WARNING: THE NEXT COUPLE OF CHAPTERS CONTAIN MAJOR SPOILERS FOR "DARK WATER" AND "DEATH IN HEAVEN".

So, I've finally watched the season 8 finale. I've been struggling on how to work the season 8 story line into this story. I know I don't have to because it's AU and all, but I want to. From a writer's standpoint, I like that this most recent season was mostly stand alone episodes that have no real bearing on the over all story because it's easier to ignore those episodes. (though as a viewer, I think I like the earlier seasons where the story builds up to a conclusion better). And the finale, as heartwrenching as it was, has given me a headcannon that is now sending me off down a completely different path than I had originally intended for this story, but I think it makes it better. Hang on to your seats, it's going to be a bumpy ride!

I don't own Doctor Who. Moffat does, and I really don't like him right now.

CHAPTER 22

The morning after the companions returned, the TARDIS suddenly spun out of control and landed them in the heart of 2014 London. "Well, at least she didn't crash this time." Twelve remarked, gruffly.

Since it seemed that the Old Girl was determined that this was where they were going to land, they decided to go out and see what the fuss was all about. They decided to go off in smaller groups, because they were easier to manage, and it wasn't like they were in an unfamiliar place. The four younger Doctors and Roses went off together in search of a place with good chips and banana splits. Jack and River used their vortex manipulator to pop off to Cardiff so that Jack could check in with his Torchwood team. The Ponds and Smiths decided to go off together to begin shopping for baby things. Donna and Shaun just went back to their flat to do who knows what.

But Clara and Danny had had a fight and needed some time apart from each other. She had wanted to continue to travel with the Doctor, but Danny wanted her to stop. Danny really didn't have anything against the Doctor, but he loved Clara and wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. But how could he commit to a woman who spent all of her time running around with another man? But if he truly cared about her, she countered, he wouldn't be jealous of her friend the Doctor and would want her to be happy. So they fought. In the aftermath, they decided to go their separate ways for the day and cool off. Rose 12 volunteered to go off with Danny to make sure that he was okay, and Clara and Twelve decided to spend some time getting to know each other better. Despite the fight, it looked like it was going to be a lovely day!

Clara and Twelve had a very nice conversation alone on the TARDIS. They talked about their past adventures together and laughed over the old times. The Doctor regaled her with stories from his past that she had never heard before. Soon the conversation turned to Clara and Danny.

"How did you two meet again?" the Doctor asked.

"I told you! He's another teacher at the school."

"PE?"

"No, math. He's very good at it, too. Why on Earth did you think he was PE?"

"I don't know. Call it a hunch."

"Okay... You don't like him, do you?"

"He's a soldier. I don't like soldiers."

"Why?"

"Do I have to have a reason?"

"I guess not." Clara was dumbfounded. It was times like this that she really missed Eleven. She knew where she stood with him. She could control him. Sort of. This Doctor was a lot harder to read. However, this Doctor had something that her old Doctor seemed to be lacking. Maturity, and an air of wisdom. She could use some wisdom now.

"So, Doctor. The love story between you and Rose is epic, though I know that it took you quite a long time to be able to admit to her how you feel. What made you finally decide to tell her?"

The Doctor sighed. He was not proud of this. Of course, things had changed now because of the merged TARDIS: even Nine has admitted his feelings for Rose. But he remembered his original timeline, how as Ten he had stood as a hologram on a beach in a different universe and faded away before he could finish his sentence. How two short years later he stood on that beach in the flesh and said what he had believed to be a final goodbye to the woman he loved as she kissed Tentoo because the human was able to say what the time lord was not. The time lord shuddered at the memories, his hearts breaking all over again. When was he able to tell her? He was suddenly filled with guilt. It was when she became a time lady for him not too long ago after the TARDIS had merged. Yes, his memories told him that he told her that he loved her when she returned to his side after the death of Tentoo, but he knew the truth. None of the faces of the Doctor except for Tentoo had ever told Rose that they loved her until she rewrote her own timeline and changed everything about herself just to please him. Had the TARDIS never merged, he'd probably have never told her. What a selfish jerk he was.

Still, Clara expected an answer. He decided to be honest. "I never really did tell her. Not until she became a time lady and each of my faces could have a Rose of their own. To this day, that is the biggest regret I have - even more than what I thought I did to end the Time War. And I doubt that I could ever regret anything more." He turned to look at his companion. "My advice, Clara. If you love someone, tell them. Don't wait. You never know when they could be torn from your life. And if they are, it will hurt, whether you tell them how you feel or not. It's better to love someone and enjoy the time you have together knowing that you are in love than to spend lifetimes regretting words that you never said."

Clara took the Doctor's words to heart. She loved Danny so much that it terrified her. She needed him! She asked the Doctor to drop her off at her flat for a bit so that she could have some time to think. That was when she called Danny. She was so relieved that he answered and that he sounded happy to hear her voice. She smiled. They could never stay mad at each other long.

"Hello beautiful!" his voice called out.

"Hello yourself! So, Danny, I was thinking. There's something that I need to tell you. And I'd rather tell you in person, but I really can't wait. Danny... I love you."

"I love you too!"

"No, Danny. This is not just me being cutesy and saying things automatically. I really love you! You're it for me! I'm never going to say those words to another person, I swear. I love you!" she was met with silence on the other end of the phone.

"Danny?"

Softly, the voice of Rose 12 came over the phone. "Clara, is that you? Oh, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! I tried to stop him, but it was too late!"

"Rose, what are you talking about? Where's Danny?!" she had a feeling of dread in her stomach. Something awful had just happened, she knew.

Rose was crying now. "Oh, Clara, I'm so sorry. We were out walking and getting acquainted, and he got a call from you so I stepped away to give him privacy. He started to wander as he talked to you, and before I knew it, he had wandered out into the street. He was hit, Clara. I... I'm so sorry! He's... he's... dead!"

Clara dropped the phone in shock and didn't even bother to hang up as she ran out the door in the direction of the sirens that she could hear coming from over the hill.

I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I hated to do that because I really liked Danny a lot. But I want to assure you that I am not Moffat, and while the story line is going to be very similar to "Dark Water" and "Death in Heaven" for a bit, it will not be exactly the same.