XxxxxxXxxxxxx

Chapter 5 - A Bucket on my Head

Rose and Lewis walked along the hallways of the Asclepius.

Lewis was clearly uncomfortable with the situation. He exhaled slowly, blowing air through his lips. Rose sensed his emotions.

"Lewis? Why are you so wound up?" Rose asked.

Lewis shook his head. "Oh, he will not like this. Not at all-"

"Yeah, he probably won't. But, you know what? It has to be done." Rose said forcefully.

She suddenly stopped and faced Lewis. "You haven't told him I'm here, have you?"

Lewis looked at Rose with eyes as big as saucers. "No!"

"Then just take me down there to them and we'll get this over with." Rose demanded.

Lewis stood looking at her as he bit his lip. "Oh hell. I think I'm going to change this to a three drink minimum."

"What?" Rose laughed.

Lewis waved it off and started to walk along the hallways of the ship again. "Nevermind."

They continued to walk until they got to the brig onboard the ship. Lance and Summus stood up when they walked in.

"Rose, ma'am. Can we help you?" Summus asked.

The brig was brightly lit. Rose looked around and saw four men lying unconscious on four separate tables in a glass room in front of her. Summus and Lance sat outside of the room, facing the men.

Rose turned and looked at them, "Did he push them into such a deep sleep?"

Lance shook his head. "No. There's a gas that is in the room to keep them asleep."

Rose nodded her head as she looked back at them. "So, how can we go in there to read their thoughts?"

Summus and Lance realized then why she was there. They glanced at one another and then looked at Lewis.

Lance pointed at him. "Are you serious?"

Summus put his hands on his hips and spoke to Lewis in Quauhtin.

Lewis took a deep breath and explained something to both of them in a matter-of-fact tone in Quauhtin. Rose felt both of the mens' emotions change.

Summus shook his head. "Rose. I really don't think this is a good idea."

Rose nodded her head. "Thank you, Summus. You lot will be with me, so what can happen? Grab a mask and let's do this. We don't have all damn day."

Lance looked surprised at Rose. "Ummm. Yes, ma'am. We'll join you, certainly. Let me get you a mask. We don't need one."

He reached up and took a mask off of the wall. With a quick glance back at Summus, he handed it to Rose.

Rose pointed at Summus and Lance quickly. "Do not tell him I'm here. I know he would not approve."

Summus sighed, "Oh, I think you are right about that, ma'am."

XxxxxxXxxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxxx

Genie and the Doctor popped back into the sitting room of the island home. Logan greeted them immediately. He paced the floor with Sam, who was crying.

"Hello, sir. Umm… no. Sorry. Doctor." Logan stumbled over his own words.

The Doctor chuckled as he sat Genie down, and went to take Sam from him. "Hello, Logan. Here, let me take him. He's really cross."

Logan nodded his head and handed Sam over to the Doctor.

Sam was screaming to the top of his lungs. He didn't seem to notice someone new was holding him. The Doctor looked down at his son, "Sam."

Sam continued to scream.

The Doctor smiled and looked at Genie. "Watch this." He put his finger on his lips and said, "Shhhh….."

Sam stopped crying immediately and whimpered.

Genie smiled, "He likes you."

"I would hope he would. Thank you, Logan. Sorry Sam was so loud for you. Where is Rose?"

Logan ran his hand through his hair. "Lewis took her up to the ship."

The Doctor thought for a moment. "She's shielding me. What is she doing?"

Logan shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know. She left Arla with Sam, but I offered to hold him. She needed to do something."

The Doctor looked confused back at Sam. "That's just odd. Ah, Lewis is with her. I'm sure she's alright. Genie, go get Goofy and anything else you need."

Genie bounced on her feet. "Are Tony and Jacob coming with us?"

He bit his lip. "I'm not sure. I will tell you as soon as I know. Deal?"

She nodded her head. "That's a deal."

Genie skipped out of the room. The Doctor put his finger up to Sam's cheek, which Sam grabbed immediately and put in his mouth.

Logan sighed, "Ugh. I'm usually better with children than this."

The Doctor chuckled. "Nothing would have made him stop crying. He's getting a tooth. His mouth hurts. Come on, make us some tea and I'll get him a bottle. He's a bit hungry too."

Logan walked over to the refrigerator and took out a bottle and handed it to the Doctor. "I tried that in the beginning. Want me to warm it up?"

"Nah. The cool might help his gums." He took the bottle and fed Sam.

Sam took the bottle quickly.

The Doctor smiled. "I think he might like a cold bottle better. How about that?"

Logan laughed. "I remember my twin brothers were like that. Made life a lot easier."

Logan busied himself making them tea as the Doctor leaned against the cabinet top holding Sam. "Oh. Thank you for the chair. Rose really likes it."

Logan smiled as he made them both tea. "It's no problem. I have wanted one like that for a while. I knew you could use one, what with the small baby and everything."

He smiled and nodded his head as he looked back down at Sam. "How was surfing?"

"It was good."

"Better here, or at the other house?"

Logan smiled. "I honestly couldn't tell you. We never tried over at the other house."

Just then, Pete and Howie popped into the room.

Howie was rubbing his head. "Yeah, doggy! I love me a watch pop!"

The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Logan, have you met my friend, Howie Shepherd?"

Howard walked over to where they stood and offered his hand, "President Howard Shepherd."

Logan's mouth gapped open for an instant, and then he collected himself quickly. "Yes, sir. I think we have met. Only briefly though."

Howie waved his hand. "Ah, it wouldn't surprise me. It's been a hell of a few weeks. Doc'. How the hell are you?" He slapped him hard on the back.

The Doctor coughed at the sudden slap. "I'm good, Howie. How are you?"

He waved his hand, "Like a coon dog that has been let out of the fence! I don't believe I've felt this good in a long time."

The Doctor looked at Logan and laughed.

Howie continued, "Do you ever comb your hair, boy? You look like a damn porcupine."

Pete rolled his eyes. "That's what you said about Jake."

"How do they get their damn hair to stick up like that?" Howie asked.

"Asks the man who married a hair dresser." Pete insisted.

"Hey, she doesn't know my business. And I don't pretend to know hers. Damn."

Logan looked back at them, "Tea?"

Pete nodded his head. "Please. Make one for Howie, too."

Howie looked insulted. "Tea? There better be ice in there if it's for me!"

Pete rolled his eyes. "Doc'. We need to have another … intervention with this man."

The Doctor looked confused. "Why? What's the problem?"

Howie crossed his arms. "President. I'm staying. I'm not quitting."

Logan handed the tea to Pete and then held the cup out for the Doctor. Howie quickly took Sam from him. "There. Have your damn tea. I think you're about to drop this youngin' anyway."

The Doctor took the tea and thanked Logan, "What the hell, Howie? We talked about this!"

Logan pointed at the back door. "Doctor John, I believe, unless you need me for anything….."

Pete nodded his head. "I don't blame you, son. Run. Run like hell from this conversation."

Logan chuckled and left the room quickly.

Howie smiled down at Sam. "I have just about a year left. I've decided I just won't run again. But, I'm not a quitter. I'll die before I quit!"

"You very well might! Howie. The stress of this-"

"I ran on this platform! A man's honor is more important than his life. History will remember the decision I make about this. I want to be the sort of man my Jacob will be proud of. You are a father. Surely, you understand that."

The Doctor sighed and looked back at Pete. "I do. But-"

"But, nothing. It's settled."

Pete threw his hand up. "What does Caroline think about all of this?"

"She thinks I'm an idiot. Of course. But, without the re-election to deal with, my stress level will dramatically reduce."

The Doctor ran his hand through his hair. "I do not advise this."

Howie smiled, "Of course you don't. But, it's my decision-"

"And he's made up his mind." Pete added.

The Doctor was so confused. "And I understood every word. What?"

Pete mouthed, "Very sober."

Howie nodded his head and went over to the refrigerator. "I need a soda. Apparently, you lame brains just don't keep iced tea in your house. I'll never understand that."

Pete rolled his eyes. "Iced tea. As if…."

The Doctor chuckled under his breath.

Howie held Sam in one arm as he took a soda out of the fridge. As soon as he opened it, Sam started to cry again.

Howie fussed at him, "No, you can't have any soda. Toe head."

The Doctor took Sam back in his arms and cradled him. "Toe head?"

Pete chuckled, "Because his hair is so blond. He called Jacob that when he was tiny, too."

Howie pointed at the baby, who continued to cry. "What's the matter with him?"

"He says his mouth hurts. I believe we are starting to get teeth." The Doctor explained.

"Hell! Get that boy some whiskey! Where is it?" Howie insisted.

The Doctor shook his head. "No. Rose will kill all of us."

Howie was already walking to the bar on the other side of the room. "Sam will thank me later."

Howie bent down into the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of the Damn Whiskey. He walked back over to them and put his finger in the top of the bottle. When the Damn Whiskey had wet his finger well, Howie ran his wet finger inside of Sam's mouth along his gums. Sam stopped crying instantly.

The Doctor looked surprised, "Hell, I remember hearing that would help that now."

Howie put the bottle up to his mouth and took a long drink of the Damn Whiskey.

Pete exclaimed, "Howie! You aren't supposed to be drinking with all of that medication!"

Howie sat down the bottle and wiped his mouth. "Hell. It's his first drink. I'm not letting the man drink alone. That would be ill mannered."

The Doctor laughed, "He says he hates the taste. But, his gums feel better. Thank you, Howie."

Howie nodded his head and sipped his soda.

Just then, Genie, Jacob and Tony ran into the room. Zeus ran with them, barking. They all seemed to be excited about something. As soon as Jacob saw Howie, he ran and threw his arms around his father.

"Hey there, my pie eater! How are you whippersnappers?" Howie asked them.

Genie pointed at Tony. "Well, this one has done something…. Well…. Mad. Completely mad."

The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Genie. We don't tattle. We've talked about this."

Genie held out her hand. "No. This isn't tattling. He's hurt himself, Daddy. He has a Lego brick up his nose."

All of the men said, "What?!" At the same time.

Tony Tyler blushed. "Jacob dared me and I put it up my nose. Now I can't get it out."

Pete bit his lip and shook his head. "Damn it, Tony. Sometimes, I question your intelligence."

The Doctor handed Sam to Pete. "Here, Grandfather. Let me see about this."

He picked up Tony and sat him on the counter. "Ugh. Tony. Which side of your nose did you put it in?"

Tony pointed at the nostril and sighed. "John. I was sure I could get it right out."

He pushed the boy's head back and looked up his nose.

"Need a torch?" Pete asked.

The Doctor, still looking up Tony's nose, shook his head. "Nah. I can see it. It's not too far up there."

Pete rolled his eyes. "Son. I just….ugh. We will have a chat about this in a bit."

Howie laughed quietly under his breath.

The Doctor straightened up. "Alright. We can do this three different ways. I'm going to recommend the easy way first. Let's try this, but if it doesn't work, I'm going to need to take you up to the ship. Alright?"

Tony nodded his head. "Alright."

The Doctor looked back at Pete. "Pete?"

Pete shrugged his shoulders. "He's all yours. I have no idea how to retrieve a missing block up a mad, child's nose."

The Doctor chuckled. "Alright. Tony. I want you to close your eyes and open your mouth. I'm going to blow air in your mouth and it should push it out."

Tony looked concerned. "How are you going to do that?"

The Doctor smiled. "I'm going to blow air from my mouth, into yours. Trust me. It's alright. I've done this before."

Tony nodded his head and closed his eyes. He opened his mouth and the Doctor put his mouth over the small boy's. He quickly blew a puff of air forcefully in his mouth.

Pete laughed, "I've never seen this. You look like you are giving him mouth to mouth."

The Doctor looked back up Tony's nose. "It's exactly the same technique. Just a quick breath. It's moving. Good. Tony. Maybe two more puffs and it will be out. Alright?"

Tony nodded. "Alright."

He closed his eyes and the Doctor put his mouth over his and puffed air in his mouth forcefully again. The block shot out of Tony's nose.

Genie cheered! "Yay! Daddy did it!"

Jacob laughed, "With boogers all over it!"

Pete and Howie laughed.

Howie shook his head. "That's the damnest thing I've ever saw."

The Doctor looked back up Tony's nose. "It might bleed a bit, but you are alright. Brother. Don't put anything smaller than your elbow up your nose. Or your ears for that matter. Alright? That's our new rule. Hear that Genie? Jacob?"

"What about our finger?" Jacob asked.

Genie was grossed out, "Ew! Boys are nasty!"

Pete laughed. "For now, let's stick to the Doctor's rule. Nothing smaller than your elbow."

The Doctor helped Tony off of the cabinet. "Alright, Comrade. You lot go play for a bit. This kitchen is currently an Adult Zone. Go find a Children's Zone."

Genie rolled her eyes and complained, "Too many places in his house are Adult Zones."

The children ran out of the room. Zeus looked up at the Doctor.

"Go on, Zeus. It's alright." He told him.

Zeus ran after the children.

The Doctor shook his head as he looked back at Pete. "That's your son."

"That's Jackie's son." Pete insisted. "I never did anything like that. Did Rose?"

The Doctor shook his head. "I have no idea."

Howie was busy laughing at them. "They are just being kids. No one was hurt."

The Doctor leaned against the cabinet and looked back down at Sam. He had fallen asleep in Pete's arms.

The Doctor smiled down at him. "He was so tired. Maybe the whiskey on gums are helping enough he can sleep. Thank you, Howie."

Howie sipped his soda. "And you two turkeys think you know everything. I'm not ready to be put out to pasture, yet."

Pete sighed, "Howie. I really wish you would reconsider this. Your heart isn't very strong."

Howie shook his head. "I won't. My mind is made up. And since I have you both together. Promise me, that if something does happen to me, you two will take care of Caroline and Jacob. I want Caroline to marry again and be happy. Just, not too soon."

Pete shook his head. "I'm not talking about this."

The Doctor nodded his head. "We promise. You know we would do that."

Howie nodded, "Good. Just like someone said, 'I regret that I have but one life to give for my country'."

The Doctor looked surprised, "That was Nathan Hale. He was hung for treason during the American Revolution!"

Howie pointed out, "That's right. He's also the State Hero of Connecticut."

Pete chuckled and shook his head. "Americans are so damn strange."

Howie shook his head. "Alright, don't quote that fool then. But, I want a funeral just like Lincoln and Roosevelt had. Then, bury me with a bucket on my head. I don't want the dirt to get in my eyes."

Pete laughed and rolled his eyes. "I'm not putting a bucket on your head! You idiot. No!"

Howie laughed. "You two worry too damn much."

The Doctor insisted. "I have a good reason to worry. At least take a few more days off before you jump back into work."

Howie nodded his head. "I'm going to Camp David today. You guys want to come with me?"

Pete nodded his head as he looked down at Sam. "I'm in. I need to talk you out of this shit. Besides, I have a meeting in New York tomorrow anyway."

The Doctor looked up at him, "New York? Why?"

"Those first aid kits you designed for the soldiers. They want them for all the Secret Service members and Special Agents." Pete explained.

"Still, New York. Take Summus and Aemillus with you."

Pete knew he was thinking about the explosion that had nearly killed Pete months ago. "I'll be alright. I'm just popping there for the meeting. When are you headed out to Plentitude?"

"Soon. In about an hour. I wanted to know if Jacob and Tony were coming with me?"

Howie shook his head. "I'm anxious to spend some time with my little boy."

Pete nodded his head. "I feel the same way about Tony. Want us to keep Genie?"

The Doctor shook his head. "Nah. She's looking forward to going back. We won't be there long. Hopefully. Just a few days."

Pete nodded his head as he looked back down at Sam. "He is sound asleep. Howie, as soon as you get out of office, we're going to take a trip together to Plentitude. There's a restaurant I want to take you to there."

The Doctor laughed knowing immediately Pete which restaurant was thinking.

XXxxxxxxxxXXXxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx