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Chapter 8 – Morning Meeting

Rose walked into the top observation room. There was a five story play system with a slide that curved around the structure that had been installed the night before. The laughter coming from it told her that Genie, Tony and Jacob were having a great time playing. It sounded like a couple of Quauhtin were also inside of it. The Doctor walked in behind her, holding Sam in his arms.

Rose stood and pointed at the play system. "That thing is five stories tall."

"Yeah, I should have gotten the six story one. I didn't realize the ceiling was so tall in here." He told her.

She turned and looked at him. "Five stories!? They aren't going to break their necks on that?"

He smiled, "Rose Tyler. Relax. You are such an overprotective parent. Geez. Let them live a bit."

The Doctor walked over to the table where everyone was gathered around. He looked around the table and spotted who was missing. He yelled, "Lewis and Lance! Come here for nine minutes."

Tony shook his head. "You're not going to put the seconds with that?"

The Doctor shook his head at him. "Oh, shut up."

Arla came over and asked to take Sam. The Doctor handed him to her. She kissed Sam on the forehead and sat down at the table.

Rose looked at Jack. "Find some trouble last night?"

Jack shook his head. "No. I never have to go looking for trouble. It always seems to know just where I am."

The Doctor shook his head. "Oh, I'm sure I'll hear about that later. Jack. I'm at my limit. Tell me later."

Jack laughed, "Oh, I'll probably keep that one to myself, thanks."

"Even better." The Doctor agreed.

Lance and Lewis joined them. The Doctor looked around the tables. "Okay, everyone is here. Alright, we have a full day so I'll make this as quick as I can. I just have three things to discuss. Thing number one, Dorian Idles is dead."

Rose covered her mouth and looked at him. "Really?"

He nodded his head as he leaned on the back of a chair with both hands. "I have been talking to Pete and the story he has told me is that Adriano reported that they were planning an assassination attempt on President Howard Shepherd and his wife, Caroline. Possibility even their son. Which, as you know is behind us playing. The Joint Chiefs met in an emergency session as soon as Pete transported back down from seeing us off. President Harriet Jones was present as well. The CIA, MI-6 and Torchwood sent men into Dorian Idles' place and ….." The Doctor gritted his teeth at the word, "neutralized them."

Jack stood with his arms crossed. "Hang on. Them?"

"He had four other men he had been planning and discussing plans with for months. All of the kidnappings, assassination plans, everything had been planned with these other four men. Ryan Ard was also killed in the exchange. Summus was shot in the leg. He's expected to be fine. One guy from Torchwood and one from the CIA were also wounded."

Rose rubbed his back. She could feel a mixture of emotions from him.

Tony Stark asked. "That's the full story?"

The Doctor straightened up, "That's all I'm getting at the moment. Summus and Aemilius have been in direct contact with me. It lines up with their stories as well."

Lewis stood behind where Arla sat. "You don't believe them?"

"It's all too convenient. I don't know. Pete and I had talked about doing exactly this, hell Tony and I had talked about it, recently."

Tony nodded his head as he crossed his arms. "Yeah."

Lance asked him. "You feel like they waited until you were out of the way for a while because they knew you wouldn't approve."

The Doctor looked at Rose and nodded his head. "Certainly."

Polonius spoke. "But, then it means the threat is over. The family is safe."

Lewis shook his head. "No, it doesn't. We'll have to wait and see if Idles was taking his orders from someone or if someone else rises from the assassination to take control of the organization."

The Doctor nodded his head. "If he wasn't working all on his own, we'll find out. But, we have no idea where to look now. We just have to wait for something to happen again. This is what I warned Pete about. This is a very dangerous game to play."

Lewis added, "And if someone rises to power, they will probably be worse than Idles. Just to prove their point."

Legate whistled impressed, "This is really bad. What the hell were they thinking?"

The Doctor took Rose's hand and kissed it. "They were thinking they could solve the problem. I told Pete not to do something permanently stupid because he was temporarily upset."

Rose shook her head. "But this wasn't temporary. This had gone on for years. Before you even got here."

He nodded his head. "I know, sweetheart. That's why I'm having such a hard time really being angry about this. And I know I should be."

Jack looked surprised at him, "You mean, you agree with their decision?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "I've been up all night thinking about it, and I've decided that I do. It will push whoever is really responsible for this into the open, or bring another villain into the light. Or hopefully, it will be over."

Lewis pointed at him. "That sounds like Summus."

"Yeah, I've been chatting with him about it. He makes some good points. We're safer than we've ever been. The island has a force field on it that I don't even think anyone but myself and Lewis even know about."

They all looked surprised.

Tony made a point. "Well, I had to know because I was making everyone's watches."

The Doctor smiled, "That's right. And helped me and Lewis configure it. Thanks, mate."

Tony nodded his head. Arla looked up at Lewis and smiled.

He turned to Rose. "Jackie and Pete are at a higher security level than even Howie is. They couldn't be safer."

Rose looked at him. "But, still. The mansion."

He knew she was thinking about the vision where it burns down. "That could be an accident. It might not be terrorism."

Rose nodded her head. "Oh, I know what you mean now about seeing that stuff."

He smiled at her. "Not what you would think, is it?"

"Ugh." Rose complained.

"Okay, that's all I have on that at the moment. I plan to talk to Pete and Howie later. Thing number two. Lewis? Want to handle this now?" The Doctor asked.

Everyone looked surprised at Lewis.

Lewis smiled and nodded his head. "Go ahead."

The Doctor smiled, "Alright. On a much happier note, Lewis and Arla have decided to make this trip a very memorable one. They wish to marry before we return to Earth."

Everyone turned and sounds of happiness came from the group. Several of the men patted Lewis on the back and kissed Arla on the cheek.

The Doctor laughed as he looked over at Rose. "This is what you had to talk to him about?" she asked.

He leaned in and kissed her cheek. "No. It was something else. This just came up."

The Doctor turned back to the crowd. "Alright. In order for these two to get married, there are a few traditions that have to be observed. First order of business, a dress for Arla. Jack. Can you please take Rose and Arla down and get them whatever they need?"

Jack smiled, "I'd be happy to!"

Tony pointed at him, "Girls day! With lots of chocolate!"

Jack flipped him the bird and smiled.

The Doctor looked at Lewis. "Do you want to explain the Ten, and get that sorted now?"

Lewis nodded, "And as most of you know, a Quauhtin warrior is worth ten men. So, with each marriage, he has to choose ten men that will be responsible and take care of his wife and any children in the event he is unable to. All of the Ten have to come to his aid in any event that a major decision has to be made in the event he is unable to make it, and assist his bride in whatever she might ever need if she is widowed at any point."

Rose smiled, "Oh, that's interesting!"

Lewis smiled, "The ten men are picked in order of my choice of who will come to Arla's aid first. Lance, I know you plan to remain in the Guard for life, so I didn't think you would mind. I made The Doctor, 'One'."

Lance breathed out a sigh of relief. He patted Lewis on the shoulder, "This is your choice. I agree. Granted, I'd like to ask to be 'Two'."

Lewis smiled, "Of course. Poltious, I'd like you to be 'Three'."

Poltious smiled, "Happy to!"

Gobbo became 'Four', Legate became 'Five', Timon was named 'Six'.

Jack held up his hand, "Dude. I'll be 'Seven'."

Tony smiled, "I'll be 'Eight'."

Logan smiled, "I could be 'Nine'."

The Doctor rubbed his beard. "Damn. I thought we would have enough for this. Do they have to be present at the wedding?"

Lewis nodded his head, "Of course."

"Ugh. Damn it." The Doctor grumbled.

Rose asked, "Does it have to be a man? Really?"

Lewis held up his hand. "There are cases when women were allowed. Why? Would you be 'Ten'?"

Rose put her hands on her hips, "Lewis. I could be 'Ten' and 'Eleven'. I'm easily worth two men."

The Doctor raised his eyebrows as he looked back at the crowd. "That's true. And that's my wife, gentlemen."

Everyone laughed.

"Okay, that's sorted." The Doctor said.

Jack stopped him. "Hell no it's not! We'll have a Bachelor party prior to this. I've worked it all out. Don't even worry about it. Lewis, you'll love it. Arla. We'll bring him back in one piece. Well, mostly."

The Doctor looked surprised, "We already had a Bachelor party for Lewis."

"No, that was the warm up. This one will be even better." Jack promised.

The Doctor shook his head. "Oh, I'm not worrying about that right now. Whatever, Jack. Carry on with that."

Jack mumbled under his breath. "Hell yeah!"

The Doctor began to speak again. "Today has a lot going on. This morning, I'm going down to the planet's surface to see my patient. Logan. I'd like you to join me. Legate and Lance, could you also come with us?"

Legate smiled and nodded. "Certainly, Doc'."

Lance crossed his arms. "Happy to!"

The Doctor smiled, "Brilliant. Thank you, men. When Rose and I are both off the ship, Poltoius is in charge. Ask him if you need something. This afternoon is self defense training. Rose, could you help us with that?"

Rose nodded her head. "Sure. Well, would Logan be comfortable with that?"

Logan looked Rose. "Ummm.. Well, is The Doctor alright with that?"

The Doctor realized something and looked over at Rose. "I'm sorry, I forgot about you being so sore. That's probably not a good idea."

Rose patted his arm. "Let me see how I'm feeling this afternoon. Right now, I'm fine."

He smiled at her. "Alright." He looked back at the crowd. "If Rose isn't up to it, we'll do something else. Don't worry about it, Logan. We'll get you sorted."

Logan nodded his head.

Jack pointed at both of them. "Okay, that's not going to work."

The Doctor looked curious at Jack. "Why not?"

"Well, you're joined. If Rose is doing self defense and you're there, you're going to kill Logan."

The Doctor dropped his head. "Damn, he's right. I forgot about that."

At the look on Logan's face, The Doctor quickly added, "Logan I'll explain that later."

Rose waved her hand. "We will sort it out. Don't worry."

Tony held his hand up. "Hang on. What sort of self defense are you planning? I can show the kid how to fight. Let me get him started, and then you two take over. Sound good?"

The Doctor looked at Rose. "Thoughts?"

Rose nodded her head. "That could work. Sure. Thank you, Tony."

Tony smiled. "Yes! Logan. We're going to be doing some boxing and mixed martial arts this afternoon. You'll love it."

Jack laughed, "You're going to get your ass kicked, Logan."

Logan laughed, "I have five brothers, Jack."

Jack laughed and looked at Tony. "You're going to get your ass kicked, Tony."

Tony laughed, "Oh, bring that shit, kid."

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