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Chapter 45 - Chapter 45 - Sam and the Pain Blocker

Samuel stood at a sink inside of the med bay, washing his hands. Karen walked up behind him and rubbed his back. "How is she?"

He nodded, "Dad's looking her over now."

Karen sighed. "I don't know how you do this. My nerves."

He dried his hands off and turned to embrace Karen. She held him tightly and he kissed her forehead. "You were brilliant. Completely." He rested his forehead to hers. "I cannot believe that worked."

She smiled and whispered. "Remember that it did, the next time you need encouragement."

He grinned at her. "How are you? Tired?"

"No. Wide awake."

He smiled and rubbed her back as he looked at her. "I need to get you to bed."

She teased. "Why, Samuel..."

He laughed, "To sleep! Seriously, you don't even want to know what time it is."

She kissed his lips and giggled. "I wish I hadn't said no to wine."

He held up his finger. "One glass."

Their attention went back to the door as it opened and Logan rushed out. They let go of one another just as Logan grabbed Samuel and hugged him tightly.

Samuel was rather surprised. "Okay, man-"

Logan smiled at him. "You are amazing. You saved her! John just told me. I can't thank you enough."

Samuel smiled, stepped back, and shook Logan's hand. "I don't think it was just me, mate."

Logan waved his hand. "Ah. I just got her away from the ship."

The Doctor stepped out of the room, beaming. "Well, I have no idea how that even worked, but your status as a Doctor with a big 'D'….is secure."

Samuel glanced back at Karen and shook his Dad's hand. "Thanks, Dad."

Logan pointed with his thumb. "I'll, get back in there with her."

The Doctor nodded, "And I'll be back to deal with those compression burns in just a bit."

Logan pat him on the shoulder. "They aren't terrible, but thanks, John."

Logan closed the door as he returned back into the room with Ashena.

The Doctor put his hands in his pockets and rocked on his feet. "They are still looking for the ship. Or the remains of the ship."

Samuel nodded and took Karen's hand. "Logan said it just came apart. There was an explosion."

He rubbed his chin. "Yeah. That's what he told me. Very odd. Her hair isn't glowing."

"Sorry, one second, Dad." He brought Karen's hand to his mouth and kissed it. "One glass. I'll join you in our suite as soon as I'm finished here."

Karen kissed his lips and smiled. "One."

The Doctor grinned, "Good night, Karen."

"Goodnight, John." She turned and walked out of the med bay.

Samuel took a deep breath and crossed his arms. "Yeah, her hair isn't glowing. That's the…thing she came to see me about."

The Doctor nodded. "Need some help?"

"Nah. I'm running tests. I've eliminated several things."

"Maybe another pair of eyes-"

"Nah, Dad. It's alright. Thank you. I'll figure it out."

The Doctor nodded. "Okay. Well, it is clever to bring her here. Oen is safe, and grateful to you."

"We're going to have to take her back. Soon."

The Doctor shook his head. "Not yet. Right now, she's to remain here. As far as anyone knows, the escape pod shorted out and blew along with the rescuers. Very clever idea."

"That one was Legate's."

The Doctor grit his teeth and groaned.

Lewis walked through the doors of the med bay with his hands outstretched in surprise. "And we are in the Andromedaen galaxy? How the hell much did I drink?"

Samuel laughed. "We were aiming for the Sagittarius, but…things got weird."

Lewis nodded and stood next to the Doctor. "Weird, huh? That seems to be the thing with the Tyler family."

The Doctor nodded, "It's true."

Lewis pointed at Samuel, "And I hear your Dad finally knows about Genie and Legate-"

Samuel groaned. "Yes. They've already left."

The Doctor told Lewis, "They aren't far, just down in the hanger. They are avoiding me."

Lewis hummed. "I see."

Samuel bit his lip. "Yeah. And, I imagine you both want to have a shout at me. Go ahead."

The Doctor and Lewis glanced back at one another.

The Doctor crossed his arms. "It is something I would like to have a conversation about."

Samuel put his hands on his hips. "Okay. Go. Let's do this. Karen and I are married, and yes, we didn't want anyone with that."

"What does her Mum say about this?" Lewis asked.

Samuel rubbed his chin. "Oh, she wasn't pleased."

"Her only daughter, I imagine not." The Doctor insisted.

"Yeah. I told Karen we can do it…properly. But, now that John is gone…."

Lewis whistled and shook his head to insist that the subject of John's death shouldn't be discussed.

Samuel nodded, "Right, Papa. Sorry."

The Doctor shook his head. "Hang on, no. We're talking about that."

Lewis sighed. "Talk about it without me, mate. Let's move on."

Samuel nodded, "I'm good with that-"

"I'm not!" The Doctor exclaimed.

Lewis waved his hand. "We know you're not. Moving on."

The Doctor groaned and crossed his arms. "Damn it, Lewis."

Lewis pointed at Samuel. "So….."

Samuel rose his eyebrows. "So….what, Papa?"

"What is the personal shield on?"

Samuel sighed. "Karen agrees with you. It hasn't been lower than 30%."

He nodded. "Good."

"Although, I would like to…respectfully petition the court for a decrease in that."

"What the hell for?" Lewis asked.

"Not all of the time, Papa. I'm thinking, 30%, playing football. That will be difficult. Training at 30%. Self defense training. All of that sort of thing."

Lewis considered. "How is your back?"

"My back?"

"Your Dad tells me that you destroyed a….what was it?"

The Doctor helped. "A pain blocker that was put in there."

Lewis nodded. "Yes. How are you going to do all of that when you are injured?"

Samuel groaned, "You want him to put it back."

"I don't want my son to be in pain, when his Dad can clearly do something to prevent it."

Samuel dropped his head and sighed. "I'd prefer not to have it."

"Something that helps-" The Doctor started.

"Something that makes me weak." Samuel insisted. "Something that pinpoints exactly where someone can strike. Why in the hell would I want it?"

The Doctor and Lewis looked surprised.

Samuel shook his head. "Look. I know you both want to help, and I appreciate it. I don't want to put Karen through seeing me in the med bay, again."

The Doctor nodded, "I think she would agree with this-"

"Well, I don't."

"It's a simple thing-"

"I know that, Dad."

"I think she's stronger than you think." Lewis told him.

"I'm not going to do that to her!" He shook his head. "Look. This isn't worth getting upset over. Umm. I need to get to Karen. How long until we're home?"

The Doctor shrugged his shoulders. "We're running slow. Several hours."

Samuel ran his hands though his hair. "Good. I'm going to sleep. Good night."

Lewis grinned, "Good morning."

Samuel nodded walked out of the med bay.

The Doctor sat in a chair. "And your son, Lewis…"

"Hell, your son. And he's right."

The Doctor looked at him in surprise. "He's right?"

Lewis crossed his arms and leaned against the cabinet. "Tell me what he's said about what happened when he was taken. What with Tony Tyler?"

The Doctor shook his head. "Nothing. He told me he couldn't remember it for a while. But, then confessed to Rose that he did remember."

"If he says he doesn't," Lewis pointed out, "he doesn't have to explain to anyone what happened."

The Doctor rose his eyebrows. "What happened?"

"Those bastards saw that thing, and they hit him there. I'd even go as far to say they tried to break his back again. It's a weak spot. He is absolutely right."

The Doctor sat up and rubbed his hands together. "It would make sense to what I saw. It had happened recently, but like Rose…"

"He heals quickly." Lewis finished his sentence. "Tell me, when they first got here, he did chin-ups and push ups. Out did me! How? With this back injury?"

"Well, the pain blocker was working, so there wasn't any pain in his back then. Plus, like Rose, he can continue to push his muscles and they heal fast. That's how he was-"

"Able to win that bet. Damn it. And Rose probably can do that, too."

The Doctor nodded that she could.

"Why is he still hurting?"

The Doctor rubbed his face. "There are a lot of reasons why."

"Pretend I don't know anything about this-"

The Doctor grinned. "I don't have to do that. I know you don't."

"And you're right. If he doesn't get this, will it stop hurting?"

"Eventually. There's no way to tell how long though. Sometimes back injuries plague people for their entire lives."

"Entire lives. We're talking the lifespan of a human. Not our son."

The Doctor nodded. "Yeah. So, anywhere from a few weeks, or months, maybe years….there's no way to know."

Lewis sighed. "So, Dad. What shall we do?"

The Doctor held his hands out. "He's an adult. As all of you keep claiming."

"So, you're throwing that in my face?"

"If he hurts badly enough, he'll come and ask for it."

Lewis glanced back at the door Samuel just disappeared through. "He won't do that. Why can't he heal it himself?"

"He can't reach it."

Lewis sighed. "Damn…."

The Doctor rose his finger. "And you haven't thought this completely through."

Lewis grinned. "You're right. Karen."

"He'll do it, if she wants him to. Our opinion has been overruled, Papa."

Lewis sighed and sat down next to the Doctor. "You know, I'm good with that."

The Doctor rested his hands on top of his head. "And if that doesn't work, what is our back-up plan?"

Lewis smiled. "One. Jackie Tyler."

The Doctor laughed.

"You were thinking Rose?"

"I was."

"Phhhh. Her baby. We need someone…..more….."

The Doctor snapped his fingers. "I've got it!"

Lewis looked back at him. "Who?"

"Arles!"

"Ah….I don't know."

"They are close. But, that's what we wanted. The entire reason we came up with this Dad / Papa arrangement."

Lewis crossed his arms. "Nah, I didn't think he can do it. I say it will be Karen."

The Doctor grinned. "How much?"

Lewis laughed. "Oh, you're on."

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