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Chapter 52 – Tough Love

Genie sat in her office, inside of the flat on the island. She closed some files on her desk and rubbed her face. She was so tired. It had been the longest week she could remember.

She stood up, turned off the light, and walked out of the room.

As she walked down the steps, she heard the tellie playing in the sitting room. She grinned knowing that Legate was watching a football match.

She arrived in the sitting room to find him lying on the sofa with his eyes closed. The football match forgotten.

She sat beside of him and he smiled.

"Hi." He told her without opening his eyes.

She had seen this many times before with him. "Who are you talking to?"

"Legate and Lartius." He told her. "They are talking about having a ceremony for the old governor."

"So, he stepped down?"

"No." Legate opened his eyes. "He died about an hour ago."

"He was that sick?"

He closed his eyes again. "Lartius says no. He had requested a traditional ceremony."

Genie shook her head. "I realize that's your tradition, but I find it so strange."

He sat up and she sat next to him. "Everyone is different. That's what he wanted."

She sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. He put his arm around her. "Legate is asking how you are."

"What did you tell him?"

"That it has been a tough week. I believe you are working too hard."

"It's so strange him not being here. I'm sure the younger Genie is going to figure out you aren't him."

He kissed her forehead, "She will. And I have no idea how I'll explain it."

She lay down on the couch, putting her head on his lap. He smiled at her and ran his hand through her hair. "You are working too much."

She closed her eyes. "I think you're right."

"You need to sleep, and not worry about…people surfing."

She giggled.

"You know I'm careful."

"I'm sorry, Legate. I'm sure you are. Oh, it's just been a long week."

He smiled at her. "Lay here with me and rest." He turned the tellie's volume off.

"Grand rang. She's having a party."

"Yeah, Tony told me about it this morning when we were surfing." He began to caress her cheek. "I wonder how angry she's going to be when he doesn't show up?"

"Oh, I didn't say anything to her-"

"Good."

"I think he'll be back. You know how he is." Genie told him.

"And I don't want to be anywhere close to Stark when he returns."

"No Quauthin protection, huh-"

"Poltious has Tony Tyler as his primary. You're mine. I'm not jumping between them."

She laughed as he pulled a blanket off the back of the sofa and spread it across her. "Better?"

She smiled, "Yes. Thank you."

He continued to look at her.

"You're missing your football match."

"I've seen this one. We lose." He rolled his eyes as if he was listening to something.

"What is it?"

He sighed. "Well, I expected that. Lartius wants me to stay here and not go to Kaitos."

"Why were you going to Kaitos?"

"Legate taking over as Governor. There is a…ceremony. If people see two of us, they are going to…."

"Yeah. That makes sense. So, you can't be in the same place with him now?"

He held up his finger and listened, "John and Lewis are speaking to me now. I'm sorry."

She took his hand and threaded her fingers in with his.

He covered his eyes with his other hand and groaned. He spoke in Quauthin and became angry.

"Legate?"

He shook his head with gritted teeth and spoke in Quauthin. Genie felt as though he was attempting to steady himself from the anger that he was feeling. He took a deep breath. "Oh, this sucks."

She sat up to look at him. "Legate?"

He turned to look at her. "Never mind. It's nothing-"

"It's not nothing-"

"It's nothing I want to speak about."

She sat back. "Legate-"

He held up his finger again and was listening. He shook his head again. "This shit is just getting…..better."

She sat and watched him.

His eyes met hers. "I'm sorry, Genie. What were you saying?"

"What has you so angry?"

"I'm not angry." He lied.

"That's not true, I can tell-"

He closed his eyes and sighed. "I just…can't talk about this-"

"Did Dad and Papa-"

"They are still….discussing….it." He grit his teeth. He took a deep breath and said something in Quauhtin.

"Discussing what? Me?"

"No." He told her. "Not you."

"Then-"

"I really don't want to talk about this. Not right now."

She groaned and stood up. "I'm going to bed."

He watched her walk away, "So, you're cross with-"

"Yes!" She shouted as she walked away.

He nodded. "Okay. Good, we cleared that up."

He dropped his head dramatically and mumbled. "Really good, Legate."

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Pete Tyler popped into the mansion to loud voices of children playing. Young Genie and Tony ran across the hallway upstairs. Zeus followed them, barking playfully.

He laughed and took off his jacket, draping it over his arm.

He walked into the kitchen, and found Jackie sitting at the table. She was looking over some notes as she drank some tea.

He hung his jacket on the back of a chair. "Want me to tell the children to go to bed?"

She looked up and shook her head. "Nah. They have 30 more minutes, then I'm going to bark at them."

He nodded as he made himself a cup of tea. "Want another cuppa?"

"No, thanks." She said slowly as she checked something off on the paper. "Ah! This party is really coming together. I think everyone is coming!"

Pete nodded and stirred his tea. "Even the older children?"

"Well, I've only spoken to Genie. But, she seems to think the boys will be there."

"When did you speak to her?"

"Just now. She's such a dear." She smiled as he sat down in front of her and whispered, "Don't tell anyone, but I think she's my favorite."

"At the moment." He laughed.

"They rotate." She agreed.

He nodded and sipped his tea. "Oh, that's good. Is this the same tea at the office?"

She smiled, "Of course. It's just because you are at home that it tastes better. That's always the case."

He sipped his tea and smiled. "You're probably right. Oh, I have to get some sleep tonight. I'm exhausted."

"Have you spoken with Tony?"

"Today?" He asked.

"Yes, the older one. The younger one had to sit in the chair over there with soap in his mouth for swearing again."

Pete laughed under his breath. "Soap? Howie tell you to do that?"

"Hey, I'm willing to try anything. I don't know why that damn kid wants to swear."

Pete rolled his eyes at her words. "I have no idea where he gets that either."

"Anyway, did you speak to him?"

He sipped his tea, "I left him a message. He didn't answer."

She sighed. "He's still angry with you?"

He wasn't about to tell her that he had stolen Tony's ship and disappeared. He was too tired to deal with all of that tonight.

"Most likely." He told her.

"Are you going to tell me what you lot fought about?"

He sat down his tea and rubbed his face. "Oh, Jacks. It's really not worth even going into-"

"If he's this hurt-"

She was interrupted by young Genie, Tony, and Zeus running into the kitchen.

"Dad! I didn't know you had gotten home." Tony smiled.

Pete yawned. "Yeah. Just got here."

Genie danced in her excitement. "Yay! You're here!"

Jackie shook her head. "Children. He's headed to bed. Just like you lot are."

"Awww. Mum!" Tony complained.

Genie put her hands on her hips and poked her lip out. "Oh, please. Just ten more minutes."

Pete slowly rose out of the chair. "That's enough time for me to chase some….children!"

Genie and Tony playfully screamed and ran out of the room at top speed. Zeus ran with them, barking.

Jackie sighed. "Brilliant. Get them wound up before bed. Cheers."

He leaned down and kissed her cheek.

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Tony Stark walked up the stairs from the workshop inside the island home. It was dark inside of the large sitting room, and the large windows that overlooked the sea showed the stars twinkling. He stopped and looked at the scene.

Remembering Soli was sleeping on the couch, he walked over, leaned over the back and looked down. The blanket was there, but not Soli.

Pepper had apparently taken him to his room. Tony grit his teeth and groaned under his breath. "She could fall down those steps. Stubborn woman."

He walked over to the steps and saw a small figure sitting at the top of the steps.

"Soli!?" He asked.

"Hello, Tony." The little boy grunted in pain.

Tony rushed up the steps to him. "Are you hurt? What happened? Jarvis, turn on the lights."

The lights came on and Tony's mouth dropped open when he saw Soli's leg lying out at an odd angle. Soli's face was full of fear.

"How did you do this?"

Soli was frightened and began to cry. "I didn't mean to. Please don't throw me away-"

Tony quickly grabbed both sides of his face. "Listen to me. You are mine. I'll never throw you away. Alright?"

Soli sniffed. They both looked back down at his leg.

"Did you fall down the steps?"

"I pulled myself up, so I could get to bed." Soli wiped his tears.

Tony shouted, "Pepper!"

Soli continued to cry. "Tony-"

"Look. Shhh…. I know this hurts. It's going to be alright. We'll fix it. Okay?"

Soli wiped his eyes. "Okay. And you're not going to-"

Tony looked in the little boy's frightened eyes. "Look Soli. It's simple. You are stuck with me. For the rest of our lives. No matter what. Okay?"

Soli nodded and wiped his eyes.

Tony held his hand tightly. "Squeeze my hand. I know it hurts."

Tony shouted again as he dug in his pocket for his phone with his free hand. "Pepper!"

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The Doctor stood leaning against the railing of the wooden deck on the back of Samuel and Karen's island flat. The wind blew in his hair as he crossed his arms.

Karen, Rose, and Anne all sat around the table laughing as if they had known one another forever.

Anne, held baby Samuel in her arms. He had fallen asleep while they continued with their visit. So had Henry, who was lying under Anne's chair.

Samuel had to admit that having both sets of the parents there hadn't been as stressful has he had thought it would be. Rose and Anne seemed to get on very well together, and Karen had managed to direct the conversation into things that involved everyone there. Samuel was grateful, because his mind was still full of the odd things that had been happening around him. He had thought about excusing himself to go read the letters from his mother, but found that he didn't want to.

Samuel and the Lieutenant stepped onto the back porch. Each one carrying another drink, which they handed to the ladies and sat down.

Karen took Samuel's hand and he felt the familiar sensation begin to creep up his arm and relax him. He smiled back at her.

The Doctor sipped his wine.

Samuel pointed at the empty chair. "Sit down, Dad."

The Doctor shook his head. "Oh, I can't. I've ate too much. Where the hell did you learn to cook?"

Karen smiled proudly. "I didn't know he could cook like that. It was amazing, Samuel."

Samuel raised her hand to his mouth and kissed it.

Anne smiled, "I agree. I was wonderful. What did you think, John?"

The Lieutenant shrugged his shoulders. "I'm a sailor. My taste buds died a long time ago."

The Doctor looked back at him and laughed. "You would like Jackie Tyler's cooking then."

The Lieutenant laughed.

Rose rolled her eyes and grinned, "Don't start."

The Doctor looked back at Samuel and sipped his drink. "No really, son. Where did you learn to cook?"

Samuel sat back and smiled. "Arles and I went to Photoria for while. Lenox needed some help with the hospital there, and some other projects. His wife, Phipps, taught us both."

The Doctor grinned. "Interesting."

The Lieutenant groaned and stood up. "Oh. I think I'll stand, too. I should have stopped eating long before I did." He stood next to the Doctor and leaned against the railing.

Karen rose up and looked at the baby. "Is he still sleeping?"

Anne smiled as she looked at baby Samuel. "He's such a good baby."

Rose smiled. "I need to change his nappy. I'm sure he's due."

The Doctor shook his head. "I'll take him home in a bit and get him in bed. Let him sleep."

Anne kissed baby Samuel. "It's been nearly 20 years since I've held a sleeping baby."

Rose grinned at her. "Nice, isn't it?"

Anne looked back and her and smiled. "Oh, it is."

The Doctor's phone rang in his pocket. "Oh, don't be Torchwood." He groaned.

He took it out and looked at who was calling.

"Torchwood?" Samuel asked.

"No. Stark." He told him in a surprised voice and answered his phone. "Hey, man. Still rhyming?"

His face became serious and Rose felt his mood change to concern.

"Uh-oh." Samuel said. He had known his Dad long enough to recognize there was a problem.

The Doctor ran his hand through his hair. "Wow. Yeah, don't move him. I'll be right there. I have it with me."

He ended the phone call and quickly typed in something on his bracelet, "Is Stark's place 43?"

"46, Dad." Samuel told him. "What's happened?"

"Soli fell down the steps and broke his leg." He looked up. "Samuel, please take your Mum home when she's ready."

"I can pop myself home, John." Rose told him.

He smiled at her and shook his head. "With the baby, is too much to juggle. Let Samuel take you."

He pointed at the adult Samuel, "You-"

Samuel nodded. "Yes, Dad. I have them."

The Doctor popped away.

Samuel looked back at Rose. "Whenever you are ready, Mum."

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The Doctor popped immediately to Tony's house.

"We're up here." Tony told him.

The Doctor quickly spotted them and ran up the steps. He knelt down beside of Soli. Tony was sitting behind the little boy, holding both of his hands, with his chin on his shoulder. "It's alright. He's here."

"Where's Samuel?" Soli asked.

The Doctor was shocked. "How are you awake with this?"

"Can you put him to sleep? I'm sure this is hurting like a bitch."

Tears rolled down Soli's face.

Tony held him tighter. "I'm not leaving you. You're going to be alright. Remember, what I told you."

Soli looked back up at the Doctor. "Don't let him leave me-"

"I would never. I promise he'll be there. Alright?"

Soli closed his eyes tightly.

The Doctor put his finger on his forehead, and the little boy relaxed.

He took the opportunity to look over his leg. "Damn. How did he get back up here? Did you move him?"

Tony shook his head. "He pulled himself up here. He didn't shout for us, or anything. He's scared he will be thrown away if he's hurt."

"That's going to be something you deal with for a long time."

Tony shook his head. "Oh, if I could get my damn hands on those…."

The Doctor pulled a remote transport trigger out of his pocket. "Where's Pepper?"

"I don't know. I've been yelling for her and she's not answering."

The Doctor nodded. "Let's get this sorted and I'll send someone to get her."

Tony agreed.

The trio disappeared.

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Samuel popped Rose and baby Samuel, back inside of the island home's kitchen.

"And we're home." Rose smiled and kissed baby Samuel who she held in her arms.

The adult Samuel smiled and nodded at her. "Yes, ma'am. Umm. I suppose I should probably help you with….him." He reached out to take the small baby from his mother.

"Ah!" Rose insisted. "I'm fine. Thank you."

Samuel put his hands on his hips and nodded. "Okay. Yes, ma'am. Ummm-"

"I want to talk to you, Samuel."

"About what?"

"I can feel your emotions and…"

He rose his eyebrows as he braced himself to hear whatever she was going to say.

"Son, you are so determined to make everything think you're alright-"

"I'm determined. Begging your pardon, Mum. That's all you can actually feel. Determination."

She sighed. "That true. Samuel, your Dad seems to think that you remember what happened while you were gone-"

"Why?"

"Something you have said, maybe?"

"I haven't said anything to him. Well, about that. I'm really alright."

She rose her eyebrow at him. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Am I thick in the future?"

"Ummm." Samuel crossed his arms. "No, ma-"

"Then why would you think I am now?"

He looked at her in surprise.

She rose her eyebrows at him.

He exhaled slowly. "It's nothing I want to talk about-"

"So, you do remember-"

"Yes. I do. And I should have listened to everyone who told me not to try. I remember. There! Happy?"

She shook her head. "No. What else is there?"

"Well, isn't that enough?"

Lewis walked into the room, rubbing his head. "Raised voices between a mother and a son. I thought I may be needed."

Samuel put his hands on his hips. "No, Papa. It's alright. Sorry, Mum. I just. I just can't talk about this right now. It's something I have to sort out for myself."

Lewis stood beside of Rose and took baby Samuel from her. The baby propped his head on Lewis' shoulder and continued to sleep. "What's this about, Samuel?"

Samuel reminded himself that even though it was Rose standing there with him, it wasn't his Rose. His Mum. The one who he was sure he had broken her heart when he had helped steal the TARDIS and run away to save his grandparents. A lump grew in his throat, and he was certain that his determination became stronger because there was no way that he wanted her to know what he was thinking. He became more homesick than he could remember being.

Rose took his hand in looked up at him. "Sweetheart. This isn't something you have to sort out yourself. There are so many here who love you-"

Samuel closed his eyes tightly, "I know-"

"And I know this has to be hard-"

He didn't open his eyes. His feelings threatened to overtake him. "Mum. I really need to go."

Rose sighed. She knew it wasn't any use, plus Samuel had to get back to his guests. "Well, I just want to tell you that we're all here, if you need anything."

He kept his eyes closed tightly. "Thanks, Mum."

Rose looked back at Lewis, who shrugged her shoulders.

Samuel opened his eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry, but I should get back."

Rose nodded sadly, but was pleased that Samuel leaned down and kissed her cheek before he disappeared.

Lewis pat the baby's back. "John's told me of his concerns."

Rose turned to look at Lewis. "What do you think?"

"He'll talk when he's ready. He's trying to find his place here. Trying to sort out his new role as an adult. Give him room to do that."

Rose put her hands on her hips and shook her head. "I never thought I would believe that the younger version would be easier than the adult version."

Lewis chuckled. "Usually you have a few years to prepare, first. It will be alright, Rose."

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Samuel needed a few minutes to himself and popped to the cliff that overlooked the sea. The moon hung in the sea and the stars twinkled above him.

He sighed and sat on a boulder that he had used many times. He ran his hands through his hair as the lump that had grown in his throat seemed to get smaller.

He spoke gently to himself. "Sam. This is home now. Pull yourself together, man. Things could be so much worse. You could be at home, getting barked at by Dad about everything you do. And know Mum is….."

He sighed as the lump grew again and his emotions threatened to overtake him. He held out his hands. "Okay. Just like Lance says, 'Pros and Cons' to going home. Well, reality, man. Sam…..you don't even have a TARDIS. Genie's disappeared, so you're trapped. Get over yourself."

Then he thought of Karen and a smile spread on his face. He felt instantly better. "Karen and Halley are here. Your family. They need you here, Samuel. So does Arles and Genie. Legate. Things could be so much worse."

He exhaled slowly and nodded. He jumped up on his feet and clapped his hands together. "Right then! Enough of this shit, Sam. You are here, and that's that."

He grinned again as he put his hands on his hips and laughed. "You're going to be a Dad, man. Dad's hold it together, and don't have doubts. They are sure of what they do, without looking back. Brave. Fearless. Clever. And the best part of being a Dad, is that you don't have to be your Dad. Well, your Dad here isn't really that bad. But, anyway. Samuel, Halley is going to love you and you're going to do a great job. Just don't….muck this up with Karen."

He steadied himself and typed in the address to his island home on his bracelet. "Karen is what burns brightest in my soul. The reason I draw each breath, the reason my heart beats, the reason my skin can feel. The one that I choose to be mine. To live to serve. To share my life with. To protect what is most dear to me, her love. Just like Uncle Tony says, you needed just a bit of tough love. Get over yourself, and be a man. "

He popped away.

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