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Chapter 28 – Tony's Hangover

Genie sat at the dining room table in the flat on the island. She sipped her tea and looked over her notepad that she had been busy drawing and making notes for the school on.

Samuel sat across from her, with his head propped on his fist. "I think the lab should be larger, and the music room needs a lot more light. It's hard to see the music if you sit on the other side of the room."

She stood up to get another cup of tea. "Sammy. I'm not a secretary. You can make some notes."

He pulled the notebook to himself and wrote something down. "And the headmaster's office, needs to look….less intimidating."

She giggled as she prepared them both a cuppa. "It's supposed to look…professional. That's where parents come to talk to me about their children attending there. It can't be too….fun."

Sam groaned and erased what he had just written. "Fine."

She sat down and handed him his tea. "All of this is good suggestions, Sam. Thank you for helping me with this."

"The dorms, would be better if they were one on one. Not having to share with someone. I didn't mind sharing with Arles, but not everyone has that. That needs to happen from the beginning."

She nodded and sipped her tea. "I agree. That would really solve a lot of problems. Where is Arles?"

"Playing football with the guys."

"The younger children will see him-"

"And think he's Lance, too!" Sam laughed. "He's the only one of us that can probably just blend in with all of that lot and not be recognized. Lucky duck."

She sipped her tea and nodded. "Well, that's very true. Put an extra pair of football shorts out for him."

"What? Why?"

"He always goes swimming after football. You know that."

Sam nodded and pointed at the drawing. "This courtyard…it's too small."

"Yes, needs more elbow room. If the dorms just sat back about….two feet….the courtyard would feel dramatically bigger."

"Two feet on that one side would give you a lot more area." Sam pointed out. "Tony is really the best at this. Where is he?"

"Showering." Genie told him. "He had a headache."

"That's called a hangover. Genie. He can't keep drinking at this pace."

She sat down her tea and looked up at her brother. "What do you suggest I do?"

"Talk to him?"

"I have. Samuel. Somethings can't be fixed with words or flashes of light."

He groaned and sat back. "Well, I know that. Gene, we need to talk to Dad about this."

She nodded. "Dad came by earlier. He knows about it."

Sam crossed his arms. "So, he read the file?"

"Yes. And Legate must have spoken with him about it." She sighed as she sipped her tea.

He watched her. "We should have the school finished in a few days. We'll all be there and you two won't have to be so careful."

She looked up at him. "It's so strange to be here. I'm so nervous that we're going to get found out."

"Well, middle of the night….screwing….in the shower-"

She covered her face and groaned. "Oh, God."

He shrugged his shoulders as he leaned back and crossed his arms. "It was rather encouraging that you have recovered that much-"

She pointed at him, "Sam."

He laughed. "I was the only one that heard it. Legate must have covered me with a blanket when he came back. I got hot and went to my room. I heard it as I walked by the door."

Genie sat with her face covered. "We were trying to be quiet-"

"You need to work on that, then. That, wasn't quiet. And I don't want to hear it. Ew." He insisted.

She giggled and looked at the notebook. "Perhaps, I should have the headmaster's quarters further away from-"

"Nah, just have really thick walls." He laughed. "I'm happy you're happy. And you are feeling okay?"

She looked at him over her cup of tea. "Yes, Sammy."

He pointed at her. "You'd let me know-"

"Yes. I've not even told Dad about me being sick. Should we?"

Samuel nodded his head. "I'll explain it to him. Anyway, where is Legate?"

"Training. Then football. Then…there was something with Logan?"

"Probably more football."

"I think it was surfing."

Samuel snapped his fingers. "That's it. A football pitch. An indoor one because it snows so damn much. There at the school. Make a note."

She sat down her tea and added the note.

Sam sat back and rose his eyebrows. "All of that? This secret of yours is enough to wear a man out."

She bit her lip, "I'll confess. I believe he's keeping himself busy like this to…avoid me."

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't get it. Why don't you just tell everyone?"

"It's complicated." She told him.

"There's not…"

She looked up at her brother, "What, Sam?"

"A baby-"

"No!" She told him quickly.

He laughed and rubbed his face. "Okay. Well. You know. Screwing in the shower-"

She rolled her eyes. "Sam."

He chuckled at her. "It can happen. You do know how that happens, right?"

She dropped her hand on the table. "Don't be all…clinical with me. He's taken care of that-"

"Like…permanently? Or…"

"He's taking something. I don't know. Some….injection thing in his neck."

Sam looked impressed. "Okay. Yeah, I've heard of that. Not legal to really use. But, he's always been above the law, hasn't he?"

Genie ignored what he had said, "Oh, Sammy. I don't know. What would Dad and Papa be like if they knew about us?"

"Happy?" He shrugged his shoulders.

"They would be weird. Especially, now that he's back with the six year old me."

"Legate is a good guy. He wouldn't be….like that."

She covered her face. "There's just…more to it than that."

"What? Explain it to me. Because, Gene, I just don't get it."

She covered her mouth and looked up at him.

"Genie? Do you need to talk about this? I'm sitting right here."

She took a deep breath and mumbled. "He wants to leave the Quauthin."

"What?! Why?"

"Shhhhh!" She insisted.

"No one is down here but us." Sam told her quietly. "Why? Are you sure?"

"It's a thing him and Lenox promised one another they would do, when they made the Promise."

His eyes opened wide in complete shock. He jumped out of the chair and covered his mouth as he screamed as quietly as he could.

Genie laughed at him and covered her face. "Oh my God. You are such a girl-"

"You've made the Promise-"

"No! He wants us to-"

"Do it!" He exclaimed.

"No."

Sam was deflated. He dramatically collapsed back in the chair he sat in. "Gene. You have got to be kidding me."

She sighed. "Sammy-"

Sam counted on his fingers. "He's a great guy. You are safe with him. You two love each other. He thinks your weirdness is adorable."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not weird."

"Ah. We're all weird. Even him. So, has he worked out his Ten?"

She giggled and went back to her notes. "I shouldn't have told you this."

"Oh, come on! Did I make the list?"

She smiled. "I honestly don't know. He hasn't told me."

He snapped his fingers. "I bet I'm in the top five. I bet you…..name your price."

She pointed at him. "You, Sammy-"

The sound of footsteps on the stairs made her stop before she had even gotten started. Sam smiled back at her. "Yes?"

Tony Tyler walked into the room. "Do we have anything for a headache?"

Sam continued to look at his sister. He rose his eyebrows at her. "You were saying, Genie?"

Genie groaned and stood up. "I'll get you something, Tony. Have a seat."

Tony sat down beside of Samuel. "I've got to stop drinking so much. I hate waking up like this."

Sam rubbed his back. "Genie, bring him some water and a banana."

Tony held his head in his hands. "Are you sure there's not anything you can do for this, Sam?"

Sam shook his head. "I'm sorry. There's nothing."

Genie had returned with the medicine, water and a banana. Tony thanked her and sighed. "What are you two down here working on?"

Samuel pulled the notebook to himself. "You can help with this. We're going to start building the school using Dad's ship. He told Genie to make any notes on what she wants."

Tony pulled the notebook over to himself and looked over the notes as he sipped his water. "Who is upstairs in the shower?"

Sam looked back up at Genie. She looked as if she was in shock at his words. Sam asked. "You mean last night?"

"What?" Tony asked. "No. Just now. I thought I heard the shower going upstairs."

Genie smiled at Sam and got up from the table. "I'll go look to see who it might be."

Tony groaned. "Well, yell….gently….if you need help."

"Gently yelling?" Sam asked him.

Tony mumbled. "Who am I kidding? She can handle whatever she finds up there."

Samuel smiled proudly and sipped his tea. "Yep. That's my sister."

Genie walked up the stairs to her room and opened the door. Legate lay on the sofa with wet hair. It was clear he had just gotten out of the shower. He wore a pair of grey trousers and a red t-shirt. He hadn't put on any shoes, but wore black socks.

"You're back." Genie smiled.

He ran his hand through his short hair. "I was really gross. I popped directly into the shower."

She giggled and walked over to the sofa. He rose his head without opening his eyes. She sat down and pulled a pillow into her lap. He laid his head on the pillow and sighed. "This is nice."

She ran her hand through his hair. "I love your hair."

"You would have really loved it a bit ago. I'm rather certain I took half of the football pitch out to the sea."

She laughed with him.

"Oh, I've really skinned up both of my knees and my arm. Surfing was great though." He told her without opening his eyes.

She smiled at him. "I imagine it was with open wounds."

"Ah. Just scratches. Poltious says it is character building."

She rolled her eyes. "I think that's madness."

"I just need a few minutes. Gene, I'm exhausted."

"Do you want me to leave-"

"No. Just, tell me about the school. What did you work out?"

She laid her hand across his chest and propped her head up on her fist. "Sammy and I have been working on it all morning. We have a rather good list of things. Can you think of anything?"

He didn't open his eyes. "I'll have to give it a think."

She heard someone walking up the stairs. Legate started to sit up and she pushed him back down in her lap. "It's alright." She told him quietly. He relaxed and lay still.

The Doctor walked into the doorway and gently knocked on the open door. Genie smiled at him and whispered, "Hi, Dad."

He pointed at Legate. "He's sleeping?"

She looked back down at Legate shrugged her shoulders. "Probably. He said he was exhausted. We were talking about the school."

The Doctor nodded his head and put his hands in his pockets.

"Dad. You can come in." Genie smiled.

"Oh, right. Ummm…" He said as he walked into the room and sat in the chair next to where they sat. "Ummm."

She smiled. "You've said that."

He pointed at Legate and whispered. "Well, I don't want to wake him up."

She looked down at Legate's face and smiled. "Something I've discovered about Legate over the years is that if he ever goes to sleep, nothing can really wake him up until he's ready to be woken."

The Doctor grinned. "Yeah?"

Genie giggled. "Yes. Arles is the same way, but he sleeps a lot more. He's very hard to wake up. But, I think Legate is worse."

The Doctor nodded. "He needs to sleep more than he is then. That's what that is. How much does Legate sleep?"

"Well, he's been up. All night, I think. He had that training this morning, then football, then surfing."

The Doctor rose his eyebrows. "Yeah. He's worn himself out. What did him and Logan do?"

Genie shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not completely certain."

"Probably better if we don't know, huh?" He smiled.

"Well, you know how it is with pirates." Genie teased.

He reached into his pocket and handed her two remote triggers for the transporter onboard his ship. "I've given Sam three more of those. He says there is a different transporter in the ship so, your triggers don't work."

Genie smiled. "Yes. A Galaxy Class Algeria 4.9."

The Doctor made a noise of excitement. "Yeah?"

She laughed, "Oh yes. A Lartius special. No drama involved in that, Dad. But, man you were excited about it."

He grunted and slapped the arm of the chair. "YES! I see why! That has a processing speed of-"

"Oh, Daddy. I know. Believe me. You, and the guys, have been almost annoying about it."

"Can teleport people over 100,000 kilometers-"

"While traveling at the speed of light. Trust me, Daddy. I really know the specs."

He nodded his head. "I've told Legate to use the ship to do whatever he needs to sort the school out. I would really like all of you lot there as soon as possible."

"So, we don't run into ourselves here."

He nodded his head. "Yes. Legate, will remain with you, of course. That way, we can bring back the other Legate."

Genie smiled. "I left the list downstairs with Sam and Tony. Arles will probably have some things to add."

Arles walked into the room, drying his hair with a towel. He was wearing a pair shorts and blue t-shirt. "Genie. I think I might have got too much sun. Can you look-"

He looked up and saw the Doctor sitting there. "Oh, hey Dad."

He smiled. "Hey. Too much sun?"

Arles shook his head. "Ah. It's all over my legs."

Genie smiled warmly at him. "You probably just skinned up your knees. You didn't go swimming after you played football?"

He put his hands on his hips and looked up at her. He shook his head. "No."

Genie looked back at the Doctor and smiled, "He always does that. Plays football and then goes swimming."

He held out his hands. "Everyone does. Sam calls it the 'pre-wash'."

Genie covered her face and giggled.

The Doctor smiled, "I need to get a new filtration system for the pool."

Arles grinned and looked back at Genie. "I looked online. That band you like…umm….The Black Eyed Peas, is playing. I got us some tickets."

Genie's eyes got huge. "You're kidding!"

Arles shrugged his shoulders, "I figure if we're back this far, we should make the most of it." He looked at the Doctor. "Don't worry, Dad. I got extra for the Quauthin. I know we can't go on our own."

The Doctor grinned, "Good man."

Genie covered her mouth to keep from shouting. "Oh! That's wonderful, Arles! Thank you!"

Arles put his finger over his lips, "You're going to wake up Legate."

Genie waved her hand in front of her face. "Oh wow. I've always wanted to see them!"

Arles waved his hand, "It's nothing. Do you want tea?"

She shook her head. "Maybe a bit later. I'm fine right now."

He put his hands on his hips and smiled at Legate. "Looks like you might be here a while. How long as he been out?"

Genie smiled at Legate. "Not that long. Sam has a notebook downstairs you need to look over."

He nodded his head. "Alright. I'll go catch him up. Dad? Tea?"

The Doctor shook his head. "No, thanks. I'll be downstairs in a bit."

Arles walked out of the room and they could hear him go down the stairs. The Doctor looked back at Genie. "So, Arles?"

She rose her eyebrows. "Yeah? That's him."

He propped his chin in his hand. "Yeah."

Genie looked confused. "Yeah?"

He nodded, "Yeah."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Daddy? You're being weird."

He tossed his hand up and cleared his throat. "We'll talk about that later. I need to go and see if I can wake up your Mum."

She slipped off her shoes. "Well, I'll be right here. Guarding a Quauthin."

He smiled, "Want a book?"

"Nah. I'll be fine. I need to have a think about the school anyway."

The Doctor nodded his head and stood up. "I'm going to go to Plentitude. I'll be back tonight. Ummm…I wanted to ask how Tony was today?"

She sighed. "Hung over. Did you see him downstairs?"

He shook his head. "No."

"Dad. I don't even know what to do with him."

The Doctor pointed at her. "He's not for you to worry about. He's my responsibility."

She sighed. "Everything isn't on your shoulders, Dad. Mum tells you that all the time."

He smiled at her, leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Love you. Do you want anything from Plentitude?"

She giggled. "No, thank you, Daddy. Just be careful, and I'll see you tonight."

He walked out of the door, turned and pointed at it. "Want me to close this?"

"Yes, please. Arles and Sam together." She groaned. "They will be getting loud in about-"

Samuel's loud laugh could be heard from downstairs.

Genie grinned. "Oh, Sammy."

The Doctor chuckled and closed the door behind him.

Genie ran her hand through Legate's hair and looked at his sleeping face. He looked so peaceful. She noticed that the stubble had started to grow on his face. He must not have shaved when he showered. She loved it when he skipped a day.

She moved her hand and teased the stubble on his chin.

He whispered without opening his eyes, "Genie. How are you? Really?"

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

He opened his eyes and looked up at her. "Your head? How is it?"

"Why? Do you want to try again?"

"I don't understand why we can't connect telepathically. We're both telepathic."

"Maybe…because….I was so sick?"

"John said it would be a while until you are completely well from that." Legate told her quietly.

She continued to run her fingertips across his stubble. "I'll try if you want."

He brought his hand up and moved her hand to the side of his head. "This spot, right here is where you need to touch."

"I don't understand that. Why do I have to touch that tiny spot?"

He grinned as he held her hand to the side of his head. "Oh geez. You're complaining?"

She giggled. "No. Sorry."

"It's how children learn to speak telepathically to one another. That is the spot there, where it works. I don't know why. You should ask John-"

"Or Samuel." Genie told him. "He is a Doctor."

Legate kissed her wrist as he held her hand to his head. "Right. Okay. Just as if you are speaking to…Rose."

She closed her eyes.

Legate gently held her hand to his head.

She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Anything?"

"Try again."

She groaned and moved her hand from his head. "Legate. I don't know if it will come back."

He sat up and put his arm around her. "It just needs time, Genie."

She shook her head. "Legate. I'm beginning to think it might not come back-"

"John said it would be a while-"

"It's been a while."

He kissed the side of her head. "Any headaches?"

"No. Thankfully not. I'm telling you. I'm fine. I just….am normal for a change. I don't know. It's not what I thought it would be."

Legate looked back at her. "Because it's not normal for you. It's something you are missing."

Genie sighed. "Dad told me not to worry so much about it."

"Then, we shouldn't. But, if you need to try….I'm here." Legate told her.

"We'll be back at the school in a few days."

He smiled at her, "And…you are a genius."

She rose her eyebrow at him. "How do you mean?"

He smiled at her. "Your Dad thinks you and Arles have a thing now."

"Oh! No! How gross!" She covered her face.

Legate laughed, still with his arm wrapped around her shoulder. "I really think he does. This throws him off our scent."

Genie groaned. "Oh, that's just nasty. Arles is my brother!"

Legate laughed under his breath. "Well, not really."

"Oh, that's so wrong. Surely, he doesn't think that."

Legate tapped his lip. "Well, let's think about this. Your Dad is Rixalarian. No one knows who he is. My grandmother, Martiea, is Rixalarian, too. What if we're related?"

Genie looked at Legate through her eyebrows in disbelief. "Why are you talking about this?"

He shrugged his shoulders, "That's just what pirates do."

She laughed. "That's why. You're winding me up because I called you a greasy pirate."

He chuckled. "Yeah, a bit."

She giggled at him. "Oh, you are so un- Rixalarian."

He grinned, "How's that? I'm not handsome enough?"

She turned to him and smiled. "That, is the only thing you have that is Rixalarian. I believe everything else is Quauhtin."

He nodded his head. "The best of both worlds."

She shivered and shook her head. "Me and Arles. Oh, that's gross."

Legate laid his forehead to hers and smiled. "Oh, I really hope he does think that. What fun!"

She pointed at him. "You need a hobby."

"I have one. Want to see it?"

She groaned. "Oh, the surf-"

He caught her lips with his own and kissed her. She felt him hold her face as he sucked her bottom lip, then slipped his tongue into her mouth. Her lungs filled with how he smelled. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his hands dropped down to cup her breast through her shirt.

Meanwhile, the Doctor arrived in the dining room. Arles and Samuel were arguing playfully about something.

"Fine. We'll settle this like men!" Sam insisted.

Arles and him began to arm wrestle. Sam lost quickly.

"Ha!" Arles insisted.

Sam rolled his eyes. "Well, maybe an ice cream bar is a good idea at the school."

The Doctor crossed his arms. "You are voting against an ice cream bar, Samuel?"

Samuel shook his head. "Nah. Not really. I just wanted to arm wrestle."

"Phhh." Arles insisted and got up to make himself a cup of tea.

The Doctor chuckled. "Where is Tony?"

Samuel pointed outside with his thumb. "Needed a bit of hush. Headache. You know. And I'm loud. It's a problem."

Arles returned with his tea. "We're loud. Let me see this notebook, Sammy. I have a few ideas."

Sam pushed the notebook to Arles.

The Doctor smiled, "I'll go find Tony. Do you guys need anything from Plentitude?"

Sam and Arles looked at one another and smiled. Then they said together. "BUBBLES!" And started to laugh hysterically.

The Doctor shook his head.

He walked out of the door and saw Tony Tyler sitting on the steps of the flat. Aemillius waved as he jogged by. Tony lifted his fingers to greet him. The Doctor sighed and sat down next to him. "So, what are your plans today?"

Tony drank his water. "Nothing. Trying to get rid of this headache."

The Doctor turned to him. "Let me see it."

He put his hands on the side of Tony's forehead. Within a few seconds, Tony's eyes opened wide and he shouted. "Ahh!"

The Doctor smiled and took his hands from Tony's head.

"What the hell was that, John?"

The Doctor laughed. "Something I'll deny if you tell the others I can do it."

Tony shook his head and looked surprised. "I am…completely better. How can you do that, but Sam can't."

The Doctor grinned. "Sam probably can do. He just doesn't know how yet."

"Well, I owe you one. That was the worse."

"Liquor?"

"Wine."

"Ouch. Been there. Recently, brother."

Tony held his head in his hands. "Oh….I just hate this." He propped his head up on his hand. "I think I'm drinking way too much, John."

"Then you probably are. How much are you drinking?"

"I'm only sober in the morning. I start drinking and find, that I don't want to stop."

"Is this all the time, or just in the past week?"

"Just the past week. I never really drank a lot at all before that."

"I think it's your way of trying to dull the pain. Tell me, did I do anything to your head?"

Tony nodded, "Yeah. A lot of stuff is blocked. It doesn't feel like it." He looked back at him. "Do you think something went wrong?"

"No. Knowing what happened, I think it's just…so traumatic that I can't block it completely."

"You said you could in time. Time is the thing here though. I want to keep this from happening. If I have to remain here…the full 18 years. I'm not going to allow it to happen."

The Doctor put his hand on Tony's back. "Neither will I. Listen, how are you as a pilot?"

Tony nodded. "Not bad."

"Good. I need you to go with me to Plentitude today. You up for that?"

Tony sighed. "I've not been on a ship since-"

"It's time you were back on one. I'll be there. I think we need a….guy trip."

Tony smiled back at him. "Guy trip?"

"Yes! Well, I need to go check with the misses, but yes. Guy trip. Just what you need."

Tony smiled and nodded his head. "Well, you are 'The Doctor'."

He smiled proudly. "And that only took 18 years for someone here to realize that."

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