Fun news - I've actually reached my Camp Nano word count! Not all of it is yet uploaded and I may continue this a little longer... just to see where they end up!
When Clara woke she couldn't quite place where she was until she looked up and saw Danny sleeping. She carefully sat up and reached across for his phone on the side to check the time – 5:50am. Had she really slept for that long? Her stomach suddenly growled in agreement, but there was very little she could do to satisfy that now and instead she decided to settle back down where she had been and tried to work out what had happened. Clara knew that last night she'd told Danny things that she'd never told anyone else before, but she didn't regret it. They'd known each other less than a week and spent half of that shouting but yet she still felt closer to him than she had to anyone else. Just lying here there was a slight flutter in her chest and she felt comfortable, so very comfortable. Suddenly the world didn't seem like a big pile of stress anymore, suddenly it felt like she had something to live for. This man who had seemed like such a threat, but why? Because she was scared of feeling that way again? Maybe. Last time she'd fallen in love it had all fallen apart in front of her eyes, she'd become a scared, vulnerable and hidden person. Somehow she could see a mirror of that in him, a little of that vulnerability she knew so well. They were good for each other, really good, at least she hoped so.
When Danny woke he suddenly realised Clara wasn't there and panicked a moment before hearing the shower and smiling. He sat up, checking his phone and reading the message from Frankie.
Hope Clara is alright now, your lot were a delight last night we had a blast (literally and metaphorically!). See you at the meeting?
He confirmed they'd be there with a reply and put the phone down as Clara reappeared with her hair damp and wearing just his shirt.
"Sorry I didn't have any clothes in here so I've borrowed this… is that okay?" she asked sheepishly and he was quick to nod, not quite sure how to react. "Eyes front soldier," she grinned and went over, sitting down on the end of the bed. "I'm a little confused how it became 6:45?" Clara asked, leaning back against the wall and pulling her knees up to her chest.
"You were fast asleep, didn't seem to want to be woken so I gave up in the end, text Frankie and asked her to supervise at laser quest and you just slept through. How're you feeling?" he asked, flexing his neck a little – that was 2 nights this week she'd managed to make him sleep in an uncomfortable position.
"A little more refreshed and a lot less dizzy, thank you, but are you okay? Have you eaten?" Clara asked looking concerned.
"Nah but I'm good, honestly. If you check out that drawer over there," he pointed at the desk, "there's a stash of apples in there if you want something before breakfast." She pushed herself back up from the bed and made her way over, opening the drawer and pulling out two apples, chucking one to him.
"Danny I-" she started as she sat back down but he just smiled and leant forward, kissing her gently.
"Anytime," he told her, "and I mean that." Clara couldn't respond for a moment. "You should go get dressed, I'm pretty sure people will be asking questions if you turn up to the meeting in that," he smiled and kissed her cheek this time, "I'll see you there."
"Danny we need to talk," she started but he shook his head.
"Later, I promise we will but later." Clara understood, they were in this little safe haven where they were both only a few steps from each other. Soon they'd be heading home, different places, different lives; neither of them wanted this to end. Without either of them saying anything, something had begun here and it was special, so special that nothing had to be spoken to know.
Clara left his room soon after and got dressed, making her way out to the meeting. She was pretty early and so sat in her usual spot, going through her messages she'd missed yesterday on her phone. Frankie sat down beside her when she arrived.
"How are you feeling? What actually happened, Danny just said you needed sleep?" she asked, looking a little concerned.
"Oh I'm good, honestly. Things just got a little," she paused, trying to work out how to explain it. "I said something that really upset Danny yesterday, he left the pool and I knew I couldn't leave him that upset so I let the lifeguards know I was going. We talked a lot, I got a little upset and stressed and I guess that was too much in the current situation and Danny recognised that. I was going to get up for the evening but I guess that just… didn't happen?" she explained. "I didn't wake till 10 to 5 this morning, a little crazy really."
Frankie looked like she was trying to work something out, "so if you were fast asleep, how come Danny couldn't come last night either?" she asked.
"I kinda fell asleep on top of him, he couldn't really move. I feel a little bad, poor guy must be starving and a little uncomfortable," Clara told her, shrugging it off as nothing but Frankie had an excitable grin on her face.
"Oh I'm not sure he'll be complaining," she told her, winking and standing up to go and speak to one of the other leaders who had just arrived. Clara raised her eyebrows and then shook her head, looking back down to her phone and reading the 13 messages from Adrian. She had now realised she'd not been in contact with him since the accident and he had no idea what had been going on. Evidently her lack of contact had concerned him given that over half the texts were asking whether she was okay. She stood up, putting her notebook down on the chair and stepping out in to the hall, dialling his number.
Adrian answered almost immediately, despite the early hour. "You're still alive then?" he sounded relieved, Clara felt a little guilty for not contacting him. "I know you're busy but that's the longest I've not heard from you since all this and you've been so upset I was just worried," Clara had to stop him.
"Adrian I'm okay, I promise. I just had a bit of an accident the other day and things have been a bit hectic I didn't mean to go silent I just haven't really looked at my phone," she told him, smiling as she spotted Danny coming in the building. He looked at her as if to ask if she was alright and Clara responded with a nod and pointed to the phone, mouthing Adrian's name and he quickly understood, slipping inside the room.
"Clara?!" Adrian's voice came back clear again in her ear, "what do you mean accident? What the hell happened?" he asked.
"Please calm down, it's okay now. Courtney fell in to the river when we were white water rafting; I jumped in after her and misjudged the current, hit my head on a rock. I had to stay in overnight and I slept an awful lot yesterday but I feel fine now," she explained, brushing her drying hair to one side as she waited for his reply.
"You should have called me Clara, I could have come down," he told her, "I could have driven you home, you shouldn't still be there, not alone."
"I'm not alone Adrian, I swear everything is fine. I'm being looked after. I have to go, the meeting is about to start. I'll talk to you soon, I promise, and I'm home tomorrow anyway so as long as you're still going to make me dinner then I'll see you then." Clara told him.
"Of course I'll be there, we have a lot of catching up to do missy," he told her, "have a good day, but look after yourself." Clara agreed and hung up, making her way back in to the room and sat back down. Danny had sat next to her this time; there wasn't much point in still pretending they weren't getting on considering the last few days. He looked over, obviously wanting to know what had happened on her phone call.
"I kinda hadn't text Adrian since before the accident and he was freaking out a little. It's all cleared up now; I'm seeing him tomorrow anyway. How's your neck?" she asked him.
"It's fine," he replied, but she gave him an uncertain look, "honestly, please stop worrying. Now we'd best listen or Frankie might pounce." They both looked back out in to the circle of leaders as they went through the final day's instructions.
Most of the day involved whole camp activities and an awful lot of running around, but after dinner it was time for the final night disco. Everyone was dressing up as superheroes, leaders included, which was always going to be entertaining. Clara checked herself in the mirror, feeling a little self-conscious in her wonder woman outfit. She took a deep breath and grabbed her bag, leaving the room and immediately walking in to Danny. "Oh gosh sorry," she bent down to pick up her keys that she'd dropped and looked up. "So you're superman then?"
"And you're wonder woman, it was meant to be," he grinned and bent down to pick up the couple of bits that had escaped from her bag. "Last night then," he stated as they both stood up.
"What a week…" she smiled, gesturing forward and they both started to walk out. "I'm not sure it's quite what you signed up for," Clara chuckled.
"I've had worse weeks," he shrugged and she raised her eyes, "oh believe me, I have. I've actually really enjoyed it. I thought I was going to be spending the week with a bunch of pretty dull people but I was so very wrong," Danny grinned as they walked across the courtyard to the barn they were having the disco in.
"Well I'm glad to hear that, ready?" Clara asked and he nodded. They both made their way inside to find a variety of costumes and the campers already dancing away. Clara sat down at the edge of the room and it wasn't long before Courtney and Karlie ran over.
"You look awesome," Courtney announced. "We should do more dressing up days at school," she told her but Clara laughed.
"No chance, once is enough tah," she replied, but laughed. "You lot having fun?"
"Yeah it's fab! Are you gonna dance?" Karlie asked as Danny appeared beside them with a drink for Clara.
"I'm pretty good watching thanks," she smiled at Danny as she took the coke from him.
"Don't worry girls, I'll make sure she's up on the dance floor in a bit," Danny grinned at them as he sat down.
Courtney and Karlie locked eyes and nodded, but both leaders were clueless as to what they were doing. "Alright, see you later!" Courtney announced as they ran off to join the group again. Danny gave Clara a questioning look and she shrugged.
"I've known that girl for long enough but I still don't understand half of what she does. Thanks for this, by the way," she sipped at the coke and sighed a little, looking out at the dance floor.
"What's up?" Danny asked, watching her facial expressions and trying to work her out. He'd come to learn this week that this wasn't easy to do.
Clara didn't respond immediately, taking a moment to work out what to say. "I don't want to leave," she said, "I've felt so much better these last couple of days, better than I have for months."
"I know what you mean, I really do," he told her. They sat in silence for a little while, just watching and supervising, occasionally piping up to stop overexcited teenagers from going a little too crazy. Clara tried to work out what Danny could be talking about, he'd really not let a lot on considering how much they'd talked recently. Generally he'd been very good at keeping the conversation on her, there was definitely something he was hiding. After about half an hour Clara decided it was getting a little warm in the room and stood up, nodding towards the door when Danny looked up before heading out.
Sure enough, he soon followed her outside and stood beside her in the summer evening air. Clara looked out over the campsite, not looking around as he stopped to her left. "What happened in the army?" Clara asked. She could feel Danny's shock, but she had worked it out after putting the pieces together. She kept her eyes on the view in front of them for now, not wanting to pressure him.
"I made a mistake, a big mistake," he spoke, his voice breaking slightly. "I've had enough people telling me it's not my fault, and I know it wasn't, but it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. Everyone thinks it's our job to kill people, but that's not why we're there. We go to help save innocent lives. I built buildings, dug wells, kept school's safe. But one day I got it wrong, and an innocent young boy was in the wrong place at the wrong time. For months I was a wreck, I'm better now, much better, but it doesn't make it any less horrible to think about." He admitted and Clara immediately reached a hand out to his and squeezed it.
"You're so brave, everything you did. Everything you've done this week just proves that. You're a wonderful man and I can see that," she told him. Danny looked down at her, almost shocked. Clara turned her head also to look at him. "I don't think any less of you for this, but thank you for telling me."
"It's only fair, you told me your secrets," he told her. They kept eye contact for a moment before he spoke again, "mind if I…?" he whispered and Clara nodded slightly. Danny leant in gently and gave her a quick kiss.
"I KNEW IT!" They both separated quickly and looked around to see Courtney stood just at the door of the barn, thankfully far enough away to have not heard any of their conversation. "Oh man wait till everyone back at school hears about this," she grinned and ran back inside. Clara sighed, leaning her head on Danny's chest.
"That's my secret out I guess," she smiled and stood back up. "Back in?" He nodded and they walked back towards the barn, not separating their hands this time, given that half the barn probably already knew.
They spent the rest of the disco avoiding the various comments and trying to keep as professional as they could, answering all the questions vaguely. Eventually all the teenagers were sent off to bed, still buzzing but also shattered from all the activities. After lights out the leaders returned to the disco to have their own party. A few beers and a couple of bottles of wine appeared from nowhere and they all grabbed a drink, dancing a little as they all chatted. Time went by, various people retired to bed leaving just a few of them behind. Danny put his bottle down on the chair beside her as a slower song came on and took Clara's glass, placing that down too before taking her hand and standing up. "May I have this dance?" he asked, ignoring Frankie's grinning face from the other side of the room.
"It seems I don't have much choice," Clara chuckled and stood up with him. They walked forward a little before he put his arms around her waist and she rested hers on his shoulder, linking her hands. They moved together, keeping eye contact and ignoring everyone around them.
"Come away with me, in a couple of weeks I'm going away," Danny spoke in their mutual silence, much to Clara's surprise. "You said you didn't know what to do for the rest of the holidays, come with me." It didn't take much persuading for her to agree.
"Anywhere," she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him gently.
"Finally!" Frankie said in some sort of relief, before adding, "go get a room you two!" Clara looked round and rolled her eyes before turning back and leaning her head in to Danny's chest as they continued to sway gently.
After the next song the DJ put on some more upbeat music and they finally separated.
"You alright love?" Danny asked, looking down at Clara who looked a little sombre. She nodded, taking his hand and leading him out.
"One last night," she told him, "I know we're going away but that's 2 weeks and…" Danny kissed her head gently.
"Come on, one last night," he led her back to his room, "you're gonna be just fine, you're not alone now," Danny told her as they lay down to enjoy their last night.
The next morning they both woke early, the sunlight pushing in through the slight gap in the curtains on to the tangled sheets they lay in. Danny kissed her head gently, brushing her hair back.
"I need to pack," she mumbled, linking their fingers and watching them entwine. "When are you leaving?" she asked.
"Last, more than likely, Frankie's dropping me home. You?" he asked and sat up. She joined him, still not leaving the bed.
"Once the group have gone, I have to get back for Adrian," she sighed, leaning against his shoulder. "This week has been the most amazing week; I don't want to leave."
"You nearly died, how is that amazing?" he asked.
"You saved me," Clara smiled softly kissing him. "And I don't just mean from the river," she told him.
"You're getting soppy now," he grinned and kissed her again, "you need to go pack."
"I don't want to, can't we just stay here?" she asked, wrapping her arms around him.
"I think your Adrian might have something to say about that. Best get you home for dinner eh?" Danny chuckled and pushed her towards the edge of the bed, but Clara clung on. After a little bit of pushing and pulling they ended up on the floor, laughing.
"Alright point made, I'm going," she stood up and smiled, quickly pulling her clothes on. "See you in the dining hall?" Danny nodded, watching her leave before eventually moving himself.
A few hours later and a lot of goodbyes, including multiple hugs from all the group and it was only leaders left stood in the courtyard.
"Where do you want to go?" Danny appeared beside Clara, making her jump. She turned around quickly and looked confused. "On holiday, where do you want to go?"
"You haven't booked it?" she asked, but Danny shook his head.
"I like to be spontaneous," he grinned, "so where would you like to go?"
Clara thought for a moment and then looked up, "somewhere amazing," she smiled. "Surprise me. But I've been thinking, you should meet Adrian, he can be a little protective and if I'm suddenly disappearing on holiday…" Danny laughed and nodded.
"I gotcha, he's looked after you, you're best mates," she nodded and leant in to hug her, "just tell me when and where, I know we're opposite sides of London but I'll be there." Clara nodded, holding on to him tightly. "Let me know you get home yeah? You definitely feel okay to drive?"
"Honestly if you ask me that one more time I'll hit you. I'm fine, but I do need to go," she stood back up and pulled her car keys out of her pocket. "See you soon," Clara smiled and started to walk away but Danny followed her to your car. "You do actually need to go and help Frankie soon before she starts accusing me of distracting you," Clara stood by the open door of her car as Danny walked closer.
He hooked an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. "Well maybe you are distracting me," he told her, smiling and kissing her gently. Clara leant in to it for a moment before pulling back, shaking her head.
"I need to go Danny, I need to go. I don't want to, but I need to. I'll call you as soon as I'm back okay?" Clara lowered herself down in to the car and pulled the door shut, smiling at him through the window. Danny watched as she drove away, unable to stop himself from smiling and yet a large part of him immediately missing something. Frankie wandered over, leaning against the wall beside where he was stood.
"I never thought I'd see the day where Sergeant Danny Pink was in love. I'm happy for ya, she's a god lass," Frankie patted him on the back. "However, I've got a lot of packing up to do and if you don't help me I'll be taking that phone off you," she pointed to his phone that was already in his hands to text her and then quickly grabbed it, running off with him following, both laughing.