A/N: Shoutout to Castielholmeshasthephonebox for consistently commenting on every chapter so far. We're at the halfway point now, so to anyone who's read this far: Have you noticed the hidden pattern yet?

[In the life of the Doctor there are good days, and there are bad days. Sometimes, when he's feeling down, the TARDIS (who has a very long memory), takes over the viewscreen and reminds him of the good days.]

The Console room, pristine white walls and a six-sided control panel with all manner of levers, buttons and readouts. Soft white light emanates from the roundels on the walls and illuminates the room's occupants. The first was a tall and robust man with a head of unruly blond curls, dressed in a suit of every colour and pattern imaginable. The trousers were yellow with red vertical stripe; the vest half plaid, half zig-zag; the floppy tie periwinkle with white polka-dots. The eye was most drawn, however, to the coat, with its pink and yellow lapels, red and salmon sleeves, green, burgundy, and tartan body, and purple lining. There's also a large pin in the shape of a cat attached to it.

The Room's other occupant was an Emperor Penguin, standing patiently behind, watching the man fiddle with the controls.

"Right, then," the man said standing back from the controls with a pleased expression. "We've achieved temporal orbit. Nothing to it, really. So," and here he turned to the penguin, "where shall we go today, then, Frobisher? Any requests?"

"Look, Doctor," the penguin replied. Its accent would sound somewhat American, except it's a talking penguin, and so defies traditional classifications. "I really do enjoy travelling with you and all, but-"

"Surely you're not looking to leave already?" the Doctor interrupted, a little shocked.

"No," Frobisher said quickly. "No, I'd like to stay, but, uh…you've been wearing those clothes for the past four days. Don't you ever change?"

"Far more than you could imagine," the Doctor retorted. "Of course I change my clothes! What do you take me for, some kind of savage?"

Frobisher resisted the rebuttal that instantly sprang to mind. "Hey, Doc, don't get me wrong, you're a great guy and all, but like I said, those are the same clothes you were wearing when we met."

"Actually, no," the Doctor informed him. "They are not. I own a dozen variations of this outfit, and even if I didn't, the TARDIS laundry can clean, dry, and press a full load of clothing in under twenty minutes. Also," he added as an afterthought, "kindly refrain from referring to me as 'Doc.'"

"really?" said Frobisher, taken aback. "Why?"

"Because it's unseemly and undignified," the Doctor replied loftily. "How would you like it if I started calling you 'Frobie,' or some such?"

"No, no," Frobisher said dismissively. "why do you own so many sets of that—that ridiculous outfit?"

"Ridiculous? Ridiculous!?" the Doctor cried, visibly affronted. "I'll have you know this is the height of fashion in five systems!"

"Yeah, and all of them colourblind," Frobisher retorted, rolling his eyes. "you look so silly, Doctor! Talk about undignified. You should try something more serious. Something like…" the penguin concentrated, and then rippled, like an image in a pond. In a moment, an exact copy of the Doctor stood opposite him, only wearing a sharp tuxedo and a top hat. "like this," the not-Doctor finished in the same American accent. "that's not bad, is it?"

The Doctor looked himself up and down. "Bad, no." he said at last. "It's atrocious. I don't wish to suggest I could ever look ordinary, but even I would miss myself in a crowd wearing that. I don't want to blend in! I need to be noticed if I'm to save planets in time!"

The image shifted again, and now Frobisher was wearing a plain green polo shirt under a leather jacket, with simple black trousers and sturdy boots. "How about something like this, then?" Frobisher suggested. "Unusual, striking, comfortable."

"Well, that is considerably better," the Doctor said grudgingly, "but…"

"yes?" Frobisher asked after a moment.

"Boring," the Doctor said firmly. "it's just too practical! I need something with a bit of flair!"

"I'd say you've got all the flair anyone could take as it is," Frobisher muttered, but the form wavered again and-

"No, No, No!" the Doctor exclaimed in distaste. "Tweed? A Bow Tie!?" I'm a Time Lord, not a university lecturer! It just isn't me!" he finished, very firmly.

"Okay, okay, keep your shirt on," Frobisher said hastily. "Got one more idea." And now, he was wearing a suit that was almost identical in shape to the one the Doctor currently wore. However, this one was done all in shades of blue, darker for the vest and coller, lighter for the trousers and tie. "This any good?" Frobisher asked without much hope.

"hmmm…" the Doctor mused, walking around to view the proposition from various angles. "yes, that is rather nice, I suppose. Quite regal. Especially with the gold watch chain and cat pin. And I think I've even got a winter cloak that matches it… alright." He said at last. "I'll have the TARDIS copy the design and I'll give it a try." He fiddled needlessly with the controls as Frobisher reassumed the guise of an earth penguin. "Thanks, Frobisher. I knew you'd be good to have around."

"Gee, thanks, Doc," Frobisher said sarcastically.

"Frobisher!"

"-tor" he finished with a sigh. Suddenly the TARDIS shook, and a number of alarms went off.

"The TARDIS has just set in a course!" the Doctor shouted over the noise. "I think it's looking for somewhere for us to try out the new coat."

"Oh boy." Frobisher said quietly. "What have I got myself into this time?"