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Chapter 31 - Lewis the Stubborn

Rose and Timon appeared on the grassy island in the middle of the sea. The cold wind blew around them. Timon took off the jacket he wore, and put it on Rose.

She smiled at him. "Thank you, Timon."

They walked towards the modest cottage. Timon knocked at the door and shouted it was him. Rose heard the male voice yell, "Come in, Timon!"

Timon held the door open and Rose walked in. She saw a man with dark, curly hair sitting with his back to her at a computer. He laughed without turning around. "Timon. This is amazing! These levels, I might be able to reach. Be sure to thank Doctor Smith for this."

Timon stood beside of Rose and nodded his head. "I will be sure to do that."

Doctor Banner turned around and upon seeing Rose, stood up with a look of shock on his face. "Ummm…. Rose Tyler. Here. Wow. Okay."

Rose smiled, "Rose Smith, I assure you." She walked over to him and held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Doctor Banner. May I call you Bruce?"

Bruce was clearly star struck. "Ummm… sure. That would be fine."

She smiled warmly as he took her hand and gently shook it. "Well then. Please call me Rose. I've not had a chance to look at this research, but would be happy to if you would like."

Bruce nodded his head. "Ummm… I don't mind. It's rather straight forward at this point. Timon brought me all of it this morning. It's….I think I can reproduce what happened with this."

Rose nodded her head. "Well, you seem to have it under control. I don't want to intrude-"

Bruce smiled and shook his head. "No, ma'am. You aren't."

She looked around. "This is quite the place."

Bruce took off his glasses and tossed them on the desk he had been working at. "Oh, it's not mine. Doctor Smith-"

Rose held up her finger. "Just call him John. It's easier."

Bruce smiled, "Right. He said he came here to think. The waterfall is a perfect white noise for sleeping."

Rose turned and looked at him in surprise. "Are you getting enough sleep?"

Bruce smiled, "Probably not."

She crossed her arms and nodded at him. "I'm the same way when I'm working on something. It's as if...my mind won't stop long enough for me to rest."

He smiled and nodded his head, "Exactly! You get it."

"It's a common problem between scientists. Although, John tells me that Einstein slept all of the time. Up to 10 hours a day. And then he took naps in addition to that. I would never get anything done."

Timon laughed, "I don't believe Sam sleeps that much."

Rose took off Timon's jacket and handed it back to him. She laughed, "I don't think he does. He probably should."

Bruce leaned against a chair and crossed his arms. "Thomas Edison only slept four hours a night. Not that I claim to be as intelligent as those two."

Rose giggled, "Oh, nor do I. I didn't know that about Edison. Interesting. Well, I'm sorry, but I can't stay. I wanted to come by and meet you. You have been quite the subject around our discussions."

Bruce smiled, "That's both flattering and terrifying all at once."

Rose laughed, "It's not meant to be. Is there anything else that you need?"

Bruce thought, "Ummm….no. Thank you. Doctor Smith has been very generous. I believe I have everything I need."

Rose smiled, "Greasy hamburger? Chips?"

Bruce closed his eyes and laughed, "Oh wow. That does sound amazing."

She giggled and looked back at Timon. "Could you please bring Bruce a burger and chips?"

Timon nodded. "I'd be happy to." He looked back at Bruce. "Allow me to escort Rose back to her home, and I'll be right back."

Bruce smiled. "Thank you."

Rose put her hand on Timon's chest. "I'm sorry. I need to go to the ship. Dad has been hurt."

Timon nodded his head and took the remote transport device out of his pocket. "Yes. I'm getting that, too. Bruce. It might be a few minutes. I'll return."

Bruce nodded his head. "No rush."

Rose smiled, "I'll see you again. Next time, I'll be sure to have them tell you I'm coming. I'm sorry to have barged in on you like this."

Bruce smiled. "It is no problem at all. It was very nice to meet you."

Rose looked at Timon and nodded her head. He flipped the switch on the side of the trigger and they disappeared.

Bruce ran his hands through his hair. "Oh wow! I just met Rose Tyler."

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Rose and Timon appeared in the main room of the med bay on the Asclepius. As soon as Rose focused her eyes, she looked around. Gobbo was running a towel across his head to dry his hair. He tossed it in a chair and looked up.

"Oh! Hello there, you two. John's in with him now. Just the fourth room. Down the hall."

Rose ran down the hallway. She stopped in the doorway of the room and saw Pete lying in a bed. He was covered in a blanket and she could only see his face, which looked very pale. All of the lights seemed to be at their brightest setting in the room. Rose covered her mouth at the sight and gasped.

The Doctor, completely soaking wet, had rolled up his sleeves. He carried a small box in his hands. "Okay, Pete. Warmer?"

Pete didn't open his eyes, "Yes, now that I have those wet clothes off. Why do you keep it so cold in here?"

Rose smiled at the sound of Pete's voice. He was alright.

The Doctor hadn't noticed she had arrived. "To keep germs from spreading. Now, this is going to be just like we talked about."

Pete slowly exhaled, "Right."

"I'll visit you if anything changes. You're going to sleep for a while to keep this from getting worse."

Pete didn't open his eyes. "Can you dim these lights?"

"Sorry. Friday, dim the lights in here by 72%"

Friday spoke, "Of course, Doctor."

The lights dimmed as Rose walked in and took Pete's hand. He opened his eyes, looked at her and smiled. "I'm fine, Rose."

She smiled at him. "I know. You just like to frighten people."

He answered quietly, "I just like keeping them on their toes."

The Doctor sat the box in a cavity in the wall behind the bed. Pete went to sleep immediately. Rose looked at Doctor. "What happened?"

He was looking at the screen behind the bed, "Oh, he got a nice bump on the head. He needs to sleep to keep this brain from swelling and causing any problems-"

Rose willed herself not to cry. "That doesn't answer my question."

He looked back at her frightened face. "Rose. He'll be alright. We were in a lift when it fell. We all got out, but I believe the cable must have managed to come back and hit Pete when we were in the free fall down. Jake was with us. He's dislocated his shoulder again. But, he's already back at Torchwood sorting this out."

Licis rushed in, "I heard Pete and Jake got hurt."

The Doctor pointed at Licis. "You are just in time. Stay here with him for me while I go change into something dry."

Licis nodded his head. "Certainly. Then, go check on Lewis."

The Doctor held his hands out, "What's wrong with him?"

"Lewis the Stubborn? I'll give you three guesses, but you're only going to need one."

The Doctor threw his hands up and groaned as he opened a cabinet. Rose watched him grab a couple of things and walk out of the door.

Licis chuckled and pointed at Rose. "You might be able to help with that. I'll stay here with Pete."

Rose kissed Pete's hand and walked out of the room. She caught up with the Doctor as he walked down the hall.

"Hey!" She shouted.

He stopped and turned around. "I'm sorry. I thought you were staying with Pete."

She grabbed his hand. Feeling how cold it was, she looked surprised at him. "You are frozen-"

"Nah. Not completely." He shook his head and brought her hand to his cold lips to kiss it.

She started to walk with him. "We need to get you out of these clothes."

"The perfect sentence." He teased her as they walked down the hall together.

She smiled and rolled her eyes at him.

"How was Banner?"

"He seemed completely shocked that I was there."

He smiled warmly at her. "A beautiful woman who he has followed her career and work? I'm sure he was very pleased to meet you."

Rose shook her head in disbelief. "She's followed my what?"

"I'm glad to know it isn't just me who finds hearing that a bit strange. Yes. He is a fan of your work. He had asked me if you had won the Nobel Prize when he found out we were married."

She smiled proudly. "That's rather cool."

He kissed her hand as they walked along, "I think he might fancy you."

She shook her head and laughed. "That might be taking it a bit too far."

He laughed, "Well….how did he act?"

"Why? So you can go and punch him?"

They arrived at their room. He pressed the button to open the door for her and rolled his eyes, "Rose, I've not punched anyone in a while. I have self control-"

She laughed as she walked through the door, "Right. Well, he was very polite and a gentleman. No need to punch him out."

He was reminded of Genie for some reason.

"Rose. I have no plans to hit him."

She giggled. Rose let go of his hand and walked over to the kitchen. "Go, change and I'll make you a cup of tea."

He stopped and looked confused at her. "I thought you were-"

She looked up at him and smiled. "You are frozen to the bone. Go change. We'll have time for that later."

He smiled at her, "You could warm me up."

She smiled at him. "You need to look in on Lewis, and then Dad, and you are still expected at Howie's."

He groaned and ran his hand through his hair. "I miss time travel more than I ever have in this moment! I just need ten minutes, Rose!" He complained loudly as he continued down the hall to change out of his wet clothes.

She laughed at his complaining. "You know it never is ten minutes with you!"

She could feel him smiling proudly as he spoke in her head. 'Well. I'm not one to brag.'

Rose continued to laugh as she made them both a cup of tea.

'That was almost a tease.'

She rolled her eyes. 'It was not. What caused the lift to drop like that?'

He sighed, 'I have several theories.'

'Do you think it was them?'

'I'm not ruling it out.'

She groaned, 'You are going to be proper annoying now wanting me to go with you-'

'No. I'm not. I lost that bet, so I will honor our agreement. But, I am going to be proper annoying to Lance. I'm leaving him and Poltious in charge of the Guard here.'

She finished up their teas. 'And I'm taking a moment to be grateful that I'm neither Lance nor Poltious.'

He walked back down the hall laughing and buttoning up his vest. "I'm always thankful for that."

He came back into the kitchen wearing a dark blue three piece suit. He carried a red tie in his hand. He put the jacket on as she handed him his cuppa and smiled. He told her, "I enjoy kissing you a lot more than I would either of them."

She smiled and sipped her tea. "Have you told Mum?"

He held the cup in his hands, to try to warm them. "She's sleeping with Sam. He's managed to talk her into a nap. I'm beginning to think there's something else with that."

"What? He can make you go to sleep?"

He sipped the tea and nodded, "If you relax enough, you will go to sleep. Maybe that's what's going on. I'm not sure. It's something on my radar."

Rose shook her head.

He nodded, "Oh, that's good tea. This is exactly what I needed. It's helping. Thank you, Rose."

She leaned against the cabinet as she watched him run his hand through his wet hair. "Why were you all wet?"

He took another sip and sat down his tea to put on his tie. "We popped over the Atlantic. The velocity we were traveling at, it was the safest option. I didn't know Pete was injured as bad as he was."

She put her tea next to the sink and then sat down on the cabinet top. He put his hands on either side of her and leaned into her face. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry I gave you a different idea. "

He chuckled at her. "It's alright. If I'm honest, I don't believe I was really fit. You deserve the best, and I wasn't at my best."

She kissed his lips quickly and wrapped her legs around him.

He raised his eyebrow at her. "Are you continuing to tease me?"

She ran her fingertips up and down his neck and whispered, "Kiss me."

He smiled, cleared his throat and stood up straight. "Kiss you? Yes, ma'am."

She giggled as he threw his arms out and cracked his neck. "You are so dramatic."

He cupped her face with his hands. She felt they were still cooler than they normally were. She whispered, "Are you still cold?"

He smiled as he rubbed his cool nose to hers. "Don't worry about me, Rose."

She felt him lean in and lick her lips with his tongue, warm from the tea she had made him. As he kissed her, she pulled him closer to her. His lips were cool, as was his neck. She could tell he was blocking how cold he really was to keep her from worrying. Her legs wrapped tighter around his waist. She thought about how cold he had to have been, and seemed to sense how uncomfortable he still was. Her toes and fingers ached from the cold. Parts of her body started to feel numb from the chill. He flattened his hands on her face and she nearly shivered from his cold touch. He seemed completely lost in kissing her. She could feel his mind was calm and quiet, a rare feeling from him. The only thing she could sense from him was his love for her.

She imagined a warming calm that started in his chest and spread slowly through his body. She ran her hands through his hair, causing him to moan as he continued to snog her. She noticed his hands became wet on her face. He stopped kissing her and looked at her in surprise. She saw sweat had beaded up on his forehead.

"Rose? How did you do that?" He asked.

She wiped the sweat from his brow. "Was it too much?"

He rose his hand and wiped the sweat from his face. "No. It just…."

She bit her lip and looked at him nervously. He felt her worry, took her hands in his and kissed them. He looked down and laughed, "That was a hell of a kiss. Wow!"

She looked at him, "You are uncomfortable-"

"I'm not."

"You are. You are worried that you will upset me-"

"No, I'm worried that you are upset."

She bit her lip and looked down.

He kissed her hands, "Talk to me, Rose. What are you thinking?"

"Baby, this is so strange. I could have hurt you. Just now."

He smiled warmly at her. "Rose. I'm fine. You probably have kept me from…getting the flu, or something."

She sighed and looked at their hands. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Rose. Please look at me."

She looked in his eyes and whispered, "Baby, this is rather frightening."

He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. "I know. You are fine. We're alright." He put his forehead to hers and looked in her eyes again. "We're together on this."

"What if I hurt you? Or someone-"

He shook his head and smiled. "You wouldn't do that."

"Baby! I was just thinking about you getting warmer, and you broke out in a sweat. I could have imagined you…I don't know…. Catching on fire or something."

He relaxed and tilted his head. "You wouldn't do that. Rose. Trust yourself."

She sighed and nodded her head. "I'm sorry. I just-"

"There's no need to apologize. None at all."

She shook her head and sighed.

He laid his forehead to hers again and whispered, "You need to get away for a bit. Come with me to Howie's. Please?"

She thought for a moment. "Alright. Sure."

He smiled at her, "And then later tonight…we can try out the bed. I copied a larger version of the one we have on the ship, to our bedroom."

She smiled, "With silk sheets?"

He returned her smile, "I have turned into a right snob. I should have known I would. Falling in love with a posh woman."

She threw her hands up, "I am not posh!"

He stood up and pointed at her. "Ha! Silk sheets! You said it first! Posh!"

She jumped off of the cabinet and rolled her eyes. "You are impossible. Really."

He quickly caught her lips with his own and kissed her again. She was pressed into the cabinet, and could feel his playful mood. He slid his hands up her skirt and squeezed her bum. She giggled as he pressed his forehead to hers again and smiled at her. After a bit, he became serious, "Rose, I know you aren't comfortable talking about this, but you are alright. You've seen those visions and know we'll be alright. Keep those in mind. As much as I hate them, it makes me realize we survive everything we're going through."

"What a strange thing to say."

He stood up and nervously scratched the back of his neck. "That sounded better in my head. Maybe I should take your advice."

"What advice?"

"To shut up."

She laughed. "I know you are you trying to make me feel better. Sometimes, I just need to process stuff myself. But, it helps to know you are here to listen. I don't need you to solve everything, just to be there to listen."

He smiled and nodded his head. "Of course, Rose."

She slipped back on her shoes. "Let's go see what Lewis' has done."

The Doctor grabbed his tea glass and put it in the sink. "Oh, I know what he's damn done. That man. Ugh."

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Rose and the Doctor walked to Lewis' suite. The Doctor didn't ring the door bell, but instead just opened the door and walked in. He turned to Rose and explained, "Licis told me the baby was sleeping."

Luce smiled as soon as he saw him. He greeted him in Quauhtin.

The Doctor smiled and said something back to him that Rose didn't understand, and laughed.

Lewis lay on the sofa with a blanket draped over him. The Doctor put his hands on his hips and looked at Lewis. "Well, just tell me then. How bad is it, mate?"

Lewis groaned. "I'm not that bad. The brothers are just being…."

"Reasonable. Lewis the Stubborn, I asked you to rest." The Doctor insisted as he dug in his pockets for something.

Rose sat in the chair next to the sofa and looked at Lewis. "What have you done, Lewis?"

The Doctor scanned him with his sonic screwdriver. "He has overdone it. Oh, really overdone it."

Lewis groaned, "You said I needed to walk about."

"Yeah, but not have a walk about. Lewis, you can't rush getting better. It's a process. It just has to happen."

Lewis sat up and groaned. "It's my left leg. It's the worse."

The Doctor scanned it and nodded. "Oh wow. Yes, it is. You've got to rest this leg. Your muscle is completely overworked there-"

Lewis waved his hand, "Just give me something-"

"I can't. This has to heal. You need to sleep-"

"Oh, I don't want to sleep-"

"I didn't ask if you wanted to-"

"Quauhtin don't sleep-"

"Yes, they do-"

"Ugh!" Lewis groaned.

Luce laughed and said something that Rose didn't understand. Both the Doctor and him laughed. Lewis closed his eyes and shook his head.

The Doctor looked at Rose, "Luce suggests I knock Lewis out so he will sleep."

Rose groaned and waved her hand at the Doctor. "You two, just….give us a minute. Let me chat with Lewis."

The Doctor nodded seriously and walked into the kitchen with Luce, "As you wish, my Dear."

Rose sat on the edge of the seat and took Lewis' hand. "Lewis. You aren't well."

Lewis nodded his head. "I know. I can't even lift my arms over my head. Rose, this just sucks."

"I know it does. But, you are only making it worse."

He sighed and looked at the floor. "Rose. It wasn't supposed to be this way."

She pat his hand. "I know. Life is rarely what we plan."

He rubbed his face and sat back. "I can overcome this."

"No one thinks you can't. But, you have to do it slowly. You're not going to be better by tomorrow. You know, Lewis. I don't think anyone has told you this. So, allow me. Lewis, I'm giving you permission to be ill."

Lewis looked at her in surprise. "Your permission?"

Rose sat up straight and nodded her head. "Yes. Lewis. You are officially Off Duty as of this moment."

The Doctor and Luce watched from the kitchen in surprise.

Lewis shook his head. "A Quauthin is never Off-"

Rose continued, "This one is. You are on holiday for the next five days. You need to rest and take care of yourself. I am the Primary and I am relieving you of Duty for the next five days."

The Doctor whispered in Quauhtin to Luce. "Can she do that? Relieve him of duty?"

Luce shook his head and answered him quietly in Quauthin, "She's the Primary. She's in charge. Technically, no. But, I'm not going to tell her she can't."

The Doctor crossed his arms and looked back at her. "Neither am I."

Rose continued, "During that time, you will rest. Follow the Doctor's orders, and take care of yourself. Luce and Licis, and the rest of us will attend to your son. If I have to, I'll put your ass in the med bay and have John knock you out."

Lewis groaned and rolled his eyes. "Rose. Come on-"

She shook her head. "You've known me a long time, Lewis. Do you really think you're going to talk me out of this?"

Lewis crossed his arms and mumbled, "Damn it."

"We'll handle everything. Your only job is to get better. That's it. The only thing you are responsible for. Don't make me make good on my threat. Your room is still vacant upstairs in the med bay."

The Doctor and Luce continued to watch in surprise.

Lewis shook his head. "I'm not happy about this, Rose."

"Well, something would really be wrong if you were. Doctor?"

He snapped his eyes at her, "Yes, Rose?"

"Give him something for the pain, and he's going to take a nap."

The Doctor looked back at Luce. They exchanged a look of surprise and then the Doctor walked over to Lewis. He gave him an injection on the side of his neck. Lewis groaned. "This just…"

The Doctor ran his hands through his own hair. "I need to wrap this leg, Lewis. Don't walk on it for at least 48 hours."

Lewis looked back at Rose. Accepting his fate, he nodded his head. "Fine. 48 hours. No walking."

The Doctor wrapped Lewis' leg and sat the injector down on the table. "That's for pain. Every four hours. Friday will remind you to take it if you ask him. Take it, even if you aren't hurting. Don't wait until you are. Stay ahead of it."

Lewis groaned. "Right."

Luce smiled and suggested something in Quauthin. The Doctor and Lewis both laughed. Lewis nodded his head, "Now, that's a great idea."

Rose asked, "What did he say?"

Lewis smiled, "Luce said that I should stay drunk for the next five days."

Rose looked at the Doctor. "Can he do that with the medicine?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "Sure. Hell, I would. I'll send something up for you."

Lewis nodded his head and smiled. "I like this plan. John. Keep the boys in line. Don't make me have to sober up."

The Doctor laughed. "I'll do my best."

Lewis looked back at Rose. "Five days. Starting now."

Rose smiled. "Yes."

He crossed his arms and nodded. "I can do this. I've never had a holiday before. Summus says they are nice."

Rose giggled, stood up and kissed Lewis' forehead. "I'm glad we have found a solution we can all live with."

The Doctor stood up and took her hand. "Lewis. I'll be back later to check on you."

Luce laughed and insisted something in Quauthin.

The Doctor and Lewis laughed.

The Doctor nodded, "Yes. I'll have a drink with him. It would be my honor."

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