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Chapter 10 – The Family Invasion

Anne stood in the kitchen of Samuel and Karen's flat next to Rose. Rose was stirring a pot on the cooker, and the aroma filled Samuel's lungs as he stepped into the room. "What is that?"

Anne smiled, "Swedish meatballs. Karen asked for them."

Samuel stood with his hands on his hips. "That will be good for her to eat. Yes. Thank you, Anne."

Rose put the lid back on the pot and smiled at her son. "I need to get back home. Make sure Genie eats something besides ice cream."

Samuel laughed. "Want me to take you back?"

Rose shook her head. "No, thank you."

Anne smiled, "She's going to walk me back to my place, and then pop back."

Samuel looked concerned, "You're popping on your own, Mum?"

Rose sighed, "Son, I can pop on my own-"

"Yes, ma'am. I realize that. I just didn't know you were already doing that."

The bearded Tony Tyler walked into the room. He had taken off his sling. "Doing what?"

Rose grinned at Samuel. "Popping on my own."

Tony shook his head. "Nope! She's not doing that. I'm taking her. Right sis?"

She looked at Tony in surprise. "You don't have to, Tony. I'll be fine-"

"Nope! I insist!" He told her and walked to the fridge to get a bottle of water.

She smiled at him. "Alright, thank you Tony. Do you need to get back to the ship?"

He sipped the water and shook his head. "Not yet. I need to get back and help Legate with this cot. We've nearly got it put together."

Rose shook her head. "You lot aren't finished with that yet?"

Tony Tyler held his hands out. "It's difficult. All of those little bars just….came out!"

Anne grinned. "The bars came out?"

"Yes, they did. And that was Legate's fault. Not mine. The leg getting broken, that was completely me."

Rose grinned, "Temper?"

Tony sighed. "It's a problem, sis."

Rose looked back at Samuel. "What if…we get a different cot?"

Samuel nodded, "I agree. Sounds like this one is rather, done in. I'm not putting Halley in that. Just, chuck it out."

The back glass door slid open and Arles stepped in. "Hey."

Samuel danced in happiness. "And it's Arles!"

Anne and Rose looked at one another and smiled.

Tony rolled his eyes and sipped the water.

Arles rose his eyebrow, "What is going on here? Legate having another party?"

Tony Tyler laughed, "Ha! He's changing his shirt. He got sick all over him. It was brilliant."

Samuel groaned, "She couldn't help it."

Tony grinned, "A Quauhtin that can't dodge someone being sick? He's losing his touch."

Arles crossed his arms. "Who was sick? Genie?"

Samuel laughed, "No. Come here, brother. I want you to meet someone."

Arles joined his brother and they walked together into the sitting room. The adult Genie sat in a chair wearing beautiful elegant robes and positivity glowing with happiness as she leaned on the arm of the chair. She beamed at Karen who sitting on the sofa that was reclined. The familiar quilt was draped next to her as she fed the small, blond infant. Karen wore a pair of Samuel's jammy jam trousers and a dark blue oxford of his that was open so Halley could get to her Mum's breast.

Samuel held his hand out to his brother to stop him before he walked into the room. "Karen, Arles is here. Is it alright to let him in?"

She looked up at him and smiled. "That's okay. Thank you."

Halley slurped as she continued to feed. Genie and Karen both laughed at the baby's slurping.

Arles held his hands out, "What the hell is this, man?"

Samuel grabbed Arles' hand and pulled him into the sitting room. He waved at Genie. "Hey, sis-" But, stopped talking immediately when he saw Karen nursing the baby. "Ummm. Who is this?"

Samuel smiled proudly, "That….is Halley. My daughter."

Halley slurped again as she nursed.

Genie laughed, "And possibility the loudest infant to feed, ever."

Karen glanced up and smiled. "Isn't she?"

Arles was shocked and rushed over to sit down next to Karen. "What? Halley?"

Karen smiled at him. "Yes. Halley."

Arles wasn't sure what to say, or if it was alright to look at the baby while she nursed, or what.

Samuel noticed his confusion and laughed just as Rose walked back into the room carrying a plate of food, "And for Karen."

He took it from her, "Cheers Mum. Karen, your dinner."

She didn't look up from Halley nursing. "I'll eat it in a bit."

Samuel looked back at his Mum, and then walked over to the sofa. He playfully smacked Arles' leg so he would move over and he could sit next to Karen. "You, Karen, are still recovering. You need to eat."

She looked up at him. "Samuel. I don't have the hands to do that."

Samuel had already cut a meatball in half, stabbed it with a fork, and was blowing the heat off of it. "And I'm your hands. Open."

She smiled at him. "Are you serious?"

"Why wouldn't I be? Open. We're going to get Mum fed, too."

He fed her the meatball as she continued to feed Halley. She smiled, "Oh, that's exactly what I wanted. Thank you, Mom."

Anne stepped behind her and kissed her on top of the head. "I'm going home. Call me, if you need me. No matter what time."

Rose watched Samuel feed Karen and smiled proudly. "Samuel, your Dad is popping by a bit later."

Samuel was distracted as he fed Karen. "Yes, Mum."

Rose leaned on the back of the sofa to get close to his face. "Sam."

Samuel stopped and looked at her. "Sorry, Mum. What?"

Rose laughed. "Sleep tonight. If Halley keeps you awake, let your Dad stay up with her-"

Samuel sighed. "Mum. I'm fine."

Arles had been quiet long enough. He stood up and moved to sit in front of Karen on the top of the coffee table. "Well, hell. I'm not! Someone better start explaining how my nephew is already bloody here!"

Karen rolled her eyes. "She's a girl! We've told you that."

Samuel shook his head. "Nutter."

Halley slurped loudly as she slowed down nursing.

Anne smiled, "And she's going back to sleep."

Samuel stopped feeding Karen and sat the fork on the plate. Using his finger, he tickled Halley's cheek. "Hey. Wake up and eat, little one."

Halley woke up and started to slurp again as she nursed.

Arles laughed and looked back his brother. "She's real!"

Genie laughed. "Oh geez. He thought you were nursing a doll, Karen."

Samuel returned to feeding Karen. "She's real, you nutter. That's a real child!"

Halley had fallen asleep again. Karen moved her and covered back up her breast. "And now you can see her, Arles."

Arles excitedly rubbed his hands together. "Mine. Yes. Let me see!"

Karen carefully handed the infant to Arles, and then rebuttoned the shirt she wore.

Samuel asked, "We don't need to burp her?"

Karen shook her head. "She really didn't have that much."

She looked up to see Arles, speechless, as he looked at the sleeping baby he had laid in his lap.

Karen giggled and looked back at Samuel. "I think he approves."

Samuel sat the plate next to Arles and put his arm around Karen. "What do you think, then?"

Arles shook his head without looking up at them. "I never knew my heart could love like this."

Genie waved her hand in front of her face, "I'm going to cry!"

Karen laughed and wiped her eyes. "Me, too."

Arles still hadn't taken his eyes off of Halley. Her tiny fingers gripped his finger. He smiled, "That's it. Look at how strong you already are."

Halley yawned.

Arles laughed and glanced up at Samuel and Karen. "She's a girl!"

Samuel threw his hands up, "Finally!"

Karen laughed, "How can you tell?"

Arles' eyes were back on Halley. "She looks like a girl. She's so….lovely. Beautiful."

Karen smiled. "I think she looks like Samuel."

Arles shook his head, "Sammy isn't this pretty."

Samuel looked back at Karen and nodded. "Well, it's true."

Genie laughed. "You two are mad."

Arles was lost looking at the baby again. "Wow. You're really here, aren't you?"

Halley stretched in his hands.

Arles laughed, "She's stretching! Look."

Samuel chuckled, "She's been in a tight space for a bit."

Legate came back into the sitting room. "Oh, brilliant. I was just about to tell you to get your ass here, Arles. I think you're the last one to meet Halley."

Arles didn't take his eyes off of her. "That's right. Halley, I'm here. Uncle Arles is always here for you."

Genie waved her hand in front of her face again. "Seriously, going to cry."

Legate walked over to Genie and sat on the arm of the chair she occupied. He smiled back at her. "So, everyone has met our Halley."

Genie nodded as she kept her mouth covered. "And Arles' may be the sweetest reaction, yet."

"Better than Stark's?" Legate asked.

Rose asked, "Stark? What did he do?"

Karen smiled up at her. "Tony was so sweet."

Anne agreed. "He was. He told Pepper that he was in love with another woman. It was very sweet."

Genie smiled, "I think he was mostly trying to wind Pepper up. It doesn't take much sometimes."

"Especially, with Tony." Samuel agreed.

Rose and Anne both told the room good-bye, and they left together with Tony Tyler.

Arles continued to hold the infant and gaze at her.

Legate smiled and looked back at Genie. "I told you he would be like this. Have they told him?"

Genie shook her head. "No."

Arles didn't look up. "Tell me what, then?"

Samuel smiled, "Well, Karen and talked about it, and want you to be 'Papa'."

Arles blinked up at them, "What?"

Karen giggled as Samuel wrapped his arms around her. "Arles. We want you to be Papa. Just like Lewis is to Samuel."

Arles face slowly spread into a smile, "I'm Papa?"

Samuel smiled, "Yes."

Arles was thrilled. He rose Halley to his mouth and kissed her tiny sleeping head. Then tasted the word in his mouth. "Papa. I'm Papa."

Genie wiped the tears from her eyes. "Okay, and I'm properly crying again."

Legate glanced back at her and laughed. "I'll take Genie home. You lot have had everyone over here today. I imagine you're ready for a kip."

Karen smiled. "Thank you both for coming-"

"And destroying the cot." Genie teased as she looked up at Legate.

Legate held out his hands, "It had it coming. Bloody thing."

They said their goodbyes and Legate and Genie both left. Arles was alone with Samuel, Karen, and the infant.

Samuel handed Karen back her plate of Swedish meatballs, and she began to eat again.

Samuel looked back at his brother, who continued to sit in front of them, holding Halley. "What's on your mind, Papa?"

Arles shook his head. "I can't be Papa, Sam."

Samuel looked surprised, "Why?"

Arles handed Halley back to Samuel, who cradled her in his arms. Arles rubbed his hands together and sighed. "I just came from Papa's. He…..well…..he's been…..umm."

Samuel rose his eyebrows. "Papa, what?"

Arles rubbed his face and took a moment to pull his words together. "Okay. Papa told me to speak to you about this."

Karen continued to eat, and pointed at herself with the fork. "And me?"

Arles dismissed her words, "Certainly. Sammy and Karen. Umm. I can't be Papa."

Samuel nodded, "That much I heard. Why?"

"Because, our Papa has agreed to take over as King of the Quauhtin people."

Samuel was floored. "What? When?"

"I'm not sure. I assume when Lartius dies, but…he could be thinking about handing it to him sooner."

Karen handed Arles her plate, "Hang on a minute. Lewis is Royal?"

Arles sat the plate beside of himself. "Yes."

Samuel explained, "Papa is the grandson of a King. He asked his brother to take over as King because he didn't think his son would want to do it."

Arles corrected him, "He didn't think he was responsible enough to do it."

Samuel nodded and smiled at his sleeping daughter, "I was being….delicate."

"Phhh." Arles groaned.

Karen shook her head. "Hang on. So, if Lewis is to become King, then you would be the heir. Well, or the other Arles."

Arles shook his head. "No. It would be me. I'm not putting that on the other Arles' shoulders to do. Papa also wants to evoke the birth right so there will no longer be the option to not do it. I'm the eldest son between us. The Quauthin need a solid leadership."

Samuel looked surprised, "So, you've already agreed?"

"I'm….96% sure I'll tell Papa, yes. He makes a powerful argument-"

"Which is what? You enjoy being shot at?"

Karen fussed, "Samuel!-"

"Well, I'm sorry! This is my brother we're talking about here. King? Are you mad?"

Arles rubbed his hands together. "The Quauthin people have been lead by Lartius for years. Before him, King Legate, and before him, the Great King Lovell. I am Arles Lovell. The Quauhtin are a dying race, and need to be able to count on their leader. Returning the rule back to the original family will be a welcomed thing by the people."

Samuel asked, "Even during a war?"

Arles nodded, "A Primus, taking over as King? The grandson of the Great King Lovell? The Great Primus Lewis from the Prime Guard of Terra? Who would fight that?"

Karen shook her head. "I still don't understand why that prevents you from being Papa."

Samuel explained, "It would put Halley in the line for throne."

Arles agreed, "Halley would be seen as my heir. Even though, she's technically not mine."

Karen was sure she didn't understand. "Hang on. Let's just….stop. Lewis is really going to take over being King?"

Arles rubbed his hands together. "I just asked him and Lartius. They want to move on this soon. Lartius wants to put Lewis in control because of this war. It is something that no one knows as yet, so…please keep it quiet."

Samuel took a blanket and wrapped Halley in it. "What about Legate? He's named heir."

Arles shook his head. "He doesn't want to do it. He only agreed to get away from the other Legate and Genie. Well, that's what Papa and I think. Luce is going to give him another identity, and ….well. He can move on with his life."

Karen shook her head. "I can't believe this." She looked at Samuel. "Are you sure you haven't even me something to hallucinate?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing, babe."

Arles took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I know how you feel about this, Sammy-"

"I know how you really feel! Why are you going along with this?"

"It feels….like what I'm supposed to do. Us, ending up being trapped here. Sammy, there had to be a reason."

"Yeah! Tony is a bloody idiot!"

Karen put her hand to Samuel's chest. "Samuel, stop."

Samuel sighed and directed his attention back to Halley. He knew she was right. He couldn't afford to lose his temper.

Karen looked back at Arles. "This is important to you."

"Yes. Karen, I can't help who I am. But, I don't want to put that responsibility on Halley's shoulders. I want her to be able to choose what she wants in her life."

"And your life?" Samuel asked.

Karen held up her finger to Samuel. "This is your brother-"

"Which is why I'm trying to talk some sense into him-"

"Which is why you should support him in this!"

"What?" Arles asked.

Samuel was sure he had misheard this, too. "Sorry?"

Karen explained. "Arles has never had a direction for his life. He's always been the younger brother of Genie and Samuel Smith-"

"Well…" Arles started and rubbed his hands together, nervously. "Not really even the actual brother."

"See?" Karen insisted as if he was helping her make her point. "I can see why he would feel this is his duty. His responsibility. It doesn't matter if he wants to do it or not! It's what he feels that he needs to do."

Samuel sighed. "Is that really how you feel, man?"

Arles seemed confused. "I think so."

Karen tossed her hand up. "Of course it is!"

Samuel teased, "Maybe we should have a word with a psychologist."

Arles rose his eyebrow. "What? Why?"

Samuel laughed at the look of Arles' confusion.

Karen waved her hand. "Never mind that. This is his decision. No one else's but his. And Arles, if that's what you want, I'm find that I'm….proud of you."

Arles looked confused, "Proud of me?"

"You're growing up-"

"There's no need to insult me."

Karen giggled at him, causing him to smile. She reached out and took his hand, which he brought to his mouth and kissed. "Thank you, Karen."

She smiled, "I'm your 'One'-"

Arles grinned, "That's not how it works-"

"Yes. It is." Karen insisted.

Samuel sighed. "You'll have to leave, won't you?"

Arles listened in his head. "No. Papa says that I won't. He wants me to stay off of the homeworld, to be safe."

Samuel looked back at Karen. "Well? What do you think about naming him Papa, Mum?"

She smiled when she repeated, "Mum. You English boys."

Arles grinned. "I'm honored. I truly am. But, I have to let you know that this would change her life. Her role in the universe."

The back door slid open to the kitchen and bearded Tony Tyler walked in. "I'm back, then."

Arles leaned back and tapped his lips.

Samuel rose his head and called towards the kitchen. "Come in. We're still in here."

Tony Tyler came in and leaned on the back of the sofa. "And everyone is returned home. Safe and sound."

Samuel smiled, "Cheers for that."

Tony shrugged his shoulders. "She's my sister. I remember her telling me about popping to odd places when she first started using that thing. I just want her safe."

Arles nodded, "Cheers. What are your plans for the evening?"

Tony stood up and grinned. "Umm. Well…."

Samuel laid his head on the back of the sofa to look up at Tony Tyler. "Well?"

Karen smiled, "Who is she?"

Samuel and Arles both corrected her. "He."

Tony nodded, "Yes. He."

Arles smiled, "Who is he?"

Tony ran his hands through his hair. "Bassiano. We're going out to some club he knows."

Samuel looked surprised, "I didn't realize Bassiano was gay."

Arles shook his head, "Oh please. Bassiano and that roommate of his. Help, what is his name?"

Tony grinned, "He hasn't met him, yet. He's living here on the island in a flat on his own. I was there last night. Nice place."

Samuel covered Halley's ears. "Don't listen to this madness, baby."

Tony rubbed his shoulder, "He wants to get off of the island. Get pissed. Lewis came down rather hard on him."

Karen smiled and held out her hands. "And Halley probably needs a new diaper."

"Baby, I'll do that-" Samuel started.

Karen stood up, and Samuel and Arles immediately got to their feet. Tony stood up straight, too.

Karen giggled at their reaction, "I'm using it as an excuse to go lay down in the bedroom. Give me the baby."

Samuel smiled and handed Karen the baby, "Yes, ma'am."

Arles stopped her. "Hang on. Let me hold her."

Karen smiled and gave Halley to Arles.

Arles smiled at the baby. "You are like a wad of sleeping goo."

Samuel rolled his eyes. "And if you wake her…."

Arles laughed as Karen turned to face him. "Samuel and I will think about what you said, Arles."

Arles cradled Halley in his arms. "Yeah. Think on it."

Karen kissed Samuel's lips quickly. "I'm going to bed. Bring some of those odd cherries when you come."

He smiled, "Sure. Try to rest. I'll be there shortly."

Karen left the room with Arles behind her. Tony watched them leave.

Samuel pointed towards the kitchen. "I could do with a cuppa. You?"

Arles nodded, "Yes. Please."

"Right then." Samuel said and rubbed his eyes as he walked into the kitchen.

He stood in front of the food replicator and made them three cups of tea. He had slept most of the day, and couldn't believe how tired he still was.

Tony sat down at the bar and rubbed his beard. "And Sammy is a Dad."

Samuel continued to make their tea. "Yep."

"Listen, man. I'm sorry for what I said earlier. About-"

"Nah, it's alright. I'm not cross."

Tony nodded. "Alright."

Samuel handed Tony his cup of tea. "How's your shoulder?"

Tony rubbed it. "Sore. John says it will take a while to get well."

Samuel nodded and sipped his tea.

"How's your back? I've heard it's really been playing up-"

Samuel shook his head. "It's fine."

Tony nodded and stirred his tea with his finger. "And Sammy is a Dad."

Samuel sat his tea down. "And what's with that-"

"What's with what-"

"That's the second time you've said that-"

"It's just….so unbelievable-"

"Why is that-"

"You were just so….hurt-"

Samuel groaned and picked back up his tea. He sipped it and attempted to calm himself. Tony just had a way of winding him up just by breathing.

Tony sat down his tea. "So, all of…..that…. is fine?"

Samuel groaned, "I don't want to talk about it-"

"Don't want to talk about it. Alright."

Samuel glared at Tony just as Arles walked back into the room. "And the ladies are cozy in the bed together."

Tony sat back and laughed at Arles' statement. "Oh shit."

Arles stopped and rose his eyebrow at Tony. "What's with you?"

Samuel pointed at the tea glass on the cabinet top. "I don't know. Your tea."

Arles thanked Samuel and picked up his tea.

Tony laughed to himself and shook his head. "And I just, can't believe I didn't see it."

Arles leaned against the cabinet and sipped his tea. "See what, then?"

Tony rubbed his chin and sat his tea down. "It's like this. Karen was giving the baby a feed, and asked me to leave the room."

Samuel shrugged his shoulders. "It wasn't just you. Tony, she doesn't really know you."

"It's a breast. That's what they are for. To feed a baby. It doesn't matter to me-"

Samuel shook his head, sat his tea down beside of himself, and crossed his arms. "Doesn't matter. It matters to her. I'd be the same way if I had to expose a nut whenever my daughter had to eat."

Arles made a face of disgust and sipped his tea. "Let's be grateful you don't."

Tony pointed at Arles. "But, she invited him to come in."

Arles nodded, "Yeah. What's the big deal?"

Tony stood up and took his cup to the sink. He stood in front of Samuel and put his hands in his own pockets as he rocked on his feet. "Sammy. You're sure you're okay?"

Samuel was determined that Tony wasn't going to get to him. He smiled, "I'm flattered that the wellness of my huge penis is on your mind. I'm fine."

Tony nodded, "You forget, Sam. I was there. I know how hurt you were-"

Samuel sat his tea down and grit his teeth. "You can shut it, anytime-"

"I'm just saying. Arles was with her those two weeks we were gone."

Samuel was furious. "What are you trying to say, Tony?"

"Well, you know how Arles is. Are you sure that that baby is properly yours?"

Arles started to say something just as Samuel lost his temper and delivered a perfect right hook to Tony Tyler's nose.

Arles jumped between them and put his hand on Samuel's chest. "No! Stop! Sammy, you know that Halley is yours! Calm down."

Samuel grabbed Tony by the collar and pulled him into his face. He spoke through his teeth. "I'm fucking sick of you and how you love to wind me up. Halley is my daughter. I know that because I trust my brother and my wife. I don't even have to ask either one of them if anything happened because I know it didn't. Just because you are a sick individual, does not make me one. I'm trying very hard to control my temper, but all bets are off when it involves my wife and my child. This is the only warning you'll ever get. The next time, you'll fucking wish you were back on that ship because what I'll do to you will make it seem like a pleasure cruise. Is this in anyway, unclear?"

Tony Tyler held his nose and thought he saw a flash of yellow across Samuel's eyes. He looked at him in shock as his nose started to bleed.

Arles' hand pat Samuel's chest. "Alright, mate. You can let him go then."

Samuel pushed Tony away and didn't take his eyes off of him.

Arles pushed Samuel back and took a deep breath. "It's alright. It's all over."

"Okay, I deserved that." Tony told them as he continued to hold his injured nose and leaned his head back.

Samuel was furious. "You think?"

Arles spoke, "I'll get you a towel." He turned to Samuel, "Don't….look at him."

Samuel crossed his arms and looked away.

He heard the back glass from the deck slide open. The Doctor walked into the kitchen. "Hey, you lot….what is this?"

Samuel ran his hand through his hair. "Ah, nothing."

The Doctor looked at Tony's nose. "Why is he bleeding?"

"Because he's an idiot!" Samuel shouted.

Arles handed Tony a towel, which he quickly put to his nose.

The Doctor moved the towel and looked at it his nose. "Ummm."

Tony covered his nose again. "It just started, John. Don't worry."

The Doctor put his hands on his hips. "Interesting. I've didn't know that idiocy caused people to just start spontaneously bleeding from the nose."

Arles cleared his throat. "I think it's a rather new phenomenon, Dad-"

"Right." The Doctor said, clearly unconvinced.

Arles sipped his tea.

The Doctor looked around the room, clearly surveying the situation.

He pointed at Arles. "You. Back to the boat."

"Yep!" Arles insisted and popped away.

He pointed at Tony Tyler. "You. Go sort yourself-"

"And I'm gone." Tony insisted through the towel he held to his nose and popped away.

The Doctor stood in front of Samuel with his hands on his hips. "Start talking."

Samuel leaned on the cabinet and crossed his arms. "It's just….Tony….."

"Okay. Tony what?"

"Dad. I don't want to talk about it-"

The Doctor closed his eyes. "Sam. I know you don't. But, now you're lashing out at people-"

"Just Tony. And you would have done the same damn thing!"

The Doctor nodded and held his hands out. "Okay. Explain to me why."

Samuel shook his head. "Dad. I … I just don't want to talk about this."

"Just, in general, or to me?"

"Whichever one you need to hear."

"Son. There are things. Things we should have told you, a long time ago-"

"Dad." Samuel sighed. "Please. I'm just….tired. It's been a hell of a day. Just, let me go get some rest. Alright? I really just need to calm down."

"That's it?"

"That's it. Seriously. Just….really need to get some thoughts out of my head. Alright?"

The Doctor mouthed. "Alright."

Samuel shook his head and grit his teeth.

The Doctor typed something on his wrist. "When you're ready to chat, son-"

Samuel didn't look at him. "Right, Dad."

The Doctor glanced back up at his son, and decided not to say anything. He popped away.

Samuel stood, fuming. "That fucking….Tony."

Karen walked back into the kitchen.

Samuel looked surprised, "Where is the baby?"

"Lying on the bed with a perimeter of pillows, Dad. She's fine."

Samuel rubbed his eyes. "I'll get a cot sorted, tomorrow."

She wrapped her arms around him. He rested his head on top of hers. He was still trying to calm himself. Having her in his arms was helping.

"Everything alright?"

He sighed. "No."

They continued to hold one another.

She asked quietly, "Arles?"

"Tony."

She leaned back and looked at his face. She could tell he was furious, and trying not to show it.

"Samuel-"

"I just…wish that once. Everyone would see him, as I do. Or maybe I'm mad, and there really isn't a problem."

"From the stories you have told me, he's an ass."

Samuel nodded. "Yes, he is. And then he's not. Karen, am I losing my mind?"

She smiled at him. "No."

"Would you tell me if I was?"

She rose her eyebrow as she looked at him, "Do you think I wouldn't?"

He groaned. "I feel that, I can't get angry because I can't control whatever this is."

"That's unreasonable to think. You're going to get angry."

"But." He covered his mouth. "I just… With him. I just….ugh. Really! Everyone thinks he's just this….perfect, guy with a bad temper. What they don't see is the manipulative jackass that lives to wind me up."

Karen held him. "Samuel. People like that usually end up exposing themselves for who they are."

"Unless it's actually me who has the problem."

Karen rubbed his chest. "Tell me. What do you normally do when you get pissed off like this?"

He held her again and lay his head on top of hers. "Well, there is this girl…"

Karen laughed, "And that's not happening for a while."

He smiled and looked at her. "Of course, not that! Geez, woman. Is that all you think of?"

She pointed at him and smiled, "Okay, that's all you. That wasn't on my mind. But, I'm flattered. Less than 24 hours after I've had a baby, you still have that on your mind."

"Just, you are so lovely." He told her as he rose her hands to his mouth to kiss.

She nodded, "Right. And that's out. These boobs belong to our daughter until further notice."

He grinned. "Okay."

"Maybe you can meditate?"

"Nah." He told her as he wrapped his arms around her again. "I'll just go to sleep."

"You need to sleep some more." She told him.

He let her go and sighed. "You're right."

She giggled and walked over to the food replicator to ask for the odd cherries.

He crossed his arms and leaned against the cabinet. "I was going to bring those."

She walked back over to him, and fed him a cherry. "Go to the ship and work-out."

"That's actually what I usually do."

She smiled, "I know that's what Arles does. It doesn't surprise me that you do it, too. Arles gets angry?"

Samuel ate another cherry. "Yeah. And it's not pretty. It usually ends with him breaking someone's arms. I keep holding out hope that he'll grow cross with Tony."

Karen smiled as Samuel fed her a cherry. "I've heard of that. I thought he was joking."

Samuel shook his head. "Nope. Arles has a temper. Thankfully, that we don't see too often."

Karen nodded and ate another cherry. "I'm going to get back to the baby."

"So, you're really alright if I…."

She smiled, "Do what you need to. I mean, in order to calm down. Samuel, ask yourself this. Is he worth getting upset over?"

Samuel considered. "Really can't be reasonable with that at the moment."

She fed him another cherry and kissed his lips quickly. "I love you. The answer is 'no, he's not worth it.'"

He watched as she walked away from him, back to the bedroom.

He crossed his arms and nodded. She was right. He knew she was. He smiled at the pleasurable sensation that she had left his lips with. "Oh, I love that woman."

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