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Chapter 27 – Fittings

Rose stood in formal sitting room as a designer's assistant dressed her. The designer nodded her head and smiled. "Yes, this is wonderful! I love this one for you! Let's try the next one."

Rose went to stand behind a folded wall as someone helped her dress into another outfit. Meanwhile, her thin, ginger friend was looked over by the designer. "Your hair makes this so much fun. How do you like this one?"

Pepper smiled, "Oh, I really do love it!"

Rose and Pepper switched places as they put Pepper into another outfit. The Doctor walked into the door carrying Genie who was whimpering.

Rose saw her, "What happened?"

The Doctor shook his head. "Just a couple of skinned knees. My Sara Gene is rough on her knees."

Genie held him around his neck as he sat down with her on the sofa. He was so focused on Genie, that he never even noticed Pepper come out and stand in front of the designer. The designer turned and smiled at him. "Doctor Smith. It's wonderful to meet you!"

The Doctor was completely distracted taking care of Genie. He took a small device out of his pocket. "Hi, yes. It's lovely to meet you as well. Genie, let me see your finger."

She laid her finger in his hand and looked up in his face.

He kissed her finger. "This is going to pinch. But, I only have to do it once. Ever. Okay?"

She nodded. "A little pinch?"

He smiled, "A little pinch. It might hurt a bit, but not much. Rose is right there. Like you asked."

She covered her face with her other hand and said, "Alright. Go ahead, Daddy."

He held the device next to her finger. He clicked a button on the device and Rose heard a snap as Genie jumped and said, "Aw!"

He quickly put his hand on her head and kissed her forehead. "That's it. You're alright. Now, for the feel better part."

He leaned back and rubbed the device across her knees, healing the wounds. Genie smiled in surprise and looked up at him.

He finished healing up both of her knees and then rubbed it across her finger, healing it. He put the device back in his pocket and rubbed her finger in his hand. "Now, is that better?" He grabbed a tissue and wiped the tears from her eyes and cheeks.

Genie smiled, "Thank you, Daddy! You're a good Doctor!"

He smiled at her as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. Rose smiled at them. "You two are so sweet."

The Doctor rubbed Genie's back. "Go on and play with Tony. I'll come check on you lot, later. Alright?"

She climbed off of his lap and ran out of the room. He sat back on the sofa and rubbed his face with his hand. "Rose Tyler. I've been banished to the house. Pete says I'm not allowed outside."

Rose laughed at him. "Why? What did you do?"

He didn't uncover his face. "Nothing. He has a surprise he doesn't want me to see until later. It's being delivered now."

Rose giggled, "Oh, I know what that is. You're going to be so happy."

Pepper asked, "Is that the thing Tony was helping Pete find?"

The Doctor quickly uncovered his eyes, jumped and looked at Pepper. "I'm sorry! I thought it was just Rose in here with the designers!"

Pepper smiled at him. "Rose asked me to come and join her."

The Doctor pointed at Pepper and looked at Rose. "This is?"

"Pepper. Tony's girlfriend." Rose helped. "This is my husband, John."

Pepper smiled, "Who Tony talks about non-stop. It's nice to finally meet you."

He stood up and kissed Pepper's hand. "It's nice to meet you. Is Tony here, too?"

Pepper shook her head. "No. He's at a Sting concert. Can you believe it? I bet he's singing. He's ridiculous. If there is a stage, he has to be on it."

The Doctor exhaled and put his hands in his pockets. "I'll step out. I shouldn't be in here with both of you, undressing and…."

Pepper and Rose shook their heads.

Rose said, "No, we're getting undressed over in the corner. You can't see anything. It's alright. Sit back down."

He sat down on the sofa and rubbed his face. "So, both of you know what my surprise is. Give me a hint."

Rose laughed, "Is Tony this bad?"

Pepper rolled her eyes. "Oh, he's way worse."

The Doctor ran his hand through his hair. "Oh! I have a brilliant idea!" He lay his head back and shouted. "Genie! Come here!"

Rose held out her hands. "What are you doing?"

He held his finger up to make a point. "Using my secret weapon! You ladies don't have a chance!"

Genie ran into the room. "What is it, Daddy?"

He picked her up and sat her in his lap. He pointed at Pepper. "This is my new friend, Pepper. Remember Tony that signed the papers for Daddy yesterday?"

Genie smiled, "My other godfather!"

Pepper looked surprised, "He is what?"

Rose smiled, "There's a story to that."

The Doctor smiled, "Pepper is Tony's girlfriend."

Pepper smiled, "Nice to meet you, Genie."

Genie smiled at her.

The Doctor held Genie and kissed her cheek. "Okay. These two ladies know something I need to know. Let's see if you can help Daddy get it out of them."

Rose pointed at him. "Oh, no you don't. That is mean!"

The Doctor smiled. "No, it's not. Okay. My surprise! You know what it is, right?"

Rose held up her hand. "I'll admit I do."

Pepper laughed, "Of course."

The Doctor looked at Genie. "Yep, that's true."

He laughed, "Oh yes! This will be fun. Okay, hmm…. Is it a big surprise, or a small surprise?"

Pepper smiled, "That depends on what it's being compared to."

The Doctor sat back. "Oh, she's good!"

Pepper looked at Rose as they took her behind the folded wall again to help her change. "He's fun. I like him!"

He rubbed his beard and thought. "It has to be pretty big if it's being delivered. Hmmm….." He snapped, "True or false. My surprise is from the US."

Rose rolled her eyes. "I'm not telling."

Pepper smiled, "True! Although, I'm not sure where."

The Doctor looked at Genie who nodded her head. He continued to hold her as he thought, "My surprise. Is it alive?"

Rose shook her head. "No."

"A machine?"

Pepper smiled, "Oh, I'm not saying. He's sniffing close."

Genie smiled and turned to him. "It's a machine."

Pepper came back out and the designer's assistants helped her with the clothes.

He bit his lip. "Is it an old or new machine?"

Rose smiled at him as she walked behind the folded wall. "As Einstein would say, 'That's relative, Old Man'."

Genie turned to him and nodded her head. "It's old."

Pepper laughed, "She's good! Wow! We better stop."

The Doctor rubbed his beard, "An old machine that I will love. Hell! It's a car! Pete's bought me a car, hasn't he? Tony had to help him find it. I bet it's a car!"

Rose shook her head. "Do you see what I live with?"

Pepper put her hands on her hips. "No one here said that's what it was. That's what you said."

He rubbed his hands together in excitement. "Oh, I know it. It's a car! Right, Genie?"

Genie looked confused. "I'm really not sure. Daddy, can you even drive a car? I've never seen you drive."

He held his hands out, "Of course I can!"

Genie looked at him, "What was the last car you drove?"

He looked at Rose, "I drove Rose's car. About a month ago."

Rose looked at him. "Whatever happened to my car? It's here at Dad's, isn't it?"

The Doctor rubbed his neck. "Ugh. No. Honestly, someone stole it and drove it into the Thames."

Rose's mouth opened in surprise. "When did that happen?"

He rubbed his neck. "When we were on our cruise. I've been meaning to tell you. Sorry."

Rose looked back at Pepper.

Pepper rolled her eyes. "Just like Tony. I don't know if those two hanging out together is a good thing or not."

Rose tossed her hands up. The Doctor went back to guessing. "Tony has a Ford Flathead Roadster. Well, he has two."

Pepper nodded, "Yes. That one you gave him."

Rose looked surprised, "You gave Tony a car? What?"

He held his hand out, "I lost a bet. It was the prize. Bought it and lost it all in one day. Hmmm….. is it a Roadster?"

Rose walked over to him. "You know, I think you need to go get ready for our interview. We're not telling you anything else."

Pepper smiled at him. "We've already managed to tell you too much as it is."

The Doctor smiled at them, "So, you lot are kicking me out of here?"

"Yes!" they told him together.

He picked up Genie, "Fine. I know when I'm not wanted. Come on, Genie. Let's go find a window and spy on Grandfather."

Rose shook her head. "Do you see what I live with? He's a mad man!"

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