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Chapter 47 – Singing

The Doctor got out of the shower and stepped into the closet. He put on his jeans and a grey t-shirt. He ran his hands through his wet hair. He felt where the bullet had grazed the side of his head. The hair was missing now in that spot and it felt very odd against his fingers. He ran his hand across it and looked in Rose's make-up mirror at it. As he stood back up, his silver flask caught his eye. Rose had left it sitting on the make-up table. He stared at it a moment.

Then he heard Legate in his head. 'Hey, man. Are you sleeping?'

He quickly turned his head away so as not to see the flask. 'Nah. What's up?'

'Party in the med bay. Come on up.'

He laughed under his breath. 'I thought I told Logan to rest…'

'Ah….he has too much entertainment to rest, Doc'. Come on up.' Legate laughed.

The Doctor turned off the light as he left the closet. He walked over to the bed and picked up his trousers. He found his sonic screwdriver. He held it up and pressed a button on the side of it, then slipped in his jeans' pocket. As he did that, he looked at Rose and Sam. Rose was sleeping peacefully. Sam was coo'ing and kicking his legs.

"Wide awake, huh?" he asked Sam quietly.

Sam looked at him and kicked his legs again.

"How about you come with me and we'll let mum sleep." He asked Sam.

Sam coo'ed at him.

He went over to the cot and got Sam's blanket. He walked over to the bed and wrapped Sam up in it. He picked him up and cradled him in his arm. He pulled the duvet up to Rose's shoulder, then sat on the side of the bed and smiled at her. He placed his hand on her head and closed his eyes for a moment. Sam coo'ed at him.

He looked at Sam. "I'm leaving her a message in case she wakes up before we return. We're just going to the ship."

He leaned over and kissed Rose on her forehead. She smiled as she continued to sleep.

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The Doctor and Sam appeared on the transporter pad on the Asclepius. It was still sitting directly beneath the Earth's South Pole, hidden by the magnetic field. He quickly walked over and typed in the code on the wall.

"See, you have to do this within the first few seconds, or it will transport you back where you came from. Keeps people from stealing your ship." The Doctor explained.

He walked out of the room and down the hallways to the med bay. Once the doors of the med bay opened, he heard the singing, laughter and music. He laughed, "Legate wasn't kidding. Sounds like we're just in time, Sam."

He walked to Logan's room. Lance and Licis were leaning in the doorway. They saw him and smiled. "Welcome! You're just in time!" Lance smiled.

Licis shook his head. "I'm not sure, he might be a bit late."

The Doctor smiled, "How much alcohol is involved in this?"

Lance laughed as he shook his head. "I'm not sure. We just got here. Legate is playing Beatles music. I didn't realize how much of those I knew."

Legate saw him, "Doc! Get in here! We're singing! Oh! Is the baby sleeping?"

The Doctor shook his head. "Nah. Sam is wide awake."

Tony pointed at him. "Awesome! You can sing with us. I know you know this one." He leaned over and whispered something to Legate.

Legate smiled.

The Doctor walked into the room. Logan sat up in the bed. Despite his face being full of cuts, bruises and busted lip from the recent kidnapping, his face was lit up with his youthful, charming smile. It probably had a lot to do with Ashena, who was sitting on the bed next to him. Her white hair had been dyed blond. The light from the reflected off of her hair and made it look as if she was glowing.

Tony stood next to the chair that Jack sat in with Jake. Summus leaned against the wall next to him with his arms crossed, laughing. Exton, Timon, Varro, and Poltious also stood in the room.

The Doctor patted Logan's foot as he walked by the bed, "I thought I asked you to rest, man?"

Logan held up his hands, "I've not gotten out of the bed. Legate brought his guitar and then everyone just showed up."

The Doctor laughed at him. "Do you see what Daddy puts up with, Sam?"

Ashena held her hands out. "May I hold your son? He's so adorable."

The Doctor handed Sam to Ashena and stood between Tony and Summus against the wall.

Legate started to play this guitar again. Tony complained. "Dude. Do you know what song I'm talking about? That doesn't sound like it."

Legate groaned, "You are an idiot, man. I know what I'm doing."

Tony shook his head, "The hell you do. Hey, Doc. Pepper got a look at the chest. She is amazed. You're name is God with her right now."

"What? The scarring or-?"

Tony shook his head, "No, the reactor missing. I didn't tell her it was gone. I knew it was going to leave a terrible scar. What did you think we were fighting about?"

The Doctor crossed his arms, "Hang on, you didn't tell her about your transplant?"

Tony shook his head. "No. She would have made a fuss about it. I told her I was on a business trip. I was just tired from that."

"So, you haven't been able to show her your chest because the reactor is gone and it was scarred."

Tony nodded his head. "Yes. If she saw the reactor was gone, it would lead to questions. I had to redirect her….ummm… interests. She got pissed about it. But, we made up for it tonight. I told her everything. Well, about the chest."

"And you left that to come up with this lot?" He laughed in surprise.

Tony shrugged his shoulders. "Jack gave me some of those pills that make you stay up all night. Pepper is asleep. I'll go back before she wakes up."

Legate played a tune. "That?"

Tony held out his hands. "Man, you're killing me here! No! That's not it! Are there any actual Brits in this room?"

Logan held up his hand, "I might be the only one. What's the problem?"

Tony pointed at Legate. "Help this guy, man. Damn. It's embarrassing."

Legate laughed at Tony.

Jack looked at the Doctor's bare feet. "Excuse me, Doctor. This is a hygienic facility, and you should really wear shoes."

The Doctor shook his head as Summus and Tony looked at his feet.

Tony asked, "What's up with that? You are always in your bare feet."

He shrugged his shoulders, "Hey! You lot called me up here. I had just gotten out of the shower. I left my bedroom, and came here. It didn't require shoes."

Jake teased him, "Doc' believes himself to be a ninja. They don't wear shoes."

Jack realized something. "I had forgotten about that. He is a master at…. What is it?"

The Doctor smiled, "Kung Fu. That was a long time ago."

Tony looked impressed, "Are you really?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "A very long time ago. I don't know if I remember any of it."

Jack pointed up at him. "I've seen him in a fight. He does. Logan, have the Doc' show you some of his monkey fighting skills when you heal up."

Logan laughed at Jack. "Sure!"

Tony crossed his arms and looked at the Doctor. "Well, hell. That explains why your feet are so damn ugly."

The Doctor looked at his bare feet. "What?"

Tony laughed and slapped him on the back.

The Doctor laughed under his breath. "Lewis will be sorry he missed this."

Lance called across the room. "We're going to throw you and Lewis a proper party once he returns. Maybe Rose will let you drink again by then."

Tony looked at him, "What? Rose put the brakes on you?"

The Doctor smiled as waved him off. "I don't want to talk about it with my horrid feet."

Summus laughed, "That's it, Legate! That's the song!"

Tony clapped his hands together. "Alright! Let's sing it for Logan. It will make him feel better! Go!"

Tony started singing "Come Together" by the Beatles, as Legate played.

Ashena smiled as she looked at Logan, "I don't know this song."

The Doctor looked at Tony and laughed, "Your British accent is better when you sing."

Tony looked at him after the first chorus, "Alright. Everyone. Hell, everyone knows this song."

The entire room, except Sam, Ashena and Licis sang along with Tony.

Ashena looked at Logan, "Is this even English they are singing?"

Logan smiled at her, "Sortof."

As the song ended, everyone clapped. As everyone got quieter, Sam laughed. The Doctor held out his hands and picked him up out of Ashena's arms. "I knew that was coming! Did you lot hear that?"

They all laughed and cheered for Sam. The Doctor laughed and kissed him quickly as he cradled him in his arms again. "Daddy is so proud of you, Sam. Do you like hearing everyone sing?"

Ashena smiled, "I think he must."

The Doctor nodded his head. "He does. Logan, you pick. What should we sing?"

Logan smiled, "'Bad Moon Rising' by CCR. Do you know that one?"

Tony looked surprised, "You know that one? That's an American song!"

"They play that on radio in England, man. Geez." Jack told him.

Logan nodded. "Yeah. It was my Dad's favorite band. Legate, do you know that one?"

Legate smiled, "My Father likes them, too. That's a fun song to play." He started playing the tune.

The Doctor teased, "We'll all have to sound like Howie. Sing on, boys."

Most of the room sang to it. Tony and Summus leaned on the Doctor's shoulders and sang loudly to Sam.

Once they finished the song, everyone laughed and clapped. Sam laughed loudly again. Tony smiled down at him. "You like that, huh? Rose is going to kill your Daddy for keeping you up all night."

Jack asked, "So, Doc'. You're feeling alright? That's one hell of a black eye."

He smiled, "I'm fine. Legate? Jake?"

Jake rubbed his shoulder. "I popped the shoulder again. That shit just doesn't seem like it's ever going to get better. Jack gave me something. I'll be fine."

The Doctor rubbed his beard. "See me in a few days if it isn't. Legate? Poltoius? You're alright?"

Legate smiled, "We're fine." Poltoius smiled and patted his son proudly on the shoulder.

The Doctor looked at Ashena. "What would your father think about this madness in here?"

Ashena laughed, "He would approve. It's good fun. It's good for healing Logan."

The Doctor watched as Ashena looked back at Logan and they smiled at each other.

Tony had his phone out, "Legate. I have a song we can sing. But you can't play it on the guitar. It's fitting for this situation with John and these assholes that keep kidnapping people."

All of the men coughed. Tony looked up. "What? What did I do?"

They pointed at Ashena. Tony waved his hand. "Hey. I was there this morning when she said she wanted to be treated like everyone else. Princess, am I mistaken?"

Ashena laughed, "Nope. You are correct. Please, treat me like you would anyone else."

Tony nodded his head as he looked down at his phone. "See? Fuck all of you idiots. She's getting the true, Earth Experience here. We're singing to relieve stress since Rose won't let the Good Doctor drink."

The Doctor rolled his eyes and looked down at Sam.

Summus held out his hands. "Come to Summus, Sam."

The Doctor handed Sam to Summus and looked at Tony's phone. "Yes. That one."

Tony looked back at him. "My thoughts, exactly. But, everyone has to be loud. Let's wake up Antarctica!"

Jack looked confused, "There's not colonies there, yet? Are there?"

The Doctor shook his head and smiled. "No."

Tony's phone started playing Twisted Sister's "We're Not Going to Take It." The Doctor shot his phone with his sonic screwdriver and music seemed to fill the room as if they were at a concert. All of the room smiled and sang along.

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Jack, Jake, Tony and the Doctor walked down the ship's hallways. The Doctor was carrying a fussing Sam in his arms. "Oh, I hear you. Daddy will fix it. Geez."

Jack stretched his arms out and yawned. "I think it's beginning to catch up with me. How many days can you go without sleep, Doc'?"

The Doctor shook his head, "Sleeping is like breathing. It is a fundamental human requirement. How long has it been since you slept?"

They arrived at the Doctor's suite on the ship. Tony pressed the button for the door to open, and they all went inside.

Jack waved him off. "Hell, I'm not even sure."

Jake put his hands on his hips and looked at Jack. "Damn it. If you won't listen to me, listen to him. Tell him, Doc'. He needs to sleep."

The Doctor shook his head. "I'm dealing with a nappy at the moment. Jack is a grown…..well….. child. He can wait a minute." He walked into his bedroom to change Sam.

Tony laughed and teased Jack. "Maybe Jack needs his nappy changed."

Jack rubbed his face and started to sit on the sofa. Tony yelled at him. "Hey! Bitch! You are filthy! Cover the sofa with a blanket or something before you sit down on it."

Jack looked at his trousers that were covered in dirt.

He nodded his head. "Right. Thanks."

Jake laughed at Tony's outburst. "You are fun to have around, man."

"Yeah, whatever. Someone needs to keep an eye out for you idiots. Who wants a drink? Doc? I'll get you a root beer."

The Doctor laughed from his bedroom. "Thanks, Tony. A cup of tea would be preferred."

Tony nodded his head. "Right. A cuppa said the British alien guy."

Jack finished spreading a blanket on the sofa and collapsed on it. "Jesus. I've never been so damn tired. Jake. I might just crash here."

Jake laughed and rolled his eyes. "You need to crash someplace. That's as good as any."

Jack rubbed his face. "Shit. What a damn day."

Jake pointed at Jack. "We're not going to even bring that up. Shut it."

The Doctor came back in the sitting room with Sam. He lay him down in the round cot they had gotten him on Plentitude. "There. All cleaned up and warm."

Sam coo'ed.

The Doctor looked around, "You guys see a umm… it's like a white rabbit?"

Jack shook his head as he rubbed his face. "I think I'm hallucinating. The Doctor is chasing a white rabbit."

Tony found the stuffed animal lying on the dining table. "This?"

The Doctor saw it, "Yep!"

Tony tossed it across the room to him. The Doctor caught it and handed it to Sam. Sam put it in his mouth and coo'ed again.

"Thank you, Tony." The Doctor said as he sat in the floor and watched Sam.

Tony passed Jack and Jake a bottle of beer each. He handed the Doctor a cup of tea and sat down with his bottle of beer.

Jake smiled, "Don't worry, Doc'. I'll have yours tonight."

The Doctor looked back at Jake. "Thanks."

Tony asked, "So, what are we not talking about tonight?"

Jack didn't uncover his face and groaned, "This shit with Torchwood. Please don't make me talk about that. It will all come out in the debrief meeting in a few hours. Bloodiest mess I've ever-"

"Hey! We're not talking about it." Jake insisted.

Tony looked surprised at the Doctor. "He's an American. Does he mean 'our bloody' or ' English bloody'?"

Jake insisted forcefully. "We're not talking about it! Jesus."

Tony sipped his beer. "Alright! Simmer down. Have another drink. Anyway. So, Rose has you off the juice. What brought that on? Did you do something stupid?"

Jack came to and sipped his beer. "I'm sure that was it."

The Doctor sipped his tea. "She has concerns. She's not asked me to stop, just to take a break."

Jake laughed, "Then you will be back at the party soon!"

The Doctor shrugged his shoulders. "I guess. I don't know."

Tony shook his head. "Whipped. That's what you are, man."

Jack laughed without opening his eyes, "That's something I've not heard in a long time. My friend, the ancient Doctor, the Oncoming Storm, is whipped."

Tony sipped his beer. "The what?"

The Doctor shook his head. "No one calls me that anymore. I've even thought about dropping 'Doctor.' Just being John."

Jack rubbed his face. "Christ, I know I'm hallucinating. You, stop being the Doctor? Rose want you to do that, too?"

He shook his head. "No. It's something I am thinking about. I haven't decided."

Tony looked surprised. "Doctor…it's like your name? Right?"

He nodded his head. "It's my title. My name is hidden."

Jack waved his hand. "Yeah, he's weird like that. I say, stick with John. New place. New you. Try it! Hell! Why not?"

The Doctor smiled and shook his head. "I don't know. It's strange hearing it."

Jack opened his eyes and pointed at him, "I'll tell you what is strange. You being Daddy. Not only to this baby, but to Genie."

Jake smiled, "I think it's sweet."

Jack pointed at him. "And have you seen him do Genie's hair?"

Tony laughed, "I've never seen anyone do a girl's hair like that. I told him he would make an awesome gay man."

Jack smiled at Tony. "I've told him that for years. Oh, how I've tried to convince him to jump on the bus."

Jake laughed and shook his head. "Doc'. Don't let these idiots wind you up."

He shook his head. "They aren't."

Jake pointed at the Doctor. "Rose is happier, and safer, than I think I've ever known her. I know why. I'm glad you are here, Doc'."

Tony groaned as he got up and stretched his back. "Oh, shit. Jake is a 'I love you, drunk.' Fuck this. I need to get back down to Pepper." He turned around and pointed at the Doctor. "You need to get back to Rose. She'll be pissed if she wakes up and you aren't there."

Jake laughed, "And Jack's dead asleep. Doc'. I'm going to go back with you guys and pop to my apartment. That's alright?"

The Doctor laughed. "Sure. Just let me do one thing."

He got up off of the floor and looked at Jack to make sure he was asleep. He went to the food replicator and said, "Chocolate syrup in a bottle."

Tony and Jake watched as he walked back over to Jack, and squirted the chocolate syrup on his crotch and down his thighs.

Tony laughed hysterically. "Oh, this shit is awesome. He's going to wake up and think he's shit himself."

The Doctor handed the bottle of syrup to Tony and patted him on the chest. "Thanks for insisting on him sitting on that blanket."

Jake laughed, "Brilliant. That's for not calling me."

The Doctor picked Sam up. Tony and Jake laughed as they walked out of the suite. The Doctor turned off the light and walked out of the door. The room was filled with Jack's snoring.

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