Well here it is inspired by Doc's plot bunny hope you enjoy.

Summery: In this alternate reality Henry VIII finds out he may medically not be able to produce an heir. So instead of condemning Katherine of Aragon his wife of 24 years by divorcing her, he decides to take a extreme measures by allowing another in their marriage bed. Pulled in this is the moral and religious Sir Thomas Moore, who risks his dignity to save England from religious turmoil.

Warnings: Violence and Sexual Content

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the historical characters in this story. If I did I would be god and July 6th 1535 would be the day that Katherine of Aragon stormed into the Tower of London on her white horse and saved Sir Thomas Moore.

Somewhere In Between

You're a dream and I'm a nightmare

But we'll meet somewhere in between

Exchanging colors on the headboard

I'll be your king if you are a queen

I just fell in love for the first time

Watch as I pick myself up off the ground

In the dark I'm so far from the stop light

Can you see me now?

-Somewhere In Between-Hawthorne Heights

Extreme Measures:

It was late at night when Sir Thomas Moore was summoned to the King's quarters. Often when he was called this late at night it only meant one thing….Henry (or as Sir Thomas so often called him, Harry) was having some sort of nervous breakdown. When he got to the door, he took a deep breath before knocking on the hard oak softly.

"Come in," He heard Harry's familiar voice call to him softly.

The lawyer slowly walked into the room only to find Harry sitting on the bed with his hands folded on his lap. Sir Thomas took a deep bow uttering the words "your majesty" before Henry gestured him to have a seat in the ornate oak chair. The lawyer silently obeyed smoothing his black robes before sitting down.

"Now Sir Thomas you wonder why I called you at this hour," Henry said paying careful attention to his dear friend and mentor's behavior as he spoke. As usual the man in black who held upright in the law remained calm and composed. Henry hoped it remained that way for when he told him the rather risky favor he was to ask of him. "Of all the men I trust in this court I trust you the most," The King continued, "I consider you a father figure as well as my dear friend which was why I am asking you this important favor."

Sir Thomas rested his chin against his fist thoughtfully. It was true he considered Harry as his own son, since the poor child was neglected by his real father. He would do anything for Harry, even go as far as taking a bullet for him as long as it wasn't against the laws of god. He sighed wondering what task Harry was to ask of him, to travel to another country, help him write a treaty.

"And what favor is it that you ask of me Harry?" Sir Thomas asked quizzically.

Henry took a deep breath and braced himself to Sir Thomas' possible reaction to the task. Knowing him well, the King knew it wasn't going to be a good one.

"Well as you know Katherine and I are having problems having an heir," Henry said before pausing to watch Sir Thomas nod his head in agreement, "At first I was considering divorce but I cannot blame Katherine for this because the physician said there is a possibility it had to do with my seed, because if this same problem happens with my next wife it will be a waste wouldn't it Sir Thomas?"

Sir Thomas sighed and folded his hands on his lap. He was relieved that Harry wasn't going on the route of divorce which he was so determined to embark on. Partly because he wouldn't know which side to take since he shared his love for Harry and Katherine equally. Mostly because his conscience wouldn't allow him to agree to such a thing.

"It would," Sir Thomas agreed leaning forward, "I am glad you are not going to go towards the complicated process of divorce. But the possible problem with your seed is an issue do you have any ideas?"

"Katherine and I have already come up with a plan," Henry said getting up from the bed and placing his hands behind his back, "have you heard of the Secunda Abbas?"

The lawyer's eyes widened. Oh yes he knew what that was, a church document that allowed a third party to be involved in the act of conceiving a child. It all made sense Harry's mention of trust and the fact he confided in him about his possible problems in conceiving…Harry wanted him…to sleep with Katherine. Outraged, he immediately got up from his seat.

"No," Sir Thomas said walking towards the King with his fist in the air, "I know I would do almost anything for you and I know you are desperate for a son but I will not risk my dignity and my marriage to help you get a son…ask the Duke of Suffolk."

He continued to walk out the door only to have the King grab his arm and spin him around. Sir Thomas' heart was nervously beating. It only meant one thing agree or be forced. Unfortunately the tower wasn't a scenario out this time.

"You have no choice in this," Henry then roared causing the color to drain from the lawyer's face, "As much as I rather it be Charles be a third party, Katherine will choose no one else she trusts you and you alone. You refuse this then you are for leaving England to tear itself apart when I die. You will accept my command or you I will make you perform it not by the threat of death but by physical restraint."

"Henry threatening him isn't going to help," A voice Thomas immediately recognized as Katherine's said, "please let me talk to him calmly alone."

Henry didn't say a word he just sharply let go of Thomas' wrist before walking out the door, slamming it tightly shut. The moment Henry left the room Thomas fell to his knees and began to weep praying his tears would change her mind. He wept out of fear. He wept out of anger. Above all he wept for the fact he was being used. Yes he fantasized about Katherine, who hadn't fantasized about her she was a beautiful kind woman. No he couldn't think about that now. He had to think about how he could get out of this.

"Katherine please for the love you have for me," He wailed looking down to the floor, "Don't make me do this, I-I-I-I Don't want to be used as a whore."

Katherine just smiled and gently slipped her hand under his chin. She slowly lifted his head to stare at him reassuringly. She stroked his cheek with her thumb, comforting him. This action, this loving gesture told the lawyer that there was a deeper reason she wanted him to do this. A reason Harry was oblivious to.

"The reason why I chose you Sir Thomas," Katherine began, "is not to get revenge on Henry, not to use you like some cheap whore, it is because I love you and I trust you, all of these men at court are pigs but not you, you are faithful and trustworthy. So please for England's future and for me will you agree to the Secunda Abbas?"

And with that the lawyer sniffed and nodded his head. Katherine then grabbed him by the forearms and pulled him to his feet. He sobbed as she pulled him into a hug. He buried his head into her chest and sobbed out all his fears.

"Everything is going to be okay Sir Thomas," Katherine said running his hand through his hair.

Because you may not know this, She added in mentally, you mean more to me than Henry ever will.

Alice Middleton Moore was awakened in the middle of the night by her husband laying himself down into bed. His behavior was strange. Usually he would kiss her on the head and then snuggle into her. But tonight he laid on his back with hands folded on his chest. He stared absent mindedly at the ceiling. His eyes were wide as sundials.

Alice shot up beside him and looked at him in concerned.

"Husband what's wrong?" She said placing her hand on his forehead seeing if he had a temperature, "are you ill? Did something happen today?"

Sir Thomas took a deep breath. He couldn't lie to her, but yet he was afraid of her reaction. She would probably walk out, definitely strike him. Or she would be understanding to the fact he had no choice but accept this?

"The King and Queen asked me to lie with them to help them conceive a child," he said still staring at the ceiling, "and I accepted, I would never intentionally hurt you, but-"

"But what Thomas?" Alice retorted appalled at the news and to think he would remain faithful to her because he was so moral. She knew what this was; it was a sign of discontent that she couldn't give him children. "You said you didn't care that I was barren now you are so eager to have a child that you are eager to sleep with the Queen," She said as she walked out of bed.

"Where are you going," Thomas said moving his eyes over to Alice. He was too ashamed to look her in the eye.

"I'm sleeping in the guest room," She replied before slamming the door.

Thomas looked up at the ceiling now in agony. Why did they choose him? Did they care that his life was going to fall apart inch by inch from this? But he had to, for the country, for Katherine and to prevent restraint. Burying his face deep in his hands, he cried himself to sleep.

And when he woke from a dreamless sleep, he discovered that Alice had packed up her belongings and left.

The very same morning, Sir Thomas decided to seek spiritual guidance. He went to Westminster Abbey to meet Bishop Fisher, a close friend of his and a man he often confided in spiritually. He hoped that like Alice, he wouldn't abandon him either. He knocked on the door to his friend's office taking yet another deep breath. Bishop Fisher lifted his head from his desk and smiled.

"Sir Thomas," He said as he rose from his desk and walked over to embrace his friend in a hug, "this is a pleasant surprise, what brings you here?"

"Well John I need your guidance on a rather important and private matter," Sir Thomas said still worried on his dear friend's reaction.

Bishop Fisher wrapped his arm around Thomas' broad shoulders and walked with him into the chapel. The lawyer clasped his hands in front.

"Well you can tell me anything as you know," the old bishop said, "But I can tell whatever it is you are going to tell me is troubling you. But don't worry we are in a place of god and god is a forgiving being….except if you are a follower of Luther of course."

Thomas couldn't help but smirk at the comment. Those damn heretics, he thought to himself, but yet are they unfaithful to their wives in order to become a tool to help one bear children? Even if I whip myself to death and wear the most uncomfortable of hair shirts I don't think god will ever forgive me. I might as well be burnt at the stake like a heretic.

With that thought a frown formed upon his face. He then looked to the ground.

"The King may have problems with his seed," He said with his upper lip twitching, "he is going to extreme measures to conceive an heir with Katherine." He then paused, wriggled out of Bishop Fisher's grip and walked up the altar steps slowly stepping on each step as if he was climbing the stairs to the scaffold. The old Bishop looked quizzically at his friend trying to figure what was going on. When the lawyer got to the top of the steps he stared at the large sliver crucifix with his eyes watering. And with a sharp intake of breath he finally said, "They want me to lie with them to help them conceive an heir. I had no choice to accept, and already my life is falling apart inch by inch. Alice is gone and soon my reputation and my dignity shall be tarnished as I am marked as a sinner."

Loosing strength in his legs, Thomas fell to the ground on his knees and began to weep. Bishop Fisher crossed himself and thought of way to console his friend. He couldn't blame Thomas for this for the King was often irrational. Suddenly an idea popped into his head: a story in the bible. It was a new age if it applied to women, it could apply to men too couldn't it? The old Bishop slowly using his walking stick limped up the altar stairs and knelt beside him. He then wrapped an arm around the humanist's shoulders.

"Now, now," Bishop Fisher said as Thomas lifted his head sadly towards him, "technically what you are doing is not at all a sin. In the Old Testament in the book of Genesis the holiest and most pious of devoted married couples had a third party to help them gain offspring. Before Sarah gave birth to Isaac, Abraham used her handmaiden Hagar to give birth to his son Ishmael and Jacob used Rachel's handmaiden Bilhah to give birth to two of his sons. The same concept is being used here."

Sir Thomas wiped his nose with his sleeve. The words he heard told him two things. It assured him that it was most likely okay in the eyes of the lord to be a third party to conceiving the next king of England. But yet it also told him another horrible and cruel reality….Harry didn't look at him as a teacher, an advisor or a mentor…he looked at him as a slave.

"But they were servants, " He then said with tears falling down his eyes faster than before, "I am not Harry's servant, I am free to have a family, come and go as I please, to speak at my own free will and do as I please. With this I feel all the pain of the women in the world who are nothing more than child breeders and beating rags. I don't even know how these concubines are willing to throw themselves in royal beds."

Bishop Fisher slowly got up and limped towards the large silver crucifix. "You don't know," He added in chuckling, "you don't even behave like the men in court so I doubt you would behave like a concubine if god brought you into this world as a woman you would splash your goblet on wine in the Kings face instead." Sir Thomas couldn't help but smirk at the comment amidst his tears. Catching the lawyer's slight smirk the old Bishop smiled before commenting, "at least I am somewhat helping because I see that smile."

Thomas sniffed and looked to the ground again before sighing, "coming back to what you were saying before about the Old Testament, I guess if something like this was done in the time of our forefathers and is mentioned in the bible then I guess it's alright. But there are two things I am really concerned about…." He said before trailing off could he tell his friend the other secret he had hidden deep inside in a locked prison in his mind? "For one is what will be the benefit for me? I don't think Harry would ever let me raise my Child. I mean if I had some role in raising my child it would be worth it."

"Well," Bishop Fisher replied placing his hand on the altar table for balance, "first off you are a lawyer you this well. He may be King but his majesty needs to compromise in order to make it fair. If he won't your own son and if god grants it, your daughter consider you to be their father, he should at least let you be the god father along with other propositions, for example since you are the true father of the future King of England he should for no reason sentence you to death. Moving on there is another reason why this well be a benefit not for money, glory or power but a more worthy reason." Bishop Fisher raised his walking stick towards the large silver crucifix on the altar before continuing, "there are heretics afoot, tainting the religion that our savior died for. I know you are doing everything you can to prevent this Lutherisim from spreading but you and I know well it is only a matter of time before it spreads to England and maybe reach the king's ear. Your son could be the key to preventing that because if you are his godfather certainly are going to point him towards the right religious path."

Sir Thomas took in all the words his friend said to him. He was relieved and grateful that Bishop Fisher was being so understanding and supportive of him through the beginnings of this whole ordeal. Sighing in relief and letting out all the pressure in his chest, the lawyer lifted his head back up to eye level.

"If my child is destined to defend Christendom and I make some arrangement with Harry, then I guess it would be worth it," Thomas said, "you would help me with that would you friend?" Bishop Fisher shook his head in agreement. The Lawyer then paused. Now was the hard part the other concern, the concern that not a soul knew about except for himself. But when he remembered that his loyal friend was supportive and accepting of the first bit of news he had no fear anymore. "There is something else I am worried about," He finally whispered quietly, "something I never brought to confession."

"And that is?" Bishop Fisher replied raising an eyebrow quizzically.

Thomas closed his eyes and still hesitated for a moment. He took a sharp intake of breath and decided to just spill it out:

"I confess I have a bit of an attraction to Queen Katherine."

Bishop Fisher gave him a look as if he saw a ghost. Thomas looked down to the floor again in shame. And then after a moment of silence, he began to laugh. The laugh was loud and bounced off the walls of the chapel. Thomas immediately shot his head back up.

"Is that what you were so worried about?" The old Bishop laughed, "how I would react to the fact you are attracted to Katherine. I think no differently of you, you are human and allowed to have human emotions. God doesn't design us to be outright pure, he designs us to make mistakes. If it makes you feel better, I find Katherine attractive myself."

Thomas twisted his face in confusion, thinking the worst. "John," he said, "don't tell me that you of all people have broken your vows of Chastity."

"Who do you think I am?" Bishop Fisher retorted with a louder roar of laughter, "Cardinal Wolsey?"

Thomas couldn't help but laugh along with him. Just the thought of knowing his dear friend was doing everything he can to help him through this trying time. He wiped the last of his tears with his sleeve. "I am blessed to have you during this hard time," He said, "I am definitely going to need your guidance during this."

Bishop Fisher smiled and walked over to Sir Thomas who was still on his knees. He then placed his hand on his friend's broad shoulder. "It's a long road ahead of you," He said again, "but God will be behind you and guide you if you are lost, and now my friend I shall give you a prayer."

Fisher now had both his hands Sir Thomas shoulders. As this happened the humanist took a deep breath and crossed himself. His eyes gazed to the floor and his hands were clasped in prayer. If there was one thing he needed throughout this trying time was faith.

"Dear gracious Lord," Bishop Fisher said squeezing his shoulders reassuringly, "please forgive this righteous man for what he must do to save a kingdom. May you give him strength to help him through this rocky road emotionally and physically and finally, may he have the love and support from his friends and family as he risks it all to serve the King. Amen."

And crossing himself sadly Sir Thomas replied:

"Amen."

"Will both men place their hands on the bible."

That very afternoon with Thomas Cromwell reading their agreement and with the only witnesses being Cardinal Wolsey and Bishop Fisher (each side represented both the parties respectively), Henry and Sir Thomas Moore made the final agreement to the Secunda Abbas. Like good and evil both men stood on the opposite side of each other. Sir Thomas' face was soft and stern, whilst Henry's was serious and tense.

Slowly they placed their hands upon the bible.

"Sir Thomas Moore," Cromwell said looking at the humanist as he tried to keep his composure throughout the whole thing, "Do you swear before the Lord that you will fulfill your requirements of the agreement which are to come to the Queen's bed when ordered until a male heir is born, allow his majesty's presence in the bedchamber when you make love with her majesty and finally even on pain of death keep your lips sealed on this matter."

And don't forget you stupid Heretic be passive about losing my dignity so the king could have his heir? Sir Thomas thought bitterly. He paused to take a deep breath before saying:

"Yes I do."

Cromwell narrowed his eyes and shifted them towards the king.

"Your majesty," He then said, "since Sir Thomas agreed to your commands do you swear before the Lord that you will allow Sir Thomas to be the child's godfather and that under no circumstances shall you condemn Sir Thomas to death unless it is comfirmed that he planned and/or predicted your demise and do you understand if you break your end of the agreement Sir Thomas shall be allowed to reveal that he is the true father of the heir of England?"

Henry made a sharp huff before replying:

"I do, but only for a secure future of my Kingdom."

Both men then took both their hands away sharply from the bible.

"Now," Cromwell said placing the bible down on the table, "once you both sign the contract you shall both be bound to your word."

And with that both men picked up the separate quills and signed. When they were finished Henry placed his hand on Thomas' shoulder.

"I shall send a servant to fetch you when we are ready for you," Henry whispered lowly squeezing the humanist's shoulder so tightly he winced in pain, "if you are not to be found in the palace I shall order the guards to bring you here in chains and you shall be bound to that bed until you fulfill your duties. Your duties begin tonight."

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