A Change In Time

A Change In Time Chapter Four

She had tried on nine dresses. The first one was a light coral colored dress, strapless, and came down to her knees. She had liked it, until she saw the giant bow on the back. She had asked it was removable, but of course, it wasn't. She asked if she could cut it off, but the clerk insisted that the removal of the bow was not an option. The next three had been picked out by her mother and none of them seemed to look good on her. The third one she had tried on- An olive dress that came to the floor-had made her look as if she were shaped like a pear. When she wined and told her mother that, the Doctor outwardly cringed and said, "Rose, never compare anything to a pear. Pears are disgusting." When Rose had gone back into the dressing room to remove the dress, Jackie came in bearing another one. This one was another short one, red in color, and very pretty. She snatched it from her mother's grasp, eager to try it on. She had always hated trouser and shirt shopping, but dress shopping was exciting. Jackie had lingered for a bit and asked, "What's he got against pears?" Rose laughed and shrugged her shoulder,

"Dunno. I once asked him if he wanted a pear with the soup I was making, and he freaked out. Started mumbling about how awful they are and how they do nothing for the environment." Jackie nodded,

"He's a weird one, that Doctor of yours. It's still a little odd to see him. All.. different." Jackie sighed and pulled back, looking over at the Doctor. As she did she created a gap in the curtain that Rose could see through. He was sitting in a fluffy chair, his eyes on his sonic screwdriver. He turned it on and scanned the couch, looking bored. She could hear the soft hum from where they were standing. When he looked back at it there was a frown of confusion casting over his features. "What? But that's not possible, you're only found on Dismuck. I wonder.." He sounded interested now, and suddenly he shot up like a bullet and was crouching in front of the leather-looking chair. Without hesitation, he took a long, wet lick of the chair. He put his tongue back in his mouth and smacked his lips together in concentration. "You are made of Carotine leather. But how you got on Earth is a mystery in deed.." His eyes had brightened and he was smiling, searching for something in his pockets. Rose smiled softly, kindly, "He's still the same man," She had said, "Just.. Different. And honestly, I like him better this way; He's kinder, sweeter. He says nice things to me, and we'll flirt with each other.. He's just a better person in my eyes." Jackie nodded, understanding her daughter completely. Jackie had then put on a smile and said,

"Well, try that one on. Then come out and let me have a look."

That had been six dresses ago, and already Rose was in a fit of frustration. Her mother had insisted on waiting until Rose had a dress to go looking for herself, and she hadn't gotten the Doctor out of that suit yet. She sighed and took a long, deep breath. Jackie was standing outside the door by the Doctor, tapping her foot,

"Come on Rose!" She shouted, "I wonna see you in it." Rose cringed,

"I look weird," She insisted, poking her sides where the dress hung loosely, "I think it's too big." Jackie scoffed,

"I'll be the judge of that Come out and le'me see you." Rose wined,

"I look fat. I'm just gonna take it off." After shrugging off the dress and hanging it back on a rack in the dressing room, Rose opened the door and came out, feeling defeated,

"Can't I just help you find a dress?" Rose asked desperately. Jackie shook her head,

"Not until you're done!" Rose pouted out her lip. She hadn't found one dress that fit her well and was pretty. She was just about to pester her mother some more when she saw it; A beautiful yellow dress that would most likely end up a bit above her knee. It had no straps and a nice front for her breasts. She walked slowly towards it, running her fingers through the fabric. It was soft and cool. She checked for her size and lifted it from the hook, dashing into the dressing room. She pulled off her clothes and slipped on the dress. Instantly she felt a jolt of happiness. This was the one. This was her dress! She stepped out of the dressing room and leaned up against the door frame, waiting for her mother and the Doctor to look up. When they did Jackie shrieked, happiness etched on her face. The Doctor's reaction, however, was much different. His mouth dropped open slightly, his eyes widening ever so slightly and his eyebrows skyrocketing into his hairline. When he met her eyes he closed his mouth, color rising in his cheeks. Rose smiled and walked in front of the mirror, spinning so the dress fanned out. She giggled.