XxxxXxxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxxxx

Chapter 42 - Lewis asks Shakes

It was 5:52 in the early morning when the Doctor popped back into his bedroom. He quietly sat down two boxes of hand rolled cigars that Frank had given to him to celebrate Sam's birth on the sofa in the corner. He took off his jacket, and flipped off his shoes. He looked in the crib and found it empty. He rubbed his chin as he looked over in the bed. There he found Rose and Genie sleeping with tiny Sam lying between them. He couldn't help the smile that spread across his face.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and watched all three of them sleep for a few moments. He took off his watch, opened his nightstand's drawer and pulled out another watch. He put it on quickly and tapped the side of it. It powered up as he rubbed his face. He patted his necklace that hung around his neck.

He lay down behind Rose and wrapped his arms around her. She took a deep breath and smiled.

"You're safe." Rose whispered.

He smiled as he kissed her cheek. "I'm home. Rest, sweetheart."

He closed his eyes and was almost asleep when he felt Sam start to move around. He could feel he was uncomfortable. Sam started to cry.

Rose moaned. "Oh, he just ate. How can he be hungry again?"

The Doctor stood up and took Sam in his arms. "Sleep, Rose. I'll take him downstairs."

Rose never woke up and continued to sleep.

The Doctor smiled down at the baby as he wrapped him up in a blanket. "You need to let your mummy sleep. We'll go find a bottle downstairs."

He held the tiny baby as he walked down the staircase. He spoke to him the entire way in a strange language. Once he got into the kitchen, he made two cups of tea as he warmed up a bottle. Sam fussed the entire time while The Doctor bounced and spoke to him.

Shakes walked in the kitchen and smiled. "I don't think you ever sleep."

The Doctor smiled as he looked back at him. "Here lately, that's been the complete truth. It's driving Rose mad."

Shakes walked over to him and held his hands out. "Give him to me."

The Doctor handed the baby to Shakes. Shakes smiled down at him, "Now, why are you so upset?"

Sam stopped crying and looked up at him.

The Doctor laughed. "He likes you."

Shakes smiled, "All babies like me. It's my voice."

The Doctor laughed. "Yeah, that deep voice. I can see that." He handed Shakes the bottle. "There you go, Uncle Summus. You can feed Sam. I made you some tea as well."

Shakes looked surprised. "Sam? That's what you have decided to call him?"

The Doctor nodded his head as he sipped his tea. They walked into the sitting room. Shakes sat down on the sofa and held the bottle in Sam's mouth as the Doctor sat down Shake's tea on the coffee table in front of him. He sat down in the chair next to him and rubbed his face.

The Doctor smiled, "I think his entire body is about as big as one of your hands, Summus."

Shakes looked at Sam and smiled. "He is a little guy. Are human babies supposed to be this small?"

"Nah, he is tiny. He's alright, he's just smaller than average."

Shakes nodded as he looked down at him and smiled. "This is a wonderful way to start my holiday. Holding a baby named for a friend."

"You were serious about a holiday?" The Doctor asked surprised.

"Oh, I really am. I'm determined that nothing is going to wind me up in the next week. I'm going to remain calm and not shout at anyone. No matter what."

The Doctor laughed, "Oh, really? No matter what?"

"No matter what. Lewis is in charge of everything. I've just not told him, yet. Probably need to." Shakes told him.

The Doctor smiled and sipped his tea. "Lewis. Yeah. Great choice. I don't know how I could manage without him. He's became one of my best friends. Arla is extremely helpful to us here."

Shakes looked up at the Doctor. "See, I like her. She's useful. Not like some of these other girls he's dated. I honestly don't know what she sees in him."

"What do you mean? Lewis is a good guy."

"That's not in question. Lewis is great. It's just that, she's….. um….. "

"Pretty?" The Doctor helped.

"Yeah. And smart and everything. Nothing like Lewis has ever hung out with before." Shakes told him. "Ah, I'm enjoying it while it lasts. He's so happy. He'll screw this up. She's too good for him. She'll come to her senses before too long."

The Doctor was biting his lip and smiling. He quickly got up and made another cup of tea.

He spoke to Shakes as he stood in the kitchen. "See, I don't see that happening. He's invested a lot in learning this language she speaks."

"Phhhh….. he's a Quauhtin! He can learn a language quickly. It's part of the skills you have to have to be a member of the Prime Guard."

The Doctor rubbed his chin. "I didn't know that."

Shakes took the bottle out of sleeping Sam's mouth and picked up his tea. "Well, wait a minute. I've never thought of this. Were they dating before he could speak her language?"

The Doctor shook his head. "Nah. I don't think so. Nah."

Lewis walked in the kitchen. "Yeah, Doc'. What do you need?"

The Doctor handed Lewis a cup of tea and said in his mind. 'Talk to Summus. He is in a great mood, and he's holding my son who's asleep. Perfect timing.'

The Doctor smiled and spoke to Lewis. "Oh! Thanks for bringing back my watch, mate! I appreciate you fixing that wristband."

Shakes turned to look at Lewis. "You fixed The Doctor's wristband? What was wrong with it?"

Lewis looked back at The Doctor, trying to not look surprised, "Ugh. Nothing really. The metal bit just had popped out."

Shakes laughed, "You two are so full of shit. What is really going on?"

Lewis sighed and dropped his head. The Doctor patted him on the shoulder as they both walked to the sitting room. The Doctor leaned over and looked at Sam before he sat down and continued drinking his tea.

Lewis sat down on the other side of the sofa and put his tea on the coffee table.

The Doctor looked at the two men, "I didn't tell you, Summus. Lewis was a huge help to me tonight. That kidnapping by the Beshi. Lewis identified they were Beshi before I did. It was my big mouth that got us taken. Lewis warned me to be quite. I tell you. I don't know what you are thinking, but I value his quick thinking."

Shakes looked curiously back at The Doctor. "What the hell are you on about?"

The Doctor sipped his tea, "Tell him about your holiday, Summus."

"No, he needs to tell me what the hell he's done! This sounds like a set up to me." Shakes demanded.

Lewis exhaled slowly, closed his eyes and shook his head. "This is just not a good idea."

Shakes pointed at Lewis as he put a pillow under his elbow to get more comfortable. "I do have a question that I just realized, Lewis. When you and Arla first started dating, did you speak this language that she speaks?"

Lewis covered his face and took a deep breath. "Honestly, I didn't." He quickly pointed at Shakes and added, "But, as soon as I figured out what language it was, I learned it! The Doctor gave me a Universal Translator so we could speak to one another."

Shakes nodded his head. "So, she's always understood your intentions and you have understood her needs."

Lewis smiled. "Yes."

Shakes nodded as he looked back down at Sam sleeping in his arms, "Good. You know how I feel about that."

Lewis wiped the sweat off his forehead. "Yes, sir. Be responsible. You've told us from day one of joining the guard."

Shakes smiled as he pointed at Lewis. "You seem to get me more than anyone else in the guard does, Lewis. I don't know if it's because we have worked so closely together for so long or what. But, I've decided to take a holiday. I'm putting you in charge of the guard. I'm going to see how you do with it."

Lewis was shocked, "I'm sorry. What?"

Shakes smiled as he tickled Sam's cheek. "You're in charge. I'm off duty for the next week."

Lewis looked surprised at The Doctor who sat back in his chair and laughed silently. Lewis rubbed his face. "Well, sir. There's a matter I need to discuss with you."

Shakes shook his head. "It can wait until I'm back on duty. I'm on vacation."

The Doctor shook his head, "Oh, no….Summus. Hear the man out."

Shakes looked back at Lewis. "Man, you look like you are about to pass out. Are you ill? Should you be around this child?"

Lewis rubbed his face and steadied himself. "Okay. I'm just going to take a deep breath and say it."

Shakes looked surprised. "The hell?"

Lewis took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Summus. I want to ask your permission to marry Arla."

Shakes looked shocked. He looked back at The Doctor who was smiling. "You knew about this, Doc'?"

The Doctor held up his hand, "I choose to not testify against myself."

"You did! Come here and take your son from me!" Shakes told him forcefully.

The Doctor held up both of his hands and quickly stepped over and took Sam into his arms. Shakes stood up in front of Lewis. "Stand up, Lewis."

Lewis looked back at The Doctor as he stood up. Shakes put his hands on Lewis' shoulders. "I've never heard you speak a better idea in your life. Yes! Marry this woman! She's the best thing that has ever happened to you. You've been a better guard in the past few months than I've ever seen you be. Apparently, you are someone who needs someone to fight for. Someone to work out for. Someone to talk to. Someone to share your life with."

The Doctor's mouth fell open.

Lewis was in shock. "So, I can take her as my lifelong mate, and remain in the Prime Guard?"

Shakes smiled as he hit Lewis in the chest. "Of course you can! I'm not getting rid of my best guard that is beloved by the family he is protecting! Are you mad? Especially, when the family likes the lady he has chosen. No way!"

Lewis rubbed his chin. "Well, not dispute you, Summus. But, I've seen you tell men they had to leave because they married."

Shakes shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "Oh, that's simple. I didn't like them. I was ready for them to go."

The Doctor laughed hysterically. "This is brilliant. Wow!"

Shakes laughed and embraced Lewis. "Yes! Ask her! Live a long and happy life together! You might want to mention that you aren't from Earth."

Lewis nodded his head. "Yes, sir. I'll talk to her about that."

Shakes pointed at him and looked serious, "I like her. She's the best one you have ever dated. Be honest with her. Make her happy. Don't screw this up."

Lewis smiled and nodded, "Yes, sir!"

Shakes laughed, "I'm going to my quarters."

The Doctor called after Shakes as he walked out of the room. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm on holiday! I'm going to take a nap, then watch football all day!" Shakes called back as he walked out of the room.

Lewis fell into the sofa dramatically. "Holy shit. Did that really just happen?"

The Doctor sat back down in the chair, kissed Sam and laughed. "I told you he was in a good mood."

Lewis laughed as he rubbed his face. "Wow. I can't believe this. I can ask her. Damn. How am I going to ask her?"

The Doctor smiled down at Sam. "You were Lewis' lucky charm, Sam."

"I can't believe he slept through all of that!" Lewis said.

The Doctor chuckled. "He's like his mother. Nothing much wakes her up, either. An Olympic Sleeper!"

Lewis sat on the sofa in complete disbelief. "Oh wow! I need to think about this. How did you ask Rose?"

The Doctor tickled Sam's cheek and smiled, "Oh, I don't know if you want to do my approach. We both got drunk and I asked her. She didn't think I had my wits about me so she refused to answer me. It was honestly the only way I could ask her. I was so nervous about it."

Lewis rubbed his face. "I think I was more nervous to ask him. I think I'll do this. She doesn't know I'm back yet. I'll go get her breakfast. Bring it to her in bed and ask her."

"Good luck, man. Let me know."

Lewis stood up off of the sofa. "Wow. Okay. I can do this."

The Doctor laughed at him. "Go get her, Lewis."

Lewis smiled as he popped away.

XxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxxXxxxxxx