You may have noticed the change in episode title, but hopefully it's self-explanatory. Thanks for reading!


Clara leaned out of her classroom just as Danny walked past. 'What's going on?'

'Emergency meeting, apparently.'

'Oh yeah?' Clara said, closing the door behind her. 'What's Courtney done this time?'

They walked through the empty hallways together, so close their arms rubbed. When they reached the staffroom, laughing, the other teachers were already gathered there in silence.

'Sorry.' Clara said, shooting Danny a 'we have to behave now' look. It didn't do much - if anything, it made it worse; they both had to purse their lips in order to hide their smiles.

'As I was saying,' Mr. Armitage continued with a furrowed brow, 'We have a visitor. For the next few days or so, Coal Hill will be under the keen supervision of Miss...?'

'Smith.'

Clara's head whipped around. There, in the middle of the room, stood a petite blonde with short short hair. 'Joh-o-anne Smith. That's me. Joanne.' The Doctor wore slim black frames and a black skirt suit. She winked at Clara.

'What are you doing here?' The word's slipped out of Clara's mouth before she could stop them.

Danny frowned at her. 'Clara?'

'I'm from Ofsted.' The Doctor flashed her psychic paper. 'I've come for your biannual health and safety inspection.'

'No, no no no. There aren't any biannual healthy whatevers.'

'Clara!' Mr. Armitage hissed.

'It's new policy.'

'Since when?'

'Miss Oswald!' Mr. Armitage had turned bright red.

The Doctor patted his shoulder. 'It's quite alright, old chap, I'm used to it.' She turned back to the rest of the room. 'I'll just be having a quick poke around and then I'm gone. Now, are there any other questions? ...No? Well, I'm sure you're all very busy so I won't keep you for a second longer.'

Mr. Armitage clapped his hands together. 'Yes, I think we'd best get to work. Unless you have anything else to add, Clara?'

Clara didn't hear, too busy staring at the Doctor. Danny nudged her.

She blinked. 'Hmm? Oh. No.'

The staff began to disperse, and when Clara didn't move, Danny tugged her away.

He pulled her into an abandoned corridor. 'Are you alright?'

'Yeah. Yeah, why?'

'Because you just freaked out at an Ofsted inspector.'

'Oh. That.'

'Do you know her?'

'Who?'

Danny sighed. 'Clara.'

'Sorry. I'm just a bit stressed, you know?'

'Yeah, I know. You've been acting kind of weird lately.'

'I have?'

'You're always not quite there.'

Clara made sure to focus on him properly then. 'I'll be better, I promise.'

'I don't want better. I want to know what's bothering you.' He looked so caring and so sincere, Clara almost told him.

Instead, she said, 'I think I've left some marking.'

He didn't push it any further, just let her past.

Clara could have kicked herself. Oh, God, he was too good for her.


When Clara re-entered the staff room, the Doctor beamed at her. 'Clara!'

'Shh!' She hissed. 'What are you doing here?'

The Doctor paid no attention. 'Is that the boy you've been mooning over?'

'I have not been mooning!'

'Oh honey, you've got it bad.'

'Is that why you're here?'

'Well, I would like to know his prospects, but it's not my sole purpose, no.'

'Then tell me!'

'I did. Health and safety.'

Clara took a deep breath to calm herself. 'Doctor. Are there aliens in this school?'

'Yes. There's a particularly pretty one right in front of you. Speaking of which,' The Doctor posed. 'How do I look?'

'Like you're about to ruin everything!'

'Perfect.'

'No, not perfect. You cannot pass yourself off as a real person among actual people.'

'Oho. Is that a bet?'

'It most definitely is not! Please, just- just tell me one thing. Are the kids safe?'

The Doctor put her hands on Clara's shoulders and looked her in the eyes. The action was so familiar, it was if they had stepped back in time. The Doctor's forehead still creased the same way, her grey-blue eyes still just as old and wise. It was the same reassuring smile on different lips. 'They will be.'