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Chapter 38 - Plague Exposure
Hours later, The Doctor stood next to the bed in the med bay on his ship. Tony lay flat on the bed, covered with a sheet. His chest was encased in a square box that was glowing. Timon had been able to help the Doctor remove Tony from the suit.
He turned and put a device on Tony's forehead and clicked it. He looked up at the screen behind the bed and clicked some areas to zoom in and look closer at the readouts. He sighed, as he put the tube of oxygen on Tony's nose and pressed a button on the screen.
He stood over him and shook his head. "75%. I knew that was too high."
"He looks bad."
He turned to see Rose standing in the doorway. She had put on a dress, curled her hair and put on make-up. She looked amazing. His brain stopped working as he looked at her.
"Wow." Was all that he could manage.
She walked in and stood next to him, looking at Tony. "What happened?"
"Ah. He was out in the desert again. Helping out some soldiers. He took a missile to the chest. It completely destroyed the suit, but it managed to hold him together and get him back to me."
"What? Did he use his watch to pop back, or something?"
He shook his head as he looked at the screen again, "No. I put an automatic return on the suit. When it reaches 75% damage, it pops him back to my workshop on the island. It was already at 71% before he took the hit. He arrived with it at 94%. He's lucky to be in one piece."
He took the Doctor's hand. "Baby. I can tell you are upset by this-"
"Rose. I'm fine."
"You're not. He's your friend and you nearly lost him."
He looked at Tony and sighed. Then he smiled, "He shouted at me and insisted he was winning."
Rose looked back at him and giggled, "Yeah. He looks it."
He raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it. "I should have put the automatic return to 60, maybe 50%. 75% was too much."
"How bad is it?" She asked.
"He's broken some ribs. Crushed his shoulder and collarbone. His upper arm is broken in a few places. He has a gash on his head and a cracked skull. He's going to be sore."
"His heart is alright, though."
"Yeah, that's just fine."
"You can repair all of the broken things."
"Yeah. But the muscles around them are going to need some time to recover. The crushed bones will need more time to repair. That's the reason he's in the box. I'm concentrating on that area. But, it will still take hours."
Rose threaded her fingers through his. "Can I help with anything?"
He looked surprised at her. He sat down in the recliner and encouraged her to sit with him in his lap. He kissed her lips quickly. "Are you comfortable doing that?"
She shook her head. "No. Honestly not. I just hate that you are so upset about this."
He shook his head. "I'm really alright. Tony will be fine. He just needs some time in the box. I can fix most of everything else. He saved an entire convoy of soldiers today. Not too bad."
She smiled, "Not too bad at all."
He took a deep breath as he ran his hand under her skirt and rubbed her hip. "How are you doing? You look, amazing."
She smiled, "I had to get up and get dressed. Nursing pads and such. I wanted to feel…..I don't know…..pretty. Not like a cow."
He smiled as he continued to rub her hip under her dress, "You are always beautiful to me."
She bopped him on the end of the nose with her finger. "Oh, don't even try with me, Old Man. I could tell how seeing me dressed like this made you feel."
He bit his lip and nodded his head. "True. I was not expecting this. How is it going? Sam…"
She smiled, "He's happier than I've ever known him. I told him he's eating like a pig. He's made himself sick twice already today."
He chuckled. "He'll slow down. There's just so much he doesn't have to work as hard to get it. He seems really ….."
"Full. I hope. He is sleeping in Poltious' arms. I left him with Tony and Genie in the Observation Room. I'm glad you suggested coming up here and pumping some of it out. I feel relieved."
"You will probably have to come up here and do that several times a day for a while. But, it will get better. Any pain?"
"Just in my back. It's not bad."
He rubbed her back and nodded. "I can give you a massage later."
She smiled, "I would love that. Yes."
He glanced over at Tony and nodded his head. "There is something, I need you to help me with. Do you have a minute?"
She smiled, "Of course I do." She stood up and held his hand as he led her into the room across the hall. He closed the door and locked it, then turned on the light. She turned to him and smiled. "What is it?"
He quickly grabbed her face in both of his hands and kissed her. "Rose. Tell me you want this right now, too."
She unbuttoned his jeans and pushed them down with his pants. He slipped off his shoes and stepped out of his jeans and pants as he continued to kiss her. She walked backwards and climbed on the bed. She stopped and he pulled her knickers off of her. She lay back on the bed.
He rubbed between her legs causing her to moan. She lifted her knees up to help him get to her easier. She could feel his hot breath against her neck as he kissed her. He whispered, "Rose. I love you. I love that we can do this."
She held his face and looked into his eyes. "Baby, I love you. Are you sure you are alright?"
He smiled, "I'm fine."
She stroked him in her hand. He moaned as she pulled him inside of her. He lay on top of her and pumped as they both panted.
'No strange words.' She told him.
He smiled as he kissed her. "You're so wet already."
She ran her fingers through his hair as he continued to thrust inside of her. She pulled her legs up and wrapped them around his body. He started to twist his hips, and she started to cry out.
He kissed her quickly to muffle her cries. "Don't get very loud. We're not at home."
"Then don't do that. You know that makes me mad."
He chuckled as he crashed his lips back into hers again. He kissed down to her neck and unbuttoned her dress to kiss her chest. He whispered, "Can I go down without making you shout?"
"No. I really don't think you can."
He rose up and smiled at her. "I take that as a challenge!"
She giggled as he laughed and put his head between her legs. He took her clit in his mouth and sucked it while he flicked it with his tongue. She grabbed a pillow and put it over her face to muffle her shouts. He bit it gently. As he held it in his teeth, he hummed. Rose screamed and sat up. He lay back on top of her and kissed her again. He easily slipped back inside of her and thrust deeply.
She smiled as she rolled over and sat on top of him. He looked at her, still wearing her dress. Himself, still wearing his t-shirt and oxford. He held her hips under the dress, still inside of her. "Sweetheart. You look like you needed a shag."
She giggled as he leaned down and kissed him again. She felt his fingers tease her opening where they joined. She moved her body to slide up and down on his swollen member. He opened his mouth and closed his eyes. "Oh, that's so amazing."
She kissed him as she tightened herself around him. She pumped until she finally cried out and lay down on him.
She could feel his brain had stopped working. He laid his hands next to his head and relaxed in the pillows on the bed. "Oh, wow." He mumbled.
She smiled as he held her head and kissed it. "You're right. I needed a quick shag with you."
He chuckled, "I'm always ready for a quick shag with you."
She continued to lie on his chest as he held her tightly. "Rose. I need to talk to you about something."
She smiled and kissed his neck. "Sure, Baby. What is it?"
He smiled, "I love that you call me, 'Baby.' I love the way it feels when you say it."
"Oldest Baby in the Universe, for sure." She giggled. "What do you need to talk about?"
He rubbed his head. "I. Ummm. I. Okay. Let's start with you. If you knew something about me, that you knew I never wanted you to know or to speak of, what would you do?"
She sat up and propped her chin on her hand. "I don't have to know everything about you."
"This is something, that you would feel, you had to do something about."
She looked confused at him. "Okay. What are you on about?"
He closed his eyes and thought. "I don't know how to say this."
She nodded her head. "Okay, that I can understand. Let's do this. You think about it, and I'm going to get back to the children. I'm sure they are ready to go back to the surface by now."
He nodded his head without opening his eyes. "Right."
She leaned down and kissed him. What he thought would have been a quick kiss, turned into a long, wet, passionate snogging. After she finished, she rose up and smiled at him. "Baby, I love you more than anyone ever has. More than anyone ever can. More than anyone ever will. Remember that when you need to talk to me about something."
He smiled, "Thank you, Rose."
She climbed off of the bed and looked around. "And where are my knickers?"
He sat up and laughed, "My favorite sentence. Well, second favorite sentence that comes from your lips."
His bracelet lit up. "Doctor Smith." Friday said.
He pulled on his pants and jeans and looked around for Rose's knickers. "Yeah!"
"The computer has finished running the program. The results are in your office, as requested."
He picked up the pillow and spotted them. He picked up the knickers and twirled them on his finger. "Rose." He said as he walked over and handed them to her. She smiled as she took them in her hand.
"I'm surprised you are giving these back." She teased him.
"It's a short skirt." He pointed out.
She nodded as she pulled back on her knickers. He helped her, running his fingers under the material to feel her skin again. She giggled, "Any reason to touch me."
He held her closely. "Any reason. I love you so much. My idea of the perfect day is one where we could lay in each other's arms, and make love all day. Could we do that sometime?"
She smiled, "I love that idea. Yes. Tell Michelle to put it on your schedule."
He dropped his arms and rolled his eyes as he walked towards the door. "Oh geez. I can see how I would say that now. Michelle! I need an all day shagging with my wife! Put it on the schedule!"
She laughed as she went to the door and opened it. "Yeah, tell me what she says about that. I'm taking the children to the surface. Will you be back to the island today?"
He nodded his head. "Yes. I've got some things to do here, but I'll bring Tony down when he's done. This Tony, not your brother. It will be several hours though."
She leaned back onto his chest. He took her hands in his and kissed them both. "I'm looking forward to a massage later."
"Me too." He smiled as he kissed her again.
Jack walked by them, "Gross. Get a room."
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Several hours later. The Doctor had been called to translate a transmission for Torchwood. It turned out to be a simple matter were aliens were requesting to dock overnight in the Space Port of Earth to make some repairs to their ship.
Pete was very happy it was nothing more than that. "Son, they sounded just pissed off to me."
He smiled, "That's just how they speak."
"Like the French. French aliens. Who knew?" Pete joked.
The Doctor rolled his eyes, "Bye, Pete." He ended the call. "Mad man."
He sat back in the recliner of Tony's room in the med bay. He worked on his tablet as he wore his glasses and ran his hair through his hair.
'Hey, Baby. Are you busy?' Rose spoke in his head.
He smiled as his heart filled with happiness. 'I'm not. Just doing some boring stuff.'
'That means work stuff for the hospital.' She teased.
He smiled, 'You know me well. Tony's still asleep.'
'How is he?'
'I was able to take him back off of the oxygen, he'll be fine. How's the children?'
'We've been swimming since we returned. Legate and Logan have outdone themselves. They have installed a slide on the lagoon. I'm exhausted.'
'They are exhausted. Lay down with them and take a nap. Not Legate and Logan. The children.'
She laughed. 'Oh, I know what you mean. I feel like I sleep all of the time!'
He laughed, 'You are a mum of an infant. Sleep while you can.'
He felt her groan. 'Alright. It's beginning to rain here. I'm not going to argue.'
He smiled, 'The rain always makes me tired, too.'
'Well, you get back to being bored. I'm going to nap with these children.'
'Rotten children! They get to see you while I can't.'
'You'll be home later tonight. Dad asked to come by. He said he needed to talk to you about something with Howie.'
'Alright. I'll let him know when I'm back. I don't feel comfortable leaving Tony up here alone.'
'I understand. Do we need to call Pepper?'
'What would we tell her?'
She thought for a moment. 'I have no idea. I'll let you guys handle that.'
'Take a nap, sweetheart. Let me worry about things for a while.'
'Alright. I love you, Nehyta.'
He smiled like a loon, 'And I love you. Nehyta.'
"Oh shit, that goofy ass look on your face can only mean one thing. Tell Rose 'Hi' from me." Tony complained as he woke up.
He sat down his tablet and stood up. He pressed a button on the side of it, and the box that encased Tony's chest rose up. He pushed it to the side. "Refresh the screen, Friday."
"Of course." The machine scanned Tony again. "It would appear the ribs are healed, but Mr. Stark's collarbone and shoulder will require more time."
"Does he mean, in this box?"
The Doctor nodded, "Yeah."
He groaned, "Fuck that. I need to get up for a while. I feel like I've sweat a gallon and I need a drink."
"A break is not a bad idea. Here, let me help you up."
Tony grimaced in pain as the Doctor helped him sit on the side of the bed. He looked at him, "There's something different. What have you done?"
"I don't know. What?" He said as he looked around to find a sling to put Tony's arm in.
Tony pointed at him, "You shaved! Does Gene know?"
He laughed as he helped him put on a robe. "She does. She was with me when I did it."
Tony closed his eyes tightly and groaned in pain as he put on the sling. "You got anything for this pain?"
The Doctor nodded, "Yeah." He reached up and took the small device from Tony's head. He attached it to his shoulder and clicked it a few times on. "Right. How's that?"
Tony nodded his head. "Oh, that's good shit." He looked up at him and laughed. "Let's get out of here."
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The Doctor and Tony sat in the Doctor's office onboard the ship. The Doctor had his feet propped up on the desk and was looking at the screen of read-outs. Tony sipped a tall glass of water, as he sat on a sofa in the room. His gash on his head had been repaired, but the blow that had cracked his skull had left him with a large black eye and bruise that ran down his head. He sat, wearing the large light blue robe, and a pair of light blue cotton pajama trousers. He had his bare feet propped up on the table in front of him. He rubbed the bruise on his head.
"What's that?" he asked.
The Doctor pointed at the screen. "We blew up a ship last night near Saturn. The crew had all expired."
"Expired?"
"Died. They were the carriers of a plague that would contaminant the Earth in a few hundred years. It was adrift."
"Oh, well it would take it several hundred years to reach Earth then. Makes sense why you blew it up. Did you download where it had been to make sure-"
"Yep. That's what this is." He pointed at the screen.
"Good idea." Tony nodded his head. "How bad did I damage the suit?"
"Totally. You might be able to use it for scrap."
He groaned, "Damn it. Well, it saved my ass."
"That it did. I've not met anyone that have been able to walk away from being hit by a missile."
Tony chuckled and immediately stopped. "Awe. Fuck." He sipped his water. "You haven't called Pepper have you?"
The Doctor didn't look away from the screen that was rolling out more information. "Nah. I just need to keep you up here for about four more hours. Then you can go back to the surface."
He nodded his head. "My chest is tight. Is that right?"
The Doctor didn't look back at him. "Yeah. The muscles around everything that was broken are going to need time to heal. You'll be sore for a few days. I know what you are thinking. I've checked your heart and everything is alright."
Tony sat his water glass down on the table next to him. "Well, I'm bored. Got anything for me to do?"
The Doctor smiled as stood up and he put his hand on the front of a box built into the wall. "Open cabinet."
"Access for this cabinet is limited. Please state your name." Friday said.
"Doctor Johnathon Smith." He said and the door popped open.
He handed the notebooks inside to Tony. "Here, mate."
Tony sat them on his lap. "Thanks."
The Doctor put his hand on his hip and looked at him. "Is that pain control enough for you? You look pale."
"My head feels a bit strange-"
"I'm an idiot. You probably have a concussion, too. I'll need to keep you for twelve hours."
Tony rolled his eyes. "You are really a shitty Doctor."
He laughed as he went to the food replicator. "Ice pack."
An ice pack appeared on the replicator. He handed it to Tony.
Tony groaned and opened the notebook. "You've never told me. I know Johnathon isn't your real name. Is anything about your name real?"
He looked back at him and looked serious, "Oh. Dangerous question there, mate."
He held his hand out. "Come on. You don't trust me?"
"It's not a matter of trust. It's only that my name has to remain hidden. I instead only have a title. I chose to be called 'The Doctor'."
"Got a thing for medicine, huh?"
"I'm the reason people of medicine are called that. I'm the reason people of great intelligence are called that, too."
Tony rolled his eyes, "The pompous Time Lord states to the human mortal."
He laughed. "Well, you asked."
"So, people just call you 'the Doctor?' That's weird."
He nodded his head. "Yeah. Did for centuries. When I came here, Rose suggested I pick a name. I had always used 'John Smith', but she felt it sounded, invented."
"Well, yeah. It does. So, Johnathon Smith instead?"
He looked back at the screen. "Yeah. It sounded more, complete."
Tony put the ice pack on the side of his head. "John Smith. What got you started using that name?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "It's a common name-"
"But, you wouldn't have known that."
"Why not? I'm clever."
"You would have had to use it from the beginning of coming to Earth and traveling in time. There was something."
He nodded his head. "You are clever. My granddaughter listened to a band back in 1963 called 'John Smith and the Common Men'. That's where we first landed. She picked it for me."
Tony nodded his head. "Granddaughter, huh?"
"Yeah. It was just us."
He nodded his head. "Huh. What did she decide to call herself?"
The Doctor smiled, "Susan."
"Did she have a hidden name before?"
He bit his lip and shook his head. "No. But, I still can't speak it."
Tony nodded his head. "Sorry, man. I didn't mean to-"
"Nah. I wouldn't tell you if I didn't want you to know. It's alright."
Tony rubbed his head. "Huh. Interesting. I know you have lived for a long time, but didn't stop to think you were old enough to have a granddaughter."
The Doctor was looking back at the screen. "Yeah. That was a long time ago." He stopped the listing on the screen and took a closer look at something. He shook his head and clicked a few buttons. It returned to its usual read-out pace.
Tony sighed, "Have you called Pepper? Have I asked you that?"
He looked back at him. "Do you have any pain in your head?"
"No. Just. Pressure."
He looked back at the screen. "Huh. Concussion. No, I've not called her."
Tony opened the notebook in his lap. "Oh, shit! This is the Dimensional Cannon. Fucking hell."
He smiled as he looked at the screen. "Yeah, a little light reading may help your head." He paused the screen and opened the desk drawer. He pulled out two tabloids and handed them to him. "Here, put that on top of it."
Tony shook his head. "Alright."
The Doctor pulled out a bag of candy from the drawer and started to eat from the bag. He was quiet for a while Tony studied the notebook and the screen continued to print out information. Suddenly, the Doctor groaned. "Oh, shit. That's not good at all."
He stopped the read-out and pressed a few buttons on the side of the screen.
"Problem?" Tony asked.
"Not sure, yet. I really hope not."
"Need me to leave?"
"Nah. Sit still. Your shoulder doesn't need to be moved too much."
Suddenly, a woman appeared on the screen. She wore long white robes and had white hair that almost glowed.
"Greetings." She smiled.
The Doctor smiled. "Greetings. I'm the Doctor. Doctor Johnathon Smith. Princeps of Plentitude, Primus of Prime Guard of Terra and Guardian of the Princess Ashena. I need to speak with King Clagl immediately."
The young lady smiled sadly. "I'm very sorry, but I can't connect you with the King at the present time. The Queen would be able to take your call though. Would that be satisfactory?"
He nodded, "Indeed. Thank you."
The screen went blank. Tony smiled, "Primus of Terra? Where is that?"
"It's what most of the galaxy calls Earth."
Tony shook his head, "Latin strikes again. I knew that."
The Doctor laughed at his friend as the screen was filled up with the Queen Oen's lovely face. "Doctor Johnathon Smith. Is my daughter well?"
He smiled, "Princess is quite well, sweet Queen. She's safe and that's not the reason for my call."
The Queen nodded and looked serious, "Do you have news of Clagl?"
He shook his head. "I do not. What has happened? Where is he?"
"He went to the Jafrualara System with Foetist. Our son. They haven't been heard from in days. We have tried to contact them, with no success. I'm about to walk into a meeting now to send our army to see if they can determined what happened to them-"
"No! That's not what needs to happen. I've been in contact with a Kmehm ship full of expired passengers and crew. I've traced where it has been, and Clagl's ship was docked next to it a few days ago."
She groaned, "Kmehm. No doubt infected with some plague."
He nodded his head. "Foetist is with him?"
The Queen held her hand to her mouth. "Yes, he is. What shall I do?"
"Stand by there. Get a small team of soldiers ready with your best medical specialists. I'm leaving immediately to their last known location. Licis is still linked with your Quauhtin. Are any with them?"
The Queen shook her head. "No. Only soldiers."
The Doctor groaned.
"Bring Ashena with you. Just in case." The Queen said.
He nodded his head. "I will. I'll let you know as soon as I find them."
She nodded her head as he bowed to her. He ended the call and ran his hand through his hair. "Oh this is very, very bad. Tony, you're going to have to come with me."
He pointed at him, "You said twelve hours-"
"I say a lot of shit." He held up his finger and closed his eyes. "Okay, I need Licis, Timon, Poltious and Legate. Ashena and Logan. Yes. Is that all?"
Tony rubbed his head. "Can you bring Lewis?"
"No. He has to remain. He's the only Primus there. Damn it. I'll bring Lance."
"Jack? Jake?"
"They are busy with Torchwood stuff. This is really not a great time for this at all. I have Tony Tyler for the rest of the day, too. He'll just have to come with us."
Tony pointed to himself. "And myself. How long will we be gone?"
He looked up at him, "I'm not sure. I'm not sure what I will find. I need to leave now. Rose is sleeping with the children."
He walked over to a panel at the desk. He clicked a few things and slid his hands across the desk. "Friday. I need to ring Pete Tyler."
Friday spoke. "Putting the call in now, Doctor."
Pete appeared on the screen. He was sitting in his office. The Doctor could see Jake sitting across from him at the desk. "Hey! What's up?"
"Pete. There's a problem and I have to leave immediately. I'm taking the ship to find Ashena's father. He's came in contact with that plague ship and I fear he's fell victim to it."
"Want me to come get Tony? Well, damn. I can't."
"He's safe. Would you rather I take him with us?"
"No, Christmas is tomorrow. Jackie will kill us both. Well, hell. She won't be back until late tonight. Go ahead and take him. I'll deal with Jacks."
"Really? Are you sure?"
He nodded his head. "Yeah. I know he's safe with you."
"What's happened?"
Pete sighed, "We just had an explosion outside of the White House. I think it's probably protesting, but I'd rather you just go ahead and take him in case this gets worse."
"Howie?"
"Oh, the boys have him and the family. I believe they are at the mansion. On second thought, Jake. Would you pop to the island and bring Tony to the mansion? I really don't want to deal with Jacks. She will kill us."
Jake nodded his head. "I'd be happy to."
The Doctor nodded, "Right. He's sleeping in our bedroom upstairs. I have Rose, Genie and Sam with me onboard already."
Pete pointed at Jake, who disappeared immediately. "Son, how long will you be gone?"
"I'm not sure, Pete."
"Be careful. You have some of my favorite people on that ship."
"Mine too. I'll be in touch." He ended the call.
"Okay. That's mostly sorted." He ran his hand through his hair walked to the doorway. "Timon."
Timon turned around from the main control panel. "Licis and Poltious just came onboard. The others will be here in five minutes."
"Alright. Let's go ahead and get things ready to go." He turned around, "Stay here a bit Tony."
Tony held his hand out, "I don't get a say so in this? Christmas is tomorrow!"
"No!" he called as he walked out.
Tony rolled his eyes. "Damn it. She's going to be pissed."
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