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I hope everyone had a great weekend! This week is crazy, but so is the life with The Doctor. J Also! I want to give a shout-out to a reader who sent me a message. Anna, thank you for bringing that to my attention. You are completely right. Thank you. Message me anytime!

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Chapter 33 - Drinks with Arla

The Doctor, Pete, Sam and Lewis popped outside of the German bar that had become The Doctor's favorite place. It was 1:24 in the afternoon. Much to Lewis' annoyance, President Howard Shepherd also joined them. Sam couldn't stop laughing at the situation his friend found himself in.

The Doctor put his hand on Lewis' shoulder. "Don't worry, my friend. We'll be good!"

Lewis shook his head. "I doubt that with this lot."

They walked into the bar. The bartender tossed his hand up at them and shouted a greeting.

The Doctor smiled back at him and spoke to the waitress in German. She smiled and directed them to the roof.

As they all sat down, the Doctor looked around the table. "Beer for everyone? Right?"

Sam held up his hand. "We can't drink while we're on duty."

The Doctor looked at Lewis. "Then Lewis can have beer because Summus is on his way to relieve him."

Lewis and Sam's eyes got huge.

Lewis shook his head. "Oh, this shit is getting better by the minute!"

The Doctor laughed, "Nah, Legate is on his way. I think you need a drink, Lewis. Okay, beer for everyone but Legate and Sam, right?"

Lewis exhaled loudly and covered his face. "I think my heart just stopped. I thought the trials were terrible. This is way worse!"

Pete asked, "Trials?"

The Doctor helped, "All Quauhtin have to pass a series of tests in order to become part of the guard."

Howie looked around. "What is this watering hole, anyway? Is this one of you and Pete's anti-fogmatic joints?"

The Doctor looked at Howie. "Ummm…Pete?"

Pete looked up from his menu, "What?"

The Doctor pointed at Howie, "Anti-fogmatic joints?"

Pete rolled his eyes, "Yes, this is one of the bars we bought! You can get whiskey here if you want, but you have to be back later to meet with the Joint Chiefs. Behave yourself, Howie!"

Howie waved his hand, "Oh, to Hell with that! I've not been out painting my nose with you guys in a while! Politician'ing can wait! They expect that damn UN meeting to run all day anyway."

Pete looked up, "I have to say, I've never seen a vote come in so quick!"

Howie smiled, "It's a great deal! We'd be crazy not to take it! Apple pie order all the way!"

The Doctor smiled, "Yeah, I'm happy they approved it. The Baumeisters wanted to get started right away. I'll pop back to Torchwood after this and tell them to get started. Or, the other Director could do it."

Pete rolled his eyes, "I don't speak their language. I'll pass it to you. See it all the way through, son."

"How long will it take them to complete it?" Howie asked.

"Not long. They do this sort of thing a lot. Just a few months." The Doctor said.

"Oh, there she is." Lewis said as he saw Arla. He stood up and walked over to her.

Howie leaned over and whispered to The Doctor. "She's easy on the eyes."

The Doctor nodded, "Yeah, not bad."

Sam crossed his arms and shook his head. "I don't know what she sees in him."

Lewis walked Arla over to the table. All of the men stood up quickly. The Doctor smiled and kissed her hand as he introduced himself. Arla covered her mouth and gasped. She pointed at him and said something.

Lewis was nervous. "What are you telling her?"

"Relax. I introduced myself to her." The Doctor said. The Doctor smiled and pointed at each of the men in turn and introduced them. Arla's eyes were huge. Each one of the men kissed her hand as they were introduced to her. She sat down, slowly, clearly overwhelmed at her surroundings.

Pete looked at The Doctor. "You told her who we really are, didn't you?"

The Doctor smiled, "Of course I did! I prefer to be honest, it's easier to remember. Okay, now! I need a beer. Or three! What does everyone want?"

Legate ran in. "Finally here! Sorry about that. Had a problem finding you!"

They all greeted him, as the Doctor introduced him to Arla. He then turned and ordered everyone a few drinks.

The Doctor rubbed his face and then smiled at Arla. He spoke to her. She was so nervous. It was oblivious he was trying to explain something and to calm her down.

Howie laughed at him as he asked Pete, "Does anyone but the Doc' speak this language?"

Pete crossed his arms. "No. Lewis is at his mercy."

Lewis pointed at Pete, "Not helping my nerves at the moment!" Lewis turned to the Doctor, "What did you tell her?"

The Doctor laughed as the waitress brought them all their drinks. The Doctor explained, "She says she saw me and Rose on the telly last night. She wanted to know if it was really me. She's followed us in the tabloids for a while. She's also amazed that she's sitting here with Pete Tyler. I don't know if she realizes who you are, Howie."

Howie chuckled. "That's probably for the best. Ask no adds."

The Doctor looked confused, and turned back to Arla. He explained something to her and she gasped and covered her mouth.

Lewis rubbed his face. "Shit. You told her didn't you?"

Pete laughed as he proposed a toast. "To honesty!"

They all drank. The Doctor turned to Arla and explained something else, pointing at Lewis. Lewis rested his face in his hand as he looked back at her. He shrugged his shoulders as he told Pete quietly. "I should just accept this. It was good while it lasted."

As the Doctor finished explaining something to her, Arla gasped and covered her mouth. She looked at Lewis in surprise. She quickly grabbed his face and snogged Lewis sitting next to her. The entire table looked shocked.

Sam pointed at them, "Alright. What did you tell her?"

The Doctor drank his beer and laughed. "Oh, Lewis is going to love me!"

They all watched The Doctor drink his beer as Lewis got the snogging of his life.

Howie laughed, "Man! Now, that's some kind of sugar!"

Arla finally let Lewis go. Lewis looked shocked. He smiled as he said, "Doc'. What did you tell her?"

The Doctor smiled, "I told her you were my personal bodyguard and had saved mine and Rose's lives more times than I even probably knew. I told her you are one of the best bodyguards in the universe and a good man, even if you don't speak her language. I also explained to her that I had hired you a German instructor so you can learn this language and speak to her. I told her you had asked me to do it for her."

Lewis held up his hands, "I didn't ask for that!"

Pete smiled, "Just go with it, Lewis!"

Sam smiled at him, "Yes, mate! Looks like it's going to get you laid."

Howie laughed, "A lot! I hope you are ready for her, buckaroo!"

Legate laughed as he watched. "This is hilarious."

The Doctor pointed at Legate. "I'm serious. Don't breathe a word of this to Summus. He'll kill us all."

Legate shook his head and held up his hands. "What he doesn't know won't hurt us."

Pete and Howie were laughing at the situation. Pete looked at Howie, "Does this remind you of us years ago?"

Howie crossed his arms, "We needed this guy back when we were courting! He's a silver tongued devil! I wonder what he tells that Rose filly?"

The Doctor looked back at Howie and smiled, "I'll never tell."

The Doctor snapped his fingers at Legate. "Legate, did you bring it?"

Legate smiled, "Yeah. Here you go." Legate tossed The Doctor a small black box about as big as his hand.

Pete saw it and laughed. "Oh, that's just mean. Why didn't you start with that?"

The Doctor smiled, "This was way more fun!" He sat the box on the table and turned it on. "Okay. Now this is a Universal Translator. I'm giving it you Lewis, so you and Arla can talk to one another. But, you still need to do your lessons. Don't depend on this."

Lewis rubbed his face. "You mean? She can understand what we're saying now with that thing?"

Arla turned and looked at him. "Can you understand what I'm saying?"

Howie's eyes popped open bigger. "Oh, swow! I need another spirit here! Lewis is going to put a whippin' on you!"

Arla looked confused at Howie. "Now, I can't understand what he's saying."

The Doctor laughed as he looked at Howie. "We can't either. He speaks his own language."

Arla laughed as she looked back at Lewis and smiled. "You work for Doctor Smith and Rose Tyler? Why didn't you tell me?"

The Doctor shook his head. "No. He works with us. Not for us. There's a difference. He's a part of our family. That's the reason we're picking on him so much."

Pete laughed and nodded his head. "It's true. Oh, this has been fun! Lewis, you have brought so much joy to our lives today!"

Lewis rolled his eyes, "I'm happy to have been so entertaining."

Arla smiled as she looked around the table. "This is overwhelming to meet all of you like this. I had no idea. I hope I've made a good impression."

The Doctor rested his chin on his fist and smiled at her. "It's wonderful to meet you. Lewis talks about you all of the time. Lewis' brother works with us as well."

Arla looked at Lewis, "Do you play football with them?"

Lewis nodded his head. "Yes, I do."

Pete smiled, "He's one of the better players! Excellent."

Legate smiled, "He's also a good singer. He sings when I play the guitar sometimes."

The Doctor looked surprised at Legate. "You know how to play the guitar?"

Legate drank his water and smiled. "Of course! Why?"

The Doctor looked surprised, "I'd like to learn, honestly. Genie offered to teach me, but she can't explain anything but, 'Listen to the music and make it sing.' My mind doesn't work like that."

Legate smiled, "No one's does. Well, except for Rixalarians."

The Doctor's eyes got huge as he saw Legate's look on his face show he knew about Genie. The Doctor quickly held up his finger. "Ahhhh! We'll chat about that later! Anyway…. Lewis. Arla. Lunch? So, we can embarrass Lewis some more?"

Lewis rubbed his face and asked Arla. "Lunch? With this lot? Wow. I can't believe I'm speaking to you!"

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The Doctor popped directly into Michelle's office outside of his office door. He held his hands out to steady himself. "Woah." he said, simply.

Michelle sat behind her desk and looked over at him. "Well, good afternoon. Popping on this side of the door now are we?"

The Doctor ran his hand through his hair. "I'm very sorry. My calculations were off. I was aiming for my office. I'll fix that. Won't happen again."

Michelle laughed at him. "It's not a problem. How was the UN?"

The Doctor sat in a chair across from Michelle's desk and sighed as he rubbed his face in his hands, "Oh, they approved everything. I'm going to call the Baumeisters in a bit. I just needed a second."

Michelle looked curiously at him. "Are you alright? You look pale."

The Doctor exhaled slowly as he closed his eyes tight. "I'm alright. Did my delivery get here, yet?"

Michelle opened her desk drawer and handed him an envelope. "I didn't check it, so you might want to."

The Doctor opened the envelope and looked inside. He nodded and slipped it in his pocket. "Brilliant! Exactly what I need. Thank you!"

Michelle smiled at him as rested his elbows on his knees and breathed. "Do I need to get you some of those sweets? Are you having 'sympathy sickness' with your wife?"

He laughed and shook his head. "No. Nothing like that. I'm alright. Traveling like that always makes me a bit ill at first. I'm fine. Those sweets seem to be helping my Rose. Thank you."

Michelle smiled at him. "I have a report of a missing ultrasound machine from downstairs."

The Doctor shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "Ah, they probably misplaced it."

Michelle smiled at him. "You are a rotten liar."

He laughed as he sat back and crossed his arms. "It's a sorry day when a man's co-workers don't trust him."

Michelle laughed. "I filed the report, appropriately."

The Doctor looked confused. "What does that mean?"

Michelle smiled, "I threw it away. Anyway. What do you need? I'm ready."

The Doctor smiled and rolled his eyes. "Several things. I need you to put out a couple of memos. Jake Simmonds is on a leave of absence, no scratch that. He's on a temporary assignment for the security of the nation. How does that sound?"

Michelle was making notes. "Secret agent-like."

The Doctor nodded his head. "Yeah, he would prefer that. Anyway. And he won't be returning to Torchwood for the next five to six months. Until then, William Shakes is our new Head of Security."

Michelle nodded. "Right. What else?"

"Peter Tyler is now the Co-Director, with myself, of Torchwood. Effective immediately! Thomas has already done all of the paperwork and Pete agreed today. Brilliant! It's too big of a job for one man."

Michelle smiled, "Oh, that's wonderful news. I am so happy Pete is doing so well."

The Doctor smiled, "Yeah. Also, I need you to cancel the thing at Yale. Tell them it's a security concern and we can't guarantee Rose's safety. Then, find me a film crew. We're going to do your idea. That was brilliant!"

"Rose agreed to that?" Michelle sounded surprised.

"Ah, she's reasonable. She will." He dismissed. "Or, I'll get my ass kicked. Either way, she'll be safe and it will be worth it."

Michelle rolled her eyes at him. "Loved your interview last night. How did you think it went?"

He nodded his head. "I'm pleased with it. Seems to be getting a lot of press today. At least people know what really is happening and not just what the tabloids are dreaming up."

Michelle narrowed her eyes. "You were held at gunpoint? Here?"

He nodded his head as he bit his lip. "Yep. With Genie in my arms."

Michelle shook her head. "I have to admit. Everything I've heard about the interview, that is what is sticking out the most in people's minds. That's the part they keep replaying."

"Good! People need to know how this is affecting our life. Genie is a big part of our life. She's not safe the way things have been. Maybe this will make them get better."

Michelle looked at her notebook. "I hope it does. I can't imagine. Oh! Messages for you. Dorian Ides called and wants a meeting tomorrow."

The Doctor looked surprised. "He does? What time?"

Michelle shrugged her shoulders. "After lunch. I've got it on your schedule."

"Do you know what it's in regards to?"

Michelle shook her head, "He said it was something you had already discussed with him."

The Doctor sighed. "It's alright. That could be interesting. Listen, don't ask me any questions about this, but as soon as he gets here, I want you to leave and go straight home. Are we clear? I'll have Lewis pop you there."

Michelle looked confused, "Really? It's just a meeting."

"The last meeting I had with this guy's people ended with me jumping out of a window to keep from getting shot. You know what? Leave before he's scheduled to be here. I don't want you even in the building. Are we clear?"

"And you're not worried about yourself?" Michelle asked him.

He shook his head. "Nah. I deal with people shooting at me fairly often."

Michelle smiled, "Right. Former Secret Agent. I imagine so."

He tossed his hand up, "I wasn't a Secret Agent! Ugh! Why do people go straight to that? I've got to go move some ships and call these Baumeisters. Get the boys pizza tonight. Mine and yours."

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The Doctor popped back into his room at the flat. He rubbed his head as he steadied himself on his feet. "Whoa. I've got to fix that. Damn."

He crossed the room to the stereo and turned it on as he took off his jacket and tossed it on the sofa. "Rose! Genie! I'm back!" he called. Catch Hell Blues by The White Stripes started playing. He turned it up loudly as he kicked his football towards the window.

Young Tony ran into the room. "Hey, brother! You read my mind!" Tony took his football and kicked it towards the window.

The Doctor turned and smiled at him as he clapped and caught his football. "What are the girls doing?"

"Painting their fingernails. Like really. Not how Howie does it." Tony told him.

The Doctor doubled over laughing. "Yeah, Howie is one of kind isn't he?" The Doctor kicked the football as hard as he could.

Tony caught his ball as it returned to him. "Rose says you are going to New York tonight. Can I come, too?"

The Doctor turned and smiled at Tony. "Sure! We're going to the ballet tonight. Do you want to go, too?"

Tony shrugged his shoulders. "Not really. But I don't think you really want to go either. That sounds like something Rose is making you do."

The Doctor laughed as he caught his ball again. "You're not wrong, but I won't admit that to her. Sometimes you have to do things like that to make your lady happy." He put his finger across his lips.

Tony rolled his eyes. "I'll never understand that. She's just a girl. What's the big deal?"

"As your brother Tony, I will remind you of this conversation one day when you meet someone you can't imagine living without."

Tony kicked his ball as hard as he could. "I don't get it. So, you like kissing her. Is it really that good?"

The Doctor caught his ball and looked at Tony. "Kissing is very good. But, you should be a lot older before you do it. Don't rush this, mate. I'm an old man and I only started kissing."

Tony made a face of disgust. "You really don't have to worry about me kissing anybody. That's just gross!"

Rose asked, "What are you two talking about in here?"

Genie ran and jumped on the bed.

The Doctor turned around and laughed. "Brothers talking, Rose. Don't worry about what is being discussed."

Tony turned around and nodded at Rose. "Yep! Top secret!"

Rose rolled her eyes at them. "Tony is trying to get in touch with you. Is something up with your phone?"

The Doctor reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone. "Ugh! I was afraid of that! Damn it."

He handed his football to Genie as he walked into the small office and took his phone apart. He put on his glasses and looked everything over. "Well. This is just kaput. Damn."

Rose shook her head at him. "What happened to it?"

He looked at her and rubbed his beard. "Ah. Something I'm working on. Can I borrow yours for a bit?"

Rose handed him her phone. He texted Michelle and ask her to order him a new phone. Then he rang Tony. He kissed Rose quickly as he waited for him to answer.

"Hey, mate. Yeah, I trashed my phone. What's up?" he asked him.

Rose wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his neck as he listened to Tony on the phone. He smiled. "Sure. Let me check with Rose and make sure she doesn't need me for a bit."

He kissed Rose and laid his forehead on hers. "Tony needs to me for something. It will take about an hour. Is that alright?"

Rose smiled at him. "Go ahead. There are children all in our bed at the moment, so that's out of the question."

Tony overheard Rose. He laughed and said. "It can wait three or four minutes if you need to tend to that, Doc'."

The Doctor blushed, "Oh the gods! No. I'll be right there."

He ended the call and rolled his eyes at Rose. "I can't believe you said that. Wow! You are as bad as me."

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