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Chapter 27- Hot Bacon

The next morning, Lance was busy in the kitchen cooking something in a skillet. Lewis stood next to the cooker and kept grabbing stuff out of the skillet to eat. "Oh, that's hot."

"Moron." Lance laughed. "It's going to be hot."

Lewis inhaled slowly and waved his hand in front of his mouth. "Oh, but it's good. There's nothing like this sort of thing straight from the cooker."

Pete Tyler held baby Arles in his arms as he leaned against the counter. Every so often, he would pick up his tea and sip it. Then, set it back down so he could hold Arles with both of his arms. "I don't believe my Tony was ever this small."

Poltious sipped a cup of tea and smiled at Arles. "Legate was smaller than usual. But, I don't remember him being this small. Was he?"

Lewis shook his head. "No. He was a bit larger of an infant."

"Yeah, it helped with his lungs when he screamed all night." Lance teased.

Poltious grinned and looked back at Arles. "Yeah. He was a screamer."

Arles sucked his fingers and continued to sleep.

Lewis quickly grabbed another piece of bacon out of the skillet and tossed it in his mouth. "Ow!"

Lance looked over at his brother and laughed. "How burnt is your mouth?"

Lewis shook his head. "I'm fine. I'm counting it for training."

Lance laughed.

The Doctor appeared in the kitchen in a mist of blue light. "And good morning. What's for breakfast?"

Poltious grinned proudly, "Enjoying that upgrade on the transporter?"

"That is brilliant!" He insisted as he busied himself making a cup of tea. "I just blinked and I was down here. Amazingly fast."

Pete smiled, "Have a look out on the balcony."

The Doctor sipped his tea and looked over at the balcony. Sam, Arles and Tony Tyler slept in the chairs still. Sam, with a cap pulled over his face.

The Doctor shook his head. "What kept them up all night?"

Pete chuckled, "I don't know. Tony and Poltious got in late, so I guess they just were up talking."

"Anyone tried to wake them?"

Lewis shook his head as he looked over in the skillet, "Nah. Let them sleep. They are on holiday."

Jane walked into the kitchen with her eyes closed. She wore a huge robe and her hair was pulled all around her head in an odd way. The grimaced on her face told them all how she was feeling. Lance handed the fork to Lewis and simply told him, "Take over."

"You stand relieved." Lewis told him as he tossed another piece of bacon in his mouth and yelped.

Lance quickly met Jane and wrapped his arms around her. "You're alright."

She didn't open her eyes. "I'm never drinking again."

Pete and Poltious looked at one another and laughed under their breath.

Lance kissed her forehead. "How bad is it?"

She didn't open her eyes and held her head as Lance continued to hold her. She moaned and then said something in Spanish that no one understood but the Doctor.

He laughed. "It's not that bad-"

She pointed at him from under Lance's arm, "I don't feel like it at the moment, but I will hit you, John."

The Doctor looked back at Pete and Poltious who were both laughing hysterically, completely silent, at her comment.

Lance picked her up and carried her over to the sitting room. He sat down, with her in his lap, and held her. "You'll feel better in a bit. It's alright."

She didn't open her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. He continued to stroke her hair and reassure her.

Pete brought her a cup of water and sat it on the table in front of them. "Can I get you anything, Jane?"

She grunted. "A new head."

He chuckled as he walked back into the kitchen. "Oh, I've been there."

The Doctor sat down on the table in front of Lance and Jane.

Lance told her quietly, "John can make this stop. Do you want him to?"

She held her eyes closed tightly, "Please. I'll never drink again."

The Doctor grinned at Lance. Both of them laughing quietly at the scene. He spoke quietly to her. "Okay, Jane. I'm going to put my hands on the side of your face."

She groaned.

Lance immediately kissed her head. "It's alright."

The Doctor put his hands on the side of her head.

Poltious, holding Arles, counted with Lewis and Pete as they all watched. "And in 3….2…."

Jane's eyes opened wide and she shouted. "What the hell is that?!"

The Doctor jumped off of the table holding his hands over his head. Apparently he had taken the threat that she was going to hit him, seriously.

Lewis doubled over laughing at him. "Oh shit. John. I think you need protection from your Quauthin's girlfriend."

The Doctor cheered. "She never got me. Ha!"

Poltious laughed, "Because she didn't want to. My money is on you, Jane."

Jane laid her head back on Lance's shoulder. He kissed her head. "Give it a few minutes. You'll feel better."

The Doctor picked back up his tea and sipped it, looking back out at the teenagers sleeping on the balcony. "My Samuel has a girlfriend."

Lewis nodded, "So he told you."

He nodded. "Yeah. Her name is Karen. And she's…a student."

Pete grinned. "A student? What does she want to be?"

"Never mind that. He is going out and seeing her, without anyone knowing?"

Lewis shook his head. "I have some questions for that Legate."

The Doctor rose his eyebrows and grinned. "Well, hello kettle."

Lewis pointed at himself. "I wasn't a Primary."

Poltious laughed. "And Papa's past is coming back to bite his ass. I live for this."

Jane had recovered. She walked into the kitchen with Lance, but appeared completely fine. Lance handed her a cup of coffee and she sipped it as she listened to the conversation. She sat on top of the cabinet, legs crossed under the long robe of Lance's that hung past her feet. Lance stood next to her and sipped his tea.

Pete Tyler laughed. "Hell, that might be me. That is my grandson after all. He's just dating his girl?"

The Doctor shook his head slowly and groaned. "No."

Pete rose his eyebrows. "Really? Well, no wonder he's sneaking out. I wouldn't want Quauthin waiting on me while I was shagging." He grinned, "I like to take my time."

Poltious grinned, "Good man."

"He doesn't even have his personal force field turned on! Anything can happen to him!" The Doctor insisted.

Pete grinned, "Well, if he's lucky. Sounds like it is. My grandson there."

Poltious laughed.

The Doctor dropped his head dramatically. "He's not old enough to be doing anything like that. Am I wrong?"

Poltious looked back down at Arles in his arms. "He's what? 18?"

"18! Yes."

Poltious shrugged his shoulders. "That's an adult."

"A baby adult." The Doctor insisted. He looked back at Lewis. "And the kettle here is being quiet."

Lewis shrugged his shoulders. "He's an adult! We've had this conversation! You are mental!"

"You're telling me that you're alright with this?"

"Well, I don't know if I even have a vote in this, but I'm not." Jane told them.

The Doctor looked surprised, "Tell me why."

"Well, who is this girl? Is she going to run off and tell everyone Samuel is a …." She asked Lance, "What is he?"

Lance shrugged his shoulders. "Samuel."

"Exactly!" Jane insisted. "Who are her parents? Could he say something he shouldn't? Put all of you at risk?"

The Doctor put his hands in his pockets and shook his head. "He's smarter than that. And I've been told this girl isn't a threat."

"Isn't a threat?" Lance asked. "Who told you that?"

Poltious grinned, "Let me guess. Sam?"

Jane continued, "Well, he's rather unknown at the moment. Would a…." She asked Lance. "What was that thing called that attacked you?"

"A Vesuos." He told her and returned to his tea to hide his smile. He knew what she was doing.

"Yes, a Vesuos….even know to look for him?"

Lewis looked back at the Doctor. "See? Exactly what I said. Vesuos are resourceful. He's safely unknown now, but….how long is that going to last?"

The Doctor nodded. "He doesn't want Quauhtin hanging around him. He wants to, enjoy this bit where she doesn't realize who he is. Where the press isn't, all in their faces."

Jane sighed, "Poor kid. He grew up in that, didn't he?"

The Doctor nodded his head. "Yeah."

"I almost want to agree with him and say to let him enjoy what little bit of it he can." Jane said, "Personally, I don't think it will last. She'll have to be really, damn, special to find out he's keeping who he is from her…and then be alright with it."

Lance looked back at her. "What's your bet?"

She grinned and whispered something in his ear.

His mouth dropped open. He cleared his throat, "I actually hope I lose."

The Doctor looked back at Jane. "So, you're saying, let this go."

"I'm saying, 'Pick your battles.' I don't think you need to show up for this one. Yet."

Lewis nodded, "I actually agree with her. No one knows who he is. He can get away with it for a bit, but…it won't last long. And if you demand he has Quauhtin, he's just going to continue to slip out. What does Rose say?"

The Doctor shook his head. "I haven't told her. I was going to speak to her about it last night, and just….didn't."

Pete rose his eyebrows. "Then what's stopping you, son?"

Poltious laughed, "Yeah. What would she say?"

The Doctor groaned and walked back into the sitting room with his tea. He sat on the sofa, closed his eyes, and rubbed his head.

Jane looked back at Lance. "What is he doing?"

"He can speak to Rose." Lance told her. "They are both telepathic."

"Even out here?"

Pete smiled, "Anywhere in the universe. It's some odd….thing they can do."

Lewis took Arles in his arms and kissed his sleeping face. "They are joined. It's something unique of John's people. They can feel one another's emotions, speak to one another, and I'm not even sure of what else."

Jane looked impressed.

Poltious sipped his tea. "So, when are you and Jane going back to Terra? John said you were back on duty as soon as you returned."

Lance nodded and rubbed his beard. "Well, Jane and I talked about it and we're just going to return with John. We've been here nearly a week. Jane is ready to go home."

Jane leaned up and kissed his cheek.

Lance smiled. "Jane says it's time for me to shave."

"He always grows a beard when he comes out here. I'm convinced he would look like a bear if he lived here all of the time." Lewis teased.

Lance looked back at Jane.

She smiled at him. "Something to keep in mind."

Lewis sipped his tea. "John is going to have to leave today. You two could go home with him."

"Why?" Pete asked.

"Some….somebody King has requested to see him on Plentitude. Rose wants to go to Plentitude, too. So, he's going to leave, go get her and the children, and then go out there."

"So, are you going with him to Plentitude?" Poltious asked.

"Nah. I need to get back to Terra. One Primus needs to remain there in case there is trouble. I've already spoken to John about it and he wants me to take those children back. Pete, you're welcome to come with me. Lance and Jane, too. Whatever you decide."

Poltious pointed out, "He'll need someone to help him with that big ship."

Lance nodded. "He will." He looked back at Jane. "Would you like to leave today? We could be there in three hours on John's ship."

She smiled, "That would be wonderful."

He looked back at the room. "Then Jane and I will co-pilot for John. You guys just don't burn down my house. This is my favorite one."

Poltious chuckled. "Mine, too. The one on Brazenus, isn't terrible. I like that one, too."

Lance looked back at Jane. "I'll take you there sometime soon. It's too cold now, but it's completely, under the sea. You can watch the large creatures swim about."

She looked concerned, "That sounds frightening."

Lewis shook his head. "I don't like that one. Too much water. Too….enclosed."

Lance nodded, "Lewis is a bit….. claustrophobic."

Pete looked surprised back at Lewis. "I didn't know that about you."

Lewis shook his head, "It's not something I advertise."

Pete rolled his shoulders, "I imagine not. I don't have a problem with that, but I may in that environment. That's just…well, how did you do on the Bullet? Didn't you do that with John?"

Lewis groaned as he handed the sleeping baby to Lance, "I hated that. Couldn't wait to get off of it."

The Doctor rejoined them in the kitchen. "And Rose tells me I need to tell you the entire thing. She makes a good point."

Lewis looked back up at him. "I agree with Rose. Go!"

Pete held out his hand, "Hang on….you already know about this, Lewis?"

Lewis tossed another bit of bacon in his mouth and yelped, "Sure, I do. We had three hours to talk about it on the way out here." He looked back at the Doctor, "Said the kettle."

The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Thank you, Kettle. I've been….visited by….well, Jane. This is all going to sound mad-"

She sipped her coffee. "What conversation of yours doesn't? Do you want me to leave?"

"No." He shook his head. "Just….okay. Well, I've been visited by an entity that has told me that she has sent a girl to Samuel."

Pete asked, "What do you mean, sent a girl?"

"She said that this girl would be exactly what he needed. Otherwise, he's going to…..leave."

Lance shook his head. "I don't understand. Why would he leave?"

Lewis told them, "According to Genie, and this…entity…. They don't get on in the future. Which is why he was probably so quick to come back. Well, actually no. Never mind. Burnt mouth talking."

Pete shook his head. "That doesn't make any sense. What else did she say, son?"

The Doctor continued. "She said that we were to not worry about this girl, that…she would force Arles to grow up."

Lance looked confused. "Arles? But this is Samuel's girl."

Lewis grinned and shook his head. "Oh, your nephew. That's all I'll say at the moment."

Lance rose his eyebrows at his brother in surprise. "Worse than you?"

Lewis tossed some more bacon in his mouth and inhaled slowly as it burnt his mouth to avoid answering the question.

"I don't understand it either." The Doctor complained. "And I can't remember everything she said. It's….so frustrating. But, I do remember that he's to be treated as an adult, and she's not anyone we should worry about….like you were talking about Jane."

Lewis recovered. "Have you told Samuel this?"

"No. And that's another thing. I don't want him to know."

Jane asked, "That an entity, has send a girl for him? How will he know who she is?"

The Doctor nodded and put his hands in his pockets. "He knows. She said he would. He's already met her. You should see the goofy look on his face when he talks about her."

"Worse than you and Rose?" Lewis teased.

The Doctor grinned and then shook his head. "Shut up. We're not talking about me."

Jane laughed, "That…is adorable, John."

He put his hand on his hips and sighed as he looked up at the ceiling.

Lewis tossed some more bacon in his mouth and inhaled as it burned. "Oh, this is good."

Poltious crossed his arms. "I agree that he shouldn't know that we've had this conversation."

Pete looked at him, "Why?"

"That's one of the best parts of any relationship. That newness. That…getting to know one another. Learning that you can trust one another. That's something that, you just know. No one can tell you. And if this entity has brought them together, he'll know. I wager rather fast from what Tony has told me about him."

"What do you mean?" The Doctor asked.

"Young man Samuel there is a speed junkie. Cars, ships, Stark's stuff, anything. Fast as he can go. Wide ass open." Poltious told them.

Lewis groaned, "Oh, great. Another Poltious on our hands."

Poltious grinned proudly. "Well, I don't calm responsibility for that, but….alright."

The Doctor looked back at Lewis. "Papa. Sounds like this kid is a handful."

Lewis spoke around the hot bacon in his mouth, "That's why we have two hands."

The Doctor chuckled. "Rose agrees with you."

Jane shook her head. "That just sounds strange. Does stuff like that even happen? Do you trust this entity? Whatever?"

He nodded, "I do.

Jane smiled. "Well, I'm not saying I'm right. But, I still feel that he should be cautious. That…" She leaned back over to Lance. "What was that thing called again?"

"Vesuos." He helped.

"Yes. That Vesuos nearly tore Lance's arm off. What would he have done to Samuel? The relationship is one thing, but his personal safety is another matter completely."

Lewis smiled back at her proudly, "Where did you find a Quauthin Warrior on Earth? She's a natural!"

Jane shook her head. "He's a kid! These Vesuos are dangerous. Decisions like you guys are talking about allowing him to make is best left up to professionals like yourselves. Or at least to someone with a frontal lobe that has finished forming."

The Doctor crossed his arms and looked impressed at her. "Wow. How do you really feel?"

"Safety and comfort are completely two different things. I understand he doesn't want to have bodyguards around while he dates this girl, but that is not only putting him at risk, but her, too. There's not only Vesuos out there, but a lot of other threats. Simple, everyday stuff. He could get robbed, shot, kidnapped, murdered, or be victim in a way you lot seem to be overlooking. Sorry, it's just my opinion. But I think he needs a bodyguard with him. You can do the…." She looked back at Lance, "What is that thing called that you can do?"

"Where I disappear?" He asked.

"Yes."

"Phase." He helped.

"Yes!" Jane insisted.

Lewis was impressed, "So, you are suggesting that we remain in the shadows so he doesn't see us?"

Pete crossed his arms. "I think that's a great idea. That's what we did with Rose for years. I agree with Jane."

The Doctor grinned, "Jane the Quauthin."

Jane sipped her coffee. "I'm sorry. He's young, and it's truly frightening what you guys are talking about. It's just my opinion-"

"Which I value." The Doctor insisted. "Humans and this….adult thing. Ugh."

"Well, when are your people adults?" Pete asked.

Lewis laughed, "Based on John, I'd say it takes millions of years."

The Doctor nodded. "You're not wrong."

Lewis nodded, "And Samuel is half of John. So….well…poor guy."

The Doctor rolled his eyes at Lewis false pity.

Pete wasn't convinced, "My Rose wasn't completely alright with that, and regardless of whom this girl is, he still needs to be protected from going out like that. What did she really say?"

"Well, Sam is here. Safe with us for the moment." He insisted as he rose his shoulders with his hands in his pockets. "And you're forgetting. Rose has Jake."

Jane asked, "Who is Jake?"

Pete laughed in relief, "Jake Simmons. The other Director of Torchwood. He's running a background check on this girl, isn't he?"

The Doctor nodded, "Oh yes."

Jane shook her head. "This is not healthy."

The Doctor looked back at her. "Well, what would you do?"

"Hell, I'd do the same damn thing. I've just never had the resources." She insisted as she jumped off of the cabinet. She looked around the room. "Well, hang on a bit. Did you lot run a background check on me when me and Lance started-"

All of them insisted, "No."

"Never." Pete told her.

"We wouldn't do that." The Doctor told her.

Lewis shook his head. "No way."

She wasn't convinced. She looked back at Lance. "Did you?"

He rose his eyebrows at her. "I'm sorry. What was the question?"

She playfully smacked him in the chest. "I'm going to pack. You are all, ridiculous and mad with power."

They all watched her walk away.

Poltious laughed under his breath. "Where the hell did you find that woman, Lance? Does she have a sister?"

Lance laughed.

Lewis smiled back at Poltious, "Isn't she perfect for Lance?"

Poltious nodded his head. "Without question. Are you sure this entity hasn't sent Lance, Jane? She's….frightening. I was completely turned on." He held his hand out to Lance. "I'm sorry, mate. I'm just…wow. Are you safe from this woman? Do you need Quauthin protection?"

Lewis laughed, "I'll remind you to check your personal shield, Lance."

The Doctor cleared his throat and asked Lance. "Stark did her background check, didn't he?"

"It was more detailed than the one that Jake did." Lance nodded, "And I bet my left eye he's done one on this girl of Sam's, if he knows anything about it. I'd ring him next."

The Doctor grinned. "Didn't think about that. Cheers."

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