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Chapter 36 - Chapter 36 - The Truth Comes Out

Karen sipped a glass of water as she walked stood in the kitchen and thought about the events that had happened at the restaurant. She wore a beautiful, blue dress that hung to her knees. She opened the container that had her mother's cookies inside and ate one just as she heard someone knock at the door. Her heart leapt as she sat down her cookie and glass of water and rushed over to the door. She opened it to find Samuel smiling at her.

She covered her mouth and looked at him. "Oh wow. You wore a suit."

He looked down at himself. "Ummm…yeah. Is that alright?"

She giggled and embraced him. "You are so handsome."

His lips met hers. They kissed as they walked into the apartment. Their kiss was interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Samuel looked back at the doorway. "Umm…sorry."

"Who is that?" Karen asked.

"Umm…that's Timon."

Timon smiled. "It's nice to meet you. I can take your bags to the car if you like."

Karen smiled and pointed at two bags that sat next to the sofa. "It's just there."

Timon walked over and picked them up. He looked at Samuel and said, "Take your time. Aaron has the watch."

He rubbed his eyebrow as Timon walked out of the apartment and closed the door. He knew that meant that Aaron was phasing all over the place. "Right. Cheers."

Karen crossed her arms. "Who was that?"

"That." Samuel closed the door. "That was…" He bit his lip.

"What? Samuel, just tell me."

"Timon is a bodyguard. My grandfather has asked me to have them with us on this trip."

"Why?" She asked as he took her hands in his own. The electrical current began very slowly again.

He rose her hands to his mouth. "It's involved. And I promise I'll explain."

She looked in his eyes. "More of this worry?"

He smiled at her. "Written all over my face?"

"Samuel. You can tell me. I won't think of you any differently."

"You'll still love me?" He asked her.

She smiled, "Of course."

He kissed her lips quickly. "And your books. You need to study. Did he take those, too?"

She groaned. "No. Damn it. They are just there. But, I'm not studying tonight."

She picked up her bag and grinned. "Yes, you are. Just not anything in his bag."

"Oh really? What will I be studying?"

"Anatomy."

She smiled, "Anatomy?"

He grinned, "Oh yes. Get your coat, and we'll go. It's about an hour there."

She giggled as she pulled on her coat. He watched as she led him out of the doorway and locked the door. He took her hand as they walked out to the parking lot. Karen was shocked to see a limo waiting for them.

"Are you kidding?" She asked him.

"What?" He asked.

"That!" She pointed at him. Timon came up to him and took the bag of books. He put them in the boot and closed it. Samuel opened the door for her and she slid across the seat. Samuel got in after her and Timon closed the door for him.

Karen was in awe. "I was not expecting a limo, Samuel."

"Well, I wasn't going to drive. I don't like driving in New York City. Timon is used to it, so he volunteered."

Timon got in the car and closed the door. "Samuel. Do you want music? Privacy?"

Samuel turned to Karen. "Any of that?"

She smiled, "Maybe a bit of privacy."

He rose his eyebrows and smiled at her. "Okay. Thanks, Timon."

Timon laughed and rose the window between them. Karen pulled Samuel to her lips and snogged him silly. He took off his gloves and threw them on the floor so he could feel her cheeks. She was running her hands through his hair. The tingle grew the more they kissed.

He laid his forehead to hers as they caught their breath. "I've missed you today."

She kissed the end of his nose. "I've missed you."

He rose up and pulled out a bottle of water. "Drink?"

"I'm fine." She smiled. "This is amazing, Samuel. Is this normal for you?"

"Well, if I'm not driving….I suppose. Why?"

She smiled, "And a body guard?"

"There are actually two up there. Timon and Aaron. Good guys. They won't bother us. You won't even know they are there."

"That doesn't sound like bodyguards I'm used to."

He smiled, "Trust me. You won't even know they are with us. It will be fine."

She giggled. "Well, if your Grandfather asked for them to be with us. I almost want to ask who he is."

Samuel looked back at her. "You've met him. Over the phone, but…yeah."

"Pete?"

"Yes." He told her as he sipped his water and handed her a glass of her own. "I had lunch with him today and he asked me to do…something minor for him while we're here. My Dad wants me to also run an errand. And then, we are expected at my Uncle's. That's if I haven't frightened you too much before then."

"Why do you feel like you're going to frighten me?"

"Because, according to my Grandfather…I am not being honest with you by simply not telling you, who I am."

She sipped her water. "I rather agree."

"But, who I am, is rather….complex."

"Just tell me you are Batman, Bruce Wayne."

He laughed hysterically. "Oh that's mad. Batman. I could be Batman. Yeah."

She laughed at him. "Right, Batman. So, out with it."

He laughed at her. "Batman. I'll have to remember to tell Legate you called me that. It's brilliant."

She rolled her eyes. "Anyway."

"How was your lunch today?"

Karen told him all about the madness of the lunch on their way to New York. She also told him about Scott getting a job at the same school Samuel was going to teach at.

He smiled, telling her that he had set up the interview for him. "Head Mistress Genie is extremely excited."

They chatted all the way there. The entire time, Karen held his hand tightly. The tingle in his stomach felt like butterflies were spinning in circles. His heart raced knowing they would be able to be together, just them, without anyone else.

"Soli was gone this morning when we got up."

"When you woke up." Samuel told her. "My Uncle came to get him early."

"So, he was in your apartment?"

"No. He met us at the entryway at the school. I didn't want to disturb you. He can be loud. In fact, he would have insisted on it just to be annoying."

She giggled. "Sounds like my Dad." She mocked his voice, "Why are you still in bed? Didn't you hear the reveille?"

He smiled at her. "Does he do that?"

"Yes. The Lieutenant is serious about getting up at 05:00 and doing PT. That's what you call, working out in the Navy. It stands for something. I'm sure. Everything is an acronym. You getting up early and working out, would impress him. He's….just used to that sort of thing."

Samuel grinned at her.

Timon lowered the window between them. "We'll be there shortly. Traffic is much better than normal."

Samuel tapped his bracelet. Karen watched as it displayed something on his arm.

"What is that? I've seen you do that before."

"This." He told her as he pushed a setting at its highest. "This is a personal force field."

"What? Why would you need something like that?"

He kissed her lips quickly, "To protect you. Just stay on this side of me, and hold my hand."

She nodded her head. "Alright."

The car stopped and a man opened the door for them. Samuel climbed out and turned to take her hand. She held onto the arm he had asked her to as they walked into the hotel.

As soon as they walked in, the manager nearly tripped all over himself to get to Samuel and Karen. "Sir! Samuel Smith, right?"

Sam nodded, "Yes, sir. That's me."

The man shook Samuel's hand. "It is my pleasure to meet you, sir. Mr. Stark's office called and told us of your arrival."

Samuel sighed. "Right."

The man smiled at Karen. "Miss."

She smiled, "Sir."

The man held his hand out, "I'll escort you and your men to your rooms. Please follow me."

Samuel held onto Karen's hand as they followed the manager to the lift, and finally to the Penthouse.

The man opened the door and pointed across the hallway. "Your bodyguards' suites are just there. And anything you might need, you only have to ask."

Samuel nodded his head. "Thank you."

He was cross that he had mentioned Mr. Stark's office. He was sure that Karen had heard it. He looked back to see she was walking around the penthouse room, looking around.

He looked back at the manager. "Could you send up some…champagne? Grapes?"

"Certainly, sir. Excuse me." The manager left and closed the door behind him.

The large, elegant room was bright with white carpets and beautiful, comfortable sofas. Karen stood in front of the large window looking out at the city, with her arms crossed. She had taken off the wool coat. Four Zeppelins moved slowly across the night sky.

Samuel walked to stand next to her. He put his hands in his pockets. "Well, this is a nice view."

She turned to him. "He said, 'Mr. Stark's office'."

He shook his head, "Please, I can-"

She wasn't listening to him. "That is Tony Stark. The same guy. But, he can't be your uncle."

"Why not?"

"He's an only child."

"It's more of a….honorary title. He's a friend of my Dad's."

"Your Dad. John."

He nodded. "Yes."

"John." Then her eyes grew huge. "John Smith is your Dad!"

He closed his eyes and groaned. "Yes. Ugh."

She covered her mouth to hide her shock. "Oh my God. You look just like him. How did I not see that?"

Samuel rolled his eyes. "Everyone says that."

"Well, the hair is different."

He sighed, "Mum's….blond hair."

"Rose Tyler?"

He nodded his head and walked away from her. She quickly grabbed his hand. He immediately felt a rush of comfort from her. "Wait. Samuel."

He looked at her hand and then back up to her. "Karen, I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?"

"Well…."

"This is what you didn't want me to know? This is what you have been…..well, not hiding just…."

"You'll see me differently. I want to be, Samuel. Not…Samuel Smith."

She smiled warmly and took both of his hands in hers. He felt a rush of comfort. "You are my Samuel."

He relaxed and smiled at her. "Your Samuel."

She smiled at him. "My Samuel. That's how I see you. Believe me, I've grown up with the Lieutenant and soldiers who were scared to death he was going to shoot them if they looked at me wrong."

He laughed under his breath.

She kissed his hands. "Samuel. I mean what I said. I love you. This doesn't change that."

He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly.

"Do you need to sit down-"

"Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I really do." He insisted.

They walked over to the sofa and sat down. She continued to hold both of his hands in hers. The feeling of comfort continued to come from her.

She smiled at his hands. "The feeling has changed. Do you feel it?"

"That's probably coming from me. You have no idea how relived I am that you finally know. And that you are….alright with this." He took his hand from her and ran it through his hair.

Someone knocked at the door. He sighed and pointed at it. "Let me get that."

She watched as he opened the door and a man came in with a tray of champagne and grapes. He sat it on the table in front of the sofa where Karen sat. Samuel tipped the man and thanked him before he left.

Karen smiled up at Samuel as he opened the bottle of champagne. "You don't drink."

"If there was ever a time to start, it would be tonight. My nerves are shot."

She giggled at him and slipped off her shoes before pulling her legs under herself. "Samuel. I really want that girl's name that messed up your head so badly. I'm going to punch her ass out."

Samuel popped the champagne bottle open and poured a glass for Karen and himself. He sat back down next to her and handed her the glass. She smiled and thanked him.

"To the truth." She smiled.

He nodded. "Well, yeah."

She looked at him. "Well, yeah? What else are you not telling me?"

He closed his eyes and sighed, "Baby, I feel like I might just….have an aneurysm blow at any moment."

She smiled, "Then drink that. It will help."

He smelled of the champagne and the hair of his arms stood up.

Karen sipped her glass, "Samuel. Just….try it."

He closed his eyes and drank the entire thing at once. He coughed and rubbed his face. "Oh, hell. How do people drink that?"

She laughed and took the glass from him. "You aren't supposed to drink it like that!"

He looked back at her just as she sat the glasses down and took his hands again.

"Better?"

"I feel like….I've just taken some terrible medicine."

She cupped his face with her hands. He instantly started to relax. It was as if his stressful thoughts just melted away. He closed his eyes and savored the feeling. "Karen, that is just what I need right now."

"I know what you need, Samuel." She told him quietly.

His head started to swim as he felt her lips meet his. If he had any thought that she was upset, it melted away as she kissed him. He found her cheek blindly and caressed it as she gently continued to kiss him. He could taste the champagne in her mouth as her tongue danced with his. The feeling of relief washed over him like it only did with her.

She smiled as she looked into his eyes. "I love you, Samuel."

He looked in her eyes. "I love you because the entire universe has conspired to help me find you."

She giggled. "I feel that way, too."

He propped his elbow up on the back of the sofa and rubbed his face, watching her refill his champagne glass.

"Okay, Samuel. You need to sip this. Don't….drink it like you did. That's going to make you sick. You're a doctor. How do you not know this?"

He grinned at her. "It's not in my specialty."

"What is your specialty?" She asked as she picked her glass back up.

"I've never picked one." He confessed. "I always liked….the research bit of it."

"That's because you enjoy the mystery."

He smiled, "I suppose so."

"And I do, too. Let's go back to this…entire thing."

He sipped his champagne. It surprisingly didn't make his hair stand on end. He looked curiously at the glass.

"You being the son of John Smith and Rose Tyler, I believe. Oddly enough. But, it really doesn't make much sense though. John Smith isn't old enough to have a son as old as you."

"Well, there's more to that."

"So, Pete….your Grandfather?"

He smiled. "He really likes you."

She slapped his chest. "You let me speak to Peter Tyler without telling me who he was! I could kill you!"

He laughed. The champagne was definitely helping. "That night you rang, and we passed the phone around. I was so sure you had noticed who he was. I completely wigged out. Papa called you back to speak to you to make sure you hadn't figured it out."

"He never asked."

Samuel pointed at her. "No, he didn't. And he wouldn't. That's the thing. Papa is a what you call a strategic master. He's in charge of all of the bodyguards for the family. Mine. Starks. The Shepherds."

"Is that even a thing?"

He sipped his champagne. "It is. This is actually good. I like this."

She smiled. "The first couple of sips shock your system. Then, after that, you just get used to it."

"So, you're really alright with this?"

"One thing. I insist you explain this to me, or I won't be alright."

He nodded, "Alright."

"This girl, that hurt you so badly-"

He laughed under his breath. "I'm not getting you an address on that."

She shook her head. "No. Did you tell her and she…."

"She knew from the beginning. Where I….came from….everyone knows me. Press. In my face. Printing crap about me in the papers. Magazines. You saw it. That magazine you bought for your Mum."

"But, you weren't in it."

He sipped his drink. "I was. And I wasn't."

"That makes no sense."

"Well, that's what happened. She, got sick of the photographers chasing her around. The reports on the telly. Everyday. She felt as though she had no privacy. And I suppose she really didn't. It's just something I have learned to deal with."

"I've not seen that with you."

He smiled, "And I love it. But, they will figure it out. Hopefully, that I'm not Rose and John's son…because we've had to create another….story for that. A different explanation."

"Genie. Your sister. John and Rose's daughter is also named Genie! She looks just like your sister."

"She is my sister. Both of them. They are the same person. Well, sortof."

She sat down her glass. "Okay. The only thing that would explain why there are two Genie's is….well, that's impossible."

"My Uncle is Tony Stark. My Dad is John Smith. Grandfather is Peter Tyler. It's really not if you think about it. They could do what you are thinking. Even if that's really not what happened."

She covered her mouth. "You are the baby. You and Genie came from the future. They make a time machine?"

He smiled proudly. "You are very clever."

She picked up her champagne. "I don't know if I believe that or not."

He picked up the remote. "This will be easy." He turned on the telly and flipped through the channels.

"You know, Samuel. You could be a…nut job-"

"I could be." He agreed as he continued to flip through the channels. "Ugh. This could take a minute."

"But, if you really are….their son. And you have traveled back in time-"

"Crashed back here, if I'm honest. It was not intentional." He continued to flip through the channels. "Any other time….."

"You crashed?" She asked. "With Genie?"

"And Arles and Tony. Tony Tyler."

"He's not at the school."

"Nah, he's off….doing something. Hopefully, not getting himself killed. Oh! There."

Karen looked at the telly just a commercial came on for Top Gear.

"And tomorrow!" The announcer said.

Little Genie pointed at someone. She was standing on a dirt race track. "Uncle Tony! That's just not fair."

Tony Stark put his hands on his hips and looked down her. "Who said you were the boss, Gene?"

"Well, you already know how to drive that car. Daddy said you brought it. What is it?"

"It's a prototype. A Bugatti Chiron." He insisted.

"You named it after a bug?" She asked.

Tony rolled his eyes. "John! Your child!"

Genie giggled in the same way that Karen had heard the adult Genie laugh. The camera showed her face and her unique, light brown eyes.

Karen's eyes became huge. "That is Genie! I'd know that laugh anywhere."

Samuel turned off the telly. "So, do you believe me?"

"Samuel. I want to. I feel like I should."

"But, you are a reasonable person. I get it. It's….outlandish."

She held out her hand. "Samuel. I love you. I do. But, I have to admit that the time thing…"

He pulled his phone out of his pocket. "We'll sort this right now." He dialed a number, and held the phone out so she could see who came on the screen.

Within a few seconds, Rose Tyler had answered. Her image filled up the screen. "Hello, Sam!"

He smiled, "Hello, Mum. I have a…unique situation here."

Rose was giving baby Samuel a feed and hadn't really looked up at the phone to notice that Karen sat next to Samuel. "It's always a unique situation with one of you children."

"Where is Dad?"

"Oh, he's…down at the hospital. Do you need him?" She asked and looked at the phone and upon seeing Karen, she smiled. "And you told her."

He nodded, "Yeah. This is the part where I call you to prove it."

Rose grinned. "Ummm….well…."

Samuel looked back at Karen. "Okay. I didn't tell you when you spoke to my Grandfather, and you slapped me. So, this is my Mum, Rose."

Rose laughed, "You've already had to slap him?"

Karen laughed. "Yes, ma'am."

"Well, you probably need to do it again. I'm sure this is awkward."

Samuel shook his head. "No. That's not how this works. You two don't need to gang up on me."

Rose laughed, "You have no idea how this works, son."

Samuel groaned, "Mum!"

Karen laughed, "Oh, I like her."

Rose put baby Samuel on her shoulder and pat his back. "You told her everything? I thought we…."

Samuel sighed. "Grandfather and I talked about it, and he said that he felt that Karen needed to know the truth."

Rose nodded her head. "Okay. About…."

"I told her about me being from the future. She doesn't believe me."

"Now, I didn't say that." She insisted. "I said it was just…hard to believe."

Rose turned the baby around so he could be seen. "This, is Samuel." She pointed at the screen, "And that is Samuel. Two."

Baby Samuel complained and laid his head back on his hand. He didn't open his eyes and continued to sleep.

Karen smiled. "I see you in him."

She looked back at her Samuel who was smiling at her. "Mad, isn't it?"

Rose looked back at the screen. "I can have your Dad ring you when he gets back."

"It's alright, Mum. I think we're sorted."

"Alright. Well, have a good time in New York. Who is with you?"

"Aaron and Timon. Papa said he's going to switch them out."

She nodded, "Well, Lewis knows more about that than I do. Be careful."

"Yes, ma'am." He nodded.

"And it was nice to meet you, Karen. If you need to smack him, you have my permission."

She laughed, "Yes, ma'am."

Rose ended the call and Samuel tossed the phone on the table.

"And that's done."

He looked back at Karen, who had covered her mouth.

"What?"

"I just spoke to Rose Tyler. I'm sorry, Samuel….but….oh my God."

He rolled his eyes and sipped his champagne. "Fan girl."

She looked back at him. "And you know what? You look like her."

"You said you thought I looked like Dad."

"But, I see you in her. Huh."

He finished his champagne and sat down the glass. "Well, probably the strangest date you've ever been on. Where the bloke has to call his Mum."

"And started drinking all in one night." She teased.

Samuel closed his eyes and laid his head on the back of the sofa. "Oh, my head is spinning."

He felt her run her hand across his thigh. "Samuel, why would you trust me this much?"

He opened his eyes and looked back at her. "Because it's you."

"That doesn't make any sense at all."

He took her hand, "I want to be honest with you. I think this could, maybe….work out. You and I."

"You are so drunk." She laughed.

He laid his head back on the sofa and closed his eyes. "Baby, I'm…just toasty."

"Did you bring any weed?"

He didn't open his eyes. "You don't smoke."

"You shouldn't."

He sighed. "Why not?"

"You're a Doctor! You should know why not."

He looked back at her and propped his head up on his fist. "Kills brain cells?"

"Yes."

"It's a myth. It's just not proven yet."

"I don't believe that at all."

He chuckled. "Nah. I didn't bring any. I left it with Arles."

She rubbed his hand between her own. The electrical tingle grew from the nervous friction. "That shot I took."

"Yes."

"You said it would, prevent women from being able to have children."

"It does. I proved it. It was one of my first, proper, things I researched."

"How old were you?"

"Hmm…. 14. No, 15."

"And you….are certain of that?"

"Yes. I proved it, and my Grandfather took my research to the company that makes it. They agreed to quietly stop production, as long as I kept quiet."

"I've had it twice."

"You have to have it a minimum of five times."

She nodded. "Okay. Then I'm good."

He laid his head back on the sofa and closed his eyes. "Oh, it's spinning worse. Is it supposed to be this way?"

She kissed his hand and giggled.

He smiled at familiar tingle that continued. "I love that feeling."

She leaned over and began to kiss his neck. "That bracelet is probably what's doing that."

He turned and met her lips with his own. "It's not."

There was another knock at the door. Samuel groaned. "Seriously?"

Karen laughed.

Samuel got up and walked over to answer the door. Timon stood there. "Sorry to bother you, but did you still want to do the carriage ride?"

Samuel waved Timon in the room, "Karen? Would you like to go out? Get something to eat? Ride a carriage in Central Park?"

She smiled, "Sure! I'll need to change into something warmer."

Samuel nodded and looked back Timon. "Give us, an hour?"

Timon nodded. "Sounds good. I'll let the manager of the hotel know."

Samuel closed the door behind him and walked back over to Karen. "So. New York City awaits!" He rubbed his hands together in excitement.

She grinned, "An hour? How long does it take you to change?"

He kissed the end of her nose. "It's not the changing, it's the….inbetween."

She smiled. "I like how you think."

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her tenderly. Savoring the feeling it sent through his body. Just as she started to become weak in the knees, he picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. Both of them laughing the entire way.

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