Bits in Between

Chapter Eleven: The Winnings

By Lumendea

AN: Takes place after the Wedding of Rose Tyler.

…..

It was with great pride that John Benton stood in front of Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart with his hand out. His fingers twitched almost as much as his mouth as he tried to contain his smile. Lethbridge-Stewart, for his part, was making a point of not looking up at the Brigadier General. Benton was pretty sure it was because the other man was trying not to laugh.

"Thorn's wedding was certainly memorable," Lethbridge-Stewart said. He opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out a thick envelope.

"I told you it was the wrong groom," Benton said. He was losing control of his smile.

"And it seems that you were correct." Lethbridge-Stewart set the envelope in his hand. "Just keep in mind that we need to be careful about teasing the old boy regarding this. The way he dashes around time, we don't want to slip up."

"I understand, sir."

"You do realise that all this means that Rose won't stay on Earth," Lethbridge-Stewart pointed out. He leaned back in his chair and frowned. "We won't be able to call on her as we can now. The Doctor is sure to be protective of her time."

"Well, to be fair to the Doctor, he couldn't have chosen better," Benton said. He smiled fondly. "When you really think about it, sir, Rose is perfect for him."

"Yes," Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart. His own smile was one of fondness. "Rather makes me wish I could tease the old boy in one of his earlier forms. He dropped a hint about Doris once, told me that was who I was looking for." Lethbridge-Stewart's eyes turned sad for a moment, and Benton offered him a sympathetic smile. "And he was right. It would have been amusing to be able to return the favour."

"I doubt he would have ever believed you, sir," Benton pointed out. "After all, we were all pretty sure that he didn't work that way, or even if he did that, he'd be a bachelor forever."

"Indeed." Lethbridge-Stewart chuckled again and shook his head. "But you're right if he had to settle down as it were, he probably picked the best one for that. Rose will never be interested in buying a house and such things."

"Though…" Benton trailed off, an odd look on his face.

"What, Benton?"

"It's just, can you imagine them ever having children?" Benton asked. His face twisted slightly, and both men's eyes widened in mild alarm.

"Benton… for the sake of my blood pressure, don't say anything like that ever again. A child of theirs, if it were possible, would be a terrifying creature." Lethbridge-Stewart allowed himself to shudder. "Especially if it was ever able to travel in time by itself."

"True, but…" Benton trailed off and looked thoughtfully.

"What is it, Benton."

"Well, I was just thinking that we might have met a child of theirs and never known it." Benton shrugged a little when Lethbridge-Stewart gave him a surprised look. "I mean, think of the times that the Doctor has shown up with a new face. In theory, nothing would stop a son from just saying he was the Doctor in order to help with some crisis without making it messy." At Lethbridge-Stewart's horrified look, he grimaced. "I mean just in theory, sir."

"Hmmm. I think that'll be all Benton."

"Yes, sir."

"And don't rub it in too much with the men," Lethbridge-Stewart added. "Enough of them were already nursing broken hearts when we thought she was marrying Beckett. Knowing she's the Doctor's girl is sure to break their spirits."

"Respectfully, sir, I wouldn't ever let Rose hear you refer to her as the Doctor's girl," Benton said a touch nervously.

"I suppose so," Lethbridge-Stewart agreed. He smiled a little and nodded to Benton. "Dismissed Brigadier."

"Thank you, General."

As Benton left the office and held back his own smile, he could hear the General chuckling behind him. Glancing down at the thick envelope, Benton slipped it into his pocket and wondered just how high the pot had managed to get.