Showered and dressed, Clara decided she should dig around in her hall closet to find her Christmas decorations. Most likely she wouldn't be going to look for a tree with Danny, but perhaps she could talk the Doctor into taking her somewhere for one. Maybe even the forests of ancient Norway, or something; that would be interesting. At any rate, she should be prepared to get the house ready for the holidays, no matter who was helping her festoon the place.

Just as she had located the box containing her Christmas lights (on the highest shelf in the back of the closet), the doorbell rang. With a sigh she climbed down from her little stepladder and skipped down the stairs to the front door. She hadn't heard the TARDIS, and she wondered if it was one of her students, or a neighbor.

She swung the door open wide, and was surprised to find herself facing Danny Pink.

"Hello," she greeted him. "I was going to call you."

"I know. I just thought it would be better if I came over in person," Danny replied. He seemed a bit subdued compared to his annoyance earlier. "Is…is he still here?" he asked, meaning the Doctor.

"Not right now," Clara confirmed. "But he'll be back. He's off test-driving his TARDIS after it repaired itself."

"Good. Hopefully that'll give us a bit of time so I can say what needs to be said." Danny headed for the living room, with Clara following in his wake.

"Can…I get you anything? Tea? Coffee? A snack?" Clara offered, as Danny sank into one of the armchairs.

"No…I won't be here that long." Danny gestured to the other chair. "Please sit down, Clara."

She did as bidden, leaning forward and facing him. "What's this all about?"

With a large sigh, Danny began. "First, let me take care of this, before I forget." From the pocket of his jacket, he drew forth a key. "Here. I should have returned this ages ago, but kept forgetting. My apologies."

Clara took her house key from his outstretched hand. "I wasn't worried about it. I knew you'd eventually give it back, " she said, gently.

"I know, but I think I kept hanging onto it in the hopes of…well, never mind. Anyway, returning it represents something else, Clara. It's a gesture that means I'm acknowledging something." He looked down at his interlaced fingers. "After seeing you and him together this morning…well…let's just say…I'm giving in."

A faint memory of someone else saying that to her at some point in time teased Clara's mind for a moment. Somehow she knew this was entirely different from that incident. Mostly because the memory sparked a happy feeling, and this was, judging from Danny's countenance, a more sober occasion. "Go on," Clara prompted him.

"I've never really had a chance, you know, " he looked up at her with a wry expression. "Not from the beginning. Even with the older bloke…I could tell. The way you acted around him; the way he looked at you. He's crazy about you, Clara, and you…you fancy him, too. There was no way I would ever get your heart. He had it a long time ago."

"Danny…" Clara began, her voice cracking with emotion.

"No, it's okay. I really enjoyed the time we had. You are special, Clara Oswald. I've been privileged to think for a little while that you and I might mean something to each other. I just came along too late for that to happen. You gave your heart away a long time ago." Danny stood up.

Clara rose slowly up from her chair, and stepped forward, touching Danny's shoulder. Sad tears glittered in her eyes. "Danny…I'm so sorry…I never meant to hurt you…I really thought…"

Danny touched her lips with his finger, stopping her from saying anything more. "Clara…just promise me…don't let him hurt you. He may be a fantastic alien from outer space with inhuman powers and abilities, but he's still a bloke. I'd like to think you'll be okay with this space man."

Through her tears, Clara smirked. "I think I can handle him. I've…had a bit of experience already."

"Good," Danny leaned forward and kissed her forehead. "Then I'll take my leave, and wish you and him a merry Christmas. All the best to you, Clara Oswald."

"You too, Danny. Say hi to your family for me," she replied, following him as he headed for the door. Just as he reached it, the TARDIS could be heard materializing outside.

"Talk about timing," Danny laughed. He stepped outside into the snowy world, Clara behind him. The Doctor strode out of the TARDIS across the street. Seeing Danny, he stiffened and frowned.

"Don't worry, old man, I'm leaving," Danny yelled. "She's all yours." He gestured back towards Clara. "See you after the holidays, Clara, at school."

"Goodbye, Danny. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year," she waved as he got into his car.

The Doctor stepped over to Clara, and put his arm around her waist. She stood watching Danny leave, waving until his car was out of sight.

"What was PE here for?" The Doctor growled.

Clara turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "His name…is Danny Pink…and he was here to say Merry Christmas…and goodbye." She held up her house key. "He gave this back to me, and let me know…he's giving in." Suddenly the memory that had needled her earlier came back in force, and she saw in her mind the Doctor giving her Victorian self a TARDIS key, with the same stated phrase as Danny, but for entirely different reasons.

"You once gave me a key to give me your hearts…he gave me a key to give up on my heart," she said softly. "To set your mind at ease, Doctor, I won't be seeing Danny Pink as a suitor any more."

"Does that upset you?" he asked, quietly, staring off into space.

"From the standpoint of losing Danny's friendship and camaraderie, yes. I enjoyed spending time with him—he's really a wonderful man, Doctor, despite what your jealousy tells you. But from the standpoint of how I feel about you," here she turned and embraced the Doctor, "it makes things a whole lot easier."

"How so?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her.

"Now I only have one of you to aggravate me," she demurred, her dimple showing.

The Doctor tapped her nose with a finger. "You are a saucy minx," he smiled. Releasing her, he took her hand and pulled her towards the TARDIS, excitement in his whole frame. "Come on…you've got to see what her innards look like now. It's a whole new design—you'll love it!"

"Wait! Let me get a coat and lock up the house. I've also got a favor to ask of you once we get inside the TARDIS. Hang on a minute." She wriggled her hand out of his and darted back into the house. Returning with her coat, she locked the door and then turned to join him in the TARDIS.

Again, sorry about how long it took to get this chapter up. I had a hard time getting the idea together! Plus I've started writing another fanfic and got caught up working on it to the detriment of this one. Sorry! Will try to do better next time.