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Okay, now that we're all properly pissed about this situation with Legate and Genie….carry on. Geez, these reviews and messages. Calm down people.

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Chapter 57 – A Mai Tai

The Doctor and Samuel popped to a closet at the base that John worked at in Florida.

Samuel rose his eyebrow. "A broom cupboard, Dad?"

"Yeah." The Doctor held up his finger. "And, we can go."

Samuel rolled his eyes as they stepped out into the hallway and closed the door. The room was painted olive and tan and had wood that ran across the bottom of the room. There were several desks that sat empty. The windows showed the Florida sun outside.

The Doctor stood up and looked around. "Well, that's odd. No one is in here."

"Maybe they are at tea?" Samuel suggested.

"Americans don't do that. Besides it's too early for tea." He told him as he looked around.

The Doctor walked over to the dark green door of the room and opened it to find a uniformed military policeman standing there. "May I help you?"

Samuel was grateful his father was there. The MP was frightening, and reminded him of Summus.

The Doctor never faltered and immediately showed the MP something in his wallet. "Ah! There you are then. We're looking for the Commanding Officer of the base. Lieutenant John Bennett. We're here on official business as you can see, and got a bit lost."

The MP nodded his head. "Certainly , sir. I'll escort you to his office. Right this way."

Samuel realized as his Dad put his wallet back in his pocket that he had showed the MP the psychic paper.

They followed the MP down the hallway. Samuel saw many offices and uniformed people working inside. He was grateful he had thought to put on a nice, oxford shirt that morning.

The MP turned a few corners and opened a door for them. They walked into a large office with four people sitting at their desks working. As soon as they walked inside, the man sitting at a desk nearest the door stood up.

The MP explained. "I'm escorting these people. They are on official business and need to see the CO."

The sailor nodded. "I see. Umm. Well, I'm sorry but he's out at the moment."

The Doctor crossed his arms. "Where is he?"

"I'm sorry, sir. I can't disclose that information."

The Doctor looked back at Samuel and groaned. Samuel noticed the man had called his Dad, "sir" and that always annoyed him. The Doctor pulled out his wallet again and showed the man the psychic paper.

"As you can see, we're not a threat. We're just looking for the Lieutenant."

The man's attitude changed. "Yes, sir. He was gone this morning. It's my understanding he went to the ship that is deploying to review the preparations for its departure."

The Doctor nodded and put his wallet back in his pocket. "Okay. That makes sense. Would you please tell him that Doctor Johnathan Smith and his associate, Doctor Samuel Bennett, were here to see him. It's important that we get in touch with him as soon as possible."

The sailor agreed. "Yes, sir. I'll send your message to the ship."

The Doctor thanked the sailor and the MP escorted them back down the hallways.

Samuel sighed.

The Doctor asked his son, "Still not happy?"

"Not really. But, I suppose they know where he is. Right?"

The Doctor and Samuel arrived back outside of the building. The Doctor turned and thanked the MP for his assistance. They walked across the sidewalks and the hot, Florida sun made Samuel wish he had thought to bring his sunglasses. Just as his eyes began to adjust, his Dad handed him a pair of sunglasses. "Always bring a spare. Especially, if you have room in your pockets."

Samuel chuckled and slipped on the sunglasses. "If you have another dimension in there. Cheers."

The Doctor and Samuel walked along next to one another. The Doctor looked around animatedly. "Interesting. Well, I suppose you and I could chat."

Samuel groaned and looked back at his Dad who was wearing sunglasses, too. "About what?"

"Dimensional pockets? You don't do that?"

"No, way. Everyone just accepts it when you pull something, huge, out of your pockets. An umbrella. A guitar. A tent. A spare tire."

The Doctor laughed.

"I prefer to be normal." Samuel told him.

The Doctor grinned. "Normal. There's nothing normal about normal, son."

"Something to aspire to."

"So, Anne knows about the baby? How did she take it?"

"She didn't hit me. Although, Arles says she's going to let the Lieutenant do it."

The Doctor laughed. "I think he'll be thrilled. Have you had any visions as to whether it's a boy or a girl?"

Samuel grinned proudly, "A little girl. Karen told me she wants to call her Halley."

The Doctor stopped walking and tasted in his mouth. "Halley. Halley Smith-"

"Bennett, Dad. Halley Bennett." Samuel corrected him.

He pointed at him. "That sounds better. I like it. Better than Blueberry. I didn't want to call my Granddaughter that."

Samuel laughed. "I agree."

"Have you seen your sister today?"

"What? Genie? No." Samuel told him.

The Doctor nodded. "She's going to get some bad news today. Be there for her."

"Legate was at Arles' this morning. He seemed to think she was cross with him."

"No, she's going to be cross with me. And Lewis. Mostly with me. But, it was the right thing and I think she'll see that-" He told his son and then looked as though he was listening to something in his head.

Samuel stood and watched him. "Do we need to go someplace else?"

The Doctor grinned. "How about for a burger?"

"I probably should get back-"

"Nah. Arles is taking care of that. Sounds like he's doing a hell of a job." He told his son as he pat his shoulder.

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The Doctor popped with the adult Samuel to a busy, sea port town. Samuel would have rather been back on the island with Karen, but his Dad insisted. Not wishing to begin a fight, he went with him and was actually rather pleased when they ended up at a seafood restaurant on a ship. The spin of the Earth, and the time of day, told him that they were still in Florida, someplace. The ship was docked in a bay, and the Doctor was recognized by the waitress.

As they sat down, the Doctor took off his sunglasses and slipped them in his pocket. "First time anyone has recognized me without Rose. How about that?"

Samuel took off the sunglasses he wore, and handed them to his Dad. The Doctor shook his head to tell him to keep them.

The waitress smiled, "And Doctor Smith, what may I get you to drink?"

"A Mai Tai." The Doctor smiled. "And Samuel?"

Samuel grinned. "Pina Colona."

The woman smiled and walked away from the table.

The Doctor looked surprised at his son. "I didn't think you drank."

"A Mai Tai? What are you? An old lady with side burns?" Samuel asked him.

The Doctor laughed and rubbed his face. "Ugh. What a long day."

"It's only 3:00."

"Yeah, but I didn't sleep last night. Samuel woke up, right after I arrived back home, and wanted to play. Then, Lewis, Lartius, Summus and I were busy sorting this mess out with Legate."

"What's that about?"

"I'll get into that a bit later. You'll be cross with me, too. Genie will be livid. I'm surprised she hasn't hunt me down to shout at me."

Sam chuckled, "Genie doesn't shout at you."

"Oh, she did. When I found out about Legate, I punched him. His head, popped back, and hit the shelves there in the house."

"He has a head injury-"

"Oh, I know. I gave him another one. But, I had no idea, and I walked in on them….snogging."

"And his hands were all over her bum. I heard the story." Samuel laughed just as the waitress gave them their drinks.

"And here you are. Anything to eat, gentlemen?"

Samuel shook his head. "No, thank you, ma'am."

The Doctor looked at the menu. "I haven't even looked at this."

"Take your time." She smiled.

Samuel suddenly remembered something, "Actually, do you have alligator tail?"

The Doctor looked repulsed. "Alligator tail?"

The waitress smiled, "Yes. Would you like that?"

"I'd like to try it." Samuel smiled.

The waitress walked away.

The Doctor looked back at his son, "Alligator tail?"

"Karen told me about it. She said it tastes like calamari."

"Gross. I'm not eating that. Doesn't sound like anything this mouth would like."

"Why did we come here? You don't like seafood."

The Doctor looked at the menu. "All of these sort of places have chicken or a burger. I'll manage."

Samuel shook his head. "You should live a little. Get some shrimp."

The Doctor groaned. "Roaches of the sea."

"Delicious roaches."

The Doctor sat the menu down. "Disgusting. I'll just stick with my drink."

"I've never understood you. You love fish and chips-"

"Different taste." He looked at the menu again. "Oh, that sounds good. I wonder if they have that."

"But, a Mai Tie, Dad?" Samuel teased.

He sipped it and sat his menu down. "It's actually, 'Maita'I', and it is the Tahitian word for 'good'. So there, cheeky boy."

Samuel laughed under his breath. "So, Mum is home with Samuel then?"

"Yeah. She says he's sleeping. I'm beginning to think he may be a vampire. Stays up all night, and sleeps all day."

Samuel laughed. "I've always had a problem with that."

The Doctor sat down his drink and crossed his arms. "So. Anne took the news well about Halley?"

Samuel nodded. "She did."

"Halley. Where is that from? Sounds familiar."

"Halley's comet."

"Oh. Right."

"We were standing at the window there on the ship, and saw it. That's when I remembered that I had proposed to Karen. Well, proposed to proposed."

"You did it again?" He smiled proudly at his son.

"Seemed like the thing to do."

The Doctor leaned on the table. "Your Mum and I have spoken, a lot about you."

He sighed.

"And feel that you are most likely, overwhelmed."

"Dad-"

"It's normal, son. You've been through so much."

"Can we pleased talk about something else? I feel as though you see me as a ticking time bomb."

"She told me you said that you remembered those two weeks."

"Well…."

"Why haven't you said anything about that?"

He sighed and looked at his lap. "Because if I don't remember, I don't have to talk about it. And I simply don't want to."

"When did you remember?"

"After the chicken soup, yesterday. After you left."

The Doctor nodded. "I can block it if you want-"

"No. I need to deal with it. There, may be something helpful in that. I was asleep most of the time. Had odd dreams. That sort of thing. I don't remember a lot because I wasn't awake that much."

The Doctor sipped his drink. "I see."

Samuel sipped his drink and closed his eyes. "Oh, that's really good."

The Doctor looked at him and smiled.

Samuel pointed at it. "Karen's favorite drink. She bought me one when we first met."

The Doctor grinned. "There's probably a million things I want to chat with you about."

"Should I go ahead and order another round then?"

The Doctor crossed his arms and sat back. "You son…."

"Oh, great."

"Don't get on with Tony Tyler."

Samuel shook his head. "I don't know anyone who really gets on with him. Except Arles. But, that's just because of his natural charm."

"Quauthin charm. Hell, they get along with everyone. They are like….kittens-"

"That can break your arm." Samuel grinned.

The Doctor smiled. "Arles said you and him have both had Quauhtin training."

He nodded and sipped his drink. "Yes. We have. Lance and Papa thought it necessary."

"So, you're both Quauhtin?"

"Warriors? Yes and no. We're allowed to use the title by Lartius, but we prefer not to. We've done some of the Trials."

"What level?"

"Arles is a Second level Warrior…"

The Doctor covered his mouth in shock and swore.

Samuel smiled, "I'm only a First."

"Holy shit." The Doctor swore. "You two didn't feel this information necessary to tell me?"

"Well, no. We're not using it. And you never asked-"

"Holy shit. Your Mum says she's not surprised. I'm floored."

"I had decided to begin the Second Trials when we left. I had been on Photoria with Lenox. He was….overseeing it."

"Do you still want to do it?"

Samuel rolled his lip and shook his head. "Nah. I don't need it. I never did. It was more of a thing to see if I could do it. You know?"

The Doctor nodded, "Makes sense. Yeah."

"Lenox isn't in that role yet, so I would have to go to the Quauthin home world to finish it. I'm not going to leave Karen."

The Doctor smiled proudly. "Quite right."

Samuel grinned and sipped his drink as the waitress sat the appetizer down between them. The Doctor pushed it closer to Samuel. "And you can enjoy that on your own."

"You won't even try it-"

"No!" He told him quickly.

Samuel laughed and thanked the waitress. "Really Dad. When in Florida-"

"Drink a Mai Tai." He told him and held his drink up and grinned.

Samuel rolled his eyes and tossed the small bit of gator tail in his mouth.

The Doctor watched his son. "How is it?"

"Revolting. I don't like it." Samuel told him.

The Doctor pointed at him, "You're supposed to try new things-"

"Three times. Yes, I know. But, I know I don't like that on the first go. Cheers." Samuel insisted and pushed it away. "Tastes like rubber. I'd rather chew on a car tire. Hand me that one you probably have in your pockets."

The Doctor laughed and sat his drink down. "Alright. Enough small talk-"

"This is small talk?"

"Don't play with me-"

"I'm not." Samuel replied in a confused tone of voice.

The Doctor propped his face up on his fist and looked at his son. "I've seen her. I know about your sister. Why haven't you said anything about her?"

Samuel shook his head and smiled, "What about Genie-"

"You know I'm not talking about Genie. There's a girl. Curly, ginger hair. I've seen her a lot in visions since you lot got here. I've never seen her before. I wasn't completely sure, but last night, I had one where she called me Dad. I haven't told Rose. She's so sure we can't have any more children."

"And if I was to tell you that you did-"

"I already know!" He insisted.

Samuel sighed. "Dad. There are things-"

"There is nothing you can tell me that is going to mess up things. You and I see fixed points. That's it. Fixed. They can't be changed."

"Unless Mum decides they should be-"

"She wouldn't with this. But, I'm glad I haven't shown these visions to her."

"How do you do that? Is that something I show Karen?"

The Doctor sat back and thought. "I don't know. Your Mum and I are both telepathic."

"But, I'm not telepathic."

"Neither is Karen. Most likely, I'd say 'no'. And trust me, the surprise is better anyway."

"Mum likes to know."

"She's new to it. If she had to do it, like we do, she would feel the same way. Well, how do you feel about the visions?"

Samuel shrugged his shoulders. "I'd never really thought about it. Arles, Genie, and Legate like it when I tell them things I've seen. Genie can't tell if I'm telling her the truth or not, so that's always fun."

The Doctor grinned. "Winding up your sister?"

"Every chance I get."

"How does Karen feel about it? You telling her things before they happen?"

He shook his head. "I've not really told her a lot."

"Still trying to stay normal-"

"As long, and as much as I can." Samuel suddenly thought of something. "Hang on a bit. You told me that anything Mum wants, she gets. Like…some supernatural thing."

He nodded and sipped his drink. "That's right."

"Have you see any visions with…me…being like that?"

The Doctor narrowed his eyes at his son. "What has happened?"

Samuel shrugged his shoulders. "Nothing-"

"Nah. Something has. Don't play games with me son. Don't ever think you are capable of that. I know everything."

Samuel couldn't help feeling small and frightened. Just like when he was a young boy being scolded by his father. He shook his head. "Dad. Never mind I said anything."

The Doctor looked at him with concern. He knew he had probably been too gruff with him. "You know….when my people….reach a certain age….sometimes, certain things begin to work that didn't before. Things mature. Things that they have never had happen, begin to happen. It can be frightening and some have thought they were going mental."

Samuel looked up at him. "Caroline is her name. She's nearly four."

The Doctor slapped his hand on his table, "I knew it."

"All of us promised not to say anything about her. We knew that Mum and you didn't think you could have anymore. We didn't want to mess up the possibility of that."

The Doctor looked away and bobbed his head in excitement. "Caroline. I love that name."

"You call her, 'Linnie.' It drives Mum mental."

"And she's ginger?" He asked.

Samuel laughed. "Very ginger."

"And I have something else to look forward to." He sipped his drink. "Life on the slow path. These little things make it more tolerable."

Samuel smiled at him.

The Doctor suddenly became serious, "Do not tell your Mum."

Samuel held his hands up, "Never."

The Doctor sipped his drink. "My ginger, Linnie. Brilliant."

Samuel laughed and shook his head. "I can't believe I told you about her."

The Doctor's phone began to ring. He took it out of his pocket. "And we're not finished talking about you, young man."

"Yes, we are."

He put it up to his ear. "No, we're not. Smith here."

Samuel watched as his Dad listened to someone on the phone. He cleared his throat and ran his hand through his hair. "No, let me come and look at what you have."

He ended the call. "And Torchwood is roping me back in."

"Problem?"

"Always." The Doctor groaned and flagged down the waitress.

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