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Chapter 3 – The Punishment

The Doctor sipped his coffee as he sat at the table with Genie. She was finishing her Toad in a Hole. Sam had just finished his bottle and lay in his Dad's arm, sucking his fingers.

"So, we're not leaving today?" She asked him.

"You are having such a good time with Genevieve, why don't we stay a few more days?"

She looked and shook her head. "That's not the reason."

He groaned and sat down his coffee. "No, it's not. But, yes. We're staying a few more days. Tony got hurt and ….. well, it's just a mess."

"Is that why he's still sleeping?"

"Yes. He'll sleep most of the day. He probably won't feel like playing much."

She looked worried, "Is he sick?"

"No. He saw something last night that frightened him. He…. Just needs some time." he explained as he sipped his coffee.

She nodded her head. "Well. This certainly changes my plans for today."

He laughed at her remark. He cleared his throat and looked at her. "I imagine it does. So, tell me my Sara Gene. What are your plans now?"

She tapped her chin and thought. "I'm not certain."

There was a knock at the door. The Doctor pointed at her, "Tell them to come in."

She giggled, "Come in!"

He laughed with her. Tony walked in. "And good morning." He noticed they were laughing. "What? Do I have a booger hanging out of my nose?"

Genie laughed hysterically at his comment.

The Doctor laughed at her. "You are mad. Did you have too much sleep last night?"

Tony sat down next to her and propped his arm on the back of the chair she sat in. "You have taken a crazy pill. That's what this is. Crazy kid pill."

She looked at him and suddenly stopped laughing. Her eyes got huge. She stood up on her knees and became cross. She pointed at him, "Uncle Tony! Why did you shave?"

The Doctor hadn't even noticed until she had said something. "You did shave! What brought that on?"

Tony was prepared for her reaction. "Gene. It was an accident. I had too much to drink last night, woke up and it was gone. Damnist thing."

The shook her head at him. "That's a swear-"

He looked back at the Doctor. "Another dollar on my tab."

Genie pointed at him again. "We didn't talk about this. You just went and did it?"

"Well, I am a grown up. I thought I could make my own decisions. I don't make you grow a beard and take care of it."

She shook her head at him, "I can't grow a beard! I'm a girl!"

He teased her. "I've seen girls with beards. Are you sure? Sure you're not shaving when no one is looking?"

She threw up her hands. "Daddy. Your friend is mad. I don't have a beard!"

"Yeah, the Bearded Lizard." Tony teased her.

She rolled her eyes and took her plate back to the food replicator. "Ugh! Well, get some better smelling after shave if you decide to keep shaving."

He laughed, "You don't like my after shave?"

"No. You smell like a girl." She told him and walked into her bedroom.

Tony looked back at the Doctor laughing. "Oh wow. She's on a roll today."

The Doctor smiled, "Oh, she is."

Tony ran his hand through his hair and sat back in the chair. "How's Tony?"

"Sleeping. But, I'm not sure what he's going to be like today. He woke himself up, shouting last night. I've got him in a deep sleep right now. That's going to help."

Tony sat back and sighed, "Yeah, unless he's dreaming about it. Poor kid. Let me know if you want me to talk to him or anything."

"Thanks. I realigned some of his pathways last night. It will help."

"Neurobiology. Right."

"Telepathic therapy." The Doctor corrected him.

He nodded, "Right. Tomato, tomate." He thought for a moment, "Hey, it doesn't pick up French. Huh. Explains a lot."

"Explains a lot about what?"

Tony shook his head. "Nevermind. Anyway, the kid?"

"Pete will be here sometime today. I hope that helps."

Tony nodded his head. "How much longer do you think we'll be here?"

"I really don't know. I'm sorry, I should have asked you if you wanted to go back when Summus sent Poltious back for Pete."

Tony shook his head. "Nah, it's alright. I was planning on trying to stay a few more weeks. Come back with Legate."

"Really? What's brought that on?"

Tony sat back and crossed his arms. "I like it here. It's interesting. It would be a good opportunity for me. See some more technology. Even the toys the children play with here are just….fucking cool."

"Have you talked to Pepper?"

"I'm really… at a loss with that woman."

"What happened?"

"I called her. She wouldn't answer. So, I asked Legate where she was. He didn't want to tell me, but that ghost of yours….Exton….was with her. She's apparently dating an old body guard of mine."

"No way. Are you sure it was a date?"

He rubbed his chin. "That's when people usually kiss one another."

"You haven't talked to her about this?"

"What the hell would I say, man? Hey, John has a ghost following you around and he told me you are going out with another guy?"

He nodded his head. "I see your dilemma."

Tony waved his hand to excuse it. "It's not like we were, exclusive. We had never said we were just going to see one another. She didn't want me to even make it public that we had…well…we honestly haven't talked about it. Maybe it wasn't what I thought it was. I don't know." Tony rested his hand on his fist and stared at the wall.

The Doctor looked back down at Sam who was looking at his rabbit he held in his hands. Tony leaned on the table. "Yeah, I'm sure Rose is calling me a pig. Hanging out with Ress."

He shook his head. "I promise she's not. I don't think anyone is."

Tony bit his lip. "She's something. She did this." He rubbed his face.

"She gave you a shave?"

"Oh yes. Do you know the women here attend a class just on how to pleasure a man?"

He smiled. "Yes, I knew that."

He threw his hands out. "What the hell?! Why didn't you tell me that?! Aren't we friends?! That's information I need! I would have dove in front of that damn missile that hit me! Holy shit."

"That good huh?"

Tony sat back and ran his hands through his hair. "Oh my God. It's great. I have gotten an education. She, wow. Was apparently an A student."

The Doctor chuckled. "Maybe she's practiced a lot."

"I don't even fucking care man. Hell, I have. I won't lie. She's….. wow."

"That's why you wanted to stay until Legate comes back. This Ress."

He nodded his head. "I really need to get this sorted out with Pepper. I had really hoped that would work."

The Doctor looked back down at Sam who was chewing on his rabbit. "Ahh. You might work it out."

Tony nodded his head, "Yeah."

There was a knock at the door. Tony yelled, "Come in!"

Summus walked in with Ashena, Legate and Licis.

They stood up, "Good morning." Ashena smiled at them.

"Good morning." The Doctor smiled back at her.

Tony smiled, "Coffee? Tea?"

"Oh, have you brought tea from the island? I love that." Ashena smiled.

Tony clapped his hands together. "Tea for the Queen! Let the American handle that." He rushed over to the food replicator. Legate helped him carry everyone back a cup. They all sat down around the table together.

Ashena blew her tea. "How is Tony? Summus has told me what happened."

"He is sleeping. He will probably sleep for a while. I've sent for his father who should be here this afternoon."

Ashena nodded her head. "Summus has told me. These Jeclaonides seem to be under the impression you have destroyed something of theirs?"

"Nah. They wanted your father's ship. We destroyed it."

Tony handed him another coffee and sat down, "Then we destroyed their ship. Remember?"

The Doctor dropped his head. "Damn it. They are right, we did. They probably see that as two ships they lost. I'm really thick."

Ashena sipped her tea. "The question is then, who is right?"

"Kidnapping a child, torturing him and telling him he's going to die, isn't right."

She sat down the tea. "Oh, I completely agree. A ship, or even two, doesn't justify what they have done."

"But-"

"But, they have a point. You have destroyed at least one thing of theirs. And a crew."

The Doctor sighed and looked at Summus. "This never gets easier."

"I don't know anything easy that is worthwhile."

The Doctor nodded. "That's true."

Ashena nodded her head. "Pete's opinion will carry a lot of weight in this matter. I'm not a parent, but as a child, I would l want my voice heard in such a decision."

The Doctor agreed. "I can respect that."

She stood up. The rest of the table stood up. She smiled and nodded her head. "Well, I'll be back later today to check on Tony. Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."

"Thank you." The Doctor told her as she walked out of the room with Licis.

They all sat back down. The Doctor picked up his coffee and sipped it. "Ugh."

Tony groaned and sipped his tea. "Well, that really sucks."

Summus shrugged his shoulders. "I'm sure it will work out. She's got to do this perfect because it will be her first big decision as Queen."

"Yeah." The Doctor grumbled.

Summus pointed at Legate, "We need to handle this with Legate."

"Handle what?" Tony asked.

The Doctor could feel how wound up Legate was.

Legate took a deep breath. "I was the one that lost Tony. This, is my fault."

The Doctor shook his head as he sat down his coffee, "This wasn't completely your fault. Tony wandered off. Rose used to do that to me all of the time. She managed to get herself in quite a lot of trouble like that. I see now, Tony Tyler is just like his sister."

Summus sipped his tea. "You are the Primus for Legate. The discussion is completely yours. But, I will add that he was under orders from me, not to tell you that Tony had disappeared during those two hours. If I need to be paneled for that decision, I'm ready for that. I see now, that wasn't what I should have done. We could have found him immediately with your help, and he wouldn't have suffered at the hands of the Jeclaonides. I will ask the boy's forgiveness, and Pete's, once it is appropriate."

"Well, that's all I ask. Just tell me. Keep me informed. But, as for you, Legate."

Legate closed his eyes and seemed to brace himself for whatever the Doctor was about to say, "Yes?"

The Doctor picked up his coffee and blew it. "Jackie Tyler doesn't know about this. So, your punishment for losing your charge is that, in the event she ever finds out, you have to explain to her what happened."

Summus laughed under his breath. "Oh man, that's cold."

The Doctor pointed at Summus, "And you have to explain to her why I wasn't informed. The entire….full story."

Summus groaned, "Shit."

Tony laughed.

Legate looked up at the Doctor. "Seriously?"

"Oh yes. Jackie Tyler is all yours. I don't want to deal with that. Hell no."

Legate looked surprised back at Summus. "Could I just be beat or something?"

Summus groaned and sipped his tea.

Legate shook his head. "The guys will use this to their advantage. This sucks."

The Doctor smiled, "And to show you there are no hard feelings, and that I really don't blame you for this, you are back on duty as of this moment. Your primary is my daughter. And I was just informed by her that she hasn't made plans as to what she wants to do yet today."

Legate chuckled. "Alright. Thanks, John." He stood up and called to her. "Genie! I have an idea what we can do today!"

Tony laughed as Legate walked away. He stood up and started to leave. "That went well. I'm going to go wake up…Umm… nevermind."

Summus looked curiously at him. "Wake up?"

Tony waved his hand. "Nothing. Forget I said anything. I meant that I'm going to go try to get woke up. It was a late night. I'm not thinking clearly."

The Doctor suggested, "Maybe another cup of tea to go. A bit more caffeine."

Tony pointed at him. "Yes. That might work. Thanks. Good idea."

Summus watched him as he made another cup and walked out of the door. He looked back at the Doctor and crossed his arms. "I thought he had a girl, back on Terra?"

"They aren't getting along."

Summus nodded his head. "So, you are encouraging this?"

"I'm not getting involved. He's a grown man. She's of age. He's not a Quauhtin, he's not a member of the family. Explain to me what I can do."

Summus continued to nod his head. "You're right. Damn. Well, keep it to yourself. I don't want either of the Guards to know about it. It's not something I approve of. Neither should you."

"I'm staying out of it!" he insisted.

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