A/N: Characters are borrowed for entertainment only. I own nothing. All mistakes are my own, so I apologize profusely. I hope you all enjoy. For all that are still following me, thanks...it makes me smile.

000000000000

Sitting in the back of the SUV, Mary had a death grip on Joe's hand. She stared at the country side passing by totally lost in thought. Joe was as nearly wide eyed as Mary. He turned to her and uttered one word. "Adventure?" he smiled as best he could.

"Oh yes," she smiled at him with tears in her eyes. "This is definitely an adventure.

00000

Chloe and Oliver were in standing in the bed room that had been prepared for Mary and Joe's arrival. It was set with every convenience they would need to make Joe's stay easier.

"Very nice." Chloe spoke pulling him into a hug. He looked down and smiled at her. "How long before they get here?"

"They are half an hour away," he smiled. "Chef is keeping everything I cooked warm and will bring it up when we message him." He kissed her warmly pulled back and then they walked hand in hand to the front room to wait for their guests.

000000000000000

Chloe was sitting against Oliver on the couch when Jet entered to announce the guests. Chloe smiled, Oliver paled as they stood and waited for Maggie and Callum to enter. Maggie was pushing Joe's wheelchair, Callum was escorting Mary.

Mary's face lit up when she saw Oliver and she pulled away from Callum to go and hug the young Prince. She then pulled back realizing she must have breached some protocol and stood back blushing furiously.

"I'm so sorry," Mary spoke curtseying.

"Nonsense," Oliver smiled and pulled her into a warm embrace. He looked over her shoulder to Jet, Callum, and Maggie. "Please, see that their things get sent to their room," he spoke dismissing them without dismissing them. He pulled back from Mary and smiled at her. "Welcome to our home." He grinned.

The room cleared and Oliver turned his attention back to his guests. "Now, there is no need to apologize, you have done nothing wrong." He spoke "In this home, in this place, I am only Oliver."

"I just don't want to embarrass you." She spoke blushing.

Oliver frowned and shook his head, "You could never do that."

"Mary." Chloe spoke and Mary stared at Chloe a little stricken. "What I have learned is that this man holds protocol solely as formality. It doesn't change how he feels about you." Chloe moved to hug Mary and whispered, "Just breathe," in her ear. Mary just chuckled and pulled back.

"Look at you Chloe girl." She smiled patting the girl's cheek. She then turned to Joe and wheeled him to be in front of Oliver. Oliver lowered himself to Joe's level. The older man smiled at Oliver and weakly extended his hand to the Prince.

Oliver took his hand and shook it heartily. "Welcome, sir." He spoke.

"Thank you," he spoke.

"No, thank you for coming." He stood. "Now please, Mary have a seat." He directed her to the couch. She wheeled Joe to be next to it and the set his brakes, then she sat. Chloe and Oliver sat across from her on the other sectional.

"So, Mary how was the trip?" Chloe asked.

"It was wonderful. I definitely feel spoiled." She smiled.

"Good, I was hoping that it would be easy for you and Joe." Ollie spoke. Mary just smiled and looked at him. "What?" he asked nervously

"The accent." She teased. His face reddened.

"I know right?" Chloe spoke resting her hand on Oliver's knee and squeezed gently.

"Alright, ladies." He spoke shaking his head. His cheeks

"Seriously, I don't think I have ever felt so pampered." She smiled.

"It was nice." Joe piped in. Mary's heart swelled at her chatty husband.

"Wonderful." Ollie smiled. "Now my father sends his regards. He is running behind, he had some obligations to take care of but insists on meeting with you as soon as he gets back on the property."

"The King?" Mary asked.

"My father." Oliver tried to reassure, "Who just happens to be a King." He grinned.

"This is just slightly unbelievable." Mary spoke. "I mean really once upon a time you saved me from a rude man in the street and now here we are in a palace." She spoke shaking her head.

"I would have to agree," he spoke wistfully. "I was a man with a destiny that was biting at my heels. I got the chance to go off on my own and not only did I find my very best friend." He spoke wrapping his arm around Chloe. "But friends that mean the world to me. You showed a complete stranger warmth and hospitality, something I could never forget."

Mary shook her head then reached into her purse and pulled out the thick envelope of bank documents. "This…. is too much." She spoke handing the documents over to him. Oliver moved from his seat, took Mary's hands in his documents and all and sat next to her on the couch.

"Not nearly enough." He spoke smiling.

"But we can't." she spoke shaking her head.

"Didn't Callum explain to you about the internship program?" she nodded. "Didn't two of them arrive at your place before you left?"

"Oh they did and they were wonderful."

"But?"

"But you paid off the debt," she spoke shaking her head in disbelief. "A really large debt."

"And I would expect nothing less from him." An older version of Oliver spoke escorting a woman with flaming red hair on his arm. Mary moved to pull her hand from Oliver's, he held fast. "No need to get up." The new man spoke gesturing for her to stay seated. "And not only was that debt resolved, but so was the debt incurred by your husband's medical expenses."

"What?" Mary spoke looking at Oliver like he sprouted a second head.

Oliver only smiled. "I lost my grandparents years ago. It was nice to have that feeling again."

"And he spoke so highly of you both, it was our pleasure to help you. You should be able to live out your golden years in peace and not have to worry about debt collection." The elder man spoke. "Hello Mary, I feel like I know you already." He spoke extending his hand. "I'm Robert Queehne." He smiled. Mary let go of Oliver's hand and took the hand offered to her. She let go after they shook hands. He then turned to Joe. "Sir, welcome to our home." He spoke lowering himself to Joe's level and taking the man's extended hand.

"He's a good boy." Joe spoke.

"That he is and I'm very proud of him." Roberte spoke. He stood and turned to the red head. "Now, I would like for you to meet Bea O'Malley my…. fiancée." He spoke smiling. "What? When?" Chloe gasped and shot up from her seat and hugged the couple.

Oliver stood and shook his father's hand then hugged Bea. "Congratulations,"

"We will talk about this in due time." Roberte spoke kissing Bea's cheek. "But now," he smiled down at Mary. "Let us enjoy the company of your guests." He spoke to Oliver and then directed them to sit.

"Very pleased to make your acquaintance ma'am, sir." Bea spoke as she shook Mary's and Joes hands before sitting next to Roberte.

"Now I understand that what my son has done may seem extravagant to you, but indeed it's an investment. Not only for trade into our country, but also for you. Proceeds from the sale of whatever will be produced will be placed in a trust for you for your expenses," he smiled.

"But."

"No, no buts Mary." Oliver spoke smiling. "I never forget my friends."

"Wow." She spoke sitting back on the couch.

"I say that a lot too." Chloe teased Oliver.

"Oh you are funny." He laughed.

"Mary," Roberte spoke. "Why don't the kids show you to your room, you can rest and settle in from your travels, and then we can have dinner in about an hour or so."

"Wonderful." She smiled.

"Sir?" Joe spoke to Roberte.

"Yes."

"Thank you." He spoke. He closed his eyes as if trying to find his words. "For helping…keep our home."

The room was silent, Mary's eyes filled with tears. "Sir," Roberte spoke back to him. "You are very welcome indeed. Now rest." He smiled warmly. Chloe and Oliver stood. Mary stood as well. Chloe hooked her arm in Mary's while Oliver released the brakes on Joe's wheel chair and they left the sitting room.

Bea just shook her head. "What?" Roberte asked.

"I…" she sighed and leaned against him. "You have raised such a wonderful son," she shook her head. "The apple didn't fall far from the tree." She smiled up at him.

"And you dear lady, are wonderful too and after the coronation, we can start our lives as we have wanted to for ages."

"Charmer." She teased kissing his cheek.

000000

Mary looked around the room, her eyes wide with wonder. "This is too much." She spoke. There was a hospital bed for Joe with a lift nearby and rails so he wouldn't fall from bed. There was a twin bed close to his for Mary so she could be there if he needed anything.

"There is also an alarm." Oliver spoke showing her the button on the bed controller. "It is connected to the staff that is dedicated to you and Joe. Any time all you have to do is press the button."

"The bathroom is wheelchair accessible," Chloe spoke. "There is also another call button there." She spoke. "Every supply you had at home is in the cabinet under the sink."

"You two." She shook her head unable to find the appropriate words to say, thank you seemed very inadequate.

"You rest, get settled," Oliver spoke. "And call." He spoke handing her a card with his number on it. "For when you're ready for dinner."

Mary just hugged him and Chloe again. "God bless you two." She spoke sniffing.

Chloe and Oliver excused themselves and went back to the sitting room.

00000000000

"Ohh that is beautiful," Chloe spoke admiring the elegant ring on Bea's finger. "How did he do it?" she asked.

"Ohh," Bea smiled. "We had planned a picnic on the west lawn. He was late, but came over on Rumbler. He had roses." She smiled.

"I am impressed, dad." Oliver spoke smiling.

"Well, since you all showed me how much time I have wasted; I didn't feel the need to waist anymore." He shrugged and winked at Bea. "We would like the ceremony to be after the coronation." He added. Oliver just smiled.

"So how big is dinner tonight?" Bea asked.

"Well, Jet, Lexa, A.C and Emma, Vic and Kimbra, Yssie and Ty." Chloe spoke.

"And I have more guests arriving tomorrow." Oliver spoke.

"And so it begins?" Roberte teased.

"Aye," Oliver spoke rubbing his neck. Chloe just moved to his lap and hugged him.

"You will be fine," Roberte spoke. "When I took the crown was much younger then you, with not nearly the support." He spoke. "I gained the wisdom and circle of friends over the years. You son have support and the circle, and me." Oliver nodded and smiled. "Now, if you excuse us, we are going to go relax a bit before dinner as well."

"Sure thing, dad." He spoke as the King and Bea stood and left. Chloe just watched Oliver as he stared out at nothing.

"So either you are really nervous about this coronation thing, or you are plotting something."

"Hmmm?" he spoke looking at her.

"Plotting something." She spoke smiling.

"You up for another surprise for them?" he asked Chloe grinned mischievously.

"Like maybe a wedding?" Chloe asked and he only nodded.

"Definitely a wedding."

"What do you have in mind?" She spoke turning to straddle him.

"Something that will totally blow them both away."

"I really do love your style." She grinned as she slipped off his lap to go the coffee table and pulled a tablet from the hidden drawer. "Now what are you thinking?" she asked gleefully.

0000000000

Oliver, Chloe, Roberte and Bea were in the dining room sitting and chatting with Mary and Joe as the rest of the guests arrived. Jet and Lexa with Nina came in. Nina was a tiny tornado of hugs and giggles for the royals. Jet only shook his head as Bea scooped her up and blew raspberries on her cheek.

Oliver stood and formally introduced Mary and Joe to each one as they came in. A.C and Emma were the last to arrive.

"And last but not least are A.C and Emma." Ollie spoke. A. C came around to stand in front of the couple and shook Mary's hand and did a double take before shaking Joe's hand. The man looked very familiar. "Sir, a pleasure to meet you." He spoke smiling. Joe just smiled back. Emma shook hands as well and then they took their seats. Emma couldn't help but notice that A.C was suddenly very distracted. Chloe who was seated next to A.C caught the same vibe.

"They are Clark and Martha's neighbors from Smallville." Chloe whispered to him, struck by his staring. Emma was also curious at how he was acting. He just shook his head and tried to be better company. He couldn't help but think that he had been to the Kent farm many times over the years and had never really met the neighbors. He knew the face, he was sure of it he just couldn't place it and it was bugging him.

Dinner was relaxing and Mary and Joe were regaled with stories of Chloe's very recent adventures and stories from Oliver as a child. When Mary began to yawn more consistently, Jet and Tie offered to escort the couple back to their room. The rest of the group went to the sitting room for coffee.

"A.C what's bugging you?" Chloe asked.

"I know that face." He shook his head. "I just can't place it."

"Well I don't know how, they've lived in Smallville all their lives." Chloe spoke.

"Do they have any children? Maybe I met one of them somewhere." He spoke.

"No, Mary and Joe didn't but he was married before." Ollie spoke setting down his coffee.

"Really?" Chloe asked.

"Yeah, he had a young wife and son, Mary said she got bored with the farm life and left him high and dry. His son was killed in the war." Ollie explained.

"A son?" A.C asked.

"What's up A.C?" Chloe asked.

He shook his head as realization smacked him upside the head. "I don't think his first wife got bored with the farm life." He spoke. He turned to Emma. "I gotta go and check something out." He shook his head.

"We can give her a ride home." Kimbra spoke.

"Thanks." He smiled he turned to the rest of the group who was very curious. "Look I don't want to say anything until I'm sure. Sorry," he spoke and stood after kissing Emma and left the room.

"Well that was weird." Kimbra spoke.

"Nope," Chloe spoke. "You sort of get used to the randomness of these guys." She smiled.

0000000

A.C slipped into the water and swam with determination to Atlantis. He arrived at the current that would carry him to the palace in short order. He arrived and entered the palace going to the guard house, looking for a face.