Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters they belong to Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat and the BBC I only own the part of the plot you don't recognise and the OMC and OFC I make no profit from the writing of this story it is for entertainment only please do not sue.
Summary: Everything has its time Doctor, and my time with the other you right outside those doors is just getting started. I will return, whether it is as your companion, lover, wife, or merely just your friend. I will be here to ensure you will never have to be alone again.
Everything has Its Time
As Stephen led them over to the jumpers and polo shirts, he asked them what colours they had in mind. The Doctor told him, "Let's see what you have first and then I'll decide." Stephen nodded as he stopped in front of the section that had the chinos and other casual clothing on display. He made a forward sweeping gesturing and said, "That there is what we currently have in store until the end of the week. However, the online store might have a larger selection, though I've not been on there for a while so I am not completely hundred percent certain."
Rose stepped forward and started to browse what was available. She said, "I think we will probably have a look online at some point but not yet, and what is in store will do for now." She added around an exasperated sigh as she gestured with her right hand toward The Doctor, "I think this one here might go off at the deep end if he has to shop in both store and online within too short a time period. He hates shopping and usually spends most of it grumbling like a sore grizzly that sat down on a bed of thorns. "
Stephen bit the inside of his cheek as The Doctor shot Rose a narrowed eyed glance for her obvious dig at him. Rose's lower lip twitched in noticeable amusement a moment later, due to something The Doctor had shot back at her over their bond but did not quite have the effect and impact he had hoped. She dryly informed him, "That look will not work on me, as both you and I know I am right. Seriously you are complaining about in store shopping and I highly doubt you would tolerate online shopping without a breather in between."
The Doctor grumbled for moment but let it go, as he knew he could not argue with what she had just said. It unfortunately was true he was barely tolerating their current shopping trip as it was. The Doctor was not used to having to shop for himself, why would he when in the past The TARDIS had more than happily provided for him in his own private section of the wardrobe room.
He had often grumbled when Rose or other female companions had insisted on visiting places where they could have a day of shopping, too bloody much shopping if you asked him. The entire concept of shopping and possibly being conned into carrying their various and many shopping bags annoyed him to no end, and half-heartedly grumbling in the process. Donna had been the worst, and would deliberately shove more bags at him the more he grumbled.
He felt a brief and sudden twinge of sadness and guilt at the thought of his red haired best friend, the woman that was practically his sister if you took into consideration her DNA created and makes up a smaller part of his own DNA combined with the other Doctor's TNA. She had her memories suppressed because of the events leading to his creation left her at risk of burning out from within and dying.
He missed her keenly, not quite on the level in which he had Rose, but still she had made a vast and lasting impact. Hell she was one of the main reasons that he existed, and now going to get the chance he thought he never would to experience a version of a human happy ever after, to live out the next seven decades with the woman he loves.
He hoped there was a version of Donna in this reality, even though he knew there was no possible way she would be the same woman he travelled in The TARDIS. The same woman his other self showed all of those awe inspiring alien worlds and cultures to, and they had saved countless worlds. However, having some version of her was better than not having her period.
He wondered also, how many of his old companions had doppelgangers in this reality as well. He would not actively look them up if they existed, that would lead to a whole and awkward world of explaining things he could not. Still if such an opportunity ever did come up then he most certainly was not going to turn his nose up at it.
He snapped out his thoughts when he felt a sensation of what he knew to be sadness, and knew it to be Rose via their new bond. He must have been broadcasting he realised. He sent a brief apology down their bond for bombarding her with his emotions. He had honestly not meant to do that, it was so easy to forget they now shared a telepathic and empathic bond. It was not a slight against Rose, but he had been so long without that it was still surreal to have it back again.
She said, 'Don't ever apologise for that Doctor, and yes I can understand on some level what it is you are feeling. After all, when I was at first trapped here it was bloody horrific, especially after he first said goodbye to me on that godforsaken beach. There were those years leading up to getting the dimension cannon working and trying to find the correct reality. Truly at one point in that reality that was created around Donna you were dead.'
The Doctor had to try hard consciously to not react noticeably in horror in less Stephen end up aware of their current conversation. However, he did send a burst of alarm and apology via their bond. Rose said, 'Do not apologise for that either. Look I will fill you in later on what Donna and I did not mention earlier on.' The Doctor replied firmly, 'Trust me I will definitely hold you to that.'
Both he and Rose saw the look of concern Stephen was shooting them. The Doctor was quick to say, "Sorry about that my mind was lost elsewhere, obviously Rose must have noticed." Stephen nodded and let it drop, whatever had happened was none of his business. He was there to help assist them in their shopping and not pry into their personal lives.
Rose asked, "Are you ready to move onto jumpers and polo shirts?" The Doctor nodded and moved along the aisle a short way until he saw what he was looking for. After a few moments, he asked Rose, "How about I pick some and you can pick the rest?" Rose nods happily and replies, "Okay, besides I can already see one in particular I like from where I am standing."
The Doctor went first and his first pick was a slim fitting charcoal coloured smooth knitted v-neck jumper. The second choice was a slim fitting black smooth knitted v-neck jumper. His third choice was an oatmeal coloured v-neck semi-fitted jumper, made of cotton and cashmere. His fourth choice was a cotton and cashmere black v-neck semi-fitted jumper. The fifth pick was grey marl cotton pique and spandex pique polo shirt that had a classic fit and three button placket, and embroidered crest on the chest.
He placed all five inside of the basket. Rose then stepped forward and picked up only one that had caught her eye earlier, it was pale grey coloured v-neck semi-fitted cotton and cashmere jumper. It joined the others in the basket.
Stephen asked, "I am going to go and grab two more baskets, where shall I meet you, and what do you need next?" Rose said, "I was thinking pyjamas and lounge wear, plus underwear and socks." Stephen nodded and left with the two full baskets to put to one side with the rest, and grab two more on the way. Rose and The Doctor made their way over to the section where the sleep and lounge wear were located.
The Doctor suggested to Rose, "I will pick some and you can pick the rest how does that sound to you?" Rose replies, "Okay." By the time Stephen had returned and placed two more baskets at his feet, The Doctor had found two pairs of lounge pants and a pair of lounge shorts. The first pair of pants was navy white printed and one hundred percent cotton, and had a fully elasticated waist and contrast working Herringbone tape in waist, with one pocket at the back with embroidered logo.
The second pair was navy, red and white large check lounge pants that were one hundred percent cotton, and a fully elasticated waist and contrast working Herringbone tape in waist, with one pocket at the back with embroidered logo. The final pair was blue navy and white striped oxford lounge shorts, and one hundred percent cotton, and had a fully elasticated waist and contrast working Herringbone tape in waist, with one pocket at the back with embroidered placed them along with his other choices into one of the empty baskets. He then gestured to Rose and said, "Your turn."
Rose instantly picked up a pair of lounge pants that had caught her eye. They were blue navy and white large check and made of one hundred percent peached cotton. They had a fully elasticated waist and contrast working Herringbone tape in waist, with one pocket at the back with embroidered logo. She placed them inside of the basket and moved onto another pair of pants that had caught her eye.
The next pair of lounge pants was blue navy and white striped Oxford and made of one hundred percent Oxford cotton, and had a fully elasticated waist and contrast working Herringbone tape in waist, with one pocket at the back with embroidered logo. The Doctor said, "I did not pick them because I saw you eyeing them, so either way I knew I would end up with them." Rose smirked and nods in agreement and placed them into the basket.
Next, she selected to sets of pyjamas. They were navy, blue striped, and made of one hundred percent peached cotton, and had an elasticated waist and button opening and a chest pocket. They joined the others in the basket before moving onto a final pair of pyjamas. The final set was navy, white printed, and one hundred percent cotton, with a piped collar, cuff and pocket, elasticated waist with button opening and a chest pocket. She placed them in the basket with the other lounge and nightwear.
Rose said, "Right underwear and socks next, and no I will not be picking any, especially not your underwear." She told him firmly via their bond, 'No offence Doctor but I don't believe we are at that point where we are comfortable buying or choosing something as intimate as underwear for the other.' She added, 'Who knows maybe a year or so down the line but not yet.' She concluded after a brief pause, 'However, I strongly stand by the belief that choosing your partner's underwear until you have least a physical relationship with them first is going too far and personal.'
The Doctor looked truly relieved and said, 'Oh thank Rassilon, I was worried about how to explain to you I was not comfortable enough yet to let you pick something as personal as my draws.' Rose inwardly snorted and told him, 'Ha, no bloody fear of that Doctor, no bloody fear whatsoever.' The Doctor smirked and shook his head knowingly.
Stephen asked, "After underwear and socks what else do you have in mind?"He asked Rose as for some strange reason she seemed to know what her partner needed more so than he did apparently. Rose replied, "Coats, shoes and a dressing gown and a toiletry bag if you have one would do nicely." Stephen nodded and replied, "Yes to all except for the dressing gown, unfortunately we won't have any in stock until the end of the week."
The Doctor moved on to the underwear first and was happy to discover that the underwear seemed to come in sets of three. The first items he put in the basket were a pack of three black cotton jersey trunks that were made of cotton, were body hugging, had a super soft branded waistband of the company logo, and had no open fly. He happily placed them in the basket, they being the first items that had truly pleased him in value, considering they were down from £30 to £16. That was a grand total forty-seven percent saved.
His next pick was also a set of three trunks in grey, stripe and black that was sporting a closed and supportive front panel and elasticated waist. The next were another set of three much to his continued approval. They were boxers and grey, black, and one pair had a black umbrella print, had a closed and supportive front panel, and elasticated waist. He put them inside the basket with the rest.
His next pick was a set of two knitted boxers in navy and stripe that also had a closed and supportive front panel and elasticated waist. He placed them with his other picks and turned to his final item of underwear. It was another knitted boxer two set, but in black and stripe and sported a closed and supportive front panel and elasticated waist just like the other pairs. He placed them in the basket with the others, and counted total thirteen pairs of underwear.
Next were the socks and he chose eighteen pairs, six sets of three. The first set of three was plain black grey and navy, made from bamboo fibre, and had a comfort toe seam. He placed them in the basket and moved on to the next set of three. The next set was also made of bamboo fibre and had a comfort toe seam; though these were all plain black. They joined the rest in the basket before he moved on to the next set of three.
The next three were made of a luxury bamboo yarn and navy and grey argyle, and had the same comfort toe seam as the others. The Doctor added them to the basket and soon joined by another set of three. They are made of bamboo yarn, and had a comfort toe seam. They are black with multi coloured knit diamond shape, for example; one pair was black with two different shades of blue. Another pair was black with yellow and red, and finally the third pair was black with purple and lilac.
He placed a final two sets of three into the basket. They each had the same comfort toe seam, and one was navy and grey multi diamond shape; the diamond shapes on one pair were navy and blue, while the second pair was navy with red and grey diamond shapes. The third pair was grey and had navy and purple diamond shapes on them.
The pattern and colours appealed to The Doctor, and apparently Rose to if her look of approval was any judge. Especially the final pack of three to go into the full basket, they are black with a small diamond shape with a grey rib at the top of half of the sock. The diamond shapes on one pair was two different shades of blue with grey, while the second pair was yellow, red and grey, and the final and third pair was lilac, purple and grey.
The Doctor soon after spotted a brown tanned leather wash bag that was one hundred percent genuine vegetable tanned leather, and had a top open zip and a water resistant lining. He placed it inside of the basket. Rose said, "That is a really nice shade of brown." She added in a slight teasing tone, "Oh and trust you to chose brown tanned leather." The Doctor chuckled and shook his head and did not mind her teasing, after all, he liked what he liked as plain and simple as that.
Stephen said, "This basket is full, so I am going to go and get you another one and put this full one with the others." He added, "I will meet you near the shoes and we can go from there." The Doctor and Rose nod as he left with the full basket. The Doctor picked up the remaining empty basket and follows Rose over to where the store had the shoes on display.
Stephen met them at the shoes and boots display, and as promised, he carried an empty basket. When he reached them he placed, the basket at his feet with the other The Doctor had placed down. Stephen asked The Doctor, "So what takes your fancy, boots or shoes?" The Doctor replied, "I am still looking, but I am thinking mostly boots and a few pairs of shoes." He paused around a grimace and said, "I have to be honest I am not fan of the style of trainers."
Rose nods and said, "Yeah I am afraid I have to agree, they don't hold any appeal, and I'm not honestly surprised he is not interested." Stephen looked down at The Doctor's red and white high top clad feet and snorted. He nodded and said, "Yes, I am not honestly surprised either, and unfortunately no we do not stock high tops. In fact, they are my preferred go to trainers as well after my running and gym trainers."
The Doctor said brightly, "Ah, finally someone around here with taste, I was truly starting to worry." Rose clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle laughter, before saying, "He would wear them daily with the same suit he has on his back if he had his way." The Doctor mocked pouted as he asked, "What is wrong with that honestly?" He added, "Oh and Rose once I have those other two pinstripe suits I will have three including the one I am wearing. See how about that, there is variety for you."
Rose shook her head in exasperation, while Stephen smirked, shook his head, and said, "I can imagine how well that would go over with the press. Maybe you could start a fashion trend." The Doctor beamed and said, "Ooh there is an idea right there." Rose moaned around a laugh as she said, "Oh god do not encourage him, he certainly does not need it."
Rose asked The Doctor, "Anyway all joking aside what are you going to pick?" The Doctor turned to the display, picked up a pair of black and a pair of tan coloured shoes, and said, "Well, these two for a start." They were leather Derby shoes, one pair was black and the other tan. Both shoes fully lined with genuine sheepskin, with soles made of rippled rubber with an outsole for extra grip in the wet. He placed them both in the basket and Rose nodded in approval.
His final two choices was two pairs of leather Chelsea boots, one in navy and red, and the other tan and black, and both had a classic rubber outsole for extra grip in the wet and a contrast elastic gusset. As he put both in the basket, he thought of how surprising it was that any of what he was putting in the baskets appealed to him. This led him to wondering whether this was Donna influencing him, and how far that influence extended.
He informed Rose via their bond, 'These are not half bad it must be the Donna part of me that is influencing this as he would never pick any of this.' Rose replied, 'I do not care, I am just thankful whatever it is, as it makes this whole process of getting you to wear some other than what you have on your back and feet that easier.'
He asked Rose, "Now what?" Rose replied, "Now we find you some coats, before trying everything on, and then let the tailor judge whether any adjustments need to be made." They followed Stephen over to where the coats were on display. They immediately started to search through what was available in store. The Doctor stopped searching a moment later when one coat caught his eye. He removed it from the rail and examined it more closely, and liked what he saw. Rose looked over what had caught his attention and said, "It is camel coloured, that colour will look great on you."
It was a classical fit camel coloured one hundred percent wool covert coat. It had a dark coloured velvet collar and three flap pockets with a fly front placket, multi stitching on the cuffs and hem, and a red inner lining. His next and final pick was the navy version of the camel coloured wool covert coat. He placed both coats into the basket much to Rose's approval she really did like them.
Rose sighed around a grin and said, "Well, we are done, now comes the part where you try on what we picked out." Stephen added, "I will have one of the tailors on standby in case you need any adjustment made." The Doctor frowned and said, "No I don't, all I need to do is try on one of each item, if one fits so with the rest. It is the trousers and suits that I will need to try all on as one suit might fit me different than another."
Rose raised a brow and Stephen nodded and said, "He has got point there actually." He added, "For example, those two pinstripe suits I have put to one side for him, they are much like and made as the one he is wearing, so I doubt they will need any adjustments made, very few if any." The Doctor grinned and said, "Exactly, pinstripes are lucky for me, so it is those without pinstripes that I expect to need adjustments made."
Stephen led them back over to the area from earlier on, and gestured to one of a set of three rooms each behind a long deep red coloured curtain. Stephen said to The Doctor, "I am going to go and grab the baskets I put to one side for you, and bring one of the stores tailors with me." The Doctor nods and replied, "That's fine." He and Rose each took a seat in one of the three chairs provided while Stephen left and headed for the backroom of the store.
He returned ten minutes later with an older dark hair man looking to be around Pete's age. He was carrying a medium sized black square tin. Stephen placed two baskets down on the carpeted floor nearby the nearest dressing room. Stephen gestured to the older man said, "This is Mr. Harry Blackstock and he is one of our in store tailors, he will make any adjustment if required."
He gestured to two of the baskets on the floor, "Those two are your trousers and suit jackets, I recommend trying those on first before I go and fetch the rest of your choices." He added, "Just head in the changing room and I will hand over a jacket and trousers for you to try on." The Doctor nodded and walked over to the nearest changing room, pulled the curtain to one side, stepped inside, and pulled it closed.
Stephen reached into the basket with the jackets in, pulled out the grey Prince of Wales check jacket, and reached into the second basket in search of the matching trousers. Once he had them, he called out to The Doctor, "Here is the last suit you picked, and while you get changed I will go and get the two pinstripe suits I put aside for you." The Doctor reached out from behind the curtain and took the suit from him. Stephen then left to retrieve the other two suits.
The Doctor stripped out of his blue pinstripes and trainers and quickly slipped into the grey check. A moment later, he pulled the curtain open and stepped out into the main waiting room area. Rose's eyebrows rose in surprise at the picture he made in the suit. She said, "I won't deny I prefer your pinstripes but that looks better on you than I had imagined it would." She added around a small smirk, "You do not look half bad in grey either."
The Doctor returned the smirk before turning to the tailor and said, "The trousers are slightly too short in the legs, though the jacket seems to be fine." Rose and The tailor looked down towards the hem of his trousers, and sure enough, the hem was an inch or two from where it needed to be. The Tailor nodded as he placed his tin down on a nearby table. He reached into the tin, removed a small notebook and a pen, and said, "I have your measurements, I shall make a note."
He then removed a piece of white chalk from the tin and said, "Please step up onto the platform as I need to mark where the hem needs to come down." The Doctor stepped up onto the platform and the tailor immediately went to work marking the hem with chalk and using pins to keep track of where he had marked. He then had The Doctor step down and told him to go and change into another suit.
Stephen had returned with the two pinstripe suits by the time he had changed into next that was the bright blue suit. Rose nodded in approval when she saw him come out of the dressing room. "The blue really suits you even if I am more partial to you in brown," Rose told The Doctor. The Doctor said as he gestured downwards to his trousers hemline, "The same issue we had with the other trousers is happening with this pair as well." He paused before replying to Rose's comment, "Yes I am also more partial to brown as well, even though blue does appeal to."
The Doctor then stepped up onto the platform and Mr Blackstock got to work and repeated what he did with the first pair. He then sent The Doctor back to the changing room, and he returned wearing the final none pinstripe which was the navy linen three-piece suit. The Doctor said, "Jacket and waistcoat fit great, the issue is the trousers again."
He stepped up onto the platform again, Mr Blackstock made quick work of chalking, and placing pins where needed. The Doctor then stepped down, grabbed both pinstripe suits, and headed back inside of the dressing room. These two suits were the main ones he and Rose were especially eager to see him try on, the brown and indigo stripe in particular.
The Doctor decided to leave the brown for last deeming it the one that would get the better reaction from Rose for obvious reasons. Of course, he had been correct when he said the pinstripes were lucky and they would not need many if any adjustments made. Rose felt his smug delight down their bond before he even pulled the curtain to one side and stepped out into view.
It was immediately evident to all that the three-piece silver grey and white pinstripe suit fit his body like a glove. The fit was exquisite to say the least and clung amazingly to his lanky slim figure. No adjustments appeared to be necessary, however it would not hurt to receive the careful and practiced eye of Mr Blackstock giving it a look over to make certain.
Rose let out a low and appreciative whistle at the picture he made as Mr Blackstock walked over to The Doctor and started to scan the fit of the suit on The Doctor's frame. Stephen inwardly sighed in pure appreciate, and had to make double certain his full appreciation was not evident in his expression for anyone else to see. No that would not do and considered highly inappropriate and unprofessional to.
Mr Blackstock nodded and said, "Young man this is an amazing fit, fits as if made special for you. I cannot see where any adjustments are required the fit is prefect on your frame." The Doctor grinned widely and said, "Of course, I had a feeling that would be the case, considering it is the same style and cut as the one I had been wearing when I came into the store."
Mr Blackstock grinned slightly at his comment and said, "Well, one more suit left to see and then I want to have look at those other trousers and the two coats Stephen said you have chosen to see if any adjustments are needed there." The Doctor nodded before he made his way back inside of the dressing room and made quick work of exchanging the sliver grey for the brown suit.
The moment he stepped out into view Rose clapped a hand over her mouth in delight. She informed him in an almost breathless tone via their bond, 'Oh my god, it is uncanny, if ever any doubt of exactly who you are then you in that suit seals the deal Doctor.' The Doctor's eyes noticeably softened and he beamed inwardly and outwardly at her comment. The Doctor informed her in return, 'Oh naturally love, there never should have been any doubt, though it is nice to have confirmed on your end.'
Rose said out aloud, "Oh yeah now that is what I am talking about when I say slim and a little bit foxy." The Doctor winked at her knowingly, notably preening over her comment. Stephen laughed even as he said, "Now that is definitely an excellent choice, not only does the colour and style compliment your figure and colouring but fits even better than the three piece silver grey had."
Mr Blackstock nodded and said, "Most definitely, I would highly recommend you looking into more suits of this style and cut they are very flattering and becoming on you young man." He added, "I myself would be delighted at the opportunity to make you a suit or two in this style and cut from scratch." Rose grinned and said, "Oh I definitely think something can be arranged, just slip me your business card before I leave."
After that, things moved along quickly, the chinos and two coats needed no adjustments. Harry gave Rose his business card and informed her they would need to come back in a week to collect and be certain the correct adjustments to the trousers were satisfactory. They also briefly discussed making an appointment to measure the Doctor for two new suits. Rose said they would make an appointment with him when they came to collect the suit trousers.
The Doctor decided that after paying for everything that he wanted to wear the brown suit, along with the black herringbone patterned shirt and the navy blue contrasting paisley patterned tie and camel coloured coat out of the store. Rose agreed and told The Doctor to redress so they could go to the till. The Doctor was dreading it, knowing he was going to hate how much it would cost that it would be disgustingly expensive.
Stephen gathered all of their items that took a view trips before everything was at the till. He scanned every item until he had a total amount. He tried to keep his expression as blank as possible knowing The Doctor would be displeased at the price. He instead turned to Rose and told her exactly how much, including the price for adjustments needed to the suit trousers.
The Doctor blanched while Rose snorted said, "Yeah it is pretty steep true, but dad spent slightly more than this on one three piece suit alone, whereas you Jamie have practically a whole new wardrobe." Stephen added saying to The Doctor, "Yeah, when you put it like that then this amount considering what you have chosen on top of the adjustment for the trousers, verses one three-piece suit is a lot less shocking."
The Doctor could not deny that they both had a point, but still The Doctor could not help but feel a tad woozy, and knew that was the Donna in him reacting. He had to bite the inside of his cheek when Rose handed over Pete's credit card and insisted Stephen take a £10 tip on top. After paying, Stephen had Rose sign the receipt, and folded and neatly placed his other purchased items into bags. He separated the brown suit, shirt, tie and coat from the other purchase and handed them to The Doctor, along with an empty bag to put his other suit and jumper inside.
The Doctor made his way back over to the changing rooms and made quick work of changing into his new clothes and placing his blue suit and maroon jumper into the provided bag. He left the changing room and glanced briefly in the mirrors, and gave a satisfied grin at his reflection. He looked damn fine and he knew it. It was not exact but he was starting to look and feel a little more like himself.
He made his way to the front of the store again, and grinned smugly as he saw the appreciative glances from Rose and Stephen. He inwardly preened at Rose's reaction, loving that she was no longer truly hiding her appreciation. There would be no more hiding their attraction and what they thought of each other, was no reason to do so anymore.
As for Stephen he felt somewhat flattered at Stephen's appreciation, however, he was not exaggerating when he had informed Rose that Donna's influence did not extended towards what attracted him sexually. In the past yes, he had felt attraction to men and women it had not mattered. Rose would soon learn that Time Lords they were not human and not hung up over or cared about sexes seeing as with regenerating you could end up as a woman or a man.
The Doctor and Rose gathered the bags equally between them and said their goodbyes to Stephen.
AN: I am currently working on chapter six. You will need to go back and read through chapters one to three as adjustment have been made and the chapters are longer. In the future I am going to try and make the chapters a bit shorter.