p class="MsoNormal"XXXXXXXXXXXXX/p
p class="MsoNormal"Chapter 46 - Chapter 46 - A Runner/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel answered the door to find his brother standing style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles was wearing a nice, dark green, oxford shirt, grey trousers, and held an armload of shirts./p
p class="MsoNormal""Are you dressed for something?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanSamuel asked him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles came into the flat and handed his brother the shirts he style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yeah, to keep from being style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYou're style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat's up?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel dropped the shirts on the sofa and took off the sweatshirt and t-shirt he style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Whoa!"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles said as he pointed at Samuel's style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Nice rash, mate."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel took the opportunity to scratch it with both style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"It's annoying-"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles smacked his hands away from his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Well, don't scratch it! span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanLet me see."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel shook his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"It's nothing."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Looks like the Big Dipper."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles teased./p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel groaned and pulled on a blue t-shirt that Arles had brought style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Oh, that's style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI can already tell."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles put his hands on his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You've never had problems with anything style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat's going on?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Ah, nothing."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Karen has you doing something so freaky you're breaking out in a rash?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles shrugged his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Just take a shower and wash that gel style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt breaks me out, too."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel groaned and dramatically looked at the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Try the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt tastes bad, but-"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Ah!span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNext style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI need to talk to you about style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAre you busy?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles looked at his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Not for 34 style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat do you have?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel motioned for Arles to follow him into the dining style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOnce they arrived there, Arles picked up one of the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Vitex?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat's this about?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel leaned against the back of the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I have a proposition for you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You're not my type."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles grinned./p
p class="MsoNormal""I want to buy style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI want to run it."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yeah, right."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel rose his eyebrows./p
p class="MsoNormal""Holy shit, you're serious."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI've spoken to Karen about it, and told her that I would like to bring you in to help me."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, I don't know anything about that."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe told him as he tossed the file back on the table. "Has he already had to dodge the hostile take-over?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNot that I've style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm going to keep an eye on that Vice President before that style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanGet his ass arrested before we have such a problem."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles nodded in style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPreemptive style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanJust to remind you, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe has to do something wrong, before you can have him arrested."/p
p class="MsoNormal""If he's even working style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm not even style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'll have to ask Grandfather for the personal files."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sure, this isn't some….personal vendetta?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat for leaking that shit to the press about you-"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Maybe it style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAnd you know what?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI don't even feel badly about it."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Dad will put your ass in a sling-"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel pointed at his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"He's got to catch me first."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Not the man you want to try to keep something from."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I can keep it under the radar."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Why not ask Tony Tyler?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Grandfather did ask style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe told him that…well, he wasn't style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanSame as at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYou know how he style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanFootball, and nothing else."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, except his own personal vengeance against style="mso-spacerun: yes;" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYou should have heard some of the stuff he's been telling me over the past few days."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Like what?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Any aliens not allied with Dad, or Lartius, are on the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAll of them are evil and just looking for their chance to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe's always had a hatred of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm surprised he even likes me."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, you're not an alien."/p
p class="MsoNormal""As much as you style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAnd we're on the 'right side'."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut….in Tony's mind…well..."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles shrugged his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Who knows what is going on in that guy's head?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""It's something I can't style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI know him and Grandfather are...having a disagreement."/p
p class="MsoNormal""There's more to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe was odd just a bit ago."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Odd how?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles held up his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Hang style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPapa is talking to me."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel groaned and rubbed his chest style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles slapped his hand away./p
p class="MsoNormal""It itches!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""And scratching only makes it worse, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPapa needs us to go to Grandfather's office."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Why?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""He's not style="mso-spacerun: yes;" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanRun and tell Karen, and we'll go together."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel left the kitchen with a sigh./p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles yelled after him, "And stop scratching your chest!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Shut it!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete Tyler sat at the desk in his office at Torchwood. The clouds threatened rain, which did not help Pete's exhaustion./p
p class="MsoNormal"He held down the button to ask his secretary for a cup of tea as he looked over some alerts that had popped up on his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"He groaned and sat down at his desk just as his secretary walked in with a cup of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Mrs. Tyler is looking for you."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe told him./p
p class="MsoNormal"" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanParty plans most likely."/p
p class="MsoNormal"She style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe has finalized everything and the guest list is just there on your style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAs soon as you approve it, I'll get everyone notified."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete glanced over the guest style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'm sure it's in style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanJust ring everyone up, that way we'll have a count style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAdriano will assist you with some of our, 'out of town' guests."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAdriano has been very style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanJake Simmons also wanted ten minutes and Doctor Smith has phoned for style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt seemed urgent."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete rubbed his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Tell Adriano to let him know I'm available style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhatever his hair is on fire about, we probably need to get it sorted."/p
p class="MsoNormal"She smiled as she walked out of the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Certainly, Director."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete sipped his tea and closed his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWithin a few moments, he heard a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe didn't open style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"And what's the problem, son?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor collapsed on the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Oh, we'll get to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTony is on his way."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete shook his head as he walked over to join the Doctor on the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Not my style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe's pissed at me."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Why is that?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh, we-"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPete began just as Lewis popped into the room with Tony style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony held his hands out. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"What the hell is this?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Are you still rhyming everything?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Doctor asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony pointed at him as he sat on the sofa across from them with style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'm in style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut, it's just a recent discovery."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No more Doctor Seuss for a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYour brain needs a rest."/p
p class="MsoNormal""That I style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThis isn't why you brought us here, is it?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI was in the middle of something, and Lewis insisted that I quit."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete chuckled, "Why is he rhyming everything?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor smiled and informed Pete, "He's read too much Doctor Seuss to Soli."/p
p class="MsoNormal""And he finally agrees!"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTony told style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat's this about?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor pointed his finger to tell them to wait a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel and Arles popped into the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOne look at the group that had assembled, and the brothers glanced back at one style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis noticed, " style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt's not about you lot."/p
p class="MsoNormal""There better not be anything we need to discuss."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Doctor insisted./p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel pointed at himself and style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'm clean."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles rubbed his hands together and exhaled slowly./p
p class="MsoNormal"They both walked over and sat in the chairs on the sides of the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel rubbed his hands style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"And what's the problem?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles looked style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You didn't summon Tony Tyler?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis crossed his arms as he sat back on the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Where is Tony Tyler, son?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanDo you know?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles shook his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No, Papa. Well, I know he went up to the ship."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Did he say why?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanLewis asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles thought, " style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe had a bite of something, and suddenly remembered that he had to do style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe pulled the remote trigger out of his pocket, and transported immediately up."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony Stark crossed his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Immediately?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI thought it was rather style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt was as if he was frightened by something."/p
p class="MsoNormal""What did he eat?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Doctor asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles rubbed his hands together and glanced at his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Chicken style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWe just returned from surfing and I was cold."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor looked at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Have you had chicken soup since you returned?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhy?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I have a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanStay here."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Doctor popped away./p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete rubbed his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Well, I know he sure is pissed at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt doesn't surprise me that he isn't here."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You had an argument?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanLewis asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPete style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Which ended with him telling me that I'm not his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI always thought I would hear that from Rose before Tony."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis sighed just as the Doctor popped back into the room with a bowl of soup which he sat on the table in front of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Eat style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanJust a few bites."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel picked up the spoon and started to eat the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis rubbed his hands style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"So, Tony was pissed?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""And as we continue to sit in this meeting of mist." Tony complained. "What is this about?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThere are things I need to check out."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""He's stolen a ship."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanLewis told style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete sighed and sat style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"And done a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm not surprised."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Whose ship was it?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTony asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis rose his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'll give you three guesses, but you only need one."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Damn it!span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI should have seen this coming!span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe was so quick to help me put that damn thing together and it was all so he could use it to..."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe grit his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete looked back at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Well, you can track it."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony shook his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNot, that style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIf he doesn't want to be seen, you're not going to find him."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles grinned, "And you've stopped rhyming."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony threw his hands style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Because I'm pissed!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor hadn't taken his eyes off of his son who had taken a few bites of the soup and then seemed to become lost in his own style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Samuel?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel continued to stare in the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis reached over and put his hand on Samuel's style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Samuel?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel jumped and dropped the spoon into the bowl of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe looked around the room and then began to type something very fast on his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Excuse style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI need to check on Karen."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe said as he quickly popped away./p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis pointed at the empty chair where Samuel had just style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"And do you want to explain chicken soup sending these guys into a panic?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"They gave them Nutrition Liquid when they held style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt tastes like cold, chicken style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe doesn't remember what happened, but his brain remembers that taste."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles sighed and shook his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"So, what are we doing about Tony?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShall I talk to him?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor held his hands style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I've sent him several messages and I'd like you to send him one, as style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe's not answering."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony sat back and crossed his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Damn style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI've lost another style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAnd I had just gotten that one equipped!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You're rhyming again-"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Because I have damage to my brain!"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTony shouted and stood style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe rubbed his face and after a few seconds, looked back at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanLet me give this some style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'll find a way to get him caught."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete covered his mouth to keep them from seeing him smile at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI know you'll do all you can."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm going to home to start a scan." span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTony typed something on his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Fucking kid."/p
p class="MsoNormal"He popped style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete laughed under his breath and shook his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'm style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt's not a laughing style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe rhyming though."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"At least he cooled style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm going to check on Samuel."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor popped away./p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis noticed Arles look at his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"How long until you are expected someplace, son?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"21 minutes, Papa."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThat will be plenty of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanCome back to my flat."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis stood up with Arles and spoke to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"John said to leave it to you to tell Jackie."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh, God."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPete style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I don't want to do that."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut, it was up to me to tell style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI have."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You are a cruel man, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm going to need Quauhtin protection when I tell style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe's going to blame this completely on me."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles shook his head as he typed something on his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I would personally wait a few style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt's not the first time he's gotten his knickers in a knot and done a runner."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPete inquired./p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWe'll just hope it's like then."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I hope."/p
p class="MsoNormal"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX/p
p class="MsoNormal"Chapter 46 - Chapter 46 - A Runner/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel answered the door to find his brother standing style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles was wearing a nice, dark green, oxford shirt, grey trousers, and held an armload of shirts./p
p class="MsoNormal""Are you dressed for something?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanSamuel asked him./p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles came into the flat and handed his brother the shirts he style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yeah, to keep from being style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYou're style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat's up?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel dropped the shirts on the sofa and took off the sweatshirt and t-shirt he style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Whoa!"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles said as he pointed at Samuel's style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Nice rash, mate."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel took the opportunity to scratch it with both style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"It's annoying-"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles smacked his hands away from his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Well, don't scratch it! span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanLet me see."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel shook his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"It's nothing."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Looks like the Big Dipper."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles teased./p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel groaned and pulled on a blue t-shirt that Arles had brought style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Oh, that's style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI can already tell."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles put his hands on his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You've never had problems with anything style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat's going on?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Ah, nothing."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Karen has you doing something so freaky you're breaking out in a rash?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles shrugged his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Just take a shower and wash that gel style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt breaks me out, too."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel groaned and dramatically looked at the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Try the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt tastes bad, but-"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Ah!span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNext style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI need to talk to you about style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAre you busy?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles looked at his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Not for 34 style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat do you have?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel motioned for Arles to follow him into the dining style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOnce they arrived there, Arles picked up one of the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Vitex?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat's this about?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel leaned against the back of the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I have a proposition for you."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You're not my type."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles grinned./p
p class="MsoNormal""I want to buy style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI want to run it."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Yeah, right."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel rose his eyebrows./p
p class="MsoNormal""Holy shit, you're serious."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI've spoken to Karen about it, and told her that I would like to bring you in to help me."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, I don't know anything about that."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe told him as he tossed the file back on the table. "Has he already had to dodge the hostile take-over?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNot that I've style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm going to keep an eye on that Vice President before that style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanGet his ass arrested before we have such a problem."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles nodded in style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPreemptive style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanJust to remind you, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe has to do something wrong, before you can have him arrested."/p
p class="MsoNormal""If he's even working style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm not even style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'll have to ask Grandfather for the personal files."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Sure, this isn't some….personal vendetta?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat for leaking that shit to the press about you-"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Maybe it style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAnd you know what?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI don't even feel badly about it."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Dad will put your ass in a sling-"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel pointed at his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"He's got to catch me first."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Not the man you want to try to keep something from."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I can keep it under the radar."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Why not ask Tony Tyler?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Grandfather did ask style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe told him that…well, he wasn't style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanSame as at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYou know how he style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanFootball, and nothing else."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, except his own personal vengeance against style="mso-spacerun: yes;" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYou should have heard some of the stuff he's been telling me over the past few days."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Like what?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Any aliens not allied with Dad, or Lartius, are on the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAll of them are evil and just looking for their chance to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe's always had a hatred of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm surprised he even likes me."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, you're not an alien."/p
p class="MsoNormal""As much as you style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAnd we're on the 'right side'."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Well, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut….in Tony's mind…well..."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles shrugged his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Who knows what is going on in that guy's head?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""It's something I can't style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI know him and Grandfather are...having a disagreement."/p
p class="MsoNormal""There's more to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe was odd just a bit ago."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Odd how?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles held up his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Hang style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPapa is talking to me."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel groaned and rubbed his chest style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanArles slapped his hand away./p
p class="MsoNormal""It itches!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""And scratching only makes it worse, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPapa needs us to go to Grandfather's office."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Why?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""He's not style="mso-spacerun: yes;" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanRun and tell Karen, and we'll go together."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel left the kitchen with a sigh./p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles yelled after him, "And stop scratching your chest!"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Shut it!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete Tyler sat at the desk in his office at Torchwood. The clouds threatened rain, which did not help Pete's exhaustion./p
p class="MsoNormal"He held down the button to ask his secretary for a cup of tea as he looked over some alerts that had popped up on his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"He groaned and sat down at his desk just as his secretary walked in with a cup of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""Mrs. Tyler is looking for you."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe told him./p
p class="MsoNormal"" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanParty plans most likely."/p
p class="MsoNormal"She style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe has finalized everything and the guest list is just there on your style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAs soon as you approve it, I'll get everyone notified."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete glanced over the guest style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'm sure it's in style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanJust ring everyone up, that way we'll have a count style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAdriano will assist you with some of our, 'out of town' guests."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAdriano has been very style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanJake Simmons also wanted ten minutes and Doctor Smith has phoned for style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt seemed urgent."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete rubbed his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Tell Adriano to let him know I'm available style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhatever his hair is on fire about, we probably need to get it sorted."/p
p class="MsoNormal"She smiled as she walked out of the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Certainly, Director."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete sipped his tea and closed his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWithin a few moments, he heard a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe didn't open style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"And what's the problem, son?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor collapsed on the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Oh, we'll get to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTony is on his way."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete shook his head as he walked over to join the Doctor on the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Not my style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe's pissed at me."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Why is that?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh, we-"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPete began just as Lewis popped into the room with Tony style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony held his hands out. span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"What the hell is this?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Are you still rhyming everything?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Doctor asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony pointed at him as he sat on the sofa across from them with style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'm in style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut, it's just a recent discovery."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No more Doctor Seuss for a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanYour brain needs a rest."/p
p class="MsoNormal""That I style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThis isn't why you brought us here, is it?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI was in the middle of something, and Lewis insisted that I quit."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete chuckled, "Why is he rhyming everything?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor smiled and informed Pete, "He's read too much Doctor Seuss to Soli."/p
p class="MsoNormal""And he finally agrees!"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTony told style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhat's this about?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor pointed his finger to tell them to wait a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel and Arles popped into the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanOne look at the group that had assembled, and the brothers glanced back at one style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis noticed, " style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt's not about you lot."/p
p class="MsoNormal""There better not be anything we need to discuss."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Doctor insisted./p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel pointed at himself and style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'm clean."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles rubbed his hands together and exhaled slowly./p
p class="MsoNormal"They both walked over and sat in the chairs on the sides of the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel rubbed his hands style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"And what's the problem?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles looked style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You didn't summon Tony Tyler?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis crossed his arms as he sat back on the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Where is Tony Tyler, son?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanDo you know?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles shook his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"No, Papa. Well, I know he went up to the ship."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Did he say why?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanLewis asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles thought, " style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe had a bite of something, and suddenly remembered that he had to do style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe pulled the remote trigger out of his pocket, and transported immediately up."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony Stark crossed his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Immediately?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI thought it was rather style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt was as if he was frightened by something."/p
p class="MsoNormal""What did he eat?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Doctor asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles rubbed his hands together and glanced at his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Chicken style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWe just returned from surfing and I was cold."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor looked at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Have you had chicken soup since you returned?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWhy?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""I have a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanStay here."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe Doctor popped away./p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete rubbed his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Well, I know he sure is pissed at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt doesn't surprise me that he isn't here."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You had an argument?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanLewis asked./p
p class="MsoNormal""Yes."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPete style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Which ended with him telling me that I'm not his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI always thought I would hear that from Rose before Tony."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis sighed just as the Doctor popped back into the room with a bowl of soup which he sat on the table in front of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Eat style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanJust a few bites."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel picked up the spoon and started to eat the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis rubbed his hands style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"So, Tony was pissed?"/p
p class="MsoNormal""And as we continue to sit in this meeting of mist." Tony complained. "What is this about?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThere are things I need to check out."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal""He's stolen a ship."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanLewis told style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete sighed and sat style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"And done a style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm not surprised."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Whose ship was it?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTony asked./p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis rose his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'll give you three guesses, but you only need one."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Damn it!span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI should have seen this coming!span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe was so quick to help me put that damn thing together and it was all so he could use it to..."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe grit his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete looked back at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Well, you can track it."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony shook his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanNot, that style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIf he doesn't want to be seen, you're not going to find him."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles grinned, "And you've stopped rhyming."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony threw his hands style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Because I'm pissed!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor hadn't taken his eyes off of his son who had taken a few bites of the soup and then seemed to become lost in his own style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Samuel?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel continued to stare in the style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis reached over and put his hand on Samuel's style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Samuel?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"Samuel jumped and dropped the spoon into the bowl of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe looked around the room and then began to type something very fast on his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Excuse style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI need to check on Karen."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe said as he quickly popped away./p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis pointed at the empty chair where Samuel had just style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"And do you want to explain chicken soup sending these guys into a panic?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"They gave them Nutrition Liquid when they held style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt tastes like cold, chicken style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe doesn't remember what happened, but his brain remembers that taste."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles sighed and shook his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"So, what are we doing about Tony?span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShall I talk to him?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor held his hands style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I've sent him several messages and I'd like you to send him one, as style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe's not answering."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Tony sat back and crossed his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Damn style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI've lost another style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanAnd I had just gotten that one equipped!"/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"You're rhyming again-"/p
p class="MsoNormal""Because I have damage to my brain!"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTony shouted and stood style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe rubbed his face and after a few seconds, looked back at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanLet me give this some style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'll find a way to get him caught."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete covered his mouth to keep them from seeing him smile at style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanHe style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI know you'll do all you can."/p
p class="MsoNormal""I'm going to home to start a scan." span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanTony typed something on his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"Fucking kid."/p
p class="MsoNormal"He popped style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete laughed under his breath and shook his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I'm style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt's not a laughing style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThe rhyming though."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"At least he cooled style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm going to check on Samuel."/p
p class="MsoNormal"The Doctor popped away./p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis noticed Arles look at his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"How long until you are expected someplace, son?"/p
p class="MsoNormal"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"21 minutes, Papa."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanThat will be plenty of style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanCome back to my flat."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis stood up with Arles and spoke to style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"John said to leave it to you to tell Jackie."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Oh, God."span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPete style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I don't want to do that."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Lewis style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanBut, it was up to me to tell style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI have."/p
p class="MsoNormal""You are a cruel man, style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanI'm going to need Quauhtin protection when I tell style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanShe's going to blame this completely on me."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles shook his head as he typed something on his style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I would personally wait a few style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanIt's not the first time he's gotten his knickers in a knot and done a runner."/p
p class="MsoNormal""Yeah?"span style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanPete inquired./p
p class="MsoNormal"Arles style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span" style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /spanWe'll just hope it's like then."/p
p class="MsoNormal"Pete style="mso-spacerun: yes;" /span"I hope."/p
p class="MsoNormal"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX/p