Danny Pink knew exactly why he had been summoned to see his boss. He knew it was going to happen the moment Clara told him that she and John were going to have dinner with her father.

The former soldier didn't regret his actions, however, as he had been hired to protect Clara and that was exactly what he did when she requested him to keep her relationship with the detective a secret.

As much as he didn't like John Smith, he had no choice but to respect her wishes. He realised what he was getting himself into and was ready to face the consequences.

When Danny entered the club, he scanned the room for Dave and found him sitting in his usual spot and headed straight for him.

"Have a seat," Dave said calmly, motioning to the empty seat in front of him. "I'm sure you know why you're here."

The former soldier did what he was told and braced himself for whatever lecture or yelling he was going to get himself into.

"How much did you know?"

"No more than you do, sir," Danny answered honestly. "They met on the day Clarkson was supposed to give his talk."

Dave swirled his whiskey. "Why was I never informed?"

Danny sat with his back straight. "My job is to protect Clara from harm," he explained. "I didn't think it was my place to intrude into her private life."

"Right," Dave muttered, knowing full well the bodyguard has a point. As much as he wanted to vent his anger onto him, he couldn't. "I'm assigning you to a new task, well, more of an addition to your current one."

"Keep track of Clara and her boyfriend's whereabouts," he continued. "Observe them from a distance and be on the lookout for anybody who looks suspicious."

"Sir," Danny began, wondering why his boss seemed paranoid.

"A gang is moving in on my territories," the man explained. "They've either been recruiting my men or pushing them away these past few months."

The former soldier still didn't see why he had to stalk Clara's every move.

"They also know who I am," Dave said begrudgingly. There was only one possibility as to how his identity was compromised: someone leaked it. It had to be someone from his inner circle.

Danny nodded, finally understanding his situation.

"I also trust you not to mention this meeting to Clara," his boss added. "Not a single detail."

"Yes, sir."

Dave sighed tiredly, downing his drink. "Is she happy?"

"Pardon?"

"Clara, is she happy with that detective?"

"I don't think I have a right in-"

"What's your personal opinion, as someone observing from afar?"

Danny cleared his throat as he chose his words carefully. "She is happy," he revealed. "Happier than ever, really."

Dave scoffed. "It's funny that someone working against her father makes her feel that way."

The former soldier said nothing as he patiently sat in his seat.

"You can go, Pink."

Danny stood up and nodded at his boss. "Sir," he said curtly before leaving.

The moment Clara Oswald saw her bodyguard waiting for her downstairs at the lobby in the morning, she knew that something was on his mind.

Danny was a man of few words, but this time, he was quieter than usual. He seemed on edge. He greeted her good morning and off they headed to the tube station.

It was becoming a rarity for them to travel to school together as John would usually be the one to drive her there.

"You look like you're ready to karate chop someone," Clara commented.

Danny cracked a small smile. "Well, I am your bodyguard."

"Come on," she coaxed. "What's bothering you?"

He shrugged.

"What did my father tell you this time?"

Danny pondered a response carefully. He didn't want to reveal too much. "Let's just say he wasn't in a jovial mood."

Clara pursed her lips. "If I can respect his decision to marry Linda, then I'm sure he can respect mine to date whoever I like."

The maths teacher raised an eyebrow. That was the first time he had heard her talking about her relationship openly. She was usually quite reserved about it beforehand. "I guess he's just looking out for your best interest."

She shook her head. "He's just looking out for his," she corrected. "Dad's worried that my relationship with a detective might compromise him and his business."

As much as he wanted to assure her that that wasn't the case, he bit his tongue and kept his silence. Dave had ordered the issue to be kept a secret from her and that was what he was going to do. He decided to change the subject. "Summer break's almost here," he said. "You excited to be away from Courtney?"

Clara chuckled as she produced her Oyster card. "As much as Courtney annoys me, she's one of my best students if she puts effort into her work, but I will appreciate the time not worrying about them misbehaving."

"In other words, you're glad to be away from all the chaos?"

She grinned. "Fine, I admit it," she confessed. "I'm sure you're just as excited."

He shrugged. "Won't make much of a difference to me since I'll just be cooped up in my flat."

She shot him a look. "You do realise that you can take a few days off if you wanted to, right?"

"I don't think your father will like that," he commented as they waited for the train to arrive. "Besides, I'll have plenty of time to catch up on some reading."

"Whatever makes you happy, Danny."

"You should take her on holiday," Donna suggested, receiving a bewildered look from her colleague.

"I'd have to ask Clara-"

"No, surprise her, you prawn – it's can be anywhere, and it doesn't necessarily have to be outside the country."

John pouted. "What if she doesn't like where I'll take her?" he argued. "I think it's wise to ask her where she wants to go, and we can work our way from there."

Donna had been trying to convince him to take a week off and take his girlfriend somewhere nice. She knew he hadn't exactly taken a break for quite some time, and it was overdue. "Trust me when I say that she'll love wherever you take her – even Brighton!"

"I'm not taking her to Brighton," he grumbled as a thought came to him.

"Where are you taking her then?" she questioned, knowing that he already had a destination in mind.

The DCS pondered an answer, wondering if she'll find his idea stupid. "York."

"Why?"

He fiddled with his hands, feeling the urge to bite his nails. "She said she had always wanted to go there."

"Then take her there!"

The detective rolled his eyes. "Fine, I will."

Donna got to her feet. "And don't even think about changing that plan of yours or worse, cancelling it."

"Donna, I have work to do," John stated, pointing at the pile of paperwork sitting on his desk.

His friend shot him a look. "Don't forget to actually do something about it," she warned before leaving his office.

He massaged his forehead and waited for her to leave before checking his phone for any messages. His lips curved upwards when he noticed a message from Clara.

'Pick me up at 4:30?'

He sent a reply and placed the smartphone aside to focus on completing the paperwork so that he could leave early.

By the time he was done, he had half an hour to spare and decided to leave, receiving suggestive looks from his colleagues, all of which he ignored.

About twenty minutes later, he finally reached his destination and spotted Clara waiting by the main gate.

"Hello," she greeted happily once she got in and pecked him on the cheek.

"Hello, Clara Oswin," he replied before driving off. "Do you have anything planned for the summer break?"

She arched a brow and flashed a playful look. "Not that I'm aware of."

He kept his eyes on the road. "Why don't we go somewhere?"

She likes the sounds of it. Just the two of them spending time together. Just them. "What do you have in mind?"

"It's a surprise," he answered, hoping she would say yes.

Clara beamed. "I'd love to."

John could only grin in response. He couldn't wait for the trip already.

"So, I'll only be gone for a few days," Clara explained from her bedroom as she finished packing.

Danny was waiting in the living room, wondering what he was getting himself into.

"And if dad wants to know what I'm doing and where I am, you tell him to call me."

The former shoulder grimaced. "He wasn't happy the last time he contacted me."

"Danny," she said, emerging with a suitcase. "He's not going to kill you or hurt you," she assured. "The worst he'll do is look at you as if he'll kill you," she continued. "He uses it as a way to scare people."

"It definitely works," Danny retorted.

"Look, I doubt he'll phone you anyway," she stated. "We texted a few days ago."

Danny nodded in resignation. "Do you need help carrying your suitcase?"

"No, I'm good," she answered, heading outside. "I packed light."

"Have a good trip."

Clara flashed him a smile. "Thanks, and keep an eye on my flat," she laughed.

He chuckled, following her out before she locked door. As he watched her disappear down the staircase, his smile slowly faded. He was in deep waters.

Since the meeting, he had been updating Dave on his daughter's whereabouts like the good soldier he is, and he hated it.

Danny contemplated updating his boss.

He had been warned to take his job seriously and the last thing he wanted to do was to screw things up, but at the same time, he didn't want Dave or anybody else for that matter spying on Clara while she's on holiday.

"I must be insane," he muttered, pocketing the smartphone and returning to his flat upstairs.

Just before he got inside, he watched as John helped her with the suitcase by putting it in the bonnet while she went to the passenger door.

As much as Danny wished that it was him taking Clara somewhere nice, he hoped that she would have an enjoyable trip, wherever it was she was going to.