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Chapter 7 - Chapter 7 - The Bit of Paper

Legate ran down the outdoor football pitch on the island with little Genie. She laughed loudly as she kicked a football. It was a beautiful, spring day.

"I'm so glad your legs are better, Legate!" She laughed.

He knelt in front of her. "It's because you are such a good nurse. Thank you for taking care of me."

She hugged him. "I'm going to practice doing cartwheels now."

He smiled at her. "Sure. I'm not doing that though."

"Well, you shouldn't. You might break your legs again!"

He chuckled just as Lewis walked onto the pitch and yelled for Legate. He told Genie. "I'll be a bit."

She went back to playing as Legate ran up to Lewis. "Hey. What's up?"

"Genie is in my flat. They have reopened the investigation about her Mum's car accident."

Legate groaned, "Could there be a better time do this? She's already upset about Sam."

"Believe me. I'm with you on this. I'll keep an eye on this one and you sort out the other one."

"Cheers, Lewis." Legate said and ran off of the pitch.

Lewis clapped his hands. "Genie! What are we doing? Playing football? Kick it to Papa."

Legate ran from the pitch, into the house, and down the hall to Lewis' flat. He opened the door and Genie stood up as soon as he walked in. She had been crying. He rushed to join her. "Genie."

She embraced him and began to cry again. "Why would they do this?"

He held her tightly and kissed the side of her face. "It's alright. Shhh…."

"With Sammy gone?" She cried.

"I know."

She continued to hold him and cry.

He held her tightly.

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Rose stood in the bathroom, wearing only her cotton, blue dressing gown. Fresh from the shower, she had enjoyed the lie in that morning that Jackie had demanded she have with the Doctor. He was still in the bed. He had coughed most of the night and just had a general air of feeling miserable about him.

"Sleep is what he needs." Jackie insisted.

Rose sighed. She knew her Mum was right. And she also knew that if he didn't take the time to rest, that his body would simply shut down to repair itself. With Samuel and Tony missing, he needed to be able to remain as alert as possible. It was clear that she was useless in this situation.

She had told the Doctor of her feelings after it became oblivious that she simply couldn't wish Samuel back. Something was preventing her from doing anything. She hadn't even been able to telepathically connect to young Genie when she tried the night before. She shook her head as her eyes flooded in tears. The feeling of helplessness overwhelming her.

"Rose."

She heard the Doctor groan. She hadn't been shielding her feelings and was certain he had woken up because of how strongly she had felt. She wiped her tears and walked into the bedroom.

He lay on his side, under the duvet. "Rose. Don't feel like that."

She sat down next to him and took his hand. "It's just so…"

"I know." He told her. "But, he's going to be alright. I have assurances."

"But, what is he going through-"

He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Don't do that-"

"We've both been through-"

"Don't put that in your head-"

"Baby. What's happening to him?"

He sat up and embraced her as she began to cry again. "Shhh….."

"I feel so, worthless!" She sobbed. "I can do, all of this stuff. But, when it really matters, I can't do anything!"

He kissed her forehead. "Rose. It's not up to you to bring him back."

"Then who will?"

"He, has to do something. There is a reason he is there."

Rose covered her mouth and looked away. "And you're ill-"

He coughed, "I'm fine-"

"You are not! You've coughed all night!" She insisted. "You look like hell-"

"Thanks."

"Stop fighting this and just be sick. You need to rest! It's clear I can't do a damn thing to help you."

He groaned and lay back dramatically. "Ugh! It's not all on your shoulders to sort people out!"

"Well, it for damn sure isn't yours!"

He pulled the pillow over his face and just in time for a violent coughing fit. "Oh, I'm done with this."

Rose knew he was about to use his regeneration energy to heal himself. "Don't. You. DARE!"

He groaned and threw the pillow off of the bed. "Damn it, Rose! I don't have time to be ill! I have to-"

"You have to lay your ass in this bed and rest."

"I simply don't have time for that!"

She pointed at him forcefully. "You are going to MAKE TIME FOR IT!"

He rolled his eyes and fell back into the pillows. "Damn it."

She stood up wiped her eyes. "I'll go make you a cup of tea. Rest."

He pulled the duvet over himself and groaned. "Damn. I hope you like the next body, Rose. I'm certain I'm about to regenerate from this."

She laughed. "You are the worst patient ever. Just rest and it will be over soon."

"Nevermind, any…. sparkly glow you might see." He mumbled.

She threw her slipper at him. "You better not get all sparkly!"

He laughed at her which began another coughing fit.

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Karen sat down in a large lecture hall, next to Arles. Three agents and a man named Varro had popped to the campus with them. She sat in the front of the class, as she always did.

The professor walked in and stood behind the podium. "And good afternoon all, let's get started."

Karen opened her notebook, and a small folded piece of paper fell out. Arles picked it up and handed it to her. She thanked him silently and began to take notes on the lecture.

As another student asked a question, Karen's attention went back to the bit of paper that had fallen. She didn't keep stuff like that in her notebook. What could it be?

She looked at it. It was a simple piece of paper that had been taken out of her notebook and folded over. She opened it and read:

My dearest Karen,

Surprise! And there you are in class. Or studying. I'm looking forward to seeing you and studying Latin later. You are simply amazing….

She couldn't read anymore and covered her mouth as she began to sob uncontrollability.

Arles looked back at her, "Karen?"

She shook her head. "I'm sorry."

Arles took her notebook, and the note, and slipped it quickly back in her pack. He wrapped her arm around her. "Come on. We're leaving."

She couldn't think and let her guide her out of the lecture hall as she continued to sob. The entire lecture hall had turned their heads to see what was going on.

She heard the door close and Arles wrapped his arms around her tightly once they reached the hallway. "It's alright. We'll get you back home."

She held her hands to her face and continued to cry hysterically. The professor joined them in the hallway. "Is she alright?"

Arles held her tightly. "She will be. I appreciate your kind words, earlier this week."

The professor put his hands in his pockets and shook his head. "If there is anything I can do, please just let me know."

Varro pat the professor on the back and held the door opened for him to the classroom. "Thank you, sir. We'll be in touch."

Karen heard Arles tell her softly, "And we're back home in 3-2-"

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The Lieutenant and Anne sat at their kitchen table drinking coffee inside of their beachfront home.

"I can't believe you told him about Karen! What were you thinking?" Anne insisted.

"That this man deserves the truth. His son is engaged to our daughter, Anne."

"But, his father in law is the Director of Torchwood!"

"Pete Tyler is a good man. He's not going to take Karen away from us. Besides, she's nearly 19. It's not like she's a child anymore."

"But….this could put your career in jeopardy-"

"Ah. Last thing I worry about. This man's son has put himself in harm's way for our daughter. Possibility sacrificed himself to bring her home to us. That family, is no more of a threat than that goofy dog of yours."

Anne sighed. "Oh, I hope you're right."

"I know I'm right."

A loud pop was heard in the sitting room. Arles and Karen appeared with two agents. Karen was still crying hysterically.

The Lieutenant and Anne quickly jumped up to join them.

"Oh, Karen." Anne took her in arms and led her away.

The Lieutenant looked back at Arles, who handed one of the agents Karen's bag. "What happened?"

"She's safe." Arles insisted. "Sam, left a her a note that she found in class. I'm sorry, I should have looked through that-"

"No." He pat his shoulder. "It's no one's fault." The Lieutenant sighed and put his hands on his hips. "Damn. She was having a better day."

Arles shook his head. "Yeah."

The Lieutenant looked back at him. "This has to be hard on you. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, sir. Don't worry about me."

He nodded. "You are a good man. I really appreciate how you are looking after her, but you also need to look after yourself."

Arles sighed, "Begging your pardon, sir….but, this is why I'm here. The love I have for my brother extended to her as soon as he named me as his 'One'. My feelings have to be pushed aside until this entire thing is over. I may be 'One', but Karen comes first. That's how that works."

The Lieutenant nodded. "Is this part of the Quauhtin tradition?"

"Yes, sir."

"Sam isn't Quauthin-"

"I am. And I tell you, sir. I don't believe in much of anything. But, I do believe in Sam. He will find his way home and my plan is to put her hand back into his as soon as I can."

The Lieutenant shook his head. "Hell of a man. Sam is lucky to have you, Arles."

Arles took a deep breath to collect himself. "He's going to make it back. I know he will."

The agents excused themselves and walked out of the house.

"Arles. Take the afternoon for yourself. Go check on the rest of the family. I'll be here for the evening."

"I can only leave her with someone-"

"I'm her father. There's no one else in the world more qualified. Arles. Take some time. If only a few hours. She's safe. Okay?"

Arles crossed his arms. "Alright. But, just a bit. And if she needs me, I can pop directly back."

The Lieutenant shook his hand. "I promise I'll keep you posted. Just as you have done for me. Thank you."

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