The TARDIS solidified in the corner of Madame Vastra's drawing room and the groaning of it's engine subsided. All three members of the paternoster gang stepped toward the shabby blue box simultaneously, bumping shoulders.

"Let me through." Strax demanded, holding up a Victorian medical bag. "I'm a nurse, the Doctor may require medical attention."

Vastra and Jenny stepped aside allowing the Sontaran to be the first to approach the door to the Doctor's time machine. The click of the latch brought him to a halt and the door swung inwards. Clara appeared in the doorway, supporting a second figure by the shoulders. The woman in Clara's arms was slumped and unsteady on her feet and for the moment the most the Doctor's three friends could make out about her was the mass of ginger hair that hid her face.

"That suit." Madame Vastra said in a shocked voice as she studied the figure for clues to the woman's identity.

"Blimey, that's the Doctor's suit innit?" Jenny Flint exclaimed. "What's she doing dressed in his togs?"

The strange woman seemed to perk up at the mention of the Doctor's name and looked up at the welcoming committee brightly. She attempted to wave, only to find the sleeves of the jacket were far too long for her arms and flapped about in the air. The woman pushed the sleeves up to her elbows with a giggle and tried again with more success.

"Surprise!" The Doctor cried. "Oh wait, you knew I was coming. Oh yes, still probably a surprise though come to think of it, what with the breasts and the hair and all. I can see why I'd want to be brought here though, good thinking by the previous me if I do say so myself."

"Doctor?" Vastra queried.

"Yes here I am, good old me, or good new me." The Doctor confirmed. "Sorry if I'm a bit rambly, regeneration can be a bit confusing."

Strax stepped forward, waving a Sontaran diagnostic wand in the air before the Doctor. Studying the results he turned to Vastra and Jenny and cleared his throat.

"This may come as a shock, but unless I am very mistaken this boy is in fact a girl." He announced. "And the readings confirm that this is indeed the Doctor."

"Oh she's definitely a girl." Madame Vastra said appreciatively. "Most definitely."

"Oi stoppit ma'am." Jenny protested, nudging her mistress with her elbow and giving her a jealous glare, the effect of which was rather ruined by the accompanying giggle.

"A little help would be nice." Clara said pointedly to Strax. "Her legs don't seem to be working at all yet."

The Sontaran took hold of the Doctor's shoulder on the other side to Clara and together they guided the Doctor towards a chaise longue. The Doctor shuffled her feet awkwardly, the boots clearly several sizes to big for her feet and the bottoms of the trouser legs far too long. Flopping down on the upholstered seat the Doctor laughed.

"Do excuse me and thank you very much indeed." She said to Strax and Clara. "I seem to be having some wardrobe malfunctions. Never mind, I expect I'll grow into them soon enough."

"I think that's rather unlikely Doctor. If those are anything to go by," Clara waved vaguely towards the Doctor's chest where the material was strained by his newly sprouted breasts to the point where his shirt buttons looked to fighting a losing battle. "You are as grown as you are going to get."

"They are rather impressive." The Doctor agreed. "It sort of compensates for that chin on the last model I suppose. Every regeneration is a sort of evolution."

"Clearly." Vastra agreed. "Evolution being a step forward, it was inevitable that you'd eventually rise to being female."

"Quite, quite." The Doctor replied. "And think of the undoubted advantages. No more worrying about romantic entanglements with my companions in this body."

Vastra, Jenny and Clara all exchanged glances and were forced to stifle laughs. Strax looked at the three women suspiciously, certain he was missing the joke.

"Doctor, for someone who has spent so much time among humans you can be awfully naive." Madame Vastra said, shaking her head.

The Doctor appeared not to notice the last remark and was instead busy pulling her oversized boots off and rolling up her trouser legs above her knees. She stuck her legs out and wiggled her toes, staring at them in fascination.

"Oh look, my feet are so dainty now." The Doctor squealed. "Never had feet this small before, hope that they are still good for running."

"I'm sure they will be just fine Doctor." Madame Vastra said. "You will just need new shoes. A whole new wardrobe in fact. You do look like a child playing dress up in those clothes at the moment."

"Wardrobe,yes of course." The Doctor cried excitedly. "Into the TARDIS, there's plenty of clothes that I've picked up over the years. I'm sure I can find something more suitable."

The Doctor stood up and took a couple of steps before one of her new legs appeared to go to sleep and she hopped around in a circle and made a crash landing back on the chaise longue.

"Ah right, might need a little assistance." The Doctor admitted. "Not to worry, should wear off pretty soon."

Clara and Strax once more assisted the Doctor by supplying a pair of shoulders for the Timelady to lean upon and guided her through the TARDIS door with Vastra and Jenny following.

"First left, second right, third on the left." The Doctor directed rapidly once they were in the control room. "Go straight ahead and under the stairs."

"Past the wheelie bins and fifth door on the right." Clara cut in. "Don't worry Doctor we know the way to the wardrobes."