A birthday to remember!
By Julia MacGergor
It seemed like an easy task. Zoe looked at the thousands of books which was in the library. She knew the vastness of the Tardis library was a mind over whelming feat which she and Jamie would stare at when they felt like going for a read. Jamie was given a crash course on simple math, certain galactic histories and the basics of combustible engines. When he needed to get back to some form of home, he could read Robert Burns in Scottish Gaelic. Zoe was a different reader altogether. She was given her own crash course of romantic lit, flattering costumes and the methods on how to cook. Then, she would keep up with her math and psychics.
"To cook...it's really simple chemistry to the basic laws of timing and heat regulation," the Doctor said in his matter a fact voice. He and Jamie were caught by Zoe one time in the library when she wanted to at least try to bake a white cake. It sounded so easy, but after she followed a school child's recipe, she gave the two what appeared to be more like a lumpy foam than cake. Jamie and the Doctor ate with some questioning remarks. This was a few days ago.
Now Jamie noticed when the Tardis had landed in a small fishing village off the coast of Prince Edward Island, he felt like he was at home. He stood in the control room, noticing from the scanner a couple of young teenage girls running past the Tardis. On glancing over the scanner, Jamie realized the Tardis was not in his time period. He watched as the girls gave the Tardis a quick glance before taking off in another direction. He checked out the time and date control to found out the Tardis was in the early twentieth century. He knew the Tardis was a little stubborn in leaving and entering as it skimmed its way thought time.
"Jamie?" a deep voice asked as the owner of the voice stood next to Jamie.
"What...oh, it's you Doctor!" Jamie said, as he turned to see a funny looking man with checked pants and black frock coat.
"Yes...it's me...what are you think about?" the Doctor asked with a quizzical glance.
"I miss home...it's my birthday and I want have to a good day," Jamie uttered, feeling a little glum. He was homesick for the Scottish highlands.
"How do you feel about taking a trip for some fishing?" the Doctor asked, smiling. He knew Jamie had some exciting adventures, but it was time for a little down time.
"Fishing?" Jamie remarked with a curious glance. He remembered he did a little fishing with his father when he was small. He was a surprised to hear about the Doctor wanting to take off for a fishing trip. There had to be a catch. It was a rare event for the Doctor to just drop everything for fishing. He was going to make Jamie's birthday special even if it was just a simple day of fishing."I haven't been fishing since I was a wee bairn!"
"Oh...you haven't been fishing that long!" the Doctor asked. He wanted to catch breath for a day as well. He did not want to leave Jamie empty handed on his birthday.
"I have been busy, growing up!" Jamie said, then he thought to get away could be fun. He said go on a fishing trip which he wondered if he could do it. "Yet, there were times that me da and myself would go to a creek near me house back home. I would like to have some time to rest up!"
Zoe entered the room, when she saw the Doctor walking over to the control panel to check on the weather for the day. She asked knowing the Tardis had landed somewhere in time,"Doctor...what are doing?"
"Oh...Zoe!" the Doctor looked up from his work. He took a note about the weather for the day. The day was warm enough for at least a couple hours of quiet fishing. He had to go to one of the many store rooms to find some fishing poles and tackle. "I want to take Jamie to do some fishing. I have a few questions for him...do you like to fish, Zoe!"
Jamie and Zoe exchanged glances of utter surprise. Zoe had not fished at all. She did not given a chance to be a child. From the time she was very young, Zoe was groomed to be just a walking math machine. She did not have a childhood like Jamie. Jamie had a childhood of playing for a couple of years being a young boy. He loved to sleep under the stars during the summer and running around his friends until the British troops showed up in his village when he was still a young man. He considered himself an old man at twenty three.
"I never fished in all my life. I do have something to do in the kitchen. I have been so busy with reading...i need to grab a quick bite. You want to pack a lunch before you go?" Zoe sounding a little surprised. She was going to bent the truth just a little to throw off the two as she baked a cake in secret from Jamie."We can have supper after you two catch some fish!"
Jamie had an idea of what could happen with the Doctor and fishing. He was surprised to see Zoe staying put inside of the Tardis. He wanted to ask Zoe a question about what was she really up to. Yet, Zoe did not want to let the cat out of the bag. She had to get started fast if she wanted to present Jamie with at least cupcake. She blurred out,"I have some book that I really like to finish out...and it's really silly for me to be fishing with you two...so, I'm going to be in kitchen while I'm having lunch!" Then, she flashed a smile of complete conference.
It was a minute after Jamie had thought,"O.K. At least, one of us will be safe if a wee beastie should show up!"
+++ There was a quiet part a local creek which no one knew about. The green trees near the shoreline were quite calming. A few water birds were resting around the shoreline. It was the prefect spot for two men to fish and talk. The Tardis appeared in a flash at a clearing of trees. The door opened to let the Doctor have a look round of the area. There were no beastie or robots to cause trouble. He stepped out of the Tardis with a simple bamboo pole. He walked towards a small stump. Jamie had his back towards the doorway. He had another simple bamboo pole and large bag full of fishing tackle. He was talking to Zoe who wanted to stay in the control room. She had to find something easy to make. After all, was not cooking a simple form of chemistry.
She watched Jamie and the Doctor as they left her. Once the doors were closed, Zoe had to dash back to the library for a cook book. She had found what look an easy to follow. She went to the kitchen. Inside of the main kitchen was everything and anything that even a world class chief could dream of. Zoe walked over to a small wooden table. She had the book in hand. When she opened it to find an index for cake recipe. There was at least fourteen different headings for cake which made Zoe wince a little as she stared at the book. "How in universe?" she sighed very loudly. "Am I going to get through with making a cake for Jamie if I read this!"
Zoe felt like was at a stand still. There was a quiet doubt, but she knew if she could shake it off, everything could fall into place. She had some idea what Jamie like. He did like baked puddling, but cake was a little rare treat for the Scot. She looked at the easy to make cakes. There was an apple cake which sounded so simple, a child could do with some help from an adult. She looked at the index for the cake page number. The book was placed on the table. She flipped the book to the selection of first time cooks. On placing a finger on the book, she found the cake she wanted to make.
After a minute of walking to the kitchen's dry store area. There was a cupboard which housed many dry staples, spices and extracts. She opened the cupboard door to have bags of flours and sugars staring back at her. It was like there was a hurdle for Zoe. She could hear both the Doctor and Jamie talking in her mind. "You are smart...Zoe and you are the most curious person we both know!"
It sounded like the Doctor's voice in Zoe's mind.
Jamie was not too far with as his voice rang in,"You are in the best place to learn the world! Right here in the Tardis. You also have time to learn so much more."
Taking a long breath, Zoe read the different bags to make attempt to find at least all purpose flour. It took Zoe a minute before finding a bag. It was such a plain bag, but a good started from a small point in a spark of imagination. She reached over to take the bag in her left hand.
Jamie and the Doctor had walked a few minutes of shoreline. The lake was a mirror like as the sun shined. A crane stood in reeds keeping a watchful eye for any water creatures to snack on. It stare at two humans with poles and wearing boots. It shook its head in surprise as the two humans. It cocked its head to stare at the two humans for a minute before crouching in an attempt of taking for a flight.
"Now, Jamie...we will catch a few fish and talk!" the Doctor said. He raised his fishing pole to see if bait was needed or not.
"Did you get any bait for the hooks?" Jamie asked, giving the once over to the pole. Then, he glanced at the Doctor.
The Doctor had the quirky tendencies of a magpie. He had his pockets stuffed with odd things from his beloved recorder to miniature screwdrivers. He padded down his jackets to find any sort of lures. He found a small wooden brown box. He pulled it out to see if there was a lore. Jamie noticed a look the box with a surprised look. "I think there is a lure that a little boy had made for me...he was just about ten or so...i happened to stop in a little town outside of Pittsburgh. He was very excited when I bought the lures..."
"Are they any good?' Jamie asked as he was handed by the Doctor the plain brown box.
"I'm not sure..." the Doctor remarked as he took out a handkerchief from his jacket pocket to pat down his face. "It's a little warm for October!"
Meanwhile Zoe had gathered the ingredients for the cake. She was careful as she read, shifted and chopped. "Like the Doctor said, 'Chemistry is a part of cooking!" she articulated with a voice of authority as she glanced at the book. She had placed the book opened face with what looked like a weighted book marker. Every few seconds, she glances at the page where the cake instructions were.
The kitchen was complete modern with silver and white chrome. She felt a little puzzled to see some older bits of kitchen gadgets in the cupboards. Believing the Doctor was a magpie, Zoe quickly busied herself with finding the baking tools and ingredients for the cake. An audio track of an old time radio show was playing in the background. Somehow the Tardis heard Zoe muttering to herself about making a cake. The controls miss heard Jamie's last name. It started to play a 1930's radio show called Fibber MacGee and Molly. Zoe was surprised, but she brushed the surprise feeling aside. She began to shift the sugar and the flour together. She checked the cookbook to make sure for the next step.
She read the change in putting a few wet ingredients. The cups for the oil and apples were nearly mixed up. The recipe called for a cup of apples and fourth cup of oil. She had the oil poured out into the measuring cup. It was too much for the cake. Zoe had to do a double take before stopping herself from dumping the oil into the dry stock. She realized as she checked the book for the mistake. Slowly, most of the cup back into the bottle. It was a stroke of luck that she did not chop any more apple. She took a deep breath for a second time before taking a second glance at the book. The recipe took a full cup of apples. She knew with the three apples was just enough. Her eyes went on a hunt for the peeler.
Jamie was hoping for a bite and soon. It was well into a hour of talking to the Doctor and standing in knee deep water. He and the Doctor had changed into wanders before leaving the Tardis. For a first time in a long while, there was no Cybermen, Master and Daleks. It was so peaceful, but creepy. He brushed it aside when he was given a crash course on fly-fishing. He keep his eyes on the water when he spotted a lump of dark brown shining flesh breaking through the water. At first Jamie believed it was a fish. He had seen monsters with all skin types. So, scales were nothing to Jamie. He had to stop for a minute to figure out it was just a fish no matter how big it was.
"Hello?" a voice called out.
Jamie snapped out of his thoughts. He glanced at the Doctor for a second before hearing the voice called out,"Hello?"
Jamie and the Doctor glanced at a couple men, one was older dressed in a black pants and a thick gray sweater. The other man was younger, dressed in a brown pants and matching coat. The two men seemed to be natives of the area. By the age of the clothing the Tardis had landed in the early 1900's. The older man had the lines of working weather on his face, while the younger man was still a fresh faced, a mop of red hair. The Doctor said after he took a noticed of the two new comings,"Hello?"
"How long have you been fishing?" the older man asked. He walked up to where the Doctor and Jamie stood.
"Not long...we got here just a few minutes ago!" the doctor said with a smile. He had a feeling abiut the newcomers. They appeared to be not hostile or menacing.
"Oh," the younger man said, taking a notice of Jamie, then the Doctor. He took note on the Doctor's hat and Jamie's kilt. He asked,"Where do you come from?"
There was a grin from Jamie as he said,"Aberdeen...I'm from Scotland!"
"Oh...sorry that I asked...i never seen a real Scotsman before!" the young man uttered with a shy smile.
"A real Scotsman?" Jamie uttered with a surprised stare. He had been around the reaches of time and space. He had to wondered where he was at. "And where do you call this place!"
"Prince Edward Island!" the young man said as he did a double take. "Do you know where you are?"
the Doctor has cover up the idea he was an alien and Jamie was not from the time period where the Tardis had landed at. "No...you see we haven't been here for long. We found this spot for fishing. We're sorry if we are possibly transpiration on private..."
the older man smiled slightly as he gave the water a quick glance. He shook his head,"No...this isn't private property...we have fished here for years. I am surprised to see people who aren't from here, fishing!"
There was a splash from the water. A rather large fish popped out of the water to see what was going on. Jaime was the first one to see the fish playing peek-a-boo. He asked,"What was that?"
young man knew what was. It was local story about this mystical fish which every man and boy in the local area knew about. With that knowledge of the special fish, year in to year out the local inhabitants wanted to at least attempt to catch this fish. "Why that's old Tim..." the younger man smiled.
The words of mentioning that any fish in the lake having a name was a little strange, but not out of the norm. Jamie was wanting more information on old Tim when he and the Doctor talked to the two new comers. Jamie noticed old Tim popped its head up as if to spy on the humans. Jamie glanced at the lake as Tim disappeared into the water. Jamie felt the urge to hook old Tim. He knew to waste time on fishing for a creature which was virtually impossible to snag. On the other hand, he felt like he needed a day of rest for both his mind and body.
"Old Tim..." the Doctor asked as he found the story of untouchable fish sounded too fantastic "...how long has old Tim been invading the hook!"
the older man knew the story of old Tim as he recalled,"When I was a boy...old Tim was giving the fellows in town a run for their money. I heard he is very old. No one has had any luck on catching old Tim!"
Jamie's interests began to spike a great deal in catching old Tim. He was keen to take his time in art of the war between man and beast.
+++ Zoe had to grease the cake pans carefully. She was starting to learn on how a cake had been made. With one near mess up under her belt, Zoe could breath a little easier. She wanted to take a break as she checked the cake pans. The oven was preset to 350 degrees. She had found a set of oven milts in the kitchen. As she opened the oven to be greeted with a blast of hot air. It was another challenge for Zoe to face. This was her first time she was using an oven, alone. She putting on the oven mitt. Then, she walked back to the table were the unbaked cake sat. Slowly, she came back to the oven. Taking a pan in each hand, Zoe walked over to the oven to pop in the pan. Carefully placing the pans into the oven, Zoe smiled to herself. Finally she lagged a little as the door was closed.
On taking a deep breath, Zoe turned to had to ask the computer to set up an alarm for at least forty minutes of baking time. She at least sometime to rest up. She heard the Tardis controls buzzing and beeping like normal. She walked over from the kitchen to the Tardis's control room. She had to check up on the Doctor and Jamie. She went to the control consul and punch a few buttons to check on the two fishermen.
On the scanner, the Doctor and Jamie were talking to two strangers. Jamie glanced over to the lake to see if old Tim was still swimming near the area. He was always thinking on what type of lure the Doctor had in his pocket. He heard the Doctor telling the two new comers he might show up Jaime and Zoe to a tea for the local hospital. Jamie and the Doctor said their goodbyes to the two strangers. The two stranger left the area. Jaime turned to ask the Doctor about the fishing lures. The Doctor said,"You want to try one out?"
"Yes, Doctor...I want to see if I can get old Tim!" Jamie grinned slightly. He wanted to be challenging even if its a normal idea like fishing.
"If you can treat the lure like a part of you...i know I sound like your father, but you are in for a real treat..." the Doctor ribbed Jamie.
Jamie was going to cut the Doctor to the quick,"Come Doc...it's my birthday and I would like to have a wee bit of fun on my day. We do have the whole day..."
The Doctor began to pat down his overcoat to find the the box. He reached to the breast pocket to product the small box. Handing it to Jamie, the Doctor said,"Please do watch the fish. They seemed a little slow around these parts."
Jamie knew the Doctor was pulling his chain. He said,"I don't need to be told twice!" His left eyebrow flickered.
Then, a tingling-beeping broke the peace. The Doctor had a communicator which was connected to the Tardis's main computer. The Doctor and Jamie were not going to take any chances of leaving Zoe behind in the Tardis. It was simple link for both the Doctor and the Tardis. He reached back into the same pocket to find the communicator after finding it, he pulled out a small silver tube. Raising it up to his face, the Doctor asked,"Is that you, Zoe!"
"Yes...Doctor. Will you two be still fishing for a while?" Zoe's voice came from the silver tube.
"I'm not sure. Jamie wants to get a fish called old Tim...I just want to enjoy the calm...it's been a while since I have been at this much peace!'
The statement for the Doctor was felt both by Jamie and Zoe. The three had been traveling in time and space in a general sweep of fixing the wrongs which was caused by evil. To have one day for them to rest was impossible dream. Now it was being granted in this small, sleepy fishing trip. The Doctor was now hoping that Jamie was relaxing in trying to catch old Tim. Zoe had to go back to the kitchen. She could not stay too long. The cake was still be baked. She told the Doctor to come back in a few hours. There was something special for Jamie.
Jamie felt the fishing line snap. It was snagged by a passing fishing. On feeling a quick tug, Jamie gave a few inches of slack before feeling the line beginning to tighten. He had to pull back line with the reel. It was a fish who at the end of line, had a fighting spirit. He said."You, wee beastie...are you old Tim?"
There was no answer back from the water. Jamie bit his lower lip a little as he thought about chasing the fish. It was not going to let go that easily. Jamie had to control his temper in front of the doctor. It was the Doctor who was kind enough to take Jamie to this perfect location for just a spot of boyhood environments. It was like nth first time Jamie's father took him on his first outing with fishing. It was an adventure to a new world. Jamie and his father went to a creek near their house for a whole day of fishing. Jamie was nearly six, old enough to learn how to a man. Fishing was a good tool on learning patience. Jamie was still a small child, but he like to be on a scouting trip with his father. He would hear about the men of the village would go on day when the weather was good. Some of the area where Jamie grew up was rather harsh, but it made for a stout and able bodied man. He liked the simple things like a good cup of tea or a sunset. Even with time travel, Jamie had not changed all that much. It was just another year with challenges that he never would even dare to dream.
The doctor glanced at Jamie. "You really getting into catching old Tim!"
"I lost my hook...someone is trying to play for a fool...i need to get some sort of pay back!" Jamie grumbled as he began to rewound the reel. "I have a challenge to fulfill! Sorry about loosing the lure!"
the Doctor smiled to himself. He knew Jamie was a fighter even against the elements. He knew if Jamie was going to tangled with the fish, then they would be there all day. He knew not to cross Jamie when the young Scotsman was figuring out how to get enemy rather be fish or fowl, he was never going to give up.
Zoe was surprised to see she was getting ready for the frosting. She checked the cake which was nearly finishing in the oven. She checked the book once again to see if there was anything in a way of a frosting. She remembered the first time met Jamie. She knew about men, but in her world men and women were treated each other was the world had moved to realms of understanding and peace. On the other hand, Jamie was thrown into treats of war and war itself. He was learn about hate and inequality. He was trying to protect his home from the English troops. He was earthy than Zoe. He was instinct and curious, but a little introverted. He was a far cry from the quiet Zoe.
Jamie had learned a lot with Zoe on how the real universe was. Even how dirty it was when the events turned ugly. Jamie had saved lives more times to equal the same amount of stars in the galaxy. He missed home, but to have power of saving life. Jamie could be concerned a hero by all means. He was at least deserved a reward.
Zoe found a little note in the book for a simple recipe. She checked her time. Placing the book on a shelf, near the oven, she wondered how Jamie was going to take having her make a cake from him. The oven started to beep as a signal for the cake to be done. She went to the oven. On opening the oven door, Zoe felt like she made a difference for one person. On looking of the cake as she pulled out the pan from the oven with an oven hook. Slowly, she walked over to where the oven mitts hung on a hook near the oven. The oven door was opened carefully to greeted by a warm scent of apple and spice. The oven mitts were pulled on her hands. She held her breathed as the cake pans were both pulled out of the oven. Zoe placed the pans on the stove top. Then, she checked it with a small food pick to see if it was cooked all through. Finding the pick was clean, Zoe closed the door with a light movement.
Everything seemed so easy. Zoe wondered how Jamie and the Doctor were getting on.
+++ Jamie felt like he was ready to give in. he had been standing on the shore line for what seemed a year. The Doctor was now sitting on the bank and being very quiet. He knew if Jamie was going to catch old Tim, he had to quiet. The Doctor fixed the line on Jamie's pole. The lure ended up missing, but sometimes the Doctor had a little bit of luck on missing things. Once in a while things had been missing for years ended up back in his possession. He began to pull out from his overcoat pockets odd bits of strings, paper and a strange assortment of metal bolts. Then, he found what looked like a mess of wring and fuzzy bits. He placed the ball of wire in another pocket.
Jamie had his pole in a different spot. On hoping to find the lure he had lost, Jamie was bound and determined to get old Tim.
The Doctor looked up a the sky. It appeared to be a little bit cloudy in the distance. He wondered if it was going to rain or not. It was just a chance of getting in Jamie's way. The Doctor hoped it was a thunder storm. He needed to check on weather. He reached over to his left breast pocket to find a mini-computerized weather pod. It appeared to in almost like a rather large faceted crystal encased in a gold chain. He held it up to his face. This was a special weather forecasting crystal from the planet Sergyi where they are grown out from a beautiful flower. The planet of Sergyi was a water planet with very little land. So most of the amassed crystal with water tempered with the sporadic beast of storms. He happened to have a crystal from the planet after a trip with Susan, Ian and Barbara. Now, the Doctor felt like he needed to relax and enjoy the day dispute the last few trips through time. He took note there was not cloud in the sky. He replaced the crystal back in his breast pocket.
Jamie found a large stone on another part of shoreline. He scanned the water for any sign of old Tim. His eyes were met with not even a ripple in the water. He had to be patent for old Tim to show up at his request.
The Doctor glanced up to find Jamie sitting on a rock trying to cast his line with no lure. He called out,"JAMIE..."
Jamie looked up before casting his line to see the Doctor walking over the shoreline. He wanted to have the utmost care with catching old Tim, but he also knew the Doctor was just trying to help. He gave the Doctor a curious glare. He watched as the Doctor fished out a strange ball of wiry fluff from a pocket. "Doctor...what's going on...you're scaring the fish!" Jamie muttered.
The Doctor smiled as he shrugged,"Sorry...Jamie, but I have something for you...it might help you catch old Tim!" He knew Jamie wanted to have a good time, he was willing to help out. He handed it to Jamie.
The young Scots man looked at the ball as he held out his right hand opened. After standing for a minute, Jamie asked,"What is this?"
"It's a fish-spider. A young boy had been working at a camp with other. During the down time in the evening, a few of young men did some fishing or made special lures. This lure was a gift from this boy who had a great deal of knowledge with aquatic life."
Jamie gave the doctor a sideways pout glance, "You collect the most odd stuff...since I started to travel with you...I have seen more things you carry your coat pockets than most people have in their houses!'
The Doctor knew Jamie was getting a little annoyed, but he knew Jamie needed space to stretch a little. The Doctor snort with a smirk,"I'm giving you this...it's another part of your birthday present."
Jamie began to wonder. Was the Doctor just egging him on or was the Doctor giving Jamie a well-beloved item. He said slowly, giving the Doctor the benefit of the doubt,"O.K. Doctor I'll take it...if you do my a favor..."
"Yes...what is it?" the Doctor asked as he glanced over to a brownish lump breaking the surface of the water.
"Please...lower your voice...if old Tim is around...then I must have about quiet!" Jamie sighed. He was gearing up for game of cat and mouse or in another words, a young Highlander and old as the hills fish.
Zoe was finishing up the frosting of the cake. She was extremely lucky and grateful for the cake even tasted good. She was careful as she took a very small slice from on top to find the cake was not only prefect in looks but tasted rather good. It was a challenge for Zoe to come up with a very memorable cake topper. Since Jamie was a Scot, she came up with a spicy, but sweet finish to the cake. There was still an apple or two left from Zoe's baking. She had to keep an eye on the kitchen doorway. She knew if she did not put a wiggle on, then the cake would be at a lost.
Heeding the noise of any sort, Zoe had the cake cooling on a baker's rack. She had to find another pairing knife to cut the apple in quarters. She was going to leave the skin on the slices.
Then, the door to the main control room swung opened and Jamie was the first one to entered the room. He held up right hand away from the rest of his body a rather large fish on a long line. He had been excited to have a huge catch like this one. He called out for Zoe. She was not in the control room. There was a note attached on the control panel. As the Doctor entered the control room, Jamie called out for Zoe a second time.
Zoe heard Jamie's voice calling for her. She had been lucky that she did not cut herself with the knife. Yet, the apple slices were lined up on top which gave the appearance of a tube. She called out, "Jamie...I'm inhere, but don't come in here just yet!"
"Oh?" Jamie called out. He wanted to get the fish on ice before it could go bad.
The Doctor walked over to the control panel. He fingered the switch to the doors. He heard the doors close as Zoe asked for him. He questioned,"What's it Zoe?"
"Keep your eye on Jamie...I have a surprise for him..."Zoe called out.
On wondering what Zoe had up her sleeve, Jamie asked,"Hey, Doctor...what's going on with Zoe. I want to get this fish dressed as soon as possible."
Zoe did have time to decorate, but the cake was good for a start.
"She has a treat for you...Jamie," the Doctor said with a smile. "I hope you had a good time in fishing!"
"Oh, aye...I had a smashing time...and catching old Tim was so quick...I'm still having a hard time believe he came up to my line. He must have been tired from everyone trying to catch him. He gave me a fight just for a minute," Jamie grinned as he made his way towards the kitchen. He and the Doctor heard a noise of someone slamming drawers.
"What in the world?" the Doctor said slowly. He turned to keep an opened ear for any further noise. He glanced at Jamie before turning his attentions to the entrance way of the kitchen. He and Jamie heard a yelp before racing towards the kitchen. It took less a minute to dart into the kitchen to see Zoe blowing on her fingers. Apparently she had burnt a finger while trying to light twenty two candles on what looked like a very plump cake. The cake did baked up well. The frosting was a little lumpy. Zoe did over mixed the powdered sugar and cream just a bit, but it was still eatable.
"Did you burn your fingers on..." Jamie asked with a curious glance and raised eyebrow.
Swallowing before putting a forced smile on her lips, Zoe uttered loudly,"Yes...it's your birthday...isn't it?"
"Yes...in fact, I got the best present that I could get!" Jamie said as he raised old Tim just enough for Zoe to see the fish.
Zoe had seen live fish swimming in a tank, but to see one up close felt a little strange. She had been on a space station or in a class room for most of her life. She was a little nervous as she said,"Did you catch this fish?"
"Aye...yes...it's old Tim!" Jamie grinned as he lowered his catch. Then, he gave Zoe a quick story on he and the Doctor could see old Tim wondered over to be close enough for Jamie to see, but far enough if a quick escape should arise. "I had been watching and waiting for old Tim. He was very clever when he wanted to play with me!"'
Zoe did not know about fish having personality like humans. She had to be quick in giving Jamie the cake or not have any cake at all. "I made something for you..." she smiled shyly.
The Doctor asked as he knew old Tim should be on ice before dressed and ready for cooking. "What about Tim. I have a machine to dress and clean old Tim!"
It seemed like all three were getting nowhere with each, but Jamie said as he wanted to try out the cake first."You made me a cake!"
With all the knowledge, Zoe was a little nervous as she said,"Yes...i made it while you and the Doctor went fishing..."
Jamie noticed Zoe was starting to blush. He knew Zoe liked him, but at times could or would not show it. A little something like baking a cake was the best way she could tell him that she had feelings for him. The Doctor noticed the cake on the table, he hoped that candles were new.
"And you made me a cake...that's nice!" Jamie blushed as he restated his first statement. Then, he was told to put the fish in a special box which held ice. It was near the sink. He was quick in putting the fish away in a large, silver box. It appeared to be like a slide top cart. He carefully placed the fish in the ice after unfurling the box lid. He turned his attentions to the Doctor and Zoe. He walked back to the table.
"You want to cut the cake?" the Doctor asked as he noticed Jamie and Zoe were going to either shake hands or just stare at each other. "Jamie..."
Jamie broke away from his shy glance at Zoe before watching the doctor walking over to the table. The young highlander and the pretty computer operator joined the ancient time lord. The doctor asked Zoe if she wanted to wish Jamie happy birthday by singing.
Both the Doctor and Zoe began to sing,"Happy birthday...to you, happy birthday to you...happy birthday dear Jamie...Happy birthday to you!"
Jamie closed his eyes to make a wish before blowing out the candles as he bent slightly over the cake. The three were now standing around the table. After he opened his eyes, Jamie said,"Thank...the both of you!"
Zoe wanted to know what did Jamie wish for. She flashed a smile as she asked,"What did asked for when you blew out the candles?"
"I"m not tell...you just yet!" Jamie sighed. He had been told not to relieve the wish after blowing out birthday candles or his wish would not come true.
"Well after the cake...why don't we go the observatory!" the Doctor smiled. He was defuse any bad feelings. He had one last gift for Jamie. "It's my last gift to you, Jamie."
"What is it?" Jamie asked. He began to look for a knife to cut the cake with. The three stood now around the small table where the birthday cake was.
"It's a special gift. We all have one when we are born!" the Doctor smiled for a second time. He remembered an old story about in which everyone was born with a star watching over them as they lived their lives. Sometimes people knew about their stars, but others did not even dreamed about their lucky, special stars. The Doctor was going to let Jamie see his star.
"What is it?" Jamie asked as he glanced at Zoe, then at the Doctor.
"Just you wait!" the Doctor grinned, watching Jamie finding a knife to cut the cake.
Jamie and Zoe followed the Doctor a room that had what looked like long windows. Jamie looked in wonder while Zoe felt like she was at home. Zoe and Jamie glanced at the room before returning their gaze at the Doctor. This room room was the observatory. Also it had a library of star charts from time in memorial. "This is your birthday...James Robert McCrimmon," the Doctor said when the three entered the room.
"I know that...why are we here?" Jamie said as he noticed the windows. Then, he watched a small column began to raise itself from the spot in the middle of the floor.
"This is a sort of card catalog about stars and their people who when they are born, the star is born on that same day. So, you James Robert McCrimmon have a star," the doctor said as he walked over to the column to punch a few buttons.
The window covers slid down to relieve a series of windows. It was still bright before the light began to dim. A splattering of light pin points sparkled into focus. Then, some lights blurred into clusters and misty shapes. Both Jamie and Zoe were slightly awe struck. The young time travelers were exposed to the most part sights of breath-taking views before. Yet, they were still amazed with the sight of the room. "What is this, Doctor?" Jamie gasped, slowly spun around to witness the vast spectacle that was the universe.
"This is part of the Tardis. It's sort of an universal map. I can look up for certain time in a person's life and find a star or planet they were born under. Somehow I started it when I and my goddaughter, Susan where looking for points in time with the universe as fluxed in the continuous stream of the eternity!"
"So, what are you saying is that I have a star that happened to in the universe when I was born?" Jamie asked as he and Zoe watched as the stars began to wax, dance and vanish to contact with Jamie's birthday!
"Yes and I will show it you and Zoe now!" the Doctor said as he finished out the series of time concordance. The stars began to almost swim in front of front of the three before they reached their possessions in the universe. A little, reddish-yellow star began to glow faintly. It shown in front of Jamie and Zoe.
"What star is that?" Jamie asked, titled his head to get a better look at the light.
The light in the star began to grow in defiance of being so small. It winked at Jamie and Zoe for a few seconds. It was seemed to be like Jamie have a star which a playful personality. Jamie blinked at the star back as if they were talking. Zoe grinned at Jamie. This was a very special gift, something that money could not buy.
The Doctor asked Jamie,"You like your gift?"
Jamie turned to see a beaming Doctor. "Which one is mine, this one?" he pointed with his left hand the blinking star.
"Yes...Zoe, you have one as well!" the Doctor said, he nodded before punch another set of buttons.
"Oh," Zoe wondered out loud. "I thought...I had one, but where was it?"
"Your star...Zoe is this one...it's near Andromeda," the Doctor said as he glanced up at a cluster of stars. It was pink with a waggishly tail. It was more comet than star. "And yours Jamie is near Mars..."
"Thank you, Doctor. I like knowing that I have a star...Could someday...we could travel to it?" Jamie said when he turned to see the stars glow a little brighter as if they seemed to be saying to Jamie that he like other was special in his own way.
"Maybe...but, for now... you have a whole year to travel...we just end up at that star, but for now...we will stay here for a rest," the Doctor said. He knew the Tardis needed a check up for a day. The Doctor and his friends were going to be busy, but he was going to take his time. He knew Jamie wanted to go back to fish in a way of enjoying his birthday. Zoe had been complimented on her cake. She wanted to know to if Jamie had made a wish as he blew out his candles.
Jamie turned to Zoe sighed,"I had two...I want to be back home...but, my second wish was to have my birthday with the ones who I love...you two are like family to me. I do want to be with me da and ma. Yet, someday I will, but for now. I'm at home with you and the Doctor."