Author's Note: Thanks to grangehilllover & maddiejean95 for reviewing!

Just a head's up, the story goes slightly more AU (Alternate Universe) from now on. Up to now, as you will have seen, I have stuck with some scenes and adapted them to suit the story (Max threatening Rachel being a main example) but I won't stick to the story line of the show as closely (even though I haven't done that a lot anyway) and over the next few chapters you will see how.

Danni x

The next morning

I woke up and got ready for school as usual. I decided to leave my dark brunette hair down so it flowed to halfway down my back. I put a very little amount of mascara to bring out my pale blue eyes. I got both my hair colour and eye colour from my dad. I don't even remember my mum. Dad doesn't like talking about her and I'm sure he'll have a reason for that.

"Morning Pandora." My dad greeted me as I came down the stairs. He seemed in a more positive mood than usual but I could see past his act. He was nervous about talking to anyone about what had been happening but I couldn't blame him, I was nervous too.

"Morning. You okay?"

"Fine thanks. We'll go in together if you want."

"I'd like that."

"You look really nice this morning. You should have your hair down more often." He gave me a genuine smile and grabbed his car keys before inviting me to exit the house first. We got in the car and drove to school.

"Miss Mason has told me everything that has happened and asked me to come in." Miss Mason had kept her word and had asked someone to come to decide what happens with me and my dad now. Both Rachel and Max had asked all members of staff not to come into their office unless it was urgent.

"How much say do I get?"

"No decisions will be made until you know what you want."

"I don't want to be completely cut off from my dad. Yesterday, I thought I couldn't hate him anymore after I found out what he had been doing but, later on after Miss Mason came round, I realised that I can still see the dad who he was from when I was little." Whilst I was talking I gave a look to my dad who looked as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He must have thought that I wanted nothing to do with him.

"What about you Max? What do you think about all of this?"

"I know that I can't change anything I've done and anything I've said. I just want my daughter to be happy, whatever that may mean." He then gave me a smile and I returned it.

"And you Rachel?"

"As we have all said, I just want what's best for Pandora. I will help in any way I can to make that possible."

"Well, it all depends on how Pandora feels. We could try seeing how things go as they are and take it from there. If Pandora wants to see me again to arrange anything, she can always ring or pop by."

"Is this what you want Pandora?" My dad looked me in the eye as if he thought I was lying, making this up just to make him happy.

"Yes. Regardless of people say, I can still see the dad you once were. Even if it takes time, I'll wait."

"Well that's sorted then. I have noted down what's been said and that will be put on record. If Pandora changes her mind about anything, she just needs to get in touch."

"Thank you." Rachel said as she showed the guest out, leaving the father and daughter on their own.

"Are you okay dad?" I noticed how he had been awfully quiet since Rachel left the room. I walked up to him to show that I wanted to listen.

"I wasn't expecting you to still want to see me after everything I've done to you."

"I meant what I said. Yesterday, I thought I couldn't hate you anymore after I heard about what you had done but it's like you said, you can't change what's already happened."

"How about we go bowling tonight? Just us two and it's on me." He offered. I think that is what we would need if we were going to rebuild our relationship as parent and child. And I fancied the idea of some friendly rivalry.

"Is that a challenge because if it is I'll make sure that I'll win!" I cheekily, answered his question and accepted his invite. Rachel then entered the room.

"Come back here tonight and I'll take you home so we can get ready." We both had big smiles on our faces as I then went to lesson in the best mood ever.

"I don't think I've ever seen either of you so happy." Rachel sat down at her desk whilst Max answered her question.

"I'm taking Pandora bowling tonight. Just us two. She seems to be up for a competition."

"You'll have to let me know who wins! It'll be a fresh start for both of you."

"Speaking of fresh starts, I know I have been a bully and I have no idea how I can make it up to you or anyone else involved."

"Let's try working together and proving to people that we really can make this merger work. I think you need to apologise to everyone for your behaviour though."

"I'll be glad to do so." The two teachers then walked out of the room and went to the staff room.

Max and Rachel entered the staff room and saw that everyone was there. Whether that was planned or not didn't matter.

"How did it go?" Kim approached and asked us before Max replied with a raised voice, "Actually I have something to say to everyone." Everyone then put down what they were doing and kept quiet so Max could talk, "I know that I have been a bully and have been causing trouble for everyone here. But that ends today thanks to Rachel and my daughter, Pandora. Rachel and I have agreed that we are going to prove that this merger will work. But I can't do it, we can't do it, without co-operation from everyone in this room."

"What Max is basically doing is apologizing and is making a fresh start. I expect the rest of you to give him a chance." Rachel stepped forward and finished. There were smiles all round and Chris put forward the idea of going for a drink to celebrate. Max then explained he couldn't do that because he was going to be spending some much needed quality time with his daughter. They all smiled even more as that was the best reason he could have given to not go.