"Have you been giving him lessons or something?" The Doctor examined his screwdriver, tsking over the small bite marks on the metal.

"Lessons in what, exactly?" Amy asked distractedly as she fastened the snaps on their daughter's nappy.

"Being a troublemaker."

"Oi! Don't forget that he's your son too."

"Yes, yes, I know. Probably the worst combination, but what can you do."

"Excuse me?" Amy, who had just lifted Jenna up and put her over her shoulder, frowned at him. "Are you regretting having a family with me, mister?"

"Why would I?" The Doctor tucked the sonic back into his jacket pocket and smiled. Dropping onto the stone pew next to her, he raked back the curtain of ginger hair that had fallen into her indignant face. "Besides; for better or worse and all that."

"We didn't exactly say vows at our wedding, ya know."

"How do you know I wasn't thinking them?

"Because you didn't even know it was a wedding at the time, you dolt."

The Doctor scratched the back of his head thoughtfully. "Ah…well, you may have a point there."

"Of course I have a point."

"Don't you always?"

"What're you trying to say?"

"Erm…you're right, dear."

"Are you just saying that to shut me up?"

"Not at all. Maybe a little."

Amy rolled her eyes. It was hard, however, to remain cross at him, especially with Jenna hiccupping into her shoulder. And the fact that he was kneading his fingers between the muscles at the top of her shoulder blades, releasing the tension that was constantly building up there. "So, this prince bloke. Do you suppose he'll show up anytime soon?" She asked, relaxing.

"I would assume so. A savior generally doesn't come until hopes are pretty much entirely dashed. It's rather stereotypical, but there you have it." The Doctor leaned over to grab Ian, who seemed to be intent on trying to tie his shoelaces together. Not that he knew how to yet, of course, although his father wouldn't put it past him.

"And we're just gonna stay down here and hide till he decides to make his appearance?"

"Well he may not be as far away as everyone thinks. Maybe he's somewhere within the Underground this very minute." The Doctor didn't mention anything about his reluctance to return to the surface. He couldn't get the image of silver bullets whizzing towards Amy out of his head, or the sight of blood pouring down River's arm. These pirates were more than he bargained for when it came to protecting his family.

"How are we supposed to know who he is, anyway? I mean, any ole fella could raise his hand and claim to be him," Amy mused.

"That's a mighty good question, miss." Ezra, who had wandered over during their conversation, sat down on the pew in front of them and turned so he was facing their direction. "There's a birthmark that runs in the Anavrinian royal family, reportedly shaped like the Star of the East and located just below the left shoulder blade. Also, there's an amphitheater at the heart of the Underground that houses the Sword of Emet, which is sealed in marble and can only be retrieved by a true heir to the throne. But even with that he won't be able to take his place as king unless he's already chosen a prospective queen."

"Prospective queen? What's that about?" The Doctor asked inquisitively.

"It's an ancient Anavrinian law, kept since anyone can remember. We feel an unmarried king could be too easily swayed. A queen at his side making the decisions with him creates a fairer balance," Ezra explained.

"Sounds like a brilliant idea to me," Amy chimed in approvingly. "I wouldn't mind that job."

"May I remind you that you aren't available for that job, Pond," the Doctor told her.

"Well aren't you just a little raincloud."

"When I have to be, yes."

Amy made a face.

"Does the pirate King know about the prince?" The Doctor continued, ignoring her. He pulled Ian's tiny hands out of his pockets and plopped the boy on his lap so he was facing the Resistance leader, in order to dissuade further mischief.

"Marduk? If he does, he regards it as little more than folklore. He's confident that he wiped out the entire royal line during his takeover," said Ezra. "Although Sirrush is far from convinced."

"Sirrush?"

"Marduk's Secretary of War. He's quite influential, albeit often suspicious of everything and everyone. They've had it out on more than one occasion, and each have their own share of loyal followers. They always smooth it over, but I wouldn't be surprised if either division or usurpation was in store for Marduk."

"A house divided, eh? Could be advantageous for you lot in the near future."

Ezra nodded. "That's what we reckon."

Just then Ruth called Ezra over for a conference with a group of men who had recently entered the church, leaving the Doctor and Amy alone once more.

Amy leaned over. "So what's the plan?" She whispered conspiratorially.

"We convince the prince to come out of hiding."

"What, that's it?"

"Dunno; haven't had proper time to think, especially with this itty bitty rogue trying to rob me of everything I have on my person. For now it is."

"And how are we supposed to find this prince, exactly?"

"Shouldn't be too hard. We can form a search party with River and Clarion."

"So you think he's somewhere down here in this maze."

"Almost positive."

Amy narrowed her eyes. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

"No, of course not." The Doctor looked at her intently. "You wouldn't really prefer an Anavrinian prince to me, would you?"

"Hmm. Depends on how much money he's got."

"Amelia!"

"Kidding! Honestly." Amy grinned. "Besides, an Anavrinian prince most likely wouldn't watch both our children while I went to look for a loo."

"Precisely! Hold on…"

"Thanks so much for volunteering." Amy planted a quick kiss on the lips of a very bewildered Doctor before depositing Jenna in the arm that wasn't wrapped around Ian and skipping away.

"Amy! Amelia! Amelia Jessica Pond, you get back here!" He shouted after her, although his words went unheeded. As if on cue, Ian started to squirm in an effort to escape, and Jenna began fussing. It was time to initiate Plan B. "RIVEERRR!"

"Good grief, Doctor, I bet even the pirates heard that! Whatever is the matter?" River asked, appearing a moment later with Clarion on her heels.

"Amy went off to find a loo," the Doctor said simply, if not desperately, as he struggled to keep a grip on both his son and daughter.

River rolled her eyes and relieved him of Ian. "They're just babies; they won't kill you."

"As far as you know."

"Of all the fathers I've ever met, you are the most hopelessly inept. Shouldn't you have more experience with this after nine hundred years?" River questioned.

"Not with two at once. It's plain madness."

"Something you are quite familiar with, I'm sure." River kissed the top of Ian's fluffy head, and he smiled innocently, his dimples showing. The Doctor, however, was not fooled.

"Well as long as you're here, might as well tell you Amy and I have decided to start a search for the missing prince. Care to join us?"

River shrugged. "Don't know how you expect to find him with all the people who are down here, but alright."

"Clarion? What'd you say, mate?"

Clarion seemed more hesitant. "Are you sure you want to find him?"

"It's either that or figure out if you Anavrinians have a game even faintly similar to Chinese checkers, because it doesn't look like we're getting back to the TARDIS anytime soon with those gorillas milling all over the place up there."

"Then I suppose I'm in, if River is."

"Brilliant! Now, who wants to go inform Amy that they don't have indoor plumbing underground?"

A 'sirrush', or mušḫuššu, is actually a mythological hybrid of dragon, eagle, and some sort of feline. It's depicted on the reconstructed Ishtar Gate of the city of Babylon. And I thought it sounds cool. Lol.

Thanks for reading, reviews more than welcome! :)