Thank you for the reviews, guys! So, the Doctor and Clara feel the same. How long, do you think, before they realize this?

Chapter 3

Clara went to work on Monday morning with a really good feeling. Teaching at the university had been her dream for years and now, after a lot of work and many sleepless nights, it had finally come true. Now she would step out of school and teach people who actually wanted to be taught and the best thing above all – the Doctor was now her colleague. Clara had been looking forward to seeing him again all weekend, knowing that his presence would make the transition so much easier for her. The Doctor had always had a sympathetic ear for her problems, helped her out when she had struggled with a subject and Clara didn't have the slightest doubt that he would want to continue to be her mentor. She had loved spending time with him back then, and not just because she had been undeniably crazy about him, so why should it be any different now?

The Doctor's office was still empty when she peered inside, so Clara decided to start the work day with a nice cup of tea from the staff kitchen where a young woman with long, red hair was already inside, stirring her beverage when Clara walked in.

The redhead turned around, smiling. "You're new here this year, aren't you?"

Clara nodded enthusiastically. She felt a little nervous now that her classes were about to start.

"I'm Amy Pond," the redhead introduced herself, shaking Clara's hand, "History department."

"I'm Clara Oswald," she replied. Clara had completely forgotten that this building didn't just hold the English department, but history as well. Then again, it seemed like a reasonable mix of subjects to put together and Amy made a nice, first impression.

"Don't worry, it's gonna be fine," she suddenly told her.

Clara couldn't help but laugh. "Do I look so nervous?"

"Not at all," Amy replied, smiling broadly while she took her mug in both her hands, "But I know I was when I started here last year. I'll see you around, I guess?"

"Absolutely," Clara agreed happily and while Amy left the kitchen she started to prepare her own cup of tea.

When she stepped back into her office she couldn't help but notice that the Doctor had arrived in the meantime and was sitting behind his desk, scribbling something into his notebook. And she also noticed that an electric guitar had been added to his office décor.

"Are you teaching music now, too?" Clara asked and when he looked up she nodded towards the guitar.

The Doctor seemed a little baffled at first, just like he had last week when they had first met again after so many years. Then it finally seemed to dawn on him. "Oh, no," he laughed, "But I'm currently staying with a friend and I am forbidden to use it at home."

"Fair enough," she giggled, trying to imagine her former professor with a guitar. It seemed a little ludicrous. But then again, he was full of surprises.

"What's your first class?" he suddenly asked her and Clara took a deep breath as she approached his desk.

"Jane Austen," she smiled proudly at him. Oh, the hours they had already spent discussing her, only to realize that they simply couldn't agree.

The Doctor snorted. "You don't know a thing about Jane Austen."

"I know more than you," she argued.

Finally he smiled. "Possibly, yeah."

"What's your first class?"

The Doctor leaned back, shifting in his seat. "Beat Generation."

"Bit modern," she commented.

He laughed again, that sweet, shy laugh that always made him seem a little boyish. Yes, maybe he did look even better now than he had back then. His hair definitely was better. To Clara it looked incredibly soft, however she would probably never find out if it felt as soft as it seemed. "To be honest, talking about Ginsberg is just an excuse to swear at my class."

"That sounds more like you," she said and suddenly remembered something. He had asked her out for dinner last week. Would he still go out with her now? Clara quickly cleared her throat. "So, that offer for dinner. . . does that still stand?"

She took a sip from her tea while he looked at his notes and the Doctor needed a moment to reply. "There's a nice, little sushi bar not far from here. We could go there. . . uhm. . . today? After work?"

When their gaze met again Clara thought that for a moment the Doctor seemed really uncertain, almost shy. "I love sushi. Sounds like a great plan," she replied, smiling, and took another sip of tea.

"So, what about your fiancé? Is he a goner?" the Doctor asked and bent back down, fiddling with some papers.

Clara set her mug down on his desk and frowned at him. "No, he's not. Why do you assume that?" she asked in bewilderment.

"Cause you're not wearing a ring."

Instantly her gaze dropped to her hand and Clara realized to her dismay that she had forgotten her ring. Again. Damn. Where was it this time?

"Oh, it's just. . . too big," Clara lied almost automatically, "I need to get it resized."

"Liar," the Doctor stated plainly while his head shot back up.

She gave a nervous laugh in reply. "What makes you think I'm lying?"

"Because you, Clara Oswald, are a terrible liar," he rose from his seat and circled his desk, his eyes never leaving her, "That homework you said you forgot during your second time taking my Shakespeare class, you didn't do it because you thought it was too easy for you."

"Well, it was too easy," Clara argued angrily, "And I hate my engagement ring! It's bulky and annoying!"

"And you forgot to put it on," the Doctor added.

With a sigh Clara let her shoulders sink. There was no point denying it now. The Doctor knew her way too well for that. "Yeah," she admitted, "I don't wanna forget, but. . . it really is annoying. And I have to get to class now. See you after."

Clara picked her mug back up and went into her own office to gather her paperwork before heading off in the direction of her classroom. About fifteen students were already waiting inside and she guessed that some would still follow, but time was up and she was due to start.

"Good morning, class," she greeted them happily, swallowing her irritation about the engagement ring subject, "How has everyone's semester break been?"

When she looked into the unresponsive faces Clara was greeted by silence and she felt instantly reminded that she was no longer in school. This was uni.

"Where are your manners, guys? Let's hear a good morning."

"Mornin'," the sleepy masses mumbled unenthusiastically and Clara could spot a couple of students rolling their eyes at her.

She swallowed hard, not really knowing what to do next. This was uni. She had been to uni. How had her teachers done it? Not like this, she told herself, definitely not like this.