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Chapter 9 - The Vesuos

Poltious and Legate approached a door in a hallway of some flats. Legate looked down at the list he had been given from Rose. "Last one for us."

Politous knocked on the door. "This has taken a bit longer than I had imagined it would."

Legate folded the paper back up and put it in his pocket. Poltious noticed that he sighed. "How's the leg?"

Legate shook his head, "It's …alright."

"We'll get you back, and get some ice on it." Poltious knocked on the door again.

Legate crossed his arms. "Maybe they are out."

Just as he said that, a short man opened the door. Unsure of who was there, he only opened it about 3 inches. A chain was visible. "Who is it?"

Poltious held up his hands. "My name is Poltious and I've been sent here from Torchwood to inform you that there has been a security breach. Your identity has been compromised."

The man looked frightened. He looked beside of him to something out of sight. His brow was beaded in sweat, "Umm…..Thank you. But, I'm alright."

Poltious looked back at Legate and spoke in his head, 'Do you think he's acting a bit strange?'

'I'll check to see if he's alone.' Legate told his father.

Poltious smiled back at the man. "Yes, sir. You are clearly alright. But, as a courtesy, the Director has asked us to inform all persons who this involves. You are not in any sort of trouble."

The man was clearly sweating and appeared to be very nervous.

Legate spoke in Poltious' head. 'There are two of them. They have a woman by the throat in the same room. I'm going in now.'

The man waved his hand, "We don't want any trouble here. It would be better if you went away now."

Poltious nodded. "Yes, sir. I understand."

The man closed the door. Poltious looked back to his side and Legate had disappeared. He put his hands on his hips and took a deep breath. He asked quietly, "Ready for this?"

Lance had popped next to him with Licis.

Licis popped his neck. "Oh, I've missed this shit. I love Terra."

Lance cracked his knuckles. 'I'm halfway in. Legate has taken position. There are only two. We just need a distraction. You two, secure the friendly's.'

Poltious nodded. He counted on his fingers. One….Two…. He rose his foot and he and Licis kicked the door in with a loud crash.

Legate stood behind one tall man with his arm around his neck. The man flipped Legate over his head, onto the floor. The short alien man, ran out of the room and down the hall, shouting. The woman ran out right behind him, knocking Poltious off of his feet in her frightened state.

The tall man jumped on Legate and punched him. The struggle between them included Legate falling through a glass table. Legate kicked him off of himself and quickly was able to get on top of him to punch him out. As soon as he lay unconscious, Legate collapsed on the floor.

"Legate?" Poltious called and rushed to his son.

Meanwhile, Lance had managed avoid being struck by the man he was fighting. The opponent was dressed all in black and seemed to have been formally trained. He was able to dodge every punch Lance threw at him, and was even able to catch Lance and push him into the wall. Breaking the dry wall that hung there. He held Lance's throat tightly. Lance's face turned red and Licis struck the man with a chair across the top of his head. He fell to the floor.

Poltious knelt beside of Legate and looked him over. His leg was clearly broken and lay out at an odd angle. Poltious was sure the fight was over, but then the man stood back up. They were all shocked.

Lance pointed at the opponent. "What is this?"

Licis grinned, "I think he wants some more, Lance."

Lance smiled. "Well, let's go! I'm right here, and I can do this all night."

The opponent pulled off his mask, grinned and nodded at Lance. "Then, let's go."

Poltious pulled Legate out of harm's way and they watched Lance fight the man. Each one exchanged punch after punch, which both of them were able to avoid or block.

Lance asked, "Want to talk about this?"

The man shook his head. "Nah. I'd rather fight."

Lance smiled. "Well, alright."

The man charged Lance and punched him in the ribs several times. Poltious couldn't believe it when he saw Lance seem to fall on the ground, only to realize he had knelt down to grab the man's leg. He hit his knee, knocking him to the ground. Licis stood on the man's neck and pointed at him.

"Stay!" Licis demanded.

The man grinned, grabbed Licis' foot and twisted it. Licis fell on the ground.

The man jumped back up. Poltious stood up and entered the fight. All four men took shots at one another. Each Quauthin had gotten knocked to the ground more than once. Just as it looked as if the man would be victorious, The Doctor appeared behind him. He touched him on the back of the neck and put him to sleep. The man fell onto the ground, unconscious.

Lance, breathing heavy, collapsed in a chair. "Next time. We're leading with that."

Poltious, sitting on the floor groaned, "We had just gotten started!"

Licis shook his head. "Say what you want, Poltious. Thanks, John."

The Doctor turned the man over, knelt down, and looked at his face. "Oh, this is interesting."

Lance coughed and rubbed his throat, "What is that?"

"He's an alien. Looks like a Vesuos."

Poltious shook his head. "He can't be." He rushed over and knelt beside of the man. "Damn. He is. He has the tattoo on his head. See?"

Lance knelt down and looked at the man's head. There, just above his ear, was the traditional tattoo worn by a Vesuos. The trained hit men of the galaxy.

Licis sighed, "Well, I don't feel so badly about getting my ass kicked, now. Summus is the only one I've ever heard that's ever beaten one of them."

Poltious shook his head. "I've beaten one before. But, damn. I had no idea that's what we were dealing with. I should have jumped in before."

The Doctor went to Legate, who still lay unconscious on the floor. He scanned him with his screwdriver. "And he's broken his leg. Damn it, Legate. You are giving this leg hell today."

Poltious wiped the sweat off of his face and knelt down next to Legate and the Doctor. "The guys are on their way here. I'll help you take Legate back up to the ship."

The Doctor nodded. "Lance!"

Lance stood with his hands on his hips, looking down at the man. "I'll get this sorted, John. Don't worry about it."

The Doctor clicked the transport remote trigger and he disappeared with Legate and Poltious.

Lance shook his head. "Who would want this guy this bad to get a Vesuos?"

"The question we should be asking is he just after the guy that was here? Or anyone on that list?"

Lance groaned. "That's a Lewis question. Damn."

Adriano and Exton popped into the room.

"What can we do?" Exton asked.

Lance pointed at the man that lay on the floor. "Get this Vesuos onboard John's ship. And the other guy. I don't trust Torchwood to be able to hold them."

Adriano looked back at Exton in surprise. "A Vesuos?"

Lance nodded and pointed to Licis. "We need to find the people who ran out of here."

Licis shook his head. "How to do that?"

"Well, what were they?"

Licis rolled his eyes and seemed to be listening to something. "Shit. Poltious said they are both Florosi."

"Damn, they probably jumped out of the window and flew away then. They are long gone. Damn. Well. At least they are safe. For now." Lance groaned and rolled his arm around. His shoulder ached from being thrown into the wall.

Adriano and Exton disappeared with the man. Mortimer and Arcite appeared.

Mortimer looked around. "Good, a flat. That's easy enough to secure."

Lance nodded. "Basic station. Just in case they left something and come back for it. Do not let them leave."

Mortimer nodded. "No problem."

Licis grinned back at his brother. "Oh, but that was a good fight."

Lance couldn't help but smile. "Lewis will be so disappointed he missed it. I bet he could have beaten him."

Licis laughed, nodded and started to type something on his wrist. "I believe he could. Come on. You tell him. I can't wait to see his face."

Lance watched Licis pop away. He looked around the room. "Something about this, still….." He walked around the sitting room and looked around. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary. He shook his head.

Arcite noticed, "May I assist you in anything, Praetor Lance?"

Lance shook his head. "It's just….. something doesn't seem right…."

Arcite watched as Lance walked around the room, looking at the walls. Nothing hung on them with the exception of a large, framed painting of three kittens playing. Lance stood next to it, laid his head on the wall, and looked behind the frame.

"Guys. Check your bracelets that your personal shields are on their maximum setting." Lance told them softly.

Arcite and Mortimer clicked their bracelets setting, and Lance did the same.

Mortimer asked, "What did you find?"

Lance carefully took the painting down. He sat it on the sofa and looked at the back of it. Mortimer didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Lance had taken out a knife. "Why are these wires on the back of this frame?"

Arcite shook his head. "I wouldn't recommend you cut them. It could be an explosive device."

"What would they be hiding here…?" Lance asked quietly as he took the back of the frame apart. He found a small thumb drive in the cavity. He took it out and slipped it in his pocket.

He stood up and pointed at the frame. "Don't touch it."

Arcite looked back at Mortimer. "Wise advice."

Moritmer chuckled.

Lance picked up his phone and sent a text. "Jake. I have an unexploded bomb at my current location. Send agents to defuse it."

He walked away from the sofa where the painting sat. "Alright. Jake is sending some guys to sort that out."

Just as he was feet away from the painting, it exploded. The force of the blast blew Lance, Arcite and Mortimer through the wall of the flat, through the hallway and across the hall into the other flat. Thankfully, their personal shields had activated and protected them from any harm.

They all three lay on the floor with debris on top of them. Lance groaned and sat up, "Everyone alright?"

Arcite sat up and looked around in shock. "That was….unexpected."

Mortimer laughed, "That was great! Damn. Poltious would have loved that!"

Lance lay back dramatically. He rose the phone to his ear. "Jake. It's Lance. Nevermind on that bomb."

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Pepper sat on the side of Soler's bed, reading to him. She wore one of her t-shirts and a pair of cotton pajamas. Her hair was down, and she was barefoot. It was late and they were still on the island. The small room there that was Soli's held very few things. She had lain in the bed with him for a while, listening to what had happened on the ship. Pepper was so proud of how brave he had been.

The bedroom was smaller on the island, than it was in New York. There was a large window that ran down one entire wall of the room. The night sky and stars shown through the palm trees that danced in the wind. If she looked out of the window, she saw nothing but the ocean. It seemed as though it came right up to the house.

She glanced back at the little boy, and saw that he had fallen asleep. She smiled and closed the book she read. He didn't move.

She stood up, laid the book on the table next to his bed, and turned off the light. She quietly walked out of the room and down the dark hallway to her and Tony's room.

"And he's asleep." She told Tony as she lay across the bed.

Tony was standing in front of the sink in the bathroom. It smelled like he had just gotten out of the shower. She loved that smell.

"Damn. I was going to tuck him in."

Pepper smiled and rubbed her face. "He's out. I think he is as tired as I am."

Tony chucked. "Didn't sleep well last night?"

Pepper giggled. "Oh, I slept really good. All ten minutes."

She heard him chuckled and water splash. What was he doing?

"Maybe you can get some sleep tonight, then."

She closed her eyes and sighed. "I love it here. It's so, relaxing."

She heard water splash, again. And then his voice quietly say, "You need to relax. You work too damn hard."

"Tony, what are you doing?"

"Just getting cleaned up. Do you know about this party tomorrow?"

"Damn. I need to get a dress for that."

She heard water splash again. "I took care of that."

She was surprised, "You did?"

He seemed to be concentrating about something. He told her slowly. "I had Soli and myself measured for a new suit, and went ahead and ordered you a new dress. I think you'll like it."

She rose up on the bed and looked back at the bathroom. She wasn't able to see him where he stood, but she heard the tap cut back on. "I can't even believe my ears. You really did that?"

"Yeah." His muffled voice to her. "I'm your XO and you're mine."

She lay back on the bed and giggled. "Wow. Tony, I'm impressed. Thank you."

Tony was still in the bathroom. "What did you read to Sparky?"

"The Cat in the Hat."

Tony chuckled under his breath.

"Oh, don't start. I know secretly love that book." Pepper closed her eyes and rubbed her face.

"I'll never admit that. I believe that any book that makes you want to rhyme hours after you have read it, gives one brain damage."

She groaned without opening her eyes, "It wouldn't take much with me tonight. Tony. I need to sleep."

He turned off the bathroom light and walked into the bedroom. "Don't open your eyes then."

She didn't move. "That's my current plan."

She felt him lay down next to her. Her lungs filled with his scent. "You smell so good."

He laid his hand on her stomach and whispered, "Don't…open your eyes."

She smiled, "You're a secret."

She could tell he was smiling as he told her, "I'm a secret."

He leaned down and kissed her. She put her hands in his wet hair and held his head. She could taste the tooth paste in his mouth. She slid her hands down his back. He didn't seem to be wearing a shirt. He kissed her neck, rubbing his face against hers. His scent was intoxicating to her. She kissed whatever of him she could.

He whispered, "Pepper."

She had reached his waist. He seemed to be wearing pajamas. She tugged at the waistband and moaned. He returned to her lips and began to kiss her again. She rose her hand to his cheek and then she noticed.

She stopped kissing him and looked at him in surprise. "You shaved!"

He laughed, "I wondered how long it would take you to notice."

"That's the reason you smell so good. It's that after shave." She ran her hand across his freshly shaven face. He took her hand in his and kissed her palm.

"Soli told me that you preferred me without a beard. Why haven't you told me that?"

She smiled, "It's only a decision I've made recently."

"When?" He caressed her cheek.

She closed her eyes and sighed. "Oh, it's embarrassing."

He laughed. "For who? Me, or you?"

She covered her eyes and smiled in disbelief. "Oh, that Soli."

Tony leaned down and kissed her neck. He worked his way up to her ear, causing her to raise her shoulders and shiver. He laughed, "Oh! I found a spot!"

She uncovered her face and smiled at him. "When you were gone, during that storm-"

"When I was with Lenox and Lartius."

"Yes. There was this…show on television about you. A biography. They showed a lot of pictures and videos of you. I watched it with Soli and he saw you without your beard."

"I was young. I've worn it since I was….in my early twenties."

She smiled, "23."

He smiled and whispered. "Stalker."

She laughed, "I sound like that, don't I?"

He laughed and sat up. "No. I've shaved it off a few times. Sometimes, I like the change."

She sat up and faced him. "Soli asked me if I preferred you with, or without."

"What did you say?"

"I told him that you looked…."

He rose his eyebrows at her. "What?"

"Handsome with or without it."

"Diplomatic." He nodded.

"He said he preferred you without it. Then I thought about it, and I really think I do, too. But, you don't have to wear it any sort of way because-"

He crashed his lips into hers. She ran both of her hands across freshly shaven face. She lay back down on the bed and he went with her.

"You like it better. I can tell." He smiled at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. I'll admit it."

"And for the record, I like you better without a beard, too." He told her. "Just so you know."

She giggled.

He laughed and kissed her again. "Did you record this show?"

"No!"

"Damn. I'd like to see it. It would be nice to piece together my twenties."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, God."

He laughed and returned to kissing her neck, trying to find that spot again that had made her shiver.

Suddenly, he remembered and rose up. "Oh! I almost forgot. I need to ask you something."

She smiled up at him and propped her head up on her arm. "What?"

"Jimmy's ring." He held his hand out to show it to her. It looked shiny and brand new.

She took his hand in hers. "Wow. Is this the same ring?"

"Yes. I put it in an ultrasonic cleaner I have."

"A what?"

He shook his head. "Nevermind. Anyway. It's clean, but it's been worn so much over the years, that it needs repair to keep it from breaking. The gold is worn away."

"What are you asking?"

"I want to put some more gold on it, to help hold it together. Two, small bands on either side. Maybe some more on the top to make it thicker."

She smiled, "That's completely fine. Tony, it's your ring."

"I don't want to do anything without asking you first. You're sure it's alright?"

She nodded and smiled. "Yes."

He kissed her again. He started to lean into her and hold her.

She pat his chest, "Hang on just a minute."

He looked confused. "What?"

"What is your palladium-"

He groaned and lay on his back dramatically. "It's fine."

She sat up and glared at him. "Damn it, Tony. What is it? Have you even checked?"

"Why, do you always fuss at me? I am an adult. I can take care of myself."

She pointed at him forcefully. "You haven't checked it. Tony. John said if it got over-"

"It's not!"

She got off of the bed. "Where is that tester you had?"

"I'll never tell." He complained.

She shook her head and walked in the bathroom. She looked around and saw his jeans lying on the floor. She picked them up and pulled the tester out of the pocket.

He was lying across the bed, with his head propped up on his hand looking at her, when she came back into the room. "I'm going to hold you down and test it."

He grinned. "Do it. Stalker."

She climbed on the bed on top of him. He lay underneath her as she straddled him and sat on his chest.

He smiled, "How forceful are you planning to be? Remember, I like it rough."

She looked at the box and groaned. "How do you even use this thing? Is there a power button?"

He put both of his hands behind his head. "Nope. Could you take off your shirt? The view would be great from here."

She rolled her eyes. "Give me your thumb."

"Nah." He grinned at her.

She groaned. "Are you really enjoying this?"

"I'd enjoy it more with that shirt off."

She suddenly leaned down and bit his neck. He yelped and threw his hands out from behind his head. She quickly grabbed one and held it down on the mattress. She pressed the tester to his thumb, and then turned it around to look at the reading.

"I'm impressed. That was a bit dirtier of a trick than I thought you would do."

She shook her head. "I did it wrong. It's not reading."

He held his hand out. "Let me see it."

She watched him use his other thumb and lay it on the black box. He jumped a bit when it took the blood sample. He looked at the reading as he put his thumb in his mouth.

"Well?" She asked, still sitting on top of him.

He took his thumb out of his mouth and handed it to her. "See for yourself."

She looked at it. "Well, that's what it said before. It's not reading any."

He rose his eyebrows. "That's because there is none there. It's been reading that way since I rode out with Poltious to Jalikapo. I didn't want to say anything until it had been at least 24 hours to make sure it was completely gone."

She held her hand to her mouth. "You're okay."

He sat up and cupped her face with his hands again. "I'm fine."

They looked into one another's eyes and slowly both of their faces broke into smiles of relief. She laughed as tears formed in her eyes. "Oh, my God. You're really okay."

He chuckled at her. "Can we talk about this shirt, then?"

She covered her mouth.

He sat up and looked at her. "Why are you so upset?"

She smiled at him. "It's just….you've always been so….hurt."

"And now, I'm fine."

She pushed him down on the bed and took off her shirt. He looked up at her, "Oh, I was right! This is a great view."

She giggled, and started to kiss him again. She could feel his hands gently cup her breasts. She whispered, "How tired are you?"

He looked in her eyes, "Coffee is for newlyweds, isn't it?"

She smiled, "I suppose it is." She lay back down to kiss him again. He held her tightly, and rolled to lie on top of her. Misjudging how far they were on edge of the bed, they fell off and landed on the floor. Pepper landed on Tony who was laughing hysterically.

"Oh, I'm glad this bed is lower than the one in New York." He told her.

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Lance, Arcite and Mortimer walked into the med bay on the Doctor's ship. They looked as if they had been through an explosion. All three of them were filthy. Covered in debris and dust.

Jack walked down the hallway and spotted them. He laughed, "You three sure look like you found a bomb."

Lance pointed to the hallway, "John down there?"

Jack walked over to them. "Yeah. In the third room on the left. You three need to go through decontamination before I let you take one step closer to him, though." He pointed to a small room to the side.

Lance groaned, "I've never had to use that!"

"Have you seen yourself?" Jack asked.

Mortimer was already walking to it. "It's not a bad idea. Maybe it will help get this dust out of my throat."

Arcite and Lance joined him. They stepped into the small room and closed the door. They looked at one another as a blue light turned on. Friday's voice spoke. "Welcome to decontamination."

Lance put his hands on his hips. "Yeah, yeah. Skip to the part where you spray us down. I have things to do."

Nozzles from each side sprayed the three men down with a solution. Then, powerful warm dryers turned on and dried them off. Lance ran his hands through his hair to ensure the dust was all out of it. When the dryers cut off, Lance reached for the door.

Arcite spoke, "Decontamination is not complete yet."

Lance looked back at Arcite just as powder puffed out on them. Lance shook his head. "I hate decontamination."

Mortimer laughed and opened the door.

The three men walked down the hallway and entered the room where the Doctor was. He stood next to a bed that had Legate laying in it, with Poltious standing next to him.

"Man, this leg."

Poltious looked at the display on the wall behind the bed. "That's not the same leg as this morning."

"Well, he's managed to break it in two places. Did he land on it an odd way? Why wasn't his personal force field on?"

Poltious shook his head. "Ah. It was a fight. Fights aren't any fair without your opponent being able to hit you back."

The Doctor groaned. "This is going to take some time to put back together."

Lance cleared his throat. "I have agents and some men at the flat to contain the problem."

The Doctor didn't look up as he grabbed another device to use on Legate's leg. "Found an explosive, huh?"

Lance nodded, "Yes. And a thumb drive."

The Doctor rose his eyebrows. "Really? Now, that's interesting." He looked up from Legate at the three men. "Are you lot alright? Any injuries?"

They looked at one another and shook their heads. Lance spoke, "We're all good. Ears….muffled a bit."

The Doctor's attention went back to Legate's leg. "That will get better in a few hours. You lot heal so damn fast. Well, Arcite is probably alright."

Arcite nodded, "I'm not at 100% as yet, Primus. But. Very close."

Poltious chuckled and shook his head.

The Doctor nodded, "Good. Lance, take the thumb drive to Lewis and let him look it over. Give him a full debriefing and if you don't mind, tell Rose that I'll be late getting home. Legate has really done a good job on this leg."

Lance nodded. "Consider it done. If I'm needed-"

The Doctor didn't look up. "Go take some time off, Lance. Don't miss the party tomorrow night."

Lance grinned. "Thanks, John."

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Rose sat at the dining room table at their island home. Lewis sat next to her with Arles in his arms. It was late at night, and they had been collecting the lists that they had given the Guard upon their return. Both of them had a cup of tea each.

Exton popped into the room and brought her his list. "Legate and Poltious lost the last one on their list. They ran into some problems."

She took the papers, "Oh yes. I've heard. Everyone else is secured though." She made notes on the list she had.

Lewis smiled at Exton, "Hell of a job."

"Thank you, Lewis. Miss you out there."

"John says it won't be long. I just have to get this leg sorted."

Exton nodded. "Well, I'm going to go back to New York. Tony stayed on the island, right?"

Rose smiled, "Yes. I spoke to Pepper just a bit ago. They are going to stay the night. Soli needed to go to sleep."

Exton smiled, "He's a good kid. Well, good evening." He typed in something on his wrist and popped away.

Rose stood up, "Ugh. The Doctor says he's going to be a while with Legate. He's broken his leg."

"Really?" Lewis asked.

"Yeah. Can you still not hear the Guard in your head?"

Lance looked at Arles. "It only works half of the time. I don't know why."

"Well, Licis is looking for you. He'll be here in a bit." She grabbed his tea and walked back over to the kitchen. "Want another cuppa?"

He looked at Arles and shook his head. "Nah. Thank you though."

Jack walked into the room. He rubbed his hands together and looked at Arles. He whispered, "Asleep?"

Lewis smiled. "Yes. He's a sound sleeper, though."

Jack grinned, "And that never changes. That guy. Wow."

Rose asked from the kitchen. "Jack. Tea?"

Jack sat down at the table and looked over the list. "Please. Sounds like the Doc' is going to be busy tonight."

Rose smiled. "He loves this sort of thing."

Jack grinned, "Imagine that. The Doctor being a Doctor."

Rose walked back over to the table with three cups of tea. Lewis shook his head. "I didn't want tea."

She smiled at him. "Lewis, I've known you a long time. You always have two cups of tea."

Lewis grinned and sipped the tea. "Fine. Not arguing. Thank you."

Jack pushed the papers back to Rose. "Damn. That's impressive. 84 families moved in less than six hours?"

Lewis grinned proudly. "That's my guys. Now, we just need to work a solution."

Rose stood up and pat Jack's arm. "I have something for you. Stay here. I'll be straight back."

Jack nodded and sipped his tea.

Licis past Rose in the hallway. "And you missed a hell of a fight!"

Jack smiled, "Who with?"

Licis sat down next to Lewis and looked at Arles. He whispered, "He's sleeping."

Lewis laughed, "He sleeps like Legate did."

Licis shook his head. "Oh, well then! Yes! The fight!"

Jack sipped his tea. "Who fought?"

Licis counted on his hand, "Myself, Lance, Legate and Poltious vs…..ready for this? A Vesuos."

Lewis laughed. "You are so full of it."

"John identified him. Not me." Licis insisted.

Jack looked impressed, "Now I understand how Legate's leg is broken."

Lewis looked back at Arles and shook his head. "Nah. We would know if a Vesuos was here on Terra."

Licis rolled his eyes. "Brother. I need to tell you something."

"What's that?"

"There's a Vesuos on Terra. Well, actually, that's not true. He's on John's ship now."

Lewis grinned. "There's just no way. Where was he?"

"This flat we went to. Poltious asked us to come help."

Jack asked, "What sort of people were there?"

Licis shrugged his shoulders. "I don't even know."

Rose walked back into the room and sat down beside Jack. She handed him a small, black book with a red ribbon tied around it.

He looked at it. "What's this?"

She sipped her tea. "It's a blank book. Take notes while you are here. It might be helpful."

He rolled his eyes, "This is the Doctor's doing-"

"He doesn't know about it. I'd recommend you keep it to yourself. You know how he is about that."

Lewis protested, "Oh hell. He keeps notes, and sends himself reminders."

Rose smiled, "And isn't it funny how the rules for him are different than for the rest of us? I'm just saying. You know how he is, Jack."

Jack nodded his head and slipped the book into his pocket on the side of his cargo pants. "Oh yes. Thank you, Rose."

Lewis sipped his tea. "I've seen you with a black book."

Jack smiled and pulled a very old, worn out black book from his other pocket. "And now I know where it came from."

Rose's mouth dropped open. She shook her head. "I'll never get used to that."

Jack propped his feet up in a chair, opened the old book and read over his notes. "Right. Legate shot. Legate breaks his leg. Huh. Interesting, because I didn't remember that happening before. Oh. Damn."

Rose asked, "What is it?"

Jack looked up and closed the book. "Can't tell you. But, you'll find out in a couple of days. Make sure Doc' is in a good mood."

"Well, that's no help!"

Jack laughed and stood up. He leaned down and kissed Rose's forehead. "If that's happening, I better get some rest. Wow. Daddy is going to be pissed."

Lewis watched him walk out of the room. He looked back at Rose. "What do you think that's about?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I have no idea."

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