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Chapter 4 - Lewis and John's Bet

It was evening and the sun was setting into the water in Florida. Arles sat on the back of a docked yacht, watching the waves dance across the bay.

"Permission to come aboard?"

He looked back and saw Kelly standing on the dock. She was wearing a lovely sundress and had braided her hair. He smiled and held his hand out to help her across the gangplank. "Permission granted, ma'am."

She stood on the back of the yacht and smiled. "You really meant a boat."

He led her inside and the sudden blast of air conditioning took her breath away. Arles closed the door and the aroma of pizza that sat on the table filled her lungs.

"You ordered pizza?"

He waved his hand. "Well, yeah. It sounded good. I wasn't sure if you had ate or not."

She looked around the room. "I haven't."

He held his hand out to invite her to sit down on the sofa, "Then I'll get us some plates. What do you like to drink?"

"Oh, whatever you're having." She sat down and opened the box of pizza. "Oh wow. This looks great."

Arles quickly returned and sat down a can of soda on the table. He handed her a plate.

She watched him take a bite of his slice and inhale painfully. "Is it hot?"

He closed his eyes tightly, "It's perfect."

She giggled. "The roof of your mouth has to be burnt."

He smiled at her. "I like it really hot like this."

She sat down her plate and smiled. "I'll wait for it to cool. Did it just get here?"

He exhaled in pain and nodded.

He continued to eat as she looked around the room.

"You've rented one of these?" Kelly asked.

"Well, no. It's mine. I'm here enough. It made sense." He told her as he wiped his mouth.

She stood up and walked around the room, taking it in. "I've actually never been on a boat before. Or, maybe it's called a ship?"

"I think ships are larger. You would have to ask the Lieutenant. My knowledge of nautical terms is rather limited."

"But, yet. You have a ship?"

"Or maybe it's a boat?" He teased as he sipped his water. "I don't know."

"Do you even know how to drive this thing?"

"Of course." He nodded. "My Dad showed me how to years ago. He has a sailboat and a really large ship. I like this sort. It's not….huge. That ship he owns has something like….eight bedrooms or something?"

"Do they make them that big?"

He wiped his hands and nodded. "Yeah. But, they aren't allowed in smaller bays like this one. The channel is too narrow to bring it in. Not to mention that drawbridge. Can you believe there is a drawbridge? That is brilliant!"

Kelly laughed at his excitement. "It's a tourist thing."

"It's a brilliant thing. I love it. Very. Old fashioned."

Kelly continued to look around. "This is such a bachelors' place. Do you have actual food?"

He pointed at the table. "There's pizza here."

She laughed. "You know what I mean."

"I usually get take-away. I only cook at home, or at Anne's."

She sat back down next to him, "I'm really glad you called."

He sipped his water. "Listen, there's no expectations. You rang, and I was still in town. And I thought you might like to see the boat."

"And what happened to your car?"

"Ah. It's in the shop. It's fine." He told her as he made a mental note to recopy Stark's car back to his garage later. "I'm sorry I couldn't drive over and fetch you. I'm happy you decided to come over."

She smiled at him. "I'm happy you are still here. What happened that made you stay?"

"Oh, it's complicated." He excused as he smiled at her.

"But, you're supposed to go back to work tomorrow." She pointed out.

"I'll manage it." He told her as picked up her soda and opened it for her.

"I could take you to the Bullet station if you like."

He smiled. "Thank you. But, it's an hour away from here. I'll just catch a cab."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded and ate another slice of pizza. "Yeah, I don't want to be any trouble. I have to leave early. I'll just get a cab."

She looked around still in a bit of disbelief. "And you have a boat here? Sitting in the bay? Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"I really didn't know if I was going to keep it or not. But, after our chat…"

She smiled, "The friend thing?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "I might have to find a reason to be in Florida more often."

She giggled and sipped her soda. "I'd like a tour, please."

"Absolutely." Arles agreed.

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Several hours later, Lewis sat on his sofa in his flat, holding baby Arles and listening to Summus, Lartius, and John discussing the plans for the negotiation and status with Legate's role as Governor of Kaitos.

Lewis rubbed his head and grabbed a pillow to prop his arm up that Arles slept in. He smiled down at his son, "If only I could sleep so soundly. Look at you. Not a worry in the world."

He heard the Doctor in his head groan. 'Oh, damn it. Lewis. I'll be right down to your flat.'

'Just let yourself in. Arles is sleeping.' He told him and propped his feet up on the table.

Lartius complained, 'So, you are abandoning your King-'

The Doctor grumbled, 'Lartius, this discussion is over. At least for now. Queen Kazimir will have to find out that it's Summus before she appears for a negotiation. That's just my opinion.'

Lartius fussed, 'Well, of course you're right, but let's not play that card yet.'

Within a few minutes, The Doctor had opened the door to Lewis' flat and walked inside. He gently sat on the sofa to keep from disturbing the baby. "And to add to our interesting day, Jake Simmons just notified me of another attack."

"Where now?"

The Doctor rubbed his face. "Lostuyria, near that small settlement here."

Lewis sighed. "What the hell is going on? How many this time?"

"The numbers are still coming in. Ashena has sent two ships to help. They will need help, too, by the sounds of it."

Lewis shook his head. "I don't know who could be doing this. Is there any description?"

"None. And these people have openly opposed the use of Quauhtin in royal houses for years. I told Ashena that I would tread that area, very carefully."

"Two in a matter of days. Do you think they are connected?"

"I don't know. I don't remember this happening in the other Dimension."

"Maybe you are relying too much on what you know that happens there. And you're here. Completely different situation."

"That's what Samuel told me today. I think both of you are right. I'm completely, at a loss about this. I can't even….feel the TARDIS. I have no idea where she is, except she's with Jack."

Lewis nodded. "Well, she's also connected with Genie. Keep that in mind."

"Who is completely livid with me. Have you heard from any of the kids tonight?"

Lewis thought and then shook his head. "Legate has been very quiet. Arles told me that he was going to bed when I tried to speak to him. I think he's asleep."

The Doctor smiled at the sleeping baby Lewis held in his arms. "Arles certainly sleeps more than any Quauhtin I've ever known."

"I don't think he's sleeping. Well, the older Arles." Lewis pointed out.

The Doctor looked back at him. "Really?"

He shook his head. "I don't. I think he tells us that he's sleeping, so he doesn't have to speak to us. I used to do that all of the time when I wanted a bit of privacy."

"What do you think he's doing?"

Lewis rose his eyebrows. "Do you have to ask?"

The Doctor shook his head. "Nah. Hang on. He hasn't told me anything. I'll ask him what he's up to."

Lewis held up his hand. "Hang on. $500, I'm right. He's awake."

The Doctor grinned. "Alright, you're on."

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Arles lay sleeping with Kelly inside of his yacht's bedroom. He lay behind her, spooned against her nude body with his own. Completely exhausted, they had both enjoying being rocked to sleep by the waves in the bay. Arles kissed her back until he had gone to sleep.

He heard the Doctor's voice in his head and thought he was in the room with him.

"What?" He groaned as he woke.

Kelly stirred in her sleep.

'Arles.' The Doctor said again.

Arles groaned and held Kelly tighter in his arms. "What?" He groaned aloud again.

Kelly rolled over and shook him. "Arles. Wake up."

He took a deep breath and opened his eyes. "What?"

"You're talking in your sleep."

He rubbed his eyes. "I don't even remember going to sleep, wait. Hang on."

The Doctor spoke in his head again. 'I'm sorry, son. Did I wake you?'

Kelly kissed him and slipped on his shirt she found on the floor. She walked into the bathroom and closed the door before turning on the light.

Arles closed his eyes tightly and lay on his back. 'Ummm. Yeah. Everything alright?'

'Yeah, I was just checking to see if you had seen Tony Tyler?'

Arles didn't open his eyes that burned from tiredness. 'No. Wait, yes. He is back at the flat. He said he needed to sleep.'

'So, you're at your flat?'

Arles nodded with his eyes closed. 'I'm at my flat, Dad. Do you need me someplace else?'

'Nah. What time do you have to teach tomorrow?'

Arles felt Kelly climb back on the bed and begin to kiss his neck and chest. He smiled.

She whispered, "What do you think?"

"I could go again."

The Doctor spoke again in his head. 'Arles! Are you asleep?'

Arles began to snog Kelly. 'No, Dad. You're chatting too much for me to sleep.'

'Alright. Okay, what time is class for you-'

'Could this possibility be a conversation for later?'

'I suppose it could. I just wanted to know if you could pop by for breakfast.'

'I actually have plans.' Arles told him as he ran his hands up the shirt Kelly wore and continued to snog her.

'Plans?'

'Dad! Can we chat later? I'm sleeping.'

The Doctor grinned. 'Sure, son. Good night.'

Arles opened his eyes and saw Kelly smiling at him. "What were you dreaming about?"

He smiled, "Someone waking me up."

"Anyone, I know?" She teased.

He laughed, "Someone wearing my shirt."

She took it off and tossed it back on the floor as they began to snog again. Arles pulled the duvet back over them and wrapped his arms around her.

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The Doctor smiled at Lewis and held out his hand.

"He was sleeping. You owe me $500."

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