Disclaimer: Doctor Who and its characters belong to the BBC. I, the author, do not profit monetarily from this story. No copyright infringement intended.

"No."

"Why not, Professor?"

"Because it's ridiculous."

"Suits you perfectly, then," Ace replied with a grin.

A faint smile crept across the Doctor's face. "Insulting me is hardly going to persuade me, Ace."

"Pleeeaaaseee?" she whined, sidling up to the Doctor and wrapping her arm round his waist. "After all, you still owe me big time after you smashed my heart into a thousand pieces and all that." She rested her head on his shoulder and gave him her best puppy-dog eyes.

The Doctor's gaze shifted between Ace and the floor. He scratched his head through his dark brown curls and pondered which was worse: smashing your best friend's faith, or letting them take you roller-skating…

"Still no."

...

After several hours of continuous pleading from his companion, the Doctor was leaning against the TARDIS console, tying up the laces on the skates, encrusted with dry mud, which Ace had 'conveniently' managed to locate in the depths of the TARDIS library. Next time, he thought to himself, he would have to find a better hiding place.

"Are you ready yet, Professor?" Ace called from outside. They had materialised in a housing estate near Perivale, not far from where Ace used to live. She laughed as the Doctor emerged from the TARDIS, gripping the sides of the police box as his feet rebelled against the commands being issued by his brain. She rolled her eyes before prizing his fingers from the woodwork and leading him along the grey patchwork pavement.

In her mind, the student had become the master.

In his mind, he was about to fall over.

...

"Doctor, I can't just pull you along. You've got to try and skate."

The Doctor remained stubborn and rigid. "There's a downward slope up ahead. All I need is gravity."

"Fine then," retorted Ace. She released the Doctor from her supportive grip and pushed him forwards.

The Doctor lost his balance and released a short cry of alarm. His arms frantically windmilled as he sped down the hill, completely out of control, much to the bemusement of several people tending to their front gardens. His paisley scarf flew out behind him, buffeted by the wind which had already sent his hat flying from his head. A familiar slab of blue grew alarmingly quickly into the foreground as he accelerated towards it…

"Brake, Professor!" Ace's shout was drowned out by a monumental crash as the Doctor fell head-over-heels through the panelled doors, bringing the hat stand down with him, before colliding fiercely with the centre console of the TARDIS. He blinked up at his wheeled feet, which hung in the air above him. He lay there practically upside down for several moments, finding his bearings.

"Ace," he said, when she finally joined him in the control room, "I… I think I could do with some tea."