Chapter Three

The Doctor was bedazzled by Sarah’s generous offer. He didn’t know whether to pass up the idea, knowing that he would be getting his bottom bruised, or go along with it and enjoy himself. He shrugged and accepted the young lady’s hand, what harm could a little bit of ice do to him? Sarah led him down the snowy fields towards the icy lake. He bit the bottom of his lip softly.

“It... doesn’t look at all safe, Sarah. I never done ice skating before in my life” The Doctor warned and bit back a little. “Are you sure this is okay? The ice looks terribly thin.”

“Oh come on; just give it at least one try, Doctor. You’ll come to like it once you know how to do it. It’s simple.” She grinned. “Besides, it looks safe enough.”

“Sarah, if we are to go ice skating, perhaps it’s best we get ice skates.” He suggested, letting go of her small hands.

Sarah nodded. “You get them, I’ll wait here.”

The Doctor nodded backed, turned around and headed straight down to the TARDIS. He had no idea what sort of pain and grief he’ll be signing himself up for. Nevertheless, it didn’t hurt that he wanted to try out something new. Maybe it did sound as fun as he imagined. Sarah stood outside in the cold for about five minutes; she then saw a large figure coming to her with a pair of skating boots for her.

The Doctor slipped on his black fingerless gloves. Sarah knew the Doctor would have ditched the tinsel scarf and then changing it into his usual long multicoloured scarf. The Doctor had already changed into his skates when he returned to the TARDIS. Sarah quickly changed her shoes into the boots. She was the first to step foot out onto the ice lake. The Doctor feared that the lake would break and she’d fall in.

“Come on, Doctor.” Sarah waved her hand in front of him.

The Time Lord looked uncertain at Sarah and then down at the lake. He took a small step back away from the lake. Out of all the things he had faced in his life, he didn’t realize how nervous or scared he was when it comes to skating on ice, especially if it were on a frozen lake.

Sarah stretched out both her arms to him, she wanted him to accept her hands and be sure that he could trust her. Like a mother teaching her child its first steps. “Take my hands; I’m going to show you how it’s done, Doctor.”

“Are you sure it’s secure to go out there?” The Doctor asked and gulped.

“Just... take my hands, Doctor; you’ll be fine, I promise you.” Sarah said calmly.

He bit the bottom of his lip once more; he then stretched out his arms to hers, hands grasping onto one her hands. He curled his fingers, making sure he was secured enough before stepping out. Sarah carefully pulled the Doctor against her. The Doctor panicked when he felt himself slipping. Sarah took hold of his elbows.

“It’s like doing a waltz.” Sarah explained.

“I’m still not quite sure about this.”

“Doctor, you’ll never learn anything if you don’t give it a try. If you could stand up and face the Daleks, Sontarans, Spiders and Cybermen without any arguments or complaints. I’m sure you can stand a bit of ice skating amongst friends.” Sarah told him. “So just look down at my feet and do what I do, okay.” The Doctor nodded helplessly. “It’s like learning how to cycle, or drive a car for the first time, you’ll never forget once you’ve done it.”

It took a while for the Doctor to get the rhythm right, and like a dance, he swayed from left to right along with Sarah. One, Two Three.One, Two, ThreeOnce, Two, Three. At first, he had fallen flat down on his bottom, letting out a short cry of pain. Sarah couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Sarah knew in his heart and soul that he really did want to get it right, that he really did want to learn the moves. To help him along, he thought of a tune to guide him through it. The Doctor took gentle steps forwards, sliding his foot left and then right, left and then right again. He had been doing the small moves until he had finally got the hang of it. He grinned marvellously and turned his head to face Sarah.

“I’VE GOT IT!” He shouted out. Before he knew it, he slipped once more and landed on his bottom, again. He cried out and Sarah skated over to him. She helped the Doctor up from the ice and began rubbing his sore and cold bottom. “I can’t, Sarah. I can’t go on with this any longer.” He said breathlessly and then drawing in new ones. “I’d love to see the Daleks try and master this one.”

“What did you expect, Doctor?” Sarah was disappointed to see the Doctor give up so easily. “You can’t just master ice skating in twenty minutes; it takes a lot of practice and patience.”

“Well I’m not planning to spend the rest of the day getting bum bruised, thank you very much.” He argued and huffed.

Sarah sighed. “Alright... we’ll find Harry and head back to the TARDIS.” She said sadly.

The Doctor turned his back on her and found that he could not make it to the other side without her help. “Sarah,” he asked politely. “I can’t make it on my own; I may need some assistance, if you be so kind.”

Sarah smirked and skated up behind the Doctor. Placing her hands behind his back, she pushed him as hard as she could. The Doctor skated forwards and, losing control, he fell down on the snow, flat on his face. Sarah placed both hands over her mouth and darted for the Doctor.

“Sorry!” She apologized. “I didn’t mean to push you that hard.”

“That’s quite alright, Sarah.” The Doctor muffled against the snow. He helped himself up from the ground and wiped the snow.

“Let’s go, we better change out of these clothes and get into something warmer.”

“Quite right!” The Doctor agreed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders; Sarah wrapped hers around his waist. He looked down at her, smiled, and kissed her on the cheek.

“What was that for?” Sarah chuckled.

“Merry Christmas, Sarah Jane.” The Doctor smiled. Sarah stopped, stood on her tip toes and gave him a quick kiss on the lips.

“Merry Christmas, Doctor.” She murmured and then hugged him.