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Chapter 17 - Chapter 17 - Onboard Poltious' Ship

Poltious' ship was well underway. Legate was piloting it with the Doctor's assistance. They sat apart from the rest of the ship in the control room.

Karen sat at a bench with a small round table with Arles. She was sipping a glass of water he had given her.

"There. That might make you feel better. There are rooms back there, if you want to lie down."

She shook her head. "I might. I just don't do well when I don't sleep."

"Well, you were going to sleep this afternoon. And it's probably late now. I know, I'm tired." He realized as he rubbed his hands on his trousers.

"Then go to sleep." Karen told him.

He propped his elbows on the table and smiled at her. "I might in a bit."

Arles' phone alerted him that he had received a text. He looked down at it and groaned. "Ummm…"

"Who is that?" Karen asked.

"Some….girl."

She sipped her water. "That you're not interested in."

He rose his eyebrow at her. "You're still on about this?"

"Arles. You have a lot to offer to a girl-"

"Like what? The opportunity to be miserable?"

"Name one couple you know who are miserable-"

He sat his phone down. "Alright. I'll name five. You and Sam-"

"We're not miserable-"

"You've been completely miserable while he's been gone-"

"That doesn't count-"

"It does count. My Papa and Mum. He's…..completely devastated after losing her. Even in our time. Eighteen years after the fact. I don't want to be like that."

"So, this is your strategy. Just not get close to anyone?"

He thought. "I suppose so."

She shook her head. "Arles. You can't live your life waiting to lose someone."

His phone rang. He looked down at it and then back at Karen.

"Answer it. I'll go someplace else if you want privacy."

"Nah. It's alright." He insisted and answered the phone. He put it up to his ear. "Hey. Yeah. I got your text."

Karen sipped her water.

Arles chuckled and laid his arm across his chest as he spoke on the phone. "That does sound good. Ummm. I can't though. I've been called out of town. When will I be back?" He looked back at Karen.

Karen shrugged her shoulders.

"I really don't know. Umm. No, this isn't a brush off. I just….well. I really have no idea." He rubbed his eyebrow. "Yeah. That's alright. Okay."

He ended the call and ran both of his hands through his hair. "Damn! Ugh! Sammy."

Karen smiled at him. "Emily?"

"Emily and some other girl-"

"That's the two girls?!"

He rubbed his chin. "Yeah. I'm surprised she hasn't told you."

"What's the other girl's name?"

He shook his head. "I have no idea. She's….blond. Blue, bits in her hair."

"Tiffany and Emily!" She asked and covered her mouth.

"Oh, great. Now you are going to be on about this."

She laughed, "I'm just shocked. Emily didn't strike me as someone like that. Wow."

Arles crossed his arms and laughed under his breath. "She's the one who suggested it. I wouldn't have went for two at once-"

"You wouldn't say no-"

"Would you?" He insisted.

"Gosh. Arles. You are such a…."

"Pig? Is that your noun?"

She sipped her water. "None of my business-"

"That's right. I've already told you too much-"

"Just….wow."

Arles looked away and nodded his head. "Yeah. They are….there tonight. Wanting me to join them."

"See, your great strategy isn't working."

"What do you mean? It's working fine."

"Now, you are miserable-"

"Not miserable. Just….disappointed. They had someone else there tonight, too."

"So, three girls and you-"

"Yep." He nodded his head.

"How much smoking is happening when you do this?"

He looked back at her. "For your information, Sam got me started on that."

"The girls or the smoking?"

He rose his eyebrow. "Oh, I could really get him into a lot of trouble here."

"Phh…." Karen shook her head. "You mean the smoking. So, how much?"

"That entire thing of this being none of your business-"

"Oddly, it's beginning to become my business."

"Why? Because it's Emily? Your old flat mate-"

"No. Because it's you. Arles, I don't want you in a bad situation like this. Emily is one of these people who feel that aliens are -"

"We don't talk about that-"

She pointed at him. "You need to be very careful. I'm making this my business because I care about you. I don't want you hurt, but I also don't want this family hurt either-"

"This isn't my first day being an alien-"

"Well, it's new to me. And you are too close to this situation to actually see how dangerous it is! What happens if she finds out, and brings you over under the ruse of this? Gives you something and hurts you-"

"She wouldn't do that-"

"People like her do that. Arles, you have to be more cautious. People, are cruel-"

"She's your friend-"

"She's a flat mate. Not a friend. And I'm telling you. I don't know if she's all talk or not, but she hangs out with some people who could be very dangerous if they knew about you."

"Karen. Really. I don't think it's-"

"That's right. Arles. You're not thinking."

He sighed and looked back at her.

"You are my 'One'. I'm yours."

"That's not how it works-"

"Yes, it is! I'm telling you. This is not a good idea. Find some other girls to….screw around with-"

He laughed under his breath. "Just anyone, or do they need to meet with your approval-"

"When we return, I'll go to the club with you. I'll point you in a direction that will be a bit safer than this Emily character. Arles, I'm telling you. The very idea!"

He grinned. "Alright. It's a date. Well, not really."

She sipped her water. "A date. And who knows, you might find you actually like….one. 'One'."

"Phhh….doubt that."

The Doctor walked into the small room. "And we're underway." He sat down at the table with them and rubbed his face. "Still, it's going to be a bit."

Arles pointed at him. "Dad will know. What time is it?"

"Here?" He asked.

"No. Back home."

"London, it's morning-"

"No, Dad. New York." Arles smiled.

"Oh. Right. It's….midnight. 12:18."

Arles yawned. "Yep. I'm going to bed. Karen, that first room there on the left, is yours. I'm the next one if you need me."

She nodded, "Thanks, Arles."

He stood up and walked out of the room.

Karen looked back at the Doctor. "He's exhausted."

"I bet you are, too. It's been a long day." He said as he crossed his arms.

"Yeah." She sipped her water.

"Everything alright?"

"Why?"

"You two sounded like you were arguing."

"Oh, gosh. No. He's…..we were just talking."

He held up his hand. "I didn't hear anything but raised voices. None of my business."

"Ugh." She groaned. "He's just…."

"Driving you mental. I can see that. I think. Well, he seems…. Well."

She looked back at him. "You're his Dad."

"My Arles is only two months old. I'll fully admit you know Arles better than I do at this point. My Sam, too."

She nodded. "I suppose so."

"Tell me about them. Sam, first."

She smiled.

The Doctor grinned, "That's the same look he has on his face when he thinks about you."

She giggled. "Well, for starters, he prefers to be called, 'Samuel'."

"Really? Still?"

"It's so strange to hear you, and everyone else, call him Sam. Or Sammy."

He smiled. "My Samuel is the same way. The younger version. He doesn't like to be called Sam at all. I guess it's something he never grew out of."

"He told me it sounds more…what did he say?" She thought.

"Complete. That's what he says now."

"He's seven months old, now."

"I can speak to him. Even now. It's a ….thing." He told her as he crossed his arms.

She nodded. "Can Samuel do that?"

"Speak every language? I have no idea-"

"Hang on, you can speak every language?"

He nodded. "Yes. Every language there is. I can speak it. I don't know if Sam. Sorry, Samuel. I don't know if he can or not."

"He knows Spanish."

"That's Jane. I'm sure of it."

She smiled, "German, French, and Latin. He told me there were some others, but didn't elaborate."

"That makes me curious now. I'll have to ask him."

"He's so funny. Polite. Thoughtful. Smart. Brave. Wow. He didn't even, flinch when those Vesuos came into the Penthouse. I was crying. I was so scared."

The Doctor nodded. "He has trained for an event such as that. I'm hearing other things that he's done over the years and….it's impressive."

She smiled, "Proud father, huh?"

"Extremely. And Arles, too. Tell me about him."

"Well, he's so different than Samuel. He's been amazing, but….he's just so different. It makes me miss Samuel even worse."

"But, speaking with me doesn't make you miss him?"

She smiled, "I am still a bit….star struck if I'm honest."

"What? With me?"

She giggled. "Mr. Rose Tyler."

He laughed. "Mr. Rose Tyler. That's a new one."

"How long until we get there?"

"14 hours. Well, a bit longer to get us both stopped. And then we'll dock in their hanger and such."

"So, Samuel is on a big ship. Like yours."

He nodded, "He's on a galaxy cruiser from the Quauhtin Empire. Licis is sending me updates. He says that Sam has grabbed Tony's hand and is refusing to let him go. Tony has sworn at him and they have moved a chair over so he'll be more comfortable."

Karen smiled, "So, he's awake?"

"No. He's….just, not allowing Tony to leave." He chuckled.

"Why would Tony want to leave?"

"I imagine he's worried how I'm going to react. He couldn't get anywhere, anyway. Licis has ground all flights out of the ship. They are traveling so fast, he would have to stop to get anyone on or off. It's like….imagine tossing something out of a window of a car on a freeway. But, much faster. Launching at that speed would tear a ship apart."

"Tony knows this?"

"I'm sure he does. So, his plan would be to wait until they stop, and then leaving while I'm with Samuel. I can't chase him if I'm taking care of Samuel. It's not hard to sort out."

Karen shook her head, "This entire thing has been…completely crazy."

He ran his hand through his hair and relaxed. "Yeah. I blame that on his Mum. She's rather, jeopardy friendly, too."

Karen looked back at him and smiled. "Is she?"

"Oh, yes." He sat back and crossed his arms. "I met Rose Tyler when she was working at a shop. An alien race called, 'Auton', disguised themselves as mannequins and I ended up blowing up the building to destroy them. One escaped. Guess where it went?"

She grinned, "So, you were chasing aliens before you met her?"

"Well, yes. And….no." He rubbed his face. "I was just passing through. She…just was there."

She nodded her head. "Sounds like his explanation for that scar on his back. Well, I'm not sure if you know about that or not."

He shook his head. "No. What scar?"

"He told me he was in the wrong place, and thought he was protected more than he was. His Uncle Tony was with him and he was shot."

"Shot?" He asked. "With a gun?"

"I'm really not sure. It's a large scar. He said it happened a year ago, and he's amazed it left such a scar."

"Huh." He thought. "Sam shouldn't have a scar from something like that. That's odd."

"Why wouldn't he scar?"

"Why would that have left such a mark? Why wouldn't I have fixed that?"

She sipped her water. "I have no idea. I only mention it because I know you'll see it anyway. And, well…you're his Dad and you need to know."

"Thank you. I appreciate that."

She sat down her water and took a deep breath. "14 hours, huh?"

"Are you alright?"

"Oh, I've been….so nauseous today. I didn't sleep well, and that always makes me feel…strange."

"Well, with the stress of everything. Us traveling so fast, just the shear, gravity of the situation-"

"Ummmm." She started, "Doctor Smith."

He looked back at her. "John. Please call me John. I mean, if you think about it, there's only metal between us and traveling at light speed."

She covered her mouth. "Please don't put any more ideas in my head."

He grinned, "Quite, right. Sorry. Let me get you something that will help with that."

She closed her eyes as a fresh wave of nausea threatened to overtake her. She took short breathes to try to keep from being sick. Within a few moments, he had returned with her a small glass of something. He sat in front of her as she opened her eyes.

"Try that. That always helped Rose."

She sipped it and started to feel better instantly.

He crossed his arms. "So, archaeology?"

She looked back at him and grinned. "Yes. History is fascinating. Don't you think?"

He ran his hand through his hair. "Well, yeah. But….well."

She giggled.

He looked back up at her. "It's just….why would you study something like that?"

"It's interesting." She sipped the drink. "Thank you for this. It's helping."

"Drink the rest of it. It will help you sleep, too."

"Knocking me out, then?" She smiled.

He crossed his arms and laughed. "No. It's just…when you are feeling poorly, it's hard to sleep."

She exhaled slowly. "Oh, that's working."

"Arles told me that you….quit school?"

She sipped her drink. "No. I postponed it. I want to be able to help Samuel with whatever we might be facing."

"Well, I know he will need some time to recover from this. He's probably going to be very weak for a while."

She looked up at him. "Okay."

"But, I'll know more once we get there. Tell me. What do you plan to do after you finish with school?"

She grinned and bit her lip. "I love the idea of studying about a certain time period, and then, writing about it."

"So, you want to be…an author?"

She giggled. "No. Well, yes."

"I know of a school where you could teach."

She laughed under her breath and looked into her glass. "Genie has already offered me a position there. She knows I want to stay close to Samuel, especially while he is recovering."

He smiled. "Sam is lucky guy to have found you."

She finished the drink and sighed. "I'll be so glad to see him."

He agreed. "We're just hours away. Licis says, that…." He listened in his head.

She sat down her glass and looked at him.

"Licis says he's doing better." He laughed. "Still hasn't let go of Tony."

She looked confused. "You can hear him? Now?"

He nodded. "Yes. He is telepathic. Well, sortof. All of the Quauhtin are telepathically joined within units. Licis used to be part of the Prime Guard on Earth. He returned to the homeworld, and has been serving there."

She nodded as she yawned.

"Feeling better?"

"Now, I'm tired."

"Go on, and lay down. There's nothing much to do until we get there."

She thanked him for the drink and walked to the tiny room that was only large enough for the double bed that lay in it. She climbed onto the bed and was asleep within moments.

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Karen was in a cage in a dark, dusty place. She shouted for someone to help her, but no one came. She looked around and saw three Vesuos walk into the room. One of them pointed at her and smiled. "That's the one."

She closed her eyes and shouted as she felt his hands on both of her shoulders.

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Arles had his hands on her shoulders as he gently shook her. "Karen. You're dreaming. Wake up."

She sprang straight upright. Covered in sweat, her pulse raced. She saw Arles sitting on the side of her bed. "You are safe. You were having a-"

She began to cry and threw her arms around his neck. He held her and rubbed her back. "Shhh….everything is alright."

She continued to cry as Arles' held her. The Doctor looked into the doorway of the bedroom and mouthed, "Need me?"

Arles shook his head, "Karen. Everything is alright. We'll see Sam in a few hours. Hey, Dad even told me he's doing better!"

She leaned back and wiped her eyes. "Has he let go of Tony yet?"

The Doctor, still unseen by Karen, grinned and shook his head.

Arles glanced up to see him and smiled. "No. Tony has already lost the feeling in his hand."

Karen laughed though her tears. "That's sounds like him."

Arles wiped her tears. "Hang on. I'll get you a tissue-"

"No. I'm alright." She took a deep breath. "Just….don't leave me."

Arles glanced up and saw that the Doctor had walked away. "Okay. Well, you need to sleep."

She lay down on the bed again next to Arles. He lay down and rubbed her back as he faced her. "Everything is alright, Karen."

She closed her eyes. "I'm all alone."

"No, you aren't. I'm here. Shhh….go to sleep." He told her quietly as she fell back asleep.

Arles pulled the blanket back on Karen. He lay on his back, relaxed, and watched the stars streak over his head through the window. Karen reached over to feel for him, and he grabbed her hand. He held it and laid his arm on his chest.

"Everything is going to be alright, Karen. I'll put this hand back in Sammy's." He kissed her hand as she slept.

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