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Chapter 67 – Royal Gardens of Great Britain

The Royal Gardens were beautiful. Bushes cut into odd circles and flowers lined the pebbled walk-ways. There were beautiful fountains every few meters. The weather had finally cleared and a lovely blue sky greeted them.

Rose walked next to the Doctor who was carrying Genie. The Quauhtin, Tony Jack, Jake, Michelle and her sons were walking with them.

'I don't remember. Was there anything like this in our Dimension?' Rose asked the Doctor in his head.

He shook his head. 'Not really. The Prince of Wales had something similar, but this is more trimmed and modern. I'm sure he wouldn't let a football pitch in it, either. This is completely an example of a Presidential privilege.'

President Harriet Jones and Caroline Shepherd met them. Body guards stood nearby. Everyone greeted one another. Just as the Doctor was about to ask where he was, Jacob ran up to meet him. The Doctor knelt down and hugged Jacob.

"Doctor John!" he exclaimed.

Jack laughed, "Doctor John. That's a new one!"

Jacob told him, "I'm sorry, but Daddy told me I have to cheer for our team, today."

"Oh, now I know Howie Shepherd. What did he really say?" the Doctor asked him as he knelt down to speak to the boy.

Jacob scratched his chin. "I think it was something like, 'Have a hog-killing time while you watch our boys give them a lambasting'!"

The Doctor dropped his head and laughed. "Oh, he'll be sorry he missed this. We came to play! Is it muddy on the pitch?"

"Oh no! Daddy is here! He's just already at the field!" Jacob told him.

"Oh, fantastic!" the Doctor said. "Well, come on!" He grabbed Jacob's hand and walked with him.

They found Howie speaking to several of the crowd, while surrounded by the Secret Service on the pitch. The Secret Service team wore kits that were black with a red, white and blue stripe across their chests. They apparently had sent out for team uniforms as well.

The staff for the Presidential Palace of Harriet Jones was all there to watch the game. There were about two-hundred people surrounding the pitch. They all cheered and applauded when the Doctor's team arrived.

They all waved to the crowd. Jacob let go of the Doctor's hand and told him, "Good luck, Doctor John! I need to go back to Daddy."

"Thank you, Jacob! Send him to see me when he has a minute." the Doctor told him as the boy ran off.

Rose smiled and rubbed the Doctor's back. "Wow! Jacob has really warmed up to you!"

"Disney World was the best thing for us! I want to take them all back. That was brilliant fun!" the Doctor told her.

Harriet and Caroline lead them over to a large, white gazebo. Tea was already on the tables with little cakes and biscuits. Each table had a great view of the pitch.

Rose sat next to Harriet and Caroline. Jake and Jack sat across the table from them. Jack looked around and shook his head. "Wow. I don't think this could be more British at the moment."

Caroline laughed as Rose introduced her to Jack.

Jack smiled, stood up and kissed her hand. "It's my pleasure, ma'am!"

The Doctor sat down next to Rose and grumbled at Jack, "Stop it!"

Jack threw his hands in the air. "Really! I'm just introducing myself! Geez!"

The Doctor crammed a biscuit in his mouth and rolled his eyes. Rose laughed at his reaction.

The Doctor drank some tea and looked back at Rose. "At least you lot don't have to be out in this wet grass. I love this gazebo, Harriet. Brilliant idea for here!"

Harriet smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "The President before me had it added. He enjoyed watching football out here. He would have local teams come play. He wasn't much of a footballer himself, but I'm happy to finally put it to use. I can see many games out here in the future. Maybe we should see if each nation has a team to come play during diplomatic visits. Sure does break up the day! Such great fun!"

The Doctor smiled, "That is a wonderful idea!"

Harriet smiled, "I have the Prime Minister of Australia coming in a few weeks. I know they have a small team that plays. I've mentioned your team to them. They would enjoy a fun, friendly game."

The Doctor nodded his head. "Oh, it would be! I'll have a talk with our Coach and see what he thinks."

Jake pulled Genie into his lap. Genie put her arms around his neck and looked at Jack. "You guys are cheering for my Daddy, right?"

Jack laughed, "Of course we are!"

She pointed at them both and said, "Good choice!" Jacob called for her to join him. She jumped down and ran over to him.

The Doctor looked back to see Michelle with her four sons sitting at the table next to them. She was chatting with two ladies from Harriet's office. "You good, Michelle?" he called.

Michelle smiled, "Perfect, Doctor! Thank you!"

The Doctor patted the table and stood up to join his team. "That photographer out there keeps looking at me. I think they want a shot of the teams before we get started."

Rose took his hand and walked with him to the edge of the pitch. He turned and wrapped his arms around her waist. She held him around the neck.

"Not too tired from all of our shagging in the field?" Rose teased him.

He laughed and blushed, "Oh no. I could do it all over again. It's intoxicating just to think about. You seem to be walking normally. Are you alright?" he teased her back.

Rose smiled with her tongue in her teeth. "Completely fine. We might find time to go back and do it again."

He noticed and bit his bottom lip. "Oh, that's mean, Rose Tyler. Sending a man off to play football with that on his mind!"

She laughed, "Do you ever not have it on your mind?"

He looked up and smiled, "Oh wow! That's an excellent point! No. Not lately."

She giggled as she held him. "Be careful. Have fun. I'll be cheering for you."

He put his hand on her cheek and kissed her. What she expected to be a quick kiss, turned into a very long kiss. She didn't mind, of course.

Jack saw them kissing and rolled his eyes. "Gosh. I'll never get used to seeing that, Jake. You just don't know, man."

Jake yelled at them, "Hey, get a room! There are children here!"

Harriet and Caroline laughed at them.

The Doctor pointed at Jake and Jack both. "Yeah, two of them, right there! Ha!" He smiled as he ran out on the pitch.

Jack laughed, "That's the worst attempt at an insult he's thrown at us all day. Rose has his head all messed up."

"Can't blame the man. She sure would have my head messed up, too. Woo." a familiar voice said behind them.

Jack stood up and greeted the weapons developer they had drank with the night before. "Well, hey there, Tony! What brings you out, today?"

Tony shook his hand. "Just caught the Bullet to have a word with the good Doctor. Do you think he has a quick minute?"

Jack shook his head. "Oh, I have no idea. Rose?"

Rose had just walked back into the gazebo. She greeted Tony with a smile. "What are you doing here?" He pulled her to himself and kissed her cheek quickly.

Jack ran off to get the Doctor.

Tony spoke to Rose as he held her hand. "I hear you are completely off the market. Congratulations! I'm so happy for you, Rose. The Doctor is a great guy! Hell of a drinker, good looking, and possibility as smart as I am. Damn! What a package!"

Rose smiled, "Yeah, he told me about the drinking game last night."

"What did he say?" Tony looked surprised. She could see it behind his sunglasses.

"You know him. Nothing really." Rose told him.

He let go of her hand and clapped. "Right! Good man!"

The Doctor ran up. "Tony! What's up?"

"I need five minutes. That's all!" he told him.

"Sure! Come on, let's walk over here."

The both looked back at Rose and excused themselves. Rose watched as they walked away and stood under a tree. They were too far away to hear either of their voices. Tony was explaining something to the Doctor. Rose could feel his surprise over whatever Tony was saying. His body language was rather clear as well.

Jack asked, "What's going on?"

Rose shook her head. "I have no idea."

They both watched as the Doctor put his hands on his hips and nodded his head as Tony spoke. Tony smiled and patted the Doctor's shoulder as he reached in his pocket and gave him something. They spoke a bit more about something that seemed serious. Finally, after several minutes, they smiled and shook hands. Tony waved at Rose as he walked away.

The Doctor walked back over to Rose. Rose wore her purse across her shoulder. The Doctor opened her purse and slipped the small box inside.

Rose looked at him, "Everything alright?" He zipped back up her purse.

He smiled, "Yes, dear. Remind me I put that in there. I'll need it later." He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek as he ran back out on the pitch.

Both teams were on the pitch talking, getting pictures taken and warming up. Howie walked into the gazebo greet everyone.

"Wooo! Is it wet enough for you out here? I'm glad the rain finally let up! Rose, how are you enjoying being hitched? Is it better than being a left-handed wife?"

Caroline fussed at him, "Howard Shepherd! I'd smack you if I was closer."

"Sorry! I've been into the Laudanum. Desperado seems happy as a lapper! And I hear he is one! I checked the bricks with some mouthpiece and turns out that marriage is totally alright for me to do! So, you haven't leaped the book. You are really hitched! In case you were wondering. That Doctor is a thoroughbred. I see why Pete likes him!"

Jack looked at Jake. "Wait a minute. Howie married the Doc and Rose? Is that what he said?"

Jake shrugged his shoulders. "I'm never really sure what Howie says."

Howie put his hands on his hips and rocked on his feet. "Like licking butter off a knife! Didn't even have to give me any Lincoln Skins. I was glad Rose didn't get the muddy end of the stick! She's like my own!"

Jack looked at Jake, "What the hell is he saying? Is this even English?"

Jake laughed and patted Jack on the shoulder.

Howie waved his hand and said, "Ah, it ain't nothing to nobody. No odds at all. Let's paint our toenails later, together! Jake can scoop us up the game, again! What do you say?"

Jack tossed his hands up, "I'm so confused."

Rose laughed, "Sounds like you have already been painting your toenails, Howie. But, if Jake is up to being gamemaster on a drinking game again, I want in on that! I have a few questions I would like to ask myself."

Jake laughed, "Oh, boy! The last question she asked lead to that bet we have! Hell yeah!"

Jack laughed. "We're going to do what?"

Howie asked, "Any luck on that number, filly?"

Rose shook her head. "Not yet. Oh, I'm trying."

Howie held his hand up. "I'm the President of the United States, Rose. I can't hear about extortion!"

Jack's mouth fell open in shock. "Jake. Is he the President? Really?"

Jake laughed, "Yep! He really is."

Jack shook his head and started singing the theme to the Twilight Zone.

Harriet stood up. "I need go start this game. Excuse me."

Tony and Genie ran over to Howie. They stopped and put their hands on their hips and said together. "Well, the tarnation!" Both of them laughed and ran off quickly.

Everyone laughed hysterically. Howie took off his cowboy hat and yelled playfully to them. "Skedaddle you scrougers!"

Rose was crying she was laughing so hard. "Oh, that was brilliant!"

The Doctor ran over to her. "Rose, are you alright?"

She continued to laugh with the rest of them and covered her face. He began to feel her happiness and realized she was crying because she was laughing so hard. He started to laugh. "Tell me all about this later. Sounds like you need a few minutes."

Howie slapped the Doctor on the back, "They all have a screw loose. That Genie of yours is a screaming scrouger! Are you ready for this scrap?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "Yeah, I suppose so. Did you get my message from earlier today?"

Howie clapped his hands. "Yes! I talked to the brass and Rose will have a full security detail of leathernecks tomorrow for her gerrymandering."

The Doctor smiled and Rose could feel his relief. "Hear that Rose? A full security detail of United States Marines at your speech. You'll be fine! Maybe they will learn something!"

Rose stood up and hugged Howie. "Thank you, Howie. I really appreciate it."

"Don't worry about this mess Rose. Soon enough, they will realize they have the wrong pig by the tail." Howie told her.

Jack shook his head. "Jake, how is he the President? How does anyone understand him?"

The Doctor whistled to get Genie's attention. "Sara Gene! Get Jacob and come over here!"

Jack laughed and spoke in a high pitched voice. "Yes, Daddy!"

The Doctor heard him and rolled his eyes. Genie and Jacob ran over to him as he knelt down to speak to them. "This pitch is wet and very slippery. I want you both to be careful and pay close attention to the game. Some of these players might slip right off the pitch and on top of you before you realize what has happened. Alright?"

Both of them nodded that they understood.

He smiled at them both. "Alright. Where are you going to watch the game? I don't want you running around. I'm worried you will get hurt. There will be plenty of time for running around afterwards."

Jacob pointed at Caroline and Rose. "We'll sit up here with everyone else. No one can plow us up here."

"Plow us." the Doctor repeated and laughed. "Howie would be proud, Jacob. Alright. I've got to go play now. Genie, introduce Jacob to Jack, and remember everyone has to cheer very loud so we can hear you."

Genie smiled. "No problem, Daddy. We'll cheer! Remember, put the ball in the goal."

Jake laughed, "Right, Doc'. Ball in the goal. That's important!"

Jack was laughing as he pulled Genie to his lips and kissed her cheek. "Oh, I love these kids!"

The Doctor shook his head as he smiled and ran to rejoin his team.

Harriet stood in the center of the field and spoke. "Welcome everyone! This is a private match between the United States Secret Service and the bodyguards, and extended family of the President of the People's Republic of Great Britain. As they are our guests, the Secret Service has the ball first. Good game, gentlemen!"

Everyone clapped as Harriet rejoined everyone in the Presidential gazebo. Tony and Michelle's son, Sam, blew their whistles as the game started. A Secret Service player took the ball down the pitch and shot it at the goal. Poltonius blocked the ball with his chest and threw it back out. Shakes passed it to Aemilius, who passed it to Michelle's son, Logan. Logan kicked it high near the goal and Lewis bounced it off of his head to score a goal. The crowd went wild! No one louder than Genie, Jacob, Jake and Jack.

Jack was surprised! "Wow! That was like a goal in the first ten seconds! They aren't bad!"

Tony Tyler was keeping a very close eye on everything. He narrowly dodged a ball that was kicked out. The Doctor's warning about the pitch being slippery quickly became apparent when all of the players started using it to their advantage. Instead of just passing the ball to one another, they would slide into the ball and kick it. The pitch was so wet and muddy. They were all soaked and filthy very quickly. All of their kits were covered in mud. As it was needed, one of Harriet's Presidential aides sprayed them off with water so they would be able to see the color of the kit they were wearing.

The Doctor was passed the ball by Lewis. He moved it up the field and passed it to Logan who shot it immediately into the goal. The crowd went crazy. Genie stood up and danced. Jack pointed at Michelle and yelled, "That's her son! Wow!"

The Secret Service members worked together to move the ball up the pitch. As they got closer, one of the team members shot the ball towards the goal. Another team member was standing close-by the net and side footed it right inside the goal.

The crowd cheered.

The first half ended, and the players ran off of the field.

Rose walked over to the Doctor. "Is it as slippery as it looks out there?"

"Like ice! It's only getting worse."

"Be careful." Rose asked him.

"We'll be good! Don't worry about me, Rose."

Rose giggled at him. "You look all out of breath. You must be crazy to play on this pitch. Are you getting enough….oxygen?" She teased him.

He looked at her and smiled, "Good question, Rose Tyler! Ha! Yes. Plenty to keep me crazy enough for this." He pointed at her as he raised his eyebrows. "Remind me to explain about the rest of the team sometime. You will find that interesting."

Rose kissed him quickly. He used his towel to wipe the mud off of her face and smiled. Rose walked back over to join Caroline and Harriet.

After a few moments, Harriet got up and stood in the center of the pitch.

"Brilliant game! It's getting even more slippery out here as the game wears on. Should we continue?"

The players and the crowd cheered that they should.

Harriet smiled. "I knew it. Brits are made of strong stuff and I've never known an American to back down from a challenge! Be careful, players! Return to the game!"

The players took the pitch and whistles were blown. A few minutes into the game, Shakes was moving the ball up the field when two Secret Service players slid into him at the same time. The Doctor and Logan also were tripped in the collision. It took a few minutes for them all to get up.

Rose asked the Doctor. 'That looked bad, are you alright?'

'Checking. Give me a minute.' he told her as he lay on his back.

Jake asked Rose, "Is everyone alright?"

The Doctor got up and helped Logan. He helped wipe the mud off his shirt.

'Alright, Rose. Just needed a minute.' he told her.

He could feel her relief. He stood around with the other players as they made sure everyone was alright, then began to play again.

The Secret Service players stole the ball and moved it up the field. One of the players shot it towards the goal, only for Poltoius to kick it back out. Another Secret Service player was standing directly in front of him and kicked it immediately into the goal.

The crowd screamed. The game continued.

Shakes passed the ball to the Doctor who was tripped by a Secret Service member who slid into his leg. He flipped head over heels and hit the ground hard. Rose's heart leap into her throat.

Whistles were blown as the Doctor lay on the ground.

'I'm alright, Rose. Just a minute.' he told her.

Jake was standing up, about to run out on the field. Rose saw him and quickly said, "He's alright. He just needs a minute."

Jake nodded and sat down. The Doctor stood up and stretched his back and his arm.

Jack shook his head. "This is beginning to look like rugby! They are getting rough!"

Jake nodded. "That's how it usually gets. Friendly game my ass."

Tony ran over to the Doctor who pointed at Logan.

Rose told them, "He's giving Logan the penalty shot."

Harriet smiled. "Good man! That young man will enjoy that." Harriet looked at Michelle. "I imagine he's having a blast!"

Michelle smiled as one of her twins sat in her lap. "Oh, he loves football."

The entire gazebo cheered loudly for Logan. It apparently worked because he scored without any problems.

Very little time was left on the clock. The score was now Britain 3 – USA 2. Sam was bringing the ball back up the field, and passed it to Shakes. Shakes passed it to Lewis who spun around two Secret Service players and passed it to Logan. Logan kicked it between a Secret Service member's legs to the Doctor who ran as fast as he could, fell on his knees and pulled his leg out to kick the ball into the goal. The crowd went mad! Genie danced around and screamed.

Rose heard the Doctor's voice in her head. 'Get Jack to take Genie and Jacob someplace. Come out here.'

Rose felt her leg ache. "Jack! Jake! Take Genie and Jacob. I'm needed out there."

"Got 'em!" they both said and grabbed them up. "Let's go look at this fountain over here!" Jack told them both.

Rose was halfway to the Doctor when she saw Shakes take off his shirt, kneel down and cover up the Doctor's leg. Logan waved over the medical personnel. The Doctor lay on the ground, propped up on his elbows. Rose and the medical personnel made it to him about the same time.

Lewis knelt down behind him and put his head on his knees.

Rose knelt down and grabbed his hand. "What happened? What's wrong?"

He smiled as he winced. "Damn rock. I slid on it and it gashed my leg open. Don't let the children see. It will scare them. Where's Tony?"

Rose looked up for her little brother. Shakes told him, "Michelle's son took him over to the gazebo."

Rose watched as the medical personnel removed Shake's shirt. It was bleeding like mad. The gash seemed to go from halfway down the inside of his thigh, across the side of his knee and halfway down the calf of his leg. They cleaned and wrapped it quickly.

"He'll need stitches. Let's get him to the hospital." one of them said.

The Doctor shook his head. "Oh, I don't even believe this."

Howie and Harriet joined them. Rose held The Doctor's hand as they carried him off the field. Everyone applauded him.

They put The Doctor into the back of an ambulance. Rose climbed up with him. "No aspirin. He has an allergy." Rose told them immediately.

"Right!" the medical personnel said and put down whatever he was about to do.

The Doctor looked worried. "Thanks for that!"

Rose turned and looked at Harriet and Howie. "Stay with the children. I'm going with him."

The Doctor closed his eyes and shook his head. "Rose, I'm fine."

Rose held his hand, "Well, I'm not! I'm staying!"

He looked at her. "Fine. I won't argue."

Shakes patted his other foot as he climbed in the ambulance. "I'm coming, too."

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