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Chapter 53 - Chapter 53 - Samuel and John's Chat

Samuel popped back into the sitting room of his flat. He heard the laughter of their guests still on the back deck. He took a deep breath and walked out to join them.

Karen smiled, "Hi! That didn't take long."

Samuel nodded. "Yeah. Mum told me to get back. Papa is there, so…"

Anne finished her drink. "Well, we probably need to get back ourselves."

The Lieutenant shook his head. "Hang on a bit, Anne. Have you gone through those things you brought Karen?"

Karen grinned. "Oh! I forgot all about that! We left them upstairs."

The Lieutenant smiled. "Good, that will give me and Samuel a little bit of time to talk."

Karen laughed, "Daddy. Are you trying to get rid of us?"

The Lieutenant sat down at the table. "Maybe, I am, Admiral. Give us a minute."

Karen stood up with her mother, and kissed Samuel's cheek as she walked past him to go into the house.

Samuel stood there looking at the Lieutenant. He couldn't help the nervousness that he suddenly felt. "Everything alright?" He asked and cleared his throat.

The Lieutenant pushed a chair out in front of him. "Have a seat."

Samuel crossed his arms. "I'd rather stand if you want to shoot me-"

The Lieutenant laughed, "I'm not carrying a side arm. And I assure you, that's the last thing you have to worry about from me."

Samuel sat in front of him. "Hmm. Lieutenant Bennett-"

"Please, call me John. I'm sorry, I hadn't made that clear to you. You are marrying my daughter, and will be part of my family. John, is my name to you."

Samuel smiled. "John. Yes, sir. What do we need to chat about?"

The Lieutenant took a deep breath. "I really wanted to speak to your father and you about this, so please inform him."

"What's happened?"

The Lieutenant looked back at him. "I found Karen lying next to me, on a ship, nearly twenty years ago. And not a day has gone by that I haven't wondered how she got there."

"I did a Heritage Test on her and it was inclusive." Samuel told him as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "My father believes that she is human. There's no question in his mind."

"And that eliminates any question in yours?"

"Yes, sir. It does. Dad knows more about that sort of thing than any computer could tell us."

The Lieutenant nodded and rubbed his lips. "Something you should know about. The skipper of the ship, I was serving on when Karen was found. He and I have always kept in touch. Not friends, just…."

Samuel nodded, "Yes, sir."

"He showed up. Unannounced at my home this morning."

"What did he want?"

"To see Karen." The Lieutenant sighed. "And with the four MPs he had with him, I'm sure it wasn't a simple, social call as he tried to play it off as."

Samuel's stomach dropped. "He was there to take her."

"I'm not a naïve person, Samuel. I don't believe you are either. I kept her in Florida, with her mother, to keep her safe. I have always felt that one day, they would come back for her. Living on a base, or around military, would only make that easier."

"Who is it?"

"I don't know."

"Surely, there's something-"

"There's nothing. I feel as though I'm simply a part of this, grand plan of someone's. Believe me when I tell you that I'm telling you everything I know. I want her safe. He told me that he had heard she had quit school, and had returned home."

Samuel knew it was because of his kidnapping. He felt guilty and looked down at the ground as the Lieutenant continued. "I told him that he was misinformed, and she had returned to New York."

"Really?" Samuel asked in surprise.

"Defense in misdirection. It bought us some time, although, I doubt a lot. I wasn't about to tell him that she was engaged. Moved to an island. No. And I believe she's probably safer here than she is anywhere."

"On this planet." Samuel agreed. "Yes, sir. No one can find her here. Even the Torchwood agents with Pop Watches cannot come here. The dome prevents even unauthorized transports. Uncle Tony has moved his family here to the island and the safety measures that have been put in place are impressive."

"Have you checked to make sure she doesn't have any…trackers or anything?"

"I have. It was something I thought of recently, too. The computer didn't detect anything."

"Have you told her of your suspicions?"

"I've been lucky enough to be able to use another excuse."

"What excuse is that?"

Samuel sat back and sighed. "We'll get there. Umm. Well, they are sure to find out your cover story is ruse."

"Yes." The Lieutenant agreed. "And probably sooner than later."

"They will be back."

"And they won't take no for an answer. You understand why I'm telling you this."

"I do, sir." Samuel nodded. "Does Anne know?"

"I've spoken with her about it, yes. She insisted that I tell you. Hell, I would have told you anyway, of course."

"But, Karen doesn't know?"

He shook his head. "No. And she probably should."

"Let me move Anne here. With us."

The Lieutenant smiled. "She'll never agree to that-"

"I think she will. I have a problem that she can help me with."

The Lieutenant's phone alerted him to a text. He took it out of his pocket and groaned as he read the message. "And I'm going to have to go shout at some sailors."

Samuel grinned. "Getting out of control?"

"Always happens before a cruise. It's not a surprise." He told him as he put the phone back in his pocket. "So, Anne here. I love the idea, but I doubt she'll ever leave that house-"

"I can copy the house, and put it feet from ours. Karen is going to need her Mum, and you need to know she's safe while you're gone. How long is your deployment?"

"Ten months. If not longer."

Samuel nodded. "I see."

Karen and Anne walked back on the back deck. Both of the men stood up.

Samuel smiled. "Already through the bags, then?"

Karen laughed. "It was my just clothes from Florida. Like you suggested."

"Karen. You can buy some new things if you want."

Karen looked back at her mother. "He spoils me."

Samuel took Karen's hand in his and kissed it. He whispered, "My job."

Karen giggled at him.

Anne grinned. "John. One of those bags had my clothes in them. What is going on?"

Samuel and the Lieutenant looked at one another and Samuel took over explanations. "Well, that solved the problem, John! Brilliant!"

The Lieutenant agreed. "Yes. I suppose it does."

Samuel looked back at her. "John has to go to the base tonight, so I wanted to know if you would like to stay here with us? Keep you from being on your own in that big, old house."

Anne smiled, "That's thoughtful, Samuel."

The Lieutenant nodded, "I thought so, too."

Karen hugged his arm and the familiar tingle danced where their skin touched. "That was thoughtful. Thank you, Samuel."

Anne shook her head. "Sailors getting in trouble again?"

The Lieutenant grinned. "You know how it is. Always happens before a cruise. They just sent a text, to tell me to come to the office. I need to go, scream at some people."

Anne groaned. "Samuel. I'm grateful you seem to have your head screwed on correctly. Not like some of these sailors of his."

Samuel chuckled and ran his hand though his hair. "Yes, ma'am."

The Lieutenant took Anne's hand and pulled her in for a quick kiss. "I'll be back to get you, when I get off duty. Alright?"

Anne smiled. "Alright. It doesn't seem as I have much choice in this-"

Karen took her mother's arm in hers. "This will be wonderful. You can see the island here in the morning. Mom, it's so pretty. Come on and I'll show you to a room. Shall we put her….downstairs?"

Samuel nodded. "Where ever you think, Karen. That's fine."

Karen smiled at her Dad. "Don't come home hoarse from shouting at them, Daddy."

He laughed. "I'm not promising that, Sweetheart."

Karen hugged him quickly and took Anne back into the house. Henry barked and joined them.

The Lieutenant pointed at the dog. "And the dog."

Samuel grinned. "Henry is fine. Don't worry about him. Do you need me to alert Papa? I feel like you should have some protection-"

The Lieutenant shook his head. "Nah, I'm fine, but thank you."

Samuel nodded. "Yes, sir. Okay."

He grinned. "Thank you for this, Samuel. I wasn't asking for this, but I think it will work out better."

Samuel nodded with his hands on his hips. "You probably were just going to ask me to keep an eye out for them. And I'll do that, too. Certainly. They are my family. This will be much safer. And know, you're welcome here, too."

The Lieutenant smiled. "I know. Thank you. Really, I can't thank you enough. Keep this in mind. I have entrusted you with the two most important people in the world to me."

Samuel cleared his throat. "Umm. Actually, John. Three people, just went through that door."

The Lieutenant's eyes grew wide, "Three?"

Samuel smiled. "I'll remind you that you said you wouldn't shoot me."

The Lieutenant covered his mouth and couldn't hide his surprise. "Oh wow. My baby is having a baby. That's what you're saying, right?"

Samuel nodded. "Yes, sir. Forgive me, I'm trying to get Karen to tell you and she's…."

"Stubborn. Yes. She would wait until I'm on a ship before she told me that. She's worried I'll shout."

"But, you're not shouting." Samuel pointed out.

He grinned. "Of course, I'm not. I know she's in good hands. Any man who would willingly go into a hostage situation to save my daughter has nothing but my highest respect."

"So, you're not going to shoot me?"

He laughed. "No. I'm not. Thank you for telling me. Wow. A baby. That's how you're going to convince her to move here?"

"I really need to talk to Karen about it, but yes."

"Karen and her Mom are very close. She'll be delighted, if she doesn't mention it, herself. In fact, I know my daughter well. She'll probably bring it up before you have the chance."

Samuel crossed his arms and grinned. "Wonderful. Umm. A favor?"

"Name it."

"When she tells you…."

The Lieutenant held up his hand. "This conversation never happened. Classified-"

"Classified past Hell's doors." Samuel grinned as he typed something on his bracelet.

The Lieutenant laughed. "I like that. One of your friend, Howard Shepherd's?"

Samuel held the Lieutenant's arm. "Surprisingly, not one of Uncle Howie's."

They popped to the Florida home. It was late at night there, but Anne had left the lights on in the kitchen where they arrived.

Samuel let him go. "Let me talk to Uncle Howie about this. What with Karen."

The Lieutenant shook his head. "I really don't think that's the best idea."

Samuel sighed. "Yeah, it's probably not. But, I will discuss it with Dad."

The Lieutenant nodded. "Well, I need to go put on a uniform. I find I can scream longer if I'm wearing it."

Samuel laughed. "Yes, sir. Give me a ring when you want me to bring you back. Anytime. Seriously."

The Lieutenant shook Samuel's hand. "Thank you. Go, take care of my three favorite people."

Samuel smiled, typed something in on his bracelet, and popped away.

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Pepper walked along the hallways of the Doctor's ship with Lance by her side. She was frantic.

"What is he saying?" She asked.

"John says he's alright. Tony is with him." Lance told her. He had to jog to keep up with her.

They rushed into the med bay. Pepper's red hair flowed behind her as she nearly ran to the hallway she had grown familiar with as the patients' rooms.

The Doctor was walking out of a room just as she got even with him.

"Is he in there?"

The Doctor nodded. "Yes. He's alright-"

Pepper quickly stepped into the room without hearing anything else from the Doctor.

Soli lay in the bed and appeared to be sleeping under a white sheet. His left leg was exposed to the room and had a blue pillow under it. It appeared to be floating a few inches above it.

Tony lay in the bed, on his side, next to Soli. He was still holding his hand. "He's okay, Pepper."

Pepper shook her head. "This is not okay!"

The door closed behind her.

Pepper walked over and looked at Soli. "How did this happen?"

Tony rubbed his eyes. "Damn stairs. I'm taking all of them out and we're going to use elevators-"

"That's not practical-"

"It's safer."

"Tony! That's just-" She covered her mouth.

Tony sat up and didn't let go of Soli's hand. "Are you crying?"

She nodded her head. "This is my fault-"

"It is not-"

"It is! He was sleeping on the couch, and I was upstairs working-"

"And I was downstairs, working-"

"Watching porn-"

He nodded, "….and working. Pepper. He's going to get hurt-"

"How bad is it?" She demanded with her hands on her hips.

Tony took a deep breath. "Tibia broke in two places, fibula in one-"

"Damn." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"He told me that he was almost at the top, slipped, and got his leg….I don't know. He didn't really make a lot of sense."

The Doctor opened the door and walked back in. "Okay. He's not healing completely together the way others do when I use that bone regenerator on them."

"Because he's a Khlere. I suppose you don't have a setting for that." Tony said as he rose his eyebrows.

The Doctor nodded. "Yeah. But, he's together enough that he can be moved. Go back home to his own bed if you like. Samuel and I just chatted, and he said his bones take a bit longer to fuse together. He'll come by and see if there's anything he can do. I'm putting a brace on it to keep it from moving, and he shouldn't try to put any weight on it."

Pepper looked back at him. "Are you sure he's alright to come back home?"

"Yeah." The Doctor nodded. "I've pushed him into a deep sleep and he won't wake up until….phhh….tomorrow morning around ten. Tony has some pain medication, too. It's going to make him tired."

Pepper closed her eyes and shook her head. "I can't believe this."

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About an hour later, Karen stood in the kitchen looking in the refrigerator.

A loud pop filled her with relief as she looked up and saw that Samuel had returned. "How is he?"

Samuel joined her at the refrigerator. "Soli is as tough of a guy now, as he is in the future."

"Is he, hurt really bad?"

"He broke his leg in three places. Hell of a job."

"Well, anything worth doing is worth doing right." Karen told him.

"Yeah, but it's mostly put back together. We're keeping him still, and I'll look him over again in the morning. His bones are different than most species. Dad's device that he uses to heal bones, well, he just absorbs the energy."

"Can you put them back together?"

He nodded, "Yes. I do something a bit different."

She continued to look in the refrigerator.

Samuel put his hand on the refrigerator door. "What are you are you getting in here?"

She sighed and shook her head. "Nothing. I'm hungry, but I don't know what I want."

"Okay-"

She leaned against the cabinet and crossed her arms. "Mom has already gone to bed. Samuel, that was so sweet to invite her to stay tonight. I'm sorry to say I didn't even think of it."

"Only one of us have to think about it." He smiled at her and closed the refrigerator door. "We're a good team."

Karen smiled, "I think so."

"Tell me what you would like to eat."

"I have no idea. When I was a little girl, I would tell Mom that my teeth were hungry. Not me."

He grinned. "I used to tell my Mum that my teeth were itchy."

She giggled. "Oh, that's crazy. Oh, Kelly called, just after you left."

He grinned, "Yeah? Wanting you for more softball games?"

"I've told her to forget it for a while."

"Really, why?"

"I'm not going to commit to playing a season. Besides, she thinks we're living in New York at the school."

He pointed at her and nodded. "Yes. And that's what everyone needs to think. Don't tell them about our little, mystery island."

"Yes. We've covered this. But, Kelly said her and Arles had went out tonight. They had a great time."

"On a non-date." Samuel insisted as he opened the refrigerator and looked inside again.

"She's insisting it's not a date, either. They are just friends. Maybe he is growing up."

"Yeah, right. I still call shit on it. I've known that man too long. I bet $500 they are sleeping together, and he's managed to get her to lie about it, too."

"I actually have $500, so you're on. I don't think he's like that-"

He continued to look in the refrigerator. "Ohh….what you don't know. That guy. He has a gift. And he's so good at it, that it is frightening."

Karen grinned at him. "The food fairy hasn't brought anything since I looked in there."

He looked up at her and grinned. "Food fairy. Is that an American thing?"

"It's a Bennett thing. Gosh. Fries sound good. What do you think?"

"Yeah, they do." He agreed and walked over to the food replicator. He pointed at it. "These sort of chips? Or do you want me to go someplace and get you some?"

She giggled. "I'm not going to ask you to go back out-"

"It's just a pop away-"

"I worry about you using that so much."

He grinned. "It won't take long at all. You deserve the best chips in the world."

He popped away.

Karen laughed and mumbled, "Crazy-"

He popped back in the same spot in front of her with a huge smile on his face.

She jumped, "Samuel!"

He pointed at his phone. "Your Dad said he would let me know when he wanted me to come fetch him. Keep an eye on it."

"If he's shouting at people, he's going to be a while." She told him.

He nodded. "Oh. My Dad usually handles that rather quickly." He kissed her quickly and disappeared.

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