," he put an arm around her. "This will be okay you know? You're going to have an amazing Christmas I'll make sure of it."

#-#-#-#

Clara sat in her room at the home with Kate, chatting about school and her Dad and pretty much everything really. "And Jackie?"

She wasn't back yet. Some meeting with her social worker before she returned. Clara considered her response for the moment. "You don't want to know. She actually hates me even more than before now."

"Is that even possible?" Kate asked much to Clara's amusement.

"I think-"

"WHERE IS SHE?!" they heard the shout from downstairs.

"I think you're about to find out," Clara stood up. She'd recovered well in the last week, eating and talking to Danny helped, but she was still not herself. Still struggling at times, a week wasn't enough to get back to her proper self. By the time she got to her door Jackie was already there and before Clara for think she was grabbed and pushed against the wall.

"You are a cold hearted bitch," Jackie spat at her. Clara wanted to laugh at the irony of the comment but decided against it in the circumstances.

"I don't really care what you think Jackie, your opinion is not vital to my life," she managed to get out although Jackie's grip was growing stronger.

"My boyfriend is not yours to have," she growled.

"He's not yours, he never was. He never actually liked you you know? He was only with you because he thought he was meant to be! You held him back, ruined his grades and his life!" Clara wasn't actually sure where her words were coming from but she couldn't stop. She was angry.

"You know nothing about us! You've brainwashed him!" Jackie screamed back at her, clenching even tighter.

Kate stood up now, "Jackie leave her,"

"This isn't your battle Katie," Jackie scowled. "You've changed everyone Clara Oswald."

"Yeah, for the better," Clara told her. "You know you could do so much better if you just tried."

"You don't get to tell me what to do!"

By now a crowd was gathering and watching them. "Do you see now?! Do you see who your favourite housemate really is?! She's a bully and a coward and this is what you aspire to be?!" Clara screamed.

Everyone just stared at her, a little bit in shock that the shy girl from last time was screaming. Clara looked back to Jackie and saw a look in her eyes that told her she'd gone too far. Jackie pulled Clara forward before pushing her back hard against the wall and letting her drop, kicking her hard. Clara couldn't escape, suddenly everyone was shouting but she couldn't see anymore and the shouts were getting muffled. It soon went black.

Something hurt when she woke up, it took a moment to establish what it was and where the pain was coming from. "Clara?" Hannah's voice. She flinched away. "It's alright, she's gone," Clara still didn't open her eyes. "Clara-"

"Go!" she shouted, still not moving.

"Okay, alright I'll go. Is it okay if Kate stays?" Hannah looked up at Kate who hadn't left to check and she nodded.

"Fine," Clara replied without moving. Hannah stood up and left the room. Only once she'd heard the door shut did she open her eyes. Slowly, painfully, she sat up.

Kate rushed over to help her up and onto her bed. "What the hell Clara?"

"She knows about Danny," Clara replied as she sat down.

"Yeah I got that, but why did you provoke her you know what she's like," Kate sighed.

"I don't know, I keep doing things like this. I've had so many arguments with teachers recently they probably all hate me now," she sighed and groaned a little in pain when she lifted her legs up on the bed. Her ribs - definitely the ribs. That was where the pain was coming from.

Kate carefully sat down beside her, "hormones huh? Coupled with grief and stress it's understandable."

"I know but it's not me, I'm scared of people and confrontation it causes me to collapse so why am I doing all this?" she sighed. "I know, I know. I just can't deal with so much I don't know where to put my focus anymore."

"Danny." Kate replied.

"I am but it's even affecting him and it's not f-"

"No, Danny's at the door," Kate replied. Clara looked over and spotted him, going to sit up but wincing in pain. Clara groaned and Danny rushed over. "I'll leave you guys to it. I'm glad you could get here."

"Thank you for calling," he told her before Kate left. He took her place on the bed and took Clara's hand. "Talk to me."

"I snapped. She came for me and I fought back and… well, it didn't go well."

"Where does it hurt?" he asked.

"My ribs, she kicked. And my head a bit. I think that's it, it's all a bit of a blur." Clara went to shuffle but winced again and Danny quickly moved closer to her instead.

He was angry, she could feel the tension in his body. "Where's Jackie now?"

"I don't know, I blacked out. Hannah was in here when I woke so I guess Jackie was with Gary," she shrugged and winced again. "It hurts everytime I move and breathe. Ribs are pretty awful things."

"You should get checked out," he told her.

"Why? There's nothing they can do about ribs anyway. I'd rather be here with you," she leant her head down on his shoulder. "How did you get here?"

"Mum drove me, Kate told me what happened and as soon as I told her she grabbed the car keys. She's gone to see her friend that lives nearby for now. I'm here as long as you need me," he kissed her head softly. "I'm just going to go and check what's going on, don't worry I just want to speak to Hannah." Clara nodded.

He went downstairs and knocked on Hannah's office door. "Oh, when did you arrive?" she asked.

"Nice to see you too," he replied. "Where's Jackie?"

"Outside. Gary's dealing with her. You won't be able to see her, she's going to be in serious trouble for what's happened today. She-"

"You weren't paying much attention to the argument there were you?" Danny asked and Hannah looked confused. "Jackie and I broke up. She was wrong for me, always has been. Since I've been with Clara my grades have gone up, my behaviour has got better and my life has improved. Jackie… she can't see that, she can't see where she's going wrong. Ever since Clara arrived she's been awful to her and for so long I had to sit back and watch, but now everyone knows I can do something - I can tell you the truth about her." His fists were clenching just talking about it, thinking about what she'd done was painful.

"Wait, you and Clara? When?" Hannah asked.

"Story for another day. Clara has been kicked in the ribs and can barely move for the pain, can I take her some painkillers?" Danny asked.

"Um, yeah of course. I should really come up and see her though…" Hannah went to open the medicine cabinet.

"Not a good idea right now. She's not coping as well as she likes to make out and this is beyond anything else Jackie has done. You'd better look after her when I go," he told her.

"That's my job Danny," Hannah replied and handed him the tablets. "Wait, is it your house that Clara is going to?"

"They don't tell you much do they?" he replied. "I need to get back. Please don't question her about it all," he went off back upstairs with the painkillers and a glass of water he'd got on the way. Clara looked over when he came back in. "I didn't beat anyone up. Yet." He smiled at the end to make sure she knew he was only playing.

"You're not funny," she told him sarcastically but took the painkillers and water. "Thank you. How was Hannah?"

"Well she hadn't worked out about us," he replied and sat back on the bed with her. "Jackie is outside being dealt with by Gary as you expected. How are you doing?"

"In pain, tired, fed up with this place already. How are you?" Clara replied.

"Worried about you," he kissed her head. "I don't want to leave you here."

"I'll survive," she told him. "But don't leave just yet, I'm comfortable.. ish.. and I want to sleep," she grabbed his hand so his arm rested carefully just below where she was in pain and linked their fingers before shutting her eyes.

"...not moving until she-" Clara woke up to hear Danny's voice. He obviously spotted her eyes open mid sentence.

"Ah good timing, dinner Clara?" Hannah was at the door. She went to sit up, momentarily forgetting the situation until the sharp pain in her chest came back to haunt her. "That's really hurting isn't it?"

"No I'm quite peachy," Clara replied through gritted teeth as she tried to get up.

"We really need to get you checked over. Let me take you to A&E," Hannah told her. Clara was clearly reluctant. "Danny can come as well, it's clear you trust him and I don't blame you for not trusting me, I read the situation very wrong."

"Really?" Clara rolled her eyes.

"Hey come on," Danny swept her hair back carefully. "Let her help, I know you haven't had the best start but Hannah is good," he helped her get upright and joined her on the edge of the bed. "I'll call Mum and get her to meet us at the hospital okay?"

"Okay. As long as we can go to City Hospital," Clara agreed.

"Well that's not the usual one from here…" Hannah questioned.

"She knows the staff there, they're really good with her and it's where her Dad is too," he added. Hannah agreed and left them to make their way downstairs.

The hospital wasn't much fun, but when was it. Thankfully although Hayley wasn't on, Greg still was and he dealt with her. They confirmed that one of her ribs was broken and prescribed her some stronger painkillers. It didn't take them long to get in and out, much to Hannah's surprise.

"I have to go home now, Mum's waiting in the car. You're gonna be fine, just a few more days okay?" he kissed her forehead gently. Clara leant gently into him and then looked up. "I love you."

"Love you too," she replied and stepped back to let him go.

"Hm," Hannah commented behind her. Clara looked at her, questioning the noise. "Well, that's much more convincing a relationship than his and Jackie's. I see what he was saying."

Clara started walking slowly to her car. "Funny, everyone judges our relationship at first, but most people see it eventually. Most."

"Not everyone huh?" Hannah asked, supporting her.

Clara shook her head, "Dad's trying but he's still funny about it. Most of the teachers at school just refuse to accept we might not be your standard teenage idiots. It's difficult to explain."

"I can't say I've ever seen anything like it, he'll do anything for you. I've known that lad for a long time, I can see in him how much he cares. Thinking back he's changed a lot in the last few months, he's much happier and when he's been with us he's spent a lot less time with Jackie and more time helping the younger ones. Makes sense now," Hannah smiled as they got to the car and opened the door. "I'm sorry I misread you, and Jackie. I've learnt a valuable lesson today. I promise to do a better job of looking after you this week."

"I know I'm not easy," Clara managed to get in without too much pain.

"Nobody I work with is easy. I don't think there's a child out there that can truly be described as easy, but what you're going through is incredibly difficult. A lot of the kids in our home have never known their parents, they all know each other and this is their home. For you it's different and I failed to take that into consideration which is wrong of me," she went to start the car but looked at the clock. "You sure you don't want to go and see your Dad?"

Clara shook her head, "he doesn't need this to worry about. I'll see him in a few days anyway."

Hannah nodded and started the engine, driving them back.

Gary greeted them at the door, "we haven't met properly, I was away when you were last here. Clara isn't it?"

Clara agreed but was slightly nervous to reply. "Don't worry, I know I'm probably terrifying but I promise I'm not. In fact I think you know my brother Greg?" he asked.

Now she spoke, "you're Greg's brother? He didn't say you worked here."

"He never remembers which home I work at, but I did just get a message on your way back so he must have realised. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, he talks so highly of you. Do you want to head up to your room? I think Kate is waiting." Clara nodded and left, heading up to her room.

"Jackie?" Hannah asked once Clara was out of sight.

"In her room. I've told her she's grounded for the rest of the holidays, I'll report back to the school and she needs to apologise. I'm not sure she truly understands what she's done though. She's demanding to see you, think she reckons you'll let her off," Gary shook his head, "we've seen a very different side to her today."

"Yeah no kidding, she's broken one of Clara's ribs you know? I've been getting a bit of an insight into some of what's happened at school now although she's not giving up much," Hannah sighed.

"What about Danny?" Gary asked.

"He cares a lot about Clara, never seen him quite like that before. Very protective, he's very different with her. Jackie was a bad influence on him, but none of us saw it. Seems there's more to him and Clara than we first realised," Hannah told him. "I for one have learnt a lot today."

"Definitely. Well I'm going to go and speak to Clara if you think that's okay? I'd like to get to know her," he explained.

"Good idea, let's not both make the same mistake. I'm not going to speak to Jackie just yet, I'm not pandering to her now," Hannah told him. "I'll check on the others."

They both went their separate ways.

#-#-#-#

Gary was very much like Greg. They had similar senses of humour, Clara could see why they'd be friends. He hadn't been joking when he said Greg talked about her a lot, Gary knew a lot about her without knowing anything about some of her more personal things - Greg was good. "Honestly if I didn't know better I'd think you were his little sister."

"He certainly feels like a big brother," she smiled. "Hayley and Greg have been a real lifeline to me."

"Well I'm hoping Hannah and I can at least try and help too," Gary told her. "Can I get you anything?"

"I wouldn't say no to tea," she smiled a little. Gary winked at her and disappeared.

Kate reappeared a few moments later. "How you doing?"

"Okay, the painkillers are strong. Thank you for everything earlier, calling Danny and that."

"Hey it's no problem, I could see how scared you were. Jackie is in so much trouble now though and nobody is talking to her. You've finally got her seen for who she is," Kate looked almost smug.

"At least something good came out of this then," Clara smiled. "Only a few more days till Christmas anyway."

"Yep, lucky sod getting out of here for Christmas," Kate chuckled. "Nah it's not actually that bad here to be honest. But it's difficult when you're new I get that. Tomorrow though you should meet everyone properly, most of them are actually pretty awesome."

"I think most of them are out there," Clara spotted the face of one of the younger kids peeking through a small gap in her door.

"Ah I can make them go away if you like?" Kate asked. Clara thought for a moment.

"Yeah, for now. Tomorrow though, it'd be nice."

#-#-#-#

With Kate and Gary's help Clara made it downstairs the next morning. She sat in the lounge having already eaten in her room so she could take painkillers.

She'd been on the sofa about 5 minutes when the child from her door the day before climbed up beside her. "I'm Noah and I'm 5," he smiled widely.

"5 hey? You'll be as old as me soon," Clara smiled back at him making him giggle. "How long have you lived here then?"

"Ages, it's lots of fun. I'm sad that you got hurt, that wasn't very nice." He was cute, very cute. "I don't like Jackie now, she was horrible to you." Smart kid.

Clara adjusted herself a little before replying, "she got angry Noah, and she shouldn't have done what she did that was very bad. But make sure you're not bad to her because that would make you the same. You understand?" she spoke calmly. Clara hadn't come here to break up a family. Noah nodded, "good. So what do you like to do here then?" The young boy jumped down from the sofa and ran to the cupboard, pulling out a big box and running back to her with it. "Snakes and ladders huh? That's a very good game. I used to play that with my Mum and Dad every Christmas."

"Can we play?" he asked.

Clara smiled, "yes of course we can kiddo." Kate came back in with two cups of tea at this point. "You wanna play?" Clara asked her, thanking her for the tea.

"Yeah why not. Hey we'll set it up, why don't you go and find Elijah to play as well?" Kate asked the young lad who nodded enthusiastically and ran off. "Elijah's his twin brother. Much less confident than Noah but equally as cute. He gets scared at new people though, probably why he's not in here."

Clara smiled and looked up when Noah ran back in practically dragging his brother. They really looked alike. "You must be Elijah?" Clara asked but he hid behind Noah.

"Don't worry, I get really scared with new people as well. It's okay though, I promise I'll be nice. Did yesterday frighten you?" she asked. Elijah slowly appeared from behind his brother and nodded. "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

"Not your fault, Jackie hurt you," he replied quietly. Clara tapped on the sofa beside her for him to climb up and he did, albeit carefully.

"She won't hurt you, don't be scared of her. Things with Jackie and I are difficult but I promise she won't hurt you. You're still all her family."

"But now you are too," Elijah replied innocently. Clara felt a little burst of warmth in her chest and slowly moved her arm to squeeze his shoulder reassuringly.

"In every family you sometimes find that 2 siblings might not get on. That's Jackie and me, but that doesn't mean either of us don't like the rest of you. Does that make sense?" she asked. Elijah nodded, "good. Now can we play the game? I'm getting impatient," Clara winked at him and he giggled.

"You're good with them," Kate whispered as they were playing.

Clara looked to her briefly, "I used to look after my little cousins when they were that age. Mum always said I was a natural."

"She was right," Kate replied.

"She usually was…" Clara smiled at the memories before being drawn back to the game.

"Haha look I'm winning!" Noah squealed excitedly as he headed up a ladder.

"Well done little man," Clara ruffled his hair, "you're both beating us! We must be getting too old to be good at it."

Maybe this place wouldn't be too bad…

#-#-#-#

Yes the next chapter will be a Christmas chapter. I'm insanely busy in the next few weeks and I'm trying to keep up with my other story 'Trespass' (shameless self-promo) but I hope to have it up by Christmas Day!