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Chapter 25 -
Samuel managed to sleep the entire short trip to Caihiri, only waking when he managed to roll over on his bruise where the tree limb had smacked him. He jumped up and rubbed it. Why hadn't it healed yet? Normally, any injury he had healed extremely fast. If he hadn't forgotten to turn back on the personal force field after they had finished the snowball fight the day before, it wouldn't have even happened. Papa was always reminding them to check their personal force fields. Even the Quauthin. They were the worst about it. Although, if it had activated, he would have had to explain to Karen what it even was. He shook his head and decided a bit of discomfort was worth it to be normal in her eyes a bit longer.
Upon their arrival, all of them went rafting with the exception of the Doctor. He elected to stay behind at the house with baby Arles. Samuel suspected he was brooding and using it as an excuse to avoid him, and that was fine with him. He had managed to not be alone with his Dad the entire time they had been gone, dreading the inevitable talk that he knew was coming.
Karen had been on his mind all day. As soon as they had returned to Lance's home in the mountain, changed from rafting, he had checked his phone to see that he had missed several texts from her. She apparently had him on her mind, too.
After an amazing meal cooked by Arles, everyone became engrossed in conversations and laughter. The atmosphere was playful, and made Samuel forget he was so far from his actual home. Aside from having Arles there with them as an infant, and the heavy heart in his chest for Karen, nothing really seemed unusual about their visit. All of them were dressed casually, which was always odd for Samuel to see his Grandfather that way. Pete Tyler seemed to always be in an oxford and tie. It was just the picture that Samuel called to mind whenever he thought of him.
Pete Tyler, the same man who was currently drinking a beer, wearing a long sleeved t-shirt and jeans, and insisting that Jane pick some music for them all to dance to.
Whenever Samuel came to Caihiri, he always wore a ball cap to help keep the sun off of his face. He had worn it backwards when they were rafting, and now had a lovely sunburn, along with his black eye from the tree limb. His Grandfather teased that Rose was going to be cross with them all for returning him in such a state. "Your Mum is never going to let us out, again." He insisted.
Arles laughed with Samuel because it was something that Pete always told them when they were out together. Something always would happen that he was certain would make Rose cross. It never did. Granted, Rose always got a different explanation than what usually did happen. Unless Genie was involved, they could always get away with it.
Samuel decided to step out on the balcony to watch the sunset. He took with him his favorite drink that his Uncle Tony had always insisted reminded him of blueberries.
The suns were setting and the colors of the sky were painted in beautiful pinks, blues and yellows. The golden yellow leaves of the millions of trees on the hills around them seemed to glow in the light. He sat down and propped up his feet in another chair. Feeling the breeze blow through his hair, he looked out at the scene. How simple everything there seemed. This had always been a place where he could come and relax. No press. No annoying onlookers. Just beauty. In its finest form.
He text Karen to see if it was a good time to ring her. He had time to sip his drink again, and become lost in his thoughts briefly before his phone alerted him that she was ringing him. He grinned and accepted the call.
Karen's image filled the screen. She was wearing a beautiful brown blouse with a scarf. Her long hair was down and her ear rings dangled against her neck. She was breathtaking and seemed to be wearing a bit more make-up today than she had put on the night before. "And there you are, Samuel."
He smiled at her. "Is it a good time?"
She seemed to be closing a door behind her. "Perfect timing. Ew. Your eye looks-"
He pat it. "I'm alright. I can't believe it hasn't healed more. I might have slept on it."
She nodded, "Ice, Samuel. Put something cold on it."
He teased, "I didn't know you were a doctor."
She pointed at him, "And you look pink. Are you sitting under something?"
"Stop worrying about me. Where are you?"
"We're at a restaurant. Some…. Expensive place….in the city." She shrugged her shoulders.
He rose his eyebrows, "So, you have me in a loo?"
She giggled, "Relax. I'm sitting where they nurse babies. Nothing gross."
He ran his finger across her cheek. He missed feeling her skin more than he had imagined he would.
"You look sunburned. Haven't they heard of sunscreen in Britain?"
He shook his head. "I forgot to put it on. We just returned from rafting and the reflection of the water…..I really did it to myself."
She rose her phone to her lips and kissed the screen. "There. Does that help?"
He smiled. "Oddly, it does."
"And I have great news! I have an apartment."
"You do?"
She giggled, "I'm staying with Mom and Dad in a hotel tonight, but we'll move everything there tomorrow."
He smiled, "That's amazing."
"My Dad is amazing. He found it online. I think he had already decided that was the one before I even got the choice."
"I can't wait to see it."
"I'll send you the address. I'm in shock. It's really, so nice. Lots of space. Furnished, so I don't have to worry about any of that."
"Karen, that's brilliant."
"And there are two bedrooms. One with a fold out sofa bed-"
"That doesn't interest me at all."
She smiled, "And the other with a lovely, queen sized bed."
Samuel nodded his head and glanced back at the sunset. "I can work with that."
She giggled. "I knew you would say that. I want you to be comfortable when you come see me, so is there anything I can get? Besides sunscreen? Aloe?"
He chuckled, "Cheeky, woman. Don't worry about me. You just study."
She rolled her eyes. "Latin, huh?"
"Latin is more important than you would think."
"So, you say. Anyway. Oh, I probably need to get back. Dad is returning home tomorrow. I'm sure they think I've jumped out a window by now."
He laughed at her. "You're mad."
"Show me where you are. I just can see you in a chair."
He put his hand to his chest in mock disappointment. She saw the gold chain of her necklace glitter on his neck. "Am I not enough to look at?"
"Come on. Real quick. I need to get back."
"It will cost you."
"What?" She grinned.
"Please say it. I love to hear you say it."
She smiled, "Samuel."
He chuckled and turned the camera around to show her the sunset. Both of the suns were out of view but the sky was still lit up with the beautiful colors. He panned the view to show her the mountain across from where he sat with the millions of trees. The river and waterfalls roared in the distance.
He turned the camera back around and smiled at her. She had her mouth covered, "Samuel, that is beautiful."
"I love sitting out here and just….looking at it."
"I don't blame you. It's amazing." She smiled. "Well, I need to go. Call me?"
"What shall I call you?"
She pointed warningly at him. "Don't be….British with me."
He laughed.
She blew him a kiss and ended the call.
He sipped his drink and relaxed. The skin on his face felt tight from the sunburn. He sat and watched the birds fly from the trees below him. It was amazing how much they looked like the birds on Earth. If he didn't see the odd moon that had began to rise, he would think he was back on Earth. Well, that and the stars were all in the wrong place.
His phone rang again. He accepted the call and Genie's image filled the screen. She was in her office at the school and her excitement at speaking with him, brought a smile to his face.
"Sammy!" She exclaimed and covered her face. "You are…..oh! My favorite brother."
He laughed, "Meeting with Scott went well, huh?"
"Leave it to you to find an artist from Mersey!" She shifted some paperwork. "And his work, is brilliant! He even showed me how to draw something simple. Amazing….teacher."
Samuel laughed, "Wonderful."
"He's going to be a perfect fit. Amazing!"
"So, he's…."
"Moving in next week. Uncle Tony thinks I'm mad, but I explained that the entire world this guy is from is full of the most brilliant artists in the galaxy. Creating is just in them. And he's inspiring."
"Inspiring?" Sam asked.
"Okay, maybe it was his work. But, oh Sammy! He's…." She mouthed the word, "perfect!"
Sam laughed, "Well, great then!"
She looked closer at the screen. "And you're sunburned."
He sighed, "I forgot sun cream. Like a clot."
She giggled, "Climbing rocks?"
"Rafting. And Grandfather went with us."
Genie laughed, "I would have paid to see that."
"Jane was the best. That woman has no fear. She bounced out of the boat, and then Lance jumped into save her."
"What happened?"
Sam laughed and shook his head. "Papa had to rescue them both. It was hysterical."
Genie laughed. "Man. I hate I'm missing that. I love rafting."
"Jane only went once. She took a million photos of us. I can't wait to see them."
"You're going to have your flat all decorated with her photos here like you do at home."
"The woman's work, is amazing." He insisted.
"Legate loves it, too."
"Has his grandfather arrived yet?"
"Not yet. He has been delayed. I didn't ask, but it might be a few days. But, that gives me more time to go through these interviews." She said as she picked up a stack of paperwork and dropped it on the desk. "This is a beast."
"Do you need me to return-"
"Nope. I have it under control."
He sighed. "I'm only a ring away."
She blew him a kiss, waved as she ended the call.
Sam laughed at his sister. So happy and excited to be back doing what she loved best. He slipped his phone back in his pocket and relaxed, sipping his drink.
The glass door to the balcony opened and he briefly heard music playing. He turned around to look and Jane was dancing with Arles to Federico Aubele's 'Postales'. Lance still with his beard that he always grew when he came to Caihiri, stood between Lewis and Pete Tyler holding baby Arles. Pete was playing with baby Arles and laughing.
The Doctor closed the door as he stepped on the balcony. "I brought this from the ship. It might help."
He handed Sam a small tube of burn cream.
Sam nodded, "I don't think it's that bad."
He sat down in a chair, feet from Samuel. "Ah. Whatever you think."
Samuel narrowed his eyes at his Dad. He had never said that to him before. "Whatever I think?"
He coughed and looked back up at him. "Well, yeah. I'm not the one that is sunburnt."
Samuel put some of it on his forehead, cheeks and nose. It immediately felt better.
"So, I haven't asked what happened to your eye."
Sam grinned, "I got into a fight with a tree branch."
"A tree branch?"
Sam laughed, "Yes. And I have no idea why it hasn't healed more than it has."
"Do you normally heal very fast?"
Samuel sipped his drink and nodded. "Yes. This, normally would have been gone by the morning. I don't know why it is….I don't know."
The Doctor nodded. "Huh. Interesting. So, you heal quickly, and you can heal others?"
"To a point. If it's…something like broken bones, things that are cut, that's never a problem. Infections and that sort of thing, I can't do anything about. Not that I know of."
"But, not to yourself?"
"Usually, I can. But, not always. I don't really understand why. But, even now….if say, Papa was to fall and break his arm. I could put it back together. Lance's shoulder is alright. He says he's lost some feeling in his hand, but he needs to wait for some of the nerves to grow back."
"Makes sense. He's lucky to still have it." The Doctor nodded, "Rafting was good?"
Sam closed the container and slipped it in his pocket. "Yeah. Missed Jacob. That's his favorite thing here."
"Not Soli's?"
"Not really. He likes rock climbing. Rappelling. That sort of thing more."
The Doctor nodded. "Water. Khrele. Not a good mix. Usually."
"He does enjoy surfing." Sam insisted as he brought his blue drink up to sip.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. But, Pepper can't stand him doing it. She's always fearful he's going to get hurt."
The Doctor sipped his drink. "Well, that's just what a mother does."
Sam looked back at his Dad. "I know Mum is insisting that you talk to me about….stuff."
"Have you spoken to her?"
"No." Sam shook his head. "But, this is always what happens. We….argue. She….has you take me someplace and we chat. It's a pattern. Well established pattern."
"Well, if we're still arguing, perhaps we need to try something different."
"Like what?"
"Like….explanations."
Sam looked surprised at him. "Explanations?"
"Samuel, you have known me nearly nineteen years. I've known you for a week. The things that have happened between us, haven't happened yet. But, to you, they have. I'm that same man, but I'm not."
"With me being out of my own time…. I don't know what of this I can tell you and what I can't."
"And that is the problem, son. Me and you, should be able to tell one another anything."
"Even if it messes up time and all of that?"
He shook his head. "Anything. It won't mess it up. As I see it, you and I are unique in this matter."
"Why?"
"I have visions. And you do, too. We already know what's going to happen, to a point. I like to be surprised with everyone else, but….it's rare. What has happened to you, needs to be talked about. I feel as though 18 years of spoilers isn't really going to hurt anything. Besides, it was in the letter. You can tell me everything."
"Are you sure? That sounds...I don't know."
"You…..me…and your Mum. Are unique. Different than anyone else in the entire, known Universe."
"So, this is the chat we're having tonight?"
"This….is a chat that we should have had a long time ago. I've spoken to me. The me, that you are familiar with, and he ….. well, he's a daft old man who feels you shouldn't be told certain things."
Samuel grinned. His Dad calling himself daft. "But you feel I should know these things?"
"I do. So, you can relax about the worry of telling me things that will happen in the future. It's divided now into two timelines. Anything you say, happened in your time. There's no reason to think it will happen in this one. Your past, is not your future."
The Doctor sipped his drink and coughed, "In fact, if there are two time lines….you can speak to whomever about these events. With the exception of Pete and Jackie's abduction and murder. I think, that would be best, if they weren't told about that. They would never stop looking over their shoulders."
Samuel groaned, "I don't want to ever think of that again in my life."
The Doctor nodded his head. "Believe me. After reading that report, I think you all could do with some therapy concerning that-"
"Phhhh….." Sam groaned. "You sound like Mum."
He grinned at his son's grumbling. "I know you ran a heritage test on yourself."
Sam sighed, "That, was really stupid."
"No. It was interesting. It answered some questions that I've had myself."
"About me?"
The Doctor nodded, "Oh yes. I'm going to be all over the place about this explanation, so bear with me. First of all, the universe as you know it, isn't correct. Physics, cause and effect, just general day to day working, even fixed points in time and space can be changed."
Samuel had longed for this conversation with his Dad. "Dad, that's not correct. Fixed points are just that. When I see, visions. They can't be changed."
"They can. But, only by one. And believe it or not, it's not either one of us."
This was going against everything Samuel knew to be true. He took his feet out of the chair and sat on the edge of his seat. "Dad. This isn't what I've always been told. Fixed points, have to happen."
"And there are reasons you were told that. Which I'll explain. The letter that I read to you lot, yesterday, was edited. There were bits in there that do not need to be heard by Arles or Genie. Or Legate for that matter. Only you and I should know these things. That's the reason I waited to come out here and speak to you, alone."
"Why only me?"
The Doctor cleared his throat and sipped his drink. "In the past, it was only me. In an effort for me to never be on my own again, I believe your Mum is responsible for this. Completely."
Samuel shook his head. "I'm sorry. Explain that."
"It's all because of your Mum. I met her when she was….around your age. Gosh. So young."
"Yes. And you traveled in your TARDIS before you lost it."
"Did I ever tell you how I lost it?"
"No. Mum told us not to ask."
"I lost it because it still exists. In another Dimension. With another version of myself."
"There are two of you?"
"No." He told him quickly. "There is him, and there is me." He explained how he had grown out of the spare hand that Jack Harkness had found. "And then he left me and your Mum here. She was human, and so was I."
"But, you're not human."
"Neither is she. Rose is something no one has ever seen and the reason why all of what you think to be true, is a lie. I sent her away in my TARDIS, that he has, to prevent her from getting hurt."
"Platform One with Jack."
"Yes. And she managed to look inside of the time vortex. It consumed her. I didn't know how much until I had arrived here. I had taken as much out as I could to save her, and in turn, it caused me to regenerate."
"But, you can't regenerate if you're human."
"That was before the meta-crisis and I was….born."
Samuel crossed his arms. "Okay. This is beginning to make sense. But, you're not human now."
"I was killed. Shot, multiple times in the chest. About two months after I arrived here. You son, are literally, talking to a dead man."
Samuel chuckled, "That's mad. I've seen your x-rays of your chest. How your lungs are….tubes. You have two hearts."
"Tell me, do we talk at all about your Mum?"
"No. I know she can do, odd things. But, it's something she's not comfortable talking about. So, it's a forbidden thing to discuss."
"She doesn't want to talk about it now, either. But, you can speak to me about it. This being that exists inside of your Mum, is what brought me back to life as a Time Lord."
"Mum can do that?"
The Doctor held his hands out, "Exhibit B. Jack is Exhibit A. She brought him back to life and now he's immortal."
Sam shook his head in amazement. "So, Mum's…weird thing that we don't talk about. She's actually a…."
The Doctor pointed at him, "Choose your words carefully, son. I have lived millions of years and have never encountered anything like her. And I'm not being….gross….as you kids call it."
Samuel laughed under his breath.
"I'm telling you what you need to know. Which, I feel is everything at this point. Rose exists beyond physics. Beyond reason. Anything that she wants, she only has to think it. She wanted me. I managed to make a copy of me and brought me here. She bent time and space to do that. I died, she brought me back."
"What about…well, what does that make me? Where you human when….I was created?"
"No. You….are her. I've never told anyone this because it's something I have always been, rather ashamed of. But, Rose wanted you. Of course I did too, but she wanted, more than anything, for us to have a child of our own. We couldn't have one together, but she became pregnant anyway. There was a blast, right after we found out you were to be born."
"That's the one that Samuel the Quauhtin saved me from."
"Yes. He shielded Rose, and you. There was still no reason you should have lived. Or Rose for that matter."
Samuel's head was reeling from this information. "Well, does that mean, you're not actually my father?"
The Doctor looked back at him. "Rose wanted you to be my son. You have visions, regenerate and do several things I can."
"But, how? Was there another….guy?"
"No. There was only her. You exist, because she wishes it. I tell you this because I've also spoken to the entity that lives inside of her. Many times. She speaks of you, long after I'm gone."
"After you're gone? But, this is your first regeneration."
"It doesn't make sense to be either. I apparently, join, with your Mum at some point, far into the future. You are still there."
"So, I'm immortal?"
"I imagine, that you are. I have been told that you are, just like me. And so, you will regenerate. But, I don't know for sure. The reason I think that is because I know Rose is not going to allow anything to happen that will take you away from her. Just like Genie is now 98% Rixalarian and free of her sickness."
"So, you finally believe me about that."
The Doctor sat up, rested his elbows on his knees, and looked at his son. "Samuel. I don't really know you well enough to….."
"Trust me. I get it." Sam nodded.
"I'm working on it, but…."
"Well, from what you're telling me….you, me and Mum might very well see the end of time together."
The Doctor nodded. "Yes. And all the bits in-between."
Samuel sipped his drink. "Well, I only lie to one person. Genie. And that's because it's really entertaining and she enjoys not being able to tell."
"Genie can't tell when you're lying?"
"Not at all." He chuckled. "I've learned to block that over the years. Lartius begs me to show him how."
The Doctor laughed and ran his hand through his hair. "Oh, shit. I've never heard of anyone that can do that."
"Never?" Sam smiled.
He shook his head and grinned proudly. "Amazing."
"I tell you what, Dad. Based on what you're telling me, I believe it would be best if you and I, right now, establish that we won't keep things from one another, nor lie."
The Doctor smiled. "Agreed. And I'll fully admit I'm learning about this as I go. I can't tell you much about yourself, nor your Mum. Except for what I've already seen. In fact. I'm curious about something. Hang on a bit."
Samuel sipped his drink and sat back as he watched his Dad close his eyes. The Doctor rubbed his own forehead and Samuel knew he was speaking to his Mum from the smile that spread across his face. After a few moments, he opened his eyes and grinned, "Yep. Just as I thought."
Sam shook his head. "What?"
"I told your Mum about your eye and your sunburn. And now it's gone." He told him simply as he sipped his drink.
Samuel felt of his forehead and indeed, it had completely healed.
Jane opened the glass door and smiled at them. "You are both missing a good party."
The Doctor smiled back at her. "You lot are just enjoying winding up a baby for his Papa."
She laughed, "Lance has missed him so much."
Lance danced by her, holding baby Arles in his arms. "And we're ready for a dance, Jane."
Jane laughed at him.
Samuel looked back at her and smiled. "We'll be in a bit later. Thanks."
She smiled at both of them and closed the door as she walked back into the house.
Samuel looked back at his Dad. "So, whatever Mum wants…."
"Your Mum gets. The universe, bends to her every desire. She's only really started to realize it. She'll wake up in the morning, and imagine a cup of tea next to the bed. It will appear. I will share visions with her that she doesn't want to happen, so she changes them."
"The fixed points? Mum is the one that can change those."
"The only one."
"You've mentioned this….once before. I didn't understand it, but it's coming together now. Making sure though, I can tell you anything about the past."
"Anything. Completely different time line of events." He insisted.
Samuel nodded, "When I was a little boy. Very small. Arles and I were playing with this other little boy we had met at a….thing you had gone to. Even though we were surrounded by Quauthin, I was taken. Never figured out how."
"I didn't realize anything was wrong for days. I was treated very well. I remember thinking it was just a sleepover. Looking back at it now, I'm sure you and Mum were beside yourself."
"Without question!" The Doctor insisted.
"That last day I was with them, this man came to get me. He was taking me someplace. I don't know where, but I remember it was important. I told him that I wanted to return home, and he told me I couldn't. I kicked him and ran out of the building, onto the streets and all I could think about was I needed to get away."
"I ran into some large pipes. I remember it smelled, terrible. Water was everywhere. It was cold. Ice in places. I remember thinking, that just had to stay in one place. That's what you have always told me. 'Don't wander off, and I can find you.' So, I found a place to hide where the man couldn't find me. Or, at least I thought. He pulled me down and I shouted at him. He had a knife and when he tried to stab me, yellow light came from my chest and consumed him. Just, dissolved him, where he stood. As soon as he disappeared, you ran around the corner and found me."
Samuel looked up at the stunned look on his Dad's face. "That's what happened?"
"What was supposed to happen? That was because of Mum, wasn't it? Not me."
The Doctor rubbed his chin. "Most likely. I honestly, don't know. And it's not often I can say that. Tell me Samuel, what odd things can you do? List them all."
Sam sighed and crossed his arms, propping his feet back up in the chair that sat in front of him. "Well, you know about the healing thing. Umm….."
The Doctor held his hand out and started to count on his fingers. "Regeneration, visions…"
"Voices in my head, making people feel better when I touch them. All stuff from you?"
"I don't make people feel any certain way. That's something unique to you. You're the only one I've ever met who can do that."
"Not even Mum?"
The Doctor shook his head. "No. I don't think she can. What else?"
He shook his head, "That's all I can think of. What about Mum?"
"Rose can move things with her mind-"
"I can't do that."
"You know about the telepathy-"
"That my entire family has that, but me. Even my sister."
"You can though. As a baby. That's how I can tell how you feel, and be connected to you."
Samuel shrugged his shoulders. "Never been able to do it. Not that ever remember. And our connection….that ended when I was….about twelve."
"Let me guess? That's when the arguments got worse?"
Samuel nodded. "Oh yes. You were sure I was blocking you at first. But, as time went on, we realized that I wasn't."
The Doctor thought. "Ummm…. Rose heals fast, like you. You being able to do that is probably because she doesn't want you hurt. She can also heal others. I can also do it, but it takes time from my life. Rose doesn't like to me to do it for that reason. I only have to mention it and she'll sort me out. I've had a cough for the past couple of days. Now, I'm fine."
"What about electricity?"
"Like Soli?"
"No. Like, when I'm touching someone. I run my fingertips across her and it is like electricity is sent from her, and into me. The more I touch her, the more the sensation continues. Actually, it grows. Makes all of the voices stop in my head."
The Doctor rose his eyebrow, "Her, huh?"
Sam grinned, "Focus, yes. It has only happened with her."
He sipped his drink. "Are you sure it's not just….goose bumps when you first meet someone? Butterflies?"
"It's never happened before."
"Well, it's the first girl. It's probably-"
Samuel cleared his throat, "Not the first, Dad."
The Doctor rose his eyebrows at his son. "How many opportunities have you -"
Sam covered his face, "Dad. You're going to have to remain objective about this. Is that something from me?"
"Objective. Right. Oh, Rose help me." He cleared his throat. "She's not a Khrele, is she?"
"She is human. As many Khrele as there are in the universe, I really doubt that's what it is."
"She's on Earth. Here?"
"I don't know if I want to answer that or not."
The Doctor ran his hand across the back of his neck. "Well, I have had a message that I want to talk to you about."
"Message, Dad?"
"I was told that you would meet a girl."
Samuel looked away and couldn't help the smile that spread across his face.
The Doctor rose his eyebrows. "Which you have already met."
Samuel bit his lip. "Let's get back to this. The electricity and….odd things."
"Right. Well, it might be from you. There are things you can probably do that neither of us even realizes. And things might change as you get older."
"What about, things I can't do?"
"Like what?" He asked and crossed his arms.
"Have…children. One day. You and Mom wasn't able to, is that something that will be a problem for me?"
The Doctor looked painfully at his son. "I don't know. I can run some tests, but-"
"Well, I could do that."
"Are you thinking about having children-"
"Not presently, Dad." He grinned, "I'm just curious. I thought I was mostly human up to ten minutes ago. Now, I find out that I'm some…..odd…..something that's never existed before. Will I even age?"
The Doctor thought, "I don't think so. Most likely, if you do, it will be very slow. Like me. Lewis. Arles. Your Mum looks exactly the same all through the ages."
Sam closed his eyes and sighed. "And you think that will be good news, until you hear it."
The Doctor sipped his drink and watched his son's expressions. "Tell me about her."
"Her, who?" Sam asked.
The Doctor grinned, "Oh, don't even play games with me, son. Don't ever think you are capable of that."
Samuel chuckled under his breath. "You remind me of you, right now."
He lifted his hands, "Same guy. Same…ole….Dad."
"No, Dad." Samuel told him seriously, "You are a lot more relaxed than the man I know. We would have never been able to sit out here and chat about any of this back home. You would have already….exploded and stormed off. At least once."
The Doctor nodded, "Let's try to stay like this. As I see it, we're in this together."
"For a very long time." Samuel grinned.
The Doctor pointed at him, "And you're changing the subject. What's her name?"
Samuel smiled, "Karen. Karen Bennett."
The Doctor repeated it, tasting the name in his mouth. "Nice name. I like that. Karen. English?"
"American. From Florida. Grew up next to the ocean."
"Well, you have that in common."
"She, has no idea who I am. She asks me about, things no one has before. She thinks Arles' name is strange."
"Lewis made it up. It's his own creation." He told him as he sipped his drink.
"What does it mean?"
"It's after his Mum. She died in a car accident, along with his sister."
"Arles has a sister?"
"Arles is a twin. You didn't know what?"
"Papa never talks about anything about that. I don't even know Arles' Mum's name."
"Arla. Her name was Arla. She was from New Germany and I swear Lewis and her were made for one another. From the moment they met, they….well….I probably shouldn't tell you that."
Sam grinned, "That goes against what we agreed."
"Falls under the 'gross' category. Trust me." He insisted. "Tell me more about Karen. How long have you known her?"
"Really?" Samuel laughed.
"I'm guessing…..four days."
"Three. She's a student at a college in New York." Sam smiled.
"Really? How did you meet?"
"Ummmm….well, we were in a club together and she brought me a drink."
"Why?"
Sam looked surprised back at him. "Not going to shout at me for being at a club?"
"No, I'm going to shout at Legate. You don't drink."
He chuckled. "Legate doesn't need to get involved. We waited until he was distracted and left. He was sure we were going to stay put."
"What does she study?"
"History."
"History?! Why?"
"She wants to be an archaeologist-"
"Oh….." He laid his head back on the chair and started swearing in Gallifreyan.
Sam laughed under his breath. "What's wrong with archaeologists, Dad?"
He slapped the arm of the chair and bit his lip. "Did Tony tell you to say that?"
He held his shoulders up and laughed, "I'm not kidding! That's what she wants to do."
The Doctor groaned, "My son is in love with an archaeologist-"
"I didn't say I was in love with anyone." Sam smiled back at his Dad.
The Doctor narrowed his eyes at him. "You have that look-"
"No, I don't-"
"Yes, you do-"
"You need your eyes checked-"
"Puppy face, Karen-love-"
"Oh, geez." Sam groaned.
The Doctor laughed and sipped his drink.
Sam shook his head as he looked back out at the darkness. His face spread into a grin as he thought about Karen.
"What do you mean, she doesn't know who you are?"
"Well, back home…..everyone knows who we are. We can't go anywhere without being recognized."
The Doctor nodded in understanding. "Oh. I can see where that could be a problem. It's only starting to happened to me here. I can't take Rose Tyler, anywhere."
"It really sucks. I spoke to Tony about it. He told me to enjoy while it lasted, she's going to find out. Just like everyone else."
"Well, it's going to be an odd explanation. People aren't stupid. Well, some of them aren't. Some of them are….apes."
"Mum would be so cross right now."
The Doctor tapped his lips.
"Are you saying I should be honest with her?"
"Well, that's usually the best policy. But, this entire thing is….rather remarkable. And the environment….you need to be extremely cautious. What have you told her?"
"Nothing. We have rules about that sort of thing at home. She doesn't know anything."
"I'll have to give that a think. What an odd situation." The Doctor sipped his drink. "Who is with you when you go to see her?"
Sam rose his eyebrow and looked back at his Dad. "Ummm…."
"You're going on your own? No Quauthin-"
"Dad! How would I explain that to her? Hey. This is my babysitter to make sure no one shoots me in the ass."
"Still your Dad. Don't be rude." He insisted.
Sam groaned. "No one knows me. I'm being careful."
"Apparently not if you can get beaten up by a tree limb." The Doctor pointed out.
Sam closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
The Doctor sipped his drink. "I know what you mean. I hate having them around like that, too. That's the only reason I put up with this Primus shit. It's the only way I can go someplace, just on my own, or just with your Mum. I get it."
Samuel looked back at his Dad with his eyebrow rose. "But?"
"Enjoy it while it lasts. Because, I promise it won't. Jane and Lance have known one another only days, and she's all over the telly."
"That's Tony's fault."
"It just happens. I can tell you that we'll do everything we can to keep all of you guys' identity quiet, but it's just not realistic. They are going to find out. As much as the press is in our business, I imagine it won't be very long."
"I remember that Tony did everything he could to keep Soli from being discovered."
"How long did that last?"
"I don't know. I remember it became a problem. Tony never wanted that life for him. He complains about it all of the time."
The Doctor crossed his arms. "Well, I can sympathize with your feelings-"
"That's totally Mum talking." Samuel grinned.
"She's helping. I won't lie."
Samuel laughed under his breath. "You two are so ridiculous."
"She says, 'You need to realize that you are still the same person. Even if no one else does, yet.'"
Samuel sighed. "Oh, this sucks."
The Doctor tapped his own lips. "But, between you and I, personal shield, on the highest setting. And make sure at least Arles knows where you are."
Sam grinned, "Thanks, Dad."
The Doctor nodded, "Maybe that will make up for some of the arguments."
Sam shook his head and sipped his drink. "The arguments aren't all you."
The Doctor grinned proudly. "Some adults don't even get that. I blame the ape heritage."
Samuel laughed, "Oh wow. Mum would slap you so hard."
"What did your letter from Rose say?"
"I haven't read it." Sam admitted. "I can't bring myself to look at it."
The Doctor nodded, "Missing her?"
"So much. I know she's here, but…."
"Not the same Rose. Believe me, I know what you mean."
"I know, she's heartbroken. And I know, that it's all my fault."
"Fault is not important. The responsibility of the act, is. I'm sure your Mum plays into this some way that we're not even sure of yet."
"Mum's fault?"
"And my own. I'm sure I work into that." He groaned. "Probably more than I would even admit."
Sam laughed under his breath. He had never spoken to his Dad like this. Like, two adults.
The Doctor sipped the rest of his drink and pointed at Samuel. "I want to meet this Karen-"
"No, no, no."
"Why not?"
"I've only just met her!"
"And….?"
He shrugged his shoulders, "I want to enjoy being….normal for a while longer. It's, rather nice."
"Normal. There's nothing normal about nor-" He stopped speaking and rolled his eyes in his head. "Sorry, your Mum."
Samuel sat down his empty drink and looked back at the darkness.
After a few moments, "Sorry. She was asking me about something. Anyway, I have one more question, and then I need to go back up to the ship."
"Why are you going to the ship?"
"Ah. The King of Nordlingen 5 has been admitted on Plentitude. I'm trying to get out of going, but it looks like I'll have to."
"King Reslean. Yes. Go on. Trust me. You'll be grateful you did." Samuel told him.
He smiled, sat up and rubbed his hands together. "And the question I have is-"
"I have a bet about this-"
"How are you already a Doctor?"
Samuel grinned, "With-"
"A big 'D'…" He popped the 'b'.
Samuel chuckled and rubbed his hands together. "I bet Arles that you would ask me that the next opportunity you had."
"How much did you win?"
"$2,000, and rafting again tomorrow." Sam laughed. "Easy money. Same, old, Dad."
He held his hands out. "Well?"
Sam he looked back at him. "I grew up on the ship. Watching you and Jack."
"One of my first memories was you pulling up a chair for me to stand in. One of the Quauhtin had been shot and it had shattered the bone. Mum said it would make me sick. Give me nightmares. But you let me stand and watch everything you did. I found it, fascinating. How everything could be put back together. Just like a machine."
"As I got older, and realized I could heal people to keep them from being cut into. I memorized all of the parts of the body. All of the species. How they fit together. What felt normal. I can feel all of that, under the skin when I put my hands on someone. Then I found I could move it."
The Doctor rubbed his chin, "You are telekinetic. You are just using like this. I bet that's how that works."
Sam rose his eyes in surprise. "Maybe so. It was something that you told me to keep quiet that I could do."
"Obliviously."
"When I was….fifteen, Legate took me, Arles and Soli to the colony that he helped create."
"Kaitos." The Doctor continued to hang on his every word.
"We were bringing some more colonists to the community. Important people Lartius only entrusted Legate to bring. And we crashed. Light years from where we should have been. Didn't even have time to send a distress signal."
The Doctor shook his head. "But, Legate could speak to me. Through the Quauthin connection-"
"Legate nearly died. He crushed his arm, broke his neck and his skull in multiple places. He was in a coma for three weeks."
"Damn."
"He really went through it. Arles, Soli and I were fine. Well, as far as we knew then. Personal force fields. Legate had turned his down days before because he was surfing. Thankfully, he hadn't turned it completely off. Genie completely hates him surfing and insists he keeps it on, at least a bit."
"She does that even now." The Doctor smiled.
"As we went down, Soli grabbed seven of the children and held them close to him. He tried to extend the personal shield using the energy from his hands. He mostly did. Half of them, walked away. Hell of an idea. The other half, I put back together. Legate was the worst. What with being up at the front. He cracked the…. occipital bone of his skull, I have no idea how. And then broke the parietal part of his skull into nine places. His brain was too swollen for me to put the skull back together, but I was able to keep him breathing. Keep him alive. Soli worked with an engineer we had onboard. Soli providing the energy for it to work, and after a few days, it shot a distress call across the universe. You, Tony, and Papa were there within hours with the Quauthin fleet. After hearing what happened, you declared that I was no longer just an Assistant to the Doctor, but actually, a Doctor. With a proper, big D."
The Doctor smiled proudly. "That makes sense."
"There's no reason at all that Legate lived. I don't understand how he did. Not to mention his recovery has been, amazing."
"Yeah. I can't even imagine this happening to the Legate I know. He looks….fine."
"He's stronger now than he was before. His recovery….I'm telling you, Dad…..it's unlike anything either of us had ever seen."
The Doctor nodded, clearly impressed.
Samuel continued to explain. "Soli became a Tertium."
The Doctor looked impressed, "The third ranking of a Quauthin? He was how old?"
Samuel chuckled, "24. Lartius says he's unlike any Quauhtin Warrior he's ever seen. Soli is a force. We all believe he will achieve Primus even before Lenox did."
The Doctor smiled, "Tony is probably ridiculously proud."
"Always talking about him." Samuel agreed.
"But you said, 'as far as you knew.' What didn't you realize?"
"Arles stopped being able to phase, or be able to talk to the Guard after that. Neither one of us can find a reason why. It has to be, psychological."
The Doctor looked surprised, "He walked away, but…."
Sam nodded, "Yep. Completely fine. You and I both agree that he is…..dealing with some sort of PTSD from the event. The entire time, he sat right next to Legate and held his hand. Didn't sleep. He wouldn't leave him. At one point, Legate stopped being able to swallow. We didn't realize that and gave him water. That, was the only point, that I thought we had lost him. Arles…well…he."
The Doctor knew Arles had to have been upset by that. "But, he didn't leave him."
"Never did. And Arles insists he's fine without being able to phase or telepathy join. He never wanted to join the Guard. Papa hasn't pushed him about it. He says him not being able to phase will probably keep him out of trouble. Arles sees it as a challenge."
"You know him better than me. He says he's alright, but is he?"
Sam shook his head. "Arles, would make one hell of a Quauthin Warrior. He's strong, brave, hell of a trouble maker."
The Doctor laughed, "Just like the best of them."
"He's always said it's something he prefers to never do."
"And you?"
"It's not something I want. I'll run to help anyone, but…"
"I understand." The Doctor smiled, "This was a good chat."
Samuel nodded. "It was."
"Can I be as bold to ask for another one, say, tomorrow evening? Same sort of thing?"
Samuel laughed under his breath. "I can work that into my schedule."
The Doctor stood up and seeing that he was leaving, Sam stood up out of respect for his Dad. The Doctor looked at his son standing in front of him. "The letter did tell me a lot of other things, that you probably should know. And this Karen."
Samuel smiled and looked away, "And she's already 'this Karen'…"
The Doctor smiled, "I already can tell she's good for you. I know more, but I want you to discover that on your own. It's more fun that way. Helps you grow. Both of you."
Sam nodded and put his hands in his pockets. "Then, we'll have something to talk about tomorrow."
The Doctor grinned. "Precisely."
Samuel ran his hand through his hair and didn't expect the arms of his Dad to wrap around him when they did. He held him tightly and relaxed in his arms. For the first time in many years, he felt like he had been heard. And not just spoken to.
The Doctor pat his back and smiled at him before he pulled the transport trigger out of his pocket. "And I would recommend, someone cut Pete off. I'm sure that's not his first one."
Samuel laughed. "I'll take care of it."
The Doctor nodded and disappeared.
Sam walked back inside of Lance's sitting room. Pete was now dancing with Jane who was laughing hysterically. Lance stood next to Lewis who was holding baby Arles and watching. They both were shaking their heads at the display.
Arles laughed, "Who taught you to dance, Grandfather?"
Pete pointed over Jane's shoulder at his grandson. "This is called 'Ballroom Dancing'."
Lance laughed, "It looks like you are stumbling over something."
Jane smiled at Pete. "Don't listen to them Pete. You're doing fine."
Pete told Jane quietly, "Lance is worried I'm a better dancer than he is."
Lance crossed his arms and huffed, "It's like this, Pete. My Primus is here, so I can't actually break your arm. But, I trust that Jane can."
Pete smiled and twirled Jane around. He saw Samuel. "Sammy is back! Pick a song, son!"
Jane laughed. "You will be dancing without me. I'm finished."
Lance walked over to quickly pick her up in his arms.
She held his neck and laughed loudly, "Lance! I'm not that tired!"
He smiled at her. "Your feet have to be aching. Good night, everyone!"
Jane held him tightly around his neck and giggled as he walked away with her in his arms.
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