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Chapter 47 - The Black 'Mum'ba

Samuel popped back inside of his island home's kitchen.

"Karen!" He shouted.

"I'm up here." He heard her voice call from up the steps.

He ran as fast as he could to her. She was standing in the bathroom, wearing his dressing gown as she brushed out her hair. One look back to him and she could see the fear all over his face.

She immediately sat down her brush. "Samuel. What's wrong?"

"You're not safe." He told her.

She put her hands on his hips. "Samuel. Please, calm down. Are you shaking?"

"I…..I probably need to take you to the ship."

"Wait, what's happened?"

He quickly pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

"Samuel." She spoke to him gently. "What has happened? What's wrong?"

They heard the Doctor's voice call from downstairs. "Samuel? Karen? Anyone here?"

Samuel loosened his grip on her.

Karen called. "We're up here."

Karen cupped Samuel's face and looked into his frightened eyes. "Samuel? Talk to me."

The Doctor arrived in the doorway. "Samuel. You're safe. She's safe. Everything is alright."

Samuel closed his eyes tightly. "I don't think so, Dad."

The Doctor slowly walked over to him. "Listen to me, son. It's Dad. Everything is fine. I'm here."

Samuel turned to him and asked, "Am I?"

The Doctor grabbed his son and embraced him tightly. He could feel his fear, confusion, and his determination to not let anyone know. "You're here. Safe. With Karen and me."

The Doctor could see Karen over Samuel's shoulder.

She mouthed. "What happened?"

The Doctor didn't let go of Samuel, who continued to hold his father tightly. The Doctor silently formed the words to Karen, "It's alright."

"Son, everything is alright. If you weren't here, could you feel the tingle when Karen touches you?"

As he said that, he reached his hand out to Karen. She took his hand, and he pulled her hand on Samuel's arm.

Samuel relaxed as soon as she touched him. He let his Dad go and turned to look at Karen.

"I feel it." He told her.

She smiled warmly at him. "Yes. I'm here. This is real."

Samuel took a deep breath and looked around the room in complete confusion. "You're sure?"

She took both of his hands. "Feel this. If it wasn't real, could you feel it?"

He looked down at their hands. "Dad? You're still here?"

The Doctor put his hand on his shoulder. "Yeah."

Samuel closed his eyes tightly and sighed. "I'm such an idiot."

"No." The Doctor insisted. "You've been through something traumatic. Your brain is telling you that you need to flee. The last time it tasted chicken soup, you were being held."

Samuel nodded. "Damn. Nutrition Liquid. Associative memory. Okay. That makes sense. No more chicken soup for me. Ever."

Karen looked up at him. "You're alright?"

"Except for the fact that I'm thick-"

"You're not." The Doctor told him. "Karen, I'll stay with him so you can finish getting dressed."

Karen smiled at Samuel. "I won't be long, Samuel."

He rubbed his face and mouthed. "Alright."

She walked back into the bathroom and closed the door.

Samuel looked back at his Dad.

He motioned for him to join him. "Come downstairs, son-"

"No." He told him quickly.

"Why not?"

Samuel crossed his arms. "I'd rather stay here."

The Doctor knew Samuel was still frightened and didn't trust the situation enough to leave Karen. He nodded. "Okay. That's okay."

Samuel shook his head. "I feel like….a clot."

"There's no reason to feel that way-"

Samuel looked back at his father. "I've probably, frightened Karen-"

"She understands-"

"How? How could she possibility? I don't!"

"Give her some credit, son. She knows you were hurt. She knows you are still recovering. Odd things are to be expected."

Samuel nodded. "Odd things. Yeah."

Samuel remembered all of the strange things that had been happening since he had returned. He looked up and saw his Dad's curious face.

"Sometimes it helps to talk about it-"

"Oh, no. I'm alright." He told his Dad quickly.

Karen walked out of the bathroom wearing a paisley printed mini dress. Her hair was down and framed her face beautifully.

Samuel looked at her and relaxed as she took his hand. "Samuel."

He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Sorry."

"Your Dad is only trying to help. Stop shouting and let him."

Samuel bit his lip and looked at her. He nodded and mumbled. "Okay."

The Doctor continued to stand in front of them. He lifted his eyebrows. "Son, it's normal to be a bit confused after something like this."

"Dad." Samuel sighed. "I don't remember, anything. Two weeks of my life is just….gone."

The Doctor crossed his arms. "Do you want to remember?"

"I've been told that I don't."

"Then don't try." The Doctor told him seriously.

"But….now this with Tony and-"

Karen asked. "Wait. What happened to Tony?"

The Doctor answered, "He's done a runner. Stole Stark's ship and he's gone."

Samuel exhaled slowly.

"Are you going to be sick?" The Doctor asked.

"No." He told him as he closed his eyes.

Karen said gently. "Samuel. Please let him help you."

"I feel like I'm losing my mind." Samuel told them quietly.

"How much are you sleeping?" The Doctor asked.

"Enough." Samuel told him.

"None at all." Karen corrected him.

Samuel groaned.

"How long since you've slept, son?"

"Three nights. Maybe four. He won't tell me." Karen said.

Samuel shook his head and looked at the floor. "I don't want to go back to the med bay."

"I won't make you do that."

Samuel looked back up at him in surprise. "You won't?"

"No. This is normal. There's a lot that has happened to you, Samuel. You don't remember it, but your body does. You need to give yourself time to heal."

Samuel nodded and took a deep breath. "Okay."

"Is that all that's going on-"

"Yep." Samuel told him quickly.

"Sure-"

"Sure."

The Doctor wasn't convinced. "You can talk to me, son-"

"I know. I just…don't have anything to talk about."

The Doctor nodded, but was still not convinced. "Alright. Well, I'm going to leave you in Karen's capable hands. Karen, ring if you need me. No matter the time."

She held Samuel's hand tighter. "I will. Try not to worry about him."

The Doctor grinned. "I'll give you that same advice in a few months. And you have my permission to laugh in my face."

He smiled at them both as he popped away.

Karen sighed. "And you don't want to tell him about 'changing?' What did that even mean?"

Samuel shook his head and looked around the room. "Nothing-"

"It's not nothing if I've written something to you about it. I trust myself-"

He turned to her and threaded his fingers with hers. "Ah. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have alarmed you."

She rose her eyebrow at him. "Samuel? What are you not telling me?"

He met her eyes and didn't say anything.

"Samuel. You know I love you."

He smiled, "I know, Karen."

"You need to talk about this-"

"Not until I know what I'm dealing with. I really think, it's…..tell me. Have you noticed anything, odd?"

"Odd?"

"Yes. With me? Since I've been back?"

She considered for a moment. "Just, you trying to pretend you are alright, and I know you're not."

He groaned and dropped his head. "Karen-"

"Samuel, you can tell me-"

"What? That I'm nearly sure that I'm going mental?"

"You aren't!"

"You don't know that!"

"Well, I do know that the one person that would know that just popped away. And if I thought for one minute that there was a problem, Samuel, I'd call him right back. Don't think I wouldn't!"

Samuel laughed under his breath.

"What the hell are you laughing about?"

He looked back up at her and rose her hand to kiss it. "I thought my Mum was protective."

She grinned. "You just have no idea. Samuel. Your Dad spoke to me about some things to expect while you were recovering. All of this is normal. You actually haven't been as bad as he prepared me for."

He looked into her eyes. "No?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "Or you're just really good at hiding it. I'm beginning to suspect that."

He cleared his throat and ran both of his hands through his hair. "Okay. I need you to do something for me."

She pointed at him. "Not that! My parents are coming over, and we simply don't have time."

"Not that. Later on, that. Ummm…. if you notice, anything odd. Can you tell me?"

"Odd? Such as?"

"Anything. I'm serious. No matter how small of a deal you might think it is."

She crossed her arms. "Alright. If you promise me something."

"What's that?"

"You will read those letters."

He put his hands on his hips and groaned. "I don't want to-"

"You need to."

"Why-"

She pointed at him forcefully. "Because, this isn't just about you!"

He sighed and crossed his arms.

"If something is going on that you and I have felt it necessary to include in a letter, you need to read it. You don't have to tell me what's in it, but what if it's….."

He finished her sentence. "The baby. That's why you're worried."

"Well, do you blame me?"

He took her hand in his again. "You're right. I'm sorry."

She looked down at his hand and smiled, "I love that feeling."

He grinned and seemed to relax. "I do, too. Okay. I'll read them."

"All of them-"

"Yes, ma'am. All of them. But, may I do it after your parents return home?"

"Sure." She smiled. "And while you're so agreeable-"

"Oh, shit-" He complained.

"You are sleeping tonight."

He sighed. "Alright. I'll try-"

She pointed at herself. "Listen to me-"

He teased, "The Black Mumba."

She put her hands on her hips and looked annoyed, and for a moment he thought she was. Then, her face spread into a smile. She pointed at him, "You better believe it, Angus."

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Lewis and Arles arrived back inside of Lewis' flat inside of the Doctor and Rose's home. They both made their way to the kitchen.

"So! Where are you headed off to in 21 minutes?" Lewis asked as he reached in the refrigerator and pulled out a beer.

"Ah. Just, dinner plans." He told him as he sat at the bar.

Lewis offered him a beer.

Arles shook his head. "No, thanks. I just can't get used to that taste."

Lewis drank most of it in two swallows. "That's probably for the best. You are my son after all."

"That makes no sense, Papa. You're standing there drinking it in front of me."

"I was over 200 years old before I had my first beer. Don't rush it." He grinned.

Arles drummed his knuckles on the bar. "So. Finally, we're together. May I ask what my name is?"

Lewis grabbed a manila envelope off the top of the refrigerator and handed it to his son. "It's all in there."

Arles grinned as he opened it and saw his new identification. "Arles Lovell Bennett."

"And we made you a bit older. Pete's idea. Or Rose's. Can't remember which."

Arles smiled proudly. "Lovell."

"What do you think? Terrible enough?"

Arles laughed. "It's perfect. I hope I can live up to the name of a great King."

Lewis smiled proudly at his son. "Without any problems. I have no doubt."

Arles opened his wallet and began to work on replacing his identification. He put his old documents in the manila envelope.

"So, how are you doing here? During this time?"

"I'm alright. I'm glad Sammy is back."

"He still needs a lot of care."

"Oh, I know it. Karen has been keeping me posted."

"Really? Does Sam know that?"

"I'm not sure. She says that he talks in his sleep, well when he does sleep. He's not slept in…ummm…three nights."

"I'll mention it to John. Might be something to that."

"Sammy was always a terrible sleeper. I told her to just put him in front of the tellie. He'll go right to sleep. She's planning on trying that tonight."

Lewis nodded and finished his beer. "And your Uncle Lance has decided to leave the Guard, temporarily."

Arles nodded.

"And that doesn't surprise you, does it?"

"Well, no." Arles drummed his knuckles on the bar. "He's not in the Guard at home. But, he's still there."

"With Jane."

"Yes, sir. With Jane."

"And…children-"

"Can't answer that."

Lewis nodded. "Right. Of course."

"Sorry, Papa." Arles told him.

Lewis tossed his empty bottle in the rubbish. "I feel like I need to chat with you about a million things."

"Yes, sir. That's how I am. I just….can't remember everything I wanted to say now."

Lewis smiled, "Well, how about you ask me questions? Maybe that will trigger both of our memories."

"Questions?"

Lewis nodded. "Where did you say you were going?"

"Ummm. Florida. I'm taking a lady to dinner. Well, lunch. I'm not really sure."

"This, Kelly you've been spending so much of your time with?"

"Yes, sir."

Lewis grinned. "Anything I need to know?"

Arles smiled. "No, sir. We're just friends, Papa. We've been playing softball all week."

Lewis reached into the fridge. "Softball, huh? You like that?"

"Ah. It's good exercise. Lartius seems interested in it. Although, he doesn't understand the ball, isn't actually soft."

Lewis opened another beer. "You're speaking to your Grandfather? Even through these negotiations?"

"He's always in my head. Making sure I'm alright. Just like back home. He's…..completely the same guy."

Lewis drank most of his beer.

Arles drummed his knuckles on the bar top. "Yeah."

"Tell me, son. What are some of the rules you have at home?"

Arles sat back and rose his eyebrow, "Concerning what, Papa?"

"I'm just not comfortable with you going out on your own-"

"Oh. Well, there are rules. Usually, I have to have Quauhtin-"

"And you don't feel like you do now?"

"No, sir. No one knows who I am. And I've had Quauhtin training. I just don't want to officially be one. Like Sammy."

"Are you driving?" Lewis finished the beer he drank and sat it on the bar top.

Arles looked surprised, "Sometimes. Why?"

"What are the rules about driving?"

"Umm. Wear your seatbelt? No drinking prior to-"

"I want you to also not take off your bracelet and set the personal shielding at 100%."

Arles looked stunned. "Yes, sir."

"Every time you're in a car. Even if you're not the one driving. Don't forget it." Lewis crossed his arms and nodded. "Okay. That should be alright."

Arles leaned on the bar. "May I ask you some questions?"

Lewis nodded. "Sure. What's on your mind?"

Arles rubbed his mouth and considered if he wanted to ask. "Ummm."

Lewis held up his finger and pulled another beer out of the fridge. "You want to know about her."

"Not if it's too-"

Lewis opened the bottle and said quietly, "You should know. Genie told me that I've never told you anything."

Arles watched him drink some more. He knew that he was having a hard time even thinking about this. Especially with the rate of alcohol consumption happening at the present moment. "Papa, we don't have to talk about this-"

"No." Lewis told him as he leaned against the cabinet. "It's Quauhtin tradition not to speak of the dead. It, prevents them from their rest. But, I'm sure that someone has probably told you something of her along the way. And I'm sure you have questions. And you…should know. She would want that."

Arles nodded. "Lance has told me some things."

"Like what?"

"She was from New Germany."

Lewis looked away and ran his hand through his hair. "A village named…ummm…. Rothenburg. It has a lot of homes that look like something from a fairy tale. She said that Disney movies were filmed there, but I don't know which ones."

Arles was surprised. He had never heard Lewis speak about his Mum. "I know that you didn't date long before you married-"

"A matter of months. If I'm telling the complete truth, it was because she became pregnant-"

Arles rose his eyebrows in surprise. "How did you keep this from John-"

"No. Summus was in charge then-"

"Oh wow!" Arles smiled in shock. "Are you serious? And you still-"

"Managed to get away with it. John knew. Hell, he told me she was pregnant. With both of you."

"Both of us?"

Lewis nodded, "You are a twin. You had a sister. She died with your mother, and you managed to survive. Strong from the beginning. There was no way John could explain it, except that Rose had done something."

"Done what?"

Lewis glanced back at his son. "Something strange. Anyway. Lance woke up and heard you crying. He was the first to hold you. I was injured and John rushed me to a hospital on Plentitude. I managed to recover enough to wake up after I had been there for a….I'm not even sure. But, he had gathered the brothers."

"You were that hurt?"

Lewis nodded. "Yes. I woke up and they told me that she was gone, and you were here. They brought me to the ship and I remember thinking that you were so small. I couldn't believe you had survived that. But, you gripped my finger and I knew you were really alright."

Arles smiled. "I think most babies do that."

"Exactly my point." Lewis smiled and drank the rest of his beer. "And now I see you, and actually realize that you are alright. That, everything will be alright. This tiny infant son of mine, will grow into his man I see before me. He's alright."

Arles couldn't believe he was hearing all of this from his Papa. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I should have told you when you were small. I can't believe that I didn't. Genie told me that I've never spoken of her and after I thought about it, I wouldn't have wanted that if I hadn't been the one that survived. I would want you to know who I was. Something about me."

Arles nodded. "That makes sense."

"So, I'm declaring now, that in the event of my death, don't keep me from my rest. You, and whoever, may speak of me. I've certainly pissed off enough people through my life that I doubt I'll get any rest anyway."

Arles laughed at his Papa's complaining. "What was she like?"

"So, funny. Such a good sport about anything. Brave. Always managed to find a way to help, with everything. She was the housekeeper here for a while."

Arles continued to smile. "What were her hobbies?"

Lewis leaned against the cabinet. "Cooking. You get that from her. And she was amazing at it. She also found that she had a natural talent for interior design. The nursery, for Samuel, that was all her."

"Really?"

Lewis nodded his head. "Yes. She loved plants and had them all over our flat. Her favorite color was light blue, and favorite drink was white wine. She loved to watch the sunset, and never went to bed without writing in a journal. I have it, if you want it. I've never read it."

Arles shook his head. "I don't think I would want to. I mean, a journal is to be private isn't it?"

"That's why I have never read it. Well, plus. It's in German. She didn't speak English."

"None?"

Lewis shook his head. "She was learning some, and was learning her language. We used a universal translator. Hell, I dated her for months and we never had a proper conversion."

Arles grinned, "I'm not going to ask."

"Good, because I won't answer." Lewis nodded. "But, if you want the journal, it's yours."

Arles thought for a bit. "Yeah, I think I would."

Lewis pat the top of the cabinet, and then walked out of the room. Within a few minutes, he had returned with the small, leather book and a small photo album. He sat both down in front of his son.

"There are only about six photos in that-"

"Well, you should probably keep it."

"Nah. I have the same ones. I don't want to look at them, but you should have a copy."

Arles looked down at the books. "What about the other Arles?"

"Arles Lavatch Smith?" Lewis grinned. "You two sort that out when he's older."

Arles nodded. "Seems reasonable."

Lewis sighed and rubbed his face. "And I've drank too damn much."

Arles grinned. "Thank you, Papa. For these, and for talking to me about this. I'm sure it wasn't easy."

"It is something I should have told you. I'm sorry I haven't. It will be different this go."

"Don't be sorry. I understand. Really. And the other Arles will understand, too."

Lewis crossed his arms and nodded. "I need to go get Arles from Jane. Or Rose. I don't even remember where he is."

Arles laughed. "It was a common problem. Don't worry. It gets easier."

"Yeah?"

"Yes, sir. Usually you would just shout, and Sammy and I would both run towards you."

Lewis smiled proudly. "Both of my boys. Samuel is walking. Just took his first steps."

Arles laughed. "And Dad's blood pressure just rose."

"Oh yes. What time is your date?"

Arles had already forgotten about it. He quickly looked down at his bracelet. "Oh damn! I need to go. I'm late."

"Do you need a tie?"

Arles stood up and took the journal and the photo album. "No, thanks. It's not a date."

"It's a girl-"

"We're just friends." He smiled as he typed something on his wrist, stopped and pointed at the manila envelope. "Umm…."

Lewis took the envelope. "I'll take care of this. Don't make her wait. Go on."

Arles grinned. "Thanks. And, Papa. Go sit down for a while before you get Arles."

Lewis smiled as Arles popped away.

Lewis stood alone in the kitchen. "Our son was just here with me, Arla. Forgive me from waking you from your rest, but he needed to know. And you would be so proud him. Both of them. They are so much like you. It makes me miss you worse. Go on, and rest now. I'll keep an eye on this lot. All of my love."

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Arles arrived inside a small garage. He turned on the light against the wall and the small garage's metal walls shone brightly. The only thing in the garage was a beautiful, black, Bugatti Veyron.

Arles walked to the front of the car and opened the boot. Inside was a softball glove, cap, jacket, and a black gym bag. He opened the bag which was full of rolled up cash. He put the journal and photo album inside with the money. Then, he pulled out a roll of money. He unfolded it, picked out a few bills and put the roll back in the bag with the rest. He opened his wallet, and slipped the bills inside of it.

After he zipped up the bag, he put his wallet back into his pocket, and closed the boot. He got into the car, pressed a button that opened the garage door in front of him, and turned on the engine.

The air conditioning immediately blew air in his face as the radio started to play Sublime's song, "Smoke Two Joints." The Florida sun shone directly in his face, reminding him to put on his sunglasses that were lying on the seat next to him.

He started to set off, and remembered his promise to Lewis. He sighed and turned his personal force field up to its highest setting. He put on his seat belt, put the car in gear, and drove out of the garage. Closing the door behind him.

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