Fic | Doctor Who | The Emperor's New Clothes

[charleygirl]

Title: The Emperor's New Clothes
Author: charleygirl
Rating: G
Type: Gen, humour
Characters Involved: The Third Doctor, Liz Shaw, the Brigadier 
Summary: A theory as to why UNIT changed their uniforms between seasons seven and eight :)
Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the BBC
Author's Note: A very quick fic, inspired by Nicholas Courtney's comments re his uniform on the Spearhead from Space commentary

"Good morning, Doctor, Miss Shaw. I take it you've received the report about the Yeti in Tooting Bec?"

The Doctor glanced up as the Brigadier entered the lab, grunted and returned his attention to the jumble of wires from the dismembered TARDIS console that snaked all over the workbench. A moment later he realised that Liz was looking at Lethbridge Stewart with a raised eyebrow and a sort of smirk playing around her lips. 

"Yes, we did, thank you, Brigadier," she said, and there was a definite tremor in her voice.

"Indeed, an interesting little affair," the Doctor agreed, leaving the wires to their own devices for a moment to take another look at UNIT's commanding officer, since he seemed to be cuasing Liz no little amusement. He frowned. The Brigadier looked much the same as always, smart, upright, moustache neatly trimmed, but there was one major difference... "Good grief, Lethbridge Stewart, are you leaving us?"

The Brigadier cleared his throat and rocked on his heels, hands clasped behind his back. The pristine khaki of his new, regular army uniform was without even a crease, the overhead light gleaming from the peak of his cap. "No, no, Doctor, just a little change in policy. It was felt that it might help to improve relations with the regular chaps if we all looked the same. Don't want divisions within her Majesty's forces, even if we are under the command of Geneva."

"Really? Well, I suppose such things are important to the military mind. It doesn't matter if you go and blow up a few innocent aliens as long as you've got the right badge on your cap," said the Doctor, turning his attention back to the wires. From the corner of his eye he could see the Brigadier still standing in the doorway, evidently not wanting another argument about the Silurians and unsure how to respond. "Don't worry, Brigadier, we'll be ready to see this Yeti in ten minutes."

"Good. I've told Corporal Bell to lay on a car. Ten minutes, Doctor." Lethbridge Stewart turned on his heel and strode off, the door slamming shut behind him. The moment he was gone, Liz dissolved into helpless laughter.

Watching her in bemusement, the Doctor put down his screwdriver. "Liz, what on earth is the matter?"

She waved a hand at him, tears in her eyes, and tried to catch her breath. "The uniform...it's got nothing to do with the regular army!"

"Oh? Then what does it have to do with?"

"The Brigadier's very sensitive about his...posterior. Last month a female news reporter made a comment about how attractive it looked in his old uniform.."

"...and Mrs Lethbridge Stewart was less than impressed?"

"Precisely. The story's been all over the building for days. Apparently she threatened that if he didn't do something about it she'd write to the commander in chief!"

The Doctor looked at the door, and a grin broke over his face. "Which just goes to show, that behind every great man..."

"...is a woman who very definitely has her eye on the ball!" finished Liz, and convulsed into giggles again.

Comments

[eponymous-rose.livejournal.com]

Hee! That was absolutely adorable! Poor, poor Brigadier.

I think I need to get my hands on this commentary of which you speak.

[charleygirl.livejournal.com]

Thanks! :)

The commentary is Nick with Caroline John, and was one of the very first to be done. Is a good one, though, despite the fact that Carrie can't remember very much... :D

[stunt-muppet.livejournal.com]

*giggles* Oh, that was priceless. I love Liz's last line, especially.

[charleygirl.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Came to me in a flash and was done very quickly, so I'm glad it worked! :)