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Chapter 19 – All of the Children are Home

The Doctor and the adult Tony Tyler, walked into the kitchen together of the island home. The Doctor groaned and shook his head. "Taking a TARDIS that isn't even old enough to make the journey. I don't even know what to say about this!" He turned to Tony, who sat down at the bar across from him. "What were you kids even thinking?"

Tony shook his head. "We wasn't. But, why am I the only one getting shouted at about this?"

The Doctor bit his lip. "You're right. You're not the only one in this." He picked up a baby rattle off of the cabinet and shook it at Tony. "Oh! The lot of you!"

Tony covered his face with his hands and laughed under his breath at the scene. "You really appear threatening, John."

The Doctor threw his hands up. "UGH!"

Rose walked into the room holding baby Samuel in her arms. "Man, you are a whirlwind of emotions today."

He leaned on the cabinet. "Oh, you think?!"

She pulled her neck back and looked at him in surprise. "What's with you?"

"Rose Tyler! I'm serious! I'm an old man, and just don't know how much more of this I can even take!" He shook the rattle at her.

Rose laughed and quickly walked to him. "You need to hold your baby."

He sighed.

"How much coffee have you had?" She asked him as he took Samuel into his arms. He started to calm down.

He took a deep breath and shook his head. "I don't know. How much is even left in that kettle?"

She picked it up and looked inside. "Maybe a half of a cup?"

"I was tired! It was about to start raining! We were out all night-"

She laughed, "Oh boy. I've missed you being like this."

He grunted and kissed baby Sam's head.

She made herself a cup of tea. "What even has you so worked up?"

The Doctor pointed at the ginger young man who sat at the bar with the rattle and shook it again. "Our brother!"

She turned to see who was sitting there.

He smiled at her, "Hey, Rose."

She didn't take her eyes off of him. "That's Tony?"

"Yes."

"But…he's-"

Tony rubbed his hands together. "I'm 24. Arles, Sammy and Genie are here, too. Well, not here. They are at Uncle Tony's."

Rose turned and looked at the Doctor. "They are WHAT?"

He shook the rattle at her. "You need to cut down on the caffeine, too!"

She pointed threateningly at him. "You are about to get a smack."

Tony grinned, "Do it, Rose!"

She turned and pointed at him. "And you…"

He rose his eyebrows at her. "What? Stay out of it? I'm on your side, Rose!"

Rose laughed under her breath and relaxed, "I can't believe you're here."

"That's makes two of us. It's….strange."

Rose shook her head in disbelief, sat down her tea, walked to Tony and embraced him.

Tony held her tightly and seemed to be on the edge of tears. "I love you, Rose."

Rose looked over Tony's shoulder at the Doctor as she held him. 'Is he okay?'

The Doctor shook his head and rubbed Sam's back. 'Something….terrible has happened. I don't know what. I shouldn't be shouting at him.'

The Doctor spoke, "Tony. I'm sorry. I shouldn't be shouting at you. You're here. You're safe, and that's really all that matters."

Rose held her brother's shoulders and looked at his pained face. "Tony. What has happened?"

Tears filled Tony's eyes. He said quietly, "Please, ask me that."

A pop and Tony Stark's loud voice, announced his arrival. Soler held his hand, and in the other hand, was an old bottle of Scotch. "And, I need to have a talk with you, John!"

The Doctor sighed, "I bet I can guess what about."

Tony let go of Soler's hand and sat the bottle on the cabinet. He spotted Tony Tyler standing next to Rose. "Huh. Well, get us a couple of glasses. It will still lessen the blow."

The Doctor shook the rattle at Tony Stark. "You've had these children for how long?!"

Tony stood in front of him, crossed his arms and grinned at him. "What the hell is this? You're going to beat the hell out of me with a rattle?"

"I might-"

"Then go ahead. These children showed up. Asked for my help. And I helped them. I don't regret anything I've done-"

"You could have told me they were here!"

"Sam told me not to! I don't know anything about this time shit!"

The Doctor sighed. "Friday, where is Genie?"

Friday spoke. "Genie is currently in the playroom."

The Doctor rubbed his face. "I doubt maths is with her-"

"On the contrary." Tony Stark started.

Rose put her hand on Soli's head. "Do you want to go play with Genie?"

He looked back at Stark. "Are you two fighting?"

Tony grinned, "Nah. Arguing. There's a difference. He knows I'd kick his ass if we fought."

"Ha!" The Doctor insisted.

Rose smiled at Soler. "Everything is alright. You can go ahead and play. We'll have ice cream a bit later."

Tony pointed at the doorway with his thumb, "Go play. This room now has a height restriction. No children. Adult Zone. Go to the Kid Zone."

Soler laughed at Tony and left the room.

Tony walked into the pantry. "Lewis has Arles and Sammy. They will be here in a minute. They have been playing basketball and believe me. Two teenagers, and sweat? You wanted them to shower." He looked around for something.

Rose sat at the bar next to her brother. "When did they get here?"

"Yesterday. The TARDIS crashed out in the workshop." The Doctor told her.

Baby Sam lay his head on his Dad's chest and closed his eyes.

"Really? The TARDIS is here?" Rose's eyes grew huge.

"And she's going to need a lot of damn repair." Tony Tyler insisted.

The Doctor sighed, "And I don't even know how bad it even is yet. These rotten, older children, could be with us for a while."

Rose hugged her brother's arm. "And they will be quite welcome."

Tony Tyler took Rose's hand and seemed to relax a bit.

Another pop and Lewis appeared with two teenage boys. One tall, skinny with blond hair and the other who looked like Lance. Lewis smiled and pointed at them both. "And I would like to introduce our boys. Arles and Samuel."

The Doctor had expected the boys, but not Lewis looking so fit. "Did you come, too?"

Lewis pointed at himself. "Me? No. It was just the kids. Well, and Legate."

The Doctor rubbed baby Samuel's back, who was going to sleep. "You're walking!"

Lewis grinned, "Oh, yeah. Sammy sorted me all out."

The teenage Sam grinned, "That was the only reason Papa allowed Legate to come back with Jack. He went forward in time, yesterday with Lance, to tell you and Papa where we were. Mum was asleep."

Tony Stark walked out of the pantry with two bags of popcorn. "Wait! Wait! Just a second. Don't start!"

They watched as he tossed both bags into the microwave and turned it on. He rocked on his feet as he waited for the popcorn to finish cooking. "Where is a bowl around here?"

Sam looked at Arles and they both smiled.

"I'll get it." Arles walked into the pantry, and reached on the top shelf. He brought back a large, red bowl and handed it to Stark.

Stark thanked him, took the fresh popcorn from the microwave and poured it into the bowl. Then, to everyone's surprise, he sat down on the cabinet and started to eat it. "Okay. I'm ready. Go!"

Tony Tyler covered his face and laughed. "Oh my God."

"Seriously?" Rose asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. "What?"

The Doctor groaned. "Never mind him."

Samuel spoke. "Mum. I need you to take the baby and hold me. Dad's really upset."

"But, you're keeping him calm."

"That's exhausting to me." Sam told her. "That baby will sleep for days as wound up as he is."

The Doctor rose his eyebrows. "Really?"

Samuel nodded his head. "Yes. It's….a thing."

"I've got him." Lewis told them, and walked over to take baby Samuel from his Dad.

The Doctor leaned on the cabinet. "Umm…where to even start….."

The Doctor's phone rang in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked to see who it was. He shook the rattle at it and complained. "UGH!" Then he complained in an odd language that no one in the room understood.

Arles stopped a laugh and ran his hand though his hair.

Sam smiled back at Arles and then told the Doctor. "You're going to want to take that, Dad."

The Doctor took the call. He wore a look of confusion as he spoke in the odd language to someone.

Arles looked back at Sam and they both closed their eyes and looked away to keep one another from laughing.

Tony Tyler spotted them, smiled and rolled his eyes.

Rose could feel the sudden change in her brother's mood. It made her smile, knowing that even in such a situation as these children were in, they still found it safe to laugh. Apparently, the Doctor hadn't changed too much at all in the 18 years they had known him.

The Doctor ended the call, threw his hands up and complained in some odd language.

Arles quickly stepped forward and took the phone out of his hand. "You are about to break this, Dad." He sat the phone on the cabinet and returned to stand next to Samuel.

The Doctor closed his eyes, and took a deep breath to steady himself.

Tony Stark couldn't help himself and laughed. "This is the best shit ever. Who was that? An old girlfriend?"

The Doctor didn't open his eyes and continued to try to calm himself. "Tuwo Wenck's assistant. I have to stand by for message."

"They still won't tell you what it is?" Rose asked in surprise.

Arles and Sam looked at one another.

"That's happening now?" Arles asked.

Sam shrugged his shoulders and shook his head. "I don't know. I guess so."

"Back to this. You two! Stealing the TARDIS! My TARDIS? You could have killed yourselves! Did you think about that? Haven't I told you that's not a toy?"

Arles and Sam looked back at one another.

Sam asked, "Has he?"

Arles thought, "I don't think so, Sammy."

The Doctor crossed his arms. "Don't even try. I'm sure I've told you that."

Arles shook his head. "I'm sorry, Dad. I just don't….recall that."

Sam put his hands in his pockets and rocked on his feet. It made Rose smile. He looked just like his father. "It was probably….a….in context thing-"

"Well, then we're sort that out right now!" The Doctor turned and looked at baby Samuel that Lewis held in his arms. "Samuel. Do NOT ever try to fly the TARDIS on your own!" He turned to Sam and Arles, "See! NOW I'VE TOLD YOU! CAN'T DENY IT!"

Arles and Sam looked back at one another.

"Does that count?" Sam asked.

"I think so." Arles admitted.

Stark laughed.

"Okay! Everyone needs to stop." Rose announced.

The Doctor shrugged his shoulders. "We've not even gotten started."

She pointed at him, "Our children have been through something….terrible. Tony is a complete mess. I'm not going to allow you to shout at any of these children. You've said what you needed to, and this is done now."

Tony Stark continued to eat his popcorn and watch.

"Rose-" The Doctor started.

Rose walked over to the blond haired teenage boy and wrapped her arms around him. He held onto her and seemed to relax in her arms. "Mum."

She held him tightly. "I love you, Samuel. I'm glad you are alright."

He wiped tears from his eyes and looked at her face. He laughed. "Thanks, Mum. I didn't realize how much I needed that."

She giggled and smiled at her son. "I always know."

Rose took Arles' hand and pulled him into an embrace. Arles kissed her cheek and smiled as they held one another. "I love you, Arles. Everything is going to be alright."

Lewis smiled and leaned against the cabinet, next to Stark. He started to eat the popcorn with him as he held a sleeping Samuel in his arm. "So, Sam. You probably need to read your Dad his message."

"Oh! Right! Thanks, Papa!" Sam shook his head as he pulled the file from the back of his pants.

Rose laughed at how much his reaction reminded her of the Doctor's.

He sat the file on the cabinet and opened it. The room recognized it as an official Torchwood document. Samuel flipped the pages, until he came to the back. There, they saw some untidy handwriting.

Sam sighed and looked at the room. "Legate brought this back."

The Doctor held out his hand. "Hang on a second. Where is Genie? The older version?"

Lewis grabbed another handful of popcorn. "Legate and Exton are with her and Pepper. They are looking over that place you lot are making into a school. The Legate from here, I sent to Lenox's this morning. I'm not sure, but Sam seems to think they shouldn't be together in the same place at the same time. Legate said it would be strange to see himself, and didn't argue."

The Doctor nodded. "Probably for the best."

Tony Stark asked. "Where is Lance?"

Lewis looked back at him, "In the love bubble. I'm not bothering him."

Tony tossed popcorn in his mouth. "Oh."

Sam sighed as he looked at the handwriting. "This is a note that Dad sent."

He began to read.

Dearest Sam,

First of all, I want to say I am very sorry. I didn't mean what I said to you.

Sam looked up at the room. "Dad and I argued before all of this happened."

The Doctor crossed his arms. "What about?"

Samuel shook his head. "Something really stupid. It doesn't matter."

He continued to read.

We're all coping with this the only way we know how, and I've never been good with this sort of thing. I've always ran to keep from facing it.

Rose looked over and saw the Doctor rub his face. She could feel his heart drop at the words that Sam was saying. "Stop a bit, Sam."

Samuel looked up at his Mum. "Yes, ma'am."

Rose walked over and took the Doctor's hand. He pulled her into his arms and held her.

The Doctor nodded, "It's okay. Go ahead, then."

Sam looked back at the file and continued to read.

When you read this, you will probably be surrounded by other members of the family. It's alright to read all of this aloud to them, but please don't let anyone else see this file except me….well, that version of me. He will determine who needs to see it from that point.

So, you are there now. With me. Which is why, I'm going to remain here. I love you more than I can ever express, but I know you children are safe. I am there – after all.

Take this file to me and read it aloud because I know I'm probably standing there right now trying to act very cross sitting on the edge of a desk, or leaning on the cabinet with my arms crossed.

Stark laughed. "Called it!"

Lewis chuckled.

The Doctor continued to hold Rose who giggled at him. "You know yourself, so well."

He groaned.

Sam smiled and continued to read.

To myself – Please don't be too hard on the children. They have been through a horrific time in their lives and will need the support of their family, no matter the time they have managed to get themselves into.

I'm certain that them being there, is no accident, but is not completely their fault, either. Rose hasn't slept in three days, and is currently resting only after I have pushed her into a deep sleep. After she went to sleep, I was visited by the Bad Wolf who has told me that she was determined to change what had happened. I can't remember where Rose is on this journey but I'm sure you've already experienced her ability to change fixed points in time. As I spoke to the Bad Wolf, I felt the fixed point become fluid. The point I am referring to is enclosed in this file that Sam will give to you.

The Doctor kissed Rose's forehead.

Rose has put them back there. And I have no clear idea how – but it is to prevent this from happening now. 18 years from where Sam is reading this to you.

Please. Do not, under any circumstances, send them back using the Vortex Manipulator. It's already killed Jack numerous times and thus, is the only one I would recommend using it.

I know they are safe there. I've already checked with the Bad Wolf and the reapers will not bother anyone. She tells me that everyone – including the children – are under her protection. I already miss them terribly, but, if they have to dual line for a while, just aim for getting them back close to when they left. If I think of anything else, we'll use Brax's old trick.

The Doctor chuckled.

Sam. I love you, Genie, Arles and Tony. Please, be careful and try to be helpful. I'll see you all in a few days. Don't think you're getting out of those exams this easily.

Samuel looked up and closed the file. "That's all there is."

The Doctor kissed Rose's forehead, let go of her to walk over and embrace his son. Samuel held onto his Dad tightly and began to cry silently. He hid his face in his Dad's shoulder so no one would see.

Tony Stark smiled as he ate his popcorn with Lewis. "Oh, I love happy endings."

Lewis nodded and grinned. "As do I."

The Doctor looked at Sam's face. "You look just like your Mum. Lucky guy."

Sam laughed and wiped his tears. The Doctor kissed his teenage son on the cheek and embraced him again.

Rose covered her mouth as tears ran down her cheeks.

The Doctor let go of Sam and embraced Arles. "My Arles. I'm so glad you guys are here. Everything is going to be alright."

Arles held the Doctor tightly and laughed through his tears. "Thanks, Dad."

Lewis tossed more popcorn in his mouth. "He looks just like Lance, doesn't he?"

The Doctor smiled at him and pat his face. "Because he's always with him."

Lewis rose his eyebrows. "There's worse people he could have looked like."

Samuel laughed, "That's what you say at home. He could have turned out looking like Luce!"

They all laughed.

The Doctor turned around and looked at Rose, "All of the children are home."

She wiped her tears. "Yes, they are."

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