Doctor Who: ALBION

Chapter 7 - Coronation

Disclaimer - I don't own nothing or nobody you know/recognize. Doctor Who is intellectual property of the BBC, afaik.

Characters: Doctor, Capt. Jack, Gwen, Rhys, alt-Lake/Tosh/Martha/Ianto/Alonso/Sarah Jane, guest RL celebs, OCs


Martha returned to George's room where she left Will Markham and the Doctor. Before she opened the door, she heard a faint buzzing and Will groan. "It's not working," she heard Will say, "do it again."

She pushed open the door. "What's going on in here?" she demanded, seeing the burly Time Lord all but blocking Markham, who she could just see cling on to the man's hips.

The buzzing stopped and the ginger time traveler turned and grunted at her in annoyance. "Why? What do you think is going on in here?"

Martha smirked. "Will? Do you need some privacy?"

Markham leaned over so he could see her and groaned in pain. "What? No, the Doctor was trying to ease the pain in my shoulder. That blood from Greaves didn't help," he told her.

She stepped over to the pair, noticing Markham's injured shoulder was bared once more, and he was leaning into the belly of the Doctor, who held a -to her- strange rod-like device to the wound.

She made a note to tease him later about what it looked like she thought they were doing. For now, she let her medical instincts kick in. "Let me see it," she said and leaned over him. "Did the blood ease the pain at all?" she inquired.

He shook his head, keeping a death grip on the Doctor's hips (she didn't ask why). "For about two minutes, yeah, then it started in again, like I had just been shot," he told her.

She glanced to the Doctor. "What is that buzzing thing you were waving around?"

"hmm? You don't recognize-? Sorry, I keep thinking you're my Martha," he chuckled, then held up the device. "Sonic screwdriver, pretty good almost all-around utility tool," he boasted. "Saved my life a fair number of times."

"Uh-huh," she replied, unimpressed, then turned back to examine Markham's shoulder again. "Only thing I can do for you now, Will, is give you a shot of antibiotics and something to ease the pain," she explained before turning to a cabinet. "Anything else, it'll knock you out a couple hours, so you can rest up for this afternoon."

Will groaned. "This is going to be a long day, innit?" he asked, glancing up to the Doctor.

"...and miles to go before you sleep," he responded.

"Nobody's going anywhere, except to bed," Martha informed him, not getting the reference as she pressed her injector to the wound. Will grunted in pain. "Come back down and check in with Owen before you leave for the procession," she ordered him. "He'll make sure you make it through the ceremonies alive," she teased.

"Joy," he grunted again as he motioned to the Time Lord to help him stand.

"What about you, Doctor?" she inquired. "You doing okay?"

He threw a cautious glance to Markham before answering. "I'll be fine," he replied. "Better get this one to bed, then," he said and helped Markham out of the room.

"You're not staying here, then?" Martha called after them and shook her head. "I don't know where they found you lot, but I don't think this world has ever seen their like before," she mused to herself before turning to check on George and then Greaves.

George lay immobile, still unconscious as she checked his vitals. She wondered why Greaves' blood had healed Charles' injured hand, while having no reaction to his son or confidante. Had it been because Charles' wounds were external from beating on the (supposed) dead man or some other reason? She shrugged it off and went to check on the corpse.

"Hello, Martha," came a sinister voice behind her. "I don't think we've ever had the pleasure," he smiled. One hand slid around her waist as the other covered her mouth. "Please don't make a scene, girl."

She realized that Will and the Doctor would be out of earshot by now, anyway, as she felt the cold metal press into her throat. A quick hiss and everything went dark.


Ten minutes earlier

The Doctor and Charles found themselves alone with Markham, the others having gone to check on George.

"You want to tell me why that happened, Charles?" the Doctor inquired. "Jack can only heal himself, his blood has never had any healing properties for others. It's part of what was done to him, his body locked into a certain moment in time, always returning to that prime condition."

Charles shrugged. "dunno."

Will Markham gave the Regent a scornful look.

"Charles?" the Doctor prodded again.

Charles looked away.

"If you don't tell him, I will," Markham warned.

Charles flashed his own grim look at his friend. "Stay out of this, Will."

"Charles, I will not allow you to keep this secret if it endangers the family, the Crown, or the world!"

The Doctor looked to the Regent expectantly. He dropped into a chair, sighing.

"Fine, you want to know why I healed?" he asked. "Geoffrey Greaves, the man once known as Jack Harkness is- he's-"

Charles couldn't force the words out. He glanced to Markham and nodded as he held his fist to his mouth.

"Lord Greaves is the progenitor of Royal Families all over the world," Will informed the Doctor. "He's selectively bred into succeeding generations for centuries. Some have speculated why, but no one knows for sure."

The Doctor eyed the pair. "Then why wasn't he immediately chosen for the Crown? Why use a proxy?"

"He's always operated from the shadows," Charles explained. "Whether as a consort or through proxies like my son. This has been a Royal Secret for ages, very few outside the Families know about it, least of all the general population. It's only been a problem the last few centuries with the advent of photographs and technology that he's had to really hide who he is."

"And Miranda? Does she know this? She was just a commoner, wasn't she?"

Charles sighed. "Not exactly. She's another illegitimate cousin, somewhat more removed than myself or Wilf. Just enough that we thought-heh, 'we'- Greaves," he scoffed, correcting himself. "Greaves had right of refusal on who I would marry. I thought it odd when he was almost excited about the match." He wiped his face with his hand. "If I had known then what I know now, I would have never-" he caught himself.

Will put his good hand on his friend's shoulder. "At the time, I was too young to know, but my father was head of Torchwood then. He knew what was really going on, too." He looked to the Doctor. "Wilf and Charles weren't too happy with Greaves' actions, either. My father had to mediate a truce between them."

"Is that part of why you gave up your son?" the Doctor inquired.

Will bit his lip. Charles drew himself up and looked away, hugging his arms around himself. "yeah."

"And if the twins had both lived? If it had only been a single birth? What then?"

Charles snorted. "What then? Then, it would be 'decided' that Lord Greaves would see to the children's 'education' and raise him 'proper' is what then," he growled. "Fucking bastard," he snarled and kicked at the corpse at his feet again.

"Forgive me for saying this, but you could say it worked out for the best," the Doctor suggested. The two men turned and glared at the Time Lord. He held up his hands. "Listen, you both got a child to raise, he saved your son's life at the cost of being able to raise him-"

"-and drive the lad insane," Markham interrupted. "Not to mention Miranda. (sorry, Charles.) You didn't see the crazed look in his eyes when he nearly killed me and Jack. I'd fear for the world if that kid ever took the throne."

"The question is, what do we do with George now?" Charles asked. "I hope this blood can cure him, but can it cure his mind?"

"You still didn't say why it healed your hands," the Doctor inquired again.

Charles smiled as if at a private joke. "All the inbreeding he's done? There have been some, shall we say, 'side effects' of that."

The Doctor raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"I can heal quicker than normal and, well, I seem to be aging a bit slower than normal," he admitted. "I'd never thought I'd look this good in my sixties. Bet you thought I was at least a decade younger, didn't ya?" he chuckled.

"Well..." the Doctor mused. "Would you believe I'm nine-"

"Yeah, that's great, Doc," Will cut in. "The healers we mentioned when we first met in the woods?" The Doctor nodded, vaguely recalling someone mentioned a healer after being shot. "One side effect. Others have been mental skills, telepathy and the like, among other traits."

"Flying?"

Will scoffed. "Please, what do you think this is, some kind of graphic novel?"

"Oh, I don't know," the Doctor mused. "I kind of like flying, just in a vehicle, of course." He was secretly glad to hear one form of entertainment persisted on this world. "And graphic novels. Best imaginations in the universe, these creative monkeys, you humans," he rambled.

Charles and Will gave him odd looks.

"What? You've got an immortal politician, healers and psychics." He pointed at Will, "And you've seen me before and after regenerating, yet you think someone flying under their own power is ludicrous? I could show you-"

Will suddenly grunted in pain and grabbed his shoulder.

"What's wrong?" the Doctor inquired, already reaching for his screwdriver.

"I-I don't think the blood is working," he grumbled.

The Doctor held his screwdriver to the wound and scanned it.

"no-no-no, please no," Charles muttered, fear growing across his face.

"I'll be fine, Charles," Will assured him. "Probably just from the shoulder healing itself," he lied. "We should go check on George."

"Will-?"

"Just go, will ya?" he urged, Charles gave him a dark look and left the room. Will then turned to the Doctor. "It's coming time, isn't it?" The Doctor nodded in understanding.

As the other two followed the Regent, Will seized up again in the hall and Charles helped him into the room where his lost son lay.

"You still haven't told me the whole story," the Doctor whispered, but was shushed by Will as they rejoined the others. He still wondered, if Charles can heal himself, why not use his blood for his son instead of Greaves?


Coronation morning

"I've got to go. Tons to do before the ceremonies begin," Alonso said.

"Save me a dance?" Jack asked.

"As long as it's vertical this time," Alonso laughed as he kissed the naked man beside him and rose from the bed.

"No promises," Jack Harkness quipped as he folded his arms behind his head and watched his new lover's naked body move across the room into the suite's bathroom, wondering again where the scars on his back had come from. He then pondered how open Markham would be to a threesome with Alonso. And Tosh. And Ianto?

Alonso distracted him by informing him, "The Royal staff tailors should have something for you and your friends to wear to the ceremony prepared shortly."

"How do they know our measurements?" Jack asked, with a smirk. Alonso's only reply was a wink.

The rest of the morning was spent rushing about, avoiding castle staff running to and fro with last minute preparations. The Doctor and his companions kept out of the way as best they could, while being told where and when to meet up to leave for the parade route. The men were given tuxedos, the Doctor insisting on an overcoat and scarf, while Jack had opted for a kilt over slacks. Gwen was adorned in a very flattering cream silk gown she would have described as a Grecian styled cut (and would never be caught dead in something so expensive back home) with a matching light jacket. Rhys laughingly (and lustily) refused to let her get more than an arms' length away.

Charles and Miranda finally happened across the group, accompanied by Ianto and Tosh.

"You guys look great!" Charles enthused, himself dressed in a form fitting tuxedo top and kilt and adorned with Regalia. He tossed Jack a dirty look and snapped his fingers in his face when he caught him lingering on his thick, muscled legs.

"Just admiring your Sighan Dubh," he smirked. Charles knew better.

The women complimented each others' gowns, Gwen afraid she was being too sultry, much to the denials of the other men. Miranda wore a similarly styled golden gown with a wrap and train, which Tosh kept rushing from picking up too much dirt. She was styled in a similar number to Gwen's and would later admit the dress was an option for her, but was too long for her tastes. (Will and Ianto would also argue this point.)

The Doctor pulled Charles a step away, "You haven't seen the Wills, have you?"

Charles shrugged, admiring the women. "I'm sure they'll be along shortly."

The Doctor gave him a knowing look of dissatisfaction.

"What? Biggest day of his life, you don't think he's going to be a little nervous with the whole world watching?" he scoffed.

"After what we've just been through?" he glared at the Regent.

Charles finally returned the Time Lord's gaze and frowned. "Ianto, make sure the ladies get along safely, would'ja? Quick pre-celebration toast with the boys, here," he lied.

Ianto nodded, but made it obvious he didn't believe the man. Instead, he turned to the women and began ushering them and Rhys along as Charles, Jack, and the Doctor turned back to the family quarters.

"Can I ask what's really going on?" Jack inquired.

"We're just checking to make sure my son and Will are coming along, that's all," Charles told him.

Jack glanced to the Doctor's back as he followed along behind the pair. Something was definitely up. He hoped the staff had a change of clothes ready, just in case.

They found the prince's room empty, save for the housekeeper, who insisted the bed had been slept in but never saw William that morning. The trio decided to check on Markham, just in case, and found him in his side room, still slumbering from Martha's sedatives.

When Charles woke him, he looked as if he had seen a ghost. He glanced in disbelief from Charles sitting at his side to Jack and the Doctor at the foot of his bed.

"You all right?" Charles inquired.

Will shrugged it off. "Yeah, bad dreams on top of what happened yesterday, just gimme a minute?" he replied, groggily, staring at Jack and the Doctor. He locked eyes with the Doctor, staring into the ancient blue cobalt. "Is it time?" he heard himself say.

"Not yet," the Doctor replied.

"It's time for you to get your ass in gear, Will," Charles replied as Jack gave him a confused look and the Doctor raised a curious eyebrow. "Come on, we need to find my Will," Charles continued. "Tosh is with the others downstairs already. She let you sleep in?"

Will slowly sat up, wincing at his shoulder pain again. "Never saw her last night," he groaned.

Charles hung his head for a moment. "I'm sorry." Will waved him off. Charles motioned to the time travelers. "Why don't you two see if my son is down in Medical? And see if they have another painkiller for Will, here?"

"Sure, why don't we do that," Jack replied, turning to leave. "Doctor?" The Doctor paused a second, giving the two men a discerning glance.

"What? I'm going to help my friend clean up and get dressed, now off with you," Charles ordered him. The Doctor finally turned and followed Jack out.

"Mind telling me what that was about?" Jack asked as they made their way down the halls.

"Nothing," the Time Lord replied. "Just something we discussed last night, is all." He marched ahead, keeping his own counsel. Jack threw his arms up in frustration as he followed.

When they arrived at the medical wing, they found Owen Harper giving Martha a once over. "Owen!" Jack shouted in greeting at this double of his late friend before realizing something was amiss. "Martha? What happened?"

"Don't know, don't remember, just woke up a bit ago with Owen hovering over me," she replied. She gave Jack another look of curiosity. "Is there anyone here you don't know?"

"What can I say, I get around," he smiled.

"What of our two guests?" the Doctor inquired.

"Gone, it seems," Owen answered. "The only one here this morning when I came in was Martha, sleeping like a baby." He eyed her a moment. "Not that she would tell me who she was watching."

"Long story. It's better you don't know," Jack informed him. "You haven't seen Prince William down here, then?"

"Sorry, I haven't seen the prince in a few days, honestly," he replied.

"Martha, any clue how to track him?" the Doctor asked.

"Just his wrist-comm, if he's wearing it," she informed them. "He's refused any other security than Will. Especially of late."

Owen went to a locked cabinet and punched in a code. "I'm guessing I'm missing a lot here, but if Martha trusts you?" He handed them a PADD. "Then that means the Regent knows you as well? This should help you track the immediate Family and their aides."

The Doctor and Jack scrutinized the device for a minute, noting the locations of Charles and Markham, and Miranda, Ianto, and Tosh. Even Jackson Lake was represented in a lower level along with a secondary, unidentified blip.

"Who would this be?" Jack asked the medics.

Martha glanced at the screen. "I can't tell. Someone recognized by the security systems, but masking their presence?"

Jack looked to the Doctor. "Will. Let's go," he said and turned to leave. "Oh, and thanks guys, see you at the party?" he asked.

"Before we forget, Charles wanted you to give Markham another painkiller?" the Doctor informed them.

"We'll get right on it, and wouldn't miss it," Martha replied, waving goodbye.

As they followed the PADD map, the Doctor inquired, "How do you know it's Will? It could be George?"

"Markham told me Prince William had a natural talent for overriding his security codes," he replied. "There is one master override that only three people know about, and two of them are accounted for on here," he informed his friend, pointing out the pair of dots in Markham's room.

"Oh? Who's the third?"

"He didn't say, but I can make a good guess," he explained. "They're also accounted for on here."

When they arrived at their destination, they weren't surprised to find it was the former castle dungeon, and that Jackson Lake was being held in solitary. Flashing his psychic paper, the Doctor quickly bypassed the guards so they could identify Lake's companion. The young man in his cell was definitely one of the princes, but they couldn't tell which from outside. He sat in a chair, back to the door, staring at Lake, who sat on the floor.

"Can we talk?" the Doctor asked.

"Nothing to say to you lot," Lake replied.

"We weren't talking to you," Jack informed him.

The red haired man slowly stood and turned to face the door. "My father sent you, didn't he?"

"That depends on who you really are," Jack told him. "How did you get down here?"

"I'm going to be crowned King today, I think I can pretty much go wherever I want to," he replied sullenly.

"Again, that depends on who you really are," Jack repeated.

The prince regarded Jack coolly. The Doctor held up his psychic paper again. "What's this say?"

"Long Live the King of True Albion," he replied.

"When was the last time you heard that?"

"Right before-" the prince choked up. "Right before Greaves tried to-to kill my father."

Jack and the Doctor shared a questioning look.

"Whose blood on your hands?" the Doctor asked.

The prince regarded him a long moment. "Yours, supposedly, if you really are the same man Will shot in the forest?"

"Let me see them," he demanded. "Let me see your hands!"

The young man held his hands up for the two men to see. The Doctor scanned them with his sonic screwdriver, then checked the readings. He glanced to Jack. "Trace of my blood still on his hands, which means he was the one we met when we arrived." He turned back to the cell. "Come on out, Will."

"Are you going to tell my father?"

"What, that you were getting some fresh air to clear your head before the ceremonies begin?"

"Thank you, Doctor, for everything."

The Doctor harrumphed and began to walk away.

"You know your dad's upset with you taking off like this, right?" Jack informed him.

"My father is upset with a lot of things, right now."

"Mind telling me what you two were talking about?"

"Betrayals," he said simply and left Jack standing there as he followed the Doctor back to his own quarters.

"There you are, your Highness!" a page came running up to the trio.

"Let me guess, the Regent is wondering where I was?" William inquired.

"Well, yes, they're waiting on you to lead the Procession," he informed them, glancing at the other two men.

"Hold on, don't I know you?" the Doctor asked, eying the young man.

"I don't recall meeting you before, sir, no?"

"Craig, isn't it?"

He looked to the prince in confusion. "Play along, Craig, it's less troubling that way."

"er, yes, sir. Craig Lambert, royal page at your service, sir," he replied.

"YES! I stayed with you and Sophie! How is she, then? Alright?" he asked, grinning madly. "Ever work up the courage to, you know, -ahem- ask her?" he smiled.

"Er, sorry, I don't know any Sophie?" he replied. "Nor do I believe you have ever stayed with me?"

"Right, right. Right person, wrong universe," the Doctor reminded himself. "Still, she certainly did charm her way into your life, once you two finally admitted it. Right?"

"Whatever you say, sir?" he replied, confused and trying to ignore Jack's flirtations. "As I was saying, the Regent is waiting on you in your quarters and expects you...oh, ten minutes ago," he realized in a slight panic, glancing at his wrist-comm.

"Yeah, fine, whatever," the prince grumbled and kept walking.

"Nice boy, bit shy, but-LAMBERT?" the Doctor stopped and went back to the young man, getting face to face, examining his features. "Do you know Verity Lambert?"

"She's my cousin, why?" he responded.

The Doctor stopped looking at him and stepped back. "I knew her, once upon a time," he replied, trailing off. He turned to Jack. "Am I being rude? I'm famished, is there anything to eat?"

"I'll have Craig bring something up for you while I'm changing, okay?" the prince sighed and stomped off.

"Thank you ever so much. Jack, come." then he realized what he had said, stopped, turned and peered into Jack's face before he could say anything. "You know what I meant. Besides, think of your children."

"I have children? Plural?"

"Ooh, blimey! Wait, why is my brain suddenly losing focus?" He smacked the side of his head. "Must eat. Nevermind the kids, I'm sure you're a wonderful mother. Spoilers," he said as he followed the prince to his quarters.

A flustered Jack turned to Craig and shrugged his shoulders. "I have no clue why he even asked me to come along."

"JACK! Come on, and stop flirting with everyone!"

Craig shrugged in response and went about his business.

Upon arriving at the prince's quarters, they found Charles and a fully dressed Markham waiting, the latter's arm in a black sling matching his tuxedo jacket. "You, shower, young man," Charles began, pointing at the prince. "You, kitchen is sending food up? You didn't eat breakfast?"

The Doctor thought a moment, "Yes, I'm quite sure I did? It's just this new body finally seems to be kicking in and I am starving. Sorry to be any fuss." He dropped down in a chair and began pulling books off the shelf, skimming through one and moving on to the next.

Charles shrugged indifference and turned to Jack. "You, keep your eyes and hands to yourself today, understand?"

Jack blinked. "What did I do?"

Charles turned to Markham, who pursed his lips and looked away, sheepishly.

"What did you tell him?"

"Nothing, just that he knows me and, well," he trailed off. "It's a big day. The Big Day," he chuckled. "And it's already fifteen minutes past Showtime!" he hollered toward the bathroom.

The Doctor let out a huge guffaw, not realizing the others had heard him and tossed another book aside. "That Hawking, always a jokester!"

Jack glanced down to see a somewhat healthier version of the renowned professor on this world's version of his classic work. He shrugged and smirked at the other two. "What? He didn't get everything right. Trust us, we're time travelers." The Doctor echoed this last remark with him.

Charles rolled his eyes. "Will! Hurry it up in there! Clothes are hanging up on the door!"

They heard the water shut off and shuffling around. Five minutes later, the door opened. The prince stood before them in a Royal Military Dress uniform, decorated with his various emblems of birthright. The red tuxedo jacket was also adorned with the purple, blue, and gold Royal Sash of Office, a matching purple ascot and gold cummerbund, over black tuxedo pants with a blue stripe and black dress shoes.

Charles beamed, then turned to Markham, whispering, "Damn, I knew I should have worn pants." He stepped forward and kissed his son on each cheek. "You look very handsome, my little prince."

Will Markham had choked down a laugh, not really wanting to know the reasoning why Charles shared that. He noticed Jack taking in the prince's appearance and smiling. "Damn, you look gorgeous," he finally said. The other men in the room turned and glared at him. "What? Too much?"

"You ready then?" the Regent asked his son.

A non-committal shrug and "not really" came in reply.

"Here, to calm your nerves," he offered his son and Markham a glass of liquid off a tray, then held up his own. "To William, Long may He reign!" The trio each tapped and then drained their glasses. The Doctor and Jack added a hasty "Hear! Hear!" in salute. Charles never took his eyes off his son, seeming to consider something.

Finally, Charles clapped his hands, "Okay, last call! Let's move-Move-MOVE!" Markham lead the way out the door, followed by the prince and Jack. Charles only stayed long enough to ask the Doctor if he was coming. The Time Lord seemed shaken from a reverie as he rose and followed the Regent from the room, grabbing the donut tray from the kitchen server they passed.

"Mmmm, jelly donut," he cooed as he bit into the confection.

"Paczki," Charles corrected. "Local favorite back home, especially during Mardi Gras."

The Doctor stopped and looked at it again. "It's a jelly donut with powdered sugar on it?"

"A-Yup." He popped the last letter.

"Well, then, to your health, Charles," he toasted the man with the donut. "May everything go smoothly today and the Rightful King be crowned."

Charles stopped and grabbed the Doctor's arm. "Are you trying to tell me something? Is that my son or not?" he hissed.

"What kind of father can't tell his sons apart?" the Doctor replied, taking another bite.

"One who gave up a twin at birth and has reunited with him on the eve of the most important day of the other's life?" He glared into the Doctor's eyes. "Tell me, Doctor, is that or is that not my son, William?"

"Having second thoughts about all of this, Charles?"

"Don't play games with me, Doctor. Not today and especially not now," he snarled.

"Well then, what does he have to do to prove to you he is the Rightful Heir to the Throne of Albion?"

Charles fumed at the man, then looked down the hall to see the other three had stopped and were watching them. He hoped they were far enough out of earshot. He turned back to the Doctor and laid his hands on the man's shoulders. The Time Lord was not amused by this action.

"Doctor, although I am grateful for the assistance from your company in the events of the past few days, do not try my patience with mind games," he warned. "If you have doubts about the identity of my son, whether that is George and not William, I am asking you -as a man and as a father- please, tell me now."

The Doctor plucked the large hands from his shoulders and looked down the hall at the waiting men. "Like I said, what kind of man can't tell his sons apart? What has that boy done to earn the position you are about to bestow on him for the rest of his life?" He looked back into the Regent's eyes. "You tell me if that is the right son. The right man for the job."

Markham approached the two men. "Charles? Is everything alright?"

He held eye contact with the Doctor. "Everything's fine." He finally tore his gaze away and stalked down the hall. "Let's get this over with."

Markham gave a concerned look to the Doctor, then followed the Regent and prince, barely giving Jack a passing glance. Jack waited for the Doctor to catch up. "What was that about?"

"Last minute advice," was all the Time Lord would say.

When the quintet arrived at the now horse-drawn carriages, Miranda gushed over how her son looked before the Royal Family had a quick photo then finally climbed into their rarely used open Parade Carriage with Markham and Norris driving. The Doctor's crew were allowed to follow with Tosh and Ianto behind, driven by Rhys' double, his services retained more as a security factor at this last minute than any other reason.

Gwen fussed over the Doctor, licking her thumb to wipe away a spot of jelly from the corner of his mouth, and noting a light dusting of white powder down his front. "We can't take you anywhere nice, can we?" she teased. "What? I'm a mother now, it's instinct." She high-fived Tosh as they climbed into their carriage.

Having been chosen at the last minute as another security precaution, Alonso Frame rode on the back of the Royal Carriage, while Craig Lambert rode on the Doctor's carriage. Other carriages behind them held other, extended Royal cousins and several visiting dignitaries who would have a front row seat for the Ceremonies.

Ianto explained that their carriage had originally been reserved for Greaves, but obviously, that was not to happen at this point. He gave the group a couple of Torchwood's IdentiPADDs, allowing them instant face capture recognition and biographical information, so they could help with security, as well as compare any famous names and faces from their own world they recognized.

Along the way, Charles all but refused to take his eyes off his son. His thoughts deep and conflicted. The prince put on his best smile and tried to ignore his father's eyes boring into him. Miranda elbowed her husband a few times to wave to the crowd, having come to love this particular quirk of her life. He did so half-heartedly. The news commentators along their route would later say they initially thought he was feeling nervous or ill, but later events would prove them wrong.

As the Procession arrived at what they expected to be Westminster Abbey, the time travelers once again realized that they were in a different land, with the Abbey decorated in classical Greco-Roman statues and friezes. Gwen commented about taking pictures, but the Doctor made it known he did not approve with a dark scowl.

As the Procession disembarked, they noticed several open tents set up along the last stretch to the Abbey. They soon realized that these were stations where the prince and Regent would be adding to their dress with robes and other regalia, including the Staff and Rod of Albion, given to Charles; the Orb of Albion (representing the Mother Earth), given to Miranda; and several swords of his Station, which were to be carried for now by the prince, Charles, and Markham. All three men were also given robes at these different stations of the swords.

Ianto and Tosh warned them that this stretch of the Procession would require them to pay obeisance and tuck away the PADDs they had given them. For the most part, they were asked to simply stay quiet and follow Tosh and Ianto's leads. The Doctor kept quiet about his previous experiences at coronations, but mused at the differences he observed.

The Procession moved into the Abbey, where the travelers marveled at the distinct changes from their own, fully acknowledging what they were about to witness had no bearing on anything they might expect to see in their lifetimes back home.

The Royal family were met by two young boys in white tunics with golden angel wings and sandals as they entered, leading the Procession forward. Charles and Miranda escorted their son into the Abbey, announcing him at the doorway, "Sirs, We present unto you William John Francis Hampton Jones Wyndham, Prince of Albion, scion of Charles Hampton Jones Wyndham, Duke of Scotland and Miranda Jocelyn Greene Jones Wyndham, Viscountess of Wales. May Athena's wisdom shine on Him. Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same?"

This was repeated again in the center of the Hall and again as they approached the dais. Standing on the dais were one pair of robed figures surrounded by a small host of 12 more multi-colored robed figures. The PADDs informed the TARDIS crew that this was the Magister and Majestrix of Athens, essentially, the Pope and his wife, representing Zeus and Hera. The surrounding host was meant to represent the other Olympians.

Charles spoke up again. "We present to you again our scion, William John Francis Hampton Jones Wyndham, as rightful Heir and King of the Isles of Albion, Avalon, Scotland and Eire. Do you accept him, O Lords of Olympus?"

The Magister motioned the prince forward. As he stepped onto the dais with the two young boys leading, the attendant host surrounded him and began stripping him of his Regalia. He soon stood wearing only a simple, thin white tunic, which was tied at the waist by a golden cord by the young boys. The Doctor couldn't help notice the two 'cherubs' happened to have slightly Asian features. He glanced to Toshiko and Markham, both were smiling and had tears of pride in their eyes. The fact that William and the two boys seemed familiar with each other helped confirm this.

The Magister stepped back and a small pool was uncovered on the dais by one of the host dressed in a black robe, who then stood guard over it.

"Do you renounce the life you have lead so that you may represent the Olympic ideal for the people of your land?"

The prince replied with a simple, "I do."

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the United Albion, Avalon, Scotland, Eire, and Wales, and of your Possessions and other Territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?"

"I solemnly promise so to do."

"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?"

"I will."

"Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of Olympus and the true profession of their Gospel? Will you to the utmost of your power maintain in the United Kingdom the Religion established by law? Will you maintain and preserve inviolable the settlement of the Church of Albion, and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as by law established in Albion? And will you preserve unto the Bishops and Clergy of Albion, and to the Churches there committed to their charge, all such rights and privileges, as by law do or shall appertain to them or any of them?"

"All this I promise to do. The things which I have here before promised, I will perform, and keep. So help me Zeus."

The Magister placed a golden laurel wreath on the prince's head, then anointed it, his heart, and hands with oil, then led him to the pool. "You are hereby Reborn unto Olympus," he said and pushed the prince backwards into the pool, splashing the dais.

The prince remained submerged for almost two minutes, causing some nervous dissension amongst various parties, before he finally broke the water once more, gasping for air.

A man in shimmering blue-green robes and a woman in white with a red shroud approached and helped the prince from the pool and seated him on a stone on the dais. The man handed him a trident, the woman a pearl.

"Poseidon and Aphrodite accept this scion for Olympus," they announced.

The next pair approached. He in purple robes, she in emerald. He offered a cup of wine, she a small loaf of bread. He accepted both, partaking of each, then offering the rest to his parents. "Dionysus and Demeter accept this scion for Olympus," they announced.

Two more approached. He offered a caduceus, she offered a Greek-style helmet. He accepted these and presented the caduceus to his father, the helmet to his mother. "Hermes and Athena accept this scion for Olympus."

Hephaestus and Hestia presented him with a hammer and a candle. He laid these on the stone seat, and they accepted him. The burly duo of Hercules and Ares were next, only offering their gifts of a mace and shield after he moved the stone as a show of strength. Apollo and Artemis were last, offering a bow and arrows, with which he used to snuff the lit candle from across the dais as a display of skill.

At last, only the Magister and Majestrix remained. William took the Rod and Orb from his parents, then prostrated himself before the Holy Couple. "I would offer up all these gifts to you, my Lord and my Lady," he announced, "as I have yet to earn your approval either through leadership or legacy."

The Magister finally threw his hood back, revealing a sharp featured man with darkened eyes. "Is there no one who would have this man as husband?" he asked the assembled.

The crowd remained silent. The Doctor gave Jack a sharp look of warning. Finally, the Majestrix stepped forward.

"There is yet love to be found in this one's heart. Surely one among you may share in that love?"

Again, the crowd remained silent.

The Aphrodite stepped forward. "Has no one loved this one as a man, only as a son?" she asked. "I ask that you find it in your heart to step forward and love him as an equal."

Again there was silence. The Doctor thought she sunded vaguely familiar.

"Then I shall be his equal in all things," she announced and pulled back her hood. "I shall love him as a man if he should have me."

The Doctor and Jack stared in disbelief. "Aphrodite" was a dead ringer for Rose. The Doctor broke protocol and leaned to Ianto. "Who is that?" he whispered.

"We won't know her name until after the marriage ceremony," he whispered back.

"You don't understand," the Doctor hissed, "Miranda looks like a woman I knew back home who was mother to a girl who looks exactly like her! This can't be a coincidence!"

Ianto looked dumbfounded.

Majestrix Hera spoke up. "If there are no objections, then we shall proceed with the marriage rites."

The Doctor hissed at Ianto again, "Tell them!"

"Lady Miranda had no children nor siblings," he whispered back. "What you propose is highly unlikely," he protested.

Charles glanced back at the duo, noting the concern on the Doctor and Ianto's faces.

"If there be no objections, then my daughter shall be joined in matrimony to William of Wyndham on the next Solstice at the Altar of Glastonbury," the Majestrix announced.

The Doctor breathed a faint sigh of relief at the six month reprieve, but he knew staying too long in this world meant the chances of returning to their own world lessened with each passing moment. This matter would be left to Charles and his family. He hoped it was mere coincidence, and not something else. The fact that his group kept running into doubles of those they knew had to mean something, especially if Greaves had altered history as much as he claimed.

"William of Albion, scion of Wyndham, I bid you rise," the Magister intoned. He had previously taken the sword William entered with, and motioned to Charles and Markham to join him with theirs.

The three men stood before him, swords at the ready.

Markham was joined by Athena and Ares. "I am thy Mentor Chiron. William, I have given you wisdom and defense," he intoned, tapping him on the shoulders with his blade. Athena draped the purple robe Markham had worn around William, kissing him on the forehead as she cinched it closed over his wet tunic. "I dub thee Sir William, Knight of Wales. Carry forth my lessons well."

Charles was joined by Aphrodite and Apollo. "I am thy All-Father Cronus. William, I have given you life and love," he intoned, tapping him again on the shoulders. She draped Charles' scarlet robe over his son, kissing him on each cheek. "I dub thee Sir William, Knight of Scotland. Carry forth my pride, my son."

The Magister was joined by the Majestrix and Hercules. "I am thy Lord Zeus. William, I give thee power and legacy," he intoned, again tapping the prince on his shoulders. She draped a golden robe on top of the others. "I dub thee William, Knight of Avalon. Wield your power wisely."

The three swordsman stood back as William rose and turned to his audience. The Doctor locked eyes with Charles for a moment before turning to Markham. When the time comes...protect the Prince...the world depends on you. Markham suddenly had an uneasy feeling. He glanced to Charles as William strode to the throne. He was obviously upset about something, but hiding it almost too well.

The young boys brought out a long case, presenting it to the Magister. They set it on the stone William had previously sat upon. He made a show of revealing Caledfwich to the assembly. He held the sword aloft, turned, and approached William.

"William John Francis Hampton Jones Wyndham, we accept you as King of Al-"

"STOP."

Everyone froze and stared at Charles. He strode to the Throne and grabbed the hilt of the sword from the Magister.

"What are you doing?" he demanded. "You can't just-"

"I can and I will," Charles informed the man, consciously drawing himself up to be as imposing as possible to the shorter holy man. Their nine inch difference in height helped as much as the fact Charles was literally twice as big. He motioned the Magister back and turned to the audience.

"I have a confession to make," he announced. "William was not the first child born to me." Gasps ran throughout the crowd, Miranda and the Royal entourage looked on in horror.

Will Markham stepped to his friend, cautioning, "Charles, please, this is not the time nor place."

Charles ignored him and continued. "William was born two minutes after his brother, George," he announced. "Unfortunately, George was stillborn. Lord Geoffrey Greaves was able to resuscitate the child, and we, unfortunately, made a pact that day that he should raise that child as his own."

Ignoring the growing murmurs of the crowd, much less the video cameras, he pressed forward. "For the last three decades, much speculation has arisen from the young man spotted with Lord Greaves on several occasions. That man was my other son, George. William's twin brother."

He let this sink in amongst the crowd as he turned to Miranda. "I am so sorry I could not tell you sooner. Can you forgive me?"

Miranda was beside herself, Tosh and Gwen tried to comfort her to no avail.

Charles sighed in defeat and pressed forward. "Lord Greaves never planned to take the throne, only to use me as a proxy. He would have taken my firstborn child to raise, regardless." He turned to the assembled 'Olympians' with rage in his eyes. "Most of you, including your Magister are all to well aware of his true identity, and you allowed this to continue over generations." He turned back to the audience. "This ends now! The man currently known as Lord Geoffrey Greaves is a true immortal and has been shaping this world for his own ends for millennia," he revealed, surveying the assembled witnesses before continuing. "I knew I was never going to take the throne, and I never wanted it. I could only hope my son -correction, my sons would deny Greaves as well."

He turned toward his enthroned son. "I find myself even now questioning how well I know you. Are you William? George? I can not say at this moment, so I do the only thing fair. I make you prove your worth to everyone assembled here."

Charles began swinging the sword, at first he seemed to be judging it's heft and balance, eventually raising it high above his head. Fearing for his life, the prince still sat unmoving, hoping his father would find mercy in his heart. They locked eyes for a long moment. To everyone's surprise, Charles turned and drove the sword deep into the Stone upon the dais.

"Like the old stories, whoever pulls this sword free shall prove himself worthy of being King," he announced, running his hand over the pommel once more, then stepped off the dais and hugged his sobbing wife to him, letting her collapse into his arms. "Ianto, get us the hell out of here," he ordered. The royal staff and time travelers immediately made a circle around the couple and pushed their way out of the Abbey. The Doctor and Charles shared a pained look of accomplishment.

Toshiko Sato only looked back to see her husband and sons left alone on the stage with the prince. The so-called Olympians having fled the stage as Charles' rant exposed them.

For his part, Will Markham grabbed his sons' hands and held them tight as he stood behind the young man he helped raise. Even that was in question, now.

A figure approached him from off the side of the stage. "We could use your help, Master Markham," she said. Will looked to her, his anger showing. Pulling her hood back, "We have a task for you," Sarah Jane Smith informed him.

TBC...


A/N:

Magister - I have Zjelko/Zeljko Ivanek in mind for the Magister, esp after seeing him again in True Blood under the same title. (I've seen it spelled both ways, my keyboard don't have the function to add the accents to his name.) Too bad Tony Head did an ep in s2 already. :/

Come to think of it, we might use Tim Curry...? Nah, it's Zeljko.

Debated a bit about the identity of Aphrodite, realized it had to be someone the Doctor knew and would f things up. Almost became Donna, but too old for plot, and Martha didn't fit and will be followed up on next. Astrid and Amy too new, and Ace would have been totally left field for the "Professor."

Craig = plot bunny, may/not expand later. Did "Lodger" give him a last name? Went with Lambert to tie him to Doctor for a reason. ...um, apparently, it was "Owens"? eh, whatever.

Next: All Fall Down (or There Will Be Blood)