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Chapter 21 - Chapter 21 - Plentitude Orbit

They had joined back with the Doctor's ship in orbit near Plentitude by that next afternoon. Samuel had improved a great deal.

Ashena and Lartius had also rejoined them. Anxious to see Tony, Samuel and Poltious, they all remained in orbit until the Doctor told them it was alright to come aboard. Lewis had overseen the transport of Samuel from the Quauthin med bay, to the Doctor's Ship.

Arles currently stood outside of the med bay's doors, blocking entry from the crowd which included, Jackie, Pete, Rose and the older version of Genie.

"Arles." Rose insisted. "Let us in."

"I'm sorry, Mum. Dad says, 'No'."

"Ugh!" Rose groaned. "I'm Mum. I say, 'Yes'."

Arles smiled. "Yes, ma'am. He told me you would say that."

Rose grinned and pointed at him. "Son. Ugh!"

Legate walked around the corner with Poltious. "Hey! What's the riot?"

Genie smiled and embraced Legate.

He kissed her cheek. "He's doing really good, Genie. It's alright."

Poltious smiled at her. "And, it's nice to see you, Genie."

Genie smiled at him. "Hi, Poltious."

He continued to look at her. "Wow. You really did grow up. Amazing."

She covered her mouth and embraced him. "It's really, so good to see you."

He laughed and held her close.

Legate rose his eyebrow at Arles. "And what are you doing, man?"

"Guarding the door. Dad and Papa asked me to."

Jackie Tyler sighed. "Ugh. Arles. I'm your Grand."

"Yes, ma'am."

"And I need to get in there."

"No. Not right now. Dad said to let him get sorted, and then he'll let you in to see him. But, there are rules."

"Rules?" Jackie huffed.

"What rules?" Rose asked.

"He's had some memory loss."

"Well, what has he forgotten?" Genie asked.

"A lot. Dad thinks he'll remember it as he recovers, but Karen has asked me to talk to all of you lot-"

"Oh, brother. Already laying down the laws." Jackie groaned.

Arles sighed. "Karen has asked that you don't tell him of anything with her. She doesn't want him to feel obligated to do something now if he still doesn't feel that way towards her."

"The engagement." Jackie nodded her head as she crossed her arms. "That's what she's on about, isn't it?"

"Well, yes. As far as he knows, he's never even told her that he loves her. She wants him to come to this on his own. Not because, we tell him. Does that make sense? I feel like I'm doing a terrible job at this-"

Genie put her hand on his forearm. "No. It makes complete sense."

Jackie grinned. "You know. I like this girl! She has a good head on her shoulders."

"Mum?" Rose asked.

"Well, she does. We could tell Sammy anything. I like that she has insisted on this. Tell her I approve."

Genie looked back at Legate and both of them stifled a laugh.

Pete chuckled. "I think I'll wait to see him later. Tony and Pepper have the right idea. Anyone want to grab some dinner and come back?"

Legate nodded. "I'm good with that. Genie? Poltious?"

Genie crossed her arms. "I'll wait. You guys go ahead."

Jackie groaned. "I'm going to find my Tony, anyway. You tell Sam that I'll see him later."

Arles grinned. "Is that a threat, then?"

Jackie playfully smacked Arles on the chest. "You better believe it, mister!"

Arles laughed. "Okay. I'll tell him you have threatened."

Jackie walked away, finger pointed at him. "You tell him!"

Rose smiled at him. "And now it's just me and Genie."

Arles rocked on his feet. "Yes, it is."

"Are you still not going-"

"Still not." He grinned.

Genie pointed at him. "I think you are enjoying this-"

"I may be."

The Doctor opened the door and looked at the pair of them. "Is it just you? Arles, let them in."

Arles groaned, "Dad! You told me to keep them out!"

Rose pat his chest as they walked into the med bay together. "Good job, son."

"Ugh!" Arles threw his hands up in the air. "I'm going to the surface." Arles turned his head and shouted, "Grandfather! Hang on! I'll join you." He jogged away.

The Doctor put his arm around Rose's shoulder. "And he's doing great. He's a bit thinner, but he has a plan how to sort that out."

Genie led them to the room where Samuel was sitting up in a bed. Karen sat next to him and was feeding him ice cream from a spoon. He looked much better than he had. No tubes anywhere, no bruising, and a huge smile on his face.

"Well, hey!" He smiled at them.

Rose rushed into the room and hugged him.

He laughed. "I'm sorry, I can't move my arms or I'd hug you back."

Rose sat on the side of his bed and took his hand. "You can't move your arms?"

The Doctor moved into the room to stand beside of him. "It's the medicine coming out of his system. It's affecting his muscles. He'll be fine."

"His heart is a muscle." Genie insisted.

"And that is alright. Some things work on 'Autopilot'." Samuel grinned.

Genie smiled and then leaned over to kiss his cheek. "I've missed you so much. I'll wait to give you a proper hug once you are better. I'm worried, I might hurt you."

Rose held his hand. "Did I hurt you?"

He smiled. "No, Mum. I'm alright."

Rose hugged him again, kissing his cheek.

"You still look, so hurt." Genie told him.

Karen smiled, "He looks a lot better than he did. Doesn't he, John?"

The Doctor nodded. "He really does. He's healing nicely."

Samuel looked at Karen. "Do you know Genie?"

Karen smiled, "Yes, Samuel. We met. I've also met your Mum."

Rose grinned at Karen. "He's not being a terrible patient, is he?"

"Well, I'm grateful you have given me permission to slap him if needed." Karen teased.

Samuel looked confused. "What? Are you two ganging up on me? Is that what this is?"

Genie giggled. "Yes, it is."

The Doctor took Rose's hand. "Rose?"

She smiled. "I'll be back in a bit, Samuel."

The Doctor led her out of the room.

Karen asked. "Do you want some more of this?"

He nodded. "Yes, please."

Karen fed him the ice cream.

Genie sat on the side of the bed and took his hand. "Arles said you can't remember a lot of stuff."

"It's odd. It's just gone. I might need some help."

"Tell me what you remember."

Karen fed him some more ice cream. "Well, I know I need to come teach at the school."

"Do you remember what you are teaching?"

"Ummm….Advanced Nuclear Theory." Samuel teased.

Genie groaned. "I think you're kidding."

Samuel laughed as Karen fed him some more ice cream. "That's what my experiment has been on these past two weeks. How much of the inside can get cooked before you see it on the outside?"

Karen groaned and pointed at him. "I know what you are talking about and it's not funny."

Genie nodded. "I agree. Let's not joke about this. Are you okay?"

"No. I will be though." Then he realized. "Well, wait a minute. Karen, why aren't you in class? How are you here?"

Karen sighed and gave him another bite of ice cream. "We'll talk about that later."

"Why can't we talk about it now?"

"Because you're not well. It can wait." She insisted.

Sam sighed. "I feel like a lot of this will get that excuse. Genie. You'll be honest with me."

Genie pointed at him. "Don't do that to me-"

"Why isn't she in school?"

Genie sighed. "Karen. We're orbiting over Plentitude. Would you like to go to the surface with me? Maybe do some shopping? They have the best shops here. And Dad has accounts, everywhere."

Karen couldn't help but be interested in that. She was still wearing the same clothes she had left Earth in two days ago. Not to mention, shopping? On a foreign planet?

Karen looked back at Samuel. "Umm….Samuel probably needs me-"

"To watch me sleep? You should go."

Karen looked back at Genie. "You don't mind?"

Genie smiled. "I don't. Come on."

"I actually think I will."

Genie laughed, "Friday. Please tell Legate to wait on us."

Friday replied. "Legate says that you have excellent timing. He's waiting for you in the transporter room."

Karen put the empty ice cream container on the table. "You need to rest, Samuel. I imagine you'll have a lot of visitors today."

Genie smiled. "I'll go tell Mum. Sammy. Sleep."

He sighed. "Yes, boss."

Genie sat still and looked back at him.

"What?" He asked.

"I'm afraid I'll hurt you." Genie told him. "But, I want to hug you."

He laughed. "Then do your worst, sis."

She carefully hugged his shoulders and kissed the side of his head.

He looked back up at her. "See, and I didn't even shout. Thought about it."

Genie pointed at him and laughed. "I don't want to have to smack you."

He laughed under his breath.

Genie walked out of the room. "Rest, Sammy. I'll see you later."

Karen continued to sit on the side of his bed and played with the hairs on his chest. "Hey. How are you feeling? Really?"

"Tired." He admitted. "That medicine is strong he gave me."

Karen ran her fingertips under his eyes. It made his face tingle with her touch. "You have dark circles under your eyes."

"I don't want to sleep anymore."

She propped herself up on her arm and looked at him. "Why?"

He asked her quietly. "What if I wake up and I'm still there?"

She played with the hair on his chest. "You're here, with me. Do you want me to stay?"

"No. You need to …." His eyes closed again. "What if I forget more?"

She continued to play with the hair on his chest. It sent currents of comfort through his chest and outwards to his shoulders. "Samuel. You're not going to forget-"

"I feel like I've forgotten so much already. Big things. Are there big things?"

"If they are, they will still happen. Okay?"

"Okay." He closed his eyes. "That feels good. Do you still feel that when we touch?"

She smiled, "Yes. It was present the entire time you were gone, too."

"Have we found out what it is?"

"No. But, we've really played with it."

He grinned. "That sounds….brilliant."

"Oh, it is." She took his hand and kissed it. "Do you want me to stay? You seem…scared."

"I'm okay." He nodded and yawned. "Go with Genie. She's a great tour guide. Plentitude is lovely."

"You're sure?"

"One question first."

She smiled. "You can ask me more than one."

"Have I told you that I love you? Because, I'm sure I do."

She smiled and her eyes pooled in tears. "Yes. You've told me that."

"I know I mean it. Karen, I don't think I could love anyone else as much as I do you."

She wiped her eyes. "Samuel."

He smiled, "I love how you say my name."

She leaned down and kissed his lips.

"Why are you crying?" He asked.

She shook her head and wiped her eyes. "I'm just …. Tired. It's been a long few days."

"You need to get some sleep."

She laughed through her tears. "I've already told Genie that I'll go. And besides, I'd like to get a change of clothes. I just feel….icky."

"You're lovely."

"You're bias." She grinned.

"Alright. Could you do me a favor?"

She wiped her eyes and looked back into his. "What is that?"

"Get me some pants? They have the best ones here, and I seem to be without them."

She laughed under her breath. "Samuel-"

"I like blue, but get whatever you like. What was your favorite color? Brown, right?"

She giggled. "Yes, brown."

"Brown pants. Well, Arles would have some smart ass thing to say about that."

She laughed and shook her head. "Samuel."

He gripped her hand tighter. "I'll sleep while you're gone. Mum is here with me. If I forget anything important, will you tell me?"

She looked back at him. "Maybe-"

"No. Please. Tell me."

She leaned in and kissed his lips again. She said quietly, "Samuel."

He whispered, "What?"

She looked in his eyes. "I love you."

He smiled like a loon. "I feel that's not the first time I've heard that."

She wiped her tears. "It's not."

Genie hung in the doorway. "Okay. Dad said he'll be in to see you in a bit, Sammy. Mum is going to stay with you so Karen will be more comfortable. Is that alright?"

Karen smiled, "Yes."

Samuel sighed. "I bet he has something to make me sleep. I don't think I need it."

"You need to sleep." Genie insisted.

"I don't want to sleep."

"Don't be a pain in the ass patient." Genie pointed at him.

"It's my nature."

Karen kissed his hand. "Pants?"

"Pants. Genie knows the ones. And bring yourself back to tell me you love me some more."

She giggled, "Okay."

He watched her get up and walk towards Genie.

Genie smiled and wrapped her arm around Karen's shoulder. "I know the best place!"

Samuel sighed and closed his eyes. Within what seemed like a few seconds, Rose had walked back into his room.

"Fancy some company?"

He opened his eyes and smiled at her. "Sure, Mum."

Rose walked back into the room and sat on the side of his bed. She took his hand in hers again. "How are you, Sweetheart?"

He closed his eyes. "Tired. It's difficult to stay awake."

"Then sleep. I'll stay here with you." Rose told him as she ran her fingers through his hair.

He relaxed. Just as he started to drift off, he heard his Dad's voice as he walked in. He whispered, "And is he sleeping?"

Rose smiled at her son. "I believe so. It's not so easy to tell with this one."

The Doctor nodded and sat down a small tray of equipment. "That's true."

"Why can't I feel him? Like I can baby Sam?"

"The parental bond stops when they become a teenager." He told her as he sorted out his equipment. "It helps them to grow more independent."

Rose nodded and ran her hand through Samuel's hair again. He took a deep breath and continued to sleep.

"What can I do to help him?"

The Doctor looked down at his equipment and shrugged his shoulders, "Just be there for him-"

"You know what I mean!" She insisted.

He looked up at her in surprise. "You mean….that?"

"Explain to me, what is wrong with him. Very simple terms."

He sat down the equipment and looked at her. "I wish it was simple. He's healing very fast, though."

She looked back at him. "But, he can't move. How long will that last?"

"Until the medicine they gave him, pushes its way out of his body. They didn't want him to move. They thought he was Soli."

She closed her eyes and sighed. "I still just don't understand why-"

"Baby, it's probably better we don't-"

"How can you say that-"

"Well. There are reasons for certain things happening. There was a reason."

"So, he could stop Tony. Him keeping Tony there? Was that it?"

"I have no idea."

Rose wiped her tears. "I'm his Mum. I should have been able to stop this."

The Doctor nodded, "Tony defeating four Vesuos. That probably was you-"

"You mean, her."

"I mean you!"

She groaned. "I don't even want to talk to you about this."

"Why are we fighting about this?"

"I am just….ugh. You're right. I'm sorry."

The Doctor nodded. "Okay. Well, I need to-"

"Can you just….give me some time? Alone with him?"

He could feel her sadness. "Sure, Rose. He's going to be fine-"

"I know. I just, want to be here with him."

"Okay. Sure."

He sat the tray of equipment on the counter and turned to look at her. "I'll go check on the children. Let me know when you want me to return."

She nodded and looked back at Samuel.

The Doctor exhaled slowly and left the room.

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Samuel was sitting on a bale of hay. He looked around and found himself back inside of the barn with the sandy floor. He sprang straight up and looked around.

"Hello?" He shouted.

"And hello." A familiar voice greeted him.

He looked up to the rafters and saw Rose. "Mum? Why am I here?"

She climbed down the ladder and once she arrived in front of him, he realized it wasn't his Mum. It was the entity. He couldn't even describe how he knew that.

He put his hands on his hips. "Oh, it's you then."

She smiled. "It's me. And I'm sorry, but I'm going to look like this."

He nodded. "Alright. Well, I spoke to Dad about that."

"You remember that." She smiled.

"Why wouldn't I?" He asked.

She smiled proudly. "That was after you returned. Tell me, what do you remember?"

He crossed his arms and thought. "Not a lot. I feel as if, I owe you an apology."

"No." She insisted and sat down on a bale of hay. "None is necessary."

"I feel like I was rather rude…"

She smiled. "I understand why."

He looked at her. "Why are you here?"

"I wanted to check on you. You've been through a lot."

He shrugged his shoulders. "That's what Dad says. I don't remember any of it."

"Do you want to?"

He rose his eyebrows. "Is that an option?"

"For you, it is."

"Why?"

"Because, you are you."

He shook his head. "I don't understand that."

She smiled. "For now, I think you shouldn't."

He nodded. "I'm good with that."

She stood up and walked over to him. "And how is…Karen?"

His face spread into a smile as he looked away.

She laughed. "She's so happy you have returned. You have a lot to catch up on."

He couldn't help laugh as he looked back at her. She had disappeared.

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