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Chapter 41 – Stars Streak

Lewis and Pete sat with The Doctor in a large conference room. They were all drinking tea. The stars streaked by the window in long lines. Determined to get home before Rose woke, The Doctor had increased the speed from impulse power. "Plus, we need to ensure the engines are working to capacity." Gobbo agreed.

The Doctor sat in a chair with his feet propped up in another one. He looked out of the window at the stars passing by. "See, I never saw this in my old ship."

"You couldn't see outside of the ship?" Lewis asked him.

He shook his head. "It was a different sort of ship. She didn't travel places like this. She just appeared where I needed her to. She never really flew someplace. I didn't need to see outside, but when I did I had screens that showed it to me. I like this. It's so….soothing."

"Maybe you're just tired." Lewis suggested.

He looked out the window and nodded his head. "Maybe that's it."

Pete rubbed his face. "So, Beshi are taking humans? Is this a problem we need to address?"

Lewis looked back at the Doctor. "He went to get Frank's family. I bet it's because of Lam Relle. Did he use a scrubber when he left?"

"Apparently not. That's probably what is happening here. Lam Relle has pissed off some Beshi. I wonder what the hell…" he thought for a minute. "Ah, I don't need to get involved in that."

Pete asked, "Send a team to use a radar scrubber on Frank's place. That should prevent anymore trouble there. Then, alert Space Traffic Control to keep an eye out for Beshi ships in the area. I suppose that's all we can do."

The Doctor nodded. "I agree Director Tyler!"

Pete chuckled. "Well, tell me. Director Smith. What are we doing to handle this Idles problem? Any developments since I've been gone?"

The Doctor sipped his tea and shook his head. "Nah. He's been quiet for the past two weeks. Lance is with him now. According to our old friend, Ryan Ard over at the CIA, he wasn't behind the bombing at the ballet. I'm not sure if I agree with him on that, though."

Pete looked confused. "But, the men dressed just like the ones he had sent before."

"A splinter group?" Lewis suggested.

"I have no idea. If it is a splinter group pulling away, then it means there is confusion in his organization. That can be both very good and very bad for us."

"Why would they be pulling away?" Pete asked.

Lewis turned to him and crossed his arms. "They are beginning to form their own opinions of how to handle the problem."

"Which means he's starting to also lose support, too. People aren't seeing Rose and me as aliens. Our little telly interview worked." The Doctor nodded.

"But, that means there are more than just Ides now." Pete reasoned.

"Or, they could have been killed that night at the ballet. We don't know." The Doctor said.

"What the hell are you doing here?" a voice called from the doorway.

All three men jumped as Jackie Tyler walked into the room and right up to The Doctor. She stood over him with her hands on her hips. It was clear she was very cross.

"What the hell is your problem? Have a child for four days before you think to even call his grandparents to tell us he is born? What the hell is wrong with you?" Jackie demanded.

He held his hands up. "Jackie! I swear, I tried –"

"Well, you clearly didn't try hard enough you plum! I ought to just smack you! In fact!" She smacked him across the shoulder. He held his hands up as he moved away from her.

"Jackie! I have my bodyguard here!" The Doctor pointed at her and smiled.

Lewis laughed as he shook his head. "Nope! Sorry, mate. I can't keep you from her. She's within the family."

"Are you shitting me?" The Doctor demanded.

Lewis laughed as he shook his head. "Nope. It's a rule."

"And it might as well be." Jackie told him. "Cause I'd just smack you too, Lewis! You could have told someone."

Lewis held up his hands. "I'm bound by Oaths of Privacy, Mrs. Tyler! I couldn't say anything!"

Jackie stood on the other side of the table and put her hands on her hips. She pointed at Pete. "Did you know about this, Pete?"

Pete laughed as he shook his head. "No. I've not even seen a picture of the little guy."

Jackie turned on The Doctor. "You don't even have a picture of him? What the hell sort of father are you?"

"Ugh. Jackie! You have a picture! I've been dealing with some stuff!" The Doctor told her.

"What the hell are you doing here? Is Rose here?" Jackie asked.

He shook his head. "No. Rose is back home. I came here with Lewis."

"Why?" Jackie asked him.

Pete stood up and put his arm around her. "It's late Jackie. We'll be home in a few hours and you can see the baby and Rose. Let's go on back to bed. You can yell at him some more when we get there."

Lewis laughed at him, "I love this assignment."

"We'll be getting back really early in the morning. Want me to wake you, or do you want to sleep then come down?" The Doctor asked him.

"Whichever. Night, gentlemen." Pete told them as he and Jackie left the room.

Lewis turned to look at the Doctor. "Aemillus took Timon to Frank's. They have explained to Frank that we have his family and they are safe. He's extremely grateful. They have used the scrubber. Frank is going to wait up for them to return home. They are staying there with him until we return."

The Doctor nodded. "That's a good idea. I'll go straight down with them once we get there. You can go back to Arla. Is she at your apartment?"

Lewis blushed and rubbed his face. "Ummm…. Yeah."

He smiled at him, "And let me guess. Summus wouldn't approve?"

"Oh, no he wouldn't." Lewis shook his head.

The Doctor laughed.

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