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Chapter 2 – Quauhtin Quarters

The Doctor walked out of the back of his island home with his tea in his hand. The bright morning sun made him squint. He sipped his tea as he walked towards the flats where the Quauhtin lived.

Lewis walked out of his flat and closed the door. He was dressed in his running gear and was clearly about to head out. He spotted the Doctor. "Hey, man! What's up?"

The Doctor smiled at him and shook his hand. "Hey. Got a minute?"

He smiled, "Sure. Come in."

He held the door open and the Doctor walked into the flat. Arla was cleaning up from breakfast. She smiled at him and spoke in German. "Hello, Doctor Smith. Would you like breakfast?"

He smiled at her, shook his head and replied back in German. "No, thank you. Just needed to chat with Lewis for a bit."

Lewis' flat was full of natural light. The windows were all opened and Arla had made it very cozy with her lovely plants that seemed to be everywhere. The walls were painted light blue, and the floor was tiled white. It was a lovely, modest beach home. One entire wall was a bookshelf, which had very few books on it. The arched ceilings gave the illusion it was even bigger than it was, even though it was really spacious.

The Doctor smiled as he looked around. "This is nice. I've never been in these."

Arla smiled as she walked into the kitchen. Lewis pointed at the framed newspaper that hung over the white, leather sofa. "And there is this. Did you do that?"

The news article with the Doctor and Lewis on it claiming that they were lovers, hung framed on the wall.

The Doctor laughed and sipped his tea. "I can honestly tell you that I had nothing to do with that."

Lewis rolled his eyes. "My money is on Poltious. Damn him. Anyway, have a seat."

The Doctor waved his hand. "Nah, thanks I can't stay but just a minute. I'm taking Genie to Tony's in California for a bit. I need to return the car I loaned from him. Then, I need to gather some guys and head to Plentitude. I need to be there by this evening."

Lewis nodded his head. "Alright. Who do you want?"

"I need Logan and Jake. I'd like to have you come so you can integrate these guys with me."

Lewis thought, "How long will you be gone?"

"Just a few days. Leave Summus in charge and come with me."

Lewis put his hands on his hips. "Oh, that's tempting."

He pointed at himself. "I'm on suspension and you need to be present during an integration."

Lewis rubbed his face and thought. "Or, you could just take your ass to the psychiatrist."

"Oh, fuck that. There's not time. Summus will be gone in a few weeks. This might be your last chance to get away for a bit."

Lewis nodded his head, "Hey, Arla? John wants to know if we would like to go back for a quick trip to Plentitude. What do you think?"

Arla smiled as she looked across the bar at them. "Oh, I'd love to."

Lewis smiled back at the Doctor. "That's settled. What about Ashena?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "Oh yeah. I suppose I should ask her. Summus would probably not mind keeping up with her if she wants to stay here."

They walked through the front door and stood outside. Lewis pointed as he walked next to him. "Ashena moved out here to the flats. She's next to Licis over here. On the end."

They walked up to the door together. Lewis knocked. After a few moments, Ashena answered the door. She was wearing a bathrobe and had clearly just got out of the shower. She smiled as she leaned against the door's opening, "Good morning."

The Doctor smiled, "And good morning to you! I need to return to Plentitude and I wanted to ask if you would like to go with us."

Ashena smiled, "Hmmm. Us? Who else will be going?"

Lewis pointed to himself. "Myself, Logan, probably Legate. We're headed over there to tell him next. We're only going to be gone a few days."

The Doctor nodded, "Yes. We'll probably be back the day after next. Very quick trip."

Ashena nodded her head. "Right. Well, I thank you for asking me. I believe I will join you. My brother is still there. I'd love to see him."

The Doctor smiled. "Wonderful. We'll be ready to go in a few hours. See one of the guys and they will bring you to the ship."

Ashena nodded her head and went back into her flat.

Lewis pointed back down the row of flats. The Doctor and him walked along as they spoke. "Lewis. I'm just not sure about that. I mean, I understand what you are saying, but it's an ethical thing. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you have to."

Legate came out of his flat. He was carrying his surfboard. He smiled, "Hey! What's got you two up this early?"

The Doctor looked at the surfboard. "I didn't know you surf."

Legate looked down at the board. "Yeah. Just started. I love it. Logan is going to go with me, but I think he's down there already."

Lewis crossed his arms. "Swimming alone? That's not a good idea."

The door to the flat next to Legate opened and Logan stepped out. His hair was combed back and was wet. He picked up the surfboard that was sitting next to his door.

The Doctor crossed his arms and looked at him.

Lewis snapped, "Awesome. Logan. The Doctor is going back to Plentitude today. He's asked that you and Legate join him."

Logan nodded his head and ran his hand through his wet hair. "Right. So, we'll just have the combat training onboard the ship?"

Lewis nodded his head. "I suppose so. He plans to leave within the next few hours. So, get yourself ready."

Legate smiled back at Logan. "We have time for a bit of surfing. Let's try this out here."

Logan smiled, "Right. Sure thing."

The Doctor pointed at Logan. "Your hair is wet."

Logan looked curiously at him, "Yeah?"

"Why? You're going surfing."

Logan bit his lip. "I just got out of the shower. It helps me wake up."

The Doctor crossed his arms and nodded. He looked him up and down. "Okay, have a good time, guys. See you in a bit."

He turned with Lewis and walked back towards the island home. Lewis turned and looked at him. "Alright. You are brooding. I can feel it."

"Oh, shit. You can't feel that."

"Anyone could feel that. What's up?"

The Doctor shook his head. "Ah. Don't want to get into it now. Go for your run. I'll see you when I get back."

Lewis nodded and started his run. The Doctor rubbed his beard, deep in thought, as he walked into the house.

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Rose was leaning against the cabinet, holding Sam. Jackie was busy stirring something on the stove. Jackie smiled when The Doctor walked in, "Oh, here's trouble."

Rose looked back at him at him and smiled. "Genie just came down. I sent her to get a jumper."

He nodded his head as he smiled at Sam. "Sam says you smell nice."

Jackie grunted in disapproval. "Oh. As if you can understand what he says. I don't believe that at all."

Rose smiled at him as he kissed her quickly.

Jackie looked back at the Doctor who was rubbing his face. He groaned as he leaned against the cabinet next to Rose. "Ugh. Rose. Do you think….?"

"What? That you need to get some sleep? Did you sleep at all last night?"

"Nah. I'm fine. Listen, what you do you think about…nah, nevermind. I'm seeing things." He insisted.

Genie ran into the room. "Daddy! Let's go! I'm ready!"

He clapped his hands as she jumped into his arms. He kissed her cheek quickly. "What do you want for breakfast, my Sara Gene?"

"Pizza!" Genie smiled.

"Pizza? Alright. Pizza it is. Rose. I'll bring our daughter back in a bit."

Rose giggled. "Stay out of trouble."

He chuckled. "Yes, ma'am."

Genie waved. "Bye Mummy!"

They disappeared.

Jackie shook her head. "I'm sure that's not good for that young lady to be popped around like that. How do you even know it's reassembling her correctly?"

Rose rolled her eyes and walked into the sitting room.

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