Title: Artistic License

Characters: Joe & the Third Doctor

Rating: G

Summary: There are things even the Doctor cannot do ...

The Doctor rubbed his eyes surreptitiously, then hastily returned to the task at hand.

Joe watched him contemplatively from the other side of the control room. "Having fun?" she asked.

He smiled benevolently at her. "Of course," he said. "Simple really, once you get started ... Oh." He stared in dismay at his now paint smeared jacket.

Joe half-covered her mouth and tried to supress a giggle. "I can see how well it's going."

The Doctor looked at her defiantly, then continued to splash paint on the canvas in an overly theatrical, hurt manner.

Joe giggled again. "Oh Doctor..."

He looked up defensively. "You obviously have no grasp of the artistic process, Joe ..."

He frowned as she choked back a smile. "Of course Doctor. You know best." Then at his serious expression. "No, really. How is it going anyway?"

He took a step backwards and stared judgementally. "Well, it could still do with a few touchups." He flashed her a smile. "Though its subject is quite charming enough without."

She smiled back. "Thank you. But really, I would like a look. I'm sorry for poking fun, I am."

Reluctantly the Doctor turned the easel around. Joe burst out laughing. He stepped around to look at it again, his expression disgruntled. Sitting happily in the centre of the canvas was a yellow circle containing two black dots above a small black U.

The Doctor threw the laughing girl a dirty look and rubbed the back of his neck. "I knew I should have made the grin wider."

The End