"I'm so proud of you David. You remind me of your father. Always trying to help. So, you haven't said much about Lori. Are you two still an item?" David blushed slightly, "Mom, she's my boss." "So, This isn't twentieth century earth. You two made a nice couple when you were here in the spring. Boss or not, she had a look in her eyes that spoke volumes. And you did share a room."

Chapter 70 Assembly

David sighed and sat back in his chair. Rose smiled at his reserve. "I don't want any details, I just want to see you happy." David smile was soft as he thought of Lori. "She's special mom. But I suppose you guessed that. We have to keep it quiet when we're at work, but we spend time with each other now and again. Not that it makes any difference to her when we disagree. Then I'm just another employee to her." Rose laughed, "Good. You need someone to keep you honest. There's something else though, isn't there. Something in the way?"

She knew him too well and he became serious. "She's human mom. She knows I'm an alien and it's ok, but…" Rose looked at her son, the near image of his father, with his father's problem. Rose filled in the rest, "But you don't want to get serious because she's going to grow old and die." David was shocked by his mother candor. "Don't bother looking at me with, How can you say that, in your eyes. I've been on the other end of it, so I know."

David had known other women, but always kept things on the lighter side. Whenever one got too close, he would end it. Lori was different, he'd lost his heart to her before he knew it. Still, he was trying to push her gently away, but was having a hard time living without her near him. Seeing her in the office everyday didn't help. He would sit in on a meeting and all he could see was her beautiful face, and the cleavage in her silk blouse. When she spoke it was like music to him, and it showed on his face. He was entranced, and miserable.

"David, I will tell you what I told him all those years ago. Love is so rare and precious. It doesn't matter how long it lasts. If you keep your heart locked up, you will never truly know love. That is a tragedy. I know loss is crippling for a time. It's the only thing that truly frightens your father. But if he hadn't let go of his fear, you and your sister wouldn't be here. He is so much richer in mind and spirit because of it.

I know you're young and you think you have forever, but no one is guaranteed tomorrow. What if the worst happens and she dies in this meteor strike?" His gut clenched involuntarily. "Will it really hurt less, just because you didn't tell her? Or the regret of having missed spending every night in her arms? Please don't throw away love because it will hurt to lose it. It may be gone before you know it, and not come back for a long time."

Rose patted her sons hand and went upstairs. Leaving him to think about what she'd said. He didn't want to think about it, but it was the only way to get rid of the knot in his stomach. How would he feel, if he lost her? He suddenly heard his father's voice in his head, Your mothers always right. It's irritating, but true.

"David? David snap out of it." The Time Lord was standing over David unnoticed. "I know that look, I've had that look. Your mothers been getting in your head. Well, shake it off for now, there's work to do. The Tardis is almost ready. A few more tweaks and we're good to go. I'll be able to set the coordinates when you get back." David was confident he could get permission and be back in a few days. "Right dad, I'm on it." David rose from the table taking his coffee mug with him. "I have to make some calls to set things up, but I should be back in a couple of days." The Time Lord knew what it was like to get politicians moving and stretched that estimate to a week. "Good Luck David."

The trip back to the city was easier. He had a plan and he knew it would work. There was a little voice in his head that told him it might be more difficult convincing them than he thought. He would convince them if he had to land the Tardis on their heads to do it. He had left a message for Chris to let him know he was coming back with a solution. Chris would meet him at the transport and then go to the university to meet with others who knew, and the university heads. In a way they would be responsible for the data being released and wanted first crack at checking the numbers.

ppoOoqq

That night, David addressed an assembly of about 80 after Chris had made his presentation. "Fellow scientists. You have seen all the data. There is no error. Our next task is to advise the president of any possible solution. We can not hope to save our world from the masses of meteors that will strike it in two months. Nor can we evacuate our entire population in time." There was a general murmur of acceptance.

He took a deep breath, here goes. "There is only one answer. Many of you know Dr John Smith. A founding father of our colony. He was vital to this institutions creation and laid its cornerstone. You may also be aware that he is not human. Dr. Smith comes from a people that far exceeds any race existing today in technology. I have discussed this issue with him, and we have a solution." Murmurs of relief rippled across the room. "He intends to use his ship to pull the core fragment off course and head it into space." The audience erupted in disbelief.

An obviously alien, blue skinned, delegate spoke up. "I don't know him. What race can alter the path of such a large stellar core fragment?" David gritted his teeth. This wouldn't be received well. "Dr. Smith's people were known as the Time Lords of Gallifrey." The mass intake of breath was dwarfed by the deafening noise from the alien delegates. One voice silenced them all. A rather large and wise delegate from Tovar, named Jatin, stood to address them. David had met him a few years ago at a conference. Jatin was well respected amongst humans and aliens alike. If he signed they all would.

"Dr Tyler. Most of what we know about Time Lords is myth. They were a very powerful race indeed. But they were destroyed with the Daleks three hundred years ago." David smiled, "Yes, that is true. Dr. Smith is the last of his people. He came to this world for peace and sanctuary before humans even knew it existed. This is his home now and he has assured me that it can be done." Jatin nodded his head and sat down. The disbelief in the room was understandable. David held his hand up for silence, "I understand your skepticism. You are scientists, and I'm asking you to take his word on faith, but it is true. He can do this."

A human delegate stood up with his own brand of arrogance to whine at David. "Dr. Tyler. This is all quite unbelievable. You must tell us, just, how, he's supposed to achieve this task?" David glared hard at him until he sat down. "Dr Smith's ship, known as the Tardis, can manipulate time, space and gravity." The crowd grumbled loudly, and another human delegate stood up. She waited for them to notice her before speaking. "My name is Dr Rachel Covey. Thirty years ago I was dying from a brain infection that came to be known as the species, Reshnak. It killed ten people in as many days, and would have killed us all if it weren't for Dr Smith. His knowledge and insight saved this colony and my life. Since then I have made it my business to study everything available on his people."

She looked them all in the eye, silencing them. "They were giants. More…Gods. If Dr. Smith says he can do it, then stop wasting time. The president trusted him then, and I see no reason why that should change. Where do I sign?" David raised his voice above the din to yell. "Does anyone else have a better solution? Anyone…" The room fell silent and there were a lot of bowed heads. He held the paper up for them to see. "Those of you who will sign this proposal for the president, please come forward."

First in line was Rachel. She smiled and winked at David as she was leaving. "Tell your father I said hello." David smiled back and nodded. Next was Jatin who signed and then stood next to David with his arms crossed speaking aloud everyone's name as they signed. Making sure they understood he had taken note of who didn't. When it was all said and done 74 signatures were on the document. Noted scientists and intellectuals from all over the planet. David was sure it would be easy from here, but it wasn't the first time he was wrong.

Chris shook his hand as they left the auditorium. "That was one hell of a fight. You did a good job. When do we leave for the capitol?" David was exhausted from the travel and the presentation. "I need to call the president's office and schedule a meeting. But first I'm going to take some time tonight and tie up some loose ends. I'll let you know." Chris, back in his perfectly tailored suit, agreed. "I'll see you then."

Chapter 71 Lori