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Chapter 35 – Stocks and Pizza

Pete Tyler sat behind his desk at Torchwood looking over a file. Jake Simmons sat across from him and rested his arms on the top of his head as he relaxed in the chair.

"As you can see, I don't believe this Karen to be any sort of a threat." Jake told him.

"I've met this father of hers."

"Yeah?"

"You did, too. That crash in the States."

Jake shook his head. "They all run together after a while."

Pete smiled back at Jake. "He seemed to be a good guy. I remember that he rang me the next morning to make sure that our 'out of towners' were alright."

Jake snapped his fingers. "I do remember that. His second in command kicked one of them in the face-"

"And Lieutenant Bennett punched that guy in the face. Yeah, that's the guy."

Jake grinned. "Pre-Rose days."

Pete nodded his head, "Yep. That was right after I became Director. Two months after the Cyber Invasion."

Jake rubbed his hands together. "Well, that's everything we have on him and the lot of it."

Pete looked it over. "Looks alright. I still want Quauhtin with Sam."

"I'm not in charge of that."

"I know. I've already spoken to Lewis. He's been instructed to work with you."

"Samuel knows about thi-"

"He is the son of John and my Rose. If and when that ever comes out, he's going to be a hot target."

Jake held his hands out. "I don't disagree with you, Pete."

He closed the file and looked back up at Jake. "What about this guy that shot Legate?"

"Still keeping his mouth pinned shut. It's pissing all of us off. Pat, that integrator that John brought in, can't get anything out of him. I could have Nash or Grey, encourage him."

"You mean, rough him up?"

Jake crossed his arms. "It gets results."

"Nah. Give Pat some more time with him. She's not the only Rixalarian I know. I may ask Genie to give it a go."

"Does she do that?"

Pete was looking over another file. "I don't know. But, it would be worth asking."

Jake nodded. "Space traffic seems normal. Nothing out of the ordinary. I have Thomas Trout up there."

"Ugh." Pete groaned as he closed the file. "That guy. If there's some shit, he'll sniff it out."

Jake chuckled. "That's what Jack says."

Pete leaned on the desk. "Are you alright? You and Jack?"

Jake smiled, "We're fine. He's not my Jack, but….he's fun to be around."

Pete nodded his head in approval. "Good. You need someone to keep you out of trouble."

"Totally not the right guy that for assignment." Jake smiled.

Pete laughed. "One can hope."

The phone on the desk beeped. Pete pressed the button, "Yes."

"There is a Sam here to see you, Director." His secretary told him.

"Send him in, please." Pete insisted.

Samuel walked in wearing a dark blue suit with a red tie. He had gelled his blond hair and looked sharp. Both Jake and Pete stood up as he walked in.

"Forgive me, for just popping in." Samuel smiled.

Pete shook his hand. "Not at all. It's good to see you! Jake Simmons, Samuel Smith. My grandson."

Jake looked Samuel up and down. "Oh. Wow. Ummm. Yeah, we've actually met."

Pete asked. "Really?"

Samuel smiled back at Pete. "Yeah, he played football with us last night. I don't think we really handled introductions though."

Jake shook his head. "No. Ummm. And the suit is rather…." He cleared his throat. "Different."

Samuel narrowed his eyes at him. "You alright, man?"

Jake cleared his throat again. "Yeah! Umm… I need to….do something." He looked back at Pete, "Thanks, Director."

Pete laughed under his breath. "Thanks, Jake."

Samuel watched as Jake left the office and closed the door. "What's his deal?"

"You." Pete laughed as he poured himself a glass of the Damn Whiskey.

"Me? What's that about?"

"Oh, I think Jake might have a crush on you." Pete teased.

Samuel laughed under his breath. "I'm taken."

"Indeed you are. Drink?"

"No, thanks. I don't drink." Samuel insisted as he walked over to sit on the sofa. It was clear he was at home inside of Pete's office. It made Pete smile to know he was comfortable there.

"Right. Well, some water then?" Pete offered.

"Sure. Thank you."

Pete took a bottle out of the refrigerator as he joined Samuel. He sat on the chair next to him. "And what brings you down here?"

"I know you'll be honest with me." Sam told him.

"Of course."

"What…is going on? I meet this girl, and normally everyone would be so….."

Pete rose his eyebrows at him. "Cautious, I believe is the word you are looking for, son."

"That's it. Everyone is…..it's like they've known her forever. What am I missing?"

Pete grinned. "Your Dad, spoke to us all on Caihiri. He told us that she wasn't a threat, and that we were to treat her as such."

"Why? That's not the entire story."

Pete sighed. "Tell me. Where is she now?"

"She went to have lunch with some friends of hers. Roommates she had. She forgot that she had agreed to it, so I took her back to her place. She needs to pack anyway, so it worked out."

"Packed?"

"We're going to New York for a few days."

"Really? Who is going with you?"

"Papa assigned that new guy. I've never heard of him before. Aaron?"

"Oh yes. The only man that I've ever seen beat Lance at cards."

"Nobody beats Lance at cards. Well, except Mum."

Pete sipped his drink. "Aaron. He's one of the new recruits. Came with Chiron and that guy with Stark."

"Arcite."

"Yes. That's him. He's not with us in the future?"

"There are a million reasons why he isn't with us. Quauhtin, come and go. Especially recruits. They rarely stay. There is such a need for Quauthin help, we can't keep them all."

Pete nodded, "Makes sense."

Sam sat back and relaxed, "Aaron is in the shadows, keeping an eye on Karen now. I've told him that if he frightens her, Arles will break his arm."

Pete sipped his drink. "Thank you, for taking my talk with you seriously."

He nodded, "You always manage to put it into perspective for me."

"But, you're here on your own?"

"No, Jack brought me. There was no way I would have been able to get through security without him."

Pete grinned, "Yeah. Jake's been busy."

"Procedures are exactly the same as they are at home. Brilliant."

Pete sat down his drink. "So, Aaron is with Karen."

"It just made sense."

"You really like this girl."

He smiled, "I really do."

"How long have you known her?"

He groaned, "Not long enough to know that-"

"Oh, that's bullshit."

"You believe in love at first sight, Grandfather?"

"Well, I've never experienced it. But, don't tell your Grand that."

Samuel chuckled.

"But, I think it's possible." He smiled.

"But, that's not why everyone is treating her like this. What did Dad say?"

"He said, that he wanted you and her to discover all of this on your own."

"All of what?"

"This. This entire…..getting to know one another bit."

"Oh. So, he's had a message concerning her?"

Pete pointed at him, "You….are as damn difficult to dance around as Lewis."

Samuel laughed under his breath. "I haven't even gotten started."

Pete groaned, but then smiled back up at Samuel, proudly. "This….could be something. Someone…..extremely important to you. I want you to take your time and not rush anything."

Samuel nodded his head.

"What?" Pete asked.

"Ah. Well, I've had a message from myself. That's why I came here."

"About this? Karen?"

"Well, yes, sir. But, that's not what I wanted to talk about-"

"AH! But, I do. What did it say about her?"

Samuel sat back and sighed. "That…she would be….never mind."

Pete laughed at his grandson's embarrassment. "Sounds like a steamy letter."

"Electrifying. Anyway." Samuel took a sheet of paper out of his pocket. "This is why I came."

Pete looked at the paper, "What is this?"

"At home, you and I play the stock market. We've done it for years, just for fun. Those are the numbers."

Pete covered his mouth and swore as he looked at the paper. "This is for the next 18 years?"

"Yes. I don't know how you feel about it-"

"Well, it's cheating." Pete told him flatly as he continued to look over the paper. "Oh, that's going to be a bad day. I wonder what makes it drop so much?"

"That's my thought. Except."

Pete looked back up at him. "What?"

"There's no way to know if those are accurate. The time lines are divided, but those are from this version of me."

"18 years of stock quotes? You don't return to the future, do you?"

Samuel shook his head. "According to a letter I have written myself, I don't want to leave."

Pete nodded his head. "Karen is good for you. Keeps you here with me. I like this girl."

Samuel grinned and pointed back at the paper. "This though."

"There's so much money here, son. Holy shit." Pete said breathlessly.

"But, this sort of information is illegal."

"If! You get caught." Pete told him.

"That's Howie's words there." Samuel laughed.

Pete nodded, "Oh, let's do this."

Samuel smiled. "I'm game."

Pete handed the paper back to him, "Need this back?"

"That's yours. I made a copy."

Pete put the paper in his jacket pocket. "Put it in a safe, then. Do you have one?"

"No-"

"I'll get you one. I'll have it at the school this afternoon."

Samuel smiled, "I'll be in New York this afternoon."

"With your Karen."

"What did Dad say? Are you serious that you won't tell me?"

Pete picked up his drink and nodded his head, "Dead serious. Somethings are better discovered on your own. Let's order lunch. I skipped it."

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The pizza place where Karen and seven of her girlfriends sat was crowded with other students. The remains of what was a large pizza sat in the middle of the table. Each of them sipped a soda as they spoke.

Emily, Karen's former roommate told her, "Well, the school didn't waste any time. We already have another girl living in our dorm!"

Karen laughed in disbelief. "Really? Already?"

Another girl nodded. "Yes. And I don't like her. I can already tell. She's…..weird."

"Like you aren't weird." Karen teased.

"No, she's proper weird. I wouldn't be surprised if we find out later she's an alien."

Emily rolled her eyes. "Well, that would make a lot of sense."

"So what if she is?" Karen insisted.

Emily rolled her eyes. "You are….so strange. Why would you want to room with an alien?"

The other girl continued, "And they won't tell us if we ask. I think that's crap. That alien could kill us in our sleep."

"A human could do that." Karen pointed out.

Emily waved her hand. "I'm not talking about this. I don't think they should allow them to come to school with us, but…Karen would argue that."

"You know I would." Karen insisted. "And if you and I want to remain friends, you know we can't talk about this."

Emily nodded. "We'll agree, to disagree. Anyway, tell me about this apartment."

Another girl smiled, "I can't imagine living in my own apartment. How wonderful."

Karen smiled, "It's nice. I'm thrilled. And it was less expensive than the dorm."

"And your Samuel likes it?" Emily asked.

Karen's face spread into a wide smile. "He does."

Emily sipped her drink. "Who is this Samuel? A student?"

"No. He's not a student here."

"Hmmmm." Another girl at the table huffed, "You told Steve that you wouldn't go out with him-"

"And I still won't." Karen insisted.

"You said you didn't want to get distracted by a boy. And now, you're dating this guy?"

Karen shrugged her shoulders. "Samuel is different. Steve is…."

Emily quickly shushed Karen as a man walked up to the table. Emily looked up at him. "Hi, Steve."

He smiled, "Hi Emily. Did you girls hear about Scott?"

"No." One of the girls said.

"He's leaving. Packing his stuff. He's got a job at some school teaching art."

"Really?" Emily asked.

"That's what he told me. He's moving there in the next few days. I'm going to have to find another supplier."

"But, he's not finished with school." Karen added.

"He said it was a great opportunity that he would be crazy to turn down."

"What school is it?" Emily asked.

Steve shook his head. "I don't know. Some….prep school. Private thing. Maria…something."

"Maria Carbonell?" Karen asked.

Steve pointed at her. "That's it. And what is this I hear about you dating someone?"

"None of your business." Karen told him and sipped her drink.

He crossed his arms and looked at her. "Karen. I don't want to make a scene-"

"Then walk away."

"But, you told me that we couldn't go out because-"

"Well, you know. I changed my mind."

"For him?"

"Yes. And I don't see where this is even anything you should have an opinion in."

"Because I asked you first!" He insisted.

Emily stood up and put her hand on his chest. "Steve. That's enough."

The restaurant got quiet. Everyone had stopped to look back at Steve after his outburst.

A young, skinny man wearing a nice suit that no one had noticed before that moment, walked over to Steve. "Excuse me, sir. Is there a problem here?"

Steve looked back at the man who appeared ready to strike at any moment. "I'm just having a talk with Karen."

The man looked back at Karen. "Is this man bothering you, ma'am?"

Karen crossed her arms, "Actually, yes."

That's all it took. Aaron grabbed the man by the arm and twisted it behind his back. "And you're leaving."

Karen covered her mouth in surprise. "Oh my God!"

Emily and the rest of the girls at the table laughed as the restaurant watched Aaron push Steve out of the front door. No one heard what they said, but Aaron pointed at him and cracked his knuckles. Steve threw a punch at him, which Aaron quickly blocked and pushed him down on the ground. Within seconds, three other men in suits had arrived from some place unseen. They held him down as the campus security drove up. Two officers ran out and the restaurant watched as he was handcuffed and taken away.

Emily looked back at Karen. "Oh my God! Did that just happen?"

Karen shook her head in awe. "That was crazy."

Another girl at the table shrugged her shoulders. "Steve had it coming. Dickhead."

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That afternoon, Samuel stood next to this bed. He was wearing the same dark blue suit with a red tie. He stood over the clothing he had laid on the bed and sighed as he ran through his mind what he would do while he was in New York with Karen. Then he remembered, he needed to grab her paper that she had given to him to read when he went to Caihiri. He went back into his closet and took it out of the small overnight bag, and laid it on the bed next to his things.

He stood back and looked at what he had laid out to pack, just as an apple flew into the room from the hallway and activated the personal force field. He didn't look up as the apple fell harmlessly to the floor. "You missed." He mumbled.

Genie walked into the room and picked up the apple. "I didn't think you would have it on."

He smiled, "I turned it back on when I took Karen home this morning."

"I thought you would have already left." She told him as she sat down on the bed.

"Nah. Her roommates asked to have lunch with her."

She crossed her arms. "Well then, where have you been since then?"

He looked up at her, "With Grandfather."

"Doing what?"

He smiled, "Business luncheon. Don't worry about it Gene."

She rolled her eyes. "You and Grandfather. Your secrets."

He chuckled as he turned around and pick up a small bag. He put his hair brush inside and zipped it up. "Picked right up where I left off."

"I would expect nothing less of you." Genie smiled. "So, you're taking Karen to New York?"

"Yes."

"You know, I like her."

He was distracted as he put his clothes in a piece of luggage. "Well, that's why I'm with her, Gene. It's all for you."

"But, I do worry about you."

He zipped it up. "There's no reason to worry about me-"

"You are my brother! I worry the most about you!"

He looked back at her and smiled. "That's sweet."

She stood up and pointed at him. "Dad told me to treat her kindly. Why? What do you know that you aren't telling me?"

"What did he tell you?"

Genie sighed. "That I shouldn't say why-"

"I know you Gene. Why?"

She closed her eyes and groaned. "He had a message from himself in the future and it…..told him some stuff."

He grinned, "That she's made for me."

"Okay, it didn't say that."

He bit his lip and put his hands on his hips. "What if I told you that my letter from Mum, wasn't from Mum."

She crossed her arms and looked at him. "It was. I saw the handwriting on the envelope."

"It was from me. Gene, I'm not going back."

"Why? Samuel-"

"Karen will make me want to remain here. I can already tell you that I've made that decision. If the TARDIS was working now, I wouldn't go. Would you?"

She crossed her arms and considered. "No. I have too much going on here."

"Huh. Maybe you don't return, either. What did your letter say?"

"I haven't read it. But, Sam. Please, guard your heart. You are letting this Karen get too close to you. What happens if she…."

"Does like Denise? You can ask that, Gene."

Genie sighed. "Sammy. I just…worry. You are putting all of yourself into this relationship with her."

"She's the one-"

"You've known her a week!"

He grinned, "I know she's for me. She's not like…..anyone."

"Sam. If you get hurt, you're going to leave."

He stepped towards her and put his hands on her shoulders. "I'm not going to leave."

"Dad has told us to treat her kindly so you won't leave."

"How does he know I wanted to leave?"

"I told him." Genie groaned.

Samuel sighed. "Well, that is just…."

"Please don't be cross. He wants you to be happy. I do too. But, Sam. You have to admit, you are rushing this with her."

Samuel crossed his arms and he stood and thought. "I don't think so."

"You've known her a week! You are already sleeping with her?"

He nodded, "Since that first night-"

She rolled her neck back in surprise. "Really?"

He nodded. "Yes."

She shook her head. "Are you sure she doesn't know who you are?"

"Are you saying that no girl would want to be with me just because it's me? They have to be with Samuel Smith?"

"No! That's not what I'm saying!"

He bit his lip. "I know it's mad, but….Gene."

Genie covered her face and started to cry. "Please don't. Just…."

He rushed to her and wrapped his arms around her. "Shhh….don't cry. I'm not cross."

She wrapped her arms around him. "Please, don't leave."

He looked in her eyes. "I'm just going to New York for a few days. That's all. I can pop back here in a second."

She looked at him, "Please be careful, Sam."

He smiled, "Of course."

She wiped her eyes, "Are you going by yourself?"

"No. Aaron, some….new recruit will be with us. He's with Karen, now."

"I'm not comfortable with this." She told him as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Can you postpone this?"

He wiped her tears. "I'll keep the bracelet on, and I'll be alright. Gene. There's no reason to worry. This isn't like at home. No one knows us here."

She nodded, "Alright. Just….this Karen-"

"That's an upgrade from 'that Karen'." He teased.

She smiled in spite of herself. "Please Sammy. I really like her, but….you're completely mental at the moment-"

"Completely." He agreed.

"Don't let her break your heart."

"Because, then I'll leave?" He added.

Tears fell from her eyes again. She nodded.

Legate walked into the bedroom. "And I like this Karen!" He noticed Genie's tears. "What happened?"

She smiled, "I'm alright, Legate."

"Alright, doesn't look like this. What did you do?" He asked Samuel.

He pointed at himself. "I went on a date! She's….all…..emotional."

"Emotional?" Genie insisted.

Legate wrapped his arms around her. "Shhh…..don't let him wind you up."

Genie closed her eyes and let Legate hold her.

Samuel sighed and put his hands on his hips. "She's worried about me going to New York-"

"Yes. And if you didn't already have that Aaron with Karen, we would be having a much different conversation that what I'm about to tell you."

"What?" Sam asked.

Legate told them both what happened. Samuel covered his mouth in surprise. "Well. This isn't because of me….well, being me. This is just….me."

Genie shook her head. "I hate this. Can't you just…postpone?"

Legate kissed her head. "Aaron is good-"

"He's just a recruit!"

"So is Logan currently, and he's trusted with Ashena!" Legate told her. "Genie. It will be alright."

Samuel held his hands out. "And don't discount me. I'm pretty tough. I went head to head with Vesuos-"

Legate counted on his fingers. "There were six, seven of us."

"Yeah, but I slowed him down."

Genie walked away from Legate and pointed forcefully in Samuel's chest. "You promise me that you'll be careful."

"I'll be careful-"

"Don't do anything stupid-"

"Wouldn't dream of it-"

"And you'll come back."

He smiled. "I have classes to teach. When is our first class?"

"Two weeks."

"Right. Then, two or three days, isn't a problem." He insisted as he picked up his bag. He walked over and kissed Genie's cheek. "I love you, Gene. Don't worry about me."

She closed her eyes and sighed. "Ring me. So I know you're alright."

Legate shook his hand. "Timon popped over and has the car downstairs. Have a good time."

"Cheers." Samuel told them as he walked out of the door.

Genie turned around and hugged Legate. He kissed the top of her head. "And I have a question for you. How do you feel about going to Torchwood and asking some moron some questions?"

Genie smiled in his arms. "Trying to get this off my mind?"

"Is it working?"

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