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Chapter 41 - Protocol One

Rose and the Doctor popped into an empty room inside of the Presidential Palace along with Logan, Legate, Lance and Jake.

Lance shook his head. "Do you hear this? Lewis is chatting my head off."

The Doctor chuckled. "Yeah, he's really excited."

Legate asked, "How did he just hear about this?"

The Doctor put his finger over his lips. "Not now, guys."

Rose looked at them. "You lot go on and have your secrets. I'll find out."

Lance smiled, "Yes, ma'am."

Legate put his hands in his pockets. "My father will be along shortly to remain in the shadows. He's probably already here."

Logan asked, "Are we expecting trouble?"

Jake smiled, "We're always expecting trouble. It's just what happens with this family."

Pete popped in with Poltious. "Harriet won't mind another one for dinner. Besides, I hear we're having salmon. Let's go!"

The Doctor turned to Rose, "What? Pete?"

She smiled, "Just go with it."

They all walked out of the room together. The Doctor mumbled, "Well, no tux's yet. That's promising."

They walked down the elegant hallways of the palace. Harriet's body guards spotted them immediately. They walked over and greeted them. Harriet walked out of the room where she sat with some people who were elegantly dressed. She looked relieved to see them all. "Oh! At last! I'm so very pleased you are here!"

Rose embraced her. "Harriet. How are you?"

Upon closer inspection, Harriet seemed stressed. She looked back at Pete and the Doctor and smiled. "I'm so glad you are here. Negotiations have been difficult this week here. But, I think we finally have agreed to some things."

The Doctor asked, "Who are you negotiating with?"

Harriet sighed, "Japan. Trade deals. Ugh. It's a heavy table to begin with, but even heavier when both sides won't compromise. They are already downstairs. It's just been a long week. I'm ready to have dinner with some good friends and relax a bit. Tell me, how is Howie and Caroline? I've not been able to get away."

Pete nodded his head. "Howie is doing better. His heart is so weak though. The Doctor has advised him to resign his Presidency and get a transplant."

Harriet looked shocked, "Is it that serious? I had no idea! Oh my!"

The Doctor sighed, "He can't continue to live under that stress. It's too much."

Harriet shook her head. "Good luck talking him out of that. I know Howard Shepherd is not going to agree to anything of the sort!"

Pete nodded his head. "You know the man well."

The Doctor agreed, "Yes. But I think we have made him see reason. Oh! Harriet. Please allow me to introduce a friend of mine. This is Logan. He plays football with us and I've recently taken over his training for Torchwood."

Logan stepped forward and shook Harriet's hand. "Madam President."

Harriet smiled, "It's lovely to see you again, Logan. I remember when you came to play at the Gardens. Hell of a footballer. I'm surprised you didn't go to college on that."

Logan shook his head. "Nah. Footballing is for fun, not for making money. I wanted to do something more meaningful with my life. Try to help someone."

Harriet smiled proudly. "Noble indeed. You have the heart of a knight. Legate, Lance and Jake! It's lovely to see you again."

They all nodded at her and smiled, "Ma'am."

An aide walked in. "Madam President, they are ready for you downstairs."

Pete smiled, "Alright. May I escort you to dinner, Harriet?"

Harriet smiled and took Pete's arm.

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They sat in the palace's long ball room. Tables had been set up along the sides, and people danced to an orchestra that played in the middle of the room. President Harriet Jones sat at the table with Pete, the Doctor, Rose, Jake, Legate and Logan. Polotius had disappeared into the shadows. The Japanese delegation sat close-by at another table completely.

Jake laughed at the situation, quietly. "They are really sitting way over there?

Harriet shrugged her shoulders, "It made them happy. Believe me, I do not mind. It's been a tough week."

Pete shook his head and laughed quietly. "Damn. I'm glad I didn't go into politics."

The Doctor smiled, "Not for you, huh?"

Pete shook his head, "No. Not at all."

The room was full of celebrities and politicians. Several walked over to briefly speak to Harriet, Pete, Rose or the Doctor. Logan looked at Legate, completely amazed to be sitting in such an environment. Pete and Harriet were busy talking to someone from MI6.

The Doctor took Rose's hand. "We should dance. Would you like to do that?"

Rose smiled, "Certainly."

He excused them as they joined the others who were dancing a slow waltz on the floor. Rose looked in his eyes, and he kissed her lips quickly.

He smiled, "Sorry. I should have asked first. Make-up and all."

Rose giggled as they danced, "It's really alright. What song is this? I've heard Genie play it."

The Doctor thought for a moment and smiled, "It is 'Stairway to Heaven', by Led Zeppelin."

"Oh, it is not! What is it really?"

He chuckled, "'The Lonely Ballerina'. I would prefer the Zeppelin song, personality."

A photographer asked, "Excuse me. Miss Tyler. Doctor Smith. May I please have a photo?"

The Doctor smiled, "Of course. Thank you for asking first. Take several. And this is Doctor Tyler-Smith. My wife."

The photographer smiled, "My apologizes. I did know that." She took several pictures. Then she lowered her camera. "Thank you both. I'll see that you get a copy."

Rose smiled, "Thank you."

The photographer walked away to get some shots of the other guests.

They continued to dance together. The Doctor mumbled, "That was a welcomed change. Someone asking to take our picture instead of just doing it."

Rose rolled her eyes and smiled at him. "Tony asked if he could buy you a Zeppelin. I told him you hated them, so not to bother."

He smiled, "And you're right. I've always hated them. Even before we came here."

"How many times have you flown in a Zeppelin?"

He sighed, "Besides the time we returned from Norway? Several times. I can remember the first time. I was caught in a Zeppelin raid. It was during the War. The first War. We were right above the Battle of Gallipoli. People shooting at you, and you can only move at that torturous slow speed. It was just a terrible idea all the way around."

Rose looked surprised at him. "I've never heard this story."

He looked at her, "I usually don't tell the ones where I got hurt."

She rubbed his back as they continued to dance. "How did you get hurt?"

"A sabre found its' way into me. But, thinking back on that, I didn't do too badly in that fight. Especially as old as I was." He bit his lip as he looked impressed with himself. "Yeah. Not bad at all."

Rose rolled her eyes at him. "Were you alone?"

He shook his head, "No. My Susan was with me."

Looking around the room, Rose was reminded of time she had been watching a grand ball through a time window. Madam de Pompadour and King Louis XV of France had been under attack from androids they had found on a ship. The androids threatened to decapitate Reinette, but the Doctor crashed through the mirror to save her. Rose's heart suddenly felt heavy remembering how she thought she had lost her beloved on that day.

The Doctor felt her sudden sadness. He took her hand and kissed it. She looked at him and smiled. "I'm alright." She told him quietly.

"You feel sad. Are you certain?" He asked her.

She smiled, "I'm fine."

He looked confused at her. Then nodded his head. "Are you still taking that medicine?"

He could feel Rose's surprise at his question. She moaned, "Ugh. Here is comes. You're going to yell at me."

He chuckled at her. "No. I'm not going to be cross, Rose. I'm not even going to badger you about it."

Rose looked surprised at him. "You're not?"

He shook his head as he continued to dance with her. "I'm just going ask you something, and think on this. If you were sick, say with a cold, and I asked you to take some medicine until you got better, would you take it?"

Rose shrugged her shoulders, "That's different-"

"No. It's not. It's the same sort of thing. It's not forever, it's just for a bit."

She sighed, "I was thinking about something that made me sad. Don't harangue me about it."

He smiled, "Not haranguing you. Just pointing something out. What were you thinking about that made you sad?"

They continued to dance. Rose looked around. "This place. It looks similar to the Royal Hall where you jumped through the window to save that French lady."

"Madam de Pompadour." He smiled as he looked around. "That was Versailles, but yeah…a bit similar. Why would that make you sad, Rose?"

"Because I thought I had lost you that day." Rose told him.

He looked seriously at her. "I'm sorry. I had forgotten that part of it."

Rose shook her head, "I'm being stupid-"

He smiled at her. "Your feelings are never stupid."

Anxious to change the subject, Rose asked him. "So. This is your first State Dinner here in Great Britain. What do you think so far?"

He chuckled, "Company is good. Music is good. People seem polite. How many State Dinners have you attended?"

Rose smiled, "I'm not sure. Several. Dad always seems to escort Harriet for the press. They even created this blown-up scandal last year that they were an item."

The Doctor made a face. "Harriet and Pete? Please tell me you are kidding."

Rose giggled as they continued to dance. "Oh, I'm not kidding. Mum went completely mental. That's when she stopped reading the tabloids. All they print are lies."

He nodded his head, "This morning, I was on the cover with Lewis. I don't know where the picture even came from. Apparently, we're more than mates. I can't wait to see Lewis' face. He didn't even know he rode that bus."

Rose covered her mouth and laughed. "You should frame it for a wedding gift."

He nodded his head and laughed, "Oh, I really should. If the guys haven't already."

Rose laughed as she took his hand and lead him back over to the table they had been sitting at. He held the chair for her as she sat down.

Pete, who had been speaking to Harriet about something, looked at them. "Already finished dancing?"

The Doctor smiled, "Heels. No matter how many times I ask her not to wear them, she always does." He drank his water.

Rose spoke in his head. 'New rule. You can only tell me what to do if you are naked.'

In his surprise to her words, he choked on his water. Pete and Harriet looked surprised at him. He looked back at Rose, who rubbed his back as he caught his breath. 'Oh, the gods. You are a mean woman. Did you just say that?' He laughed and wiped the tears from his eyes.

Rose giggled as she sipped her water. Jake, Legate, Logan and Lance were busy in their own conversation about some movie star that was dancing with someone in the room.

Harriet smiled, "You two looked so lovely out there together."

The Doctor smiled at Rose. "Rose always looks lovely. I just try not to embarrass her."

Rose giggled as he took her hand and kissed it.

Harriet sipped her water. "Tell me. How are the children? I imagine Jacob is still with you."

The Doctor smiled, "They are all fine."

Rose giggled, "Their newest game is jumping out at people and giving them a fright."

"Yeah, they got us as we were going down in the lift tonight. They don't know who they are messing with. Now, it is my turn." The Doctor laughed as he pointed at himself.

Pete chuckled. "It won't be long there will be four doing that. Enjoy it while it's just the three."

The Doctor nodded. "That's very true. He's grown so much since you have seen him, Harriet."

Harriet smiled, "Sleeping good, then?"

Rose smiled, "He's a great sleeper. I'm so pleased. I've heard horror stories about children who keep you up all night."

The Doctor nodded, "It's true. Very little are we up with him."

Rose patted his thigh. "Well, he's always good to stay up with him and let me sleep."

The Doctor smiled, "Well, me or one of the guys. Lewis seems to have him a lot."

Lance laughed, "My brother is a big child. He can relate to one so young. They have much to discuss together."

The table laughed. Pete smiled, "Jacks said that Rose was always a great sleeper. He apparently takes after his mum."

Rose felt the Doctor's emotions change a bit. She took his hand and looked at him. He smiled painfully back at her. She heard his voice in her head, 'I'm alright, Rose. Pete doesn't know. No one does. I'd rather no one knew. They would treat him differently.'

She nodded at him.

The Doctor smiled, "An Olympic sleeper. Like his mum."

Logan picked up a fork and quietly asked Legate, "Is this real gold?"

The waiters served the first course, as another waiter walked behind them and poured a glass of wine for each person.

The Doctor sat back and rubbed his hands together in excitement. "Okay! Hang on! I've been waiting to do this! Okay, the menu. Huh. It's in French. Why is it in French, Harriet? You are entertaining people from Japan."

Harriet shrugged her shoulders and laughed, "It's mad, right? They requested it."

The Doctor nodded his head and continued, "Alright, Le Menu. Filet de Tyrbot a l'Amiral or Fillet of the West Coast Turbot with Lobster Mousse. Longe de Venaison d'Ecosse Rotie Sauce Perigueux, Choux Rouges Brasises, Timbale de Celeri-rave, Prommes Cocottes Bonne Femme Salade or Roasted Loin of Balmoral Venison in a Maderia and Truffle Sauce, Braised Red Cabbage, Cocotte Potatoes, Timbale of Celerax and Butternut Squash."

Pete chuckled at him. "How the hell do you know that?"

Harriet smiled, "Extraordinary! You didn't mention the wine."

He bit his lip and looked at the glass. "Chateau Lafite Rothschild. Wow. A favorite wine of Thomas Jefferson's. Interesting."

Rose rolled her eyes. "You have defiantly been spending too much time with Stark. Geez."

Pete asked, "Alright, son. How did you do that? Do you have a menu over there?"

The Doctor smiled, "Ha! Trade secret, Pete. I won't say. Logan. Don't eat the salad. It has carrots in it. Everything else should be fine."

Logan smiled, "Thank you, Doctor Smith."

Harriet laughed in surprise. "Hang on. Why shouldn't Logan eat carrots?"

Logan smiled, "I have an allergy to carrots. It's common. I usually don't eat salads unless I make them myself just to make certain."

Rose looked surprised at him. "I've never heard of anyone being allergic to that."

The Doctor shook his head. "It's more common than you think. I shouldn't have pointed it out like that, I just didn't want him to eat it and get sick. I apologize, Logan."

Logan shook his head. "No. By all means, always tell me. I might not know."

Pete looked interested, "Is this a life threatening allergy, Logan?"

Logan nodded his head. "Yes. And you would be surprised where carrots can be found. You have to be very careful."

Legate asked, "Like where?"

Logan shook his head. "Well, there are the usual things, like salads and soups. But also, certain sweets. If they are dyed purple, it's usually with a purple carrot. Certain cereals are the same way. Some drinks and even sodas put artificial carrots in their recipe to make it sweeter. Like Dr. Pepper."

Rose smiled, "I had no idea. Wow."

Logan continued. "Trouble is, companies don't have to completely declare what's in their recipes. So, people with an odd allergy like mine have to extremely careful. Sometimes, we don't know until it is too late."

"And you start to react." The Doctor added.

Logan nodded his head. "Exactly."

Pete asked him, "I suppose you don't drink a lot of wine."

Logan looked puzzled, "I'm sorry, wine?"

"Well, some of those are made with carrots. I was really surprised when we went to Italy a few years ago and saw that. You're right. They say it makes it sweeter."

Rose added, "I remember that. Yes. And it made the color brighter."

Logan nodded his head. "Yes. It's used to enhance the colors of foods."

Harriet shook her head. "I had no idea. I'm going to look into this. People should know what they are eating. Particularly with so many people who deal with this now. You're the second person that has told me that they have an allergy today. Pete, are you allergic to anything?"

Pete looked at her. "Bee stings. I was stung in the neck once, and now it makes me swell up like mad. It's very strange. You?"

Harriet shook her head. "None that I know of. You, Rose?"

Rose looked at the Doctor and shrugged her shoulders. "His computers said I was allergic to a lot of different things. But, I have never heard of any of them."

The Doctor shook his head. "There's none of that here. You're quite safe."

Rose looked at Jake, "You?"

Jake shook his head. "Nah. Nothing I know of? You Doc'?"

"Gunshots. Keep it in mind."

Jake rolled his eyes. "You keep it there. Geez."

The Doctor pointed at Legate and Lance. "You guys?"

Lance shook his head, "Nah. Nothing I know of."

Legate smiled, "Latex. I only found out once I got here. I cut my hand, and put a bandage on it. It blistered up my skin like mad. I almost came to see you about it, Doc'."

"You should have. Allergies are usually in a group. If you are allergic to one thing, you run a high risk of being allergic to something else. If you are allergic to latex, be very careful around strawberries. They can cause you to react, too. Like Logan, he's allergic to carrots. I bet he can't eat celery either."

Logan nodded, "Yes. That's right. I hear it's rather disgusting, though. So, I'm not missing anything."

Pete asked, "You have what? Five brothers?"

Logan nodded, "Yes, sir."

"Do they have the same allergy?"

"No. Not at all. I'm the only one. Allergies usually aren't the same in families. In fact, none of them are allergic to anything." Logan told them.

The Doctor added, "Allergies like that aren't hereditary. Be thankful you aren't living about 200 years from now, Logan. People start making clothes out of vegetables. Even carrots. It's strange."

Rose closed her eyes tightly and shook her head. "I'm not even going to ask you to explain that."

He laughed at her. "I'm serious! They do! Organic clothing. And you can't even eat it if you get hungry. Just like polyester today is made with petrol. You can't run a car off of it. Very strange."

Pete took Harriet's hand. "I'm so glad I have someone here I can have a normal conversation with. My son in law always seems to fall into a rabbit hole."

The Doctor sat back and looked at Pete. "Yeah, I suppose I do. It's a problem."

Harriet smiled at Jake. "So, Curly Wolf. Tell me. Adjusting after your holiday?"

Jake knew she was referring to the Time Vortex malfunction. He groaned, "I suppose. We just popped back and found that we had missed five months of our lives. Jack seems to think it's normal. I find it very strange."

The Doctor smiled, "If Jack ever thinks something is strange, that's when it's time to worry."

Jake laughed silently, "Yeah, I suppose that would be right. Some of the stuff he tells me…. Damn. I don't think it's true."

Rose asked, "Like what? I could probably tell you."

Jake bit his lip. "Nah. I won't say. It would probably upset you."

Rose shook her head. "Why? Is it about me?"

Jake shook his head, "No, him."

The Doctor sipped his water, "Me? What is he saying about me, now?"

Jake looked at Rose, "Are you sure? I don't think you want to know."

Rose rolled her eyes. "I probably already know. Go on then."

Jake pointed at the Doctor. "He says that you guys ran into this guy who was elected President in the other dimension. He was from the same place you were."

Rose nodded, "Yes. He told me about that."

Jake continued, "He captured you and Jack, and tortured you both for over a year-"

The Doctor waved his hand and whistled, "Nope. Enough. Rose doesn't need to hear any more of that. Nope."

Rose looked back at him. "You didn't tell me that part."

He could feel her shock. He laid his hand in her lap and sighed, "Ugh. He did try to warn us. Rose, there's a lot more to that story. A whole lot more. And you don't want to hear it. Believe me."

Rose looked seriously at him as he kissed her hand.

He bit his lip and looked at her. He whispered, "I'll tell you everything. Later. Alright?"

Rose nodded her head.

Jake asked, "So, it's true then? The woman who walked the Earth?"

The Doctor smiled, "Yes. Martha. She ended up marrying Mickey. Saved the entire world."

Pete sensing that Rose was about to get upset, decided to redirect the conversation. "So, Harriet. Since we're back in town, maybe we need to plan another football match. Rose is well, and it would be Sam's first one."

Harriet smiled, "Arsenal is playing next week. Let that be his first game. Well, when do you plan to announce his birth?"

Rose looked at the Doctor and shook her head, "I haven't thought about it. I suppose we should talk about that."

Lance shook his head. "It might be better when we're sure the danger has passed. Let him get a bit older."

Pete nodded his head. "That might be better."

The Doctor asked, "When did you announce Tony's birth?"

Pete ate his salad and shook his head. "They knew when Jack's went to the hospital to deliver him. The press was there before I was. Pre-watch living and I was stuck in traffic on a lovely, rainy day in London. Rose was there."

Rose smiled, "I was. He got there just in time, and I got to bow out of that. Thank God!"

The Doctor laughed.

Jake smiled, "I remember that. We stood in the waiting room together that night. Mickey was there. Remember, Rose?"

Rose smiled, "I do. He kept drinking coffee because you two had just got back from an assignment. I can't believe you were still awake."

Jake smiled proudly, "47 hours. Straight awake. Like a boss!"

The Doctor smiled, "Mickey?"

Rose covered her mouth and laughed. "Passed out and fell in the floor. Had to have stitches in his head."

Pete laughed, "I didn't know what's why! I thought he got hurt on assignment."

Jake smiled, "Way more noble to tell you that than what really happened. Although, I did think about telling you it was because Rose had hit him again."

The Doctor smiled at Rose. "He was still trying to get you to go out with him?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "He was relentless."

"Unyielding. I remember that." Harriet said. "Such a nice, young man. But, I can see why you turned him down, Rose."

The Doctor smiled at Rose. She heard him speak in her head. 'I can't say I really blame him. You are so lovely.'

Rose smiled back at him.

Harriet continued, "I'm so pleased you lot came over tonight. It's such a breath of fresh air to be in your company. I know you are all so very busy. Thank you."

A member of security leaned over and spoke in Jake's ear, quietly. Jake nodded his head.

The Doctor asked, "Trouble?"

Jake stood up and rebuttoned his jacket. "Nah. Just protocol stuff. Come on, they need you, too."

The Doctor groaned. He leaned over and kissed Rose's cheek. "I'll be right back, sweetheart."

He stood up and rebuttoned his jacket. "Harriet, don't start your speech without us. Logan. Legate. Let's go see what this is about."

Logan and Legate got up and the four men walked out of the grand ballroom. They followed the security officer out into the hallway. He turned to them. "Gentlemen. Please follow me."

He led them into a receiving room with very ornate decorations. The carpet was red and ancient paintings of the Kings and Queens of England hung on the walls. As they walked into the room, the guard closed the door. He turned to the men and simply said, "Forgive me. I had no choice."

At least fifteen armed men came out of nowhere. They had been hiding behind the long curtains waiting for them. Jake and Legate made ready to fight and the Doctor told them quickly, "No. Not now, guys." He put his hands on top of his head and touched his wrist band without anyone noticing. "We're not armed. Friday, Protocol One."

Legate put his hands on his head and looked at Jake and Logan who did the same.

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