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Chapter 28 - Chapter 28 - A Bit of Feel Good
Hours later, the grown-up Genie walked into the med bay. She was wearing a stunning dress that flowed behind her, with her hair braided down her back. She looked like royalty without even trying.
She smiled as she arrived in Samuel's room. The lights were on brightly, and Karen sat next to him. Arles sat in the chair, beside of his bed, laughing about something they were talking about.
Genie crossed her arms, "I worry when I walk into a room with you two laughing."
Samuel laughed, "As you should, sis."
Arles smiled at her. "You look lovely, what's the occasion?"
She walked in and stood next to Samuel, taking his hand in hers. "I'm headed back to the surface in a bit with Legate. We're meeting up with Logan and Ashena before they leave. Anyone else want to go?"
Samuel smiled, "The Queen."
"Really?" Arles asked. "What's the real reason?"
"Dad had to pop into the hospital for something. I wanted to get one more plate of Postronoe before we left."
Samuel groaned, "That's fighting dirty. I love that stuff."
Karen giggled, "What is it?"
He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. "It's….like a seafood dish….and…."
Arles shrugged his shoulders, "And a salad with noodle like….oh it's strange. You and Sammy like a lot of the same things. I bet you would like it."
Karen smiled as she looked back at Sam's grinning face. "I might."
Genie grinned, "Then you should join us! Sammy will stay here."
Karen shook her head, "I don't know. Last time I left, Samuel ended up leaving the med bay too early."
He groaned. "I was just up, walking about!"
Genie looked surprised, "When?"
"Twenty-two minutes ago. Dad had me get up and walk to the end of the hallway and back. And I did great." Samuel smiled proudly.
Genie laughed, "That's wonderful! So, recovering well?"
"He has me on some other medicine. It seems to be working better. I'm ready to get out of here."
Karen continued to hold his hand and shook her head. "That's not the deal. He said if you stay put, and just walk around a bit, you can go home when we return later tonight."
Samuel ran his hand through his hair. "And I'm looking forward to that. Finally. Home!"
Genie laughed, "I'm sure. Is there anything you need from the surface, then?"
"Nah." Samuel shook his head. Then looked at Karen, "But, you should go."
"Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"Your first time in space, and you only want to sit in a medical room next to a good looking man. I mean, I know I'm-"
Karen shook her head and giggled, "Genie. Let's go."
Arles laughed and crossed his arms, "Abandonment."
Samuel nodded, "Yeah. Seems to be the theme since I woke up. First Papa and Poltious, now the sister and the girlfriend."
Genie asked, "Did you see Poltious and Papa before they left?"
"No." Samuel shook his head. "Arles did. I was sleeping. Well, we were asleep." He looked back at Karen, "They didn't come in here, did that?"
"I don't think so." Karen told him.
Samuel ran his hands through his hair and sighed just as the bearded Tony Tyler walked in. "And he's awake! Hey, man. You look like you're feeling better."
"I am." Samuel told him. "They are headed to the surface if you want to go."
Tony Tyler looked back at them and shook his head. "Nah. I'm going to stay up here. Thanks, though."
Karen leaned over to kiss Samuel. "Stay in this bed-"
"I love it when you say things like that." He told her.
Arles groaned. "There are people in this room with you, you know."
Samuel kissed her lips and smiled at her. "Have a good time. I'll be right here."
Genie smiled and waved as Karen and her left the room together.
Samuel rubbed his hands together, and after he heard the door close, yards away. "And they are off! Arles, get us to 32%."
Arles chuckled as he stood up and started to click through screens on the monitor. "And oxygen level…..increasing to 32%"
Tony Tyler laughed under his breath and sat down in the chair on the other side of Samuel's bed. "Yes! Friday, close the door."
The door closed and all three of the men began to inhale deeply.
Arles closed his eyes as he sat back and crossed his arms. His head already seemed to be shifting away from his shoulders. "Oh, yes. I've wondered if we shouldn't do this. Papa and Dad off of the ship, and all."
Tony Tyler laughed, "This is brilliant. I honestly hadn't thought about it. It's making me feel better though."
"You and me, both." Samuel insisted as he rubbed his hair. "So, gents. Tell me what I missed?"
Arles laughed. "Well, Dad found out about Legate and Genie."
Samuel and Tony laughed.
Tony insisted, "So, that was actually true?"
"He's completely disgusting with her, too." Arles told them. "Granted, Sammy is much worse."
Samuel pointed at himself. "I want to know what I'm missing with Karen."
He laughed, "She won't let me tell you that, man. But, going back to Dad-"
Samuel clapped his hands together, "Yes! Entertain us with the epic tale, brother!"
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The Doctor and Pete Tyler walked into the med bay together some time later.
"How long will it take Lewis and Poltious to get to the records department?" Pete asked.
"With Poltious' piloting? A quarter of the time a typical flight would take. Particularly now that he's back in his own ship. He better not kill Lewis. I've had quiet enough excitement for a while." The Doctor groaned.
Pete laughed, "Haven't we all? But, that's encouraging to hear that Sam is finally on the mend."
The Doctor grinned, "Finally. He heals fast, like Rose, and that's helping. More than he even realizes."
"What about the other things? I know he can heal others-"
"Nah. Nothing like that yet. But, I believe it will come back. Just like his memory. He just needs to give it time."
"And he was actually up, walking?" Pete smiled proudly.
"He said he didn't even get exhausted, like before." The Doctor walked along with his hands in the pockets of his trousers. "I believe he's finally headed in the right direction. In fact, we've made a deal that as long as he stays in the bed here, and …."
They arrived at Samuel's med bay room.
"Why is the door closed?" The Doctor asked.
Pete winked, "Maybe he's really recovered, and needs a bit of privacy. Karen was with him after all."
Then, the unmistakable sound of a roomful of hysterical laughter was heard through the door.
The Doctor pressed the button and immediately, the scent of peppermint seemed to rush out of the door and smack him and Pete in the face.
Pete coughed, "Why does it smell like….mint?"
The Doctor crossed his arms and grinned, "Because someone turned up the oxygen in here."
He looked around the room to see Arles and Tony Tyler sitting on either side of Samuel's bed. All of them were laughing hysterically.
Samuel spotted them. "Dad! Grandfather! Welcome back!"
The Doctor glanced back at Pete. "That's your son."
"And both of yours." Pete pointed out. "Alright, boys. Having a bit of 'feel good' are we?"
All three of them continued to laugh hysterically.
Pete walked into the room and stood next to Samuel's bed. The Doctor closed the door and walked in with them.
Arles was wiping his eyes. "I was just telling them about you punching Legate, Dad."
Tony Tyler covered his face as he continued to laugh, "Oh, that was brilliant!"
The Doctor grinned. "Temporary insanity."
Pete sat down next to Samuel on the bed. "So, we know where you get your madness from?"
Samuel grinned, "Never was a question in my head. Grand!"
Pete laughed and pat Samuel's chest. "Never doubt it, son."
The Doctor laughed and walked over to the side of Samuel's bed. "And how are you feeling?"
He laughed, "Really good. After all, laughter is the best medicine. Right?"
The Doctor smiled, "It is. Your levels all look great. And that's without Karen."
Pete looked confused, "Karen?"
The Doctor explained, "Karen had to be touching him to keep his levels in the green at first-"
"I'm lost." Pete admitted, "And I'm happy to remain that way. I'm just grateful you are feeling better."
Samuel grinned. "I am grateful I'm going to finally be able to put on some clothes!"
Arles insisted, "No one more than I!"
They all started laughing again together.
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