XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 12 - Sleep

Pepper walked back to her and Tony's suite on the ship. She took a deep breath and pressed the button on the side of the door that opened it, just like Poltious had shown her. The door slid open and she immediately heard the television playing some program. Relieved she had gotten the room correct, she walked in and saw the stars streaking past the windows in long lines.

She walked around to the side of the sofa and saw Tony sitting there with the little boy leaned against him, sleeping. He had covered him in a blanket. She smiled at the scene as he looked back at her wearing her work-out clothes.

"Why don't you dress like this at home?"

"I usually change before I come back up to the penthouse."

He looked her up and down. "You really shouldn't. I mean…..oh wow."

She giggled, "I'll go get changed-"

"No! You don't have to rush off. You can come sit here."

"Tony, I'm a sweaty mess."

He sighed. "Alright. Fine. But, just….stand there a second. I want to burn this image into my mind."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm going to take a shower. Well….damn."

"What?"

"I don't know how to work the shower up here."

He laughed. "I'll help. Let me get him to bed."

She watched him stand up and pick up the little boy. She walked with him into the spare room to the right of where they sat. Tony spoke once they got into the small room. "Friday, lights at 25%"

The lights came on and Pepper saw the small, half bed sitting to the side of the room. A football and some clothes sat on a shelf on the other side. The large window continued down the side of the room and curved to wrap around the ceiling. The blackness of space and the long streaks of stars could be seen.

Tony lay down Soler in the bed and pulled the duvet over him. "There." He whispered.

He started back out of the room when they heard the little boy ask, "Tony?"

Tony stopped and turned around. "Yeah?"

"Where are you going?"

He looked at Pepper and grinned. He walked back over and sat on the side of the bed. "I'm going back in the other room. You'll be more comfortable in here."

The little boy sat up and looked around, rubbing his eyes. "Where is this?"

"Your room. This is your room while we're on the ship. See? I put your stuff over there. This is your bed and-"

The boy looked at the bed were he sat. "I have a bed?"

Tony nodded, "Yeah. You can rest on it. What do you normally rest on?"

"Just…on the floor. Where ever."

Tony closed his eyes and grit his teeth. Sensing he needed her help, Pepper walked over and knelt next to the bed. "Tell me, did you sleep any last night when you and Tony Tyler stayed in the nets?"

Soler yawned and rubbed his eyes. "No."

She smiled, "Worried you would fall out? I would be."

He closed his eyes and yawned.

She kissed the top of his head, "Get some sleep. It's late. We're just in the other room, not far away from you at all. If you need Tony or me, just call to us. We'll be able to hear you."

"You're that close?"

She smiled warmly, "Yes. Look, you can see through the doorway. That's our bedroom door just across the room. Do you see the door?"

He rose up and looked. He nodded and relaxed in the bed. Tony tucked him back in.

Pepper took Tony's hand and led him out of the bedroom. He stopped and closed the door halfway when they got back into the sitting room. "Thank you, Pepper. I was….just…didn't even know what to say."

She smiled, "It's alright. He's exhausted. Maybe he'll be able to get a good night's rest."

Tony nodded, "Yeah. Hmmm…what were we doing?"

She pointed at him, "You were going to show me how to use the shower."

"Oh! Yes. Right. Shower." He walked to the door of their bedroom and pressed the button on the side that opened the door. "Through here."

Pepper smiled as she walked past him and he smiled at her. "What are you up to?"

He pointed to himself, "Me?"

She walked into the room and was nearly overwhelmed at the smell of flowers. Tony leaned in the doorway, "Friday. Raise the lights in here to 67%"

She looked around and saw vases of red roses and lilies all over the room. She gasped, "How did you do this?"

He laughed, "Oh, I'll never tell."

She walked back to him and smiled. "Tony, this is beautiful."

"Not bad for a secret admirer, huh? How am I doing?"

She covered her mouth in surprise. "I'm impressed. I can't believe you did something like this."

He took her hand in his. "I'm really glad you came with me out here with me. I've missed you this week."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She felt his hands on her back as he held her tightly. As they continued to kiss one another, she felt his hands slide down her back and grab her bum. She stepped in as close as she could to him, holding him tightly. Completely lost in one another, they started towards the bed in the suite. Pepper lay back as he climbed on top of her and continued to kiss her.

Friday spoke, "There is a call for Miss Potts."

Tony mumbled through their kisses, "She's busy."

Pepper smiled and he continued to kiss her neck, "Who is it, Friday?"

"Natasha, from the office." Friday replied.

Tony sat up and sighed.

"I'm sorry. Let me take this."

He rolled over on his back and groaned, "Put it through on the screen in the main room, Friday."

Pepper walked in the main room and looked at the television. "Hello, Natasha. What do you need?"

Tony walked behind Pepper, "She's taking the weekend off."

Natasha nodded her head, "Yes, Mr. Stark. I just had a few questions for her. But, since you are there, you might be able to help."

He sat down on the sofa and propped his feet up on the table in front of it. "Go."

"You want to extend the Expo?"

He nodded, "Yeah."

"For how long?"

Tony looked at Pepper. "I don't know. What do you think?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "I have no idea-"

He pointed at the screen. "A month. 30 days. Everything can be extended to that. What else?"

Natasha looked down, "Well, there is the matter of Top-"

Pepper held out both of her hands. "NO! He doesn't know about that."

Tony looked surprised at both of them, "What? Top what? Top Gear?! What?"

Pepper closed her eyes and shook her head. "Okay, so now he knows." She sat down next to him on the sofa and pointed at him forcefully, "Don't you dare tell John! It's a surprise for his birthday!"

Tony could barely sit still on the sofa from his excitement. "Oh, hell yeah!"

Natasha spoke. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have just-"

Pepper sighed, "It's alright. John is the one who can't know. Tony would have found out."

Tony was about to bounce out of his skin from the excitement he felt, "Yes, I would. I have my ways. Details, woman. Go!"

She nodded, "Well, they can't let you race on the track-"

"Phhh! Why the hell not?" Tony complained.

"Insurance."

Tony groaned and looked back at Pepper. "Well, that's just shit."

"But, they did suggest a special. With the pair of them on it."

Tony shook his head, "But we can't go on the track? What's the point? I need John to know how bad I can kick his ass."

Pepper smiled at him, "Talk to them again and see if we can let them race someplace else. Tell them we'll cover the cost of the insurance. I'll talk to Rose and Pete. I'm sure it will be alright."

Tony rubbed his chin in thought. "I have a few ideas about that, too."

Pepper smiled back at him, "Natasha, I'll talk with Tony about it. I'm sure he'll come up with something good."

"It will be great!" Tony rubbed his hands together, "Yes! Top Gear. I'm going to kick John's ass so hard. My footprint will be a permanent mark across his ass. See if we can get a few of John's bodyguards in that, too. Especially Lewis. Otherwise, he'll find out."

Pepper nodded. "That's a good idea. We'll talk about it here, but see what you can do."

Natasha nodded, "I'll take care of it. And the White House called."

Tony groaned and propped his head up on his fist. "Yeah? What's Howie want?"

"He's having a re-election dinner and asked you to attend."

Tony didn't have any reaction. Pepper looked back at him sitting in silence. "Tony?"

Tony seemed to return to reality. "Right. I'm in. What's the problem?"

"You also have a plus one."

Tony looked back at Pepper. "Do you want to go?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "Well, yes. I suppose-"

"Settled then. Pepper is my plus one."

Natasha nodded, "Alright. That's all that couldn't wait. Enjoy your weekend off, Miss Potts."

She ended the call and the screen went black. Tony looked back at Pepper, "That was alright? Plus one?"

Pepper nodded, "That was fine. Yes."

He nodded his head and smiled. "Yes. See, I can do this."

"You almost sound like you are trying to convince yourself."

"Maybe I am. Do you have….any idea at all…how hard it is to keep my hands off of you in front of her?"

Pepper grinned, "Well, she's gone now."

He bit his lip and stood up, "Shower. That's what we were doing."

She laughed, "I'll go get something to change into. I'll meet you in there."

"Well, I have towels already-"

"Tony. I'm going to wear more than a towel."

He cleared his throat. "Well, that's up to you…"

Pepper rolled her eyes and walked into her closet and got herself some clothes. She returned to the bedroom and saw Tony coming out of his closet. She walked to him and put her hand on his chest. "Just a second."

He raised his eyebrow at her. "What?"

"Those things you were taking. What did you call those?"

"Anti-rejection medication for my heart?" He teased.

She groaned and put her hands on her hips. "That's another good reason you don't need to take those. Tony, you need to sleep."

He dropped his head dramatically. "Do we have to do this now?"

"Yes. We do."

"Pepper. I can't sleep. I'm worried-"

"You need to talk to John. Maybe he can help-"

"He can't help-"

"How do you know-"

"He can't!"

"You haven't asked him!"

Tony stopped and looked at her, "You told him, didn't you?"

She sighed and took his hand in hers. "Tony. I'm worried about you. This seems to have gotten worse-"

"Well, it won't get any better."

She held up her hand. "Alright. Stop. You are going to tell me when it got so bad again."

He groaned, "I can't get out-"

"No. This wasn't this bad-"

"It's not bad now!"

"It is, too! Tony. You are keeping yourself from sleeping to avoid this."

Tony covered his mouth and looked away from her. "It's….not….like that."

"Then tell me what it's like. Because where I'm standing, that's exactly what it's like."

He put his hands on his hips, smiled and shook his head at her.

"Go ahead and cuss me out if you want, but we have to talk about this." Pepper insisted.

"I'm not going to cuss you out." He told her as he looked at the floor. "What did you tell John?"

"He knows as much as I do. About everything."

He looked confused, "Everything?"

She nodded, "I think he can help."

Tony took a deep breath, "I just don't want to talk about any of this. It doesn't help. "

She took his hands in hers again, "And you don't have to. That's not what I'm saying. But, I don't want you to take these pills to keep yourself awake anymore. I've noticed the drinking. Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

He closed his eyes and shook his head. "I'll talk to John."

"When?"

"Next time I see him."

She nodded, "Alright. Progress. And there are other ways to keep yourself up at night. To wear yourself out."

He looked at her and smiled. "Yeah?"

She pointed at him, "You said you thought you could do better. That's the bar now. It always has to be better than last night."

He bit his lip and nodded. "Alright. In that case." He turned around and took a red box out of the top of his closet. He handed it to her. "That's all of them. Well, there's another box in New York. Take them both, and do whatever with them. I won't take anymore."

"You don't have them anywhere else?"

"You've known me a long time. Do I keep things in two places?"

She smiled, "No. Not normally."

He took a deep breath. "I need to see John, then. I don't feel comfortable sleeping next to you with my head all….screwy."

She sat the box down in a chair near the opening of the closet, "Then, 'mon cher'-"

"You do speak French!" He looked surprised at her.

"I don't. I asked Rose how to say that."

He smiled at her. "I'm impressed. She's a good coach."

"Show me how to work this shower, and go see John."

"You don't need me to….wash your back? Or anything?"

She smiled at him. "You can stay, but only because you didn't cuss me o-"

He crashed his lips into hers and held her tightly in his arms. They continued to kiss one another as they walked to the bathroom. Tony hit the panel to close the door, not removing his lips from hers.

XxxXxxxXxxxxXxxxXxxxXxxx

The Doctor sat on the sofa with his head propped on his fist. He was watching Rose make them both tea in the kitchen.

"Rose, I could do that."

"You are hurt. I'm surprised Lewis was able to keep you on the sofa that entire time."

He smiled as she walked over and handed him a cup of tea. "Rose, you can feel it. You know I'm alright."

She sat next to him, "Let me just be the doctor here for a minute."

He chuckled at her. "Yeah? What's your treatment for electrocution?"

She looked at him with her tongue in her teeth and said quietly. "Sex."

"Sex?"

She whispered to him, "Lots of dirty sex."

"Oh. I like how you think."

She giggled at him and sipped her tea. "It uses a lot of gross motor skills and-"

"Fine motor skills. It's a good idea. I'm game for that. Yes." He laughed with her.

Genie walked down the hallway. "Daddy. Is it really time for bed?"

Rose looked surprised at him, "Seems rather early."

"Tony is already asleep. Can you believe that?"

Rose rolled her eyes. "I bet he didn't sleep last night. Up there in the nets. That's just madness. More of Legate's madness."

He pointed at Genie. "Yes, my child. It is. It's been a long day."

Genie put her hands on her hips and groaned, "This is strange. Why are we not going to the planet? Lewis said we're just going to hang out in a cloud."

"Yes. Like a raindrop." He waved her over to sit in his lap. "Well, there's a lot going on there on the planet. We don't want to be any trouble to anyone."

Genie looked at him, curiously. "But…I still don't understand."

Rose smiled at her. "What story are we going to hear tonight?"

Genie smiled, "One about Spartacus!"

The Doctor looked back at Rose and groaned. "Spartacus, huh?"

She smiled, "Yes. And Donna."

The Doctor seemed to be listening to something.

Rose noticed the look on his face, "Police scanner?"

"Rose, I'm sorry. But, I'm needed in the Control Room."

She smiled at Genie. "I'll tell you a story about Spartacus blowing up someone's job."

He laughed at her as he kissed Genie on the forehead, "Don't give Mum a hard time. One story, one glass of water, and then go to sleep. I'll look in on you when I return."

Genie nodded and pointed at Rose. "You are clearly forgetting something."

He looked at Rose and smiled. "I'd never forget that." He leaned over and kissed Rose's lips.

"Everything is alright?"

He stood up and walked towards the door. "Not sure what's actually going on. But, I'm sure it will be alright."

Rose looked back at Genie, "Daddy will sort it all out."

Meanwhile, the Doctor walked down the hall and noticed the stars had stopped passing by in the long lines they had before as he passed a window. After a quick ride up in the lift, he walked into the Control Room. Legate stood there with Poltious.

Legate spoke, "I stopped the ship until we get this sorted, John."

The Doctor walked over to the console where he stood. "What's up?"

Poltious pointed at the screen. "The forward shield is not solid. I'm not sure what's going on with that. I've called Timon and he'll be right up."

"Could that thing that Tony put on the sensors have done something?" Legate asked.

The Doctor shook his head. "I don't think so. Go ahead and call him up here, too."

Poltious nodded, "I just did. He's on his way."

The door slid open and Timon walked in with Tony. Tony held his hands up, "John, this isn't me. I have Timon's assurances."

"And wet hair. Interrupting something?" Legate teased.

He looked back at them. "Nah. I had just gotten out of the shower. You have good timing. Really, good timing."

Legate nodded and looked back at the Doctor. "Right." He mumbled.

The Doctor laughed under his breath. "Let it go, Legate. I'm sure you don't want details."

Timon walked over to the panel and opened it. He looked around. "This isn't right. This power is all…ugh. This is a mess."

Tony knelt down behind him. "Take off the-"

"Nah, that's not the problem. It's over here, but this is on the other side of the ship." Timon rubbed his chin. "Hang on. I know what this is. It's not that bad."

"Need me?" Tony asked.

"Nah. I've got it." Timon said as he took off another panel.

Poltious put his hands on his hips. "Timon. What is it?"

Timon rubbed his chin. "It seems like a few wires that had too much power pushed through them. Let me guess, forward shields?"

Legate nodded. "Yeah. We have her stopped now."

Timon nodded, "Good idea. Put her on backup shields and tell Summus to bring me….hmmm….I'll make a list."

The Doctor groaned. "Damn. Alright. Prepare a list. I'll be in my office. What is our position?"

Poltious pressed a few buttons. "Just outside of the nebula."

"Good. Put us in there to keep us from bringing any attention to ourselves. We'll just hold that position. We're close enough."

Legate nodded and sat down. "I'm on it."

Tony knelt down behind Timon. "Too much power, huh?"

Timon smiled, "Oh, that's a great idea. I know what you're thinking. Go talk to John about it. It would be the perfect time to do that."

Tony jumped up. "John! I need to have a word with you, man."

The Doctor nodded and they both walked into his office. Tony watched him open a panel behind his desk and pull the photo album out of his pocket. Tony laughed as he sat down. "I'll never get used to seeing that. Freak."

The Doctor smiled at the photo album as he put it in the panel. "Rose's gift to me while we were gone. Probably a safe place for it."

Tony teased, "What? Pictures in the nude?"

The Doctor sat down in the chair next to Tony. "Very close to it. The photographer did a hell of a job. Pepper suggested it-"

He pointed at himself, "Pepper? My Pepper? Suggested a ….help. What is that called?"

He smiled, "A boudoir session."

Tony pointed at him. "Yes. That's it. Oh wow." He rubbed his face. "I really hope Pepper does one for me. Have Rose talk to her."

He nodded, "Sure. What did you need to talk to me about?"

"Well, two things. First…..this power problem."

The Doctor crossed his arms and looked at him, "What did you do? I won't be pissed."

"Come on, man. Why do you think it's something I've done?"

The Doctor smiled, "Right. I'm sorry. What do you want to do, then?"

Tony smiled, "That's more like it. Timon and I have been talking to Legate the Pirate."

The Doctor propped his head up on his fist. "Oh boy…."

"He has a … I'll probably say this wrong….. Kozirian-"

"Kozirmian."

Tony nodded, "Just checking to see if you were paying attention. He has a Kozirmian cloak for his ship."

The Doctor shook his head. "His ship is tiny-"

"But, he showed me how that device works. I can expand it to encase this one."

The Doctor shook his head. "Nah. The power you would need would be-"

"Way less than what an arc reactor would produce. The small ones in the suits can't be copied, but the one we put at your house is still in the computer, and it has no problem working as a copy."

The Doctor grinned. "Oh, that's brilliant. That could work. We could put a perception filter on the ship at the same time."

"No one could see her."

"And no one would care to. Oh, that's brilliant. Perfect time to do that with this power overload, too. Yes."

Tony smiled and rubbed his hands together. "Well, that's the first thing. The second."

"What's wrong?"

Tony sighed, "Alright. Well. I've tested it, several times to make sure, and the palladium is still in my bloodstream."

"Really? How much?"

Tony rubbed his hands together and leaned up, "19%. I've not been able to drink anything but water because everything leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Before, I drank chlorophyll to try to wash it out of my system, but…."

"Yeah, that's not up here on the ship. 19%. Why is it so high?"

Tony shook his head. "I really don't know. You're the Doctor."

"It was washing out though. After the surgery and everything-"

"Yeah. It was down to 7% at its lowest."

The Doctor nodded, "This is the reason you …"

"Can't sleep. I know she talked to you. She took the pills away from me just an hour ago."

"She's worried about you."

Tony waved his hand. "I'm not pissed about that. I'm angry at myself for letting it get this bad before I said anything."

"Have the dreams been worse?"

"Everything has been. The…dreams. Worry. I haven't had panic attacks in a while. Had two yesterday. Just…wigged out."

"How bad?"

Tony sighed and thought. "Back when I was in the cave, there was this other guy they also had. This doctor named Yinsen. He's the one that originally put that magnet in my chest….had it hooked up a car battery I had to carry around."

The Doctor nodded.

Tony looked at the floor and shook his head. "I heard his voice, yesterday. Just like he was standing right next to me. It was so strange."

"What happened to him?"

"They killed him. He…well….yeah."

The Doctor knew this was hard to talk about. "What did he say?"

"That's the thing, I really didn't understand him. But, it was his voice. I'm sure of it."

Timon knocked on the door. "Sorry, John. I have the list. This has what Poltious needs, too. Legate said he can-"

"Nope! Hand it to me. I need a few things myself."

Timon handed a tablet to the Doctor. "It shouldn't take Summus but an hour and a half to get out here if he brings the Hamlet. Some of those things are rather large, so I don't see why he wouldn't. He's warming her engines now."

The Doctor nodded, "Thanks, Timon. Tony talked to me about the Kozirmian cloak. After we get parked in the nebula, we'll get to work on that. Hell of an idea, man."

Timon pat the doorway, smiled and walked back out.

The Doctor looked at the list and nodded his head. "Let's walk down to the med bay and let me check some things, Tony. I think I know what's caused this."

XxxxxxXxxxxXxxxxxx

The Doctor looked at the screen with Tony's vitals on it. "Yeah. I was right. A combination of you not sleeping and using that phase device of yours has done this."

Tony sat in the chair with his arm bent, keeping a cotton ball in the bend of the elbow. "And I thought that would be what you would say."

"How are you feeling?"

Tony sighed, "Honestly, like shit."

The Doctor chuckled, "I can see why." He walked over and looked at Tony's arm. "Well, drink spearmint water. It's in the food replicator. It will help with the taste. Stay away from alcohol and I'll give you something that will make you sleep."

Tony counted on his fingers, "I need to stay awake to put those thermal imaging things on those ships, the Kozirmian cloak, and a million other things."

"Yeah. Well…after that's done, I want you to sleep-"

"I can't go to sleep."

"You have to sleep. This medicine will put you into such a deep sleep, you won't dream. But, warn Pepper because she won't be able to wake you up, either."

Tony crossed his arms. "I hate this. I feel like I'm always in here."

"Tony, a lot has been going on with you."

"Always with medicine and shit."

The Doctor smiled at him. "It's not forever."

Tony groaned.

The Doctor smiled, "Go back to your room and just relax. After everything is done, take a long nap. I'll look after Soler. Don't worry about him."

Tony pointed, "I worry about you. I need to help him learn to use that electricity ….before he turns into another Banner."

The Doctor looked back at him, "How did you walk into that shower with that boy? That should have killed you. It's driving Lewis mad that he can't figure it out."

Tony smiled, "I love that I have one over Lewis."

"I'm guessing it's something you worked out because of the suit."

Tony shook his head and stood up. "You're almost right. No."

The Doctor handed him several injectors. "Alright. Well, just so you know….the bets are getting a bit out of control on the subject."

Tony laughed. "Then I won't be giving you the advantage."

The Doctor smiled, "Just like before. I've marked all of these. Don't use the phaser at all. If this gets worse, the treatment is very painful. I want to avoid that."

"Dually noted." Tony nodded, "Speaking of beats, I have one with the boys."

Remembering the last bet they had, The Doctor looked back at him and took a deep breath. "Alright. I'm ready. What? Ask me."

"Where was the first place you landed, when you came to Earth? I think its London, that's the reason you talk the way you do."

The Doctor smiled and relaxed. "I really thought you were going to ask me something else."

Tony rolled his eyes. "Tell me. Have I won a bet?"

The Doctor leaned against a cabinet and crossed his arms. "That's too easy. Anyone can guess that."

"Come on, just fucking tell me."

He grinned, "Alright. Yes. It was London. 1963, in a junkyard."

Tony looked surprised, "A junkyard?"

He nodded, "I didn't want to bring any attention to myself. I hid my ship there. No one looks inside of a junkyard. Plus, she had a perception filter on her."

"So, no one noticed this big ass ship you had?"

He smiled, "On no. She was small, and then much bigger on the inside. No one would have noticed, but they did. And that's an entirely different story."

Friday spoke, "Doctor. There is a transmission from Pete Tyler for you."

"Route it down here, Friday. Cheers."

Pete appeared on the large floor to ceiling screens in the medical bay. "Well, hello the pair of you."

Tony pointed at himself, "Need me, Pete?"

Pete shook his head and pointed at the Doctor. "I actually needed to talk to him."

Tony smiled in relief. "Good! Well, hello and bye. I was just leaving-"

"Yeah, he needs to go to bed."

Tony walked out of the door. "Whatever, John. Not going to bed."

The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Possibility a worse patient than you are, Pete."

Pete chuckled, "Yeah. I can see that. I've managed to sort this whole professor thing out. The one that wants to sue Lance."

The Doctor tossed his hand, "Oh, let him sue. I'd love to have a go at him."

Pete laughed under his breath. "Well, sometimes it's easier just to have a chat, and get to the bottom of the problem. I think you were the one that told me that. Rose rubbing off on you a bit? That sounds like her."

The Doctor smiled, "I suppose she is. Thanks for handling that, Pete."

"That was an easy one. I wish some of this other shit could be as simple."

The Doctor noticed that Pete was sitting behind his desk in his office at the mansion. "It's late there, why are you still working?"

"Oh, it's only…..oh." He leaned back and looked at a clock. "8:30. It's not bad. I'm so damn behind on this shit. Jack's is watching telly. Eastenders, I believe. Plus, Howie called. Oh, it's a mess. I'm going to need your help when you get back. I can already see it."

"What's going on?"

"Where is Rose?" Pete leaned on the desk.

"She's in our room. She can't hear this conversation."

Pete nodded, "Good. The people that disappeared at the interview? That had planned to kidnap the girls?"

"Yeah. The Bad Wolf dissolved them."

"Apparently, it wasn't just them she dissolved. We're missing eight people from Torchwood, four from MI6, and Howie just rang to tell me they have video of the Vice President….dissolving in a mist of yellow light."

The Doctor groaned and ran his hand though his hair. "This was bound to happen. Damn it, she warned me she would protect them. Why didn't I see this coming?"

"There are probably more that we don't know about. People just don't disappear in a puff of smoke."

The Doctor crossed his arms and nodded, "Oh, this is going to take some very clever explanation. Please tell me that Howie is keeping this classified. We don't need people thinking its alien involvement."

Pete pointed at the screen, "I said the exact same words to him. Yes. It's above Top Secret at the moment."

The Doctor nodded, "Good."

"But, we have no way of knowing how many have disappeared, currently. Unfortunately, we're going to have to wait it out a few days and see who doesn't show up for work. And such."

The Doctor rubbed his face. "Oh, man. What a mess. This number could get very high. This is really, not good."

"Jake has five teams on it. It simply has to be kept completely quiet."

"What have you told Howie?"

"I've known Howie a very long time and he's not the easiest man to lie to. Well, for me. I've told him that we're looking into it here at Torchwood, and assured him that Stark hasn't started any chemical warfare."

"Well, that's all true. Tony wouldn't do chemical warfare. Well, I don't think he would. I'll have a chat."

"Good, until then…that's where we're standing on it. I do not want anyone to know what really happened for oblivious reasons. If I have to pull rank on that-"

The Doctor smiled and shook his head. "We're on the same page here, Pete. No one needs the real story. Not even Howie."

Pete sat back and sighed, "Well, that's all I have here at the moment. But, I can't help but admit, it would be really nice if this Bad Wolf has done us the favor of ending all of this terrorism for our family. I'd certainly sleep better at night."

"Things usually aren't that simple though."

"I agree."

"We shouldn't let our guard down."

"And the Quauhtin?"

The Doctor grinned, "Oh, I'm sorry, Pete. You are going to have to put up with the Prime Guard for a very long time. In fact, I've put in a request for some more guys. I feel that we are spread too thin."

Pete smiled, "Words that couldn't be any sweeter to my ears. Be careful out there, and I'll see you in a few days, son."

"Night, Pete."

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