PARENTHOOD

Chapter Forty Two

The Doctor led Namid to the TARDIS.

"I have an idea on how to help you fish, Rainbow. A piece of specialized equipment that my TARDIS can manufacture," he said to her as they walked inside. "Not to mention I wanna have a talk with her about the newspaper," he added as Namid giggled. "What's this about me peeing in the corners and putting poo on your walls?"

The TARDIS grumbled out laughter and nudged both their minds.

"I asked you to make those newspapers to help Namid with her reading skills, not take the mickey out of me."

I'm sorry, Beloved, I won't do it again, the TARDIS thought to him.

He raised his eyebrow.

"Why don't I believe you?" he asked as she grunted out laughter. "Anyway, we're going on a fishing trip and I need a special fishing pole for Mi-mi here. I was thinking about a bobber that will beep when a fish bites the hook so she knows when to reel it in. Think you can do that for me."

For Namid, anything, the TARDIS thought to him.

There was a short wait and then a flash and a small fishing pole appeared next to the console. It was blue with Ariel from The Little Mermaid on the reel. The bobber was larger than a normal bobber and when the Doctor pulled on the hook a loud beeping noise emanated from it.

"Brilliant, just what I need, thanks old girl. And behave yourself with those newspapers."

The TARDIS grunted and stroked his mind affectionately as the Doctor took Namid's hand.

"Come with me. I have my fishing gear in the TARDIS attic," he said to her.

They walked down several corridors until the Doctor came to a door.

"Stay by my side, there are some things that are dangerous up here," he said as he opened the door.

"Ooo, sounds scary, Daddy," she said in a hushed voice.

The Doctor chuckled.

"It is, it's very scary," he said as he helped her ascend some stairs up to the attic. "There are all manner of scary things and beasties in my attic."

When they reached the cavernous attic, the Doctor guided his daughter over to a podium near the stairs. On it was a large leather bound book that served as the log book for the items in the attic. The Doctor opened it and turned the pages, his eyes rapidly scanning for any mention of his fishing gear. Namid listened to the turning of the pages and scrunched up her face.

"Phew, it smells here," she said.

"That's because I rarely come up here," the Doctor said to her as he scanned the pages. "I don't normally use the stuff that goes up here which is why I have to check this log book to find out where I put my fishing equipment."

"You need to clean up here. It stinks," Namid said.

"No, don't wanna," the Doctor said.

"Yes, you clean," she said as he chuckled.

"No, don't wanna. I like it filthy and smelly and there's nothing you can do about it."

He gasped when Namid gave him a playful slap on the leg and he tickled her briefly before he returned his attention back to the log book.

"Aha! Found it," he said, putting his finger on an entry. "Follow me, Rainbow."

He led her away from the podium.

"Ooo-eee, stinky!" Namid said as the Doctor chuckled. "You clean!"

"No, don't wanna!" the Doctor said happily as he led her towards his fishing gear.

His fishing gear was in a corner next to a specially commissioned Rembrandt of the Doctor's fourth life. He bent down and checked his black, battered tackle box to see what lures he had. Satisfied that he had the proper equipment, he closed it and handed it to Namid.

"Carry this for me, will ya? I'll get my fishing rod and net," he said to her.

"I'll carry it if you stop making this room be stinky."

"Oh you," the Doctor said as he tickled her. "You don't have to worry about the stinky room anymore since we're leaving."

"Good, cause it's stinky."

"Yeah, yeah," the Doctor said with mock exasperation.

Namid took the tackle box and the Doctor grabbed his fishing pole and net and they walked towards the stairs.

"I'm so glad you're going with us," Alan said to the Doctor when Daisy landed in their garage. "It was Chris's idea but I love showing you our favorite fishing spot. I was a bit surprised that you accepted, truth be told."

"Why?" the Doctor asked.

"Well, I figured you would want something more exciting than a day of fishing."

"I like to fish, you know that. Besides, I'm always on the lookout for something for the children to do besides taking them to funfairs. Fishing will be good for them."

"Precisely why I take Chris there," Alan said.

"I brought my own fishing gear and I have a special fishing rod for Mi-mi with a bobber that beeps if a fish takes the bait. The rest I'll get when we get there."

"Splendid!" Alan said.

"And I need to tell you what my TARDIS has been doing behind my back! You oughta see the lies she makes up when she creates Mi-mi's Braille newspapers."

"Oh? What sort of lies?"

The Doctor went into the kitchen and came back out with the newspaper.

"Read this," he said, handing him the paper.

Alan took the paper, sat down on his sofa and laid the newspaper out. He ran his fingers across the Braille, reading it. A smirk spread over his face as he read the first article.

"You pee in her corners and throw poo on the wall, do ya?" he said with glee.

"According to her, I do," the Doctor said.

"Well, I think she's reliable. I'll believe her and say naughty boy, quit urinating and defecating on the TARDIS, that's not how you repay her for centuries of loyal service."

He giggled when the Doctor swatted his head. They paused and noticed Chaska and Christopher were laughing and talking to one another.

"See, this is why he wanted you lot along with us. So he can have his partner in crime," Alan said to the Doctor.

"I wouldn't talk since you're always hanging around me."

Alan stared at his pointed look.

"Yes, well, I have to stay around you," Alan said. "If I don't, my right hand begins to itch and my mind screams out that it must reconnect with your arm. Don't know why it does that but it's incredibly annoying so I end up spending oodles of time with you."

"Well, you could always chop that hand off and save yourself from the madness," the Doctor said.

Alan looked down at his hand.

"Nah, too painful," he said, shaking his head.

He looked down when Sokanon came up to him.

"Now this thing here, she'll make good bait," Alan said, pointing to her. "We'll put her on a hook and let the fish have a go at her."

"No, we'll do that to you," Sokanon replied.

"Me? I'm valuable. You can't afford to lose me. You on the other hand are one of three and no one will miss ya if we throw you overboard."

Sokanon walked over to the Doctor's side.

"Nah, Daddy won't let you do that," she said.

"Or will he?"

Alan sniggered when the Doctor said that with ominous eyes.

"Fine, I'll go be with Mummy then. Bye," she said as she started to walk away.

She laughed when both the Doctor and Alan seized her and gave her kisses on her cheeks.

"Nah, you come with me. Mum's boring," the Doctor said, picking her up.

"I'm gonna..."

"I know, I know," the Doctor said, interrupting Sokanon, "you're gonna tell your mum what I said and I keep tellin' ya, go right ahead. I'm not scared of her."

He looked over when Rose came up to Alan.

"This battle axe on the other hand, beware of her."

"Excuse me?" Rose said as Alan bent over laughing.

"Yup," the Doctor said to Sokanon as he walked away with her. "When I traveled with your aunt, I was constantly in fear for my life because I never could tell when the harpy was going to strike."

Sokanon howled with laughter when the Doctor sped up when Rose took off after him.

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